GreyScribe

The thing that struck me was the fact that NCSoft has been paying Matt and the others for the last two months, but wouldn't let them finish off Issue 24 (which must have been close to release) and organise some quality farewell events for the last month or so of the game. Shutting down all development completely on August 31st seems even more mean-spirited to me now. Everything we know about the Paragon Team would suggest that given the chance, many of them would have been willing to give City of Heroes a proper send off.

Yeah, it is a bit crazy - that is one reason why I'm posting on Massively under my real name and face: "Larryn" - my actual real-life surname is a four-letter word the forum won't let me type. (Plus it's easier logging into Massively with my facebook profile)

I can understand fans like me posting our thoughts and arguing the toss but the hardcore 'business experts' trying to convince us of the wonders of free-market capitalism like their lives depend on it baffles me a little. We're fans - we're supposed to be emotional about the game. Are they really that excited about corporate business practices?

I'm happy to throw money and opinions at SaveCOH - might as well throw my reputation onto the bonfire as well!

Personally, for me, half the fun was seeing what Paragon Studios came up with next. That's not going to be happening over the next two months.

I have to agree with Leandro on this. What you are suggesting, Johnny, is the equivalent of NCSoft telling Massiively, "We don't like your coverage of these crazy protests being run in OUR game, on OUR servers - if you want any exclusives about GW2 or Blade & Soul you will pull these stories."

Don't shoot the messenger. NCSoft's press release is a public document and Massively have every right to report it and comment on it, whatever we might think personally of it. To expect them to do otherwise completely undermines the job they are trying to do. We can't expect Massively to only cover one side of the story (ours) and retain any sort of credibility as a news site.

Remember, fans of GW2 or other NCSoft games will be coming to Massively expecting coverage of their games. Why should they be disadvantaged just because we disagree with NCSoft? How does that make us look?

If you don't like them covering the announcement or the announcement itself then that's what their comments system is for but personally I'd focus on the announcement itself rather than attack Massively just for doing their job.

Good luck Zwillinger - thanks for all the work you put into CoH and the community. I'll miss your weekly coffeetalks - even though I don't drink coffee .

Enjoy your family time and all the best for the future.

For me, it has always been about the journey rather than the destination. I've been playing nearly six years and only have two 50's, but plenty of alts. If I had to start from scratch in a reborn City and Isles that would be fine with me. Many of my core characters would probably explore different powersets or even archetypes given that opportunity.

Hi all,

The way I'm looking at the situation is that the Paragon Universe isn't going anywhere. What we are losing is the interdimensional rift or mystical portal or telepathic link that enables us to explore and experience the City, the Isles and Praetoria through the actions of those worlds' greatest heroes and villains. When the lights go out, Grey Scribe, Techdragon, Necrostorm, Noosphere-R2, Mistress Sweetness, Granny Menagerie and all the rest will still be out there, fighting the good (or not so good) fight. In light of this, I will continue playing them as normal right up to the end.

Who knows, if we are really lucky the aetheric currents might align themselves in such a way that at some future date we could return to the Paragon Universe, or something much like it but even better.

But before the end, I did have one idea that I thought I'd share with you. I've created an avatar as close to myself as possible in the character creator. Meet Larryn the Librarian:


(I can't use my real surname because it is a four-letter word! But I do work in a Library.)

Larryn is my official 'farewell toon'. He (and probably blueside and praetorian clones on different servers) will be wandering around saying goodbye to some of my favourite locations in CoX. He's not officially a hero or a villain, just a visitor paying his respects to a world that will continue to inspire him for years to come.

Thanks to P.E.R.C. and everyone who took part. This competition will be one of my last purely happy memories of CoH.

Somewhere in an office, someone (or a committee of someones) looked at a spreadsheet full of dollars and cents, saw some numbers they didn't like, and made a decision that doomed an entire universe. But they aren't the people I want to focus on right now.

Instead, I want to thank the people who looked at other spreadsheets (or stared at screens of code, or lines on a sketchpad) and saw caped heroes flying above a war-scarred city, alien invaders from another dimension, giant monsters, sinister soul-stealers and so much more. Their dedication, professionalism, enthusiasm and passion created a world that sucked me in six years ago and never really let go.

