Primal_Dark

I always try to pick the servers with the higher populations. When I firsted started to play CoX, my first real MMO, I felt differently and chose Guardian, so I could experience it with a lower population. After getting to 50 there, I realized that I needed a bigger community to keep playing, so I switched to Virtue and joined a new SG.

I think the real key to any new game is finding a guild or SG within the first week or so. You won't be able to replace the community you had here, there simply isn't another MMO that has such a robust and helpful group of people around, but being in a guild or SG really helps. There are a couple on CO and DCUO that cater to CoX refugees if you're looking.

As far as Tera goes, I think they have a good community now, probably because everyone still has to pay and because it's such a unique gameplay experience.

So, after being away from CoX for a few weeks and playing a variety of other MMOs, here are some observations and opinions on some games out there, most of which I bashed just a few weeks ago.

Champions: has a lot of good things going for it, especially customization. The UI is not intuitive however, and if you created a character a while back, it might be best to start over just to get the tutorial for the new features. A lot of the CoX RPers have wound up here and this influx of people seem to have altered the "feel" of the city over the last few weeks. If you're going to go there though, you'll need to read the forums to figure out what's going on with the UI and the level progression. If something seems confusing, just ask the general population and it's a fair bet that it'll get resolved quickly. I just bought a jet there and enjoy using my vehicle to get to missions.

DCUO: Is much more streamlined and the missions are much better put together, with great graphics and voice acting but at the cost of customization. There really aren't a lot of costume options here in the beginning. You pick up gear as you go along that gets put into your "style" slots and you can change what you look like, regardless of your gear, on the fly. The game is an action RPG and the missions are very well put together. I use my xbox controller and enjoy playing along with some of my childhood heroes.

Tera: No one else has thrown this out there yet so I thought I would. This game also uses an xbox controller and relies on an blocking, dodging mechanics. Missions aren't so fleshed out, but it's new and they're adding things. I really like the look of the game and the attacks, defenses are a lot of fun.

Also playing Batman Arkum City (amazing) and the metal gear solid HD pack which will take me weeks to finish

I too was terribly disappointed to hear that the Marvel MMO was a diablo styled game. I simply have no desire to play something like that.

Hope to see ya'll around, and good luck out there.

Before the regen nerf I used to take my BS/regen into the storm palace and other crazy places and just go to town and see what I could get away with.

I played a mix of things, but almost always had this one in my playlist. Seemed appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBjFZq7T0W8

Down the road, when I IO'd my first character, a fire/Shield Scrapper, I used these songs pretty consistently in my playlists during epic battles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxwJjOpNamI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM_c_avPlx4

Thanks for the builds. I dabbled in stalkers when CoV was released but didn't get into them very much. Since I returned to CoX a couple months ago, I happened upon the stalker Pylon thread and thought I'd give them another try.

The stalker ATO proc made a significant difference in gameplay, combined with raising the stalker HP cap and other great changes with the AT. I leveled my first stalker, EM/Ninj to 50 and had a great time with it, then made 4 others and have been cycling through them to 50. I think my DB/EA stalker is my favorite, and I never would have chosen that combo had it not been for all of you on the boards .

Thanks for all the hard work and I hope to see all of you in other games.

Spent the last two days playing DCUO and CO, hoping something had changed since I played them last. Unfortunately, for me, they're still lacking. Might give the Secret World a try. I honestly just can't go back to hack and slash games with shields and swords. It's been done to death.

For those still looking for home. You might enjoy CO if all you want is PvE, decent combat and an amazing character generator (have to sub to get many of the options). The community seems nice there as well. Kind of confusing to navigate the F2P vs Silver membership. It will probably be easier to just sub.

DCUO is more polished with both graphics and fighting but very limited with powersets and costume options. Once you get to endgame (takes a day or two) all you do is grind for end game gear. The social UI is probably the worst I've ever seen.

Anyway, hope everyone finds a good home. I really think I may just play CoX until the final bugle sounds and call it quits for MMOs. I just don't see how I can top this.

P.S. you can turn off the annoying shader in CO in the advanced graphic options if you don't like them. Turning them off makes characters look much better in my opinion.

