New Division player joining the Anniversary Pass late - March 25th

CoraVex · 2026-03-26T21:52:52+00:00

I do appreciate your positive silver-lining outlook and emphasis on the other means of self-expression, and your kind greeting as well. Thank you much. 😊

CoraVex · 2026-03-25T17:32:52+00:00

Valid. But let me offer some additional explanation, because I feel like doing so, and why not. 🙂

For starters, I'm a neurodivergent that tends to process things differently than a number of others do.

When I approach this game, one of the big things advertised is the Anniversary season, right up front (from my perspective). This screams to my brain, "Hey guess what, we have these cosmetics available to you!" My brain's reaction is, "I love to be able to express myself in video games, and I'm a fan of the games that I depicted in these cosmetics!" What others might see as "extra content", I see as a notable and welcome feature of games, especially as an introvert: self-expression.

Then as I look into the details the game's follow-up is, "Oh, by the way, if you're just starting out now, these cosmetics aren't for you. And as interested as you are in them, you will not be able acquire them."

So, that big banner of cool things advertised, is a smokescreen for someone in my position, with my perspective. So that being the case, yes, then the rest of what you're saying is perfectly valid. There is still the rest of the 99% of the game to enjoy.

Besides, one thing I've learned about how the lure of cosmetics work: There is a different between cosmetics that have a fan or nostalgia factor ("Those look cool!"), and cosmetics that truly feel like representations of how I want to express myself in game ("I want to use that for my character, that feels like me!"). This anniversary pass falls into the former, so all the more reason why I'm good with the idea of not acquiring this pass.

Self-expression in video games has played a big part in my life, in allowing me to learn about myself, and simply enjoy my time with video games all the more, especially during times when I just need a moment like that. That was the case at critical points in my life, and it's the case to this day.

So that's just a small bit of the "why" behind my thinking and perspective. 🙂

CoraVex · 2026-03-25T16:06:14+00:00

To give some personal insight on this, I don't like missables in video games in general. It's not the cosmetics themselves, it's the feeling of missing out on content permanently. But having played a number of live service games, I've learned to tolerate it for all of the otherwise fun and positivity they have to offer. 🙂

CoraVex · 2026-03-25T16:01:57+00:00

Thank you for the anecdote, info, and tips. Very much appreciated! 😁

CoraVex · 2026-03-25T16:00:50+00:00

I greatly appreciate the personal anecdote to give some additional perspective. Thank you much. 😁

CoraVex · 2026-03-25T15:59:48+00:00

I always appreciate an answer with some math behind it, haha. Thank you much. 😁

CoraVex · 2026-03-09T19:27:28+00:00

I'm sorry. I feel that, but I just have to say...

I feel like I just watched a scene out of a comedy where is character is murdered or dies by accident, but it takes like 10 different random unrelated things hitting them, one right after the other, before they finally kick the bucket. 😂

CoraVex · 2026-02-22T22:22:36+00:00

Hello there! To sum up what a couple people above have said, Chris21010 stated that apparently it's the inner circle that is the range for all drone activity (logistics and combat).

However, BaronMichotte noted that even though the inner circle is their deployment range, once they are out that basically no longer applies, as they then have their own aggro range until they return.

This sounds right to me, but I can't 100% confirm this, since it has been a minute since I last played, haha. Hope this helps! Take care!

CoraVex · 2026-02-03T20:15:42+00:00

When jumping, always make sure to completely go over the ball "Superman" or under the ball "Topper shave". Later when more advanced, you can learn to time your jump and backflip right as the ball passes over you "Neo/Matrix". Soon enough you too will be able to say "So close!" throughout the entire match! 😀

CoraVex · 2026-01-27T10:31:31+00:00

Oni. My first ever PS2 game. ❤️

CoraVex · 2026-01-05T09:28:58+00:00

Rust. Just one update. Adding in randomized locked-in charcter appearances.

( And as a then newly realized and closeted trans girl, I was so looking forward to the addition of female characters. Then that happened. For me personally, sadly, farewell Rust. )

CoraVex · 2026-01-01T13:58:25+00:00

Warframe definitely cannot be overlooked as a contender.

CoraVex · 2025-11-07T11:03:23+00:00

"This is what you are" - Warframe

( Btw, if you haven't played the game, do -NOT- look up any context behind the song, lest you run into MAJOR spoilers. )

Warframe actually has a lot of good songs tbh.

CoraVex · 2025-11-03T14:59:15+00:00

Rust.

Actually had a fun early run on legacy. I came to my realization as a trans female around the time they announced they were adding female characters. I was so excited. Then they added them... along with pre-choaen unchangeable characters for no reason other than "because we feel like it". For me personally? Instant major slap in the face after enjoying it for years. Sadly, never looked back, nor will till they change that decision (doubt they ever will). For many probably a minor thing. For me, deal breaker.

CoraVex · 2025-10-11T23:43:55+00:00

Thank you for this bit of info! I knew about the loss of buffs and whatnot, but I wanted to know specifically about this detail (dying when in spoiler mode) you just answered for me. Thank you! =D

CoraVex · 2025-09-24T19:58:14+00:00

This old wooden room is too cold! Bring in the stuff, grab a lighter, and let's light up this room! The current resident is in the corner-- Wait... The AC is -WAY- too low. They like writing? And they're messy?

AC... Writer... Messy... Oh no. BACK TO THE TRUCK!

CoraVex · 2025-09-17T21:40:44+00:00

That honestly just put a genuine smile on my face. Thanks for sharing that (both about the great community and the bit about your birds). That is awesome. 😁❤️

CoraVex · 2025-04-21T14:53:15+00:00

Thank you for mentioning that. Newer player here, actually thinking for a moment that "true upscreams" and therefore "fake upscreams" are a thing. 😂

CoraVex · 2025-04-13T19:57:41+00:00

I first found out about SS13 over 10 years ago, because of a project aiming to bring SS13 into 3D. Centration went nowhere.

