How do you tackle PVE nodes?

2

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  • TPF Alexis
    TPF Alexis Posts: 3,826 Chairperson of the Boards
    astrp3 wrote:
    I've never tried for just top 200 (two 3* covers), but it might be doable with just 4 clears, if not less (anyone else know?)
    Yeah, you can do that with 4 clears, plus maybe a bit more grinding on the trivial nodes for XP and a bit of insurance. I actually just did that on Venom Bomb, since I don't actually want Danny.
  • ClydeFrog76
    ClydeFrog76 Posts: 1,350 Chairperson of the Boards
    Gotta love a PVE system that's based on "READY...STEADY...GO!" icon_rolleyes.gif
  • justsing
    justsing Posts: 510 Critical Contributor
    For the final grinds, is there a difference between doing:

    1) Nodes 1-6 (2x), Essential 2*-4* (2x), Nodes 1-6 (1x), Essential 2*-4* (1x)

    2) Nodes 1-6 (3x), Essential 2*-4* (3x)

    I've done it both ways but can't really tell which is better.
  • Fightmastermpq
    Fightmastermpq Posts: 995 Critical Contributor
    justsing wrote:
    For the final grinds, is there a difference between doing:

    1) Nodes 1-6 (2x), Essential 2*-4* (2x), Nodes 1-6 (1x), Essential 2*-4* (1x)

    2) Nodes 1-6 (3x), Essential 2*-4* (3x)

    I've done it both ways but can't really tell which is better.
    Yes. You want to do the second. The difference would actually be substantial - like a couple hundred points probably.
  • bbigler
    bbigler Posts: 2,111 Chairperson of the Boards
    It appears that no one but me has realized something about the regeneration of points on PVE nodes, so I'll share something I've figured out:

    ***The regeneration of points is at a constant rate, regardless of the number of clears on that node. This rate is based soley on the difficulty level of the node.***

    This means that you could clear the node down to 1 point at the beginning of the cycle, and it will still regenerate points at the same rate as if you only cleared it 4 times. So, the way to maximize points is to get the timer started as fast as possible in the order of the highest regeneration rate down to the lowest. Once the timer starts, it doesn't matter when you do your 5th and 6th clear as long as your 7th clear is as close to the end of the event as possible (plus you start your 7th clears from the lowest rate to the highest).

    This means that you can do the 5th and 6th clear anytime before the end, then do your final 7th clear of all nodes just before the end of the event. If you don't believe me, then test my theory for yourself by simply tracking the regeneration of points after the 4th, 5th and 6th clears to see if it changes.
  • Fightmastermpq
    Fightmastermpq Posts: 995 Critical Contributor
    bbigler wrote:
    It appears that no one but me has realized something about the regeneration of points on PVE nodes, so I'll share something I've figured out:

    ***The regeneration of points is at a constant rate, regardless of the number of clears on that node. This rate is based soley on the difficulty level of the node.***

    This means that you could clear the node down to 1 point at the beginning of the cycle, and it will still regenerate points at the same rate as if you only cleared it 4 times. So, the way to maximize points is to get the timer started as fast as possible in the order of the highest regeneration rate down to the lowest. Once the timer starts, it doesn't matter when you do your 5th and 6th clear as long as your 7th clear is as close to the end of the event as possible (plus you start your 7th clears from the lowest rate to the highest).

    This means that you can do the 5th and 6th clear anytime before the end, then do your final 7th clear of all nodes just before the end of the event. If you don't believe me, then test my theory for yourself by simply tracking the regeneration of points after the 4th, 5th and 6th clears to see if it changes.
    No, this isn't right.

    Consider a 300 pt node. If you do clears 5 and 6 immediately they are worth 200 and 100 pts respectively. Then you wait 24 hours and since (as you said) the regeneration rate is constant clear 7 will be worth an additional 100 points for 400 total for 5, 6, and 7. Consider the method everyone else in here uses. You do your 4 initial then stop. Over 24 hours the point total for clear 5 regens from 200 to 300. So you clear 5 at 300, then clear 6 at 200, and finally clear 7 for 100 totaling 600 points for 5, 6, and 7.

