GoodHumorMan

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I like what you did there, especially with the wall cabinets. I'm curious, though, about the round things on the left-hand side of the screen (between the plant and the lamp). What are those? They look like dimensional anchors without the red glyphs in the middle.

[/ QUOTE ]Medium sized vents...and thanks!

31 Flavors's (Guardian) new Med Unit; now with Auto-Doc:

Med Unit

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As of right now, no one really has a permanant workroom unless they either want it for decoration or use it for repair items. The storage thing would give the workroom a reason to exist for longer than the 10 minutes it takes to craft something.

[/ QUOTE ]Umm, ours is VERY permanent. Oh before we could afford all the tables (and the control for them) we'd swap between the 3 sizes to make our items. While not required, a permanent workshop does add to the overall "niceness" (if that's a word) of the base. Still I wish there was an..."end game" for those of us building a base that will NOT be used for raids. You know, for people who want nothing to do with PVP.

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I belive I7 is bringing with it storage canisters for the base. I am hoping we can place it in the workshop (the obvious choice) so that we can store all the salvage!

[/ QUOTE ]That's fine so long as it doesn't take up one of my workbench spaces. A room that big and we can only have 3 tables? Come on. Anyway, here's hoping they let it "fit" in the work room.

Oh, because others find this of value, below is our overhead view. You can see we have used every square inch of our small 8X8 while getting the larger workshop and larger TP chamber.


31 Flavors Base Overhead

Thank you. We only have between 6-8 regular team members and already have 98% of what we need to call it a complete base (no raids in our future). Our current rent is at or around 32K a period (not sure if it is monthly or biweekly). Our only problem now is that we have a ton of salvage and nothing to use it on. Please Devs, give us a tool to make use of the junk.

Sexy??? Below is the base of one of Guardian’s premiere supergroups – 31 Flavors

Main Entrance – If only we could have windows
Office Space – I caught one of our number sitting at his computer playing COV
Teleportation Facility – What I wouldn’t give for a set of two story steps
Training/Briefing Room – On Friday nights, we also watch home movies
Workshop – One expensive table to go, the rest off screen
Control Room – Ah the server room, we keep this room at 50 degrees
Power Room - Yes generators can be exciting
Med Unit – half way to 10 million points of healing…

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Seriously, I've beaten Adamastor in DA with four random strangers, with no deaths or even serious injuries. That's just sad. Two full teams literally vaporize the poor shlub.

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Darn shame what ED did to our powers.

My Bedroom Eyes

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Gah, I used my free respec this morning before work and dropped icicles. I guess it is time to go take on the reactor then. Thanks for the info Macros the Black.

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The test I did last night seems to show that icicle's damage speed hasn't changed. Also, at level 32 in bricks jumping into the middle of 10-12 council, I believe I was hit once or twice before they all fell (Ice/Axe). Health bar barely moved. Still, the dumbest think in the world is hitting EA to get full defense with my end bar still at max. What a stupid waste of power.

I'm down with this...still not sure about permafrost but I'll test it. I wish these comments included "and we plan on having these changes up on test by XXX." I hate spending time testing outdated decisions.

I found burn with it's fear component to be quite nice as a door blocker when we needed to fall back from a strong group of orange and reds. It completely fills one of those small doors in the sewers preventing continued chasing. Now that I think about it, I wonder if placing it in the enterance to the hall of vators will prevent aggroed mobs from following you down/up...

I'll keep it but only default slot it with recharge or accuracy or end reduction...wish it did the original damage but I'll try to make it work.

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Here's the real numbers (that's what I get for doing stuff from memory).

Wet Ice
0.5% base
1.265% Defence from Wet Ice with ++ SO's.

17.71% Max Defence from Energy Absorbtion (not what I had earlier).

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You might as well just say .5% base and throw out the 1.265% max for Wet Ice. Please provide a scenario in which an individual would actually waste the slots (not to mention the influence) to have 1.265% added to their defense for 3/5th of their SO levels? 10% down to .5% represents a defense now worth 1/20th of its original value. If you take into account the likelihood of someone fully slotting Wet Ice in I4 versus I5 it goes from 1/20 to 1/60ish of the original power's value. Why not just get rid of the defense in the power? At least get rid of the ability to add defense enhancements as newbies will not understand that those enhancements aren't actually adding any value. I'm sticking with your guys even if all goes through (I like a challenge) but .5% feels like you are insulting us...please, please convince me I'm wrong.

