_eeek_

They're doing a nice thing at Christmas. They don't have to do anything at all, but they are trying to start up something fun, giving everyone advance notice, and when someone complained that it interfered with their event, they MOVED THE EVENT!

And still people criticize they aren't doing enough.

*facepalm*

For goodness sakes, it's a COSTUME CONTEST! You're not going to win. *I'm* not going to win! Something we both agree is doofy is going to win. Why? Because that's what CC's do! It's in the fine print of the rules, or a by-law or something. Even people you know that have exquisite taste will pick out something dumb when they sponsor a CC. Temporary insanity? Absolute power corrupting absolutely? We may never know! But we all know this is the guaranteed result of a CC.

It just IS.

What we can do is go and have fun. And maybe even say "thanks, it was nice of you, we appreciate your thinking of us." And if you wanted to add "I know we'd all love to see you host a CC on (name your server), too, sometime!" I don't think anyone would be offended in the slightest. Heck, they may even feel inclined to go to (name your server) because all the people they've met from there lately seem so doggone likable.

Wow, fabulous costumes! Samuel, I love the six pack. I didn't know I would love it until I saw it - it looks perfect, just perfect! When I saw your comments previously, I didn't think it had much to do with me. Now I can think of several characters on whom it would look just right! (Also, I like the thicker waist version. Athletic women don't have the nipped in waist, so without being obvious about it, you've made it look her more realistic in the new and improved version.)

Rian, yours almost looks like you tossed a whole bunch of very distinctive costume pieces in a blender, and put on whatever came out... and it looks AMAZING! The more I stare at it, the more I wonder to myself a) how did you even come up with that combination, and b) Good heavens, how on earth did you make it WORK?!! I'm almost jealous (and I'm not the jealous sort) of the ability to use all those items, and find such balance and symmetry.

Organica, you should be in advertising - your action shots showed perfectly showcased exactly what Samuel was saying, without a single word. And that your toon would also look very good with that six pack he "invented", if you were so inclined.

Thanks for sharing, everyone - great fun to see what you've created, and just how it can look for someone else thinking about the set!

The most fun I've had playing the game was when the incarnate Alpha slot and WSTs came out. I dusted off my (appx) gazillion 50's that I never played (I only played them UP to 50, then started a new one), and jumped into all sorts of task forces. Teaming was way up, Task Forces were no longer for the 12 people who knew them inside and out, because everyone else was intimidated by the perceived elitist attitude of those 12. Suddenly, TF's were for everyone, and team leaders were patient with noobs, and everyone laughed a lot, and didn't take any of it too terribly seriously. It was just FUN! And the rewards were great, too. It took a lot of TF's, but you could balance out unbalanced powersets, or min/max to your heart's content. Those Dark Armor toons got ... playable! Holy CRAP!

It was a GLORIOUS!

The next wave of incarnate stuff, the trials, changed that for me. I tried out the trials,
and came to realize that the more trials I did, the alienated I felt. I realized Trials didn't have the same camaraderie I loved, that the smaller-sized TF's do. I'm sure they're full of the same nice people I did TF's with, but it was too big, too depersonalized. I found them to be just a grind - and the reason I never played 50's pre-incarnate, was because I despise grinding.

When I realized why I was getting depressed playing, I stopped doing trials. I don't do them very often now. Maybe once every couple weeks. I do not own a character who even has all the original, post-alpha 4 slots unlocked (when I was doing them, the slots were much harder to unlock. I have a whole slew of characters with 8% of this and that unlocked). This makes me a weaker player, since I'm only +1, and now feel I'm a bit of liability to trial teams. I don't know if I turn right, or turn left to get the acids or the grenades. This on top of my not really enjoying them much.

Double whammy.

I like the Alpha slot stuff a whole lot. I only have 2 more 50's who need a combined total of 5 shards to get their 4th tier Alpha, out of twenty-some 50's.

I care about the Alpha slot. It really makes the character be what it was meant to become. The other slots just give us big, whammy "stuff". Not things that enhance the actual character, but disparate "stuff" to add on top of the character. More endurance for my DA characters makes sense. More pets than a MM on that DA is just "more stuff". (Clarion excepted. It makes total sense to me that a top-notch character should NOT be brought down by a minion with a tier 1 mez).

So, no. Am not enjoying the game nearly as much now. I miss getting to know all of you, and sharing laughs, and getting that excitement of a mission accomplished, yelling out "YAY! We DID IT!", rather than "Ok, gj. Who's up for a Keys?".

I am really hoping that the devs make more actual content for 50's, rather than yet MORE trials, which are just an extra long, glorified fight scene to me.

If I wanted to grind out trials to get gear, I'd play WoW.

