Just came across this deal on the Amazon website.
They are offering a set of 50 Blue-Ray Movies for under $200. That's less than $4 per movie.
The set usually sells for $597.92. You can save over $400, but only if purchased toady (2-20-2014).
That's $400 off of a Blue-Ray set that includes movies that won Best Movie awards, not B-Grade stuff. The list of movies included:
1. Grand Hotel* (1932)
2. Mutiny on the Bounty* (1935)
3. Wizard of Oz (1939)
4. Gone with The Wind* (1939)
5. Maltese Falcon, The (1941)
6. Mrs. Miniver* (1942)
7. Casablanca* (1942)
8. Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948)
9. Streetcar Named Desire, A (1951)
10. American in Paris, An* (1951)
11. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
12. Gigi(1958)
13. North By Northwest (1959)
14. Ben-Hur* (1959)
15. How the West Was Won (1962)
16. Doctor Zhivago (1965)
17. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
18. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
19. Bullitt (1968)
20. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
21. Dirty Harry (1971)
22. Clockwork Orange, A (1972)
23. Exorcist, The (1973)
24. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest* (1975)
25. Superman, The Movie (1977)
26. Shining, The (1980)
27. Chariots of Fire* (1981)
28. Risky Business (1983)
29. Amadeus* (1984)
30. Color Purple, The (1985)
31. Lethal Weapon (1987)
32. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
33. Driving Miss Daisy* (1989)
34. Goodfellas (1990)
35. Unforgiven* (1992)
36. Bodyguard, The(1992)
37. Natural Born Killers (Director's Cut) (1994)
38. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
39. Matrix, The (1999)
40. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
41. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
42. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
43. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* (2003)
44. Million Dollar Baby* (2005)
45. Departed, The* (2006)
46. Dark Knight, The (2008)
47. Blind Side, The (2009)
48. Hangover, The (2009)
49. Sherlock Holmes (2009)
50. Inception (2010)
It's a fairly eclectic list ranging from 1930's and 40's classics to modern Blockbusters, making it a perfect way to start a Blue-Ray collection.
Movies marked with * won for best movie.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
My Reality Television Weakness: Face Off
I'm not a big fan of "reality" t.v. Far to often it omits the reality.
I do tend to watch the contest oriented shows, like Face Off.
These shows don't pretend to be something they're not. Plus they can be useful in launching the careers of talented individuals that just need a little publicity. (Case in point, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson from American Idol.)
For those of you that aren't familiar with the show, Face Off is the SyFy channel's contest show centered around special effects makeup contestants. Each week the contestants are challenged to create a character using SFx makeup, props and costumes based on the parameters of the challenge.
Yesterday's challenge was to create a creature based on creatures from Cryptozoology.
The show airs 8:00 pm Central on Tuesday night. Older episodes can be seen on SyFy's website. (The show's website is here.)
I do tend to watch the contest oriented shows, like Face Off.
These shows don't pretend to be something they're not. Plus they can be useful in launching the careers of talented individuals that just need a little publicity. (Case in point, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson from American Idol.)
For those of you that aren't familiar with the show, Face Off is the SyFy channel's contest show centered around special effects makeup contestants. Each week the contestants are challenged to create a character using SFx makeup, props and costumes based on the parameters of the challenge.
Yesterday's challenge was to create a creature based on creatures from Cryptozoology.
The show airs 8:00 pm Central on Tuesday night. Older episodes can be seen on SyFy's website. (The show's website is here.)
Monday, February 10, 2014
Book Review: A Dance of Blades by David Dalglish
This is the second in Shadowdance series of books by David Dalglish. The first is A Dance of Cloaks and the next in the series is A Dance of Mirrors.
The book center around an ex-thief with a vendetta against the thieves guilds located in the fantasy city of Veldaren.
The paperback version of the book I borrowed from the library runs 387 pages. I surrendered on page 264. I found the book to be too "sketchy" for my tastes. (Other reviewers say fast-paced. I say sketchy.)
There are just too many potential plot issues that are ignored or treated in a perfunctory manner. Some of these may have been addressed in the previous book, but an author really shouldn't assume that someone has read a previous work in a series.
Some examples.
