ArticulateT

((A while back, a friend and I were discussing what would happen if one of our characters had an Incarnate Trial made for them, where they were the boss at the end and it all had a story based significance. It was a fun little discussion, and ideas, both plot based and mechanical, came to mind in an hour or two of chatter. We'd spend a long time fantasising about how our characters would stand as bastions of power against the players, who would fight alongside already established characters.

Now that the game is coming to a close, I felt that I needed to write the ending to some of my most significant characters. First up was Magus Mu'Nerall.

Mu was made because, at the time, I noticed a distinct lack of mu mages within the ranks of Arachnos player characters. Sure, there was no archetype for it, but we could at least try, right? Mu'Nerall grew as a character, and was originally devoted to the Arachnos as much as the rest. After a while though, I didn't play him as much. it was only recently that he had reached level 50, sitting at level 44 for about a year. He had no significant plot, other than being a bad guy for my main hero and floating in the D, chastising fellow troops for wasting Arachnos time.

Eventually, I felt he deserved a chance, and set to work on a Mu Uprising on Virtue. He would work in the background, making improved Skyships and recruiting followers.

Then, of course, the game was given three months notice. After spending a couple of days in disbelief, I set to work on a series of Epic Epilogues for my characters. They may have stories to continue in other worlds, but I felt comfortable ending them here. Mu'Nerall's uprising, one that was doomed to fail, was the first.

This story is how it would have happened, using the iTrial format I discussed with my friend a fair while ago. Hope you enjoy it))


Magus Mu’Nerall. 1 Year later.

The Skyship Event Horizon tore through the air to Paragon City, the immense galleon soaring with no trouble at all.

That is, of course, if you were to ignore the attackers.

Swarming the half a mile long ship, Vanguard Choppers and Arachnos Flyers bombarded the arcane shields with any ordinance they had left. Heroes and villains alike flew about, firing their strongest attacks upon the monstrosity. Within the twisting halls of the ship, soldiers and costumed fighters struggled against a legion of red and black, the crimson lightning crackling through the air, mixed with the shouts of Hequat’s most loyal followers.

The Bloodshed was extraordinary.

The bridge of the ship was filled with a deafening clamour of alarms, and Mu engineers rushed to every available monitor and dial, trying to ease the ship’s pain as best they could.

In a jagged and intimidating set of black and red armour stood a thin, ancient man, his arms folded behind his back, his calm and delicate demeanour unchanged, despite the alarms. All over his body, residual arcane sparks raced, the abundance of Mu magic failing to be fully contained.

Mu’Nerall had started all of this many years ago. Over fourteen thousand years of age, the man had spent his entire life preparing for the return of his people. Recruiting those loyal to his cause, liberating technology in the name of the gods, even spending many a year suffering under the thumb of that heretic Ritcher, all of it was in her glorious name; in the name of Hequat, the one who would guide them.

The great ship shuddered as a section of it exploded. The lights and alarms increased in intensity, warning the crew that the armoury was now gone. Panic started to creep into view, the engineers struggling to put the wellbeing of their faith above anything else. Mu’Nerall sighed. A pity that so many of his ‘loyal’ troops lacked the back bone to continue this work; even in the face of encroaching death, they would flee.

“Stay on course, she demands it of us,” he ordered, the thin snarl of his voice cutting into his troops like a knife, forcing them to push themselves.

He wasn’t about to let his efforts go to waste. They were half an hour away from the coast of Paragon, the corrupt shell that rested on top of his true target, Orenbega. They had to carry on. They had to keep fighting. It was his determination that had cost him so dearly. The hundreds of thousands of men and women fighting for him, the thousands of ships at his command, the missiles he stole from Warburg, and the countless spells and technology he took in the name of Hequat, all that was left was his flag ship, the Event Horizon, as well as a handful of troops.

There was a massive shudder, one that shook the rebelling mage in his place, tossing everyone on board like a ragdoll. The entire ship had stopped moving. Hundreds of Arachnos Fliers and Longbow helicopters had surrounded the ship, each one sporting ten or more psions, who used their powers to halt the thing mid-flight. With them were countless force field generators, sheltering the craft from the maelstrom of red lightning that began firing from the ship.

