Topazd

This came up with a quick search. I'm pretty sure there's a Maniac TAS WIP somewhere on YouTube as well. The mode still seems to be somewhat unexplored territory wrt LTC.

I get what the mode is trying to achieve, but perhaps a bit misguidedly. I'm convinced there'd be ways to create super easy difficulties while still maintaining the essence of the game. I voted bad. I don't have any strong feelings about the mode though, it's a very minor thing in the grand scheme of things.

I'd say Nocturne on Hard is the hardest SMT I've played, so my vote goes to that one. DDS1 was very forgiving in my experience but 2 may have some intimidating bosses, from what I've heard. The 7th Saga seems to be more of a patience test than anything. I've still enjoyed it as far as I've played, though.

IIRC they just didn't want to go through the trouble of translating all that, but afterwards decided to translate it for the iOS version of all things.

C17 10/52 I spent way too much time on this one. There were a couple bad hitrates (Dorcas had to hit a myrm twice at 58 disp hit (lol) and the boss hitrates were also FE6 tier) but for the most part this was reliable. Dorcas took care of the myrm, the merc, one archer, one nomad and the lower dark mage. After Dorcas had killed the dark mage, Matthew retrieved the Knight Crest. Kent@Javelin ferried Hector@Hand Axe for much of the map. On turn 9 PP Hector attacked the boss with a Hand Axe (disgusting hitrates but only 2 out of 4 attacks had to hit, fortunately). By turn 10PP he was weakened enough for Kent to kill him with the Heavy Spear. Raven had weakened the thief on turn 9 and defeated him on the last turn, getting the Hero Crest. I don't want to have Dorcas fight myrmidons ever again. I like that +3 speed of his though. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (15.71) 31hp/17str/9skl/12spd/8lck/13def/1res Dorcas (10.55) 37hp/11str/10skl/10spd/4lck/5def/1res Kent (9.87) 26hp/10str/9skl/11spd/4lck/8def/2res Raven (6.19) 26hp/9str/11skl/14spd/2lck/5def/1res C17x - 4/56 I might've been able to get 3 turns with some rigging, but this seemed a fairly simple and reliable way. Florina visited the Canas village on turn 1, and Canas ran towards Merlinus to avoid meatshielding of any kind. Kent and Dorcas dealt with the enemy mage and dark mage from afar, Hector moved near Dorcas and Raven proceeded to a forest tile. Raven cleared the way for Kent on turn 3, and he was able to reach Fargus on turn 4. I got the Short Bow and Sleep staff on top of Canas and his items. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (17.66) 32hp/17str/11skl/14spd/8lck/14def/2res Dorcas (11.94) 38hp/12str/10skl/10spd/4lck/5def/1res Kent (10.74) 26hp/10str/9skl/11spd/4lck/8def/3res Raven (7.17) 26hp/10str/11skl/15spd/2lck/5def/1res C18 - 3/59 Pretty straightforward, Kent rescuedropped Dorcas a few tiles from the boss and Dorcas ORKOed him on turn 3. Florina did some shopping, Raven was fed a couple of mercs. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (17.66) 32hp/17str/11skl/14spd/8lck/14def/2res Dorcas (13.08) 40hp/12str/11skl/10spd/5lck/5def/2res Kent (11.51) 27hp/10str/9skl/11spd/4lck/9def/3res Raven (8.39) 27hp/10str/11skl/15spd/3lck/5def/2res C19 - 5/64 I hate Uhai. Gave the Secret Book to Kent. Also promoted him and Dorcas (might be a lost cause but at least bows give him good 2-range accuracy for the time being). Raven took on the enemies on the right, where Hector also helped a little. Dorcas cut down the snags to clear the way for Kent. Defeated Uhai with Horseslayerx2 + Longsword. I also realized how ridiculous my Hector's speed is. Seems like the trend for this run. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (18.22) 32hp/17str/12skl/15spd/8lck/15def/3res Dorcas (1.72) 43hp/13str/13skl/10spd/5lck/8def/5res Kent (2.57) 30hp/12str/13skl/12spd/4lck/11def/5res Raven (9.87) 28hp/10str/11skl/16spd/3lck/5def/3res Fiora (7.48) 21hp/8str/11skl/13spd/6lck/6def/7res C19x - 4/68 Fiora is pretty neat. She had to dodge one Bolting at ~50 disp hit to survive. She isn't bulky enough to pull a 3-turn clear, though. She dropped Hector on a mountain on turn 2. On turn 3, Hector ORKOed Aion with a Hand Axe and seized the following turn. The others managed to get some exp, and Florina also retrieved the Goddess Icon. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (20.--) 34hp/18str/13skl/15spd/8lck/16def/4res Dorcas (1.89) 43hp/13str/13skl/10spd/5lck/8def/5res Kent (3.33) 31hp/12str/13skl/12spd/4lck/12def/5res Raven (10.22) 29hp/11str/11skl/17spd/4lck/5def/3res Fiora (7.88) 21hp/8str/11skl/13spd/6lck/6def/7res C20 - 5/73 I only managed to get Luna out of all the treasures. Unfortunately had to rig Kent a Heavy Spear crit (5 disp crit) for this to work. I guess Dorcas could've helped with the Darin kill, if I didn't need him to clear the way for Fiora to retrieve Luna. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (20.--) 34hp/18str/13skl/15spd/8lck/16def/4res Dorcas (2.21) 44hp/14str/14skl/10spd/6lck/8def/5res Kent (5.32) 32hp/14str/15skl/13spd/5lck/13def/5res Raven (11.07) 30hp/12str/12skl/17spd/5lck/5def/3res Fiora (7.99) 21hp/8str/11skl/13spd/6lck/6def/7res C21 - 2/75 Some slight rescuechaining to make Matthew capable of stealing the Hero Crest (for Raven) from Oleg on turn 2. Hector was rescuedropped to Oleg's range on turn 1. On turn 2, Kent, Fiora and Dorcas cleared the way for Matthew. Hector got the bosskill. Eliwood shopped a bit and Florina visited the two left villages. Kent also got D axes. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (20.--) 34hp/18str/13skl/15spd/8lck/16def/4res Dorcas (2.34) 44hp/14str/14skl/10spd/6lck/8def/5res Kent (5.79) 32hp/14str/15skl/13spd/5lck/13def/5res Raven (11.07) 30hp/12str/12skl/17spd/5lck/5def/3res Fiora (8.79) 22hp/8str/12skl/14spd/6lck/6def/7res Ninian (1.21) base C22 - 4/79 Could've gotten 3 turns with a Hand Axe crit, but I got both the Brave Axe and 10,000G this way. Ninian danced Kent so he'd get a good head start and he ran towards Eubans. Dorcas, Fiora and Raven went left, killed the Fighter, Thief and Heath and got both treasure chests. Kent attacked Eubans with Hand Axe on turn 3 PP and EP and finished with Horseslayer on turn 4. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (20.--) 34hp/18str/13skl/15spd/8lck/16def/4res Dorcas (2.75) 44hp/14str/14skl/10spd/6lck/8def/5res Kent (7.73) 34hp/16str/17skl/14spd/5lck/13def/6res Raven (11.16) 30hp/12str/12skl/17spd/5lck/5def/3res Fiora (9.18) 22hp/9str/13skl/15spd/7lck/7def/7res Ninian (1.51) base VBA

Lmao, I had to redo things from C14 onward since I forgot to recruit Priscilla for Raven. At least I had everything in fresh memory. -_- Turncounts stayed the same though. Did everything somewhat more impulsively, so levels and stats slightly changed. [ spoiler=namehere][ /spoiler] remove spaces

