Dante

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a possibility that Kerensky may be leaving us.

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NOOOOOOOOOOoooooo!

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KHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnn!!!!!

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Baaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

This isn't fair! Not Big K too! We need his lunacy! And cryptic hints! And more lunacy!

I'm just going to go sulk now.

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If you are having trouble with them, it's because you havn't got the hang of playing a keldian yet.

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They're a challenge for sure and when my Warshade was below 20, they were horrible and caused me no end of frustration. But once you gain a few levels, they become just another foe. A dangerous foe, definitely, and one you should be wary of but they're just a challenge like anything else in game and can be overcome.

Persevere and team a lot. Once you start getting higher, you'll steamroller over them just like any other mob. Best of luck.

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PS - Dante, give me a ring if there's any jobs going over the road will you?!?!?



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They got you too!!? Nooooooo!!!!

*Applauds Zortel’s and SS's impassioned posts*

Yeesh, this was the last thing I expected to happen today. This is a real shame and a great loss. RJ’s done a great amount of work for this community and it’s a tragedy that he’s been given his marching orders. From his bizarre, self-deprecating and laugh out loud presentation on how to get into the gaming world to chatting about comics and movies over lunch, he’s been great for the game and the people it attracts to it. Player events just won’t be the same without his bizarre sense of madness about the place. All I can hope is that someone, somewhere snaps him up soon as he’ll be a real asset to them.

As for what it means for us, I’m waiting to see what the merger entails and what impact it will have on the EU community. At the moment, it doesn’t seem too earth shattering but I’ll be hovering nervously for the rest of the week probably. This game has an excellent community compared to other games and some of that undoubtedly is due to the staff who put up with us/support us on these boards and at events. I certainly hope that this news does not bode badly for the rest of the NCSoft staff. Hang in there guys (and gals).

Before I rerolled my main into a D3 (Dark/Dark/Dark Defender), he was Dark/Elec and got somewhere into the 30s. What I can tell you is that in terms of damage, it doesn’t get any better. Electric Blast is low on damage for Defenders and its inherent does nothing to help you. However, in terms of team support, you can be very powerful. Two holds means that you can stack them on a boss or take out two Lieutenants. Throw in Fearsome Stare which normally freezes a lot of the mob in their tracks and you can be a very control oriented Defender. Plus in later levels, you get the tag team pets of Fluffy and Sparky. One debuffs, the other damages. It’s never awesome, but it’s nice.

If you want to enhance your damage, two things. Slot up Tar Patch with 3 recharges and get Hasten. Tar Patch does -30% resistance to anything in it so if you can stack it, you will notice a difference in your damage output. Also, pick up Assault from Leadership, Defenders get a nice bonus out of the Leadership pool, about the equivalent of an extra DO on all your attacks.

Lastly, team a lot. If you focus on team support and controlling the battlefield, your team mates will clean up and everyone wins. Don’t despair just yet, a lot of toons don’t begin to shine until they have Stamina and SOs/IOs slotted. But if you’re hating your toon now, it’s up to you if you want to persevere. And given that I do know of one Dark/Elec Defender at level 50, it can be done! Good luck.

Date seems fine to me. Looking forward to it.

Never done a ship raid either IC or OOC.

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He's not really a pet - he's more like a very trusted friend - he hears all my thoughts and secrets when he's getting groomed - I think he understands too

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Golden_Girl... you need help.

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Anyone who has a pet has talked to it at some point - not just giving it instructions, but actually talked to it

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Slight correction. I speak to my rat all the time. She likes to listen, especially when there's a peanut involved.

And does this now mean that GG has a GG? badum tish!

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/politicalcommentaryoff

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Ahhhh! That's what the slash command for that is!

Some folks have been wanting me to find that for years...

Character taking part: Dante M. Carver
Level: 50
When available: Most times with enough notice but weekday evenings are preferable. Mondays and Thursdays tricky but possible.

As it strode forward, the alien blob virtually walked into the Paladin as it pursued Nightseye back towards the group of heroes. Sensing danger, the two behemoths ploughed into each other, both attacking immediately. The blows from the blob dented the copper plating of the Paladin easily but the raging electricity storm around the machine seemed to have an interesting effect on the orange glow inside the alien. Rather than the solid mass of writhing life forms, each time the Paladin hit, it seemed to jar them further apart. Small sparks of electricity could be seen jumping between them.

