The Observer
Green Slime
What it says on the tin. The decrease can be additive (eg. -1000) or multiplicative (e.g. final score *0.9) depending on how strong it is. If the perk isn't strong enough (maybe X start) then it may not incur any penalty. Conversely, maybe not taking any perks at all could net a score booster.
The reason for this is that a) people can intentionally choose to handicap themselves for a higher score and hence greater skill can be rewarded, and b) it provides another balancing point such that more powerful perks can be ground for. Hence, someone who takes 3 perks into the game will have a lower score than someone who takes none and reaches the same area.
Consider these suggested perks:
Starter Deck: Start with 3 random cards.
Booster Deck: Start with 5 random cards.
Merciful: Invincibility time after being hit is increased.
Energetic: Base EP regeneration is increased.
Speedy: Base movement speed is increased.
Surefooted: Slow and slip effects don't affect the player.
Some of them probably are stronger than the current list of perks, but could be more easily balanced with score modifiers. Right now the only way of balancing the perks is by their costs, and that just involves grinding. Those lesser skilled can still see and practice content with more powerful perks on them, while the more skilled can have their efforts recognised by way of higher score.
The reason for this is that a) people can intentionally choose to handicap themselves for a higher score and hence greater skill can be rewarded, and b) it provides another balancing point such that more powerful perks can be ground for. Hence, someone who takes 3 perks into the game will have a lower score than someone who takes none and reaches the same area.
Consider these suggested perks:
Starter Deck: Start with 3 random cards.
Booster Deck: Start with 5 random cards.
Merciful: Invincibility time after being hit is increased.
Energetic: Base EP regeneration is increased.
Speedy: Base movement speed is increased.
Surefooted: Slow and slip effects don't affect the player.
Some of them probably are stronger than the current list of perks, but could be more easily balanced with score modifiers. Right now the only way of balancing the perks is by their costs, and that just involves grinding. Those lesser skilled can still see and practice content with more powerful perks on them, while the more skilled can have their efforts recognised by way of higher score.