OOTS #919 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[Solse]

Amazing! V's back! And actually fighting! I almost cheered out loud when I saw V fireball all of the soldiers, instead of having an existential crisis like all of the fourmites speculated.

[Chronos Flame]

Awesome. V is back. :D

[CatShannon]

Thanks for the update Giant, V sure came in guns blazing!

How did V manage to fly that quickly? Did (s)he silently cast a flying spell?

[Mando Knight]

...But V went up and then the ring of fire started burning higher? :smalltongue:

[Temotei]

Cute, V. Cute. :smallamused:

[Giggling Ghast]

Well, ain't we just the big damn heroes. :smallbiggrin:

[Delusion]

The last line is so good.

Though I wonder what they'll do next, I doubt V has enough dakka to level an army guite yet.

[Thokk_Smash]

The strip we've all been waiting for. :smallcool:

[Zmeoaice]

Well, it looks like V is ready to break the news to the Order.

*looks at title* Now I can't get that song out of my head grr, :smallmad:

[shadowpriest]

I love the smell of bat guano in the morning. Smells like... victory.

[Shale]

Sweeeeeeeeeet. That wall of fire is going to make survival a lot more likely.

It could also provoke Laurin, Miron and the rest into taking action, though...

[Stegyre]

"Where the hell have you been?"
"Yes . . . ."

Genius.

[Grey Watcher]

I literally can't make up my mind which super/action hero fanfare to play in my mind under this stirp. Go V!

Also, digging the art upgrade on those fire effects. :smallcool:

[Seerow]

"Where the hell have you been?"
"Yes . . . ."

Genius.

Came here to comment on the same line. Loved it.

[Dandria]

Oh, thanks God the new comic is here!

Man, this is everything I ever wanted from a strip. This is. . . this is just glorious.

[Argok]

V shows up for 15 seconds and saves the day and has done more then the rest of the party.

[Muenster Man]

Rich is probably thinking something like: "Oh no, why did I think it would be a good idea to have to draw so many minions!"

:smallbiggrin:

[mhsmith]

Here he (or she or it) comes to save the daaaayyy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdIev12fCPs

[Pip]

Way to earn the name 'V-Man'!

:smallcool:

[RMS Oceanic]

I figured Wall of Fire would be a good spell for such an occasion. :smallsmile:

Nice to see V in proper action again. Maybe they can, if not turn this around, retreat with all hands saved.

[SuddenRiptide]

Yay! Go V!

'Bout time tho, what took him so long..? :smallwink:

[Syklone]

Awesome!! I loved the last line.

[Tsyndrome]

Super excited to see V back in the fray! However, I'm still worried that this may provoke Laurin and Tarquin to take action. Also, Elan and Haley are still outside the ring of fire.

[The Giant]

Rich is probably thinking something like: "Oh no, why did I think it would be a good idea to have to draw so many minions!"

:smallbiggrin:

This is easily the most accurate comment on a comic ever.

[Sockpuppet]

Everyone loves Aerial Cavalry, and the party's back together!

[DaOldeWolf]

:belkar: Where the hell have you been?

:vaarsuvius: Yes, sadly

Excellent joke. XD

And yay, things are finally looking good for the Order. Wonder what is Tarquin going to do now?

[Gift Jeraff]

V shows up for 15 seconds and saves the day and has done more then the rest of the party.

V is OP. Petition to nerf V.

[nogall]

Go V! awesome entrance... :smallbiggrin:

ETA: love the design and colours in this page, specially the wall of fire.

[nohamotyo]

Gotta wonder if when the tide of the battle turns Tarquin's adventuring party will get involved.

Also, could somebody please explain to a noob like me why bat guano is a material component of Fireball (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fireball.htm)?

[Tsyndrome]

I literally can't make up my mind which super/action hero fanfare to play in my mind under this stirp.

I'm thinking the John Williams Superman fanfare? Maybe it's just the flying.

[Pip]

Here he (or she or it) comes to save the daaaayyy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdIev12fCPs

Wow! I wrote the same thing (without the youtube) and then changed my mide. 'This close' to being ninjaed.

[Syklone]

V is OP. Petition to nerf V.

Negative signed.

[Iago]

How did V manage to fly that quickly? Did (s)he silently cast a flying spell?

If I had to guess, (s)he cast Overland Flight in the morning, it lasts the day.

Echoing everyone who cheered: The Cavalry has arrived!

[homeosapiens]

Yay, V is back. Retreat not so likely now Rift escape thinkers :)

[hamishspence]

Looks like V's getting a better focus on the issue at hand- keeping the party alive.

[wolfdreams01]

A high-level adventuring team working together with solid tactics is like a force of nature. In this case, the SPECIFIC force of nature is "fire." :smallwink:

[Pip]

V is OP. Petition to nerf V.

Being pulled to Hell at the least convient moment is nerfed.

[Ermete]

Great great strip! I liked it so much.

time for action :)

[Tsyndrome]

Also, could somebody please explain to a noob like me why bat guano is a material component of Fireball (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fireball.htm)?


Guano has historically been used to make gunpowder.

[Iago]

Gotta wonder if when the tide of the battle turns Tarquin's adventuring party will get involved.

Also, could somebody please explain to a noob like me why bat guano is a material component of Fireball (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fireball.htm)?

Blame Gary Gygax and 1st edition spell components.

And the essential components of gunpowder include saltpeter; guano, especially bird droppings, were historically the primary source for it.

[Larkas]

Woot! V is back! \:smallbiggrin:/

[The_Admiral]

Dowwwwn, Dooowwwn, baby are you down down down down down.

NOOOOOOOOOO! I JUST GOT ONE SONG OUT OF MY HEAD!

[Sir_Leorik]

And so V turns the tide with just four spells. "Spike" can now go off and kill things, Durkon can concentrate on dominating enemy soldiers, and the archers can't hurt V or Belkar. And if any of the mooks want to engage Roy or Durkon in melee, they need to walk through a Wall of Fire.

This is the sort of big-darn-heroes moment that should lead up to the climax of the book! Great stuff, especially the punchline! :smallcool:

[Syklone]

I literally can't make up my mind which super/action hero fanfare to play in my mind under this strip.

Not really action hero, but I think this fits:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINyylPSRk4&list=PL834FCA340E5D20DB

[Sir_Leorik]

V is OP. Petition to nerf V.

Petition denied. :smallannoyed:

[CoffeeIncluded]

Vaarsuvius! Oh, I have missed you, you repentant elf!

[NihhusHuotAliro]

This comic has thinner panel borders than the others, or maybe I'm just seeing things.

[Gnome Alone]

At long pooping last, the Order entire is reunited. Sub-boss Zyklon won't know what hit him.

[nohamotyo]

Guano has historically been used to make gunpowder.

Huh, I'll be darned. Thanks.

[Zenima]

Came here to comment on the same line. Loved it.

I registered on the forums because of the same line. I'm still laughing. XD

[Solse]

Gotta wonder if when the tide of the battle turns Tarquin's adventuring party will get involved.

Also, could somebody please explain to a noob like me why bat guano is a material component of Fireball (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fireball.htm)?

Bat guano is a material component of Fireball because the TSR guys were on drugs while writing D&D.

It explains a lot, really.

[rs2excelsior]

HELL yeah! Let's go, V!

Good ol' fireball to the rescue!

Also, it's good to see how much the "special effects," so to speak, compare with the early days of the strip.

