Tales of tribute, a wasted opportunity

ForzaRammer

I like this game, but unlocking decks is too much work and takes forever.

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

sharquez

Having a learning gradient and things to do in the world to progress is way better and more interactive from a business and a player retention stand point. I sure as s'wit wouldn't spend as much time paying this game if I could just gold buy everything.
They want players to get used to the 4 starter patrons and slowly introduce others as people learn to play it. It's the first week of the expansion. Slow burn, not burn out.

Amottica

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

ForzaRammer

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

Everything else favors established players way more, you think new players can run the trial and get furnishing patterns? Or has max level antiquities to dig everything?

Plus tales of tribute is a trading card game, decks are shared, that’s not really a competitive advantage.

Dragonnord

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

Everything else favors established players way more, you think new players can run the trial and get furnishing patterns? Or has max level antiquities to dig everything?

Plus tales of tribute is a trading card game, decks are shared, that’s not really a competitive advantage.

It is if you use gold to buy the cards and play/practice with your close friends with the new cards, learn them all, learn strategies with them, and then go play against a new player that never saw/used those cards before.

DagenHawk

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

ForzaRammer

Dragonnord wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

Everything else favors established players way more, you think new players can run the trial and get furnishing patterns? Or has max level antiquities to dig everything?

Plus tales of tribute is a trading card game, decks are shared, that’s not really a competitive advantage.

It is if you use gold to buy the cards and play/practice with your close friends with the new cards, learn them all, learn strategies with them, and then go play against a new player that never saw/used those cards before.

Not really, i won the game when I first encountered the rahjin deck. Card is shared, so no advantage.

kargen27

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

Amottica

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

Everything else favors established players way more, you think new players can run the trial and get furnishing patterns? Or has max level antiquities to dig everything?

Plus tales of tribute is a trading card game, decks are shared, that’s not really a competitive advantage.

Those players did not buy their gear to do trials. They did the grind. As such the example presented does not compare.

I would hate to see this game become nothing more than we just buying everything we want.

Amottica

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon

It seems none of us have the information required to make such a determination. The small number of players commenting in the forums and the small number of players we are in contact with in the game is far from representative of anything.

I am not suggesting this mini-game is a success or failure but merely we are able to convey only our opinions on its success. I say that as one that is not interested in this mini-game.

I will also note how a number of people have stated that ESO was dying yet years after their claims this game still thrives.

Pevey

I haven’t gotten around to playing ToT yet, but the feedback I hear in game in guild chat is pretty good so far.

old_scopie1945

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

At first glance I really hated the idea of a card game in ESO and thought it was a really bad idea. Now having played it to level up Ember I am hooked and really enjoying it. So you can never can tell.😊😉

merpins

Some decks are easier to unlock than others, but I think all decks should be unlocked when you complete the initial tutorial. People weren't asking for a card game in the first place, so ya can't expect people to go out of their way to unlock, say, Red Eagle which requires you to be at minimum level 8 in tales of tribute. I've played close to 100 games and I'm only level 2, and you only get points towards this level when you win. By far, this deck is the most tedious to unlock and the casual player will never unlock it. It was my favorite deck in the PTS too, so it being locked behind such a difficult requirement, which will take hundreds of hours most likely to complete, isn't great.

xaraan

tbf "A wasted opportunity" is like the eso motto.

DagenHawk

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Blinx

I doubt most asking for tavern games/card game meant for it to be a major part of an expansion, that's the issue I take with this.
Plus when I think Tavern games, I think darts, pool, die, and a simple card game(not somethbing that requires too much thought, people in Taverns are usually drunk, got no time to learn a complicated card game)

luen79rwb17_ESO

Blinx wrote: »

I doubt most asking for tavern games/card game meant for it to be a major part of an expansion, that's the issue I take with this.
Plus when I think Tavern games, I think darts, pool, die, and a simple card game(not somethbing that requires too much thought, people in Taverns are usually drunk, got no time to learn a complicated card game)

Yeaaaa fist fights!!!!

Add for Q4 DLC ZOS please!!!

kargen27

DagenHawk wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Also been here from the beginning and I can tell you many many people have asked for a card game specifically and mini games in general. You can find the requests in thread titled 'Make Taverns More Populated' 'We Need Something To Do In Homes' and many other threads. First thread I found searching was posted in December of 2014. This has been a popular request for years and seems to be generating a lot of momentum in game.

Dragonnord

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

Everything else favors established players way more, you think new players can run the trial and get furnishing patterns? Or has max level antiquities to dig everything?

Plus tales of tribute is a trading card game, decks are shared, that’s not really a competitive advantage.

It is if you use gold to buy the cards and play/practice with your close friends with the new cards, learn them all, learn strategies with them, and then go play against a new player that never saw/used those cards before.

Not really, i won the game when I first encountered the rahjin deck. Card is shared, so no advantage.

