plain jane vs inlays for playability

[mantis99]

For pure straight playability, is it better to avoid a cue with inlays and other decoration. Do the inlays and decoration decrease the balance and playability as compared to a cue made just for playability by the same cue maker?

 

[JoeyInCali]

Inlays don't affect the hit imo.
Bad wood, bad glue, bad construction and bad joint/ferrules/tips do.
Maybe loose inlays and points do.