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Some Simple Suggestions for not Sucking at A4 in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #34
quote:
Originally written by Ash Lael:

Seriously, I can't imagine it would be that hard. Jeff's combat is really easy.
Expand your mind and be a bit more imaginative - it can be that hard. Particularly if you can't level up...
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Some Simple Suggestions for not Sucking at A4 in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #27
...which gets me thinking. Why would not a nephil priest be better?

The Slith advantage is pole weapons skill which requires melee. But a slith is not inherently able to be a full-time melee player without significant enhancement of melee skills. A nephil still has the weapon specific bonus to deal significant physical damage when required but doesn't require the physical buffing necessary for a slith (at the expense of magical training lets not forget).

I think the reason is that people have a romantic attachement to the D&D style cleric who can muck in when required... not because there is something inherently obvious about the Slith and Priest combination (unlike, let us say, the Dwarf and Priest combination of all the D&D ilk).

For your consideration.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Some Simple Suggestions for not Sucking at A4 in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #26
Vlish et al.

I recognise your arguments but my question is then - why a Slith? What does the Slith give you that you don't get from your tactics alone. Why a Slith priest rather than a human priest with pure spirit? (being approximately equivalent XP penalty wise)

The Big Poke? I much preferred repeated and inexorable application of spells that hit the target's weakness. Why walk towards them for the Big Poke and run when in the same time you would have hit them with four or five applications of the damage dealing spell of your choice - Smite, Bolt of Fire, etc...
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Some Simple Suggestions for not Sucking at A4 in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #21
I second Alorael's comment on sliths.

In one game I had a human elite warrior and a slith as my front line fighters. These are both equivalent in terms of XP penalty and they were, thus, at almost identical levels throughout the game. From the middle to late-middle of the game the slith just couldn't cut it because his defensive skills weren't sufficient. Even with insane buffing from augmentation and enduring armour my slith had a nasty habit of dying regularly.

Corollary: Parry - learn it, love it, use it.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Number words in English in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #16
quote:
Originally written by Eimp:

Wiktionary claims that the and correct in British English and incorrect in American English, but I can't find any other reference.

I can certainly say that Australians do not refer to the year two thousand five - it is two thousand and five. Similarly, we say a car has a hundred and twenty killowatts of power not the American one hundred twenty horsepower (or 160 hp if you prefer :) ).

What sounds wrong to everyone's ears is undoubtedly based on where they grew up (or learnt English). The American way sounds wrong to me. What is correct will depend on the audience.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Aussies Come Here in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #41
quote:
Originally written by NaNoWriMo:

Ferociously cute! Such cute, sharp little teeth - you don't suppose it'd hurt me if I reached out to pet--- nyaaargh!

Seriously, how do you stay alive with that many lethal critters around? The mind, it boggles.

Sticks. Sharp, pointy sticks. And vegemite.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Mac OS X in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #19
I just noticed this topic so would add my own experience which seems directly relevant.

I was running a 400MHz iMac on OS 9 for a long time. I upgraded it to OS X 10.3 about a year ago (that was actually necessary for me to get broadband working through my ISP - no Apple support but OS X was able to work regardless, OS 9 just didn't). It was perfectly useable in OS X through to about 10.3.7. OS X 10.3.9 is a bit slow on it though. I couldn't really run iMovie on it. I had to use the OS 9 version of iMovie 2 in OS 9 if I wanted to edit movies. It has one advantage over my newest computer (a Powerbook) in that it can boot into OS 9 which is locked out on the Powerbook. Things like Escape Velocity just don't work in Classic.

I don't know what the OS 9 boot situation is on the Mac Mini, but you should check it out. The Mini is slow because it is essentially a laptop in a small desktop formfactor. That is, it runs a 4200RPM (or is it 5400RPM) hard drive which makes a lot of things feel really slow. That said, I'm really happy with my upgrade to the Powerbook (still running 10.3.9) and my iMac sits at the bottom of a closet.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Aussies Come Here in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #39
quote:
Originally written by kuc:

Lies and slander. We just want to scare the bloody tourists.

Yeah, because all the real stuff isn't scary enough.