You won on the third day that the game is live, when no one really knows yet the best strategies and so. But if you were playing for months with cards bought with gold and a very new player sees them for the very first time, yes, it's a huge advantage.

LordRukia

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Also been here from the beginning and I can tell you many many people have asked for a card game specifically and mini games in general. You can find the requests in thread titled 'Make Taverns More Populated' 'We Need Something To Do In Homes' and many other threads. First thread I found searching was posted in December of 2014. This has been a popular request for years and seems to be generating a lot of momentum in game.

Imagine just playing whatever garbage card game of your choice on mobile instead of putting it in an MMO, I mean there is even an elder scrolls tcg on mobile already... seriously baffling why resources were wasted on this. I'm sure the 20 people that play it are happy though, just like the 13 pet battlers in WoW. Top kek.

Lysette

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Also been here from the beginning and I can tell you many many people have asked for a card game specifically and mini games in general. You can find the requests in thread titled 'Make Taverns More Populated' 'We Need Something To Do In Homes' and many other threads. First thread I found searching was posted in December of 2014. This has been a popular request for years and seems to be generating a lot of momentum in game.

But like so often, ZOS did not pay attention to the details, which would make it immersive. You don't take a seat at the table to play, you are just standing around and my Mirri is bored, she is not recognizing, that I'm playing, but makes comments as if I would be idle or afk. And why the heck can't I play with Mirri?- She could have always the same rank as I and this way be the perfect training partner. Would be nice, if we could just sit down in an inn and play with each other - actually sitting down though, not standing around - this is not making it more immersive, but feels like an idle room, were people park their avatars.

wenchmore420b14_ESO

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Also been here from the beginning and I can tell you many many people have asked for a card game specifically and mini games in general. You can find the requests in thread titled 'Make Taverns More Populated' 'We Need Something To Do In Homes' and many other threads. First thread I found searching was posted in December of 2014. This has been a popular request for years and seems to be generating a lot of momentum in game.

Matt and Rich said this was a "much asked for feature".
As I have been on forums since 2013, I only remember it coming up just here and there.
So I searched mini games and here is the link:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/search?Page=&Search=mini+games

Yes, mini games have been requested, but, they were things like in-game games like "Snip & Tails", "Pin the Tail on the Khajiit",
Tavern games that bet with gold, Chess, Horse Races, Frog Races, etc.
A rehashed "Legends" was no where in the requests.

Amottica

wenchmore420b14_ESO wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Also been here from the beginning and I can tell you many many people have asked for a card game specifically and mini games in general. You can find the requests in thread titled 'Make Taverns More Populated' 'We Need Something To Do In Homes' and many other threads. First thread I found searching was posted in December of 2014. This has been a popular request for years and seems to be generating a lot of momentum in game.

Matt and Rich said this was a "much asked for feature".
As I have been on forums since 2013, I only remember it coming up just here and there.
So I searched mini games and here is the link:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/search?Page=&Search=mini+games

Yes, mini games have been requested, but, they were things like in-game games like "Snip & Tails", "Pin the Tail on the Khajiit",
Tavern games that bet with gold, Chess, Horse Races, Frog Races, etc.
A rehashed "Legends" was no where in the requests.

I recall seeing mini-games asked for multiple times and I have been around a little more than a year.

ForzaRammer

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

Everything else favors established players way more, you think new players can run the trial and get furnishing patterns? Or has max level antiquities to dig everything?

Plus tales of tribute is a trading card game, decks are shared, that’s not really a competitive advantage.

Those players did not buy their gear to do trials. They did the grind. As such the example presented does not compare.

I would hate to see this game become nothing more than we just buying everything we want.

'Those players did not buy their gear to do trials.' How'd you know? Bunch people buy gear runs in dungeons and trials

The example is exact the same, you can buy gears to do trials, you should be able to buy cards

ForzaRammer

Dragonnord wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Dragonnord wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

ForzaRammer wrote: »

Zos should’ve just introduced a gold sink so players use gold to unlock the decks and get card upgrade, and it can actually help reduce hyper inflation.

This would give a huge advantage to established players and turn away new players.

One could say Zenimax should introduce a gold sink to sell the best gear such as what comes from trials so we do not have to grind to gear ourselves because it takes a lot of time. That idea is not necessarily good for the game.

Everything else favors established players way more, you think new players can run the trial and get furnishing patterns? Or has max level antiquities to dig everything?

Plus tales of tribute is a trading card game, decks are shared, that’s not really a competitive advantage.

It is if you use gold to buy the cards and play/practice with your close friends with the new cards, learn them all, learn strategies with them, and then go play against a new player that never saw/used those cards before.

Not really, i won the game when I first encountered the rahjin deck. Card is shared, so no advantage.

