Dante

I just love these. I feel the compulsion to change mine now.

Excellent work dude.

I've got about 30 seconds to rattle this off so I'll comment on the power picks rather than slotting for now.

Get Amplify and Siren's Song early. Amplify ups your damage and Siren's Song is what makes soloing safe.

Secondly, pick up Shout the moment it becomes available. Outside of your nuke, it's your most powerful attack and although short range is still ok and does mighty damage.

And finally, although Shockwave is an okish control power early on (prepare to get lectured by people who hate Knockback though ), respec it out the moment Screech becomes available. As a Blaster, you have very little mezz resistance and I find that disorientating the stunner before they stun you will up your survivability a lot.

I love my Sonic/Energy and yes, the damage she can do is stupid sometimes.

Hope that helps!

I have a Dark/Elec and yes, it does work. However, if you do decide to roll one the main thing you will notice is that you will be trading off damage for control. I simply cannot solo mine at all and he is very team dependent. Certainly good on a team but useless outside of one. The other thing to notice is that the endurance drain effect of the secondary on its own is not enough to prove effective. Unless you couple it with Power Sink from the Epics, draining a foes endurance is next to useless as an attack. In more prolonged fights it can be ok but otherwise, meh.

The two holds do stack which is nice and you do get two pets which certainly helps matters but it depends on what you like to do. If you can cope with the poor damage output and team dependency, you will be very useful on a team. Solo though, you will struggle.

Hope that helps.

I'm afraid that Monday will be the earliest I can do this so I'm glad we're all still onboard for that. I am chomping at the bit to get started though so I can certainly reciprocate the impatience! Don't worry, it will come round soon enough.

My plan will be to meet at the entrance to the small garden right of where the starting point is in Outbreak. I will be there from 6:15 on Monday so that anyone who wants the Isolator badge can get it with me. If you don't want it, I expect we'll meet on the steps of Atlas Park at 6:30. My character will be a dark/dark defender with Dante in his name somewhere.

I think there's one or two spots left so feel free to join in. I wanted to give advance notice on this just in case it didn't prove popular. But with only one space left, I think we should do ok. If we have less than eight, I'll try and recruit another ingame.

Thanks for the list Knightly.

In response to team composition, I'm not all that bothered. I know that if we really wanted to plough through levels we'd all roll Fire/Rads or Fire/Kins. But this is more about getting a team of people together with the same goal much like you would for a Task Force. But yes, a little more damage would be a good thing.

I figure getting the Isolator badge on a team will take half the time it would solo but if people don't want it, I'm happy to log in early and get it then meet everyone later. I guess I just know how hard it is to get that badge later on.

[ QUOTE ]
Sonic - This doesnt seem to bad, not sure how good the cone power is, and the -res component wud be nice. Seems to have some nice utility in its aoe sleep as well I guess not sure how good dreadful wail is, i honestly dont see many sonic blasters around so I dunno how good they are (or if they are more of a blapper set)

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess this is my cue to rant about how much I like the Sonic/Energy combination?

To be honest, Sonic is a very safe set for Blasters. It has three soft control powers which mesh very nicely with the secondary. Mine is level 35 and so far doesn't have a debt badge (although I'm sure the debt fairies will target me now I've said it...) mainly due to the fact that I can sleep, stun or knockback my foes. The -res is very nice in providing a little extra boost to damage.

The damage is also both Smashing and Energy and IIRC, not many foes resist both at the same time so the damage output is very nice. Opinion on the cone power is mixed. Its damage output is very average but it can -res a whole spawn which is very nice as a team can take advantage of that. But on the whole, Sonic is a very single target oriented set.

Dreadful wail is a great nuke. It's fast and stuns pretty much anything that survives meaning that you can actually get out of there alive. Blapping is eminently possible. Not my cup of tea myself but you won't be gimped in melee. The stuns in the Energy secondary stack with the stun in the primary so it can be quite effective.

Hope that helps some.

Thank you everyone for the replies. I had forgotten about the sewers so that's a great idea. And yes, there will be some badges along the way that it would be good to get hold of, the Spelunker being one of them. I see a diversion between 10 and 14 to get it.

Hopefully, once we have done the Safeguard in Kings, we will have a temp travel power that will help ease the pain.
I'm completely open to suggestions, if people want to do the Hollows, that's fine and something we can always look into once we're over level 5.

Oh and I forgot to mention that I do not mind what AT or powersets people choose to do this. I will be going Dark/Dark Defender myself.

[ QUOTE ]
One thing I find funny about this whole topic is that despite being an incredibly effeminate and open minded guy IRL, none of my characters have been male. Ever. It's actually difficult for me to play a male character, be they straight, [censored] or whatever.

It's a very....odd situation for me. This even extends to games which I don't roleplay in; given the choice of a female, genderless (machines and so on) or male character the male will almost always be my final choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

I feel your pain! When I look down my list of alts, only about ten percent of them are male (that's if you discount the aliens, robots and the undead...) I have no idea why but characters I come up with always seem to end up female. I'm sure some expensive psychiatrist could probably tell me why.

