Cryosteel
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Posts
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Joined
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I, like many VIP subscribers, was on a month-to-month sub so when my sub runs out on Sept. 20th I'll lose VIP for the rest of time left. Like everyone else, I have thought about and hoped for three things:
1. That NCsoft will allow all VIP subs to remain VIP until the end.
2. That NCsoft will make all accounts that were ever VIP, VIP before the end.
or
3. That NCsoft will make all accounts VIP before the end.
Then it hit me....
I'm not a programmer so I don't know how difficult or easy it would be to make these changes but I know one thing.
THEY DON"T HAVE ANY PROGRAMMERS! THEY FIRED THEM ALL ON FRIDAY!
I think it's entirely possible that what we see is what we get till the lights go out. -
I discovered that most of the music from the original release was "stock" music that Cryptic purchased. I found this out when a guest walked on the stage of a talkshow to the Atlas Park Music.
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I was playing Everquest in the early 90's when I Stumbled across a website for new game that was in development. It was a super hero mmo called City of Heroes. It wasn't even close to release yet, but I checked back on that page every few days for a long time in anticipation. I applied for the beta (but didn't get in) and waited patiently. I learned to read reading comic books. I was a public school English teacher back then and I bought the game after school the day it was released. I logged on for the first time at 4:15 PM.
My first character was an energy/energy blaster that was a Green Lantern clone. Remeber those first few days? When everyone was cloning their favorite hero? Miss Liberty was surrounded by 18 Hulks, 15 Supermen, and a smattering of Wolverines. Then the devs, perhaps expecting the inevitable lawsuit, perhaps it was already in the works, admonished us all and we got creative.
I created Cryosteel after deleting "Emerald Dawn." I wrote his backstory, fleshed him out and determined that i would dress him in jeans and a T-shirt for the first 20 lvls. After all, a hero needs to grow into his costume.
I remember King's Row in the days when you couldn't get fly until 14. "Go take down the Circle of thorns" my contact said. Yeah, they were all on the rooftops. I spent hours climbing fire escapes. Then there was the Vazhilok. How many times can you die from getting puked on in a single mission? I played, and learned. It was year before I noticed the "exit" button in the mission text window. I had been running back to the door.
I remember the deep laughter that caused my wife to ask me what was going on the first time I trick or treated and got a rock, the first winter event, skating across the pond in Prometheus Park, and the first Rikti Invasion when high lvl Rikti slaughtered unsuspecting noobs in Atlas Park. Then there was that sense of anticipation when each new issue was announced, Icon, Capes, Archery, Inventions! But the greatest anticipation of all was that even numbered level and that brand new power to try.
Remember how angry we all got when ED was announced?
Then altitis struck. I created Heartlander, American Athena, Retro Rocket, Bengali, Cybercop, Green Ghost, The Capcitress, Boris the Bear, Knight Court, and many others that have long since been scrapped. I played religiously for many years, but my highest toon, Cryosteel, was only 46 when I left the game for a while.
Two months ago, after two years of misfortune in my personal life (slashed education budget in Pennsylvania caused me to lose my job, both parents died, that sort of thing), I was looking for a way to ease the tension in my life when I stumbled across my old friends in tights. I have played every waking, free moment since.
Then this happens....
I don't know what to do. I can't take another loss like this. I am 45 years old with a wife and three children (two over 18) and I'm sitting here crying at my keyboard. I can't even play anymore because it hurts too much.
God, I loved this game!
I guess I'll just keep getting up in the morning. Keep going on. and maybe someday, I'll stumble across another website advertising another game that's in development. It won't be the same, but what else is there?
At least I got Cryosteel to 50 last week.
Goodbye my friends, I loved you all even if you were just data on a rented server. -
The moment I logged in for the first time and heard Daaah...Daaaah...Daaaah....Daaah...da...da...da... Daaah!
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Stupid question...How do you do a two converter conversion? I was under the impression you could only 1 converter (rarity) or three converter (set). Being able to change sets in a specific TYPE would be wonderful!
thanks -
Hello Friends,
I have a few questions...ok, I have a lot of questions about AE, tickets, and how to make billions of influence. I have been reluctant to ask because I've gotten used to folks on other game forums not wanting to talk about these kinds of things for various reasons. But I keep seeing people talk about getting 10k tickets in 20 minutes, and having 10+ Billion influence on hand and I am just lost.
Could anyone explain it to me in detail, or point me to a site/post that does? I guess what I am asking for is an AE ticket farming guide of some kind.
Thanks -
I'm working on my first MA arc and I can't seem to get the dialogue to work in certain circumstances. At least during testing, the enemy unaware and attack and captive inactive and active dialogue never shows up.
