Despite the title, there are some elements of this game I really enjoyed. The visuals are great. There were multiple moments where I said to myself "I cant believe how far video game fidelity has come". I also enjoyed the story. For me, the benchmark of a good video game narrative is, "Do I care about what happens to the main characters?" And Jedi: Survivor got me to care about the main characters. The story deals with themes of loss and purpose but these are shallow explorations. I also really liked how it was a semi-open world. I bounced off God of War (2018) because it felt like I was being corralled from arena to arena like livestock. There's a good amount of exploration in this game and it rewards you appropriately for your curiosity. I am going to critique the combat mechanics for this game but none of that applies for the boss fights. They are kinda soulslike where you have to learn the attack patterns and find openings but much more forgiving with the amount of health and stims. As someone who is not great at souls games, the extra stims were nice because it meant more time fighting and I could learn the boss quicker. The mechanics are tuned for single combat which is why the boss fights were my favorite part of the experience. Finally, I love that droid BD-1 so much. They made him so darn cute that I was actually hoping for a section where I could play as the droid. There is so much life and character injected into him with the animations and sounds he makes.(Fun fact: the sound design for BD-1 was done by Ben Burtt, the sound designer the for the original trilogy and the guy who popularized the wilhem scream.) My favorite BD-1ism is when you kneel and meditate to acquire a skill point/extra life or force, BD-1 will hop off your back and sit down next to you, in a very monkey see, monkey do moment. Its so unbelievably cute and endearing that I would commit war crimes for this droid. I could keep going on about BD-1 but then this post would get too long.
However, the combat in this game is so unbelievably frustrating. Specifically, fighting multiple, tough enemies is a huge pain in the ass. What will happen is you are being attacked by 2 enemies and you're blocking and dodging your little heart out and finally you see an opening where no one is railing you so you press x to attack them and finally teach those droids a lesson. But whats this? A third droid is behind you and jumps at you with an unblockable attack? You now have to watch helplessly as that third droid sticks his electro-blade up your keister, which interrupts your attack and staggers you for second. The other two droids have recovered and decide to join the third droid in accessing your prison wallet, at which point they've drained you of 90% of your health and the B2 battle droids shoot in the face and you die.
Now the last paragraph is a bit dramatized and I hope at least one of you chuckled while reading it, but the point is, fighting multiple enemies is not fun. You can't cancel attack animations unless you use the dual blade stance(the weakest stance imo) so strategy becomes, take out ranged enemies first and then run in circles doing chip damage until there's one enemy left and then disembowel him. Just never stay in one place long enough to get triple teamed. There are lightsaber skills and force abilities that can be unlocked that improve you combat ability. The problem is those skills just don't do very much damage and leave you vulnerable to getting attacked so you rarely use them outside of boss fights. I think they should've made it more of hack 'n slash when fighting multiple enemies and then force you to slow down when fighting bosses and mini bosses. Really leaning into the power fantasy of wielding a lightsaber and being a jedi knight. Most of the lightsaber skills are under powered for multiple enemies and by the time you realize that you should be dumping skill points into confusion and telekinesis, you've already maxed out two lightsaber trees and yes the first respec is free but any respec after that costs a skill point??? Like I'm sorry but in what world does spending skills points to respec skill points make sense. The devs are actively punishing players who want to experiment with different stances or force powers and is very frustrating. To be fair, there is no level cap so for players who explore every nook and cranny or just spend a lot of time in the game this won't be a problem. But I mainly followed the story so respecing was costly and I didn't feel like grinding. This is a problem I have with RPGs in general. Unless you have a good reason, make respecing free or cheap. The point of this respec rant is to say that the combat could've been less frustrating if i could experiment with different builds and powers to find solutions.
Finally, this game got railed at launch for performance issues and in my experience these issues are still present. During my ~20 hours of playtime the game hard crashed around 5 times. I don't remember the exact number but it was definitely more than 3 and less than 10. I also noticed stuttering and poor frame rates happening sporadically throughout my play through. The most infuriating crash and the straw that finally broke my dromedarian ass was during the finale. With spoiling anything, there's a section of the game that makes you run a gauntlet where is just keeps sending waves of increasingly tough enemies, some of which were mini bosses in earlier parts of the game. Now I'm not the best gamer so it took me a couple of tries and when I finally finished the gauntlet I was very relieved. I could finally blink and my heart rate could come back down. I go to move on to the next area and the hard crashes without warning.I reboot the game I am back at the last meditation point, erasing not only the gauntlet but around 20 minutes of progress as well. Believe me when I tell you fellow redditor, this broke me. This level of stability is completely unacceptable for a game with a bonfire save system. This game had just erased ~30 minutes of unfun gameplay and this broke me. I put the game on story mode until the final boss fight.
I know just wrote lot of words detailing what I didn't like about Jedi Survivor but I don't think its a bad game. A bad game fails across the board and there's still reasons this game is enjoyable. Being a jedi is a popular fantasy and this game makes you feel like a jedi knight
Tl:dr despite some really enjoyable elements, the combat, the core mechanic of the game, when fighting multiple enemies is so frustrating its drags down what could've been an amazing game. This is due to being underwhelming lightsaber skills, unable to cancel attack animations and respecing is too costly to allow for experimentation

Pirate is a hybrid type hero with a fucking gun, so surely they'll make her EXTREMELY unique right?
The way that she uses her gun, her main mechanic, is literally just Peacekeeper's "Deep gouge" mechanic but less interesting.
She has dodge recoveries, but they missed the opportunity to give her a cool ass deflect where she shoots you in the fucking stomach. So instead she just spins around like a fucking beyblade all game
Her entire gameplan in a 1v1 is just Unblockable opener and then walk the plank walk the plank walk the plank, because why do anything else? Theres no other moves to do lmao
Her entire thing is that you just guardbreak after a heavy for more damage, YET HER UNDODGABLE IS A FUCKING LIGHT ATTACK. WHAT GREEN CUSH WERE THEY SMOKING!?!?!?!?!?!?
THEY MADE AN ENTIRE NEW FACTION SO THEY COULD GO CRAZY MAKING COOL OUT OF THE BOX HEROES, THEY EVEN MADE HER A HYBRID, AND THEY MADE HER PLAY LIKE A VANGUARD!??!?!?!??!?!?!
The thing that makes me the angriest is that when I was new to this game I saw Pirate and thought "Pirate? Pirates are pretty cool, I bet that she plays like no other hero!".
BIGGEST WASTE OF 15000 STEEL OF MY LIFE.
And they ran out of ideas on how to make her intresting compared to the rest of the roster so they went "Uh uh uh uh, how about she can use her feats as a part of her moveset?" Newsflash idiots,
Orochi can already do that.

Okay so I have found the most broken build in existence for the JUMPCHAIN!?! It goes something like this…..
First you need Apex Predator​ from Generic Dinosaur Gauntlet. {Apex Predator​ (600cp)}: You are the deadliest hunter to ever exist, the ultimate predator. Your instincts for stalking, tracking, hunting, and killing are peerless, quickly becoming a master at hunting any new prey in any new environment. You always know where your targets are vulnerable and the optimum way to hit them. Your luck when hunting, whether in general or for specific prey, is bordering on impossibly good. You can kill anything, even things that lack the capacity to die, and anything you kill stays dead.
With this anything you kill stays dead. Second is the Unbound By Thread perk from the Percy Jackson Jump. {Unbound By Thread (600CP)}: Coming from outside this realm, from beyond the reach of Fate itself, has made you dangerous Jumper. For instead of being bound to the prophecies of the three sisters, you exist outside as an unaffected force, unbound and unshackled. You’ll find that within your power is the strength to distort and even break the events of prophecy, defying these predetermined events with gusto. Creatures who can only be struck down by the chosen hero will fall to your blade, the doors that only open at the eve of the apocalypse will do so at your push. In addition, this condition has opened your eyes to that of Prophecy. While initially impossible to control, you may open yourself up to the spirits that be to foresee visions of the future, often through strange and hard to understand poetry, which upon interpretation can give one insight into important future events.
And the Fate-proof from The Other Harry Potter Fanfiction Jump. {Fate-proof (400 MP)}: Fate doesn’t actually exist in the canonical version of this world. Divination only shows what is likely to happen and even genuine prophecies explicitly don’t always come true. But some authors don’t get the memo and depict Fate as an extant entity manipulating things and trying to subvert free will in favor of her(always her) narratives. Luckily for you, you’re immune to such things, a prophecy about you will only be true if it is to your benefit, and even then only if you want it to, ‘fate manipulation’ type effects can only be used to your benefit, and you can ignore the fates of others and just do what you want with no consequences in such regards.
This will make you more immune to fate and fate manipulation abilities. After that is the Mystic Eyes of Balor’s Eye from the Nasuverse Jumpchain. {Mystic Eyes of Balor’s Eye (1200)}: •The original form of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception heralding from ancient Irish myth, these eyes could be considered the original form of that rare and deadly power, possessed by the Demon God Balor. These eyes can be activated and deactivated at will. They manifest as a third eye on your forehead. The skin on your forehead seems to be torn apart as Balor's Eye forces its way out, yet no blood comes gushing out as an observer would expect. When the eye is deactivated, the skin returns to its previous state, as if it had never been ripped away. Where the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception only allow the user to view and manually sever Lines and Points of Death, Balor’s Eye is capable of viewing and severing those Lines with merely a glance. As long as you can see a Line of Death, you can sever it without effort. This does not extend to Points of Death. Those must still be manually pierced by the bearer of these eyes. If the target doesn’t have a concept of death, you can impose one on them. This manifests as a single Point of Death. However, you must pierce that point of death manually, as you would with the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. This Point of Death will only be maintained for as long as you can keep your gaze on your target.
This will allow you to kill with just a glance and even affect beings who don’t have the concept of death. Then to enhance your killing ability would be the Old Man perk and the Azrael sword from the Fate Legends Oasis of Fantasy jump {Old Man (600)}: Assassination is an art. It’s one you realised needed to be cultivated and honed. But it is also something you realised would be better grown by others that could truly master those arts. Perhaps you felt you never could become a true assassin because you already had such a talent for death that you could no longer hide from any prey you sought. When your presence brings visions of death to your targets, it becomes impossible to hide. But that is the fate for the assassin of assassins. Your nature is that of a simple and straightforward dealer of death. Through this option, you do not have a dozen tricks or the skill to craft the perfect trap or the ability to talk your way into the heart of any man. You do not need it. Your sheer, natural power leaves even dragons and demons of the highest orders realising that they face at least an equal, if not a superior, in physical might. Your speed is such that only the greatest warriors of mankind could even recognise you had moved before their heads slip from their necks. Even should they be able to see you move, your skill in combat without a weapon or with one of almost any kind is almost on the level of the gods of war themselves. Your affinity for death is so powerful that you are not even limited to the killing of physical matter, as you can strike at and kill things even on a immaterial or conceptual level. Splitting a soul in half, cutting a demon out of a man, erasing a magical contract between two beings with a strike or destroying the lack of a concept of death by a mighty slash. Even immortal beings cease to be in your presence. It has also given you a connection to strange flames of the underworld, manifesting as powerful blue fire that you can freely summon, allowing you to attack or even teleport through the flames, as well as the ability to control sand and the desert on a enormous scale, burying entire cities in sandstorms. The one downside is that those you seek to kill can now sense the evening bell tolling for them as you approach, warning them that their death is nigh and showing them a horrifying vision of you as you prepare to strike, even if you can perfectly conceal yourself from any being. It is a good thing though, that your prey would always see your face just as they die and carry it to the next world with them. {Azrael (600)}: A huge black blade, a broadsword that looks like it was made to be wielded by a man seven feet tall. Yet, when you hold it, it does not feel any heavier than a feather. Indeed, you swing the blade as if you were a master of the sword, regardless of your actual expertise in such matters. Almost as if the sword wishes to be used in battle and will show you the way to do so. The first time you use this black blade, Azrael, in battle, you’ll discover its power. A single cut, no matter how miniscule, brings death. The mere presence of the blade will weaken and rot your foes but regardless of how strong, important or resistant the enemy may be, a cut from Azrael has a chance of killing them. The greater the cut, the higher the chance of instant death becomes. Even a mortal has a good chance to survive should you barely nick the tip of their finger but even a true and fleshly god might be utterly destroyed in an instant should your dark weapon pierce their heart. The blade kills truly, leaving no chance to return for it’s victims, and will strike without regard to the presence of the physical or not. You may import an existing weapon into this role.
This makes it so you can kill anything you want to. But the next two perks will make it vary easy to truly kill something. With To Kill A Numidium and Slayer of ManniMAKATOSH from the Elder Scrolls C0DA jump. {Slayer of ManniMAKATOSH (400)}: A mutilated and defanged form of the Time Dragon, fused with the King of Worms, made to dig up tunnels in the rust-red sugar-sand soil and rock of Masser, now little more than a Worm. It had to be taken care of - made a non-entity, the threat it posed removed, and put out of its own mindless and uncomprehending misery. You and your kin did just that - put down the godbeast of time and death, so that its wormtunnels may house the moon-mer exodites of Tomorrowind and moondrunk children of Fadomai's Favored Daughter. But, though with strange aeons and in kalpas unseen even death may die, Time is not so easily slain, for the Aurbic subgradient exists in little but the Gray Maybe. The god of Time is always on the clock, but the Clock is broken. Still, you and yours at the very least tamed the Worm. You may choose to make your attacks - and indeed, actions in general - omnitemporal, stretching back ages and forward millenia. That which you slay will turn out to have been slain by you before it was ever born, and all its actions and effects undone. That which you take will turn out to have always been yours, and will always be yours, for in every single instance of time - whether you count in zeptoseconds or oscillations of caesium atoms - it is being taken by you. The Dragon didn't Break, it shattered, and you walk among the shards. Worth mentioning is that to strike something at everytime is to strike it at everyspace and everypoint, making your attacks omnidirectional and omnidimensional, as well as omnitemporal, making it rather impossible to defend against them. Your strikes will always yield wounds. {To Kill A Numidium (600)}: The Walk-Brass of Kagrenac that says NO to all it passes over. The dwemer god of reason and gears, made to in turn unmake the falsehood of the Dream. How does one end the thing of the end? Unmake the unmaking? Negate the negation, destroy the destruction, kill the killing? You turn the unmaking into the making, NO into YES, negative into positive, and then you strike. Anumidium was made to shout NO at the creation, so you make it subvert its own purpose. Make it shout NO at itself. You can easily turn those you face inside out - much like an autoimmune disorder makes the body attack itself, you can at will make the enemy destroy itself - be it simply shooting themselves in head, or carving up their own ur-self. If that is not to your liking, you may instead turn them inside out - they will lose their powers, turn into the inverted versions of themselves, and be free for you to kill yourself, if you wish to be the great slayer yourself, instead of letting your foes go the inglorious way of suicide. And more than that, though Enantiomorph you may not be, you may take from your enemies that which they cherished. The Prime Gestalt had only his NO, and you may take that from him - in simpler terms, those you subject to this misery will have their own skills stolen, you will learn them inside out and use them to kill the foe before you. You are a self-thief, a skill-vampire and knowledge-eater. And you don't even have to cut your hands off for this!
Need I say more on those two? And then there is Godspeed and The Swallow's Dance from The Holy Man of the Church Creek jump. {Godspeed (400 CP)}: Godspeed is a devastating ability created by Hercules to defeat the Hydra. With this perk, you can replicate this feat unleashing a flurry of nine strikes in a single moment, displaying unmatched speed and precision. This technique, derived from the pinnacle of weapon mastery, allows you to manifest the power of a myth in its fullest form. When activating Godspeed, you become a blur of motion, traversing the battlefield with unmatched swiftness. Each strike you unleash is imbued with incredible power, targeting the vitals of your opponents with lethal precision. Lastly, this technique is not limited to a specific weapon, as it draws out the maximum potential of any weapon you wield, elevating it to the status of a Noble Phantasm. {The Swallow's Dance (200 CP)}: Saskai Kojiro is amongst the greatest sword masters to ever live. With this perk, you gain unparalleled proficiency in the art of swordplay, akin to Saskai's lifetime of training and dedication. With the Swallow's Dance, your movements become a mesmerizing display of grace and precision. You seamlessly execute complex techniques and maneuvers, effortlessly weaving between offense and defense. Your strikes are imbued with the same elegance and lethal efficiency as Saskai's, making you a formidable combatant. The essence of this perk lies in the ability to overlay multiple attacks at once, just like Saskai's legendary "Tsubame Gaeshi." With a single swing of your blade, you unleash a barrage of strikes that converge upon your foes from multiple angles simultaneously. You can perform this offensive technique with any weapon or ability allowing you to launch nearly unblockable attacks. Lastly, this also allows you to massively increase your damage output by multiplying your attacks three times over.
That will give you the ability to hit extremely fast multiple time at once. Then there is Armored​ ​No​ ​More​ from the Partially​ ​Kissed​ Jump. {(400​ ​CP​) Armored​ ​No​ ​More​}: Many​ ​things​ ​in​ ​this​ ​world​ ​happen​ ​only​ ​because​ ​the​ ​plot​ ​wants​ ​them​ ​to happen,​ ​and​ ​characterizations,​ ​causality,​ ​facts​ ​and​ ​events​ ​are​ ​liberally​ ​rearranged​ ​and​ ​modified​ ​to allow​ ​them​ ​to​ ​happen.​ ​Not​ ​so​ ​around​ ​you,​ ​anymore. Faced​ ​with​ ​you,​ ​Plot​ ​Armor​ ​fails,​ ​and​ ​casual coincidences​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​are.​ ​No​ ​deus​ ​ex​ ​machina​ ​will save​ ​your​ ​enemy,​ ​and​ ​no​ ​long​ ​hidden​ ​measures​ ​will​ ​come​ ​to​ ​the​ ​fore​ ​in​ ​the​ ​face​ ​of​ ​your​ ​total​ ​victory just​ ​so​ ​tension​ ​can​ ​be​ ​preserved. This​ ​extends​ ​to​ ​any​ ​of​ ​your​ ​plans​ ​too.​ ​As​ ​long​ ​as​ ​they’re​ ​robust​ ​by​ ​themselves,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​count​ ​on​ ​no freak​ ​accident​ ​of​ ​luck​ ​derailing​ ​them.​ ​People​ ​will​ ​have​ ​to​ ​work​ ​for​ ​it​ ​if​ ​they​ ​want​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​you​ ​down!
That just gets rid of plat armor. After that is the Horcruxes Won’t Help You perk from Art of The Sacrifice. {Horcruxes Won’t Help You (-600 CP)}: •Who has time to hunt down all of someone’s Horcruxes? Not you, that’s for sure. When you kill someone and that person has Horcruxes, all of the other pieces of that person’s soul die as well, no longer serving to anchor them to this world. This only works if you kill their proper body; destroying a Horcrux won’t also destroy all the other Horcruxes. In future Jumps, this will allow you to kill someone who split themselves into many bodies or minds just by killing their “original” body or mind—or, if they don’t have an original anymore, just by killing any version of them.
That will help with killing a being who can split itself into multiple parts. But to truly help you kill anything you come across is lastly, is The Capstone Boosted Sword of the Morning perk from the ASOIAF - Game of Thrones jump.
{(500cp) Sword of the Morning}: You are one of the greatest warriors to grace the face of Planetos in a generation. Your mind and body are in perfect sync with combat. You could easily analyse a battlefield to create an imaginary version of it in your Mind’s Eye to easily predict the movements of your opponent until they stop being a threat... or if they play dead. You could fight 10 men, perhaps even 20 by yourself, and come out without a scratch. Against truly skilled opponents on the level of Ned Stark in his prime, this number goes down to 4-7. This is quite straining to a baseline human, but it is possible to expand the limits of your predictions with training, unnatural modifications or perks from another Jump. You also gain a substantial increase in skill to dual wield your preferred weapon with the same level of mastery that you wield one. (Capstone Boosted): As if you were The Warrior Reborn, your martial skills across the board improve to beyond the skill of man, and your ability to kill has increased from the merely mortal, to the immortal and conceptual. You can cut into a shadow assassin and kill the binder, cut through an animal controlled by a skinchanger to kill that skinchanger, you could even permanently kill a god if one's avatar appeared before you.
With this you don’t even need to kill the core or original part just one aspect will do. And by combining all of these perks as that weapon will kill just about anything you fight against. Let me know your broken combos.

