Pokemon Umbral Theatre 32: Discuss the UmbralGuide

[Astral Harmony]

Time for some of the best pictures in the photobucket!

http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a469/PokemonUmbral/Poke35.jpg

http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a469/PokemonUmbral/Poke26.jpg

http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a469/PokemonUmbral/PokemonUmbral47.jpg

[Dracorion]

First off, every time I saw "Pokemons" on the document it made me want to scream.

- Slayers have access to the NPC Daphne for equipment switching during battle. One trade is completed at each Order Phase.

Can you elaborate on this? Does this mean Slayers can switch one piece of equipment immediately in one Order Phase, or does it mean they have to wait until the next Order Phase to get the equipment they asked for?

Also, you should probably add the Enforcer stuff on how they gain 100 Rage and cure all status effects if they're left in the Rearguard for three turns. Unless you got rid of that.

That's all I can think of right now.

[Menarker]

Ok, this is my first look through reading it. Some initial thoughts here...

1: Regarding the Order Phase, this really makes active Accessories risky to use because they require rage to activate in the first place yet there is no sure chance the character will be able to use some of the bonuses attack fast enough or live long enough to use it. Accessories like Melting Beam (Enemy Def Reduction to user) and Stim Up (Extra Attack) suffers from the rules listed here.
You'll probably have to make some changes to accessories anyhow (maybe some new ones too) but just throwing that out there.

2: We'll probably have to rebalance our character's current techniques. Not so much an issue with the rules as something we have to do as a side effect since you decided the cost of the techniques using the old rules and now it's quite likely that due to the speed stat factor of Union/Co-op Techs, some techniques may not work like intended or may be overcosted for what it is capable of doing now.

3: Synchronization techniques are showing as costing 40 rage but then saying it's free for 2 uses and 50 rage for later. I assume an error in the proof-reading process.

4: Regarding Union Techs where the initiator loses the rest of their actions, what if the initator is a Shock Trooper with pokemon waiting to attack or was granted additional actions as a result of some bonus like a slayer using the Extra Attack accessory? This is a pretty big nerf if it remains as is.

5: Rogue Pokemon need to be elaborated. Do they get to act (as according to their speed stat) before the enemy attempts to attack them even the turn they are summoned?

6: Pokebrid action should have to be altered for some elements. Normal (does nothing) and Grass (Drain 50% of damage dealt although Pokebrid actions don't do damage) comes to mind off the top of my head.
This especially needs to be done for Dante, since two of his forms start out as normal type.

7: Regarding Sync Techs being reduced to 70% when not in Paradigm Shift, some techniques don't have measurable components that can be reduced to 70ish% but is more like an on/off switch. (More likely to occur for support moves) Reconsider? Clarify?

8: Engineer ability reads as
- Engineers can deconstruct a previously existing construct and replace it with another construct all in the same turn and regains 25 Rage.

Should probably be edited to the following:
- Engineers can deconstruct a previously existing construct regaining 25 rage and replace it with another construct all in the same turn if they willing/able.





Also, you should probably add the Enforcer stuff on how they gain 100 Rage and cure all status effects if they're left in the Rearguard for three turns. Unless you got rid of that.



AB did got rid of that. This was part of a big argument in your sidequest during that Moera fight.


And Drac, you can just use the advanced Find function and "replace" all instances of pokemons in the guide with pokemon.


Anyhow, I'll look it over again later. Still sleepy.

[Dracorion]

Totally forgot the Enforcer stuff.

Also, it's not the world Pokemons in itself. It's that you guys keep using it. You're pissing me off.

Anyway, to attempt to address some of Menarker's points:

1) I'm not quite sure what you mean. With the Speed-based turn order, I'm assuming that the Slayer wouldn't spend Rage on those accessories until their turn comes up. If the Slayer is defeated before their turn, then they don't spend Rage.

The only worry becomes if the target was switched out or killed before the Slayer's turn came. But that's a constant worry in the games. I'm sure we can put up with it.

4) I'm not sure. Union Techs are pretty powerful. Having the person who uses them lose their actions could help balance that. Alternately, maybe it's just the user and not their Pokemon that loses their actions.

As for Action Amp, I think that's supposed to only affect one action. That is, if you're attacking, you activate Action Amp and the attack counts for two (well, four, since the accessory also doubles the effect, which I'm assuming means damage in the case of a regular attack. Or maybe it means status effects, since these are Slayers we're taking about).

Anyway. If you were using a Rage Rocket, then using Action Amp would mean recovering 50 RP. (I'd call this overpowered, except Slayers aren't going to have a full inventory of Rage Rockets. Still, I'm not sure.)

5) AB said that he's not going to decide enemy strategies based on what what strategy we've come up with. Basically, he's going to have the enemies attack based solely on our formation. What that means is that rogue Pokemon shouldn't normally be targetted by enemies on the turn they go rogue.

So I don't think they'll take action that turn either.

Although, AB, how are we handling action overflow with this system? I mean, if a target dies, and there were more attacks targetted at them, are those attacks wasted or redirected?

About RPDAs and Core Points. You know how there's a standard upgrade at increases the RPDA duration to five turns? At Overblade Level 4, I think. That should probably be modified to increase Core Points as well (by 50? 75? 100?), since it'd be rather silly if Overblades spent two out of five turns doing nothing because they ran out of Core Points.

[Menarker]

1) I'm not quite sure what you mean. With the Speed-based turn order, I'm assuming that the Slayer wouldn't spend Rage on those accessories until their turn comes up. If the Slayer is defeated before their turn, then they don't spend Rage.



The issue is that Accessories are all done in the Order phase (including the part where they pay rage.) Then afterwards is the action phase where the actions of the characters are done and where the meat of the effects of many accessories actually come into action. There the user may be knocked out before their turn comes when they would have benefited from the accessories that they paid for in advance in the phase.

A simple example would be Melting Beam accessory.
Order Phase: Pay 25 rage to recharge and activate Melting Beam. An enemy with 200 Defense suddenly only has 100. (The accessory also explictively states that it the defense loss only works for the user. Everyone else attacking it hits the 200 defense)
Action Phase: Other enemies attack the user before he/she get to attack. KOed. Accessory was paid for in advance and yet fails to have an effect.


An idea would be to have recharging an accessory be part of the order phase, but make using the accessory a free action that is part of the action phase. (Thus the user can immediately use the accessory right before their attack, which assumes they are still able to take action by the time their turn comes up.) That way, the logistics is dealt with in an easy fashion but the issue is avoided.


As for Action Amp, I think that's supposed to only affect one action. That is, if you're attacking, you activate Action Amp and the attack counts for two (well, four, since the accessory also doubles the effect, which I'm assuming means damage in the case of a regular attack. Or maybe it means status effects, since these are Slayers we're taking about).


I was under the impression that Action Amp doesn't affect a given action but gives an extra new action entirely of its own for the express purpose of a slayer attack (no extra item use or pokemon attack or such). So it doesn't increase the effect of anything, but basically allows the slayer character to have another attack as if they got an extra turn, which is useful in case you want to hit the same target twice, or hit two different targets or switch between weapons.

Basically, it's kinda like getting an extra turn of attack (if the slayer wasn't already a trainer.)

Slayer: 1 Slayer Attack becomes 2 Slayer attacks. (The default slayer attack can be used for something else like item use or technique.)
Slayer/Trainer: 1 Slayer and 1 pokemon attack becomes 2 Slayer and 1 pokemon attack.
Shock Trooper: 1 Slayer and 2 pokemon attack becomes 2 slayer and 2 pokemon attack.


Although, AB, how are we handling action overflow with this system? I mean, if a target dies, and there were more attacks targetted at them, are those attacks wasted or redirected?

Personally, I would imagine that action overflow would be redirected to the best viable target (best being best type advantage or enemy with lowest hitpoints). I can't imagine that our characters in-character would HERP DERP all their actions away just because someone stole their kill or got a lucky crit.

[Dracorion]

Fair enough. Still, the accessory issue, and pretty much all similar Rage issues, can be easily fixed by making sure the Rage isn't actually spent until the Action Phase.

