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edwardvulture -> Long Overdue: (5) Focus (Still) Needs to be Removed (1/9/2016 15:53:39)
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5 focus was that easy build that anyone could default to; it is also the most long-lived and most common build in Epicduel Some might say that there are variations, but for the most part, 5 focus is just an added bonus in robot damage that players get for lining up all their stats at or above 45. There was a time when attaining focus had an actual cost, and there was a time that getting any focus levels below 5 had an actual benefit. I could go on and on and discuss the history of 5 focus, but I believe I have better things to do with my time.
Instead of discussing the direct implications of 5 focus in a balance sense, I'm going to tell you how 5 focus has hurt the game in ways that no balance problems should.
First, 5 focus, as the most common build, has made battles stale and it is the most common build among level 40 "legendary s" who line up their stats for the easy boost in robot damage. There was a time when it was enjoyable to fight Pvp battles in Epicduel, where you did not know what build you were going to go up against, and where you could see a creative build that actually worked. Right now, Pvp battles at and near the level cap are usually one sided against the lower level or lower rank against legendary where you cannot say that diversity exists or that it was a close battle where you almost won. The legendary system and the level cap to 40 has essentially removed any cost to having a 5 focus build.
Second, 5 focus builds do not have an inherent or reliable weakness. By definition, these builds are usually wellrounded with a lean on certain stats but still, there is no real counter that can beat 5 focus. In healthy games, certain mechanics are allowed a bit of not having a counter-play, but in Epicduel a whole build lacking counter-play is a build that has to be removed.
Third, if I was to pinpoint the 2 things that made Epicduel unfun and driven off the player base, I would say it was 5 focus and the removal in place of a revamp, of passives. It has driven off the incentives for players to be creative and for players to actually enjoy battles.
The main point of Epicduel is the "duel" and that is where you actually play the game. I know that mobile games have a faster growing market and that computer games have evolved in its complexity to not as much favor browser games, but I do think that Epicduel has a chance of surviving into the future if the gameplay mechanics are revamped and that balance choices by the developers are made so that they are "meaningful" and not "easy".
Some questions for you guys to discuss are:
1. What are the implications of 5 focus beyond balance?
2. What are the values that make Epicduel "fun" for you?
3. Would you, if you could, be willing to take on an active role to help out the balance team?
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