PVE: Hearts of Darkness (2016-07-28 to 2016-07-31)

DTStump wrote:

EDIT: actually, having a look at previous runs of the event, 42k is a rather low target compared to 55k or even 59k. So the trend of low max prog targets seems to be confirmed.

I think I like it - the 25 CP is great reward, plus the 2 cp in each sub. However, it does seem off that you need to be 10K past max progression to place in the top 200 if my TAT bracket is any indication of how these are going overall.

DTStump wrote:

What in the seven seas... after hitting the Patch essential node (wave node), the 24h timer started... eh?

Wave nodes are supposed to start the timer after two plays per the announcement. Did it start after the first?

Hmmm, so is it best to only do two of the waves then grind the rest later?

This was going to be my question, so it's definitely more competitive in that one does a double clear before setting up their burn, although people who wanted to play at their own pace can meander through, while the hardcore will go 1, 2, hold and burn, am I correct in my understanding? I ask because it actively defines when I start the event. I despise the 11pm start time, but it's the only one that comes close to aligning with my schedule and needs. I need a 5am or a 10pm, but 7am and 11pm = fail.

Sorry. Minor /rant.

Because they haven't published the wave node awards, yet, to my knowledge, they appear to be:
1st clear: event token
2nd clear: 500 iso
3rd clear: standard token
4th clear: 250 iso
5th clear: (I forget, but will update later when I fire up MPQ again)

I'm not playing optimally, so it won't help me if you're in my bracket, but I'm curious: what is the best strategy for timing the loaner node at the start? Still one clear and grind or would it be different?

Finally, the randomly boosted team of Cap Falcon (2/4/3 for mine), Rocket&Groot and Quicksilver has been surprisingly effective. Blue matches fuel/boost Rocket's tiles while also setting up QS's nuke. The one thing I like with the random boosted characters is finding new/odd teams.

That bug's been present for at least a couple of weeks.

I am enjoying event tokens dropping with the first clear of a wave node.

A few thoughts here for those who are following along.

* Opening node is 1 round then starts the clock
* Wave Nodes have been reduced from a silly number to a more reasonable 5
* 2 Wave Node clears start the clock to 24h
* 4 Normal Node clears start the clock to 24h
* My current roster is struggling with 4 270s, and those all combined took me ~2 - 2.5 hours
* See my plea last year for "pick my hour slice" or "divide this into 2 hours or even 4, but stop with the 11pm"

Battle Notes

* Turn to Smoke does trigger regardless of the status of the opponent; having Mind Over Matter or a similar tile wipe/control ability can be beneficial (Ant Man, Moonstone, Quake (single color target removal), Rocket & Groot depending on the cluster and play style, etc.)

* Kishu will aggressively deploy caltrops; caltrops + 600 point strike tiles will cut through almost any defense, so the challenge is the maintenance of an aggressive attack profile to down them, coupled with having AP when you need, and survival ability. It's not easy.

* As always, The Hood should be your first priority in any fight, unless you have very strong passives, like Marc Spector + Danny Rand + Falcap or a similar team (I... don't).

* Even unbuffed, a 2 star Black Widow can solve a lot of problems if you can get her blue reliably, i.e., Black Widow + Quake + IM 40.

ZootSax wrote:

Finally, the randomly boosted team of Cap Falcon (2/4/3 for mine), Rocket&Groot and Quicksilver has been surprisingly effective. Blue matches fuel/boost Rocket's tiles while also setting up QS's nuke. The one thing I like with the random boosted characters is finding new/odd teams.

I been using FalCap with PHX and SWitch and he's been really effective in this event. Mine is 3/5/5 boosted to lvl219 from lvl140. I been mainly using him to accelerate SWitch CD to get lots of for PHX, but it's been fun. If I have 5 then I will use his red which is nice because even at lvl219 it hits hard with out there and no limit cap. I used to think he's trash, but boosted I think I found a use for him. Might actually champ him.

I'm still playing with a primarily 2* roster, but I have to say that the wave nodes in this are comically... dare I say fun?... using Daken/Patch/Moonstone.

sambrookjm wrote:

Kishida wrote:

I'm still playing with a primarily 2* roster, but I have to say that the wave nodes in this are comically... dare I say fun?... using Daken/Patch/Moonstone.

You could say it's fun...right up until the Muscle's Threaten ability goes off, creating strike tiles and causing an uber-cascade, doing 10K points of damage and taking out your Patch, anyway.

I've avoided any truly nasty cascades so far. Besides, Daken and Patch can both regenerate moderate damage. If it works according to plan, Daken converts green to strike tiles; that green feeds Patch. If you can stockpile black, use Moonstone to convert the purple enemy strike tiles from Patch's green and/or muscle strike tiles back to you, and you're laying waste to goons left and right. It's worked for me so far.