Sumericon

Hearts on Fire
by @Chyron HR

Arc 1472

I played this arc the first week that the MA debuted, and it remains one of my favorites. This is a compelling, well-balanced arc for the 1-14 level range.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

ZAGMUK Act Two: Crusade
Arc ID 323135
Level range 16-20
Recommended team 3+

Description: You've responded to Sgt. Suzanne Bernhard's request for help in ending an explosive gang war in Skyway City, but when the mystery deepens, it leads to startling revelations about the new power rising in Paragon City, and a showdown with those who would stop at nothing to see it undone.

THE SAGA BEGINS

ZAGMUK Act One: The Herald
Arc ID 266123
Level range 10-14
Recommended team 3+

Description: What starts as a straight-forward search and rescue mission drops you in the middle of a magical war. You find yourself at odds with a sinister cult that seeks to commune with an ancient power not known on this Earth for thousands of years. This arc launches a multi-arc maxi-series.

Watch this space for announcements, comments, and questions about THE ZAGMUK SAGA, a work-in-progress multi-arc maxi-series. (That's alot of hyphens!)

My main focus here is story and related elements. I'm looking for questions and discussions about plot, subplot, theme, cast of characters, etc. I do love my little mysteries and I would ask that spoilers be avoided or at least forewarned. If you'd like to ask a question anonymously, feel free to send it to me in a PM and I will answer it here.

As a general disclaimer, I want to add that I thoroughly test each arc multiple times both before and after it is published. I have a proofreader that runs the arcs with me. I work out all the bugs I can and do my best with the "front, middle, back" tools available to me, but still there are times when a player will experience problems with "where stuff spawned/didn't spawn", odd ally behavior, or other game mechanics issues which are largely out of my control. I will only be able to address those kinds of concerns when the tools available in the MA improve.

Someone beat me to Neil Gaiman and Geoff Johns, so I'll add John Ostrander, Bill Willingham, Mark Waid, and Mike Carey.

Check out "Power Play" (#187269).

It was published i14 and I haven't yet updated it for i15 as I've been working on another project, but it definitely fits your requested theme.

In this villainous arc uniquely told from the first-person perspective, you are pulled into the middle of a rivalry between two mad scientists. In a divergence from the normal CoX-style, you assert your independence, shrug off your contact's instructions, and hatch a plan of your own in which you, ultimately, play the pivotal role that leads to the genesis of the evil counterpart and arch-nemesis of the heroic android HAL X-34, first introduced in the Dev's Choice tale "The Once and Future King."

For the record, I was not rude in my feedback. I do not know who that was.

I looked up the Arachnos group and I found two Fortunata bosses. One labeled 30-39, the other 40-54. Repeat: They are labeled! The arc's range gave the impression that it was for level 35, yet the architect placed a level 40 boss. I did not know at the time the change was only temporary. As far as I knew, it was simply never tested at the low end of the range. I am certain that it was not a bug. I don't rate arcs on bugs.

But this was a sloppy error, easily avoidable, and it broke the arc. It counts toward the rating.

If an arc is published, be prepared to accept the rating it deserves at the time it is played, which can be anytime. If it needs more testing, don't publish it.

I just wanted to throw a general warning out to anyone thinking about playing this arc. Although it's set in the range 35-54, the second mission uses a boss that only spawns 40+, rendering the arc uncompletable for teams unable to kill a 40+ boss.

I was sorely disappointed when this happened to our team running this arc. How could something so simple that should have been painfully obvious during thorough test runs be overlooked? The frustration factor of being forced to quit the arc because of this error demolished the good score the author had earned to that point.

Thanks for that review.

You know, I tried and I tried to get those chained objectives to spawn properly, but the MA is just too bugged for it to be consistent. I experienced different spawn points for various objectives in consecutive test runs. By the end, I just lost patience with the entire ordeal. I used small maps so if backtracking becomes necessary, you won't have to go far. I hope for the day when they decide to number the spawn points on maps and let us choose a number for our objectives. As it is, although your concern is valid, it's not something within the architect's power to fully control.

You were asking for more foreshadowing, but I noticed you commented on exactly none of the patrol dialogues scattered throughout all missions. There is a trove of interesting tidbits to be found here.

Speaking of foreshadowing, I'm not sure if you checked the arc souvenir, but it makes of a point of mentioning the remaining open-ended plot points from the arc as a way to set you up for the stories that will follow.

Thanks again for playing and for the review. I will take note of your suggestions.

Here's a review from Lazarus. Thank you!

Thanks for that review Glazius. Most of it is spot on.

A few responses:

The mission 3 bump is good for story (because the Gold Brickers fit so perfectly here), but bad for gameplay. I agree I will need to do something about that.

The VALs have already gone through one complete overhaul (You faced the new ones). Feedback about their first incarnation was that they were too tough.

This arc was made in i14 and was pretty much capped on file size at 97%. In i15, it's only 64%, so I will have room to work with when I revamp for i15 features (custom power selections, mission begin clues).

