>>39866960
Been waiting for this. Let's do this.

>>39866960
Are we forced to use Forebode if we get it?

I'm either for Forebode or Plasma Cannons.
Maybe Stormshroud or Cackle.

Is the Mystery box a selectable option?

Forebode is amazing.
Plasma Cannons is cool, too, and it's the triumphant return of the Vulcans.

Cackle is okay, but Chimeric Talons is pretty bad. No real thoughts on Golgotha.

>>39867012
I think Forebode and Stormshroud are our best options. We have plenty of offensive weapons/abilities already.

>>39867041
I dunno, Stormshroud is good, but the fact it can detonate if hit hard enough makes me wary.

>>39867012
>Forebode or Plasma Cannons.
Same here. Cackle is something I'd like to have in case we ever grab the second level of Oblivion's Husk.

>>39867039
Chimeric Talons sound a lot like White Joker's melee attack.

I wonder if Golgotha is lost for the entire scene if it crumbles.

>>39867041
The plasma cannons are special because they replace our Vulcans for the scene.
Our fucking most basic pitiful guns. Now with massive overkill properties that are both energy and kinetic.

Stormshroud is nice, but it has this nasty explosion thing.

Forebode is awesome but the reflexive activation might be our bane.

If we went corruption route, I'd be in favor of Cackle, due to how hilariously fitting it would be.

>>39867039
Seconding this.

>>39867049
Also this is why I'd rather Volcano Cannons than Stormshroud. Remember that we're in the big leagues now, and heavy-hitters are everywhere.

If we're talking active approach, Forebode makes it so we always get the first hit and are aware of the fight.

If we're talking offensive power, I don't think we can go wrong with the Plasma Cluster Cannons.

>>39867041
Stormshroud seems like a redundant choice, considering we have three regen options already.

>>39866960
Goddamnit JQOP update the Episode Guide, I don't like being ignored ;_;

Anyway, if we manifest the Vulcans, can we still use other weapons when we're not using it?

Have we ever used the Sinistral's absorption ability?
I honestly had no idea it could do that until moments ago.

>>39866960

(Gentlemen, my apologies for the late start - There was some last-minute balancing required. The pastebin for OBLIVION'S HUSK is here: http://pastebin.com/wFZ3mtiY)

Before you, the portal glows. The mirrored walls of the last chamber - now pockmarked, starred with cracks, crazed from impacts and gunfire - are meant to capture the light, to infuse your surroundings with a numinous glow...

-In better times, perhaps.

In the distance, the din of fighting - muffled by the walls - sounds like the grumble of a distant storm. The fury of the brief combat has left great scars - The mirroring has splintered, in places, as you crunch forward over broken glass and the disintegrating husks of SPIRAL COIL and SCALE GARROTE; A lull descending, as your Tau Gun ticks over, the charging coils slowly cooling.

"-This is it." there is an eagerness in Rook's voice, as he prowls forward - his helmet canted back, as if sniffing the air. The light seems to make him wary, casting odd shadows where it grazes his silhouette; his hunched, spined form moving with a beast's unselfconscious swiftness as he aims a talon forward. "This *has* to be it."

White Licorice approaches the portal like a cripple - she's limping, not quite wincing at each motion, her gaze settled on the slow, languid rotation of the gateway's gleaming arc. She makes a low sound, a sound that merges a creak and a sigh; exhaustion, perhaps, her shoulders bowed.

Smouldering emissions pour from Haze's back, as he picks his way forward. He seems shaken, somehow, by the point-blank confrontation he's just witnesses; fading radiation prickles your senses, dust caking his chequered armor.

"We - We made it, right?" he says, turning his head to look at you, as if hoping for reassurance.

"What..what do we do now?"

(Continued)

>>39867075
Specifically says only our Vulcans are offline when it happens.

Funnily enough, I wonder if, with enough upgrades, the Vulcans could've ended up like the Volcan Cannons naturally.

...anyone else not having to fill out a captcha? Rather worrisome for me.

>>39867067
Stormshroud is a regenerating Super Star. My bet is that it scales with Shroud upgrades.
It's fuckawesome as long as it doesn't overload.

OP, can Oblivion's Husk be charged via Exec_Power_Transfer?

>>39867083
A few times, but almost never on purpose.

Forebode has narrative functionality, but the cannons make our basic peashooters into the nastiest motherfuckers around.

...We take Forebode. It will do lots of good against White Joker.

>>39867103
>It's fuckawesome as long as it doesn't overload.
The problem is that it is extremely likely to overload during a fight against opponents like Rust Kaiser, White Joker and Enfer.

>>39867138
Thinking about it, White Joker had Forebode or something like it during our fight.
I wonder what's going to happen when the two clash.

>>39867156
Also, remember that we already got a reflex boost from the Athame and the Stasis Field.
White Joker had an affinity for blinding speed, but with Athame and Forebode we'll be even, even when he has the Carnifex.

Fatalism is awesome, but I guess we could just take structural integrity.

>>39867156
>I wonder what's going to happen when the two clash.
They become synchronized and end up locked in combat for all eternity.

>>39867075

(My apologies, do you have a link to that? Alternatively, I could incorporate the end-of-chapter summary into a new pastebin.)

>>39867091

"We wait," Armaros rumbles. His footsteps make the ground tremble, beneath his weight - the fizzling discharge of his Distortion Halo playing across him in a lattice of sparks. Despite the charred circles that mark his armor, he looks none the worse for wear; steel cables ratcheting, as he comes to a stop. Tiny lights flicker in his visor as he stands, impassive.

Daegal picks himself up. He has the Immolator clamped in one fist - A kind of unease sketched in the lines of his gleaming golden form. He's been put into the wall by Spiral Coil, hard enough to crater it...And his oriachulum armor is still untarnished, the rents and tears in his Assault Shroud diminishing by the moment. His attention is centered on White Licorice, as she raises her remaining hand - the air shimmering, as a holographic window dissolves into existence. Chains of alien data begin to scroll across the screen, her stance radiating fixed concentration...

"-We shouldn't have brought her here," Kazuya mutters, barely audible. "If I'd known-"

He glances at you, shifting his stance - there's something grim in his voice, now, as if the novelty of his new state has already worn off. Or perhaps the scale of destruction is, finally, beyond even his capacity to comprehend.

For a moment, he seems like he's about to say something more...And then he just shakes his head.

[ ] "Out with it."
[ ] "-Are you all right?"
[ ] "She knows what she's doing."
[ ] "I don't like it, either - But we needed her help."
[ ] "It's only going to get worse from here, Kazuya. Are you prepared for that?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39867103

(Yes, you can use EXEC_POWER_TRANSFER to pay the cost.)

>>39867182
Didn't that already almost happen, when Mio decided to send us into the inescapable abyss of eternal suffering?

I forget most details, other than we had to use the Nihl to escape.

