Grey Pilgrim

No, I would not be willing to delay the Lore slot. Yes, it would be good to have even more customization options, and I personally hope that pet style designs (for MMs, Controllers, Kheldian forms, Granite Form, etc.) eventually do have customization options.

So I can understand why people want more options. I argue for more animations, costumes, and powersets all the time. However, we have some customization options already for the Lore slot and it ties in well enough with the storyline that is going.

If you don't want a pet, well, I may not want a big huge AOE power on all my characters. Sure, it will probably help my performance, but I'm sure the animation or look of some of them won't work for each character. There are going to be some powers you don't like as much as some others. And while I'm in favor of branching out some of this incarnate stuff from Praetoria, I understand it's part of the storyline we have going, and that not everyone would be in favor of any storyline they come up with.

Keep it reasonable but ask for more, I say.

*added*

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of Lore giving us "objects" for pets, over mobs, which usually have backstories with them. Glowing orbs of power, etc., seem more like power outgrowing from the well to me. But that might just be my feeling.

Was there a theme for tonight's raid?

Dude, you need to bring back your old avatar, that midi was the bomb. Poor Recluse getting clunked by War Mace, oh yeah (Been working on getting my Macer farther into his alpha slot lately). And Gandalf is a wizard, I think he can manage to clean out his pipe when you're not looking.

Powers use can certainly be a matter of preference. I can't imagine using Rise of the Phoenix all the time, even on a Fire Blaster. There's no way a character should be defeated that often. I could see using it for lulz once in awhile (Self Destruct followed by RotP can be hilarious), but that's it.

I just pick it up for those few unfortunate times I do get defeated. Like when the game's server jitters on me and won't let me activate an inspiration or two like I need to.

For my own personal preference, I can see the benefits of adding in Assault, but I wouldn't want to miss out on Fiery Embrace to get it. I was ecstatic when inherent Fitness finally let me fit in Fiery Embrace and Build Up on my defensive build. And Maneuvers, too. I'd take Maneuvers over Assault, too.

I can understand liking or not liking the book or the movie, as there are personal preference things involved. You might not like the feel of one or the other, the storytelling style doesn't mesh with you, etc.

However, even though movies and books are different mediums and are on slightly different playing fields, I think you can evaluate the two fairly with principles most would use to judge an effective story. I.E., I would say the movie is far better than the book, as it's far more consistent in tone and the feeling it evokes, and it has a better focus on its core ideas.

I can see where the movie grew out of the book, and I can see the interesting ideas at play in the book, but in all fairness to the book, it lacks the focus of the movie. The wordplay of the book is not as strong as the cinematography and tone of the movie (and is far more dated, for all people seem to think you could make the movie look better with today's tech). Characters and events and ideas are rather inconsistent and not seen through very well, either. Interestingly, if I hadn't seen the movie, I would not have appreciated some of the ideas that were tossed about in the book as much.

You could also say that some things in the movie are inconsistent, and that's fair enough. Still, the movie is more focused overall than the book. You couldn't have the movie without the book, I daresay, and there are a lot more ideas working about in the book, but that doesn't make it outweigh the movie's greater strengths.

More on track with the "reboot" idea, the people playing with the idea of a Blade Runner movie would be better served in making a sequel. Blade Runner is not dated for its ideas or its "look" (the little bit of floating cars is minimal and does not look bad), and is hardly in need of a redo. II don't expect Hollywood to try and make something new when they could just rehash it, but I wish they would here.

Man, just thinking about what they could redo visually... I can see Hollywood producers opting for CGI heavy chase scenes in cars flying about, just so they could justify redoing the movie. The original feels very gritty and real, and doesn't rely on a lot of CGI eye candy to do its storytelling. A remake or reboot would be utterly pointless, unless they want to try other stories in the same world. That COULD be interesting.

Yeah, I kind of have to disagree, Acemace. Fiery Embrace is quite an impressive boost to your damage, and while it isn't on all the time, it doesn't have the the ridiculous end drain of Assault, and the burst is more useful than a paltry 10% to your offense all the time. Yes, you can get around the end issue some with Cardiac, but I'll still take that big boost every 60-90 seconds over that 10% boost to damage any day.

Elektro, have you looked at the guide in my sig? Either of the builds there are not going to set you back much, as I go much more for middle of the road builds (in terms of cost).

