darkSpyro

Can someone please explain to me why a lot of users and reviewers are whining and complaining about the need to use previously Skylanders in Trap Team? To my knowledge there has NEVER been a real reason outside of more levels that only added hit points. The way I've heard it explained in most if not all TFB/VV interviews is the reason you can use previous Skylanders is about personal preference. That's how I use it as well. If I want to play through With Voodood, Boomer and Chill I can. So can anyone. What did any previous gimmick give a future Skylanders game outside of a Treasure Chest? Giants still do something in Doom Challenge if there is a Giant stone blocking a turret pad. That's why you can use whatever YOU WANT to use. It's not about it NEEDING to be used. Sure I would like a mix of Elemental/Giant/Swap gates but that's never been the case. Game mechanics have ALWAYS prioritized the new gimmick. Look at Pokemon. Do you ever need access to all 800 of so Pokemon previously released? Hello no, it's always been about preference.

So ultimately I want to know what's stopping people from having fun with the Skylanders they WANT to use not what they need to use. Do that Giants only play through on Nightmare. Run a complete play through with only SSA forgotten 6 Skylanders. How does doing that take ANYTHING away from your play experience. If you can't enjoy a game when you are using the pieces you WANT to use, then you're doing it wrong. Do the main play through and unlock all the secret crap with the trap masters, then go back and thrash it up with who ever you want on what ever difficulty you want. I'm looking forward to Voodood and Kaos personally...../shivers.

I think most people are just complaining about there being no reason to use old characters, not the fact that you can use them at all.

Wait, people are actually complaining about this?

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

I think they're complaining because they've NERFED previous characters to essentially FORCE you to want the new guys. They did this with Swap Force, so many of the reviewers apparently weren't paying attention last year.

Personally don't like it, but it's not like I have a choice.

Quote: CountMoneyBone

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

Bzzt! Wrong! I've been playing through Swap Force with my older characters (On hard mode, mind you) and every character can stand up for themselves. It's not about them being weaker, it's about them not doing anything special anymore.

I'm not particularly crying about nothing to do with previous Skylanders....I'd like Quests and Heroic Challenges for the new figures. Gives them more of a customization, then just slapping a hat and nickname on a guy. Face it, having a choice of two paths to upgrade isn't that much customization either when it comes right down to it. With the DI figures, they have skill trees so you really have to examine your play style and choose wisely.

Quote: Bionichute

Quote: CountMoneyBone

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

Bzzt! Wrong! I've been playing through Swap Force with my older characters (On hard mode, mind you) and every character can stand up for themselves. It's not about them being weaker, it's about them not doing anything special anymore.

Not necessarily right. They've also changed certain characteristics of the character to limit their effectiveness.

Quote: Sivadreamer

With the DI figures, they have skill trees so you really have to examine your play style and choose wisely.

Your playstyle which probably consists of punching enemies and jumping, I'm guessing, since the gameplay in DI is very limited.

why would people complain about this? there is still some use for old toys to work in new games such as if you didn't have that skylander from that element that wasn't in the starter pack who is a different element then you would have to spend more money.

Quote: Bionichute

Quote: CountMoneyBone

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

Bzzt! Wrong! I've been playing through Swap Force with my older characters (On hard mode, mind you) and every character can stand up for themselves. It's not about them being weaker, it's about them not doing anything special anymore.

it was clearly said in the review that they take less hits to be killed by enemies...

Quote: CountMoneyBone

Quote: Bionichute

Quote: CountMoneyBone

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

Bzzt! Wrong! I've been playing through Swap Force with my older characters (On hard mode, mind you) and every character can stand up for themselves. It's not about them being weaker, it's about them not doing anything special anymore.

it was clearly said in the review that they take less hits to be killed by enemies...

That's because they're Cores. It worked like that in Giants and Swap Force too.

Quote: CountMoneyBone

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

I haven't seen that though and I don't see how they are less powerful. I've seen "there's no reason to not use the new gimmick over the old" (which has ALWAYS been the case regarding the gimmick), "there isn't much for old Skylanders to do" (what?), and there are others I just can't think of right now. I'm not seeing anything different going on. Again they have always given us the ability to play who we want to play. Frankly it's nice to have the option. If enough people still complain about this I can see them saying "fine, new game new Skylanders only since you guys don't think there's any point in using the old figures (which is completely false).

Quote: Sivadreamer

I'm not particularly crying about nothing to do with previous Skylanders....I'd like Quests and Heroic Challenges for the new figures. Gives them more of a customization, then just slapping a hat and nickname on a guy. Face it, having a choice of two paths to upgrade isn't that much customization either when it comes right down to it. With the DI figures, they have skill trees so you really have to examine your play style and choose wisely.

Totally agree with this as this is one of the things I'm crying about. So far they are losing their "my Skylander is unique" mindset since there isn't any difference from anyone else's max level character beyond the hat that was chosen.

