Obsidius

Thanks for the update Zig. I had an issue, and it was resolved by two great in-game GMs. More info can be found here.

[ QUOTE ]
Bradley U, the D&D lobby geeks(...)

[/ QUOTE ]

<OT>

Are you from Peoria, by chance?

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You get your choice of total offense, total defense, or a varying mix.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it's better than that. I imagine I'll become quite fond of pulling in Defensive mode. I attack an enemy, who then attacks me with my 75% Resists (even higher with the PPP shield ). My bots the retaliate against the foe that attacked me.

Remember it's Defensive mode NOT Passive. Your pets will still attack, but only in response to someone attacking you first.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly, and a good point. They're not just going to stand there and take it - they will retaliate

[ QUOTE ]
So basicly what you are saying is, that if we don't do anything and just stand there, we will be protected. If we actually try and fight, we will be cut down, in pvp just as easy as we already are...

[/ QUOTE ]

No one said all of your henchmen have to be in Bodyguard mode at the same time. You get your choice of total offense, total defense, or a varying mix.

As a robot MM, this sounds like a good thing to me. I'll have to give it a whirl on Test to see how effective it is

[ QUOTE ]
I do not feel because some people "abuse" the system that I should lose the fun of running my favorte toon. That is poor customer service.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree it's not very fair to those of us "playing by the rules" also have to pay the price when it comes to stopping certain players from doing certain actions. However, I also understand how difficult a job the devs must have in pleasing the upper management while pleasing the player base.

I see commercials sometimes on TV advertising how I could be in the exciting world of the gaming industry developing video games. Then I thought about how much pressure a dev programming for CoX must have, with release schedules and launch dates and testing and bug fixes, etc.

Then South Park came on and I forgot about it (j/k )

But seriously, I could only speculate the devs have a hard time with keeping the game "balanced" whil trying not to cheese too many existing players, especially with two games being played on three continents.

In comparison, SWG changed their whole class system a over 2 years after release. So I guess it could be worse. Just glad I never started playing that game

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Because it causes Dev Teams to switch into Rabid Hunter-Seeker Mode as they exhaust every possible resource in a useless, self-defeating operation to stop powergamers in their tracks. They can't win this battle and they can't stand the fact that they can't----but like moths to a gas lamp, they nevertheless keep circling, waiting to pounce on them again.


[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps it is the obsessive compulsive nature of the devs regarding a futile endeavor that actually hurts the playerbase.

I don't PL personally, but I can never get behind the belief that it's ok to blame everyone under the sun except those directly implimenting the offending changes.

[/ QUOTE ]

You bring up a good point. It's like the RIAA assuming everyone is stealing music through file sharing. The more they push on the these people through litigation and ludicrous lawsuits, the more customers they alienate, either directly or through bad press.

The problem is that everyone has a different idea of how the game should and shouldn't work. Certain things in the game had an intention to work a certain way. Others find ways to do things differently, sometimes at the cost of other players' enjoyment of the game. Ultimately, scenarios such as these affect a thing's use and perception.

In other words, what some players consider bonuses of a power are considered by other players and devs to be either unintended effects or exploits. When these things get changed, players who were using these bonuses feel as if they have been slighted, when in fact devs never intended for the effect to happen.

Some changes happen because of PvP, whereas a player uses an exploit against another player. While some effects of a power can be changed purely for PvP, technical boundaries sometimes will dictate that a change must be made to the power itself. In these cases, you can usually thank your fellow players for absuing a power into change.

This is not an end-all-be-all to every change that happens in the game, but most changes to powers usually revolve around these scenarios.

That is not to say that opinions don't matter, but offering sound arguments or ways in which things could be better but not exploitable are better ways to get a point across. Posts hardly fall upon deaf ears - many changes in the game have come directly from these forums thanks to sound arguments, constrictive criticism, and player enginuity

Although some changes or ideas cannot be implimented due to technical limitations, it is better to post ideas than not to post them at all.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Does it strike anyone particularly odd that when the Arena and PvP first came out that Tanks were king of the mountain. Too powerful and relatively unstoppable. A few minor "tweaks" later here we stand. Castle poking fun at our bottom dwelling state. From one extreme to the other.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did I poke fun at Tankers? Where did I state tankers were 'bottom' of the list. I suspect there is a bit of transference going on in your comments.

