Kingpin and other 4* covers? Or not?

IamTheDanger

I've been waiting for someone to mention this for a long time now, but so far, I've only seen it twice. Both times it was only brought up in passing while discussing another topic. I know others have noticed it, but no one has commented on it, (unless they did and I just missed it).
So I'll ask.

Do we not get a chance at Kingpin, (or any 4* really), cover awards in PvP? I don't mean the 1k progression award either. For every new character, (and the old ones as well), their covers are the placement rewards for the event right before it. This time, with Fisk, it was Kamala Khan. I know the devs said they were rerunning her as a reward because her event was messed up. That's great and very much appreciated. Nice move on D3's part. But does that mean that Kamala just takes the place of Kingpin? (and yes, I'm aware they don't usually give out 4* placement awards)

I'm just wondering, since 4* are only ever given as 1k progression awards, if players that can't reach 1k will ever get a chance at his covers? They say that 4* does not necessarily mean better than 3* which is better than 2*. Okay. If 4* aren't better then why are they so hard to get and cost twice a 3*? If the difference is minimal, then why are they not given as placement rewards?

edit,... just to clarify, since my wording is a bit off .I know they don't give out 4* placement awards. I'm just wondering why not if they have their own events. Like with Xavier. The event before it, Army of One, iirc, gave out Cyclops awards. So if a player can't reach 1k or finish 1st, they just don't get them.

Unknown

As far as I can remember, there have never been any 4* rewards in PvP that weren't the prize for winning or a progression

Unknown

Your chance at Kingpin awards in PvP was 1st place in the one prior for a Kingpin then comes his PvP where he is a progression reward then he will never be heard from again as a regular PvP and he rotates into the 4* cover pattern.

I agree it's kind of weird they never hand out like a top 50/10/2 4* reward in PvP for their "debut".

IamTheDanger

Lerysh wrote:

Your chance at Kingpin awards in PvP was 1st place in the one prior for a Kingpin then comes his PvP where he is a progression reward then he will never be heard from again as a regular PvP and he rotates into the 4* cover pattern.

I agree it's kind of weird they never hand out like a top 50/10/2 4* reward in PvP for their "debut".

Right. I'm not 100% sure on this, but I don't remember them rerunning the 4* events. Like with Star Lord, Xavier and the others. They have their debut event, then, as you said, never heard from again. So if it's a one time thing, then why don't PvP players get a chance at his covers.

Now, with more and more 4* being added, even the players that can reach 1k will have a tough time getting all of them. Even if they only offered them in between season events like Balance of Power or Combined Arms.

SnowcaTT

This is exactly why I've given up on any chance of 4* progression.

I can get them in PVE -- but I'm not a shield-hopper in PVP, so I've never even crossed 900 (in old MMR). On average, I find a 4* in tokens every other season - their token drop rate is pathetic, especially considering how many 4*'s there are now.

Not much chance in tokens. No chance at top 2 in PVE's. No chance at 1K in PVP's. Therefore: might as well ignore 4*'s.

Can't even buy the new ones if I wanted to, since they are being released faster than seasons reward them: I can't get all three covers of them when they aren't being handed out as season rewards.

Dragon_Nexus

SnowcaTT wrote:

This is exactly why I've given up on any chance of 4* progression.

I can get them in PVE -- but I'm not a shield-hopper in PVP, so I've never even crossed 900 (in old MMR). On average, I find a 4* in tokens every other season - their token drop rate is pathetic, especially considering how many 4*'s there are now.

Not much chance in tokens. No chance at top 2 in PVE's. No chance at 1K in PVP's. Therefore: might as well ignore 4*'s.

Can't even buy the new ones if I wanted to, since they are being released faster than seasons reward them: I can't get all three covers of them when they aren't being handed out as season rewards.

Pretty much how I'm feeling.
I don't mind dropping HP on a token now and then if I'm feeling lucky, but usually I'm saving HP for that new character that inevitably comes out (1650 in two events, my poor HP stash.)

The developers have said they're moving towards making a 3* to 4* progression, but if their idea of that is the 1000 point PvP reward only or being in the top 5 in the debut PvE, they're crazy.

I really want to max out Thoress, but I'm sure as heck not going to buy the thousands of HP required for it. I'm actually not far off from getting 13 covers for Nick Fury but that's been almost entirely down to insane luck and daily rewards.

