#;;I didn't get to play for even an hour. I didn't level my AR once. And I can't continue Liyue without it.

[cloudyhearted]

*highly considers turning Dainsleif into an OC so I can free myself of Genshin bc I've had it up to here o7 with that game*

[biohorror-human]

I BEAT DARK SOULS 3 WITHOUT DYING

This was seriously one of the most inspiring and intense few hours of my life. The whole run (in game time) was 9 hours. I used the uchigatana until I reached aldrich, where I swapped to the washing pole. Uchigatana is kind of a really bad weapon, and switching to the washing pole didn't increase my AR very much, but the extra length absolutely changed everything. Fighting bosses actually became like a dance, I was circling every enemy in the game. I had a few close calls with Yhorm and Dragonslayer Armor, but other than that I beat every boss relatively easily.

The no-deaths run forces you to re-evaluate how you play the game. For the first time ever, I was using bug pellets, green blossoms, and resins during bosses. I had divine blessings in my toolbelt the whole run. I leveled my faith to 15 so I could use tears of denial, and used the scholar's ring combined with hidden body and slumbering dragoncrest ring to sneak past the 3 strong NPC's at the end of the grand archives. I doubled back to old areas over and over to pick up items I forgot that ended up being massively useful. The chloranthy ring, the estus ring, every single estus shard and bone shard. I hot swapped to the mimic head, silver serpent ring, and shield of want after every boss to maximize soul gain and levels, I sold basically my entire inventory to scrape enough souls to get a few more levels, and even re-spec'd those faith points from earlier into vitality once I had access to the priestess ring. I was using 110% of the things the game was giving to me, and holy shit it just barely worked.

I failed my first attempt (super strength build, just playing the way I usually do but with more effort) because I leveled tf out of vitality for heavy armor. Yeah, heavy armor does give more defence, but it's sort of just a cherry on top. I should've put way more into vigor (40 is a good place to stop, my first attempt I stopped at 30 I think? It ended up getting me killed. Bad idea.)

Anyways holy shit terrifying run terrifying game I loved every second of this run. I think I'm a stronger person after this.

I recommend this run to anyone who thinks it's within their abilities to complete. Definitely make sure you're confident in your abilities because I struggled a bit with this run and I consider myself to be an incredibly good dark souls 3 player.

Also, don't just use your favorite weapon and plan out your whole run. Just do the whole run based on what feels right in the moment, even if it means revisiting old areas to do a kind of shitty 5 minute long run to get the super specific ring you need. You start avoiding enemies and routes that you otherwise would have taken if you were playing without the risk of losing your whole save. GET THE FUCKING ESTUS RING. Use those bug pellets that I know you absolutely forgot about for every other run of the game. Pick some weird weapon to revolve your whole build around.

Me personally? I roleplay as my character.

I'm the egocentric greatsword-compensator who pumped points into vitality to wear the scariest armor possible, who died of their own hubris by under-preparing for the 2nd to last boss in the base game. The once knight-in-shining-armor who served Lothric, now wearing the armor of the kingdom's exiles and hunting gods and kings for sport, all for the rush of adrenaline. Not because they have a goal, but because they want to be reminded they can still die.

I'm the mercenary who rises from the dead and disarms a crazed katana wielding old man just because it looked shiny. Who learns magic just to sneak around other mercenaries like a coward. Who eats a lineup of combat stimulants before and during fights to get an edge on all of their opponents. Who saw where this whole thing was headed and chose to snuff out the fire, rather than let this age of pain continue.

And I'll do this run again and again with different builds each time. I'll give every new character a personality and make dumb choices based on it. It feels like playing the game for the first time again.

10/10 best game I've ever played in my whole life

Also, I recommend watching Sunlight Blade's "crystal only" dark souls 1 challenge run. The ludonarrative he outlines that can only occur under the circumstances of the crystal only run is another chapter of the "dark souls has the best environmental storytelling ever" evidence book.

