#Crosspath

[vansfriend]

Vans MTE Crosspath XC

[lozchic3]

Since I'm still thinking about the character stories and final main quest, I think I'll talk about all of them post true final boss. "Which character story was the best one?" tl;dr: It's subjective and there's a lot of- It's Partitio, hands down.

I think I'll go on OCTOPATH order just for simplicity's sake.

Ochette, the Hunter - I think Ochette's story sits somewhere in the middle of my mind. There's elements where I could tell they weren't 100% sure where to take it. Ochette by the end is a large reflection of the Beastlings and their existence. They're a race that is the aftermath of D'arqest's cruelty and (according to Shirlutta) justified punishment. I find her lacking any darkness within her as an interesting story beat, especially after everything she had seen on her journey. The fact that the game gives you a sidequest where Shirlutta slowly comes to terms with the lose of his friend, through anger and grief, and from learning human culture and emotion feels like this missing wedge that should have been present in her story. But instead acts almost as this late game reflection before the hammer of her crosspath pt 2 with Castti. I think out of anything I would have liked for them to keep up the theme of environmentalism that was suddenly dropped by the end. But I don't think her story was bad overall.

Castti Florenz, the Apothecary - Start to finish this story hit the ground running. I don't think there was a moment where I questioned the twists and turns. It wasn't deep but the profound nature present is the themes of her story. A lot of the story segments glitch when Castti starts remembering something important. Those early hints that she's struggling with her memory really played strongly to her story and overall character.

But what really heightened her story was watching her sheer determination in action despite everything and how the story is presented. Even at the fact of all odds against her, even without her memories, she still was willing to give it her best no matter what. All of that hitting a crescendo with Trousseau really heightens it. The ending being such an intense, almost theatrical set piece is what really makes her story a memorable one from the bunch.

Throné Anguis, the Thief - As easy as it would be for me to dismiss her story entirely as being bad, the issue to me isn't even that it was visibly clear they wanted to re-write Primrose's story from the first game. The core issue is unlike Castti's story where the fun is her determination, I'm watching Throné consistently being faced with worse revelations in nearly every chapter. The height of which included things like abuse, implied sexual assault, and torture.

There was a point I actually wanted to quit because of that too. A good story with a darker theme has some hope underlining it all. The reason Primrose's story was interesting to me is her goal was ultimately to rebuild her family's legacy once it was over. It made her revenge thrilling despite it all. Throné didn't even know she wanted to be free until Pirro's death and because of that it feels odder as her story progresses. Every reveal after that just continues to feel jarring especially after Claude.

I think the only highlight is any interaction she had with Temenos. She acted as a good foil to the detective's nonchalant attitude, and I think that hurts the most for me. I really wish her story was better but instead I get this dark garbage for the sake of a darker story.

Osvald V. Vanstein, the Scholar - When I first saw this character had not 1 but 2 chapters in the demo, I dropped everything to bum rush through both chapters. Even better when I realized he has two chapters to start off cause both is part of a prison break. I think that's what hooked me about Osvald from the start. He's a man who was unjustly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, specifically against his own family. And for years he has this budding rage over the man who gloated over his arrest. The twist of his daughter being alive and sparking new hope within him. The slow budding interest of his party from being completely disinterested to suddenly listening intently to them over anything.

It was fun watching Osvald go from cold, calculating prisoner to warm father who wants to ensure his daughter and friend's future are safe. Harvey also was a fun villain to bounce off him as his descent went from lauding over his self accomplishments to straight madness as he chewed into the carpet. I think even with the world building present, it's definitely top 3 favorite stories among the characters.

Partitio Yellowill, the Merchant - This stole the show for me. I think Partitio's chapters were always going to be a step above Tressa's from the first game. If only because the fun of Tressa's story was watching someone learn the art of the trade. So I was always curious to see what the next step above that would be. What I got was someone whose first chapter was a combined retelling of the gold rush era AND a worker's rebellion. HOT DOG! The Scent of Commerce quests prove how much knowledge Partitio has and his kindheartedness that he sees value not by a person's worth, but that everyone is important.