Yuck.

If you enjoy the trials, more power to you. Honestly. These are only my feelings, not a judgement on what anyone else enjoys, or how they envision their characters, in any way shape or form. They are not a criticism of the devs who made these things available for everyone, either. Am just answering the OP's question: No, I am not having more fun. I am finding stuff to do until the "more fun" comes along. 'Cause after 5+ years, if there is one thing I have learned, thru all the dull times, the AE exploit times, the where-did-everyone-go times, the "more fun" really does come around again (and again, and again!).

Steelclaw?! Hit 50?!?! I can't BELIEV...glrrkkkkr...kkughhh...

>THUNK<

Ok, thank you so much for the quick response!

I just rolled my first Crab last night, and am really enjoying it. It might even be enough fun to overlook the goofy backpack - WOW! Who knew!?

Anyway, have really enjoyed this thread, and have more than a full page of notes, not including the suggested builds! (I typically use a sticky note for most guidelines)

But I do have a crab-n00b question: is there any reason I shouldn't take hover? Are there any powers that won't work if you're not on the ground? Or do I never see hovering Crabs because, well, spiders don't fly, the crabby backpack looks even sillier, and everyone knows hovering is for sissies?

I enjoy the better vantage point of being above the fray with a ranged attacker. My Crab is dressed in pink, so the sissy thing has already occurred.

Thanks again for the great guide!

-Eeek (aka Mama Longlegs)

*faint*

I don't mean to equivocate, but for myself the answer depends on the set and the pieces offered.

1. Sets: If the sets are designed in such a way that they can be used for multiple purposes, I would prefer the sets.

For recent examples, I have found many, MANY diverse uses for pieces in the steampunk and barbarian packs, despite having neither steampunk nor barabarian characters. The gunslinger pack is so specific in its uses (am female, all female characters), this is an example of a set that isn't useful. Even the more generic-seeming pieces which look useful like the ("shirt" in gunslinger), if they are not useable with any jackets or robes, and can't be used as a layering pieces, these kinds of things are useless to me. (and for the record, I WANT MY 40 PP BACK! LOL)

2, Pieces: if they came out with a bundle/pack of say, hats and shoes/boots, I would be ALL OVER THAT PACK! Ankle boots? You BET! Hats that are flattering, like a beret or derby that doesn't look like a big rock fell on your head and flattened it? YES! Add in some ornate chest pieces like, say, big Egyptian neck pieces? Add maybe shoulder piece asps curling around my biceps? *fans self* No, I don't need an Egyptian character to find a way to use this, and yeah, I would beat a path to the Paragon Store, up to and including using violent means should anyone get in my way.

-Eeek

PS I also, I never, EVER use a whole set altogether. I find the thought of it just... somehow embarrassing. I get that "embarrassed-for" cringe when I see people running around in the full set right after some new pack is released. I do not wish to cause that same cringe in others, so I do try to mix things up creatively. I love to look at costumes and see what interesting and unique other people have come up with!

PPS Can I add that I am LOVING the option of purchasing items a la carte? The Thorns set is not my cup of tea at all, but I just adore the belt and the plain version of the shoulder bits. How great is it that they let us just buy the stuff we like, when something isn't to our tastes? GOOD ONE, DEVS!

You know, I think we're all talking at cross purposes here. Despite the arguing, I don't think we disagree all that much when it comes right down to it.

In my CoH wardrobe, I currently own a bottoms piece which consists entirely of a little bit of netting, and a heart covering my vagina. Honest. Not only this, but someone thought this was a nifty enough idea to remake it, with lovely textures and iridescent sheen to it! I have another couple of costume pieces (bottoms) which deliberately show off my butt crack. And one of those was remade as well, this time with a really nifty, beautiful glossy sheen.

Now, I want to say, right off the bat, that these are esthetically quite lovely items! Someone did a marvelous job on the remaking of these items in particular. I applaud their creators' talent and eye to be able to create such lovely items out of fairly plain wardrobe pieces. And I, too, like the OP has stated, like my female characters to look like females. Some are more feminine than others, but I think all of them show a bit of skin, and with the exception of a couple child characters, none of them wear clothes that could reasonably be worn on a male hero. My characters are female, and have no desire to dress in a masculine fashion. However, that said, there are just some outfits which do not speak "hero" to me. In fact, one speaks quite loudly "I am a bikini wax stencil!", but perhaps I digress.

