Remove ads

A Rat's Guide to Glory

Reader mode
Tally ho!

Adhoc vote count started by Nyarky on Aug 29, 2023 at 11:20 AM, finished with 29 posts and 12 votes.
Click to expand...


Almost as contested as the last one. :V

Still maintain that we should take Rose to the old hideout, if the disappearances have circumstances she is not telling because she wants to hide that part of her life, then showing her we already know can loosen her tongue.

Imagine if all the ones taken have the common point of having worked on the thorns, as an example. Better to put it our in the open, and demonstrate our professionalism and unwillingness to compromise a job due to a grudge at the same time.
 
No one else:

Seriously, absolutely no one:

Nyarky said:
Almost as contested as the last one. :V

Still maintain that we should take Rose to the old hideout, if the disappearances have circumstances she is not telling because she wants to hide that part of her life, then showing her we already know can loosen her tongue.

Imagine if all the ones taken have the common point of having worked on the thorns, as an example. Better to put it our in the open, and demonstrate our professionalism and unwillingness to compromise a job due to a grudge at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Everyone else: DOUBLE NOPE.:V
 
The Prescript also wills that I have a lot less time this week. So there will be no update next Monday and I keep the votes open till then at least. It would have been nice if this happened on a more important decision to give it more time, but oh well. And no, you do not get Lunacy for this either.

As an aside, I all but finished Elden Ring yesterday. Read: I explored every nook and cranny, did every dungeon, killed basically every boss, got just about every item. Some room for error there because the world is huge and I may have missed some spots, like the one legendary weapon that is missable and that I still need to grab in NG+ for the last achievement. I also obtained all endings via save scumming because I am not playing six runs just to see the same scene four times with a different shader. Either way, the whole thing took me 152 hours spread over about three months. Great game, can warmly recommend to anyone who has time to spare.
 
Naron said:
The Prescript also wills that I have a lot less time this week. So there will be no update next Monday and I keep the votes open till then at least. It would have been nice if this happened on a more important decision to give it more time, but oh well. And no, you do not get Lunacy for this either.

As an aside, I all but finished Elden Ring yesterday. Read: I explored every nook and cranny, did every dungeon, killed basically every boss, got just about every item. Some room for error there because the world is huge and I may have missed some spots, like the one legendary weapon that is missable and that I still need to grab in NG+ for the last achievement. I also obtained all endings via save scumming because I am not playing six runs just to see the same scene four times with a different shader. Either way, the whole thing took me 152 hours spread over about three months. Great game, can warmly recommend to anyone who has time to spare.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I can only applaud your self-control. I myself finished the game a week ago, then beat Malenia a few hours after by spamming Ranni's Dark Moon and Night Comet, and decided that I wanted to really 100% the game. Thus, I have spent the last week just farming all the mobs that drop weapons, and then I still have to do another run to get a few Weapons/Incantations/Talismans/Armor Sets I locked myself out of in this playthrough. And I still have... *checks the docs file* ... About a few dozen armor sets and a dozen weapons left.

God I need to learn some self control.
 
I'm personally stuck in the AC6 hole instead of the Elden ring one. Will climb into that one next once I'm done with AC6...however long that will take.

Still at 40 hours and I'm not even 50% yet.
 
To make things short not derail too much (even though the voting is basically over at this point).
First things first, builds dictate difficulties.

Not saying that you can't use whatever you want (you absolutely can) it's just that efficient building with your mech/AC (Armored Core) is required for an easier experience. You can try doing wacky build but don't be surprised when it doesn't work out too well without the skill to match. Certain builds can trivialize bosses like how Mage can one-shot bosses in Elden Ring. So if you want a wheelchair easy mode, it's certainly in the game.

Secondly, 0 Invincibility frames. If you want to dodge that deadly attack, you gotta move out of the way.

Thirdly, it's mission-based. No open world, generally you are dropped into combat and you go off from there.

