Park: forum

It looks like teh cronjob for stocks failed.  None of my blocks moved forward.

 

Also will I get contacted before a chain restore happens?

...But Were Afraid to Ask


This is evolving as I recall things I might have missed. Please remind me of anything else important.
Last edits on Apr 8, 2021 - Making easy corrections, clearing out wallsitter section and adding a bunch of new questions that provide better clarity.


What is chaining?
Chaining is the process of making multiple hits/attacks in succession without letting a timer run out.

Why do we chain?
To earn large quantities of respect for your faction.

Why do we need respect?
Respect helps us unlock perks for you and your factionmates to enjoy.

How do you start a chain?
A chain is started when 10 successful hits are made in a five minute window.

What happens if a hit is failed?
No respect gain occurs and the chain is not affected - only successful hits affect the numbers. Also the loss of the 25 energy. More like a "missed opportunity" than anything.

What happens after the 10 initial hits?
A new five minute timer is introduced.

What is the timer for?
A new hit. You have up to five minutes to make another hit.

What happens after that hit?
The timer is refreshed and there's another five minute window to make the next hit.

Should I be hitting as fast as possible?
Not necessarily. You want to get your energy down below your threshold (100 or 150, more on that later), so you're regaining energy, but because of various factors we'll discuss later, you might want to spread the chain out over time so more people can recover energy.

How many hits do we have to make?
This is determined by your faction leader (assuming it is a planned chain) or by you and any other participants.

Is there a limit on hits that can be made?
Yes. After a chain reaches the faction maximum, it will go into forced cooldown.

What is cooldown?
Cooldown is the time after a chain ends. During that time, the chain cannot be advanced but the bonus multiplier is still in effect.

Bonus multiplier?
Every hit after the 10th hit receives a small multiplier that is incremental. For example, the 11th hit is worth something like 1.01x normal respect and the 12th is worth 1.02x - these numbers are probably not accurate but illustrate the point.

So later hits are worth more?
Yes, so when looking at your list of hits, you want to determine how many hits you can make after calculating all boosters (energy drinks, point refills, drugs, etc) and start that far down your list. Example: If you can make 20 hits and your list is 30 targets long, you'll start at the 20th target ignoring the lower 10, and work your way up to the top target.

List? Boosters? This is getting complex.
So let's talk about the boosters first, and then we'll get to the list.
A donator gets 150 energy as a maximum and a non-donator gets 100. This fills at different rates, too. I believe it's 5e for every 15 minutes for a non-donator (meaning you'll get 20 per hour, full 100 in five hours) and it is 5e every 10 minutes for a donator (meaning you'll get 30 per hour, full 150 in five hours).
Every day at 12:00am TCT you'll get a refresh to your availability for a point refill which is either 100e for a non-donator (not really worth it) or 150e for a donator (a bit more worth it, but only barely).
Even worse is spending $13,000,000 (approximate) for a Feathery Hotel Coupon (worth 150e and affecting your booster cooldown), or $3,500,000 for an energy drink that only gives 25e. These options are "great" in a pinch but not cost-effective.

Why aren't points an effective use?
Well, points are great for making more hits in a pinch, and sometimes you can use points before 12:00am and again after, adding 12 total hits over the 40 you'd get from being "fully stacked" (explained later). This means you can provide 52 hits in the first part of the chain if it is timed around the daily reset. OUTSTANDING!

So what is cost-effective?
Drugs! Oh man, don't we love that answer!
LSD can give you 50 energy but comes with a lengthy cooldown. But Xanax... Xanax is the best for this sort of thing. Xanax gives you 250 energy.

250? I thought the maximum was 100 or 150.
Sure, it is the maximum you can earn while idle, but the maximum you can have is 1000 and is considered "fully stacked."

So I can take 4 Xanax and call it good?
I wish it were that simple. Xanax stacking can take around 32 hours to stack (and not be under the effect of the drug) if you don't waste any time.

Why so long?
Well, you can only take a drug when you are not under the effect of a drug. Xanax has a 6-8 hour cooldown and when you are on it, you are substantially weaker, which can be a risk for hitting your targets.
Ideally, starting at 0 energy, you'll take a Xanax, wait 8 hours, take another Xanax, wait 8 more (16), take a third Xanax, wait 8 more, take the fourth and final Xanax and be at 1000e ten full hours before the chain starts.

(NEW) Why do I want my cooldown gone when the chain starts?
Xanax affects two of your stats and you might not be as effective in combat. Making rounds on 40 targets can be very demanding and the setback of a loss (or multiple losses) because you didn't realize how much it would affect your combat abilities isn't a fun experience. Also you have an opportunity to take a fifth Xanax after making your 40 hits, giving you another 10! The average 5k requires a 50-hit minimum and you'd already "be done" without any points refills or other boosters. That can be a huge relief.

How do I know how long it will be until cooldown is zero?
Every time you take a xanax, it's a random amount of time. Plan for 8 hours, but it's best to give yourself a few extra hours of wiggle room. 36-40 if you know that sleep or work might interfere with your stacking. You should plan this in advance!

