<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HappyBunny:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Abulia:<BR>First Aid is the only skill, I believe, that *combines* everyone's rating to determine effectiveness.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Wait, really? I assumed it took the highest just like the others. That would certainly change how I allocate First Aid points on future plays if this is the case </div></BLOCKQUOTE>You may want to check to make sure I'm right, but I either read that in the manual or the strategy guide. FA skill bonuses are combined by all party members.
Mass Effect
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Having the Mako's cannon made it MUCH easier to finish clearing the outdoor area before heading underground on foot. </div>
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<br><br>Alternatively, having done a significant number of side quests prior to going there, and leveling high enough to nearly max out sniper and shotgun, largely results in similar firepower. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Having the Mako's cannon made it MUCH easier to finish clearing the outdoor area before heading underground on foot. </div>
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<br><br>Alternatively, having done a significant number of side quests prior to going there, and leveling high enough to nearly max out sniper and shotgun, largely results in similar firepower. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --
Yeah, I find that my shotgun does the job on Geth Armatures faster than the Mako's cannon these days. Dinged level 50 at the final level of the game.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">On one of the first three story planets, I got the Mako into an area that you were clearly supposed to run through on foot (the "entrance" had a gap that was too small for the Mako, and the area after the "entrance" had a bunch of objects that were obviously meant to be used for cover, whereas the outdoor area before it was largely clear.) </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I did this too. Once I got to the armature, apparently the mako borked the AI, so they all just stood there motionless while I shot them. Of course, you only get 1/2 experience in the mako, but it was still fun.<BR><BR>Abulia is correct. First aid does indeed use the combined skill of all your party members.<BR><BR>For everything else, it takes the highest. Keep in mind that electronics and decryption both do different things, and you'll need both of them to master level (that's the last triangle) to open everything.
-- View image here: http://www.strobelight.ca/misc/elle_shepard.jpg -- <br><br>Lt. Cmdr. Elle Shepard, Infiltrator Operative, Level 50. The lighting isn't the best, though. [Edit: Replaced picture with a better one.]<br><br>She looks absolutely nothing like me (duh). You managed a decent likeness, though, Happysin. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">You managed a decent likeness, though, Happysin. </div>
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<br>Thanks. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --<br><br>So I went and played Assassin's Creed: Mako Edition earlier today. Rather entertaining to get those crazy-high vistas. I saw a lot that never showed up on the radar before. I highly recommend it.<br><br>Plus, I pulled off a mid-jumpjet mako cannon scoped shot. That was totally awesome. I'll never be able to repeat it, but I did it!
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">You managed a decent likeness, though, Happysin. </div>
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<br>Thanks. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --<br><br>So I went and played Assassin's Creed: Mako Edition earlier today. Rather entertaining to get those crazy-high vistas. I saw a lot that never showed up on the radar before. I highly recommend it.<br><br>Plus, I pulled off a mid-jumpjet mako cannon scoped shot. That was totally awesome. I'll never be able to repeat it, but I did it!
By the bye, you can dance with Liara. I haven't been able to dance with anyone else, but Liara will throw down. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --
My paragon vanguard Shepard:<br><br>-- View image here: http://i3.tinypic.com/6yoefys.jpg -- <br><br>Also, having unlocked Completionist and Power Gamer (+5% XP and +10% XP bonuses, respectively) on my first play-through, on my second (with the above character), i just hit 50... before even going to Virmire (using the 'standard' order of dig site -> Feros -> Noveria -> Virmire, and clearing all sidequests before Virmire - i was actually midway through my last sidequest, the Geth in the Armstrong Nebula, when i hit 50). And it seems that once you complete the game and raise the level cap to 60, that applies to all games, not just newgame+, so i may well manage to end this game at 52 or 53 or so -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by InfiniteNoodles:<BR>Of course, you only get 1/2 experience in the mako, but it was still fun.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Wait what?<BR><BR>Damnit, when did they say that?<BR><BR>I've been killing everything I could from miles away all zoomed in on them. <BR><BR>Poop.
I was wondering if the unlockable XP bonuses and level cap raise applied to all new games. That should make it easier to remake Elle Shepard with Singularity, Lift, or AI Hacking added and get her to 60. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --<br><br>Added: arha, your Shepard reminds me a bit of Clea DuVall.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by twinky:<BR>Added: arha, your Shepard reminds me a bit of Clea DuVall. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Bingo. That's exactly what I thought of instantly.<BR><BR>Mine looks kinda like the female lead from Law & Order SVU. I'll have to take a picture at some point...
