Madadh

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=289718


This thread has all the details, I think, that you might need. I think it's a post by Zombie Man that gives most all the specs...

Really, very cool. That's quite helpful.

Welcome back.

1) Part a) Much more consistent attack chain. AS now is part of your regular standard attack chain, and it does very nice damage in the process. Net result, Stalkers are much better in standard melee combat. They also feel more even keel in such situations. No more frustration over getting interrupted.
Part b) Gravity the powerset got some improvements, so that affects Doms and Trollers. Many ATs have new sets available. But I don't think that any AT was chaged in quite like stalkers since 19.5.

2) There are a bunch of new story arcs, called Signature Story Arcs. The 1st 7 combine to tell one overarching story of some important recent events in the game world. The are fast-ish, solo-able, pretty fun,and have some nice rewards associated with them. They are free to VIPs, but non VIPs can buy access to them. It's say they might very well be worth it, depending on the price they put on them. There are new Zones (only available to VIPs by default I believe, but again, unlock able to others), First Ward (lvl 20-30), a revamped lvl 50+ Dark Astoria, and a new tutorial (which is not limited, everyone can access it). There are also a couple of new story arcs in teh lvl 15ish to 30ish range, if I recall, bother blueside and on redside. Of course, the new zones have arcs aplenty associated with them.

I'm probably missing a good deal more, too. When in doubt, hit the Wiki, and look up Issue 20, 21, etc....

3) No total consensus. In case you forgot, CoXers tend to be a bit more free spirited than some other sorts. Titan Weapon uses a Momentum mechanic. Which is either liked it seems, or really disliked. The set gets good or bad reviews based on that mechanic mostly. Street Justice, Staff, and Beam Rifle all seem well designed, and pretty balanced. So, those seem to be 50/50 splits on popularity.

4) Not being a free player, I really couldn't tell ya. I have my guesses, and suspicions, but they could be way off base. So I won't waste your time with info that's pretty unreliable.

5) I believe you lose all incarnate stuff, all Invention stuff, access to some ATs and Powersets, and all but 4 (or perhaps more) of your alts. Some of this answer is affected by your vet status back when you were playing, so I really can't be more specifc than that. I'll leave it to others to provide more details here.


And again, welcome back to the fun.

Thanks for clarifying. Yeah, I was sorta vague, and I apologize. "the contact" I mentioned in my post was the Arbiter, who introduces the patron. Just assumed everyone knew the procedure. I can't even recall the guys name either, but he's the one out front of the building where the patrons all sit at. And it's not like he makes ya jump through a lot of hopes before he introduces your patron of choice. Read 4 signs all within 50' of each other. And all right next to him. I do wish I could recall the guys name, though.

And yeah, you do get a respec, but I think in many people case, they'd rather not have to respec, not that they feel they can't earn a respec. Respecs are REALLY easy to come by, especially now, as you can get it in the Paragon Market is all other avenues are closed or more difficult than you want to bother with. I think for most people it's the pain and annoyance of having to do the respec itself. I know it is for me. I'd hate to have to take a power I knew I didn't want, and then respec out of it if I already had a careful build plan.

But, that's just me. I easily could be reading my own bias into other peoples desires.

I think I'm going to be compelled to try a Plant/Nature, too, as I'm on a bit of a troller kick, atm.

Previous posters have touched on most of the big stuff....

I'll give a very hearty 2nd to the voice for a Time alt if you decide to make a defender. Beam and DP will both feel powerful on a Time Def. There is redraw, but, as was said, done in blocks it's not all that noticeable. Not enough to avoid the pairing, unless you are one fo those that are just unduly, massively bugged by redraw.

And, also, a change that is worth noting that hasn't been mentioned yet, but not as comprehensive as the one stalkers got, was a long overdue tweaking of gravity. If you liked it for thematic reasons but avoided it before, it may be worth another look.

1) Pretty much just what Kitsune said. It's been in decline a while. I believe all the serious PVPers have moved to Freedom. I play some on Virtue, and there isn't much more of a PVP crowd there than any other server I play on, that I can tell. Some servers have occasion PVP events, not really regularly, that I've noticed, but outside of that, your only real consistent bet would seem to be Freedom.

2) Side-swapping, and the ability to create most any alt anywhere have further diminished redside's population. However, the new redside low level content was expanded as much as bluesides, and I found it quite fun and worthwhile, but if you want to play with other folks, your best bet is blueside, so that's where most folks go to start out with.

3) Again, what Kitsune said is pretty much it, except to note that Rogues and Vigilantes can also join any missions on either side, except for Ouroborous stuff. They can lead TFs and SFs on either side. They can solo or lead the Signature Arcs either side as well as can solo/lead Tips and Papers/Radios on either side.

