The underwhelming rewards of hard mode Arena

[Ninth Hour]

So I just completed the Smuggler's Arena in Arthes and received a pretty neat shield. Then I fought it a second time, on Hard mode and received...150 Krowns.

That was it. No special weapons, No XP boost, no special perks. Nothing to incentivize you to go through the Arena again, other than to obtain a few points for the Power and Glory Path.

I knew that this was the reward described ahead of time but I was hoping that there would be more to it than just 150 Krowns. No, that is truly all you get. What a let down.

[Ouranos]

I believe they put the hard mode for the players that wanted to experience the arena a second time with different level/crew or so. Lot of players wanted to redo arenas or elites.
I think it's pretty cool that you can do them again, doesn't really need a second reward.

[Robin of Spiritwood]

You simply can't be handed a reward again for doing over an Arena you already mastered- you'd be drowning in loot, and it would break the game.

The purpose of the replays is --- REplaying.

[Ninth Hour]

Originally posted by Robin of Spiritwood:

You simply can't be handed a reward again for doing over an Arena you already mastered- you'd be drowning in loot, and it would break the game.

It's a philosophical question, but if the enemies are tougher, is it really the same Arena? It's a minor variation of the Ship of Theseus idea. And you are still taking the time and effort to go through the 4 rounds again. It's not risk-free.

In any case, I think I simply misunderstood the intent of the second Arena run. I thought that it was actually a way to win additional rewards (I would even have settled for additional XP or knowledge points) but if it is really just a way to test different teams, and little else, I'll accept this intention and just pass on extra attempts.

As a player, I do have a bit of a mercenary bent, like my characters. If they're not getting compensated for the time and effort, no way are they fighting.

[Robin of Spiritwood]

I really enjoy reading your posts.

[drake_hound]

Well I do agree the reward is measy but you get 250 gold in Dromach County Arena, but at the same time I am happy they have that option available.
Cause if you want to do different style of fighting, still earn some money.
The Arena is the place to be, beats not having it, and only overmap fight.

Infact if you can dominate it, there is no repair cost, no fatigue lost, and regain money at the same time.

[P_to_the_A_T]

There is a fatigue cost, at least now after patches maybe, each match brings the fatigue meter down a bit. That's unfortunate that there is basically no reward, since the gameplay of the arena brings some unique changes to combat. Would be fun to replay if there was incentive.

[Phil]

It's always been the case that arenas on hard mode reward gold only, no items. Sole exception is the arena of legends.


Hard mode is the same as standard but with tough rules regarding pleasing the crowd: instead of not getting your 3 VP for fulfilling the objective each round, if you fail, one of your people is immediately taken out.

Some people complain this makes it too hard... But that's literally the point.

[fitzryder]

When you complete an arena on hard, you get a title, which gives you permanent buff/boost.
You can check your titles using the banner in your camp

[ArdentSlacker]

Originally posted by fitzryder:

When you complete an arena on hard, you get a title, which gives you permanent buff/boost.
You can check your titles using the banner in your camp

Can confirm. Got "Status Masters" +1% damage for every debuff you have.

So... if it rounds up, it might sometimes give an extra point of damage when my team's having a bad day. Or, more thematically, a point of revenge!

[zAcEz]

Damn necro! The earlier posts were before titles were added during Pirate DLC release on 14 Dec 2024. Of course there wasn't any reward besides the 150 krowns then. Now you also get a title for each.