[F21 - SP] Thorns and Riposte - Tanking and Farming

[Shield 0]

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Crafting in Kitchen:

T1 Perfect Prosperity Food [+3 to Col Multiplier from slain enemies]
T1 Perfect Loot Drop Food - Applying Dining Hall bonus [+5 to LD on loot rolls]
T1 Perfect Mitigation Food [+27 to Mitigation]

-12 T1 Materials
-T3 Immolation Potion

With the completion of the home remodel, Shield was quite pleased with the expanded utility of the home. Not to mention that it consisted of more than just a living room. As the sun crested the mountains near the place where his home and shop resided, he set about preparing for his farming trip, cooking up items to boost both his defenses and his luck in the field. He topped off his meal with an immolation potion to boost his offensive defenses. He was beginning to like the dining hall, and as he consumed all of his various items, he took a small measure of pride in what he had managed to accomplish in his time in the game so far.

"Not too bad, eh, Lilith?" he asked to the little colorful serpent that sat coiled on the table beside his now empty plate. She flicked her tongue in response and he nodded, scooping her up and guiding her into his sleeve before heading out and taking off for Taft.

Edited December 16, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: Healer [+135 HP Cooldown 0/5]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1330/1330 | EP: 119/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: 490/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92398 results: Craft: 5 [No Recovery]  MOB: 9 [+3+1=13 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 2> HP: 543/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92399 results: MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: 543/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92399 results: MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 4> HP: 543/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92399 results: MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

Shield teleported up to Tomoika ten floors above and quickly made for the edge of town. With a party display full of fresh buffs, he felt very confident about the hunt today. He made his way to the familiar spot where he knew there to be a continually replenishing patch of towering iridescent mushrooms that spawned mobs easily within his capabilities to farm.

Before he had even set foot in the room, he could hear the squishing of spongy feet on stone. He charged around the corner, howling at the myconids that had already spawned, though more out of habit since the skill was not necessary without other players. The heavy fists of the great blue mushroom warriors hammered onto Shield, but not before he took a chunk out of one of them with his sword. The offending hand glowed where he struck with a bright, blood red light as the mushroom let out a muffled groan of pain. His health had already dipped, and Lilith, sensing Shield's loss, whipped out of his sleeve and bit him hard on the wrist, injecting her healing venom into Shield's body.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 1/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1161/1330 | EP: 121/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: 263/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92411 results: Craft: 8 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 7 [+3+1=11 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 2> HP: 456/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92412 results: MOB: 5 [+3+1=9 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: 456/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92413 results: MOB: 3 [+3+1=7 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 4> HP: 543/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92414 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]

The familiar disappeared back into Shield's sleeve, and not a moment too soon. He barely had time to raise his sword defensively before another fist was hammering against his shield. He swiped with the edge of his blade and took another chunk, not only out of the hand, taking off an entire knuckle, but also the myconid's health, dropping the hit point bar down below half. The color shifted from bright green to a glaring yellow that stood out in the dimness of the cave.

Although he could not manage the same on the other incoming attacks, those who landed successfully also felt the sting of Shield's defenses. Their hands were marked and pocked by the red light of scrapes, burns and puncture wounds. The last attack had missed entirely though, its owner seeming to shift back and forth between its large feet.

"Already losing your nerve? That isn't a good sign now is it?"

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 2/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1058/1330 | EP: 123/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: 36/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92418 results: Craft: 9 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 5 [+3+1=9 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 2> HP: 369/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92419 results: MOB: 6 [+3+1=10 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: 456/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92420 results: MOB: 1 [Miss]
<Myconid 4> HP: 456/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92421 results: MOB: 2  [+3+1=6 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

Shield was already falling into a rhythm of parrying, blocking, and repositioning himself, darting back to keep himself from being pinned down so that he could keep sidestepping and riposting. The mushroom mobs, however, seemed to be incapable of noticing his tactics, following mindlessly after him. The first of the next round of attacks was immediately cut short, the mushroom's entire hand being lopped off and Shield spun to the side and delivered an uppercut with his blade to the myconid's wrist. The creature's health dropped down practically to zero. It would not be much longer now.

