SPACE JESUS: MASS EFFECT FAWTL

Game Master Freehold DM

David M Mallon wrote:

Anyone heard from LordSynos recently?

no I am going to take his turn since he hadn't been in contact.

I would have thought he'd be around by now...

"Just remember, everyone: a positive attitude brings strength, energy, motivation, and a +2 bonus to initiative."

OK, I'm trying to figure out biotic explosions because they seem really cool. I specifically took Lash and Reave because, according to the chart on page 119, they are their own sources AND detonations. If I understand the text, you hit the target with the power once to set up the source and again for the detonation. Seems simple enough.

Except

Certain biotic and tech powers, when used in conjunction, can explode for devastating effects. Typically this requires a target to be affected by a persistent power of effect (Pull, Reave, Singularity, etc) and are struck with another—but different—attack to trigger a biotic explosion. This detonation power need not necessarily be biotic in nature; the source power determines the type of explosion, the detonation power is merely the catalyst.

(Bolding mine).

Source power: Lash Detonation power: Lash

Type: Attack Duration: Instant

Type: Attack Duration: 1 or see text Recharge: 3

So by my reading, Lash is an instant power not a persistent one, so can never be used as a source. Reave has a duration of 1 (generally) but a recharge of 3, so it will wear off before it ever recharges for a detonation use.

Am I reading this wrong? Do you have to have a team of at least 2 coordinated biotics to make detonations work? Dern could detonate his tech field unassisted.

I swear to WHATEVER GODS MAY BE I am not as stupid as my trouble with this RPG makes me seem.

Am I reading this wrong? Do you have to have a team of at least 2 coordinated biotics to make detonations work? Dern could detonate his tech field unassisted.

I swear to WHATEVER GODS MAY BE I am not as stupid as my trouble with this RPG makes me seem.

You're reading it basically right, but the way it was written in the book could be a f+&$-up on the part of the game designer. As written, Reave can only last for an extended number of exchanges if the Volatile Neuro Reave evolution is taken. In the case of Dern's Tech Armor, detonation is part of the ability, not part of a combo.

This might be a case for a house rule, GM permitting, but on the other hand, outside of single-player (because Commander Shepard is basically a superhero), detonating your own power combos is pretty hard, and you need to be fairly high-level to do it.

As far as combo detonations go, this party seems to be pretty light on powers that work with them, without a whole lot of synergy. As of right now:

Hestia:
- Reave (primes & detonates biotic explosions)
- Lash (primes (maybe) & detonates biotic explosions)
Dern:
- Incinerate (primes fire explosions, detonates cryo & tech bursts)
Grace:
- Disruptor Ammo (primes tech bursts)
Gir:
- Decoy (detonates tech bursts)

FHDM: thoughts?

Hestia Harper wrote:

Am I reading this wrong? Do you have to have a team of at least 2 coordinated biotics to make detonations work? Dern could detonate his tech field unassisted.

I swear to WHATEVER GODS MAY BE I am not as stupid as my trouble with this RPG makes me seem.

You're reading it basically right, but the way it was written in the book could be a f!~!-up on the part of the game designer. As written, Reave can only last for an extended number of exchanges if the Volatile Neuro Reave evolution is taken. In the case of Dern's Tech Armor, detonation is part of the ability, not part of a combo.

This might be a case for a house rule, GM permitting, but on the other hand, outside of single-player (because Commander Shepard is basically a superhero), detonating your own power combos is pretty hard, and you need to be fairly high-level to do it.

As far as combo detonations go, this party seems to be pretty light on powers that work with them, without a whole lot of synergy. As of right now:

Hestia:
- Reave (primes & detonates biotic explosions)
- Lash (primes (maybe) & detonates biotic explosions)
Dern:
- Incinerate (primes fire explosions, detonates cryo & tech bursts)
Grace:
- Disruptor Ammo (primes tech bursts)
Gir:
- Decoy (detonates tech bursts)

FHDM: thoughts?

Fridge brilliance: it's kind of fitting, given her personality & background, that Hestia's powers work with literally no one else's in the party.

Helps keep me in character as a frustrated beyotch, too.

YES THAT IS ROLE PLAY SHUT UP.

YES THAT IS ROLE PLAY SHUT UP.

Also, this is completely normal for a squad lineup in ME3 multiplayer on "Quick Match."