I appreciate your review of this arc.

Thanks for the review of Power Play.

This has been a tough story to get proper. I've made quite a number of edits and changes since it was first published, including a complete overhaul of the VAL Constructs custom group at one point. Interestingly, while you had trouble with your dominator, Glazius played a brute for his review and felt the group was too easy. There is balance there, though I wouldn't rule out more future tweaking to the VALs.

I do want to point out that this arc was built in i14 and I have not updated it for i15 as yet, so features like standardized level ranges and custom power selections for customs were not used. I also had file size issues with i14. It was hovering around 97% in i14, so I didn't have much room left to work around in.

Mission three is a bit of a sticker for me. Although the Gold Brickers make perfect sense here (From canon: Aeon trades them tech for services, using them as secret mercenary force), they force the level cap to 20. So while the flow of the story is preserved here, the flow of the gameplay suffers for the level bump.

I'd have to agree that this is a four-star arc as it stands, but it was told with the features that were available at the time. I'm planning a revamp when I update to i15. The file size is currently only 65%, so I have plenty of room now.

Thanks for your suggestions.

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As long as this thread sticks to making complete and total fun of the *arc* and not the *architect*, I say fair game.

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This.

Also, this thread is comedy gold.

Cap,
If you've got room in your queue, I'd love to see how Power Play (#187269) fares in this stream of consciousness review style. I've recently done a total revamp of the custom group. It's designed for solo so bosses will scale to lieutenant on challenge level 1.

New review by PoliceWoman. Thank you.

Thank you for the thorough review. You've pointed out some areas where this arc could use some improvement. You also seemed confused or missed some points that I hope I can clarify for you. Your "in-progress" style of review with a summary at the end is also helpful in identifying spots that are lacking. Some of the details you missed can be found in custom foe Info Descriptions as well as the objective completed texts.

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The premise isn't clear from the arc description

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The arc description (you'll notice it's in quotes) is you, the character, speaking. There is no other way for me to put any text for the character before you initially meet Dr. Aeon. The arc description serves as to why you are meeting him. It also reveals that Aeon ain't no friend of yours and when you first meet him, you were, in fact, on your way to pummel him.

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Aeon mentions HAL X-34, which is probably the heroic version of VAL, but this isn't mentioned in the clues at all. I am guessing VAL must be based on HAL, but you might add info to this effect in either the VAL Project Files or VAL Prototype clue.

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You're right on both counts. HAL is indeed heroic and VAL's precursor. I noticed that the only available reference to HAL in the first mission is in the Info Description for VAL P-1 (VAL Prototype). I'll find a way to squeeze in more info.

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I think the official canon is that Aeon hates the Goldbrickers and King Midas because they're committing crimes in Aeon City, so I'm not sure they make sense as Dr. Aeon's lackeys.
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I don't think it makes sense for Goldbrickers to be working for Dr. Aeon anyway.

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This is the official canon. (see debriefing)

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Marshall Brass: Only one who could have done it is my boss, Dr. Aeon. He's been using the Goldbrickers to carry out thefts and attacks on his own. trading them technology for their services. Using them as his own secret mercenary force.

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Remember, throughout this entire arc, Aeon needs to keep the whole situation quiet. He can't use his usual Arachnos squads for this task, so he calls in the 'brickers to keep Creed on ice.

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I'm puzzled as to why the VAL Constructs are enemies now. Aren't I allied with Dr. Creed, and consequently VAL?

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The VAL Constructs are spawned by VAL. In the first mission, the Constructs you face are spawns of Creed's VAL Prototype. In the final mission, you face the spawn of Aeon's VAL-X3. Yes, they are different models. They have different appearances and powersets. The Constructs they spawn are the same because Aeon didn't make any modifications to that part of Creed's AI program. The VAL Prototype and VAL-X3 are different incarnations.

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Now my objective has changed to "Spring the trap!" but I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do; do I find and click a Trap glowie? Or I beat up Dr. Aeon? Probably need more guidance from the story here.

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This part is a little botched. Originally my plan was to secure Aeon from the hostile Constructs, lead him to the door, then betray with an ambush of friendly Constructs (sent by Creed) to back you up. I couldn't get this to really work in the MA correctly so after a few tries I just made it a defeat boss.

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(Maybe he's a custom that looks just like Dr. Aeon.)

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Yes, he is custom. It was the only way to make him Boss level. Doctor Creed is also custom.

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I didn't like that I was kind of in the dark as to what "my" plan was, for much of the story arc.

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You brought this up a few times. There is no "master plan" in the beginning. You want to get some payback on Aeon (explained in the first mission pop-up). When you start the arc, your character doesn't know what the VAL project is, so you can't really have a plan for it. As you play along and learn about VAL and decide to take control, you devise your plan on the fly. You're an opportunist. Most of the "my plan" information can be found in the mission entry and exit pop-ups.

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the custom mobs in the other missions were too hard for my lowbie brute

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The VAL Constructs group has been mentioned before in other feedback and I'm currently working on a revamp. In groups, it seems the synergy of the differing powersets working together makes them quite formidable.

