Talbein_Vikshus

Nope it doesn't bother me at all. Other people have asked the devs to try and come up with an alternative solution for powers that end up hiding the costume but so far nothing has been put forth for the masses. In the meantime, I keep trucking with my DM/DA I created at launch with a nod to the devs for the improvements since made to the DA set. Those were some rough times back then.

While there may have been other players who have experienced what your friend is going through, the bottom line is. Your friend is going to need to contact NCSoft support to have the issue resolved. Nobody else will be able to help him fix anything that is related to his account. They may need to confirm the activation code he entered in. Also, did he receive an email stating his game account is activated?

The following is copy and pasted from NCSoft's help support page...

------------------------------------------------
To activate your trial account, log into NCsoft Account Management and follow the instructions below.

If you have purchased a retail copy of the game from a retailer, use the following instructions.

1. Click the Game Accounts link.
2. Click your trial game account in the Game Accounts section.
3. Click the Reactivate Account link in the Actions section.
4. Enter the 20-digit serial code from your retail game and click the Continue button.
5. Select your billing option and click the SUBMIT button.
6. Provide the requested information to complete the activation.

If you have purchased a serial code through your NCsoft master account, use the following instructions.

1. Click the Use a Serial Code link.
2. Select the serial code you wish to use in the Unused Serial Codes section and click the Continue button.
3. Locate the trial account you wish to activate and click the Reactivate Account button.
4. Select your billing option and click the SUBMIT button.
5. Provide the requested information to complete the activation.

After completing the billing activation process, you will be sent an e-mail stating your account has been activated. Once you receive that e-mail, your account will be successfully upgraded to retail status.

PLEASE NOTE: We strongly recommend you save the "Game Account Activated!" e-mail sent to you after the initial activation of your game account. That e-mail contains a very important piece of information that we use to verify account ownership. You may need it if you need help with your account later. That specific piece of information is only provided in the e-mail sent after the original activation of your game account. It cannot be resent.
---------------------------------------------

You can contact them by email or by phone:
1-512-225-6359
Mon-Fri
12-5pm (Central time)

Hope this helps.

It should also be noted that if you are leaping, flying through the air and get hit by a knockback/knockdown attack, Grounded will not help prevent it. As the name of the power implies, you need to be close/on the ground in order to resist that particular affect.

If that annoys you, using a knockback resist IO in your build will cover you for the most part unless you get stacked knockbacks on you. And if this annoys, then you should think about getting Acrobatics.

Is Grounded skippable? Well, it depends on what you can live with. If you are getting into the Leaping pool for travel power (SJ) and a little more defense and aerial maneuverability (CJ) maybe you can work in Acrobatics as well.

For me, I couldn't stand it so worked in Acrobatics because part of my playstyle involves jumping around for taunting and positioning.

And as the others have mentioned, Grounded also provides other functionality that make it worthwhile to pick up.

I'll offer up my (relatively) inexpensive build for my WP/Axe tank for comparison reasons. The amazing thing with WP is the flexibility in slotting the powers available especially in HPT and RTTC. As was previously mentioned, you basically need to settle on the 'direction' of your tank and what you aim to do with it. Focusing on damage means taking different powers and slotting other powers with different IO sets. If you want to increase survivability, you may want to focus on increasing total hps and regeneration rates.

That said, I aimed to increase my WP tank's survivability without breaking the bank. You can build a quality hero without having to resort to high priced IOs such as the Numina or Miracle proc or even LotG's +rech. But more on this later.

Here is the build I planned out and am currently running with...

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.401
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Deklan Purifier: Level 50 Technology Tanker
Primary Power Set: Willpower
Secondary Power Set: Battle Axe
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Fighting
Power Pool: Leadership

