Memphis_Bill

Let's see.

There are missions there.
There is a PVP zone entrance there.
You have to go there to talk to the hero corps rep.
There's a trainer there.
There's wentworth's there.
There's a zone event there.
All things that people in the zone would be doing, and would likely prefer to *continue* doing without taking damage or getting killed by something they can't do anything against.

How about "No."

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I just got DS and haven't yet to understand its use only maybe to use when the team is getting whooped. My DS will hold my targets and at first...they will attack byut real quickly stop and just stand there. I can see the visual effects but no damage. I assume that DS does not damage just hold targets?

I dk but I'm not thrilled having taking DS so I am respecing as soon as I can. Someone please reply to inform me of the use of DS if its a good power to have.

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You won't feel a thing if you respec out Dimension Shift. 9/10 Gravity users either don't take the power or took it but never use it. Only that 10% of Gravity users trying really hard to like this power (like me) or claiming the power has "nothing wrong with it", which we know is not true at all. If there is nothing wrong with the power, why do most people hate it so much?

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Speak for yourself, don't pretend to speak for all grav users. I know it's true that there's nothing particularly wrong (edit: mechanically, I have no argument with it being made more apparent it's in use) with the power itself. If people don't use it *intelligently,* that's not the power's fault. Why do people hate it? *Because some people have no clue how to use it, and use it poorly.* Much like, oh, Telekenesis, Repel, Force Bubble, Hurricane or Group Fly.

I don't have to "try really hard" to like the power. I know full well it's situational. On the other hand, if someone *doesn't* like it, hey, it's not a foundational power for a controller like a single target hold.

As for the person you were replying to:
- No, DS is not supposed to do damage.
- It holds targets in a way, yes - it makes them intangible, unable to hurt anyone (though they can still move - if they resist immobs, they may still be able to run) or *be* hurt. This obviously doesn't do anything for Containment.
- Its use - completely removing a group from a fight for a while. AOE hold not up, and you don't need more incoming fire or aggro from the AOE immob? DS while you finish the first group. Use it as a "ghetto stealth" to get past a group, or for a pause in the action. In one of those tight lab rooms with a boss and another group, and you don't want the boss's aggro right now? It takes two holds to hold a boss - but only one application of Dimension Shift.

It is situational, absolutely. If you think there's another power you need more, there's nothing wrong with *not* taking it - it doesn't fit into everyone's playstyle.

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You are one of those 10% people I was talking about...

You try really hard to like this power.

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Here's a clue for you.

Don't tell me what my motivation is. You are *wrong.* I don't have to "try" to like a power. I either do, or don't. I find a use for it. You apparently do not. Leave it at that. Don't try to project that I'm "trying" to like it when I say I find a use for it. Or, just flat out. quit trying to say I'm lying to everyone including myself.

If I don't like something, guess what - I say flat out I don't like it. Hell, I don't like *the entire Illusion control set.* I don't particularly like the VEATs I've played (one of which is a few bubs from 50.) I don't like their arcs at all, or the wasted 23 levels.

I dont' "try to like it." I am trying it out to understand it, yes, learning the set so perhaps I can help others - but if I have a dislike for something, it is *far* from hidden. If I see something as generally useless, guess what I do? I say I find it useless. Do note that wording though - *I* find it useless, not "Everyone finds it useless, even though some people say they don't, they're just trying really hard not to."

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You can make a point for every power in the game. Some powers are a lot more useful than the other and Dimension Shift is one of those that is super situational and you won't feel a thing if you respec out.

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Did I not say that? Gee, yes, looks like I did.
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You list out different situations where DS serves a "purpose". I can also list even more situations where DS is completely waste of time, confusing and ANNOYING. The things that DS can do, AoE sleep can probably do better or hold. And you need a lot of team communication for DS to be "not annoying". Believe me, I've tried to like DS. About the only time I use DS freely is when I solo.

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Hmm. That sounds like the very definition of "situational." And go ahead and tell me where Gravity has a sleep. I'll wait... actually, no, I won't, since it doesn't.

Gee, communicate with a team? Nobody EVER does that! Well, maybe not on yours. Seems mine do all the time. From the tank saying "Herding," or "Bringing some here," or "Taking them in place," to someone saying "Resting," or "Dropping ice slick."

Communication is not a *liability.* So saying you have to communicate is roughly as obvious as saying you have to be logged in to play the game.

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Feel free to disagree. I know I am not the minority here.

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Majority or minority is not the issue. You apparently telling me I'm lying ("trying to like the power" implies that I don't' and (a) am lying to myself, then (b) lying to others) is. So knock it off. If you don't have a use for the power, great, that's you. I'm not you. So don't try to speak for me.

