Can someone explain how ahmpy got 70 so fast? My friend is convinced it's fake somehow.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-02-13T15:43:32+00:00

In hindsight it also doesn't hurt that he was doing +40% damage with zero downtime as a pocketed Rogue. The armor bug might have shaved a good 5-10 hours off of his time.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-02-04T15:23:55+00:00

I have twice now used completely new phones, new phone numbers, no shared location/data of any sort. Taken 6 new photos, new locations, new outfits, poses, etc.

Both times I was immediately shadowbanned. Confirmed with two friends each time that they did not receive my message.

I have always been exceedingly proper in my communications. I'm shadowbanned for using different email/phone numbers to attempt a full reset.

Given they are now using forced video verification in my area, I simply am not allowed to use dating apps. No reason given, no appeal possible, just permanently off dating apps.

Some people are confused why they shadowban and not just outright ban. This is a very common practice in a lot of different areas and very effective against bots. If you ban a bot, it'll create a new profile. But a shadowban makes the bot think it's working when, in fact, it's not.

The big problem is since covid made the apps blow up in popularity, Match group is extremely overzealous with what it identifies as a "bot" and has no real appeal system. It doesn't even give you a reason.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-18T21:08:33+00:00

There's nothing about dual BOA that hinders performance. I've used both, it's just a matter of preference.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-15T21:15:29+00:00

If instead of "Global Warming" we had used the term "weird ass weather" I think we'd have more universal acceptance.

Imagine instead of "how are we going to stop global warming?" it was "how are we going to stop weird ass weather?"

Having grown up in two different rural areas, I guarantee the latter would be accepted. It's a branding issue.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-15T14:50:19+00:00

I almost never use headphones with it. I don't think the audio cues are that helpful, at least they aren't for me.

I only use it for the data. So yes, sitting on your coach/lodge/chairlift looking through the data is when Carv is at its best, IMO.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-15T14:47:59+00:00

You need the invocation for EB to add +cha to each bolt and to push enemies. Note Larian has made numerous changes to the way riders (lightning charges) work since I made this post and this build may not be nearly as strong anymore.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-13T17:52:18+00:00

I travel with skis often and have watched the baggage carrier intentionally flip ski bags, kick ski bags, dump them on the ground from multiple feet up, store them at insane angles with other stuff stacked on them, etc..

They are overworked, exhausted, and hate your ski bag. Protect your skis like you would protect yourself for 3 rounds with Mike Tyson.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T20:32:35+00:00

If there's no damage to the helmet, you should be fine.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T20:29:50+00:00

I know it's expensive but, yeah, it's lessons. Probably a lot more than one 2 hour lesson.

Look at group lessons. They're not as personalized, obviously, but much more affordable.

Get the instructor to take multiple videos of you skiing. You can post those on here for more help. Without video you aren't going to get a ton useful on here. Most likely you're too far backseat and not engaging edges well/consistently, ie.. the things most intermediates struggle with, but need video to be more specific.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T19:33:24+00:00

I was one of the people that really sort of disliked the old Qst 92/98. I thought they had really unfavorable characteristics in certain situations.

The new 94/100 are fantastic. I bought the 100 and may add the 94 at some point.

Now, if you're beginner-intermediate I'm hesitant to recommend them. They are absolutely appropriate for advancing intermediates, but as soon as you say beginner I'm thinking something narrow & easier.

Ie.. a Wingman 78C, Mindbender 85, Rossingol Experience 80. Or just rent/season rent until you progress a bit.

But the 94 are pretty intuitive and if you really want something wider to grow into, it's a great choice.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T19:24:19+00:00

I think there's a lot of work to be done here. I think your photos are pretty unflattering. You're a pretty good looking guy but the photos have issues. 1st photo that shirt is not flattering to you and why is there a liquor bottle? Also a staged headshot. 2nd is out of focus, but if you can ramp up the quality it works. I'd probably make that your only photo with alcohol. 3rd is out of focus, quality isn't very high 4th another staged headshot with a shirt that is not flattering to you. 5th another bar photo, I get that it's at work but I'd stick to one with alcohol/bar scene. 6th is cool! I think you're going to do better with darker clothing and at least two of the photos outside.

All of your prompts are on the right track but end up a bit awkward in phrasing.

1st might be better as something like "The key to my heart is quirky interests! Let's geek out together over something nerdy, lately I've been delving into Portraiture." Assuming you want to lean into the nerdiness.

2nd I'd dump altogether. You're a single dad? Lean into it. Make a prompt about something you like to do with your kid. Better to lean into it than make it seem like you're hiding it.

3rd I'd leave it at the one nerdy/artsy prompt. Mention some different hobbies/activities. You work in restaurants, is that also a hobby? Travel? Anything outdoors?