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I would like to make a few suggestions

A) Remove Entangling Arrow for:
Morphine Arrow:
You shoot an arrow with a small dose of morphine causing minor damage and healing a moderate amount of hit points to an ally (Ally: Heal, Minor Dmg)

This will give the set a atleast one power that can make the set more desireable for teaming. A team sometimes requires a healer and having a debuffer is more of a luxuary. This power would cause about 3-4 damage and heal about the same ammount O2 boost heals.

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This is close, but I would prefer the "atropine injection arrow" with an animation of me pulling an arrow out of my quiver and burying it into your chest (think Air Superiority animation with an arrow between two hands). This hand-to-hand range power provides you with a heal and 60 seconds of 100% mez/status protection...plus they could have the target do the nice shaking animation of the Tesla cage (just without the electric show). I swear I'd make the character just so I could stick it to my friends like that.

Moonkitty, Pinnacle Server.

Say my name!
The Wonderful Moonkitty
Her Cape

Wow, I submitted a couple of weeks ago and not a single message.

I suppose I should have included a picture.

Great imagery in that one. Please keep them coming. I'm hooked.

Thank you all for your comments. I promise to write more someday and post it here. One question though, has anyone ever had any success in getting NCSoft to use their story and if so, how long did it take before they told you? Not that I think I have a chance but I want an idea as to how long I should hold out hope.

Anyone wiser or smarter than me know how to convince people to leave comments? This is the first I've ever written and some feedback wout be appreciated.

Thank you for your kind words. And no, this was a simple short story. I'll write more later but it will not directly follow this. This was designed as an opening scene which would be followed by one of those obligatory "3 years laters" transitions. Maybe I'll pick it up sometime. You never know. Still you were kind to give this 5 stars. Cheers!

COT in the Thralls of Love: Under a Talos Sky
by MoonKitty, Pinnacle Server

MoonKitty had arrived too soon. A lady was never supposed to be early as it smacked of desperation but she was really excited about this picnic. Having already laid out the blanket that would be their table for the evening, she kicked off her boots and walked along the beach of this perfect island in the remote corner of Talos.

She had wanted a picturesque setting for this their first date and MoonKitty had to admit, Talos sunsets are the best. "I have no idea why I'm so nervous, I've been on first dates before," she gently scolded herself. The sand felt good on the heels of her feet. Gentle waves lapped about MoonKitty's ankles as she neared the edge of the still chilly water, the smell of salt strong and pleasant.

They'd agreed that this would be an out-of-costume date, informal and as friends might meet. Still, it had taken her near two hours to decide on the tight fitting jeans and unadorned pink t-shirt. In a less than graceful moment, she plopped down on the sand just outside the reach of the waves to stare at the distant War Walls. They always reminded her of his eyes, his perfect, beautiful, blue green eyes. In his costume, all she could ever see were those eyes and his strong jaw and mouth. Such a pleasant voice, powerful build, and a smile that made her melt. After today she'd be able to add to the picture of what she just knew he looked like.

"You better be bring flowers with that wine you promised mister perfect," she told the wind.

Sighing, MoonKitty stood and returned to the blanket to inspect the spread. The wind had blown a little sand on the blanket but that was about it. Thankfully, there were no ants. Everything was ready, except for one think. Her hero wasn't here yet. Brushing a loose fragment of her long blonde hair back behind her ear she turned to inspect the skyline, searching for her date.

The sun was already setting which was a shame. She'd truly hoped they'd be sharing this moment together. As the sun moved slowly behind the War Wall, MoonKitty couldn't help but grin at the irony, "I'd rather be staring at the fire behind his blue green eyes." He had a way of making her feel as if she had just been zapped by one of the 'Masks of Desire' always seen close to Dark Astoria after dark. She hugged herself against a sudden chill, her eyes once again searching the sky for a sign of his approach.

As the light continued to fade MoonKitty's eyes made out a faint green glow growing more pronounced at the top of her island. She recognized its meaning, "Circle of Thorn, and up to no good. I'll be damned if I'm going to let them ruin this evening." Kicking her boots back on, she spied a spot where she could teleport to the top of the hill without being noticed. In a blink the distance was traveled and she could make out her foes. There were 7 of them plus the hostage, a guy by the looks of him, held in a spell being controlled by the chanting Death Mage. "Well I know something about control myself," she reminded her courage. A Death Mage and a hand full of archers?

No problem.

Stepping up over the edge MoonKitty walked into the view of the Circle's leader, "Hi guys. I'm going to have to ask you to move on. I don't want you guys messing up my picnic."

"What? Move along Barbie doll. We have no need of you right now. His one will suffice for our purposes," intoned the Death Mage in a singsong voice.

MoonKitty chanced a quick look up, "You see that? That is the moon."