What about training or mission targets?
Training will have to wait. This is all about doing things that are better for you in the long run (including improving the gains from your trains!).
In regards to your mission targets, one thing you can do is start stacking from full energy (100 or 150) and carefully use that energy (100 or 150, depending) to hit mission targets, as needed, so you don't waste it. Sometimes if you end up not needing the energy, you might find yourself at 900 (150+250+250+250), if this is the case, burn the 150 on targets or the gym and then take the fourth Xanax to ensure you're fully stacked at 1000e.

What if I accidentally train at the gym?
This can be avoided, assuming you set your train quantities to 0 or back to 1 instead of a large number, that way you, at worst, only spend 10 energy (5 at lower gyms) before realizing your mistake. PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE. We've all done it, but you can take extra steps to avoid it.

Are there risks with taking so many Xanax?
Glad you asked. YES, there are risks. Overdosing will put you in the hospital (with a revive being the only practical way out) and completely wipe your energy. Every chain this is bound to happen to someone if the number of participants is high enough.

How can I avoid overdosing?
You can't. Not really. Some people seem to think flying to Switzerland for rehab after the second or third Xanax is your best option but all research and information online says that addiction has no effect on chance of overdose.

So what does affect the chance?
Well, I've heard from multiple sources that each person has their own internal tolerance levels. For example, I have a hard time with shrooms - I overdose 50% of the time I take them, but so far I haven't overdosed on Xanax. There is no proof that I have seen - but I don't think the devs want us to know for certain so it's purely speculation.
Also your faction has upgrade perks they can unlock to reduce chance of overdose (as well as addiction affectation reduction).

(NEW) How does my faction upgrade the overdose reduction chance?
Hahahahaha, by gaining respect from chains of course!

Are there any reasons I shouldn't be taking Xanax?
There's a "drug-free gym" that only lets you train at the late levels of the game if you have less than 150 combined uses of both Xanax and Ecstasy. Please remember that both of these drugs have merits for using 50 of them.

(NEW) Is the "drug-free gym" worth it?
The overall consensus is NO but you are allowed to play this game the way you choose (just as a faction is allowed to accept members based on whether they are attempting to unlock the gym or not). There are pros and cons to both strategies. While personally I am aiming for the gym, I would advise against it. You'll have more fun taking Xanax.

So I can use 150 Xanax without losing access to the gym?
Yes, but I recommend getting yourself to 50 of each for the merits, and not taking any more as a precaution, or saving doses 101-150 for dire situations.

What if I don't want to take *any* Xanax?
Well, my advice, candidly, is find a faction that doesn't care. That won't be easy. Most factions have mandatory minimums for large chains. A faction maxes at 100 people and some chains are 5,000 or 10,000 hits and can take a few days. Meaning that everyone needs to put in an average of 100 hits! That means people have to stack or use less-optimum methods of gaining energy (boosters and quarterly newsletter refills).

(NEW) Quarterly newsletter refills?
Oh yes, I didn't mention that at the beginning of the guide because it's such an obscure way to gain energy but once a quarter you'll get a Torn Newsletter from George and it'll have a link for an energy refill. While it is for your use, it can make chaining easier and chaining affects your perks so please consider that before deciding how to use it.

Can't I rely on them to make those hits and stay under the radar?
Only for so long. I assure you, it will catch up to you if you aren't taking any of the risk. When faction leaders remove a member for low participation this can affect the reputation of that player. Nobody wants dead weight!

Who pays for these things?
That's a great question. Often a faction leader will provide the necessary drugs and points or the money to acquire them. Sometimes they'll provide boosters to players who are "Chain Watchers" to use in a pinch but often your non-Xanax (or points) energy sources come out of pocket. I personally use my own energy drinks in a chain because it's not the obligation of my faction to take on the burden of my limited Xanax use.

(NEW) What is a "Chain Watcher"?
Chains can get dropped, and despite the merit for saving a chain in its final moments (THIS MERIT IS FOR ADVANCED CHAINERS ONLY so please don't ask) a chain benefits from having someone keep an eye on the timer. They are usually scheduled in advance and often there are two watchers at any given moment. They can only do so much to save a chain though.

I think I understand all of the mechanics of the chain itself, so what about that list you were talking about?
If you aren't using YATA then why are we even talking?

YATA?
Yet-Another-Torn-App. YATA is critical to managing your chaining. You can access it at https://yata.yt

What makes it so important? I have a Blacklist.
YATA will sort your targets by respect earned and make it easier to add new ones from your combat history.

Targets?
Yes, so when you sign into YATA using your API key you can see a very long list of your most recent attacks. You can cull this list for people you wish to make targets and add them to your target list. It's important to add targets to this list and remove targets whom you deem too hard.

What makes a good target?
A good target is one you can beat without sustaining too much life loss and still earn as close to 3.00 respect as possible outside of a chain.

