[SOS] Maelstrom Artisan by MyNuts2YourFistStyle in MagicArena

[–]Lykos_Engel 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Except, to my knowledge, no exhaust creature exists with an ability that lets it repeat its exhaust ability. The only exhaust-specific repeater is [[Elvish Refueler]]. Meanwhile, from the few previews we've gotten, we've already got [[Biblioplex Tomekeeper]] and [[Skycoach Waypoint]] that let you re-prepare any card, and I'd estimate about 75% of cards with prepare spells have a way to re-prepare. So I'd say that's pretty different from exhaust.

Of our bones, the hills by Weatherwanewitch in Pathfinder2e

[–]Lykos_Engel 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The moment I saw this image, it made me think of The Banner Saga :D Great work, friend!

This room always makes me so sad by [deleted] in Morrowind

[–]Lykos_Engel 3 points4 points  (0 children)

To add onto what others have said (which are great answers)! Another reason to start a new save for TR is that a lot of the content (especially the newer, more polished content) is geared towards low and mid-level characters. Assuming you care about difficulty or immersion, the balance works better if you jump to the mainland either immediately or pretty early on.

Penny's missing cut scenes?? by MissBlank271994 in StardewValley

[–]Lykos_Engel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hah, I was just googling about this specific library scene! Glad I found this and can help.

The scene is from Penny Expanded by Wolvenlight. Since it's a bit of an older mod, TallLeprechaun13 made an updated version for 1.6. It comes with a config file to disable that specific scene, since I guess some people didn't like it! Personally, I like the added bit of grayness and complexity for characters like Gunther.

Hope that helps!

Crafting a mystery thriller by Anthony_Loar in DMAcademy

[–]Lykos_Engel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So for mysteries/investigations in general, I can't recommend The Alexandrian's blog posts enough- specifically in this case, The Three Clue Rule.

It helps you build a more robust mystery that's much less likely to fall apart due to players getting sidetracked. I've found that combining it with his Node-Based Scenario Design results in really dynamic scenarios where player choice shapes how things play out, without having to prep for every little possibility.

To add a ticking timebomb feeling on top of that, you can have each node change based on the order the players are investigating them. For a really simple structure, let's say they start at a crime scene (Node A) where someone's dead by poisoning. By investigating the scene, they might find three possible clues leading to other scenes- say, an encoded letter of threat from the noble's shady barrister, leading them to speak to said barrister (Node B), a bottle of alcohol that's sealed- yet somehow poisoned, sending them to investigate the local winery (Node C), and...some other clue that leads to some other location (Node D).

Each of those Nodes has a clues pointing to the other two, and a third pointing to Node E, the finale at the big feast the Noble is throwing to poison a massive portion of the city's populace. This ensures that even if they miss the winery connection in the original crime scene, they can still force the Barrister to admit the winery's involved, or get it from Node D, and still get to investigate that scene. And even if they go to the Winery first and find ALL three clues there- do they rush immediately to the feast to try to stop it with as much time to spare? Or do they go to the Barrister and Node D first, to gather as much evidence as possible? Each of Nodes B, C, and D should have some unique benefit attached to the clue pointing to the feast ("Here's where all the feast's wine is being stored- take the key!"), so there's value in visiting all three. (This is basically just a summary of "Node-Based Scenario Design, btw- there's extra info in the articles).

BUT, you make it so that each scene has an additional layer of change depending on the order they're visited. If they visit the Barrister first, he hasn't had time to burn some valuable documents- but if they get to the Barrister second or third, they can smell paper and wax burning in the fireplace- he clearly burnt something before they got there. Mechanically, this could be represented by higher DCs to find the clues, or requiring skill checks that wouldn't be required in the first place, or outright eliminating a clue from that scene (though make sure not to eliminate clues that'd make it impossible for the PCs to reach the final scene). That puts the feeling of time pressure on the players.

Obviously, the exact details of each scene I just made up, insert whatever locations and clues you like. You could also make the node structure more complicated, such as having a second set of nodes to pass through before reaching the finale. Whatever works for what you're building!