You won on the third day that the game is live, when no one really knows yet the best strategies and so. But if you were playing for months with cards bought with gold and a very new player sees them for the very first time, yes, it's a huge advantage.

"when no one really knows yet the best strategies", eh no, plenty guides is already out, even before high isle went live. Your claim do not match the facts.

lazarusrevives

My only concern is this. Are the decks account wide or character locked. I may have overlooked this, if it was answered I apologize for the redundancy. But, that seems like a deal breaker. I'd like to aquire them for my entire account. Not just one character, if possible. I guess I'll find out soon enough. (Console player).

SianTamzin

DagenHawk wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Lots of people asked for a card game/tavern game. Prior to ToT, the taverns literally served no purpose other than providing an Inn room, clearing inventory via vendor or to use the fire for provisioning.

I've been playing other players for hours and haven't had to wait more than a minute for a game. So it can't be that unpopular.

There is quite a simple solution for those who don't like the game and that is don't play it.

Vaoh

SianTamzin wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

DagenHawk wrote: »

Given the fact that the game has pretty much gone over like a lead Balloon (Despite how much fun the devs keep trying to convince us it is..) I think the game will be quietly abandoned in a few months.

It's a shame too...they had enough money in there budget to do something significant and that's is how they spent it...

So many more things the game could have used...things that would actually paid for themselves.

If you introduce something and your consumer base ask "Why do we need this?" Stop, reevaluate, and try something else.

Games like this inside another game are not cheap to develop, and I for one greatly dislike giving my money every month only to have them use it on frivolous things that very few people wanted or like.

I just hope they learn from this mistake.

A lot of players in guilds I am in really like this card game. This has been asked for since almost the beginning of the game. I played one game and I'm not really in a hurry to go back. But the enthusiasm among my friends makes me think the card game was a good addition to the game.

I have been playing since the early beta you couldn't fill a mini bus with people who actually asked for this. And like most things on the Forums you have a small very vocal fan group defending everything that happens and the rest of us wondering why in the hell ZoS would do such a thing.

Lots of people asked for a card game/tavern game. Prior to ToT, the taverns literally served no purpose other than providing an Inn room, clearing inventory via vendor or to use the fire for provisioning.

I've been playing other players for hours and haven't had to wait more than a minute for a game. So it can't be that unpopular.

There is quite a simple solution for those who don't like the game and that is don't play it.

Not a fair take. People asked to provide meaning to Inns, such as a variety of simple Tavern games etc. I’m not saying ToT is bad but no one asked for a full-fledged new card game lmao.

ToT is only popular rn because:
1. It just came out. It’s new content....
2. Vast majority of players only have 4 decks and little game knowledge. This is the optimal time to get your Rubedite leaderboard rank achievement. That’s what I did and now I don’t have to worry about queuing for games anymore unless I feel like it at random times. Not sure, guess we’ll see.

Lugaldu

I also find that it takes forever to make progress. I played 12 rounds in a row last night and the progress bar at level 3 (yes, I haven't gotten that far yet, although I've played several games every day since release) has barely moved. How long is that supposed to take and when do you get better rewards?
Also, I feel like I got more "essential" resources like heartwood and mundane runes in almost every game for the first few weeks, but not a single piece yesterday. In the time invested I could have collected 15 heartwood and 15 runes in the world. That's not exactly motivating to keep playing.

dmnqwk

ToT definitely allowed grinding.

I began playing ToT via my dailies, maybe 1 or 2 NPC matches per day and hit Rank 3 Novice. It was a slow, meandering journey that also saw me discover how to unlock the Hunding deck.

Then I started to grind.

So instead of this slow journey, I discovered there was no cap on how many points you could earn from NPC matches - and with Rahjin unlocked I spent 3 or 4 hours most days grinding out non-stop NPC victories to rank up, finally hitting Master and finishing the story to get all decks. During this time I also had to play a few extra versus games so I could hit Rubedite (I probably have an 80% win record, which is funny considering I began going 0-2 in placement matches haha)

I feel like I have 'completed' ToT now, because I'm not really interested in competitive matches. I got Rubedite and haven't played a ranked versus game since (though I did a single unranked one day).

If we're discussing 'gold sinks' then, really, you'd need to do it for everything in the game. I completed it quicker than I have the Thieves Guild line, which I've only got around rank 3 so far, and since you can literally just grind on NPCs without touching other players to unlock all of the decks, I don't think it's necessary for a gold sink; not unless they also allow me to pay gold for max Psijic/Thieves/Legerdemain (I'm talking first time, not the 3k crowns for an alt).

Lostar

The game is ok. The community that plays it sucks. They forget their wins are mostly luck and being in a losing streak against people who cannot math out the fact they have 20G 30P and the ability to crow will give them a clear win.. nah.. they wanna bleed it out. They assume just because they've no life that their opponent don't have better things to do so they bleed it out slow.