As for orientation, I agree that it tends to be only one facet of a character and doesn't have to be a defining one. The only character I've ever given any consideration to in this respect is a complete hedonist anyway and would roll with male, female, alien, zombie, crocodile... so I guess that doesn't really count.

As for Crimson, I'd say that there's things you could explore without a relationship. For example, I know that he's had to turn down several ladies who were interested in him due to his orientation. What would happen if they didn't take no for an answer? What if they fell for him? Could he find himself attracted to a hetero hero? Or even worse, falling for a girl?

I don't, generally speaking, see that many IC relationships these days anyway. Maybe we need to ressurect the superhero dating pages?

Hello everyone.

A few months ago, there was a thread on these boards on the subject of powerlevelling (no really!? Yes, really!) along with its inherent pros and cons. This is not an attempt to reignite that debate (and I think ‘ignite’ would be the appropriate word in that context as well).

To cut a long story short, I do not wish to powerlevel but I do have a new alt which I would like to get through the early levels fast. My solution, as I suggested back then, is to get another seven people in the same situation and form an eight-man team and plough through levels in one evening. With a good team, I think we should all be into our teens without too much effort in one session.

“But Dante, why not just get a PuG together?” you may ask. A good question, but you all know what the quality of some PuGs are like. I’d like to try and get a team together of like minded people who want to get a kickstart on their new alt without enduring the hell that is some PuGs these days. I’m proposing to try this out next Monday 25th June from 6:30pm to 10pm. I’m flexible to different dates if that doesn’t work for some people but the times are unlikely to change.

The format will likely be:

1) Tutorial – I want my ‘Isolator’ badge!

2-5) Atlas missions and street cleaning.

5-10) Kings Row radio missions and Safeguards.

10-15) Steel Canyon radio missions and Safeguards.

15-20) Faultine radio missions and Safeguards.

If you think this could work and if you are interested, please sign up below.


P.S. If anyone has any tips for maximising XP for this event, please feel free to contribute.

P.P.S. I really, really don’t want a big debate about powerlevelling if I can help it. Thank you.

"What the hell caused this!?"

"Bomb, they reckon. Left by the Council as an unpleasant surprise."

"Anyone hurt?"

"No, but almost took out a few of those Militia types."

"Shame, I can't stand those guys."

*Conversation between two firemen attending a blaze in Founder's Falls.*

Recruitment thread for The Terra Liberation Front

Admittedly it had fallen off onto the second page.

Hmmm....

This sounds very.... familiar....

I'd post Minx's reaction to the article but it wouldn't be safe.

They seem a sweet pair. Which makes me worry about what you're probably going to do to them.

I have been playing with a Necro/FF mastermind recently and it's the first one where I haven't felt the perceived need to get Stamina. I will admit to being left gasping after I've done all the summoning and buffing but once the gang is up and running, my endurance hardly budges. Rebuff once in a while and then on to the next spawn.

Admittedly, he's not too high level at the moment but aside from the set up, I can't see the need for stamina to be honest.

Dangerous Friends – Mercenaries Ball 27 May 2007-05-29
------------------------------------------------------

Having been unduly delayed by a Longbow patrol disrupting a lucrative transaction with one of her contacts in the underworld, Scorpio Rose arrived late at the mercenaries ball. She had however had a chance to slip into something more suitable for the evening than her usual street clothes.

Upon being vetted for hidden weapons (not that it would have been possible to hide anything in that dress) she entered the ball to socialise with the remaining guests and perhaps to pursue mutual interests. She spent some time chatting with Feyth, the charming Kunoichi X and Big Game who she was warned of by the two women. Big Game claimed that he was just being hospitable. In fact if Scorpio received any attention it was from Echo Hammer who made several playful attempts to grab her tail. After brandishing the sting, Scorpio warned her to be careful and that one sting from the tail could lead to her waking up a changed person.

Scorpio met with her fellow Terra Liberation Front comrades, Hatesman and Neutrality, it taking a few moments for her to recognise the latter without his signature battle armour. They briefly chatted, confirming that an alliance had been formed between the TLF and EVIL. Rejoining the remaining guests, there was a brief disruption from the burly Axel who appeared to be making threats to anyone who annoyed him. After he left, Scorpio made light of his threats and enjoyed one last drink before departing with her colleagues for the TLF headquarters.


((Written this morning, three days after the event so apologies if I’ve forgotten anything or used the wrong names etc. Please correct where appropriate.))

“Hey Tony, can you cover Vince’s slot tonight?”

“Why? What happened to him? He off sick?”

“Yeah, he says the last thing he remembers is some broad with a tail chatting him up then he woke up with one big kahuna of a headache.”

“She doped him?”

“Dunno, he says his wallet was still there and everything. Probably one of Vince’s dodgy friends.”

“Probably. What a jerk.”


