[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Yes, we know, you get teh sex regularly, quit rubbing it our faces!

I do? Someone tell that to my girlfriend.

[Dakar the Fourth]

If you're not, then you're getting the short end of the stick, my friend. Or more importantly, your gf isn't.

[sek929]

The g/f just started school again so she'll be most disappointed if she can't hang out with me the maximum amount of time.

That said I'm sure I could squeeze in a few games one night this weekend.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

If you're not, then you're getting the short end of the stick, my friend. Or more importantly, your gf isn't.

Your writers on strike too?

which is an equally lame joke

[Dakar the Fourth]

Hey, I though that was good material.

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it unless a lot of people weigh in again. Though I was thinking more daytime than night time. Night time is for alcohol.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Side-ways strafe-jumping is a challenge.

You'll never be as wily as me with that scheme!

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Lastly, my TS hymen has been broken. I made 22 last night. I can see 25 on the horizon, though I'm not sure after that.

You can get to 30, and that big pretty star.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Oh, and the Pic for the Day

Achieved in Social Slayer.

Your 30 will rely on you doing some more head shots like these, maybe you'll be known as a sniper after not to long.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I'd have more to say about this if I hadn't neglected to save the theater film for later viewing. The short of it is, after a Pit slaughter, I rejiggered the teams with the hopes of off-setting Mr. McBlobicus.

A last minute Rocket Launcher grab and a double kill won the game for me. This was the particular game where Chuckit was consistently juking me out....even if I killed him more than he killed me.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

sek, in all his defiant glory, had managed to carry his team single-handedly to victory.

Which is odd since High Ground is a very team-oriented map, usually it's hard to dominate it as a single player. If I remember correctly, my strategy was to let my teammates get into battle and then flank the whole lot with nades and a healthy dose of BR.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Night time is for alcohol.

Which is the quickest way for me to start sucking at Halo. I have up to and including three beers....after that I'm totally useless.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

Your 30 will rely on you doing some more head shots like these, maybe you'll be known as a sniper after not to long.

Funny you should mention that, because I did some serious damage with the beam rifle on Snowbound last night. Amassed some serious Hate. My point, though, was that I had almost no regard for team mates in close combat -- I'd snipe away at their foes. Quite successfully, at least last night.

So the question is how guilty you are of doing that.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I'd have more to say about this if I hadn't neglected to save the theater film for later viewing. The short of it is, after a Pit slaughter, I rejiggered the teams with the hopes of off-setting Mr. McBlobicus.

A last minute Rocket Launcher grab and a double kill won the game for me. This was the particular game where Chuckit was consistently juking me out....even if I killed him more than he killed me.

That would be very impressive on his part, considering he was on your team.

The game you're thinking of was the FFA on Last Resort. I watched him on the replay. He did an amazing move inside the base when a Power Drainer came into play.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Which is odd since High Ground is a very team-oriented map, usually it's hard to dominate it as a single player. If I remember correctly, my strategy was to let my teammates get into battle and then flank the whole lot with nades and a healthy dose of BR.

I completely disagree. With the laser tower, beach sniper ridge, invisibility, and Ghosts, its easy to make a strong run solo.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

Which is the quickest way for me to start sucking at Halo. I have up to and including three beers....after that I'm totally useless.

Coincidentally the two best streaks I've put together were playing TS until 6 am after the bar. It probably loosens my ass up a bit so I take more risks.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Funny you should mention that, because I did some serious damage with the beam rifle on Snowbound last night. Amassed some serious Hate. My point, though, was that I had almost no regard for team mates in close combat -- I'd snipe away at their foes. Quite successfully, at least last night.

So the question is how guilty you are of doing that.

I've killed a teammate more than once from afar, but I tend to stay away from my team unless I see some Xs. I had a few team kills in the Crazy King game we played. I had a very large Rum N Coke though.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

That would be very impressive on his part, considering he was on your team.

D'oh!

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

The game you're thinking of was the FFA on Last Resort. I watched him on the replay. He did an amazing move inside the base when a Power Drainer came into play.

Ahh yes, good ol Zanzibar (which, BTW, is one of my least favorite levels)

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I completely disagree. With the laser tower, beach sniper ridge, invisibility, and Ghosts, its easy to make a strong run solo.

You got some good points, but only the ghost provides some cover. The sniper area is wide open and folks ALWAYS spawn behind you. The laser tower is obvious and has to many ways to flank around back.