I don't have an Electric Tank, but I have an Electric Brute, and I would say that Electric and Fiery Aura really aren't all that different, you just have slightly different strengths. I found myself missing the faster heal whenever I run with my Electric. Even with the slightly higher numbers for some resists with Electric, you'll probably still notice the difference.

Electric is obviously going to have a slightly easier time with Rikti, but Fiery Aura really doesn't have any issues there. The only thing I really have issues with on my Fiery Aura Tanks are defense debuffs, as those let hits get in a little more quickly than he wants them to (though effective use of inspirations and the ancillary holds help out plenty there).

It's not quite six one way and half dozen another, but it's close. Flavor is going to be the biggest difference. I'd personally say I prefer Fire's look more, and how it plays, but Electric can be fun, too. Go with what you like, but both are plenty solid.

Yup, check out the "Welcome to Victory" thread stickied toward the top of our forums so you can join the channels we have and find teams more easily.

I usually add global friends when I have teamed with people a bit before and know them fairly well... though most of the time I just recognize their names when they are talking in channels (or I use the in game notes/rating feature).

Miladys earlier post is also disingenuous when talking about timing. Using HoB is not really slower than firing up RoA or Full Auto. RoA actually takes a good amount of time to activate, and Full Auto does fire for a long time. HoB does technically have a longer animation than the other two, but running in is not going to add much to the animation. If you're taking more than half a second to get into range for HoB to get the job done, you are doing it wrong. Either Sprint in or use Hurdle with CJ and get in there fast: that takes very little time.

Another thing to consider is that for RoA or Full Auto to drop minions and maybe/probably Lieutenants is that another attack is needed. HoB can do that with just itself and Fiery Rounds. And if you don't have Swap Ammo on a Dual Pistols Blaster, you're not playing the set smart, either. All that means is that HoB's longer animation allows for more damage to be done to most of its targets most of the time.

Miladys, I get that you don't like the Dual Pistols animations, but at least be honest about how it plays out by the numbers, and in game performance. You really are more down on the set than you need to be, and believe me, I can be down on what doesn't work for a set, so I'm not getting on you for nothing. HoB is not at all a part of any problems Dual Pistols has (and any it does have are not that major).

Overall goals are usually more helpful for me with Blasters (enough defense, a heal, etc.), but there are some IOs that are needed.

KB IOs, as you mentioned, are quite useful. I'm also finding that the Kismet +Accuracy IO is more useful, as a Blaster really does not want to miss, so it's helpful to have that with the new TFs and encounters against +3-4s.

The main other IOs that are useful are procs. Depending on the attack and the Blaster, an Achilles -res can help a lot, or just straight up damage. And especially in your tier 1 and 2 attacks, since you use them so much and can use them when mezzed.

A Numina's or Miracle in Health are usually good as well, depending on the needs of the Blaster. Not as needed as of the other IOs mentioned, though.

Nericus, if the show came back, they would likely either have to continue the show after the events of the movie (unlikely), or jump in and watch events between when the series ended and when the movie started (a la how Cowboy Bebop handled its movie, just in reverse).

Nixing where Whedon went with the story and calling it not canon is not going to happen. The creator of the show and movie wrote it, so you're just going to write it out? That's just weird sounding, and Whedon wouldn't go for it, I'm quite sure.

It's better to just call the series done, other than smaller stories being told elsewhere, like Shepherd's Tale or something. Whedon really wrapped up the show in the movie... and it's not just characters dying that does it. You could theoretically say that maybe there is still more to River than her knowledge of the Reavers (I know I thought there should be more than just that), but it's wrapped up. People have moved on to other things.

Maybe something else could happen in that universe, but Whedon would have to find something he wanted to do there again. It might happen, but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm a fan of them all but Time Bomb... and Time Bomb, I dunno if I'd technically call it a nuke. It's not really in a primary. But I guess LRM is a ranged nuke, so we might as well throw Time Bomb in. Anyway, it takes way too long to set up, so even if the damage is nice, there is too much getting in the way of leveraging that damage.

The rest are just peachy, though. LRM and RoA are from range and have a nice and noticeable impact on mobs, plus satisfying animations. Full Auto is pure Rambo, how can that not be fun? Hail of Bullets is awesome: dash into a mob and unleash. Build on the short burst of defense it gives you and you're untouchable while you do it, too (it also does more damage than the other crashless nukes, which I quite like. No crash, but still takes out most minions and lieutenants).