4) Yup, what he/she said, again.

I've gotta second most everything Dogma just said.

Especially the last paragraph. Far too often people tend to assume that there is just one right way to do things. Even with two people with identical builds pre-incarnates, it might not be best for them to have the same alpha (or any other incarnate choice for that matter) if they don't have identical play styles or identical skill levels.


Anyone else see the irony of a paragraph with that sentiment being posted by someone with that name?

Note: I'm not intending that as any sort of a slur against Dogma, the player. That comment is entirely based on the dictionary definition of the name only. Just wanted to try and avoid any hurt feelings or misinterpretations before they occur, as after I reread my own post I saw a potential for it to be read in a way I did not intend.

You can just go talk to the contact at lvl 35.

And yes, it seems a bit weird to have to level and choose a power, then have to respec. If they wanted to keep it similar to how it was, the Patron contacts should unlock at 34. Heck, maybe they do. I've never tried it. Mostly because I'm still snagging powers from my secondary at lvl 35 and often even at level 38, so I don't think I've done a patron arc any sooner than lvl 38ish.

Edit: And after thinking about it, maybe the patron contact unlocks at combat lvl 35 and not security lvl 35. So you could level up to 35 and just not train, then do the arc, then go train to lvl 35. I REALLY doubt it works this way, tho, but it would make sense in this isolated case to do it this way, if it's possible.

You're certainly not the only one waiting on the final version of the new PPM procs for aoe powers. I've got several myself.

I'd say this change is big enough that it really warrants a free respec to everyone.

Fire/fire/fire doms are a blast. And they can be played to be more survivable, or more risky. More ranged, or more up close. Your cal all the way. Some may be more effective, or more safe, or more capable of pushing top end DPS, but I'd not obsess over that, and just enjoy the ride and your theme. A Dom F^3 can do it... Once you get to the end game, then you can make the alt as sick as you like, and decide if you want to tweak any theme choices..

For now, just enjoy locking stuff down then burning it..


From what you've posted, I think this is the best combo for you, in this situations. I'm not claiming it's the best thing ever, or even the best power combo for a Dom, etc, but....

Others have answered the chat questions...

And I have no clue about the starter kit....


As for farming, I'd mostly agree with Stargeek, but, I'd add that over time, unless the higher diff mishes are noticeably ahead XP/sec, I'd go with the lower diff. Living close to teh edge might get ya more /sec for a while, but a bad break that needs a hosp will shoot your average down. Faster is better, generally. Both in tickets, and XP, and in drops for you in the meanwhile. And I'd not disregard the value of drops along the way. Unless you're so stupid wealthy that you can just throw boatloads of loot and swag away.

And if you are, feel free to throw some my way... A few purples, or some PVP IOs, or a couple bil inf. I'm not picky.


Edit: Of course, if you're not worried about getting the absolute max XP/sec, the higher diff might well be more fun/entertaining/challenging/brag-worthy... And that's not a consideration to totally disregard. If it's more fun, and will hold your interest longer, you'll get much more in the long run...

I'll second Texas. Justice is still the 'unofficial' Aussie server, for, what that's worth. Still a fairly strong Aussie presence, and, probably most importantly, some pretty decent action during Oceanic Prime hours.

That said, the channels already mentioned are really important.

And, to further muddy the waters, I'lll also agree with tanst, that Virtue is also a solid choice during those hours. Slightly different feel there, but both are quite welcoming. If you can, I might suggest you try an alt on both. And go where the action is that night for a while, and then use newer slots on the server you find has the feel you like best or just continue to split time.

Of course, if you're limited on global slots there is some disadvantages to that advice, I'll readily admit.

I have my largest number slots on Justice, and my 2nd highest number on Virtue, and haven't regretted investing in either server.

In general, I'd agree with ya T_I, but I think the disconnect comes into play when discussing the AOE Immobilize. Unless you're a young Dom, or have the spawn size pushed a bit far, you shouldn't usually have 12 uncontrolled enemies running at you. It will usually be one or 2. The single target immobilize, which usually can be made quite quick firing, is ideal for these types of situations. The danger of the AOE Immobile is that it can grab aggro on enemies above and beyond that one or two. And, while they may not be running at you, they are shooting at you now.

I don't think anyone dismisses the utility of an immobile, just prefers the precision that the single target variety offers.. Especially at lower levels.

I've noticed that, too. And try as I might, I can't find a way to do this. I'll not swear to it, but I'm fairly sure the answer is..


No.



Sadly.