As humans we develop filters for our senses and thoughts. These filters help us process the thousands of stimuli we receive every minute, but some times they have the potential to lead us astray. I had a friend that came home with me one weekend when I was in college. The next morning, I asked him how he slept and he responded, ‘Okay. The trains kept me up’.
I responded, ‘What trains?’ When I was growing up I lived in a small town that had a rail-road that went through the middle of the town. The rail road is a few miles from my house. Because I experienced 2-3 trains coming through town every hour, I had filtered these sounds out. My mind realized I did not need to consciously recognize every train that passed.
Another good example concerns you. Look at the top right of the content section of this post. See the add? Chances are if you frequent TC, you skipped right over the add. Why did you do that? Because you’re mind has developed a filter to save you time. Your mind knows that most of the time you are more concerned with the content than the add, so it let’s you see what you want to see.
You might be wondering what the h*ll this has to do with Monsterpocalypse. I want to discuss for a bit our thought process as far as choosing a monster goes. A few weeks ago, I had some basic requirements as far as the standard when considering a Monster to use and I believe it is the case for most Monsterpocalypse players:
1. Defense >= 6
2. Not ground bound (flight, jump, climb, hover, etc.)
3. Ability to do 2 damage in one form or the other (annihilate, lightning attack, etc.)
4. Preferably capable of healing (not required)
Let’s take a moment and consider my favorite new monster from Monsterpocalypse Now, Gakura:
1. Defense = 6
2. Jump
3. Alpha = Demolish + Blitz, Ultra = Lightning Attack
4. High Occupancy + Green Fury
According to the standard, Gakura fits nicely into the ‘mold’ of viable monsters. There is no question in my mind after testing, that he far exceeds an ‘on par’ monster. Because he passed my initial filters for a monsterpocalypse monster, I play tested him and he is absolutely fantastic. I have loved every minute of dominating with him and against most enemies he has the capability to dominate.
Yet somehow in my life, even without looking or trying, I find ways to take the standard and turn it on itself. In this case, the standard being how everyone views the inherent ‘goodness’ of a monster. I wanted to test these filters I had developed that are supposed to save me time and effort. Let’s use those same standards and take a look at another monster, King Kondo + Quantum King Kondo:
1. Alpha Defense 5, Quantum Defense 6
2. Alpha has Jump, Quantum n/a
3. Alpha no double damage, Quantum has temporal displacement
4. High Occupancy + Green Fury
Looking at the above, it is highly unlikely that someone would pick this monster according to the ‘filters’ for choosing a monster. Number 4 is the only criteria (which happens to be the only one not required) that is met by both forms. 1 is broken by the Alpha, 2 by the Quantum, 3 by the Alpha. Comparing the standard to Gakura and Kondo would undeniably lead a player to choosing Gakura. In fact, with just this information I would argue that it would be ignorant to ever make the case of Kondo’s supremecy.
However, these are not all of the facts. These are just the primary factors that we use as filters. We do this because most of the time this will help us not waste time playing a monster that just cannot be top tier. However, there will be times when we eliminate certain monsters from viability and they are more than viable. I want to make this case with King Kondo.
Let’s add a bit of additional data:
1. Hyper cost is 2
2. Riot on Alpha
3. +1 speed to all units in Quantum
4. Sprint on the Quantum
5. Super Rampage on Quantum + he has 9 speed
Now let’s look how each of these affects our filter for good monsters:
1. Hyper cost of 2 – This is an extremely low hyper cost. Because the limitations are never on both forms, switching in and out when necessary isn’t as costly as we normally perceive it to be.
2. Riot on Alpha – Yeah, he’s got low defense, but he can brawl a building and then stomp, ram, or rampage. You can absolutely tear their power base in half and get tons of p-die from doing so. This puts you at a p-die advantage. While this doesn’t offset 5 defense completely, it doesn’t hurt.
3. When you go quantum, you’re suddenly securing an oil refinery without having to secure an oil refinery. +1 speed can be crazy good especially with the command ape. That generates an additional 2 movement.
4. Yes the Quantum is ground bound, but he’s great for making a power attack or rampage. Sprint can set you up for a super rampage like no other. Sprint can also let you make a power attack and not face the consequences of bad positioning. If you bleed the p-die for temporal displacement, this can be crazy good.
