User blog:Tokugata Kuchikukan/Clash! Casual Newface vs The Spring Monster!

"If you feel so lucky, why don't you play Kantai Collection?"

My friend told me this a year ago, after he was probably tired of hearing me brag about all the rare items and mounts I've obtained from an MMORPG. I didn't really think about what he meant back then. Luck is something unpredictable, and usually can't be fought against or measured, but can sometimes be manipulated. To me, it simply sounded like he was desperate for another poor soul to understand his pain because at that point, I couldn't imagine what he was going through.

I ignored his plea several times, until February 11, 2015, when I joined a new wave of admirals carried by the hype with the anime going on-air. Everyone seemed to be doing it now. I was too lazy to work my way with the entire VPN, API, and stuff a year before. My friend guided me through the early stages of my newface career, until I found the wikia and its chatroom. I was amazed by how everyone could talk about surviving hellish events and taking their ship girls to totally high levels. I wanted to see and feel what events were.

But I have this lingering feeling that I may have bitten off more than I could chew.

(This wasn't exactly my first Event, but this is the first one I am tackling (semi-)prepared. I only managed to play E-1 Winter 2015 on Easy mode at the final day and less than an hour before maintenance started.)

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April 29, 2015:

E-1 Hard Mode:
 * 1st run - Hibiki was used as a punching bag on the first node. Went C (north) and was forced to retreat due to Hibiki being heavily damaged.
 * 2nd run - Yuudachi was lightly damaged on the first node. This time, went D (south) and was able to reach the boss, as well as secure a kill. Yura dropped.
 * 3rd run - Having not learned my lesson, went north once more, and was forced to retreat with Hibiki all red again. Lesson now learned.
 * 4th run - After a bit of a sparkle run, went south and picked up Tanikaze on the pre-boss node, which was nice because I didn't have her yet. Once again, reached the boss and secured a nice kill that didn't extend to night battle.
 * 5th run - Accidentally clicked on Line Ahead on south submarine node. Fortunately, everything went better than expected and reached the boss, plus secured a 3rd kill. Mogami dropped.
 * 6th run - Hibiki once again became the target of bullying at the first node, but they were still able to reach the boss and secure a 4th kill. Haruna dropped.
 * 7th run (Final) - Once more, Hibiki was bullied at the first node, but like last time, they made it all the way to the boss and laid the boss HP bar to rest. Only A Rank due to Light Cruiser Demon being all demon-y and strong.