JP GC 1.4: New Hunting Ground Impressions

Updated 03/03/2013: More impressions

Information in JP: http://cache.apja.guardiancross.net/info/30214008/record_20130225_2.html

Translation by Tarothin over at the guardiancross-forum: http://guardiancross-forum.com/Thread-1-4-version-notes?pid=683086#pid683086

Overall, I'm quite happy with the changes made in 1.4. Head over to the links above for more information. I'll cover my thoughts on the new hunting ground first.

- These new underwater shadows (mermaids and fishes) seems to change direction frequently (like fishes do in real life?)

- The giant guardians are killable in the same hunt. My tip is to go for the head and also when it is exiting into a hole. Its body wiggles a lot while moving so you might miss. I've gotten anything from 1-4 or 5 guardians from it. I haven't test out if they appear in SHT as there are also changes made to SHT drop-rate in 1.4 and I'm trying to figure out a strategy. More on that later.

Updated 03/03/2013: They take more than 5 shots to hunt, I counted about 8. They move from one of the 4 holes at the corner of the maps, exiting to the opposite side's hole. They do not turn red critical and do not appear in every hunt from my experience. However, if one appears and you did not manage to hunt it, it will appear again in the same hunt but full health. According to Mutoking, there are gold and silver ones, I've encountered the silver one and it seems to move a lot faster or might be shorter but I can't tell.

- There are Fire and normal slimes there too. I guess Silver and Gold slimes are also available.

- There are bubbles containing instant reload and time increase that you can shoot. I think there will be no yellow time increase shadows.

Updated 03/03/2013: The bubbles do disappear after some time, unless my eyes were playing tricks on me. The bubbles I have seen so far are +5 secs, +10 secs and instant reload.

- There are still red critical for 1-shot kills of the shadows you hunt, except the giant shadows.

- The shadow move at speed that is somewhat faster than Berneside Plains but slower than Glaverow Volcano.

Overall, it is something new and fresh for a change and I enjoy it more than the previous Desert Hunting ground.

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To Self-Destruct Or Not to Self-Destruct Part 3

Valentine Spector

This recent Coliseum reward is probably the one of the best Self-destruct user. She is the souped-up version of Crocell.

Almighty Sexy Full Stoned MP: 8710

Almighty Brave Full Stoned MP: 7370

Almighty Others Full Stoned MP: 8040

Mighty Sexy Full Stoned MP: 6500

Mighty Brave Full Stoned MP: 5500

Mighty Others Full Stoned MP: 6000

Great Sexy Full Stoned MP: 4940

Great Brave Full Stoned MP: 4180

Great Others Full Stoned MP: 4560

Assuming wisdom +20% and 2 cast of +4, 200 + 1200 + 1200 = 2600MP used, great versions deal around 2000 damage. I got a Brave but I will be sticking with Self-destruct as I prefer it over the wisdom debuff. For all types, she has enough to cast a third +4 if she survives. Mighty version's self-destruct deals close to 3000 while Almighty ones should be able to kill even tankers.

Upcoming cards

Nuada (Great version)

At this point of reading, if you still think self-destruct is very good and better than maybe, Last Stand, Square Enix shows you why it's not. The Mighty and Almighty versions all get Last Stand. Nuada's Last Stand with normal attack after killing 2 guardians, does more damage than Self-destruct in the same scenario.

Like Gigantua, you can except a higher MP with other stats unchanged from the normal version.

Pandora

She is a new Desert 5* with Self-destruct. I think her stats are very similar to Pandora with a +4. We'll take a look again when she arrives in International GC.

Note: Agni gets self-destruct after reborn and all the above MP calculation will probably have to be redone. Self-destruct might become better after reborn due to the higher possible MP stats. Spector also gets self-destruct and reborn 4* are roughly equivalent to 5* level of power so she's worth a look.

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To Self-Destruct Or Not to Self-Destruct Part 2

Another perspective:

Here's another way to look at things. Assume that Mict does it's job and kills off 2 guardians with +4 and just greater cunning, how much MP is left? (maxed stoned MP)

All types other than Ace/Sexy: 3726 - 200 - 1200 - 1200 = 1126

Ace/Sexy: 4036 - 200 - 1200 - 1200 = 1436

Both sets of types do not deal much self-destruct damage, at least not enough to outright kill. You will have to pair it with a good Quick Strike Guardian.

Crocell

Crocell is just out at this time of writing and her stats are out in the Guardian Cross Stat Info site. She also has self-destruct and wisdom buff and debuff. If you want to keep the Self-destruct, you'll most probably choose the wisdom buff over debuff. Her offensive skill is Death+3 which will make her very luck-based and an excellent defender for your deck in coliseum but also every attacking player's nightmare.

