Syra

Oh, it's worth pointing out that Lt.Chalmers in Sharkhead and Operative Brass (I think he's an Operative....) in Cap au Diable both have missions where you gain a jetpack, good for ninety minutes of flight.

I've been using them since I got them, and neither has run out in thirty levels of use.

Raven has already said it far better than I can, heh.

CoX is - with a few rare incidences - black and white. Heroes save people, and arrest the bad guys. Villains stab each other in the back to gain more control and power, and kill - actual killing, outlined by one more than one contact - anyone who gets in the way.

You have to make too many compromises, too many alterations, just to fit the concept in, and even then it would be far from perfect or - worst case scenario - even convincing. One quote I found in-game sums it up quite nicely (para-phrased):

"Yes, I said Hero. Not vigilante. She is good, we are the evil ones. Some people use their abilities to help one another; make them prosper. Others use their power to take what is theirs and thin out the weak. I'd much prefer to be the latter."

This isn't to say all missions in CoV are cackling maniacs slaughtering everyone (Indeed, there's quite a few missions which tread a thin moral line), nor are all CoH missions selfless and completely pure. What I am saying, however, is that these are exceptions; not something you can build an entire character around.

It's a shame, but that's the nature of MMORPGs. I can't ever see them being as deep or non-linear as pen and paper.

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hmm on the subject of power polls does stealth sound completely like the ramblings of a madman for a brute? you know to get right in the middle of the mobs before staryong to smash em

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You're a Brute. You SMASH!, not sneak!

Probably not worth the power; minimal benefit really.

Alright, I did have another response lined up but I'll drop the subject as requested.

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So, changing how you or your group view the reason and outcome of a mission (which doesn't affect anyone else) is borderline godmoding? How? It's simply re-interpreting the game. Can you honestly tell me you'd play through Frostfire 5 times and not either decide it was all OOC, or start changing and re-writing major details (like why it's the same map over and over again?).

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The impression I got is that he completely changes the outcome for the sake of him disagreeing with it; not because he does the same thing repeatedly.

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As for Recluse letting people take on Arachnos troops, it happens all the time in CoV! Everyone fights Arachnos. And there are enough Longbow heroes running around that it's perfectly believable that a large number of people opposed to Arachnos can operate if they're careful. Burke the Mercenary is a perfect example of a non-heroic character who would probably be inclined to take on Arachnos if it suited his needs.

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Actually, I think you'll find the missions - especially the later ones - elaborate on this. The different factions within Arachnos do fight amongst one another, that's true, but they're not aiming to bring down Arachnos entirely as a Hero would. Secondly, the Destined Ones - which a Hero wouldn't be - are given a certain amount of relief, but they're not completely immune.

Finally, Burke's dialogue and arcs heavily suggest that Arachnos are fully aware of what he's doing, and are even using him for their own ends.

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I should point out, I rarely (in fact, never) RP using the hospital mediport system, nor the use of NPC trainers. I don't like the concept, it doesn't fit my characters, so I simply ignore it. I do the same in CoV. I'll happily work with the setting, but if there's something I don't really like about it, I'll ignore it. If you try to rationalise the whole setting, or even the majority of it, soon the holes in the setting become apparent.

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But he's asking to create a group of Heroes that operate under Recluse's nose, using the contacts within his organisation, and basically being very overt about things. How do you rationalise getting away with that? People who aren't destined ones or who aren't serving the end goal of Arachnos don't enjoy any sort of leniency.

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Besides, Arachnos can't watch all of the Rogue Isles at once, and a careful anti-hero can easily slip between the cracks. It would make for something quite interesting to play.

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But once again, the things a Hero would be doing wouldn't be "easily" slipping between the cracks.

Recluse has a hugely oppressive Government; political repression, propaganda turning the civilians against the mainlaind...etc. Any freedoms they have are only illusions Recluse put together so they won't outright rebel; this is explored in a few story arcs later on down the line.

It would make an interesting character perhaps, but as I said, it's more than likely going to come across as ill thought out.

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Edit: Just a thought Syra, have all of your CoV characters come to the Rogue Isles after being broken out of the Zig in Breakout?

