Luck or skill-based?

[🐉Kesseleth🐉]

I like this game quite a bit, but I'm starting to like it a bit less for one simple reason; luck. While any playthough can be won no matter what cards are dealt to you if you're good enough, time and time again I find that I win through finding a good power-up or, as I'm doing right now, getting an achievement that needs Azazel the Overpowered. Speaking of which, some characters, such as Samson, just suck so much it's almost (but not entirely-see above) necessary to get good luck with them, while with others it's a breeze. Is it just me, or is this game a bit TOO luck-based? Or will I find that it is indeed based on skill as well and I just don't have any at the moment so luck is my only hope?

[Elvis II]

There isn't anything in particular that I can point to and call it unfair because it's always a combination of things that makes it so. In a certain room layout with a certain combination of enemies, it can be practically impossible to avoid damage with certain characters and builds. Other builds would be able to take down the same room with ease. There's definitely a lot of skill involved, but sometimes the RNG just screws you. And sometimes it screws you over and over again with a kitchen knife.

[Minuette Moonbeam]

50/50

[Narval (PT)]

luck does play a very important role in binding of isaac, but luck won't help you dodge bullets ;)
i think its more 50% luck and 50% skill, because even you have a really powerfull run, if you get hit constntly, you'll die.
actually samson is really good, the only bad character in my opinion is lazarus

[🐉Kesseleth🐉]

Originally posted by Krakta (PT):

luck does play a very important role in binding of isaac, but luck won't help you dodge bullets ;)
i think its more 50% luck and 50% skill, because even you have a really powerfull run, if you get hit constntly, you'll die.
actually samson is really good, the only bad character in my opinion is lazarus

That's balance, then. A friend of mine calls Laz better than Isaac (haven't used him much so I can't say), calls Eve (my fav so far) worthless, and all my friends despise Samson but you use him quite well. We all like different chars, which means it's well-designed in that regard, I suppose.

[RUN PROGRAM > SENTIONAUTS]

This is 10% luck,
20% skill,
15% concentrated power of will,
5% pleasure,
50% pain,
And a 100% reason to remember the name!
ISAAC!

[Elphelt's Biggest Fan]

Originally posted by Discord Kantus:

Originally posted by Krakta (PT):

luck does play a very important role in binding of isaac, but luck won't help you dodge bullets ;)
i think its more 50% luck and 50% skill, because even you have a really powerfull run, if you get hit constntly, you'll die.
actually samson is really good, the only bad character in my opinion is lazarus

That's balance, then. A friend of mine calls Laz better than Isaac (haven't used him much so I can't say), calls Eve (my fav so far) worthless, and all my friends despise Samson but you use him quite well. We all like different chars, which means it's well-designed in that regard, I suppose.

Lazarus is simply better until Isaac retrieves the D6, as they have the same stats and lazarus gets a bonus life.

Eve is generally disliked for her low damage and usually-unhelpful starting items. It's all right if you want to go a one-red-heart-hyper-mode kind of build, but I've never enjoyed the first few floors on her much.

And I think the game is more along the lines of 80 to 90% skill. I have not lost a round of normal mode in the past... 10 runs I made (all the way to the chest/dark room)? and I sure didn't become super powerful every time. Every character was played (except the lost) in those runs.

I think if you're feeling like luck has too much to play, take a step back and ask what the theme behind your typical death is. If it's dying to lumps in the womb/other unit that teleports under you, yeah luck screwed you. Otherwise, you can probably craft a better room battle plan.

[S> Golden Toucans 2 ref]

Originally posted by Discord Kantus:

That's balance, then. A friend of mine calls Laz better than Isaac (haven't used him much so I can't say), calls Eve (my fav so far) worthless, and all my friends despise Samson but you use him quite well. We all like different chars, which means it's well-designed in that regard, I suppose.

Most of the chars are pretty well designed/balanced for different play styles. The ones that stand out are Azazel ( very op) Isaac with the D6 ( also very strong but very fun ) Laz ( pretty underpowered from what I seen but I guess he can be good at times ) and the "secret char" ( ya him ). As far as samson goes he is on the stronger side in this game but in the original isaac he was complete garbage.

[ff]

Originally posted by A Young Fresh Newbie!:

Lazarus is simply better until Isaac retrieves the D6, as they have the same stats and lazarus gets a bonus life.

Actually, the difference is Isaac starts with a bomb, which is always helpful, whereas Lazarus starts with a pill, which can be useless or even hurt you. And I wouldn't call the bonus life anything special - he continues in the same room with only one heart, and if you managed to die there I wouldn't suspect that you'd have any better chance at surviving immediately from that last position.

This game is all about luck, patience, and concentration. A lucky person who is impatient will lose. If anyone stops concentrating they'll lose hearts fast. A patient person can simply be unlucky and not get enough damage ups in their run.