head to head
vs
Merge & BladevsPillars of Eternity
Merge & Blade leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Pillars of Eternity leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Merge & BladePillars of Eternity
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 2
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 4
Merge & Blade leans harder on variance: Unit draws from merging inject roguelike randomness
Optimization8 vs 9
Pillars of Eternity leans harder on optimization: Per-encounter ability management and passive stacking define trial-of-iron mastery
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.