Arcadion - no spoilers, but...

[DiaDeem]

Is it bad (or good?) that I'm enjoying this side story way more than the 1st half of the Dawntrail MSQ?

It's a good thing, and I also agree! Already engaged by the plight from the sisters, and I thought all fights were just really fun. The bosses certainly had way more character than Valigarmanda, which is probably the most nothing not primal thing we've ever fought.

[Gortys]

I feel like this raid is the "vacation" we were promised. Funny, low stakes (at least for me), etc. It feels like they tried to give us some "high" stakes with releasing the souls/life force, but it's hard for me to see it as important after the MSQ.

I don't care for this whole "hero" thing in the story as our character is typically a bit more modest, but otherwise I don't mind a raid story built on the Genshin community.

[Nadda]

Going forward can we replace Wuk Lamat with the new superior catgirl?

I happen to like Wuk Lamat >:c

Buuuut... The girls they introduced have a much more compelling story in such a short time. I want to see more of the dynamics between Laana and Eutrope.
It's strange to say this but between those two and the youngest Neyuni feel like actual siblings than Wuk, Koana and Zoraal ja felt ^^"

[Carin-Eri]

Definitely enjoying it, even though I'm going to struggle memorizing the Raid mechanics!

Seems as if there is a really compelling story, which found it's feet quite quickly, involving some already very likable characters. Definitely invested in seeing where they take it!

[CaptainLagbeard]

They gave actual justification for the WoL to be there and participate aside from just wanting to fight.
And the main characters involved so far have shown more depth than wuk ever did during the entirety of the MSQ.

My biggest issue is one that's even present in the MSQ is the WoL's absolute refusal to share relevant knowledge with people, or bringing in others to the story... Although I suppose what are the chances of the WoL knowing about an individual who's extremely well studied into the topic of souls we could go talk to about the problem with Eutrope...

[Kennar]

Tournament arcs aren't my cup of tea, but I'm liking this so far. The fights were challenging without a lot of cheap mechanics (i.e "BS! I wasn't in that!"). The story is already more compelling than the whole of the MSQ; it helps to have likable characters. I wish, though, that they would have taken a far less serious tone and delved more into the tropes of professional wrestling. I want to do pre-match interviews with Mean Gene and talk trash about my competitors. Perhaps the WoL could turn heel; that would be fun.

[arstoka]

I enjoy it. The story is a little generic, paint by numbers, but the premise is really interesting. The characters are a blast and the voice acting is great.

The fights are absolutely fantastic. They're unique, fun and engaging. It was great being on my toes reacting to things as they happened reminding me a bit of ultimates like UCOB and TEA but not as punishing -- an excellent middle ground.

All of the music is fantastic and really sets the tone and mood for the fights.

I'm not a huge fan of the raid gear this tier (looks kind of samey between classes and just...too many belts for my liking) it's still an overall extremely enjoyable series. I am excited to hop back into the fights each week!

[arstoka]

Tournament arcs aren't my cup of tea, but I'm liking this so far. The fights were challenging without a lot of cheap mechanics (i.e "BS! I wasn't in that!"). The story is already more compelling than the whole of the MSQ; it helps to have likable characters. I wish, though, that they would have taken a far less serious tone and delved more into the tropes of professional wrestling. I want to do pre-match interviews with Mean Gene and talk trash about my competitors. Perhaps the WoL could turn heel; that would be fun.

I agree 100%. I would have loved to have a less serious tone and to have some silly fun with it.

[VictorSpoils]

Looks like they're going back to the older style of melee uptime, for what it's worth.

[Kaurhz]

It's not the best story in the world, but it has some interest behind it, depends if you want story-driven or gameplay driven.

The actual encounters though, IMO, are the best they have done for normal raids. Omega had some good ones too. but the consistency just wasn't there, like I feel it here.

Holy...

People really make their whole personality about hating Wuk Lamat.

Not really.

But people will have some high distaste about the character if you try and funnel that character into near enough every portion of the story.