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Oh wonderful.. as if I haven't seen ENOUGH Hulk clones... now I get to see Banner clones too... turning into a Hulk clone..

I wonder if each costume slot will get its own generic code?

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Transformations are nothing inherently unique to the Hulk. These kinds of things were a trope of fiction going back to early mythology. While some players will undoubtedly do what you describe, your post seems to suggest that the addition should be excluded simply because of that fact. Sorry, I've never been a big fan of the rotten apple analogy. I'm more excited about paying for this booster pack than I am about getting I15 for free.

Am I misreading you or was your opening paragraph just an excuse to get to your cute little one-liner?

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Ghost Falcon:

I'm going to suggest you put all chat-related bugs into the *critical* category.

Why?

Because chat-related bugs are the single most visble category of bugs in the game. EVERYONE sees them. EVERYONE deals with them.

Seeing your most basic social interface bugged, in an established MMORPG, presents a very unpolished and unprofessional product.

I strongly urge you to put all reported chat interface bugs on the "critical - do not release until fixed" list.

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Yes. This. I know that any chat bug like this doesn't seem like a big deal but it is a frustration during every single solitary play session. No matter how short or how long, at least once I send a tell to a friend that looks like "ddddwwwssswwwaaa((Hi!))" or "110000001((Sup?))" It is a far more persistent annoyance than the bugs I am unfortunate enough to experience once every few months.

It needs a fix yesterday, not after I15 goes live. At least put it in with I15 and call it a feature. It's a little thin anyway.

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Since MA missions always act as if you're in a TF team, you should have to drop the mission before going to another contact. Actually, it says that your regular contacts are not supposed to be available at all while you have an AE mission in your queue. Definitely sounds like a bug to me.

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Agreed...and I will be vigilante to make sure I'm not on a MA team in the future. Even still, seems like it could be a potentially frustrating problem.

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Spur of the moment, I join up on a Sister Psyche TF. I hadn't played the character in question for some time and apparently I had an open MA mission but didn't quit it before joining the TF. I don't know if that is relevant...

Anyway, on my way into the first mission, I get about half an inch of a load bar on the loading screen and then it freezes for five minutes so I ctrl+alt+delete out and reload CoH. When I come back, I have the "quit TF" button on my team screen so I figured it was a massive crash but then I see the AE thing my center screen. The leader assures me that he didn't kick me...they just all figured I had mapserved. It was a PuG so they don't offer to reform and I don't ask. We just wish each other good luck.

No great shakes on the first mission but what if it had been the last? I would have been fairly pissed. Is this a known issue? I'm not up on my bugs but this seems to have the potential for a real sucker punch. I'll try to make sure I'm out of the MA before joining any more TFs but will there be a fix for this?

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Lowbie Sidekick, "I didn't get anything. @#$$#, mage!"
Lowbie Sidekick, "Waaaaah." (I actually got a chuckle on that one.)
...Lowbie Sidekick rage quits
Another possibility is if Lowbie Sidekick had all the radio missions down


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There are children who play the game...it's hard to tell online but the behaviour gives it away. So I think Lowbie Sidekick would not have been capable of the type of thinking/persuasion to get himself his pack.

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There are also adults who act like children when they play this game.

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Why is everyone looking at me?

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Look, I already asked you to look it up.

Pistols are not generally effective passed 3 to 5 meters. They were designed as last-chance military weapons to be used when your enemy charges at you. They are "knock-down" weapons intended to keep opponents from over running your position.

They are melee weapons. And CoH melee range is 10 feet/3 meters. Look it up

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Out of curiosity, I did few searches and the effective range of certain pistols appears to be hotly debated. Just what you want to find out...guys who know a lot about firearms having furious internet debates.

That said, the effective range that seemed to come up most often with regard to 9mm and .45s was 50 meters, not the 3-5 you're suggesting. The debate seems to be over if the average shooter could expect to hit a man-sized target at 50 meters without some kind of brace or rest. In one rather heated argument I read, one guy suggested that a pistol used in a military engagement can't be reliably targeted at more than 50 feet but had to admit that the bullets are lethal far beyond that distance. I would link but I don't really know the sites and what else may be on them. A similar web search should yield similar results.

Of course, in a comic book genre, I don't think much of this is applicable. I can totally buy into heroes and villains making amazing shots from 80 feet especially considering that doesn't seem to be that much of a stretch over reality.

I'm sorry but I just don't think they can accurately be described as melee weapons. While they can certainly be used in melee situations, trying to fit them strictly in that category is a little disingenuous.

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Maybe I missunderstood (sic) something in the last 2 posts...

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This.

