King of Challenge Event: Hell Mode

The first integrated challenge missions in Gumballs & Dungeons have just been released. The aim is to beat three different dungeons without using any soul-links.

Yep, solo runs!

The first two are fairly easy, with the Three-Eyed King and his faithful hound being able to steamroll both the Adventurer's Forest F40 and Hero's Village F70 with impunity.

The last mission - to reach Lost Temple F100 - requires a bit more legwork.

Okay, a lot more legwork.

The Dungeon
Lost Temple is an elemental-filled dungeon, the most dangerous being the Earth elemental with its Reflect ability. These creatures provide crystals when slain, which in turn power the dungeon's main gimmick - the Elemental Altar.

The Team
There is no team. Literally.

To be eligible for the prizes, Soul-Links were restricted. There are probably better choices for a solo run, but I went with Sorcerer (Main) anyway. The ability Quantum Mechanics provides the cat Azrael - a pet that grows stronger every time it is killed and revived for a minimal amount of EP. Sorcerer also transcribes Blind scrolls every other floor, which turned out to be surprisingly valuable in the last twenty floors.

Equipment
Bring the Necklace of Legendary Mage +6. I didn't know what to choose for the potion, so I took Cabala which provides some power and a small chance to double a spell's damage.

Strategy
There are no other title paths apart from the Magic tree, so upgrades are very straightforward:
Magic Apprentice (3*), Black Robe Mage (3*), Conjuror (3*), Earth Master (3*), Legendary Mage (MAX).

Keeping Azrael alive is key, as his main purpose in the lower floors is to take out enemies and help save up as many scrolls as possible. In the later floors, he acts as a damage sponge.

Prioritization is key in completing the challenge. EP expenditure must be prioritized in this order: spell scrolls, 100 EP reserve for reviving Azrael, title upgrades. Always take stat boosts by offering same-color crystals at the Elemental Altar.

On the other hand, enemies must be beaten according to this priority: Rock Golem (ranged attacks), Water (healing), and then everything else.

The boss is (thankfully) lackluster, as it only attacks every three rounds without doing much else. Switch between Electrostatic Fields, Disrupting Rays and Icicles as needed, while keeping Stoneskin and Ice Armor up to mitigate damage rounds.

Blind and Curse will help defeat enemies in the later stages, so make sure that every spell is bought out when shops are spawned. Spellbooks (especially Air) are very handy - keep these equipped because free spells are always good and every single bit helps. I ran out of mana and scrolls at F100, with the last Lightning Bolt barely managing to kill the boss.

Pros
I don't think there are any pros, apart from the satisfaction of finishing the challenge with a terrible gumball.

Cons
Sorcerer is probably one of the worst gumballs, second only to Prince. Multiply that with a solo run and it's a recipe for disaster.

Final Thoughts
Use High Priest instead.

Au Revoir, Hyper

Death is the greatest looming spectre that haunts every single one of us.

Cold, scared, alone - I lose sleep thinking that death must be the one true personal experience. Maybe that's why we as a race have grown to become social creatures, and we value any form of companionship that we can get.

And with life comes the pain of loss.

We tend to outlive the pets we take in - and it is because of this that we are reminded of the pain of loss again and again and again over the years.

Maybe it's our way of numbing ourselves to the inevitable.

Animal companions give so much and ask for so little in return. Food, water, shelter - and maybe a little time to pull us away from a world that is hell-bent in consuming us. We think we're doing them a favor, when often the truth is that they're trying to help take our eyes away from an uncaring world, if only for the briefest of moments.

All you asked for is a bit of time. And I could not be there to provide company in your last moments.

I'm sorry buddy.

In our hubris, we failed you.

I failed you.

You did not deserve to go like this, and we do not deserve you.

If you can still find it in your pure little heart to forgive, someday I'll wait for you at the rainbow bridge.

Yes. You were a good boy.

Bring Down The Sky: The Busy Person's Guide to Erathia

I have a love-hate relationship with mechanical maps in Gumballs & Dungeons, which happen to be the majority of the latest maps released in the game. On one hand, they're great because they're just steeped with content. On the other, progress takes a ridiculous amount of effort to set up - and runs take a few hours at a minimum to complete.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, to be honest. It just doesn't work for folks who are otherwise preoccupied with stuff from the dreaded real world. 

This guide provides details for the build I used to complete 80dp for Erathia. I intend to raid the map for the Raptor frags, because ain't nobody got time for that.

