Aura_Familia

Originally Posted by Zombie Man

Excuse meh, sir... does your dog bleed?

When are giant jibbers and eyeballs being ported to our characters?

PuG Russian Roulette: TuT set for 'First Available'

Devs stole headless (glass jar hidden by aura) body costume!

When I hear "costs more Prestige" I translate that as something akin to "costs more pennies."

Finally, all the solo-only crowd will have a place to go to climb up the Incarnate ladder. Maybe since they'll be tripping over each other street sweeping there, they can form a team and help one another.


Oh, and looks cool!

Originally Posted by Golden Girl

The new Bloody Bay Trials seems to suggests that they might be planning on making an all-Trial route to 50, which will help the transition into the Incarnate system.

It's also a neat use of assets, as Bloody Bay is usually pretty under-used - this gives them the chance to use it for more PvE content without removing it as a PvP zone.

Originally Posted by JohnnyTurbo

That did seem to be the mission of this Signature Story Arc in the beginning, but that's obviously not the turn it took. The reason? I don't want to get in trouble here, but I'm saying it, poor writing.

I'm not asking for multiple layers of depth and symbolism or anything like that. I'm just asking for an understanding of plot, characters, genres, and how to make the player feel number one. Also, for them to basically understand what makes the most sense.

The SSAs started with that question of Who Will Die? And it sent us to help Synapse.

The first SSA, in my opinion, was a trainwreck writing-wise. In an arc that is supposed to center on Synapse, we fight the Lost and the Minions of Igneous. Two villain groups so randomly plucked from nowhere that do not at all mesh with Synapse's story. He's a science hero, created by science and Crey Industries. He's having his powers sucked out...by an obelisk. A magic obelisk can suck out science powers? It is just lazy writing. If you want to create depth for your signature characters, so we care about saving them, working with them, and feeling on par with them, bring us into their story. Synapse is captured by Crey and the original doctor who experimented on him is trying to steal his powers back using some kind of device. It is in the same genre, it makes (comic-logic) sense, and it brings us into Synapse's story. Fighting the original Crey specialist who gave Synapse his powers would've been much more interesting than fighting through "random lost minions, circle of thorns, and bird-poo monsters" to get to an end goal and have Synapse say thumbs up to you.

Also, giving us Synapse's powers, while fun, annoys players like me who don't understand why the run speed cap for my speedster is so low.

The second SSA, we must help the quintessential magic heroine, Numina! Wow! Magic? Sounds like a good place to implement the Circle of Thorns, the Banished Pantheon, or any magic-driven villain group. OH WAIT NO. Let's just put in RULU-SHIN. Rularuu Ninjas. WHY!? That arc just becomes a mission to retrieve some dead guy's skull from a Rularuu-Ninja. You do it. Numina shows up and says "what's up, you found my dad's skull, thanks." If you want us to feel on-par with the Freedom Phalanx, have us fight WITH THEM, have us RESCUE THEM, or have us fight their ARCHENEMY. Fighting these random Rulu-Shin tells me nothing about Numina's story and is annoying because Rulu-Shin look like somebody hit random in the costume creator.

The third SSA, we're supposed to help someone, I think? I don't know. Manticore? He's in this one, we'll say this is his. But, we're no longer saving them, huh? We're just...I don't know, doing something unrelated to everything else. So we go to Warburg and fight Rogue Arachnos and stuff for some reason and then Statesman's daughter dies. Alright. What? Like...WHY put Rogue Arachnos into this at all!? If we're trying to explore Manticore's backstory in this while killing off Statesman's daughter, Arachnos is the obvious choice. Statesman and Recluse have a rivalry, Manticore has a history with them. Instead they use Rogue Arachnos and set it in Warburg for some reason. We find out one of the people behind this plot is Malaise (who is now dressed in a steampunk vest and pants as if to hammer home that superheroes and supervillains will no longer be in this game.) Seeing as the Calvin Scott TF's been gone for a while, might be a decent idea to explain who he is...

The fourth SSA, we're literally a gopher. We just run everywhere while the Freedom Phalanx argues. We're forced to say Posi is the heart of the Phalanx, we're forced to watch a scene in which Posi calls us tag-alongs even though we just saved Sister Psyche's mind.

