t1k-designer-base-balance-tools

name	t1k:designer:base:balance-tools
description	Practical tools and validation methods for game balance — DPS calculators, EHP formulas, spreadsheet layouts, stat audits, difficulty spike detection
effort	medium
keywords	["game balance","tuning","balance tools","design"]
version	1.12.0
origin	theonekit-designer
repository	The1Studio/theonekit-designer
module	base
protected	false

Game Balance Tools

When This Skill Triggers

• Tuning stat values (ATK, DEF, HP, speed, cooldowns)
• Validating difficulty across an encounter sequence
• Auditing item power budgets for outliers
• Checking economy balance (gold in vs gold out per session)
• Detecting difficulty spikes (TTK jumps >50% between encounters)
• Simulating loot distribution across N encounters
• Writing automated balance tests

Core Toolkit

Quick Formulas (Inline Reference)

DPS       = (ATK - DEF × reduction%) × AttackSpeed
EHP       = HP / (1 - DamageReduction%)
TTK       = TargetEHP / AggressorDPS
ItemPower = BaseBudget × RarityMult × SlotSize
DropRate  = BaseRate% × LuckMultiplier × AreaModifier

Balance Validation Checklist

Before finalizing any balance pass:

• TTK within target range for all unit matchups (3-5 hits for roguelike)
• No stat value is an outlier (>2× next highest rarity tier item)
• Economy: gold earned per run ≥ upgrade cost of 1 item tier
• Encounter win rate 55-75% at recommended level (simulate or playtest)
• Power curve: player power 1.1-1.2× ahead of encounter curve at each point
• Pity timers trigger within expected window (verify drop rate math)
• No difficulty spike >50% TTK increase between consecutive encounters

→ See references/balance-spreadsheet.md for spreadsheet layout and all calculator formulas

Validation Methods

Stat Audit (Code-Based)

To find outliers without a spreadsheet:

# Grep all stat constant definitions
grep -rn "const float\|const int" Packages/ Assets/Demos/ --include="*.cs" | grep -i "atk\|def\|hp\|speed\|damage"

Sort results; flag any value >2× median as a suspect outlier.

Difficulty Spike Detection

Plot TTK per encounter index. A spike is when: TTK[i+1] / TTK[i] > 1.5

Flag and insert a rest/low-difficulty encounter before the spike.

→ See references/validation-methods.md for simulation testing, power curve graphing, automated balance tests, and empirical player-data methods (death heatmaps, completion drop-off thresholds, structured friend testing)

Common Tuning Knobs

Knob	Low Value Effect	High Value Effect	Recommended Range
ATK/DEF ratio	Tanky, grindy	Bursty, one-shot risk	1.5-3×
HP per level	Flat, predictable	Dramatic power jumps	10-15% per level
AttackSpeed	Strategic, positional	Spammy, micro-intensive	0.5-2.0 attacks/s
CooldownDuration	Spammy abilities	High-stakes decisions	5-15s for impactful skills
LootPerEncounter	Slow build, tension	Fast power, trivialized	0.5-1.5 items avg
MovementSpeed	Strategic, positional	Chaotic, hard to read	3-6 units/s

→ See references/tuning-knobs.md for full parameter table with interaction effects and caps

Gotchas

#	Issue	Fix
1	Flat defense scales to 100% reduction	Cap at 75% or use percent-based with diminishing returns
2	Infinite stat stacking breaks balance	Define soft caps (diminishing returns) and hard caps
3	Loot rate feels bad despite correct math	Add pity timer — guaranteed drop after N consecutive misses
4	Simulation win rate misleads	Check variance too — consistent 60% is better than 50%/70% alternating

Cross-References

• rpg-game-design — Formulas and design theory behind the tools
• game-design-document — Where to record balance decisions in GDDs
• engine-specific code skills (auto-activated via registry) — for actual runtime values

Reference Files

File	Coverage
references/balance-spreadsheet.md	Full calculator formulas: DPS, EHP, item power, economy, drop rate
references/validation-methods.md	Simulation testing, stat audit, power curve graphing, automated tests, empirical player-data methods (death heatmaps, completion drop-off, friend testing)
references/tuning-knobs.md	Parameter effects, interaction effects, recommended ranges, caps