The Amber Banshee leapt down amongst the heroes, staggering slightly. “It’s the electricity,” she said. “I figured if those things have a brain between them, a large shock would fry it completely! If we can get them just a little further down the road, we might be able to bring down one of the pylons on it.”

She smiled nervously then proceeded to go bright red as she realised she was probably addressing far more important heroes than herself. The blush illuminated her numerous freckles before she turned back to the raging monsters who seemed to be stuck in an ongoing battle. “If we can just get them to move down a little... we can use the Paladin as a sort of lightning conductor.”

She looked up at the flying machine, wondering if it would pull out that big gun again. "Think you could blast them back a bit!?"

*Applauds*

Well done ML, well done.

Taking point on a corner of a building, Saffron breathed a sigh of relief. A giant Paladin, another of the Clockwork King’s huge creations was lumbering around aimlessly a street away. Having watched the alien blob stomp its way to the sea, she reckoned it would only take a little bit of manoeuvring to get their paths to cross. Even better was the electricity substation that was only a little further away.

“Ok, I’ve found one,” she spoke into the comms again. If we can get them to meet, I reckon we can use the Paladin as some sort of conductor for an electrical charge against the alien, get them to carry the voltage rather than one of us.”

It wasn’t the best of plans, but it had to do. If that thing made it to the sea, the orange glowing aliens would escape and it’d be next to impossible to find them again.

The beast continued to move. It was thirty feet tall and appeared to be impervious to most attacks. It wandered idly forward, swatting away any heroes that were stupid enough to fly near to it. The Amber Banshee had taken to the rooptops, leaving her father to help clear up the mess the meteorite battle had caused. She’d left him with instructions to open up the Militia base, The Dugout, to anyone who needed to use it for recovery and co-ordination.

Meanwhile, the remaining heroes were forced to take up a running battle with the monster as it headed towards the sea. Saffron was particularly watching the orange glow that sat in the heart of the beast. Like most of the other heroes present, she agreed that they formed the power source for the creature, an amalgam of the lifeforms that had attacked them. What she wouldn’t give for psychic right now she thought as she leapt over another tower block, rebounding from the concrete structure’s natural resonance. The glow was deep in the chest of the glowing monster and difficult to reach, despite most heroes’ attempts to harm it. An idea hit her and she paused for a second to talk into her com unit.

“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” she said. “We’re reaching the top end of King’s Row here. Has anyone spotted a Paladin recently?”

Sounds interesting. I can't say I've ever been involved in one IC or OOC so I guess I'll have to do some research. But yes, I would be interested.

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When I respec, don't dump powers in my trays, I would rather do that myself.

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Having spent an hour respeccing my Warshade the other day, yes please.

Rogue Isles Protector – Friday 29 August 2008

MYSTIC LEAVES ISLES AFTER GOLDEN GIZA SHOOTOUT

The prominent demonologist Count Ortega left the Isles today following a violent shootout at the Golden Giza last night. Arachnos reports state that a raid was attempted on the pleasure spot but the assailants were repelled by internal security and Arachnos soldiers with minimal loss of life. Count Ortega however, later issued a statement which seems to indicate that there’s more to this than at first glance.

The Count commented, “I came to the Isles seeking knowledge, glad that I would be protected by one of the finest armies in the world. I am saddened to say that this is clearly no longer the case. As I cannot entrust my work to this abhorrent regime, I will be taking my research elsewhere.”

Count Ortega arrived in the Isles only a few weeks ago to study the various demons inhabiting our land. He was invited by Lord Recluse himself and spent a long time on the slopes of Mount Diable with his research team.

The leader of The Militia just stared at the rising tower of goo, not sure what to do.

“I’m not sure if arresting it is an option,” she said, backing away from the thing. “I think we’re going to need a very big gun or a lot of salt.”

The tower, once at a height of thirty feet started to take on a shape. Forming arms and legs out of the slime, they appeared to solidify into recognisable shapes, massive versions of the heroes it had copied, a hideous amalgam of those present. The area where its face should be though, a blob that seemed to be a head, remained blank as if it didn't know what to put there.

“It’s trying to find a form,” muttered Brian, slightly awed by the whole event. “I think those lights may be the aliens themselves, banding together.”

He would have said more but at that point, the creature slammed its foot into the floor, causing a localised earthquake. Heroes were sent flying by the huge impact before the monster began to walk off, stomping its way towards the sea.

