Fangu streams (and rants about) XII

[Fangu]

No u It was great fun doing video editing again. Simple but good stuff makes me happy, and Windows Movie Maker is one of those programs that makes the job so easy. Okay so it's missing a few things on making it a GREAT user interface, but it's more than good enough.

I just wanted to add that the "ripping flash files from Twitch through Inspect Element > Networks on Google Chrome" trick is absolutely fabulous. I also found an online converter that lets you convert flash files that are >100 MB. Videos on Twitch are deleted after a while so I have to figure out what to keep and what to throw out. The best way to preserve what's important is to make a proper video of it right away, and preferably keep it under 15 minutes. I'm working on a fast forward version of the Gilgamesh fight now, but videos like that really are for the particularly interested. The best thing is to take out highlights and comment on them either through video or captions, so the essentials is handed to the viewer.

 

[Lex]

I've ordered this extremely simple and cheap device:

Which should allow me to stream PS2 games, and if I so choose PS3 games but only in Standard Definition. It has mixed reviews and will probably be a nightmare to set up properly, but it's pretty cheap and nasty so I can't complain. Basically it just routes the video to my laptop/PC through USB.

Streaming is much more fun with voices <3

EDIT: I'd get an Elgato in a heartbeat but I can't afford one right now due to extreme poverty. Feel sorry for me

 

[Geostigma]

I've ordered this extremely simple and cheap device:

Which should allow me to stream PS2 games, and if I so choose PS3 games but only in Standard Definition. It has mixed reviews and will probably be a nightmare to set up properly, but it's pretty cheap and nasty so I can't complain. Basically it just routes the video to my laptop/PC through USB.

Streaming is much more fun with voices <3

EDIT: I'd get an Elgato in a heartbeat but I can't afford one right now due to extreme poverty. Feel sorry for me

For future reference if you choose to upgrade your PVR options later on I would like to reinforce your El Gato decision.

El Gato = Future proof and extremely simple to use. You dont even need a PC on hand to save the rendered file it stores it internally in its cache till you transfer (or fill up, what ever comes first.) On top of that since it has an internal cache to work with if you happened to forget to hit record you can back up to a certain point and retrieve that gameplay. No other PVR's do this as of right now.
I havent checked it out myself but im told El Gato is also capable of by passing HDCP DRM, which is rumored to be enabled on PS4/Xbox1.

Avermedia = Hit and Miss, you really need to do your research on specific models but over all most are over priced for what they actually do, atleast for console recording. For PC gameplay they can be total win and are great for taking off some strain on your video card.
They do have a "portable" pvr which is pretty win for tournament and lan scenarios though, if your into that it could be neat.

Hauppauge = The older models (Hauppauge 1212 and Gaming edition 1) are excellent PVR's but are not future proof at all since they only support component and composite. With Xbox1 and PS4 being HDMI only these will be obsolete.

The newer models (Gaming edition 2 and beyond) are absolute garbage. While they are future proof there are multitudes of issues with the actual software that compiles and renders the final video. Expect corrupt files and incorrectly arranged times (i.e. Something you did 20 minutes into the game ends up at the 2 minute mark, something 5 minutes in ends up at the end ect.)
When it works its great. When it fails it absolutely fails hard. Its also been known to reset mid recording


Roxio Easy cap = Also garbage. Theres a handful of models, the earlier ones will let you play the game in HD but will only record in SD. They have a full HD recording model iirc though. How ever the final file is compressed oddly and its generally quite large. As an example a 10 minute video from my hauppauge is 800mb. A 10 minute on my Roxio was easily 1.2gb

The final file also looks pretty grainy imo, it could definitely be ALOT cleaner. They are absolutely not worth there price tag and should honestly be about 80$ cheaper.

Black Magic (intensity) = Way to over priced for what you get, its a solid product but over all at the same price range hauppauge, avermedia and El gato absolutely trump it. I will admit though that it comes with a really easy to program remote.. thats about its only true pro that I can recall.
If you dig remotes though, most PVR's come with an IR blaster and can be configured to work with them anyway


If you need tips on PVR's in the future just hit me up I bought way to many of these last year in my search for the perfect PVR lol.

