I love how candid and blunt he is on balancing. People DO NOT understand how difficult balance is, but even beyond that just testing in general. All test group sizes.. whether .1% sample size, 10% sample size, or even a public test with 60% sample size.. every single test ever has still resulted in: bugs/unintended behavior, balance issues, things negatively affecting enjoyment, etc. There are so many moving parts in every modern game.. whether a video game, TCG, TTRPG, etc.. that balancing and bug fixing is an ongoing job. It's why they have teams doing these things AS ONGOING JOBS.
Great interview - really enjoyed it, and thanks to both of you. I really appreciated the time and thought given to my question (I'm Mark Armitage), but I smiled wryly at Bryan's dismissal that the question was due to my dissatisfaction at the viability of my favourite Hero. I don't actually have a favourite Hero, nor do I play constructed at anything but the most casual level. What I do have is a genuine affection for the game and especially the community. I probably wouldn't have even posed the question if the request for questions hadn't gone out on the Push the Point Discord, but it seemed like an opportunity to raise a concern I have and others have also voiced. Despite the mischaracterization, I think Bryan's answer was extremely well considered and eloquently communicated. I'm fine with decisions being made that I don't agree with when they're clearly being made with considerable data and ability backing them up. Looking forward to Tampa and the World Premiere!
speaking as someone who absolutely loves this game and wants to see it continue to grow and succeed. I've always had a vibrant local community that would fire armories at multiple stores every week. but ever since PTM, locals has...s trunk a lot. lots of our local stores just aren't firing at all, haven't seen many new players coming in. we used to have 15+ player armoruries and lately we're lucky to have 4-5
@@edchan9667 I bet you it's more so how centralizing the entire set is. The set within itself plays a very extreme Rock/Paper/Sissors game, where each hero has a like 8/2 Matchup Triangle into each other, but MST's wider matchup spread almost stomps out 2/3rds of the game. Near autolosses that you can't tech for without punting the other 2 matchups. Heros like Boltyn and Bravo would not have as many problems into this field if MST exactly did not exist. The meta is still being figured out, Maxx just got a BH win and Boltyn did top 8, but before this ban it was MST and 5ish heroes that can play into them without folding instantly, and have historically been good through HVY (Kano, NuPrism, Kayo sometimes, Victor, Azalea). Those 5 heros are also painpoints for "fair" Flesh and Blood, as all of them do very strong and consistent things that most decks atm can't keep up with. HVY's format went from "You can play into these heros at your own risk" to MST's "You can play these 5 heroes into MST, but you can hold more 8/2 Matchups at your own risk"
If I had to guess, it’s summer. People go out of town, vacation, Nats is over, etc… Happens at my locals too. Give it a few months and people come back. Life happens
I wonder what Bryan thought HH would do for Rhinar. He said they thought he would do better than he did. It is hard for me to see what they were expecting since the cards that played into his strengths were either not really playable (beat chest) or not a big upgrade to his game plan. I’d love to know what they thought he’d do.
"here's the luminas, V's and beacons. if it was missing any of those you would know cause they are the pillars of the deck" kind of awkward, given how beacons arent in the deck :^)
I'd love to play in a Living Legend skirmish but it looks like the nearest one is just way too far. Most of the stores are just going for Blitz, unfortunately.
I still dont agree with putting heros like Zen that are THAT powerfull out of the gates. Having blues that end up having consistantly 4pts of values. Disruption in some decks are hard to come by and Zen has ton or armor for the best agressive deck. If somehow he LLs before the next set, itll be a very bad look for the game as all of his cards would be useless. It is unlikely, but still possible and i fear that itll impact the image and accessibility for newer players
Zen didnt get better with the bans. The 9 bonds list that you blocked until you could triple bonds was dumb and not the best list. Evan's version with 6 bonds and more tiger stuff was always better/resilient to disruption.
Bryan is so good at this stuff; open and honest, shows emotion, but approaches things in a very fair manner. Thanks, Hamish, for bringing this to us.
All gd. Bryan is an S Tier guest.
As much as JW is a good, I actually enjoy BG more for interviews. He's an absolute asset to LSS that is great as another face of the game.
I love how candid and blunt he is on balancing. People DO NOT understand how difficult balance is, but even beyond that just testing in general. All test group sizes.. whether .1% sample size, 10% sample size, or even a public test with 60% sample size.. every single test ever has still resulted in: bugs/unintended behavior, balance issues, things negatively affecting enjoyment, etc. There are so many moving parts in every modern game.. whether a video game, TCG, TTRPG, etc.. that balancing and bug fixing is an ongoing job. It's why they have teams doing these things AS ONGOING JOBS.
🍻
SAVING GRACE IS AMAZING! GIVE US MORE LIKE THAT PLEASE MR. GOTTLIEB!!!
Great interview - really enjoyed it, and thanks to both of you.
