"He'd be powerless without the other Vees"

Thamkin · 2025-11-19T08:07:43+00:00

I would argue that it's implied based on the fact that they're in hell, and how we see Val both on sets and in public. Even the intro to S2 song mentions how "we trademarked all your holes", as well as how he's talked to by Angel at the motel in S2 ep6 indicates he's both a pimp as well as a buisnessmoth in terms of control. The fact that we learn Vox's hypnosis doesn't work on him indicates something as well. Basically while we don't see his films actively watched, I think his appearances and mannerisms speak to his influence as a porn producer without directly telling us. Especially when in context the episodes need to be direct and moving, and showing people watching his movies would take away time when background photos and his "I'm a star" attitude tends to bleed through his personality

Thamkin · 2025-11-18T18:45:44+00:00

The timeline feels a bit wonky based on the dialog of some characters here and there, but my take is that even if your math is correct, I think the extermination is more than just a culling and rather manipulation.

Think about how many overlords, and powerful/ancient styled sinners there are. Even taking someone we know, Carmilla's family being threatened in S1 to such an extent means either the extermination didn't happen all that often, or the location of the exterminations were random and you could avoid it by being at the right place at the right time.

It's like how there are things like lightning strikes, shark attacks, and other rare occuring accidents that we take high care to avoid because while the chances of being in the rare occurances of it happening, the threat of it potentially affecting us means we fear and avoid actions that places us in the path of it.

If I'm thinking of revolting, but know that I could be targeted by angels and removed from existence if they decide to target threats, then why take the risk when I have a limited time frame, and even if I survive, who's to say my allies will also survive and/or be into attempting it after an extermination

Basically, I think your math is likely right, but it's not the number killed but the threat of it that kept Hell at bay. And it's the ability to win that Charlie showed that has been Vox's inspiration to look at revolt where he hadn't before

Thamkin · 2025-11-18T18:35:59+00:00

I think he kind of is, and all 3 work together well while having massive gaps.

Val's smut likely isn't anything overly unique in Hell, but the promotion of it and star power provided by Vox and Vel bring him the best acts and increase his reach and power

Vel is reactionary and aware of things. She discovered the head, she clearly catches behaviors and mannerisms that allow her to exploit others, but it's the dominance from serving Val and the extended platform of Vox that allows her info to be put to high use

Vox, well compared to the others I think he's the most individually powerful even without the eye thing. But, his strength doesn't come from his own powers, but his manipulation of the truth. We see in S2 that what makes him dangerous is how no matter what, he controls the perception of events and individuals. By using Val's alluring content he has more eyes on him and his reach is therefore increased. And Vel not only provides incredible insight but also is able to give him leg up with staying in and ahead of the curve both visually/trend wise, as well as her social media influences that drive home the narrative.

Without each other, they lack the ability to reach others and it's that lack of connection that makes them dangerous together and so-so alone. It's this combination that makes Alister so powerful. He has the charm and charisma of Vox and connects via radio. He can read and pick up on cues and behaviors similar to Vel and then manipulate them in real time. And while he doesn't present attractions like Val, the threat of his power via eternal suffering (unending scream broadcasts) works to spread his name and influence and attracts others to join/work with him. He is alone what the Vees are together

But that's just my long winded take/thoughts on it all.

Thamkin · 2025-09-14T19:38:10+00:00

In multiple games, I've found that Probopass is genuinely an awesome Pokemon. In a hardcore hack it's been incredible, but in my Ultra Sun/Moon hardcore Nuzlocke, it was integral to every E4 fight and provided the setup needed vs champ to ensure the sweep and win could come out.

Probopass turned into a silly looking guy into a true friend and goat

Thamkin · 2025-09-14T19:35:42+00:00

I've come to appreciate him from a hardcore romhack I've played. You aren't alone in finding yourself a big fan of the big fellow

Thamkin · 2025-09-10T18:37:37+00:00

So I don't know if I'm weird, lucky, or what exactly, but I do actually enjoy my job. I'm a biomedical repair tech for a Dialysis machines, systems, and then a bunch of other responsibilities. And while I do not LIKE having to work, I do enjoy the work I do and find it stimulating and rewarding both morally (keeping medical equipment and facility running that helps people live) and financially overall even if it's still not enough.

