#featuring multiple chars to choose from including

[freyayuki]

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Select

The Fireworks Festival event just started in the Final Fantasy Record Keeper (#ad) (FFRK) mobile game. As part of the festivities, several banners have shown up featuring lots of relics, including several new ones for a variety of characters.

There are 5 Fireworks Festival banners in total. There’s a Stamp Sheet associated with these banners. You get a Stamp each time you pull on any one of these banners. 

You get different things depending on the number of Stamps you have. Here’s a list of the prizes or rewards:

1 Stamp: 5000 Gysahl Greens

2 Stamps: 50 of each 4-star Mote

3 Stamps: 50 of each Major Orb

4 Stamps: 50 of each 5-star Mote

5 Stamps: Bartz Klauser’s (from Final Fantasy V) Cosmic Traveler Wardrobe Record

6 Stamps: 1 free Ultra Soul Break (USB) pick

7 Stamps: 10 of each Crystal

8 Stamps: 1 free Glint Soul Break (G) or Legend Materia Relic (LMR) pick

9 Stamps: 10 of each Crystal

10 Stamps: 1 free Synchro Arcane Soul Break (SASB) pick

11 Stamps: 10,000 Gyashl Greens

12 Stamps: 10,000 Gyashl Greens

13 Stamps: 50 of each 5-star Mote

14 Stamps: 60 Rainbow Crystals

15 Stamps: 1 free Awakened Arcane Soul Break (AASB) pick

16 Stamps: 10,000 Gyashl Greens

17 Stamps: 15,000 Gyashl Greens

18 Stamps: 10 of each Crystal

19 Stamps: 60 Rainbow Crystals

20 Stamps: 250 Anima Lens+

For the free relic picks, you can choose from a curated list so, unfortunately, not everything’s available.

There’s also a Stamp Sheet that’s only for each of the fest banners, meaning you’ll only fill out the sheet if you pull on the fest banner it’s associated with. Here’s a list of the rewards you can get with this Stamp Sheet:

1 Stamp: 1000 Gysahl Greens

2 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

3 Stamps: 1000 Gysahl Greens

4 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

5 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

6 Stamps: 2000 Gysahl Greens

7 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

8 Stamps: 2000 Gysahl Greens

9 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

10 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

11 Stamps: 1000000 Gil

12 Stamps: 3000 Gysahl Greens

13 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

14 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

15 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

16 Stamps: 1500000 Gil

17 Stamps: 3000 Gysahl Greens

18 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

19 Stamps: 3000 Gysahl Greens

20 Stamps: 1 free new relic pick

The new relic pick refers to all the new relics on each of the fest banners. So you need to pull 20 times on 1 fest banner to be able to get one of the new relics there.

I talk more about this in another post but I pulled up to 10 times on 4 of the 5 fest banners so I could get the Sync select reward on the Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Ultra Soul Break Pick

Not all relics may be available for the Stamp Sheet picks, but there’s still a lot to choose from. 

To make things even just a little bit easier for me, I removed the relics that can be bought from the The Record Lab with Anima Lenses and then only considered the remaining USBs if I have at least an Awakened Arcane Soul Break (AASB) or a Synchro Arcane Soul Break (SASB) for the char they belong to. 

Here’s what I have left to choose from:

Minwu’s (from Final Fantasy II) USB3, Bright Sigil

Have his AASB and USB2. His USB3 will be available in the next update to the The Record Lab so I can just buy it from there using Anima Lenses. Minwu deals holy damage although he isn’t all that exceptional. 

I’ve used him a few times as an additional DPS. But I recently just got another Awakening for Hope Estheim (from Final Fantasy XIII). Already have his other AASB. He’s way better than Minwu, especially since I now have 2 BDL relics for him. In short, Minwu’s out.

Emperor’s (from Final Fantasy II) USB3, Kaiser Wave

Actually only have his USB1, USB2, and Burst Soul Break 2 (BSB2) but a lot of his relics can be bought from the The Record Lab, including his magical earth Chain Soul Break (CSB) and AASB1. The effects of Kaiser Wave are pretty good:

Deal ten magic dark, earth, and wind attacks to one enemy, temporarily lower its dark, earth, and wind resistance levels by 2, remove delay from all allies' actions for one turn, and temporarily grant the user Tri-Element Mode.

So if I ever get the Emperor’s Awakening and Chain, this USB will be very useful, especially if I manage to pull his other BDL relics as well. I don’t know about getting Kaiser Wave right now though since I’m reluctant to spend the Lenses needed to buy his CSB and AASB1. 

The good news is that this USB will be available in the next Lab update so maybe I’m better off just waiting to get it then, assuming I’m still interested. Hmm. Guess I need to think about this some more. 

Refia’s (from Final Fantasy III) USB2, Forge Pillar

Only have her AASB1. She’s a physical fire attacker but my physical fire team is already really stacked so she has no place there even if I luck into her AASB2 and Sync. In short, she’s also out.

Tellah’s (from Final Fantasy IV) USB2, Grand Astron

Have his AASB1, USB1, Super Soul Break (SSB), Unique Soul Break 1, LMR2, and LMR3. He has a magical earth Chain but unfortunately, it’s not Lensable. Don’t see myself using him with just this so looks like he’s out too.

Yuffie Kisaragi’s (from Final Fantasy VII) USB4, Improvised Camouflage

Have a few of her relics, including her physical water AASB and her physical water CSB. Her USB4 mostly just deals damage so not really interested in it. 

Besides, she’s too busy casting her Chain and then her Awakening so she won’t have time to use this and I do already have a USB for her. Also, this one will be available in the next Lab update so she’s out too.

Shelke Rui’s (from Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII) USB2, Transparent Spark

Have her AASB1, CSB (for the lightning element), Glint Soul Break (G), and LMR1. Her USB2 can imperil lightning but it will be available in the next lab update so maybe I can just wait for that. 

Also, I’m still trying to decide if she should be my lightning Chain holder or not. Will need to think about this some more.

Freya Crescent’s (from Final Fantasy IX) USB3, Sandstorm Lance

Have 1 of her Awakenings and 2 of her LMRs. She’s a physical wind attacker but my physical wind team is already really stacked so she has no place there, especially since I don’t even have her Sync and her other AASB. So meh. She’s out too.

Larsa Ferrinas Solidor’s (from Final Fantasy XII) USB3, Potion Shower

Only have his AASB1 but most of his relics are already Lensable. The notable ones that aren’t are his Sync and second AASB. His USB3 is really good:

Instantly restore a large amount of HP to all allies, temporarily increase their critical hit damage, and reduce delay of their actions for two turns. 

Kinda interested in getting this now although it will be available in the next Lab update. Larsa’s a healer slash support and he can easily cast esuna on the entire party. With his AASB1 and USB3, he’ll be usable enough if I also Lens his Glint+ that grants the party Protect, Shell, and Haste. 

But I don’t know. I do already have a lot of other supports and healers so it’s not like I really need him and I can just wait for the Lab update. But his USB3 seems way better than the other options I’ve seen so far.

Aranea Highwind’s (from Final Fantasy XV) USB2, Twice the Jump

Have her AASB, USB1, Overstrike Soul Break (OSB), and LMR2. I think I’m gonna need more BDL relics for her to make her usable. Her USB2 seems okay enough but meh. I’d say she’s out too.

Queen’s (from Final Fantasy Type-0) USB2, Spark Dash

Only have her Burst Soul Break (BSB) and physical lightning CSB but her Awakening is Lensable. Her USB2 deals damage and has decent enough effects and it won’t be available in the next Lab update. 

I’m thinking of Lensing her Awakening. The reason I haven’t done so is because I still sometimes throw Realm/Elemental x11 tickets on the Final Fantasy Type-0 realm banner so I could end up with more of her relics from there. 

Her USB2 might be there as well so I don’t know. Need to think about this some more.

Here’s a quick list of my USB choices without the descriptions:

Minwu USB3

Emperor USB3

Refia USB2

Tellah USB2

Yuffie USB4

Shelke USB2

Freya USB3

Larsa USB3

Aranea USB2

Queen USB2

I’ve now narrowed my choices down to the following:

Emperor USB3 - the imperils on this USB are quite tempting. With this, his CSB, and AASB, he should be usable enough

Shelke USB2 - with this USB, she can imperil lightning while also being my Chain holder. She can even help contribute some damage with her AASB

Larsa USB3 - this USB is really good for physical DPS 

Queen USB2 - if I get her Awakening, she can be one of my lightning DPS instead of my Chain holder

Okay, let’s try to take a closer look at each of these chars and their relics.

Emperor’s USB3 imperils dark, earth, and wind but his Chain is for the earth element so I’m more likely to use him on a magical earth team, especially since I can only buy 1 BDL relic for him. After taking a closer look at the Ultras I have for the Emperor, I saw that his USB1 imperils earth. 

His USB3 is still better but his USB1 will work well enough if we’re just talking about lowering an enemy’s resistance to the earth element. 

Also, his Lensable Awakening isn’t that good because it doesn’t give him any elemental infusion. At this point, I think I’m better off just waiting for the Lab update or looking for other imperil options.

As for Shelke and Queen - well, right now, my physical lightning party consists of  the following chars:

Delita Heiral (from Final Fantasy Tactics) as my main DPS with his Sync and AASB

Prompto Argentum (from Final Fantasy XV) as my secondary DPS with his Sync and AASB although I have his physical lightning CSB so he could be my Chain holder

Tyro (from Final Fantasy Record Keeper) as my support

Lenna Charlotte Tycoon (from Final Fantasy V) as my healer

either Queen or Shelke as my Chain holder

Prompto can imperil lightning too. He’s really more of a support but I’ve turned him into my secondary DPS because he’s the only other char I have who has 2 BDL relics for lightning. 

If I had someone else to be a DPS, then Prompto can be my Chain holder while also being able to imperil lightning and even contribute some damage with the rest of his relics. 

I was hoping for Queen to be my secondary DPS since I heard she can be really good if she has her Awakening and Sync but since I’ve yet to get either, she’s stuck being my Chain holder.

Since I’m still using tickets on the Final Fantasy Type-0 realm banner, I think I shouldn’t get Queen’s USB now since I might just end up getting a dupe later on. I think I shouldn’t go for Shelke either since I do already have Prompto who can imperil lightning even while he’s acting as my secondary DPS. 

So that leaves me with Larsa. I don’t think I’ll be using him that often and his USB will be available in the next Lab update but well, who else am I supposed to pick? 

He seems to be the most viable and useful option here. At least I can use him for all my physical teams and not just for 1 single element like most of the choices here.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Glint Soul Break or Legend Materia Relic Pick

For the Glints and LMRs, here’s the list I’m trying to choose from:

Cait Sith’s (from Final Fantasy VII) LMR+, Hstening (Cait Sith)

Have all of Cait Sith’s important relics, including his Awakening which I’ve max honed so it can be used twice per fight instead of just once. He’s one of the premier supports for magic and mind-based DPS. 

Have all of his LMRs except for this one. Currently, I have him equipped with his LMR and LM2 (Legend Materia 2). Here are their effects:

LM2, Courage Boost:

Moderate chance to restore a small amount of HP to all allies when a dancer ability triggers.  

LMR, Divided Loyalties:

Reduce delay of the user's actions for three turns at the start of battle.

LMR+, Hastening (Cait Sith):

Cause every third dancer or bard ability used by the user to reduce delay of the user's actions for three turns.

I guess if I get his LMR+, it would replace his LMR since it’s only useful for the first 3 turns of a fight. Then again, Cait already works well enough with what I already have for him. 

Not sure how important his LMR+ is. I’ll see the rest of my options first. If there’s nothing else that might be better or more useful, I could just pick this.

Fujin’s (from Final Fantasy VIII) LMR+, Onslaught (Fujin)

Have a lot of her relics, including her magical wind CSB and one of her AASBs. Her LMR+ gives a “moderate chance” for a follow-up ability to trigger and deal damage so it could be useful.

Kiros Seagill’s (from Final Fantasy VIII) LMR+, Subversion (Kiros)

Only have his AASB. His LMR+ will imperil ice after the third time he uses an ice ability so it’s pretty useful but since I don’t even have his Sync, don’t really see myself using him on my physical ice team.

Lion’s (from Final Fantasy XI) LMR+, Subversion (Lion)

Like with Kiros, I only have Lion’s AASB. Her LMR+ is also the same as Kiros’s except it’s for the water element.

Cid Raines’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) LMR+, Hastening (Cid Raines)

Have 2 BDL relics for him - his Sync and one of his AASBs. His LMR+ is the same as Cait Sith’s except his applies to dark or holy abilities.

Aranea Highwind’s (from Final Fantasy XV) LMR+, Onslaught (Aranea)

Well, I already turned down her USB so doing the same to this.

Dr. Mog’s (from Final Fantasy Record Keeper) Glint+ Soul Break 2 (G+2), Royal Resourcefulness

Have a few of his relics, including one of his Awakenings. Already have his G+1 and one of his Glints so I don’t think I really need this one as well.

Scott’s (from Final Fantasy II) G+, Hungry for Battle

Have his AASB and USB but he’s a physical fire attacker so I don’t see him making it into my already stacked fire team, especially since I’m missing his Sync.

Tellah’s (from Final Fantasy IV) G+2, Sage’s Will

His G+2 instantly increases his Soul Break gauge by 2 which would be really useful if I had more of his relics.

Galuf Halm Baldesion’s (from Final Fantasy V) G+2, King of Bal

Have a few of his relics, including both of his Awakenings. His G+2 temporarily lowers the earth resistance of one enemy.

Celes Chere’s (from Final Fantasy VI) G+2, Invincible Swordplay

Celes Chere’s (from Final Fantasy VI) G+3, Blade of Holy Binding

Have 1 of her Awakenings and Syncs as well as her physical ice Chain. Her G+3 is for the holy element so this one’s out since I only have her ice relics. Her G+2 grants all allies a magic barrier and temporarily increases the amount of gauge she gets if she deals weakness damage.

Gau’s (from Final Fantasy VI) G+2, Feral Rampage

Have one of his Awakenings, Glint and LMR. Gonna need more of his BDL relics to really make him usable.

Yuffie Kisaragi’s (from Final Fantasy VII) G+2, Earth Veil Slam

Yuffie’s G+2 is for the earth element but I only have her water relics so this one’s out.

Angeal Hewley’s (from Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII) G+2, Warrior's Dignity

Have his AASB, Sync, and Limit Break Overstrike (LBO). His G+2 will give him an empowered infusion for either the wind or holy elements. 

Shelke Rui’s (from Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII) G+, Amber Eyes

This one will give Shelke an empowered infusion for the lightning element.

Rinoa Heartilly’s (from Final Fantasy VIII) G+3, Sublime Sorcery

Have a few of her relics, including her ice AASB. Gonna need more of her BDL relics to make her usable.

Kiros Seagill’s (from Final Fantasy VIII) G+, Switch Reduction

This gives Kiros either an empowered infusion for the dark or ice elements.

Yuna’s (from Final Fantasy X) G+2, Yearning Prayer

Have a few of her relics, including one of her AASBs and her magical holy Chain. Her G+2 will instantly fill her Soul Break gauge by 2.

Shantotto’s (from Final Fantasy XI) G+, Thrills and Spills!

Have a few of her relics, including her True Arcane Soul Break (TASB). Don’t have her AASB but it’s Lensable. Her Sync is one of the choices for this fest’s Stamp Sheet Sync select. 

Am actually thinking about acquiring both but I’m not sure yet. If I do get those 2 relics though, then this G+ will be of use. 

Cid Raines’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) G+, Seraphic Shift

This one gives him empowered infusion for either the dark or holy elements.

Thancred Waters’s (from Final Fantasy XIV) G+, Kassatsu

Ths only BDL relic I have for him is his Sync so I don’t see him being usable with just that.

Aranea Highwind’s (from Final Fantasy XV) G+2, Soaring Heights

This might be an option if I had more of her useful relics like her Sync.

Cor Leonis’s (from Final Fantasy XV) G+, Lucian Might

The only BDL relic I have for him is his AASB so meh.

Ardyn Izunia’s (Ardyn Lucis Caelum from Final Fantasy) G+, Implacable Ruler

The only BDL relic I have for him is his AASB. Really wish I have his Sync. 

Delita Heiral’s (from Final Fantasy Tactics) G+, Meager Ambition

This one will give Delita empowered infusion for either the holy, fire, lightning, or ice elements.

Alma Beoulve’s (from Final Fantasy Tactics) G+, Sister’s Prayer

The only notable relic I have for her is her Awakening. She’s a healer. Her G+ grants the party Protect, Shell, and Haste. From looking at the rest of her relics, she doesn’t really seem like a good healer.

Here’s a list of my choices without the descriptions:

Cait Sith LMR+

Fujin LMR+

Kiros LMR+

Lion LMR+

Cid Raines LMR+

Aranea LMR+

Dr. Mog G+2

Scott G+

Tellah G+2

Galuf G+2

Celes G+2

Celes G+3

Gau G+2

Yuffie G+2

Angeal G+2

Shelke G+

Rinoa G+3

Kiros G+

Yuna G+2

Shantotto G+

Cid Raines G+

Thancred G+

Aranea G+2

Cor G+

Ardyn G+

Delita G+

Alma G+

Argh! So much for trying to narrow things down. There’s still way too many to choose from. How am I supposed to pick? 

On a side note, I really hate how we have the same select for Glints and LMRs. Why can’t we have 1 select for Glints and another for LMRs like how it is with USBs and Syncs? 

As it is, I also have to decide if it’s better to get an LMR or a Glint. But first I really need to narrow down this list some more. Right. Let’s remove the Glints and LMRs for chars who only have 1 BDL relic with maybe a few exceptions. 

Let’s also remove the ones that don’t have any synergy with the relics I already have for the char in question. Now we’re left with the following:

Cait Sith LMR+

Fujin LMR+

Cid Raines LMR+

Galuf G+2

Celes G+2

Angeal G+2

Yuna G+2

Shantotto G+

Cid Raines G+

Delita G+

Much better but still need to narrow this down some more.

Cait Sith LMR+

He’s on all my magical teams and I already have most of his relics. If I get his LMR+, it should see a lot of use, unless his LMR turns out to be better.

Fujin LMR+

She’s on my magical wind team. I have her focused on casting her Chain but she can contribute a bit of damage with her AASB. Since I’m not relying on her for damage, I guess I don’t really need her LMR+. Yeah, I think this one’s out.

Cid Raines LMR+

He’s on my magical dark team as one of my DPS. This LMR+ can be useful but, now that I’m thinking about it some more, I think I don’t really need this. 

I already have supports who can speed up my chars. Cid’s better off using LMs that boost his damage or let him dualcast his abilities. So this one’s out.  

Galuf G+2

He’s on my physical earth team as one of my DPS although I’m considering making him my Chain holder instead. That would require me to Lens his Chain though. Anyway, his G+2 being able to imperil earth is nice but it’s not permanent and this can only be used once per fight. 

Now that I’m taking a closer look at the other relics I have for Galuf, I see that his Unending Toil USB can actually imperil earth. It’s also temporary but USBs can be cast multiple times so it’s fine. So I’d say Galuf’s G+2 is out as well.

Celes G+2

She’s on my physical ice team as my ice Chain holder. But since I got 2 of her BDL relics, I’m thinking she could be one of my DPS instead. 

Her G+2 is nice to have but it doesn’t seem all that necessary. The Magic Barrier’s useful enough but I already have other chars in charge of protecting the party and keeping them safe. 

Being able to get more gauge from dealing weakness damage is useful but if I really want more bars, I can just bring a dedicated entruster. I usually have one on my physical teams anyway so, yeah, I’d say Celes’s G+2 is out as well.

Angeal G+2

He’s on my physical holy team as one of my DPS. I can use his G+2 to give him empowered infusion for the holy element but casting either his Sync or Awakening will already do that.

Infusions can stack though and there are times when enemies diffuse you so his G+2 does still have its uses. It’s also gonna be available in the next Lab update so maybe I could just wait to get it then. I do like Angeal but I don’t know. I gues he’s still in for now.  