101 Questions & Answers About Mass Effect: Andromeda

Hestia Harper wrote:

Am I reading this wrong? Do you have to have a team of at least 2 coordinated biotics to make detonations work? Dern could detonate his tech field unassisted.

I swear to WHATEVER GODS MAY BE I am not as stupid as my trouble with this RPG makes me seem.

You're reading it basically right, but the way it was written in the book could be a f!~+-up on the part of the game designer. As written, Reave can only last for an extended number of exchanges if the Volatile Neuro Reave evolution is taken. In the case of Dern's Tech Armor, detonation is part of the ability, not part of a combo.

This might be a case for a house rule, GM permitting, but on the other hand, outside of single-player (because Commander Shepard is basically a superhero), detonating your own power combos is pretty hard, and you need to be fairly high-level to do it.

As far as combo detonations go, this party seems to be pretty light on powers that work with them, without a whole lot of synergy. As of right now:

Hestia:
- Reave (primes & detonates biotic explosions)
- Lash (primes (maybe) & detonates biotic explosions)
Dern:
- Incinerate (primes fire explosions, detonates cryo & tech bursts)
Grace:
- Disruptor Ammo (primes tech bursts)
Gir:
- Decoy (detonates tech bursts)

FHDM: thoughts?

IF I am reading this correct, you are right. This seems to be a very low combo burst party.

OK, I'm trying to figure out biotic explosions because they seem really cool. I specifically took Lash and Reave because, according to the chart on page 119, they are their own sources AND detonations. If I understand the text, you hit the target with the power once to set up the source and again for the detonation. Seems simple enough.

Except

Core Rules p 118 wrote:

Certain biotic and tech powers, when used in conjunction, can explode for devastating effects. Typically this requires a target to be affected by a persistent power of effect (Pull, Reave, Singularity, etc) and are struck with another—but different—attack to trigger a biotic explosion. This detonation power need not necessarily be biotic in nature; the source power determines the type of explosion, the detonation power is merely the catalyst.

(Bolding mine).

Table on 119 wrote:

Source power: Lash Detonation power: Lash

Lash Description,p. 126 wrote:

Type: Attack Duration: Instant

Reave Description, p 129 wrote:

Type: Attack Duration: 1 or see text Recharge: 3

So by my reading, Lash is an instant power not a persistent one, so can never be used as a source. Reave has a duration of 1 (generally) but a recharge of 3, so it will wear off before it ever recharges for a detonation use.

Am I reading this wrong? Do you have to have a team of at least 2 coordinated biotics to make detonations work? Dern could detonate his tech field unassisted.

I swear to WHATEVER GODS MAY BE I am not as stupid as my trouble with this RPG makes me seem.

You are most assuredly NOT stupid. This RPG was written in haste, and although rule of cool does seem to be a crucial component, the poor layout and introduction of some key items as afterthought(possibly in an attempt to make the game indeed play like Mass Effect 3) leads to confusion.

This RPG was written in haste, and although rule of cool does seem to be a crucial component, the poor layout and introduction of some key items as afterthought(possibly in an attempt to make the game indeed play like Mass Effect 3) leads to confusion.

I'm not sure how intentional it was, but while Fate: Mass Effect doesn't play quite like ME3 single-player, it plays damn near exactly like ME3 multiplayer, especially in terms of relative power levels. At least, that's my impression.

Suggestion for CH's Christmas gift.

Freehold DM wrote:

This RPG was written in haste, and although rule of cool does seem to be a crucial component, the poor layout and introduction of some key items as afterthought(possibly in an attempt to make the game indeed play like Mass Effect 3) leads to confusion.

I'm not sure how intentional it was, but while Fate: Mass Effect doesn't play quite like ME3 single-player, it plays damn near exactly like ME3 multiplayer, especially in terms of relative power levels. At least, that's my impression.

I am strongly considering getting over my aversion to online play and playing through this a couple of times just to get the feel of it to make the game run smoother.

David M Mallon wrote:

Freehold DM wrote:

This RPG was written in haste, and although rule of cool does seem to be a crucial component, the poor layout and introduction of some key items as afterthought(possibly in an attempt to make the game indeed play like Mass Effect 3) leads to confusion.

I'm not sure how intentional it was, but while Fate: Mass Effect doesn't play quite like ME3 single-player, it plays damn near exactly like ME3 multiplayer, especially in terms of relative power levels. At least, that's my impression.

