alienuterus

Apprentice
  • Posts

    66
  • Joined

  1. As suggested in this thread, I'm posting a request for the devs: I'd like to see a keybindable command to raise/lower sound fx volume. This would help for glowie hunts, and to adjust volume generally with ease, so it blends right with Skype/music/what have you.

    If it's not too much trouble...
  2. Well, nah, that won't do it. I wanted to adjust game volume independent of skype, mainly for glowie hunting. Alas.

    Thanks for the answers anyway, folks.
  3. [ QUOTE ]
    [ QUOTE ]
    O20 - Winlogon Notify: jkkLFwXN - jkkLFwXN.dll (file missing)

    [/ QUOTE ]

    This worries me because jkkLFwXN is not a normal program name. I'd say you had an infection and Spyware Doctor may have removed it (or partially removed it). I suspect that these two lines are related:

    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4F90D8C1-DC9B-4BF0-B5F1-904077F0FE69} - (no file)
    O20 - Winlogon Notify: jkkLFwXN - jkkLFwXN.dll (file missing)

    I'm not a HijackThis expert, but I would try fixing those 2 entries and do a search on my hard drives for jkkLFwXN.* and delete it.

    You might want to post your HijackThis log on one of the many forums that exist specifically for this purpose.

    Sorry I'm not more help.

    Edit: Disable Spyware Doctors active scan while you are actually playing.

    [/ QUOTE ]Quite helpful actually. I couldn't find a file, but did find a registry entry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Search Assistant/ACMru. Deleted the ACMru folder as it turns out to be a trojan or somesuch. Whether this has anything to do with the problem remains to be seen of course.
  4. Wondering if it's possible to do keybinds to turn the sound fx volume up/down. Anyone know?
  5. [ QUOTE ]
    Post us some hard data, a CoHHelper report and a HijackThis log.

    [/ QUOTE ]
    OK:

    [ QUOTE ]
    ---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.7---

    DxDiag gathered at July 10, 2009 09:39 (-04:00)
    Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
    System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
    System Model: System Product Name
    BIOS: BIOS Date: 10/29/08 13:51:59 Ver: 08.00.10
    Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7200 @ 2.53GHz (2 CPUs)
    Memory: 2944MB
    .Net Memory Report: 2204MB out of 2943MB available
    Page File: 4178MB (651MB currently in use)
    C Drive: (ST3500320AS) 239756MB out of 476929MB (50%) free
    E Drive: (Seagate Portable USB Device) 202469MB out of 476937MB (42%) free
    D Drive: (PIONEER DVD-ROM DVD-116) zero-size drive
    Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS.0
    DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
    DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.5512 (32-bit version)

    Display Notes: No problems found.
    Sound Notes: No problems found.
    Input Notes: No problems found.

    Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
    Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
    Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
    Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9800 GT
    Video Memory: 512.0 MB
    Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8250
    Driver Date: 3/27/2009 10:03:00 AM
    Driver Language: English

    Sound Device Description: Realtek HD Audio output
    Driver File: RtkHDAud.sys
    Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5506
    Driver Date: 11/1/2007 3:38:00 PM


    WMI Information
    Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
    Motherboard Model: (empty)
    Motherboard Product: P5GC-MX/1333
    Motherboard Version: Rev x.xx
    BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
    BIOS Name: BIOS Date: 10/29/08 13:51:59 Ver: 08.00.10
    BIOS Version: A_M_I_ - 10000829
    BIOS Release: 20081029000000.000000+000

    Registry Information for Current User
    Resolution: 1920x1080
    3D Resolution: 1920x1080 (Not using renderscale)
    Full Screen: Yes
    Maximized: No
    Screen Position: 0, 0
    Refresh Rate: 60Hz
    Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes

    Physics Quality: High
    Maximum Particles: 50000
    Max Particle Fill? 10.000
    Physics Card Enabled: No

    Anti-aliasing: 4x
    Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
    Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
    Water Effects: High Quality
    Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
    Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
    Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
    Shader Detail: High

    World Texture Level: Very High
    Character Texture Level: Very High
    World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 2.000
    Entity Detail Level: 2.000
    Shadows Enabled: Yes
    Gamma Correction: 0.980
    Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
    Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
    Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
    Close Suppression Range: 3.000
    Show Advertisements: Yes

