Some people like to pretend this is the only mode in the game, pretty much... but why? It doesn't seem very "competitive" is like 90+% (very rough estimate) essentially purchase their way up there. And not only that, but actual form of strategy seems very crippled. You're basically forced to using certain skills- and even characters, just because they "score better".
These new factors make it worse. The new Dueling skills? How about having to spoonfeed kills to your bonus unit? (ironically, the most strategy I've seen so far). I just think people shouldn't hold it to the standard they think they're given. I've seen far more strategy in Youtube video of GHBs, solos and the like than I've ever seen in a mode where the AI mindlessly rushes at you and you're basically facing the same deal at least half the time.
I don't think Arena is "competitive" at all- at least not if you have pay money. I don't mean this to offend anyone, but I trust people can see this rather than pretending they're "better" at the game just because they have a team of +10 Hectors.
A guy told me that not being able to use ranged units and dancers is because it would be "too easy". It's one thing to make it harder, and then another to do so by taking away fundamental aspects of strategy.
Daggers, healers and dancers are among the most strategical units there are.
Here's something I didn't add;
It doesn't really pay off in T20-21. It takes much more to build a core team of 3+10s, and the mild difference of 1k feathers between T19 to 20 speaks for itself.
I'm not discarting AA, so you're free to fill in the blanks. I'm still a bit skeptical as to how your other characters will fight against teams of +10s...
I never saw Arena as a test of skill, but rather another avenue to receive orbs and feathers. I like being able to summon for more units, and I like being able to build up my units; that's mainly the reason why I even bother with Arena and try to score as high as I can.
With these new Arena changes, though, I've been enjoying Arena Assault much more. The BST search is determined solely by the first team. After that, you can field 6 four-unit teams of anyone you want. There's also no stupid bonus units, and the Blessings scoring isn't as bad as the bonus unit scoring.
I think arena would be a whole lot more meaningful if we were actually playing against other humans instead of AI-driven teams built by other humans. When I'm grinding (not arena) on auto-battle, the AI does some incredibly dumbass things that I as a player would never do, like stick my -Def red mage in the attack range of a lance unit for no good reason.
It might be impossible to have to players face each other, and let alone with positioning skills, dancers and the like. Endless draws, and there are time where the player who makes the first move, loses...
And the AI is something I used to point towards to. AI in other modes feels smarter, and they even stall until you make the first move (and corner you by covering Colours and using the layout to their advantage).
It shouldn't be possible to have 0 losses on either side unless one team is significantly outmatched. I can see optimal strategies utilizing something like a combination of a mobile brave/firesweep weapon user with Galeforce, a dancer, and a very sturdy enemy phase unit to force a surrender and/or trade for several units.
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