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Slingshots

2012.04.12 01:44 Slingshots

Welcome to /slingshots where redditors can discuss their favorite slingshots, pocket bows, and other crazy rubber band powered contraptions.
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2021.09.12 03:00 HalliburtonErnie Eugene area buy/sell/trade

A localish marketplace, where the community can buy, sell, and barter.
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2024.05.19 15:35 Drakeishere_RUN The Year of the Dragon - Part 1 : 2014 Royal Rumble

26/01/2014 - WWE Royal Rumble
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentated by Jim Ross, JBL, and Michael Cole
We see some footage of superstars arriving to the arena today. The Authority arrive in a limousine; WWE Champion Randy Orton, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Kane. Daniel Bryan is shown walking with Brie Bella. "The Animal" Batista shows up in a truck and flexes for the camera. The feed cuts and glitches out revealing a dark room with a empty rocking chair moving slowly. "We're here."
The iconic voice of Jim Ross welcomes us to the 2014 Royal Rumble as pyro erupts from the stage and the fans go wild. The Authority's music plays and the mood quickly shifts, the crowd rains down boo's. Here comes the WWE World Champion Randy Orton. Orton talks trash to some fans in the front row while Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Kane make their way out as well. Orton raises the title as HHH passes him a microphone. Orton is in a great mood tonight. He's got the night off and there will be 30 men all vying for a chance to get RKO'ed in the main event of Wrestlemania 30. The crowd chants, “Daniel Bryan” as Orton laughs and promises that Bryan doesn't stand a chance. If you want to win the Royal Rumble you have to be taller than these marks in the crowd, you can't be a front row wrestler like Daniel Bryan or CM Punk. The crowd breaks into a deafening “DANIEL BRYAN/CM PUNK!” chant as Orton highlights some of the past winners like himself, Triple H, and Batista. True superstars who all pass the airport test. Triple H takes the microphone and tells the fans to shut the hell up and respect greatness. The reason The Authority are out here is because they want an answer from Batista. Will The Animal join them, take the #30 spot, and win the Rumble to make the biggest Wrestlemania main event a reality? Batista's music hits and he gets a great reaction. First of all, Batista thanks the Pittsburgh fans and everyone in the WWE for welcoming him back with open arms. Batista has a ton of respect for Triple H and Orton after all those years in Evolution. They all shake hands and it looks like he's accepting the offer. Triple H tells Batista to make the right decision and do whats best for business. Batista gives the THUMBS UP! The Authority are all psyched up until.... Batista, who still has his thumb in the air, says "What's best for business.... is listening to these fans! Doing things the hard way, the same way he did it through his whole career. Batista didn't come back to be handed anything, he came back to prove he can still be The Animal. The man who beat Triple H in the main event of Wrestlemania.... The thumbs up is turned into a THUMBS DOWN! Kane charges at Batista but gets clotheslined! Randy Orton and Tripe H flee from the ring as The Animal delivers a Spinebuster to Kane and rattles the ropes! Triple H screams that Batista is going to regret this decision.....
A video package of the feud between Divas Champion AJ Lee and Mickie James is next. After AJ Lee defeated Naomi to retain her title on RAW, AJ declared she had no competition in the locker room. Cue the surprise return of Mickie James! Former psycho versus current psycho, legend versus future legend. They exchange verbal barbs over the next few weeks, with Mickie picking up some big wins and earning a title match. During a contract signing on the final RAW before the Royal Rumble, things finally turned physical and Mickie put AJ Lee through a table with a huge bulldog from the top rope! Everything comes to a head tonight with the championship on the line.
Tony Chimel lets us know that this contest is scheduled for one fall as Mickie James makes her entrance and gets emotional at the ovation from the audience in Pittsburgh. Divas Champion AJ Lee is next and she gets a mixed reaction; the fans love her but are definitely backing Mickie in this one.
AJ Lee (c) vs. Mickie James for the WWE Divas Championship
The match kicks off with AJ slapping Mickie across the face! James returns the favour and tackles AJ, raining down a flurry of punches. AJ Lee cowers into the corner but then takes advantage by slamming Mickie to the mat by her hair! AJ taunts Mickie and stomps her in the corner but when the champion charges, Mickie backdrops her over the ropes! Mickie hits a Thez Press from the apron and tosses AJ into the barricade!
They battle on the apron until AJ sends Mickie head first into the ringpost. Mickie seems genuinely hurt and the referee goes to check on her, allowing AJ to expose the turnbuckle on the opposite side of the ring. She shows no regard for her possibly injured challenger, ignoring the ref and dragging Mickie back into the centre of the ring. Out of nowhere, James nails the Mick Kick! AJ is down! 1-2-AJ gets her foot underneath the bottom rope! James goes for the Stratus-faction but AJ Lee launches her into the exposed turnbuckle! Mickie James is out cold! 1-2-3! AJ retains!
Result- AJ Lee wins by pinfall via exposed turnbuckle shot. (12:58)
The Royal Rumble tumbler is back! Stephanie McMahon is overseeing things as superstars enter to pick their spots in the Royal Rumble. We see Alberto Del Rio, Brodus Clay, and other superstars pick their numbers. Triple H and Paul Heyman in the background; they shake hands and it appears that HHH hands Heyman something before he walks off.
"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes is here! He introduces his sons, the WWE World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Goldust! The champions hug their father and make their way to the ring for a Six Pack Challenge Elimination Match! After being on the wrong side of The Authority, The Rhodes Brothers have been put in quite the predicament as they look to retain their title's against all odds.
Cody Rhodes and Goldust (c) vs. The New Age Outlaws vs. The Prime Time Players vs. Truth & Consequences vs. Hunico and Camacho vs. The Uso's in a Six Pack Challenge Elimination Match for the WWE World Tag Team Championship
Everything breaks down right off the bat. Bodies are flying everywhere. The Uso's hit a pair of dives over the ropes onto a pile of opponents. Back in the ring Hunico and Camacho eat a pair of Superkicks. Uso Splash to Hunico! 1-2-3!
Jey Uso pins Hunico via Uso Splash (Hunico and Camacho are eliminated)
The Prime Time Players take their turn dominating. Titus hits a Sit-Out Spinebuster to Billy Gunn. Darren Young launches Road Dogg from the ring and dropkicks an incoming Jimmy Uso. Xavier Woods comes out of nowhere with a springboard DDT on Titus O'Neil! Darren Young gets hit with a spinning elbow from R-Truth! Woods and Truth connect with a double Scissor Kick on Titus for the 3 count.
R-Truth pins Titus O'Neil via Double Scissors Kick (The Prime Time Players are eliminated)
Road Dogg chopblocks R-Truth immediately and throws him into the ringpost. Woods gets some shots in on Dogg but turns around into a Fameasser from Billy Gunn! 1-2-3!
Billy Gunn pins Xavier Woods via Fameasser (Truth & Consequences are eliminated)
Road Dogg grabs one of the tag title belts and brings it in the ring. The referee tries to stop him but Billy warns the referee that Triple H will fire him if he gets in their way. Billy holds Goldust as Road Dogg charges with the title ---- Goldust low blows Billy Gunn and ducks; Road Dogg knocks out Billy Gunn with the title belt! Cody Rhodes grabs Road Dogg and hits the Cross Rhodes!
Cody Rhodes pins Billy Gunn via Cross Rhodes (The New Age Outlaws are eliminated)
We are down to two teams. The Rhodes Brothers and The Uso's. The teams gather themselves in opposite corners as the crowd swells to a fever pitch. All four slug it out in the middle. Double Superkick to Goldust sends him to the floor. Cody hits the Bionic Elbow to Jimmy! Alabama Slam to Jey! Cody is all fired up! Cody goes for the Cross Rhodes but nearly gets pinned on a roll up. Double Superkick to Cody! Both The Uso's climb to the top rope but Goldust comes back in and drops Jimmy right on his yambags! Goldust meets Jey on the other side and delivers a giant superplex! BUT JIMMY RECOVERS AND FLIES OFF THE TOP! USO SPLASH TO GOLDUST! 1-2-CODY BREAKS UP THE PIN! Cody hits a Disaster Kick to Jimmy but gets Superkicked by Jey! With his last gasp of energy, Goldust nails Jey with the Final Cut! 1-2-3! Cody and Goldust retain!
Goldust pins Jey Uso via The Final Cut
Result- Cody Rhodes and Goldust retain the WWE World Tag Team Championship. (15:59)
CM Punk is taping his wrists in the locker room when Corporate Kane approaches with a bunch of security. Punk stands up ready to defend himself. But Kane tells him to calm down. He's here with a gift from The Authority. Kane hands Punk a Rumble number from the tumbler and tells him on behalf of The Authority, they wish him luck tonight. Kane leaves as punk opens the ball and shakes his head.
A video package showcases the rivalry between the United States Champion Dean Ambrose and Rob Van Dam. After RVD became # 1 Contender, The Shield brutalized him in a 3 on 1 beatdown. The next week, Rob Van Dam attacked Ambrose with a steel chair and delivered a devastating Van Daminator. Ambrose got busted open but the blood seemed to turn him into some kind of maniac. A bloodied Ambrose cut an iconically intense promo backstage in the boiler room where he challenged RVD to a Hardcore match at the Royal Rumble. Rob Van Dam accepted and began to tap into his hardcore style, even going as far as to bring back his old friend Sabu to help him fend off repeated attacks by The Shield. Tonight this rivalry concludes in a Hardcore match for the US Championship.
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Rob Van Dam for the United States Championship in a Hardcore Match
Van Dam starts off hot with a barrage of kicks to Ambrose. RVD hits his signature barricade legdrop from the apron! He pulls out a kendo stick and starts unloading on the champion. Ambrose stops the beating by raking RVD's eyes and then snapping the kendo stick in half. Ambrose goes berserk, stabbing RVD with the sharp part of the broken kendo stick repeatedly in the corner as JR tells the TV audience to put their kids to bed because "this match is going to be bowling shoe ugly folks". Van Dam slides out of the ring and we see he's bleeding profusely. Ambrose stalks his prey on the outside but RVD tosses a steel chair full speed at his head! RVD goes under the ring and grabs a couple of trash cans and a lid. He smashes Ambrose over the head with the lid and throws him in the ring. RVD sets up a table on the outside but is momentarily distracted, trying to wipe the blood out of his eyes which allows Ambrose to crush one of the trash cans over Van Dam's head. Like a shark that smells blood in the water, Ambrose pounces on RVD and unloads punches to his open cut. The referee pulls him off and checks on RVD. But Ambrose is not done. Far from it. He goes under the ring and grabs a barbed wired baseball bat! As he gets in the ring, RVD kicks the barbed wired bat into Ambrose's face! Spike DDT! Van Dam puts a trash can over Ambrose's head and props him in the corner. VAN TERMINATOR WITH A STEEL CHAIR INTO THE TRASH CAN! RVD slowly drapes his arm over Ambrose. 1-2-Dean somehow kicks out! They exchange punches in the middle of the ring until Ambrose bites RVD's bloody head!!! RVD punches Ambrose just to get him off of him but Dean rebounds with a lariat that turns RVD inside out! Instead of going for the pin, Ambrose picks up the barbed wired baseball bat and smashes RVD in the back repeatedly! Van Dam rolls to the apron but Ambrose follows him and starts grinding the barbed wire in RVD's face! Using the pure adrenaline of survival instinct, RVD reverses into a suplex over the ropes, sending he and Ambrose crashing through the table on the outside!
The fans chant "Holy shit!" as the announcers question how much more these guys, specifically RVD, can take. RVD is first to his feet and throws Ambrose in the ring. RVD climbs to the top rope but Ambrose hits the ropes and causes him to lose balance. He tosses RVD off the top rope onto a trash can! Ambrose goes under the ring and grabs a bag..... The referee tries to stop him but Ambrose shoves him to the ground and empties the contents all over the ring ---- IT'S THUMBTACKS! He turns around and catches a steel chair hurled at him by RVD! VAN TERMINATOR! Ambrose falls into the tacks! RVD goes up top! FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH INTO THE TACKS! "BY GAWD!" Cover! 1-2-Ambrose kicks out by shoving a handful of tacks into RVD's face! Van Dam screams in pain as a now bloody Ambrose pulls himself to his feet and smiles. DIRTY DEEDS ON THE TACKS! 1-2-3!
Result- Dean Ambrose wins by pinfall via Dirty Deeds onto thumbtacks! (22:22)
Rob Van Dam is taken out on a stretcher as Dean Ambrose sits bloodied in the corner, with thumbtacks all over him and the United States Title over his shoulder, admiring his work.
Writer's Note: This match writes RVD out for the foreseeable future to give him a well deserved break. Ambrose is put over as a sadistic, hardcore, psycho path on RVD's way out.
We cut backstage where Mark Henry and The Big Show are picking their numbers. Stephanie McMahon plays nice with the legendary giants, telling them that there are always advantages to helping The Authority. Mark Henry laughs her off and walks out but Big Show appears to contemplate her words. Daniel Bryan walks in and has a face off with Triple H. Bryan wants to pick his Rumble number but HHH tells him there's only one ball left. He teases not giving it to him but places it in his hands. Bryan opens it, shakes his head and smiles, saying he wouldn't expect anything less from The Authority.
A video package on the history of the Royal Rumble match is next, highlighting past winners, elimination records, and obscure statistics. Ladies and gentlemen. We promised you a great main event.