The main female character has two suitors. One of the suitors basically turns out to be the villain in this piece. He runs the gold mine owned by the woman's family and is apparently using it to finance one of the thief's guilds. It's run by his brother. This plot device is quickly introduced, then ignored.
The other suitor? He first appears on page 39.
He's dead on page 54.
Personally, I find this book reads like the script for the typical action movie blockbuster: shallow charcter development, thin plot development and heavy on the fight scenes.
Heavy emphasis on fight scenes might work well in moves, not so well in writing.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Rise of Mythos, Guide to the City
The City is the main User Interface for Rise of Mythos.
You'll use this to navigate through the various portions of the game.
Character Information
This is located in the upper left portion of the city screen.
The portion to the right of the portrait includes the Character's name and level, the amount of silver, crystal and gold the character currently owns, and the amount of energy the character currently has. It also includes an icon identifying the character's current class (the blue and white cross represents a Priest).
The "Add Gold" allows you to purchase gold for the character and the VIP number just below the portrait tells you how much gold you have purchased so far. (Higher level means more gold purchased.)
The "Change Class" button allows you to change the character's class. You will have to pay gold for this unless you have a class change gem.
The buttons to the right of this control game settings and sound.
The "Gift" button is used to redeem any promotional gifts.
Left Navigation
Located just below the Character Portrait.
These buttons bring up related pop-up windows when clicked. The first "likes" the game on facebook. (If you have a facebook account.)
Daily Events brings up the list of events slated for that day. These rotate on a weekly basis.
Events brings up a list of special events that are currently active.
Online rewards brings up a window with cards that can be claimed by clicking on one. (One card per draw. Three draws per day.)
Account rewards can be claimed for engaging in certain game activities. 50 Activity rewards 15 Gold. This is one of the ways to gain gold without having to purchase it using real money.
Lucky draw is available once per day. The number of draws available depends on VIP status.
Chat Window
This is located at the lower left portion of the city screen.
The buttons on the top portion of the window control which channel(s) are displayed in the window. Public displays all channels.
The button on the lower left controls which channel any comment will be sent to. Click the button to change channels. Some options are only applicable while in a room with an ongoing battle.
The arrow enters the comment (as does hitting "Enter" on your keyboard).
Click on the smiley face to bring up a list of emoticons that can be used.
The server time (displayed just below the chat window) corresponds to the times the Daily Events occur.
Bottom Navigation Bar
The bottom navigation bar is used to access miscellaneous non-building areas of the game.
The orange "Shop" button brings up the interface used to purchase card packs and non-card game items. Packs can be purchased with silver, gold or rubies. Non-card items require gold or rubies. (Note: when purchasing packs, a purple arrow on the side of the screen means there are more options available if you click on the arrow.)
"Hero" brings up your character's inventory. Additional inventory slots can be purchased using gold. The addition of recipes for forging items means you will eventually want to purchase at least one additional row of slots.
"Cards" brings up the deck management screen. This displays the current deck, the cards in that deck and all the cards you currently own. Clicking the button just to the right of the deck name opens a window that lists all the decks you currently have. Use this window to change decks, create new decks or delete old ones.
"Guide" brings up a card guide. This lists all the cards available in the game, separated by category and/or how obtained. Use this button to claim rewards given out when you have collected a certain percentage of cards available in a given category.
"Quests" brings up the list of quests currently open and the requirements for completing them. It also lists the reward for completing that quest and quests that have been completed where the reward has yet to be claimed.
"Map" brings up the areas where you fight one-on-one against computer controlled opponents. Completed fights can be repeated. (Some areas provide a reputation bonus if fights are completed multiple times.)
"Reputation" brings up your character's standing with the various race factions available as playable creatures. Higher reputation results in greater critical attack ratings and greater blocking ability. There is also a reputation shop where cards can be purchased based on your reputation level. (It's the bottom tab located on the left of the reputation window.)
"PvP" brings up your character's PvP ranking. It also provides access to the PvP store. (The second tab). The store allows you to use PvP medals to purchase skills and legendary ranked creatures. Medals are rewarded for engaging in a certain number of PvP matches during a week. (There is no win requirement). They are also rewarded for winning matches during Daily Event Tournaments and for having a good PvP ranking after the PvP season is over.
