What are you playing?

Frankly, I kinda think "planets" was a mistake.
Meh... I'm indifferent to the idea. Planets give the game some needed variety and there reasons to go there/not go there. For instance, landing on a planet is easy but getting back out of the atmosphere can take some doing. You basically need to bring EVERYTHING with you unless you want to spend days strip mining the planet to get home.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
Meh... I'm indifferent to the idea. Planets give the game some needed variety and there reasons to go there/not go there. For instance, landing on a planet is easy but getting back out of the atmosphere can take some doing. You basically need to bring EVERYTHING with you unless you want to spend days strip mining the planet to get home.
One thing I will be curious to see, is if anybody is able to make a functioning space elevator, even if it's just a base with a 50km long conveyor tube. The planet doesn't actually rotate, so it might could actually work.
 
One thing I will be curious to see, is if anybody is able to make a functioning space elevator, even if it's just a base with a 50km long conveyor tube. The planet doesn't actually rotate, so it might could actually work.
My question in that case would be "does the elevator need to reach escape velocity because the engine can't calculate the atmospheric difference inside and outside the elevator correctly?". We don't currently have "rail" blocks so it's not like we just make a big ass elevator... we'd need to strap an engine on the platform and put wheels along the outside edge to keep the platform from moving around too much.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
My question in that case would be "does the elevator need to reach escape velocity because the engine can't calculate the atmospheric difference inside and outside the elevator correctly?". We don't currently have "rail" blocks so it's not like we just make a big ass elevator... we'd need to strap an engine on the platform and put wheels along the outside edge to keep the platform from moving around too much.
My extremely limited experimentation with planets thus far shows the major stumbling block to a physically moving elevator would be the "dead zone" between 5km and 10km up from the surface of a 120km diameter planet - atmospheric thrusters become useless at or around 5km above sea level, and ionic thrusters don't work well below 10km. I suppose that means every trip up means burning a bunch of hydrogen in hydrogen thrusters.

But really, I'd be impressed enough if somebody just built a "dogbone" shaped base, IE, a base on the ground with a 50km conveyor tube that goes up to a base in "orbit" where nonatmospheric craft can easily dock and transfer cargo to/from the surface via the normal conveyor rules.
 
My extremely limited experimentation with planets thus far shows the major stumbling block to a physically moving elevator would be the "dead zone" between 5km and 10km up from the surface of a 120km diameter planet - atmospheric thrusters become useless at or around 5km above sea level, and ionic thrusters don't work well below 10km. I suppose that means every trip up means burning a bunch of hydrogen in hydrogen thrusters.

But really, I'd be impressed enough if somebody just built a "dogbone" shaped base, IE, a base on the ground with a 50km conveyor tube that goes up to a base in "orbit" where nonatmospheric craft can easily dock and transfer cargo to/from the surface via the normal conveyor rules.
This is sort of why I want rails for maglev trains or something. One of the biggest limiting factors for base design has always been that there is a point where it's just more practical to get in a ship and fly to the next area... Minecraft doesn't have this problem, you can just build a rail system there.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
This is sort of why I want rails for maglev trains or something. One of the biggest limiting factors for base design has always been that there is a point where it's just more practical to get in a ship and fly to the next area... Minecraft doesn't have this problem, you can just build a rail system there.
If pistons and rotors are any indication, I don't think I'd trust Space Engineer Railways.
 
If pistons and rotors are any indication, I don't think I'd trust Space Engineer Railways.
Pistons and Rotors work just fine in single player unless you do some violent stuff with them. Their wonkiness is just a side effect of the game's poor netcode. As it is, the easiest way to make a tram is to just build a channel, dump a vehicle with wheels on it down there, and fly it slow enough that won't explode when it reaches the end of the line. This is probably easier on planets, where you need to worry about stuff like actually slowing down due to outside forces (for once).
 

