_Granny_

Get to level 10, create an SG, pad 15 (disposable level 1) toons into it (getting you 300K) , and buy a 2x2 workshop (100k) and enhancement storage table (95K), and 7 salvage racks (15K*7=105K). Congratulations, you are broke, but have lots of storage on day 1. The only tricky part is you might need someone else to join and invite your padders for you. I can do that if you find me in game (usually 7-10 EST weekdays, and random times on the weekends).

If you need functionality, just coalition with a really-old, mostly-abandoned SG's (like mine!) that have all the telepads, crafting tables, etc. and coalition-friendly security settings.

I've done this for a couple of new (or returning) solo-artist types. Look me up at @Granny on Justice if you want a coalition.

Happy Hunting!

P.S. You could also opt for 6 storage racks and the Invention Workbench, which I think is 15k, and requires no power or control, if you are inclined to craft without popping back and forth between bases.

Seems like the best strategy is to get as much defense as you can from the sets., despite that fire is a "resist" type tank.

Not sure I can afford the 2 obliteration sets... but maybe I can TIP my way into them.

Thanks for your help!

Thanks Rodion,

Very helpful indeed. I'm comparing this to Grey Pilgrim's defensive build in the guides. Looks like he has more even defense, whereas you stacked more defense toward S/L and melee.

Although it's tempting to go with a more evened-out approach, I can see why higher melee defense makes more sense for an aggressive or team-oriented style. There are always inspirations for the odd mix.

Howdy-Ho all.

I'm about to respec my fire/fire tanker, now level 37. I'm shooting for hi regen (since it's easy to get), as much psi resist/defense as I can get for cheap, some recharge, and no purple sets (yet). But I did throw in a few expensive uniques/globals.

I'm planning to gut my single-target attacks on purpose, since my usual style is to jump in, taunt (if not soloing), build-up, fiery embrace, AoEs.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.942
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Red Granny: Level 50 Natural Tanker
Primary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Melee
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Pyre Mastery

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1: Fire Shield ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx:25(A), ImpArm-ResDam/Rchg:25(3), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg:25(3), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:25(39), ImpArm-ResDam:25(40), ImpArm-ResPsi:25(40)
Level 1: Scorch Acc-I:25(A)
Level 2: Healing Flames RgnTis-Regen+:25(A), RgnTis-Heal/EndRdx:25(5), RgnTis-EndRdx/Rchg:25(5), RgnTis-Heal/Rchg:25(23), RgnTis-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:25(25), Aegis-Psi/Status:25(37)
Level 4: Combustion Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:25(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:25(7), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:25(7), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:25(25), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:25(33), Sciroc-Dam%:25(33)
Level 6: Hasten RechRdx-I:25(A), RechRdx-I:25(9), RechRdx-I:25(9)
Level 8: Consume Efficacy-EndMod:25(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg:25(11), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:25(11), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg:25(13), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc:25(13), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx:25(15)
Level 10: Taunt Zinger-Taunt:25(A), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg:25(45), Zinger-Dam%:25(45), Zinger-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:25(45)
Level 12: Plasma Shield ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx:25(A), ImpArm-ResDam/Rchg:25(15), ImpArm-EndRdx/Rchg:25(17), ImpArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:25(17), ImpArm-ResDam:25(39), ImpArm-ResPsi:25(39)
Level 14: Super Speed Clrty-Stlth:25(A)
Level 16: Combat Jumping LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A), LkGmblr-Def:25(50)
Level 18: Burn Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:25(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:25(19), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:25(19), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:25(21), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:25(31), Sciroc-Dam%:25(33)
Level 20: Build Up RechRdx-I:25(A), RechRdx-I:25(21), RechRdx-I:25(23)
Level 22: Super Jump Zephyr-ResKB:25(A)
Level 24: Acrobatics KBDist-I:25(A)
Level 26: Fiery Embrace RechRdx-I:25(A), RechRdx-I:25(27), RechRdx-I:25(27)
Level 28: Fire Sword Circle Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:25(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:25(29), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:25(29), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg:25(31), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:25(31), Sciroc-Dam%:25(40)
Level 30: Fire Sword C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:30(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(37), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:30(36), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:30(36), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(37), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:30(43)
Level 32: Rise of the Phoenix Stpfy-Acc/Rchg:25(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun:25(46), Stpfy-Stun/Rng:25(48), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg:25(50), Stpfy-KB%:25(50)
Level 35: Incinerate Acc-I:25(A)
Level 38: Greater Fire Sword C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:30(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:30(42), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:30(42), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(42), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:30(43), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(43)
Level 41: Maneuvers LkGmblr-Rchg+:25(A)
Level 44: Ring of Fire Acc-I:30(A)
Level 47: Melt Armor Acc-I:25(A)
Level 49: Fire Ball Acc-I:25(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet
Level 1: Sprint Run-I:25(A)
Level 2: Rest RechRdx-I:25(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift Run-I:25(A)
Level 2: Health Numna-Regen/Rcvry+:30(A), Numna-Heal:30(34), Heal-I:25(36), Heal-I:25(48)
Level 2: Hurdle Jump-I:25(A)
Level 2: Stamina Efficacy-EndMod:25(A), Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg:25(34), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg:25(34), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg:25(46), Efficacy-EndMod/Acc:25(46), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx:25(48)
------------

looks like my team member is in another zone here: "on mission map" when I'm looking right at her!