The point is, the writing in this could've been done in a way that actually made the player feel like a hero. If that's what the objective was then they failed because of just plain old bad writing.

Also, as a final note. How many think these would've been better if we had one of the Freedom Phalanx as a contact? That in itself would make you feel on-par with them rather than a lackey for the Lost, or the f***in Luddites, or some random Longbow spec ops soldier, or some ghost, or some rogue fortunata, or some stupid red-brick faced dude in a suit.

There, yeah, the mechanics are part of the problem. But its also the writing. Don't be afraid to say it, ya'll.

Originally Posted by TrueGentleman

So there's a precedent for little-used overly specific headgear. The Roman Centurion helmet is a lot less flexible than the Martial Arts pack's Warrior helmet and consequently isn't chosen as much.

The best strategy for maximum variety with art direction is to come up with comparatively plain basic elements first and then design more ornate details as add-ons.

Originally Posted by Paladin

Love the costumes, but I'm disappointed at what looks like a trend: limited unique pieces for male characters, with significant proliferation and unique pieces to female characters. While I can appreciate the precarious situation the costume team is in with the uproar caused by the Gunslinger pack, the problem wasn't that there were unique pieces on both sides but that the themes weren't consistent.

Please, begin to make unique parts for both sexes again under consistent themes. Between this Chinese Dynasty and the Sash/Carnival Costume packs, things are heading down the other extreme with just as passionate resentment building for those of us who value our male characters.

Originally Posted by terrible_deli

i'm a little disappointed someone from paragon studios isn't making me pancakes and bacon for breakfast while they inform me about the game.

I have to use "their" plentiful, easily accessible tools to find out information, which is totally unfair. I'm a vip!

Originally Posted by Agent White

The main difference in rewards between Keyes and TPN/MoM is that the latter 2 can still be used to get Empyrean Merits after the initial reward on repeat runs.

Originally Posted by Supermax

I got about 8 or 9 toons to +3 by doing BAF and LAM. Then due to real life stuff, I had to take a break from trials for a while. This was right when UG came out. So other than BAF/LAM, I've successfully completed the Keyes a couple times (back when it was hard), and I attempted UG one time, which I wasn't able to finish.

I'm expecting to have more time in the near future, so I want to try the newer trials. Any thoughts on which ones are the most fun and most rewarding at this point? Are any so horrible that they should be avoided completely?

Also, I have extensive experience with the original incarnate powers, but none with the newer ones (vorpal, etc). How do they compare? Basically, are any of them better than what was available originally?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Demetrios Vasilikos

LOL this isnt thread worthy. Different incarnate powers exist to give options. Im one who favors Spiritual on most of my toons. Those who use something else usually have little interest in healing or recharge boosts at all.

I really just dont get these number cruncher threads that have no real meaning and certainly dont offer any useful advice.

ANYONE can look at a given incarnate power and see what it offers and think him do I have more recharge powers or toggles, will recharge help me enough or not for it to be a major component of my incarnate boosts? There are many toggle heavy sets with powers that boosts heals, like in will power for example, who enjoy a boosts to thier healing and dont have any need at all for more recharge compared to some other effects.

Its great to have some aspects like Heal be shared between mutliple incarnate alphas because when it comes down to it all have health, so all can benefit at least minimally from a health incarnate boost.

Plenty of builds now days live without hasten thanks to IO set bonuses, I cant imagine any of those builds crave any more recharge from another source, but might well enjoy some more healing boosts.

Originally Posted by Person34

I wish they would have allowed players to custom tailor the alphas. Maybe have us create a series of alphas with the bonuses we want and then combine them all into one custom alpha with focuses that specifically benefit the build. I love muscular alpha on my melee toons, but usually have zero use for the immob and defense debuff bonuses. I would however -love- a 45% damage, 33% rech and end redux alpha.

Originally Posted by Zombie Man

I22 is not in Beta yet.

Additions to the game up to I22 get lumped under I21+. So, they're Beta-ing now things that will be released before I22.

Also, Market releases really don't fall under Issues. So, there will always be a continual Beta testing of things put up on the Market.

When I22 hits Beta, they'll add I22 forums and start deprecating the I21 forums.

