Ben Sullivan wrote up an Epic digital meta analysis in preparation for the launch: https://teamrankstar.com/article/epic-launch-meta/. I recommend checking it out, and as the page says, if you want to see more Epic content, make sure to let them know.
Hi Tom. Congratz for your January win.
I wrote to you more than a year ago, asking you what was your thoughts about the future of this game. You were a bit pessimistic, at that time. But now that the mobile version is available, and from what you’ve seen this last year, do you change your mind ? Designing a game is one thing, publishing a game is another, but the crucial thing could be the marketing effort: do you think WWG will be great on that point ? Thanks.
Oof.
First off, thank you, there were quite a few great, close games.
This will take me more time to write than I have time tonight. I’ll write up my (unsurprisingly) nuanced view of this tomorrow. A few quick positive things though:
– Epic App is publicly available now and is largely bug free (only one I can think of that might still exist is Lesson Learned -> Ancient Chant only drawing 3, but I need to test that to see)
– Epic App has monthly competitive tournaments
– A bunch of new physical Epic content is on its way: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1172937197/epic-jungle-with-star-realms-high-alert-add-ons
– New reviews are coming out, specifically for the app and they seem to be incredibly positive
Hey Jonathan, sorry for forgetting to come back to this until now, at the very least the delay has given me more perspective on your question. The short answer is, I have no clue.
Honestly, I haven’t really been thinking about it much, I’ve just really been enjoying streaming it. I’m no longer holding onto any aspirations to turn this into a full time commitment/career, but I’m still producing content for the game literally just because I enjoy it.
I’m doubtful Epic will be the next “big” thing, but the app’s ability to bring the few incredibly dedicated fans around the world together (who can’t find people near them to play) is probably the best chance for Epic’s potential. Further, since the app is free to play now, anyone can give it a try and can potentially be more easily pulled into it by friends, especially one’s that are looking for things to do together from a distance.
So, we’ll see, but since there is no cost to try everything as it comes to the app, there is no penalty to diving in. My main hope is that new players aren’t scared off by losing to veterans in the app, since Epic is insanely skill-rewarding and generally best enjoyed by people at similar skill-levels, in my experience.
Hi Thom.
Thanks for your very honest answer.
You’re totally right about a hard to deal thing in the app: beginners have a difficult time. Even me who played here and there and studied carefully your draft reviews, I have a hard time. It was so hard to play with others those last years that I didn’t feel that my game improved !
Still, it’s a well designed game and I will continue to play sometimes.
Thanks.
Hi Tom. I have 1 core set + all the Uprising, Tyrants and Pantheon cards so we are limited with the physical game to Random and Open and Dark Draft games (now sadly in abeyance because of the microbeast from the east!). Now that we have the digital game do you have any written advice for constructed set building similar to your excellent drafting articles which I have found invaluable? And what about Pantheon? What are your thoughts on this and how does it fit in for a casual, physical game?
Hello Trevor, thank you for reaching out, glad you’ve gotten value from my drafting articles. I do not have one specific constructed article I would direct you towards, but I have a few that I think still have some value although they may be a bit outdated:
– This was my first overarching article on my constructed process. It is a reasonable place to start although it is a bit outdated: http://www.tomsepicgaming.com/toms-epic-constructed-process/
– If you would like to know the competitive history of the strongest cards for constructed so far, I have a video for that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Brd9TAPJoE&feature=youtu.be&t=643 (I have it set to start at my Muse rant since my opening Wild explanation was a little dry…also I really should have got a haircut first)
– Once you start getting comfortable with constructed, this article explains the 4 main deck archetypes for Epic, their strengths, weaknesses, and general play patters: http://www.tomsepicgaming.com/deck-archetypes/
– This is an up-to-date deck tech for the current best midrange deck (includes pantheon cards which aren’t yet in app): http://www.tomsepicgaming.com/wild-midrange-origins-2019/
– This is an up-to-date deck tech for the current best control deck (includes pantheon cards which aren’t yet in app): http://www.tomsepicgaming.com/scaras-gift-origins-2019/
My next planned written article is about one of best aggro-combo decks: Human Tokens which I did fairly well with at Origins 2019. After that, I want to write a How to build a Competitive epic deck, but I’m not sure when I’ll find time for either. Hope this helps.
With regard to the app, I’m really looking forward to Pantheon eventually getting added because there are some great cards in it: Dark Eyes! My hope is that the app will get more people to play the physical game, and that it will bring in more people for physical tournaments. It’s also something I can stream: https://www.twitch.tv/tomsepicgaming
Thanks Tom. I’ll certainly take a look at the items you suggest. I’m getting a better handle on what to include in my constructed decks and they seem to play very well until the end. I can’t seem to finish well and I’ve had some very frustrating losses! I’ve tried to pinpoint this weakness but can’t work it out. This also applies to my dark drafting efforts. Is this a regular occurrence with newcomers to the game or am I missing a vital element in my endgame strategy?