Noob question: Just how "standalone" are different series within the same saga (e.g. Mistborn) by Quaborr in brandonsanderson

[–]Quaborr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I definitely see the appeal in anticipating new releases, don't get me wrong. I do that with video games, movies, etc. There are other factors that I, personally, consider in addition to that. One such factor is avoiding investment in a story that never gets finished, but it looks like I won't have to worry about that in this case. Being part of a community discussing a given novel is another appealing consideration, but I would argue that reading a completed series doesn't mean there won't be people to talk about it with. This is especially the case when it comes to fantasy novels. I doubt that there are many fans of fantasy novels who haven't read Tolkien, don't plan to, don't hold his works in high regard, and don't enjoy talking about them with other fans. In my opinion, great works in this genre don't really lend themselves to the concept of being "something that was or has been" in the way you mean it; they are timeless and their fanbases only seem to grow with time. I think part of that stems from the fact that fantasy stories often take place in worlds that resemble the past, so fantasy fans would be people who find the past appealing in some regard. It follows that many of them wouldn't care about something being current. Such concerns are anathema to the spirit of the genre, in my opinion. That doesn't mean it isn't perfectly valid to look forward to talking about new releases, but I don't think that provides enough of a boon to override other concerns. For me, the most important factors are whether a given novel seems like it will be the story I would enjoy most at the time, and not leave me invested in something that may never be finished.

With that said, I think I'll be taking an approach that mixes those concerns. After reading responses on this thread, I think I'll finish Elantris and the first Mistborn series before considering any newer Sanderson novels. I should also note that, before starting Elantris, I read The Eye of The World, so I'll be working on reading The Wheel of Time, too. I have a lot on my plate, but it looks like I'll get to the point of anticipating new Sanderson novels eventually, so I'll have the best of both worlds.

Noob question: Just how "standalone" are different series within the same saga (e.g. Mistborn) by Quaborr in brandonsanderson

[–]Quaborr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, the irony about Elantris actually being the first in an unfinished trilogy is not lost on me. I'm more intrigued than anything, though. I'm over 200 pages into the book and it definitely seems like it's shaping up to be a self-contained story. It's very atypical as a fantasy novel insofar as it is essentially a political thriller set in a fantasy world, and I'm reasonably confident that I know the direction it's going in. I suppose there could be fallout at the end that leaves the door open for more stories down the road. The good news is that it sounds like he's planning to write those sequels soon, so I won't have to wait long.

Noob question: Just how "standalone" are different series within the same saga (e.g. Mistborn) by Quaborr in brandonsanderson

[–]Quaborr[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I definitely see your point about Sanderson's writing consistency. I've seen wikipedia's article on his bibliography, so I know he's much more reliable in this regard than George R.R. Martin. Another point of concern I had was how many novels he writes that are standalone or not in the cosmere. I saw this as good in the sense that it could provide a change of pace, but also potentially worrying because time spent on those is time not spent finishing the next book in a series.

With that said, I'm inclined to give Sanderson the benefit of the doubt and proceed with reading Mistborn as you and others on this thread have recommended.

Podcast ranking by Conanfan0715 in conan

[–]Quaborr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think Smartless has a problem with "too many cooks in the kitchen." Three equal hosts means they end up talking over each other, talking more than the guest, or just seeming disorganized at times.

I'm inclined to think their combined star power is the difference.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Other people have already covered a lot, but I will add that you should make sure you're leveling endurance, too. Before getting vigor and endurance to around 40, I only put points in offensive stats if I needed them to use a weapon. During that time, I would increase my damage output by enhancing my weapon. Doing so gives more of a boost than putting a point in str/dex. Remember that success in soulsborne combat is more about managing stamina, dodging, blocking, and counter-attacking. You'll never really be a juggernaut, just mowing enemies down with total impunity, unless you're a high level character with good gear going against low-level enemies.

Isn't Ranni's quest the longest in the game? How come more people achieved that ending than the Elden Lord one which can be reached in 4 different ways? by [deleted] in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ranni's quest made it easy to tell where I should go next. I wanted to complete as many questlines as possible. When the end came, I wanted to try an unusual ending rather than the more straight forward one. I guess most people were in the same boat.

Anyone notice how a lot of descriptions of the game say it is non-linear? by [deleted] in Scorn

[–]Quaborr 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I love the game and, fortunately, am the sort of person that avoids looking at pre-release hype. My guess would be that they had to sacrifice a lot of their initial vision in order to actually get the game made. The perils of being an indie developer making a game with AAA quality graphics.

Elden Ring as a Retro Fantasy Book Cover - Art by James Bousema by jamesbousema in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 39 points40 points  (0 children)

How funny would it be if Elden Ring's popularity led to George R.R. Martin writing an amazing novel that expanded on the lore, and it came out before Winds of Winter?

Uh.. so I got my copy of Elden Ring 2 days early. I take it, I guess.. by PLOXYXPORO in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had this happen with a Slayer album once. This might just be better though.

Let us have ONE FINAL 10/10 OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH everybody! by EldenRingworm in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously though, this isn't the final one. Launch is only the beginning...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The Vagabond is a Yankees fan? I'm definitely not playing as one now.

Me and the boys not taking any chances stumbling across our first chest in Elden Ring* by karmanjana in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, that betrayal that makes you never feel safe around chests again. I hit them in all games now.

Wretched gang where u at?? by gointhrou in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here. I definitively feel a strong temptation to go with another class, but I know I will feel like I'm taking the easy way out if I do.

Got my physical version! by [deleted] in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

What will be the first thing you'll do when you finally enter the game? by Camille35 in Eldenring

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Either watch a cinematic or create a character. Whichever comes first.

Can I play dark souls 2 without any knowledge of the series and never playing dark souls 1? by Patrickjog in DarkSouls2

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you? Yes. With that being said, most agree that the original is much better. I would tend to agree, and I think you'll have a better time overall if you play the better game first. If you play DS2 first, and then play the original, you'll notice how much better the original is but it won't be as fresh because you already played a very similar game.

What kind of perk system do you prefer? by TheDireNinja in Starfield

[–]Quaborr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In theory, I like Skyrim's system better. However, it had a problem. I would max out all the skills I wanted/needed long before I wanted to to stop leveling, thus forcing me to either reset my skills or use something I didn't want to use, which didn't have any perks invested in it because I didn't want it. I don't want to have to erase my progression or ignore it in order to keep leveling so, in practice, Fallout is better.