Lurker > HeroDelTiempo17

Also regarding the difficulty (I'm on dynamic) and combat systems like synergy. It took me like 10 hours to finally get used to everything, but it finally clicked against one of the sidequest mini bosses. When you have synergy stacked up, a summon going, and leveled limit breaks up it feels so satisfying to unload on an enemy. But it's A Lot.

I was worried for a while though because when I did the White Terror fight I kept getting my ass kicked. Did anyone figure this guy out? The game says you can pressure him with attacking and blocking but it was just not working and I kept getting blasted by his special move. In the end I brute forced a DPS race with Cloud/Tifa/Red but it still didn't seem like I was doing the fight correctly.

I think I'm going to have to do every single sidequest if only because they keep including unique music tracks that's some of the wildest shit I've ever heard in a Final Fantasy game

I was ready to get annoyed when the wacky teen girl from the first game showed up again but then she started playing absolute bangers

tcaz2 posted...

I've finally caught my Black Swan up in levels and put a jank bunch of relics on her (which tbf is 98% of my relics so far on everyone anyway) but still need to do her traces.

Once those are acceptable (like 6s maybe) I'll level Sparkle, then its gonna be to the relic grind. Probably for Kafka first.

You really want her talent to 8, ideally 10. It's super important for DoT units because dots scale harder than normal, especially for BS where it's a buff per stack. 8 is usually my stopping point outside that.

Oh I used my own Himeko but despite two patches in the Duke mines the trial one might still be better. Or at least had more crit, I suppose S5 Breakfast and 200-300 more attack could give mine the edge.

I did it with the trial Xueyi, Himeko, Ruan Mei, Huohuo (literally only needed a healer because Cocolia is a bitch)

Really it's just a Ruan Mei advertisement

It feels unlikely, especially if (s3 trailer spoilers) Ventress is coming back, seems like too much to ask for.

Besides Omega I'm not expecting most of the Batch to make it out of the final season, honestly...

GNSW is one of the best Nihility DPS cones period. If you ever get it to S5 it's roughly on par with Kafka's signature at S1.

WazzupGenius00 posted...

Nintendo does have pretty high employee satisfaction, but also whats considered normal working environment in Japan would not be considered acceptable in other places so its hard to say for certain how theyre treating their people

They seem to have more job security and retain institutional knowledge at least.

That thing about Iwata cutting his salary to avoid layoffs makes the round sometimes, but that's something that was mandated by Japanese labor laws. The culture may have downsides but they do have some unequivocal advantages.

In fact if you go look at the announcement Sony made the other day it includes some concessions they had to make for non-US regions.

Well Sony already closed Japan Studio a couple years ago so it's probably harder for them to find more JP devs to fire

There's no way Microsoft paid billions for Bethesda and doesn't release Elder Scrolls 6. It's Microsoft. They're desperate.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Kit leak for Jade (next IPC unit)

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/77ab46ce.jpg

They really are setting up a 100% synergy Follow-up Attack Team for the IPC. The last one must be either Harmony or Nihility.

This already seems like a weird Erudition/Harmony mashup, she can buff units other than herself? Interesting.

swordz9 posted...

On the one about to end Ive only got 2 stars on Stage 8 and 1 star on Stage 9.

That's also not too bad considering 9 is where it starts ramping up to be a big gear and optimization check.

This cycle's floor 9 and 10 in particular seems to be "hey did you build that free Dr. Ratio yet?" although with a strong enough Jingliu you could still probably brute force 9

All of those things are highly synergistic in ways that offset the cost, that's not really what I'm talking about.

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Basically every follow-up attack comp is also Dual DPS, too.

Topaz comps are dual DPS. Dr. Ratio is so strong and has such specific team requirements that it's more efficient to run him as hypercarry with Tingyun and Pela/SW unless Topaz has eidolons or her signature. The math might change now that we actually are getting sustains with debuffs I guess.

The recurring theme here is you need higher levels of investment.

I mean that was the initial complaint with Kafka too, people hated that you were pretty much required to fully build a second dot unit like Sampo or Gui to really make her go. (however these haters were foolish and will not survive the new dot mommy meta)

Well how far are you in the current MoC and what teams have you been using for it?

