Arctic_Princess

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+ confusing an exploding Vahzilok is hilarious

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QFT!

Also I forgot to mention Sappers being confused too. And, for that matter, any minion/lt/boss/EB/AV that has mez powers of some sort. Obviously EBs and AVs can take a wee bit longer plus they are likely to 'kill steal' as it were.

As has been said, bring down the War Walls - Atlas merges with The Hollows, Galaxy and Perez are one.

Crey's Folly is opened up as the Zig is rebuilt to imprison even more villains.

Dark Astoria seems to be trying to revert itself back to normal and it needs a helping hand! But those pesky villains are doing their best to sabotage the heroes every step of the way! Bring on the zonal PvP!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - Boomtown, we have a problem...

Recluse is laying claim to a new archipelago, mysteriously surfaced after centuries underwater... (Yes I nicked that specifically from Jingo by Terry Pratchett ) - what's Lusca doing here? And are those...Atlanteans?! Is Lusca, in fact, a remnant of an ancient civilisation?! Gadzooks!

And no more 'new loot' please

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Oooh a Q&A session.
Telling people how to play their game, is it fun?

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This response really does get right up my nose.

Firstly he's not TELLING people how to play, he's asking WHY they play in a particular way.

Secondly you can justify farming all you like, but the bare bones of the fact remains that it is not the way the devs intended the game to be played. Like it, or lump it, you can't avoid it.

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was more intended for the militant neighbourhood watch that patrols the forum not mister J.
They don't have right to tell how we should play the game, the devs do.
Myself use farms to reach a goal wether it's badge, influence or recipies doesn't matter.
Also solo farming way beyond the aggro cap with a brute is fun since i have to look at the screen for once and not just press random buttons.

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As opposed to posts like that having a good old stomp down on people opposed to powerlevelling? Swings and roundabouts.

Arctic Princess is ready to take on anyone! Mwahahaha! He's also a fella. I, uh, kinda didn't take advantage of the whole customisation thingy...

Hmm, exploits.

I can think of a few things that are not exploits: Hitting Raider Engineers and Operation Engineers before they get the chance to fire off FF Gen/Gun Turret.

Herding two Malta Hercules Titans together and then kiting their health down so that they 'transform' - not an exploit.

Confusing the Freedom Phalanx/Arachnos so that they hit each other a lot in the LRSF/STF is not an exploit.

Confusing the FF Gens so that they give your team a bonus is not, imo, an exploit.

***

Using the confuse bug to slip under the Hero drones in RV and then promptly nova'ing GG was an exploit - it was a malicious one too, imo.

Playing a mission (preferably a glowie-hunt/defeat all) in the outdoor Dreck map (other places are also viable but the Dreck map is pretty darned big and requires hardly any effort - those darned Crey lab elevators *shakes fist* , then quitting before the last glowie is clicked/mob is felled and resetting is an exploit.

Setting up maps with 42-42 RCOs, 40+ Family, Melee(no range)/Regen(Standard) mobs, [insert farmer's/powerleveller's choice of mob], going in with a small team of low level heroes and hitting things and watching as the bubbles fly is an exploit.

In a similar vein (but not the same thing), arcs like the Teen Phalanx are not, imo, an exploit. They have an auto-sk feature, yes. But the mobs are difficult and only extend the levels up to about 30, iirc. However, the more I think about it, the more that Dev's Choice arc seems to be a big, Dev-condoned exploit. Having said that the team I ran with in it didn't jump about 10-20 levels and the drops were okay, nothing spectacular. If we'd continued playing it (over and over and over) then it would have been, imo, an exploitative way of levelling. But we didn't.

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To finish; my personal opinion, with regards to this game, is that an exploit is something one does knowing full well that it is not the intention that the game be played in this way. I will use a board game analogy - Monopoly! I use it because, to my mind, it is one of those games that has widely-ranging rules depending on who you play with, what colour socks people are wearing and if there's a j in the month.

Player one rolls the dice and moves their piece. They land on the dreaded income tax square and pay their money to the bank.

