Marked for Death: A Rational Naruto Quest

Briefvoice · Feb 5, 2018

faflec said:
Tab everything under "Accept the leadership position". It looks awkward as is.

I'm not 100% on why Shikamaru suggested he and Neji be in the central position, but I'd suggest changing it. Have melee fighters (including Neji) be around the edges, and ranged fighters (Keiko, Shikamaru...) be more inwards (towards the rendezvous).

Silence Mines may be an acceptable loss of OPSEC, but Goo Bombs are NOT. Do not suggest them.

I can adjust for the first two, but can you explain the third? I wasn't aware that Goo Bombs were any sort of secret, and this seems to be the exact time when they would be most valuable, when we are trying to prevent enemy from escaping.

When were we advised goo bombs should be a secret, or why do you think Hazou should make the decision to keep them secret?

faflec · Feb 5, 2018

Briefvoice said:
I can adjust for the first two, but can you explain the third? I wasn't aware that Goo Bombs were any sort of secret, and this seems to be the exact time when they would be most valuable, when we are trying to prevent enemy from escaping.

When were we advised goo bombs should be a secret, or why do you think Hazou should make the decision to keep them secret?

No enemy team knows we have Goo Bombs, and they're powerful. Like, some were made by the fuckin' Hokage. If we reveal that Hazou and co. have access to an overpowered anti-movement AOE it'll be used against us, especially in the tournament (where ranged enemies could seriously hinder Hazou, Noburi, and Akane from engaging). We also need to remember that we can't get more afterwards (Kagome is in Leaf, Jiraiya is in negotiations 24/7) and we have a limited supply.

Also, in all seriousness. We have 40 Athletics and 30 Alertness. Some of us have access to movement-boosting abilities (e.g., Vacuum Step). I do not think Goo Bombs are necessary unless we're engaged upon by super-strong groups (e.g., roving death squad of multiple Mist teams).

MrCogmor · Feb 5, 2018

Traiden said:
Noburi and anyone else able to use AOE water attacks after the teams shift to targeted attacks to the cases holding the seals the other teams are holding. Also explosives I guess.

Isn't the main reason for our current strategy to minimize the number of Mist seals that get soaked because when they get destroyed they have a decent chance of creating horrific seal failures?

OliWhail · Feb 5, 2018

MrCogmor said:
Isn't the main reason for our current strategy to minimize the number of Mist seals that get soaked because when they get destroyed they have a decent chance of creating horrific seal failures?

Not as far as this timeline's version of Hazō knows, no

Roomba · Feb 5, 2018

Briefvoice said:
[X] Action Plan: Hunt like Raptors

General:

Keep in mind OPSEC. We don't talk about Vampiric Dew, or Pangolins/seals (save for those revealed beforehand).

Discuss the plan with teams, especially Keiko and Nara (and team leaders). Make changes as necessary.

Accept the leadership position.

Thank Nara for believing that we'd be a good leader for the teams.

E.g., "It's a generous offer and I would like to say thank you for having such faith in my skills".

Ask the other teams if they are okay with this arrangement and if they have any concerns or objections, and if they're willing to accept you as leader.

If they're OK with it then accept the position

If they're not suggest that Nara lead and we just take up an advisory position (at which point everything below becomes a suggestion).

Once settled, outline the ambush plan and ask if there are any questions/comments/concerns; listen and adjust plan as necessary. Make special note to team leaders (Haruno, Nara, Hyuga) and our team (Keiko, Noburi).

Make for the ambush site.

We've already gotten an approved evac plan, so we use that.

Keep in mind the possibility of other teams having a similar plan to ours (ambush people near the rendezvous). Have eyes open.

Have Neji do a scan on arrival to look for ambushers who have already concealed themselves. If we find them, blitz them as our first targets.

Noburi should be draining various animals (chakra plants?) as possible, to keep up with chakra demands.

Go to the open meadow between the forest and the rally point ambush site.
Reasoning:

Twelve people are not going to be able to reliably make stealth checks. We can't rely on pulling off a successful surprise.

However everyone has to come through here sooner or later.

