[::maroma::]

Here are a few pics from the last match:

Me and Chuckit

Me and Chuckit Ridin' Dirty (brown)

Hotheaded

Chuckit making sure my head stays nice and toasty

"Look at those nubs over there!"

Me and Chuckit checking out you nubs on the other side of the map

Pretty Lighting

Dakar and Fatty shoving one up our tailpipe

Tight Fit

This was taken from an earlier match. I can't remember who that is right now, but a rocket sent them sliding underneath a small ledge on Sandtrap. They were half buried, but came out of it with only minor brain damage.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Those rocket races were super fun. I just wish my mic was working, I felt handicapped a little not being able to talk to Chuckit. But I just got back from buying a new one so I'll be good to go for our next meeting.

Yeah, I imagine you guys just took whoever was made driver by default instead of deciding.

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Oh and I was looking at film of our last match when Chuckit was rocketman, and you were right Dakar, he was nailing people left and right. He made some hits that were unreal. Good show!

Not only that, but it felt like everytime a goal was in sight, you guys would show up around a corner and sek and I would be a second too slow.

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

I also must say, I thoroughly enjoy Dakar's Sandtrap map. The more I play it the more I like it. Whenever I play a regular BTB and get Sandtrap it feels gimped and boring compared to Dakar's. I hope we can continue to get enough peeps on at the same time to play that map some more.

Thank you, thank you, I always need to hear that.

I also love how chuckits "people are secretly vehicle whores" rule came into play as all the new guys screamed to play the map again after the first match.

I only regret I forgot to add Br starts. Normally, I'd just make a BR gametype, but thanks to 100 custom content limit, it's a complete waste of space.

---

Just to doublecheck, stogie we are good for next week, right?

Oh and kb, you still have Monday & Tuesday to practice with apsolid if you're really that worried about it.

[sek929]

Nice shots ::maroma::!

Fatty Brag of the Day™

I also love Sandtrap Gauss...but that might be because I didn't lose at it last night. In fact, my teams enjoyed victory solely due to my 61 kills across 3 games. That's right, I averaged over 20 kills per match. That, of course, is due to my supreme whoring of the sniper weapons which I was quick to locate in the first game I played on Gauss.

My suggestion for leveling out my sniping would be to remove one of the three sniper weapons from the map. The normal Sandtrap variant has only one and certainly puts a huge damper on my fun.

But if you like being sniped incessantly then, by all means, leave em in!

Also, I would like to extend a menacing threat of extreme pwnage in the last bracket since last night was a huge blow to my ego. Although it speaks more to the balanced nature of the gametypes and maps Dakar has put together to not allow a Slayer-minded player like me to dominate.

Also also, I am super-pumped about the NNGP. Last night proved that the competition will be tighter than <insert off color virgin remark here> and I look forward to laughing hysterically all night.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

I also love Sandtrap Gauss...but that might be because I didn't lose at it last night. In fact, my teams enjoyed victory solely due to my 61 kills across 3 games.

Oh ho ho reeeeeeeally?

Originally Posted by sek929 

My suggestion for leveling out my sniping would be to remove one of the three sniper weapons from the map. The normal Sandtrap variant has only one and certainly puts a huge damper on my fun.

I was considering this a little today. I think the mini-tower beam rifle has to go. That then leaves one sniper that you have to mongoose to, or another you have to teleport to and has a limited field of vision.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Also, I would like to extend a menacing threat of extreme pwnage in the last bracket since last night was a huge blow to my ego. Although it speaks more to the balanced nature of the gametypes and maps Dakar has put together to not allow a Slayer-minded player like me to dominate.

Yep, that was the point all along. Some type of oddball variant may be seeing the light of day for the official one.

Oh, and it's going to take a mammoth performance by me, or a monster choke by you to lose 1st.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Also also, I am super-pumped about the NNGP. Last night proved that the competition will be tighter than a ten year-old and I look forward to laughing hysterically all night.

I am super pumped. I look foward to the epic 20 point Main Events with exception to Isolation trick.

Which reminds me, by the time season 2 rolls around we should have a Standoff and Rat's Nest track available as well (And I plan on forging a High Ground Variant). This should allow us to reduce and randomize the placement of some of the less quality tracks next season.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Oh ho ho reeeeeeeally?