Nellyson

Yeah, there really is no plan in place at all that helps people progress from 3 star land into the 4 star land. It's not easier at all. It takes either 1st place, 1000 points in PVP or get a lucky token pull. How is this easier than transitioning from 2 star land into 3 star land??? So it's either one of two things....first option is that the plan to make the transition won't happen until there are enough 4 star characters to really make the transition a reality (a real possibility considering the amount of 4 stars we're getting lately) or the second option which is they are completely bullshooting us and they just said that to make us feel like this transition would be easier. Honestly....both seem very viable....

Nooneelsesname

And the biggest thing the last month has cemented in my brain is never spend HP for a 4* cover. EVER.

I'd love to have a fully covered Professor X, but I can see that nerf coming from a mile away.

morph3us

Dragon_Nexus wrote:

The developers have said they're moving towards making a 3* to 4* progression, but if their idea of that is the 1000 point PvP reward only or being in the top 5 in the debut PvE, they're crazy.

Are they still? I remember them saying that too, but I get the feeling like they're not entirely certain they know which direction they're going in. At the end of last year, and early this year, it definitely felt like a 3* to 4* progression was on the cards, but with the recent rebalancing, it seems to me that the cost-benefit ratio of investing in 4* characters is dicey at best. As many of the other forumites have pointed out, there's not much incentive at this stage to aim for 4*s, apart from to collect them, since their some of 3* counterparts are close to their power level (if not better in some instances), easier to collect, and cheaper to level. It almost feels to me that they started in the direction of the 3* to 4* progression, realised it was creating a tier of 4*s vs those without 4*s, and then abandoned the idea. It probably would make a good question if they ever do another Q&A, although I suspect this month's video is probably going to be directed at the recent character updates, just like last month's was.

Dragon_Nexus

morph3us wrote:

Dragon_Nexus wrote:

The developers have said they're moving towards making a 3* to 4* progression, but if their idea of that is the 1000 point PvP reward only or being in the top 5 in the debut PvE, they're crazy.

Are they still? I remember them saying that too, but I get the feeling like they're not entirely certain they know which direction they're going in. At the end of last year, and early this year, it definitely felt like a 3* to 4* progression was on the cards, but with the recent rebalancing, it seems to me that the cost-benefit ratio of investing in 4* characters is dicey at best. As many of the other forumites have pointed out, there's not much incentive at this stage to aim for 4*s, apart from to collect them, since their some of 3* counterparts are close to their power level (if not better in some instances), easier to collect, and cheaper to level. It almost feels to me that they started in the direction of the 3* to 4* progression, realised it was creating a tier of 4*s vs those without 4*s, and then abandoned the idea. It probably would make a good question if they ever do another Q&A, although I suspect this month's video is probably going to be directed at the recent character updates, just like last month's was.

Thing is, from my point of view, bringing the power of the 4*s down would suggest it's more likely, not less, that they'll create a 3*-4* transition.
By making them insanely powerful you maintain the super rare status. Make them really desirable and really heavy hitters so that only a few lucky people can get them.

by increasing their number but making them special, yet still not massively powerful, they retain their desirability while still being beatable by those who are just below with their collection of 166 three stars. Meaning if you want to be a threat to the ever growing three star crowd, you need to move up to the higher levelled four stars. Meaning they'd need to be more obtainable.

Besides, the worst thing for a game like this is stagnation. Once you reach the top interest begins to wane. you need to raise the ceiling but also provide a stair way to access the next floor up. Not much good if the new floor is only accessible by climbing up the glass windows outside the building. With your lips.

GuntherBlobel

I have to say, 4* characters are one of the most confusing aspects of this game to me, as well. I think it reflects the Devs' own confusion, which I can actually kinda understand. The whole rarity thing is a gimmick, but its a very esablished gimmick. It keeps even the most hard-core players from running out of things to do (and purchase). But at the same time, I truely wonder if MPQ has enough super-whales to jusify the development time spent on 4* characters.

Unknown

i believe that the dev originally was thinking there will be a 4* land.
they did try with 4thor and xf but turns out the mass isnt ready or never will be.
so change back to selling op3*.

Malcrof

I have a feeling within the next few months, there will be a Weekly/Bi-Weekly DDQ type event for a 4 star cover. They have reached the point, and are making major changes, that we know 4star is what they are focusing on.

This is another give it time type thing.

If they want the new peeps brought in by the new movie releases to spend their money, they need to show them what they will be able to attain once they reach the higher levels. DDQ sure motivated my wife to play more and build a team she can use for that...

4* DDQ type will be massively hard, i know that, but it would have to be, for the reward it gives. (hence the long running time). Maybe even do it gauntlet style.

But it will come.