Finding the Balance: MF/RF Tournament (Signup & Running)

ffs

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Some time has passed since MFO, and with RFL not even quite on the horizon yet, it’s time for another SPF tournament to fill the void!

Like several other recent tournament formats (see e.g. here, here or here), we will combine magic finding (MF) and rune finding (RF) for this competition.

You can participate and run with everything from a pure MF character to a pure RF character, or anything in between really, without having to fear missing out on anything. Both rune drops and S&U drops will count towards a single overall score, and top finds in either category will provide similar improvements to your score.

QUICK FACTS
  • Start and end date: 23 October (0:00:00 local time) – 15 November (23:59:59 local time)
  • Targets allowed: Everything (split in two categories, see below)
  • Time limitation: 20 hours cap per batch; multiple batches allowed
  • Items scored: Elite S&Us, runes Hel and above
  • Versions allowed: 1.13+
The rules in detail:

20 HOUR SETS
We run in the below two categories for 20 hours per batch, scoring items within the individual 20 hour set.

Multiple 20h sets are allowed, but a new set can only be started if the previous one is finished.

Time spent muling in GoMule does not need to be counted towards those 20h.

CATEGORIES

There will only be two categories:
  • Category 1: Baal & waves
  • Category 2: Everything else
You may not switch between the categories during a 20h set, but are free to sign up in both categories if you intend to complete a set (or more) in both.

ITEM SCORING
S&U score table for category 1 (Baal):
Code:
Aldur's Deception                   4.5
Alma Negra                          8.8
Andariel's Visage                   4.1
Arachnid Mesh                       5.6
Arioc's Needle                      2.2
Arkaine's Valor                     7.4
Astreon's Iron Ward               230.4
Azurewrath                          7.5
Baranar's Star                      3.1
Blackoak Shield                     5.6
Blood Raven's Charge                6.5
Bloodmoon                            3.1
Boneflame                          11.0
Bonehew                             2.2
Boneshade                           7.5
Bul-Kathos' Sacred Charge          32.6
Bul-Kathos' Tribal Guardian        32.6
Cerebus' Bite                      10.6
Cranebeak                           4.5
Credendum                           1.7
Crown of Ages                      93.9
Dangoon's Teaching                  1.3
Dark Adherent                       1.6
Darkforce Spawn                   172.2
Death Cleaver                      76.8
Death's Fathom                    140.9
Death's Web                       231.0
Demon Limb                          2.6
Demon's Arch                        3.1
Demonhorn's Edge                    7.6
Djinn Slayer                        3.1
Doombringer                         5.4
Dracul's Grasp                      5.7
Dragonscale                        19.5
Eaglehorn                           5.4
Earth Shifter                      76.8
Eschuta's Temper                    4.4
Ethereal Edge                       2.4
Executioner's Justice              76.8
Firelizard's Talons                 5.0
Flamebellow                         3.1
Fleshripper                         6.1
Frostwind                           6.1
Gargoyle's Bite                    76.8
Ghostflame                         76.8
Giant Skull                        10.7
Gimmershred                         2.6
Griffon's Eye                      93.9
Griswold's Honor                   94.7
Griswold's Redemption              97.7
Griswold's Valor                   39.8
Gut Siphon                          6.1
Halaberd's Reign                   11.0
Harlequin Crest                     3.9
Head Hunter's Glory                 7.4
Heaven's Light                      9.3
Hellrack                            2.5
Hellslayer                          2.5
Horizon's Tornado                   5.4
Immortal King's Soul Cage          39.8
Immortal King's Stone Crusher       1.0
Jade Talon                          2.9
Lacerator                           4.5
Laying of Hands                     1.4
Leviathan                           6.0
Lightsabre                          2.5
M'avina's Caster                    5.5
M'avina's Embrace                   2.5
M'avina's True Sight               39.8
Mang Song's Lesson                230.4
Marrowwalk                          4.7
Medusa's Gaze                       6.0
Messerschmidt's Reaver              6.1
Naj's Light Plate                   3.2
Naj's Puzzler                       3.2
Natalya's Mark                     38.7
Natalya's Shadow                    1.7
Nightwing's Veil                    6.0
Nord's Tenderizer                   3.4
Nosferatu's Coil                    6.3
Ondal's Almighty                    2.5
Ondal's Wisdom                      7.5
Ormus' Robes                        3.7
Ravenlore                          19.5
Razor's Edge                        3.4
Rune Master                         3.1
Sandstorm Trek                      3.7
Sazabi's Cobalt Redeemer            2.6
Sazabi's Ghost Liberator            3.1
Schaefer's Hammer                  15.3
Shadow Dancer                      93.9
Shadow Killer                       2.3
Soul Drainer                        6.3
Spike Thorn                         6.3
Spirit Keeper                      13.7
Spirit Ward                        10.7
Steel Carapace                     10.6
Steel Pillar                       76.8
Steel Shade                         6.3
Steelrend                          93.9
Stone Crusher                       6.1
Stoneraven                          5.8
Stormlash                          16.2
Stormshield                         4.7
Stormspire                         76.8
Taebaek's Glory                     4.5
Tal Rasha's Guardianship            4.5
Templar's Might                    93.9
The Cranium Basher                 76.8
The Gladiator's Bane                4.7
The Grandfather                    76.8
The Reaper's Toll                   3.1
The Redeemer                        9.3
Thunderstroke                       4.5
Tomb Reaver                         4.5
Trang-Oul's Girth                   4.5
Trang-Oul's Guise                   4.5
Tyrael's Might                    422.5
Veil of Steel                       6.0
Verdungo's Hearty Cord              4.1
Viperfork                           2.5
Warshrike                           5.4
Widowmaker                          4.5
Windforce                          76.8
Windhammer                          2.4
Wizardspike                         2.2
Wolfhowl                            7.0
Wraith Flight                       4.5
Please note that only S&Us from Baal or his wave minions qualify.

