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The price.

Th thing is, Lithuania is still upholding the order per the treaty between EU and Russia. They did not stop the transport of passengers, nor any goods, which are not on sanction list. And if Russia want to send some of their own microprocessors to their exclave , they can still use their ship lines from St. Petersburg Oh and as another counter-argument here is and example how Russia's view on upholding the order looks like

There is an incoming module for the F-15E Strike Eagle coming for DCS (bringing back warm and fuzzy memories of Jane's F-15), and the same F/A-18 stick is largely identical to that of the F-15, both having been designed by McDonnell-Douglas (now part of Boeing Defence, Space & Security in the aftermath of Les Aspin's "Last Supper"). Try literally shredded, as after its retirement from the Navy the only operator remaining (and indeed the only other operator ever) for the F-14 was the IRIAF. The measure was arguably well-warranted as there have been a few cases of Iran attempting to purchase spare parts from the retired American fleet.

The Fallout-style RPG teased by New Blood last week features big names in the classic Fallout scene Van Buren developer Adam Lacko, artist Red888guns, and original Fallout composer Mark Morgan are all working on the project. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-fallout-style-rpg-teased-by-new-blood-last-week-features-big-names-in-the-classic-fallout-scene/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR3_U_Ms6jVnRpuJyLRuxlrMY1YGMpjs0pwN5TA7PbLIg2TQ9l7O0fCLOUM EDIT: Yeah, this **** deserves its own thread...

Yeah, Europe absolutely must always sport shiny white unsullied fluffy coat and never push back against the country that broke probably every international agreement there is. So what if we are dealing with the bully that sees adherence to rules as weakness to be exploited while mocking and disrespecting those who do try to live by the laws, we have to be nice and let the warmongering **** walk all over us because something something Iraq and Palestine and Yemen something something probably.

This is a very interesting question, and I wonder about it, too. As for "definitely not military", I am inclined to agree with you, but then Russia has very recently simulated attacks against the Baltic states. I interpret this as sabre-rattling directed at the forthcoming NATO summit, although I don't see much of a point in it even if I look at it like that. Even though I don't live that far away, I have absolutely no idea how Russia could realistically damage Lithuania without using military means. Perhaps Russia's rage stems from this: it's possible that they have no idea, either. (Here, I am reminded of what a local military expert pointed out: it is impossible not to provoke Russia, because if they want to be provoked, they will find reason for provocation; if all else fails, they will attack their own land and view that as enemy provocation, which they have actually done in the past. So a provoked Russia doesn't necessarily mean anything.)

Oh and I have just found out the info about current state of vehicle losses for Russia in 4 months. I Putin still issues a threats all around the world, especially to Kazakhstan, who laughed to Putin's face in St. Petersburgh when talked about Luhansk and Donetsk recognition.

Yup, totally me in games nowadays. Where you spend more time doing all this than playing...

I was going to make the same joke but didn't see any listed.

So this guy's reaction to PoE's passive tree is exactly what I mean. Even if in the end it's not as complicated as it "looks," I don't have the patience/dedication for that anymore (I used to). Although one of the issues with PoE in particular was they were constantly erasing/resetting your tree for patches/updates (with a single free respec given) so you'd have to "start all over" for newly added nodes/tree redesigns, and/or remember the pathing of what dozens of nodes you liked every few/several months. And while there were respecs, getting them was grindingly difficult. Anyway, yeah, not doing that anymore.

I've read a hypothesis they might declare they have no other choice but to fly their stuff from Belarus over our sky and have their war planes hover at the borders with an occasional "accidental" breach, so on one hand its full aggression, on the other, we can't really shoot down their cargo planes. Guess we'll know soon enough anyway.

Round is a shape! But seriously, 54 is still young. You still have decades ahead of you, and the way some of this medical science is progressing, hopefully those can be good decades.

Whops. Meant episode 5. Sorry about the confusion.

"Photo by BMVg_Bundeswehr" so probably stock photo.

With all due respect, that looks like pretty silly whataboutism to me. I spoke about Russia's ridiculous comments on Lithuania, and you bringing up "the west bleating" is changing the subject altogether. I didn't say anything about the west. I am not ignorant of the faults of the west. It's true that most subjects are complex and most things have repercussions and implications, but when someone says "X looks stupid doing Y", a derogatory response concerning parties other than X and actions other than Y does not look like adult discussion / reasonable argumentation in my book. Anyone can do that at any time no matter what the subject, and it's almost never a good idea.

