Zamuel
-
Posts
2194 -
Joined
-
Been consistently working Sundays so it's a shame I missed this. Hope it went well.
-
Quote:Being given 3 stars seems fair. I see the Abandoned Sewer Trial got listed three times. However, while the pug stalker who grabbed three guns got listed and two of the rage quitters, the "I'm a Defender, I don't have to read chat" guy didn't seem to be on there. I am disappoint.Originally Posted by TexasLonghorne
Anyone else Ctrl+F to get right to their own rating?
I find this far funnier than I probably should.Quote:Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
-
I may try though if available I'll be late.
-
I just...I don't know.
Been thinking lately. While there were good times and had fun with it, there was a fair bit of frustration. A number of times I felt like I was wasting time (and money) and I knew I wound up taking a few things personally. Still, I'm grateful for all the people who labored to improve the system. -
I dunno. I tend to play fighting games but I'm essentially "behind" since I'm out of practice and haven't played much new stuff.
Been in a pen and paper RPG campaign for the past few weeks.
I have some stuff I've bought that I've never played so I may or may not start some of them up.
Maybe play some homebrew stuff. This includes a game I released but there's the whole no advertising thing so not getting into it here.
*shrug* -
Kinda disappointing that the day I decide to log back in to another game I had been away from, this one announces closure. Sorta bummed but trying to keep a level head. Guess that means I've got less time to get caught up on content than I thought.
-
It's probably way too late in the development cycle but I wonder if it would be possible to add an extra reskin of the School Backpack using these tattered textures as an additional part of this set.
-
Don't think he is. There's a few individual mobs missing here and there, a few level ranges that never got properly expanded, and at least one whole enemy group missing.
-
While it could be argued that they should be added to the editor (which I agree with), it would still seem like they should make costume pieces and temp powers available for ticket rolls if not direct purchases.
-
Animus Arcana will be added whenever I24 hits. Likewise for the lanterns within the Drudges.
Dwarf and Nova Kheldians are available as bosses in the Nictus group.
The Assault Bot from Mastermind Robotics is available for boss fights though some of the weapons might be problematic.
Winter Horde might work.
Will o' the Wisp are within the Red Caps.
If robots are okay, you just might be able to use the costume creator for your uses and use sets like Columb2 suggested such as Sonic.
If xp isn't a concern, you could potentially setup a non combat mission based around leading an ally out or finding a glowy. Particularly if you find an interesting map for it. -
I'm actually going to break things into categories.
Favorite Map: Eden Trial
The sheer scale and massiveness of the map makes it an impressive romp, especially on the occasions when the team is willing to kick back and take it all in rather than just speed run it in under 10 minutes. I'm thankful that the first one I ran was treated as a defeat all so I got to actually enjoy it.
Honorable Mention: Silver Mantis SF (final map)...well, redside as a whole
The SF as a whole isn't much to write home about and it doesn't have the same impact now as when I first encountered it but assaulting the Sky Raider base has always been exciting. I think the fact that it's actually dynamic with the whole place catching fire as you attack combined with the sunken cruise ship off to the side that really sold it. It's actually a pretty drastic difference when compared to doing the basic story arc version of the base or physically going to it in Sharkhead. Redside as a whole tends to handle big finishes better ranging from demons in a volcano to fighting the eye of a gigantic entity.
Favorite Ally: Jade Spider (Mender Silos SF)
I've always found it ironic that I'm arachnophobic yet I like spider themed characters like Spiderman. There was something pretty awesome about having one of the largest GMs in the game fighting alongside you, especially since she has a secondary form.
Favorite Challenge: Abandoned Sewer Trial
It's one TF where it feels like you actually have to work together as a team, rather than just a bunch of people sharing xp. Due to a built in timer, it's one of the few that can outright fail. While that's not for everyone, it can make some things pretty exciting and PUGs tend to walk away with a new experience. One particular run I remember the group feeling down and not thinking we would make it but after pushing it we managed to pull through with just 1 second on the clock.