>>39867216
>(My apologies, do you have a link to that?
http://pastebin.com/iKAqtmgB

>>39867216
>[ ] "Out with it."
>[ ] "I don't like it, either - But we needed her help."
"We could leave the tank with her. We probably won't have enough room for it in the Diadem, anyway."

>[ ] "It's only going to get worse from here, Kazuya. Are you prepared for that?"

>>39867233
Anon, can you add links like the squad guide a few threads ago into the episode guide?

>>39867216
>I don't like it, either - But we needed her help."
>"It's only going to get worse from here, Kazuya. Are you prepared for that?"

>>39867256
No prob. I'm gonna leave the whole recap and update for after the quest, though.

>>39867216
>[ ] "I don't like it, either - But we needed her help."
>[ ] "It's only going to get worse from here, Kazuya. Are you prepared for that?"

>>39867216
>"It was her own choice. She wanted to help us and help you specifically. She decided to act despite being aware of the risks."

>"Instead of looking at her as a helpless child, respect her as a woman who decided to brave the storm. I think she will appreciate that."

>"If you're really worried, you can leave the Red Comet open for her outside. It'll protect her and I doubt we will need it within the Diadem."

>>39867228
>Didn't that already almost happen, when Mio decided to send us into the inescapable abyss of eternal suffering?
Nah, Joker just got really pissed and spent a while beating the shit out of Naoya before giving up.
>I forget most details, other than we had to use the Nihl to escape.
We used Cybele's Mark, not the Nihl.

>>39867216
[x] Free
"Daegal, we're about to jump headlong into the belly of the beast. Everyone responsible for this entire mess, responsible for you and everyone else getting dragged into this mess, is aboard. CAN you bring yourself to fight them? And can you bring yourself to end them?" Maybe throw in a reaffirming "Remember, you're Daegal here. And if we pull this shit off right, it'll be the only place you're Daegal."

We needed to talk to him about whether or not he's ready. Now or never.

>>39867295
Yeah, these details always tend to escape me. A shame that JQOP only runs when I'm dead tired, and thus incapable of retaining any knowledge of what transpires in these threads

But that's different timezones for you. I'll have to go reread the quest soon, or at least since this arc began.

>>39867216
>[ ] "It's only going to get worse from here, Kazuya. Are you prepared for that?"

>"I want you to decide for yourself if you're ready. If you want you can grab Licorice and go help Natsumi. But if you're going to stay, I want you to be prepared for what's going to come."

>"I don't want to lose my best friend, Kazuya. Especially because I couldn't help him come in terms with the situation."

>>39867324
I might as well; as much as the sparknotes version is useful for getting a gist of the current goings on, it doesn't really suffice for the small, yet inevitably important details.

I miss Hecate.

>>39867375
I miss the Hailfire Chaingun.

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>>39867375

>>39867381
>>39867375
I miss the Carnifex.

>>39867381
I miss Carnifex before Imago fucked it up. And as a result I don't even feel bad about Naoya stealing it/taking it back.

It was amazing reading Joker fucking up the Smilers' undeground complex to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y3pspnwyoM and I pretty much considered it essential for any BURNING JOKER moment.

>>39867400
>>39867387
>>39867381
Why must everything we love be taken from us?

>>39867248
>>39867257
>>39867270
>>39867273

> [X] "I don't like it, either - But we needed her help."

"Yeah." he looks down at his boots, as if hoping for an answer. Then-

"...I was just thinking, Natsumi-chan feels like this *every day*-" Daegal tries a laugh, but it comes out forced, joyless; "Sorry."

> "It was her own choice. She wanted to help us and help you specifically. She decided to act despite being aware of the risks."
> "Instead of looking at her as a helpless child, respect her as a woman who decided to brave the storm. I think she will appreciate that."
> "We could leave the tank with her. We probably won't have enough room for it in the Diadem, anyway."
> "If you're really worried, you can leave the Red Comet open for her outside. It'll protect her and I doubt we will need it within the Diadem."

Kazuya starts - His surprise is evident, even through his unyielding armor.

"You'll...do that? For her? I thought-" His voice trails off, but he goes on: "That's - that's great, actually. Dude, that's fantastic. If you could do that..." He shakes his head, but it's clear that an immense weight has just been lifted from his shoulders. "-I...don't know what to say."

>>39867339

> [X] "It's only going to get worse from here, Kazuya. Are you prepared for that?"
> "I want you to decide for yourself if you're ready. If you want you can grab Licorice and go help Natsumi. But if you're going to stay, I want you to be prepared for what's going to come."

"I-" he hesitates. Just for a moment, his expression impossible to tell.

(Continued)

>>39867416
Man, I loved that raid with our flying flame goodness and murder and upgrades everywhere.

Your song is weak, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aBAy9cOdKM

This is better.

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79 KB JPG

>>39867416
>Giving up on the Carnifex just because she got a little beaten up
Would you give up on your flesh and blood waifu if she lost her legs, Anonymous?

>>39867426

"-I'm coming with you," Daegal says, firmly. "Hell, if I *didn't* - I'll spend the rest of my life wondering how it turned out." A glance to the side, taking in the scope of destruction...You can tell that he's been abruptly reminded how brief a span of time 'the rest of his life' might be. "...Figure of speech, of course."

>>39867300

> "I don't want to lose my best friend, Kazuya. Especially because I couldn't help him come in terms with the situation."
> "CAN you bring yourself to fight them? And can you bring yourself to end them?"

There is a long, long silence. At last, he speaks.

"You know, back there-" Kazuya's words are slower, now. Halting, as he draws a deep breath.

"-I really *was* trying to kill him, you know. Garotte."

"I thought - If I *didn't* - God knew what would happen. I missed, but...I didn't miss on purpose." The Immolator turns in his grasp. "It's funny. I used to think...It'd be so easy to shoot the guns out of their hands. Or shoot someone in the leg, or the hand...Stop them from hurting anyone else."

"But - it doesn't work that way, does it? They're not going to stop."

"I don't - Fuck, I'll admit it. I'm still thinking that I'm going to wake up any moment now...But this? There's no relief here. It's just non-stop. It just...keeps *going*." He exhales, through his mouth grille - "...And the only way out is through."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39867445
I do love how we had the Carnifex, damaged it and then had Naoya get it back.
He'll be furious once he finds out.

Just look at how angry he was when we tried to activate it.

>>39867440
>>39867416
Here's another one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoHMgy2d9O4

>>39867440
And Doom is better than Serious Sam, your point? Really couldn't get behind "HE'S GETTING CLOSER TO THE END THROW MORE ENEMIES AT HIM" style design. Give me Doom planned encounters any day.

Seriously though, shit was glorious.

>>39867445
Carnifex had as much a benefit as Stormshroud and the same weakness. We're GOING to get hit hard from here on out.

Its heyday died the moment it was like that. And it's why I'd choose Forebode or the Cluster Cannons over Stormshroud.