Quote: Tigorus

Quote: CountMoneyBone

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

I haven't seen that though and I don't see how they are less powerful. I've seen "there's no reason to not use the new gimmick over the old" (which has ALWAYS been the case regarding the gimmick), "there isn't much for old Skylanders to do" (what?), and there are others I just can't think of right now. I'm not seeing anything different going on. Again they have always given us the ability to play who we want to play. Frankly it's nice to have the option. If enough people still complain about this I can see them saying "fine, new game new Skylanders only since you guys don't think there's any point in using the old figures (which is completely false).

You're still getting it wrong. The complaint is that your old Skylanders have nothing to do, which is a problem, not they they can be used at all.

If Trap Team era figures truly are noticeably stronger, then the game will be more unbalanced than ever and basically dissuade you from playing through with older, weaker characters. That's what some people are alarmed about.

Quote: AzureStarline

If Trap Team era figures truly are noticeably stronger, then the game will be more unbalanced than ever and basically dissuade you from playing through with older, weaker characters. That's what some people are alarmed about.

correct.....

Quote: Bionichute

Quote: Sivadreamer

With the DI figures, they have skill trees so you really have to examine your play style and choose wisely.

Your playstyle which probably consists of punching enemies and jumping, I'm guessing, since the gameplay in DI is very limited.

Granted, I may have only played for a handful of hours but the skill tree branches all over the place....including jump and punch upgrades yes. There are defensive upgrades, melee upgrades, ranged upgrades, healing (team player style) upgrades...and only a limited number of skill points possible to acquire.

I'm not saying that DI is better or not, just that there are more options for customization....my Venom is WAY different than my daughter's and my son's.

Quote: Bionichute

Quote: Tigorus

Quote: CountMoneyBone

dont help to have personal preference when the older characters have been made so weak that they are nearly useless in the new game... thats what they are saying.

I haven't seen that though and I don't see how they are less powerful. I've seen "there's no reason to not use the new gimmick over the old" (which has ALWAYS been the case regarding the gimmick), "there isn't much for old Skylanders to do" (what?), and there are others I just can't think of right now. I'm not seeing anything different going on. Again they have always given us the ability to play who we want to play. Frankly it's nice to have the option. If enough people still complain about this I can see them saying "fine, new game new Skylanders only since you guys don't think there's any point in using the old figures (which is completely false).

You're still getting it wrong. The complaint is that your old Skylanders have nothing to do, which is a problem, not they they can be used at all.

I'm confused. I'm not saying that anyone said old Skylanders can't be used. They are simply complaining about the "worthyness" of using them when's it's never been about that.

Quote: AzureStarline

If Trap Team era figures truly are noticeably stronger, then the game will be more unbalanced than ever and basically dissuade you from playing through with older, weaker characters. That's what some people are alarmed about.

As I stated a few weeks ago, I think the removal of PvP was basically for this reason. SSA figures would get Walloped by the newer guys. Smash Bros is already dropping old characters, and it was only a matter of time before Skylanders did too. Supporting every figure for all time was simply a pipe dream - I expect not all of them to make it to Skylanders 5.

This is at least a graceful obsolescence. Think of using the old characters as Nightmare+.

Question: Do we know if earlier cores are in fact weaker than Trap Team Cores? That's the only real parallel that can be made. Weapon Masters, Giants and Swappers are on their on tier while the Cores and Minis are on separate tier.

Quote: Tigorus

Question: Do we know if earlier cores are in fact weaker than Trap Team Cores? That's the only real parallel that can be made. Weapon Masters, Giants and Swappers are on their on tier while the Cores and Minis are on separate tier.

Trap Masters also break Trap Team's combat balance. Trap Masters are more powerful than Skylanders from previous games – so much so that legacy Skylanders are less viable in combat. Legacy characters often cap their stats quickly, can take fewer hits, and deal less damage than newer figures, giving players little reason to stick with their favorites over Trap Team's exponentially stronger cast, especially in the difficult later levels.

source:
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10...-unjust-desert/

Each game the gimmick characters are more powerful this time it's the trap masters, the oldest characters were pathetic in strength compared to swap force characters in swap force although I didn't mind the extra challenge with my fav characters, giants are the real ones feeling the pain from this pattern each game they get weaker but they are so big they can't helped hut get hit (a lot) I can't even use them in nightmare mode on trap team, so I assume they will be a challenge in trap team as well

Quote: CountMoneyBone

Quote: Tigorus

Question: Do we know if earlier cores are in fact weaker than Trap Team Cores? That's the only real parallel that can be made. Weapon Masters, Giants and Swappers are on their on tier while the Cores and Minis are on separate tier.

