Omega Shockwave

I have no idea why I called it "Western" time instead of "Pacific". Lol. Corrected above.

Can someone post the following up to the Guardian Facebook page? Thanks!

Hi all,

I've decided that I'd like to spend my final moments of this game on one last Rikti Mothership Raid.

The goal for this is for the servers to shut down BEFORE the shields come back up. So to time this right, we won't begin destroying the pylons until we are down to the last 30 minutes left of the game.

That way we can all go down doing what we do best... kill Rikti. Or be heroic. Or just being flat out awesome. Or lying there dead on the floor (if that's your thing).

I also think it would be cool for those that are still around to just gather up at the end (before that final raid) and share our favorite memories of City of Heroes with our fellow heroes and villains. I know Guardian can be quite chatty at time (see Guardian Round Table) so I'm sure people will have lots to say in our farewells to each other.

So, here's the proposed schedule:

If you are on EASTERN time...
Midnight (11:59pm), Nov. 30th: Gather in the Rikti War Zone at Point du Hoc. Hang out and share your CoH memories with players.
2:30 am, Dec. 1st: (no, the game will not have ended yet for you) We begin with the pylons for the mothership raid.

If you are on PACIFIC time...
9:00 pm, Nov. 30th: Gather in the Rikti War Zone at Point du Hoc. Hang out and share your CoH memories with players.
11:30 pm, Nov. 30th: We begin with the pylons for the mothership raid.


Thank You's:
I didn't want to address this until it was getting close to the end, because I didn't want to have other people give up because they saw this as a sign of me giving up (I didn't by the way), but it's pretty obvious we haven't managed to save the game. So if you aren't able to be there on the last day, I wanted to let you all know that gaming-wise, these last few years have by far been the best I've ever experienced in a game. It's been quite a journey, especially the last two years, during which time I had grown from a hero who mostly kept to himself and a few people that I personally knew that played, into one of Guardian's leading voices.

Many of you have come to know me as Omega Shockwave, Omega, the "real" Omega, that guy that has quite a few level 50(+3) incarnate characters, or my personal favorite "hey, invite me". What's funny, is that I didn't go by that global until about 2 years ago. It was around that time that as a server we were really struggling with completing the Cathedral of Pain trial. (before incarnate powers and shifts it was rather challenging and required very good team balance and precision). It was then that I realized people were going to start recognizing me, so I should pick a better global name. Thus, Omega Shockwave was born.

As a server we became really good at taking down the Cathedral of Pain. Then came the Incarnate Trials. I wasn't the first to take on leadership with those having just recently stepped aside from leading the CoPs, but wow, once I started with them there was no turning back. I'll end up falling a few dozen shy of having lead 2500 successful itrials (when you put about 50 characters all the way through the incarnate system you need a spreadsheet to be efficient with it, so yes, it was tracked in detail), but that's ok. I know that I was able to help a lot of people over the last 18 months trick out their incarnates and help them experience some of the toughest content the game had to offer. And outside of masters' runs, I can't recall a time during which someone was turned away because their character didn't match up well for a particular trial. There were probably too many times that less than half the league had done a particular trial, or that we ran something very shorthanded, but we still we're able to complete about 99% of those attempts.

There are a few people that I want to thank individually either for challenging me to be a better player/leader or for just being there for me.

@Shard Guardian, @Boombastic, @Crimson Cipher, @Black Knightstar, @Azure Lighstar, @Echoes of Darkness, and @Mantis Claw:
You guys were the ones who I first experienced this game with. We've spent many hours together in game, out of game, at each others' weddings (3 of them so far!). Even as we've drifted apart to other games, I'm glad that we've stayed friends throughout.

@Bloodbath:
I'm not an easily impressed person. You were the first to achieve that honor in City of Heroes. It seemed like every character you touched turned into gold. I aspired to become a better player because of you.

@Vixen Healer:
I think you were the first person to actively try to get me to grow into a larger role. You helped me understand that even though I wasn't there since the beginning of the game that if I provided a good example and communicated well with the players of the server that I could turn into the leader that I've been for the last few years. I also want to thank you for selecting me as one of the moderators of the Level 50 channel. I know you guys do your homework to make sure someone level-headed takes one of those positions. I hope I turned out to be what you expected. Or maybe you just wanted to ditch that responsibility onto me before you left? Who knows.

The first MoLambda (pre-Marauder nerfing) and first MoKeyes teams:
I'll team with the players that were on these teams ANYTIME. The attempts for these two MO runs were simultaneously some of the most frustrating (lag, caught by the green spots, d/c's; sometimes all 3 happened to Nephila at once, lol) and rewarding times I went through while playing this game. Special thanks for Armeros for so diligently letting us know which terminal we were on and how much of it was filled up. Also to Ullikummis for eating all of the cookies to make sure no Anti-Matter flies came around. And no, I have no idea how I kept composure for so long on the Ventrillo servers.

