Arena (24) What happened?

[xZanu]

I was waiting a bit to bring this topic forward, but this arena season (24) has been a disappointment. Could the decision to change back to random (you do not get to pick, you are stuck with this character) hero be dragging engagement down (which is a bit puzzling honestly).

Check this out:

::PREVIOUS SEASONS::

• Season 16 (JAN 2024-APR 2024) Players 198 - Games 4022: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

• Season 17 (APR 2024-JUL 2024) Players 164 - Games 1936: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

• Season 18 (JUL 2024-OCT 2024) Players 143 - Games 1557: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

• Season 19 (OCT 2024-JAN 2025) Players 157 - Games 3598: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

• Season 20 (JAN 2024-APR 2025) Players 156 - Games 3698: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

• Season 21 (APR 2025-JUL 2025) Players 149 - Games 2743: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

• Season 22 (JUL 2025-OCT 2025) Players 156 - Games 4158: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

^ Same settings, though I SWEAR one of those had "3 players" not "2". You could get into a game around 10-15 minutes time, fairly active with about 100 games going at any given time (Mostly Arena, Spikes when Tournaments hit, and some Casual games too)

::LAST SEASON::
(Notice the RULE Change, player "1" selects the hero)

• Season 23 (OCT 2025-JAN 2025) Players 198 - Games 4655: 2 Players, Select Hero, Mirrior

^ An uptick in games and players and for the first time I can ever remember, wait time for a game was 2 minutes or less. This was fun and gave people a chance to focus on specific heros. We also eclipsed 200+ games active at once for weeks, it was amazing!

::CURRENT SEASON::
(It was decided to revert back to random hero pick, to bring more variety back, from the ONE TIME we had the freedom to not get stuck with the viking or dwarf LOL)

• Season 24 (JAN 2025-APR 2025) Players 116 - Games 1412: 2 Players, Random Hero, Mirrior

^ This one is odd, far few players than normal and the wait time is usually 20-30 minutes (awful), also active games is consistently 60 games or less, with arena having fewer tables than casual gamers (which has gone up, there are now more casual going than arena).

This long (slightly dull, like the spirit of this season, LOL) post is looking to learn how to get more players into Dungeon Roll. I love playing, the competitors are mostly awesome / fun to engage with, but we seemed to have taken a nose-dive in the new season. Was the pool poisoned by letting folks choose their hero last time? And now we are STUCK IN PURGATORY for 3-months with the "Random Hero"?

[xZanu]

Looks like we are going to continue with the same boring precedent for Arena 25. At least I tried : )

[xZanu]

Yes! A proper Arena (almost) where we get to Pick the hero. I Still this it would be best to turn OFF mirror match, if you play tabletop there is no such thing, it is all part of the strategy. Once step closer to the real thing it better than a step away.