(NEW) How do I even begin to find these people to attack in the first place?
Well, that's important. They won't be on your list unless you attack them and it's tricky to find new targets. The mission system is your best friend here. You'll get several targets from missions and while some are difficult and few are very easy, most are fairly balanced and provide great respect. CHECK THAT YATA DATA!

What do you do to determine the safety of a target?
I keep notes on how much health they typically take off me both under the influence and sober, so I know what to expect and don't go into a battle I'll lose for having too little health. I know which targets I can't attack while under cooldown.

Isn't there an easier way to find targets? I've heard people talk about wallsitters.
(UPDATED ANSWER) Yes, people talk about wallsitters and how great the "good old days" were but things have changed and war isn't the same. "Fake wars" are gone and wallsitting is pretty much dead so we won't be talking about it.

So with my YATA list at 40 targets, am I good?
Sure, you should do just fine but you'll always be updating it (I update once a month) and my list is over 100 targets since the later in game you get, the slower they are to fall out of relevance.
Please remember, though; don't hospitalize the ones you want to come back and hit. Leave them in the street.

How about mugging them?
No. Never mug targets except your bonus hits. Mugging gives the least respect. Always leave or hospitalize (as they give the same respect). Leaders will take note of people who mug during chains, as it costs the faction opportunity and the monetary gains are not worth it. Save your mugging for later.

So why hospitalize at all?
Typically you don't want to. Hospitalization is for active players who you want to inconvenience. We all develop petty grudges and chains can be a good chance to take out some of that frustration.

Ok, but what was that about "bonus hits"?
"Bonus hits" are the hit the milestones of a chain. They come with bigger respect gains.

What do you mean?
The 10th, 25th, 50th, 100th, etc (the ones at the end of the meter) hits will always provide a "flat" respect.

(NEW) "Flat" respect?
Yes, no matter who the target is or how you finish them, the respect is predetermined based on how big the milestone is. Some of the milestone bonus hits can provide merits and thus there might be a system in place with your faction for claiming those hits.

(more about wallsitting and rival factions and fake wars was here and I am leaving it as a commented reply but taking it from the guide)

(We're also going to leave REAL WARS out of this for now)

So what else do I need to know?
Chaining etiquette!

You mean there's etiquette? Does it have anything to do with claiming bonus hits?
Yes and here I was worried you didn't pay any attention to that part because this guide is so long and helpful! It's customary to make sure you aren't stealing a bonus hit when it's been requested.

Stealing? I thought we're all a team.
We are, but there's merits to be earned for things like cumulative respect earned and respect-earned-in-a-single-hit.

So all bonus hits need to be called?
Typically no. 10th, 25th, 50th are all pretty minor and even 100th doesn't count much. It all depends on your faction and what's going on. They'll announce that with their own chaining rules.

So when a hit matters, how do we handle that?
Well, around 10-20 hits before the bonus hit, we'll start "holding".

What's "holding"?
"Holding" is when everyone starts looking at chat and calls their hits. For example, if we're looking to hold for 100, at 90 we'll call "hold" in chat and then someone will say "91" and they'll make the 91st hit. Another will say "92" and they'll make the 92nd hit. It's important not to rush through these because sometimes someone not paying attention to chat will come in and crash the chain, sniping the hit by accident. This will slow the chain dramatically.

I don't want to be that person.
Good, just pay attention to chat and be mindful of your factionmates.

(NEW) What if I am accidentally that person?
I've never stolen a bonus hit but I've seen it happen and I've also caused a disruption by affecting the holding. More times than I'd like to admit, I've received messages from several angry factionmates telling me we were in a hold and to pay better attention. it can last for 10 minutes sometimes.

Is there anything else I should know?
Nothing I can think of. I swear I'll do a better job of keeping this updated!

I just married a dude and Ched made us kiss.

 

How do I explain this to my girlfriend?

19 Lottery Voucher - 900,000 each
4 Business Class Ticket - 6,000,000 each
3 Small Explosive Device - 3,000,000 each
Strippogram Voucher - 14,500,000

Boxing Gloves - 444,000,000
Parachute - 439,000,000
Skateboard - 399,000,000

20 Donator Packs - 22,750,000 each
10 Erotic DVDs - 3,200,000 each
Pennywise Mask '20 - 430,000,000
75 Feathery Hotel Coupon - 13,500,000 each


Also see below plushies and flowers (make offer):

[image: i.ibb.co][image: i.ibb.co]

IA Green is hiring revivers who want a chance to improve more than just their reviving stats as well as newer players seeking guidance and help in their growth

https://www.torn.com/factions.php?step=profile&ID=9674#/

A bit more about what our ideal recruits look like:

• No minimum level
• Daily active
• Good ethics and morality
• Seeking to grow
• Wanting to unlock revives (at a reasonable pace)
• Willing to chain at least 40 hits a month
• You do NOT need to be a donator (but it helps)

We provide the drugs and points, we also provide medical items and boosters outside of chains (within reason)

We're active in chat, we're here for each other, and we're part of a bigger faction family which means there is room to grow.

beep boop

 

waka waka