Nomme

*laugh* That will work

Okay then...I /think/ we have 10 - which is the restaurant's minimum to reserve tables/space in advance.

I have:

Janlee
Rasta
Sooner
Impyre
Vyx
Nomme
Kid Engineer
Vorac
MI
Sillver

Anyone else? Speak up soon, we'll make the reservations in about a week to give folks time to see if their plans will allow for coming to lunch with us (Sushi/Seafood Buffet in San Mateo - so it is a bit of a drive, but someone may have car space for you - just ask!)

Here's the "catch" on the reservation -
1. Minimum party 10 people to make a reservation (check)
2. Free drinks with party of 10 or more - alcohol not included - CASH ONLY (for this special - if we go with separate checks we should all be able to pay with cash or debit or credit cards)
3. Approx per-person cost $15 (we ate there today for lunch and it was $15 each for lunch and soft drink only, tip not included in that price)

So...I need to know - Do we want to go as one large cash only party and split the bill ourselves at the table, or just go with separate / small group checks? If ANYONE cannot do cash only (should end up being under $20 after tip unless you're having alcohol) please speak up now - we may be able to make arrangements, but only if we know in advance that someone in particular cannot go cash only (feel free to PM Kid Engineer or myself if you'd rather not publicize it).

If you need details on where lunch is - please let Kid Engineer know and he will provide you with address info as well.

We have several people coming in at 11-11:30am on Friday, at both SFO and SJC. To give adequate time for pick up at the airports - our plan is to start gathering in the parking lot at the restaurant at about 12:30pm and have the reservation itself for 1pm. If we need to, we can push that back to 1:30pm or so - if you have a specific concern about a 1pm reservation, please speak up now so we can address it.

*whew*

I think that's about it. For now...
>.>
<.<

Happy Birthday! Hope it's a good one...

Awww, thanks guys this means a lot. In an otherwise moderately craptacular birthday, that is a very good thing. (Short story, my car got broken into sometime in the last week - while we were out of town - and we discovered the broken window last night...so today was dealing with the glass company and insurance company adjuster...joy?)

I also /just/ realized - I am now high enough real level to get Inferno - woot!

Nomme go BOOM!

My biggest gripe has to do with the banner. Honestly. It isn't a "huge thing" but it is annoying to me. I have a dual monitor setup - I have a 24" and a 19", I keep my browser on the 19", well at 1280x1024, I can't see GW or Sister Psyche at all (just a bit of Sis's arm). Which means for people with less than a 24" monitor (or at least something like 1700px or more width to their screen resolution) they cannot see the females on the banner.

Personally, I'd rather see (since you did two different banners anyway to change the "City of Heroes" to "City of Villains") the Heroes only on the hero banner and the Villains only on the villain banner. I have absolutely zero desire to look at Statesman personally. If nothing else, maybe some additional skins for each signature hero/villain without the others in the picture? Even if all the other colors were the same and it was just the banner changed in each skin I'd be happy.

But seriously, a resizable background to at least allow the girls to be in the view if the window isn't open to 1900px wide? Something? I know it's not a functional issue or even a major issue, but it is something that I do care about. Whoever created the one size = huge background needs to look at the fact that not everyone has a gigantic monitor and even those people on smaller screens might actually like to see the females in the banner. (Really I just want a females only banner, get rid of the guys!)

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i think this is a clever plot by the devs .so they can sit and giggle at our guessing

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Could be... currently with the state of free respecs on the five accounts in my household...let me say I HOPE it isn't I15 yet. Beyond the free respec concern, I15 can go live anytime...I just want enough time to get my toons respecs used up

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So, if what is patching currently /is/ I15, that was less than a week's notice, for some people who have DOZENS of toons to run through free-respecs - I have to say, I hope the free respec will come after today. Because, I'm sorry, but I wait til the last week for my respecs so as to use my current build as long as possible before tweaking to accomodate whatever changes the new issue brings in.

I have so much more I could say in ranting about this, but I won't get redundant. I'll keep it simply as - this was not enough warning for "use it or lose it" because a new free respec is about to be issued.

