All posts by Mantastic

I am Mantastic and Fantastic. I often play with myself, write guides, and make bad puns. Happy Puzzling!

Thoughts on 7 Combo, Guard Break, Follow-up Attack, and new Awakenings

May 25, 2017 Mantastic 19 Comments

Introduction

This past month, we have been given a taste of the next wave of Powercreep for awakenings: 7 Combo and Guard Break while also being teased by the Follow-up Attack mechanic. In addition, there are going to be minor shifts/changes to existing awakenings and latent awakenings.

All of these add tremendous potential and diversification to your teams and this article will take a look and examine how to make the most of them.

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Powercreep awakenings

Powercreep is a healthy aspect of any long standing game as it is what drives content forward as you need newer toys to tackle harder dungeons. However, one of the best aspects of PAD is that older cards become revitalized through new evolutions/buffs that can incorporate these new awakenings. This is great because you are not always chasing new cards and may have some hidden sleepers lying around in your Monster Box.

Since some of these awakenings are new, it will take time for more cards to acquire them and may feel restrictive as you can only use a few cards in the mean time.

7 combo awakening

The 7 Combo is perhaps the most powerful awakening to be released as is provides 2x damage for that card when achieving 7 or more combos. While 2x for a single card may feel okay at best, you have to remember that you have the potential to run a whole team of 7 combo cards which effectively grants you a total 2x multiplier that is controllable. Continue reading Thoughts on 7 Combo, Guard Break, Follow-up Attack, and new Awakenings →

Arena

Just for Fun – Strange Arena 1 Clear

May 23, 2017 Mantastic 16 Comments

Introduction

I have been a part of the PAD community for several years and in this time I have met countless players of varying progression and skill levels. Some of these players possess amazing knowledge and insight for the game and their points of view/expertise are always refreshing to listen to.

Today, I wish to focus on one of the most bizarre Arena 1 by my friend Virtual who has a special fondness for the Plessie-bean and using interesting teams. They have been playing PAD for 960+ days while also surpassing rank 940 and acquiring every single ranking dungeon crown.

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Arena 1 clears

At this point in time, Arena 1 has been turned more into a farming dungeon in that a wide variety of teams are capable of clearing it as it is over a year old. However, very few people wish to utilize the glorious Plessie-bean in challenging content. Continue reading Just for Fun – Strange Arena 1 Clear →

New Content Updates, New Evolutions

New Evolutions: Metatrons, Angels 2, and More – May 18, 2017

May 18, 2017 Mantastic 32 Comments

Introduction

7 new split evolutions have been released overnight that breathe significant new life into some older cards. With this article, I wish to explore how these new evolutions fit in the current meta as well as discussing which path you should pursue.

Cards to receive new evolutions:

Rozuel
Ruel
Lumiel
Nephthys
Light Metatron
Dark Metatron
Amaterasu

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Split evolutions

Split evolution paths tend to push cards into either a more sub or leader oriented role and are Fantastic overall as it allows you to better customize each card to your liking. Sometimes there is an obvious winner, but there may be times that where you wish to retain the older evoluton. This can occur when new split does not warrant enough benefits or they lose a particular typing/sub element.

Rozuel

Rozuel was a potent fire sub due to her triple TPA, unbindability, recover bind, and God typing. This granted her flexibility as she could perform the role of both a bind clearer and offensive powerhouse when matching a TPA. In addition, the water typing had merits on rainbow teams and her low base cooldown enabled you to inherit an active of your choice over top. Continue reading New Evolutions: Metatrons, Angels 2, and More – May 18, 2017 →

Creature Quest

Creature Quest Dungeon Challenge Offense Guide

May 16, 2017 Mantastic 4 Comments

Introduction

Creature Quest features 3 unique game play modes that should all be taken advantage of to make the most progress possible. In this article, I will be focusing on the PvP (player versus player) Dungeon Challenge mode from a offensive point of view to better help you tackle your opponent’s dungeons with greater consistency. I will be covering how Prestige and attacking works, basic team building compositions, and in-game strategies for playing through their dungeons.

This posting will be using knowledge/terminology previously discussed in my New Player’s Guide as well as Dungeon Defense Guide.

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What is the Dungeon Challenge?

