Hybrid battles through the Pulse Vestige

hybrid756 · April 7, 2015

Welcome!

After a long rest following my journey of stumbling blindly through the Hanging Edge, and restoring my HP during the last challenge, it's time for me to negotiate the Pulse Vestige. I know what's waiting at the end - A GREAT BIG BOSS BATTLE, Fal'cie Anima. So I'd better be ready. That's what this challenge is about - taking on one enemy at a time, refining my paradigms, and stocking up on supplies. Would you just look at the size of the place.

That's a whole lot of cie'th to take down. Since I'm not long out of the tutorial level, I'll need to remember to keep healing paradigms to hand, and keep my HP in the green zone. Can't afford to be taking too many risks yet, not until I've built my skills up. I've strategised that for my battle with Anima, I'm going to need a vial of Fortisol. That's my reward for acing this challenge. I need grades of B or above in all challenges to achieve this. If I want to level up, I need that reward! I can fight without it, but there's a good chance I'll get KO'd... probably multiple times.

So, here goes - one cie'th at a time.

1. SCORE 1450 HIT POINTS PER CIE'TH

Every day is a cie'th battle, and there's 42 cie'th between where I am, and the giant door at the heart of the Vestige, where Anima is waiting to try and kill me. Every cie'th has 1450HP (for the purposes of this challenge, they do). Every calorie I eat in battle knocks 1HP from one of these shambling monsters. In other words, giving a little creative licence, I need to knock back around 1450 calories per day to defeat these 42 cie'th. There are a few I can sneak past, but they're few and far between.

I'm doing this on a points scoring system, averaging over the week (updated 8 April 2015 from daily to weekly hit points):

< 1500 / day = 70 points
1500 - 1600 / day = 42 points
1600 - 1700 / day = 28 points
1700 - 1800 / day = 14 points
1800 - 1900 / day = 7 points
1900+ or no tracking = 0 points

TDEE ~ 1950 (this has served me well so far, over the past month). No negative marking, no eating back exercise.

Total points available = 420

Grading:

301 - 420 points = A
201 - 300 points = B
101 - 200 points = C
51 - 100 points = D
1 - 50 points = E
0 points = F

CIE'TH DESTROYED:

100%

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2. COOK ALL THE FOODS

How do you turn a Blazefire Saber into an Ultima Weapon? By using gil and items found in the environment, of course! So, following on the back of my monumental success with the cooking of the things during the last challenge, I am going to apply my experience of using gil and items found in the environment to make new weapons. And by weapons, I mean meals. During this challenge, meals are my primary weapon, and I intend to make sure they're crafted well.

Every week, I will be learning 3 new recipes (averaged over whole challenge) - it doesn't matter what they are, just that I am COOKING THE FOODS instead of buying a ready-to-fight weapon out of a box. Nothing beats being able to do your own craftsmanship. Over the 6 weeks, that's 18 new recipes. Here's the scoring:

16 - 18 recipes = A
13 - 15 recipes = B
10-12 recipes = C
7 - 9 recipes = D
4 - 6 recipes = E
0 - 3 recipes = F

Spicy grilled lamb skewers! [COMPLETED]
Spice-crusted chicken with Asian slaw! [COMPLETED]
Chicken skewers with satay dip! [COMPLETED]
Mustard-stuffed chicken! [COMPLETED]
Balsamic green bean salad! [COMPLETED]
Easy paleo chicken pepper stir fry! [COMPLETED]
Teriyaki glazed chicken kebabs! [COMPLETED]
Paleo maple salmon fillets! [COMPLETED]
Avocado stuffed burgers! [COMPLETED]
Thai spiced turkey burgers!
Asian salmon with honey glaze!
Coconut ginger shrimp! [COMPLETED]
Coconut chicken strips! [COMPLETED]
Ginger chicken! [COMPLETED]
Crisp honey mustard parsnips! [COMPLETED 19/4/15 - DAY 7]
BBQ pulled pork!
Easy Thai prawn curry! [COMPLETED]
Clementine & vodka-baked salmon with beetroot creme fraiche sauce!

WEAPONS CRAFTED:

77.8%

FF3300; background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, 0 0, 100% 100%, color-stop(.25, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.25, transparent), color-stop(.5, transparent), color-stop(.5, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2)), color-stop(.75, transparent), to(transparent) ); background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -moz-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -ms-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); background-image: -o-linear-gradient( -45deg, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 50%, rgba(0, 0, 0, .2) 75%, transparent 75%, transparent ); -webkit-background-size: 23px 23px; -moz-background-size: 23px 23px; background-size: 23px 23px; border-radius: 4px;">77.8%

3. READ THE DATALOG - BOSS BATTLE PREP!

If there's anything I've learned about life on Cocoon, it's that it's full of history and myth. I refuse to blindly stagger about the place knowing nothing about what's going on inside my enemy's head, because I have THE BIG BOSS BATTLE approaching on the 2nd June - my end of year maths exam. This is my degree-related Fal'cie Anima. I'm more than on track for a distinction on the coursework, but I need over 85% in the exam to get an overall distinction. This would open up so many more areas of the map, and additional add ons for me to explore later, like further study and paid placements... and being able to use maths in my battle against not knowing enough about computer science (duh). So, I need to be reading the datalog! This means very, very regular maths study. I want a minimum of 2hrs/day, and this is averaged over the entire challenge. This does NOT include any time I spend working on my remaining assignments - it's exam prep only.