Standing straight again, the ancient Mu Mystic had to wonder how it all went wrong. How did they get caught off guard? They attacked so soon after the Battalion’s defeat, with any opposing force being too weary to retaliate. Where did this second wind come from? Perhaps it was that snivelling lap dog Mu’Drakhan that had tipped his enemies off. That pathetic mage, Mu’Nerall thought, how dare he jeopardise the return of their goddess for the sake of his own hide? He’d have the worm gutted and displayed before the people for this!


Another shudder. Looking to the screens, Mu’Nerall saw it. An immense spider, possibly bigger than a building, was dropped onto the hull of his ship. Within a few minutes, the impervium panels that lined the hull started to bend and tear away, all while this monster stood perfectly still. The mage cursed himself as the Jade Spider did its work, so beautifully too with all the improvements made over the years

“Amplify the lightning, generate more storms. Knock those pathetic flying contraptions of theirs out of the sky!” he snarled.

No one listened. Already frightened by their impending doom, the Mu Engineers had fled in all directions. All over the ship panic had ensued. The enemy force the crawled through the ship was moving faster now, cutting through the rabble of terrified Mu like a hot knife through butter. Their former leader shouted orders once more, adding the threat of Hequat’s wrath, but it was too late, none of his people would listen anymore.

He clenched his fist in rage. Cowards, the lot of them! What happened to the dedication that was unrivalled? The unshaking character each brave soul in his employ would have? Was the death of the Orenbegans so unimportant that their own lives were worth saving? The mage breathed deeply through painfully ground teeth. The storms outside grew progressively worse, the flowing crimson lightning over his body seeping into the floors and walls around him.

He couldn’t lose now! HE WON’T! Even if he had to fly what was left of his magnificent flag ship by himself and personally hunt down each demon-dealing swine, he would win! They would all perish and a new, golden age for the gods of old would come back! Whose fault was it that Tiellekku initially failed to defeat Mot? Whose fault was it that the fight against the Battalion required us to fight alongside an untrustworthy and mad source? It was them! Humanity had failed praise or even acknowledge the gods of old, leaving once great and powerful beings weak and unprepared! Now they would pay, they would pay in blood.

The door behind him shuddered in protest against the strike force within the ship. They had finally worked their way to the bridge, to end the threat at the source.

Good, the ancient mage mused, it’ll save him the time of hunting them down himself.

The door once again groaned under the continued assault. Mu’Nerall turned and waited. By now the sheer volume of electricity had fried the monitors, the alarms and lights shutting off. He was ready. The moment they came into the bridge, he would end them all, one triumphant strike and then he would rise, blast every one of the heathens that dare cross him before! That’ll force them to praise the glorious Hequat. Fear was always a good tool to use.

In one deafening crash, the giant metallic door was wrenched off its hinges and fell to the ground. On the other side of the wall of dust, he saw them. The menacing visage of Arachnos troops, the bright, self-righteous colours of the Longbow, the dark, cold image of Vanguard and amongst the lot of them, a sea of heroes and villains, each wearing the costume of whatever failed and petty ideal that they hoped to portray; a sea of misguided and arrogant fools. Rage and determination coursed through the ancient Mu’s being like the lightning that surrounded him.

“Come, come meet your doom, heretics!” Mu’Nerall barked, “meet your doom at the hands of your superior!”

The strike team charged, bounding and flying over the fallen door and right towards the mage. With a sinister grin, Mu’Nerall raised his hand. What happened next was unknown. A bright flash of reddish-white had filled the area, and a high-pitched tone filling the ears of all those who might have survived the blast. There was nothing left of the bridge, with the Incarnates and powerful heroes and villains being tossed into the air. When their senses returned, it reeked of ionised air, the muffled crash of thunder and the blurry flash of lightning. The troops, lesser beings as they were, had been instantly vaporised in the colossal strike of lightning that had obliterated the front of the ship.

