Ascended Winners and Losers

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  • Pylgrim
    Pylgrim Posts: 2,332 Chairperson of the Boards

    Thanks for the answers, guys. If I understand correctly, the changes are not even written down in the in-game ability descriptions? You can only sort of figure out something is different by playing?

  • entrailbucket
    entrailbucket Posts: 5,965 Chairperson of the Boards

    @Pylgrim said:
    Thanks for the answers, guys. If I understand correctly, the changes are not even written down in the in-game ability descriptions? You can only sort of figure out something is different by playing?

    Oh no, all the in game descriptions are accurate. There might be some issues or bugs somewhere, but for the most part the powers do what they say they do.

  • Timemachinego
    Timemachinego Posts: 509 Critical Contributor
    edited 3 June 2024, 23:10

    @entrailbucket said:

    @Pylgrim said:
    Thanks for the answers, guys. If I understand correctly, the changes are not even written down in the in-game ability descriptions? You can only sort of figure out something is different by playing?

    Oh no, all the in game descriptions are accurate. There might be some issues or bugs somewhere, but for the most part the powers do what they say they do.

    Except you can only find out the difference by searching for a roster with the ascended version, there's only pleasant surprise or buyer's remorse otherwise. I understand not giving us a full sandbox mode (people would almost definitely find even more things to "exploit" there), but something like a "preview changes" function to ascension (and maybe even champing?) would be pretty cool.

  • entrailbucket
    entrailbucket Posts: 5,965 Chairperson of the Boards

    @Timemachinego said:

    @entrailbucket said:

    @Pylgrim said:
    Thanks for the answers, guys. If I understand correctly, the changes are not even written down in the in-game ability descriptions? You can only sort of figure out something is different by playing?

    Oh no, all the in game descriptions are accurate. There might be some issues or bugs somewhere, but for the most part the powers do what they say they do.

    Except you can only find out the difference by searching for a roster with the ascended version, there's only pleasant surprise or buyer's remorse otherwise. I understand not giving us a full sandbox mode (people would almost definitely find even more things to "exploit" there), but something like a "preview changes" function to ascension (and maybe even champing?) would be pretty cool.

    I think that would be helpful, yes. But also, honestly, I haven't found a single character where the overall powerset resulted in "buyer's remorse."

    Like 4* Ghost Rider, right -- we only ever used him for his black power before, and when folks saw his black power was worse, we assumed the entire character was useless. But what actually happened was sort of a redistribution into his other powers.

    I expect similar with Aunt May ascended to 5*. I bet her passive gets worse but her other powers get much better.

  • rainkingucd
    rainkingucd Posts: 1,433 Chairperson of the Boards

    @Timemachinego said:

    @entrailbucket said:

    @Pylgrim said:
    Thanks for the answers, guys. If I understand correctly, the changes are not even written down in the in-game ability descriptions? You can only sort of figure out something is different by playing?

    Oh no, all the in game descriptions are accurate. There might be some issues or bugs somewhere, but for the most part the powers do what they say they do.

    Except you can only find out the difference by searching for a roster with the ascended version, there's only pleasant surprise or buyer's remorse otherwise. I understand not giving us a full sandbox mode (people would almost definitely find even more things to "exploit" there), but something like a "preview changes" function to ascension (and maybe even champing?) would be pretty cool.

    As EB and TMG said the differences.are in game, but no way of knowing until you ascend.

    For example, here is 3* Torch

    And here is 3* Torch ascended to 4*

  • WhiteBomber
    WhiteBomber Posts: 399 Mover and Shaker

    It's "ascender's remorse" and it definitely happens, but usually more so because you spent so much time investing in that character to get them there, when you should have just started with Coulson.

    START WITH COULSON

  • Grizwald
    Grizwald Posts: 130 Tile Toppler

    But Ascended Juggs and Polaris are so much fun.

  • WhiteBomber
    WhiteBomber Posts: 399 Mover and Shaker
    edited 4 June 2024, 22:36

    @Grizwald said:
    But Ascended Juggs and Polaris are so much fun.

    I have the opposite experience playing that team (match strikes until you win, colors don't matter), though if winning fast is the fun you're looking for they definitely aren't a bad place to start. I target Polaris teams though, even more so than MThor because they are tasty free wins. I still haven't faced an ascended Couly team.

    @entrailbucket can you try Bong, DLocke, 3May for me? Replace May with anyone you'd like, I really just want to know if the nerf to Bongs heals is as impactful as it reads. That team with only an ascended DLocke is disgusting though.

  • Carnifex
    Carnifex Posts: 121 Tile Toppler

    I currently haven't ascended a single 4. I'm going to be to going for the max-max approach for the rewards and because I'm in single 550 MMR (Shang) so 450 champs won't benefit me.

    I'm going to be doing a massive hoard break soon though, which should net me roughly 100 4* covers. Scrolling through this thread, is Polaris still the answer on which 4 to ascend first? Or would someone like Blob, Doop or Coulson be more worthwhile to chase first?

    Thanks.

  • Pylgrim
    Pylgrim Posts: 2,332 Chairperson of the Boards

    Does anybody know if 4* Cap Marvel changes a lot? She's my only 4* who is close to max champ and I really like her.

  • rainkingucd
    rainkingucd Posts: 1,433 Chairperson of the Boards
    edited 5 June 2024, 08:13

    @Carnifex I think there are a plethora of choices depending on the type of play you're looking for.

    EB mentioned somewhere in this thread (or another?) about match damage 4* toons really shining when ascended. Karnak, America Chavez, Ghost, Blob, Beast, M'baku, Doop, Ikaris, and Juggernaut are amazing at 5* level. Their match damage increases stays as normal but suddenly on top of a 5* base. I have seen a few high level M'baku's around and they are a pain with his match and healing. Juggernaut is a better Colossus, etc.