Main Event- 30 Man Royal Rumble Match
1. Daniel Bryan
2. CM Punk
The two heroes of our story; enemies of The Authority that have been given the insurmountable task of winning from the opening spots if they want to main event Wrestlemania. They slug it out and the fans love every second of it.
3. Big E Langston
The Intercontinental Champion gets a chance to showcase his abilities in full spotlight. He tosses Bryan and Punk around much to the chagrin of the crowd. Punk and Bryan team up to stop the onslaught and slow the big man down.
4. Mark Henry
The World's Strongest Man double clotheslines Punk and Bryan before squaring up with Big E. The two meaty men begin slappin' meat until Henry squashes the IC Champion in the corner and takes advantage.
5. Alexander Rusev
The Bulgarian Brute from NXT goes nose to nose with Mark Henry. Rusev kicks Henry in the head and then charges full speed, clobbering him and sending Mark crashing from the ring for our first official elimination of the night!
Alexander Rusev eliminates Mark Henry
6. Evan Bourne
Bourne quickens the pace of the match and hits a barrage of high flying moves until he meets the brick wall known as Rusev. Rusev gets Bourne in a precarious position and clotheslines him so hard that he takes a nasty backflip bump off the apron ala Paul London 2005.
Alexander Rusev eliminates Evan Bourne
Rusev turns around and realizes he's surrounded by Bryan, Punk, and Big E! He fights valiantly but it's no use. YES+ Knee by Bryan! Rusev is rocked but still standing! GTS by Punk! Rusev is STILL somehow on his feet but falls back against the ropes ..... A clothesline from Big E sends Rusev over the ropes for another elimination!
Big E Langston eliminates Alexander Rusev
7. Alberto Del Rio w/Ricardo Rodriguez
As a former World Champion and Royal Rumble winner, Del Rio has to be considered dangerous in this match. He hits a nasty double foot stomp on Big E and trash talks the fans as they boo him out of the building. Bryan and Punk hit a Hart Attack on Del Rio to a massive pop!
8. Kevin Nash
It looks like The Authority have a couple of tricks up their sleeve tonight. Nash immediately targets Punk and Bryan, savouring the boo's from the audience. Meanwhile, Big E nearly has Del Rio eliminated until Rodriguez hops on the apron and allows Del Rio to get the advantage by jamming him thumb in Big E's eye! Del Rio kicks Big E in the face and eliminates the Intercontinental Champion!
Alberto Del Rio eliminates Big E Langston
Del Rio and Nash team up to beat down Punk and Bryan.
9. John Cena
Business is about to pick up! Cena hits the ring and takes the fight to Del Rio and Nash! AA to Del Rio! Nash immediately takes Cena down with a big boot and mocks the fans, pretending to cry. Jackknife Powerbomb to Cena! Nash tosses Punk over the ropes but Punk skins the cat and starts kicking Nash in his surgically repaired knee's.
10. Big Show
Nash throws Punk into the ring post and has a face off with The World's Largest Athlete. Nash extends his hand, wondering if Show is going to take The Authority up on their offer. Big Show teases joining him --- psych! Knockout Punch by Big Show! Nash crumples to the mat. The fans love it as Big Show gets hyped up and then starts chopping Del Rio in the corner.
11. X-Pac
Another surprise return! But is this another legend doing the bidding of The Authority? Pac does some crotch chops and gets a good reaction as he fist bumps The Big Show and hits a Bronco Buster to Del Rio! But X-Pac cannot be trusted as he kicks Big Show right in the family jewels! Kevin Nash pulls himself to his feet and two sweets X-Pac! Nash goes to stomping on The Big Show as Pac charges for a Bronco Buster on Punk ---- Cena takes X-Pac's head off with a clothesline and then AA's him from the ring!
John Cena eliminates X-Pac
Cena, Punk, and Bryan all attack Kevin Nash and buy enough time for Big Show to recover. Show grabs Nash by the throat and pushes him back over the ropes!
Big Show eliminates Kevin Nash
Show, Cena, Punk, Bryan, and Del Rio all fight and try to eliminate each other as the buzzer sounds for the next entrant.
12. Bray Wyatt
The mood has shifted in the arena! Bray Wyatt comes in like an absolute killer, wrecking everyone in his path. Sister Abigail to CM Punk! Daniel Bryan is the last one standing and the crowd breaks out into thunderous "YES!" chants as Bryan and Wyatt exchange stiff slaps and beat the piss out of each other!
13. Erick Rowan
A coincidence or the puppet strings of The Authority? The Wyatt Family now has two members and begin to dominate. Big Show grabs their throats but Rowan breaks free with several headbutts! Big Show slumps back against the ropes --- Wyatt and Rowan dump him to the floor!
Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan eliminate Big Show
Wyatt sits in the corner moving his hands like a orchestra conductor as Rowan chokes Daniel Bryan on the opposite side of the ring. Del Rio tries to eliminate John Cena.
14. Brodus Clay
The Funkasaurus is in no dancing mood, he knows how serious this opportunity is and he also knows what he's up against. As soon as he slides in the ring, Wyatt and Rowan put the boots to him. Clay fights back but it's no use. It's Wyatt Family domination as Bray hits a Sister Abigail and then Rowan throws the big man over the ropes.
Erick Rowan eliminates Brodus Clay
CM Punk is Bray Wyatt's next target but he fights for his life and hits a big roundhouse kick to Rowan! Bray has to fend for himself and he smiles, it's time to dance!
15. Kofi Kingston
Kingston is a house of fire, flying all over the ring. SOS to Bray Wyatt! Trouble in Paradise to Del Rio! Kingston springboards off the ropes but gets caught by Erick Rowan! Rowan press slams Kofi to the outside ---- Kofi lands on the barricade! He trust falls back into the crowd and they surf him around as the arena breaks out into huge "KOFI!" chants.
16. Santino Marella
Santino breaks out THE COBRA! Wyatt does the creepy spider walk which freaks Santino out ---- he eliminates himself and walks to the back!
Santino Marella eliminates himself
17. Ezekiel Jackson
As Jackson walks down to the ring, the crowd bring Kofi back to the barricade and he hops to the apron! Bray Wyatt launches himself into Kofi, sending him flying into in the arms of Ezekiel Jackson! Kofi is all pumped up at avoiding elimination twice but Jackson bodyslams Kofi on the floor! Kofi is now out and Big Zeke has his first elimination before he even gets in the ring!
Ezekiel Jackson eliminates Kofi Kingston
Jackson joins the match and exchanges some shoulder blocks with Erick Rowan. Bray Wyatt continues to brawl with Daniel Bryan while John Cena fights Del Rio.
18. Christian
Captain Charisma joins the match and finds himself squaring off with his old rival Ezekiel Jackson. Jackson gets him up for a Powerslam but Christian fights out and hits the Killswitch! Christian then ducks a Bray Wyatt clothesline and hits a Spear! Del Rio cheapshots Christian and tells the fans to shut up as he chokes Captain Charisma in the corner.
19. Chris Jericho
Y2J makes quite the entrance with a boatload of pyro. Jericho slaps Del Rio and locks in the Walls of Jericho! The ring begins to fill up now as strategy changes this late into the match; nobody wants to risk elimination at this point.
20. The Boogeyman
JBL gets real quiet all of a sudden as the legend crawls out and smashes a clock on his head! Boogeyman gets in the ring and begins eating a handful of worms! This gets Bray Wyatt's attention and the two spooky guys have a staredown. The Eater of Worlds vs. The Eater of Worms. Boogeyman sets Wyatt up for the Pumphandle Slam but Erick Rowan boots him in the head and then tosses him from the ring!
Erick Rowan eliminates The Boogeyman
21. Fandango w/Summer Rae
As Fandango dances his way to the ring, Christian and Jericho team up to eliminate Ezekiel Jackson.
Christian and Chris Jericho eliminate Ezekiel Jackson
Fandango sets his sights on Jericho and shows a more vicious side of himself, stomping Y2J relentlessly. Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan try to eliminate Christian.
22. Luke Harper
The Wyatt Family is now at full strength. They dominate the field and Luke Harper clotheslines Fandango off the apron!
Luke Harper eliminates Fandango
Bray instructs them to eliminate Bryan but Punk and Cena have something to say about that.
23. Bad News Barrett
As Barrett picks the most opportune time to enter, The Wyatt Family gang up on Christian and Bray Wyatt tosses him out!
Bray Wyatt eliminates Christian
Chris Jericho puts up a fight, nailing Rowan with a Codebreaker! The numbers game is still in The Wyatt Family's favour --- Harper decapitates Y2J with a clothesline, and Wyatt eliminates him as well!
Bray Wyatt eliminates Chris Jericho
The clock begins to countdown so Barrett is forced to roll in the ring and Harper attacks him.
24. Shelton Benjamin
AIN'T NO STOPPIN' ME, NOOOO! The Gold Standard makes his return to WWE and gets a nice ovation from the Pittsburgh crowd. He single handedly ends The Wyatt Family's domination by diving onto all three of them! As Bray Wyatt scurries to his feet, Shelton greets him with a T-Bone Suplex! Erick Rowan charges full speed at Daniel Bryan but Bryan avoids him by pulling the rope down and Rowan crashes to the floor!
Daniel Bryan eliminates Erick Rowan
Rowan is pissed and starts dismantling the announce table until the referee's force him to leave. The ring is full of superstars with full intentions of headlining Wrestlemania. Bryan and Punk are spent. Cena too. Del Rio hides in the corner to stay alive. Shelton battles it out with Barrett and Harper. Wyatt pulls himself to his feet.
25. Batista
THE ANIMAL IS HERE! Batista is a one man wrecking crew. Spinebuster to Luke Harper! Batista Bomb to Barrett! Del Rio sneaks up and attempts to toss Batista out but The Animal reverses his momentum and eliminates Del Rio!
Batista eliminates Alberto Del Rio
Batista and Bray Wyatt lock eyes. Wyatt loves it and yells "Show me that Animal, David!" Batista crushes him with a Spear and then finds himself face to face with John Cena. Cena is much more exhausted and ends up getting Spinebustered for his troubles.
26. Roman Reigns
The powerhouse of The Shield enters the ring with bad intentions; Spear to Shelton Benjamin! Superman Punch to Daniel Bryan! Reigns and Batista do battle until Wyatt and Harper attack them ---- Batista and Reigns hit a pair of Spears to The Wyatt Family!
27. Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler comes down with a microphone and tells everyone in the ring that this is his year. Number 27 is the most coveted position as more people have won the Rumble from this spot than any other. He smashes Batista with the microphone and unloads punches on The Animal! Dolph with a Superkick to Barrett and a Zig Zag to John Cena! 10 superstars are left in the ring with 3 more to make their entrance.
28. Seth Rollins
The Architect of The Shield is here and he joins Roman Reigns as they go face to face with Wyatt and Harper! Electricity in the air folks! Things break down; Bray and Roman fight in the corner as Harper drops Rollins with a clothesline! John Cena hoists Luke Harper up and sends him to the floor with an AA!
John Cena eliminates Luke Harper
Bad News Barrett sneaks up and dumps Cena from the ring! John Cena is eliminated! Revenge for The Nexus at last!
Bad News Barrett eliminates John Cena
29. Sheamus
The Celtic Warrior imediately Brogue Kicks Shelton off the apron!
Sheamus eliminates Shelton Benjamin
Everyone fights as the clock counts down for our final entrant.
30. Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman
Now we know what Triple H gifted Paul Heyman earlier! The Beast enters the ring and F5's Bad News Barrett to the floor!
Brock Lesnar eliminates Bad News Barrett
Dolph Ziggler jumps on Brock's back and tries to choke him out but Lesnar reverses into an F5 position! Lesnar sends Dolph flying over the ropes!
Brock Lesnar eliminates Dolph Ziggler
Lesnar now targets Batista and hits a series of shoulder blocks in the corner. He picks The Animal up for an F5 but Batista fights out and clotheslines Brock out of the ring!!!
Batista eliminates Brock Lesnar
Brock is in shock along with the announcers and everyone in the arena. He starts pacing around the ring as Batista sets Bray Wyatt up for a Batista Bomb. Lesnar shoves the referee to the ground and slides back in the ring, tossing Batista out!
Brock Lesnar eliminates Batista
Lesnar smashes Batista with the steel steps and then F5's The Animal through the announce table! We're down to five as Rollins and Punk fight on the apron until Punk hits a GTS! Rollins crumbles unconscious to the floor!
CM Punk eliminates Seth Rollins
The final four of the 2014 Royal Rumble: CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, and Roman Reigns. Punk and Bryan entered at number 1 and 2. Incredible accomplishment for them. Roman Reigns Spears Daniel Bryan and then sidesteps Bray Wyatt, sending him flying from the ring!
Roman Reigns eliminates Bray Wyatt
CM Punk hits a GTS on Reigns and all three men are down. Triple H walks down to the ring and rips his jacket off. Kane follows behind him. Punk pulls himself to his feet as tells them to bring it. Randy Orton RKO's CM Punk out of nowhere! The WWE Champion soaks in the boo's as he and Kane throw CM Punk out! "This is bullshit" yells the fans and JR agrees!
Randy Orton and Kane eliminate CM Punk
Triple H smiles and grabs the sledgehammer. Orton and Kane hold Daniel Bryan as HHH charges with the hammer ---- Roman Reigns Spears Triple H! CM Punk pulls Orton from the ring and they brawl into the crowd! Daniel Bryan takes Kane out with the YES+ Knee! With everyone out of the equation, Reigns and Bryan get three minutes of back and forth action, a proper finish to the Rumble. Reigns gets locked in a triangle choke but shows tremendous strength, lifting Bryan up and over the ropes! Bryan holds onto Roman and drags him over with him! They battle on the apron until Bryan viciously kicks Roman in the head! Reigns falls to the floor! Daniel Bryan wins the 2014 Royal Rumble!
Daniel Bryan eliminates Roman Reigns
Winner of the 2014 Royal Rumble: Daniel Bryan
Fireworks explode as Daniel Bryan leads the fans in a YES chant and points at the Wrestlemania sign.
submitted by Drakeishere_RUN to fantasybooking [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 15:35 drvantassel 9800 DAKA Update

