Valiant Force Forum

As of now, we see archer trigger-based lineups rampant in the arena and two of the reasons why is how DEF mitigates damage and how CRIT is applied BEFORE damage mitigation.


DEF blocks damage dealt by ATK almost at a rate of 1 to 1 (1 ATK damage is blocked entirely by 1 DEF), making extremely high ATK heroes (like berserker) extremely strong and popular, and medium ATK heroes significantly weaker. For example,


Berserker vs Warlord against enemy with 5k DEF
Berserker with 12.5k ATK = 12.5k - 5k = 7.5k DMG
Warlord with 8k ATK = 8k - 5k = 3k DMG
7.5k ÷ 3k = 250%


Also, CRIT multiplies damage dealt by ATK by 2 BEFORE damage mitigation is applied, making the disparity between a CRIT attack and a non-CRIT attack extremely great. For example,


CRIT attack = 5K X 2 - 4K DEF = 6K
non-CRIT attack = 5K - 4K DEF = 1K
6K ÷ 1K = 600℅

Hence, I suggest reworking DEF/Damage-reduction formula such that it mitigates a PERCENTAGR of ATK at a decreasing rate as DEF increases, instead of flat damage reduction it (partially) relies on as of now. Also, CRIT should be applied after damage mitigation is applied.

I think the easiest way to fix the archer trigger attack spam is making GS's aura triggers non-critical attack.

Reworking the Def / Crit stat would probably requires a lot of work, which dev would probably not going to make any serious concern about this.
Because of the "nerf" of ninja (ninja's aura now truly triggered in chance as listed), now I use double-faye lucille formation, which is excellent against archers squad. Finding counters to meta seems to be the best immediate solution. 

I think the easiest way to fix the archer trigger attack spam is making GS's aura triggers non-critical attack.

Reworking the Def / Crit stat would probably requires a lot of work, which dev would probably not going to make any serious concern about this.
Because of the "nerf" of ninja (ninja's aura now truly triggered in chance as listed), now I use double-faye lucille formation, which is excellent against archers squad. Finding counters to meta seems to be the best immediate solution. 

That lineup itself is vulnerable to most standard lineups, and pitting it up against unpredictable lineups in the arena leaves one with too much to lose. While it may do well against archer squads in your friend's list, it has plenty of vulnerabilities. The "nerfed" ninja, for example, is great at disrupting your formation that lacks damage to kill and requires tile control to win. Besides, the nerf is incredibly minor late-game, where units are sufficiently tanky (no thanks to how DEF works) enough to survive ninja's assault to activate its aura.

I think the easiest way to fix the archer trigger attack spam is making GS's aura triggers non-critical attack.

Reworking the Def / Crit stat would probably requires a lot of work, which dev would probably not going to make any serious concern about this.
Because of the "nerf" of ninja (ninja's aura now truly triggered in chance as listed), now I use double-faye lucille formation, which is excellent against archers squad. Finding counters to meta seems to be the best immediate solution. 

That lineup itself is vulnerable to most standard lineups, and pitting it up against unpredictable lineups in the arena leaves one with too much to lose. While it may do well against archer squads in your friend's list, it has plenty of vulnerabilities. The "nerfed" ninja, for example, is great at disrupting your formation that lacks damage to kill and requires tile control to win. Besides, the nerf is incredibly minor late-game, where units are sufficiently tanky (no thanks to how DEF works) enough to survive ninja's assault to activate its aura.

I don't get what your "vulnerable" means, is it because even 2 tanker + healer can't fight against squads like archers squad, or playing capture-the-flag strategic doesn't work at all? Most of the time I can win unless I'm up against 2 swaps and I started as second.
Since the "fix" of ninja, ninja can't reliably used as one of the core now, so I utilise his swap instead and help faye in capturing the tile himself, switch place with faye, and repeat. Every 2 turns I activate one of the shields, therefore my unit is literally unkillable.
I don't agree that the "nerf" has less effect in late-game. Most of the people put their ninja at the front line because ninja used to refresh their unit like berserker reliably, not because ninja can kill someone on their own most of the time, but because they can do the last hit to do more damage in long run. The berserker 1 hit ko their champion? That's good. Your champion's attack done 80% damage of their hero's hp? Finish them with ninja and refresh everyone! Your champion only done less than half hp worth of damage? No worries, your cybella is here to help you, ok ninja you may go finish the hero now.