Maybe in our games a run is possible, but in my super-awesome ranked matches of TS nowhere is safe in that level....very unnerving.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

I've killed a teammate more than once from afar, but I tend to stay away from my team unless I see some Xs. I had a few team kills in the Crazy King game we played. I had a very large Rum N Coke though.

Noted.

I did get pretty pissed last night, though, because I grabbed a fresh beam spawn and my team mate was next to me on the roof, so I told him to protect him. Next thing I know I'm dead from behind, the game ends locked up at 49 all, and the other team has the fortune of spawning at the beam rifle base, so they pick one of us off for the win. ****.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Ahh yes, good ol Zanzibar (which, BTW, is one of my least favorite levels)

I don't think it's the greatest for team based games, but with it plethora of options as well as general size, I think its great for FFA matches, particularly with 5 or more peeps. My biggest gripe about it is that the beach area is the epitome of worthless. Who would go there if there was no Ghost?

Originally Posted by sek929 

You got some good points, but only the ghost provides some cover. The sniper area is wide open and folks ALWAYS spawn behind you. The laser tower is obvious and has to many ways to flank around back.

Yes, High Ground has the worst spawn ever created (followed by Narrows). Also, spawning at the beach sucks compared to the back of the base. You've got too much open ground to cover to get anywhere useful.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Maybe in our games a run is possible, but in my super-awesome ranked matches of TS nowhere is safe in that level....very unnerving.

That makes sense.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Noted.

I did get pretty pissed last night, though, because I grabbed a fresh beam spawn and my team mate was next to me on the roof, so I told him to protect him. Next thing I know I'm dead from behind, the game ends locked up at 49 all, and the other team has the fortune of spawning at the beam rifle base, so they pick one of us off for the win. ****.

That's why i only trust myself when I have a rifle in my hands. Most people are to busy looking at who you're sniping to actually watch your back proper.

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I don't think it's the greatest for team based games, but with it plethora of options as well as general size, I think its great for FFA matches, particularly with 5 or more peeps. My biggest gripe about it is that the beach area is the epitome of worthless. Who would go there if there was no Ghost?

Ugh, TS on that map is torture for me....even with two sniper rifles. In fact, I'm afraid to see my K/D there...

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Yes, High Ground has the worst spawn ever created (followed by Narrows). Also, spawning at the beach sucks compared to the back of the base. You've got too much open ground to cover to get anywhere useful.

Starting in the base you have a choice of like, 7 weapons, right away. Starting in the beach you better hope the BR and sniper rifle are back...

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

That's why i only trust myself when I have a rifle in my hands. Most people are to busy looking at who you're sniping to actually watch your back proper.

There's a base level of trust required for TS, though, and he failed it miserable on that play. It could have easily been his ass instead, except they knew which one of us had the rifle.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Ugh, TS on that map is torture for me....even with two sniper rifles. In fact, I'm afraid to see my K/D there...

I'm beginning to prefer it over High Ground. God knows my k/d is better, but I thinks that's more attributable to it being added after I had gotten a better grasp on the game.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Starting in the base you have a choice of like, 7 weapons, right away. Starting in the beach you better hope the BR and sniper rifle are back...

Not to mention all the cover options. I guess all its missing is the shotgun, which probably should have locations switched with the sniper at the beach.

Oh, while I don't expect this to be ground breaking for you, I've been enjoying BRing fusion cores next to ppl on the Pit lately. I've racked up a few kills that way.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Oh, while I don't expect this to be ground breaking for you, I've been enjoying BRing fusion cores next to ppl on the Pit lately. I've racked up a few kills that way.

My favorite thing to do on that level! Besides getting up top with the sniper rifle and Shield Regen.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Game 2


Team Slayer on Valhalla
Tone of the Game - Team Work

Fresh off an even fight on High Ground, we decided to take our respective teams to a bigger venue. A venue, I might note, that I did not know had a Wraith on the stock map.

For Blue Team, ::maroma:: quickly shot out field into scout position. I grabbed the Hog, accompanied by Union 360, and made my way to the field, bidding ::maroma:: to lay claim to the laser before sek could, as it could invariably change the course of the game. Jokell ran aerial escort, and stogie dutifully stayed at the base on missile pod duty.

At Red Base, their team quickly split apart. dustrho mancannoned into the fray with the Missile Pod, spending his ammo before we met, luckily. Unable to find suitable company on his side, saint abandoned his hog for a short stay on the Wraith, as Jokell put on a strong assault aided by Union and myself on ground.

By the time the dust had cleared on our first warthog run, Union had tallied 17 kills and a Running Riot.

