BackFire

Currently, there's 1 on my fav list:

#452144 "The Murders in the RWZ Morgue" by @FredrikSvanberg
1 Mish, Heroic

Super sleuths, dark detectives, and mystery solving teens have always been a staple of comicdom and this week I'm looking for a few good whodunnits to challenge my inner Sherlock!

If you've got a good Mystery arc on your fav list or published portfolio please share it here for all us Jr. Detectives to enjoy!

I wonder if the demand for purples will rise or fall with the new Paragon Reward which will let you upgrade your current IOs to make them stronger.

I can see players wanting to buff their purples, but at the same time, if they can make their current/cheaper IOs just as effective, why bother with the purples? There are caps, afterall, so anything over those is just vanity.

from the Ustream thread:

Want to make story arcs more appealing to the team environment? The problem isn't with the rewards, it's with the convenience:

1) Make ALL the mission dialog, text, & clues available to ALL members of the team. I mainly solo story arcs for this reason; it's the only way I can actually follow the story.

2) Make SIMUL arcs ALL follow the same mission chain. Currently 2 players with the same contact, running the same arc, will often get different missions along the way, negating the SIMUL completion ability.

3) Make Story Arc missions spawn in the same zone you call/contact from. The convenience-factor of Tips (mostly) keeping you in whatever zone you choose to call it in from makes them superior to Story Arcs in numerous ways.

4) Don't allow Story Arcs to "go grey." If you have a level-capped Story Arc and you outlevel it, it should use the auto-exemp feature to keep everything from being grey to you.

Reward incentives are nice, but making Story Arcs more convenient would likely have a much more far-reaching effect and make the game better for it. Adding rewards just creates a whole new set of problems with the 'F' word.

I really liked the idea of making it more convenient by putting the Cafémputer up front so I made the changes last night.

NOTE: I had to switch the blinkie to a Rikti computer, since the Front area doesn't allow Wall objects, but I think it ties in better with my concept, anyway

An 'updated' note has also been added to the mission's description text and the Barista's dialog has been changed to direct customers to the new location.

Hopefully regular customers won't be too confused on their next visit *crosses fingers.*

I'm also hoping the added convenience may add up to a few more 5 Star rates as a recent, unexplained spat of 1 stars have knocked it down to 4-star hell on the Search list. I have a sneaky suspicion farmers kept mistaking it for a farm since it was 1 mission long, had a blinkie objective, and was near the top of the list.

Thanks for the suggestion, Spike!!

We've all been there: you're in the middle of a play session and want to do some quick crafting between missions or before logging off. But you're not in a supergroup, don't have field crafter, or are 3 zones away from a University! Or maybe you have to go to AE and cash in tickets to get salvage first, adding more travel time when you could be playing!

Whatever your situation, traveling to and from Bases & Universities is a pain!! Wouldn't it be "super" if there was a crafting table in almost every zone?

Well, now there is!! The Crafter's Cafe is now open at an AE near you!

The next time you need to craft-on-the-go, simply fire up arc #487283, Crafter's Cafe, and explore this non-combat, 1 mission arc...complete with usable Invention Tables!

When you're done crafting, simply click your way out! No muss, no fuss!! Play it today and enjoy the convenience of the Crafter's Cafe

NOTE: As with all AE content, you do not get credit towards badges in this mission. So you will not progress towards the Field Crafter badge when using the invention tables in the café. It's not a bug, it's due to the anti-badge farming code put into AE. Also, it has been reported that you cannot craft the Lost Curing Wand in the café. Attempting to craft it will delete your salvage and not reward the wand, leaving you unable to complete the following mission. I suggest you stick with crafting IOs for personal use or selling

Oh, duh. You could also submit your arc to the AE Storyteam for play.

Just be sure it's in a final or near-final state and you've play-tested it yourself, first.

Thanks Spike! I was originally going to put the blinkie in the front room but figured players new to the map would get confused when the mission ended and there was no crafting table around.

I've run into the blinkie hunt issue myself, tho, so maybe it's time for an update. Afterall, convenience is key!