FWIW, reduced Toggle Drops and Gauntlet working in PvP should help tankers teaming ability. If those don't set them within the 'acceptable' range, then we'll try something else.

[/ QUOTE ]

what in another 5 months?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep. See you then
Don't worry, I'll still be here

[ QUOTE ]
P.S. To the person who had mention me only having 1 50, yeah and it took me a year to get him there (Last month), and the other toons I play with altits (My PB is my newsest one), and am trying to do as much different content as possible. To me at least, adapting to the new circumstances does take away the dead end, repetitive blues I see people talk about.

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe that was Puretone.

<Looking at my sig>

Yeah, the number of 50s one owns has no bearing on any discussion involving gameplay experience. There are people playing for longer than I with no level 50s, but their experiences are valid nonetheless. Most of the people in this catagory have quite a few alts they juggle, which is why they don't have max level toons.

The only thing constant in MMos, IMHO, is change. You can always count on new content, power changes (for better or worse), changes in players, changes in attitude, etc.

Changes will always happen in MMOs. Not all of them will be good for everyone. You can't please all the people all of the time. However, those who can't accept change, adapt to change, or can't offer constructive criticism on these changes, are usually doomed to dissapointment.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

however, even 5 lvls behind the baddies, i could still pop a couple inspirations and hang in there with the team. obviously i wasn't the pivotal key to the team, but i definitely helped. now, we don't even get credit for the baddies we fight if we choose to be in that situation.

the whole point was to eliminate toons standing around collecting xp for nothing, wasn't it? why not make it so the limit of xp is +5 lvls from the baddies and not the highest teammate?

[/ QUOTE ]

The +3 lvl cap only applies to the mission completion bonus. It has no affect on experience awarded for defeating opponents.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hate repeating myself. Thanks for answering for me.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The costume tokens were also handed out during today's maintenance.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, that should take care of the simpletons who do not see the bigger picture. Kinda like handing out Beer and Cigarettes to prospective voters before going to the polls...

Oy,
-FB

[/ QUOTE ]

That really had nothing to do with the changes yesterday. That was so that people who were using the now disabled /cov command could make costume changes until the new costume features in I7 come out. It wasn't meant to distract people from the real changes.

And let me know which polls serve beer, I would like to vote there next election. I like free beer

[ QUOTE ]
I kind of feel sorry for Masterminds when I do a fly-by KO Blow on them... Then I remember they're evil, evil villains!

[/ QUOTE ]

Kudos, I actually LOL'd when I read this

[ QUOTE ]
So let em get this streight....If i am running with a friend and fighting a +4 villains, at end I will receive no more bonus then I would be running my own mission at relentless?

Really getting tired of changes being made because a select few want to power level. (rant truncated)

[/ QUOTE ]

No no NO. Read Positron's post HERE:

[ QUOTE ]
Just so you all understand...

The change is ONLY for the "end of mission" rewards, not the individual defeats of enemies.

+3 levels was chosen simply because the level range for fair XP sharing during missions is around +3, that and when you are running at the highest difficulty level, +3 enemies will tend to show up.

[/ QUOTE ]

You still get normal mob bonuses. The change only affects end of mission bonuses, because some players would exploit the bonus by dropping their SKs right before the mission ended to earn "mad l00t".

>>>>> Mob XP was NOT changed. <<<<<

Carry on!
/e militarysalute

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Changed To Hit Debuffs to use the 5/10/20 Enhancement progression.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does that mean the NPC now have the new to hit system ( to hit check before level check ? )

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think so, I think we have to wait for I7 to go live before we get that.