Maybe not for the second match, that we won 50-19 (ouch) but the first match I had 24 kills and the score was 50-40. Methinks Fatty would have been missed on that one.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I was considering this a little today. I think the mini-tower beam rifle has to go. That then leaves one sniper that you have to mongoose to, or another you have to teleport to and has a limited field of vision.

Good, I hate the beam rifle anyways. Plus it's a long-shot to get to the dune sniper spot and I have difficulty killing anyone from that distance. I'd have to expose myself to get it and then expose myself to get into a better position.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

Maybe not for the second match, that we won 50-19 (ouch) but the first match I had 24 kills and the score was 50-40. Methinks Fatty would have been missed on that one.

The final score was 56-40, and you were +14. It would have been tight.

Without question you carried that last game, though. Red was crazy inconsistent all 3 games.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Good, I hate the beam rifle anyways. Plus it's a long-shot to get to the dune sniper spot and I have difficulty killing anyone from that distance. I'd have to expose myself to get it and then expose myself to get into a better position.

What's so bad about the beam rifle?

Personally, I've had mixed success on the dune. It's great for sniping people crossing from the mini-tower side, though (Less obstructions than from the Snipe Tower cubby).

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

What's so bad about the beam rifle?

I dunno, I have no good reason but I am at best half as productive with it. You'd think not having to reload would help me but it doesn't. It must be the overheating since if I miss twice I still stayed zoomed in on the regular rifle.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Personally, I've had mixed success on the dune. It's great for sniping people crossing from the mini-tower side, though (Less obstructions than from the Snipe Tower cubby).

My spot for sniper carnage is near the big base (mini tower side I think). The first structure with a lift inside it before the rocket spawn. I stay on the far side and use the sloped edge to conceal myself. Feel free to look for me there in future games. I get a great shot of both bases and I can keep tabs on folks spawning behind me near the vehicles.

Also, no charge on the Fatty killing tip

[Dakar the Fourth]

I know where you mean. Near the placed cover and the crate the turret used to be on. Near the one banshee spawn. Right?

[sek929]

Look, I made a quick reference image for everyone who has been wronged by my rifle. My stomping ground in red.



Not THE best spot for offense, but I find it has the best combination of offensive and defensive capabilities. Great laser spot too.

[Chuckit]

Just to check: Are we still planning on playing again tonight?

[sek929]

I'm totally down, the thing is I'm getting back from bowling (AKA 'drinking') around 12:30-1am.

If you guys are playing I'll definitely sign on.

[::maroma::]

I will probably be on at some point tonight. Although I still have COD4 so I may play that, unless we will be doing "official business" of course.

[sek929]

I'll most likely be intoxicated, so no official business for me tonight.

[sek929]

Images Galore!


Skill Kill - Bogues surprises a Rocket Launcher-wielding Fatty with a shotgun burst.


Skill Kill - Fatty gets ready to slice Bogues a new one


Nades n' Spades - Fatty and Andallray square off. Fatty jumps off the map.


Nades n' Spades - Fatty, Bogues, and Andallray get ready for some ruckus.


Tourny King - Battle Royal unfolds in the basement.


Tourny King - Andallray comes within a millisecond of eating this laser and makes Fatty eat Shotty.


Tourny King - The three amigos clamor for the hill.


Rocket Race practice - Fatty and Dakar, Bogues and Crosbie and Chuckit (by himself) aiming for the trick jump. Of course we are all flying through the air.

[klb5090]

i'll be on tonight probably around 10.30 or so

Sek...great -o-ramas as usual i really like the vertical one from skill kill, nasty.
I also cannot wait for NNGP it will be awesome for sure.

about me being a prick....yea i was, haha sorry about that.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Just to check: Are we still planning on playing again tonight?

Just to be clear on this, we were supposed to do the official GP this week (last night and tonight) but it was cancelled because Kevin and his Driver are on Spring break. So we'll be doing it next Wednesday and Thursday.

And here I thought it was coincidence you were on last night.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

Look, I made a quick reference image for everyone who has been wronged by my rifle. My stomping ground in red.



Not THE best spot for offense, but I find it has the best combination of offensive and defensive capabilities. Great laser spot too.

Oooh. Near the Pelican. Yes, I remember seeing you there a few times. Interesting.

[klb5090]

Sek,
Did you ever make any panorama shots from Standoff? i was trying to make a four shot panorama from Standoff and the final product shows the sky being 3 different colors where the picture is stitched, so i tried another set of shots from a different game and got the same thing, any ideas?