9800 DAKA Update
Some of you asked to see the 9800 with the DAKA grid so here it is.
The grid fits well, although I did have to leave it empty for 24 hours to keep the grid from pushing up in the middle. I'm sure over time it will "settle" more.
I'm looking at buying some more accessories like the straps and angled blocks.
I just threw my Spear LT in there real quick, I need to play around with it some more.
I think in the long run this will be much better than cutting foam. I probably can't store as many guns with the DAKA but I will be able to adjust it for what ever match or range trip I'm headed to.
So far I'm a fan, but we'll see how it works out in the long run.
For more feet pics check out my feet finder!
submitted by drvantassel to harborfreight [link] [comments]


2024.05.19 13:22 Count-Daring243 Best Case Damascus Knives

Best Case Damascus Knives

https://preview.redd.it/74t0oz63bd1d1.jpg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b64e07721d6f41e6930726df6cd71bcd274a9847
Welcome, dear reader, to our comprehensive review of Case Damascus Knives! If you're a follower of fine craftsmanship, artistry, and sharp blades, we invite you to journey with us as we explore the world of Case Damascus Knives. From their rich history to the precise blades they've mastered, we promise to provide you with an engaging and information-packed introduction to these exceptional tools.

The Top 7 Best Case Damascus Knives

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Reviews

🔗Damascus Folding Knife with Leather Sheath


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Oh, the Damascus Knives 1320BL Prideful Fang Caper, such a mouthful, isn't it? But let's just cut right to it and talk about the knife itself. Now, I'm not exactly what you'd call a knife aficionado, but this one sure did feel different in the hand. The blade, about 6-1/2 inches long and 1-1/2 inches wide, was made of Damascus steel - a beautiful fusion of metals that gives it a unique, patterned look. That's what I noticed first, actually. It's like having a piece of art you can actually use!
But it wasn't all looks, that's for sure. The handle, a simple wooden design, was sturdy and well-balanced, even with the leather sheath included. This felt like a tool built to last, just from the feel of it. But let's not forget about those laws, either. The ownership, carry, and use of knives certainly vary from one community to another, so it's essential to know and follow the specific guidelines in place. And if you're planning on letting kids play with it? Well, that's a big no-no. It's not a toy, folks. It's a serious tool designed for serious work.
All in all, the Damascus Knives 1320BL Prideful Fang Caper caught my attention right away, not just for its eye-catching design, but also for its build quality. It's not a knife for everyone, and it's certainly not a toy. But if you're looking for a real, sturdy knife that carries its own beauty, then this might be the one for you.

🔗W.R. Case & Sons Damascus Steel Pocket Knife, Handcrafted in the USA, Limited Edition


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As someone who loves pocket knives, I was thrilled to get my hands on the Swell Center Jack Vintage Bone. This distinctive knife stands out with its Damascus Steel and Vintage Bone Handle.
Handcrafted in the U. S. A. , the 77462 from W. R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.
is a rare gem, as only 1,400 of these beauties were created. Weighing in at 1.7 oz, the knife is light enough to carry around effortlessly yet strong enough for day-to-day tasks.
While it's a work of art in itself, the user experience could be improved with a smoother opening mechanism. Overall, this knife is a testament to the craftsmanship and elegance of Damascus Steel, making it a worthwhile investment for any pocket knife enthusiast.

🔗Buffalo Horn Hunter Fixed Blade with Tru-Sharp Surgical Steel by Case XX


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The Case XX Buffalo Horn Hunter Fixed Blade really is a gem in my collection. I was initially drawn to its Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel, which truly holds up well over time. The natural buffalo horn handle adds a touch of elegance and makes it easy to grasp when in use. The handcrafted nature of the knife, combined with the fact that it's made in the U. S. A. , only adds to its credibility.
Although the black leather case it comes with is functional, it would be nice if it were a bit more durable. Also, the weight of the knife is quite noticeable, especially for everyday carry. However, these minor drawbacks do not detract from the overall quality and craftsmanship of this knife. It's definitely a tool you'd want to have in your belt if you're into hunting or survival situations.

🔗Handcrafted Purple Curly Maple Damascus Knife


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Using this beautiful Case 80541 Stockman Purple Curly Maple combination in my daily life has been a delightful experience. The eye-catching Purple Curly Maple Wood Handle adds a touch of elegance that catches everyone's attention. The famous Case Ichthus shield and mirror-polished Tru-Sharp surgical steel blades truly stand out, making this a unique and reliable choice.
Of course, there are some minor drawbacks to this stunning knife. The handle could be a bit larger, and the overall weight might feel a bit heavy in the hand. However, the quality and craftsmanship of the blade itself make up for these minor issues.
Overall, this Case 80541 Stockman Purple Curly Maple is a stunning and reliable knife that I've come to enjoy using in my everyday life. The handcrafted design and exceptional materials make it the perfect addition to any collection.

🔗Antique Bone Handle Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel Damascus Knife


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I've been using the Case XX Congress Antique pocket knife for a while now, and I must say, it's a beautiful and functional piece. The antique bone handle makes the knife feel sturdy and grippy in my hand. The Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel blades give it its sharp and shiny edge, while the sheepsfoot and pen blades lend versatility to its functionality.
One of the things that stood out to me is its handcrafted nature, knowing that it's made in the USA with pride. It's also relatively light, weighing about 1.2 ounces. However, the only negative aspect for me is the rather small size, which sometimes makes it a bit less ideal for larger tasks. But overall, I'm a fan of this knife and its classic design.

🔗Case Patriot Trapper Knife with Kirinite Handle


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As a product reviewer, I've had the chance to put the Patriot Kirinite Trapper Pocket Knife to the test in my daily life. The knife boasts mirror-polished Tru-Sharp surgical stainless steel blades that provide a reliable and long-lasting edge, perfect for a variety of tasks. The smooth Kirinite handles, with their striking red, white, and blue design, lend both style and substance to this compact yet versatile piece.
During my time with the knife, I was particularly impressed by its metal oval-shaped shield inlay which bears the prestigious Case logo, adding a touch of prestige to its already impressive design. As it is a product "made in the USA", I feel confident in its durability and craftsmanship.
However, just like any other product, it's not without its drawbacks. My only concern is the price point, which may seem a touch steep for some users. Despite this, I would still highly recommend the Patriot Kirinite Trapper Pocket Knife for those who seek quality, style, and versatility in a reliable blade.

🔗Buffalo Horn Handle Fixed Blade Hunter Knife from USA Craftsmen


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The Case 17916 Hunter Knife, sporting a unique Buffalo Horn Handle, was my go-to companion during recent hunting trips. Its handcrafted design in the U. S. A. adds a touch of pride and authenticity. The Tru-Sharp Surgical Stainless Steel blade held an edge like a dream and offered exceptional strength and resistance to corrosion.
However, what stood out the most was the knife's compatibility with the leather belt sheath. It provided an easy carrying solution for my daily life. The only downside was the limited color options for the belt sheath, which might not suit everyone's personal style.
Overall, this fixed blade knife is a reliable and durable companion for hunting and outdoor adventures, and the buffalo horn handle adds a unique touch to its design.

Buyer's Guide

Case Damascus knives are a popular choice among knife enthusiasts for their unique design and superior craftsmanship. These knives are typically handmade and feature intricate patterns, making each piece one of a kind. This buyer's guide will help you understand the important features, considerations, and general advice for purchasing a Case Damascus knife.

Understanding Damascus Steel

Damascus steel is a type of steel known for its unique wavy pattern, formed through a process called differential heat treatment. This method involves alternating layers of steel with different carbon content, which creates the distinctive pattern when the steel is cut. Each Case Damascus knife showcases these patterns, making them a visually appealing choice.

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Quality and Durability

Case Damascus knives are known for their quality and durability. The company uses high-quality materials and follows strict manufacturing processes to ensure the knives can withstand everyday use. Look for knives with full tang construction, indicating that the steel runs all the way through the handle for added strength.

Handle Materials

The handles of Case Damascus knives come in various materials, including bone, brass, and micarta. Each material offers different benefits, such as grip, durability, and weight. Choose a handle material that suits your preferences and needs.

Blade Shapes and Sizes

Case Damascus knives come in a variety of blade shapes and sizes, catering to different tasks and preferences. Some common blade shapes include drop-point, clip-point, and spear-point. Consider what type of knife you'll use most often and choose accordingly. Additionally, blade sizes range from small pocket knives to larger hunting or utility knives.

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Maintenance and Care

Proper maintenance and care are essential for keeping your Case Damascus knife in top condition. Avoid soaking the knife in water and clean it after use with a non-abrasive cloth and a small amount of oil. Regular sharpening using a whetstone or honing steels will also help maintain the edge's quality.

Warranty and Customer Support

Before purchasing a Case Damascus knife, research the company's warranty policy and customer support. A reputable company should offer a reasonable warranty period and be responsive to customer inquiries and concerns.

Personal Preferences and Budget

Finally, consider your personal preferences and budget when choosing a Case Damascus knife. Decide what features are most important to you and set a budget to ensure you can find a high-quality knife without going over your financial limit.
Case Damascus knives are a beautiful and functional investment for any knife enthusiast. By understanding the important features, considerations, and general advice outlined in this buyer's guide, you'll be better equipped to choose the right Case Damascus knife for your needs and preferences.

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FAQ

What are Case Damascus Knives?

Case Damascus Knives are a line of high-quality, handcrafted knives produced by the Case Cutlery Company. These knives are known for their unique Damascus steel blades, which are created through a forging process that alternates layers of iron and steel.

What makes Case Damascus Knives stand out from other knives?

Case Damascus Knives stand out due to their detailed craftsmanship, impressive Damascus steel blades, and various handle materials available. The combination of these elements creates a visually appealing and functional knife that sets them apart from other mass-produced knives.

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What types of Case Damascus Knives are available?

Case Damascus Knives come in various styles, such as pocket knives, hunting knives, and kitchen knives. Some popular collections include the Case Damascus Field Knife, the Case Damascus Elk Hunter Knife, and the Case Damascus Chef's Knife.

How do I care for my Case Damascus Knife?

  • After use, wash the knife with warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly.
  • Avoid immersing the knife in water or exposing it to harsh chemicals.
  • Apply a small amount of oil to the blade to maintain its sharpness and prevent rust.
  • Store the knife in a protective sheath or case to prevent damage.

What is the lifespan of a Case Damascus Knife?

The lifespan of a Case Damascus Knife depends on how well it is cared for and the frequency of use. With proper maintenance, a well-made Case Damascus Knife can last for many years.

Where can I buy Case Damascus Knives?

Case Damascus Knives can be purchased from authorized retailers, both online and in-store. It is recommended to buy from a reputable dealer to ensure you receive an authentic and high-quality product.

How much do Case Damascus Knives cost?

The cost of Case Damascus Knives varies depending on the type, size, and materials used in their construction. Generally, these knives are priced higher than mass-produced knives due to their intricate craftsmanship and premium materials.

What warranty does Case offer on their Damascus Knives?

Case Cutlery Company typically offers a limited lifetime warranty on their Damascus knives. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and workmanship issues. However, it does not cover damage resulting from misuse or normal wear and tear.
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2024.05.19 13:18 pillowcase-of-eels [Music] Emilie Autumn's Asylum, pt. 6 – High-concept musician responds to online criticism by waging successful attrition war against her own fanbase

🪞
Welcome back to the Asylum write-up, where we explore the decade-long slow-motion car crash that is the Emilie Autumn fandom.
Sorry this installment took so long to upload! Just a heads-up, I may take some time to deliver the last one too – these posts take forever to format on Reddit's finicky-ass editor, and my dumb real life is currently keeping me from precious Internet time. Thank you for your patience! You have my word that everyone who pre-ordered the final installment will receive a PERSONAL, HANDWRITTEN letter autographed and illustrated by me, a list of the snacks I consumed while composing this write-up, some exclusive behind-the-scenes secrets, and a pony.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4.1Part 4.2 Part 5
Places, everyone This is a test Throw your stones Do your damage Your worst, and your best (...) And if I had a dollar For every time I repented the sin And commit the same crime I'd be sitting on top of the world today (“God Help Me”, 2006🎵)
Quick recap of where we left off. First, there were five to ten halcyon years of pleasant and meaningful interactions between EA and her blossoming fanbase, prominently by way of her official forum. Then, circa 2009-2010, EA's online presence shifted towards sudden anger outbursts, ban-hammering, and an increasingly top-down communication style.
This created a sort of primordial rift within the fanbase, between those who supported EA's right to speak her mind and regulate her own fan spaces however she pleased – and those who thought that her reactions were rude and inappropriate (at best), and that even fan spaces should allow for reasonable, non-abusive criticism of the artist.
Between a poorly-handled book release (see Part 3), the controversial (Part 2) or dubiously true (Part 4) contents of said book, and serious shade from various former collaborators (Part 5), more and more fans had pressing thoughts about EA's work ethic and choices. EA attempted damage control through drastic forum rules that made it virtually impossible to voice any “serious” critical opinion. It didn't work, of course: instead of squashing the mutiny, she created a schism.
Critical fans and active haters started congregating on unofficial platforms.

“WITH MUFFINS LIKE THIS, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?”: TROLL LIKE A GIRL