Hello all, I have server hosted minecraft servers modded and vanilla for some time now. I ran into some issues when i first started getting into it but consider myself a pro at this point in time. I recently have been unable to connect to my servers as of March of this year. We had our internet upgraded and Received a new modem and router as a result of our old router failing in November. However after getting everything set up and port forwarded I had no other issues. It worked fine till March, I just got home from college and began to trouble shoot this issue and tried to make a pixelmon reforged server for it. I have tried everything I can think of to try to fix this issue including calling my ISP (Spectrum) to see if we can resolve this. Their only thing left to do is to replace the router with a new one from them or a third party. If you have any idea on what I can do let me know.
Things I have tried to do:
First i created the server through the ATlauncher. I was able to run the server fine and connect using my private IP. I then tried using my public IP and recieved the following error "io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException: Connection timed out: no further information:" first thing i did was make sure the port was open on my windows defender fire wall. Made two new rules for port 25565 on both TCP & UDP for both inbound and outbound and did the same on the computer i was using to connect to the server. Still gave the same error. Then I tried port forwarding the router. This was the first issue I ran into, when trying to port forward 25565 on my router I get an error tried this a few time before i called spectrum, according to them on the router I have that port is disabled for "security reasons" and the only way to "unblock" it is with a new router. figured id just put the server on a different port. I changed the server to 25566 and ran through the same trouble shooting as before with no luck. this time i was able to port forward 25566 but with the same io.netty error. Thinking it might be something to do with java i clean installed java with the version of SDK for that server same error. Completely disabled my windows defender, same error. Tried creating a server for 1.20.6 (latest release), walked through all the steps, YouTube video and all. but instead I receive this error when trying to connect Connection timed out: getsockopt. I talked with a friend who know more about servers than me. His response was "The maths not mathing". I called spectrum a second time and walked through every troubleshooting method they had. Included but not limited to trying it with uPNP on/off, restarting router, modem, and all devices on the network, clearing all ports and reserved IPs, disabling and re-enabling the security shield. Nothing worked the guy I was on the phone with has no clue why I cant host a server. He recommended getting a new spectrum router so my public address resets, and then if that doesn't work to purchase a 3rd party router to manage myself. I wanted to try a few things before doing that. So I sent the server files to two friends. one uses spectrum one does not, neither have any ports forwarded and have never hosted servers before. walked through the same process with both of them and the friend with spectrum could also only connect locally while the other that doesn't have spectrum we could connect to. I am lost and am convinced spectrum just sucks and won't admit that they don't let you server host anymore.
TL:DR - Tried all trouble shooting i can think of, spectrum told me to get a new router because they cant figure it out either
Any ideas or help would be much appreciated.

I don’t know what to do. My brother just shot himself in front of our mother after battling with depression and some undiagnosed manic-depressive disorder that he wouldn’t get treatment for. He was my best friend for much of our life until he joined the military, then we became distant as his personality seemed to change. He was married to a very sweet young woman who he cheated on multiple times and became hateful and cruel towards her and it made me lose respect for him. They divorced and he left the military (he was never deployed) and had plans to become an occupational therapist but he never followed through on any of the steps necessary to get back into school. He became an alcoholic during his time in the military and would steal pain medication from my mother that she took for her migraines and back pain. He used THC heavily as well. He would have these huge mood swings, going from grandiose plans to change the world to hitting rock bottom and becoming paranoid, thinking everyone was spying on him if we made one comment that triggered something in him. We begged him to get help but he refused, he didn’t have enough self awareness or something to see how bad his paranoia and/or mania was getting. I have very young children and became less willing to spend time listening to him when he was in either extreme phase. I’d had him blocked for a few months because he’d accused me of trying to turn our mother against him after he went through her phone and read texts we’d sent regarding his behavior. I’d only unblocked him a few weeks ago and we just started talking again on Mother’s Day as he’d bought me flowers and had our mom deliver them to me when we got together. I’d thanked him and he’d asked to see me soon, but I work varying shifts at night and had plans to help my mother-in-law this coming weekend so I told him we could shoot for June. My mom called me at work tonight wailing that I needed to leave, he’d asked her to come over to his house and she’d gone and he waited until she got there and shot himself in front of her. She supported him through everything, providing him with money and a place to stay when he didn’t have a job and her love always. She loved him even when he made himself unlovable. Why would he do that to her??? Why would he do something so cruel that will destroy her??? She’ll never unsee her baby boy killing himself in front of her. I’ll never forgive him but I am struggling with forgiving myself too. I should have done more but I always used the excuse of having too little free time or energy after taking care of my kids and working and such. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to feel. I’m breaking apart and I’m not sure what happens next.

Two years ago, when I approached my crush, she kept me in the hanging state. After that, her hints of rejection became apparent but I wasn't able to see it.
I was genuinely happy for the fact that she got into a relationship with one of her classmates. Well, the sadness is there, but... I didn't feel the sadness (due to my depersonalization for some weird reason?)
People knew that I was simping upon her. And even after getting into the relationship, she talked with me cordially. Suddenly, her way of talking changed to disgust and anger. It's as if she would shoot lasers at me. From then, I stopped talking with her and she didn't even care after that... like that disgusted stare stopped. In fact, those stares stopped too...
In these whole two years, I blocked her on WhatsApp, then unblocked her and then blocked her. I blocked her because of others: "Why didn't you block her?" Even she blocked me too... As of today, I have her unblocked.
She never used to start the convos. I did, mostly when the a group of people on Discord told me to initiate. That was during the initial days, never the middle or the final ones. For the record, I know the people of that server, though I was kicked out of the server.
I just wanted her... to be kind to me. Nothing else.
I'm writing this at 6:02 am after pulling out an usual all-nighter, so I may overshare...
Anyway, back to the main point. The girl whom I had a crush upon and the boy had a breakup. I have no idea why. I just got a message from my friend somewhat casually stating that they broke up with each other. My reply was:

f***. that's actually bad... I didn't like the news a single bit...

Like, idk why I felt bad...
Deep inside, I always wanted the two people to be happy... now when I have involuntarily felt the news of their breakup as bad, I guess... I have matured.

It just kills me to see the boys doing virtually everything right except two things (well, okay, three things...but let's ignore all of the penalties for the sake of this conversation). Namely, they're still failing to play a full 60 minutes in most games (which is tragic because they usually look stellar when they do so), and they're missing the net in a lot of the high-danger areas while giving me bouts of existential dread every time I see it.
Why does it frustrate me so when the team is 5-2 so far in these playoffs? Because this is the playoffs, and every missed opportunity in said playoffs is an opportunity you give your opponents to find a way to bounce back. With that said, allow me to expand on the topic.
The stats from Natural Stat Trick suggest that we've been a solid team in the possession game, and our solid defense/goaltending on the ice has been reinforced by the notion that we even won all three games in which we were outnumbered in unblocked shot attempts (Games 3, 4, 6).
However, Money Puck is indicating a very interesting trend where all of our forwards who land 45% of more of their attempted shots on net are scoring at an expected rate or better, while everyone else below that threshold is struggling to score. Let's evaluate all of our top 10 forwards' postseason stats (because I wanted to count Blueger as well), in order of highest Goals Above Expected:
Elias Lindholm (3 Goals): 2.2 Goals Above EV, 25 shot attempts, 15 SOG, 4 SA missed net, 6 blocked shots
Dakota Joshua (3 Goals): 0.9 Goals Above EV, 13 shot attempts, 6 SOG, 4 SA missed net, 3 blocked shots
Conor Garland (1 Goal): 0.3 Goals Above EV, 21 shot attempts, 10 SOG, 6 SA missed net, 4 blocked shots
Brock Boeser (4 Goals): 0.2 Goals Above EV, 35 shot attempts, 17 SOG, 9 SA missed net, 9 blocked shots
Teddy Blueger (0 Goals): 0.5 Goals Below EV, 10 shot attempts, 3 SOG, 2 SA missed net, 5 blocked shots
Nils Hoglander (0 Goals): 0.5 Goals Below EV, 5 shot attempts, 2 SOG, 3 SA missed net, 0 blocked shots
J.T. Miller (2 Goals): 0.6 Goals Below EV, 45 shot attempts, 18 SOG, 16 SA missed net, 11 blocked shots
Ilya Mikheyev (0 Goals): 1.1 Goals Below EV, 20 shot attempts, 8 SOG, 8 SA missed net, 4 blocked shots
Pius Suter (2 Goals): 1.2 Goals Below EV, 30 shot attempts, 15 SOG, 10 SA missed net, 5 blocked shots
Elias Pettersson (0 Goals): 1.3 Goals Below EV, 31 shot attempts, 11 SOG, 10 SA missed net, 10 blocked shots
The cumulative total is 235 shot attempts, which resulted in 105 shots on goal, 72 missed shots, and 58 shots which were successfully blocked by the opposition.
To contrast with another playoff team, all 10 of Colorado's "top-10" forwards," including even Brandon Duhaime, are all above EV in goals. This is a big reason why they were able to make life miserable for the least scored-on team this regular season in Winnipeg and also steal Game 1 away from Dallas the other day.
72 missed shots on 235 shot attempts is a lot for a playoff team. 72 shots that could have been game-changing goals but never made it to the net. One of those missed shots could cost us our season in the future, so I feel that it's super important to note now.
In game 1 just the other day, JT had a wide-open shooting lane in his wheelhouse, located right near the left-hand hash marks, and yet he missed the net. That outcome inspired the thread since JT scored right there during the very first shot of the playoffs, even, and yet he hasn't scored in that spot since. Imagine sweeping the Predators instead of grinding through 6 games simply because JT pots more of those wide-open shots in game-changing situations. I know the guys have been working hard, but imagine JT just getting even a couple of those 16 missed shots on the net instead.
If you were to ask me what the most regretful part about this statistic is, it's that JT/Petey/Hogs were all hitting above 50% of their attempted shots on net throughout the regular season, and yet they combined for 21.3 goals above expected on the year. You can't tell me that those 21.3 "unexpected goals" were not a huge reason that the Canucks are where they are today.

I am NOT the Original Poster. That is u/Exciting-Turnip7126. She posted in MarkNarrations and TrueOffMyChest.
Thanks to u/Literally_Taken for finding this and recommending it.

Read the trigger warnings. A reminder to not comment on Original Posts. See rule 7.

Trigger Warning: graphic descriptions of child abuse; infidelity; verbal abuse; financial abuse;
Mood Spoiler: surprisingly happy ending
Background Post: January 21, 2024
Editor's note: This post is tangentially related to the main post as it discusses some of OOP's background.
I feel so lost. I don't know what to do and I feel sick. I (41F) have been no contact my with my mother for the past 11 years following years of physical, financial, and emotional abuse as well as years of parentification.
To give everyone an idea, my mother started abusing me physically and emotionally from the age of 6 , which is when we both moved out of the extended family home. I never knew my father so until I was 6 I grew up in a home with my mother, her 3 siblings and her parents (my grandparents).
Her physical abuse consisted of pinching and twisting until my skin blistered or tore. Grabbing me by the arm or leg so hard she'd leave a bruise in the shape of her hand. Throwing things at me like drinking glasses. A few times I couldn't go to school because the bruises were in places that were visible.
Her emotional abuse was just as bad. Telling me she'd throw me outside and lock the door so the boogeyman would take me if I didn't do exactly what she said. This was all when I was under the age of 10.
The parentification started when I was 11 when my first half brother was born. He was my sole responsibility. Same when my second half brother was born when I was 18.
The financial abuse started when I was 12 when I had my first tutoring job. She's take my money to buy alcohol. I would hide my money so I could buy food for me and brother or my cat since she'd forget and just say to "eat whatever".
Financially, she wrecked my credit. I lent her my credit card when I was 21 (stupid I know) to help her with her business. She said, as my mother, I owed it to her. Back then I was still in the mindset I was taught growing up. That family was what was most important. Now I know better and have worked hard for years to build my credit back up.
Back to my dilemma. We (me and my bf 45M) have been invited to a friend's wedding. There's a chance my mother may be there.
What makes me anxious is we have a 9.5 month old baby girl. Yes I had my baby late. There's a long tradition of the women in my family being abusive. I didn't want children for the longest time. I don't regret having my daughter. She's my world and I love her more than anything and I know my mother would demand to see her if given the chance. The thought of my mother seeing her and just seeing my mother in general makes me feel sick with anxiety and on the verge of sobbing.
These emotions come up because I think of my daughter being exposed to her and I can do is cry.
On the other hand I want to go to the wedding. My friends who are getting married know my history with my mother. I have a feeling they'd invite her to be polite.
How can I get through this?
Relevant Comments:
Commenter: I'm sorry you had to deal with all that. While I can't tell friends who they should invite to their wedding, I would think good friends would be aware of the friction. I'd certainly ask if my mother had been invited. If they answer yes, then I would skip the wedding. If your mother is still drinking and abusive, there's no way I'd risk running into her again. Just not worth it.

OOP: Thank you. Exactly. I don't want to be that person who dictates who they can/can't invite.
That's a good idea. I will ask if she was invited/ RSVPed yes. She drinks less now. Her heavy drinking resulted in her getting type 2 diabetes. Even with less alcohol, she apparently is still very manipulative and abusive according to my youngest half brother.

Commenter: Wishing you luck. Don’t blame you at all! My mother’s father (grandfather is too familial for him) was a narcissist, abuser too. Had to control every and all situations. Refused to give him any leeway and never spoke to him for the last 10 or so years of his life. If I had kids, I would not have allowed him to be apart of their lives either. There is no need to have another generation subjected to the vitriol and physical violence. Go to the party, support your brother. You don’t have to say a word to her. Make Her look stupid by ignoring her.

OOP: Thank you so much for your comment! I'm so sorry you had to go through that too and you're absolutely right when you said
"There is no need to have another generation subjected to the vitriol and physical violence."
My mother is the way she is because of her mother who was so much worse. That's why I had my daughter later in life. I was child Free out of fear of being like them but my step-dad and boyfriend both told me the same thing: I know how not to parent.

Mini update (Same Post, Next Day)
I don't know if this is how we update but I'm going to do it anyway lol. Thank you to everyone who commented and you all had the same advice. So I contacted the bride last night. She wrote me back this morning. She did not invite my mother. She knows a little bit of my history with my mother and said she rarely speaks to her. She wants me and my step-father there. He too would not want my mother there (he went through a lot of abuse too at my mother's hand). So my friend wanted us to have a good time and is not inviting my mother.
Thank you all again so very much for reading my post. I was so afraid of being that person who causes drama over who is/isn't invited and didn't want to cause my friend stress that I started imagining all possible scenarios of what could happen if she was that and spiraled into an emotional crying mess.
After all your comments, some ginger ale a hug from my husband and baby, I was able to get some sleep.
Thank you all again very much
Original Post: April 16, 2024 (4 months later)
Title: I had to end my 11 yr NC with my mother and her siblings for a family event. I will see her for the first time this Saturday. I'm overthinking everything...
I (41F) went NC with my entitled narcissistic mother and her siblings 11 years ago after years of physical, emotional and financial abuse as well as years of parentification starting when I was 11 yrs old. None of her siblings said or did anything. They just looked the other way and told me I was too emotional and exaggerate everything.
My brother (30M) and his girlfriend (22F) are having a baby shower for their first baby this Saturday, my mother is organizing it and sent out invites and created a Facebook event. This is why I went stopped my NC, so I could see the event and mark myself as going.
I refuse to let a POS human being prevent me from being there for brother and his girlfriend, even if that person is my mother. I'm not going to lie, I spiralled when I first saw my mother's invite. All the years of abuse, days of missed elementary school because the bruises were in visible places, all came back. My step-dad (54M) talked me down and we're going together. He was abused by her just as bad as I was, if not worse.
My mother is organizing the baby shower because my brother is close with her. Yes he knows what she did but thinks I should just forgive and forget, which I have multiple times but that never stopped the abuse.
My biggest concern is my boyfriend and I have a child (1F) and when my brother found out, he started again with how I should forgive and forget. I told him I don't expect him to not tell my mother about my child but to respect that she will not be in my child's life. Since my daughter was born there were some not so subtle attempts from her to like pictures of my daughter. She even sent me a friend request once, which I deleted right away. She's the jealous vindictive type so it wouldn't surprise me if she pressured my brother to get his girlfriend pregnant so she'd have a grand-child too (She's jealous of my step-dad for being a grand dad).
For those wondering why I didn't block her, I did but unblocked every now and then because I was paranoid she'd try something with grand-parents rights, even though I know she doesn't have a leg to stand on for that or try to get sympathy for not seeing my daughter. This still bothers me to this day sometimes. The nightmares and hormones have me paralyzed in fear. All this to say my mother would be the type of person to post about this on social media and if she does, I want to be able to get screenshots of it and address it right away because she's a master manipulator.
I decided to take a big step and started therapy for the first time last week. Therapy was always something ridiculed and seen as something for weak people by my family. My boyfriend (44M) agreed with the therapy and even asked me how I felt afterwards. He's my rock and my everything. We've been together for 20 years. For those wondering, why we aren't married because we don't really don't care. We love each other and for us that's enough. Therapy helped a lot. I have another session this week, two days before I see her again. My therapist called me brave, which honestly surprised me. I never thought of myself as being brave.
Anyway, I'll update after the baby shower.
Relevant Comments:
Commenter: Your brother deems his deference for your mother above the abuse thar he knows you suffered. However much you care for him, your feelings are secondary as far as he's concerned... Why stress? Spend the day with someone who loves you.

