It’s really nice to return from vacation and see that something has been changed again.

Most of you should have noticed that Dailies are a little bit different. As I understand you need to use Quick Challenge, otherwise you can not be challenged at all. That should really improve all refusing and timing out challenges thing. This needed to be done long time ago.

But - it seems something has been completely messed up with automatically choosing opponents.:

12:54 ..you have crushed _CroW_, Le Furie Di Urban (12-0) – your wins: 20 points and 9 Clintz
12:52 ..you have lost against _CroW_, Le Furie Di Urban (1-6) – your wins: 9 points and 2 Clintz
12:47 ..you have lost against TJM-TJM (3-7) – your wins: 5 points and 2 Clintz
12:42 ..you have crushed Synx_AR, August’s-Recken (10-0) – your wins: 24 points and 7 Clintz
12:40 ..you have lost against Synx_AR, August’s-Recken (2-8) – your wins: 8 points and 2 Clintz
12:32 ..you have drew with TJM-TJM (2-2) – your wins: 8 points and 3 Clintz
12:10 ..you have beat TJM-TJM (8-0) – your wins: 21 points and 7 Clintz

And that is one Daily. Never before Opponents repeated so often.

There was the Guild. Famous and strong Guild for middle class Players. Called The Academy.

Guilds Description sounded:

A path which leads from learning to teaching. From teaching to mastering. From mastering to helping others out. The Academy is a place to learn, to excel, to gain friends, and most important, to prove your worth.

What are these learnings that Guild gives to it’s Players? Could it be - how to cheat and be a team player (to let higher Level Guild mates to get better places)?

Maybe it is pure coincidence, but third time in last week something odd hapened to me during Daily. You all know that after changes in Daily system you can challenge opponent even in last Tournament minute and still get Points after Battle. So, today was the third time, when my last minute challenge was refused. By the member of Guild, mentioned above. Every time it was other member, but they all were low Level Players. Unfortunately only today I recorded the name of Player - Orange_JuiceXD.

I stayed in Room invisible to see, if he stays there as well and he did - all the time he was active.

So, the question remains - Coincidence or scrupulos plan?

Most of you already know - we’ve done it. Done what? Daily system has been changed to prevent cheating. OK, it will not eliminate all cheating possibilities, but it will bring at least some Fair Play in the game.

Those of you who don’t understand, what is all this about - read the Article some posts below.

New changes in Dailies you can explore in Urban Rivals Forum.

Unfortunately the Cheater Vagueras is still playing and staff is not paying any attention to it; whatever they say about investigations to be made, it’s complete bullshit; there is only one Rule - if you pay enough (i.e., invest in Credits), you will be innocent:

4^th Vagueras from guild The Bitter Nightmare with 427 battle points won 4 449 Clintz + 1 Credit.

Was it worth loosing Moderator position to make Developers rethink Daily system? That is one good question.

Thanks to all of you, who supported me, it’s your merit that something has been done.

We have became dangerous enough for this Blog being removed from Urban Rivals Fans Sites section, where it was almost best rated.

In addition to my and other Player Profile Bio (which contain links to this page) cleaning and removing all forum posts about Blog, I must pay engaged staff big compliments that they can find time in their busy schedule to fill KGB functions as well.

Worth reading. All of it (including Comments)

At the beginning I want to thank all my friends, all Urban Rivals Players, former Guild mates in Drunkers (keep up good going) and fellow Mods – it was nice to cooperate with you and you all are great.

I hope that working as Moderator I was helpful and satisfied all your needs from official side of Urban Rivals.

Now let’s stick to the case.

We have thousands of web games in Internet. Some of them are crap, some of them – just average, some are great and only one is – Urban Rivals. Each of you has his own reasons, why he or she enjoys this game – excitement, thirst for blood, skill to trade, possibility to socialize and many others. What it takes to make such a great game? We will not count the usual parameters – lot of work, nights without sleep, developing concept, design and other stuff. These are things needed in any IT project. But how about web games, played by millions of Players? At first you need to make it friendly, create nice atmosphere. And Players will come and enjoy it. But as usual – where is delight, also show up cheaters. Believe me, Urban Rivals is full of them. Do you really think that all those great ELO and Daily results are always legal? Working as Mod I’ve found out many kinds of things and cheating methods you can’t even imagine. Maybe my problem is too much of fairness – I always want everything to happen by the Rules (by the way – have you all read Terms and Conditions? It’s one of the most important papers in all UR and actually should be above all other Rules). Are those cheating instances put down by Urban Rivals Administration? Sometimes. And sometimes not…

Moderators actually haven’t got much power – yes, they can Blacklist Player, see Battle Histories, but the real actions are taken by Admins. And they have been very busy lately. Too busy that they can afford to ignore “small and unimportant” cheating problems.

