was talking to some freinds on Vent and we hit a commen thread with the new incarnate stuff.
when we got the Alpha slot, it was needed to run the 2 new TF's (cuz you all remember how hard they are with Cole hiting you with -4 level debuff), but the new stuff isn't really needed for anything beyond running more trails, so it's grinding for the sake of grinding.
with no real goal to aim for, it's not really all that interesting.
here's hoping that they make something that needs the new powers.
... and, well, if you like the new flashy powers, that's a fairly substantial goal.
Really, I'm not grokking the hate. As you note, you don't *have* to run this stuff -- it's not like you *need* any of it for anything. If you *do* want the new shinies, then you've got to put in a little work for them.
A *little* work, I'll note. I've only run two Lambda sectors, both fails, for a total time investment of maybe 45 minutes -- most of which was fun, run-around-blow-shit-up time -- and I'm already halfway to unlocking the slot. This isn't grinding. If I had to run it again and again and again and again and again and so on just to unlock the ability, I might agree with you. But, hell, I'm getting the goodies -- more slowly than some, sure, but I'm still getting them -- and I haven't even succeeded yet. If it was any more casual-friendly and non-grindy, it'd be a simple gimme. Y'know, just something you get for paying your subscription fee.
Which is honestly what it sounds like most of the naysayers want. "HOW DARE THEY NOT GIVE IT TO ME NOW NOW NOW!"
I like it. The new TF is a hoot and a half, the trials are challenging -- hello, TRIAL? -- but they're less annoying than, say, the Abandoned Sewer Trial; *none* of the new content is required, and we didn't have to pay for any of it. Had WoW released an expansion like this, it'd probably be paid content that you cannot has unless you fork over the dough.
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs
I'm sure I've mentioned this in game to some people.
I remember a time when ITF was a thing we only approached with lots of planning and our top tier toons.
Now? we can do them with whomever is around, half the team being high 30+, whatever. And only have one or two challenging spots.
I view this new content in the same fashion. We don't know what we are doing. we are stumbling around, trying out ideas to see what works.
And most of the time it's with a group of random strangers (or the majority of the group is).
This is a learning experience, and none of it is mandatory. We will learn better techneques, and better understand what we need for the trials. So that we don't have to throw warm bodies at the problem.
After the 12 or so trials I've run on Decay, I come to the conclusion that BAF is harder (mainly due to the slippery slope that is 9CUs, by the time you might think there is a problem, it probably too late).
This idea may just be because getting 16 competent people is easier than getting 24, or it may be due to some other reason I haven't discovered yet.
I'm happy with the time I've spent, and the progress I've made. These aren't multi-hour slogs. If it doesn't work out I haven't wasted a night (hello Doc Q, I'm looking at you).
The TL;DR summary: we are learning here people, and knowing is half the battle (the other half is red and blue lasers)
-Terry
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"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy
Lead 11 successful BaFs in a row tonight; preceded by one successful Lambda (and one *almost* successful Lambda). I think the learning part is almost over.
Was in a Lambda last night that simply ruled with 8 league members, one team, and at least 2 first-timers. We steamrolled everything except Marauder, who took a little effort. And I got my Interface slot (and filled it) just about the time Marauder showed up.
(Oh, and Diamagnetic Interface plus Parry? Veeery nice combination, makes Eva almost able to solo (non-Praetorian) AVs, and lets her bulldoze through everything else, practically.)
-- Bob
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Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.