EDIT: Compare. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0020.html) Also the throwback reference to 899 strips ago :smallbiggrin:

[The_Admiral]

Gotta wonder if when the tide of the battle turns Tarquin's adventuring party will get involved.

Also, could somebody please explain to a noob like me why bat guano is a material component of Fireball (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fireball.htm)?

Science really. Bat Guano was the source of Nitrates which was an important ingredient in gunpowder before the Haber Process, as far as I remember.

[Warren Dew]

Vaarsuvius is now redeemed from recent uselessness.

[Yendor]

The level of detail on fire effects has certainly picked up a little.

[Fshy94]

Well, V's certainly nuking things.

I dunno if this is the best use of Tarquin's resources, though, soldiers aren't cheap, and he's losing a bunch like flies at this point.

[hamishspence]

I'm guessing this is another one themed on song lyrics?

I don't remember the precise words to the song "Ring of Fire" (only ever heard it in adverts) but I think the title of the strip (I went down, down down) was from it- and V does produce a ring of fire.

[StreamOfTheSky]

If I didn't despise V, this strip would've been really cool.

*Sigh* At least it looks like the rest of the order's going to make it out of this now. That ring of fire basically means none of the foot soldiers can come in to melee them w/o auto-dying, and it gives concealment against if not outright blocks (via fiery destruction) any bolts/arrows that might get shot from outside.

I wonder how long Tarquin's going to idiotically go along with the "We Have Reserves" thing and just let his army get pointlessly decimated.

[Porthos]

I literally can't make up my mind which super/action hero fanfare to play in my mind under this stirp. Go V!

Might I suggest Ring of Fire? :smalltongue:

[AKA_Bait]

Ah, the old "lets just hand wave it" method of getting V into the battle. :smallwink: Still, it's always fun to watch a spell caster blow up mooks.

[Quild]

I could have bet V would not be saving the day :(

[Syklone]

By the way, do V and Blackwing not know what just happened? It seems like that in the second panel, with Blackwing saying "I can't [remember]" and "what just [happened]"...?

[Tundar]

Damn, that's alot of stick figures on panel #8.

And wohoo for the new fire effects. Really nicely done :smallcool:

[Dandria]

I'm guessing this is another one themed on song lyrics?

I don't remember the precise words to the song "Ring of Fire" (only ever heard it in adverts) but I think the title of the strip (I went down, down down) was from it- and V does produce a ring of fire.

Yep, Johnny Cash and his Ring of Fire. And now I'll never get it out of my head. Again. Thanks, Giant!

[DaggerPen]

Yes

Yessssssss

Beautifully done, V. Beautifully done.

[Killer Angel]

The final panel is priceless.
Heck, the whole strip is priceless...

Go V.!!! :smallsmile:

[Ailowynn]

Awesome! I wonder what Tarquin (and co.) will do now...

[Burner28]

Nice!:smallsmile:

[Gwynfrid]

I second all the posters before me (and after me... I'm sure I'm far from being the last one) who are cheering loudly at seeing V back in action, with deadly focus and efficiency. She's just perfectly suited to turn the tide in that kind of battle.

And that punchline was pure diamond dust.

It remains to be seen what Tarquin's team can do against the Order now; and if Tarquin is willing to go for a direct confrontation. It doesn't like like his mooks are up to the task anymore.

[Fshy94]

By the way, do V and Blackwing not know what just happened? It seems like that in the second panel, with Blackwing saying "I can't [remember]" and "what just [happened]"...?

Doubt it -- there would be no point I can think of to Blackwing not remembering but V remembering, as s/he obviously does with the last panel line.

[Muenster Man]

This is easily the most accurate comment on a comic ever.

Sig'd

First time the Giant has quoted me...
*Squee!*

[Shale]

By the way, do V and Blackwing not know what just happened? It seems like that in the second panel, with Blackwing saying "I can't [remember]" and "what just [happened]"...?

It's more like Belkar's "what just--" after the Malack incident, I think. Sort of a "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" moment, followed by "what are we going to do now?"

[Henry the 57th]

And now we see why V is always benched. And get another reminder of why even the worst 3.5 wizards are so powerful.

[Everyl]

Great comic, the punchline had me struggling not to laugh so loud I woke up my family.

Also, panel #4 looks significant to me. V halts and switches from passive voice to active voice mid-sentence. The key difference? The active-voice construction involves accepting implicit blame for the waste of time, while passive voice diffuses the blame. It's good to see that V is neither becoming paralyzed with indecision nor losing sight of a long-term redemption goal.

[Mith]

SInce the strips are kind of busy this past while I have lost track of a few people. Where are Elan and Haley?

[Tundar]

and it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire...

[Sir_Leorik]

By the way, do V and Blackwing not know what just happened? It seems like that in the second panel, with Blackwing saying "I can't [remember]" and "what just [happened]"...?

Blackwing is trying to say "What are we going to..."; presumably he was going to say "... do?" before V cut him off.

Given the punchline of the comic, V definitely remembers where they were. Because Sabine smashed the TV, they missed seeing the start of the battle.

[rs2excelsior]

As far as back ground music, I submit this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi5EiCgQKuw)

[Kish]

At long pooping last, the Order entire is reunited. Sub-boss Zyklon won't know what hit him.
:xykon: Wasn't it a bald guy named Purplesword or something?

[MoonCat]

D'aww, this comic is sort of cute. It's all... hopeful and OoTS-not-horribly-dying-yet!

Damn, this comic got darker over the years. :smallwink:

[Gift Jeraff]

It looks like taking V's soul also healed his/her body. So maybe Nero will use his time just to fully heal V during a big fight! :smallsmile:

[Psyren]

V shows up for 15 seconds and saves the day and has done more then the rest of the party.

He's a Wizard. Welcome to D&D.

[maxon]

By the way, do V and Blackwing not know what just happened? It seems like that in the second panel, with Blackwing saying "I can't [remember]" and "what just [happened]"...?
Well no, V knows in the last panel that he's been in Hell and why. Not sure really what Blackwing is saying.

[Cuthalion]

The Giant's art is sooo good... :smalleek:

Also, nice line there.

[King of Nowhere]

V is really shocked. he's much less verbose than usual.

[Solara]

FINALLY!

V even managed to cut himself off without spending the next seven panels monologuing! And now these mooks are all gonna burn 'cause this wizard here don't need no deal with demons to be a total badass. :smallbiggrin:

Also loved the title, I love Johnny Cash waaaay more than is probably healthy...considering he's an old man, and also dead. :smallredface:

[bguy]

And so V turns the tide with just four spells. "Spike" can now go off and kill things, Durkon can concentrate on dominating enemy soldiers, and the archers can't hurt V or Belkar. And if any of the mooks want to engage Roy or Durkon in melee, they need to walk through a Wall of Fire.

Not even four particularly high level spells either since V hasn't even had to cast anything past 4th level yet. You really have to wonder how Tarquin actually managed to conquer a third of the continent when his armies are this weak and their tactics are so inept.

[Porthos]

Well no, V knows in the last panel that he's been in Hell and why. Not sure really what Blackwing is saying.

Blackwing's fighting off a panic attack. Bascially he's freaking out over what just happened, and the implication that it's going to happen two more times.

He's more or less saying he has no idea what to do now.

