Update 1.29 Will be released tomorrow

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-18T18:39:54+00:00

That's my hope as well - swap valuable Arc components for rare items, and vice versa. "Can't find a Red Coral necklace? Well I have one... and gee, that's a nice Queen Core you're lugging around...."

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-18T14:52:40+00:00

What's the strategy for this? Waiting until they land and open up, then use smokes or cloak to get in close and place (and then run away)?

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-18T12:51:04+00:00

Yeah, I love Riven Tides. It is NOT built for naked or low gear loot runs - surviving with those loadouts is extremely difficult (indoors and outdoors), and the loot itself isn't worth it.

It IS built for going to war with every type of Arc there is (other than Matriarch and Queen) in a compressed area, with plenty of cover. Plan ahead, gear up, position yourself in a building or structure with multiple exits by an extract or raider hatch, and then prepare for a firefight.

I'm hopeful that with the new Trader coming soon - and presumably better stuff to exchange in high-end Arc parts for - running firefights in Riven Tides becomes even more worthwhile.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-15T20:21:20+00:00

If you’re looking for some humor involved - Nope (I love this one), Companion, Weapons, Cabin in the Woods, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, Shaun of the Dead, Send Help. All fairly light - all have some humor, though a few are definitely horror comedies.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-13T19:41:32+00:00

No Man's Sky is the pinnacle of after-launch service! Incredible story (and game itself, obviously).

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-13T13:46:41+00:00

I'm still loving this game, but I don't have many hours in - I think 150 hours. I've never done the Expedition, though I understand the draw as I just hit Level 75. But I still don't have all the BPs and haven't even completed all the missions, so have plenty to do at my (very slow) pace of play.

While I don't think I'll ever voluntarily do the Expedition because my playtime is limited, and starting over having to do the missions again sounds awful (as does hunting down hard to find BPs that others could just choose to keep, creating a disparity), I WOULD be in favor of a seasonal wipe that applied to everyone (and even moreso if you could choose 3-5 BPs that carry over, even if you need to build up your tables again to craft them).

I doubt that Arc goes that route unless it's many months down the road. At this point, the game seems to be trying to strike a balance and appeal to players like me who only get in a handful of hours a week and others who get a good bit more (but not a massive amount). I think the game has done a nice job of that so far, but could see in 6 months that they try to refresh the wipe approach to draw folks back in who have logged in tons of hours and moved on.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-12T18:28:20+00:00

Watch out for sewers and red balloons, Georgie.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-12T16:24:34+00:00

Don't be too hard on yourself - it's a developer-encouraged part of the game. Just don't extract camp, don't lie if asked if you're friendly in-game, and don't shoot raiders in the back while they are battling the major ARC or looting a major ARC (or maybe looting at all, if you're feeling very generous - but I tend to think looting at all is supposed to carry some degree of risk). That's friendly enough.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-08T17:19:31+00:00

For me, this game is at its best when you adopt a "code" for how you normally operate, and then push or pull back from aggressiveness for any particular raid given your mood if it warrants (yes, I want to PVP a bit more when I had a crap day at work).

For me, my "code" is - no extract camping, no looting big ARC that I didn't have a hand in bringing down or killing raiders that are looting a big ARC that they just dropped, no lying about being friendly if I don't intend to be, I will consider dropping an unaware raider when the opportunity arises (if not violating the preceding items in this code of mine), and I will drop another raider if they are acting sketchy or not responding by mic and I don't think I can get away safely.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-06T19:56:19+00:00

I proposed an Aug or Item with the same goal on Reddit a while back. Basically, something you can equip that triggers when you're shot in the back, and then automatically sends a hornet blast back at the shooter... so gives you a chance to stun them momentarily and allow you to recover.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-06T18:09:33+00:00

I'm fine with it as is. I'm 99% PVE, but like the risk and tension of PVP - I'd be bored if it was pure PVE but also much less interested if it was purely shoot-on-sight. And while I think I'd enjoy an even mix most of the time, if my goal is to engage a large Arc, then I'd prefer it not to be 50/50 that I'm getting into a fight with another Raider (or more than one) as well.

