Electric-Knight

Mustard... Breadcrumbs...
These forums ain't no picnic!!

Boo! Those scarfs are a nice, unique piece (and it was reported in beta too). Let's hope any missing pieces come back soon!
Apparently, the Wisp Aura is missing (for those who should have it), as mentioned in this thread.

If you don't mind me saying so, sir, I believe that this is an excellent color choice and should serve its purpose quite well...

I feel the same exact way about the Fire and Ice Swords and the Stone Mallets, as well.

I just can't bring myself to use those powersets.


As for other graphics/effects deterring me... Hmmmm... I really am a visual snob when it comes to things in games... (Hell, I hate the effects from inspirations and avoid using them, other than greens, blues, lifts and breakfrees)...

Besides the Speed Pool... And the Leadership Pool...
What other powers do I avoid due to their effects...
Dual Pistols has that weird blue ghost effect on a bunch of the powers... I really dislike that and haven't stuck with a character with that set yet, possibly because of it.

Oh!!!
Some people will hate this, but... Claws!!!! I want more slash, slash, cut, stab, slice... and less... ranged powers?!?!?! Hehe... just me though...

Oh... Stone Armor because of Granite Armor. Hehe... I feel like this is turning into more of a complaint/rant now!!

Those all really do prevent me from choosing those powersets though.
I can come up with some concepts where they may fit... but those concepts never stick for me, as I came up with them more to fit things out of my control than to satisfy my own personal enjoyment.

Here's a great solution!!

Make all current VIPs transfer over with enough Tokens to reach Tier 9!

Happiness abound!

What? You don't want me to be happy? Fine! Have a nice day!

Those "some extra" points would be a lot.

While the announcement is somewhat disappointing (especially if you are someone who was fully planning to grab a new longterm subscription in order to get into Tier 9 ASAP, such as TechBot), and I'm sure the Team is disappointed as well... It's still, pretty much, the same disappointing place that it was before we thought we could get there through prepaid subscription.

I can't even think about that Celestial Armor stuff, because it is over a year away from my grasp and I'm not into dwelling on such a thing.
I think it stinks that 1) such a fancy set is that far off and 2) that they plan on rotating these things in and out and... quite honestly, the ability to get enough tokens in advance never removed my negative assessment of that entire plan.

I'll live. I've not really posted much about my disappointment of that... I just don't agree with it (for whatever tiny, measly amount of significance that has to do with the big picture!).

I give a thumbs down to the entire scenario.

We'd only interacted occasionally on these boards, but still... I always loved seeing that sig too.
I'm hoping this is appropriate:

"Death is that state where one exists only in the memory of others. Which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes. Just good memories. Hailing frequencies closed..."

Another negative to allowing the swapping of powersets (after advancing levels):

Even within a specific AT, the options, powers and the way that these combinations play can be vastly different.
The leveling process gives you (the player) experience (real experience, not game xp) with those specific powers.
Learning the game as a Fire/Fire Blaster is a very different experience than a Fire/Devices Blaster.
It's the same with a /Regeneration Scrapper vs. an /Invulnerability Scrapper, a /Trick Arrows vs. /Cold Controller... And so on and so forth.

Sure, the developers could provide an option that wouldn't take any of that into account and let us swap things around that really have little connection, but it has its own negatives and I don't see many positives to come from it.
Mainly... if you want to have a leveled x/x character... level one. It's sort of the basic premise of providing and playing a video game.
I understand where you're coming from, but it is possible that you are placing too much connection between powersets beneath the AT umbrella.
Each powerset, and then powerset combinations as well, can play very differently.
So, jumping from one to the other is somewhat of an artificial breach in integrity of the game as well as possibly damaging to the player's ability/experience and (overall) enjoyment (as they may continue to try and make the /Regen scrapper perform under a strategy gleamed from leveling an /Invuln scrapper, for example).

Not that I think this is a huge problem, nor will it affect the cost of tea in China, but... within the scope of a video game design, I can see it as a mistake to allow such conversions.

...With thunderous applause?

Basically, Death badger, what do you think VIPs should get for their subscription that'd make it worth subscribing for, as opposed to just shelling out some money when they feel like it as a Premium player?

I am honestly curious, because I've seen opinions from all sides on this issue.

It seems to me that you want them to eliminate subscriptions.
Unless your one-time-fee for things equals a VIP's monthly fee multiplied by however many months the game continues for... It makes paying a subscription just about pointless.

Unless, of course, you do have some better ideas for perks of being a VIP (sincerely... zero snark should be read into any of this post).

Obviously there are a few threads where people are talking about different aspects of the upcoming business model, but most of them are taking place in threads whose original post was perhaps a complaint, or a start of an argument and/or possibly originally filled with hyperbolic and/or inflammatory wording.

Hopefully this post avoids any of that...
I'm just looking for some intelligent conversation (What? Wrong place? Haha, well,we all have to settle some times!) about some things I've seen raised by different people.

VIP vs Premium vs Free... Is there a good balance?
I've seen separate discussions result in different appraisals of this subject.

I've seen people say that the new system is built for VIPs.
I've seen them say it offers too much for free.
I've seen some people conclude that the system favors being a Premium.