However, V's itchy trigger finger just happened to have a dissertation prepared on what should be done in this sort of eventuality. :smallamused:

[madtinker]

"Aye, think so." Maybe this wasn't intended, but it was my favorite joke.

[AdmiralCheez]

I've got to say, I really like the way the fire and dust clouds look together. The bottom row of panels in particular look fantastic.

[Neoriceisgood]

Liking the artwork on the fire!

[Porthos]

Thanks for the update Giant, V sure came in guns blazing!

How did V manage to fly that quickly? Did (s)he silently cast a flying spell?



If I had to guess, (s)he cast Overland Flight in the morning, it lasts the day.

This. V was already seen flying before he had his unfortunate detour into the lower planes. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0896.html)

[Macros]

Well, now it all depends on how serious Tarquin was about killing Roy. If it was just a passing thought, he might decide to simply up and leave now, but if sufficiently motivated, he might well join the fray with his near-epic allies. Not sure which option I favor.

[HandofShadows]

BooM! Headsh... er FIREBALL!

Nice to see back and not wasting any time.

[JT]

So, which cluster got fireballed? And how many is it likely to have been?

Ring of Fire provides respite, but you can still shoot in, right? Roy may be the only one susceptible to arrow fire, admittedly.

Lee's inbox is gonna really overflow soon....

[Grogmir]

THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvYhttp:/) is the only background music that should be applied to this strip.

Great art! Great Action Strip! MMOOOOOAR!

[Shale]

Not even four particularly high level spells either since V hasn't even had to cast anything past 4th level yet. You really have to wonder how Tarquin actually managed to conquer a third of the continent when his armies are this weak and their tactics are so inept.

This is the Dramatic Revelations Brigade. If I had to explain the thinking behind it, I'd say that as far as Tarquin's concerned anybody he tells them to kill is already doomed by the hand of plot; kinda like the stormtroopers who were able to kill Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen so expertly off-camera.

[Ezekiel]

Absolutely brilliant!

Heeeeeeeeeeee's back!!! :vaarsuvius:

(Yeah yeah, he/she/it/whatever)

[Toper]

The level of detail on fire effects has certainly picked up a little.
Indeed, the fire looks significantly scarier and more... firey.

I wonder if the fiends healed V, or if he/she just had off-panel potions and hadn't thought to drink them earlier...

[Irenaeus]

I hoped the title would be a Tom Waits reference, but seeing the ring of fire makes me think Cash got this one. Good to see V in action.

[Ionbound]

As a member of the theme music brigade, I present

The V-Team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyz_2DEah4o)

[Ubab]

Excellent!

V appears to be more resolut after going to take tea in hell!

Roy appears to be a little bit worse. Where's Elan and Haley? Outside the wall?

Durkon should have "line of sight" to keep dominating. Apparently, the Wall of Fire cut that line, so he must dominate all inside and then, maybe at dusk, pray for spells, meanwhile V keeps concentrating in the Wall of Fire.

And great joke at the end!

[AutomatedTeller]

Lovely comic, giant. Really liked the detail in the art. And it's good to get the team back together.

"yes, sadly" Great line.

[RMS Oceanic]

I think I'll go a slightly different tack with the theme music thing:

"I WISH TO RAISE AN ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION TO WHAT HAS JUST BEEN PRESENTED!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPJE4l6j-hg)

[Wolv90]

Well, ain't we just the big damn heroes. :smallbiggrin:

Mal: "Well look at this! Seems we got here just in the nick of time. What does that make us?" Zoë Washburne: "Big damn heroes, sir!" Mal: "Ain't we just."

I love that line.

[Irenaeus]

This is easily the most accurate comment on a comic ever.
A suggestion, then. Kill them with fire?

[AutomatedTeller]

This is easily the most accurate comment on a comic ever.

Good thing there's a lot of dust around to obscure them, then ;)

Seriously - the art has been very good. I don't comment on it very often, but I very much appreciate the work you are doing on these. The detail work is awesome...

[Amphiox]

By the way, do V and Blackwing not know what just happened? It seems like that in the second panel, with Blackwing saying "I can't [remember]" and "what just [happened]"...?

Sabine broke the plasma after Nale died and before Tarquin ordered his army to attack, and V was sent back before they got a replacement. So V and BW didn't know about the battle. That's probably all they were referring to.

[luc258]

Has anyone guestimated how many soldiers there are? This battle is far from over, V has not saved the day and he will most likely run out of spells long before she has killed a sizeable chunk of the army.

I would expect that Tarquin's group would start doing a few things anytime soon, too. Dismissing the devil? Dispelling the group? Bombarding them with spells from afar? There are plenty of options.

[FlawedParadigm]

V is OP. Petition to nerf V.

Needs more benchin'. :p

[Anarion]

The spell effects combined with the dust on this comic make for a very nice art effect. Is this also the first time we've seen V cast a wall of fire? Love that spell, one of my favorites.

V's final line is great, as a ton of people have already pointed out, and I love that neither Roy nor Belkar is paying enough attention to pick up on it.

[nocker]

As an Evoker, V is at his strongest against masses of minions. Her entrance will force Tarquin to:
A) Admit his planning was less than perfect and retreat;
B) Get (him or his his party) personally involved on "Elan's companions" demise.

[MightionNY]

I have iTunes running while, surfing, and I found this update. Needless to say, I now have "Ring of Fire" set to play next. :D

The Social Distortion version, not the original Johnny Cash version, if that's okay. :D

Hopefully everyone gets some nice EXP from all this carnage. :D

[TheTeaMustFlow]

There are few finer sights than a fellow disciple of the Tao of Ellen Ripley at work.

I Say We Take Off
Nuke the Site From Orbit
The Only Way To Be Sure.

[Silva Stormrage]

Return of V! Woot!

Of course this doesn't mean the order is any safer, if Tarquin's party starts to interfere then its good game. I am not sure V has any spells that would be useful for running either. Maybe V could convince them to enter the portal? He/She could tell them of the planet in the rift and maybe cast a flight spell on Roy?

[Scurvy Cur]

Not even four particularly high level spells either since V hasn't even had to cast anything past 4th level yet. You really have to wonder how Tarquin actually managed to conquer a third of the continent when his armies are this weak and their tactics are so inept.

Easy. This is his special drama and plot division. Their primary function is not combat efficiency.

Also, more seriously, I would imagine empire-conquering armies develop tactics appropriate for fighting other armies. The deployment styles and manuvers that allow you to beat the other thousands-strong army may not be the best choice against a small handful of exceptionally competent opponents. Especially with how crazy-different the combat potential of even the fighter goes up as he levels. What works well against a couple thousand level 1 warriors may just end in a massive body count against a level 16ish fighter.

[littlebum2002]

They can sense their failures by auditory familiarity, and they can sense their companions by olfactory familiarity.

[Surfing HalfOrc]

And this answers the question, "Why is V always benched during action scenes?"

Because V is so powerful at this level, the comic would change from "The Order of the Stick" to "The Awesome V and a Few of Her(?) Friends."

Awesome strip, and it is nice to see the minigun in action!

[pendell]

Well done, Vaarsuvius. Wall of fire was something I hadn't expected. All good choices on his part.

All the same I think we're coming up on this situation (http://shawntionary.com/chainmailbikini/?p=133).

