Pyrodinium
Posts: 639
12/30/2015
|
Just my two surface currencies.
On the opportunity deck:
I think one the reason that I liked this game is that it's not competitive. This is why I can sincerely celebrate the good fortunes of other people and even thank those that defeat me in K&C for a good fight. In other games, if someone has say, a +3 exceptional hat while I only got a +1 normal hat then I'm gonna hate that guy until I overtake his item build. As such, there's no immediate reason for me to beef up my deck or any of my inventory.
I do enjoy tinkering my deck until it's a bit streamlined, but I think part of the point of having an opportunity deck is well... making do with the opportunities that the "glorious" RNG (who just recently gave me a fail for a 97% success rate action) is giving you. It'll probably get boring very fast if you insta-win every time you flip a card.
As for the "advertisements", I really think it's not that intrusive nor damaging to gameplay. In some online games that I played these games' ads are necessarily to actually stay competitive. Honestly, after getting my required BDR gear on, I merely use FATE on stories just because I like FBG and their storytelling.
On improving the opportunity deck:
I support Danko's "C" option. Stat-scaling card options are the way to go although not necessarily at a 1.7 EPA ratio. I prefer grinds to be varied rather than just relying on a few carousels or opp cards.
Estelle Knoht wrote:
You know, maybe they are hoping you will frown so hard that they can snag a bottle of tiger blood.
Now I want to know how intoxicating this "drink" is. Unfortunately, getting a sip might cost me insane amounts of weeping gant scars.
--
My profiles: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Pyrodinium
(A Monster hunter on the hunt of his twin brother's killer. Overprotective dad of his twin's daughter)
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Rudolph~of~Taured
(an indeterminate person of potentially rubbery lineage)
* All social actions except photographers and loitering welcome!
|
|
|
+3
link
|
Parelle
Posts: 1084
12/30/2015
|
I'll speak up as someone who will not/cannot pay: I think I don't mind the Glim sculptor that much (and I used him to get to SotC7). But the Aunt, and lodgings are different because they are choices made with such greater long term consequence than you know at the time (I'm looking at you, cowering over there in the corner, Mr. Artist!)
And, those are somewhat counter intuitive choices: I couldn't afford much, but I was so pleased when I picked up all of the lodgings. I
thought I had seriously accomplished something! And I remember chucking my Aunt (I have fearsome ones in real life too) out the door. I thought, ha! I accomplished something!
But that was seriously before I realized that discarding your opportunity cards is safer. Wiser. And what you should do if playing optimally (more on that latter)
And that's a shame, because the opportunity deck is such an interesting concept. My favorite parts of the game are those with their own deck: Heists, at Zee, Pickpocketing, and the Flash Lays, which I hope will improve even more in the future. I'll even do these areas as someone who doesn't have a 5 card hand and half of the time forgets to switch to a 4 card hand from a remote address before starting.
And the location specific cards are such a great concept! I like the rare cards and rejoice when I find them: I've two moods in hand for the first time ever and I drew both today - go RNG go! And hey, I just drew a card I've never seen before for having Connected:Criminals 20! Are you trying to bribe me, Mr. RNG?
But for new players, those of us who've been here for awhile have to advise when asked - don't depend on the deck. Discard what you can't manage right now. Don't buy anything you'll regret later. Don't clog up your deck, because that can't be fixed. Don't pursuit undesirable connections because they'll just make things worse (I mean, I seriously considered going ridiculously out of character and stabbing that poor Rubbery Thing to get him out of my life. It took me the better part of three days to kill my Rubbery connection).
And that's a shame, because there's lots I tried out as a newer player just because I didn't know how it would work. But if someone asks on the forum how best to do something, it's usually, well, grind this storylet or try this conversion tree or luck check. Because you can depend on it being there when you need it and it's more profitable than card flipping. It's quicker, it'd be straightforward.