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Yes, they have. Longbow is just outside the Zig gates, the Freedom Phalanx is on it's way and there's incredibly well trained, highly equipped troops shifting the prisoners out in droves.

What I don't do is "slip between the cracks" and have a Villain character running around in Atlas.

I'd definitely reccomend leaping.

Not only do you have mez protection with combat jumping - and further protection with the acrobatics power - but leaping halfway across a map certainly makes it feel as if you've got a set of powerful legs on you.

I'm actually pointing out how difficult it would be to come across as a convincing SG.

How would it effect me? Simple.

A group of Heroes running around in the Isles, completely opposed against Recluse, and there isn't anything I can do in response to their actions.

It's one thing to tweak what's there so you can fit your Villain into CoV or your Hero into CoH, but to try and turn the game lore on it's head so you can be a Hero in CoV, and vice versa, is something else entirely.

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I never said it wasn't suited to villainy, but not being able to attack civilians???

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Um, it's a City of Villains but that doesn't mean Lord Recluse is going to let you run around, beating the [censored] out of his followers for no reason.

You also said it wasn't suited to "proper" villainy; being evil isn't just about cackling and throwing cars at people.

Anyway, Mayhem Missions are coming in I7. That'll suit the more psychopathic villains.

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LIke Wordy said, you have to fudge ALOT in either game to suit your own concept

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Fudging a few details so your concept can fit is far different from having to go against the established narrative in an unbelievable way.

As I said, there's far too many mitigating factors involved to play an "Anti-Hero" in CoV convincingly.

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Ah, but who says you have to play every single mission IC? Just pick the ones that suit the character, and rule that the rest are OOC. I do it with my characters all the time.

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How do you get around it being Arachnos that are recalling you to the hospitals? That you're being gauged by Arachnos? That they're keeping tabs on you? There's just too many mitigating factors to go completely against the point of the game; namely playing Villains in CoH, or Heroes in CoV.

Sure, ignore certain missions, but you can't ignore all of it; work with the world, not against it.

Furthermore, changing the entire objective of a mission? I'd never be able to take that seriously. It's borderline god-moding; changing something that's explicitly stated to suit your own ends. If it's left ambiguous, sure; go nuts.

When people start changing the whole thing though, that's where my issue is.

Er, I draw attention to....

Kidnapping people from the streets and delivering them to Vahzilok.

Kidnapping people to experiment on them.

Killing Heroes so the body can be dissected and his powers used against Paragon.

Bombing hospitals.

Actively hindering the reconstruction process of Paragon.

Mutating Rikti attack victims into actual Rikti.

Murdering a Heroine's lover, so she'll come out of hiding; then kill her too.

Capturing various people so they'll be exposed to torture.

Bombing Longbow bases with the staff still inside.

etc, etc.

Anti-Heroes in CoV just wouldn't be that believable unless they were done extremely well. Everything you do - even when attacking the other villain groups - is motivated by someone's greed, selfishness or desire to gain more power.

Alright, switch RI and EF around and slapped Atomic Burst's slots onto Cosmic Burst. The build looks pretty spiffy to me.

Thanks for your help guys!

