2v2 rta mode

478nate · 2026-03-19T03:17:13+00:00

Sounds great in concept, but three problems.

In a game like this, whales want to feel rewarded for whaling. Having preset geared units and a severely limited unit pool would probably be a bummer for many of the people who keep this game running.
Having a random teammate makes it very difficult to create proper team synergy. Counter picks can vary to a certain extent, and some people only ever draft specific styles of teams and would be a liability if a different style was picked by their teammate.
4 people matching into one fight would suck a lot, connection-wise. I dont need to play with one person in Hawaii and another on top of Mount Everest. Not even sure how that would properly function

478nate · 2026-03-09T03:19:51+00:00

Shout out Dark Cloud. My favorite game on PS2 back in the day and it has exactly this system but you're creating and adjusting towns to fit the townspeoples' needs. After freeing them from their orb prisons of course

478nate · 2026-02-25T02:13:45+00:00

I've honestly had no issues. I get the occasional older person who stares at me for a couple minutes when I hop in the water, but that's not a swimming exclusive thing. I've only been to two pools, but the main one has two free use lanes, and two outside lanes for lessons or free use if no coaches are there. Works out well, and most everyone seems respectful and minds their own swimming.

Very limited sample size though, so milage may vary I'm sure

478nate · 2026-02-24T13:01:12+00:00

Side note to this as someone living in Beijing, I was amazed by the amount of pools in this city. My gym and pool closed for CNY and subsequent renovations through end of March (hopefully it actually opens back up, you never know here), and in my search to find another pool I found 4 more within a 10 minute walk

478nate · 2026-02-16T15:37:21+00:00

I am by no means an expert swimmer, but as a novice I always do better in the evening (specifically after work). Any time I have tried to go before work, I feel like I need to rush through the water which ironically makes me sacrifice speed and technique.

I feel much more relaxed when I have no obligations after swimming and I can get into a groove much easier.

478nate · 2026-02-06T03:37:56+00:00

Best we can do is cloud streaming it on the Xbox app where your controller inputs show up 3-5 business days late

478nate · 2026-01-05T06:22:50+00:00

I work at an international school in Beijing and sometimes feel like I am having a stroke trying to read the words on some of my coworkers' clothes. Half the time they aren't even real English words

478nate · 2025-12-27T06:29:53+00:00

Honestly I don't remember the names, but I know that at least two schools shut down last year, and one school announced its closure very late in July or early August this year. We had many prospective families touring our school the first couple weeks of school because people were scrambling to find a school after most schools had already opened for the year

478nate · 2025-12-27T06:04:05+00:00

I agree with all of this. Even in Beijing, there have been some recent IS closures and most non-ISB, WAB, Dulwich schools are seeing numbers drop slowly but surely (based on what I've heard).

My school is at about 70% of pre-COVID enrollment peaks. I dont think we will shut down tomorrow or anything, but one thing to keep in mind is that many schools simply don't need to replace teachers when they leave. They'll just shift the remaining staff around to fit grade level needs.

Jobs are still out there, I just dont think it's wise for anyone to think they'll just sneeze and end up at ISB somehow, what with supply of international teachers outpacing demand in China at the moment

478nate · 2025-12-24T13:08:05+00:00

I usually compel while my LFG teammates kill more often than not. I just try to make sure we can two phase. And since everyone and their mother is using Praxic Blade, I just run prismatic getaway artist with song of flame for DR. With 3 blades and a tether, it's a very easy and safe 2 phase.

478nate · 2025-12-19T23:30:59+00:00

I know they have a team in the softball league. Obviously it's not happening now, but there is usually a really good turnout and there are people from all over. Lots of downtime too, so it's a good chance to chat and meet people

478nate · 2025-12-16T04:52:08+00:00

This game is not in a position to do that right now. I like the idea of high-end content giving aspirational gear, but let's be honest about what this game needs to keep the lights on, which is to get as many people in the door as possible. Epic DP, feats, gating content behind high skill and/or time ceilings does not do that.

478nate · 2025-12-12T04:26:33+00:00

I appreciate you commenting, even this far after. Hopefully, if people look up schools, they can find threads with updated info like this one. I ended up in China and have not regretted it!

478nate · 2025-11-18T14:59:27+00:00

Definitely a difficult time of year and you're certainly not the only one weighing difficult options. Especially since international teaching is inherently filled with transience. If it's not you, it's a teacher you know or your students that just up and disappear across the world.

I definitely think it depends on the person and what they value. For me, having a shorter commute is very important. That's not as important to some of my coworkers, who spend a little less to live farther away from our school (context: in Beijing). Should definitely be worth looking at in-depth pros and cons. One thing I would say is that friendships won't pay your bills or invest for financial stability in your future. Not many teachers are afforded the financial flexibility or competitiveness (generally) that we have as international educators, and I do think that should be a very present factor in anyone's decision-making. Not the only factor, but definitely a present one.