Favorite Boss Fight: Reischman pre GR (Barracuda SF)
For all of the complaints it used to get, for the longest time it was one of few things in the game that actually felt like you were fighting a super villain as opposed to just fighting some dude who didn't die as fast as everything else. Unique mechanics, a powerful big bad, and a constant incoming stream of enemies made it pretty exciting. Somewhere around GR it seemed like the temps and the sizes of the ambush waves got subtly adjusted plus the Incarnate system dulled down the encounter's impressiveness.
Honorable Mentions: Leviathan (Operative Renault SF), Battle Maiden (Apex TF)
Over the course of the Leviathan boss fight it slowly descends into chaos with multiple tornado summons and ambush waves. Battle Maiden added a mechanic to keep people moving and on their toes.
Best Overall: Mortimer Kal SF
While I feel the final map could stand to have a different layout, I agree with many that MKSF just feels right in how it was made. Decent pace, well timed cutscenes, and an overall proactive feel help it stand above many others.
Favorite Failed Mechanic: Reactor Trial
I like the idea since protecting something feels a bit more heroic and I wish there were more missions like it. It's just that the current state of the attack waves reduces what seems like it could be a different yet fun kind of battle.
Honorable Mention: Reischman boss fight (Barracuda SF)
Just because I like it, doesn't mean I can't see its flaws. Reischman has way too much HP, the temps aren't explained well, and there's a few fundamental flaws with the way some of the temps were designed. -
Quote:Adding onto that, I thought Flash Arrow was lower than other to hit debuffs but was trading that out because it wasn't subject to the AVs purple patch.Originally Posted by Adeon Hawkwood
Personally I think people tend to underestimate Flash Arrow. Yes it is weak compared to other To Hit Debuffs available to Defenders but it's still pretty useful and unlike the rest it isn't a toggle. If you slot it up then it's a 9.3% To Hit Debuff which basically means an extra 9.3% Defense for you. Additionally since it's not a toggle you can use Power Boost or Power Build Up before casting it to give it a bit more oomph (plus both of these powers enhance EMP Arrow so they're handy for a TA/A anyway).
If you take Power Boost then you can do this at least every other spawn and possibly more depending on your Global Recharge. Power Build Up is up less but I like it for the added flexibility since I use it for the damage buff on RoA in cases where I don't need the extra To Hit Debuff or Hold Duration (plus Force of Nature is an AWESOME power for a Defender). -
Quote:Hopefully so. Pretty sure there would be plenty in the AE community willing to help with any small fixes if something off was noticed.Originally Posted by SlickRiptide
Troy, I have to imagine that if you asked nicely that someone at the studio would mail you the original files and that you could recreate it under your personal account.
-
Quote:Pretty sure it's a combination of numbers/min-max + "but I don't wanna play a Stalker". Kinda annoying they expect it to go that way yet Stalkers won't get things like Shield but nothing can be done about that.Originally Posted by Nalrok_AthZim
I don't get the Ninjitsu for Scrappers crowd. The thematic powers just don't work, and at least 2 would need to be changed.
-
Quote:A few broke when the new profanity/copyright filter was added. Note: This filter would block publishing an arc with some common words (with the assumption that they were names of Marvel/DC characters) and also blocked some of CoH's own canon character names. They probably removed them outright since unlike a glitchy enemy or two, this might have forced some rewrites. It's disappointing that they didn't at least tell the authors that they had been removed but then again we tend to never get a straight answer when we ask about it and it seems the AE community is never in attendance during the various Meet & Greets.Originally Posted by Clave_Dark_5
After they started making changes to enemy groups, among other things*, many arcs became unplayable. Asking all the authors to come back and spend time on fixing silly stuff was probably too embarrassing.