The remainder kept up their attack, though with less certainty than before. Another spongy great hand failed to connect altogether. Shield stopped to consider if he should change out his items to boost whatever loot would drop, but despite the speed with which he had whittled down the first foe, he was still sustaining damage. Lowering his defenses for loot this early into the fight was a dangerous gambit he did not want to run.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 3/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 870/1330 | EP: 124/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -191/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92423 results: Craft: 10 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 2> HP: 282/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92424  results: MOB: 4 [+3+1=8 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: 369/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92425 results: MOB: 5 [+3+1=9 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 4> HP: 456/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92426 results: MOB: 10  [+3+1=14 - Hit! - 280+2-196=85 dmg]

Loot:

ID# 92427

LD:14+7=21

CD:3

5,670 Col, 4 T3 Materials

All Shield needed to do to handle what was left of the first Myconid's health was to lift up the tip of his blade. The descending fist, that being the only one that particular had left after its first had been forcibly removed, was impaled, and the creature burst like a bubble, its many fragments of blue light vanishing into the air.

Even as Shield turned to examine the remaining health of the other three, he could clearly see one of them was already below half. Their bodies and particularly their arms were all checkered up and down their lengths with angry red marks - the aftermath of their attacks. Shield's thorns and the extra immolation potion had been holding up quite nicely so far. Shield's eyes turned to the wounded myconid next, holding out the blade of his sword as a challenge.

"Alright. You're next, big guy. Come and get it."

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 4/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 850/1330 | EP: 124/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -191/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: 282/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92429  results: Craft: 7 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 1 [Miss]
<Myconid 3> HP: 142/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92430 results: MOB: 6 [+3+1=10 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 4> HP: 456/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92431 results: MOB: 10  [+3+1=14 - Hit! - 280+2-196=85 dmg]

The fight raged on, and Shield was fully prepared to intercept another blow by his second target, but before the attack could proc, one of the other myconids shoved his companion out of the way, knocking Shield's intended target to the ground. He barely had time to readjust for the overeager fungus, dodging to the side and allowing the attack to fall onto his blade. The counterattack clove the myconid's arm in half, splitting off and disintegrating the lower half of the creature's arm like peeling a banana.

Now, although it had moments ago been in the green, the offending myconid had shot all the way through its yellow bar and into the red. The second myconid, however, was already scrambling back to its feet, preparing to launch another attack. The final mushroom beast struck out at Shield from behind, recoiling as if it had touched something hot. In actuality, that was exactly what had happened as the attack triggered not only Shield's thorns, but the flame aura and immolation effects he had layered upon himself.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [+135 HP Cooldown 5/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 882/1330 | EP: 124/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -191/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: 55/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92432  results: Craft: 7 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 4 [+3+1=10 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: 55/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92433 results: MOB: 3 [+3+1=7 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 4> HP: 369/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92434 results: MOB: 2  [+3+1=6 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

The sedond myconid, back on its feet once again, threw a punch that Shield easily countered, stepping to the side and holding the point of his sword out to the side in the spot where he had once stood. The incoming fist was skewered like a shiskebab. However, two other blows landed at the same time, and these he was not able to parry as expertly as he had the first.

Although two of the remaining myconids were both a stone's throw from death's door, Shield had also begun to sustain some actual damage. He was about half way through his green gauge with still a good amount of the fight left ahead of him. Fortunately, in his sleeve, he felt his snake familiar tighten herself around his wrist.

"Do it!' he called in response to her silent question. Her heal ability had finished with its cooldown, and she sank her fangs back into Shield's arm to pump health back into him once again.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 1/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 882/1330 | EP: 124/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -191/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -172/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92435  results: Craft: 7 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 7 [+3+1=11 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: -32/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92436 results: MOB: 5 [+3+1=9 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 4> HP: 282/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92437 results: MOB: 6  [+3+1=10 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

Loot:

ID# 92438	LD:4+7=11	CD:2	1,890 Col, 2 T3 Materials
ID# 92439	LD:16+7=23	CD:8	1,890 Col, 6 T3 Materials

The tide of battle was turning with so many of the myconids so near to death. As Shield dodged back, and the towering mushroom monsters closed in on him once again, he prepared his parrying blade, catching the first arm at the shoulder and cutting it clean off, shattering the foe. The second attack hit Shield directly in the shoulder, failing to budge him at all, though with the pricking of his thorns, the fist and its owner were destroyed.