[sek929]

Originally Posted by klb5090 

Sek...great -o-ramas as usual i really like the vertical one from skill kill, nasty.

My favorite as well

[Dakar the Fourth]

Pic of the Day


Since Kevin was impressed with it, a line from Big Team Slater last night

Two assists shy of the triple-double (Which is a hard feat, excluding objective games)

Map Evolution
Following discussion yesterday, I headed into Forge to adjust Sandtrap Gauss. A list of changes are as follows:

1. Sniper is relocated closer to the mini-tower spawn. Coincidentally, this puts it right across from sek's favored sniping location.
2. Bubble Shield and Regen are swapped. Regen is now closer to the downed Pelican.
3. Invisibility is moved from it's fun, edgy location to a more practical location behind the crate flanked by two barriers. Grav lift at prior Camo location is removed.
4. Rocket Launcher and Radar Jammer are swapped. Radar Jammer is now closer to the Sniper Tower Sender Node.
x. Beam Rifle has been removed.

Guardian v3
After two games of License to Kill on Epitaph v2, I've decided to modify the dividers. In my game experience, no one was risking jumping blind over crate/barrier, nor were they entering the main hallway via the sliver of space left between crate Five and the wall. Thus, I have removed two crates and recentered them, giving increased sight lines to camo side while still maintaining adequate cover (I believe). Also, the second crate line had the first crate (which was in contact with a pillar) removed and the Hammer spawn moved there, creating new sight lines. Several small barriers were removed as well.

Note: This version is not final and may see tweaking as test play occurs on it.

Stats Whore
I keep foregtting to mention this site, but those of you who are stats junkies should head down to Halo3.Junk.ws: Halo3 Stats and Signatures: News and Updates. Here you'll find an exhaustive library including pie charts (who doesn't love pie charts?), breakdowns of success by map, game-type, and Matchmaking Hopper.

See my stats here. Don't even think of picking on me without posting your own. Good luck signing up for an account, per day registrations were limited last I checked. Recommend trying around 8 - 9am EST.

Legendary Wait
There is hope today's weekly update on bungie's site will provide picture for another of the Legendary Map Pack's maps. I have to admit, the anticipation has been killing me lately. I was even googling pics of Standoff today.

Have a nice day, and Team Purple Eaters will pwn you all.

[klb5090]

great shot of the day dakar,ha ha. Not to mention those stats from last night... you made me look like a staff captain while you destroyed every-game we played.

I'm glad i'm not the only geek awaiting new maps like a kid on christmas and about this stats website...very interesting i think i need to get registered... i'm definitely a stat whore when it comes to this stuff.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by klb5090 

Sek,
Did you ever make any panorama shots from Standoff? i was trying to make a four shot panorama from Standoff and the final product shows the sky being 3 different colors where the picture is stitched, so i tried another set of shots from a different game and got the same thing, any ideas?

Interesting...I might have to check this out for myself.

[Dex13]

Hey guys, I've been playing Halo 3 for about a month now. I used to play Halo 2 pretty shamelessly back in the day and was wondering if I could join you guys for these custom matches that you play.
From what I gather (I only read the last couple pages) do you guys only play custom but do you guys also play together in ranked playlists? I was just wondering because now that I'm breaking into the 30's I realize that unless I have an actual team its all luck proceeding upwards. So I guess I'll try to add you guys and if you want to play I am usually on around 10 PM PST.

If im missing anything else about what you guys do Im pretty sure you'll reply with relevant information.

Xbox Live Tag: OJester

[klb5090]

Legendary DLC

"The already-revealed Ghost Town will be joined by a pair of other maps in Legendary, the first of which will actually be formally unveiled Tuesday– there’s one of those press releases announcing it and concrete details about the map’s release date and other sundry details. So, much to your chagrin, the wait is a few days longer."

mostly a weekly update about the MLG playlist which doesn't excite me so much but.... the new maps is another story. So we know now that we will see another map on tuesday AND get a release date and according to the update the hog/goose/scorpion/hornet are wearing new paint to match the new map.... snow anyone? and the hornet will be missile-less and toned down with its gun power.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dex13 

Hey guys, I've been playing Halo 3 for about a month now. I used to play Halo 2 pretty shamelessly back in the day and was wondering if I could join you guys for these custom matches that you play.
From what I gather (I only read the last couple pages) do you guys only play custom but do you guys also play together in ranked playlists? I was just wondering because now that I'm breaking into the 30's I realize that unless I have an actual team its all luck proceeding upwards. So I guess I'll try to add you guys and if you want to play I am usually on around 10 PM PST.