Anyone know why? What am I doing wrong? I guess it's not essential to the arc but i have some nice humorous bits playing out there. Would hate to lose 'em. -
oh, and how many missions can you put in an arc?
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So i just came back to the game after a long layoff (so long AE was the upcomming issue when I left) and I really like AE. It feeds my creative side. I am having one problem, however. Every time I create a mission that think will be good, i test and...there's almost nothing to fight. Enemy spawns are few and far between. Is there anyway to adjust the number of enemies in a given mission? I realize I have my "out-in-the-world difficulty set at normal, but jeez...6 or 7 spawnpoints with one or two spawns on a medium cave map?
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Thanks, didn't realize you could turn on powers in mids like that. Your right, I'm happier now.
As for Influence, been trying the 0-awsome threads at market but it's slow going for me for reason, but I am over 50 mil from the 50k I started with. One question, and please bear with the stupidity: What is ticket farming? Is it a valid method of making influence?
ok, that was two questions....
Sorry to be a pain guys. -
Ok, I've tried everything I can think of and I can't get haste past 81.5% with the powers I selected. I could probably get a little more changing a few powers but not much more than 87%. I know this build doesn't have Frozen Armor, so you probably think I'm nuts, but I just hate looking at it. Is the reason you get to 170% because of enr specific things like being able to slot the force feedback procs? How does this build look? Trying to balance defense and recharge, but I just don't know where to get other slots from.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Level 50 Science Blaster
Primary Power Set: Ice Blast
Secondary Power Set: Ice Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Ice Bolt -- Apoc-Dmg(A), Apoc-Dmg/Rchg(3), Apoc-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), Apoc-Acc/Rchg(5), Apoc-Dmg/EndRdx(5), Apoc-Dam%(7)
Level 1: Chilblain -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Ice Blast -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(7), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(9), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(9), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(11), Decim-Build%(11)
Level 4: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(42), Zephyr-ResKB(42)
Level 6: Frost Breath -- Ragnrk-Dmg(A), Ragnrk-Dmg/Rchg(13), Ragnrk-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), Ragnrk-Acc/Rchg(15), Ragnrk-Dmg/EndRdx(15), Ragnrk-Knock%(17)
Level 8: Aim -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(40), AdjTgt-Rchg(42)
Level 10: Freeze Ray -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 12: Ice Sword -- Hectmb-Dmg(A), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(34), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(34), Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(34)
Level 14: Chilling Embrace -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 16: Build Up -- AdjTgt-ToHit/Rchg(A), AdjTgt-ToHit(27), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg(27), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(40), AdjTgt-ToHit/EndRdx(40), AdjTgt-Rchg(50)
Level 18: Bitter Ice Blast -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(19), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(21), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(21)
Level 20: Boxing -- Dmg-I(A)
Level 22: Tough -- Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(23), Aegis-ResDam(48), Aegis-ResDam/Rchg(48)
Level 24: Weave -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(29), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(31), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(31), LkGmblr-Def(31), LkGmblr-Rchg+(33)
Level 26: Bitter Freeze Ray -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 28: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(33)
Level 30: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(A), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(36), LkGmblr-EndRdx/Rchg(36), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(36), LkGmblr-Def(37), LkGmblr-Rchg+(37)
Level 32: Blizzard -- BlastersW-Rchg/Dam%(A), BlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(37), BlastersW-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(39), BlastersW-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), BlastersW-Dmg/Rchg(39)
Level 35: Flash Freeze -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(43), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(43), Posi-Dmg/Rng(50), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 38: Shiver -- Empty(A)
Level 41: Frozen Aura -- LgcRps-Acc/Rchg(A), LgcRps-EndRdx/Sleep(43), LgcRps-Acc/EndRdx(46), LgcRps-Sleep/Rng(46)
Level 44: Snow Storm -- TmpRdns-Acc/Slow(A), TmpRdns-Dmg/Slow(45), TmpRdns-Acc/EndRdx(45), TmpRdns-Rng/Slow(45), TmpRdns-EndRdx/Rchg/Slow(46)
Level 47: Ice Storm -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(48)
Level 49: Hibernate -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Defiance
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 -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal/Rchg(25), Numna-Heal(25)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- Efficacy-EndMod/Rchg(A), Efficacy-EndMod(17), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(23), Efficacy-EndMod/EndRdx(29)
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Arcanaville,
I don't know what kind of magic you're working, but I have been playing with Mids all day now and i can't get close to the numbers you get. I tried to see if I could get a decent recharge build out of Ice/Ice but maybe that's not possible. Best I could do was like 85%.
