Lurker > KanzarisKelshen

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77336271

There we go. Just a little something to keep y'all entertained on post-xmas day.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

(Match gonna be Kazuma Kiryu vs Little Mac, using Super Punch-Out rules, btw. GET HYPE)
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Hold off on it a bit DC

I'm putting up the most fitting match of all on Boxing Day

A BOXING MATCH BAYBEEEEEE
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Match is up!

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77249498

Have at it!
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@DeathChicken

Imma put up that Pointman match I promised today finally

Expect it in like, approximately 3-4h if you wanna prep a sales package for him?
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OK then, sure, why not

Everyone knows Estelle and Josh anyway so it's not like we're debuting total unknowns

Estelle & Josh vs. Point Man in...hmm. Maybe Lynchwood? Feels nice and big enough for some cool stuff to be done there. I've got writeups for both sides at home so I'll post the match outline when I get there.
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Didn't you say the Pointman was more of a 6/week DC? He'd stomp them into the dirt if so, they're good but not THAT good.
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Same, but I'm wondering who

...ooh

Estelle Bright + Joshua Bright vs. 5/week

Now, who to pick for this? Maybe Fetch?
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Might as well let it ride out, it's a nice place to discuss possible matches at while work is done on the ruleset

(which, speaking of, I need to finish that draft I promised soon)
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DeathChicken posted...

Which reminds me I loved Id's guessing game ability and hope it returns. Sure, it's a tiny chance anyone even risks letting you get Mechald, but such mind games just for the risk of it

I'm not sure we can bring it back in a way that works for AP since it's such a hard ability to price (because using it based on AP consumption is just asking for it to be OP since why wouldn't you use your AP every day), but it's possible to rework it to function off Fatigue and that might be a neat way to keep it relevant. I loved it too, so if we can find a way to make it functional, we will. No reason to remake a cool build if we can help it!
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Gmun posted...

xenogears

This reminds me

what would you guys put Rex from Xenoblade 2 at? I know nothing about it so don't know how strong or weak he is compared to Shulk
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DeathChicken posted...

I mean the difference is Travis really is stupid enough to repeatedly step on land mines like that Simpsons bit where Sideshow Bob kept stepping on rakes. He has a cutscene where he did that. It isn't the job of the admins to make Travis better than he is in a battle sense

Oh yeah, I don't mean giving him like, intelligence buffs or anything

Just repricing him accordingly to the respect he really is gonna get

Sonic is harder to do that for because he's much more variable, so we need to stabilize him around SOME level, whether that's 2/week, 3/week, or 5.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

DeathChicken posted...

I meant what I said, all those additions seemed like overcompensation for Sonic's bad case of Mercs AIDS

I agree they shouldn't be needed DC

but we have to work with the votebase we get. If the gimmicks push Sonic up to his 'natural' level of respect before mercs aids, then I'm willing to keep them around for the sake of not making him a trap merc. Same way we're thinking of ways to counter Travis' 'too stupid' meme somehow to make him an attractive choice. Cause like...if we know it's a problem, we'd be straight up irresponsible admins if we didn't try to address it somehow.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

Final result of the match: Sonic beats Lloyd, 15-3.

(this might be off by a little, but not a lot. It was a very clean win for Sonic, which surprised me! Apparently lots of people favored him here.)
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And it's up! Have at it: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77143147
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Mea culpa on not putting the match up last night, got sidetracked by IRL stuff

Going up in an hour, worry not
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probably gonna put the lloyd/sanic match up tonight

Going with Johnbobb's idea of Caliburn plus Wisps, just to see where it takes us
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@Johnbobb I need your help here

And I also need everyone else's opinions while we're at it

Does this match look fair?

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Sonic the Hedgehog is as he appears across the Sonic series, with full access to all his showings seen therein except for Super Sonic feats, as he cannot achieve that super mode or any other. He is equipped with the Custom Shoes from Sonic 2006 and the Red, Blue and Green gems from that game, as well as <GIMMICK>, and <GIMMICK>.

~VS~

Lloyd Irving is as he appears in Tales of Symphonia. He is equipped with the Material Blade, has all of his EX Skills, and has access to all of his techniques, including Falcon Crest.

Terrain: Warring City Lumina Cloth - The Root Town of Omega Server, Lumina Cloth is basically a giant, lofty bridge between the territories of Icolo and the Arena, which has a smaller pathway encompassing the structure. The Chaos Gate is gone, no one is around, and access to the @home and Arena are forbidden. Everything else is fair game. Attackers will start at the entryway, with defenders starting behind the arena.

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And here's where I need John's advice. Sonic can choose two gimmicks from the following list:

-Sonic & The Black Knight: Caliburn sword and all its skills (including Soul Surge).
-Sonic 2006: Remaining four Gems for the custom shoes.
-Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric: Enerbeam, plus all of the game's weapons.
-Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice: Fire Mode and Ice Mode.
-Sonic Colors: One of each Wisp, activatable at any time.