But at it's core, the strongest element of his story is how every chapter was a new theatrical set piece going forward. Chapter 2 having a full industrial complex and scaffolding to walk over really made me realize a core importance of the game really shines when it plays around with the environments. But his final chapter is where my jaw dropped. A speech by Roque Brilliante THE SELF PROCLAIMED CAPITALIST lauding over the "hard work endured before climbing to the top" while walking over a bridge to another building. I had to put my controller down to hear the full speech and I was so drawn by every, slimy ounce of it. That moment is where I realized a lot of the game's moments is really sold when it does these kind of set pieces. It brings life to the world and truly reveals the kind of stakes at hand in these moments. It's hands down why this is my favorite story among the batch. I really hope going forward Team Amano learned from this and expands more on story telling like this going forward.

Agnea Bristarni, the Dancer - I sincerely wasn't sure how to feel about Agnea's story after her first chapter. It wasn't a bad starting chapter. But my initial impression was that her story would fall similarly to Tressa's. Instead what I ended up getting wasn't a story about a newcomer serious about becoming a star. But a starlet showing off what her deceased mother had taught her, and watching her rival realize slowly what she had lost along the way. I think Dolcinaea from chapter 3 onward was a great antagonist. But the fact that it was not "entertainment for the sake of hope", it's "entertainment is needed even in the worst of times to keep us going" is something I feel is both needed as a message today and something that gets lost a lot of times. I think with that in mind, I did enjoy Agnea fulfilling her dream and showering hope and smiles to everyone.

Temenos Mistral, the Cleric - This is the character from the demo I started with, thought I was going to stick with, and then didn't once I jumped into the main game. The issue was simply mechanic wise he doesn't fire off strong. But his story from start to finish is a fun murder mystery throughout. I think my core issue with it isn't that it's clear the final main quest answers the true mastermind. But rather the mystery of his ability and small tidbits of his life are still missing by the end.

I think sans those unsolved mysteries, his story wasn't really a murder mystery at it's core. It was slowly watching someone accept grief and slowly unravel a mask they've put up for so long. Temenos Mistral at his core is a very somber cleric, who lost a father figure and friends I think he would consider brothers. All to a vile manipulator who didn't see him as a threat until the end. I think those elements and his crosspaths and interactions with Throné were one of the best in the game. But I do wish they expanded more with him.

Hikari Ku, the Warrior - I feel like I should start off as saying my demo impressions of Hikari were way off the mark. I kept thinking it would be the most on the nose Romance of the Three Kingdom retellings. Instead I got the most brutally on point depiction of war, classism, and how even hopeful ideals cannot change people if they've lived deeply with grief, prejudice and barely rest from a war-torn world. The only muddy part of his story is knowing A LOT of things didn't fire off until the very last chapter which ends up being a boss rush with barely a chance to save inbetween. And the fact that technically the conclusion isn't even within his own story but the final main quest.

I think that in itself was done purposely considering even Olberic in OT1's story tied deeply into the true final boss as well. Still I think a lot about the depictions of war present in Ku. How many people were effected or the fact the game doesn't shy away of calling an onslaught against the lower class as a brutal killing and Civil War. I really hope going into the next installment of the series they don't shy away from themes like this.

Journey for the Dawn - A mess overall. I think the issue is that this is from a series that hinged before on finishing whatever character story you want, and then tackling the true final boss as an option. The option was there for this quest. But from start to finish it existed to tie up loose ends present in all character stories and crosspaths. I think if I had glimpses of this anti-8 faction outside of Ori and Harvey I would have been sold more about it.

That said, I think this main quest's strongest points were it's finalization of things hinted at from different character stories. Ori being the self proclaimed "hound to Kazan's eagle" was such a fun reveal. This is again heightened by how the set design quality of scattering all her journal pages about worked favorably here. It showed a full arc of the way her life has been, her hatred of how Ku torn so many nations, her desire to keep appeasing her brother, and suddenly her hesitancy when she realizes Partitio is sincere. It fires off beautifully where the Sacred Flames' memory shows her hesitation and makes her small appearance in the epilogue somber yet happy ending. I can't help but to wish that she's found peace past her brother's death.

