I must suck at this game

WalrusBrigade

Ok, I have been playing for a little over a year (yay?) and a, still struggling with a few things. I have a roster somewhere in the 3*-4* transitioning phase. I think I am on the early side of that transition, but I'm not sure. I have 20 3* champs, a few 2* champs, two 4* that are usable (level 229 HB and level 209 XFW), some 4* that are under leveled while they get covers and a bunch of 4* with only one cover and no levels.

To get a sense of my playing habits, I play mostly PvE for the progression rewards. I do participate in each PvP in an attempt to get 10,000 points each season.

My struggle comes in with PvP. I can't seem to reliably get even to 800 before having to shield once or twice. It could be the slice I pick (usually 4th) but I just wonder if I am terrible at this game.

For example, in this Sticks and Stones PvP I couldn't get above 650 without using a shield around 600. Then I had to us another one at 750. I'll hop one more time to get 800 and another Cage cover, but I can't help but thinking I am doing this wrong. I have plenty of boosted characters and have tried a variety of teams. So my question is:

Do I just suck at this game? Do I need to be shield hopping twice to get to 800? How many times should I expect to hop in order to get to 1000?

Thanks, and for those interested here is my roster: https://mpq.gamependium.com/rosters/WalrusBrigade/

Tryke

I am in a similar position, 3-4 transition. Just recently maxed out my first 4* a few days ago, but I am still primarily 3* player. I was able to get to 800 fairly consistently without shielding at all. You just need to play with a lot of time remaining in the event. I usually do my climb to 800 with a day or two left in the event. You never really want to do your climb in the last few hours as you'll just be hit constantly.

WalrusBrigade

So is this a matter of progress vs rank? Currently I wait to get in until late and only burn one shield (when I am not trying to get a 1000). So you are suggesting that I jump in early, drive up to what I can, burn a shield or two to get to 1000 then fall back down? I can work with that. It feels like I might jeopardize my 10000 season score by not netting enough points in each run, but for a 1000 that I am looking for that isn't too big a loss. Thanks for the feedback.

Warbringa

No...it is the fact that if you were in the game early enough and spent HP to buy 4* covers you come out way ahead. I have been playing longer than you and am in the same situation. Mainly PvE player who dabbles in PvP but far less as I don't hit 10,000 mark as I usually just shoot for heroic 10 pack. It doesn't help that I really don't find PvP entertaining, rewarding and it is even more monotonous than PvE. I can usually reach 800 mid to mid late in event but can't go much higher (depending on slice luck) as I run into 4* teams that I have no chance of beating. I don't make enough HP to shield hop effectively as well on a consistent basis as I must keep a good reserve of hp for roster slots due to the 4* spamming like rabbits these days.

Azoth658

Warbringa wrote:

No...it is the fact that if you were in the game early enough and spent HP to buy 4* covers you come out way ahead. I have been playing longer than you and am in the same situation. Mainly PvE player who dabbles in PvP but far less as I don't hit 10,000 mark as I usually just shoot for heroic 10 pack. It doesn't help that I really don't find PvP entertaining, rewarding and it is even more monotonous than PvE. I can usually reach 800 mid to mid late in event but can't go much higher (depending on slice luck) as I run into 4* teams that I have no chance of beating. I don't make enough HP to shield hop effectively as well on a consistent basis as I must keep a good reserve of hp for roster slots due to the 4* spamming like rabbits these days.

Couldn't agree more. I could just about hit that 1000 when 3* was the meta but now I struggle to shield hop to 800. I'm over 700 days in and only a short way into the 4* transition but can't see my reliably hitting 1000 again for a long time. Shame the progression isn't total points earned instead of just the highest you managed to get to.

PeterGibbons316

What slice are you playing in? I'm pretty well removed from the 3* meta, but I'm pretty sure that you should be able to hit 800 without shielding most events in most slices. It might take a couple tries, but you should be able to find a time (probably somewhere between 18 and 32 hours from end of event?) where there are enough points in the slice, but not too many people grinding for placement to allow you to hit your progression. Experiment with different slices and timing.

Also, 850 pts/event and 1500 shield sim score will get you to 10k season - should be attainable for 3* players.

PeeOne

I'm at day 468 - I'm still about where you are 3* champs but no 4 stars above 145 and I don't go for 5*s at all due to scaling

I'm definitely a PvE player and have only really 'competed' in 2 seasons of PvP - I got to the heroic 10 then didn't care as much but I learnt the lesson in the first time by starting way to early and then being pummelled and spent way too much on shielding

I still think I'm doing things wrong and it's reading the forums that help me along

Which is now making me ask how does selecting your slice affect things??

BlackSheep101

Your slice determines who you see and who can see you in pvp. Certain slices have lower scores overall, which means you can place higher but it can be more difficult to reach progression targets. Slice 4 has very high scores (1300 may not be top 100), but lots of people with higher scores means it's easier to hit 1000 points.

PeeOne

Thanks Blacksheep... One follow up question - how do you select a slice?? Is that just the time ending you select??

Quebbster

PeeOne wrote:

Thanks Blacksheep... One follow up question - how do you select a slice?? Is that just the time ending you select??

Yes. Slice 1 is the slice that ends first, slice 5 is the one that ends last, and the others are in between.

PeeOne

Cool thanks - I've pretty much always go with the first one - the timing fits my life really well!!