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The notice is supposed to be 7 days before the respec is granted. The respec is typically granted separately from the issue going live.

If Issue 15 goes live today, the respec will probably be granted Thursday or Friday.

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The last several issues, they've pushed the free respec *with* the new issue. A couple times (the first couple times this happened and appeared to be accidental) they granted another a week or so later. However, the last issue, possibly two, they have made it clear that they now seem to want the free respecs to go live with the issue - it makes it easier for them as far as I know.

After the populus made it clear that we needed notice, they've announced the issue was going live and that we needed to use it or lose it before the issue went live. So, the OLD model was: issue goes live with NO warning whatsoever, within a week we get notice of a date for the free respec grants (at least 7 days from announcement date), then on the announced date, the respecs are granted. The NEW model appears to be: Announce issue is going live "soon" or with a specific date (or at least a "it's coming in a week") - and that the issue NOTICE is also the NOTICE for the free respec's "use or lose as they don't stack", the new issue goes live at the appointed date AND the free respec is granted as the issue is patched to live servers. No respec granted after the issue goes live because "we got notice it was coming with the issue".

Thus my complaint that we didn't get 7 days notice for the free respec. My hope is that they /do/ return to granting the free respec *after* the issue has gone live and we've had at least a week to finalize builds and perform respecs between announcement and granting of respecs.

So yes, if the last couple issues hadn't followed the newer pattern of respec granted with the issue and not after, I wouldn't be upset. But based on the wording of the head's up announcement that I15 was going live soon along with the warning about the free respecs not stacking - my assumption (yeah, I know what they say about assumptions) is that if this is indeed I15 going live, then the free respec grant is in process or has happened already.

So, if what is patching currently /is/ I15, that was less than a week's notice, for some people who have DOZENS of toons to run through free-respecs - I have to say, I hope the free respec will come after today. Because, I'm sorry, but I wait til the last week for my respecs so as to use my current build as long as possible before tweaking to accomodate whatever changes the new issue brings in.

I have so much more I could say in ranting about this, but I won't get redundant. I'll keep it simply as - this was not enough warning for "use it or lose it" because a new free respec is about to be issued.

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What about those of us who didnt double tap, clicked "use serial code" then was taken to apage that said "your options are to upgrade this acocunt" clicked upgrade and received this message "this is the syntax page."

Went to check my account and I now have 3 serial codes to use for the magic pack.

Did i just get charged 4 times even though I clicked once.

I knew there were issues with the website so I purposely did NOT double click.

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I think the phrase isn't referring to a literal "double-tap" of the mouse, I believe they are referring to the "double-tap" / double "hit" on the credit card used. I know I didn't double-click my mouse, and on the confirm purchase page, a double click isn't fully possible as it greys out the submit button as soon as it's clicked at all - not allowing for a double-click/double-submit. At least not easily.

Though the issue you're seeing is a bit odder than what I think most of us are getting. I have a feeling there are several bugs involved and they will refund true cases of "Hey, somehow I have 2+ codes, can only use one on my acct" due to the massive server issues they are having today. If they didn't, it would be poor business indeed.

I also got double-billed on accident. Here's hoping support will read my petition for support in which I request that they actually tell me the full second code I paid for - I have two master accounts, two game accounts (one on each master account) and /want/ both serial codes - but I want to apply them by way of applying one on the master acct that bought it, and one on the other account - but you don't get the full codes until you've applied them to the game account??? Not good...because the disclaimer says non-refundable, non-returnable - not non-transferrable. If I can't apply a code I buy on one account to another - they need a non-transferrable disclaimer too. It's just good business practice.

I just don't want to risk purchasing a code from the second account and getting double-tapped again on that account.

Well, there went about 60 from my rec'd/sent boxes. Didn't realize I'd collected that much detrious.