Turning "14" and getting fly on my first character back in 2004. I think I spent a few days just flying around the various zones. I actually felt like a hero.

A close second would be playing my Fire/Energy blaster on the old Shadowhunter map with my invuln tank buddy. He would get every wolf on the map and then I would inferno and kill everything dead in an instant.

Maybe they'll give you credit towards another wonderful NCSOFT game.

I've played CO and DCUO, both are a drag. Though they may have superior graphics, their costume creators are boring and their content is terrible. I really thought DCUO would be the City of Heroes killer, but after playing it a week to level 30 I realized it involved the same exact endgame content, played day after day to get armor that I didn't really want. Guess the WoW recipe didn't work so well.

Along with having one of the best crafting systems in MMO history (I mean cmon, I spent entire days at work trying to figure out cool new things to do with IOs) it was also very lucrative with the online shop. I just can't see this being a money issue, must be licensing.

City of Heroes is still, after over 8 years, one of the top 5 rated games on MMORPG.com It's got a loyal fan base, an active community and plenty of life left for content. Guess I'm just a little boggled by all this, especially since it seemed things were going so well.

Energy transfer and dual blades' thousand cuts. I'd pay money for those changes. Dual blades is such a great set outside its tier 9. Ice and granite changes would be nice too.

Right now I've got a Kinetic/Ice and a Ninja Blade/Ninjitsu that I'm playing most often. I was a little hesitant to create the Kinetic stalker since it was difficult to find a theme that would match the primary, but once I actually started playing him it was a blast. I used the forum macro that allows you suppress the ice effects and made them a deep purple so that others wouldn't see much of it either.

Street fighting also has amazing sounds. I really feel like I'm beating the crap out of someone when I play it. I agree that sounds are a vital part of immersion. Only recent set that I've been disappointed with was Titan Weapons. Wish it had more umph.

I haven't played a stalker in a while, even though I love the dynamic of criticals while hidden and the general more deliberate playstyle required for the AT. With the new changes I decided to give it a go and was very impressed with the results. Not only has the damage improved, but the ATO proc really is a game changer!! Great idea devs. I've since made 3 other stalkers and alternate between them to try and see which I'm going to take the finish line. They've become my new favorite AT. For someone who's just coming back after a couple year hiatus the general state of the game is very good and I look forward to other things in the pipeline.

I honestly think that energy melee was nerfed due to PvP and the fact that it was ported to stalkers. Castle himself said the change was due in part to the fact that people were getting laughed at for choosing other sets in PvP. For stalkers, where many AOE powers were removed, Energy Melee was truly dominant in its single target damage. No One ever argued about its dominance among tankers and brutes in PvE, since other sets far out shined it in overall game play.

The change to energy transfer was truly disfiguring to the set. Though it may have been necessary for balance issues, the resulting horrid animation and long cast times of its heavy hitters made it feel wrong to me and I haven't played it since. You can argue all you want that it's designed to take down "hard" targets but everyone knows that others sets do the job better and faster. Now that there are mechanics to make powers different in PvP and PvE I think it should get looked at again. I would much rather have a shorter animation and a larger chuck of health removed than be a corpse smasher on a team in PvE. Do whatever you want with it in PvP since no one I know plays it anyway. I'm sure it's far down on the devs list of stuff to look at though and it's probably just wishful thinking.

Made a couple tweeks. With hasten up you should be able to use the top chain. This build will require the gladiator's armor proc though, which is insanely expensive at the moment. I used the second attack chain for the longest time until I was able to upgrade. Hope this helps.