@Dark Energon:
As one my fellow dedicated badgers, it sure seems like we've known each other in game forever. It was good having you around to bounce strategies off of to check as to whether a plan was sound. You were always one of my 'rock's of the team.

@Alushya:
You remind me of Bloodbath, and now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure the two of you used to team together a lot in the past. You were definitely a firecracker in this game. I'm glad that I had friends like you that could put my mind at ease because I knew I could rely on you to do your part... and then some.

@Kragothe:
Krag, you were the first person on Guardian other than me who seemed to be able to handle leading itrials without burning out after a couple of weeks. Your attention to detail and the inner workings of the game has always thoroughly impressed me. You too, always seemed to make characters that "fail to suck". Thank you for being there to help take some of the burden off my shoulders during the "Great Age of I-Trials" and helping me stay sane as I worked on the visual guides for ParagonWiki, and later on getting the Guardian Round Table planned. You always wanted to keep pushing the envelope with what was possible in this game. You helped elevate others that were around you. You're an inspiration. (probably an Ultimate, )

@Strifefox and @Dragons Lair:
Some may not believe this, but these two didn't like me very much at first. True story, lol. But we come a long way since that first meeting, and become good friends with each other over the course of the last year, sharing many laughs over Skype (along with Krag). I think a certain UG trial and PL'ing weekend were among the funniest skype moments. What happens in AE... stays in AE, lol.

and many more:
If I...
ever teamed with you,
ever learned something from you,
was helped by you,

Thank you!

Note: I'm not sure where I'll end up yet as far as other games (haven't found anything that's a winner yet), but I'll probably use the Omega Shockwave handle or something similar to it for whatever route I choose to go.

A Guardianite forever,
Omega

I'm potentially still involved in another group event at the time that this is scheduled, but if I can swing it, I'll transfer something to help out with this as well. (would be a +3 sonic/thermal corruptor)

I'd much rather see this server pull it off on their home server than need to transfer to get it.

I just love it when people get on soapboxes. I laugh even harder when they continue to spout drivel on said soapboxes.

Ok, first off, I'm not a fan of the "a-hole" type recruitment methods. However, if you are going to be an a-hole, you need to be spot on with the reasons in which you support what you are telling people to bring.

"Loose" plan for Saturday.

Trial #1: Underground - Attempt to get ALL badges, unless entire league does not want to go for Preservation Specialist (destroy all bombs) badge. This will probably be only attempt for that specific badge.
Trial #2: Underground #2 - Cleanup of any missed badges.
Trial #3: Magisterium - Attempt for Triple Threat (3 AV's in 5 sec of each other), and The Hard Way.
Trial #4: Magisterium #2 - Attempt for Ready to Rumble (Defeat Black Swan within 8 minutes of beginning the trial), and the Hard Way.
Trial #5: Magisterium #3 - Cleanup of any missed badges.

<probably a good time to break for food>

Depending what we have leftover after the break...

16 players or less:
Trial #6a: Minds of Mayhem - All badges but the Nightmares (open to farm that once this starts winding down, but not going to dedicate time to it while the lead is still really strong).
Trial #7a: Dilemma Diabolique - All badges
Trials #8-10a: Lambda Sector - All badges

17 or more players:
Trial #6b: TPN Campus - All badges
Trial #7b: Keyes Island Reactor - All badges
Trial #8b: Behavioral Adjustment Facility - Strong & Pretty
Trial #9b: Behavioral Adjustment Facility #2 - Gotta Keep 'Em Separated

I'll keep going as long as there is still adequate interest (within reason, can't guarantee I'll still be doing them at 3am in the morning )

I'll cover strategy when we begin since most will miss this thread anyway.

FYI... expanded the event a bit. Info up at the top in the original post. I'll have a loose itinerary/strategy plan posted by tomorrow night.

T-minus 5 days to the MO's. The group is looking pretty darn good at the moment. Anyone want to reach out to Armeros for this? Just realized he's not in this yet.

Who said anything about these being the last?

Also, sometime... (not sure when yet) I'd like to put together a blueside (Hero's & Vigilantes) <GASP!!!!> Cathedral of Pain.

Yes, I know. These are weird times.

Please use the thread linked to below for signing up for the 10/6 MO attempts.
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=297578

First items of unfinished business... I've still got another Master of Underground to lead and there are several others I'd like to help achieve Master of Magisterium.