Trap Masters also break Trap Team's combat balance. Trap Masters are more powerful than Skylanders from previous games – so much so that legacy Skylanders are less viable in combat. Legacy characters often cap their stats quickly, can take fewer hits, and deal less damage than newer figures, giving players little reason to stick with their favorites over Trap Team's exponentially stronger cast, especially in the difficult later levels.

source:
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10...-unjust-desert/

Are we talking overall damage or bonus damage against Trappable Villains? The bonus damage to Villains is part of their gimmick though. I'm pretty sure that a Giant's base damage and a Trap Master's base damage are to same to most enemies. I could be wrong but I was under the impression that Trap Masters only gain additional damage against Trappable Villains.

I think the issue is that this is the first Skylanders game that your older characters can longer be leveled up if they are already at 20. I think the issue is there is nothing to change about your old Skylanders. Not to mention all the heorics you did on your old Skylanders mean nothing stat wise anymore. I guess that is why they made Eon's Elite Skylanders, so you can play with a seies 1 figure and not be nerfed.

Quote: wgeorge111

I think the issue is that this is the first Skylanders game that your older characters can longer be leveled up if they are already at 20. I think the issue is there is nothing to change about your old Skylanders. Not to mention all the heorics you did on your old Skylanders mean nothing stat wise anymore.

Is that bad though? So I don't have to level grind 100 + Skylanders.../phew. In regards to the Heroics that kind of went away with Swap Force. There was a negligible increase in Swap Force for characters that had done the previous Heroics. Plus we all HATED doing those and it's not a practical model anymore considering the library of figures now.

Quote: Tigorus

Is that bad though? So I don't have to level grind 100 + Skylanders.../phew. In regards to the Heroics that kind of went away with Swap Force. There was a negligible increase in Swap Force for characters that had done the previous Heroics. Plus we all HATED doing those and it's not a practical model anymore considering the library of figures now.

I do not think it is bad. It was a lot of grinding.

Speaking only for myself it gave me a reason to play with each and every one of my old skylanders in the new game because I wanted all of them at max level. So for me it got me to play and try every skylander I own in the new games. Now that incentive is gone.

It's funny, for me personally, because I don't have a single Skylander at max level. For me that's not important. Plus it adds a little bit of a challenge being an adult gamer. For me I always have a reason to play since I have 100+ Skylanders, not including the new Trap Teamers so I will be busy for some time. Do we also know if other stats besides HP increase per level?

i just want flameslinger back....

These kind of complaints are one of the many symptoms of the same problem: series and buyer fatigue. Entering the fourth year now and people still want new value from some figures they bought three years ago? Sounds ridiculous, except this desire for more content stems from the fact that with each new game, the cost is increased exponentially, and no one wants to feel ripped off. Utilizing a different developer every year guarantees a new portal and other opportunities to milk the consumer. Makes you wonder when the majority are gonna be fed up and done with it.

Quote: Plordigian

These kind of complaints are one of the many symptoms of the same problem: series and buyer fatigue. Entering the fourth year now and people still want new value from some figures they bought three years ago? Sounds ridiculous, except this desire for more content stems from the fact that with each new game, the cost is increased exponentially, and no one wants to feel ripped off. Utilizing a different developer every year guarantees a new portal and other opportunities to milk the consumer. Makes you wonder when the majority are gonna be fed up and done with it.

a lot of people will fall of the skylanders wagon this time because of the prices and the extra to buy. so trap team is gonna be a test for activision....

Quote: CountMoneyBone

Quote: Plordigian

These kind of complaints are one of the many symptoms of the same problem: series and buyer fatigue. Entering the fourth year now and people still want new value from some figures they bought three years ago? Sounds ridiculous, except this desire for more content stems from the fact that with each new game, the cost is increased exponentially, and no one wants to feel ripped off. Utilizing a different developer every year guarantees a new portal and other opportunities to milk the consumer. Makes you wonder when the majority are gonna be fed up and done with it.

a lot of people will fall of the skylanders wagon this time because of the prices and the extra to buy. so trap team is gonna be a test for activision....

Yeah but if it succeeds then they'll think they did everything right. Either way we are screwed. Don't get me wrong I still LOVE this franchise but I am starting to get concerned. I will continue to play with all my oldies and new recruits as well.

Quote: CountMoneyBone

Quote: Tigorus

Question: Do we know if earlier cores are in fact weaker than Trap Team Cores? That's the only real parallel that can be made. Weapon Masters, Giants and Swappers are on their on tier while the Cores and Minis are on separate tier.

Trap Masters also break Trap Team's combat balance. Trap Masters are more powerful than Skylanders from previous games – so much so that legacy Skylanders are less viable in combat. Legacy characters often cap their stats quickly, can take fewer hits, and deal less damage than newer figures, giving players little reason to stick with their favorites over Trap Team's exponentially stronger cast, especially in the difficult later levels.

source:
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10...-unjust-desert/

I am looking forward to seeing if the trapmasters and new cores are better than some of the greats of the Swap Force line like Bumble Blast or Rattle Shake.