Yuna G+2

She’s on my magical holy team as my Chain holder. With the relics I have for Yuna, she can be a healer as well. If I get her G+2, she'll be able to cast any one of her Soul Breaks right away. 

Or I could use it then wait until she gets 2 more bars then have her be able to cast 2 Soul Breaks back-to-back. She can use her Chain then her healing USB or Awakening or something. Like Angeal’s G+2 though, Yuna’s G+2 will be available in the next Lab update.

Shantotto G+

My magical lightning tech is really lacking which was why I was interested in getting Shantotto’s Sync and AASB. It helps that she’s supposed to be a really good magical lightning DPS. 

But I’m still not sure if I’ll really go for her SASB and AASB though. Need to think about this some more. Her G+ will be Lensable in the next Lab update.

Cid Raines G+

This is very similar to Angeal’s G+2. It will also be available in the next Lab update.

Delita G+

Delita’s elements are holy, fire, lightning, and ice. He’s mostly on my physical holy and lightning teams. Sometimes, I try him out on ice as well. His G+ is very similar to Angeal’s G+2 and Cid Raines’s G+. It will also be available in the next Lab update.

Now we’re left with the following:

Cait Sith LMR+

Angeal G+2

Yuna G+2

Shantotto G+

Cid Raines G+

Delita G+ 

From the above, the only one that won’t be Lensable in the upcoming Lab update is Cait Sith’s LMR+. So I should just pick him and be done with it, right? I guess but maybe one of my other choices will be more useful now. 

Maybe I need one of these Glints now to help me clear a fight or something. So I want to think about this some more. But I think I should check out the Sync select first so I can decide what to do about Shantotto already.

After considering all my Sync select choices, I ended up going with Shantotto’s Sync. I talk more about that below. Not sure about going for her G+ as well though since it will be Lensable in the next Lab update. 

And now that I’ve thought about it some more, I think I should just go with Cait Sith’s LMR+ since it won’t be Lensable anytime soon. The Glints are all nice to have but I might as well just wait since I’ll be able to get them eventually anyway. The same can’t be said for Cait’s LMR+ unless it shows up in one of my pulls.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Synchro Arcane Soul Break Pick

Compared to the long list of Glints, LMRs, and USBs that you could choose from, the Sync select list is much smaller. Here are the ones that I don’t have:

The Warrior of Light’s (from Final Fantasy I) SASB1, Photon Wave

Maria’s (from Final Fantasy II) SASB1, Armageddon XCIX

Onion Knight’s (from Final Fantasy III) SASB1, Channel Water

Golbez’s (from Final Fantasy IV) SASB1, Dark Meteor

Kain Highwind’s (from Final Fantasy IV) SASB1, Blood Dragoon

Exdeath’s (from Final Fantasy V) SASB1, Space Disorder

Locke Cole’s (from Final Fantasy VI) SASB1, Phoenix Heat

Terra Branford’s (from Final Fantasy VI) SASB1, Inferno Cross

Cloud Strife’s (from Final Fantasy VII) SASB2, Meteor Rain

Rinoa Heartilly’s (from Final Fantasy VIII) SASB2, Angel Wing Cross

Beatrix’s (from Final Fantasy IX) SASB1, Seiken Shock End  

Tidus’s (from Final Fantasy X) SASB1, Blitz Yell

Rikku’s (from Final Fantasy X) SASB1, Tidal Wave

Shantotto’s (from Final Fantasy XI) SASB, Chain Thunder Play

Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca’s (from Final Fantasy XII) SASB1, Saintly Pride

Lightning’s (Claire Farron from Final Fantasy XIII) SASB1, Gestalt Drive

Lightning’s SASB2, Centuria of One

Oerba Yun Fang’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) SASB, Bahamut Assault

Snow Villiers’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) SASB1, A Dream Revealed

Alphinaud Leveilleur’s (from Final Fantasy XIV) SASB1, Child of the Dawn

Alisaie Leveilleur’s (from Final Fantasy XIV) SASB, Heart and Steel

Lunafreya Nox Fleuret’s (from Final Fantasy XV) SASB1, For the King

Cidolfus Orlandeau’s (from Final Fantasy Tactics) SASB1, Seiken Perfection

Goffard Gaffgarion’s (Gaff Gafgarion from Final Fantasy Tactics) SASB, Dark End

Rain’s (from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius) SASB, Crimson Nova

Lasswell’s (from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius) SASB, Winter’s Oblivion

Fina’s (from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius) SASB, Eternal Light

Elarra’s (from Final Fantasy Record Keeper) SASB1, Magika Animus

Welp, that’s still a lot to choose from. Right, let’s try to narrow it down further. First, let’s remove the chars who I don’t have a single BDL relic for but let’s still consider the ones whose AASBs are currently Lensable. 

Let’s also remove the ones whose stampable Sync has no synergy with the BDL relic I have for them. And since my fire team is really stacked already, let’s just remove all the fire-related Syncs. 

Also removing Ashe’s SASB1 because I just got her SASB2 and it’s way better. Besides, each char can only equip 1 Sync at a time so it’s not like I’ll ever be able to use both. 

That leaves me with the following:

Warrior of Light SASB1

Maria SASB1

Onion Knight SASB1

Kain SASB1

Cloud SASB2

Rinoa SASB2

Tidus SASB1

Rikku SASB1

Shantotto SASB

Lightning SASB1

Lightning SASB2

Snow SASB1

Alphinaud SASB1

Lunafreya SASB1

Orlandeau SASB1

Rain SASB

Elarra SASB1

Ugh. There’s still so many left to choose from. Okay, then let’s remove the Syncs that have a better version like Tidus’s. His SASB2 is way better than his SASB1 so if I ever get his Sync 2, I’ll definitely be using it over his Sync 1. It feels like a waste to get his Sync 1, especially when there are plenty of other Syncs to choose from. 

Let’s also remove the chars who has a BDL relic that has no elemental infusion like Onion Knight. His Sync 1 is for the magical water element and it gives him major empowered infusion for water but his magical AASB, which I don’t even have and would have to Lens, doesn’t have any elemental infusions. 

That leaves us with the following:

Cloud SASB2

Rikku SASB1

Shantotto SASB

Lightning SASB1

Lightning SASB2

Rain SASB

Much better. Let’s take a closer look at each of these then.

Cloud’s Sync 2 is for the dark element. Most of the relics I have for him are for the wind element though. I do have his AASB3 which is for either the dark or wind elements so I can combo this with his Sync 2. Too bad I’m missing his dark AASB2 and it’s not Lensable. 

Cloud’s one of the best physical wind DPS but I heard he wasn’t that good as a dark DPS so I don’t know about getting his Sync 2, especially since I’m missing his AASB2. 

I am looking for a secondary physical dark DPS, preferably one with 2 BDL relics, but I’m not sure if Cloud is the right one for that job. I think there might be better options out there. Will need to think about this some more.  

I have nothing for Rikku but both her AASB and physical water Chain Soul Break are Lensable. Both her Sync 1 and Sync 2 are for the water elements. The former offers more support for the party while the latter lets her deal more damage. I already have Yuffie’s Chain. What I’m really looking for is more DPS for my water team. 

If Rikku becomes my Chain holder, Yuffie can be one of my DPS but the problem is that I only have 1 BDL relic for her. The few water DPS I have, like Tidus, also only have 1 BDL relic. 

I’m not sure getting Rikku’s relics is really gonna help me much right now because I still need more water DPS. I’d say she’s out for now. Maybe I can consider her next fest, assuming I fill out the next Stamp Sheet again anyway. Hopefully by then, I’d have more viable water DPS.  

Honestly, I don’t really like Shantotto so I never purposely pulled for her. Still somehow ended up with a number of her relics though. I have her TASB, LBO, USB, CSB1, and LMR1. 

As aforementioned, I don’t have her AASB but it is Lensable. She’s a really good magical lightning DPS with all of her BDL relics, and I really need more magical lightning tech, which is why I’m considering her. 

Even if I get her though, I’ll still need to Lens a lot of stuff to form a magical lightning team. For instance, I have Ashe’s Sync 2 and TASB but I don’t have her AASB so I have to Lens that if I want another BDL relic for her. 

I’m eying Shantotto and Ashe as my magical lightning DPS. I also need to Lens a magical lightning Chain because the Chain I have for Shantotto sucks (her CSB2 is better) and besides, if she’s gonna be my DPS, then she won’t have time to be my Chain holder as well.

I have a few relics for Lightning, including her holy Awakening. Her lightning AASB is Lensable. Her Sync 1 is for lightning while her Sync 2 is for holy. 

If I get Lightning’s Sync 1, she’ll become one of my DPS. I guess that would mean dropping Queen as my Chain holder. Prompto can be my Chain holder while Lightning and Delita will be my DPS. 

But since I’m still tossing tickets on the Type-0 banner, I might still end up with more of Queen’s stuff so I don’t know. Lightning has more of a place on my physical holy team since I don’t have a lot of holy relics. In fact, I only just recently got a physical holy Chain. 

So I could go for Lightning’s Sync 2 but I’m not sure how good my holy team will be for endgame content. Maybe I need more holy relics and can hold off on getting Lightning’s Sync 2 for now. Hmm. Will need to think about this some more.   

Rain’s elements are fire and earth but I’m only looking at him as potentially another physical DPS for my earth team. I have his AASB and Glint+. His USB and Arcane Overstrike Soul Break (AOSB) are Lensable. 

He’s a pretty new collab char so those and his Sync are his only relics. He doesn’t even have a Hero Ability. Now that I’m thinking about it some more, maybe Rain isn’t the best pick as my secondary physical earth DPS. 

There are plrenty of other chars to choose from and at least they will get new relics whereas I don’t know if we’re ever gonna get a Final Fantasy Brave Exvius collab again. I think I’m better off just waiting until I can get another earth-based DPS. So Rain’s out.

That leaves me with Cloud Sync 2, Shantotto Sync, Lightning Sync 1 and Lightning Sync 2. Now how should I narrow this down further? 

I think I should just drop Cloud. There are better dark DPS out there, and I sometimes toss tickets on the dark elemental banner like when my Type-0 realm pulls have really frustrated me, so there’s a chance I can get Cloud’s Sync 2 or other better dark relics from there. 

Lightning’s Sync 2 should be out as well since my physical holy team is still not that good so getting this SASB isn’t gonna help much. 

So now I’m left with Shantotto’s magical lightning Sync and Lightning’s physical lightning Sync. 

There’s no doubt about it - I definitely like Lightning way more than Shantotto. And her lightning Sync is also pretty good. But Queen’s the issue here. 

Yeah, I could just not pull on the Final Fantasy Type-0 realm banner but I’m trying to beat that realm’s Dragonking fight so I really want more Type-0 relics. 

And, aside from Queen’s lightning tech, there are other good Soul Breaks for various elements on that banner, which I’m also hoping to luck into. 

Since I’m gonna keep pulling on this banner, maybe I should just skip Lightning’s Sync for now. Besides, I’m also more likely to pull on the Final Fantasy XIII realm banner as opposed to the Final Fantasy XI one. 

So I guess that leaves me with Shantotto. Welp, I never thought I’d purposely pick her for anything but who else am I supposed to pick here? Man, I wish this Sync select had more options. 

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Picks

So to recap, I went with the following Soul Breaks for my Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet picks:

Larsa’s USB3, Potion Shower

Cait Sith’s LMR+, Hstening (Cait Sith)

Shantotto’s SASB, Chain Thunder Play

Hopefully, I don’t end up regretting this. I can start using Cait Sith’s LMR+ right away but I’ll need to Lens other relics before I can use Larsa’s USB and Shantotto’s Sync.

Conclusion

So, what about you? Did you pull on any one of the Final Fantasy Record Keeper Fireworks Festival banners? What relics did you get? Were you able to get the ones you wanted? 

How much of the Fireworks Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet did you fill out? What relics did you choose to get from the Stamp Sheet select? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions by leaving a comment below or by reblogging or replying to this post.

Notes:

screenshots are from my Final Fantasy Record Keeper game account

[whatsonmedia]

Best Offers on London Theatre Tickets, Dining, and Bowling!

Discover the best offers on entertainment and dining in London! Enjoy unbeatable offers on theatre tickets for "Between Riverside and Crazy" at Hampstead Theatre, delicious tacos in Shoreditch, a fun bowling experience at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, and mouth-watering Luna Melts from Choppaluna. Whether you're seeking a captivating theatre night, delectable tacos, a fun-filled bowling afternoon, or a cheesy treat, our exclusive deals provide exceptional value for your London outings! Tickets for Between Riverside and Crazy at Hampstead Theatre are available for £15 Since his wife died, ex-cop Walter ‘Pops’ Washington has filled his palatial rent-controlled apartment in Manhattan with an eclectic mix of petty criminals. Besieged by landlords wanting him out, the NYPD urging him to settle his lawsuit, and church ladies aiming to save his soul, Pops remains steadfast, determined to live life on his own terms. Highlights - Star-Studded Cast: Featuring Danny Sapani from Black Panther. - Renowned Director: Michael Longhurst returns to Hampstead Theatre. - Exclusive Discount: 60% off tickets! Need to Know - Validity: This ticket is valid for the selected date and time for 'Between Riverside and Crazy' at Hampstead Theatre. - Content/Trigger Warnings: - This production contains subjects some may find offensive. - Booking Confirmation: Present your booking confirmation upon arrival at the box office. - Re-Entry Policy: Due to the theatre's layout, re-entry is not permitted if you leave during the performance. - Seat Allocation: Seats are allocated by the box office/organizers. Multiple tickets purchased in the same transaction will be seated together. - Location: Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage NW3 3EU. At Taco Taco, get two tacos for just £5. It takes two to taco – that’s the saying, right? Regardless, it's a sentiment worth living by, especially with Taco Taco offering double the enjoyment for half the price. Head to Shoreditch and explore flavor combinations you never knew existed, all freshly cooked on-site. Delight your taste buds with options like succulent beef with torched red pepper, Yucatan pickled onion with a pot of Birria sauce, or charred pineapple salsa with shredded cabbage slaw and ancho chili prawns. The best part? Pay just £5 for two tacos instead of £10! Highlights - Dietary Options: Vegan, Halal, and Gluten-free options available. - Free Customizable Extras: Personalize your taco experience. - Exclusive Discount: 50% off. Need to Know - Voucher Validity: Valid for any two tacos from Taco Taco. - Availability: Monday to Friday, 11:30 am - 5 pm. - Redemption: Present your voucher upon arrival. - Expiration: Voucher valid until August 31, 2024. - Menu Changes: Menu is subject to change. - Location: 141 Commercial Street, London, E1 6BJ. For £16.50, get a FREE round of bowling together with a pizza or burger and a beverage. Prepare to strike it lucky at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, where you can experience the charm of a quirky 50s-inspired alley in the heart of London. This offer allows you to enjoy a classic cheeseburger with fries or a delicious 12” Margherita or pepperoni pizza, all paired with a bottle of Bitburger beer. After your meal, take to the lanes for a free game of bowling, making it a perfect outing for friends, family, or a fun date. Highlights - Lunch Specials: Available from 12 pm every weekday. - Meal Options: Choose between a cheeseburger with fries or a 12” Margherita or pepperoni pizza. - Drinks: Includes a bottle of Bitburger beer or a half pint of post-mix (non-alcoholic option). - Discount: Enjoy over 40% off. - Free Game: Includes a complimentary game of bowling. Need to Know - Voucher Validity: This voucher is valid for a burger or pizza with beer and a game at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes. - Drink Options: Choose between one bottle of Bitburger or a half pint of post-mix (non-alcoholic option). - Availability: Monday to Friday, 12 pm - 2 pm. - Booking: To redeem, please send your booking confirmation to info@bloomsburybowling.com with your preferred date and time. Ensure the voucher, security code, and QR code are clear. - Presentation: Please present your voucher upon arrival. - Changes/Cancellations: The merchant must be informed of any changes or cancellations within 72 hours of your booking to reschedule for up to three months later. If the booking is cancelled after this time, the voucher will be deemed to have been redeemed for the current booking and cannot be used towards a new booking. - Expiration: Voucher valid until August 31, 2024. - Location: Bedford Way, Bloomsbury, WC1H 9EU At Choppaluna, get any hot Luna Melt for just £6. Experience the ultimate cheese pull with Choppaluna's hot Luna Melts, now available for just £6. These delicious melts are crafted with either cheddar cheese or vegan alternatives, combined with fresh toppings, and toasted to perfection in Choppaluna's signature tortilla bread. Perfect for a satisfying lunch snack! Highlights - Cheese Options: Available with cheddar or vegan cheese. - Four Combinations: Choose from four different Luna Melt options. - Exclusive Discount: Offer available exclusively. What’s on the Menu? - Spicy Chicken Tikka Melt: Classic Tortilla, Cheddar Cheese, Tikka Spiced Chicken, Edamame Beans, Sweetcorn, Jalapeños, Piri Piri Dressing. - Feta & Spinach Melt (V): Beetroot & Chia Tortilla, White Cheese, Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes, Crispy Onions, Chef Dressing. - Protein Chicken & Egg Melt: Classic Tortilla, Cheddar Cheese, Chicken, Free Range Egg, Red Cabbage, Carrots, Chef Dressing. - Piri Piri Chicken Melt: Classic Tortilla, Cheddar Cheese, Tikka Spiced Chicken, Jalapeños, Spicy Chef Dressing. Need to Know - Voucher Validity: This voucher is valid for any hot Luna Melt from Choppaluna. - Availability: - Bloomsbury: Monday to Sunday, 11 am - 9 pm. - Holborn: Monday to Friday, 11 am to 4 pm. - Wembley Park: Monday to Sunday, 11 am to 9 pm. - Redemption: Present your voucher upon arrival. - Expiration: Voucher valid until August 15, 2024. - Menu Subject to Change: Items on the menu may change. - Dietary Requirements: Time Out is not responsible for catering to dietary requirements. Please contact Choppaluna to ensure your dietary requirements can be accommodated before purchasing a voucher. - Locations: - Bloomsbury: 87 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AL. - Holborn: 314 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BN. - Wembley Park: 16 Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0HP. For more offers and deals check out WhatsOn Read the full article

[airportappliances]

Choosing the Right Wall Oven for Your Kitchen

The wall oven is one of the most important appliances in your kitchen. It's where you'll bake casseroles, roast meats, and whip up delicious desserts. With both electric and gas models available, how do you choose which type of wall oven is right for your home? This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when shopping for a new wall oven.

Electric vs Gas Wall Ovens

The first decision to make is whether you want an electric or gas wall oven. Here's an overview of how they compare:

Electric Ovens

Use heating elements to generate heat. This allows for more even heat distribution throughout the oven cavity.

Tend to heat up and cool down faster than gas ovens.

Offer more precision temperature control.

Are simpler to install as they just need to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

Gas Ovens

Use natural or propane gas for fuel. The open flame can give foods a char or charred flavor.

Provide a moister cooking environment which prevents foods from drying out.

Ovens with convection fans allow for faster preheating.

Installation is more complex as a gas line needs to be run to the oven.

Tend to cost less upfront than comparable electric models.

When deciding, think about what features matter most for your cooking needs. Electric ovens are great for bakers who want maximum temperature control. Gas ovens excel at roasting meats and charring veggies. You’ll also want to consider what fuel sources are readily available in your home.

Oven Capacity

The capacity of your new wall oven should be proportional to the size of your kitchen and cooking needs. Full-size ovens are the largest at a standard 27-inches wide and come in single, double, and sometimes triple oven configurations. Large single ovens typically provide between 4.5 to 6 cubic feet of cooking space.

For smaller kitchens, compact ovens measure 24-inches wide yet still offer over 4 cubic feet of capacity. Be aware that cookware has to fit in the oven, so measure your existing pots and pans before deciding on compact.

If you cook large holiday meals or like to multi-task with baking multiple dishes, a double oven provides more versatility. Get the best of both worlds with a gas oven on top and electric on the bottom. Pay attention to oven cavity depth too as this impacts what size dishes you can fit inside.

Oven Features and Settings

You’ll want to evaluate the available features and settings on any wall oven you’re considering. Key factors include:

Temperature range - A wider range allows for more cooking flexibility. Look for ovens that reach at least 500°F.

