[Issue 62] [Review] 5 Wasteful Garage Purchases

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

 

We often make our garage purchase decisions based on what we feel is important to purchase at the time. I wrote a guide to this process a while ago and gave my take on the order of precedent; what you should purchase first and what could follow. Many things in the game have changed since August 2014, but the theme of of that article remains true today. In this guide, I'll highlight some of the items that should be lower on your wish list; in some cases, not at all. 

 

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Paints

 

         

 

In the Disintegration Update, the product that was once all-in-one was split into two. The protection against weapons is a valuable item to have, many modules would be most beneficial for a variety of circumstances. The paint itself is only helpful in the rare instances where it matches the surrounding battleground, allowing you to blend in. You can get away with fewer paints than you could with protection modules. In fact, many paints are of similar hue and texture and are interchangeable, in terms of look and cost.

 

The variety of paints available is super inciting. You can preview what they look like and set them to specific combinations, etc. It's too easy for someone to set a goal of obtaining a cool cover rather than a much needed upgrade. Bad enough that the paints are sorted most expensive first and the amount of paints added in the past few years is more than ever before. I started playing the game in 2011 and don't recall new paints very often, other than the holiday stuff.

I'm not saying you can never splurge on a more expensive paint that looks better than your classy Roger, I'm just saying it should not be on the top of the list. Although in my opinion, it is not a total waste, but definitely low on the list of importance. Modules, however, are high.

 

Micro-Upgrades & Alterations

 

          

 

The incremental improvements to equipment is now approaching an older status now that Alterations have become an option. Even though the mechanism of micro upgrades has been improved, I still maintain that they are not worth the time and effort spent. If you are a fan of MUs, you know you don't feel an inch worth of change with one single upgrade. It's more likely that you'll get stuck in a rut and continue down the road of upgrades that are not noticeable and end up paying more in the long run.

 

Alterations are a large adjustment with advantages and disadvantages that are apparent upon purchase. I think it would make more sense to spend crystals on such items because you are going to get an immediate return. However, I'd say alterations are low on the list. Micro-upgrades are a waste in my eyes, feel free to disagree.

 

Gifts

 

    

 

You know how I feel about these already...

 

But seriously, you shouldn't be spending crystals on these regularly. I understand the desire to send your thoughts (positive or negative) to players in game. It has been a thought that has probably existed since the birth of the game. That's something I can appreciate. I disagree with having to spend crystals - I think they should cost something, yes, but they are less relevant when compared to the friends system or other external mediums like the forum PM system and Skype.

 

The decision to buy these are usually impromptu and circumstantial. You might have gotten out of an intense lengthy match and wanted to send kudos to a player you did not exchange information with. If it is worthwhile and your crystal production is stable, you could get away with a cheaper gift. So this should be considered on a case by case basis.

 

XT's

 

    

 

This is obviously more for high ranked players and may seem a little redundant. We Generalissimos and Legends understand these products are purely external additions to the look of the tank. There is no functionality in the purchase. By any other circumstance in the lower ranks, it would be considered a waste of crystals. Even as a second Legend myself, I think the XT's are a waste in the practical sense, what this article addresses.

 

In the non-practical sense, you purchase these for personal, self-esteem driven boost of morale. You look good and are doing your thing. I am guilty of this with my Railgun and Hornet XT purchases; also planing on getting Viking XT next.

 

That is my personal decision, it is for you to make yourself when the time comes. I'd suggest you save the purchase of XTs until you have a mostly full M3 garage at the very least. As long as you are capable using several different combos in a variety of situations and are satisfied with that, then you could look into the purchase. Always low on the list.

 

Long Missions

 

 

If you thought you struck gold when you received a large mission that required 9,999 kills or 99,999 points, I urge you to reconsider. There are more variables that hinge on whether or not you should keep them. The physical task of obtaining what you need to claim the reward might not be possible, for instance if you weave in and out of activity depending on your schedule (like I do).

 

Whether you complete the minimum of one mission per day or all three, the long mission limits your options for an extended period of time. The choice of whether or not to change a mission you don't like has variables in itself. You might not like going into a CP mode battle or not like the reward. This is a normal process; but for some reason, that changes when people get a long mission. They think they must keep it because it is rare and valuable, but is it really?

 

I believe missions are meant to be a short team goal. Your garage purchase of an upgrade to an item are the long term goals. Think of that spot that holds a mission as worth a certain amount of crystals or supplies, say what it costs to change the second mission in a day (ranging from 62 crystals at Corporal to 875 at Legend), which is a quarter of the maximum that is possible in a mission. Each day you hold on to that lengthy mission, you're missing out on that many crystals/supplies per day. Of course this is grossly inaccurate but I feel this thought experiment is necessary for some, especially those who are the most active and complete missions habitually. Such players would be put at a disadvantage and see a reduction in short-term crystal production.

 

 

I just completed a large mission of my own, as seen above. I was not in need of the supplies prior to claiming this as I play without supplies 90% of the time. It wasn't practical for me to complete it but it was the easier of the two I had at one point. I also have a 9,999 kills mission with a reward of 83k crystals, That is harder to complete because you can gain more points by capturing flags or points in addition to the points you get per kill. I saw that I was going to attain the points much faster than the kills so I changed that one and got rid of it.