*There was some other change that was made and all those arcs disappeared at the same time, but I can't recall what it was right now. :P -
Global Handle: @Zamuel
Vindicator: Ms. Liberty
Why: Unlike the other outfit I did, this leaned more classic than modern in design. Added the cape and "Greek" hair in order to represent Statesman and his power source. Liberty Bell logo moved from her belt to her chest.
-----
Vindicator: Valkyrie
Why: All things considered, Valkyrie's original look is probably too clean. While it was an act that saved her life, she was overtaken by nanites that went as far as partially rewriting her personality. With this I opted to add circuitry and an asymmetrical design to show someone with a suit that grew out of them as opposed to someone who is simply wearing wearing armor.
-----
Vindicator: Infernal
Why: Opted to make Infernal look somewhat nice. His weapons and armor a fused with demons but you could assume that Infernal himself probably needs to be pure at heart in order to keep evil at bay. It also brings a different vibe where he's not scary because of being imposing. He's scary because he's not.
-----
Vindicator: Luminary
Why: If Luminary is slowly developing a personality, it seems like she might drift towards trying to appear more human. Slowly designing a synthetic skin so she fits in with people more but she'd probably still be proud to acknowledge her robotic heritage in her physical redesign.
-----
Vindicator: Swan
Why: Still attempting to have a Swan look that shows skin but is better than the old.
-----
Vindicator: Mynx
Why: Attempted to give her more of a female boxer type vibe with her look. Made her more catlike plus gave her "cool" shades for a bit of a stylistic difference from the rest of the group.
-----
Vindicator: Aurora Borealis
Why: This is a modified version of something I was working on for a reworked Mother Mayhem design. The idea was/is to give her a look that actually says "motherly" unlike her other one. I tweaked it a bit more in the hopes of giving it a more soft and comforting vibe. Wisps aura to actually live up to her namesake and have some sort of mystical light around her. -
Quote:I actually don't mind this since Countess Crey is supposed to mostly keep her hands clean. It could stand to have a cutscene of some form at least acknowledging that she's purposely staying out of the way. It would also be nice if the later story arc where you do take her down was easier to get.Originally Posted by Wicked_Wendy
Okay I did say it was a two for one ... through out the entire TF we supposedly are chasing down Countess Crey and when we enter the final mission who o we get to battle? Hopkins her bodyguard. Now at some poit this guy may have actually been a threat but these days its embarassing how fast almost any team can defeat him. I know I am NOT the only person that feels this way because I have been part of a lot of short after TF discussions.. How about letting us actually fight Countess Crey!
As far as Hopkins...yeah, he needs a buff. -
Adding onto that, villains also have the option to take generic, non-Arachnos pools similar to heroes.
-
Arc Name: Dhahabu Kingdom and the Indelible Curse of Hate
Arc ID: 367872
Faction: Heroic
Creator Global: @Zamuel
Synopsis: A hero's work with the Portal Corporation doesn't just spread through Paragon. Other dimensions need help as destiny has decreed you to be their savior. Aid Queen Auri as the Dhahabu Kingdom fights to stop an evil curse from destroying all she holds dear. -
- Time Manipulation, Beam Rifle, Street Justice, Titan Weapons, Darkness Control, Staff Fighting and Beast Mastery will be added for custom enemies
- The following enemy groups will be added: Animus Arcana, Black Knights, The Drudges, Spirit Stalkers. Animus Arcana in particular seem like they would be useful for us in AE since an option for non human enemies/allies.
I'd suggest those with Beta access to come help test things. AE traditionally tends to get less testing attention compared to the various new shinies in an issue. -
Furthermore, if someone is manually selecting powers as opposed to just picking Standard/Hard/Extreme, most fire based powers on custom critters have a higher xp worth than other damage types.
-
Dhahabu Kingdom and the Indelible Curse of Hate has been fixed...again. Completely rebuilt the enemy group in the fourth mission and had to swap a few other things around due to the high level Banish Pantheon update.