S&U score table for category 2 (everything else):
Code:
Aldur's Deception                   3.3
Alma Negra                          9.1
Andariel's Visage                   4.3
Arachnid Mesh                       5.9
Arioc's Needle                      2.3
Arkaine's Valor                     7.8
Astreon's Iron Ward                27.8
Azurewrath                          7.8
Baranar's Star                      3.2
Blackoak Shield                     5.9
Blood Raven's Charge                6.7
Bloodmoon                           3.3
Boneflame                          10.4
Bonehew                             2.3
Boneshade                           7.9
Bul-Kathos' Sacred Charge           3.8
Bul-Kathos' Tribal Guardian         3.8
Cerebus' Bite                      11.0
Cranebeak                           4.3
Credendum                           1.7
Crown of Ages                      10.7
Dangoon's Teaching                  1.3
Dark Adherent                       1.6
Darkforce Spawn                    19.3
Death Cleaver                       9.3
Death's Fathom                     16.8
Death's Web                        27.9
Demon Limb                          2.8
Demon's Arch                        3.3
Demonhorn's Edge                    7.9
Djinn Slayer                        3.2
Doombringer                         5.7
Dracul's Grasp                      5.9
Dragonscale                        14.6
Eaglehorn                           5.7
Earth Shifter                       9.3
Eschuta's Temper                    4.6
Ethereal Edge                       2.5
Executioner's Justice               9.3
Firelizard's Talons                 5.2
Flamebellow                         3.3
Fleshripper                         4.6
Frostwind                           4.6
Gargoyle's Bite                     9.3
Ghostflame                          9.3
Giant Skull                         8.1
Gimmershred                         2.8
Griffon's Eye                      10.7
Griswold's Honor                    9.8
Griswold's Redemption              11.3
Griswold's Valor                    4.3
Gut Siphon                          4.6
Halaberd's Reign                   10.4
Harlequin Crest                     4.1
Head Hunter's Glory                 7.8
Heaven's Light                      9.8
Hellrack                            2.6
Hellslayer                          2.6
Horizon's Tornado                   5.7
Immortal King's Soul Cage           4.3
Immortal King's Stone Crusher       1.0
Jade Talon                          3.0
Lacerator                           4.3
Laying of Hands                     1.4
Leviathan                           5.7
Lightsabre                          2.6
M'avina's Caster                    5.2
M'avina's Embrace                   2.3
M'avina's True Sight                4.3
Mang Song's Lesson                 27.8
Marrowwalk                          5.0
Medusa's Gaze                       5.7
Messerschmidt's Reaver              4.6
Naj's Light Plate                   3.1
Naj's Puzzler                       3.1
Natalya's Mark                      4.3
Natalya's Shadow                    1.7
Nightwing's Veil                    5.7
Nord's Tenderizer                   3.5
Nosferatu's Coil                    6.6
Ondal's Almighty                    2.3
Ondal's Wisdom                      7.8
Ormus' Robes                        3.9
Ravenlore                          14.6
Razor's Edge                        3.6
Rune Master                         3.2
Sandstorm Trek                      3.9
Sazabi's Cobalt Redeemer            1.9
Sazabi's Ghost Liberator            3.1
Schaefer's Hammer                  11.6
Shadow Dancer                      10.7
Shadow Killer                       2.4
Soul Drainer                        6.6
Spike Thorn                         6.6
Spirit Keeper                      14.2
Spirit Ward                         8.1
Steel Carapace                      8.1
Steel Pillar                        9.3
Steel Shade                         6.6
Steelrend                          10.7
Stone Crusher                       4.6
Stoneraven                          6.0
Stormlash                          17.0
Stormshield                         5.0
Stormspire                          9.3
Taebaek's Glory                     3.3
Tal Rasha's Guardianship            3.2
Templar's Might                    10.7
The Cranium Basher                  9.3
The Gladiator's Bane                4.9
The Grandfather                     9.3
The Reaper's Toll                   3.3
The Redeemer                        9.8
Thunderstroke                       4.7
Tomb Reaver                         4.3
Trang-Oul's Girth                   3.2
Trang-Oul's Guise                   3.3
Tyrael's Might                     48.2
Veil of Steel                       5.7
Verdungo's Hearty Cord              4.3
Viperfork                           2.6
Warshrike                           5.7
Widowmaker                          4.3
Windforce                           9.3
Windhammer                          2.5
Wizardspike                         2.3
Wolfhowl                            7.3
Wraith Flight                       4.3
These S&U scores apply to drops from every other monster outside category 1.

