Reduced Reliance on RNG (from the perspective of a game maker)

Also Tala's "help" section is still super underdeveloped, like a basic draft. There isn't even clear information about how long your wolf lives and when it dies (it says it's of old age but does not give you specific number). User guides are a blessing in this case.

Back after at least 3 failed battles with lvl 16-19 foxes. Did I mention I used lucky feet each time?

A level 13 wolf in a starter biome had "overwhelming strength" against my lv 18 700stat lead. It proceeded to demolish me while I did less than a quarter of its health. The battle cost me 4 healing salves, and I got nothing in return. 

This is not okay.

The update says they are rebalancing things, so here's hoping! :) 

I know they're working on rebalancing things, but in the meantime I would like to share you this absolute mess o a fight. I retreated after second wounding. I know it's a bear but 1) the snek doesn't care 2) it was two or three levels below me

The Kermode Bear chases you and hits just one last time for 2 damage. Total energy used: 4.

You are bleeding and have lost 2 HP.

The Kermode Bear is wounded and has lost 3 HP.

The Kermode Bear attacks you for 3 damage. You are wounded!

You bite the Kermode Bear for 3 damage. It writhes in pain.

You rest a bit and recover 3 HP. You feel much better!

You are bleeding and have lost 3 HP.

The Kermode Bear attacks you for 6 damage. You are wounded!

You bite the Kermode Bear for 2 damage.

The Kermode Bear lunges and hits you for 5 damage.

The Kermode Bear's overwhelming strength makes you take a step back. Your opponent moves first.

I'm digging this post back up (hope that's ok) to offer my overwhelming support, and because there haven't been any changes since November when it was posted so it's still relevant.

We've gotten a few items to help us with RNG on breeding (the sex determining birds and sage items) and hunting (with the % success displayed) but still nothing on the battle system, which is a source of frustration for a lot of players. OP put it better than I ever could so there's not much else I can add other than my support!

It's only been made more apparent with battling being a major part of the event. I'm seeing healing slaves flying off the proverbial shelves because of the overall price of the event items and the 'promise' that they'll be retired. Seems like a bummer not to address this beforehand but I get that there was a major RL upset preceding this.

Either way, I hope it gets managed before the next couplet of events.

That was fight with a lvl 2 enemy. LEVEL TWO. My lead is lvl 20. This is ridiculous.

You retreat quickly and recover some energy! Total energy used: 2.

You are wounded and have lost 2 HP.

The Volukros Eagle attacks you for 3 damage.

You try to rest but the Volukros Eagle rushes at you and attacks for 3 damage!

You are bleeding and have lost 1 HP.

The Volukros Eagle attacks you for 4 damage. You are wounded!

You bite the Volukros Eagle for 4 damage.

You are on your last ounce of energy! Your attacks are weaker!

The Volukros Eagle attacks you for 3 damage.

You snarl at your opponent, but fail to make an impression.

The Volukros Eagle tries to overcome you with brute strength but you stand your ground. You make the first move.

Yeah, while trying to battle enemies for Lunar Tears in the dreamlands my level 18 lead is pretty frequently getting his ass kicked by enemies who are around ten or more levels below him... it's honestly ridiculous that it's so hard to win fights with low level enemies unless you have full HP. The amount of unchecked damage that a level 1 enemy is allowed to do because its fighting power is purely RNG determined is ridiculous. It feels like honestly the only thing that level affects is how much max HP you or an enemy has, which is ridiculous, because level should absolutely also affect fighting power. There's no point in having my lead have a 47-point max HP when the damage both he and the enemy he's fighting do is completely randomized and a level one enemy can knock half of that off him if the rolls happen to be unlucky for me. It feels like a big disadvantage because the Lunar Event items start to feel pay-to-earn because you have to spend so much money on healing salves in order to get any substantial amount of tears from battle encounters.