Anyhow as you've probably gathered I'm Echoez, or Ech0ez, or another number of variations on the spelling and a large variety of entirely different usernames based entirely on what community I'm in and how I'm feeling on the day I make an account of some description, so in all likely hood you may well know me from somewhere even if isn't glaringly apparent. I started playing Spiral knights on a whim during the Steam release because the trailer looked cool and why the hell not? I hadn't anything better to do at the time, and it'd been quite a long time since I'd even glanced at an MMO with anything resembling vague interest (Well besides Monster Hunter, but whether you want to class that as an MMO as a debate neither worth the time it will take, nor one I have any interest in having) and to top it off the game has a nice aesthetic and design that resembling a lot of other games I'm a fan of -The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords especially- which is enough reason to play something. And it's free... well shareware I suppose but close enough that I felt comfortable in the idea that I may not get sucked into the financial drain that most MMOs are. Me and a few friends started playing the game together, started a guild called 'Canard' which was for all intents and purposes just a group of friends playing Spiral Knights and had all of 3 members throughout it's entire existence, but I didn't waste the energy making it so go figure. I played throughout most of tier 1 and tier 2 solo, only playing in groups when my friends were around given that I frankly loathe most PUGs in co-operative games, the lack of communication and all too common stereotypically bad attitudes aren't something I have any desire to partake in. Anyhow going throughout two tiers almost entire alone was pretty dull honestly, although I picked up some odd friends on the way whom I've gone on to do a variety of runs with I found that although I was greatly enjoying Spiral Knights most of the people I played with weren't as keen and have since moved on to other games (Minecraft namely). Realizing that Canard had no hope of becoming an actual guild and that I was getting disinterested in playing solo (Let's face it, if you aren't playing with people you probably shouldn't be playing an MMO in the first place) I set off to find a guild to join. After scouring the guild recruitment forum for a while I stumbled upon Gunslinger Priests; a small but tight guild that was full of skilled players, and perhaps most importantly people with great attitudes.
I joined up and quickly found myself acquainted with a few members, namely ftxblackdahlia and aukto both of whom played an integral role in making me feel at home in the guild and are honestly probably the reason I became so involved in the guild afterward. I'd like to dedicate this brief sentence giving them both a shoutout since they're hilarious people, very friendly and I couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome into the guild. Anyway as the guild began to expand (For reference I was the 19th member if memory serves) the majority of time I spent playing was in guild runs, running Firestorm Citadel, Royal Jelly Palace, numerous arena runs of different gates and pre-PVP far too much Blast Network. It was all good fun and I quickly became one of the more active members of the guild and in some way or another played with the majority of other guild members (In fact even in the guild now totaling near 50 members, I think there's less than 5 I haven't at least seen online once). I really don't think I could've asked to join a better guild; almost everyone in the guild is cool, funny and generally up for anything and nearly all of them are skilled and have been instrumental in making me a far better player. After quite a while in the guild (... well a few weeks) I decided to make us a Wiki page which I've since been maintaining alongside my own Wiki page. After creating it Trihelix decided to make me an officer in the guild which is an honour in and of itself and since then I've... well more or less continued on exactly as I did before except now I send out invites to people wanting to join the guild before Tri can, and periodically promote people to Veterans when Tri and Kosc aren't looking. Needless to say I can't say enough good things about Gunslinger Priests, if you're looking for a tier 3 guild to join I cannot recommend us more, and I certainly can't say I would still be playing Spiral Knights if I hadn't joined up.
So I've gone three obnoxiously large paragraphs without really telling you anything about how I play; I was mixed weapon player throughout most of my time in Spiral Knights, I have a huge fondness for heavy swords and I do enjoy a good gun and consequently stuck to a rather standard Wolver-line set of armor along with Avenger, Faust, Cryo Driver and then whatever fourth weapon I felt was appropriate for the stratum, often either a piercing sword or a status bomb. It wasn't until I watched Eek's videos and then saw the effects of bombing first hand thanks to guildmates Rock-Zombie and Vixter that I've since decided to pick up the playstyle myself. Having made a bombing set and used it for a bit I honestly can't say I ever want to go back. Yeah you lose out on the raw power of swords or the range of guns or the general advantages of having a variety of weapons equipped, but goddamn it's satisfying. Bombs are visually impressive, they affect every enemy in the room most of the time, they're the undisputed kings of status and perhaps uniquely amongst any weapon class they're capable of offensive roles, defensive roles and supporting a team with status effects. I do still always carry at least on sword or gun I should add, I'm so entirely enamored that I'm willing to forgo my means of dealing with gunpuppies, but I really can't stress how fun bombing is. If you're getting bored of swinging swords or shooting guns, I definitely suggest you pick up bombing; it's fantastic.
Well I should think that's all this section needs; you've learnt that I love to write extravagant amounts where only 10 words are needed. You've learnt that I probably enjoy video games far more than is healthy. And you've learnt that a bit about my time playing Spiral Knights, more so than you ever needed to know, or indeed wanted to know. So I shall close this by saying, if you really read of all of this I can take comfort in knowing you have just as much excess free-time as I have.
