Johnny_Taxibot

[ QUOTE ]
Samuel_Tow: I'm surprised to see there isn't an official power levelling thread yet, or if there is one I can't find it.
...
But there was one? I'm not just imagining it? I thought there was one in Suggestions, but I looked and I couldn't find it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought power levelling threads were locked and/or deleted because they contravene forum policy wrt game exploits?

-Johnny

[ QUOTE ]
Memphis_Bill" ...they'd like to, it's their goal, but the office could be flattened by an asteroid overnight while the data centers and backups burst into flames, which would cause more than a slight delay.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like a reference to Cassiopeia.

-Johnny

The MegaMech Cometh
Freedom Phalanx is entrusting us with some of the most serious tasks imaginable. For the past several weeks, our teams have been ferreting out advanced Council developments in their weapons and defensive systems. Only by coordinating multiple timed assaults have we been able to overcome the Council troops. However, our ally within the Council ranks warns that the Ultimate Council Threat™ is upon us.

Saturday May 23rd 1:00pm EST (12 noon CST) (10:00am PST)
Meet at Ernesto Hess in Striga Isle (Far SE on Striga; 80 yards from Smuggler Freddie; Broadcast request if you can't find him)
The range requirement is 25-30, with those above exemplared down to 30 automatically


Team One (Unyielding):

1. Johnny Taxibot (team lead) - lvl 50 Elec/Energy blaster

2. Taxikitten Midori (lvl 50 Grav/Emp controller)

3. Ullikummis >> Deus Ex-Machina (lvl 28 emp/en defender)

4. Eagle_Star >> Lady Tovara (lvl 28 Peacebringer)

5. hilker >> Heliotrope Cataclysm (lvl 45 warshade)

6. Scheol >> (toon to be decided)

7. Mareal >> Al Dedillo (lvl 31 cold/ice defender)

8.


Team Two (Heroic):

1. Gata (team lead) >> Gata Amarilla (lvl 50 Kat/Regen scrapper)

2. mscats >> Delilah Hazard (lvl 28-9 assault/device blaster)

3. MISHMASTER >> ClassyWanda (lvl 26 ice/mental blaster)

4. Mystery_Inc >> either Blok (lvl 50 stone tanker) or Kheldian Rose (lvl 50 Peacebringer)

5. Ironblade >> Ironshield (lvl 29+ shield/axe tanker) or Ironblade (BS scrapper)

6. Doctor_A_Science >> Battousai Ken (lvl 29 scrapper)

7. Timothy2day >> Magic Taxi (lvl 34 fire/emp controller)

8.


Notes:

1. This is a task force challenge series, where Team One will seek a reasonably high difficulty level, depending upon the team composition. Teams Two and Three will usually run at Heroic difficulty.
2. We do not generally speed run these adventures, though we do seek to make good time and enjoy being in the story.
3. When doing a higher level challenge, the team lead needs to be in the zone before anyone enters the mission. Otherwise, the mission difficulty will default back to Heroic.
4. For Team One composition, the suggestion is to have 1-2 tankers, and 2-3 blasters for AoE crowd control. However, we will not blindly attempt a difficulty that is beyond the team makeup. When unsure, we begin at Tenacious and gradually increase the difficulty.
5. For Teams Two and Three, it is asked that there be a tanker for each team to provide good aggro management.

[ QUOTE ]
to pour salt into your wounds - Geocities is closing

Yes, it is, which does suck, however there are plenty of free ways to display characters... photobucket + blog/journal program = character listing.

Eek. I did not know this. There goes my character listing.

[/ QUOTE ]

How about that. Good timing for Tony to be unvieling the Ouroboros Portal repository.

-Johnny

The MegaMech Cometh
Freedom Phalanx is entrusting us with some of the most serious tasks imaginable. For the past several weeks, our teams have been ferreting out advanced Council developments in their weapons and defensive systems. Only by coordinating multiple timed assaults have we been able to overcome the Council troops. However, our ally within the Council ranks warns that the Ultimate Council Threat™ is upon us.

Saturday May 23rd 1:00pm EST (12 noon CST) (10:00am PST)
Meet at Ernesto Hess in Striga Isle (Far SE on Striga; 80 yards from Smuggler Freddie; Broadcast request if you can't find him)
The range requirement is 25-30, with those above exemplared down to 30 automatically


Team One (Unyielding):

1. Johnny Taxibot (team lead) - lvl 50 Elec/Energy blaster

2. Taxikitten Midori (lvl 50 Grav/Emp controller)

3. Ullikummis >> Deus Ex-Machina (lvl 28 emp/en defender)

4. Eagle_Star >> Lady Tovara (lvl 28 Peacebringer)

5. hilker >> Heliotrope Cataclysm (lvl 45 warshade)

6.
7.
8.


