Divine Commanders: Is Rays of Destiny over-rated?

Screenshot of DCC- Rays of Destiny

When I was still a new player, I have no idea about commanders. Joining the leagues made me realize just how important commanders are. As you all know, MP is needed to draw skill, super, legendary or divine commanders and there are so many of them to choose from (though the choice remains with IGG of course!). One of the most notable commanders I ever claimed is Maletiz. I used this legendary commander to win leagues and his ability to return back the force dealt by the enemy commander is an awesome sight to behold. I always thought Maletiz is the best commander.

But then again, how about Sandora? Sexy beyond belief, you could say there is something quite appealing with this little girl with a lithe figure. I'm not going to dwell on anything sexual (fuck!) but Sandora is one hell of a commander. She's powerful and deadly and pretty too!

Both are awesome commanders to behold! What more, when IGG decided to combine them - they created one of the most powerful of all divine commanders.

Everyone who knows the game want to get them. At a going rate of 1k MP, I had my first Rays of Destiny.

But before that, let us see what makes Rays of Destiny a divine commander to claim and behold...

This commander is a combination of Sandora and Maletiz and is created with the Rays of Judgement Scroll

Judgement: This skill has a chance to deal an additional 30% Scattering damage to all enemy forces and reflect all absorbed damage to its source. (Sandora + Maletiz) Affected by all 4 stats.

Commander's Chance to Trigger Ability

Note: The initial chance is the chance to trigger their ability when the total number of the related stats is 0. As the related stats increase, the chance to trigger commander ability will increase too. Click on the link to see a list and explanation of all Commander's Chance to Trigger Abilities.

Chance to trigger abilities - Rays of Destiny chart from Galaxy Online wiki

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Note on the above chart: According to the latest IGG posting, the ROD trigger abilities has changed, as shown in this post.


The question now is, is it over-rated or just about as expected? After using ROD on league and in different instances, I would have to say - it's worth the hype. But players have different experiences in using this DCC. 

My rating (on the scale of 1-10) would have to be an 8.0 - It is a powerful commander that can win you leagues versus very good and skilled opponents. It can also help you pass difficult instances and in many ways, you can use this commander to attack planets, claim RBPs and just do damage to your enemies in more ways than one.

At the IGG forum, however, there were some discussion about ROD and how it performs vis a vis individual cards - specifically Maletiz and Sandora. Says one of the poster:

Yet your argument has no basis since you don't see the other end of the scale. A 7* ROD was sent into a friendly base on S22 and it proc'd so much we think it's broken cos it procs WAY TOO MUCH.

That single 7* was the only fleet sent and it lasted an absolute age against 20+ fleets on the planet, wrecking havoc. No single commander should be that powerful it's inbalanced beyond belief.

I should also point out that since they proc so much this corp has decided to get more RODs just to send into people's bases to wreak havoc on fleets based there, just by sending 1 fleet with ROD in it.

I would still go with my gut feel and experience, ROD is a dcc worth claiming and keeping - especially during times of war and destruction.

Maintenance and Updates on March 1st

IGG Forums has announced a maintenance on March 1, 2012, but soon moved to March 6, 2012 due to some reasons. Upon this maintenance new updates have been released!

Here’s the direct word from IGG Moderetors:

“The developers of Galaxy Online II will be performing server maintenance from 1:00 am to 2:00 am EST (GMT-5) on March 1st. This maintenance will include updated features in the game. When our work is complete, all players will receive 800 vouchers in recognition of their patience. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you all again for your continued support! “

Upon this update new things have changed in game. Here are the changes brought upon us:                

1. Rewards for Lucky Wheel will be improved.

[He3 Pack] will be replaced with [Gaseous Planet]
[Metal Pack] will be replaced with [Metallic Planet]
[Gold Pack (B)] will be replaced with [Luxurious Planet]
[Merge Chip] will be replaced with [Memory Chip]
[Gift Pack (S)] will be replaced with [Impending Doom Card]

2.  Players will be able to obtain the Independence Blueprint from the Level 9 Treasure Box dropped in the Normal Instance instead of the Challenging Chests dropped from Restricted Instances. Blueprints acquired this way are bound to the player.