As for Action Amp, this is what I have for it's description:

- Action Amp: Activation type. Doubles the number and effects of the action for that turn. In other words, activate this accessory, then do two Actions at double their normal effect.

Of course, it goes on to mention Actions, too. Probably need some clarification from AB.

Regardless, I think it might be slightly too powerful if it were any two actions.

[Menarker]

An idea would be to have recharging an accessory be part of the order phase, but make using the accessory a free action that is part of the action phase. (Thus the user can immediately use the accessory right before their attack, which assumes they are still able to take action by the time their turn comes up.) That way, the logistics is dealt with in an easy fashion but the issue is avoided.

Not certain if you saw this yet (since I have been going back and forth with edits), but it'd deal with this particular rage issue while keeping it close to AB's system. *Shrug*




As for the Action Amp, we seem to have gotten mixed up. I thought you were talking about:

- Stamina Boost: Allows the Slayer to attack twice in a round. Use it for you absolutely, positively have to fuck something up.


I didn't think of it, but Action Amp as it is worded now would be BROKEN on Renny later on, since his upgrades allows him an extra trainer action in addition to his first one or a pokebrid action. So at best/worst, Renny would have 4 actions whenever he uses it. His first 2 from his default use and his extra trainer action and 2 more after the Amp. Considering his pokebrid actions include a -1 DEF debuff or inflicting confusion on target, I'd think Action Amp might need a little editing.

[Dracorion]

Are we still using those old accessories? I forget.

I thought Action Amp was replacing the old Stamina Boost.

Regardless, Stamina Boost clearly states attacks. Not actions. A Slayer would only use it if they were attacking with their regular action.

[Menarker]

We should probably clarify what each allows that the other doesn't.


In regards to old accessories AB removed a few, but he didn't remove them all. I compiled the ones that didn't get voted out by AB.

Now might be a good time to list all the accessories up to this point that haven't been removed and see which ones need modifying/removing.



- Stamina Boost: Allows the Slayer to attack twice in a round. Use it for you absolutely, positively have to fuck something up.
- Scentsation Coil: Can be used to heal from negative status. Otherwise, it's kind of pungent. (WORTHLESS due to Overpower)
- Adrenaline Surge: Increases all stats by one. Does not stack. Sorry.
- Spectral Eye: An amplified Confuse Ray. The Pokémon will always hurt itself. Not effective on Ghost types.
- Viper's Venom: A ring with a deployable needle that is jabbed directly into the Pokémon and inflicts it with Toxic. (Pretty worthless. Might be more viable if it started the toxic a few turns, like it started on turn 3 or 4 of Toxic. Unlikely though)
- Decoy Device: Creates a perfect holographic representation of you which will trick enemies. You can still attack in the same round. Lasts for one round.
- Physical Barrier: Creates a kinetic barrier around yourself that greatly reduces physical damage. This works for three rounds.
- Magical Barrier: Creates a mysterious barrier around yourself that greatly reduces special damage. This works for three rounds.
- Maximum Output: Like Explosion for Slayers. The Slayer injects this purple and black prototype drug directly into his neck and then goes fuckin' ballistic. Two adjacent enemy targets take huge damage, the Slayer is defeated by the crippling exhaustion after he burns himself out. The Slayer DOES NOT gain 50/100 Rage Points (in other words, no Vengeful Rage 'cause you killed yo'self) from being revived after using this! I won't have Impact kersploding himself every other fucking turn. God knows that happened enough with Pierce's Metagross.
- Immunity Boost: Prevents all negative status effects for three turns. Does not cure them if they're already there. A little late in the application process if you're already coughing up your liver.
- Berserker Source: - A "Rage Bank" of sorts. Here's how it works. The accessory already comes with 100/100 Rage Points. When you "use" it, it fills your Rage to maximum and keeps the excess to itself (if you have 70/100 and use it, it gives you 30 and keeps the remaining 70 it has leftover). You can transfer Rage to it for use later. In other words, you'd be very lethal if you saved up 100/100 Rage Points in it and then had 100/100 Rage Points yourself. (This one I might be interested in, with some modification. I'd suggest it doesn't come with extra rage but it increases your maximum rage gauge by 100 and you keep the unused rage from the finished battle on top of the 50 you start with each battle. It drains out if it gets switched out for another accessory though.)
- Dire Power: Always Active type. 10% crit chance. (I think this item is supposed to increase Crit by 1 stage not by a certain percent.)
- Stabilizer: Activation type. Removes all stat debuffs by one level.
- Begrudger: Activation type. 100% counter on any enemy that attacks the user.
- Dust to Dust: Activation type. Defeats the unit that defeats the user. Doesn't work on certain enemies like bosses and mechanical foes.
- Dampener: Always Active type. Prevents all Pokemon from using Self Destruct and Explosion
- Environment Guard: Always Active type. Negates damage from Sandstorms, Snowstorms, and other weather effects that deal damage. There will be some custom weather. Moera's Psystorm is not one of them. Flying cars and hotdog stands are different than weather.
- Holy Ring: Always Active type. Restores 5% of MaxHP per turn.
- Holy Guard: Always Active type. Has a 50% chance of reducing any incoming attack by 50%.
- Portal Ring: Always Active type. Stores a weapon or armor in a small dimensional pocket. Slayer can switch out gear as their Action for that turn. Daphne won't always be available to change your loadout for you.
- Divine Blessing: Always Active type. Avoid the first attack that doesn't come from weather or a negative status or as the side effect of an Action.
- Melting Beam: Activation type. Halves the DEF of the target before you strike. DEF is only halved for your strike and not those of any other unit.
- Corruption Beam: Activation type. Halves the SDEF of the target before you strike. SDEF is only halved for your strike and not those of any other unit.

[Astral Harmony]

I can't do anything to address these issues right now, but I have copied them all to a notepad and will get on them during lunch (we get long lunches here which is helpful).

[Menarker]

A funny thing that occurred to me.

In regards to the Morale System's effects on status condition, the effects are as following:

High Morale 51%-100%: Status effects take less time to cure.

Low Morale 1%-50%: Status effects take more time to cure.

Overwhelming Tide 0%: Status effects can't be cured over time.


There is no "standard ground" where status effects just operate under their normal condition. I would think that "default" should apply to either High or Low Morale. (The latter will make it easier while the former make it more difficult)

Either that or Overwhelming Tide should make status conditions last longer while Low Morale operates as "normal" and we don't have a morale state where status can't be cured over time. (Most characters will have been knocked out before they would recover on their own from a status condition that lasts longer than normal anyways.)



EDIT: BTW, I think Action Amps only apply to Trainer actions and Pokebrid actions since it was introduced around the same time when those abilities were introduced. Also, it would be broken if it applied to attacks as well since if it doubled the effects of attacks like it is supposed to do with other actions, then it would act like a Serene Grace. Add that with the OTHER serene grace like effect from Super Effective hits and things go out of control fast.


Anyhow, I'll be away for several hours due to work. Will look at things again later, especially the RDPA.

[Astral Harmony]

Copied to notepad and I'll look at that as well.

Taking a quick glance at the accessories, it'll probably be a case-by-case basis if an accessory activates during the Order Phase or when the Slayer's attack comes up. Most of these would only offer their full power if activated during the Order Phase and some of these work best if the Slayer doesn't have to pay for them when his turn comes 'round and he can't use 'em 'cause he died or was negstat'd.

I'll get with Menarker tonight or something after the RP post or during it most likely. We can work on characters 'n' stuff if he feels like it.

What I'd like to do is just take the accessories, edit them, post them here for judgment, and then when all this character stuff is done, I'll combine the Slayer weapons, armors, accessories, class ranks for all classes, and all character data into a separate document and then post that along with the UmbralGuide.

[Menarker]

Well, I'm almost always willing to work on data and tonight is no different as far as I can see. Shoot me a PM when you're good and ready to chat it out for a few hours.

[Astral Harmony]

The UmbralGuide I just put in the first post should fix most of the addressed issues. Let's see...

Menarker, I'm available now and I'll go ahead and be at the NPC edupad. We'll need to discuss these techniques that are affected by the battle system and in creating these weaker versions of the SyncTechs for when the Pokebrid isn't Paradigm Shifted.

