Semi-random patterns & Blue Revolver

[Greg1000]

Hey, quite new at shmups and I am trying to understand what is possible to do and expected vs. what is not realistic. I 1CC hard mode of Devil Blade last year as my first shmup and now trying parallel mode with Mae in BR.
Currently practicing Boss 5 and I have a few questions.

Some patterns are semi-random (Phase 1) where most of the time I can parse them because there's a logic behind it, but sometimes openings just close on you and there's nothing you can do.
In phase 2 and 3, I really don't see how it's possible to dodge everything particularly phase 3. Boss is immune to bombs so they're only a panic button really.
The other phases I have less trouble with because while there's a lot of bullets on screen they are a bit more static.

For these kind of situation are you expected to dodge all of this and you get better with time or is it also about resource management?
Maybe it's just hard for real and a bit much considering my lack of experience?

[Lethe]

It's mostly just lack of experience. The big thing is simplifying problems though compartmentalization - recognizing what the relevant part of a pattern is, or prioritizing different threats as the situation changes - which will become more instinctive with time and attention. BR is gentle dodging-wise compared to arcade games, and at least before the TLB, non-standard puzzle tactics are never necessary (especially with the 3-boss nerfs in Double Action).

For specific advice here, I'm assuming you're talking about the 5-boss and not the TLB.
In general with Mae, you'll want to chase bosses around as best you can to take advantage of her shot damage. This is very effective on both the 5-boss and TLB. Playing with instant speed switching is essential (hold rapid + hold/release shot).
In general in DA, your first approach should be to preserve lives and bomb everything vaguely sketchy even if it's the 5-boss. Resource management is really really stupidly good in this game.

Pattern 1 is a bit bullshit, you have to accept that you sometimes won't be able to read a gap in the blue bullets and have to bomb.
Pattern 2 should be easy. Follow the boss and take macro detours around the circle bullets instead of through them. Shooting at the shields also does a little damage to the boss.
Pattern 3, you can try starting in one corner and tap streaming, or starting in the middle and streaming to one side and then back. The first method will be hard with Mae if you're not comfortable with making micro-cuts to switch directions, might be a good learning tool. Alternatively if you wait for the shields to become vulnerable you can just bomb and kill them. The random parts get harder when the shields are gone; if you're not interested in the Break you may find it easier to leave one side intact.

[Greg1000]

I haven't been using hold/release, I mapped the shot types to separate buttons and go back and forth depending on the situation. I'll try that.
By micro-cuts you mean micro dodging? I can do it during phase 3, but still inconsistent.

I am practicing not using bombs, because I don't know how many I can save up to that point, I have to practice full runs to make sure I can have at least 3.

[Lethe]

By micro-cuts you mean micro dodging? I can do it during phase 3, but still inconsistent.

Imagine a stream of bullets is coming in almost continuously, and you want to go through it to switch your direction.
Naturally you can make a sharp movement away from the stream to create a big obvious gap.
But you can also do this with very little movement - shifting as little as a couple of hitboxes before gradually tapping in the other direction. This can be intimidating if you're not used to it, as you don't get a visual tell that it's worked.* You just have to trust yourself that there is going to be enough of a gap even if it's invisible.
This isn't dodging per se, it's proactive misdirection as opposed to reactive avoidance.

It's not a technique ever necessary in BR, I'm mentioning it because avoiding quick aimed bullets in a confined space will feel a lot more trivial if you get comfortable with doing things like this. I'm also throwing things at the wall to see if it helps the process click for you. For me, it was like a Rubik's cube; at first you spend all this effort struggling to execute very specific solutions, but once your brain can pattern-identify the generic abstract parts, you don't have to think about them any more, and the problems become much simpler in every game.

* Well, you do get a visual tell, it's on the bullets at their origin point, but you're unlikely to be looking at that if you're navigating random bullets at the bottom at the same time.

[Greg1000]

I get what you mean, I already do this sometimes. Phase 3 still is an issue, because the speed at which the bullet come in, it's a crapshoot if I survive or not. Good tip BTW for the hold/release on the std fire, immediately improved my runs. I was moving a bit too slow with the focus fire, I have to get used to moving at full speed as well.

[ShimmerEcho]

Sounds like you're making solid progress! Phase 3 can definitely feel random at times, but getting comfortable with quick readjustments and trusting small gaps makes a huge difference. Have you tried watching replays of high-level runs to see alternative dodging routes? Sometimes a different approach can make a tricky pattern way more manageable.

[Greg1000]

I took a break after my hyper mode 1CC. Parallel is a bit much, I can do some of the stages and bosses in isolation, but consistency isn't there yet for a 1CC.

[The_Fix]

Just saying, but did you read this? https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 3361300027

I'd like to consider myself a pretty good BR player, I'm 7th on Hyper. I wrote that guide up there. If you have ANY specific questions about Blue Revolver, I'd be happy to help you. The game is awesome and always needs more players! Players that are willing to learn!