Well, then they've used it multiple times... Just got this today:

[NPC] Andres: *Bzzt*<FLAGRANT ERROR: CANNOT FIND RANDOMFAMESTRING45.TXT>

"flagrant error" does sound more like a joke, though...

saw this in NPC chat:

[NPC] Guillermo: *klick* Xersia, Nemesis has his eyes on you! < ERROR: CANNOT FIND MANIACALLAUGHTER2.TXT>

What would happen if I were to take a level 37 character (for instance), and use the Ouro Crystal to revisit a level 22 mission? Am I going to get a mix of the 4-25 drops and the 20-39 drops, or am I going to get a mix of the 20-39 drops and the 35+ drops?

Same (or different) when exemping ?

THANKS!

I bet this has been done many times, but coming back after 3 years away I was kind of surprised to see some familiar bugs still there. Doesn't NCSoft have some junior / new guy that can hunt these down while the seasoned old guys are doing the fun stuff?

- Enhancement and Inspiration trays showing on top of each other when you log in;
- "run" or "jump" acting like you are holding down the button when you are not;

And then some content, which is probably much easier to fix:

- That Striga mission about "Wolf's Throat", which is impossible to find without the vidiot map pack, because the little yellow arrow takes you to the middle of the swamp, and points underground. Either change the arrow to point to the entrance, or have the contact give the players a hint, like "the entrance is a concrete bunker east of the marker on the map".
- Or the guy who gives you "defeat 15 council in boomtown" mission. The only council left in boomtown are immediately killed by 5th Column the minute you get within 100 feet of them. It makes it kind of silly when the premise is that the council is out of control and need to be smacked-down a little. Why not change it to "defeat 15 fifth-column in boomtown"???

Before recently returning to the game, I used to think the "prevent 30 fir bolg from escaping" mission was bugged, or just not solo-able. So I was shocked to actually have succeeded doing this with my scrapper.

For anyone who doesn't know the trick, it's actually quite simple: position yourself in front of the door, and keep hopping (or hover) so you can see both the incoming paths through the woods. When you see a group (or individual) coming to the door, don't wait for them to get near the door, run out and attack them. If you stand right in front of the door, trying to act as a shield, they get close enough where they'll just go for the door. But if you run out and aggro them, they'll forget about the door and attack you.

&lt;QR&gt;

The big "DON'T" IMHO:

- Don't expect anything of another player.

Key word there is "expect". It's all about whether you would like to enjoy playing. If your expectations start at zero, then you will enjoy it when you get more. If your expectations start at 100, then you will always be disappointed, annoyed, and growling at others.

So you just gotta ask yourself one question: Would I rather enjoy playing, and be pleasantly surprised when it's going half-well, or would I rather hate playing, and be constantly annoyed when it's going half-awful?

Believe it or not, the only difference is perspective. If you are annoyed and growling at people, then guess what? It's you doing that to yourself. Period. The problem is that most people believe they have no control over their expectations. Yes, we do. Really. We can learn to lower our expectations. But that's too big of a topic for forum post...

/preachy off

[ QUOTE ]
Defenders in general: Don't attack..

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't say that. I'd go back to the general rule for defenders, which is to work in attacks when you can, and when you know it's safe enough to. Once most of the spawn is down, and you aren't throwing heals as much, throw single-target blasts instead. Especially if, like mine, they have secondary effects like sleep or disorient (so the target doesn't aggro back to you even if you do hit them).

Micro, I hope they sticky you this time -- I keep referring people to your original post, but it keeps getting buried! THANKS for figuring this out for all of us!

When I saw your original post, I definitely had a "divine moment" -- I didn't even know commands existed for it!

It's only command names where the underscore is optional. Power names and inspiration names must match exactly. The "partial" logic you refer to only applies to targeting.

Khelds especially need to do the SBF/MBF/LBF macros -- those are the only ones I have. Also, you must decide whether or not to make greens part of your conversion -- personally, I do, b/c if I have BFs, usually I won't need the greens anyway.

Hope that helps a tad

Nobody is saying it guarantees failure. Of course it doesn't.

