B_Samson

Oddly enough, both times I've used the Self Destruction, I've gotten debt to go along with it. I must be doing it wrong.

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe THAT'S the issue here! SG costume options aren't playing well together with the costume creator. Betcha a dollar that's it....

[/ QUOTE ]

That was definitely it. One of the SG colors is black. The aura was set to black, so it was just about impossible to see.

I consider this my n00b moment for the week.

*bangs head on keyboard*

I figured it out. Frequently, when I switch between costumes, my super group color settings get changed on me. I just went in and checked, and sure enough, the color settings on the aura had been reset to my SG colors instead of the colors I picked at Icon.

*sigh*

Go back to your homes, nothing to see here. . .

Doing some more digging into this. I copied to test and logged the character in there. Over there, the HUD showed right up on the first try (and looks really cool with Cloaking Device, by the way.)

Back to live to double check. Same issue as before.

In the interests of data collection and debugging, here's a screenshot and some info (map, time of day, costume, and position info for the character and camera) from a quick demorecord.

(Not using the code tags because it breaks the boards. )

*demo code starts here*
----------
0 0 Map maps/City_Zones/City_02_01/City_02_01.txt
0 0 Time 13.665305

0 2658 COSTUME 0 6b98dd -2.610994 -0.650000 0.000000 0.000000 -0.680000 -0.590000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_Male_Pants.GEO/GEO_Hips_Cyborg_01 !X_Cyborg_Gloves none 000055 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME Tight !x_male_chest_tech_sleek_mask !Chest_sleektech_01_dual 000055 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_Male_Head.GEO/GEO_Head_V_Asym_Robot !X_Face_Robot_Mask none 000000 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_GLOVE.GEO/GEO_Larm*_Cyborg_01 !X_Cyborg_Gloves !Glove_V_Cyborg_01_Mask 000000 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_BOOT.GEO/GEO_Lleg*_Rocket_01 !X_male_boot_rocket_01 none 000055 000000 000000 000000 AnimatedCharacterParts/RocketBoots.fx
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_BELT.GEO/GEO_Belt_Cyborg_01 !X_Cyborg_Gloves none 000000 000055
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_HAIR.GEO/GEO_Hair_Cyborg_01 !X_Cyborg_Head_01 none 000000 000055
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_EYES.GEO/GEO_Eyes_Cyborg_02 !X_Cyborg_Eyes_01 none 000000 000055
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_Emblem.GEO/GEO_Emblem_Cyborg_01 !X_Cyborg_Gloves none 000055 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_SPADR.GEO/GEO_SpadR_Cyborg_02 !X_Cyborg_SpadR_02 none 000000 000055
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 000000 ffffff ffffff WEAPONS/Custom_AssaultRifle/Male_AssaultRifle_Mastermind03.fx
0 2658 PARTSNAME V_MALE_NECK.GEO/GEO_Neck_Cyborg_01 !X_Cyborg_Head_01 none 000000 000055
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 000000 000000 000000 Auras/Male/CombatAura/CyborgCombatHUD.fx
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 00000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 000000 000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 00000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 00000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 00000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 00000000 00000000
0 2658 PARTSNAME none none none 00000000 00000000

300 CAM POS -2074.872559 9.139685 -3067.074707
0 CAM PYR 0.304269 0.240057 0
0 2658 POS -2076.914063 0.59998 -3075.415039
0 2658 PYR 0 2.931651 0
----------
*code end*

Viewing the character from the front, the HUD is sometimes just barely visible as a shadow across the face.

The behavior is almost as if the HUD is completely transparent and taking on the lighting value of whatever is on the other side of it.
<ul type="square">[*]lighter from behind while standing in the light[*]darker from behind while standing in the shadows[*]darker from the front in front when backed by a dark faceplate[*]lighter from the front while standing in the light with Cloaking Device active[/list]
EDIT: For comparison, here's what I see on test: screenshot

I can see my HUD pop up in the costume generator at Icon, and it's selected as part of my current costume, but when I leave Icon and enter combat, no HUD.

Anyone else seen any issues with it yet?

EDIT: At times, I can see very faintly where it *should* be (i.e. standing in the light, looking into the shadow of a tree, camera behind and slightly elevated), but it's nowhere near the light show it is in the costume generator.

[ QUOTE ]
Yay for getting the rest of the preorder helms!

[/ QUOTE ]

Uh. . . you mean I'm only supposed to have access to one?

I remember back when I first applied the code that I only had access to one helmet, but some time later all of them unlocked for me. I currently have one character with a Wolf Spider helmet and one that had the Blood Widow helmet for a while.

