Goliath Bird Eater

Yes, I know. Read up a little bit -- I make mention of it. I posted the WHQL link for those who would rather have an "official" version, and for those players using laptops who would like to upgrade anyways (Ultra Mode or not). And really, unless you're looking to squeeze every fps out of the game and hope that the preview drivers will give increased performance over the release version, or play one of the other games that the preview drivers provide fixes for, there's not much difference to CoH players WHICH version of the 10.4 drivers they choose.

Black, the 10.4a preview includes drivers for x64 versions of xp, vista, and win7. The only thing that non-WHQL ATI driver packages usually don't include are Mobility drivers for laptops, since a little work has to be done to optimize them. But unless the FSAA/AO problem is indeed resolved in these or you experience one of the problems in other games that these fix, you're perfectly fine waiting for the official release.

Blame Microsoft. If ATI had their way, they wouldn't even bother with the WHQL process (releasing preview and hotfix drivers side-steps WHQL as it is), as all it does is basically give programs their stamp of approval that your machine won't blow up if you use them ... which any software from a reputable source shouldn't do anyways, these days. This means that any subsequent fixes or improvements must either be put off unti you're ready to compile the next WHQL version, or you release them without the WHQL testing.

I honestly have no clue, Bill. I'm still using the 10.4 preview, and only found out about the 10.4a preview a short time ago. Nothing is specifically mentioned about CoH in any documentation, though. All I do know is that the actual driver is newer than what will be in the WHQL package. I don't plan on upgrading today, but if you do, let us know if the FSAA/AO problem is fixed. I have my doubts, but you never know.

If I were you, I'd wait until the official release version. Like I said, it should be next week sometime. I just installed the preview version because I'd already tried every other Catalyst release during the I17 closed beta.

As Bill said, install the 10.4s when they come out (should be next week). I'm running a preview version of them right now, and am able to alt+tab while in fullscreen regardless of whether or not I have Aero enabled.

Maybe he went Rogue. *ducks flying tomatoes*

Good to have you aboard, BS! looking forward to any and all positive effects your work will have on the Ma power system ... especially if it eventually allows me to fight a proper version of my Crab Spider doppelganger. As it is, he doesn't last very long just using an Arachnos rifle and a few melee spider leg attacks.

You should have said from the start you were on a laptop.

Laptop drivers are not the same as desktop drivers, and you've more than likely got desktop drivers installed, and that's likely causing a lot of your problems. Lemme see what I can find ...

Checking the Community Digest every now and then is a good thing ...

I'll try to answer what I can.

This is a very tricky question, because it really all depends on how you play. Generally speaking, however, it shouldn't take THAT long to hit level 50. The game ceased being a grindfest years ago, and our developers have actually taken multiple steps to make it easier to get past the first 20 or so levels.

From the tailor (or Facemaker if you're playing a villain), you can adjust the physique and facial sliders of your character at the same time you change your costume. Although, you cannot change the gender or height of your characters by default. If you purchase the Super Science booster pack (one of several optional add-ons containing costume pieces, emotes, and thematic powers or features), you gain the ability to change those attributes as well.

The villain epic archetypes (VEATs for short) are currently unlocked when you get a villain to level 50, but in the upcoming "Issue 17: Dark Mirror" update, you'll only need to get a villain to level 20 to unlock them. They're two separate archetypes - Arachnos Soldiers and Arachnos Widows - that you'll be able to make new characters with. In this game, the four epic archetypes are called such not because they're any more powerful than the other classes, but because they all have special overarching storylines which tie into the greater game lore. That said, the villain epics are quite fun. My main and namesake is a level 50 Crab Spider who is an AoE machine.

You don't become a "good guy", if that's what you're asking ...

You can use paypal, and should you do so, you can also choose whether you want recurring payment or not.


You don't lose characters. But if your account has been inactive for at least 6 months - I think - and the developers run a certain script, your characters names will be lost should someone decide to make a character with the same name.

I noticed that you exclusively mentioned City of Villains. I'm not sure how trial accounts are set up (assuming you're on a trial), but buying the game proper will give you access to both City of Villains and City of Heroes. If you do decide to join us full-time, I advise buying the Architect Edition of the game. This is the newest version of the game, and will also allow you to access Architect Entertainment, where players can create their own storyarcs and play through storyarcs created by other players.


ADDED: In response to the comment above about rushing to 50 not really being that important, that's absolutely true. However, with the Going Rogue expansion coming in June or July, there will be a new post-50 advancement system called the Incarnate System. Also, heroes will be able to go bad, villains will be able to go good, and there will be a new 1-20 play experience in the alternate dimension world of Praetorian Earth.

Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit.

P_P, it's an expansion, not an entirely new game. Twenty levels worth of new content with new art assets, new NPC groups, new storylines; new endgame content; multiple new powersets; new costume sets; new tech; and whatever else may get thrown in there is a pretty damn nice expansion.

I realize that you have an almost pathological need for brand new shinies - be they powers, animations, costumes, zones, whatever - and that you have the boredom threshold of a chipmunk geeked on speed. But c'mon now ... you're really going to complain about this?! I honestly don't think it's humanly possible for the dev team to crank out new stuff at a pace that would EVER satisfy you, to be perfectly honest. And that's not their fault at all.