Nova Knight

I don't consciously hoard them, but I'm paying more attention now that the temps are dropping more frequently. I focus on the ones that help fill a void in my character's capabilities. For example, I'm collecting ranged attacks for my BS/Regen scrapper to give him more flexibility.

Prior to this, I focused on the ones that beefed up my solo characters in tough fights (i.e. summoning War Wolves, Snow Beasts, etc.).

Not only do civilians have the power to push you out of the way, they also have the amazing power to penetrate stealth. My stealthy toons will be on the street after covertly dispatching bad guys and ordinary citizens will pass them and wave. Sometimes they even address my character by name. How the heck do they see me? Fortunately, they don't seem inclined to abuse the power like Rikti drones or Nemesis snipers.

Haven't had a chance to sample everything, but two things did jump out at me with my newly-rolled character...

First, the reduced distances for early missions means I don't have to go running all over Galaxy City to get where I'm going. It's so much easier and less aggravating now. Second, getting the contacts' phone numbers earlier also makes the game go more smoothly.

Both of these features mean I can focus more on playing and less on traveling.

Hadn't considered that option, Johnny. I assume that the KB from all three attacks would stack. I kind of like the idea of watching groups of bad guys go flying like bowling pins. I'll have to think about this. Thanks for the reply.

Hello all.

I finally have a character who's reached the point where Ancillary Power Pools are a consideration. Initially chose Force Mastery with Personal Force Field but I'm beginning to second-guess myself.

Cold Mastery is starting to look better to me. I like the idea of combining Snow Storm's -Recharge on enemies with Hasten's personal +Recharge. Seems like a good way to increase my offensive firepower while diminishing the bad guys' capabilities.

I was hoping for input from more experienced players on how the various APPs synergize with energy/devices, as well as general thoughts on the powers' usefulness.

Finally, this is for a solo PvE character.

Thanks.

Hello Black Pebble.

Since you asked for suggestions, I'll throw in my two cents' worth... Operating under the premise that more revenue = benefits that can be passed along to subscribers (i.e. game upgrades & improvements, lower individual costs, etc.), here's what occurred to me:

1) Seek press coverage outside of traditional comic/gaming media. For example, the business press may be interested in hearing how CoX survived and prospered in the MMORPG field while so many others have failed. Also, you could leverage the guest authors from Mission Architect into news stories aimed at literary/writing/publishing magazines. (I know that generating news stories via press releases is more P.R. than marketing, but the two fields are closely related.)

2) License your in-game characters. If another company is willing to pay the development costs for Paragon merchandise, then you limit your own financial risk while gaining valuable exposure. Products like action figures and Halloween costumes would allow customers to pass along their love of the game to their children, nieces, nephews, etc. Just as important, their young friends would be exposed to the game. All of this lays the groundwork for expanding the customer base to the next generation of comic/gaming fans.

I don't know if Paragon is doing this already. I do know that my initial discovery of CoH/CoV was from seeing the manual in the book section of my local electronic store. In other words, it was in a real-life, non-gaming setting. I understand your need to target the gaming/comic niche; all I'm suggesting is that you not limit yourself to it.

EDIT: Just to clarify, we know that comic and gaming geeks will be receptive to marketing appeals. What I'm suggesting is getting the word to anyone who knows one of the aforementioned geeks. (i.e. "Hey Skippy, I just saw something you may be interested in...")

Oh, and welcome.

Fart Wizard (or possibly Fartwizard; can't remember exactly) It's been a while since I saw him, so he might have been deleted once the authorities got wind of him.

Ice Melee/Ice Armor scrapper
Archery/Trick Arrow blaster

When on a mission, I like to skulk around with Stealth before initiating combat. This leads me to take Swift as my first power from the Fitness pool in order to offset the movement penalty. Don't have a specific goal for run speed, however.

Double XP weekends!

I always use IOs. When I started playing, they were firmly established so I never had the experience of using DOs or SOs.