What is the biggest problem of Urban Rivals? It’s not the funny and nice game you fell in love months, maybe someone years ago. It is business. Industry which works in the way to get as much money as possible. And what is the main Rule in business? I think most of you know it – “Customer is always right”. Urban Rivals Admins mostly are too soft to do what they need to do. Let’s take for example the most popular MMORPG ever – World of Warcraft, where people pay for licences every month, spending much more money than Players in Urban Rivals. I happened to know, how the System works there – any kind of violation – and wualla – Account is blocked. At the same moment. No questions to customer, no forgiveness. I don’t say that Urban Rivals needed to act that style, but discipline is desperately needed. Support is so much afraid of Players (Customers), because they bring money to the game, that they can’t do much. Did I say can’t? They don’t want to would be the right words.

I’ll tell you one story from life of the former Mod, who caught a cheater. Or should I say The Cheater.

Many of you have informed me your suspicions about cheating in Dailies, so watching for cheaters in Dailies was my Daily work (nice game of words, isn’t it?). It’s hard to catch anyone, because cheaters are smart. Especially those ones, who get places in TOP 5. But there still are cases, when it is obvious.

Player Vagueras ( here used to be link to his Profile; removed by demand of Urban Rivals staff ) has nice 5 Stars in his Profile. Does he deserve them? I’d say – no. Doing some checking in Vagueras Battle History (yes, I had such privileges some time ago) following lines can be found:

Of course, all Battles are against Guild mates. I’m sure these are not the only times, when he started the Daily with some nice boost in form of 37+ Points. But isn’t anyone doing so? I’m sorry that you have no possibility to see it. What would you do in position of Mod, seeing that such Player takes place in TOP 10 in Daily and earns 3700+ Clintz? That’s a good question, isn’t it? Luckily Moderators have the great option in Daily – “Reset score to zero”!

Yes, it’s standing right there, just simple link (but don’t be afraid, I don’t think this button is used many times, actually it was old and rusty). Do you think it helps? Maybe, but not for Vagueras. Some hours after 0 Points in Daily it starts all over again. Let’s start new Daily with almost 40 Points. What can Mod do then? Actually nothing… Maybe except putting him in Blacklist (what was done), although Pro Cheaters anyway use instant messaging soft like MSN or Skype.

By the way, I also want to use my sources of information and paste here also ELO History of this mysterious Vagueras:

Just check the number of forfeits and check the Levels of Players. 70+? I have no idea, why they could be so scared. Maybe seeing Kolos, hard to say.

What happens afterward? Does stuff do anything about the cheater? Maybe they will. Maybe don’t.

But the Mod can receive just following lines - no evidence, no guilt.

If someone wants to compensate the harm done to Vagueras, you’re welcome.

P.s. I’ve studied through everything in all possible Rules in Urban Rivals. And didn’t find anything about the prohibitions to post Players opinions other place in web. So, here is mine and don’t be afraid to post yours. Because if something happens, you can always write to Support. And they have to dance to your tune. Especially, if you have purchased Credits.

P.p.s. While I still can do that – will make new section in Blog – the Cheaters – links and Nicknames of Accounts who use same password (that means – there is the same person) for different purposes. Admins are “too busy” some time already to close them (it surely should take much time; OK, I’ll not be ironical), so it’s just for you – to know some of thousands of cheaters present in Urban Rivals

Those of you, who wonder, where I had disappeared last days, don’t worry - I’m back.

Just some days of much needed rest.

I see chat doesn’t seem to work. I’ll try to get it fixed soon. What else is new, while I was gone? Except Skeelz, of course. I left just after release.

Welcome to the blog about Urban Rivals.

Those of you, who didn’t recognize me - I hide by the name of illinium in Clint City.

Blog is made to share my thoughts and opinions about Urban Rivals world. In the long run you will be able to find Card descriptions, analysis, articles about Clint City Events, Players and Mods and just short and simple quotes.

You are welcome to register in this blog, comment and discuss.

The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent anyone else’s view in any way, including those of Urban Rivals staff.