I mean it's a question of what you are trying to accomplish by running two DPS with no synergy. Dual DPS is already less efficient than a single carry. The boss needs to be weak to both of your dps elements and/or both of your builds need to be very good as opposed to just focusing on one unit. And you need specific team wide supports instead of just like, Tingyun (you have Ruan Mei so you have that covered). And you have to make sure your SP is good. But if you're struggling to build teams it's almost always easier to focus on one unit and supports.

With some exceptions when there's really good synergy like Topaz/Ratio, but that's also because Topaz pretty much becomes a support in that team

Just caught up last night. Good stuff. They're really leaning into an even more cinematic style now, I do love to see it.

I'm still upset about (S2) Tech dying though.

No, it's because they can release characters that scale with odd main stats. Blade scales from HP and still wants crit, so HP double crit isn't useless. Aventurine by all accounts actually does damage and scales on DEF. You can probably make some exceptions because not all sets are equally useful but double crit + off main stat on a generalist set or planar could be worth keeping.

catesdb posted...

like how many ice dmg % broken keel orbs are you holding

5 seems like too many

tributes to DPS pela

I'm at the point where I'm trashing everything that doesn't have two of SPD/crit/ATK for DPS, or SPD with an important stat for supports, pretty much all non-SPD boots unless I'm farming for specific characters, most ropes. But yeah keeping double crit or SPD+crit of weird things like I got a double crit break effect rope that maybe I can use one day.

Most planar sets are basically interchangable for DPS too (like within 1-5% DPS) so it's ok to be reasonably selective with those stats and use whatever your best ones are, instead of hoarding specific sets.

Yeah, I mean it was all setup. It was good and interesting setup, I like all the factions, but I'm not exactly on the edge of my seat because it feels like I'm just missing context for stuff that'll get explained later.

Or I guess specifically the character stuff that was supposed to hit didn't for me. I cannot exactly be too shocked with "this person isn't who they say they are" stuff when I literally just met these motherfuckers.

True, but that's because he's really the only party shielder in the game right now. If leaks hold, Aventurine looks like he will straight up be Gepard but better.

It's also only a matter of time before we get a 4* Preservation that's around Lynx's power level. It's honestly wild we haven't gotten any yet.

Gepard isn't bad at all, just low value in the long term. Same spot Bailu is in.

sekiro taught me how to parry in Jedi: Fallen Order, that's for sure

MrSmartGuy posted...

Finally got my 300th pull on the standard banner.

Deciding whether I want my first Gepard or an Eidolon of someone more useful. I already have E1 Bronya and E2 doesn't seem too crazy.

I've been using Gepard since launch and he's a perfectly good sustain. But if you have two limited sustains, or plan on pulling for one, he's just going to get benched because he doesn't bring anything besides shielding. So I'd say it depends on your pulling plans.

E2 Bronya seems like one of the best Es you could get though

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Yeah, even the once every 3 turn skill use from your harmony character hurt Welt/Ratio. That's the reason that theoretical team uses Pela instead of SW.

Yeah this is exactly what makes it so awkward, both of those characters are capable of supplying Ratio with 3 debuffs all on their own, so there's less benefit from Welt's, and at that point you're better off running a Harmony unit if it's a single target fight. But for aoe, Pela/DPS Welt seems pretty strong.

I haven't tried it yet (my Welt build sucks) but I think the main issue is the SP economy because Welt also wants to skill every turn. Luocha (and probably Aventurine) solves this problem if you have him. Also you really have to make sure your debuff situation is reliable. The build and team is awkward because Ratio has better comps that are more generically versatile and powerful, but I bet it absolutely destroys any add-heavy Imaginary-weak bosses like Swarm and IPC team leader.

kevwaffles posted...

Except the part where even without the Master Key there are multiple ways into Blighttown and you can beat the game without ever setting foot in Lower Undead Burg let alone Depths, something that a lot of people don't even realize.

There's literally two ways, Depths and past all the drakes. The key just lets you skip other areas and get to the drakes earlier. DS1 has brilliant world design that does an excellent job of disguising how it's funneling you into certain areas. Dark Souls 2 pulls the same trick of having paths converge sometimes but others it opens up a different route with another endpoint.

