Introduction

4P is the newest game mode released in Puzzle and Dragons and shares many similarities with the former 8P mode in that your score  is influenced by Average Combos, Maximum Damage, and Style Points along with bonuses for scoring the best relative to other players in highest combos, highest damage, and the number of times Matching Bonuses are performed.

While this may feel exciting, the outrageously high GP (Gamer Point) requirements will require significantly more play time compared to 8-player.

Video commentary

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Monster Pool & Drafting

You will have to draft a team for every play through which does take more time but it does allow you a certain degree of control over your scoring potential.

Each column of monsters has a certain theme in either their awakenings are similar or they share a certain archetype of active skill.

Toy Dragons

Can combo with the Valkyries, FUA , or for +2 combos to help with maximum damage

/ /  /  /    + 2 Combos (4 CD)

Valkyries

Use to generate extra orbs for specific patterns or damage

   /  /  /  /  (3 CD)

REMDras

Mostly a damage stick and can re-Haste other actives. I often skip these

Provides 1 turn of Haste (4 CD)

Golems

Has potential for huge damage spike if 9 orbs are present. The 4 Skill Boosts also ensure other actives can be used right away

2.5x ATK buff for their attribute (5 CD)

Izanamis

Has 2 turns of Burst to aid in hitting the highest damage

2x ATK for Light/Dark (4 turn CD)

Anti-Absorption

These cards have various awakenings but they are also able to overcome Absorptions

Void Damage/Colour Absorb (4-8 CD)

Norse Gods    

VDP generates a surprising amount of points while also providing burst damage in their two colours

2x ATK for 3 turns in their 2 colours (6 CD)

Board changers /

These 5 cards provide a full board changer while also having the 3 or 4-Attribute awakening which provides a modest amount of points

Full board changer of various elements (3-5 CD)

Matching Bonus

Awakenings to bring

Style Points greatly augment your score and by matching specific patterns, you can receive more points

While each dungeon has a preference for their respective leader, some Style Points are worth pursuing all the time

• 3 & 4-Attribute
  • Pretty much free points but at the very least, bring someone with 3-Attribute
• FUA
  • Lets you use Hearts for Style Points and does overcome some Resolve floors as no leader has Auto-Follow Up Attack

Dungeon strategies

Each dungeon features a different leader and thus a preference for matching specific patterns. As such, bringing those awakenings is advantageous as you can obtain more Matching Bonuses for each colour.

With that being said, a few dungeons have some notable mechanics that can be overcome.

Athena

TPA is your best friend but the final floor also has Light Absorb. As such, bring one of the Anti-Absorption cards will greatly increase your chances of clearing the dungeon. Also, bring FUA .

Fagan

Crosses are cool but the final floor can be easily solved by using Fagan’s active and simply matching 6 columns. This maximizes his Leader Skill as ANY 5-match fulfills the Leader Skill requirements.

Sonia

VDP > Rows     whenever possible as VDP yields significantly more points and damage. Furthermore, Haste can be used to refresh Sonia’s active to ensure easy, double-VDP boards.

Ra Dragon

Hitting all 5 colours triggers Guard Break along with 3 & 4-Attribute . As such, having additional Board Changers is advantageous.

Volcano Dragon

Bring FUA and either high Dark Damage or a Heart Breaker/Board changer to overcome the full Dark + Heart board.

Royal Oak

Only 1 L is required to trigger his Leader Skill so you can make other patterns alongside.

+10,000 Bonuses

At the end of every match, there will be three 10,000 bonus points awarded to the player who achieves the best in the following three metrics:

• Highest number of combos
  • Pretty much a purely luck metric, pray for Skyfalls
• Highest damage dealt
  • This can be augmented by Burst actives and/or colour advantage with orb changers
• Highest number of Matching Bonuses
  • The more of these you trigger, the higher your score is overall

Remember, the first player to achieve the highest in any metrics scores the 10,000 points. Thus, hitting 12 combos before other players will grant you the points.

Conclusion

4-Player does provide a new medium to play Puzzle and Dragons and can be potentially fun once in a while. Sadly, the required GP (Gamer Points) to receive the various bonuses is outrageously high and will most likely cause burnout due to the slow gains and loss of GP when sitting at a higher rank.

Regardless of all that, it is here to stay and there are some Magic Stones to be earned.

Happy Puzzling!

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