"Friends" brings up your character's contact list. This includes both the friends list as well as a list of people in the same guild. This window can be used to add or remove people from your friends list.
"Mail" enters in-game email.
"System" brings up a list of customizable settings. This provides limited control over video settings. Try moving SFX down if experiencing game lag. You can also set the game to refuse invites from other players using this button.
"Go Back" is used to exit most game features. (If "Go Back" does nothing, look for an "X" at the top right of the open window. This exits that window and returns you to the interface.)
The Buildings
These represent the main game features of Rise of Mythos. Access these by clicking on the appropriate building. Buildings are unlocked when your character reaches a particular level.
City Hall
This is where you go to build and upgrade the various buildings. This is unlocked when you finish the game tutorial.
Challenge Hall
Unlocks at level 10. This is where you can join fights with other players against various Bosses. Bosses have level requirements before you can face them.
Guild House
Unlocks at level 11. Click on this to join a guild or to check on the guild you already belong to. Donate to your guild using this building.
Alchemy Lab
Opens at level 12. Go here to combine cards to increase their strength, or to fuse new cards using fusing components. This is also where you can extract fusing components from the cards you own.
Seaport
Unlocks at level 13. Visit the Seaport before you leave the game to gain rewards while you are offline.
Blacksmith
Unlocks at 14. Enchant or combine your equipment here. The most recent game feature allows you to forge equipment at the Blacksmith as well (currently only runes can be created this way).
Auction House
Buy and sell cards here. Unlocks at 15. Cards must be purchased using gold. Selling cards will result in character receiving rubies. Rubies can be used like gold except for buying cards at the Auction House.
City Defense
Raid other players' city for a reward of crystal. Unlocks at level 16. This is also where you go to set your defenses against other players and to reinforce the defenses of those on your friends list.
Ascension Tower
A repeatable challenge that unlocks at level 25. Each floor offers minor rewards when completed. Your progress will reset once a week.
You'll use this to navigate through the various portions of the game.
Character Information
This is located in the upper left portion of the city screen.
The "Add Gold" allows you to purchase gold for the character and the VIP number just below the portrait tells you how much gold you have purchased so far. (Higher level means more gold purchased.)
The "Change Class" button allows you to change the character's class. You will have to pay gold for this unless you have a class change gem.
The buttons to the right of this control game settings and sound.
The "Gift" button is used to redeem any promotional gifts.
Left Navigation
Located just below the Character Portrait.
Daily Events brings up the list of events slated for that day. These rotate on a weekly basis.
Events brings up a list of special events that are currently active.
Online rewards brings up a window with cards that can be claimed by clicking on one. (One card per draw. Three draws per day.)
Account rewards can be claimed for engaging in certain game activities. 50 Activity rewards 15 Gold. This is one of the ways to gain gold without having to purchase it using real money.
Lucky draw is available once per day. The number of draws available depends on VIP status.
Chat Window
This is located at the lower left portion of the city screen.
The button on the lower left controls which channel any comment will be sent to. Click the button to change channels. Some options are only applicable while in a room with an ongoing battle.
The arrow enters the comment (as does hitting "Enter" on your keyboard).
Click on the smiley face to bring up a list of emoticons that can be used.
The server time (displayed just below the chat window) corresponds to the times the Daily Events occur.
Bottom Navigation Bar
The bottom navigation bar is used to access miscellaneous non-building areas of the game.
The orange "Shop" button brings up the interface used to purchase card packs and non-card game items. Packs can be purchased with silver, gold or rubies. Non-card items require gold or rubies. (Note: when purchasing packs, a purple arrow on the side of the screen means there are more options available if you click on the arrow.)
"Hero" brings up your character's inventory. Additional inventory slots can be purchased using gold. The addition of recipes for forging items means you will eventually want to purchase at least one additional row of slots.
"Cards" brings up the deck management screen. This displays the current deck, the cards in that deck and all the cards you currently own. Clicking the button just to the right of the deck name opens a window that lists all the decks you currently have. Use this window to change decks, create new decks or delete old ones.