Although we are incorrectly using range synonymously with accuracy. I think BigFish's point is that the range given for pistols in the Thugs MM powerset is unrealistic in that they wouldn't be terribly accurate at maximum ranges. My assertion is that characters, even powerless ones, do all kinds of wildly improbable things in comic books. Neither BigFish nor myself were suggesting that ranged weapons don't have range and it's kind of a stretch to get that out of what was written.

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Honestly, I was just taking exception to words like "Stupid" and now "Idiotic". Why use denigrating words to try and hurt people who don't agree with you?

The whole 80' range thing for pistols in CoX is silly to begin with. Most people who train to use pistols only expect to be accurate out to 20' to 30', and even they would prefer to use the weapon at as short a range as possible.

and I voted for Psi Melee in the old poll long ago anyway

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While I get that the range for pistols in this game might not be realistic, I also think an unrealistic range fits into the genre nicely. Even "normal" heroes and villains in comics are regularly shown doing things that would be otherwise impossible. I just can't get in a bind about pistol ranges being too much in superhero game.

I'd like to have a normal option for blasters besides Devices so I would love to see Martial Arts get proliferation to being a blaster secondary. I think it could be a nice compliment for those primary powers that don't have "matching" secondaries like AR and sonic. The powers night have to be tweaked a little but I know it could work.

Attache

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Even still, it's as Attache pointed out, that's two out of nine attacks. It's an exception to the rules, not a precedent. And either way, I'll say it again: Guns are inherently a ranged weapon, and scrappers are melee.

[/ QUOTE ]I never said I was for or against melee pistols in that post. I was merely pointing out Attache's mistake. That's why I ONLY responded to the mistake, and not to the general theme of the post.

(For the record, I am against pistol scrappers/etc)

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Just so you know, I got where you were going. Thanks again!

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... Claws already has ranged attacks in it. ...

[/ QUOTE ]Unless your definition of "attack" includes Confront for some inexplicable reason, the plural does not fit in your description of claws. ...

[/ QUOTE ]Point of contention: Focus and Shockwave are both ranged. One is single-target (40ft.) and one is a cone (30ft.).

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I appreciate the correction. I will edit my original post as I don't think the information invalidates my overall point.

Attache

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Please, feel free to reexamine your opinion at any time

Spines is a ranged scrapper set. Claws already has ranged attacks in it. The precedent has already been set. Throwing the word "stupid" around about a shorter range version of Dual Pistols for Scrappers doesn't make any sense considering that 2 Scrapper sets already contain ranged attacks

Simply because you can't wrap your head around a concept doesn't make it "stupid"

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Unless your definition of "attack" includes Confront, only 2 of the 9 powers in Spines and Claws are ranged. What you see as precedent, I see as exceptions to the rule. Under the criteria you've embraced, your dual pistols attack set would only have a maximum of 2 ranged attacks? I'm sorry but I think that would be thematically - forgive the word - stupid. Now, if you're suggesting that it should have more than 2 ranged attacks, I must ask what would be your justification for having one powerset in an AT that is a complete exception to normal standards?

I'm as much a fan as Equilibrium's action as anyone but there is nothing in that movie that is inherently thematic to the comic book genre. If you want to shoot guns and be in melee, push for proliferation of Martial Arts to a blaster secondary and get to blapping. With some fairly minor modifications, MA would have enough damage mitigation (knockback, stuns, and immobilizations) to work as a blaster secondary without tossing all the rules out the window. Energy Manipulation has 5 melee attacks. Electricity has 6 melee or point-blank attacks. Fire, counting the toggles, has 7. Which do you think works better within the scope of the existing powersets?

Or do you just want to have lots of ranged damage with a scrapper's defenses? I can see the appeal but it wouldn't really be all that fair, would it?

EDITED to correct a mistaken statement. See next response.

Attache

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I always look for humor in every post I read, then I tear it apart in my mind like a rabid poodle to find the snark....takes 5 seconds tops I promise....

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In your mind maybe...after this week mine is more like an elderly Basset Hound trying to gum its kibble.

I can certainly buy that I misread his joke and would like to reiterate that I have no personal distaste or disdain for the man. While I stand by the fact that I haven't been terribly impressed by any additions to the game in over a year (I11 and I12 were the last time I liked the final product), I also recognize that other people's mileage will vary. Quality content, like humor, is always a matter of opinion.

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We do, but it's not on these forums and only I have access to it.

So far, I'm not getting a lot of quality suggestions.

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Small wonder, as you're the only one contributing. At least you've avoided the farce that is Jay's Costume Request thread.

I always find your snarky disdain for player suggestions a comfort. If you guys have grander plans, is there any chance you'll actually be making them?

Attache

[/ QUOTE ]you missed the joke entirely, didn't you. there was no snark, if anything the joke was a self deprecating one, he was joking that he wasn't getting quality suggestions from himself. Sheesh people, do we need john kerry here to explain all our jokes?

