NeoGAF

Originally Posted by eznark

and not a pay to win issue.

It's not really. No clue what level you are but it takes a while to get things going. You need to get a class all the way to level 10 before you even get all their basic cards (which you absolutely want to do). You can make a really solid deck once you have a class at level 10. You certainly miss out on some of the rare cards (as you don't get any legendary cards from the default cards for example) but once you get familiar with your deck you can hold your own just fine.

I would say more than likely your opponent just had really good luck. There was a game I was in earlier where I managed to get a 20/20 monster on like turn 5, it was extremely good luck (can't stress that enough, that's only happened 1 time out of the 6 games I've played with that deck so far). My opponent just gave up after I hit his hero for 20 damage with it, pretty much didn't have any chance of recovering.

Does anyone know how many secret cards there are? Been watching a few YouTube video any only one encountered it.

I'm guessing there's only 2-5 per class?

Seen Day9s videos and it looks realy great. I hope the EU Beta starts soon.

Not happy, this looks fantastic and I'm not in the beta to play it :(.

I dont like that Arena needs 150 gold or 2$ to enter.

Can You even get gold while playing with AI?

Originally Posted by KKRT00

I dont like that Arena needs 150 gold or 2$ to enter.

Can You even get gold while playing with AI?

Even if not, I'm pretty sure you can still play against other players and earn gold. I think Arena is only one mode of multiplayer, not THE multiplayer.

And yeah, I've been checking my email far more often since this went live (as if Blizz really sends them out in batches every twenty minutes, on a Sunday).

Originally Posted by KKRT00

I dont like that Arena needs 150 gold or 2$ to enter.

Can You even get gold while playing with AI?

I don't really have a problem with the Arena requiring 150 gold or $2 (I mean it is a f2p game after all, they need to make the cash somewhere) the problem really lies with the gold generation. Without any quests it would take you 150 wins against random players to generate enough gold for 1 entry to the Arena. You can do daily quests to generate gold as well which seem to give 30 gold (the ones I've had so far anyway), but, only getting 1 quest per day is really annoying. How it stands now it makes it that paying money is the only way to do the arena on a regular basis. They should probably bump up the gold you get from defeating people (2 per win instead of 1 would probably be good enough) and maybe make the arena only cost $1.

As for getting gold from the AI, yes but it is not infinite. Outside of the first set of quests (that can be done against the AI) you get bonus gold for completing the basic card set (so getting every class to level 10) and then bonus gold for beating every master (opens up after you unlock each class). Outside of that there are no other ways I've found to get gold from AI matches.

Originally Posted by KKRT00

You get 1 gold per match? WTF Blizzard?

I'm really tolerant to F2P microtransactions schemes, i can accept xp boost without a problem, anything that do not brake pvp balance basically, but locking out modes behind paywall is just ridiculous.

If there wasn't a pay wall on the arena it would be insane. It's more than just a mode, it's 5 rewards, even if you lose ALL 3 of your games. One of those rewards is guaranteed to be a pack of cards as well (as far as I can tell, between the 10 or so arenas me and my friend have done we have always gotten at least 1 pack of cards, even one time when I lost 3 straight games).

The best way to think about the arena is that it's a random reward system that can be manipulated with skill. You're paying $2/150g for a booster pack and 4 other rewards, however, the more games you win before the 3 loss limit earns you better rewards at the end.

The only way to remove the pay wall would be to remove the rewards at the end, but, half the fun of the mode is seeing how far you can get for better rewards.

Originally Posted by ZenaxPure

If there wasn't a pay wall on the arena it would be insane. It's more than just a mode, it's 5 rewards, even if you lose ALL 3 of your games. One of those rewards is guaranteed to be a pack of cards as well (as far as I can tell, between the 10 or so arenas me and my friend have done we have always gotten at least 1 pack of cards, even one time when I lost 3 straight games).

The best way to think about the arena is that it's a random reward system that can be manipulated with skill. You're paying $2/150g for a booster pack and 4 other rewards, however, the more games you win before the 3 loss limit earns you better rewards at the end.

The only way to remove the pay wall would be to remove the rewards at the end, but, half the fun of the mode is seeing how far you can get for better rewards.

So there should be Arena with free or cheaper entry, or at least any sustainable way to get gold.

I dont think that 2$ for 40 minutes mode is really good value.

Originally Posted by KKRT00

or at least any sustainable way to get gold.