The Dungeon
Erathia is a mechanical dungeon. Like City of Steam, Spaceship Ruins and Avalon Fortress, your progress is heavily dependent on completing a Manual -  an inventory item that several upgrades that grants bonuses and skills to help beat the map.

This is extremely important as all enemies in Erathia offer some sort of resistance, as well as sport some nasty abilities like the dreaded Reflect Damage. No pet shenanigans here!

Please note that this guide will not provide steps to complete the dp quests. There's already an excellent guide for that, so check it out.

The Team
Future Cat (Main) is arguably one of the most powerful gumballs that exists - and it's free! Its ability is the Dimension Bag, a piece of equipment that generates an assortment of items which are very helpful for deep dungeon runs. From stat boosters, to consumable Timestills, to theft items and free wicks, this homage to Doraemon is always a top pick for lengthy runs. The cherry on the cake? The Manual starts with Dashboard Structure Principle at max level when Future Cat is selected as Main, providing players with 6% HP regen right out of the gate!

Gang Cadre (Soul-Link 1) sports the ability Blackmail. The bane of all shopkeepers in the Gumball universe, he has the ability to rob shops blind for any items in their inventory - and then some! Erathia's Manual requires a ton of components to upgrade, and any wise player will be glad that this gangster is on their side.

Lastly, we have the good ol' Allfather himself, Odin (Soul-Link 2). Eternal is useful as ever, providing a whopping 40% bonus to all spells cast.

Equipment
Erathia literally provides all the equipment a player will need to kick ass. The Dimension Bag takes the Treasure slot while sharing it with the Harp of the Adventurer +6 for those sweet EP discounts.

Cactus Juice will help manage reflect damage until the appropriate Manual upgrade is found.

Strategy
Titles needs to be built up in this order: Treasure Seeker (1*), Explorer (1*),  Night Walker (1*), Magic Bandit (3*) and Farplane Ranger (0*). This provides maximum EP cost reduction as early as possible.

The next focus is survivability. Take Novice Warrior (3*), Knight (3*) which provides a hefty HP bonus for that sweet regeneration ability from the Steam Power Belt.

Next, take Magic Apprentice (3*), Black Mage (3*), Conjurer (1*), Earth Master (3*), Planar Prophet (MAX). Afterwards, work on the Heavy Armor Knight upgrade path for even more survivability, while saving the Light Paladin heal for dire circumstances.

You can choose where you spend EP afterwards. Just remember that there seems to be a conflict between the final Melee levels of the Dragon and Mech titles, so try to pick one over the other in the rare chance that you get them both.

For Manual upgrades, you can improve the four paths simultaneously, with the only common resource between them being Ancient Elements.

For Metallurgy, build the belt first for the regeneration ability. Build the helmet and maximize Burnishing and Polishing of Lens for bonus upgrade fragments throughout the run. Build the rest of the equipment set, and try to upgrade the tree as follows:

Precise Clockwork Spring Manufacturing (blocks counterattacks)
Aufbau Principle of Screw Conveyor (decrease ranged damage)
High Alloy Smelting (provides defense)
HP Upgrades
Attack Upgrades
Center Upgrades

For Electrical Science, it is important to build the equipment set as early as possible to take advantage of the free spell scroll every floor. For upgrades, try the following order to maximize those Portals of Earth:

Electromagnetic Deflection Technology (+dodge)
Magnetic Field Generator (boosts aid spells)
High-Voltage Shock Device (boosts damage spells)
Transistor Manufacturing and Maintenance (boosts healing spells)
Center Upgrades
Everything Else

I don't bother much with the Aeronautics tree - my airship is good enough to not need any upgrades and I just upgrade the tree when I have a ton of components available. If ship upgrades are needed, try to focus on the stats portion of the tree. If you're trying to complete the hidden airship sidequest, try to upgrade the lower right portion of the tree, which increases the drop chance of satellite fragments when they're shot down by your airship.

The Ancient Technology tree is perhaps the most interesting section of the Manual - and it's what sets Erathia apart from the other dungeons. It is very important to note that there are more options for upgrades than there are slots, so choose carefully. Some upgrades focus on combat while others focus on support (like increasing engineering component drops), so it's a matter of preference for the player.

Erathia's boss isn't too difficult, even while doing the 'no Manual upgrades until F50' and 'no destroyed satellite' subquests. I find that an effective strategy is to buff with Electrostatic Field, throw in a Disrupting Ray at higher levels and hit it with an Icicle. If the boss lives, a couple Fireballs or Lightning Bolts will usually finish it off. Just make sure that you start the fight with an airship attack (if you're not doing the aforementioned quests above) and you're golden. As a side note, I find that the higher level bosses at F70 - F100 melt easily using Electrostatic Field, Disrupting Ray and Blade of Ruin, while under the protection of Timestill. The Mech title speeds this up even faster, especially with a maxed out Manual providing silly bonuses to the two equipment sets.

