Arctic_Princess

Gimme the date of the next meet up and I will bring Agatha Darke along. She'd suit the black market operator role along with others.

((my turn))

Kata finished off the last Freak in her path. Her breathing was more laboured. Whatever the effects of the medication were, part of it was wearing off and she felt a few lines of pain emanating from the base of her spine.

The room was trashed. It was difficult to tell if any of the Freaks had escaped and if they had taken anything with them.

The figure of Wild Red, taunting Kata as she made her escape, was almost enough to make Kata go berserk and attempt to follow her. But the metavillain had helped the group and was no doubt too quick for Kata to capture. That plan might need more careful thinking.

Kata walked over to where Ed was staring at the crumbling armour of the Freak Tank Shad00w. She allowed him a few moments to regain his breath, besides her own adrenaline levels needed a little time to calm down before she attempted an arrest.

Kata placed a hand on Ed's shoulder, "Edward Johnson? I am asking for your full cooperation in this matter. For the incident at the Brickstown sewers, I have no choice but to arrest you on behalf of the citizens of Paragon City, Rhode Island."

The act of making the arrest welled up sadness in Kata. Edward had been a consumate professional when it came to fighting villains. Whatever had caused him to murder those Freaks however was something she could not turn a blind eye to.

Why was life never as simple as Kata would have it?
Questions bubbled up in her mind, replacing the animal instinct to hit things or run away. They needed answering, but tonight was not the time to start answering them.

If some else has already come up with this, then great, but just dabbled around with the Illusion Control set and tried placing it over the Scrapper Primary 'template' to see what happened.

Illusory Melee

The flavour of this set is Illusory Damage (i.e. after a while, mobs heal from it!) so my choices for recharges, secondary effects and power magnitude reflects this (I hope).

Spirit Punch - Melee

Low damage, quick recharge, shiny 'spirit' effect on target (Spectral Wounds)

Spirit Smash - Melee

High damage, Moderate Recharge, chance for Knockdown (mag 2.0). Overhead smash animation, with added shiny-ness of course

Touch of Doubt - Melee

Minor damage, Short Recharge, Confuse (mag 4.0)

Blinding Feint - Cone (short range)

Moderate damage, Moderate Recharge, -ToHit(5%)

Build Up - Self

Long recharge, +Acc, +Dam

Haunting Cry - Ranged

Long Recharge, Taunt

Flash of Fear - PBAoE

Minor damage, Moderate Recharge, -ToHit (5%), Chance for Fear (mag 2.0)

Phantom Attack - Ranged

Minor Illusory Damage, Moderate Energy/Smashing, Long Recharge, Chance for Knockdown (mag 2.0)

Spirit Swarm - Melee
Superior DoT, Very Long Recharge, Chance to Hold (mag 2.0)

That's the shell of it so far.
The Phantom Attack is basically Phantom Army, hence the multi-damage component and the chance to knockdown.

The major limit of this set so far is that the damage can be healed by enemies after a time, so Scrappers with Illusory Melee may find protracted battles a chore, especially solo.

To counter this I put in some status effects.
I suppose it's the closest to a Psychic Scrapper I could muster (Illusory is technically treated as Psionic damage, AFAIK) without raiding the Blaster and Dominator sets and trying to make them Scrappery.

Your thoughts, comments, suggestions and add-ons are, as ever, very welcome.

But as the description says (paraphrased):

If all else fails you can rely on your fists.

I think Brawl is fine as is. I tend to use it more as a 'they only have a tiny sliver of health left and I don't want to waste endurance' power later on. Early on (i.e. 1-6) it can be quite a nifty power for all archetypes.

If there is a way to change this, I'm all for it: When teaming, please if a trainer or other location is selected (such as a staion or store) can it be prevented from being unselected either because a new mission is up or because a member of your team has just zoned in/out of an instance.

Possibly not my best explanation ever so I'll try a step-by-step here:

I am in a team of 4 in Faultline.
We have all levelled and are coming out of an instanced mission.
I locate Mirror Spirit on the map and head towards her.
Someone who was slower at loading pops back into the zone and she is deselected.
I open the map and select again.
The team leader puts up the new mission. They select it.
Mirror Spirit is once again deselected. I head towards the new location (because, yes, I'm not thinking!).

It's only a small thing but I'd like to see it 'corrected' if indeed it is a thing that can be done. The example I gave is probably not the most annoying (heading to shops in Indy Port has caused a few near breakdowns so I've stopped visiting them now. Or else I only go there with Mutation Origin heroes )

[ QUOTE ]


Devil bangers: Activating this power will throw a devil banger onto the floor knocking foes and team members down alike. Foes not knocked down will have the Shakefist emote play out


[/ QUOTE ]

You forgot 'poo-filled paper bag'. It works like Oil Slick. A paper bag is thrown into a group of enemies. the bag on its own will cause minor amusement and will force at least one mob to stop what they're doing and look at it.

