Abilities should show damage type

[Nani Sore]

Considering the impact that an abilities damage type has on game play I really think the ability tool tips should in some way indicate the damage type.

There is no way to guess what the damage type is for a given ability because explosive rounds are not always explosive and sharp rounds are not always sharp damage.

As a semi noob this would really be a nice feature as there are far too many abilities to seek out the information on and memorize and keep it all up to date in my head.

It would also be cool if you had a section that explains balloon types but I guess I can google it.

Basically it would be great if the game was just 100% transparent with game mechanic related information so that noobs like myself can try to come up with our own strategies without resorting to the internet where other people have done the work for us.

Thanks!

[Obi-Sean]

I would just love something more specific than "shoots faster" as an example. That's great! How much faster? Why don't I have the raw numbers printed on the tower's card when I click on it? Even just the "on paper" pops-per-second would be nice. layers * atkspd * anything else I've overlooked. I wouldn't include pierce since things like the gattling beam monkey theoretically are infinite. But would it be so hard to also list that?

[H0LABANANA]

Publicado originalmente por Obi-Sean:

I would just love something more specific than "shoots faster" as an example. That's great! How much faster? Why don't I have the raw numbers printed on the tower's card when I click on it? Even just the "on paper" pops-per-second would be nice. layers * atkspd * anything else I've overlooked. I wouldn't include pierce since things like the gattling beam monkey theoretically are infinite. But would it be so hard to also list that?

Ok, so think of things like this. Rather than, "Why don't they do x and y," but rather, "Would I do x and y?" Why don't you find the numbers and put them somewhere monke.

[Obi-Sean]

The numbers do exist somewhere, and I've even looked through them. Thing is though: all those numbers were trial and error tested as to their accuracy. Basically, someone saw how many balloons the monkey popped on one setting and another, and did their (educated) best to estimate how many it can pop.

The point is why don't these numbers exist in the game? The code knows the numbers, and yet the description is non-specific in any way sometimes, but other times is gives you the exact numbers an upgrade will give.

Criticism of something is not necessarily hatred of it. Just like being an apologist of it isn't love. We shouldn't have to crowd-source understanding of a game's basic mechanics.

[H0LABANANA]

Publicado originalmente por Obi-Sean:

The numbers do exist somewhere, and I've even looked through them. Thing is though: all those numbers were trial and error tested as to their accuracy. Basically, someone saw how many balloons the monkey popped on one setting and another, and did their (educated) best to estimate how many it can pop.

The point is why don't these numbers exist in the game? The code knows the numbers, and yet the description is non-specific in any way sometimes, but other times is gives you the exact numbers an upgrade will give.

Criticism of something is not necessarily hatred of it. Just like being an apologist of it isn't love. We shouldn't have to crowd-source understanding of a game's basic mechanics.

Yeah, but it would look really crammed in for some of the upgrades. Like some of the sub upgrade description are already pretty crammed. Can you imagine if elite defender's description said "Makes the sniper shoot x amount percent faster, and if you leak a life, it goes this amount faster, and the more track length a bloon goes it goes this amount faster" with a lot of percents and specific numbers? That would be pretty interesting.

[PichuYang]

----1. This game actually show enough----

Publicado originalmente por Null:

There is no way to guess what the damage type is for a given ability.

Perhaps it is better to say which particular one? If an ability has unique property, it usually used a term called "Special". Like MOAB Assassin, Special Preparations. Many abilities don't necessarily need camo detection to activate, like Pirate Lord and First Strike Capability.

I would agree that it is a nice touch to clarify information about DDT interaction in MOAB Assassin and Monkey Pirates. But then, what Banana said did pointed out a major limitation in this game, UI (User Interface). It feels so cramped to include many information, especially:

Publicado originalmente por Null:

Basically it would be great if the game was just 100% transparent with game mechanic related information!

