GlassGoblin

As much as I'd like to join to pile-on in progress against the writing, I can't, not because I particularly like the Praetorian storyline thus far, but because of how easy it is to write better scenarios when you aren't hindered by production schedules, marketing considerations, system mechanics, ill-documented continuity, and the myriad other considerations that come with MMO content creation.

Because I am old, I remember clearly the frenzied discussion among the nascent Star Wars fandom after Empire was released in 1980. After Luke falls and Ben calls it for the dark side, Yoda cryptically mumbles "there is another." For three years we all huddled over our Mountain Dew and Doritos, arguing about who this mysterious "other" might be. When it was finally revealed a mighty "WTF, Lucas?!" was heard across the land. We had come up with a thousand better plots than that!

Of course, we had three years to do nothing but putz around and come up with theories about a pulp-ish movie. There may have been a month or so after the release of Empire before the script had to be completed for the start of shooting on Jedi. Of course we were going to come up with better ideas -- we were a million monkeys at our typewriters.

So yes, there are lots of ways that the Incarnate/end-game scenarios could be improved. Heck, just typing this up I thought about how easy it would be to throw in a reference to how the approach of the Battallion has been leaching away the Big Names' power for years, explaining why Statesman was able to punch holes in Rikti ships during the first war, but today gets one-shotted by a trumped up clown in a trenchcoat. And I have no doubt that many veterans of a literary bent could do (and have done) much better.

So complain all you want, and I'll continue to join in. But also give consideration that here on the forums we're still monkeys in front of keyboards operating without constraints, and try not to be outright nasty and insulting to the writers.

That said, those TPN rocks? I don't know I'll ever be able to swallow that.

I'm okay with it. I've picked up Beam Rifle and Titan Weapons (although I slightly regret the latter, but whatever). I'll probably pick up Staff Fighting, because in beta it was a lot of fun. And whenever they get around to releasing Carp Melee I'll buy that, too (as long as it's not Leprechaunishly priced).

There are pricing decisions I certainly question, but it sounds as though the studio is still finding their way, so I'll manage. And like Samuel, I can appreciate the comfort that comes with knowing you don't have to worry about each individual purchase.

Personally, I'd love an "ICON Preferred Customer" package where for an extra couple of bucks a month you get all the costume options as soon as they are released, even the in-game unlocks. (Dons flame-resistant cape but haute couture cape for the inevitable assault.) However, I can only imagine what a coding nightmare it would be to add something like that to the billing system, so I'm not holding my breath.

42: Remake of Weekend at Bernie's.

/em slowclap

Well done!

What about the opposite of the Max arc? You get the option to do (for example) three prior missions to take out major allies (EB/AV) of the enemy prior to your assault, or you can cut to the chase and have them all show up in the major enemy's base at once. A soloist can choose to take them down in sequence, while a tricked out full team can take them on all at once.

Perhaps the contact could give you intel about the allies: "Your Big Enemy's ally Magic Boss X uses mystic power to drain your resistance and defense. Ninja Boss Y makes it rain caltrops. Immortal Boss Z seems to have virtually unlimited health." Then you could choose who to take out early based on your group's strength and weaknesses.

This would take some balancing, reward-wise, but seems doable.

For the love of the Baby Hastur, make the variable challenge work within the narrative. Pre-code Director 11 to call in Slinger and Gryfalcon against large/powerful teams, along with a Kronos or two? That's fine if someone asked for a challenge. Have him randomly call up Rularuu and Requiem to fill the AV quota? Not cool.