 

[Lex]

SEND ME ONE

I'm kidding ofc, one of the things I'm glad about is the ability to stream directly from the console in the coming generation. If I could I'd stream my gameplay all the time honestly. I just hope there's some way to stream to Twitch with the PS4, since that's my preferred Livestream place.

 

[Fangu]

Oh Gabe thanks a million bunch for that post! I'm thinking of getting a PS3 recorder myself, Lex and I was just talking about it on Skype. Your input is very valued!

 

[Geostigma]

np.

Im also willing to assist with any questions when it comes to the video editing side of this process if you guys like, as with the PVR's im pretty well versed with a multitude of editors.

The non tldr of it all though = Sony Vegas pro for timeline editing/transitions and Adobe After Effects for prettying it up (in depth color correction, easy 3D text/objects, smooth slow mo ect.).

 

[Strangelove]

So the Elgato would work with a PS2 as well?

super tempted to get one, and i don't even think streaming/uploading my gameplay would be that interesting

How much video can you store on the internal cache?

 

[Geostigma]

PS2 will work on the El Gato and IIRC the cache can hold up to 1 hour of gameplay.

edit:

Here is a list of consoles that the el gato can interface with, since its essentially a pass through that splits the feed and sends one to the TV and the other to its cache/PC its all a matter of what cables are available to you. If your nifty with adapters and know your way around AV cables I'm sure you can plug in most anything into it (TV cable/Satellite receivers included )

http://support.elgato.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=4577

 

[Lex]

I WANT IT SO BADLY WHY CAN'T I HAVE IT

 

[Carlie]

The name makes me giggle "El Gato". If I can save up the money I would totally buy it.

 

[Flintlock]

Maybe we should get a community one for TLS. Send it around to different people who want/need it. They would just have to pay the postage

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

The Sisterhood of the Traveling PVR?

 

[Geostigma]

Since my speed run aspirations for Wind waker fell through the other week I may consider handing out the Hauppauge 1212 I have, ill think about this. Maybe do a contest or something

 

[Fangu]

Yagyu Darkblade

you will be the death of me

 

[Fangu]

I just had the sickest loot drop happen to me.

So I've been in Lhusu Mines for the past 10 hours - not counting the 5 from yesterday - trying to farm Bombshells for Yagyu Darkblades (the best Ninja blade in the game) and High Arcanas. These are rare drops from Rare Monster (meaning after you kill it you must move 2 zones in order to respawn it) which has a 20% spawn rate in a particular area. It spawns with 2 flying beasts that are really nasty, being able to instantly KO you, do heavy damage and inflict Poison on you. The key is to pull the flying fucks away so you don't have to dodge more than 1 while you beat up Bombshell. You also have to be careful not to wipe out the bats in the zones next to your designated zone, so you break the chain.

Yesterday I got the chain up to like 15 before quitting - but I did get like 3 High Arcanas, which is pretty good. No Yagyu Darkblade though.

Then, today, I had the first one drop for me at around chain 20 something, which made me quite happy. But since I was already on a good chain, I decided to keep going.

I was at chain 40 something and getting frustrated that I wasn't really getting anything good. I did get several Bomb Ashes per drop, but I wasn't pleased with that, I wanted High Arcanas and ninja blades. So I Googled a bit and realized that I have totally missed the point of chain levels. There are 4 levels in total: 0, 1, 2 and 3, represented by the color of the "Chain" letters when you kill a monster. Red is 3, and the one you want for rare drop, as it's the biggest rare drop boost.

What I didn't know is that if you want rare loot, you should avoid collecting the loot that shows up on the lower levels, as taking loot has the effect of lowering your chain levels. However, in the end you WILL get to the red level. I got there around level 58. At level 60 I had decided to call it quits soon as I need to sleep. Happily I saw it dropped a gold coin, and went to get it.

It was no less than 3 Yagyu Darkblades.

What are the odds of that happening. Seriously. I want to do the math. I really want to. And I will, but right now I'm going to bed X) I'm exhausted from being in that mine and I am not setting my foot in Lhusu Mines for some time now.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Shit.

 

[Fangu]

Okay so math.

The chance of getting a Rare drop at Red chain level is 12%.