OOP: thank you for your comment. I do agree with you that my feelings are completely secondary to him. Unfortunately, he's very much like her personality wise but his girlfriend is a gem and keeps him level headed (even he admits its lol). My dad and I have an agreement that if either of us are uncomfortable we'll leave right away. We're going as each other's support. Plus I worked really hard on a crocheted baby blanket, hats and mitts lol.

Why are you putting yourself in this situation?

Thank you so much for your concern. Yes it's going to be stressful but after having lost my entire family when going NC, I went a few years with no contact with anyone, including my step-dad and brothers. She had turned everyone against me which destroyed me. I felt so abandoned. Once her lies, cheating and abuse were exposed is when my step-dad and one of my two brothers came back in my life. The one brother who came back (23M) isn't the one who's baby shower I'm going to (30M). Yes there's a massive age difference between us (I'm 41F). I raised the two of them alone. I felt like I had lost everything when they went NC. Them coming back felt like a second chance. Brother 30M came back a few years after. He's very easily manipulated and has the same kind of personality as my mother: vain, narcissistic and selfish but he's a watered down version without the abuse.
Basically I'm putting myself in this situation for my second chance little family I was able to form after the fallout. Seems ridiculous but I'd feel terrible to not try.

Commenter: I too, think it is a bad idea. I cannot imagine spending time around someone that was abusive to me for years just to appease my brother who didn't even care that I was abused, still maintains a close relationship with my abuser and on top of it has the audacity to tell me to forgive and forget. That part is throwing me. I cannot for the life of me imagine my mom hurting my sister who I love, yet still wanting to be cool with my mom, my mom would be dead to me. And I get Op is fond of her brother's gf but like someone else suggested take her out to lunch or do something else nice with her, like a spa day and give her the gift.

OOP: As much as I would love to do all the above, it's really hard with how far my brother and his girlfriend live and their job. They both work really long shifts. I know it's confusing and even I wonder sometimes, especially that he plays off my trauma like I'm exaggerating, but the best way I can put it is in a way we have a way to start over. After the year did abuse, not just to me but my step-dad also, we want to try and make our little family of chosen people work. We never got a chance to do that, ever. I would have to do a post by itself about my family and all the bullshit that lead to the NC. That would be a massive post in itself. So much to unpack but therapy is helping.
Lastly, I was happy to hear my brother's girlfriend put her foot down with certain things with my mother. My brother will get to see our mother's real personality with his baby. I hope he steps up for his girlfriend and their baby.

Commenter: It's ok to prioritize your self and your family. You cannot thrive and be bountiful if you don't. If not going is best for you. That is ok. What is best for you is ok. It took me a long time to say that! It's not selfish to do what's best for you and your LO (Editor's note- little one)

OOP: I've really been leveraging "No" as a full sentence and have been using that as a filter for people I want to keep in my life. If people can't respect me when I say no, then what else are they going to disrespect me on.
At first I did not want to go. I had a full blown crying, shaking, dry heaving meltdown. After composing myself, I called my dad and he talked me through it and said he was going. He was heavily abused too so I know it's just as hard for him. That's why we're going as each other's support. As for my daughter, she's staying home with my boyfriend having a daddy daughter day.

Commenter: Eh, I would suggest just using her first name, not "mother." Deny the relationship. Twist that knife.

OOP: I have. I use mother here because I've used "egg donor" in the past and people were super confused. Even to my step-dad and brothers I call her by her first name.

Commenter: I'm a cross stitcher and knitter, I feel your pain. (Editor's note- OOP commented at one point that she had a handmade gift for the new baby) As for the shower, have you considered that by going you are letting her win? She gets to show everyone how mean you are to her, she gets to create drama and blame it on you. Think on this, a narcissist thrives on attention any attention, even bad, is a balm to their soul.
She will do everything in her power to make you look bad. There is no way to win, except by ignoring her existence.

OOP: Thank you! I have considered that side too. I'm going by my dad's experience. He had to see her a month ago or so for the gender reveal and he said she looked resigned. Almost emotionless. She's already painted me in a bad light to the entire family (her sisters, her brother and their kids) who will also be there by the way. But they're all so non-confrontational and fake.
I know my mother is throwing the baby shower for exactly that reason. She wants attention. My dad and I agreed to leave right away if either of us feels uncomfortable.

Commenter: You want to be there for a grown ass man who doesn’t care about you being abused. Why do you still care about him? When has he ever cared about you??

OOP: Thank you for your comment. We used to be close a long ago. We've gotten a lot better in the past 2 years. He was really badly manipulated by my mother for many years. He took for granted that what she was telling him was true because she's our mother and she wouldn't lie, which is so dumb, I know. He's learning that more and more. I think he's seeing it more now that she keeps trying to ask him for money, like I warned him she would.

Commenter: Brother will change his mind about mother once she starts abusing his kid. These kinds of things don't just stop. Good luck to you!

OOP: Thank you! I really hope it doesn't come to that but it wouldn't surprise me. I think it'll be more my brother's girlfriend putting her foot down with my mother's involvement (she'll probably try to involve herself in everything). My brother will be forced to choose and in general does what his girlfriend says since she's the most down to earth, realistic and normal out of the two. She keeps him level, his words exactly.

Commenter: You DON’T have to go. Just because your brother has poor taste in people doesn’t mean you have to be around your abuser. You can see him other times.

OOP: Thank you for your comment. I know I don't. I'm choosing to go. I feel like I'm letting my mother get under my skin and win by not going and that makes me even angrier. That's where I'm at at the moment.

Editor's note: All edits take place on the same post.
EDIT: I'm sorry if I'm, confusing anyone by saying "my dad" when referring to my step-dad. To me he is my dad. He and I have gone through hell and back together in regards to my mom. Our experience has brought us closer than ever.
EDIT 2: I am NOT bringing my daughter. She's staying home and having a daddy daughter day with my boyfriend.
EDIT 3: April 16 or 17, 2024 (Same day/day after)
Holy cow I did not expect this many comments! Thank you all so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate it. That's what I love at MarkNarrations. I love this sub. It's such a tightly knit community. My daughter knows the sound of his voice now and comes running to see when I play his videos on my tablet lol.
One thing I want to tell everyone, you don't need to worry about me breaking down, crying, or having a meltdown. I'm at a point in my life where I don't get sad. I get angry and my worry is if she tries anything, my step-dad will have to jump him and pull me back. And I have no problems calling her out on her abuse. Many years ago she made him nearly homeless where he only had enough money to pay his mortgage but had to go to the food bank for food. He didn't tell me because he knew I probably would have done something I'd regret later. He only told me after the fact and I cried tears of anger and disbelief at being related to someone so vile. When I get overwhelmed I cry, which I find so embarrassing.
I am seeing therapist this Thursday, two days before the shower and I'm really looking forward to it. I will keep you all updated. Thank you all again so much. I really love this sub <3
EDIT 4: April 18, 2024 (two days later)
Thank you all again so much for all the love and support. I'm sorry I didn't clarify this before. I have 2 brothers 30M and 23M. My brothers are my half-brothers (We share the same mother. Their father is my step-dad). Just like how I call my step-dad "dad", I call my half-brothers, "brothers".All the comments, advise and suggestions have been amazing and some really really funny. I'm feeling so much better after reading all the support and am started to look forward to the baby shower, especially that my step-dad texted me saying he met my mother's husband this week and that the man's face was priceless after my step-dad introduced himself to him. I asked for more details but he said we'll talk about it on the drive over.
After that, I wanted to give you all a full scope of who my mother is and what kind of a piece of shit human being she really is. I put it in point form instead of a giant block of text:

• Her physical abuse started at 6-7 years old. It was pinching and twisting until my skin tore. Grabbing me by the arm or leg so hard she'd leave hand shaped bruises. Slapping me across the face so hard, I'd have the imprint of her hand on my face. Throwing objects at me. She almost broke my orbital bone when I was 8 after throwing a glass at my face after I said a swear word in public for the first time. A few times I couldn't go to school because the bruises were in visible places.
• Telling me she'd throw me outside and lock the door so the boogeyman would take me if I didn't do exactly what she said. This was all when I was under the age of 10.
• The parentification started when I was 11 when my first brother was born. He was my sole responsibility. Same when my second brother was born when I was 18.
• The financial abuse started when I was 12 when I had my first job tutoring the neighbour's son. She'd take my money to buy alcohol. I would hide my money so I could buy food for me and brother or my cat since she'd forget and just say to "eat whatever".
• Financially speaking, she wrecked my credit. I lent her my credit card when I was 21 (stupid I know) to help her with her business. She said, as my mother, I owed it to her. Back then I was still in the mindset I was taught growing up. That family was what was most important. Now I know better and have worked hard for years to build my credit back up.
• She tried to get back in contact with me 8 years ago by wishing me happy birthday on facebook under my brother's comment (they're facebook friends). This was 2 weeks after we were contacted about inheritance following my grandfather's death a few months before. She hadn't contacted me for anything the 3 years previous. So gross, especially since she inherited way more than I or my brothers did.
• As for my step-dad - she cheated on him for 6 years with some guy she met down in the Caribbean. So not only is she abusive, she's also a cheating piece of shit. She would fly out down there 6 to 7 times a year by herself for her "me" time and would lose it when my step-dad asked to join her. All the money he gave her to pay the mortgage, hydro, and other utilities, she'd send to her boy toy, now her husband. My step-dad almost lost his house and she ruined his credit too by racking up credit card and cell phone bills. Her credit was so bad, she couldn't get a phone. I had had enough and confronted her. They split up not long after and that's when all my mother's lies and manipulation came to light.
• They owned a company together that my mother's brother bought from them. My step-dad and mom had each taken out a loan with the bank to start the company together and were still making payments to it after they split. My step-dad paid his loan off first and that made my mother so angry and jealous she had her brother help her take my step-dad to court to sue him and have him pay her loan. She won. He had to go to the food bank for a while because he couldn't afford anything else but the mortgage and hydro.

I have therapy this afternoon and can't wait. I felt so much better last week after just 1 session. You all have made me feel so much stronger and confident. Let me know if you have any questions or need clarification on anything I wrote above.
Update (Same Post): April 20, 2024 (4 days from OG post)
UPDATE! Today was the baby shower and omg! I'm putting everything in point form because there's a lot to update you all on. I'm typing from my cellphone as I'm rocking my daughter to sleep. I missed her so much today.
1 - my dad invited his female best friend to come with us to the baby shower. We'll call her Sally. She's a wonderful woman with a big heart and very protective of my dad, especially since she knows my mother fairly well and works at the same place as her. The first time she and I met we were talking about each other's work and she was going on about this awful co-worker who was so bossy, blamed everyone else for her mistakes and took the praise for other people's work. Turns out it was my mother lol. Basically my mother was not happy Sally was coming.
2 - Both my dad and Sally said my mother texted them to say the baby shower started at 1:30. It didn't. The invite clearly said 1pm. I told them we're getting there for 1pm and was 99% sure my mother was trying to make them look bad out of jealousy. I was right. We arrived at 12:55 pm and my mother's deer in the headlights look on her face said it all.
Guys I stayed composed. I did it! My hands were shaking but I kept them in my pockets. Sally saw this and squeezed my arm.
My mother came out of her daze and came over "oh OP! You came!? It's nice to see you!"
I smirked at her obvious lie and discomfort at being caught, said "Nice to see you too. Where do I put my gift?" She took my gift and put it on the table with the other gifts.
3 - My mother's two siblings showed up with their daughters. One sister greeted me like an acquaintance, which I appreciated. The other pretended I wasn't even there.
4 - my dad, Sally and I sat at a table with one of my dad's former work buddies. We had a blast. My mother was not impressed. Shooting us dirty looks. So much so my dad's friend turned to me and said "uh oh. I think we might need to keep it down". Everyone else was talking loudly, we weren't the only ones. She just didn't like that we were having fun.Me "forget her. She always looks like that." My dad spit out his drink laughing. I didn't say it loud enough for her to hear (at least I don't think so and didn't care in the moment to be honest) but we did get more dirty looks lol.
4 - my mother whipped out a headset with a microphone hooked to a tiny speaker that she hooked to the back of her pants, like she was some sort of talk show host. I shit you not. I didn't notice until my dad said "what the fuck..." I looked over and couldn't help but laugh. Did I mention my mother thrives on being the center of attention, even at her own son's baby shower.
5 - she had us play games and whatnot which was fun. I participated and had fun, until my mother handed diapers with melted chocolate bars on them and gave them out to my two brothers my dad and another guy at the shower. She wanted them to taste what was in the diaper and guess the chocolate bar. The way the chocolate was melted you could tell some of the crotch of the diaper had turned gelatinous (which is what it's supposed to do when a baby pees. I doubt that gel is for human consumption). Me in my now very comfortable seat at the shower blurted "that's disgusting". I got a few responses agreeing with " uh yeah... That's gross".
6 - then there was the bottle drinking game. My mother dropped the bottle full of grape juice in front of my dad like he was a bug she was trying to squish with the bottle. It was so obvious that the girl at the table next to us tapped my shoulder and asked why "the woman with the microphone just pitched the bottle to the poor guy in the blue shirt". I told her the guy was my dad and the woman was his ex, my mother. The girl apologized profusely. I told her not to, that she said nothing wrong and that my mother was just like that.
7 - my dad and I went out for supper afterwards and what I found out over guys... OMG! Turns out my mother was upset with my dad because she asked my other brother (not the one having the baby shower) to try and put in a good word for her to my dad because she wanted to get back together with him and he just laughed. He didn't know what else to say. Need I remind you all that she's currently married to the man she cheated on my dad with for 6 years!
She married and sponsored this man from the Caribbeans to come to Canada. According to my brother, this poor man is treated like a tenant and is forced to live in her basement. WTF
My dad laughed when he saw my face and told me not to worry, that there's no way in hell he would ever consider getting back with her. I told him good because I'd have to smack some sense into him if he did.
He's 99% positive she's trying to get back with my dad to try and reconcile with me to have access to my daughter. He said he'd rather die than let that happen.
So there you have it. What a shit show, but it was a fun shit show that I did not expect in the least. Thank you all again for all your comments and support. It was so very appreciated.
Relevant Comment:
Commenter: You handled that well. Now just go back to pretending she doesn’t exist. She doesn’t deserve anything different. The best revenge is living well.

OOP: That's exactly the plan! Thank you again for your comments.

​

Apologies, this gets long, I had a lot to get off my chest. So, short bit of scene dressing. I am part of a polycule, at this point there is a central quad that grew out of several longtime friendships. (Note, I am not using "quad" to indicate a closed state, every person in it is free to other connections, but for me personally at this time I have three partners and they are all independently dating each other as well.) I will use fake names for convenience and privacy.
All concerned are in their 20s. I'm F, I'll call my partners Lucy (F), Charlie (F) and Kurt (M). The meta (F) I'm talking about was partnered with Kurt, and friends with Lucy. Charlie is long-distance and so never met Meta.
Meta and Kurt met and became friends about 10 years ago. (At this point Kurt and I were dating, but none of us had heard of polyamory.) Over the next six years, Kurt and Meta are only in occasional contact, Kurt and I learn about polyamory and realise it aligns with our natural orientations, over time various romantic connections form etc. Four years ago, Kurt and Meta started talking more online during lockdown, became closer friends again and a romantic spark became apparent between them.
Kurt was completely up front with Meta about everything. He had disclosed his polyamory before they even reconnected closely as friends. She is monogamous but had not heard of polyamory prior to this. She stated that she did not think she would be interested in it.
Post lockdown, Kurt and Meta began meeting as friends. Meta proactively approached Kurt after a night out, professing romantic and sexual interest in him. She asked if he had the possibility of returning those feelings. He responded that he had benched any possibility of those feelings in respect of her stated boundaries regarding only wanting a monogamous relationship. She said that she was interested in pursuing a relationship between them anyway and asked that he examine those feelings.
(Note: this is the point that he informs me, Lucy and Charlie about this, in line with our agreements.)
What follows is a toxic cycle over a few months. Meta will approach Kurt, stating that her feelings for him are strong and she wants to try them dating in a mono-poly relationship. Kurt checks if she is sure, takes time to go over things, answer any questions she has, reassure her that their friendship is deeply important to him and he will act in the way that makes her most comfortable. Meta assures him that she has worked through her insecurities. They date for a while. Meta freaks out, says it's all too hard, lashes out at Kurt verbally and breaks up with him. The cycle repeats.
Through these iterations, Meta occasionally talks to myself or Lucy about Kurt and polyamory. Lucy and Meta were friends before Meta and Kurt started dating. I only met Meta shortly before. Meta has insecurities about being an "affair partner" and worries that we are being coerced into this style of relationship. At any point, we assure her of our own comforts and answer general polyamory questions.
It hits a point when Meta confronts Kurt with an ultimatum: "I've tried being in a polyamorus relationship for you, why can't you try being in a monogamous one for me?". Kurt responds that the difference is that she could choose to engage in the relationship risking only her own feelings, while she is asking him to break up with (at the time) 3 serious partners, and shoot down 2 close friendships that had potential to develop. He reaffirmed that he is happy if she wishes to end their romantic & sexual connection permanently, but he is not willing to hurt 5 people he cares about to maintain it. He tells her that he would prefer to remain her friend but he understands that she may prefer space.
By now, I have a fairly negative view of Meta, because I have watched her hurt both Kurt and Lucy repeatedly with this cycle. However she then begins messaging me seeking what I thought was closure and turned out to be validation. She keeps trying to rewrite the narrative, claiming that Kurt never cared for her. At every point, I reassure her that polyamory isn't for everyone and it is nobody's fault this didn't work out, but quietly refuse to let her claim that Kurt didn't care for her, or that my relationships are any less valid than a monogamous one.
She blocks me, Lucy and Kurt for a while. She then unblocks Kurt and tells him she needed time to heal, but she wants to rebuild their friendship. A new toxic cycle starts. Kurt tries to be a good friend to her, but draws a boundary that he won't let her badmouth any of his partners to him. She manages fine for a while but grows angry that Kurt will not even consider a monogamous relationship with her, blocks him, and unblocks him a few months later and cycle two repeats.
We are past cycle two now. Kurt has done the emotional work of no longer actively seeking her friendship and focusing more on behaving with integrity. She gets in a new cycle of hunting for validation. She tries to badmouth Kurt and claim he was a toxic partner to her to multiple mutual friends and acquaintances. It gets to the point that even our most staunchly monogamous acquaintances (most of whom had a lot of sympathy for her back in cycle one, citing that it was a LOT for her to deal with) are correcting her on how Kurt acted. She still occasionally unblocks him just long enough to send him a hateful message and then reblocks him before he can block her. With each of these messages she gets more and more disconnected from reality.
The most recent of these she's claiming that he "expected her to be a doormat" and "didn't appreciate her at her value" and I just... I'm so so sick of her. I've confirmed with multiple sources that Kurt at every damn step gave her as many choices as possible and centred her feelings first. The only hard boundary he ever drew was not being willing to break up all his other romantic relationships for her. It makes me furious and it's hard for me to talk about in my social circle because they were all on the frontlines of the drama. I hoped a poly crowd might relate.