Someone blasts the bag on fire. This causes aggro in the mob on the paper bag who try to stomp it out. Small AoE causing minor Toxic and Fire DoT. Some enemies may be caught by a blast of flaming poo and suffer either a minor hold (choking emote from Char/Volcanic Gasses) or suffer a -To Hit (from being... well, I'll let you fill the rest in)

All enemies caught by this will do the /shakefist emote

"Good idea!" Kata yelled back at Molly.

Sirens sounded outside and the remaining Freaks who were still conscious looked uncomfortable.

Kata wheeled round a couple of Freak Swipers, snapping the arm of one back and pushing him into his companion.

She reached instinctively for her zigatgs - must have been Wild Red's suggestion over the noise of battle that made her do it.

"Damn it! Only one left."

Kata cursed in Russian and dodged the last-ditch attempt of a Smasher Freak. His top-heavy limb fell to the ground and he was left prone but these guys were ever resourceful: No sense in him getting back up for another try. Kata took a firm hold of his shoulder and ribs and kneed him in the armpit. There was a sickening crack. She pushed his barely-conscious body to the ground and dusted her hands down.

"Looks like it's getting clearer. Want to start getting these nurses out? Let me deal with the stragglers."

If it's this Saturday then sadly I'll miss out. Shall be shaking my groove thang at Brighton Pride (and hopefully... no, no, keep it clean...) this weekend.

But nevertheless I'd be in for next month

Right, I have decided!

Helena Hammond will be my investigator. I warn you, she's a psychic! However, she's not a mindreader as such. She works with the powers of fear, isolation etc (not EMO...) and she was a hero during the First Rikti War and is somewhat reticent about the (over)use of her powers.

So, she wants to try a new path and this would be an interesting chance for her to do that. She is currently Security Level 22 but I may play her a bit more as she's mucho fun (Dark/Psi defender).

Looking forward to it.

Kata decided that she had better help take out the Freaks that were attempting to batter Molly and Wild Red to death.

She ducked under the giant stone man and launched herself at one of the Freaks, covering his eyes with her hands. The newfound strength in her body felt incredible as she wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed. The Freak gagged and flailed his arms around. Kata shifted her weight forward and felt the Freak's resolve weaken as he started to bend his knees under the pressure she was applying with her whole body.

Kata released her hands and feet in time as his body collapsed. She made sure her whole body weight fell on him. Then she stepped off and lifted him up as if he were standing upright, with some effort. Then she charged at two more Freaks who were raising their arms to hammer down on Red: she collided with them, throwing the pair off balance and giving Red more time, hopefully.

"I need a weapon of some sort!" Kata shouted after she had inspected her knuckles and noticed the scratches and cuts from her attack. They looked as though they were healing up but it was better to be safe than sorry.

The sensation of your body repairing itself so quickly that you can feel it is never a pleasant one. Especially when bullet holes close up as if an invisible spider were spinning skin over the holes from the inside.

Kata cupped her hand over her mouth, thinking that she would start to vomit any moment now... but it passed.

The doctor just stood there smiling.

"Quite remarkable, isn't it?" is all he had to say.

The trouble was that, well, it was remarkable and a faint spark at the back of Kata's brain told her this is what she had wanted ever since she arrived in Paragon: Her muscles felt more capable and she could feel her heart rate levelling out as the weird chemicals coursed through her.

"So, how long will this last?" Kata checked her appearance in the mirror: A cut on her cheek seemed to fizzle away.

"Oh I daresay you should feel the benefit for the next forty-eight hours. And in these situations I would usually provide an obstacle course for you to complete to make you aware of the physical changes," The doctor paused, pushed his spectacles back up his face and smirked, "but our Freakshow friends downstairs will do for now."

The doctor fished a small device from his pocket and fiddled with a dial. The security shutter barring exit to the main hospital whirred and clicked, opening up.

Kata shot the doctor a filthy look. He would have to be dealt with after the Freaks.

Kata rushed to the lift, noticed it was locked down and decided upon the stairs.

Kata spoke hurriedly over the phone. She used some odd words and phrases in Russian which the doctor could only chuckle at. The linguistics team would decode them in a few minutes and-

"Fine. I'll do it." Kata threw the mobile on to the bed. "When can you do it?"

The doctor started from the bed. "Ms Bromovich, I must say I am a little surprised. Pleased but very surprised. Your friend is obviously a very wise man indeed."