The important thing is to see enemy teams coming and make sure they can't sneak by us.

We can potentially use the chakra-plants in our plans and Noburi can drain them for easy recharge.

Preparations:

EVERYONE:

Familiarizes themselves with the area, to gain an Aspect related to knowing the lay of the land.

(With enough trust) Everyone gives Kawarimi permissions until the end of this Exam Stage.

Selects and chooses a spot to hide in.

Make stealth attempt, but don't count on everyone making a successful Stealth check. The enemy will likely see somebody; the question is how many of us they realize are there.

Generally, follow Shikamaru's advice from earlier: Neji/Shikamaru in a central position, everyone else around the perimeter.

Form a half circle that can be collapsed into an envelopment when enemy appears

Keep on alert. If enemy tries to sneak by, closest person becomes point of wedge to take them on.

We don't have a means of mass communication, so if a sneaking enemy is spotted any members of our group spotting them are authorized to start the ambush with a goo bomb and everyone else moves in to support.

As plausible have teams grouped closer together to promote team synergy.

Ponder usage of Silence Mines for additional Stealth; if reasonable (and doesn't fuck OPSEC) suggest for all teams.

Noburi: Refills everyone who uses chakra, and get chakra from ambient life.

Keiko: Summons Panashe, who hides herself in preparation for ambush.

Note: Panashe's showing in Chapter 159 suggests she can sneak up on (and thus defeat) low-Awareness teams.

Everyone: Be ready to move in one enemies once any member of our team spots prey.

Hunting like raptors:

When we spot a team, move in on them as a group.

Have at least three of us throw goo bomb seals and/or Syrup Trap to hit them on the way in and prevent escape.

Hazou, Akane, and Lee (our three best taijutsu specialists who are not damage-specialized like Neji) will concentrate on setting up Blocks to keep the enemy from moving anywhere or being able to attack.

Meanwhile everyone else concentrates on putting them down as quickly and silently as possible.

Silently means avoid usage of explosives or banshee seals unless enemy proves unexpectedly difficult and we aren't winning quickly.

Nonlethal only, as if it has to be said. Be fast, be efficient, (if possible) be quiet about it.

Use chakra. Our enemies have it, and Noburi can transfer it to us.

As possible use inter-team synergy (e.g., Sakura and Shikamaru can snag enemies with genjutsu/Kagemane for other combatants to KO).

Noburi drains all enemy ninjas of chakra during and after combat.

Post-battle:

Loot enemies. Don't just take Night Light/Party Trick seals, grab combat seals, weapons, and VERY IMPORTANTLY their word-half from the First Stage of the Exams. You know, the ones that give us access to the next stage?

Chakra drain + tie enemies up, stuff them up trees or similar.

Noburi tops us off with enemy team chakra.

My comments:

Do you think we can have one or two people (Panashe and one of the Genin?) dedicated to spotting incoming hostiles? Positioning ourselves really close to the meeting point means increased traffic after all.
The thing with Goo Bombs is that we only have 12, and they're possibly an important resource for the tournament. I don't know how I feel about autowinning fights by throwing a Goo Bomb made by Jiraiya with his crazy Sealing, but it is an option for us. At the very least, we don't have enough to throw three per fight.
Akane is the leader of her team, not Sakura. For some reason.
I don't know what a non-awkward way of handling the leadership discussion would look like. The annoying truth is that Shikamaru is the better choice. He doesn't want to do it because he's lazy, or because (I think this is more likely) the responsibility scares him. Maybe Hazou should just say that he'll do it if Shikamaru outright states, in front of everyone, that Hazou is the better choice in his view. Seems like a decent test. Either he overcomes his fear, and leads, or he doesn't, in which case Hazou is the better choice. Hazou has many faults, but being afraid of responsibility is not one of them.

All in all, I think this is good, though. We will have to move fast, however. There will be a lot of teams coming through in a relatively small timeframe. This is why I insist on the spotter, or even on the dedicated delaying team.

