Brawlhalla’s Weapon Balancing
By Tavian Davis
Swords, Spears, Axes, and Blasters. These are just a select few weapons that are used in the 2-D Platformer game, Brawlhalla. These weapons receive changes occasionally to balance them out for gameplay. However, when these changes are made there is sometimes negative feedback.In the game Brawlhalla, a player’s main goal is to defeat his opponent by knocking them off the stage. There are many different stages for specific game modes; the main two game mode options being two versus two and one versus one. Everyone can choose what character they please before matches.
There is a unique quality to having a choice in the way players can use the characters they choose. There are more than 50 of these characters to choose from, and each of these characters possesses two of the thirteen different weapons to choose from. These weapons include: Axe, Blasters, Bow, Cannon, Gauntlets, Grapple Hammer, Greatsword, Orb, Katars, Rocket Lance, Scythe, Spear, and Sword. Along with having two weapons, these characters also have six different directional attacks, that are unique and specific to them. These unique attacks are called, “signature moves,” or “sigs”, for short. Donte Horton, a Brawlhalla player, says “I like the creativity that comes with it. Everyone has different playstyles.”
A long with the variety of weapons in the game, come their own unique gameplay traits. Some of these traits cause imbalance in the game. Game developers make bug changes and tweaks to their game then release that information in what are called patch notes. Brawlhalla has received a recent update, and along with that update came minor changes to weapons. After the latest patch done to the weapon, Katars, Donte continues, “Katars are amazing now so I don’t have a problem with it.” There are many current players who have mixed feelings when it comes to weapon balancing. Kade Styron, a Brawlhalla player, says, “I feel that blasters are fun and balanced.” With Brawlhalla's newest weapon, Greatsword, being out for a decent amount of time, many have conflicted feelings toward it. “It’s an amazing weapon but broken.”, Horton state.
One of Brawlhalla’s shining game modes is its ranked one versus one option. The ranking system, in terms of lowest to highest, consist of Tin, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and the highest rank, Diamond. All these ranks have different types of players along with them. Some ranks require more dedication and attention than others. Vincent Patterson, a Brawlhalla player, says, “I feel like they need more direction to get out of gold.” He currently is in the Platinum ranking. There are some people who dislike rankings and see it as pointless. “I feel that ranked could use some improvements. I feel that there could be more ranked rewards,” says Vincent.
With the most recent adjustment to the game introducing their newest character, or as the game calls them, “legend”, many are active and playing right now. The latest patch notes, “Patch 4.07,” brought along relatively drastic game changes which of course were done in response to player feedback. Many are pleased although some are not. One thing for sure, however, is that many players are looking forward to seeing what changes and adjustments are going to be made to the game in the future.
There is a unique quality to having a choice in the way players can use the characters they choose. There are more than 50 of these characters to choose from, and each of these characters possesses two of the thirteen different weapons to choose from. These weapons include: Axe, Blasters, Bow, Cannon, Gauntlets, Grapple Hammer, Greatsword, Orb, Katars, Rocket Lance, Scythe, Spear, and Sword. Along with having two weapons, these characters also have six different directional attacks, that are unique and specific to them. These unique attacks are called, “signature moves,” or “sigs”, for short. Donte Horton, a Brawlhalla player, says “I like the creativity that comes with it. Everyone has different playstyles.”
A long with the variety of weapons in the game, come their own unique gameplay traits. Some of these traits cause imbalance in the game. Game developers make bug changes and tweaks to their game then release that information in what are called patch notes. Brawlhalla has received a recent update, and along with that update came minor changes to weapons. After the latest patch done to the weapon, Katars, Donte continues, “Katars are amazing now so I don’t have a problem with it.” There are many current players who have mixed feelings when it comes to weapon balancing. Kade Styron, a Brawlhalla player, says, “I feel that blasters are fun and balanced.” With Brawlhalla's newest weapon, Greatsword, being out for a decent amount of time, many have conflicted feelings toward it. “It’s an amazing weapon but broken.”, Horton state.
One of Brawlhalla’s shining game modes is its ranked one versus one option. The ranking system, in terms of lowest to highest, consist of Tin, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and the highest rank, Diamond. All these ranks have different types of players along with them. Some ranks require more dedication and attention than others. Vincent Patterson, a Brawlhalla player, says, “I feel like they need more direction to get out of gold.” He currently is in the Platinum ranking. There are some people who dislike rankings and see it as pointless. “I feel that ranked could use some improvements. I feel that there could be more ranked rewards,” says Vincent.
With the most recent adjustment to the game introducing their newest character, or as the game calls them, “legend”, many are active and playing right now. The latest patch notes, “Patch 4.07,” brought along relatively drastic game changes which of course were done in response to player feedback. Many are pleased although some are not. One thing for sure, however, is that many players are looking forward to seeing what changes and adjustments are going to be made to the game in the future.