Grading:

71+ hours = A
57 - 70 hours = B
43 - 56 hours = C
29 - 42 hours = D
15 - 28 hours = E
0 - 14 hours = F

DATALOGS STUDIED:

6%

POINTS! MEASUREMENTS! ALL THAT STUFF!

New and improved points and measurements photo gallery, with pictures of food!

Edit! Again! Added progress photos (15 April 2015)

Excuse the terrible quality photos. Best camera phone on the market and I still can't take decent selfies in a mirror. Eh well. It's something to measure myself by all the same!

1. SCORE 1450 HIT POINTS PER CIE'TH

A = +5 CON
B = +4 CON
C = +3 CON
D = +2 CON
E = +1 CON
F = +0 CON

2. COOK ALL THE FOODS

A = +5 CHA
B = +4 CHA
C = +3 CHA
D = +2 CHA
E = +1 CHA
F = +0 CHA

3. READ THE DATALOG - BOSS BATTLE PREP!

A = +5 WIS
B = +4 WIS
C = +3 WIS
D = +2 WIS
E = +1 WIS
F = +0 WIS

Measurements to be updated at the start of the challenge:

Starting measurements etc from 13 April 2015

Weight: 189.0
Scale Bf%: 45.2
DoD Bf%: 38.3
Scale H₂O%: 39.7
Lean mass: 102
Chest (upper): 40
Chest (lower): 34
Waist: 35.5
Hips: 41.5
Neck: 14.5
Right upper arm: 13.5
Left upper arm: 13
Right lower arm: 10.5
Left lower arm: 10.5
Right thigh: 28.5
Left thigh: 28.5
Right calf: 17.5
Left calf: 18

OFF I GO TO GET FORTISOL!

Airlia · April 7, 2015

Beautiful challenge - LOVE it!!

Lightning · April 7, 2015

Wow! I love, love, love this challenge! You know I'm following

lucky fire dragon · April 7, 2015

mmmmmmmh, powerful yummy stuff!! Can't let you go alone there

Want to watch you ROCK IT :triumphant:

hybrid756 · April 7, 2015

Thanks everyone! I WILL rock it!!

*throws rocks at cie'th*

SpiralGalaxy · April 8, 2015

Awesome, you can do it! My heart goes out to you for exam prep--good luck on rocking the exams!

hybrid756 · April 8, 2015

Awesome, you can do it! My heart goes out to you for exam prep--good luck on rocking the exams!

Sounds like you're in a similar situation, or have been recently If you need it, good luck! And hey, good luck even if you don't

SpiralGalaxy · April 8, 2015

Ah, I've been done with that for a little while (I suffered through a BS in Physics 15 years ago, and an MS in EE 5 years ago). But I'm headed into another professional certification program that will involve homework and exams--probably this summer/early fall. Trying to get psyched up for! I'll be looking to you for inspiration. :redface:

hybrid756 · April 8, 2015

Ah, I've been done with that for a little while (I suffered through a BS in Physics 15 years ago, and an MS in EE 5 years ago). But I'm headed into another professional certification program that will involve homework and exams--probably this summer/early fall. Trying to get psyched up for! I'll be looking to you for inspiration.

Hahahaa ah crap that's accountability

That is some very respectable studying you've done there (I dropped out of a physics degree 13 years ago...). It'll all come back to you! (I'm not promising that that's a good thing, heh). Well, hopefully by the end of this I'll be able to give a confident answer on whether making studying part of a 6WC is a way to make it all the more tolerable

Asuka · April 9, 2015

AWESOME CHALLENGE!!! I'll follow your path towards mathematical superiority and will send positive thoughts your way!! Exam prep is the worst... But the results are worth it.

Also totally on board with the cooking part of the challenge: I struggled with the same things last year when I decided to lose weight. For me the key was to find a couple of "add-on" ingredients to make everything taste better. Right now I'm doing wonders with maple syrup, also love balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, curry, thyme (THYME!!!) and spices/herbs in general, which make a bland meat/vegetable pan-seared a different tune every night!!

Looking forward to your newly tried recipes!! I will definitely try them on myself!!

Are you following a specific diet (like vegetarian, Paleo, etc.) or are you eating all in moderation?

Let's rock this!!!

Rock like me!!!

hybrid756 · April 13, 2015

Hi! I am eating all the things, but I do like paleo recipes because plants and animals. No specific diet, the don't-eat-this lists make me all binge-y!

I'll try to make something good if you'll be trying it

I have balsamic vinegar but don't know what to do with it yet... So far I've been investigating different ways to bake chicken breast and other random stuff like chili. Going to find something to cook tonight.

hybrid756 · April 13, 2015

BTW my posts are going a bit screwy right now. Posting from tablet is hard! Back to normal later. Updated my starting post with measurements and am going to find a recipe for tonight because I need to go shopping soon. For once I'm excited about that!!!

