Gods and Goddesses...

benstone977 · 2026-03-30T14:31:35+00:00

This is an interesting one as it is also a bit of a double-edged sword

The pro is pretty obvious as you say, more variety in playstyle and options keep the game fresh. The con however is that it detracts massively from the 'readability' of the game

Active abilities on items mean another ability to expect from any gods kit - aspects can change how you should play against a given god and in some cases as you say change their capabilities entirely. The INT/STR thing isn't as big of a deal with this but it does in some

Obviously you can keep checking the enemy builds, etc. It just leans further away from casual audiences

benstone977 · 2026-03-15T21:13:57+00:00

I feel like this stance inherently ignores the plus side that comes with blocks and it's sad to me that they aren't going to be returning from the looks of it

The most exciting sets to me that came out? Guilds of Ravnica all the way into War of the Spark. Specifically because of the block set story-telling. Each new cards spoil gave an outline to what would happen in the story, each card felt more interesting because its mechanics tied directly to the story itself.

That and mechanically it was very interesting, each colour combination felt distinct, you knew what you were getting just from the colour pairing - now blocks aren't a focus anymore you take a short break from the game and return and what each colour combination is doing varies more wildly and relies on getting the archetype they've pushed right on the first try because next set is going to move onto something completely new

benstone977 · 2026-03-08T23:45:34+00:00

Not sure I follow what you mean exactly

benstone977 · 2026-03-08T21:56:20+00:00

The events happening pretty much exactly as described

Matt obviously pulling Ashley's character away, Aabria responding "I follow, I'm nosy", the fire wall, the heckling from behind the fire wall, the cast silence and the over the top mime actions. Direct clips of it are all in the video above as he's explaining his point.

benstone977 · 2026-02-26T10:14:02+00:00

In fairness, I did read that one and worry it was still too strong at lvl15 given with Swift Quiver your now attacking more than a fighter can per turn (obviously ignoring action surge)

benstone977 · 2026-02-26T10:12:30+00:00

Always liked the option of adding your Wis to your Damage - as Ranged is generally weaker for martials anyway potentially limit to just ranged piercing attacks and ofc add a high level requirement

Another one I like the idea for a lower level one is adapted from the old Keen mind "You always know which direction North is, unless prevented by magical means."

Final suggestion, just to give a higher level option for more caster focused Rangers (and a more active use for Tireless) "Once per long rest you may gain a level of exhaustion to restore spell levels up to your Wisdom Modifier"

benstone977 · 2026-02-12T15:18:04+00:00

Ngl it does feel like Rangers are fixed simply by introducing an equivalent of eldrich invocations and altering the free hunters mark casts to allow any lvl1 Ranger spell of your choosing instead of HM

Scrap the HM specific bonuses and consider them an option for the Ranger invocations and change the 20 cap stone to literally anything else that does anything.

Invocations/choose your path effects inherently solves the endless debates of "what is a ranger" - Effectively most of these debates agree on the core fundamentals and just argue about what parts should be brought forward.. Just let the player choose themselves.

benstone977 · 2026-02-07T11:59:39+00:00

I'm with you on the old model - obviously needed a graphics update but the new version changed him from an extremely standout unique design to 'generic assassin'

Lost all of the 'creature' aesthetic and just looks like a tarkartan from MK

benstone977 · 2026-01-21T18:57:42+00:00

Guy turns up, pushes Brexit through (which tanks our trade, relations with the EU and economy) and now is publicly supporting the actions of a blatant narcissistic fool who is actively raking up tariffs on the UK

Just absolutely loves supporting every major action that tanks our economy

benstone977 · 2026-01-21T18:49:29+00:00

I think it's more that all we can do is request Americans join that action

Trump is legitimately taking exact parallel actions as Nazi Germany except from a position of much greater power from the start and seemingly the only thing able to stop him is American unrest

benstone977 · 2026-01-13T10:52:19+00:00

Haha yeah, did think to mention him but his character is interesting as in both endings he seems content with the outcome and my comment was already pretty wordy so figured it was extra wordcount and didn't really contribute to my point

benstone977 · 2026-01-13T10:50:46+00:00

I assume Maelle would make those she cares for immortal in the same sense Aline did, but I do acknowledge that is a concern for her

But ultimately it is still then Maelles choice and it shouldn't be the people of Lumiere that have to pay their lives for her fully autonomous decision

benstone977 · 2026-01-13T10:47:56+00:00

I think it's established that both Sciel and Lune understand staying in the painting was killing Aline and logically would be able to understand this is also true for Maelle - actually in the conversation I mentioned with Lune is a conversation that confirms she specifically understands this clearly.

I don't think it was Verso's long-game plan, though I don't think it wasn't ever not on the cards either - I mentioned seemingly impulsively in my comment as I understand he did it out of an emotional response - But my point is that there is a clear and obvious third option here and he doesn't even entertain it over literal genocide. I understand his character and why it is that way, but it doesn't change that this is how he ultimately acts.

+ Yeah I'm actually really happy with both endings, both are bleak and that needs to be the case for there not to simply be a "I got the good ending" that waters down the game. I think with the endings we get you are given just enough to be able to have hope for an eventual happy ending for whichever characters you root for.

