3.0 & 3.1 Future Retrospective | Reverse: 1999

Summary

This video offers a deep dive into the evolving game meta from Patch 3.0 to 3.1, analyzing key character releases like Sentinel, Sharon, Rabusa, and Corvis. It examines their impact on team composition, endgame content, and shifting strategies in response to new updates. The focus is on archetype-based teams, such as Dynamo and Blood Tide, which now dominate the meta, as opposed to niche mechanics. The video also highlights significant changes in Euphoria updates, with characters like Argus and Marcus reshaping team viability. A look ahead to future patches provides further insight into the game's evolving strategies.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video introduces a new segment focusing on how each patch cycle impacts the aggregate meta, character performance, and team dynamics in the game.
• 😀 The main goal of the segment is to provide players with insights into the shifting meta and help them make informed decisions about character pulls and material investments.
• 😀 The data presented is sourced from respected communities and testers, and the video stresses that tier lists are always changing and players should do their own research.
• 😀 Significant shifts in the game’s endgame content are mentioned, such as the evolving Reveries stages, which have seen increases from 400m to 1000m across patches.
• 😀 The design philosophy of the game has shifted from using limited characters and overcoming mechanics to focusing on archetype-based teams to clear content more effectively.
• 😀 The AC collaboration greatly accelerated this shift, with high-rolling, straightforward characters that can clear content with minimal complexity.
• 😀 Sentinel’s release solidified the dominance of the Blood Tithe team and was praised for the extra multipliers it provided to Nordica’s abilities, even though her numbers appeared weaker than competitors like Flutter Page.
• 😀 Sharon, released in the second half of 3.0, was hailed as an essential upgrade to the Dynamo team, enhancing its synergy and making it more efficient, particularly for maintaining electric field levels.
• 😀 Patch 3.1 introduced new characters like Rabusa, who became the core support for the Blood Tithe team, outshining previous supports due to her powerful healing and defensive abilities.
• 😀 Corvis, introduced later in 3.1, provides a unique ramping mechanic for DPS in the Dynamo team, offering a strong alternative to Lucy, with a more involved playstyle that rewards careful buff management.
• 😀 The video emphasizes the growing influence of specific archetypes and teams (e.g., Rankup, Euphoria teams) in the meta, while also noting that certain teams like the Ultimate team have fallen behind due to the AC collaboration and other changes.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this new segment?

The segment is designed to analyze the shifting meta in Cien with each new patch cycle. It aims to provide an overview of character performance, community sentiment, and how new releases impact the game's strategies, without going too deep into character-specific reviews, which will come later.

How often will this segment be updated?

The segment will be updated around the 3/4 mark of each patch cycle, meaning roughly every 2–3 months, depending on the release schedule of patches and new content.

What sources are being used to gather data for this segment?

The segment uses tier lists from prominent Chinese communities, creators, and testers on platforms like NGA (National Gamers Association), focusing on the aggregate meta and community insights.

Why is this video focused on the aggregate meta rather than individual character reviews?

The focus is on providing a broad view of the evolving meta, which helps players make informed decisions about which characters to pull and invest in for endgame content. Detailed character reviews will come once the characters are officially released on global servers.

How has the game landscape shifted in the past 5 months?

In the past 5 months, there has been a significant evolution in how endgame content is approached. The meta has shifted from using niche characters in complex mechanics-based teams to a more archetype-based structure where having the right team can ensure success in endgame content.

What was the community reaction to the release of Sentinel?

Sentinel was well-received for solidifying the dominance of the Blood Tithe team, but there was some debate about whether she was truly necessary compared to Flutter Page. Sentinel’s indirect buffs to existing meta teams were seen as more impactful, especially for characters like Nordica.

How did Sharon’s release affect the Dynamo team?

Sharon was unanimously hailed as a must-pull for players running the Dynamo team. He significantly improved the rotation of the Electric Field and boosted team synergy, especially with Ulich. His utility in speeding up Electric Field levels made him a key component in making the Dynamo team more efficient.

What role did Rabusa play in the meta with the 3.1 patch?

Rabusa became a central figure in the Blood Tithe team due to her strong healing and buff abilities. Her healing output, which scales with her max HP, was considered broken compared to other healers, and her death prevention buff added significant defensive value.

What did the community think of Corvis's release?

Corvis was a unique character in that she did not directly surpass Lucy in performance, but offered a comparable alternative. Her ramp-up damage made her ideal for longer fights and boss content, specifically in Reveries, although her playstyle was more involved and required careful buff management.

How did the introduction of Euphoria Argus impact the Rankup team?

Euphoria Argus provided a substantial buff to the Rankup team by allowing her Gravedigger ability to proc at a 10% rate, which synergized well with other Rankup characters. This helped the Rankup archetype become more competitive against other top-tier teams like Impromptu.