Improving Sponsor upgrade

[JDansp]

why would it need a buff? it's already the strongest upgraded action in 2p games

I thought it’s the one getting the fewest upgrades, I wasn’t aware that this changed? That’s why I started thinking what could make people choose it more frequently over eg association.

it's 42% by top players. 67% among top top players. Higher than asso. It's not crucial like build and animals is, but def the strongest supporting upgrade there is

[TopTierReindeer]

why would it need a buff? it's already the strongest upgraded action in 2p games

I thought it’s the one getting the fewest upgrades, I wasn’t aware that this changed? That’s why I started thinking what could make people choose it more frequently over eg association.

it's 42% by top players. 67% among top top players. Higher than asso. It's not crucial like build and animals is, but def the strongest supporting upgrade there is

Nice to know, thanks!

[Pinstar1]

I've had games where sponsors was my 1st or 2nd upgrade (normally due to a good sponsor card iny starting hand that required the upgrade like explorer). Even after playing the upgraded card, I found tons of use out of the upgrade. Playing sponsors from reputation is really strong and even the humble+1 strength will let you play normal cards sooner, 6 requirement cards without burning x tokens or two 3 strength cards on a round. Plus the double income on breaks is huge.

[demyurge]

why would it need a buff? it's already the strongest upgraded action in 2p games

I thought it’s the one getting the fewest upgrades, I wasn’t aware that this changed? That’s why I started thinking what could make people choose it more frequently over eg association.

it's 42% by top players. 67% among top top players. Higher than asso. It's not crucial like build and animals is, but def the strongest supporting upgrade there is

But the current reigning world champion and soon to be 900 ELO only has it at 33%, meanwhile he has association sitting at 73%.

[JDansp]

I thought it’s the one getting the fewest upgrades, I wasn’t aware that this changed? That’s why I started thinking what could make people choose it more frequently over eg association.

it's 42% by top players. 67% among top top players. Higher than asso. It's not crucial like build and animals is, but def the strongest supporting upgrade there is

But the current reigning world champion and soon to be 900 ELO only has it at 33%, meanwhile he has association sitting at 73%.

I said top players, not matchfixers

[CharlesRDarwin]

I think card values vary a lot by player count; at 4p I rarely upgrade sponsors (or cards!). Obviously other cards vary a lot in power, even more than this. I don't know how they balance such cards! Does anyone know if the designers balance ornithologist etc. around 2, 3, or 4p, or the average power of the three?

[Monkeyunit]

I feel people undervalue the sponsor upgrade because they don't take it early enough.

From what I have seen people of average skill often take build, cards, animals as first 3 upgrades, and then decide between association or sponsor as first. By that time, the value of upgraded sponsor has fallen a bit.
But if you manage to upgrade sponsor as first or second card without hurting your other plans it is very strong.

Another benefit of having upgraded sponsor ( and opponent not having it) is your opponents have to try and remove the strong cards that require the upgrade from the row of they risk you using them.

[TopTierReindeer]

Totally agree, that’s a very good point. When upgraded last, asso might give more points if the donations are still up for grabs!

[BlanketAddict]

I think card values vary a lot by player count; at 4p I rarely upgrade sponsors (or cards!). Obviously other cards vary a lot in power, even more than this. I don't know how they balance such cards! Does anyone know if the designers balance ornithologist etc. around 2, 3, or 4p, or the average power of the three?

I'm pretty sure I've heard people say the game was mostly balanced around 3 players