In addition to the above:

1) Submit your arc & description to cohmissionreveiw.com and masearch.somee.com

2) Seed your arc description with relevant Keywords (most AE players looking for STORY will search by Keyword)

3) Post your arc on your server's MA Arc Announcement thread

4) Whenever you leave comments on someone's arc, ask them to repay the favor and play/rate yours

Good luck, and have fun with it!

I think you would need to contact Customer Support for that one. Sorry.

There's nothing wrong with the food & water in San Diego. Don't deny yourself the unique opportunity to take in the flavors at Casa de Pico, Dick's Last Resort, El Indio, or any of the other fantastic local eateries in town!!

I suggest you:

1) get plenty of rest
2) stay hydrated
3) take some Emergen-C or Airborne vitamin supplements
4) stay clean
5) don't stress

Good luck and have a blast at the con!

Attention Caféteers!!

Double XP Weekend is fast approaching and we all know what that means: leveling up lowbie alts!
(edit: Double XP Weekend has been postponed to Aug 11 to 14)

The last thing you want to do during this limited window of opportunity is waste precious time traveling to universities or bases to craft your inventions. Well, you don't have to! The Crafter's Cafe will be working overtime during Double XP Weekend for what we're calling, "Double Caffeine Weekend" at the Crafter's Cafe!

Come to your local AE anytime between July 28 to 31 (the originally scheduled Double XP dates) & August 11 to 14 and load up arc #487283, "Crafter's Cafe" by @backfire to enjoy the city's #1 choice for interdimensional coffee plus FREE use of invention worktables!! Remember, the Crafter's Cafe is a 1 mission, non-combat, non-xp environment and only requires 1 blinkie to complete.

But that's not all!! During this special event, buy any size drink and get one FREE!! That's DOUBLE the caffeine all weekend long to keep your leveling going strong!!

And there's more!!! To make Double Caffeine Weekend "doubly" special, we're giving away not one, but two, TWO Alignment Merits to 1 lucky customer! (edit: we will be giving away 2 alignment merits BOTH weekends) Have your eye on a special recipe or 2? Want to try your luck with a couple random rolls? Win our special drawing and enjoy your Merits any way you choose!

Enter to win 2 Alignment Merits by simply completing a purchase in the Cafe during either Double Caffeine Weekend and leaving feedback via our Comments form. It's that simple! Limit one entry per global name, per day. Drawings will be held August 1st & August 15th and winners notified via gleemail.

Double Caffeine Weekend doesn't happen often, so don't miss this opportunity to save time, save inf, and win big!! Come to the Crafter's Cafe and double up today!!

*note: no inf is actually spent on "purchases," it's all just roleplay/flavor text

Attention Caféteers!!

Double XP Weekend is fast approaching and we all know what that means: leveling up lowbie alts!

The last thing you want to do during this limited window of opportunity is waste precious time traveling to universities or bases to craft your inventions. Well, you don't have to! The Crafter's Cafe will be working overtime during Double XP Weekend for what we're calling, "Double Caffeine Weekend" at the Crafter's Cafe!

Come to your local AE anytime between July 28 to 31 and load up arc #487283, "Crafter's Cafe" by @backfire to enjoy the city's #1 choice for interdimensional coffee plus FREE use of invention worktables!! Remember, the Crafter's Cafe is a non-combat/non-xp environment and only requires 1 blinkie to complete.

But that's not all!! During this special event, buy any size drink and get one FREE!! That's DOUBLE the caffeine all weekend long to keep your leveling going strong!!

And there's more!!! To make Double Caffeine Weekend "doubly" special, we're giving away not one, but two, TWO Alignment Merits to 1 lucky customer! Have your eye on a special recipe or 2? Want to try your luck with a couple random rolls? Win our special drawing and enjoy your Merits any way you choose!

Enter to win 2 Alignment Merits by simply completing a purchase in the Cafe during Double Caffeine Weekend and leaving feedback via our Comments form. It's that simple! Limit one entry per global name, per day. Drawing will be held August 1st and winner notified via gleemail.

Double Caffeine Weekend doesn't happen often, so don't miss this opportunity to save time, save inf, and win big!! Come to the Crafter's Cafe and double up today!!

Today we had a full team of Storyteamers as we loaded up 2 Ædvertised arcs from the forum's Announce thread.

