What Games ya Playin' 2012 - Suplex a Train Edition

[hinode]

Here's the best numbers I cound find on the subject. Not 100% sure they're correct, but they're pretty close at the least.

Anyone can check this by equipping +STR/+DEX items on someone completely stripped of skills (as strengthen gives you % increase based on rank, while augment element is of an unknown bonus I'm still trying to figure out)... I used ring of deftness+1/horde+1 because they're the most accessible, and you can compare them to something like ring of vitality without making changes to base ATK.

But here goes...

(Weapon type) (ATK increase for 10 points in STR) (ATK increase for 10 points in DEX)
claw 8 6
dagger 6 10
1h sword 7 5
2h sword 7 5
axe 7 5
spear 7 5
hammer 8 6
1h katana 5 9
2h katana 7 5
cudgel 8 6
whip 7 5
spellbook 8 5

bow 8 10
xbow 8 10
gun 8 10


Gee... I wonder why dual daggers/1h katanas are so powerful even though they generally have worse base ATK. Stupidly insane stat growths on DEX (which is easier to increase via equips/classes generally have higher base DEX), plus lower RT/weight and the ability to be used twice? Even ranged weapons are good because they have decent scaling. They really should've increased the STR based melee weapons scaling by 2 on STR to even things out.

This results in really silly things like Denam doing more per hit with a single 1H Brilliant Dagger that he can dual-wield than Ozma can do with the heaver, 2H, much higher attack power Rose Whip and higher stats.

[Fudozukushi]

Tales of Graces f: Where the f stands for being distracted by other games.  What?  What do you mean that doesn't start with f?  Look, you go find some word that means what I posted that starts with f and I'll change it.

Anyway, in theme with F!  Got to Fodra.  Did the dungeons and prepping things to return to the actual conflict of the matter.  The first boss here was hilariously pathetic.  I don't think he ever managed to hit Asbel.  The second one I thought was a normal fight until he started zipping around on a hoverboard.  Also somewhere in-between them Sophie's back YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!  And then I run into the worst enemy-type in the game and lose ten minutes of progress.  I try the second dungeon--which by the way is so terrible I wish bad things on whomever designed it, preferably involving a baseball bat at a head--on Insane at first but halfway up I run out of Eleth and halve my life bottles so back to wimpy Insane I go.

Once I am done, Pascal and Malik gain anti-Nova skills!  Except they already had other ones anyway!  Consistency!  And I find a hilariously good way to get cash that involves selling the Reflex!

And before I finished for the.... night?  I had a duel against Malik where he hilariously over-killed Asbel.

[Niu]

Here's the best numbers I cound find on the subject. Not 100% sure they're correct, but they're pretty close at the least.

Anyone can check this by equipping +STR/+DEX items on someone completely stripped of skills (as strengthen gives you % increase based on rank, while augment element is of an unknown bonus I'm still trying to figure out)... I used ring of deftness+1/horde+1 because they're the most accessible, and you can compare them to something like ring of vitality without making changes to base ATK.

But here goes...

(Weapon type) (ATK increase for 10 points in STR) (ATK increase for 10 points in DEX)
claw 8 6
dagger 6 10
1h sword 7 5
2h sword 7 5
axe 7 5
spear 7 5
hammer 8 6
1h katana 5 9
2h katana 7 5
cudgel 8 6
whip 7 5
spellbook 8 5

bow 8 10
xbow 8 10
gun 8 10


Gee... I wonder why dual daggers/1h katanas are so powerful even though they generally have worse base ATK. Stupidly insane stat growths on DEX (which is easier to increase via equips/classes generally have higher base DEX), plus lower RT/weight and the ability to be used twice? Even ranged weapons are good because they have decent scaling. They really should've increased the STR based melee weapons scaling by 2 on STR to even things out.

This results in really silly things like Denam doing more per hit with a single 1H Brilliant Dagger that he can dual-wield than Ozma can do with the heaver, 2H, much higher attack power Rose Whip and higher stats.

Ah that formula. Yeah, it didn't stand out that much in the Jp. ver as it got out-shined by the invisible bonus. But this should tell you how brokenly unbalance is the damage out put in the Jp. ver..... especially if combined with elemental boost skills.
A Vyse duel wielding Marauder Knife with water booster is like.... what the fuck?

[AndrewRogue]

Dark Souls: Decided to start playing this again. Since its been so long since I last played, I decided to just start over.

Female Bandit. Going for a Strength build (Str #/End #/Dex 18). Black Firebombs for starting gift.

