Solo Contests and New Player Perspective

[Mrs_Rabbit_XXVIII]

I’m brand new to the game, but a long time gamer. I’ve avoided this game due to the critical nature of the reviews but I thought I would give it a fair try.

Even as someone who has purchased the daily deals and other deals, I’m having an extremely hard time even reaching the first tier of the “Fortify the Network” contest. Even after nearly 6,000 stamina and over 2,000 Diamonds.

I feel the SOLO contest progress rewards should be allocated. New Players (especially F2P) have little chance at even participating in these contests. To new players, the resources from these contests are critical. To me, this would warrant an immediate uninstall considering real money is required to even participate in these types of contests generally. Unless you have a stockpile of resources. Which is practically impossible to newer players.

I think the game is incredible. Even with a similar engine to dozens of idle games out there in a market oversaturated with them. The characters are portrayed perfectly with interesting synergies. However, I notice a major drop-off and unbalance when it comes to the same difficulty in MANY modes for veterans and new players alike. With invasion being a perfect example. The contests second. Invasion unlocks at TL 60, but even meeting the level requirement I personally don’t have a prayer in participating.

It’s a brilliant game but plagued with critical unbalancing issues. I cannot recommend it, as it’s horribly unfair to new players. Specifically those who don’t have immediate money to spend. The squeeze on the contest should AT LEAST be loosened for brand new players participating in their first contest. The same with invasion… Being blown away in Guild War is also no fun.

What’s needed to be realized is that new players at level 45 are a stark contrast to veterans at TL 205. There’s just very little stepping stone towards growth other than money. This is a critical problem with this game. The week one wonders are absolutely inconsequential and the free characters, from what I hear, are horribly underpowered considering the meta of the game.

[Bagshot]

Das verzichte auf den Wettbewerb.
Die Belohnungen sind nicht sehr gut.

[The_Real_Numi]

What’s needed to be realized is that new players at level 45 are a stark contrast to veterans at TL 205. There’s just very little stepping stone towards growth other than money. This is a critical problem with this game. The week one wonders are absolutely inconsequential and the free characters, from what I hear, are horribly underpowered considering the meta of the game.

There are three major holes in the whole game and a lot of smaller ones.

1. Absolutely no real catch-up to the veterans in a normal amount of time
For the testing purposes I made an S5 account, totally F2P. Yes, you can get to level 93 in 18 days. But considering the amount of characters in the game, you still have to choose 10 to go and leave the others out.

2. Unreal expectations for contests (old servers)
While S21 and 22 have 2,500ish diamonds and 1,800 stamina needed to win 1M points, old servers need to gather almost 6,000 diamonds (the means to get them are the same tho) and 30,000 stamina (where exactly?).
That´s a questionable and I call it personally outright inducing expenditure from all the players to even get nearby there, while not needing any expenditure at newer servers. Wrong design altogether.

At the same time, those new servers will come to a point where it is impossible to keep up with their characters (they mostly have right now even, due to super low stamina deals).

3. Red Skill unlock and distribution
First and foremost, Red Skills are possible to get to level 85 at the time of writing (90 next Tuesday) on old servers. One needs a ton of Skill Chips (4000+) and ton of Hero Chips (500+) to max that skill.
City Watch gives 525 Skill Chips a run. In itself screaming there is just no possibility to ever come nearby the top and even if so, it takes literal ages.

Honorable Mention
Invasion - how in the hell should P2 characters without power-ups battle with R14 characters? Better even, why? Why is it not P2 in the first breaker as are the characters a new player to Invasion uses? Why you have to diss the new player there thus reducing the likelihood of them being interested in the game further?

@Polaris Those are definitely concerning issues that matter to many players. The things just don´t add up. The team stopped increasing the mod advancements (THANK GOD!) but those other issues should be addressed asap. I don´t feel it´s hard to change few numbers or lines that appear either once a week for 3 days, once a week for 6 days or take well… one line or so? (Red Skills)

[PawpsicleSticks]

Your post sums up my thoughts about the game perfectly. Also, spoilers, but FtN progress rewards are still impossible even within 5 levels of the cap and in mid Arena/Coli challengers leagues.

The game has a lot of potential, but the hyper-aggressive focus on encouraging forcing players to spend squanders it. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

[Yunno]

1. My co-worker tried this game because it looked fun but decided to quit after just 1 day! He said there were too many things for him to do and too much for him to catch up… No wonder this game has no new players

2. I was a spender for a little while but decided to come back to F2P. You know why? Even after spending money on stamina deals, I’m still falling behind. Then what’s the point?

3. The only reason I could complete FTN contest after coming back to F2P (or before spending) is hoarding stamina, which I’m sure I’m not the only one. And tbh, contest rewards are getting worse and worse but the scoring system is getting more and more ridiculous. The only thing hasn’t changed (or gotten worse) is ranking rewards, which obviously isn’t for most of players

4. Red Skills are good and they do change potential of heroes in this game. But the question is, how many of them we can max? With insane requirement of skill chips to lv up and limited offer from CW (what a joke), it’s basically impossible. And that’s where Skill Chip Crates and Skill Chip Deals come in… What a surprise!

Sometimes I feel like things will end soon, and by things here I mean the game! It’s exhausting… which is ironical because it’s a game, it should be relaxing but oh well, we all know what happened

[Mariette]

not only new comers but the veterans . Players still can’t catch if they pay . This one now is a business and no longer the game .
“freedom to play” could lead you to nowhere.

[The_Real_Numi]

“freedom to play” could lead you to nowhere.

Funny you have mentioned PB´s motto… “freedom to p(l)ay”

[Filadae_Djaq]

I think that was the point