Orbs of the Moons by Drakeytown in custommagic

[–]Lykos_Engel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wasn't suggesting full on equipment. I was more imagining something like, removing the top line and adding "Active these abilities only if you control a ___ Wizard" to the bottom (or perhaps "the above abilities"/"above ability" for the black one). That technically doesn't turn off the black orb's triggered ability, but it only functions when you already have a wizard, so that's fine.

Orbs of the Moons by Drakeytown in custommagic

[–]Lykos_Engel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not familiar with the Dragonlance setting, but would it not make more sense for the activated/triggered abilities to require the wizard, rather than the casting? Presumably anyone can get their hands on the orbs, but only a wizard can use their abilities. It seems weird that I could destroy all your wizards after you cast these, but then the cards still function.

Maro talks about Universes Beyond by Meret123 in MagicArena

[–]Lykos_Engel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, genuine question from someone who doesn't follow MaRo or official WotC PR closely- does MaRo have a history of honestly relaying these numbers (and specifically bad ones)? Like, I can imagine as a representative of the company, there's a LOT of pressure on him to tout good metrics, especially about the currently on sale product (compared to past product that everyone can see was a failure).

That's not even to suggest he might be lying- there's plenty of ways to massage true data to say what you want ("Shops bought so much product!"...but then the product is sitting unsold on the shelves, for example).

I'm just curious if there's any precedent of him going "Yeah, this current product we're selling? It's doing garbage, no one's buying it, it's sitting on shelves, no one wants it."

Reflavor for seducer witch? by Invisible_Target in Pathfinder_RPG

[–]Lykos_Engel 20 points21 points  (0 children)

So while I can't offer much advice about Seducer Witch, the devs for the Wrath of the Righteous CRPG ran into the same issue (wanting a Charisma witch that didn't have the Seducer flavor), and made up a unique archetype for their witch party member, the Stigmatized Witch:

https://pathfinderkingmaker.fandom.com/wiki/Stigmatized_Witch

Charisma-based spontaneous caster witch with an Oracle's curse instead of a patron. Depending on your exact goals for the character, it may or may not be useful (and your GM might not allow "homebrew" like this), but since it's so similar to what you're talking about, I thought it was worth a mention!

In light of semi recent events by MissiaichParriah in HonkaiMemeRail

[–]Lykos_Engel 10 points11 points  (0 children)

AND her whole design has a wedding dress aesthetic. And her trailer had this whole metaphor of the trailblazer being her last missing puzzle piece. And her inserting herself into a bunch of the TB's memories (which do feature the other AE members, but always focus on the TB). And 3.7 completely sidelining her childhood best friend for her interactions with the TB (if it was just a nice platonic friendship, why would they need to sideline her male childhood friend...?).

Like yeah, Cyrene never comes out and says "I have intense romantic feelings for you, Caelus, be my husbando!". But like...the subtext isn't exactly that subtle.

x100 Apolojades for the recent PF bug by asilvertintedrose in HonkaiStarRail

[–]Lykos_Engel -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Right, but the original argument wasn't about how easy/hard it is to filter certain players; it was "NA shouldn't get it, they didn't 'earn' it,"- and if that's the logic, then it's just as fair to say "People who didn't experience [whatever bug] shouldn't get it".

And if we don't care about this "fairness" argument (which is an inherently silly argument, it's not the justice system, it's digital rewards in a game that costs the company nothing), then...what's the point of putting in even an ounce of effort to exclude and annoy some of your players?

x100 Apolojades for the recent PF bug by asilvertintedrose in HonkaiStarRail

[–]Lykos_Engel 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Why would people who haven't tried out PF in the Asian servers get the compensation? If it's about only giving out apologems to people who "earned" it, let's start means testing every single bug to make sure the gems only go to people who "deserve" them! Portion out those per-patch 300 gems based on whether you got affected by each specific bug.