[northropi]

ACVI is probably the widest disconnect between the degree to which I feel good at the game and the degree to which I like the overall feel of the game I've ever experienced, with Ultrakill as a runner-up.

I've only just gotten to the end of Chapter 1. I got bopped for getting greedy in CH2M1 and going for combat logs on those Tetrapods while being too scared to take resupplies out of fear that I'd get locked into that room before finding everything, and haven't really attempted that one since because frankly I'm gonna need to devise a build with more ammo first, while also just buying out half the shop in general so I don't get stuck without an easy way to overwhelm a boss again. ("oh look at me i beat Balteus with shotguns you don't need pulse weapons to do it" well i didn't have those either, genius)

Now factor in my job, the fact I'm going for a trip this weekend, and my sheer executive dysfunction, and I don't anticipate to get anywhere close to the end for a few months.

It makes me think about why I tend to shy away from games I know to be hard, you know? One definite factor is that beating something hard is just not satisfying to me. The way people describe the feeling of a boss being a pain in the ass enhancing the feeling of winning is alien to me. I feel bad during the attempts and I almost feel worse when I beat it. I get mad and cuss it out as it goes down, far from the usual reaction you see from people who like that sort of thing.

On top of that I'm never sure if I got good or if I got lucky. I don't think I'd suddenly be able to do what I did again- and I swear I straight-up glitched Balteus because while it brought the flamethrowers out at 50% HP the winning run didn't see it pop assault armor until it was at like 25%, and I two-cycled the thing. Ultrakill, Claire de Soliel on Violent, my approach essentially got patched out with the harder weapon freshness rules now. Marauder, all that time ago, yeah I ate too many hits, with only a few successful attempts at sidestepping as I stood at optimal range with the SSG out- would not have flown on any higher difficulty. At least ACVI doesn't make me have to wrap my brain around constant weapon switching, though, but the fact that I tend to play all at once without taking breaks until I'm done, out of fear that I'll forget tricks I do pick up, probably also isn't helping my performance or my mood. I stayed up for like three hours on Balteus, it just wasn't fun.

After the AH12 I felt great, that was like three attempts. Juggernaut went down in two, that optional Tetrapod was like three, and I was shredding every conventional AC I found. I kinda joined into the meme of "the Souls fans don't know how to comprehend a vertical axis." That, I feel, is kind of true. Flight is an adjustment that came naturally to me because it's just part of the games I play the most. I felt vindicated that a group I saw as acclimated to hard games was hitting a rut when they encountered a challenge I dealt with on the regular. But from everything I hear, it's almost like having an easy time with the Helo and Juggernaut, and even Sulla, who I chewed up and spat out in a matter of seconds, is almost an indicator of how bad you're gonna do on Balteus.

It's here that it all caught up to me. I can flaunt how the movement fits me like a glove, but anyone who's just used to hard games in general has a lot that I don't. Reaction times, adaptability, planning, tilt-resistance, and, of course, fucking mindset- the ability to enjoy the gauntlet, or at least to walk away and come back refreshed.

I don't have these, and I don't think I can learn them.

This is kind of where the shitty difficulty discourse we've been in for ten years breaks apart. Souls games initially seemed like a mix of just not looking like my type of game on a functional level, and too hard for me to approach, and with what looked like little reward for a lot of struggling, I simply didn't. With how popular they are, it eventually hit me that they actually do look really fun when they're not pushing your nose into the dirt. I wanna play them in some context where I can be kept from getting mad, streaming them with friends or something (unfortunate that the one that looks the most appealing to me is also currently the least accessible).

Here comes ACVI, which I knew was gonna be hard but, hey, at least it closes the other side of that equation, maybe I'll have fun losing or even "git gud" and have some talent to show for it. Then Balteus made me feel fucking ill and I just don't know anymore. I kinda just want to go back to drawing for the last few hours of this weekend, but I'm afraid I'll never finish it if I do. Maybe a more functional version of me would see that break as exactly what she needs to come back and crush it but with the brain I have here and now that's not happening and this is at serious risk of becoming a second Signalis situation.

