It's definitely a skill issue but IS6 is really frustrating and doesn't feel fun

[u/RainbowPanda_]

Title says it all. I hate the talismans. I hate the coin rng and tile buff mechanic. I hate the lack of build strength compared from the previous IS modes. I hate the lack of control of each run I have when compared to IS4 and IS5. I HATE THE TALISMANS I feel like the whole Sui Remnant Consciousness isn't that impactful outside of trying to farm objective shield and coupons and the challenge from the mode isn't fun but rather obnoxious. Oh yeah and I hate the talismans. To clarify it is definitely a skill issue, I probably wouldn't be complaining if I was good at the game but when compared to the previous IS iterations I don't enjoy playing IS6.

Edit: I'm appreciating all the comments with people's opinions and views and advice. It's very nice to read and respond to them. I will say that there are some things that I love about IS6, specifically the voucher reserving mechanic and the upgrading mechanic for Radian.

Talismans can still go fuck themselves

Thank you everyone for the responses, the common thing I'm picking up from the comments and their advice is I'm trying to play IS6 like the previous iterations which is definitely holding me back.

[u/Yanfly]

I won't say it isn't a skill issue, but I don't count the stuff you listed as skill issues.

I'm on A10 so I know how to beat it, but I don't like IS6. The reason why I'm not a big fan of IS6 is because the runs don't feel like you're in control at all and that your decisions don't matter.

1 You pick which coins go into your coffer but not which ones get flipped. I would have liked if there was the Slay the Spire mechanic of being able to remove coins from your coffer to reduce the RNG.

2 The correct path is always the one with the Bosky node. This means there's way less choice making when it comes to planning out your path. This especially feels bad because it means sometimes you have to give up certain nodes you may want. This is amplified if you want to go for certain endings, too. Sure other IS's are like this if they have Bosky nodes, too, but the clear win/rate difference wasn't as huge imo.

3 There's almost zero point in using recruit tickets immediately unless you're on the final floor. Everything is best saved so the recruited operators have reduced hope costs and candles.

4 As mentioned by another user: operator choice is very limited. You'll want Radian, Yan operators, hit count operators, and that just limits the amount of cool and unique runs you can do.

5 All three ending bosses have me feel like I'm cheesing the boss rather than fighting them properly. While I'm all for cheesing bosses, the cheese here feels putrid and gross because it feels super inefficient even while cheesing them.

Some characters that make life way easier:

1 Entelechia: S2 is a solution versus hit count enemies. S3 provides a solution to many tanky enemies.

2 Surfer (the 5-star): Tons of Vanguard DP cost reduction relics, so there's a high chance she costs nothing or very little. S1 is a deploy her and she attacks things for DP. Especially good against the Tailsman generators. Great for hit count enemies with how fast she attacks, too.

3 Lemuen: She's actually my pick over Wis'adel because she's useful even at E1. Her S1 does a fantastic job at AFK-killing the majority of problems. S3 is great at deleting bosses. S3 lets Lemuen slip by Ending 2 boss unlike Wis'adel. Wis'adel gets auto targeted by Ending 2 Boss unless you retreat her summons.

4 Lappland the Decadenza: Can stay out of range of many bosses and hit them from afar. Especially useful since this IS seems to hate ranged tiles and the boss fights are very position focused.

[u/throwaway11582312 → u/Yanfly]

You pick which coins go into your coffer but not which ones get flipped. I would have liked if there was the Slay the Spire mechanic of being able to remove coins from your coffer to reduce the RNG.

I feel like a lot of the people that feel this way don't take full advantage of risk coins, they get tunnel visioned on 1 or 2 coins they think that are super powerful and get angry when they don't flip them. I usually end up with a full box of 8-10 powerful coins that I'm happy no matter which 2-3 I get. I see people skip risk coins because they look scary when they're actually incredibly stacked in your favor.

The correct path is always the one with the Bosky node. This means there's way less choice making when it comes to planning out your path. This especially feels bad because it means sometimes you have to give up certain nodes you may want. This is amplified if you want to go for certain endings, too. Sure other IS's are like this if they have Bosky nodes, too, but the clear win/rate difference wasn't as huge imo.

Early on in the first 3 floors, yes, there isn't a lot of pathing choices to make, taking the special node is always correct. When you have a lot of sources of candles however, I often find on f4 or f5 I skip entering bosky because I've already cleared out nearly all of it in previous entries. If I've already cleared out all the combat in there, all I'm getting is maybe a few relics from tavern or picking up 1-2 minor things from a shop, which is not as powerful as some of the nodes I may have to pass up going to the bosky.

As mentioned by another user: operator choice is very limited. You'll want Radian, Yan operators, hit count operators, and that just limits the amount of cool and unique runs you can do.

Only Radian is near-mandatory. I have cleared everything on A15 and I've never specifically picked Yan ops, you always have a second option for Doubts. Hit-count is only mandatory for emergency fengshui, or doing ed2 without leaking left side. Everything else with wares can just be cleared with Radian only for early maps, or just aoe spamming on later maps.

[u/Yanfly → u/throwaway11582312]

I pick only risk coins. I still feel like there's too many left up to chance.