I usually don’t blame Random, because he sometimes helps me even to win Dailies.

But this one was something I haven’t seen in my 20 thousand Battles long Urban Rivals History. I lost 3 times to Gheistling, 4 times to Mort Bax, 2 times to Leo. OK, I won’t name the others because you will start to laugh about me.

99 Points in almost half-hour… 2 wins, if we don’t count the one with forfeit.

Player Levels - 31, 11, 30, 29, 37, 20, 19 13, 10, 11. And all of these Battles but one I had huge dominance in Attack almost every Round (playing Ulu Watu, you know).

Just see this great Battle History.

11:01 ..you have lost against thedoctorvale (0-6) – your wins: 5 points and 2 Clintz
10:58 ..you have beat Yuuki66 (6-1) – your wins: 23 points and 5 Clintz
10:54 ..you have almost won against CrixMaster, URVAN-RIVALS (3-5) – your wins: 9 points and 2 Clintz
10:51 ..you have almost won against LoCkY HK (5-8) – your wins: 11 points and 2 Clintz
10:49 ..you have won by forfeit against Kratos 14, Occhietti (12-12) – your wins: 14 points and 5 Clintz
10:48 ..you have narrowly escaped from danko515, JAKE MATE PASTOR (7-4) – your wins: 19 points and 5 Clintz
10:46 ..you have lost against sylvain2 (0-8) – your wins: 5 points and 2 Clintz
10:43 ..you have lost against el gerar (0-9) – your wins: 6 points and 2 Clintz
10:41 ..you have lost against REY MISTEIRIO (0-5) – your wins: 5 points and 2 Clintz
10:38 ..you have were annihilated by Fufur (0-10) – your wins: 7 points and 2 Clintz

Skeelz

I think we can get ready for New Clan.

Read new Comic here.

About the subject - believe me or not, but I predicted it will be something connected with school, children and youngsters.

The main question everyone is asking - what will be the Bonus? Please, participate in Poll at the Blog and also predict possible Bonus in Comments.

I think it will be +2 Pillz or -2 Opp. Pillz, min 3 or something else about Pillz. Why? Because playingand manipulating with Pillz needs lots of confidence, experience and… Yes, skills. And doesn’t it sound like Skeelz?

Every second Friday all Clint City is crazy about incoming New Blood.

Two Clans always get reinforcements to use them in battlefield. Some of new Characters are great, some are made for beginners, others become good fillers in many Decks. But all of them bring a lot of excitement to Urban Rivals players.

Many of you have already tried them in Decks, but this section is Preview only, written on the very first possible moment, when Cards come out.

First thing I’d like to mention is the change of newcommers arriving policy. If before we had 2 Characters for 2 Clans than this time 4 Clans had reinforcements. I for one think it is the great solution and should work better in the future. Previously either one Clan became too powerful at one day and started to dominate immediately or - people were disappointed about New Blood and Clan had to wait couple months for new possibilities. Now all Clan supporters should be satisfied, because their favorites will have new Card more often.

And now let’s go to the Cards.

Lin Bee (Ulu Watu)

Design - Let’s start with the fact that frisbee is one of my favourite sports so I can’t not like Lin Bee’s design. Besides, the girl is pretty, sporty and active. She could fit well also in All Stars. The aggression rises with the levels but in the 3rd level more attention could have been paid to the character itself instead of the frisbee. Taking into account that Lin Bee gradually loses her clothes, we can only guess how much is left in the last level. Evaluation - 8 of 10.
Ability - Courage: Stop Opp Ability. Ulu Watu already have one not that bad SOA - Ice Jim. In addition another, courage-based solution is being offered. Honestly, I don’t think Ulu Watu needed additional SOA option among the 3-stars. Evaluation - 6 of 10.
Usability - Nanook will always remain the first and essential option of Ulu Watu three-stars at all, followed by Gaia, Kirk, Ice Jim (used more rarely) and now also Lin Bee. I reckon, because of her power the newcomer will become far more popular than Ice Jim. Even though the SOA is courage-based, the virtual power of 9 is not something people will be eager to fight against. I can tell out of experience that to win Ice Jim can also cause headache, and it will be much harder with Lin Bee. Important that Lin Bee is a Common (I don’t quite approve adding strong 3 Star Commons to the game, like Sargh), so the price will definitely be affordable almost for everyone, so the Ulu Watu clan will be become more attractive also for beginners. Evaluation - 7 of 10.
Overall value - 7 of 10.