Here's an update on Slayer accessories:

- Stamina Boost: Slayer attacks twice. Activates during Action Phase.
- Adrenaline Surge: AllStat +1. Activates during Order Phase.
- Viper's Venom: Inflicts "AccPois", a BadPois variant that cannot be cured. Activates during Action Phase.
- Decoy Device: Evade 100%. Activates during Order Phase.
- Physical Barrier: PhysDam -50% for 3 turns. Activates during Order Phase.
- Magical Barrier: SpecDam -50% for 3 turns. Activates during Order Phase.
- Immunity Boost: Cures Status Effects and grants Immunity for 3 turns. Activates during Order Phase.
- Berserker Source: Sets the user's maximum Rage at 200. Stores all Rage when the battle ends up to a maximum of 100.
- Dire Power: Crit +1. Always active.
- Stabilizer: Removes all stat debuffs. Activates during Order Phase.
- Begrudger: 100% Counter. Activates during Order Phase.
- Dust to Dust: 100% Vengeance. Activates during Order Phase.
- Dampener: Self Destruct & Explosion cannot be used. Always active.
- Environment Guard: Normal Weather Dam -100%. Always active.
- Holy Ring: 5% MaxHP heal each turn. Always active.
- Holy Guard: 50% Dam -100%. Activates during Order Phase.
- Portal Ring: Allows two equipment switches each turn. Activates during Order Phase. Does not require recharging.
- Divine Blessing: 1st Attack Evade 100%. Always active.
- Melting Beam: Target Def -50% during user's attack only. Activates during Action Phase.
- Corruption Beam: Target SDef -50% during user's attack only. Activates during Action Phase.

"Activates during Action Phase" means that it doesn't cost Rage unless the Slayer's turn comes up. And Vengeance is just a single word that means "he kills the unit that kills him."

EDIT: 2nd revision of the UmbralGuide has just been posted. This one was for Paradigm Shifts and SyncTechs.

EDIT 2: 3rd revision posted. That's it for tonight. I've given up on these changes I made to RDPAs and went back to the dependable basics. Leave me your gripes and groans.

[Dracorion]

I didn't particularly mind what you came up with before for RPDAs.

I'm curious, can you explain what was wrong with it that made you change your mind?

Also, AB, are you going to do any NPC party shenanigans, like back in Renny's sidequest? Y'know, crap like strip Twister and drunken sillyness.

I'm not saying you should. I'm just wondering if you've got any planned.

[Menarker]

I didn't particularly mind what you came up with before for RPDAs.

I'm curious, can you explain what was wrong with it that made you change your mind?


I asked AB this last night too when we were looking things over. AB didn't really have a reason for why he changed it from the default which it is now to the Core set-up (before we put it back to default). I guess if I was to clarify, it was more like RDPAs just felt incomplete because there was still unexplained portions to it and AB tried to fix it by changing how it worked hoping it would solve that issue instead of finding out what exactly needed to be clarified.

[Dracorion]

Well, like I said, I didn't really mind the Core system.

I sort of preferred it because it didn't lump the whole RPDA into one weight class, so it offered more freedom or something like that.

I think what needed clarifying was exactly how a RPDA (or a piece of equipment, with the Core system) was classified as Light, Medium or Heavy weight.

And another thing. The guide says:

3. Heavy RDPAs have 12.5% Crit & Evade and 8 Equipment slots. Medium RDPAs have 25% Crit & Evade and 6 Equipment slots. Light RDPAs have 50% Crit & Evade and 4 Equipment slots.

Does this mean that they have their base Crit and Evade reduced by the amounts stated, or is it a bonus?

[Menarker]

I'm pretty sure that's the base amount judging from the conversation. Heavy types are cumbersome and slow, but make up for it by the amount/power of equipment they have access to. Light types are more evasive and are better at aiming for vulnerable points but lack the more comprehensive tools that Heavys do. Medium blends the benefits.

If you want an idea, Heavy is basically brute force/stamina that attempts to make up for its poor speed by its diverse weapon array. Light types attempt to have the few weapons they do the highest damage via crit, so it's high risk, higher reward. Medium balances that out once again.

That said, remember that RDPAs aren't automatically armors but can be other things too that just operate in a similar fashion.

[Dracorion]

Well, you can call light RPDA critters but they're still only operating at 50%. I don't think 50 extra points in all stats makes up for that.

Even if you were to get equipment with improved crit, I'm still not sure that'd be enough unless it were at least +3.

[Menarker]

No no, it's not a multiplier. I said base rate.

Light has 50% chance of critting or dodging anything (aside from Almighty). Basically it's a coin flip power. :3

[Dracorion]

Okay, that sounds better.

[Astral Harmony]

I plan to do some NPC stuff on my own. Some wacky stuff here and there assuming there's eventually a lull in PC activity.

Not complaining, mind you, it's just a time thief.

Actually, I got a way to handle it. Why didn't I think of this before?

[Menarker]

Noticed some foreseeable issues in the rules guide, so I noted them and saving them for discussion with AB later this evening.

AB, didn't know you were on. Can you pop by on the NPC pad?



EDIT: Writing post.

Bard, if you want to have Jeremy talk to Renny during the party, that's totally cool.

[Astral Harmony]

I revised the Umbralguide yet again. Hopefully this is the last time but who knows?

I can't post tonight is ince I'm out of time. I may be able to do one tomorrow but I'm on duty and I dunno how that's gonna play out, so a post may not get done until Thursday at the latest. At least it'll be a big one.

[Menarker]

Re-reading the guide again. Only finding minor nit-picks at this point.


Question though: What is the name of the "PCs" speciality in-story? Like for example, if Jeremy or Kurika were asked what their role is in PATCA is, they would say they are enforcers. Ask the same thing to Irene and you get Shock Trooper, Lola would say Medic. And so on and so forth...
But what about the PCs? They can't really call themselves PCs in character (that's breaking the fourth wall in a big way), and they aren't enforcers (the enforcers support them unlike every other speciality which can't have one). So, what is their title in the DSS system conversationally?

(I just realized this because I was going to have Renny respond to Jeremy by asking what role he is assigned as and Renny was going to state what role he was... when I realized the PCs haven't been given an actual title!)

[Astral Harmony]

Well, there's always the non-commital terms like Tactical Officer or something, but I suppose you could just create your own. Just note that trying to be funny could come to bite you back in the ass later.

New Recruit: *salutes* "I was told to report to the Watchmen. I assume you are...'Vagina Master' Pierce Granger?"
Pierce: "I hate you, Armored."

Oh, Menarker. Whatever nit-picks you may find about the guide, could you PM them if it's something wrong with the guide? The only way I'll be connected to the internet for the majority of the day is through a computer that would be too slow to stay on an edupad. Anything edupad could probably just be put there and I'll work on it Thursday when I escape from work.

[Bard The 5th LW]

I added some bits to Charlotte's profile, like Jeremy's CS, Roll of Fate, and Possesion Link. I'll probably add Spitz updated stats later.

[Menarker]

Oh, Menarker. Whatever nit-picks you may find about the guide, could you PM them if it's something wrong with the guide? The only way I'll be connected to the internet for the majority of the day is through a computer that would be too slow to stay on an edupad. Anything edupad could probably just be put there and I'll work on it Thursday when I escape from work.

Certainly.

[Dracorion]

We could always just say the PCs role is Vanguards or something.

Anyway, fixed up Pierce's, Liz's and Sophia's profiles.

I just added the accessory list AB posted in this thread to Pierce's profile, and trimmed it a bit for balance. And for Liz, I just added what was missing of her backstory.

And changed one of her constructs to this:

6. Create Healing Dispenser ~ Restores the whole formation for 10% of their max HP.

As for Sophia, I noticed that her second conditional upgrade was Shock Trooper Configuration, despite the fact that she's already a Shock Trooper. So now it's:

2) At Demon Half 3 and Slayer 5, Sophia gains Transfiguration, giving her a 5% chance of turning an attack directed at her into healing for the same amount of damage it would have done.

