Thanks! It is no fun making the countless factory runs for merits, especially the 26+ runs for attaining the 5500 merits for the lvl12, lvl15, lvl20,30,40, and maxed Hollywood status.
My friend and I have made partnered runs in the factory 4 times in a row without restocking gags from a gagshop by adjusting our gags for each run. We load up on lvl4 sound and alternate use of it (I use the lvl4 in one engagement and she the lvl5 sound, then we reverse for next) going from room to room. We stretch this out often by using a trap instead of crm pie for removing the lvl6 cogs. This often enhances the success of a lure. We often use drop as a filler while the other toon does a TU in the event one is needed. We both restock in the lava room and sometimes go to the paint room and restock throw/squirt there.
At the silos, we alternate using the lvl5 and lvl6 sound or use small throw together to take the remaining lvl6 cogs, using her TNT on the lvl9. Many times we have reduced our factory runs to less than 21 minutes, but nothing reduces the boredom of factory runs. It is understandable, now, the lack of available sellbot 4 and 5 story buildings following a successful large group of toons doing the VP. You see, 4 toons can reap 220+ merit points from a 5 story sellbot in DDL in less than 8-9 minutes, making the factory seem tedious, of which it is. So this guide allows you a measure of solo success when considering the time it takes to locate a building by district hopping and street running.
Something of use is to learn the strategy for what is needed to remove cogs (what I learned from threads here at the forum). A lvl7 cog requires 72+pts. of hit to kill him (lvl7+1 times lvl7+2), that is, 8 times 9 gives 72pts. Knowing then that a lure cog gives you a 50% bonus on your gag and 22% for 2or more toons using a like gag, you can successfully take a cog out with one use of gags. Thus as stated in the guide, a lvl6 storm cloud at 48pt hit is actually 48pts plus 24pts(50% bonus) if, in fact, you get the bonus. That is why a toon with a less than maxed TNT or piano asks for help when using that gag on a cog. We know a maxed TNT will always remove a lvl11 cog, but never a lvl12. That is why we know a maxed throw will usually remove a lvl10 cog when getting a lure bonus, but never a lvl11 cog. So it helps to keep this in mind when working with fellow toons. On the safe side, you should ask for assistance when using a less than maxed gag on a large gog when in VP to help your fellow toons avoid a cog hit.
I am very happy for your success. It sort of gives an inner satisfaction of doing something you thought not possible, doesn't it!
Good Luck - Deputy Dynowoof, 110laff, maxed sellbot, RB8 in cashbot, along with all his clan toons, Lion Heart, Lion Heart Jr., Sir Periwinkle, Grandpa Katt and Will E Bee, the newest clan ape.
Will E Bee was named after the famous Atlanta zoo Gorilla, Willie B, who died at 42+ yrs old and fathered a bunch of cute gorillas in the last 6-8 years of his life. He was a gentle giant of whom I loved to watch playing with his children.