Today is a big day!

It's been a few years, but today my new computer arrives!  I decided to go high end, because I want this system to last me at least 5 years.  So lets get to the main specs...

Intel i7 6 core 3.3ghz
32gb of RAM
Nvidia 980ti
1TB Samsung SSD
27" 2560x1440 monitor (up from 23" 1920x1080)

So I am pretty excited about it getting here.  I have been holding off on PC games for the past few days in anticipation.  I'm sure it will arrive very late in the day.  Not sure what I'll boot up first, Black Desert Online maybe?

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Clash Royale

with cheese.  I have never really gotten into a mobile game before.  They've always been too shallow for me to consider.  But posts by Keen and SynCaine turned me on to Clash Royal.  It's like a mini-moba but 1v1 and based on cards.  It's actually a lot of fun.  The best part to me is that matches last around 3 minutes.

I liked League of Legends a lot, but matches were just too long.  I could maybe do one per day now.  And there is a high chance that it'll be crappy due to other people being involved.  That's just not how I want to spend my limited gaming time.  Clash Royale gives me that competitive feel, but in much smaller bites.

Not all is well though.  Their business model walks the pay to win line.  For example, $20 will get you 453 cards (including at least 8 epics).  That does give you an advatange, as you'll have a wider selection and more upgraded cards.  You can use the left over gems to buy gold to do the upgrades.  It's not an I Win button, but it sure helps.

I haven't spend any money yet and have climbed my way to Arena 3 (out of 8).  My trophies (rating system) hovers around 800 at the moment.  There are also levels, of which I am level 4.  It's a very addictive game since the matches are so short.  You always just want one more, especially if you are on a losing streak.

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The Division

I fell to the peer pressure that is Social Media.  Last week, I had no plans on buying The Division.  I figured it was just another multi-player shooter.  One of the many out there.  Although, I do love me some Tom Clancy.  Then I started to hear folks talking about how it is slower paced, has a story, and has RPG elements.  That combined with the modern setting pushed me over the edge and I bought it for the PC.



So far, I have been having fun.  What is most surprising is that it is actually pretty difficult at times (or I just stink).  For example, I did the Hudson Refugee Camp mission yesterday.  It took me at least 25 times to complete it.  I died, a lot.  I was solo, of course, but still.  I'm not used to that kind of difficulty these days.  It felt good when I finally beat it.



The story elements are pretty cool.  I like how there are different types of intel you can come across that fill you in on what's going on.  The narrative is top notch too.  The base building aspect was unexpected as well, but welcome.  Anything that provides more customization for your character.  I do wish the world was more interactive though.  It looks so nice, but I want to loot everything!  Thanks, Fallout 4.

Sadly, this is taking time away from Black Desert Online at the moment.  I want to get back into it, but the modern setting of The Division is doing it for me.

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To the Sea!

My goal in BDA last week was to get my very own raft and take to the sea.  No real reason, just that boats are cool.  Luckily rafts are not very difficult to make.  They just take a bunch of Contribution Points, some logs, and a few Black Powder.  Oh, and time.  I had 3 workers on it for a good chunk of the time.  In the end, I had my very own raft, named the JohnB.

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Down with Goblins! Up with Spaceships!

Normally, I like Goblins.  They have to be a little bit evil though.  In Black Desert Online, I do not.  They seem to be whiners/servants.  There are wild Goblins it seems, but they must pay for their more civilized cousins transgressions.  Lately they have been the focus of my combat in the game, as you can see below.



I'm very much looking forward to this weekend.  It's the time I usually end up playing SWTOR, and the new chapter is out!  As I mostly play my Trooper, hanging out with Jorgan should be pretty interesting.  I hear it is a bit on the short end, but it'll likely still be fun.  There is apparently something interesting at the end.

I also picked up the StarDrive 2 expansion this week.  You know I love me some 4x games.  I've only scratched the surface so far, but it seems pretty fun.  I do love its tactical combat and the introduction of hexes.  As you can see below,  I found a space crystal friend and rolled out a new Cruiser.  Good times.

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DBO today, SWTOR this weekend

Chapter XI of SWTOR launches today!  It brings back the first Trooper companion, Aric Jorgan.  I'm pretty excited about this chapter, but will hold off on playing it until this weekend.  I need the uninterrupted time that I only get on weekends to enjoy the chapter.  Until then, I'll play some more BDO.