Player two rolls the dice and lands on Mayfair. They don't have enough money to buy it and so they decide to take a loan from the bank.

Player one watches Player two take 1,000 from the bank.

"Um, what are you doing?"

"I can't afford Mayfair so I'm borrowing money from the bank."

"You can't do that. That's not in the rules."

"But I want Mayfair."

"Yes, but you can't do it. It is not in the rules. If we both continued to take money from the bank whenever we felt like it, what's the point in trying to amass a Monopoly?"

Player Three pipes up, "When I play at home we auction off the propoerty if the person landing on it can't afford it."

And so on. I identify myself in Player One's camp, not because it is the 'right thing to do' but that I find myself polarised by this debate. I'd really rather be Player Three, reasonable, trying to keep the peace. But I'm not. I also see where Player Two is coming from - it is only a game, not real life.

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After 11 pages, I still don't understand your point. Are you trying to put a moral disincentive on the devs new policy?



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You need to realize that you can not convince a person like that. He KNOWS what is the CORRECT view. As a matter of fact he KNOWS the TRUTH. It's that simple, it seems from reading his posts. "I know what the right thing is and there is only one right thing... which I knows". I for my sake wish there were a ignorefunction on this forum.

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There is.

It seems that no sooner had I deleted the missions and sent out this shout out, my creative juices have dried up.

I think I'm going to need to take a long time before posting anything...

Do keep the challenges coming (I was, i'll admit, hoping for a few - make a short arc that features bunnies, or something - not EPIC storytelling. I will try my best, however).

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Some things are silly like no 45 month reward

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I'm sure I got a respec recently - or was that the 'no reward' part - seriously, I have 4 of them sitting there...

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If you don't like powerlevelling, just shut up and don't do it. Powerlevelling is NOT an exploit, due to the fact it GIVES NO ADVANTAGE (as relevant to artic's 2nd and 3rd definitions) over other players.

Powerlevelling gives no advantage over other players for the people who partake in it, it does not negatively affect their gameplay, it does not degrade the quality of gaming experience or the ingame economy.

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Okay, first things first mister: I really don't want to have to go into the definition of 'forum' or 'debate' with you.

Secondly, please re-read what you have posted.

Definition of exploit (there are three, the first one made me giggle and both one and two will no doubt be leapt upon by people who are trying to justify powerlevelling as okay and perfectly acceptable).

1. noun: a deed or act, esp. a notable or heroic one. (From Middle English, in the sense of 'outcome, success', via Old French (and some Latin for good measure).

2. verb trans: to use or develop (resources, materials etc) fully, esp. for profit or advantage.

3. To take unfair advantage of (somebody) for financial or other gain: exploiting the workers by paying low wages.

So am I allowed to post in this thread even though i totally oppose the majority of what the ones 'for' exploiting the system are saying? Only I noticed that people with an opinion that differs from the OPs seems to be unwelcome.

Oh and the source was The New Penguin English Dictionary, first published in 2000. It's a real book with pages and everything.

Hmm and I think it's because people are being told that what they did was wrong (and knowing it) that is the issue. But hey, I am but one man.

Sure the MA was broken. The majority of things seem to be with each new release, what's the difference? Oh yes, getting from 1-50 in a day.

People had the chance to highlight things in Beta. Those that didn't go into Beta at all had the chance to highlight things as they found them 9with the Report Content button). I will hold my hands up and say that I was too distracted making shiny stuff in the MA to do it with any regularity.

In short, people chose to exploit the system to the maximum. I would guess, at best, that the Dev team are kicking themselves somewhat but then they're not going to post it on here, are they?

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ok, all of you that didn't like the farms:
How many of you used that red little button, complaining about it?

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I did. I had to give up after 15 missions because I just wanted to cry.

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What do you mean shouldnt be doing it, so your saying that people should all play the game how you want and thats because you pay all there subs i take?

What alot seem to be overlooking is the devs gave the players MA and dont tell me they didnt know farm maps were not going to happen, they could have done something about it but no.