There was only one remaining myconid now, and as its attack landed on Shield's chest, the defensive damage that Shield had painstakingly layered with his build and his buffs knocked the health gauge from the green to the yellow. Shield nodded to himself.

"That was certainly a productive set of attacks," he thought aloud, holding up his sword in preparation for the attack to come. "Just a couple more to go."

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 2/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 947/1330 | EP: 124/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -191/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -172/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 3> HP: -32/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 
<Myconid 4> HP: 55/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 -  - ID# 92440  results: Craft: 9 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 4 [+3+1=8 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]

Although the monsters had appeared shaken at the beginning of the beginning of the fight when faced with Shield's formidable defenses, this last one was either fearless or had forgotten to be afraid. It ran at Shield once again, flailing its fists overhand and bellowing. He almost wondered whether it was angry at the loss of its comrades, but such higher level emotional response seemed beyond simple mindless loot fodder as these.

Shield ducked the attack, throwing his weight forward and sinking the blade deep into the myconid's gut as its body continued to charge forward into the empty space where he had once stood. The yellow bar drained and was replaced by a bright red of warning, announcing the soon to be death of the last standing fungal fighter. Shield tightened the grip on his sword, leaping to the side to create distance in order to properly prepare his counter attack.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 3/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 947/1330 | EP: 124/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -191/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -172/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 3> HP: -32/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 
<Myconid 4> HP: -172/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92440  results: Craft: 3 [No Recovery] MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg - Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]

Loot:

ID# 92442

LD:11+7=18

CD:9

5,040 Col, 1 T3 Uncommon Consumable

The myconid, still reeling from losing so much health so quickly, spun on the spot and charged once again. It threw itself into a body slam, but the only thing that it met along the way was the very point of Shield's sword before it burst like all those had before it. Shield cast about, taking stock of the room. As usual, there were the four main mushrooms that seemed to be the focal point for the myconid spawning. He was not eager to have a full battery of the things on him once again, so he decided to cut their numbers - and their spawners - down.

He made a break for it, running past the nearest mushroom, cleaving it down the center with one swift strike and continuing through to the second. With a lateral cut, it too fell like a tree to a lumberjack, both mushrooms losing the last of their stamina and disappearing.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 4/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 928/1330 | EP: 124/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: 403/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92443 results: Craft: 6 [Recovery +6 EN]  MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg, Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 2> HP: 543/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92444 results: MOB: 5 [+3+1=9 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

With the two remaining, Shield felt as if he had a good chance of keeping up without being overwhelmed. He stood his ground, pacing slowly as he waited for the other two remaining mushrooms to spawn their mobs. Before long, the trunk-like bodies of the mushrooms began to quake, and with a puff of greenish brown spores, two more myconids materialized in the room.

They wasted no time in beginning their attack, and Shield met the first with a significant blow to its head, sidestepping the great club like fist to drive his sword deep into the creature's lumpy face. It did not drop entirely through its green gauge, but the health gauge that bent around its frame did lose a large fraction of the whole. The second, following up after the initial attack, was also shown first-hand what happens when attacking a thorns tank, losing a not insignificant amount of its own green gauge.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [+135 HP Cooldown 5/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1044/1330 | EP: 120/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: 176/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92446 results: Craft: 1 [No Recovery]  MOB: 3 [+3+1=7 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg, Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 2> HP: 456/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92447 results: MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

It seemed as if Lilith had just squeezed Shield's wrist a few moment ago, and yet Shield was sure he could feel her squeezing again. Either way, healing was healing, and his own battle healing skill was not enough on its own to keep up.

"Go on then!" he called out and immediately, he both felt the squeeze of her bite and saw the uptick of his health. With only two monsters to attack, Lilith's occasional intervention would be more than enough to keep pace with the damage.

He sprang back, baiting yet another charge which had the same result as the first time, once again dealing enough damage overall, to drop the first myconid all the way down to the red. His buddy came in after, striking out at Shield and feeling the backlash of his defenses. Once again, the thought occurred to him to trade out for an item to help increase the drops of the monsters, but that would mean only relying on his passive defenses to damage his foes, and that would slow the fight.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 1/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1025/1330 | EP: 116/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -51/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92448 results: Craft: 4 [No Recovery]  MOB: 4 [+3+1=8 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg, Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 2> HP: 369/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92449 results: MOB: 3 [+3+1=7 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]

Loot:

ID# 92450

LD:2+7=9

CD:11

1,890 Col, 2 T3 Materials

He made up his mind to keep things the way they were for now. He could handle the pacing of the fight as it was, and although Col was handy, it was not the biggest reason he had come. With a nod, he made up his mind and lowered into a defensive stance.

