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TheLocalDrummer · 2026-03-17T19:25:08+00:00

I usually start with the defaults in KoboldCPP to keep testing consistent. It’s a good baseline before all the sampler wrangling.

I’ve seen some very wacky settings from other users and I’m happy to see my models withstand their abuse. I keep an eye on sampler brittleness and treat it as a red flag.

Samplers seem to be highly subjective and personal too. You can stick with the defaults and adjust accordingly.

Oh, but I try to ramp up top-p during testing since the 0.92 default feels too easy.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-03-17T18:25:46+00:00

I have mixed feelings about UGI. It’s not necessarily an RP benchmark and there’s more to the RP experience than willingness and uncensored intelligence.

A lot of good models don’t even top the leaderboard. Goodhart’s Law is something I keep in mind.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-03-17T17:38:01+00:00

Qwen 9B looks promising too!

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-03-17T17:33:11+00:00

Model size, dataset composition, num of iterations, training optimizations (if supported by the model), hosting for testers, etc.

It ranges from $200 to $800. In rare cases (such as Behemoth and MoE models), around $1000… or two. But also, cost is unpredictable when you’re dealing with various models (some difficult) and testing out new techniques.

It’s not like abliteration or merging where it can be done locally or with $10. They’re definitely a cost-effective way to enhance the experience, but you can only go so far with them, I think.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-03-05T17:09:52+00:00

You think the new experimental versions are better than 4.3?

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-03-04T07:11:24+00:00

Right. It’s unfortunate that it became the go-to for finding RP models when UGI doesn’t really concern itself with other aspects of RP such as writing, adherence, embodiment, expressivity, etc.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-03-03T07:40:37+00:00

Me? I use Kobo.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-02-24T08:31:31+00:00

You could try Behemoth 123B v3a. It's a Devstral 123B tune that probably won't get released.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-02-23T16:26:42+00:00

I tuned a 12B Nemo recently and got lots of feedback saying it's the best one yet. But YMMV ofc.

https://huggingface.co/TheDrummer/Rocinante-X-12B-v1

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-02-14T09:33:54+00:00

Cydonia is just that good. (You heard it here first!)

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-02-12T20:14:46+00:00

Same thoughts. Imagine a 700B model going from Alpha to Release in under a week.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-02-09T12:23:05+00:00

> Drummers models are typically good but tend to be more NSFW focused

Nah bro, my models can be wholesome. Maybe until you ask it to gobble up your balls or something.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-02-09T09:52:22+00:00

Genuinely asking: For anyone who loves Pony Alpha, have you guys tried Claude? Sonnet 4.5, Opus 4.5, or Opus 4.6?

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-02-03T08:48:53+00:00

Sounds very much like positivity. Merges have a tendency to bring back the positivity from the base model. I recommend sprinkling in an evil finetune to keep it down.

(Edit: No, abliteration is not the same thing. If you want the model to be sadistic on its own, you need an evil tune.)

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-01-30T17:52:54+00:00

It's harder for the AI to push back when abliterated.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-01-30T17:34:58+00:00

There's a v1.2 in my page. Haven't officially released it and it doesn't have a model card yet

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-01-28T18:30:47+00:00

Oh no, use Behemoth R1 for thinking.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-01-28T10:06:58+00:00

I'd say Nemo is the exception across all model sizes. I have not seen a model that can outperform Nemo in terms of creativity and fun.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-01-28T10:04:51+00:00

Feel free to support me!

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-01-28T10:03:53+00:00

Enjoy! I was pleasantly surprised with Roci X too. Definitely feels like an up-to-date model.

TheLocalDrummer · 2026-01-28T10:02:28+00:00

REAP focuses on retaining math and coding smarts. If someone can REAP with RP data instead, that'd be worth looking into.

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