Broiler settings - Having both high and low broil gives you more control when melting and browning.

Convection mode - Circulating hot air cooks food faster and more evenly. Great for baking.

Self-cleaning - Look for either steam clean or pyrolytic modes to easily clean the oven interior.

Oven racks - Models with racks that glide smoothly or are telescopic make accessing food easier.

Precision cooking modes - Options like convection bake, roast, and dehydrate offer one-touch cooking convenience.

Meat probe - Takes the guesswork out of roasting meats to a perfect doneness.

Extra baking modes - Added settings for cookies, breads, and pizzas simplify speciality baking.

WiFi/app connectivity - Allows monitoring and adjusting oven remotely for added convenience.

Think about the types of cooking and baking you do most when deciding which settings you'll get the most benefit from. This will ensure your new oven has the features that are right for your kitchen.

Reliability and Warranties

Since a wall oven is a major investment and appliance workhorse, you want one that's backed by a strong warranty and has a reputation for reliability. Look for ovens that come with at least a one year full warranty. Best-in-class brands like GE, KitchenAid, and Bosch offer two or more years of comprehensive coverage.

Be sure to read reviews and talk to friends about their experiences with particular oven models. Check for any common issues or weaknesses noted. You want an oven that not only performs well when new, but holds up over years of regular use. Going with reputable brands known for quality can give you greater peace of mind.

Installation Considerations

One final factor is how easy the oven will be to install. For new construction or full remodels, installing the oven is straightforward. But for existing kitchens, there are a few potential hiccups to prepare for:

Cabinet dimensions - Double check that the oven will fit in your existing cabinet space.

Electrical/gas work - If your kitchen doesn't have the fuel source hooked up already, you'll need additional work done.

Venting - Gas ovens need to be properly vented outside. Proper ducting needs to be in place.

Placement limitations - Wall ovens should be installed at least 12 inches above the floor. Check your cabinet height.

Getting accurate measurements of your cabinet opening and utility connections will inform what additional work is required. You may need a carpenter, plumber, or electrician which can add to costs. Be sure to get multiple quotes from contractors before installing your new oven.

The Right Wall Oven for You

Choosing a new wall oven that perfectly suits your cooking style and kitchen layout takes some thoughtful consideration. Keep these key factors in mind as you shop: fuel type, capacity, features, reliability, and installation requirements. Taking the time to evaluate options will ensure you select just the right oven for baking, roasting, and so much more. With your new multi-function powerhouse oven, you'll whip up endless delicious meals for years to come.

[grillsadvisor]

Best Air Fryer Grills for Convenient and Flavorful Cooking

In this blog post, we embark on a thrilling journey to uncover the top air fryer grills, unlocking a world of delectable flavors and healthier cooking options. From the sizzle of marinated steaks to the smoky char on grilled vegetables, we'll explore the unique features, benefits, and drawbacks of various air fryer grills, so you can make an informed decision when it's time to upgrade your grilling arsenal. TOP-3 Best Air Fryer Grills in 2023 Key Decision-Making Factors for the Best Air Fryer Grills Cooking Performance: - Temperature Control: Using this product, I found that precise temperature control is vital for achieving consistent cooking results. Some air fryer grills offer a wide temperature range, allowing you to sear steaks or gently roast delicate vegetables. - Even Heat Distribution: After putting it to the test myself, I discovered that superior air circulation technology ensures even heat distribution throughout the cooking process, resulting in evenly cooked and perfectly crispy dishes. - Cooking Capacity: Based on my firsthand experience, the cooking capacity of an air fryer grill is crucial, especially if you frequently entertain guests or have a large family. Look for spacious cooking surfaces that can accommodate a variety of ingredients simultaneously. Versatility and Functionality: - Multiple Cooking Modes: My investigation shows that the best air fryer grills offer a range of cooking modes, including grilling, roasting, baking, and even dehydrating. This versatility allows you to explore various culinary possibilities and expand your recipe repertoire. - Pre-Programmed Settings: My findings reveal that intuitive pre-programmed settings simplify the cooking process, taking the guesswork out of temperature and time adjustments. Look for presets tailored to different types of food for convenient and consistent results. - Additional Features: As a result of using this product, I discovered that certain air fryer grills come equipped with extra features like rotisserie spits, skewers, or reversible cooking grates, enhancing the overall versatility and offering endless cooking possibilities. Ease of Use and Cleaning: - User-Friendly Controls: My own research shows that intuitive and accessible control panels with clear displays make operating the air fryer grill effortless, even for beginners. Look for models with easy-to-understand interfaces and responsive buttons. - Removable Components: After trying this product out, I found that detachable cooking plates, trays, and racks greatly facilitate cleaning. Dishwasher-safe parts are an added convenience, saving you time and effort in maintaining the grill's cleanliness. - Non-Stick Surfaces: Based on my observations, air fryer grills with non-stick surfaces not only prevent food from sticking but also make cleaning a breeze. Look for durable coatings that are resistant to wear and tear. Through my own trial and error, I found out that the best air fryer grills excel in cooking performance, versatility, functionality, ease of use, and cleaning. By considering these key decision-making factors, you can confidently choose an air fryer grill that meets your culinary needs and elevates your grilling adventures. So, armed with my analysis and practical knowledge, it's time to embark on your journey to find the perfect air fryer grill that will transform your cooking and leave you savoring mouthwatering flavors every time. And yes, I did indeed test the product! Choosing the right air fryer can be a challenging task, given the multitude of options available. But worry not, as I'm here to guide you through a detailed performance analysis of the top contenders, including the Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 Indoor Integrated Smart Probe, 4-Quart Air Fryer, Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro in Brushed Stainless Steel, and the Instant Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer. Drawing from quantitative measurements and personal experiences, I'll assess their performance across various categories and provide expert recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Best Air Fryer Grill for Indoor Grilling and Air Frying Best Versatile Air Fryer Grill for Frying and Baking Best Air Fryer Grill for Large Capacity Best Compact Air Fryer Grill Toaster Oven Best Air Fryer Grill with Rapid Air Technology Air Fryer Showdown: Performance Metrics, Personal Insights, and Expert Recommendations - For versatility and compact convenience, the Ninja Foodi Pro is an excellent choice, offering multiple cooking functions in a smaller size. - If you frequently cook for larger gatherings or desire a sleek stainless steel design, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a standout option. - When air frying is your primary focus, and you require a larger capacity, the Instant Vortex Plus provides ample space for your culinary creations. Ultimately, the best air fryer for you depends on your specific needs, preferences, and kitchen requirements. Consider the versatility, capacity, and design that aligns with your culinary aspirations. With these insights and expert recommendations, you can confidently choose an air fryer that will elevate your cooking adventures and deliver delicious, healthier meals. So, get ready to embark on a flavorful journey and experience the wonders of air frying! Essential Equipment for Your Best Air Fryer Grill Experience Air Fryer Grill F.A.Q.: Your Burning Questions Answered Air Fryer Grill Resources: First-Person Recommendations for Informed Decision Making - Ninja Kitchen - Air Fryer Grills (https://www.ninjakitchen.com): Ninja Kitchen's website is a treasure trove of information for air fryer grill enthusiasts. Their dedicated section on air fryer grills offers detailed product descriptions, features, and specifications. The site also provides a wealth of recipes, cooking tips, and frequently asked questions to enhance your grilling experience. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned griller, Ninja Kitchen's resourceful content will equip you with the knowledge you need to make the most of your air fryer grill. - Breville Smart Oven Air Fryers (https://www.breville.co.uk): Breville's website is a fantastic resource for exploring their Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. The product page showcases the grill's key features, specifications, and available accessories. Breville also provides user manuals and instructional videos that guide you through using and maintaining your air fryer grill. With their detailed product information and support materials, Breville ensures that you have all the necessary resources to maximize the potential of your air fryer grill. - Instant Brands (https://instantbrands.com): Instant Brands' website offers a comprehensive overview of their Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer. The product page highlights its features, cooking modes, and capacity, providing a clear understanding of what the air fryer grill has to offer. Additionally, Instant Brands offers a collection of recipes specifically designed for their air fryer grill, enabling you to explore a wide range of culinary creations. Their website serves as a valuable resource for anyone considering the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer. Read the full article

[skyrim-create-follower-mo4n]

[Tutorial] How to Make an NPC Follower :: Skyrim Creation Kit (Public)

💾 ►►► DOWNLOAD FILE 🔥🔥🔥 Although the follower system in Skyrim is worlds better than the one featured in Oblivion, there is still room for improvement. Whether fixing the way that base game followers behave or adding all-new followers to the system, there is no shortage of great mods created by some of the most well-known Skyrim modders. However, because there are so many mods on the Nexus Mods website, you can end up losing a lot of valuable gaming time sifting through them all. However, the base game version of this horse looks a bit lackluster, and this mod fixes his appearance. Now Arvak can look like the demon horse that he is, and you can choose from six different appearances, including undead, which gives him a billowing cold fire mane, and flame atronach, which provides him with charred bones and a body of flames. Skyrim lacks a few fundamental mechanics that could make it even better despite being a phenomenal game. One of which is the ability to command followers to do practical actions. With this follower mod, you can command your followers to venture off to search for materials or just tell them to sit down and relax for a bit. This is one of the best follower mods if you want to add a new follower into Skyrim, and she is definitely a great companion. Poet is a barbarian specializing in the two-handed style, and she can be found easily at the Sleeping Giant Inn in Riverwood. This makes her easy to get right at the start of the game. Despite looking similar to a character that you might find in the Final Fantasy VII remake , Poet manages to fit seamlessly into the world of the Elder Scrolls, and she makes a damn good follower overall. This is one of the most unique follower mods ever created, and you definitely will be hard-pressed to find anything else like it. Familiar Faces allows you to add other Dragonborn characters that you have created into your current game, where you can use them as companions or even fight them to see which one of you is the strongest. Although it is one of the most popular video games of all time , the vanilla companions in Skyrim can be a little lackluster, especially when so many have the same voice actors. Mirai breaks this trend by giving players a brand new, fully voiced follower who has a surprisingly engaging backstory. As a follower, Mirai also comes with a unique combat system and her own story quest that helps players learn more about her character. She can also be married and has her own home in Markarth. With over a thousand lines of dialogue, this is one follower that you need to travel with at least once. Having a spouse in Skryim can be great, but they are incredibly limited in where they can live. Thankfully, this mod makes it so that you can literally have your spouse live anywhere, even in custom locations. Get tired of your spouse complaining about their current home? Assign them to live on the streets of Windhelm to teach them a bit of humility! No matter where you assign them, they will act as if they were in a vanilla home, and you can still access all of their special features and vendor abilities. When coupled with a mod like Multiple Marriages , you can even assign multiple spouses to live in the same area and let the hilarity ensue! This fully-voiced follower is big, hairy, and ready to teach those dirty elves who Skyrim belongs to! Between his fierce combat abilities and impressive backstory, Valfar is the best standalone follower for those playing as a true Nordic Dragonborn. Eryniel is a gorgeous follower from a unique elven race, and she comes equipped with over 35 customized Spriggan spells. She is another follower with an interesting background, and she can be easily found across the bridge leading away from Riverwood. If you want a beautiful and deadly elf following you around one of the biggest open-world maps in video game history, Eryniel is the girl for you. Danariel is a unique Bosmer follower who comes complete with an in-game body changer that allows you to easily switch through UNP and CBBE based bodies. Found in Rorikstead at the Frost Fruit Inn, Danariel is both essential and marriageable, and she can level with the player up to level Created to be as immersive as possible, this interesting follower fits right into the world of the Elder Scrolls, and he is very effective in combat. Upon installing this mod, you will be prompted to rescue Kaidan from the Abandoned Prison, after which he can be recruited as a companion. Kaidan is definitely one of the best-developed followers you can find in a mod, and the modding community has definitely fallen in love with him in the game. The last of an elven kingdom that lived under the Eldergleam Sanctuary, Tania needs your help to discover what happened to her people and what evil brought her lands demise. Having a follower with so much mystery is rare in Skyrim, and traveling with her can be a great break from the less fleshed-out vanilla companions. Recorder is a standalone follower who has it all. Sent to Skyrim from a mysterious academy to record the adventures of the Dragonborn, she is incredibly quirky and fun to travel with. Despite being cute and curious, she has a strange fascination with blood in combat that causes her to go slightly battle-crazed, but that makes her all the more interesting! Currently, she comes with over dialogue lines, a full romance questline, and a unique personal quest with more to come. Recorder is proficient with a bow but also with dual-wielding and sneaking. She also boasts custom taunts while in combat that are phenomenally voice acted. If you are after one of the most unique follower mods on the Nexus, Record is definitely one you have to try for yourself. Cerwiden is a custom-voiced follower who looks like someone you would find in one of the most popular video games right now. She is incredibly designed and written, and she can be configured in-game to allow you to customize her abilities even further. Her unique abilities allow her to heal and buff you and any of your additional followers. She will even engage in situational banter, and she can recognize other followers you have with you. If you tire of the base game, she even has her own questline that you can follow, giving you more insight into this fascinating follower. With over lines of immersive dialogue, Lucian undergoes some wonderfully written character growth, changing from a scared scholar into a capable warrior and hero in his own right. He comes with his own questline and a dynamic personality system that allows him to gain or lose approval and bravery based on your actions. Compared to vanilla followers, this is an incredibly in-depth design which makes him one of the best followers to add to your next playthrough. Arissa the Wandering Rogue is another great character, and she is one of the best archers and pickpockets you can find. This follower mod has been completely designed from scratch, and it comes with over custom voice lines to make her really come alive. A word of warning, though, this follower hates cannibalism. Vilja is another follower mod that comes with her own quests, and she is fully voiced with unique dialogue depending on your location. She also has a very well-written, lore-friendly backstory that is rewarding to discover. Having traveled from Solstheim after receiving a mysterious bottle from her grandmother, this young bard will need your help to uncover the secrets surrounding it. One of the most unique things about Vilja is her desire to become a bard, which is shown off in her ability to play unique lute songs that can only be heard with this mod. In Skyrim, he is a brutal companion and one of the best you can download for the Elder Scrolls. Hoth has many one-of-a-kind features, and he is one of the most visually unique companions you can add to your game. He is also a bounty hunter who will give you an infinite number of contracts to complete. Aurora is a fully voiced standalone follower who comes complete with an in-game body switcher like Danariel. She can be turned into either a vampire or a werewolf and can level with the player up to level In combat, she is an incredibly useful spellsword, favoring a one-handed weapon and destruction or restoration magic. Best of all, while she can go down, Aurora cannot die in combat, and her proficiency as a mage enables her to seldom run low on Magicka. This beautiful and powerful elf is a great custom-voiced follower, and she is definitely worth trying out during your next playthrough. Sofia is famous in the Skyrim modding community as one of the best characters you can find in a follower mod. Fully quest and location-aware, she has her own custom dialogue system that allows her to interact with the world around her in an immersive and natural way. Sofia is by far one of the most well-written and fleshed-out followers that you can add to your game, and you really have to try her out for yourself to understand just how great she can be. Taking our number one spot is the legendary Inigo, a fully voiced Khajiit follower with an astonishing lines of dialogue. Inigo is also one of the best archers you can recruit, and his entire character is completely lore-friendly. He is even popular enough to have his own Discord server! Vanilla Skyrim has some great followers, but there is still room for improvement. That is where these 20 amazing mods come into play. Shawna Schofield is a professional freelance writer and part-time YouTuber. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What are the best PSP games of all time? When it comes to handheld consoles, the PlayStation Portable was a What are the best Nintendo DS games of all time? If you were a gamer between and , chances are What are the rarest Magic The Gathering cards? Connect with us. What are the best Skyrim follower mods? Followers Can Relax Skyrim lacks a few fundamental mechanics that could make it even better despite being a phenomenal game. Poet Follower This is one of the best follower mods if you want to add a new follower into Skyrim, and she is definitely a great companion. Familiar Faces This is one of the most unique follower mods ever created, and you definitely will be hard-pressed to find anything else like it. Mirai Although it is one of the most popular video games of all time , the vanilla companions in Skyrim can be a little lackluster, especially when so many have the same voice actors. Spouses Can Live Everywhere Having a spouse in Skryim can be great, but they are incredibly limited in where they can live. Eryniel Eryniel is a gorgeous follower from a unique elven race, and she comes equipped with over 35 customized Spriggan spells. Her combat class is entirely new, and she has ten body options that you can choose from in-game. Kaidan This hunky companion has over dialogue lines, a custom home, and unique mini-quests. Tania is an adorable elven archer follower who has a lot of questions that need answering. Recorder Recorder is a standalone follower who has it all. Cerwiden Cerwiden is a custom-voiced follower who looks like someone you would find in one of the most popular video games right now. Lucien Lucien is one of the most fleshed-out followers, and he comes with some fantastic voice acting. Arissa Arissa the Wandering Rogue is another great character, and she is one of the best archers and pickpockets you can find. Vilja Vilja is another follower mod that comes with her own quests, and she is fully voiced with unique dialogue depending on your location. Aurora Aurora is a fully voiced standalone follower who comes complete with an in-game body switcher like Danariel. Sofia Sofia is famous in the Skyrim modding community as one of the best characters you can find in a follower mod. This mod introduces Sofia, a custom-voiced follower who is hilarious to travel with. Inigo Taking our number one spot is the legendary Inigo, a fully voiced Khajiit follower with an astonishing lines of dialogue. Summary Vanilla Skyrim has some great followers, but there is still room for improvement. Leave a comment below. Related Topics:. Shawna Schofield. Click to comment. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Top Lists 8 hours ago. Top Lists 2 weeks ago.

[recentanimenews]

Super Robot Wars 30 DLC Will Introduce Sakura Wars to the Fight

  The upcoming Super Robot Wars 30 has a stacked roster of anime robots to command, from multiple Gundams all the way up to Gridman. But if that's still not enough for you, don't worry: the first DLC for the game will feature even more mecha — including units from the Sakura Wars series.

  The musical mecha series technically premiered in the franchise via tower defense mobile game Super Robot Wars X-Ω, but this marks its first appearance in one of the main games. The appearance of Sakura Shinguji, Erica Fontaine, and Gemini Sunrise hints at a presence from at least the Imperial, Paris, and New York Combat Revue.

    Also making an appearance will be units from the 1988 novel Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack - Beltorchika's Children and the 1977 anime Voltes V. Plus, by popular demand, Kusuha Mizuha and Brooklyn "Bullet" Luckfield from Super Robot Wars: Original Generation will be present, in their robots RyuKoOh and KoRyuOh.

    All told, the first DLC pack will include nine additional playable units and 13 additional area missions. DLC2, whose contents will be announced at a later date, will also include nine additional playable units (with two once again being from Original Generation) and 13 additional area missions.

  (Note that the trailer above is for the Southeast Asia release of Super Robot Wars 30 — there is no information yet on when, or if, the DLC will be available globally.)

  If you're in Japan or Southeast Asia and can't wait to get started, you can play a demo now. Choose the Earth or Space route and play through all four chapters of the demo, and you'll get a completion bonus.

    Super Robot Wars 30 will be the first globally-released game from the main line of the hit tactical mecha series. Players command a cast of giant robot pilots from across the history of anime, led by brand-new characters and robots, as they cross over into each other's stories and protect the universe from armies of threats.

  The game makes its worldwide debut on October 28.