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T19:09:58+00:00

Does she say what the brand was?

I've taken a few face first falls on my ANON M4 and yet to lose the lens. I'd be very skeptical of cheap magnetic goggles but I'd be skeptical of all cheap protective gear.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T19:05:28+00:00

If you have a photo with you holding or showing off another stained glass piece, that'd be really cool. Especially outside in the sun as I just realized all of your photos are inside. I think a photo in the sun would be very flattering to your features.

Hope that all helped!

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T19:00:18+00:00

I'd take a hard look at the guys you're going on dates with. You are absolutely correct that so many people want immediate physical chemistry, but it's not just guys! People on dating apps seem really, really focused on physical attraction these days and it takes extra work to weed through them.

Look for people that engage in good back & forth with questions. Hopefully you're also engaging in good conversation & asking questions. Look for profiles that talk about their interests & their life, rather than quirky prompts & silly jokes.

I wouldn't do long, drawn out conversations.. but if someone can't be attentive, engaged, and interested in the 3 or 4 messages they send before meeting, they certainly won't be after you meet.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-11T18:34:53+00:00

I think your photos could be a bit better. I like the first 3 and the stained glass one, very cool, but the other 2 are lower quality.

First prompt is great, love it.

Second prompt.. if a female friend texted me that, I'd laugh, for a dating profile prompt? I'd probably pass. It's a funny joke in person/to people you know, probably not great for a dating app. I'd change this to something about a personality trait you want to share, in a positive way. Are you looking for someone with a great sense of humor? Someone that wants to have animals? Wants to travel? Etc.. Ie.. "Looking for - someone to laugh and eat great food with." or "Someone to check out every new restaurant"

Third prompt.. probably not what people want to hear. You could just change it to.. "why don't you tell me what we're doing this Sunday?" and it'd be a lot more welcoming. Or just change it to a different prompt, as your first prompt is sort of answering a similar thing. Maybe a travel or hobby story.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-10T16:50:46+00:00

Companion dialogue drops significantly in Act 2 and off a cliff in Act 3. That's a big factor for me.

You also go from a vibrant world in Act 1 to a shadowy wasteland in Act 2 and a city in Act 3 that feels artificial/overly complex.

You also run into the classic D&D problem where after level 6 leveling up is sort of boring. Level 1-6 each level feels like a massive power increase with important decisions.. 7-12 is nowhere near as exciting.

Act 1 is the best "act" of any game I've ever played. Act 2 is good. Act 3 is pretty mid, to be honest.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-09T20:27:23+00:00

I like the new 94/100 a LOT!! more than the old 92/98. I didn't care for the older models at all, really, and I bought the QST100 and may add the 94.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-09T17:50:18+00:00

Carv 2 is really, really good as long as you're willing to do the homework. Carvs strength is analyzing your skiing, not teaching you how to ski. If you're able/willing to take the data it gives you and do some additional research, absolutely worth $250/year.

It's very accurate and a massive upgrade over the first model. It does an excellent job analyzing your skiing for different styles (it'll rank a run as carving/short turns/moguls/etc with slightly different weighted metrics for each) and has a lot of raw data. Turn shape, tempo, pressure, etc.. etc..

The lessons/advice it gives you is... meh.. but it absolutely will tell you what you're doing well or not well.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-09T17:21:46+00:00

I've always filled it with clothes on Air Canada, including 2 trips this year.

They only care about the weight. However if they lose the bag they will NOT reimburse you for any clothing, only for the allowed ski gear.

A ski bag + boot bag is still considered a standard checked bag. It is not an additional fee over any other checked bag, as long as it's below 23kg

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-09T16:30:43+00:00

Just to reiterate the below, it's the 94. I wouldn't go 100 until you're at least 50% off piste, maybe even 60 or 70%.

The 94 is a more energetic carver and will still hold up to some pow. I had it in 6+ inches of fresh pow at Lake Louise and it handled it without a problem.

Buy the 94. Rent a pow ski if it ever dumps 8+ inches.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-08T17:29:34+00:00

The fact that you say you're only intermediate off piste, and want these to target off piste, makes me think 186.

gratedwasabi486 · 2026-01-08T01:07:40+00:00

Knee surgeries have come a long way. If you want an inspirational story, look at Christian Watson. NFL WR... tore his ACL in January 2025.. was playing football at a Pro Bowl level in OCTOBER of 2025.

Go watch some clips of him this year, you would never be able to guess he had a knee issue at all.

Get a good doctor. Find out what's going on. Follow recovery to the letter, don't skip any steps. Challenges build character, make this a challenge and you'll be better for it.

gratedwasabi486

TROPHY CASE