[isaacapatow]

* * #IKE'S APARTMENT CONVO WITH @salemcampbell

Salem Campbell: -knocks on the door a little bit harder than necessary, before crossing his arms, tapping his foot- 

Ike: -answers the door already groaning in irritation, hopping on one foot as he's getting his hightop converse sneakers on- What? What the hell is it that people need to come to my god damn doorstep for? I get like three hours of downtime a day, can't you respect that?

Salem Campbell: -let's out a short huff- respect? You wanna complain about respect? You?

Ike: -blinks at Salem, too disoriented to sort this out- Just tell me. I don't have the brainpower for twenty questions. -steps out, shutting the door behind him, an unspoken signal that he doesn't intend to be in this conversation long-

Salem Campbell: -let's out a mocking chuckle, shaking his head- Mind telling me where Ares is? It's about him, he should hear it.

Ike: -folds his arms, taking his time answering- He's around. Somewhere.

Salem Campbell: Oh yeah he's somewhere. Outside of Redwood. Without you.

Ike: -doesn't say anything. he smiles, instead, very slowly, and jerks his chin in Salem's direction: another unspoken challenge. Prove it.-

Salem Campbell: -stares back at him- Security saw him leave with Orion about an hour ago. I'll make sure security is gonna catch them when they come back through the main gate. Stop playing fucking games, Ike.

Ike: It's under control. -drops the smile, eyebrows level and heavy as he stares at Salem- I have it under control. It's my business, Salem, and if I decide that we need Ares working without being attached to my ass all the time, then that's my prerogative. Or did you forget I'm his fucking boss?

Salem Campbell: -straightens himself up- It isn't your prerogative. The council made the decision that you'd keep track of him through the ankle monitor, unless that conveniently slipped your mind. And if it did, maybe you shouldn't be the boss of anyone.

Ike: The Council made a decision to set one person's fears at ease. I made a decision about the manpower needed to keep everyone stocked with the things we need to survive. -holds his hands palms up like a scale, weighing and then dropping one hand much lower, widening his eyes with a grin- Oh, look at that! My reason's more important than Silvy's.

Salem Campbell: Jesus fucking- Isaac, you have absolutely zero right to decide that! The council made a decision. And you went against it all on your own! Tell me Ike, if you know so much better than everyone - what the fuck do you think we have a council for?

Ike: Don't you doubt me on that. You know I believe in what the Council does. But sometimes what we do is for appearances, Salem. You haven't figured that one out by now?

Salem Campbell: You know full damn well it isn't just for appearances. You know what that guy did. And you just wanna let him run around Redwood? And you can't even be bothered to get off your ass and talk to us about it?

Ike: -shrugs, throwing his hands up a bit- Whaddyou want from me? A mea culpa? You want me to rain ashes on my head and beat my breast for not getting a blessing from on high? Well, tough titty, pal. We make unilateral decisions sometimes. This is mine. I'm sticking by it.

Salem Campbell: You are not above the fucking rules Ike. I didn't want to even keep him here! But when the council agreed that we should, I didn't drag him out of Redwood because I felt it was the better fucking choice! You know what- takes a deep breath- you can stick by your unilateral choice. And I'll make the unilateral choice to put Ares in a cell in the precinct until we can ensure that someone actually does their job and watch him.

Ike: -steps forward, outright scowling now, but -- takes a breath and reins it in- Look. He's not dangerous. He was, once, but we all did desperate things to survive. -considers, looking Salem up and down- Or at least some of us had to. He's been peaceful while he's here. I beat the holy fucking stuffing out of him, Salem. He's cowed. He's obedient. I keep the monitor turned on while he's in the gates, and what's he gonna do out there, while he's with another raider? He can't do anything. He won't. He wouldn't dare. It's the people in here who you're worried about, well. Everyone in here is safe. I make sure of that.

