A Constructive Critique on the Banner Release Pace in Etheria Restart

[distant trench]

I think a greater variety of characters gives the game more potential for team building, so I really think that currently a higher number of character releases is necessary. And since they’re added to the standard banner anyway instantly, it doesn’t really cause any problems.

However, what they could do to make things more player-friendly is to add a wishlist system, like in Nikke for example, where you can select a few characters from each group, or just pick 5 characters in total, and only those can appear in the standard banner — and you could change them later on.

This would encourage progressive gameplay and everyone could eventually get their desired characters (obviously excluding LD characters, since they should keep their special rarity but they should just have the same odds that instead one of the wishlist chars they can still appear).

[minor oar]

Your feedback on character variety and team building is valuable. While more characters can offer potential, the current rapid release schedule may create negative consequences, especially for non-spending players.

"More Characters = More Potential" Reconsidered:
More characters theoretically mean more team options. However, if released too quickly, players struggle to acquire them, let alone experiment. This speed often leads to power creep, where new units quickly overshadow older ones, devaluing existing investments. Players might feel forced to pull for the "meta" rather than explore diverse strategies. For many, the sheer volume feels overwhelming, not empowering.

Standard Banner & Accessibility:
Characters instantly added to the standard banner is positive for long-term accessibility. Yet, the core issue is the immediate pressure to obtain strong new characters upon release. Waiting for them on the standard banner is long and uncertain; by then, even stronger units might appear. This cycle can leave non-spenders constantly behind in competitive teams, particularly in PvP.

Wishlist System: An Excellent Idea!
Your suggestion for a wishlist system (like Nikke's) is excellent and would greatly improve player experience. It empowers players to gradually obtain specific standard banner characters. This directly addresses random pull frustration, offering vital progression and control. Choosing characters to focus on, and changing selections, would make the standard banner far more valuable and less luck-dependent. For "LD characters," maintaining their special rarity while allowing a chance to appear alongside wishlist picks could balance things, given transparent and fair odds.

Conclusion:
While variety is good, the pace of releases and accessibility of new units are critical. A wishlist system is a fantastic proposal that could bridge the gap between frequent releases and player accessibility, making Etheria Restart more enjoyable and sustainable for all.

[hasty tangle]

agree with this, but problem is the resources are limited to even try and build around these new units

[silent gull]

For context: The $5 pass along with completing all the normal content gives you nearly 3000 hydra crystals a week.

This isn't including any first time rewards, rotating content like Shell Story/ Dazzlers Pulse or monthly resetting content like Ember Trek/ Ethernet Rally.

I'm not sure what the actual banner schedule is going to be long term but you get enough pulls to pity multiple characters a month if that's what you want to do.

[minor oar]

We're discussing this in a long-term context.
A context where one banner ends, and another is immediately launched right after.

[silent gull]

Part of your premise was:

"For most Free-to-Play (F2P) and Low Spenders, acquiring desired characters is nearly impossible. Limited resources like summon tickets and premium currency are stretched thin with so many new additions."

Acquiring desired characters is far from impossible. Quite the opposite infact.

[tribal grotto]

U get 10 pulls a week from weekly, gvg gives 3 a week if you win. Events gives some every week new event

Embertrack and ethernet rally seem to resfresh every month

Alot from there

4 weeks a month, 40 from weekly shop. Gvg 12 a month

Thats already 52 pulls

Rta shop gived 10 a season?

Arena shop gives 5? I cant remember

[silent gull]

I've got 40 pulls worth so far from Ember Trek and I'm only half way through Hard mode

Here's the Crystal income:

Gems Daily:

40 - Guild Boss SSS
100 - Battle Pass
50 - Dailys

Total: 190

Gems Weekly:

1,330 - Above Dailys x 7
100 - 7 Day Check In (+ 1 Pull)
500 - Fearless Arena (+ 4 Pulls, 1 LD Pull)
270 - Plat Arena (easy to get higher)
100 - Weekly Quest Rewards
200/100 - Weekly GvG Win/Loss Reward (Plus 3/1 Pulls, 1/0 LD Pulls)
200 - Weekly GvG - Break Through Opponents Anomaly A + B + Global Core
30 - Weekly Guild Quest
150 - 3 Guild Boss Kills

Total: 2880

[tribal grotto]

Union is 3 more a week too

Yea u can get 80 tickets a month

Thats enuf to hard pity

[silent gull]

F2P/ Low Spenders can legitametly refresh a couple of times a day and still hard pity characters every month

[tribal grotto]

Theres nerfs and buffs btw

[minor oar]

Overlooking Core Game Health: A Deeper Look
Your point about the rapid banner releases seems to be missing the crucial element of game balance, especially in PvP. My initial feedback wasn't a single isolated complaint, but rather an interconnected web of factors impacted by this aggressive release schedule.

It's not just about players being unable to collect every character. When new, often stronger, units are constantly pushed out, it directly destroys PvP balance. The meta shifts too rapidly for players to adapt without constant spending. This creates a "pay-to-win" environment where tactical skill takes a backseat to who has the latest character. Players who aren't whales feel perpetually disadvantaged, leading to frustration and disengagement from the competitive aspect of the game.

Furthermore, this continuous influx of power-creeping characters makes it incredibly difficult for the development team to properly balance existing units. They're likely always playing catch-up, leading to quick fixes, nerfs, or buffs that destabilize the game even further. This lack of a stable meta harms the long-term enjoyment and competitive integrity of Etheria Restart.

My concern is multifaceted: it impacts player economy (resource scarcity), player satisfaction (feeling left behind), community health (dividing players), and most critically, the core gameplay balance in PvP, which for many, is a primary driver of engagement. Ignoring these interconnected issues can severely impact the game's sustainability.

[tribal grotto]

There wont be power creeping, theres nerfs and buffs

Plus rta

U can just ban the new units

I think u can at least preban em

Not sure if u need it in your roster tho

Didnt reach masters

[minor oar]

Here’s how an intelligent approach differs:

Pacing and Player Economy: Instead of relentless releases, intelligent design respects player resources. It provides adequate time between banners for F2P and low-spending players to accumulate essential currency. This fosters a feeling of achievable progression, rather than constant inadequacy. When players feel they can acquire characters they want, even if slowly, they stay engaged.

Strategic Meta Shifts: New banners should introduce meaningful additions to the game, not just continuous power creep. An intelligent release schedule allows the meta to evolve naturally, with each new character having a defined role and not immediately invalidating previous investments. This gives the development team time to properly balance new and existing units, preventing the chaotic and frustrating PvP environment we've discussed.

Content Alignment: Banners should align with broader game events, story updates, or new game modes. This integration makes new characters feel like a natural part of the game's evolving world, rather than isolated monetization tools. It creates a more cohesive and immersive experience.

Player Anticipation, Not Exhaustion: A thoughtful release schedule builds genuine anticipation for new characters. Players look forward to releases because they know they have a realistic chance to participate. The current rapid pace leads to player exhaustion, where the excitement of a new character is quickly overshadowed by the next one, or by the realization that acquiring them is beyond reach.

Ultimately, intelligent banner creation prioritizes the player experience and the health of the game ecosystem over short-term gains. It’s about building a sustainable model that keeps the community engaged, competitive, and invested in Etheria Restart for years to come.