GasBandit

Staff member
Pistons and Rotors work just fine in single player unless you do some violent stuff with them. Their wonkiness is just a side effect of the game's poor netcode. As it is, the easiest way to make a tram is to just build a channel, dump a vehicle with wheels on it down there, and fly it slow enough that won't explode when it reaches the end of the line. This is probably easier on planets, where you need to worry about stuff like actually slowing down due to outside forces (for once).
I don't think I'll ever trust pistons or rotors, even in single player, after experiencing what I've experienced in the past O_O
 
Welp, there's a Dark Souls mystery solved. Can't just kill the Sunlight Maggot and then the Bed of Chaos to get the summon sign outside the final boss. You have to go back and do the rest of the Demon Ruins as well. I'm going to try to save him today, but since I've already open the Kiln, it might be too late, which sucks considering I threw 30 humanity to Quelaan.

Part of me is curious if I should try the DLC with this character, but I've watched videos of people fighting Manus, and even if I can beat Artorias, I don't know if I'll ever be capable of the Manus fight. It just feels like a complete mess.

Really I should just beat the game today and start anew on the sequel tomorrow.
 
Welp, there's a Dark Souls mystery solved. Can't just kill the Sunlight Maggot and then the Bed of Chaos to get the summon sign outside the final boss. You have to go back and do the rest of the Demon Ruins as well. I'm going to try to save him today, but since I've already open the Kiln, it might be too late, which sucks considering I threw 30 humanity to Quelaan.

Part of me is curious if I should try the DLC with this character, but I've watched videos of people fighting Manus, and even if I can beat Artorias, I don't know if I'll ever be capable of the Manus fight. It just feels like a complete mess.

Really I should just beat the game today and start anew on the sequel tomorrow.
You don't actually need to do ALL of the Demon Ruins... you just need to beat the Centiped boss and then talk to him by the bonfire there after you do the shortcut. However, even if it doesn't work, you'll keep your status with Chaos Servants as long as you don't violate the covenant, so it'll still be open-able in the next round if it doesn't work this time.
 
You don't actually need to do ALL of the Demon Ruins... you just need to beat the Centiped boss and then talk to him by the bonfire there after you do the shortcut. However, even if it doesn't work, you'll keep your status with Chaos Servants as long as you don't violate the covenant, so it'll still be open-able in the next round if it doesn't work this time.
Well, if I kill the Centipede Demon then go to the bonfire, that's pretty much it. I'm really only skipping that lava area with the giant demons, since I already did the area beyond there since that's where the shortcut lets out.

I pretty much did everything in this playthrough, including collecting items I didn't need/never found before, even completed Siegmeyer/Sieglinde's story, so I wanted to get Solaire's quest to its true end.

Since I subscribe to the theory that he is Gwyn's ousted first son, I want him to get that shot at putting his father out of his misery.

But that is cool about the Covenant; I didn't know we could keep status across New Game+. That would make things simpler in the future.
 
Well, if I kill the Centipede Demon then go to the bonfire, that's pretty much it. I'm really only skipping that lava area with the giant demons, since I already did the area beyond there since that's where the shortcut lets out.

I pretty much did everything in this playthrough, including collecting items I didn't need/never found before, even completed Siegmeyer/Sieglinde's story, so I wanted to get Solaire's quest to its true end.

Since I subscribe to the theory that he is Gwyn's ousted first son, I want him to get that shot at putting his father out of his misery.

But that is cool about the Covenant; I didn't know we could keep status across New Game+. That would make things simpler in the future.
Yes, the status thing is important because it ties into other covenants. For instance, Dark Moon Blade (One of two miracle weapon buffs) scales off of your rank in Blade of the Dark Moon, going from Talisman Mag Adj *1.8-2.1 as you raise it higher by donating Tokens of Reprisal. Sunbros need it too because they can only get their ultimate reward in New Game+ anyway. Basically, it's the game's way of admitting that it's a pain to farm these items legitimately.
 
No Solaire. I assume opening the big door is like telling the game to move time ahead on all events.