Lightning · April 13, 2015

My favorite balsamic vinegar recipe is with cabbage and bacon. If you don't like cabbage you could probably sub any veg. Cook a couple of strips of bacon then remove and crumble it. Cook the veg in a little of the bacon grease. Toss the veg and bacon then drizzle with lots of balsamic vinegar. Soooo good.

Lightning · April 13, 2015

Lightning · April 13, 2015

yikes! Accidental triple post!.

hybrid756 · April 13, 2015

I like that! I'll try it next time we've got bacon... Could be a nice alternative to a bacon sandwich!

lucky fire dragon · April 13, 2015

tomato slices alternating with mozzarella slices, spiced with salt, pepper, fresh basil, balsamico and olice oil

I could bathe in that, a classic delicious all-time favorite

SunlitSapling · April 13, 2015

Oh wow I really like your structure for this challenge! The idea of taking down enemy HP seems super appealing and easy to keep track of.

Wishing you the best this time around!

SpiralGalaxy · April 13, 2015

Balsamic vinegar is one of my favorite things in the world. Putting it in a salad dressing is the only thing that makes hard boiled eggs edible to me. I like to use it on roasted Brussels sprouts, also one of the only things that makes those tasty. One of my favorite chicken marinades is olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Super easy, then grill the chicken or dice it up and sautee in the leftover marinade. Yum!

hybrid756 · April 13, 2015

tomato slices alternating with mozzarella slices, spiced with salt, pepper, fresh basil, balsamico and olice oil

I could bathe in that, a classic delicious all-time favorite

You know, I can see the appeal of this, but... I hate tomatoes! Though now I'm questioning whether I could substitute in peppers... bell peppers, sweet pointed peppers... mini peppers? I could eat those ALL DAY. I shall try it. Thankyou for the idea!

Oh wow I really like your structure for this challenge! The idea of taking down enemy HP seems super appealing and easy to keep track of.

Wishing you the best this time around!

Thanks! I enjoyed writing the challenge too Some creative licence was used but I don't mind!

Balsamic vinegar is one of my favorite things in the world. Putting it in a salad dressing is the only thing that makes hard boiled eggs edible to me. I like to use it on roasted Brussels sprouts, also one of the only things that makes those tasty. One of my favorite chicken marinades is olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Super easy, then grill the chicken or dice it up and sautee in the leftover marinade. Yum!

That sounds beautiful! I tried a similar thing with marinating chicken in soy sauce, olive oil, herbs spices etc (can't really remember what was in it) and just throwing it straight in the oven minus the marinade, 12 hours later. I am trying this as well

And I never considered that vinegar + hard boiled eggs would work. Thanks!

lucky fire dragon · April 13, 2015

You know, I can see the appeal of this, but... I hate tomatoes! Though now I'm questioning whether I could substitute in peppers... bell peppers, sweet pointed peppers... mini peppers? I could eat those ALL DAY. I shall try it. Thankyou for the idea!

hmm, what about the little cherry tomatoes? It really lives off the tomato-cheese-combi, but yes mozzarella as is with those spices and balsamico is also nice.

These are so many yummy things people are suggesting, my mouth waters following you here

hybrid756 · April 13, 2015

Sorry, no can do tomatoes... I'm hoping one day I wake up and like them, because I don't mind tomato-based dishes! So I like them in theory, but in practice, the texture just weirds me out for some reason. I'm not overly picky, it's just a few things. Tomatoes, soup, cauliflower I think. Still trying the peppers idea though! Mini peppers stuffed with mozarella, herbs and balsamic vinegar... ideas are taking shape

SpiralGalaxy · April 13, 2015

I'm so with you on !=tomatoes...

Airlia · April 14, 2015

one of my daughters hates tomatoes but loves tomato based foods like ketchup and spaghetti sauce. Always seemed odd to me, but your comment on texture makes sense. She's a very texture sensitive kind of girl.

Asuka · April 14, 2015

Balsamic vinegar is one of my favorite things in the world. Putting it in a salad dressing is the only thing that makes hard boiled eggs edible to me. I like to use it on roasted Brussels sprouts, also one of the only things that makes those tasty. One of my favorite chicken marinades is olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Super easy, then grill the chicken or dice it up and sautee in the leftover marinade. Yum!

WAHHHHHH!!!!! This sounds AWESOME!!! I will totally try it next time I buy chicken!

I also love sweet and savory recipes, so I do a lot of honey and balsamic marinades. It works awesomely well! Just be careful not to overcook it as the honey will attach in a pan. Marinade better suited for oven type of recipes.

I love balsamic vinegar on almost anything, but my favorite is avocados! I am 100% with you Hybrid on the tomatoes. So to avoid that, I usually either substitute tomato sauce or put the tomatoes in the oven for 5-8 minutes. It TOTALLY changes the texture. It makes the tomato all soft and removes the skin.

Lately I'm also all about spices, especially paprika and curry! Give it a try!

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Hybrid battles through the Pulse Vestige

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How cool is it that the same God who created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too

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How cool is it that the same God who created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too

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How cool is it that the same God who created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too

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