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Wiseman -> Overpowered and Balanced (4/11/2011 4:19:07)
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I have been reading some threads in the general discussion lately, and I started to wonder, do players really understand what is really overpowered. More importantly do they understand what balancing the game will truly do.
First off, if a class or build defeats you in battle...its not overpowered, it means your weak to that build and you should probably rethink your build to counter that build. I see a lot of people claim a build or class is overpowered just because they lost to them a few times, however they don't look at the big picture. Each build has a weakness, and each build has strengths, nobody will win every battle, winning constantly is a dream that will never be realized. Complaining about builds and saying they are overpowered because you lose to them does not mean you will win every battle if that build gets nerfed, it just means new builds will emerge that you will also lose to.
Its a vicious cycle, one build gets nerfed, and it creates a chance for a new build to emerge, which in turn gets nerfed and then another build will emerge, etc. Now I'm not saying there aren't true overpowered builds waiting to be found, but what I am saying is that many players don't seem to understand what makes a build overpowered.
There are two types of players in this game, players that want fast wins to move up the boards (competitive players), and players that want long battles that they can remember (strategic players).
In a game where those two player-groups are always at odds at what they consider to be fun, you cant satisfy both sides at the same time.
On top of that, there are three classes, and each class wants to be the best and wants to see the other two classes fall. You can't satisfy all three classes at once, if you nerf one class then that class will begin to complain bout the new "overpowered" class.
What does that mean? It means that no matter what, someone is gonna be happy and someone is gonna be upset each time a change is made.
Now how do you tell if a build is truly overpowered. First off you must look at the boards and see the builds average percent and speeds. If a build consistently gets a high percent or wins extremely fast, then maybe its overpowered. However that's not always the case, a lot of the time it really depends on the player base and which builds are popular at the time.
There are three types of builds that I personally would consider overpowered.
1. If a build can get over 95% without any NPC fights consistently then it is overpowered. Keep in mind there are players that will be able to do this no matter what build they use, but in most cases it requires NPCs.
Two good examples of this is Heal Loop Mages and +5 Focus Tank Mercs.
Heal Loop Mages lead to the creation of agility and +5 Focus Tank Mercs is what lead the the removal of the focus damage bonus. Both build types consistently obtained 95-100% without any NPC fights, meaning they where both truly overpowered.
2. If a build can obtain 50-60 wins an hour via simple two turn combos then that build is overpowered. This kind of speed is unfair to the other classes and/or builds that cannot reach these speeds, meaning that you would actually need this type of build to win daily 1v1.
Two good examples of this are Stun Zerk Mercs and the Original Support Merc.
Stun Zerk Merc are the main reason the developers have created diminishing returns and Support Mercs where why developers made both the artillery strike requirements and focus. Both builds where able to 2 turn most players or in the worst case 4 turn with some strategy. They where also capable of 2-3 turning NPCs.
3. The last type is what I call a hybrid overpowered build. They are capable of good speeds (45-55 wins an hour) and high percents (90-95 percent without NPC battles). These types of build may not be able to beat type 2 in speed or type 1 in percent, but it has enough of both to be considered overpowered.
The perfect example of this would be High Strength Smoke/Mass Bounties that resulted in the passive skills (shadow arts and Blood lust) receiving requirements. I believe deadly aim also received a requirement as well (I'm not entirely sure why, but I'm sure there was a reason).
If a build is obviously overpowered then eventually players will begin to hop classes in order to use that build. This results in a massive imbalance in class ratio, and in turn usually means that the build in question will receive a nerf or change of some type.
Basically when people begin to hop classes to be a specific build, then a nerf will soon follow. It happens every time, and will continue to happen until the classes gain an even population and stay that way.
Your question might be (then why did the developers make class change). Good question, and the answer is simple, its what the players wanted and as one of the most wanted features, the developers released it.
Now personally I love class changing when I get bored of one class, when you have as many wins as me, fighting becomes extremely repetitive and sometimes you just need to change it up a little. However I dislike how many players abuse the feature to jump classes every time a new overpowered build is discovered. Then again if that didn't happen, a lot of the overpowered builds would have never became popular, and in turn would have never been nerfed.
Now that you know what is truly considered overpowered and what isn't I'll explain what would happen if true balance was achieved in Epic Duel.
Everyone would be equal, equal in speed, and equal in percent. The only thing that would give you and edge is weapons and armor. This being said everyone's percents would even out to about 80-85%, non varium players would average about 10% below that. If someone where to NPC every hour then their % would range about 88-93. And of course players that only fight NPCs would have bout 95-100% as usual.
All classes would have builds that can reach the highest speeds, which would be roughly 35-42 wins an hour with NPCs.
Simply put, balance means that things will change, and when that change comes people wont be happy. Why? Because the populace dislikes change, and suffer from something called "They changed it now it sucks". This is when the players will either complain or adapt, however either way the change will come, if you want balance its a sacrifice you have to make.
So the real questions is, will you be one of the ones that adapt and improve the situation, or will you be one of the ones that fight against it and complain. The choice is yours, and neither is good or bad, people that adapt will help new players get used to the changes, and the ones that complain will in some cases cause the changes to change again (sometimes for the better).
Just keep in mind when you complain, that unless you give valid reasons and statistics to support your point, you will not be heard. If you just say "this sucks" then it wont change anything, if you have a complaint, make it constructive.
And of course discussions are welcome, as this is a discussion forum. However this thread is not about any particular class or build, its about how to tell when something is truly overpowered, and about the essence of balance.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this helps players to understand what is truly overpowered and what true balance will be like.
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