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Porthos]

With deep and sincere apologies to The Man in Black:

The Wall of Fire (sung to the tune of The Ring of Fire)

Spells are a burning thing
and it casts a firery ring
bound by the mind's desire
I cast... a Wall of Fire

I rose up and cast the Wall of Fire
I went up, up, up
and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns,
the Wall of Fire
The Wall of Fire

The taste of ash is ignited
when OotS is re-united
I fell down next to Roy
Oh, but to be back is a joy

I rose up and cast the Wall of Fire
I went up, up, up
and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns,
the Wall of Fire
The Wall of Fire

[Vinsfeld]

V's awesome!

[Saturosian]

Wasn't V pretty beaten up last time we saw V?

And, wow. It's good to see V really fight for once.

[FlawedParadigm]

This is easily the most accurate comment on a comic ever.

I hope you're not tormenting yourself by keeping exact track of the number of mooks left living or anything.

[T.D.O.W.]

THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvYhttp:/) is the only background music that should be applied to this strip.

I humbly submit this entry (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKaYOW9zMoY), suggested by the "smell of bat guano in the morning" riff.

Skip ahead to 3m30s into the clip, if impatient.

[JT]

Has anyone guestimated how many soldiers there are? This battle is far from over, V has not saved the day and he will most likely run out of spells long before she has killed a sizeable chunk of the army.

I would expect that Tarquin's group would start doing a few things anytime soon, too. Dismissing the devil? Dispelling the group? Bombarding them with spells from afar? There are plenty of options.

I think people guessed an upper limit of a couple thousand making it through the wormhole originally.

I OCD-ly counted the group surrounding Roy, Durkon, Spike, and Belkar in the last panel of http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0917.html and got a couple shy of 500.

[ChrisTilley]

I love the changing color of the sky in panel 5 and 6. Dusk and new spells for Durkon are coming soon.

[Ravenlord]

While the scene is definiately well-done, I can't help but notice the stark contrast with O'Chul's lesson at the siege of Azure City.

In the end, a properly set up party can handily defeat an entire army.

Feels like vindication, really.

[Muenster Man]

I love the changing color of the sky in panel 5 and 6. Dusk and new spells for Durkon are coming soon.

The color of the sky from past comics looks the same to me

[Psyren]

While the scene is definiately well-done, I can't help but notice the stark contrast with O'Chul's lesson at the siege of Azure City.

In the end, a properly set up party can handily defeat an entire army.

Feels like vindication, really.

The goblins had spellcasters of their own though, including an epic sorcerer and near-epic cleric (who created his OWN high-level spellcasters.) These guys are getting absolutely no fire support from Laurin, so it's not quite the same.

[Peelee]

Also, digging the art upgrade on those fire effects. :smallcool:

Seconded. One of the few times I noticed before either a character or the forum pointed it out to me. Looks great!

[hamishspence]

The color of the sky from past comics looks the same to me

Compare to 899, a fight or two ago:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0899.html

[rafaruggi]

I have iTunes running while, surfing, and I found this update. Needless to say, I now have "Ring of Fire" set to play next. :D

The Social Distortion version, not the original Johnny Cash version, if that's okay. :D

Hopefully everyone gets some nice EXP from all this carnage. :D

I don't think that's okay at all, sir.

[bguy]

Has anyone guestimated how many soldiers there are? This battle is far from over, V has not saved the day and he will most likely run out of spells long before she has killed a sizeable chunk of the army.

I would expect that Tarquin's group would start doing a few things anytime soon, too. Dismissing the devil? Dispelling the group? Bombarding them with spells from afar? There are plenty of options.

The Order had a decent chance of winning against the mooks even without V seeing how the mooks have literally no way to damage Durkon or Spike, won't engage against Elan (and probably not Haley either), and Roy could expect to take several hundred of them out just by himself before they could grind him down. With V in the fight (and Roy having a chance to heal), the mooks are a complete non-factor now.

Tarquin's group admittedly could still do something, but if they were willing to engage the Order then you would think they would have done so at the start of the fight instead of wasting all those troops for no real purpose.

[Sir_Leorik]

Durkon should have "line of sight" to keep dominating. Apparently, the Wall of Fire cut that line, so he must dominate all inside and then, maybe at dusk, pray for spells, meanwhile V keeps concentrating in the Wall of Fire.

And great joke at the end!

Durkon can assume gaseous form, fly over the Wall of Fire, resume his Vampire Dwarf form and resume dominating.


As an Evoker, V is at his strongest against masses of minions. Her entrance will force Tarquin to:
A) Admit his planning was less than perfect and retreat;
B) Get (him or his his party) personally involved on "Elan's companions" demise.

Tarquin never really got that much of a chance to test V's mettle. Other than V's showdown with Z over the arena, Tarquin has only seen V cast Feather Fall.

[rafaruggi]

I hope you're not tormenting yourself by keeping exact track of the number of mooks left living or anything.

Well, if he isn't, I am. And I'll be sure to file a complaint if by the end of this The Giant isn't right on the spot with the numbers.

[Demolator]

And the tides have turned!!! Nice to see V back on the field!:smallsmile:

[Scurvy Cur]

While the scene is definiately well-done, I can't help but notice the stark contrast with O'Chul's lesson at the siege of Azure City.

In the end, a properly set up party can handily defeat an entire army.

Feels like vindication, really.

I would point out the vast difference in the battle objectives though. Defending a city is a markedly more tactically demanding task than "hold your ground" until sunset for an adventuring party. The former demands that they spread out and try to hold many fronts at once. The latter permits them to concentrate all their talents and resources in one position.

[Porthos]

I love the changing color of the sky in panel 5 and 6. Dusk and new spells for Durkon are coming soon.

Durkon still has to take the time out to meditate for those new spells though.

[Muenster Man]

Compare to 899, a fight or two ago:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0899.html

Hmmm, I put both of them into MS Paint and compared the colors and didn't see a difference. But, just because I'm not seeing it doesn't mean it's not there.

[Valanarch]

Glad to see that he is back.

[skaddix]

V knows how to make an entrance

[happyman]

So I'm guessing that Vaarsuvius has done some serious thinking while in Hell. I'm thinking one of the things at the top of his head was what he was going to tell the rest of the party.

Looks like he's made his decision and is sticking to it. I like how casually he lets Belkar---Belkar!---know about it. No more hiding, apparently. Good for him.

P.S. As my first post in years on this forum, I would hereby qualify the use of the pronoun "he" as strictly my original impression of Vaarsuvius and much more convenient than the other choices I've seen. I make no claim whatsoever to actual knowledge of the proper pronoun, and will never get involved in any such discussion.

[hamishspence]

Hmmm, I put both of them into MS Paint and compared the colors and didn't see a difference. But, just because I'm not seeing it doesn't mean it's not there.

This one at the very start of the pyramid arc, at least, looks noticably paler (last panel):

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0836.html

[Spoomeister]

Absolutely badass. The comic title works on multiple levels. Roy's relief is palpable; that's one expressive stick figure face right there.

And I love this one if for no other reason than it will infuriate and frustrate those who are eager to see V gone from the story altogether.

[DaggerPen]

The level of detail on fire effects has certainly picked up a little.

No kidding. The shape of the flames even changes between panels.

[Zach J.]

Great comic. I love the way the fire turned out. It looks really good.

[t209]

It's about Time, V. If you hadn't stuck earlier, the gate might survive and sabine may not have to raise her possible half demon baby by herself.