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If his intent was self-deprecation, I'll take him at his word and withdraw my own snarkiness. I doubt I would have found it a knee slapper if I were fresh as a daisy but maybe checking the Dev Digest after a week's worth of 13+ hour days (plus commute) is ill-advised. I'll try to look at it in the morning before the horror begins and see if my attitude improves.

8:45am - 10:30pm today and I've managed to be civil. Maybe I'm growing...

Attache

PS Jay's Costume Request is still a farce. No growth there.

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I wouldnt mind the ability do delete buffs but i like drive by buffers for the most part.

example: i love getting a random shield or SB when im a lvl 1 in a mob of hellions, or right after leveling up at the trainer as it gives me just that much extra to get to lvl 3 and 4.

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I will admit that the subject is a little misleading as I also don't mind a buff or three while I'm actually playing the game. If I just standing in Atlas Park with a few friends, I don't want/need it.

Attache

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(Looks in)

Oh...
This again...

(Leaves quietly, ... smirking...)

.

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Everyone keep quiet and maybe he won't come back.

Attache

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If they put power suppression around the statue, how will we get the badge on top of the statue?

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Good point. If the power suppression of the square was a defined (yet invisible) box that went as high as say Atlas' knees, it should still be possible to fly or jump over the suppressive area to get the badge while giving the folks who are socializing a bit of personal peace. And the power suppression would also have to keep Rikti and Zombie invasions from spawning within that box.

And, personally, I'm not overly fond of the buffs that set you on fire or encase you in ice even in gameplay. I'd accept them if given a choice because it is the nature of this game but I find them pretty thematically stupid. I also feel that they are kind of genre-breaking. I know that buffing players is a staple of MMOs but I think it would have been more appropriate for a game in the superhero genre to have focused on debuffs more than buffs. Personal opinion, of course.

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We do, but it's not on these forums and only I have access to it.
So far, I'm not getting a lot of quality suggestions.

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Small wonder, as you're the only one contributing. At least you've avoided the farce that is Jay's Costume Request thread.
I always find your snarky disdain for player suggestions a comfort. If you guys have grander plans, is there any chance you'll actually be making them?
Attache

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Well, at least we get a good idea why BABs doesn't post more often.

Why is it that every time I see one of these embittered posts, I almost always recognise the poster's name?

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Because you're a Cuppa Incarnate with 20,000+ posts and probably spend way more time here than you should?

In any case, I don't know if I'm "embittered" and I don't think I have a habit of making "embittered" posts save on a very few issues. I know the cat was trying to make a joke but I read it as a joke at the expense of the player base. As it has been awhile since I've been really jazzed by any of their additions to the game, I stand by my statement.

It also deserves mentioning that I don't have anything personal against any of the Devs. I don't think that I know them and I don't really care to know them. When they do something "good," I don't really experience gratitude because I pay for the game and their doing "good" is my minimal expectation. Since it is mostly my friends and SG that have kept me playing for the past couple years, I have some doubts that they are meeting my minimal expectations as a customer.

Bagging on the idea that worthy suggestions could come from the player base - even with one's tongue firmly in-cheek - is not my idea of them doing good. As a customer, it grinds my gears.

Attache

I would pay $10.00 extra a month from now until this game crumbles into dust if the devs would turn the platform under Atlas' feet into a suppression zone. It'd be nice to have one public space where I don't have to tolerate the jackass who thinks I need speed boost applied three times in rapid succession.

And let me cancel buffs. Everquest had that figured out a decade ago and I've never said anything good about that game ever.

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We do, but it's not on these forums and only I have access to it.

So far, I'm not getting a lot of quality suggestions.

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Small wonder, as you're the only one contributing. At least you've avoided the farce that is Jay's Costume Request thread.

I always find your snarky disdain for player suggestions a comfort. If you guys have grander plans, is there any chance you'll actually be making them?

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I asked him in a PM if he ever thought Power Customization would actually happen in this game and he didn't respond. I even said I would keep it between us!

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Last time I kept asking a question like that (in public) and the development team kept dropping into threads and answering everything BUT that question, was back when Dual Blades were being introduced. I kept asking if adding customization to them wouldn't be possible, as it would appease the masses of "No More Swords!" people, but got no response. A month later, we got weapon customization

That said, while I REALLY REALLY want powerset customization, I'm not going to assume we're getting it, like, ever, until we actually get it.

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Good way to look at it. In all honesty, I'm not even that personally invested in getting color customization for powers. Sure, I would use it if available but it just isn't something that will drive me conceptually. I'm sure that if it hits it will be nice for a player with the name Purple Reign to actually have his power effects be purple in color but I generally avoid color-oriented naming schemes because they are limited (at present) to be represented in costumes and the pre-existing colors of powers only.

