I have been playing the strategy mobile game "Journey to the Three Kingdoms" recently. To be honest, as a viewer who often watches KPL and LPL, I am relatively sensitive to the balance of the game. Although this game is not a MOBA, the restraint between generals and the rhythm of legion cooperation are actually similar to e-sports competitions.
The three-core system of "Lu Bu + Diao Chan + Zhuge Liang" that was popular in the previous version has been obviously weakened after the new version was updated. Zhuge Liang's skill cooldown was increased by 0.5 seconds, which led to a decrease in early field control ability and also affected the winning rate of fast attack flow. I have encountered several games in a row in qualifying. The opponent chose this lineup and was beaten in the early stage. It became more difficult to come back in the later stage. This reminds me of a scene in the LPL where after a certain version update weakened the jungle hero, the rhythm of the entire map slowed down.
On the contrary, the previously unpopular "control flow" combination, such as Zhang Fei + Zhen Ji + Zhao Yun, can now create a longer combo window due to the subtle adjustments to the "stun time" this time. I used this lineup last week and won five games in a row. If my teammates cooperate tacitly, I can control the opponent's main force to death during offense and defense in city battles. However, this also requires higher operational precision, a bit like the combination of Sun Bin + Bai Qi in Honor of Kings. It seems simple, but in fact it takes time.
In addition, the new version has made slight adjustments to the damage of siege equipment in "Legion War". The attack range of the catapult has been reduced by 10%, but the damage has been increased by 15%. This makes the tactical options more diverse: in the past, everyone liked long-range consumption, but now they have to consider the risk of destroying the city in close combat. I have observed several peak matches, and top players have begun to use a mixed tactic of "cavalry assault + infantry damage resistance" instead of just focusing on long-range.
Of course, version updates cannot satisfy everyone. Some people on the forum also complained that "the collective weakening of Shu generals" was too deliberate, but I think this kind of fine-tuning has actually improved the diversity of the lineup. At least now there won't be a situation where "if you don't choose Zhuge Liang, you lose". Just like Titan and Thresh reach the top in one version of the LPL, and then become Lenata and Rakan in the next version. Dynamic balance is the charm of competitive games.
If you are a strategy enthusiast and like to study the tactical changes brought about by version changes, this free "Three Kingdoms Journey" is worth a try. At present, Android 5.0 or above can run smoothly. You can play it directly after downloading. You can increase points through cooperation without spending money. Looking forward to meeting more thoughtful opponents on the Kyushu battlefield! 🏯