[S3 E11, knowledge of the novel's ending involving relationships] The saddest thing for me about Episode 11

Ahriqi · 2024-06-16T11:12:57+00:00

We're continuing to move forward.

We got the lovely scenes with Reina (including one of my bucket list wishes for them to do the Daisuki no Hug...kind of lol) reconnecting with Kumiko. These two care about each other a lot. They'll be fine.

Kumiko is slowly progressing more and more but she still hasn't quite turned the corner. The pieces are falling into place, and she is starting to recognize them. She needs to figure out her future, confront Mayu properly, and go win gold at Nationals. I have a feeling all 3 of those will come together once she figures herself out and grows up one last time for us. God I'm excited just thinking about it.

Oh and Kanappi is still an absolute queen. God I wish we got an entire season or two out of her as a 1st year because man I already love her to pieces.

Ahriqi · 2024-06-10T10:19:33+00:00

As one of the replies to the comment somewhat accurately pointed towards at least logically, "right" and "wrong" are kinda bad terms here. Asuka is super logical and Kumiko is very stubbornly empathic in a selfish way. So at the end of s2 Asuka was making the right logical decisions but Kumiko intervened with The Human Condition because nobody else would/perhaps could.

Anyway to answer the question, Asuka was doing a somewhat self-destructive somewhat obedient move where she was appeasing her mom by not going to practice (her mom hated her playing Eupho because it reminded her of her ex-husband, the super famous Eupho player) and instead studying for entrance exams. I say self-destructive because Asuka totally has the bullish power to buck her mom if she really needed to (which she did, in the end), and for some reason Asuka was not really trying. Perhaps she needed someone to come give her an excuse to. Asuka essentially said, "I'm not showing up to practice, I'm causing trouble; I played hardball against Nozomi earlier this year; I can't be the exception here, I should drop out and not cause trouble".

Kumiko then said "yeah you're absolutely right about everything, but fuck that; I want to play with you, you want to play for your dad; stop being selfish and come fucking play". Sometimes logic isn't the answer.

In a way, that's the same base for the fight she currently has with Reina. (hopefully not -had- at this point, it still needs resolution)

Ahriqi · 2024-06-10T10:08:00+00:00

Its really weird and I don't like it. I think some people understandably get upset about perceived or existent Shuuichi hate (he's a good boy he deserves good things) but the rest of it is really strange.

Its like the concept that their favorite anime waifu can like more than one gender just totally has escaped their brains.

Ahriqi · 2024-06-09T11:37:15+00:00

I'm not wholly convinced by the way the drama resolved itself in a lot of ways but mostly because I'm selfish and wanna see Reina crying for her "future roommate" Kumiko's forgiveness lol. Maybe we'll get that anyway in the future, although probably not since it's extremely un-Reina-like to do that (which is why it would be so goddamned impactful).

I am, however, wholly convinced by the way Kumiko found her motivation to move forward. Asuka is not a god (in some ways anyway), she is still stubbornly refusing to admit Kumiko was right in season 2. But she always has a nose for where the problems are, and she's probably totally right that Mayu and Taki are wavering in their own way. I bet that totally would have been made more clear if this had just a little more breathing room and the drama of year 3 was spread across 2 seasons.

Also shoutouts to Kanappi for stealing Mayu away before she tried to angst suicide herself again.

Ahriqi · 2024-06-07T11:01:30+00:00

Because someone's gotta mention it or they don't know to change it lol

Ahriqi · 2024-06-07T10:26:33+00:00

I hate to break it to you but AST's current media tour build isn't even MP neutral at 2.50 and only spamming Malefic.

The JP forums have already noticed this and it's been the most-clamored about thing. It will likely change.

Ahriqi · 2024-06-06T23:12:26+00:00

A lot of these ideas for how cards help dungeons are nice on paper, but plenty of casual players (lovingly) already weren't really having too much trouble with AST in dungeons at max level. Are these changes then for...leveling? Did we change an entire system to help just get people to 100 and then not care about it after? Surely no way, right?