Guess I tripped over a lucky bug.

[ QUOTE ]
Something that afaik has never been addressed is the Inf Crafting costs on some Recipes - like many of the Level 25's being about 75K vs. something around 25-30k for Level 24's or 26's.

There are some other IO recipes with the same problem, where the IO in question is another level like - 30, 35, 40 - I'm not exactly sure which IO's/Levels off-hand, but I know there are some.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've done some research on this over the last couple of weeks, and here's what I found.

In summary, the following IO recipes are showing the wrong crafting prices:

Resist Damage
* Aegis: +Psionic and Mez Resist 40
* Impervious Skin: +Mez Resist 25
* Impervium Armor: +Psionic Resist 25
* Reactive Armor: Endurance 25
* Steadfast Protection: Knockback Protection 25
* Titanium Coating: Endurance 40

Targeted AoE Damage
* Air Burst: Damage/Range 25
* Air Burst: Damage/Range 40
* Detonation: Damage/Endurance/Range 25
* Detonation: Damage/Endurance/Range 40
* Positron's Blast: Chance for Energy Damage 25
* Positron's Blast: Chance for Energy Damage 40

Confuse
* Befuddling Aura: Acc/Confuse/Rech 25
* Cacophony: Chance for Energy Damage 25
* Malaise's Illusions: Chance for Psionic Damage 25
* Malaise's Illusions: Chance for Psionic Damage 40
* Perplex: Recharge/Confuse 25
* Perplex: Recharge/Confuse 40

Pet Damage
* Blood Mandate: Damage 40
* Brilliant Leadership: Damage 25
* Commanding Prsence: Aura Taunt and Placate resistance for Pets 25
* Edict of the Master: Aura 5% Defense Buff for Pets 25
* Sovereign Right: Aura 10% Resistance (All but Psionic) buff for Pets 40
* Unquestioning Loyalty: Acc/Dam/End 25

Melee Damage
* Bruising Blow: Dam/Rech 25
* Crushing Impact: Dam/End/Rech/ 40
* Kinetic Combat: Chance to knockdown 25
* Mako's Bite: Chance for lethal damage 40
* Pounding Slugfest: Chance to disorient 25
* Smashing Haymaker: Dam/End/Rech 25

Sniper Attacks
* Calibrated Accuracy: Acc/Dam/Rech 25
* Calibrated Accuracy: Acc/Dam/Rech 40
* Executioner's Contract: Disorient Bonus 25
* Executioner's Contract: Disorient Bonus 40
* Exploit Weakness: Acc/Dam 40
* Exploit Weakness: Dam/End 40
* Exploit Weakness: Dam/Range 25
* Exploit Weakness: Dam/Rech 25
* Extreme Measures: Acc/Range/Rech 40
* Sting of the Manticore: Chance for Toxic Damage 40

Sleep
* Call of the Sandman: Chance for Self Heal 25
* Call of the Sandman: Chance for Self Heal 40
* Hibernation: Acc/Sleep/Rech 25
* Induced Coma: Chance for Recharge Slow 25
* Lethargic Repose: Acc/Sleep 25
* Lethargic Repose: Acc/Sleep 40

Running
* Celerity: +Stealth 25
* Celerity: +Stealth 40
* Quickfoot: Run/Endurance 25
* Quickfoot: Run/Endurance 40

PBAoE Damage
* Cleaving Blow: Acc/Rech 25
* Cleaving Blow: Acc/Rech 40
* Multi-strike: Dam/End/Rech 25
* Multi-strike: Dam/End/Rech 40
* Scirocco's Dervish: Chance for lethal damage 25
* Scirocco's Dervish Chance for lethal damage 40

Slow Movement
* Curtail Speed: End/Rech/Slow 25
* Impeded Swiftness: Chance for Smashing Damage 25
* Pacing of the Turtle: Chance for Recharge Slow 25
* Pacing of the Turtle: Chance for Recharge Slow 40
* Tempered Readiness: Acc/Dam/Slow 25
* Tempered Readiness: Acc/Dam/Slow 40

Immobilize
* Debilitative Action: Chance for Stun 25
* Enfeebled Operation: Acc/Immob 25
* Enfeebled Operation: Acc/Immob 40
* Rooting Grasp: Acc/Immob/Rech 25
* Trap of the Hunter: Chance for Lethal damage 25
* Trap of the Hunter: Chance for Lethal damage 40