"Guide" brings up a card guide. This lists all the cards available in the game, separated by category and/or how obtained. Use this button to claim rewards given out when you have collected a certain percentage of cards available in a given category.
"Quests" brings up the list of quests currently open and the requirements for completing them. It also lists the reward for completing that quest and quests that have been completed where the reward has yet to be claimed.
"Map" brings up the areas where you fight one-on-one against computer controlled opponents. Completed fights can be repeated. (Some areas provide a reputation bonus if fights are completed multiple times.)
"Reputation" brings up your character's standing with the various race factions available as playable creatures. Higher reputation results in greater critical attack ratings and greater blocking ability. There is also a reputation shop where cards can be purchased based on your reputation level. (It's the bottom tab located on the left of the reputation window.)
"PvP" brings up your character's PvP ranking. It also provides access to the PvP store. (The second tab). The store allows you to use PvP medals to purchase skills and legendary ranked creatures. Medals are rewarded for engaging in a certain number of PvP matches during a week. (There is no win requirement). They are also rewarded for winning matches during Daily Event Tournaments and for having a good PvP ranking after the PvP season is over.
"Friends" brings up your character's contact list. This includes both the friends list as well as a list of people in the same guild. This window can be used to add or remove people from your friends list.
"Mail" enters in-game email.
"System" brings up a list of customizable settings. This provides limited control over video settings. Try moving SFX down if experiencing game lag. You can also set the game to refuse invites from other players using this button.
"Go Back" is used to exit most game features. (If "Go Back" does nothing, look for an "X" at the top right of the open window. This exits that window and returns you to the interface.)
The Buildings
These represent the main game features of Rise of Mythos. Access these by clicking on the appropriate building. Buildings are unlocked when your character reaches a particular level.
City Hall
This is where you go to build and upgrade the various buildings. This is unlocked when you finish the game tutorial.
Challenge Hall
Unlocks at level 10. This is where you can join fights with other players against various Bosses. Bosses have level requirements before you can face them.
Guild House
Unlocks at level 11. Click on this to join a guild or to check on the guild you already belong to. Donate to your guild using this building.
Alchemy Lab
Opens at level 12. Go here to combine cards to increase their strength, or to fuse new cards using fusing components. This is also where you can extract fusing components from the cards you own.
Seaport
Unlocks at level 13. Visit the Seaport before you leave the game to gain rewards while you are offline.
Blacksmith
Unlocks at 14. Enchant or combine your equipment here. The most recent game feature allows you to forge equipment at the Blacksmith as well (currently only runes can be created this way).
Auction House
Buy and sell cards here. Unlocks at 15. Cards must be purchased using gold. Selling cards will result in character receiving rubies. Rubies can be used like gold except for buying cards at the Auction House.
City Defense
Raid other players' city for a reward of crystal. Unlocks at level 16. This is also where you go to set your defenses against other players and to reinforce the defenses of those on your friends list.
Ascension Tower
A repeatable challenge that unlocks at level 25. Each floor offers minor rewards when completed. Your progress will reset once a week.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Rise Of Mythos Starter's Guide
First, you'll need to decide which site to use when playing the game. GameFuse, Kongregate and Facebook all have multiple game servers for Rise of Mythos. If you play on one of these sites you will also need to select a derver to play on. (You can have characters on more than one server, but you'll advance faster if you concentrate on one.)
Yahoo!, Armor Games and Miniclip only have one server.
Before choosing a site and server, I advise downloading the Google Chrome Web Browser. It seems to handle the game better than other browsers. If you wind up playing on a site that includes shockwave based advertisement on the same page as the one where the game is located, you may also want to install Adblock Plus.
After selecting your server, you will be presented with a starting screen asking for you to identify your character. You'll need to select your character's gender (this has no impact on game play at this time) and then enter your character's name in the box below the gender selection tabs.
The character's name must be unique. The server provides immediate feedback as you type on whether contents in the name box are unique or not.
Clicking Start loads the game.
The game's tutorial immediately begins once the game is loaded. The tutorial will introduce you to basic game play as well as giving rewards. Your character should be level 9 once the tutorial is complete.
The Tutorial
The tutorial is fairly easy to follow and largely self-explanatory. It primarily consist of several fights, each introducing new battle concepts.