I also gave her a static attack list.

[Menarker]

Guide edited for proof-reading and such. AB, I sent you a PM detailing the changes in mind and what still needs to be looked at (I also marked said points in red in the guide).


My bio has also changed a little bit to clarify things within AB's rule changes and keeping in line with the spirit of what Renny's upgrades was supposed to do.


@Drac: Have you looked at the alternative abilities for your pokemon? Since we're in Black/White setting, you should consider updating those if you think it would help you.

In particular is Blaziken, who gained the Dream World ability "Speed Boost". Pretty damn useful especially compared to Blaze.

[Dracorion]

Thanks for reminding me. I updated the abilities of my characters' Pokemon.

[Bard The 5th LW]

I'm waiting to make sure we have the final and certain draft of the guide before I download it.

[Astral Harmony]

I'll let y'all know once I'm done checking out Menarker's PM and editting the Umbralguide.

But first, to get on that RP post.

[Dracorion]

Oh come on.

Impact's like the least honest and blunt person in the world. Which isn't to say he doesn't do that, it's just that when he does he's just manipulating you.

Anyway, what the hell did he catch Sakuya doing?

... Were they fucking sleeping together? I'm pretty sure they're having a private conversation in another room.

Was she molesting Mio? Sleeping with Silk? Fucking a Pokemon?

Somebody stop me.

[Menarker]

Then he turned to Darcy. "You know, Darcy, if your Darkrai ability is the reason you can't stay longer, there are ways to suppress it temporarily." He thought for a moment. "I don't think anyone owns a Cofagrigus, and we can rule out Worry Seed because of Insomnia... that still leaves Entrainment, Simple Beam and Gastro Acid. I'm sure someone around here can help you with that. How about it?" He suggested as he took a sip of wine.

If I could make some supportive suggestions, two of Lola's forms are capable of Entrainment. (Probably better for the Lopunny form to be used otherwise Darcy will be levitating the entire party). Lopunny form would teach Limber, which is a nice bonus. :3

Mollesk could also use Gastro Acid... but if you think about it in-character, why would anyone want to be covered in stomach acid especially at a party? (NEVERMIND THAT PIERCE SUGGESTED IT!)

So yeah, if Darcelle wants to stay longer, there are viable options. ^^

Anyhow, making post.

[Menarker]

Just to clarify Drac, Renny more or less included Jeremy in the conversation with everyone else, got him in the circle as it is. He's basically juggling two conversations.

[Dracorion]

Meh.

[Astral Harmony]

Newest UmbralGuide out. Not sure if it's the last one. I think Menarker plans to become an official rulebook editor in the future.

Menarker, I didn't post much in the edupad, but I did read everything and made the necessary changes either through the edupad itself or the UmbralGuide.

Then again, I do eat bowls of stupid for breakfast so let me know if I'm stupid or not.

Most notable changes in the UmbralGuide is Shadow moves and a new rule that anything like a SignTech, UnionTech, or Engineer construct that does damage but isn't linked to a unit with their own stats will have an Att or SpAtt stat of 100 like it was used or constructed by a Slayer.

Heh, maybe after all this, I should publish the UmbralGuide as the rulebook for the Pokemon Umbral RPG. I wonder how many people would switch from D&D to this shit?

[Dracorion]

Eh. It's hard to show fanservice properly through a tabletop game, which is the primary appeal. It'd need to be an actual videogame.

Which means we need to kidnap someone and force them to make it.

[Dracorion]

Are Shadow types supposed to be popular or whatever?

I dunno, I doubt we'll be seeing that many of them.

Anyway, the damage should be offset slightly by the fact that they don't get STAB.

EDIT: Dammit Menarker, you son of a bitch.

[Menarker]

Sorry, I thought to take it in PM, since I noticed many more issues with the guide itself that he stated he corrected but didn't, to the point that I wondered if AB had mistakeningly looked at some other source or some more fundamental issue.

But yeah, but not getting STAB doesn't make up for Shadow type doing Quad Damage to nearly every dual type in existance, due to multiplier issues. Shadow types are already quite powerful because they are almost always Super Effective. They are close to the Almighty type of elemental damage. As far as I see, that doesn't mean they should be allowed to do quad damage to over 50% of all pokemon/pokebrids that exists. (Which would mean we could do 8x damage to so many things if we gave them crit bonuses)

Anyhow, my time available over the next week or so might be a little shaky because a family member is coming from overseas, meaning I foresee that I'm going to be dragged from the computer as often as possible to spend "quality time" with them. >_>

[Astral Harmony]

I've never seen a Shadow move do more damage because the target had two types so, no, there's no ultra-effective damage here.

[Menarker]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKK!


So, this link is the compiled data for the NPCs and pokemon teams created!


Of course, take a look at the results and discuss. It is late now, so I'll go over many of the logistics and reasoning behind many of the things you can find there tomorrow or the day after.

(Keep in mind that the Sync Techs were made at the time when the rules didn't include starting with a free use of them from the start of the battle. So if it seems overpowered from that point of view, try not to shout at me for that. We can surely work something out.)

Also, AB should have posted a revised guide which should hopefully be the FINAL one.

EDIT: Due to issues with the WPS format, I'm hosting a .doc version of it right here.

[Astral Harmony]

And the (hopefully) finalized guide has been plopped in the first post as usual.

Now I can get back to doing what truely matters, singing Justin Beiber songs in the bubblebath working extra hard on the other parts of Pokemon Umbral.

[Menarker]

The guide looks good on my watch, so you guys can read it over and see what you guys think of that.

[Dracorion]

Just one thing:

- Invincible: Target is completely immune to all (even Almighty) damage and effects, both positive and negative.

This is why I made Tsujimi. I hope you're not planning on taking that away from me.

And in light of Kiyomi and Rio's shenanigans I think I'm going to mess with Liz's profile a bit more.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Impact half of the post was made by Gem. Any miseplling of the name Jeremy was also him.

[Menarker]

BTW, I wanted to ask you guys if you guys would have any objection to me changing Serene Blessing's rage cost a bit due to the rule change.

The move is rarely ever used as it is because Prosperous Gift would tend to be used to heal up the damage after the fact (and because it costs so much to start up in the first place, nevermind the total cost.) Also, due to the rule change, it no longer is capable of shielding against attacks done by faster opponents. So it already got a nerf in its defensive capabilities due to the rules.

So basically, I'd like to request the effect remains the same but the rage cost on Renny's part to be 40 instead of 70. The cost of allies being protected remain the same.


(Normally, I would also ask about Defender's Crest too since it has not managed to trigger once in the 2 missions that it has been in use, but since we're hoping to operate under the more strictly stat system, I'm willing to wait and see if that will make it more viable now instead of before when Mollesk's defenses were roughly ignored in some cases.)


Anyhow, I gotta go for work now. See you all later!

[Astral Harmony]

Should have a post out tomorrow. My excuse for the lateness is that it was Double XP weekend from Aug 11-14 in City of Heroes.

[Menarker]

Oh, AB, there is one thing that came up in my head I want to clarify as a rule.

When a medic revives someone, are they capable of acting later in that same round as according to their speed stat or does the revived target has to wait until the next turn?

Of course, if we use the latter option, it would mean that we're using the fainted target base speed (and any AOE speed boost like Irene) in the Order Phase list and assuming that the medic will revive the target before their action comes up. And that if the medic got knocked out beforehand, the action would fail as a result of them still being fainted.

[Astral Harmony]

Items are used during the Order Phase, so the target will actually be standing and able to act before the Action Phase even begins.

[Menarker]

Ah, ok. Thanks for explaining. ^^

Still wondering about whether it would be ok to lower the initial cost of Serene Blessing a bit. (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1148260&postcount=48)



BTW, Gem put these comments on the public pad.


I'm still not sure about pokemon going rogue, I'm pretty sure that shouldn't be a combat mechanic. Abusable, otherwise. Either you make "going rogue" really strong, and then risk your Battle masters with wild abandon, or you make it weak and make it possible to directly target pure trainers with minimal consequences.