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.5.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name: Ivy Mike
Level: 41
Archetype: Corruptor
Primary: Radiation Blast
Secondary: Radiation Emission
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Neutrino Bolt==> Acc(1)Dmg(11)Dmg(11)Dmg(17)
01) --> Radiant Aura==> Heal(1)Heal(3)Heal(3)
02) --> Irradiate==> Acc(2)Dmg(9)Dmg(9)Dmg(13)Rechg(23)
04) --> Accelerate Metabolism==> Rechg(4)Rechg(5)Rechg(5)EndMod(34)EndMod(36)EndMod(36)
06) --> Electron Haze==> Acc(6)Dmg(7)Dmg(7)Dmg(13)Rechg(17)
08) --> Swift==> Run(8)
10) --> Enervating Field==> EndRdx(10)EndRdx(37)EndRdx(37)
12) --> Air Superiority==> Acc(12)
14) --> Fly==> Fly(14)Fly(15)Fly(15)
16) --> Health==> Heal(16)
18) --> Cosmic Burst==> Acc(18)Dmg(19)Dmg(19)Dmg(23)
20) --> Stamina==> EndMod(20)EndMod(21)EndMod(21)
22) --> Proton Volley==> Acc(22)Dmg(27)Dmg(27)Dmg(29)
24) --> Radiation Infection==> TH_DeBuf(24)TH_DeBuf(25)TH_DeBuf(25)DefDeBuf(29)DefDeBuf(34)DefDeBuf(34)
26) --> Lingering Radiation==> Acc(26)Slow(36)Slow(37)
28) --> Assault==> EndRdx(28)
30) --> Tactics==> TH_Buf(30)TH_Buf(31)TH_Buf(31)EndRdx(31)
32) --> Atomic Blast==> Acc(32)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Rechg(40)Rechg(40)
35) --> Mutation==> Rechg(35)
38) --> EM Pulse==> Acc(38)Acc(39)Hold(39)Hold(39)Hold(40)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Scourge==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------


Does this look significantly better to you?

I'm aiming for a Blaster/Debuffer more than anything; someone that can take care of themselves, but still adds a great deal to the team.

I assumed that with AM running, my Endurance would be bearable pre-Stamina.

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.5.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder
---------------------------------------------
Name:
Level: 41
Archetype: Corruptor
Primary: Radiation Blast
Secondary: Radiation Emission
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Neutrino Bolt==> Acc(1)Dmg(9)Dmg(11)Dmg(17)DefDeBuf(37)
01) --> Radiant Aura==> Heal(1)Heal(3)Heal(3)
02) --> Irradiate==> Acc(2)Dmg(9)Dmg(11)Dmg(17)DefDeBuf(39)
04) --> Accelerate Metabolism==> Rechg(4)Rechg(5)Rechg(5)
06) --> Radiation Infection==> TH_DeBuf(6)TH_DeBuf(7)TH_DeBuf(7)DefDeBuf(31)DefDeBuf(31)DefDeBuf(31)
08) --> Hover==> Fly(8)
10) --> Enervating Field==> EndRdx(10)
12) --> Proton Volley==> Acc(12)Dmg(13)Dmg(13)Dmg(21)
14) --> Fly==> Fly(14)Fly(15)Fly(15)
16) --> Swift==> Run(16)
18) --> Cosmic Burst==> Acc(18)Dmg(19)Dmg(19)Dmg(21)Rechg(34)DefDeBuf(39)
20) --> Health==> Heal(20)
22) --> Stamina==> EndMod(22)EndMod(23)EndMod(23)
24) --> Electron Haze==> Acc(24)Dmg(25)Dmg(25)Dmg(29)Rechg(34)DefDeBuf(39)
26) --> Neutron Bomb==> Acc(26)Dmg(27)Dmg(27)Dmg(29)Rechg(34)DefDeBuf(40)
28) --> Mutation==> Rechg(28)Rechg(40)Rechg(40)
30) --> Lingering Radiation==> Acc(30)Slow(37)Slow(37)
32) --> Atomic Blast==> Acc(32)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)Dmg(33)
35) --> Choking Cloud==> EndRdx(35)EndRdx(36)Hold(36)Hold(36)
38) --> EM Pulse==> Acc(38)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Empty(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Empty(1)
01) --> Scourge==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> Empty(2)
---------------------------------------------


Ok, this build will be primarily a PvE-focused one, with - I hope - a healthy mix of soloing and grouping up. I've put this build together after reading things on the American board, so I'm not too sure if what I have is even practical in a "real" setting.

I took Flight because it was thematic, but at the same time I'm concerned; I have basically zero mez protection with this build.

As always, any help will be greatly appreciated.

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Plus those cavernous CoT maps are going to be fun with zero vertical travel power.

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Then we have Grandville to worry about.

Slight change of plan, I'm afraid.

Unless it's tommorow afternoon, I won't be able to make it. I won't have access to my usual computer till about Sunday once Thursday rolls in, so no CoV for me.

Feel free to get a team together, regardless; I can always bully the SG into putting a team together next week.