[/ QUOTE ]

So the change to To Hit enh schedule, announced last week, made specially for the scaling defense announced months ago, come now in a hurry and we are temporarily nerfed ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, pretty much. However, I doubt they would put this into play unless the next patch compensated for it, if you get me.

[ QUOTE ]
I wish they'd mail me issue 10 already. I can't read past issue 9 until I get 10.

I think it's time to write support again. /sigh

[/ QUOTE ]

You too huh? I have to literally write support every other issue now. I wish I knew why I only get half of my comic books without writing another support request

Perhaps it's time to buy straight from Top Cow

[ QUOTE ]
Does this not seem wrong to you? Even if you ignore the complaints about being locked into the choice, even if you ignore the complaints about the PPPs not fitting the character concepts, there are still legitimate concerns. Frankly, the sets themselves seem half-[censored] compared to what the heroes get.

[/ QUOTE ]

No need for vulgarities. And yes, I now see your point. It's really my mistake for not having the time to thoroughly read the descriptions of the powers (too much work in RL atm )

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[The purpose of these pools is to help fill an AT's shortcommings (brutes get ranged attacks, for example). They don't expand your current powers, but that's the whole point - to give an AT more variety.

Personally, the art is great and the powers are what I was expecting them to be (the villain version of APPs). Can't wait to see what they can do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is every single APP exactly the same as every other APP? If the point is variety, then why all the sameness? Every MM patron pool is exactly the same as every other MM patron pool with different graphics and damage types.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually the APPs are the same in a different way.

With APPs, each AT has a specific APP pool. All the tanks have to choose from the same APPs, all the blasters, etc. Tanks, for example, can choose between 4-5 different APPs, but the powers are more or less similar with minor differences. (some ranged attacks and holds for tanks, for example).

Now, with PPPs, you can choose which Patron from whom you want tutilege. Brutes, for example, can choose between 4 PPPs, but the powers are more or less similar with minor differences. (some ranged attacks and holds for brutes, for example).

Hence, it's pretty much the same for villains as it is heroes, probably for the sake of game balance, especially in PvP.

[ QUOTE ]
I have to admit, I'm very dissapointed in the MM PPPs. Our pets get nothing? No new playmate? No new toys? They do all the work and take all the pain! This is a slap in the face to MMs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just don't understand why people would thing that PPPs and APPs would disimmilar in nature. The purpose of these pools is to help fill an AT's shortcommings (brutes get ranged attacks, for example). They don't expand your current powers, but that's the whole point - to give an AT more variety.

Personally, the art is great and the powers are what I was expecting them to be (the villain version of APPs). Can't wait to see what they can do.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Additionally, this change was mostly aimed at the Bloody Bay and Siren's Call levels where Stalkers are so far above any other AT in Kill Count vs Death Count that it isn't even funny.

[/ QUOTE ]

And why is this? Because all the other villain ATs are subpar compared to stalkers for PvP. Villains burst damage is lousy in PvP except for stalkers. So of course stalkers will have more kills then any other villain AT.

[/ QUOTE ]

Think you misquoted him. He said "any other AT". That includes hero ATs too, right?

[ QUOTE ]
Wait, you accuse me of engaging in a fallacy with pointed URL reference to make your point, then admit that it doesn't fit the fallacy cited? And I'm supposed to be sensationalistic?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was being polite by conceding. Perhaps a more appropriate moniker would be a "spin doctor" or such.

[ QUOTE ]
As has been pointed out by hundreds of intelligent poster here, slotting for diversity is inefficient and sometimes contrary to the true effectiveness of a power.

[/ QUOTE ]

Because "hundred of poster" agree with each other doesn't mean it truly represents everyone who plays the game. I could easily say "hundreds of posters still play and enjoy the game despite the changes that were introduced in I5 and I6" and be equally valid.