It's still been an interesting game, even if the economy isn't in a very good state right now.  I enjoy exploring and unlocking nodes.  Combat has also been a little enjoyable, as my Giant just wrecks things.  I have no idea what I'm doing though.




I've changed my economic enterprises to Copper mining and Wood farming (for boats).  Who doesn't want a boat?  Maybe those materials will see for a decent amount.  Making a pickaxe sure isn't a good idea.

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Black Desert Online's Economy is out of whack

So I've been looking at making a living by crafting in BDO.  I love mining and blacksmithing/tool making.  So I figured I'd head down that path.  My first goal would be to make a better pickaxe for people to mine with.  Sadly, the economics behind it make no sense.  Let's take a look.

Requirements:

200 Copper Ore (which is melted then made into Copper ingots).  Copper Ore, on its own sells for ~150 Silver.  That's 30,000 Silver worth of materials.  I won't even bother counting the cost of feeding workers or mining equipment.

I can BUY the next level up Pickaxe (Sharp) for 2,539 Silver.

The only way it is profitable is if I get a lucky roll and create a Lucky Pickaxe, which runs 150k+.

So it is much better to just sell the raw materials :(

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Day 1 of Black Desert Online

After some delays, Black Desert Online came online.  I created a Giant named Baracas (Werit).  Maybe my system is just old, but the game actually doesn't look that great to me.  I'm running on High too.  I think it is just my system, has to be. I will have a new computer soon, can't wait!




My first impressions, the black spirit thing is really annoying.  They really should have Westernized the sounds it makes.  Hate it.  I also hate how NPC's just constantly say the same things if you are standing near them.  I had to turn my sound off.




The control scheme also takes some getting used to.  I really need to change my keybinds around.  I also need to play with the settings as the UI is extremely cluttered.  I know there is an option for that.  Combat isn't bad, just takes a little getting used to.  In the starter area, there are so many mobs that it is hard to tell what's going on.  Just mayhem.




The above may sound bad, but there is a lot of interesting stuff going on in the game.  I spent time tracking down everyone in the starting village.  I played with the conversation system.  Sadly, I then found out there are hidden requirements for quests you 'unlock.'  I bought a house.  I explored and spent a lot of energy on gathering.

I was surprised to see that Energy does not replenish while you are offline.  That is going to make playing the game harder for me, but I suppose they need some limiting factor for activities.  I'll just have to mix things up.  I have not gotten into crafting yet, but I hope to today.  I'm going to concentrate on mining/blacksmithing I think.  Seems to be what I do in every game.

So right now, I give it a 6/10 after one day.  I think it'll trend upwards.

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Into Black Desert Online

The release of BDO really snuck up on me.  So I bought in at the $30 tier yesterday and should be able to play today.  Sadly, the servers are delayed coming up, otherwise I'd be playing and not making this post.  I don't have huge hopes for the game, but it certainly looks like I'll get $30 out of it.  There is no subscription, so it is like GW2.

I've heard a lot about grind issues,  but who are we kidding?  I'll probably never reach the level cap.  I just want to play for a few weeks, explore, and mess with the new systems.  No big deal.  Sadly, Forge does not support BDO at the moment.  I hate playing games without Forge now!

I am thinking of going with the Giant class.  I hear it is the easiest to control.  My dexterity level is quite low, so I need an easy class to play.  I have been spoiled by too many years of hotbar based combat.

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XCOM 2 is hard

XCOM 2 is a pretty challenging game, but also very fun.  I am even using a mod that makes the Avatar project take longer.  Still,  I never seem to be able to assault the alien facilities.  I'm just always too injured to mount an assault.  behold, my two missions from last night.

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One Star Fortress Down

A bunch more to go.  After a failed attempt to defeat a Heroic Star Fortress a few weeks ago, I returned to try again.  Last time, I just don't think my gear or companion influence was good enough.  Even with the buffs, I could not get past the 3rd part before the main boss fight.




This time was different though.  I still died at the 2 elite ambush, but I was able to make my way to the Exarch.  The fight with him was surprisingly easy for my Trooper.  It took a little while, eventually he met his fate.  The loot was unimpressive.  Not sure why it gives 208 items when you need 208 items to be there.  Oh well, I did score some nice decorations and a new companion.



 Overall, it was a nice challenge.  It was really the first time I had to worry about my gear in SWTOR.  Usually that's left up to the raiders, but I like having something to work towards as a solo player.  Now I just need to take on the rest of the Star Fortresses.  No rush though

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