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Revamped content for 1-20 on both sides. RPG-style choices.

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Something is seriously wrong. I agree with Angry... again. (And more lowbie redside content variety, as well...) If they happen to be able to make the arcs branch... so much the better.

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This is a poor excuse for a good idea. It's all but uncommon to see two or more unloved Paladins roaming Kings Row at almost any given time.

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It's similarly all but uncommon to see a lonely Lusca or a cranky Kraken. What's your point?

Adding another badge to Paladin will give him a spike in popularity for about a month, and then we'll be back to square one. Give Giant Monster rewards a boost and maybe we'll get somewhere.

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/this.

Really, all the GMs need more of a reward. I remember when we'd have 2-3 teams around Lusca on Pinnacle (and multiple luscas) because, sure, it caused debt, but was generally worth the time ... even for those that had the badge already (and this was pre-merits.)

Now, the rewards are a joke. Admittedly, debt's a joke as well, but who wants to burn their patrol XP on that killer ink attack or another tentacle smackdown?

More badges aren't the answer for anyone but badgers - and that only for a short period of time as they rush to get it on their badge collector characters. And when it comes to the Paladin, personally I like that you get rewarded (via badge) for stopping it from getting built, and rewarded (via merits) for stopping its rampage. I agree that a badge for each would do nothing but cause conflict.

What I wouldn't argue with, badge-wise, would be one for getting Paladin, Babbage (either Boomtown or Synapse TF version) and the CW King (Synapse or Psychic version.) Potentially an accolade (doesn't have to grant anything - though a small, perma-gear-pet would be amusing.)

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I just got DS and haven't yet to understand its use only maybe to use when the team is getting whooped. My DS will hold my targets and at first...they will attack byut real quickly stop and just stand there. I can see the visual effects but no damage. I assume that DS does not damage just hold targets?

I dk but I'm not thrilled having taking DS so I am respecing as soon as I can. Someone please reply to inform me of the use of DS if its a good power to have.

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You won't feel a thing if you respec out Dimension Shift. 9/10 Gravity users either don't take the power or took it but never use it. Only that 10% of Gravity users trying really hard to like this power (like me) or claiming the power has "nothing wrong with it", which we know is not true at all. If there is nothing wrong with the power, why do most people hate it so much?

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Speak for yourself, don't pretend to speak for all grav users. I know it's true that there's nothing particularly wrong (edit: mechanically, I have no argument with it being made more apparent it's in use) with the power itself. If people don't use it *intelligently,* that's not the power's fault. Why do people hate it? *Because some people have no clue how to use it, and use it poorly.* Much like, oh, Telekenesis, Repel, Force Bubble, Hurricane or Group Fly.

I don't have to "try really hard" to like the power. I know full well it's situational. On the other hand, if someone *doesn't* like it, hey, it's not a foundational power for a controller like a single target hold.

As for the person you were replying to:
- No, DS is not supposed to do damage.
- It holds targets in a way, yes - it makes them intangible, unable to hurt anyone (though they can still move - if they resist immobs, they may still be able to run) or *be* hurt. This obviously doesn't do anything for Containment.
- Its use - completely removing a group from a fight for a while. AOE hold not up, and you don't need more incoming fire or aggro from the AOE immob? DS while you finish the first group. Use it as a "ghetto stealth" to get past a group, or for a pause in the action. In one of those tight lab rooms with a boss and another group, and you don't want the boss's aggro right now? It takes two holds to hold a boss - but only one application of Dimension Shift.

It is situational, absolutely. If you think there's another power you need more, there's nothing wrong with *not* taking it - it doesn't fit into everyone's playstyle.

Sacrificing an existing minion works, as well (and in a way, exists with necromancy - though it does let you resummon the dead pet.)

I'd be wary of "Sacrifice them all for one really big one," though, as it would cause problems for you - not only are more pets more effective HP for you (bodyguard) but they redirect aggro from you as well.

5000 merits seems a bit high, frankly. Award it (or the temp) at the end of, say, Levantra's arc when you've "proven yourself to Vanguard" or some such.

I seem to recall the last groups I used it on going through an attack *animation,* but no attacks actually working. Unless it changed in the last few days, they certainly weren't running around.

Hopping on to look.

Edit:

Lvl 30 Grav troller, found some 29 Family talking to a Sky Raider.

Dimension shift applied - hit all 3 of them.

(a) They do go through the attack animations.
(b) They do not move. (Edit - ok, they may if they can resist the immob portion of it, more noticable with, say, a Freak Tank... but he'll still be intangible.)
(c) Even when "hit" (and in fact, you play the "hit" animations,) there's no damage or effect to the player while DS is active.