>>39867462
[x] Free
"If it helps? Just keep thinking that. Keep telling yourself, 'The only way out is through.'. God knows it saved me in a place a whole lot worse than here."

>>39867462
"Don't worry. It will end, if you are tenacious enough.
Just remember to put one foot before the other and to never give up. Even when you feel like you need to eat and sleep even though your body doesn't need to.
I learned it the hard way."

>>39867462
>"And the fact that you're still worried, that such a things matters and it bothers you, is why I asked in the first place. You're one of the greatest people I know, the one I'd trust most to have at my back through heaven and hell, but it's not just my choice. You're different Kazuya - the armor and your actions, hell even your voice show it - you don't have to follow me, out of obligation or anything. You're my best friend, the best of us, and I trust you to make the tight decision."

>>39867462

What ability did we get from SPIRAL COIL?

>>39867496
>Really couldn't get behind "HE'S GETTING CLOSER TO THE END THROW MORE ENEMIES AT HIM" style design. Give me Doom planned encounters any day.
I describe Serious Sam as "high speed snake in three dimensions and with guns".
Back yourself into a corner and you get swarmed. You need to draw the line of enemies, which increases more and more in size, across the battlefield without boxing yourself in.
Just like snake.
While keeping track of ammo and weapon types. And playing at glorious 60FPS.

>>39867543
Damn I should have proofread.

>>39867543
>>39867554
>the tight decision
Nigga be swaggin', yo.

>>39867551
The ability to roll poorly and job in seconds

>>39867543
>the tight decision.

GODDAMNIT ANON I'M DYING I'm sorry man that completely ruins it.

It's a good post and I'd get behind it, but fuck that's hilarious to read.

>>39867553
To each their own. I own all of the games except the indie ones and SS2. But my friends and I quickly got tired of it basically being that situation for far longer than it needed be.

>>39867575
Wasn't Kazuya the popular one?

>>39867551
We got AUSPEX, which lets us see Essence cores 'n shizzle. Also, illusions won't work anymore.

>>39867585
It's be a day since I slept. I'm glad I could amuse you.

>>39867543
>the tight decision
No, no. We're the Red Joker.

>>39867597
We can summon voices from beyond the veil and see through illusions.
A few upgrades and we'll be able to see beyond the veil.

Now I feel fucking retarded.

>>39867475
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSepa672f0s

This is better.

>>39867462
>"This is the kind of world this is, Kazuya. It presents you with challenge after challenge, trying to chip away at your humanity. Everyone copes with it in their own way: Natsumi was saved by Fumito and gained purchase in the belief that she was helping others; Haze decided that he will act according to what he believes to be right and help Rook; Armaros is fiercely loyal to his boss and his ideals; Rook wishes to avenge his fellow squad-mates."

>"Everyone here has a way to cope and a reason to act.."

>"You just have to find yours and believe in it until the very end."

>>39867625
R and T are right next to eachother, don't worry about it.

>>39867636
>Rook wishes to avenge his fellow squad-mates
Well, that and rape Alura with a scalpel and redeem himself.

So we now tell him to embrace the PTSD goodness?

>>39867649

I think he already has.

>>39867649
Tell him we're tearing her eye out for Cybele and punching her in the face for soul-tearing us.

After that she's all his.

>>39867649
>rape.....with a scalpel
Isn't that Naoya's shtick? He's the doctor around here, as well as the guy who slit Kraken's throat with a scalpel.

>>39867696

I'm still really mad about that.

>>39867691
I don't think he'll be rational enough to leave us time to talk this through.

Shit, I wish we had a Maser.
Remember what those things do to organics.

>>39867551

(Auspex. My apologies, I seem to have forgotten to add it to the present equipment list.)

>>39867496
>>39867530
>>39867543

> "If it helps? Just keep thinking that. Keep telling yourself, 'The only way out is through.'. God knows it saved me in a place a whole lot worse than here."
> "Just remember to put one foot before the other and to never give up. Even when you feel like you need to eat and sleep even though your body doesn't need to. I learned it the hard way."

For a long, long moment, Daegal just stares at you.

"That's...Jesus. That's *dark*. I mean - It's good advice, but...Man." he's apparently at a loss for words, shaking his head. "-One of these days, you're going to have to tell me the whole story, Anon. Whatever *happened* to you...It doesn't bear thinking about."

> "And the fact that you're still worried - that such a thing matters and it bothers you - is why I asked in the first place. You're one of the greatest people I know, the one I'd trust most to have at my back through heaven and hell, but it's not just my choice."
> "You're different Kazuya - the armor and your actions, hell even your voice show it - you don't have to follow me, out of obligation or anything. You're my best friend, the best of us, and I trust you to make the right decision."

He clamps a hand on your shoulder - A gesture of silent camaraderie.

"Hey, *someone* has to keep you honest," he says. "Besides...With Rook and the big guy tearing up stuff? Being *around* you is probably the safest place there is." The chuckle that follows is an uneasy one, but Kazuya makes it work. Daegal squares his shoulders, drawing a deep breath; "-We'll get through this, yeah? Let's get this done, and go home."

That seems reassuring enough, but - Kazuya can't help but add - "Listen, about Mi-"

"Joker-!"

A flare of light. A brittle crackle from the portal. Coloured bursts, writhing and firing up from the base of the structure-

(Continued)

>>39867719
That's why we say it now so he doesn't think we're trying to steal his life goal from him.

We both have reasons for vengeance on this bitch. I just want the satisfaction of making her endure what she made Cybele do to herself.

>>39867740
I wish we still had Exec_Dictum.

I wonder if Forebode will activate once we step through the portal.

>>39867752
Have we had the ability chosen and locked in?

Because while Forebode is a close second, I'm vouching for Plasma Cluster Cannons. Imagine the meter gain off those suckers.

>>39867771
Forebode is useful enough that we should pick it first, and then pick Oblivion's Husk again next level up.

>>39867771
Forebode has been chosen pretty much unanimously.

>>39867723
>One of these days, you're going to have to tell me the whole story, Anon
Yeah maybe we can turn it into a book or something.
Joker's Quest.

>>39867779
...I concede to this, simply because the rate we're going we'll level up within 3 episodes, at most.

Only problem is that with both it'll be a lot of initial Encroachment to deal with.

Well, it acts as a good deterrent from spamming these abilities. Though honestly we're going to have to figure out how to vent the Lachryma from our system, shit's terrible.

>>39867752
>>39867771
>>39867779
>>39867786

ABILITY UNLOCK: FOREBODE

>>39867723

The air rips itself open. It is a crack, a tear in the empty space - Jagged at the edges, flickering, fitful, fighting to burst it's confines. Odd, moaning harmonics pulse, at the very edge of perception...

"-Something is wrong." Armaros is - as always - the master of understatement, even as he stomps out towards the blazing reality-rip; the light fluctuates, going from grey to blue to violet, seething and shuddering.

