Agent White

Well the damage boost is specifically to the lower end powers, so maybe they're trying to improve that, just not from the direction everyone imagined.

I still think there's going to be more tweaks than what was mentioned at the coffee talk though.

Then you guys just aren't looking in the right sections. The devs make frequent announcements, and where the devs don't out and out announce it, the players spread the word. Ever week there's a coffee talk with Zwillinger and whatever dev or redname drops in that talks about the current goings on, if you don't want to watch the recorded ustream vids there's a weekly transcription that covers the highlights. And they announce all of this stuff on facebook and other media.

Everything was announced at the Player Summit, which was heavily advertised, then heavily discussed and even re-presented on Ustream for everyone that couldn't attend.

The devs communicate plenty, and more so than most companies from what I've seen.

Yes! under options, you should find something about a pet window, the default is off. Turning it on, it will add an option to your Team window marked 'Pets' up near the top. Turn it on in options, then go click it, you'll see health just like the MMs have. Though they don't get any of the control buttons

If the content has been around more than a year plus I'd say it's fair game at this point. There's always going to be new players that haven't hit every nook and cranny of the plot yet, I think it's a bit silly to keep everything sacrosanct because of them.

They're also supposed to be available for purchase via Astral (or Emp?) Merit after completing TPN.

ok silly question, how is a single Tier 9 power a huge thematic part of a set? Don't get me wrong, I love pets, I think they're pretty cool. But I wouldn't really call them the corner stone of the control sets, more of a nice bonus.

Sounds good to me, it's certainly a shame to let these once sought after rewards just languish because there's gear that's easier (albeit more expensive) to acquire and give more utility.

Yeah this is what we have Back Up Radio, the Shivan, and War Wolf Whistle for. It's not a copy of your characters, but it's 'back up' for when you're solo.

unfortunately since every non-sale item ends with 5 or 0 in the singles digit, you're going to be more or less stuck with the spare 2 points until you hit another sale item and juggle things around to break at 0.

There might be more changes than just the ones mentioned, those were likely just the important ones that came to mind. At least hopefully there will be some other tweaks. Even if there isn't, still some solid sounding tweaks.

I'm really enjoying what they're doing with the sets though and giving them unique mechanics, making them even more distinct from each other.

Well cool, sounds like some very decent tweaks. By the sound of it it kind of looks like they're looking at controller pets to some degree. And here here to faster projectiles!

Here's hoping for some Dual Pistols love too >>

According to Johnny Sonata, all of Wade's "powers" are just magical artifacts he uses, when he doesn't have them he's just a normal guy. And part of Malaise's rant was about how the world focuses on Supers while 'normal people' and their talents are under valued.




Also, as a tangent, the Part 5 contacts have been put in place as of today's publish, Glacia is chilling out a few dozen feet from Ghost Falcon, so I would say it's safe to assume the level range for Part 5 will be 40+.

Thinking about it, it's going to be pretty disappointing if the whole plot just boils down to Wade trying to steal a Phalanxer's powers so he won't be normal anymore.

The amazing flexibility for creating characters and concepts.
The multitude of 'classes' and combinations there of with all the power sets!
The fact that I feel powerful from Level 1 and on, I may not be a complete beast, but it's extremely satisfying getting to knock gang members around like toys.
The fact the game is so casual, I can hop on for an hour and run a mission or two and feel like I accomplished some ok progress on my character.
The general friendliness of the community and how willing to help out so many people are.
how easy it is to get around (travel powers! Ouroboros ports! JET PACKS)

I'm still not at 50 with anyone so I haven't been able to try anything out, but honestly looking them over, Interface has probably been the hardest to pick for me since few of my characters fit into basic concepts like 'a fire guy' or 'tons of confuse!' 'ninja!' etc.

Actually that was one thing I thought was particularly silly and 4th wall bending about Malaise's speech in the first mission. He basically says "We live in an amazing world, but she's DEAD. DEAD AS A DOORNAIL. And WHY? BECAUSE!".

Not really the greatest moment there, you should really avoid saying "yeah there's tons of stuff that could happen to change this, but it won't happen, just because it won't" in a setting like this.

Went live as of midnight tonight New contacts appear in Brickstown and St. Martial (So there's 2 there now).

Only played Heroside since I've been focusing on my Controller, so still waiting to get a villain to 30 for parts 3 and now 4.

Level Range is 30-40 just like Episode 3.

How was it? Mmm, in general I liked it. The story is pretty predictable. Malaise gets close to Sister Psyche and, oh no, bad stuff goes down! Though this episode probably has the most tongue in cheek meta references. Verging on being hamfisted (if not being full blown hamfisted, YMMV).

Mission 1 is pretty straight forward, though the Elite Boss is pretty early so make sure to bring Insps, I can see squisher ATs getting chump blocked. One nice touch, the interrogation actually diverges into 2 different conversations depending on your starting answer (had a crash *just* before the end, so I got to see both versions). Kinda well written, though again, getting a little too 'fourth wall bending' in some respects. I will also say, there's time to read everything even though things happen that might make you think otherwise, so don't feel rushed. (First Ward made me a lil edgy XD)

Mission 2 is standard. Run through, beat up people, talk, beat up, talk. The 'big twist'? (for heroes. Villains got this last ep) is revealed I guess, though several people have called it already. I'm kind of hoping the twist is that this *isn't* the 'big twist' and there's more to it. I will say it's kind of funny how a lot of the characters end up saying "... who?"

Mission 3 is kind of entertaining, but probably too many faux cutscenes. Over half of this mission is just standing and listening to the monologues, and the ambushes at all the different intervals are pretty annoying because they lead off with an immediate attack, so there's no real time to prep. Most of the mobs aren't bad, but I can see some people getting dropped by the bosses and getting kind of frustrated. The penultimate scene is kind of amusing and the climax is... actually really anti-climatic. The whole mission keeps building up to what you think is going to be a big fight and then it's all handled via faux scene. I did like the cut scene afterward though but it was just kind of jarring that it just *stops* suddenly and, hey, the reward table!

The writing is, largely, pretty predictable and fairly cliche, but the dialogue is at least well done and it finally feels like we're getting some of these characters fleshed out instead of being these cardboard cutouts. Unfortunately, it kind of comes at the expense of having to stand around and listen to all of this happen, Mission 3 is honestly one giant faux cut scene interspersed with mobs jumping you and then it just kind of stops. I didn't really mind it, but I can see people getting pretty annoyed with the drag. There's -no way- to speed any of it up except just killing things faster when they appear, but otherwise you're just standing around listening to Malaise go on and on.

I will say for concept and characters involved, this is probably my Fav Who Will Die episode yet since it didn't feel quite as half ***** and at least as a Hero I didn't feel totally helpless and left in the dark so much. In fact this episode really does go the extra mile and make *you* feel like an important part but without pidgeon holing you into any kind of specific mannerisms, your answers are vague enough I don't see too many people griping about 'my character wouldn't say/do that!' that we've seen cropping up lately.

all in all, I liked it. It's definitely worth playing through once, though, I think in terms of 'farming' for Rewards, I likely won't be repeating this one all that often.