The Glade 4.0

Anyone still playing this?

I am going back to it next week on the PC.

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Darksiege
Traveller, Calé, Whisperer
Lead me not into temptation; for I know a shortcut

I just picked up an Xbone and this came wit hit. Seems pretty fun, although I am crap at the fine control on the right thumbstick. Damn left handedness

I tried it for a minute. I am not a fan of the over the shoulder view. My boy loves it though.

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Raell Kromwell

Still playing.

That said, there *are* problems.

Loot is a mess. Difficulty is a mess, because loot is a mess.

I'll 'splain.

Difficulty levels go thusly: Normal --> Hard --> Challenging --> Heroic.

From Normal to Hard is a bit of a jump. From Hard to Challenging though... Hards can be soloed pretty easily, but Challenging is tuned for a 4 man group. So, you'd *think* the loot that dropped from Hard would help gear you up for doing Challenging with your friends.

Nope. Hards drop the gear you need to do Hards. Challenging drops the gear you need to do Challenging. There's no real progression path. On top of that...the RNG here is *punishing*.

I'll 'splain that too.

You kill a boss to take his stuff right? Well, that boss can drop anything. Any piece of armor (there are 6 slots.) or weapon, or sidearm, or weapon mod or armor mod. So you have RNG on what drop you get. That's 1 roll of the die.

Then, say a weapon drops. There are 5 classes of weapon (AR, SMG, Shotgun, LMG, MMR). that's level 2 RNG (Its similar for gear pieces. They can drop as normal, yellow "High-End" loot, or gearset loot (of which there are 12 sets. Not *as* bad, cause different activities only pull from a certain set of gear, but still annoying)). So, now you're 2 layers of RNG in, and you have your weapon drop, and its an AR.

The third layer of RNG is what *model* of weapon drops. So, your AR that just dropped could be an M4 variant, a G36, a burst fire SA-58, etc.

So now, you get your AR, and its an LVOA-C that you want. Layer 4 of the RNG is its damage roll. The weapons that drop have a varying damage roll in the gearscore range. (163 GS weapons are 5000 - 6500, 182 is 5800 to 8000 and 204 is 7000 to 10000 for example.) So your weapon could have crap damage for its range, and a lower GS weapon could actually be better.

And the last layer of RNG is the talents on the weapon. Say your LVOA-C has a good damage roll. It has 3 talents to unlock with your stats. Perhaps half of the available talents are absolute crap. another quarter are alright, and the top 25% are pretty good. (They introduced a talent reroll system in the last patch to alleviate some of this. And it *has* helped.)

TL;DR to get the thing you want is an absurdly low chance. There's no real definite progression path. Like WOW had Heroics. You get loots, sure, but you get tokens too, so as long as you play, you get *something* cool eventually.

That said, its still a lot of fun to play with friends. And, it's only 4 mos old, so they're still working on it.

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Holy shitsnacks!

Thanks for the run down. I've been tinkering a bit and still have a question. Is a lower Blue considered better than a higher green? I am only level 12, have a level 11 blue AR with DPS around 4200, i craft a green AR level 12 with DPS around 4500. The mag on the blue is 38 and the green is 25. Am i better to hang onto my blue for a while or give the green a turn?

That's a rough call. It's a 7% increase in DPS, but you're losing a third of your magazine. It's been a while since I've played, but my recollection is that reload times aren't to be sneezed at, so I think I'm leaning towards valuing the much higher damage per magazine (roughly 40% if the fire rates are equivalent) on the 11 blue.

Of course, if the 11 blue is a bullet hose while the 12 green isn't, all bets are off and I'd keep the green. But I don't recall a huge variation in fire rate within the weapon class.

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"Aaaah! Emotions are weird!" - Amdee
"... Mirrorshades prevent the forces of normalcy from realizing that one is crazed and possibly dangerous. They are the symbol of the sun-staring visionary, the biker, the rocker, the policeman, and similar outlaws." - Bruce Sterling, preface to Mirrorshades

I don't recall any ARs that have a 38 mag off the top of my head.(You sure it doesn't have a +capacity mag?) I *think* the 25 round ones are the SA/FAL variants that are burst fire. Which... is suboptimal. Blue weapons also have a talent on them that you unlock with stats. Purple has 2, and yellows have 3.