Mr. MOO, it sounds like you adore your wife, and that is a wonderful thing to see. I can completely understand that you might like her to wear some lingerie, or sexy little something, for special nights at home. But am wondering how comfortable you would feel with Mrs. M, were she to go out shopping wearing one of the above items? Gentlemen, I presume many of you have wives... daughters... mothers. Would you enjoy it if these important women in your life be out doing their daily tasks with plumber's butt? Do you think your daughter should be wearing netting and a heart over her vagina to some special occasion... her prom, maybe? No? Really? But what if this is at the risk of lessening the viewing pleasure of all other men out there who really enjoy a little cheesecake? Should they cover up, or flaunt it, do you think?

I am guessing many of you would not feel comfortable with your mom in a latex cat suit with the top of her bottom showing. I know, I am taking liberties, as you have not answered directly. But I still think you may not be okay with this. Just guessing.

Yes, this is a fantasy game, and thus we can enjoy the "perks" of scanty dressing, without the negative real-life consequences such a wardrobe decision might bring. But at the same time, we do tend to have an affinity for our on-line characters. In some sense, they are an extension of us, even if it's a fantasy vision. We still identify.

If the tables were turned, how many men do you think would choose their male characters to wear mostly nothing but a beautifully textured, iridescent heart over their genitalia? DO any of you feel that nothing says super hero like showing the world your butt-crack? Not many, I am guessing again. I believe any men who would purchase such items to wear, would almost certainly be doing so for a joke - not as clothing for a "real" super hero to wear.

So, this is the situation we women (who are someone's mother, daughter, wife) face when looking at our CoX wardrobe selections. We, too, identify with our characters. I don't believe anyone has said outright or even hinted that the lovely scantily clad options should disappear. Who here wants to champion FEWER costume options? Not I, certainly! Probably not you, either. We are asking, could we please have some OTHER lovely options as well? Could we have items in fabulous textures to be similar in texture to other items, so we can mix and match, perhaps? Could we please have an outfit that says to the world "I AM A SUPER HERO" and not "my goodness, is it particularly breezy out here today??"

Thank you for reading this,
-Eeek (who, on top of being a super hero, is also a mom, a wife, and a daughter)

Yes, that's brilliant! I want a balloon flight ability! Forget the magic carpets. I want a handful of helium balloons!

Oh, yeah, I also want everything everyone else has posted. Well, have no use for a skunk tail. Yet.

When I chose the Weapon Pack, it put Titan Weapons in my cart at the same time. I thought they were all like "oooh, no FREE soup for YOU!"

'Course, I was going to buy the TW at the same time, so it saved me the effort. And made me smile, thinking of the store being clerked by Soup Nazi's.

Hey, wasn't someone just asking about new alien threats??

A few days ago, I purchased the cape and aura unlocks. I don't want to say how long it took me to find those, either, it's just embarrassing. When I couldn't find it in any of the categories that seemed logical to me, I used the search "capes, unlock" - and found myself back to pages and pages of capes that come from costume sets that I already own. *sigh*

I finally found it, but could not tell you where. And the thing is, they were really cheap. 180pp apiece, which I think is a fabulous deal! Real money, that's what - $2.00?

Do I think others out there would be buying this in droves? Yes, I do. But it's hard as heck to find, even when you know exactly what you're looking for. It's only via forum discussion that I understood that this purchase worked on ALL my characters. Forever. That, for around two bucks, I would never have to spend an hour traipsing all over the city on street hunt after street hunt, trying to find Rikti monkeys in Crey's Folly who won't kill me ('cause that is a seriously depressing thing, getting offed by stoopid MONKEYS!), and ending up on rocks outside frigging Terra Volta, to find the only DE I know of I can defeat on a level 30 squishy.

I wonder how many other gems I've bypassed? I really do wonder... but not enough to try to navigate the store again for awhile.

I'm a veteran player, and usually know what I'm looking for when I enter the store, and I still have a difficult time finding what I'm looking for. Today being Tues., I was looking to see if anything new was out, and found I could buy Street Justice. Or, under new, Valkyrie Boots (which I've had for what, 2 years?). Heaven forbid I was a new player. I'd be totally lost! (Whereas, being a vet, am only partially lost )

That's just sort of silly.

I would like to see things like costumes or IO's listed first by bundles/sets, with a sub-file under the bundle/set for the purchase of the individual pieces.

I'd also like to clearly see what I already have, and what I don't have. What about making the "buy now" button red, to show that you have this item, when it's a non-repeatable? For the heck of it, I tried to buy something I knew I had, and found it wouldn't allow me to actually purchase it. That's good! But how about letting me know I can't buy it before I go through 3 or 4 screens? Why not show that you're the honorable folks at Paragon we know you to be, and refuse to let me purchase something I've already got? Or, if it's a repeatable item, offer a prompt saying "you have already purchased this item. Are you sure you want another one?" Honestly, these small things would show an awful lot of good faith for customers. Besides which, if the items were listed as I previously suggested, AND the "buy now" buttons were red, I could very easily identify what I haven't yet purchased in that category. Not only would that be helpful for me, but it would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull to all us collectors who MUST have the complete set!