Oneiros · Feb 5, 2018

[X] Action Plan: Hunt like Raptors

@Briefvoice some thoughts
1. Goo bombs are in shortish supply. Would suggest only using them on stronger teams
2. Ino might have some ability to telepathically communicate. Should at least ask her if she can coordinate
3. Kei has 4 pangolin summons that have not been shown. There has been pretty strong agreement that having one be communication spec would be valuable. I'd ask her privately if she would summon them to coordinate if Ino is unable to
4. Personally would like something in the plan to let Neji feel important
5. Some consideration should be given to using fire log macerators as area denial weapons. Maybe cut of enemies ability to retreat
6. After we defeat enemy ninja would break there hands so there is no risk that they can continue in the exam

Enjou · Feb 5, 2018

[X] Action Plan: Hunt like Raptors

Briefvoice · Feb 5, 2018

All right, I have heard you all on the goo bombs and will edit to severely limit their potential usage.

Oneiros said:
[X] Action Plan: Hunt like Raptors
2. Ino might have some ability to telepathically communicate. Should at least ask her if she can coordinate
3. Kei has 4 pangolin summons that have not been shown. There has been pretty strong agreement that having one be communication spec would be valuable. I'd ask her privately if she would summon them to coordinate if Ino is unable to [/USER]

Good thoughts. Will edit in communication section. For that matter, maybe someone else has something. Can't hurt to ask the group.

4. Personally would like something in the plan to let Neji feel important

Neji is never in doubt as to his own importance.

6. After we defeat enemy ninja would break there hands so there is no risk that they can continue in the exam

That is the sort of unnecessary brutality that would look bad to all the villages. Stealing their seals is enough.

Roomba said:
My comments:

Do you think we can have one or two people (Panashe and one of the Genin?) dedicated to spotting incoming hostiles? Positioning ourselves really close to the meeting point means increased traffic after all.

I mean, I assume everyone is trying to spot incoming hostiles.

I don't know what a non-awkward way of handling the leadership discussion would look like. The annoying truth is that Shikamaru is the better choice. He doesn't want to do it because he's lazy, or because (I think this is more likely) the responsibility scares him. Maybe Hazou should just say that he'll do it if Shikamaru outright states, in front of everyone, that Hazou is the better choice in his view. Seems like a decent test. Either he overcomes his fear, and leads, or he doesn't, in which case Hazou is the better choice. Hazou has many faults, but being afraid of responsibility is not one of them.

This is not the time nor the place to confront Shikamaru's psychological shortcomings.

All in all, I think this is good, though. We will have to move fast, however. There will be a lot of teams coming through in a relatively small timeframe. This is why I insist on the spotter, or even on the dedicated delaying team.

Can you write up how this should read, and how it should differ from what other team members are doing.[/user]

Briefvoice · Feb 5, 2018

I have made some edits.

MadScientist · Feb 5, 2018

Expected Tactics & Counters

Melee, Single-target
Taijutsu, swordplay, cqc ninjutsu, etc.

Do not get in melee range. Attack from distance.
Use banshees if the enemy suceeds in closing in. At a close distance those things will be even fiercer (maybe enough for a "point blank" aspect tag?)
Throw our heavy hitter melee experts at the problem (Hazou, Akane, Neji, Lee). Or failing that, any of the Gouketsu (we're all tanks, we can soak damage for a turn if need be).

Ranged, Single-target
Kunai, "bullet" ninjutsu, etc.

Pepper the battlefield with clones. Elemental are better, but even basic clones might get ranged users to waste a turn attacking a non-threat (it's not obvious from a distance that the clones aren't real). Substitute with elemental clones to make who is and isn't real even less obvious.
Get into melee. Create MEWs/PBs to cut off lines of escape so the ranged users can't retreat.
Create MEWs/PBs to block lines of fire.

Burst Effect
Explosives, Goo, Syrup, etc.

Get into the same zone as the enemy (or their allies) so they can't use their attack without risking friendly fire.
Priority target. Area denial is powerful, and we need to shut down the enemy's ability to use it.
Hiding in the Mist to obscure sight lines. Won't attack for fear of friendly fire.

Burrowers

Neji and Hazou on watch. Pangolins too, if they have tremor sense. Explosives against enemies about to surface.