Hero Profile:
------------
Level 1: Mind Over Body TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx:50(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/Rchg:50(11), TtmC'tng-EndRdx/Rchg:50(11), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(15), TtmC'tng-ResDam:50(15), TtmC'tng-EndRdx:50(17)
Level 1: Beheader S'ngH'mkr-Acc/Dmg:35(A), S'ngH'mkr-Dmg/EndRdx:35(3), S'ngH'mkr-Dmg/Rchg:35(3), S'ngH'mkr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:35(9), P'ngS'Fest-Acc/Dmg:30(9), P'ngS'Fest-Dmg/Rchg:30(17)
Level 2: High Pain Tolerance ResDam-I:50(A), Heal-I:50(33), Heal-I:50(34), ResDam-I:50(43)
Level 4: Gash C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(5), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:50(5), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(7), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(7), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(19)
Level 6: Combat Jumping DefBuff-I:50(A)
Level 8: Fast Healing Heal-I:50(A), Heal-I:50(40)
Level 10: Rise to the Challenge Tr'ge-Heal/EndRdx:30(A), Tr'ge-Heal/Rchg:30(19), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx:50(23), DarkWD-Slow%:50(23), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx:50(31), Tr'ge-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:30(34)
Level 12: Quick Recovery EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(13), EndMod-I:50(13)
Level 14: Super Jump Jump-I:50(A)
Level 16: Hurdle Jump-I:50(A)
Level 18: Health Heal-I:50(A), Heal-I:50(37)
Level 20: Stamina EndMod-I:50(A), EndMod-I:50(21), EndMod-I:50(21)
Level 22: Indomitable Will S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:40(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:40(31), S'dpty-Def:40(48)
Level 24: Taunt Mocking-Taunt:50(A), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg:50(25), Mocking-Taunt/Rchg/Rng:50(25), Mocking-Acc/Rchg:50(27), Mocking-Taunt/Rng:50(27), Mocking-Rchg:50(34)
Level 26: Heightened Senses S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:40(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:40(33), S'dpty-Def:40(33)
Level 28: Whirling Axe Erad-Dmg:30(A), Erad-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:30(29), Erad-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:30(29), Erad-Dmg/Rchg:30(31)
Level 30: Swoop C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg:50(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx:50(42), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg:50(42), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(43), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(46), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(46)
Level 32: Boxing Acc-I:50(A)
Level 35: Cleave Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(36), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg:50(36), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(37), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg:50(37)
Level 38: Pendulum Sciroc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Sciroc-Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), Sciroc-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), Sciroc-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(39), C'ngBlow-Dmg/Rchg:50(40), C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg:50(40)
Level 41: Maneuvers S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:40(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:40(42), S'dpty-Def:40(43)
Level 44: Tactics GSFC-ToHit:50(A), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg:50(45), GSFC-ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:50(45), GSFC-Rchg/EndRdx:50(45), GSFC-ToHit/EndRdx:50(46), GSFC-Build%:50(50)
Level 47: Tough TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx:50(A), TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(48), TtmC'tng-ResDam:50(48)
Level 49: Weave S'dpty-Def/EndRdx:40(A), S'dpty-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:40(50), S'dpty-Def:40(50)
------------

I'll note that for my build, I do use parts of Scirocco's Dervish which some will consider to be on the pricier side of things for both Cleave and Pendulum. I also use a complete set of Gaussian's which the Rech/End IO especially being on the higher side of things. The only other set that may be viewed as pricey would be the usage of Eradication set (4 out of the 6 are used) in Whirling Axe.

Just about every set chosen adds hp bonuses, +rec, +regeneration, +rech and other useful bonuses. As it stands, the existing build puts you just shy of 3100 hps (if you have the TF Commander, Portal Jockey and Freedom Phalanx Accolades). I didn't do too much frankenslotting for the build, but moving forward I can begin to fine tune the build even more. Obvious future upgrades would be to drop in LotG sets to replace the Serendipitys and use Numina sets. A secondary build can be put into place focusing more on damage if you will and taking advantage of other sets for damage bonus such as Obliterations and Mako's Bite.

Hope this helps.

This sounds like a very good time to be had.

I would totally be up for this but would need a stimulus package Stalemate. Its not cheap hiring out a babysitter for the weekend and paying for a relaxing getaway for the wife so she doesn't complain about my hunkering down in an uncomfortable computer chair with readily available cases of Mountain Dew and cups o'noodle.

Put me down as an alternate in case somebody becomes impaired from seeing too many eyeballs.

Oooh! I gots mine! Muahahahaha *mad scientist laugh*

I like the premise of the suggestion and to throw out a slight variation to it, I've always felt that sg bases could be so much more than just dump depots or a place to use teleporters.

I know SGs have the MOTD function but how about something that spans coalitions. A 'chalkboard function' where you can put on notice items of interest.

Want to set up a tf at a specific date and time and let everybody know? Put it on the chalkboard. Want to let people know about items for trade/sale, list them on the chalkboard. You get the idea.

We know that the sg MOTD has only a certain amount of text space but a chalkboard function could expand or serve a greater role in sg/coalition communication.

I know many people have missed out on a tf/sf before because they weren't online at the time to get the headsup for it. People who weren't online could simply head to the sg base and 'click' on the chalkboard to see the latest news.

Yes, you could arrange events on the specific server of interest here in the forums, but its a given that not everybody is a forumite.

[/ QUOTE ]
And by the way, several of us did already /bug and /petition, and we got confirmation from GMs that it was an unintended bug being looked into.


[/ QUOTE ]

The jaded side of me says its an "oopsy, did anyone notice" stealth tweak to make the STF more challenging.
Just have to run something else Thursday nights until fixed.

This message has been approved. Well done.

