What is the focus of next patch?

[corky]

I would like to see some balance adjustments to some OP cards, but more importantly, a boost to those elements that are lacking.

I also hope there are some new cards in beta testing. Every patch release should yield new original cards. That will help encourage existing players to stay long term.

[collimatrix]

I would like to see some balance adjustments to some OP cards, but more importantly, a boost to those elements that are lacking.

I also hope there are some new cards in beta testing. Every patch release should yield new original cards. That will help encourage existing players to stay long term.

Anyone who knows ain't saying.

[pepokish]

Unfortunately, I really don't think anyone knows what the new patch has in store except Zanz himself.  However, it's always nice to discuss these things.  C: 

What specific elements do you think are lacking, and in what way?  What cards do you think are the most horribly OP? 

[corky]

What specific elements do you think are lacking, and in what way?  What cards do you think are the most horribly OP?

Personally, I find certain creatures found in fast decks to be detrimental to the game. Namely Giant Frogs and Elite Graboids(possibly others). Due to the lack of an inherent blocking mechanic in Elements, stuffing a bunch of cheap creatures in a deck is devastating and disproportionately effective . It takes away from the strategy and sophistication of building a thoughtful deck. I would like to see effectiveness of speed decks diminished.

As far as buffs are concerned, I rarely see Air, Water and Light as a primary element.  They are usually a one trick pony with little versatility on their own merits. It would be nice to see some cards added to them that changes the dynamic of strategy to make them more effective.

I would also like to see Dragons across the board buffed(a unique breath weapon for each perhaps). I feel the cost does not warrant its strength. You are much better off throwing out multiple cheap creatures with a better cost/power ratio than to dump this monster down. Again, due to lack of an inherent blocking mechanic in elements, the dragons high defense means very little.

[Kuross]

Personally, I find certain creatures found in fast decks to be detrimental to the game. Namely Giant Frogs and Elite Graboids(possibly others). Due to the lack of an inherent blocking mechanic in Elements, stuffing a bunch of cheap creatures in a deck is devastating and disproportionately effective . It takes away from the strategy and sophistication of building a thoughtful deck. I would like to see effectiveness of speed decks diminished.

As far as buffs are concerned, I rarely see Air, Water and Light as a primary element.  They are usually a one trick pony with little versatility on their own merits. It would be nice to see some cards added to them that changes the dynamic of strategy to make them more effective.

I would also like to see Dragons across the board buffed(a unique breath weapon for each perhaps). I feel the cost does not warrant its strength. You are much better off throwing out multiple cheap creatures with a better cost/power ratio than to dump this monster down. Again, due to lack of an inherent blocking mechanic in elements, the dragons high defense means very little.

Just a few responses...

To the first paragraph.... one card- Phase Shield. Neither Frog nor Graboid decks have an easy time with this shield. Most rush decks can be countered by other popular PvP decks built on stall or defense. Then it comes down to well timed plays and draws.

Second paragraph... I do agree with you a bit. But those elements (Air, Water, Light) have very functinal uses in many decks. Maybe they aren't as stand alone as other elements (fire or entropy for instance) but they are nonetheless elements with potential.

Third paragraph... In the last patch the dragons (along with a few other cards) got the buff "airbourne." Currently, there is only one card that has an ability focused around the airbourne ability, the card "Wings" from air; a new card in the last patch. However, there a few decks that pacck the dragon and they can be tough. Dragons aren't meant to be a basic creature found in plentiful amounts in every deck. As it stands, their size is enough to be a threat in and of itself. I am not sure they really need any more of a punch.

I do want to see what the patch will bring and I wait patiently for it. Probably my biggest grandstanding point on the forums is almost every card that needs a buff/nerf would be better suited if new cards hit the bazaar. I've played CCGs enough in my life to know that one new card added to the mix can radically change how many other cards function. Similar to chess in that any move made on the board can potentailly strengthen or weaken the value of any/every peice's position.

If you find a card that is simply too OP/UP there is a nerf/buff section for each individual card. But I'd recommend waiting for the next batch of cards to come out before goincrazy with the nerfbat. As it stands, I "think" most of the community feels the cards are in a nice, delicate balance at the moment. Though a few feel change is needed, I think it's safe to say it would be best to see how new cards will change the existings ones and then make any changes after we've seen the results.

[Kamietsu]

All cards have strength's and weaknesses, that goes along with the decks as well. Speed decks can easily be countered, often by having the right shield/weapon/strategy. I think that game is pretty balanced as it is now, in my personal opinion, and am just looking forward to any new cards if there are any with this next update.

