Dev Diary: Spring into Summer 2021

Greetings Summoners,

After what feels like an Age of Ultron since we last sat down for a homely fireside chat about The Contest. In that time, the team has been busy delivering on the majority of the awesome things we announced last year. From new Act content, a succession of Back Issues, Alliance tools, node improvements, undo button, a bonanza of Champion Updates, selling from stash, a raft of Incursions updates, and so much more in between.

We didn’t deliver on everything though (Summer of Pain, *cough* *cough*). Development priorities change, YOUR priorities change, and we evolve with The Contest as it grows. However, some things haven’t changed, and we’re still hard at work on some of the awesome things we announced last time, many of which are that much closer to being in your hands.

Last time out, we waxed lyrical about our vision and goals, this time, we’re getting straight to the meat. So without further ado, let’s dive into the first Dev Diary of 2021!

Read all about it here!

Comments

FineDog

I'm most excited about the arena revamp (next week!) and Project Genesis (finally an excuse to replace my 4 year old phone!). But I'm extremely curious about Relics and the new Masteries. The wording was pretty vague on what might the changes might bring, but I've always wanted a more RPG-like experience (personal preference, I'm sure many others will disagree). With a few exceptions, the existing masteries mostly just buff your stats and don't do anything particularly interesting, so I'm hoping new masteries and Relics allow for increased customization, unique playstyles, and lots of YouTube videos about the best builds for certain characters.

Corby11

New CARINA’S Challange mentions a 4* tagged Canadian.

What champs are tagged Canadian, I can’t filter by it? Is this something that will be added in the next day or 2 or is it just a case of identifying marvel champions from Canada ? Is that like wolverine and guardian?

Hammerbro_64

Seems really cool! Can’t wait

RiderofHell

New CARINA’S Challange mentions a 4* tagged Canadian.

What champs are tagged Canadian, I can’t filter by it? Is this something that will be added in the next day or 2 or is it just a case of identifying marvel champions from Canada ? Is that like wolverine and guardian?

Aaronc94

Over the years of existance of MCOC, gears/relics have been discussed several times, the majority of us DONT WANT this

Daddrieda

Over the years of existance of MCOC, gears/relics have been discussed several times, the majority of us DONT WANT this

it can't be helped, it's their game so they do what they think is good for the game in a long run. who knows when it get to be released then it could cause community outbreak and kabam will either see that or not and do another decision to either go forward with it or revert the plan and trash it.

unknown

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MattMan

Kabam is more transparent than the White House. This looks great and I'm looking forward to what you all have planned for the year. Thanks for considering and actually listening to your player base. Not many games do that.
Don’t kid yourself.
Player base has told them again and again they don’t want gear...yet here it comes.
Anyone who says gear is bad but masteries are good doesn't understand how technology works.

Where did I say anything about masteries?

unknown

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Colonaut123

The proof of the pudding is the eating. I do hope relics don't replace reworks, and I hope it doesn't conserve the meta (making the god tier beyond infinity), or becomes another casino or pay to win.

But I am not against the idea of customizing champions to make some of the lower champions more useful. But this has to be done carefully, from what I can tell from the comments.

Rockerman

Kabam is more transparent than the White House. This looks great and I'm looking forward to what you all have planned for the year. Thanks for considering and actually listening to your player base. Not many games do that.
Don’t kid yourself.
Player base has told them again and again they don’t want gear...yet here it comes.
*Some* of the players have said they don't want gear. But there are others who have said they want a post R5 progression system that doesn't involve the next higher rarity. Whether they implement that with "gear" or "unlockable skill trees" or "higher tier awakenings" is irrelevant: it is all just terminology. The properties of all roster progression systems in this game will involve a) hunting for resources and b) applying them to champions (aside from actually hunting for the champions themselves). And since that's how most people define gear, players have been basically asking for gear.

Anything you can do with gear I can do with masteries. Literally anything. I can make masteries unlockable with resources you have to hunt for in crystals. I can make masteries apply to a subset of champions, or even one. Anyone who says gear is bad but masteries are good doesn't understand how technology works.

Here is where your argument breaks down, and makes it seem like you're the one failing to understand the implications. Systems like this exist in so many games, and its easy to see where all such a system can be headed.

Masteries are well defined, static upgrades, that are offered equally to everyone. The mastery you have access to will be the exact same one I will have access to. No variation in value, no RNG, no luck. Any person can try and identically replicate someone else's build. That's simply not the case with a system like gear/relics. The fact that theyre collectible items means they have room for RNG to the drops.

There are enough layers of RNG to roster building as it is, in the game now. Imo, its actually at a great balance point, with the spread of abilities various champs have and the methods to vaguely target some set of champs.(Plus with the buffs we're getting).