#183832 "Save the Diver, Save the World" by @Ankylosaur
5 mish/Heroic

#500325 "Nothing to Worry About" @Apolinus
4 mish/Heroic

Save the Diver is an arc that presents a unique challenge: setting the story in a flooded Paragon City! With close ties to canon the author introduces and expands on the concept of Coralax, Freakshow, Slags and more. Then makes creative use of maps to present a Paragon City that's been retaken by the sea.

While I had issues with the "Heroic" label of the arc, it's still a richly detailed story with a very unique spin. BEST OVERALL

Nothing to Worry About is a darker themed story that starts with a meteor crash in Atlas Park and ends with you pretty much saving all of reality...but at what cost? The custom groups you encounter in the arc really shine with well-detailed costumes and backgrounds. BEST CUSTOMS

It was great to see such a good turnout today! Lots of fun in team chat and I think the authors got some useful feedback from the group.

Next meeting: 7/24/11, our theme will be "High Roller"...but with a twist! Instead of the High Roller picking from their normal fav list, everyone comes prepared with a list of "Mystery" genre arcs. High Roller picks their favorite "Mystery" arc to play!!

So, polish off your magnifying glasses and pack up your smoking pipes, there's a mystery afoot next week on Pinnacle!! See ya there!!

Looking for a fun, weekly event with dedicated players? Check out the AE Storyteam!

CURRENT SCHEDULE:
(Updated weekly)

7/17/11 - Liberty Server - Ædvertised arcs (9am PST/12pm EST/5pm BST)
7/24/11 - Pinnacle Server - High Roller ("Mystery" theme) (9am PST/12pm EST/5pm BST)
7/31/11 - Union Server - The Surviving Æight (9am PST/12pm EST/5pm BST)
8/7/11 - Freedom Server - Tales of the MundÆne!! (9am PST/12pm EST/5pm BST)
8/14/11 - Triumph Server - Double XP Dev Choice Roundup - 9am Pacific/5pm British
8/21/11 - Virtue Server - Æptimized Arcs! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
8/28/11 - Victory Server - Lowbie Ædventures! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
9/4/11 - Triumph Server - Higher Æducation! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
9/11/11 - Guardian Server - Ægg MacGuffins - 9am Pacific/5pm British
9/18/11 - Exalted (VIP) Server - Time TrÆvels - 9am Pacific/5pm British
9/25/11 - Freedom Server - FrÆedom for All! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
10/2/11 - Triumph Server - Ænemy Spotlight- CoT - 9am Pacific/5pm British
10/9/11 - Union Server - New RelÆses! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
10/16/11 - Defiant Server - Æuthor Spotlight on TwoFlower - 9am Pacific/5pm British
10/23/11 - Liberty Server - HallowÆen High Roller! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
10/30/11 - Justice Server - StreÆt JustÆce! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
11/6/11 - Infinity Server - Zombie Æftermath! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
11/13/11 - Champion Server - Players' Choice Æwards! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
11/20/11 - Guardian Server - Players' Choice Æwards ptII - 9am Pacific/5pm British
11/27/11 - Triumph - Thanksgiving LÆftovers! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
12/4/11 - Pinnacle - Pet Ædoptions! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
12/11/11 - Liberty - Western Ædventures! - 9am Pacific/5pm British
12/18/11 - Liberty - Christmas PrÆsents - 9am Pacific/5pm British
12/25/11 - (no meet, enjoy Christmas with your family & loved ones)
1/1/12 - Liberty - 9am Pacific/5pm British

NOTE: as of 12/18 @Lord of Storms will be running the AE Storyteam on Liberty each week. Just head to RWZ's AE at the normal time and/or give him a shout in the global channel, "MA Arc Finder"

---

What: An open team that meets each week to run non-farm Architect Entertainment content. (originally started by Wrong_Number in the Mission Architect forums)

Why: To play, rate, and critique player made content and uncover the cream of the AE crop while having fun.

When: Sunday mornings (depending on schedules), 9am Pacific/12 noon Eastern/5pm British. Sessions usually run 2-3 hours depending on interest.

Where: Rikti War Zone AE building (Server announced weekly)

Who: All ATs and levels are welcome. SG/VG membership is available on some servers but completely optional. There are no requirements for costume, colors, powersets, etc. We just want people who like playing AE missions for the story!