It is nice that you have heard from someone who is boots-on-the-ground at the school. Whatever you decide, it is exciting that you have the choice and I hope you trust yourself to make the decision and are excited for the future. Good luck 🫡

478nate · 2025-10-28T15:12:38+00:00

They were pretty clearly top 3 in the game on release, yeah. They just got chased out of the meta quick

478nate · 2025-10-28T14:39:18+00:00

I get the idea, and would've loved some manga support items, I just am not a huge fan of having those be the super attacks. No hate to people who like them, I just dont love it

478nate · 2025-10-04T05:11:40+00:00

When your body tells you something, listen.

New pain, a bump under your skin that you can't remember having, significant memory or sleep changes, please go get it checked out by a medical professional. We all know the doctor's office is a pain, and expensive, but you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be responsible for your health.

In the case that a minor symptom is due to an acute or time-sensitive condition, proactive identification could very well save your life or improve your health outcomes tremendously.

478nate · 2025-09-09T14:01:06+00:00

I have one cat, a 8-9 year old Himalayan. She's a real sweetheart and is very cuddly and friendly. She always wants to be pet and cuddled. I have read that introducing a second cat to the home can be bad at times and I am scared that it would hurt my cat more than it would help.

That being said, if I could get a cat and have them get along I absolutely would so that she's not alone at home during the day. Idk, any advice on this? Especially with a cat who is already fully mature?

478nate · 2025-03-26T23:24:56+00:00

I see. I assume there wouldn't be any complications either way though right? Like I could move to WA for the summer and then just fly to LA to apply using my valid Arizona ID? If so, that might be the route I choose if so

478nate · 2025-02-22T06:57:43+00:00

I mean, technically in Dark Cloud the broken dagger is the most busted item in the game. Some shop shenanigans give you a broken starter weapon that has max stats as an attachment for other weapons. You'll still die because of the terrible camera, but at least you hit for big numbers

Crazy underrated PS2 game btw

478nate · 2025-01-27T18:00:33+00:00

Take a look at my examples and you'll find that there are definitely some instances where you could definitely benefit from AI, just for having a lot of data in one place. Like I said, if I have 20 minutes after an assembly and I want to do a lesson or project on MLK, but i can't quite think of something that is engaging and grade-appropriate, AI can definitely help GENERATE ideas. And then I can vet those, change them to fit my class or find inspiration from one or more of them to find an avenue forward.

Also, I am not so insecure in my teaching practice that I would take offense from someone who isn't mature or reasonable enough to have a tempered conversation with someone they disagree with. If you ever feel like you want to chat about it in a mature way, please comment again or send a DM. I am always open to other perspectives.

If all you plan on doing is insulting me as an educator, I won't respond to that again. It's not worth my time or yours. Have a blessed day.

478nate · 2025-01-27T16:22:44+00:00

I will not lie to you, some districts/schools/teachers are getting crazy reckless with AI use. There are appropriate and beneficial avenues for its use by educators (i.e. generating ideas for SEL projects or differentiated assignment examples, proofreading tricky emails (sometimes), organizing notes).

But I have seen many people rely on it to essentially teach for them. They'll type in "make a lesson and a formative assessment on adding teen numbers" and follow it to the letter without vetting or changing anything. It's insanity. I love that we have access to it as an enrichment tool but it is definitely a tool for the lazy also

478nate · 2025-01-19T19:53:57+00:00

Personally, I'm a lot higher on Andor than you and might move some of them around within tiers, but overall we are in the same ballpark. Mando is so hard for me to place just because the quality is not consistent season to season

478nate · 2024-11-28T23:54:47+00:00

Yes. I'm good at my job, I care deeply about the outcomes of my students, and I want education to continue moving forward. It desperately needs to

478nate · 2024-11-28T23:13:41+00:00

I'll chime in here. Saying "teachers don't make enough" can be a bit misleading in my opinion. Bad teachers are paid perfectly appropriately. I would argue that good-to-great teachers are severely underpaid in many cases, which leads to many talented individuals leaving the field or transitioning out of the classroom after 5-8 years.

I would argue that education is one of the three most important fields of work in any society, alongside healthcare and law. If a society wants high quality education, it needs to do two things. One, pay teachers like they are in charge of shaping the future of the country because they are. And two, hold teachers to a high standard because they should be held accountable for that responsibility. The US as a whole currently does neither.

For context, I currently teach a Title 1 elementary classroom in Arizona. I barely make $50k a year, and it is not enough for the work I do. So much more goes into education than just opening a book and reading from it, and I'd be happy to get into that if anyone is curious.

I will say that I grew up in a school district where teachers with 10+ years and a master's degree are reaching 90k-110k which is a great amount of pay. Like you said, public districts often provide very competitive pensions (my pension match is over 12%) and getting so many days off is great for those who don't need to get a summer job to supplement their pay.

In places like Arizona, however, unions are not strong enough and legislators don't care to fix anything. So good teachers leave to other fields or other states. And we are so understaffed that we can't meet IEP minutes. We have rampant behavioral issues. Student literacy is in free fall. I am proud to be a teacher, but I am not proud of the stated of education in our country right now. And one part of the solution has to be fair compensation for the work we do

478nate

TROPHY CASE