Rune score table for both categories:
Hel 0.5
Io 0.7
Lum 0.9
Ko 1.3
Fal 1.7
Lem 2.6
Pul 3.4
Mal 5.0
Um 5.1
Gul 7.1
Ist 7.5
Ohm 10.1
Vex 10.6
Sur 13.7
Lo 15.1
Jah 18.3
Ber 20.5
Cham 27.5
Zod 71.8

Only direct rune drops count (no cubing allowed).
Rune scores apply to all rune drops, regardless of source (including chests and poppables) and whether it actually reflects rarity relations in respect of the various sources.

FYI: Notes/reasoning on categories and scoring:
I’m hoping to get players on board that are currently running Baal or planning to for various reasons (e.g. XP gain), hence a separate category and S&U scoring system for them.

S&U scoring in category 2 is a very simplified approach, chosen to avoid overcomplicating things. It does not always reflect the rarity of an item from a specific source, which may or may not influence your decision on which targets to run. However, points accurately reflect rarity for the most promising MF targets. Chances are most people will run lvl 85 areas in any case.

Rare S&U finds from Baal will provide significantly more points in relation to runes than for the second category, but then again they are still rarer after all... so I figured we'll not adjust the rune score for Baal category as high runes in all probability will end up being top 5 items in any case.

REPORTING RESULTS
For each 20h batch, we will count only the five highest scoring items. That means either S&Us, runes, or any combination thereof, depending on which items score the highest.

If you ran multiple sets, you may only submit the result of one of them.

Please PM your results to me immediately after you finished running.