And, of course, all of the same points have been raised from the negative side of those equations.
These differing opinions/conclusions could certainly indicate that they've done a good job balancing the Freedom business model.


I've seen some suggest that being a Premium, and spending the same amount of money as you would as a subscriber, could get you more than being a VIP (depending on your personal interests... ie not interested in Incarnate Content).

That idea about it being geared a little too favorably for Premiums to spend that $15/month as they like instead of for the VIP package is one that I haven't been able to dispute and I am curious if others may be able to dispel it (or prove it, or turn it into a newt... temporarily).

I think it really depends on where the Premium Player is in the Veteran status (Paragon Rewards Program). As well as, of course, interests in Incarnate content.

I've planned to just stay VIP and not have to deal with any of the fuss (That is still my plan, btw) and I was hoping that the game would be sticking with that as the major aspect of its business. I'm just not sure if it is going to play out as such and I'm curious to get more people discussing that (or any) aspect of the future business model. And I wonder if they need to tip the scales in the favor of the VIP model at all (Again, these feelings just may be all about that balance having been struck... so, each aspect seems viable and/or lacking!).

As it has been put forth... As a Premium Player... You get a Reward Token for putting $15 into the store (to be spent however you like).
So, in regards to Reward Tokens, Premium and VIP are equal.
However, the Premium Player still has those 1200 points to spend.
A VIP gets 400 points and a Free Character Transfer (as far as straight-up things you can buy with points).
Obviously being able to use IOs (which is unlocked in Tier 7 of the Paragon Rewards System) is another aspect... But that can be bought with a small amount of those 1200 points per month, should the player wish to have IO access.

Perhaps I should muster up a better side-by-side comparison to evaluate this (I think someone else already did, actually...).

So, again... zero doom, zero hyperbole, zero wish to prove a point nor argue nor call people names (other than Zwill, who is a big sillyhead)... I'm just curious if the people who've come up with differing conclusions about who wins and who loses have looked at each other's data and either determined that some other conclusion was correct orthat it must be pretty well balanced, because everyone is complaining just about equally.


Basically, I'm starting this thread, because I have no axe to grind, nor strong personal agenda about it all and thought that such an OP may generate a similarly flavored discussion as opposed to arguments between firmly entrenched sides (feel free to call me crazy).

So, Dark Sweater... So long as they add a bit of text on their page about what "limited" means... they're fine?

Bah...

Zebedee the cat...
Stalker: Claws/Ninja
He also has the full Speed power pool as well as Super Jump.

Zebedee regularly sits on tables and counters at the sides of high-traffic doorways, so that he can swipe at anyone and everyone who passes by. This generally results in him stabbing his claws into you and/or your garments so deeply that you remain entangled (caltrops) as he continues to finish you off with successive clawing and/or very hard biting. Meanwhile... all family members around you are frozen in a state of fear (or just bursting out, laughing and pointing... and occasionally taking a picture, lol).
He also only knows one speed - maximum - and he darts everywhere (apparently he does not know, or care, that you can turn super speed off).
This regularly results in him behaving like a Speed-Boosted newb, overshooting his intended destination: He slides along the tile floor and slams into the cabinet doors, super speed leaps onto the counter above the breakfast table... sliding and falling onto the table beneath, races onto the dining table so quickly and uncontrollably that he slides along - pulling the table cloth off of the table...
He is also a hacker, as he has been known to race past a group of family members, cut one of them on the ankle and continues - without change in speed - to dart away and hide.
His claws are like ranged weapons because his bones are apparently made out of springs and he can reach his targets from quite a distance.

P.S. One orange and white cat (very friendly and very entertaining) up for adoption. No questions and no returns!
(Kidding!)

Super Dog - (real name): Duke

Duke (pre-named) was adopted by us after having a rough upbringing from an abusive home. He's a German Shepherd with some tiny bit of Colly in there to give him Colly feet and a slightly broader back.

He is the unquestioned security chief of the household and sworn body guard and protector of the family.
Tank - Will Power / Super Strength

Anyone who visits must clear an intense security check at the door (if they prove themselves brave enough to enter after the display of rage he offers them to test their mettle).
He draws all aggro to himself in order to protect his family (That includes the cats).
He will jump in front of his family any time someone else approaches... and will even jump in-between family members if they approach each other a little too aggressively (playing or not).
His intentions are entirely about protecting his family... But beware of his rage. When his rage is triggered, he may prove too intimidating for most outsiders (the running NPC AI seems perfectly fine to me).
He has a special alternate animation for Foot Stomp, in which he blasts everyone around him with a coarse fuzzy tail whip, slamming hard-skulled head butts and very sharp, pointy teeth.

Most of the time, however, he is as sweet as can be and covers you in fur and slobber as he just wants to show you just how much he loves you (this also includes the cats).

Sorry... this thread made me think of Duke, who is actually no longer with us, but... if I have ever met a WP/SS Tank, it was Duke, in a heartbeat.

I miss you, Chief of Home Security Duke.





(My apologies if that was bad form... Just felt necessary)

What is this I don't even...