Xbox Live Tag: OJester

Welcome to the group man! To answer your question we usually don't play ranked in groups since most of us are all over the place skill-wise. If we do play matchmaking it'll be unranked with the exception of Ranked Big Team Battle since most are ranked low, with the exception of me at 12. If your 30 is in Team Slayer I'm afraid I won't be able to play with you since I'm a 45.

A quick reference of my Ranked levels: Team Objective - 33 / Team Doubles - 33 / Team Hardcore - 22

Don't be discouraged about playing ranked, if you join us for our custom nights you'll have a blast.

Originally Posted by klb5090 

according to the update the hog/goose/scorpion/hornet are wearing new paint to match the new map.... snow anyone?

Awesome, awesome to the max.

[Dex13]

um, sorry but I don't have your guys xbox live tags, could I get at some, and do you guys regularly play on thursdays?

[Dakar the Fourth]

Everyone's gamertags are here.

We haven't held a formal meet-up in a while, partly because we've had other events going on.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Pic of the Day


Fun line from Social Slayer last night.

It's too bad they don't have an award for a perfect Driving run. It should be noted my one kill was a splatter to win the game.

And finally, I saw this while browsing my friend's game history and was amused.


---

kb, I saw yet another Field Major yesterday...

Tomorrow is the big day. Someone on the bungie forums dropped Frostbite as the map name. While it's unlikely they'd have this type of info, that is one great name, in my opinion

[klb5090]

I also saw a field major yesterday, there everywhere now...
Ah the staff captain, they also are everywhere, haha

Frostbite...i like it, i must stay i'm excited for the info from bungie tomorrow

i'd like to make my bet that after ghost town, frostbite (TBA) the third map will be a halo 2 map making a comeback... (Ivory Tower/waterworks/midship are my top 3)

Sidenote: Dakar, i got signed up for the stat website and it is awesome, i tried it at 9pm EST.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by klb5090 

i'd like to make my bet that after ghost town, frostbite (TBA) the third map will be a halo 2 map making a comeback... (Ivory Tower/waterworks/midship are my top 3)

I'd rather have a new map entirely, but I was very fond of Sanctuary. Waterworks was to big and Ivory Tower was played to commonly. You've got a good pick in midship, I've had some outrageous CTF games there.

Can't wait for NNGP*






*mostly because I haven't played H3 in a week or so, haven't had the energy.

[klb5090]

i agree with having a new map but i just have a feeling bungie is going to recycle one

[Dakar the Fourth]

Bad News Everyone

"Our publisher has altered the deal and changed the date of the press release to Wednesday. Pray they don't alter it any further."

That's bungie admin lukems talking about the new maps. Yet another reason MS sucks.

Sidenote: Dakar, i got signed up for the stat website and it is awesome, i tried it at 9pm EST.

Link me up, bitch.
And sek, you need to do this site as well. You all do.

Good News Everyone
Our resident cigar aficionado earned himself a promotion!

Now stogie, I gotta be honest. You're breaking my balls here. First, I saw you were a 19 around 300 xp, so I was rooting for you to get your Captainship. Then, I saw you were still a Lieutenant at 370 xp, so I was rooting for you to get your Gold bars. Then you got to 20 before that.

In short, I'm sending this guy to your house:

Pic of the Day


---

Lastly, a reminder for everyone that tomorrow night 10.30 (and Thursday, 10.30), will be our two legs of the famed MacNN GP (Season 1). Expect to see a lot of my taillights.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Expect to see a lot of my taillights...

...flipping uncontrollably through the air after we send a hot rocket up your back end? Yeah, I'm expecting that.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

...flipping uncontrollably through the air after we send a hot rocket up your back end? Yeah, I'm expecting that.

chuckit is a good rocketeer, I'll give you that, but his skill lies in thwarting those who tail him, which we will not be doing. Enjoy blowing up stogie, though.

Also, I've taken note of the amount of Ranked Big Team you've been playing lately. Looks like you're trying to beat it like it owes you money.

[sek929]

The sh!t-talking is already starting.

Excellent.

[Dakar the Fourth]

I can't wait to see their smoking corpses on the outskirts of Sandtrap.