If you're getting hit and taking damage from anything, it's probably the initial attack from them aggroing on you (which, to me, is silly, but it's been that way for a while.)

That's great... if you never want to be invited to teams.

Thematically, yeah, it fits to have it break free and go nuts, i agree. But gameplay wise - not even mechanics, just gameplay wise - I'd probably end up deleting a character if I'm low on health, just finished a tough battle and suddenly *wham* killed by my own pet because it's about to desummon. A few times with that (or being booted from a team because of it) and yeah, it'd probably be an unplayed, at best, or deleted at worst character.

That said, you can perhaps touch on the flavor for the summon in other ways - for instance:

- The summon is powerful - more powerful than a lot of level 18 buffs in some way - but it costs you. Your max HP and END are lowered while it's there, and the summon takes 25% of your health as a "sacrifice" at the beginning. (Yes, it does heal back.)

- As it despawns, it charges you - but the binding you used to summon it banishes it back where it came from. HP/END are returned.

Just a bit of musing that came from a comment elsewhere.

Currently, there are two powers that take Intangibility enhancements - Black Hole and Dimension Shift. You can't slot them in Sonic Cage or Detention Field. BH and DS seem rarely taken (though, yes, I *do* take them on occasion, generally on solo builds) so these IO recipes - when they drop - are likely either deleted or immediately vendored most often.

So, a few questions for the heck of it:

(1) What would you think of seeing an Intangibility classed IO set?

It would likely have to have decent bonuses - and I can't see it being more than one set, given how few powers are involved. Given the ATs that take it, it would likely have boosts to Recovery and Recharge, among other things. No procs - they wouldn't have an effect, I think. Preferrably early on, while giving some push to having another decent bonus in slot 4, 5, or 6.

(2) What if (building from #1) Detention Field and Sonic Cage were coded to accept them? Would it change (or strengthen) your opinion on having the set?

(3) What if, in addition to 1 and 2, Phase Shift, Quantum Flight and Nebulous Form were also added to "sets that can take this," even though the intangibility (probably) couldn't be extended in these powers?

And since I'm asking, my opinion first:

1. I wouldn't mind, if (a) they were completely in pool A, and (b) it was a small set (4 piece max, perhaps.) The set would only benefit a very small number of characters.

2. I'd be more inclined to look into it, depending on the bonuses.

3. This would make it widespread and available enough to make it not be painted as an undesired set, since PS is available to everyone - even if it's not used much. Again, depending on the bonuses.

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I'm neither for or against this, but the bulk discount seems a little large. If you swapped two servers with 12 characters each that would normally take $240. You are asking for what's almost a 90% discount on the normal fee. Somehow I don't think they're going to go for that.

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Problem is, how many players have $240 to throw around? Most of us could afford to move two or three, and even then from what I hear, most players rather make an alt. A bulk discount might encourage the use of the service, especially as the service itself is basically 100% profit for NCsoft whenever it's used.

So, on the whole, /tentatively signed.

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And this is why the devs will NEVER offer this service. They don't want people doing it. It defeats the purpose of making the fee for a transfer just high enough to discourage all but the most determined customers.


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It seems you're the one with the comprehension problem. You are, after all, the one suggesting (among other things) :

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From now on, take a look at the ATs/power sets/etc. and buff the four least popular with every patch.


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You've had it explained to you why this is unrealistic and what the end result would be - not a "level playing field," by any means.

In addition, people who are "getting tired of the constant nerfs" are ignoring the constant *buffs* that are also occurring. Psychic Shockwave and Psy assault were brought up as the perfect example. Hell, the entire Dom *AT* got buffed (unless you were one of the *very* few multi-perma doms.) But if you look at individual numbers, you'll see quite a few powers that had their damage and such "nerfed" taken out of the context of the whole.

Oh, and in response to:

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And for anyone who says the powersets are already fully functional, I have two words for you on behalf of the dark miasma community: Black Hole. That's right, I went there!


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So what? Specialty power. I have the Grav version (Dimension Shift) on my Grav/Kin controller's solo build. There are times it comes in handy - not every power has to be an "every single spawn" or even "every mission" power.

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How that can be solved, I'm not really sure.

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Powerwise, they may be able to mark it "unable to be buffed."

Use-wise, the Group Fly user activates the power, and has someone else lead the group wherever they're going, with everyone keeping the leader on follow.

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I've changed the title to make this thread more appealing to the masses.

This power is not, nor was it ever a good idea. Fly doesn't need some poor excuse of a Group version of itself along with it. Teleport? Maybe, since it'll be nice and unique, but not Fly. Fly could use... Say... A PBAoE knockdown.