Can't we just make it "Trainers can't be directly targeted, if a battle-master (or other direct-combat trainer dual-class) is knocked out in combat, they only stop acting as a direct-combat class, but still as a trainer."? Remove "going rogue" unless it's scripted, or plot-related, and, when that does happen, make it really powerful.



"When an enemy is defeated during the Action Phase and there are still attacks targeting that unit, the Action Phase pauses. The GM informs the Players of this, and when the Players have made their attack adjustments, the Action Phase continues until such an event happens again."

Can we... not do that? I really love that we're giving umbral a real-time battle system, but this is a forum RP, and one that's pretty slow-paced already. I really don't think we need to interrupt our battles that often, and it would be often. I certainly don't think it's worth the extra delays. We can just designate alternate targets in advance.

Both of which sounds fine to me, if that matters.

Anyhow, gotta go for work again. See you all later!

[Dracorion]

But I like rogue Pokemon.

EDIT: I mean, it's not like the whole thing doesn't apply both ways. It's yet another way of getting us and the enemies to creatively take each other out.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Im going to be gone for an indefinite amount of time due to power outages. Heard it might be as long as 10 days, but im not sure. Just a heads up.

[Astral Harmony]

1st Issue: Alright, but I want you to know that you just gave yourself an ultra-powerful enemy from your suggestion. Hope you like fighting dozens of Pokemon at the same time. Pokemon Commanders are going to be so kickass.

2nd Issue: I wasn't stopping you from still doing that.

[Dracorion]

Goddammit you guys.

[Astral Harmony]

The main arguement Geminex is making is rather unfounded, anyways. No enemy soldiers are going to risk killing any units that have Pokemon until at least three or four Pokemon are down to begin with unless they have some superior countermeasure in place. Your enemies aren't that stupid.

And let's not forget that all Rogue Pokemon business started when Charlotte tried to nix Shannon way back in Mission 1. I needed a countermeasure way back when we were still mostly freeform.

I'm still keeping the Pokemon Commanders regardless. I just need to figure out how they work.

[Dracorion]

I think that's his argument. Because that's making Battle Masters immune to being attacked by enemies until enough of their Pokemon are down.

While Pokebrids and Lone Slayers and such have to put up with enemy attacks all the time.

Also, Charlotte shooting Shannon is one of the best things and we have no right to make that irrelevant with a silly change.

[Astral Harmony]

But you know me. I always have wacky countermeasures for everything. If no one has any arguement against ol' Gemmy's wishes, I'll fix the problem.

Screw it, I'll fix it tonight.

[Dracorion]

But I like rogue Pokemon.

[Astral Harmony]

Then why don't you and Gem have another courtroom battle over it?

...

No seriously, those did amuse me.

[Dracorion]

These days we have those over edupad.

But yeah, we all miss the days where we'd go through three Discussion threads just arguing about something stupid like Psych Up.

[Astral Harmony]

I'll try to script it so that both the rule change will exist as well as Rogue Pokemon scripted events as Gem has offered. It does sound like a solid idea.

And I'm not 100% on the abilities of Pokemon Commanders, but I will warn you: if you encounter one, do not use Pokemon. You will regret it. I'm getting nothing but "Trainer/Snagger on crack" vibes from the idea of them.

[Dracorion]

Five bucks say we slaughter the first one we encounter within two turns.

[Menarker]

Oh dear...

I can only imagine it won't go well for Charlotte who is still a pure class trainer as far as I remember.

[Astral Harmony]

Little writer's block on my end. Besides, I got distracted by watching this Johnny Bravo DVD. I'm trying to do some catching up with Rayleen...well, her and her psychic ninja maid Lilma.

And no, I'm not kidding about the description.

[Dracorion]

So she has a loyal butler and a maid?

[Astral Harmony]

Don't forget the S&M lovin' black leather clad nurse.

[Dracorion]

Naw, Melanie is Irene's.

Anyway, now I'm imagining Dormond and Lilma dressing up in silly costumes and fighting crime in their free time. And Rayleen has no idea.

[Bard The 5th LW]

I pretty much plan on going pure trainer for Charlotte. When that maxes out I'll probably pick levels in snagger.

[Menarker]

AB, discussion on the public pad if you wanna join us!

[Astral Harmony]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? But I do RP posts just so that I don't have to talk to you guys on the public pad.

...Eh, okay.

EDIT: Post done. Too tired to proofread. Bowls of stupid. You know how I roll.

[Dracorion]

Hey AB, what's up with Fujiko? The way you talked about her before, it seemed she was going to be totally creepy. But at the moment she's being downright friendly.

Also, Menarker's post reminded me that I need to figure out how to have Pierce find out about Rachel's website.

[Menarker]

http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1025958&postcount=33

Tsubasa: "Come to think of it, Chizuru may be the only Kimono that the guys would want. The reasons you and I will probably never be married are out there for all to see. Rio's flirtatious to the max and is already involved with Kiyomi. Kiyomi's a straight lesbian. Takano thinks she's too good for any man..."
Takano: "I am."
Tsubasa: "As I was saying, Nyoka's an android who isn't a sexualoid, Mika's only twelve years old, Shizuka's even more of a workaholic than me, and Fujiko is fucking hideous."
Kirie: "You'd better be glad Fujiko isn't around to hear you say that."
Tsubasa: "Why? It's not like I let some cat out of the bag. Fujiko is ugly because she experimented with demonic rituals beyond the norm of what transformed the human Kimonos into half demons. Hell, her whole current focus is to become beautiful again and she'll gladly and without hesitation backstab anyone to achieve that goal...which actually makes her quite ugly inside and outside."

I know this came out of an old omake, but yes, I was wondering about Fujiko's oddly friendly and seemingly sagacious Obi-Wan like personality.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Not feeling my best right now, so there may not be a post tonight. I also start school tomorrow, so a post will be later if it doesnt come up tonight.

[Menarker]

Just a heads up for a little guide clarification.

Mika the Yellow Kimono, who was put in the guide as a Shock Trooper is actually an Enforcer. This occurred to me especially since I noticed that she didn't have any pokemon assigned to her. This is unique in a fashion because she's the only agent with an RDPA who isn't a Shock Trooper.

Guess AB is on duty right now. ^^;

[Astral Harmony]

Yeah, sorry about the delays. Ever since Wednesday my week has been, pardon my french, fuckin' bullshit. But it's over and done with and I can get back to doing what I most enjoy. Uhh...lemme get a few necessary errands done today and I should have a post tonight.

[Dracorion]

Don't worry about it, AB. It's cool.

Just remember: every day you don't post, a H-game dies.

[Astral Harmony]

What?! It can't be! But I use the CG images from those games for my screensaver!

Oh, well. It could be worse. Pierce could decide to teach Renny how to get chicks and with Matthias just go and have a night on the town. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzBCbXCgbtY&feature=player_detailpage#t=17s)

[Dracorion]

Unfortunately, Renny doesn't have Pierce's knack so he'd fail.

And Jesus Christ Matt should do that.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Pierce:Matt, your my wing-man tonight!

Matt: I have absolutely no opinion on this.

Pierce: Awesome, get your coat.

[Astral Harmony]

Heh. Matthias. You never know what kind of person (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vK_98zILDo&feature=related) he is...

[Menarker]

Unfortunately, Renny doesn't have Pierce's knack so he'd fail.

Actually, I just had a weird incident at work today...

I was packing for a lady who was talking on the cellphone (and I'm one of the best packers there ever is) when I finished organizing her massive order of groceries in a marvelous yet easily accessible fashion to unload to her car.

"Oh, very nice. Now if only you could come home with me to help unload this..."
*Someone reacts from the phone who was presumably her husband* "WHAT!?"
"Oh, I'm just joking, honey."

^^; I swear playing as Renny must be rubbing off on me for some reason.


EDIT: Post Made


In case anyone is curious, the restuarant "Blue Taillow" in my post is a "knock-off" of the real life restaurant "Red Robin". Go ahead and google if you really need to see what sort of food they tend to have available.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Like I haven't been to Red Robin

[Astral Harmony]

Heh. Red Robin. Sounds more like a forgettable inn than a restaurant.