-
Been a while. Hope no one revolts with a
Robolution
#540585 by @Ankylosaur
Story and structure
One thing about arcs is "voice". You want contacts to have a personality but you don't want them to be annoying (unless that's the goal). Constantly using "bots" as opposed to 'robots' struck me as an odd choice. It seemed fine for Freakshow but didn't sound like something an Arachnos agent or members of the Sky Raiders would say. I obviously can't say it's outright wrong but it's one of those things that struck me as weird.
Your arc slightly runs into the difficulty of writing villain missions. While the contact is respectful, you don't seem to have much of a motive after the 4th mission ends since you've already completed your job and presumably been paid. It does seem like a simple fix though. In one of the previous intro/outro popups, note how there's a possibility that these robots might be useful to your plans. Word it right and it gives vague enough motive without being too immersion breaking. I'm on the fence on some of the "Accept" text lines. They seem incredibly dry but adding too much more might be out of character for some players.
Started a little slow but otherwise had a decent pace and plot. I just happen to have a small personal bias against outdoor maps but that's purely me and you did use them to good effect. Nice design on the customs. Speaking of which, I noticed you used a number of custom versions of standard mobs with the Sky Raiders being the most obvious. I'm assuming that this was due to level range though they worked well for the arc.
A number of named standard bosses had the default bios. Change isn't required but just something I noticed.
In mission 4, the objective "Lead Arachnobot Destroyer to Entrance (after defeating AV & EB)" doesn't seem like it needs the part in parentheses since the AV placement makes it almost not to encounter them on the way out.
Spelling and grammar
Mission 1 Clue Interrogating Crey Bot Protector Adams
Adams remembered the Arachnobot Destroyer Prototype. He told you: "The Sky Raiders used Skiffs to take the beat up Arachnos Destroyer Prototype as salvage.
Once again, a "voice" thing. Seems like "damaged" would be better than "beat up" but it's not incorrect as is.
Mission 2 Clue Arachnobot Barter
Officer Tang revealed: "Sure, I remember the salvaged Arachnobot. <-- add the comma
Mission 3 sendoff
Should they treat you as the later, feel free to destroy any tech they are trading. As likely as not it is stolen Arachnos technology and not theirs to profit from.
should be
Should they treat you as the latter, feel free to destroy any tech they are trading. More likely than not it is stolen Arachnos technology and not theirs to profit from.
[NPC] Rogue Orb Weaver Johanssen: Tell Marshal Blitz I am impressed, and I will deliver a purchase order to the Sky Raiders for the new Assault Bot. The Sky Raiders also have a salvaged Arachnobot Destroyer Prototype they are selling, but I have not had a chance to evaluate it yet. If it works, I say we buy it. <--remove commas
Clue Arachnobot Destroyer for Sale
Rogue Orb Weaver Johanssen told you: "The Sky Raiders offered me a new Arachnobot Destroyer Prototype that they had acquired from Arachnos. I have not seen it yet, but had an appointment to view it down at their base in
about an hour."
Clue The Rogue Robots
Officer Goldstein was quick to explain: "The Sky Raiders are just middle men selling bots for Rogue Council Robots that make the bots. We did trade the Arachnobot Destroyer to the Rogue Robots, but the Rogue Robots are now asking us to find a buyer for it."<--remove commas
[NPC] Vortex Cor Leonis Archon: Do they let kust anyone on Striga these days? <-- "just"
Mission 4
[NPC] Col. Duray: There's reports of Arachnos coming after their Arachnobot. Everyone look ssharp and be ready to retreat. <-- "sharp"
Mission 5 Clue Vandal's Robolution
The Sky Raiders continue to accept and distribute my bots, only because I am not part of the Council. <-- remove comma
outro
Vandal then invented new, better models to orchestrate a return to the Council <-- add comma -
For all of the frustrations we have with Mission Architect, thank you for starting these back up.
-
I forgot to add this here: Don't Auto Spawn - Quick visual how to