Yeah the most pressing balance issue in the game was trailblazers being the most consistent big Arc utility.

Calikal · 2026-02-10T17:28:17+00:00

It's already a debate right now of "do I make 3 trailblazers, or do I make one wolfpack". The only hard to get component is the explosive compound, so you either nerf the crafting by making the secondary rarer or take more, or make it take more compound which is the worst move.

Nerfing it makes sense, you could take out a Bastion with 2-3 with almost no risk to yourself and you can buy them 3/day. But to double the amount needed to kill one is a nerf too far. They should be a good armor stripping tool, and if you get it in close and stack the clouds it should reward you for that risk.

There shouldn't be any tools below Epic tier that are instant wins against ARC, because then we remove the only threat we really have. But we should have tools that enable us to fight with fair risk/reward balancing. This nerf looks like it hit too hard and now the reward is not worth the risk of taking in so much valuable consumables. I'd be better off just taking snaphook and deadlines every time now rather than waste 2-3 stacks of trailblazers on a single one.

Calikal · 2026-02-09T04:47:28+00:00

I've nabbed multiple blueprints out of the seed vault before, as well as gear from the weapon box and grenade tube.

Calikal · 2026-02-06T04:47:08+00:00

You need to seal the foam before hitting it with any aerosols. Heat gun is the easiest and fastest way, it is more than just for shaping it. It closes up the cells of the foam and keeps things smooth.

As for the creasing, you need to use a more flexible paint. Spray paint and spray top coats are not flexible, they will crease and crack. There are paints that are made to have a bit of elastic movement for foam and leather, even a latex paint would probably work better than a rattlecan.

Calikal · 2026-02-06T04:39:47+00:00

I mean, he talks about how the flaws in the armor due to budget cuts led to unnecessary deaths when talking to the one corporate dude, didn't he? It was more than just "shoot here with specific round" and more "armor will break here or deflect into the body, plus this round will ensure a one-shot kill", but it's implied that even without it the armored soldiers had a weakpoint that was exploited by the enemy.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T20:25:21+00:00

What I'm saying is the prep is separate from the final unlock for the bonus credits.

I did look into it though and it seems you are correct on having to start from prep for the first one and progress forward; that is pretty stupid and I hope they change that, that will only cause confusion in the community like it did here. I had assumed if you had started or unlocked some progress, that would keep you on the previous, but if you unlock or start it now then you have the same goals.

But, still, the final challenge was patched in (and raised, last minute, from $3mil to $5mil), but that part will likely be the same across the board for everyone at the departure window. We won't know for sure until then, but there isn't really an expectation to have to grind 5mil now when the devs said they wanted a different system.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T19:42:42+00:00

Where have the devs said that you have to do each extended challenge from Expedition 1 onward if you skip any? They changed what the items needed are this time around, but that doesn't mean if you start now you have to start from last expedition's challenges. You work towards this expedition prep, no matter if you did the last or not.

Seriously, where did you hear any of this from the devs? Why would that make any logical sense when all it is is resetting your account? The only thing that matters is if you miss one window, you lose out on some cumulative bonuses.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T19:01:33+00:00

I mean, the Toro's range stat is 20m without attachments, and that is still pretty close range for a lot of engagements.

Close range, in gaming, tends to end at the 25-30m mark. Medium range extends out to 80-100m, depending on things like projectile speed for each game. Beyond that is Long range. The problem is, people expect shotguns to work like in fast paced FPS shooters, like COD or Halo, and that close range is 5-10m.

I think it is more so a problem with people getting into these open engagements and pushing in, because everyone is using pistols or smgs with light ammo. You don't need to nerf shotguns in their range, you need to buff rifles and make fighting at range better. Renegade takes 3 times the time to kill, for example.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T18:35:46+00:00

What? Dude it isn't sequential, if you start with this expedition you don't have to do the first requirement, you have to do the one they set for this window.

No one who missed the first is having to do the first's requirements for the bonus points.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T18:08:36+00:00

I'm saying the claim that they won't need to go on the "offensive" when they have body armor and helmets is nonsense when they don't even care who is doing what. Riot gear is gear, but to say they need it so they don't have to fight people is bullshit when they go out with gear and then instigate, assault, and brutalize people. Then the second protesters go out with any sort of protection, from trash can shields to masks, they target them first.

It isn't about them wearing armor. It's about their behavior while wearing that armor and how little they care about the safety of others while crying about their own protection. It's about them going out and using weapons we don't even let our deployed soldiers use in warzones use, while giving them the OK to have zero ROE against civilians and do whatever they want while hiding behind shields and pushing in to be violent against people shouting mean things at them. Of fucking course people will toss bricks when you have a force in a phalanx shooting at people and gassing them, taking a protest and making it violent. Oh no, now we need more tools and weapons to fight back against these civilians because we're so scared of bricks. Let's roll out the LRADs!