Playing Creatures
The first fight introduces the basic concept of playing creatures on the battle field. Creatures are played by clicking on the card at the bottom of the screen and then clicking on the area of the field where the creature should be placed. You can only play offensive creatures in the three spaces closest to your hero. (Or to a fellow hero when playing with other players.)
The number on the top left is a card's Countdown cost. It goes down by one every turn and can only be played when the number reaches zero. The number on the bottom left is the creature's attack strength. This is the amount of damage it inflicts when it attacks. The number on the lower right is the creature's health. This is the amount of damage it can take before dying.
The icon around the attack number indicates the type of damage inflicted.
Creatures can move two spaces per turn and attack creatures two paces in front of them, unless otherwise indicated on the card.
You end your turn by either pressing the "Space" bar on your keyboard or click on the "End Turn" button on the lower right of the screen. This button also indicates the current turn number.
Special Abilities
Completing a tutorial fight will result in being rewarded with a new creature card. These cards are used to introduce some of the special abilities available to Rise of Mythos creatures.
The first creature reward is an Elven Hunter. This creature is used to introduce creatures that can attack at a greater range. The Hunter can attack creatures up to 4 spaces in of it.
The next creature is a Human Guard. This card introduces the concept of Armor (which reduces incoming damage) and introduces the concept of card rank. The Guard has 2 Green cards instead of a single white star. A 2 star Human Guard is more powerful than a Human Guard with 1 star, and less powerful than a Human Guard with 3 or more. (They are all treated as the same card for deck building purposes. You can only have 3 of the same type of card in your deck.)
A later card introduces you to Vigilance. Creatures with this ability are not limited to attack creatures directly in front of them. They can attack creatures located in any adjacent square, including behind them. Vigilance is extremely useful when it comes to dealing with creatures that have gotten past your blockers and are now attacking you directly.
I have added numbers to the display the tutorial provides when discussing Vigilance. Vigilance creatures have to decide which creature to attack when more than one is in attack range. The number is the preference for that position. The creature with vigilance will attack the enemy creature with the lowest priority number. (Top priority is the creature directly behind it, at 1.) I believe I have the numbers correct.
Quests
The tutorial also introduces Quests. The Quest tab is on the bottom of the screen. Clicking on it brings up the Quest window. This lists all the quests currently available.
The reward for completing a quest is claimed by clicking the "Claim Reward" button.
Check the Quests available whenever you log in. This helps keep you informed of any special events that provide special rewards if certain activities are completed. (There are times when you get rubies for defeating specific bosses, which can be used to buy card packs.) These are listed under Event Quests.
Keep an eye on the Daily Quests portion as well. Completing these quests rewards 30 activity points. 50 points earns you a Gold reward. (Gold can be used to buy cards at the Auction House or to buy card packs.)
Inventory
The tutorial will also reward items that your hero can equip. These items will increase certain stats, like your hero's ability to get a critical strike when using an attack skill. Critical strikes do double damage.
Click on the "Hero" button at the bottom of the screen to access inventory. This is located right next to the large "Shop" button.
Click on an item on the right side of the inventory and the click on the correct are on the left to equip it. (Reverse to unequip.)
Classes
You don't get to select your hero's class until half-way through the tutorial.
Clicking on a Class icon brings up a brief description of that Class and a button allowing you to select that Class. The starting Class is not that important. You can change class later using a class changing gem. (This can be obtained for free by defeating bosses.)
Choosing a Class will reward a Skill usable by the chosen class.
Deck Building
The tutorial's deck building portion could provide a little more detail.
Clicking on the "Cards" button on the bottom of the playing screen brings up the Deck window.
Starting on the left side of this window:
Deck size provides information on the number of cards currently in the deck followed by maximum card size. The maximum deck size increases as your character levels up until it reaches the current maximum of 30. You must have at least the minimum number of cards indicated under this to use the deck in battle.
"Auto-Pick" results in the system creating a deck for you. This works okay early on, but you'll want to build your own deck(s) after reaching a certain level.
"Deck Info" brings up information on the current deck. This includes the number of cards per countdown cost, the total number of creature cards versus skill cards and the race of each creature in the deck.