I've decided to give this a bash as well. A Shivan is very hard to make in the costume creator so I've taken a bit of creative license with it.

His armour is less mechanical and more organic and allows his 'natural glow' to shine through. Again with the skull and spines to play up to the in game creature but I decided to give him some solid boots at least.

Anyway, here's my effort for you.

The flow of orange lights sped past the fallen hero to meet with another river of fireflies as they began to coalesce into one seething pool of light. The goo surrounding them began to follow and as the orange lights became one glowing ball of energy, the alien fluid rose up around them, scooping itself from the ground to form a growing tower of green ooze with the orange lifeforms as its glowing heart.

Brian and Amber watched as the tower grew in size, adding mass as more of the alien fluid seeped across the sidewalk to combine with the rest of its kin. The orange lights massed at its centre like a metre wide ball of angry bees, swarming over each other and buzzing with frenetic activity. It was hard to tell whether the alien activity was aggressive or just panicked. Without looking down at his daughter, Brian asked the question.

“You’re the hero here pumpkin, is this supposed to be a good thing?”

The Amber Banshee shook her head, watching the glowing ball as it ascended the tower of gloop that now stood over fifteen feet tall. The buzzing sound had returned, growing in pitch as the mass increased.

“No,” she replied. “Normally it means it’s about to hit the fan.”

I've often found this a useful resource, especially for seeing them acted out.

Oh and this belongs in Player Questions.

I'm not going to say it's been suggested before but something about this gives me a very eerie sense of deja vu...

1) Try the Roleplaying board

2) This might help start you off.

Good luck.

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But... main RP toon? What... is this 'main' you speak of? Ah, the curse of the prolific altitis sufferer.

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Don't we go to the same support group?

“I’m no hero,” replied Brian, slightly surprised at the term. “I just…oof!” He was slightly staggered as the slender form of his daughter, The Amber Banshee came running up to grab him.

“Are you ok? Did you get hurt!? What the hell were you doing!?” she demanded. Her embrace suddenly turned to anger as she kicked him hard on the shin in frustration. Strangely the thought of disappointing her hurt more than any of the blows his impervious skin had absorbed. Amber leapt back, holding her foot. It was as if she’d kicked solid concrete. “OW!” she yelped. “Sorry!” replied her father, slightly cringing.

It was as he looked down at his daughter’s foot that he noticed the orange glowing fireflies that had been in the clones’ foreheads, floating on the goo. There seemed to be a flow of them, as if they were swarming together into a stream of glowing orange.

“Hey!” he said. “Anyone noticed this?” He pointed towards the rush of glowing objects. It was then that he looked up and saw Helena. “Oh no…” he muttered.

Brian staggered backwards, exhausted from the effort of fighting the psychic assault. He stepped away, happy to watch the other errant heroes take advantage of the opening. He ended up next to Annie as she commanded the storm around the meteor, keeping the fog clear as it flowed stuttering from its rapidly shrivelling vents. He offered an arm for support should she need it after the battering she had taken.

The meteor was coming under attack from all directions, the heroes surrounding it fighting off the clones with ever increasing ease. This was not what it had planned. The seeding of the planet was to have been straightforward, as it always had been on other planets. Scan the surroundings, replicate extant life forms and then transfer its passengers to them so that they could begin eliminating the indigenous population. This trip had been different though. There had been a collision. It had hit something on the way into this system. Something huge, a leviathan gliding its way earthwards. Something that it could detect had a vast intelligence and murderous intent. It had lost contact with its companions and could now no longer detect any of them. It wondered where they may have ended up. This mission was a failure. As its internal systems withered and died from the influx of radiation, a shockwave of psychic energy erupted through its probe, travelling down into its cortex, searing alien synapses and frying the internal systems. With its last command, it released control of the protoplasm devices to its passengers, a mother cutting the cord to its young. Its simple mind would never know what they would do, whether they would survive or perish. At least this way, it gave them a fighting chance.

The black crust of the alien pod began to wrinkle and char as the radiation poured through it, feeling the crush of increased gravity that reduced it to a cracked and withered husk. The tentacle fell limp and for the first time since it landed, the gas production stopped. Around them hundreds of cloned heroes fell limply to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. The orange fireflies that sat in their foreheads flowed amongst the green fluid as it formed a thick layer of goo that covered the street. With a last wheeze, a flow of orange lights identical to those that had powered the clones ran in a trickle from the pods vents, swirling into the green ooze that surrounded the crash site.