Which is unfortunate, because I could really use a hand. I mean, I shouldn't, but ... the way I beat this game before was to tank the final fight, which I can't really do with this build. This build was meant to parry and riposte through the battle when I got there, and I spent the first half of the game getting better at that. Then I got sloppy the moment I put on better armor, and now I have a build meant for parrying the sword attacks, and instead I panic and die. I've parried him a few times, but more out of opportunity than planning.

Now I'm practicing on the black knights, and doing pretty well. But Mr. Sun-and-Smiles has faster attacks with faster tells. I'll be able to get there with enough attempts; I just don't know how many hours I feel like putting into that today.
 
I don't think I can play Overwatch for another week, it was just too good today. :cool: I finally got back on this afternoon after a bit of a hiatus due to SC2, Fallout, etc. In one matchmaking series of games, I won all 7 of my matches. Two matches in, it even switched me to be on the other team (the people I was fighting were now my allies) and we won all those games too. Then they switched me back to the first team and we won all those games. The last game I even got a POTG, so I decided to end it before fate inevitably hit me with a terrible loss.

It really brings up one thing people need to know about Overwatch though, it's a game about knowing what you need and pushing the objectives more then being a purely skilled player. The first match of the day, honestly, should have been a loss. The other team had some amazing players, including a Pharah that was just devastating in the first half. I started out with a hero that was turning to swiss cheese, but I saw the makeup and got into a D.Va with the pure intention of flying around, keeping my gun on near constant fire, and just being a thorn in the other teams side whether inside the suit or not. By splitting them and keeping them away from the payload we ended up winning the match. All four of the commendations given were for enemy players that match, but it didn't matter because if you can't work around your objectives you will lose. One important thing I notice is that switching based on where the fight on the map takes place can cause a win or loss.

Case in point, I usually open with Winston while defending King's Row, because he has an incredible ability to distract and harass in the first courtyard, leaping in with shield, taking damaging fire and electrocuting them, then leaping out to grab the health pot under the statue. If they get past us and start the payload, I use Bastion to make their trek down the narrow halls a challenge. If they get into the factory area, I either stay Bastion, or I use Reinhardt, acting purely as a shielder for my defending team so we can pelt the enemies as they attempt to reach the payload (and using charge on any enemy tanks I see).

I played purely to support my team rather then trying for my own top scores, and it really works.

This game is too fun. I can't get enough.[DOUBLEPOST=1448147430,1448147093][/DOUBLEPOST]
I didn't plan on playing the beta but.. Damn this thing is Fun. Mccee is AMAZING
You should have seen him before the last patch. McCree used to have no distance drop off for his gun, making him akin to a sniper without a scope. Just devastating. They nerfed him during the patch that brought in the three new heroes, since Blizzard never intended for him to be a sniper character. He is still dangerously potent, and has one of the best ultimate as long as he can pull it off.
 
My matches have been pretty hit or miss, but almost all of the misses are when I'm on a team where people can't figure out how objectives work, or they keep getting wrecked by a sniper in one area and KEEP FIGHTING IN THAT AREA OVER AND OVER instead of going around the bad area the long way and picking said sniper off.
 
My matches have been pretty hit or miss, but almost all of the misses are when I'm on a team where people can't figure out how objectives work, or they keep getting wrecked by a sniper in one area and KEEP FIGHTING IN THAT AREA OVER AND OVER instead of going around the bad area the long way and picking said sniper off.
Yes those matches can be tough, this is why I usually take the mantle of choke buster if I am in the match on the attacking side. D.Va is the best for it, since her flight ability and high health allows her to just zoom into the position of the sniper/bastion. This will throw the sniper off guard and force them into a close range gun battle, or allow you to just get behind a Bastion where he can't defend himself. If you screw up the flight and get into shooting range, you can use Nulify until you are properly behind some cover to recharge your flight. Winston is also good for this due to his leaping ability and shield. I have destroyed many a Torbjorn/Bastion turret by simply leaping to it, putting down the shield, and electrocuting it till dead. Reinhardt can also push a choke line, but you have to be careful because while he can block a sniper well, a Bastion will cut through his shield like butter.