Challenge Dungeons are the weekly PvP (player versus player) ladder. You are able to create a dungeon with your own various sized creatures and then use your Challenge Points to attack other players. Each offensive and defensive victory awards Prestige (points that correspond to your numerical ranking) while failed defenses lose Prestige. There is no penalty for failing an offense. To better facilitate fairer match-making, players are divided up into Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers. Continue reading Creature Quest Dungeon Challenge Offense Guide →

Godfest

Player’s Choice Godfest Voting Advice, May 15-22, 2017

May 15, 2017 Mantastic 35 Comments

Don’t Vote Godfest Exclusives

or else…

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Why

Player’s Choice Godfests (PCGF) are some of the most exciting events Puzzle and Dragons as it grants everyone to make their voice heard to create a special pool of monsters with increased rates.

Unfortunately, it also has the potential to turn into a disaster through the voting of Godfest Exclusives. Despite the fact that the top 25 cards will be featured at higher rates (or actually available for GFE), they are not weighted evenly. Continue reading Player’s Choice Godfest Voting Advice, May 15-22, 2017 →

Random Thoughts

Have a MOMtastic Mother’s Day!

May 14, 2017 Mantastic 6 Comments

Introduction

Mother’s Day is upon us and hopefully you have not forgot and are last minute scrambling to find an appropriate gift/gesture on this Fantastic occasion.

For many of my long term readers, you may already know that my mom is an avid Puzzle and Dragoner who is nearing 1,300 days and is rank 573. This was done on her own with only minor assistance provided to help her clear the occasional Ch10 or Arena 3.

MOMtastic’s history

Despite the fact that video games were never a part of her life, she has taken a shining to PAD and loves the idea of puzzling her way to victory. She was initially drawn to the sophisticated orb manipulations as it offered a new dimension of thinking and strategy to master. For this reason, it felt less like a video game and more of a mental exercise not unlike a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.

She is against heart crosses and has no real interest in speed coop-button farming and has been quite content with her Shiva team for several years. However, she has diversified her PAD portfolio through Meridionalis, Yomi Dragon, and now Dark Athena.

Amazingly enough, we have wonderful overlap in viable leaders across both my accounts and our bonding time is often done through coop. I feel that is can be challenging for a parent to connect with a child in their mid 20’s, but Puzzle and Dragons has proven to be the perfect medium. Our text messages are often sprinkled with PAD talk and it helps open the doors for communication as it is a wonderful icebreaker.

Puzzle and Dragons has helped bring my mother and I closer together over the years that would not have been possible otherwise. I probably never thank her enough for all that she does for me and I am truly blessed to have her make the effort to play Puzzle and Dragons all those years ago. She made the effort to bond with her son through an activity that is somewhat foreign to her and it has had a resounding impact on our own relationship.

Essentially what I am trying to say is thank you Mom for all that you do for me and I hope that you have a MOMtastic Mother’s Day!

MOMtastic videos

My mom occasionally joins my stream or offline recording and here is a sample of her various clears and rolling videos:

Conclusion

Have a MOMtastic Mother’s Day and go play some coop with your own mother!

If you wish to try and add MOMtastic, here is her ID, but beware, she deletes people after only 1 day of inactivity (best friends she is nicer).

Happy Puzzling!

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Godfest

Heroines and Mayhem Godfest Review, Tier List, and Analysis

May 12, 2017 Mantastic 36 Comments

Godfest basics

When making the decision to roll or save your magic stones, you need to determine if the featured pantheons can benefit or complement your teams. Chasing for one specific monster is unwise as you will most likely be disappointed and should ideally have Godfests that overlap with many target cards. Remember all monsters that come out of the REM will qualify for Skill Inheritance so do not be too hasty when selling dupes. For a more detailed team building help, please refer to my Popular Leader’s and their Full Sub List Post which is in the process of being updated. Lastly, to find more information about a specific pantheon or monster, refer to my Master List to better refine your search. If you are considering to purchase any of the Monster Point cards, please refer to my updated Tier List for help and advice.

Introduction

The Heroines and Mayhem Godfest features some of the best Pantheon cards at a sad 3x rates. However, 3 Pantheons are featured per day so that may be some consolation, but GFE are also at 3x rates. In addition, all featured cards will come out at level 50 and +10 to a random stat. Non-featured GFE will not appear on those respective days.