If I'm not moving too far afield, I find the descriptions of items to be not especially informative. A nice sales pitch in there would be helpful. Don't just tell me what it is. Tell me how I use it, what it does for me, and why I now find that I really need it!

Despite the harshness of the criticisms posted, I really do hope someone is reading this. What the posts are trying to say is PLEASE LET US GIVE YOU MONEY!

I would absolutely pay for the ability to put a second power on auto-fire!

The problem with all my ideas (as well as much of what's been posted so far) is that what I want just isn't repeat purchases.

HOWEVER, speaking to Zwill's comments about generating income without investing an enormous amount of time, what I would purchase that would not be a big time sink for them, are things which have already been created. Some examples:

*the mission teleporter, which has a cool-down of what, 3 hours, or something? Let me get more of those to use during that silly huge cool-down period! I would buy those in a heartbeat! Not as repeatable - that's available. But as a permanent thing. Or, alternatively, just buy a shortened timer for the one I have.

*what I refer to as "crap rezzes" - the freebie you can from the day job in the hospital (Or buy at the market), that act like a small wakie, Those things have pulled a few iffy TF's out of the fire for me, but I can get them free, or at low cost, but it's a nuisance to keep checking how many charges it has, or who needs one, and so on. Alternatively, how about a crappy self-rez power? Like a personal wakie, only permanent?

*what about making any of the temp powers (which are often pale imitations of the real power) purchasable as a permanent thing?

That's just what I can think of off the top of my head, I'm sure there's lots more. Hope it's understood that I absolutely am against anything game-changing or game-making being sold at the store. Uber-builds being available only to those paying real money is a terrible idea, and I think the devs have done a really good job at NOT doing that. But I am an advocate of, and would be willing to pay for, any number of QoL items. That said, it completely defeats the purpose of the convenience I'm looking for, to have to keep buying something over and over, and keep track of which toon has what. Everything I've ever bought from the store has been something that is account-wide.

Unless you're looking for a specific function on a scrapper (like farming), it boils down to how much fun a powerset is to play. It's NOT fun to play something gimped, or painfully slow. For example, (and this is all subjective, mind you) broadsword does enormous ST damage (definately not gimped), but to me it's almost painfully slow, making it less fun for me to play than almost any other scrapper.

I do have a da/spines. Also have a da/claws. Which is more fun? They are BOTH an enormous amount of fun. I don't prefer one over the other, honestly. Nor do I notice much difference in the damage they do, either. If I were fighting Kronos, or a pylon, or something wanting the extra ST damage, I'd bring the /claws. Otherwise? Pfft. Either one and I'm a happy scrappy.

I use Cloak of Fear, and slot it with 5) siphon insights, and 1) HO (endoplasm). I took the set for the s/l bonus but now I swear by it for its own sake.

I keep taking OG, and respeccing out of it. I don't love how mobs stagger away from me on a scrapper, and for squishies, it only seems to pull mezzing aggro. However, with ranged attacks, my da/spines would happily take it on top of CoF, if I could find the room in her build.

But how do you know if any of your characters have run through the 10 tips missions and done the morality mission? I have a LOT of characters, I have no idea if anyone's done those through or not. Don't suppose a friendly Gull would tell us, huh?

And, doesn't this penalize the 10-19's (for whom the first arc is supposedly written) since they can't get the morality mission until level 20?

Does just purchasing a Hero Merit actually work? Seriously?

Wait, how do I know if I have purchased a H/V merit?

Where is that face/palm emote when you need it!

UPDATE: Found if I change the weapon, the costume changes will stay. YAY, BATS!

So, my glitch is, indeed, part of the known issue with the weapons. Hope this works for some others, too.

NOTE: thus far, it's only been a problem with some side-switchers. 1) praetorian-to-hero brute, and the bat-girl, hero-to-villian-to-hero defender with mace pool/weapons. A villian-to-hero corruptor with a bow has had no problems with costume creator.

Thank you for the reply, much appreciated. Will continue to tinker with it!

Several of my characters can't change their costumes. Someone on a global channel said this was a bug on characters using "full masks."

Today I COULD change the one costume which did have full masks. However, I was unable to change the rest of the characters' costumes, none of which had any mask.

I went through the whole costume creator, and pressed the final button, only to find nothing was changed at all. Luckily, they also seemed not to have any fewer free costume tokens or less influence (with the exception of the 1 costume that was changed).

Does anyone know of a workaround for this bug? Am horrified to find that my mutant half-bat girl can't use the new bat aura I just bought!