There's alarm in White Licorice's voice - Her one-handed typing becoming faster, more frantic, a taut hiss thrumming from her throat. "Joker, it's-" Lightning arcs, whipping past her; she flinches back, as a scorching track scars across the ceiling in a smoking, molten arc.

"Oh, shit-" Haze stammers out the words, tottering forward - "-what the hell *is* that?"

The fluctuations become more savage, the revolving arc of the portal beginning to glow with internal heat; a frenetic whirl of churning energies taking form at the very heart, like a blazing eye.

"I'm - I'm overriding it, but the Diadem's systems..." Licorice risks a look away from the screen, her voice frantic - "-I can't get a lock-"

"It doesn't matter-!" there is a snarl in Rook's voice, as he crouches to spring - "-Get us *in* there-"

(Continued)

>>39867796
We can always go the route of the last Metroid Prime 3 level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nrm8dGQXNA
At 3:40

If you can't stop the corruption, embrace it.

>>39867796
It's 40% Encroachment. It's unlikely our health will drop that low in most fights.

>>39867821
I really want to play Metroid Prime 2 and 3, even if I heard they're not as good as one.

Should I just emulate them?

>>39867824
A bad enough hit can and does do that shit, man.

Let's not forget our suicidal charge against Bardiel. Or the fact that...forgot his name, but Timefucker (Ixiom, maybe?) literally knocked us down to a single digit.

>>39867807

"A blind jump?" Haze sounds utterly, utterly appalled - "What if we - If we go through *that*-"

The clack-clack-clack of White Licorice's branching digits against the phantom keys is relentless, now - A constant rattle, as sparks shudder from the twisting rings of the portal, fighting to hold itself together against the wrenching torque of immense internal forces.

Daegal seems about to reach out for her - But common sense wins out, and he holds back, agonized.

"What do we do? Licorice, *what do we do*?"

His voice seems to snap her back to the here-and-now; the entire building is beginning to quake, now, the ground trembling beneath your feet. With a desperate glance over her shoulder-

"If - If I had more *time*-"

[ ] "Armaros, can you stabilize the portal?"
[ ] "Daegal, can you do anything?"
[ ] "The Nihl Sphere-"
[ ] "Everyone move. Now."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39867862
>Should I just emulate them?
Eh, that will be hard.
Their control schemes are very dependant on controllers.
MP 1 and 2 require the Gamecube's shoulder buttons (triggers with buttons inside) for the lock-on system to actually work.

MP3 might be easier to emulate, if you have a Wiimote lying around and a bluetooth connection to your PC.

Oh and the Wii versions of MP1 and 2 are shit.

As for the game quality: MP2 has this issue where the endgame is really drawn out due to the key collection, the environments are less varied in MP1 and the interconnections between the worlds are fewer than you would expect, causing massive confusion.

MP3 is too linear. WAY too fucking linear. It also has far less upgrades and about half of the ones that you get are redundant or useless outside of building bridges.
However, it has nice art direction and the locations are really fucking beautifully designed.

Ixion fucked us up bad. I loved that fight.

>>39867796
I still think that Resist and Frame Integrity might help with that

>>39867888
>"The Nihl Sphere-"
>"Everyone move. Now."

I imagine we'll need to feed it some more Essence afterwards.

>>39867888
>[ ] "Armaros, can you stabilize the portal?"

Let's keep the Nihl sphere as last resort. It should be able to stabilize it even at the last possible moment.

...How will we give Licorice the tank?

>>39867900
I emulated the first Prime. Only played an hour or two of it, but if you figure out the right M+KB setup it works pretty well.
It's a little awkward at first, but once you find a comfortable set of keybinds it's fine.

>>39867888
>[ ] "Daegal, can you do anything?"
>[ ] "The Zinia-"

>>39867900
Also we're already at Phaaze-tier corruption, I'm pretty sure Hollow Sun pulled a Gunship on us and would see us as Black Joker.

I'm worried about the fact that however the way Samus got rid of her Phazon infection won't be an option for Joker.

I've got an Xbox 360 controller though. Think that might be a good alternative? Despite the obvious bastardization of using that to play a Nintendo game, or try to replicate a Gamecube controller.

>>39867921
This. If we can be specific enough, try to focus that sucker on Totenaz. The sooner we link up with him, the better.

>>39867913
I think Frame Integrity is just crit-hit resistance. You're probably right and a few levels in Resist should reduce Encroachment rates.

>>39867963
>reduce Encroachment rates
We should really get the next Athame tier in case it lets us expend Encroachment for something.
It's supposed to be pretty good even if it doesn't.

>>39867888

[x] "Armaros, can you stabilize the portal?"
[x] "The Nihl Sphere-"

>>39867975
>I'm dying from poison!
>I KNOW, I'LL USE *MORE* POISON, that'll fix it!

Goddamnit Anon, we're NOT taking another Athame upgrade. If not because it's bad for us, then because there's a horde of better options that leave it dead last in terms of priority.

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>>39867963
>I think Frame Integrity is just crit-hit resistance. You're probably right and a few levels in Resist should reduce Encroachment rates.

Yeah I know what it original does. Believed the path might have changed alongside our evolution though

I hate the fact that I can't ignore what's in the box and want Ability Unlock

>>39867995
It was split up because it was overpowered. Ⓞ ⓥ ⓔ ⓡ ⓟ ⓞ w ⓔ ⓡ ⓔ ⓓ

We are getting the fucking Athame upgrade, Anonymous, even if we don't put any more level ups into it.

>>39867975
I'm gonna have to say no to any more Athame upgrades. Even if it would be good, the many downsides should be obvious.

>>39867999
No Mystery Boxes, goddamnit. Nice trips, though.

>>39867963
>Think that might be a good alternative?
You could try to make a system based on how strong the trigger is pressed - Press it enough and it counts as the button. But that would be finnicky.

Your best bet would be to use the button inside of the left analog stick. Metroid Prime doesn't have a sprint button, after all.
Might be weird in boss fights, though.

Roughly, this would be my idea:
RT for right trigger.
RB for B button, to jump.
LT for left trigger.
LB for Z.
A to shoot.
B to lock target (inside button of the left trigger).

Something like this should be doable, imo. However, RB/LB tend to be hard to press in quick succession, which is important in the game.

>>39867999
I wish we could get Ability Unlock and the unlocked primary weapons.

>>39867963
That's retarded, why would we go defensive ever? Lets get storm shroud/cackle instead. Those are insane.

>>39867975
This might work.

>>39867888
Armaros. If that doesn't work, Nihil sphere

>>39867995
>>39868007
We're not going to suddenly die and/or go insane because we put one point into an upgrade with several more tiers.

>>39868015
>Lets get storm shroud/cackle instead. Those are insane.
They also effectively half our HP for an indeterminate time span when we cast both.