[Dracorion]

By the way, AB, did you miss our question about Fujiko?

And did you forget about Pierce's response to Alphonsine, or assume that conversation was over? I guess Pierce being embarrassed and apologetic does get a little old after a while, so I can understand why you'd end that there.

[Astral Harmony]

Fujiko did answer your question and I did assume the conversation with Alphonsine was over. Sorry.

[Dracorion]

'S cool.

And I mean the questions Menarker and I asked here about Fujiko's personality. Because you had said before that Fujiko was creepy and at the party she's being pretty nice.

[Astral Harmony]

I'm not at liberty to answer those.

I should be able to post tonight and I'll make sure Alphonsine responds then.

[Dracorion]

Oh.

What?

Is the discrepancy supposed to be some big secret? Because if so, I don't see how.

[Astral Harmony]

If Fujiko was as bad as I may or may not have said she was, she wouldn't be at the party.

Also, stop asking questions or I'll beat you with a...with this uhh...empty can of Mountain Dew! Yeah! Then you'll be sorry.

[Dracorion]

Then why did you say she was bad?

I WILL NOT BE SILENCED.

[Astral Harmony]

You keep this up, boy, and I'll show you why she's bad...

[Dracorion]

I DEMAND ANSWERS.

Bluh, fine. But this isn't over, you.

[Bard The 5th LW]

I thought someone somewhere said that she was like some sort of Jekyll and Hyde type thing and that she was in a good 'mood' today.

I might have imagined that piece of dialogue though.

[Menarker]

I said that Jekyll Hyde thing in the public edupad.

[Astral Harmony]

Let's go with that, then.

Human Fujiko is a cooler, more tolerant individual, and is obviously the prettier one.

Demon Fujiko is a quick to confrontation, hideous storm of happy-go-mutilate madness.

Incidentally, while thinking on it, I came up with an idea on how to keep her human in personality and appearance at the very least. It does little to help Fujiko achieve her own personal goals, though, since she loses all of her special powers that way.

[Dracorion]

You're silly.

[DanteFalcon]

Catching up, read 1 page ago.

Just....the sheer amount of face-palming. To get Emo Matt you should have talked to him like a decade before this RP in game time. And...Night on the town I have no response to. Just...

What.

[Menarker]

I can't help but feel that Pierce being invited to live with the Kimonos in their dojo was specifically designed as an one-up-manship of Renny moving in with Lola (but with more girls instead) and so soon after I did mine.

I mean, it can hardly be a coincidence that Pierce's personality has changed drastically to become more like Renny. Actually, he shifted so far, he went into the other extreme that Renny doesn't tend to be. Renny is generally gentle and reverent with people's feelings but tends to honest and vocal about what he thinks (while still being diplomatic) as opposed to Pierce's current bout of occasional self-depreciation occasionally bordering on timidity.


Heh, and Drac says Renny lacks the charm Pierce has. Ha. It's almost as if Pierce is taking notes from Renny's actions and trying to take them a step further everytime. >_>


It's good to see you btw Dante. Was wondering if we would see Matthias this intermission. ^^;

*Goes back to bed*

[Dracorion]

Would you believe I had nothing to do with that?

Because I literally had nothing to do with that.

As for Pierce acting like Renny, that's not quite right. After Millenium House, he knows he's got to change the way he acts. He's being as he is now because he's a little desperate. Eventually it'll balance out.

Also, Rachel is seventeen. Irene went into a coma ten years ago. If Rachel joined PATCA before Irene's coma, she would've been at least seven.

EDIT: Hey, AB, are Pokesapiens allowed to participate in the photo shoot?

[Menarker]

Hard to believe, but whatever. I also had my share of "I didn't predict this turn of events" too.

Nice catch about Rachel's age.

I'd don't see why Pokesapiens wouldn't be allowed, although they'd probably wouldn't be the main feature of the shoot. Well, there is only two of them as far as I can recall (Leprihare and Aria) so it probably won't make a difference.

[Dracorion]

Well, it's not like I never thought about it.

I just hadn't mentioned it or anything related to AB yet.

[Astral Harmony]

If they're hot Pokesapiens.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Just Dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmMWYFXPSh4

But seriously, pokemon has Lady Gaga? Thats pretty cool.

[Dracorion]

Pokemon has whatever AB wants it to have.

[Astral Harmony]

It might even have futanari as Drac requested Sophia to be so long ago.

No post tonight. I gotta do some much needed organizing of my room and my computer and my drivers.

Drac, the things you and Gem decide behind closed doors is starting to weird me out. Please make sure to let him know you're only kidding when you are. You know how excited him and Menarker were when you entertained the idea of Pierce's death in Millenium House.

[Dracorion]

Oh come on, what do you think we could possibly be deciding, that it weirds you out?

I could launch into an explanation about how I'm totally being serious, but instead I'm just going to make things simple and respond to you with a: "Yeah, okay".

And I still blame Menarker for that whole Pierce dying fiasco. Honestly, the whole futa-Sophia thing and so many, many other things I've said should've tipped you guys off that I make jokes sometimes.

I mean, I'm still astonished anyone thought I was serious. How many hours upon hours upon HOURS did we spend arguing back and forth about our characters? Y'think I was just going to throw all that work away?

Also, I never entertained the idea of Pierce dying. He was always going to live. The whole thing was supposed to be an extremely obvious fake-out, until Menarker believed it and convinced you guys to believe it too.

The only thing I entertained were those possible scenarios you pitched to me via PM, AB. Except I decided against them all because I already had a bunch of things planned for the rest of the sidequest.

[Menarker]

I'm not going to listen to you worthless justifications. You screwed up horribly when you know I was trying to help organize details for AB and trying to get data accurate, spending uncountable hours with keeping all the data in order. And I kept asking if I was mistaken or not. You knew that. And you did it anyways for a worthless joke. It makes you a total bastard asshole and I will never give you an easy benefit of the doubt again. I'll pester nag and triple check everything with pestersome paranoia because of your stupid pranks.

But I thought we were going to drop it, so don't you DARE try to revive it by yourself only to pin the blame on me. Selfish prick.

[Dracorion]

... That was a joke too, Menarker.

You people just don't get me.

It would be easier if you would all just assume that everything I say is sarcastic. This is going to be true more often than not.

I mean, seriously, do that.

[Menarker]

Well, it seems you don't understand me at all then.

I DO NOT BEND OVER AND ACCEPT BLAME FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S ACTIONS. AFTER A LIFETIME OF PEOPLE TRYING TO PIN BLAMES ON ME FOR THEIR MISDEEDS, I'M NOT GOING TO START WITH YOU.

If your newest jokes are going to be about grilling people for believing you or making them take responsibilty for your "jokes", rest assured I will endeavor to make your life uncomfortable.

I'm usually fine with jokes up to a certain point. That point was me asking "ok, so is this serious" or "so this is how is it going to be?". You are NOT above the rules of etiquette, so don't pretend we should just ignore you when you start going too far. Some times YOU need to be the one to adjust your actions and not us being expected to treat you "specially". That CRAP will not fly with me. I try to treat you like I treat everyone else. Which is pretty nice unless you try to mess with me.

So grow up. There is a point where it goes too far. Respect it. Joke around behind it. But I won't allow anyone to go past it, especially if I'm the target.

[Dracorion]

If your newest jokes are going to be about grilling people for believing you or making them take responsibilty for your "jokes", rest assured I will endeavor to make your life uncomfortable.

I'd like to think I'm a little more original than that.

Or at least that I don't repeat myself that quickly. You may see a return sometime in the future, though.

And I think a blind monkey could've seen that was a pretty weak attempt on my part to pin the blame on you.

ANYWAY, you want me to take things seriously? Yeah, no. Respect the rules of courtesy or ettiquete or crap? Maybe, okay.

EDIT: Redacted. Stupid thing to say. You know, compared to everything else. It was that bad.

[Astral Harmony]

Now, now, children. Keep acting up and I'll turn this RP right back around and we'll go straight home.

Incidentally, for all you hopeful peoples wanting to put ranks in demon, I was talking with Geminex and I came up with an idea.