    Audio Mode: Performance
    3D Audio: Yes
    FX Sound Volume: 0.000
    Music Sound Volume: 0.000

    Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
    Overall Graphics Quality: 1.000
    Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
    Save Login Username: Yes
    Transfer Rate: 26577 bytes/second
    Current Game Version: 19.20090619.5T2
    Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

    Mod files in the Data directory
    .\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
    .\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
    .\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
    .\texture_library\MAPS\static has 34 files
    .\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
    .\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 16 files


    [/ QUOTE ]
    [ QUOTE ]
    Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
    Scan saved at 9:42:29 AM, on 7/10/2009
    Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16850)
    Boot mode: Normal

    Running processes:
    C:\WINDOWS.0\System32\smss.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\csrss.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\winlogon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\services.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\lsass.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\System32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\Explorer.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\spoolsv.exe
    C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsTray.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\System32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\nvsvc32.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\System32\svchost.exe
    C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsAuxs.exe
    C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsSvc.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
    C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe
    C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\beast2\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\beast2\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\beast2\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
    C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\TFEngine\TFService.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\System32\alg.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\beast2\My Documents\Downloads\CohHelper.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\beast2\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\notepad.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\beast2\My Documents\Downloads\HiJackThis.exe
    C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe

    O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
    O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4F90D8C1-DC9B-4BF0-B5F1-904077F0FE69} - (no file)
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISTray] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsTray.exe"
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\beast2\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
    O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
    O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
    O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
    O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS.0\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS.0\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
    O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsu...b?1227538180639
    O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsof...?1227542448734
    O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
    O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
    O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
    O20 - Winlogon Notify: jkkLFwXN - jkkLFwXN.dll (file missing)
    O23 - Service: Apache2.2 - Apache Software Foundation - C:\xampp\apache\bin\httpd.exe
    O23 - Service: mysql - Unknown owner - C:\xampp\mysql\bin\mysqld.exe
    O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS.0\system32\nvsvc32.exe
    O23 - Service: PC Tools Auxiliary Service (sdAuxService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsAuxs.exe
    O23 - Service: PC Tools Security Service (sdCoreService) - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\pctsSvc.exe
    O23 - Service: ThreatFire - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\TFEngine\TFService.exe

    --
    End of file - 5113 bytes


    [/ QUOTE ]
  6. [ QUOTE ]
    Fatal Error:
    ./piggs/soundPowers.pigg: Bad flag on file - not a Pig file-1

    Your data might be corrupt, please run the patcher and try again

    [/ QUOTE ]
    Happens when I try to run covupdater--rebooting solves the issue for a good while, then it always comes back eventually. Once I get the error, it happens every time I launch CoH until I reboot the PC.

    File verification detects no problem. The first time I got it, I tried replacing soundPowers.pigg from my cohtest folder, but when I launched the game, I got the same error message about a different pigg file.

    I couldn't find anything on this error via google, so I'm wondering if anyone else has gotten this problem, or knows anything about what could be causing it.

    EDIT: This has been happening since April at least.
  7. [ QUOTE ]
    [ QUOTE ]
    [ QUOTE ]
    I can't say that no one knows about the bug, just that I personally hadn't heard about it and Castle hadn't heard about it either. It may be sitting in programmer land right now or our QA department might be verifying it. *shrugs*

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Maybe you should find out? I'm sure you're very busy, but "I dunno" is a pretty lame answer.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    If it were Castle's or Back Alley Brawler's job to fix it, then I agree that it should be high priority for them. However, it isn't. The folks who do QA and writing for the missions are not required to check in with the Powers folks (Castle and team) or the Animation folks (BAB and his assistants, if he has any) before they work on fixing a bugged mission.

    Ask the right people, and you might get a more satisfactory answer.

    [/ QUOTE ]
    Right. But I'm assuming he could maybe e-mail whoever would know and let us know what they say. He asked what bug, we explained, then he shrugs and slinks off. Well, I could have done that much. I'm not expecting him to fix it, just to maybe ask the appropriate people--this would have the added benefit of alerting them to the problem if they are equally unaware, so maybe it would someday get fixed somehow.


