Same here, so I probably couldn't help you. Maybe I should do an exchange with Dante. It'd help him in combat, at the very least, and I could stand to learn a few of the practical things he does.
Besides, that looks like a lot of math. I didn't get much schooling.
MY SOUL IS DARK BUT MY HAIR IS COLORFUL — Brahian Pokémon AlchemistI know adding, subtracting, a little bit of multiplication and division... and maybe a little algebra. And I guess I can read enough to get by. I started cutting classes in the third grade, and I dropped out when I was fourteen to join the army.
MY SOUL IS DARK BUT MY HAIR IS COLORFUL — Brahian Pokémon AlchemistHey! Okay, so maybe the empire was run by a bunch of corrupt buffoons, but I really don't see the problem with that. Zack joined when he was thirteen. The minimum age is twelve. And a kid can pull a trigger just as well as an adult.
To be honest, the tactical advantage to using children is far greater, due to adults instinctually wanting to protect kids. They hesitate, and that's all it takes.
Actually, that's how I made my first kill. The woman I was shooting thought I was one of the civilians at the food riot they sent us to, and she asked me where my parents were instead of knifing me.
edited 28th May '12 9:46:52 PM by GameSpazzer
MY SOUL IS DARK BUT MY HAIR IS COLORFUL — Brahian Pokémon AlchemistOf a gun. You know... -Pantomimes making a headshot-
-Blinks- Why not? It's good to get as much combat experience in as early as possible, right?
Sheesh, you're worse than Yuffie about this. She went off and cried when she found out half the soldiers we chopped up were younger than she was...
MY SOUL IS DARK BUT MY HAIR IS COLORFUL — Brahian Pokémon AlchemistNot a fireball, really. You saw the chunks missing from my leg when I came in here, right? It does that, only you aim for vital organs. It's faster and less likely to miss than a fireball, and it's difficult to concentrate on magic in the heat of combat. True, there are drawbacks, but this really is the best weapon to start a kid off with, as inelegant as it is.
Rules? War doesn't have rules. Nothing about war really matters except at the end of it, everyone is supposed to be dead, and that's that. Why would anyone need rules for it?
edited 28th May '12 10:03:21 PM by GameSpazzer
MY SOUL IS DARK BUT MY HAIR IS COLORFUL — Brahian Pokémon AlchemistBecause some of us stick by old traditions that civilians and children are not to be harmed, that poisoning is cruel, and that even soldiers have the right to medical attention. War is bad enough as it is. We don't need to make it worse.
Are you sure fireballs aren't more effective? Even a small one could cause serious damage. Worse than that gash in your leg, for sure. Also, I don't know where you come from, but fireballs home in on my enemies whenever I cast them.
edited 28th May '12 10:03:28 PM by DarkConfidant
...I don't think you and I are functioning under the same definition of war.
-Nel recieves a skeptical look- Do rocks home in on the people you throw them at, too?
If you miss with a fireball, you're very likely to cause more collateral damage than anything else. Magic is more easily controlled, true, but we're talking about a bunch of adolescents. They're not about to trust valuable materia to a bunch of rookie cadets. You don't get stuff like that unless you're a corporal or higher.
-to Ace- Yes, but the body is what kills people, so that's what we focus on. Once they return to the Planet, they really can't do anything to you.
edited 28th May '12 10:09:01 PM by GameSpazzer
MY SOUL IS DARK BUT MY HAIR IS COLORFUL — Brahian Pokémon AlchemistHmph. I don't even like to do that much. I'd prefer not to kill at all.
Materia? Is that something you eat? Where I come from, we just carve symbols into our arms and legs and concentrate.
-shoots a small firebolt which chases Mr. Strife around for a bit. It clearly wouldn't cause damage apart from making the exposed skin feel a bit warm for a moment.-
edited 28th May '12 10:08:31 PM by DarkConfidant
"You must. And when you do, you cannot leave the job half done. For me, when I hit a target, their death is optional. What matters is that they break totally and fully."
He looked at her critically "For example: You, I'd imagine I'd make you unable to learn anything new. If possible, I'd make you slowly lose what you have accumulated until now, until nothing remains."
He looked at Cloud. "For you, I would unleash your demon, and make you kill everyone you love while you bear witness. Your son, your wife, and any friends. Then make you live with that for the rest of your life."
edited 28th May '12 10:10:09 PM by gameknight102xx

If you pass out trying to master magic, maybe it's time to take a break. For a while...
Vote. .#Bayonetta 4 Smash