Example as to how a reported result should like like:
  • Tyrael’s Might 48.2
  • Cham 27.5
  • Stormlash 17.0
  • Sur 13.7
  • Griffon’s Eye 10.7
  • Total: 117.1
Please do not post any screenshots/other spoilers about qualifiers for the duration of the tournament (anywhere on these forums). You are most welcome and encouraged to post them in the results thread of course!

REWARDS
Eternal glory. No more, no less!

THAT'S IT!
I realize sign-up is on short notice, but hey: We’re running for 4 weeks and count drops within 20h sets, so even if you join a couple of days later, please do! There’s plenty of time to get in a good amount of running and your winning chances will be just the same.

I’m hopeful we’ll see a good amount of build/target variety and many nice drops as a result.

GL & HF!
 
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Category 1 (Baal)
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Category 2 (everything else)
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ffs


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Looking forward to this! Given both S&Us and runes count towards the score, what are you going to run? A few approaches/ideas maybe:
  • Pure MF: The usual P1 MF suspects come to mind, such as Pit Berserker/Sing, AT Blizzy or FB Sorc… sure a Tyrael’s with some additions will likely net you the win, but otherwise, are you confident enough in your char and RNG to beat a Cham/Zod/Jah set with what is likely just going to be S&Us?
  • Pure RF: The opposite approach. Hit Travincal with Blizzy or slaughter thousands of cows with your Java, Necro or Assassin… but how do you beat the guy that does find Tyrael’s, Astreon’s and DWeb? Can you really count on those Zod/Cham drops?
  • Combined MF/RF: Drop some MF, add some killing power, and you may just have your cake and eat it, too. One can stick to the MF-focused areas and run something like P7 Pit or Pindle with Java, Necro, Nova Sorc, or WW Barb.. How about P7 AT with a strong Sorc? Pally or Sorc running CS or WSK? Possible builds and targets are endless.
In any case, I have high hopes we'll see some interesting ideas unfold!

This is a new format that hasn't been used in the past, so if there's any questions or need for clarification feel free to ask/point it out!
 
Can we run multiple characters in a 20h set? So I could do 10h with a Barb in Trav, then 10h in the ATs with a Blizz sorc for example?
 
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Can we run multiple characters in a 20h set? So I could do 10h with a Barb in Trav, then 10h in the ATs with a Blizz sorc for example?
Yes, absolutely!

I plan to do that myself, and it could even make sense to shift focus from MF to RF (or vice versa) depending on how drops are progressing...
 
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I've been gloating about the Tesladin I made and his ability to run Baal so I'm pretty much obliged to sign up for Category 1. Also it's been years since I've actually run Baal. This will be fun!

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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog

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Category 2 (everything else)
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ffs


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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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Category 2 (everything else)
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ffs


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Iam super hyped for this. My first Tournament.
Thank to everyone making this possible and for the simple and including rules.
I will start a little late to the party cuz a family trip from saturday to sunday is coming up.
Did it get this right? After I finish a 20h set i Pm you my finds with the score but no screenshots?
 
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Joining with my UT sorc running CS. There is a chance i will include nihla when i get to 98 ^^

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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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Category 2 (everything else)
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ffs
ResTTe

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Despite the new system that allows for focused mf or focused rf, I'm betting pitnecro is king. That being said, I don't want to run him for 20 hours, so not sure what I'll do! Knowing myself, probably switch to some p1 sorc. But if I can find a decent barb map today or tm, may continue singer runs. @ffs maybe should add a note near the top about late joiners being welcome. Looking forward to it!

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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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Category 2 (everything else)
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ffs
ResTTe
Luhkoh

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@Pax1990 Yes just the score will suffice when reporting a set, but of course you don't have to report it immediately if you're going for another set! :) Screenshot are not required (and more importantly not allowed to be posted publicly before the tournament is over).

I think I'll focus more on MF and switch between characters a lot. Will likely start with some beefed up AT Sorc to handle P5 or P7. Planning to switch to P1 MF once a handful of Jah+ runes dropped :p AT Fire Sorc, AT Conc Barb, Pit Berserker and Pit Singer will probably all see some action. Might try to get a few HoR entries in there as well.
 