All types other than Ace/Sexy: 4320 - 200 - 600 - 600 = 2920

Ace/Sexy: 4680 - 200 - 600 - 600 = 3280

The self-destruct is definitely more potent but that is because of the +3 skill and only Death will work for a +3 skill level of attack. I'm also assuming she gets 2 kills before exploding but Death is totally probability based. If we give her a +4 skill over +3:

All types other than Ace/Sexy: 4320 - 200 - 1200 - 1200 = 1720

Ace/Sexy: 4680 - 200 - 1200 - 1200 = 2080

She has better potential of killing rate with the +4 but the self-destruct is more powerful but still cannot one-shot kill. You can switch around and try wisdom debuff instead of buff but they will only add 50MP to the blast.

Color-borded Cards

Juggernaut

I'm not going to write much about it except that it was built to self-destruct.

Gigantua (Great version)

The usual case with the great versions of an existing 5* is a more or less same card with slight variation but I think Gigantua makes an interesting case with Self-destruct. The reason is that it does not have any buffs and it's attack is high enough that physical+3 can sometimes kill.

Best Case Scenario:

All types other than Sexy: 3060 - 600 - 600 = 1860

Sexy: 3315 - 600 - 600 = 2115

Equivalent to Crocell's (skilled with +4) level of self-destruct damage. It can be considered quite good. Generally, lower HP guardians may be found in the front of the deck.

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Guardian Cross: Reborn 5*/4* New Abilities

Update 25/02/2013: Rebirth is here! Updated all 5* with comments.

Copied from GuardianCross-Forum.com. Rebirth system is coming this month here and I want to add some of my comments to the new abilities. I bold the new skill additions that I think will make a difference. I might come back to comment on the rest.

5*

Apsara: AGI/WIS +10%

Personally, I prefer a self-buff to a debuff of the opponent. I'll replace Mind Blast wisdom debuff with this.

Azi Dahaka: DEF/WIS +10%

I think the slow agility debuff should get replaced with this.

Frankenstein: DEF +25%
Attack>Defence in this game but since Frankie's skill-set has no buffs, this skill is definitely a keeper.

Gargantua: ATK +25%

One of its best stat just got better. Similar to Frankie, it has no buffs in its skill-set so why not.

Leviathan: Revive

Revive on any 5* is worth looking out for.

Phoenix: ATK/WIS +10%
The attack boost does help after it revives with no MP remaining. However, it is possible that Elemental Casters require 2 +4 elemental skills so you got to calculate the max wisdom stats to see how viable is this buff.

Titan: ATK +25%

I'm looking at double attack buff to create an Atlas/Anubis clone.

Valkyrie: WIS +25%

One of its best stat just got better.

Vampire Matron: AGI/WIS +10%

Similar to Phoenix.

Agni: Self-Destruct

Requires further investigation on how much MP is left after casting +4 twice.

Bahamut: ATK/WIS +10%

There are people skilling it with triple buffs; all the buffs available to it. Its attack does get very high. I think Bahamut is effectively a physical attacker if it isn't already is. Double attack buffs unless your Bahamut is Intelligent/Wise.

Chariot: Quick Strike

I think a no attack skill skill-set might be viable with Ace(?) versions but requires testing. On paper, a normal attack should kill whatever's left from Quick Strike. The agility boost might result in double strikes after the first attack. Not sure how this will fare in high level coliseum though.

Dominion: ATK/WIS +10%

Similar to Bahamut but he/she has lower HP.

Ettin: AGI/WIS +10%

Again, I prefer self-buff over debuffing opponent. If you've kept the Mind Blast wisdom debuff, here's your chance to change. I'll consider this new skill an upgrade over single Wisdom 10% buff but do check your MP available.

Gilgamesh: AGI +25%

I  personally prefer Last Stand to this.

Ifrit: ATK +25%

One of its best stat just got better.

Juggernaut: Quick Strike

His agility is still too low but his attack is Bahamut/Dominion level. The Quick Strike will pack quite a punch!

Lightning Lord: WIS -20%

This better guarantees the first kill.

Mephistopheles: AGI/WIS +10%

It is a elemental attacker so you decide between 2 +4 skills or double wisdom buff. It's wisdom gets very high after the buffs.

Sucellus: ATK/WIS +10%

He has no other buffs so why not.

Atlas: Last Stand

Sky-high Attack + Last Stand = win

Fujin: Revive

I'm sure there is an unwritten rule somewhere by Square Enix when creating Cards with Revive that they should not be too powerful for balance purposes. This reborn card now breaks the rule.