Sorozone posted...

The fact that DS2 design isn't as polished as Elden Ring, Dark Souls, or even Demon's Souls makes it a lot harder to get back into. And like I mentioned I'm also playing through Sekiro, and while being a more linear experience the amount of polish throughout every design in Sekiro is making me appreciate it a lot more, especially in comparison while playin DS2.

Dark Souls 2 to Sekiro is an unfair comparison given Sekiro has totally different mobility which resulted in some of the coolest vertical level design FromSoft has ever done (which they obviously learned from). I also think the level design is better than DS3's which is only okay; it's more polished but overall blander and the areas run together compared to DS2's weird mishmash, plus the DLC areas are fucking miserable while DS2's DLCs have some of the best dungeon in the series. In a way, not being able to draw a coherent world is a strength in DS2 while 3 mostly sticks to a more conservative and linear approach. DS1 is the best of both and as you said they perfect the DS2 mishmash in Elden Ring.

(I also don't agree it's less polished than DeS but I'll save it)

kevwaffles posted...

Yeah I don't quite get how DS2 is particularly less linear than, really anything besides DS3, but DS1 especially. Its choke point comes later but then proceeds to not open up again, Memories withstanding.

Sort of, DS2 has a hub with 4 spokes approach. Some of the paths converge, but for the first 2/3rds of the game you can go down any after the intro area. Then they all converge for a linear run to the ending. Dark Souls 1 is kind of the opposite: you start with 3 paths but two of them are "wrong" in that they lead to dead ends. But for the most part the intended progression sequence is linear with some side areas until you get through Anor Londo and 4 paths open up. But the neat thing Dark Souls 1 does is build in side areas and some cool but esoteric sequence breaking like Kaathe during the linear segment, so you don't feel nearly as boxed in.

https://fxtwitter.com/TafferKing451/status/1760791375333953541?t=jSDwyzaKNiUeP1AZkZP80w&s=19

The Dark Souls 2 influence was obvious immediately but it's cool to see Miyazaki praise it specifically.

I don't even know if DS2 still has tons of haters like it used to, but it's only aged better with time.

Well I also assume it's a matter of DEF scaling being much stronger than ATK scaling in general, so it's not like the extra def is wasted. That video you posted earlier is on a fairly heavy DEF build and the comments around it were that the difference between building crit/dmg% versus stacking more def is fairly minimal. But if you have the relics already or are farming that domain, sure.

I wasn't really expecting Pioneer so I've probably thrown out a lot of def/crit and def/speed pieces that could have fit, oops.

Aerith isn't really fun to stay on but is extremely satisfying to play her in quick bursts to set off a big Dualcast.

I think Barrett's gameplay is actively bad which is super unfortunate. His melee mode is ok. I wish he could swap mid-fight. Hopefully they've reworked him in some way.

Well you have to add 30m to an hour for the Fort Condor mini game that is the best part of the game

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Yet, when I went to play Intergrade a couple months ago, I died to the wolves at the beginning over a dozen times normal. Nothing was clicking at all.

Hoping that's just a problem between me and Yuffie, lol.

No, Yuffie is definitely more complicated than any of the Remake characters because she has to carry a whole party.

However, once you get her gameplay down she's broken as hell and easily the most fun to play out of anyone. I'm really curious to see how she's handled in Rebirth proper.

Swapping between party members lets you build ATB much faster and use a bunch of abilities. You really only needed it for tough fights but it was very satisfying to pull off.

If dual techs are a thing in this game like they kind of were in the Yuffie interlude, and presumably use both characters ATB meters, it might be even more important now

Still catching up on S2 I'm afraid

CassandraCain posted...

Liurnia is a beautiful place, sure, but it's got one dungeon in it which isn't even that dense. You can run through the whole thing in about 10 minutes.

Baffled by this, the place is littered with caves and weird side areas. Yes it's all spread out and there's a huge empty lake (ok it's full of lobsters), but the point is obviously to have a sense of discovery which can itself be fun as long as there's something interesting to find. Elden Ring is good at that, but if you are googling "Elden Ring all dungeons map" and going straight to each one and sprinting through them of course you'll have a lousy time.