    [ QUOTE ]
    [ QUOTE ]
    Whatever, I guess we should just get used to the bug. Just like my Bruiser will always stand at range and throw rocks, however long I play this game. /kvetch

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Haven't played your Thugs Mastermind in a while? This bug was fixed with Issue 14. Castle adjusted the pet AI and made pets immune to modifictions to their recharge, which was interfering with the way pets cycled their powers. Your Bruiser should be acting like a Brute, now.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Well....um...that's good news. How'd I miss that? Took a couple years but I can dig it. To be honest, I'd just been leaving the Bruiser out of the second upgrade buff. One serving of crow please.
  8. [ QUOTE ]
    I can't say that no one knows about the bug, just that I personally hadn't heard about it and Castle hadn't heard about it either. It may be sitting in programmer land right now or our QA department might be verifying it. *shrugs*

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Maybe you should find out? I'm sure you're very busy, but "I dunno" is a pretty lame answer.

    Whatever, I guess we should just get used to the bug. Just like my Bruiser will always stand at range and throw rocks, however long I play this game. /kvetch
  9. [ QUOTE ]
    If anything is within range then it will only use those enemies and it will negate the scaling feature.

    [/ QUOTE ]
    This stinks and should be changed. I can't imagine a scenario in which anyone would actually want it to work this way.
  10. [ QUOTE ]
    The Thorn Casters always, and that's not hyperbole, run away and often all the way across the floor map. The Council are almost as bad. And don't be me started on how much the Croatoa witches run away, argh. For us melee folks this is incredibly unfun and frustrating.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    These are ranged mobs playing smart. Challenging and bugged are not synonyms. As far as I can tell, a lot of the moaning on this thread is that the mobs are not stupid enough or easy enough to kill. It may be "annoying" that Croatoa witches refuse to herd, but it's good strategy on their part, not a bug.
  11. [ QUOTE ]
    This browser issue is annoying.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    That's an understatement. When I tried to dl the hotfix (using Firefox), it said it "didn't apply to my system." I went through the process a couple of times to be sure. Then I installed XP and my worries were over. I still say reverting to XP is the most complete fix for this problem. I sure don't miss Vista.
  12. Thanks for this. Would have been nice to know before I bought those damage IOs...
  13. AOE Death: A Spines/Fiery Aura Scrapper Guide (I12)

    I.Intro
    II.Powers
    III.Build

    ---------------------------------------

    I. Intro

    I’ve never written one of these guides before, but I’ve gotten so much good advice from others that, when I found no Spines/Fire guide, I thought I’d take some time to help someone else along. I’m not an expert on stats, so don’t expect much in that vein; I’m just going to share my experience with building this toon, which is my new favorite scrapper.

    I’d been meaning to roll a Spines scrapper for a while, but when I realized that Fiery Aura came with a damage toggle – providing the opportunity for 2 damage toggles – I knew I had to try it out. It was only later I realized there were also 2 Buildup – type damage buff click powers as well. This toon was fun to play pretty much the whole way, and now at 49 (with copious set bonuses) is a death machine. I definitely recommend this build to anyone who loves to... arrest lots of bad guys (in the face!).

    So anyway, go easy on me. I’m just going to try to a simple powers/build rundown, without much on strategy (click build up, run into mob, be an AOE death machine, repeat—there, I’m done). I’m not going to bother discussing power pools I didn’t take, as I figure you know as much about them as I do. I'd appreciate any feedback on how to improve the useability fo this guide, as well as any additional thoughts/opinions/info for the masses.

    One caveat: I find that the damage toggles can get a little stroboscopic at the higher graphics settings. If it hurts your eyes, try reducing them to minimal. Luckily, my computer sucks, so it’s not a problem for me.

    II. POWERS

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Spines
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All your spines attacks do Lethal damage with additional benefits: Namely, Toxic DoT, and reduced speed and recharge on your target. Stacking these effects is easy with all the AOEs you’re getting.

