Bring back Ascendant Mode Please or something like it

[glacial herald]

Sorry for long post.

I truly appreciate the success and engagement of the IPL and Gauntlet Arena mode. However, I can't help but be reminded every time I log in that there once was an arena game mode that seriously awakened the same fuzzy feelings of picking my first Pokémon or even the Red version versus Blue version Gameboy games.

Arena Ascendant mode has always been the true winning formula and catalyst of bringing meaning into Illuvial ownership and player identity (very important). I've been here since PB1 and spent countless hours obsessing, planning, and analyzing over creating my own special comp to best other Rangers in the Arena. That feeling is gone and I want it back, am I the only one? Gauntlet is a cool game mode that test a different playstyle and skillset that Ascendant. Gauntlet is 100% RNG, Ascendant is not, we need both mode

The only argument about why the team decided to pivot from Ascendant is that is wasn't "sticky enough". Meaning the drove of players that came during PB4 to test ascendant did not stay long term. I believe this is only half true, because I was there! I remember the back to back weekly tournaments that people showed up in hundreds. People took a break when they got tired of hard to beat empath team meta, and took a break until the meta was patched and fixed. The fix was delayed. I believe everyone got hyped on a new game mode and pivoted prematurely without giving Ascendant mode a true moment in the spotlight. Come launch day in 2024, the Ascendant game mode was dead on arrival. No update, not even a reset.

It was once said that Ascendant mode would be able to be reinstated in the settings menu, this is no longer the case. Once Ascendant mode was removed the majority of people did not move to gauntlet, they left. This means at the current state, a big chunk of the Illuvium fanbase is being ostracized. If Original Ascendant is to stagnant, please consider a 1v1 mode with 3 Illuvials each. Big 3 arena

I truly love this game.

[sleek matrix]

I agree, I hope to find ascendant mode again one day. @edgy rock 🙏🏻

[glacial herald]

Side note: I actually think 4 Illuvials would be perfect for synergies and 1 on 1. Not to mention a Lynx pack buff to make up for no composites.

[sleek matrix]

Personally, I want to find the same system as before, a team of 8 illuvials, this is perfect, found a real chess game merged with Pokemon.

[glacial herald]

That is fair enough, I was offering a new style to this game mode to revitalize, becuase it just seems like the ilv team just hates the mode or something. I have only seen positive feedback on ascendant aside from balance issues with early meta. However, I see constant post with tried and true fans "pleading" for player agency.

Im confused why it seems only the community cares.

@sinful star can anyone provide clarity, on the seemingly abandonment of a favored game mode?

[sleek matrix]

I have the impression that Kieran never liked this mode

[edgy rock]

It's on the list of things to do after Gauntlet is in a really good state. Don't worry, I still really want to have a 1 v 1.

I can't say exactly what it would look like, because I honestly don't know the full details of how it would work. But I've always loved the gameplay of Mechabellum and think something close to that would transfer nicely.

[glacial herald]

So glad it's being considered

[edgy rock]

It's been on the list since forever. It's just that we are a small team in Arena and we have a very specific strategy of putting all effort into a few effective things at once. Before that we spread too thin and we've learned from that. We will get to it, and do it better. But if we had everyone doing different things we would just get a lot of sub par things.

[sleek matrix]

Mechabellum I'm curious now very interesting👀👍

[sleek matrix]

Well, that means we have to say goodbye to our good old ascendant mode.

[glacial herald]

All we can do is hope that it's essence is carried forward.

[somber lodge]

If you want to have a gameplay discussion with a former rank 1 Mechabellum player feel to hit me up 🙂

[sleek matrix]

the 1v1 will be for you Maybe I should try this game.

[somber lodge]

Mechabellum is a lot of fun. You should definitely give it a try

[ember vortex]

feel the same, I left because ascendant mode was the reason why I started collecting illuvials

[hollow holly]

Oof @dark jacinth we can do 3v3s