For casual play, I think an issue is comparing UPF to Commander. Magic and FaB are not the same at all, and UPF is more like sitting down and playing Smash Bros with your friends. So a good solution for the format? Turn on items. I made a deck of a bunch of FaB's tokens (From Frailty, to Gold, Vigor, Frostbites, even a Soul Shackle) and each player flips the top card onto their field at the end of turn, after arsenal. Adds the randomness I think UPF needs to not be so cutthroat
I think PVE could be a massive success and become LSS's "cash cow" if they nail it. I'm envisioning something similar to DnD gameplay, but instead of rolling dice everyone in the group has a different hero deck they pilot through a campaign. The "DM" would lead the story and pilot powerful boss decks against the group.
In regards to splatter skull, there is the line where you just send it. If they say no blocks, in reactions you can discard a Windup and intimidate them. Then they have to block out in reaction step or loose the card.
Judging from my LGS, everyone who knows what FaB is but doesn’t play it has a preconceived notion that the game is prohibitively expensive and I think that keeps out new/casual players (along with the game being significantly more difficult than its competitors). If someone is willing to only play one class then the game is much cheaper especially on a long enough timeline.
On the topic of fixing multiplayer, around the time of Crucible of War I had created a homebrewed PvP format that used "maps" or environments from the world of Rathe that gave different buffs and needs to heroes as well as special mechanics and rules that I think spiced up the format a lot and made it a lot more fun and maps were picked at random to up the replayability. But not many people were interested in giving it a shot since I'm sadly one of the very small 10% or so of FaB players that like stuff like that instead of purely competitive play.
Do you associate higher variance / higher ceiling with a higher proportion of one sided games? If so, I’d be inclined to think that they are not a net positive for the game including regarding player attraction. The reason we all fell in love with the game is the tight finishes, both players at one life battling it out with what’s left of their cards/weapons. Losing is always fun then, when you can feel the tension.
Blitz is quite unforgiving, especially for new players. The fast-paced nature of the format leaves little room for error. This can be discouraging for newcomers who are still learning the nuances of the game. Fan-made formats like Clash can offer a more forgiving environment, allowing players to explore strategies and mechanics without the high stakes of Blitz. Focus on more accessible gameplay, giving players time to think and make decisions without the pressure of instant defeat. It's all about striking a balance between challenge and accessibility.
Played a lot of Chane using disruptive Vynnset cards and an Eloquence package on Talishar. My experience so far is the only bad matchup is Ninja, but I havent found a way to make that matchup good. I also got melted by a Viserai that did instant speed Revel into the combo on turn 2. I feel like Chane is unbeatable if you can get to turn 4+, but that is challenging against combo aggro.
I was going to go all in on blitz then it turned out alot of people didn’t like it and the game was more expensive than anticipated. Started playing one piece and star wars in the meantime in addition to already being into magic. The promise of pve is the only reason I have fab cards still at this point. Hopefully if they aren’t going to do it they just come out and say that at some point. Also upf is a bust in my opinion they need something that differentiates it from the base game more.
skirmish season? it's skirmish week 1, after that everything changes. dash and briar will probably be gone, and then by week 3 we may lose some other big ones like rhinar.
I like the Blitz format but I don’t think it’s a good intro into the game. A new time player is going to sit across from someone who sets down a fridge of legendaries and proceed to get wrecked. CC is probably the best starting point IMO.
For casual play, I think an issue is comparing UPF to Commander. Magic and FaB are not the same at all, and UPF is more like sitting down and playing Smash Bros with your friends. So a good solution for the format? Turn on items. I made a deck of a bunch of FaB's tokens (From Frailty, to Gold, Vigor, Frostbites, even a Soul Shackle) and each player flips the top card onto their field at the end of turn, after arsenal. Adds the randomness I think UPF needs to not be so cutthroat
Good idea! I wonder if a planechase type board modifier would help make things more casual as well.
I think PVE could be a massive success and become LSS's "cash cow" if they nail it. I'm envisioning something similar to DnD gameplay, but instead of rolling dice everyone in the group has a different hero deck they pilot through a campaign. The "DM" would lead the story and pilot powerful boss decks against the group.
In regards to splatter skull, there is the line where you just send it. If they say no blocks, in reactions you can discard a Windup and intimidate them. Then they have to block out in reaction step or loose the card.
I played Horizon for the first time last year as well... It was incredible!
Judging from my LGS, everyone who knows what FaB is but doesn’t play it has a preconceived notion that the game is prohibitively expensive and I think that keeps out new/casual players (along with the game being significantly more difficult than its competitors). If someone is willing to only play one class then the game is much cheaper especially on a long enough timeline.
Absolutely digging y’all’s content, keep up the awesome work. Prism AoS FTW!
On the topic of fixing multiplayer, around the time of Crucible of War I had created a homebrewed PvP format that used "maps" or environments from the world of Rathe that gave different buffs and needs to heroes as well as special mechanics and rules that I think spiced up the format a lot and made it a lot more fun and maps were picked at random to up the replayability. But not many people were interested in giving it a shot since I'm sadly one of the very small 10% or so of FaB players that like stuff like that instead of purely competitive play.
Do you associate higher variance / higher ceiling with a higher proportion of one sided games? If so, I’d be inclined to think that they are not a net positive for the game including regarding player attraction. The reason we all fell in love with the game is the tight finishes, both players at one life battling it out with what’s left of their cards/weapons. Losing is always fun then, when you can feel the tension.
Blitz is quite unforgiving, especially for new players. The fast-paced nature of the format leaves little room for error. This can be discouraging for newcomers who are still learning the nuances of the game.
Fan-made formats like Clash can offer a more forgiving environment, allowing players to explore strategies and mechanics without the high stakes of Blitz. Focus on more accessible gameplay, giving players time to think and make decisions without the pressure of instant defeat. It's all about striking a balance between challenge and accessibility.
This episode is missing from spotify
Sadly my locals only have 1 LL event and I'm out of town. Hoping to get to practice armouries to try some older heros I missed out on!
Brendan defending Lorcana = peak moment 💪
Played a lot of Chane using disruptive Vynnset cards and an Eloquence package on Talishar. My experience so far is the only bad matchup is Ninja, but I havent found a way to make that matchup good. I also got melted by a Viserai that did instant speed Revel into the combo on turn 2. I feel like Chane is unbeatable if you can get to turn 4+, but that is challenging against combo aggro.
Rhinar all the way for week 1 Blitz!
Man, Horizon's already been out for 7 years and now I feel even older
I was going to go all in on blitz then it turned out alot of people didn’t like it and the game was more expensive than anticipated. Started playing one piece and star wars in the meantime in addition to already being into magic. The promise of pve is the only reason I have fab cards still at this point. Hopefully if they aren’t going to do it they just come out and say that at some point. Also upf is a bust in my opinion they need something that differentiates it from the base game more.
skirmish season? it's skirmish week 1, after that everything changes. dash and briar will probably be gone, and then by week 3 we may lose some other big ones like rhinar.
NGL I'd be so sad if FaB's PvE never released
If there is a new game to get into, Monster Hunter Wilds!
I like the Blitz format but I don’t think it’s a good intro into the game. A new time player is going to sit across from someone who sets down a fridge of legendaries and proceed to get wrecked. CC is probably the best starting point IMO.
Great pod!