I dont care if people farm or dont i have yet to see one argument that tells me that farming/PL destroys the game, i have been playing for 4.5 years and i have seen loads of farm requests in my time yet you know what i ignore them you can do that you know and no get on your high horse and lick dev butt.

Get over yourself

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Yes, that's quite right you shouldn't be doing it. Perhaps I missed something in the definition of rules.

So you got caught out? So what? Adjust the rules to suit yourself all you want but you're not in charge of setting them and neither am I. Deal with it.

And if you haven't seen any arguments as to why excessive and prolific PLing has a good chance of ruining the game then you need an eye test.

I have not yet seen a decent argument as to why PLing is a good thing. Especially PLing from 1-50 in a short amount of time, straight out of the box from Atlas Park/Mercy Island. And no, because 1-22 is a bit of a grind is not, imo, a good enough reason.

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Thing is... EVERYONE WAS SHOUTING about how the MA would be "exploited" and they didn't really test if for "exploits", using "exploits" with the "'s because I don't consider it to be a real exploit.

They could've gone CoP on us, taking down the MA until they'd fixed the com officers or... whatever... They didn't, they left it in... I'd even go as far as saying that's bate'ing, fishing, asking the players to use it.

THEY messed up, AGAIN! ROYALLY!!! Punishing players in general, or even threatening to do it is insane, especially after the long rant after the 5th ani speech. People are already really, really aggravated.

I said it before as a joke, but now I really believe it:
Posi must've been bribed by Cryptic to get us all to leave for their uninteresting game whether we like it or not. Yes, I actually do believe it now (As in believe, think, suppose, not "I have proof"). It just blows my mind how the Royal screw-ups keep getting worse every year.

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Oh so now the Devs baited you? Hah, that's rich!

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for me this "so called farming" made me feel like it was a game again and not a chore as i nor did the team had to run to the market or some other places and wait, for i never really like the idea of the market when it came out but i had fun in theser teams as people was joking making it fun for me. but now it seem we have to work in this game as it meant to be a job or something and not a fun thing to do >.> i come here for a socail life like many oother but i must be punished to make the game work there way <.<

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I really hope that was a joke post - seriously, I'm full of LOL

@Sing Star - so how many toons did you get from 1-50 and are now worried about?

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Why give players the chance to make there own missions and let them play how they want only to turn around and become all high and mighty about when they dont like whats being made?

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Well, think of it as like being given a gun licence, or a driving licence - you can do whatever you like with your gun/car - but there are rules of use that you mustn't break.

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Ok show me in the rules where it says that players cant make a farm mission. And those words to the letter as abuse can be used for anything not just MA

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That's covered in the "unintended statistical advantages" bit.

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Rubbish, wouldnt stand up in court a good lawyer would walk all over that.

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Oh please - lawyers? Over a trivial matter of someone exploiting something, knowing full well that they should not be doing it and then trying to pass blame to someone else?

A lot of the 'bad feeling' seems to be 'I've been caught. Oh no.'

Powerlevelling 1-50 in a matter of hours/a day is game-breaking. Gaining badges at ridiculous badges-per-hour that lead to an accolade which unlocks... an emote? Not so much. (However, if your character is also going from 1-50 in a mtter of hours/a day whilst collecting said badges, then don't whinge that it's unfair. You made the choice to do it.)

Having to trawl through pages of 'Haha, I r f4rmz' is depressing. Yes there are still untested arcs which need 'work' (and aren't about farming and powerlevelling)but at least some of them actually bothered to have a go.

I will return to a point I made in another thread: If the practice of powerlevelling and farming is perfectly legitimate then why were there so many maps? Why not just the one map?

I think people are not stupid (in general - controversial I know) - People knew what they were doing, that it was wrong and are now creating all sorts of histrionics about lawyers and leaving. Laughable at best.

Actually try this one: If someone left you in a room with a machine which had a button marked 'electric shocks - press me to win money' - with the electrodes hooked up to, oh I don't know, a basket full of newborn kittens, would you?

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hmm another eg of them doing what they wannt.... the balanced and fair thing is irony at its best and banning toons that have used ma to 50

all i will say is once CO comes (and yes still not greatest fan good bye CoX)

im off to play a fairer nc game GW for now screw CoX

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I foresee many of these posts. And with which, many of GG's "See you in an issue or two ".

