3 types of fuel, 3 types of stage runs: a proposal to strengthen the use case for the 3 fuel system

[dusky flax]

Introduction:

There is a push for single type fuel which brings a host of other problems for land investors who invested under the premise that fuels will have fluctuating monetary values over time relative to each other. Land plots have been valued accordingly and plots that have a diverse set of fuel nodes and element resources were thus valued higher than nodes that only had 1 or 2 of the 3 fuel types/resources. A change to a single fuel economy would undermine these strategic investment decisions.

In the short-term, there could be an argument that this is best for the game in its current state, but I want to offer an idea to give a better use case for having 3 fuel types that offer a layer of strategy to the mix.

Proposal:

Classic pokemon games were released in different versions and each version had a unique set of pokemon that could only be captured in their respective versions. Therefore, I propose we split Illuvials into 4 sets... 1 common set that is available to all players and serve as an f2p set, and 3 other sets requiring a different fuel type for each set respectively.

We could then add the ability to enter stages using not just Crypton, but also Solon and Hyperion. So if I want to do a Solon run, I would enter the stage and the pool of Illuvials that can appear are restricted to the common set and the solon set. This change is minimally invasive, forms a strong use case for 3 fuel types, and allows for the inclusion of an f2p community which will boost the player base significantly.

Going more in depth:

This concept can be further expanded into the rest of the Illuvium world by having each fuel type adhere to a set of themes or qualities. For example, Hyperion could represent the qualities of strength, persistence, and physical power. So the warrior type suits and weapons would use this type of fuel or resources found from Hyperion stage runs.

[dusky flax]

As an example, instead of just having Crypton stages, we can also have Hyperion and Solon stages, and each of those fuel types would be attributed to a different set of Illuvials, much like how Pokemon Red and blue had different pokemon that can only be attained in their respective versions

[serene grotto]

My only question is why?

You already have 3 types of fuel with very specific use cases.

Crypton is used for travelling.
Hyperion is used for curing shards.
Solon is used for all the crafting.

[fast ibex]

I think it's an interesting approach in general for having the 3 fuels.
Since you implement it for travelling cost, i guess you also have to implement it for shard curing and crafting or give crypton an additional use case to keep somewhat of a demand balance for all the fuels.

Implementing something like that for all the systems we have could almost erase all balancing issues, and could bring prices of the different fuels pretty close together depending which "sets" would be desired by the consumer base.
On the other hand it feels a bit off to me, since i always imagine i need charge the obelisk up for use with some crypton, and i need another energy source (solon) to fire up the forge so i can craft my weapons. If you use every fuel for every action some of that emersion would be gone for me personally, idk how others feel about that.

[dusky flax]

Yes, I do think the fuels would also have to be split up for other things like curing and crafting, BUT we could just say those actions need a proportion of each fuel instead of just 1 type of fuel

In other words, for neutral actions, you'll need a mix of fuel types. For sets of illuvials and weapons/armors, you need specific fuels

We could even do this for the armor system... One fuel type for the juggernaut set, a different fuel type for omega power set, and the final fuel type for the fighting class set of armors

It just gives a personality to the fuel types and can be a consistent theme across the world of Illuvium

[serene grotto]

they already have "personality" this is just even more complexity IMO...

[eternal urchin]

i personally prefer simplification tbh

[dusky flax]

A common way for JRPGs to do this is by taking inspiration from ancient traditions in theology or mythology (think of shiva, ifrit, cao cao)

What I propose is to personalize the fuels to something like the Ayurvedic system of kapha, vata, and pitta...

As an example, krypton is like kapha, earth sign, grounded, slow to move, just like a tank or fighter.

Solon can be like vata, flighty, fast, nimble, can be like the fast moving rogue types

Hyperion is like pitta, headstrong, bull-like, persistent, something attributed to omega power and berserker types.

