Bombshell Analysis

[Katastrophe]

(01-05-2013 10:58 AM)ImperialSun Wrote:  But it's not as mobile as the other specials. Especially with the +1 wit per kill, Adorables are much more viable now and quite a few top players use them (in fact the current top player is an Adorables player). Hit and run is now more cost efficient with the new rule. I do find well positioned bombshells a pain to deal with (I play Feedback), but they're by no means unstoppable. They're just good which is something that all specials should be. They do cost 7 wits after all. Not to mention that bombshells are the most expensive to use with the exception of the Bramble. Also, OML has been collecting stats and reported that balance between the teams is actually pretty even with the exception of one team (almost certainly the Veggienauts).

I have noticed an increasing trend in Adorable usage. It's a great tactic but I find the army visually unappealing. Before Veggienauts, I played Feedback as well. I think the main issue seemed to be a sort of 'learning curve'. Scallywags have the simplest unit, then Adorables, then Feedback. Although I don't really think that ease of use is a substitute for balance, per say... unless there's a viable tactic for each special to beat another.

Bombshell strong arms everything, for example. Hell, it can outright kill all other specials, yes?

Mobi has it's hit and run tactic which isn't entirely evident. Again, learning curve. For any interested, check out this replay between burnodrod and awpertunity. It's fantastic.

Feedback can simply Scramble the Bombshell... it's getting it there safely that requires the curve.

I have yet to see any real "Bramble vs Bombshell" strategy that is viable, aside from using Thorns to prevent the Bombshell from seeing your actual units by walling off/surrounding... which, in my opinion, isn't very cost effective. In fact, 9/10, I end up just running away/around from the Bombshell, which is both risky but also not entirely viable on smaller maps. Scallywags is by far my worst matchup. Please see this (Outwitters) / this (OSN) game for how I deal with Bombshells. Eventually I realized that a frontal attack wasn't economical and said "Screw it, I'm going around."

Edit: I'd also venture to guess that the only reason Veggienauts are more played at the moment is because they're new. Every time Hero Academy releases a new army, it's the same thing. Eventually, it dies down and people pick their favorite.