How: The AE Storyteam is a group of players & authors who play AE content for the story, not the XPs. We run missions at a casual pace to allow everyone on team to read NPC chat, mission briefings, clues, bios, etc. We also try to leave constructive feedback for all the arcs we play so authors can improve the AE experience.

The core of the AE Storyteam is made up of authors from the Mission Architect section of the Official Forums and they often share advice, experiences, and their AE expertise with other members of the group.

Another significant portion of participants comes from the global chat channel, "MA Arc Finder", which is the unofficial Arc promotion and Mission Architect help global channel (add it today!)

We choose missions each week thru various means and are open to new ideas:

Requested feedback arcs from the forums, members, or global chat channels
Hot topic/Newly posted arcs from the forums
Members' favorites
Members' in-development arcs for testing purposes
Random Roulette (plug in a few search terms and hit Random)
High Roller (member who rolls the highest on /em dice chooses anything they want)
Make or Break arcs (random non-farm arc at 5 stars with less than 10 plays)
Theme weeks
Newly marked Dev Choice arcs
Newly marked or rising to Hall of Fame arcs
Guest Author arcs

Ways to join:

Find members at AE in RWZ any morning we're scheduled to meet (servers change regularly, check this thread for the latest schedule)
Shout out that you're looking for the AE Storyteam in the global channel, "MA Arc Finder"
PM me here on the Forums
Contact me via global, in-game @backfire

Previously played arcs & events:

Oct 2009 - April 2011 "MA Superteam" original thread

Sept 2010 - April 2011 - MA Superteam event/reviews thread

April 2011 - July 2011 - "Ænvasion Event" cycle #1

If the AE Storyteam sounds like a fun fit for you, come join us at our next meeting!

Today we had a full team of Storyteamers as we loaded up 2 Ædvertised Arcs from the forum's Announce thread.

#183832 "Save the Diver, Save the World" by @Ankylosaur
5 mish/Heroic

#500325 "Nothing to Worry About" @Apolinus
4 mish/Heroic

Save the Diver is an arc that presents a unique challenge: setting the story in a flooded Paragon City! With close ties to canon the author introduces and expands on the concept of Coralax, Freakshow, Slags and more. Then makes creative use of maps to present a Paragon City that's been retaken by the sea.

While I had issues with the "Heroic" label of the arc, it's still a richly detailed story with a very unique spin. BEST OVERALL

Nothing to Worry About is a darker themed story that starts with a meteor crash in Atlas Park and ends with you pretty much saving all of reality...but at what cost? The custom groups you encounter in the arc really shine with well-detailed costumes and backgrounds. BEST CUSTOMS

It was great to see such a good turnout today! Lots of fun in team chat and I think the authors got some useful feedback from the group.

Next meeting: 7/24/11, our theme will be "High Roller"...but with a twist! Instead of the High Roller picking from their normal fav list, everyone comes prepared with a list of "Mystery" genre arcs. High Roller picks their favorite "Mystery" arc to play!!

So, polish off your magnifying glasses and pack up your smoking pipes, there's a mystery afoot next week on Pinnacle!! See ya there!!

This week's arc was #346904 "Against the Wickerwork Khan" by @Clave Dark 5.

Justice was this week's server pick and Avatea showed up to lead at about 4pm Pacific. Unfortunately, the team was filled by the time we even got word of a dev sighting and what server she was on. But Bubbawheat and I hung out in the lobby to see who made it and what was played.

We recognized @Tubbius when they came out of mission 1. And I found his mini-review in the Excellent Arcs thread this morning.

Submitting another long-time fav:

#1396 "Grim Riddles" @Mantid
5 Mishes

If you've been working on it for hours and saving it as you go you should have 2 versions of it still on your comp: the local file you saved it as and the autosave file. Load up the AE interface and navigate to your local stories. Hopefully the autosave version will at least be there.

Have they addressed how game codes will work after CoH: Freedom launches?

ie. I have an unopened CoH Collector's Edition DVD box set with an unused game code inside.

1) Will I still be able to use the code to upgrade my account &/or add time to it?
2) If I use the game code to upgrade my account, what do I get:

Premium access, 1200 Paragon Points (equal to 1 month sub), plus unlocking the goodies (power slide, cape, etc)?
30 days of VIP access plus the goodies?
30 days of VIP access, plus the goodies, and 400 Paragon Points at the end of the month?

