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Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.17 19:43:00 - [1] - Quote This is the second part of the diary that I am working on so that others can learn what I have learned. If you haven't already done so, here is a link of the first part that you can read with details about how I began my profession and how far I have progressed then. https://forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=40601&find=unread Anyways, now for the diary. As of today I managed to get into a squad with Seraphim Initiative so that I can put to the test what I have learned so far. First off I like to say that SI is a very friendly corp and they appreciate how much effort I have put into being a ninja knifer. During the matches we managed to win quite a bit while, on occasion, somehow ended up fighting against other SI members (matchmaking is weird). There were only a few maps in which I could utilize my knifing abilities to the full potential while the rest of the maps I participated in were simply not suited for it and thus I was forced to resort to either sniping with a militia sniper (my secondary profession) or run in with a militia assault setup. I was not surprised by this at all because this is common. There were a few occasions where I was able to utilize the nova knife in the mountains and sometimes even melee kills to go with it. In one funny instance, someone tried to use a nova knife on me... well... at least that person tried. Overall I didn't feel like I made a very good first impression for SI in terms of demonstrating the practical use of the weapon. One of their members made it very clear how hard it is to actually find a practical use for the nova knife other than the weapon being fun to use as a sidearm only. If you think about it, he is right. Let's look at the points that were made. Most of the time, a ninja knifer is roaming in the hills and other hidden areas as this setup is mainly meant to clear out snipers and even LAV turret gunners who are by themselves shooting from the distance thinking the ridges will protect them. Most corp battles are about capturing the objectives so the nova knifer has little to contribute. A friendly sniper can find an enemy sniper faster compared to spending 5-10 minutes looking for a sniper if you went with the nova knife only. It is extremely hard to get into if using the knife as a primary weapon and your melee being the only secondary. There probably won't be that many ninja knifers out there who are at least good at what they do. But still, they were very friendly and I understood what they were saying. But I also made it clear that ninja knifing is my primary choice once Dust 514 is released. Even though it will be extremely hard for me to be accepted into a corp with high standards and certain expectations, SI has at least offered me the opportunity to squad with some of their members every now and then whenever I feel rather lonely and need company. I learned a lot more about what it means to be a specialized ninja knifer during this small time frame with the squad than I have spending weeks learning the knife and I have Seraphim Initiative to thank for that experience. In conclusion, I will stick with being mostly a lone wolf with a knife. At the very least I have made new friends to chat with on their public channel. ===Update 18 Oct 2012=== A very frustrating thing happened to me today. Out in the East ridges of the skirmish map that has the rocky spires and only 3 objectives, I managed to find a sniper perched in the ridge right above me as I passed under him. Even though he didn't appear on the tacnet, I could tell he was there by the sound of his sniper rifle as well as the faint bullet trail that led me to him. As I approached him from around the corner and from behind within the red zone, there I was right next to him with my nova knife charges and ready to kill. As soon as I attacked, I missed? What? I tried again and I missed still. As I tried to get closer, I realized I got stuck in a small pinch of the terrain mesh right next to him. Then the sniper turned around and saw me. I tried to melee but he was still too far and I managed to dislodge myself in time to last only 7 seconds as I got stuck, once again, in another part of the terrain and there I was getting killed by his SMG. How embarrassing. Had it not been for that minor glitch in the terrain, I would've killed him. Let this be a warning to all of you folks out there jumping across mountains. Watch where you step on the ridge. You might get stuck. On a brighter note, I did managed to kill a sniper in an ambush match where there is an MCC construction facility. I spotted the fella hidding behind the cylinder tanks that have ladders on him. As he turned around I managed to stay out of his vision by keeping to his side. I followed him up