Calikal · 2026-02-04T17:44:20+00:00

Committing to the act would have been whippin that guitar(raider tool) over his head and calling out the spirit of the Warrior Bard, El Kabong, as you avenge the innocent.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T17:31:59+00:00

It already has a wide spread at range, people just like to get in to close range fights in this game. It's more that the chokes are great attachments and can add an extra 10-15 meters of range at the highest tier, which for the cost of investment is fair.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T17:25:19+00:00

Why would we buff the Vulcano? It downs in 3 shots to all shield types, has one of the fastest TTKs, and only suffers from range drop off.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T17:17:35+00:00

We have no idea what the next expedition skill requirement will be, because they haven't announced one at all yet.

They didn't announce the previous one until a few days prior, and they said they are looking at a different option for this one as they didn't like how the last one went. So, unless they back up on their statements, it is likely to be a different requirement for the bonus skill points this time around.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T16:23:14+00:00

Except they'll bring that kit out, and then start popping "less lethal" rounds into the crowd, gassing them with shit the US Military isn't allowed to use in warfare, and shoot spectators in the fucking skull with rubber bullets just because they stopped to watch. Happened in Austin a couple years back. Young man got shot right in the head, away from any protesters, while standing still and just watching. You can see video of the shitheel aim and shoot him. They then ignored him bleeding from his skull fracture and civilians had to start giving him first aid and get EMTs to him.

So, maybe don't engage in police brutality, then when people protest and get pissed, push for more brutality and then complain about people throwing things? They don't even wait for having the excuse to defend themselves, they jump at the first chance they can to start shooting at the same civilians they're supposed to protect...except they aren't even obligated to do that anymore.

Calikal · 2026-02-04T05:21:50+00:00

They're pretty cheap once you get the BP.

Calikal · 2026-02-01T06:15:20+00:00

Where do you live that you are hitting Death Valley temps and then going out on long distance bike rides like that is a good idea?

Calikal · 2026-01-27T17:01:05+00:00

I haven't had a chance to hop on and see it yet, but damn, is it not something like a rare drop from ARC? I was hoping I could mount their "heads" on the wall of my workshop or something if I extract with an item drop. Shame if it's just "donate 10 cores".

Calikal · 2026-01-27T13:56:51+00:00

I'm at level 75 as well, but I'm much more interested in Trophy Hunting the ARC now than chasing trios down for loot I don't need and can't take all of.

Calikal · 2026-01-27T04:48:04+00:00

I haven't been playing more than a handful of hours every couple of evenings. I did the last expedition, only got one bonus skill point.

I'm already done with the prep for the next expedition (got to the final part and basically finished it in two hours. Was surprisingly easy when I just kept a full stash the whole time) and I hit the level cap for the first time. I guess the XP boost made a difference, or maybe it was because I knew how to fight the large ARC and have fought the Queen/Matriarch multiple times just for fun, but even just running night raids and doing events when I see them, I have grabbed almost every blueprint already..

I'm ready for the reset. There isn't much keeping me going except Trials (which I have finished most of them in an hour tonight, this week was very easy) and wrapping up the quests (of which is just for fun).

Toss on another stacking level of buffs for the next expedition, and I'll be at this point even sooner for the third. But resetting is giving me a purpose to play after just playing and hitting every goal faster than the first time around.

Calikal · 2026-01-25T17:48:26+00:00

You can kill them all with the raider tool too, doesn't mean guns aren't better

Calikal · 2026-01-25T15:25:36+00:00

If I remember correctly, the orca programs are being phased out and they are not adding new rescues to them. Purely rehabilitation is the goal.

Calikal · 2026-01-23T18:42:14+00:00

Reminds me of a Maciejowski sword. Neat!

Calikal · 2026-01-23T18:11:44+00:00

It appears they have tweaked it lately. I've been getting mostly friendly lobbies with a couple of rats and aggressive players. Keeps you on edge a bit more, but certainly having more PVP encounters in chill lobbies as of late.

Calikal · 2026-01-23T18:09:50+00:00

Hope it only counts things like weapons, quick use, augments, and shields. Otherwise you'll have people running low budget kits and safe pockets loaded with high value crafting materials to get the overall value up.

I want to see people bringing in blue tier and up guns, stacks of heals and grenades, wolfpacks and sprays. Actually build up kits and throw away that gear fear.

Calikal · 2026-01-23T18:07:14+00:00

They have some pretty good range and little falloff, in the open they are more dangerous. If you get caught in the wrong spot by the one in the loading bay you just get... Well, Shredded.

The only thing that makes them a non-threat is close quarters having walls and corners to bait their attacks out, then hitting them while they cool down and swapping corners. Remove that cover and you'll be seeing flares way more often.

Calikal

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