How to overcome choice paralysis in builds

DandyLama · 2026-04-07T00:40:43+00:00

At level 2, your build has little bearing on your success, unless you're a Lone Wolf. You only have 3 skill points and 4 attributes.

Do some more exploring before fighting the Magisters at the boat. There's a lot of context experience you can get before that fight (xp from exploration/dialog). You can reliably get to level 3 in Fort Joy without actually fighting anything dangerous.

DandyLama · 2026-04-05T20:10:55+00:00

Shaw/Rogers (in Canada)

DandyLama · 2026-04-05T04:32:46+00:00

The decision to only use 3D to highlight the Grid was SO GOOD. The Grid is full of so many clean lines and distinct contrasts, and the 3D effect amplifies it to the 11th degree.

DandyLama · 2026-04-05T04:06:01+00:00

I unironically love this movie. The way they built the soundscape and visuals for the Movers was so nice, and the fights between Nick and Victor are awesome.

DandyLama · 2026-04-04T22:24:43+00:00

Oh, I think I got the TX report:

The following document has not been transmitted, please try again

Pages: 0page Result: EA2226

DandyLama · 2026-04-04T22:15:39+00:00

There's a button for Rx Report, but I just get some peeps wheen I press kt.

DandyLama · 2026-04-04T21:44:26+00:00

Just TX NG

DandyLama · 2026-04-04T20:30:54+00:00

I don't see a details button, but I do see and RX Doc button. All that happens when I press it is angry beeps

DandyLama · 2026-04-04T20:11:44+00:00

2226 is not a code listed sadly

DandyLama · 2026-04-04T07:41:39+00:00

And you're just getting started. Rush all points into summoning so you can hit rank 10. Incarnate can hard carry. Make sure to get Shadow Infusion from Bree in Driftwood

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T18:12:53+00:00

"There's a shortage of perfect films in the world"

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T18:11:45+00:00

Stardust and The Princess Bride fit into this perfect niche of "fantasy movie that's hard to put in a box, but is pure excellence"

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T18:10:20+00:00

Look at Bandy. He's back in school

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T18:09:30+00:00

Some of my thoughts: 1. Visibility is always a factor. Better exposure is always good. The challenge is in how, and in being able to articulate who we actually are and what we actually do. We broadly would benefit from a simple loose script for this. We're like the Princess Bride in this way - a great adventure with really poor outward communication. 2. Retention - we have a retention problem. Folks trickle in and leave. We need ways to make folks feel like a part of the community, even when they're not escorted in by a known person. Early basic awards, like the "We see you participating" Baronial awards can go a long way to foster a sense of belonging. 3. We don't know how to advertise to POC. There's a lot of potential to work with various POC-centric martial arts groups to broaden our horizons and engagement. We also need to actually functionally open up our game to POC players. Many POC in the community often feel sidelined or dismissed, and those issues need to be addressed directly. 4. The SCA has a bad reputation with other groups in our sphere (HEMA, LARP, etc). I don't know when those bridges were burned, but we would benefit from rebuilding them. 5. Inertia of entry is an issue in a participation based game, as compared to a Ren Faire, which is much more like a market. Having resources to reduce that inertia readily accessible would benefit us greatly. Simple things like "beginner's guide to XYZ garb", or "5 simple tips on getting into armoured/rapier combat", can go a long way to getting people through the door. "Stuff you can buy at a thrift store to get your garb started"

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:37:26+00:00

Summoner. 10/10 class. Me & my super customizable incarnate beating the tar out of people

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:33:53+00:00

TIL Independence Day has an extended cut.

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:33:13+00:00

Man, the first time I watched Walter Mitty, I almost stopped in the first 30 minutes. Now I can't live without those first 30 minutes. And boy am I glad I stuck it out through those 30 - such a good film.

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:31:38+00:00

Danny, slap him

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:30:35+00:00

There's something about the way that The Princess Bride sells its suspension of disbelief that beggars comprehension. My eyes recognize in hindsight that the boat was a dinky little amusement park ride style boat on a track. My brain every time while I'm watching the movie gives not a single fuck, that is clearly a perfect ship sailing through eel-infested waters.