My girlfriend (17f) and I (18m) dated for roughly a year before we broke up the first time. Two months prior to breaking up, I asked her if we could take a break. I wanted to have space to myself to figure out how to help myself and solve the problems going on in my life at the time, and she and I were arguing for months and I couldn’t take it so I asked her for some space. We didn’t talk much during those two months, she later told me she felt like we’d already broken up because of that. I’ll admit I should’ve communicated with her more but the constant arguing continued to worsen my mental state and I started to become annoyed with her for the first time ever since I’ve met her. Fast forward to the end of the break, she decided she’s lost feelings for me and breaks up with me. Fast forward three more months (we broke up in late September) she unblocks my number and texts me. She tells me she’s missed me and has always loved me and that she regrets breaking up with me and wants me back. She asks to meet up to “hang out” and we do. It was great and I enjoyed it. I mentioned how I was glad we had done the deed again because it’s been awhile since I’ve last done it (I remained celibate the entire time we were on break and broken up and dating) and she kind of just looked away and laughed it off. Fast forward the next day she shoots me a text saying she actually started talking romantically and sexually to another guy and met up to have sex with him during October. We broke up late September. I always viewed her as a loyal girl and someone who wouldn’t throw themselves around and talk to everyone but I can’t help but feel like she’s cheated on me before and I didn’t know about it. I also feel hurt that she moved on so quickly. She acted like she was madly in love with me and even threatened to kill herself if we ever broke up. I got a job at 16 so I’ve always had money to spend and I would use a lot of it to spend on her and food for us when we hung out it. When I asked her about the new guy she said she never loved him and used him as a way to get over the break up. I can’t take that honestly I just can’t. He never payed for anything for her. They went on dates and he never paid. They made out so much and he was invited over so quickly. It took me almost 6 months to get to her. It took him maybe a week to get in between her legs. I took her virginity and we’ve been together almost every day we made plans for the future and she just went and did that. She met him off of discord. I’m only a 5’7/5’8 guy with dreads and he’s a 6’4 guy with dreads. I guess his looks and height made her want him quicker and more. Things between them didn’t work out and I eventually started dating her again because I honestly still love her. But I still can’t help but feel like she just wants me for my money and just wants affection and someone to fill a void. She barely tried to talk to me while we dated the first time and said it’s because we have nothing in common to talk about. She’s always dry when texting but in person she isn’t. But I managed to get some texts between her and that guy and she was so lively it made me think it was a different person texting. My mental has been fucked and I’ve been doing dumb things I’ve been messing up my preparation for college I just can’t take getting replaced and stepped on and cheated on anymore man.

Hello everyone, it's been a hell of a week since everything took place in the previous post, and I would like to provide a backstory to add more context and build up to what happened last week.
I'd like to warn in advance that it is a very long read. Documenting just about everything that has taken place in the past 14 months takes quite a bit!
https://www.reddit.com/Infidelity/s/AjqAnIgZVr
I have started going to therapy and have been taking ashwagandha, going back to the gym, and working more hours.
I would also like to add in a couple of factors to the whole situation, I am curious to see if they make a difference or not in my decision to walk away.
My ex wife is diagnosed with BPD and schizophrenia, both of which have been unmedicated for the majority of our relationship. She also has complex migraines, but has medication to manage those as well. It's also important to know that she has been hospitalized twice since we've been together, each for a different TIA. One was the first month we were dating, the second was before she started her part time job in November.
The start of our marriage was pretty rocky. Within the first month of our marriage she was fired from her job (no fault of her own). This put me in the position of the primary caretaker, and now paying her bills on top of mine and the other bills. Utilities, rent, etc. And considering the fact that right before we got married, her car died and she had no backup plan so we were left with no choice but for me to cosign on a vehicle with her. My credit is good, hers is not. The silver lining is that she got approved to drive for Uber, but the demand was so low and pay so poor that she would only be able to make enough for her car payment. When we got married, I also got her a new phone, watch, etc and put it on my account on top of adding her to my car insurance policy.
For the next three months, I was working three jobs to keep the family afloat (her, her kid, and myself). She was looking for full time jobs to supplement her part time rideshare gig, but due to our lovely economy, wasn't having much luck.
For the record, I have never been married, I have never been put in a situation like this before and have never been fully responsible for anyone other than myself, much less my wife and her child. The dad is involved, but he gets secondary custody. She would have her child 4 days out of the week.
I wasn't upset about the fact that I was suddenly a provider, but me barely being home put a wedge in our relationship, especially as newlyweds. We didn't really get the honeymoon phase of the wedding because I was always at work one way or another.
However, while I was working so much, responsibilities weren't delegated in the most equal manner. I would have to ask her to clean, and for her to make me lunch. I would still have to help clean and do my own laundry even after working 12+ hours. Her reasoning was her mental health would inhibit her from getting up and cleaning. I didn't put much consideration into her mental illness, but I did make a compromise with her to at least try one room a day and keep the home simply maintained throughout the week. That worked for a little bit, but it would go back to square one and I would still have to remind her.
Around this time I would see tiktok videos of these stay at home moms who prep their husband's meals for them while they work, and it would make me think "must be nice"
I didn't bring it up like I should have, but instead I started building resentment towards her and would go on to treat her in the manner in which I was feeling. I wouldn't have any time to decompress either, and since the house was always messy, I wasn't really happy at home either. It made me feel less and less empathy towards her when she would tell me she's drowning, and not feeling herself.
At one point when she told me that I told her "I don't know what is so wrong when you're not the one drowning in bills and taking care of the household"
After a conversation with her about that, I apologized to her for disregarding her feelings and made an effort to be more considerate in the future. But she would still be skeptical about opening up to me. We wouldn't have time to really do anything fun together because I was too tired from working as well.
Fast forward to mid September we both got new jobs. This new job of mine, where once out of training, I could just work two 16 hour shifts each week and make more money than working three jobs and having no days off.
She also felt pretty good about working again and being able to contribute. Things were finally starting to look up for us. I felt some relief that she was pulling her weight financially, and since she was now working, I would split cleaning with her. This job lasted a little over a month, before she was fired. This time I wasn't disappointed or anything, I told her I'm gonna have her back and she'll get back on her feet. At this point I was still doing my 16 hour shifts, but my days off would stay the same and I'd make sure to always save them for her. But since she's not working, at least try and make her car payment and I'd cover the rest but you'll be back to taking care of the home as a trade off. She agreed, but the cleaning would still not be taken care of as much. It has also been brought up by her multiple times that I am treating the marriage like a business transaction instead of treating her like a wife, and that I treat her like a roommate.
A month later I help her get a part time job at a small pizza place she used to work at before, years ago. We agreed that this part time job would be a stable gig to guarantee that she can at least make her car payment, and if she wants to do sidework to supplement it thats up to her. It was also supposed to be a temporary job until she found a full time job.
It's at this point where she finds out she works with a guy that impregnated her 10 years ago, but ended up dumping her because she had a medical emergency right in front of him. Unfortunately the baby only lasted a few hours, and that is extremely traumatic for her. She says even after finding out she was pregnant by him, she didn't talk to him at all and hasn't been in touch with him for 10 years until she sees him at this new job of hers. (I find this information out about a week or two before D Day)
She calls me the day she gets there and asks me if I am OK with her working there, even though there's a guy there who she dated 10 years ago for a couple weeks. I told her sure, just keep everything professional and we'll be fine! She agreed.
A couple weeks into starting her job, she is staying 2-5+ hours past her scheduled shift every day for various reasons. Her relief didn't show up on time, the store got too busy, etc. Her schedule was also different each week, so it was impossible to plan things with her like dates and whatnot.
Normally I don't have a problem with overtime, since I work it all the time myself. But this is a low paying job where she's putting miles on her car, and body, with almost nothing to show for it. She would be working 50-60 hours a week, even with working 7 days a week, but barely bringing anything home. Her schedule would always say she's gonna be off around 4:30pm, 5:00pm etc..but she'd always be there til like 9pm-11pm and when I would try and make plans with her, she would confirm them with me, but at the last minute tell me that she's staying late.
It drove a wedge between us because she would mention that we don't get any time together, but while I'm off of work, she's staying late because "she doesn't have a choice" This would last during her duration at this employer.
So right around the two week mark she asks me for permission to talk with this guy, future AP, outside of work "about work" I said no, and she reluctantly complied.
About a week later, she brought it up again. But this time when I reaffirmed my answer, she accused me of being insecure, and alienating me from her friends and isolating her. I told her it's a normal boundary that any healthy married couple would set. After some arguing she reluctantly agreed with me. She would also bring him up in conversation a lot, and would tell me about how they'd smoke weed together on break and how he'd buy her monster energy drinks. I asked her not to do any of those either, and she said she wouldn't.
At this point I was feeling like this guys a threat, because she was fighting to maintain an external relationship with him that was unnecessary, especially as a married woman. But she told me every day, don't worry about him and I'm not talking to him outside of work to respect your feelings. She would also not talk about him as much.
As much as she was working that month, I paid her whole car payment for the month of December, and in that whole month she paid for half of it and never paid me back for the rest. At this point I'm financially well enough to where it was like a drop in the bucket, but it's still about the principle of being independent and responsible. She got upset that while my balance at the time was over $10k, I was treating her like a roommate by asking her for $500 a month for bill money and for her to make her car payment each month.
A few days after the argument she changes her profile picture on facebook to a selfie of her looking pretty dolled up. When I asked about it she said "it's just a spurt" but ever since we met, her profile pictures have always been different pictures of her and I.
Fast forward to Christmas, and she is flat broke, but was coincidentally matched with future AP for secret santa. She got him a personalized pocket knife "that was $8, because he's really into those"
What did I get? She showed me a screenshot of the album cover that had our song on it with the lyrics on it that you pay to have printed out and mailed to you. It would have been an amazing gesture if she went through with it. She got me an early "stocking stuffer" in November that was a Big Ass Brick of soap from Duke cannon. I love duke cannon so I was happy with it. Also, I'm not big on receiving for Christmas, I prefer giving. She could have spent that $8 on a gift basket for me with a hand written note and I would have cherished it.
A couple days before new years eve, we get into a heated argument over some previous online communication (emails) between me and my ex before her that resurfaced (the emails were while we were talking, but before we got together). The communication was a one day long email thread, where she was trying to reconcile the friendship and was wondering why I had to block her. I was too nice when I replied, and told my ex things like "I care about you to Pluto and back and I miss you too, but for my sake we have to stay apart" the emails took place while I was out of town for work, and my ex wife asked me if I was still talking to my ex. I told her no because I interpreted me replying to something saying my last goodbyes isn't considered active contact. I legitimately forgot the emails existed until 9 months later when they resurfaced. Its also important to note that the first two months me and ex wife were together, she was talking to a former emotional fling she had even though it made me uncomfortable, and even went to lunch with him during a break that she started despite me asking not to, took a picture with him, and kept it has her contact pic until Christmas eve.
She was extremely upset because reading those emails made her feel like I lied to her face, and that our whole marriage was a lie, that she can never trust me again, that she was just a rebound, and doesn't even know who I am anymore.
As much as I tried to reassure her that none of that is true, she ended up driving around for like 4 hours before sleeping on the couch, not saying a word to me but messaging one of her girlfriends. That hurt because I felt like everything was over. I didn't sleep much that night.
The next day, 12/30, she doesn't talk to me until almost 7pm that night, and the text that she says is just a "hey" (her normal text patterns are always super cheesy and sappy)
We start talking on the phone, and, as much as she doesn't want to, she wants an annulment. I begged for her to go through with it, but she said it's for the best, due to me treating her like shit all the time, and the emails. She doesn't relent, and I honor her request. I had her come over to sign the papers. Before she came over, I blocked her on Facebook and whatnot bc I assumed it was done done.
Unbeknownst to me, she brings her mom over with her. Her mom essentially ends up acting like a marriage counselor, and tells her that this is my first marriage, she needs to give me time and help teach me how to be a husband, and that this is a learning curve for me. We cry a bit and hug after she tears up the annulment petition.
She then laid a few ground rules, which are:
1) We stay legally married, but don't wear any rings and go back to dating. We revisit the idea of wearing rings after our 1 year anniversary
2) Not to try and visit her at her job, because everyone there is on a warpath against me because of how I treated her.
I happily agreed at the time, and I took her and her mom out to dinner that night to celebrate new beginnings, but I had a gut feeling that this excitement was only temporary while her mom was there. She then told me on the way to dinner that there is once again nothing to worry about when it comes to her coworker, future AP and that she won't be referring to him as a friend anymore, but more of an acquaintance. I unblocked her on facebook and set my relationship status back to married, sending her a request to add me back as a friend and put that we're married to each other.
The next morning, new years eve, it felt like everything was going well. I told her I had very special plans with her that evening, and she said she'd be home as soon as she can. She was supposed to work until 5:30pm or so. I would like to add that the ball drop is the most significant part of the year to me.
She was pretty distant with me all day, and I had to remind her when she woke up to set her status back to publicly married. She initially had it to where only she could see that she was married.
She said she would, but never did. She said she was too busy to do it and would get around to it when she had the time. I understood. The next time she texts me is around 330pm, which is when I'm off work getting a haircut for what I thought was our special night together. She texts me to ask for gas money. I send her a picture of my fresh cut and she gives it a heart react, nothing else.
That's not an issue normally but our whole relationship she'd say I'm the most handsome man she's ever met, etc.
Around 6pm she tells me that she's forced to close. I get upset and tell her that we had plans, and they are very special to me. She says I'm sorry but I have to do it I'll come home as soon as I can. Every hour or so she keeps moving the goalpost, eventually she gets off around 2-3am.
During that time I begged her to quit her job, and that I would be more than happy to take care of her and I'd even make her car payment that month. My biggest concern about her working those late hours wasn't the fact that she wasn't home, but that she has had two TIAs in less than a year, and the last thing she needs is a work induced one.
She lightly dismissed it saying "ah that's tempting" but didn't touch the subject any further. She didn't talk to me much, except for when she told me she was off. I called her and she asked me to run her a hot shower for when she gets home, and I happily agreed. The first thing she does when she gets home is immediately hop in the shower, and she spent more time in there than usual. She said she was just listening to her audiobook when i went to check in on her and make sure she wasn't passed out or anything (her phone was in the shower with her). I also ran a towel through the dryer so she'd have a nice hot towel to dry herself off with.
She rolls in bed and tells me happy new year, I love you, and gives me a kiss before passing out.
I worked the same morning and she still hasn't unblocked me on Facebook. She was still pretty distant too. When I get off of work I come home and tell her "something doesn't feel right with me, and being home isn't helping at all. I'm gonna pack my bags and sleep at this hotel for the night. I love you"
Her response was just "what?"
I pack my bags and before leaving, I go to put her daughters phone on the charger. That's when I see her watch going off, so I go to check it. This is where I find the following messages between the two, starting from 5pm New Years Eve to shortly after 3pm New Years Day.
12/31, 0950 Him: About to hop in the shower what's up Her: Not a mental picture I wanted. Lol but we are fucked on trays. Him: What yiu mean Her: Which part do you mean what do I mean lol Him: Yall are fucked on trays Her: So the dough projection said that we needed nine trays of smalls, so we made nine trays of smalls and so now we are running low on trays for medium larges and XL's. Him: Okay lmao should have went off what's in the walk in Her: Suck my dick Him: LMAO you know you didn't mind that mental picture 😂 🤣 Him: And you ain't got one 🤣 Her: lol nah I don't lol I just had a flashback lol and yeah maybe I do it's bigger than yours Him: LMAO 🤣 Her: lol Him: A flashback lol Him: you guys got the oven on Her: lol yeah and they are on Him: I'm curious lol Her: lol times wee showered together Him: oh yeah we did lmao Her: Yeah multiple times Him: LOL I'm gonna head that way in a few Her: Otay Him: So I'm pretty sure I lost my Maui hook lol pretty upset about it Her: NO!!! Him: Yeah I can't find it. Her: Omg Him: Yeah the weird thing is is I was wearing it when we went to bed Her: That's odd Him: Dude ain't it because I'm pretty sure I was wearing it yesterday Her: yeah you definitely had it on Him: Usually the only time I take it off is when I shower Her: damn
12/31/2023, 12:00pm Her: Did he pass out yet? Him: Not yet Her: Damn Her: I didn't piss you off did I Him: How would you have made me mad Her: I have no clue
12/31, 3:30pm Her: Are you and your girlfriend arguing or something because you really have an attitude and I'm not the only one thar sees it Her: my bad if I offended you. You just don't seem like yourself today.
12/31, 6pm Him: well for one me having to do counts tonight is about to make me mad that's why I am mad I kind of I kind of shouldn't even offered to fucking take this god damn ehit tonight coz irs going to be so fucked up like I just want to fucking leave anyway thar big order that is set for six do not dispatch to doordash has a $17 tip on it and I'm taking it LOL you didn't do nothing to upset me
12/31, 7:40pm Her: lol what do you want? I'm deadass about to go get a fucking bottle. Him: I mean I was joking honestly lol I don't like to drink and drive Her: lol I know neither do I Him: You're only saying that you're not going to drink now cus you know that if you drink too much you won't be able to help yourself LOL Her: lol honestly half the time I have to fight off thoughts sober Him: What do you mean
12/31, 11:00pm Her: sends a spiderman meme
01/01/2024, 2:00am Her: Just made it home Him: Okay I'd imagine you're probably going to go to bed huh Her: Not imma go shower first Him: Well I bet that'll be enjoyable
01/01, 12:00pm Him: I will shoot you a text it may he when she goes to bed but I will talk to you at some point today lol Her: all okay you don't have to explain to me lol I should have had you grab me another monster Him: I can I'll be back give me a few Her: Okay thank you 😉 Him: If course Her: I feel like I'm dying Him: Why's that Her: My body hurts so bad I need a massage Him: Shkt me and you both Her: lol I mean... lol just kidding Him: LMAO your funny 🤣 Her: lol I know I am Him: You are lol but I will talk to you later LMAO Her: Okay
01/01 3:00pm Him: well she is napping with (redacted) lol Him: How's work going Her: Shitty boss is showing off for his new girlfriend Him: What do you mean Her: His girlfriend is in the store Him: Oh nice lmao I'll be back up there in a bit Her: thank god Him: lol not for long though just running grandma home Her: Otay Him: Need anythjng Her: lol nothing you can help with 😉 Him: lol what do you mean Her: nothing never mind Him: no I wanna know lol Her: what I need you can't assist with because you're in a relationship if you get what I mean Him: LOL okay thats what I thought but I wasn't sure 🤣 Her: LOL yeah Her: Yeah, that's definitely what I meant. Him: Lol well my bad Her: it's all gold maybe eventually 🤣 Him: lol maybe we will have to see how everything works out Her: Yeah true that lol I was about to ask for stuff last night lol 😉 Him: Explain lol Her: You were about to ask for pictures last night when I was in the shower lol Him: Lol and I refrained myself 🤣 I shouldn't be thinking like that Her: I know you did. I also refrained I almost sent some. Ooop. 🤣🤣🤣 Her: lol Him: No way lol Her: No way what Him: You were going to do that were not gonna start that lol Her: Yeah I was Him: Lol probably shouldn't start that 😂 Her: oh, but where is the fun in that? Jk Him: lol I know but we can't Her: I know this Him: I know sorry lol Her: it's all good Him: Ill message you later tonight lol Her: OK Him: have a good rest of your shift and what lol Her: How dare you btw Her: I will and those sweats.... Him: I just wanted to be comfortable 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I should have let the convo go on to see if she was planning on stopping anytime soon, but I was too pissed. So I called her, told her were done and to go live with him. She was speechless after that and didn't really talk to me until later that evening.
She ended up clocking out a few minutes later, got a few bags and stayed the night at her friends house. I told her I never want to
The same friend that she was messaging the night we had that big argument ended up messaging me about it, and let me vent to her all night. I did not sleep that night. Later in the morning the friend came over to help me pack her stuff, and they started talking on the phone and I broke and asked her why.
She did the whole "I made the worst mistake" thing and the whole nine yards. I fell for it.
I then asked her what she was saying to him before to make him even think he could approach a married woman like that.
She started sobbing even more and told her friend she'll just be a widow so I wouldn't have to worry about her.
That put me into panic mode so we hunted her down at her job, but called the cops to do a welfare check on her. She ended up coming back home with me so I could console her. She was adamant about fixing things. I didn't say yes, but I didn't say no because I felt bad and didn't want to hurt her feelings anymore than they already were.
The next three months were spent with me being just numb in general, halfway checked out of the marriage. She asked for reassurance multiple times, asking if we are okay, etc and I gave her half ass answers most of the time. I would also bring it up multiple times and it could be easily triggered.
She was transparent with her phone the whole three months, and didn't get frustrated with me when I would ask either. Even when I found out that in the month that they were chatting, there were over 900 texts exchanged between the two.
There was constant arguing between us for those three months, I was treating her like shit despite her mental illness. There would be about a couple of weeks when everything was good, then it would pop back up again whether it's through triggers, me wanting to dig up more evidence (trauma response) or the memories being brought back up randomly.
Everything ties into the previous post copied in this thread.
Basically she spent the night at that same friend's house, but didn't tell me there was a male roommate until the next morning and was messaging him all week behind my back without telling me. I only know she messaged him once because the morning after she spent the night she sent him a message bc she thought she left her iPad there.
I asked to see her phone Friday morning and she said what for, then she deleted the messages because she was scared that I would freak out, even though there was nothing inappropriate.
I didn't think much of that, I went to work and her and I talked all day about making up, bonding together that night, etc. When she tells me right before I get off of work that she made plans to go there again that night, even though i told her multiple times it makes me feel uncomfortable.
She said that I need to trust her, and that I am not her keeper and she doesn't have to cooped up at the house and that she doesn't really like to be home much because all I do is start fights.
I went to her job and pleaded with her for 30 minutes to let me be her rock, and confide in me about her mental illness troubles. She said she doesn't believe me because of how many times I've disregarded it, and apologized to me but told me she can't cancel the plans she made with her.
I asked her what she values more, her friendship or her marriage. She said I shouldn't have to answer that.
I left, and a few minutes later she texts me saying "I'm not sure why you're acting like this"
And that's when I told her she's a free woman to do as she pleases with no pesky husband holding her back.
She asked if I want a divorce and I said yes.
She said "ok I'll sleep in the baby's room tonight"
And I told her "it's probably best you stay over there again that night since you live there anyway" and she said "Ok"
I didn't talk to her for a few hours, until I started telling her how the divorce is gonna go down financially.
She said "okay but I need 30 days cus that's legal, and I also got checked in the mental hospital"
That had me convinced that this behavior was due to her not being on her medicine, so I asked to visit but she said no. She later got transferred to a different one, and I only knew cus family told me. So after work the day after she's checked in I drive 2 hours just to see for about 20 minutes. She told me I shouldn't have came here, but thanks for driving out, and that she refuses to come back to an abusive household. I told her that my repeated digging up of the cheating was a trauma response, and she said "trauma response? I sent a dumb text" and then she asked me to leave.
The whole time she was there after that I didn't hear a peep from her. I hear from her family that the reason she's been acting like this is because the ex has been off of her medication since last year because "I flushed them down the toilet and told her she doesn't need them" which couldn't be further from the truth. Deep down I still wanted to try and fix things, until I heard that when she gets out she's gonna file a Protection From Abuse order (I have never laid hands on her in my life)
So here I am today, her and her friend that lives with the male roommate are on their way to get the last of her belongings. She's gonna live with them, and the baby is gonna go with the baby's grandma for the time being.
I keep telling myself that this is my fault, and I caused her to check herself in and created an environment where she didn't want to be home and opened the door for her to meet this male roommate.
But I've also been told that a normal, healthy marriage shouldn't have three guy problems like this in less than a year.