Gaseous Attacks
Mist, poison gas, etc.

Wind Wall, if we have it. Surely someone has a method of dispersing gas? A pangolin?

Genjutsu

Target while they're casting and can't easily dodge without losing advantage.
Use Awareness booster jutsu if a genjutsu user is confirmed. Or just pretend to, to make us look like difficult targets in the hope that they change tack.

General
Basic stuff that doesn't counter anything specific.

Exchange substitution permissions. Substitute each other out of bad matchups.
Use the friggin' banshee slayers, Neji!

I think that should get us started.

Roomba · Feb 5, 2018

Briefvoice said:
That is the sort of unnecessary brutality that would look bad to all the villages. Stealing their seals is enough.

I completely agree on this, by the way. I get the feeling that a lot of us are very eager to game the "good sportsmanship" rule of the exam. The exam is ultimately a PR event, and we are graded on the totality of our performance by both peers and potential clients. Our win condition is not just to place highly in the tournament, but also to represent Konoha and its values well as the Hokage's clan. Which means no maiming incapacitated enemies, among other things.

Briefvoice said:
This is not the time nor the place to confront Shikamaru's psychological shortcomings.

But it is time for Hazou to ask for a vote of confidence from the other Genin, who clearly trust Shikamaru more? I think I'd honestly prefer a simple "If you don't want to or can't do it, I will. Anyone dissatisfied with this?".

Briefvoice said:
I mean, I assume everyone is trying to spot incoming hostiles

Can you write up how this should read, and how it should differ from what other team members are doing.[/user]

I mean, I don't know what the rules say about this, but I assume being actively engaged in combat would decrease effective Alertness significantly. If we're just waiting for a catch, then obviously everyone should be spotting. But if we're fighting, I'd like at least one person to focus on spotting still. I think there's more added value in knowing we have more hostiles incoming in the middle of a fight, compared to having one more person chasing after a single team.

As for how this could work in practice? Panashe stays some distance in front of us, stealthed. If she sees enemies inbound, and we're fighting, she fires some sort of signal. Can even be something loud, like a small explosion in the sky, at that point our stealth is meaningless anyway. We can even have multiple signals depending on how many teams are incoming. Could also have Neji hang back from fighting, conserve chakra, and periodically use his cheating eyeballs. Though realisitically, he would probably mutiny if we told him to do that.

Briefvoice · Feb 5, 2018

Roomba said:
As for how this could work in practice? Panashe stays some distance in front of us, stealthed. If she sees enemies inbound, and we're fighting, she fires some sort of signal. Can even be something loud, like a small explosion in the sky, at that point our stealth is meaningless anyway. We can even have multiple signals depending on how many teams are incoming. Could also have Neji hang back from fighting, conserve chakra, and periodically use his cheating eyeballs. Though realisitically, he would probably mutiny if we told him to do that.

Panashe is a good idea. Will include that.

A lot of these are good ideas, MadScientist, but some of them throw around chakra like water and there's always the chance to two fights in succession before Noburi can recharge.

MadScientist said:
Expected Tactics & Counters

Melee, Single-target
Taijutsu, swordplay, cqc ninjutsu, etc.

[*]Do not get in melee range. Attack from distance.

My take is that someone has to get in close and pin the enemy down so that ranged attackers can keep their distance.

[*]Pepper the battlefield with clones. Elemental are better, but even basic clones might get ranged users to waste a turn attacking a non-threat (it's not obvious from a distance that the clones aren't real). Substitute with elemental clones to make who is and isn't real even less obvious.
[*]Get into melee. Create MEWs/PBs to cut off lines of escape so the ranged users can't retreat.
[*]Create MEWs/PBs to block lines of fire.

So here is a reminder of everyone's chakra levels:
Hazou - 100
Keiko - 200
Noburi - 650 (but effectively 216 because he pays x3 for personal chakra effects)
Akane - 150

Clones cost 15 chakra to summon and only last ten minutes each. We don't have chakra costs of the pangolin, but based on their expected xp values I would estimate useful ones cost either 60 or 105 chakra to summon and a third of that cost per hour to keep summoned. MEW costs 59 chakra when used in battle, meaning Hazou can use it once per battle at most.