In the defense build you gave me, you had defenses in the 40's, I changed a few things around and they dropped to 10-17%.
It's gonna take me years to re-learn this game, isn't it? -
Thanks so much, Arcanaville. You're the best. I think I'm starting to get it. If it's not to much trouble, I'd like to see that "fast" build you mentioned just to see how it's done. I know I want to solo a lot because I play at wierd times, but I'm not sure yet how i wanna play him. I'm a pretty old guy for a gamer, and not terribly quick with my fingers so I thought I better be able to take a hit.
Hence the defense.
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OK, first attempt in Mids. i know stupidity abounds but remember the last time i slotted a character there were NO IO sets or ATIO sets. Heck, I don't even know what half this stuff means. Please let the criticism fly, I need it.
Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.96
http://www.cohplanner.com/
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Cryosteel: Level 50 Mutation Blaster
Primary Power Set: Ice Blast
Secondary Power Set: Ice Manipulation
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Cold Mastery
Hero Profile:
Level 1: Ice Bolt- (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
- (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
- (3) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
- (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
- (5) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
- (7) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
- (A) Damage Increase IO
- (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
- (7) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
- (9) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
- (9) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
- (11) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
- (11) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
- (A) Soaring - FlySpeed
- (13) Soaring - Endurance
- (13) Soaring - Endurance/FlySpeed
- (A) Detonation - Accuracy/Damage
- (15) Detonation - Damage/Endurance
- (15) Detonation - Damage/Recharge
- (17) Detonation - Damage/Range
- (17) Detonation - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
- (39) Detonation - Damage/Endurance/Range
- (A) Rectified Reticle - To Hit Buff
- (19) Rectified Reticle - To Hit Buff/Recharge
- (19) Rectified Reticle - Increased Perception
- (A) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage
- (21) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance
- (21) Crushing Impact - Damage/Recharge
- (23) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
- (23) Crushing Impact - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
- (40) Crushing Impact - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
- (A) Essence of Curare - Accuracy/Recharge
- (25) Essence of Curare - Endurance/Hold
- (25) Essence of Curare - Accuracy/Endurance
- (27) Essence of Curare - Hold/Range
- (40) Essence of Curare - Accuracy/Hold
- (40) Essence of Curare - Accuracy/Hold/Recharge
- (A) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage
- (42) Blaster's Wrath - Damage/Recharge
- (43) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
- (43) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
- (43) Blaster's Wrath - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance/Recharge
- (46) Blaster's Wrath - Recharge/Chance for Fire Damage
- (A) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff
- (27) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Recharge
- (29) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Endurance/Recharge
- (48) Adjusted Targeting - Endurance/Recharge
- (48) Adjusted Targeting - To Hit Buff/Endurance
- (48) Adjusted Targeting - Recharge
- (A) Damage Increase IO
- (A) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage
- (29) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance
- (31) Thunderstrike - Damage/Recharge
- (31) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
- (31) Thunderstrike - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
- (42) Thunderstrike - Damage/Endurance/Recharge
- (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
- (A) Endurance Reduction IO
- (A) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Hold
- (33) Basilisk's Gaze - Accuracy/Recharge
- (34) Basilisk's Gaze - Recharge/Hold
- (34) Basilisk's Gaze - Endurance/Recharge/Hold
- (34) Damage Increase IO
- (36) Damage Increase IO
- (A) Tempered Readiness - Accuracy/Slow
- (36) Tempered Readiness - Damage/Slow
- (36) Tempered Readiness - Accuracy/Endurance
- (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
- (50) Luck of the Gambler - Endurance/Recharge
- (50) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
- (A) Detonation - Accuracy/Damage
- (37) Detonation - Damage/Endurance
- (37) Detonation - Damage/Recharge
- (37) Detonation - Damage/Range
- (39) Detonation - Accuracy/Damage/Endurance
- (39) Detonation - Damage/Endurance/Range
- (A) Slow IO
- (A) Karma - Defense/Endurance
- (42) Karma - Defense/Recharge
- (50) Karma - Knockback Protection
- (A) Sleep Duration IO
- (A) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance
- (45) Red Fortune - Defense/Recharge
- (45) Red Fortune - Endurance/Recharge
- (45) Red Fortune - Defense
- (46) Red Fortune - Defense/Endurance/Recharge
- (46) Red Fortune - Endurance
- (A) Recharge Reduction IO
- (A) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
- (A) Empty
Level 1: Prestige Power Dash- (A) Empty
- (A) Empty
- (A) Empty
- (A) Empty
- (A) Empty
- (A) Empty
- (A) Empty
Level 2: Swift- (A) Run Speed IO
- (A) Healing IO
- (A) Jumping IO
- (A) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod
- (33) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Recharge
- (33) Efficacy Adaptor - EndMod/Endurance
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Folks,
Thank you so much for all of your helpful advice. Arcana, you sir are a forum GOD! I've read many of your posts since I've been back and always find them ingtelligent, well-informed and helpful.