These are a "read between the line" type thing for the game design teams to model after, but what the consumer gets in effect will be a stronger tie to lore and strategy in the game

[dusky flax]

Simplicity is great, but OVERsimplification is just going to put our backs against a wall

The suggestions I'm making are nothing special, because many games have created a sense of world-building and ways to create a strong use case for diverse currency types in this way, promoting strategy and unique interactivity within their ecosystem

[serene grotto]

Crypton is used for travelling.
Hyperion is used for curing shards.
Solon is used for all the crafting.

Isn't this enough?

OVERsimplification would be what some are pushing to only have 1 fuel source in the OW.

[dusky flax]

I would argue that it's in the right direction, but creates issues of balance because of how isolated each fuel type is. If there was a new release of a brand new set of Illuvials, we all know which fuels are going to skyrocket and there would be such a huge imbalance in the pricing of fuel. But with this system, all fuels have an equal chance at being valuable with slight increase for the "better" sets

It also opens up the doors to a 4th set of Illuvials that we can consider the common set, which is found in all stage runs plus the stage 0 runs which f2p players can fight over

That would help to onboard more of the web2 community, which in turn increases the chance an f2p player will eventually start spending money on fuel, ESPECIALLY if they get more access to content and not just be stuck in demo limbo

[dusky flax]

I would also say it won't feel so weird if you start thinking about the obelisk, crafting and forging as something that responds to the "nature" of the fuel... It pushes things into a more sci-fi fantasy realm but that's the whole fun of it 😁

[dusky flax]

3 types of fuel, 3 sets of Illuvials: a proposal to strengthen the use case for the 3 fuel system

[fervent bramble]

First thought:
I love the idea of common, rare, epic, etc being catch by a stage. Let me know if I got it right.

• stage 0 can capture a ramphire but it will never be above common
• stage 1 will have common to uncommon
• stage 2 will have common to epic
• etc.

Fuel:
As for the fuel part, I would not change today. Maybe far into the furute that could be a thing. Reason being the DEVs can focus on story, multiplier, arena improvements and then down the line maybe rework the fuel system.

Illuvials:
While i like the Illuvial aspect as well, i am not sure how strenuous it would be to do common, etc in a t0. BUT maybe instead of common, uncommon, etc. T0 f2p players can catch the ghost Illuvials, that cant be sold/played in arena competitive, but can be used in higher stages to help progress and catch the real NFTs.

That said, I am curious if you knew that as Illuvials get caught the supply goes down. Till one day we will no longer be able to catch an Atlas, etc. Not sure if it is in effect yet. but that would be my concern here. then "Pokémon" AKA Illuviums next generations starts up.

[dusky flax]

So nothing about the current stage system will be different except we would additionally split the Illuvials by fuel type. So we'll still keep the rarity of Illuvials by stage, and a Rhamphyre will not be found in lower stages, but instead of Crypton for all travel, it would be that a Crypton stage 3 run has a chance for a Titanor to appear, but never a Rhamphyre, while a Hyperion stage 3 run would have a chance for a Rhamphyre to appear, but never a Titanor. The common set will just be like the groks, kukkas and whatever T0 we have but maybe with a bit more of an expanded pool and that they'll still pop up in higher stage runs.

Fuel:

Nothing about the fundamental mechanics of fuel would change except all fuel costs would be some mix of fuels rather than being isolated to only one fuel type. Just like the change to travel, I would say capture shards and other neutral uses can utilize an equally proportionate mix of fuel types to craft, whereas fuel use for crafting equipment depends on what you're crafting.

So if we go with the themes of Crypton having a "nature" of a steadfast, slow and immovable fuel, the mix of fuel used for crafting juggernaut or tank-like weapons and armors will be like 3:1:1 Crypton:Hyperion:Solon or something like that.

I don't imagine a change like this would be something that requires a lot of effort, but it sets a precedent for down the line which would give more room for expanding the game in a balanced way, eliminate the need for reducing fuel to just 1 type (protecting our land investments), and open the doors to a more interesting sci-fi fantasy lore revolving around the "nature" of the different fuel types.