    Barb Swipe [Melee, Minor Damage (Lethal), Damage over Time(Toxic), -Speed, -Recharge]

    I never took this, but it’s a typical low damage/fast recharge first tier attack. I’m sure it’s fine at low levels, but it’ll be worthless later on.

    Lunge [Melee, Moderate Damage(Lethal), Damage over Time(Toxic), -Speed, -Recharge ]

    Not too great either, but more damage than Barb Swipe, your only other choice at level 1. I wound up 5-slotting this, but not till late in the game.

    Spine Burst [Point Blank Area of Effect, Moderate Damage(Lethal), Damage over Time(Toxic), -Speed, -Recharge]

    Your first AOE. Take it at lvl 2 and slot it (2 accs, 3 dam, & 1 recharge—in that order—are my normal attack slotting method, before I get big enough to buy sets). The animation is a bit long (3 seconds), but it does good damage and the range isn’t bad at all.

    Build Up [Self +Damage, +Accuracy]

    More damage. You want to get this, but take Impale first, so you have more attacks to improve with it. Six-slotted eventually, but only a couple recharges at first.

    Impale [Ranged, High Damage (Lethal), Damage over Time(Toxic), Immobilize, -Recharge, -Fly]

    A high damage ranged single-target attack. You’re rooted for 2.43 seconds, which is a bit of a pain, but this is a great power for finishing off runners without straying from the mob. This power’s range recently got nerfed from 80 to 40 feet, but it’s still a must have for spines. Slot generously and early. Note: You will be tempted to use Impale as a pull power, but you’ll find yourself waiting a while, as it is also an immobilize.

    Confront [Ranged, Foe Taunt]

    Single-target taunt. Why bother when you can just hit them? I frankly have no idea why all scrapper sets have to waste a power option with a single-target taunt that no one ever gets. Obviously, I recommend against taking this.

    Quills [Toggle: Point Blank Area of Effect, Minor Damage (Lethal), -Speed, -Recharge ]

    Your second AOE damage toggle! Along with Blazing Aura, you now stand in a field of hurt. I slotted both with 2 end reducers, 2 accs and 2 dams, but thought real hard about 1 acc and 3 dams. The 2 end reds are necessary if you don’t like detoggling, I think, as these toggles use twice the endurance of your resistance toggles.

    Ripper [Melee Cone, High Damage (Lethal), -Speed, -Recharge, Knockback ]

    Another high damage attack, this time a small cone. The cone is about the same as with Sands of Mu or Eviscerate, and the animation’s just like Eviscerate. The cone can be hard to line up sometimes, but it’s great in a crowd and even on a single-target this attack kicks [censored]. Definitely get it. 6-slot.

    Throw Spines [Ranged Cone, Moderate Damage (Lethal), Damage over Time(Toxic), -Speed, -Recharge]

    A wide-as-hell cone attack, moderate damage. Again, the theme is AOE damage, and while it’s a little tricky to use this to its full effect with the PBAOEs (jumping out of the mob, hitting them with Throw Spines, then running back in), it’s still useful even if you’re only hitting half the mob. A must-get in my opinion. 6-slot.


    -----------------------------------------------------------
    Fiery Aura
    -----------------------------------------------------------

    Fire Shield [Toggle: Self +Resistance(Fire, Lethal, Smash, Cold, Disorient)]

    Typical smashing/lethal damage resist, with additional (and equal) resistance to fire and minimal resistance to cold. Get it (actually, you have no choice) and slot it with 1 end reducer and 3 resists.

    Blazing Aura [Toggle: Point Blank Area of Effect, Minor Damage over Time(Fire)]

    Your first damage toggle. Slot with 2 end reducers first, then 2 acc and 2 damage (or 1 acc and 3 damage).

    Healing Flames [Self Heal, +Resistance(Toxic)]

    A good self-heal, similar to Reconstruction from the Regen set, including the toxic resist buff. I went with 2 recharges and 3 heals, in that order.

    Temperature Protection [Auto: Self +Resistance(Fire, Cold)]

    A curious power I felt unnecessary. It’s a passive resist that doubles up the fire and minor (7.5%) cold resistance you get with Fire Shield. I don’t get the theory behind this power, unless you plan fighting only fire damage-dealers, in which case you’d be uber (not to mention that plasma shield also gives the same fire protection as Temp Protection and Fire Shield). You’re already going to be way ahead in the fire/cold resistance game, so this power seems like an easy skip.