[Muenster Man]

This one at the very start of the pyramid arc, at least, looks noticably paler (last panel):

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0836.html

Well, yeah. That was sometime in the morning. I assumed that Girard's illusion kept them occupied for quite some time, although we have no idea just how long that was. But that is still a good point, the comic most definitely seems to be during the afternoon at some point.

[TheBST]

Is that title a Tom Waits reference? Huh.

Any way: Yes, yes and YES. The Order vs an Army. $50 on the Order.

[ti'esar]

:smallbiggrin:

WOO-HOO!

...Really, nothing else to say here.

[elonin]

While the scene is definiately well-done, I can't help but notice the stark contrast with O'Chul's lesson at the siege of Azure City.

In the end, a properly set up party can handily defeat an entire army.

Feels like vindication, really.

That shows more the power of arcane power vs. low level mooks.

[hamishspence]

Well, yeah. That was sometime in the morning. I assumed that Girard's illusion kept them occupied for quite some time, although we have no idea just how long that was. But that is still a good point, the comic most definitely seems to be during the afternoon at some point.

It appears close to sunset here:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0910.html

[Mike Havran]

When in doubt, set someone on fire :smallamused:

I like how the fireball effect evolved (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0145.html). And also how Roy adopted that living embodiment of Law and Evil and calls him "Spiky" all the time.

I wonder what will Tarquin do now. Retreat should be the preferrable option, in the vein of "You win this time, hero, but you have only seen A GLIMPSE of my TRUE POWER". Trying to alter the impact of a heroic rescue usually doesn't work out very well (for the villain, that is).

[hamishspence]

I like how the fireball effect evolved (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0145.html).

Interestingly- early strips show more colour variation than that:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0020.html

[Muenster Man]

It appears close to sunset here:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0910.html

Good catch! Didn't realize that before.

[zimmerwald1915]

Where's Elan and Haley? Outside the wall?
Yes. And how dare V exclude them!? :smallwink:


They can sense their failures by auditory familiarity, and they can sense their companions by olfactory familiarity.
They kindof have to when their spot checks are so bad.

[Traab]

Not even four particularly high level spells either since V hasn't even had to cast anything past 4th level yet. You really have to wonder how Tarquin actually managed to conquer a third of the continent when his armies are this weak and their tactics are so inept.

Well, they were fighting tired and injured party members where at half party strength since elan and haley are not in the scrum, (though they did join in from outside the circle o' death. The cleric has lost all his heal spells, the rogue is one hit from death, and the warrior has taken significant damage from the silicon golem. Do you really NEED a lot of tactics to rush in and dogpile them into the ground?

[fwiffo]

Inverse Mook law is similar to Inverse Ninja law. OOTS is safe as long as they are facing an army. Throw a few individuals at them, then they are in trouble. And if they have names (e.g, Miron or Laurin), watch out!

[Mad Wizard]

Interesting double meaning (probably unintentional) with the title: there's also a Streetlight Manifesto song called "Down Down Down to Mephisto's Cafe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NTyCLU0Gv0)," which is basically where V just returned from.

[TruDivination]

Nice! I love V, so it's great to see her finally come back. This IS going to require a lot of explaining afterwards though. I'm calling that the one who will empathize with V is actually going to be Belkar. Just have this feeling. And a few prophetic dreams as well.:wink:

[Bluepaw]

It's a tiny touch, but I love how Durkon's not really clear on the abilities of his own summoned devil -- he's riding on a lot of instinct but this is all really new for him, and I suspect his behavior will be anything but predictable for a while...

[Tragak]

Wow. That was absolutely amazing.

Also, if everybody's still talking about leitmotifs, the music I best associate with Double-O V in my head is Dance with the Devil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMSkC2PGyTs) and You Know My Name (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnzgdBAKyJo) :smallwink:

[Jay R]

SInce the strips are kind of busy this past while I have lost track of a few people. Where are Elan and Haley?

With Tarquin. Which leads to the next question:

Where exactly was that first fireball aimed?

[Mad Humanist]

The comic title works on multiple levels.

I think the tities usually do have multiple meanings. I'm not sure a thread documenting this would be a good idea though.

[bguy]

Easy. This is his special drama and plot division. Their primary function is not combat efficiency.

Also, more seriously, I would imagine empire-conquering armies develop tactics appropriate for fighting other armies. The deployment styles and manuvers that allow you to beat the other thousands-strong army may not be the best choice against a small handful of exceptionally competent opponents. Especially with how crazy-different the combat potential of even the fighter goes up as he levels. What works well against a couple thousand level 1 warriors may just end in a massive body count against a level 16ish fighter.

The problem though is any nation that Tarquin attacked would be much better off just hiring a mid-level adventuring party to defend them rather than trying to raise their own massive army, which means Tarquin's forces would need to develop tactics to counter such groups. Otherwise they'll get defeated the first time they take on a nation that relies on mid-level adventurers rather than a conventional army, and once the word gets out that that is how you defeat Tarquin's forces every nation on the continent will start using such tactics.

We've seen other mass armies in the Stickverse take steps to deal with the threat of adventurers (both Azure City and the Hobgoblins had spell casters deployed at the squad level to provide magical support for their front line troops), but Tarquin's forces seem to be woefully undermanned in that regard given that we haven't seen any low level casters amongst their troops. That seems like a critical weakness for Tarquin's army.

[Porthos]

Is that title a Tom Waits reference? Huh.

Uh. No. :smalltongue:

Ring of Fire, by Johnny Cash (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Fire_(song))

[Elfich]

My I respectfully submit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw6agp9DlbQ

[TruDivination]

Where exactly was that first fireball aimed?

I think it was just indescriminately aimed at the soldiers around her. If you woke up surrounded by the enemy, you'd aim for the closest ones, right?

[Lamech]

So looks like V got a free full heal. Well, I must say this whole deal with the devil has been working out great for V. I mean, okay they take her whenever they want. Other than that though: There is no torture. She got more than enough power to save her family. They don't yoink her out so she dies. Its all quite nice of them. For all the talk of deals with the devil screwing you over, this has been free bonus after free bonus!

"You didn't read the fine print? MWAHAHAHA! Well guess what?!? WE CURED YOUR CANCER! MWAHAHAHA! This is what happens when you make a deal with me."

[Silverionmox]

Way to earn the name 'V-Man'!

:smallcool:
Yeah, that's a cape, not a poncho.

[Porthos]

I think the tities usually do have multiple meanings. I'm not sure a thread documenting this would be a good idea though.

There's been a couple (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77239) of them before (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66234), but the maintainer (Ceaon) eventually stopped doing them.

Been tempted to start one up again, with community input, as explaining the cultutral references to non-Americans/people in different demographics can be quite useful.

[Mutant Sheep]

"I went down, down down, and the flames went higher", and they burn burn burn, V's ring of fire.:smalleek:

Edit:I look up, and on this very page, someone did not get the title joke! ... I feel old, and I'm only 16. :smalltongue:

Wonderful job with the art, Mr. Burlew.:smallbiggrin: I was properly horrified. Them burning alive seems worse than the goblin-body ramp, but that being used for a joke might be an influence.

[Ramien]

Is it wrong that my first thought on seeing the title of this comic was expecting to see Nale reach his final destination?

It's great to see V blowing up mooks, although I am worried about Elan and Haley still being outside the defensive barrier - it shouldn't be difficult for V to help them inside though.

