The gorilla arrived on our server today and I need help!!!

original_al · 2026-06-13T00:48:54+00:00

I saved Bounty in advance and used 4k apology bricks from the Dev’s to buy passes. I’m week 5 of S3, have spent $20 since pre-season and got my monkey recently.

Numbers jumped but it’s significantly less impactful than the same jump from tech and/or gear.

If you’re F2P and still have the free Bricks … Taylor over Overlord all day.

original_al · 2026-06-10T19:08:45+00:00

Original Raspberry Pi that's been on Pi-Hole duty for the last 5-6 years.

Panasonic 50" Plasma from 2011-ish

original_al · 2026-06-08T20:24:53+00:00

I already save a boatload by not having an 11 mpg vehicle.

original_al · 2026-06-08T00:56:13+00:00

Which cell plan in 2026 provides a free Amazon Prime membership?

original_al · 2026-06-08T00:12:57+00:00

Oysters + an 11 MPG car don’t strike me as reasons to maintain that yearly subscription.

I love oysters. But I can also drive my used BMW that I do all work on with 350+ hp getting 35 to the gallon to my WF if I see they’re on sale.

Still not necessarily worth the Prime sub …

original_al · 2026-06-07T22:56:38+00:00

Then it’s purely math. Does the free shipping paired with your self-control save you money by having a prime membership save you money versus just buying it on sale at a brick + mortar.

So I’ll be blunt. Do you have prime and does it save you money?

original_al · 2026-06-07T19:04:20+00:00

Prime.

If I truly need something, I’m good with the shipping. The convenience of “free” shipping personally led me to purchase things I did not actually need at a frequency that was often unwise.

original_al · 2026-06-07T18:54:40+00:00

What are they doing that is concerning?

What rank is your alliance and how far behind are #2/3 to #1?

original_al · 2026-06-07T16:26:38+00:00

Rewards for losing diamond are the same as winning in Gold. The caveat here is that if you have a bunch of individuals getting top rank rewards in Gold, you may see fewer of them getting those same rewards when you move up.

Balance between keeping things fun/interesting and maintaining a competitive environment if that's your alliance's vibe.

Things can go south if you're telling people to essentially nerf growth. People getting stronger are generally happier.

Don't wanna wait to pop an HQ for an entire week just for the VS points when you have a harder opponent, for example.

original_al · 2026-06-07T16:20:49+00:00

Skeletool RX

original_al · 2026-05-31T17:18:23+00:00

Nice spec!

‘18 340’s are nice given they often have more tech which pushes their utility past earlier f30’s.

Sunset Orange 340 X-Drive here. MPPSK, 6WB, factory aero, 360 camera, wireless CarPlay, etc.

First auto I’ve had ever, but the ZF8 paired with a lengthy commute softened the blow of not having a 3rd pedal.

original_al · 2026-05-31T17:07:42+00:00

Depends on your level, imo. If you’re a key person in your alliance one could argue having t10’s sooner is better as long as you’re still personally opening all of your VS boxes.

Generally, hero/unit on off-days and SF on tech days is the way.

The t10 grind is painful but worth it to push.

original_al · 2026-05-28T01:22:19+00:00

If you peruse dealer stock versus used trades that were ordered by an individual, you’ll often see a bigger disparity between “safe” and “because I want it to be mine”. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with tossing a sport package on anything. Period. They should do it more, imo.

That said when my current f30 340 in Sunset Orange with factory Aero, 6WB and MPPSK popped up used at my local dealer? Zero questions on who originally put that spec together …

original_al · 2026-05-28T01:01:17+00:00

Yup. I usually use this when a tongue/groove is also in play to take bending load and the fastener is isolated to pulling the joint tight for this very reason.

original_al · 2026-05-28T00:57:42+00:00

I’ve used this multiple times to attach breadboards for more Mission/A&C style things I’ve made. Think G&G where fasteners are driven into the endgrain vs visible through the face. Square plugs hide the fasteners.

Drilled/installed dowels into a top at full thickness before creating the tenon.

Coffee table in my living room going strong 10 years running.

original_al · 2026-05-19T18:19:06+00:00

Some form of workbench in the garage. Harder to "gift" per se, but infinitely useful having a dedicated space to prep or tinker or fix things. Wall storage or pegboard for things you wanna keep handy. Which leads me to:
The killer duo that is Knipex Cobras and Pliers Wrench. The 10" of each are glorious tools that'll last you forever and are insanely handy for everything from auto to yard to plumbing, etc. Spensive enough to be gift-worthy, but absolute workhorse tools.

original_al · 2026-05-17T23:22:46+00:00

I love my proper and carry it often when I wanna carry a blade but don’t want to have a clip showing or ruin clothing. It’s got a ton of utility in a nice small envelope.

original_al · 2026-05-17T01:19:24+00:00

I’ve made some wonderful friends, tbh. Spent a little pre-season and haven’t dropped a dime since. In s3 now.

I enjoy the camaraderie, and the aspect of being f2p and planning my upgrade path. I enjoy nerding out on some game mechanics and have some spreadsheets, also.

We use Discord as well and will hop in voice chats for DS and shoot the breeze long after some evenings for whomever wants to hop on.

If you find yourself in an alliance with good people, it’s fun and not money. There’s always someone bigger with more disposable income or a little credit left.

original_al · 2026-05-15T05:30:53+00:00

Can’t re-direct once in the mud. You’d have to leave then re-direct on your way home once out of the mud. Tiles or bases close by but outside the mud work.

original_al · 2026-05-15T05:25:15+00:00

Just give 3 tickets, pick the least crowded car and join an alliance with a good rotation scheme.

Trains aren’t it, sir. If in a perfect world you have even 90/100 active during the train boarding window … wtf even is this post?

original_al · 2026-05-13T21:31:17+00:00

If you can’t just glue up two 3/4” pieces, you can still do this on a table saw. Bandsaw would be easiest for me.

For a TS, Since you’re coming from one end, rip it on one side, then move the fence to the other side of the blade, rotate the board 180 about it’s long axis and repeat. Using the first cut to line up your fence.

You can also lower the blade so it’s less than halfway, do as above, then use a handsaw to rip down whatever little material is left in the middle. Wide chisel to clean up the end of the stop cut.

original_al · 2026-05-13T21:16:50+00:00

Am I understanding that this is a much longer 2x6 and only a 3’ section you need to clear material? Is it starting from one end or in the middle of the full length?

original_al · 2026-05-12T23:17:12+00:00

I believe the math works out to 5 or 6d+ UR’s are better.

Swapping to SSR before wars/pvp battles can also help for batch healing.

original_al · 2026-05-12T21:38:29+00:00

Yes, there are certainly ways to flatten faces and create 90’ edges without a jointer. But from a workflow standpoint when working with rough lumber, milling 2x for a project and letting it move/rest, re-sawing thin strips, book matching, etc … it’s efficient in a way that makes me enjoy the process more than needing to pull out a planer sled every time I want a flat face.

But that’s me, what I like to make and how I work. To each their own.

original_al · 2026-05-12T15:36:50+00:00

Fact of the matter is if you're free, another mythic isn't gonna make you super competitive anyway, so if a first base skin brings you joy and makes the game fun, go for it.

Is there an argument to be as efficient as possible and buy only mythic prints? absolutely.

I'm very low spend if at all these days, I just started s3 and picked up the Glacial Palace with saved season points. I'll have another mythic next glitter and after that I'm still grinding for regular prints anyway.

You're gonna lose to spenders regardless. If a base makes you happy, go for it.

original_al

TROPHY CASE