As a final note, the key to completing Erathia is to run through as many floors as possible. Between two Portal of Earth scrolls, a portal Opticus, and Future Cat's Time Machine, a decently prepared player will be able to traverse a whopping 280 floors - or get bored trying!

Pros
This team is a toy factory. Erathia's Manual is also a toy factory. Toys for days!

Cons
Gang Cadre is not a free gumball, but is otherwise easy to unlock.

Erathia is a late game map and may require a bunch of passive abilities from a sizeable gumball collection.

Final Thoughts

This build was designed to squeeze as much gameplay in a single Erathia in as few runs as possible to complete 80dp.

However, do note that as of writing it's been less than a week since the map's release and there will likely be more efficient ways of completing the map as more people play through it.

Japan 2017 - Gaiden: Nijō Castle

Nijō Castle.

Osaka Castle is one of those mandatory stops in the famed city. It's pretty, heck, gorgrous even, at least from the outside - a quality one will see a lot of in Japan. I was just a tad bit disappointed to find out that it's been turned into a modern museum after its most recent reconstruction.

It's worth a stop, surely, if just for the history lessons - but there's a missing bit of authenticity for those who really want to see how the castles of old Japan once looked like. Maybe I've set my expectations from what media about Japan we outsiders consume, so there's that.

The silver lining was the gashapon machines in the castle gift shop, which spat out historical samurai miniatures - perfect for use in tabletop games for that exotic touch. Sadly, I didn't have a lot of hundred-yen coins with me, so  I wasn't able to get as much as I wanted.

Truly, if there ever was a hack to the gambling aspect of the human soul, Japan has found it in the form of gashapon. I had a feeling that these particular gashapons were exclusive to castles, and a bit of Googling confirmed my suspicions.

Based on the information available, there was only one place that was even remotely close to us - Nijō Castle in Kyoto.

Castle Gardens.

We had a packed itinerary, and I was really happy that we managed to sneak an unplanned visit during our day in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari-taisha sort of kicked my ass earlier, which made this side trip a bit sweeter.

Nijō Castle proved that sometimes things just click without rhyme or reason - it was much better than we expected, and despite everything I'd go so far as to say it's much better than Osaka Castle.

We were left in awe as we walked the same halls as the samurai of old. There was an atmosphere of serenity as everyone walked through the ancient corridors, admiring the remnants of an ancient society. There's something to be said about a culture being able to command respect even from foreigners, and Japan is one of the better examples of this.

Gardens, said to have been supervised by the Emperor himself, surrounded the castle while ancient stone walls stood guard against the myriad threats during the Sengoku period. Inside, recreations of gold leaf panels and hand-painted murals adorned the rooms.

It's an incredible feeling to see context being added to the names of historical figures from a time long gone - especially if one's only exposure to them are from hyperstylized retellings from countless shows and video games.

Overall, Nijō Castle was one of the highlights of the Osaka leg of our trip.

Personally, I guess this proves that good things can sometimes happen when we go out of our way in pursuit of our silly whims. Whether it's an infinite monkeys with infinite typewriters kind of thing, however, is anyone's guess.

Sengoku Loot.

And yeah - I burned a good bit of change on those damn samurai gashapons.

It was worth it.

Traversing Kalinga, Cagayan and Apayao

The North.

It has always seemed like I get to explore more of the north with every visit, and this time was no different.

Instead of a bus ride, we were lucky enough to book a cheap flight to Tuguegarao. The weather was beautiful during the entire week of our stay - cold and gloomy yet there was enough sun to bathe everything in a soothing light not unlike those we often see in magazine articles or documentaries of the north.

Batil Patung.

Our first meal was a serving of the famous batil patung- a dry noodle dish with an absurd amount of different toppings. Generous portions of sausage, chicharon (pork rind), pork liver and (in my case) carabao (water buffalo) meat were placed upon a helping of noodles. The dish was self-seasoned with onions and black vinegar, and is then served with egg drop soup that one can slurp separately or pour over the entire dish.

Our visit was paticularly busy this time - we managed to get to the fringes of two other provinces this time (apart from Kalinga) along with its sister province of Apayao and the paths through Cagayan that connects them.

Magapit Bridge.

