Rodoan

Not sure if this is the kind of thing you are after, David, but the old knee level split in the pants allowed for variations that we do not have now using current patterns. Had to do with the stretching and location. Was wondering if that compressed pattern, possibly even with the split pattern could be re-established. Here an example of the pants-baggy-stripe 3 pattern, current on left, old on right (at the time 5 years ago, I was trying to find a way to simulate chaps):



There also used to be a star pattern, identical to the boot "star" pattern below, that you could get on the lower half of the pants.

The first 19 levels I won't skip, because that's my opportunity to slot endurance reduction. After that, it depends on what power I picked up last. Just last night, for example, I got Shield Charge, and found it so useful, I trained as soon as possible to make it more effective. If its a little used or mediocre power, I'll wait.

Hey, welcome back! You're like, 2 hours south of me. Suddenly finding players all over the South. I'm thinking the devs should've looked harder at going to DragonCon.

Freedom's my second home. Feel free to ask for help if you see tanks Superfortress or Charles Ton. I've recently been playing Charles Ton nearly as much as my Virtue characters.

I'd buy an annual expansion, however, I would be concerned more about the potential newcomers rather than the veterans. Stack too many paid expansions, and the potential players see a massive cost up front to have any chance to truly participate. In comparison, we've been chipping at the cost for years.

I think CoH did it right the first time by creating a whole new game, CoV, allowing the new players to buy either one and have a complete game. Eventually, the merger benefitted all. I'm not certain how that "new game" concept could be done year after year, but it would allow for gradual adaptation by newcomers.

As to what I'd expect in a paid expansion? multiple new zones, at least one new powerset, graphics/audio upgrades, and definitely more endgame content. In addition, I'd personally like to see each expansion focus on a hero group and/or a villain group that has previously only been talked about. The Midnight Squad is the perfect example of how it could be done. Why not give the in-depth treatment to the Regulators, for instance?

welcome aboard! I've been both a casual WoW player (until a few months back) and a CoH player. The information the others have given so far has been spot-on, but I'd like to make a few additional remarks.

1. Raiding. As stated, currently there are 2 raids and the strike force/task force/ trials in game. The task forces are a bit like Dungeons in your former game, though some of these, like the Statesman Task Force really do feel like a raid at points, especially the ending strategies.

2. Additional endgame material: The coming expansion, Going Rogue, will present a sneak peak of sorts for a new end-game system to be fully introduced in Issue 19 (issue=free expansion) which is intended to roll out later this year. That said, Shadowclone is right, the game at the moment focuses on the journey to level 50. So pace yourself and enjoy, rather than make the mistake others made racing to 50 and then wondering what to do.

3. Additional endgame material, part II: Once you are at 50, its not an end. First, there is the Mission Architect system: a "virtual" system where players design stories and missions to be played by other players. You can access it while you advance in the game. Some use this for leveling, some use it for increased challenged. Some just like to create for it. Its very flexible.

4. Oroboros: Also at some point after level 25, you'll be exposed to time travel and gain the Oroboros "secret". Amongst many other things, Oroboros allows you to "time travel" back to younger levels and do the storylines and missions you advanced beyond. (unlike your former game, which just grays a quest, our missions can become too "simple" for your powerful character, and therefore not offered unless you use the Oroboros system) This can be done at level 50 as well, and some, like the legendary "rescue the fortuneteller" mission grant badges.

5. Badges: even at 50 you'll still be collecting badges. Some players focus on this gaining names like "badgers". Its a bit like the achievement program in your former game, but some combinations of badges grant special rewards, like minor power effects (see "Atlas badge" in the paragon wiki) or consumable weapons like gas grenades, earned by combined Day Job badges.