The Red Team, however, was undaunted and was still in reasonable striking distance. They were also recipients of two late-comers, acquaintances of ::maroma::. The numbers were now against us.

sek made the initial push back against the tide, invading our base with his sniper rifle, and tallying 4 kills before being taken down by a mass return by Blue Team. The damage was done, however, as the rest of Red Team invaded our side of the map, culminating in a saint/dustrho wraith assault of the base, leveling several Blues and wrecking our vehicles before we could use them.

In the end, though, more Blue Teamwork prevailed, culminating when Jokell took control of the warthog turret for a 6 kill run, sealing the victory.


Notable stats

The Blue Team collects twice the assists as Red Team, Dakar contributing over half and outperforming Red Team entirely.


Gallery

Jokell survives a close call as he closes in on the Wraith


The Heat of Battle

I like this pic, just because everyone is either seen or implied in it. (Though not so much at this resolution)

[dustrho]

Good write-up! Even though I only had 4 kills during that match, it was still a lot of fun. I'm usually much better than that.

[::maroma::]

Love the recaps! Can't wait to play more with you guys.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by dustrho 

Good write-up! Even though I only had 4 kills during that match, it was still a lot of fun. I'm usually much better than that.

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Love the recaps! Can't wait to play more with you guys.

Thanks. Final recap tomorrow, with pics from our two BTBs coming Friday.

----

Since nothing will happen unless I set a hard time, I'll announce another attempt to meet up
Saturday, 3pm EST

I figure this is not too early for PSTers, while giving us an ample amount of time for play.

If you're thinking of stopping by, please post here, so I have sense of whether this will be fail or not.
::maroma:: if sunday/another time would be better, let me know.

[jokell82]

Tentatively in, but I may be a bit late coming back from a basketball game.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Who are you going to see?

[jokell82]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Who are you going to see?

My little sister's high school team (ranked #1 in the state).

[Dakar the Fourth]

Nice. I hope she dunks on someone.
I'm not allowed to be serious two posts in a row.

[Chuckit]

I'm in for Saturday. I'm usually up by noon.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I'm in for Saturday. I'm usually up by noon.

Ditto

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

Thanks. Final recap tomorrow, with pics from our two BTBs coming Friday.

----

Since nothing will happen unless I set a hard time, I'll announce another attempt to meet up
Saturday, 3pm EST

I figure this is not too early for PSTers, while giving us an ample amount of time for play.

If you're thinking of stopping by, please post here, so I have sense of whether this will be fail or not.
::maroma:: if sunday/another time would be better, let me know.

Saturday works perfect. Sunday is the Super Bowl and well... yeah.

But I will have to get up "early", 11:30am... kill me now.

[boy8cookie]

I've been playing CoD4 a lot, but I'd love to join ya, I'll be on.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

Sunday is the Super Bowl and well... yeah.

It's the little things I forget.

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

But I will have to get up "early", 11:30am... kill me now.

I usually get up between 2-4, so this should be interesting for me too.

I'll be trying to get some friends to join us, you're welcome to have decog and crew join again (though I'm afraid medium will be in for a considerable amount of pain again).

Looks good though, round four people, maybe five if everything works out for jokell.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Game 3


Team King on Snowbound
Tone of the Game - Mosh Pit of the Damned

I have to start off by saying I love Team King. Here, just being on Hill means nothing -- you must stand unchallenged. Remember this -- it would be that fact that would be the downfall of two teams here.

It all started innocently enough. Having played two BTB games online, we had lost some crew, and were itching for a change of pace. I was also tired of uneven team numbers, so we sorted into three teams of three -- a very fun combination any time, if you ask me.

Snowbound was the venue of choice, for its diverse topography, yet manageable size. Initially, the computer seemed less than willing to add some diverse hill locations, and we ping-ponged from three different stations. Right off the bat it was tight, with several lead changes, but undoubtedly, Red Team was strongest in the early going, with Pink Team having wasted some time on a Ghost grab.

Grenades were the name of the game here. Each one was a small package of hope, trying to prevent the opposition from fully enjoying their uncontested time on the Hill. The injection of the Base roofs into the mix added new dimension to the attack, with many bouncing 'nades off their inclines.

Perhaps because of this it was near the middle that Pink Team made its run, and took one of its few leads. If Pink Team was notorious for anything, it was its diversity of weapons and range of attack. This may have been its greatest strength and weakness.

Going into the 100s, Red resumed their leading ways, and by the time 125 had rolled around, Pink had fallen by the wayside and it was all Blue could do to keep up. By now the computer had (finally) added the Hill over the invisibilty spawn, which added the facet that would clinch the game.