Even though I suspected Mindt early on, her reveal and twist of knife towards Temenos really sold her as an antagonist. It also left the final piece of "is Temenos holding in all of his grief?" in my mind. I kept thinking consistently in my playthrough how it almost feels like someone wants Temenos to purposely suffer. And the confirmation being "yes and it's someone closest to him" I think not only makes it worse, but really shows that Temenos' doubt hindered him from ever suspecting the closest person in his life. What was Temenos if not a very trusting and faithful clergyman underneath it all? So of course the leader of a heretical order bent on world destruction really makes a good counter to Temenos' MO. If anything the game really didn't want to answer if she was immortal or not.

Oboro also rounded off the final mystery of Ku and generally how many were effected by the end. I would not have expected Kazan of any foul play initially. His involvement with Mugen felt like a formality than anything. But seeing how his machinations fired off, even how he made sure to keep Ori away from Arcanette and even Claude for too long really showed this deep sense of caring. His despair isn't from not accepting the world. It's from how he's lived and the immense grief of living a life he feels can never change. Knowing that despite it all, he still considering Hikari's dream and still thought of it as he snuffed out the Sacred Flame really sets him as such a profound antagonist. So of course him flinging himself into Vide's flame, his final words being a challenge to the dawn everyone seeks really sets him a part from the rest in my mind.

And I think that's what really makes the journey overall. This challenge of ideals being ultimately tested by destruction incarnate.

But I think if Team Amano was to do something like this again, I'd want more inklings of a group like this in action. If only because Tanzy's reveal ends up being a tragi-comedy instead of the kind of tragedy for what it should be. And Petrichor just existed for the sake of being the anti-thesis to Ochette's core value. The epilogue at least finalizes the kind of victory earned from a battle that felt like the odds were stacked against the travelers.

Overall I feel there's no wrong answer for what is the best story of the bunch. If anything Octopath Traveler 2 as a sequel outshines 1 in ways I didn't think was possible. And it's because of that I'm excited to see what the next installment of this series will do.

[everythingwasalreadypicked]

"if there is one favour I can ask of you: please just stay safe." Al and Hecate 👉👈

Drabble Ask Game

Alabaster glanced at his siblings; hurrying along the edge of the battle lines to readjust their armour or catch a snack now that there was a lull in the war until the sun set. Deciding that they all would be fine for a while, he marched towards the lone figure who had just dismissed a group of empousai.

"General." The woman nodded, tilting her head.

"Lady Hecate." Alabaster straightened his back, "Your children are ready as ever, my lady."

"Wonderful," his mother smiled, tightening the straps of her dark, Stygian Iron chestplate.

"Let me?" Alabaster asked, brushing her hair off her shoulder to adjust the armour.

"Thank you, dear," His mom paused, a hand placed on top of his hair, "Is there anything I can do for—"

"If I may be bold enough to ask a favour?"

"You always have my favour. Shoot." Hecate raised his chin high with two fingers, "Is this how you kids say it..?"

"Yes, mom." Alabaster huffed, grinning.

"So?"

"Please..." He licked his lips, "Just stay safe?"

His mother arched her brows, "Stay safe. You do realise I am an immortal goddess, Gemstone?"

His face flushed. "I—"

"Are you doubting me, Alabaster?" She hissed, her eyes flashing a vibrant green.

"No!" He shook his head, stumbling backwards a few steps.

Lady Hecate's face softened, a smile growing on her lips as she clasped her hands in front, "You worry too much. Alabaster, what is it that plagues you so? Are you not clear in your crosspaths?"

"I am!" He met her eyes, his own blazing, "I am your sword and will on battlefield, Lady Mother."

"So loyal."

"I just," he mumbled, "What if something happens to you? I can't live without your guidance."

"I am immortal." His mother frowned, wrapping a piece of his side bangs around her finger.

Immortals could fade. They could be thrown to the deepest parts of Tartarus or be tied to rocks or under the sky for forever. Lord Kronos always was more volatile every time his former prison got mentioned.

"I know."

"Take a look at the mortals around us," Her voice mused, petting his head. "The entirety of Manhattan, asleep thanks to me. You want my guidance? Hold tight onto Atalus every time you wish so."

"Yes mother," Alabaster leaned into her touch, smirking, "Olympus can't even hold a candle to your torches."

She let out a short laugh. "Now. We have a war to win and enemies to crush, don't we?"

Camp Half-Blood wouldn't even know what hit them.