I can definitely see how on an unbalanced team, the sf would not be fun in the end. Our full team consisted of 3x brutes, 2x corrs (rad), 1x MM (necro/thugs), 1x dom (grav) and a VEAT. I should also mention we ran on difficulty setting 3.

Maybe strats includes the ever popular kinetics be present for fulcrum shifting ambush mobs in the final room to help drop Reichsman faster, but the brutes would definitely need to manage mob aggro.

I think the new sf is enjoyable, but the last part of the final mission is on the craptacular side of things. At this time, the low amount of merits for completion is going to make some folks mutter under their breaths.

Congratulations new MoSTF badgers. 3 Scrappers is a bit unconventional but turned out just right for you guys heh.
Our run took quite a bit longer and though we lost out on the "Mo" badge we were still able to complete. We took 3h47min in all. Our first drop was during the security chief phase and then two more during LR/tower phase.

We had several inexperienced players as far as STF goes so quite a bit of time was spent explaining situations. Hopefully, they'll pick up on the tips which will help them on any future runs.

Quick breakdown of team composition:
1x stone tank
4x defenders (rad, kin, sonic, emp)
2x blasters
1x scrapper

Look forward to the next run.

Happy Birthday Vyx!

D'oh! Sorry about that Broken. I see Prey in the handle and I automagically think 'experienced' player no matter what the powerset combination heh.

Thanks for the team pic Suriel. No good deed should be left unpunished.

Would agree with Imp. I don't believe using kheldians on MoSTF runs are actively discouraged but like previously mention, they bring on an additional element of danger via mob type (voids/nova/dwarf).

Khelds typically fill the role of ranged damaged for these runs and many times, ranged damage roles are filled quickly.

Sounds like fun but perhaps not on a Thursday night because of regularly scheduled MoSTF run. Wednesday evening is normally Raid the Ritki as well. Perhaps Tueday?

We had one team going for the regularly scheduled Thursday MoSTF run and it was a good one. Four new badges awarded to the following: Suriel, Beautiful Suicide, Ammo Joe and Psi Phyre with three of them being their first time accomplishing the win.

Hearty congratulations to everyone. Also along for the ride were: Rad the Fab, Inferno Prey, Doc Jen and myself (Corwin). Unfortunately, I lost the team pic. Hopefully I can track one down from somebody else.

Team composition:
3x blasters (archery, psychic, assault rifle)
1x tank (invuln)
1x scrapper (ma/sr)
3x defenders (rad, emp, dark)

Overall, the run went very well which included an excellent clear of the vine room. The last mish had a couple of 'uh-oh' moments (flier seeker bombs) but we still came away with the win.

I'm glad yesterday evening ended up being successful for the two teams that ran. Our team finished not long after the first team and with that...

Congratulations to Mage Black and Sister Cinders for earning MoSTF badges. It was a long time coming for Mage and now the monkey is off the back.
Here is a team pic.

Special thanks to the rest of the team: Nuclear Winter., Pixie Prey, Invincible Prey, Wild Sonja and BudLighter.
Everybody performed great and had fun especially considering we had no emp nor a dedicated tper/stealther.

Looking forward to the next one!

Hearty congratulations to new MoSTF badgers: Miss Fortunate, Realm Shifter, bolt007 and Invincible Prey. Big thanks to Terra Angel, Bride of Scrappy, and D'man as well.

Team composition:
1x tank (invuln)
2x blasters
1x defender (emp)
3x trollers (rad, rad, kin)
1x scrapper

Team pic here.

Our total time was nearly 3 hours but we took things slow at key points such as the vine room and during the last mission to go over instructions. Inner circle AVs went down fairly smoothly.
A good run overall and congrats again.

[ QUOTE ]
Great fun in the cutscene

Cutscene

It was a fantastic run as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely looks like fun. Sorry to have missed it.
As luck would have it...one of those impromptu MoSTF run came up earlier today. Had been running a couple of tfs earlier and half the team was interested in running an MoSTF. It did not take long to fill out the rest of the roster.

There were lots of regulars on the team and because of this, the time to complete ended up being a touch over two hours.
A great run all around with some near deaths for thrills.

So congratulations to new badgers: Dutch Bat, Kix'adi, jens toxic radiance, and PB Hawk. Also big thanks to Impyre, Nicholes Kin and StarGeek!
Here's a link to a pic otherwise known as Team 47.

Team composition:
1x fire tanker
1x peacebringer
1x sonics blaster
2x defenders (rad, emp)
3x controllers (kin, rad, rad)

Congratulations new MoSTF badgers! Sounds like good runs all around. Scrappy, I hope you got some globals for future runs heh heh.

[ QUOTE ]
Which is why I don't do the MoSTF. Number one is my powerset, AR/Dev.

