Ya, mostly the same 20 people vs mostly the same 4 people defending it. I have yet to hear any actual reason or facts from the people defending the perk system. Their main argument is that the system is similar in the way that we perk up. You actually never see "The new perk system is good because --blank--" It is always "I am still enjoying a17" or "It is good" those are not reasons or facts supporting it..
I enjoyed a16 and did not mind that system (hated a15 spam crafting though).
I prefer a17 perks though.
I don't NEED to specifically grind up construction tools for example. Two days before horde night if I was close to getting concrete before horde night, I would sometimes upgrade and break frames just to get that level up in a16. That felt stupid and no fun, but I did it anyways because I was soooo close to concrete but didn't quite have construction tools high enough to buy it because it took longer to find a wrench that playthrough and I used the stone axe (mining tool exp) for most of my base building.
In a17, I play organically and with no thought to exp. If I need more mats for my forge, I gather mats. If horde night is close, I make sure my base is ready. If I need gas for my auger, I go wrench cars. If there is nothing pressing, I clear poi's or do trader quests, or just explore and do whatever comes to mind based on what I find.
No matter what I do, I get experience. I could level faster if I focused on exp, sure. But I don't NEED the extra exp enough to feel compelled to do things I don't WANT to do at that time. For me personally, the balance is good enough that I don't feel like I'm wasting time if I loot poi's on day 5 instead of upgrading/destroying frames over and over to get concrete.
The addition of harvestable concrete/cobblestone plus the addition of resource mats to traders helps a lot too ( although I personally have never yet found stone at the trader *please add*).
I have started maybe 12-15 new games in a17. I have not yet felt compelled to spend my points the same way. I do always get 2 strength/packmule because I hate encumbrance, but that is literally the only thing I do the same.
Once I built in the desert. For that playthrough, the hot/cold resistance perk was priority. Never used it in any other playthrough. If I find a hoe early, gardening perk is early priority. I always have a forge before level 20, but I don't think I have ever had it at 10. My current playthrough I got a forge at level 18.
If I level up while mining, I'll put a point into decreased melee tool/weapon stamina usage if I have an iron pick axe but am mining with a stone axe due to stamina issues. If I level up while running through a desert where I am harvesting aloe as I go, I will put that point into being able to craft first aid bandages. I feel much freer to spend points on what I need "right now" because there is no grinding for me. I do what I need/want to do to survive in the way that feels right for me, instead of having to grind construction tools or grind mining tools or w/e.
In a16, I usually had a forge day 1, and no later than day 2. I don't miss it in a17 because, for me at least, finding iron and steel tools is much much more common. I prioritize finding or buying 5-10 forged iron and steel asap for tool repairs and I am all set.
Workstations are much more common in random poi's so harvesting forged iron for repairs is easy. Steel is a bit harder, so I do rely on the trader for that.
Actually the only real issue I have is with hoes. For me, those are much rarer to loot than fire axes, pick axes, shovels and wrenches. And I do really like a garden asap, even if it is small.
Hopefully this at least makes some sense to the people who can't fathom why anyone would prefer 17 to 16. Of course everyone plays differently and finds different things fun, so I'm not trying to change anyone's mind. Just trying to explain how i play and why a17 is more enjoyable for me personally since some people have asked.