Here is a list of gameplay bugs that exist within the game not acknowledged by the devs in their list below;

• Extraction ship can fly to the middle of the map and never land (may be triggered by host leaving during call down)
• Extraction ship can fly through the floor preventing boarding
• Collision issues with the extraction ship ramp
• Bile Titan animations stop working, sometimes it locks up completely
• Stratagem slots during loadout selection can appear blank for other players
• Friendly ammo counter indicators on the UI are constantly flashing red
• Bots can regularly shoot and sometimes travel through terrain
• Enemies track through smoke
• Superior Packing Methodology still does not work despite it being listed as a fix
• Grenade exploit is still within the game despite it being listed as a fix

Here is their own list of known gameplay bugs;

• Damage-over-time effects may only apply when dealt by the host. We expect to have this fixed in the next patch.
• Reinforcement may not be available for some players who join a game in progress.
• Helldiver may be unable to stand up from crouching when surrounded by enemies.
• Game may crash if the host leaves while dead and rejoins the same play session.
• Game may crash if the player changes the text language while on a mission.
• Various issues involving friend invites and cross-play:
  • Friend Request cannot be accepted when the requesting player changed their username before the request was accepted.
  • Cross-platform friend invites might not show up in the Friend Requests tab.
  • Players cannot unfriend players befriended via friend code.
  • Players cannot unblock players that were not in their Friends list beforehand.
  • Players may experience delays in Medals and Super Credits payouts.
• Enemies that bleed out do not progress Personal Orders and Eradicate missions.
• Scopes on some weapons such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle are slightly misaligned.
• Arc weapons sometimes behave inconsistently and sometimes misfire.
• Spear’s targeting is inconsistent, making it hard to lock-on to larger enemies.
• Stratagem beam might attach itself to an enemy but it will deploy to its original location.
• Explosions do not break your limbs (except for when you fly into a rock).
• Area around Automaton Detector Tower makes blue stratagems such as the Hellbomb bounce and be repelled when trying to call them down close to the tower.
• Planet liberation reaches 100% at the end of every Defend mission.

So here is a list of gameplay bugs introduced by the last patch that have been discovered so far;

• Plasma gun cannot shoot out of your own shield
• Super samples may not spawn at the sample rock
• Quasar cooldown not aligned with UI

Here is a list of gameplay bugs fixed by the last patch;

• Quasar and Sickle can now shoot through foliage
• Anti-Materiel pod now faces the Helldiver when called in

*NOTE: There were several crash fixes not mentioned as this post is to specifically focus on things that impact gameplay directly or UI elements rather than instabilities with the application in general.
I keep saying it.. but the fact that since launch problems are being introduced faster than they are being fixed is concerning for the longevity of the game, especially when paired with the hamfisted balancing and gameplay decisions such as the patrol and ricochet changes.

1. PATCH 01.000.300 Overview For this patch, we have made improvements and changes to the following areas:

Balance changes to weapons, stratagems, and enemies
Change to the Spread Democracy mission
Balancing General
Armors with armor rating above 100 now also reduce damage on headshots. nice change
Victory poses will now only play for the extracted. (No stolen valor on my ship.) lol
Primary, Secondary, & Support Weapons
CB-9 Exploding Crossbow Slightly smaller explosion

• Increased stagger
• Decreased number of maximum mags from 12 to 8
• Increased number of magazines received from resupply from 6 to 8
• Slight reduction in ergonomics
• Muzzle velocity increased

This is a strange one in that it is supposed to be good for medium armour enemies but isn't. Maybe give it thermite ammo and make it a heavy armour pen primary taht rewards skill?
LAS-99 Quasar Cannon

• Increased recharge time by 5 seconds

Definite nerf but not the worst.
BR-14 Adjudicator

• Full auto is now the default fire mode
• Reduced recoil
• Increased maximum mags from 6 to 8
• Increased number of magazines received from resupply from 6 to 8
• Now placed amongst assault rifles

Straight buffs and re-cat to more accurately represent the weapon. Nice.
Laser Cannon

• Slightly increased damage
• Slightly reduced damage versus large volume bodies

Adjustment. Not a nerf but not exactly a buff
SG-8P Punisher Plasma

• Decreased maximum mags from 12 to 8
• Increased amount of magazines received from resupply from 6 to 8
• Increased projectile speed, but will still keep a similar range
• Decreased damage falloff on the explosion
• Now placed in the energy weapons category

Minor nerf with ammo scavenging changes, Should not cripple it IMO.
ARC-12 Blitzer

• Increased shots per minute from 30 to 45
• Now placed in the energy weapons category

Neat
R-36 Eruptor

• Decreased number of maximum mags from 12 to 6
• Explosion damage drops off slightly faster

I don't think i ever got through more than 4 mags anyway. The explosion change could be seen as a buff as i Merced myself a lot at ranges i thought i was safe.
LAS-16 Sickle

• Decreased max number of mags from 6 down to 3

Wont really hurt if you manage your laz properly
Scythe

• Increased damage from 300 to 350
• Decreased amount of magazines from 6 down to 3

Wont really hurt if you manage your laz properly
Railgun

• Increased armor penetration in both safe mode and unsafe mode
• Stagger force slightly reduced

Sick as
MG-101 Heavy Machine Gun

• Third person crosshair enabled

Nice QOL change
Diligence Counter Sniper

• Damage increased from 128 to 140
• Ergonomics improved

Fire
Diligence

• Damage increased from 112 to 125

Nice
P-19 Redeemer

• Slight increase in recoil

Shouldn't hurt much.
Peacemaker

• Increased damage from 60 to 75

Nice
Senator

• Increased damage from 150 to 175
• Speedloader added when reloading on an empty cylinder–speeds up reload on empty considerably

I'm a cowboy now fuckers
Dagger

• Increased damage from 150 to 200

Nice
Liberator

• Damage increased from 55 to 60

Nice
Liberator Concussive

• Damage increased from 55 to 65

Nice
Dominator

• Damage decreased from 300 to 275

Slight nerf. Should still slap twats
Guard Dog Rover

• Decreased damage by 30%

D:
Guard Dog

• Slight increase in damage

:D

• Burning damage reduced by 15%

Thank fuck

1. ***[7:05 PM]***Stratagems

Machinegun Sentry

• Increased health to match other Sentries

:D
Tesla Tower

• Increased health by 33%

Won't mean much when a charger focuses it down but nice to have
RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher

• Airburst Rocket Launcher will no longer detonate when shot near stratagems (HMG turret, Sentries, Resupplies) and other Helldivers.
• Reduced proximity radius

Was hoping to have the airburst have a forward bias to go with momentum and a delay but good start.
Enemies Balancing adjustments have been made to

• Bile Spewer and Nursing Spewers movespeed slightly reduced

:D

• Hulks: Force required for them to stagger slightly increased

Boo
Hulk Scorcher direct flamethrower damage reduced by 20%
:D

• Devastator fire rate slightly increased (only the standard devastator)

Little bastard got a better cannon

• Gunships sideways movement slightly increased

Bugger

• Scout strider Riders now less vulnerable to explosions

Hate these bastards with a passion but probably needed. Pretty easy to wipe them out a post code away with an impact.

• Fog Generators health and armor increased

? actually no idea what this is

• Gunship spawners now have a much lower cap on how many gunships they can have active at the same time.

Nice. No more 20 gunships slaughterhouses
Enemy Patrols
Balancing adjustment to patrol spawning.

• Patrol spawning has been increased when there are fewer than 4 players. The fewer the players the bigger the change. For 4 player missions there will be no change compared to before.

The biggest noticeable change will be for solo players at higher difficulties. Odd change. Im sure some sick masochist will get a kick from it
Gameplay
Made minor level generation improvements to how we distribute locations throughout the mission map. This should improve variation in distance between objectives, and objectives will likely not spawn as far away from each other as often as before. Ok
Added setting in the options menu gameplay section to disable automatic climbing and vaulting while sprinting. Very nice
The Spread Democracy mission otherwise known as “raise the flag” can now be enjoyed on higher difficulties for maximum freedom spreading. :D
When readying up, Helldivers now salute to ensure maximum democratic readiness. :D
Added ambience to the Tremor planetary hazard to underline the severity so Helldivers can react accordingly The bugs are bigger?
Shots that ricochet from heavy armored enemies will now properly hit the Helldiver who fired them. Trigger discipline is highly recommended. Lol

1. ***[7:05 PM]***📷 Fixes Just sad my boy spear is still waiting to be fixed

• Crash Fixes.
  • Fixed crash that could occur when host abandoned mission with squad.
  • Fixed crash that could occur if a player tried to enter an occupied EXO-45 Patriot Suit.
  • Fixed crash that could occur for all players after or during mission results screen.
  • Fixed crash that could occur after shooting from the EXO-45 Patriot Suit’s rocket launcher.
  • Fixed crash that could occur for all players apart from the one that rejoined the ongoing mission with different armor and got reinforced.
• Fixed Superior Packing Methodology ship module not working properly.
• Fixed Blast Absorption ship module so that it correctly increases sentries’ resistance to explosions.
• Fixed issue where players could not navigate to the search results in the Social Menu.
• Fixed some issues where items equipped in a Warbond were not actually equipped.
• Fixed an exploit that allowed overly eager Helldivers to use grenades excessively.
• Fixed issue where kills from orbital barrage did not progress Indirect Fire Exercise order.
• Fixed issue that allowed traitors to try to sabotage the extraction shuttle by deploying sentry stratagems below it.
• Fixed issue where ion storms incorrectly prevented extraction beacon from deploying.
• Fixed some stratagem beams using incorrect color-coding.
• Fixed issue where the left stick on a controller could not be used to navigate the Social menu.
• Fixed some issues where various UI elements were cut off, off-centered or too close to the edge of the screen on ultrawide displays.
• Fixed Anti-Materiel Rifle facing away from the Helldiver after deploying it.
• Fixed bug where player could duplicate rounds by canceling the reload of Anti-Materiel Rifle at a specific time.
• Fixed bug where Anti-Materiel Rifle would consume an extra magazine after a canceled reload.
• Fixed bug where Recoilless Rifle would consume an extra shell from the backpack if the reload was canceled just after a shell was i* inserted, but before the reload was completed.
• Fixed issue where the Sickle and Quasar Cannon could not shoot through foliage.
• Fixed several issues where weapon thumbnails would disappear when scrolling through Armory.
• Fixed issues where Automaton Gunships sometimes could not see the player.
• Fixed incorrect collision being left over after destroying Automaton bunkers or detector towers with hellbombs.
• Fixed issue where Hellbombs would not deploy on certain missions
• Fixed certain issues that resulted in Helldivers drowning in deep water upon landing.
• Fixed issue where Hellpod Space Optimization made ammo go above capacity.

1. [7:06 PM]

• Fixed issue where Stalkers became very visible in fog
• Mines are now pingable for better coordination with your team.
• Receiving friend requests now gives the player a pop up.
• Improved readability of prompts and hints displayed in the tutorial and onboarding.
• Total experience is now visible in the career tab.
• Added better support for ultrawide monitors by fixing the aspect ratio of menus to 16:9 and adding a setting to control the width of the HUD.
• Keybinds bound to numpad will no longer reset upon restart.
• Fixed inconsistent audio when headphones are plugged into the Dual Sense controller while playing on PC.
• Playing Rock, Paper, Scissors in front of the ship no longer causes player to fall out into space.
• APW-1 Anti-Material Rifle and MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun now trigger hitmarkers while scoped in.
• Secondary weapon no longer remains in the Ballistic Shield ADS position after using a stim with the Ballistic Shield Backpack equipped.
• "Open Text Chat" is now rebindable.
• Explosive weapons such as R-36 Eruptor, CB-9 Exploding Crossbow. GP-31 Grenade Pistol no longer pulls players inward from the blast.
• Disabled the squad invites during the tutorial which caused an overlap in the UI.
• Fixed Primary and Secondary weapons overlapping on the character model in the armory.
• Fixed UI elements during first boot are cut off on a 21:9 aspect ratio monitor.
• Report and block player is now visible in the squad menu.
• Dead Scavengers now stop screaming for help if killed while calling in reinforcements.
• Fixed Anti Air cannons showing up as "Stratagem Scramblers" in danger warnings.
  • Added reload stage for the Spear reload after the spent missile had been discarded.
• 📷 Known Issues These are issues that were either introduced by this patch and are being worked on, or are from a previous version and have not yet been fixed.
• Damage-over-time effects may only apply when dealt by the host. We expect to have this fixed in the next patch.
• Reinforcement may not be available for some players who join a game in progress.
• Helldiver may be unable to stand up from crouching when surrounded by enemies.
• Game may crash if the host leaves while dead and rejoins the same play session.
• Game may crash if the player changes the text language while on a mission.
• Various issues involving friend invites and cross-play:
  • Friend Request cannot be accepted when the requesting player changed their username before the request was accepted.
  • Cross-platform friend invites might not show up in the Friend Requests tab.
  • Players cannot unfriend players befriended via friend code.
  • Players cannot unblock players that were not in their Friends list beforehand.
  • Players may experience delays in Medals and Super Credits payouts.
• Enemies that bleed out do not progress Personal Orders and Eradicate missions.
• Scopes on some weapons such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle are slightly misaligned.
• Arc weapons sometimes behave inconsistently and sometimes misfire.
• Spear’s targeting is inconsistent, making it hard to lock-on to larger enemies.
• Stratagem beam might attach itself to an enemy but it will deploy to its original location.
• Explosions do not break your limbs (except for when you fly into a rock).
• Area around Automaton Detector Tower makes blue stratagems such as the Hellbomb bounce and be repelled when trying to call them down close to the tower.
• Planet liberation reaches 100% at the end of every Defend mission.