the ladder he went on, made sure I waited just below the top end of the ladder so that he wouldn't see me if he turned around. I took a peak to see if he moved on and then followed him. I then took a stab at him as he was shooting my team mates with his sniper rifle. Snipers can be so delicious... so long as a rock doesn't get you stuck. Oh, one more thing. During the two above occasions, I was using my 'skinweave' scout fitted this time with an enhanced profile dampener for the mid slot and a militia profile dampener for the low slow. It seems to help out a lot at the expense of sprint speed. In addition to this, I have also been busy figure out how to build my fit on a strict budget since my earnings are low in relation to everyone else. Overall, it has gotten easier for me to keep up to 200,000 ISK on average in my wallet. Although on some occasions the wallet dipped down to 100,000 ISK. But that has rarely happened. Also, I learned to restock my dropsuit fits via their individual mods rather than as a single group since I only need to restock a certain mod while another mod that is already fitted doesn't need restocking.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.17 19:43:00 - [2] - Quote ===Updated 20 Oct 2012=== The following is a list of strategies I have developed throughout my experience in the field as a Ninja Knifer. Some of these strategies I may have mentioned already but some of them are rather new. These are meant to help increase your chance of survival as well as your success rate in dealing with players who are snipers. First, let me reiterate what I have mentioned before in my previous diary. When it comes to rewards like SP and ISK, forget about it. You're not going to earn much as a ninja knifer and therefore you must not see SP/ISK as a major part of your reward. You're real reward comes from bringing hell to those pesky snipers as you take away their sense of security by stabbing them where they least expect it. Now for the fun stuff. Head for the Hills The maps may change in terms of overall placement of the structures made by either the NPC system or the player-run corps, but the terrain never changes. The tall ridges help mask your profile from much of the mercs roaming around, but you are still vulnerable to those special mercs that like to live in the hills like you. So avoid the roads that you see in the mountains as much as possible. If you have to cross them, make sure they are cleared because as soon as you are spotted you will light up in the TACNET for everyone else to see and there goes your element of surprise. You have a major advantage once you reach the peak of the ridges. The peaks allow you to quickly slide down and pounce on a merc down below without loosing much stamina. The ridges also provide an near endless list of practical hiding spots for your drop uplink. That way, if you die to a merc, you can surprise them with a sudden reappearance as they usually let their guard down after killing you thinking it will be a long while before you come back when in fact you just respawned right behind them. Besides, not that many mercs waste their time looking for enemy uplinks in the mountains as most of them are too busy capping objectives and holding them. Exploit Tunnel Vision Snipers have excessive tunnel vision. You cannot possibly imagine how narrow a sniper's field of vision is. They are so busy and focus minded on shooting that one dude running on the opposite side of the map that they rarely pay attention to their surroundings. Just sneaking up from the side is enough to get behind then without showing up on their minimap if your profile is low enough. You Can't Catch M... what? There are also the kind of snipers that perch themselves within the "supposedly safe" RED ZONE in a skirmish match. Here is where they get really complacent because they think that no one is dumb enough to sneak up behind them in the red zone. Therefore they don't really check their six at all. If your suit is fitted to be fast enough, you might be able to run in fast enough to sneak up behind them, kill them, and then run back out before you run out of time. I was able to successfully do this twice long ago. Unfortunately I have not been able to replicate it since then because I don't see snipers hanging out in that area anymore. I must have taken away their sense of security. Nothing says "you're not safe anywhere" than killing a merc in the safety of his red zone with a knife. It's almost as exhilarating as crushing a few mercs with an LAV in the red zone (still my favorite). This brings me to my next point. Study Red Zones You'd be surprised how much you can learn from understanding the red zones and how easily you can pass through them. Since snipers tend to keep their backs towards the edge of the red zone, you might catch one from behind. These Are My Uplinks! If you intend to