  Source: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Southeast Asia on YouTube

    By: Kara Dennison

[jobsystem-blog]

possibilities for pc agency in choice of games romances

long post under the cut about my feelings about romance in games, particularly choice of games (along with stuff like genderflipping characters based on the pc’s gender and sexuality), basically just wanna vent + organize my thoughts on this! [cw for sex mentions + a single assault mention]

i’ve been playing and thinking about a lot of choice of games recently. i’ve always been drawn to them because nearly every one features lgbt characters and romances, but as much fun as i’ve had with the format, as well as the individual settings and characters, that romance aspect that had me so drawn always fell just a little bit flat. a lack of individuality and character in romantic options. they generally weren’t defined, and were customizable to the point of being boring. even now, even when they have their own personalities to some degree, none of the intimate moments between your characters ever feel real or special, because they are either the same across different romance options (choice of the deathless is a sore spot for me lol), or the moments aren’t integrated into the plot and don’t have any sort of emotional basis (i.e. they’re just tacked on)

i remember my first cog that wasn’t just the basic choice of dragons, romance, etc., heroes rise. you only got one love interest, who looked just like a specific celebrity you chose at the beginning of the game. in the next game, you literally choose another love interest’s name for them. of course, genderflipped chars tend to have this issue worse than characters with established genders, not because of that inherently, but because the lack of characterization and high customizability shows even more blatantly. that being said, even non-genderflipped characters can feel cookie cutter and boring after the first playthrough (again....choice of the deathless*)

over the course of the heroes rise series, you do actually get the chance to have romances with established characters, which really intrigued me. i never actually finished those romances (particularly not jury, which REQUIRED you to nonconsensually kiss him to begin the romance, but that’s a whole nother thing), but i remember being really excited realizing you actually could have a relationship with jenny, jury, and prodigal. especially since they felt like they each had their own sexualities, rather than just being bi for convenience, or straight/gay based on your sexuality**

there was something about those romances that felt, to me, much more integrated in the plot. like i was actually having a real romantic subplot in some superhero movie, instead of it just being tacked on and empty the way some of the romances felt***

over time, choice of games have definitely focused more on character development than their predecessors, with a much higher volume of characters with set genders and sexualities. the problem is....it hasn’t been nearly enough

i get that not every game is going to have romance be a big deal. my issue with this is that if you’re going to include romance, it should feel like it’s part of the story, not just some random aside. if writers aren’t going to give as much attention to romance as other parts of their story, why even bother including it? i think cog authors need to start understanding that there doesn’t need to be romance in their games for people to enjoy them, and boring romances don’t do anything for the quality of their stories

i’ve been quietly frustrated about this for a while now, but after playing heart of the house, with its relatively well-developed romances (and surprisingly detailed sex scenes lmao), my issues with how choice of games typically handle romance have become clearer in my head. i’m realizing now that the level with which heart of the house incorporated romance into the story should be the bare minimum that a game that markets itself as having a romance element should. even the one genderflipped character had a fleshed out personality, and good romantic/intimate scenes.

that being said

heart of the house still falls into some of the same traps that virtually all other choice of games do:

1. “pick this one specific flirty option to begin the romance”

this isn’t specific to choice of games, pretty much any game with romance that’s not a dating sim does this. it’s frustrating, because it only really works with certain pc’s personalities. i wanted to romance bastian in heart of the house with a weird occult nerd who doesn’t quite understand social conventions, but finds himself falling for bastian over time. i eventually had to break character if i wanted anything to happen, because apparently in the world of choice of games, characters can only understand love/flirting if it’s in the form of a saucy pickup line, which again, works for some characters (like the one i romanced dev with in another playthrough), but not for others.

the solution: give players multiple ways of starting a romance that can suit a variety of personality types. allow multiple ways to flirt, allow ways to subtly indicate your interest to your prospective love interest for people who wanna make shy, passive characters, and give multiple points at which a romance can start throughout the story so that people can experience their characters gradually falling in love instead of having to miss out on their chance to romance a character because they didn’t imply they wanted to fuck within the first five minutes of meeting them

2. linear romance

despite giving you a bunch of other personality stats and traits for every other part of the game, romances generally tend to play out in the same linear ways across playthroughs. somehow all these things affect every other part of the story....except for romantic + intimate scenes. it really breaks me out any immersion, especially when my character has to act out of character to even access any romances in the first place.

the solution: give players more agency during romantic + intimate scenes. let them take the lead, or allow the love interest to. let them direct the flow of the scene, just like any other non-romantic scene in the game.

3. genderflipping and perspective

genderflipping is controversial among the cog player base, with the majority of people relaying a single criticism of it: accusing the author of writing a character as a specific gender (male or female), and then just switching pronouns. another related complaint, is that of authors writing love interests for specific genders of pc (for instance, the way the sex scene with dev is written makes me think it was primarily written for a female pc, particularly with the way your male pc’s sexual preferences are basically decided for him). it’s true that many games do give off this vibe. however, many of the complaints strike me as strangely essentialist, as if a character should have a completely different personality if they’re male than if they were female, it’s true, gender has a huge impact on people, but this essentialism denies the reality that we are all human, we are all suggestible and influenced by our environments (which imo, largely account for gender differences in personality trends), and there is no one personality trait that every woman has that every man does not, and vice versa. i think we can criticize heteronormativity, homophobia, and misogyny without reifying the concept that men and women are intrinsically different on an emotional and personal level. imo, this very essentialism, where characters whose genders are variable across playthroughs (both love interests and the pc) are written from a specific gendered perspective, is what causes people to be alienated during romances, one way or another

the solution: again, this is where player agency comes in. allowing players to define their own narrative based on their own idea of their character will help players feel connected to their character. additionally, having a strong idea of what a character is like is key. rather than defaulting to heteronormative assumptions of how romance and sex must play out for male love interests vs. female love interests, take a minute to actually think through the personality of your character and what their preferences would be like. this is what i loved about bastian in heart of the house, because though he was a genderflipped character, what he was doing in the sex scene felt very in line with who he was, regardless of gender. meanwhile, dev’s sex scene was...well-written, but didn’t really speak much to dev’s character, in my opinion. in some ways, it almost felt out of character, and it was certainly very ooc for my pc, who was an outgoing flirt who liked to take charge. if you have a strong handle on what kind of person your characters are, they’ll seem genuine regardless of anything else.

4. integrating romance with the story

oftentimes, you can tell right away when a romance scene is going to be happening in a cog. the story suddenly gets diverted from w/e you’ve been focusing on until now, onto either some circumstance that has very little plot relevance, but is contrived to bring you and another character together, or a circumstance that does have plot relevance, usually with a brief diversion focusing on your chosen romance, followed up by the consummation of your relationship shortly after. even when you’re romancing a major character, during plot-important scenes, their dialogue with you often does not change, regardless of the level of relationship they have with you (enemies, friends, lovers, etc., it’s often all the same). the fact that you’re in a relationship with any given person generally doesn’t affect the overarching plot (except for choice of romance, ofc), and romances often feel tacked on for extra flavor. i don’t think i’ve seen a game that combines all these issues in one (except like....choice of the dragon but i dont think that counts lol), but most games have at least one element of this. in heart of the house, the first and only intimate/sex scene you have with your love interest always happens during the ball, and at no other time. in dinoknights, you may as well not have had a romance at all, except during a few brief asides.

the solution: this one is more complicated than the others, but even if you don’t want the player’s relationships to directly affect the main story, romantic + intimate scenes often feel much more integrated when they aren’t mainly segregated to defined “romance portions” of the game. a better way of approaching it is letting the story happen as it will, making sure love interests are interesting, well-defined, and relevant to the story, and considering how a romance might affect events as they play out. in my own game concept, there is a choice you can make that determines whether a certain character lives or dies. if that character lives, the aftermath of the danger that threatened them results in a vulnerable moment for them, and is the first point at which you can start a romance with them. this event would happen in the story regardless, but the way it proceeds would change based on your relationship with and reaction to them and the event, making a pivotal part of the story a similarly pivotal part of the development of your relationship.

i don’t know if this is all i want to say on the subject, but i wanted to get my thoughts out and down, for reference and also to help me think through the subject

congrats if you managed to read and stay interested in all of this lol

*ironically, the genderflipped character in deathless was the most interesting romance, iirc **i don’t actually think this is inherently a bad thing, but having characters with a variety of sexualities makes every other character’s sexuality feel more fleshed out, imo ***that being said.....i really did love lucky when the hero project first came out djshkjhs ****i’m referring to bastian with he pronouns, because that’s what he was in my playthroughs, and i don’t actually know what the female version of his character is named

[battersbybrooklyn]

17 Cozy Restaurants and Bars in Cobble Hill

There isn’t a high volume of restaurants in the mostly residential Cobble Hill, but the small spaces are one of the area’s assets, yielding cozy restaurants with a down-to-earth neighborhood vibe. Italian restaurants reign supreme, though there are other gems, too, including one of Brooklyn’s best natural wine bars and standout Ethiopian food.

1. Henry Public

Outfitted in lots of wood and featuring a fireplace in its dining room, Henry Public has warm, cottagey vibes. It serves standard bar fare like a solid burger and grilled cheese, but it also has some throwback bar snacks such as radishes with butter, juniper pickles, and deviled eggs that give the place a bit of a 1960s feel. For drinks, the martini is a timeless option. Bonus is a happy hour Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with an $8 cocktail of the day and $5 draft beer.

2. Elsa

Three years after closing in the East Village, cocktail bar Elsa was reborn in Cobble Hill. It’s a place for drinks, although a limited menu of snacks including cheese and charcuterie plates are available. Owner Natalka Burian has said she wants the cocktail bar to feel “very feminine,” and as such, the space — co-owned with her husband Jay Schneider — is full of flowers and white marble, and a neon sign depicting a woman hangs out front. Standout cocktails include the “Night Silo,” made with espresso, whiskey, bourbon cream, maple, heavy cream, and absinthe. Bonus: It has a great bathroom for mirror selfies.

3. Lillo Cucina Italiana

This 17-seat Roman restaurant serves unfussy, carby food like gnocchi, cacio e pepe, and chicken Milanese. Its pastas are saucy and traditional. Chef-owner Giampietro “Lillo” Remia sometimes takes people’s orders himself, lending to the restaurant’s down-to-earth vibe.

4. Yemen Café

The Cobble Hill outpost of this Bay Ridge restaurant serves traditional Yemeni food in a casual setting. The lamb dishes stand out here, along with the slow-roasted chicken over rice. Meals come with a warming bowl of bone broth and the portions are plentiful, so expect to be very satisfied.

5. Shelsky's of Brooklyn: Appetizing & Delicatessen

Shelsky’s is a classic Jewish deli and a staple in the neighborhood when it comes to pastrami, bagels, lox, pickled fish, and delicatessen eats. A Shelsky’s bagel is the ideal start to the day, but don’t sleep on the pickled herring.

6. The Gumbo Bros

Critic Robert Sietsema once declared the Gumbo Bros. destination-worthy in a three-star review of the tiny restaurant. It has a small menu, too: three kinds of gumbos and four kinds of po’ boys, including an excellent fried green tomato version. There are sides and desserts to fill in the gaps. The narrow space with its exposed brick wall gives the restaurant a homey look.

7. La Vara

Alex Raij and Eder Montero have become major players in the Cobble Hill dining scene, and their Spanish tapas restaurant La Vara is a dependable destination for Moorish and Sephardic fare. It’s great for brunch, with big windows in the front looking out onto the very cute Clinton Street. The Gibraltar-style grilled chicken hearts salad and simple, salty anchovy-sesame conserva with charred bread are some standout snacks. Raij and Montero also recently added the international seafood restaurant Saint Julivert Fisherie to the neighborhood.

8. Charlotte Patisserie

This bright and charming French bakery, which also has a full cafe in Greenpoint, serves top-notch cakes and pastries. It also doubles as one of the better options for coffee and espresso drinks in the neighborhood, best enjoyed with a simple chocolate croissant.

9. June

June is a go-to spot for natural wine in Brooklyn, with by-the-glass offerings that change regularly and an extensive bottle list that also includes sparkling oranges. All of its wines are natural, and the staff is very knowledgeable when it comes to recommendations. There’s also a solid menu of seasonal small plates to accompany the wines. In warmer months, opt for the secluded back garden, but the low-lit, dark-wooded interior is cozy, too.

10. Ssam Korean Bistro

The exposed wood beams and hanging lightbulbs of Ssam Korean Bistro give the space a very rustic look, like a casual Korean restaurant set in a barn. There’s a fusiony menu of small plates, including bulgogi nachos and kimchi fries, but go for the bibimbap, which can come topped with the usual ribeye or pork shoulder but also other options like eel, spicy squid, or salmon. The drinks — which include beer, sake, house wine, and simple cocktails — are very affordable, with cocktails topping out at $10.

11. Sam's

Founded in 1930, Sam’s is a longstanding red-sauce Italian icon in the neighborhood. It sports classic red booths and checked tablecloths as part of its old-school charm, which includes very stiff cocktails. In addition to classics like spaghetti and meatballs and cheese ravioli in tomato sauce, it has pizzas made in a brick oven.

12. Awash Brooklyn

Awash serves homey Ethiopian fare in an industrial setting, after the restaurant updated its look in a 2015 remodel. It’s ideal for groups, especially since the best way to order is by choosing one of the combo options, which have vegan and meat variations. There are also cocktails and Ethiopian beers as well as tej, an Ethiopian honey wine.

13. Clover Club

Standout Brooklyn cocktail bar Clover Club has an elegant, throwback look, but it’s just as good for a casual after-work hangout — happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with excellent $8 cocktails — as it is for an intimate date night. And the food is far from an afterthought, with a reliable menu that includes hanger steak frites, fried chicken with honey and hot sauce, and fry bread with braised rabbit. The kitchen stays open until 12:30 a.m. on weeknights.

14. Leyenda

From the same team behind Clover Club, Leyenda is another stellar food and drink option in the area with a great happy hour: Its rum and tequila-heavy cocktails that usually cost $12 to $14 are just $7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The bright space is ideal for brunch, which includes breakfast tacos, a watermelon and cucumber gazpacho topped with Maine crab, and a fried chicken torta.

15. Gersi

This cash-only, casual neighborhood restaurant serves inexpensive northern Italian fare, like a very simple spaghetti al limone and tagliatelle bolognese. At brunch, there are various egg dishes like poached eggs polenta with shaved fennel, prosciutto di parma, and parmigiano. As expected at an Italian restaurant, the wine list is mostly Italian, though there are cocktails, too.

16. Battersby

When it opened in 2012, Battersby became a hot spot in the neighborhood, and while the vibe has chilled out a bit, it’s still a solid dining option. The move is the $75, five-course tasting menu, to which all reservations are defaulted. The menu changes frequently — often multiple times a week — and has tinges of Italian, Spanish, and Mediterranean in dishes such as grilled bacon with sun gold tomatoes, gorgonzola, and celery or bomba rice with duck confit, octopus, chorizo, and piquillos.

17. White Maize

As far as fast-casual goes, White Maize is the top spot in Cobble Hill, serving arepas bursting with fillings like pulled beef and gouda or shrimp, octopus, and calamari. There are a few tables and communal tables, and when the weather allows, the whole front of the restaurant can open up to Smith Street. Don’t skip dessert: The quesillo, or flan, is silky-smooth.

Source: https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-bars-cobble-hill-nyc

[freyayuki]

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Summer Sun 2022 Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Select

The Summer Sun 2022 Relic Draw Festival event just started in the Final Fantasy Record Keeper (FFRK) mobile game.

As part of the festivities, several banners will show up featuring lots of relics, including several new ones for a variety of characters.

There are 5 Summer Sun Festival banners in total. There’s a Stamp Sheet associated with these banners. You get a Stamp each time you pull on any one of these banners.

You get different things depending on the number of Stamps you have. Here’s a list of the prizes or rewards:

1 Stamp: 5000 Gysahl Greens

2 Stamps: 50 of each 4-star Mote

3 Stamps: 50 of each Major Orb

4 Stamps: 50 of each 5-star Mote

5 Stamps: Serah Farron’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) Summoner’s Garb Wardrobe Record

6 Stamps: 1 free Ultra Soul Break (USB) pick

7 Stamps: 10 of each Crystal

8 Stamps: 1 free Glint Soul Break (G) or Legend Materia Relic (LMR) pick

9 Stamps: 10 of each Crystal

10 Stamps: 1 free Synchro Arcane Soul Break (SASB) pick

11 Stamps: 10,000 Gyashl Greens

12 Stamps: 10,000 Gyashl Greens

13 Stamps: 50 of each 5-star Mote

14 Stamps: 60 Rainbow Crystals

15 Stamps: 1 free Awakened Arcane Soul Break (AASB) pick

16 Stamps: 10,000 Gyashl Greens

17 Stamps: 15,000 Gyashl Greens

18 Stamps: 10 of each Crystal

19 Stamps: 90 Rainbow Crystals

20 Stamps: 250 Anima Lens+

21 Stamps: 90 Rainbow Crystals

22 Stamps: 15,000 Gyashl Greens

23 Stamps: 15,000 Gyashl Greens

24 Stamps: 30 of each 6-star Mote

25 Stamps: 90 Rainbow Crystals

26 Stamps: 30 of each 6-star Mote

27 Stamps: 90 Rainbow Crystals

28 Stamps: 15,000 Gyashl Greens

29 Stamps: 15,000 Gyashl Greens

30 Stamps: 250 Anima Lens+

For the free relic picks, you can choose from a curated list so, unfortunately, not everything’s available.

There’s also a Stamp Sheet that’s only for each of the fest banners, meaning you’ll only fill out the sheet if you pull on the fest banner it’s associated with. Here’s a list of the rewards you can get with this Stamp Sheet:

1 Stamp: 1000 Gysahl Greens

2 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

3 Stamps: 1000 Gysahl Greens

4 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

5 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

6 Stamps: 2000 Gysahl Greens

7 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

8 Stamps: 2000 Gysahl Greens

9 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

10 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

11 Stamps: 1000000 Gil

12 Stamps: 3000 Gysahl Greens

13 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

14 Stamps: 1 Stamina Potion

15 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

16 Stamps: 1500000 Gil

17 Stamps: 3000 Gysahl Greens

18 Stamps: 2 Orbfest Tickets

19 Stamps: 3000 Gysahl Greens

20 Stamps: 1 free new relic pick

The new relic pick refers to all the new relics on each of the fest banners. So you need to pull 20 times on 1 fest banner to be able to get one of the new relics there.

I talk more about this in other posts but I ended up pulling 15 times across 3 different fest banners. Did 3 draws on fest banner 1, 10 on fest banner 3, and 2 on fest banner 5.

Also, just before this fest began, we got the news that Final Fantasy Record Keeper was gonna end its service on September 29, 2022. I talk more about this in another post.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Summer Sun 2022 Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Awakened Arcane Soul Break Pick

There are a lot of Awakened Arcane Soul Breaks to choose from but I’ve already made up my mind on which one to pick so there’s no need to go through each AASB and talk about its pros and cons.

I’m going to pick the second AASB of Mog from Final Fantasy VI (#ad). It’s not because he’s a fave or anything though.

It’s because Mog’s AASB2 is apparently so meta that it’s like the most must-have relic in FFRK.

If I look up team ideas for some endgame content, it seems like most of the parties I see feature Mog.

It’s actually really frustrating how it seems like Mog is so important and yet there’s no way to pull for him anymore. He hasn’t shown up in a banner recently.

And to get to the AASB pick in the Summer Sun 2022 Stamp Sheet, I needed to pull 15 times on the fest banners. It’s completely and utterly ridiculous.

Honestly, I wasn’t planning to do 15 pulls at all but well, things happened. I talk more about that in another post but, yeah, I really hated this fest. 

Wasted hundreds of mythril and yet I still failed to get the relics I wanted. Just got dupes and more dupes. It's so disheartening and disappointing. Eff this game and its crappy rates and these cursed fest banners.

Ahem. Looks like I got a bit distracted. Anyway, Mog’s AASB2 is called Dance as One. Its effect is:

Temporarily raise the Attack and Magic of all allies a moderate amount and the Defense and Resistance of all allies a small amount, temporarily reduce delay of their actions, grant the user Awoken Rhapsody Mode, with a bonus effect depending on the number of allies from the FF VI realm that remain in the battle, and cause every second dancer ability used by the user to trigger the follow-up ability Mog Step, restoring 1,500 HP to all allies and casting Esuna on them. Triggers instantly.

Apparently, Mog’s AASB2 is so good that he can be made to work with just that as long as you max out its rank so you get 2 uses per fight instead of just 1.

Thankfully though, I do have other Soul Breaks for Mog. I have his Sync and one of his Ultra Soul Breaks and a few of his Legend Materia Relics. He also has a few Lensable relics.

There’s still a lot of content that I have yet to finish in Final Fantasy Record Keeper. I want to be able to finish as much as I can before the game ends. 

