head to head
vs
Jagged Alliance 3vsWasteland 2
Jagged Alliance 3 leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Wasteland 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Jagged Alliance 3Wasteland 2
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 2
Jagged Alliance 3 leans harder on execution: Overwatch arc placement and AP budgeting require spatial discipline
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance6 vs 5
Jagged Alliance 3 leans harder on variance: Hit percentages, morale checks, and random patrol timing create variance
Optimization8 vs 8
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.