C13x - 7/25 Not a fan of the chapter. I'm sure the exp could have been spread more optimally, but this'll have to suffice. The village was visited. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (9.30) 26hp/13str/6skl/9spd/8lck/11def/1res Dorcas (6.37) 33hp/9str/8skl/8spd/4lck/4def/0res Marcus (2.00) 32hp/15str/16skl/11spd/8lck/10def/8res C14 - 5/30 Erk took out a knight + soldier as a green unit, Dorcas 2 soldiers + a peg and Hector 2 pirates + a cav + a peg. Marcus essentially soloed the rest of the map. I'm pretty sure 4 turns could be still pulled off with a team like this, but I'm satisfied either way. Merlinus wasn't deployed. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (10.45) 27hp/13str/7skl/9spd/8lck/12def/2res Dorcas (7.38) 34hp/9str/8skl/8spd/5lck/4def/0res Marcus (3.44) 32hp/15str/17skl/12spd/8lck/10def/8res C15 - 7/37 Dorcas aggroed Sealen on turn 1 so that he'd later move to the upper portion of the map. Hector was strong enough to OHKO him with Wolf Beil (and even if he wouldn't have, he still would've doubled). Managed to get the Silver Axe and Hector got another really good level. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (12.26) 29hp/14str/8skl/10spd/10lck/13def/3res Dorcas (8.36) 35hp/10str/8skl/8spd/6lck/4def/0res Marcus (3.94) 32hp/15str/17skl/12spd/8lck/10def/8res C16 - 5/42 Dorcas dealt with all the pegs and retrieved the Red Gem afterwards. Kent was able to kill 4 enemies and gain a level while getting the Heavy Spear. Lyn and Wil spent the time shopping intensively. Marcus defeated Bauker with Silver Lance. I wish I could've rescuedropped Hector in time to feed him the bosskill instead. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (12.55) 29hp/14str/8skl/10spd/10lck/13def/3res Dorcas (9.43) 35hp/11str/8skl/8spd/7lck/4def/0res Kent (6.55) 24hp/9str/8skl/8spd/4lck/6def/1res

Silly me, Geitz/Wallace then. C11 - 7/7 [spoiler=Stats] Hector (3.63) 21hp/9str/4skl/6spd/4lck/9def/1res C12 - 5/12 Hector went slightly to the right and dealt with most of the pegs and one brigand. Dorcas managed to lure and kill 2 enemies (an archer and a brigand) and Marcus dealt with everything else. Marcus wasn't able to attack Zagan on turn 5 PP, but I managed to get him to a position where Zagan couldn't reach behind him and where Hector was able to chip him with the hand axe (this was ~54hit or so, I opted to rig it) and Marcus finished him on turn 5 EP. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (5.26) 22hp/10str/4skl/7spd/6lck/10def/1res Dorcas (3.92) base Marcus (1.86) base C13 - 6/18 Dorcas rescuedropped Hector on the river and Marcus ran for the Merlinus village after dealing with one brigand. Dorcas somehow managed to proc everything but def and res by killing a pegasus (I swear I didn't rig any of these). Hector also got nice level ups, +2 spd is pretty great. Anyhow, Hector attacked Boies on turn 5 PP, missed once, but counterkilled him on EP. [spoiler=Stats] Hector (7.17) 24hp/12str/4skl/9spd/8lck/10def/1res Dorcas (4.82) 31hp/8str/8skl/7spd/4lck/3def/0res Marcus (1.89) base

Geitz/Wallace and Karel, pretty self-explanatory.

Dorcas and Vaida

Pent, Raven

Kent, Fiora

Sure, I'm in. It's also my first time doing a draft, so you're not alone in that department!

Civilian bombings for the purpose of lowering morale are cruel, but serve a clear purpose. And wasn't the bombing of Dresden simply for the purpose of lowering German morale? There's no denying how ruthless certain actions are, but they may have well been the most efficient way to end the conflict - Hiroshima is one example blah already brought up. Though concentration camps fall pretty clearly under the category of war crimes that need to be judged, in my eyes.

DQV is probably my favourite game ever, so that'd be the obvious one recommend. I always suggest people play the PS2 version if they find it at all possible, the soundtrack really does make it all worth it. But there's nothing exactly wrong with the DS version, so that's a good place to start nevertheless.

My absolute favourite besides FE is SMT, especially if you count stuff like Devil Survivor and Devil Summoner (the dungeon crawlers, not the ARPGs) into the mixture. Dragon Quest, Suikoden and Ys are some I could classify as contenders. I've also keenly followed Zero Escape, but beyond that point I couldn't name any series I particularly care about.

