Memphis_Bill

I see several mentions on the training room forum about it beign down or acting wonky.

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might be a good time to get mayhem badges with a stalker than

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Why? They're simple with a Stalker as well.

And I do have to agree on how much less fun these are without the ambushes. Tripped all the alarms in the smash'n'grab... nada. No "We have a situation!" at the bank. Too easy, and rather boring.

Did both go away at the same time?

For the internal, restart, find whatever it says to do to enter startup (usually F2, Delete, or F10.) Check the basic setup. See if it recognizes it in the BIOS.

Start in safe mode. See if it recognizes at least the internal drive there. If so , my guess is a software issue or some such.

Past that, ask to move this query to the tech issues and bugs section, so the folks there can take a gander.

As far as the help channel - preface it with /hc. /h no longer works.

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So options for dealing with this kind of situation is good?

OK, lets have options . . . many options.


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This isn't about this suggestion in particular, but I hate this non-logic when it pops up. The idea that if X is needed/wanted then having more and more ways to do X is the greatest thing ever has never proven true. It just makes things redundant and confusing, especially if the first choice has proven simple and effective.

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In which I point back to my own post, showing two nearly-similar inspirations combined into the breakfree family in order to reiterate this very thing. Not to mention that we have fewer enhancements to choose from now due to finding that, mechanically, they were the exact same (Endurance Modification, as opposed to +/- Endurance enhancements, comes to mind.)

Where simplification through consolidation can happen, it does.

Funny thing, power pools tend to be able to benefit any AT.

Yours would not, and especially with "Each tier only handles a few," would (IMHO) be rather a waste of power choices - especially when a single, cheap (or free, if you combine dropped enhancements) inspiration does the exact same thing, but better.

Oh, and:

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Break Frees didn't exist at launch. They were added. Probably because of someone's suggestion.


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I refer you to here.

No, the "Break free" as an inspiration did not exist. There were, however, two sorts of inspiration (the discipline/resolve family) that performed much the same effect. One (Strength of Will) is actually still available via bounty in Siren's Call, but requires being taken ahead of time. The other could be taken at any point. These were combined, not *least* because they looked graphically very similar, but also because they were trying to affect the same effects.

Breakfrees are cheap, and drop typically with frequency. Should they not, we've also been given the ability to combine three into another. In the earliest levels, where these pools *might* be useful to some - they're too early to get them.

As for your other questions:

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And the two lowest tier blaster attacks were changed so they could be fired while status affected? Why?


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Because blasters are 100% offense, and were deemed to be underperforming (and as I recall, had a very high number of abandons.) They also had a massive change in how the REST of Defiance works.

Edit to clarify that last:
Just looking heroside:
Tanks and Scrappers - no need. They have, and have had, status protection from the start.
Controllers: Have lingering effects and, in all cases but Mind, an independant pet that will continue to fight (and if you count two sources of confusion, Mind's good as well.) Even if the Controller is out, the enemy is still held/immobilized/feared/being attacked.
Defenders: Already have formidable arrays of ways to reduce the effects, slow them down, make them not hit - they have, in other words, defenses.

Blasters had none of these. Even Peacebringers and Warshades had the option of Dwarf form for status protection, among their other tricks.

Villainside:
Brutes, Stalkers, Crabs, Widows - Unnneeded, built in status protection.
Mastermind - Unneeded, pets can either get mezzed instead of you, or fight while you're mezzed.
Corruptor - see Defender. Affects ability of the enemy to hit, do damage, etc.
Dominator - Controller with status protection, as they get attacks (Assault secondaries) instead of other effects that would grant defense (Controller secondaries.)

Edit 2, re: Resistance (and the other pools.)

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While I'm the subject I'd also like an Elemental Damage Resist power pool. 4 toggles (similar to Tough . . . higher than the average toggle end cost and basic resist amount) for Fire, Cold, Energy, and Negetive Energy. I'd like an optinon other than IOs to allow me to create, for instance, a fire blaster that is tougher than the average man to fire!