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Does that mean we get to turn the tables on them and go 'Stop whining and being an egocentric blah blah, nobody cares..'? *rubs hands with glee*

*latches onto Firia like a limpet* Never leave...

Ahem

Welcome to the Game, the forums and the rest of your Life! Mwahahaha!

(seriously though, welcome!)

See ya!

***
In other news:

Hurrah!

Yes, I am very happy about this. So sue me.

Well the Hero EAT in Shannon's OP sounds like a good candidate for some kind of Longbow character, to me anyway. Do you go down the route of Spec Ops? (stealthier, lots of 'toys' - characterised by Crimson and Indigo) or Warden? (sturdier, a few pets - characterised by, well, Longbow Wardens ^^)

Spies/Rogues was something mentioned in passing (not confirmed as a possibility at all) a while ago - in the form of a random questionnaire thingy and also some kind of poll, although I forget when.

It was around the same time as ideas about Moonbases, Atlantis-style tilesets and Psychic Weaponry were being flung around.

Again, not as definite future projects but as a 'do you think these would be a good idea, players?' exercise.

Heroic MMs could be good BUT Controllers 'sort-of' do it anyway. Mercs could easily carry over as an Heroic Commander-style thing but what other 'minions' would you suggest? Actually, Robots could carry across too. Ninjas would be stretching it for me a little. Zombies and Thugs - definitely not!

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Other clikies give temporary power 'pickups' such as shotguns, gumballs and other random weapons that don't require end to use, but only have one or two uses and cant be used outside the zone.
Maybe a cap of 4 of these items...

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Hmm, Throw Gumballs - sort of like Earthquake but with the Caltrops 'throwing' animation. Causes knockdown and minor smash/lethal DoT - always useful.

I expect TA archers would have a field day here, especially with Oil Slick. So why not let everyone else (apart from anything with Burn patch ) join in the fun?:

Kerosene/Molotov - throw the kerosene down and light it. Everyone's covered in rotting, zombie flesh and is safe... for now!

Ooh, ooh! The 'power' idea could be used to a certain effect - have 'the lights' go off in certain areas, perhaps as a general warning that nasty things are about to happen. It's a shame that the lighting system in CoX doesn't allow for certain powers to highlight darkness (for example, Energy Melee's pom-poms of doom allowing brief glimpses of what's waiting for you in the darkness).

Actually, start the zone 'event' as normal. There's the background noise of a busy mall, maybe a few more regular NPCs. Suddenly the lights start going off and the sounds of zombies can be heard in the distance. Power suppression starts up and, as you say, is intermittent (I'm sure it could be done, even if it did make life annoying - perhaps certain areas would be affected with a central corridor for those wishing to fight off the zombies/whatever whilst others go to grab the temp powers etc. that will make life easier? - there's always a 'Oh no, the medical kits are in that abandoned truck right near the zombie nest! Someone's going to have to go and get them but the power suppressor keeps activating!' /angst! but in zombie/survival/horror/thriller movies)

And Dark Astoria would definitely be a great place to do this! Make it Red/Blue for fun!

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/Signed

Also
Anyone remember Dinoriders?

http://www.tvterrorist.com/images/dino%20riders.jpg

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But where are the Space Nazis? And the Fezzes? (is that how you pluralise Fez?)

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Does that mean that they are still available on Test? Or do we need to subscribe to AP Missions-on-Demand service and get the arc files from your own paypal-friendly server?

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Hmmm, now there's a thought...

How about 'Changes'? (I now can't get the song out of my head...)

Bi-Centennial Man?

Tastes Change?

(btw the ? is not part of the title...)

Signs of the Times?

Life Story of the Super-Powered and Infamous? (that's poor, I know)

Putting the/and/so/but as the beginning of a title confuses the hell out of the MA 'search engine'. Just a word of warning.

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(true story, I did this yesterday and we hated it!)

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You sir are an idiot then.

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?

??

??!

I really hope that was a joke.