Fourth, it's fast. Like REALLY fast. The bosses in AC6 are probably some of the most aggressive in the Fromsoft games. They might not always hit you but they are overwhelming if you aren't prepared. You are also fast, probably the fastest Fromsoft protagonist (outside of other AC games [namely 4]), your mobility is insane and the game will make sure you either learn it or die.

Fifth, the story is present for you to understand. There are no cutscenes for it (mostly anyway) but the story is there. If you listen and connect the dots, it's a lot more coherent than you'd think.

Sixth, NG+, and NG++ are very much different from the usual since the storyline changes, missions change, and you get new bosses/new missions/new encounters/new story.

Seventh, I know this is ironic, but this game requires you to read a lot for stat efficiency.

Eight, I will say this. The Difficulty is very uneven. Some missions are pushovers. Some missions are insanely hard hell stretch. Every time you meet a boss you will be looking at the wall of difficulty.

Lastly, it might not look like it, but the game encourages repeat missions/exploration for either S-Rank, Combat Logs (unlock rewards), or hidden items. I meant it as in both combat and build customizations. The game has a 100% refund rate regarding your parts (legs, torso, head, weapons, etc.). So you can switch on the fly, but redoing past missions to obtain combat logs and hidden parts is also encouraged since it gives you more money.

One tip I will give you ahead of time before going into the game is to be aggressive. This game is not easy (provided you aren't on the aforementioned easy-mode wheelchairs of course), and the Bosses/Missions WILL murder you if you can't use every tool in your arsenal efficiently so test your builds (recommendation arena, since it also gives you money) for maximum fun first before heading to the missions.


All in all, it's addicting as all hell, and once you obtain mastery in this game, it's probably one of the greatest power fantasy games we have this year.
 
Last edited:
[x] Character distribution
-[x] Giano, Rose and Ciel to the Nest
-[x] Maria and Hifumi to the old Thorns hideout
*Everyone else talking about how fun Elden Ring is*
*Me, trying to save up enough money to buy something that can actually run the game*: Someday
 
I would probably just genuinely not have fun in a fromsoft game, theyre generally too punishing. AC6 is the closest ive ever gotten to one that I would, but im too busy playing weird indie games to have time for anything like that.

I also dont have a horse in this race but if I *had* to pick, I think sending rose to the thorns hideout is more likely to backfire than it is to help
 
DuoRogue said:
I would probably just genuinely not have fun in a fromsoft game, theyre generally too punishing.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
While it is an acquired taste and I am not going to criticise that, I still maintain that FromSoft games (especially the more recent ones) are not really punishing. Just not easy. The times they punish the player are when the player refuses to engage with game mechanics or blindly runs in instead of observing their surroundings. Otherwise they are hard but fair where I am concerned.
 
Saying that I'm not lying when I say that AC6 is probably the one Fromsoft game that currently has a 'training wheel' baby mode.

Due to the nature of the game being built around customizable mechs, generally speaking, while skills are required, you can sometimes just bulldoze past a challenge by building the perfect build for it.

It also require you to use said build well, but hey, can't be a fromsoft game if everything is effortless.
 
The greatest skill for any soulsbornekiro game is the ability to learn patterns and not letting yourself get discouraged and stop.

Just hit that wall with your head, it'll crack eventually.

(This is actually serious, these games requires more pattern recognition than any twitch reflexes, even Sekiro, who wants you to learn the rythm of attacks the ennemies have, hell, this is the only game I did a new game +5 on, and by the end of it I took very little time for each play through and just buldozed the bosses as if they weren't even there, just because I knew the mechanics that much, I tried to replay a little after the update that added a boss rush mode, I got destroyed by the first boss due to being rusty.)
 
Nyarky said:
The greatest skill for any soulsbornekiro game is the ability to learn patterns and not letting yourself get discouraged and stop.

Just hit that wall with your head, it'll crack eventually.