Imagine a scenario where you finally pulled that one champ that can help you complete content, you have the iso, cats, gem and stones saved up to max rank max sig them, but even after all that luck and investment theyre still not usable for specific content that you need them for, cuz of missing gear. And that missing gear that you're aiming for could be an item that is rare to acquire as a drop, maybe as rare as the highly sought after champ, or even more; and even when acquired you then have to again be lucky, to get the right rolls on its values. And who knows what upgrading systems they will start adding in place for that gear, with how many required rare resources.

The reason so many people are reacting negatively is because a system like this has the potential to be horrible for progression and roster-building; and opens the doors for a lot more RNG added on top of the existing RNG and therefore a lot more pay-2-win scenarios.

Daddrieda

i take all of those ideas added to the game and erase the idea of adding gear items.. gear items could potentially be the end of this game unless KABAM restrict the gear items to only be used for questing like another version of Gate rarity system and staying away from arenas. Arenas is already time consuming enough so no point in making it more excessive.

Nick_Caine_32

If they keep relics to the solo competition mode I have no issue with this.

If they’re doing them game wide, as described in this diary, it will be my exit point after 6 years or playing. Don’t go down that road Kabam. The rest of this sounds amazing but that may distract from how bad of an idea relics are.

You got backlash in 12.0 for announcing something very similar and I can guarantee if you’re introducing this into the game it’s going to push a lot of people away. Please take some time and feedback and don’t do this.

Kapitz

I'd really like comment from Kabam about duping a max sig 6 star champ and why we get effectively nothing but ISO in exchange for a significant shard cost? Despite the scarcity of signature stones, it's not uncommon for players now to have at least 1 or 2 champions at max sig.

If "what comes next" isn't going to be for quite some time yet, this is only going to become more and more of a problem. In the absence of "what comes next" shards, we should really be getting at least something of value when this happens, perhaps 20 class sig stones (i.e. what the dupe essentially would've given you)?

While you're at it... Increasing the ISO reward for a 5 or 6-Star dupe would be really handy. More T5CC lately = more R3 rankups = where the heck did my ISO stash just disappear to and I'm only halfway to level 45.

GroundedWisdom

How do I feel? I'm looking forward to things. Very exciting. The only issue I take is with Wars. There is no mention of anything besides the Top Tier, and the game mode already centers around it to begin with. I'm sorry but I feel compelled to point out that they're not the only ones playing that game mode.

Fakesclg

The removal of 4 star of basic arenas for uncollected players, really really sucks for me. My units will definitely take a hit, plus some champions who I really really want I grind for(I got CGR and doom). Plus this entire roadmap is completely made for Endgame and whales(Relics and strikers, summer of pain, all that stuff, literally every single piece of content, Galactus raids, Carina's Challenges(could have made a toned-down uncollected version), Variant 8). What about the F2P players trying to finish act 5, why are they just not thought about? I'm not being negative, I like the initiative. I'd love to hear the rest of all of your thoughts as well. I like the aw changes and the masteries 2.0 but other than that. Not great for me atleast

Kapitz

The removal of 4 star of basic arenas for uncollected players, really really sucks for me. My units will definitely take a hit,

Why not wait and see the distribution of units across the milestones of what is essentially now two 4 Star arenas you'll have access to? The total units available has slightly increased, and I'd assume similar effort in terms of arena rounds will at the very least yield similar return. I'd actually guess that seeing as 4 arenas are being merged into 2 for higher total return that in all likelihood you'll find yourself getting more units per 3 day cycle than you currently are.

Edit: as I posted I realised you may have been referring to not being able to access the arenas at all if you're not Uncollected, but not entirely sure. If so, I'd still say wait and see what the unit distribution is for the revamped Summoner Trials arena.

Jahnybravo

The removal of 4 star of basic arenas for uncollected players, really really sucks for me. My units will definitely take a hit, plus some champions who I really really want I grind for(I got CGR and doom). Plus this entire roadmap is completely made for Endgame and whales(Relics and strikers, summer of pain, all that stuff, literally every single piece of content, Galactus raids, Carina's Challenges(could have made a toned-down uncollected version), Variant 8). What about the F2P players trying to finish act 5, why are they just not thought about? I'm not being negative, I like the initiative. I'd love to hear the rest of all of your thoughts as well. I like the aw changes and the masteries 2.0 but other than that. Not great for me atleast

They also mentioned revamping the lower parts of the game and accelerating lower progression so that players reach the rest of the game sooner. Plus the majority of the new content is for endgame players because endgame players are the ones who are done with what's already in the game. If you're still trying to finish Act 5, then focus on that. And then do 6.1 or the Variants. There's already plenty of stuff for you to do. I can't do any of the new stuff either because I'm also still doing the old stuff. I'm still working on the Variants myself and then I'll do more Act 6 after that. Finish what's on your plate before you start asking for other people's food.

Stellar

So this month we have the standard EQ 'Cavalier/uncollected/master/...) the side Quest (Legendary/Master/...) the objectives to do the side quest, the Act 7.2, Carina's objectives (with a timer if you want to get the profil pic..)