Team Two (Heroic):

1. Gata (team lead) >> Gata Amarilla (lvl 50 Kat/Regen scrapper)

2. mscats >> Delilah Hazard (lvl 28-9 assault/device blaster)

3. MISHMASTER >> ClassyWanda (lvl 26 ice/mental blaster)

4. Mystery_Inc >> either Blok (lvl 50 stone tanker) or Kheldian Rose (lvl 50 Peacebringer)

5. Ironblade >> Ironshield (lvl 29+ shield/axe tanker) or Ironblade (BS scrapper)

6. Doctor_A_Science >> Battousai Ken (lvl 29 scrapper)

7.
8.


Notes:

1. This is a task force challenge series, where Team One will seek a reasonably high difficulty level, depending upon the team composition. Teams Two and Three will usually run at Heroic difficulty.
2. We do not generally speed run these adventures, though we do seek to make good time and enjoy being in the story.
3. When doing a higher level challenge, the team lead needs to be in the zone before anyone enters the mission. Otherwise, the mission difficulty will default back to Heroic.
4. For Team One composition, the suggestion is to have 1-2 tankers, and 2-3 blasters for AoE crowd control. However, we will not blindly attempt a difficulty that is beyond the team makeup. When unsure, we begin at Tenacious and gradually increase the difficulty.
5. For Teams Two and Three, it is asked that there be a tanker for each team to provide good aggro management.

(updating the roster)
Freedom Phalanx is entrusting us with some of the most serious tasks imaginable. After the previous Kheldian battle to prevent thousands of humans from being forcibly inbued with Nictus energy, there is an urgent need to pinpoint Council bases and disrupt their ability to consolidate their forces. However, in response to our previous two-team offensives, be prepared for a vicious defense as the Council desperately cling to their strongholds.

Saturday May 16th 1:00pm EST (12 noon CST) (10:00am PST)
Meet at Citadel, next to the Talos Island green line
The range requirement is 25-30, with those above exemplared down to 30 automatically

Team One (Invincible):

1. Johnny Taxibot (team lead) - lvl 50 Elec/Energy blaster

2. Taxikitten Midori (Grav/Emp controller)

3. Ullikummis >> Yeti Prince (lvl 28 ice/em blaster)

4. Ad_Astra >> Nerys (lvl 28 Rad/Rad defender)

5. hilker >> Brother Glacier (lvl 28 Cold/Ice defender)

6. Mareal >> Al Dedillo (lvl 28 cold/ice defender)

7. Scheol >> Aneris (lvl 28 Emp/Dark Defender)

8. Eagle_Star >> Lady Tovara (lvl 25 Peacebringer)


Team Two (Heroic):

1. Gata (team lead) >> Gata Amarilla (lvl 50 Kat/Regen scrapper)

2. mscats >> Delilah Hazard (lvl 26-7 assault/device blaster)

3. Gillian_Boardman >> Gwen Novak (lvl 28 Invincible/SS tanker)

4. Mystery_Inc >> Insinerate (lvl 50 fire/fire blaster)

5. Timothy2day >> Magic Taxi (lvl 33 fire/emp controller) (special costume)

6. Doctor_A_Science >> Doctor A Science III (lvl 50 energy/device blaster)

7.
8.


Notes:

1. This is a task force challenge series, where Team One will seek a reasonably high difficulty level, depending upon the team composition. Teams Two and Three will usually run at Heroic difficulty.
2. We do not generally speed run these adventures, though we do seek to make good time and enjoy being in the story.
3. When doing a higher level challenge, the team lead needs to be in the zone before anyone enters the mission. Otherwise, the mission difficulty will default back to Heroic.
4. For Team One composition, the suggestion is to have 1-2 tankers, and 2-3 blasters for AoE crowd control. However, we will not blindly attempt a difficulty that is beyond the team makeup. When unsure, we begin at Tenacious and gradually increase the difficulty.
5. For Teams Two and Three, it is asked that there be a tanker for each team to provide good aggro management.

Hi Magic. Team Two waited for you, and I think they went with a substitute after a bit.

As it turns out, Gata had to bail at the last minute, though Ironshield was able to take the lead.

-Johnny

(updating the roster)
Freedom Phalanx is entrusting us with some of the most serious tasks imaginable. After the previous Kheldian battle to prevent thousands of humans from being forcibly inbued with Nictus energy, there is an urgent need to pinpoint Council bases and disrupt their ability to consolidate their forces. However, in response to our previous two-team offensives, be prepared for a vicious defense as the Council desperately cling to their strongholds.

