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If Riot can't balance TFT I don't see how they can balance League.

hoganftw·7/20/2019, 12:26:12 AM·87 votes·18,875 views

I mean the blueprints of TFT are laid out already in front of them. There's clearly a reason for why certain things in other autochess games are laid out the way that they are. It makes sense that they are laid out the way that they are. But Riot decides that item drop RNG has to be a thing and that it makes sense for some players to get an actual usable items while others get one or two measly gold. I'm not saying other autochess games are perfect, but they at least feel fair.

Most of the arguments for it are "it creates diversity in strategy", "just use what you're given", or "just make top 4 bro". Here's the thing, it feels awful. Now getting bad RNG in other areas also feels awful, but at the very least you genuinely feel like you did your best given the situation when you're given the same chances to succeed as everyone else. Having less items in this game feels awful because of just how game-changing items really are. The kicker is that they legitimately could fix this, quite easily. Make the mystery boxes always drop items. It's already in the code but they're actively refusing to make any changes to it because it's more "strategic" this way. It's just poor game design with an even poorer response to constructive criticism. I'm not saying Riot should just copy autochess but they need to learn from their contemporaries.

Point being, TFT is relatively a lot easier to balance than League and they're already making some terrible decisions. It's a complete and utter joke and the sad truth is, it's been like this for a while with Riot. There's always a few lines within the League patch notes that completely baffles the player base. Whether it's buffing a champion to the extreme in order to push them into the meta or absolutely gut a champion who was hardly ever seeing play, it's hard to honestly say that Riot understands how any of these games work. I just honestly think with TFT, it just shows their incompetence and lack of game sense.

51 Comments

Anatera7/20/2019, 1:55:11 AM27 votes

There is years of evidence that already tells us they can't balance League. Why would TFT be any different or vice versa?

Zero Shingetsu7/20/2019, 1:02:04 AM24 votes

Make the mystery boxes always drop items. It's already in the code but they're actively refusing to make any changes to it because it's more "strategic" this way.

I haven't played TFT so I may be misunderstanding this, but... Are people seriously saying that the contents of a loot box is a matter of strategy? Because that's absurd.

SammyDayspring7/20/2019, 3:49:39 AM15 votes

They don't care about balancing anything. They only built TFT because they saw a chance at a quick buck.

xelaker7/20/2019, 3:22:57 AM6 votes

How is this a surprise to anyone that Riot can't copy a working system without putting there d*ck all up in the gears?

TranscendVirtual7/20/2019, 3:19:30 AM4 votes

They're never going to be able to balance league to even close to perfection with the item variety between games, synergies between champions, and the amount of champions being over 140. It's unrealistic to expect something like that from mere mortals. They can however try their best, and that is not enough currently for TFT as opposed to league. The champions in TFT feel balanced, but as you said the lack of getting items feels horrible, it's already bad enough there's RNG in getting my champion roster and what item I get....why can't I at least be guaranteed an item?

Longbottom Leaf7/20/2019, 8:18:41 AM3 votes

True, the buffing of OP champs (Sylas, Aatrox) and gutting of champs that are already garbage make me feel like the Riot balance team is high on crack 24/7

SuBSiN7/20/2019, 6:34:17 AM2 votes

This is one of my biggest complains about TFT. Everyone should have an equal amount of items.

Gamod7/20/2019, 4:33:45 AM2 votes

In my opinion some combination are useless and some champions level 3 can win the game so easily while others feel so weak, so people always take the same combos and champs... The problem is when you don't get that champ and the games forces one type of team composition that doesn't work just because it will never come that card even if you rotate your hand a hundred times. I think we should be allowed to build our own "deck" of champs so that we put more weight on certain champs and strategy before the start of the game. And riot should really balance all champions and drop system... for example why are some teams able to get Darius level 3 and I am forced to get a useless Ahri, nidalee, tf,... Some level 1 champs are so much powerful level 3 than others which force you to take a certain team compo. And this makes the game so unbalanced as well. I am getting bored of this game because it is very luck based, it is like going to a casino and hitting the rollete. Luck can be fun when moderated and controlled, not when everything in game feels like a gift of God... Then strategy is lost there.