Standing in the smouldering crater that once was the bridge, Mu’Nerall floated in the air, confronted by the opposing strike team, and behind them, the still stationary Jade Spider. His fist quivered with rage as he saw them still breathing.

“Weak minded, pathetic heathens. You can’t hope to stand against me!” He raved, raising his arms to assault the attackers once more. As a demonstration of his power, he flung another bolt of lightning at the Jade Spider. The bolt collided with the mechanical beast with great force, staggering it, but nothing more. As the heroes and villains charged the mage, the giant spider let forth a dreadful psychic wail.

Mu’Nerall braced himself against it, and working through the immense pain focussed his attention on two of the Arachnos Flyers that were still by the ship. Eyes, ears and nose bleeding, the mage launched two tethers of electricity, which sliced through the force fields and lassoed around the flyers. Swinging both his fists down, the flyers jerked out of their flight path, sending them crashing down in a smooth arc and into the Jade Spider. The sky lit up with the explosion, and the Event Horizon jerked slightly as the psychic demand to keep it in place was increased.

With the psychic assault over, he could pay more attention to the attackers that were almost upon him. He spent a moment to count them, seeing that they numbered at around twenty four. With a smirk, he called down a smaller bolt onto himself, disappearing as it impacted him. Another bolt came crashing down into the rear ranks of the enemy, blasting them apart and sending them tumbling across the hull, and positioning the mage where they once were. As he gained his bearings again, he felt the sudden flash of heat from a pyromancer, one who had used his superior speed to get into close range.

The mage howled in pain as flames engulfed his right arm. Once more working through the pain, he clenched his fist and brought it round to meet his target’s chin, discharging enough power upon impact to light a city block. The hero stumbled back, each nerve in his body twitching each muscle, forcing the man into a series of spasms. As more of the attackers reached into range, the mage threw out his arms, another discharge of lightning coursing through the lot of them, overloading their synapses and stunning them. With the lightning still fresh in their bodies, Mu’Nerall raised his arms above his head. Each of the affected attackers flew into the air, colliding with each other in a mass ball of pain. Still in his arcane grip, the mage threw his arms forward, sending the sorry bunch of fools over to the side.

A section of the fighters broke off from the assault to aid their comrades before they fell off the side of the ship. The ones that remained unleashed their Well-given powers in a flurry of power. In the explosion, the mage had attempted to shield himself, with the force knocking him into the air and tumbling backwards. Braking in the air, Mu’Nerall let a heavy snarl of rage pass through his gritted teeth. How dare they strike him, those who had shunned their rightful masters?! Such insubordination!

In retaliation, the mage clapped his hands together; the sudden crack of energy in the air delivering a powerful pulse that forced the attackers back even further, bar one or two. Throwing aside any form of tactic or grace, the ancient Mu Mystic flung bolt after bolt of lightning at the accursed beings. In his rage he failed to see the waning effectiveness of his powers, even with the hate filled prayers to his patron deity, and his attacks slowly started to bounce off his foes.

They were regrouping, moving back and forth, gaining their strength while Mu’Nerall’s was weakening dramatically. Unable to keep himself afloat, he was staggering about on the ruined hull of the ship. Even with the pain, he couldn’t see passed the rage. They had to die, they all had to die, be reduced to nothing more than smouldering husks! They turned away from the gods and not even grovelling would save their miserable lives!

As the Mu’s magic faded from his being, the attackers stopped their assault. Had he won? Had he finally won? Had they seen sense and realised it was futile? Halting his attacks, the mage caught his breath, waiting for his enemies to bow down and grovel. To his continued confusion, the strike force wandered away as if bored. It was preposterous, were they toying with him? What was going on!?

It was then that he realised what was happening. Between him and his retreating attackers, parrying down hundreds of tethers, Bane Spiders of varying ranks landed, prepping their maces and standing ready. Before he could raise a hand to retaliate, between them descended a man who had been a subject of ire for the mage, one who had generated enough contempt within the years he had worked alongside him. He was garbed in tan robes, his dreadlocked hair dancing in the winds from the now dying storm. A curved blade rested in his right hand, a blade that was dripping in a cursed, magical aura.