[Mike Havran]

So looks like V got a free full heal. Well, I must say this whole deal with the devil has been working out great for V. I mean, okay they take her whenever they want. Other than that though: There is no torture. She got more than enough power to save her family. They don't yoink her out so she dies. Its all quite nice of them. For all the talk of deals with the devil screwing you over, this has been free bonus after free bonus!

"You didn't read the fine print? MWAHAHAHA! Well guess what?!? WE CURED YOUR CANCER! MWAHAHAHA! This is what happens when you make a deal with me."yeah, but the IFCC doesn't really care about V's contribution to the battle. They just doesn't want her to croak after being hit by a single bolt right now. I seriously dobut they will be so generous after their last keeper card is spent.

[Silverionmox]

Dowwwwn, Dooowwwn, baby are you down down down down down.

NOOOOOOOOOO! I JUST GOT ONE SONG OUT OF MY HEAD!

Replace it with Tom Waits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=BE&v=v7O5scQhbsE).



He went down down down
and the devil called him by name
[...]
he went down down down
sleepin' in the devil's bed
[...]
Well he went down down down
and the devil said where you been
he went down down down
he screamin' down around the bend
down down down
this boy went solid down

[zimmerwald1915]

It's great to see V blowing up mooks, although I am worried about Elan and Haley still being outside the defensive barrier - it shouldn't be difficult for V to help them inside though.
Why should she? She clearly cared nothing for Elan's and Haley's fate when she cast the darned thing.

[Sith_Happens]

Not even four particularly high level spells either since V hasn't even had to cast anything past 4th level yet. You really have to wonder how Tarquin actually managed to conquer a third of the continent when his armies are this weak and their tactics are so inept.

Depending on ability scores, an NPC Warrior with mundane gear would have to be
* 3rd-4th level to reliably survive the first hit from Haley (7th-10th on a Sneak Attack)
* 6th-9th level to reliably survive the first hit from Roy or Fireball from V
* 4th-6th level just to reliably pass through that Wall of Fire.
* 9th-13th level to reliably survive passing through the Wall of Fire and subsequently getting hit by Roy.
* Probably at least ~4th level to hit Roy on anything but a 20.
* An idiot to even try attacking Durkon.

It's not that Tarquin's army is (necessarily) weak, it's that no humanoid army you could ever actually assemble can stand up to the Order.

EDIT: Lot of posts in the time it took me to write that. Probably because I ran all the numbers three times. On my phone.

[Porthos]

Why should she? She clearly cared nothing for Elan's and Haley's fate when she cast the darned thing.

V just can't catch a break with you, can he? :smalltongue:

[Gift Jeraff]

NEW HEADCANON APPROACHING!:

The frequent use of music- and/or pun-related titles is because Elan is telling the story.

[Muenster Man]

Depending on ability scores, an NPC Warrior with mundane gear would have to be
* 3rd-4th level to reliably survive the first hit from Haley (7th-10th on a Sneak Attack)
* 6th-9th level to reliably survive the first hit from Roy or Fireball from V
* 4th-6th level just to reliably pass through that Wall of Fire.
* 9th-13th level to reliably survive passing through the Wall of Fire and subsequently getting hit by Roy.
* Probably at least ~4th level to hit Roy on anything but a 20.
* An idiot to even try attacking Durkon.

It's not that Tarquin's army is (necessarily) weak, it's that no humanoid army you could ever actually assemble can stand up to the Order.

No individual within a relatively equal humanoid army could stand up to any of them or survive for more than one round. However, this is a battle of attrition for the Order and even having that second level of Warrior/Fighter/whatever would be immensely useful in having any hopes of hitting them and dealing good damage. It would be incredibly useful for the army if they were slightly higher leveled, although the individual within the cross hairs of any OotS member still means a virtual death sentence.

EDIT:
NEW HEADCANON APPROACHING!:

The frequent use of music- and/or pun-related titles is because Elan is telling the story.
*Brain Explode*

[Ramien]

Why should she? She clearly cared nothing for Elan's and Haley's fate when she cast the darned thing.

Or they size of the spell necessitated a tactical decision since it can't enclose the entire party, which I find a lot more likely. Roy, Durkon, and Belkar are also objectively in a lot more danger than Elan and Haley at the moment - nobody's attacking Elan, and it seems like they're avoiding Haley as well, or at least moving very carefully to avoid engaging Elan.

(I said I'm worried, not that they're in dire peril at the moment)

[zimmerwald1915]

V just can't catch a break with you, can he? :smalltongue:
Nope, though I'm more kidding on the square here than anything else. This strip covers something like four rounds or half a minute of time. V could, maybe even should have given some thought to why Elan and Haley weren't with the group and have chosen her strategy accordingly. So either she did choose her strategy with this in mind and thus knowingly put Elan and Haley at risk, or she didn't give thought to them even though she ought to have.

[Tragak]

NEW HEADCANON APPROACHING!:

The frequent use of music- and/or pun-related titles is because Elan is telling the story.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJbmB9k2Y88

[Oko and Qailee]

OMG, the punchline, 10/10

[Ravenlord]

The goblins had spellcasters of their own though, including an epic sorcerer and near-epic cleric (who created his OWN high-level spellcasters.) These guys are getting absolutely no fire support from Laurin, so it's not quite the same.

Actually, Xykon showed zero interest in the party. He only attacked Roy, and that was more of case of self-defence than aggression. If they focused solely on the hobbos, they would have only faced Redcloak (who neither was in a hurry to help his own troops until his change of heart came, but I digress).


I would point out the vast difference in the battle objectives though. Defending a city is a markedly more tactically demanding task than "hold your ground" until sunset for an adventuring party. The former demands that they spread out and try to hold many fronts at once. The latter permits them to concentrate all their talents and resources in one position.

I didn't say a thing about succesfully defending the city, just that there is a huge dissonance in the speech about the difficulties of mere survival in such a huge battle - especially when we see the Order doing quite well, even after a series of encounters that really hurt the party.

[137beth]

Awesome response from V in the last panel!

[Angel Bob]

Good to see this thread has already gone off on a tangent. I'm just here to say I was wowed by the quality of Vaarsuvius' fire spells in this strip. The art has come a long way since the old days.

[Plerumque]

Huh, I'd expected that he'd cast Forcecage on the Order. But I guess Laurin could take care of that pretty easily.

[Everyl]

Why should she? She clearly cared nothing for Elan's and Haley's fate when she cast the darned thing.

Or V moved to help the friends who were being mobbed by hundreds of soldiers, rather than the ones who are being studiously ignored by the soldiers as they pick off archers from the edge of the battle.

Or, even more likely, V didn't immediately notice Elan and Haley in all the chaos and dust. All those soldiers are kicking up a lot of sand - from the bird's-eye-view in panel #8, you can barely even make out that it's the Order in the middle of the swarming army, and things don't look much clearer outside the ring of fire. The soldiers are steering clear of Tarquin's son out of fear for the lives of their loved ones, so they won't be moving to draw attention to Elan and Haley the way they are drawing attention to the targets their general ordered them to kill. It's entirely possible that V didn't even know that they weren't with Roy, Durkon, and Belkar until landing inside the ring.

[MSTang]

Man, I've been waiting for this strip for a while!

[Mad Humanist]

NEW HEADCANON APPROACHING!:

The frequent use of music- and/or pun-related titles is because Elan is telling the story.

I suppose the "like a bat out of hell" title is being saved for a later call visit.