I really appreciated the time and thought given to my question (I'm Mark Armitage), but I smiled wryly at Bryan's dismissal that the question was due to my dissatisfaction at the viability of my favourite Hero. I don't actually have a favourite Hero, nor do I play constructed at anything but the most casual level.
What I do have is a genuine affection for the game and especially the community. I probably wouldn't have even posed the question if the request for questions hadn't gone out on the Push the Point Discord, but it seemed like an opportunity to raise a concern I have and others have also voiced.
Despite the mischaracterization, I think Bryan's answer was extremely well considered and eloquently communicated. I'm fine with decisions being made that I don't agree with when they're clearly being made with considerable data and ability backing them up.
Looking forward to Tampa and the World Premiere!
Bryan is the reason I'm in this game. Thanks for this.
Great interview!
Thanks gents!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Always good to get these inside looks, thanks guys! 😁
Any time!
speaking as someone who absolutely loves this game and wants to see it continue to grow and succeed.
I've always had a vibrant local community that would fire armories at multiple stores every week. but ever since PTM, locals has...s trunk a lot. lots of our local stores just aren't firing at all, haven't seen many new players coming in. we used to have 15+ player armoruries and lately we're lucky to have 4-5
Local community isn't as much of a fan of MSTs flavour?
@@edchan9667 I bet you it's more so how centralizing the entire set is. The set within itself plays a very extreme Rock/Paper/Sissors game, where each hero has a like 8/2 Matchup Triangle into each other, but MST's wider matchup spread almost stomps out 2/3rds of the game. Near autolosses that you can't tech for without punting the other 2 matchups. Heros like Boltyn and Bravo would not have as many problems into this field if MST exactly did not exist. The meta is still being figured out, Maxx just got a BH win and Boltyn did top 8, but before this ban it was MST and 5ish heroes that can play into them without folding instantly, and have historically been good through HVY (Kano, NuPrism, Kayo sometimes, Victor, Azalea). Those 5 heros are also painpoints for "fair" Flesh and Blood, as all of them do very strong and consistent things that most decks atm can't keep up with. HVY's format went from "You can play into these heros at your own risk" to MST's "You can play these 5 heroes into MST, but you can hold more 8/2 Matchups at your own risk"
It's understandable that folks aren't having the most fun. Can't play what you enjoy without getting blown off the table by a meta deck.
If I had to guess, it’s summer. People go out of town, vacation, Nats is over, etc…
Happens at my locals too. Give it a few months and people come back. Life happens
23:47 - best hot take
Fantastic interview! Always love Bryan's deep insights into development and the state of the game :)
Us too!
Amazing interview, loving everything LSS is doing. Keep it up!!
Also, What is your intro/outro song called?
I find the Armory 60 decks great to get into a hero i havent before
Ride or die Viserai.... If it was easy it wouldn't be fun
I wonder what Bryan thought HH would do for Rhinar. He said they thought he would do better than he did. It is hard for me to see what they were expecting since the cards that played into his strengths were either not really playable (beat chest) or not a big upgrade to his game plan. I’d love to know what they thought he’d do.
"here's the luminas, V's and beacons. if it was missing any of those you would know cause they are the pillars of the deck" kind of awkward, given how beacons arent in the deck :^)
Ahh whoops. My bad. Well gj they cheap aye.
yeah... I was thinking the same lol! It's a good deck tho. Beacons should've been added tho bc there is added ways to add to soul and not use them.
I'd love to play in a Living Legend skirmish but it looks like the nearest one is just way too far. Most of the stores are just going for Blitz, unfortunately.
Most stores in Sydney Australia doing LL. Where do you live?
@@edchan9667 UK, closest LL is like 100 miles away for me
Quite the opposite here. Local Scene is just growing and we got LL format... We mostly play Blitz and not many locals have CC deck, let alone LL
Bro, I see Hero Quest back there. LFG!
What moment were they talking about when Ryan mentioned about a sigil moment while casting?
When he casted the finals of PT La. Arthur had 1 out. To sink a card and draw a sigil of solace. And he did! Won him the game right at the end.
May have needed to ban Zen's feet also to help bring him down to the other hero's level
I still dont agree with putting heros like Zen that are THAT powerfull out of the gates. Having blues that end up having consistantly 4pts of values. Disruption in some decks are hard to come by and Zen has ton or armor for the best agressive deck. If somehow he LLs before the next set, itll be a very bad look for the game as all of his cards would be useless. It is unlikely, but still possible and i fear that itll impact the image and accessibility for newer players
Is skirmish this season blitz or LL?
Both. Depends on your store which one it is
@@HeavensMandate8040 nice!
Zen didnt get better with the bans. The 9 bonds list that you blocked until you could triple bonds was dumb and not the best list. Evan's version with 6 bonds and more tiger stuff was always better/resilient to disruption.
Sadly no beacon in the Boltyn armory deck. Still solid
Yes very true. Missed that one.
24k zinger.