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Um, no.

YOU may not have found a use for it, but others certainly have - from "fluff" (lowbie tours of places) and "taxi" services where there are no taxibots to MMs hauling their pets around (so they don't start dying as they lag behind and pick fights with stuff.)

I wouldn't argue with having a means to refuse it - since when *poorly* used it can interfere (I yelled at an SG mate a few times for having it on a MM... and catching my stalker in the "bubble" while I was trying to AS a boss, thus interrupting me, or making it impossible for other characters to use "must be on the ground to activate" type powers) but "remove?" No, thanks.

(And for the OP, to me the -acc makes sense, really - you're being moved around *not* under your own power. Trying to compensate for that? -acc penalty.)

No. Lousy idea. See other threads on this.

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I can think of multiple missions.

"Defeat Back Alley Brawler." "Defeat Mynx." "Defeat..." (think the name was Burning Demon, one of the VEAT arcs.)Multiple "Defeat one named person."
Quite a few missions full of one mob type, one "group" of one individual with a different type (Vindicators, Paragon Heroes, Freedom Phalanx, Rogue Isle Villains, etc.) You know, the exact same situation that I can set up with a group with one named boss to ensure we don't have a mission with multiple "unique named enemy so-and-so" spawning. (Yes, over the course of the game we see the rest of that specific group - but not that one mission. Even if there are mutliple missions like that in one arc - like the Crimson Revenant arc - they're in their own group, pulled out for one specific mission. A separate, "all boss" group.)

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These are great examples of missions that only require you to kill an AV. However the statement was there arent any "enemy groups" that have all bosses. All enemy groups consist of minions lts. and bosses at the very least.

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Perhaps you missed this:

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You know, the exact same situation that I can set up with a group with one named boss to ensure we don't have a mission with multiple "unique named enemy so-and-so" spawning.


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And you didn't bother quoting this:

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And of course, the devs have more tools at their disposal than we do - we get a *subset* of them. They *can* force the mission to spawn only one, say, Chief Wilkins from Crey in a map full of Crey without giving him a group of his own.


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Which is, of course, a big part of the reason to not force a group to have one of every rank. So it seems you missed the point. Which is, of course:

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What is the mentioned purpose of the AE?

Answer, so you don't have to look: To allow players to make and share their own stories. So, no, restricting that is not "okay."


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Well, just after posting that "handling delinquency" thread, a PM showed up in my inbox from Aliandre (hope I'm spelling that right!) offering to do 1-2 of the pieces - as I recall, "to have something better to do than play video games."

Completely unneeded, but like I said in the title - appreciated, even if nothing had come from it. However, something certainly did - two somethings, in fact!

One piece with a rather neat look of Charade de la Mort, one of my Doms.

And another of Clair de Lune, a Kin/Dark defender (one of my 50s, and the first piece I'd had done on here when CB was around.)

Just wanted to show off and say "thanks" again!

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Honestly, I think this would help with the AE farming some, since it would not give such massive xp gains. I realize it might restrict storytelling a little bit, but I think that's okay.

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What is the mentioned purpose of the AE?

Answer, so you don't have to look: To allow players to make and share their own stories. So, no, restricting that is not "okay."

The devs will go out of their way to curb *exploits.* Exploits are not synonymous with "Farming." It is not synonymous with "All boss map." Bosses by default have more powers and attacks available to them. They are not risk free or nearly risk free by default, unlike the exploit that was just closed.

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At the moment, I can't think of ANY enemy groups in the game that contain enemies of only one rank They all contain minions, LTs, and bosses, as well as some having underlings, EBs, AVs, and GMs. Why should the custom enemy groups we create in the AE work under different rules?
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I can think of multiple missions.

"Defeat Back Alley Brawler." "Defeat Mynx." "Defeat..." (think the name was Burning Demon, one of the VEAT arcs.)Multiple "Defeat one named person."
Quite a few missions full of one mob type, one "group" of one individual with a different type (Vindicators, Paragon Heroes, Freedom Phalanx, Rogue Isle Villains, etc.) You know, the exact same situation that I can set up with a group with one named boss to ensure we don't have a mission with multiple "unique named enemy so-and-so" spawning. (Yes, over the course of the game we see the rest of that specific group - but not that one mission. Even if there are mutliple missions like that in one arc - like the Crimson Revenant arc - they're in their own group, pulled out for one specific mission. A separate, "all boss" group.)

And of course, the devs have more tools at their disposal than we do - we get a *subset* of them. They *can* force the mission to spawn only one, say, Chief Wilkins from Crey in a map full of Crey without giving him a group of his own.