Scirocco simply looked upon the mage with something akin to disappointment. The anger that this one mage had towards the world, it was painful to see. A part of him wondered if there was anything that could have been done to save him, much like his ward, Ice Mistral. As he took a step forward, Mu’Nerall flinched.

“Stay back, I say stay back!” he shrieked. Raising his arm, he launched a bolt of lightning, only for Scirocco to raise his own hand and block it like it was nothing. The blast rippled around him, causing a few of the Bane Spiders to buckle and spasm. The Desert Wind took another step, earning another bolt, only this one was weaker than the last. Mu’Nerall edged backwards, further and further, getting closer to the end of his once great ship. By then his magics had well and truly abandoned him.

“We gave you sanctuary, mage,” Scirocco stated, quite calmly too. He took another step forward, closer to his exhausted foe, “we provided food, succour and medicine. You turn this down for some old ideology that has aided no one but your god.” The Mu Mystic took an ill-fated swing at the man, missing entirely and stumbling in his fatigued state.

“We could have saved the world!” he snarled, “The gods would have lit the way for our own good, but you and your heretic master, Ritcher, chose to exploit us! Use our blood to further your own, crumbling goals, and you consider us detrimental!? You misguided monsters are only paving the way to your own destruct-”

The mage couldn’t finish his sentence as the curved blade cut a deep gash down his chest. He stared in disbelief at the pure speed that Scirocco had launched the attack. Within his rage, he was blind to the intentions of his adversary. Rapidly losing the strength to stand, he fell back, tumbling over the side of the ship and into the dark waters of the Atlantic Ocean below.

Scirocco stood straight and gazed over the edge. Regret filled his being as he hoped that there might have been a way to redeem the man, to save him. He reasoned that a man whose hatred had been present for so many years had consumed him completely; there was no coming back from that. It was simply unfortunate that it had to come to this. He looked up and to his left, seeing the fish-like man he called a comrade staring at the same spot in the water. He was always curious as to how the former Gideon Ray was able to sneak by him so often, but it was something that got the job done. He dare not question it.

“Are you not going to dive after him?” He asked, the question oozing with sarcasm and disdain. Regardless of his effectiveness, he couldn’t bring himself to appreciate his fellow Patron’s sadistic nature.

“Not yet,” Captain Mako replied, the row of pointed teeth in his maw becoming menacingly visible as he began to grin.

“I like to give ‘em a head-start.”

So... here's something that kinda hit me.

With City of Heroes going down, perhaps we should, as part of the many send offs that there will be, send it off in the same way it technically came in.

Should we have a Tabletop RPG session in celebration of the life that City of Heroes had?

Jack and Matt based Statesman and Positron on their Champions characters, I think that, an aspect that had played a big part in the inspiration of the game we've come to love over the last eight years.

Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of the Champions system, though I do have a very good knowledge of the Mutants and Masterminds system, both 2nd and 3rd edition. Given enough time to plan something, I'd be willing to run something.

Kind of a pity the City of Heroes tabletop game didn't get off the ground, eh?

What do you guys think? Good, bad? Let me know. Maybe we can get a stream going.

The lack of RP on DCUO was probably what turned me away the first time it came out, so knowing there will be some City of Heroes brand RP there is great.

I think on the PC version, there is a variety of options to adjust the chat stuff, but still no overhead bubbles. I had to adjust to that with TOR, I will admit, so i won't mind that much.

Dang, someone beat me to it.

I'm working on an ending for Paladin Jameson and Magus Mu'Nerall. I should have them ready soon enough

I'll be going to Guild Wars 2, but it's more due to money matters. I don't like NCSoft, but it's a fantasy MMO that's cheaper than other options open to me. I've been missing a bit of fantasy in my life.

For my Superhero fix, well... I would go to Champions, but there's something about that game that depresses me to no end, and I can't truly play a game that makes me feel bad. I have DCUO. As limited as it is, and with basically no RP community, it'll do. I do like my DC comics after all.

I also play Mutants and Masterminds, so... yeah. Hopefully that'll get an MMO spoof in the future, so, fingers crossed.

