Synchronicity

Chickpea, I appreciate that.

I want to make sure that people don't misconstrue my attitude--I am a blaster, first-and-foremost, and I hold no contempt toward my fellow blaster players or any other AT. I'm simply stating, for those of you just tuning in, that being a blaster means dealing with the realities of being in debt more often than the other AT sets, on the whole.

Are there acceptions? Yes, of course there are. There are cruddy tankers, scrappers, controllers, defenders, and squiddies, to be sure. But as an AT goes, on the whole, blasters have the debt market cornered, based on multiple factors that I've mentioned before.

I'm not looking for sympathy or blaster-pity. Just making a statement. An informed opinion based on observations starting from Day One. That's it. Why all the angst?

I think I could have avoided this whole thing if I simply removed the "being a blaster = perpetual debt".

I wrote it like that for emphasis. A few of you are too (mathmatically and otherwise) literal-minded. And, as my compatriot said:

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Anyone can get into debt quickly if they can't play (although now they won't realize it until lvl 10!) but the very make up of a blaster makes it easier for them to accumulate debt, because poor play feeds on the weaknesses of the toon.

So chill, and don't take stuff so personally. There are very few absolutes in life.


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Just because I can't "substantiate" with hard data doesn't mean it's any less accurate, like in this example: most jerks don't have a lot of friends. Can I substantiate that with numbers? Have I met all of the jerks in the world? No, but from observation one can make these kinds of accurate generalizations.


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This is the kind of logic that kept people thinking the world was flat.

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I was using a light-hearted analogy to illustrate a point about human nature--you've taken me out of context. Keep to the subject, bud. I'm not talking about politics or astrophysics, I'm talking about day-to-day observations on a sub-set of people that play this game.

Just because I can't "substantiate" with hard data doesn't mean it's any less accurate, like in this example: most jerks don't have a lot of friends. Can I substantiate that with numbers? Have I met all of the jerks in the world? No, but from observation one can make these kinds of accurate generalizations.

I more than acknowledge that there are good blasters; however, they are in the minority. Even you have seen your fair share of blasters hit the deck due to bad judgement (errors that usually gets weeded out by the late lvl 20's). When I say *majority* I should've qualified that for accuracy: "the majority of blasters I've seen..."

but when you see a trend, as I've explained, it typically rings true. Ask any primary non-blaster what they see, and they'll tell you that they see a trend, too...most blasters aren't too bright with their aggro management. Blasters, in general have debt-handling issues--again, because 1) they aggro well and 2) have poor health & defenses. Add poor player judgement into the mix and you wind up with goofy ideas like 'defiance'. I've never felt like I needed a 'defiance' boost from the devs (even in the face of the +DEF nerfs), because I know how to play within the confines of being a squishie. Really, if you and I are so good as blasters, why do the devs throw bones like this our way? Must be because a lot of blasters aren't making good builds and/or are poor players that get in over their heads repeatedly.

BTW, i've never, ever been close to my debt cap. To reiterate: most blasters spend much of their time as heroes in debt because that AT has a high learning curve--ergo, the vast sea of crappy blasters. Not a hard concept to agree to, is it?

Very well said, Toshi. Commendable post.

I had this thought that at one of the dev meetings, someone said that immediately following an "Issue" release, that none of the developers should read any of the forums for a period of four weeks until the acromony died down--ya know, it's the old "people fear change" bit.

This is why Statesman, et al, have been curiously silent and the boards not reset.

Doesn't sound too far-fetched, does it?

This is where my cynicism slips into overdrive regarding CoH: yes, the frustration does die down after four weeks, because we've all just given into the hopelessness of it all. The way I and others see it, Statesman and his collegues are far too busy with their new baby (CoV) to give a rat's about their older kid (CoH) who has to suck it up and take the short-bus with the rest of the retards.

Statesman wants it his way, period. I think that much is clear. I mean, is there even ONE person in this entire game (not including the French ) that thinks the Stealth nerf and defense-downgrades are overdue/warranted? That Defiance for blasters is totally weiner in significance and effect ('m not talking about should have it or not)? That Ice tanks take it in the chops again (talk about your red-headed stepchild)?

To the Devs: Just give us the low-down on what you're up to and why you do the sometimes strange things you do. Why bother? Because you can see you've got a lot of frustrated and perplexed people out here that are playing your game.

Just a thought.

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I recommend switching scrapper criticals and defiance around. It really sounds like something for a scrapper; and scrappers loose health slowly, where blasters loose it fairly quickly.

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Over my dead body. Leave us the Hell alone. We didn't ask for you guys to get Defiance. Don't push it off on us.