Burst Effect
Explosives, Goo, Syrup, etc.

Get into the same zone as the enemy (or their allies) so they can't use their attack without risking friendly fire.

Priority target. Area denial is powerful, and we need to shut down the enemy's ability to use it.

Hiding in the Mist to obscure sight lines. Won't attack for fear of friendly fire.

I don't know how Hiding in the Mist works, since the QMs have not given us an updated ruels sheet with it on it.

Burrowers

Neji and Hazou on watch. Pangolins too, if they have tremor sense. Explosives against enemies about to surface.

Neji and Hazou's respective jutsu last one minute each and are too draining to keep up constantly. A pangolin might detect something.

Basic stuff that doesn't counter anything specific.

Exchange substitution permissions. Substitute each other out of bad matchups.

Use the friggin' banshee slayers, Neji!

Can you remind me how banshee slayers work in the new system?

MadScientist · Feb 5, 2018

Briefvoice said:
Clones cost 15 chakra to summon and only last ten minutes each.

Really? Dang. Even basic non-elemental clones?

Briefvoice said:
Can you remind me how banshee slayers work in the new system?

Either "it's in the rules doc", or "no I can't".

Briefvoice · Feb 5, 2018

MadScientist said:
Really? Dang. Even basic non-elemental clones?

Non-elemental clones have the following text in their description:

The basic clone is generally considered useless. It's a visual hologram that casts no shadow and makes no sound. You have to be able to see it in order to control it and it requires active focus to do so (i.e., your Standard action).

Either "it's in the rules doc", or "no I can't".

Truthfully, I don't even remember what Banshee Slayers did in the old system. I thought they were the cancelers for Banshee seals but apparently not?

faflec · Feb 5, 2018

@Briefvoice I've reformatted your "Preparations" and "Hunting like raptors" sections because it's a bit confusing to read but my suggestions to fix it would be very confusing to try and understand. So I gave up, and just wrote what I think it should look like. I also had some major changes regarding the content; these are written in bolded red text for you to accept or reject. Undocumented changes are of formatting, a few spelling errors, and adding some sub-titles for formatting. Any personal comments are in bolded YOUTH green.

Preparations:

Everyone:
- Familiarizes themselves with the area, to gain an Aspect related to knowing the lay of the land.
- Selects and chooses a spot to hide in. Make stealth attempt, but don't count on everyone making a successful Stealth check. The enemy will likely see somebody; the question is how many of us they realize are there.
  - Ponder usage of Silence Mines for additional Stealth; if reasonable (and doesn't fuck OPSEC) suggest for all teams.
- Generally, follow Shikamaru's advice from earlier: Neji/Shikamaru in a central position, everyone else around the perimeter.
  - Form a half circle that can be collapsed into an envelopment when enemy appears.
  - As plausible have teams grouped closer together to promote team synergy.
- Keep on alert. Be ready to move in on enemies once any member of our team spots prey.
  - If enemy tries to sneak by, closest person becomes point of wedge to take them on.
    - We don't have a means of mass communication, so if a sneaking enemy is spotted any members of our group spotting them are authorized to start the ambush and everyone else moves in to support.
  - If enemy isn't considering stealth, hit them when they get to the center of the envelopment.
- (With enough trust) Everyone gives Kawarimi permissions until the end of this Exam Stage.
Special note:
- Noburi: Refills everyone who uses chakra, and get chakra from ambient life.
- Keiko: Summons Panashe, who hides herself ~~in preparation for ambush.~~for contingency.
  - ~~Note: Panashe's showing in Chapter 159 suggests she can sneak up on (and thus defeat) low-Awareness teams.~~
  - Keiko reminds Panashe about the no-killing, no-permanent-damage rules (seriously, she was bloodthirsty in her showing).