The Waylanders. I've encountered my first softlock during a main quest, because the boss despawned on reload, thus I will have to replay from the last autosave (10 - 15 minutes). On a positive note, dialogues started to be more interactive - I avoided a battle in the same quest by not insulting the NPC. Also, the party members all abilities available at the moment (there are 6 active and 2 passive for each class), making the combat more engaging. The game is not bad, but it can be frustrating at times. It feels much closer to Avadon* with more linear maps and RtwP combat than to Dragon Age. *turn-based combat and mostly large open maps, even if there is an expected path to traverse them. Stylized writing, but in a very different style than The Waylanders.

Do you mean because boy howdy, that is gonna be a big shock.

Didn't get a chance to watch Cobra this week but did start reading some of Berserk.

Steel Garrote is an excellent choice when you want to use Whispers of the Endless Paths with Offensive Parry. The reason is that the Steel Garrote Paladin has a passive that lets you drain health from enemies if they are afflicted with something. Offensive Parry not only hits enemies who miss you in melee, it also applies the Dazed affliction if you do so, automatically unlocking the health drain. You need high melee deflection though. So that means high Resolve, Cloak of Greater Deflection (very early item with Berath's Blessing: Merchant in Port Maje), later Bracers of Greater Deflection, Deep Faith etc. and also an armor that gives you deflection bonuses. I would recommend Nomad's Brigandine. It gives up to +10 deflection against melee attackers and it also makes you immune to disengagement attacks - meaning they will miss 100% of times. So you can basically disengage, the disengagement attack will miss you and you will instantly do an Offensive Parry in return. This also means you can roam the battlefield freely while doing damage passively and draining health in the process. The Brigandine is also a heavy armor which is good for a melee character who will most likely get hit a lot but can compensate with high AR and AR passives (see Barb+Paladin passive around armor). Enemies' underpenetrarion is every frontliner's underappreciated friend... This is also one of the few builds where I consider casting the Paladin's +40% dmg Beacon is worthwhile. Because your offensive parries will also get +40% dmg and this will also drain more of the enemies' health for you. Blood Thirst also triggers from Offensive Parry (if it kills). Barbarians suffer -10 deflection when frenzied. That's not so cool in this case but it's manageable. Berserker is nice because not only does he crit more frequently and gains +2 PEN - but also because he gains +2 AR via Frenzy. The self damage is substantial bit can be countered with the health drain, a pet that heals on kill (see Abraham) and Lay in Hands + Exalted Endurance. But I think I personally would go with the Furyshaper because the Fear Ward is very strong, it will afflict enemies (more health drain) and it will make you more sturdy because terrified enemies don't attack. It also fits the Steel Garrote vibes imo. For a single class Barb I would def. recommend Furyshaper because the Blood Ward is just awesome for you and the whole party. Especially in combination with Barbaric Retaliation and Dazing Shout. It's more difficult to use offensive Parry as an SC Barb because you will lack the deflection bonuses of the Paladin, but you can combine disengagement-parries and Babaric Retaliation (it attacks with the sword's cone AoE). With WotEP, Carnage and Dazing Shout you want highest INT and also items that raise INT further as well as items that raise AoE size directly (Ring of Overseeing for example). A pet like Loki also helps with that, but maybe something like Abraham is better for a Berserker after all.

Apparently some people didn't want to fight anymore.

Dark ~~--> 12 Monkeys (TV), if it was German and aiming for something approaching a scandi noir aesthetic. Though that comparison relies on actually having seen 12 Monkeys which to be sure wasn't quite as popular as Stranger Things. Thoroughly recommend Dark by the way, though as might be guessed from its name let alone the first few episodes it isn't exactly the most bright and positive experience.