Those are some of the things you pointed out. I know that I need to make some adjustments here and there. The problem is that I'm already at the tip-top on file size. The changes to the ending you suggest might end up changing the arc too much. I will have to ponder that. In true comic book fashion, I always try to leave room for sequels, and I also have to return the status quo (I can't rightly go and kill off Creed or Aeon, that would break stuff).

Thank you again for playing my arc and for your review.

New review by GahLakTus. Thanks!

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Hey, why the heck not. Try my arc Power Play. I could use more feedback on it.

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I reviewed this arc on my Ice/EM tanker.

Lazy Man’s Review: 4 Stars. Great story, first person narrative, treats your character like a real villain, tough custom mob.


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Thanks for the review. The ability to slip into the role is key to the enjoyment of this arc and I can see you were able to do that. I can also see that you were able to follow the major plot points and missed or misinterpreted only minor details.

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He even has the gall to send you all the way to Paragon City on a meaningless Clockwork hunting mission while he’s busy analyzing the HAL schematics.
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The only thing I have any confusion over is the Clockwork reference, I really don’t get why Aeon needed them. I assumed he just wanted them for another experiment, and sent you to get them because he treated you like a lackey.

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I'll address this issue first.

First, the Clockwork reference ties to my other arc, The Once and Future King, for which HAL X-34 is the contact and wherein other clues about HAL X-34's origin are hinted but not yet fully explained. Both arcs share a mythos but also exist seperately, and while not quite "a meaningless Clockwork hunting mission" because it does advance the overall mythos, it's not critical to the advancement of the plot of this particular arc. Because it's a first person narrative which limits exposition opportunities to the immediate experience of the protagonist, and because you never actually go and get any Clockwork for Aeon to study, there is no logical reason to include further explanation than what is offered in the arc.

((SPOILER ALERT)) The other, more immediate reason (to let you in on what Aeon was thinking at this point) is that the inspiration of the Clockwork's Assembler Prince is what leads Aeon to design VAL-X3 as a robot mastermind and depart from the powerset implementations of both Smythe's HAL and Creed's VAL. Again, there is no reason for Aeon to divulge his methods or reasoning to you since he's planning on doing away with you once your part is finished.

Other points:

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Therefore, you offer to ally with Mercy’s mad genius against Aeon

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Quite the opposite, Creed is the one that extends the offer to align, primarily as an act of desperation once you have him cornered. You are a crafty villain keeping your options open, and an alliance (albeit temporary) with Creed improves your chances at exacting your revenge on Aeon.

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a computer technician with a hate-on for Dell

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Great catch! One of my favorite bits here.

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Using a computer virus given to you by Dr. Creed, you turn Aeon’s VAL soldiers rouge, and they slaughter the Arachnos guards in short order.

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In mission 1, the VAL Constructs you face are the spawn of Creed's VAL Prototype. They refer to Creed as "father" and are extremely loyal to him (as a matter of programming). In mission 4, the VAL Constructs are the spawn of Aeon's VAL-X3 and refer to her as "mother". VAL-X3's "rebellion" extends to her children as well. The virus you plant is a trojan that opens a backdoor for Creed to hack in, but (in the clue) you learn that VAL-X3's intelligence is already in the network and dispatches his intrusion quickly. Creed is not responsible for the Constructs turn, they are never on your side.

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Technical: The custom mob was a bit overpowered in my opinion. I had to drop down a few difficulty settings because I got slaughtered in the first mission by the VALs. They enjoy a brutal synergy created by the buffs/debuffs of kinetics, and the endurance sapping powers of their attacks.

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You're not the first to mention the powerset choices for the VAL Constructs group and I definitely agree I need to work on them. It's not necessarily that they are overpowered on an individual basis, it is the synergy of their powersets in combination that make them so difficult to deal with, especially on higher difficulty settings and/or in larger groups (based on team size).

Thank you again for the review and feedback.

Hey, why the heck not. Try my arc Power Play. I could use more feedback on it.

Hi Venture, your villain queue looks empty, so I'll throw Power Play at you for a sound thrashing.

I posted my arcs on COHMR. My Dev Choice arc has gotten lots of feedback already, and besides I can't yet make any changes to it, so if you're only doing one, Power Play would be the first priority. I could use more input on it.

Info in my sig. Thanks.

(edited for link to Power Play thread)

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Considering the entire point of "tl;dr" is to be obnoxious, one wonders what other acronyms fulfill this role. For educational purposes only, of course.

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IBTL
PEBKAC


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Parentheses, Exponents, Bultiplication, Kivision, Addition, Cubtraction?
IDK. IDDA.

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PEBKAC is often passed around the Help Desk/Tech Support crew at your office. Yes, it's derogatory.

Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair.

If you are doing Dev Choice missions, you don't get tickets, you get salvage, recipe and enhancement drops just like normal missions.

It's time Commander Kira made her Power Play (#187269).