TLDR Chill the fuck out. This wasn't that bad and has some really nice changes and isn't worth vilifying a dev over.
The ergo changes on the counter sniper i cant wait to try
Really the only thing that sucks is mentioning the spear is apparently fixed and waiting to be deployed giving people false hope. Sort of shot yoself in the foot there mate. Would of rather not known if it wasn't coming this patch.

For this patch, we have made improvements and changes to the following areas:GeneralPrimary, Secondary, & Support WeaponsOverview Balancing

• Balance changes to weapons, stratagems, and enemies
• Change to the Spread Democracy mission
• Armors with armor rating above 100 now also reduce damage on headshots.
• Victory poses will now only play for the extracted. (No stolen valor on my ship.)
• CB-9 Exploding Crossbow
  • Slightly smaller explosion
  • Increased stagger
  • Decreased number of maximum mags from 12 to 8
  • Increased number of magazines received from resupply from 6 to 8
  • Slight reduction in ergonomics
  • Muzzle velocity increased
• LAS-99 Quasar Cannon
  • Increased recharge time by 5 seconds
• BR-14 Adjudicator
  • Full auto is now the default fire mode
  • Reduced recoil
  • Increased maximum mags from 6 to 8
  • Increased number of magazines received from resupply from 6 to 8
  • Now placed amongst assault rifles
• Laser Cannon
  • Slightly increased damage
  • Slightly reduced damage versus large volume bodies
• SG-8P Punisher Plasma
  • Decreased maximum mags from 12 to 8
  • Increased amount of magazines received from resupply from 6 to 8
  • Increased projectile speed, but will still keep a similar range
  • Decreased damage falloff on the explosion
  • Now placed in the energy weapons category
• ARC-12 Blitzer
  • Increased shots per minute from 30 to 45
  • Now placed in the energy weapons category
• R-36 Eruptor
  • Decreased number of maximum mags from 12 to 6
  • Explosion damage drops off slightly faster
• LAS-16 Sickle
  • Decreased amount of magazines from 6 down to 3
• Scythe
  • Increased damage from 300 to 350
  • Decreased max number of mags from 6 down to 4
• Railgun
  • Increased armor penetration in both safe mode and unsafe mode
  • Stagger force slightly reduced
• MG-101 Heavy Machine Gun
  • Third person crosshair enabled
  • Diligence Counter Sniper
  • Damage increased from 128 to 140
  • Ergonomics improved
• Diligence
  • Damage increased from 112 to 125
• P-19 Redeemer
  • Slight increase in recoil
• Peacemaker
  • Increased damage from 60 to 75
• Senator
  • Increased damage from 150 to 175
  • Speedloader added when reloading on an empty cylinder–speeds up reload on empty considerably
• Dagger
  • Increased damage from 150 to 200
• Liberator
  • Damage increased from 55 to 60
• Liberator Concussive
  • Damage increased from 55 to 65
• Dominator
  • Damage decreased from 300 to 275
• Guard Dog Rover
  • Decreased damage by 30%
• Guard Dog
  • Slight increase in damage
  • Burning damage reduced by 15%
    1. [11:05]StratagemsEnemies Balancing adjustments have been made toEnemy PatrolsGameplay
• Machinegun Sentry
  • Increased health to match other Sentries
• Tesla Tower
  • Increased health by 33%
• RL-77 Airburst Rocket Launcher
  • Airburst Rocket Launcher will no longer detonate when shot near stratagems (HMG turret, Sentries, Resupplies) and other Helldivers.
  • Reduced proximity radius
  • Added reload stage for the Spear reload after the spent missile had been discarded.
• Bile Spewer and Nursing Spewers movespeed slightly reduced
• Hulks: Force required for them to stagger slightly increased
• Hulk Scorcher direct flamethrower damage reduced by 20%
• Devastator fire rate slightly increased (only the standard devastator)
• Gunships sideways movement slightly increased
• Scout strider Riders now less vulnerable to explosions
• Fog Generators health and armor increased
• Gunship spawners now have a much lower cap on how many gunships they can have active at the same time.
• Balancing adjustment to patrol spawning.
• Patrol spawning has been increased when there are fewer than 4 players. The fewer the players the bigger the change. For 4 player missions there will be no change compared to before.The biggest noticeable change will be for solo players at higher difficulties.
• Made minor level generation improvements to how we distribute locations throughout the mission map. This should improve variation in distance between objectives, and objectives will likely not spawn as far away from each other as often as before.
• Added setting in the options menu gameplay section to disable automatic climbing and vaulting while sprinting.
• The Spread Democracy mission otherwise known as “raise the flag” can now be enjoyed on higher difficulties for maximum freedom spreading.
• When readying up, Helldivers now salute to ensure maximum democratic readiness.
• Added ambience to the Tremor planetary hazard to underline the severity so Helldivers can react accordingly
• Shots that ricochet from heavy armored enemies will now properly hit the Helldiver who fired them. Trigger discipline is highly recommended.
  1. NEU
  2. [11:05] Fixes
• Crash Fixes.
  • Fixed crash that could occur when host abandoned mission with squad.
  • Fixed crash that could occur if a player tried to enter an occupied EXO-45 Patriot Suit.
  • Fixed crash that could occur for all players after or during mission results screen.
  • Fixed crash that could occur after shooting from the EXO-45 Patriot Suit’s rocket launcher.
  • Fixed crash that could occur for all players apart from the one that rejoined the ongoing mission with different armor and got reinforced.
• Fixed Superior Packing Methodology ship module not working properly.
• Fixed Blast Absorption ship module so that it correctly increases sentries’ resistance to explosions.
• Fixed issue where players could not navigate to the search results in the Social Menu.
• Fixed some issues where items equipped in a Warbond were not actually equipped.
• Fixed an exploit that allowed overly eager Helldivers to use grenades excessively.
• Fixed issue where kills from orbital barrage did not progress Indirect Fire Exercise order.
• Fixed issue that allowed traitors to try to sabotage the extraction shuttle by deploying sentry stratagems below it.
• Fixed issue where ion storms incorrectly prevented extraction beacon from deploying.
• Fixed some stratagem beams using incorrect color-coding.
• Fixed issue where the left stick on a controller could not be used to navigate the Social menu.
• Fixed some issues where various UI elements were cut off, off-centered or too close to the edge of the screen on ultrawide displays.
• Fixed Anti-Materiel Rifle facing away from the Helldiver after deploying it.
• Fixed bug where player could duplicate rounds by canceling the reload of Anti-Materiel Rifle at a specific time.
• Fixed bug where Anti-Materiel Rifle would consume an extra magazine after a canceled reload.
• Fixed bug where Recoilless Rifle would consume an extra shell from the backpack if the reload was canceled just after a shell was i* inserted, but before the reload was completed.
• Fixed issue where the Sickle and Quasar Cannon could not shoot through foliage.
• Fixed several issues where weapon thumbnails would disappear when scrolling through Armory.
• Fixed issues where Automaton Gunships sometimes could not see the player.
• Fixed incorrect collision being left over after destroying Automaton bunkers or detector towers with hellbombs.
• Fixed issue where Hellbombs would not deploy on certain missions
• Fixed certain issues that resulted in Helldivers drowning in deep water upon landing.
• Fixed issue where Hellpod Space Optimization made ammo go above capacity.
  1. [11:06]These are issues that were either introduced by this patch and are being worked on, or are from a previous version and have not yet been fixed.Known Issues
• Fixed issue where Stalkers became very visible in fog
• Mines are now pingable for better coordination with your team.
• Receiving friend requests now gives the player a pop up.
• Improved readability of prompts and hints displayed in the tutorial and onboarding.
• Total experience is now visible in the career tab.
• Added better support for ultrawide monitors by fixing the aspect ratio of menus to 16:9 and adding a setting to control the width of the HUD.
• Keybinds bound to numpad will no longer reset upon restart.
• Fixed inconsistent audio when headphones are plugged into the Dual Sense controller while playing on PC.
• Playing Rock, Paper, Scissors in front of the ship no longer causes player to fall out into space.
• APW-1 Anti-Material Rifle and MG-206 Heavy Machine Gun now trigger hitmarkers while scoped in.
• Secondary weapon no longer remains in the Ballistic Shield ADS position after using a stim with the Ballistic Shield Backpack equipped.
• "Open Text Chat" is now rebindable.
• Explosive weapons such as R-36 Eruptor, CB-9 Exploding Crossbow. GP-31 Grenade Pistol no longer pulls players inward from the blast.
• Disabled the squad invites during the tutorial which caused an overlap in the UI.
• Fixed Primary and Secondary weapons overlapping on the character model in the armory.
• Fixed UI elements during first boot are cut off on a 21:9 aspect ratio monitor.
• Report and block player is now visible in the squad menu.
• Dead Scavengers now stop screaming for help if killed while calling in reinforcements.
• Fixed Anti Air cannons showing up as "Stratagem Scramblers" in danger warnings.
• Damage-over-time effects may only apply when dealt by the host. We expect to have this fixed in the next patch.
• Reinforcement may not be available for some players who join a game in progress.
• Helldiver may be unable to stand up from crouching when surrounded by enemies.
• Game may crash if the host leaves while dead and rejoins the same play session.
• Game may crash if the player changes the text language while on a mission.
• Various issues involving friend invites and cross-play:
• Friend Request cannot be accepted when the requesting player changed their username before the request was accepted.
• Cross-platform friend invites might not show up in the Friend Requests tab.
• Players cannot unfriend players befriended via friend code.
• Players cannot unblock players that were not in their Friends list beforehand.
• Players may experience delays in Medals and Super Credits payouts.
• Enemies that bleed out do not progress Personal Orders and Eradicate missions.
• Scopes on some weapons such as the Anti-Materiel Rifle are slightly misaligned.
• Arc weapons sometimes behave inconsistently and sometimes misfire.
• Spear’s targeting is inconsistent, making it hard to lock-on to larger enemies.
• Stratagem beam might attach itself to an enemy but it will deploy to its original location.
• Explosions do not break your limbs (except for when you fly into a rock).
• Area around Automaton Detector Tower makes blue stratagems such as the Hellbomb bounce and be repelled when trying to call them down close to the tower.
• Planet liberation reaches 100% at the end of every Defend mission.

In the remote village of Ashwat, Ajna was raised by her father Indr and trained extensively in martial arts. When agents of Lord Ravannavar torch Ashwat and murder Ajna’s father in front of her, she unlocks the strange power of absorbing other people into her own being. After seeking revenge against Ravannavar, Ajna uncovers the truth about her upbringing: she’s actually a piece of Kala, the malevolent deity that resets the universe every eon, and she’s fated to rejoin Kala’s being and usher in the end of all things. Ever the rebel, Ajna seeks to combat Kala instead. To get there, she must join strength with other spiritually strong individuals and learn the virtues of patience and forgiveness.

Ajna

Physicals

Strength

• Breaks out of Angwu’s magic restraints
• She leaps up and decapitates Lord Ravannavar’s human form
• Can chop down wooden obstacles
• Smashes a thick, metal grate
• Can destroy stone walls
• After being sucked into Kala’s massive mouth, Ajna breaks free

Other Physicals

• Takes a long fall into a nightclub unharmed
• [Limit] KOed by a body slam from a big monster
• Dodges a sword slash from Dhar

Exploration Abilities

Movement-Based
General

• Can dash along the ground
• Can wall-jump
• Can slide underneath obstacles
• Can slide, then vault her body into the air to move through narrow gaps or kick enemies
• Can dash forward in the air. She later upgrades the ability, allowing her to air dash in eight cardinal directions.

Equipment-Dependent

• Can use her axe to aid in climbing, chopping into walls to act as a handhold
• Ajna tosses the spear forward
• Using the spear, Ajna can pole vault over obstacles
• While airborne, Ajna can hold the spear point-down and bounce along obstacles or enemies
• Ajna punctures the ceiling with her spear, then jumps off to travel horizontally
• Can swing a sickle on a chain in wide arcs over her head

Archery
General

• Upon finding Zebei’s bow, Ajna can use the weapon to fire arrows. Despite Ajna using the weapon in exploration and combat, Zebei also carries the bow at the same time.
• Arrows disable large, mechanical enemies called Haathi
• Explosive arrows destroy cracked stone walls
• Arrows are heavily effected by sources of wind

Magic Arrows

• By enchanting an arrow with iddhi, Ajna can cover hazards like spikes and electric walls in protective flowers
• Charges an arrow with Nuna’s power, allowing Ajna to restrain enemies in vines. While restrained, Ajna can use the enemy as terrain to stand on or jump off of.
• After tangling an enemy in vines, Ajna can teleport to their position and strike them

Counters

• Can block, then counter strikes with a heavy punch of her own, starting the battle
• Can block, then counter with a strong throw to the ground
• While midair, Ajna can block and counter with a spinning throw to the ground

Heruka Transformation-Based
Heruka Form Maha Heruka Form Tara Heruka Form
Heruka Hustle

• Can run against a sandstorm that was previously pushing her back
• Used to ram through obstacles, like large rocks
• Later upgrades the ability to maintain her momentum after wall-jumping

Movement

• Ajna moves upwards while holding a blade, smashing through obstacles or damaging enemies
• Can move horizontally while holding a blade outwards, smashing through obstacles or damaging enemies
• While in the air, Ajna draws a huge axe and slams it into the ground, smashing obstacles or enemies
  • Smashes a large, metal ball
• Ajna can fire herself in any direction to cross distances. This move can be used unlimited times in the air, although it will expend iddhi or health when used.

Other

• Ajna can transform into her Heruka form at will, useful for intimidating others
• She projects a massive hand to smack enemies, breaking guards and dealing damage. This move consumes some iddhi upon use.

Combat Moveset

Moves

• Ajna’s primary attacks cycle through her various weapons, including:
  • Her bare hands
  • Her axe
  • Her spear
  • Her chain-sickle
• She can swing her axe into enemies as an uppercut, launching them into the air
• She can shoot arrows that puncture into enemies
• She can make two heavy strikes with her axe
• She can remotely detonate arrows with a quick chant

Supers

• She delivers a quick melee combo before ending it with a heavy swing of the axe
• She changes into her Heruka form and delivers a dropkick to one enemy
• She changes into her Heruka form before unleashing a wide, damaging beam of magic
• After transforming into her Maha Heruka form, she dives at a single enemy and tackles them
• She transforms into her Tara Heruka form and meditates before damaging all enemies on the field

Inner Realm

Entering

• Mid-battle, Dhar is brought into Ajna’s Inner Realm against both of their wishes
• Right after agreeing to join Ajna, Razmi is brought into the Inner Realm
• One party member just invites himself into Ajna’s mind
• Dhar’s leader Ravannavar is somehow able to push Dhar back into Ajna’s Inner Realm after snapping his fingers
• Kala manipulates time, sending Ajna and her allies back several minutes to the beginning of the boss fight. The next time, Ajna counters this by escaping into her Inner Realm.

Exiting

• Ajna stores her weapons within her Inner Realm. When she’s imprisoned, she’s able to produce her axe to escape her cell.
• While gameplay has Ajna group up with three of her allies at a time, cutscenes show that she can draw out all party members at once
• In co-op mode, Ajna’s incarnations can move and attack independently from Ajna. When they are defeated, they’re sent back to her Inner Realm.
• After her Heruka transformation and the fall from Mount Sumeru, Ajna spent three days sleeping. Her allies were trapped within the Inner Realm, unable to leave Ajna’s mind.
• While Ajna was unconscious for a week, many of the incarnations were free to leave the Inner Realm and travel the island continent

Other

• People are able to hold conversations with people inside Ajna’s Inner Realm
• Those within the Inner Realm can’t harm each other
• While her Inner Realm starts off as a single island, as she takes in more individuals, it grows to a number of islands with man-made structures, houses, cooking pots and bookshelves
• All of the Ajna’s allies have extraordinary amounts of iddhi, the spiritual source of magic in the world. Ajna’s strength augments her allies’ strength, and vice versa.
• The temperature and soil inside the Inner Realm is especially conducive to plant growth, and Ginseng uses it to cultivate a frozen specimen of fungus back to life. The resulting medicine is more effective than normal since it’s infused with Ajna’s iddhi, and it quickly cures Ginseng’s parents of a rare virus.

Relationship with Kala

• Ajna is, in fact, not a human, but a piece of the world-shaping deity, Kala
• After being restrained by Ravannavar, Ajna breaks free by transforming into a monstrous Heruka for the first time. This wakes up Kala, which creates a shockwave that eradicates Ravannavar and can be seen by people across the island continent. It also throws Ajna from Mount Sumeru’s summit and causes her to land in a desert.
  • Angwu claims that the shockwave was felt around the world
• When facing Kala, Ajna undergoes a transformation into a giant, three-headed monster. This form blasts beams of energy from its mouth, causing catastrophic damage to the landscape and disintegrating Dhar.
• In the end, Ajna joins with Kala once more and they choose not to reset the universe but reincarnate as a new being. The pair destroy Kala’s space station and disappear. After the credits roll, this new being is shown with features from both Ajna and Kala.

Miscellaneous

• When she’s trapped within a machine, Ajna blasts energy outwards to free herself
• She can expend a full Iddhi Meter to revive fallen allies and heal the party

Incarnations

The group of individuals residing in Ajna's Inner Realm during her journey. There are 20 combatants to call forth at any given time.

