Greetings Commanders: it’s been a while since our last update, but therefore we have two datasets to present ranging from September to October, as well as a new statistic we are testing out (diversity).
Since our last analysis we have had a significant meta shift with Catship getting completely dumpstered and of course the massive Tiberium reduction.
If the dev team’s goal was to remove those units from the game without deleting them, they have certainly succeeded. There certainly seems to be a tendency to go overboard with nerfs (e.g. Liang), so here is to hoping that the new team/CM will take note.
Anyway, let's get right into it!
GDI
To start with Infantry, we can see that missiles have really taken off, up 16%.
This comes as no surprise as missiles are a powerful comeback mechanic, and especially since t2 missiles like Zones and other Tech units are less prevalent.
NOD has always relied on the trusty laser trooper, which remains fairly consistent at 80%.
The JumpJet nerf has been effective in reducing it’s play, together with rampant Chuggy use, however it still remains as an extremely strong unit simply because it cannot be blocked.
The War Factory is still pumping out Pitbulls as much as ever, no surprises there. It is one of GDI’s best units after all. And it’s pendant, the Attack Bikes, also remain high.
Meanwhile the overpowered nuisance that is Chem Buggy remains in many decks and it is one of NOD’s best units right now.
Stealth Tank still sees a fair share of play even after it’s significant nerf, which goes to show how good it was and is, being an indispensable anti-air unit especially if you don’t run Phantom.
The Tank uptick from June is still mostly here, with MLRS seeing a some action too.
And last but also least, annoying Giga is still around, but luckily on a downward trend.
Likely because everyone expects it in upper Tib these days, and they are usually running counters like Shade or Inferno. Still, it peaked at 24% in Sept and now remains high at 16%.
NOD
The Air is thick with drones! Drones are an effective tool to break the Chuggy-Laser combo, as well as being cheap and spammable. Perhaps some Talon users switched since the speed nerf.
Good old Mohawk has tripled since June, but still not very popular despite the triumphant music they play.
Needless to say, the Banshee has not had the intended effect on the meta, as it sees even less play since it’s rework!
However, with the air cleared of Catship, Bikes are once again capable fighting flying units, there is little reason to tech switch to a Banshee.
Speaking of which, the Catship is down to 0%, now replaced by the much more functional Venom, which is at it’s highest since Jan of 2020.
Phantom is still strong as ever, and remains a finishing touch to Giga and Mutant decks.
Tech is pretty non-existent among both factions. Tech needs to be made cheaper and weaker so that more units see play, and perhaps even a reversal of the Tiberium changes to accomodate it. That will take some balancing of it's own, however, as some tech units are much stronger than others (e.g. Flame Tank, or should I say Speedy-Gon-Flames)
On the Commander front we still see strong Strongarm play. The nerf was significant, 10 tib in the early game can make or break that first missile, but it’s continued usage goes to show how much that little turret can make up for.
With Liang out of the picture (may he rest in peace), Jackson obviously boosted in to replace him.
McNeil remains a moot commander, that also needs of a buff or cost reduction.
Solomon is still around, but less common as the Tiberium nerf hits expensive commander powers especially hard. Kane and Seth are down, with Jade and Oxanna mirroring the difference.
NOD Diversity
We have a new statistic this time: diversity for NOD!
• 100% = perfect diversity (i.e. each unit is played equally much, whilst taking the average identical -- i.e. if every player plays exactly 1.4 air units, perfect diversity is each of the 7 air units being played with 20% frequency)
• 0% = worst diversity (e.g. if 2 infantry are played on average, this would be reached if it's always exactly laser + militant)
• This shows e.g. that we currently have a relatively low building diversity, the worst since Sep 2019. On the other hand, within the buildings, the diversity is reasonably high:
• Diversity was always relatively low, but has increased since Winter 2020/21
• Vehicle diversity is at an all-time best in Sep and remains high!
• Air diversity was always pretty good but was best in Summer 2020
• Overall blended diversity hasn’t changed much since Summer 2019
• Overall diversity ignores tech, i.e. assumes that tech diversity isn't a good thing :)
Notable players and decks
- Srpss’ unique decks with NOD (Militant, Laser, Bikes, Chuggy, Stank, inferno, Oxanna) & GDI (Riflemen, Missiles, Rhino, Pitbull, Drones, Orca, Solomon) took the rank 1 spot for a season or two. While he has high win rates and ranks with them, much of his success is owed to his effective dance abuse, much like the late Agent Shadow. He is the only one playing Rhino, but still doesn't mean the unit is very good (hint hint, EA)
- JustinMKohler, a newcomer to the Top 50. He plays: (Laser, Flame, Wheel, Bikes, Stank, Shade, Seth), a deck that somewhat resembles old Agent Shadow Fanatic Stank. He had the highest win rate in the top 50 in October and maintains a very high rank while playing a low number of games.
- Paflagon 2 is very high ranked in all data involved in this article. His Nod deck is worth mentioning: Militant, Laser, Bikes, Stank, Shade, Venom, Seth. It’s a deck that has seen some play in the past, but most people dropped it due to its weakness to GDI. Has Paflagon2 found something new that makes it playable despite Stealth tank and Shade nerfs?
- THXforMMR stood alone in playing fanatics. His deck is: Fanatics, Cyberwheels, Bikes, Scorpion tank, Stealth tank, Shade/
- 54188’s fortress-y is the only one that uses Liang (next to Predator, Dogs, Shocks, Talon, Borca and Slingshot)
Written by: Entsorger
Data gathering: Bart
Data preparation: shuukit
Special thanks: kennyemmy
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