Presently speaking, most players will be pursuing cards for the new flavours of the month: Dark Athena and Kushinadahime . Sadly, this Godfest is missing Haku but many other valuable cards are featured alongside Kushinadahime.

Unfortunately, and strangest aspect of the Heroines and Mayhem Godfest is that there is no gala occurring alongside. This means no Gemstones or even better focus on an element you crave. Instead, we have an additional Tamadra popping out.

Heroines and Mayhem Godfest NO GALA
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Ranking the cards – Pantheons & GFE

These rankings I assign cards are my own and take into consideration the card’s value as a leader, sub, inherit, and possibly any niche role they fulfill. In order to rank in the highest tier, the card has to excel in their respective role and cannot feasibly be replaced by anyone else. This can also be thought of as a Best in Slot card and tends to have applications on the top tier teams.

Despite my best to remain neutral, there is always the potential for bias and you need to be able to examine a card and determine if it can benefit your unique Monster Box and situation. Continue reading Heroines and Mayhem Godfest Review, Tier List, and Analysis →

New Content Updates

Version 11.0 Update – Review

May 11, 2017 Mantastic 16 Comments

Introduction

May 10th marked one of the larger updates to happen to Puzzle and Dragons for NA/EU and I wish to cover all the relevant changes and evolutions.

Monster Box Folders are one of the best quality of life improvements after the less than ideal changing how FAV sorting worked. Now through folders, you can better customize how your Monster Box works and is one of my favourite additions to date.

Furthermore, several new evolutions have went live and I was able to actually play around with some of them which will help me provide a better opinion and analysis for them.

You can read the official GungHo notes HERE.

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Monster Box Folders

Monster Box Folders are one of the best things to happen to Puzzle and Dragons as it allows for amazing customization and organization. By default, all of your Evolution, Awakening, and Enhance materials are sorted into their respective folders leaving the remaining monsters in the Not Set tab.

The following video is my quick tutorial on how I go about using the new Folders.
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What I love most about the Folders is that everything is organized to your liking and easier to view what you have. Continue reading Version 11.0 Update – Review →

Arena

Dark Athena in Arena 3 – Solo and Coop Strategies

May 8, 2017 Mantastic 23 Comments

Introduction

Dark Athena is the newest craze to sweep through NA/EU as she is somewhat unrivaled in her speed and efficiency in clearing end game content. For the purposes of this article, I will be focusing on Arena 3 set ups to better optimize your experience from both a Solo and Coop point of view. This will include inheritance suggestions, Latents, and subs to bring.

I have written extensively about Arena 3 since my first clear in August 2016, but I want to produce a template to aid in your Dark Athena adventures.

If you wish to read my comprehensive Dark Athena guide, please refer to it HERE.

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Solo clear

My second solo clear (first one recorded) and this was done pretty much right after I bought her so things may look less polished overall.
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Arena 3

Powercreep has slowly caught up to Arena 3 and with Dark Athena, more and more people will be having their first taste of the Radar Dragons and other wonders held within this 25 floor dungeon.

Arena 3 has randomized spawns that are drawn from a fixed pool encounters so you can somewhat plan ahead for what you could encounter.

However, there are very few spawns that are actually threatening to Dark Athena and provided you loosely follow the templates shown below, you should have sufficient tools to deal with them. Continue reading Dark Athena in Arena 3 – Solo and Coop Strategies →

Collab REM Reviews

New Heroine Cards: Uruka, Julie, and Fluffier Ilmina

May 7, 2017 Mantastic 41 Comments

Introduction

The Heroine REM is returning to NA/EU with new ultimate evolutions and two brand new cards. The first time this special REM came around, I did encourage people to roll in it despite the 10-stone cost. This is because essentially all of the cards have merits and value for a more developed Monster Box. Furthermore, since they were all new at the time of their release, the chances of rolling dupes was significantly lower. As such, the motivation to roll or not to roll should be based on your own requirements and expectations.

Despite new evolutions, not much as essentially changed for the majority of the cards as they were mostly small stat boosts plus an additional awakening. However, Ilmina did receive a fluffier evolution that dramatically shifts their gameplay and usage. You can read about my original review of the Heroine REM HERE.

Amusingly, with the inclusion of Uruka and Julie , the Heroine REM is stronger than ever as there are now plenty of amazing top tier prizes worth chasing. Just be aware that these prizes are in the 6+ star category so they will be rarer to roll.