But as for Air, Water, and Light, a lot of decks are one trick ponies, or one trick done in various ways throughout the deck. Strategy is still a huge part of this game, and speed decks are a strategy. Building a successful speed deck isn't as easy as it sounds, it's just that a lot of people have discovered several useful combinations to create good speed decks. And on the opposite side, there have been many counter decks.

I still run your mainly basic rainbow deck, and many of the speed decks I come across overpower me early on. But I usually end up getting my stalling an defense up eventually and completely turn the duel around. A lot of speed decks deal with raw damage, or some way to defeat your opponent quickly, which leaves them lacking in various areas, like creature control, or defense, or perm control, and using the right combination, you can easily decimate a speed deck.

As for the dragons, I've never thought they needed a buff or a nerf and were alright as they were. I wouldn't want to see them buffed at all.

But stuffing a bunch of small creatures into your deck isn't always effective, like I said above about speed decks. Most can be stopped by the right shield, or heavily slowed down. Diamond shield would stop most of them, or weaken their damage. Permafrost shield or Turtle Shield do wonders, so does a Fire Buckler. Not to mention, with the right deck, Hope will stop basically all damage.


If you want to find out about the next update, you'll have to catch Zanz in the chat and hope he will divulge a little info on it.

[Malduk]

To the first paragraph.... one card- Phase Shield. Neither Frog nor Graboid decks have an easy time with this shield. Most rush decks can be countered by other popular PvP decks built on stall or defense. Then it comes down to well timed plays and draws.

Dont really want to get dragged into balance discussion in this thread, but that is not the best way of looking at things. 28|28 that costs 5 random quanta would be stupidly OP, and yet would be stopped by Phase Shield.
Just because there IS a way to counter something, doesnt suddenly mean that the card is in line with other similar cards (in this example damage dealing creatures). So, while looking at Frog or Graboid, they should be compared with similar cards - damage dealing creatures, because that whole group of cards is actually countered by same/similar things.

[Kuross]

To the first paragraph.... one card- Phase Shield. Neither Frog nor Graboid decks have an easy time with this shield. Most rush decks can be countered by other popular PvP decks built on stall or defense. Then it comes down to well timed plays and draws.

Dont really want to get dragged into balance discussion in this thread, but that is not the best way of looking at things. 28|28 that costs 5 random quanta would be stupidly OP, and yet would be stopped by Phase Shield.
Just because there IS a way to counter something, doesnt suddenly mean that the card is in line with other similar cards (in this example damage dealing creatures). So, while looking at Frog or Graboid, they should be compared with similar cards - damage dealing creatures, because that whole group of cards is actually countered by same/similar things.

I hear ya. The point of the the paragraph I responded to seemed to speak to a certain inability to deal with rush decks and nerfing the cards found in those rush decks seemed what it iwas the poster was subtley looking to do. Maybe I read into it wrong, so I apologize if that's the case.

I do agree that you can't compare apples and oranges, but in comparing frogs and graboids to their like may seem disproprotionate, in the grand scheme of things they aren't so OP that they can't be dealth with.

[corky]

I specifically pick on frogs and graboids based on their cost to damage ratio. They seem disproportionate to other creature cards in other elements. They simply bring too much damage too soon.

I do not feel these cards are vastly overpowered. I merely suggest they be tweaked slightly so they are not always the 'go to' creature card found in so many decks. Tweaking them will make other interesting creature cards more appealing. I feel doing so would be healthy for the game overall.

[Kuross]

I get what you are trying to say, but there is a subtle, and often overlooked, balance to Frogs and Graboids... their respesctive element. If those same creatures were found in Fire, for instance, the speed at which they could be played would be ridiculous. Also, given the elements where they are found, the support they have is nothing compared to say Darkness or Entropy. Though they are fast, they are indirectly kept in check by the element they are a part of. This is why I say new cards are such a big deal. Imagine giving Earth something akin to Immolation. If you think Graboids are fast now, wait until that day.

IMO, I think every good CCG should have fast components, like Frog and Graboid, to keep balance with control decks. I personally see nothing wrong with having fast decks compete with control decks. I beleve it's just easier to play fast decks as opposed to playing control decks and that's where most of the popularity comes from.

[corky]

Perhaps you are right in suggesting the best way to circumvent some very powerful cards in game is to add new cards which target the dynamics of weaker cards therefore enhancing them leading to better balance. That seems to be the direction the developer has been taking.

If rush decks do not appear to be a problem with the community, then perhaps it is just my perspective. the Ten Men deck in top 50 for example seems unbeatable to me regardless of what deck you use.

[Mithcairion]

One of the nice things about this game is the variety of elements and what they do.  As such, there is also a wide variety of strategies that can be played and counters to said strategies.