IMAGE(http://uncyclopedia.org/images/a/ad/Drop_bear.JPG)
(I think it would be easier to list the things that can't kill you than vice versa.)

[ Thursday, November 10, 2005 13:43: Message edited by: Skippy the bush kangaroo ]
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Aussies Come Here in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #35
The reason there are Drop Bears in EV:Nova is that the developers were from Tasmania - which is only sometimes acknowledged as part of Australia.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Aussies Come Here in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #34
Actually the true origin of the Drop Bear story is that Koalas get high on eucalyptus leaves - the leaves ferment in their stomachs. If they have a really good batch of leaves they get higher than a kite and can fall out of the tree. If you happen to be underneath when they do that... well, you may not be picky about whether it is a Koala Bear or a Drop Bear.

I tell you no lies ;)
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Aussies Come Here in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #11
quote:
Originally written by Ash Lael:

In my opinion, no one should get counted as part of an Australian citizen until they've dodged at least one drop-bear.
Well I haven't dodged any drop-bears but I have warned others about them. Does that count?

I've also warned people about Wombats and sticking their hands in Wombat holes... and the snakes... and the spiders... and the jellyfish... and the sharks...

But not about the vicious way male kangaroos can rake your stomach with their hind legs if you try to get too friendly with them for a photo...

Ain't Australia grand!
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Avernum 4? in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #469
While I am more likely to play it to the sounds of "Cow's in the kitchen, moo, moo, moo" or "Bob the builder, can we fix it?"

Different strokes...
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Miers' SCOTUS nomination is withdrawn in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #5
I much prefer the initials POT USA. It is certainly appropriate for recent holders of the office -- even though some of them didn't inhale.

...which leads me to go really off-topic and wonder what ever did happen to the Presidents of the USA.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
In A4 i think that you should be able to murder in The Avernum Trilogy
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #7
I think: What's the point of changing the theft system or allowing murdering?

Regardless of how draconian the theft system is, players will work out bugs in the implementation to steal things without consequences anyway. Callous adventurers will also kill anyone they can. It's just not real life and never will be.

A case in point is the game Cythera. In that game taking something that was 'not yours' caused problems regardless of whether anyone could see you or not. People worked out that if you moved the item before taking it you could steal with impunity - and the status quo was restored.

In the end, people who care, won't steal or murder and will put other self-imposed limits on their playing; and people who don't care, will steal and use any and all cheats they can lay their hands on.

The current system works fine - those who like stealing from destitute farmhands or murdering them can do so and those who don't, don't. Neither is especially inconvenienced by the game mechanics and can play the game the way they like. The net result is more fun for more people.

[ Monday, October 17, 2005 17:45: Message edited by: Skippy the bush kangaroo ]
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
DOCTOR WHO in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #14
quote:
Originally written by Icshi:

It's good to hear Blake's Seven getting such high priase. If they put season one out on American DVD tomorrow I'd buy it, thanks to everyone's ringing endorsements.

I find it amusing that I can't suggest to you that you just order the DVD from the UK or Australia. In Australia, due to a combination of region-free DVD players, TV sets/DVD players that handle both PAL and NTSC and comparatively reasonable prices to order things from Amazon.com it doesn't really matter where in the world a DVD is released - if you are dedicated enough you can get it.

As for the new series - it captured the feel of the original only updated for contemporary standards. I suspect that Christopher Ecclestone was an important part of that. Furthermore, you weren't distracted by any failings of the special effects or sets (which you can be when rewatching old Doctor Who episodes). Watching it was fun.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
DOCTOR WHO in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #11
Doctor Who was a staple for me growing up and I love it.

As for a link between Blakes 7 and Doctor Who, it's not as tenuous as Micawber suggests. The scriptwriter plays a huge role in the feel of a show and Terry Nation was a large part of the feel of both those shows - its one of the reasons I like both shows so much.

I cheered when they brought out the new series and it hit all the right notes. Christopher Ecclestone was great as the Doctor and it's a shame he was only around for one series. Hopefully they can keep the standard up for the second season.