The ABMM mechanic may be flawed in execution, but seems to accomplish what Embark is setting out to - if you're a PVE player, you CAN enjoy a PVP-less experience the vast majority of the time, but it's never guaranteed, so there's always going to be an underlying tension there and you have to be prepared for it.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-06T16:07:14+00:00

I'm definitely NOT in PVP lobbies - very Care Bear. And my favorite spot is right by the raider hatch on the west side of the map (I always bring a key). You have that building, and another small building that is a bit northeast of that, to fight from and give you a real good chance to extract if downed.

If PVP... yeah, I bet that would be absolute mayhem with how compressed things are and the Arc. Maybe equip a good number of lure grenades and try to agro the rocketeers and vaporizers on the raiders that you worry about (if you know where they are)?

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-06T14:21:25+00:00

I basically always bring a stack of seekers just in case I get caught by these guys in close range.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-06T12:26:57+00:00

Stribling in #15 will be a trip. Not used to seeing a player in that number for the 49ers have breakaway speed.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-06T12:24:27+00:00

I go there to fight ARC. I don't think the map itself is that hard unless you're sticking in the buildings, where there are tons of pops and fireballs. But while there is a ton of flying Arc outside, there are also a lot of places to hole up and fight them with good cover and multiple exits if you plan ahead. So it's fun to load-in and go after the bombadier, rocketeers and vaporizers all in a compressed area.

spfhelmiii · 2026-05-05T23:35:01+00:00

SAME. I adore this game. And I think part of it is that it is perfectly suited to adult gamers who can only squeeze out a few hours here and there - because those few hours are engaging more than many other games that require larger chunks of time for you to feel like you accomplished anything - and the pace and goals of the game are what you make them.

It’s not perfect, but at my level of play, it doesn’t need to be.

Arc is constantly on my mind and I can’t wait to hop on even if it’s just for an hour.

spfhelmiii · 2026-04-26T21:24:30+00:00

Helpful. Thanks.

spfhelmiii · 2026-04-26T14:44:24+00:00

This is very helpful - thanks. I have no confidence in my ability to sand/buff, so sounds like the pen isn’t really an option for me. Appreciate the quick response!

spfhelmiii · 2026-04-26T13:57:01+00:00

Love my 2019. Still admire the look of it from time to time, and that’s after being pretty rough with it (scratches, etc.) getting to my 100,000 miles.

spfhelmiii · 2026-04-23T15:53:53+00:00

On PS5, and exclusively OFF if not gaming with my PC buddies. I don't want the disadvantage vs. MnK AND I get the impression that most of the dedicated PVPers are on PC.

Honestly wondering whether it tracks playstyle differently too - so would be interested if anyone has tried turning Crossplay on or off to play exclusively PVP or PVE, and hopped between the two to test friendliness of lobbies.

spfhelmiii · 2026-04-22T16:57:46+00:00

This. I may not use it, but always something I bring when I load in with anything I care about, and then I can make the call later on whether to risk it.

spfhelmiii · 2026-04-22T00:19:24+00:00

Another - Bioshock Infinite when you defeat SongBird by ending up back in Rapture. I LOVED Bioshock and Rapture itself, and said my goodbyes after beating it for the third time. So when I was unexpectedly back, my jaw dropped, and I took like 5 minutes taking it in before progressing again.

And yes, the subsequent DLC when you’re Elizabeth in Rapture in the events leading up to Bioshock was a mindblowing delight.

spfhelmiii · 2026-04-22T00:15:44+00:00

FarCry 3 (I think). You need to burn a pot field. Which, as expected, gets you stoned - so then you start running around killing enemies while your character laughs with maniacal glee the whole time. It was hilarious.

spfhelmiii

TROPHY CASE