On Saturday, October 6th at noon (Eastern Time) I'll be forming a league to tackle both Master of Underground and Master of Magisterium. Hopefully 2 weeks is enough notice for people. Please try to be there on time. We'll start with MoUG.


*******************************
UPDATE: Since the recent announcement by NCSoft that all avenues were exhausted regarding selling or licensing CoH, AND since we've got such a great roster forming up here, I'd like to extend this event and make it sort of a last 'large group' hurrah. For some of us, this may be the last time we ever play the game.

So, pending there is enough interest... after the MoMagi stuff is all done, we'll run some TPN's, MoM's, DD's, other incarnate MO's, etc.
*******************************


If you'd like a spot saved for you, please reply to this or send a tell to @Omega Shockwave. Please let me know what you are bringing (archetype, pri/sec, level shifts).

For both trials:

• I'd really like people to be connected to Ventrillo for these. It helps a ton with the communication for difficult "turn on a dime" type tasks. Even if you don't have a microphone it helps to have you tuned into the voice communication.
  http://www.instantventrilo.com/download-ventrilo.php
• I really need people to pay attention to and follow instructions during this. The last time didn't go so well because of failure to do this. Please don't make me single anyone out over this.
• I also need people to bring their 'A' game. This doesn't necessarily mean a +3 with all the bells and whistles. I'm looking for players that have done their homework on the trials and have a good understanding of what will be happening. Also, being present during critical times of these runs, such as the 250 IDF when going for Ready To Rumble.

For MoUnderground (MoUG):

• If people need the Preservation Specialist (disarming all bombs) badge we'll go for it. If not, we'll skip it and save some time.
• I'm looking for a few people that are good with spotting the Detonation Seedling to help get the Avatar Assassin badge.

For MoMagisterium (MoMagi):

• We'll make attempts for all of the badges required for the Master's badge as long as we have a league capable of doing so.
• This will include attempts at The Hard Way (defeating Tyrant without closing more than 12 Lights of the Well). Unless we start absolutely crushing The Hard Way badge, any effort to convince me to try for The Really Hard Way (closing NO lights) will be futile.
• Note #1: Be prepared to purchase Ultimate (+1 level shift) inspirations for this. You can buy them at the black market/wentworth's or from Astral Christy in Ouroboros for 2 astrals each.
• Note #2: For the Hard Way/Really Hard Way it is necessary to debuff Tyrant's damage resistance. Group damage/recharge buffs will also help. Scourge from corruptors is VERY valuable since he regenerates faster the lower his HP goes.

Signup List:
Team 1:
1) @Omega Shockwave (+3, able to bring just about anything)
2) Psychic Guardian
3) @Ninus (Bots/Dark mastermind)
4) @Slacker
5) @Ullikummis
6) @Lady Bellicose
7) @Capa Devans (DB stalker)
8) @Mad Skills (Emp/Rad defender)

Team 2:
1) @Rekatrednu
2) Gypsy Witch (blaster)
3) @Dragons Lair (Ruthia Dascht - +3 Energy/Cold Dom corruptor)
4) @Strife Fox***
5) @Dark Energon (Nephila - +3 Crab Spider)
6) @Ariel (+3 Blaster)
7) @Kragothe (whatever is needed)
8) @Vixen Healer (+3 empathy defender)

Team 3:
1) @Armeros
2) @Paish
3) @Coonie
4) @Dash no Chris
5)
6)
7) TEMPORARILY HELD (Alushya)
8) TEMPORARILY HELD (Willow)

May show up sometime later:
@Nezz

If anyone is planning on putting together another attempt at the Really Hard Way would you be kind enough to send me a tell or a private message in the forums?

@Omega Shockwave

Thanks!

If anyone is planning on putting together another attempt at the Really Hard Way would you be kind enough to send me a tell or a private message in the forums?

@Omega Shockwave

Thanks!

If anyone is planning on putting together another attempt at the Really Hard Way would you be kind enough to send me a tell or a private message in the forums?

@Omega Shockwave

Thanks!

I'll be joining you guys as a transfer from Guardian. Character name is Princess Scarletta (should be able to get same name after transfer).

See you guys tomorrow.

Due to the rally, we're going to try forming up for MoMagi at 8pm EST.

Thank you to the few that showed up for this. We never could get off the ground.

I'll try again tomorrow.

Hello Triumph Server,

I'm @Omega Shockwave from Guardian. I'm still missing this badge on my main toon as well. I'd like to join in to help make this possible too. I've still got a few server transfers left, so I could bring my main and another debuffer of your choice if needed.

I'm trying to organize this for Guardian as well on Friday at 7pm EST and Saturday (MoUG first, then onto MoMagi & TRHW) starting at 2pm EST.