(This is actually serious, these games requires more pattern recognition than any twitch reflexes, even Sekiro, who wants you to learn the rythm of attacks the ennemies have, hell, this is the only game I did a new game +5 on, and by the end of it I took very little time for each play through and just buldozed the bosses as if they weren't even there, just because I knew the mechanics that much, I tried to replay a little after the update that added a boss rush mode, I got destroyed by the first boss due to being rusty.)
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Man, I saw a few Sekiro videos and, well...

Old man Isshin really puts me to shame. Here I am desperately trying to get heavy Transient Moonlight off before the boss starts their attack and kiting them with the slash while the dude just casually performs Waterfowl Dance. I really want to play the game, but Its going to be a long time coming considering I need to find about a few hundred hours for me to adapt to the gameplay compared to Elden Ring and then 100% it
 
Naron said:
While it is an acquired taste and I am not going to criticise that, I still maintain that FromSoft games (especially the more recent ones) are not really punishing. Just not easy. The times they punish the player are when the player refuses to engage with game mechanics or blindly runs in instead of observing their surroundings. Otherwise they are hard but fair where I am concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
the penalties on death are harsh enough, and death common enough, that I'd probably just close the game at some point out of frustration and never reopen it. I may be better than the average joe but I am NOT good at videogames and I do NOT have patience for that kind of stuff.
I know armored core doesnt do that (which is why I've given it any amount of thought towards getting it), but the other things theyre known for?

like fuck man FURI is a great game but that ended up being a bit much for me. (how the hell did i get into touhou...?)
 
Alright, the busy week is over. Time to get back to this and close the votes.
Adhoc vote count started by Naron on Sep 5, 2023 at 4:27 AM, finished with 50 posts and 14 votes.
Click to expand...

This time we have a clear majority for sending Maria and Hifumi into the Backstreets while Ciel gets a first look at a Nest with Giano and Rose.

Let's see what happens next
 
Remove ads
Grade 6 - 9; The Secret of Making Progress is To Get Started
  • Threadmarks
    • [] Character distribution
    -[] Giano, Rose and Ciel to the Nest
    -[] Maria and Hifumi to the old Thorns hideout

    In the end you decide to play it safe with Rose; she is better off not knowing that you were involved with the Thorns. Hifumi knows the place as well, so he and Maria will be more than enough with whatever may now live there.

    Nobody has complaints after you share your decision, although Rose does insist on taking the train. She also agrees to fund your and Giano's tickets as a compromise, which makes the journey to Nest I much faster than walking. Her being a Feather and your job allow you and to disembark in the Nest without any trouble.

    The place is... different. Nice. Not necessarily cleaner than the Backstreets but it feels that way, all gleaming buildings rising high into the sky. There are less people around too, the air seems almost alien.

    It hits you half an hour into walking along the sidewalk: there is so much less suspicion here. Barely anyone looks over their shoulders every other minute even when no Zwei Fixers stand guard. Everyone is in a hurry just like the Backstreets, but everyone is also dressed better than you could hope to afford for most of your life. The casual display of wealth is dazzling and keeps you occupied until you reach the Briar home. At least Giano is similarly mesmerised for once, just as unused to the Nest.

    After that it is back to work, though; you reluctantly force your mind into the correct track and consider how to approach this. The security feeds around the area are not available for you or Giano, at least not on short notice; not even Hana's reputation can get you that. This leaves asking people along the route Rose's father most likely took to the checkpoint.

    This is... problematic. Even with Rose and Giano there, most people do not even give you the time of day. The few that take a moment to listen have not seen anything. It remains the same even when you have Giano take over and more passersby take the time to talk to her. Your mood declines steadily, which Rose clearly mirrors.

    "This is getting nowhere," she grouses about halfway to the checkpoint. It has been two hours since you started doing this and nothing to show. "How long are you going to do this?"

    You have half a mind to snap back but manage to keep it in and explain with forced calm: "We need to check the whole route. Someone having seen them would help, but we're also seeing if there are any signs of violence along the way. If not then we can rule out something happening here in the Nest."