There's no justifying such acts, I agree, but the question why is very easy to answer, in that particular case at least. Considering what the Wehrmacht did to the Russians and what the general Soviet attitude towards Germans was, it's hard to imagine any Russian soldier giving a damn about what part a German civilian may or may not have had in the atrocities. Konstantin Simonov's poem 'Kill him' is very indicative of the attitude of the time. [spoiler=A rather lengthy poem]If your house means a thing to you Where you first dreamed your Russian dreams In your swinging cradle, afloat Beneath the log ceiling beams. If your house means a thing to you With its stove, corners, walls and floors Worn smooth by the footsteps of three Generations of ancestors. If your small garden means a thing: With its May blooms and bees humming low, With its table your grandfather built Neath the linden - a century ago. If you don't want a German to tread The floor in your house and chance To sit in your ancestors' place And destroy your yard's trees and plants If your mother is dear to you And the breast that gave you suck Which hasn't had milk for years But is now where you put your cheek; If you cannot stand the thought Of a German's doing her harm. Beating her furrowed face With her braids wound round his arm. And those hands which carried you To your cradle washing instead A German's dirty clothes Or making him his bed . [if you haven't forgotten your father Who tossed you and teased your toes, Who was a good soldier, who vanished In the high Carpathian snows, Who died for your motherland's fate, For each Don and each Volga wave, If you don't want him in his sleeping To turn over in his grave, When a German tears his soldier picture With crosses from its place And before your own mother's eyes Stamps hobnailed boots on his face.] If you don't want to give away Her you walked with and didn't touch, Her you didn't dare even to kiss For a long time - you loved her so much, And the Germans cornering her And taking her alive by force, Crucifying her - three of them Naked, on the floor; with coarse Moans, hate, and blood, - Those dogs taking advantage of All you sacredly preserved With your strong, male love. If you don't want to give away To a German with his black gun Your house, your mother, your wife All that's yours as a native son No: No one will save your land If you don't save it from the worst. No: No one will kill this foe, If you don't kill him first. And until you have killed him, don't Talk about your love - and Call the house where you lived your home Or the land where you grew up your land. If your brother killed a German, If your neighbor killed one too, It's your brother's and neighbor's vengeance, And it's no revenge for you. You can't sit behind another Letting him fire your shot. If your brother kills a German, Hes a soldier; you are not. So kill that German so he Will lie on the ground's backbone, So the funeral wailing will be In his house, not in your own. He wanted it so It's his guilt Let his house burn up, and his life. Let his woman become a widow; Don't let it be your wife. Don't let your mother tire from tears; Let the one who bore him bear the pain. Don't let it be yours, but his Family who will wait in vain. So kill at least one of them And as soon as you can. Still Each one you chance to see! Kill him! Kill him! Kill! Anyhow, the point is that in the circumstances of war, emotions will most likely take precedence, no matter how regrettable it may be.

Pardon me if this is incorrect (I'm no expert on U.S. history), but to my knowledge public opinion was overwhelmingly in support of the war, at first. All that changed before long, Vietnam being the first largely televised war and all. But at first, people didn't exactly have the same outlook on war as we might have now.

If there's one good thing to be said about the bugginess of Bethesda games, they at least tend to present only minor inconveniences in lieu of actual game-breaking issues. Anyhow, I'll say No Man's Sky since I'm not a huge fan of Fallout 3 and I expect 4 to follow suit. New Vegas is one my favourite games, but that was Obsidian.

People have differing views on what significance nationality means to them, and for some, it may be too much to ask them to abandon their nation simply because of unethical orders. I'd also be willing to bet none of this seemed as clear for the soldiers themselves as it does to us now - this is all within a context of war, after all.

Imprisonment for life does nothing beneficial for anyone, when the imprisoned would be of no danger to society. Wouldn't call him a war hero, but it's silly to claim people specifically enlisted to kill innocents, on account of being sociopaths no less.

Persona 2 beat you to it, sadly. And I mean, it's pretty difficult to conceive something quite as awesome as Hitler-Nyarlathotep armed with Saint Longinus' Holy Lance.