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Battle Balance Issue

It seems that me and many members of the community agree that going second is always better than going first in a battle. The lack of energy on turn one is very frustrating at times.

I believe the game would be better balanced if, on turn 1, the first player did not draw a card but gained an energy.

Comments

  • LimDulson
    LimDulson Member Posts: 11
    5 Agrees Name Dropper First Comment

    Just a comment from the original poster, I am trying to find it again but there was a reddit post that showed data for the winrates of different decks. It reported that going second generally increases winrate by around 30%.

  • DoubleCure
    DoubleCure Member Posts: 1,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments 500 Likes 500 Agrees 250 LOLs
    edited November 22 #3

    Data from a random reddit post means nothing, most of the current decks benefit from going 2nd 1st, but not all… going 1st it's not as bad as most say, the fact that you can evolve first, if you have a single energy attacker it's a big deal, not only that you can disrupt your opponent 1st.

    And one more important thing, this is just the 1st game set, with the next set release the new meta decks can possibly change all of that... so give it some time.

  • LimDulson
    LimDulson Member Posts: 11
    5 Agrees Name Dropper First Comment

    Factually, gaining energy on turn 1 would not change that at all. The only real benefit of turn 1 is drawing a card, which is immensely less helpful than gaining an energy. Denying a card draw on turn 1 would arguably be more balanced because it is less likely that you can draw an evolution, helping check that benefit.

  • LimDulson
    LimDulson Member Posts: 11
    5 Agrees Name Dropper First Comment

    That would not change between going first or second. Right now the vast majority of the game material suffers when going first. It's an indicator of game balance issues if only a few cards work going first. Misty is the only card that can overcome the first turn detriment. Starting with an energy but one less card would likely solve the issue for most of the pokemon in the game, and denying a card would make quick evolutions less likely. Also, it would feel better to play, which is the issue most of the community really has with the issue.

  • clasingla
    clasingla Member Posts: 3,264 ✭✭✭✭✭
    2500 Comments 500 Agrees 250 Likes 50 Answers

    no what if I went first I had a red card you had 4 cards in your hand and I played red card and now you would start your next turn with one less card

  • DoubleCure
    DoubleCure Member Posts: 1,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments 500 Likes 500 Agrees 250 LOLs

    Then explain why in my approximate 800 won games about 50% I was 1st?

    If it was so unbalanced like you think how could 50% of my won games were won while going 1st?

    Was I lucky in all of those ~400 won games going 1st? No, I consistently win games going 1st as I win going 2nd.

    I have to say tho that in the beginning when I had not so good decks going 2nd was better, but with complete good decks it is balanced.

  • GRussek
    GRussek Member Posts: 45
    10 Comments 5 Likes First Answer Name Dropper

    i use this strategy more often then not. i have a red card in every deck and honestly it seems to be drawn in my opening hand more then not. about half of my matches i use the red card right off the bat or sometimes turn 2 after they use professor card and a pokeball or two.. losing those 5/6 cards for the enemy can change the whole outcome of the game

  • Meowy11111
    Meowy11111 Member Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
    100 Comments 25 LOLs 5 Answers 25 Likes

    Just like @DoubleCure said, going first is a good way to evolve your Pokémon. For example, if I had my Squirtle and Wartortle in my hand, evolved it, and drew a Blastoise EX, you can get an advantage even though you only have enough energy for Surf.