Meaning the odds of getting 3 Yagyu Darkblades when you've killed the Bombshell is 0.12 x 0.12 x 0.12 = 0.001728 - 0.17 % chance. That's one in every 578th try.

If you add that Bombshell has a 20% spawn rate, we're talking 0.0003456. That's 0.03456 % ~ 0.03 %. Meaning when you enter the room, ending up with 3 Yagyu Darkblades will happen one in every 2893th try.

I'm never gonna win the lottery after this am I

 

[Lex]

Can i just take the time to confirm how fucking annoying this thing is to get.

I got one - at chain 64/65 or so. It takes around 4-5 minutes to find and kill it once, so yeah, A LONG FUCKING TIME. And I seriously don't believe this thing has a 20% spawn rate, because half the time I have to zone a minimum of 8 times to get it to show up. I'm obviously having bad luck, but THIS consistently?

I'm on chain 75 now, I want another one. I should actually have two or three right now, but I don't because it won't THROW ME A FUCKING BONE.

Also a lot of people's rationale for taking the time to get one of these is the fact that it's the best weapon against Yiazmat, but seriously an average of about 5 hours of work to shave half an hour - 2 hours of the Yiazmat fight is a bit ridiculous. The only reason I'm doing this is because I haven't done it before, otherwise I'd be telling the game to fuck right off.

EDIT: I lied, I'm actually on chain EIGHTY FIVE. Ugh.

 

[Lex]

So I just got 3 aswell. What are the chances of THAT happening? There's video evidence this time, let me just cut out the crap/ make the crap funny (my music kinda did that for me at certain points tbh).

 

[Cthulhu]

I just added a Twitch.tv bbcode:

[ttv ]fanguu[/ttv] will result in:



Also I swear it was working just now. Here's Lex's. Maybe I just misspelled the username,

 

[Flintlock]

I picked up XII again this evening, as I said I'd join in once you were doing the superbosses. Just beat Hell Wyrm with my characters at levels 60-60-60-58 (I only used four). I didn't look at the time when I started, but I think it took about an hour. Not all that difficult, really.

I suppose I should get Zodiark next, but I'm thinking about saving him until last, so that I actually have some use for the Wyrmhero Blade, if I ever get that far.

 

[Fangu]

Hell Wyrm is my next target, but I was thinking of getting some more equipment first. I think I'm actually gonna go for the Tournesol. I already have the Serpentarius and I getting the Gemsteel is fairly easy, so I just need the 3rd item, for which I already have the High Arcanas (I have 7 in my inventory and I already sold 1 or 2, woo.) I'd really like to get the Staff of the Magi - not because I need it, but because I'd like to be able to one-shot those bastard vampires in Henne Mines One item I'd love to get is the Danjuro, but I hear it's a fucking pain to get, so I'm still not too sure about that one. I'm gonna get the Dragon Whisker and Circlet from Subterra too.

Neverending Stooryyyyyy

 

[Carlie]

Can we have one for livestream Yop?

 

[Fangu]

Okay amongst other things I fought Omega Mark XII today, and jesus what a pain in the knee. I spent an hour or two figuring out different things about him until I became kinda stuck and had to look up some stuff. But by then I had already realized these things: You need to do this fast and in one go; you need to Arise like hell; you need two people who are basically just spamming buffs and heal on your attacker; you need very few gambits, preferably 4 or less. You don't have time to do anything in this battle, you just need to do shit right, and do them fast.

The thing was I didn't think Decoy worked because I had Decoy on my main attacker and Omega attacked one of my healers instead, so I didn't think Decoy would be any good. But in the end I used a Decoy/Reverse strategy described here, and it worked like hell, you can see my fight here. I could probably have done the same fight on a way lower level - levels don't help you at all because he's so damn fast and deals so much damage you need to have Bubble belts equipped anyway and 3-4000 HP more or less don't make a difference.

By far the most challenging fights I've had in XII, and the first one I got somewhat stuck and had to look up a strategy.

 

[Flintlock]

So you fought Hell Wyrm as well? How did that go? (My understanding is that you must accept the Yiazmat petition before Omega will be available to fight, and that you must defeat Hell Wyrm before Montblanc will ask you to take on Yiazmat.)