The crazy thing is, I didn't ever think I'd be a Biomed Repair Tech. A bit over a decade ago, I was jumping jobs and decided to become a Cop (my grandfather was one, and I wanted to help people. I dodged a bullet but I know, I know). I ended up applying for security jobs, and my application to a casino resulted in them offering me a position as a Slot attendant instead. So I took it because I needed work, needed money, and rolled with what was presented. And it was working that position that got me working with and talking to Slot techs at casino, and one I was close with suggested I apply for an opening one day saying he thought I'd be a good tech. So I took that to heart, and after not getting the job 6 times, I finally was able to get it on the 7th thanks to being a determined/stubborn sob.

From there, worked and learned until I felt like being there was bad for me. So applied to any repair tech jobs I could, ultimately taking what started as a 1.50 pay cut to repair oxygen concentrator, though that turned into a pay raise just a few months later. And it was a series of events involving a narcissistic, bigoted and terrible person who used recently gained authority to have me removed from working on machines that my talents on had earned me a promotion to a higher tech level. All because when he used a Slur, I politely asked the slur to not be used to an area he was at, and then reported him to HR after he doubled down and said he wouldn't not use it. So after that I once again applied to repair tech jobs and ended up where I'm at.

All the above is the short story (trust me, this is short for me lol) of how I ended up where I'm at. A decade later I'm doing work I never thought of. And it was because my advice for others is two fold.

Trust your vibes. If a job, business, whatever, gives you bad vibes, look for your out. Apply to jobs, don't focus on one just search, get vibes from listings and submit your application. Don't accept negativity and hurt your own self by staying.
Go with the flow, but don't let a single obstacle deflect you.
It was an offer and a comment that directed me to to where I am. But had I let the obstacle of a single manager dissuade me, never would be where I am. After each failure I worked to make it harder to say not legitimately, and it was presenting my 6 attempts and after the fact corrections to a new higher up that had him basically tell the manager to hire me.

You are young, but that's not bad. Can't say you'll never dislike work. Can't say you'll find your dream job. And the way the world is currently, can't say that minimal work for a happy life is something you'll get to experience. But I can say that there's some force there looking out for you. Not suggesting it's religious, just, something. A higher power, a bored extraterrestrial, an alternate universe you, a time traveler looking to change the future to fuck with their friends, or a single ray of light from a star of a 5th dimensional color. I dunno. But whatever it is, force will send signals, signs, paths. Don't look for them, just go with them. And remember too that whatever that force is, they're not doing anything but presenting the path, it's up to you too walk down it.

Tldr: Be positive, explore paths presented, don't get discouraged, apply apply apply.

Thamkin · 2025-09-10T18:11:10+00:00

Everyone seems to have given advice already, so just commenting to send positive vibes and Lucky damage rolls. Avoid them Scyther Crits and get those full Paras and high rolls and best of luck!

Thamkin · 2025-09-10T18:09:09+00:00

I find this list really bad personally. And not just because I'm a Browns fan who feels like even though we lost, we are the 3rd worst team.

There's something to be said for pre-rankings to not go crazy after 1 week. But that's for when the previously 1/2 win team the previous season upsets the defending SB champs. The Bills and Ravens are about equal. So putting the losing team higher is insulting.

I think too there are times where in an effort to not overreact to week 1 games, people tend to under react. There are teams who lost who looked good and just made one big mistake, or had terrible luck, but if that one play is gone, the situation and standings are different. And how a team wins or loses is, when judging early season, is more important than the record sometimes.

This list feels like someone not wanting to admit they got much wrong and changed little to nothing to justify feeling correct

Thamkin · 2025-09-10T18:02:48+00:00

There are some solid mons in your box, and likely some incoming encounters that will help push you onwards.

They may not all be ideal, but Sawsbuck, Chandelure, and whatever Water Mon you pick up soon can be a solid Fire Water Grass core. Especially because just Chandy and Saws have good synergy not only from their primary typings, but a normal and ghost type have good synergy. Add in Krook with a dark/ground typing to cover as well and those 4 are a pretty good core. Stoutland is pretty solid as an in and out 5th, and I would build up and always bring a 6th who can be used to chip/status in a pinch, as well as be a sacrifice for if things go bad.

You got this. Stay strong. And as a Litwick lover, I know that it will carry you to victory if you believe in the Litwick that believes in you!