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The highlight of the evening was a marriage proposal! I'm terrible with names, so I'm going to leave the reporting on that for one of the other two-dozen people who were snapping photos of it, but it was pretty sweet. Christy, my daughter, was practically in tears at the romance of the whole thing. Ha ha! *edit*After going through my pictures, I have shots of nametags! The lucky couple was Nomme and Gorbified! Congratulations! We're all invited to the wedding, aren't we?

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*laugh* We're hoping to get wedding plans hashed out soon...may or may not be in the Seattle area, not decided yet - however, that said - we do hope to have an ingame wedding. Also, if you have pics of the proposal and my pre-proposal "why am I sitting in this chair in the middle of the room???" freakout please consider emailing me copies at snowlion at gmail dot com . Pretty please?

*happy dances* I'm still ogling the ring happily and doing the whole "ZOMG I cannot believe it!"

So yes, Nomme (@Nomme and @Nomme Again) and Gorbified (@Gorbified and Kid Engineer) from Protector server are engaged *bounce bounce bounce* Yay for gamer geeks in love!

Thank you to everyone who wished us well and to those who wanted to but didn't

It was great seeing such a huge turnout for the M&amp;G, I had no idea so many of us Seattlites played! (And I know some travelled from out of town for it too - my sweetie included - glad y'all could make it out here as well!)

One more "y'all are awesome" to the NCSoft folks who were there, Gargoyle_KDR as the organizer of this shindig, and Cende the baker/bringer of cookies (and her lovely assistant....errr...handsome husband Talek for helping lug the cookies in from the car).

1. Lemon Demon - The Ultimate Showdown of Destiny
2. Mr. Skullhead (cover/karaoke of Madonna) - Hanky Panky
3. Yes and Sir-Mix-A-Lot (mashup) - Owner of a Lovely Back (?)
4. Flogging Molly - The Seven Deadly Sins
5. They Might Be Giants - Istanbul
6. Depeche Mode - Master and Servant
7. Voltaire - The USS Make [censored] Up
8. The Kimberly Trip - Freaky Things
9. Mutiny - Girl on the Fiddle
10. Sarah McLachlan &amp; Enigma (mashup) - Building an Enigma

Erm...I've been in a mashup, humor in general, Celtic punk, etc mood lately?

And not ashamed of a single thing on the list

My BF started the game about a month before I did...I had my first character hit 50 about 3 days before his first 50.

We don't usually roll up toons to play together - we do team up occasionally, but we "get into" things a bit differently. I like trying to make powerful builds, and get the "just right" on paper before I ever enter the creation screens - while he goes more for concept and some level of roleplay.

We have our PCs set up in the same room and talk a lot as we play, even if we aren't teaming, it took a bit to get me interested initially, but now I play a lot more than he does. ED almost drove him out, but CoV kinda renewed his interest in the game.

I wasn't into online gaming previously because so many appeared to be more roleplaying than I was comfy with. I'm just not that good at trying to make up backstories and then stay in character. Just not my thing *shrug*. CoH / CoV seem to be roleplaying-lite...it seems a lot more optional, allowing me to pour more energy into getting my build right, getting my look right, etc. I was amazed at the ratio of female players, even with a margin of error for males who say they are female IRL, and vice versa.

Just to put my name out there, I was another of those who got the DVD to find that my box was missing Ghost Widow - then my boyfriend opened his box, and had it.

I'm unsure, should I even try to return it to the store to exchange it? Or should I wait until this is resolved via NCSoft? Should I use the DVD code or wait until I can get this taken care of?

Nope *says in a small voice* I've done it too, I cringed in anticipation of the group getting hit, but fortunately, I don't think I hit enough to get his aggro to the group. I've since learned to just friend the targetter so I can easily select em.

I've also been a targetter and clicked on Hami instead of the mito between me and Hami, fortunately, no one chose that moment to fire a shot - or if they did, it didn't get his aggro.

*whew*

Wow Ophi! I'm still in shock a little bit here. If I hadn't already 5 starred you, I'd do it again. You continually amaze me! First the 50s list, now this (not to mention all the other things you do to help others).