>>39868005
I'll put it to you like this, I get the feeling taking it will narratively be as bad as upgrading the bits to Rifle.

Also, take some of this shit with a grain of salt.

Let's not forget even Oblivion's Husk options had to be fine-tuned to be less OP.

>>39868015
>>39868019
Listen, if you want to go on slurping Chtulhujuice, go straight fucking ahead.
Just don't expect us to follow you down your golden path of retardation and abstain from the horrid shit that will no doubt result from that choice.

>>39867925
>How will we give Licorice the tank?
We need to keep the Teleport Homer.

"Daegal, summon the tank.

I'll get us through."
And then use the Nihl.

>>39868031
>>39868036
I guarantee you putting a single more level up into the Athame will have fuck-all effect narratively.

>>39868031
Stop bullying the interceptors
They just want to help

>>39868053
That's nice of you to tell us that, JQOP.
Otherwise, some people would have to continue pulling shit out of their asses.

>>39868015
>That's retarded, why would we go defensive ever? Lets get storm shroud/cackle instead. Those are insane.
>Why would we be able to use more of these abilities without significant penalty?
>Let's take more of the abilities that come with a significant penalty, some of which will easily be fucked up and leave us with nothing or an insta-kill when Stormshroud explodes on us with fairly high Encroachment.

I swear some of you people look at how awesome the option is and don't give two fucks about the consequences of it going wrong.

You're supposed to plan for shit going wrong, not right.

>>39868065
>That's nice of you to tell us that, JQOP.

(You're welcome.)

>>39868053
>>39868065
>>39868080
wat

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>>39868007
>No Mystery Boxes, goddamnit. Nice trips, though

But just think about Anon
A whole new dimension of combat can lie in that box
Its waiting
For you to open it

>>39868080

(Uh, that's not actually me.)

>>39867992
>>39867925
>>39867921

> [x] "Armaros, can you stabilize the portal?"

He doesn't answer - Not with words. His great gauntlets ball into fists, the hum of his Distortion Halo building to a fever pitch. Space *compresses*, the very air crisping and ionizing. Warping energies boil around the portal, flaring out in spasming tendrils of light; the flickering, almost painful frittinency of the energy envelope diminishes, the tear in space receding - slowly, one agonizing inch at a time, confined within itself-

His arms lock, braced wide - As if he's physically holding the portal open, preventing it from closing.

"Hurry. Up." Armaros grates, strain in his rumbling voice-

> [x] "The Nihl Sphere-"

Your Helix Gauntlet irises open, the orb within crazing with violet light. White Licorice has time for one startled glance-

The portal's runes light up like phosphorescent flares. Straight lines of dazzling white power link them together, shooting from one to another until a geometric web of frosty light encases the portal. "It's...It's working," White Licorice breathes, as if she can't quite believe it - Even as the Nihl Sphere's glow diminishes, ever-so-slightly, burning cold in its setting. "-I didn't..."

(Continued)

>>39868084
Check out the trip, it was a joke.

>>39868065
>>39868080

You're getting messed with. Check trips and stop assuming his tripcode falls off that often.

>>39868090
>(Uh, that's not actually me.)
Yeah that was the joke.
I'm surprised >>39868084 actually fell for it.

>>39868076
What? Stormshroud explodes but that doesn't mean it hurts us you idiot. We've been able to blow up Fortress Mode before and suffer no damage for it. Plus, the ability works AMAZINGLY with how we fight right now.

>>39868090

I hope we get the chance to turn Forebode on before we jump through, I just know Enfer has set up a trap for us.

>>39868113
That was a controlled detonation.
The description states this detonates violently, which means it's going to hurt us.

>>39868134
>turn Forebode on before we jump through
Forebode is automatic. We don't get to choose to activate it.

>>39868113
Either way, we need other stuff before we get more encroachment.
Like ways to increase our HP.

>>39868134
It's a reflexive ability.
A spider sense.

>>39868113
JQOP, would Stormshroud do damage on detonation or is it outward only?

Because if not, then yeah, you're right and it probably should be snatched up.

Though you're also arguing for a defensive ability, you know. That said I'm still interested in the Volcano Cannons and will vote for those first. I'd rather stronger on-hand offensive capabilities. It has paying cost (and hey we can use Rubi and Cag summoning it too) but once it's in it's in until the fight's over.

>>39868144
We already have consume and leech. Getting anymore is pointless and doesn't suit our super aggressive fighting style.

Lets try to get hurt less, not have better ways of managing it.

>>39868143
>>39868144

Missed that bit.

>>39868151
Stormshield causes damage in close combat, makes us completely immune and will only hit us painfully if we let ourselves get hit.

The best on that list is Cackle, Forbode, Stormshroud and Volcano Cannons. Mebbe the axe but we already have [KURA] which is fucking lethal.

>>39868159
>Lets try to get hurt less, not have better ways of managing it.
This amounts to the same fucking thing.
Defensive upgrades.

>>39868151
Yeah, preferring the cannons, as well.

Anyway, let's not take Oblivion's Husk as our next upgrade.
First comes base stuff.

>>39868144
>Reconstruction
>SYNTHESIS - SCYLLA

I can see both helping
Upgrading Scylla should make it hopefully more effective at attacking and surviving and reconstruction is self explanatory I hope

>>39868169
>not Fatalism
Are you not aware of how often we get crippled by crits?

>>39868176
I'd select Leech Module over Scylla.

>>39868151

(The blast is only outwards only - It's the equivalent of the field 'shorting out', affecting those around you. It is more stunning than damaging, however.)

>>39868090

"Licorice." This is perhaps the first time you've ever heard Armaros address her directly. His visor cycles, spinal lock engaging in his straining limbs. "-*Hurry*."

>>39868043

> "Daegal, summon the tank. I'll get us through."

"Wha - R, right!"

Daegal catches the Teleport Homer, as you toss it at him - One-handed. For an agonizing moment, he fumbles the catch - the lambent glow infusing the beacon, as he turns away-

A chime, like the pealing of bells. The holographic images flicker, resolving into the alien symbols you've never seen - but which make perfect sense to you, delivering their meaning directly to your brain. And through the portal...

A pulse. The echo of a Joker icon, faintly, like a far-off memory, on the very periphery of your senses.

"We have a lock!" Licorice blurts out - "Which one do I-?"

[ ] "The Terminal! Take us to the Terminal!"
[ ] "-The Simulation Nexus, *now*."
[ ] "Cryptid Storage-"
[ ] "The Preservatorium-"
[ ] "Forget those. Triangulate the signal, and send us in."

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39868187
>[ ] "Forget those. Triangulate the signal, and send us in."

Time to join our other bro.

>>39868187
>Forget those. Triangulate the signal, and send us in."

>>39868187
>[ ] "Forget those. Triangulate the signal, and send us in."

Wait, wasn't the Terminal one of the consoles?
If yes, we might stall the Diadem.

>>39868187
Point conceded. Stormshroud is entirely worth it.