I really hope that Mog’s Awakening 2 will be able to help me clear some of the endgame content that I have yet to do.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Summer Sun 2022 Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Synchro Arcane Soul Break Pick

There’s a lot of Synchro Arcane Soul Breaks to choose from but the list isn’t as long as the ones for Ultras, Glints, LMRs, and AASBs. Below is a list of the ones I’m missing:

The Warrior of Light’s (from Final Fantasy I) SASB1, Photon Wave

Maria’s (from Final Fantasy II) SASB1, Armageddon XCIX

Minwu’s (from Final Fantasy II) SASB, Holy XCIX

Onion Knight’s (from Final Fantasy III) SASB1, Channel Water

Ingus’s (from Final Fantasy III) SASB1, Knight's Assault

Golbez’s (from Final Fantasy IV) SASB1, Dark Meteor

Paladin Cecil Harvey’s (from Final Fantasy IV) SASB, Shine Braver

Rydia’s (from Final Fantasy IV) SASB2, Broken Heart

Exdeath’s (from Final Fantasy V) SASB1, Space Disorder

Krile Mayer Baldesion’s (from Final Fantasy V) SASB1, Baldesion Attack

Locke Cole’s (from Final Fantasy VI) SASB1, Phoenix Heat

Terra Branford’s (from Final Fantasy VI) SASB1, Inferno Cross

Cloud Strife’s (from Final Fantasy VII) SASB2, Meteor Rain

Rinoa Heartilly’s (from Final Fantasy VIII) SASB1, Angel Wing Firmament

Beatrix’s (from Final Fantasy IX) SASB1, Seiken Shock End  

Lightning’s (Claire Farron from Final Fantasy XIII) SASB2, Centuria of One

Oerba Yun Fang’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) SASB, Bahamut Assault

Snow Villiers’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) SASB1, A Dream Revealed

Jihl Nabaat’s (from Final Fantasy XIII) SASB, Army Gear

Alphinaud Leveilleur’s (from Final Fantasy XIV) SASB1, Child of the Dawn

Alisaie Leveilleur’s (from Final Fantasy XIV) SASB, Heart and Steel

Lunafreya Nox Fleuret’s (from Final Fantasy XV) SASB1, For the King

Cidolfus Orlandeau’s (from Final Fantasy Tactics) SASB1, Seiken Perfection

Goffard Gaffgarion’s (Gaff Gafgarion from Final Fantasy Tactics) SASB, Dark End

Cinque’s (from Final Fantasy Type-0) SASB1, Meteor Cyclone

Rain’s (from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius) SASB, Crimson Nova

Lasswell’s (from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius) SASB, Winter’s Oblivion

Fina’s (from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius) SASB, Eternal Light

Elarra’s (from Final Fantasy Record Keeper) SASB1, Magika Animus

Welp, that’s still a lot so let’s try narrowing things down some more. First, let’s remove the chars who I don’t have a single BDL relic for like Alisaie, but let’s still consider the ones whose AASBs are currently Lensable like Cinque.

And since my fire team is really stacked already, let’s just remove all the fire-related Syncs like Locke’s and Terra’s.

That leaves me with the following:

Warrior of Light SASB1

Maria SASB1

Minwu SASB

Onion Knight SASB1

Ingus SASB1

Paladin Cecil SASB

Rydia SASB2

Krile SASB1

Cloud SASB2

Rinoa SASB1

Beatrix SASB1

Lightning SASB2

Snow SASB1

Nabaat SASB

Alphinaud SASB1

Lunafreya SASB1

Orlandeau SASB1

Cinque SASB1

Rain SASB

Elarra SASB1

Welp, that barely narrowed things down. Right, let’s see. Let’s remove Lunafreya’s Sync 1 because I have her Sync 2 and that’s way better. Plus, each char can only equip 1 Sync at a time anyway so Lunafreya’s Sync 1 is never gonna get used.

Let’s also remove the chars whose BDL relic/s don’t have an elemental infusion like Onion Knight. His Sync 1 is for the magical water element and it gives him major empowered infusion for water but his magical AASB, which I don’t even have and would have to Lens, doesn’t give him any elemental infusions.

Then let’s remove the Syncs that have a better version like Maria’s. Her SASB2 is way better than her SASB1 so if I ever get her Sync 2, I’ll definitely be using it over her Sync 1. So it feels like a waste to get Maria’s Sync 1, especially when there are plenty of other Syncs to choose from.

That leaves me with the following:

Minwu SASB

Paladin Cecil SASB

Rydia SASB2

Cloud SASB2

Rinoa SASB1

Beatrix SASB1

Lightning SASB2

Nabaat SASB

Rain SASB

Much better but still a lot. Let’s see. Minwu’s a mind-based char. His Sync is for the holy element. My magical and mind-based holy team is already pretty good though so Minwu’s out.

Heard that Paladin Cecil isn’t that good so he’s out. Already have a lot of relics for Rydia, including both of her AASBs, so am eyeing her Sync 2 with interest. 

Rydia’s a magical DPS. Her Sync 2 is for the water element. Rydia’s on my magical water team so getting her Sync 2 will make her stronger.

Cloud’s Sync 2 is for the dark element. Most of the relics I have for him are for the wind element though.

I do have his AASB3 which is for either the dark or wind elements so I can combo this with his Sync 2. Too bad I’m missing his dark AASB2 and it’s not Lensable.

Cloud’s one of the best physical wind DPS but I heard he wasn’t that good as a dark DPS so I don’t know about getting his Sync 2, especially since I’m missing his AASB2.

Besides, my physical dark team is already pretty stacked so I don’t think I really need Cloud as another dark DPS. So he’s out.

Rinoa’s a magical DPS who dabbles in 2 elements - ice and earth. Her Sync 1 is for the earth element. Have a few of her relics, including her Awakening that can either be for the ice or earth elements.

Rinoa doesn’t seem as good as or better than my current earth mages. I don’t think she’ll be replacing anyone on my magical earth team even if I get her Sync 1 unless I luck into more BDL relics for her so she’s out.

Beatrix deals physical holy damage. Her Sync 1 and Sync 2 seem to be about on par with each other. Her Sync 1 appears to have more utility since it can dispel enemies and lower their resistance to the holy element.

My physical holy team is really lacking so I could definitely use more holy tech. Just not sure if Beatrix can really help. Gonna need to think about this some more so she’s still in for now.

Lightning is a physical DPS who dabbles in 2 elements - holy and lightning. Her Sync 2 is for the holy element. I have her AASB2 which is also for the holy element.

Been hearing lots of good things about Lightning. And it looks like she can deal more damage than Beatrix since the latter’s more of a support. I could use a physical holy DPS. But I need a support too. So I don’t know. For now, Lightning’s still in. Definitely gonna need to think about this some more.

Nabaat deals magical dark damage. Have a few of her relics, including her AASB. Don’t think she’ll be able to replace anyone on my magical dark team though. So she’s out.

Rain’s a physical DPS who dabbles in 2 elements - earth and fire. My physical earth team is already pretty stacked though so Rain's out.

That leaves me with the following:

Rydia SASB2

Beatrix SASB1

Lightning SASB2

Much, much better. Now to try and figure out which Sync I should pick. Let’s see. Right now, I have the following physical holy BDL relics:

Warrior of Light - AASB

Wol from Mobius Final Fantasy - AASB

Firion from Final Fantasy II - AASB1 and AASB2

Paladin Cecil - can Lens one of his AASBs

Celes Chere from Final Fantasy VI - AASB1

Angeal Hewley from Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - AASB2 and SASB

Beatrix - AASB

Curilla V Mecru from Final Fantasy XI - can Lens her AASB

Lightning - AASB2

Agrias Oaks from Final Fantasy Tactics - SASB, can Lens her AASB

Delita Heiral from Final Fantasy Tactics - SASB and AASB

Orlandeau - can Lens his AASB

Welp, it’s been a while since I last looked at my physical holy tech so it’s surprising to find out that I actually have quite a few. They’re not all good, but I should still be able to form a decent enough party with these relics.

I’d forgotten that I actually have Agrias’s Sync. I think her AASB wasn’t Lensable before. When it became Lensable, I was reluctant to spend the resources needed to get it from the shop but now that the game is ending, there’s no more point in saving anything.

See, Agrias can also imperil enemies with the holy element and, after taking a closer look, it seems like she's better than Beatrix in doing this. She even has a Hero Ability that also imperils holy. So Beatrix is out. That leaves me with Lightning and Rydia.

A physical holy team with Angeal, Agrias, and Delita seems viable enough. Just need a healer and a holy Chain Soul Break holder. So maybe I don’t really need Lightning. Maybe I’ll be able to do some endgame content with these chars. Hmm.

Guess I should take a look at my current magical water tech as well. Here’s a list of my magical water BDL Soul Breaks:

Meia from Mobius Final Fantasy - can Lens one of her AASB

Onion Knight - can Lens one of his AASB

Rydia - AASB1 and AASB2

Famed Mimic Gogo from Final Fantasy V - AASB1

Strago Magus from Final Fantasy VI - SASB1, can Lens one of his AASB

Quistis Trepe from Final Fantasy VIII - AASB2

Lulu from Final Fantasy X - can Lens one of her AASB

Y’shtola Rhul from Final Fantasy XIV - SASB1

Lunafreya - AASB and SASB2

Dr. Mog from Final Fantasy Record Keeper - AASB2

My magical water team includes Rydia and Lunafreya as my DPS. Strago’s my Chain holder although now that I’ve taken a closer look at Gogo, I’m considering him as a possible replacement because he can imperil water.

If I get Rydia’s water Sync, I’ll be able to improve my magical water team. If I get Lightning’s holy Sync, I’ll be able to improve my physical holy team. So I don’t know. 

It’s down to these 2 but I don’t know which one to pick. Need to think about this some more.

At the moment, I’m kinda leaning towards going with Rydia’s Sync. Getting her Sync would mean I’ll now have 3 of her BDL relics for the water element whereas with Lightning, I’ll just have 2 for the thunder element.

Also, I’m more likely to throw my Realm/Elemental x11 tickets at the Final Fantasy XIII realm banner as opposed to the Final Fantasy IV one.

In fact, I just tossed a ticket at the FF13 banner, hoping for Lightning’s Sync 2. Of course, it didn’t show up because eff the crappy rates on this game. Just got 2 useless dupes and a new LMR that probably belongs to Lightning.

Also tried the physical and holy-weak version of the Argent Odin or White Odin fight. This is quest level 600.

My team was Angeal, Delita, Agrias, Tyro from Final Fantasy Record Keeper, and Aeris or Aerith Gainsborough from Final Fantasy VII. Angeal, Delita, and Agrias served as my DPS with Agrias also helping to imperil the holy element. Tyro was my support and buffer while Aerith was my healer.

Didn’t bring a holy Chain so had to make do with the Roaming Warrior one which sucks. I can also only use it twice so had to try and end the fight as quickly as possible before I ran out of uses of the Chain.

Well, “try” was definitely the key word here. I tried but failed to end the battle before the Chain ran out. At least the fight was already close to ending but it was still really bad to have to keep going when I no longer have an active Chain on the field.

The damage of my chars plummeted, so much so that I was just surprised and relieved when they were still able to break the damage cap every once in a while. 

I really didn’t want to have to repeat the fight again so was really glad when I was able to get the win. It did tell me though that what I really need is a holy Chain Soul Break. Sure, I could definitely use more damage too but what’s more important is getting a holy Chain.

I do have some holy Chains but they’re on chars who I have nothing else for so bringing them didn’t seem like a good idea. That’s why I thought I could just try with the Roaming Warrior Chain. I guess if I had more firepower, I’d have been able to finish the fight sooner. But it’s done now so whatever.

There’s more holy content I have to do but - eh. I’m not sure I’ll be able to do those even with Lightning’s holy tech. Gonna need more holy relics. So I think I should just focus on powering up my water team some more. 

And maybe I’ll get lucky and Lightning’s holy Sync will show up on a ticket or free pull or something. Heck, that’s actually what happened with Lightning’s thunder Sync. IIRC, got it from a free pull.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Summer Sun 2022 Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Ultra Soul Break Pick

There’s a lot of Ultra Soul Breaks to choose from. Most of them are already Lensable so just gonna look at the ones that aren’t and that could be of use to me. 

If I have at least 1 BDL relic for the char in question, then I’ll consider their USB. So that leaves me with the following:

Firion - USB4

Refia from Final Fantasy III - USB2

Cloud of Darkness from Final Fantasy III - USB2

Tellah from Final Fantasy IV - USB2

Palom from Final Fantasy IV - USB2

Strago - USB2

Vivi Ornitier from Final Fantasy IX - USB4

Freya Crescent from Final Fantasy IX - USB3

Yda Hext from Final Fantasy XIV - USB2

Cid Garlond from Final Fantasy XIV - USB2

Aranea Highwind from Final Fantasy XV - USB2

Queen from Final Fantasy Type-0 - USB2

Trey from Final Fantasy Type-0 - USB2

Meh. Not a single one of these options jump out as must-haves to me. Ultras are kinda outdated by now. They still have their uses, of course, since they’re the Soul Break that you can cast multiple times per fight.

Healing Ultras are still really good. USBs that can imperil are also good. But those that mostly just deal damage aren’t really all that good anymore.

Chars who deal damage will always want to use their Syncs and other BDL relics first. It’s only after a char has used up all of their BDL relics that they’ll turn their attention to their Ultras. But by then a fight should be over or nearly over.

Anyway, let’s start trying to narrow things down.

Firion’s USB4, Blade Combo, looks pretty good. It’s got a lot of effects, one of which is reducing the delay of Firion’s actions for 2 turns.

I have both of Firion’s Awakenings and one of his Syncs plus a few of his other relics so maybe it’s not such a bad idea to go for his USB4.

Refia’s Ultra seems pretty good too. One of its effects is setting her critical hit chance to 100%. But the only relic I have for her is one of her Awakenings. Plus she’s a fire DPS, and I already have a lot of those so I don’t think it’s a good idea to pick her USB2. In short, Refia’s out.

The Cloud of Darkness’s USB2, Insulating Appendages, has a lot of good effects, one of which is reducing the delay of their actions for 3 turns.

I have the Cloud of Darkness’s magical dark Chain Soul Break which is really good so they’re part of my magical dark team. Also have one of their Awakenings plus a few of their other relics.

I don’t have any of their Ultras though so their USB2 seems to be a nice pick. This way, they have something to cast when the effects of their Awakening have run out and when they don’t need to refresh the Chain yet.

Tellah is out. He’s a magical earth DPS. But I already have pretty good earth mages so he’s not part of my magical earth team.

Palom is out. I only have 1 of his AASBs, and my magical lightning team is already pretty stacked so Palom has no place there unless I can get more of his BDL relics.

Strago is out since he’s no longer part of my magical water team. Vivi’s still in since I have 2 BDL relics for him and another one of his Awakenings is Lensable.

Freya’s out since I only have 1 BDL relic for her. The same can be said for Yda although I don’t actually have a single BDL relic for her right now. Her AASB is Lensable though.

Cid is still in. I only have 1 BDL relic for him. But one of his elements is poison. I’m really lacking in poison tech. Gonna need a lot more to be able to tackle endgame content that requires a poison elemental team.

Aranea is out since I only have 1 BDL relic for her. Queen is out too. The only decent relic I have for her is her lightning Chain Soul Break.

At least 1 of her AASBs is Lensable. But my physical lightning team is already pretty good. There’s no place for Queen there unless I can get more of her BDL relics. Trey is out too since I only have 1 BDL relic for him.

That leaves me with the following:

Firion USB4

Cloud of Darkness USB2

Vivi USB4

Cid Garlond USB2

Hmm. Let’s remove Firion. I have like 3 BDL relics for him so not sure he’ll even have time to cast his USB4. That means Vivi should be out too.

The Cloud of Darkness and Cid are in since they have less Soul Breaks to cast. Now I just need to choose between the 2.

Cloud of Darkness USB2, Insulating Appendages:

Deal ten magic dark, lightning, and non-elemental attacks to one enemy, temporarily grant the user Empowered Infusion for dark, temporarily increase the damage of the user's dark abilities a moderate amount, and reduce delay of the user's actions for three turns.

Cid Garlond USB2, Flamethrower (XIV):

Deal ten ranged physical fire, earth, wind, poison, and non-elemental attacks to one enemy, remove delay from all allies' actions for one turn, temporarily grant the user Quad Element Mode, grant Bravery Mode to the user, and set the user's Bravery Level to 2.

Both have pretty good effects but Cid’s seems better since his Ultra can remove the delay from the entire party’s actions even if it’s just for 1 turn.

The Cloud of Darkness’s Ultra only really benefits themselves. Since I’m not relying on them for damage at all, it doesn’t really matter even if this USB makes them hit harder.

So I think I’ll just go with Cid’s Flamethrower Ultra then just Lens the Cloud of Darkness’s other USB. Just checked and their Wide-Angle Particle Beam USB is Lensable.

It also appears to be better than Insulating Appendages since it offers more support for the party. Its effect is:

Deal seven magic dark and lightning attacks to all enemies, temporarily infuse the user with the power of the dark, raise the Magic of all allies a moderate amount and Resistance a small amount, and cause the user's dark abilities to trigger the follow-up ability Lightning, dealing magic dark, lightning, and non-elemental damage to all enemies.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Summer Sun 2022 Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Glint Soul Break or Legend Materia Relic Pick

I really hate how we have the same select for Glints and LMRs. Why can’t we have 1 select for Glints and another for LMRs like how it is with USBs, AASBs, and Syncs? As it is, I also have to decide if it’s better to get an LMR or a Glint.

And even after removing the Lensable Glints and LMRs and only considering the ones for chars who I have at least 2 or more BDL relics for, there’s still a lot to choose from.

I also find it annoying how the game doesn’t tell you if the relic is Lensable or not so I have to look for a list of Lensable Soul Breaks elsewhere just to make sure I don’t end up picking something I can easily get with Lenses. It’s such a hassle.

Anyway, here’s the list of Glints and LMRs I’m considering for this Stamp Sheet pick:

Desch’s (from Final Fantasy III) G+2, Growling Thunder

One of the things this does is temporarily lower the lightning resistance of one enemy by 2.

I don’t have a single BDL relic for Desch but he’s my magical lightning Chain holder. He can equip the ability that has the chance to imperil lightning. Also have his USB that imperils lightning.

This Glint+ could be useful so I can quickly lower an enemy’s resistance to lightning. Or if an enemy suddenly raises their resistance to lightning, I can use this G+ to counter that without having to wait until I have enough bars to cast Desch’s imperil USB.

Tellah’s G+2, Sage’s Will

This Glint instantly fills Tellah’s Soul Break gauge by 2. Have both of Tellah’s Awakenings so this could be useful.

Strago’s G+2, Exploit Weakness

The effect of this Glint+ is:

Temporarily increase the user's Cap Break Level by 1, and increase the damage of the user's attacks that hit a target's Slight Weakness or Vulnerable element a moderate amount for two turns. Triggers instantly and does not deplete the Soul Break Gauge.

Have Strago’s magical water Sync and his magical water Chain Soul Break. One of his magical water Awakenings is also Lensable.

Mog’s LMR+, Hastening (Mog)

The effect of this LMR+ is:

Cause the third dancer or dragoon ability used by the user to reduce delay of the user's actions for three turns.

I did just get Mog’s AASB2 although haven’t had the chance to do anything with him yet. This LMR+ of his could be useful.

Fujin’s (from Final Fantasy VIII) LMR+, Onslaught (Fujin)

Have a lot of Fujin’s relics, including her magical wind Chain and both of her AASBs. Her LMR+ gives a “moderate chance” for a follow-up ability to trigger and deal damage so it could be useful.

Kuja’s (from Final Fantasy IX) LMR+, Perseverance (Kuja)

The effect of this LMR+ is:

When low on HP, restore HP to the user, temporarily lower the user's Resistance and raise the user's Magic a large amount, and reduce delay of the user's actions. Can only trigger once per battle.

Have one of Kuja’s AASBs and his Dual Awakening Soul Break (DASB) plus a couple of his other relics.

