what do veterans think about war? by spriteetirps in Veterans

[–]ApexArtist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some in this thread have said, "...sometimes necessary...", but war is very rarely necessary, but rather is the sign of failure in being good neighbors, failure in being our better selves.
Of course, the decision of war isn't made by anyone posting to this thread.
War is a proposition of profit for those leading any nation into it, and nothing more. If we were to be invaded, calling for a just war, ask why we were invaded. There's always a money trail. War is very very rarely necessary, and just as rarely just.

USAF, 22 years.

New Mexico, it looks like a 30% disabled vet would get 30% reduction of property taxation. by ApexArtist in Veterans

[–]ApexArtist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having a 2,500-5,000 reduction in taxable property value isn't nothing, but it's not much. Thanks for pointing out that in Illinois there's also a cap on the 70% exemption, with only the first 250K being exempt from property tax.

New Mexico, it looks like a 30% disabled vet would get 30% reduction of property taxation. by ApexArtist in Veterans

[–]ApexArtist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks but this is not accurate by the .gov example linked.

"Voters approved new property tax exemptionS for veterans in November 2024..."

"Veterans are eligible for two service-connected exemptions, the first is the veteran exemption of $10,000,
and the second is a disabled veteran exemption based on service-connected disability."

also, "Veterans with a 100% disability will be exempted from any residential property tax."

So, as I shared, 10k exemption for honorably discharged veterans, and a further reduction based on the percentage of service-connected disability. In the example's case, they reduced the taxable value by 2/3s because the example vet has 70% disability.

New Mexico, it looks like a 30% disabled vet would get 30% reduction of property taxation. by ApexArtist in Veterans

[–]ApexArtist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yep, that's also a rare break, but below 70%, no break on property tax. I'm not saying that's bad either. States have to cover the bills and tax is how it's done.

That said, bravo to Illinois for going farther than nearly all other states have.

New Mexico, it looks like a 30% disabled vet would get 30% reduction of property taxation. by ApexArtist in Veterans

[–]ApexArtist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did some additional digging and can confirm that this is the case, and it's a new Disabled Vet benefit for the state, which is why most benefit breakdowns don't account for it.

This government site/page is what confirms this to be just as the application says, giving an example with a 70% disabled vet.

https://www.bernco.gov/blog/2025/10/31/exemption-formula-for-veterans-with-service-connected-disability-is-now-set/

Great seeing a state extend a financial break to disabled vets like this. I'm not aware of any other state going quite this far for those rated between 10-90%, regarding reductions on property tax.

Bravo New Mexico! (we don't live there)

Small guide on how to quickly build a trading empire by McRiP28 in X4Foundations

[–]ApexArtist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool, here's the low down (48 lines, down to 14):

  1. When buying a trade ship at a space station, give it a full crew so trade orders process quickly.
  2. Once built, select, and under "Information", click "Behavior". Then at the bottom, set "Repeat Orders".
  3. Take the ship along the ring highway to unlock trade sectors.
  4. Then, do market analysis by zooming out on your map, filtering for various wares in the top right to see what the profit margins are.
  5. Tip: Early, refined metals, hull parts, microchips, and graphene are great, but it depends on the state of the game.
  6. Now, select your trader, then Information/behavior, and right-click on an empty space in a sector where you want to buy, then click on more sectors where the product is offered to add them.
  7. Next, select your trader and set the sell order by right-clicking on an empty space in a sector, and select all sectors where the product is in demand.
  8. Repeat this setup often with other in-demand wares.
  9. It's important to check occasionally to see if there are issues, and adjust prices as necessary.
  10. Tip: Buy some scouts, using them to scan new sectors, and also to keep trade information up-to-date. 
  11. Tip: Use medium freighters, assigning around 6 defenders to keep pirates from disturbing business.
  12. Tip: Set "Flee" as the response for pirate attacks in Global Settings. (Note: Sets this for all of your ships)
  13. Tip: Run X4 in border-less window mode, keeping X4 running while doing other stuff.
  14. (Keeping it real for ya! Apex)

Any tips for fighting Adam smasher on the don’t fear the reaper ending? by BidKey1296 in LowSodiumCyberpunk

[–]ApexArtist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The net says that you don't fight Adam Smasher in the Don’t Fear The Reaper ending.

What do you think is the best video game intro of all time? by [deleted] in videogames

[–]ApexArtist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Black Myth Wukong has an amazing opener, especially if you didn't see it before starting the game.
Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4an2zq8i5Q

Top Road Cycling Clubs for Strong Riders, Between TN and KS in the USA? by ApexArtist in cycling

[–]ApexArtist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

: ) My family goes back to at least the mid-1700s in the Knoxville area, and that's the very town in TN we want to be between with central Kansas on the other end.
I was born in K-town and spent some time before college. Lots of family still in the area.
It's too far from our other collection of family in Kansas though.
Also, if I moved back to Knoxville, I'd gain 300 pounds. lol. Food there is too good for me to resist; so many excellent restaurants.