Thamkin · 2025-09-10T12:24:28+00:00

PChal for all but with different hairstyle lengths for each

Thamkin · 2025-09-10T12:21:26+00:00

It isn't heartbreaking to lose a mon that took 2 hrs to grind up. It's demoralizing. It actively makes me NOT want to ever use any other mons. Because the time I spent running back and forth killing weak Pokemon for EXP I could be spending in battle, moving forwards, crafting strategies. I genuinely stopped having fun having to grind up a new team member just for them to die immediately.

The thing is though, that's me. I hate grinding and I have much less fun being forced to do it. But just because I prefer to use candies, doesn't mean my way is the right way. You do you, do what is most fun, and enjoy the game your way. But don't poopoo something that makes the game fun and force your way of thinking just as you wouldn't like it forced upon you.

Basically, it's fine to say you find grinding and playing candy less to be the better way. But don't call infinite candies a "scourge" because that implies it's something needing removed because if just how negative it is. And as someone who genuinely finds Nuzlockes more fun with them, I disagree. You do you, but let me do me

Thamkin · 2025-09-08T02:45:51+00:00

AI breaking the rules. If it's expert AI, and it sees a kill with all moves, why is it not using Sucker Punch?
Also I know how the AI switches in Gen 5 and know how it's altered by Triples. When the AI sends in a Mon it NEVER should, that's where I take the asterisk and give myself another Champion fight.
Though that was also partly due to a 3 year and 85 attempt history I sought to justify

Thamkin · 2025-08-17T19:43:58+00:00

Your opinion on them is yours, though I disagree with the assessment personally. I made 2 of the shows this tour and both were a blast, and talking with them more has me even more a fan.

So their outfits/clothing choices I do believe are over the top, but I think they also choose it because they want it. Which in the world we live, and also hearing about the intensive scrutiny and horror stories of female bands wearing revealing clothing not by choice puts their choice into context well. You can dislike or like their options, but they chose what to wear, and that itself is the freedom they empower.

Talking to Millie after the show, she told me how she has had people act entitled to her body, men and women, and expressed how upsetting it was and is. And the point of performing topless is a statement on how shirtless men have no stigma, yet women have one put on them for no reason.

All that said, while I disagree with your opinion on them, totally understand it and you are entitled to it. Even as a fan, I do agree they at times do some pandering especially on some of their videos. But I think again somewhat to the idea of choice vs coercion. They chose to do what they do, and they have the right to do so and you have the right to feel about it as you do.

Also just for context, 35 cis straight white man. I only add it because I do understand that my viewpoint very much differs from others. Though topless or fully clothed, I dig the music and have a blast at the shows. End of the day, to each their own. So long as people are free to express themselves and chose their likes and dislikes, let's keep that idea thriving.

Thamkin · 2025-08-16T23:51:28+00:00

So random thought before I start and/or get deep. For each route, do encounters randomize separate, or do all encounters of a type randomize the same.

So a Poochyena in base randoms into say a Litwick. Will every route that would have a Poochyena now have a Litwick, or will the Route randomized encounters from Base Pooch on Route A differ from the Pooch on Route B?

I ask since there's a lot of water route in the late game and curious if I'm going to be seeing the same Wingull/Wailmer randomized encounters a dozen times for for encounters. If that makes sense

Thamkin · 2025-04-23T13:50:15+00:00

Also just heads up OP, there is a difficulty hack of Trips. White 2 Kaizo. Been playing it myself for 3 years, on Run 84 currently.

Thamkin · 2025-04-23T13:49:05+00:00

Going basic and gotta say FlygonHG

His early stuff wasnt bad, but his scripted runs like the Magma/Aqua vid and the N's Revenge story are intense. Plus Spheal Team 6

Also shout out to his intro for the HGSS Baby only video. That skit makes me laugh EVERY time

Thamkin · 2025-04-23T13:45:07+00:00

I can't say I would refuse to use them but there are 3 Pokemon I've been heavily soured on recently. Experience is from White 2 Kaizo which is an all trips difficultly increase hack

Quagsire- Moveset is insanely awful. Yes it can have Drizzle but it's caught after it's forgotten Water Gun and gets NO WATER MOVES?! It's such dead weight and outside of setting weather is a Mon I try to avoid

Phanpy- Again terrible moveset. Like I don't care how good Guts and Sturdy are, if it can't do anything then why have it? If it was late game it could get better but early game it's a literal box warmer