Please don't think I don't appreciate the advice you've already given, because I do, but I really just wanted to see some Ice/Ice/Cold builds to get an idea where to start. You have to realize, when I left the invention system was brand new, people were still fuming about ED, and I don't think sets or set bonuses even existed yet. Heck, I don't even know how many slots to put into particular powers anymore. For instance, when I left, a power with 1 useful enhancement type got three slots because ED made 4 a waste, but with sets and bonuses...well...I see people 6 slotting stamina? This is how dumb 5 years away makes you. -
Hello folks,
Just came back after a long time away (new job, family, stuff) and I have no idea what to do with my main's build. He's Ice/Ice/Cold but he's specc'd pre-Architect so...Can anyone post a decent, reltively cheap build that gets the best dmg and def for the buck. I'm not a serious type player, I just want something to work with.
Thanks -
Hi community,
i just returned after a five year (or so) layoff for personal reasons and I remebered that I left my main, a 46 ice/ice/cold blaster, with ZERO enhancements slotted. I know, pretty dumb, but here's the problem. I am one bub from 47 and lvl 50 enhancements so I don't want to buy anything now. Running lvl 46 missions, however, totally un-enhanced is...well, tough. Can anyone think of a easy way to get a bub of exp?
Question two: if someone wanted to point me to a nice build that is up-to-date with all the new rules, it would be greatly appreciated. For instance, the last time I played you had to take Fitness to get stamina...and there were no set bonuses or unique IO's.
thanks -
Quote:Great tip, I almost transferred a character to get on a higher pop server (yeah, pretty dumb. But the market was really new when I left).Originally Posted by peterpeter
One thing to mention: it makes no difference whether you are a hero or villain, or which server you are on. There is now only one market server, and we all share it.
Thanks for the info folks. -
Hi folks,
I was one of the original CoH crowd, played since release, but a new job and a dubious fascination with another MMO kept me away for a 5 years. I've just come back and I'm trying to play the market a bit (something that was still VERY new when I left). I was wondering if someone could explain how bidding and selling work. I crafted a efficacy adapter and listed it at 5mil, since I posted it, 3 have sold for 6mil while mine hasn't sold. How does that work/happen? -
I just came back after a layoff. I left before "freedom". Anyway, the place personal item button is greyed out for all my characters but I know I have many reward items. I played for 5 years!
Am I missing something? -
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The non-sequitur and, in fact, the violation of Godwin's Law, is yours. I specifically stated at the start of my post that I refer to Fascism specifically in the context of politcal ideaology. I did not refer to Hitler, Nazis, or the 5th Column for that matter. You, on the other hand, were the first to mention Nazis and/or Hitler simply by linking to the Godwin's law reference.
So there!
Cryosteel
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think your analogy holds water. But I don't feel like typing out a rebuttal, so I'll defer to Clintonian's rebuttal, since he elaborated on a point I was trying to make with one sentence. Clintonian probably says it better than I could anyhow Call me lazy.
Edit: sp
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't really think it does either, but it is a starting point for people to think about why earning prestige so 1 or 2 folks can build a base doesn't sit right with the American mindset.
To simply say that it's not right, without thinking about why, is truly lazy.
As for the in my post, I was trying to be lighthearted. My appologies if I offended.
Cryosteel -
Just to clarify,
My post regarding policitcal ideologies was not intended to place the same importance on "hobbies" that should be placed on real world affairs. Perhaps my pedantic nature got the best of me. To boil it down, what I was suggesting is that we, as Americans, have an innate abhorance of working for some one elses gain. Just ask any working class American. The problem with bases, simply put, is that it requires too many people to earn enough prestige to enjoy the building and decorating, and yet only 1 or 2 of those people have the "permission" to do so. This is not to suggest that there is any "in game" situation that compares to the problems of conflicting ideologies in our world. It was a metaphor, and nothing more. When my current local, state, or national government does something that I do not agree with, I am often frustrated. With bases, I simply choose not to go through the hassle.
This does not negate the fact that bases are elitist. The are simply elitist in a game that is, after all, merely a game.