carry drop uplinks, make sure you place them in locations that are for your benefit only. You need them to sneak up on other snipers and therefore they will serve no use to a friendly assault merc who has to stay close to the objectives if the uplinks are placed far out into the mountains. Unless of course you have a buddy who is also hunting snipers. By Yourself =Revised= As per OgTheEnigma, sometimes it's best to take advantage of a group. The heat of a battle can sometimes provide the perfect distraction to get around an enemy. Just pray the lag doesn't hit you. Last but not least and very important... Listen More If you have a good enough surround sound headset you will be able to listen in on the direction from the sniper shots are coming from. This is especially helpful when you are slowly crouch walking your way through the jagged ridges and want to know where the sniper is without exposing yourself. It's like a form of echo location only you're not giving away pings. If you can master this, then you will you be lethal. ===Update #2 20th Oct 2012=== First off I like to thank whoever it was that sent me a donation of 20 Million ISK. Perhaps it was that Eve player I chatted with yesterday. Anyways, now I have to figure out what to do to burn through all that ISK before the next (and final) beta wipe comes in. If only the wallet would tell me who it was. Second, I managed to kill an assault merc who tried to run me over with his LAV. I kept running towards the inside of his LAV's turn radius to keep him from running me over. I guess that annoyed him because he then proceeded to jump out of his vehicle and gun me down. But before he could fire, I run up close to him and landed a hit with my nova knife. He then tried to run away from me but I managed to catch up to him and melee him on his back. Once he was down, I decided to go GTA and steal his ride... which I later ditched close to where it would most likely be destroyed. (to be continued)
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.17 19:43:00 - [3] - Quote (continued from update #2) As I continued my hunt for snipers, I ran towards to the back side of one the towers to see if anyone was there. I was right. I hear a sniper shot coming from nearby. I took some cover and peaked around the corners to mask my profile. On the same tower as I am, I spotted the sniper standing by the corner just above the pipes. I quickly sprinted towards him to land a kill, but he moved away and disappeared into the corner. I followed but slowed took a peak and saw he was still there. But I needed a better attack angle so I ran around the base to the other side. I peaked as I went around to make sure he didn't go anywhere or that I wouldn't run into him by accident. He was still there as I could hear his shots. Look at him... so peaceful. He must think he's king of the world right n..(shank). ===Update 21 Oct 2012=== There I was standing in the merc quarters getting my focus ready and my blade sharp for the next match. I open up the battle finder and scroll for an ambush match as I like to dive some more into hunting within the MCC complex (which is somewhat common to get a match in). Before selecting the option, I received a voice chat request from someone out of nowhere. Upon entering voice chat, there I am waiting to see what's up and to say 'hello' but instead I am hit with something I didn't expect. A 'hit' contract. My eyes suddenly expand to the size of baseballs while my jaw drops as the details start pouring in. Choice of dropsuit, possible module fittings, how important the target in question really is, etc. But this isn't just some "pick up a gun and shoot him" contract. No. This is a contract with a special request... kill this target with my nova knife only. I scroll through the leader board to see more details on this target. Just as I expected. This target is not to be underestimated. He has been known for doing one thing in particular and someone hates him so much for it that a hit contract is warranted. Given the details of the target, I can deduce that this is the real challenge I have been looking for. A challenge that will put all of my experience, all my skills, and all my nerves to the test because killing this target requires me to go right into the heat of the battle itself if needed. I also know that it will probably be a while before I run into this target given what time he usually plays and how unpredictable the matchmaker system is. In the meantime, I will now have to get up close and personal against assaults and heavies in the most dangerous parts of the maps. That way, when the time comes that I do finally run into this guy, I will be ready. As the conversation was winding down, I concluded the chat with a goodbye and two very confident words: "Challenge Accepted". I closed the chat, sit back, and look at my nova knife thinking to myself "the kill is better than the ISK". Like "Malcolm in the Middle", I turn my eyes to the fourth wall and say... "I'm coming for you. And when I get you, you will remember me." (queue commercials) PS: The identity of the client who gave me this 'hit' contract is to remain anonymous as per my policy. ===Update 24 Oct 2012=== After a series of close-quarter combat situations I threw myself into, I have noticed that I have gotten more kills this way just like how OgTheNinja mentioned. I even managed to take down a single heavy with just the nova knife and circling around them (dem heavies be slow). Although half of my kills were with the melee after the initial strike with the nova knife failed. It is very interesting to see how much of an advantage you can get in the middle of all the confusion. The trick though is keeping a cool head while trying to account for the erratic moves that an assault merc does. In regards to heavies, they are easier to kill than I thought with the knife. Because they turn so slow, even with the current nerf to the scout suit (which CCP said they will fix), I can circle around them while shanking them to death. Of course, this is assuming the heavy suit is alone. Oh, by the way, the best map for this kind of style of combat is the skyfire battery facility with the ringed tower in it. It provides such perfect cover I'm surprised how much I can move around and get away if needed.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.17 19:43:00 - [4] - Quote ===Update 25 Oct 2012=== LAVs, I hate them. They can be rather annoying at times especially when you can't possibly outrun them once they spot you. If you have been reading my diary then you would know how to get around this when confronted with this situation. Anyways, I found myself often frustrated with the fact that my targets are just one foot too far for me to stab them. If only I could either hold the charge while sprinting or perhaps lunge forward as I attack. Or I could just train up to the prototype nova knife so that I can charge in just 0.5 seconds with that extra damage which will mean the difference between a successful first strike with a shiny knife and a redundant melee. Hmm... let's see how training up to the prototype knife turns out first before we jump to the 'lunge/sprint-n-charge' debate. You know what else is frustrating? Noticing that my contracted 'hit' is nowhere to be found. In almost every match I have played from server start time to just about an hour ago, I have yet to see my target. Time to shift gears and wake up in the butt crack of the morning before server downtime to see if I can run into this guy. In other, more positive news, I have become better with the knife in certain situations especially with the following setup: Advanced Scout-A Type Dropsuit <---finally skilled up to Gallente Scout suit lvl 3 2x sidearm damage modifiers 2x kinetic catalyzers 1x advanced Nova knife This setup is absolutely perfect for running through large open maps where you want to limit your exposure to snipers. Speaking of which, I actually killed a sniper with this setup in that Southeastern hill in the 3-point rocky spires map right within the red zone where the sniper was at. Unfortunately I spent too much of my stamina sprinting up to the sniper to be able to get out to safety in time. Once I get the prototype nova knife I'm going to skill up the endurance and vigor. Oh, one more thing. I like to thank CCP for improving the strafe speed of the scout suit. It's buffed back up, but still significantly less than how the strafe was before the nerf and so far I have not seen any silly tango moves between two mercs. EDIT: - Map: Manus Peak; Somewhere between pixel coordinates 550, 430 and 600, 470 in the 800x844 map posted here: https://forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=42731&find=unread ===Update 28 Oct 2012=== It looks like I'm going into a hiatus for a while as I need a break from all this. I have been constantly running (literally) and dying so much that I am exhausted. Of course, I knew what I was getting myself into as soon as I decided to throw myself into the fray to expand my knifing experience. I know I have a contract to fulfill but my client made it clear that this is an open ended contract and that I can take my time with it. But I am still determined to fulfill the contract as soon as I get back from my break. In the mean time I will take this opportunity to look back at what I have learned, where I have gone wrong, where and how I can improve my knifing skills, and where to go from here once I have completed the contract. Another reason I am taking a break is because the shadow rendering issue of the Codex build is making it extremely difficult for me to effectively sneak in on my targets. Even in a dark background, I still show up as a dark and contrasted pixel in the distance long before