Things you probably didn't know about SteemMonsters 🧐

After releasing my "Ultimate SteemMonsters Stratytorials" (Part 1/2/3) in the last days, I am now turning to things which even the most experienced players, who have been here since the beginning of the game, might not be aware of.

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There has always been some mystery about certain mechanisms in the game - even though the solution has been given at some point by @aggroed or @yabapmatt. I am now gonna try to list some of those mysterys and other things that you might not know about your favorite game on the STEEM-Blockchain!

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1. The attack modes don't have the same speed!
   Ever wondered why your opponents monsters always get to attack first, even though they have the same speed value as your monsters. Well, it might not just be bad luck. In fact, the three different attack modes, "Melee", "Ranged" and "Magic" don't have the same ground speed. When the value displayed is the same, "Magic" monsters will attack first, followed by "Ranged" and after that "Melee".
   
   
2. How is the chance of a "Miss" calculated?
   Nothing more annoying than a missed attack that robs you of your victory - But how is the chance of such a "Miss" even calculated? In fact, there is an exact formula for this one. For every point difference in speed values, the chance of a "Miss" rises by 10% in favor of the faster monster (Reversed in the ruleset "Reverse Speed"). Additionaly, the two abilities "Dodge" and "Fly" each add a 25% chance of for a "Miss". Now you know exactly why the sneaky little "Cocatrice" is escaping that often!
   
   
3. "Magic Sneak monsters keep "Sneak" even in "Target Practice"
   Normally, all "Magic" and "Ranged" attack monsters gain the ability "Snipe" in the ruleset "Target Practice". In theory, the "Magic" monsters with "Sneak", the green "Goblin Sorcerer" and the legendary dragon "Shin Lo", do get "Snipe" as well (they according symbol is even shown!). However, "Sneak" seems to be stronger, keeping those two monsters sneaking up from behind even in "Target Practice". Here is an example of what I mean: Example fight!
   
   
4. Melee monsters with "Reach" loose that abilitie in "Super Sneak"
   One would think that considering the fact just mentioned, "Melee" monsters with "Reach" would keep attacking the first monster instead of the last even in the ruleset "Super Sneaker" where they do get the ability "Sneak". Well, this is not the case though. Both the symbols for "Reach" and "Sneak" get displayed, however "Sneak" seems to be more important again, the monsters ignore their "Reach" ability. Here is an example of what I mean for this one too: Example fight!
   
   
5. The epic summoners enjoy a little bonus in the Gold League
   Ever wondered why your opponent had a higher level rare monster in the a "Gold League" tournament even though you have maxxed out cards? Well, maybe he went for the epic summoners. Those allow to summon level 7 rare monsters in that league, while the rare and legendary summoners only allow level 6 rare monsters. For the other rarities, there is no difference though.
   
   
6. The epic summoners are named after @aggroed's daughters
   
   
   I am not a 100% sure which of the epic 2-Mana-summoners are named after his daughters, but I am quite sure it was "Talia Firestorm" and "Kiara Lightbringer". Maybe @aggroed can bring some light into the dark here :)
7. The legendary summoners are named after investors
   If I remember correctly there was an option during the kickstarter program that gave you the right to help design one of the very powerful legendary summoners. Some well known Steemains and/or players took that chance:
   Peakmonsters designed "The Peakrider";
   
   
   
   
   
   @jarvie, one of the guys behind @fulltimegeek, a well kown witness helped with the incredible strong "Prince Rennyn"; @pladozero designed the "Plado Emberstorm" - surprise, surprise!; @bitcoinflood designed the mystic "Valnamor"; and @cryptomancer, last but not least, designed...you guessed it..."Crypt Mancer"!
8. Champion Points?
   
   
   You have never heard of those and you certainly don't know what they do? Well, you are not alone. I am not even sure if the founders know what to do with those points yet. However, when you check a players profile, you will see the "Champion Points" in the last line. Afaik, those are all the points that you ever gathered in the level "Champions League". @wombykus seems to be the leader with over 36.000 points by the way!
9. 4,900$ for a Lightning Dragon?
   At the moment, a gold-foil "Lighting Dragon" out of the "Alpha" collection is by far the most expensive card in the market. While the card definitely is good in some high mana settings, the price is not that high because of the strength. It's rather a consequence to the fact that investor @goldmatters has a strategy of possesing as many of the 19 pieces as possibel. As of know, he owns over 36% of them, meaning 7 out of 19.

If you want to know about his motives, check this post.

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What interesting facts and hidden features/mechanisms did I miss? I am more than happy to upvote everything I missed with a 100% vote and add it to that list!

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Maybe some of those things will help you in the arena? And if not, maybe you now know at least why you have lost :P

Greets,
Martin