The scary thing is, i'd never heard of her before people started pointing out the similarity (which is apparently obvious enough that i've had it pointed out at least 4 times, completely independently now -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/biggrin.gif --).
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mojo-jojo:<br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by InfiniteNoodles:<br>Of course, you only get 1/2 experience in the mako, but it was still fun.<br> </div>
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<br><br>Wait what?<br><br>Damnit, when did they say that?<br><br>I've been killing everything I could from miles away all zoomed in on them. <br><br>Poop. </div>
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<br><br>Haha, Bioware saw the way you were exploiting the Mako for easily kills and said NO YOU! -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mojo-jojo:<br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by InfiniteNoodles:<br>Of course, you only get 1/2 experience in the mako, but it was still fun.<br> </div>
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<br><br>Wait what?<br><br>Damnit, when did they say that?<br><br>I've been killing everything I could from miles away all zoomed in on them. <br><br>Poop. </div>
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<br><br>Haha, Bioware saw the way you were exploiting the Mako for easily kills and said NO YOU! -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --
OK, I have a question about the end of Virmire:<BR><BR>V pubfr gb tb onpx naq cebgrpg gur obzo, fb gur bgure crefba (Nfuyrl sbe zr) qvrq. Ohg jura V tbg onpx gb gur Abeznaql, n ohapu bs gur Fnynevnaf jrer ba obneq. Jura qvq jr znantr gb cvpx gurz hc, naq ubj pbzr gurl fheivirq ohg abg Nfuyrl? Vf guvf whfg n pbagvahvgl reebe ba Ovbjner'f cneg, be qvq V zvff fbzrguvat?<BR><BR>Ertneqyrff, V guvax vg vf njrfbzr gung lbh unir gb pubbfr gb yrg bar bs lbhe perj qvr.
Wbxre nyernql cvpxrq gurz hc orpnhfr lbh urycrq pbzcyrgr gur fvqr-dhrfgf gung znqr gurve onggyrf rnfvre.<BR><BR>Vs lbh qvqa'g qb gubfr fvqr dhrfgf, gurl jbhyq'ir fgvyy orra svtugvat jura gur ahxr jrag bss.
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by arhra:<br>The scary thing is, i'd never heard of her before people started pointing out the similarity (which is apparently obvious enough that i've had it pointed out at least 4 times, completely independently now -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/biggrin.gif --). </div>
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<br><br>You must have been channeling the ghost of HBO's Carnivale.-- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif -- Quick comparison...<br><br> -- View image here: http://uatrl.com/photos/clea.jpg -- <br><br> -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/scared_classic.gif --
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by arhra:<br>The scary thing is, i'd never heard of her before people started pointing out the similarity (which is apparently obvious enough that i've had it pointed out at least 4 times, completely independently now -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/biggrin.gif --). </div>
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<br><br>You must have been channeling the ghost of HBO's Carnivale.-- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif -- Quick comparison...<br><br> -- View image here: http://uatrl.com/photos/clea.jpg -- <br><br> -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/scared_classic.gif --
Any tips on making the game harder?<br><br>I first hit Noveria as a puny level 8 and after being rushed and decimated by two Geth Destroyers in the garage I thought it best to bail on the mission and do some side quests instead. Well I've finally made my way back there after hitting level 40 and that same battle was over within a few seconds of lifting and blasting. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif --<br><br>I've always been pretty average at games, but just now I've ramped the difficulty up to Veteran. My team mates are still using their skills defensively, maybe I should disable that too?<br><br>How are the difficulty levels that you unlock upon completion? Any extra bonuses for playing on them?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by InfiniteNoodles:<BR>For everything else, it takes the highest. Keep in mind that electronics and decryption both do different things, and you'll need both of them to master level (that's the last triangle) to open everything. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Huh? I obviously never noticed the distinction. What kind of things does decryption open, and what does electronics open?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by senduran:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by InfiniteNoodles:<BR>For everything else, it takes the highest. Keep in mind that electronics and decryption both do different things, and you'll need both of them to master level (that's the last triangle) to open everything. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Huh? I obviously never noticed the distinction. What kind of things does decryption open, and what does electronics open? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Almost all spacecraft (crashed sats/probes/escape pods) are electronics, some lockers as well. Security devices are encryption.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">How are the difficulty levels that you unlock upon completion? Any extra bonuses for playing on them? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I have found that hardcore was decently difficult up to about level 35, and then you just really start outpacing your enemies. <BR><BR>I'm not sure about Insane. I'm afraid that Insane will be too difficult at the start to get to where things are challenging but doable.<BR><BR>Yes, you get extra achievements for finishing Hardcore and Insane.