I show up on the TACNET regardless if I am decked out in a fully profile-dampened suit. I know CCP intends to implement cloaking modules Soon(TM) but the cloak may not help much if it can be negatively effected by the shadow rendering of the character itself. On the other hand, the cloak may be a solution to the problem but the problem with the shadow rendering is still there until it is fixed for those who don't specialize in infiltration and thus stay as clear targets from a km away. At this stage we don't know what mechanics the cloak module will use and whether or not it can be negatively impacted by the shadow rendering. Another thing that I like to address is the lack of maps. Ever since CCP took out so many of the old maps including the two-part skirmish map we all loved during the Replication build, I feel that the maps we have now have lost their luster now that we are playing in them repeatedly. I wonder when is CCP going to be finished with fixing the ones they pulled out as there are so many things I like to explore as a ninja knifer that maybe the players didn't spot before. We will just have to wait and see then. In the mean time, I hope you all have enjoyed reading my diaries as much as I have enjoyed pushing myself and writing down what I have learned from direct experience.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.17 23:55:00 - [5] - Quote Nice to see you are putting in the effort Og. Sticking to the ridges really does help, but watch your step. I had the unfortunate moment when I got stuck on a steep cliff and the only way around is through the red zone which is too deep for me to travel through. Also, learn to place drop uplinks along the way in the ridges. If you get killed by someone, you can surprise them from a hidden spot. I did that several times with some success.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.18 03:53:00 - [6] - Quote z-sanchez wrote: I've recently started using the nova knife and am having a blast thanks to you, much appreciated these diaries are helping me get better. Thanks a lot, maybe we should ninja together sometimes Glad to be of service. Before I began this whole thing, I looked around to see who else was a ninja knifer and I haven't found anybody who specialized like I was about to do. Then I took the initiative of doing this project and soon it became my new-found profession. What I'm saying is that someone had to do it so that others can learn from it.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.18 19:09:00 - [7] - Quote First off, I updated post #1. Second, to answer Crazy Space's question: Someone in the previous diary mentioned that the sidearm damage module only effects the sidearm if the sidearm itself is loaded in the appropriate slot. In this case, the (S) slot. I think this might be the case. I haven't been able to confirm this due to the lack of targets to practice this on under heated conditions, but just to be on the safe side, I went ahead and fitted my knife on the (S) slot. @CCP: Can you guys confirm this regarding the sidearm damage mod? Thank you.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.18 19:21:00 - [8] - Quote Ten-Sidhe wrote: A dev blog from last spring or winter commented the knife was meant to finish off enemies when clip runs out, and that some crazy people would specialize in it as a primary. LOL I think CCP said that during Fanfest 2012 in the Dust 514 Keynotes. And they were right about people who might specialize on it. Of course, don't forget that plans change during development. Before Codex came out, the knife was strictly a melee-only weapon. It was perfect for stabbing someone when you run out of ammo. But now CCP changed its mind and turned it into its own sidearm that requires about charging: 1.5 sec for standard 1.0 sec for advanced 0.5 sec for prototype This is not including the effect from the Nova Knife Operation skillbook.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.18 23:50:00 - [9] - Quote OgTheNinja wrote: Hey, so I've created this corp (BACKSTABBERS INCORPORATED) as a bit of fun to add to my ninja character. I'm hoping it adds a bit of insult to injury for any of my victims. If anybody wants to join then they are very welcome, but there is one requirement: you must specialise in nova knives. By all means create an alt and we can team up, terrorising the battlefield together ;) EDIT: Maken Tosch, I hope this is alright being posted here. It's obviously not a serious corp, but I don't want to detract too much from your diary. If anybody wants to join, just send in an application rather than posting in this thread. Haha, I don't mind. I like the name of the corp. It's so hilarious. Imagine an army of ninja knifers terrorizing the hills. Snipers will not feel safe ever again.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.20 05:19:00 - [10] - Quote Post #2 updated.

Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.20 21:35:00 - [11] - Quote OgTheEnigma wrote: Maken Tosch wrote: By Yourself You have to stay away from large groups. If any of your buddies happen to be assault/heavy mercs, their large profile will only draw attention from the very targets you are trying to hide from and thus you might get spotted too. . I have to disagree with this one at least. Especially on small maps I find it helps greatly to hang around by groups, taking advantage of the ensuing battles. I have mentioned staying with squads before, and as long as everybody's working and staying together (mics definitely help as well) it can be incredibly easy to run around the gunfire and strike from behind. So far my best Ninja record is 14 kills to 6 deaths and this was only by staying around the heat of the action. Interesting. Perhaps I should revise that bit.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.20 21:39:00 - [12] - Quote Posts #2 & #3 updated. I also revised the 'By Yourself' note after reading Og's point.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.22 03:03:00 - [13] - Quote Something for you folks to salivate over on post #3. Details of the target and client are kept confidential to ensure that my target is not alerted. Considering that I nova knife anybody who stands in my way, I'm pretty sure everyone here will have a tough time figuring out who it is I'm after.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.23 04:52:00 - [14] - Quote RedBleach LeSanglant wrote: No update that addresses the question. Offer is rescinded. No regrets.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.23 12:33:00 - [15] - Quote RankRancid wrote: Maken Tosch wrote: RedBleach LeSanglant wrote: No update that addresses the question. Offer is rescinded. No regrets. Sorry to interrupt Maken Tosch. Just wondering if you have been in the SI. Channel at all these last 3 days or so? Unfortunately no. I have a life outside DUST (gasp) such as a job and I'm studying for an A&P license. So far, I seem to only have the weekends as well as Wednesday and Thursday off from work. I try to sneak in some play time but alas sleep hits me. Edit... Oh yeah, I also have a girlfriend who seems to go aggro on me whenever I use the PS3.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.23 17:16:00 - [16] - Quote RankRancid wrote: Maken Tosch wrote: RedBleach LeSanglant wrote: No update that addresses the question. Offer is rescinded. No regrets. Sorry to interrupt Maken Tosch. Just wondering if you have been in the SI. Channel at all these last 3 days or so? I have a question. Does your question have anything to do with RedBleach's offer? Also, I forgot to mention that I'm getting the uvt this week so I can chat with you guys at SI public channel.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.24 17:48:00 - [17] - Quote Post #3 updated once again.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.24 18:50:00 - [18] - Quote Noc Tempre wrote: I understand what you are trying to do, but you are just hurting yourself. You could be way more useful doing the same tactics meleeing with a pistol, and you'd actually be able to engage at range. Furthermore, you would be doing more damage with the pistol butt than the nova knife, and you can do it from a sprint with no charge up. No change of tactics, and less SP sunk to boot. Thank you for your feedback and your opinion. But you should read what I mentioned earlier about my stance on this. I made up my mind and this is where I am headed. Nothing is going to change my mind at this point except experience and so far that experience has taught me to stick to the knife. Just because the melee dishes out more damage than the knife only encourages me to use the knife because then I am learning how to make the most of what little I have. https://forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=371313#post371313 If you read the last part of the update from CCP, they are going to be doing some changes to the knife based on my own in-depth feedback of the weapon. In a way, my strict specialization has actually helped CCP with trying to find a balance with the nova knife more than I have come to expect. If I am already becoming this effective with the weak knife, imagine how effective I can be with a stronger knife. Of course, CCP only made a vague mention on what changes they will do. Damage is one thing they mentioned but their update suggests there is more to the changes than meets the eye. So we will have to wait and see whether or not pistol whipping someone is more damage dealing after the changes.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.24 19:04:00 - [19] - Quote Noc Tempre wrote: Maken Tosch wrote: Noc Tempre wrote: I understand what you are trying to do, but you are just hurting yourself. You could be way more useful doing the same tactics meleeing with a pistol, and you'd actually be able to engage at range. Furthermore, you would be doing more damage with the pistol butt than the nova knife, and you can do it from a sprint with no charge up. No change of tactics, and less SP sunk to boot. Thank you for your feedback and your opinion. But you should read what I mentioned earlier about my stance on this. I made up my mind and this is where I am headed. Nothing is going to change my mind at this point except experience and so far that experience has taught me to stick to the knife. Just because the melee dishes out more damage than the knife only encourages me to use the knife because then I am learning how to make the most of what little I have. https://forums.dust514.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=371313#post371313 If you read the last part of the update from CCP, they are going to be doing some changes to the knife based on my own in-depth feedback of the weapon. In a way, my strict specialization has actually helped CCP with trying to find a balance with the nova knife more than I have come to expect. If I am already becoming this effective with the weak knife, imagine how effective I can be with a stronger knife. Of course, CCP only made a vague mention on what changes they will do. Damage is one thing they mentioned but their update suggests there is more to the changes than meets the eye. So we will have to wait and see whether or not pistol whipping someone is more damage dealing after the changes. Simply moving the nova knives into the melee class (that use the biotic upgrades) instead of sidearm weapons would go a long way towards making them more useful. The ability to damage vehicles would be a nice touch too, especially when heavier melee weapons arrive. For further help, have you considered using the active scanner in your equipment slot to help locate your targets quicker? Unfortunately, it is an item that you need the higher tiers before it does anything useful, but I hear the prototype is super effective, albeit limited. For the record, sword, pistol, and cloak is going to be a staple of my playstyle on at least one character come launch. I did consider that, but you are right about the suit needed for it to be very effective. Right now I can only use the Type-I suit and that limits my options so the active scanner is out of the question until I can get into the advanced or prototype. It will be useful in pinpointing snipers nearby in the mountains, but I have my doubt on its effectiveness in heated close-quarter combat where there are mercs everywhere killing each other and thus the TACNET alone helps. I have a question for you though. Does the active scanner pinpoint enemy mercs through malls and behind terrain?