SirHydro7/21/2019, 2:28:43 AM2 votes

Riot is basically a three year old child scribbling crayons all over the wall while grinning proudly of themselves. They really are so proud of themselves and really think what they do is n e a t. And then the cash just keeps flowing in so of course they're going to keep on the way they are.

I don't understand why you people cry about Riot and the way they run their game when you dump truck loads of cash into their wallets at the same time.

Better Persoj7/20/2019, 5:40:13 AM2 votes

TFT I find to be the most balanced thing Riot's had to date. The trick is even if you get gold there is a sort of "bad luck insurance" counter that stacks in to later creep rounds. Once you know that it's basically a matter of are you good at the game or not. So getting gold from creep rounds for earlier units and levels and having a big flow of items from something like wolves or raptors is something I prefer. It's not as heavily influenced by RNG as you so believe it's more of a now or later setup for items. Past that even if someone picks up some nice items to start they are less likely to get them later still allowing people who get lose streaks early on to contest and best the rest as it is with most Auto Chess battlers.

General Esdeath 7/20/2019, 6:23:54 AM2 votes

I'm just waiting for next year when they release something for RP that gives you more item drops

RealMilkMan7/20/2019, 2:12:37 PM2 votes

Did you really think it was ever possible to balance a game as massive as league?

LMQ XiaoWeiXiao7/20/2019, 2:18:02 PM1 votes

they cant even have a proper work place environment, they got employees walking out, cause their workplace is toxic and harass women, so why do you expect riot to fix it game? when the company it self is broken. League is dying

Byakurai7/20/2019, 4:51:17 PM1 votes

In dota original autochess mod items were dropping at the exact same rate, but... mostly they were useless and making something usefull actually took like 30-40 rounds. Op items were late game thing only and also there were possibilites to counter them somehow since tribes werent so powerful. In tft hitting the jackpot and getting 3 full items like rfc, bt and pd in first 3 rounds (which i've seen happening) can easly win you a game just because of win streak gold. Items should not be made just out of 2 pieces, some weaker ones ofc, but stronger ones should require 3 or 4 pieces. Another thing, tribes or whatever they are called in tft, some are insanely op while other... you get the point. Same thing with some characters like draven for example. Looking at league through the all 9 seasons its nothing new that riot ballance team can't handle their job.

Emperor Talquin7/20/2019, 5:50:26 PM1 votes

League will never be balanced. The game is too big and a meta change can make something weak into something op. E.g. remember when nobody built banner of command, then suddenly everyone built it every game.

Vinbullet7/20/2019, 7:50:58 PM1 votes

I might agree with you, but it doesn't seem the full story is present. DotA autochess item drops are the same exact way. It's not equal and they don't have something like the carousel to even it out either. DotA underlords item system is extremely boring imo. The items in the first rounds are essentially useless and can't be combined, and by the end game the items are strong but only for very narrow uses. (Meaning you cannot reliably plan) It is my opinion that riot has created the most exciting of the auto chess games. Items are as much a key to strategy as composition, adding a whole new level of skill. I take issue with the claim they have done nothing to balance out the rng.... Because they have done far more than DotA underlords did, simply by adding the carousel. Sure everyone gets an item, but the first few people are guaranteed an item they need, or first grabs if a compound item spawns. Tl;Dr; git gud the carousel is how they balanced it ya whiners.

NA Darklarik7/20/2019, 8:23:57 PM1 votes

LoL you can never balance something with this much RNG. Your victory is ALWAYS gonna depend a great deal on luck

Clown Parade7/21/2019, 2:36:21 AM1 votes

Getting gold instead of items doesn't "create diversity in strategy"; you just start losing. What items you **DO **get randomly, **DOES **create diversity in strategy. The items are more powerful in this game than other autochess games, yet there's a chance you don't even get a single one from initial creep rounds while someone else gets 4. Heh, don't spend that 5 gold in one place, bud. No wonder all my AC friends are back to the other games available since they actually have SOME sense of what they're doing.

Daddy Ants7/21/2019, 8:57:31 AM1 votes

How to win in TFT -

Ninja Elementalist.

Shiroyashayami7/21/2019, 10:14:59 AM1 votes

Yeah. I see it the same way. TFT is broken as fuck and has many bugs as well and League is the same but Riot just doesn't care. What, will you leave the game? No. There is no other option. There isn't a game that could be an alternative. We need to wait for somebody to make a better MOBA. Then Riot might do something. Or we will just play THAT moba.