I think the scariest episode for me as a kid was Seeds of Doom (if I recall correctly - did that involve people being turned into plants at an Antarctic base?)
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Fav Accent in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #37
quote:
Originally written by Ash Lael:

The New Zealand accent is probably the funniest. When you pronounce "6" as "sex" you're really pre-programmed to induce laughter. Bring on the fush & chups!

Don't get me started on those 'flesh' houses they have all over the place - you would think they had one track minds.

...and watch out for the 'ice cream'.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Beta Testing Testing One Two Three Four in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #11
quote:
Originally written by Synergy67:

Did you know it already or did you have to Google it?

...Severed Heads, a band originally from Sydney and now centered in Darlinghurst? Where is that? I didn't see it on my world map.

I had to Google it.

Darlinghurst is in Sydney - its a suburb very close to the CBD. Doesn't sound like they moved at all. If you go to here and enter Darlinghusrt, in the state of NSW you will see where it is. Zoom out a few levels to get some perspective. The area called "Sydney" on the map is just the CBD.

Hope you enjoy the beta testing.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Beta Testing Testing One Two Three Four in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #3
quote:
Originally written by Synergy67:

If I randomly mentioned "Severed Heads" , would you know why?
Well, if you mentioned it randomly I wouldn't.

But, as it so happens, not really.

[ Tuesday, October 04, 2005 23:46: Message edited by: Skippy the bush kangaroo ]
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Beta Testing Testing One Two Three Four in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #1
1) Have a look at the credits for any Spiderweb game. It lists the beta testers - that should give you an idea.

2) I found it fun but there are some not-strictly-fun work-like elements to it (like paying attention and trying to precisely document bugs)

3) I think Jeff goes for multiple beta testers going over the game a few times each rather than one beta tester going over and over and over...

4) The knowledge of a job well done and your place in immortality (or at least, your name in the credits). You also get a free copy of the game.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Name everything in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #17
Everything fits snugly in my relatively thin wallet...

...except for the partridge in a pear tree. For that I had to license some technology from Galliphrey.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Name everything in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #15
$10
Two credit cards
One store credit card
Bus Pass
Driver's License
Medicare Card
Magnolia Bakery business card (yummy cupcakes)
Video store membership card
Frequent Flyer membership card
Complimentary airport lounge invitation
Next door neighbour's business card
Child care access pass
Card with online banking ID number
ATM card
My own business cards
A wad of credit card receipts
Voucher for a free gift from L'Occitane en Provence
MetroCard (empty)

...and a partridge in a pear tree.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Creation Item Stealing in Geneforge Series
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #3
quote:
Originally written by hooh:

And if its cheating, the why did Jeff make this part of the game?
Because the alternative was a real pain.

When only your Shaper could pick up stuff you had to mess around in tight spaces moving a little at a time to pick up something that was in a corner of a room or similar. It was even worse if you happened to be at the back of the pack as most Shapers would be.

Using creations to steal is an unintended consequence. But, the in game restrictions on stealing aren't exactly high regardless. You should try Cythera - it stains your soul - and even there people worked out ways around the restrictions.
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Avernum 4? in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #313
quote:
Originally written by Johnno:

This is kind of like acronyms nightmare...
But only kind of.
And it's not acronyms.
Do you think it's acrostics?
Don't get me wrong,
Reading this thread is...
Entertaining.
And I've got nothing better to do with my time.
Maybe there's a deeper, hidden message in Drakey's post?
quote:
Originally written by thingy-whatsist:

I don't know, as I haven't really tried to disable the grid. I'll check the preferences. Maybe?

Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00
Mathematical Logic... in General
Warrior
Member # 5268
Profile #18
A quick google suggests that all one can hope for on this quiz is consistent answers - not necessarily correct answers.

Please disabuse me of this notion if it is wrong (its been over a decade since I did algebra) - Q1 has a clear answer, but the answers to Q2 and Q3 can merely be consistent not 'right'.

Godel, Godel, Godel,
I made it out of axioms
Godel, Godel, Godel,
Now Godel I shall invoke
Posts: 148 | Registered: Tuesday, December 7 2004 08:00

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