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So in what order do you put them in? Why should Sleep resistance, perhaps, end up at position 4 - or at 1? Why should, say, Neg. Energy resist require me to take one or two primaries - for what would likely be lousy numbers?

How do you arrange them in *any* semblance of order to make the pool(s) worthwhile?

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If it were a serious character bio, I'd say Science all the way; he ostensibly got the super aspects of his abilities from being irradiated. He's only Mutation if those were latent powers derived from inborn mutant genes.

But if it's entirely meant as a joke character, you can say Natural and it wouldn't be an issue.

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I'd lean more toward natural or Mutation over science, there was no sort of scientific inquiry or process, his powers appeared through natural behavior, the question is was that because of an inherent mutation or not.

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It is a serious character which is why I'm asking... I actually started him as mutation and immediately thought "this isn't right..." Mutation seems to be purely something that was there at birth, and would therefore not be susceptible to his environment.

In part, he is natural since his powers were derived from his day to day, but they were enhanced to heroic abilities. Since part of his abilities include firing radiation from his hands I'm thinking "natural" probably doesn't cut it.

Thank you for your input!

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Mutation could well be there from birth - just not apparent until exposed/trained/used.

"The Lifeguard's abilities stem from a mutation that just wasn't evident initially - the ability to store and redirect energy. Sure, maybe he stayed hyper from being over-sugared longer than some kids. His high school football coach had even joked they could only use him on sunny days, not knowing just how true that was. The job as a lifeguard brought it all to the open, though.

"Merely a month and he was yelling louder than solely a pair of healthy, well-used lungs could explain. If he needed to make himself heard, he had the energy from being in the sun all day long to do so. The short-lived (one hour) reign of terror of what could have been another Lusca, where he found himself directing energy to stun, then destroy the creature, convinced him he had a new career..."

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you log back on....and.....what happens if the server is full?
Do you loose your spot on the server and cant get back on?


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You have no "spot." It's first come, first serve. You leave, someone else logs on.
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I plan to level up as many alts as possible, but am wondering if thats going to be possible. I hope everytime I change characters I dont have to wait to get back on the server again.

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... um, you have to log back onto the server every other day of the year, why would it be any different during 2xp weekend?

You could, of course, try any of the other ten servers, that just don't have this issue (virtue has it *on occasion.* Which will also set you up in case there's a data center or network outage that gives you trouble getting there.

I do, of course, have a cut-paste reply dealing with this:

How to start on another server - or, Double XP Weekend Can't Bring Me Down!

Yes, another Double XP weekend has come and (almost) gone. Or perhaps there was an event, or a reactivation weekend, that swelled the population across the board. Characters were made, others were levelled, and a good time was had by all!

Well, perhaps not by all. There's a vocal minority, most of whom come from Freedom (by dint of it being the most populated server) who insist the weekend was ruined for them, that they couldn't play, that NCSoft owes them something or other for this.

Let's get the hardnose stuff out of the way here.
I'll get helpful later, but this does need to be said:

If you put all your eggs in one basket, it's your own fault you couldn't play. And as far as NCSoft owing anything? Read your EULA.

NC Interactive cannot guarantee that you will be able to access the Service or your Account whenever you may wish to do so.

NC Interactive shall not be liable for any interruption of the Service, delay or failure to perform resulting from any causes whatsoever.

What does that mean? The servers - ALL of them - can be down, and your option will be to wait 'til they fix it.

But that doesn't help me!

You're right. It doesn't. But the rest of this will.

First, I fully understand being annoyed by not being able to play your favourite character. Really, I do. I fully understand having a main character on a main server. From what other denizens of Freedom tell me though... they can get on with just a few tries. Backing out and going back in lets them in.