The box at the top of the window includes the name of the deck. The button next to it brings up the Deck Management window.
Clicking "Create" allows you to create a new deck. Delete eliminates one that has already been created. You can have multiple decks. Placing a card in one deck does not prevent it from being used in a different deck. All decks available will be listed in the management window. Click on the deck and then click "Confirm" to choose it.
Newly created decks have no cards. Click on a card on the right side of the screen to add it to your deck. (Clicking on the left side removes it from the deck.) Creature cards are sorted by race and skill cards are sorted by class. Click on a tab on the far right to view a specific race or class. (The Creatures/Skills buttons just to the left of the tabs switches between creature and skill card being displayed.)
The City
Completing the combat portion of the tutorial results in a brief introduction to the city. The first building available is City Hall. Click on it to enter.
You can collect taxes at City Hall. This consists of Silver (used to purchase card packs) and crystal (for building new buildings and upgrading exiting ones.)
Upgrading City Hall increases the amount of Silver and Crystal collected from taxes.
You'll need to purchase a Novice Pack from the shop after levying taxes the first time. Click the "Shop" button to do this. Pay attention to the screen displaying the packs for sale. There are arrows on either side of the packs currently displayed. Clicking on the arrow will result in different packs being displayed.
Purchase a Novice pack and then click the Quest tab.
Claiming the rewards available should get you enough experience to trigger the Arena portion of the tutorial.
The Arena is where PvP (Player vs. Player) battles take place. Engaging in enough PvP matches in a week will result in a reward of Gold and PvP medals. Medals can be used to purchase certain skills or creatures.
Finishing your first Arena match ends the tutorial.
What you do next is up to you.
Yahoo!, Armor Games and Miniclip only have one server.
Before choosing a site and server, I advise downloading the Google Chrome Web Browser. It seems to handle the game better than other browsers. If you wind up playing on a site that includes shockwave based advertisement on the same page as the one where the game is located, you may also want to install Adblock Plus.
After selecting your server, you will be presented with a starting screen asking for you to identify your character. You'll need to select your character's gender (this has no impact on game play at this time) and then enter your character's name in the box below the gender selection tabs.
The character's name must be unique. The server provides immediate feedback as you type on whether contents in the name box are unique or not.
Clicking Start loads the game.
The game's tutorial immediately begins once the game is loaded. The tutorial will introduce you to basic game play as well as giving rewards. Your character should be level 9 once the tutorial is complete.
The Tutorial
The tutorial is fairly easy to follow and largely self-explanatory. It primarily consist of several fights, each introducing new battle concepts.
Playing Creatures
The first fight introduces the basic concept of playing creatures on the battle field. Creatures are played by clicking on the card at the bottom of the screen and then clicking on the area of the field where the creature should be placed. You can only play offensive creatures in the three spaces closest to your hero. (Or to a fellow hero when playing with other players.)
The number on the top left is a card's Countdown cost. It goes down by one every turn and can only be played when the number reaches zero. The number on the bottom left is the creature's attack strength. This is the amount of damage it inflicts when it attacks. The number on the lower right is the creature's health. This is the amount of damage it can take before dying.
The icon around the attack number indicates the type of damage inflicted.
Creatures can move two spaces per turn and attack creatures two paces in front of them, unless otherwise indicated on the card.
You end your turn by either pressing the "Space" bar on your keyboard or click on the "End Turn" button on the lower right of the screen. This button also indicates the current turn number.
Special Abilities
Completing a tutorial fight will result in being rewarded with a new creature card. These cards are used to introduce some of the special abilities available to Rise of Mythos creatures.
The first creature reward is an Elven Hunter. This creature is used to introduce creatures that can attack at a greater range. The Hunter can attack creatures up to 4 spaces in of it.
The next creature is a Human Guard. This card introduces the concept of Armor (which reduces incoming damage) and introduces the concept of card rank. The Guard has 2 Green cards instead of a single white star. A 2 star Human Guard is more powerful than a Human Guard with 1 star, and less powerful than a Human Guard with 3 or more. (They are all treated as the same card for deck building purposes. You can only have 3 of the same type of card in your deck.)
