Scaling Tied To S.H.I.E.L.D. Clearance Levels (5/25/17)

adamdivine

It was only a joke for high level rosters; and remember it came in at the low end of what was possible thanks to rngesus.  In future runs, it could go higher within the parameters that were set. The static scaling for Cl7 and cl8 were fine right where they were. The problem lies in a lack of higher cl levels (with higher levels of scaling) and a clearer delineation of rewards for cl7 and cl8

Fightmastermpq

adamdivine said:

It was only a joke for high level rosters; and remember it came in at the low end of what was possible thanks to rngesus.  In future runs, it could go higher within the parameters that were set. The static scaling for Cl7 and cl8 were fine right where they were. The problem lies in a lack of higher cl levels (with higher levels of scaling) and a clearer delineation of rewards for cl7 and cl8

Forget about the roster and think about the rewards.  Everything you get in progression, the sub rewards, alliance rewards, final individual placement rewards - those all add up to a really NICE package.  And the bottom line is that it was EASY compared to the level of difficulty to get the same thing in other areas of the game.

turul

@Brigby
Any news about SCL based scaling in other PVE events? Thanks!

Brigby

turul said:

@Brigby
Any news about SCL based scaling in other PVE events? Thanks!

@turul
They're still reviewing the results of the test event, however they're tentatively scheduling another test event in the near future. It hasn't been finalized just yet, however I'll be sure to pass along any details if and when it's officially scheduled.

Xandros

I enjoyed the non-scaled version so much better! I have 2 champed 5* for the past half a year and so every event I play is basically the exact same thing for PVP and PVE (I know, woe is me).  But the non-scaled version I was able to go to scl7 and play with some 4* characters I never have been able to for a long time and it was fun again.   Before that every character I get now is useless in any PVP or PVE event.  But for that event it made people useful again!
Why not make it so different scl levels can be completed by different * ranks (and maybe only playable by certain character ranks or lower so we don't get people with 5* dropping down to scl5 to destroy... but if they want to play with some 3* characters for an event they can drop down and play with only the lower * characters)?  Have ranks 1-2 for 1 and 2* rosters, 3-5 for 3* rosters (early transition, a few maxed, many champs), 6-8 for 4* rosters, and 9-10 for 5* rosters.  (I don't know why they don't open those? They can always add extra levels after... like scl 11... or 12 even!)
Why have the end game content if you can beat it with the same difficulty with any level roster? That seems to defeat the purpose of it.  I don't have any idea how to fix rewards so people don't complain they are getting **** but a change is needed as now the scl levels are all the same aside from rewards which makes playing with weaker characters for fun impossible. 
 I really hope they open scl 9 at least for 5* characters and give us places to use our lower characters as well. 

Riguez

Looks like they're running the test again for Thick as Thieves, or is this the normal from now on?

broll

Riguez said:

Looks like they're running the test again for Thick as Thieves, or is this the normal from now on?

Second test.  Same settings with a rumored fix to the bug that kept SCL8 max levels lower than expected.

Felonius

That's strange, because in the last run, after four clears of the last, hardest, non-essential node, my foes were Level 398.  This time they're only 388.  Plus it seems easier.  Maybe because Nova is boosted and he works so well with OML, does hella damage, and maintains crowd control.  If only they'd fix his bug.

Phumade

Felonius said:

That's strange, because in the last run, after four clears of the last, hardest, non-essential node, my foes were Level 398.  This time they're only 388.  Plus it seems easier.  Maybe because Nova is boosted and he works so well with OML, does hella damage, and maintains crowd control.  If only they'd fix his bug.

Not really.  based on your roster.  This test is designed to feel slightly easier for you.

In iso8, they used roster based scaling and you were punished for having a 5* champ and 90% of the 4* champed.  Thats why you fought foes at 398.  As you keep expanding your 4* and 5* tier, it would have gone up even higher.  (the majority of multi 5* players were facing scaling at 454.)

Now the scaling is set by the clearance level, and the current top line difficulty is 388, which is unaffected by any changes your make to your roster  (be it leveling up 5* or even selling your entire 4*/5* tier.

Felonius

Hmm... @Phumade I guess I'm misreading the first post in this thread... I thought Unstable Iso-8 was based on the SCL8 I chose and not my scaling and that now in TaT they're re-running the same SCL-based scaling with no changes other than comparing regular character release vs. new character release game play.  Ultimately I wish these weren't rumors and we had actual posts by @Brigby or someone else at MPQ.

Phumade

The names of the events are confusing.

Unstable iso 8 was the 1st scl based scaling. test. (so scl8 by default had the lvl 323 teams

Iso8 brother hood was the last event before TaT.  The scaling in that event was based on your roster (so scl8 featured different level enemies based on your roster.

Thick as Theives is the 2nd scl based scaling test.  (so scl8 by default has lvl 388 teams for all players.  Doesn't matter if you have only 1* or 5*.  Everyone in that SCL gets the same enemies.

Felonius

I understand that, but I wasn't clear... when I was playing Unstable ISO8, during the last test, that is when I was seeing 398 foes.  This time during the TaT test I'm seeing 388 foes.  During Iso8 Brohood, I dunno what I was getting, I didn't pay attention to levels since there wasn't a test on.