Originally Posted by Ogi

I'm a VIP but I only see beta forums for issue 21 which is the current issue and I22 is the one in beta or am I completely missing the actual beta forums?

Originally Posted by White Hot Flash

In my experience, speed ITFs were only marginally faster than a kill-most or kill-all, and the potential rewards you'd get for defeating more enemies negates the time you might save.

I've never understood the fascination with trying to run something 5 or 10 minutes faster, especially the ITF.



Other TFs or trials might see a difference in speeding or not, but I think you should probably take each one as their own case. Some are worth speeding through and some aren't.

Originally Posted by Rodion

The practical problem with speed runs is that not all characters can run through the Shadow Cyst cave without getting creamed. I dread speed runs when I'm running a unstealthed squishie because I am almost certain to be killed if I try to run through the mobs, and I'm almost certain to be killed when the ambushes spawn in response to the shadow cysts being destroyed. And, no, knowing that your allies will simply be rezzed is the wrong answer: in-game lore has established that the emergency teleporter can fail, and I for one would be very hesitant to count on it thousands of years before it was invented...

Originally Posted by UberGuy

As someone who has formed UGTs, trust me, I'm well aware of the limitations of having a vanilla 50 along. You don't need everyone on the league to have Clarion. 4-5 of the Rare/T3 version or better is usually plenty.

Originally Posted by El__D

To be honest, I'd say that both of the characterizations are, on differing levels, true. I think the selflessness and nobility are a more muted but constant aspect of States' personality, whereas the self-righteousness and arrogance are an occasional but emphasized part.

States has been heroing for a long, long time. He's been 'The' Hero as far as global concerns go for nearly as long as well. To say the guy isn't selfless when he's done this as long as he has, and has been continuing to doing it, well that just strikes me as not giving credit where it's due. However, he has been around for forever and a half, so I can easily see the attitude of 'Mightier than thou' boiling up on occasion, given the fact that (once again) he was and still is 'The' Hero. Though, looking at it, the occasional bouts of anger and frustration that States has make him seem like a much more human character. Think of how often normal people can fly off the handle at things, overreact on a daily basis. Now think of how often States does it (in-game, he's always been shown speaking with calm authority unless something really bad is happening). His arrogance only goes so far (after all, it isn't like he's the one lording over a royally screwed dimension with dreams of conquest).

With the build-up of the Incarnate Arcs, and the Well's power growing, is States attempting to step aside and let the next wave of heroes take over? Yes, but he's been doing that for a while, and even now he's got his reasons (he doesn't want to Well to take him over any more than it has). Is that selfish of him? Well yes, but does he not deserve the option to try and remain himself, especially after all he's done? IMO, sometimes selfishness is deserved (when it concerns if you'll still be 'you' or a super-powerful puppet, very much deserved).

I wouldn't have written him much differently at all; I'd have just attempted to tie those two character aspects closer together (so that folks don't pick from one extreme to the other) and would have been a bit more forthright in State's motivations (so people don't assume he's just telling them what to do because he can).

Originally Posted by Melancton

There is a fairly large number of folks who have responded to the announcement of Statesman's impending demise with "Hooray!" and the only possible regret being that they have wanted to do it themselves earlier. Statesman's "self-righteousness" and "arrogance" are often cited.

There is another group who have expressed dismay at the announcement. They have cited Statesman's selflessness and nobility. (Full disclosure: I am in this latter group.)

How on earth can both groups be referring to the same person? The answer is, of course, that the writing for Statesman has visited both extremes.

So let me pose the question: how would YOU have written the Statesman character so that he would be a character that you would want to keep around? What would you have changed about his presentation? What actions did he officially take that you would have done differently?

Originally Posted by cohRock

.. or maybe it was the patch before that; I don't remember for sure. Various weirdnesses can happen:

• certain power icons go invisible in power trays
• the power icons stay visible, but the circling effect on toggles disappears
• certain inspirations go invisible in inspiration tray
• colors for certain GUI items disappear
• some text gets garbled, as if some parts of characters are missing, and parts that shouldn't be filled in, are. This one is really weird, because only some of the text lines might be effected. For example, upon quitting, the window comes up with 3 choices. I've seen two of the choices be garbled, and one of them perfectly normal.
• floors can start looking like water, or walls disappear. The invisible walls essentially force a restart of game, because when you are in a room and can't tell where door is, you are essentially stuck.
• not sure, but I seem to crash more often once the GUI goes whacky

These effects don't happen at the same time. Usually its just one effect, but sometimes two of them are present at once. The /unloadgfx and /reloadgfx commands don't help. Sometimes, opening the Store will fix the GUI once the freeze period ends. The GUI is always fine when I start, but after 20 minutes or so the wonkiness might start. Sometimes the GUI behaves itself for an entire session.

