The State of Battlegrounds
To preface, I used to enjoy Battlegrounds, especially when they first came out, like most of the community. It was a new game mode and a breath of fresh air where you previously did not actively play against other players in real time.
What used to be my favorite game mode turned into a place for F2P players to get absolutely stomped by people who spend more money on the game than them with metas and rewards catered directly towards them.
It started with the changes to how Elder's Marks became the only currency with which you could gain points and changing the match making to be based on rank entirely, and not roster power. This change completely eliminates any chance of lower rosters making it to the upper tiers of ranks and divisions as P2P players make up the majority of higher ranks in both Victory Tracks and Gladiator Circuits.
It all makes me wonder, what is the point? Does Kabam actually play test the metas and changes they make before releasing them?
The previous meta of decks of 40 champs was based off a well rounded roster with the goal of creating more variation match to match. The gripes were that most people did not have more than 30 champs highly ranked enough to compete, etc etc.
The current meta of scoring being changed to create a winner out of whoever finishes a fight faster, regardless of attacker health left, has MANY issues.
1. This completely removes all semblance of skill, enforcing an extremely aggressive play style in order to beat down defenders with ridiculous amounts of health, and removing ALL of the risk of losing health
2. This creates a better environment for whales with less skill as they no longer have to worry about losing health against a skillful opponent, the match simply becomes "who has the bigger stick?"
3. All of this combined with a seasonal modifier that rotates immunities and a protection based off knockdown, artificially slowing down combat, and if you get unlucky with enemy AI, well... you can probably kiss that round goodbye.
But Bun, it's an EXPERIMENTAL season! They're suppose to be trying new things and not everything they try will be successful!
And to that, I agree. Game developers can branch out and be incorrect about what they think is good for the game even after play testing. HOWEVER, The thing I think is a massive slap in the face to every player, is centering an experimental BGs season, which was poorly designed, around chasing a Stellar Forged Blade piece.
I have not spoken to one player who has enjoyed this BGs season and I've seen many players turn to Arenas in order to just farm out the units and save themselves peace of mind in BGs.
So, Kabam, I hope this does not fall on deaf ears, because I'd really like to hear your thoughts on how this was SUPPOSED to play out. I don't think most of the community agrees with this methodology. And while I would find it highly uncharacteristic of you, I think lots of people would like if this SF-Blade piece was more obtainable, or to know that future Stellar Forged pieces will not be completely stone-walled.