In a contest for one of the other Hills I died, respawning instantaneously with a Hill move to the invisibility tunnel. Right off the bat Blue was scoring points and I was out of harms way. The rest is history. Running a man short, decog and chuckit still managed to clear the Hill out enough times to let me score points, let alone join me while doing it.

Still, there were some noteworthy numbers when it's all said and done.

decog's grenade mastery/domination here is impressive. Chances are Red Team would have sewn up the game before our fortunate spawn if not for his long-range deadliness.
If you look deeper, you'll note we also had a member with the second most grenade kills for the game, though this honor is shared with a member of Team Taco.

Also noteworthy is Blue Team's dominance of the other Teams, kill-wise. I was two medium9 kills away from sweeping Pink Team, and decog laid claim to Red.

Gallery

The Blood Bath

A nice view of 8 out the 9 contestants, and the carnage inflicted upon each other.

Ghost Contested!

And the Hill for that matter.

No-scope

I'm proud, since I was trying, and it was from a decent distance. For control of the Hill no less.

[sek929]

A good King of the Hill game we can try next time is have team scoring off.

This way one dude sits in the hill and the rest of the team tries to keep him in, very fun. Of course this caters to my style more, which is just trying to kill everything in sight and complete the objectives second

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

A good King of the Hill game we can try next time is have team scoring off.

This way one dude sits in the hill and the rest of the team tries to keep him in, very fun. Of course this caters to my style more, which is just trying to kill everything in sight and complete the objectives second

Yes, let's change the only game-type that evens the playing field to instead favor you again. The third place finish must have really stung. Next time, suck less.
man i hope we're on different teams for the rematch

Well, I've been giving this some thought (and Forging), here's what I've come up with for Saturday:
(Level choice is mostly dependent on group size)

Free-for-All
Rocketball (Construct, Fusion [Epitaph Variant])
Oddball where everyone spawns with Rockets.

Mad Dash (Epitaph, High Ground)
Juggernaut where the goal is to pass five checkpoints.

Survivor (Pit, Last Resort)
Each person gets five lives. Last man standing wins.

License to Kill (High Ground, Last Resort)
Everyone starts with Pistols. One hit kills.


Team Games
Nades & Spades (Epitaph, Isolation, Last Resort)
Points can only be scored by sticking an opponent, or beating them down (assassinations included).

Survivor (Pit, Snowbound)
Each person gets five lives. Use them wisely.

Multi-Flag (Isolation, Valhalla)
First team to capture the opponents flag 5 times wins.

Big Team Slayer (Valhalla, Sandtrap Gauss)
First to 100 wins.


Multi-Team Games
Crazy King (Construct, Snowbound)
The Hill moves. First team to collect 100 cumulative points wins.

Lowball (Guardian, Snowbound)
Each team member must score 25 points to win.

Flag-Rally (Last Resort)
Territories do not lock after capture. Hold as many as possible until the round ends.

Rocket Race (Sandtrap, Valhalla)
VIP Escort variant mongoose race where one person drives, and the second (VIP) rides while preventing other teams from reaching their destination using Rockets. Infinite ammo.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Ranked Big Team is up bitches!

[sek929]

Word yo! You going to play any matches today, dakar?

[Dakar the Fourth]

Yes, and if any wants to join us for Ranked BTB fun tonight just msg me when you sign on.

[sek929]

The girlfriend got out of class early tonight...

I might have to wait until Saturday.

[Stogieman]

W00T!!! I'll be playing some ranked BTB tonight when I get home. Cough...cough..sniff... I think I'm coming down with something. Might have to leave work a little early today.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

The girlfriend got out of class early tonight...

I might have to wait until Saturday.

Damn harlot.


-----

I've got to say, in the early going, the lag has been atrocious. I've seen the actual beam of the laser that killed me 1 out of 4 or 5 times. Not good.

[Chuckit]

I wonder why Ranked BTB lags worse than BTB. It seems like the big honkin' teams would affect ping worse than the ranking.

[sek929]

Hopefully the bugs are worked out by tomorrow....g/f is going to RI to hang out with some friends. Which means I'll be..

A. getting pretty hammered
B. playing Halo till my eyes bleed.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I wonder why Ranked BTB lags worse than BTB. It seems like the big honkin' teams would affect ping worse than the ranking.

I don't get it either. It may be because everyone and their brother is giving it a try.

Originally Posted by sek929 

Hopefully the bugs are worked out by tomorrow....g/f is going to RI to hang out with some friends. Which means I'll be..

