If the game weren't so random, I probably wouldn't play it. That's what I liked so much about AP to begin with. Right from the first island, it's obvious that this game is much more random than Legend, and that's at least half of what makes it better, IMO.
In Legend, you always knew exactly what units would be waiting for you on the next map, even on the first playthrough. It was just too predictable. But I love how in AP I don't know whether I'll find black dragons in the Rusty Anchor tavern or a bunch of crappy pirates. Will I have great units right from the start or will I be stuck with a motley crew of misfits?
I've actually had more fun when the game dealt me a bad hand. It adds to the challenge and forces me to use new strategies every time I play.
There's just enough structure to give you a few basic guarantees, like royal thorns on Debir and archmages on Scarlet. So you aren't completely SOL if you absolutely have to have magic shield or a spam summoner/tank, etc. I always pick up those mages ASAP in every game, and I know I wouldn't want too many more guarantees like that.
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