I'm a loner and a bit too self-absorbed to ever be a good team-player. I joined the game on CoV's release with my namesake stalker, and almost always played solo. If I did feel like company I rolled up Masterminds. So I don't have an uplifting story about all the friends I've made in the game. Instead, the City was a place where my imagination could be unleashed. I had the freedom to roam and explore not just the Rogue Isles but all the ideas that were inspired by the lore and setting.

But despite my self-imposed isolation I knew this community was special - because even when I politely refused invitations to group, the response was almost always "OK, enjoy your game". I never felt pressured by the devs or my fellow players to play the game in any other style than my own way and at my own pace. This is what kept me subscribed and always brought me back after dabbling in other worlds.

Even though Grey Scribe and my first Mastermind Techdragon are my only 50s I have enjoyed the last six years of adventures with them and many other alts immensely. The forums also provided an entertaining if sometimes challenging place to lurk and even share some ideas or creations inspired by the game. I will always have fond memories of the inspirational creativity shown in the costume threads for example.

Like many of you I'm mourning the imminent passing of this amazing virtual world, but of course the Paragon Studios team are facing the end of so many real-world dreams and plans and my best wishes and sympathy go out to them, their families and their friends, who will all be affected by this unfortunate event.

I want them to know that their true worth is so much more than what was shown on that hypothetical spreadsheet I described at the beginning of this post. The game they built and the community that cherishes it are proof of that.

We entered the Paragon City Universe as mere gamers - we leave as Heroes (and Villains) of great power. With that power comes the responsibility to carry the legacy of CoH into our future adventures in other worlds either virtual or real.

Just remember, the people staffing that line are NOT the people who made the decision to shut City of Heroes down. Please treat them respectfully and ask them to pass on your disappointment to those who did make that decision. There's no point in taking out your anger on someone who is just trying to do their job. That just results in more miserable people and there are enough of those already after today's news.

If you have enjoyed this thread I definitely recommend you check out the gallery above. Many fine entries were submitted direct to the judges. I had a blast putting my entry together and what struck me (apart from the general high quality of the entries) was the variety of different concepts radiating away from the starting point of the Vindicators. Again, the combination of CoX's character creator and individual creativity shines through. There is very little overlap in the 'look' of each entry. I really don't envy the job of the judges.

Some interesting observations about the distribution of entries:

Miss Liberty FTW! By far the most individual entries (35), as befits the leader of the Vindicators. Some very striking costume designs as well.

Slugs and snails and puppy dogs' tails? Only two boys in the team and they struggled to match the girls. Poor old Woodsman only just getting 20 entries and Infernal 26. They were both outdone by all of the girls with Luminary slipping ahead on 27 and the rest averaging around 30 entries each.

Good luck to everyone who entered - I hope you had as much fun with the Great Makeover as I did!

Edit: (NB: Not sure if it is a case of missing or dead links - but @Daemonas's entries aren't showing any pictures in the gallery at this time.)

Interesting read so far. I'm not totally convinced there is enough wiggle room for a Ranged/Defense AT though. Not without some significant gimmick/drawback to keep Blasters relevant and that runs the risk of creating an AT locked into a narrow play-style or role.

However, the fact that as part of the Blaster upgrade several blaster powers are having their ranges increased might mean that the PAGGG could fill a gap with mostly short to medium range attacks and relatively high defense. On the other hand, melee range has been increased in recent times, especially in sets such as Staff fighting and Titan Weapons. Add in the additional ranged attacks in Sorcery and likely future Power Pools, and it looks like the design space for the PAGGG is being squeezed from both sides. In fact, a 'Power Armour' Power Pool set seems a fairly probable Tech counterpart to Sorcery.

I'm wondering if an entirely new AT is a bit of overkill to try and capture the particular 'ranged brute' playstyle you seem to be striving for, especially when existing ATs already offer a wide range of experiences, many of them coming close to the Ranged/Def AT mechanically. Why not just make 'range' the gimmick for a powerset for Brutes and Tanks (and possibly Scrappers and Stalkers also)?

Mechamorph
General Overview: This powerset represents a mech exoskeleton that has two modes - Mobile Assault and Turret Defense. It utilises the new 'conditional' tech that enables powers to have different effects, damage, effects and even animations if a certain condition is in place.