Also - this isn't just about double XP weekend. Servers are hardware, software, and all that connects them. They can have problems. They're split to cover two coasts, and we've had half the servers be unavailable due to data center or network issues.

Wouldn't you like to be able to play regardless?

But I dont' want to move to another server!

Let's get a few arguments and misconceptions out of the way here first.

I don't want to spend ten bucks on a transfer!

While you can do this, it isn't what I'm suggesting. You CAN do this as part of the process, but setting up a character on another server costs absolutely nothing more than you pay right now.

All my friends/my SG/etc are on Freedom!

So bring them with you. And make new friends at the destination, too!

(Server) is a ghost town!

Didn't you just say you had friends and an SG? If they come over with you, you're not starting with a so-called "ghost town," as incorrect as the idea *is.*


They should just add more capacity to Freedom!

Freedom already has the most hardware dedicated to it, as well as caps just because of weekends like this. It's just not cost effective for one weekend, when you have the ability to change your experience on your own.

My main is on Freedom!

That's fine. This is giving you the ability to play and meet new people if you can't get on freedom. Enjoying the game you're paying a subscription fee to play. To have fun. Isn't that the point?

I don't want to do this for a character that'll be played only three times a year!

That's an assumption - and it's something you can control, anyway. Read on.

Making the move

OK. The important thing - how do you make this move? Here's a bunch of ideas for you.

First, pick a server. Talk it over with your friends and SG mates. Importantly, you want a west coast server. From experience around the country, you won't notice a difference playing - I've played East coast servers from Oregon, and West coast from the midwest and south. You wont' notice a difference.

Freedom is an East Coast server. Why is this important? Well, I mentioned earlier that the servers are split into two data centers. Every once in a while, a center has trouble - so multiple servers are unavailable. If you look at the Wiki, you'll see which servers are where.

What you want to consider is a west coast server. Those are:
Champion
Guardian
Justice
Protector
Virtue

Pick one!

Now, you've picked a server. We'll use Champion for our example. What now?

Well, now you have to create characters and a supergroup. Yes, you're starting over (unless someone pays ten bucks to move a character witha bunch of INF over, or risks market transfers.) Say you've convinced six people to come with you. What do you do to avoid having ignored lowbies?

Create an event!

Redside? How about Mastermind Mania. Every, say, second Sunday, get on your masterminds on Champion and just play for an hour. Team, obviously! And don't forget supergroup mode. You want a base! Or be the Sunday Scourge. Maybe the fourth Saturday you run Blasters, blowing up everything in sight. How about Task or Strike Force Fridays? Or even just farming?

Guess what. Soon... you'll have some decently levelled characters, a supergroup base, and the core of a new group which you can play any time Freedom's not available.

And if you think the folks you came with are only going to play those? Think again. Someone's going to say "Y'know, we could use a corruptor," and roll one, then have it invited to the group. Or a dom. Or a defender.

In addition... *Mention your event!*

You're on the forum RIGHT NOW reading this. If you go down the lsit of forums a ways, you'll see *server forums.* Pop into the server you chose and say "Hey, we've got a new group, and we run X event on this specific day. Come join us - roll a new character, if you want!"

While you're at it - *tell people in game, too!* So you're down to four one week? Broadcast. "The Exiled Freedom group (I don't know if it exists, if it's yours, pardon the borrow) is running Mastermind Madness this week. Want in? We've got Sk spots!" Meet new people and grow your group!

Some folks, if they know you're trying to just start a "backup" group or a new SG, will probably help out in other ways, too. While farming is generally frowned on by the community, farming to get a new SG off the ground *can* be a way to meet new people who are willing to help.

After a while?

You have a new supergroup. A secondary "main," perhaps. New people on the friends list. And next time Freedom's not available, you have a place to invite your friends who are now stuck there, helpign them level up a new character and enjoy the time.

And isn't that what it's all about?

I didn't on my ice/psy - of course, Ice Slick does wonders for keeping things in an area, and Arctic Air keeps enemies from running away too quickly.

