Powercreep has been a thing in this game for a while now.
And it’s not a surprise! Multi-player games like this are basically DESTINED to get powercreep at some point, intentional or not.
I won’t bring up examples from other games similar or dissimilar and focus SOLEY on JWA for this since this is the JWA category of the forum.
First of all, we need to know what powercreep even is. Powercreep is basically a game balance flaw in which case newer units will render old ones useless.
One of the most notable cases of powercreep is the Scorpius not calling it Scorpios Rex Gen 3 introduction… when you look at its kit, you’ll notice it’s gonna DESTROY anything with DOT or stun resistance. And that’s exactly what it does. Why is this a problem?
Looking at creatures such as Trykosaurus and Diorajasaur… Tryko only has the 50% vuln resistance and Dio has none at all, making both weak to negative effects. Scorp G3, having the ability to two shot both while taking no damage thanks to that move, toxic quills, is enough to kill off Tryko and Dio.
In fact, Scorp G3 killed off all the traditional fierce too because of how badly it bodies fierce. Something like this is not healthy for the game.
Anyway, let’s move on. Creatures that shook the balance of the game entirely. I am, of course, referring to Testacornibus, Skoonasaurus, and Phorurex.
Testa and Skoona do the job that Hadros Lux, a very powerful creature, far better. So that makes Hadros Lux a niche option. And with Scorp G3 killing off fierce, Testa reigned supreme thanks to killing almost every cunning and resilient.
Phorurex being another swap in render that can not only fight after swapping in, but also can fight GOOD after swapping in, considering it beats every fierce in the game. This renders Dracoceratops and Dracoceratosaurus, two creatures who aren’t very good at head to head, more niche options.
And while we’re on that topic, let’s get it out the way: Parasauthops pushed both Monolorhino and Ceramagnus, the predominant swapper duo on every team at one point, out the meta too. It does what they can but has offensive potential that Cera used to have and refuses to die, like Mrhino does. So why run either?
Moving on, Arctovasilas and Ankylos Lux. Two resilient (I know Vasilas is a WildCard but I’m referring to it as resilient) creatures that do the jobs of the previous existing kings better. While they weren’t pushed out the meta yet, things are definitely looking grim for them.
As for Phorurex, loses to both of them and the newly added Troodoboa (who is very underrated but that’s a topic for another day.)
While those creatures get weaker, others that can handle them, like Scorp G3, Spinonstrictor, and Indotaurus get stronger.
Now that the history lesson is done, what’s the problem? The problem is a constant meta shift. We’re rendering creatures useless by introducing overpowered creatures like Ankylos Lux.
But if it’s going to happen like I’ve stated earlier, then why complain about it? Because Ludia, or I guess Jam City now, doesn’t seem to acknowledge or care.
The many problems with arrises from many problems. If they cared, they’d rebalance creatures properly and accordingly to keep everything up with the older creatures. A different thing is that they DO NOT SEEM TO PLAY TEST.
Looking back, Pterovexus. The latest change was not a buff. Locking its distraction, a move a swap in wounder should have to chip its opponents have down, behind a delay was not good. If they playtested, they would’ve realized it’s not a buff.
Similarly, if they playtested Scorp G3 they would’ve found how it destroys fierce and could’ve avoided problems today, and everything else I mentioned.
However, a different topic I’ve seen happen so much. Players think that, when a creature is powercrept, it’s all of a sudden “balanced.” A creature should not have to be outclassed to look balanced. They are still overpowered in their own right. Hadros Lux is still broken. A vulnerability counter + rampage or deceleration combo is not a pretty sight. But it’s outclassed by Skoonasaurus. Skoonasaurus is not balanced. That full damage counter and its anti-fierce and attributes and even apparent ability to beat wall tanks now is overpowered. But, it’s outclassed by Ankylos Lux. I think now you see where I’m going with this.
So what’s the conclusion? Powercreeping is NOT the way to balance the game. Buffs and nerfs are. And the way the game is going, it’s going stale, and it’s not good to keep the game an unpleasant experience for the players. It will just
And before someone says it, yes. I am aware their guideline seems to be “New toy, new money-maker.” And to that I say, sure. A veteran who already has Trykosaurus maxed won’t want to buy a Trykosaurus incubator. But you can be sure a new player creature will, a player that wants to unlock a creature they feel is strong by moveset alone.
Yes, this game needs to make money to be a thing. But I’m just saying, just because it’s an old dog, doesn’t mean the new kid on the block won’t want it just because a puppy is also available.
TL:DR powercreep is not good for the game, and it’s not a good way to “balance” the game. Just because Skoonasaurus powercrept Hadors Lux doesn’t mean Hadros is balanced. All of this can be solved with more proper communication, balancing, and playtesting. And just because an old player won’t make money for veterans doesn’t mean it won’t for newer players.
At the end of the day, though, I don’t think Ludia/Jam City will take this into account and improve themselves. While we haven’t seen much of what Jam City has to offer for the game yet, what’s happened so far doesn’t seem promising. I am, after all, sure they ARE the ones who introduced fusible
And yeah I know there are many, many, many more issues with the game. But PVP being the main aspect of the game, I felt it was the most important thing to talk about.
And for that one guy that might say “If you don’t like the game, quit” there’s something called constructive criticism only given to see the game improved. Why would I make an entire article/essay length post if I didn’t want it to be?
All in all despite everything I’ve said, like I’ve said it’s unlikely this’ll be seen and the cycle is likely to continue. See you all in November when Ankylos Lux isn’t viable anymore!
