Starting Containers | Patreon Poll #14
Added 2021-02-08 16:01:03 +0000 UTCHey Patrons!
For this poll, I’m asking for your input on a change to which container each of the heroes starts with. The current arrangement works thematically, but it might be a good idea to make a change for gameplay QoL. I’ve decided to let you guys make the final decision here!
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This poll is a simple yes/no choice. The option with the most votes will win!
All patrons are encouraged to share their opinion by commenting and voting, but currently only the votes from Golden+ Supporters are counted when determining a poll winner. Votes from Shattered Supporters are worth double!
Changing the Hero’s Starting Containers
Right now the Mage starts with a scroll holder, the Warrior starts with a potion bandolier, and the Rogue and Huntress start with a velvet pouch. I made these decisions largely for thematic reasons. Eventually I plan to have six heroes total, with two heroes having the scroll holder, two with the potion bandolier, and two with the velvet pouch. If I never was going to add more heroes, I would probably give the huntress the magical holster.
While this all works well from a thematic perspective, it doesn’t work as well for inventory management. The player gets seeds and runestones faster than they get potions or scrolls, and so the Rogue and Huntress end up having significantly smoother earlygame inventory management compared to the Warrior and Mage. While theme is nice, it might be nicer to give every class the best inventory management possible.
The proposed change, then, is to standardize starting containers for all heroes, and simply give everyone the velvet pouch to start. This is slightly worse thematically, although a small utility pouch is something any adventurer could have, but would be a big gameplay QOL improvement to some of the heroes.
Comments
I'm actually very surprised with how close this poll is. I was expecting that changing all heroes to the velvet pouch would be a clear favourite, as its been suggested to me a few times. Clearly that was some negativity bias at work (happy players are less likely to message you), so I'm really glad I put this to a vote, regardless of the outcome.
Shattered Pixel
2021-02-09 17:46:44 +0000 UTCThe first 5 levels are important, especially for new players, I vote that you all start with the same pouch. Perhaps no container until the ghost gift - then you get a choice?
Simon Wall
2021-02-09 07:05:05 +0000 UTCJust made it 50/50, but I had to vote for separate containers. I'll take the thematic approach that adds a little diversity to gameplay over 'balance'.
Max F
2021-02-08 23:52:45 +0000 UTCThere definitely are points to be made in favor of keeping things as-is, hence why I'm doing a poll! One thing to note though is that I don't think this is about gameplay balance so much as QoL. This won't really affect winrates for the Mage or Warrior at all, but will make early gameplay for them feel smoother.
Shattered Pixel
2021-02-08 18:39:39 +0000 UTCI don't think this is a good idea because it leads to this really weird UX where the player has no bag for a short bit of time. This results in items getting shuffled around in the player's inventory in the earlygame every run. Also the bag that the player gets will almost always be the seed pouch, and in rare cases where it wouldn't be experienced players would be encouraged to drop items before descending to exploit their way into getting the pouch.
Shattered Pixel
2021-02-08 18:38:05 +0000 UTCWhat about starting evey run without containers and finding a container later on in the sewers, let's say around third floor, with the same logic used by shops?
Fulvio
2021-02-08 17:59:28 +0000 UTCAs much as I like the thematic variation I'm in favor of the pouch purely because I *always* end up buying the pouch on level 6. It would be nice to have some freedom to decide which two containers I want on level 6 based on how I'm playing rather than which class I started with.
Scott Bruce
2021-02-08 17:51:26 +0000 UTCI completely understand the reasoning behind considering this change, but I actually think this is one of those occassions where it's nice to have some differentiation between the classes, even if it makes certain things less "balanced" One thing I would add is that even though the pouch makes life easier in terms of inventory management, the scroll holder and potion bandolier are better in terms of protecting your gear. Two early hazards in the game before you have identified your potions and before you have the right bags, are getting your potions shattered by freezing and scrolls being burned up. The Mage and the Warrior have a definite advantage here.
D
2021-02-08 17:06:16 +0000 UTC