Volcano Cannon first. If we're taking a bunch of them, go defensive-offensive-defensive and so on.

[x]"Forget those. Triangulate the signal. We're bailing Totenaz out. NOW."

>>39868183
Crits are less likely to happen if (a), we move fast and (b), have a higher overall defense.

>>39868170
Look, we aren't built for defense, okay? We have a shield and a cloak; focus on dodging and hitting hard. We're high DPS and evasion focused.

>>39868187
Triangulate.

>>39868207
I think I'll go with either Stormshroud or Volcano cannons.

>>39868211
>focus on dodging and hitting hard
Then upgrade the stasis field, the cloak and the shield. Those are also defensive upgrades.

>>39868183
Eh the way I saw it was I'd rather we'd do even more damage while healing at the same time instead of having to kill someone to get the heal with the added benefit of them having to deal with fighting off enhanced Scylla's from multiple directions plus the Joker himself

>>39868236
But all they do is defense and thus, aren't worth it. Upgrading our initiative and generally debuffing enemy players? That does more than just one thing.

Plus, now we're both saying upgrading the cloak is a better option. Also, first chance we get; distortion halo for ourselves and give the Interceptors to Kazuya.

>>39868278
>But all they do is defense and thus, aren't worth it
Are you retarded? Stasis, the cloak and the shield are all debuffing our enemies and increasing our avenues for attack.

Also, note that the first Guard upgrade increased our melee attack strength.

Also, Kazuya is already using the Lucifers.

>>39868307

It didn't increase our strength all that much, only enough to off set the increased weight of our new armor.

>>39868196
>>39868199
>>39868204
>>39868207
>>39868211

> [X] "Forget those. Triangulate the signal, and send us in."

"If - If you're *sure*-"

> [X] "We're bailing Totenaz out. NOW."

A new note enters the rising symphony of power - the portal's lights shimmering one last time, stabilizing. It is impossible to see what lies beyond; red light, like the issue of a dying sun, shafting through the cracks-

With an explosive exhalation, Armaros releases the field. The portal shudders in its frame, the gleaming metal arcs bulging-

"Go - go *now*-!"

It's not really a surprise to see that Rook is the first one to leap through the portal - He hurls himself through it, in a leaping pounce; Headfirst, his form falling into the faltering disc of energy, swallowed up by it without a trace. Haze hesitates, but he's only a heartbeat behind - With Armaros's long, lumbering strides covering the distance, surging right towards it, he doesn't really have a choice.

Behind you, a thunderclap. The Red Comet's battered chassis manifests with a plosive bang of displaced air - You hear Daegal's shout, and you turn as the Teleport Homer smacks solidly into the palm of your gauntlet-

"Come on-"

And then Kazuya's sprinting for the portal. All-out, his arms pumping for extra speed - Even as you ignite the Tempest Scrander, hurling yourself forward like a bullet. For one frozen instance, you glimpse White Licorice faltering, stumbling back to glance at the massive combat chassis behind her...

A sickening twist of translation-

(Continued)

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>>39868353

>>39868307
Kazu isn't using the Lucifiers, the fuck are you saying? We have them equipped.

Also, Shield is a decent but we have better melee weapons now and it works perfectly fine as is. We're already increasing Cloak and if we get Stormshroud, Stasis is rendered pointless.

>>39868376
>if we get Stormshroud, Stasis is rendered pointless.

>Let's get more evasive abilities instead of tanking!
>Also, let's start tanking everything while fighting at reduced Max HP!

I'm tired of arguing with you.

>>39868395
Encroachment doesn't reduce health at all, allows attack and defense, is constant and, once destroyed, blasts enemies back.

The last time we got Guard, we got Stasis, we got slightly stronger and tougher and we also got slower. You're clearly a fucking idiot.

>>39868455

The increase in our strength was enough to offset the weight of the amror.

>>39868353

The teleport burst scorches and jolts every molecule of your form. Your balance is screwed, the world wavering before your altered senses - Askew, unsteady, static blurring your field of vision, fighting for coherence. You are - you can see...

The very first thing you notice - the very first sensation - is of absolute silence.

You lie amidst great machinery, the interior superstructure of the vast space filled with a vast network of chrome pipes, rods and cablework. A massive airgate. Mooring assemblies. There is power in the air, the throb of massive capacitors, logic-engines, a maze of shadow and angles with asymmetrical clusters of metal struts, bulkheads, intestinal ducts-

All absolutely silent. The kind of silence that comes with deafness, an enforced absence of sound.

Distortion Haze lies where he's landed, smoking, his limbs moving weakly. Rook is on his side, twitching like a dog with nightmares. Armaros's metal bulk is motionless, though his fingers have gouged deep furrows into the deck plating; to your side, Daegal struggles to one knee, then crumples again, too disorientated to stand.

You're not alone. You're not.

A splintered helm - a grinning skull, in off-white ivory - lies before you, the lens smashed. There are others, scattered around the chamber; Black-clad bodies, already turning grey, already dissolving into ash. One or two are still on fire - Others lie in pieces, carved. Or perhaps 'hacked to death' is the better word; there is a frenzy in the attack that laid them low, that sheared them limb-from-limb, as if merely killing them wasn't enough.

(Continued)

>>39868455
It does.

You don't get that Encroachment is a balancing act.

It goes down very slowly. I fear we'll even have some residual shit left over from one fight to the next should they happen in rapid succession (no reason to believe they won't) and you can basically consider its percentage a flat chop from HP.

It's at 30% from Stormshroud and Forebode? We have 130% HP for that fight. It may drop 5-10% during the fight itself, depending on how protracted it is.

We have two options: more HP, less Encroachment gain. Also you're wrong about getting Stasis from Guard. We got it from Totenaz the last time we were onboard the Diadem and we failed to read between the lines about Hellebore and got fucked even harder on the Hyades situation.

We've not put a single level into it, IIRC. Just the first actual guard upgrade, and that was before we hit "Max Level"-tier, where the upgrade options opened up a bit.

>>39868508
>Very slowly
And how the fuck would you know, we haven't used it once yet except that one battle which ended the instant after we used it.

>>39868540
Because JQOP said that it drains slowly over time when he fucking explained the Encroachment system a month or two back.

It's a system with consequence, it's very likely that we'll have small amounts of it left over as we start a new fight. High risk and reward because the more we tap on it the more we have to consistently do damage to regen health to keep from hitting that ever-rising brain/soul death point.

>>39868508
>We got it from Totenaz the last time we were onboard the Diadem
No we didn't. We got it from a level-up after killing one of our allies during the Smiler Raid. Totenaz offered to modify the Stasis Field using a relic to make it into an invisibility field, but we rejected that offer..

>>39868601
Right, nevermind. Misremembered that, we rejected him because it'd lose the Stasis effect.

In that regard, apologies. A lot of shit happens that's practically history at this point.