Saturday May 16th 1:00pm EST (12 noon CST) (10:00am PST)
Meet at Citadel, next to the Talos Island green line
The range requirement is 25-30, with those above exemplared down to 30 automatically

Team One (Invincible):

1. Johnny Taxibot (team lead) - lvl 50 Elec/Energy blaster

2. Taxikitten Midori (Grav/Emp controller)

3. Ullikummis >> Yeti Prince (lvl 28 ice/em blaster)

4. Ad_Astra >> Nerys (lvl 28 Rad/Rad defender)

5. hilker >> Brother Glacier (lvl 28 Cold/Ice defender)

6. Mareal >> Al Dedillo (lvl 28 cold/ice defender)

7. Taxi Dermy - lvl 30 warshade

8. Eagle_Star >> Lady Tovara (lvl 25 Peacebringer)


Team Two (Heroic):

1. Gata (team lead) >> Gata Amarilla (lvl 50 Kat/Regen scrapper)

2. mscats >> Delilah Hazard (lvl 26-7 assault/device blaster)

3. Gillian_Boardman >> Gwen Novak (lvl 28 Invincible/SS tanker)

4. Mystery_Inc >> Insinerate (lvl 50 fire/fire blaster)

5. Timothy2day >> Magic Taxi (lvl 33 fire/emp controller) (special costume)

6. Doctor_A_Science >> Doctor A Science III (lvl 50 energy/device blaster)

7.
8.

Notes:

1. This is a task force challenge series, where Team One will seek a reasonably high difficulty level, depending upon the team composition. Teams Two and Three will usually run at Heroic difficulty.
2. We do not generally speed run these adventures, though we do seek to make good time and enjoy being in the story.
3. When doing a higher level challenge, the team lead needs to be in the zone before anyone enters the mission. Otherwise, the mission difficulty will default back to Heroic.
4. For Team One composition, the suggestion is to have 1-2 tankers, and 2-3 blasters for AoE crowd control. However, we will not blindly attempt a difficulty that is beyond the team makeup. When unsure, we begin at Tenacious and gradually increase the difficulty.
5. For Teams Two and Three, it is asked that there be a tanker for each team to provide good aggro management.

[ QUOTE ]
Lazarus: This is why I don't join big SGs anymore and stick with small ones run by myself or close friends. The bigger it is, the more cliquey it gets and you always see that one "A-Team" of people that is always together and doesn't want to invite you or anyone else. The larger and older the SG, the greater the chance that the newcomers will be the "B" or even "Z" team.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a shame. Mind you, sticking with a small team is technically being "cliquey" without being challenged by having more than eight people around.

To get around established teams, we've encouraged people to develop their team leadership and recruiting skills, so that we can quickly split into 2-3 teams and all have good fun. It takes practice though, and you need to be patient with people that are learning to lead.

-Johnny

[ QUOTE ]
Aett_Thorn: Blast! Damn you all!!! I would have gotten away with it, too. If it wasn't for those darned kids and their dog.

[/ QUOTE ]

For the show not mentioned, I believe the adjective most often used was "pesky."

-Johnny

[ QUOTE ]
Devote: Is there a guide that anyone knows of that gives a good quest breakdown?

[/ QUOTE ]

In these forums, go Player Guides >> Guide to Guides for list of well established guides on all manner of topic.

You can also go Paragon Wiki and lookup "contact" for a list of contacts and their respective story arc information.

Note that at level 6, extra Power Pools opened up for you, which includes movement powers like Flight, Leaping and Teleport.

-Johnny

Freedom Phalanx is entrusting us with some of the most serious tasks imaginable. After the previous Kheldian battle to prevent thousands of humans from being forcibly inbued with Nictus energy, there is an urgent need to pinpoint Council bases and disrupt their ability to consolidate their forces. However, in response to our previous two-team offensives, be prepared for a vicious defense as the Council desperately cling to their strongholds.

Saturday May 16th 1:00pm EST (12 noon CST) (10:00am PST)
Meet at Citadel, next to the Talos Island green line
The range requirement is 25-30, with those above exemplared down to 30 automatically

Team One (Invincible):

1. Johnny Taxibot (team lead) - lvl 50 Elec/Energy blaster

2. Taxikitten Midori (Grav/Emp controller)

3. Ullikummis >> Yeti Prince (lvl 28 ice/em blaster)

4. Ad_Astra >> Nerys (lvl 28 Rad/Rad defender)

5. hilker >> Brother Glacier (lvl 28 Cold/Ice defender)

6. Mareal >> Al Dedillo (lvl 28 cold/ice defender)

7.
8.