5. And this is the final kicker. Yes, Quantum is ground bound. But here is the real question, in this case does it matter? If your opponent wants to put buildings and units in your path hoping to stop you from getting to his monster, it’s not going to stop you. Because he is so good at rampaging, you can just run everything over and get past it all. On top of this, you’ll re-fuel on p-die immediately. This let’s you take another monster turn.
Kondo is a very different style of Monster. He demands that you take him to their side of the board and destroy their power base. He also demands aggression throughout the entire game. If you let off for a second, you’re done. He shifts the question of winning from who can stand the longest to who can win the fastest. And if this is the case, defense is secondary to health and damage capability. Kondo is very capable of doing a lot of damage while protecting himself from those same big attacks.
I have to say I’m very tempted to try Kondo out due to the demand in players that want me to play him and also to see if this filter talk is garbage or if it’s actually happening. Have we been filtering out Tier 1 Monsters?
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Zach is a long time gamer who has been writing and playing games competitively since 2003. In 2007 he founded Team Covenant and has since been joined by several awesome individuals who have helped in the pursuit of the ultimate mission of Covenant: gaming reborn. 
I think that top tier monsters are definitely filtered in some places they might oughtn’t be. Based on what I’ve seen of popular opinion, Anglax shouldn’t ever be considered top tier because he has no mobility, and yet in the games I took him against Gakura, a monster that is generally agreed to be top tier, he won. Possibly due to fluke circumstances, but you can only put so much stock in dumb luck.
I think that people who are willing to ignore the filters long enough to look for something “A Little Odd” may find themselves surprised. Do I know something no one else does? No. But you can bet that as soon as I’m able to seriously playtest (come on Vassal!) I’ll be looking everywhere I can, including places people insist have nothing worth finding.
Were you suggesting, by mentioning Quantum Kondo with the Command Ape, that the Command Ape should grant Kondo Command? (If not you should look at that, but I’m pretty sure that’s what you meant in re-reading) Throw in an Oil Refinery for fun and your units will be all over his side of the map before he can blink. +2 to every unit’s movement, Quantum Kondo moving 10 most of the time, and Command to move your units even further would be more than enough for an insane amount of disruption.
I have to confess, I’m really at a loss with a lot of the Now! stuff. I haven’t had the time to get some proper games in. I need games to really give me a feel for monsters and their units. I know I’m no good at determining a good monster from just its stats, so I don’t even try. If anything, I tend to look at things that other people say won’t work first, trying to ind that gem. I’m getting to know my playstyle better, and consequently what monsters will and won’t play well with that style.
Good article.
I think you’re right and we have been filtering out tier 1 monsters. I played a tutorial game with Krakenoctus last night and realized he’s potentially a lot better than I’ve been giving him credit for. The ability to bypass the danger of the electrical plant through reach is nice and after securing a reasonable power base I had more power dice than I knew what to do with. Tow was wonderful. I still lost the tutorial because I purposefully set myself up for a smash attack as a demonstration, but from what I saw I’ve changed my mind on our tentacled friend.
Just to add, I’m not sure Krakenoctus is top tier. I certainly don’t think he is, but he’s not the pits I thought he was.
Well according to your filters Drillikon should be ok. He’s not. Sure, he’s no Zorog, but he does come close in worthlessness
I don’t think I really have filters in that sense as defense doesn’t bother me, or low health or anything else if the combo fits.
I must admit I’m hoping you’ll seriously consider Quatum King Kondo just to see what is he able to do against serious competition. He does have the advantage that not as many people will be experienced with him compared to some of the other monsters.
You are basically looking for sleepers in the draft. In every pro sports draft there are Blue Chip prospects. They are the whole package for their position. That’s what Gakura is, a Blue Chip prospect to lead a first tier list. You are looking for the less obvious choice that might take more work. And they can pay off huge as other players focus on stopping the Blue Chip armies you are going to catch them off guard and perhaps in a bad match up.
I say you run a monkey this weekend. Just be sure you are running the Monkey that gives you the best opportunity to succeed. If you think you can make an unconventional choice work, I wish you good luck. You gonna tweet results over the weekend? You better. And your list, too.
ZOMG! Rakadon might be a diamond in the rough!