I'd hang with the blue for now. You'll get a definite upgrade soon enough. DPS isn't everything. I hung on to a L30 LVOA-C for a long time because it had a high damage roll, Accurate and Balanced on it... and I couldn't find something better that was Yellow. I still have the damn thing. (nostalgia really. )

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Holy shitsnacks!

The AR was a police G4 with a mag of 30 - modded to 38. The Green was the SA/FAL and had a mag of 20 modded to 26. Burst fire is too slow though ,sub-optimal is right!

Yeah, Burst Fire needs a great deal of <3 to work right. And I don't know whether or not I should be disturbed that I knew the second one was an SA/FAL variant... They also need to fix the DMRs to work like the new SVD. Right now, in terms of MMRs, there's the M1A, the M44, the SVD and everything else is kind of crap. I'd love to rock a SOCOM mk20 SSR... but the reticle bloom is horrendous.

Each of the ARs will feel a little different. The M4 variants fire fast with moderate damage(with the LVOA-C being on top), the ACR is behind them, then the AKs, then the SCAR versions, then the SA/FAL guys.

Take a look at the M60 and the L86 LMG as well(and to a lesser extent, the -74) . They're fun weapons, and their reticles work opposite of the AR. They get tighter with continuous fire. ROF mods and weapon damage mags are fun with a gun that comes with 100 rounds already The L86 fires a LOT like an AR.

Each weapon class also has a bonus endemic to the class:
SMG has +crit damage
MMR has +headshot damage
AR has +armor shred
LMG has +% damage to enemies out of cover
Shotties have +stagger

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Holy shitsnacks!

So there's a big overhaul patch coming in October. 1.4 will literally change the game.

http://tomclancy-thedivision.ubi.com/ga ... 8-76770-32

http://tomclancy-thedivision.ubi.com/ga ... 8-76770-32

I am excited for this. Scaling is changing, difficulty is remaining the same or even going up a bit, and loot is getting a much needed overhaul. They're getting rid of the bullet sponge aspect of many of the harder enemies, and making gear sets less "Run Sentry or Reclaimer or go home"

PTS is coming to the PC version on Monday. I can't wait to get in and test the new changes.

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Holy shitsnacks!

So... 1.4.

I played the PTS through the month of October, and progressing through the weeks:
week 1: Stock 30 character with all purple gear. Start in the new World Tier system, and test the progression for a new 30.

I enjoyed this, as loot started raining from the heavens. Progressed from WT1 to 4, and really felt like I was working toward something.

Week 2: Imported all characters from live, play and test the progression. Mobs have had their stats slightly increased from week 1.

Here, I found out that my 2 favorite builds (Reclaimer and DeadEYE) were nerfed TO THE GROUND! But... that's ok. I have a new best friend. Firecrest. Flame Turret is love. Flame Turret is Life.

Week 3: They nerfed NPCs damage output by 15%, took out about 30% of their armor and HPs from week 2.

Game in week 3 becomes true babytime frolics. You could stand in front of an LMB shotgunner and soak 4-5 shots before you need to heal yourself. Seriously. Zero challenge, zero skill required. I hated week 3. Actually hung it up after the first day or so testing because it was WAY too easy.

week 4: They announce they had a big that reduced the NPC output by an additional 15%. They add back the armor/HPs they took away in week 3. Week 4, feels like week 2 but with a 15% NPC output reduction. (This is basically what went live)

Tuesday: 1.4 hits live. It is really a new game for me. I can solo everything now. (Could solo Lincoln Tunnel Challenging in 1.3, but with loot as bad as it was... there wasn't a reason to really.)

NPCs are squishier, but they're a LOT smarter now. Cleaners, when you shoot them in the tank used to stand there and blow up... now? Now they'll run at you like a suicide bomber. The LMB will flank and cover each other. Rikers are far more aggressive....

Loot? SO MUCH LOOT! Useful and relevant loots drop from useful and relevant content. 1.3... do a Challenging story mission... get 182 gear. 1.4... do a challenging mission, and loot drops commensurate with your WT level. WT4? Get 229 gear.

I think that 1.4 has laid the foundation for the DLC to come, and the future of the game. If you've played Div, and quit for whatever reason, it would be a great time to check back in and see what's up.