    The benefit comes from allowing the points to regen in between clears 4 and 5, so you get those 100 points added on to clears 5 and 6, not just 7.
  • Pants1000
    Pants1000 Posts: 484 Mover and Shaker
    bbigler wrote:
    It appears that no one but me has realized something about the regeneration of points on PVE nodes, so I'll share something I've figured out:

    ***The regeneration of points is at a constant rate, regardless of the number of clears on that node. This rate is based soley on the difficulty level of the node.***

    This means that you could clear the node down to 1 point at the beginning of the cycle, and it will still regenerate points at the same rate as if you only cleared it 4 times. So, the way to maximize points is to get the timer started as fast as possible in the order of the highest regeneration rate down to the lowest. Once the timer starts, it doesn't matter when you do your 5th and 6th clear as long as your 7th clear is as close to the end of the event as possible (plus you start your 7th clears from the lowest rate to the highest).

    This means that you can do the 5th and 6th clear anytime before the end, then do your final 7th clear of all nodes just before the end of the event. If you don't believe me, then test my theory for yourself by simply tracking the regeneration of points after the 4th, 5th and 6th clears to see if it changes.

    That's wrong. Most of what you said is true, but doing the 5th and 6th clears early affects how many points you get for those clears. It will not affect how many points you get for the 7th clear.

    For example take a 600 point node. That makes the math a little easier since it will drop 200 each clear after 4 clears. The first 4 clears will always give 2400 points. If you do the 5th and 6th clears after 18 hours, you'll get 550 and 350 points. Then if you wait until near the end you may get 190 points for the 7th clear.

    Instead if you wait until the end, you could get 590 and 390 for the 5th and 6th clears, a total of 80 points difference.

    Edit: Heh, fightmastermpq beat me to it. We basically said the same thing, just used a different example.
  • acescracked
    acescracked Posts: 1,197 Chairperson of the Boards
    bbigler wrote:
    ...

    This means that you can do the 5th and 6th clear anytime before the end, then do your final 7th clear of all nodes just before the end of the event. If you don't believe me, then test my theory ....

    I believe you!! Players can do the 5th & 6th clears anytime. Players in S5 cl7 & cl8 should especially clear early! Ty for the info.
  • Skrofa
    Skrofa Posts: 388 Mover and Shaker
    All this is well and good, some very nice info here! I still have one question though... What about that yellow node?

    1. If it is in the sub and will go away in a day. How often do you hit that?

    2. If it is in the main and will go away in 4 days? How do you hit that?

    For 1, I usually let it regenerate as much points as possible after the first hit and then go 6 straight towards the end.

    For 2, almost every 24 hours and then straight hits towards the end.

    Any other instance of a yellow node I have missed? Better strategies?
  • Fightmastermpq
    Fightmastermpq Posts: 995 Critical Contributor
    Skrofa wrote:
    All this is well and good, some very nice info here! I still have one question though... What about that yellow node?

    1. If it is in the sub and will go away in a day. How often do you hit that?

    2. If it is in the main and will go away in 4 days? How do you hit that?

    For 1, I usually let it regenerate as much points as possible after the first hit and then go 6 straight towards the end.

    For 2, almost every 24 hours and then straight hits towards the end.

    Any other instance of a yellow node I have missed? Better strategies?
    I treat it just like all the others. Hit it once at the beginning to start the timer, then 3x during my final grind to get it to 1. I miss out on the XP from that node, but unfortunately that's required to play optimally.

    The only way to get XP from that node and keep optimal scoring is to tap it all day for 1 pt each hit....no thanks.
  • GurlBYE
    GurlBYE Posts: 1,218 Chairperson of the Boards
    The silliest thing about this system is that the game doesn't at all inform new players of how this works lol.