"Cut the [censored], doctor. There are who-knows how many Freaks down there. I have my suspicions as to why they're here and I'd very much like to see what I can do to stop them."

Kata was hunched over, propped up against the cabinet and in a considerable amount of pain. The doctor removed his glasses and cleaned them. Then he lifted a suitcase tucked away behind a unit and placed it carefully on the bed, opening it to reveal an array of test tubes, phials and philtres.

"You will understand, Ms Bromovich, that the injections I am about to administer are preliminary to the procedure. But, I am confident you will begin to feel the benefits in a short amount of time." The doctor flashed a sickly smile at Kata and began to assemble a syringe.

Kata hobbled over to the bed very slowly. This is possibly the stupidest thing you have done with your life so far. Kata pushed the thoughts away and concentrated on what was important: Her livelihood as a crimefighter. She'd never had powers and had always relied heavily on luck and training to see her through. But her body was getting older too quickly and the enemies she faced were more devious by the minute. So, she was sacrificing her personal freedom to eke out that existence just a little longer. Kata knew, deep down, that she couldn't bear the thought of being confined to a wheelchair: Shallow as it was, it was still the one thought burning away in her mind.

As she closed her eyes and waited for the start of the initial treatment, Kata repeated the conversation with her mentor in her mind: You are a fine woman, Kata. I would understand if you vent through with zis... No Red, it's fine. Nothing I- we can't handle. Love to Hana... Besides, you can alvays stall zem...

If Kata survives the Freak out plot then count her in.

If not... then I have some other non-uber characters with dreams of being the next Jessica Fletcher!

*walks off humming the Murder, She Wrote theme*

Well, seeing as no one has posted - very good. I especially like the backdrop.

What are the white line things coming from the bad guy's face though?

Agatha Darke owns one of the boats moored over by the docks and enjoys Chum Island as a peaceful retreat from the 'survival of the fittest' battle that is Mercy Island...

Of course it's also a handy place to deal in rare herbs and strange artefacts, usually prohibited by Arachnos and Longbow, and a great place to gossip and find out things about goings on

...

So I have parked her on Chum Island and await news of just when this is likely to start up. I'm quite happy for this to be a once a month thing at first but I guess it depends on what occurs there and how things develop.

"So, Ms Bromovich, do we have a deal?"

The doctor sat at the foot of the bed, watching Kata carefully. Although this area had been shut down, thick iron grilles covering heavy oak doors, reinforced with who-knew-what had appeared at every door to the private wards.

Kata, stifling the pain, had managed to move from her bed to a tall cabinet by the window and was propping herself against it trying to get a good look at the street below.

"Ms Bromovich, stalling at a time like this is surely not a wise tactic."

"I said no. I'm not owing my life to anyone."

"But you work for the US government. Surely you owe your life to them simply by joining their ranks? And-" The doctor paused to push his spectacles back up his face, "who knows when the full paralysis will take hold?"

Kata cursed in Russian. She felt all the bullets at once; all the times she had been lucky and the times she had been hit. So, according to this idiot, this pawn of her employers, she could be totally paralysed in three months.

"I need to make a call."

"At a time like this? Really, Ms-"

"Can it! I need to make a call to an old friend. He will give me the advice I really need."

The doctor studied Kata and chuckled to himself. Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out a mobile phone, dialled a number and handed it to the woman.

Kata checked the number. "How did you-?" The call was answered...

[ QUOTE ]
Dood you must be a gerl then!

[/ QUOTE ]

Never assume, sweetheart

Anyway, welcome, been playing for 3 years. I tried FF XI (but I need to actually go to work and earn money to buy things like food and a place to live...) and WoW (After 8 hours of loading: There has been an error. This program cannot initialise. THREE times...).

They do not compare in the slightest.

Enjoy your time here. And read the suggestions FAQ before asking for Wall-crawling

"The doctor will see you know, Ms Bromovich." A portly Caribbean nurse put down a clipboard at the end of the bed and let the doctor through.

"So, Ms Bromovich. What an honour this is." He smiled and Kata, in her mind, smiled back. With painkillers though it was only guesswork.

"It seems your lifestyle choices have caught up with you. Dear, dear. Well, thankfully your employers offer top dollar treatment."

Kata noticed the doctor was holding a black portfolio, with a lot of gold leaf filigree edging. The American Eagle sat produly in the middle and she could smell the leather binding from where she lay.

"It turns out that we may have an interesting and, dare I say exciting, new technology that should get you back up to full health in a very short time."

The doctor proceeded to discuss Kata's options: The bullet to the shoulder had severely damaged her collarbone. It was somewhat of a mystery as to why she had not suffered total paralysis...