"Yes, I believe I might have noticed it before. What of it? Be gone girl before I change my mind."

"Well you see the moon is a harsh mistress and the MoonKitty; even harsher." Throwing her hands high in the air she called upon her namesake to enhance her powers as individual wells of gravity formed around each of the COTs locking them into place six inches off the ground.

"Ha, little Barbie doll, is that all you've got?" With thumbs intertwined the Death Mage thrust his hands forward breaking her control of him while throwing his own spell that engulfed her in black icker. Dark tentacles broke the surface at his command reaching for her arms, her legs.

With fists clenched she ripped her arms free of the would be shackles throwing them high once again, this time with palms opening at the end. The Death Mage was launched high into the sky causing the tentacles to loosen their grip around her legs. As the Death Mage began his descent, her attention was diverted as an arrow ripped threw her shirt just opening a long gash across her midriff. Not life threatening by any means but still she tapped into the earth's power to heal as a green aura centered on her worked to close the wound, "You have RUINED my shirt. Now I'm mad."

Hands thrown down, palms back, a glint of anger in her eyes, MoonKitty drew her left hand across body in a quick jerk summoning a powerful singularity to deal with the archers. Forming amid their still rough circle, it began flashing brightly, throwing minions this way and that. MoonKitty allowed herself a small smile, "I'm sure by now you all understand the gravity of your situation. I suggest you lay down..." Her words were cut short as the Death Mage's shrieking black bolt nailed her square in the chest, driving her to her back, its crushing grip sucking the breath from her body and causing her heart to beat arrhythmic.

"Oh dear, dear. What is it about you capes that make you think you are invulnerable?" he sneered. "This one too thought he could evade our capture but like him and the others, you will all eventually fall Barbie doll."

MoonKitty's eyes shot open. No, it couldn't be. She struggled to stand as a second blast took her across the arm. The pain numbed it such that it was useless for aiding her to her feet. A quick look to her singularity said its battle had almost played out. In a moment it would be able to help her. She needed time.

"Why him? Why did you choose him?" her voice sounding weak and strained.

"Oh I don't know Barbie doll, I needed a warm body and he has one. Maybe he was at the right place at the right time. Maybe it was the flowers and wine he was carrying that caught my eye. It doesn't really matter. He's mine now as are you." The Death Mage made to throw another blast but a white flash from the singularity snagged him in mid motion.

"Locked," she screamed and with a great effort made it to her feet. Slowly MoonKitty closed the distance separating the two of them as flash after flash from her pet spoke of a hold the Death Mage would not soon break.

"So Barbie doll, what are you going to do now? Arrest me?" his defiant grin was maddening.

"My name is MOONKITTY," the full arm shot to his jaw jerked his head back with thunderous force. "Say my name! MoonKitty, say my name!" Shot after shot rained across this man...no, this monster's unprotected face. Her last punch like to break her hand but the accompanying crack signaled his jaw had given way first. "Try casting spells with that," she told his limp hanging body.

Cautiously MoonKitty turned to their hostage, laid out on the ground unconscious. She approached him with no small amount of fear. If it was him, will he be okay? Will he be happy or mad that I saved him? By the light of the moon and the War Walls she knelt beside him to stare at his face. That chin, that jaw line, that beautiful face. It looked like him. She placed a hand upon his chest feeling for a beat. It was there but seemed...quickly she once again reached into the earth as a green aura bathed them both in her healing powers. He spasmed for a moment then laid still.

"Oh my hero. Please, please open your eyes and let me know you're okay." She would not cry. He was going to be fine. His eyelids flickered but when they finally opened MoonKitty's breath left her. For what stared back at her was not but a pair of obsidian holes filled with...nothing.

She screamed. Oh how she screamed. And he said nothing.

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To solve my beef with flight, remove the 4 enhancement cap on it. that would let my other 2 enhancers kick in and send me flying past my friend. or better yet (and unlikely) increase the flight speed base and remove the cap.

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I just don't think that'll be enough. Let me explain my thought process. Of the 4 primary travel powers and making a build based on character concept, it is my option that the below power combinations are almost a most. You mileage may vary but hear me out...

1) Concept - Superspeedster: Easiest to do only requiring commitment to two power pools. Hasten, SS (4 slots), and Hurdle is all you need to meet your character's concept. Picking up a third power pool for combat jump makes live all the easier and opens up SJ and Acrobatics. Nothing but SS needs to be slotted for this concept (I'm not including the non-movement related enhancements such as recharge on Hasten in any of the below).