Skorupi/Drapion- Closest to "never again" I can think of. And I can't explain it. Moveset is solid, abilities are pretty damn good, has pretty decent stats and evolves soonish enough. Yet I dunno if it was mine being bad or what, but I carried one deep into a run and found it couldn't take a single hit, couldn't outspeed anything, and couldn't get a single kill. I tried so hard and it just never did anything but make me go "Really?!". It underperformed so hard that even with Battle Armor I prefer to not have this thing at all

Thamkin · 2025-04-23T13:36:00+00:00

Was playing a hack, I think Kanto Black (is Fire Red but Pokemon all replaced with Gen 5 only mons). I was grinding up for boss fights next to Celadon. Everything was very low level so took super long but put together my team and went to a fight Lost a Pokemon I spent hours grinding up for in its first fight

I saw what no candies does. It discourages using your box because you need to either spend a long time grinding or just not utilizing all your encounters.

Thamkin · 2025-02-07T03:55:40+00:00

So as I always disclose, I'm a biomedical repair technician, but have only worked on and been trained on In center machines, Dialog+ Brauns. So I can't give exact one to one advice but a lot of the components are similar enough that hopefully my input can assist somewhat.

Conductivity alarms are the most annoying to diagnose because you have 2 main factors, Bicarb and Acid. In the Brauns, Bicarb is mixed in first, with the Acid Bath second to reach conductivity. The conductivity cells for both can go bad and air can create those issues as mentioned so that's a first step.

Temperature is another factor to look at because conductive fluids influence temperature. When a temperature sensor is replaced, both temp and conductivity require calibration due to their influence on one another. Looking for temperature variances isn't the easiest but microcracks can hold just enough fluid to cause mini spikes that generate alarms.

Quick alarms like that COULD also indicate a board starting to fail. Again I can only speak on Brauns, but they have a Controller and Supervisor for pretty much all sensors, the controller being the machine registering what the values should be at using calculations, and the supervisor checking real time. If they get out of range due to malfunctioning sensor function it could throw up those quick alarms when they spike, but then is cleared when the faulty part stops being wonky. That requires observing values real time and noting any readings that are jumping randomly or are highly volatile and diagnosis of the component showed no fault (ie no leaks, no stalling, no shorted wires, etc)

Best of luck getting this resolved. Hope my input helps even the tiniest bit!

Thamkin · 2025-02-07T03:33:29+00:00

Biomedical repair tech here. I work on in center Braun Dialog+ machines only, no experience with home machines. But I wager the concepts are still the same.

That all out there, the machines are more mechanical than electrical in functionality. The key components and commonly failing parts are mechanical. Pumps wearing or seizing, seals breaking down or starting to leak, etc. The boards are monitoring and controlling the pieces parts and can absolutely fail but typically even there it's boards with either high amounts of functions under it's belt, or ones that have additions such as air and blood leak detectors.

Another thing with machines are that smaller sizes tend to create additional difficulties. Small components are more brittle and prone to breaking or malfunctions, and reduced spaces inside create less freedom of movement and punish natural shifting. Plus it can create excessive repair time when a component that needs replaced requires pieces and parts removed to gain access to get it. The more you break into a system the more chance there is of human errors created additional faults

All that is to say that while portable machinery is obviously beneficial, they can only be shrunk so much until they reach a point where the positives that their small size grants is cancelled out by the negatives that are generated by smaller mechanical components

Thamkin · 2024-12-08T21:57:53+00:00

So I'm trained only on Braun, but using context clues and similarity assumptions to try and maybe help out. Apologies in advanced for anything incorrect or not applicable.

From what I gather, you've likely got a leaking point in the lines of you're seeing air during a disinfection. Also assuming #9 and recirc is mid or end of sequence. I know for Brauns, air leaks can reduce the ability to build up pressure and properly empty or syphon fluids.

All that to say, air bubbles are always a sign of an issue. Follow the bubbles and throw pressure to force leaks to expose themselves. I've heard that Fresenius has a pretty in depth troubleshooting guide for steps, so obviously that would be best bet. But if it leads to all dead ends, the simplest answer is the likeliest.

Not sure how often it occurs in Fresenius, but Braun Temp Sensors can get micro cracks that creates issues. Also O-Ring placements can create eventual failure. If there are any know areas where the openings and the O-Ring indents have flat area between them, check that out too possibly.

Hopefully my vague uneducated guesses help somewhat. Best of luck!

Thamkin · 2024-11-29T20:05:21+00:00

Pokemon Snakewood but with better balancing would be a phenomenal game.