"Total?" Kata's eyes flicked open fully and she had the look of a lone wolf.

The doctor, a little unsympathetically in Kata's opinion, chuckled, "But of course, you have been out for the count for some time."

"Some time? It's only been a few hours. Doctor, I need a little more time and rest."

Then the doctor took on a sinister tone which shocked Kata into silence, "Young lady, your superiors were most adamant that you hear this proposal straight away. They are not prepared to waste time if you are not willing to cooperate. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Ms Bromovich."

But before Kata had the chance to reply, the chance to voice her concerns over the treatment the doctor had implied, an intercom burst into life:

"Code Gunmetal! Freakshow Intruders. Shutting down non-meta wards!"

...

Oooh, oooh ooohh!

Origin Patrons.

Mage Hunter (Magic or Technology?)
Vernon (Science!)

etc.

It just occurred to me that these could be viable, especially with Power Proliferation and Doctor Brainstorm meddling about with things.

Okay, going to sleep under my rock now.

Mage Hunter Zukhara, Vernon Von Grunz (sp?), Facemaker and oh, I dunno, someone else. Just some examples of 'alternative' factions or figures that represent a theme within the Rogue Isles.

My favourite would be the Mage Hunter. She could give perma access to Spirit Traps as well as other paranormal/magic-fighting powers and defences. Patrons that give an edge over certain types of mobs could be interesting.

Spirit Trap
Ghost-Slaying Axe
Holy Shotgun

Three exisiting temp powers that could be expanded upon.

Vernon obviously has a thing for the Devouring Earth. Also, the Vial of Bees was my Weapon of Choice on the road from 45 to 50.

Vial of Bees
Summon Razorvine
The Devouring Earth -Regen - Recovery power

All good, clean fun


On the flipside, and I have mentioned this before elsewhere, I think that Heroes should have the option (one-time only, to make things fair) of allying themselves with Heroic factions: Wyvern, Longbow, Legacy Chain, PPD - for example.

Let's face it, Villain Ancilliaries (Patrons) are the same powers for each AT but with a different flavour. There's no reason why a similar system couldn't be implemented for Heroes. Of course, Villains would need free-choice and respeccable Ancilliary Pools too

Hmm something puzzles me about Incarnates - Statesman is the Incarnate of Zeus, with lightning bolts to hurl. His daughter, Miss Liberty, 'inherited' the powers (see the Villain Ourobouros Flashback TF - she unleashes a number of lightning bolts - the comics also showed this with her daughter, Ms Liberty, doing the same: "This is something I learned from my grandfather" (paraphrased, natch)).

I like the idea of playing an Incarnate, but quite how they'd be different from 'regular' heroes I am unsure.
The VEATs have provided more of a team focus to balance out the solo-happy nature of the majority of Villain ATs. I personally feel that Hero ATs are already balanced and that Kheldians should be (but aren't always) the cannons that give that extra firepower.

So, Incarnates would probably need to be for both sides. I do like the idea of Incarnate Power Pools, perhaps based on Archetype? (including VEATs and HEATs). Quite what powers they would contain that aren't already available (especially with Power Proliferation in play) is beyond me.

Herculean Strength
Zeus's Lightning Bolts
Hera's transmogriphying powers
Aphrodite's mind-altering powers
Hephaestus's ability to craft pretty much anything.

They are available.

Still, I'm not averse to a time-travel/modern-day Well of the Furies TF - co-op of course and with the condition that it should be 8-person with 4 of each side. It won't stop the Corruptor*2, Brute *2, Blaster*2, Controller*2 only mentality but it could be a lot of fun.

Whips / Chains - some kind of melee-with-range set

Gravity Tanking (i.e. a taunt aura that actually draws mobs in - like an inverse Repel.

Morphing weapon limbs... i.e. swords / guns that grow out of the arm

Computer Hacking mini-games: i.e. a pop-up 'game' that means you only successfully hack a pc if you can do the puzzle. Similarly some kind of MKI button-mashing crowbar animation for opening those darned crates...

Animal Control masterminds: Monkeys, Amphibious creatures, lions, tigers, bears... oh my

Psychic Defence to go with Psychic Melee - and make it so that Lethal attacks are poorly resisted Just like Carnies.

The 'Wand' powerset (shameless plug for an old thread)

Bo Staffs

Energy Aura for Tanks and Scrappers

Assault Rifle for Defenders and Dominators

So Phantom, if/when the content editor comes out, are we ever likely to see you again?

Excellent work and some obvious thought gone into these. Thumbs up

Not bloody likely

Eek!

So Kata will soon encounter a bunch of crazed Freaks rampaging through the hospital in Galaxy... I smell pwnage