Bought a pair of games on sale at GOG. X-Com 3: Apocalypse (I have the Steam version, but I prefer to have my games from GOG where possible) and X4 Foundations. The latter is a bit of a gamble, because as promising as X1-X3 looked, I never could play the Steam Versions. Sound is completely FUBAR and some of the fun goes out of it if you have to actually mute your speakers completely. I'm hoping the GOG version runs better on post 2010 PC's

I finished The Quarry again... And again and again. After saving all the camp counselors on the 2nd playthrough, I went back a couple of times through the last couple of chapters trying to figure out how to save more of the Hacketts. Eventually I found some success. In my final run only Kaylee, Chris, and Silas died. Everybody else lived. I think this is the best possible ending. Movie Mode has 3 options: 1) Everyone Lives 2) Everyone Dies 3) Director's Chair Option 3 allows you to set 4 parameters for each of the camp counselors: How they act under pressure, how they act in conversation, how they act in a fight or flight situation, and how observant they are. I'm definitely going to watch "Everyone Dies". It will hurt to watch my girl Kaitlyn die, but it will be worth it for all those sweet gory deaths. Maybe I can figure out how to do a Only Kaitlyn Survives run?

Just finished Symphony of War. TLDR: Best indie trpg I've ever played. Fire Emblem is one of my favorite video game franchises and SoW scratched that Fire Emblem itch. I mainlined the whole game starting Friday night and finished early this morning. It was that good. I have only two problems, 1) the game has a menu based UI, which will make it a great game on the Switch when it gets ported but makes me frustrated that all I'm doing is left and right clicking the mouse, and 2) the Player Turn and Enemy Turn cards that come up at the end of each turn and can't be turned off--I know its my turn 'cause the enemy isn't moving. Everything else, the combat, the unit diversity, the enemy verity, the deep gameplay systems, the characters, the world building, and the story are wonderful. If you like trpg's, you have to check this game out, and its cheap.

I had this game on my Steam wishlist for ages, mainly because I automatically put any cRPG with RTwP combat on my list. But after it came out of EA and still had huge issues, I dropped it from my list. Would be interested in hearing more from you about how it is.

Which is why you found it from every hotel lobby, air plane, train coffee house etc. aimed for tourists for decades so that tourists get anti Russian news when they were in Russia, so that they would not think that things they see are too good.

Holiday! Celebrate! I worked.

Their showcase excited me more than all the other showcases combined. They are also making a morrowwind looking game.

You've been long suffering then

Picked up and finished Starship Troopers: Terran Command. It looked like a low budget - low effort kind of game from the first few trailers I've seen but I like the franchise so I waited and.... it's pretty good. You can tell it doesn't have the budget of Starcraft 2 but they put the money where it mattered imo. The story is a typical ST flavoured war story with a small cast of named characters hitting on familiar story beats, framed by the tongue-in-cheek propaganda news between missions. It won't blow your socks off, but it's a decently told story. The main part of gameplay is holding the line. A lot. Even when you're attacking you're holding the line. Figuratively and literally endless waves of bugs descend on your troops as you juggle positioning, (lack of) line-of-sight between squads, special abilities and a bit of rock-paper-scissors to inch closer to the next hive. It's probably not for everyone but I enjoyed my time with it and I recommend playing it.

Now if only we could use our tax returns to buy an actual F-14 Tomcat. I'm sure they're cheap at the Boneyard.

It wasn't me, but a friend shared this on his Discord server...

This is a long time coming, and I apologize for the late reply, but I stumbled upon this post. I am the dev who had the pleasure of writing the background lore for this sword. I also designed the three upgrades for the blade. I want you to know that this particular item was very special to me. I know the pain of the loss of a companion, and the truth of your submission moved me and moves me still. Thank you so much for your contribution to this game. The world of Pillars is motivated by the truth of the experiences of all Kith. Characters and story are better for what you have added to their world. I re-read this post often because it brings me a (tearful) joy to know that what came about in the game brought you joy, even if that joy has tears. Thank you for playing.

While we're on the topic of peripherals what my tax return has gone to: Retiring my old Logitech X52 I've upgraded to a Winwing Orion 2 HOTAS with finger-lift idle and afterburner detents, with the stick and throttle handles modeled after that from the F/A-18 series (though still rocking Saitek rudder pedals and TrackIR 4 head-tracking).

Heroes Chapters and Heroes 4 from GOG during the summer sale

What, like this? https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2022/05/13/square-enix-details-its-elaborate-nft-plans-as-the-market-craters/?sh=6a97d2be1feb

Another idea would be to be able to grind items like tools, weapons, and armors back down through the Grinder to some of their recipe parts when no longer needed. This would allow to recoup some resources for unwanted items instead of simply trashing (deleting) them or dropping them until the despawn.