    Coulson is a ton of fun, and can support a lot of teams with his now 5 countdown tiles. I really enjoy using him (and EB has called out it is their current focus for 550)

    Polaris is on a bunch of my regular teams as her damage output at 5* with BRB, Mighty Thor, ascended Juggernaut, and ascended Rocket make her a heavy hitter

    Rocket's strike tile strength starts off the match well, but he is better suited paired with Juggs/Polaris vs the main focus of ascension.

    Nico is a better special tile specialist than Kitty.

    Most of the recent just perform better at 5* level, with the "threshold" ones performing worse due to the increased threshold requirements. Thing, Deadpool, Valkyrie are much worse for their passives, but better on their actives.

    @Pylgrim : Pure damage boost for her. No cost/functional changes to her, but 5* level damage/tile boosting

  • sambrookjm
    sambrookjm Posts: 2,166 Chairperson of the Boards
    edited 5 June 2024, 09:32

    @WhiteBomber said:
    @entrailbucket can you try Bong, DLocke, 3May for me? Replace May with anyone you'd like, I really just want to know if the nerf to Bongs heals is as impactful as it reads. That team with only an ascended DLocke is disgusting though.

    What's the nerf to Bong's healing at 5-stars? I was toying with him being the next 4-star to ascend (and that would be a very long path...), because I use him a lot with Omega Red and Dr Strange in PvE.

  • rainkingucd
    rainkingucd Posts: 1,433 Chairperson of the Boards

    @sambrookjm said:

    @WhiteBomber said:
    @entrailbucket can you try Bong, DLocke, 3May for me? Replace May with anyone you'd like, I really just want to know if the nerf to Bongs heals is as impactful as it reads. That team with only an ascended DLocke is disgusting though.

    What's the nerf to Bong's healing at 5-stars? I was toying with him being the next 4-star to ascend (and that would be a very long path...), because I use him a lot with Omega Red and Dr Strange in PvE.

    4* Bong heals your allies for 30% of damage they inflict
    5* Bong heals your allies for 15% of damage they inflict

  • Carnifex
    Carnifex Posts: 121 Tile Toppler

    @rainkingucd Thank you for the detailed response! Definitely tempted to leave Polaris alone now as I never use her, and target either Coulson, Blob, M'Baku or Doop!

  • entrailbucket
    entrailbucket Posts: 5,965 Chairperson of the Boards

    @Carnifex said:
    I currently haven't ascended a single 4. I'm going to be to going for the max-max approach for the rewards and because I'm in single 550 MMR (Shang) so 450 champs won't benefit me.

    I'm going to be doing a massive hoard break soon though, which should net me roughly 100 4* covers. Scrolling through this thread, is Polaris still the answer on which 4 to ascend first? Or would someone like Blob, Doop or Coulson be more worthwhile to chase first?

    Thanks.

    I just want to poke at the "450 champs won't benefit you" thing. I'm in all-550s matchmaking and I've used baby champ ascended characters when boosted. A bunch of them are very strong and absolutely usable against the "meta" characters.

    Now, if you don't want to use boosted characters, or you prefer to use the same teams all the time, that's different, but objectively they would be usable/would benefit you.

    (I saw the thing about Dr. Bong -- I haven't used him much yet but I'll mess around and let you guys know).

  • BriMan2222
    BriMan2222 Posts: 1,328 Chairperson of the Boards
    edited 5 June 2024, 15:41

    @Carnifex said:
    @rainkingucd Thank you for the detailed response! Definitely tempted to leave Polaris alone now as I never use her, and target either Coulson, Blob, M'Baku or Doop!

    If you're only 550 is shang I would suggest America Chavez. I use her in sim all the time with my 550 colossus. All of the crits she adds passively with his huge match damage make for a fun time.

  • WhiteBomber
    WhiteBomber Posts: 399 Mover and Shaker

    @Carnifex said:
    I currently haven't ascended a single 4. I'm going to be to going for the max-max approach for the rewards and because I'm in single 550 MMR (Shang) so 450 champs won't benefit me.

    I'm going to be doing a massive hoard break soon though, which should net me roughly 100 4* covers. Scrolling through this thread, is Polaris still the answer on which 4 to ascend first? Or would someone like Blob, Doop or Coulson be more worthwhile to chase first?

    Thanks.

    They made some good character mentions and I personally go all in on ascending ASAP, those 4stars are useless while you wait and you will be waiting foreeeeever.

    I wouldn't prioritize Polaris, especially if you don't really use her. Sure she gets better, but her increase in value doesn't change enough IMO. She can still be easily targeted and killed on defense so no real change there and she is 1 of like 3 4stars who can already do a ton of damage on offense so it doesn't really unlock her potential as where others like Coulson etc. just go from 0 to 100.

    I would also add DeathLocke to that list of high priorities, he was my 2nd 4star ascension and I have zero regrets (like I did with Karnak) as I am using him constantly. Overall though I'd say chase one that gets good value and benefits your playstyle / enjoyment most.

    @entrailbucket thanks, when you try him I would be most curious with DeathLocke, especially if his heals can keep 2 people healed enough to offset DL's black.

  • entrailbucket
    entrailbucket Posts: 5,965 Chairperson of the Boards

    I did 4 hits on the current 5e with Bong/Deathlok/May, and it won all 4 times pretty easily without using a health pack.

    I don't think I was able to test what you wanted to test though. I was only able to cast Deathlok black a few times, and Bong yellow once. Everybody died from Aunt May's red and Bong/Deathlok blue, with Deathlok's passive and May's passive boosting everything.

    I assume if I'd spent more time chasing yellow for Bong that the healing would've been acceptable.

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