Ranged Damage
* Devastation: Chance to Hold 40
* Entropic Chaos: Chance to heal 25
* Maelstrom's Fury: Dam/End/Rech 25
* Tempest: Chance for end Drain 25
* Thunderstrike Dam/End/Rech 40
* Volley Fire: Dam/Rech 25

Healing
* Doctored Wounds: Recharge 40
* Harmonized Healing: Endurance 25
* Miracle: +Recovery 25
* Numina's Convalescence: +Recovery and +Regeneration 40
* Regenerative Tissue: +Regeneration 25
* Triage: End/Heal/Rech 25

Holds
* Essence of Curare: Acc/Hold/Rech 25
* Essence of Curare: Acc/Hold/Rech 40
* Ghost Widow's Embrace: Chance for Psionic Damage 25
* Ghost Widow's Embrace: Chance for Psionic Damage 40
* Neuronic Shutdown: Chance for Psionic Damage 25
* Paralytic: Acc/Hold/Rech 25

Flight
* Freebird: +Stealth 25
* Freebird: +Stealth 40
* Soaring: Fly/Endurance 25
* Soaring: Fly/Endurance 40

Defense
* Gift of the Ancients: +7.5% Run Speed 25
* Karma: Knockback Protection 25
* Kismet: +6% Accuracy 25
* Luck of the Gambler: +7.5% Recharge Speed 40
* Red Fortune: Endurance 40
* Serendipity: Endurance 25

Fear
* Glimpse of the Abyss: Chance for Psionic Damage 25
* Glimpse of the Abyss: Chance for Psionic Damage 40
* Horror: Acc/Fear/Rech 25
* Nightmare: Acc/Fear 25
* Nightmare: Acc/Fear 40
* Unspeakable Terror: Chance for Disorient 25

Teleport
* Jaunt: Range/Endurance 25
* Jaunt: Range/Endurance 40
* Time &amp; Space Manipulation: +Stealth 25
* Time &amp; Space Manipulation: +Stealth 40

Stuns
* Razzle Dazzle: Chance for Immobilize 25
* Rope-a-dope: Acc/Stun 25
* Rope-a-dope: Acc/Stun 40
* Stagger: Acc/Stun/Rech 25
* Stupefy: Chance for Knockback 25
* Stupefy Chance for Knockback 40

Leaping
* Springfoot: Jump/Endurance 25
* Springfoot: Jump/Endurance 40
* Unbounded Leap: +Stealth 25
* Unbounded Leap: +Stealth 40

Has anyone brought up inconsistencies in the crafting cost of some of the set IOs? We've noticed at ParagonWiki that some of the costs are off in the salvage tables for some of the individual IOs at (so far) levels 25 and 40.

For example, in the Aegis set, all of the level 40 IOs cost 209600 inf except for the +Psionic/Status Resistance which costs 104800.

Calibrated Accuracy Acc/Dam/Rech is half the crafting cost of the rest of the set at both levels 25 and 40.

There's a list of level 40 inconsistencies here and I've started collecting some data here.

Now, this may be working as intended, but no obvious pattern has emerged yet, and we can't easily modify the templates we've got set up for the IO articles without finding one.

Anyone know anything more about this?

The first time I saw an Aberrant in Skyway pull a Rikti blade on me (way back in I2), my only response was: "WHERE DO I GET ONE OF THOSE!?"

Now we know.

On an unrelated note, why does everyone keep asking for a bump to the level cap? I don't need any more powers on my 50s. As it is, most of them have at least one power I took at 49 just because I had to take something.

Unlike games that use a point system or similar mechanics to purchase and improve abilities as you level up, CoX would gain little to no benefit from a bump.

In fact, if you bumped the level cap, the game would suffer more than benefit. You'd have three more power choices, 21 more slots, and a whole lot less variety in builds because there are only so many powers to pick from.

Now, if you want more story arcs that you can run at 50, that I get, but I'm pretty sure it would only been about a month before the people complaining about being bored at 50 now would start complaining there's nothing to do at 60 and crying for more end-game content. That would only serve to stretch the developers even further than they're already stretched trying to keep us happy over 50 levels.

. . . Anyway, sign me up for a Rikti blade temp power!

[ QUOTE ]
Whatever the "dark secret" that the teaser hints at, I bet you dollars to doughnuts in involves them.

[/ QUOTE ]

My money is on who's behind the renewed attacks and leading the charge. I'm just speculating here, but I smell the subversion of a hero who was supposed to be our savior as being a major contributor to the Rikti's new upgrades.

And if that's the case, odds are the new Rikti are an uncomfortable blend of both technology and magic.

This would conveniently explain how they've managed to break through the magical barrier to our world that was erected after the first invasion.

