Lores Submission for April 2022
Writing my own experiences in Next Island
Posting all 5 post/parts in one submissions
Return to the Next Island
Part I
Again, I am flying in dark space. Starting to doze off while auto-pilot is on.
I must say that I still enjoy the travel, I consider as a time of relaxation. Just flying in the space with my Sleipnir with classic music I am used to.
Many have told me they hate flying to the space with their own vehicle. “It takes too long”, that’s what they say. I do get how they feel, when you want to get to the place for fun time then flying seems to be the pointless and wasteful use of the time. But, I do enjoy just reading the new information about the planet I go to next.
Me “It seems like many thing has changed and added”
After all, last time I was on Next Island, I only did new player missions and mined a little.
There are many missions I should work on… at least should finish the Driving Test. The driving Strider is not one of my best skilled thing to do. I am sure I failed the test at least 10 times, flipped the vehicle on the hill, go off the course, spin off, and time limit reached before passing the goal line. It is not only the Driving Test mission, I should complete, there are many I should now try to do as there are enough missions for lower level players now.
Before I do all missions, I must do my duty I promised my disciple.
K(Disciple) “So, why are you taking me?”
My disciple in the back seat pull me back to the reality.
Me “Because, you are finally graduating!”
K “I know, I am graduating… but, why are you taking me to different planet? I can graduate anywhere right?”
I thought I explained the reason more than one time to her, but often, she only hears what she wants to hear at the time.
Part II
Me “Because you said you want the best armor you can get from graduating, and that will be Next Island.”
K “What kind of armor does Next Island give?”
Me “It is called Atlas armor, and I think it is one of the best armor to get from the graduation. Also, it looks better than many other armors.”
K “Ah yea, appearance matters!”
Me “You will see what I am talking about when we land.”
I forgot to explain why I am flying to Next Island, and I may have mislead many of you that I was just flying by myself to pick up on where I left off. In the truth, it was my disciple who made me decide to fly to the planet. Yes, I did promise her I will fly to any planet of her choice to graduate and I was certain she will be picking Next Island for the armor. Many veterans know already, but Next Island offers Atlas armor, which I believe is best graduation armor for animal mobs. It gives balanced out cut, impact, stab protections while providing some acid and burn coverage. I understand there are many other armor sets you can get with variety of the protections, but personally, I did not need any other protection than basic three (cut, impact, stab) and maybe acid for entry level animal mob. It was my natural choice to recommend her Atlas armor, which didn’t exist at the time I graduated. Always good to have the one in the trend, even though classic sets are still nice.
Me “What do you plan to do after graduating?”
K " I want to continue hunting. Is Next Island good planet for new hunter?"
As a brand new player just graduating from the mentorship, some planets can be difficult as choice of mobs and missions can be limited. Next Island, even though their real estate may not be large as Calypso or Arkadia, the planet has good size of area to explorer as well as to hunt and mine.
Part III
I was surprised when I was on Next Island last time, it actually had good developed environment where new player to veteran players can enjoy the activities. Also, as a hunter, it would be good to check on the daily missions they have. Even if you are new hunter, Monkeying around would be a great mission to do every day. Yellow Papoo is very easy mob to hunt even you don’t have much dps but at the end, provide 2 ped Papoo Guardian Mob Pill which has good value both in ped and the entertainment.
Me “Yes, would be good to start with killing a lot of monkey.”
K “Monkey? Like one in real life?”
Me “Yea, they do move and sounds like ones you see in the zoo so you will find them no problem.”
K “That’s exciting, I will be looking forward to it.”
It may sound very odd but I should work on same daily mission as my disciple K. I believe those daily mission benefit anyone who is willing to spend time doing it, the reward is just that good. One more thing added to the list of things to do.
Me “Oh, there are many others ones too like killing piglets, cyclops, even fruit walking missions if you are out of the pd”
K “Nice, so there are plenty of things to do for new player!”