Game started pretty well. Nailed Asylum Demon in one shot, nailed Taurus Demon in one shot, Bell Gargoyle's took two with Sunbro's help (messed up the first one, did get his tail) and Capra Demon took two (amazed I succeeded on the second one). Had a weird spat of bad luck today with four or five really sloppy deaths. The Hollow Assassins and Dogs are really wrecking my shit.

Still, solid progress. 20 End, 27 Str, 12 Dex so far.

[Sierra]

I fucking hate those dogs.

40 is generally a good goal for endurance since that's where stamina maxes out. Past that its only real purpose is if you want to carry more stuff without slowing down.

Are you on PS3 or Xbox? I have a sorcerer sitting at level 75 for endgame co-op if the former (sorcery is broken and demolishes the game, mind).

[AndrewRogue]

Cid: PS3.

And yeah, dogs and assassins are evil. I seem to recall I had a lot less trouble with them on my last playthrough. Then again, it was a hybrid Strength/Faith build with Axe and Board so...

Anyhow. Up through Depths. Gaping Dragon slain in one go, although Sunbro did not survive (Sunbro, stop standing in front of him, please). Tail acquired.

Experienced my first real invasions today. I didn't really run around as a human much last game since I was dying a lot, but I'm trying to stay human as much as possible this time. First invasion was pretty ineffective. Guy can't really launch an offensive, gets laid out by R2 swing on the Zweinhander, then I finish him with R1's. Second invasion occurs while I'm AFK. Did not realize that you could be invaded while at the bonfire. Third invasion occurs while I'm at the bonfire (Depths). Set up an ambush right around the inside corner of the room. Unfortunately, invader is smarter and dive rolls to enter the room, spoiling my attack. I try to recover but eat a fatal backstab.

Alas.

To Blighttown we go!

[Sierra]

-Not once have I seen Solaire live through that fight. You have lightning bolts, man! Stay back and use them!

-Yeah, there's no guaranteed safety against invasions while human unless you've already killed the area boss or the area doesn't have a boss. It will actually kick you out of bonfire mode if someone invades while you're sitting there. Also, lagstab seems the preferred method of dispatch in PVP. Not coincidentally, I'm not very fond of PVP.

-Mostly I feel like I should avoid giving area/enemy-specific advice since figuring out the best way to deal with things is a lot of the fun, but I would suggest clearing the asylum of loot before hitting Blighttown. It'll make the lower area much less painful.

[Clear Tranquil]

FF13-2 : 159/160 Fragments and 23/31 Achievements Get. The only Fragment I still have left to obtain is for the Academic Rank: Monster Hunter from showing a Complete Bestiary to Doctor M. I haven't gone over my bestiary yet to check it, hopefully there will be some clues as to which sections still have to be filled in. Either way this could take a while. Monster Collector and Battlemania should help though at least =)

So next time I play I'm expecting to be hunting for some rare monster data and hopefully collecting some for my monster ally collection too. Since obtaining the Monster Hunter Fragment is one major side quest which requires actually fighting and involvement with the general dynamics of the game's monster system I don't mind so much.

The last set of Fragments I collected was for the Captain Cryptic section. He wasn't tooo bad to do/find/answer over all and I was able to find him the first three times without too much bother at all really, based on the clues given from the random blabber/chit chat from the NPCs~

**

Also I've obtained/watched all the Paradox Endings now. My current favourite is "Heart of Chaos"  Vanille's (of course) is also a favourite too~

[Shale]

Portal 2: Started this up. Fun game, unshockingly. The first part is meta-unoriginal - it feels a lot like an expansion to the first game where you're just running through more tests for no good reason because...well...Chell is actually being run through more tests for no good reason. They're fun tests, though. I just hit the TWIIIIIST and started climbing again. Cave Johnson is very much as I imagined him.

[Excal]

Mass Effect 3 - Just finished Asaritown.  This game feels a lot more scripted than the other ones in the series.  Right up to and including the Renegade/Paragon choices barely ever coming up.  Granted, part of this may be due to the fact Ninja McWankerson refuses to die no matter how many times I shoot him.

That said, the plot info gained about the Crucible at this point has done a lot to lessen my objections to the device from a narritive standpoint.  Seeing as I absolutely hated the idea of the current races being helpless without some Prothean superweapon no one ever heard of before.  Having it be something that got worked on a little bit more every cycle, and making it a legacy project?  That is something I find thematically apropriate enough to let my suspension of disbelief kick right back in.

About to head to Horizon, and soon enough, to see what all the fuss is about the ending.


Oh right, also on an SRPG kick, kinda research based, kinda fun based.  Currently fiddling about with XF because of it's great little class system, and because it needs more love.  Map design and scripting will likely be the two main areas of interest, since it'll be interesting to see where they use dialogue and when to advance the plot (so, more technical details than actual merits of the writing staff).  Meanwhile, XF probably is the second best RPG I've seen for map design, at least in terms of producing maps that aren't just kill all enemies, assassinate specific enemy, or sieze something or other.  Currently at Poliasha after the Marsh Bug battle.