So here we were, the early 2010s. The official forum (which had about 700 members in 2006, if you recall) was now thousands-strong, reaching just over 12,000 registered users in 2012 – not all of them active, but still. In terms of sheer numbers and content creation, the party was POPPIN'... but increasingly in parts of the Asylum that escaped EA's jurisdiction, such as Tumblr, where they could speak their mind freely.
You play the victim very well You've built your self-indulgent hell You wanted someone to understand you Well, be careful what you wish for, because I do (“I Know Where You Sleep”, 2006🎵)
In one wing of Asylum Tumblr, a smattering of call-out blogs emerged, which laid out EA's various lies, faux pas, shitty takes, and general deep-seated terribleness in detailed timelines and screenshots (or, short of that, long-winded bullet points). While many such blogs framed it as “serious” whistleblowing and did their best to remain as fact-based and neutral as they could, there was some genuine disgust, animosity and creepiness towards EA on that side of Tumblr; for some ex-fans, “exposing the truth” was mostly justify obsessive hatred, prying and verbal abuse. Some, for instance, felt the bizarre need to side with EA's mother in their estrangement. (One user, with the URL “emilyautumnfischkopf”, argued in a serious and down-to-earth tone - but with zero sources - that EA's upbringing had been nothing but peaceful and supportive until she ungratefully kicked her loving family to the curb for no reason at all. They were later revealed 🔍 to have an alternate handle as “eaisalyingcunt”.)
Either way, through these blogs, a number of potential drama bombs that had mostly flown under the radar were dredged up from over the years – some of which were hard to ignore, even for supportive fans. Where to begin?
There was that nonsense in-joke song, captured twice on camera during the 2009 tour (to very little outrage, at the time), crassly called “Manatee Retard”📺. Or EA's scathing response, in print, to a wheelchair user who found it insensitive that she used a bedazzled wheelchair as a prop to do sexy acrobatics on stage. (“Your offence taken at my hard-won self-acceptance proves that I indeed have something to fight against”, she wrote). Spoken word tracks where she made trivializing knock-knock jokes about serious mental illnesses she didn't have, like schizophrenia and OCD. Multiple instances of calling Britney Spears a “bimbo” and a “Hollywood fucked-up”, resentfully claiming that she only shaved her head because she was “hopped up on drugs” and certainly not because she was “bipolar”, a word the press liked to wield as an insult anyway. (“That's almost like calling someone a retard!” Yeah, heaven forbid.) The meanest, most distasteful paragraphs in the book. Basically everything problematic EA had ever said or written.📝 In retrospect, it had been a long time coming, but it was a lot to take in – and certainly more off-putting, even to less emotionally invested fans, than silly lies about her age and last name.
In another wing of Asylum Tumblr, some fans had had it up to here and just wanted to have fun. 🎵 If Plague Rats had learned one valuable lesson from EA, it was how to crack a joke in the face of absurd tragedy – and the general state of the EA fandom certainly warranted a few.
In 2012, Fight Like a Girl was released. After six long years, three of which had been peaceful, the Opheliac era was officially over. The new album and ensuing tour confirmed that the Asylum had entered a process of glamorous Broadway-style militarization. 🎵📺
The mood board was “Roman general meets Vegas showgirl meets Victorian street urchin”.🪞 The color palette was, to naysayers, “musty pink and rotten, stale piss yellow”. 🐀 The keyword was “REVENGE” (through the power of... self-expression! sorority! brutal assault with rusty medical implements!). The chorus of the title song had an intriguing run-on line about getting “revenge on the world, or at least 49% of the people in it” 🎵 – which seemed like an awful lot, and was widely interpreted (to cheers, boos, or uncomfortable sighs) as a misandrist jab at literally all men on Earth.
The show was essentially a demo version of the musical, in that the setlist vaguely reflected the order of events in the story – but prior reading was essential in order to get what the hell was going on on stage. This one Broadway reviewer had not perused the literature before seeing the show 🔍, and hated: the set, the choreography, the skits, the plot, the lyrics, the music, the concept. (Seriously, you should read the review. It's not even my show and I feel like quitting show business.)
Pre-show VIP encounters, now violin-free, were lorded over by EA's new manager🐀, whose official title was “Asylum Headmistress”. (Interesting choice – she sounds fun!) The swag bags were less substantial than before, and the “greet” part of the meet-and-greet was rarely more than a quick hug and photo op.
On Twitter, EA continued to embrace her “I am very badass” fronting attitude...
Often wonder if cyberbullies r aware they’re fucking w/ a girl who’s BFs w/ maker of the SAW films & is marrying a knife-throwing scorpion. (🐀📝)
...and her taste for needlessly inflammatory statements. About an aisle sign in a supermarket:
If this does not infuriate you, then you're a fucking potato.
(Again with the confounding crypto-ableism, EA! 🔍) She also went through a phase of raging against Lady Gaga 📝, who had stolen her idea of using a wheelchair on stage as an able-bodied woman. 🔍 That failed to convince anyone that she wasn't the histrionic diva that haters made her out to be.
Spurred on by EA's rallying cries and “us vs them” mentality, loyalists turned the white-knighting up to 11. On Twitter, some Plague Rats got into cat fights with Lady Gaga's Little Monsters (what a time to be alive). Others tried to balance out the Tumblr negativity with initiatives like “Spreading a Plague of Love” – a “positive-only” confession blog, whose extreme fangirling, comically drastic rules and hyper-defensive tone📝 did not debunk the increasingly popular notion that “true Plague Rats” were a bunch of authoritarian and hopelessly brainwashed fanatics.
EA truthers and other anti-fans started lashing out at anyone who dared express any positive opinion of EA, solidifying claims that the backlash against EA was just a conspiracy of bitter, hysterical bullies.
All this to say: every passing day brought new reasons for fans to get mad at EA and each other, and everyone in the Asylum was in need of a laugh. It's not easy having a good time.🦠
Leading up to Fight Like a Girl and in the years that followed, user-submission-based meme blogs took off, most notably “Spreading a Plague of Lulz / Troll Like a Girl”. A lot of the early submissions were absurdist humor and toothless, cheezburger-Impact memes (a style that was, oddly, already dated at the time). Those often originated in good fun, and from loyal fans, on the official forum. But there was also true snark, satirizing EA's questionable ethics, outrageous claims, and easily spoofed artistic gimmicks. A new slang of Asylumspeak emerged: Glittertits (slight NSFW), GAGA!!, EA Gusta and all its memeface variants, Get outta mah house!, Are You Suffering?, Fight Like A Goat, [Random celebrity] copied EA (a subgenre in its own right), ...
Most of the “trolling” was directed at unrepentant bootlickers and, to a lesser extent, red-in-the-face haters and creeps. Meme blogs would post joke comments under “serious” or gushing submissions on Wayward Victorian Confessions, and taunt loyalist accounts by tagging them in their posts. When a few people complained on WVC that almost all of the Bloody Crumpets to date had been thin white able-bodied women, and a few fans responded by sharing their dream-casts for a more diverse line-up, the blog was flooded for days with confessions that “X should be a Crumpet” (candidates included RuPaul, Mitt Romney, Nicki Minaj, EA's therapist, and the WVC admins). Farcical shenanigans like that.
Ah, but some people will always cross the line, won't they. EA threads popped up on merciless, bully-friendly snark platforms like Lolcow, Pretty Ugly Little Liar, and Encyclopedia Dramatica. Snarkers with a mean streak and obsessive haters mingled in some of the more aggressive, 4-chan-spirited retaliation against EA – which would be called “brigading” in modern parlance. This included flooding EA's Goodreads page with one-star reviews (see part 4), repeatedly editing her Wikipedia page to include her legal name and birth year, and ensuring that Googling said name would bring up current pictures of her.
All of this compounded agitation fragmented the once-united fandom beyond recognition.🦠 Through substantial disagreements among fans, personal bickerings, layers upon layers of inscrutable in-jokes, and cross-platform telephone games, the Asylum morphed into a booby-trapped Escher room.
Satire blogs were taken in earnest. Earnest fan blogs scanned as satire. Memes would get called out as abuse. Appreciation without attached criticism would get mocked as bootlicking. Obvious jokes made by EA would be taken at face value. One divisive confession could trigger days and days of debate, to the point that WVC eventually banned confessions in response to other confessions. New waves of infighting created a confusing web of rival sub-factions🐀, each accusing the others of being toxic, cliquish, and delusional.
The shared fantasy was broken, the collective vision had crumbled, no onez was speaking the same language anymore. Fans would jump down the throat of other fans who held almost identical views about EA, except for that one thing she said or did that one time. Everyone had differing thoughts on what should or shouldn't acceptable to discuss, question, excuse, make fun of.
War is hell.

SCORCHED EARTH SHENANIGANS: HONEY, I SHRUNK THE ASYLUM

Would you tear my castle down Stone by stone And let the wind run through my windows Till there was nothing left But a battered rose? (“Castle Down”, 2003🎵)
Haters vs sycophants is not really the kind of conflict where one side can come out on top (if you're participating, you've already lost). But in the long tug-of-war between “grassroots” and “EA-sponsored” fan spaces, the ultimate winner is obvious – in that the former is gasping in agony, a shriveled husk of its former glory, while the latter... is non-existent. This is due in no small part to EA's tendency, like the Czars of old, to settle conflicts by setting Moscow on fire.🔍)
That's not entirely fair: unlike EA, the czar only did it that once.
By early 2013, as EA was gearing up for her third Fight Like a Girl tour at the end of the year, the official forum was... not as lively as it once had been. Not just because of the stifling rules and disgruntlement towards EA, or because EA herself hadn't really posted anything on there in years; the Internet was also changing, and forums in general were fast becoming passé.
This made it difficult for EA to create a safe space where she could talk to fans, and fans could talk to and about her, in a way she deemed suitable (ie, a space she could gate-keep and regulate enough to keep it completely free from negative criticism). Social media was a minefield; she still posted regularly, but didn't interact very much. So EA and the Headmistress came up with a way to filter out the unbelievers: an official fan club📝, aptly called the “Asylum Army”, with a $100 entry price.
Joining the AA came with a dog tag, a sew-on patch, and a lifetime membership certificate signed by EA and – for some reason – the Headmistress. (Unlike EA's best friend and sound engineer back in the forum's heyday, I don't think fans ever really embraced the FLAG-era manager as part of the Asylum in-group. She came across more as a coordinator / businessperson / adult chaperone, at best.🐀) So, slightly better goodies than you'd get by joining the other AA 🔍 ... but not by much. The main appeal was that members would have access to exclusive content, special merch, giveaways, early bird tickets for future shows, and regular video chats with EA.
The concept itself drew a fair amount of criticism, as you can imagine. Between the name🐀, the price, and the inherent gatekeeping of a pay-to-join fanclub, many balked at the monetizing of a concept that had once (like, three years back) been significantly more DIY, grassroots, and inclusive. 📝🐀
Then again, many also longed for a positive, drama-free space where fans could just be fans. And while the creation of the AA was generally recognized as a quick cashgrab, a lot of people were surprisingly cool with it. EA was trying to finance her dream musical, after all – although a number of fans wished she had gone about raising funds in a less sketchy way.
So around 400 fans shelled out (which, according to the Headmistress📝, “basically cover[ed] the cost of running the fanclub itself – keeping the database up, website, etc.”). Enough for a close-knit, but sizable community. But already, there was a conflict of interest: a high fanclub entry fee essentially demands that you pledge loyalty to the artist over loyalty to your fellow fans, who wish to join but can't afford to. Sharing, caring, and ensuring no one felt left out were some of the more positive values cultivated in the fandom... but leaking exclusive content would surely piss off other paying members🐀, and make EA feel betrayed all over again. (And she had barely just started to mellow out on social media!)
...But then again, this is the internet. After the first month of secret AA drops (lyric sheets, some photoshoot outtakes – nothing too juicy, really), there were, yes, some leaks. EA was predictably miffed, and retaliated by... ghosting the fanclub for weeks at a time in its first few months of existence (great look!). She eventually found the “solution” to her problem, by providing something you couldn't right-click-save (and which had been part of the promised perks to begin with): live interaction.
Over webcam, she was her usual in-person bubbly, charming, funny self. Everyone seemingly had a good time during the fanclub video chat, and this gave people faith and hope.
There were a few more events, giveaways, etc. As promised, ahead of the fall 2013 tour (the last one to date, it would turn out), AA members got priority access to show tickets and VIP bundles. The latter were much pricier than before, and only included soundcheck, a photo-op, and three goodies: a tin of loose-leaf tea, a signed printer-paper setlist, and a small flag that said “F.L.A.G.”.🔍 Some stuff continued to leak – but, as some of the outlaws pointed out (scroll down to the Disqus comments), they were mostly relaying information that was relevant to the entire fanbase, such as updates about ongoing projects (the dragged-out recording of the audiobook, for one).
In early 2014, lifetime memberships were closed, and replaced with monthly, quarterly and yearly subscription tiers. Bizarrely, you ended up paying $3 more per month if you bought a $99 yearly subscription📝 – but it did include the patch, dog tag, and piece of paper!
Sometimes I kind of want to be part of the cool kids and register to the Asylum Army. Then I remember how it came about, what you could get for the same price a couple years ago, how the whole thing was and is handled, and that I won’t support any of this bullshit. (And then I roll around naked in all the money I’m saving.) (🐀)
Still, a number of fans rejoiced at the affordable monthly option, and joined – if not for the exclusive content and merch (which were... okay, but not much to write home about), then for the friendly, drama-free exchanges with an artist they actually did love, in spite of all the frustration.
For the still-too-poor or still-undecided, there was always the forum! It wasn't as active as it used to be, but a few die-hards still managed to keep the lights on... until, inevitably, Someone Did Something and Ruined Everything. (Once again: EA's wrath is spectacular, but rarely completely unprovoked.) The incident features one notable figure in the Asylum community. Let's call him the Collector.
OK, so maybe you remember the meme I linked to in Part 4, with Christian Grey and the ginormous EA hoard. Well, that's the Collector's collection. The “Violin” promo that I called the "Holy Grail of the fandom" in the same paragraph? Also his. The handwritten lyrics that went for $940? Guess who won that auction. Over the years, the Collector had probably spent five figures on EA merch and shows, and although that fact was a little unsettling, he was a very active, easy-going, and generally well-liked fixture of the fandom.
One day in 2012, shortly after the Headmistress had replaced EA's old Chicago BFF as main forum admin, the Collector's account got banned or restricted over something dumb. When the ban wasn't lifted as quickly as he hoped, he took it... the way one takes things when one is unhealthily invested: he started spamming Headmistress and the mod team with increasingly rambling and abusive emails (lost to time, probably for the best). When that didn't work quickly enough, he tried a different route.
One of the many auctions that the Collector had won, some years prior, was EA's old iPod Touch📝 – which contained all of her favorite tunes and, buried somewhere in the data cache... a phone number. Which the Collector tried calling. And wouldn't you know it: EA picked up. She congratulated him on his sleuthing skills, listened patiently as he made his case, apologized for any distress caused by the unfair account restriction, and then they got married.
Kidding! She freaked the fuck out, hung up, and banned him for life from the forum and all EA shows and events.
After his ban, the Collector allegedly still tried to attend at least one VIP pre-show (one source in the comments says he was allowed to buy some merch, refunded for his ticket, and escorted out). He joined the Reform forum to bitch about EA and try to rally people to his cause, possibly made revenge posts about her on darker snark forums, and continued to hound the Asylum mod team. So in June 2014, EA came up with a radical and unexpected fix to the Collector problem.
The official Asylum Fan Forum has been shut down permanently. I have personally paid thousands of dollars each year to keep the forum safe and secure for you ... Unfortunately, the forum has not been kept safe and secure for me, a truth which disappoints me greatly, instead becoming a place where people who have physically threatened myself and my staff prey upon forum members, pressuring them to contact me and my staff on their behalf. If the gullible wish to humor my stalkers (who live in their parent’s basement at age 30 something) and thus put me in danger, they may do it on their own dime. They may also fuck off, because stupidity can kill, and I won’t be your victim. To those who enjoyed the forum, you know who to thank for its closure. (“On the closing of the Asylum Forum”)
Voilà! This is how a decade-long archive of shared history ends: not with a bang, but with a dirty delete and a sod-off communiqué.
The obliteration of the forum took everyone by surprise...
I was actually on the forum when it was taken down. I was navigating between posts and when I went to click on a different board, an error message came up. I honestly cried a little, I'm not ashamed to say. (WVC admin on Reddit, 2024)
...and I do mean everyone:
Chicago BFF / ex-admin, the next morning: Whoa, EA forum shut down? Ex-mod: It turns out that if someone spends enough years actively “waging war” to destroy what they can’t have, eventually they’ll be successful. * eye roll * Not even mods got prior warning. Just all the sudden, poof, gone. BFF: Really? She did not let the moderators know?! This is sounding worse and worse. Uggh. I’m so sorry. Such a loss. (...) Ok, threats are serious, but why not just put it in archive mode so no one can post? (...) Sad. I shall light a candle in the forum's honor. (Facebook posts; scroll down for screenshots)
It was a gut punch, especially for people who had poured countless hours into the community, or could have used some prior warning to save years of their own writing from the role-playing threads. One last chance to take a look around the place that had meant so much to so many.
From the wording of the announcement of closing the forum and a number of other things, it sometimes seems like EA doesn't like her fans much. :/ (🐀)
Three months after the forum was nuked, Battered Rose (a venerable EA fansite, which had been around since the Enchant era and had one of the most complete EA galleries online) announced that it was shutting down too.📝 The admin, who had also been a long-time forum mod, cited a lack of “time, energy, passion, or money” to keep the website going... and being upset at the sudden disappearance of the forum. It was, truly, the end of an era for the Asylum.
...Well, no point in living in the past. For those who could afford it, and still wanted to talk to/about EA after that (not everyone did 🐀), there was always the Asylum Army fanclub!
Over the summer of 2014, EA held regular live chats and Q&A's, and... many attendees really enjoyed them, and thought the AA was well worth the money after all. She also quietly parted ways with the much poo-pooed Headmistress around that time.
Just spent over 4 hours giggling, drinking tea and playing guessing games in chat with EA and other Asylum Army members ... No griping, no downers, just lots of fun. I think I like the way the ‘new fandom’ is going and now I’m really glad I finally decided to join the Army. (September 4, 2014🐀; Battered Rose had closed the day before)
The forum was lost forever, but perhaps that was a chance for a fresh start. Could this fanclub thing really be the Asylum Renaissance that fans had been longing for?
...I have come today to a very difficult but necessary decision, and that is to discontinue the Emilie Autumn Official Fanclub. The site itself, and the community chatroom, will remain open to you indefinitely, but I will no longer be making updates to the site. (Newsletter, September 8, 2014📝)
...Never mind, then.
Turns out the fanclub had been the Headmistress' idea all along. EA had been reluctant from the start, and although she really enjoyed the live chats with a safe community of people “who are there for the right reasons”, she couldn't overcome her fundamental discomfort with the concept. Lifetime and regular members would receive a bunch of digital downloads and a -35% coupon on the Asylum Emporium for their troubles. EA said she would definitely pop back once in a while for live chats, for free, just for fun, but to my knowledge, she never did.
And so the most devoted fans were left standing in the rain...
She is happy, she made it. She is fulfilling her dreams, found love and happiness after all the pain. I understand that she now doesn’t need “us” anymore ... That doesn’t change the fact she broke my heart with taking the Asylum Army and the forum from me. Yet, I am happy for her. (🐀)
...while naysayers pointed and laughed, Nelson-style.🦠
I don’t feel sorry at all for the people that paid for the Asylum Army fan club. Most of them knew that EA is an atrocious business woman and has broken many promises before. In fact, I laugh at them. They seriously thought that EA would actually stay consistent with this? (🐀)