I'm going to be dicking around with the concept of Magatama 'n' shit like that and I think the result is going to be that the demon ranks will be a lot more like the Pokebrid ranks, instead you'll be ingesting Magatama with different powers instead of shifting into different Pokeforms.

I'm not going to bother creating a list of various Magatama to use as I'm sure you guys would have your own ideas about what you want Magatama to do.

Just note that whatever powers Magatama end up possessing will also determine other things. You may have type resistances and type weaknesses. You'll have stat changes to boot. For example, a Magatama designed for physical power will have some strong Phys moves, increase your Att and Def, and be immune to stuff like Exhaustion and Paralysis and on the other hand will have piss poor Spec moves, lower your SpAtt and SpDef, and make you more vulnerable to crap like Sleep and Confuse.

That's all basic ideas for now, but I'm guessing that around Half-Demon Rank 4 you'll be able to utilize about 3 different ones and eventually max out at 5 or 6. Anyways, I'll have to look at the Pokebrid ranks and I don't have time to mess around with RP stuff right now so just, y'know, throwing this out there.

[Dracorion]

So Magatama come with predetermined powers?

And it's possible to determine what those powers are before ingesting them?

... Did Gem open with those questions when he approached you?

And I dunno, I kinda thought demon ranks were fine as they were before.

[Menarker]

Well, considering that I'm not intending to get ranks in demon or get more ranks in pokebrids, this will have minimal influence on me specifically. (Although I'll still pay attention to its influences on others.)

[Dracorion]

With regard to demon ranks. The way we had them before allowed for a good deal of customization. We could fit abilities in them that wouldn't fit with other classes, if we wanted. And we'd get the benefit of those all the time.

What you're proposing, AB, is in some ways more customizable, I guess. But not quite a versatile, since it involved form switching, which is what I find iffy.

Anyway, what did Gem say when you told him about your idea?

[Astral Harmony]

All Geminex asked me was if there was a way to determine a Magatama's powers through science.

To answer that question is no. Pokemon World science hasn't even begun the first step towards understanding the Hungry World, let alone Magatama. The only way to be able to see what a Magatama is about is to already be a Demon or Demon Half. It's like Aura Reading that way.

Magatama have always had a certain theme to each of them to begin with, but working with multiple Magatama will allow you to switch your theme. Because just one Magatama wasn't going to solve many of your tactical problems, let alone all of them, under the old system or this new one I'm entertaining.

It's pretty simple: submit an idea for a Magatama's focus (like manipulation or something) and any other suggestions you might have and then we'll work on it together, determining how just equipping one will change your character to the skills it will offer.

Anyways, I never got a PM back from Gem so I can only assume you and him schemed about it in your edupad.

[Dracorion]

Hey now, we scheme about so many things. How am I supposed to remember if we schemed about that?

And Tsubasa is going to molest Sophia in her sleep?

[Astral Harmony]

Nah, Tsubasa's just going to read one of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books with her.

Tsubasa: "Hmm...should I go down into the cave or see if I can find a safer entrance by trying to scale down the cliffs?"
Sophia: "...Try the cliffs."
Tsubasa: *turns to Page 86* "Aw, I fell to my death and died. Well, that was just the best way for two drunk, beautiful lesbian women to share a bed together, wouldn't you say?"
Sophia: "Absolutely, quite wholesome and fun. Would you like a scone?"

Ha. I can't even imagine that with a straight face.

[Dracorion]

I approve.

As for the new Demon system, okay.

Also, I'm going to edit another piece into my post since Menarker wanted a big, rowdy finale to the party.

[Menarker]

Nah, Tsubasa's just going to read one of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books with her.

Tsubasa: "Hmm...should I go down into the cave or see if I can find a safer entrance by trying to scale down the cliffs?"
Sophia: "...Try the cliffs."
Tsubasa: *turns to Page 86* "Aw, I fell to my death and died. Well, that was just the best way for two drunk, beautiful lesbian women to share a bed together, wouldn't you say?"
Sophia: "Absolutely, quite wholesome and fun. Would you like a scone?"

Ha. I can't even imagine that with a straight face.

Tsubasa needed to strip in order to read said book? =P

The party isn't complete until things start to slowly spiral out of control.
(@//@)=Y (Drunk Kirby)

[Dracorion]

Congratulations on encouraging underage drinking.

[Menarker]

Depends on where you live. You guys in the states have to wait 3 extra years to drink as compared to those in Canada. And I imagine Honmyr to be just as liberal.

Cheer! (Although Renny still is a little too young, but only barely so)


And technically, Renny thought his drink was non-alcoholic. If someone thought his drink was alcoholic when they spiked it since it was on the same table as the rest, it's not really his fault.

[Dracorion]

I really intended for Liz to spike the bottles, though.

But whatever.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Busy with stuff, and sorta not feeling well. Can't post today.

[Menarker]

Well, it's Gem's birthday today.

So, happy birthday. Hope it goes well.

[Astral Harmony]

So I've got this idea. I'm going to post tonight in the RP thread and create the Mission 4 thread tomorrow. But I'm not finished with Pierce's Birthday until you guys are, so we're basically going to have fun in both threads simultaneously. I just wanna make sure you guys get everything you want out of this intermission.

I'll also be using tonight for sprite hunts, file organizing and finding more photos for Menarker's ol' photobucket. That is all.

[Dracorion]

Well, I've only got a couple more events after the party.

One of which I'll try to make short. The other one I already expect to be short.

I believe the party itself is pretty close to ending, though.

[Astral Harmony]

Sounds good. I actually have a couple of events I need to get out of the way during the party.

EDIT: The last part of that post was so exhausting.

EDIT: Actually, that post pretty much wraps up all the events I had planned since Pierce kickstarted the Irene one. Posts are that should be simple responses until you guys are satisfied. Mission 4 is up tomorrow.

[Menarker]

Cool.

I thought there might have been a little more remaining since your list included one or two more things like Bretton talking to Jeanette or Irene talking to the the group about the new system. But those things can probably be done at the start of the next mission or ignored.

^^ But yeah, interesting.

[Astral Harmony]

I'm not sure if I'll have Bretton and Jeanette talk at all. Sure, they share parentage of Myrie but there honestly isn't much for them to talk about.

Irene will teach the battle system during Mission 4.

...

I know it would've gotten me brutally murdered, but I totally should've had Charlotte sing a verse of that.

[Menarker]

Or Discord for similar situation. Although why she would go to the party of someone who trash talked her upon their first meeting and never improved relations since would be beyond understanding. :3

[Astral Harmony]

Discord would sooner give Pierce a colonic irrigation with a snake sword than be anywhere near him outside of a battle situation.

[Dracorion]

She says that now.

But no woman can resist Pierce.

Anyway, AB, just wanna clarify one thing: Pierce does keep up with news in the scientific world. So if Jeanette ever published a paper or something on Rezonark or the Rezonscape then we can safely assume that Pierce knows about it.

I guess what I'm asking is that, I know Jeanette said people didn't care to know about the Rezonscape, but does that mean she never went public with it?

[Bard The 5th LW]

I know it would've gotten me brutally murdered, but I totally should've had Charlotte sing a verse of that.

You totally should have.

[Astral Harmony]

There's only a handful of sources for information regarding the Rezonscape, so it's out there in libraries and the internet and such. Not the most popular subject compared to Two Lopunnies One Cup.

[Dracorion]

Or, apparently, glitchee glitchee goo?

But, good enough.

EDIT: Like, I'd be willing to bet money that Honmyr's top internet search is pokephilia.

[Menarker]

For some reason, being a madsoldier or in a Trance in the Rezonscape is a lot like Bioshock 2 where it explains that the Little Sisters see their environment in an extremely modified and dressed up version, almost like a delusion state of sort.

Example idea here: http://chirls.com/v/JgCKpptAf1s/155

[Bard The 5th LW]

Your mind will return to your body and you'll have no rage at all until the chemical wears off.

I get that it means rage as in, like the stat, but I can't help but imagine Charlotte coming out of the rezonscape just being completely drained, calm, and cooperative.

[Menarker]

We would then try to put Charlotte in a vader suit of sort that would perpetuate the same effect in the hope that her normal self never surfaces again.