Team Two (Heroic):

1. Gata (team lead) >> Gata Amarilla (lvl 50 Kat/Regen scrapper)

2. mscats >> Delilah Hazard (lvl 26-7 assault/device blaster)

3. Gillian_Boardman >> Gwen Novak (lvl 28 Invincible/SS tanker)

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Notes:

1. This is a task force challenge series, where Team One will seek a reasonably high difficulty level, depending upon the team composition. Teams Two and Three will usually run at Heroic difficulty.
2. We do not generally speed run these adventures, though we do seek to make good time and enjoy being in the story.
3. When doing a higher level challenge, the team lead needs to be in the zone before anyone enters the mission. Otherwise, the mission difficulty will default back to Heroic.
4. For Team One composition, the suggestion is to have 1-2 tankers, and 2-3 blasters for AoE crowd control. However, we will not blindly attempt a difficulty that is beyond the team makeup. When unsure, we begin at Tenacious and gradually increase the difficulty.
5. For Teams Two and Three, it is asked that there be a tanker for each team to provide good aggro management.

Slax, is that start time 8:30 pm EST ?


Cheers,

Johnny

Valid points. After doing the first video, I realized that I had neglected to mention the level requirement.

For the molepoint that leads back to Firebase Zulu, there is a contact that will send you there, but there's nothing to stop you from just going there and activating it.

When I was first thinking about these videos, I considered mentioning "falling into the void" as being a significant means of getting back to the starting point of a given zone. However, for brevity's sake I left it at a mere mention, and instead emphasized how to distinguish between the smaller/larger Hortha Vines (e.g., the two vines to Firebase Zulu that are virtually side-by-side on the Cascades map).

As I mentioned in the comments for video one, I was mainly interested in bringing the Shadow Shard into people's awareness.

-Johnny

True, geyser travel can be a bit tricky. The above videos are a *great* tutorial, though.

On a related note, I recently posted three Shadow Shard Video Guides available for viewing through YouTube. If you've never been to the Shadow Shard before, then they show you main places to visit.

-Johnny

[ QUOTE ]
Reverend: He loves playing w/ my friends, but I know he can be a bt annoying. (Stop to do emotes mid-battle, etc. etc.)

[/ QUOTE ]

That reminds me of the South Park episode that satirized the WoW experience. At first, they boys were enthusiastic about the fantasy environment and sought to immerse themselves in their respective roles (dwarf, fighter, cleric, thief). However, as they became drawn into the mechanics of the game, their gaming activity became mundane in their procedural pursuit of overcoming a person that had been cheating the game system.

I regret missed opportunities to perform fanciful non-combat activities when your team is engaged with a collection of criminals. The pace at times doesn't allow you to be creative, as your focus is on selecting enemies and mashing those power tray buttons.

Sounds like the kid has a healthy attitude that we're all playing a game. Probably the biggest risk might be someone taking offence to his "lackadaisical" ways.

-Johnny

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Johnny Taxibot
Global Contact: @Johnny Taxibot
Reporting on Assignment: Evacuate civilians
Star Strider Force Unit: The Paragon Taxi Service - Infinity
Time/Date Location: Thu Nov 20th (evening) - Steel Canyon, Skyway, RWZ
Level of Alien Threat: Low

Report Details:
Acting on the initiative of Reddy Killowat, several hero teams organized to repel incoming Rikti drop ships. Several ships were driven off with heavy damage, and one ship was downed. The Rikti assault waves halted for a time after that, and we used the lull to stage a strike on the Rikti mothership.


Analysis of Current Situation:
Morale remains high. Teams are scouring the battle zones for isolated Rikti units. Rikti continue to suffer high casualty rates, and their assaults are losing coherence.


Suggestion of Action:
The heroes are in general willing, though help and practice is needed with organizing large operations. We need to provide more opportunities for heroes to have confidence in coordinated activities.

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Johnny Taxibot
Global Contact: @Johnny Taxibot
Reporting on Assignment: Evacuate civilians
Star Strider Force Unit: The Paragon Taxi Service - Infinity
Time/Date Location: Wed Nov 19th (evening) - multiple zones
Level of Alien Threat: Low

Report Details:
Working in pairs, Taxibots formed multiple hero teams to help expedite responses to the Rikti bombing and assault waves. Taxibot Belle has submitted a report (see attached). Despite the city-wide strikes, teams were able to minimize collateral damage from the bombing, evacuate civilians in a timely fashion, and respond to assault troops. Mobility of our teams provided an effective counter to the Rikti method of teleporting strike teams into key locations.


