I'm going to step through this but my overall impression here is a BIG THUMBS DOWN. This patch hurts new players in practically every aspect.
There is some balance issues which remains which affect many of these so I won't list it over and over. Wolves come to mind. Certain armies just don't have solutions to dealing with certain builds leading to auto quit games and players lost.
Gameplay
- Decreased overall XP given per action
This is fine it slows the growth down but really has no overall impact on game play.
- Removed matchmaking map preferences
This is a great idea in theory but in practice it is awful. Even reading the explanations and having tried them a few times. 1. The maps themselves are unbalances leading to lopsided games
2. The mechanics are still a mystery and as a new player you've lost a player. You
MUST address this in training or in a tutorial even if you revert this change.
3. I don't like some of those modes why should I be forced to play them.
4. Company management when I get a game is a pain having to change it each time before a match is just awful. Pre saved companies is now a must. Make it a Cyan option I'm pretty sure you will find it one of the most purchased options.
- When reaching 3min of MatchMaking waiting time, a match in a lower bracket can be proposed
1. I don't want to play 250 now being dumped down a tier and having to tweak my company is a pain. Especially if I have to do this every time. List making is slow and cumbersome. Pre-saved lists please.
2. So my strong list now gets to play against the brand new started lists.
3. I chose to play in the higher AP brackets why not let us choose multiple AP brackets rather than forcing us lower. Many are not playing the smaller bracket games anyways. Either they quit or they re-que. I suggested listing the numbers in que and games to see if I'm wasting my time trying to que but there are other ways to attend to this,
- Connected some 1st win rewards to Solo match
- Once won Practice match will earn much fewer rewards
- Practice maps are now locked and need to be won to progress to unlock next maps
Makes sense was surprised that it wasn't this way.
- Practice maps now give no more XP to units
1. The people who this hurts are the new players. Getting stomped because you only have part companies does not appeal. Players lost.
I can't comment on the combat changes until more testing is done.
The patch seems to be directed at slowing the growth of companies thus prolonging play time. The problem is right now you have barriers to new players and the older players have already played out the content so build swapping is actually less appealing. At this stage to hold onto the older players new factions, units or game modes are the only way from those I've spoken to and the threads on forum.