Arknights now finally global! (NA)

[Toranth]

So, another CC come, another CC gone.

I've been playing long enough that it was easy to get W1R18, so I decided it was time to push for "high-rank". JFC, it seems I have smol-brain, which I acquired off a stream bottom. I managed a few more Risks during week 2, but even watching videos, I could not get anywhere close to the R31 crazies. I wonder how much those people play, to manage those playthroughs. Do they get paid to just sit there and play the CC maps over and over again for two weeks, or something?

But I got the lovely Blue Poison skin, so it all turned out good.

[Wandering Swordwoman]

Chen alter when

[ResidentSeagull]

Don't worry.

Bikini Blaze is just around the corner.

[Toranth]

So, she's here! Female Tourist C, the bikini Blaze, the more-broken-than-Surtr, Chen Alter: Ch'en the Hollandaise!
Happy 2nd Anniversary, Arknights Global. I missed the start, so my personal 2 years is still a few months out, but I'm enjoying this one anyway.

Blew through all my savings of ordumdum and tickets from the past couple of months and barely managed to get the new Meta-Goddess of Waterguns (which, according to the story, she started using because she didn't want to hurt people). La Pluma is a fun unit, too, especially with that odd AOE attack range. I'm not sure how effective she is - Hellagur and Utage are both rather niche - but at the least, she is a fun unit to play with. Chalter, on the other hand, is exactly as broken as we knew she'd be. God knows what she'll be like when she gets a module. On the gripping hand, Mizuki as exactly as worthless as we knew ̶s̶he'd be.

As for the even itself, well. Story is OK, graphics are really good - more CGs than usual, and more attention paid to the characters. Stands have more expressions than usual, for example. Music is usual Arknights - well chosen and enjoyable BGM.
The levels are more straightforward than most of the last few events, and the simple enemy mechanics are simple. As a result, the levels are easier (I think), especially if you get the good stickers early. Exu with +200 ATK is pretty crazy.
On the other hand, with the stickers, the meta-mechanics got messy. The Event title screen has something like 7 or 8 buttons on it, some of which are hard to differentiate from random background color splashes. In addition to the normal story and EX level buttons, there's also the Investigation levels button. Then there's the event store, the sticker store, the Ch'en Clue list, the reward ladder, the medal list, the trust advertisement... I think that's it. Lots of extra stuff this time, in other words.

Managed to finish the story levels without difficulty, but then got curbstomped on the first investigation level. I think I'm going to have to pull in the meta-OPs for these levels (or find a guide).

All in all, a good event, as expected from AK Anniversary. Best of luck to all the rest that are still pulling!

[ResidentSeagull]

Agree that the menu is a bit much, but it does fit in with the rest of the event in the sense that they went all out with it, which I do appreciate. You can tell that they put a lot of effort into making this event feel unique.

I myself am only interested in maybe giving a few rolls for La Pluma, but beyond her nothing in this banner interests me all that much, but I also intend to go all out in the upcoming Thorns rerun, so I need to save for that.
While we're on the topic of saving for future events, the stream for the CNY event happened today and I'd like to share it for anyone who didn't watch it, cause it was pretty dope.

New CGI trailer

All the new stuff

Ling is gonna make a lot of people skip the Nearl Alter banner, including me.
Damn, Lee's E2 art is top tier.

Also, the next side story event is gonna be set in Laterano (with Suffering being a new op, from what I gather) and Chapter 10 releases in April.
All in all, pretty hype reveals imo.

[Toranth]

Kroos alter!! Yay! We knew it was coming, but still - Yay!
Ooh, 6* summoner Nian-sister.
Also, a 6* version of Jaye-archetype. That's either gonna be hilariously worthless or totally broken.

Also, why does Kung-Fu Panda get another skin? Share some love with the rest of the cast, please. Although that Indigo skin is wonderful.

Edit: So Ling can summon Blazes, huh. That'll be fine.

[ResidentSeagull]

Edit: So Ling can summon Blazes, huh. That'll be fine.

They're block 4.

[Wandering Swordwoman]

Ling is so hot

looks like onee-san type

[Wandering Swordwoman]

Aaawww some this stages looks pain since the enemy are using boat, that mean you beat the same enemy twice

[Toranth]

Aaawww some this stages looks pain since the enemy are using boat, that mean you beat the same enemy twice

The main stages aren't too bad with those guys, but the DH-S-x special stages (and especially their CM modes) are hung up on those gimmicks. Of course, to the power whales, it doesn't matter - as shown by a 45 second clear of the Boss level. Which would have been faster, except the boss has a 10 second invulnerability between phases 1 and 2.

[Deathhappens]

Did someone edit the title to not be allcaps anymore or am I getting gaslit

[Wandering Swordwoman]

The main stages aren't too bad with those guys, but the DH-S-x special stages (and especially their CM modes) are hung up on those gimmicks. Of course, to the power whales, it doesn't matter - as shown by a 45 second clear of the Boss level. Which would have been faster, except the boss has a 10 second invulnerability between phases 1 and 2.

yea the problem is when it's not the main stage....

[Wandering Swordwoman]

Complete banger
Talulah arc is only for something bigger that gonna come.
also Theresa and Kal friendship is sweet

[Wandering Swordwoman]

Great Chief rerun and....
Uoooooghhh Angelina and Eyja skin

[Toranth]

The meme has now died on Global.

I'd forgotten how annoying some of these enemies were - especially you, Mr Global 15 second stun Boss. That said, RI-9 still makes me feel bad. On the other hand, it's basically made for La Pluma highlight reels, so...

[Wandering Swordwoman]

hahahaa yeaah. La pluma destroy mobs here

[Rue]

Eyja skin

Cute & lovely that one.

A Jackie Chan inspired Jackie skin is fine too. Being free is quite nice as well.

[ResidentSeagull]

PINK DOGGO LIVES!!!

- - - Updated - - -

OH WAIT

SHE'S ACTUALLY A CAT

[Wandering Swordwoman]

Uooogghh

[ResidentSeagull]

Since I was saving for it for a while, I pulled for the Thorns rerun. In the end I got 1XMagellan, 1XSkadi and 1XThorns. Getting Thorns and Skadi made me quite happy, as you can imagine.

But in any case, I wish everyone who's aiming for the sea urchin good luck.