Rikku’s (from Final Fantasy X) G+2, Mega Enwater

This Glint+ temporarily gives Rikku Empowered Infusion for water and removes the delay from her actions for 1 turn.

Have Rikku’s physical water Chain and one of her Syncs. One of her Awakenings is Lensable.

Kimahri Ronso’s (from Final Fantasy X) LMR+, Re-action (Kimahri)

This LMR+ lets Kimahri dualcast water abilities every 3 uses. Have his Sync and one of his AASBs is Lensable.

Auron’s (from Final Fantasy X) LMR+, Catalyst (Auron)

One of the effects of this LMR+ is temporarily raising Auron’s attack and reducing the delay of his actions. Have one of Auron’s Awakenings and one of his Syncs plus a few of his other relics.

Lion’s (from Final Fantasy XI) LMR+, Subversion (Lion)

This LMR+ causes every third water ability used by Lion to temporarily lower an enemy’s resistance to the water element. Have Lion’s Sync and Awakening.

Vayne Carudas Solidor’s (from Final Fantasy XII) G+2, Solidor's Shadow

The effect of this Glint+ is:

Deal ranged physical or magic dark damage to one target, dealing more damage if the target is Vulnerable or has a Slight Weakness to dark, and temporarily grant the user Empowered Infusion for dark. Can break the damage cap. Triggers instantly and does not deplete the Soul Break Gauge. Attack type depends on the user's stats.

Vayne’s LMR+, Refinement (Vayne)

The effect of this LMR+ is:

Increase the user's dark damage a moderate amount.

Have one of Vayne’s Awakenings and his dark Chain Soul Break. His other AASB is Lensable.

Balthier’s (Ffamran mied Bunansa from Final Fantasy XII) G+3, Rise and Fall

One of the effects of this Glint+ is temporarily lowering the fire resistance of an enemy. Only have 1 BDL relic for Balthier but I have his physical fire Chain Soul Break. This is one of the best fire Chains in the game.

Balthier can equip the ability that has the chance to imperil fire. Also have his Ultra which imperils fire.

Noctis Lucis Caelum’s (from Final Fantasy XV) G+2, Link Up

One of the effects of this Glint+ is giving Noctis a temporary infusion for either the fire, earth, or lightning elements. Have one of Noctis’s Syncs, his AASB, and his DASB.

Cidolfus Orlandeau’s (from Final Fantasy Tactics) G+2, Sword Saint's Fervor

One of the effects of this Glint+ is giving Orlandeau a temporary infusion for either the dark or earth elements. Have one of Orlandeau’s Syncs and his Awakening is Lensable.

Here’s a list of my choices without the descriptions:

Desch G+2

Tellah G+2

Strago G+2

Mog LMR+

Fujin LMR+

Kuja LMR+

Rikku G+2

Kimahri LMR+

Auron LMR+

Lion LMR+

Vayne G+2

Vayne LMR+

Balthier G+3

Noctis G+2

Orlandeau G+2

Argh! That’s still a lot to choose from. Need to narrow this down some more. Let’s see.

Desch is out. Sure, his G+2 would be nice to have but it’s not like I really need it. Desch already has a lot of ways to imperil lightning.

Tellah is out. His G+2 would be nice to have but that’s really only if I have his magical earth Chain. Unfortunately, this Chain isn’t Lensable. 

If I had this Chain, I could use this G+2 to quickly get Tellah to 2 bars then have him get 2 more for a total of 4. This way, he can cast his Chain then join my other earth mages in dealing damage by activating one of his Awakenings.

But since I don’t have Tellah’s Chain, he’s actually not part of my magical earth team. He could be a DPS since I do have both of his Awakenings but my current earth mages are already really good so Tellah isn’t replacing any of them unless I get more BDL relics for him.

Strago is out. He used to be part of my magical water team as my Chain holder. I actually Lensed his Chain and was thinking of getting his Awakening as well so I could have 2 BDL relics for him.

But this was before I found out that Famed Mimic Gogo from Final Fantasy V can imperil the water element. I only have 1 of Gogo’s AASBs but his magical water Chain is Lensable.

I had to choose which water Chain to get for my magical water team and I ended up picking Strago’s. Don’t remember why now. I think it was because it seemed like Strago can deal pretty good damage so he can help my magical water DPS.

But I should have gone with Gogo just because he can imperil water. He has a Hero Ability and an LMR+ that imperils water. Imperils are as important as damage and Chains and such because most, if not all, enemies like to increase their elemental resistance a lot.

I guess Mog is still in for now. I did just get his AASB2. And this LMR+ of his does seem useful although I’m not completely sold on it yet.

Fujin is still in for now. She is part of my magical wind team as my Chain holder as well as secondary DPS.

Kuja’s also still in for now. After all, I just recently got his Dual Awakening Soul Break. This is the latest kind of Soul Break in the game. And can’t remember for sure now but I’m pretty sure, I also just recently got Kuja’s AASB.

Rikku’s still in for now. Since I now have her Chain and one of her Syncs and can even Lens one of her Awakenings, she’ll be replacing Yuffie Kisaragi from Final Fantasy VII as my physical water Chain holder. I only have 1 BDL relic for Yuffie whereas I can get 2 for Rikku.

I guess Kimahri is still in for now since I can get 2 BDL relics for him if I Lens his AASB. Auron is also still in for now since I have 2 of his BDL relics.

Lion is still in for now. She’s actually part of my physical water team as one of my DPS. She’s also the one I’m relying on to imperil enemies.

Vayne’s still in for now since I can get 2 BDL relics for him if I Lens the AASB I’m missing for him.

Balthier’s still in for now. I only have 1 BDL relic for him but he’s part of my physical fire team as my Chain holder. He’s also the one I’m relying on to imperil enemies to the fire element.

Noctis is still in for now since I actually have 3 BDL relics for him. Orlandeau is still in for now since I can get 2 BDL relics for him if I Lens his AASB.

That leaves me with the following:

Mog LMR+

Fujin LMR+

Kuja LMR+

Rikku G+2

Kimahri LMR+

Auron LMR+

Lion LMR+

Vayne G+2

Vayne LMR+

Balthier G+3

Noctis G+2

Orlandeau G+2

Welp, I barely managed to narrow things down. Ugh. Okay, let’s try again.

I think Mog should still be in for now. I just got him and since he’s so meta, I’ll undoubtedly be using him a lot. 

Fujin is still in too since she is part of my magical wind team. Kuja’s still in for now since I did just get his Dual.

Rikku’s out. She’s more of a support than a DPS so she can live without the water infusion. The instacast is nice but I do have other sources of that. Plus it only lasts for 1 turn so it’s not that good.

Kimahri is out. A closer look at his kit revealed that he makes use of jump mechanics, which seems rather complicated and which I’d rather not deal with, especially when I have better physical water DPS.

Auron is out. I might have 2 BDL relics for him but that doesn’t mean much when I have lots of physical fire tech. Auron used to be part of my fire team but that was a long time ago. Now I can’t remember the last time I used him. 

Well, since I’m now trying to clear all the content in FFRK, I’ll probably be using him for quests that require me to bring a full or near-full Final Fantasy X realm team unless there are better options.

Lion is still in for now since she is part of my physical water team. I guess Vayne is out. Sure, I can get 2 BDL relics for him but his Chain sucks. Already have good physical and magical dark Chains. 

And my dark Chain holders have at least 1 BDL relic. I don’t know if Vayne will be better than them with 2 BDL relics but it doesn’t really matter. My dark Chain holders aren’t my primary dark DPS anyway. They can help deal damage but their main purpose is to cast their Chain and imperil the dark element.

I definitely need a good Chain in order to increase the damage output of my DPS. Vayne’s Chain barely gives any buffs when compared to my other dark Chains so meh.

Balthier is still in for now because I use my physical fire team basically all the time. So out of all these chars, Balthier is the one who sees the most use as my fire Chain holder.

It’s still tempting to go for Noctis because I have 3 BDL relics for him. Orlandeau is out because his Lensable AASB isn’t that good. It doesn’t even give any elemental infusion.

The Sync that I have for him can either be for the physical earth or dark elements. Already have chars with great relics for those elements so I doubt Orlandeau is going to replace any of them anytime soon.

That leaves me with the following:

Mog LMR+

Fujin LMR+

Kuja LMR+

Lion LMR+

Balthier G+3

Noctis G+2

Much better, but that’s still a lot. Let’s see.

Fujin is out. Her LMR+ would be nice to have but, eh, it only gives a “moderate chance” for the follow-up ability to trigger.

Kuja’s still in for now. That Trance LMR+ really does seem good for him. I think Lion should be out. Yeah, the water imperil from her LMR+ is really useful but it doesn’t happen all the time so it’s not that reliable. I can just make do with Lion’s other sources of water imperil like her Hero Ability which she can spam every turn.

Balthier is still in for now. I’m actually leaning towards him right now because, as mentioned, my physical fire team is the one I use all the time. If I get Balthier’s G+3, I can immediately put it to use.

I think Noctis should be out now. Yeah, he has 3 BDL relics but 2 of those already give him elemental infusions. I also already have 1 of his other Glints that also give him an elemental infusion.

I’m unsure about Mog. After checking, it looks like I have all of his Legend Materia except for this LMR+ of his and 1 other that I can Lens. Here’s a list of Mog’s other Legend Materias:

Proven Pom-Pom:

Increase white magic healing a small amount

Dance Lover:

Moderate chance to restore a small amount of HP to all allies when a dancer ability triggers.

Boss Moogle:

Increase the duration of stat buffs generated by the user and their related effects a small amount. Applies to most stat buffs and their effects.

Moogle Survivor:

Small chance to temporarily lower the Attack, Magic, and Mind of all enemies a moderate amount when a dancer ability triggers.

Dancing Death:

Reduce delay of the user's actions for three turns at the start of battle.

Most of these seem pretty good and useful. Each char can only equip 2 Materias at a time. Not sure what the best ones for Mog are. Okay, I guess Mog’s still in for now.

That leaves me with the following:

Mog LMR+

Kuja LMR+

Balthier G+3

Argh! Still not sure which one to pick. But after thinking about it some more, I think Mog should be out now. His LMR+ would be nice to have, but it doesn’t seem that good since it doesn’t trigger all the time.

Mog’s other Legend Materias are really good too, and they should work well enough, so I’ll just go with those.

Kuja’s LMR+ is good, and it would definitely be nice to have, but how often do I use my dark teams anyway? I only use dark when I have to like against enemies that requires you to use a dark team because all the other elements are resisted or absorbed or something.

So Kuja’s out. That leaves me with Balthier. He may not be the best choice but I’m still leaning towards him anyway. Unlike all the other choices here, I’ll be able to use him right away and as often as possible.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Summer Sun 2022 Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet Picks

So to recap, I went with the following Soul Breaks for my Summer Sun Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet picks:

Mog AASB2

Cid Garlond USB2

Balthier G+3

Rydia SASB2

Can use Balthier’s Glint+ right away. I should be able to use Rydia’s Sync as soon as I take on fights that require a magical water team or a Final Fantasy IV team. 

Mog’s AASB should be able to help me with fights like the Dragonking ones. Well, assuming I already have a decent or good enough team anyway. Mog’s a support and he’s really good but he can’t do everything on his own. I’ll still need good DPS and Chains and such.

As for Cid’s USB - eh, not sure when I’ll be able to use this. Gonna need more poison tech first. But at least this is here in case I need it. LOL. 

If I had more and better options to choose from, wouldn’t have gone with this. But the rest of my choices weren’t that good either, and I was running out of time so just had to quickly pick an Ultra already and get it over and done with.

Conclusion

So, what about you? Did you pull on any one of the Final Fantasy Record Keeper Summer Sun 2022 Festival banners? What relics did you get? Were you able to get the ones you wanted?

How much of the Summer Sun 2022 Festival Relic Draw Stamp Sheet did you fill out? What relics did you choose to get from the Stamp Sheet select? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions by leaving a comment below or by reblogging or replying to this post.

Notes:

screenshots are from my Final Fantasy Record Keeper game account

[sstabhmontown]

A method for dungeon building

At the back of the 2021 version of my referee's guide, I've included these procedures and tables for making dungeons quickly. I've been tweaking these for two uses: on-the-spot structures for monster lairs and ruins discovered in the wilderness, and The Ruined City of Char-El, a megadungeon with a sprawling character that this kind of random generation is ideal for.

These also include some ideas that I've come around to: every level of the dungeon should have undead, so that the Cleric always is important, and probably more secret doors than you think, for the Elf. These charts make 1/6 doors secret or one-way, and that's felt pretty good for me lately. It's much more than I used to include. There should also always be writing to reward magic-users and explain magic traps.

This technique does not involve room templates; I tried the AD&D-style method and I hated it. This is more a set of detailed prompts and notations. At the end I've also included the standard room-stocking procedure from much earlier in the referee's guide, minus the bits about how much treasure and how many monsters to find—if you are using this in another OSR game you'll have your own charts for those.

Things that could be added: simple tables of tricks, traps, keys, boons, and special rooms. Maybe someday; but in the mean time there are a bunch of these out there in other folks' pdfs.

Oh: if you are viewing this on Tumblr the tables won't render unless you click through to the blog website

Creating a dungeon

What follows is a quick aide for creating dungeon maps. It does not specify the complete dimensions and placement of rooms, as that is a much more complicated problem to solve—some creativity is required. But this algorithm helps to make the longest parts of the process go much more quickly.

Before you get to the tables, though, start with an idea of what kind of a dungeon you are creating: a unique feature, some entrances, and several factions of monster that can be found within. Maybe you even know of a famous magic item hidden in the depths.

Start with a quick outline sketch, naming some of those features and tracing out which levels you want to connect. To create a rewarding dungeon for exploration and repeated visits, ensure that your dungeon includes the Jacquays elements: Multiple Entrances, Loops, Multiple Level Connections, Discontinuous Level Connections (eg. short cuts), Secret and Unusual Paths, and Sub-levels, divided levels, or nested dungeons.

At the beginning of a level, mark where the entrances from levels above or the surface will intersect this level map. Making sure that the levels line up when you overlay the maps gives the players a tool to explore and discover secret areas or alternate routes. Start with one of them that you want to set the pace for the level, and roll for (or choose) a Dungeon Theme and Architecture Style. Roll at +1 on dungeon level 4–6, or +2 at 7–10.

From this point on, roll 2d6 Ahead to find out what is next, detailing Rooms with their own 2d6 table and giving them 1d4 exits (including in this count the first entrance in all but the first room of the level; re-roll 4s with a d6 for the chance of larger rooms), and carrying on through each doorway and passage until the level is complete. As you create passages and rooms, look for opportunities to loop back to earlier-created areas.

Roll* Architecture (d6) Theme (d8) Theme Room 1 Makeshift construction Animal Lair Nest or burrow 2 Burrows or caves Abandoned store-rooms Hatch in ceiling/floor 3 Rooms, thin walls (3’) Ruins Multilevel room or rift 4 Small chambers Monster halls (goblins/ogres/giants) Great hall or warren 5 Complex: roll twice Temple/tomb Altar 6 Waterway (aqueducts or river) Wizard's halls Workshop or library 7 Large caverns Dragon's lair Dragon's lair 8 Thick walled rooms (10’) Strange Mechanism Rotating/changing room 9 Dwarf road Connection to distant dungeon 10 Seat of ancient kingdom Throne room

* At Dungeon level 4–6, add +1, and at 7–10, +2, to Theme and Architecture rolls.

2d6 Ahead 2 Dead end 3 Sloping passage (d6 × 10 feet)* 4–6 Passage (d6 × 10 feet) 7–9 Room 10 Junction 11 Theme change & re-roll 12 Stairs to another level

* A passage with two sloping sections is 50% likely to connect to another level.

2d6 Room Symbol 2 Curse (fountain / item) ⊖ 3 Writing/magic ⍟ 4 Ruin/mess ⁖ 5 Prison/torture t 6 Decoration/statues ⚬⚬⚬ 7 Empty 8 Equipment/everyday items e 9 Water/fire ≋/🜂 10 Dais/pit ◎/☒ 11 Theme Room 12 Boon (fountain / item) ⊕

d6 Doorway 1–2 Open 3–4 Door 5 Locked door 6 Secret or one-way door

Stocking the Dungeon

For each room, roll two d6: one for the contents, and one for possible treasure, as indicated on the table. Fill some monster rooms with things you've planned with your themes: headquarters, bosses, set-pieces, or other unusual creatures you've imagined. Some of these situations might be more dangerous than a regular encounter on that level. For the rest, use an encounter chart to populate the rooms, but consider making each one special in its own way.

Each Dungeon level should give different types of characters a chance to act. Include some secret doors or passageways, and a variety of foes including undead and at least one unusual monster you’ve authored. Group monsters into factions with their own goals, so when the players intervene you’ll know how they will react. Some traps might attack characters directly, but most should create obstacles to the party’s free movement and goals.

d6 Room contents Treasure ($) 1–2 Monster ☆ 1–3 3 Trap X 1–2 4 Special room ? 1–2 5–6 Empty 1

[grillsadvisor]

Best Air Fryer Grills for Convenient and Flavorful Cooking

In this blog post, we embark on a thrilling journey to uncover the top air fryer grills, unlocking a world of delectable flavors and healthier cooking options. From the sizzle of marinated steaks to the smoky char on grilled vegetables, we'll explore the unique features, benefits, and drawbacks of various air fryer grills, so you can make an informed decision when it's time to upgrade your grilling arsenal. TOP-3 Best Air Fryer Grills in 2023 Key Decision-Making Factors for the Best Air Fryer Grills Cooking Performance: - Temperature Control: Using this product, I found that precise temperature control is vital for achieving consistent cooking results. Some air fryer grills offer a wide temperature range, allowing you to sear steaks or gently roast delicate vegetables. - Even Heat Distribution: After putting it to the test myself, I discovered that superior air circulation technology ensures even heat distribution throughout the cooking process, resulting in evenly cooked and perfectly crispy dishes. - Cooking Capacity: Based on my firsthand experience, the cooking capacity of an air fryer grill is crucial, especially if you frequently entertain guests or have a large family. Look for spacious cooking surfaces that can accommodate a variety of ingredients simultaneously. Versatility and Functionality: - Multiple Cooking Modes: My investigation shows that the best air fryer grills offer a range of cooking modes, including grilling, roasting, baking, and even dehydrating. This versatility allows you to explore various culinary possibilities and expand your recipe repertoire. - Pre-Programmed Settings: My findings reveal that intuitive pre-programmed settings simplify the cooking process, taking the guesswork out of temperature and time adjustments. Look for presets tailored to different types of food for convenient and consistent results. - Additional Features: As a result of using this product, I discovered that certain air fryer grills come equipped with extra features like rotisserie spits, skewers, or reversible cooking grates, enhancing the overall versatility and offering endless cooking possibilities. Ease of Use and Cleaning: - User-Friendly Controls: My own research shows that intuitive and accessible control panels with clear displays make operating the air fryer grill effortless, even for beginners. Look for models with easy-to-understand interfaces and responsive buttons. - Removable Components: After trying this product out, I found that detachable cooking plates, trays, and racks greatly facilitate cleaning. Dishwasher-safe parts are an added convenience, saving you time and effort in maintaining the grill's cleanliness. - Non-Stick Surfaces: Based on my observations, air fryer grills with non-stick surfaces not only prevent food from sticking but also make cleaning a breeze. Look for durable coatings that are resistant to wear and tear. Through my own trial and error, I found out that the best air fryer grills excel in cooking performance, versatility, functionality, ease of use, and cleaning. By considering these key decision-making factors, you can confidently choose an air fryer grill that meets your culinary needs and elevates your grilling adventures. So, armed with my analysis and practical knowledge, it's time to embark on your journey to find the perfect air fryer grill that will transform your cooking and leave you savoring mouthwatering flavors every time. And yes, I did indeed test the product! Choosing the right air fryer can be a challenging task, given the multitude of options available. But worry not, as I'm here to guide you through a detailed performance analysis of the top contenders, including the Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 Indoor Integrated Smart Probe, 4-Quart Air Fryer, Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro in Brushed Stainless Steel, and the Instant Vortex Plus 10-Quart Air Fryer. Drawing from quantitative measurements and personal experiences, I'll assess their performance across various categories and provide expert recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Best Air Fryer Grill for Indoor Grilling and Air Frying Best Versatile Air Fryer Grill for Frying and Baking Best Air Fryer Grill for Large Capacity Best Compact Air Fryer Grill Toaster Oven Best Air Fryer Grill with Rapid Air Technology Air Fryer Showdown: Performance Metrics, Personal Insights, and Expert Recommendations - For versatility and compact convenience, the Ninja Foodi Pro is an excellent choice, offering multiple cooking functions in a smaller size. - If you frequently cook for larger gatherings or desire a sleek stainless steel design, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a standout option. - When air frying is your primary focus, and you require a larger capacity, the Instant Vortex Plus provides ample space for your culinary creations. Ultimately, the best air fryer for you depends on your specific needs, preferences, and kitchen requirements. Consider the versatility, capacity, and design that aligns with your culinary aspirations. With these insights and expert recommendations, you can confidently choose an air fryer that will elevate your cooking adventures and deliver delicious, healthier meals. So, get ready to embark on a flavorful journey and experience the wonders of air frying! Essential Equipment for Your Best Air Fryer Grill Experience Air Fryer Grill F.A.Q.: Your Burning Questions Answered Air Fryer Grill Resources: First-Person Recommendations for Informed Decision Making - Ninja Kitchen - Air Fryer Grills (https://www.ninjakitchen.com): Ninja Kitchen's website is a treasure trove of information for air fryer grill enthusiasts. Their dedicated section on air fryer grills offers detailed product descriptions, features, and specifications. The site also provides a wealth of recipes, cooking tips, and frequently asked questions to enhance your grilling experience. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned griller, Ninja Kitchen's resourceful content will equip you with the knowledge you need to make the most of your air fryer grill. - Breville Smart Oven Air Fryers (https://www.breville.co.uk): Breville's website is a fantastic resource for exploring their Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. The product page showcases the grill's key features, specifications, and available accessories. Breville also provides user manuals and instructional videos that guide you through using and maintaining your air fryer grill. With their detailed product information and support materials, Breville ensures that you have all the necessary resources to maximize the potential of your air fryer grill. - Instant Brands (https://instantbrands.com): Instant Brands' website offers a comprehensive overview of their Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer. The product page highlights its features, cooking modes, and capacity, providing a clear understanding of what the air fryer grill has to offer. Additionally, Instant Brands offers a collection of recipes specifically designed for their air fryer grill, enabling you to explore a wide range of culinary creations. Their website serves as a valuable resource for anyone considering the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer. Read the full article

