head to head
vs
Hand of Fate 2vsThe First Descendant
Hand of Fate 2 leans Variance (Twitch Chaos); The First Descendant leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery).
Hand of Fate 2The First Descendant
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 6
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance7 vs 6
Hand of Fate 2 leans harder on variance: Multi-dealer card system adds more complex hidden-information layers
Optimization6 vs 8
The First Descendant leans harder on optimization: Module builds and Descendant loadouts are extensively theory-crafted
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.