Redneck Reviews: Update 4.2! (Part V)

Welcome back to Redneck Reviews! This installment covers all the changes 4.2 has brought, as well as my thoughts on them. Let me know how you feel about this update!
My review of the two new items added in 4.2: https://forum.battlebay.net/threads/redneck-reviews-standard-torpedo-and-big-bandage-part-iv.24057/
Redneck Reviews Library: https://forum.battlebay.net/threads/redneck-reviews-library.23565/

You may notice this is in Game Discussion, not Strategy Discussion... this is because there are no real strategies covered here, just talk about the update features outside of items/ships. That said, here we go!

So. Hardcore TDM and ranked battle. The defender in the room. *hopes the pun slips by @TheAntiSnipe's pun filter* Anyways, the forums and Discord have been up in arms protesting HCTDM as a ranked mode lately, and it isn't... yet. The devs did mention "hardcore seasons," which probably means that ranked alternates between Team Elimination and HCTDM, which is better than expected. I wish I could talk about the mode itself, but I ain't waiting a day for the event to start so I can write this.

Casual mode is another large addition, and it's a goodie! It gives people a safe place to practice with new boats and items, complete quests, and goof off without risking infamy, all while still earning stars and small resource rewards! Obviously, season crates and league bonuses make ranked a better source of rewards, but you won't be totally hung out to dry by casual's rewards, which is good. I just played 5 or 10 games for my review on the Standard Torpedo and Big Bandage, as well as to get stuff to level/train them, and it was a joy. It seems like it will stay in Team Elim during hardcore seasons, which is nice for everyone who is not thrilled by the prospect of Hardcore TDM. But enough about that.

Talent trees for the new items are implemented, and they're similar to those of related items, like the standard bandage and the other torps. No achievement has made itself evident for the Standard Torpedo, but we all know how long it took 'em to roll out the Reaper Specialist... I'll wait. Hopefully we see some event perks for one/both of these in the future... but we'll see.

Another addition, which you may not have noticed, is the new Epic Mystery Box. The old quest system was star crates at 5 and 8 and premium chests at 12 and 18. Now, the 18-quest reward is an Epic Mystery Box, dropping one epic item and some epic power cells. These cannot be bought, they are exclusive to anyone who grinds out 18 weekly quests. This is an improvement in my humble opinion, giving players a chance to get epics (new or dupes), as well as some helpful materials for evolution. Yes, Rovio is giving away free epics. That's out of character. And I'm okay with that.

The Fire Bomb was noticeably rebalanced, with a 10% drop in damage. While I may be a bit miffed (like anyone else who uses the thing), it was a tad overpowered. This nerf is a step in the right direction for balance.

Redneck Rating: Nice update! Much-needed balance changes, reward buffs, new items, new modes... holy cow! Not too shabby, Rovio. 4 stars. * * * * *

This is my first review of a full update, let me know what you think! And have fun with the new stuff, all!
See you on the Bay,

Redneck Messiah​

 

first!

honestly tho standard torp is a bit....idk...mild? nothing special I mean

 

Thanks for the reviews, @Redneck Messiah

It gives a complete glimpse of this update

 

It's kind of an all-rounder. That's what makes it both special and not special at the same time

Thanks!

 

It has a pretty nice cooldown, but that's pretty much it. Since Standard Cannon and Standard Torpedo have an amazing cooldown, I wonder if Standard Mortar will be getting a cooldown buff to be somewhat close to the others.

 

Nice summary, I don't think I'll be building either of the new items but I am enjoying playing casual.
I can work on guild quests with sub par loadouts and not tank my infamy.
The new infamy system needs some clarification but otherwise I'm pretty satisfied so far.

 

A bit... Standard?

 

once people have t4 t5 standard torpedoes . i am sure they are gonna spam like mines. no way to move . lol

 

exactly lol

but I wonder...double stand torp on speeder...with cool down max trained...viable?

 

Casual mode seems to be based on gear score and ranked is based on infamy for matchmaking.
The result for me was: It was very hard to win a match in casual mode. A lot harder than in ranked.