State of the Game Address

[codecatx5]

I've been wondering something for a while. Does everybody like the direction that this game is going in? Like not prizing or tournament wise. But, like the direction of the game as in the design of deck themes and elements.

Now, I know everyone will never be happy at the same time. I personally hate where the game is now and feel almost completely bored with the lack of good options of decks and cards. I hate the half themes and silly rulings. The lack of banning cards like warhawk and spontaneous tree summoning etc. The oversaturation of mission negation. The lack of mission negation counters. The reprinting of both Shimon and Naraka path. Not reprinting Messenger ninja's or changing Clash etc...

So, what do you other humans think?

[Seventh Path]

Originally Posted by codecatx5

I've been wondering something for a while. Does everybody like the direction that this game is going in? Like not prizing or tournament wise. But, like the direction of the game as in the design of deck themes and elements.

Now, I know everyone will never be happy at the same time. I personally hate where the game is now and feel almost completely bored with the lack of good options of decks and cards. I hate the half themes and silly rulings. The lack of banning cards like warhawk and spontaneous tree summoning etc. The oversaturation of mission negation. The lack of mission negation counters. The reprinting of both Shimon and Naraka path. Not reprinting Messenger ninja's or changing Clash etc...

So, what do you other humans think?

People will never be happy it seems. The only real half theme we actually got was chakra charity but that's because WE said it was a bad idea. When they listen to public response what happens? Everyone says "Why'd you stop?". People complain about having too many cards on the lost and when we have a tiny list like this one people want every little problem put on it. People complain about not having mission control and once we have it complain about too much. The only thing I can honestly agree is bad is Clash not changing. Not because of the strength of the effect but because of the principle of the card. Even that is lovable.

I like the state the game is in right now. Fire\X and revitalize may be on top but each element has its benefits. It just takes much more skill to play and win with those other options

[avatar7]

I don't like the direction in which the game is going, in which the latest sets are pushing it to. Weird and nonsensical deck strategies, a lot of pointless and useless cards, too much focus on early game, lack of theme-related cards and deck builds, lack of multiple element cards, removal of previous mechanics, too much repeat of the same ninja cards while others are never made, jutsus that don't exist yet real jutsus not being made into cards, the constant excuse with lack of art, etc. etc. ...

[MJM]

The above poster has not the slightest idea of what he is talking about.

The only real problem with the game is the shifted aspect of the game. I'm referring to the elements. While it's true that formats are supposed to be like that, where some elements are better than others, it shouldn't be to this extent. It feels like the good decks get better while the bad decks get worse. Perfect example of this is A Shadow of the Leaf. A 3rd on-color Mission negation for Fire was not needed whatsoever.

[codecatx5]

Originally Posted by MJM

The above poster has not the slightest idea of what he is talking about.

The only real problem with the game is the shifted aspect of the game. I'm referring to the elements. While it's true that formats are supposed to be like that, where some elements are better than others, it shouldn't be to this extent. It feels like the good decks get better while the bad decks get worse. Perfect example of this is A Shadow of the Leaf. A 3rd on-color Mission negation for Fire was not needed whatsoever.

I agree completely.

[NextoftheLegacy]

Originally Posted by MJM

The only real problem with the game is the shifted aspect of the game. I'm referring to the elements. While it's true that formats are supposed to be like that, where some elements are better than others, it shouldn't be to this extent. It feels like the good decks get better while the bad decks get worse. Perfect example of this is A Shadow of the Leaf. A 3rd on-color Mission negation for Fire was not needed whatsoever.

This. I feel like some elements are getting incredibly powerful cards and others are utterly missing out. For example, Fire got a that is so good he makes seem average. Lightning got who, coming off a T4 ninja, dwarfs just about any reinforcement currently in block. Add to that those two elements' established place in the meta and it's no question as to why they're at the top. Compared to Fire and Lightning, elements like Wind and Water have very little going for them, being unable to keep up with their low drops and having significantly weaker late options. IMO the format needs more snipe effects or long-term effect negation like dehydration to counter these effects, else we'll face even more power creep needed for the other elements to catch up. The game becomes stale when one or two elements have such a clear advantage over the others. It's also crazy we get garbage like in an effort to tone down total power levels at the beginning of this block when other cards more powerful than we've ever seen are being printed.

<rant>

Remember how Manda was banned because he made the game not fun for the opponent? Yeah, that's how I feel when every Fire deck plays Kakashi. A Kakashi dropped on T5 means the game will likely end the in the next turn or two unless you have an equally broken way to deal with him. Hidan CM and TP4 Deidara end the game even sooner IF you even get to the late game. Fire has such a huge advantage with Backstab and Dragon Flame that other elements really don't stand much of a chance in comparison. Knowing that Kakashi, a free BR machine against any other element besides its own, will remain in Block for another 1.5 years makes me cringe. Earth is rising and Void has some tricks up its sleeve to keep up, but I don't see Wind or Water even coming close in power to the other elements.

</rant>

Also, draw power is still way too strong. I think reprinting would be a great way to balance this somewhat. It would give Water a huge boon and it would make relying on large draw cards like Warhawk and Awakening to replenish a hand much more risky.

[soundwave187]

Originally Posted by MJM

The above poster has not the slightest idea of what he is talking about.

The only real problem with the game is the shifted aspect of the game. I'm referring to the elements. While it's true that formats are supposed to be like that, where some elements are better than others, it shouldn't be to this extent. It feels like the good decks get better while the bad decks get worse. Perfect example of this is A Shadow of the Leaf. A 3rd on-color Mission negation for Fire was not needed whatsoever.

.........
S4S

[codecatx5]

Originally Posted by Seventh Path

People will never be happy it seems. The only real half theme we actually got was chakra charity but that's because WE said it was a bad idea. When they listen to public response what happens? Everyone says "Why'd you stop?". People complain about having too many cards on the lost and when we have a tiny list like this one people want every little problem put on it. People complain about not having mission control and once we have it complain about too much. The only thing I can honestly agree is bad is Clash not changing. Not because of the strength of the effect but because of the principle of the card. Even that is lovable.

I like the state the game is in right now. Fire\X and revitalize may be on top but each element has its benefits. It just takes much more skill to play and win with those other options

There are more than a few half-themes like flashpoint, burst, desperation are all half themes. Toads and Tail beast are incomplete themes. When they brought back the terrible combination cards they brought back a half theme and there are more.

I more or less am usually with leaving cards off the list as I prefer the meta to change based on the weaker elements and themes being supported rather than nerfing the stronger elements. But it seems like they don't know how to do that.

I want clash to change because I like the idea of fresh idea and maybe a fresh tool on a card being given every set.

It's possible to play with other elements but I just don't like the idea that every element can't stand on equal ground and as it is that's what's happened. Especially when Tylar thinks lightning is the best element...