I'll be available to help you guys regardless of our success with this.

-Omega Shockwave

Any advice on getting the RHW? I'm having a hard time getting players ready to make a serious attempt at it.

Hi all,

Sorry for the late notice of this, but I'd rather not wait much longer on these.

Tomorrow night (Thursday, Sept 6th), sometime after 6pm EST, I'll be gathering people who are interested in getting the Master's of Magisterium Badges. Thursday will mostly be a practice session to get us used to avoiding Tyrant's lightning consistently. We won't be using Ultimates for the practice, but it is really important that you be there to get in shape for the real deal.

Friday, we'll prep as if we are doing the MO. We'll do one test and then see if we can go for it. If not, we'll keep practicing. We'll start Friday at 7:30pm EST.

Saturday, we'll start up at 2:00pm EST. To mix things up and get people some astrals to use for Ultimates, we'll run a MoUG to start up. (I promised a certain someone I'd run one... and dammit, they're not going to make a liar out of me!) Hopefully we can get that done in 1 shot. 2 at the most. Then we start up with MoMagi stuff again.

I'm open to ideas on this and I apologize for the lack of organization on this. I was just guaging interest in this and there's enough for me to give it a good shot for you guys.

We'll be using vent again. I think that'll work best.

I'll take care of more of this tomorrow when I'm online again. If you see people that will be serious about doing this and would be interested, please let them know.

Heroes don't die. Their legends live forever.
-Omega

I can reassure you that I am not "off". I'm still here and will be here fighting for us until the bitter end. (more to come once I'm done collecting last minute badges).

lol. I'm still a badger.

I guess I'll be there then, lol. It's good to be back.

Ok. That's the end of the summary. That's all that was really discussed, lol.

Update: I'm a little behind with getting the popmenu created for incarnate trials. The rest of this ate up most of my free time this week. I'll try to have something done for this within the next week.

Special Projects/Topics:

Mentoring Project (Life After DFB):

No one volunteered to own this at the meeting, so for now I'll take ownership of this project. Only a few ideas for this project were discussed at the meeting. More info about how this will be set up will come out later. The main point for now was to gather volunteers to start getting this planned out and put into action.

Some of the discussed Ideas/Goals:

• Teach about enhancements (slotting advice, Enhancement Diversification, where/how to get them and sell them)
• This project is NOT about Power-leveling
• Exploration badge hunting
• GM hunts
• Accolade help

Here are the people that volunteered to help out. We can definitely take in more volunteers though. If you'd like to volunteer, please send a tell or in-game email to @Omega Shockwave. I'll be reaching out to this group soon.

Life After DFB volunteers:
@Dark Energon
@Dragons Lair
@Frogblast
@Harbinger of Fire
@Infernal Disturbance
@K26dp
@Kragothe
@Kylon
@LadyWillow
@Omega Shockwave
@Rock Flash
@Seamus O'Don

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Focus on Leadership:

How to be a good leader:

• Take time to learn the event/TF/Trial
• Set clear expectations beforehand
• Guide players that are lost/slow to catch on
• Show initiative
• Set a good example; Be a role model
• Help out those interested in learning to effectively lead
• Respect as a leader is earned, not given (this is different than players respecting other players)
• Understanding that the team succeeds or fails together. It's not about 1 person.
• Always keep a cool head and be fair with both the team and individual players.
• Try to handle confrontations privately.
• Accurately identify skill level/ability.
• Able to make necessary adjustments.
• Communicate directions well and in a timely manner.
• Be able to delegate tasks
• Let others lead when you are not, without stepping in on their toes. It's ok to offer help, but it's their show.

Why don't some people lead?

• Some don't feel like leading or are not motivated to lead.
• Some don't know what they are doing well enough (lack of confidence/knowledge/experience).
• Players belittling/mocking/berating them for mistakes (publicly & via tells)
• When they have in the past, there was too much back-seat driving or other players have tried to just take over
• Don't like dealing with players who refuse to listen or play with their chat window closed.
• Some have a hard time attracting players because of lack of reputation.
• Some players get distracted easily.
• Some players type very poorly/slow.
• Some are intimidated about living up to the example of some of the prominent leaders.
• They don't want to lead if they aren't sure it will pass.
• Some are not good with handling players that are new/clueless about the event.
• Some have lead and have had their event be griefed in the past.
• Some are burned out from leading too much.
• Some players will, but are a bit resistant to it. Some players just need a push to get going.
• Sometimes the role your character is playing makes it difficult to lead and effectively play at the same time.
• Some players are better at helping in other ways (eg. recruiting)