I am strongly considering getting over my aversion to online play and playing through this a couple of times just to get the feel of it to make the game run smoother.

ME3 multiplayer is the first time I've ever played a multiplayer game more than once or twice, and I played it a lot over last spring. I've since cancelled my Xbox Live Gold membership due to money reasons, but I highly recommend giving it a try. It's very lore- and story-oriented, focusing on team cooperation vs. AI enemies, with no PvP.

As far as getting the feel right, you're doing just fine. This game sort of feels like playing the story mode using the multiplayer characters and combat systems, which is pretty much spot-on as far as I'm concerned.

Also, a hilarious story that everyone will enjoy.

I was at the second job on Wednesday, and I was getting my ID out to go into the venue. I had on my N7 hoodie that most of you will remember.

The guy at the front door puts out his hand and says, "Sir, a graduate of the N7 program does not need to show ID."

It was AWESOME. We geeked out about mass effect for a while. My coworker couldn't stop laughing.

Just for a quick recap: what's our main objective again?

To search through the area and find evidence of cerberus activity, if any, and report it to barla von.

To search through the area and find evidence of Cerberus activity, if any, and report it to Barla Bon.

OK, thanks, that's what I thought, I just wasn't sure if I remembered correctly.

It's not just you; looks like Lord Synos hasn't posted anywhere since August - and we're in the middle of a dungeon.

It's not just you; looks like Lord Synos hasn't posted anywhere since August - and we're in the middle of a dungeon.

Jeez... what's the plan look like from here?

No need to worry. I will be taking over his character from now on until/if he returns. Now that holiday madness has ended I will be picking up more regularly.

OK, I'm back.

New Andromeda trailer. Given the name of one of your squadmates, I patiently await future The Big Lebowski references.

"Dios mio, man. Liam and me, we're gonna f*@% you up."

Still sick; please give me a day or two. Gracias.

Of course. We need a healthy psionic brat.

Anybody home?

I'm here. Work got to me these past few days but I'm back. Still nervous at new job because we are being audited a week in. I'm sorry it dragged me away like that but I'm back now.

New keyboard tomorrow. Will resume posting then.

ME: Andromeda gameplay reviews are starting to come in. Apparently it's got more animation bugs than every other BioWare game combined*. Faaaaaantastic.

*This is a large number

Makes me feel good about waiting for them to iron out the bugs before I dive in.

Makes me feel good about waiting for them to iron out the bugs before I dive in.

Here's a quick rundown I found.

Makes me feel good about not having the money for it. By the time I can afford it, they should have a lot of the bugs worked out.

Seriously.
He went to f#@*ing Final Fantasy as a comparison?
Yeah, this is why I don't take this guy seriously.

Seriously.

He went to f&**ing Final Fantasy as a comparison?
Yeah, this is why I don't take this guy seriously.

I've never seen one of this guy's videos before, so I don't really have context, but the bugs looked like pretty standard BioWare fare, just a lot of them and in HD.

...and in HD.

It's a better class of bugs.

Maybe I'll spring for a next gen console once I get through this exam I've got to take in June. Don't need the distraction before then.

bump

bump

Hey, I got the geezer out of the way - without violence, I might add. It's up to you guys to secure the data or whatever. Like I care.

Hey, I got the geezer out of the way - without violence, I might add. It's up to you guys to secure the data or whatever. Like I care.

Securing data isn't exactly Grace's strong suit. CH? LS?

Where's our Salarian? We access this wrong, we're liable to security wipe the system.

I can't post to gameplay, but I got a 4.

Proof.

I can't post to gameplay, but I got a 4.

Proof.

I GOT A 4!

I love the "dying of consuming too much" bit. La Traviata is the most extravagant consumption death (with a grand "I'm dying" aria), but certainly not the only one. You may have been referring to La Boheme, among others.

Falstaff was quite rotund, but he didn't die of overconsumption. Not in the opera, anyhoo.

thread bump

SOME VERY IMPORTANT NEWS

I will be going to Connecticon in about a week and a few days.

The psychotic biotic herself will be there.

I plan on getting mass effect 3 autographed, maybe a picture.

Who else wants autographs? Let me know.

What? I'm not going. Watchoo talkin' bout?

Apologies for the delay in posting-- things on my end have been... sub-optimal.