Out of these I'm thinking about picking the Caliburn and Enerbeam + gunz from Rise of Lyric, but I wanted to get an expert's opinion. The idea is to round out Sonic's toolkit so he can do a bit more than just his usual 'run really fast and ram into people' stuff. Thoughts?

(If anybody thinks this matchup is very stompy in Lloyd's favor, lemme know too. The idea is to see if we can make Sonic kinda competitive within his tier, instead of a trap merc.)
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

trdl23 posted...

Sonic is bad and his series is worse

why did I let this guy on the admin team again?
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Johnbobb posted...

for what it's worth, Super Sonic got way more respect I thought he would given how terrible the regular Sonic respect was

Yeah but that kinda worried me tbh

Like supersonic got argued to solo p much, against a good high tier team

"Broken when he gets supermode, useless without" is not a great balance
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Bout time he did more than suck

Seeing link get utterly ignored for four mercs in a row was depressing

Now all we gotta do is find a way to give mario and sonic credibility and we're good
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FINALLY, IT'S HERE FOR YOU

It's the least new match from the M. E. R. X. Kru, HUH!

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77122902

(here you go guys, apologies for the delays!)
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KanzarisKelshen posted...

ok, now that I have working internet again I think I'll put that match up in like half an hour. Let's get this show on the road fellas

This was interrupted by net troubles - so screw it, going up in a half hour, prepping the writeup now. I'll post a link when it's up.
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ok, now that I have working internet again I think I'll put that match up in like half an hour. Let's get this show on the road fellas
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Yeah instead my internet just died, rip

No match today cuz I can't post shit from mobile
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shit I forgot to post the match last night

sry guys, I was feverish and half dead

will go up in an hour
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BTW, putting the match up tonight I think - probably in the Lost Land? That or another really big sprawling terrain so both characters can strut their stuff
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I'd make it 15 to account for distance-closing

otherwise it seems fine
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Aloy is as she appears in Horizon: Zero Dawn, equipped with every weapon, a full stock of potions and the Shield-Weaver armor. She comes to battle riding a Charger, but may not summon more during the match.

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How's that? Anything I'm missing here?
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yikes that's pretty crazy

Like I knew the Ancient weapons were all very strong but they seemed pretty comparable to other options? Seems like ancient arrows are just a weird outlier. Would the match be roughly balanced if they were banned out?
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That good? I'll freely admit I haven't played either of BotW or Horizon, so I'm not sure what crazy stuff the characters should keep or lose beyond the very obvious.
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Let's say he gets everything except Mipha's Grace (because it's kind of dirty to give him extra lives), including the Master Cycle Zero and all the runes, tools and blessings, and the following weapons and equipment: Lizal Tri-Boomerang, Iron Sledgehammer, Savage Lynel Crusher, True Master Sword, one of each Rod, one of each Ancient Weapon, Royal Guard's Claymore, Savage Lynel Bow and all arrows, Hylian Shield and Fierce Deity Armor Set.

(whew, that took some research to suss out)

Does that seem fair vs Aloy with everything except any broken stuff? I'll see what to give her in a little while.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

the unibrain is strong in this one

hmm

Link (BotW) vs Aloy. Who ya got there?
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DeathChicken posted...

Point Man from FEAR (unless you meant people with builds who didn't get used)

Pointman is kind of a 5/week (maybe a 6 even). Bit too strong for the tier

(He'll get his time in the sun eventually though, that's a promise)

Tirofog posted...

Aloy (Horizon: Zero Dawn) and Cuphead would be interesting to see.

What can Aloy do? I've got a rough idea of what Cuphead's capable of but not her.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

that sure is a quote alright huh

So with the Slayer vs Demon Hunter match done, I'm taking suggestions for the next one while I work on some new stuff to show this weekend. I'm kinda feeling a low tier match - any notable characters that didn't feature in M4 you'd like to see get a shot, guys?
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Match is live! You can find it here: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77104059
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Putting the match up in an hour, ish, when I get home. Standby everyone!
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OK, so assuming Groznyj Grad is a fairer environment, I think I'm gonna put the match up tomorrow. Hopefully it's an interesting one!
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DeathChicken posted...

That's also a pretty awful terrain for Valla, since her talents are sniping, setting traps, etc. "You start a bit away from the heavy armed super gunman with no cover" is kind of lol

Really? My thinking was that a big open terrain would allow her to make the most of her silly good acrobatics to try to kite the Slayer's firepower. Would something like uhh, say, Groznyj Grad be more balanced?
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Johnbobb posted...

wait is Doomslayer that much more powerful than Doomguy?

Yes. They're not even the same character (literally, different backstories and all). The Slayer's lore is much better, his weapons are better, his armor is better, there's really no piece of him that wasn't massively improved. They took spectacle fighters like DMC and Bayonetta as a reference for how powerful they wanted you to feel while playing him and it really shows.
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I lied, I have one more high tier match cause I want a bit of data on an old character, for a change. Next one will be a low tier match though, taking suggestions for people you'd like to see!