Morrighan: Last Stand

Sky-high Attack + Last Stand = win. Personally, I will choose this over Quick Strike.

Hoarfrost Phoenix: AGI/WIS +10%

Don't bother going down the no attack skill route because it doesn't get an attack buff. Quick Strike and Revive are both good and you'll need a +3/+4 elemental skill so...

Crocell: AGI/WIS +10%
She gets a chance to become like Mict with double Wisdom buff. Read my posts on Self-destruct for my analysis on that.

Raijin: Revive

See Fujin.

Shiva: AGI/WIS +10%

Most likely you'll remove the greater protect defence buff for this.

Stymphalian Bird: Quick Strike

See Chariot. Chariot is better with the attack buff over Bird's Defence buff which only ensures the first kill.

Thor: ATK/DEF +10%

Original skill-set is still better like Nuada's.

Banshee Serenade: DEF/AGI +10%

Unfortunately, no new wisdom buff so she should stick with 2 +4 and the original wisdom buff. Original skill-set is better.

Behemoth: ATK/DEF +10%

No attack skills (all buffs and Last Stand) may not be viable because it is too slow? It does get sky high defence so may be worth a try if you do not have difficulty getting physical attack stones to re-skill later.

Mictlantecuhtli: DEF/AGI +10%

Similar to Serenade. Original skill-set is better.

Nuada: ATK/DEF +10%

Original skill-set is still better like Thor's.

Sphinx Empress: WIS +20%

This replaces Mind Blast if it is a elemental attacker type.

Lord of the Inferno: ATK/DEF +10%

This is interesting as JP Wiki actually recommends a physical attack stoning as its attack gets pretty high. I think that will be the best build for it.

Iron Maiden: ATK/AGI +10%

No attack skill build? It's speed is not as high as Chariot and Bird so I think it's not viable. The agility buff definitely needs to be replaced with this new skill though.

Banshee Requiem: Darkness +4

Not much use if you can get +4 stones easily but I think a +4 is better than the double 10% buffs.

Barbariccia: AGI +25%
Original skill-set is better.

Cagnazzo: WIS +25%
Last Stand and wisdom +25% are both essential IMO.

Rubincante: ATK +25%
One of the first few guardian which people tried triple buffs. You can always re-skill him again later and a +3 physical might be enough.

Scarmiglione: Revive
Revive on any 5* is worth looking out for.

Golbez: Last Stand
It is still just not as good as the color bordered counterpart IMO.

4*

Lightning

Hecatoncheir : ATK/WIS +10%

Ramiel: DEF/WIS +10%

Seiryuu: DEF/AGI +10%

Narasimha: AGI +20%

Death

Vamp : Revive

One of the best 4* just reached 5* level and gained Revive.

Specter : Self-destruct

Bune : AGI +20%

Not useful as Wisdom plays a huge role in Death Skills; if death caster's wisdom stat is lower than opponent, death does not get casted.

Dullahan: Quick Strike

Revenant: ATK +20%

It was a physical attacker anyway and that aspect got a good boost.

Mecha

Byakko: ATK/DEF +10%

Talos: Unknown

Dwarf Gear: Def-20%

Fire

Suzaku: WIS +20%

Cerebus: Unknown

Peri: DEF/WIS +10%

Fafnir: ATK/DEF +10%

Caim: WIS/AGI +10%

Brigid: DEF/WIS +10%

Aym: ATK/WIS +10%

Atar: WIS +20%

Water

Kraken: ATK/DEF +10%

Genbu: Water+3

Anahita: WIS +20%

Jotunn: ATK/WIS +10%

Skadi: AGI +20%

Forneus: Unknown

Earth

Golem: Last Stand

Same as Vampire, one of the best 4* got promoted to 5* level along with a good new skill.

Jormungandr: ATK/DEF +10%

Giant: ATK/AGI +10%

Bugbear: Revive

Wind

Qiong Ji: Wind+3

Need to look at its final stats to see if Wisdom stat got boosted to Attack stat level.

Pazuzu: ATK +25%

I think SE recognised that it was underpowered.

Garuda: Wind+3

Wyvern: Unknown

Rudra: WIS/AGI +10%

Poison

Medusa: Wis+25%

Much more useful over the other double 10% buffs.

Pablisag: Poison+4

A 4* gets a +4! E'nuff said.

Taowu: ATK +20%

Helps its Last Stand move.

Light

Angel: WIS +20%

Best stat got boosted

Virtue: WIS-20%

Power: ATK/WIS +10%

Barong: ATK +20%

Best stat gets the correct buff.

Horus: DEF/WIS +10%

Darkness

Fenrir: ATK/AGI +10%

Balou: WIS +20% 

One of the rare 4* with double Wisdom buffs.