[beatricebidelaire]

how does ellington feel about kit and her involvement in vfd? she must've deduced that kit's part of vfd too. when they're on the train and escaped together, perhaps that didn't matter that much. perhaps one forms a bond, an experience like that. but what about afterward, if they had the chance to cross paths, if they meet again? does that affect how ellington see her, especially once she realizes kit's loyalty, or how much kit's actions are all about vfd? does she overlook it, pretend she doesn't see it? it's ignorable if they don't see each other too often. pretends when they crosspaths that kit's not running some kind of vfd mission, even though she likely is. does she wonder, if people might get hurt because of kit's actions, does she wonder what secrets kit is keeping, or does she not let herself think about it?

does ellington read about the name beatrice, in the newspapers? daily punctilio theater column written by lemony snicket. maybe she doesn't want to read anything by lemony, but occasionally she heard discussions about it. she'll be sitting in a cafe in the city and the table a few feet away is talking about the dramatic critic with a citrus name praising this legendary actress beatrice. does she wonder, what kind of person this beatrice person is? does she wonder if beatrice and kit know each other?

[xamaxenta]

its my birthday! Not that anything is different lol but if you have any thoughts on MAS I would love it. (I still don't feel like an adult lol)

Awa hAPPY BIRTHDAY ANON! 🎉🎉🎉

Have a wonderful day, even if it doesnt feel like anything is different adulthood creeps up and decapitates you with a shovel, but, honestly as long as you know how to behave in a professional setting versus private who says you have to grow up?

My dumbass hasnt and i plan on being a weebaas neet until the day i die

Anyway MAS thoughts on anons birthday i was pondering the charts

Thought about another oh yes another God au 😭😂 but this time theyre all separate gods from different? I guess faiths or parts of the world but they can interact I guess bc as long as they have followers why not? Theyre powerful, have those that believe so they crosspaths at the divine convention the deity summit the place where most godkind flaunt their best traits to prove a point

Marco is quite old, ancient even, hes’s feathers and talons and hand forged metal and carries the scent of the crispest breeze and medicinal herbs

Sabo is more medieval, he’s a champion, built by mankind to hoist the flag of their hopes and dreams, hes freedom, if the wings sprouting from his back mean anything at all tall black raven wings hes judgement too, golden hair and the balance of mortality measuring ones worth in the split of his body because hes destruction and mercy

Ace is the most modern of the three, a real marvel born of blood and iron, hes not sure what his purpose is just yet because the one that made him was said to have died at his birth, but he knows he has faith because their prayer fuels his fire, hes the suns rays with dawn bright hair that flickers and flutters around his face like perpetual wind, hes confidence inspiring and the incarnation of doing what the heart desires

Anyway god gay time obviously

[sneakerscartel]

Vans Evolves Its Style Offerings with the All-Terrain MTE Crosspath

[piristephes]

Senhora que se envereda nas trevas Portadora da luz, dos começos e fins Já me encontro contigo neste mês findando A luz do outro breve se mostrando Rainha com Hermes na encruzilhada Hécate das bruxas, amiga da casa Venha hoje aqui, amada e honrada Sabendo que teu devoto agradece a estrada Que levou-o a ti, diante de teu altar Com amor no peito, singelo e sem par.

english:

Mistress who walks among the dark Light-bearing One, bringer of beginnings and endings I find myself with thee in this waning month The light of another soon shows itself Queen along Hermes on the crosspaths Hekate of witches, friend to my home Come closer here, beloved and honoured Knowing thy devotee, thankful for the road That guided them to thee, next to thy shrine With love on the chest, proper and of simple mind.

[vansfriend]

[lozchic3]

Ochette Chapter 3 - Final

I think this one might officially trump the previous boss on ease. The only issue going in is you are going to have every party member in this fight get hit with an attack that leaves them at 1HP for story reasons. And depending on what is followed afterwards can and will cause a KO. So you don't want to be lower than 50 here, a lil over 45 is pushing it. On top of that, you definitely want to have Castti for this fight with the kind of status effects and party wide attacks that can happen.

Past that I think every boss fight until this one is far harder in terms of the scale and preparation involved. Unlocking Arcanist and/or Conjurer can also trivialize this fight too. I think both makes it easy in different ways but especially Conjurer for the potential to have chaser shots after breaking shields. So this ended up being a welcome breather versus everyone else's final boss fights to date.