[klb5090]

I regretfully post these stats knowing all well that they will prove Dakar is a better player than me...(i speak the truth)

Halo3.Junk.ws: Player Statistics

And about the NNGP, i have decided aganist (maybe) my usual trash talk and allow my gameplay to speak for it self along with my teammate.
Dakar and Sek, your going down. We cannot let your reign continue...


Non halo related news... Sek, Rainbow Six V2 today... i'm going to gamestop after class...

[sek929]

Just signed up as well and awaiting my confirmation email.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by klb5090 

I regretfully post these stats knowing all well that they will prove Dakar is a better player than me...(i speak the truth)

Halo3.Junk.ws: Player Statistics

I'm impressed how fast they imported your stats. Either they upgraded their servers or the strain has been reduced on them considerably.

[klb5090]

i wonder how often they update the stats because my level in team slayer is 28 (i'm a 31) and my doubles is listed at 30 (i'm a 35), LW 13 (i'm a 22). Same thing with you Dakar, it says your a 29 (and we all know you broke the staff captain)
Edit: Yet my Killamanjaro is listed under medals and i got that last weekend.... interesting

[Dakar the Fourth]

I didn't even notice. Better yet, my rank at the top is correct, but my Big Team isn't.

I don't know, but it's not a big deal, as the rest of the numbers seem to be updating every other day or so.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Also, I've taken note of the amount of Ranked Big Team you've been playing lately. Looks like you're trying to beat it like it owes you money.

Yeah I just haven't been able to muster up the motivation to play LW matches. I need a few more exp to get my double star rank, but I just haven't felt like playing that for a while.

I've also been working on my driving skills, mostly with the hog since the goose is pretty much only useful for getting from one spot to another quickly in those matches, and the chopper is just plain frustrating. But BTB gets frustrating fast when half your team quits, or you end up with a territories game or some crap like that. Or, even worse, you get some idiot on your team who runs around draining all his teammates shields so they are easy kills for the other team. I've had that happen twice in 2 nights. Nothing you can do about it either since they don't actually betray you. God I hate those pricks.

[klb5090]

yea my rank at the top is correct, weird

I love the pie charts, by far the best stats, haha
especially the stick accuracy
i can't wait to see sek's stats, including his sniper pie chart

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Yeah I just haven't been able to muster up the motivation to play LW matches. I need a few more exp to get my double star rank, but I just haven't felt like playing that for a while.

I know what you mean, I can't bring myself to go for my last LW achievements because I don't feel like playing the games those LW games that are meaningless for me...

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

and the chopper is just plain frustrating.

I hear that. Not to mention everyone seems to be able to kill a Warthog with it but me.

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

But BTB gets frustrating fast when half your team quits

Yeah, I saw an amazing amount of DNFs in your histry. Was there much lag? Kevin and I played some Big Team Social last week and we barely saw any DNFs.

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Or, even worse, you get some idiot on your team who runs around draining all his teammates shields so they are easy kills for the other team. I've had that happen twice in 2 nights. Nothing you can do about it either since they don't actually betray you. God I hate those pricks.

Ugg. Amazing. Personally, it's all I can do to not Team Kill any asshole on my team who melees me just because he trying to get past me and can't wait a whole second.

*on an off note I had a game last night where I went my seperate way from the team at the start of a Guardian match, heard massive amounts of shooting and later saw a teammate get booted. Then we go on to win the game 3 v 4, thank god.

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I hear that. Not to mention everyone seems to be able to kill a Warthog with it but me.

I can't take out a hog with the chopper to save my life. I ram the hog and then proceed to flip around like a retarded fish out of water while I get my ass filled with lead.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Yeah, I saw an amazing amount of DNFs in your histry. Was there much lag? Kevin and I played some Big Team Social last week and we barely saw any DNFs.

Lag wasn't that bad at all. Just people not liking the game type, or whatever. One of my last games last night I think we ended with 3 people on my team left in the game. Just a massive waste of everyone's time.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Weird, you'd think Ranked would decrease DNFs, no one wants the hit to their rank.

[klb5090]

ok its driving me insane, how do you make your quotes say "originally posted by" every time i use quotes it just puts it into a box

[Dakar the Fourth]

Prepare for a 'Doh!" moment.

Try the button.

I hope you realize this has cost you a teabagging.

[klb5090]

...mother of god...sorry watched super troopers last night

i'm an idiot

[Dakar the Fourth]

Nice to see another Penn State education in full swing.