Speaking of elitism, to the individual who replied to my comment about not being a social studies teacher with "it shows." I would like to believe that you simply saw an opening for a quick bit of humor and took it. If that is not the case, then show me the evidence to suggest that anything I said about socio-economic philosophy or political ideology was incorrect. Otherwise, stop assuming that because a man chooses to teach in a certain subject area, he must be limited in education and perspective to that area alone.
Finally, just to prove that an ideological metaphor can be be applied to MMO's (and possiblly to show off a bit. Hey, my ego was just bruised. Excuse me), here is a solution to the problem of balance.
Political ideologist and contemporary philosopher John Rawls once proposed a thought experiment aimed at developing a new social contract. Rawls suggested that you imagine yourself in an original position behind a veil of ignorance . Behind this veil, you know nothing of yourself and your natural abilities, or your position in society. You know nothing of your sex, race, nationality, or individual tastes. Behind such a veil of ignorance all individuals are simply specified as rational, free, and morally equal beings. Thus, the key is that people make decisions based on what is good for their community as a whole, and without regard to their own self-interest (since they operate behind a veil of ignorance and don't know enough about what would benefit them).
Cryosteel -
The non-sequitur and, in fact, the violation of Godwin's Law, is yours. I specifically stated at the start of my post that I refer to Fascism specifically in the context of politcal ideaology. I did not refer to Hitler, Nazis, or the 5th Column for that matter. You, on the other hand, were the first to mention Nazis and/or Hitler simply by linking to the Godwin's law reference.
So there!
Cryosteel -
True, but I teach English not Social Studies
and most large SGs are still Fascist States, or Feudal kingdoms (though creativity was still supported under Feudalism)
Cryosteel -
WARNING: LONG POST
Ladies, Gentlemen, and Statesman (If you're still reaing this),
As you can see by my post count, I am not a regular poster to the forums though I have been a member since pre-release and have played CoH/V since both release dates. I hope that does not invalidate my opinion because when I do post, it is because of something that truly concerns me. Moderators, though your first inclination may be to delete this post when you read a certain word, please take into account that it is used within the context of a political ideology. Now that I have bored you with the groundwork, here is my opinion on this matter.
Bases in CoH/V are not as popular as one might have expected because the system inherently produces a social structure that is decidedly un-American. America is a democracy. It is our most valued heritage. Lets look at some definitions:
Democracy - the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges.
Not the definition you expected? Yeah, I know you thought about representative government, but isnt the above definition really what makes America so special?
Heres another definition:
Capitalism - an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision , and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market
Again, the highlighted section may not be your first thought when you hear the word, but it is crucial to our American way of life. Some high-minded idealists my even prefer the following word and its definition:
Communism - a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods and responsibilities are distributed equitably.
Unfortunately, membership in a base-centric SG in CoH/V (i.e. a large SG) does not follow any of these socio-economic analogs. So what are the socio-economic factors involved? Lets look at the average player.
The primary draw of the base features is, as has been pointed out by Statesman himself, its customizability. Since the base functionality requires membership in an SG, it is safe to say that to enjoy this functionality, SG membership is a requirement. Starting a new SG is always an option but finding additional members is difficult at best. Therefore, any new SG would inherently be, a small SG. The cost of base building is currently prohibitive with regard to the small SG. Though recent changes have added minimal functionality made affordable in such small SG bases, a great deal of the aforementioned customizability is forfeited along with many of the more inventive base features.
Where is all this getting to? Be patient, please. Im a teacher in real life.
In essence, in order to enjoy the full splendor of base functionality and appearance (something, incidentally, every single player with COH and COV laid out $49.99 for the game it came with), a large SG is still the requirement. So what happens when the average player joins a large, base-centric SG? First, he or she is required to play in SG mode nearly all of the time in order to earn prestige which is automatically appropriated into the SG coffers. For his efforts, he earns the use of the base teleporters, res rings, empowerment stations, and gets to go oooh and ahhh at all the wonderful decorations. The problem is, a large SG is almost always controlled by one, or a few, select individuals. These individuals have the right and the ability, under game functionality, to withhold for themselves the design, implementation, decoration, and storage functionality of the base via permissions. The average player gets to keep none of the prestige he earns and has no control over the appearance, functionality, or layout of the base. In effect, he gets none of fun associated with customizability.
In the end, the following conclusion can be made:
1) The primary draw (i.e. fun) of base functionality is its customizability
2) The average player cannot afford the majority of these features in a small SG
3) A large SG withholds these features to 1 or 2 out some 75 member players
4) Ergo, 73 odd players are working to provide fun for 1 or 2 players
Lets look at one last definition:
Fascism - a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts the nation (or the SG) above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation.
Get the point?
Cryosteel