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To Self-Destruct Or Not to Self-Destruct Part 1

*Updated 25/2/2013: Splitting up this post into parts as it was too long

Mictlantecuhtli(Mict) is an interesting Deadmoon Desert 5* with cool artwork and has one of the hardest skill decision-making out of all the other Guardians. (For those deciding whether to give Gilgamesh Last Stand or Slow, I go with Last Stand as the opponent should probably be dead in the first turn) Mict learns Self-Destruct, double Wisdom Buffs and Poison+3 and +4 skills. Poison+4 and Wisdom+20% are definitely compulsory which leaves Self-Destruct and Wisdom+10%.

Self-Destruct deals damage according to the number of MP left. If Mict cast +4 twice, there will not be much damage left of Self-Destruct if it triggers but if that happens, the guardian has already done its job. Self-destruct can also combo with Quick Strike but Last Stand potentially deals more damage as the users normally have high attack.

Double Wisdom kills more guardians and is a better guarantee for 2 kills while Self-destruct is probability-based but useful if Mict dies "prematurely". I think both builds have its merit but the type of Mict you get might play a part in the decision. I think the key is how many +4 Mict can cast. This is how I will decide:

Powerful: Agility takes a hit which makes Mict slower and fragile and Self-destruct may likely trigger when Mict has not cast +4 twice and therefore has more MP. Self-destruct

Chaotic: Tankier version and Intelligent/killing power slightly decreased. I will go double Wisdom Buff as Mict can probably survive a hit and cast +4 twice. Double Wisdom Buff

Intelligent: This can go both ways but as Mict can tank and deal Elemental damage well, double wisdom might better ensure 2 kills. This depends on Mict coming up with an Elemental damage dealer which are usually found in the middle of the deck. Another way to look at it is that Intelligent gets the 10% wisdom by default of its type so you can go with Self-Destruct instead. Either

Fast: Mict is not very fast to begin with so I think this is another tough choice and can go both ways. My logic is that even with fast Mict might go first but will only survive to use +4 once. Self-destruct will deal substantial damage on the 2nd guardian for a quick strike followup kill. Self-destruct

Sexy: Self-Destruct definitely. The high MP helps make the move more potent. Self-destruct

Brave: Double Wisdom buff. MP takes a hit and so does the damage self-destruct deals. Double Wisdom Buff

Ace: Best of "all worlds". I'll go with Self-destruct as the MP is high like Sexy. Ace already gets the 10% Wisdom buff by default of its type. Self-destruct


Mict is not the best 5* from Deadmoon but Self-destruct does add an uncertainty opponents facing your deck. Like Revive/Last Stand/Death skills, it makes a good defence for when you are not playing as countless people will challenge your deck and cannot prepare well against those skills. For those trading away their Mict, you can leave the double buffs and self-destruct for the other party to decide. On a side note, Mict can cast +4 thrice but I doubt it can survive that long.

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Future Scope: Deadmoon Desert New Guardians

The JP Wiki page is taking a while to input the information but MetalStitch of Guardiancross-forum.com has covered all the new 5* here. (I'm getting real lazy) Not much info on the 4*, I think they are both earth types. The art of all of them look pretty good, even the 2* and 3*.

Here are my comments on the new 5*:

Pandora, Light-type

She(?) is versatile for most type as she can learn all 3 different debuffs. Weakness (Attack debuff) seems the most unhelpful but I think it has a use against those high attack Last Stand Guardians. Those guardians come back to do a normal attack and weakness might ensure survival.

She also has self-destruct and looks like she will have another tough to decide skill moveset like Mict. (Read "To Self-destruct or not to self-destruct")

Anubis, Death-type

MetalStitch is comparing him to Frankenstein, which is true, but I also think he is the Death version of Atlas. He learns double attack buff. (20% and 25% mind you, no 10%) JP Wiki is recommending that along with a physical+3 skill. His artwork rocks!

Kali, Darkness-type

Fully agree with MetalStitch on this one, she is the darkness version of Shiva. She is versatile enough with proper natural skills (no +4 stones required) to be a physical or elemental attacker.

Marchosias, Mecha-type

It has cool-looking art but I think his skills are a little boring. I think there is an unwritten rule that all Mecha-types will have Quick Strike. (Pre-Desert 5* guardians all get them after reborn, except Gigantua) Mecha-types are also either high attack and agility or high attack and defence.

Update: I just checked the GC Quicksand, this metal dragon now has the highest attack, higher than Nuada... and it has Quick Strike! The other big surprise from the Quicksand Site is that one of the earth 4* has very high defence. Anubis also has higher HP than Rubicante.

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