Overview
-By DinotropiaFree-to-Play in HEX is unlike anything else out there on the market. Instead of gating you through energy systems, dailies, or ads, HEX brings you premium content through a player-driven economy. The purpose of this overview is to familiarize you with this economy and teach you how to get the most out of this game.
Free2Play in HEX
Free-to-Play in HEX is unlike anything else out there on the market. Instead of gating you through energy systems, dailies, or ads, HEX brings you premium content through a player-driven economy. The purpose of this overview is to familiarize you with this economy and teach you how to get the most out of this game.
There are two interrelated modes of play in HEX: PvP (player vs. player) and PvE (player vs. environment). HEX PvE includes a multi-hour campaign with RPG talent trees, equipment, and specially- crafted AI encounters. HEX PvP includes playing against friends as well as tournaments with prizes on the line. HEX PvE and playing against friends is 100% free to play. HEX tournaments require resources in the form of Platinum and/or booster packs. When you hear people in the community talk about PvP, they are often using it as a short-hand to describe PvP tournaments specifically.
“But wait!” you cry, “Does this mean that I can’t play tournaments as a free player?” Not at all! It’s also possible to earn that PvP tournament entry fee by playing PvE: You can take the rewards you earn playing (Adventure Zone Packs, PvE cards, etc.) and sell them for either Gold (earned exclusively through PvE content) or Platinum (purchased through the store). You can then use these currencies to buy cards, equipment, and even booster packs from fellow HEX players!
Furthermore, if you are playing tournament modes that require you to open booster packs as part of the entry fee, you get to keep those cards. After the tournament is over, they become a permanent part of your collection that you can trade, sell, or play with. If you do well in your tournament of choice, you can even win back extra, unopened packs to grow your collection even more! Basically, HEX PvP Tournaments use a “Fee to Play” system that covers the cost of the prizes generated by each tournament. In return, you get a number of unique game modes and the chance to win a bunch of extra packs every time you play.
If you are a new player to TCGs, whether you intend to pursue a Free-to-Play experience or not, I recommend you try the PvE campaign. Not only is it a blast on its own, it’s a nice, sandbox environment where you can learn the cards and mechanics of HEX at your leisure.
Once you are feeling comfortable with the game, head on over to the Auction House to improve your deck. Using the Auction House to buy cards from other players is often the most cost effective way to make improvements to your existing decks. Of course, opening packs can be fun too! Cards that you get from booster packs can be used in any game mode.
Additionally, any pack purchased from the store (or generated as tournament winnings) has a 2% chance to generate a special “Primal Pack” that is full of Rares and Legendaries on top of your original purchase.
I personally think the best place to open packs is through tournament play. Tournaments are a ton of fun! Also, you have a chance to win extra packs which helps build your collection even faster. There are many different types of tournaments in HEX, and for the sake of space I won’t cover them all here. But if you are wondering what kind of tournament is right for you, I recommend clicking the tournament you are interested in and then going to the “Rules” tab. There you will find a detailed description of each tournament type.
Try a couple and see which sounds like the most fun for you!
Lastly, for those experienced TCG players out there, I want to leave you with some community tools that will help you jump-start your time with HEX. HexTCG Browser[hex.tcgbrowser.com] offers a searchable catalogue of all cards currently in the game so you can start getting your brew on. HexPrice[www.hexprice.com] has up-to-date information about the card market so you can buy and sell with ease. Finally, HexMeta[hexmeta.com] offers a searchable list of tournament winning decks! Learn what other people have had success with recently so you can dive right in to the tournament scene with confidence.
And that’s a wrap! Stay Hex-y everybody!
Dino out~