CJ: Hitting the pan

[Tromos]

Well, since I have yet to see anything about CJ training, I guess I'll ask this in a thread.

And yes, I suppose I could ask this in the Lawbot HQ forum, but by posting in here in the CCG forums, I have a better chance of getting the really cool people to respond

So, what are the most effective methods for hitting the pan with evidence in the CJ fight? I've only been to two CJ runs so far. The stunning is fairly simple and straightforward but, if there are already 3-4 toons stunning, they don't really need another one, do they?

I've looked through the Dawgfather guides and other advice offered in the Lawbot HQ forums, but I haven't seen anything specific about effective ways to hit the pan.

My understanding is that if you throw the evidence and it just disappears into a cloud of smoke, you've accomplished nothing but wasting evidence. if the scale turns blue, you hear a ding, and the CJ flashes red, then you've done something useful. Do I have that right? It's very difficult to dodge evidence, avoid gavels, throw evidence, and watch the CJ for red flashes that correspond to thrown evidence all at the same time so I'm a bit unsure.

Where are the best places to throw evidence into the scale from? What's the appropriate trajectory to use from each place?

And maybe there might be a place for a CJ practice run sometime?

[Frostimom]

Not a CJ expert by any means...but I do know the CCG sponsors CJ Training runs..just not as often as the others. I will try to find out and come back later to post, I think it may be quarterly...which means one should be around the corner.

I absolutely love hitting the pan! Find a spot between the gavels where if you get hit and knocked back ... a gavel head doesn't land on you (-20 points). I stand right up next to the scale...then take one step back.

Remember when we learned to VP...learning to hold downt he control button til the line filled up so the pie would go far? Same principle! The farther to the right the higher your evidence will go...works in the beginning. As the pan drops...you don't have to let it go as far to the right.

Also remember that you can actully defeat the CJ by just panning, its just more comfortable when some toons are stunning!

Love to CJ..just haven't got the hang of the times since they changed...and end of year work is mounting! If you ever want me to tag along and give you some tips..just shout!

[Slippy Fiddlepop]

Originally Posted by Tromos

My understanding is that if you throw the evidence and it just disappears into a cloud of smoke, you've accomplished nothing but wasting evidence. if the scale turns blue, you hear a ding, and the CJ flashes red, then you've done something useful. Do I have that right? It's very difficult to dodge evidence, avoid gavels, throw evidence, and watch the CJ for red flashes that correspond to thrown evidence all at the same time so I'm a bit unsure

When the evidence hits something, you see a cloud of smoke. This means it may very well have hit the pan (or another Toon if that was your target).

[Little Fancy Pedalwhip]

I start by hitting the pan back by the toon jurors. You are safe from gavels there and it's much easier to hit the pan from back there when it is up high. I know the pan turns blue when you hit it, but don't know about the sound or the CJ flashing.

When the pan gets farther down, I run along the jurors box, past the gaval and down along the far side of the pan. Then I turn past where the gavel hits and run back up to the juror side of the pan. This way, I am facing the cogs throwing at me and can jump when they throw evidence. They all throw at the same time, so if you see one throwing, jump.

The route along the juror box is the safest to go and not be hit by gavels. If you travel through the center of the room toward the pan, there are several gavels that can hit you.

There used to be a map of it, but I don't seem to be able to find it now.

[Flippers]

Sorry I'm not cool, but I do have some experience with scaling:

Keep in mind that half the toons throw over and past the scale to start, then hit the scale base or past the scale later on. While seeing streams of evidence fly in an arc is pretty, you dont want to do either of those.

*If* there are 8+ jurors, stand with your back against the jury box in first person view and throw from there. You'll be able to maintain this position and reliably hit the pan for some time. First person view is important because you need to watch the cogs and be ready to jump any evidence they skid along the floor in your direction. Be adept with the tab key and learn to tap it to shift to far back view to get more evidence, then back to first person once in jury box throwing position.

If there are less than 8 jurors, you will have to adjust to something closer but not in the path of gavels. Try to throw from an angle where you see the trajectory of your evidence beyond the pan and catch sight of any evidence landing on the other side. Make whatever adjustments to avoid missing.

Best view near the scale is far back. This way you see the cogs throwing and can jump. Remember that when one throws, they all throw. If you see only one or two, learn to jump based on that and any cog throwing at you will miss.

Last but not least: light smoke good, dark smoke bad. If you think you're hitting the pan and you see dark smoke, move a step back. You're hitting the scale's base.

[gggbutter]

How I pan is partly determined by the number of gavels present. In a high-suit CJ (thanks to Disney reinstating bonus weight and more cog lawyers) you will have gavels that come down close to the pan. In a lower suit CJ you may have no gavels at all between the juror box and the pan.

If there are gavels present between the juror box and the scale I start back by the juror box, behind the gavels. I throw evidence at the scale similar to how I throw pies in the VP, watching the power bar and adjusting so I actually see the evidence hit the pan. When the scale is down lower and I can no longer hit it from the juror box I watch the gavels and get up as close as I can, and at that point I usually just hit the delete/insert/mouse key (whatever you use) as fast as I can and the evidence hits. If there are no gavels next to the pan I simply go where I can see the cogs on the stun line and get closer to the pan to stun, again watching the power bar to make sure my evidence is hitting the pan. It is always important at the pan to keep an eye on the cog line to see if they are throwing evidence as well. As was mentioned previously all the cogs throw evidence at the same time and I routinely jump about half a second after they throw it just in case it is directed at me. With a little practice you'll get the timing down to the specific lag of your computer (oof).

And, as if ALL that isn't enough, don't forget to have your game sound on so you hear the CJ's warning when he's going to jump. With practice again you'll be able to time your jump without having to turn and face the CJ. And PLEASE, if you're going to the CEO right after, CLOSE OUT TOONTOWN before you CEO so you don't get hit with the -5 bug and lose laff while feeding and seltzer. I've only forgotten once, but that right side of the banquet is a killer when it starts making you lag and taking off laff.

Good luck, and have fun!
Barb