And it would probably solve the "Where's all the magic salvage?" issue.

&lt;QR&gt;

I can honestly say that I haven't looked forward to the potential of a new issue this much since the Council and 5th Column were beating the snot out of each other in the middle of the streets (CoV release notwithstanding.)

Real, game-driving story content has been somewhat absent from issues for a while. At best, it's seemed more of an afterthought than anything else.

This issue sounds more like it's content developed to support story rather than the opposite. And that is the kind of content that really got me hooked on this game to begin with.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...As a result of this roll back to an earlier save, Heroes who had used the Consignment Market after that time may have a variety of issues – from duped items to lost items...

[/ QUOTE ]

Someone's dupin' rares!!

Unique Dragon was right!!!1!eleventy!!

[/ QUOTE ]

If you hadn't gone there, I would have.

One Gold Star For you.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got an extra Rocket Boots recipe (and subsequently an 8M inf pay raise) out of the rollback.

Dupin' rares: confirmed.

Clipping issues with trenchcoats on the huge model in general (see the shoulders in the picture) and with long hair.

screenshot

(And are we missing a sandal option for all male characters or is it just huge models? Or am I just looking for it in the wrong place?)

I'm still trying to figure out what to submit, but here are a few images of Giant Monsters I've gathered over the last couple of years (most of which are automatically out of the running due to the contest guidlines.)

Adamastor:
1
2
3

Paladin:
1

Crystal Titan:
1

Kraken:
1
2

Winter Lord (everyone's favorite ):
1
2

Kronos:
1
2

Lusca:
1
Tentacle (cause it's actually a separate GM all its own):
2
And the entire packaged cephalopod:
3

Ghost Ship:
1
2
3

Babbage (x2):
1

Jurasik:
1

Sally:
1

Ghost of Scrapyard:
1
2

Hydra:
1

Wow!

Just, wow!

Congrats both on finishing the SF and on getting your villains SHOEd, or POed, or whatever else you want to call it.

Hey, if you can get me a cookie, I'll be your friend for life.

It's not so much that we got nerfed since this never made it to the live servers. It's more like we had a cookie dangled in front of us and when we reached for it, it was taken away and eaten by someone else.

We can cry all we want, but it won't bring back the cookie.

All in all, I think I've spent a combined total of 5 or 6 hours in all of the PvP zones with all of my heroes and villains, so I think it's safe to say I qualify as a casual PvPer. Keep in mind that this is written from that perspective.

Went on to test last night to play around for a bit with my Ninjas, get a feel for some of the changes, and get a look at the new FF bubbles.

After a while I decided to wander over to Recluse's Victory. Here's some of my thoughts from the night's experience:

Ooo. Shiny. New.

Henchmen won't follow through the Portal that leads down to the ground floor of of the hospital. Nothing like stepping out to command your pets to attack the hero outside, finding that you're all alone, heading for the hospital, and finding the bodies of your henchmen next the portal.

Hospitals don't seem to function correctly. I think I should have more than one HP when I rez in the base.

Pillboxes are pretty well fortified with a FF MM sitting at the controls and running all toggles (including the Leadership toggles) with henchmen standing guard. A sustained bombardment by heroes is eventually going to take you out, but not without a few casualties.

Back Alley Brawler ran me over like a freight train over a gnat before Manticore could even get a shot off.

Only three commands available on the Heavies: "Attack My Target", "Follow", and "Passive". Not sure how much controllability I was expecting, but that seemed limited. I definitely kept looking for the "Go To" command. Guess it'll do, though.

Commanding Heavies issues the same command to all of my henchmen. Boo.

Being part of a 2 on 2 Hero vs. Villain Heavies battle in the middle of the zone is fun!

Heroes don't expect to see a flock of flying Ninjas and one Arachnos heavy come raining down on their heads from above.

Even though I know they're fine without me, it's fun to bubble Ghost Widow and Lord Recluse when they put in an appearance.

FF MMs without Personal Force Field are easy prey. One particular tank totally had my number. TP Foe the MM within range (and out of range of Bodyguard), disorient with the first shot, finish with the second. He got me eight times that way. So, if I want to do any amount of PvP with my MM, I need PFF? I need to rely on a panic button that cuts me off entirely from providing the benefit of any bubble or leadership toggles I have running to my henchmen or my team? I need a power that I really have no use for in PvE and have no plan on ever picking up?

Overall impression:
Like:
* I like the use of strategy in the zone.
* I like the concept.
* I like the new toys.