I'm still in awe of everyone who has donated over the course of this, but you take the cake (or pie if you prefer). I remember when we learned of the $600 donation, I spent at least a few hours just amazed that someone would be so generous, now I'm amazed again - but I'm happy it helped you to like yourself again. I've been through times where I just didn't like much of anything going on in my life, including myself, it's a good feeling to be able to look at something and like yourself again.

You quite possibly inspired others to donate, you helped to make Cimarron's life better and more secure, and you gained back a bit of self in the process - that, my friend, is what it's all about.

I remember one of Ish's last few posts in the old thread, every cent of what has been donated is earmarked for Cimarron. (correct me if I'm wrong?)

You're a great person Ophi - and I'm proud to know you - you *are* a true Hero.

Yea, I didn't think I could appropriately convey enough of the original thread opener, so I didn't even try. So, please Ish, can we get a repost of as much of the original post as you can remember?

Oh, Waylaa - thanks for the stars! Not sure who I ticked off to get dropped from 5, but I know I won't ever see 5 stars by my name again It doesn't matter though, I know who my friends are

And per PM from CuppaJo - "Stickied and 'saved' "

Yayness!

So, I just used the phone number from the "contact us" part of the Cat Tales website, if there is a different number, please post it?

Thank you for the refresher on her name, the web coverage links, and for the repost of the links for our kitty's pics.

*hugs* everyone!

Protector Server has an official mascot! Thanks to Ishmael, who did the research and the original promoting, we have adopted our very own puma from Cat Tales Zoological Park.

Meet Cimarron.

Before the original thread was purged, I think the last known count of funds for feeding and care of Cimarron was at roughly the 2 and a half year mark. Please keep the donations coming though!

To call and support our mascot, you should contact Cat Tales directly at 509-238-4126. The really nice lady there has taken a large number of calls for Cimarron and is very friendly. They accept a number of payment options including checks by mail and credit cards over the phone. Any amount is welcome, just let them know it is for Cimarron and they will get it all taken care of. Cimarron's plaque reads that she is adopted by "City of Heros - Protector Server".

This has also gotten a bit of surprise media attention in the form of a few gaming websites doing stories about us and our Puma, as well as a magazine article (Ish, can you provide more details on that?) that should be out this month.

Cimarron was adopted for several reasons, it started as an inside joke and rapidly progressed to "what if we actually adopted a puma?" At which point, Ishmael researched and found Cimarron at Cat Tales. After having been attacked by an obvious rogue spines scrapper, he decided she was one of our own, and we agreed. Support for our Cimmy grew and there have been some fantastic donations. Someone even paid for an entire year of the adoption themselves.

I don't have the names of all the folks who donated to Cimmy - I wish I did, for they are the true heroes here.

Show people that you support our mascot, and draw attention to her by changing your battle cry to "For Cimarron!" Some have even put info about Cimarron into their bios - Ishmael even created a claws scrapper named Cimarron!

Please note: this post is a repost of the original. The original got purged and cannot be replaced. I have missed a lot of information, hopefully someone can assist in filling in the remainder of the details.

Been a bit since the last post in this thread, but I did it last weekend and had 3 failures that I learned a lot from - then 2 awesome successes. Ran one of them in a touch over an hour.

Everything I've seen in here looks awesome, but I have a couple of additions.

1. On the 2 walls - hug the side walls to get to the the AV walls you have to defeat. Once in front ot the wall - stay AGAINST it. The entire area in front of the wall (both Rock and Mold) is a proximity spawn "hot spot". You will get some spawns if everyone is against the wall, but way fewer than otherwise. The fastest run had an ice/rad controller that kept ice slick under the team and the baddies out of range. The other had a "designated spawn tanker" who stayed against the wall with us and cleared the spawns while everyone else took down the walls.

2. In the Rock Wall room - there are 2 Quarry monsters we defeated first (better to take them out on our own terms) and we also defeated all the mobs in the area in front of the wall (the wall will "call those" once it is damaged a certain amount).

3. Mold room - the Lichen Colonies will keep spawning Lichen until they are neutralized, so take them out first, then the Lichen.