None of my friends are seeing this, nor have experienced it. Has anyone else seen these effects? Do you know if there is a fix?

I have used the repair tool several times (sometimes consecutively), but it never seems to find a problem.

Originally Posted by Wing_Leader

I presume it will be the same thing that motivates them today.

At the moment, there are a lot of +3's with no real reason to run the trials anymore, no need or desire to add yet another ability to their slots, but run them anyway. Who cares if, when the new slots become available, they unlock them and slot them up instantly? These guys (and gals) will grind the new trials just because they can, not because they need to. It's what they do today, and I suspect it will be what they continue to do until the servers finally shut down for good.

You can probably divide the hardcore player base into those that enjoy the trials for their own sake, those that do them to stockpile components for the future, and those that do them as part of a routine of cycling through WTFs, SSAs, Tips, and whatever other repeatable content is available. And when none of that is motivational enough, they turn to playing alts and sending them through the whole process. I don't see these players losing motivation to play just because they can insta-slot their mains. And I imagine that non-hardcore players aren't stockpiling and will be doing the new trials and unlocking the new slots at a nice even pace just like the devs want.

Originally Posted by UberGuy

Honestly, as long as there are a minority of such characters, I don't mind if they come. As with everything, it depends on what else is going on. If I have four or five of my in-game friends on my league, and most of the rest of the league is at least +1 and not known morons, I'm largely confident the trial will succeed. (So far only one UGT I've lead has failed.)

Those +0 folks can still fight the spawns mostly fine. And while I do want to limit the likelihood they'll cause my trial to crash and burn by having too many of them, I don't blame them for coveting the iXP version of the ITF.

On my server, there aren't that many trials run. There's usually only 1-2 leagues running at any given time. If you want iProgress, you need to take what's running, or you don't get a trial at all. That is going to be one of the most compelling benefits of the new Dark Astoria, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by UberGuy

The only trial I think anyone should be doing that on is the MoM. I think most everyone needs to be +2 or +3 on that. On the UGT or TPN, I don't think that. If at least half the league is +2-ish, they should be fine. The fewer +3s you have, the more important it is to have buffs and debuffs on the league.

To read folks here, I can see where maybe there are servers that lack much quantity of +3s, and in such an environment, I could see leaders specifically requesting them, just to get a core of them on a league. Some place like Justice, that's just not usually necessary. Sure, random PuG #117 might not end up with many +3s, especially late at night, but it's not especially the norm.

Originally Posted by DarkSideLeague

Yeah, and we'll probably need the first two Battalion Trials to unlock the next 4 Incarnate slots, still making UGT/TPN/MOM a waste of time for anyone not badging.

Originally Posted by DarkSideLeague

Basically this. The devs make the first two trials completely capable of doing the work of unlocking Destiny/Lore, then wonder why no one feels motivated to do new stuff since they have to first Grind to +3 (the rares aren't the issue, its the sheer number of commons) in order to actually contribute against the +1 and +2 AVs. This isn't fun anymore - and it was BARELY fun to begin with.



...If I'm +3 I'm done with most characters, and if I'm not, I'm Leeching in the later trials.

My Squishy characters get demolished unless they took ONE SPECIFIC Ancillary/Patron shield, and my Melees get two shotted by the Vickies, while they have no difficulty tanking the AVs. It's just frustrating how the developers try to balance content and always go the route of "moar damage and tohit" rather than having unresistable damage (25-40%) and some actual thought on how the gimmicks will be received. ("Why dont they like easily griefable encounters, and a rez mechanic that destroys dreams?")

Originally Posted by DreadShinobi

Quoted for truth and emphasis. The entirety of this game is very casual, including the itrials.

Originally Posted by Agent White

Well, what is going to motivate a person to bother with new content . . .