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Planning to switch to P1 MF once a handful of Jah+ runes dropped :p
Hmm see I think this is interesting. This "midway switch" made sense ofc when we need to have a score for both runes and s/u's. But does it make sense to switch from rf to mf once some runes have dropped in this format? After all, more jahs (or higher chance for zod) will only help. It's an interesting question I think.
 
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@Luhkoh Entirely personal reasons for that, I'll just focus on MF because I'm still looking for Tyrael's, and could use a few better rolls on certain S&Us. Of course still want to compete for a good score, though. :) I do think at least a couple of high scoring runes are easier to farm than similarly high scoring S&Us, so I'll start with a mixed approach, but that's just the gamble I chose to go with. :)

In theory I'd give a very small edge to a dedicated Cow or Trav runner. It just seems slightly more realistic to break into +/- 100 territory with runes rather than with S&Us. We get higher top scores in rune finding competitions than during MFOs in any case. But really, the random Cham+ drop will beat an average S&U set, and a 27+ point S&U will beat an average rune set... So yeah, it will simply come down to that lucky drop...
 
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@ffs makes complete sense to me! I too am employing a self-serving strategy of more mf than rf. Would much rather find a grailer than any rune. ...might have been why I suggested the new scoring system in the first place :p.

I think I'm going to spend the ~5hours finishing up my arcane runs for the runefinding tour to start my first set, then do 10 hours of pitnecro. I think he will be the best for the tourney and will double dip for runefinding tour again ofc. But despite thinking p7 pitnecro is maybe the coolest and most complete wealth-building character there is, I still haven't managed to fall in love with playing him. So after the ten hours will likely return to getting some runs in on my barb as beast-singer IF i can roll an acceptable map on him today or tm. That will probably take me halfway into a second set, and at that point will see if the set started off well enough to finish. If so, not sure what I'll do that final half with. Haha that's the current plan. Keeping my plans convoluted and complex as usual ;).
 
For real...i'll be going for at least a set in Category 2, would have made a Cat 1 too if my HC characters had access to Enigma, which is not the case. I would have tried a CS set too, but i have no Infinity nor Hammerdin ready.

Anyway, thanks for hosting @ffs!


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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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Category 2 (everything else)
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ffs
ResTTe
Luhkoh
Babyhell

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Awesome, sounds fun! Like @Luhkoh said, this seems like a Pit necro could do very well (though I agree with @ffs that a dedicated rune hunter - cows or Trav - is likely the highest odds approach). Mass destruction plus the ability to carry MF? Yes please!

I'll likely switch between my SC Pit necro and my HC CS Hammerdin, depending on how worried I want to be of dying.

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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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ffs
ResTTe
Luhkoh
Babyhell
Pb_pal

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I'm leaning towards WSK Bliz Sorc- fun area with good monster diversity. Though that MF run counter might motivate me to run some of the other areas..

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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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ffs
ResTTe
Luhkoh
Babyhell
Pb_pal
Nano

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Great, a Tournament without many restrictions! :)

Time to put my MF/RF Javazon back to work! I will mostly farm at WSK, Throne Room and Chaos Sanctuary.
I like farming Baal and his waves but seriously his waves drop nothing but potions.

Is there specific way(rule) to count our time?

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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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ffs
ResTTe
Luhkoh
Babyhell
Pb_pal
Nano
Excalibur

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Please state your forum name to sign up:

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Category 1 (Baal)
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J-Dog
Pax1990

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Category 2 (everything else)
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ffs
ResTTe
Luhkoh
Babyhell
Pb_pal
Nano
Excalibur
maxicek

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Probably going CS with a Hammerdin but may switch to Trav at some point. May even hit Big D for a few Burning Essences whilst I am at it.
 
Oh no, @Nano running WSK... we're doomed... ;)

@Excalibur You can track time in whichever way you want. Most people use run counter.

I might just go for P7 Pit Nova Sorc to start things off. Haven't played her since RFL (posted about her RFL performance here), still think she's a top tier AoE Pit runner.
 
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