3.  The new Divine Commanders below will be added to the “Draw Commander Card” function.

a) Honey Badgers 
Spell: Suicide Strike
Chance to deal 6x damage while attacking but also reflects 10% of damage back to your ships. (Wayne + Penni) (Affected by the Speed attribute.)

b) Iron Maidens
Spell: Fountain of Youth
If the total combined value of Iron Maidens'base stats exceed those of the enemy commander, their ships'stability will increase to their maximum and has the chance to fully restore Shields and Structures each round. (Dilira + Rafia) (Affected by Speed and Dodge attributes)

c) Suicide Sirens
Spell: Risky Surge
Chance to deal 3x damage and instantly reload weapons, but also reflects 10% damage to attacking ship. (Penni + Hellen) (Affected by Accuracy and Electron attributes)

d) Tactical Wizards
Spell: Bamboozle
Chance to avoid damage and increase enemy He3 costs by up to 5 times. (Nick + Bruce) (Affected by Dodge and Electron attributes)

4.  To ensure a smoother World Chat for players, the system message for winning a “Construction Card” from the Lucky Wheel will no longer be displayed.

5.  The Player's Level Cap will be raised from Lv.100 to Lv.150.

Though these updates were implemented, some of it had problems like the 800 vouchers became only 300 and there is still no proof on the 2nd update. Still, these became fun, and I say it is a very nice update it took away the annoying construction card system update every time you get it from the lucky wheel, though it may be not so lucky.

I expect more updates in the coming future, looking forward to good ones and updates that makes more people enjoy Galaxy Online 2.

–TZT.MviruS

VALIANT IS THE NEW ALLIANCE!

You're probably laughing or fuming mad at my recent post, What it takes to be VALIANT. But then again, you are not me. In these times of war and intrigue and hypocrisy and power struggle, you as a player, needs to decide which Corps you have to belong to.

So, while the war is far from over, you need to get the kind of support, protection and camaraderie that you deserve.

Screenshot showing latest ranking of Corps - with Valiant at no. 1 (as of March 6, 2012)

WHAT IS AN ALLIANCE? And before I go any further, what is an alliance? Is an Alliance a means to an end or is it just the start of something good? It really depends on the kind of leaders and followers. As they say, you cannot be sure of anything unless you have experienced it. 

But going back to the question, an Alliance is a haven. It is a place where you can find yourself with people sharing common interests. It is a place where you can seek help and that help is almost always available. It is a place where you get to know more about the game without having someone make fun of you. A good alliance is like a second home. You feel at ease, and you get defended. Like a true and loyal friend, the people you share an alliance with are the same people who share with you and value your friendship in return.

I am not going to say that other Corps are not as awesome as VALIANT. Of course, they are. The only problem is - they don't have us. So now, you can join us too!

Interested? Just PM zZzZzZ or DekZ and they'll take care of you. Or PM me if you like - Phineas.

Tip#2 - Protecting your RBP (the cheesy way)

Protecting your Resource Bonus Planet (RBP) is a must! This apply especially to new Corps who went out of their way to get their very first RBP. As soon as the protection period has elapsed, anyone can take it back and down goes your Corps' ranking and your ability to generate more resources.

Skilled players will tell you that one of the ways to keep an RBP is to lodged fleets inside. The number of fleets will certainly depend on the level of the RBP itself, and how many ships players can set aside from their armadas. The level of the meteors and thors might also be upgraded to destroy incoming enemy fleets.

Screenshot of a Resource Bonus Planet (RBP)

One forum post at IGG tells a different way of protecting an RBP. While many players (including the poster) argued the unethical nature of such a technique, the method remains effective, if not, annoying. But then again, RBPs are supposedly 'for keeps' and there will always be ways to keep them no matter what players might say...

Here's the deal...

So I am watching a battle for a resource bonus planet and the losing team (defenders) sent 9 hours worth of decoy attacks from alt accounts to stall the resource bonus planet out so they can keep their resource bonus planet.


CHEESED. So the timer runs out and they keep the resource bonus planet, because they sent 9 hours of decoy attack.

Hey, IGG can you make it so the Resource Bonus Planet battle keeps going instead of finish the round and send all ships home? People play dirty and cheese with their alts, these guys are willing to stall 24 hours if they had to.

Better yet, have admins for your server to drop ban hammers. In any other game, exploiters get banned.
~
Server 06 bootes zone 30 271,89.

Because the attackers were going to win and take the resource bonus planet, the defenders sent 9 hours worth of decoys from alternate accounts so they could keep their resource bonus planet.
~
1000+ decoy fleets were used. It takes 1000 decoys to stall for 8 hours... this is 9 hours +

This is HotNoob's tactic that would make taking any resource bonus planet impossible and is therefor an exploit.

