Unconventional Strategies
This morning, 35 Steam players, myself included, dove into the world of Concord, eager to engage in a few rounds of Rivalry—a competitive mode that promises the highest XP rewards. After a brief five-minute wait, during which I found myself queuing alongside PlayStation players, I finally entered a match. However, the term "match" felt somewhat generous. Within mere seconds, the first round concluded as the opposing team launched themselves into the sea just below our spawn point, resulting in an instant demise. This was not a bizarre glitch or a case of particularly disheartened players; rather, it was a strategic maneuver. With Concord set to go offline in just a few days, players are scrambling to maximize their XP, and self-destruction in Rivalry has emerged as the most efficient method to achieve this goal.
Not every match unfolded as straightforwardly as my initial experience. In my second Rivalry game, the enemy team opted for a different approach—death by firing squad. Initially, I anticipated a genuine contest, so my team secured the objective. However, after a few minutes of inactivity, it became clear that no one was coming to challenge us. We ventured to locate the enemy, only to find them idly stationed at their spawn point, where we swiftly dispatched them. In subsequent rounds, my teammates and I abandoned the objective entirely, opting instead to rush the enemy spawn for easy eliminations.
Yet, not all players have resigned themselves to this chaotic strategy. I encountered a few matches where competitors genuinely attempted to engage in the game. While some remained stationary or sprinted toward the nearest edge of the map, a handful put forth a commendable effort. Nonetheless, even these more serious encounters concluded almost as rapidly as they began.
In one particular match where my entire team went AFK, I endeavored to put up a fight, managing to eliminate a maximum of two opponents per round. Unfortunately, this was insufficient for victory, and I sensed that my fellow teammates felt I was prolonging the inevitable, hindering their quest for a quick XP boost. Regardless, my loss still netted me an additional 15,000 XP, allowing me to ascend three levels over the course of five games.
However, not all players have experienced success with this newfound strategy. One frustrated gamer lamented on Twitter, "I’ve been doing this for an hour and only went from Level 44 to 45, I am NOT getting this Platinum, bro." Beyond the rush to make the most of Concord’s final days, many players are racing to level up in hopes of achieving the coveted platinum trophy.
The Pursuit of Platinum
Reaching Level 100 signifies the completion of the game, and PlayStation players are rewarded with a platinum trophy for their dedication. Currently, this trophy is exceedingly rare, with only 0.1% of players having attained it. Aptly named "Living Legend," the trophy title has drawn commentary from the community, with one player quipping, "Ironic how this is the most fitting trophy name for the one person in the world who Platinum’d Concord."
Yet, the pursuit of the platinum trophy is not the sole motivation for leveling up. Players are also eager to unlock a plethora of free cosmetics and items that accompany their progress. Concord boasts an array of customizable options, including striking hero skins like the Freegunner outfits, weapon charms, and skins. Among these, my personal favorite is the business card feature.
This unique business card feature allows players to customize their cards extensively. Instead of merely selecting different backgrounds, players can alter icons and backgrounds.
(Image credit: Firewalk Studios)