Vinny (Rescue)

Design - shaky and nervous fellow who likes having everything within reach. What is everything? In this case - tranquillizers and antidepressants that improve Vinny’s mood and give strength for street fights. Design’s connection to Bio is praiseworthy but all in all Vinny is just another monotone character in the uninspiring Rescue company. The same blue colour and the unimpressive torso. Don’t mistake him for Anita during the battle. It can get painful, especially if using SOA against him. Evaluation - 5 of 10.
Ability - Stop: Power+3. Another anti-SOA joining Clint City. And just like all of them - usable, but not outstanding. Potential 8 Power in combination with a bonus of +12 Attack is exceptional for a two-star card and the greatest problem of Rescue was for a long time (till Glosh appeared) SOA opponents. Everything changes now, so the evaluation - 8 of 10.
Usability - Already reviewing the Rescue clan just before the New Blood arrival (Article), I mentioned the 2-stars as the weak point of the clan. Does Vinny change this? Actually no. Steve and Lea are basically essential in the high-price end, Frida and Denise are faithfully serving to beginners. Larry was till now situated somewhere in the middle where also Vinny will position himself. Both cards have an acceptable damage of 3 and not a bad ability. The difference is that on of them wins against SOA, the other one loses. Considering that Vinny has a higher base-power (5), I would choose him, but undoubtedly many Rescue fans will remain with Larry as a 2-star option. Evaluation - 7 of 10.
Overall value - 7 of 10.

Shogunn (Bangers)

Design - Hip hop remains hip hop also in China. Shogunn perfectly combines Bangers‘ ideology and Asian looks and is sincerely ready to become the first Hip Hop Samurai. The aggression rises through levels and the 4th level solution with microphones instead of swords is outstanding. Nice to see the inevitable B letter of the Bangers so that the Fang Pi Clang users wouldn’t get confused - unfortunately this is not your guy. Evaluation - 8 of 10.
Ability - Damage +3. The Ability makes Shogunn’s damage equal to Bodenpower’s, thus making it one of the biggest in the clan (potentially only Lennox and, of course, Sum Sam Cr are more threatening). Yet the damage is ability-based and against SOA it will be a 4-star card with just 3 Damage. Evaluation - 7 of 10.
Usability - In a clan that has such big star cards as Shann, Bodenpower, Blaaster and Vermyn N, there is no place for other. Only if those others are even better. Will Shogunn get approved of Bangers users? I think it will be the same like with Amanie and Ratanah - most players will choose stable and known values. Blaaster and Vermyn N are still the best 4-stars of Bangers, but Shogunn will completely outrival the not that ancient citizen of Clint City Sleam, although most likely will have a higher value on the Market because he’s Rare. Same as his sister in Fang Pi Clang (Linda) Shogunn will hardly see much playing time. Except maybe Survivor. Evaluation - 7 of 10.
Overall value - 7 of 10.

Nakata (Fang Pi Clang)

Design - If you get your hand cut off, be glad it’s the left one. Because just like Nakata you can still terrify your opponents with one the sharpest blades in Clint City. Second level of Nakata is interesting but the first and third are quite unexpressive and boring. The only thing to give credits for in Design is the idea of the cut-off hand and the close connection to char’s Bio. Evaluation - 6 of 10.
Ability - Stop: Power+2. Fang Pi Clang playing cards have always been weaker than their La Junta counterparts. Compare Kati with Bryan, Rei with Trish. Finally it’s over. Fang Pi Clang gets its own Bruce but with an additional power of 2 in case when meeting SOA. A virtual 10 Power for a 3-star card? As if it wouldn’t be enough with the destructive Chan. Impressive, threatening, cool. Evaluation - 8 of 10.
Usability - Up to now the weakest point of Fang Pi Clang’s 3-star cards was their low power (Windy Mor, Xia Leming; in today’s ELO also Yu Mei and Yusuke, because power 7 without a strengthening bonus may not be enough) or the dependency on ability (Rei, Elya Cr). Nakata solves these problems. Stable and impressive base power that can become a knockout against SOA. Both Chan and Nakata are amazing acquisitions for the one of the most seldom used clans of Clint City. So is Fang Pi Clang back? If you own Marlysa Cr, Kerozinn Cr or even both in your Collection to supplement the newcomers, you can become unstoppable. Evaluation - 10 of 10.
Overall value - 9 of 10.