The "true effectiveness of a power" is also very subjective, depending on which person or group of people queried. What makes an attack, for example, truly "effective"? Example:

[ QUOTE ]
The same could be true re: Snipe, which can be slotted with EnhDam, EnhAcc, EnhRange, EndRedux, and RechRedux (and maybe InteruptRedux). That's 5-6 different enhamcement types, plenty of enhancements here to use for six slots.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, so I can't 6-slot EnhDam on this. So instead, I think I'll do EnhDam x3, EnhRange x2, and EndRedux x1. This power is still truly effective, IMHO, with these enhancements.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hover, for example, is fine by me IMHO. IIRC, Hover can be slotted with Fly, EndRedux, and EnhDef. You could easily go Fly x3, EnhDef x2 (might be overkill), and EndRedux x1. Slower than Pre-ED? Definitely. Still useful? Yes.

[/ QUOTE ]

This shows right here that you have no idea now ineffective ED is in actuality. It is pointless to waste slots in EndRedux and Defense in Hover.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really what this shows is that, admitedly, I'm no number cruncher, so I don't know what the base is, so the enhancement bonus is still unknown (a percent of an unknown is still an unkown). Please forgive me for not being as knowledgeable as some, but a better argument would be to show (numerically) the bases + bonuses in the Enhancement window (or at least a graphical representation of them, so that you know when you've hit a cap).

Plus, I don't expect to replace a travel power with a combat power. Otherwise, everyone would take 6-slotted Hover over Fly.

[ QUOTE ]
The Global Defense Nerf prior rendered defense in Hover as a moot point. ED is a chimera, you're riding on the conveyor belt going nowhere and slotting just to slot.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll wait till I7 to see what changes are being made to Defense to come to a conclusion on this.

And it's not slotting just to slot; we slot because the game says certain enhancements will work with certain powers. The problem is we don't know the bases or caps to make informed decisions. This is obviosuly less applicable to some powers (such as those that use Schedule A enhancements) than others (that use Schedule D enhancements).

Adjusting powers on a per-power basis, IMHO, is the best solution. But if we bypass ED for one power, what makes that fair? Where is the line drawn? Should Stalkers' Assasin Strike also bypass ED? What about Force Fields? Hurricane? Granite Armor?

[ QUOTE ]
But I think the others here know what point I was trying to make and not being overly-sensitive.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a good thing I don't have to worry about losing stars anymore then

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think you quite got the concept down but thanks for giving it the old college try.

[/ QUOTE ]

Perhaps not a direct strawman, but I guess my point is "YMMV".

Hover, for example, is fine by me IMHO. IIRC, Hover can be slotted with Fly, EndRedux, and EnhDef. You could easily go Fly x3, EnhDef x2 (might be overkill), and EndRedux x1. Slower than Pre-ED? Definitely. Still useful? Yes.

The same could be true re: Snipe, which can be slotted with EnhDam, EnhAcc, EnhRange, EndRedux, and RechRedux (and maybe InteruptRedux). That's 5-6 different enhamcement types, plenty of enhancements here to use for six slots. Not as damaging as Pre-ED? For sure. Still useful? Absolutely.

Could they change base damage? Sure, but I prefer _Castle_ and his team do thorough testing before making any additional changes to mechanics.

As for terms such as "Enhancement Depreciation", that's your opinion of course. Using it as a "matter of fact" in terms of the dev's long-term plans, though, is erronious and, IMHO, a little sensationalist.

YMMV. As a blaster who started post-ED, my mileage is still good.

What was posted:

[ QUOTE ]
Hover is not going to change. It's pretty clear that they are more than happy with Enhancement Depreciation. If a few powers suffer, that's the cost for making the entire game more "balanced".

[/ QUOTE ]

What I read:

[ QUOTE ]
Hover is not going to change. It's pretty clear that they are more than happy with Enhancement Depreciation. If a few powers suffer, that's the cost for making the entire game more "balanced".

[/ QUOTE ]

Invaluable. Added to my favorites for posterity. Thanks for the excellent write-up and guide.

Are you two moving to Auto Assault or something?

Well, whatever the case, I wish you both Good Luck

It's been a pleasure

Are you two moving to Auto Assault or something?

Well, whatever the case, I wish you both Good Luck

It's been a pleasure