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Yeah, really. At first glance, it sounded like a good suggestion; but criticals have historically been associated in RPGs with melee users and not ranged-attack types (specifically, non-lethal damages); besides, the cat's out of the bag, so-to-speak. If scrappers had started with 'defiance' first, that'd be one thing (and I think it does fit, thematically). Hypothetically speaking, if they gave criticals to blasters as well, they'd really have to call it something else, such as 'vital strike' or something.

Criticals are a 'lock' for scrappers. Defiance, well, that'll need some tweakin'...

...seems like a whole lotta code and graphics going on in that little bar, considering what it does (or doesn't do).

Sorta like a long run for a short slide, dontcha think?

I think what both of you are obliquely saying is that Defiance is a stinker

Hiya Babe,

Just wanted you to know that I've been an avid reader of your posts lately, mostly for morbid amusement, because, to some degree, I agree. That said, I'm getting the feeling that you're starting to lash out more than be constructive with your critism.

I think it's because you like, dare I say, love this game. You've slipped into mortal disappointment, like being lied to by your girlfriend/fiance/spouse. You don't really play the monthy-fees-dienfranchisement angle. This is my tip-off that I may be onto something here--you're passionate about this game.

Why am I say this? It's because I want the Devs, if they ever read this, to understand that severly-ticked-off people like the Captain here care and love what happens to their heroes and this game.

Hang in there, Captain Amazing. Maybe a hero *will* hear our pleas and swoop in to save US this time.

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If you didn't mean that, then you might want to avoid using absolutes (in this case, an equation) to express non-absolute concepts. If you do, then people will be more likely to understand what you say.

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Don't be so literal with the mathmatical arguement

By the way:
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Even before the I5 debt changes there was no reason that a careful and skilled blaster couldn't avoid permadebt. Yes, you'll be defeated from time to time. Probably more than most Tankers or Scrappers (which should come as no surprise, since those archetypes have more health and better defenses).

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The majority of Blasters are not careful or skilled (very in the minority). In my blurb I alluded to this.

My point was merely to demonstrate that blasters work amid a habitat of debt, moreso than the other archetypes. And I wasn't making 'amazing generalizations'--I sited specific circumstances on how most blasters get into debt, as well as illustrating the clear nature of acquiring aggro as blaster: Blasters generate far more aggro because they out-damage controllers and defenders and are in highly-offensive postures (e.g. rapidly activating offensive powers agumented with build-up, hasten, aim).

My point is this: Blasters have the highest potential to generate more debt than any other class because of a two-fold issue: 1 - they aggro well and 2 - are also very weak defensively. I'm not asking for sympathy.

Make more sense?

Umm, Yes. (Wouldn't ya know it--there's always one twinkie that doesn't sit well in it's Hostess box.)

The *vast* majority of blasters (blasters who play other ATs, mind you) feel that they manage debt far longer through each level than your corresponding tank, scrapper, controller and defender. They are the primary squishy. Why? Because they aggro like no controller does (since controllers lock-down the baddies) or any defender (blasters easily outstrip defenders in damage, if you're about to make the offensive defender example--mobs go attack the one that inflicts the highest damage per attack). After all, who do you see on the ground the most? It's the blaster who has tanker-itis, or the fire-blaster that opens with the AoE salvo that ticks off every last minion...bonehead moves, to be sure, but there are plenty of boneheaded blasters. I know I started off that way, too.

The only time you see defenders and controllers hit the deck is from AoE damage, or some uber-dumb move like going toe-to-toe with a lieut or a boss.

With I5...the equation gets muddier, until people adjust to a new playstyle. But it'll be blasters first-and-foremost.

So, just to reinterate, it's *your* perception against the experiences of everyone else, blaster-and-non-blaster alike.

Majority rules, bub. Now go cry in your I-5 beer.

Gawd you people cry about anything--at least make your gripes about stealth or something significant...c'mon, whining about debt badges? You serious?

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Couple of changes we're making in I5:

2) XP debt will be halved on mission maps (that includes outdoor mission maps, too).

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This was obviously put in to help blasters. This, combined with the new defiance system, will turn this game into CITY OF BLASTERS!


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Shut yer cakehole. Bloody every person wants the game their own special way. Ya know, being a blaster = being in perpetual debt. We've adjusted to that reality, so a tinnie-tiny bone (Defiance ain't no great shakes, nor is that pitance of a health increase) thrown our way won't rock your world.

Sheesh. Freakin' tanks and scrappers...what, bummed you're no longer standing alone at the top as King of the Hill?

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The "Ambulance" is a nice shortcut if you are willing to get a bit of debt.
Ok, so I'm a blaster. I lived in debt for 45 levels (would have for 50 if there was debt in levels 1-5). An additional defeat is not a problem because I'll just go throw fire at something until I feel better.

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Interesting loophole, dontcha think? Too bad there aren't hero taxis or something so that we don't have to act so disgracefully to our heroes

BUT...I've never had a problem with people playing the way they want to for the content and powers they've paid for in client software and online costs. I didn't dig herding, either; but hey, whatever floats yer boat

Does anyone know how this issue with burn slipped past everyone and onto Live? This power is super-borked.