Actually upon further testing it seems the mako gives closer to 1/3 the exp. Killing turrets in the mako gives ~260 exp, and killing them with my high damage sniper rifle gives ~800 something. That's a pretty big difference, especially when you go on foot to complete all those geth outposts for that sidequest.<BR><BR>I also just hit about level 51 (also have a cleared file, so the level cap is up) and Hardcore is no longer even remotely difficult. My immunity is recharged before the first one dissipates, and even if it didn't, I have adrenaline. I look forward to smashing through insanity soon.<BR><BR>I put two rail extensions (+26% damage) and a high explosive X ammo into my spectre X sniper rifle and it's crazy fun. I normally use my assault rifle, but it turns out that you can take out a geth dropship with that setup. Plus it can knock a geth prime down eventually.
Personally, I'm a huge fan of the SCRAM Rails. Less heat build up means I can shoot about three times before an overheat (more if I time it right) I don't remeber what ammo I'm using on the Sniper right now though.
I played a Vanguard on my first play through and imagine my glee when I gave Ash a sniper rifle with HE ammo, I lifted a krogan over her head and she fired straight up and the bastard flew out of sight. It was awesome.
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Crolis:<br>I played a Vanguard on my first play through and imagine my glee when I gave Ash a sniper rifle with HE ammo, I lifted a krogan over her head and she fired straight up and the bastard flew out of sight. It was awesome. </div>
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<br>Lift and throw on that low-grav section towards the end of the game are beautiful (as are shotguns with sledgehammer rounds -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --).<br><br>On a related note, i just finished my Clea Duvall-lookalike Vanguard's game. Hit 54 during the section fighting my way to the final boss. Will probably take her through to 60 on Hardcore now (will be shooting for doing it in one more game, but not sure i'll make it, even with the headstart and xp bonuses... 59-60 alone takes a truly ludicrous amount of XP).
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Crolis:<br>I played a Vanguard on my first play through and imagine my glee when I gave Ash a sniper rifle with HE ammo, I lifted a krogan over her head and she fired straight up and the bastard flew out of sight. It was awesome. </div>
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<br>Lift and throw on that low-grav section towards the end of the game are beautiful (as are shotguns with sledgehammer rounds -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --).<br><br>On a related note, i just finished my Clea Duvall-lookalike Vanguard's game. Hit 54 during the section fighting my way to the final boss. Will probably take her through to 60 on Hardcore now (will be shooting for doing it in one more game, but not sure i'll make it, even with the headstart and xp bonuses... 59-60 alone takes a truly ludicrous amount of XP).
So.... speaking of the Mako. I wonder if it prorates experience, like if you pop a Geth Armature with the cannon so it has no shields and very little health and then hop out and finish it off do you still get full experience?<BR><BR>Also, if you hop out of the Mako and use it for cover does it still take damage? <BR><BR>I'm level 43 with my first play through and I've only done Feros and Noveria... unless the amount of experience needed drastically ramps up I have trouble believing I'm not going to hit 50.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Asmodan:<BR>So.... speaking of the Mako. I wonder if it prorates experience, like if you pop a Geth Armature with the cannon so it has no shields and very little health and then hop out and finish it off do you still get full experience?<BR><BR>Also, if you hop out of the Mako and use it for cover does it still take damage? <BR><BR>I'm level 43 with my first play through and I've only done Feros and Noveria... unless the amount of experience needed drastically ramps up I have trouble believing I'm not going to hit 50. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>last night I tried a bit of this and I don't think it does pro rate it.<BR><BR>at lvl 48, I got just over 400 XP from a collosus when killed by the mako but if I brought it to within an inch of death, hopped out and finished it, I got over 1400.
