Ok, there is a big majority of us that are really struggling with too many specials in battles, I know you are monitoring and RNG, and apparently nothing changed, and all that, but our own experience on a day to day basis says otherwise.
Some suggested to remove specials all together, I get that some people don't want that. Personally I hate specials, anything that is just based on blind dumb luck is not fun for me whether it works in my favor or not, but ok we don't want to remove specials, how about we balance them or add some restrictions.
I think the major source of frustration for many of us is getting hit by specials back to back and or on first turn. To eliminate that frustration 3 simple restrictions can be added:
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A monster should never get a special on first turn
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A monster should never get a special back to back: more details: if it gets a special once, it can not get another till 6 more turns for example.
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Stamina removal or cooldowns activated should not trigger specials more than usual, they really seem like they do.
Once these restrictions are applied, 2 mechanics can be used to get a special:
- Charging up mechanic: Before a monster gets to use its special, the special needs to be charged up:
The suggestion on discord was the more moves it uses the more the meter fills up.
My suggestion is:
have a meter that fills up slowly, when the monster takes damage, or after each turn it gets. Once meter is filled a special can be used.
The more it takes damage: If you are getting beat up by a voltaik or prince charmless or zyla for example, your monster is losing health but on the upside it is charging its special a bit more.
The more rounds it gets/survives: if your monster is getting denied for example but still surviving, it is more likely to get a special.
In my opinion specials are supposed to be something that turn the tide for the underdogs, something that is like a last saving grace, with this, the monsters who are getting damage or enduring are more likely to get a special to help them out, than the strong hitters which are already having the advantage and don't need the special.
- Chance increase mechanic: as suggested on discord, the monster starts out with 0% on first turn, each turn the % increases to reach a max of 5%. and once used, the % chance resets to 0. this ensures no specials on first turn and no back to back specials.
This can be modified to ensure that 2 teammates monsters don't get consecutive specials either, the chance can be for the entire team and resets for all once used by one.
Another mechanic:
- One special for all team but only once per battle: My suggestion is once a monster gets a special, it can be used by any monster on the team on their turn, (giving u the freedom to use the best special for any of ur surviving monsters depending on the situation rather than just rely on luck of the draw) but once used, it can not be used again by anyone through out the battle, this is coupled with either the charging up mechanic or the chance increase mechanic. This adds an element of strategy (use the special for support or denial or damage or revival for example) but still makes sure it is not too overpowered, give the freedom to choose who uses it but in exchange it becomes limited to only one.