In Mobile Assault mode (which is the default) the powers revolve mostly around short range, powerful self-targeted cone or pbaoe attacks that don't require a target. This reflects the mech's relatively poor aim which in motion and adds an element of tactical movement to maximise the effectiveness of your attacks. Think 'spray and pray' gatling gun, flamethrower, etc. Power animations include modular 'pop-up' weapons from arms or shoulders (think the 'bloom-launcher' from Nature Affinity as an example). These powers do NOT accept Ranged enhancements or sets.

Turret Defense is an interruptible toggle (don't know if these are possible?) with a relatively long animation that transforms the character into an immobile turret with longer-range (still shorter than Blasters) single-target attacks (rail gun, thermal lance, missile, etc.) and strong damage/mez resistance. The drawback of Turrent Defense mode is that it drops most other toggles, leaving the character vulnerable if they want to go back into Mobile Assault mode.

Ah, wasn't aware of the other sets being leaked. Still was an interesting thought experiment.

Kirsten: by all means consider further sets - as I said, this was initially an attempt to expand the Sorcery model to the other origins. One obvious option is a Supernatural pool with an actual 'Ghost Flight' power that I'm sure would be popular.

It is actually an interesting direction that the devs are exploring. New powersets will still be the big-ticket items that will excite players, but these pool powersets give power concepts that might not support a full powerset or that do not fit any particular AT a chance to be explored. It also opens up new customization options - so that we can really tailor our power choices to reflect the themes or origins of our characters.

Sorcery is a new Power Pool set currently being tested on beta.
It has five (and a bit) powers:

Spirit Ward - single target absorption buff for an ally
Arcane Bolt - Ranged energy blast
Mystic Flight - Flight power which also makes an addition Teleportation power available (Translocation) via the pop-up power tray
Enflame - An aura that can be placed on friends or foes that generate blazing patches that damage foes.
Rune of Protection - Self-buff of various resistances and mez protection.

Sorcery has some gorgeous (and customizable!) FX with runes flying everywhere. The set itself has some damage powers, a travel power and some buffs. It has a a strong link thematically to the magic origin (although it is available to Heroes/Villains of all origins), and using this as a starting point I began to wonder about what other origins might get...

Natural Origin. Always tricky - there is a lot of crossover between Natural and Tech/Science once equipment starts getting involved, and there are several power pools such as Presence, Leadership and Fighting that can represent the innate abilities of a natural hero. One natural 'action' hero archetype that isn't in CoH is the 'superspy' so here is my idea for a Natural counterpart to Sorcery.

Espionage

• Blow Dart - single target sleep attack - does not break concealment.

• Recruit Bodyguard - can target either an ally or foe. Transfers all your threat to the target for a time. An ally gains a small absorption bonus and mez protection, while a foe is confused and gets a small damage bonus.

• Parkour - travel power similar to ninja run (possibly with additional climbing animations that can go up walls) which also unlocks the Parachute power which slows falling rate, gives limited directional control and mitigates falling damage. (BASE jumping!)

• Snipershot - long-range, interruptible attack with a sniper-rifle.

• Disguise - Transforms a player into a random Citizen model, with a multi-target placate. Damage powers disabled and player is untouchable for a short period of time.

Mutant Origin. My ideas for this Power Pool set was influenced by Bio Armour - also on beta - and some of its animations.

Symbiosis

• Pseudopod Snare - an amorphous tentacle drags an enemy into melee range. Includes a taunt and -Range.

• Plasm Punch - a fleshy extrusion lashes out and smashes an enemy down into the ground (think hordeling lashers). KD and -fly.

• Mucus Membrane - (FX similar to the 'Possession' power plus slime) The player is coated in a layer of frictionless mucus that boosts movement speed and defense. Unlocks the 'Gooball' power that when activated expands the mucus into a translucent sphere around the player that can absorb damage and can bounce long distances. Activating attack powers will 'pop' the Gooball.

• Pheromones - Creates a cloud of chemicals surrounding the player that boosts inter-team communication (Allies have buffs to Perception & To-hit) but confuses and slows enemies.