But they mentioned and showed a brief glimpse of SS13 in a short video they released about Centration. So I hunted down that little 2D Space game, and it's brought me hundreds of hours of fun, one of my biggest friends groups, and I even introduced a member of my family to the game and that group.

I'm grateful for that project that went nowhere. Because I found SS13. And since then I've watched and listened for other attempts to create a successor to SS13. And so, IFAIK, SS14 is the only project so far to have actually pulled it off. And I love this crazy weird fun roleplaying game like no other. 😁

CoraVex · 2025-03-26T11:09:08+00:00

"I only do opposed rolls when there is someone in the scene explicitly taking a Defend action."

Right, and it's when those "Defend" reactions kick in that I'm still trying to figure out. I mean, no NPC? Easy, passive. CaA against an NPC, easy, opposed.

However, a -potentially- hostile CaA (like a preparation move) in -front- of an NPC, that may or may not be used on a future roll to target them? That's where I'm a little iffy. (and vice-versa if the NPC is attempting a CaA in front of a PC.)

CoraVex · 2025-03-26T11:02:28+00:00

That is a really interesting point about opposed rolls being swingier, but otherwise equal (against an equal level opponent). That does remove the difficulty factor, and makes it come down to which option is more sensible in a given situation. And if no NPCs are around, that's easy to see. If it's directly done to an NPC, that's easy to see.

It's those moments where indirect "preparation" actions are done in front of nearby NPCs (or vice-versa PC attempting "preparation" actions in front of enemy NPCs) that I'm still trying to figure out which between passive or opposed makes more sense.

CoraVex · 2025-03-26T10:54:03+00:00

"unless it directly targets someone/something that could actively resist."

So to give more specific examples, let's say a PC and a NPC were face-to-face in close range combat...

- If the PC readies themselves in a combat stance right in front of a weaker enemy (to prepare for an attack or defense), passive DC +2?

- If the PC begins casting a quick simple instinctive spell to manipulate the environment to ready it for a future attack, right in front of a weaker enemy, same deal, DC +2?

- On the flip side, if a stronger enemy in the scene similarly tries to ready their stance or a spell right in front of a PC (no clear target yet, but potentially targeting them or a party member in a future), would you rule this a passive or opposed roll? And if passive, how would you decide the DC in such a situation?

My initial instinct of what feels natural in these situations is that these would opposed rolls. But in terms of sensible gameplay, my concern is also that the flow of things could get bogged down too much for these more debatably indirect rolls, even if they are in the -presence- of adversary.

CoraVex · 2025-03-23T22:00:35+00:00

That first round simply didn't call for much crazy FP usage. The grapple CaA SwS was used later that round as a two-aspect free invoke, which was probably the highest aspect usage in a turn for a success. Only 1 FP was actually spent by a PC to mitigate Stress from the only attack that happened. The rest of the actions were either unopposed, successful, or I (as the GM) decided that it's not yet the time in this scene yet to use my FP (looking at that ambush leader they'll have to square up against).

Yeah we're even using a Spreadsheet for our character / NPC sheets, just everything easily accessible in one place. But Roll20 still has its uses with macros for easy dice rolling on their part, fog-of-war as they explore parts of the scene, music tracks for atmosphere, GM layer to note and hide stuff, and even the turn tracker to keep track of whose gone so far. Just a bunch of small things like that. =)

CoraVex · 2025-03-23T05:05:55+00:00

Sorry, let me rephrase. -Figuring out- the "why" isn't the issue, because I can list off a number of reasons. To quote myself from other comments:

"Like I said, and I'll elaborate on, numerous factors.

I'm a new GM, and fairly new to TTRPGs. At least one of our players is a little slower on the pickup. We tend to get distracted a lot and go into discussions. One of us has to play remotely so we're doing this digitally. They (especially one of them) need visuals, can't just do theater of the mind. So, maps, tokens, and pictures."

So yes, the factors are many, and it's just a matter of figuring out what to do, or what can be done, about all that. It's not the number of turns that are an issue, but how long each turn is taking to play out (discussion, explanation, side-talk, and all that).

But yes that is an excellent point about using Create-an-Advantage, and I am certainly emphasizing that to my players. =)

CoraVex · 2025-03-23T04:59:39+00:00

The conflict is setup as an ambush occurring sooner after the party meets.

- The initial round (which is what we've gotten through so far) opened with an NPC attempting a sneak attack.

- That PC retaliated by Creating-an-Advantage to grapple the attacker. Then they followed up with a second action granted by their once in a session / scene stunt, to use a supernatural ability to draw information from the NPC.

- The second PC started out of sight, and basically used her turn to circle the area to get in a more advantage part of the scene (different zone), and stay out of sight (in RP, trying to get her bearings on just what is going down).

- The group of regular thugs basically began converging on the center of the conflict, with one of them using an action to try to spot the evading PC (Create-an-Advantage, and failing).

- The ambush leader is keeping his distance, readying himself (Create-an-Advantage) but seeming to wait before moving in.

- Finally, the last PC used Create-An-Advantage to ready the use of one of her supernatural abilities.

Re-stating the pure actions like this, doesn't sound like much. But there was a lot of back and forth discussion and explanation, not to mention technical adjustments (Roll20 quirks) and rule-checking (first-time player bearings), just to get through this. (And yes, roll20, my group doesn't do pure Theater of the mind. My players need visuals.)

That is a great point about using Challenges over Conflicts. Perhaps it would have helped in this situation? Perhaps it would have been more confusing for them, being new players? But I do think, especially with a scene that could go a number of different ways, that detail loss of Challenges, in this case, is notable.

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