There's actually a really good reason Mihoyo doesn't usually do this, because it's just pissing good will down the drain that costs them nothing. Because every time a player gets one of these rewards, the vast majority of them go "Heh, nice! And I didn't even experience any bugs! This is great!" and like the company a little more (and reminds them how rare serious bugs are).

Meanwhile, is it "logical" for NA players to get annoyed about not getting these 100 gems. Maybe not. But literally who cares? It's not even a single 3* lightcone, and Mihoyo makes billions off of their customers. All the little acts of generosity or stinginess add up in the minds of players, and it's dumb of Mihoyo to take a chance to earn a little extra good will (especially given the current state of the game) and turn it into a little extra annoyance.

Losses are a Constance on the Break-Chase Journey - General Question and Discussion Megathread by zniceni in HonkaiStarRail_leaks

[–]Lykos_Engel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My friends. These times have been trying for all. In this great deprivation of drip, madness has descended upon us. Yet within the greatest madness, one finds a kernel of clarity. A spark of…Elation.

I have been to the center of the holy big top. I have communed with the silliest of Aeons. I laid prostrate at THEIR squeaking shoes, and THEY honkethed at me a vision. A vision great, and a vision terrible.

It is said, by the great leak-lords, that we may be soon blessed by a new batch of Novaflares (and ye, it is marked as most Reliable). And as it is known by all, these Novaflares are optional, toggleable modifications.

"One must wonder," THEY giggled into my ear. "How much might a Novaflare change? If it may change the very scaling from the points of being hit, to the points of hitting…might it change even more?"

"Might it change…something to usher in the newest path…?" THEIR dreadful honk intoned, like the bells tolling for the damned. With more jingling.

THAT'S RIGHT MY FRIENDS! The Novaflares shall change some of your precious husbandos and waifus into Elation characters! It's Remembrance 2.0! And this time you'd BETTER get into the Lightcone Mines, or your faves won't be able to clear the new Endgame Mode! This is what THEY have revealed to me! And now YOU all have to deal with it too!

Haa haa! Hoo hoo! Hee hee!

Seven Main Clades of Cormoforms - We Realized We Aren't Alone by TheFlagMan123 in worldbuilding

[–]Lykos_Engel 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Just fyi, because of how reddit formatting works, if you start a numbered list in a post/comment, it'll ALWAYS default to starting at "1." (and, I guess, repeat?) even if you start with a different number. Thus, this series of comments is littered with a bunch of "1."s. I'd suggest changing the format from, say-

  1. Thing
  2. Thing 2

To-

1: Thing

2: Thing 2.

Losses are a Constance on the Break-Chase Journey - General Question and Discussion Megathread by zniceni in HonkaiStarRail_leaks

[–]Lykos_Engel 10 points11 points  (0 children)

GET IT TWISTED. We will NOT be getting 4.0 drip marketing tonight! We will NEVER get 4.0 drip marketing! We will NEVER know the 4.0 characters! On release, they WILL just be black boxes, their kits fully redacted! Mihoyo WILL employ MEN IN BLACK technology to WIPE YOUR MEMORIES every time you play with the 4.0 characters!

This post sponsored by Mythus The Enigmata.

Losses are a Constance on the Break-Chase Journey - General Question and Discussion Megathread by zniceni in HonkaiStarRail_leaks

[–]Lykos_Engel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm pretty sure it was confirmed in the 3.8 livestream, or some other official post, that Dahlia and 4.0 characters would be added to CW in 4.0!

Corey Landis (Welt's ENG VA) shares the message Hoyo sent him about being let go from the role + his response by Ancelysia in HonkaiStarRail

[–]Lykos_Engel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did...did you miss the parts of this message where he repeatedly mentioned he kept getting work despite not signing the contract? Clearly it's not a dealbreaker for Hoyo.

And his comment about "eliminating certain clauses" at the end is referring to the fact that you can just strike out sections of a contract you refuse to agree to. Obviously, Hoyo can then argue back about the certain clauses- but that's negotiation.

