The Race: a tip, a question, and a bit of praise

agentnx5 · April 2013

wufflechan wrote:

The last ring you kinda hafta slow down and ease into. If you just blast through it ( which is natural ) chances are it will fail you. It sucks, and I hate it because it goes against everything a race is supposed to be, but yeah, try slowing down at the finish for now if you keep failing.

Stupid bug is stupid.

Yep, but more specifically it's that you have to come in LOW over that landing platform after the last ring. I've done it at max speed in a Hawkwing (with a Flight R6 mod AND the afterburner going full-tilt) and at max speed with Jet Boots R3.

So remember, tip: skip like a rock off the platform if you're coming in at full speed through the last gate. And if you miss or overshoot any gate: FAIL.

Got it?

Now question: What's in the unidentified artifact? (and why is it misspelled as "Unudentified", omg spell check please?!)

And for praise:

This event definitely is increasing demand for vehicles and vehicle mods (particularly the Flight Computer one)
The event occurs in the Zone! It's accessible to everyone! (no need to wait for a queue either)
The gates look cool
The speed boost effect looks cool
It's something quite different and fun
The race course is good (but I can think of some even better ones), and it shows of some of the amazing geometry in the city that most players never even check out.

Any other notes of praise to add? Or bugs to report?

ashensnow · April 2013

I would like to add my agreement that it is cool that Cryptic is trying different things. This sort of non-standard fare, while keeping a superhero flavor, is interesting. Interesting is good.

I do hope that something is done to make this more inclusive of ground bound characters.

wraithshadow13 · April 2013

Flying through the last ring is what fails me, but oddly enough if i fly through a second time it completes. Go figure. To be honest i like that we're getting new things, but i'm not pleased about the quality of said new things (minus the Harbinger fight which was really good until the end video). I'm hoping this gets a little better sooner, but at the same time it is nice they're doing something different. A Shame though that you need a vehicle to place first.

monaahiru · April 2013

Course check for Two-Lane rooftop - Sky Race over Millenium City Champions Online Just make little stop at last gate and everything go well.:3

jonsills · April 2013

agentnx5 wrote: »

Now question: What's in the unidentified artifact?

Well, if we knew that, it wouldn't be unudentified- er, pardon me, unIdentified, now would it? :biggrin:

smoochan · April 2013

No need to wait for a queue sure... just that 10 minute timer.

Ironically enough, I did the race twice, got bored of it, and haven't done it since...doubt I'll be doing it again, since I have no interest in farming up a faster vehicle to "progress".

biffsmackwell · April 2013

agentnx5 wrote: »

Yep, but more specifically it's that you have to come in LOW over that landing platform after the last ring. I've done it at max speed in a Hawkwing (with a Flight R6 mod AND the afterburner going full-tilt) and at max speed with Jet Boots R3.

...

skip like a rock off the platform if you're coming in at full speed through the last gate.

This was not my experience at all. I blast through at full speed ever time hitting the ring at the closest to the center as possible and completely overshooting the platform at the bottom. Only once out of a dozen times did it not count, and at the time I was lagging quite a bit. I had a hiccup just before hitting the ring, and it didn't count me going through.

If I remember correctly, you recently chided someone for posting false information before checking facts. Suggest you might do the same?

Now question: What's in the unidentified artifact? (and why is it misspelled as "Unudentified", omg spell check please?!)

Are you picking up the mission? The unidentified artifact is what you turn in to Sapphire to get your reward for the race.

ashensnow wrote: »

I would like to add my agreement that it is cool that Cryptic is trying different things. This sort of non-standard fare, while keeping a superhero flavor, is interesting. Interesting is good.

I do hope that something is done to make this more inclusive of ground bound characters.

I agree, the race is awesome, partly because it's just good quick fun, and part because it's something so different for this game.

And yeah, I suggested a few years ago that it would be awesome to have obstacle courses and race courses throughout Millennium City; different courses for different travel powers. Like having some courses for swinging, different ones for superspeed, and others for superjump, etc.

The idea came from playing Rooftop Races on Crackdown. So much fun because it breaks up the gameplay for a fun side mission.

smoochan wrote: »

No need to wait for a queue sure... just that 10 minute timer.

Ironically enough, I did the race twice, got bored of it, and haven't done it since...doubt I'll be doing it again, since I have no interest in farming up a faster vehicle to "progress".

The 10 minute timer is rarely a problem when you have a few instances up. Patch Launch day had 5 instances up. Very rarely had to wait more than 4 minutes for a race to pop. I just wish they'd let you start late, since I have a fast vehicle and can easily complete it like almost a minute late.

towershield · April 2013

biffsmackwell wrote: »

-snipity-

Are you picking up the mission? The unidentified artifact is what you turn in to Sapphire to get your reward for the race.

-snip-

He's asking what's in the box. My guess is it's some sort of device that scanned our heroes as they raced so the Malvans could get some sort of an idea of our potential and field appropriate opponents against us once the gladiatorial combat comes around.