[Divayth Fyr]

Am I the only one who though the title suggests Belkar's death (though I guess that was because I didn't know of the song before)?


And this answers the question, "Why is V always benched during action scenes?"
Alas, the question will continue to appear...

[Porthos]

Nope, though I'm more kidding on the square here than anything else. This strip covers something like four rounds or half a minute of time. V could, maybe even should have given some thought to why Elan and Haley weren't with the group and have chosen her strategy accordingly. So either she did choose her strategy with this in mind and thus knowingly put Elan and Haley at risk, or she didn't give thought to them even though she ought to have.

Or he felt that protecting the group that was in immediate danger had a higher priority since no one was attacking Elan/Haley.

Furthermore 2d6 + 15 ain't that harmful for either Haley or Elan should they try to get in the ring of fire.

I think you're reaching a bit here, as you admit. :smallwink:

[Kurashima]

Some serious spellcasting wars are about to erupt here, and I dont think V is going to be the winner.

That said, Tarquin is going to run out of soldiers before Roy runs out of Great Cleaves. And Haley has that random, inexhaustible supply of arrows, so as long as nobody attacks Haley or Elan, this fight isnt going to go Tarquins way.

[Nerd-o-rama]

Huh, every day before today I thought Wall of Fire was Conjuration. Then I read this strip and had to look it up.

[Hamiltonz]

WOW, Rich's art style has evolved (I followed the fireball links). I do not relish the job the minions will have retro-fitting the old strips when that day comes.

[ManuelSacha]

Outstanding!
Welcome back, V. We REALLY missed you.

[hamishspence]

WOW, Rich's art style has evolved (I followed the fireball links). I do not relish the job the minions will have retro-fitting the old strips when that day comes.

Maybe it won't be retro-fitted- since the characters do, in-strip, acknowledge art evolution- at least of depictions of themselves:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0198.html

[TRH]

:vaarsuvius: "Enough time has already been - No, I have already wasted enough time"

Yeah, you shun that passive voice! :smallcool:

Anyways, if Tarquin were to leg it, now would be the time to go ahead and do that. Still, I'm mostly convinced that he won't. He's got magical protection from fire, so he probably figures he can take V (and is almost certainly right). If he wants to make a fight of this, nothing's stopping him. And it would make a much better climax to wrap up the arc then a bunch of faceless mooks.

On an unrelated note, what happened to Kilkil? Have we seen him since 916? With fireballs flying about now, I'm concerned for his welfare. :smallfrown:

[zimmerwald1915]

Outstanding!
Welcome back, V. We REALLY missed you.
Speak for yourself.

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!

[chronoreverse]

Speak for yourself.

And you too.

YAY V IS BACK!

[Solse]

Speak for yourself.

V HATER!!!

[CoffeeIncluded]

I don't think V's sudden use of the active voice here can be overstated. S/he's finally accepting full guilt and responsibility. Methinks we'll be seeing a confession soon. Sooner than V might like if anyone else picked up on hir response to Belkar's comment.

[The Pilgrim]

I suppose that by the time The Order has finished slaughtering the mooks, Tarquin will have got his full gang together, studied the Order's combat style and weaknesses, and positioned his men accordingly.

Also, gathered a huge amount of healing stuff to make up for the lost Cleric.

[Darkohaku]

That was awesome. I really miss V in action. Now it's time to the Order to get reunited and flee to the next gate.
But first, kill the minions! and then flee from Tarquin and friends, if they intervene, things can get ugly.

[dtilque]

I like how the fireball effect evolved (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0145.html).

The first strip where I noticed a dramatic change in fire F/X was Malack's Flamestrike (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0853.html), although the ones here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0586.html) are not that bad. I don't recall any flame effects between those two strips. No doubt someone with more time on their hands than me could search through the archive for all the fire F/X used and write a scholarly dissertation on how they evolved over time.


It occured to me that Wall of Flame would have been more effective in defending the damaged section of Azure City's wall than what V actually did (rebuild wall with Bugsby's Hand, create 13 supersoldiers using 3 spells plus potions). 260 feet of damaging fire should easily have held off the army of goblin mooks and zombies, especially since Wall of Fire does double damage to undead.

[Byzantine2]

I suppose that by the time The Order has finished slaughtering the mooks, Tarquin will have got his full gang together, studied the Order's combat style and weaknesses, and positioned his men accordingly.

Also, gathered a huge amount of healing stuff to make up for the lost Cleric.

I find it unlikely Tarquin will do so, simply because it violates their business first rule. Helping the heros stop some second tier (as far as he is concerned) villain? That's fine, simply because it keeps both groups out of the way for awhile.

Besides, Tarquin is likely well aware the villain can never win in a direct final confrontation with the hero, and that Elan would know that too and would make sure to invoke it.

[Eakin]

Hooray! V's back and cutting loose!

I think my favorite moment in this strip is panel four where s/he switched mid-statement from passive voice to active voice. It's a little thing that says a great deal.

[Gil-Galad II]

It's feeling a little redundant already, but...welcome back, V! I wasn't expecting too much of the poor elf, but she's going to be great.

Am also looking forward to the inevitable Durkon/Vaarsuvius discussion...am not quite sure where it will go, but it'll be interesting.

No speculation now, though - time to break out the guano and party hats! :smallcool:

[hamishspence]

The first strip where I noticed a dramatic change in fire F/X was Malack's Flamestrike (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0853.html), although the ones here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0586.html) are not that bad. I don't recall any flame effects between those two strips. No doubt someone with more time on their hands than me could search through the archive for all the fire F/X used and write a scholarly dissertation on how they evolved over time.

This was the probably the last of the "old-style" fireballs:

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0168.html

after the art upgrade, they were always transparent.

[Kish]

Speak for yourself.
Well, I don't see a huge coconut bouncing off Vaarsuvius' head, so it appears you missed her/him, too. Better work on that aim.

[LadyEowyn]

YES!

The suspense we've been in for the last few comics is finally relieved. This is the comic I've been waiting for since #916.

I like V's correction in changing from the passive to active tense in panel 4; it's a good, subtle way to indicate continued efforts at an attitude adjustment.

[nonamearisto]

I literally can't make up my mind which super/action hero fanfare to play in my mind under this stirp. Go V!

Try the Johnny Cash song instead. Complete with the Mariachi trumpets. :smallamused:

[zimmerwald1915]

Well, I don't see a huge coconut bouncing off Vaarsuvius' head, so it appears you missed her/him, too. Better work on that aim.
Did I miss something? When, and by whom, was it decided that I threw coconuts?

[Rakoa]

Did I miss something? When, and by whom, was it decided that I threw coconuts?

Either you missed the joke, or you're just really pretentious. Also, you've used the word "whom" incorrectly.

[JT]

Either you missed the joke, or you're just really pretentious. Also, you've used the word "whom" incorrectly.

Missed the joke, too? There are going to be a lot of coconuts lying around!

However, "whom" is correct as used. It is used as the object of a preposition (by), and thus takes the objective rather than the subjective.

An easier way to check is to go by sound ... If you would use "him" then use "whom." If you would use "he" then use "who."

[DaggerPen]

Uh, can someone who got the coconut joke explain it to me?

[zimmerwald1915]

Either you missed the joke, or you're just really pretentious. Also, you've used the word "whom" incorrectly.
Thanks for the correction. And yeah, I guess I'm just really dense, because I read Kish's post to say that I'd missed with a coconut just as he'd missed with whatever his fruit is.