    Plasma Shield [Toggle: Self +Resistance(Energy, Negative, Fire, Hold, Sleep)]

    In addition to the aforementioned fire protection, this toggle Resists energy damage, negative energy damage, and hold & sleep effects. Must have, 1 end red and 3 resists.

    Consume [Point Blank Area of Effect Fire Damage, Self +Endurance]

    Great power with a frustrating recharge time. Consume is worth getting and slotting (2 acc, 3 recharge and one endmod). It can get you from 0 to full endurance if there are a few baddies in its AOE range (though with only 1 or 2 targets it’s unimpressive), and it’s also one more AOE attack, but it will not be up enough to rely on for end maintenance. It’s an every second or third mob power. (Once I got Conserve Power and slotted sets for end and recovery, I found I often didn’t need it, and may even re-slot it for damage eventually.)

    Burn [Location (Point Blank Area of Effect), Moderate Damage over Time(Fire), Self Resistance(Immobilize)]

    I never took this. Yes, it does AOE damage, and frees you from immobilize effects, but it also causes your foes to run away, dispersing mobs that you want tight around you. There’s a possibility that the slow effects from your spines attacks might mitigate this somewhat, but I never bothered to find out.

    Fiery Embrace [Self +Damage]

    From the description (“boosts damage to all fire attacks for quite a while, also increases damage of non-fire attacks for a short while”), you might think this power was only suitable for Fire/Fire. But really, fiery embrace is your 2nd Build Up—except you can’t slot it for To Hit Buffs. The deal is, Fiery Embrace acts on all your attacks as Build Up without the accuracy buff—the damage boost is the same, and lasts the same duration (10 seconds; on Fire attacks it lasts 20). Slot it with 2 or 3 recharges and use it when Build Up’s down (or use both at the same time for mad damage).

    Rise of the Phoenix [Self Rez, Special ]

    Self-rez. Some will take this, some won’t. It’s good to have for immediately getting up in the heat of battle (You’ll have only half health and half end, but the group mez it causes will give you enough time to heal and retoggle). It made sense to me to get it on the theory that constant AOE damage attracts a lot of negative attention, but on the other hand, I don’t think I’ve actually needed it yet after 2 levels. Optional. One recharge is all I put in this.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    POOL POWERS

    Again, I’m just doing the sets I took here. Improvise at your will.

    ----------------------------------
    Speed
    ----------------------------------

    Flurry: Worthless.

    Hasten: Faster recharge? Yes please! I probably have one toon without this power. Get it early (I took it at 6) and three-slot it with recharge. I have it on auto—set it and forget it!

    Super Speed: Well, you already took Hasten, so why not? Stick a +stealth IO in here (Celerity or Unbounded Leap) and it stacks with the inherent stealth—you a an instant invisibility toggle. Sure, it’s not quite as fast as a run speed IO, but it’s still plenty fast and great for stealthing missions. I used this & Combat Jumping (and the Pocket D Jump pack, Raptor Pack and/or or Zero-G Pack for tough spots) to get around until i took Super Jump at 49, and it wasn’t too bad. I wouldn’t recommend that method Villain side, though. Don’t slot unless you’re a speed freak.

    Whirlwind: No.

    --------------------------------------
    Leaping
    --------------------------------------

    Jump Kick: Worthless.

    Combat Jumping: primarily as a place to slot a Karma: Knockback protection I had the good fortune of dropping at a pretty low level, But there’s nothing wrong with some defense and jumping/maneuverability help. Don’t bother slotting this, one defense will do.

    Super Jump: Probably the best travel power in the game, in terms of balance between speed and verticality (I made up a word!). I took it when there was nothing left I wanted (Super Speed & Super Jump together are incredibly awesome), but this is a perfectly good way to go at 14. I would still recommend Hasten at some point though. I wouldn’t bother slotting this either, 1 jump is fine.