Buntun Bridge was one of the landmarks of the many trips we had through the region. Overlooking the Cagayan River, it's the second longest bridge in the Philippines and is surpassed only by San Juanico Bridge that connects the islands of Samar and Leyte down south.

Nondescript Rice Field.

Rice fields are not an unusual sight in the region, along with groves of many different fruit-bearing trees. In open fields like these, the chill from the cold air is greatly magnified - doubly so for me because I didn't think to bring anything longer than shorts.

Freshly Picked Wood Ear Mushrooms.

It's not uncommon for people to partially live off the land out here - something that isn't really apparent for anyone who grew up in the cities, where every single amenity has a price tag attached to it.

Things like fresh coconuts (which are extremely costly in Manila) and mushrooms (which left me utterly fascinated) seemed to grow just around the corner, ready to pick for anyone who happened to pass by.

The Castle.

The Ramparts.

A Distant View of Buntun Bridge.

Saint Philomene Church, Alcala.

We also passed by Alcala in Cagayan, where the Saint Philomene Church - with its ornate golden doors - are located. Alcala also happens to where Teaño Milk Candy originates - a delicacy that's seen practically everywhere around Region II.

The Alternate Route to Cagayan.

Thanks to its geography, the region is rife with winding mountainside roads and bridges that cross flowing rivers. A lot of the places we passed by were incredibly picturesque, owing to the relatively unexploited natural wealth of the land.

Bridge Over Cagayan River.

Park View.

Unfortunately, one of the places we tried to visit - Talama Viewdeck - was closed. We got a few shots of its exterior, which was covered in pine trees like some abandoned outskirt of Baguio (with much less people).

Pines at the Talama Viewdeck.

Old Pasunglao Bridge.

One of the things that this trip reminded me was how much of an imperial mentality the powers-that-be have for Manila. Still, the unpaved backroads and old infrastructure still have a charm that I've always seen from old, forgotten things.

Conifers at the Tabuk Capitol.

We also got to visit Calvary Hills in Iguig, Cagayan - a sprawling hillside adorned with life-sized statues depicting the Stations of the Cross overlooked by an old brick church.

Calvary Church.

I'll have a separate post about this place in a month or so (if I remember to do it). I've never imagined a place like this existing in the Philippines. It's a shame that this isn't something that has been featured in any public tourism campaign I've come across. Still, there's some reason to assume that the place is packed during Holy Week.

Calvary Hill Altar.

Shrine to Our Lady of Piat.

We also stopped by Our Lady of Piat - one of the most venerated Marian images in the country. The Lady carries half a millennium of history with it (and is credited with countless miracles across the centuries), and I can only feel awe mixed with reverence as we walked through the inner recesses of the shrine (which, strangely enough, held a vague scent of roses) along with other pilgrims.

Ringo (the tabby) and Snowball ( the black cat).

Ringo, the pictured cat, has a rather interesting story. He was a feisty stray we rescued over a year ago (and by stray I mean we had to fish him from under a water tank because he has been crying in the same spot for a few days). He mistrusted everyone and tended to be a bit nippy when he didn't get his way. It was a tough decision, but it was decided that he'd be better off in the province where the world was a less terrifying place (for a rescue animal).

A year later, he was the sweetest cat along with his 'mate', Snowball. I don't know if it's because he's aged a little and has thus mellowed out or if it's the weather that prompts them to seek the nearest heat source, but Ringo is a testament to the inevitability of change.

Overall, with the amazing food (because goat meat is my weakness) and beautiful weather, it was a week well spent.

To Cambodia and Back

Angkor Wat.

We've visited Cambodia a couple of months ago (hence this is a long overdue post). This is the second time I've been out of the country this year, and if there's anything that's been emphasized for me, it's that the world is a terrifyingly large place, and the disparity between its many peoples can only be apparent to someone who travels.

Causeway to Angkor Wat.

To say that Cambodia has a long way to go as a developing country is a gross understatement. Decades of conflict during the Cold War have set the country back by many years. Despite this, rapid modernization is undeniably present in the country - Western staples such as malls, convenience stores and hotels seem to be within arm's reach, at least from what we saw in Siem Reap (and I assume that the case would be the same for Phnom Penh).

Angkor Wat - Exterior Wall.

What Cambodia lacks in modern infrastructure, it more than makes up for with its tourism industry. The country has a surprisingly rich past dating back to over a millennium. Countless (and I mean countless) temples dot the landscape - architectural marvels that have stood the test of time and have survived wars, natural disasters and looting. The famous Angkor Wat is but one of Cambodia's more famous landmarks and is flocked by countless visitors daily.

Sanskrit.