So much things to do, so much energy needed

That's nice, even a little bit too much. could not we have the side quest energy free this time ?

Ted_n00bgent

If the arenas are being converted into 6 star, does this mean we are done with death squads or am I now going to have to constantly redo my streak when I run into r3 6 stars over and over again?

Wiredawg1

From looking at arena change on paper. It’s a mix. While 6* arena and 5* basic is long over due....I not getting why going backwards and going back to pre 12.0 arena. And by looks of it without seeing milestones...you going be making people choose between basic and featured. Which hurts f2p players and those who grind arena for extra units

Crine60

Root was/is a horrible mechanic. I hope that the lack of mention of it here when you brought up strikers again means you are not moving forward with root. Please don't bring it back in any future content.

Daddrieda

The removal of 4 star of basic arenas for uncollected players, really really sucks for me. My units will definitely take a hit, plus some champions who I really really want I grind for(I got CGR and doom). Plus this entire roadmap is completely made for Endgame and whales(Relics and strikers, summer of pain, all that stuff, literally every single piece of content, Galactus raids, Carina's Challenges(could have made a toned-down uncollected version), Variant 8). What about the F2P players trying to finish act 5, why are they just not thought about? I'm not being negative, I like the initiative. I'd love to hear the rest of all of your thoughts as well. I like the aw changes and the masteries 2.0 but other than that. Not great for me atleast

you worry too much to solo everything and need enough resources? i can glady tell you i beat act 5 when i only had **** champions. Despite the skill level back then wasn't that great, but for being Free To Play player i knew the only way for me to beat act5 was to use units farmed from arenas. I understand you would rather wait for the ''right'' champion to make things easier, but guess what? you're making it more difficult for yourself since you are waiting for an excessive time.

the best you can do right now is to take 5 full man that contain any heavy hitters and it doesn't have to be Domino, Doom or Aegon as it really does not matter and enter that quest and use the units gained from arenas to only buy team revives because that way you can pummel or chip your way through act5. Just because we the end game player have those end game champions does not mean that you have to have those to beat act because back then you could still beat act 5 with 4* champions.

1)take 5 man team of any preferred class, doesn't matter who.
2) enter the Quest.
3)Pummel or chip your way through those paths
4) use team revives if all of your 5 man team is dead so you can continue pummel or chip your way through those paths.
5) ran out of units or revives? Don't worry! Don't exit the quest at all, just leave it be and go straight to arena and farm.
6) got enough units? like 500 units so you can buy 5x team revives or less? great! head back to the quest and continue work your way to pummel or chip the path.
7) amazing work! you just beat act5 despite the time it took, you are now uncollected!

see what i mean?

winterthur

The removal of 4 star of basic arenas for uncollected players, really really sucks for me. My units will definitely take a hit, plus some champions who I really really want I grind for(I got CGR and doom). Plus this entire roadmap is completely made for Endgame and whales(Relics and strikers, summer of pain, all that stuff, literally every single piece of content, Galactus raids, Carina's Challenges(could have made a toned-down uncollected version), Variant 8). What about the F2P players trying to finish act 5, why are they just not thought about? I'm not being negative, I like the initiative. I'd love to hear the rest of all of your thoughts as well. I like the aw changes and the masteries 2.0 but other than that. Not great for me atleast
see what i mean?

I am going to try it.

jp2835

Why that long jump from act 4 missions end directly to Carina's volumes ??

Nothing for uncollected and cavalier ?😭

Cage33

Pls no relics. Everything else looks nice. But if I wanted to grind for gear, I would've stayed playing MROC. Let gear exist over there, and let our champions be on equal footing over here.

VanillaCoke

The one thing that saddens me is the decrease in velocity of Variants. If it’s 2-3 per year, I’m fine with that. But Variants really help Cavalier players strive towards Thronebreaker. However, with those Variants it would make it more difficult since TB is not Act based (like Cavalier), but needing a r3 6*.

unknown

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TheTalents

I'm not sure if I'm ready for gameplay changes like tag teaming someone in mid battle to intercept. Other than that I'm excited for the rest of the changes.

DNA3000

Kabam is more transparent than the White House. This looks great and I'm looking forward to what you all have planned for the year. Thanks for considering and actually listening to your player base. Not many games do that.
Don’t kid yourself.
Player base has told them again and again they don’t want gear...yet here it comes.
Anyone who says gear is bad but masteries are good doesn't understand how technology works.
Where did I say anything about masteries?

Where did I say you said anything about masteries. I said anyone who says gear is bad but masteries are good doesn't understand how technology works. If you think masteries are good, but you think gear is bad, you're one of them. If you think gear is bad and masteries are also bad and shouldn't be in the game, you're not. If you're just commenting on what other people are saying but haven't picked a side either way, then this doesn't directly apply to you at all.