Shared Feats

Blocking

• Can block to minimize damage taken. Blocking right before an attack lands will heal Ajna rather than damage her, a technique called a Clean Block. Ajna later blocks attacks with her axe.
  • This defensive technique extends to all incarnations, as well
• Can block arrows
• Can block bullets
• Blocks automatic gunfire
• Can block elemental attacks, like flames and beams of energy

Combat Mechanics

• Can break enemy guards by alternating between high and low strikes
• Characters can break grab attacks

Dhar

An earth-manipulating swordsman and proud lieutenant to Lord Ravannavar. After killing Ajna's father and being trapped inside her Inner Realm, Dhar slowly comes to see the error in his ways. He sacrifices his life in an attempt to calm down a furious Ajna.
Feats

• Smashes Ravannavar’s instrument
• Creates two spiky barriers of earth

Moves

• He slashes forward with his sword. If he has earth charges, he causes rectangular ridges to appear from the ground to strike the enemy.
• Dhar jumps up and slashes downwards in a wide arc. If he has earth charges, he forms spiky rocks over his blade during the swing.
• Dhar stores an earth charge, represented by the rocks floating behind his back. He can have up to twelve active at a time.
• Blocks attacks with a slab of earth

Supers

• He plunges his sword into the ground, coats it in a massive pole of earth and slams it on enemies. Each level increases the damage of the attack.

Razmi

A witch who's been banished from her home town due to her knowledge of dark magics. She fights with a lantern that contains the soul of a demon and her pet tiger Bom.
Feats

• Takes a long fall into a nightclub unharmed

Moves

• Tiger claws made of flames slash at enemies
• Tigers made of flames batter enemies and launch them upwards
• Razmi glares at the enemy with a dirty look. This slows the enemy’s recharge rate, meaning they’ll take longer to attack, drefend or take any other action in combat.
• Blocks attacks with her lantern

Supers

• Razmi heals all party members with a short chant
• Produces a giant tiger head made of flames and throws it at the enemy
• Razmi creates a massive pillar of flame, throws it into the air and has it descend on the enemy, hitting many times

Ginseng and Honey

A kid and their root vegetable on a quest to become world-class botanists. Ginseng carries a giant mortar and pestle, used to grind up enemies and heal their allies.
Feats

• Ginseng gathers a bunch of rare specimens called Resurrection Lilies. When Ajna is out of commission for a week following her first fight with Kala, Ginseng revives her using the Lilies.

Moves

• Ginseng grinds the enemy up with their mortar and pestle. Using this move enhances the effects of their healing abilities.
• Ginseng splashes the contents of their mortar around, healing the group
• Ginseng ducks down while Honey tosses a randomly selected item from Ginseng’s backpack
• Blocks attacks with their backpack

Supers

• Ginseng looks around on the ground before finding a large vegetable, which they throw to Honey. This large vegetable is thrown the next time Ginseng uses their down attack or second super move.
• Honey reaches into Ginseng’s backpack and tosses a barrage of assorted pieces of junk at an enemy
• Ginseng grinds an enemy with their mortal and pestle until the contents explode. This launches the enemies and disperses the contents on Ajna's party, healing them greatly.

Zebei

A smug archer from a clan of nomads from the mountains. While initially skeptical about Ajna's ability to responsibly control her powers, he stays with the group to oversee Kala's defeat.
Moves

• Zebei shoots three arrows in quick succession at a target
• He leaps up, holds the bow with his feet and fires a spread of five arrows at the enemies
• He shoots multiple arrows at the enemy’s legs, popping them up into the air
• Blocks attacks with his bow and padded armwear

Supers

• Loads his bow with five arrows, then hits an enemy with three volleys. The second level shows Zebei launching four volleys, and the third level shows him launching seven volleys.

Tungar

A knight and a man of action, Tungar doesn't speak too often. He lets his urumi speak for him, a cloth-based weapon that doubles as a turban.
Moves

• Tungar swings his urumi, unleashing a hoop-shaped projectile
• He swings his urumi in such a way that he flings the enemy upwards
• He waves his urumi around himself, hitting multiple enemies at once
• Blocks attacks with a small shield

Supers

• Tunger charges up a stronger strike against a single enemy. The second level increases the damage.
• He slashes enemies with his urumi a dozen times, then sheathes the weapon back on his head. The moment he sheathes it, the damage manifests all at once.

Kushi

A member of the same tribe as Zebei and a Protector-in-training, Kushi fights alongside Altun, a massive bird of prey.
Feats

• When Ajna leaps off an airship and falls, Altun flies close and grabs her before she hits the ground

Moves

• In Standing Mode, Kushi punches an enemy. In Riding Mode, Altun screeches, damaging multiple enemies.
• Kushi enters Riding Mode, jumping off the ground and holding onto Altun’s talons. If she’s already in Riding Mode, Altun will soar up and dive bomb an enemy’s position for massive damage.
• Kushi will enter Standing Mode and plant her feet on the ground. If she’s in Standing Mode, she’ll send Altun out to swoop at an enemy.
• Altun blocks attacks with his wing, protecting Kushi

Thorani

A maternal healer who carries magic, restorative water in her hair. While she's typically benevolent and happy to heal anyone in need, she becomes aggressively protective when Ajna or her other teammates are in jeopardy.
Feats
Resuscitation/Healing

• Thorani splashes Ajna, waking her up after her fall from Sumeru and subsequent three-day nap
• Hydrates Qadira, with Thorani stating that her water is much more nourishing than normal water
• She heals an Ohma addict, purging the drug from the body. If she collaborates with Ajna, she can instantly heal severe Ohma abusers, restoring their bodies and minds.
• Channeling Ajna’s iddhi, Thorani is able to create a cleansing rain that cures most of Tai Krung’s Ohma users of their addictions

Other

• As a deva, Thorani is well over one thousand years old
• She’s able to sense the emotions and intentions of others, even on a city-wide scale
• Thorani senses calm and shame in a monster’s heart

Moves

• She fires water from her hair as projectiles, damaging enemies and forming a puddle at the point of impact
• She “activates” all the puddles on the field. If an ally stands in a puddle, they’re healed, while the puddles damage Thorani’s enemies.
• She splashes enemies with a small wave of water, damaging them and forming a puddle at the point of impact
• Blocks attacks with a hand formed from water

Supers

• Thorani flourishes her hair, leaving puddles all around herself and the party
• She becomes a puddle of water herself, becoming a stronger version of the activated puddles
• She generates a small raincloud over her head, healing herself and the party over time

Qadira

A warrior looking for her lost brother. Although she carries his sword, Qadira opts to do battle with only her shield, keeping the blade sheathed until she finds him.
Feats

• Trained in shield-fighting since she was a child

Moves

• Qadira rams her shield into the enemy, then thrusts her arm forwards for a second hit
• She delivers an upper to send enemies airborne, then can spike them back to the ground
• She sweeps the enemy’s legs, then can pop them up into the air
• Blocks attacks with her shield… duh

Supers

• She rams her shield into the enemy in a multi-hit attack. Each level increases the number of hits and the damage of the move.

Baozhai

A pirate captain that sails the seas in the warship Teotul. She loves sailing, cannons, women and drinking.
Feats

• Owns the Teotul, a massive, armored pirate ship, equipped with forward and side-facing cannons

Moves

• Baozhai steals a handful of coins from the enemy. These coins can be used to enhance her supers. This attack is also unblockable.
• She launches cannonballs from her back cannons. While strong, these attacks can harm allies as well as enemies.
• Baozhai leaps into the enemies hips-first, knocking them around slightly
• Blocks attacks with a treasure chest

Supers

• Baozhai throws some shiny coins at the enemy to distract them before tossing a harpoon into one
• She boots a treasure chest at the enemy, which opens and tosses several coins into the air. She then shoots a coin, which causes the round to ricochet and hit the enemy many times. The more coins she has, the more the round ricochets.
• Launches a barrage of rockets from her back cannons. By spending coin, she can fire more projectiles.

Phoebe

Once a freedom fighter alongside her husband, Phoebe watched her husband die in battle against her country's invaders. Now, she trains her two children in an effort to return to her home and fight off the invading killers.
Moves

• Using a spear, Phoebe flings enemies upwards
• She leaps into the air, grabs airborne enemies and performs a fireman’s carry slam on them
• Phoebe plants her massive bow in the ground and fires a spear that can pierce enemies and hit those behind them
• Blocks attacks with a spear

Nuna

A plant-manipulator from the underground community of Kaanul. While she's used her powers as a farmer for years, the rise of Kala has forced her to use her plants for combat.
Feats

• Creates vines that cover Hunoch's entire body, although he breaks out quickly
• She plants a bunch of seeds in a cave in Kaanul. As soon as the cave gets some natural sunlight, they instantly sprout into a roomful of massive vegetables.

Moves

• Nuna gets close to the enemies and quickly grows thorny vines around herself, stabbing her foes
• She sprouts a cornstalk under an enemy, launching them skywards
• Nuna plants a trap in the ground. When an enemy walks over it, a pumpkin quickly grows that stuns and damages the victim. Her cornstalk move also enhances the traps on the field, making them larger and more damaging.
• Blocks attacks by quickly sprouting a tree in front of herself

Supers

• She grows and plucks a dandelion, then blows the seeds at the enemies, which explode on contact. Each level increases the number of seeds.

Hunoch and Xiboch

Two star athletes in Kanuul's national sport, Tlatchlibol. Xiboch is deceased, having been killed by an Underworld monster, so now both souls take turns occupying the living brother's body.
Feats

• Hunoch breaks out of vines that cover his body by flexing

Moves

• The humanoid brother serves the spirit brother as a ball and bounces it off an enemy. When it bounces back, the humanoid brother can smack it back at the enemy, increasing the number of hits and the damage of strikes. This process can be repeated until the humanoid brother misses or they run out of action points.
• The spirit brother manifests and blocks attacks to defend the humanoid brother

Super

• Xiboch takes control of Hunoch’s body and uses Hunoch’s spirit as the ball. If used again, Hunoch reassumes control of the body and Xiboch becomes the ball once more. As the ball, Xiboch deals magic damage and fills the Iddhi Meter faster, while Hunoch delivers more physical damage and fills the Meter slower.

Naga Rider

The resident superhero, last of the Vahana Riders, and protector of Tai Krung’s upstanding citizens. His archnemesis, the Flying Terror, Garuda Cruel, trained with Naga Rider until joining up with the drug kingpin, Mara.
Feats

• Rides a motorcycle with wheels made of hard light

Moves

• Naga Rider performs a quick combo of jabs before ending with a stronger, energized strike
• He performs a flip kick, launching the enemy into the air
• Naga Rider drop-kicks the enemy at a 45 degree angle
• Blocks attacks by forming his armor into a domed shield around his arm

Supers

• Naga Rider chops his hand, discharging explosive energy at all enemies
• He disappears briefly before appearing and flip-kicking an enemy into the air
• He leaps up and wreaths his foot in energy before drop-kicking an enemy with a crushing blow

Yan

A dancer imprisoned in a Tai Krung nightclub. Once freed, Yan uses her absurdly long legs and affinity for dance as a means of acrobatic combat.
Moves

• Yan performs a spinning kick
• She performs a backflip kick, knocking enemies into the air
• Yan jumps up and performs a crescent-shaped downwards kick that can spike airborne enemies
• Blocks attacks with a leg

Kampan

Watching both of her parents die of illness, unable to afford medicine, changed young Kampan. Now a master thief and auteur of espionage, she steals from the Iron Kingdom’s rich and gives back to the poor.
Feats

• She punches the floor, destroying a nearby barrier of slime
• Breaks a barrier of slime with an uppercut

Moves

• She rushes at the enemy and punches them with her gauntlet
• Kampan uppercuts the enemy into the air
• She loads her gauntlet with one shell, with a maximum capacity of four shells. If she has a shell equipped, she’ll fire it a moment after the basic punch connects
• Blocks attacks with her gauntlet

Super

• Kampan knocks the enemy down with a stomp, then pummels them with punches. She then winds up her arm and uppercuts the enemy with a strong blow. This move consumes the entire bar of iddhi and all of Kampan’s remaining action points, making for an extremely strong attack.

Leilani

Leilani was a castaway guided to the island continent by a shark spirit called a 'aumakua until they were both caught in a fishing net. The 'aumakua gave Leilani its teeth and enchanted her leiomano, creating a magic-based chainsaw so she could escape.
Moves

• Leilani slashes with her leiomano. She can expend half a bar of iddhi to cause the chainsaw to spin, increasing the number of hits and the damage of the attack.
• She swings her leiomano upwards, popping enemies into the air. This move can also be used while revving the chainsaw.
• Leilani spins around with her leiomano held outwards. She can spin around for longer, but she runs the risk of becoming too dizzy to move after the attack ends.
• Blocks attacks by holding her weapon in front of herself

Latigo

Latigo was once the leader of a noble group of mercenaries called the Caballeros. His right hand man, Vasco, killed the wrong nobleman and sent the group scattering away from the law. Now, Latigo seeks to kill his old friend with a shot right between the eyes.
Feats

• Quickdraws on Vasco

Moves

• Latigo points his gun and fires
• He jumps and slashes the enemy with his gun’s blade. He can fire three bullets during the swing.
• He reloads his gun. Initially, Latigo only uses five bullets since he’s saving one for Vasco, but after confronting his old teammate, he makes full use of the six round chamber.
• Blocks attacks with his gun blade

Supers

• Latigo slashes at an enemy’s legs to floor them. He can then empty his firearm into the floored victim point-blank.
• He empties his gun and replaces the next five shots with special bullets. These bullets are compatible with any shooting attack and they pierce through enemies to hit multiple times.
• Latigo holsters his gun, takes a stance, then fires on an enemy with erratic shooting stances. He automatically reloads after performing this move.

Ren

An assassin without any kind of moral compass, Ren will kill any target for the appropriate price. A regular employee of Tai Krung’s underworld kingpin, Mara, Ren secretly hopes for a quarry that can fight back and show him a good time.
Feats

• Unharmed after three spear hits to the face
• Appears suddenly, hanging upside by a cable
• Disappears from sight

Moves

• He throws the axe-end of the kusarigama into the enemy. By using another action point, he drags it back to his hand, slicing the enemy along the way.
• Ren spins the kusarigama above his head, cutting groups of enemies several times
• He leaves a trap that impales enemies that walk over it with bamboo spikes. He can enhance this trap with two more bamboo spikes at the cost of an action point.
• Ren disappears briefly to evade attacks

Supers

• Ren wreathes his kusarigama in flame and slams it down on an enemy, leaving them with a damage-over-time burn effect
• He leaves a special trap on the battlefield. When an enemy walks over it, a scorpion tail shoots up and punctures them, leaving them with a damage-over-time poison effect.
• Ren summons two fireballs to spin around himself, then dashes at the group of enemies, leaving them all afflicted with the burn status. He then vanishes and reappears with his allies.

Zahra

A musician specializing in the stringed Oud. She left her village and her potential marriage in order to keep spreading her music to the world.
Feats

• By playing a “chaotic” riff, Zahra quickly causes a mechanical enemy to malfunction and explode

Moves

• Zahra plays a high-tempo song, increasing an ally’s movement and action speed by 50%. All three of her songs’ effects persist until Zahra takes a hit, can be used on multiple allies at once and can stack with each other.
• She plays a cheerful song to increase an ally’s attack stat by 50%
• Zahra plays a mournful dirge to increase an ally’s defense stat by 33%
• Blocks attacks with her Oud. Clean-blocking hits keeps her songs’ effects active.

Super

• Zahra snaps her fingers and plays a mesmerizing tune, stunning the enemies for a number of seconds and forcing them to dance instead of fight. If the player presses the attack button in time with Zahra’s snapping, the effect lasts for up to six seconds longer.

Lanshi

A very good doggy that lives in the monastery in Lhan. But was he always a dog?!?
Moves

• Lanshi barks at the enemy until he has to take a break, which inexplicably damages them
• Lanshi can take a ten second nap mid-battle, not waking up even when attacked. A spectral hand can pet Lanshi, which generates iddhi for the party.
• Blocks attacks by covering his face with his paws and cowering

Supers

• Lanshi sniffs out the enemies and marks them. The next time he uses the barking attack, all marked enemies will be struck by lightning.
• Lanshi takes a nap right next to the enemies. Petting Lanshi in this state will build up static electricity, which discharges and shocks all enemies when he wakes up.
• He howls to call forth a stampede of electric dog spirits, which sprint at all enemies

Non-Combatants

• Asiri, a seamstress, can dye the characters' clothing different colors
• George, a former dragon hunter, runs a training area in the Inner Realm. He can summon monsters for Ajna and her crew to practice against.
• The oracle Tharwa can point Ajna in the right direction to complete her objectives by scrying through a crystal ball
• Ratna and Mani are two religious beings that can increase the cast's offensive or defensive power when brought talismans called Ringsels
• Kogi, a professional chef

(I apologize Ive only told 1 person this So sorry if this is hard for you to read grammarly or emotionally it's hard for me to even type it)So I (18m) decided to start focusing on my mental health and due to that I've remembered some pretty bad shit from my childhood and I don't wont to speak to anyone when i do I get pissed to start off i do love my family in a way but I hate them my 3 older siblings would abuse me every summer from kindergarten until I was in 7th grade this would range from locking me in closets, truck of a car, a washing and dryer machines this includes turning them on for a split second (due to this I still sleep a stuffed animal I have from my childhood ) due to this I tried runway multiple times but when that didn't work i tried to commit pretty early on in my life and when a certain parent found out they told me that they would tie the noose for me I tried to tell them why but they said bullshit I don't wanna hear it the range of abuse they would do still makes me think till this day i mean hitting me with whatever they could, holding my head underwater until I couldn't breathe, putting makeup on me to humiliate me to their friends, shooting me with bb guns and yes to the sexual abuse and that's the part that's the hardest for me I only told my friend about one instance because that's all I could muster out and a few years ago when I was still a minor I would have mental breakdown after mental breakdown one night i had a bad one and tried to tell my parents about it idk why i tried because they both are guilty of abuse too but they forced me into therapy it did help a little but i stopped going when i was 17 but I tried to do this on my own it but it hasn't been going well Im not talking to my family nor friends I know it's wrong to punish my friends but since i told one of them i feel like there is still a chance he might tell the others I blocked all my other friends when I told my friend my past because I felt ashamed because they look at me as someone who doesn't care usually and i dont want them to see me like this because they do love me and i know this so I unblocked them but at the same time how do i face my friends if they know and with my family i have a love for them idk why and im fuckin hurt that i do im thinking about saving up just 10k and leaving getting a new phone and just leave or join the military I've received a few calls already from the army and Navy and I'm thinking about calling them back I'm scared to be honest I still have love for everyone I know but I don't understand how I can be around people who hurt me a d people who know it might be better to move and restart where no one knows

Hello! It's common to see posts from people saying "Nerf this character" or "buff that one," and given the pace at which the devs release patches, it's normal for their workload to pile up. Therefore, I'm going to make a list of changes I would like to see this year. Although I've been playing since the beta, I'm not a professional player. I may be mistaken about some things, but I believe I understand the game quite well. These changes will, therefore, aim to make the game more fun rather than focusing solely on the competitive aspect. I'll go over everything, or almost everything.
General Changes:

• Feats: They need an overhaul. There are many that are useless and others that are too influential. Caltrops, Shooting Stars, Oathbreaker, Fire Flask, Invigorate, Speeding Comet... Too many to mention them all. I would decrease their ability to decide the outcome of a battle, especially those that deal damage. Many times they make it so that the outcome depends not on skill, but on who has feats available.
• Perks: There are two types of perks, Defense and the rest. The difference is too large. As someone who mainly plays heavies, I notice it a lot every time I play something else.
• Out of Lock Attacks: These attacks should be vulnerable to parry. I don't see why not, even if the timing is complicated due to the angle. They can hit and can be blocked; BP can even flip them. The same should go for parry.
• Ganks and Revenge: We need to see the rework of ganks to know if Revenge needs further changes. I would change tags based on proximity. A player can have a significant influence on a fight without needing to hit the player in numerical disadvantage. Bleed should not accumulate during Revenge.
• Game Modes: I hope a permanent game mode without feats is added. LMS or Carousel are perfect candidates.