[/ QUOTE ]
There's nothing wrong with AR/Dev as far as being able to run an MoSTF successfully. I know its not quite the same, but I've been able to get my AR/Nrg the badge.

[ QUOTE ]

Second and formost is my work schedule. I don't get off from work till 8:30ish PST. Hell the one time I did a STF with my SG I died like 8 times...hiding behid towers, even in a another zone.:P

[/ QUOTE ]
Maybe a late night MoSTF run can be setup if there's any interest. Or perhaps a weekend MoSTF run would be better? I usually try to run an MoSTF on the weekend with time permitting. Send me a pm if you're interested in setting something up.

[ QUOTE ]
Only team "Awesome button" made it undefeated to the end!

[/ QUOTE ]

Where can I get one of these awesome buttons?

Hearty congratulations to all new MoSTF badgers! I know D'man had been pining for the elusive badge awhile now heh heh. Glad to hear that there was a large turnout of heroes for last night's run. Wished I could have run, but family duties called. Looking forward to the next one.

There was an MoSTF run that came together earlier this morning. Unfortunately, I should have explained the 10-2 concept in the vine room where we had our first drop. The AV decided to use a kin defender as fertilizer right as we dropped the last vine. The main group was regathering and unfortunately, the defender flew through the 10-2 area. Kersplatt!

I should have taken more time to prep better for the non-regulars so this one is on me. I know he feels bad about it, but it happens even to the best of them. The team did go on to finish the tf with a total time of 2.5 hrs. We'll get the deed done on the next one.

This past Thursday saw a pretty good turnout of heroes for the MoSTF run. We were able to put together two full teams to take a crack at LR and his minions. Both teams were able to successfully finish the tf, but unfortunately only one managed to pull off Master of...

You can check out the most recent teams that have succeeded at the following:
MoSTF photobucket

The lastest team consisted of:
1x fire tanker
1x peacebringer
2x blasters
2x defender (rad, emp)
1x controller (kin)
1x scrapper*lock

Congratulations to Valfreyia, Jerikko, Jace Vanguard, SoulBright, and Scrappy McBlaster for earning MoSTF badges. Thanks to Nic and Inferno for their roles as well! The total time was just a little over 3 hrs to complete.

A spur of the moment MoSTF team came together earlier today.

The short: We got MoSTF!

The long: Team makeup consisted of:

2x tanks (both stone)
2x controllers (emp, kin)
2x defenders (TA, rad)
2x blasters (energy, fire)

Most of the team consisted of regulars with one being having never run an STF, another old time player returning to the game and another who has yet to finish successfully. A couple of teammates were dealing with conn issues including one of the tanks. Despite this, we took a different tactic than 'standard' procedure when it came to inner AVs.

Inital observation based on AV takedowns (Arbiter Sands, Viridian, Korol, Shadow Spider, etc) indicate a slow takedown of GW. We decided to try and leverage fulcrum shift by using one tank to taunt and position mob group by the team while the other kept the AV taunted. We took quite a bit of time to talk and visualize positioning. After we developed a plan, we practice first on Mako. Then BS. Then Scirocco and finally GW.
The team kept tight to take advantage of FS as well as emp and rad's heal auras.

All damagers were focused on targeting AV with support alternating heals and attacks. A big key was to not damage the mob group in anyway to cause aggro. Now most mob group will have aoe/cone psionic so popping purps/breakfrees for protection and relying on CMs and IDs so nobody gets mezzed helps here. The emp was busy.

We finished MoSTF with a time of 3.5 hrs which is a bit longish but mainly attributed to the time taken to develop strategy, also to a nasty 4x AV pull heh heh. We also played it cautious with LR when 5 banes were spawned. We retreated and waited for them to despawn and tried again.

So hearty congratulations to Straight Arrow (first timer), Iconofcoil (has not previously completed the stf successfully) and Red (welcome back). Also big thanks to Mortal, Mom, Van and Doofus! I'll try to get a team pic up soon. Great effort guys.

Looking forward to the next run!

For today's scheduled MoSTF run, we were able to put together 2 full teams with a fair complement of AT types. One team led by Scrappy and the other myself. A big thank you for all those who came out for the run. I think there were at least a couple heroes who did not get onto a team and my apologies. Please come to the next run.

Unfortunately, both teams were unable to obtain the "Master of..." win we were all hoping for. That said, both teams successfully finished out the stf. My team completed a little over 3 hrs and we had our drop at Aeon. We did not experience any issues with any of the inner AVs even after a double pull of Sci and GW which is a positive to take away.

However, LR presented some issues as he popped some Banes which made things more difficult for the emp and we suffered some drops during this phase. We did get through it and greatly appreciate everyone's effort.

Looking forward to the next run already since it seems we've been taken a beating lately. Help Scrappy lift that curse!