48x

[Electric_Zen]

I had previously assumed that your own multiplier and your band multiplier would be additive: that is, if you have a 4X multiplier on guitar, and your band triggers the 8X, you would be operating on a whopping 12X score multiplier as long as overdrive is in effect (and you don't miss a note!).

But I just noticed Dan's post from a few days ago on Scorehero:
http://www.scorehero.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=483978#483978

The multipliers are not additive. They compound.

If you are rocking a 6X multiplier on base, and your whole band knocks it into overdrive, you are playing with a 48X multiplier.

That's freaking insane.

It also raises some minor balancing issues. For example, a band that can FC a song on medium will completely destroy a better band that kicks it, say, at 96% on Expert, but breaks their combos just enough to avoid getting those out-of-control multipliers.

Edit: On the other hand, it is pretty cool that Harmonix provides a monster rewards for groups that can hit those perfect 'band moments'. It's certainly in keeping with the philosophy of the game.

[Bakkster]

It also raises some minor balancing issues. For example, a band that can FC a song on medium will completely destroy a better band that kicks it, say, at 96% on Expert, but breaks their combos just enough to avoid getting those out-of-control multipliers.

Edit: On the other hand, it is pretty cool that Harmonix provides a monster rewards for groups that can hit those perfect 'band moments'. It's certainly in keeping with the philosophy of the game.

It also means that when I start FC'ing on bass, I could single-handedly (well, with overdrive support from my band-mates) get multi-million point scores. I'm just waiting to tease the guitar player about how he's not pulling his weight :D

[HeXcoda]

In the Battle of the Bands writeups, they mention that their drummer knocks it down to Medium to ensure a solid streak and thus more points, and that they actually won a round with that strategy. So yeah, this seems to be true.

It may be imbalanced but I like it a lot more than GH3's coop, where the streak meter relies on BOTH players being perfect for long periods of time. If one blows a note, both lose their combos. Imagine that with four people! It's impractical to assume they can all keep it going, and even if each one only blows a note every now and then, the compound effect is that there's never a good streak going at any time and the overall score will stink.

Plus, this may mean I get less random jerks going "Only BABIES play on medium, NOOB" whenever I dare to go online with my meager skills. :) Not all of us can five star Dragonforce, okay? We should be allowed to have fun, too!

[ThePaska]

48x? Thats a whole lot! I also assumed that it was additive. Anyways there is definately going to be a lot of strategy in everyone activating their overdrive at once. It will really come down to when the drums and vox get it, and then the guitar and bass just activate at that time.

[McDeezy]

48x is a little ridiculous!

[Bakkster]

48x is crazy awesome!

Fixed it for ya ;)

Besides, to get this your band has to be pretty coordinated: you need to overdrive at the same time (might be hard for vocalist and drummer) AND keep up impressive streaks. Once you get it, let the bragging begin :D

[BiffMan]

What is the maxiumum multiplier if all 4 band mates are in overdrive? Does it go 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, or does it go 2,4,8,16? I've seen screenshots showing a 16x band multiplier, but those may not have represented the final build. If we do in fact get 16x, then you're looking at 96x points for the bass player...

[BiffMan]

Nevermind, the only screenshots I can find (like http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/879/879549/img_4701907.html) with a 16x multiplier are from August or further back, and I see ample recent screenshots with 8x when all 4 members are on overdrive, so looks like that was changed.

[sporkBrigade]

Nevermind, the only screenshots I can find (like http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/879/879549/img_4701907.html) with a 16x multiplier are from August or further back, and I see ample recent screenshots with 8x when all 4 members are on overdrive, so looks like that was changed.

Probably for this exact reason that we're discussing. 16x would have been insane.

I personally like it. Guitar Hero has always rewarded the ability to keep a streak alive over straight percentage. It sounds like they've just tweaked it from co-op in GH2. There, you were penalized in the sense that every mistake resulted in a lost streak for everyone involved. Now, instead, they're balancing it with rewards. You can keep your own streak alive easier now, but the rewards for streaks combined with timing your overdrives is tremendous. I see no problem with that.