Major_T

Ura Hero, I understand your position and I wish you could play more, but I disagree with you.

The iXP requirement to unlock each slot is less than the requirement to get from level 49 to level 50.

I understand Ura Hero's position.

There are many people who simply do not have the time or the resources to acquire level shifts quickly across multiple toons. I can understand that the options for toon selection would be limited. In that case I'd highly recommend working on one toon at a time until it has all three level shifts. While it limits the selection, it guarantees that you'll have at least one toon with the level shifts necessary to contribute on all trials.

My biggest gripe with flat 50s are those players that do have the time and resources to have multiple level shifted toons, actually have multiple level shifted toons, and still choose to bring a flat 50 on advanced iTrials.

The purpose of this thread is to explore, analyze, discuss and have a civil debate on our perception of level shifts in iTrials.

As per general forum rules, please refrain from attacking a person.

I'll go first...

The other night I participated in a discussion in Jello Shooters about the utility of level shifts in iTrials. I stated that I felt some irritation when I see players bring flat 50s (non-level shifted toons) on BAF and Lambda.

Further, I feel it is very disrespectful to the league when a player brings a toon with less than 2 level shifts to any of the more advanced iTrials (such as Minds of Mayhem and Dilemma Diabolique).

Here are my reasons...

First: Accessibility
It is well within the players ability to unlock and acquire the first level shift from completing Mender Ramiel's arc and playing non-incarnate content. This is how the first generation of toons acquired their first level shift. Once Astral Merits became available: it is possible to have a toon with a surplus of Astals purchase Incarnate Shard email vouchers (39 astral to shard vouchers, plus 1 shard from the alpha unlock in Ramiel's arc, plus one Notice of the Well from the WST) to send to another toon to craft up to a tier 3 in alpha.

Second: Contribution
The contribution of a flat 50 is noticeably less than that of a 50+2 or 50+3. The latter two tiers of incarnate powers provide pets (Lore) for additional damage (and buffs/debuffs) and AoE buffs (Destiny) which increase survivability, etc. Further, the intermediate incarnate powers (Interface and Judgement) provide debuffs and additional damage. A flat 50 will always be facing enemies that are at least +4 in combat level (54s), and in the case of some of the later trials, enemies and AVs that are 54 with up to 3 additional level shifts. This places the flat 50 at a 4 to 7 combat level disadvantage. While a purely buffing toon may still provide benefit to a team (Force fields, Clear Mind, Forge, Heal Other and the like), all other types of toons are not so lucky. Any power that is directed toward the enemy will be substantially less effective due to the difference in combat level; the greater the difference, the less effective the power will be. Powers will miss more often, less damage will be delivered, taunts will last a shorter amount of time, debuffs will be less effective, etc.

Third: Liabilities
The first measureable impact of a non-level shifted toon is increasing the spawn size (in addition to the increased number of Lt and Boss level enemies) while either not providing any of the benefits or substantially lesser benefits that a level shifted toon can bring. It is entirely possible for a non-level shifted toon to be a distinct liability (MoM, DD, are prime examples) where number of league deaths plays a definitive role in determining the success of the iTrial. As previously mentioned, a flat 50 will always be facing enemies that are at least +4 and sometimes +7. Powers from the enemy directed at the flat 50 will be magnified in accuracy, damage dealt, duration and effectiveness. A flat 50 can also be a significant drain on league resources: the league will have to divert attention away from toons that contribute more to support a toon that cannot support themselves. For example, Revive and Heal type powers may need to be used on flat 50s that die often and won't be available for emergency situations when the RNG is unkind to the lead taunter and he/she falls in battle.

Conclusion
All players should strive to bring a toon that is incarnate level appropriate to the selected task and be considerate to the leader and league members; the success of the iTrial may be related directly to the choice you make on the character selection screen. Don't "bring a knife to a gunfight"... and don't bring a flat 50 to a Dilemma Diabolique.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

My focus is on the iTrial, with the new arcs and badges competing for second and third on my priority list.

With the new sets coming out what do you plan on making Ny?

Issue 22: Death Incarnate, March 6, 2012

Time to start preparing your incarnates for the next iTrial, Dilemma Diabolique

In my line of work, I have to ask hard question and identify problems inherent to a plan before work begins; that way we don't waste time/money following a particular plan before realizing that it won't/can't work because a particular detail was overlooked thus rendering the endeavor futile.

I noticed a couple of items in the above suggestions that could have problems...

You could do a TF/SF race (similar to what AdmiralPhilip did with the Apex and Tin Mage Task Forces) where the winning "team" is decided on lowest time/death count and would then get the grand prize (1 billion inf for example) to split.

The catch being the more people on the team the smaller their share. So a team of 8 would get 125 million, while a duo would get 500 million each, and a solo participant would get the whole 1 billion.

Here's a short list of contests that we've already seen:

- Costume contest
- Costume and character bio contest
- Hide & Seek
- TF/SF race
- Handicapped TF/SF race
- Trivia contest
- Story writing contest

I've seen variations of the above combined with varying themes.

Are you looking for one of the above or something different?

Interesting...

Very interesting.

Welcome back Cap'n...

If you want to see new game mechanics and the end game content, head to Ouro with your favorite/best toon... Mender Ramiel will set you on the right path.

If you want to see new content... there is the Signature Story Arc (really Task/Strike Forces) series (check your contact window for that), a new set of introductory story arcs and content (roll a new toon or play 'em via Ouro), and
a bunch of new mid level contacts and arcs. There are even a major revision to the Tina McIntyre and Maria Jenkins arc.

If you just want to enjoy it all, pop into your favorite chat channel... I'm sure someone will be online that can either join you (or drag you) through the new stuff if you feel like being social.