It would mean a major overhaul that cannot be done in a short time, while not addressing another issue in the game, game balancing:

----2. The depth----
In patch 25.0, MOAB Mauler has lower Ceramic damage, The Tack Zone changed its "Normal" attack into "Sharp". In most scenarios, when upgrading something to Tier 5, it usually has pop all capabilities. Because it is something to reflects on what you pay for.

A Sky Shredder and Carrier Flagship are an investment, so their attacks must be pop all or "Normal". At the same time, they should not be able to pop camo without relevant crosspath and support. So, why a 2-5-0 Pirate Lord able to hook DDT without detection? That's interesting, what happen if it don't? Purchasing 0-5-2 crosspath, why?

This is a problem that is very hard to optimize: crosspath interactions. If 2-5-0 Pirate Lord needs support or bottom crosspath to hook DDT, it will become a far less appealing tower. But at the same time, the lack of Double Shot makes 0-5-2 no sense with the projectile travel speed boost. There is no perfect answer.

----3. This motive----
Something for sure is that, you paid less for MOAB Assassin, more for Carrier Flagship and Pirate Lord. So MOAB Assassin should not have a too easy way to pop DDT. Which I think the major motive for this game is, "you get what you pay for" and "observe the battlefield".

Publicado originalmente por Obi-Sean:

The numbers do exist somewhere, and I've even looked through them.
We shouldn't have to crowd-source understanding of a game's basic mechanics.

Which is why I don't believe adding all possible numbers to Perma-charge will help. At first glance, 0-5-2 Permacharge should perform better due to higher layer damage. However, most expert players purchase 2-5-0 plus an investment to MIB. Why?

Because of late game rounds, 91 to 100, notably 98. In most scenarios, that needed pierce is much more important, plus it does have attack speed buff and better synergy with Pat/Gwen.

----4. The nature of human----
This is why I said "observe the battlefield". Transparent information =/= better introduction to basic mechanic.

Because not everyone will read and think, just like how long I would write. They just pop inside the game, open Sandbox and Challenge Editor. Rather than asking here about "Best Overdrive placement in The Coast". Numbers and immunity are helpful, but they don't educate. In fact, I see more confusing players on games that actually give transparent, crystal clear info.

Because like what I said above. I read the recipe that said I need 50g of salt or 2 tablespoon. So... should I put exactly that? Why not just taste the soup by my tongue? Why not see what kind of ingredients I used for soup base? I mean, we are human, we have a tongue. Just taste the soup rather than starring at recipe and question the "professional" level.

----5. Just do it!---
Just like this game. Why would you read those numbers on a potato chips packaging other than expiry date? Just, eat it. Seriously.

I understand this game mostly by reading patch notes and observe what it does in-game. Even without reading patch notes, I tried Sandbox a lot. Such as:
- if Alchemist's buff is enough for Blade Mealstorm
- how Apache perform without MIB and Sabotage on Infernal R95?
- Is Churchill Energizer viable, and in which condition it would
- How this tower launch projectile and why it matters
- Why MOAB Eliminator's main attack doesn't help much to pop DDT rounds?

---
This is what I will strongly suggest instead, even in simple way of execution.
Tag/Filter system.
https://gamerzclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/02-Hero-Selection-Drafting.jpeg

[The Chosen One]

You could easily do something like Dota where you just hold the ALT button and extra information shows up. For people who are interested in it, great. For people who don't care and are happy with beating round 60, do nothing.
Or add an option in well options to show it by default etc.

[PichuYang]

Publicado originalmente por The Chosen One:

You could easily do something like Dota where you just hold the ALT button and extra information shows up.

"Easily". We all know that it is possible, but not necessarily practical. Like I said, the size of description box, how many info is necessary, tower balance change, and why not just overhaul into another way?

We should be fortunate bcs it had already undergone a lot of updates just for gameplay only. UI isn't something that can be done in few days, even the user who tried to make a BTD 6 Tower stat website still need a lot of efforts and maintenance.

https://statsnite.com/btd