Phumade

Felonius said:

I understand that, but I wasn't clear... when I was playing Unstable ISO8, during the last test, that is when I was seeing 398 foes.  This time during the TaT test I'm seeing 388 foes.  During Iso8 Brohood, I dunno what I was getting, I didn't pay attention to levels since there wasn't a test on.

are you sure you remembered your scaling from the 1st test?  I'm pretty sure that all 5* players were capped at 330 range?  I've got 8 5* champs and my personal scaling was in the 330 range.

marvellus

If the devs care to read my reaction: This test event (like the previous test) is awful, way too hard for the corresponding rewards- I specifically chose a lower level (7) than my shield ranking (54) usually matches, in the hope of earning at least something of value.  But even this is way too hard, I will not come close to earning the equivalent of what I earned either at the last PvE, or before MPQ started these tweaks.  If I were to go even lower to 6, the rewards would not be worth playing for, compared to what they used to be (eg 150 HP total, top 300 placement, for a typical 3-4 day event - and that was at a lower shield level in the 40s). Here I might earn the first HP rewards if I cared enough - and,maybe place in the top 300 only because other players are having the same experience as I am - but it's so frustratingly unattainable that I am starting not to care. Why bother grinding?
Currently HPs are the main things worth playing for, so I can get more slots - more covers, which appears to be the current trend, don't help without slots, and I've had to ditch 3 and 4 stars lately.
I'm not asking for the moon, just enough cost/benefit ratio to make it worth my time

sinburn

**nope** so very much for doing this.  

**removed aggressive, profane language - Ducky

NewMcG

marvellus said:

If the devs care to read my reaction: This test event (like the previous test) is awful, way too hard for the corresponding rewards- I specifically chose a lower level (7) than my shield ranking (54) usually matches, in the hope of earning at least something of value.  But even this is way too hard, I will not come close to earning the equivalent of what I earned either at the last PvE, or before MPQ started these tweaks.  If I were to go even lower to 6, the rewards would not be worth playing for, compared to what they used to be (eg 150 HP total, top 300 placement, for a typical 3-4 day event - and that was at a lower shield level in the 40s). Here I might earn the first HP rewards if I cared enough - and,maybe place in the top 300 only because other players are having the same experience as I am - but it's so frustratingly unattainable that I am starting not to care. Why bother grinding?
Currently HPs are the main things worth playing for, so I can get more slots - more covers, which appears to be the current trend, don't help without slots, and I've had to ditch 3 and 4 stars lately.
I'm not asking for the moon, just enough cost/benefit ratio to make it worth my time

You were the beneficiary of a weighted scale before. A roster at where you're at (SR 54) shouldn't necessarily be competing at the highest possible level, given that the top end is going to be somewhere around double that. The roster-based scaling meant that the level you chose to play at in a PVE event was irrelevant, as long as you had the minimums to join it. The requirements to join SCL 8 meant that over half the available shield rankings were available to join the highest rank. (Not for sure half the players, since I don't have those exact numbers. But still a good sized chunk of the player base.) That, all things considered, is pretty absurd.

By changing and making the enemy levels relative to the level, as opposed to individual rosters, it will help sort out the player pools into tiers that are probably more appropriate to the actual "power level" of how well a given roster is built. If SCL 7 is currently brutal on you, then drop down to 6. Build up a roster, and soon those enemies in the mid-200s will be easy enough. Then move up as your roster strengthens and fight tougher enemies for (marginally) better rewards, the same way almost every other game in the history of video games has worked.

jamesh

Interestingly, the Hood/Magneto node at the end of Thick as Thieves doesn't seem to be getting scaled up to compensate for the missing enemy.  I wonder if that is intended?

If it is intended, it is going to make those missions in the Hulk event very easy.

SpringSoldier

I wish that instead of this in-fighting between those with weaker roosters and those with stronger roosters, there would be more pressure on the devs to release levels 9 and 10.

Those with strong roosters were frustrated because their enemies were too strong and they're still forced to grind just as much as the new-comers, which is annoying- having spent more time, energy and money playing a game should be rewarding in the game, not punished. I completely understand that, even those my own rooster is far from great.

Those with weaker roosters feel frustrated with this change though because we're getting less rewards, some of which are essential for developing our roosters. For example, I'm ok with giving up the 5 cp in level 8, but getting more hp means the world to me since I need more slots. Previously, I played at SCL 8 and won 150 hp, now at SCL 7 I'd get 125 hp, so I don't feel very happy about this.

Meanwhile, those with champed 5* need more cp and ISO, not more hp or an extra 3* cover. Heroic/Elite tokens and 2*/3* are more valuable for the beginners or mid-tiers, not the top-tiers, yet they get more of those as well. I'm glad other people are happy, but this new scaling isn't benefiting me, so I can't share in on the happiness. I do want those with better roosters to get more rewards, just not at the expense of what I was getting.

Kozza123

ive changed my mind I think I would like the new scaling to go ahead to 

Kozza123

The scaling is hard for lower people or feel like a step back. I think do the scaleing but bring out shield level 9 and re scale level 8. Make it a fare game. It's ok for people who a high up in there roster but for people who are mid way or lower are Having to drop a level wich is a massive bummer as you don't get the reward you have been playing for for god knows how long and now you have to play all night/day with same effort but for less prises. And can be a massive kick in the teeth. The re scaling is a good idea but make it reasonable please. I do like this game and takes up so much of my life already (to much really), and feel great in progression. But it's hard to justify the time spent on the game when it feels like your being pushed backwards.