From walls covered in long forgotten stories written in Sanskrit to entire carvings depicting the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, there is an astounding amount of history preserved in the ancient stone. The modern Khmer people have deep respect for their history and culture, as evidenced by the level of preservation of their ancient artifacts.

Ramayana.

Sanskrit.

Recurring themes are visible throughout the different temples, as the ancient Khmer Empire has strong roots from the Indian subcontinent. Our guide mentioned that each temple was aligned to either Hinduism or Buddhism (and later temples to both).

The Lotus.

The Naga lines most temple causeways.

Reclining Buddha.

Buddha is given shade by the Naga.

The views are definitely breathtaking. Climbing atop the temples takes a bit of work, but seeing the magnificent views (that were once only reserved for the highest of royals and holy men) is a privilege for anyone living today.

Angkor Wat - Side Entrance.

Angkor Wat - Middle Wall.

Angkor Wat - Center Interior.

Angkor Wat - Overlook.

Angkor Wat - Stairway to Heaven.

Angkor Wat - Rear.

Of course, Angkor Wat isn't the only temple that Cambodia has to offer. Ta Prohm, made famous by the Tomb Raider film,was an eerie sight - ancient stone structures slowly being reclaimed by the forest, with the massive roots of the spung trees carving through the rock like it was clay.

The lingering effects of the past are seen on the way to the smaller temples. Millions of landmines have been deployed throughout the country over the years, and victims try to make a living by playing music or selling handcrafted souvenirs and fruits.

Ta Prohm - Entrance.

Ta Prohm - Entrance Close-up.

Ta Prohm - Ruined Wall.

Ta Prohm - Spung Tree Over Temple.

Ta Prohm - Spung Tree Growing Out of Rocks.

Even the paths towards the major landmarks were decorated with ancient pieces of architecture. Gates, signifying the territories encompassed by sacred grounds, stand tall above the thick foliage.

The Gate - See our van on the other side for size comparison.

The Gate - Elephants adorn the stone, which is an homage to Vishnu.

Elephant Training Grounds.

Temple Stones - Grounds staff pile them around while waiting for resources for their restoration efforts.

My personal favorite was Bayon. Massive stone heads depicting Buddha are found in its interior, most of which were carved and stacked like Lego bricks. Temples like these took generations to complete. Imagine spending one's lifetime dedicated to the completion of a singular goal - something that's unthinkable these days.

Bayon - Side.

Bayon - Exterior.

Bayon - Interior.

Bayon - Exterior Front.

Bayon - Exterior.

Needless to say, expect a lot of walking when visiting Cambodia. We had to trek to the top of a rather high hill to see the sunset on our first day (which was unfortunately crowded when we got there).

We also got to climb a mountain to visit one of the more sacred Hindu sites - a mountain spring that fed water to the entirety of Siem Reap in ancient times. The mountain is rife with symbolisms of the creation myth, particularly of the sivat linga - a representation of the union between man and woman.

The highest part of the mountain has the streams running through these carvings, as if the water itself is made fertile by their gods.

Sivat Linga.

Overall, I'd say Cambodia is worth the visit. The country is a massive change of pace from the insanity of the modern world, and revisiting a country's unspoiled past is one way to disconnect from the craziness.

The Fine Print
I'd recommend visiting as a group to allow expenses to be split. I think we spent a little less than PhP 25,000 per person for the entire four day trip, which included the air fare, tour guide, a rented van, the hotel stay and allowances for food, souvenirs, tips and miscellaneous stuff like massages, exotic food (like tarantulas and silkworms) and the infamous happy pizza.

I prefer their airport over NAIA, even though it's a lot smaller. NAIA is that bad.

Bring US dollars and (for the love of all that is holy) do not exchange them for Khmer riel at a forex counter unless you like carrying a bag full of paper money (or fancy yourself a millionaire for a short while). US dollars are generally accepted as the standard currency and the local currency is mostly used for spare change. Some establishments, especially souvenir shops, also accept other currencies, including Philippine pesos.

Best Meal of the Trip - Hot Pot Buffet at Market Street.

The food is great - expect a lot of Thai and Indian influence in local restaurants, such as tamarind-based tom yum and different curries. I'm a huge fan of coconut milk, so this was mostly my cup of tea. Western choices are available, although I don't understand why anyone would choose that over local cuisine.

We stayed at the Sonyn Retreat House and I was surprised and satisfied with the service they provided. The Khmer people are probably one of the most hospitable folks I've met so far.

Lastly, do listen to your guide, should you decide to hire one - it's way worth it.