EVERYTHING MUST GO: THE ASYLUM WHOLESALE

EA fans were left without an “official” home for about three years. This gave them plenty of time to be annoyed at EA for: not releasing the audiobook on time, not materializing any new project for a while... and the new sin of peddling random, ridiculously marked-up AliBaba jewelry as “merch” on her official store. Think faux-antique cameo pendants and $30 Big Ben rings (...because the Asylum story is set in London, get it?).
The whole accessories section looks like a tacky overpriced English souvenir shop. (🐀)
The fanbase lost a lost of steam in those in-between years, because there wasn't much to stick around for. As evidenced by the positive reception of the AA live chats, even in the midst of unresolved drama, out-loud interactions in a friendly environment have always been EA's saving grace. Considering the amount of online hate, there are shockingly few accounts of bad IRL encounters with EA: most people say that in live conversation, she comes across as a fun, warm, and genuinely sweet person. Some report that their negative opinion shifted after meeting her.
But there were no chats or live shows anymore. There was only social media, where she ignored questions and vague-posted about overdue projects – and the newsletter📝, which was all saccharine love-bombing to promote bland dropshipped trinkets. For fans who remembered the handcrafted merch (and two-way communication) of the early years, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

CONTINUED IN COMMENTS


submitted by pillowcase-of-eels to HobbyDrama [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 22:19 HildebertTheCraven How hard is it to win with Shield Bros & Swordlances when throwing, close range two handers and most meta builds are banned? (Day 150 Monolith)

Swordlances and Shield Bros (that actually attack) have gotten a lot of criticism in the BB community, but how bad are they really?
I wanted to find out, so I did a run where I banned most of the meta builds, as well as throwing weapons and close range two handers. I also banned gunners, qatal duelists, mace duelists and cleaver duelists. I also banned berserk and killing frenzy as I wanted to experience the stamina system without relying on berserk recover.
Reach weapons were allowed as their damage is more in line with other weapons. Possibly a mistake though, as they circumvent the weirdness of the stamina system.
Standard pure defense tank builds and normal banner builds were allowed, in order to keep the test focused on the performance of the other builds. Sword duelists were allowed as a filler option for bros without the stamina to do anything else, flail duelists were allowed for guys with bad melee skill.
This started off as a challenge run but it turned into more of a build testing experiment as the off meta builds turned out to be strong enough that it wasn't really much harder than a normal run (until the end). So I fought certain battles multiple times for testing purposes, but still let bros die normally.
Team composition:
4 Attacking Shield Bros, 4-6 frontline Swordlances, 1 Normal Banner, 1 Normal Tank, rest filler in the form of sword duelists & flail duelists. One Shield Bro was also a spearman. Two Swordlances were semi ranged units with around 46 ranged skill and carried crossbows so enemy parties with weak ranged would advance normally. Exact builds in pics.
Team Part 1
.
Team Part 2
Results:
This team actually had a relatively easy time with most fights, getting in ~215 fights by day 149 and finding / buying 33 famed items while only finding a few champions and only buying a few good items. Core bros from early in the game hit level 15. I am not a speed runner or super high fight density player, so that's a decent result for me, which indicates the team was actually surprisingly strong.
Builds:
Frontline Swordlance:
This made up the bulk of my damage. While swordlance has gotten a lot of criticism, frontline swordlance just seems like a good tempo build for most of the game. Aside from gunners, it's simply the easiest way to AOE without requiring high stats or good armor. You can use a daytaler with mediocre starting stats for swordlance, while AOEing with a two hander requires a much better recruit who can survive a fair amount of enemy contact.
Winning against large numbers of humanoid enemies in early high tier camps is largely based on morale checks and getting fearsome procs. Using AOE abilities is a good way to get fearsome procs. Obviously it clears out weaker enemies and that lowers the morale of stronger enemies. But the damage doesn't really fall off too badly until you get to the most heavily armored enemies. It's even fine vs Chosen as you can use the increased reach and mobility to focus fire and get in multiple AOEs and stay out of trouble. Maybe vs later Chosen camps past day 150 that would become more difficult.
In general, with pathfinder + polearm you almost always get at least one attack in and you can focus fire very easily, while keeping your damage bros safe, which goes a long way in terms of tempo compared to other builds that have more dead turns.
Swordlance is also good against beasts like Lindwurms as many beast fights seems to favor the strategy of walk forward, hit with reach weapon, walk out of attack range. You can just AOE the lindwurms down while your damage bros are perfectly safe.
Is it better than Javelins? Probably not, javelins are OP, but it uses a much easier to obtain recruit type and it does have advantages in some fights compared to javelins, as in many of the more risky mid game camps the enemy likely has more range than you, forcing you to advance. Swordlance can simply walk right up to the walls and reap away, while throwers have trouble setting up throwing lanes and one range attackers get clogged up and can't attack.
Swordlance can also invest in a full set of defenses and survivability perks. (That's why it's "Frontline Swordlance".) It doesn't have to waste a scarce backline spot but can safely take contact from even Chosen temporarily, as long as it's not getting swarmed by them. So the more relevant comparison is Swordlance vs Dodge Quickhands. In that comparison Swordlance seems to have a lot of advantages while the disadvantages are minor (especially since in a normal run you can just keep a two handed axe as backup.)
Swordlance damage only really became a problem vs masses of uncontrolled, heavy armor enemies, like if you fight all the Ancient Undead at the same time in Monolith (more on that later). However, in normal fights Ancient Honor Guards aren't challenging due to predictable AI and by day 150 Orc Warriors are still in relatively small numbers and are easily controlled and their morale is easily broken. I guess if you played super late swordlance might start to struggle in some larger camps.
Swordlance build: Poleshield:
Stole this build from this subreddit, thanks! Most of the time he plays as a normal swordlance, but he has the option to swap to a heater shield when he gets stuck in melee and needs the defense. Start with swordlance out, swing (5 ap), swap to shield (4 ap). End turn. Next turn, wait with relentless as shield stays out, swap to swordlance at the end and swing (4 ap + 5 ap). Next turn you will go before slower enemies so you can swing again and put your shield up for the rest of the turn. Most swings hit while shield is up. For most of the game this wasn't needed very often and he instead used a 4 ap weapon as a sidearm so he could dump his stamina into damage as quickly as possible. He tries to stay out of trouble so he doesn't need the shield. However on Monolith or in dangerous situations the shield option did come in handy. One polearm swing per turn isn't great damage, but with AOE it's not horrible and the shield does a lot to keep them alive until they can get out of trouble (can reach 50 defense with dodge). It's also helpful to have the shield out when you use recover.
Swordlance build: Fake Ranged Tempo Poleshield:
If you aren't going to build ranged units, you probably want a couple of fake ranged units, otherwise enemies with minor ranged abilities (like orc young with javelins) won't walk up to you as they normally do. Just take a mediocre ranged recruit with high based ranged skill and get him up to 46 ranged skill, then put the rest of the stats in melee. Start the fight with a crossbow in hand so it's loaded. The AI treats it as a normal ranged unit and will advance normally. You still have to advance if they have a lot of ranged so it's the same as normal runs. He can actually hit quite often with his crossbow vs certain enemies. Bags and belts performed great on these guys but duelist was for a specific weapon and probably shouldn't be taken normally. One died but he had similar stats.
Shield Bros:
While four shield bros that attack plus a tank and a tank banner (who usually just stands there holding the banner) is overkill (or uhh underkill) in terms of low damage defensive units, the shield bros performed surprisingly well in terms of tempo, even though I was never able to find an ideal candidate for a battleforged hammer + shield bro.
In a normal run it often takes a quite a long time to find candidates who can hit a stat line like 85/35 at level 11 to qualify as fatigue neutrals, which means that you can end up with a team full of nimble damage dealers with few defense bros aside from the tanks. That delays your ability to shift to optimal tactics, where the front line is made up of high defense high armor bros who take most of the enemy attacks, while the damage dealers stand in safer positions and try to only get attacked by one enemy at a time.
A unit who wouldn't quite measure up as a fatigue neutral can be made into a Shield Bro instead and he'll have plenty of defense to fill a front line spot and stand up against 3 enemies or more, while still contributing some damage over time.
Probably the most desirable attacking shield bro is a battleforged hammer shield bro, but that only works with high fatigue backgrounds, I didn't get the right recruits for that so I was forced to compromise on my shield bro builds.
Shield Bro Build: Fatigue Neutral Iron Lungs:
Stamina management is a huge problem without access to two handed weapons. Getting attacked by a lot of enemies quickly uses up a lot of stamina and only a small percentage of recruits can have enough stamina to tank in battleforged armor and still swing two times per turn. I never really found many skilled recruits with a high stamina pool like that.
Battleforged is still essential though. Bros with iron lungs can be fatigue neutral and swing certain weapons twice per turn, every turn. Normally that's limited to cleavers and swords, but if you get famed weapons you can expand the list of one handed fatigue neutral weapons. I was lucky enough to get famed weapons for these two, although they were not great ones.
Defensively, these guys performed better than the numbers indicate as they didn't take any bleeds, injuries or fearsome checks. And while their defense is only in the mid 50s with shield, that still makes them significantly tankier than a normal fatigue neutral. Their damage is pretty bad but it adds up in the course of long fights, so I think you'd lose tempo in most fights if you substituted pure defensive tanks. In Monolith they could survive for many rounds tanking up to 7 ancient undead at a time, which nimble or nimbleforged bros could not handle.
With recruiter retinue it makes sense to check a lot of guys for traits anyway and this can be a high impact way to use some guys with iron lungs and mediocre stats. It's a bit niche but I would consider using this build in a normal run, especially if I got an appropriate famed weapon and didn't need a duelist. One of these guys started as a 55*/2* Iron Lungs Daytaler, his performance as a damage sponge + damage over time was solid in this build, but as a duelist he'd have been mediocre and used up a lot of tools. In this run more damage was needed, but in a normal run there is usually a shortage of high defense forged units.
Shield Bro Build: Hammer Shield
One handed Hammer still performs well even without double grip or duelist. Destroy armor still does a lot of armor damage on the appropriate enemies and the regular attack will always proc fearsome, which often means he can simply walk up to an orc warrior or chosen and rout him with a couple hits, while having 60 defense.
This run didn't really maximize the strengths of the hammer shield bro, ideally he'd be a high stamina background in forged armor and he'd be paired with high damage teammates like a barbarian two handed axe that just need a little armor softening.
Nimble and nimbleforged are definitely fine for large camps at 150 days of scaling and earlier but if the late game camps scale to the point where he has no choice but to be focus fired by many high damage enemies, then you'd want a forged bro instead. Mine started to run out of steam when fighting both undead groups at once in Monolith. Still, this is a build I would routinely consider adding to the line up. Another great reason to build this is that Nimble Hammer Shield combines well with Spear + Shield, which is great for mid game tempo.
Shield Bro Build: Spear Specialist
Spear specialist performs a similar role to the indomitable tank, but becomes available earlier. Due to the way the AI works he can often hold off as many as 4-6 enemies for several turns. The spear specialization perk is very valuable as you can continue to refresh spearwall even while tanking another enemy, often you can arrange it so the only available spot for an enemy to attack is next to the spearman, causing several enemies to waste their turns trying to move in. Two handed enemies like chosen and berserkers are particularly crippled as they can only move one tile and attack, so you either force them to waste their turn by moving, or if they walk into spearwall they lose their turn if the spearman hits even once. The spearman singlehandedly increases the number of camps that will be profitable for your team. Spear combines well with shield and hammer in the classic Spear Hammer Shield Build from early BB, giving you something to do when you are done spearwalling. Will build again.
Weaknesses and Monolith:
I did multiple Black Monolith fights for testing purposes.
https://preview.redd.it/tgvvrj14881d1.png?width=1779&format=png&auto=webp&s=a58156df46337efd136bccea6564799c81e2abf2
I'm aware of two strategies for Monolith, with one being significantly easier than the other.
The "Speedrun" strategy (seen in Shringshring's video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayh35O9mLUw&t=8429s) involves splitting the undead into two groups by running the tank to the top left corner of the map, while the rest of the team retreats towards the bottom left corner of the map. The fight plays out as two separate fights with a break in between. It is reliable if you move like he does, the necrosavants may attack if your team spreads out too much though. Even if you only move a little bit though, it's enough to split the undead as long as the tank makes it to the corner.
The other strategy is the "Normal" or "Hard Mode" strategy for Monolith, where the tank runs approximately 4 hexes towards the top of the map and the team retreats approximately two hexes to the left. The fight starts sooner and it is possible for the tank to die relatively quickly. You need either a good tank to last a long time or a good amount of damage, otherwise you can end up facing both undead groups at the same time. This is the more difficult strategy but high damage late game teams with good tanks can handle it fine.
The Shield Bro + Swordlance team doesn't have any problem with Monolith with the speedrun strategy. It's true that the swordlances feel a bit weak against the ancient honor guards, but there isn't excessive pressure on the team so it can take the time to set up good AOEs with swordlances, weaken armor with hammer bros and focus fire. It plays out like two normal fights back to back.
However, when trying to brute force both Ancient Dead groups with the "Hard Mode" strategy, the team finally starts to show its weakness. The team takes 20 to 21 rounds to beat Monolith using this strategy. That's much slower than normal for Monolith. The Battleforged fatigue neutral shield bros performed well, surviving for many rounds while getting hit by up to 7 ancient honor guards at a time, but having the fight take so long leaves more time for things to go wrong and win rate on Monolith was probably only about 60% with this strategy, as there was a risk of the tank going down early. This could have been reduced with a better tank and/or more potions. Fighting both undead groups + necrosavants all at once was too much for the team to overcome reliably. Swordlances ran out of stamina and got stuck in non optimal positions for AOE, hammers were not able to eliminate Honor Guards quickly enough on their own. It may also have been a mistake to go from 5-6 Swordlances in most normal fights to only 4 in the Monolith, by benching the faked ranged for newly trained high defense bros, as there was a real lack of damage for the "Hard Mode" strategy.
While there isn't much reason to do the "Hard Mode" strategy instead of the "Speedrun" strategy, this still hints at a weakness that might show up in certain extremely highly scaled camps late in the game, like very late sea of tents. Just not enough damage vs armor, plus tons and tons of armored enemies pushing in too fast, getting in contact with vulnerable nimble units. However the amount of orc warriors that spawned in early game Sea of Tents were no problem at all, swordlance guys could just keep a tier 2 hammer in the pocket and easily rout them with fearsome after routing the young and berserkers.
Finally, fighting both undead groups at once illustrated some problems with the stamina system in this game as it relates to 4ap weapons. I left the sword duelist option available for filler bros with lower stamina who couldn't do anything else. Normally the build performed fine, however when there was an extremely high density of enemies and the sword duelist was getting attacked a lot he quickly ran out of stamina and could rarely regain enough to swing twice. He could either use recover, which was never needed in any other fight, or he could stand there and swing only once like an idiot. I gave them reach weapons for just this reason, but it was kind of a crutch to play around this imbalance of the stamina system, that's why two handed weapons are so good after all. In the Speedrun strategy when the undead were split into two groups, the sword duelists had no problems as they could take positions where only small numbers of enemies could swing at them.
Conclusion:
The meta builds exist for a reason of course, but the Devs generally did a great job balancing this game and you can definitely make a lot of non-meta builds work. Sometimes they even feel quite strong. However, when designing your non-meta builds keep in mind the imbalances with the stamina system. For a tanky character with a high stamina pool who uses high stamina cost moves, like the Hammer Shield Bro, taking a turn to recover doesn't feel too bad. But pathfinder based 4 ap builds that don't use much stamina in normal fights can find their offense shut down if they let a lot of enemies swing at them. That kind of limits the value of high defense and high durability on this kind of unit and makes me want to avoid putting 4 ap weapons on them, even though it seems more thematic than giant two handed weapons.
submitted by HildebertTheCraven to BattleBrothers [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 21:10 Illustrious-Bird-712 Where to buy spear parts for printer ??

