head to head
vs
BeholdervsStranger of Sword City
Beholder leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stranger of Sword City leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
BeholderStranger of Sword City
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 5
Stranger of Sword City leans harder on variance: Encounter rolls, drops and permadeath risk shape runs
Optimization7 vs 8
Stranger of Sword City leans harder on optimization: Party builds, class changes and risk management are the game
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.