Being a non-paying player, I accept my 12-30 cards per day, and I check in very often. I'm happy with that and the amount of content available is great - I know I've a few areas left to reach. But it is still a shame that a chunk of the deck in the main part of the game is rather static and doesn't change or even become more difficult as time goes on. It's something which keeps me checking in quicker than the 20 action candle would otherwise lead me to, but to be frank, I'm often disappointed when I need to send my aunt to the curb again. Because lady, I TOLD you to go to the surface, and stay there!
--
Parelle, Lady Joseph Marlen. The Singular Librarian. A Midnighter, a Player of the Marvelous.
pages from a dusty bookshop: a badly updated FL changelog | Useful Guidance and Explanations
|
|
|
+3
link
|
Guest
12/30/2015
|
And if I haven't said it recently, thank you Alexis and all of Failbetter for such a masterful game here! My Subscription and Fate purchaces often speak for themselves, but the ocasional posting is needed to remind others it's not for "nusience reasons" I buy stuff here!
Alexis Kennedy wrote:
I don't know what kind of cackling fiends you think we are, but no card exists 'solely to clog up your deck'. Some outlive their usefulness, is all. You're wading hip-deep through more lovingly crafted free content than you will find in any other F2P game ever, and occasionally the deck gently nudges you and suggests you throw a dollar or two our way. It's perfectly fine if you don't want to; but if you call us crooks for asking, you will see this disappointed frown; this one, here on my disappointed face.
Happy New Year!
And for the record, I would pay Fate if it allows us to here you fiendishly cackle! (As well as lock you in a room to create something as masterful as Flint again, but family first.)
Happy New Year Alexis, Failbetter and all players reading this!
[spoiler](Oh, right the FL's the truthseeker is predicting exposed misery and Doom the next year for all those who somehow survive the next two days, for those who wish an Alternate to Cheer.
For those regular Revelers however, Snow Belie's unspeakable things in the Pit of Pleasures is at the usual location. If you have to ask any of the 5 W's and 1 H, you weren't invited.)[/spoiler]
|
|
|
0
link
|
Ben
Posts: 657
1/1/2016
|
the truthseeker wrote:
And for the record, I would pay Fate if it allows us to here you fiendishly cackle! (As well as lock you in a room to create something as masterful as Flint again, but family first.)
careful, you never know when one of those locked room sessions will turn out to contain "Seeking".
--
The wind has no destination.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/IcountFrom0
|
|
|
0
link
|
Hobnail
Posts: 179
1/1/2016
|
Oh don't tease us, tease us, tease us so...
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hobnail
|
|
|
+1
link
|
Psyche Labyrinth
Posts: 159
1/1/2016
|
The cards we all consider "useless" in our frustration aren't actually useless. A useless card would offer no reward or story advancement in return for spending an action. The Aunt and the Embassy card can lower your nightmares which is pretty darn useful when you're desperate to do so, for example, and connection cards provide saleable items, not expensive ones but still ones able to be grinded to a high return. They can be frustrating when you're waiting for another card, yeah, but they're not at all useless and they're not put there solely to clog p your deck.
--
Neath citizen, zee captain, possible deranged serial killer...
Profile
Backstory
Appearance
Always happy to meet new people and help out where I can!
|
|
|
0
link
|
Guest
1/2/2016
|
Psyche Labyrinth wrote:
The cards we all consider "useless" in our frustration aren't actually useless. A useless card would offer no reward or story advancement in return for spending an action. The Aunt and the Embassy card can lower your nightmares which is pretty darn useful when you're desperate to do so, for example, and connection cards provide saleable items, not expensive ones but still ones able to be grinded to a high return. They can be frustrating when you're waiting for another card, yeah, but they're not at all useless and they're not put there solely to clog p your deck. Only one of my characters has that Lost Aunt, the rest make up some excuse about weasels, have 4+ Subtle and get one second chance. But no menace gain. Just remember both options when talking about non-Fate Aunt card draws, good and bad.
|
|
|
0
link
|