Salem Campbell: -doesn't even flinch for a moment- Don't fucking patronize me. I know what people had to do. I've made my peace with the fact that I'm not gonna trust everybody here. But Ares is a different case than somebody like Orion, or somebody like you. And even if you think he won't hurt anyone, you can't just fucking go against the council like that. You agreed to the suggestion. You vouched for him and promised to keep an eye on him. And you didn't.

Ike: Okay, well. -falls back a step, ticking his bottom jaw side to side in thought before clicking his teeth together- Then it's my fault, not his. There's no reason to lock him up. -pauses for a moment before lifting his hands, wrists together- Take me away, officer.

Salem Campbell: Oh no. You're gonna be death with with the council. Renee and Ermano got a right to know about this. Just be glad I'm only locking Ares up, and not Orion too for going out with him.

Ike: Salem. Jesus, be reasonable! This isn't Law and fuckin' Order, this is the goddamn end of the world! -presses his hands against his chest- I'll 'fess up to the Council, if that's what you want. Leave Orion alone, he doesn't have anything to do with it. Ares agreed to be tethered and monitored. He agreed, I was the one who decided to take him off it. None of the raiders were gonna narc on me, is what you don't understand. You just don't. It's different for people who go out there all the time. You're gonna do more harm than good driving wedges between them.

Salem Campbell: I am fucking reasonable! -scoffs- You will fess up, or I'll tell them. Ares is gonna stay in the precinct until we figure out a new plan to keep track of him like we actually said we would. Did you ever fucking stop and think how Silvy would feel about this? Anyone else? Seeing us promise one thing and doing the opposite?

Ike: -shakes his head, rubbing his face- I didn't think anybody would be paying that close attention, to tell you the truth. And Silvy's ... there are things more important than one person's paranoia. -reaches out to grab Salem's arm, hanging on to him tight- Man, c'mon. Just let me fix it. I deserve that much, before you go blowing everything wide open.

Salem Campbell: -stares at Ike, shakes his head, but doesn't pull his arm away- I've seen what people like Ares can do. People who think the rules don't apply to them because this is the end of the world. This isn't anybody's paranoia, this is common sense Ike. -takes a deep breath- How do you want to fix this?

Ike: -a touch desperately now- I'll -- I'll tell the Council. So they know not to blame any of my raiders. And we can assign somebody to stick with Ares at all times, that would work. Not just out there doing raids, but in the perimeter, somebody'll be watching him twenty-four-seven. Not forever, I don't think that's fair to anybody, but for now. Until the Council decides Silvy's-- -catches himself, rephrases- ...until everyone's fear about him is gone. He deserves a chance. Out of all my raiders he's the one with the most -- think of his brother, Salem. He's got Lucien here. They both deserve that chance to move forward.

Salem Campbell: -stares at Ike with furrowed brows for a moment, quietly- He's the one with the most what, Ike? Why do you care about him?

Ike: I care about them all. -holds Salem's gaze- He has a brother. They love each other. It'll just make Lucien suffer to see his kid brother railroaded for something I did.

Salem Campbell: He isn't being railroaded. It's called consequences for his actions. I'm not saying lock him up in there forever, Ike. Lucien's gonna have to live with that. -let's out a sigh- Maybe he shouldn't have been a raider in the first place.

Ike: They weren't his actions, is what I'm saying. I turned the monitor off and sent him out. Just give me this one, Salem. Please.

Salem Campbell: -stares Ike down- Alright. I'm giving you one more chance. I'm letting this slide. But if try to pull anything like this again, I don't care what kind of excuses you have. Ike- takes a deep breath and seems to deflate a little- You can't keep doing shit like this. I gotta be able to trust you.

Ike: ...keep doing shit like this? What else-- -stops, remembering the fence, and subsides, unable to meet Salem's eyes anymore- Yeah. I get you. Thanks, man.