Plant/Thorn, I can't imagine not having it - just to keep a group together for the other AOEs pre-Creepers. It was put off a little bit, though.

My plant/thorn clinched its spot in "favourite powerset combos" when I spent a good bit of time eradicating Scrapyard's followers - while they were even-con or better to me. (The same group my Masterminds hate.)

Seeds, roots, fling thorns, creepers (after a level,) just keep going and seeing how long you can stay alive.

It's really nice when they cluster on that one platform by some of the factories, near Vince Dubrowski.

So in order to read email, you'd have to have the recipe and salvage, then craft said email?

It'd definitely put a damper on the RMTers.

Is it bad that the first reference that came to mind on reading the title wasn't COH, but World War Z?

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I've always wondered but I can never find any info about this, so I figure I might as well ask.

What happened to make Dark Astoria the way it is? I know there's a plaque in game that mentions a vow by Statesman to restore Dark Astoria to the way it used to be, but I've never heard what caused it in the first place. I know the Banished Pantheon have something to do with it seeing as they're the sole enemy group there and most BP missions seem to take place on instanced maps of Dark Astoria. Love the zone, but I'd love it even more if we knew more about it.

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Three words -

Mass Sacrificial Ritual. It's shut off into a hazard zone because the BP took advantage of the chaos of the Rikti war to perform that ritual, slaughtering everyone in Astoria. Since it couldn't be dealt with right then, it got walled off. Also, Moth cemetery has, as I recall, a *very* long history, predating Paragon.

(Also, they're not the only group there - the Circle is there trying to reinforce bindings on "The Sleeper," and the Tsoo are there after being sent in to "find something" by Tub Ci.)

Edit:

There may not be any lore relating to this * at all,* but during a bug where DA had no fog (I don't recall if this was live or test,) it was fun to go around and see everything all at once. There's a pair of matched statues near a ramp that seem to be 'twins.' Any story behind them? Or just something neat to drive between?

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The point I was trying to make though, is that if you DO want to play a natural-origin human character, none of the current control sets really fit. Every other archetype (kheldians and doms not included) has power choices that can be played as a straight-up vanilla human. No weird race, no superpowers. A watchmen style hero if you will. Controllers and dominators simply don't. And they should.

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Well, wouldn't using grenades technically still be "science" or "tech?" Depending how far you want to take it, a "Natural Human controller" shouldn't exist, unless you can get enemies to stand still long enough to pile dirt around them or get them to fall into a pit you dug. Alternately, go for some of the Tank or Scrapper sets and slot for stuns.

And if using bits of tech (grenades) is fine for that, why isn't having a device to work on all the other varied effects controllers have?

Not against a "grenade" based set - heck, we have trick arrow as a controller secondary - but if you want to be strict about "natural meaning natural human," you've got a heck of a time coming up with a set that actually matches that.

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This. Mind control is probably the strongest current contender if you call it "Cult of Personality" or something like that. But I think of grenades as devices, and therefore sci or tech, not natural - same for Trick Arrow, Archery, AR, Devices and Traps, BTW.

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In most comic books a character that uses low tech devices is still considered Natural human as these are devices that anyone (given the right connections and money) can use. It is only the high tech devices that move them into the realm of Tech and it is only the use of chemical substances that are unobtainable by any normal means that moves them into the realm of Science.



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Perhaps, but the way COH's definitions generally work, the source of your powers = origin. If (going back to the grenade controller) we took away the grenades, could you (or any stand-in member of the general population of your species) still control? As a "natural human" was being brought up, the answer would be no - the source of your abilities is purely in the technology you bring with you.

The general example from comics brought up for this, from a "human" perspective, would be Batman. Yes, he's got tech assistance in the Batplane, batmobile, bat-rope, batarangs, batundies and bat-whatever else, but all those are purely... well, "power pools." He could still walk out, be a detective, and beat the snot out of anyone who attacked.... and so could anyone else (within reason) who just trained.