This is going to sound bizarre, but I think the first six should be debt-free, and not ten.

After creating a new blaster post-I5, I commonly see players take a nose-dive into a mob in the Hollows just to get back to AP or Skyway--a kind of uber-port across a large hazard zone to get back to the trainers to level-up, sell enhancements, etc.

The first time I saw this was on my team with my new archery blaster. Rather than run back the 1.3 miles to the AP gates in the Hollows, everyone jumped into the Trolls. I was level nine at the time...I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I felt like I was violating the dignity of my new hero. I ran back *gasp* the whole way.

Tell me if I'm wrong, Statesman, but I think this goes against your vision. I know it does mine.

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Alternately, could you give us a new costume option. A T-Shirt available to all toons that existed before I5 goes live that says "I got nerf'd in I5 and I still play".

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I just got so worked up over this stealth issue that I had to throw in my two 53 level trainer enhancements:

Dearest devs, we, the *actual* citizens of Paragon City implore, nay, BEG you to re-examine your motivations for doing what you're doing to these power sets. In the name of Ice tanks and Martial Arts scrappers, bubble-defenders, Dark Miasma users, and all of the other overlooked and power-stunted sets everywhere--restore us to our former glory! The strength of the minions of evil grows as ours, the minions of good, weakens!

In all earnestness, though, I think I can speak (based on the day-to-day observations from within Paragon) for heroes everywhere when I say the we are sensing a disturbing trend. Is it because you're trying to iron-out the incongruencies between PvE, PvP, and CoV? SAY YES or NO! We, your patrons, who pay your bills and paychecks deserve an answer! We're big boys and girls--we can take the truth: "Well," says Statesman in my fantasy, "to be honest, we're smoothing over some play issues between the three games of the CoH universe and unfortunately, you're taking the brunt of it. However, we are actively and passionately aware of your concerns, such as STEALTH, to name one; and you, the precious players, are our greatest concern. It is true that we have been approaching our adjustments from a negative perspective. A subtle form of cyancism has tainted our effort--we take every word on these boards personally, at some level, because this project for us has been a labor-of-love.

"Therefore, we've re-examined our vision for CoH and decided to act positively--to built up every archetype, to focus on the player--in short, to take the *high road*.

"Soon you will be seeing the effects of our rejuvenated philosophy--no more AoE mob limitations of sixteen; instead, mob aggression (strength) will grow geometrically with mob size , called 'mob mentality'; thus, if you're a herder, you'll really work hard and EARN those kills. [See how you can at once end pharming and support the rest of us law-abiders?]

"It gives me, and all those behind-the-scenes at CoH great pleasure to allay your growing concerns and frustrations [and outright disgust] by officially stating that we are pro-heroes. We are pro-you."

"With New-Found Respect and Humility,
Yours in Paragon,
Statesman"

Whew. I like to think that heroes everywhere would collectively pass-out with glee over a statement like that.

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Breaking LOS should return DEF_S to normal. Bosses and LTs. may know what to look for so there is no guarantee of Full DEF_S vs them.

Walking in water is a give-away for any stealth and should cancel DEF_S and detection avoidance.

Not all stealths are the same. Stealths confered by "clouds" should give +DEF_S only, not detection avoidance, since you don't know where the target is in the cloud, but you can see the cloud. Maybe minions are stupid enough fall for it ( "Sure is gettin' steamy in here!") and not realize what the cloud is but maybe not LTs and definately not Bosses or AV's. ( "That's not natural, It must be a Hero, you maroons!" )


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This is a brilliant idea--and judging by the mechanics of the game code, seems do-able. These suggests would be one way for Statesman to have his cake and eat it, too--he could keep the premise for the nerfs (and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt) being toward greater realism (although ten seconds?! sheesh) while us lowly peasant hero folk get to re-employ some strategy that follows some logic (breaking enemy line-of-sight restoring the stealth effect, for example) for the soloing squishies (such as myself for time-to-time).

Ultimately, though, the logic in this nerf is fatally-flawed, best summed up in the closing statement:
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ps. You have no defense unless there is an attack.

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I did a double-take with that statement--but its poetry is spot-on. The best-case senario is that you get half-value for the I5-halved +DEF when you have stealth on while under unprovoked attack (meaning the hero didn't throw the first salvo)! Now those are some pretty small numbers.

BTW, why oh why hasn't some of the dev demi-gods thrown in a word or two by now on this topic in some sort of explanatory response (such as, perhaps you players have this one right)? The gamers are about to storm the castle over this (I've got my pitchfork and torch ready). A lot of these 'adjustments' (read: nerfs) are coming off as mean-spirited. What evil force (of players) has corrupted this game so much to warrant these radical changes?