Balance Problem Matchups (Prioritized)
Generated: July 05, 2026. Run python3 scripts/analyze_difficulty.py --sector all --problems to refresh.
Ranked by severity score. Pacing bugs and Family-tier starter violations rank highest.
Built-deck investigate = progression doesn't close the gap (median build variant). Harsh gear checks = 0% win in ≤10 turns with a tier-entry build (may be intentional for burst elites/bosses). Fragile = tier clear depends on drawing a specific totem — the floor (no-totem) build variant loses badly while median/ceiling are healthy.
| Rank | Sev | Sector | Lens | Enemy | Tier | Player | Win% | Turns | Verdict | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 | energy | built_tier_entry_MegaCorp | Fuel Extractor (FUEL-3) | MegaCorp | The Nuclear Engineer | 90% | 5.7 | fragile | Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. Neural Network Weight) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG |
| 2 | 44 | energy | built_tier_entry_MegaCorp | The Grid Nexus (NEXUS-∞) (boss) | MegaCorp | The Nuclear Engineer | 72% | 6.8 | fragile | Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. Neural Network Weight) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG |
| 3 | 44 | healthcare | built_tier_entry_MegaCorp | The Core Mind (CORE-∞) (boss) | MegaCorp | The Nurse | 70% | 11.1 | fragile | Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. Cursed Doll) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG |
| 4 | 43 | healthcare | built_tier_entry_MegaCorp | The Core Mind (CORE-∞) (boss) | MegaCorp | The Plague Doctor | 68% | 8.8 | fragile | Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. The Actuarial Table) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG |
| 5 | 40 | ai | built_tier_entry_MegaCorp | Protocol Handler (PROTO-CTRL) | MegaCorp | The Venture Capitalist | 62% | 9.8 | fragile | Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. The Actuarial Table) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG |
By category
Fragile matchups (totem-dependent) (5)
- Energy Fuel Extractor (FUEL-3) vs The Nuclear Engineer (built_tier_entry_MegaCorp, 90% win, 6t) — Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. Neural Network Weight) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG
- Energy The Grid Nexus (NEXUS-∞) vs The Nuclear Engineer (built_tier_entry_MegaCorp, 72% win, 7t) — Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. Neural Network Weight) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG
- Healthcare The Core Mind (CORE-∞) vs The Nurse (built_tier_entry_MegaCorp, 70% win, 11t) — Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. Cursed Doll) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG
- Healthcare The Core Mind (CORE-∞) vs The Plague Doctor (built_tier_entry_MegaCorp, 68% win, 9t) — Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. The Actuarial Table) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG
- Ai Protocol Handler (PROTO-CTRL) vs The Venture Capitalist (built_tier_entry_MegaCorp, 62% win, 10t) — Tier clear depends on drawing a totem (e.g. The Actuarial Table) — no-totem run loses badly; consider a damage/HP floor independent of totem RNG