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.24 19:13:00 - [20] - Quote Noc Tempre wrote: Active scanner goes through terrain in a cone for the handheld and a sphere for the vehicle. The values are bugged, scan precision 40 only seems to detect profile of 40 50% of the time instead of 100% as stated. Therefore the 28 scan will be very effective, but not foolproof, while the earlier ones will be a bit flaky. Ah, I see. Good thing I trained up Dropsuit Command to 5 and Profile dampening to 3.

Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.24 19:16:00 - [21] - Quote Iron Wolf Saber wrote: Be careful around me if you see me in a heavy suit, I typically self destruct if it means I get you in that situation. Speaking of self-destruct, that reminds me. I bumped into a heavy not too long ago and we seemed to have gotten stuck into each other. He aimed at me with his forge gun and killed me but it appears that the splash damage killed him in the process as well. I found it funny.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.25 18:22:00 - [22] - Quote Woah, since when did I become part of Betamax? Oh yeah, I forgot. I submitted a veeeerryyyy old application to them back when I started my career as a ninja Knifer. I don't think I'm interested in beta anymore at this point. The next time I log in I will try to get out of the Corp.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.26 04:10:00 - [23] - Quote Post #4 updated.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.26 04:14:00 - [24] - Quote Vincam Velmoriar wrote: Maken Tosch wrote: Woah, since when did I become part of Betamax? Oh yeah, I forgot. I submitted a veeeerryyyy old application to them back when I started my career as a ninja Knifer. I don't think I'm interested in beta anymore at this point. The next time I log in I will try to get out of the Corp. If you're interested, we may be a corp that could use your skillset. Especially down the road. I'll send you an email in-game. http://thearmageddonfederation.webstarts.com/index.html Thanks for the offer, but I'm a lone wolf now. By that I mean being independent from a corp for the time being until I get my knifing experience up to par. I don't mind squading up every now and then to help my team though.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.26 12:36:00 - [25] - Quote @Nexus How do I leave corp directly? So far the only options available are joining another corp or asking the CEO to kick me out.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.26 13:32:00 - [26] - Quote Nexus Dragoon 514 wrote: Maken Tosch wrote: @Nexus How do I leave corp directly? So far the only options available are joining another corp or asking the CEO to kick me out. join an npc corp Oh. That easy? Huh. I guess my mind is still thinking under the Eve Online system of joining and leaving corps.
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.26 22:49:00 - [27] - Quote Yay! I'm no longer a part of Beta! I just realized that I have only been in a player-run corp for one day. I didn't even bother to say 'hi' in corp chat. LOL
Maken Tosch Planetary Response Organisation Test Friends Please Ignore 1591	Posted - 2012.10.29 02:46:00 - [28] - Quote Updated post #4. There is something in this update that CCP needs to read and look into regarding one nagging issue that has effected my niche profession.

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