Awesome badge guide Game Hunter, I love it!
I have a confession to make... I've been playing this game for years through different releases and have just been lurking on the forums until now. The reason I created an account? So I could view this guide.
That out of the way, I have a couple of things to add in. If not otherwise specified, these strategies are for Gold although generally is true for all difficulties.
In an AoP challenge, the Chained courts are not compeltely useless, since picking up the chainsaw will set you to full health AND berserk you. Also, while Ironman will give you more bang for your buck while using large medkits, it *won't* for small med kits, so your traits are probably better off spent elsewhere. With such low amount of health, I find it vital to strike enemies where they can't strike back, so I strive for Cat'seye and Int2, although I haven't quite managed a cat's eye yet =/
For AoH, I just want to support that Cat's Eye makes this a very doable challenge, heck you should be going for a high kill rate anyway on UV simply because that exp is very valuable when you only have half the levels to earn it.
In regards to AoMs, I've found the run to be relatively simple as long as I'm making decent progress at hitting the down stairs and letting my exp level me up as I go. That is, I'm not too agressive at leveling and just sort of play through letting the level up bonus carry me.
For Ao100, the best tip I can give is to not go through the run all at once. The monotony will set in and you may die a stupid death =/
Platinum badges:
Strategy of N! - Chained courts are a heavensend, even if you're just going to grab all the zerking. The zerking from 4 packs and the chainsaw can clear a full level on N! and get you through a few if you are just trying to find the exit. Also, I'm a huge fan of the wall and suggest completing it whenever you can. Although it's annoying that enemies here respawn after you've cleared the Wall =/
Special level tactics for Conquering UV - First may be good to mention that it is currently bugged =/ Besides that, in Hell's Armory (Especially if you have Ammo Chain) Most enemies will converge into the center and firing a rapidfire weapon down that long corridor is almost always guaranteed to hit *something.* Also, for the trickier enemies, firing down their doors and backing down the long corridor again often works.
Angel of Berserk Tactics - Don't forget about giftdropping, I haven't seen in mentioned here. Almost all of the beginning levels can be cleared without *too* much trouble by dropping a medpack in front of a door, standing to the side, opening it, and waiting to ambush the former human/sergeant that goes to pick it up.
AoRA @ 100% kills - MFa is a fantastic build for AoRA, but consider going for Cat's eye for easy monster locations.
Arena Plat - Challenging the Arena on N! in a standard game is an accomplishment indeed. Going for this badge on AoMC is much easier, however. A chain gun and at least 4 med kits has a very good shot at clearing the arena. Simply try to stay in one general area near the corpses so you'll quickly kill them when they respawn. Chaingun is a must. (Can *technically* be done with combat shotty, but then you may as well be playing standard N!)
Berserker diamond - "Notes" comment is double posted.
Okay! That covers what has been listed so far. Now to add personal comments on badges not listed yet...
Angel of Marksmanship Diamond -
As Fanta Hege stated, early unique is a must. I remember hearing a bit on the forums about how Grammaton Cleric Beratta was NOT affected by MAc, may need to be confirmed. Also, having found a blaster during a Cat's Eye run through UV, I can say that this is an incredibly powerful alternative, basically granting you the benefits of Ammo Chain and Cat's Eye in the same run. This can also (theoretically) get you through.
Angel of Pacifism Diamond -
In current release, the only defensive traits you're allowed are Iron man, Tough as Nails, and Bad Ass. If you are very lucky with stair generation and special levels, you may be able to get EE, EE, Int. It can be argued however that Finesse -> Whiz Kid is a more powerful choice. I recommend going for TaN and BA right off the bat, since being knocked around usually causes more harm than good, especially if you're trying to go through those stairs / trying to pick up that item / trying to dash past a former sergeant. Go for the Chained Courts at all costs, those berserker packs and chainsaw berserk will allow you to live through many levels to come.
That's all I can think of at the moment... I can look through your guide and give you specific number notations if you really need it. Congrats again on an awesome guide so far!