    Acrobatics: This just got nerfed into pointlessness. It was a 100 mag Knockback resist, which basically meant you would never again find yourself on your [censored] in the middle of a fight. Now it’s mag 9. The Karma: KB Protection IO I have in Combat Jumping is mag 4, and it does the trick, but has its limits: Mary Macomber mission in the Katie Hannon TF, for instance, it a bit trying. Other than extreme stacking situations like that, though, I rarely get knocked down. Even if I wanted more KB protection, though, I’d get a Steadfast Protection: KB IO and double my resist to 8, one shy of Acrobatics. This power also provides some hold resistance, but it’s not enough to justify burning a power IMO.

    ------------------------------------------
    Fitness – You need this!
    -----------------------------------------

    Once you get you travel power at 14, your next three powers should be from this pool, because Stamina, which you absolutely need, is available at 20.

    Swift: You run faster. Nothing wrong with that, but I took Hurdle. You need one or the other to get to the good stuff. Don’t slot, 1 run speed is good—unless you’re a flier, in which case it can help you fly your slow [censored] around a little faster. ;-)

    Hurdle: I took this because it enhances the Leaping set (Combat jumping + Hurdle means never using the stairs again). Again if you Fly, Swift is probably for you. don’t slot, 1 jump will do it.

    Health: A pretty good power you have to take to get the almighty Stamina. Part of my build/sets concept was to make this toon as much of a /Regen as possible, so I 3-slotted this for maximum regen (eventually I 4-slotted it to add a Numina: +regen +recovery).

    Stamina: Essential for any toon, but especially a toggle-heavy attack machine. Get it at 20, 3-slot it with endmods at 21.

    --------------------------------------
    Fighting
    --------------------------------------

    Boxing: Worthless, but not as bad as Kick. You have to burn a power on either to get Tough. Get whichever and remove them from your tray. Don’t bother even wasting an enhancement on the one slot that comes with it.

    Kick: See Boxing.

    Tough: Just another Smashing/Lethal Resist toggle, Half as powerful as Fire Shield, but worth getting to improve survivability.

    Weave: A defense toggle, twice as strong as Combat Jumping or Hover. I didn’t get it, but it couldn’t hurt. You might consider getting it instead of the self-rez or one of the two travel powers I took.

    ------------------------------------------------
    Ancillary Powers – Body Mastery
    ------------------------------------------------

    Conserve Power: This is the only power I took from the Body Mastery set, and I highly recommend it. While Spines/Fire is not the most end-heavy build I’ve played—not as end-heavy as I thought it would be, actually—it’s still a bit rough. With Conserve power in tandem with Consume, using one when the other is down, you can manage to stay in fighting form at all times. Slot with 3 recharges—it doesn’t take endmods.

    Focused Accuracy: An extremely end-heavy and unnecessary power. It’s nice on my /regen, but any toon can live without it. If you fill your PBAOEs with Scirocco’s Dervish sets like I did, your accuracy will already be intensely buffed. Just say no.

    Laser Beam Eyes: A ranged single-target, moderate damage attack. You’ve got enough attacks at this point. Don’t bother.

    Energy Torrent: This one has a cone and might go well with Throw Spines, but it’s minor damage and the group knockback will annoy your friends. Add to that the slow recharge and you’ve got a loser.
    ------------------------------------------------------

    III.Builds

    I’m going to post 2 builds, which are near-identical except that the first will be using regular IOs and the second will be my actual build, utilizing set bonuses (the first has 3 slots each in Health and Fiery Embrace, the 2nd 4 slots in Health and 2 in FE). Without buying any purple sets, I still spent quite a bit on this toon, but you don’t have to do that to have a blast with your Spines/Fiery Aura scrapper.