May decide to look at FFT or Vandal Hearts after this.  The former because it is simply the best SRPG out there. The latter because it is likely the third best, and easily the finest one in terms of map design and alternative victory conditions. It's just completely outshone by FFT and XF in terms of mechanics.

[AndrewRogue]

Cid: You know, on my last play, I made it up t oAnor Londo without ever going back to the Asylum. Not that Spiderboobs didn't take me a dozen tries. *grumbles* I think I'll try it though.

[Sierra]

Started up Tales of Graces F. Been a while since I played a JRPG. Scant minutes in, I've acquired 1x robot girl and 1x Ill Girl. Some things never change.

[DjinnAndTonic]

Also started Tales of Graces today!

Marathoned it for like 10 hours. Really fun battle system, the synthesis system is pretty awesome too. Voice acting is overall good. Skits are pretty funny.

Starting out as kids... I can see how it might be a good thing in the long run for developing these characters, but dear god is it grating in the immediate moment.

Played up to adulthood, 1x Sexy Knight Captain GET. 1x Twintailed Healerchick GET. This game is all kinds of Djinn-bait.

The adult sections are already 10 times better than the child portions and Asbel is a lot more fun.

I like playing around in the battle system to get new titles, and I'm playing walkthrough-less so I likely won't get everything, but it's still pretty awesome. I imagine the cast will be interesting duelists, too. Mages and Fighters are a lot more balanced, too. I like playing both kinds of classes.

Plot is... Growlanser 2. (For all three people who'll understand that reference!)

Final Fantasy 13-2: Wanted to start ToG, so I dropped all my sidequests and made a run for the ending. Got -an- ending, though I have no idea if it's the good one, bad one, alternate one, cliffhanger one, character A/B/Z one, or joke one. Or even how many alternate endings there are.

It was a pretty bold ending though. I'm going to have to youtube the others and then go back and read others' comments on 13-2, because overall it's probably one of my top FFs of all time, just after FF6 and FFX. Really good character work, humor, and a fun (if headachey) plot. 8.5/10 rating.

...if only Caius wasn't such a wanker.

[Niu]

Plot is... Growlanser 2. (For all three people who'll understand that reference!)

I don't get it, really. I do not remember GL2 being overloaded with FRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIP all over the place.

[Luther Lansfeld]

I remember GL2 mostly being about mercenaries, mind control, and used car salesman looking best friends. Is that what ToG is about?

[Fudozukushi]

Started up Tales of Graces F. Been a while since I played a JRPG. Scant minutes in, I've acquired 1x robot girl and 1x Ill Girl. Some things never change.

At least the Ill Girl isn't fighting!  Yet.

Plot is... Growlanser 2. (For all three people who'll understand that reference!)

I don't get it, really. I do not remember GL2 being overloaded with FRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIP all over the place.

You just didn't look 'ard enough.

I remember GL2 mostly being about mercenaries, mind control, and used car salesman looking best friends. Is that what ToG is about?

Hmmm....

Yep, sounds like it.  With a bartender thrown in for good measure.

Now for what you've all been waiting for...

Tales of Grace f: Where the f stands for.... let's go with forty because I swear that's how many hours I've played that don't involve combat or story.  Damn sidequests.

So, I was actually lying last time, I did play again on the same day.  I know this breech of trust can never be forgiven, but... something uplifting.  I actually instead headed off to the Cacoon to do my famous destruction of metamorphosing insects routine.  Except without insects and instead with me half-assing the first fight and realizing that Chaos is just going to be beyond me.  I am the Wimp King.

Anyway, eventually I get to the end of the dungeon where I have glorious NEW FORM boss!  Who goes down like a sad jump yet again.  But the second boss?  Oh well now ain't that one just a bitch-and-a-half times 30.  Mystic Arte that ganks one character minimum?  A spell that hits the whole arena and everyone for 6k damage?  A shield that's active 90% of the time that staggers the hell out of melee?  What a hellish fight.  I still barely managed to beat it on Hard.  I am the pansies.

Anyway, PLOT PLOT PLOT anime cutscene with a revealing camera pan for something already shown and PLOOOOOOOOT.

And sidequesting for two days.

Malik bartender is the best thing.

[Hunter Sopko]

Hell, I just played GL2 and I couldn't answer that. All I remember is that spies are the best choice for potential mates.

[Fudozukushi]

Oh yeah on the note of sidequests, Niu, is there any way to deal with that thing at the Shuttle Crash Site that doesn't involve knocking the difficulty down to Easy?