I'll try to spell it out more clearly. 1. Not necessary for a "heroic" ambush. 2. It increases the possibility that Amy will aggro something, like say, as you are dropping down toward the door.

For me that translates into:
no real need for it to be on PLUS potential bad result of it being on EQUALS turn it off.

Plus, if you were "blissfully ignorant" of the fact that it affected her, maybe some things did go wrong, or worse than they would have had it been off, and you incorrectly attributed it to something else?

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Another minor, but ultimately inconsequential nit-pick: I was retrieving Amy on the last mission, asked repeatedly for whoever had it on to turn off tactics, and they refused

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually I don't think that's inconsequential. I was about to not reply, thinking this to be a moderate threadjack, but this point is something I'd put in my KH guide -

Unless you believe the team leader's instructions to be detrimental to the team objectives, just do what s/he says. If the order is to turn off Tactics, TURN OFF TACTICS! If he says "all but BlastEx stay at the door", then stay at the door (unless you're BlastEx). On the other hand, if the order is "everybody run to Katie, turn on Tactics and CM her", well that's an order to take exception to.

And to Tactics specifically, yes, turn them off. Everyone should as a standard practice. I don't care how far away you are, just turn them off.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree about the "obey the leader, within reason". I meant "inconsequential" in a purely literal sense: the refusal ultimately had no consequence.

I did the TF last night with a blaster, tank, kheld, and 5 defenders. Easiest KH of the 6 or 7 I've done, despite me being nervous (and bitchy -- SORRY GUYS!) b/c of a couple of first-timers on the team.

The AV waves went fairly well. The ice def always put down a patch before the spawn came up, and the dark immediately immob'd the spawns with tenebrious tentacles, and the tank then grabbed the AV. With the team buffed, and the spawn immob'd and debuffed, everyone blasted them into dust, pretty easily. On the last two or three waves, several purple sappy witches survived our initial AoE-fest. We got sapped a few times, so I had to point out that we should take down everything else first, then the AV. I realized nobody was taking that advice, so I say it again, prompting a snide comment from the tanker, asking whether I had that advice as a bind. I decided to just do the clean-up myself. No biggy.

Whole thing was done &lt; 30 minutes, with a PUG. Even as well as it went, it was still a PUG. Here's the proof :

The tank gets sapped, and dies (b/c nobody took the advice above). I see our SG-Mate (empathy who I know has rez) still blasting away at the A/V, so I say "rez the tank". The answer I get from the tank "I think we all know how to play". Funny, coming from a dead tank, who died of endurance loss, b/c everyone else ignored my suggestion to take care of the sappers first. It was everyone elses' fault, for sure, not his. But he was the one giving me a hard time for making the suggestion -- then he died from nobody following it. Go figure. I think he was the only one who died on the TF too.

Another minor, but ultimately inconsequential nit-pick: I was retrieving Amy on the last mission, asked repeatedly for whoever had it on to turn off tactics, and they refused, using the old (and really, really tired) "I've done this four-hundred-gazillion times" argument. So I was freaking out repeating the request (bad on my part). But I'm the one out there alone, and I'm the one who will face-plant if Amy starts attacking something. But I just went forward, and Amy didn't aggro, b/c nothing was close-by anyway. Is it really so hard to turn off tactics for 60 seconds if the team leader asks you to? In a situation where you don't really need it (this was only the red-cap ambush here, set on heroic)?

Not asking for actual responses here, just venting! Thanks for reading!

[ QUOTE ]
Some people will drive around the parking lot for 10 minutes to save 2 minutes of walking. Never made sense to me.

Airman's way is the definitely fastest, and the TF can easily be done in under 15 minutes that way. But any team can do this in 30 mins. I've seen it with no defuffers, 7 melees + a defender, 4 tanks + 4 blasters, what have you. I'd rather just grab what's available and do it in 25 minutes, then spend 20 minutes putting together the "perfect" team. Do the math. As far as I'm concerned, time spent building the team counts too.

[/ QUOTE ]

I tried one last night with a tank, a scrapper, me (warshade), and 3 blasters. Absolutely horrible to have no buffs/debuffs/controls on our side. It took more than an hour, including a couple of team wipes on the level 37 Mary's.

Anyway -- Thanks for the advice AA. Of course you can do it more slowly or more painfully. But it's nice to know a recommended approach that works.

As people learn, forgot, and re-learn over and over -- Defenders and Controllers are good, m'kay? Often, it's not you being uber -- it's (buffed) you hitting (debuffed) mob being uber. Thank your local def or troller.

Very nice. Thanks A_A.

But... what is a knock/knocker? I've only done the TF 3 or 4 times, and I don't get the concept! Thanks.