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I think this is a much better (and far more likely to happen) solution to the massive farming going on than many other things I've heard suggested (or fear may happen).

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It's not better, or likely to happen, frankly. How many stories (the thing that's the *purpose* of the AE) would you damage? (Answer: Quite a few.)

The first 2-3 arcs are unique to PB or WS, then they go into the overall "Kheldian war" storyarc. That said, I like them, and enjoy running them.

You want "Not worth it, don't bother" arcs, look at what the VEAT has. Not sure why they bothered to put anything in, quite frankly. Complete and utter suck. The little speech you get from Kalinda at 45-50 (after doing the patron DESTINY arc at that level) is a more satisfying ending than the ridiculous mission (not arc - in fact, most of the last arcs are 1-2 missions with less story than the nutrition info on a marshmallow) you're given.

It's been forever since I looked... but from what I remember from, oh, the 80s or so -

The hood look - no. We don't really have a nice, "drape-y" full head hood. And the cowls and such just don't do anything close to the same.
The helmet - Probably more doable.
The undercover, rather cheesy beret and moustache from his time in Springfield (IIRC) - Doable, but about as evil as a glass of iced lemonade in summer.

If he has other looks (other than the *bizzare* figure for the new movie I've seen posted - which, frankly, I don't know why anyone would want to get close to) I'm not aware of them.

All that said, please be aware that copying (or getting very close to) signature looks is very much frowned upon, and should someone see it in game and report it, you may end up in grey generic tights or whatever they switch it to. Especially with some buzz (I won't say hype) regarding the movie.

As mentioned, it's a story.

Plus, really, it's not *her* that's plysically strong enough to do so - it's the demon she controls. Very common to have someone in books and such summon demons *far* more powerful than themselves and either (a) bind them but have to keep some sort of concentration to maintain control, (b) give something of themselves, or (c) have the demon just "play along" to cause havoc, then turn around and make its "master" into an hors d'oeuvre.

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A good example is the pre-order helmets that are now available as part of a vet badge, I believe there are still players who resent that, believing it was their right for buying the preorder and it shouldn't be available to anyone else.

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Anyone believing that is a fool, to be blunt. We were told flat out at the time that they may include it for everyone at some point in the future. And they did. I have yet, TBH, to meet anybody actually upset by this in the least.

The only - only things the developers will not include as a "freebie" (giveaway, vet reward, etc.) is anything someone paid extra for - so, for instance, Prestige Power Slide (not one of the four sprints) and the Cape of Four Winds will never be given away.

The mac pack is a part of an *edition,* not a booster pack. Mac users can buy a boxed, Mac-compatible version of the game - just like the GVE edition, the COH collector's edition and the like.

The wedding pack was the first "booster," and came before costume changes. Plus it did come with an emote - several, in fact. It's really designed around an old event more than anything.

And no, personally, I don't think they all need to be "equal" as far as what they have, but that's me personally.

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As fun as our Au/NZ compatriots are - when they're making determinations on maintenance needs vs traffic, you're just not making a big enough impact on server traffic or load.

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That's also probably true however at the same time they are also happy to take our money so I wouldn't mind at least a little consideration by them of our plight. If it turns out to be totally impractical to change the day no problems however it would be nice to know it was even considered.

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That's part of what I'm saying though - I'm sure it *was* considered. But it's considered in terms of the overall population and traffic/usage patterns, as well as the other considerations I mentioned before.

Also don't forget we have people on the *other* side of the time zone issue that get affected - European players on the US servers. They create traffic and such, as well - but likely not enough to really make a huge impact in decisions on when to hold maintenance. (Other than, of course, those EU players on EU servers, but that's not what we're talking about.)

It's ... well, it's like stores or restaraunts and an odd work schedule. They'll plan for a lunch rush around noon, and higher traffic to schedule more workers in from, say, 4-7, while the 24 hour places will have perhaps a cashier and a bunch of stock people overnight. Yes, it'd be nice if, when I was having to leave for work at 3 AM, I didn't get stuck in lines at that cashier - but there isn't enough overall traffic for them to put a second one on, nor are they going to reschedule maintenance (in terms of stocking or actual, floor-waxing, vacuuming, etc. maintenance) because that's when I go in. They're getting done what they need to get done while inconveniencing as few people as possible.

(Yes, I did go to work at 3 AM or so for a while.)

No, there's no harm in asking - but at the same time, I don't personally see a change in the works, barring more parts of the equation changing.

You're thinking of Ghost Falcon, the Elite Q'master and the like, sorting by origin I assume?

... how much did you blow on a set of Accs and Damages for the wrong origin?

(FWIW, I wouldn't argue with this.)