    It is not quite true, the perpetrator may have been good enough to just not leave traces or remove them. But in that case you do not have a chance to begin with, so worrying about it brings you nothing. Rose may catch on as well but does not say if she does, she simply huffs and crosses her arms.

    In retrospect, you absolutely should have started at the checkpoint to ask about Holly Briar and friends. It is almost deceptively easy to get confirmation after almost five hours of fruitless labour in the streets: the clerks who were on duty that day are present and gladly check the footage after Rose asks nicely and some money changes hands. Her father left and did not return that day.

    That is one side of the route covered, you now know they were not attacked in the Nest. Though you can not say if Rose scowls over the wasted time or Giano smoking nearby... then again, your senior is all but blowing the smoke in her direction on purpose.

    You check the time and decide to go for lunch first; the women are fine with it, though nobody eats a lot. Now that you have a moment to look, Rose seems almost anxious about something. You do not know her nearly well enough to say why, though; it could be her being worried for her father or about something illicit coming to light. Maybe both, even.

    Maria and Hifumi both write you not long after that; according to them, the general area of the Thorns hideout is currently abandoned because several emptied-out corpses walk around attacking whoever they see. No match with your man among the few they re-killed, so there is no telling if those things are involved in your case. Eerie, though.

    "Are you sure you don't know which way your father went?" you ask Rose as you enter the Backstreets once more; it almost feels like coming home, though you pay the feeling little mind.

    Rose for her part scowls and shakes her head. "I already said I have no idea."

    So much for that then. You sigh and look around the area, visibly protected by a sizable Zwei presence.

    Just figuring out which direction Holly Briar went takes the rest of the day. It takes time to not only find someone who saw the group of rich people come by but also to 'conveniently' remember it once prompted with some bills. But the older person who finally gives you the hint you need turns out to be a veritable treasure trove of information.

    "Been a few days," they say thoughtfully, one metal tendril rubbing their chin. You try not to glare at it while they think. "But I remember that lot pretty well; buncha fancy pants, y'know? They got like three cars and Fixers escorting 'em. Went down thataway."

    You quickly write down the directions and ask a follow-up question: "How could you tell they had Fixers? Was it like a Zwei escort?"

    "Hm? Nah. Not Zwei, I woulda seen that." They snort and motion for the Lucerne on your back. "But it's hard to miss a buncha weapons like these. Well, I guess they could've been with some Syndicate, but why'd Feathers not hire Fixers?"

    You have some opinions on that but keep them to yourself with Rose right there. Instead you thank the person, both in words and money, before planning the next move with Rose and Giano.

    "Why can't we keep going?" Rose demands the moment you mention stopping for today; you glance from her to the time on your phone, already well into nightfall.

    "Because Night in the Backstreets is soon, for one." A bit of an exaggeration, but you doubt Rose knows the exact time. "And the streets aren't safe after dark." Especially for her. For your final point you glance to Giano. "Can you get information on which Office Mr. Briar hired by tomorrow?"

    "Probably. It hasn't even been a week, so there should be something I can dig up in that time."

    Rose is not happy, but she slowly nods. "That is fair enough, I guess."

    You end up walking her to her hotel, where you also meet Maria who stays in the same place. She has some insight into the Thorns hideout, which is itself empty. The corpses stumbling around the area worry her, though. Hifumi is already on the way home but sends a message asking about investigating these dead bodies further.

    You defer the question to tomorrow and go home after wishing Giano good luck. It feels like more than just a few hours passed since you started on this.

    Parvati takes the news of Rose's reemergence with a grin, clearly seeing the irony.

    "And she has no idea?"

    You shake your head, making Parvati snort.

    "So what's the Nest like?" Mai interrupts with a flicker of interest and you indulge her, retelling your impressions of the place. It definitely felt different from the Backstreets, exalted almost.

    You have a calm evening and an almost restful night, after which both sisters wish you good luck.

    The team meets in the lobby of Rose's and Maria's hotel for breakfast; Rose is bleary-eyed and mostly just sips her coffee while the rest of you compare notes.