Jayce Fuery7/20/2019, 3:26:51 AM1 votes

The terrible RNG I had during ranked got me iron 2....even if I was in top 4 in most matches but never number 1.

AroundlyLily7/20/2019, 3:58:47 AM1 votes

https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/riot-says-theres-bad-luck-protection-for-item-drops-in-teamfight-tactics

This matches my anecdotal experience with the game too.

I see where you're coming from and it’s fair to criticize the way RNG works now; having to wait for your items doesn't feel great at all. Would a guaranteed item drop every round be better game design? Admittedly, I haven't played any auto-battlers besides TFT.

Jon the Mormon7/20/2019, 8:09:10 AM1 votes

I have to somewhat disagree with this. TFT is suppose to be based off of RNG, just like poker. A more skilled knowledgeable player out a hundred games will win more than some inexperienced player will. TFT = play with what you're given.

Issiebie7/20/2019, 8:19:09 AM1 votes

I really love the idea of TFt, but...

I’ve had at least 3 games now where I only get coin in each of the starting minion battles.

So many times I’ve also never gotten ANYTHING from Krugs, Wolves, or Raptors.

I also seem to have real bad luck in the champ rotation lol. Even if I focus on a few champs and buy them WHENEVER I see them, I’ll never get enough for a level 3. Then I vs people who have like 2-4 level 3s with max items. The champs I have are also often not even in other players teams. Great feeling, knowing I can’t do anything!

Siyar967/20/2019, 8:25:23 AM1 votes

It is alright as it is. Sure, this game is not balanced as it is and will never be balanced as known from the regular game. But in TFT, this is actually no problem because everyone is influenced in a similar manner. I've lost and won a few games only because I was un-/lucky enough to get items two GAs randomly. But these wins and losses cancel each other, so I won't suffer that much more from rng than others. In TFT, decisions like "always go and try Noble(/whatever)" is way more determining for 'Freelo'. Positioning, enemy awareness and other minor moves are actually determining your position in the long run. The greatest rng problem I see is, that a lot of ppl "rush" noble and rng sometimes doesn't grant Kayle (or once I couldn't get Leona -.- xD).

Have a lot of fun and just try to increase your constants like knowledge/positioning. This game mode isn't balanced on a per match basis, it is balanced on a total match basis. So as more games you play, the less rng determined your succession.

RipPRISTIN2k197/20/2019, 9:10:21 AM1 votes

Everytime I've played TFT it feels like I get screwed over by rng. I hate saying it and complaining about rng of all things but everytime it sucks to lose to someone who was lucky enough to get a fully leveled Vayne with guinsoo's in the first few rounds.

5050BS7/20/2019, 10:42:04 AM1 votes

TFT has zero player interaction once the match starts and they cant balance it. I mean the computer is doing everything. Players just pick champs and positions. This is FIRST YEAR COLLAGE GAME DESIGN.

ActivatedAlucard7/20/2019, 11:15:25 AM1 votes

Everyone is complaining about this but how much are you really playing it? How insistent are you on only playing this one way? Have you ever even considered building a different line up? Strategy is indeed involved. If you can't figure it out then don't blame Riot. Sit back for a second and try to find what you're missing/misunderstanding about the game.

CptSelewin7/20/2019, 12:57:24 PM1 votes

Sorry but the whole genre is based off rng its build in the the genre. And boxes are a way to make rewards less rng. And it's defiantly not perfect. But it's also in really earyl development. I don't know how you can be so difinitive in such an early fase. Does explain why you feel the game is over if you get gold instead of an item.

InsidiousBloods7/20/2019, 1:09:22 PM1 votes

The RNG in TFT is absolute garbage. it cant be strategic if you have units unable to fight because they cant get to an enemy unit or standing still just cause. Back to the RNG, you have people getting absolutely stacked early and become completely unbeatable. or towards the end when they get everything they need to win. you have people getting stacked off of items every round and other that only get 3 items in the whole match.

Snido7/20/2019, 1:21:33 PM1 votes

Getting gold in the first couple rounds especially is pure cancer...I have gone into my first fight with my 1 original item and 3 lvl 1s against a guy with 2 completed items and lvl 2s...The gold thing needs to stop, just give us items