Heya guys.

Not sure when the forums will be shutting down, but, you know, better safe than sorry.

I'm ArticulateT, or Josh as a few people know me. I'm the player behind Paladin Jameson, Magus Mu'Nerall, Bolt Dragonfist and a couple of other characters that didn't really get off the ground.

Like many of you, I'm kinda in disbelief and pure, unrivalled rage over the recent news, especially a day after my birthday. Sure, we knew this wasn't going to last forever, but with the way things were going, the way so much content was ready to be published, well... kinda thought it would last a little longer.

Heh, I had so much planned, so much I wanted to do, both past, present and future. A pity I was too scatter brained to focus on it enough. A Mu Rebellion, a new bad guy, too many unfinished stories and AE arcs to count.

Despite this account being only a year or so old, I played City of Heroes many years ago. Some would know me as Acenra, and I can probably tell you that my roleplaying and writing skills were... kinda pitiful compared to the way they are now. It was fun then, it is fun now.

I've been moving around since then. Champions, WoW, DCUO, Lineage 2, Star Wars, so many places, but I can safely say this is the best community I've been a part of, regardless of the impending end to it all.

Where am I going? Well, since there's no need for a subscription on the games, I occasionally tromp around on DCUO, on the European PvE servers as that world's version of Jameson. When I get back to a better internet connection on Monday, I'll be Fastidion Darnesh on Guild Wars 2. Heh, with the way people are snarling that they won't give NCSoft another penny, but how many were talking about GW2 before the bad news was given to us, I can see a major decline in the player base.

Regardless, I use the somewhat ironic handle of ArticulateT in a lot of places, though in some it might be some variation of Articulate Tony. You'll be able to find me sure enough.

I'm a big fan of tabletop, DnD 4th Ed, Mutants and Masterminds, Call of Cthulhu. A lot of things, really. Since I can't find anyone local, I play over the net. If you're looking for an additional player, let me know. Will be happy to come along, if the times permit me

As for NCSoft.

Well... Like I've said before now, I can't fault them for being a business. Regardless of what the true goal of a company is, they need money to keep it a float.

This doesn't mean I'm happy with them though. In fact, my exact feelings towards the company can't be expressed here. It is still T for Teen after all.

I guess, long story short, you all have my thanks, those who RPed with me, those who hassled me, those who teamed with me. You guys made my stay worth while, improved my skills, and just made the game more than a 'game'.

To the men and women behind the game, thank you. I just recently recieved my BSc in games development, and I can appreciate the hard work and the love you put into the game. I hope you all land on your feet, and who knows? Perhaps we'll work together on something in the future.

You're all good people. Those who I may see again in the near future, I'll see you soon, and will hope our journey through new games will be awesome. Those I may not, I wish you luck in your future endeavours, thank you for the time we spent together, and you'll be missed.

It's been great, I have a lot of stories to share, and I am proud to have been a part of this community.

~Josh.

I could see it being used as a place holder for other cities in the world other than Paragon; a lot of characters, roleplay-wise, didn't grow up in the city and would more than likely want to do some travelling.

I know that the same has been done on a few occasions in various other zones (I've seen Croatoa be used as a stand-in for an English town, for example).

One of the prime advantages, as I see it, would be that it serves as a neutral ground where Heroes and Villains can RP confrontations in a non-Pocket D environment, with the fear of random attacks that might occur if you were to have said confrontation in a PvP zone.

Hey there!

I'd like some feedback on this build I have here. it's due for some slight changes when I24 comes along, but right now, this is what I have, sans the Purples in Burst.


Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Body Blow -- SScrappersS-Rchg/+Crit(A), SScrappersS-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SScrappersS-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3)
Level 1: Fire Shield -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(5), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 2: Blazing Aura -- FotG-ResDeb%(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(9)
Level 4: Smashing Blow -- SScrappersS-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), SScrappersS-Dmg/Rchg(11), SScrappersS-Acc/Dmg(11)
Level 6: Healing Flames -- Dct'dW-Rchg(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(13), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(17), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(19), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 8: Power Siphon -- GSFC-Build%(A), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(23), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(23), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(25), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(46), GSFC-ToHit(46)
Level 10: Temperature Protection -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GA-3defTpProc(43), GA-ResDam(46)
Level 12: Repulsing Torrent -- Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(25), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(34)
Level 14: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(15), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(15), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 16: Plasma Shield -- Aegis-Psi/Status(A), Aegis-ResDam(36), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(37)
Level 18: Burst -- Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 20: Consume -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(21)
Level 22: Fly -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 24: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 26: Focused Burst -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(34), Decim-Build%(50)
Level 28: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(29), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 30: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 32: Concentrated Strike -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(33), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(33)
Level 35: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Rise of the Phoenix -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(A), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(48), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(48), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(50), P'Shift-EndMod(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- OvForce-Dam/KB(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Panac-Heal/+End(A), Numna-Heal(5), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(13), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(37), Mrcl-Rcvry+(37)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(39), P'Shift-EndMod(40)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Vigor Core Paragon
Level 50: Diamagnetic Core Flawless Interface
Level 50: Polar Lights Radial Superior Ally
Level 50: Ageless Core Epiphany
Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment
------------

I like this suggestion.

As an additional suggestion? perhaps have a list of powers that act as a boss critical power, like Protean's Energy Absorb or Anti-matter's Atomic Blast?

Have a list of these powers, some already used by NPCs, others not, restrict their use to Elite Bosses and Arch-villains and have one per NPC.

Thanks for the tips! Reading Dechs' guide now.

I went with Thugs/Traps mainly because of a concept (which I can't really give away right now. This is a part of a very large RP plot event for the Virtue Server and I wanna prevent all possible spoilers during the planning stage XD )

As far as defence goes, I do like the look of it, especially when going in tandem with Scorpion Shield, and Power Boost will help a lot.

Given the up-coming adjustments to the power pools, which pool would be best for investing the most attention in, Leadership or Medicine?

Hey there!

I've wanted to get a Mastermind for a while now, and was thinking of how I could do it.

I have a Thugs/Traps sitting in my character list at the moment, but if there are any better combinations for Thugs to go with, let me know.

I've been trying out some builds, the latest one being something that would utilise Teleport Foe, Poison Trap and a ton of trip mines, but that might be a bit unconventional and highly drawn out for certain things.

Any advice people could offer in regards to builds and play style would be fantastic.

I could see Chi Push's animation being used as an alternate for Crane Kick, not to mention the awesome Storm Kick animation from MC being translated over to MA.

Frankly, I'd be happy if the slow-motion knock back of Chi Push was given to Repulsing Torrent in Kinetic Melee.

Hm, so, Scrapper it is. Sounds good, I usually find myself making a scrapper anyway.

Thanks for the advice!

Hey there.

I'm thinking of remaking one of my characters with Electric Melee and Shield Defence, and it's primarily for the Lightning Rod, Shield Charge combo (looks REALLY fun)

I wanted to know, though, which is the powerset combo best suited for, a Brute or a Scrapper?

I'd love to hear your opinions on this.

I can't remember which thread it was, or who posted it, but I'd be happy for Omega to be a choice between a tier 10 Primary or tier 10 secondary power.

For example, Fiery Aura could have 'Living Flame', where you become a spectre of fire for about 90 seconds, completely invulnerable and with a high DoT to all those that stand near you (10-15 minute recharge, of course)

Kinetic Melee could be Inertial halt, an Extreme Damage PBAoE that causes slow on all affected targets.

Fire Blast could get Meteor Storm

Though, I will admit, a Freem Tree would be nice XD

I've always worked under the assumption that Core's damage damage buff compliments a Scrapper, while Radial and its double hit compliment a Brute, but this all depends on how you play the game.

I can see the appeal behind a Scrapper or Stalker with Double hit. Coupling it with Critical hits would be like having attacks that deal the damage three times in one strike, effectively.

It's really a toss up between more consistent, yet slightly lower damage, or a fairly slim chance at terrifyingly high damage.