6. Day Jobs: In other games, you log out at an inn or major city to earn a resting bonus. In our game, we've got Day Jobs. Similar to an inn, if you stay at a police station on the blue (hero) side, for example, you'll gain a bonus for a time to XP. But that is just a start. There are many, many locations to log out to get some special effect: city hall, hospitals, tailor/facemaker, stores, etc. For example: stay in the Wentworths consignment house or Black Market (our version of an auction house) to earn a special teleport to the consignment locations. And the beauty is that after you earn the badge for each location, they can be combined with other locations to earn additions temporary items (see the "gas grenade" comment earlier).

7. Travel: Speaking of the Wentworth's teleporter, let me comment on travel. You are familiar with long travel over great distances by flying creatures, either from flight points, or by your own mounts. Here, the hero earns or buys (temporary) his own travel powers (equivalent to mounts) or can take one of many other means of travel. Some of these include the elevated train systems in Paragon city, boat travel in the Rogue Islands, the Wentworth teleporter, Oroboros teleporter, Ritki War Zone portals, Pocket D teleporter/doors, etc. Many of these are earned as you increase in rank. It can be a bit tricky to learn them all at first, but once you grasp how they work, movement across the entire city or across the islands will be much, much faster than to what you are accustomed. Travel can even be used as a weapon. Earth tanks, for example, like to teleport into the midst of a pack of enemies as a opening move.

8. Mail. Recent developments allow us to mail a limited number of items to ourselves. You'll use your global name to do that (like @super_guy). Although fewer items than you may be accustomed to, there is a very nice feature in that you can access your mail from anywhere, removing the need for a mailbox. Some have used this to mail themselves spare inspirations, like the "rez" inspirations, to have handy if needed in combat.

Theres lots more to say, but I will conclude by seconding the motion by Quinch in his first post that you tie yourself to the Mentor Project. Its a great way to get up and running.

See you in the City!

Ninja for me, since I use the run constantly, and the costume pieces fairly regularly.

Science probably second. The thing has more goggles than a WoW gnome, though I find less use in the other costume parts. The special tailor is great too.

Magic booster I have a love-hate relationship with. Love many of the costume parts (my top blaster wears a zoot suit from the parts), hate the tarot cards. Its not that they exist that is the problem, its that I'm expected by too many teams to take them or give them. Part of my (very limited) RP styling is that I make nearly all my characters technological origin or natural origin. Very few mutant or science and never magic. I prefer never using the cards and just pretending they're not there. Unfortunately, I seem to keep finding pugs that insist everyone exchange cards before going into a mission. I'd turn down the cards too, but that just wastes the teammate's effort and ticks them off. Would have preferred having a swappable alternative, like a technological "card" boost.

Despite being a dominantly tech-origin player, I probably use the cyborg pack the least.

I've currently no interest in the mutant booster. Its a first.

energy/energy. So range/melee,
does he like sunglasses? Ray-Bam
Strikeray

Had to laugh at Jay's comments on building a lumberjack. I saw it and immediately thought he'd ripped off my Paul Bunyan, which I've had for a few years. Eventually, I realized there's a new shirt on his guy.

Now now you have me wanting a Ninety Six chili dog... and the Ninety Six branch of the bank hasn't called me for service in a couple of weeks.

Nuke? Yes. Never solo, unless I find myself overwhelmed (very rare) and need that one last chance to bolt for the door to recover.

Groupwise its trickier. The more blasters on the team, the more I'm likely to use it. The trick is, on a team like that, we're mowing them down so fast its almost a waste to use it. If I'm the lone major DPS, not so much, and generally only if I see several mobs low on health, so never as a starting strike. Otherwise, I would slow the team down.

What's really great is finding a PUG with 1 or 2 other blasters with nukes, who understand the idea of teamwork. Then you take turns nuking and letting the other two pour on the DPS to mop up the remnants.

His website plays several samples of his gaming music. Sounds VERY promising! EDIT: and under the Music tab, you can find links to purchasing his music from the iPod store. Dark Respite is going to trip out.

His Command and Conquer 4: The Beginning of the End reminds me a lot of the score for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

http://www.jasongraves.com/