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.707
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Technology Scrapper
Primary Power Set: Fiery Melee
Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Blaze Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fire Sword -- Mako-Dam%(A), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(11), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Mako-Acc/Dmg(46), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(46), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 1: Deflection -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(3), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(5), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(5)
Level 2: Battle Agility -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), LkGmblr-Def(3), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx(11), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(45)
Level 4: True Grit -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(17)
Level 6: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(7), RechRdx-I(7)
Level 8: Build Up -- GSFC-Build%(A), GSFC-ToHit(9), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx(9), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg(13), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(13), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx(17)
Level 10: Active Defense -- HO:Membr(A)
Level 12: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 14: Super Speed -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(15), Zephyr-ResKB(15)
Level 16: Boxing -- Amaze-EndRdx/Stun(A), Amaze-Stun(25), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(34), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(39), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(48)
Level 18: Fire Sword Circle -- Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Oblit-Dmg(19), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(19), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(21), Oblit-%Dam(21), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 20: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A), Mrcl-Rcvry+(43)
Level 22: Stamina -- P'Shift-End%(A), P'Shift-EndMod(23), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(23), P'Shift-EndMod/Rchg(34), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(39), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(39)
Level 24: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A), Zephyr-Travel(25), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(27), Zephyr-ResKB(27)
Level 26: Tough -- HO:Ribo(A), HO:Ribo(40), GA-3defTpProc(40)
Level 28: Weave -- HO:Enzym(A), LkGmblr-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(29), LkGmblr-Def/Rchg(29), LkGmblr-Def(42)
Level 30: Incinerate -- T'Death-Dam%(A), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), T'Death-Acc/Dmg(31), T'Death-Dmg/EndRdx(31), T'Death-Dmg/Rchg(40), T'Death-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43)
Level 32: Greater Fire Sword -- Hectmb-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Hectmb-Dmg(33), Hectmb-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Dmg/Rchg(33), Hectmb-Acc/Rchg(34)
Level 35: Shield Charge -- Armgdn-Dmg(A), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Acc/Rchg(36), Armgdn-Dmg/EndRdx(37), Armgdn-Dam%(37)
Level 38: Phalanx Fighting -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 41: Char -- UbrkCons-Hold(A), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(42), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(42), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(43), UbrkCons-EndRdx/Hold(45)
Level 44: Cremate -- Mako-Dam%(A), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(45), Mako-Acc/Dmg(48), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(50), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(50), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 47: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Grant Cover -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Critical Hit
Level 6: Ninja Run
------------
Set Bonuses:
Mako's Bite
(Fire Sword)

• MezResist(Immobilize) 3.3%
• 20.1 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
• 3% DamageBuff(All)
• MezResist(Held) 3.3%
• 3.75% Defense(Ranged), 1.88% Defense(Energy), 1.88% Defense(Negative)

Luck of the Gambler
(Deflection)

• 10% (0.56 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 15.1 HP (1.12%) HitPoints
• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

Steadfast Protection
(Deflection)

• 3% Defense(All)

Luck of the Gambler
(Battle Agility)

• 10% (0.56 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 15.1 HP (1.12%) HitPoints
• 9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

Gaussian's Synchronized Fire-Control
(Build Up)

• 5% JumpSpeed, 5% JumpHeight, 5% FlySpeed, 5% RunSpeed
• 25.1 HP (1.87%) HitPoints
• 2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
• 2.5% DamageBuff(All)
• 2.5% Defense(Melee), 1.25% Defense(Lethal), 1.25% Defense(Smashing), 2.5% Defense(Ranged), 1.25% Defense(Energy), 1.25% Defense(Negative), 2.5% Defense(AoE), 1.25% Defense(Fire), 1.25% Defense(Cold)

Blessing of the Zephyr
(Super Speed)

• 1.25% Defense(Ranged), 0.63% Defense(Energy), 0.63% Defense(Negative)
• 1.88% Defense(AoE), 0.94% Defense(Fire), 0.94% Defense(Cold)
• Knockback Protection (Mag -4)

Absolute Amazement
(Boxing)

• 4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
• 2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
• 15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

Obliteration
(Fire Sword Circle)

• MezResist(Stun) 2.2%
• 3% DamageBuff(All)
• 9% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 3.75% Defense(Melee), 1.88% Defense(Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Smashing)

Performance Shifter
(Stamina)

• 5% JumpSpeed, 5% JumpHeight, 5% FlySpeed, 5% RunSpeed
• 25.1 HP (1.87%) HitPoints
• 2.5% (0.04 End/sec) Recovery
• 2.5% DamageBuff(All)
• 3.13% Defense(AoE), 1.56% Defense(Fire), 1.56% Defense(Cold)

Luck of the Gambler
(Combat Jumping)

• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

Blessing of the Zephyr
(Combat Jumping)

• 1.25% Defense(Ranged), 0.63% Defense(Energy), 0.63% Defense(Negative)
• 1.88% Defense(AoE), 0.94% Defense(Fire), 0.94% Defense(Cold)
• Knockback Protection (Mag -4)

Gladiator's Armor
(Tough)

• 3% Defense(All)

Luck of the Gambler
(Weave)

• 10% (0.56 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 15.1 HP (1.12%) HitPoints

Touch of Death
(Incinerate)

• MezResist(Immobilize) 2.75%
• 20.1 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
• 2.5% DamageBuff(All)
• MezResist(Held) 2.75%
• 3.75% Defense(Melee), 1.88% Defense(Lethal), 1.88% Defense(Smashing)

Hecatomb
(Greater Fire Sword)

• 4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
• 2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
• 15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

Armageddon
(Shield Charge)

• 4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
• 2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
• 15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 5% Resistance(Toxic)

Luck of the Gambler
(Phalanx Fighting)

• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

Unbreakable Constraint
(Char)

• 4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
• 2.52% Resistance(Fire,Cold)
• 15% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 10% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

Mako's Bite
(Cremate)

• MezResist(Immobilize) 3.3%
• 20.1 HP (1.5%) HitPoints
• 3% DamageBuff(All)
• MezResist(Held) 3.3%
• 3.75% Defense(Ranged), 1.88% Defense(Energy), 1.88% Defense(Negative)

Luck of the Gambler
(Grant Cover)

• 7.5% Enhancement(RechargeTime)

With IO'd out scrappers and brutes there's not reason to play a tank for me. I think the real problem is the way defense works and the ease with which a multiple Scrapper/Brute secondary's can reach it's cap in one way or another. As much as I disliked the zephyr nerf it was a step in the right direction. It might even be necessary to lower the defense cap for scrappers and brutes to 40 so that there's a bit more fear when facing enemies. I would hate this as well, since the majority of my characters are defense based, but at least other, non defense sets would shine a bit more. I don't think there is anything wrong with the majority of them in their current form, they're just substandard when compared with IO'd out defense builds.

Not sure what inherent you could give to tanks to make them shine against other AT's that do the job just as well. You can talk about major hitpoints and resistance, but with defense, it's really just not necessary.

For Fiery Aura you could honestly just change a couple powers and make the set shine against it's peers. Change consume to be Auto Hit with a small Defense buff/debuff or resis debuff built in and reduce the timer. Reduce the timer on Fiery Embrace and fix burn to make it useful again.

Completely agree with Energy melee. Set is the laughing stock it was nerfed for nowadays.

Never played energy aura so I couldn't tell you.

I doubt any of this will happen until after GR goes live. I imagine that's why the devs have been quiet for a while. Looking forward to some new content and know that they have their priorities.

I too miss the fast pace feel of the old energy set. That, more than anything else, has made me stop playing my energy characters. I acknowledge that energy was overpowered in PvP and that it was the better than other stalker sets simply because nearly all of the primaries were reworked to focus on single target damage. However, now that there is the capability to separate PvE and PvP why not change it back? I don't think Energy was ever "overpowered" as far as tanks and brutes go in PvE. In fact, it was and still lags behind many of the other primaries due to its dismal AOE capability. I think the change was all the more brutal since such a small percentage of people actually PvP in this game.

I'm not gonna hold my breath for anything to be done with energy. Once a set gets a visit from the "great idea" fairies it's rarely changed back, especially when they believe the changes to be a success.

I know there was a recent change that allowed dual blades characters to equip two vanguard broadswords, but did that change open up all rularru weapons as well? Can a dual blades scrapper now use the rularru katana and broadsword if they have the badge?

I like the core animations for Dual Pistols, even though they are a bit over the top and slightly over the edge of my character concepts. The one thing I really hate is the twirling. For the love of all that's holy, stop twirling the fracking pistols!!! He twirls them when they come out, before they fire, when he's done firing.... I often wonder exactly how much time my character spends just spinning his pistols. Take out the (excessive) twirling and buff the damage and Dual Pistols for me = fixed.