Lore wise, I think this has the final puzzle piece to the overarching lore.

Hidden away somewhere on the island is a gate to another world. Every 400 years, the Night of the Scarlet Moon happens which is actually a lunar eclipse and The Shadow breaches in from another world.

The Shadow itself isn't described again like previous mentions but the fact it comes from another world means there has to be a gate between worlds on the island. And that also feels like it's not a perfect gate if this has been an ongoing issue for every warden before Juvah as well.

Story wise, Cohazeh coming back just to angerily mention territory dispute and then get humbled very quickly by shadows pouring out because of the Scarlet Moon felt like a last minute edition. I think it had to happen too as Ochette's journey up until now was about her realizing what it means to be a hunter and why it's important to her, not just as a duty. Cohazeh was like a minor wall where her initial thought was "well humans are like that I guess." Where her journey proved through so many different friendly faces and different conflicts. It ends up feeling as if before the fight, she grew up and realized what it means.

The boss fight being the polar opposite of the companion choice from ch 1 is a nice reflection on that. For me it was the Mamaowl but I do wonder if the Jackal in the opposite end has the same lines too. Overall I think it ended nicely for Ochette.

One last note: The Dark Hunter effected all of the legendary beasts in different ways. I think it's possible the Dark Hunter still exists. The problem is idk who it could be. On the other end, the marks and scars on the Shadow Beast/Companion means that someone must have abused it for 10 years since it fled. I get the sense the source of that might be Harvey considering the timeframe but I guess I'll know in time.

And of course, the "warmth and bright flame" was described as the first flame here. So I wonder if all 8 travelers has the same as well.

[gorillageek27]

I thought about Shimo and Godzilla crosspaths with each other, but the tensions are amusing yet heavy. Godzilla would've want Shimo to stay below Hollow Earth rather than in surface, and Shimo was curious about the sudden changes of the world on her thousands of years absences and longing freedom.

Shimo: so godzilla, what has happened in my absence

Godzilla: eh, nothing much really. Humans now have food delivery servcies, so thats nice.

[nintendouniverse2023]

I have been wanting to draw Pony Counterparts of Mario and Sonic for a while so here I was thinking about what their adventures would be like?

"What if Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog exist in My Little Pony"

Mario Jr Earth Pony: Mario, his younger twin brother Luigi and Youngest Sister Mara lived in New Hoofville with their family. They have childhood rivals like their Cousions Wario and Waluigi and Sometimes Sonic before he moved away. The Mario Siblings have been together through the years. When Mario the only one reasonable, always prepared and distain for a challenge with the outside world even when He and Luigi got jobs as Plumbers.

One Day, Mario along with Luigi and Mara decied to leave New Hoofville in able to see the world, but not before they soon met Yoshi the dragon and rescues him which Yoshi decided to tag along. Upon strange and unusual land filled with magic and even stranger people and creatures to a Kingdom. Where they were attack by Kirin part Dragon like Monsters they fought their way through to survive. They soon meet the Toads who‘s Alicorn Princess called Peach Toadstole was kidnapped by Bowser king of the Half Kirin Half Dragon called Koopas. Mario destine to go out and see the world with Luigi and Mara would then save Princess Peach from Bowser, They along the way with allies and enemies, gaining weapons, power-ups and more to rescue his brother and the princess. After which he goes to Bowser‘s castle and Princess Peach,

They defeated Bowser and becomes the heroes of the Mushroom kingdom with his brother and sister. Princess Peach and The Toads built Mario and Luigi a house to live in and with a thank you cake baked by Peach. Mario reailly enjoys his life now in the Mushroom Kingdom working as the plumber and espacilly got along with Princess Peach. Soon Mario and his sibs would fight against Bowser again who threatened any type of Equastria Terriories and would later crosspaths with The Mane 6 and The Freedom Clan.

Sonic the Pegasus: Sonic born with Sonia and Manic at a orphanage at New Hoofville. Scene Sonic was the oldest he done anything just to keep them safe, even up aganst The Mario Siblings before be moved to Mobius Kingdom at age of 15. It was then he had to step-up with the Freedom Clan when Evil Griffons Army arrived on Mobius Kingdom and started to take over using their deadly tatic. During the battle, Sonic learned that he was reailly fast and could easily defeat them in a flash speed combat. After the Griffin Army was defetaed, Sonic earned a reputation has a Hero of Mobius Kingdom.