4. The 4 freed heroes will indeed fight with you if you bring the fight to them, however - they can be defeated. We lost 2 of them on one of my failed runs.

5. There is no "required class" but I wouldn't recommend a full team of any one AT. I would recommend a full team though. For example, I'm a blaster, I herded in the Titan room (sure, I used phase shift, but they followed me to the rest of the team )

This was an absolutely awesome trial. Frustrating doesn't even begin to cover the failures though. I have to say that as with all trials, the team must work together - even more so on this trial - if even one person "does their own thing" against the team's strategy - you are more likely to fail. Most trials can recover if one person doesn't listen and work with the group, on this one though it is almost impossible to recover from.

Just my 2 cents. Can anyone top a 1 hour 10 minute run? I was highly impressed...to those who ran it with me - AWESOME job! Awesome trial...anyone want to exemp me sometime to run it again?

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States, it has been the experience of a great many players (mentioned on other threads) that *multiple* unnamed bosses show up on missions that they entered alone.


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I'll check this!

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Thank you Statesman! I know I would appreciate it.

Example - rather detailed - just for reference, anyone may feel free to skip the rest of the post...

I had a mission last night I soloed as my character "Nomme" on Protector - I even petitioned for help due to another glitch (I don't know if the logs can be checked for spawns for the mission - but if so, I figured that might help) where I couldn't find someone (he was trapped between several boxes, found him by doing 4 flying "sweeps" through the boat)

It is a lvl 22 mission (I know - below the boss difficulty increase minimum level - and I had only 2 close calls, but this is for noting my experience with multiple bosses spawning on a solo mission...) to clear a boat of Council, rescue 4 researchers, and recover a specimen.

I found 2 "sets" of 2 bosses. Both were -1 to my level (I think, in any case they conned yellow). Each time I came across them, they were right around a corner, out of sight until I was right on top of them - which got their immediate attention. Both times it was a council boss and a sky raider boss in the middle of "sparring" between themselves (doing no damage, like the wars...but just interacting). I would work on one boss at a time, but both times I ran across them, I had to kill one - running full tilt between each attack - and - exit the mission to recover health before going after boss #2.

They were unnamed, but both times were paired up. They were only "yellow" to me. This is before level 25 - after level 25, I am certain that I wouldn't have survived killing just one as I barely survived each time I killed one - especially since (or so I feel) I'm a blaster and there was a boss doing ranged damage, and a boss doing melee damage in each group. I know blasters are "squishy" but if the bosses were only melee or ranged, I may have been able to strategize better...as it was, I just attacked and ran - a lot.

I like to team in the right circumstances, but that mission took me over an hour to complete - mostly because of the running from the bosses. I just wanted a fast solo mission before heading off to bed...

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Uh, I think he means the description the contact gives you when you take the mission, not the mission title displayed in your nav bar.

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Which you still can't read (unless I missed something) the entire mission objectives without accepting the mission. I have accepted missions thinking, "Oh, this should be fun - Go retrieve %item% from the %bad guys%" Only to find in the briefing that the text reads more like "Defeat %named boss% and his minions and recover %item%"

Once I have a mission, I want a way to clear it from my log if it isn't something I can handle. I DO NOT team well, I play games so I don't have to be social. If I wanted to chat with people, I would go hang out with friends. A lot of teams ask me why I don't chat, what's wrong with me that I don't type "LOL" everytime one of them says something remotely humourous. I don't want to team, I don't care for the changes in the bosses as it makes it next to impossible for me to solo, with ANY of my chars (blasters, defenders, scrappers, I even play a tank and a controller occasionally).

If you want to make it so some missions aren't soloable - fine, put it in the text when the contact says "Hey, this could use your attention" or allow us to drop a mission from our log if it proves "impossible" to do with our play type/style.

I have at least one character that I have 3 missions on the books with, I have to street hunt to level a few times so I can try to do those missions - and work off a ton of debt gained trying (solo and with pickup teams that turned out awful).