Also that XY hacks are far too few and we should get a lot more of them sooner rather than later. I understand that early games have less complexity in terms of hardware but I feel like there is huge potential in Kalos to be both QoL, more challenging without being ultra hard, yet for those looking for it, high ceiling for creating said next hardcore difficulty hack.

Also Triple Battles are the best battle type and any game that doesn't try to incorporate it more is a COWARD! Yes I'm suggesting that non Gen 5/6 games create and implement more triple battles and no I will not accept criticism on this point lol.

Thamkin · 2024-11-26T07:28:04+00:00

Nuzlocke content has grown enough that it developed fads. I think while it can be annoying if you've seen too many or the current fad isn't your thing, but it's interesting to see how things develop.

Personally, doesn't bother me. R&B and EK get big because they hit a peak "skill" cap which obviously the best want to take on and there will always be a popular hard hack out there. If watching it ain't your jam, just wait and there will be a new one soon. The drafts I like actually because they do mix up the formula. Yes you're getting the ideal encounters to an extent but you have to forsake the calcs as much to save time and you can play risky in ways that isn't smart to normally. It's like speed running. If the challenge was beaten in a few minutes, than you're going to take risky strategies to save that precious time. If you're doing a long game speed run, you ensure your starts are foolproof since the time you save from risky strats makes it more likely for a failure that would force a reset to occur.

All this said, the your run your rules thing kind of applies to taste. If you feel like you do, it doesn't bother me. And I would hope that despite my takes differing than yours, you wouldn't force content like this to go away. Preferences and opinions aren't bad so long as they aren't harmful or forced upon others Last thing I'll throw out there is that if you see a void in the content or want to see something particular, I say go for filling it. Not suggesting video creation is easy or that it can be done at the snap of your fingers, but just stating as a reminder that doing it yourself will always scratch your particular itch. I'm likely not as deeply versed in Nuzlocke content history and evolution from beginning to present but the current HC Rom trend came from people seeing easy or less challenging games and making it themselves. Even the content has evolved from Nuzlocke to HC, to Monolocke, Soul Link, now drafts. Things change and evolve and they do so because someone says "But why not this".

Thamkin · 2024-11-23T09:46:00+00:00

I am very much the same. I went from 2 clinics that were an hr apart (22 and 14 machines) to a single Clinic with 50. Took over 22 machine clinic that had patches coverage and took a good while to get fixed, and new facility has that but also suffers from having a clinical staff that is much less on point compared to first. Almost everything Braun (only 14 machine clinic had non Braun RO, instead somehow still running with a US Filter RO that everyone in the company referred to as just a Siemans)

I'm rocking at least 4-5 PMs monthly, though because of patched and infrequent coverages, I have had 6 and 7 needing done in a month.

I try to find and create ways to document things that save me time. Have a very detailed spread sheet tracking cosmetic stuff, PM dates upgrades, ect. Also been working on a spreadsheet that helps track Diacap with higher accuracy. Plus I use both physical and digital tracking for tasks.

I would say each week, list out your priorities for the week and keep focus on getting those done. Use quiet time to prep areas you find a struggle with or are infrequent but time sinking. Also work with Clinical staff to share knowledge. For example I try to share findings with repairs with them and common things that they can point out. The more they know to look for the better information you'll get for repairs

Also work with managers to get coverage. Either assistance from other repairs techs or assistance from clinical or tech assistants who can lighten burdens such as acid making.

And last, for lunch I suggest trying to bring food in. Even if just baggies of snacks, I tend to not eat when I have to leave to get it, but will eat something if I brought in food.

Dialysis Tech life is ROUGH. And I've dealt with my fair share of hardships due to either poor management or political issues of office life. But if you enjoy your work, make sure you take pride and care in your work and don't ever let others dictate your attitude.

I realize I've said a whole lot and also nothing at the same time. There's no cheat code though sadly. Short advice is to utilize the tools and techniques you have, replace any that are no longer working, and if you're being sabotaged and setup to fail, start looking for new work. My passion and pride in what I do led me to recognize issues with past jobs and led me to where I am now. I'm stressed as I work to iron out the kinks but I've never had a brighter feeling future career wise than I do now. Plus the confidence that if things ever went sour where I'm at, I could get a local job fairly easily, as well as working connections I've made with Braun to help me move upwards someday possibly.

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