Steampunkette

The only F2P model I ever liked was one created for a game based on a revamp of a game that's been around for several decades...

Everything already in the game at the time of crossover was set for subscribers to have full access to except for a single class and a race that you could either buy access to or earn access to via in-game effort.

The releases since that day and all the events since have been part of the subscription fee and had at least 1 new mission-chain for F2P players to have the option of purchasing, and usually had at least one mission chain which is completely F2P for everyone.

Every month subscribers to that game get "Free" store-money to spend on little things (loot increasing items or basic equipment, cosmetic gear, passes to bring F2P friends on P2P mission chains, extra ammo, etc) or save up as they like. Many have just stayed subscribed long enough to buy up most of the content packs so they can go free to play without losing anything at all.

It's a fairly good system, all things considered. The only caveat I have for it is that one class they put a price tag on, even for P2P players. But it seems like they learned from their mistake.

All in all, however, such systems seem to only increase the profitability of the games which employ them. It gives players the chance to see some of the content and how the game works. It's just enough to get them hooked on it.

-Rachel-

Any chance of making them free, permanently? It's a marvelous service which fosters altitis, I find.

-Rachel-

I also do not like the Merit unlocks on a character by character basis.

It's exactly the same as having the things locked up behind a TF or a Badge-hunt: Complete this many hours of work on the character (minimum) and purchase your costume pieces)

It still doesn't allow for the level 1 character to use the pieces without relentless grinding with their XP turned off.

As for the suggestion of 10 Alignment Merits to unlock pieces (or 600 regular merits): Unless you're suggesting 10 alignment merits total for all unlocked costume pieces, you're crazy.

That's putting a 20 day grind minimum on each SET of what should be unlocked automatically.

And if you're suggesting on a piece by piece basis.... Nerts to you.

-Rachel-

In a game who's most well known feature is character customization so bold and expansive locking players out of costume pieces until the higher levels is ridiculous.

Permanently gating pieces of costuming behind objectives that a player cannot be reasonably expected to complete within hours of character creation is absurd.

A far better solution would be to apply global unlocks at the current requirements to allow players access to the pieces they so desperately want for level 1 characters. It compromises the need to ensure players play the content the pieces are locked behind, and offers them new toys to create new Alts with, thus furthering the cycle which gives Paragon Studios their wealth.

However, it also cuts the runs on unfavored task forces or tasks and allows people to do what they -want- to do, rather than mindlessly grind for a few hours, allowing for better data-mining of player interest, not just activity.

The current system helps to balance power level when the higher level costume pieces affect a character's scores or abilities. The pieces in City do not. And, as completely cosmetic pieces, should be allowable for level 1 characters to use. And even in an upcoming MMO with gated costume piece items with stat boosts they intend to allow the player to unlock the appearance of the gated piece for future use. Even if this doesn't apply to use from character creation, a player can reasonably send themselves costume pieces they've located elsewhere on other characters in order to unlock pieces.

-Rachel-

I definitely think "The Praetorian" fits him well. And kind of leads to an Alexander the Great vibe, which is something he'd -certainly- want to lean toward.

-Rachel-

I dunno, though. I think Bill has some valid points, too. I'd say turn the HP penalties into Regeneration for both and apply them throughout the duration.

As for Combat sense give it a 20 second duration with mag 3 hold, sleep, and stun protection. It'll get you out of a single control with a mag of 3 or less, but if two people hit you with holds, or you get hit by a high-mag hold, you're still held.

Make Stealth Strike only proc the added damage when you're invisible, instead of "hidden", or within a certain magnitude of stealth.

Kind of agree with the Mock argument, though. Personally I'd like to see it turn into a single target taunt with a 50% chance of a 10 second mag 5 sleep. >.> You say something so (heinous/confusing/shocking/surprising/witty) that they stand and stare.

I'd get rid of the immob protection and make jump mastery into a small +jump speed (not height) bonus and a defense bonus to ranged attacks only. Make Speed Mastery similar, static ranged defense bonus... Flight, too!

And then Teleport Mastery... Gotta agree with the Porkster!

We are talking about making these tier 4 powers in the sets which require you have 3 other powers from the same set.... right?

-Rachel-

I like them. Though I'd make Forced March into a -25% Regeneration penalty, rather than Health.

-Rachel-

How about making the "PVP Booster" pack into a donation/fund set up instead?

Have the Devs set out the hat, players buy as many $5 "Packs" as they want, all proceeds go to a PVP retrofit which eats Power and Critter Development for an issue or two of nothing but new content?

-Rachel-

Just in case it becomes relevant at some future point, I'd like to stress the following paragraph.

I officially renounce any claim to the various concepts and intellectual properties proposed by myself for legal purposes, and give it freely to Paragon Studios and their parent company NCSoft. I seek no remuneration or compensation for any of the ideas given in this thread of the CoH Forums and willingly sign away any future claim to either the concepts or compensation.

-Rachel Christina Williamson-

Just in case it becomes relevant at some future point, I'd like to stress the following paragraph.

I officially renounce any claim to the various concepts and intellectual properties proposed by myself for legal purposes, and give it freely to Paragon Studios and their parent company NCSoft. I seek no remuneration or compensation for any of the ideas given in this thread of the CoH Forums and willingly sign away any future claim to either the concepts or compensation.

-Rachel Christina Williamson-

This is an absolutely fantastic idea. I love it, and say 100% Signed!

Even if we don't get the sound customization attached to it, it would be nice to have.

-Rachel-