This would be the version (I think -- haven't tested it yet) that includes the "heals" as well, and a variation to use the escape key (how appropriate is that?) to pop one:

/macro SBF "inspcombine respite break_free$$inspcombine insight break_free$$inspcombine enrage break_free$$inspcombine luck break_free$$inspcombine catch_a_breath break_free$$inspcombine sturdy break_free$$inspcombine awaken break_free"
/macro MBF "inspcombine dramatic_improvement emerge$$inspcombine keen_insight emerge$$inspcombine focused_rage emerge$$inspcombine good_luck emerge$$inspcombine take_a_breather emerge$$inspcombine rugged emerge$$inspcombine bounce_back emerge"
/macro LBF "inspcombine resurgence escape$$inspcombine rigtheous_rage escape$$inspcombine phenomenal_luck escape$$inspcombine uncanny_insight escape$$inspcombine second_wind escape$$inspcombine robust escape$$inspcombine restoration escape"
/bind ESC "inspexecname escape$$inspexecname emerge$$inspexecname break_free"

I finally found this in order to bump it. This is useful for many builds other than just Khelds, of course!

I have superspeed But there is a limit to how much running back and forth I will do. One person cleaning up, while the others moved on to the next group -- that's understandable on both ends, and I just do my best.

But I'll tell you for sure where I draw the line: That's if the squishy leader of an 8-person team sets the missions on invincible, runs into crowds as if actually invincible, then complains about the heals. If only we had a buff called "Destupify Other".

Well, Lady, if you're drinking on the job, I suggest one of the "set it and forget it" ATs. I couldn't play my Empathy one-handed! Too often someone seems intent on hiding around corners, or otherwise out of line-of sight of me, and then promptly going deep red... Not only am I using both hands just to buff and heal, I'm also running back and forth to get line of sight.

An alternate way to target and cast. I'm trying this out, and not 100% sure whether or not I will stick with it, but it has worked well so far. Even though my Emp/Psy is 22, and I don't have AB yet, I've added that in here. The theory is, numpad heals other, ctrl+numpad cast clear mind, shift+numpad casts fortitide, and alt+numpad casts AB. So I have my left hand decide what to cast, and my right hand decide who to cast it on (or for heal other, it's just one hand hitting the numpad, which is good when you need to react quickly to a rapidly-dropping health bar).

numpad1 “unselect$$teamselect 1$$powexec_name Heal Other”
numpad2 “unselect$$teamselect 2$$powexec_name Heal Other”
numpad3 “unselect$$teamselect 3$$powexec_name Heal Other”
numpad4 “unselect$$teamselect 4$$powexec_name Heal Other”
numpad5 “unselect$$teamselect 5$$powexec_name Heal Other”
numpad6 “unselect$$teamselect 6$$powexec_name Heal Other”
numpad7 “unselect$$teamselect 7$$powexec_name Heal Other”
numpad8 “unselect$$teamselect 8$$powexec_name Heal Other”
CTRL+numpad1 “unselect$$teamselect 1$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
CTRL+numpad2 “unselect$$teamselect 2$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
CTRL+numpad3 “unselect$$teamselect 3$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
CTRL+numpad4 “unselect$$teamselect 4$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
CTRL+numpad5 “unselect$$teamselect 5$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
CTRL+numpad6 “unselect$$teamselect 6$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
CTRL+numpad7 “unselect$$teamselect 7$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
CTRL+numpad8 “unselect$$teamselect 8$$powexec_name Clear Mind"
LSHIFT+numpad1 “unselect$$teamselect 1$$powexec_name Fortitude”
LSHIFT+numpad2 “unselect$$teamselect 2$$powexec_name Fortitude”
LSHIFT+numpad3 “unselect$$teamselect 3$$powexec_name Fortitude”
LSHIFT+numpad4 “unselect$$teamselect 4$$powexec_name Fortitude”
LSHIFT+numpad5 “unselect$$teamselect 5$$powexec_name Fortitude”
LSHIFT+numpad6 “unselect$$teamselect 6$$powexec_name Fortitude”
LSHIFT+numpad7 “unselect$$teamselect 7$$powexec_name Fortitude”
LSHIFT+numpad8 “unselect$$teamselect 8$$powexec_name Fortitude”
ALT+numpad1 “unselect$$teamselect 1$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”
ALT+numpad2 “unselect$$teamselect 2$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”
ALT+numpad3 “unselect$$teamselect 3$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”
ALT+numpad4 “unselect$$teamselect 4$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”
ALT+numpad5 “unselect$$teamselect 5$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”
ALT+numpad6 “unselect$$teamselect 6$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”
ALT+numpad7 “unselect$$teamselect 7$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”
ALT+numpad8 “unselect$$teamselect 8$$powexec_name Adrenaline Boost”

This is all in a file, which I load using /bind_load_file