To me, the thought of relying on enhancements that are obsolescent by design is unappealing. I would rather have a reliable bonus all the time than worry about replacing enhancements I've outgrown. It just seems inefficient.

I would also find it annoying to restock my enhancement inventory all the time. With IOs, it's possible to upgrade but not mandatory. The option is mine to exercise if I choose.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Although I don't have a ton of influence to spend, I think I'll go with my initial inclination and take SD. Bottom line for me: the set is fun and it gives me more toys to play with. If it takes me longer to reach the softcap, then so be it. I think I'll enjoy the ride.

My main purpose in posting was to hear from folks with experience in both secondaries because I was afraid that I might overlook something. Your responses did help me make my selection, so I'm much obliged.

I'm now ready to join the legion of DM/SD scrappers out there and find out why the combo is so popular. Let the scrappage begin.

I'm planning to delete one of my lesser-used toons in favor of a new Dark Melee scrapper. Right now, I'm considering Shield Defense and Super Reflexes because I think the To-Hit Debuff of the primary would synergize nicely with the defense of either secondary.

I have a fair amount of experience with DM (level 30 DM/DA), limited experience with SD and no experience with SR.

My initial inclination is to go with shields for the assortment of offensive-oriented goodies that everybody likes. (i.e. more hit points, AAO, Shield Charge) On the other hand, I'm also intrigued by the recharge bonus that SR provides at higher levels. Finally, with regard to SR, I'm a bit put off by the variable damage resistance of the set. It seems to require that you get the crap kicked out of you in order to reap the benefits; I have to wonder how effective that really is.

In a nutshell, I have two questions:
1) What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of each set when paired with Dark Melee?
2) How do the differences of each secondary affect play style?

I should also mention that this character will be used in solo PvE.

Thanks.

When my dragon-themed scrapper finally got draconic wings and exactly matched the concept I had when I created him.

Activating a PBAoE or cone attack when surrounded by enemies, getting a critical hit and then finding no one left standing afterward.

Learning the hard way that certain War Wolves morph into red-con Bosses after you defeat them, and then barely beating the Boss. (with just a shred of your health bar remaining afterward) Same thing with those !*#!! Red Caps.

The first time I had a character who could fly.

Finally getting Tier 9 powers.

Advancing in level in the middle of a big fight and getting that mega-inspiration rush just when you need it.

When enemies who could beat the crap out of my blasters in melee get stuck in caltrops and/or web grenades, allowing me to beat the crap out of them.

Getting Stamina or Quick Recovery.

I had the same experience with my MA/SD scrapper. I believe it's specific to this particular pairing. When I had my scrapper attack an object without activating his shields, I noticed that he was using the punches I originally selected.

Don't understand why this happens. I'd prefer the punches with the shields, but it's not a deal-breaker for me with regard to the combo.

Hitting bad guys = fun

I also like hearing the lamentations of their women. (or, for you purists out there: de lamentations of dere vimmin)

Yeah, uh... is this where I sign up for the Scythe Class? Dude down the hall told me to come here. My buddy said this course is an easy "A."

My character creation process is pretty free-form. Sometimes I start with a concept, sometimes I start with interesting powerset combos, sometimes the concept evolves over time and there are some characters I've yet to develop a concept for.

That said, a couple come to mind...

When I first started playing, I wanted to create a dark, creature-of-the-night scrapper... think Batman with mystical powers. I chose DM/DA. I enjoy the character, but he didn't start to click for me until after he got stamina and some of the higher level powers in his powersets. Before that, endurance woes diminished the coolness for me.

I also have an energy/devices blaster who is my highest level character. His concept has changed over time as the character's capabilities evolved; I still haven't finalized a concept for him. The lack of a character concept hasn't lessened my enjoyment in playing him, though.

I have other characters, of course, who are in various states of development. Even when I don't start out with a character concept, I still try to create one that logically explains how the character got the way he is.