Both. (going by forum namesake, more than anything.)

OK, primarily hero. But there's at least one villainous MB. Let's see...
First, Fire/SS/Pyre tank.
SS/DA brute
DA/SS Tank
Spines/DA Scrapper
... bit of a theme, admittedly...

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The point I was trying to make though, is that if you DO want to play a natural-origin human character, none of the current control sets really fit. Every other archetype (kheldians and doms not included) has power choices that can be played as a straight-up vanilla human. No weird race, no superpowers. A watchmen style hero if you will. Controllers and dominators simply don't. And they should.

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Well, wouldn't using grenades technically still be "science" or "tech?" Depending how far you want to take it, a "Natural Human controller" shouldn't exist, unless you can get enemies to stand still long enough to pile dirt around them or get them to fall into a pit you dug. Alternately, go for some of the Tank or Scrapper sets and slot for stuns.

And if using bits of tech (grenades) is fine for that, why isn't having a device to work on all the other varied effects controllers have?

Not against a "grenade" based set - heck, we have trick arrow as a controller secondary - but if you want to be strict about "natural meaning natural human," you've got a heck of a time coming up with a set that actually matches that.

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ShoRyu has it right in my book. Natural just means you have the abilities that come naturally to your race or species.

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In-game example:

Peacebringer.

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I'm guessing we'll get a small increase with Going Rogue (maybe to 48), but I suppose I'm just optimistic.

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Personally, I *suspect* the most we'd see is an additional four unlocked (per server.) If you've used up all 36... I have no idea.

Then again, I do have two accounts. >.> Did that before the extra purchaseable slots came out, so I've got a ways to go - though some of my servers have all default slots plus an unlock or three filled.

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Between Guild Wars and the AI of certain NPCs already in the game, my only reply to this has to be "If I wanted to die quicker, I could do so without their help."



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This. If you're not sure what we're talking about, go run any of the missions that involve Fusionette as an ally, then come back and you'll /unsign your own suggestion.

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Or Lady Jane. "OK, I've saved you, good thing we... wait, where'd you go?" *see NPC that must stay alive running down the hall aggroing two more groups plus her ambush.*

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I dont get why so many people are bashing this guy just because he wants a server pop limit increase. Or why you're telling him to go play on another server.

The hospitality on the coh forums is so charming now days.

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Perhaps you should read the points he's so happily ignoring, like how the cap was put in place for a reason, that the extra hardware, etc. would be useful for only a few days a year and the like.

Or perhaps you should read the "Let me in for more money, hey, kick someone else off so that special ME can get in."

Telling him to play on another server? Well, that's easy - of course, it's also been covered (in the long cut and paste reply, among others.) Read that, as well.

And the attitude he's getting back by now is purely a reflection of that he's brought in.

Well, should there be lag, I don't want it just wandering on and off. If I'm turning it off, I want it *off.* Especially when dropping to human.

*shrug* You know precisely what'll happen. That's pretty much my entire reason.

Between Guild Wars and the AI of certain NPCs already in the game, my only reply to this has to be "If I wanted to die quicker, I could do so without their help."

I've heard comment once or twice, but have no experience with it - that said, it makes sense to me. *shrug*

Hmmm... I don't think most of mine transfer over all that well.

Memphis Bill: Chicago Sue?
Ignia Elemenia: Aquus Etherian (eh, not quite...)
Feliney Assault: Canine Defender
Violet Flame: Emerald Ash
Dreamon (dream+demon) : Lucingel (lucid+angel)
Cryo Havoc : Flame of Order
Theorum : Proof
Lady Moquerie : Lord Sérieux perhaps.

Yeah, pretty much what I did. The note I sent just explained it's been too long and requested we just close out the commission, removing me from her queue.

(And as far as bad luck, well - to a point, I'd buy it, but there's that whole communication bit...)