Hunting like raptors:

General:
- Nonlethal only, as if it has to be said. Be fast, be efficient, (if possible) be quiet about it.
- Use chakra. Our enemies have it, and Noburi can transfer it to us.
When we spot a team, move in on them as a group.
- Whoever gets there first should try to utilize blocks to stop enemy from getting away if it looks like they want to escape.
Tactics:
- Chouji, Akane, and Lee (our three best taijutsu specialists who are not damage-specialized like Neji) will concentrate on setting up Blocks to keep the enemy from moving anywhere or being able to attack. Leaves everyone else free to hit them.
  - Potentially substitute others in this role if they want to reveal special skills that would make them better for it,.
- Everyone else concentrates on putting them down as quickly and silently as possible.
  - Silently means avoid usage of explosives or banshee seals unless enemy proves unexpectedly difficult and we aren't winning quickly.
- As possible use inter-team synergy (e.g., Sakura and Shikamaru can snag enemies with genjutsu/Kagemane for other combatants to KO).
- Noburi drains all enemy ninjas of chakra during and after combat.
Seal use:
- Do not hand out goo seals for use and use them only if enemy is unexpectedly tough.
- ~~Silence Mine + Explosives is an acceptable combination.~~ Faflec says: Silence mines are static, pretty sure they can't be used like this.
- Use fire log macerators as area denial weapons to help cut off enemy ability to retreat
  - Hand these off to non-taijutsu-focused team members who will be more free to utilize them.
  - Faflec says: This is gonna kill our Stealth and may risk permanent damage to said ninjas. Are you sure this is necessary, or should this be saved for super-fast team that are gonna escape (and even then, is it worth it)?
Lookout Contingency:
- Panashe stays out of regular combat and some distance in front of us, stealthed
- Her job is to keep on the look-out for another team attempting to ambush us while we're in the middle of a fight.
- If she sees enemies inbound, and we're fighting, she lets us know by tossing some training explosive seals at them.

@MadScientist:

What's a PB? Pangolin Blocker?
Gaseous attacks can be countered with training explosives (for temporary substances) or Elemental Mastery (for semi-permanent ones like Mist).
Banshee Slayers aren't the sort of thing we'd need to distribute unless we seriously intend to use Banshees. And I'm not convinced of us using them.

faflec · Feb 5, 2018

Briefvoice said:
Clones cost 15 chakra to summon and only last ten minutes each.

Hazou and Noburi spend 10.5CP (11?) per clone. Clones use the Summoner Cost table, except they cost 10% that amount; Hazou/Noburi have 3-5k XP, thus they'd cost 10.5CP (10% of 105CP).

On the OTHER hand Noburi can just drain them before they pop, and get all that chakra back.

MadScientist · Feb 5, 2018

faflec said:
What's a PB? Pangolin Blocker?

Practice Brick

faflec said:
Banshee Slayers aren't the sort of thing we'd need to distribute unless we seriously intend to use Banshees. And I'm not convinced of us using them.

Whyever not? They're great. Yes it lets people know we have them, but unless you're a sealmaster or hacker you can't really counter them.

Briefvoice · Feb 5, 2018

faflec said:
@Briefvoice I've reformatted your "Preparations" and "Hunting like raptors" sections because it's a bit confusing to read but my suggestions to fix it would be very confusing to try and understand. So I gave up, and just wrote what I think it should look like. I also had some major changes regarding the content; these are written in bolded red text for you to accept or reject. Undocumented changes are of formatting, a few spelling errors, and adding some sub-titles for formatting. Any personal comments are in bolded YOUTH green.

Will correct in a moment.

faflec said:
Hazou and Noburi spend 10.5CP (11?) per clone. Clones use the Summoner Cost table, except they cost 10% that amount; Hazou/Noburi have 3-5k XP, thus they'd cost 10.5CP (10% of 105CP).

On the OTHER hand Noburi can just drain them before they pop, and get all that chakra back.

I think you're misreading. You don't divide the chakra cost by 10. You treat the clone as having 1/10 the xp of the base ninja and then look on the summoning table for that.

rules document said:
For purposes of calculating their summoning cost, they are assumed to have 1/10 their caster's XP total

So the clones are treated as if summoning creatures at 400-ish xp, meaning they have a chakra cost to summon of 15 as per the summoning table.