A. getting pretty hammered
B. playing Halo till my eyes bleed.

I may join you... keep in mind I need to be up by 2 the next day for our soiree.

-----

Initial personal impressions from Ranked Big Team:
• My god, the lag.
• Alot of mismatches -- I had a party of 6 Captains and Lieutenants, and we'd regularly be facing 6 Brigadiers and Colonels.
(I realize much of these problems stem from everyone being ranked at a low level with the playlist being fresh, but still, you don't see this **** in TS)
• I am worthless in BTS games on Sandtrap and Valhalla when I'm not driving. The BR just doesn't cut it, and I consider the Mancannon a death trap. Everytime I venture into the open I'm getting double and triple teamed (Valhalla) or picked off in a manner I can't replicate (Sandtrap).
• 1 flag and 1 bomb have to go. Sure, they're less likely to result in a tie than one-sided VIP, but its still awful. If anything, shorten it to two round, and change it to score as many times as you can within the time limit.
• If a team has already won by the fourth round, how about we don't have to play it?
• The lag, my god.

There is at least one highlight from last night, which was on a tight BTS game on Sandtrap where I wasn't driving (Laser + lag = frustration), I managed to grab the Banshee and run of something like our last 3 kills or maybe even 5 of our last 8. This is particularly noteworthy, given that we were down 97-99, and I was doing a run on two of their guys who were charging down someone on my time, and the entire time I'm thinking (If he can survive, we'll win, if he can survive, we'll win...)

[sek929]

It's only going to get worse when you play with me. Being a Colonel means I get matched against mostly Colonels and Brigadiers.

Just let me get the sniper (hopefully the other team isn't ultra-nasty) hop in your hog with a competent gunner and I think we'll be alright.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Sandtrap Gauss, Battle One Gallery

jokellwned

jokell ends sek's first run as sniper.

Thread the needle

stogie ends chuckit's reign of terror.

Dead the needle

sek ends stogies ending of terror.

Unaware

chuckit presents his back to me.

Red Trio

Left to right: dustrho, sek, and decog

Team Respawn

Left to right: stogieman, Dakar, ::maroma::, jokell

Elbow to the Head

To Union 360, courtesy sek929

Wraith Jumping

chuckit's new Xtreme sport.

You in there?

Dakar behind chuckit again.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

It's only going to get worse when you play with me. Being a Colonel means I get matched against mostly Colonels and Brigadiers.

Just let me get the sniper (hopefully the other team isn't ultra-nasty) hop in your hog with a competent gunner and I think we'll be alright.

That depends on who's party leader and how high we get. If I'm PL hopefully we can get into situations where you rape.

[Dakar the Fourth]

By the way, I apologize for the obvious bias in the photos, but it's difficult to find great shots for everyone, and I can't watch a game from everyone's perspective when they're 20 min long and we run 9 deep.

[sek929]

Good thing your finishing the wrap ups....since tomorrow we are going to play a slew of new games for you to make more write-ups

I might help you out this next time, we can alternate games.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by sek929 

Good thing your finishing the wrap ups....since tomorrow we are going to play a slew of new games for you to make more write-ups

I might help you out this next time, we can alternate games.

Well, I only do write-ups for a out best three games. I'm doing Galleries for the two gauss games, just because they were epic.

After Saturday, I guess I can list what three I'll be doing write-ups for, and if you feel some other game needs representation, you can jump in.

-----

As an aside, I tried nades n spades last night, and I'm a little lukewarm on it, particularly as a Team Game. It's a little slow in the going, and it's hard to keep track of your score vs. your kills.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

jokell ends sek's first run as sniper.

I remember thinking, "No way that noob on the hog is going to get me up here. One direct hit later I have a little more respect for Jokell.

[Dakar the Fourth]

jokell is a more than competent gunner.

By the way, this is why I love Gauss hog. It's like a cross between the sniper and laser (more sniper, though). And nothing is more hilarious than when someone gets pegged on the first try.

[sek929]

Especially when that someone happens to be Fatty.

[Dakar the Fourth]

The sek/Dakar heavy highlights from Game 2

Sweet Revenge

A cross-map laser of sek on his sniper tower.
Try watching a game from this angle sometime, it's kind of enjoyable.

Cross-court sniper

Through the Valley.

sek fires phasers

Not as effective as originally thought, but the range seems limitless. Plus, I'd really like to see multiple beams attack someone/thing.

Super Sniper Brothers

We even have Rockets on both backs.

[Dakar the Fourth]

I forgot the resize the last set of pics. So sue me.