Dislike:
* Henchmen not following through portal out of hospital
* Current Hospital functionality
* Commands issued to Heavies automatically issued to all henchmen
* I guess this is really more a complaint about PvP in general. I really don't like taking my MM in there. Maybe when I get my Brute to 40 I'll give it another shot, but until then, I think only my Inv/SS Tank, MA/SR Scrapper, and maybe (haven't tried it out yet) my Dark/Dark Defender will be entering Recluse's Victory.

Screenies:
Occupying a base with my MA/SR Scrapper.
Turret controls on left, info on control point bubble shown on right.
Hero with heaby passing by (1)
Hero with heavy passing by (2)
Hero heavy close-up (1)
Hero heavy close-up (2)
Villain base occupied by Ninja/FF MM.
Manticore arrives
And brings Back Alley Brawler with him (between the legs of the heavy)
BAB packs a wallop

I've seen all of the Tsoo bosses at some point. Got screenies of most of them. You can usually find a random smattering of them in the tunnel that leads from the Striga ferry up to the Arena in Talos.

Death Moon
Death's Head
Far Fire
Fire Dagger
Herald
Lightning Blade
Lost Son
Copper Serpent
Bronze Leopard
Terrible Wind (named boss - not sure, but probably a Lost Son from a different angle)
Viridian Fear

[ QUOTE ]
That Provoke from the Presence Pool was pretty much universally required of tanks, while Taunt was single-target and reviled as a useless power?

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, Taunt was very useful in situations that required a pull. I was just starting to get really good at it when it was changed to an AoE. Provoke pretty much filled the role of aggro management that Taunt improved upon after the change.

And, keeping more on topic, Dark Servant used to have Fearsome Stare in its arsenal. Since scared mobs used to run, this was frustrating, so the ability was replaced with Petrifying Gaze.

(I got beaten to the punch on the stuff I was writing up about the Halloween event.)

Any chance Chimera is running a power similar to Focused Accuracy? (OK, so we can probably rule that out since the katana doesn't seem to be affected)? Maybe his bow attacks are heavily slotted for Accuracy?

Really, I'm just thinking out loud, but all the suggestions here seem to be assuming that base accuracy, AV bonus, and bonuses for weapon draw are the only things we're up against.

Maybe there's more to the equation.

1) Static X (featuring Burton Bell) - Burning Inside
2) Squirrel Nut Zippers - Prince Nez
3) Everclear - Fire Maple Song
4) The Killers - Change Your Mind
5) Wax - Mallrats
6) Blink 182 - Dammit
7) Ash - Lose Control
8) Green Day - King for A Day
9) Stevie Ray Vaughn - Crossfire
10) John Mellencamp - Authority Song

[ QUOTE ]
It's from the "Saturday Morning: Cartoons Greatest Hits" CD that came out in '95. Some great stuff on there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Man, I love that album. I also really like Toon Tunes: Action-Packed Anthems (2001). Speedracer, Batman: The Animated Series, The Tick, Jonny Quest. . . lots of fun stuff on that one.

I'm happy to see other people with tracks from Bleed Like Me and one or two cartoon theme songs in the mix. I feel so at home here.

Today's list:
1) Soviettes - ¡Paranoia! Cha-Cha-Cha
2) Gorillas - M1A1
3) Crash Test Dummies - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
4) Dynamic Swing Machine - Blufoladas
5) Pearl Jam - Hail Hail (live in Dallas)
6) Nobuo Uematsu - Liberi Fatali
7) Live - Insomnia and the Hole in the Universe
8) Vaughn Brothers - Long Way from Home
9) Doug Katsaros - Tick Rap
10) Puddle of Mudd - Drift and Die

I laughed when #4 came up because that's the jazz band I play(ed) with. Consequently, my tuba and I are on that track.

#9 has a fun story that I'll save for some other day.

1) Ray Charles - I Got A Woman
2) Radiohead - You
3) Animaniacs - I Am the Very Model of a Cartoon Individual
4) BB King &amp; Eric Clapton - Key to the Highway
5) Bjork - Violently Happy
6) Run DMC - It's Tricky
7) Garbage - 13 X Forever
8) Stabbing Westward - Red on White
9) Sublime - Wrong Way
10) LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out

My Mastermind is scared of the monsters lurking under his bed, now.

Don't get me wrong. I love the sound of this change. I love what it's going to do for my MA/SR scrapper.

But I'm afraid that my Ninja/FF Mastermind will suddenly become "overpowered" by this change. Please tell me someone in-house actually thought about this build, playtested it, and determined that it is not, in fact, overpowered and will not need to be brought back into balance with a swing of the nerf bat.