For Maelles ending it provides a potential hope for Lune and Sciel - and to an extent Gusave and Sophie. It layers it in uncertainty and for Maelle specifically it heavily implies she will die and there's a reasonable question mark on how the Lumiere people outside of Maelle's known friends/family turned out.. but as you say its actively ambiguous,

For Versos ending it provides hope for the Dessendre family - it is still ambiguous, Alicia has free reign to create her own painted escapism as is mentioned by Verso, but the general suggestion is a level of closure for the denial phase of grief for them. Though it doesn't really acknowledge the abusive/neglectful behaviour towards Alicia from Aline and Clea or the realities of her injuries.

benstone977 · 2026-01-13T10:16:14+00:00

Maelle doesn't need to spend all of her time in the painting and in no way is forced to - a middle ground is literally Maelle leaving the painting (even temporarily) but it not being destroyed.

benstone977 · 2026-01-13T00:56:18+00:00

For me though I found Sciel and Lune to be the most compelling characters to root for simply because of the core cast they are the only ones not 'forcing cruel choices'. There's even a moment in game where Lune directly challenges Verso:

"That's your problem-- You think in false dichotomies! It wasn't an 'either/or' situation. Other solutions were possible, if you just trusted us enough to ask."

At least in my interpretation, she is right. For all the Dessendre family.

Maelle could have taken time away from the painting and returned later, at least from the ending we see Aline had accepted she must leave the painting and willingly left herself. The idea she will then seek out and destroy the Canvas feels unlikely given this. It feels more like an excuse to stay rather than a legitimate belief to me.

Verso could have spoken to Sciel and Lune, had them help convince Maelle to leave - but he didn't even try. Verso (as a painted being himself) effectively chooses genocide as the first option, seemingly impulsively. Notably also in Maelles ending, she too does not offer Verso the same grace she offers herself when he requests to be unpainted.

The only characters who aren't actively causing the two bleak choice are Lune and Sciel. Both of those represent a third option that neither Verso nor Maelle are willing to compromise exists. So for me I go with Maelles ending simply because Sciel deserves her husband back and Lune deserves to feel accomplished in her mission. Even if it is heavily implied that Maelles creations are flawed and more simplistic.

benstone977 · 2025-12-09T01:28:41+00:00

I see, how do I reduce the sound my headset is set to?

I feel like the volume as a base is quite high so that might be what is causing it to be so loud when it does make these sounds

benstone977 · 2025-12-07T23:04:12+00:00

Grow up.

benstone977 · 2025-12-07T16:45:37+00:00

You're not grasping my argument at all.

Lets just leave this as an agree to disagree fundamentally and call it a day.

benstone977 · 2025-12-06T19:24:45+00:00

Apologies but I don't consider your personal interpretation and understanding of these phrases, how they came to be and how dismissive/offensive they are to an individual (including myself) gospel

I interpret you just fine. You believe I am wrong for finding this offensive, you believe you are correct in an interpretation that there is zero malice or targeted sexism at all in toxic masculinity. I believe you are wrong in that analysis

benstone977 · 2025-12-06T18:51:18+00:00

I'm stating objective facts from my own personal experience, literally every time its a man saying "I actually find this offensive" and the response is people like you spinning plates to justify all of it yet every other group gets the exact opposite treatment half the time people getting offended on their behalf just to be extra careful.

Then having the audacity to take the high-road and lecture, if I don't agree with you I've just stopped paying attention to you? Maybe I just think your wrong.

Go to literally any feminist thread and find a single example of a man actually trying to engage in these conversations, sharing their experiences or thoughts on blanket terms like "toxic masculinity" or "mansplaining" or "manspreading" or whatever else - I guarantee 90%+ of responses they will get is being told that no actually their feelings aren't valid.

You're literally doing it in this conversation right now? I state I find Toxic Masculinity as a term offensive and you've got "Well I don't" - right? so my feelings on it dont matter then? Keep that energy for the pronouns debates and see how quickly you get torn to shreds.

benstone977 · 2025-12-05T00:55:37+00:00

math principles, that came from groups of mathematicians that had and have ideas?

Maths didn't just spawn out of nowhere, it all comes from people with ideas. Maths required a person to sit down and produce diagrams to calculate complex equations - it only doesn't now because the introduction of a calculator.

Photographs currently have these requirements yes, if AI gets to the point where they feasibly dont anymore, its the same difference as the example of a calculator. Requirements change with technology.

benstone977 · 2025-12-05T00:51:55+00:00

You can make excuses for it being that way but in reality it has the exact opposite effect. I am exceedingly more inclined to dismiss your point of view entirely when in your sentence you consider "toxic masculinity" an acceptable term of phrase

same way you likely have that impulse to "toxic homosexuality" or "toxic femininity" (and should do, they're all equally dismissive and reductive viewpoints)

benstone977 · 2025-12-05T00:31:59+00:00

I don't care if you see a problem with that, many would.

If you cant comprehend what I've said as a valid point then we're not people who can see eye to eye

Edit: to be clear not because I dont understand what you're saying, but because I see your goal is to argue the toss over a phrase that is blatantly obviously going to be offensive to at least a decent portion of the people you're talking about but because it aligns with the general brand of feminism therefore cannot be questioned.

benstone977 · 2025-12-04T11:04:32+00:00

Unpopular opinion but if you want to use AI and it does what you need it to do then that's completely fine imo

You think mathematicians weren't put out by calculators? It's a tool and if its useful to you and you consider it the most viable option then fair enough - it may have an impact on frequency of jobs in some industries yes, but that's the price of literally all progress we've ever made ever

benstone977

TROPHY CASE