• Reanimation - If the player has fallen in combat, this power surrounds their body with a cocoon that unleashes a storm of tentacles that immobilise and poison enemies while the cocoon opens and reveals the resurrected player. The remnants of the cocoon give them a signifcant absorption shield for a time. This power can also be targeted at fallen enemies but their bodies are simply transformed into a longer lasting tentacle storm without being revived.

Science Origin. Again, the line between Science and Technology can be blurry so I've focused on the power of scientific knowledge for this set. FX include equations.

Quantum Mechanics

• Heisenberg's Glance - Single target eye-beams that freeze an enemy or give an ally a short-term flight power similar to Hover.

• Hawking Radiation - (Location AOE) A microscopic black hole is created that slows surrounding enemies and bathes them in radiation (energy/toxic) before it dissolves.

• Decoherence - The character partially phases out of reality and becomes able to move omnidirectionally independent of gravity or inertia (Ghost flight). Unlocks Gravitational Lensing (Stealth) which has a high endurance cost.

• Schrodinger's Cat - The player summons a glowing, translucent cat that sits grooming itself while causing semi-random effects to reality about it. These effects hinder enemies and aid allies and could include changes to Recharge, Recovery, Damage, Accuracy, Regeneration, etc.

• Entanglement Echoes - The player is linked to counterparts in alternate dimensions, tapping into their strengths and power and sharing damage and other effects between them. (Player flanked by intangible, flickering doppelgangers while this power is active).

Technology Origin. Well, this one was a no-brainer:

Gadgets

• Smart foam - a capsule of rapidly expanding foam coats either an enemy or ally. Allies gain an absorption shield, while enemies have both their movement and attack rate reduced.

• Wrist-mounted Crossbow - that shoots taser-bolts

• Gyropack - Counter-rotating blades unfold and lift the character into the air. (Think Inspector Gadget) Unlocks Rocket Boost (Major flight speed boost for limited time)

• Ready Grenade - Unlocks Throw Grenade power along with three optional 'load-out' toggles: Liquid Nitrogen (cold damage, targets held in ice), Sedative Gas (targets asleep and slowed) or Thermite (fire damage DOT, -resist).

• Prototype Exoskeleton - FX similar to Assault Bot crossed with PPD Hardsuit. Major absorption shield & Resist buff. Unlocks: Stomp, Flamethrower, Missile Salvo, Eject (Exoskeleton Self-destruct). After a set period of time, Eject is activated automatically.

Global name: @Grey Scribe

Overall theme: Dark days, desperate decisions - the Vindicators step up and leave their 'sidekick' days behind them.

Vindicator: Justice (Ms. Liberty)

Shocked to her core by the deaths of her mother and grandfather as well as Malaise's betrayal, Megan Duncan walks away from Paragon City and the Vindicators. She sets out on a pilgrimage to the site of Statesman's fall. Camping there overnight a dream of her mother leads her to a hidden cave. Fighting her way past monsters of myth, she discovers the Shield of Athena. Looking at her reflection in the shield, Ms. Liberty realises that, with the Freedom Phalanx in disarray, Paragon City needs her more than ever, as do her friends. This decision finally reveals her as a champion worthy of Excalibur as well as the Shield. Her grief over the death of Miss Liberty is still raw so she decides to call herself 'Justice' in honour of Athena and her grandmother, who fought alongside Statesman as Maiden Justice. Justice returns to Paragon City to reform the Vindicators only to discover she is not the only one who has changed....

Vindicator: Partisan (Valkyrie)

While Positron struggles to hold the Freedom Phalanx together, and with Ms. Liberty absent, Valkyrie has been left to her own devices. The initial alterations to her personality made by the nanites within her body have developed into an almost symbiotic relationship. The nanites communicate with her, warning her of threats to her world even worse than the Rikti or the Praetorians. With the City already in chaos, Valkyrie communes with the spear and the final barriers between them break down. She allows the nanites to transform her completely into a new being able to wield the full power of the spear and unswervingly defend her world: ‘Partisan’.

Vindicator: Immolator (Infernal)

Infernal’s demonic familiars constantly whisper of dangers both seen and unseen. Concerned by the terrible events of recent years, Infernal delves deeper and deeper into the darkness seeking power with which to protect those around him. Ultimately he succeeds, binding more powerful demons to his service, and gaining protective flame wards with which to aid others but it costs him an eye and a hand. Despite this, he remains willing to sacrifice even more if his friends and adopted home require it. To reflect this determination he renames himself ‘Immolator’ – one who sacrifices in flame.