Salem Campbell: Alright. -runs a hand over his face- If I see Ares running around freely as if he's just like anyone else, you know what I'll do. -turns to leave-

Ike: -watches Salem go, chewing his lip. he considers going back inside, but instead heads for the main gate. his raiders will be back, soon.-

[blackuigryphonvr]

#WizardsUnite #Prestige pages & #BrilliantEvent 2020 I honestly felt that by the end of 2019 & the first half of 2020, the game was significantly good. I also like Community Day much better than Pokémon Go for a while there, especially in the winter. They also did a fantastic job adapting to the Pandemic.

Unfortunately, by summer of 2020 it completely tanked. Events had a variety of problems. I recall September being especially a lack luster event in themes. The entire point of the was based on Harry Potter whom went to a magic school, but the back-to-school vibe, theme, n presentation was so bland, boring, not very well thought out, and was such a turn off. I thought surely they'd make up for it with Halloween. But even that was worse.

You would think a game based on wizards, witches, and magic that had completely become an amazing AR experience by winter of 2020 would completely blow it out of the water for Autumn 🍂. But it was a complete failure. But it wasn't just the themes, but new waypoints from Ingress & Pokémon Go had stopped being added to the game.

Then, all the events since summer were incredibly rigged so as to make finishing a Brilliant Event, SOS Tasks, Community Day, or even the new Wizarding Weekends became literally impossible. I was so fed up with it by October.

The tasks were rigged so you couldn't move on to the next tasks. Like, if a Faux Phoenix was constantly spawning, then you finish that round of tasks THAT ACTUALLY REQUIRE YOU to NOW get 5 Faux Phoenix foundables they just won't spawn, n if/when they do, u can't catch them.

No matter how many potions u stocked up on, no matter where you went out to grind, it didn't matter. Even if you paid for potions the odds were still bad. It was just a money trap.

But, thankfully, it's not as bad as that anymore.

It's not like I want the game to be too easy. But, I don't like playing something that's just bullying me with frustration. I don't play games to stress me out. I don't mind some levels of difficulty or goals to work towards, but a timed event that's rigged is just cruel.

So, I can tell the new Adversaries stuff is something I'm generally not able to accomplish about half of the time. I'm actually not bothered by this because it gives me something to work towards.

But the Brilliant Event is about the story. I need to read THE STORY! I NEED THE INFORMATION!

But also the special items like the final foundables, n the special items like the badges. Why were MAIN FOUNDABLES for The Page in the BONUS???? U can't make that a rigged intentionally difficult event. U also turn off the new players.

The game isn't JUST about your top level players!!!

I'm level 45. That's NOT NOTHING. I play grind style. I put EFFORT in just to get there!

I shouldn't have to grind 3/4s of each day just to finish part 2/4 of tasks for 4 days just to find a foundable that just won't pawn. Especially when its competing against some kind of way more awesome Legendary Pokémon Go event that I play with literally hundreds of enthusiastic players. Wizards Unite is pretty niche, n JK Rowling tainted her brand as a self professed trans phobe.

I'm hoping it stays within the parameters of DOABLE, and NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

I recall playing back in October especially, because August & September were terrible n I barely even finished those events. So I stocked up on potions. I had keys 🔑. I went outside every day.

But, I could tell it was rigged. That first day I went out, I blew through my potions at the park, and my phone battery, and my brick battery charger. So, I couldn't even finish 2/4 to get to 3/4. In fact, I didn't even reach 2/4 until that night.

So, days went by and I was still stuck at 2/4.

WTF?

Then, even tho we had good weather, it suddenly snowed! The temperature dropped. It was a blizzard!

I blew through coins, n once I finally got to the bonus part ON THE LAST DAY it wanted me to open an IMPOSSIBLE UNACHIEVABLE AMOUNT OF PORTKEYS!!! There wasn't even enough hours left for that. It takes time to walk a portkey... plus it was a blizzard.

See!

It was completely rigged!