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Holy shitsnacks!

I need to finish up the story line and learn what's to do after it. Think I am at level 29 but haven't ventured into the Darkzone yet.

Definitely getting more relevant loot, which is a big bonus, instead of just.. grinding bird bucks.

I am garbage at the game and need to reconfigure my gearset, because I'm struggling with basic HVTs.. but that's because I'm just barely into this new world tier bracket, I feel, and need to get my gear up to spec.

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Grenade 3 Sports Drink. It's fire in the hole.. Your hole!

I haven't even really payed attention to a gear set.

Just got an xbone. Sounds like this game might be worth checking out now? It seemed to get panned after release.

1.4 fixed a LOT of the issues the game had.

If you can find a used copy or a good sale, the 1-30 experience is alone worth the price of admission.

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Holy shitsnacks!

Story popped into my head, and wouldn't leave me alone until I got it out.
“Michelle! We’re out of Milk!” the voice in the kitchen was loud and strident. I knew that I should probably have tried to get a second gallon when I went shopping, but everyone needed food, and I didn’t want to be the one to cause someone else to go hungry. Pity my “roommate” didn’t understand that.
“Well Gabe, if you need it so bad, you can go scour the borough for the last gallon out there. ****’s bad out there you know.”
“I know Miki, but you can’t eat cereal without milk.” Gabe said, coming back into the living room with a bowl of dry frosted flakes. He began to prove himself wrong almost immediately as he scooped spoonfuls into his mouth, crunching happily as the sugary flakes soothed his tender tastebuds. “Hey, what’s that?” he asked, pointing at my wrist.
“Oh. ****. Its… something I can’t tell you about. I need to go.” The pulsing orange light on my SHD chrono was insistent and glaring in the blue light of late-night TV. I stood up from the couch, where I was absentmindedly working on balancing some ledgers from work.
“Go? Go where? Everything’s closed! Its 12:30 in the morning and its snowing outside.”
“”I’m sorry. I can’t talk about it.” I walked to the closet and moved all of the clothes to one side. Addressing my chrono, I tapped the unlock code to the trunk in the back, under the Christmas decorations.
“Holy **** Miki! Is that a gun? Body armor? What in the actual ****?”
I pulled my vest on over my head, and latched it at the sides. Holster, check. Sidearm, check. “Gabe, seriously. I can’t talk about it. You can keep asking me, or I can shoot you in the face. Your choice.” The steel in my voice was something he had never heard before. Fun, happy-go-lucky Miki was gone. Replaced in this apartment by Aragon, the Division agent. Aragon had no time for foolish manchildren.
“Woah Miki, chill out babe. Seriously what the hell?”
My pistol cleared the holster in one smooth movement and Gabe backed down to the couch. “Look, Gabe. I’m not really going to shoot you in the face. But it would be in your own best interests to stay here and don’t go outside if you don’t have to. If you can find a safer place to go, you should do so.” I tossed him the keys to my car. “Take my car, go to your parent’s house upstate. There should be enough gas to get you there. I’m not going to need it where I’m going.”
“But where…”
The chambering of my Mp5 interrupted him. I cocked my head, “You had a question?”
“No, I suppose I didn’t. Just… just be safe Miki.”
“Always. See?” I showed him the fire selector. It was currently set to “Safe”.


“Aragon, I’m pinned. These **** Rikers are like goddamn roaches. Who the hell gave them heavy weapons?”
“No **** idea but they’re about #3 or 4 on my **** list.” I poked my head around the corner, low. “Volcano, I see four tangoes and a heavy. Let me see if I can distract them. Head’s up!” I placed my support station on the ground, and kicked it to where Volcano was hiding behind cover. I saw the Heavy look in my direction when the box slid across the doorway. He started to shift fire, just in time to feel the prongs of my sticky bomb embed themselves in his chest. The flashbang was almost painfully bright at that close a range. The explosion echoed in the room, and I was thankful for my custom hearing protection. Volcano stood up from his hiding spot, and hosed the heavy down with 7.62 mm NATO rounds from his M60. The other Rikers were dazed and confused as I expected them to be, and I placed headshots into each of them in turn. My Custom M44 barked four times, and the 4 supporting thugs dropped in their tracks. The heavy had dropped to one knee under the barrage of lead, and I put an end to him with 180 grains of copper jacketed steel.
“Thanks Ara. Man, that dude had my number.”
“Nah, you were fine. Besides, he was about to reload anyway.”
“How the hell did you know that?”
“Attention to detail son. The belt on his LMG was about spent. He had maybe 15 rounds left in it.”
“You’re joking.”
“Nope. I don’t joke in matters of life and death.”
“Heh. So, the last joke you told would have to have been around Thanksgiving?”
“Something like that. I believe there was a shaggy dog involved.”
“Oh lord you’re one of those people?”
“Those people? Explain.”
“A nerd that enjoys linguistic wordplay. A Pun-isher if you will.”
I glared at him.
“No? Not even a chuckle?”
I glared more.
“Fair enough. Life and death. I get it.”