One other mistake I see teams make is the trickle in problem. You have the ability to see on the screen itself (the little blue upside down arrows in the distance) where your allies are located and if they are alive. When they die, the arrow turns to a skull icon with a cooldown timer, showing you how long it will take for them to respawn. This is important because if the whole team dies you want to be able to regroup. A few games you will get a team where as soon as they spawn they run into the fray only to be a single person versus 4-6 others, get destroyed, and then watch as the next guy runs in just behind them, to have the same thing happen, and so on, like a death treadmill. Unless I am playing a harrasser or see all my team still alive, I always wait for them to respawn with me.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
A typical combat encounter in Divinity - Dei and I run into a troll who demands a toll from us, despite the fact that his bridge has collapsed. We refuse and combat begins, but my sidekick Bairdotr is rather smitten by the troll... she has odd tastes.

 
This fight went way too smoothly to be typical. Though the other end of the spectrum is when we wipe horribly because AI allies are dumb as fuck and I forgot to save for 30 minutes. [emoji14]
 

GasBandit

Staff member
This fight went way too smoothly to be typical. Though the other end of the spectrum is when we wipe horribly because AI allies are dumb as fuck and I forgot to save for 30 minutes. [emoji14]
I was recording that, too. It'll be coming.[DOUBLEPOST=1448236934,1448236880][/DOUBLEPOST]Also, aren't you supposed to be packing? :p
 
I'M NOT DOING LAUNDRY BY HAND! Also I'm a phone addict. I can't help it. :p

What about the ambush you triggered in which I SAVED THE DAY?!
 
Went back into Dark Souls again.

Beat the final boss on the first try. Guess I was just exhausted yesterday; for some reason today it was a breeze.

Starting Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin as a Deprived. This should be interesting! I'm going to try being more open-minded this time, and maybe do a more experimental build.
 
So, overwatch beta weekend happened, and I was actually invited. Great! It's the weekend before Thanksgiving, which is also my busiest weekend of work. Not so great... I got maybe 4 or 5 games total played. But hey, it's until the 23rd. I can get off work Monday (today) head home and play all I want, knowing that I don't have work tomorrow.

Oh, it's already over.
 
Sshadow sof Smordor is pretty intense. Every time I get killed by an Uruk captain, I always want to make a beeline for them after I resurrect, just to take my revenge. This usually results in me dying a few more times. There was one guy who grew strong enough to be pretty much immune to everything. I had an epic battle with him and his posse of orcs, until I forced him to flee, at which point he was mauled by a caragor.

Then I killed the caragor. Bastard stole my kill.
 
Apparently max HP is a stat people actually put points towards in Dark Souls 2 as opposed to the first game (once you're used to it) thanks to the handicapping curse.

I'm losing so many souls trying to get used to parry timing in this game. I have it down-pat in the first one, but these hollows are a little different.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
Too bad you didn't record things sooner so you could look bad too. [emoji14]
Oh, I've got more footage, but it will probably be after thanksgiving before I can work it. Including the footage of me somehow managing to be blocked by a stone overhang behind and above me.

But hey, I did put in the part where I died and told you to run away and come back and you brought us back to victory!

I just wish I had started recording our fights earlier so they could have seen some of our REALLY antisocial behavior.
 

GasBandit

Staff member
At least this time I didn't frequent any prostitutes. Dei, however, doubled down on thievery... not only have we stolen every single object of worth from every house, shop, vendor stall and office, she's also pickpocketed every single non-hostile NPC we've come across, often with me distracting the mark with conversation to keep its back to her.

Also, we're being extra mean to everybody we meet so that it triggers the 20% bonus to backstab accuracy.

Also nobody took Pet Pal this playthrough, so all the animals, their problems, their quests, their struggles, can all just go fuck themselves. But I have to carry around this dumb cat collar that I've got no way to get rid of now.
 
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