User blog comment:SmartAlyx/Breeding THEORY & Algorithm Analysis/@comment-28259418-20170208193944

777Xenon...

"That said, the only thing I disagree with is your use of the word 'fail'. I agree that dragons with breeding times over a certain number of hours can be quite the pain, but that doesn't mean every player does. In some cases, long timers are preferable, such as during a Leaderboard, where every point matters. I think that instead of 'fail', you should use a more general term that can be applied to anything, such as simply 'dragon'."

SmartAlyx...

FAIL, intransitive verb. [2]  (a :  to fall short )  (b :  to be or become absent or inadequate )  (c :  to be unsuccessful ; specifically :  to be unsuccessful in achieving a passing grade )  [Source = https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fail ]

That is just it, I do want to be very clear & specific because my Algorithm is analyzing Breeding Pairs for the chances of Breeding Fails (AKA any & all dragons you do not want) of 12h or more. So, if there are multiple dragons that you do want that are possible from a Breeding Pair, then those dragons are NOT Fails. When counting VARIABLES, you do not count any dragons you do want.

But Note:  If you manage to Breed one of those dragons, unless you want a 2nd, that dragon becomes a Fail & you must rework the Algorithm to include that dragon because depending upon its incubation Length, (iL) the results will slightly increase or decrease the chances of Breeding Fails of 12h or more.

If your objection to my use of "Fail" is primarily aesthetic, then I think I'll keep using it. If your objection to "Fail" is that there are better, equally precise words to use I am totally willing to listen to suggestions. I just can't think of any at the moment...

You are totally correct & I agree that during LEADERBOARDS & WORLD EVENTS, it can be a good thing to Breed say an UR dragon w/ a long iL. However, rather than Breed dragons intentionally that you do not want, that will not give you a Bonus from LEADERBOARD's, you can simply buy for Coins certain dragons just for the Points they give Hatching. & instead reserve Breeding efforts aimed @ obtaining dragons you do want.

HATCHING DRAGONS THAT COST (C)OINS:

(AIR, 2h, 2,500C  /  OLYMPUS, 7h, 300,000C  /  LIGHT, 9h, 150,000C  /  WATER, 12h, 10,000C)

Now there have been times that I will intentionally try Breeding:  CRUSADER, QUETZAL, &/or INFINITY dragons because Hatching UR dragons during a LEADERBOARD will normally give an 80 Point Bonus on top of the (normally) 3 x iL = Hatching (& sometimes Breeding) Points. Those 3 dragons are the easiest UR dragons to Breed due to the outrageously low iL of FOREST & FIRE Fails (that I know of @ this time).

CRUSADER, UR (diamond, red) 44h. (DIAMOND & FIRE) = 2:  (C:  Fire 10 seconds)  &  (CRUSADER 44h). CRUSADER is an even easier UR dragon to breed than QUETZAL, UR (diamond, green) 32h from (DIAMOND & FOREST) = 2: (C:  Forest 20 seconds)  &  (QUETZAL 32h). As CRUSADER significantly increases your odds to obtain VALIANT & UNICORN; & QUETZAL makes INFINITY infinitely attainable, they are both really worth Breeding.

QUETZAL, UR (diamond, green) 32h. -  Breed:  (DIAMOND & FOREST)  =  either:  (C: FOREST, 20 seconds)  OR  (UR: QUETZAL, 32h). My breeding THEORY is that repeating the same pair w/out interruptions to breed something else increases odds of obtaining UR dragon after each lesser rarity fail. Breeding QUETZAL to breed INFINITY are 2 of the "easiest" UR dragons to obtain. (Knock on wood!)  3 attempts for one? Over 300 for another? Luck is required.

INFINITY (A DIPPS &8) UR, (diamond) 40h. [Breed:  (DIAMOND & QUETZAL)  =  (C:  Forest 20 sec!)  (UR:  Quetzal, 32h  / INFINITY)]  Option 2:  [Breed:  (DIAMOND & CRUSADER)  =  (C:  Fire 10 sec!)  (UR:  INFINITY  /  CRUSADER, 44h)]. However a Crusader Fail costs you 12 more hours than a Quetzal Fail & Quetzal earns more Coins an hour. Ideal is to have 3 L15 (A DIPPS &8) & L15 METAL so 1 is done Healing when Battling high level champions.

BREEDING INFINITY:  A lucky duck might Breed INFINITY on 3rd attempt. Another might take over 300 attempts. Best to try when you have an empty Nest to get rid of 10 - 20 second Fails. Could multitask, Farming 30 second Impruberries @ 30 Coins per Farm = 6 Apples while trying to Breed INFINITY so you are Stockpiling Apples for the next Dragon Tales. If you don't have a L15 METAL yet you could take a break to try Breeding one. Then go back to trying for INFINITY.