People used to argue it was a Metroidvania, idk about that since many kinds of action games now have adopted backtracking and power-ups into their core loop. It's about as "open world" as Metroid Prime 2 in structure.

Saying Batman Arkham was uncontroversally ruined by its open world shift is the fucking wildest take I've seen in a minute, City and Knight are highly acclaimed - hell, even Origins has stans - and became the blueprint for the Sony Spider-Man games.

So, nice bait I guess, you got me

Who is out here talking about grinding for max rolls? Even getting two or three usable substats, especially speed, is an enormous pain. Let alone them rolling into the right stat, let alone getting max value! Even my best artifacts typically have one or two wasted stats and missed rolls.

The RNG in HSR is notoriously bad - you have to grind artifacts a ton to even get mediocre pieces.

I'm gonna be honest, I never really understood the complaints about the story. Not as in "this is good actually" but the story didn't leave much of an impression on me as good or bad. I never got around to beating it, was the ending notoriously bad or something?

Honestly my feelings were something like "this is Nocturne but worse," which is maybe damning praise because Nocturne's story isn't particularly good and is more about Vibes. But 5 has some vibes. Idk if there's something specific about it or if other people were holding it to a higher standard.

In general I agree that maxing traces from 8 to 10 will get you more value for your energy than grinding relics, but this is assuming people have good relics in the first place which is not always the case!

LightningStrikes posted...

The ending?

Yeah ok, I again would not say it's an all-timer but it's a pretty good boss fight. I just don't think Zelda is the example here.

To your point my go-to open world games with good and prominent setpieces would be the Spider-Man and Arkham games, Bioware games, that one open-world Uncharted spinoff, God of War, maybe Saints Row. It does happen.

LightningStrikes posted...

Tears of the Kingdom was extremely open yet had some of the best set pieces of all time

I'll give you the wind temple (though I wouldn't say it was an all-timer), but apart from that I can't think of anything else in that game I'd call a good set piece

That video just makes me wish I had 2 Ruan Meis more than anything else

https://www.ign.com/articles/hidetaka-miyazaki-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-interview

Some more setting and more details here.

And in terms of content, Miyazaki says it's a new map about the same size or larger than Limgrave. Given he's a little dodgy about the true size, seems likely it's going to be denser or have more legacy dungeons than Limgrave as well. Sounds major to me.

then it's settled: we call him Gal

Well he's definitely not going to want to 4pc duke because that buffs ATK lol

My Gepard only gets over 3600 def with belobog planars and his LC bonus, but I guess that's because I struck out on substat rolls and refuse to farm more. I suppose with better RNG you could probably run SPD boots, ER rope, and one of crit body or dmg% orb and still get there. Maybe all 4 with god rolls.

Well he converts DEF to crit rate right? So you still want enough to max that out. That might mean 2pc/2pc of def/dmg or something, especially if you are running crit body and/or speed boots. Aventurine seems tricky to build because you really want the bare minimum sustain to solo MoC and then spec the rest into damage. And the rate his shield refreshes will depend on your team comp and followups.

Seems cool though, and his animations won't make me regret picking him up.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/4/43aeb9dd.jpg

hell yeah

I suspect Sampo at high Es is actually better than Kafka for BS backup on the new boss, but I didn't try it.

It was a great game until the final area where a combination of a massive level spike and the switch hardware struggling to deal with a huge zone made me drop it. This should fix one of those problems!

UshiromiyaEva posted...

Reading the Aventurine kit now and it is so ridiculous. Built properly he may have one of the strongest DPS Ults in the game, lol.

Now that I'm thinking about his kit, it does kinda feel like a result of Fu Xuan's defensive being so overturned so they had to go in a different direction.

Shame they removed one of his debuffs from that earlier leak but he still seems great with Ratio/Topaz. And I see his sig LC has a debuff...pretty sneaky MHY.

That first one is pretty much unconditionally good for any crit DPS in Pure Fiction huh.

Second one is neat mono-support but also seems a bit too conditional if you run multiple teams