Pixies - "Where is my Mind?" is to Fight Club<BR><BR>as<BR><BR>Faunts - "M4 Part II" is to Mass Effect<BR><BR>This question will come up eventually, so there you go.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Posted December 04, 2007 08:44 Hide PostReply With QuoteEdit or Delete Message <BR>Personally, I'm a huge fan of the SCRAM Rails. Less heat build up means I can shoot about three times before an overheat (more if I time it right) I don't remeber what ammo I'm using on the Sniper right now though. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I'm using high explosive, which means every shot is guaranteed to overheat. So I figured I'd just put on whatever ups the damage the most, regardless of heat. At lower levels, this is the rail extension, though by level X, the scram rails provide equal damage boost for half the heat.
Is AI Hacking ever really useful? I keep using it and hacking enemies, but it seems like they just as often keep firing at me anyway. Sure I do see them sometimes fire at their pals, or maybe even just wander around doing nothing, but so far it doesn't seem to offer much.
According to the gamespot guide, you can hack drones, stationary turrets, and all geth except geth primes and "four-legged armatures" (colossi?). I've personally seen it used on shock troops and lower and I think I hacked a regular armature once, but I'm not positive.<BR><BR>It's not very useful unless you're getting stuck a lot when you fight geth.<BR><BR>And yes, you definitely can bring enemies like a colossus or thresher maul down to almost no health, hop out and shoot them once, and get full experience.
ok so I finished my first playthrough and got several of the "add a specialization" acheivments but when I went to start a new character I wasn't given an option to add them. does that come later or did I do something wrong?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Also, if you hop out of the Mako and use it for cover does it still take damage? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I can confirm that it DOES take damage even if you're not in it. The solution? Throw Stasis on it. Or not, if that feels like cheating to you.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">when I went to start a new character I wasn't given an option to add them. does that come later or did I do something wrong? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The option to add a "perk" skill should come at the very end of character creation, and note that if all your perks are skills that the class already has access to, none will be listed.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by lateralis:<BR>ok so I finished my first playthrough and got several of the "add a specialization" acheivments but when I went to start a new character I wasn't given an option to add them. does that come later or did I do something wrong? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>There should be a part that prompts you to choose a "bonus talent". It will only do this when starting a "New Career" however, as opposed to a new game with an old career (New Game+). This selection of bonus talent takes place during character creation, after choosing class but before modifying appearance. Note that it will not display talents that you wouldn't need (I.e if you beat it as adept and got Throw Spec., then play as a sentinel or vanguard, you cant choose Throw as it would be pointless. At least that is what I have heard.)
so If I have the acheivements for:<BR><BR>lift<BR>barrier<BR>throw<BR>pistol<BR><BR>and I'm going to play a sentinel next who already has:<BR><BR>lift <BR>barrier<BR>throw<BR><BR>should I be able to select pistol as the sentinel doesn't have pistol as an option? or are sentinels completely unable to use a specialization in any weapon, including as a "perk"?
ok I guess pistol isn't available -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif --<br><br>maybe I need to rethink my next playthrough then.<br><br>hmmmm
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by lateralis:<br>ok I guess pistol isn't available -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif --<br><br>maybe I need to rethink my next playthrough then.<br><br>hmmmm </div>
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<br><br>I believe everybody has the pistol ability. It's the basic weapon, so you might not start with points in it, but you do have the ability.
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<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by lateralis:<br>ok I guess pistol isn't available -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif --<br><br>maybe I need to rethink my next playthrough then.<br><br>hmmmm </div>
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<br><br>I believe everybody has the pistol ability. It's the basic weapon, so you might not start with points in it, but you do have the ability.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm going to play a sentinel next </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Sentinel is a utility class, and unfortunately there are no armor perks, so your best bet would be the shotgun, assault rifle, or sniper rifle skills.
i've decided to switch this one to infiltrator and play on veteran so I can power up a sniper rifle. then I'll go back and so a sniper sentinel for play through 3.<br><br>is it bad that I started planning my next playthroughs before I even finished my first? -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">is it bad that I started planning my next playthroughs before I even finished my first? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>We can both seek help together. I have my next two games planned out, in preparation for my eventual Assault or Sniper wielding Vanguard, which will require two games to get to 60, so it's really the next four games I have planned. I should probably take a break though, I'm going to totally burn myself out.
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