    That's an advantage for us, but kind of poop over all for them.
  • bbigler
    bbigler Posts: 2,111 Chairperson of the Boards
    Fightmastermpq wrote:
    bbigler wrote:
    It appears that no one but me has realized something about the regeneration of points on PVE nodes, so I'll share something I've figured out:

    ***The regeneration of points is at a constant rate, regardless of the number of clears on that node. This rate is based soley on the difficulty level of the node.***

    This means that you could clear the node down to 1 point at the beginning of the cycle, and it will still regenerate points at the same rate as if you only cleared it 4 times. So, the way to maximize points is to get the timer started as fast as possible in the order of the highest regeneration rate down to the lowest. Once the timer starts, it doesn't matter when you do your 5th and 6th clear as long as your 7th clear is as close to the end of the event as possible (plus you start your 7th clears from the lowest rate to the highest).

    This means that you can do the 5th and 6th clear anytime before the end, then do your final 7th clear of all nodes just before the end of the event. If you don't believe me, then test my theory for yourself by simply tracking the regeneration of points after the 4th, 5th and 6th clears to see if it changes.
    No, this isn't right.

    I figured there would be some unbelievers, so I'm currently doing some tests in the Juggernaut PVE to illustrate my points. Test results will establish the truth of the matter.
  • The Bob The
    The Bob The Posts: 743 Critical Contributor
    bbigler wrote:
    Fightmastermpq wrote:
    bbigler wrote:
    It appears that no one but me has realized something about the regeneration of points on PVE nodes, so I'll share something I've figured out:

    ***The regeneration of points is at a constant rate, regardless of the number of clears on that node. This rate is based soley on the difficulty level of the node.***

    This means that you could clear the node down to 1 point at the beginning of the cycle, and it will still regenerate points at the same rate as if you only cleared it 4 times. So, the way to maximize points is to get the timer started as fast as possible in the order of the highest regeneration rate down to the lowest. Once the timer starts, it doesn't matter when you do your 5th and 6th clear as long as your 7th clear is as close to the end of the event as possible (plus you start your 7th clears from the lowest rate to the highest).

    This means that you can do the 5th and 6th clear anytime before the end, then do your final 7th clear of all nodes just before the end of the event. If you don't believe me, then test my theory for yourself by simply tracking the regeneration of points after the 4th, 5th and 6th clears to see if it changes.
    No, this isn't right.

    I figured there would be some unbelievers, so I'm currently doing some tests in the Juggernaut PVE to illustrate my points. Test results will establish the truth of the matter.

    Honest question: What kind of placement does this typically get you? Because it sounds wrong to me, but if it keeps you at the front of the pack, then that's some evidence (although it still runs contrary to the math).
  • bbigler
    bbigler Posts: 2,111 Chairperson of the Boards
    After doing some point testing in the Juggernaut event, I wanted to share my test results and make a correction to a previous statement that I made (yes, I can actually admit that I'm wrong on a public forum, which is difficult for many people).

    It is true that the regeneration rate of points is constant regardless of the number of clears on a node and based on the difficulty level, but those regen points are not lost/used until the 7th clear. The calculation of the points of a node are as follows:

    1st Clear points = 100%
    2nd Clear points = 100%
    3rd Clear points = 100%
    4th Clear points = 100%
    5th Clear points = 66.6% (rounded up) + regen points since 4th clear
    6th Clear points = 33.3% (rounded up) + regen points since 4th clear
    7th Clear points = 0-3 points (new change) + regen points since 4th clear
    8th Clear points = 0-3 points (new change) + regen points since last clear

    I previously thought the regen points would be used after each clear, but they are not, which supports the strategy of clearing 4 times in the beginning and then waiting to do the final 3 clears at the end. Unfortunately, this strategy requires long periods of play instead of spreading it out throughout the day. I also want to reiterate what most people believe is the best order of clearing:

    Beginning: 4*Required x 4; 3*Required x 4; 2*Required x 4; then 1-2-3-4-5-6-6-6-6-5-5-5-4-4-4-3-3-3-2-2-2-1-1-1
    End: 1-1-1-2-2-2-3-3-3-4-4-4-5-5-5-2*Required x 3; 6-6-6; 3*Required x 3; 4*Required x 3
  • The Bob The
    The Bob The Posts: 743 Critical Contributor
    GREAT, another woke optimizer we have to contend with.