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>>39868503

You get your legs under you, as the sickening sense of dislocation diminishes. You pull yourself to your feet, and see-

It's a tableau, before you. The flare of a blade of burning light, a synthetic bloodshine flash. The Silencer's sword lashes out in savage arcs, shedding sparks with each swing - spinning outwards, utterly bestial, shearing and slashing and striking-

Each time the blade meet the Fatal Abyss, you feel the clash in the hollow of your form.

Totenaz rips into the skull-masked figure. There is equal fury in his attack - the Fatal Abyss becomes a reckless smear of black steel, carving through the air with impossible speed.

The end comes swiftly. The Thief *moves*, his motions almost ethereal in the swirl of his tattered black coat...

-slice-

The Silencer's arm goes spinning through the air. The red-flaming sword gutters out - when it hits the ground, two long strides from you, it shatters like glass. Chips of energy skitter across the floor, fading out, dissolving.

Totenaz does not strike with his sword. He makes his hand a spear, and puts it through the Silencer's heart.

Sound returns in a rush. The air seems to shudder with the dying echoes of a shriek - the fluid blackness of Lachryma linking them, in pulsing, twisting veins, sinking into the Thief's arm; the color lost against the crow-black of his duster, swirling around him as he rips his hand free. Black gobbets of foulness twisting around him, and he shudders - Fingers flexing, experimentally, within his glove as he makes his hand a fist.

And he says, barely audible, almost lost in the returning clamor of machinery-

"-Better."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39868720
"Sick"

Fist bump

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>>39868720
"Hey buddy, still alive?"

>>39868720
"You're the smart one of the group, so I'm just going to trust that you know your limits and that overstepping them when Lachryma is a part of the equation is never a good idea."

>>39868788
this

>>39868788
It's "Yo, buddy, still alive?"

>>39868859
It's been like eight years since I played ACZ, give me a break.

>>39868720
"So, which one do you call dibs on?
Rook wants Alura and I want her eyes.

White Joker is mine, though."

>>39868892
Yo, buddy, just correcting the quote. You'd want to do it right, wouldn't you? A reference completely lost on him (and even if he did get it, he wouldn't care) might as well be right.

>>39868898
We need to ask him this? There's only one person onboard he'll take joy in killing.

After all, it's about time the student proved he surpassed the master. I mean Phantom Edge.

>>39868892
>>39868917
What are you referencing, anyway?

>>39868933
Ace Combat Zero.

>>39868933
Ace Combat Zero. A game about jet pilots with a pretty likeable antagonist.

>>39868720

Don't forget to introduce Daegal and Totenaz

>>39868788

> "Yo, buddy, still alive?"

The Thief turns, sharply. There is wariness in that swift motion, the Fatal Abyss brought up to guard - A lurid ember glow in the eyeslits of his helm. For a moment, you almost doubt that he can remember you-

And - with a grunt of effort - he wrenches the quivering blade down.

"You're late," he says, without ire - the closest he comes to cracking a smile. His glance goes past you, to take in the others; "-Brought the others, too. Safety in numbers - Or company in death."

Then:

"Good to see you, Joker."

> "You're the smart one of the group, so I'm just going to trust that you know your limits and that overstepping them when Lachryma is a part of the equation is never a good idea."

Totenaz looks you up and down - the slight pressure of his gaze taking in your altered form, the snaking tendrils that coil from your back, the molten cracks that fan fault-lines through your armor, from the impaling spike of the Athame.

And then he says - with an exquisite lack of irony:

"I'll keep that in mind."

>>39868898
>>39868917

"Hnh." Totenaz turns his head away - Perhaps his thoughts are too close to the surface, too easily read. The fingers of his hand clack, as they flex beneath his glove.

"Akira-" There's a screech of metal, as Daegal drags himself up; "-Holy shit, is that you?" The stammer is back in his voice, as if he can't quite believe what he's looking at - Even though he's seen Totenaz all the way back in the shelter, the truth of it has left him speechless.

"...Kazuya." An aside glance, in your direction - He's silent, but there's something approving in his nod. "About time."

(Continued)

>>39868933
Ace Combat Zero, part of the AC Holy Trinity and probably the best exit to said trinity you could ask for.

Give it a shot if you've got a PS2. Or the whole Holy Trinity of 4,5, and 0. Make sure to play them in order, since each improves on the last and 5 and 0's plots are linked together a bit.

Random thought:

Old Joker was killed by us. He wanted to die.
What if it was because of the effects of the Athame?

>>39869014
>Give it a shot if you've got a PS2
Or a PC capable of emulating PS2 games, so long as you can put up with a few graphical glitches.
>>39869017
I'm pretty sure he's been described a few times and none of those descriptions were even vaguely spooky.

>>39868993

"Dude, you've been gone for *ever* - Do you...Do you *know* what's happening out there? The entire day's been *insane* - It's all...It's all-"

Words fail him. Kazuya's arms fall to his sides.

"-They're dead," he says, at last. "Everyone I know - they're all dead, or they're all in on it. God, I keep hoping - I keep hoping that someone can *explain* it all to me..."

Totenaz waits, until Daegal goes quiet - until he's simply run out of words. When he takes a step forward, Kazuya tenses - Until the Thief places a gloved hand, the hand that is his own, on Daegal's shoulder.

"It's been a long time, Kazuya."

A kind of laugh saws from Daegal's speakers. He seems to sag, in resignation or in relief. "Yeah," he says, hanging his head. "-Yeah, it has."

(Continued)

>>39869017
Then we shouldve acquired the Athame since it was on him when he died. Instead, Hellebore had it, somehow.

>>39869106
We also don't have the Beam Magnum.

>>39868585
He said at a medium speed, not slowly.

>>39869072
The Great Triangle of Brodom, reunited!

>>39869072
Awww yiss, the A-Team is back together

>>39869172
We should have brought Natsumi...

>>39869172
>Armaros, Rook, and Haze left out in the cold
>Tri-Stars considered B-Team.

Cold, bro.

>>39869189
Bro-dom is automatically dimished when a woman is present. You should know that.

>>39869282
Does Haze count? He could probably pass for one.

>>39869200
Rook is an honorary member. Haze comes with him.

Armaros doesn't really care about camaraderie.

Also, Bishamon still probably wants to kill us, so the Tri-Stars are right out. Shame, really, because the absolute ideal team would have been Red Joker, Daegal, Totenaz, Rook, Bishamon, and Hecate

>>39869376
Guys.

What if...what if we got Hecate...power armor? And she can't fit into the helmet because of her horns?

>>39869414
FUCK

>>39869414
>Pazuzu.
Didn't expect to face him this early, but let's murder the fucker next time.

Night, JQOP.

>>39869414
Fuck.

Thanks for running, JQOP.

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>>39869072

And then-

A white thunderbolt blasts through your sensors, and for one nerveless second, you think the Diadem's engines have activated. But the agony passes, fading to ringing and roaring, gathering itself into a voice-

A Voice.

