Scarlet Shocker

One of my friends remind me about the fact that when you chat to civilians who's name begins with M, they tell you how many hours your toon's been played.

As a 4 year vet I totted up my main 50s and I was kind of shocked at the number of hours I've played this game, which is a testament to a great game and the fact I'm a closet nerd.

That's not the point of this post however. I realised that I'll never get the full number... the number of toons I've deleted over time, often at high level (even a 50.) Mostly that's because they take a very long time to grow on me. Some grab me from the start, and obviously Scarlet is one, but I've had a couple of others that still get a regular airing.

For every toon that's made 50, there's a bunch that got deleted, or remade or made, then scrapped... remake/adapt/try again. After 4 years I've got about 6 toons that I wouldn't ever want to scrap. The others... they can be rebuilt without too many troubles.

This isn't about dissatisfaction with the game in any way. I love it. You don't clock the hours I have without feeling great about it... and it's not about the ATs either. I've tried most... and most I've enjoyed, but often it's a question of meshing a concept to a character and finding it gels. Sometimes that goes perfectly... but for others it doesn't happen so much.

What is especially odd (maybe) is that some toons have been a lot of fun to get to 50, but once there, they suddenly turn into a bit "meh" and get left on a shelf, gathering pixel-dust. Only once has one of those toons made it back from "Ourolimbo" and now has become a real fixture of my regular playing once more.

So when do you decide you're gonna keep that toon? I'm not even sure I can say what decides it for me even after this time but I'd be interested in responses.

Good standing: you don't fall over when not using crutches

Scarlet Shocker is SoLIsF

which sounds rude!

So, 8,225 questions and we get this:

Well there was a wobble there but...

England are T20 Cricket World Champions!

148 to win! Amazing!

Let's hope England do what they are capable of wtih the bat! That's not a big score and only 7.35 an over.

Cyberknight... I urge you in all seriousness to check out T20 if you've not done so. It's like cricket on amphetamines and is very entertaining!

Just...

Wow

ok England v Aus it is then

Hard to believe I know, but England are in the World T20 Final after demolishing Sri Lanka last night!

My money's on an England v Australia final... I cannot see Pakistan coming back from a traumatic last 12 months or where the Aussies gave them a severe drubbing - but either way we're set for a good match. England look really up for it and confident and their T20 record vs the Aussies is good (remember the T20 match in the Ashes series in 2005?)

Aus look very strong too the only side unbeaten in the tournament so far - but KP's in form and England have arguably had the tougher competition - Sri Lanka and the Saffers are big teams.

Bring it on!

No.

There's enough ATs out there... and if you get PPD cossie code then you can create your own.

There's no need for the Devs to make a special one. Roll your own instead.

I honestly don't know enough to answer.

My tendency has to always be throw Scarlet Shocker in at the deep end and get the newest shiny stuff, but I'm certainly not entirely keen on her being elevated to "god-hood" or anything like that.

For me (and this is a personal PoV of course) being a hero is standing up for what you believe in, against the odds, when you're outgunned, outnumbered and in the mire - and Scarlet has been the essence of that in many ways. So if the Incarnate end-game system toughens her up I'm concerned it could diminish how I, as her player, perceive her.

I've been thinking about this - the actual title of the thread, rather than the discussions that have resulted from it and I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that even though I do enjoy playing villains, my answer is "Not very."

I'm quite happy at the caricaturised "evilness" of many of the signature characters, the moustache-twirling nastiness of Lord Recluse and the various over-egged aspects of his henchmen.

Thing is, there's scope to be just about whatever you want to be here - so all things are possible. There's a range available from the "fallen hero" type to the "psycho-killer."

Even some powers reflect this - a simple example is the bayonet power available to SoAs... however you look at it, using a bayonet on someone is vile... and as someone who has studied military history I can tell you that although I'm not even remotely religious I pray I never have to use such a weapon in anger.

Almost all the powers available to heroes and villains in this game have a real potential to be lethal, be it burying someone in tonnes of mud, or impaling them with thorns, or electrocuting them, and there is the potential to be really evilly sadistic with it (as there is with any game.)

I, however, will take it at face value and be very happy that my bullets aren't lethal, that I never really "kill" anyone or do lasting damage. It's a game and I don't need to stress about morality and consequence.