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The Doomslayer is as he appears in Doom 2016, equipped with all single player weapons and equipment, fully upgraded alongside his maxed out Praetor Suit, as well as the In-Flight Mobility, Equipment Power and Rich Get Richer runes, fully mastered. He may perform Glory Kills on opponents, which will not make him invulnerable, but will award health and ammo.

~VS~

Valla the Demon Hunter is as she appears in Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls, wielding dual Lianna's Wings crossbows. She has the skills Evasive Fire, Elemental Arrow, Shadow Power, Vault, Vengeance and Multishot, as well as the passives Steady Aim, Single Out and Hot Pursuit.

Terrain: The Void - A barren featureless landscape with no cover or anything to speak of. There is no obvious source of light, but visibility is clear and the terrain otherwise has similar gravity, atmosphere, etc to Earth. Teams start 100m from each other.

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Normally I'd say a 6/week vs a 7/week is a strong mismatch, but I can't help but wonder if the Demon Hunter wasn't overupkeeped in M4. This seems like a good chance to debut a new entrant and put her to the test.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

We're live: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77080026

Come on in and let's talk about air superiority!
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Johnbobb posted...

where would you put 2B in a flight suit v. Fox in Arwing?

assume Bubbly Clouds for terrain because why not

You're basically asking if Toobie with permanent 2.5 haste is too shitty a pilot to beat Fox here

2B is ludicrous vs gunner-type fighters (and while fox uses lasers he still qualifies as a gunner to me in terms of function). I think I take her without too much hesitation. Her big challenge is meleers because of how mages can be beaten with autoheal regen.
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Aight, it's about time I put that match up. I got sidetracked with big boy administrative business but it's about dang time I took care of another admin duty with a new test match. I'll put up White Glint vs Fox in about...two hours or so, I think? So strap yourselves in everyone, and get your votes ready.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

ScareChan posted...

so he has pandora's box too

wasnt that super strong?

Yes, but it was ammo limited and has a very long activation delay for most of the options, so it's not as big a deal as it seems. It gives Dante an 'ultimate weapon' that is all his own, since he can't have Yamato.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

time to employ the fabled hax tactics of steam game share obv

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on a different note, thinking of doing one more high tier match to test a new kind of entrant, then fielding suggestions on potential fights while we work on the next reveal. This is the match I'm toying with right now:

Fox McCloud is as he appears in the Star Fox series, piloting the fully upgraded Arwing as seen in Star Fox Zero's all-range mode, which may transform as needed. He will come in from the nearest convenient location to his team, and has no bombs. He may leave the cockpit but will only have his Blaster from Star Fox: Assault if he does so.

~VS~

White Glint is as it appears in Armored Core 4: For Answer, piloted by Anatolia's Raven. It has unlimited Quick Boost and energy, and full access to all capabilities displayed within the Defeat White Glint mission, including Assault Armor. White Glint's operator, Fiona Jarnefeldt, will aid him in battle, providing him with a basic briefing on his opponents' capabilities, as well as any significant events that may arise during the course of battle.

Terrain: Green Hill Zone - Loop-the-loops, hidden springs, deadly spikes, and an abundant supply of power rings. Though others might find it bizarre, Sonic and company are right at home. The stage is as seen in Sonic Generations' modern form. Attackers will start at the beginning of the stage, with defenders at the end.

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The idea is to do something a little different - a fast-paced, crazy aerial dogfight. I think no one else has played Armored Core 4: For Answer but me here, but suggestions on the builds are welcome regardless.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/77058721

It's up, let's rock!
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Dante's build as well, in case anyone wants to chime on things to tweak or restrict:

Dante Sparda is as he appears across the Devil May Cry series, with full access to all of his weapons, styles and abilities, including his canon regen, except for special DTs (such as Majin Devil Trigger, Sparda DT, etc.), Kalina Ann and Yamato. Quicksilver and Doppelganger (as well as any other duplication/timehax abilities) will function as they do in the gameplay, as will his Devil Trigger.

(If I have to specify it, I can say DMC5 showings are not valid but I assume that won't be needed.)
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I had this build for 2B that I did on a lark for draftmerx...

2B is as she appears in NieR: Automata, equipped with the Virtuous Contract, Treaty, Dignity and Grief weapons. She is equipped with all of the System chips, Shock Wave, Continuous Combo, Overclock, Bullet Detonation, Evasive System and Offensive Heal, all of which are maxed out, with the exception of Offensive Heal which is at +6. She is accompanied by Pod 042, which has been fully upgraded with Pods A, B, and C and has access to all Pod programs. Self-Destruction is not enabled.

Is this reasonable? The reason Offensive Heal isn't maxed is because it scales super hard and at +10 she has like 50% lifesteal which is absolutely bananas unless you think she either does no damage or is made of paper.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.

oh, that's good to hear then

(on a related note, I should be able to start playing Nier Autobooty relatively soon, maybe two-three weeks tops once I'm done with TitS 3rd. Should be a good chance to learn about her!)
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Shine on, you crazy diamond.