I converted a mobile laptop table into a makeshift stand for my wheel: It works fine for the time being, I just wish I could slide the pedals further away, but the crossbar prevents that. I put a couple 13 lbs kettlebells on the legs to keep the table from tipping when I'm steering hard. Sometime in the future my plan is to get/make a dedicated schlongpit rig with a modular design where I can swap the wheel with my HOTAS flightstick. I went with Thrustmaster because I come from the flight/space sim world and Thrustmaster makes really high quality flightsticks. I don't know how good their reputation in the wheel & pedal world is, but I have no complaints so far. For an entry level wheel & pedal set the TMX Pro seems decent enough.

I also picked up Chaos Gate with the Epic games coupon. It's very grimdark. Does this massive ship have a lounge where space marines can get a drink? Combat is super fun, but I am a bit overloaded by all the abilities and equipment options. Still, it scratches that Xcom itch I get regularly.

I finished The Quarry it was freakin' great. It took me 20 hours to finish, keep in mind that I'm a super slow gamer and I tried to find all the tarot cards (I got 14/22). The death toll: Abigail, Emma, Kaylee, Caleb, Chris, Constance and Silas died. I'm pretty sure I can't save Kaylee, Constance, or Silas. I'm iffy on whether Chris can be saved. The most important thing is that my girl Kaitlyn survived. This is easily the most impressive game I've ever seen visually. There are 2 very brief hiccups that stand out. A scene where a pair of teens are in a lake. The water looks good except for a brief moment when they are having a splash fight, the water being splashed... it's not the greatest effect. There is another scene where a character briefly uses a blow torch. The jet of flame doesn't look great. In a different game with 6/10 visuals these 2 5/10 effects wouldn't stand out, but when absolutely everything else is 10/10 those 2 effects look placeholder. That's like 0.1% of the game, though. The other 99.9% of the game the production values are LEGENDARY. The graphical fidelity, attention to detail, facial animations, lighting effects, cinematography, sound design, writing, voice acting, they're all off the charts. The bar has been raised, The Quarry is the new gold standard in production value. Where is @Bokishiwhen you need them to post 16K screenshots of this game? Guess y'all will just have to settle for the 4K screenies I posted. Gameplay wise, there's not a whole lot to this. It's basically an interactive movie. It even has a movie mode where you can just sit back and watch it as a movie. I haven't tried movie mode yet, but I read that you can set parameters on how characters act and watch it play out. Once I save everyone I think can be saved (hopefully) on my 2nd playthrough, I'll give movie mode a spin. Anyway, gameplay consists of QTEs with fairly generous timing, choices, interrupts/actions which you may or may not chose to make (sometimes it's better to not act), and a few moments where you can fire a shotgun, but these wind up being sort of like the interrupts/actions given how generous an amout of time the game gives you to line up a shot and decide whether to pull the trigger or nor, except for 1 time near the very end where you have a much smaller window of time to take the shot. The game lets you walk around freely at times. Sometimes it's over the shoulder 3rd person with full camera control, other times it's fixed camera. It's during these times that you can look for tarot cards, clues, and evidence.

Volourn

I remember this one from my teenage years... lots of memories of drunken parties letting loose to this As a curiosity, Ram Jam didn't invent this song, it has a longer history than the 70's https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-meaning-of-the-song-black-betty-by-ram-jam/ "The original song, “Black Betty,” started as a work song, sung predominately by Black people in the early 20th century. "

4:30pm. That's in the shade. I'm not putting that thing in the direct sun, it might melt. 42.22222 for you C people. I expect it to get a tad higher before dusk comes around.

You know what does reach that height though?

And why does it have nothing to do with that ? The humour is in any of the P5 saying something like that, as well. German howitzers on the field, Melnyk is probably going to call them the 4th Reich if they don't hand over every Leopard, still.

2.5 episodes of Spriggan - ok, figured out that it seems kinda episodic (even tho there aren't many episodes). Tech that is too high-powered/dangerous for mere humanity at this time, and groups trying to grab it and/or protect it each episode (well, what I watched anyway). Got it. I started out liking the style because it reminded me a little more of "older" anime in some ways, but the writing, editing, and chrs. started to weigh it down. Probably won't finish it. Also, the ...digital? cgi? ... animation didn't work for me here. Either because budget or style, dunno. Where despite all the image clarity, it looks too sterile and clean, both graphically and re: motion, if that makes any sense. I have issues with that fairly frequently re: modern animation more and more often. I find it distracting, like an animation version of uncanny valley.