I apologize in advance if this has already been answered >.<

Hmmm...Supa's been uncharacteristically quiet lately. Didn't see him last wednesday or for the Ænvasion on Union. I wonder if he's having tech probs. Hope everything's alright.

Thanks to you and suggestions from New Dawn I've settled on this for the respec:
(should be a fun time in WWs for the next month or 2!)


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

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Longshaft: Level 50 Magic Defender
Primary Power Set: Trick Arrow
Secondary Power Set: Archery
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Teleportation
Ancillary Pool: Psychic Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Entangling Arrow -- TotHntr-Acc/Rchg(A), TotHntr-EndRdx/Immob(19), TotHntr-Acc/EndRdx(19), TotHntr-Immob/Acc(21), TotHntr-Acc/Immob/Rchg(23), TotHntr-Dam%(23)
Level 1: Snap Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7)
Level 2: Aimed Shot -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(11), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11)
Level 4: Glue Arrow -- TmpRdns-Acc/Slow(A), TmpRdns-Dmg/Slow(25), TmpRdns-Acc/EndRdx(25), TmpRdns-Rng/Slow(27), TmpRdns-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(27), TmpRdns-Acc/Dmg/Slow(29)
Level 6: Fistful of Arrows -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(17), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(36), Posi-Dmg/Rng(36), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(36)
Level 8: Poison Gas Arrow -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 10: Blazing Arrow -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(13), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(13), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(15), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 12: Acid Arrow -- AnWeak-Acc/DefDeb(A), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg(33), AnWeak-Acc/Rchg/EndRdx(33)
Level 14: Super Jump -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 16: Aim -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(31)
Level 18: Disruption Arrow -- EndRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(34)
Level 20: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Krma-ResKB(21), LkGmblr-Def(34)
Level 22: Acrobatics -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(31)
Level 24: Flash Arrow -- ToHitDeb-I(A), ToHitDeb-I(43)
Level 26: Oil Slick Arrow -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(46), Posi-Dmg/Rng(48), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 28: Hover -- Frbd-Fly(A), Frbd-EndRdx(29)
Level 30: Recall Friend -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 32: EMP Arrow -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(33), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(34), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(43), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 35: Stunning Shot -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(37), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(37), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(37), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(40), Stpfy-KB%(40)
Level 38: Rain of Arrows -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(39), Posi-Dmg/Rng(39), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(40), RechRdx-I(50)
Level 41: Dominate -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Acc/Rchg(42), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(42), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(42)
Level 44: Mass Hypnosis -- CSndmn-Acc/Rchg(A), CSndmn-EndRdx/Sleep(45), CSndmn-Acc/EndRdx(45), CSndmn-Sleep/Rng(45), CSndmn-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(46)
Level 47: Telekinesis -- EndRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(48), EndRdx-I(48)
Level 49: Teleport Foe -- Acc-I(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Vigilance
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Numna-Heal(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 20.3% Defense(Energy)
• 20.3% Defense(Negative)
• 21.9% Defense(Ranged)
• 3.15% Max End
• 3% Enhancement(Stun)
• 1.5% Enhancement(FlySpeed)
• 1.5% Enhancement(JumpSpeed)
• 1.5% Enhancement(JumpHeight)
• 57.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 5% Enhancement(Sleep)
• 1.5% Enhancement(RunSpeed)
• 5% Enhancement(Immobilize)
• 57% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 12% FlySpeed
• 57.2 HP (5.63%) HitPoints
• 12% JumpHeight
• 12% JumpSpeed
• Knockback (Mag -12)
• Knockup (Mag -12)
• MezResist(Held) 2.75%
• MezResist(Stun) 2.2%
• 21.5% (0.36 End/sec) Recovery
• 40% (1.7 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 4.73% Resistance(Fire)
• 4.73% Resistance(Cold)
• 12% RunSpeed

Didn't one of the early CG trailers for CoH have a take on Brass Monday in it?

I, too, would love to see a special 'flashback' TF or something centered on BM.

Great job Torres! Really like the play between BW & color.