:smallconfused:

[DaggerPen]

I do not believe the answer to "When, and by whom, was it decided that I threw coconuts?" is going to be "him did," but rather, "he did," which would indicate the use of who, no?

No, it's a prepositional phrase. "By whom was the decision made?" "The decision was made by him."

[Rakoa]

No, it's a prepositional phrase. "By whom was the decision made?" "The decision was made by him."

I realized that about half a second after I posted. You're too fast for my own good.


Thanks for the correction. And yeah, I guess I'm just really dense, because I read Kish's post to say that I'd missed with a coconut just as he'd missed with whatever his fruit is.

:smallconfused:

Don't thank me. Turns out I was wrong. :smalltongue:

[DaggerPen]

I realized that about half a second after I posted. You're too fast for my own good.

Finally, I get to live up to my icon.

[Kish]

Did I miss something? When, and by whom, was it decided that I threw coconuts?
*checks the timestamp on the post* At 7:26 Eastern time, by Kish. Was I mistaken? Were you throwing an axe or a spear at Vaarsuvius instead?

(No offense intended, of course.)

[Rakoa]

Finally, I get to live up to my icon.

That you do. And as for the coconut joke, Zim was just implying that he did not miss V, so Kish took him literally (as a joke) by saying that he did, in fact, miss V because the coconuts he threw didn't hit him (coconuts being a pretty common thing to fall on people's heads). I feel like I've sucked any potential humour out of that, but there ya go.

[zimmerwald1915]

*checks the timestamp on the post* At 7:26 Eastern time, by Kish. Was I mistaken? Were you throwing an axe or a spear at Vaarsuvius instead?

(No offense intended, of course.)
None taken. I just don't get the joke.

[DaggerPen]

That you do. And as for the coconut joke, Zim was just implying that he did not miss V, so Kish took him literally (as a joke) by saying that he did, in fact, miss V because the coconuts he threw didn't hit him (coconuts being a pretty common thing to fall on people's heads). I feel like I've sucked any potential humour out of that, but there ya go.

Oh! Ha. Yeah, okay, I get it now. Thanks. :smallredface:

[Kish]

None taken. I just don't get the joke.
It's a variant on the joke, "I still miss [someone], but my aim is getting better," where the point is that the first half of the sentence implies positive feelings while the second half clarifies that the sentence actually expresses hostility.

You might be the last person of the forum to regret Vaarsuvius' absence and thus miss her/him in that sense, but you'd be the first to throw something at her/him, which since nothing hit her/him suggests you missed.

[Joseph_Lavode]

Awesome. Just awesome. The Order has needed some moments like this. Worried it will force the members of Team Tarquin to take an active role in the battle, though. :smallfrown:

[Orange Knight]

And BOOM! Vaarsuvius is back :vaarsuvius: Epic entrance, protecting his friends (and hopefully less self pity this time) and a great last panel one-liner, fantastic. Plus a reference to Johnny Cash :)

I'm interested now to see what Tarquin and team will do now the fight has gone from entertainment to serious. Or when V runs out of spells.

[Honorius]

This is like the first time in a year that the OOTS is completely together.

[Raphite1]

Absolutely gorgeous art in this one, amazing work!

The layered fire effects, the number and detail of the soldiers, the dust, the distant view of the Order, all really great to look at.

[zimmerwald1915]

This is like the first time in a year that the OOTS is completely together.
Forgetting about Elan and Haley, are we?

[Honorius]

Forgetting about Elan and Haley, are we?


I mean everyone in the same general area.

[The_Weirdo]

I doubt V has enough dakka to level an army guite yet.

You clearly don't play with Evokers a lot. ;)

[zimmerwald1915]

I mean everyone in the same general area.
I hardly think that two areas separated by massed ranks of soldiery cound as one "general area".

[Theo333]

Is it time for a slaughter?

It's time for a slaughter.

[Honorius]

I hardly think that two areas separated by massed ranks of soldiery cound as one "general area".


Sure it does.

[TRH]

Is it time for a slaughter?

It's time for a slaughter.

Yeah, and when Tarquin and Associates get involved, V's sure to be the first to get slaughtered. She makes Black Mage look competent and lucky.

[ZLordZ]

After seeing V reunited with the team
there's one song that comes to mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wt6XlVob_E

(OOTS theme song featuring the Gender Morphing Physics Bending V-Man. In the tune of the Mighty Morpin Power Rangers theme song).


They've got, a power and force that you've never seen before.
They've got, the audacity to warp all physics off ITS core.

No one, can ever take them down.
The power lies on their SIDE.

Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S, with Gender morphin' Flying V-man.

They know, that the fate of the world is lyin' in their hands.
They know, to only use their weapons, for defense.

No one, will ever take them down.
The power lies on their Side.

Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S, with Gender morphin' Flying V-man

Solo

No one, can ever take them down.
The power lies on their side.

Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S, with Gender morphin' Flying V-man
Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S
Go, Go, O-O-T-S...

[The_Weirdo]

V shows up for 15 seconds and saves the day and has done more then the rest of the party.

When a high-level Wizard meets an army of mooks, the mooks die. Period. When a high-level Wizard meets by themselves an opponent of other classes that is the same level as them, the Wizard dies.

This isn't about V "saving the day", it's about the fact that a Wizard is a glass cannon that can deal with areas very well.

[Adeptus]

Awesome! V is back, and I'm digging the subtle shift in attitude. No more passive tense.

Rock on elf buddy :belkar:

[Paseo H]

It's a variant on the joke, "I still miss [someone], but my aim is getting better," where the point is that the first half of the sentence implies positive feelings while the second half clarifies that the sentence actually expresses hostility.

You might be the last person of the forum to regret Vaarsuvius' absence and thus miss her/him in that sense, but you'd be the first to throw something at her/him, which since nothing hit her/him suggests you missed.

In fairness, some of us enjoy the presence he brings to the story while having no illusions about the horror and proximity to evil he has wrought. That's fair, right? :smalltongue:

[Wanderer]

V is OP. Petition to nerf V.

And stuff like this is why 4th edition nerfed casters. I miss the days when being an evoker meant something...

[TRH]

And stuff like this is why 4th edition nerfed casters. I miss the days when being an evoker meant something...

When would that have been? First edition? :smallconfused:

[Oko and Qailee]

When a high-level Wizard meets by themselves an opponent of other classes that is the same level as them, the Wizard dies.


This is news to me :P

[KillianHawkeye]

Nice comic. I like the new fire effect.

[zimmerwald1915]

In fairness, some of us enjoy the presence he brings to the story while having no illusions about the horror and proximity to evil he has wrought. That's fair, right? :smalltongue:
No. You're having fun the wrong way. Stop it :smalltongue:

[gerryq]

"You didn't read the fine print? MWAHAHAHA! Well guess what?!? WE CURED YOUR CANCER! MWAHAHAHA! This is what happens when you make a deal with me."

Heh, that was in some film. The devil wanted to retain some chance of getting the hero eventually, so he cured his cancer rather than letting him go to heaven.

[gerryq]

yeah, but the IFCC doesn't really care about V's contribution to the battle. They just doesn't want her to croak after being hit by a single bolt right now. I seriously dobut they will be so generous after their last keeper card is spent.

Indeed, they made no promise to keep her safe every time. Standard lawful demon tactics, let them ASSume.