I copied and pasted the original post and changed nothing.

What you say about the technique is none of my business, and you may agree with this or not.

I would think any Corps with the ability to produce ships that can muster enough defense to keep it safe and absorb the time limit is fine. Is it unethical? This is supposed to be a game, and players are given enough freedom to think and plan their strategies...

War is said to be exploitative, and there have been many instances when people are not treated ' humanely'. Is that reason enough to reflect real life examples into something as mundane as this game? Perhaps not.

Whatever...

Many Filipinos are super sensitive to criticism and they hold grudges. This apply especially to immature young teens or even adults who never had the chance to go outside the country and experience different cultures. But then again, even those who lived abroad tend to retain this sort of behavior...

In a war game like Galaxy 2.0; the fun gets 'obliterated' by people who take things too seriously.

Women, and I mean players who supposedly are women, talk too much. I love an intelligent conversation, but then again, please make it worth my while. You know who you are...

- - -

To Truce or Not To Truce: That is the question. I've been told to apply truce during sleep time. It's a strategy that works but do they really know if I'm sleeping or not? That should be the question.

- - -

Divine Commanders can suck too! I want to talk about commanders and its one hell of a topic to discuss.... So lemme collect my thought and post something worthwhile.

What it means to be VALIANT

Instinct. The ability to feel what is right and wrong. I use my instinct whenever I deal with people. I always allow them to talk first and listen. How people talk, the way they react and how they use words define them as a person. But sometimes, you get a lot of surprises. With the advent of social networking, and the re-definition of the global community, people on the net can be quite deceiving.

Playing this game is both a challenge and a reality check. You get to know people and how they tick. The choices of whom you associate yourself will define the future of your play.

The Corps: Belonging to a corps is an essential factor in survival. In this game, you survive by being able to face anyone head on. There are a lot of compromises, bargaining, terrorizing and maneuvers. Most of all, you need to spend money and buy MP. Anyone who tells me differently is either an idiot or poor (or both).

Screenshot of the Valiant Corps' Philosophy and Main Page

What makes Valiant different? Very simple. Players in the corps are allowed to have their own voices and giving everyone the chance to say what they want. It is this freedom that makes everyone equal.

There are leaders, of course, and followers. But this distinction is blurred when the benefits of everyone is at stake.

Fortune favors the brave, that's what I was told. Being VALIANT means being able to face anyone without blinking an eye.

We may not be the most skilled of players, or we may even be idiotic or naive in playing this game. But unity defines strength and that is something we have that others don't.

Tip #1 - Ship Modules' Order of Sequence

If you think you have designed the most awesome, powerful ships, then think again. I was told by certain top level players that there should be a sequence to follow the way you build your ships. You need to start with the engines. For apparent reasons, because engines define the ship's movements and in order for your ships to attack, it should be equipped with the best engines around. More of the order by which BPs are arranged below. Tell me if you think there is a better way, we can always update this list and make it more effective, accurate and helpful...

Tips courtesy of some friends at the US server....

Order things should be Placed, First to Last

1. Engines (Super Transmission engine, Team Combat Engine and Anti-Matter Engine)
AUX modules (Agility Booster, Infrared Scanner, ECM, Auto target System)
Gravity Maintenance Facility
Ship Reinforcement Facility
Shield Regenerator
Hull Maintenance Mechanic

2. Reflective Plating

3. Anti-Aircraft Cannon
Missile Interception
Fighter Interception Cabin
Powered Pulse Cannon
Ship based Weapons - Note that Ship based weapons act like interception modules with last tech

4. Daedalus Control System

5. Quick Reaction Armor

6. Extreme Counterattack
Energy Armor
Shield Modules (EOS, Heat... etc)

7. Energy Shield Booster

8. All Weapons Except Ship-Based Weapons which should be placed before reflective

*Modules Unaffected By Placement order:
Nano Station Warehouse
Station Warehouse
Atomic Framework
Orbital Shield

Order of placement of the modules is important due to the order of the calculations. For example the Daedulus module goes on before the EA module because it will negate 40% of damage whereas the EA module negates 45 points of damage. So it is more effective to have the daedulus negate 40% of total damage first, then the EA negate 45 points of damage per EA module.

