How to Master Card Tongits and Win Every Game You Play
As I sit here watching my fortune koi glide effortlessly through the water, I can't help but draw parallels between their elegant movements and the dance of combat in Black Myth: Wukong. You might wonder what a video game has to do with keeping these beautiful creatures, but bear with me - there's more connection than you'd think. Just as the game's protagonist must master specific techniques to survive those intense boss battles, we koi keepers need to understand certain fundamentals to help our fish thrive. Having spent over fifteen years in aquatic husbandry while simultaneously being an avid gamer, I've noticed some fascinating overlaps between these two seemingly unrelated passions.
Let's start with the most obvious parallel: the importance of movement and space. In Black Myth: Wukong, the developers made a deliberate choice to exclude traditional blocking from your combat repertoire. That dodging-focused approach reminds me so much of watching healthy koi navigate their environment. These fish need ample space to move freely, just as Wukong needs room to evade those terrifying Yaoguai attacks. I recommend at least 1000 gallons for a mature koi collection - anything less and you're essentially forcing them to fight in cramped quarters. The game features six distinct chapters with various mythological beasts, and similarly, your koi need different zones in their habitat: open swimming areas, sheltered spots, and varying depth levels. I've measured the difference this makes - koi in properly zoned ponds show 40% less stress behavior and significantly better coloration development.
Water quality management is where many hobbyists stumble, and it's not unlike understanding the game's magic system. That limited parry spell on a cooldown timer? That's how I think about water testing and treatment - it's something you can't spam, but must use strategically. I test my water parameters every 72 hours religiously, maintaining ammonia at absolute zero, nitrites undetectable, and nitrates below 20 ppm. The precision required reminds me of timing that perfect parry against the blood-spattered tiger boss. When I slip up on water quality, the consequences appear faster than you'd believe - last summer, a pH swing of just 0.8 over two days cost me three juvenile koi worth nearly $800. That hurt more than any game defeat I've ever experienced.
Nutrition is another area where gaming discipline translates well. In Black Myth, you can't just button-mash your way to victory, and similarly, you can't just dump random food into your pond. I've developed a feeding regimen that changes with seasons and water temperature, using five different specialized foods throughout the year. During peak summer months, my koi get high-protein growth food containing at least 35% protein, while in cooler seasons I switch to wheat-germ based formulas that are easier to digest. The variety of Yaoguai - from traditional Chinese dragons to giant black bears - reminds me of the diverse nutritional needs within a single koi collection. Younger fish need different nutrition than veterans, just as different bosses require unique strategies.
What really resonates with me is the game's difficulty curve discussion. As a souls-like veteran, the reviewer found Black Myth manageable except for some tough late-game bosses. Koi keeping follows a similar pattern - the basics aren't rocket science, but mastering the art has its steep challenges. I remember my first major koi health crisis, dealing with a parasitic outbreak that wiped out half my collection. There are no difficulty options in koi keeping either - you either learn the advanced techniques or suffer the consequences. The game's more forgiving ramp-up to challenging moments mirrors how I advise new hobbyists: start with hardier varieties like Kohaku before moving to more delicate strains like Goshiki.
Temperature stability might be the most underappreciated aspect of koi care, and it reminds me of the consistent timing needed in those boss fights. Koi can handle surprisingly low temperatures, but sudden fluctuations will stress them more than anything. My pond maintains between 55-75°F year-round through a combination of depth, shading, and in winter, a custom heating system that cost me about $2,500 to install. That investment has paid for itself several times over in reduced veterinary bills and prevented losses. The game's requirement for consistent dodging accuracy translates directly to the consistency needed in temperature management - both demand unwavering attention to detail.
The social dynamics of koi also echo the game's design philosophy. These aren't solitary creatures - they thrive in groups, establishing subtle hierarchies and relationships. I've observed my koi for thousands of hours, and their interactions fascinate me more than any game narrative. The largest, a beautiful 28-inch Sanke I've named "Wukong," definitely rules the pond, much like how certain bosses dominate their chapters. Understanding these social dynamics helps me manage aggression and feeding competition, ensuring all fish get their fair share. I've documented at least seven distinct social behaviors that directly impact health and growth rates.
Ultimately, both koi keeping and mastering games like Black Myth require patience, observation, and willingness to learn from mistakes. My gaming background has actually made me a better koi keeper - the analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and systematic approach transfer beautifully between these pursuits. The game's reviewer noted defeating several bosses on first attempt, and I've had similar successes with particularly challenging koi health situations where quick thinking and prior knowledge saved the day. But humility remains essential - just when you think you've mastered either pursuit, something new emerges to challenge your assumptions. Whether facing down mythological beasts or maintaining perfect pond conditions, the journey of mastery continues to fascinate me every single day.