“Just one more black body on a pile right! Just numbers to you! So blind! All of you!” Larae’s screeching tirade was punctuated by the “Bloop!” sound of a 40mm grenade launcher. I dove to the left, and Volcano and Bunny dove right. Rikers poured in from somewhere, and we three got to work, winnowing them down to something more manageable.
“Volcano! Your left!” I called into the comm. “Watch that heavy!”
“I got him,” Bunny replied, setting a silver sphere on the ground. It chirruped and cheerfully rolled towards the offending gunner. 2 meters before it arrived, it shot a fountain of incendiaries into the air and rained down fiery doom upon the area. Volcano popped up and dumped most of a belt of ammo into the heavy, and he dropped.
Bloop! Bloop! Bloop! Came again, and we all dived for other cover. I vowed, then and there to find the **** responsible for gifting the second most dangerous ***** on the island a grenade launcher.
“Ara, she’s coming your way. Careful!” Bunny told me across the earpiece. It didn’t matter, I was ready. I set the shock turret on the ground, behind the crate I was hiding behind. Larae obviously didn’t see me, and the turret discharged its TASER prods into her back. She dropped her grenade launcher as she spasmed to the ground. The guns went silent as Volcano and Bunny finished off the rest of the Rikers.
I stood, and put my boot on her throat. “Its over Larae. You’re done here.”
“You division ****. Who the **** do you think you are? Kill me, and another will rise to take my place. You ain’t cops. What are you? Military? Marines?”
I drew my sidearm and looked her in the eyes. “No. I’m an accountant.” I punctuated this with a round from my .45 into her forehead. She jerked, and went limp. “Aragon to Benitez, Lexington’s clear. Barrett is dead. What’s next?”

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Holy shitsnacks!

SO... 1.5 Survival.

I *want* to like this. It has the bones of a fun diversionary mode from the rest of the game... But the forced rushing due to the "Sepsis" timer and the OP nature of the Hunter NPC... I have yet to complete the mode after a dozen or so attempts.

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Holy shitsnacks!

I have similar things in my hed vis a vis my own characters. It's hard to play without some kind of imagination as to who they were outside of this whole thing. They can't terrifying National Guard On Steroids all the time.

(Agent Madison was a teacher.)

My one shot at Survival has placed me in the "Maybe I'll try it again sometime" mentality. I mostly just like wandering around shooting people in the face.

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Grenade 3 Sports Drink. It's fire in the hole.. Your hole!

My current builds:
This is the current FOTM. 4pc Alpha Bridge, 2pc whatever. (I'm running Nomad because I solo a lot, and the HoK is really nice to have.) I honestly hate this build. Its... dull. It *is* undeniably powerful... but so, so boring.

This build, I put together on a lark. Sentry-Sausage. Enough toughness to facetank some things, and not die up close. FWM1A for the not up close stuff. It suffers a but in the middle distances, but overall, it a lot more fun than I expected it to be. The SASG is a really nice shotty.

This one, by far, is my favorite build. D3-FNC shield build. They *should* have called it the Juggernaut set. I lucked into a destructive, responsive, predatory UMP-45, and it rocks with this build.

My previous favorite build: Firecrest/Nomad. Fire turret, and fire seeker. Fire everywhere. I see a Riker and I want to paint him on fire. Needs a better AR though. I'm not happy with the ACR I have here.

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Holy shitsnacks!