The real problem is you need an Trap Master every five seconds in order to unlock everything. So you need to switch. A lot. Once you get every collectible then it's fine. But it's nothing to not be expected. I had the smae problem with swap force.

Quote: Blink182Bouncer

The real problem is you need an Trap Master every five seconds in order to unlock everything. So you need to switch. A lot. Once you get every collectible then it's fine. But it's nothing to not be expected. I had the smae problem with swap force.

But you don't need a Trap Master to actually trap. ANY Skylander can trap. I thought you only need them for Traptanium Crystal Clusters and Gates?

Quote:

But you don't need a Trap Master to actually trap. ANY Skylander can trap. I thought you only need them for Traptanium Crystal Clusters and Gates?

Correct on all counts. Any Skylander can trap including minis.

People act as if all characters that are not Trap Masters are super weak and handicapped lol. I'm still gonna play Flameslinger more than any other character.

When I played as LightCore Smolderdash, she dealt the exact same damage as she did in SWAP Force, but the LightCore blast did exactly 100 damage.

Someone needs to post a video showing a SSA, Giants or Swap Force Cores hitting a dummy then show the damage of a new Trap Team Core, all being the same level of course. Or they could do the same thing but with a Giant or Swapper and compare it to a Trap Master.

At least with Swap Force, contemplating, testing, and collecting the swap combinations made the added cost palatable. For Trap Team, they may as well have added 10 new elements instead of just two, for all the good our old Skylanders do in unlocking gates.

I wouldn't mind ten new elements as long as they weren't reposes. More flavour and variety (yes yes I know we have alot now but come on. A praying mantis trap master, rhyme or turtle would be amazing)

Been playing with my son and drobot s2 hasn't been having a hard time beating the enemies in trap team. Trap masters are stronger against villains but theyre still beatable with old cores.

They should be glad that activision is letting us have backwards compatibility with all the older figs.

Quote: shroom boom

They should be glad that activision is letting us have backwards compatibility with all the older figs.

Yeah, no. Backwards compatibility should be expected, not something to be grateful for. Removal of the backwards compatibility would not only be the jump the shark moment for the series, but would very likely signal the end of it as well. Too many people would be angry that their collection they spent so much money on suddenly can't be used anymore. I for one would certainly never spend another cent on Skylanders if that happened.

I just wanted to log in to say, playing as Sprocket it felt like she was incredibly weak against villains. The battles against them became long and repetitive, so I got bored of them. I struggled to defeat Chompy Mage just because her attacks barely took away from his health meter when I hit with them. When she fainted and I switched to Gearshift, the battle felt much more fair.

I read in one review that imbalance gets worse later on in the game. I do not want to see what it's like later in the game, if that's the case.

Wrecking Ball seems to be an exception to the "all Cores are weaker than Trap Masters" rule, though

I don't know if this is just some damage numbers overlapping and making it look like his Forcefield does 1225 damage (doubtful because I saw 1225 every time I used it), but if it really does over 1000 damage, either TFB are insane or made a kinda hilarious screwup with his damage numbers.

I have not yet seen videos or images of swappers in Trap Team. I am wondering how they perform.

I'm very happy to hear they nerfed to the ground the ol' skylanders.
I appreciate a lot having a real challenge with my favorite characters.

And if i've well understood, the mini skylander are the same than their original
so we have cores nerfed the same way.

I guess it explain why there's not PVP, they didn't want to balance all of the previous fig.
But i'm curious to see what they've done to the giants, their babies

Played through all of hard mode with S2 chop chop. With no absorb the shield skewer does like 240 damage, up to like 800. Although he was changed so that his vamp aura only procs off sword attacks.

Quote: Couragefan09

... Removal of the backwards compatibility would not only be the jump the shark moment for the series, but would very likely signal the end of it as well. Too many people would be angry that their collection they spent so much money on suddenly can't be used anymore. I for one would certainly never spend another cent on Skylanders if that happened.

AGREED!!

Just hope the bean-counters don't decide it's cheaper to have no backward compatibility on Sky 5, maximise profits for one year and kill the franchise...

I'll be honest

They might as well remove backwards compatibility.

While the characters are still in the game and playable, the design of each game is to convince you to buy and play as the 'GimmickLanders'...some characters have gotten nerfed to the point of being unplayable. In Giants - SSA characters were still very viable. In SF, if you weren't two pieces, full of air or honey, you most likely weren't great at competing. I'm going to assume based on trends and comments that it is no different here. In SF, outside of getting a higher portal master ranking - and Flameslinger, I really had no use for any non SF character. Backwards compatibility meant nothing in the scheme of things.
- Unreall