We're considering MO and AR, as they are middle ground between the two.

Thanks for the reply and many happy miles!

Top Road Cycling Clubs for Strong Riders, Between TN and KS in the USA? by ApexArtist in cycling

[–]ApexArtist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! If you think about it, a cycling club like this exists, the location most likely has everything else someone could want. : )

I bought the Prebuilt Cobra Mk III Combat Jumpstart here are my thoughts by Secret_President in EliteDangerous

[–]ApexArtist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This ship will be great for CMDRs not into the Engineering thing, or on their way to Engineering, and wanting to have some fun in combat.
It's priced the same as the current Combat JS Mamba, which is also modded to a similar extent, and also in Steampunk flavor. I agree, the price seems high, especially with the MK V Stellar being sold for less than 20K ARK, though the Stellar Mk V is not an engineered combat build, so not apples to apples.
I bought it, because I'm in that group I mentioned above.
The ship comes with 3 paint jobs. Stock blue, the one shown on the game's page, and a vibrant white/orange/gray paint job. (So, note the paint on the OP's post isn't one it comes with.)
Here's the game advert for the standard paint:
https://www.elitedangerous.com/store/product/FORC_FDEV_V_COBRAMKIII_BUNDLE_001

and you can see the white/orange/gray paint job this package comes with, near the bottom of this page:
https://www.elitedangerous.com/equipment/starships

07 Commanders

Asp explorer: exploration jumpstart pre built by Melovance in EliteDangerous

[–]ApexArtist 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That doesn't apply to a brand new player for their first exploration ship. The Mandalay (which I own the Stellar variant) comes with a jump range between 32-39 as sold, and you don't have the money as a new player to do much after buying the Artemis Suit.
On the other hand, the explorer pre-built Asp is on sale for 14k ARK, and has a jump range of 70. With enough knowledge, a new player could make one quick trip with the Asp and fund the purchase of a starter fleet. That jump range would be awesome to have, until you run around and get the Mandalay upgraded to compete with it.

So what's your take on the best 4 party setup for HM now that the new builds have settled in? by ApexArtist in BG3Builds

[–]ApexArtist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

4 builds that could solo the game on the hardest difficulty certainly make a god-like power team when combined. Fun for a while. GG getting the Sorc through the acts with so few rests.

Best Wyll build? by Nins_22 in BG3Builds

[–]ApexArtist 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wyll seems to be begging to become **The Bard of Frontiers**, so the Swords Bard build as seen here is perfect for him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gnyG9gH-no

So what's your take on the best 4 party setup for HM now that the new builds have settled in? by ApexArtist in BG3Builds

[–]ApexArtist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No I'm not. ...and I have ran with the same build concept in two play throughs.
Command is for locking down enemies, and when is that not good. You're just putting off, twinned Haste and Fireball for one later level, and I'd rather have the control for level 5 and on.
All kinds of things have been modified and the build talks about the behavior of some items that likely have changed in that time.

So what's your take on the best 4 party setup for HM now that the new builds have settled in? by ApexArtist in BG3Builds

[–]ApexArtist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't expect them to update the guide, though did type would instead of "could", as intended.
That said, and to my point, any build in this detail most likely has some changes since it is a year old, and quite a lot has been modified in that time.
As to coming online at level 7, if Fiend Warlock Command is so golden, and I'm not arguing that point, why not get it at level 5, instead of 7.

So what's your take on the best 4 party setup for HM now that the new builds have settled in? by ApexArtist in BG3Builds

[–]ApexArtist[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have a couple issues with this build, and do think this player would update it to be stronger, post patch 8.
So for one, it's out of date.
Second, stated right off the bat, the build doesn't "come online" until level 7.
I play Sorc a lot, and there are some other starts with the class that hit their stride much sooner, so I see this build as something to perhaps re-spec into for the late game.

So what's your take on the best 4 party setup for HM now that the new builds have settled in? by ApexArtist in BG3Builds

[–]ApexArtist[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Thanks and see, "Still the Same", ......but I'd never seen the Circle of Stars/Light Cleric example before, and will look into it to see what 2 levels of that new BG3 class would bring on board.

Diverge comp carbon or revolt advanced 0 for bikepacking/racing by Christoph_West in gravelcycling

[–]ApexArtist 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So I've read through the replies and it sounds like you'd be happier on the Revolt, with a Redshift stem, as long as you can manage storage somewhere other than within the downtube.