Vindicator: Grimalkin (Mynx)

Mynx is in trouble. She is experiencing wild mood swings and blackouts. In turns paralysed by fear or overwhelmed with rage she is getting desperate. With the Vindicators splintering and Synapse caught up in Darrin Wade’s machinations she has no one to turn to. Slipping back into old habits, she breaks into a Crey research lab and finds the records of the original experiments that transformed her, as well as plans and components for a spinal implant that was intended to stabilise her condition. However she escaped before it was complete and it was subsequently mothballed. Increasingly irrational, Mynx takes the parts to a Freakshow Meat Doctor who agrees to fit the device. Amazingly, the procedure is a complete success. Mynx’s heightened senses, animal instincts and human intelligence finally synchronise. She becomes the ultimate huntress, able to effortlessly conceal herself and single-mindedly focus on her target, before striking at their weak points in a blur then fading back in to the shadows as if by magic. So she takes the name ‘Grimalkin’ and goes back to her friends filled with a new sense of purpose.

Vindicator: Goldstar (Luminary)

Serving with the Vindicators and interacting with her friends has opened up new vistas for the android known as Luminary. Her personality is increasingly independent and she now understands more nuances of human behaviour. After the Praetorian invasion she begins to notice that her appearance unsettles the general public, reminding them of the remorseless Warworks and the deadly ‘Victoria’ assassin robots. Unwilling to burden an overstretched Positron with her concerns and with several of her colleagues missing, Luminary takes the opportunity to upgrade her appearance. Using an algorithm incorporating images of popular celebrities and cutting edge fashions she unveils her new look to the rapturous acclaim of a City weary of death and destruction. She gains the nickname ‘Goldstar’ in the Paragon Times and claims it as her own.

Vindicator: Mosswraith (Woodsman)

The ghostly hero known as Woodsman finds himself drifting further and further from his former life and his friends. His link to the natural world is changing as reality itself is fractured by inter-dimensional portals and the barriers between life and death are torn down by ancient gods. His spiritual form and powers are being drawn towards the darker aspects of the natural cycle: decomposition and decay. Almost by accident he finds himself in Praetoria where the threatening presence of the Hamidon fills him with terror. Blindly he flees, stumbling into the Night Ward where the rapacious violence of the Shadowhunter almost overwhelms him, leaving him exposed to the Drudges who see him simply as another wandering spirit to be captured and processed. Faced with final annihilation, Woodsman ultimately realises that even this altered existence is worth something. Accepting his fate by choosing the new name ‘Mosswraith’, he fights free and returns to his friends in Paragon City.

Vindicator: Silver Phoenix (Swan)

Swan is distraught. Manticore, overwhelmed by rage and grief is refusing to see her, and with Ms. Liberty leaving the City, the Vindicators seem to be falling apart around her. She focuses on her ongoing search for her parents, experimenting with an incantation that enables her to astral travel. Ranging far and wide, she finds no trace of them, but a faint hint of their presences leads her to one of the mystic rings that they had hidden from the Circle of Thorns and the 5th Column before they were kidnapped. When her astral form comes into contact with the ring, eldritch energies course through her, unlocking her true mystical heritage. Her astral form soars back to her physical body which has been reborn. Wings of white flame unfurl as the ‘Silver Phoenix’ opens eyes full of arcane knowledge and calm confidence.

Vindicator: Beacon (Aurora Borealis)

Aurora feels like she is losing herself. After willingly sharing her body with Sister Psyche for so long, Paragon City is like a foreign country now that she can explore it on her own. With the trauma of multiple invasions and the horrors within Dark Astoria, the world seems darker than ever. Even her friends seem to be strangers as the Vindicators teeter on the edge of breaking up. Worst of all is the guilt she feels at the role a demented fragment of her personality played in the death of Sister Psyche. As she walks through Atlas Park part of her longs to turn her back on all of the madness and despair overwhelming her psychic senses and simply flee Paragon City with Calvin. Then she feels a hand on her shoulder and turns to see a tall blonde woman looking at her with concern. It takes her several seconds to recognise Ms. Liberty in an unfamiliar uniform. Other figures gather around her as she asks, “Ms. Liberty, Megan, what are you doing here?”