Anyone know if any current devs even look at this thread anymore, since Castle is gone? Just curious. I'll still throw out my thoughts, but I wanted to know.

Current alternate animations that are in game need to be ported to every applicable attack. The footstomp animation is used by many powers, and they should all be able to punch the ground if they want for that power (be it a peacebringer, earth controller, etc.). Same things for all the punches in game. Still not sure how the alternate Fire Breath animation was not given to melee sets that also use Fire Breath. Basically, this is just a request to make use of what you have already done: spread the love to all sets with those animations.

Now that we have some more variety in punches and ranged attacks, the next biggest issue is weapon animations. I really cannot play any broadsword or battle axe characters because their animations are too similar to what Fiery Aura and War Mace have (and I have characters with those sets already). Any attacks using weapons really need some variety to look and work better. This really should be the next priority of animations, to my mind, as it affects so many sets, rather than just one on its own.

I don't know that there are any 100% winners out there, but I would agree that Ill/Rad is up there. I have avoided the set for years because of its... flavor of the game(?) status, but I had a random idea for a Resistance character that may or may not be completely insane (though that might be part of the illusion he creates), and I have been quite taken with the idea. After leveling, and trying to level, a few Controller characters, he is quite versatile. I've been able to solo with him before pet levels (something I find interminable on any other Controller I have attempted it with), and he can do so much for teams. Maybe a little weak on AOE hard controls, but debuffs and soft controls abound there.

Not sure if anyone has thrown this out earlier (skimmed the thread as best I could), but Earth/Storm Controllers should have some consideration here. They also have a stealth power (though you need an IO to round it off), which does make it easier to have that utility on teams. Has some good debuffs, if not quite as strong as Rad or Cold, and it is quite good at locking down multiple groups. I've had more than a few groups be saved by this controller after we aggroed multiple mobs. My multiple AOE debuffs and controls slowed down the incoming foes enough for the groups to win out.

I'd also say the epic ATs are candidates: they're maybe not too strong in any direction, but they're able to help out in a variety of situations. My Peacebringer was in PUGs most of his way to 50 (that I usually led), and his ability to fill in missing needs on the team (Tank, Blaster, etc.) was extremely helpful. There are variations among the epics, of course, but they are usually quite versatile.

Yup, Harrison Ford is undoubtedly Harrison Ford in every roll, but he adjusts himself enough to be unmistakably a different character all the same. We know who he is in American Graffiti, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, and even the recent Morning Glory (which was a surprisingly decent "light" movie), but the characters are all noticeably different and you can let go of the fact that it is Harrison Ford for the sake of the movie.

With people like Tom Cruise (and in a less annoying way for me, at least) Kevin Costner, they only seem to be able to do this intermittently (or find roles that bring this out somehow). Cruise somehow works in The Last Samurai. Costner is most definitely not British in Robin Hood, but gets the job done for that movie. We know it's Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, but that is still a fine movie: and I don't really love baseball anymore.

11-12 sounds about right. I recall seeing an "11" in my level bar before quitting the team for the night.

Working on getting this guy some IO sets to help with his endurance issues... soloing him is just painful... he can get drained without Steamy Mist even running at the moment. Hold Duration is sucktacular for him as well. I like that he can do more damage than a Controller, but still, I would love another second added on to the base.

What was up with this line? "Unfortunately, CoH is showing its age with combat, as it feels sluggish and unresponsive in comparison to faster, more modern MMOs, like Rift or World of Warcraft."

I have not played Rift, so I don't know anything there, but sluggish and unresponsive I would not call CoH's combat. At all. And I have always found WoW's combat to be sluggish and lame compared to CoH. Trying to figure out what the comparison points were, there.

I'd also quibble a little with the graphics bit, as they've always been decent, and ultra mode made things even better. DCUO supposedly has a lot more bells and whistles, but I find the difference in the two is more stylistic than "quality." I'm one of those weirdos that doesn't see the appeal of all the games with bleeding edge graphics with photo-realism, though... I like games with character and a good look to them.

But still, I'm sure it's fair to say that CoH isn't going to have as good of graphics as a brand new game. And I'm sure the devs could make the combat system more smooth (have grappling, etc.) if they had a new game on their hands. Still, CoH is a lot more fun to play than many games out there, and it can certainly look great. I still sometimes pause to watch as the sun rises over the ocean while I fly about the city.