IonFlow

Thanks again for the replies. I started a WP/SS tanker last night, and so far it's a lot of fun. I've found everything said above to be accurate. I got to 12 last night, and I'm hoping to get to 20 tonight. I don't solo a lot as a tanker--I prefer to play in teams, especially when I'm on my tanker. The team aspect helps a lot with the early limitations of SS.

This is a character I'd like to play for a long time at level 50--go the full IO route, etc. As such, waiting till 38 for my big AoE isn't too bad. I'll make it work with teams until then.

I've got a 50 Stone/Fire tanker, so I'd prefer to avoid Fire with this guy. Additionally, I don't like weapons. Just a theme thing for me. Even Stone as a secondary, due to the big mallet, is something I struggle with. Sooner or later, though, I need to give that up and try a weapon guy.

I appreciate all the responses. My SS tank is fun, and aside from Boxing sharing the same animation as Jab (lazy devs, shame on you), I don't have any issues with it.

Thanks,
Ion Flow

Thanks for the thoughts. My issues with Electric Melee are mostly the animations and the long recharge of Lightning Rod. I'd much rather have a solid aoe available every 20 seconds (foot stomp) than an amazing one available every 90 seconds. I don't see most of those issues with super strength. Rage seems like it'd be fun to play with, too, and I don't mind the no damage issue every so often.

Kinetic Melee seems like a nice single-target alternative for a brute build I'm considering. For my next tank, I'll think I'll give 20 levels of Super Strength a try and make my decision as to what to level to 38 from there.

Ion Flow

Heyas all,

I love the idea of Willpower. My HUGE gripe, sadly, is its pathetic aggro issues. I'm working around that, though. It's the closest to a launch-regen scrapper I've seen, and as a recently-returned (and third account) character, it's something I've really, really missed.

Bottom line--I love Willpower. I'll figure out the aggro issues.

However, I'm really struggling with a secondary. I've leveled up two toons to the 22 range only to stop and pause. I started with Kinetic Melee, but it was just meh to me. The animations and slow feel, even if it wasn't slow in practice, were a turn off for Willpower. Repulsing Torrent was awful, and I'd never take it on a normal toon. I was really, really sad with Power Siphon, as well. It wears off about the time you reach a stack of 5. I wasn't impressed, sadly. It's a set that seems good, and I'm not insulting it. I'm sure a lot of you will really, really enjoy it. It just wasn't my style. I enjoyed fire (stupid swords, though) much more. Having said that, I don't want to repeat a tank with fire again as a secondary.

Electric melee seemed promising. However, some of the animations are meh. I'm a huge nitpicker, and Willpower's taunt issues are about the only big negative I want from this tanker. With electric melee, the animation of Thunder Strike drives me nuts. Also, although Lightning Rod seems amazing, it's recharge of 90 seconds is horrible. Aside from that, things are o.k. with Electric Melee and this seems like a potential winner. The AoE aspect, obviously, is incredibly helpful to Willpower's aggro issues.

The last set I'm thinking of playing around with is Super Strength. My main concern is the damage--it's all smashing and you don't get an AoE until 38. This seems awful for Willpower. However, having never played with SS, but realizing it's such a popular set, I'm wondering what this means to everyone else. Also, the rage crash makes me nervous. It seems like an amazing build up, though, and something to consider.

Basically, I'm looking for some help. It's a choice between Electric Melee and Super Strength. If any of you can drop some feedback, I'd love it. Willpower seems great; I just need some help with the smashing faces part.

Ion Flow

Heyas all,

I'm a long-time CoH player, with too much experience in mmos, who's been gone from the game for a bit. I got tired of kililng the LK over and over, and quit playing any other mmo a few months ago.

CoH was my first long-term mmo, although I played a bit in UO. What I'm trying to say is simple, but I'm not saying it simply.

I'm back, and I'd love a new home.

I'm an older player--one of those with kids, a career, and responsibilities outside of the game. However, I tend to play most nights, and I play to the best of my abilities. Older or not, I'm always looking to have fun. I'm not into role playing, and I'm definitely not looking for a small SG that doesn't team, chat, or have fun.

I try my best to research, read, and map out strategies. I've taken multiple characters to 50, and played around with various builds. I'm currently working on a Kin Melee/Will Power tank that's been fun. I min/max all of my chars, and this guy isn't any different. Less offensive umph at 22, but still fun in a team.

Again, I'm looking for a large, active, fun SG. I don't need an overly mature group; I like to laugh as much as the next guy. However, I don't want a constant stream of 12 year-old humor, either. Thankfully, CoH seems to be relatively free from that.

I used to solo a lot--back in the issue 2 and 3 days of overpower-regen--but those days are gone. I love to play in large teams, I love to run task forces, and I love to smash baddies. I tend to focus on heroes, especially now, as the villian side has always seemed too black.