Megan smiles and gestures towards the others, “You can call me Justice, now. I’m putting the Vindicators back together, Aurora. Paragon City needs us more than ever, and we need you. You have always been a beacon of hope for the City and the heart of the team. Will you join us?”

Aurora looks around her, tentatively reaching out with her psychic abilities. First she senses Justice’s strength and new-found wisdom, then Partisan’s obdurate determination. She basks in the warmth of Immolator’s concern, and Grimalkin’s calm regard. Goldstar’s excitement sparkles around her, as she feels the cool serenity of Mosswraith’s presence. Finally she dips into the shining aura surrounding the Silver Phoenix and as her psychic link binds them all together, she feels the last shred of darkness staining her soul disappear.

‘Beacon’ lifts trembling fingers to her lips which bear a smile for the first time in weeks. Even before she speaks, the blazing radiance surrounding her announces her acceptance to the entire City.

These might have already been suggested - if so please add my support to them.

With the strong 'nature/biological' theme of recent and upcoming sets (Beast Mastery, Nature Affinity, Bio Armor, Water Blast, etc.) I'd really like to see some expansion on the flora and fauna themes.

Currently we have some leafy features, but I'd love to see a 'woody' skin texture and costume parts to aid in the creation of plant elementals, golems, dryads etc. Various vines with either leaves, blossoms or thorns would be a great addition as well especially entwining the limbs similar to the organic armor spikes. A pollen/spores aura would be nice.

On the fauna side, I think we really need some 'natural' bony claws and spikes similar to the Mot bosses (just scaled back a little). They would seem a really good match for bio armor and mutant characters in general.

For amphibian characters a set of gills (either a head or shoulders (neck) detail) would be very welcome as well, as would more natural fins for arms/legs/backs.

Avian characters would love some more feathery accents.

Some more non-mammalian tails would be great: scorpion (as seen on the Liger), Ovipositor/Sting (complete with dripping venom/slime), actual feathers, fish/fin, dino bony 'club', etc.

First off, loving the rollout of new improved power icons for many of the temp/vet/pet powers. Makes power trays a lot clearer. One idea though - can the 'detoggle' powers have an identifying mark - maybe a brightly coloured rim just to differentiate them from other temp powers?

By 'detoggle' powers I'm referring to things like the rocketboard that shut down all your active toggles when you click on them.

Congratulations on the annual remembrance of your 'Breakout' from your birth unit's gestation sac! May your celebrations be rewarded with an 'Outbreak' of heightened serotonin levels!*



*Birthday wishes from transdimensional biological probes may lose a little something in translation.

Volunteers: they are being heroes for nothing after all.

No, she'd use her powers to put an image of Jophiel in underwear into Snaptooth's mind.

Coincidentally, I'm working on my own werewolf variant at the moment: Lichenthrope - a Plant Control Dominator.

Here's some ideas that previous posts generated:

Background: Medieval nobleman afflicted with the werewolf curse, retreated into the mountains to avoid attacking his family and friends. Centuries later, he was captured by a mad scientist who used technology to enhance his already impressive speed and agility as well as giving him a 'stealth field'. The procedure trapped him in his 'wolf' form as transforming with the various implants inside him would be fatal. The scientist planned to use him as his personal assassin but his creation turned on him and escaped. Unfortunately, the implants required power-cells - running out would leave him crippled, so retreating back into the wilderness was not an option.

Instead he becomes a mercenary to survive, struggling against his innate bloodlust and thus always trying to be in control. Hence instead of a 'berserker' fighting style, he makes meticulous plans. He uses his natural and technological abilities to make surgical strikes against individual targets, rather than just rushing into battle, howling at the moon. That is one reason why he still uses a sword - the training he received as a man helps to keep the beast in check.

Names: I always struggles with names - I tend to do descriptive ones, or puns. A werewolf stalker as well as the white/grey colouring suggests variations of 'Ghost Wolf'. I'm not very familiar with Eastern European languages but there might be something useful there.

Here are a couple of costume ideas as well - I was working on your original 'white wolf' idea. Tried the red, but he ended up looking too much like a fox for my liking.