    Build 1: Regular IOs

    Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
    http://www.cohplanner.com/

    flamespur: Level 50 Mutation Scrapper
    Primary Power Set: Spines
    Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
    Power Pool: Speed
    Power Pool: Fitness
    Power Pool: Leaping
    Power Pool: Fighting
    Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

    Hero Profile:
    Level 1: Lunge -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(3), Dmg-I:50(43), Dmg-I:50(46), Dmg-I:50(50)
    Level 1: Fire Shield -- EndRdx-I:50(A), ResDam-I:50(17), ResDam-I:50(37), ResDam-I:50(39)
    Level 2: Spine Burst -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(3), Dmg-I:50(5), Dmg-I:50(5), Dmg-I:50(11), RechRdx-I:50(43)
    Level 4: Healing Flames -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(17), Heal-I:50(19), Heal-I:50(40), Heal-I:50(40)
    Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(7), RechRdx-I:50(7)
    Level 8: Impale -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(9), Dmg-I:50(9), Dmg-I:50(11), Dmg-I:50(13), RechRdx-I:50(40)
    Level 10: Build Up -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(19), RechRdx-I:50(43), EndRdx-I:50(48), EndRdx-I:50(48), EndRdx-I:50(48)
    Level 12: Blazing Aura -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(13), Acc-I:50(15), Dmg-I:50(15), Dmg-I:50(36), Acc-I:50(37)
    Level 14: Super Speed -- Run-I:50(A)
    Level 16: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
    Level 18: Health -- Heal-I:50(A), Heal-I:50(39), Heal-I:50(50)
    Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(21), EndMod-I:50(21)
    Level 22: Consume -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(23), RechRdx-I:50(23), RechRdx-I:50(27), RechRdx-I:50(27), EndMod-I:50(29)
    Level 24: Quills -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(25), Acc-I:50(25), Dmg-I:50(36), Dmg-I:50(36), Acc-I:50(37)
    Level 26: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff-I:50(A)
    Level 28: Plasma Shield -- EndRdx-I:50(A), ResDam-I:50(29), ResDam-I:50(39), ResDam-I:50(50)
    Level 30: Ripper -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(31), Dmg-I:50(31), Dmg-I:50(31), Dmg-I:50(34), RechRdx-I:50(46)
    Level 32: Throw Spines -- Acc-I:50(A), Acc-I:50(33), Dmg-I:50(33), Dmg-I:50(33), Dmg-I:50(34), RechRdx-I:50(34)
    Level 35: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(42), RechRdx-I:50(42)
    Level 38: Boxing -- Empty(A)
    Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(42), RechRdx-I:50(46)
    Level 44: Tough -- EndRdx-I:50(A), ResDam-I:50(45), ResDam-I:50(45), ResDam-I:50(45)
    Level 47: Rise of the Phoenix -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
    Level 49: Super Jump -- Jump-I:50(A)
    ------------
    Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
    Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
    Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
    Level 1: Critical Hit



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    Build 2: IO sets

    I slotted this toon mainly for endurance and regen, as well as accuracy. I also took advantage of the multiple PBAOE and Resist powers to stack sets (4 Scirocco's Dervish and 3 Impervium Armor, which are darned expensive). Note that I put a "Chance for Build Up" in Build Up, which will ocaisionally trigger a double Build Up

    Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
    http://www.cohplanner.com/

    flamespur: Level 50 Mutation Scrapper
    Primary Power Set: Spines
    Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
    Power Pool: Speed
    Power Pool: Fitness
    Power Pool: Leaping
    Power Pool: Fighting
    Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