Me “Yea, I think so”
Even in the different planet, I hear some mission or activities about Next Island. Yet, most of word I hear is about new armor plate drops or crafting mission they added. That just sounds like it limiting the level or activity of many players, but I think it is enjoyable for all level of player. Of course, I won’t know if it is true for high ends folks, but with Gorgon waves and other instance, I think it provides a reason for them to visit also.
Me “Ok, we are landing soon. Make sure to buckle up.”
This is how my return to Next Island started, with my disciple K hoping many exciting adventures awaiting for us ahead.
First Thing First
Part I
Me “Ok, K. We have landed in Next Island. Now you can finish your mentorship and you should get your own set of Atlas armor.”
K “Sounds good, I am graduating… now.”
As she finish speaking, bright yellow swirl wraps around her with celebration music from the distant. It was definitely great to see, specially because I forgot graduating gives the Hall of Fame effect to the player. I am sure it was first time for her to see huge swirls with the sounds.
Me “Congrats, K. Now you can explore and enjoy the time in Next Island. Let me know if you are lost are in need for a help. Just letting you know, you can go down the stairs over there to the beach in order to start the beginner mission for first timer in the planet.”
K “Thank you, I will explore and see what I can find.”
I waved her and watched her go down stairs for her new adventure. It will be good for her to explore Next Island, she has a lot to find. Now, I can’t see her anymore. It is time for me to do my own thing. Even though there are many missions and activities to do in the planet, there is one thing I wanted to do when I decided to return to this planet. First thing for me to do will be definitely that mission. Many may already guessed easily, it is the Driving Test. The mission, I failed over and over and still did not achieve. May I a bad driver? Maybe. A driving in the car or boat was not bad as I know how it can maneuver, but Strider is a different story. I am not sure if it is just how that vehicle works or my driving technique, the vehicle slips without reasons I can see or find. Maybe there is a function where if I go faster than certain sleep on the slope, it flips itself. After all, I just didn’t figure out to control the beast yet. I failed many time on this driving test, but I love this kind of the mission. It is not just killing with a cold heart, walking for hours to find a specific ore, nor make hundreds of products over and over. I am not saying those missions are not fun, but it is something I do to reach the goal. The reward or gain in the profession to become better at what I do. The driving test is the mission that involves no long term goal for me. I can relax and enjoy even I fail to complete, it is just fun to drive and race against the time.
Me “I think K is already at the beach. I should get moving.” with the excitement I can’t hide, I have hastily walked to the driving course. The driving course is located in the Paradise Landing area also. It is downstairs and easy to find when you just go left after getting down.
Part II
Me “Hi, Greta. I am back to do the test.”
Greta “Hi Balam, just wait until the other is done with their test.”
Me “Ok, thanks.”
Greta is very nice person, who always greet me nicely no matter how many times I fail on the test. Never shows the frustration about me taking the test many time. I am sure that it is easy to recognize a person who takes that same test over and over in a same day.
Boooooom… I hear the sound of a Strider coming close. It must be other person who is taking the test. He is still far away, but I see it is just 1 minute and 30 seconds passed. The test course must be run through within 2 minutes and 25 seconds in order to pass the test. The guy who is taking the test was definitely a veteran driver, with sharp turn and sensitive acceleration work he was right on track. Now he is coming close, almost passing where I stand to wait. As we makes through last curve, I looked back for the timer.
Me “How does he do this…”
The timer has stopped as he cross the goal line, indicating his wrap time was 2 minutes and 20 seconds. He still has 5 seconds and already reached the goal. I couldn’t resist myself to go talk to him. Maybe get a tip or two for my test.
Me “Hi, nice run. How many times did you try on the test?”
Driver “It was my first time, I am glad I finished the test.”
Me “What? It is your first time? What is the secret?”
Driver “Just go easy on a gas, and make sure you don’t over steer. It is not that hard, you should be able to reach the goal without an issue.”
Me “Thanks, I will try my best.”
It is definitely easy to say than done, or else I should have passed already in the past.
Me “Well, at least it will be the first time trying for this visit.”
Placing my Strider on the start line, I firmly gripped the handle and took deep breath.