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Is the 5/55 spread the right breakdown? Maybe, maybe not. Certainly we did not want it to be longer than 60 days. Would 53, 41, or 22 days would be better? The point is we had to start somewhere. It will be watched and monitored. Consider how more upset you would have been if we started short and then lengthened the time in between.

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Seems we're both right, to a degree.

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Are you sure? I'm pretty sure the Devs said they would find a timeframe that's not too long or too short and stick with it.

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I can't recall the actual thread - although I do believe it's in the Dev Corner somewhere - but as far as I remember, they said they'd be tweaking the strength of the IoPs and/or tweaking the length/frequency of the trial.

Waiting nearly two months does seem a bit much, I must say, even if they will be changing hands primarily through base raids.

Although I hasten to point out that the "open days" are likely to become more frequent in the future.

Pirates, Carnies and Demons are - presumably - next on the list, as they've been previously mentioned by Statesman (Although I'm unsure if they're currently under production, or still on the "vague ideas" board).

As I said near the start of the thread, it's currently weaker than CoH; mainly due to the lack of a "centralised" area where you know Roleplay is going to be taking place. The new PDP has helped significantly in this regard, but outside of that area it's mainly inner-Supergroup stuff.

The SG I'm part of - EVIL ("European....", not the other one) - is pretty intense when it comes to the level of Roleplay going on, for example, but I don't hear an awful lot going on outside of SGs.

It's dissapointing, but perhaps understandable given how established people already were with CoH. If CoV came first, I'd imagine the situation would be reversed accordingly.

Not sure. Maybe tonight. Maybe tommorow.

I demand level 30 on my Stalker first, then we shall see. Muahahaha. Bwahahaha. etc, etc.

Red, you'd be surprised at how a minority of people can effect someone's overall view of a community.

Take me for example; until recently, my view of the GG community was relatively sour, simply because I'd had a bit of a childish falling out with a couple of members. When you're focused on who or what you don't like, you tend to "blot out" the positive images (A bit like people having issues with the game itself, come to think of it).

However, when I finally got a set of cajones and apologised to those folks, the negativity kind of went "poof!" and I'm all cheery towards GG again.

It does have it's issues of course - you'd be hard pressed to find any community that doesn't, however - but for the largest part, it's a welcoming and vibrant group.

First of all, sorry for getting back to the thread so late; I've had a cold recently, and had to spend about nine hours travelling around London yesterday. Needless to say, I'm in a fairly cranky mood.



Raven:
Well, have you seen the sheer amount of Longbow bases that are dotted about the Isles?

While the Hero population would have taken an absolutely massive strike, I don't think it would have been out of the realms of possibility for Longbow to "survive" - to a certain extent - the purge and come crawling back out of the rubble when all was said and done.

As for the nuking; well, I figured that with no "strong" leaders left, they'd resort to more drastic ways of dealing with Villains (In a similar style to Wyvern). With the Infected being so numerous and out-numbering the forces greatly, a use of WMDs - once, and only once, mind - would have been "appropiate".

Innigo:
Yup, that's the sort of thing my girlfriend pointed out.

I guess, at the heart of it, I wanted to just get things moving. So rather than trying make a hugely elaborate piece covering everything and anything, I just put something together dealing with Mercy Island that would give the reader a taste of what I was writing, and get them interested in further parts.

When my headache's completely gone, and I'm not emotionally drained, I'll be putting together the piece for Port Oakes. That will be much deeper, and covering a lot more history; going into detail about the individual villain groups, noteable events....etc.

Thanks for the feedback though, guys. It was more than enough to make me continue writing this.

Powersets. That's why.

An Axe or Mace for a Scrapper/Brute would suit me just fine.

If, however, you're playing CoV, for now you're probably better off trying to find a Roleplay-orientated supergroup and going from there. The GG community is pretty well established on the Hero side, but we don't seem to have anything like that for villains just yet (Although the revamped PDP has helped blend the two "cultures" to a certain degree).

If you advertise on the server forum - asking for a group that fits your criteria - you're likely to find one pretty quickly.

My main's in a Roleplay-heavy group, and I've been involved in so much plot lately it's negatively effecting my levelling speed.