Analysis of Current Situation:
The civilians are in good spirits, all things considered, and they are hopeful of seeing their homes after an end to these hostilities. Rikti appear to be suffering high casualty rates on the ground.


Suggestion of Action:
Organize search teams to localize and counter established Rikti positions. Force the Rikti to commit more drop ships towards reinforcing their troops, and then concentrate on destroying the Rikti ships. We appear to have enough resources to counter the Rikti ships in rigorous fashion.

Star Strider Forces Registry
Name: Johnny Taxibot
Global Contact: @Johnny Taxibot
Level of Classification: Level 50 blaster
Origin: Science
Super Rank & Super Group: Dispatcher for The Paragon Taxi Service

Well, I think you need to add some narration to describe what you're emphasizing, and perhaps organize short, numbered procedures how how to organize those powers.

[ QUOTE ]
Tealeaf: I mainly play in the middle of the night on the weekends (3rd shift worker), and everyone in my SG is usually asleep then.

I tend to be chatty in SG channel. I like grouping with SG mates, though my puter does tend to freeze up when I'm in full parties.

What I want:
A SG base with all the teleports, and a leader who doesn't re-arrange them on a whim often. A SG base with a crafting table.

A SG that has a few night owls would be great!

a SG that will also accept my husband. He does okay, and usually plays in SG mode.

Sorry this is so long, and sorry if I sound too demanding!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's all good, Tealeaf. You're being specific about what you're looking for.

In my sig, take a look at the Black Widows SG and consider if this fits your mood. It's a casual RP group. I tend to focus on evenings from 9:00pm EST to perhaps a little later than I should. There are others that appear to be regular night owls, and others that don't coincide with my preferred playing time.

Our coalition people are good too, and they will respond to any hello's or queries in the Coalition chat.

Husband is welcome. I believe that there are quite a number of mature players on our teams.

Why don't you send me an in-game e-mail to let me know what toon name is interested in joining. If you can meet us on Monday night for RP in Pocket D, then that would be a *great* way to introduce yourself.

Regards,

[ QUOTE ]
Skyster: SOooo.... I guess magical fairies DO float down and just... give you the APP's. Wow.

[/ QUOTE ]

And a good resource for reviewing Ancillary Power Pools is here:

http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/A...ry_Power_Pools

[ QUOTE ]
Daemodand: a fan of KB, but it isn't doing much for the team at that point. Early on when your bubs aren't fully slotted they serve much more of a purpose. But they're fully sotted usually by the mid-game, leaving the fun toys as just that, toys.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never regretted having Force Bolt at a key moment when the confrontation becomes urgent, and I'm still using it into my '40s.

If you've just applied a Crushing Field/Gravity Distortion Field to keep the minions off your squishies, then the Force Bolt will handle the stragglers (i.e., Lieutenants). Slotted with a couple ACC DO's rarely misses.

Likewise, sometimes those purple bosses are somewhat adept at dodging a Gravity Distortion hold. Popping them off their feet with a Force Bolt leaves them momentarily vulnerable for you to snare them, at which point your team can go to town.

Especially key enemies like Rikti Communication Officers. If I can Force Bolt them off a cliff or rooftop, then my team can pick apart the remaining Rikti force that more easily.

As a Grav/FF 'troller, there has been consistent appreciation for the bubbles, and many times my PUG starts feeling like they're the X-Men in the way that they can steamroll the reds and purples. Good times and fun all around.

I guess because I'm a controller, that's why I've never been asked whether I'm a healer. Regardless, having the disperion field in combination with Maneuvers/Assault/Tactics gives the team strong reason to "keep it tight" with me right up there protecting the tanker.

I don't believe in knockback too much, except in a precision application of force to "take the heat off." Much preferable to do a Gravity Distortion on that purple boss, until people are able to deal with him.

[ QUOTE ]
Really_Big_Bang: I hate receiving random tells from people asking me to team. To many people never seen to see my "Not looking for team" flag.

[/ QUOTE ]

The "Not looking" flag is the default, so it largely only means that you haven't decided yet.

What you want to do is set the "Decline all invites flag," which is like a big red stop sign that warns people away from inviting you.

In either case, I find that the proper ettiquette is:

1. Use /findmember to evaluate whether people are on a mission or not, whether their level is appropriate, etc.
2. Send a tell that describes the type of mission (e.g., Need help with CoT hostages, level 26 Unstoppable in Talos) and personalize the message so people KNOW that it's not a canned message.
3. Once you've done that, be patient and carry on with your search. Sometimes people are merely away from their keyboard, but they appreciate being asked and will reply as such.