This absolutely needs to happen, 1 gold per win (PER WIN, losing nets you 0 gold) plus the daily quest to get gold is annoying. Even though it doesn't stop you from playing (there is no fee to do normal random battles) it still feels like a pretty big grind.

Originally Posted by KKRT00

I dont think that 2$ for 40 minutes mode is really good value.

Again though, you're looking at it the wrong way. You're $2 is buying you a pack of cards + 4 other rewards and then this random little side game that determines the quality of those rewards. If it was just $2 for a few matches and absolutely nothing else I would agree with you, but, that isn't what the arena is.

Besides, as much as I do love the arena (best part of the game imo) I am not sure if they can really get by with a free or cheaper version. When you craft your random deck there is no limit whatsoever on the cards you get to pick from. It randomly picks from the entire card library, even stuff you don't own. If there was a separate arena mode that was free/cheaper it would probably lead people into barely spending any other cash on the game at all since every new arena round is a fresh experience.

Yeah it's pretty insane to suggest that Arena should be made easier. It's probably much more 'hardcore' than standard ranked since you are actively drafting and balancing luck with your skill and knowledge of the game. It should be gated to discourage people from randomly entering the pool. Like Zenax said, you get a booster, which is already 100 gold and the possibility (Guarantee? I'm not sure) of getting more gold, which would compensate you for everything you've spent.

Shame Arena is $2 a go, why can't I get a card game that doesn't try and fuck me if I want to play a mode that doesn't favor people who spend a ton of cash.

Originally Posted by Wunder

(Guarantee? I'm not sure) of getting more gold, which would compensate you for everything you've spent.

Not guaranteed sadly. I can only speak from personal experience but the arena I did early on (where I knew absolutely nothing about the game but decided to jump in anyway) I lost all 3 of my games. My reward was 1 booster pack + 4 things of dust (can't recall if those were all the same amount of dust or not though).

But yeah, I assume if you are good enough you can recoup a lot of the costs. The last arena I did I managed to nab 40 gold as well and I only won like 1 or 2 games.

20k+ viewers on Twitch atm.

Is this basically a dumbed down version of Magic? I have no knowledge of card games whatsoever.

Originally Posted by Sothpaw

Is this basically a dumbed down version of Magic? I have no knowledge of card games whatsoever.

I don't either. Feels really intuitive though once you get going and I haven't felt totally outmatched by others, more I feel like I'm learning from each loss as to how I could have played better.

For my fellow Europeans, I received a press invite to the US beta since that's the only way for EU press to try the game.

The mail also states that the US account is only a temporary account and EU beta keys will get sent out the next few weeks.

Just sharing this so EU peeps know it won't be this week or so.

I'm watching Kripp's stream of the game right now. He's so fucking bad it's hilarious to watch.

This looks exactly like my type of game...now the hunt for a beta key begins :(

Originally Posted by krameriffic

I'm watching Kripp's stream of the game right now. He's so fucking bad it's hilarious to watch.

should tell you how bad the rest of the people are considering he basically only lost to a guy with some better cards than the starter decks.

I must say, Blizzard always had a thing for exaggerated looking UI's, but even that way they always managed to make it look nice in some way, but for this one ..... it's supposed to be released on tablets and such, but it's like they took everything that is completely disgusting about the usual look of mobile games and compiled it into one game ....

One step further to the never ending dumbing down of all their IP's I guess ... but it'll make them loads of money, so who cares in the end... right ?

Originally Posted by Lactose_Intolerant

should tell you how bad the rest of the people are considering he basically only lost to a guy with some better cards than the starter decks.

He just makes the most ballbrained decisions, like not playing a card for no reason when he has no alternatives and he's not building up to anything at all.

Originally Posted by Dawg

The mail also states that the US account is only a temporary account and EU beta keys will get sent out the next few weeks.

Few weeks? ;\

Originally Posted by KKRT00

You get 1 gold per match? WTF Blizzard?

I'm really tolerant to F2P microtransactions schemes, i can accept xp boost without a problem, anything that do not brake pvp balance basically, but locking out modes behind paywall is just ridiculous. Especially modes like Arena that are skill and luck based and do not require any premade decks or levels.

It's a draft. You have to buy the cards to get in, that's been the way draft works for every CCG that's ever supported it. You buy your cards and then instead of just opening them you get to actually play with them first.

What do you have to do in order to get a beta key in EU?

Originally Posted by KKRT00

So there should be Arena with free or cheaper entry, or at least any sustainable way to get gold.

