I'm not surprised this is a lot easier, actually, especially since i23 went live.
The key thing to remember is that the TPN standardized tactics aren't meant to make it as easy as possible. It's to minimize cat herding. You mentioned having a core of responsive, competent players. The average PuG TPN doesn't have that, and it's just easier to tell them "go to the next building as it's announced, ignore everything else" than more complex tasks.
The other contributing factor is that the TPN got a *massive* nerf in one specific area with i23's release. The Mindwashed Citizens' rocks and molotov cocktails got significant damage and accuracy debuffs. Before the nerf, the average anti-Telepathist squad would take out a couple Seers and then get mobbed by the berserk protestors guarding the others. The sheer weight of fire tended to kill them, leading to the joke that the Telepathists were also handing out anti-Incarnate Kryptonite to chuck at people as well.
All in all, I'm grateful that the Telepathists are more easily defeatable now than they were. It'll make TPN a lot more enjoyable and less repetitive.
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."
The key thing to remember is that the TPN standardized tactics aren't meant to make it as easy as possible. It's to minimize cat herding. You mentioned having a core of responsive, competent players. The average PuG TPN doesn't have that, and it's just easier to tell them "go to the next building as it's announced, ignore everything else" than more complex tasks.
The other contributing factor is that the TPN got a *massive* nerf in one specific area with i23's release. The Mindwashed Citizens' rocks and molotov cocktails got significant damage and accuracy debuffs. Before the nerf, the average anti-Telepathist squad would take out a couple Seers and then get mobbed by the berserk protestors guarding the others. The sheer weight of fire tended to kill them, leading to the joke that the Telepathists were also handing out anti-Incarnate Kryptonite to chuck at people as well.
All in all, I'm grateful that the Telepathists are more easily defeatable now than they were. It'll make TPN a lot more enjoyable and less repetitive.
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."