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Don't rely on calculators so much

I feel a misconception people are having is relying on just numbers on vacuum to base off a character's performance, and this is especially not as accurate when it comes to defensive characters.

Specifically referring to offensive characters, they get more out of it since they can usually sustain roughly the same performance throughout a match (with something like Wrath, for example). For a defensive character, I feel they should weigh their performance beyond only one encounter. An example is how +Atk Henry outperforms +Def/Res on a single encounter, but then the other two play far more into strengths and let him carry through not just one, but multiple encounters. This goes for defensive characters in general. Another example is how the calculator seems to weigh +Def (and respective refine) better than it would +Res IVs and the like, when magic users and Dragons are still very much a thing.

The numbers may not lie, but it doesn't take a lie to not tell you the whole truth.

Asked by Nogitsune5 months 1 week ago

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I've already said that people shouldn't be too reliant on mass-duel simulators because they're not the most reliable in terms of determining a unit's viability, but that's just me.

Like I said, I find it especially true for defensive characters. To only base a defensive character off of that is to limit their capabilties, which is to survive (and kill, obviously). If I say +Atk Henry is better just because an extra 5 matchups in one round, that's selling him short.

It also goes back to what I said, that one shouldn't expect characters to work by the same standards.

Yeah, never understood the whole "this character wins more matches with this build" thing considering how many things could effect the matchup, not to mention that, a lot of the time, people don't actually input a proper build for all of the units to accurately determine the matchup (and even then it's not 100% accurate).

I don't really like using duel simulator's unless it's to see just how much damage a unit can do with a Special trigger, or to see just how a certain unit can tank another (like the Henry vs Reinhardt thing we were discussing a day or two ago).

A duel simulator should only really be used to get a general idea of what one can expect from a units performance. Most of these matchups (offensively or defensively) are going to change greatly depending on the enemy units build and IV set so the posted wins and losses should always be taken with a grain of salt.

It should also be kept in mind that most simulators don't reflect well the course of an entire map just the individual battles, so other conditions could enter in to the equation that alter a maps outcome greatly.

I don't think a mass duel simulator gives you useful information unless it's assuming common or strong alternative builds for characters. Flying Tiki is a very current example - win or lose against Nowi depends on whether Nowi has +atk, +spd, or some other boon as well as whether Tiki has -spd, -res, -HP, what skills she's using, and what buffs each side receives.

As for whether a unit is good through multiple encounters, I think this depends mainly on the build. Offensive characters can build for theoretically infinite battles using desperation, but atk/spd pushers as well as Celica and maybe Alm need other strategies if they want to keep their potency after their first battle; tanks can do similarly with aether or +20 noontime/sol and possibly renewal, which can be important for maintaining QR/guard/wary fighter.