Truthfully, the fact that they only last ten minutes is the bigger problem. Having to pop them summon them every ten minutes means a lot of moving around.[/QUOTE]

faflec · Feb 5, 2018

Briefvoice said:
I think you're misreading. You don't divide the chakra cost by 10. You treat the clone as having 1/10 the xp of the base ninja and then look on the summoning table for that.

OH

well fuck me then

Cariyaga · Feb 5, 2018

@faflec Does Panashe even know how to use seals?

faflec · Feb 5, 2018

Cariyaga said:
@faflec Does Panashe even know how to use seals?

...Honestly? Probably not, since the Pangolins had to make their own way to activate Skytowers. It's possible they did so through researching the equivalent of an activation/deactivation button...but we have no way to tell.

Traiden · Feb 5, 2018

[X] Action Plan: Hunt like Raptors

Cariyaga · Feb 5, 2018

I also really want to know Keiko's/Shikamaru's assessment of how many teams we will find at the various positions listed in the update, and how many we could find by roaming.

Because really, isn't that why we're doing this whole "roam around to find teams" strategy? The assumption that we'll get more?

@eaglejarl @Velorien @OliWhail

faflec said:
...Honestly? Probably not, since the Pangolins had to make their own way to activate Skytowers. It's possible they did so through researching the equivalent of an activation/deactivation button...but we have no way to tell.

Give her ten minutes to work out how to activate a storage seal, then tell her to apply it to explosive seals. She's smart enough to figure it out, just tell her to channel an infinitesimal bit of chakra.

e:

Also, as far as making the plan, I'd say take Neji, Akane, Shikamaru, and Kei as representatives of each team to discuss it with.

Briefvoice · Feb 5, 2018

faflec said:
...Honestly? Probably not, since the Pangolins had to make their own way to activate Skytowers. It's possible they did so through researching the equivalent of an activation/deactivation button...but we have no way to tell.

I will edit in a note about her just shouting or something if she's having unfamiliar with explosive seals.

Cariyaga said:
I also really want to know Keiko's/Shikamaru's assessment of how many teams we will find at the various positions listed in the update, and how many we could find by roaming.

So the ambush locations are all some variation of "close to the rally point but still inside the competition area". You could exit the competition area with half an hour to go and then circle around to the rally point as we were talking about doing. Shikamaru's logic was:

"I believe your original strategy to be superior," Nara said. "We exit through a tunnel and go to the rally point. The proctors would likely object to us fighting at the rally point, but we can set an ambush a short distance away and attack those who take a straight-line path." He turned to Neji. "The ones who take a straight-line path are either the most foolish, who don't think of the possibility of ambush, or the most powerful, who do not fear one and view it as an opportunity to acquire yet more seals. The former are no risk and the latter will have the most seals."

This gets us either several easy fights to get the seals we need, or fewer harder ones. Randomly looking around in our remaining three hours is much more of a gamble. As for comparing the positions against each other, they all lie along the same path.

Swamp --> leads to forested area --> leads to meadow --> leads to rally point

So theoretically any teams taking the direct route (not circling around outside the swamp) should pass through all three.

Kurkistan · Feb 5, 2018

I here drop our daily reminder to consider just letting Nara lead.

This is risky. Nara is unlikely to come up with a plan that simply fails spectacularly, whereas player plans... can. I'm not saying our current set of plans is necessarily flawed in ways that I can see, but that doesn't mean that there aren't flaws we won't be kicking ourselves for later.

The risks are death/maiming/severe loss of reputation with the Leaf teams. The rewards are a spike in reputation. Or we can get a moderate reputatonal reward by being humble/realistic and make it less likely we swing to either extreme of spectacular success/failure.

In terms of meta-level reasoning, QM spoons won necessarily be too depleted because they can crib Nara's eventual plan from the ones you guys have come up with so far. Fair-play also suggests that we won't die or be seriously disadvantaged as a result of handing off authority to an acknowledged in-game genius.

Marked for Death: A Rational Naruto Quest

Handsome Gentleperson

Handsome Gentleperson