[Cmdr_King]

Doing too much for All-Divide to help?  Of course, I suck and just play on normal.

That said, no less than half the game hinges entirely on the player buying into the opening.  I like it as a writing thing: they know they need to go very dreary places very early in the story, and lay a foundation for the whole trust theme, so you introduce variations on the characters before sending them to the meat grinder.

ToG- finished the regular game.  Ending is still playing out as I type.  GOddamn that is a lot of sidequest, even by Tales standards.  I think the developers looked at the game and thought to themselves "Okay, we can't have a map as huge as Vesperias, so what can.. ohhh, there we go, optional bosses out the ass and tons upon tons of sidequests from seemingly generic NPCs."

Pascal remains the mostest balancested.

Oddly, the meat of the ending, after the boss, is the one part of the game where I felt they were laboring a point rather than having a firmly edited final draft.  Oddly because this makes it considerably more Tales than most of the game to that point.

I still think Aston is an idiot.  Well intentioned or no.

[Luther Lansfeld]

I love NES games.

FF2 - This game continues to offer me masochist amusement. The magic immune boss from the last dungeon is now a random in this dungeon? That's balanced. I beat the boss with one reset, but not after having to Warp out of the dungeon due to running out of MP due to the fucking turtles. Now I predictably have to visit Hilda, so she can tell me where to go next. Is Hilda the only person in this world with a lick of sense? Does she tell Firion when he can wipe his ass and when he can't?

Josef's death was really goofy. Blockin' boulders with your face or something. I am glad that the guy named Josef is from a place that looks like Siberia so I can make Soviet Russia jokes, but that's about it.

FF3 - Black Belts are pretty terrible. Hooray for a class that has Black Mage defense but that you can't put in the back because it makes them pointless. Doesn't help that FF3 God hates the BB. Current team is Fighter/BB/RM/BM. Well, that's now that I am not miniature anymore.

The Mini dungeon is pretty terribad. Let's review!

1. All randoms 2HKO you and come in packs of threes.
2. Magic apparently misses all the fucking time in this game.
3. The boss OHKOs you with magic (at least a reasonable portion of the time).

I found this about as fun as you'd expect. Tinkered with my setup a lot, but had to redo the dungeon like seven times. It was truly a fabulous NES experience.

[Fudozukushi]

Doing too much for All-Divide to help?  Of course, I suck and just play on normal.

60,000.  I have no idea how in the nine hells it got so high either.  And this is only on Evil.  I shudder what to think it would do on Chaos.

ToG- finished the regular game.  Ending is still playing out as I type.  GOddamn that is a lot of sidequest, even by Tales standards.  I think the developers looked at the game and thought to themselves "Okay, we can't have a map as huge as Vesperias, so what can.. ohhh, there we go, optional bosses out the ass and tons upon tons of sidequests from seemingly generic NPCs."

ARGH.  I AM WASTING TOO MUCH TIME IN SIDEQUESTS THAT EVERYONE HAS SURPASSED ME AFJGSAFJGSA:F

[Cmdr_King]

I clocked something around 60 hours, so I may have just been playing mroe the past two days?  I dunno.

I think the game has some hidden multipliers for some stuff.  Like, the Rockagong does more damage than seems reasonable even given its stats, so I wonder if there's not something that adjusts damage based on level differences or flags for things like being giant or whatever.  Presumably he's also getting a critical hit of course.  But even then the most you could do would be... hm.  All Divide + Title + Block to only eat 8000 damage?  Which is only double overkill!!  Goddamn.

[Niu]

Again, go to F arc first after main game for the Accel Mode, come back to main game later. Accel Mode really makes things easier. (Specifically Cheria and Malik and Huber)

I remember GL2 mostly being about mercenaries, mind control, and used car salesman looking best friends. Is that what ToG is about?

Mind control maybe true, but I don't see mercenaries or car salesman looking best friend. If anything, Richard is a troll rather than a salesman.

Oh yeah on the note of sidequests, Niu, is there any way to deal with that thing at the Shuttle Crash Site that doesn't involve knocking the difficulty down to Easy?

Block when it explodes.
Or just use those titles that have "halves damage when the damage does more than 1000".
The piece of scrap metal is really a no brainer.

[Fudozukushi]

I know it's a no-brainer, it just did blatantly unsurvivable amounts of damage.  Even with those titles(that I forgot about) an All-Divide and blocking it would still theoretically do more damage then I have HP.

I mean, like I sorta said, I just went down to EASY and beat it because I am a wimp/lost an hours of sidequest progress because I was unprepared for such BULLSHIT.

[Niu]

How much HP do you have? I believe at least 3000 right? That should make the explosion survivable with all the reduction.