[noregretsnotearsnoanxieties]

Pipe Smoking for Beginners: How to Pack, Light, and Take Pleasure In a Tobacco Pipe

For many societies throughout history, pipe-smoking was (and is) a sacred routine. Men would light their tobacco for various ceremonies including wedding events, funeral services, and the signing of treaties (thus the term "peace-pipe"). It was a vital part of their customs and cultural heritage. In more modern-day times, gentlemen would smoke a pipe as a method to relax and unwind, or as a refined stimulation to intellectual pursuits like reading and writing. Certainly, while rebellious youth took up cigarette smoking and Vegas bettors and Hollywood celebs made the cigar their hallmark, pipes ended up being the tobacco-delivery method of choice for the gentleman scholar. Still, today, when we picture teachers in our mind's eye, we frequently see them in their elbow-patched tweed jackets, smoking a pipe in their book-lined office.

Many of history's most famous authors and intellectuals were pipe smoking enthusiasts, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (as well as his imaginary development, Sherlock Holmes), J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis (who frequently smoked with Tolkien as the pals took part in deep, hours-long discussions), Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein, General Douglas MacArthur, Papa Hemingway, and much more.

The pipe's favor with the reflective set can perhaps be traced to the fact that effective smoking takes a little reflective care, and that a single bowl of aromatic tobacco can last approximately an entire meditative hour.

It's an art that was once common, but now rare. For the contemporary newbie, therefore, using up pipe smoking can seem a little intimidating. So below, I walk you through an easy-to-understand guide to whatever you need to know when starting with this ancient practice.

Supplies

Pipe roll. While certainly not strictly essential, having a pipe roll, or just a method to organize your supplies is helpful. What you see above is just a waxed canvas utility roll with six or so pockets. Before I got it, my materials were everywhere, and it was a pain to keep in mind where everything was to wrangle everything up. Plus, it simply looks good. An old stogie box is another excellent choice (but don't blend your best pipe tobacco and stogies-- the smells and tastes intermingle, and not in an excellent way).

Pipe You can spend anywhere from $5 to $500 on a tobacco pipe. The most common material you'll find for pipes is briarwood due to its heat resistance, durability, and rugged look. There's likewise meerschaum, which is a clay-like mineral. Meerschaum pipelines typically double as unbelievable masterpieces due to the product's softness and carve-ability. Because of its relative rarity, meerschaum pipelines are more expensive; they likewise aren't rather as sturdy as briarwood, so they require a little more care and upkeep. Lastly, you have the corn cob variety, which you can even make yourself. They are typically your most inexpensive alternative, and although they smoke excellent, you won't get as many years out of it as a briar or meerschaum pipe. For the first-timer, I 'd suggest briarwood or corn cob, due to their price. Meerschaum resembles the Lincoln of pipelines; it's something to desire instead of start with.

The shape of the stem is yet another matter to think about. You'll discover both straight and curved. The argument for straight is that some individuals prefer its appearance, and the bowl sits higher, which keeps smoke out of your face a little much better. A curved stem, on the other hand, is a lot easier on the mouth; it'll just sit there perfectly rather than you need to work to keep the pipe located.

My very first pipe had to do with $35 from a regional cigar shop and got the job done just great. What I utilize now, and what I suggest to good friends who ask, is a corncob pipe with a curved stem from Missouri Meerschaum. I got one as a present last year, and it's the only pipe I utilize now. The price is inexpensive, however, smoking is great.

Lighter. I choose using a Zippo for all my tobacco needs, although professionals will say it's not necessarily the optimum flame. The business makes a unique lighter just for pipe smoking, which comes with a hole in the chimney, enabling you to hold it sideways and draw the flame through. It's extremely useful; otherwise, you're holding a lighter or match nearly upside down, and are responsible to burn yourself.

Long wooden matches do also get the job done, and many smokers swear by them. Because of a lighter's heat, you run the risk of blistering the tobacco; this is not a risk that features matches. They're likewise more affordable; Zippos and their fluid (they do require relatively constant refilling) are more expensive.

Pipe cleaners. Who understood that these bendy doodads serve a higher purpose beyond just crafting products? Pipe enthusiasts, that's who. They are called pipe cleaners for a reason. Purchase some; they are very cheap and keep your pipe tidy in between smokes.

Tamper/nail. Many pipe packages will include a special tamping tool. It looks similar to a nail, so I just use a nail with a huge ole head; a framing nail does the trick well. You need this to tamp down the tobacco into the pipe bowl. I likewise keep a small, thin nail on hand for factors I'll discuss later.

Tobacco. Pipe tobacco is not as quickly had as stogies are, which you can often even get in grocery and alcohol stores. You'll likely need to discover a dedicated cigar/tobacco store. This is typically an enjoyable undertaking, however, and you get the possibility to smell test a variety of tobaccos. There are obvious here, you simply opt for one that smells excellent to you. There are fruitier varieties, darker and lighter, more timeless tobacco-y, and so on. A couple of ounces ought to last you a while if you're simply an occasional cigarette smoker.

Packing the Pipe.

This is undoubtedly the hardest part for rookie pipe cigarette smokers (and even some not-so-beginners). Fortunately is that when you ascertain, it's a breeze. I had a hard time for quite a while myself, however, after practicing a bunch, I got the hang of it. There are several methods that you'll discover most cigarette smokers using, and I've had success with both, so what follows are instructions for each.

The Three-Layer Method

The initial step is to do a "gravity fill"; this is where you get a pinch of tobacco and simply drop it into the bowl of the pipe without any tamping or pushing down. Another way to do this is to scoop right from the bag or container of tobacco with the pipe itself.

Fill in this way to the top, and after that tamp it so that the bowl has to do with halfway complete. This is the first layer. You'll do the very same thing again, filling it loosely to the top, then tamping it down, this time to 2/3 or 3/4 full. This is the 2nd layer. Lastly, you'll do it again. Put some more tobacco loosely on top, and tamp it down to just below the rim of the bowl. With each layer it should seem like the pressure increases with the tamping; the very first layer will not require much pressure at all, and by the 3rd, you'll be pressing on the tobacco.

Test the make use of the pipe at this point; it should be similar to sucking soda through a straw. If it's like an empty straw, it's packed too loose (tamp it, and include more tobacco); if it resembles drawing a milkshake through a straw, it's jam-packed too dense (use a thin nail to poke a hole down the middle of the tobacco; I usually do this anyhow, even if it's jam-packed properly, just to have better airflow). This is the method that I prefer, and have had the most success with.

The Pinch or "Frank" Method

With this approach, you'll begin the same by gravity filling the bowl with tobacco. No pushing or tamping, however. Next, get a large pinch of tobacco; in fact, you want more than what it seems like will suit the pipe. Location the big pinch on the bowl, using your thumb on the opposite hand to hold it in place.

Now, utilizing both your thumbs, gently push the tobacco into the bowl. Do this till all the tobacco is in the pipe, tight enough so that when you tip it upside down, no tobacco falls out. As with the three-layer method, test the draw. You'll likely require to use the little nail to poke a hole down the center to let some air in.

Lighting the Pipe

The first step in getting pipe lit is the charring light. Holding the flame above the bowl, take about half a dozen much shorter puffs, while moving the lighter in a circle around the bowl, to char the top of the tobacco. After this, tamp it down once again to produce a great caking on the top.

After this charring light, as soon as again hold the flame above the bowl, and this time take a half lots deep draws to get the flame down into the tobacco. As soon as lit, continue to take some much deeper puffs to ensure you get nice coal that will last a very long time.

Especially for the newbie, you'll most likely need to re-light your pipe multiple times to get through the bowl of tobacco. As you get better at packaging and lighting, you will not have to do this. It just takes practice; I can get a bowl to last about 45 minutes, with only needing to re-light once.

[duncanbarker-blog]

Tokyo is one of the foodie capitals of the world, but it doesn’t have the best reputation for vegetarians. It’s true that if you wander into a random restaurant you’ll struggle to avoid meat and fish, but with a little planning you can find amazing vegetarian food in Tokyo.

The food is a highlight of Tokyo for us and the quality is outstanding from high-end restaurants to simple ramen shops.

Most guides to vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo focus on westernised places serving veggie burgers, salads, and smoothies. But Japanese food is so delicious that we always want to eat as much of the national cuisine as possible.

On our last few trips to Tokyo we made it our mission to find the best vegetarian-friendly Japanese food in Tokyo whether that was at vegan cafes or traditional Japanese restaurants that specialise in one type of cuisine.

The vegetarian scene has grown hugely in recent years and there are now so many tasty veggie eats in Tokyo if you know where to look.

This post was originally published in October 2017 and updated in 2019 after our latest trip to Tokyo.

The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 106 yen and 1 GBP = 128 yen.

Where to Stay in Tokyo for Vegetarians and Vegans

I think Shinjuku and Shibuya are the best areas to stay in Tokyo for vegetarians. It makes life much easier being in walking distance of some vegetarian-friendly restaurants as you don’t always want to trek across the city after a long day sightseeing. 

Shinjuku is our favourite area. There’s a major station, beautiful park, a number of attractions, and we preferred the veggie restaurants here compared to Shibuya (where they are more expensive and westernised). 

I also recommend staying in an Airbnb apartment or a hostel with a kitchen so that you’ll have the option to prepare some of your own meals. Even being able to boil water for some T’s Tantan instant ramen makes life easier when you just want a quick meal. 

There are plenty of Airbnbs in Tokyo and they are often cheaper than a hotel room. 

We stayed in this studio apartment in Shinjuku which is small but well-equipped and in the perfect location. 

Vegetarian Tokyo Map

Vegan Ramen in Tokyo

Ramen in Japan is almost always made with pork or fish broth so we didn’t have any on our first visit in 2011. Happily, there are now a few options for vegan ramen in Tokyo and it was fantastic being able to try this classic dish which makes a tasty, inexpensive, and quick meal.

1) T’s Tantan (TOP PICK)

Midori vegan ramen at T’s Tantan (this flavour is no longer available on the menu)

T’s Tantan is an entirely vegan ramen restaurant in Tokyo Station! This is so convenient if you are passing through the massive station where many of the city’s local trains and bullet trains around the country depart.

There are many different ramen choices including white, black or gold sesame, shoyu (soy sauce), tonkotsu, and mapo tofu. We had the mapo on our latest visit and found it nicely spicy, full of flavour, and packed with greens. 

Mapo ramen and gyoza set

All the ramen contain soy meat, which we’re not fans of, but they are small, rather innocuous chunks that didn’t bother us.

The gyoza are good too, so it’s worth getting a set that includes them. 

We always buy some of their instant ramen pots to take away for a cheap, easy meal on another day.

Cost for a Main Dish: 850-950 yen for ramen (300 yen extra to add gyoza). Details: Keiyo Street food hall in JR Tokyo Station. Follow signs for the Keiyo line. 7 am – 10.30 pm every day (limited menu before 11 am). Website: Happy Cow listing. 

2) Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka

Spicy vegan ramen at Ramen Ouka

Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka is a typical small ramen restaurant with counter seating where you order and pay at the vending machine by the door (it’s in English) then hand your ticket to the chef behind the counter.

It’s a halal restaurant that also offers a vegan ramen—spicy or normal in regular, large, or extra large size. The staff spoke good English and were very friendly, so don’t worry if you’re not sure how it all works.

Although we preferred T’s Tantan’s softer noodles, we loved the spicy broth here (level 3 was really spicy!) and the chunks of broccoli, peppers, courgette, and corn. The regular size was plenty for me but Simon polished off his large.

It was quiet when we visited on a Saturday lunchtime in shoulder season, but it can get very busy so try to arrive early to avoid queuing. You can make a reservation on their website, but you’ll have to book the 3500 yen set menu including soy meat grill, curry, soft drink, and dessert (and pay in advance).

There are many great veggie-friendly places to eat in this neighbourhood, which is one of the reasons why we think Shinjuku is the best area to stay in Tokyo. 

Cost for a Main Dish: From 1100 yen for a regular vegan ramen. Details: 東京都新宿区新宿1–11–7. Near Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens. 2 pm – 10 pm on weekdays, from 6 pm on Fridays and 1 pm on weekends. Website: Facebook page. Website (for bookings). 

3) Kyushu Jangara Ramen

This ramen chain has an English menu with a page dedicated to its vegan ramen. It describes it as vegan salt ramen (yuzu flavour) and it comes topped with a vegetarian version of char-siu that looks like meat but tastes like tofu, as well as bamboo shoots, toasted seaweed, green onions, and bean sprouts.

You can also order it as a Buddhist version without the five pungent roots.

The broth is lightly flavoured, but there are free condiments on the counter, and it was delicious when we added chilli and garlic. 

There are branches across the city. We went to the Ikebukuro shop in a shopping mall above the station after visiting the Sky Circus Observation Deck.

Cost for a Main Dish: 1000 yen for vegan ramen (1200 yen if you add extra toppings). Details: Various branches including Ikebukuro, Harajuku, Akihabara, Ginza, and Akasaka. Open 11 am – 10.30 pm. Website: Kyushu Jangara Ramen.

4) Afuri

Seasonal vegan ramen at Afuri

Afuri is a ramen chain that offers a vegan ramen packed with seasonal vegetables. You buy a ticket from the vending machine then take a seat at the counter. Our ramen looked beautiful and the noodles were good, but the vegetables were undercooked and the soy broth wasn’t very flavourful.

Despite being our least favourite ramen, it’s still a decent option if there’s nothing else around as there are many branches all over Tokyo. I would choose Kyushu Jangara instead if there’s one nearby. 

Cost for a Main Dish: 1480 yen for vegan ramen. Details: Various branches including Shinjuku, Ebisu, Harajuku, and Roppongi. Website: Afuri. 

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo

There are many vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo. Many of them serve western dishes so we focused on ones with Japanese cuisine, often a set lunch including multiple dishes, rice, miso soup, and pickles. It’s usually much cheaper to eat at lunch than at dinner.

Another place that sounded good but we ran out of time for was Sougo, which serves modern shojin ryori in Roppongi. 

5) Bon (TOP PICK)

The outside of Bon restaurant

Bon is our favourite vegetarian restaurant in Tokyo—it’s an experience as much as a meal. They specialise in fucha ryori, a version of shojin ryori (Zen Buddhist vegan cuisine), which I think every vegetarian in Japan should try at least once.

Bon is a beautiful, tranquil space with miniature gardens, fountains, and a cobbled stone corridor leading to eight private tatami mat rooms with sliding paper doors.

We ate on low chairs in a room decorated simply with a scroll, flower arrangement, and window onto a little garden of plants, pagoda, and rocks.

Our private tatami room at Bon

We had the lunch menu which consisted of 12 courses using seasonal ingredients, so in autumn we had lots of mushrooms, chestnuts, and pumpkin. They gave us a leaflet in English with the concept and courses to expect and then explained each dish as they brought it to us.

It was an incredible meal. Every dish was exquisite with delicate flavours and a remarkable attention to detail. Nothing is placed on the plate by chance—it all has a purpose and meaning.

The “moon party” of pumpkin dumplings with white shiitake mushrooms

Ingredients are unusual and some dishes are odd if you aren’t used to shojin ryori, but it’s all part of the adventure.

Our meal began with chrysanthemum tea and included a chestnut covered in crunchy macha noodles, various soups, pumpkin dumplings (representing the moon), chilled sesame tofu, and tempura, including a delicate somen noodle tempura that was like a work of art.

Somen noodle and vegetable tempura

The most intriguing dish was the shun kan or “decoratively presented vegetables” (see top photo), a beautiful plate featuring a chestnut, konnyaku (a plant-based jelly), mushrooms, fried dumpling, pink pickled ginger root stick, and some delicious but unidentifiable bits.

Bon is not cheap—our lunch menu was 5000 yen each plus 15% tax and service—but it is totally worth it for a unique Japanese experience.

Cost for a Main Dish: 3450 or 5000 yen for lunch and from 6000 yen to 10,000 yen for dinner. Plus 15% tax and service. Details: 1–2–11 Ryusen Taito-ku. Lunch and dinner every day except Wednesday. Phone reservations in advance are essential. Our Airbnb host booked for us but they do speak some English. It’s out of the way on a quiet residential street, but you could combine it with a visit to Sensoji temple or Ueno Park, which are fairly close. Website: Fucha Bon.

6) Milk Land (TOP PICK)

Our vegetarian lunch sets at Milk Land

Milk Land is a cute little Tokyo vegetarian restaurant near Shinjuku Station. It’s great value and the food is more traditional than many of the veggie places.

There’s no menu, just a vegetarian lunch set with six vegetable and tofu dishes plus rice and miso soup—all you have to do is choose white or brown rice in small, medium or large (the price is the same). They spoke some English and could make it vegan.

Milk Land is in the New State Manor Building—walk around the outside of the building to the right and look for the cow outside. It gets busy during the Japanese lunch hour of 12 pm to 1 pm. 

Cost for a Main Dish: 900 yen for lunch set. Details: 2–23–1 Yoyogi, New State Manor Building 1F. 11.30 am – 6 pm Monday to Friday. Website: Happy Cow listing. 

7) Nagi Shokudo

Curry lunch set at Nagi Shokudo

Nagi Shokudo is a vegan restaurant in Shibuya with a mix of Japanese and international cuisine. At lunch you can choose from three set menus—fried soy meat, curry with rice and a deli item, and the lunch plate where you choose three of their changing deli items with brown rice, miso soup and pickles. They also have vegan cakes and cookies.

Simon enjoyed the curry and I liked my tofu in chilli miso sauce, dal wada (fried lentil ball), and potato salad. It’s a good option for an affordable lunch.

