Twitchy Questioning 9: War for the Twitch of the Questions

Multiplayer Livestream Summary - 22 June 2017 (self.MECoOp)

submitted 31 minutes ago * by JRandall0308XBOX/JRandall0308/USA (Eastern)

I'm filling for /u/The_hezy for a few weeks. This is more stream of consciousness because I was also asking questions in the Twitch chat, which I will post later.

There is no patch this week but there is an extra special Apex mission, Don't Go Looking For Trouble. This one comes with a pre-mission briefing video. To paraphrase, Kett forces have taken Firebase Aqua and Apex (that's us) is cut off. Without resupply, we must hold out until dawn.

The new Equipment item this week is the Pistol/SMG Amp, +15% damage for 70 MF.

This mission takes place on Firebase Aqua at night, which is GORGEOUS.

The mission includes some surprises which we will get to.

Unfortunately Billy (@ ehlien, /u/BWE_ehlien) is ill this week and not playing, although he did end up answering a ton of questions in chat.

Bastiaan (/u/BWEBastiaanFrank) is on screen with another developer, Benoit, who designed and built this level.

The Twitch streamers also playing are: Pringtella /// Lady_Sinaea: /// SizeSixteens:

Benoit is at the controls using the Salarian Architect armed with the Rozerad and Charger S. He wanted two weapons with a lot of spare ammo because...

This mission has TWO modifiers: Empty Resupply (+800% starting ammo, but ammo boxes are empty) and Go For the Eyes (+weakspot damage, -regular damage).

Benoit was brought in last year as a 'saviour' to help them finish the project. He got up to speed quickly.

Benoit's favorite characters are the Asari Adept and the Krogan Vanguard. He is struggling with the Salarian Architect because he is not used to playing it.

Unlike Bastiaan, Benoit likes the leaderboard. "How will you know if you're the best if there's no leaderboards?"

Bastiaan and Benoit talked about another person who is the designated medic in their group. People have different specialties when they play.

The first attempt to defend Firebase Aqua goes poorly when Benoit is synch-killed by a Fiend while trying to deploy a Barricade. Much like /u/Salsadips so many weeks ago. May 11 - never forget!

With two players down, the other two players valiantly attempt to hang on, particularly Pringtella who spends many First Aid Packs. But unfortunately the game ends in a TPK (Total Party Kill) a term from Dungeons & Dragons for a squad wipe.

For the next game, everyone in the Twitch chat yells for Benoit to use the Shadow. He and Bastiaan seems surprised at the recommendation. Benoit has never (!) used the Shadow before. (Side note to developers: please experiment with all the features of your own products!!!)

The Shadow proves to be lethally effective at headshots thanks to the Go For the Eyes bonus.

Benoit says he enjoys Aqua because he loves jumping and boosting and this map enables that kind of movement.

Bastiaan notes that the level artist used a lot of bio-luminescence on the map which is why there are blue glowing areas. They make a nice contrast with the red industrial lighting.

A lot of Cobras get used in the early waves on Fiends and Ascendants. Bioware gets to see, firsthand, that a point-blank Cobra to a Fiend's face will sometimes do negligible damage.

Bastiaan asks Benoit which enemy he fears the most in the Kett faction. Benoit fears the Anointed the most because of how quickly it can take you down.

The first surprise comes on Wave 6 when the word Boss appears on the screen. Benoit forget he put that in when designing the level. "Now I am cursing myself."

The team struggles with playing the objective and with the multiple Ascendants and a Fiend. With seconds to spare they kill the 2nd target, then the 3rd. Benoit gets the kill on the Behemoth with the Shadow, headshots.

Someone in Twitch chat suggests the make this same mission use the modifiers One Life to Live (no revives) and Weakened Assault Team (-25% health/shields). Benoit: "That would be cruel and unusual." Bastiaan: "Maybe not so unusual for you as a designer."

The next surprise comes when we get to Wave 7, and... it's not extraction! This is truly a marathon mission that lasts for 11 Waves (10 Waves + Extraction).

Benoit one-clips an Ascendant with the Shadow. Shadow OP! (It's a great gun and satisfying to use. Bioware please ignore the 'OP' comment.)

In Twitch chat, Billy says, " 7 waves will remain the standard for matches. But this is a fun little experiment. If you enjoy, let the team know :-)"

The team slogs through a few more waves but they have spent so many resources that they cannot hold out. There's another TPK on Wave 8.

And that's the end of the stream!