MPQ Best Move Challenge #1

Unknown

As a fan of match-3 games that emphasize careful selection of moves, I think Marvel Puzzle Quest is at its best when there are actually puzzles to solve. Interesting puzzles do not appear in every match however, so I decided to start taking screenshots of nice puzzles that I might come across and share the fun. The puzzle below is from the Anderson Bio-Technic III node in the current Thick as Thieves PvE event.

The Rules:

1. Specify your one move using row and column numbers (i.e. matrix notation).
   Example: Directly matching the 4 turn countdown tile in the image below could be written as 3-2-down.
2. You can adjust targets or use abilities too.
3. Add a few words if you feel liking justifying your move. There might be more than one best move after all.

Your Assets:

• L70 4/3/3 Ares
• L74 2/5/5 Daken
• L28 5/5 Hawkeye

Other details can probably be found on the MPQ wiki too should you need them.

Your Goal: Make the best move!

All countdown tiles are owned by the currently targeted Maggia Muscle.



Puzzles like this are what compelled me to plop down $20 bucks to support the game even though I had no urgent need of hero points. Here's to hoping we can get more Johnny characters that will enhance the puzzle solving experience in MPQ. Anything to steer PvP away from brute force rushes would be very welcome as well.

I will return with some screenshots of the aftermath later.

Edit: Results of move below

I chose the same move as Mau--, using Arrow Stab on row 6, which lead to



Luckily, column 5 dropped a yellow, so 6-5-up to match the two countdown tiles produced



giving an easy match at the bottom to clear out the last two countdown tiles. Overall, it took 3 moves to take out 5 of the 6 countdown tiles on the board.

Unknown

Yes! I've been haphazardly collecting screenshots like this for just this sort of thing. It'd be nice to know which threaten tiles belong to which Muscle.

Rampage + (3,2) yellow down. Give you enough yellow to almost kill a 2nd muscle in the following turn.

My second choice would be team-up (4,1) down. Aids you in clearing countdowns 3, 4 and the one strike tile, and helps you mitigate damage from countdown 2. You get the yellow for Sunder next turn.

I thought about Arrow Stab Row 6, then make a match with the team-up tiles in column 5, but then the resolution of threaten moves down too many tiles and becomes riskier. Further, you're kind of stuck with matching the team-up tiles to avoid damage. Arrow Stab Row 2 seems like a waste as well.

Extra notes:
Moving the blue down at (4,5) to (4,6) is probably the worst move! When the yellow resolves, it will probably make a match with the team-up tiles, causing damage. You could get lucky, but it's a bad risk. You probably can't even take it the next move, as the second yellow tile will cause a team-up match if you leave it unresolved.

Unknown

I personally love these. If i recall correctly, the very first Puzzle Quest had an entire game mode designed for solving puzzles in a certain amount of moves.

My move would be to Arrow stab row 6 and match the 1 & 4 countdown tiles. (yellow 6,5 up after the arrow stab) - Clears a strike and 3 countdowns in 1 move

simonsez

I'm used to the iOS display. How the heck can you tell which abilities are eligible to fire in this display?

Unknown

This screenshot is from the Steam version of the game, where the powers and their tabs will flash as an indication of availability. This is not easy to see from a static image, so you will have to look at the accumulated AP instead. The links will give you the AP cost for each ability if you need a reminder.

Unknown

I would use Ares' red power to kill the targeted goon (I assume that is the one with 761 health), thus cancelling all of his countdown tiles. Then match the yellow 3-2 down that was given in the example. This will give enough yellow AP for Ares' yellow power, and set you up to move blue 5-4 down, which will also cascade black and purple. You will then have enough AP to use Daken's blue power and Hawkeye's purple.

Unknown

Two screenshots of the result of Mau--'s move have been added to the original post in spoilers.

Edit: I will try to give a clearer description of the setup next time, seeing as how the game interface could be drastically different on the various platforms. In this Steam interface, the picture and health bar of the goons match up in the following vertical order:

Goon #3 Picture
Goon #2 Picture
Goon #1 Picture (also current target, and owns all countdown tiles)
Goon #1 Health
Goon #2 Health
Goon #3 Health