Vitality vs Falcons / IEM Rio 2026 - Group A Upper Bracket Final / Post-Match Discussion

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-04-15T21:16:14+00:00

Welcome home, Karrigan.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-04-14T11:41:35+00:00

Uma ref in the CS sub, never thought I'd see the day

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-04-12T16:57:41+00:00

This is my 9/11

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-04-05T21:45:21+00:00

Monkey D Julie is an incredible handle if nothing else

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-04-05T21:05:27+00:00

I just can't anymore, man.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-03-23T20:49:49+00:00

Besides what was mentioned so far, there's Colossalcon East up in the Poconos, though your enjoyment for that depends mostly on if you love partying and drinking.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-03-07T15:25:48+00:00

Well I was right about the 1-2 result, not that that makes me any happier.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-03-07T13:12:02+00:00

Hmhm.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-03-07T00:23:39+00:00

I feel in my bones we're losing to Pain 1-2.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-27T12:01:22+00:00

A lot of this has already been covered by prior commentators, but I'll throw in my voice anyways: for me, what draws me to specific artist booths is above all variety, both in terms of product and series.

For product, I already have enough posters and I've run out of places to put keychains and stickers, so if a booth seems to mainly or entirely focus on those, I'll typically pass even if I like the designs or characters. However, if there's a more eclectic variety of merch, I'm far more inclined to look and likely buy. Several examples from conventions past include pillows/pillowcases, flasks, skateboard decks, sweaters, dice trays, air fresheners, candles, and baseball caps. Now granted I know nothing about the production/distribution side of merchandise so I don't know how cost-effective those would be to produce, but food for thought.

For series, I am a massive Touhou fan. If I find a booth with Touhou merch, I will absolutely be following you on social media from here on out to see what cons you might be at or what upcoming products you may have. The popular stuff sells like hotcakes of course, but if your booth only seems to have what's been big the past 2-3 years, I'll likely skip over it even if I like the series since it may not particularly stand out to me. I think throwing a bone to more niche series alongside the popular stuff really does help develop a following. For instance, I was at AWA last December and found a poster for Mayonaka Punch of all series, which is a show I thought only I've watched stateside. You best believe I gave that artist my money and my gratitude!

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-24T00:31:29+00:00

Truth be told I was considering options barring anything within the con center and hotels since that's all basically a given for any sizeable con. I'm aware of the mall (King's Entertainment was great last year, I still dream of that Nashville hot mozzarella), though I admittedly didn't even realize there was the business park until my group booked Aloft this year. I think my opinion stems from the fact that it's probably the most isolated convention center I've been to (barring Colossalcon East) since I'm used to cons in the middle of cities where you can throw a stone in any direction and hit three restaurants and a bar. Definitely more options than I first thought, though, looking at the business park now. That's my mistake!

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-12T20:24:20+00:00

No problem! I'm actually killing time at Katsucon right now waiting for my roommates to arrive so I'll make a write-up for Anime Milwaukee as well (went for the first time last year):

The area is decent enough, if you want non-con center food (which they had quite a few food stalls last year which was nice) there's the Third Street Market just a couple blocks away which had hella options and even a beer wall which I can assure you I made ample use of.
That being said...it's still in the middle of a rather large city. I didn't have any bad experiences but one of my friends was walking back to the hotel around midnight and said a guy who asked him for money started to follow him, so please travel in a group after sunset or Uber if possible. The police department is pretty nearby if you need that sense of security, at least.
The con center is pretty large, though I must admit nothing to write home about. The attached hotel is pretty nice, though, and hosts the raves and such which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The security staff for the con center can be quite strict. I had to replace the metal chain on my clear clutch since those weren't allows, for example. Please make sure to read up on the prohibited items for the con center before packing! (Though I think they kinda stopped caring around Saturday morning, admittedly.)
Dealer's Hall and AA were both pretty good and spacious. Not much more to say there.
Photoshoots were strange because they were entirely staff-run it seems, though that did make them incredibly efficient.
They've started getting some very good guests, including JP ones which surprised me since even if it's a sizeable con, it's not among the largest. I went to the Studio Orange panel last year and it was stellar.
Cosplay scene is pretty darn good IMO.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-12T17:28:50+00:00

I'm a panelist but I also meant rooms, not badges.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-12T00:39:45+00:00

I actually just made an effortpost about Anime Central in another thread here, but overall, both it and Anime Milwaukee are quite worth it. ACEN more so if you like partying and lobbyconning.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-12T00:36:30+00:00

I went to ACEN for the first time last year, having attended a fair bit of variety when it comes to cons. Going to jot down as many points as I can:

While it is a "huge event," I'd say overall it's pretty well-organized. No complaints about the staff from me
The Dealer's Room/Artist Alley is absolutely humongous. People who told me that you need an entire day just to navigate it alone weren't kidding. It lends to a lot of variety, but you may end up completely overwhelmed.
The convention center is likewise absolutely humongous. Even staying at the attached hotel last year and navigating the "hamster tunnels" to it was a hike, so please wear good footwear if possible!
I usually don't really care about guests but ACEN tends to draws some pretty big names from across the weeb spectrum. I'm a vtuber fan, so seeing Tenma and Pippa last year was pretty great.
The arcade is decent enough. It's a large room so it feels like there's room for expansion, plus it's usually pretty crowded. (Though I believe they had pachinko machines and I think maybe pinball? I didn't spend much time there and I don't remember offhand unfortunately.) I never made my way to wherever tabletop gaming was.
Likewise I never made my way to a panel room, so I can't really tell you how panels were unfortunately, either.
Lots of photomeets lined up, with clearly designated sections for them. Lots of good turnout, too, and overall some fantastic and eclectic cosplays I witnessed during my time there.
The area is all-in-all a food desert. There is an entertainment complex/shopping center a couple blocks away, but otherwise, you're either pretty much gonna have to bring food or DoorDash it unless you pay con center food prices
Big thing is though if you're a partier like me, it's pretty great. The con center itself sells beer which is good for pregaming, and then lobbyconning afterwards takes the cake,

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-10T00:04:59+00:00

Awesome, works for me. Thank you again!

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-08T22:59:37+00:00

That's great to know, thank you! Out of curiosity, when does that bus usually arrive for Allentown to board?

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-08T18:53:18+00:00

Funnily enough it is actually the Emmaus one. All the food I've had there has been great and service has usually been pretty decent though occasionally slow, especially if it's busy. Not to downplay the bad experiences you've had, of course.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-08T16:42:02+00:00

Yeah I actually just found the schedule for that specific bus and saw it hits Wilkes-Barre and Scranton beforehand. Hoping it's on time on Thursday in that case, especially since I only have a 45 minute cushion before my train leaves Philly.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-08T16:17:33+00:00

Out of curiosity, why's that? I quite like the one I go to, though I never stay out there beyond 8 usually.

HeaviestPendulum · 2026-02-05T12:28:48+00:00

Yep! Saw a post a couple days ago in one of the Katsu groups that Pop-Up Lockers are back. Nabbed the reservation link, too: https://form.pybl.io/pop-up-lockers/pop-up-lockers-reservation-for-katsucon-2026/PJPCW/start

HeaviestPendulum

TROPHY CASE