Knights:

• Warden: A rework for her is supposedly coming soon, so I won't go into much detail. She is a simple character for beginners to learn the basics, but she has always had good potential. I would like her to have some more sword attacks; using the shoulder all the time doesn't feel very good.
• Conq: Needs many changes. Rollcatcher, remove 600ms lights, more damage on fullblock, more damage on chain heavies, ability to block while charging, and faster charging speed. Another rework or going back to second Testing Grounds would be best, but I don't think that will happen. These changes, except for the rollcatcher and blocking while charging, are easy to implement and would greatly improve the feel of playing with him, fulfilling that Hard Hitter label.
• PK: The big problem with PK remains when she's not being looked at. However, she's our rogue. Flanking should be her specialty. I would make her dagger attacks unblockable against enemies who aren't looking at her. She is gonna get a Assassin's Creed skin, flanking is perfect for her.
• LB: Another character that is not in his best moment according to many. I would add that feintable bash from the rework and the Light, Light, Light chain. More than enough to give him more options and better chain pressure. I would also bring back Impale on heavy parries, with reduced damage from the following heavy. It was one of his most fun attacks and only needed its damage reduced.
• Centurion: I don't understand the nerf to his charged punch. It should connect if the enemy dodges the uncharged one.
• Gladiator: I don't like the gladiator. He is a character that makes fights with him long and tedious. His bashes stop the action without dealing damage, Toe Stab stops the action without dealing much damage, Skewer also stops the combat for a few seconds... It reminds me of the old Cent cinematic. Also, he does too much damage if he has Haymaker.
• BP: Black Prior is almost fine, other than Bulwark Slash having so low GB vulnerability that taking him out of fullblock is too hard. Make it 200 instead of 100 ms. I would add his Tenebris after an opener heavy. Chained heavies are UD, but there's no reason to dodge after a BP opener heavy. I would also improve his soft feint bash because it's a meme. Making it faster would be useful, but giving it fullblock could be more fun and would fit better with his tank role. However, this last change is is just for fun.
• WM: Our favorite wolf needs a bit more pressure after a heavy attack. Like Warden, she should also be able to chain her bash after any attack, or at least after those that are not finishers.
• Gryphon: He is Holden Cross and has learned new tricks, but still carries some LB problems. He does not have many options, maybe his chain heavies should have superarmor.

Vikings:

• Raider: He needs a rollcatcher. His soft feint should be 366 ms like PK's. I think his simplicity is good for beginners, like Warden's.
• Warlord: I think he is underrated because he's not very flashy. He has good pressure with a constant frame advantage, and his fullblock is very good. He should have recovery cancel into Fullblock like Conq or BP, both from attacks and blocks. Maybe, reduce a little the stamina damage from his wallsplat.
• Berserker: Zerker is really good. Is fun to play and to play against. His kit doesn't have much to improve because it's not very large. I would remove the recovery cancel from the side dodge attacks. It's a horrible mechanic.
• Valkyrie: I don't like reworked Valkyrie. Her fullblock doesn't feel good to me. It's too slow of a defensive stance to be used as such, and having to go through it to use the bash is also very slow. Without removing anything, I would add options to make it flow better. Fullblock directly from the usual button (with its usual fast flow) and access to her bash from forward dodge. I would also change her controls to be consistent with the rest of the characters, separating bash and fullblock but keeping her combos.
• HL: Highlander rework is coming so I will skip him. Also, he is one of the 3 characters that I barely played because I don't like him, so I can't say much.
• Shaman: She is good in 1v1, but in 4s she falls a bit. Improving the reach of her attacks a bit would be good. However, the bite does too much damage.
• VG: He is a more aggressive version of BP, more designed to counterattack on the fly. I don't think he needs a nerf. Other characters have been nerfed more just because they were new and people didn't want to learn to play against them, like Gryphon or Pirate. In any case, I would add fast flow into fullblock from blocks, like the rest of fullblocks.

Samurai:

• Kensei: The vanguard is quite complete. The only thing I think doesn't work well is the soft feint into light. It's supposed to catch those who dodge the bash. It should be undodgeable.
• Shugo: Headbutt is too safe. His heavies after a miss protect him from every non-bash punish. Some characters can't stop the headbutt spam properly because of that. Delaying the superarmor a bit should be fine. Other than that, Goki's kit works really well.
• Orochi: Like Zerker, I would remove the recovery cancel from the side dodge attacks.
• Nobushi: Nobushi doesn't have good openers or good chain pressure most of the time. And usually, she doesn't need them because her strategy is different; she plays to keep her distance and be difficult to reach with her iframes. However, it wouldn't hurt if she could access her kick from forward dodge, so she doesn't have the same problem as PK. The Way of the Shark, however, seems unnecessary to me.
• Shinobi: Our ninja is fine, with the gank reworks, most of his problems will go away.
• Aramusha: I think he is difficult to use, but he is worth it. The meta doesn't benefit him much, but I hope he will see more with the changes to ganks.
• Hito: The noobstomper par excellence of the game. He needs a rollcatcher, but improving his forward heavy a bit should be enough. His openers aren't very good, but his chains make up for it.
• Kyo: Fujin cuts need to feed more Revenge, way more. That attack gives nothing. Otherwise, it's very fun and works well.

Wu Lin:

• Tiandi: He is good in 1v1, he is good in 4s. I don't think he needs any changes. A bit annoying to play against, but is fine.
• JJ: The old man is really good in this meta, and he will be good when ganks changes come to life. Simple but effective.
• Nuxia: One of the best characters in 1v1, but not so good in 4s. Her traps are too slow, whether they hit or not. She needs a rework.
• Shaolin. His sweep should not be able to track dodges so easily and his UD dodge attacks do to much damage.
• Zhanhu: I hate Zhanhu, with all my heart. I hate him, his ud zone, his unblockable lights, and his unblockable and impossible to dodge (for me) finisher heavies. But he is fine, a pretty good character.

Outlanders:

• Pirate: I think she still lacks a bit of damage, but her last buffs were on point. Like Orochi and Zerk, I would remove the recovery cancel from the side dodge attacks.
• Medjay: It's a bit early to talk about Medjay after his last changes, but right now he's very good and doesn't need improvements.
• Afeera: Oh, Afeera. The woman of the moment, on everyone's lips. I don't like her left attack. I would have given her superarmor, with her theme of having all different attacks, instead of movement. She still does a lot of damage with that attack if there's a wall nearby, but it's circumstantial. It could be reduced more, but I would change the property.
• Ocelotl: Like Shinobi, much of his strength comes from how strong his ganks are. I hope he stays well after the changes.

Well, that's the long list. What do you think? What other changes would you make?

I (41F) went NC with my entitled narcissistic mother and her siblings 11 years ago after years of physical, emotional and financial abuse as well as years of parentification starting when I was 11 yrs old. None of her siblings said or did anything. They just looked the other way and told me I was too emotional and exaggerate everything.
My brother (30M) and his girlfriend (22F) are having a baby shower for their first baby this Saturday, my mother is organizing it and sent out invites and created a Facebook event. This is why I went stopped my NC, so I could see the event and mark myself as going. I refuse to let a POS human being prevent me from being there for brother and his girlfriend, even if that person is my mother. I'm not going to lie, I spiralled when I first saw my mother's invite. All the years of abuse, days of missed elementary school because the bruises were in visible places, all came back. My step-dad (54M) talked me down and we're going together. He was abused by her just as bad as I was, if not worse.
My mother is organizing the baby shower because my brother is close with her. Yes he knows what she did but thinks I should just forgive and forget, which I have multiple times but that never stopped the abuse.
My biggest concern is my boyfriend and I have a child (1F) and when my brother found out, he started again with how I should forgive and forget. I told him I don't expect him to not tell my mother about my child but to respect that she will not be in my child's life. Since my daughter was born there were some not so subtle attempts from her to like pictures of my daughter. She even sent me a friend request once, which I deleted right away. She's the jealous vindictive type so it wouldn't surprise me if she pressured my brother to get his girlfriend pregnant so she'd have a grand-child too (She's jealous of my step-dad for being a grand dad).
For those wondering why I didn't block her, I did but unblocked every now and then because I was paranoid she'd try something with grand-parents rights, even though I know she doesn't have a leg to stand on for that or try to get sympathy for not seeing my daughter. This still bothers me to this day sometimes. The nightmares and hormones have me paralyzed in fear. All this to say my mother would be the type of person to post about this on social media and if she does, I want to be able to get screenshots of it and address it right away because she's a master manipulator.
I decided to take a big step and started therapy for the first time last week. Therapy was always something ridiculed and seen as something for weak people by my family. My boyfriend (44M) agreed with the therapy and even asked me how I felt afterwards. He's my rock and my everything. We've been together for 20 years. For those wondering, why we aren't married because we don't really don't care. We love each other and for us that's enough. Therapy helped a lot. I have another session this week, two days before I see her again. My therapist called me brave, which honestly surprised me. I never thought of myself as being brave.
Anyway, I'll update after the baby shower.
EDIT: I'm sorry if I'm, confusing anyone by saying "my dad" when referring to my step-dad. To me he is my dad. He and I have gone through hell and back together in regards to my mom. Our experience has brought us closer than ever.
EDIT 2: I am NOT bringing my daughter. She's staying home and having a daddy daughter day with my boyfriend.
EDIT 3: Holy cow I did not expect this many comments! Thank you all so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate it. That's what I love at MarkNarrations. I love this sub. It's such a tightly knit community. My daughter knows the sound of his voice now and comes running to see when I play his videos on my tablet lol. One thing I want to tell everyone, you don't need to worry about me breaking down, crying, or having a meltdown. I'm at a point in my life where I don't get sad. I get angry and my worry is if she tries anything, my step-dad will have to jump him and pull me back. And I have no problems calling her out on her abuse. Many years ago she made him nearly homeless where he only had enough money to pay his mortgage but had to go to the food bank for food. He didn't tell me because he knew I probably would have done something I'd regret later. He only told me after the fact and I cried tears of anger and disbelief at being related to someone so vile. When I get overwhelmed I cry, which I find so embarrassing.
I am seeing therapist this Thursday, two days before the shower and I'm really looking forward to it. I will keep you all updated. Thank you all again so much. I really love this sub <3
EDIT 4: Thank you all again so much for all the love and support. I'm sorry I didn't clarify this before. I have 2 brothers 30M and 23M. My brothers are my half-brothers (We share the same mother. Their father is my step-dad). Just like how I call my step-dad "dad", I call my half-brothers, "brothers". All the comments, advise and suggestions have been amazing and some really really funny. I'm feeling so much better after reading all the support and am started to look forward to the baby shower, especially that my step-dad texted me saying he met my mother's husband this week and that the man's face was priceless after my step-dad introduced himself to him. I asked for more details but he said we'll talk about it on the drive over.
After that, I wanted to give you all a full scope of who my mother is and what kind of a piece of shit human being she really is. I put it in point form instead of a giant block of text:

• Her physical abuse started at 6-7 years old. It was pinching and twisting until my skin tore. Grabbing me by the arm or leg so hard she'd leave hand shaped bruises. Slapping me across the face so hard, I'd have the imprint of her hand on my face. Throwing objects at me. She almost broke my orbital bone when I was 8 after throwing a glass at my face after I said a swear word in public for the first time. A few times I couldn't go to school because the bruises were in visible places.
• Telling me she'd throw me outside and lock the door so the boogeyman would take me if I didn't do exactly what she said. This was all when I was under the age of 10.
• The parentification started when I was 11 when my first brother was born. He was my sole responsibility. Same when my second brother was born when I was 18.
• The financial abuse started when I was 12 when I had my first job tutoring the neighbour's son. She'd take my money to buy alcohol. I would hide my money so I could buy food for me and brother or my cat since she'd forget and just say to "eat whatever".
• Financially speaking, she wrecked my credit. I lent her my credit card when I was 21 (stupid I know) to help her with her business. She said, as my mother, I owed it to her. Back then I was still in the mindset I was taught growing up. That family was what was most important. Now I know better and have worked hard for years to build my credit back up.
• She tried to get back in contact with me 8 years ago by wishing me happy birthday on facebook under my brother's comment (they're facebook friends). This was 2 weeks after we were contacted about inheritance following my grandfather's death a few months before. She hadn't contacted me for anything the 3 years previous. So gross, especially since she inherited way more than I or my brothers did.
• As for my step-dad - she cheated on him for 6 years with some guy she met down in the Caribbean. So not only is she abusive, she's also a cheating piece of shit. She would fly out down there 6 to 7 times a year by herself for her "me" time and would lose it when my step-dad asked to join her. All the money he gave her to pay the mortgage, hydro, and other utilities, she'd send to her boy toy, now her husband. My step-dad almost lost his house and she ruined his credit too by racking up credit card and cell phone bills. Her credit was so bad, she couldn't get a phone. I had had enough and confronted her. They split up not long after and that's when all my mother's lies and manipulation came to light.
• They owned a company together that my mother's brother bought from them. My step-dad and mom had each taken out a loan with the bank to start the company together and were still making payments to it after they split. My step-dad paid his loan off first and that made my mother so angry and jealous she had her brother help her take my step-dad to court to sue him and have him pay her loan. She won. He had to go to the food bank for a while because he couldn't afford anything else but the mortgage and hydro.

I have therapy this afternoon and can't wait. I felt so much better last week after just 1 session. You all have made me feel so much stronger and confident. Let me know if you have any questions or need clarification on anything I wrote above.
UPDATE! Today was the baby shower and omg! I'm putting everything in point form because there's a lot to update you all on. I'm typing from my cellphone as I'm rocking my daughter to sleep. I missed her so much today.
1 - my dad invited his female best friend to come with us to the baby shower. We'll call her Sally. She's a wonderful woman with a big heart and very protective of my dad, especially since she knows my mother fairly well and works at the same place as her. The first time she and I met we were talking about each other's work and she was going on about this awful co-worker who was so bossy, blamed everyone else for her mistakes and took the praise for other people's work. Turns out it was my mother lol. Basically my mother was not happy Sally was coming.
2 - Both my dad and Sally said my mother texted them to say the baby shower started at 1:30. It didn't. The invite clearly said 1pm. I told them we're getting there for 1pm and was 99% sure my mother was trying to make them look bad out of jealousy. I was right. We arrived at 12:55 pm and my mother's deer in the headlights look on her face said it all.
Guys I stayed composed. I did it! My hands were shaking but I kept them in my pockets. Sally saw this and squeezed my arm.
My mother came out of her daze and came over "oh OP! You came!? It's nice to see you!"
I smirked at her obvious lie and discomfort at being caught, said "Nice to see you too. Where do I put my gift?" She took my gift and put it on the table with the other gifts.
3 - My mother's two siblings showed up with their daughters. One sister greeted me like an acquaintance, which I appreciated. The other pretended I wasn't even there.
4 - my dad, Sally and I sat at a table with one of my dad's former work buddies. We had a blast. My mother was not impressed. Shooting us dirty looks. So much so my dad's friend turned to me and said "uh oh. I think we might need to keep it down". Everyone else was talking loudly, we weren't the only ones. She just didn't like that we were having fun. Me "forget her. She always looks like that." My dad spit out his drink laughing. I didn't say it loud enough for her to hear (at least I don't think so and didn't care in the moment to be honest) but we did get more dirty looks lol.
4 - my mother whipped out a headset with a microphone hooked to a tiny speaker that she hooked to the back of her pants, like she was some sort of talk show host. I shit you not. I didn't notice until my dad said "what the fuck..." I looked over and couldn't help but laugh. Did I mention my mother thrives on being the center of attention, even at her own son's baby shower.
5 - she had us play games and whatnot which was fun. I participated and had fun, until my mother handed diapers with melted chocolate bars on them and gave them out to my two brothers my dad and another guy at the shower. She wanted them to taste what was in the diaper and guess the chocolate bar. The way the chocolate was melted you could tell some of the crotch of the diaper had turned gelatinous (which is what it's supposed to do when a baby pees. I doubt that gel is for human consumption). Me in my now very comfortable seat at the shower blurted "that's disgusting". I got a few responses agreeing with " uh yeah... That's gross".
6 - then there was the bottle drinking game. My mother dropped the bottle full of grape juice in front of my dad like he was a bug she was trying to squish with the bottle. It was so obvious that the girl at the table next to us tapped my shoulder and asked why "the woman with the microphone just pitched the bottle to the poor guy in the blue shirt". I told her the guy was my dad and the woman was his ex, my mother. The girl apologized profusely. I told her not to, that she said nothing wrong and that my mother was just like that.
7 - my dad and I went out for supper afterwards and what I found out over guys... OMG! Turns out my mother was upset with my dad because she asked my other brother (not the one having the baby shower) to try and put in a good word for her to my dad because she wanted to get back together with him and he just laughed. He didn't know what else to say. Need I remind you all that she's currently married to the man she cheated on my dad with for 6 years!
She married and sponsored this man from the Caribbeans to come to Canada. According to my brother, this poor man is treated like a tenant and is forced to live in her basement. WTF
My dad laughed when he saw my face and told me not to worry, that there's no way in hell he would ever consider getting back with her. I told him good because I'd have to smack some sense into him if he did.
He's 99% positive she's trying to get back with my dad to try and reconcile with me to have access to my daughter. He said he'd rather die than let that happen.
So there you have it. What a shit show, but it was a fun shit show that I did not expect in the least. Thank you all again for all your comments and support. It was so very appreciated.