raven9864

As good as can be expected, @Darmian Working on Part 2 of Lojac's Brain. Thanks for the custom powers advice here for Ultimo (and others). Most of the characters I use are customs, as I am working on world building in my arcs. I'm pretty proud of my Death Knights and their assorted sub factions, as well as Strikeforce Alpha. I'd love to see a bunch of us get together and collaborate on some mission builds. If anyone is feeling this, I'll be your huckleberry. ~Paws

So, when I'm not making AE missions, I'm also crafting bases. I have 2 1/2 and I'm the only player in any of them. Having said that, I actually have an SG and base for Strikeforce Alpha, the supergroup I've been using in my AE story arcs. Its a big ol place that's not being used, so I figured why not offer it as a reward of sorts for playing thru The Grave and the Old. I've added some text with the option of me adding your character to the SG if you would like at the end of mission 4. (Storage options will open up after a short vetting period) If you don't want to join but are still curious, the passcode is SFA-25519. Maybe we can even get some RP going around it. Enjoy. ~Paws

Not exactly a new item request (tho I will have a few further down) but I think the base editor could benefit from a reshuffling of categories. Currently, Arachnos has items in mutliple catagories such as Tech and Villains Lairs. could we pool all the Arachnos stuff into one category? Like wise with Rikti, etc? I find myself crafting areas that make heavy use of villain items sometimes, and its hard to keep up with the thousands of items and where they are across different categories. As to new item suggestions: NPC's. I run my bases like RL installations which need staff. Infirmary, computer lab, vehicle shop, etc. Example: we have a nurse, but no doctor. Crey scientists would be nice to have to use as lab people. PPD. Devouring earth. They don't necessarily have to do anything like Midnighter Loremaster, but if they did that would awesome. The nurse hands out inspirations. Maybe the doctor hands out tier two inspirations? Thank you all for listening and for all you do. ~Paws

I think Crane has the right idea with a level range. Find that sweet spot if you can where its challenging but not too brutal. If the idea is for the story to be the main character, don't worry too much with making it challenging, as players will want to take in the story elements. As to the map, I don't mind big maps as much as others as long as there is something engaging and interesting in most areas. I think either map you've used is fine. ~Paws

Just ran the revamp, and it took me about two minutes to complete. Neither boss were hard at all to complete. Ran with a 50+ Sentinel Beam/bio armor.

I'll check on when you republish it and give it a spin. I had some glitches chaining events together as well in my first arc. Or it was my novice skills. BUT... I am intrigued with how youre putting this together. Keep em flying friend. ~Paws

Yep, I'd set a boss objective so you can then build enemy groups around them. The main crane, @cranebump, seems to have given great advice on the points you've listed. also, I ran it with my 50+ Dual Pistols/Devices Blaster. Give us a shout when you've tweaked it for mechanics or story and I'll run it again. BTW-my personal choice when playing an AE arc based on story, is to see it not too hard to run thru. I stop and read everything. Looking good, keep at it! ~Paws

Just played it. Great customs and the feel of a running pitched battle is achieved Notes below. ~Paws

I assume it's the one posted on 6/29?

I'll try it out now! ~Paws

Thank you! I've discovered the right click options, and have revised TGa/tO and Lojac's Brain with colored font options. In addition, I've tried to color code certain instances across all missions, such as yellow for drawing attention to text that should specifically be paid attention to, orange for faction/enemy group proper names, etc... I'm hoping this will add a sense of continuity as well as being helpful for players who "speed read" or gloss over text in favor of the action. I've been playing thru different non-farm missions in AE to get a sense of what others are doing and paying better attention to in-game missions that i have been running thru for literally decades in some instances. Someone posted about a discord group for AE missions that I intend to join as soon as I re-familiarize myself with discord. I've implemented most of the advice you and others have given me. The reccomendation of an SFA dossier is being considered, but you are correct in that I believe there are some critical pieces of lore you missed in The Grave and the Old. Regardless, I have added a note to Lojac's Brain advising playing the other first, despite it being labled as a sequel. Again, thank everyone for their insight and feedback. If you haven't tried these arcs out folks, please do so. As much fun as I have expressing my creativity, I would be more thrilled to have others enjoy them as well. If anyone wants me to try out a mission(s) that I havent yet, just send me a dm in game to @blackpaws. I'll try it as soon as I can and give feedback. ~Paws