Sonic's life have began to turn things around now as he became a very proud hero with pride. He became good friends witha few members there like Sally the Princess of Mobius Kingdom, Antonieo, Rouge, Hoofbot *Rabbot Pony Counterpart*, Rotro *Kirin*, Rouge the Pony Bat, Belle, Dr Robotnik before he gone mad and His new found love intrest Amy Rose. Sonic still likes to have fun and hang out with his siblings, he continued to help to use his power to help others.

This would be when those days when Mushroom, Canterlot and Mobius Kingdom would crosspatch's with each other and learned about their teamwork, Meeting Tails, Learning the Truth behind the Mobius King and Dr Robotnik ends up betraying Mobius Kingdom.

Hope you all like it ~ ❤️💙⭐

[sonicasura]

Another thought about the Ratchet and Clank/ Pokemon Crossover

I can totally see Orvus knowing about Dialga and Palkia. I feel like when creating The Great Clock both would undoubtly crosspaths at some point.

Orvus definitely did. I won't be surprised if Dialga assisted in the Great Clock's creation. Time is an important aspect to maintaining the universe and the Steel/Dragon Type respected the royal Zoni's goal in giving it support.

I also see Clank being told about Dialga too by Sigmund. How the two came up with ways to properly handle errors in the time stream and these rules/methods still being used to this day. Akin to Temporal Tower from Mystery Dungeon.

[themarysuep]

i wish yelena and kate would cross paths again but they seem to be going in different directions, unless somehow the young avengers and thunderbolts crosspaths. bc that would be some unhinged chaos.

I agree but never say never with Marvel.

On another note Thunderbolts vs Young Avengers/ Champions has so much potential. Thunderbolts seem to be a questionable team so YA/C clashing with them seem likely.

Yelena and Kate facing off would be awesome. But Kamala herself has someone in her life who would make a great member of Thunderbolts- Kamran. There were rumors that Valentina would mention that she considered recruiting Kamran in earlier scripts since he fits the bill. Powers, wronged by the govt, bit of a temper and a dark side. But ofc the MCU seems to want him to stay a hero if he continues appearing.

Though Kate and Kamala the leaders of Young Avengers and Champions facing off with Thunderbolts while having a history with two members would be such a cool concept for their project.

And we have to be honest, both teams would be unhinged. And they'd be yelling and it'd a blast.

[cosmicmote]

Crosspaths

there is no fork

in these crosspaths,

the hands we've held,

so over the telephone,

they came right over

waves vibrating

well down the lines

original painting, this started as a quick doodle in Black Ink and turned into something more, with additional photographs layered in. there's a second version of this I'll post later, but mostly it's just a different frame.

graphic and words ©spacetree 2024

[sugariimarii]

Uhhhhh so... bloons am I right? Alright, talked about it last post, and I actually do intend on following up on the silliness that is me talking about towers and their strengths and weaknesses, both 'cause it is indeed actually quite fucking fun AND I get to hear myself talk for awhile, so a win win really. Just know I probably won't do this very often, mostly because of how goddamn complicated this all is. Bloons isn't the deepest Tower Defence game out there, but there's still a lot to talk about with each towers, like crosspathing and synergies with other towers, and that takes a lot of brainpower for me because I am not smart in the slightest!

As some notes before I jump into all this, I wanna say that I am NOT a bloons expert. I play BTD6 pretty regularly and can play it well, but I am the type who still struggles with elite bosses (I'm bad at farming). I do however play a ton on CHIMPS, and I'm MOSTLY gonna be talking about the towers in the context of CHIMPS games. That doesn't mean I'll talk about them only in that context, but know that is the main perspective I am speaking of any tower on. I also wanna note that when I say late game, I mean Rounds 80-100, and I'll use the term "aftergame" for anything post 100.

That said, Dart Monkey! Silly creature, and suprsingly a very good tower overall! The biggest positive I can give Dart Monkey overall is how fucking cheap the bastard is, being the cheapest tower in the game to place down. Aside from middle path, you aren't really gonna be breaking the bank to get T5's (Or T4's) with the little fella. They are also great in the early game no matter what path you go, though I personally think one is the obvious pick of the bunch.