As the inevitable attack mounted against him, he sidestepped and swung his own counterattack, immediately ending the first attacker. The second, having only taken small amounts of damage, was above half health, meaning it remained still in the green portion of its health bar. Shield thought to himself that he would need to do something about that. Even as he thought this, he felt as if he was forgetting something. Just then, there came a puff of spores and another myconid materialized. he had forgotten that the spawners themselves respawn over time. He swore under his breath.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 2/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1004/1330 | EP: 112/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -51/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: 142/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92452 results: Craft: 3 [No Recovery] MOB: 5 [+3+1=9 - Hit! - 280-196=84 dmg - THN: 87 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: 630/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92453 results: MOB: 10 [+3+1=14 - Hit! - 280+2-196=86 dmg]

Only one of the freshly regrown mushrooms had spawned an enemy. Shield dove over to the remaing of the two and cut through it, breathing a sigh of relief as there remained only two myconids on the field. He turned to them, prepared now to properly handle their incoming attack. He parried the first, knocking aside the hand that attacked with the flat of his sword and cutting into the creature's leg. It fell to one knee and Shield instinctively braced himself for the impact of the next attack, although in truth, since taking the Stone Wall armor mod, attacks from basic mobs had no longer been pushing him back.

The blow had the same result as it had for the rest of the fight so far. Although Shield felt the impact and took a small amount of damage, the attacker suffered from the strike far more than he did. At least, that was what Shield had anticipated. In either a stroke of luck or an act of wisdom that none of his predecessors had shown, the myconid had struck in such a manner to avoid the defensive damage altogether.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 3/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 983/1330 | EP: 114/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -51/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -85/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92454 results: Craft: 6 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 7 [+3+1=11 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg, Riposte - 280/2=140 dmg]
<Myconid 3> HP: 630/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92455 results: MOB: 10 [+3+1=7 - Hit! - 280+2-196=86 dmg]

Loot

ID# 92456

LD:11+7=18

CD:8

1,890 Col, 2 T3 Materials, 1 T3 Uncommon Consumable

Shield shook off the odd occurrence of the most recent myconid as a fluke. Critical attacks and misses happened fairly regularly, so he couldn't just assume that anything was out of the ordinary. He set himself up for the next attack, dodging out of the way and creating an extra little bit of distance. However, as he turned back to face the myconids, one of their shapes filled his entire vision, and with a powerful blow, its fist impacted his face.

He did not budge, but he almost felt as if the thing was smirking. Shield knocked the hand away, and sure enough, it belonged to the myconid with the pristine health bar. The other was hot on his companion's trail, but Shield could see it coming, and with a spin and a slice, it too dissipated into shards of light blue and then into nothing.

"Alright, you. What's your deal?"

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 4/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1048/1330 | EP: 110/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -51/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -85/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 3> HP: 403/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92457 results:  Craft: 4 [No Recovery] MOB: 8 [+3+1=12 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg, Riposte - 280/2=140 dmg]

He wound up and sprang away to give himself some space, but even as he moved his foot to do so, he could see the myconid react. It was trailing him, keeping pace with his movements. By the time he had arrived at the spot he had intended, there was no space to prepare for an attack. He sprang again, and again, he could see the myconid track with his motions even before he fully committed to the leap. He grit his teeth, and suddenly put on the brakes, leaping backwards with the tip of his sword pointing back beside his hip.

He felt his back collide with the myconid, and he felt the resistance of his sword as it sank into what he assumed was its torso. In his peripherals, he could see a perfect green health bar lose a chunk of its color.

"Got you." He turned and swiped with his sword, and this time it was the myconid that leaped back. "Don't like it when someone figures out your moves, do you?"

