The "Score Booster" wizard power is far too strong and will harm the game

[Deimos]

(I originally posted this here on reddit, but it hasn't been acknowledged. I'm reposting here to try to make sure it gets seen, because I believe this is really important for the game's health)

I was skeptical about FX3's "Upgrades" system, but after playing for a while I've decided I'm mostly fine with it. Almost all of the upgrades don't fundamentally change the game much at all and someone that's a better player should still generally end up with a higher score regardless of upgrades. However, there's one glaring exception to this: the Score Booster wizard power.

The two other wizard powers (Slow Motion and Rewind) are well-designed. They allow some limited "skill enhancement" where you can be more careful about a tricky shot or fix a crucial mistake. This works great. It feels neat to do as a player but doesn't give a huge advantage - it was possible to get the exact same result without using the wizard power at all.

However, Score Booster is completely different and makes it possible to get a massively higher score by simply knowing when you're about to get a large score bonus (due to finishing a main mission or something similar) and activating it just before. For example, finishing a mission on the Thor table gives 15,000,000 points. By activating Score Booster just before the bonus triggers, you get 30,000,000 instead.

Unlike all of the other upgrades, this does fundamentally change the game and adds a new skill that's outside the normal way pinball plays. To get the highest scores possible, you now have to know when the largest score bonuses will occur, and be able to time your Score Booster usage so that you can use as little of it as possible on each bonus (so that you can use it as many times as possible).

This is already a major issue, but it's even more problematic because the game includes time-limited modes. Someone using Score Booster will be able to achieve scores in those modes that are absolutely impossible for others to match unless they use it as well. There shouldn't be a "required" upgrade like that. This will have huge effects on leaderboards, tournaments, leagues, and even makes the challenges on every table far, far easier than they should be.

I hope that you strongly consider replacing or removing this power while you're still near launch and the impact isn't widespread yet.

[OriginalEther]

I think the counter argument to this is that by using the Score Booster, you're eliminating the need for a crutch or second chance.

A 15 million double score to 30 million doesn't do you much good if you can only hit the shot in slow motion or a 2nd try, nor does it do any good if you drain all your balls before you you hit that mode anyways.

Personally, I struggle with the controls for the Slow Motion and Score Boost. Don't like trying to press and hold Y while activating flippers. I tend to just use Rewind after a drain; that control mechanic isn't an issue there.

[GruffMckenzie]

I'm playing classic mode....we all know where we stand. I've realised I can't be bothered to add the pressing of the button at the right time and regretting it when I don't.

The passive abilities, points for distance travelled? Not sure why that is need TBH.

[cantankerous--]

Im of the mindset that rewinding is totally gay and how hard is it to know when to push the button? You know when the points appear?? Thats when you push the button and get massive points. Do it.

[QuietlyWrong]

The obvious thing to do (and I realise I'm mis-using the word 'obvious' to make my argument look more convincing) would be to have the score booster clock run for a minimum time, say at least 1 second, every time it is pressed regardless of how quickly the button is released.

But then you'd have to consider resetting high scores and we all know how well that is always received.


FWIW, I expect I'll mainly be sticking to Classic and leaving the gimmicks for other people whom I try to pretend not to look at with disdain.

[cantankerous--]

The obvious thing to do (and I realise I'm mis-using the word 'obvious' to make my argument look more convincing) would be to have the score booster clock run for a minimum time, say at least 1 second, every time it is pressed regardless of how quickly the button is released.

But then you'd have to consider resetting high scores and we all know how well that is always received.


FWIW, I expect I'll mainly be sticking to Classic and leaving the gimmicks for other people whom I try to pretend not to look at with disdain.

Its a skill dude. Use it and learn to abuse it or simply go into tournaments where it is turned off all of which seems "obvious" and yes, I also used the word obvious to convey my point. Seriously, and Im not trying to be glib, it takes practice to just hit the triangle just as points are being awarded to maximise the effectiveness of the multiplyer without draining it. Practice makes perfect.

[QuietlyWrong]

I'll bear it in mind. To be honest it doesn't much bother me because I accept that I'll never approach the tops of the leaderboards. I just love the flipping game. But I can see other people's point; not so much that it's 'OP' so much that the balance between the three wizard powers may be so wonky as to leave two of them unused for most people. As you say, there are always tournaments with custom rules.

[cantankerous--]

I'll bear it in mind. To be honest it doesn't much bother me because I accept that I'll never approach the tops of the leaderboards. I just love the flipping game. But I can see other people's point; not so much that it's 'OP' so much that the balance between the three wizard powers may be so wonky as to leave two of them unused for most people. As you say, there are always tournaments with custom rules.

I think the rewind and slow motion are stupid, but getting more points and it doesnt just happen by magic. You have to push the button at the exact right moment or do as you say and hold the button and deplete your ability to abuse it. It takes practice to tap it at the right moment. I can appreciate that, but the other two kind of suck. Im all about the points.

[GruffMckenzie]

Im of the mindset that rewinding is totally gay and how hard is it to know when to push the button? You know when the points appear?? Thats when you push the button and get massive points. Do it.

Sort of doesn't feel like a skill of pinball in the same way, not so much that it's incredible difficult. I haven't used it so perhaps I'm looking at it wrong. I assumed it was one use, but it works for odd presses does it?

[cantankerous--]

I just sent you a friend request, but it would not allow me because of your settings. You dont like friends? I only want to help you.

[GruffMckenzie]

I just sent you a friend request, but it would not allow me because of your settings. You dont like friends? I only want to help you.

who?

[cantankerous--]

who?

cantankerous-- (that's two highens after cantankerous)

[cantankerous--]

My bad, I actually sent it to quitelywrong, but will send you one now.

[cantankerous--]

Not even on ps4 with your name on here, so how did you think I was trying to add you? I want to, but without your psn name I cant.

[QuietlyWrong]

I just sent you a friend request, but it would not allow me because of your settings. You dont like friends? I only want to help you.

No, I hate friends. :P

Actuallly, that's not really much of a joke. That's why I like pinball. But I'll have to check my privacy settings next time I'm on my PS4. Might be on 'friends of friends only' which cuts out all the random spam.

Just to be clear, the original poster of this thread was Deimos, not me; my 'solution' response was to that post. I'm one who's not bothered, I certainly don't feel the need for help. I'll be sticking to Classic most of the time I think, and getting my buzz by just chilling out and getting into the zone occasionally.