I live in a country to which bambu doesn’t ship. Aside from local reseller, in which online store could I find parts like hotend, extruder and other parts that might break over time? I’ve seen a lot of options ob Aliexpress but the comments in this sub gave me the impression that they are of low quality and break quickly.
submitted by Illustrious-Bird-712 to BambuLab [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 19:39 Kitsanic Newbie list help

Hi,
So I just bought this army second hand and I was wondering if I could get some advice on how best to run a 2000 point army from it please?
My group isn't super competitive, so i'm not looking for something GT worthy but also not completely backwards! I don't mind buying a couple of new things but it cost a lot so I want to play a few games with it first.
EDIT: Made the list a bit easier to read with new recruit
Char1: 1x Shield-Captain (140 pts): Guardian Spear
Char2: 1x Trajann Valoris (150 pts): Warlord, Eagle's Scream, Watcher's Axe
5x Custodian Guard (225 pts): 5 with Guardian Spear
5x Custodian Guard (225 pts): 5 with Guardian Spear
5x Custodian Guard (225 pts): 5 with Guardian Spear
6x Allarus Custodians (390 pts): 6 with Balistus grenade launcher, Guardian Spear
5x Custodian Wardens (250 pts): 5 with Guardian Spear
4x Custodian Wardens (200 pts): 4 with Guardian Spear
3x Vertus Praetors (225 pts): 3 with Interceptor lance, Salvo launcher
3x Vertus Praetors (225 pts): 3 with Interceptor lance, Salvo launcher
3x Vertus Praetors (225 pts): 3 with Interceptor lance, Salvo launcher
1x Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought (170 pts): Combi-bolter, Contemptor combat weapon, Multi-melta
1x Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought (170 pts): Combi-bolter, Contemptor combat weapon, Multi-melta
submitted by Kitsanic to AdeptusCustodes [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 19:20 Athrek Guide to the Optimal Questing Route, Second Half

Hello everyone! Here is the Second Half of the guide. I hope everyone enjoys the guide and please let me know if you have any suggestions, fixes or feedback!

First Half

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Quest Cleanup Nepheli/Dung EateSeluvis

Note: You can complete Seluvis' Quest by giving the potion to Nepheli, but this guide will follow the path that gives the most rewards, specifically 2 Ancient Smithing Stones and a Puppet vs just a Puppet. This path will lock out one of the game's endings, but it's an ending that isn't required for an Achievement.

Quest Cleanup Rennala/Sellen/Boc/Fia/Ranni

Intelligence Required

Make sure to have the capability to get at least 37 Intelligence, even if just temporary. You can buff to this much even at 7 Intelligence, which is the lowest possible from Starting Class. Intelligence Boosts:

Quest Progression Brother Corhyn/Goldmask/Hyetta

WARNING: From here you have a choice. If you grab the Frenzied Flame then you will be locked out of all other endings unless you do ALL of the following:
If you are confident you can do that, or want the Frenzied Flame Ending, then go ahead and proceed with this section. Otherwise you can wait until you have done all 3 of the above and come back at any time. So proceed at your own risk!

Mountaintops of the Giants

Volcano Manor

Consecrated Snowfield

Miquella's Haligtree

Quest Cleanup Gowry/Gurranq/Gideon

Crumbling Farum Azula

Quest Cleanup Brother Corhyn/Goldmask/Jarbairn/Patches

And with that, all of the questlines are completed! If you enjoyed the guide, be sure to check out my other Guides.

First Half

submitted by Athrek to eldenringdiscussion [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 19:18 Athrek Guide to the Optimal Questing Route, First Half

Hello everyone! I know it's been a long time but with the DLC on the way and work slowing down for a bit, I've decided to start writing guides again. With the DLC a month away, I've decided to focus my efforts on guides that will help prepare for the DLC and have a few others that are just about ready as well.
With all of the patches over the years, the questlines have been changes fairly significantly. It is now nearly impossible to "break" any questlines by accident but many of my previous guides were made to avoid that happening. Given that, they have lost some of their purpose and aren't as optimal as they previously were. I have went through the game again and learned all of the new tricks to optimize the questlines so that you can take the least amount of steps possible to receive all of the questlines best rewards.
So what this guide is meant for is to help with getting characters through the game with all of the unique quest rewards as optimally as possible. So there should be nothing unnecessary within this guide and it will take you from location to location without consideration for level or build. Given that, you may need to do side objectives and leveling for your personal run, but you can just continue following from where you left off. Due to Reddit's character limit, I have to separate this guide into two parts but both halves are already available.
I hope everyone enjoys the guide and please let me know if you have any suggestions, fixes or feedback!

Second Half

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Limgrave

Stormveil Castle/Limgrave 2

Note: Roderika's Crimson Hood is in the Grafted Scion room in Stormveil now and a Golden Seed is where she was at Stormhill Shack.

Liurnia Lake

Raya Lucaria/Liurnia Lake 2

Caelid

Altus Plateau/Mt Gelmir

Underground

Leyndell

This is the end of the First Half of the guide but I will be posting the Second Half immediately. I hope everyone enjoyed the guide and hope you'll stick around for more or check out my other Guides.

Second Half

submitted by Athrek to eldenringdiscussion [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 18:51 Athrek Guide to the Optimal Questing Route, Second Half

Hello everyone! Here is the Second Half of the guide. I hope everyone enjoys the guide and please let me know if you have any suggestions, fixes or feedback!

First Half

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Quest Cleanup Nepheli/Dung EateSeluvis

Note: You can complete Seluvis' Quest by giving the potion to Nepheli, but this guide will follow the path that gives the most rewards, specifically 2 Ancient Smithing Stones and a Puppet vs just a Puppet. This path will lock out one of the game's endings, but it's an ending that isn't required for an Achievement.

Quest Cleanup Rennala/Sellen/Boc/Fia/Ranni

Intelligence Required

Make sure to have the capability to get at least 37 Intelligence, even if just temporary. You can buff to this much even at 7 Intelligence, which is the lowest possible from Starting Class. Intelligence Boosts:

Quest Progression Brother Corhyn/Goldmask/Hyetta

WARNING: From here you have a choice. If you grab the Frenzied Flame then you will be locked out of all other endings unless you do ALL of the following:
If you are confident you can do that, or want the Frenzied Flame Ending, then go ahead and proceed with this section. Otherwise you can wait until you have done all 3 of the above and come back at any time. So proceed at your own risk!

Mountaintops of the Giants

Volcano Manor

Consecrated Snowfield

Miquella's Haligtree

Quest Cleanup Gowry/Gurranq/Gideon

Crumbling Farum Azula

Quest Cleanup Brother Corhyn/Goldmask/Jarbairn/Patches

And with that, all of the questlines are completed! If you enjoyed the guide, be sure to check out my other Guides. We also have a Website to keep track of your game progress, a Youtube and a Discord where you can come hang out.

First Half

submitted by Athrek to Roundtable_Guides [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 18:50 Athrek Guide to the Optimal Questing Route, First Half

Hello everyone! I know it's been a long time but with the DLC on the way and work slowing down for a bit, I've decided to start writing guides again. With the DLC a month away, I've decided to focus my efforts on guides that will help prepare for the DLC and have a few others that are just about ready as well.
With all of the patches over the years, the questlines have been changes fairly significantly. It is now nearly impossible to "break" any questlines by accident but many of my previous guides were made to avoid that happening. Given that, they have lost some of their purpose and aren't as optimal as they previously were. I have went through the game again and learned all of the new tricks to optimize the questlines so that you can take the least amount of steps possible to receive all of the questlines best rewards.
So what this guide is meant for is to help with getting characters through the game with all of the unique quest rewards as optimally as possible. So there should be nothing unnecessary within this guide and it will take you from location to location without consideration for level or build. Given that, you may need to do side objectives and leveling for your personal run, but you can just continue following from where you left off. Due to Reddit's character limit, I have to separate this guide into two parts but both halves are already available.
I hope everyone enjoys the guide and please let me know if you have any suggestions, fixes or feedback!

Second Half

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Limgrave

Stormveil Castle/Limgrave 2

Note: Roderika's Crimson Hood is in the Grafted Scion room in Stormveil now and a Golden Seed is where she was at Stormhill Shack.

Liurnia Lake

Raya Lucaria/Liurnia Lake 2

Caelid

Altus Plateau/Mt Gelmir

Underground

Leyndell

This is the end of the First Half of the guide but I will be posting the Second Half immediately. I hope everyone enjoyed the guide and hope you'll stick around for more or check out my other Guides. We also have a Website, Youtube and Discord so be sure to check them out!

Second Half

submitted by Athrek to Roundtable_Guides [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 18:14 CoffeeCrimeShowsADHD Places to buy frozen pickle spears

Looking for places in town to buy frozen pickle spears. I love the $10 bags from Superstore, but I’m trying to expand my shopping. Bonus points if it’s a locally owned place.
submitted by CoffeeCrimeShowsADHD to fredericton [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 16:55 kenUdigitt Novel Chapter 413

Disclaimer: I do not speak Korean. This is purely translated by machine with a lot of cleanup afterward. With that in mind, I am open to criticism to improve these translations. Enjoy!

Chapter 413

Whoosh, boom!

The ground shattered as a gigantic greatsword plunged down. Wu Hei-Xing, quick as lightning, narrowly escaped, missing the blade by mere inches.

Thwack!

The sword pierced under the ogre's jaw, emerging triumphantly through the top of its head — a clean, decisive strike.

Wu Hei-Xing, extracting his sword from the creature, used the falling body as a springboard to launch himself into the fray among other monsters.

His blade danced through the air, leaving behind a tapestry of shimmering lines.

'Sword of Twelve Crimson Threads.' [Note: direct translation - Twelve Blood Net Sword.]

While the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 was decried by many as a catastrophic injustice, for others, like Wu Hei-Xing’s family, it presented a golden opportunity. [Note: The Cultural Revolution in China, initiated by Mao Zedong, aimed to preserve Chinese Communism by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. This extensive purge targeted a broad range of cultural, social, and economic features including old customs, culture, habits, and ideas. It led to the destruction of historical artifacts, temples, and texts, as well as the persecution of intellectuals, and the suppression of traditional practices and ceremonies.]

His grandfather, once a close ally of Mao Zedong, used this turbulent period to amass a fortune, leveraging his son's position in the Red Guard to acquire priceless cultural relics and texts.

Among these treasures was the Sword of Twelve Crimson Threads, an ancient text detailing a formidable sword technique.

Shhhsh!

Wu Hei-Xing unleashed the technique — a net of twelve crimson strands that spanned ten meters in every direction.

The net, pulsating with a red glow, cleaved through skin, muscle, and bone, rendering dozens of high-ranking monsters into pieces.