The kind of customization I would be jazzed about is more like firing-point choices (hands, eyes, chest, mouth, etc.) and the ability to use a focus item (gun, staff, wand, etc.) to create your power effects. I could see the former possibly happening in the life of this game but the latter would introduce weapon redraw issues into powersets that don't currently have them. With that in mind, I don't think we'll ever see the kind of power customization I would want in City of Heroes.

I would be so pleased to be wrong.

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I don't think I've ever said anything is "hard" to do or even intentionally implied it.

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*cough*powercustomization*cough*

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I've never said it was "hard" to do. It said it would be massively time-consuming.
Not even remotely the same thing.

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I have to side with the big man with the metal gloves on this one. As something of a personal ultimate dream of mine, I've been following official commentary on Power Customization, and that's pretty much what BABs has said in the past. Technologically, the solution isn't very difficult. Powers currently draw off static effects files and use sprite textures draw in colour. That's why Dark Melee can be black AND not transparent. Changing those isn't as much about reinventing the wheel as it is about digging through all the files and reworking them by hand, redoing coloured textures in monochrome and at the same time making sure not to mess up how powers look in the process. I believe he mentioned it was at least two Issues' worth of work.

But then, BABs, now that you have a minion or two... Maybe?

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I asked him in a PM if he ever thought Power Customization would actually happen in this game and he didn't respond. I even said I would keep it between us!

I should mention that I probably wouldn't have kept an affirmative response between us. It would have been my signature, if I could have found a way to get the neon to work on the forums.

On a possible related note...anyone notice that the Colors bar on test has a little pull down menu at the tailor? It only lists costume/uniform at present but why would that be there unless they were planning on letting us color other choices. Hmmmm?

Friend of mine pointed that out to me. Only seems to work at the tailor, not during initial creation. Still, could it be a glimmer of hope?

Attache

QR

Every franchise has its rules of canon and I'm assuming that City of Heroes is no exception. While I'm very interested in the lore of the City, I'd first like to know what sources are considered canon. The game itself is a given but are both volumes of the comic canon? The novel(s)? Heroclix info? Trading cards? Are any licensed products so far off the mark that they have to be ignored?

Also, if a player asks a question that has no real definitive answer but you (you being Manticore) decide to speculate, is that speculation canon? Will you be deciding certain details of the lore on the spot or are you limiting yourself solely to sourced material, even if it is unpublished developer's notes?

I'd just like to know the guidelines here, if you don't mind.

EDITED: For clarification

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Oh ... lookie here ... I can't wait to go back through all the posts in this thread to see how many feathers are leftover ...

... you know from all the crow that's being eaten.

They said it would/could never be done, would upset the AT balance, kittens would die, whatever ...

How you like me NOW?

My Crossover dreams are coming true, you silly fanboy apologists! Begone, and let the rest of us play!

Cheers!

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I was wondering when someone was going to bring this up.

Yeah how many times has this idea been sugested on the fourms and haveing a bunch of people here claiming it would never happen.

No one has ever put up a good argument for why it wouldn't be done but now that it's confimed I'm still wandering where all the haters are. I was amazed to come in here and find people exsided about going Rouge. Where are the flamers who said side switching would never be possible, never be allowed, and all that crap.

I'm betting they'll never step foot in any topic mentioning going rouge because then they'll have to admit to being wrong. On the other hand they could come in here and try to claim it's all fake but no one will belive them.

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I was never a big side-switching naysayer because I honestly never really cared very much about the issue. I can't recall if I ever put this into a post but I have no trouble saying that I didn't think it would happen, mostly because it seemed like something the players really wanted and I just thought they might drag their feet on it to such a point that the game would run out of life before it could happen.

It's also worth mentioning that I always had the impression of side-switching being something that originated with the players and player-originated suggestions seem to be especially slow in coming. However, since there have been discoveries of some alternate names for existing badges (that would seem to be indicative of heroes becoming villains and vice versa), it looks like the Devs may have anticipated this from CoV launch. I was wrong in that impression as well.

I was wrong, I tells ya. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Now, I'm pretty sure that somewhere down the line I said power customization was going never happen so if they Devs really want me to park my foot in my mouth...

Attache

Speaking complete out of my [censored] (mostly because I can't remember the details of each issue), I do think it is risky when an issue revolves around one big feature and very little else. When someone just isn't into the big feature, it makes the issue seem pretty thin.

For instance, I've never gotten the 5th Column mystique, I think that replacing them with a similar facist organization was stupid storywise, and think bring them back is stupidier still since it sounds like a lot of you liked them better in the first place. I'll run the Task Force because I'm a TF fiend but if that and some faces and a couple costumes is all they've got, I could have waited to see it in a full issue with some other bells and whistles.

Attache

I don't think it will be this week. However, I would hope that we'll get the updated feature list. If I15 doesn't have more in it than what they've already told us, they should just change the name to I14a: The MA Patch.

Attache