I dont think that 2$ for 40 minutes mode is really good value.

Man, you should look up what "draft" means...it costs more, and people play it every week or even more. Rewards are similar.

Originally Posted by Yoshichan

What do you have to do in order to get a beta key in EU?

Opt in at battle.net (beta settings), then wait. Doesn't seem like a huge amount of keys went out in North America.

Originally Posted by Willectro

Opt in at battle.net (beta settings), then wait. Doesn't seem like a huge amount of keys went out in North America.

Ah fair enough, I guess I'll have to do that then!

Anyone have a beta key they could offer? Looks like no.

Originally Posted by Opiate

Anyone have a beta key they could offer? Looks like no.

I'd take one too :)

You should abuse your mod powers to get one.

Originally Posted by V_Arnold

Man, you should look up what "draft" means...it costs more, and people play it every week or even more. Rewards are similar.

Well you actually get something if you Draft in a real game, in this you spend $2 and you're not really getting anything.

Just got my email this second. It was in my junk/spam folder. Check there.

Is there CPU vs play in the beta? Got in, but I'm on a flaky wireless connection until next week while I'm out in the country.

Awesome, I just got mine too. Been looking forward to this since it was announced.

Since you can't trade the cards are worthless, if you play draft in something like Magic then you have the potential to be getting something. Kind of my problem with this game, you're spending money for nothing really.

Originally Posted by erpg

Is there CPU vs play in the beta? Got in, but I'm on a flaky wireless connection until next week while I'm out in the country.

There are AI opponents but you have to remain connected to b.net.

Originally Posted by Yoshichan

Ah fair enough, I guess I'll have to do that then!

Come on, Yoshi! Blizzard game hype gooooo!

I actually have higher hopes for this than D3 and HotS just because it's simpler.

it pains me to not be included in this beta.

Originally Posted by Ikuu

Since you can't trade the cards are worthless, if you play draft in something like Magic then you have the potential to be getting something. Kind of my problem with this game, you're spending money for nothing really.

Blizzard has really, really struggled taking advantage of their "meta game," if you will. For example, DotA was just sitting there under their noses, and they let it slip away. Similarly, Starcraft 2 is a very well made game, but they did vastly less than Riot and Valve to push the game competitively, and paid the price for it. Diablo III core combat is very strong, but the RMAH was handled very poorly. WoW is behind the times in its subscription model. And lastly, the freemium model of Hearhstone just doesn't seem very well done.

They just haven't adapted well to new economic and promotional models.

I am in the beta, got the email today.

Will be comparing this to HEX of course, since I invested $75 into that Kickstarter.

100 wins for a pack is just insane. I mean you can do the daily for 40g, but it's just crazy that you need to play like 200 games for each additional pack.

Originally Posted by Narag

There are AI opponents but you have to remain connected to b.net.

Well then. Maybe next week.

Hope the mobile versions won't have mandatory net connectivity.

Wow, was not expecting to get in at all :P Downloading the game now :D

Originally Posted by Ikuu

100 wins for a pack is just insane. I mean you can do the daily for 40g, but it's just crazy that you need to play like 200 games for each additional pack.

Surprise surprise, the game isn't a charity and they expect people to spend money to play it.

Crazy I know.

Originally Posted by Opiate

...WoW is behind the times in its subscription model. ...

Blizzards Scrooge McDuck-style vault, which is filled by 7.7 Million subscribers paying $15 a month, disagrees.

Originally Posted by Opiate

And lastly, the freemium model of Hearhstone just doesn't seem very well done.

They just haven't adapted well to new economic and promotional models.

Not only that, but if they've released it in EU too, with ability to buy-in for 20$/E into the closed beta, they've made tons of money already.

---

Originally Posted by Brick

Blizzards Scrooge McDuck-style vault, which is filled by 7.7 Million subscribers paying $15 a month, disagrees.

Can we stop with this argument already? They probably do not have 2m subscribers, probably around 1.5m or less. Rest of WoW's userbase is in Asia.

Originally Posted by Robin64

Come on, Yoshi! Blizzard game hype gooooo!

I actually have higher hopes for this than D3 and HotS just because it's simpler.

Don't you diss HotS! :(

But yeah, I randomly found Hearthstone videos in my subscription box (Kripparrian, Day9) and I started watching some parts... and it looked surprisingly good and especially very smooth!

I've managed to get a beta key for every Blizzard title so far... let's hope this keeps happening with Hearthstone :3