I'm open to being entirely wrong about it. For all we know it's a can of beans stuck in a pantry behind a speed lock and Malvans being Malvans they got us to unlock the door for them.

biffsmackwell · April 2013

shieldtower wrote: »

He's asking what's in the box. My guess is it's some sort of device that scanned our heroes as they raced so the Malvans could get some sort of an idea of our potential and field appropriate opponents against us once the gladiatorial combat comes around.

I'm open to being entirely wrong about it. For all we know it's a can of beans stuck in a pantry behind a speed lock and Malvans being Malvans they got us to unlock the door for them.

I don't get why there would be something inside of it. It's like someone finding the Rosetta Stone and saying "yeah but what's inside it?"

It's not a box. It's an artifact. It's given to you supposedly by the Malvans for completing the race.

roughbearmattach · April 2013

I just finished the race in time, with R2 flight . . . and got the FAIL anyway.

Grrr.

towershield · April 2013

biffsmackwell wrote: »

I don't get why there would be something inside of it. It's like someone finding the Rosetta Stone and saying "yeah but what's inside it?"

It's not a box. It's an artifact. It's given to you supposedly by the Malvans for completing the race.

The icon looks similar to a Kinetic Krunch, a wrapped piece of candy, so it's not a huge leap to think it might have something inside of it. The 'unidentified' part of unidentified artifact leaves it open to interpretation. It may not be a box in the traditional sense but it could still contain something. We just don't know.

biffsmackwell · April 2013

shieldtower wrote: »

The icon looks similar to a Kinetic Krunch, a wrapped piece of candy, so it's not a huge leap to think it might have something inside of it. The 'unidentified' part of unidentified artifact leaves it open to interpretation. It may not be a box in the traditional sense but it could still contain something. We just don't know.

Well, when I see "artifact" I don't immediately think box. I'm sure there's artifact boxes out there in the world, but generally artifacts aren't really containers.

c3rvand0 · April 2013

biffsmackwell wrote: »

Well, when I see "artifact" I don't immediately think box. I'm sure there's artifact boxes out there in the world, but generally artifacts aren't really containers.

Whilst I agree with you, we are so used to getting crappy lockboxes, we expect everything we receive in game to be one

monaahiru · April 2013

BTW wut can we get from [Racing Prize Box] ?

flyingfinn · April 2013

Broken costume pieces.
...

monaahiru · April 2013

flyingfinn wrote: »

Broken costume pieces.
...

And Questionte and thats all? o.O

It's time for me to go back PvP...

draogn · April 2013

2/3 attempts failed despite still having plenty of time left on the clock and making it through all the rings, and the 1 time the race was successful the only thing in the box were 3 level 3 vehicle mods.

This is one poorly designed/tested event I will gladly ignore.

biffsmackwell · April 2013

monaahiru wrote: »

BTW wut can we get from [Racing Prize Box] ?

Chance at one of three costume pieces (helmet, gloves, boots)

Chance at a rank 4-ish vehicle mod

Some Questionite

Some Resources.

UNTIL recognition.

chalupaoffury · April 2013

monaahiru wrote: »

BTW wut can we get from [Racing Prize Box] ?

Herpes.

InB4 edited for content.

riazan · April 2013

The race is pretty fun for me i have to say, even more fun when someone is at the same speed as i am going. I use rank 2 earth flight and finished the race the first time, i just followed all the bubbles but i went clear over the platform. I still get a race complete though. I had so much fun with this in fact that i continue to do it several times after my reward and race friends if they are on. Scary thing is though that with my earth flight and using my touch pad i always either barely make it with 10 or less seconds to spare or completely fail but that is probably one of the reasons it is fun for me.

I have a lot of trouble with those turns around the buildings, i honestly have no idea how people do those turns in vehicles, probably just me

. So it is a nice little race i have to say cryptic, too bad it is temporary, it's like a fun little open mission that anyone can do, well if you have a vehicle or flight power that is. If anyone can't find the start point all you have to do is fly straight up from the middle of ren center until you see a helicopter near a ring.

bioshrike · April 2013

I have experienced the last ring not recognizing that I went through it. I just did a quick double-back each time, and went through it again to fix that, and got 'race completed' each time. Now, I just slow down a bit right before the last ring, and haven't happened to me since. Since this only seems to happen with very fast vehicles, it doesn't seem like a big deal, since you should still have plenty of time to turn around and go back through if it doesn't register the first time.

I can also report that after so many runs, I can complete the race w/ a R2 flight power, so it's definitely doable, (at least by anyone level 20 and above w/ a R2 TP).

The 10-minute cooldown on races isn't bad, either - I just cycle through instances of MC until I find one that's close to starting.

I must say that I really love the costume pieces, but would it be possible to get the 1st gladiator helmet w/o the facemask, or *just* the facemask from both of them? I'd also love to see all the pieces give all the material options.

Overall, while the race certainly doesn't appeal to everybody, it's nice to see something more being offered. I hope the devs add a ground-based race in the near future - possibly w/ some ramps and jumps as well. I wonder if the game could handle us doing loops.