Such prowess was befitting of an S-rank Hunter. Thrilled by his dominance, Wu Hei-Xing bellowed:

「What is the Red Guard Gang doing! Wipe them all out, you bastards!」

「Yes!」

The battle cry, imbued with potent mana, reverberated across the battlefield.

Three hundred elite hunters, groomed and trained by Wu Hei-Xing’s family as personal soldiers, surged forward. They attacked relentlessly, driven by fierce loyalty and training.

Shhhsh! Crack!

Squish! Screech!

- Crunch, gurgle!

「Arrrgh!」

The battlefield was a cacophony of human screams and monstrous howls, punctuated by the gruesome sounds of carnage.

Though the remaining Red Guard Gang's hunters were formidable, the elite monsters at the rear were equally daunting.

And the monsters emerged from the dense fog in overwhelming numbers.

However…

「How dare these filthy, foul-smelling bastards!」

Puff, puff, puff!

The presence of Wu Hei-Xing, an S-rank Hunter, was a force mighty enough to sway the tide of this brutal clash.

Despite often being criticized for his reckless behavior and mercurial personality, Wu Hei-Xing was undeniably a product of both privilege and innate talent.

His experiences on the frontlines, immersed in relentless combat and near-constant peril, had honed his abilities far beyond their initial limits.

'I can do it! I am Wu Hei-Xing!'

With a newfound zeal, Wu Hei-Xing brandished his sword with unyielding fervor.

He faced an overwhelming legion of tens of thousands of monsters. Despite initial fears, he had grown immensely, adapting to the ruthless demands of war.

Whenever wounds or fatigue threatened him, he would down costly potions like mere water and strategically use the hunters of the Red Guard Gang as his shields.

Now, no creature could withstand the devastating sweeps of his crimson Aura Blade. [Note: a quick reminder - Aura Blade is the real-world equivalent of Sword Aura.]

'I'll make sure no one can ignore me ever again. Lei Fei... The bangzi bastard... No one!'

Wu Hei-Xing's jaw clenched as bitter memories surged, fueling his rage.

Swoosh! Thud!

A lance, hurled with stunning velocity, impaled several hunters and embedded itself deep into the earth.

It was a 3-meter-long assault lance he had rarely seen before.

Wu Hei-Xing snapped his head towards the source, his eyes widening in alarm.

「Death Knight!」

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

It was a Death Knight, striding across the battlefield atop a skeletal horse. And not just one, but two.

The second Death Knight poised its lance aloft while mounted.

「Everyone, be careful......!」

Swoosh! Bang!

His warning was cut short as the second lance tore through the air, brutally penetrating a group of hunters.

The finest armor was no match for the deadly force, scattering limbs and collapsing bodies.

As the Death Knights continued their relentless advance, the hunters of the Red Guard Gang stood petrified, witnessing the gruesome spectacle unfold.

- Dark. Vine.

A sinister, rasping voice filled the air, heralding a new horror.

Crack, crunch, crunch!

The earth fractured like a spiderweb, and from the fissures, black vines surged.

These vines, imbued with dark magic, writhed like serpents, snatching at human limbs and threading through armor gaps.

Shiririrk! Thud!

「Arghhh!」

「Dark magic! It's dark magic!」

「Don't panic! Cut the vines! Get out of range now!」

The battlefield echoed with screams and commands, resonating through the chaotic fray.

With a forceful yank, Wu Hei-Xing tore the encroaching black vines from the ground.

His teeth clenched not in sorrow for fallen comrades, but in grim realization of the unfolding catastrophe.

「Lich......!」

His suspicion was confirmed. High above the melee, a death mage astride a massive wyvern brandished a staff crafted from skulls and bones, directing it menacingly towards the earth.

- Dark. Fog. [Note: the direct translation here is 'confuse' so I changed it to something that sounds more like a technique.]

Swoosh!

A bone-chilling cry unleashed a shadowy miasma that enveloped the hunters.

Those entangled in the black vines suffered hallucinations both visual and auditory, turning them into helpless targets for the circling monsters.

- Squeal!

- Roar!

Crack! Crunch!

「Argh, ugh!」

「Save me!」

「Mother! You mustn’t die. Mother!」

Desperate cries pierced the air as some hunters succumbed to the illusions, their voices fading into silence.

Yet, amidst the chaos, some with strong mental fortitutde managed to shake off the bewitchment.

「You must go!」

「Young Master!」

Despite the cries of A-rank hunters surrounding him, Wu Hei-Xing's face was ashen like a blank sheet of paper.

A single, daunting question plagued him.

'How on earth do I handle this?'

Above was the menacing Lich and on the ground, two Death Knights advanced swiftly.

Could he retreat? If so, where and how should he retreat?

Alone, perhaps he could face the Death Knights, but with the Lich’s sorcery and the encircling horde of monsters, the situation was dire.

No strategy presented itself, no matter how desperately he pondered.

'What a damn mess...'

Clench.

His jaw clenched so tightly he felt his teeth might crack from the pressure.

Swoosh, bang!

The air burst with a compressed whoosh as a streak of light rocketed from the distant ground, slicing through the sky.

In the next instant, the headless wyvern began to falter and plummet earthward.

「This...」

Wu Hei-Xing murmured, his voice a mixture of awe and disbelief. Around him, everyone ceased their actions, eyes drawn skyward.

Before them, the wyvern's massive body and a cascade of black bones, once the formidable Lich, tumbled through the air.

「...This makes no sense.」

The Lich was dead, vanquished by a single, astonishing strike.

A blow that had pierced through layers of potent defensive spells to strike a target mid-air? Such precision and power were unheard of, even for an S-rank hunter.

Wu Hei-Xing had never witnessed an attack so swift and lethal.

Yet, for the one who delivered it, this seemed as effortless as drawing breath.

Not far from the fray, he stood, observing the chaos his action had wrought. After a moment, he remarked casually,

"It’s been a while since I threw a spear. It definitely doesn’t feel like it used to."

Behind him, a figure as solid as an iron tower responded with a rigid tone,

"You did well."

"Hmm. Not really. It seems I've become dull. A sign of aging, I guess."

"How could that be?"

Lee Jeong-Ryong chuckled lightly at the security team leader’s unemotional response.

"I saw a Death Knight."

Seok Go-Jun silently nodded.

"Yes. There were two of them."

"Do you think Wu Hei-Xing can handle it?"

"If you mean the Death Knights, he should be able to take them down without much trouble."

Seok Go-Jun's voice dropped to a whisper,

"As long as there are no monsters around."

"That sounds challenging right now."

"The influence of dark magic has disappeared, but the troop damage is significant, and there are too many monsters."

"Then we must struggle with all our might."

"It will be a very fierce and difficult fight."

"Well, then we must lend a hand."

"How about we continue to observe a bit longer?"

Lee Jeong-Ryong's eyes widened dramatically.

"Why?"

Having been mentored by Lee Jeong-Ryong since his youth, Seok Go-Jun understood that every interaction was potentially a lesson. He knew the response expected of him.

"Wouldn't people be more grateful in precarious situations?"

Lee Jeong-Ryong’s stern expression softened into a satisfied smile upon hearing his disciple’s insightful reply.

"Yes, exactly that."

"The Red Guard Gang has always been a thorn in our side."

"It’s funny, really. Those shouting about the people and communism, while forming a private army of hunters behind the scenes."

"But aren't the Princelings, which support the Red Guard Gang, not friendly towards us?" [Note: the Princelings are descendants of the revolutionary veterans and Chinese Communist Party elites who leverage their lineage for influence and promote business-friendly policies. Wu Hei-Xing's family is part of this group.]

"That's why the Red Guard Gang needs to be eliminated. We've always sat in the shade to avoid the sunlight, but if the tree is uprooted, what are we to do?"

"We'll have to find another tree or buy a parasol."

"We will become the new tree. That should open up more opportunities."

Seok Go-Jun nodded in agreement before voicing another query that had been troubling him.

"May I ask one more thing?"

"Speak."

"Is Wu Hei-Xing’s involvement in this operation... related to Jin Tae-Kyung?"

This question had lingered in Seok Go-Jun’s mind, puzzling him.

Despite Wu Hei-Xing’s status as an S-rank hunter, his inclusion seemed uncharacteristic.

'He is a formidable opponent. Even if Master is using Wu Hei-Xing, what use could he have?'

It was often like this.

Just when Seok Go-Jun felt he had a grasp on his master's strategies, new layers would unfold, eluding full comprehension.

And at such moments, Lee Jeong-Ryong would sport that enigmatic smile.

As he did now.

"Team Leader Seok."

The atmosphere shifted; Seok Go-Jun instantly resumed his formal role as the security team leader of the Ares Guild, bowed respectfully.

"Yes, Vice Guild Leader."

"It seems like it’s time for you to step in. What do you think?"

Raising his gaze, Seok Go-Jun peered over Lee Jeong-Ryong's shoulder, assessing the chaotic battlefield below.

The Red Guard Gang’s elite, though carefully chosen, were faltering against the monster onslaught. Wu Hei-Xing had just managed to defeat one of the two Death Knights.

"I will go now."

"Take care not to get hurt."

Seok Go-Jun nodded briefly in acknowledgment, then led the assembled Ares Guild members toward the battlefield.

As they advanced towards the monsters, they remained silent, yet a palpable momentum radiated from them, overwhelming and dominating the field.

Crunch! Screech!

Lee Jeong-Ryong watched with a hint of satisfaction as one flank of the monster legion crumbled instantly under their charge. Just then, a scent of blood wafted to him on the wind.

The breeze from the west was not just carrying the tang of battle; it was a harbinger for the arrival of someone Lee Jeong-Ryong had been eagerly awaiting.

"Right on time."

Lee Jeong-Ryong murmured, his eyes scanning the distant horizon.

Heightening his senses with Qi, distant shouts reached his ears.

- Damn it, kill them all! And that guy who keeps shouting 'eh', do it one more time and I'll consider you a monster! Got it?

A soft chuckle escaped Lee Jeong-Ryong as he extended his hand toward the tumult.

Then he clenched his fist, directing it towards Jin Tae-Kyung, who was somewhere amidst the chaos.

Previous Table of Contents Next
submitted by kenUdigitt to u/kenUdigitt [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 16:40 BastardSonofNedStark Cold steel x Civivi bundle

Timestamp/album: https://imgur.com/a/HfUcBnd
Help me complete my 100th swap and buy this bundle!
Cold steel recon 1 spear point - like new, only used a few times. S35vn with dlc and razor sharp. Perfect example of a recon 1
Civivi Synergy 3 - like new not used or carried. Sweet Damascus blade with g10/cf composite handles. Perfect action and crazy sharp factory edge.
Olight i3T plus. Runs on 2 x AAAs. Has been carried and used lightly but remains in great condition.
Asking $130
submitted by BastardSonofNedStark to Knife_Swap [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 14:12 Allforthe2nd [WTS] #basicbitchsling restock and new colors: Woodland MARPAT, ATACS-AU, ATACS-FG, Kryptek Nomad, and Tan 499! Some markdowns inside. Also, TQ Hammocks, First Spear AOR2 SCAR-H and MEMER chest rigs, RG Eagle Operator's Belt in smöl, pouches, medical pouch, holsters, and misc!

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/sJnhug3
Went through a massive restock of supplies over the past couple of weeks so it's back to work!
What you see listed below is what is available today. If you have any questions please ask! Additional pictures are below for each item. If I don't respond right away I'm probably working on homework but I will respond! Buy any 1 MYOG thing and get $2 off each additional item!
READ THE RULES!!! NO NOTES!!! Zelle (preferred), CashApp, PPFF, or PPGS for +30 Flair ONLY with NO NOTES. I will ask you to send a PM when you call dibs so you know it's me you're PMing. Please let me know if you wish to use PPGS; I will use a Paypal fee calculator and send you a total prior to payment. If you use PPGS and we did not discuss I will refund you what you sent less the fee Paypal charges me. If you are forced to use notes by Paypal just put in ":)". Everything will be shipped USPS priority or First Class and I ship everything insured. Anything dibsed and paid for by 2100 nightly normally ships next business day.
PLEASE USE PM ONLY NOT CHAT. I have disabled chat. DO NOT CHAT ME.
BASICBITCHSLINGS. Made from Mil-W-17337 or A-A-55301 1” webbing and ITW/Duraflex hardware. $2 off each additional sling after the first one! Glamour shots of the slings!
sweatshopslings https://imgur.com/a/75ggP66 I took a chance on some "Vietnam Tiger Stripe" webbing and it is definitely imported and not true VTS pattern. That being said, the material is still good so I whipped up some slings and will keep them on until they are gone.
MEMERS https://imgur.com/a/HRhHipR Mostly Elastic, Maybe Ergonomic Rigs. Something for a credit union thief. Holds 4x AR mags (or whatever) and has the shock cord for 2x more whatevers. Comes with skinny straps and backstrap.
TQ Hammocks https://imgur.com/a/xnre0T0 Hold onto your TQ boys and let them chill!
sWINGers https://imgur.com/a/2azTs0w Allows you to mount AR mags or similar sized items in all the ways, left, right, front, or back, just like the way you spend your weekends. Functionality here. All are $20 each shipped or 2 for $35.
2YOG Pouches https://imgur.com/a/kWyxtfr This is a spinoff of the YOG pouch I made previously to have 2 separate compartments, sized to slightly larger than 3x AR PMAGs. These were each mounted once then I pulled them off because I want to get a little crazy with the design. There is still the rear insert area that is sized for 2x AR mags. I don't have inserts made but if you need one I can make and add it on for an additional $10.
DNC prototype blow out pouch https://imgur.com/a/TGMrZX6 Same size as the LBT, but I wanted a pouch I could mount vertically on my cummerbund, hence the 90-degree rotated MOLLE on the rear. It is still able to be slid horizontally onto a belt and there is ~3" of clearance in that space. The pull tab is from a different pouch (LBT maybe idk) and is not made by me. $25 shipped.
RG Eagle Operator's Belt https://imgur.com/a/YxjAKD9 Size Small. This was on my kit for a few years but left the basement maybe a handful of times and it's in good shape. Does not come with the inner belt. Comes with my Prototype Dirt Chomper TQ holder. $80 shipped.
First Spear AOR2 SCAR-H Chest Rig https://imgur.com/a/sfSVGNG Catch and release from GAFS, bought it with an idea in mind and it did not work. I added the bungee and pull tabs (made from ATACS FG-X webbing which is close to the AOR2), not tied down so you can adjust it. Asking $65 shipped. If you need skinny/back straps and the male buckles I can whip those up with Ranger Green webbing and add them in for an extra $10.
Holsters and misc https://imgur.com/a/G47ElYE
Anyways if you made it this far thanks for looking and my FAQs are next!
FAQ
Where are all your things made? By me, on my 1940s sewing machine, in my craft room.
What materials do you use? For the most part, everything is made in the USA and Berry compliant. Generally speaking, I use the following: AA55301 or MIL-17337 webbing; Berry compliant 500D Cordura; MIL-W-5664 elastic; Berry compliant 550 paracord; Berry compliant shock cord; either Velcro and/or generic hook and loop; and ITW or Duraflex hardware. There may be some outliers. All my thread is a TEX 75 heavy duty thread from a US company.
What will the slings fit through? Anything that has a 1" slot, whether it's a QD, HK clip, plastic clip, rifle sling mount, paracord, zip ties, etc.
How do I install this through something or to my weapon? Step by step procedure here of what I do.
Do I have any clips or QD mounts? Not at this time, no.
Do you do custom work? Sometimes, depending on my schedule, but any transactions would not be through GAFS.
Do I have XXX color or product? If it's not listed I don't have it at this moment. Also, I have only been using Berry compliant webbing and no I have not found waifu webbing that is Berry compliant. Yet.
Why did you start this? In 2022 or so I was in the market for an inexpensive sling in a color other than black and also made in the USA. After I made a few for myself I started to produce these as a low-cost, high quality sling for anyone who was in the same boat I was in.
Why do you keep doing this? It's fun! Sewing has let me be creative and make myself kit that I like! Also allows me to prototype things and pass on my "old stuff" to you!
submitted by Allforthe2nd to GunAccessoriesForSale [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 12:12 Unknown_Warrior43 Ezreal dosn't feel that bad honestly