(Conversation between two Pocket D barmen on Monday morning.)

Even though I got there late, I must say thank you for a very enjoyable evening. I am sure that at the next one, Scorpio will flirt far more shamelessly than before (she was keeping it 'professional' last night). It was good to meet some new faces and to form some great alliances.

I look forward to the next one. Thanks for organising it.

I am out tonight (leaving in about five minutes) so I unfortunately won't be able to attend. However, I an due back at around 11:30 so if it's still going, I'll try to come. My global's @Dante.

Thanks.

It doesn't? I must have read something wrong while researching then. Maybe I'll drop the second acc from the attacks then.

Thanks for the correction.

Brilliant. And very cute too.

If there's one power that will help Regen a lot it's Divine Avalanche. Slotted with two acc, three def buffs and a recharge, it can give you a really nice defence boost and can help a /regen survive a bit better. I took it at 18 on my Kat/Dark but I really wish I'd taken it sooner as my survivability went up a lot.

The fighting pool is nice but I've never needed it on my regen to be honest. Just avoid taking the alpha strike if you can and you should be fine.

Thanks for your help everyone. I can say that I played from 1 - 13 on Friday and found it a lot of fun.

I will likely respec when I get to Granite (doesn't everyone?) and replace the damage on lower level attacks with recharges. Either that or seek out yummy Dam/Rchg IOs.

The Focused Accuracy is to try and counter for Granite's -acc but yes, for the 30s and when I exemp back down, I like to have two Accs in my attacks (Blaster mentality here ).

Stop giving me ideas for alts, I have enough of them as it is! I can feel a character concept growing in my mind as we speak.

Devouring Earth.... mutant origin right? Or science....?

Argh! Must resist temptation!

I have been thinking at having another go at tanking recently and the sets that appeal to me the most are Stone/SS. I've run up a quick build which I have posted below. If anyone who's played this set could give me some pointers, it would be greatly appreciated. I've only ever tried Inv/En before so if I've chosen a hard set or gimped my build, it'd be great to know.

As usual, many thanks.

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Level: 50
Archetype: Tanker
Primary: Stone Armor
Secondary: Super Strength
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Rock Armor==> DefBuf(1)DefBuf(3)DefBuf(3)EndRdx(15)
01) --> Jab==> Acc(1)Dmg(5)Dmg(13)Acc(36)Dmg(45)
02) --> Punch==> Acc(2)Dmg(5)Dmg(13)Acc(36)Dmg(43)
04) --> Earth's Embrace==> Rechg(4)Rechg(7)Rechg(7)Heal(29)Heal(29)Heal(40)
06) --> Swift==> Run(6)Run(9)Run(39)
08) --> Mud Pots==> EndRdx(8)EndRdx(9)EndRdx(11)Taunt(19)Taunt(23)
10) --> Rooted==> Heal(10)Heal(11)Heal(17)
12) --> Teleport Foe==> Acc(12)
14) --> Teleport==> EndRdx(14)EndRdx(15)
16) --> Haymaker==> Acc(16)Dmg(17)Dmg(19)Dmg(27)Acc(37)
18) --> Health==> Heal(18)Heal(23)Heal(37)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Taunt==> Rechg(22)Rechg(37)Rechg(40)
24) --> Hasten==> Rechg(24)Rechg(25)Rechg(25)
26) --> Crystal Armor==> DefBuf(26)DefBuf(27)DefBuf(46)EndRdx(46)
28) --> Knockout Blow==> Acc(28)Dmg(31)Dmg(31)Acc(36)Dmg(43)
30) --> Rage==> Rechg(30)Rechg(31)Rechg(34)
32) --> Granite Armor==> DmgRes(32)DmgRes(33)DmgRes(33)DefBuf(33)DefBuf(34)DefBuf(34)
35) --> Stone Skin==> DmgRes(35)
38) --> Foot Stomp==> Acc(38)Dmg(39)Dmg(39)Acc(40)Dmg(43)Rechg(46)
41) --> Minerals==> DefBuf(41)DefBuf(42)DefBuf(42)EndRdx(42)
44) --> Conserve Power==> Rechg(44)Rechg(45)Rechg(45)
47) --> Focused Accuracy==> EndRdx(47)EndRdx(48)EndRdx(48)TH_Buf(48)TH_Buf(50)TH_Buf(50)
49) --> Laser Beam Eyes==> Acc(49)Acc(50)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Run(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Acc(1)
01) --> Gauntlet==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Rechg(2)
---------------------------------------------

I think that's a fair analysis. Certainly when you run through from the Tiki Lounge to the hero side you can see people and speech bubbles from the floor. It's not long before someone comes up the stairs to see what's going on, something that obviously increased once events started being held in there. And when there are no events on, there will always be players (myself included) who use it as a shortcut.

To be honest, I wonder what would happen if we all made a joint decision to move over the Villain's side for a bit? Would the griefers struggle to find us or would they just move on to find another target to torment? Who knows?