Ok ok… not even I can say that with a straight face.
I think there are some good monsters that get passed by because people sniff at their stats. And what’s worse, is that the people who have the “skillz” to maybe make the monster work are the ones who sniff at it and say, “I wouldn’t be caught dead using a walking monster” or “Five DEF? Monstah please.” So monsters that could be made to work are passed by as pointless. Now, I know that not every monster is MZM, but I think a lot of monsters are abndoned as Tier 2 or 3 just because no one wants to use something that can’t fly.
People need to start packing more Anti-Air blasters in their army. “Oh, your monster flies? Thank you for giving my Squixes an extra B-Die.”
“People need to start packing more Anti-Air blasters in their army. “Oh, your monster flies? Thank you for giving my Squixes an extra B-Die.””
The problem is that many of the best monsters jump, and there is no anti-jump.
I really like the current block b/c there isn’t a clear meta quite yet, and there’s nothing as clearly broken as MZM and Voltis.
I honestly believe that given equal skill it’s always best to play the thing that works the best. In rise there were two monsters that were so much better than the rest that it was like the top tier of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Sentinel, Cable, etc).
The Diamond in the rough as described above isn’t as “Rogue” as one would think. The Master champ took Zor Macros which had a clear advantage over MZM in that he could keep both forms screened at all times. Not to mention, Macros essentially has Annihilate in Weapon Master Power attacks, and the ability to deny screens within the abilities of Morphers.
It goes without mentioning that you pretty much have to beat SSS with more SSS, and maybe Cthul if played well.
That said Zach, I would play three monsters in preperation for the Masters:
Grindix
Ultra Kondo
Cyber Khan
I’ll write a post of why i think these three will be the meta to beat later on.
You want to play as your opponent so you can beat your opponent. Once you play as these three monsters, a pattern of weakness will most probably emerge.
For instance, did you know that Ultra Kondo, while game breaking, doesn’t really turn his attention towards power attacking until his fifth turn overall (1st turn unit, 2nd turn brawl own power base, 3rd turn brawl your power base, 4th turn possible unit due to lack of a Dice shuffle may help, 5th turn Power attack.) I’m playing a little bit of poor scenario here as he can cut those turns down in some ways, but This is a weakness worth exploiting.
As these weaknesses unearth themselves, THEN, you should pick out your “Rogue” monster based on what trumps them.
Master’s Titles are no holds barred, just make sure you don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.
And I can’t stress enough, play Kill-Agains Island and Killer Canals at least three times a piece. If you aren’t familiar with them, an opponent that is can really foil you with them. They are the true funkytowns.
Preston,
Zach is talking about the monster he will be taking to a sanctioned event with I assume prizes on the line, and not to mention bragging rights.
I don’t play tier 1 in friendly games, but these aren’t friendly games. You do realize the top 8 had 5-6 Mega Zor Maxims at masters?
I’m not trying to be a jerk, but if you are playing a competitive game where the best things are allowed you don’t bring the thing you love, you bring what wins or something to counter what wins…
Pikachu < A field of Mewtwos
Dan < Sagat and Ryu
You can bring a Dark Pokemon with good stats to the field of Mewtwos, and you can take a chatacter that counters Shotos.
Some of those monsters in tier 2 and three are AWESOME. Tyrannix is my favorite monster in the game. Is he tier 1? NO Do I still love him and play with him every chance I get so I can say how my dinos are Ford Tough? YES
The filtering that you give examples of is born from a repeated exposure to a certain stimulus and thus not being aware of it anymore. With Monsterpocalypse, the filters are based on analysis and gameplay. They are very much driven by an intense awareness and logical process. The filtering isn’t mindless, but very mindful. Not liking DEF 5 monsters is not at all like not being bothered by a train because of repeated exposure.
However, that’s not to say that the criteria for evaluation should never be reworked. It may well be that 5 DEF isn’t that big of a deal on certain monsters. When experience and analysis points to this conclusion, we’d be foolish to not embrace it. However, until that point, I’ll be holding to all of the “filters” that I have.
And while I do “filter”, that’s not to say I am closed-minded. The filters only stand because, in my experience, going against them always leads to a lower chance of success. When this standard is broken, the filters will change.
Sprint is an advance.
You can’t rampage after an advance.