    Hero Profile:
    Level 1: Lunge -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(3), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:50(43), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(50)
    Level 1: Fire Shield -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), ImpArm-ResDam:40(17), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(37), ImpArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(39)
    Level 2: Spine Burst -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(3), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(5), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:50(5), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(11), RechRdx-I:50(43)
    Level 4: Healing Flames -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(17), Heal-I:50(19), Heal-I:50(40), Heal-I:50(40)
    Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(7), RechRdx-I:50(7)
    Level 8: Impale -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx:50(9), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg:50(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(11), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(13), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40)
    Level 10: Build Up -- GSFC-ToHit:50(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg:50(19), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:50(43), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:50(48), GSFC-Build%:50(48), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:50(48)
    Level 12: Blazing Aura -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(13), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(15), EndRdx-I:50(15), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:50(36), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(37)
    Level 14: Super Speed -- Clrty-Stlth:50(A)
    Level 16: Hurdle -- Jump-I:50(A)
    Level 18: Health -- Heal-I:50(A), Heal-I:50(39), Numna-Heal:50(42), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:50(50)
    Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(21), EndMod-I:50(21)
    Level 22: Consume -- Efficacy-EndMod:50(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg:50(23), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc:50(23), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg:50(27), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:50(27), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx:50(29)
    Level 24: Quills -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(25), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(25), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:50(36), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), EndRdx-I:50(37)
    Level 26: Combat Jumping -- Krma-ResKB:30(A)
    Level 28: Plasma Shield -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), ImpArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(29), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(39), ImpArm-ResDam:40(50)
    Level 30: Ripper -- Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(31), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(31), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:50(31), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(34), RechRdx-I:50(46)
    Level 32: Throw Spines -- Posi-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx:50(33), Posi-Dmg/Rchg:50(33), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(33), Posi-Dmg/Rng:50(34), RechRdx-I:50(34)
    Level 35: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(42)
    Level 38: Boxing -- Acc-I:50(A)
    Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(42), RechRdx-I:50(46)
    Level 44: Tough -- ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx:40(A), ImpArm-ResDam:40(45), ImpArm-ResDam/Rchg:40(45), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:40(45)
    Level 47: Rise of the Phoenix -- RechRdx-I:40(A)
    Level 49: Super Jump -- Jump-I:50(A)
    ------------
    Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I:50(A)
    Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I:50(A)
    Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I:50(A)
    Level 1: Critical Hit
    ------------
    [u]Set Bonus Totals:[u]<ul type="square">[*]5% DamageBuff(Smashing)[*]5% DamageBuff(Lethal)[*]5% DamageBuff(Fire)[*]5% DamageBuff(Cold)[*]5% DamageBuff(Energy)[*]5% DamageBuff(Negative)[*]5% DamageBuff(Toxic)[*]5% DamageBuff(Psionic)[*]2.5% Defense(Energy)[*]5.63% Defense(Psionic)[*]2.5% Defense(Melee)[*]5% Defense(Ranged)[*]15% Defense(AoE)[*]6.75 Max Endurance[*]5% Enhancement(JumpHeight)[*]5% Enhancement(RunSpeed)[*]5% Enhancement(FlySpeed)[*]59% Enhancement(Accuracy)[*]16.3% Enhancement(RechargeTime)[*]5% Enhancement(JumpSpeed)[*]4% FlySpeed[*]55.2 HP (4.12%) HitPoints[*]4% JumpHeight[*]4% JumpSpeed[*]Knockback (Mag -4)[*]Knockup (Mag -4)[*]MezResist(Immobilize) 2.2%[*]16% (0.27 End/sec) Recovery[*]62% (3.47 HP/sec) Regeneration[*]1.58% Resistance(Fire)[*]1.58% Resistance(Cold)[*]12.5% Resistance(Negative)[*]4% RunSpeed[/list]


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    So that's it! Hope you found it edifying.

    Now do I post this in the Scrapper forum too?
  14. [ QUOTE ]
    [ QUOTE ]
    Issue 12 looks great, don't get me wrong. But letting serious bugs go unfixed for years is a bit shabby. I'd be willing to forgo a new issue for that.

    [/ QUOTE ]
    Some of the bugs have been around so long that they are now upgraded to the "Undocumented Features" status.

    Seriously though, up until NCsoft stepped in, there probably hasn't been enough people around to fix those bugs for the last year+.

    [/ QUOTE ]
    If there's enough people to create such great issues, there's enough to fix AI bugs. Get what you've already done right, THEN give us the cool new stuff.

    Oh, and while I'm kvetching, it's totally bonkers that WW and the black market aren't linked. inf is inf, and villains suffer unfairly for the unnecessary division.
  15. [ QUOTE ]
    Now if an entire issue were devoted to fixing all of the bugs well... that'd probably be the best issue ever IMO.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    This is actually not a bad idea. At least the big ones--the hostage elevator boogie, the Thugs Brute rock-throwing AI bug, the new one where clicking a power triggers the animation when you're out of range...

    Issue 12 looks great, don't get me wrong. But letting serious bugs go unfixed for years is a bit shabby. I'd be willing to forgo a new issue for that.