A later card introduces you to Vigilance. Creatures with this ability are not limited to attack creatures directly in front of them. They can attack creatures located in any adjacent square, including behind them. Vigilance is extremely useful when it comes to dealing with creatures that have gotten past your blockers and are now attacking you directly.
I have added numbers to the display the tutorial provides when discussing Vigilance. Vigilance creatures have to decide which creature to attack when more than one is in attack range. The number is the preference for that position. The creature with vigilance will attack the enemy creature with the lowest priority number. (Top priority is the creature directly behind it, at 1.) I believe I have the numbers correct.
Quests
The tutorial also introduces Quests. The Quest tab is on the bottom of the screen. Clicking on it brings up the Quest window. This lists all the quests currently available.
The reward for completing a quest is claimed by clicking the "Claim Reward" button.
Check the Quests available whenever you log in. This helps keep you informed of any special events that provide special rewards if certain activities are completed. (There are times when you get rubies for defeating specific bosses, which can be used to buy card packs.) These are listed under Event Quests.
Keep an eye on the Daily Quests portion as well. Completing these quests rewards 30 activity points. 50 points earns you a Gold reward. (Gold can be used to buy cards at the Auction House or to buy card packs.)
Inventory
The tutorial will also reward items that your hero can equip. These items will increase certain stats, like your hero's ability to get a critical strike when using an attack skill. Critical strikes do double damage.
Click on the "Hero" button at the bottom of the screen to access inventory. This is located right next to the large "Shop" button.
Click on an item on the right side of the inventory and the click on the correct are on the left to equip it. (Reverse to unequip.)
Classes
You don't get to select your hero's class until half-way through the tutorial.
Clicking on a Class icon brings up a brief description of that Class and a button allowing you to select that Class. The starting Class is not that important. You can change class later using a class changing gem. (This can be obtained for free by defeating bosses.)
Choosing a Class will reward a Skill usable by the chosen class.
Deck Building
The tutorial's deck building portion could provide a little more detail.
Clicking on the "Cards" button on the bottom of the playing screen brings up the Deck window.
Starting on the left side of this window:
Deck size provides information on the number of cards currently in the deck followed by maximum card size. The maximum deck size increases as your character levels up until it reaches the current maximum of 30. You must have at least the minimum number of cards indicated under this to use the deck in battle.
"Auto-Pick" results in the system creating a deck for you. This works okay early on, but you'll want to build your own deck(s) after reaching a certain level.
"Deck Info" brings up information on the current deck. This includes the number of cards per countdown cost, the total number of creature cards versus skill cards and the race of each creature in the deck.
The box at the top of the window includes the name of the deck. The button next to it brings up the Deck Management window.
Clicking "Create" allows you to create a new deck. Delete eliminates one that has already been created. You can have multiple decks. Placing a card in one deck does not prevent it from being used in a different deck. All decks available will be listed in the management window. Click on the deck and then click "Confirm" to choose it.
Newly created decks have no cards. Click on a card on the right side of the screen to add it to your deck. (Clicking on the left side removes it from the deck.) Creature cards are sorted by race and skill cards are sorted by class. Click on a tab on the far right to view a specific race or class. (The Creatures/Skills buttons just to the left of the tabs switches between creature and skill card being displayed.)
The City
Completing the combat portion of the tutorial results in a brief introduction to the city. The first building available is City Hall. Click on it to enter.
You can collect taxes at City Hall. This consists of Silver (used to purchase card packs) and crystal (for building new buildings and upgrading exiting ones.)
Upgrading City Hall increases the amount of Silver and Crystal collected from taxes.
You'll need to purchase a Novice Pack from the shop after levying taxes the first time. Click the "Shop" button to do this. Pay attention to the screen displaying the packs for sale. There are arrows on either side of the packs currently displayed. Clicking on the arrow will result in different packs being displayed.
Purchase a Novice pack and then click the Quest tab.
Claiming the rewards available should get you enough experience to trigger the Arena portion of the tutorial.
The Arena is where PvP (Player vs. Player) battles take place. Engaging in enough PvP matches in a week will result in a reward of Gold and PvP medals. Medals can be used to purchase certain skills or creatures.
Finishing your first Arena match ends the tutorial.
What you do next is up to you.
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