The Battlefields - Warchild and ZoC versus Amper

Lessons in the battlefield: Some idiot observed that only cowards attack at the dead of night, or when the enemy sleeps... He probably has no fucking idea that war is when you least expect it. The best war strategists will tell you - never underestimate your enemies. It is during the most unexpected of times that they might attack, and using strategies you may not even be aware of.

When you get angry, you might as well accept defeat. It is during these times that you lost your composure and the ability to reason. Once logic is out of the equation, chaos comes in. But let us get back into the battle....

First Strike: At around 9 pm (Manila time), Warchild (Valiant) and ZoC (Valiant) launched a massive attack against Wrath leader, and Lt. Col Amper (Wrath), generally regarded as one of the leaders of that corps and of their alliance.

One lesson learned - always supply your fleets with much-needed HE3. Otherwise, you will have nothing but fleets that cannot move - and fire back. As they say in the States, you're a sitting duck. In tagalog, unutil ka, di mo kayang magka-anak. Baog!


Here's the result...

First Strike: The Battle @Planet Amper - Brainchild (Valiant) and ZoC (Valiant) enters Amper's domain and obliterate his fleets.

Why the attack? Very simple - when you want to cripple your enemies, you target his ship builders. It's common knowledge that Amper build and sell ships. What better way than to destroy the ship builder. Using the latest in advanced weaponry, the duo of Warchild and ZoC completely outperformed the sleeping giant (or college kid).

The response as they say is purely academic. Let's wait and see then, will there be a second round?

Untitled - Part One

Habang ikaw ay natutulog ng mahimbing
Isang halimaw ang sa iyo ay gigising
Ngunit wag ka ng magtaka
Hindi ito isang panaginip na ikaw ang bida

Akala mo siguro ay sikat ka na
Paksyet, ay! Nagkamali ka
Sige ituloy mo lang ang paggawa ng walang kwentang mong imbento
Isang putok lang yan sabog ka tarantado!

Wag ka ng matulog at ang planeta mo ay delikado
Naka truce kami, pano ka maghihiganti
Umiyak ka na lang, wala ka ng silbe
Hihirit ka pa ba? Sige

Kung minsan di mo alam na nakakatarantado ka na
Inisip mo ba na merong tinatawag na karma?
Gumawa ka man ng alts at sumali sa drama
Pera lang ang katapat mo pero bakit pa?

Ayusin mong maige ang binabalak mo
Umiyak ka na hanggat gusto mo
Pag narinig mo ang VALIANT
Para ng nasira buong araw mo

Pero cool ka lang, this is just a game
A game of deception, strategy, luck and fame
Rumesbak ka man, talo ka pa rin
Wala kang kaibigang kagaya ng nagmamahal sa akin

Dito lang sa VALIANT yan
Join ka na, alam kong gusto mo
Kahit spy ka man, baka ka lang bumaligtad
Makita mo ang tunay na samahan na super de kalidad

Nagmumura ka na ba tol?
Wag naman, para kang isang mabahong katol
Isipin mong this is just a game
and that you've lost all and the same.

The War has begun...

Valiant - the corps. What does it mean, as a word, as a term, as a warrior, as a player?

adjective

1. boldly courageous; brave; stout-hearted: a valiant soldier.

2.marked by or showing bravery or valor; heroic: to make a valiant effort.

3.worthy; excellent.


Notwithstanding the history surrounding the animosity between Wrath (and the Imperial Alliance) with Valiant, my corps - war has begun and we started it.

This is my first war and I love it. Don't ask me to blog in Tagalog, so fuck off!

As they say, the sweet smell of success is in the air. Shown below is the screenshot of the war result. Me and my friend, Grallohnll happens to team up for the attack.

As a slap on their faces, they announced a philosophy that says all warfare is based on deception. Deception is also based on perception and strategy and how you can take advantage of the situation.

So while sleeping like babies in the night, the Valiant warriors attacked and how they attacked! With blazing guns, with fire in their bellies and with the confidence to succeed. If you watched Troy, then you know what I'm talking about. The warhorse which was sent as a gift, is actually death in disguise. As their planets and people face death in the face, their world collapse into oblivion.

Wham!

Screenshot: War result between Phineas and Grallohnll versus Versatile @Planet Versatile.

Of course war is far from over. But the initial result in quite satisfying. Like a freshly opened wine from the cellar or ice cold beer.

Trash talkers can have their say, and oh say as you wish. The white flag at your planet is the indication of what has happened. Loser!