Just played thru the first 9 missions and greatly enjoyed it. 4 stars. Would recommend. ~Paws

Great thinking. I will definitely be joining. ~Paws

Lojac's Brain/The Grave and the Old have been updated and (hopefully) refined in mechanics and story to provide a better experience. As always, feedback and suggestions are always desired. (not a farm build) ~Paws

Thanks for the tips. I am probably overthinking the immersive elements I am putting in, and trying too hard with the collection aspect in that regard. I'll spend some time with it this weekend. As always, I really appreciate your help and the advice of others as I learn to tell stories using this medium. ~Paws

I got some help from @Darmian yesterday, and am currently going back and adding font colors to "The Grave and the Old" and "Lojac's Brain".

TYVM, I appreciate the Discord offer and the offer of help. I'll be in touch. I have a second base I am building that I intend to tie into the AE arc I am working on, allowing the players in the arc to join the SG being used in story as an immersive element. ~Paws

Of course, and I certainly meant to take nothing away from the winners or appear to be grousing. I freely admit to having operated in a bubble where base building is concerned. Your points are all valid. This is kind of the beginning me starting discussions about what I don't know. 🙂 Of late, I've been writing AE missions and really enjoy it. I've been posting on the AE forum about them and have gotten some very good feedback from very kind people. ~Paws

@Dacy Something I just thought of...Were bases in the last contest built using solely the base editor without any extra coding like html? I think for the next one, if that's not the case then please consider it. It will make for a level playing field. Looking at bases previously, it felt that I HAD to build outside to make an impact and be considered. Also, I'd like to see a contest for AE missions. 🙂 Thank you for everything you do. ~Paws

TYVM Crane. I implemented several of your suggestions...most of them...into TGa/tO. I'm most proud of the new enemy group/faction I implemented. Question: Do I have to use html to change font colors? ~Paws

The exciting sequel to my series "The Grave and the Old" has begun, and the first part is now published. Lojac's Brain picks up the story and expands on my world building efforts. Its still being tweaked and that's where you come in. Please provide technical and constructive criticism for mechanics and story as you see fit. I'd love to know how you think this product is developing. Its story based fun, that I hope also provides a challenging tactical experience, and chock full of Easter eggs, drama, comedy, horror, and weird science. "The Grave and the Old" and 'Lojac's Brain" contain lots of custom characters, original (I hope) themes, and there is an SG available to join that these missions are based on. These missions afford opportunities for RP aplenty, but isn't essential to its playability. Its not a farm. Give it a try for Lojac. He's counting on you. ~Paws

With many thanks to @cranebump and others, I have completely overhauled this 4 mission series, both mechanically and story content. Once again, I ask that my fellow players give this a try and I hope it brings you joy. Please feel free to give feedback on the mission either in AE or here. For a bit of understanding this arc...It is not strictly canonical. Yes, its based in this wonderful game and makes potential use of the heroes, villains, and places we all love. However, I'm doing a bit of world building by using my own characters, groups, and themes. Most of the characters are custom, and the SG's used are those I have actually made in-game. "The Trust Fund" is the base I entered for the SG base contest recently. To whit: If you see a term or element that isn't fully explained, its on purpose for expansion in future arcs I intend to write. Or foreshadowing for a sequel. Enough of me. I present to you "The Grave and the Old." I hope you like it. ~Paws

Mission one is revamped and published. Moving towards mission two tomorrow.

I've taken all the suggestions here and printed them off, highlighting areas of opportunity, and condensing the material into actionable prompts. I'll be implementing changes in the week or so to come, and I am grateful for the time put into coaching me on this. Hopefully I will have a more refined product up sometime this weekend or the next. Thank everyone again who took a look at my creation. ~Paws

Thank you very much, and I look forward to your feedback.