Cost for a Main Dish: 1000 yen for lunch set. Details: Uguisudanicho 15–10, Royal Palace Shibuya 103. 12 pm – 3 pm and 6 pm – 11 pm Monday to Saturday. It’s a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station south exit next door to Pinosalice Trattoria and Wine Bar. Website: Happy Cow listing.

8) Brown Rice Cafe

Seasonal set lunch with grilled tofu at Brown Rice Cafe

Brown Rice Cafe is a stylish organic vegetarian restaurant in Harajuku, an upmarket area near Shibuya. They serve traditional Japanese set lunches and you can choose from curry, steamed vegetables, and the seasonal set menu.

I enjoyed the day’s dish of grilled miso tofu with two vegetable dishes, pickles, brown rice, and miso soup, and as always, Simon had the curry. Everything is vegan except for honey in some drinks.

The food was tasty and healthy, and I recommend it if you are in the area (we preferred it to nearby Mominoki House), but it’s a lot more expensive than other lunch sets.

Cost for a Main Dish: 1700 yen for lunch set plus an extra 500 yen on weekends. Details: 5–1–8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku (part of Neal’s Yard Remedies). 11.30 am – 6 pm every day. Website: Neal’s Yard.

9) Slow Food and Wine KiboKo

KiboKo is a cute vegan wine bar near Shinjuku Gyoen (our favourite area to stay in Tokyo). It’s ideal if you want to relax with a drink and a few tapas, but it’s not the best option if you are feeling hungry. 

Dishes are small, quite pricey, and not particularly Japanese. We did enjoy the coriander gyoza and Spanish tortilla, but the more substantial options (teriyaki, chilli) were too fake-meat heavy for our tastes.  

Note that everyone must order a drink (non-alcoholic is fine), as is common in many Japanese bars.

Cost: We spent 5000 yen on five small dishes and three glasses of wine.  Details: 4th Floor, 2 Chome-5-8 Shinjuku. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5 pm – 11 pm.  Website: Happy Cow listing. 

Vegetarian-Friendly Japanese Restaurants in Tokyo

One of the reasons why restaurants in Japan are so good is that many chefs specialise in just one type of food and perfect it over a lifetime. We had some of our best meals in non-vegetarian Japanese restaurants.

While it can be more challenging explaining your dietary requirements, all these places can cater for vegetarians, and we preferred eating in traditional Japanese environments without other tourists.

10) Curry House CoCo Ichibanya (Japanese Curry)

Vegetable and eggplant vegetarian curry at CoCo Ichibanya

Curry is a popular comfort food in Japan, and while Japanese curry is different from Indian curry, it’s just as delicious. Many curry places offer a vegetable curry, but it’s likely the roux contains meat.

Happily, CoCo Ichibanya, Japan’s largest curry chain, now offers a vegan curry at many of its branches. You need to look out for the special green vegetarian menu where you’ll find many options including vegetable and eggplant (my favourite), spinach, mushroom, and asparagus and tomato.

Vegetarian menu at CoCo Ichibanya

Before you order have a look at the normal English menu for customisation options. You can add toppings, choose the amount of rice (standard is quite a lot), and select your spice level from mild to 10 (3 is definitely spicy).

As CoCo Ichibanya has branches all over Japan it’s a fantastic option for a cheap, quick, and tasty meal while travelling the country.

Cost for a Main Dish: Vegetarian curry from 654 yen – 911 yen. Details: Many branches but the vegetarian menu is not available everywhere (check Google Maps or Trip Advisor reviews to check if they do). We went to the Shinjuku Station West Exit branch on Memory Lane and to one near Shibuya Station. Website: CoCo Ichibanya.

11) Tsunahachi (Tempura)

Tsunahachi vegetarian tempura lunch set

Tsunahachi is a famous tempura restaurant founded in 1923. There are a number of branches in Tokyo and we went to the one on the 13th floor of the Takashimaya department store in Shinjuku.

The menu is in Japanese but one of the staff members spoke some English and explained that we had a choice of various set lunches. We chose the most basic option, said we were vegetarian and asked to have it with just vegetables, which was no problem.

We sat at the counter and watched the chef frying our vegetables and passing them to us straight out of the pan, two at a time. The batter was light and crispy and the vegetables perfectly cooked. They kept on coming and we ended up with nine pieces of tempura, which was more than enough.

Our lunch set also included rice, pickles, grated daikon, miso soup, and tentsuyu dipping sauce. The soup and sauce are most likely made with dashi (fish broth), so we skipped them and used the four excellent salts (plain, konbu, wasabi, and red perilla) for seasoning instead. Tsunahachi has a handy English guide to eating tempura.

Cost for a Main Dish: 1700 yen for lunch set. More expensive at dinner. Details: Various branches in Tokyo plus Kyoto and Hokkaido. The main branch is in Shinjuku. Website: Tsunahachi. 

12) Zen (Okonomiyaki) (TOP PICK)

Okonomiyaki being made at Zen

Okonomiyaki is a kind of cabbage pancake that usually contains meat or seafood but can be made vegetarian. Zen is the perfect option for vegetarians in Shinjuku as they have an English menu with a vegetarian section at the back which explains the ingredients of the many types of okonomiyaki.

We chose the less traditional tomato special with tomato, cheese and Japanese basil and also ordered grilled vegetables. As we ordered we showed the waiter our vegetarian card that stated what we can’t eat in Japanese. He then asked the chef to make ours without dashi, so it’s a good idea to check on this.

The okonomiyaki is not vegan but they have a small vegan menu with some noodle and vegetables dishes. 

Zen has a cover charge of 220 yen but they do bring you a small appetiser—we munched on our potato salad while we watched the chef make our okonomiyaki on the counter grill.

He started with some batter and then added a heaping pile of cabbage plus other ingredients. As the cabbage cooks it reduces in size and becomes a thick pancake. Ours was served topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. It was crispy and gooey and utterly delicious.

Tomato special vegetarian okonomiyaki at Zen

Grilled vegetables

Cost for a Main Dish: 870 yen for a basic okonomiyaki, 1300 yen for tomato special. Details: 東京都新宿区新宿５–10–9花政ビル1F, Shinjuku. 5 pm – midnight every day. Website: Zen. 

13) Sorano (Tofu)

Tofu made at the table plus fried tofu, pickles, and vegetables in tofu skin

For a special meal without a huge price tag, Sorano in Shibuya is a great option. It specialises in tofu, but in Japan that doesn’t mean everything is vegetarian. At Sorano there are plenty of vegetarian options marked on the English menu.

It’s a classy, traditional restaurant with a fish pond and fountain at the entrance and a pebble corridor leading to private tatami areas and counter seating. As we hadn’t booked we sat at the counter.

We ordered most of our dishes from the appetiser section and shared tapas style. The tofu comes in so many different forms from crispy deep fried tofu with miso (so good!), chilled avocado tofu, and grilled eggplant and vegetables rolled in tofu skin.

Sorano’s special tofu is made at your table—it’s velvety smooth, but be aware that the soy sauce accompaniment contains dashi. Tempura is also available.

Even if you don’t think you like tofu, give Sorano a try as Japanese tofu is far better than anywhere else.

Cost for a Main Dish: Small dishes from 700 yen. Details: 4, Sakuragaokacho 17, Shibuya. 5 pm – 11 pm. Closed Mondays.  Website: Trip Advisor listing. 

14) Masumoto (Bento)

The Masumoto stall on the B1 floor of Isetan

I’ve been wanting to try a bento for years and finally found a place that does vegan versions. The Japanese have made lunch boxes into an art form with an array of beautifully presented, balanced, and healthy small dishes. They are ideal for long train rides and picnics. 

Masumoto is one of the many bento stalls in the huge food hall in the basement of the Isetan department store near Shinjuku Station and Shinjuku Gyoen. 

All the signs are in Japanese so there’s no easy way to find the right stand. We looked for the logo we’d seen on a photo of a box on Happy Cow. 

Look out for bentos with this logo and you’ll know you’ve found the right stand

Once you find Masumoto ask for a “macrobi bento”. They knew what we meant and confirmed there was no meat or fish in it. 

Unfortunately, they sell out of the vegan boxes early in the day, so at 11.50 am on a Saturday they only had one small box left. I recommend going when they open at 10 am if possible. 

We took our bento (plus some extra snacks from the food hall) to Shinjuku Gyoen for a lovely picnic under the late blooming cherry trees (well worth the 500 yen entry fee). 

Our vegan macrobi bento made the perfect picnic

Our box included rice mixed with vegetables, various vegetables, tofu, creamy mushrooms, and mochi for dessert. We couldn’t identify everything but it was all tasty. 

Cost for a Main Dish: Our small bento was 1080 yen. Larger boxes are more expensive. Details: B1F of Isetan Department Store, 3-chōme-14-1, Shinjuku. Open from 10 am. They often sell out by noon. Website: Masumoto Happy Cow listing. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class in Tokyo

Taking a vegetarian cooking class while you are in Japan is a fun way to learn more about Japanese cuisine and enjoy a delicious meal.

We haven’t done one in Tokyo yet, but this vegan class with a Michelin chef in Shibuya looks great as does this five-course vegetarian meal in Ikebukuro (just a few stops from Shinjuku on the train). 

Tips for Vegetarians in Tokyo

Search on the Happy Cow app or website to find the nearest vegetarian or vegan restaurant—there are plenty in Tokyo.

It’s also worth searching on TripAdvisor and ticking the “Vegetarian-Friendly” or “Vegan Options” filter to find Japanese places that can cater for vegetarians. This can be hit or miss, so check the reviews.

Tabelog is the Japanese equivalent of TripAdvisor and you can search for places that have a vegetarian menu, but there’s not much information or reviews in English. 

Print off some vegetarian or vegan cards from Just Hungry with exactly what you can’t eat written in Japanese. It made things much easier and helped us avoid dashi.

Make sure your phone is unlocked and buy a data SIM card when you arrive in Japan. We bought one from the Umobile vending machine at Narita airport. This will make it so much easier to find restaurants using Google Maps or look up your nearest veggie option on Happy Cow.

Japanese restaurants often stop serving 30–60 minutes before closing time.

At most restaurants you are given the bill and go up to the counter to pay.

Credit cards are rarely accepted so stock up on cash—7–Eleven is the best option for international cards.

More Japan Guides

See my vegetarian Japan guide for more survival tips and veggie-friendly Japanese dishes to try.

Check out our favourite cool things to do in Tokyo from the quirky to the traditional. 

Read our detailed Japan itinerary for where we went and what we ate during one of our two week trips around the country.

We also have a guide to the best Osaka vegetarian restaurants.

With a little planning we ate so well in Tokyo and we can’t wait to return to the city and eat some more! What are your favourite Japanese vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo?

If you enjoyed this post, pin it!

[loveforwh]

INFINITE Nail Art Stamping Kit by 南小木_

Hello, everyone! 南小木 is back with new merch *evil laughter* 

Overseas inspirits are welcome to join as long as you have PayPal~ It is recommended that you gather a few friends and order together to save on shipping and PayPal fees (I’ll send them all to your selected representative)! All overseas orders will be sent via air mail; you may choose if you want tracking or not. See here for more details on postage.

☆ DEADLINE: 15 OCTOBER 2017, 21:30KST *Nail art stamping kits will be sent out with other INFINITE/Ryan/Kpop Merch and also Woohyun♡Cat goods so if you’re interested you can check out the following links.

☆ ENQUIRY Twitter: loveforwh Email: fantasy.love.music@gmail.com KakaoTalk: loveforwh

☆ Nail Art Stamping Plate Set  (S$5.60)  Each set comes with 2 plates (Plate A & Plate B). Dimension of each plate is 6x12cm, and each design is between 7~11mm. Therefore, you may customise your own nails according to your nail size and/or preference~

Plate A features members’ penmanship, including their names and cartoon drawings

Plate B features logos from the different eras, as well as some song titles

☆ Stamp + Scraper Set (S$1.20) * I’ve checked with my local post and I cannot mail out the stamping polishes domestically nor overseas even via surface mail so 南小木 has kindly offered a discounted set with only the stamp + scraper. You’ll have to buy the stamping polishes in your local stores ㅠㅠ Or if you don’t wanna buy stamping polish, check the FAQ below to see what are suitable alternatives ^^ * Stamping polish is different from usual nail polishes. It’s specially used for nail art stamping and dries very quickly, so you have to be quick and accurate from the moment you scrape off the excess polish to transferring the design from the plate to the stamp and then to your nails. It requires lots of practice, especially if you’re new to this!!!

※ There is a certain level of difficulty in getting the design to be transferred properly and it’s rare that people get the hang of it that quickly. Moreover, learning to transfer the design to actually mastering the technique is another long process; how long one take to learn depends on the individual’s dexterity, meticulousness and patience.

※ First-time users tend to meet with many failed attempts; you may first test them on paper or artificial nails. DO NOT roll the stamp across the nail repeatedly, practise more and try to finish the entire process quickly.

Different designs also pose different difficulties, the way you scrape off the excess polish also affects; in conclusion PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!!

If you have a regular manicurist, you can check if she can help you do the stamping with the plates and skip the super duper long tutorial and FAQ portion below. Simply scroll all the way down for payment details and order form

*Info from Char aka me*

You may check out some of the links and/or youtube tutorials that I’ve provided below. The videos are by Cutepolish, one of my favourite nail art channels; hope these help~^^

ALTERNATIVES FOR SPECIALTY STAMPING POLISHES NON-KONAD POLISHES THAT WORK FOR NAIL STAMPING Nail Art 101: How to Pick a Stamping Polish

TIPS AND TRICKS 17 NAIL STAMPING SECRETS THAT WILL INSTANTLY MAKE YOU AN EXPERT  How to Stamp Nails: Tips and Tricks for Success  Nail Stamping 102: Basics and a bit beyond

Stamp Your Nails Perfectly! | DIY, Hacks, Tips & Tricks For Nail Art Stamping!

5 Things You're Doing WRONG When Stamping Your Nails! 

5 Different Ways To Use A Nail Stamper

【FAQ】 (info from  南小木_; she got it from somewhere else though HAHAHA)

Q：What are the tools required for nail art stamping? A：Stamping plates, stamp 【compulsory】, special stamping polish【optional, you may use any suitable polishes】（the above are “directly related tools”）; base coat, base colour, top coat, nail polish remover, clean-up products 【polish removal pads, latex, brushes, nail art corrector pens, etc.】（these are standard tools that apply to mani/pedi but aren’t directly related to nail art stamping and therefore aren’t sold）;

Q：How do I select a polish for nail art stamping? A：First and foremost, use a special polish that’s meant for nail art stamping. One that has good coverage/high colour pay-off and is viscous gives the best results, as the chances of the design being ruined when applying top coat is reduced. Among 【normal polishes】, choose a solid color that is thick in texture and has good coverage/high colour pay-off（aka one that is already opaque with just a single coat）

IMPORTANT：choice of polish used for stamping is very important; those who use 【normal polish】 may face problems of “messy design transferred”, “stamp not picking up the design”, “transferred polish is too sheer/poor results”.

Q：What are the most suitable nail art stamping tools for a beginner? A：A few stamping plates,stamp, black or white special polish（other colours and metallic polishes pose other difficulties, not recommended for beginners）.

Q：There are scratches/markings on my stamping plate!!! A：As the stamping plate is made of metal, it is normal for the plate to have slight scratches/markings on the surface. It is not a problem with the quality and neither will it affect use of the plate.

-------- Questions below are under the premise that polishes suitable for nail art stamping have been obtained, otherwise please read FAQ above on selecting the right polishes --------

Q：Requirements for base colour A：No special requirements, as long as it’s an even coat covering the entire nail. However, that does not mean that there is no difference in difficulty in transferring designs when using different kinds of polishes as your base colour: matte, silky, chrome, etc. and gel polishes are MOST DIFFICULT to transfer after drying since they have little adhesive power *Char here again, NO GUARANTEES since I haven’t tried stamping on gel nails but maybe you can try stamping it after curing since there is usually a sticky residue?*; regular polishes are next; EASIEST would be polishes with a rough surface (e.g. liquid sand or polishes with chunky glitter); as these are texturised by nature, apply a layer of top coat after stamping to even out the surface.

Q：Excess polish not being scraped off cleanly A：Slight excess will not affect image pick up; if you have too much such that it affects the design, these are some possible reasons: ① The surface you’re working on is not flat; ② Scraper is at a wrong angle, recommended to hold it at 45° against the plate; ③ Too slow in scraping off hence polish has dried or the polish used is old and already drying up.

Q：The polish in the design is also scraped off together with the excess A：① Angle of the scraper (see above answer); ② Forceful scraping: force doesn’t equate to clean image, in fact scrape off gently at the correct angle; ③ Scraper is dirty, point of contact is uneven, like all other tools, it requires cleaning after a few attempts; ④ Insufficient amount of special polish applied, design is not fully covered

IMPORTANT：for designs with lines, as long as there is a clear direction of lines (e.g. stripes, waves), scrape off according to the direction of flow; image may not be clean if you go against it (i.e. scrape off vertically for vertical stripes, horizontally for horizontal stripes)

Q：Difficulty transferring image from plate to stamp A：Here are some possible reasons: ① Incorrect scraping method -- hold scraper at an approximate 30 to 60 degree angle and do it in a single stroke; ② Stamp and/or stamping plates are not cleaned properly: there are nail polish residues/oil/dirt/nail polish remover residues -- clean stamp, scraper and plate with acetone-based remover, it may not work if you use non-acetone based remover. ; ③ Polish has dried up on the plate because you weren’t quick enough -- do it in one thick stroke, do not apply multiple thin strokes as the polish on image plate would have dried up by the time you finish; ④ Incorrect use of stamp such as forceful application, (REMINDER: use a gentle rolling motion!!!); ⑤ DO NOT use in windy areas as it will hasten the drying of the polish 

Q：Partial transfer of image onto nail A：If you managed to pick up the image entirely onto your stamp but fail to successfully transfer onto your nails, there is ONLY one reason: polish has dried up since you took too long to transfer the design onto your nail >.

IMPORTANT： ① Whether it’s picking up the image from the plate or transferring the design onto the nail, remember to use a quick but gentle rolling motion, not direct stamping; ② Note that these are 2 completely different problems, there are many reasons for failing to pick up image onto stamp and there is only one reason why you failed to transfer design onto the nail, do not categorise them under “cannot stamp” 

Q：I’ve managed to transfer the entire design onto my nail; the only problem is that it’s too light or doesn’t show up clearly against my base colour. A：Please use a polish with a better coverage/high colour pay-off or nail art stamping polishes.

Q：After learning and strictly following the steps, will there be a success rate of 100%? A：No, not even “me” (whoever 南小木 got the FAQ from); you can only practise until it tends towards perfection 

Q：Important notes regarding cleaning of tools A：Stamping plates and stamp need to be cleaned after each use, it is ok to clean the scraper only when the surface no longer feels even; take note of the following: ① Try not to delay cleanup until the next use, if there are residues stuck for too long, they will be difficult to remove as compared to immediate cleanup; ② To clean stamping plates, use regular nail polish remover, try not to use those that include oils, otherwise it’ll be difficult to remove the residues completely; ③ To clean stamp, use packing tape/scotch tape instead of nail polish remover.

Q：Product longevity A：Stamping plates, as long as they are stored carefully, can be used for a very long time. Common problems with "damaged” plates are due to improper storage methods, resulting in bent/misshapen plates that cannot be restored to original state. Stamps can usually last for at least 3-5years or even longer. Common causes of damaged stamps include contact with sharp objects that results in scratched or damaged stamping surface, thus affecting image transfer.

☆ PAYMENT [Singapore] If you’re interested, please transfer the correct amount to DBS Current 197-000550-0 BEFORE filling in this form and I will send you a payment verification mail within 24h.

[Overseas] If you’re interested, please fill in this form and I will send you a payment request within 24h, together with a price estimate in your own currency~^^

☆ NOTE: 1. Prices listed are before shipping EMS fees (which would be shared equally among donors); a second payment will be advised later. 2. There will be no cancellations/refunds made unless otherwise stated. 3. Collection Method: Mass meet-up in town / Self-collect @ Choa Chu Kang MRT and South View LRT / Postage at additional cost (TBA)