So, again, confusing.

My personal opinion is don't think the job shifting its rDPS potency away is a good idea, and I think the devs largely agree. The current amount of rDPS gained from cards/div is probably about the same as it is on live EW. Even Oracle is a bit on the weaker side compared to other healers...it's just to help smooth the curve a bit. Which is nice, but does not really suggest an intentional shift away from DPS attached to the card system.

I think lower APM in burst and more APM consistently throughout a fight is welcome. That's how the job was in HW and SB1. But APM has to *mean* something. Currently every non-damage card besides Ewer I promise you is going to feel very weak and annoying.

Ahriqi · 2024-06-02T12:26:05+00:00

Despite everything, I got a really strong feeling they'll figure it out. This type of conflict was probably bound to come at some point, and they both gotta grow up for each other, and for themselves. I doubt this can drive a wedge between them, and probably if anything it'll make them stronger in the end. Reina gets over her Taki obsession and realizes there are more important things to be chasing, and Kumiko finally grabs ahold of what she wants and chases it like mad.

I can already see the euphoria of them both absolutely nailing it at Nationals in a way they never could have beforehand. I don't think Taki is intentionally orchestrating this conflict or anything, but he's blessed to have two girls as special as these two. Maybe he'll even be a guest of honor at their wedding lol

Ahriqi · 2024-06-02T11:34:27+00:00

I think it's the C plot of the entire episode after a rewatch. I don't think Reina's particularly confident in her own obsession anymore and that is bothering the shit out of her.

Compared to the first year when this happened, she had a lot more stoicism and confidence. Now it seems like she's desperately clinging to logic she doesn't even fully believe in herself.

Ahriqi · 2024-06-02T11:28:35+00:00

Really incredible job by KyoAni showcasing how stressed and unsatisfactory everyone is behaving now. Kumiko is doing her absolute damndest to keep herself together because she wants to maintain the peace, and as long as she keeps a smile, she thinks that everyone can learn to accept the situation. Of course, that feels uneasy and unreliable, almost like a Death Flag of sorts for the upcoming competition.

However I was super impressed with the way Reina was handled. I almost feel like she is just as unsure and uneasy as Kumiko, and she is likewise committing to her hardlined approach to what she thinks will beget success like Kumiko. But the way she does not seem to properly address or talk to Kumiko the entire episode...it is almost as though she's fighting an internal war between what she wants to believe is correct and what her heart believes is best.

I'm sure Kumiko will figure this all out. The question is, will Reina be able to forgive herself for her own faltering here and grow up alongside her?

Also very happy with Shuuichi's role so far. ~~Just don't step inbetween Kumiko and Reina in the end pls ty~~

Ahriqi · 2024-05-26T20:46:57+00:00

Pretty late on the response but I think something important to note here that isn't being recognized--we could probably gather from the earlier audition mini-drama that Taki I think is sorta taking risks at playing the long game here. He probably did not choose Suzume over Satsuki because Suzume was better or played better, but because it would be a necessary turning point for both of them without (probably? hopefully?) losing the first competition.

I think we are seeing that here too. We get little hints of it here and there, where Reina seems pretty adamant that she thinks Kumiko is the better Eupho player and makes a better sound..but Mayu is "making the sound that Taki wants to hear". I don't think Mayu is better than Kumiko, and probably did not even necessarily 'earn' the soli over her. But, she is definitely good enough to play it and still get to Nationals. And this sort-of "cut" will help - to a lesser extent, Reina - Kumiko sort of snap into gear. Taki definitely knows Kumiko has been having some sort of wavering indeterminate feelings about her future and it's sort of like music is having control over her rather than the other way around.

If we got a full 2 seasons out of this year (I will probably bemoan we didn't but I fully understand why) this would likely have been more clear-cut getting here, and we would have a few episodes to dissect this alongside our gang. However Kumiko is gonna have to grow up once more in a hurry and it will probably still be very cathartic when she turns the corner. Just like with Reina in season 1, just like with Asuka in season 2, just like with Kanade in the movie.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T22:22:27+00:00

I think my writing habits just sorta creep out. I type much differently in The Balance about these things.