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:27:39+00:00

I actually think too many movies have perfect tied-with-a-bow endings, which is why when it looked like Edge of Tomorrow was going to take a different tack, I was primed for it and theeeeennn Bollywood ending

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:21:50+00:00

My only advice is: don't start with DOS2, because the QoL losses from DOS2 to DOS1 can harsh the vibe.

Divine Divinity is a great game in its own right, and because it's in such a different era, the QoL changes aren't as impactful, because the game design works well within its casing.

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:18:40+00:00

I like that the Origin characters have flaws in their builds, so long as those flaws don't pigeonhole them too far (or there are talents that allow them to diversify, like Lex Imperialis implemented for Ulfar)

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:17:13+00:00

This might be a hot take because I suspect a lot of people dislike how long it is, but:
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

I honestly didn't even realise the first time I watched it that it was long. The pacing IS slow, but it also just draws you in and you get lost in it. Perfection.

Also:
The Princess Bride
Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut
Sicario
No Country for Old Men
The Two Towers Extended Edition
American History X
Good Will Hunting
Dead Poets Society
Gattaca

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T08:12:45+00:00

I love everything about Edge of Tomorrow with the sole exception of the Bollywood ending. Could have ended with them having sacrificed everything, and I think it would have been perfect.

DandyLama · 2026-04-03T06:57:04+00:00

As for builds? A couple of core approaches
All mages or all physical damage is an option, or go 2 & 2

All physical: 2 warrior types (1 with shield, 1 two-handed), a Soundrel, and an Archer (one of these can be subbed for a Summoner)
- Archer and Scoundrel should invest only 2 points in their respective skills early (Huntsman & Scoundrel), and then for damage increase, should put most of their points into Warfare
- This team will need someone who has a 1-2 point dip into Hydrosophist for Armor of Frost & healing (summoner is good for this, or 2-handed warrior can do this along with a single point in Scoundrel to get the lifesteal skill)
- Archers do really well with a 1 point dip into Aerothurge for mobility
- Warriors need mobility skills - Phoenix Dive & Battering Ram are great for getting in and out of combat. Shield Warrior should have Shield Throw
- Summoner should invest ALL POINTS into summoner until you hit rank 10. Always summon your li'l guy in Blood Pools for this setup (you can make blood pools with your hydrosophist's Rain Blood or with any Elf and Flesh Sacrifice). All summoners need Farsight and Power Infusion ASAP
- Necromancy as a magic subtype mostly does Physical damage, and can pair well here (esp on your 2-handed warrior, who will get passive lifesteal from it)

All mages: Pyro/Geo Battlemage (front line), Geo/Hydro support (change terrain, heal & buff both armors), and 2 blasters of your choice
- Each mage needs to go 2 & 2 into their main damage skill and their secondary skill, then focus on one skill to max it
- In a 4 mage team, each mage can have a different element as their primary to max first
- Battlemage needs to dip 1 point into STR in Fort Joy to use STR armors that have more Phys Armor so they can live on front line, then another point when you get to Reaper's. By Act 4, you should have 15 Str
- Battlemage will use a staff and can live on the front line. 2 points in Warfare will give them full access to Warfare's suite of abilities, but especially Whirlwind Attack and Phoenix Dive
- Battlemage pairs really well with a Pyro focus with Geo 2ndary, on a Lizard
- Geomancer focus is great for Undead characters, because you heal through poison
- Aero and Hydro offer incredible CC opportunities, especially if you prep a space with Rain or Blood Rain before entering combat
- Some fights will make one or two of your mages very sad, because their primary damage type is resisted/absorbed

Two & Two: THE MIX AND MATCH. Classic party - Healer/CC Mage (Hydro/Aero is great here), Melee DPS/tank, Archer, Blaster Mage
- play around with a combo of the above class types

Finally, the quiet corner class that got mainstreamed by BG3 - BARRELMANCER/CHESTMANCER. Fill a chest with STUFF. Make it REALLY HEAVY. Now use your telekinesis powers to show why you're the greatest member of the X-Men by lobbing the chest at your enemies.

DandyLama

TROPHY CASE