    I actually do final grind slightly differently: Only two clears of each node, in the order you state, then a final low-high sweep. I do this because those points are still recharging, so those low nodes might have grown back a handful of points in an hour that I might not be able to grab (you laugh, but at least once I've missed t2 by less than 10 points). Now, with the recent change to low-point nodes (0 instead of 1), maybe that'll be meaningless from now on.

    Also, I've kicked around the idea of leaving all three clears of the biggest node or two until the very end because they replenish at the highest rates, but I've neither done the math or committed seriously to trying it. Besides, that's going a bit too far down the crazyhole, don't you think?
  • bbigler
    bbigler Posts: 2,111 Chairperson of the Boards
    The Bob The wrote:
    GREAT, another woke optimizer we have to contend with.

    I actually do final grind slightly differently: Only two clears of each node, in the order you state, then a final low-high sweep. I do this because those points are still recharging, so those low nodes might have grown back a handful of points in an hour that I might not be able to grab (you laugh, but at least once I've missed t2 by less than 10 points). Now, with the recent change to low-point nodes (0 instead of 1), maybe that'll be meaningless from now on.

    Also, I've kicked around the idea of leaving all three clears of the biggest node or two until the very end because they replenish at the highest rates, but I've neither done the math or committed seriously to trying it. Besides, that's going a bit too far down the crazyhole, don't you think?

    I didn't say that I actually DID the ideal clearing method because that's too much time and grinding for me. I want to have a real life. But I'm perfectly capable of analyzing and calculating the ideal method. Nevertheless, I think your suggestion is sound to do the 5th and 6th clears in one segment, then do a final sweep of all nodes for the 7th clear optimally capturing all regen points.
  • Dax317
    Dax317 Posts: 87 Match Maker
    I'm reading about you guys clearing nodes for the 7th and 8th times. Here is my question: how is that possible? I have never seen any node with more than 6 levels. And wave nodes only have 4 levels. Am I miss understanding what you are discussing or do you get more levels at higher shield ranks. And for the record, I am at shield rank 88. So I may not be at the top of the mountain,but I am not a nube either,just confused. Thanks for any help.
  • The Bob The
    The Bob The Posts: 743 Critical Contributor
    Dax317 wrote:
    I'm reading about you guys clearing nodes for the 7th and 8th times. Here is my question: how is that possible? I have never seen any node with more than 6 levels. And wave nodes only have 4 levels. Am I miss understanding what you are discussing or do you get more levels at higher shield ranks. And for the record, I am at shield rank 88. So I may not be at the top of the mountain,but I am not a nube either,just confused. Thanks for any help.

    You clear 4/6 at the start. During final grind, two more clears gets you all the rewards, but it doesn't quite clear all the available points in the node. A final clear (7/6) knocks the node down to 1 (or zero, with the recent changes). If you start final grind too early - or are just weird - there may be an eight clear in there for like three points.
  • bbigler
    bbigler Posts: 2,111 Chairperson of the Boards
    Dax317 wrote:
    I'm reading about you guys clearing nodes for the 7th and 8th times. Here is my question: how is that possible? I have never seen any node with more than 6 levels. And wave nodes only have 4 levels. Am I miss understanding what you are discussing or do you get more levels at higher shield ranks. And for the record, I am at shield rank 88. So I may not be at the top of the mountain,but I am not a nube either,just confused. Thanks for any help.

    You can play nodes again after the green check mark.
  • astrp3
    astrp3 Posts: 367 Mover and Shaker
    The Bob The wrote:
    If you start final grind too early - or are just weird - there may be an eight clear in there for like three points.

    On 48-hour nodes, the eighth clear starts much higher than one point (don't know if the recent change affected that).

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