Additionally, Core on a Scrapper with a damage aura is quite fun, as simply standing next to an enemy can promise a steady 5 stacks.

Hey there.

So, I've been looking at ways to improve my build for a while, while also staying conceptual. I was wondering if people could take a loot at this iteration and tell me what they think. Due to the new AT Enhancements coming in i24, this build is due for change, but right now, this is the best I can do.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Magic Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Kinetic Melee
Secondary Power Set: Fiery Aura
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Body Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Body Blow -- SScrappersS-Rchg/+Crit(A), SScrappersS-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3), SScrappersS-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(3)
Level 1: Fire Shield -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(5), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 2: Blazing Aura -- FotG-ResDeb%(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(9)
Level 4: Smashing Blow -- SScrappersS-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), SScrappersS-Dmg/Rchg(11), SScrappersS-Acc/Dmg(11)
Level 6: Healing Flames -- Dct'dW-Rchg(A), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(13), Dct'dW-EndRdx/Rchg(17), Dct'dW-Heal/Rchg(19), Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(19)
Level 8: Power Siphon -- GSFC-Build%(A), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(23), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(23), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(25), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(46), GSFC-ToHit(46)
Level 10: Temperature Protection -- S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(A), GA-3defTpProc(43), GA-ResDam(46)
Level 12: Repulsing Torrent -- Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(25), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(34)
Level 14: Hover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(15), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(15), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 16: Plasma Shield -- Aegis-Psi/Status(A), Aegis-ResDam(36), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(37)
Level 18: Burst -- Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(43)
Level 20: Consume -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(21)
Level 22: Fly -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 24: Boxing -- KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(40), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43)
Level 26: Focused Burst -- Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(27), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(34), Decim-Build%(50)
Level 28: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(29), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(29)
Level 30: Weave -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31)
Level 32: Concentrated Strike -- KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), KntkC'bat-Dmg/Rchg(33), KntkC'bat-Dmg/EndRdx(33), KntkC'bat-Acc/Dmg(33)
Level 35: Fiery Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 38: Rise of the Phoenix -- Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), Erad-Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 41: Maneuvers -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(42), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(42)
Level 44: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(45), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 47: Focused Accuracy -- AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(A), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(48), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(48), AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(48)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(50), P'Shift-EndMod(50)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Panac-Heal/+End(A), Numna-Heal(5), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(13), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(37), Mrcl-Rcvry+(37)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(39), P'Shift-EndMod(40)
Level 0: Freedom Phalanx Reserve
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
Level 50: Vigor Core Paragon
Level 50: Diamagnetic Core Flawless Interface
Level 50: Polar Lights Radial Superior Ally
Level 50: Ageless Core Epiphany
Level 50: Assault Core Embodiment
------------

So, this is something that hit me when I was about to go to sleep one night, and was tempted to use it as practice writing design documents and the like. However, I just don't have the time or energy right now, so, putting it here will do, and the Design Document can come later.

The basic premise behind this is to generate more content, but also to provide additional incentive to play older content, and doing it in the form of more emotes and social powers!

This works in three ways:

1. The player, while doing any content, will have a chance to drop a Very Rare recipe called an 'Arcanox Puzzle Box'. What's required to construct the recipe is random each time, but follows the standard formula of 2 common, 2 uncommon and 2 rare salvage items. Once constructed, this produces a Very Rare piece of salvage (which can't be deleted and is account bound) called an 'Arcanox Ticket'.

Due to the nature of the content, the puzzle Box has a higher chance of dropping during holidays such as Christmas, Halloween and April Fools.

using the ticket will give the player the mission 'Board the Transit', which can be accessed via transit system (so, Tram, Boat, Ouro Portal etc.). This takes you to Dr. Arcanox' Jokes and Mischief store. More on that in a bit.

2. While doing Task forces, you can have a chance to drop 'Arcanox Golden Tokens'. These tokens, like the Puzzle Box, are a standard purple drop, but as you add more challenge conditions to your Task Force, the more likely it is to drop, eventually becoming a guaranteed one if you really are harsh on yourself.

