Random Number Generation, or RNG, is a highly debated topic in almost every competitive video game genre.
Understanding exactly where randomness factors into the equation allows top players to mitigate its negative effects.
The Luck of the Draw
The most prominent RNG element in card-based battlers is the initial four cards you are dealt at the start.
Once the initial hand is played, the rotation becomes fixed, and pure skill and memory take over.
- Learn to adapt to bad RNG.
- Know what they are holding.
- Some RNG is healthy for the game.
Troop Movement Quirks
Another subtle layer of RNG comes from the slight inconsistencies in how the game’s AI handles pathfinding.
Relying on a unit’s aggro range down to the exact pixel is risky because tiny bumps can alter their trajectory.
| Genre Type | Level of Luck |
|---|---|
| Auto-Battlers | Skill comes from long-term statistical management |
| Standard Tower Rush | Very Low – Only the starting hand is randomized |
The Mental Game
The most important skill regarding RNG is learning how to control your emotions when luck inevitably turns against you.
Over the course of a thousand games, the luck factor completely evens out for everyone.