    "It was so weird," Maria explains with sweeping gestures and some sugar smeared over her cheek. "These bodies were all empty inside, like someone took out all the veins and stuff. But they kept shambling around and stuff, they were even pretty fast. Not much stronger than they were in life, though."

    "They felt no pain and thus had no fear," Hifumi adds from his seat, a cup of steaming tea in hand. "Killing them required more than slicing off a limb or two, some even kept moving for a time after I removed the head."

    You nod slowly, taking it all in. "You're right, that is weird. Not like anything I heard before."

    The Shi assassin nods agreement, though Giano shrugs. "Eh, so-so. Not the first time but definitely not the usual stuff." She pulls out a few sheets of paper. "But we still don't know if it's even related, so here. I got what you wanted. Funny how these things coincide."

    You take the papers and skim them, then frown at a particular line. The name sounds familiar, though you can not put where from. "Jade Office?"

    Giano huffs at seeing your confusion and hearing the question in your tone. "From the Prophet of Yesteryear job."

    That is when you remember that day you investigated this very Office's operator for attending the Prophet's sermons. It has been months and you long forgot. "Oh."

    The irony grows ever thicker; first Rose, now this. At least you have a decent in with Jade Office to get information on where their Fixers went. "This says they were brought on for bodyguard duty over the last month. Can you get any reports filed in that time?"

    She shakes her head at once. "Not a chance, those aren't available unless we review them. Maybe I could pull some strings, but you know I'm not allowed to."

    "Alright."

    There are some questions about that comment from Rose, who takes the information about your restrictions with some disgruntlement. At least she agrees that going to Jade Office directly will be faster than sifting through reports anyway.

    Though there is always the chance Operator Yaling has no idea, or the Fixers never came back that day either. Or they were paid not to tell anyone where exactly they went. It may be easier to follow their trail from the checkpoint they passed into the Backstreets from, or to look into those walking dead to determine if they are related. It is unlikely but not impossible. Being in the area but not going to the hideout will not tip Rose off either.

    Splitting up worked out well enough yesterday, too. Maybe you can do it again?

    Rose is slowly waking up properly and everyone finishes their breakfast, so it is about time to make a decision. It is the 28th, you have less than three days left.
    [] Go to Jade Office

    [] Try following the Feathers' trail through the Backstreets

    [] Investigate what is going on around the Thorns hideout


    You may split the group, just remember that Giano and Rose must be in the same spot as Ciel.

    Also: twelve-hour Moratorium. Do not vote for 12 hours!
    ???
    -Current Classification: Urban Plague
    -Number of Opponents: ???
    -Goal: ???
    -Displayed Strategy: ???

    Ciel's Team
    -Number of People: 5
    -Current Grades: 6 (Ciel), 5 (Giano, Hifumi/Shadow), 4 (Maria), None (Rose Briar)
    -Goal: Find Holly Briar and information on the missing Feathers before the new year, protect Rose

    Information
    -Holly Briar and some colleagues head into the Backstreets on occasion
    -the Feathers did not vanish in the Nest
    -the Feathers were escorted by Jade Office Fixers
    -(likely unrelated) hollowed-out corpses shamble around the old Thorns hideout's neighbourhood
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Shambling corpse zombies with empty insides?

    Sounds interesting. Man, if only we had some contact with L-Corp it'd be nice to call on them for situations like these.

    Though then again, this might just be some weirdo blood fiend being way too ob-

    Wait...

    No. That's not possible. Elena is too large of a threat for us to face at our current level.

    So these might just really be some other random blood fiends who forgot to clean up.

    Given that we need to split up again...

    I suppose this would be fine?
    [] Character distribution
    -[] Giano, Rose, and Ciel go to Jade's Office.
    -[] Maria and Hifumi try following the Feathers' trail through the Backstreets.

    I would honestly be fine with the whole group going to the backstreets, but meeting the jades again would be interesting.
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top