3. While speaking to a merit vendor (Incarnate, alignment and normal) you can change Merits to 'Arcanox Silver Tokens'. Silver Tokens are much easier to get a hold of, and with enough of them, you can make a Gold Token when at the Joke Shop.

Whether tokens, like the recipe, can be traded on the market can be debated, but since Merits are character bound, I don't think they should.

The Shop:

So, once you have a ticket, where do we go?

When you arrive, you appear outside the Joke Shop, and can enter freely. The outside should be explorable, though it's possible that such a map won't be large enough to yield much in the way of excitement, but I digress.

Entering the Joke Shop, you see the standard shelves, lined with masks, toys and jokes like whoopee cushions and mouse-trap bubble gum.

While there is a vendor, you can meet Dr. Arcanox standing in the centre. You can talk to him and he'll provide a short dialogue that may or may not have hints on certain Lore, and can change on each visit.

The vendor, also changing with each visit, will sell emotes, social powers, costume pieces and consumables.

The Vendor can also turn, say, 20 Silver Tokens into 1 Golden Token. Certain items, based on their complexity and usefulness, will be worth multiple Tokens of both kinds. There are also things that can be bought for plain old influence (can't walk away empty handed just because you don't have a Token, right?)

Before I get onto possible item ideas, I think we should also open up the discussion on how such a mission is completed so that it prompts the player to go forth and do more content and come back another day. I was going to put a limit on how many things could be bought before the mission completes and then auto-ejects the player, but that might seem a bit silly. if you guys have any idea on the matter, let me know.

Anyway, the items.

I had three ideas, but obviously, we need quite a few, so, item ideas can also be up for suggestion.

One idea I had was a social power, much like the Frisbee, which is a Water Balloon. Pretty self explanatory, works like a Snowball with an animation change.

Another I had was a canister of Silly String. Just take out the can and spray the guy, while he brushes himself down.

The last Idea would be a rather expensive one, as it's a Power Power, and has a combat use.

Ladies and Gentleman, I present the Perfect Decoy.

The Perfect Decoy works as a combination of a Summon and a Self Teleport power. The Way it works is that you use the power, and through a smoke bomb animation, teleport to a given area. In your place is an idle duplicate of you. For ten seconds, they take no damage, and don't react at all. The duplicate has an automatic taunt aura, higher than any Tank or Brute can hope for. After ten seconds, the duplicate will pop, dealing minor smashing damage (similar to an unenhanced Brawl) and minor knock up in a small PBAoE. With the duplicate gone, aggro returns as normal.

The recharge time and whether such a power has an ammo use can also be debated.

Tell me what you think! The more information I have, the more I can add to this design document, and therefore my possible portfolio!

Out of purely conceptual reasons, I was going to take Fire Blast with this one and make it more of a Blapper, using Burst of Speed to escape from Location AoEs such as Fire Rain and Liquefy. With the Self Heal and +Absorb toggle, it makes it very viable, to say the least.

As for an epic, I am torn between Bonfire+Fire Shield, adding the Knock Down proc from overwhelming force to add a control aspect of survivability, or to simply go with Body Armour from Munitions and then pull in powers from elsewhere.

Either way, I'm very excited about this power set.

I'd say that, while it would be nice to see a kind of Holy based power set, power customisation leads to a variety of interpretations on how divine powers could work.

Personally, I have 4 versions of the same character that uses a divine source. 3 of them have their powers recoloured into a bluish-white and passed off as divine, and the 4th, as Reppu so lovingly puts it, is a Pure Human Peacebringer build that apparently smacks the Lore across the chops, though I doubt it'd be worth getting into that debate here.

The same works for any power set and theme you have in mind. Dark Fire, Spectral Energy, the list goes on. Unless the Devs add a new 'Divine' damage type, I doubt it might come to fruition, as so many other power sets do so much as is.

The Incarnate Content also provides some kind of divine aspect, though, I've seen a fair few people play the powers off as some other source, not wanting to be tied to the Well and stuff.

That's just my two cents, but as much as it would work for my character, I kind of don't want to see this powerset, as I can't say I'd be pleased with a 5th version of the guy >.>