If you're looking for another member, please let me know. My global chat is @Kid Cinders. Hope to here from you soon.

Thanks,
Kid Cinders

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It's more that Geko decided long ago that balance be darned, the sets WILL be different. The devs have hitched their horse to the idea of playing alts as a major form of content. And they want each of those alts to feel and play differently. That's why Elec and Eng are stuck with silly long activation times while Ice blasts things in seconds.

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That's the problem...instead of content we have alts...but, even for the most diehard, there are only so many times you can kill frostfire, or kill the Kraken, or kill Dr. Vahz, or kill Hopkins, or run around in the same "what idiot designed this office mission." Alts aren't content, but that's all CoH has...

The thing that works in CoX's favor is how much fun combat is...and when they nerf that fun, well, hopefully CoX will withstand the coming tide of MMORPGs...I mean, have you seen some of the amazing games coming out? Makes me wonder how long CoX will stay viable...nerfs = unhappy customers, and unhappy customers = looking elsewhere, and looking elsewhere means fewer and fewer people playing...

Buffs--BUFFS--are what make people happy. When alts are what your content is, leveling fast and having fun are what make you roll alts to experience the content. I've done every story arc in CoH, and in the end, it's just a bunch of the same missions in the same looking buildings....adding a bit of new art here and there doesn't change that.

If alts are content, and they're all we have right now, then playing one to 50 sure as heck better not feel like a grind...and the same missions over and over? awfully grindy, if you ask me...

DON'T NERF! BUFF!

Kid Quills

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I can't believe how much LESS fun I'm having now with my regen scrapper. I miss IH as a toggle so much I nearly cry everytime I think about how much fun my old regen scrapper was. Did nerfing IH do anything but make me quit for a year? No...and even now that I'm back, the IH nerf makes me want to quit again.


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I've never had IH as a toggle and I've had bundles of joy with my regen. So maybe the problem isn't regen, it's your nostalgia for the past. The biggest complainers of nerfs seem to be those that say "well back in I2 or I4 I used to...". Well we don't care what it WAS like, we care what it is now. All the history in the whole game that has been changed really has no more relevance now. Except for those that live in the past and still torment themselves.

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That's the point...you admit you've never had IH as a toggle...what can you possibly know about fun now vs. fun then? Just because you're having fun now doens't mean you couldn't be having more fun...

It's this mindset that allows the devs to nerf fun...people will keep paying to get their teeth kicked in...when people's favorite powers and favorite abilities are nerfed, it doesn't equate to fun...it equates to a nerf. Nobody in their right mind enjoys being made weaker. IH, as a toggle, was my absolutely favorite power...now? Situational, at best, and regen is a click-happy set.

All the talk now is focused on Regen...what people forget is that back in the day Invul was considered as good IF NOT BETTER than regen...how many invul scrappers can honestly argue that they are better than regen...people had a choice. That choice is now gone if they want to be as effective as they can...

Buff ALL secondaries to make them equal--don't nerf ANYTHING--and give me back IH as a toggle...

Kid Quills

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Thought #4: Funny you should mention this, because in my (as yet unposted) scrapper secondary balance analysis, I considered the option of taking quick recovery away from regen, strengthening it, and giving it to SR. Net damage mitigation change: zero. And yet, it creates all sorts of interesting balance opportunities.

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Why oh why will people never learn?

The game isn't fun when characters and powers are nerfed. The devs haven't and won't learn this, but as players, this should be READILY apparent to everyone. Balance is done best when BUFFS are handed out...not nerfs.

I can't believe how much LESS fun I'm having now with my regen scrapper. I miss IH as a toggle so much I nearly cry everytime I think about how much fun my old regen scrapper was. Did nerfing IH do anything but make me quit for a year? No...and even now that I'm back, the IH nerf makes me want to quit again.

Fun doesn't need nerfed, and QR doesn't need to be taken away from Regen. BUFF other sets--and leave regen alone. Is it O.K.? sure...but it's nowhere near as fun as it used to be...

I liked being a Hero...I don't like being a constantly clicking Average Joe...

Regen is only the best of a bunch of crap secondaries now. Buff 'em all, I say...

Personally, I don't need another endurance power. If I do, I can take stamina...

All I would like from Regen is for IH to return as a toggle. I'd much rather see PvP and PvE servers...if the issue is balance, I'd gladly reroll on a PvE server only just to have a toggled IH back.

If the issue is fun, well...I miss the toggle. I'm not a clicky guy. I took a year off--right before I4--and I'm back up to lvl 30 with my regen scrapper. I think all you need to know about my new feeling regarding regen is I acutally put off getting IH to lvl 30. I used to think those that didn't get IH at 28 need a psych visit...now? Bah...gimme my toggle back...gimme a reason to relish a lvl after lvl 16 in the regen set...

Kid Quills