 

I know you're probably going "why on Earth would you do that?" I did it symbolically because that spot that the mission occupied for well over 4 months could very well be worth 40k in that amount of time. Of course if you're prolific in activity, you could double your profit in the case of 80k. But would you prefer 40k as soon as possible or 80k down the road? You should want the 40k as soon as possible.

 

If you were to keep a 80k reward mission and plan even further ahead and pick what you were to spend it on, it would be like a needle in a haystack. If you are a smart buyer, you wait for sales to get the most bang for your buck. You could have eventually completed it just after a sale and lose out. It would also be like if you've only obtained a quarter of the experience you need to advance to the next rank and you're already planning what to spend the rank up crystals on. Unless you unlock what you plan on buying at the next rank, it isn't worth the thought as you needs will easily change in that period of time. Again, do you want 40k now or 80k later?

 

And I understand this example isn't even a garage purchase, so why include this? As I mentioned, that mission slot is worth something. By choosing to limit it's capability, you are losing potential wealth that you could have gained to spend on a garage purchase. So it's an investment of sorts that that doesn't pay off on your terms. If you could plan and predict sales like investors watch the markets, then it would be a different story. A case by case issue; for me personally, it feels like a waste.

 

 

In the two years since my previous guide, implementations to the game have only made the distinction between high priority and low priority items clearer. Some make you look good, some make someone else feel better, and some make you waste crystals. At the end of the day, it's still up to you to decide which is which.

 

Thanks for reading; hope you enjoyed.

[r_F.A.M.E1 158]

Great job.

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

Awe thanks Adriel

 

I'm curious, do you guys think the long missions are still worth it?

[ftp 1,696]

Long missions that award crystals or repair kits with double armour/damage are TOTALLY worth it!
Alterations and MU are worth it, no doubt about it xD
 

<3 But this is a very good review <3

[bc200214_777 582]

I'm curious, do you guys think the long missions are still worth it?

To be honest, if I had a super mission, I would only strive to finish it if it had a crystal reward, and also if there seems to be sufficient time in between then and sales.

 

Also, MUs can be very helpful at times. Unless you micro upgrade equipment at full price, I think that having smoky m2 and viking m1 45/50 at Third Lieutenant is totally worth the crystals.

[Baby_Sam 614]

Nice article, but I disagree on the MUs (for M3), especially the first few ones.

[Zanlasha_G 119]

Seriously, bro? Alterations and micro-upgrades can really make a difference

[RedDevil142 219]

Hey guys I saw somewhere that XT Items only need 15 steps of MU'ing to Become M4  :blink:  Is it true or am I wrong because XT's can be useful if you plan on MU'ing them....

[Tofu 6,773]

Hey guys I saw somewhere that XT Items only need 15 steps of MU'ing to Become M4  :blink:  Is it true or am I wrong because XT's can be useful if you plan on MU'ing them....

No, XT's are exactly same as their normal versions except for the appearance.

[RustyNail 1,538]

Awe thanks Adriel

 

I'm curious, do you guys think the long missions are still worth it?

It depends on the rank.. Genarali.. legends, might keep one long mission as there are not much to be in the way..

Lower ranks on the other hand, might find it not that practical. Of course it also depends on the mission.. Xp is a welcome Long mission, since it's either way gathered through daily playing. Killing 9.999 opponents might also be a good mission for shafters, but not for isidas... I hope I made my thought clear.

[fordmustang12345 3,910]

Alterations are definitely worth it. Being able to 1 shot anything except heavy with Railgun or doubling Hammers range is awesome

[Jwimmer 2,835]

I would call MUs more overpriced and necessary than wasteful. Just a difference of 10 is enough to make a huge difference at M3 ranks, and an M4 will always beat even a halfway MUed M3 turret. Otherwise nice article.

[railguniz4noobz 2,394]

It depends on the rank.. Genarali.. legends, might keep one long mission as there are not much to be in the way..

Lower ranks on the other hand, might find it not that practical. Of course it also depends on the mission.. Xp is a welcome Long mission, since it's either way gathered through daily playing. Killing 9.999 opponents might also be a good mission for shafters, but not for isidas... I hope I made my thought clear.

What exactly do you mean by lower ranks? Only gismos and legends get super missions.

[RustyNail 1,538]

What exactly do you mean by lower ranks? Only gismos and legends get super missions.

Oups... sorry, I have forgotten this. So, you can ignore the "low ranks" comment.. :)

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

smoky m2 and viking m1 45/50 at Third Lieutenant is totally worth the crystals.

 

Seriously, bro? Alterations and micro-upgrades can really make a difference

There is a difference between 45/50 MUs and 12/50 MUs. You have to dive head first into MUs, spending crystals and then more crystals to achieve a new level of turret performance. I think in the broad picture, you would be better off focusing on your whole garage rather than tiny incremental changes.

 

I would call MUs more overpriced and necessary than wasteful. Just a difference of 10 is enough to make a huge difference at M3 ranks, and an M4 will always beat even a halfway MUed M3 turret. Otherwise nice article.

Again, I focused on the big picture and a more generalized audience that is likely not at that point yet. I know I only mentioned the "mostly full M3 garage" caveat in the XT section but its basically applicable to most of items I discussed. If someone took their one M3 turret and MU'ed to M4 and their one M3 hull and MU'ed it to M4, they would be massively reliant on that combination. At that point, you're not getting the most out of the game that you could be getting.