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [+135 HP Cooldown 5/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1248/1330 | EP: 110/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -51/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -85/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 3> HP: 263/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92458 results:  Craft: 12 [Recovery +6 EN] MOB: 9 [+3+1=13 - Hit! - 280+1/2-196=1 dmg, Riposte - 280+1/2=140 dmg]

Shield was satisfied that he had landed a blow, but the ability of this myconid to not only keep track of his movements, but also to preempt him and learn from his attacks was troublesome. He turned his eyes from his opponent and charged the nearest mushroom, slashing at it and felling it where it stood. Then he moved onto the next. If these could eventually produce myconids that could give him this much trouble, he was done with this fight. He needed to end it.

When the last of the mushroom spawners was eliminated, he turned back to the remaining mushroom beast. He lunged, but he stopped on his front foot. It flinched with Shield's feint, and that was all the time he needed. He jumped back the other way and held up his sword in front of him. The fungal monster tried to correct itself and stay on top of Shield, but by the time it delivered its attack, Shield was ready, parrying and countering the blow with one of his own.

As he did so, he felt a familiar squeeze and barked out the order for Lilith to heal him.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 1/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1313/1330 | EP: 116/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -51/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -85/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 3> HP: 36/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92459 results:  Craft: 4 [No Recovery] MOB: 3 [+3+1=7 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg, Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]

He was nearly back to full health again. Although cleverer than those that came before, this myconid could not deal serious damage while being countered. As a test, Shield feinted again, and once again, the mushroom flinched. Shield repeated his setup and counter, and it went off without a hitch. That created a real problem for Shield. It did not seem as if the mushrooms were producing simply smarter spawns. It was not learning from its mistakes. This myconid had just been born with a different set of instructions. That meant that it was not the myconids that were learning. It was almost as if the mushrooms themselves were watching and programming better warriors.

That thought made Shield shiver. He shrugged that feeling off to return to the moment. He had figured out the puzzle. Now all he needed to do was put that knowledge to use in order to end the fight.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Passive: [+1 EN] Healer [Cooldown 2/5] Battle Healing [+66 HP]

Action: Parry [-5 EN]

Shield: HP: 1330/1330 | EP: 112/124 | Dmg: 2 | Acc: 0 | Eva: -1 | Mit: 241 | BH: 66 | THN: 87 | REC: 6 | LD: 6

<Myconid 1> HP: -51/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 2> HP: -85/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3
<Myconid 3> HP: -191/630 | DMG: 280 | ACC: 3 - ID# 92460 results:  Craft: 5 [No Recovery] MOB: 5 [+3+1=9 - Hit! - 280/2-196=1 dmg - THN: 87 dmg, Riposte: 280/2=140 dmg]

ID# 92462

LD:15+7=22

CD:9

1,890 Col, 1 T3 Rare Consumable, 1 T3 Perfect Weapon

Shield mimicked his previous move, and as expected, the myconid fell for the bluff hook, line, and sinker. It overextended, stumbled, changed direction to chase after Shield, and with one final roar, it disappeared on his sword like a bubble on a blade of grass. He let out a sigh, lowering his sword.

"That fight got weird, Lilith," he said, shaking his head as he looked up at the ceiling. "If the environment is looking at us and studying us, who's to say Kayaba isn't doing the same somewhere? It's creepy. I feel like I'm in a fish tank being watched from behind a glass pane."

He set aside the feeling for later. There would be time to be creeped out later. For now, he was still outside of a safe zone in one of the more dangerous floors. He set about searching for anything of use, though his nerves were slightly on edge, making it difficult to focus on the search.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield

[Shield 0]

Quote

Swapping gear

-Spirit Plate
-Spirit Spines
-Manticore Mask
+Finder's Keeper [+1 expertise - Search & Detect]
+Seeking Aura [+3 LD]
+Raw Passion [+3 Prosperity]

Shield realized that he had not changed out for the proper hunting gear. He was grateful for the distraction, opening his menu quickly to change out both pieces of armor and his shield for his earrings and the odd little trinket he had picked up that day from Domarus' shop. It felt odd to be so exposed in a place where he had only just a moment ago been trying to outsmart high level mobs, but with the spawners down and disabled, he was relatively safe.

The odd chamber took on new aspects, and as he looked around, he could see just from a cursory glance that if there was to be a chest, it would not be in the same spot as before. The stone there was solid, and intentionally so, as if to stop players like himself from farming the exact same spot, just waiting for the container to refresh itself.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Shield