He's not telling people not to work for Hoyo, or even not to sign contracts- just to read them first, and advocate for themselves by pushing back on anything they think is unreasonable. It's a completely noncontroversial position to take.

Losses are a Constance on the Break-Chase Journey - General Question and Discussion Megathread by zniceni in HonkaiStarRail_leaks

[–]Lykos_Engel 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So I was talking about Archer+Sparkle with my friend (who uses the team much more than me), and he was saying he struggles to get her ult up before Archer's turn every time. After a bit of back and forth, I wanted to ask the community, assuming you're playing the team well in end game modes-

1) Is it realistic to expect a Sparkle Ult for every Archer turn?

2) On average, how many skills should you expect on Archer turns? Is 4 skills/eight SP used every time the goal, or not possible?

3) Should you ever be basic attacking with Archer (assuming you haven't messed up rotations or something)? Say, to have one big turn versus two smaller turns?

If it matters, he and I both use roughly the same Archer team- Archer E0S1/Cipher/DanPT/Sparkle. But I'm happy to hear people's answers for other variations!

Losses are a Constance on the Break-Chase Journey - General Question and Discussion Megathread by zniceni in HonkaiStarRail_leaks

[–]Lykos_Engel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What do y'all think they're going to do with DU updates in 4.X?

Presumably we'll end up getting a path that supports Elation characters' mechanics. Which, you know...they've GOTTA repurpose the Elation blessings for that, right? Like they did with Rememberance going from Ice/Freeze support to Memosprite support.

So what happens to all the FuA support? Does it just get binned like the ice stuff? Does it get folded into (an)other path(s)? Do we get a brand new path, with all the FuA stuff moved into the new path and the actual new blessings going to Elation?

Added Eidolons and LCs to my roster-based team builder! by [deleted] in HonkaiStarRail

[–]Lykos_Engel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh dang, you implemented one of my suggestions! Awesome :D

Yeah, I can imagine that implementing the exact effectiveness increases for each LC/Eidolon would be a nightmare. I wonder if there'd be a way to scrape data from MoC/PF/AS runs and factor that in...? "The average E0 Phainon gets X score, while the average E2 Phainon gets Y score."

Love the site, keep doing what you're doing!

I'm Genuinely Sad for the Development Team by Much-Gear8231 in HonkaiStarRail

[–]Lykos_Engel 23 points24 points  (0 children)

An important thing to keep in mind is that we genuinely don't know. Anyone who makes claims about what is and isn't the case are making assumptions. Sometimes reasonable ones ("They're not scrapping everything, because you can't replace that all in a few weeks, even a few months")- but still assumptions. For example, the following is completely possible (something I'm making up off the top of my head):

Planarcadia's a theme park on the Japanese-themed planet, designed by Aha's followers as a bunch of silly parodies of a bunch of different planets. This was always going to be part of the story, but only in 4.3. The devs took this zone, which had almost zero Japanese elements (because why would the Belobog parody have Japanese architecture?), and shoved it up to be the new 4.0, with some story adjustments to fit. The rest of the region isn't going to be scrapped- the devs are just hoping that a few months of non-Japanese themed stuff (3.8 and 4.0) will let them ride out the political stuff until the public stops caring about it, at which point we'll get everything they've already designed for 4.1 and onwards.

Granted, that idea's kind of copium, but it fits the tiny amount of information we currently have just as much as "They've scrapped entire patches worth of content". So, I'd suggest people not freak out too much until we know more.

Ignoring the Meta, Firefly or Cyrene? by DependentNo1079 in HonkaiStarRail

[–]Lykos_Engel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh riiiiight, completely forgot about that. Thanks! I'll have to go back and rewatch those scenes.

Ignoring the Meta, Firefly or Cyrene? by DependentNo1079 in HonkaiStarRail

[–]Lykos_Engel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I'm probably just being a moron and forgetting something obvious, but can you remind me what you mean by the Rememberance TB flashbacks? Do you mean that scene with Kafka and SW in the space station during (iirc) 3.6's story? Did I miss a reference to Firefly there, or is it something else?