That cheapness wouldn't really matter too much if the tower didn't have good damage it could deal and honestly, only one path is kinda consistently good at that? Not to devalue the other paths or say they don'tdo at least alright damage, but there's one specific path with Dart that's very apparent in being the best in most situations, due to how well it carries into late game and it being relatively cheap for how fucking powerful it is. It's ironically its biggest weakness in my eyes, but I'll get to that momentarily; got two other paths to talk about afterall.

Top Path Dart sucks in most situations!

It's big draw (aside from being the cheapest of the three paths) is that it increases the pierce of the darts before lobbing spiked balls of death at the bloons, with each upgrade letting the ball last longer, before the T5 makes it a giant ball that explodes into smaller balls upon hutting any obstacle/the edge on the screen. I think the biggest positive is that the path overall is super cheap and is good at early game defense, and could even crush Round 63 in the right circumstances. It's also a god at smashing cermrics, seemingly making them evaporate on touch, can pop all bloon types (minus camo) with just a 500, and has some excellent pierce to it. However, there's a lot of issues with said path.

The tower does NOT scale well to later rounds on most maps. It's alright at dealing with anything but MOAB class bloons, so it starts drowning as the game goes on. It just doesn't have the raw damage to keep up overtime. It also plays best when it's placed with at the end of a straight line, which while that works out well on beginner maps, it's basically almost impossible to find on some harder maps, meaning it's gonna fail about and pray that it can hit something.

On top of that, the whole "breaking out into more balls" gimmick the 5xx Dart has is basically useless on basically all maps, due to the balls bursting in cone formation, meaning the balls quickly spread out and do almost no additional damage to shit like MOABs.

There are some positives though. This tower, if used on a map that's really inclosed (like Cornfield or Encrypted), can fucking DEMOLISH almost anything that gets near it. That cone shape doesn't matter too much in a small location, and combine that with it constantly shooting? The damage does actually quite stack up and makes it a real damn threat. It's a very situational tower in that regard, being only really good on a handful of maps, but man does it makes those maps it's bitch.

As for crosspathing, objectively speaking, Middle is 99% of the time the best way to go with this one. Sure it can't hit camo, but that's nothing some other monkeys can't help with (or just use a village). A 502 is viable in certain situations (ie its your main defence but you can’t get a village near it), but just go with faster attack speed if you really wanna melt some fuckers.

The biggest positive/negative about Top Path is its situational uses. On certain maps, it will fuck up the bloons in worse ways than the other two paths can ever dream of. On basically every other map, the other two paths are fucking LEAGUES better than it. It's really only a tower I can recommend only if you are using it on certain maps... with that said, I love this path all the same. Is it bad? Mostly yes. Is it fucking fun to use? HELL YEAH IT IS. Nothing more satisfying than seeing this really mediocre tower shread through higher layered bloons like its nothing. Personally, I think this path is very fun to use in a "can I get away playing like this?" sort of way, where you try to push yourself to the limit. And as one final positive, it's dirt cheap for a T5! Only around 18K on Hard pricing iirc, so it won't even really break the bank to get.

Overall, Top Path Dart is a guilty pleasure of mine, but can be a legitimately great tower on the right map. I wouldn't really seriously recommend it otherwise, but maybe use it to have some fun once in awhile. Could be a nice shake up to most of the bog standard strats.

I'll cover the middle path sometime later, this was a lot more writing than I expected tbh. I hope yall enjoyed reading this. If I got anything wrong or you didn't like reading it for whatever reason, I will NOT be taking criticism! (I am joking please tell me if I fucked up or how I could do better, love this sort of thing).

Thanks for reading, yall the real ones :3c

[tokakualmiraj]

🎤 mikaphone - You know what? I'm saying this here so chat sees it.

I have no romantic interest in Tomo. Yes, I think he's incredibly funny and kind and talented. Yes, I enjoy every second we spend together. And yes, I could even go as far to say that he's one of my favourite people.

But all of that's completely platonically!!! The only thing here I love is his crosspathing choices. Not him.

[Tomo's eyes are wide, his ears pointing up.]

wait, you really mean all that?