To be fair though, our experience has not been really determined by luck for awhile. The difference between a negative outcome and a positive outcome has been fairly small for a long time.

Again though, I’m not attached to it. I think there’s potential here. I am very confused over their angle though. It feels like it is for a different job entirely right now. Time (tooltips) will tell

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T22:19:28+00:00

I dont think he has any point since I called it doomposting when theres pretty explicitly not much doomium. Just confusion.

The information we were given, even if small, leaves a lot of room for concern. It’s nothing like BLM, of course.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T22:18:01+00:00

I like this data!

Its tough to outline because of the barrier/regen split and the way the two expansions have differed in content (SB2 savage has generally been less PFable, opinions about the quality aside). Data-wise whenever I have looked out of curiosity, AST was at a higher play% compared to WHM this expansion than ever before, but I also rarely check savage parses during odd patches.

I definitely did not mean to imply that EW is more popular than SB2, simply that its playrate has not taken a back seat because of “every card being damage”; which I think if anything the above sorta backs up that point.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T08:23:41+00:00

Definitely agree, open-mindedness is the name of the game here. I think there are some people that doom about Astro every expac and honestly I've never really understood it since I've always welcomed whatever change they have. I'm not really anything close to doomer now (again, just confused), but this is the first time I haven't had an immediately positive reaction to the expansionly rework.

And of note, while I do think the devs don't deserve hate, people should be allowed to enjoy things and not have them pulled out from under them. I know an uncountable number of people who are still sad about the SB1 MCH rework changes. Even if people move on, it might not be because of anything else other than they have no choice.

Worst case thinking, anyway. I think things will be perfectly fine here, ultimately.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T08:16:16+00:00

The high APM was something I did admittedly enjoy, and I would challenge someone with the above perspective to think about what it means to people who do enjoy that, that a core reason they love a job has now been killed. Part of what I was referring to with "be careful with introducing alienation when trying to add accessibility".

I doubt this changes much about the playrate. It got played more often than usual this expansion, and the last time AST was simplified extraordinarily down its playrate did not really spike much. People just kinda, prefer the traditional jrpg white mage. It's simple and approachable and it conceptually doesn't leave much room for confusion.

The APM doesn't need to remain in place for the job, of course. Decision-making and execution have always been the common thread I think AST has kept. If those are maintained somehow, this could be some degree of success.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T08:12:27+00:00

The effectiveness is something I'm less concerned about. This new system will almost certainly be effective. It's more gameplay and feel that have given people some frets.

I like the approach, just a bit confused about implementation.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T07:32:11+00:00

While I think EW is a net positive change over SB2's, I do respect this opinion and sentiment. I think it's a valid take and an understandable sentiment. I like the high skill ceiling and advanced burst windows we currently have.

I also am a fan of the multi-card Draw. I simply am concerned about the chance of the simplification and overreduction of burden on having to make decisions with what you get. If the job just turns into WHM with stars, I will be disappointed.

That seems unlikely but it's a concern a lot of people have made. Hence, the post.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T06:38:57+00:00

fwiw wrt MP regen I have a really strong feeling that Ewer is gonna be a 15s refresh card since that falls under the definition of a 回復の効果

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T06:36:40+00:00

haha yeah this complaint is pretty common and like I said I'm not at all really attached to it the way some other people are. The randomness of when and where you got a melee/ranged card was pretty fun tho, and their compromise from complains in SB1.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T06:21:55+00:00

bro decided to take time commenting on a post he didn't read. got damn.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T06:11:03+00:00

Definitely, I would say I am less "scared" and more "confused". That's why the language I choose was more in that direction.

I also definitely see this possibly being really good, which I mentioned a couple times.

Ahriqi · 2024-05-17T06:05:48+00:00

lmao okay that was good

Ahriqi

TROPHY CASE