You know that Voice.

It is on all channels. It is as though the Diadem itself has found a voice, and it roars.

Daegal doubles over. Even the Thief flinches, the lenses of his helm cycling.

I SEE YOU, JOKER.

"Who-" Kazuya manages - "Who's tha-"

Pazuzu.

I SEE YOU, HALF-CREATURE AND PLAGUEBEARER.

I SEE YOU, FALSE IDOL AND KNIGHT OF LIES.

"Monster," Armaros rasps. He pushes himself to his knees, swaying to his feet. You have never heard so much raw hatred in a human voice.

SEND YOUR SOLDIERS. SEND ARMIES. SEND THEM ALL.

"Where-" Haze, moving feebly - the harsh edges of his chequered armor scraping against the deck playing. "-he's *watching* us...?"

FOR THE DAY OF PROPHECY IS HERE, AND ALL THE ECHOES AND SHADOWS OF TRUTH HAVE GATHERED.

COME, JOKER.

DEATH AWAITS.
.
.
.
.
JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 133

TO BE CONTINUED

>>39869477

(Gentlemen, my apologies: It's extremely late on my end, and I have a full week tomorrow. This looks like a natural breakpoint, so I'll pause here for the night.

You've been a wonderful audience - Good night and God bless, and I'll see you again next week.)

>>39869477
>"Where-"
I guess using the Nihl Sphere wasn't the best idea.

>>39869477
So we look to Rook, and just say, in monotone...
"Meet my personal Alura."

And then we finish what he started at Nara Dreamland all those months ago.

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>>39869477
I've been waiting for this moment

>>39869477
Endgame begins

>>39869477

What, the Thief doesn't get a fancy title?

>>39869503
Nope, that's retarded. We also hate Alura by quite a bit.

Didn't Kazuya and Natsumi meet Hecate in the Real?

"You know what. I can't decide if I'd rather kill Naoya or this chucklefuck."

>>39869477
Anyone against using EXEC_REAP on this guy and asking about Hecate?

>>39869536
I think they were all for us.
>>39869548
Yeah, why not.

>>39869548
Knowing Pazuzu, his essence signature would likely invade our brain or something.

>>39869477
Thief gets Pazuzu. Rook gets Alura. We get White Joker.

>>39869545
Dunno what Naoya's doing right now. Didn't Pazazu say that he's betrayed the Smilers?

What is that asshole up to?

>>39869545
>"You know what. I can't decide if I'd rather kill Naoya or this chucklefuck."
>whynotboth.jpg

>>39869566
However, we collect Pazuzu's second eye, as well as both of Alura's eyes.

>>39869404
Too cute.

>>39869477
Finally we meet him, now to beat him up and have him tell us what he did to Hecate and where to find her. Also, I wonder what kind of ability we'll unlock from Pazuzu if we assimilate him...hrmmm.

>>39869562

No, I think

Half-creature; Rook
Plaguebearer; Haze
False idol; Daegal
Knight of Lies; Armaros.

>>39869562
They can be all for us if you interpret them that way, but they can also apply to each member of our band.

Rook - Half-Creature
Haze - Plaguebearer
Daegal - False Idol
Armaros - Knight of Lies

>>39869562
>I think they were all for us.
Rook is the half-creature.
Haze is the plaguebearer.
Daegal is the false idol. Possibly.
And Amaros is the knight of lies. Probably.

>>39869545
Alura didn't wound us nearly on par as losing Hecate did. Which is saying a lot considering she literally tore out parts of our soul. Should see if we can get them back somehow.

Overdramatic, sure, but this asshole is ours.

>>39869536
Those were the listings. If anything I think either Daegal or Haze got left out.

Half-creature - Thief. Remember his situation.

Plaguebearer - Arguably Haze in a literal sense but definitely Rook. His time's limited by Lachryma and whatever they have to survive it he lacks.

False Idol - Daegal, Lord of the Hollow Sun.

Knight of Lies - Armaros. Always acting on Argent's behalf, doing both the things he was proud of and the dirty work Argent didn't want the others to partake in.

>>39869592
Ah, makes sense. The speech seems to be directed at us, but you're right. It could be that Pazuzu can't see the Thief. Could be JQOP giving us a hint for strategy.

>>39869611
>It could be that Pazuzu can't see the Thief
He is missing an eye, after all.
And he'll soon be missing another. As well as the rest of his body.

>>39869627
Remember, we grind him into an ash tray.

>>39869608
She also kinda tortured Cybele for shits and giggles. Also the betrayal during the raid hurt us, as well.
I mean, we betrayed her, but that was very undignified. Cybele deserves some revenge in her memory.

Recap for this episode:

We finally arrive at the portal. While we wait for it to open again, we talk to Kazuya, and try and reaffirm his resolve once again. He talks to us about becoming desentized to the constant violence and murder in the Red, and asks us to tell him our story when this is over. We also offer to leave the Red Comet to White Licorice, so she can escape.
Finally, the portal opens for us, but something goes wrong, and we decide to risk a blind jump into the coordinates we deciphered from the Thief, aided by the Nihl Sphere.
Once there, we see Thief facing off against a Silencer, one of his clones implanted with Lachryma. After dealing with it, he absorbs its remains, and we warn him about the dangers of Lachryma abuse without a trace of irony whatsoever.
With him and Kazuya by our side, we momentarily relax, but then Pazuzu shows up, blasting us from our feet.
The episode ends there.

>>39870018
>desentized
desensitized

>we decide to risk a blind jump into the coordinates we deciphered from the Thief
We did the opposite of a blind jump, by stabilizing the portal with Amaro's Distortion Halo and then using the Nihl Sphere to get through securely.
The blind jump would have happened had we not done any of this.
Might also mention that we still manage to leave the tank with Licorice. That's actually more important than our promise to leave the tank with her.

>but then Pazuzu shows up, blasting us from our feet
Pazuzu's mocking voice, you mean.

>>39870018
I don't think Pazuzu appeared.

He just knows we're there. And he's telling us we walked straight to our deaths.

>>39870109
Changed
>Finally, the portal opens for us, but something goes wrong, and we decide to risk a blind jump into the coordinates we deciphered from the Thief, aided by the Nihl Sphere.
>Finally, the portal opens for us, but something goes wrong. We manage to stabilize the portal because of Armaros' Distortion Halo and the Nihl Sphere, and use it to jump to Totenaz's position.

Also changed Pazuzu blasting us from our feet to Pazuzu's voice doing the same.

>>39870215
That works.

What about the tank? It's important to know that we won't be able to summon it later down the line.

>>39870277
Whoops. Added
>Meanwhile, Daegal summons the tank for Licorice.

Also, I updated the pastebin section so it includes the guide about the Diadem raid and the Oblivion's Husk guide.
http://pastebin.com/xBDW8VrX