Sure, it sucks that he lost both Navori Damage Passive and a high AD Sheen Item but other Items he can buy got buffed. I've been testing out Builds and after Trinity Force + Manamune he has quite a lot of Options.
With another Lethality Item Serylda is pretty good. Cleaver is a good Alternative if you don't wanna delay that Armour Pen Spike. Blade of the Ruined King is insane IMO since all of it's Stats got buffed. BT is also really good, even as a 3rd Item. Last Whisper Crit Items feel viable, especially LDR against squishies. Frozen Heart and Maw are your defensive Items. And you've always got Spear of Shojin if you want something more familiar!
Been spamming Games on him for Chests and he's not bad at all. His 1st Item Spike is much, much weaker but he's very satisfying to play late Game.
submitted by Unknown_Warrior43 to ezrealmains [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 10:21 Pika_139 Decluttering few fragrances

Decluttering few fragrances
  1. La belle Fleur Terrible - JPG 100ML Purchased from Parcos. Was a blind buy. Only sprayed a couple of test sprays. Comes with the box. Price 4200 including shipping
2.Pure nectar EDP - Issey Miyake 90ML Purchased from Lifestyle. The honey note is too sweet for me now. Used about 20%. It is a retail pack but box is little worn out. Price 2500 including shipping
  1. Angels Only EDP - Victoria's Secret 50 ML Purchased from FragranceX. Only used a couple of times. Bottle is 95% full. It's a retail pack with box. Price 2500 including shipping
  2. Midnight Fantasy EDP - Brittney Spears 100ML Got as a gift. Used 50%. Decluttering since I'm bored of the fragrance. Bottle has few tape marks due to my constant travels with it. No box. Price 1200 including shipping
  3. Meow EDP - Katy Perry 100ML Got as a gift. Used 20% . Not fond of the coconutty smell. Retail pack with box. Box is in good shape. Price 2000 including shipping
  4. Heavenly body mist - Victoria's Secret 75ML Got as a gift. Hardly used. Price 1000 including shipping
  5. Arina Grande REM 10ML Purchased from Ulta USA. New in box. Price 2000 including shipping
** open to negotiation if you are willing to buy multiple products **
submitted by Pika_139 to DesiFragranceAddicts [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 10:18 Pika_139 Decluttering few fragrances

Decluttering few fragrances
  1. La belle Fleur Terrible - JPG 100ML Purchased from Parcos. Was a blind buy. Only sprayed a couple of test sprays. Comes with the box. Price 4200 including shipping
2.Pure nectar EDP - Issey Miyake 90ML Purchased from Lifestyle. The honey note is too sweet for me now. Used about 20%. It is a retail pack but box is little worn out. Price 2500 including shipping
  1. Angels Only EDP - Victoria's Secret 50 ML Purchased from FragranceX. Only used a couple of times. Bottle is 95% full. It's a retail pack with box. Price 2500 including shipping
  2. Midnight Fantasy EDP - Brittney Spears 100ML Got as a gift. Used 50%. Decluttering since I'm bored of the fragrance. Bottle has few tape marks due to my constant travels with it. No box. Price 1200 including shipping
  3. Meow EDP - Katy Perry 100ML Got as a gift. Used 20% . Bored of the coconutty smell. Retail pack with box. Box is in good shape. Price 2000 including shipping
  4. Heavenly body mist - Victoria's Secret 75ML Got as a gift. Hardly used. Price 1000 including shipping
  5. Arina Grande REM 10ML Purchased from Ulta USA. New in box. Price 2000 including shipping
** open to negotiation if you are willing to buy multiple products **
submitted by Pika_139 to desifemfrag [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 05:20 Historical-Abies2975 That’s pretty good

That’s pretty good submitted by Historical-Abies2975 to Market76 [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 03:09 Many_Economy166 Join my Journey towards C6 Arlecchino

Hello guys. So i am here to say you all that i am starting to save my Primogems until Arlecchino's first rerun. And i want take some of you with me who are interested in joining me. I have saved around 200 pulls for Arlecchino before her banner and i have ended up with Her C1 and i lost my weapon banner to Primordial Jade spear. I currently have 18 pulls saved up and 45 pity on the character banner. No matter how many characters come before her rerun, be it Columbina/Damselette, i am gonna "Save" all the primos i can get until Arlecchino's first rerun, Hoping to C6 her. I am a P2p, i dont buy Battlepass but i buy welkins every month. I will drop my progress here at the end of Every patch. People who are interested can also share their progress, Let's Stand together and hopefully pull for C6 Arlecchino.
submitted by Many_Economy166 to ArlecchinoMains [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 02:47 grea6est Vendor find of the week

Vendor find of the week submitted by grea6est to Market76 [link] [comments]


2024.05.18 01:10 Lance-Spears Titan Mage by Edie Skye Review

Titan Mage by Edie Skye Review
Well, here goes nothing... my first ever Reddit post. I am a new reader to the genre, but I started a Substack and wrote a review of the book that clued me in to this genre! Has anyone else read these books? What did you think of them?
https://lancespears.substack.com/p/titan-mage-box-set-review
https://preview.redd.it/ka7qyeknj21d1.png?width=600&format=png&auto=webp&s=dd4a47b37aad97e40e4e03348cf33ceece1de546
Hey, you crazy cats and kittens. Step into the spear line with me as we talk about the book that hooked me on the #HaremLit genre. In a turbulent world full of political shenanigans, it was a relief to find a genre that was irreverent and fun. There was no larger message, neither side of the great divide telling me I was evil for not being in their camp; it was just clean fun with a few sexy schmexy scenes in there for good measure. I will admit, at first, it was a little weird to read smut written by someone I know, but beyond that… it was Grade A Awesome! So, join me on this crazy adventure and dive into the deep end of crazy with me, Lance Spears!
Titan Mage Boxed Set
by Edie Skye
Narrated by Royal Guard Publishing
eBook Price: $9.99 USD
Audiobook Price: $48.12 USD or 1 Audible Cred
Whisper Sync Pricing: $17.48 USD
Pages: 1,732
Audiobook Length: 54 hours 42 minutes
Keywords: Fantasy, Mecha, Magical Mecha, Mech Suits, Harem, HaremLit, Progression, Airship, Magic, Mage, Cat girl, LitRPG, Spicy Harem Romance
Story Summary
Magic powers? His own mech? A whole airship of gorgeous women desperate for his genes? Yes, please!
Paralyzed by a drunk driver, let go from his job, and stuck in a sad, stagnant town in the middle of nowhere, Joseph Locke was having the worst day of his life.
And then he died.
But considering that he wakes up with a brand-new body in the cockpit of a badass steampunk robot on an airship of nothing but hot babes, his next life may not be all that bad, especially when he learns that he’s a void mage—the rarest and most powerful of all mages on the world of Haven. And his shipmates want to help him make more.
As if that weren’t enough, they offer Locke a job piloting one of their mechs, which they call Titans. In the meantime, Locke has to learn his way around this exciting world, all while coming to grips with his new—and dangerous—occupation. Will he be able to master his Titan? How can he best upgrade the machine to become as badass as possible? Why’s a strange parasitic sludge falling from the sky? And what’s up with the ghost of a space witch living in his Titan—and inside his head?
Okay, that’s the summary from the boxed set, which was spot on. It caught the vibe of this universe and the author. Edie Skye is irreverent and fun and has a wicked sense of humor. And the arc of the main character was more enjoyable than I thought when I opened myself up to this new genre.
Characters
First, this was a harem series, so there isn’t just one main character. Instead, it’s an ensemble cast seen through the eyes of the male lead, Joseph Locke. All of the characters were well-written and fleshed out. They felt real to me as if I could have a beer with them at the local pub. That level of laid-back chill is what I loved about this series and, hopefully, the wider genre.
Joseph Locke: He is the main point of view character of this adventure, but he isn’t the only main character in this adventure. However, because he serves as the ‘everyman’ archetype, we can envision this as ourselves when we read it. Classic wish fulfillment, what’s not to love? When the series starts out, he’s a cripple, wounded by a drunk driver and paralyzed below the waist. He’s down on his luck and takes a desperate job from an enigmatic woman he randomly meets in his hometown of Grassroots, Kentucky. That job ended up killing his earthly body, allowing him to be reborn in Haven with the body of a Greek God. He’s likable, and through his eyes, we learn about this strange new world and the characters who live there. Throughout the arc of this boxed set, we get to watch him grow and learn and become the kind of man we all wish we could be. What can I say? I like the dude, but I wouldn’t let him date my sister!
Captain Alyssa Harper: She’s the captain of the airship, the Blue Heron, where the story takes place and runs the ‘down on its luck’ Harper’s Harriers. They’re a company in the business of hunting down corrupted monsters and protecting the world from that rot. She’s gorgeous because, of course, she is in this genre. She is a no-nonsense kind of lady who only has ‘relations’ to relieve her stress. She’s otherwise all business, serving as the perfect foil to the more fun-loving characters like Bexley. She always thinks about business and allows the reader to get a more grounded view of the world where the story takes place.
Chief Engineer Bexley: As her title would suggest, she’s the mechanic for the airship and her compliment of Titans. Those are giant robots powered by magic that are used to fight the monsters of this world. She is funny, irreverent, and salaciously sexual in all the right ways. She has exactly two modes throughout this story; horny and ready to get it on and irritated and ready to fix something the others broke. She also loves bawdy music and a good sausage… probably because she likes that double entendre. She has a checkered past with her previous partners but seems to have decided that Locke was enough for her and hung up her… spurs.
Ember Q’Van: She is a Titan Mage from the well-to-do floating city-state of Vasor, home of all things posh and affluent. She pilots the other Titan in the Harper’s Harriers and is a lot of fun. She vacillates between all business and a firecracker of a bedmate. She was a lot of fun to read and someone I wanted to see more of. Maybe I just have a thing for redheads, but I doubt that’s it! LOL! She was just a good blend of fun and professional magical warriors.
Peth: She is an entity that is trapped in the Titan Chimera, who brings Locke to the world of Haven. She is a Precursor with memory issues and is trapped in the Titan. She is, quite literally, the ghost in the machine, and there she will stay until Locke can pull her out of there and make her a new body.
Sloan: This character is a large, sentient cat who serves as the cook for the Blue Heron and is a mage in her own right. We watch her grow and evolve throughout the series, but I can’t say more without spoiling things. But, wow, just wow. I liked her as a character; she was too fun for her own good!
Plot and Pacing
This story was expertly plotted by Edie Skye. I believe the character’s transition from Earth to Haven and the deal that brought him there. I wanted to believe, and the author made it easy to do. The other important part of this story was how well-paced the adventure was. She kept the story flowing ever forward. The action was interspaced by stops for naughty sex scenes and battles with the big bads. There were plenty of hills and valleys that gave us time to breathe, which is important in a boxed set that took over 50 hours to power through on audio! Further, this series felt like the author thought out the story arc in advance. If she shot from the hip, it didn’t show, which is all that really matters. It was written in such a way that every piece of unknown tidbits paid off later and in a big way. And since this is a harem story, the pacing of which partner got time with Locke was also done in such a way as to give us room to accept that jealousy was managed by his ladies. Truly, this was a master class of epic proportions.
Audiobook Quality
Wow, I don’t know what to say, but just wow. The narrators that Royal Guard Publishing hired were top-notch. I have never listened to books narrated by Daryl Mayfield or Jess Trepanier, and they impressed the hell out of me. The two worked well together, blending their style of coed narration in such a way that I sometimes forgot that there were two of them. At this point, I’m willing to listen to anything this Dynamic Duo reads to me!
Sizzle Factor
The sex scenes in this boxed set were well-written and imaginative. There was not a lot of kinky stuff other than occasionally tying up Bexley to his bed or in her mechanic workroom. But what was there, while vanilla, was very steamy. Like, it sizzled and made you need a moment of personal time. Ok, I kid… but Jayne always said he’d be in his bunk, and now I understand that sentiment! This book series will do that to you as well!
Overall
Okay, let’s dive into this series of books! This was my first harem novel, so I don’t have a lot to compare this to. That said, I really enjoyed what was there. The story was a lot of fun, it was well-written, and the audiobooks were well-performed. From the writing side, Edie Skye had a mastery of the craft, and she was a joy to read. This book was told in conversational prose, which I’m a fan of. The characters were all believable, and I wanted to hang out with them in real life. This is how I judge the people in the books where I temporarily make my home. The sex was written with the highest sizzle, and the monster fights were a lot of fun. I didn’t grow up watching anime or those animated adult entertainment videos, so I didn’t get some of the references in this series. I don’t think you needed that to enjoy this story. I think those references could’ve made the story hit harder, but you’re fine without those cultural touchstones. So, I guess in a nutshell, this series was so good that it made me dive into the genre and buy all of Edie Skye’s other books. What can I say? Buy these books and join my new cult!
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