Hehe, I just imagined that Jeanette could possibly be an asshole with her inventions if she wanted to by giving faulty prototypes for cheap shits and giggles, especially if she gets drunk enough. Like her giving a skintight invisibility suit prototype for someone to test, and the suit becomes invisible, but not the person underneath in a sort of emperor's new clothes thing.

[Dracorion]

AB, just saying because you seemed to think otherwise in your post: Pierce has gone on more dates with Irene since they got together. I mean, it's been a month between then and the party.

Unless you're saying they haven't had sex in that time, which is more believable.

[Astral Harmony]

Sorry about the lackluster RP post. My day's just been one big cluster. Actually, I could say the same about this whole week since Wednesday.

[Menarker]

Not a problem. This post will be sufficient to make us discuss our 2 formations for a while while you get time to work on the response posts from the intermission and everything else you have been working on.


So yeah,

2 Shocker Troopers
2 Medics
2 Snipers
2 Engineers
15 NPC Enforcers (Since there are 5 PCs and each DSS group gets 5 vanguard enforcers and 5 rearguard enforcers).
and presumably 2 destroyers?

Naturally of course, anyone can be chosen as an enforcer by giving up their specialities, so there are a lot of options.

Do note the typings of Water and Ground and Ruin and their respective weaknesses and strengths when casting your votes/suggestions.

*Haven't thought of mine yet*


Of course, there is also the matter of choosing which group our PCs will be in.
My character is pretty good in both cases, but Renny would probably be best fighting the Water Ruin General.

Togekiss: Neutral - Risky: depending on element moves. Able to possibly attack from different directions due to flight or help people who gets knocked over back on board.
Shaymin: Neutral: Grass type bonus against water will make it at least neutral when damaging the water/ruin type. Resistant to water type attacks. Also has flight. Even more risk to ice moves.
Swampert: Beneficial: Able to use the water terrain to best ability. Due to ground typing, takes neutral damage from water moves, but also allows him to collobrate with electric attackers with no risk even when in the water. A primary choice.
Magnezone: Beneficial: Electric and Steel attack helps in both cases.
Mollesk: Bad: Water type ruins this rock type's day.
Umbreon: Neutral: Little attacking potential, but it is there for support, especially with new earned custom move.
Renny: Mandatory - Benefit: Psychic type useful against Ruin as usual.

[Astral Harmony]

I'm so eager to talk about the ideas I've got for the way both generals will fight and defend themselves, but I think I'll keep these juicy tidbits to myself. Nothing like a mid battle surprise technique.

[Menarker]

Hehe.

"By our powers combined, we fuse as one!"

*They merge into the largest entity that any of members of PATCA has ever seen. The largest mud monster*

"Shit... us ladies are going to end up in the biggest mud-fight ever..."


But yeah, looking forward to the near future when everything is revealed. :3
Only thing I guess is that things might get bloody. (Cardinal is a type of red apparently and the title is Cardinal Storm, so... >_>)

[Dracorion]

2 Shocker Troopers
2 Medics
2 Snipers
2 Engineers
15 NPC Enforcers (Since there are 5 PCs and each DSS group gets 5 vanguard enforcers and 5 rearguard enforcers).
and presumably 2 destroyers?

So, not only would each team get Enforcers to fill in the missing PC slots, but those Enforcers would get Enforcers? I mean, I get that we have a lot of characters, but I dunno.

Anyway, I think Pierce would be more useful with the Water Ruin General. Two thirds of his team are weak to Ground. Plus, he can switch out Adamantitar and Blaziken for Starmie and Kingdra. Both are super effective against Ruin and resist both Ruin and Water. Though technically this holds true for the Ground General as well.

I dunno where Charlotte should go. Buck, Sol-Leks and Pike are weak to Ground, but the first two and Hammond are weak to water.

[Bard The 5th LW]

shitsticks

[Menarker]

Anyway, I think Pierce would be more useful with the Water Ruin General. Two thirds of his team are weak to Ground. Plus, he can switch out Adamantitar and Blaziken for Starmie and Kingdra. Both are super effective against Ruin and resist both Ruin and Water. Though technically this holds true for the Ground General as well.

I dunno where Charlotte should go. Buck, Sol-Leks and Pike are weak to Ground, but the first two and Hammond are weak to water.

Oddly enough, almost everyone seem to be best off with the water general. Even Charlotte since water moves can be weakened with Sunny Day and most fire types can use Solar Beam, and she got 2.


I do heavily prefer the water general myself especially since Swampert works so damn well, but if it is really needed, I'll move to the ground general. It's mostly a trade off of Magnezone being horrible and Mollesk being neutral against it and that sort of thing.

Of course, Matthias and Impact could be assigned to the ground type, so that wouldn't hurt much. Probably. Although someone like Drac or I would have to write up the battle plans on their behalf (which I got no problem with) and the fact that neither of them post frequently (more of a problem).

[Dracorion]

I'd suggest against having all three PC trainers on one team, yeah.

Though, if we end up going overboard, I dunno if Sunny Day would work underwater. Or if Charlotte's Pokemon will be able to fight underwater.

[Menarker]

I never said it was the perfect idea. Only that it was the best option for Charlotte whose pokemon team is pretty disadvantageously set for this mission. So yeah, she better not fall overboard.

Charlotte would probably end up sea-sick on the boat and Jeremy gets to show off for the entire mission. :3

[Dracorion]

Anyway.

Fifteen Enforcers?

[Bard The 5th LW]

I was thinking that maybe she mugged a guy for a venasaur or something but i guess Jeremy can show off a bit. Solarbeam might help in the case of fire types, as well as sunny day if it can work underwater.

[Menarker]

Don't ask me! I didn't suggest 2 full DSS for this mission, nevertheless controlling both of them.

Besides, it'll be good in a way for some characters that would otherwise be potentially unused to get some action and some mention in the limelight. ^^


As for Charlotte getting a grass type...

"Charlotte, your team looks pretty horribly alligned for this mission. I could help if..."
"Screw you, squirt! Stop rubbing your promotion in my face!"
*Renny flinches*
"... Get me a Venusaur."

[Dracorion]

Let me put it this way.

AB, is all of this:

2 Shocker Troopers
2 Medics
2 Snipers
2 Engineers
15 NPC Enforcers (Since there are 5 PCs and each DSS group gets 5 vanguard enforcers and 5 rearguard enforcers).
and presumably 2 destroyers?

What we're supposed to bring for the mission? Particularly wondering about the bolded bit.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Would a tempt team change be possible? Like, pull Sol-leks and Buck from the alignment for a mission?

[Dracorion]

I don't see why not, as long as Charlotte has other Pokemon to replace them with.

[Menarker]

I don't think that'll be a problem. Drac has a few spares.

And like I joked before, Renny is helping NPCs get new pokemon. He could do similar for Charlotte In-character if you like.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Would she ask before the mission then? I doubt that be party talk, but it should probably be a bit less short notice. Like a flashback maybe?

I'll work out the replacements as we type.

[Menarker]

I guess you could have Charlotte get new pokemon herself before the briefing. Although Renny would probably not be helping her before then. He's pretty busy with double-training, and Charlotte isn't someone he'd bend over backwards for no reason. :3

[Bard The 5th LW]

No Charlotte, I don't have time to help you with your team! You'll have to do it yourself.

Fine, I guess I'll just take all of these fire types I have and give your parents a visit.

But disregarding that, we can just assume she knows a guy.

[Menarker]

Hehe.

Renny's team versus Charlotte's main team could be so one sided, it'd hardly funny. I mean Swampert alone could sweep tons of them. (Water type beats Buck, Sol-Leks and Hammond while its ground typing protects it from Pike and beats that too.)


Anyhow, just to let everyone know, I put a section on the public edupad (line 60 and below) to put nominations and discussion for NPCs for the respective DSS.


And we need a new thread....

[Bard The 5th LW]

Dude, superfang. I agree on the new thread as well.

Temps will likely be a venosaur and maybe a Grass type rotom. She will procure them through shifty means and they will never be heard of again.