Minimum Concept Cost (MCC): 3 powers/2 pool/3 extra slots
Optimum Concept Cost (OCC): 5 powers/3 pools/3 extra slots

2) Concept - Teleporter: Requiring commitment to three power pools. Minimum powers include Recall, TP (4 slots), and Swift. You are just too slow keeping up with the party unless you take Swift (and let's face it, everyone takes Fitness). To make this power less chaotic (ever tire to TP onto a roof you are standing at the base of?) you need to take Hover. Falling just starts way to soon for you to reorient, point and click. We all have war stories of not getting a TP locked before hitting the ground taking half your HPs only to land in the middle of a group of DE. Not to mention the end cost for crossing IP. Who wants to fall in the water because you are out of end? That's 3 power pools with TP getting most your slots and probably some thrown to Hover (would go 4-6).

MCC: 3 powers/2 pools/3 extra slots
OCC: 4 powers/3 pools/ 6-8 extra slots

3) Concept - Combat Jumper: A personal favorite, I use to think this required the least amount of powers but now I'm rethinking. My prime has had cloaking device for so long that I forgot how dangerous traveling with this power can be. You can still meet your concept with the cheapest overall cost needing only the utility Combat Jump and then Super Jump. Swift makes this concept better but is not required. To reach optimum build, picking up Hasten and SS makes this concept both safer (stealth) and allows you to move in and out of combat with quickly while keeping CJ on (hate having an either/or with CJ and SJ). In this build, I wouldn't even slot SS with a speed enhancement, I go end reduction because I want finer control in combat. Still, that's 2-3 power pools if you were taking Fitness anyway with almost zero extra slotting for movement powers. If you need slots, this is by far the best set.

MCC: 2 powers/1 pool/ 0 extra slots
OCC: 4 powers/2-3 pools/ 0 extra slots

4) Concept - Flier: What can I say? It's a shame what this concept has to offer. Faster than a Speeding bullet? In your dreams (though I'd KILL to be able to do a "move through" in this game). I'd love to be able to get to combat in style, on time, and with a little endurance left. That not being possible, this concept is gimped so let's take a look at the closest thing you can do. For this concept you need to take Hover (6 slotted), Hasten, and SS. Don't waste your time with Fly. With my flying characters I get hover at 6 to establish in my mind that he/she is indeed a flyer (albeit a slow one). Taken Hasten around 12 and SS at 14. Move from place to place with SS (again, with an end reduction enhancement, not speed), hover over obstacles, and play a flying character when in missions or hunting villain packed Danger Zones. Play wise this isn't too bad as you combine speed with stealth with z movement with "some" cool factor (Hover). Concept wise it is an obvious workaround that makes me sick. I'll finish this part by adding Fly (5 slotted) to the Optimum but ONLY because for a concept driven build, you need to rule the skies. But doing that makes Stamina a requirement in my mind. Argue if you will but the end required to get across IP with ANY toggles on is second only to TP as far as ridiculous.

MCC: 3 powers/2 pools/ 5 extra slots
OCC: 4 powers/3 pools/ 9 extra slots (plus 5 for Stamina)

Now to fix the Flier concept I will humbly make the following recommendations. You want balance. Okay, here is what I see as some reasonable choices.

Package Deal #1:
1) Reduce Flight enhancements down to the SO 20% variety (for balance).
2) Rename "Hover" to "Fly" and increase base speed by 25-50%, leave end cost the same.
3) Rename "Fly" to "Afterburners," this becomes a 60 sec click power, that buffs Fly's enhanced speed by x4. This has a massive end cost (60 points or more) and an equal in length to buff recharge (60 sec). Allow only End Reduction enhancements. Keep Accuracy debuff as player is concentrating on flying.

Benefits: Fly becomes what it is suppose to be and we can now hit "faster than a speeding bullet" type speeds. Increasing the base speed will make up for the horrible teens and twenties when Flight SOs are not available. Do this now please.
Limitations: Have to wait for afterburner to wear off to get rid of the accuracy negative. High endurance cost and acc debuff keeps it a travel only power.

Package Deal 2#:
1) Reduce Flight enhancements down to the SO 20% variety (for balance).
2) Increase Hover's base speed to 15-20% (to make up for enhancement reduction) otherwise unchanged.
3) Increase Fly's base speed by 25-50%, leave end cost the same as current but get rid of acc debuff.
4) Change "Group Fly" to the above mentioned "Afterburners" but let it work with either Hover or Fly.

Benefits: Developers keep the Uber powerful flight speed until AT LEAST level 20 but Flight SOs not able to be purchase until level 30, it's likely to still be subordinate to SS for most of a hero's career.
Limitations: Same as above with the added one that we still don't move at a good speed until much later and the need for Hover becomes a bit suspect.