As for general tips, here's what I have to say:

1. Start the race just a little back from the 1st ring, so you get the boost applied to you properly.

2. Learn the track - there's a few very sharp turns about halfway through, and if you're in a vehicle that doesn't turn tightly, you can hit a building and lose precious time.

3. Most vehicles seem to handle better if you turn w/ the mouse instead of the keys. This is somewhat counter to the very tight handling that normal TPs exhibit, so it takes a little getting used to.

4. Most vehicles don't stop on a dime when you stop pressing forward - this drift can be used to your advantage to aid in turning.

5. You can run the race even w/o the timer officially starting - you won't get completion credit, but this will allow you to get in some practice.

6. If you fail, don't give up - learn the track, practice, and park yourself at a location where you can see others run the parts you are having trouble with.

7. Most importantly... HAVE FUN! If the race isn't your thing, take a break and try something else.

kemmicals · April 2013

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the hunk of Malvan stuff you get at the end is probably some gum a gladiator spat out that finally managed to find its way to somewhere that wasn't the back of that one VIPER soldier in Canada talking to his buddy about why they're there. He's always complaining, saying "Ow, geez! The back of my head!"

biffsmackwell · April 2013

riazan wrote: »

The race is pretty fun for me i have to say, even more fun when someone is at the same speed as i am going. I use rank 2 earth flight and finished the race the first time, i just followed all the bubbles but i went clear over the platform. I still get a race complete though. I had so much fun with this in fact that i continue to do it several times after my reward and race friends if they are on. Scary thing is though that with my earth flight and using my touch pad i always either barely make it with 10 or less seconds to spare or completely fail but that is probably one of the reasons it is fun for me.

I have a lot of trouble with those turns around the buildings, i honestly have no idea how people do those turns in vehicles, probably just me . So it is a nice little race i have to say cryptic, too bad it is temporary, it's like a fun little open mission that anyone can do, well if you have a vehicle or flight power that is. If anyone can't find the start point all you have to do is fly straight up from the middle of ren center until you see a helicopter near a ring.

The building turns are tricky, but you just have to know how to approach them. Due to inertia and momentum, I turn early, and also strafe to the opposite direction of the turn. This usually gets me right into the ring and facing the right way right after it.

Would be fun to do this if we had crash mechanics though. Those turns would be really tricky to take.

riazan · April 2013

biffsmackwell wrote: »

The building turns are tricky, but you just have to know how to approach them. Due to inertia and momentum, I turn early, and also strafe to the opposite direction of the turn. This usually gets me right into the ring and facing the right way right after it.

Would be fun to do this if we had crash mechanics though. Those turns would be really tricky to take.

Oh, i may try strafing then, i generally just hit auto run and use right click to turn, which causes me to make some panic turns and end up kissing buildings. Having crash mechanics sounds fun, would be hilarious to see people failing turns and exploding or something :biggrin:.

vorshoth · April 2013

It looks hella good,mI'll say that.
Interestingly, I suggested a race set up like this like a year ago on Suggestions Box, pre-vehicles ever being thought possible. They're listening to us!

drgmstr · April 2013

biffsmackwell wrote: »

The building turns are tricky, but you just have to know how to approach them. Due to inertia and momentum, I turn early, and also strafe to the opposite direction of the turn. This usually gets me right into the ring and facing the right way right after it.

Would be fun to do this if we had crash mechanics though. Those turns would be really tricky to take.

Now this is pod racing!

biffsmackwell · April 2013

drgmstr wrote: »

Now this is pod racing!

A quick control thrust, and you're back in the race, man.

roughbearmattach · April 2013

Just completed the race using teleport, Rank 3.
It was awesome--had plenty of time to spare, beat a couple vehicles--teleport is super-maneuverable, even with speed boosts.

seiberkageneko · April 2013

Not gonna lie, LOVE THIS RACE!!!

Seriously, I haven't really played except to log on, get disappointed and bored, and log back off for about, oh, four or five-ish months. I decided to poke around today and saw the race and got all excited. I had lots of zen laying around, so I bought a bike and modded it and raced.

AND IT WAS FUN!

Seriously, I haven't had this much fun since I started to the game. It's new, it's fresh, and I love racing, so, YEAH! I did five or six races not even caring if I could get the prize again because I just enjoyed doing it. That was it.

THis is the way the whole game should be. We don't need a whole new map(though it would be nice), we don't need more alerts. We DO NOT need more alerts. We just need little things to mix it up, something creative, something different, something that's not "Defeat 25 of X" or "go here and defeat X baddie and come back".

kulchatila · August 2013

Where go the race?

flamingbunnyman · August 2013

The race was part of the Forum Malvanum event, and was taken down when the event ended. Which is too bad. I liked it.

zahinder · August 2013

It'd be silly to have the small amount of developed content stick around for more than a few months. Sheesh.

The Race: a tip, a question, and a bit of praise

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