I read on this forum (if I recall from an IMM post) that there was code in place to ensure that your 2nd tier and final forms (at least in your major focus) would not be too similar.

I got a bobcat and a mongoose. I realize that a hare is closer to a mongoose than a bobcat is, but Bobcat is still a super dodgy, non regen form like the mongoose. I figured I was destined to get anything besides a mongoose or a lemur.

Am I right about the code and should it have picked a different final?

nt

I'm not sure if you're stating the fact that "the code doesn't consider them mutually exclusive" or the opinion that you "don't think the forms are redundant in nature".

Defense forms are defined by three primary characteristic (as mirrored in the greater enlivens):
Dodgy
Dam reduction
Regenerating

Every other difference is minor by comparison. I would say that the porcupine is so unique that it would compliment any 2nd tier form.

In practice, I'd have frequent use for the bobcat if my top tier form was anything besides an exclusively dodgy form:
Armadillo (tough)
Crocodile (regen)
Komodo Dragon (regen)
Diamondback Rattlesnake (dodgy/regen)
Pachyderm (tough)
Porcupine (semi-tough/unique)

Likewise, with a mongoose and any of the following non-dodgy 2nd tier forms, I'd have frequent use for both:
Sand Lizard (regen)
Tortoise (tough)
Polar bear (tough)

The bottom line is that the situations where I would choose to give up the advantages of the mongoose to use one of the bobcat skills at hero are extremely limited to the point that the forms are essentially redundant. I'll almost never use my 2nd tier form because it was made obsolete by my final form. And I think that's what the code was written to avoid.

This was back when Zulg was working forms. Both Snow Leopard and Bobcat are very similar in play style to Lemur and Mongoose and I had that combo 4 or 5 times, so I got tired of it. I too feel that 2nd tier dodge forms should exclude you from 1st tier dodge forms but I can also see their rational thought that since they don't have a distraction or rescue that they aren't mutually incompatible.

I can say that I haven't played either of those final forms since they've been tweaked in the last couple years but in my past experience, I did better tanking with Bobcat with form hardening than I did with my Mongoose in situations without a lot of special attacks thrown my way. The reason being that Bobcat has some damage redux and form hardening further increases it, where Mongoose, if I remember correctly, doesn't.

In the end, I'd say, as long as you can still play the form, try and stick it out because you never know what time and dedication will throw your way.

Thanks for the info. If I'm using my 2nd tier dodgy form to tank because it does so better than my final dodgy form, then something different is broken, too. Also, using you final form slot to basically get a rescue skill is not close to something I'd be willing to live with.

If I'm going to see what time and dedication will bring over the 500 hours of my character, it's going to be with forms that I can live with in case it brings nothing (which, in my experience, is likely).

2nd and 1st tier forms should complement each other. The bobcat and mongoose, while not exactly similar in the mathematical sense, are far from complementary.

Lest anyone think I'm complaining to benefit myself, I've already spent all my edge points to get another top tier form. As a matter of fact, I would roll the bones on the mongoose and lemur every time regardless of what my 2nd tier form is.

Per recent Imm posts my general theory is they are going to be looking hard at shifters for longevity and depth during October to compensate for bad decision making regarding October Forms and throw some out.

Bad news is you probably felt the same and have intentionally called attention to probably the only character that kept mongoose in an effort to benefit from this, thus damning yourself to no October form. I would just reroll and avoid spending time on a role until you see your forms next time.

If you read my post, I did not keep the mongoose and never would. As far as trying to bring attention to my (non)mongoose having char to get a special form, that would make me a liar because I stated that I did not anticipate getting a Halloween form before my post and I my post hasn't changed that assessment. And your basically calling me an idiot as well, because you would have to be one to think you would get preferential treatment from the IMMs by criticizing how the code is being implemented. Everyone knows how receptive they can be to that, right?

Lastly, as you have been known to falsely accuse someone of cheating/lying on this very board before with 0 evidence to do so, I, with all due respect, invite you to shut your damn mouth.

And are prejudiced towards jalim who had said nothing to inspire that kind of rude reaction. Go roll another thug so that you're bros again and hide your inner Habib.

Did Lhydia not accuse that thief of cheating awhile back? Turned into a #### show before Scarabaeus looked through the IMM logs and said he wasn't cheating. Even then he wouldn't accept he was wrong. That's where I know Lhydia's handle from. Now he's accusing me of deceitfully posting shifter feedback to get a Halloween form. How about he stops accusing people of dishonest behavior for no reason?

I roll too many shapeshifters out of necessity because It's damn near impossible to play an independent char with the type of goals I have with sub-par forms.

I don't coordinate with anyone of-line, I don't know what players play any char and almost all my chars are set up to be able to help anyone with anything because that's what I enjoy doing.

I did not even recall that Lhydia was Jalim, nor do I care. He needs to just stop calling people cheats and liars because it makes him feel good.

Lastly, you seem obsessed with who plays whom. I'm probably an easy read, but that doesn't give you the right to try and out my chars on the officials (even if you didn't say my name).

I don’t see where you said you rolled mongoose. You were saying how much it was like bobcat so I figured you kept it. You said you used edgepoints to roll one of your major forms but not which one. Wasn’t really saying you were cheating. I totally failed at called my out that thief forever ago and was wrong about it which I said then too after a while. So you got me there.

Sorry I pked you in a pk mud.

Sad to see you go.

nt

>Lastly, you seem obsessed with who plays whom. I'm probably an
>easy read, but that doesn't give you the right to try and out
>my chars on the officials (even if you didn't say my name).

To each his own fun, now that I'm banned my only fun is guessing you ppl, sorry for that.

I don't break the forum rules because they allow outing ppl in a suave manner. Especially people who use anonymous feature incorrectly :)

You want me to post about what forms I just got using my forum handle?