Ukaserex

On the off chance that some of you are taking the news a bit harder than most....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hSyf...ture=endscreen

It sometimes take some darkness for a light to shine brightly. Right now, Tony is like a lighthouse.

Given the financials of NCSoft, but not the specifics of CoH, I am wondering if there is any significant chance of them selling CoH/GR to some other company.
CoH being my first and only MMO, and not making a habit of perusing the gamer websites, I've no idea how realistic this idea might be, but I imagine if NCSoft dropped it, it probably wasn't making any money, or not enough.

Thoughts?

I suspect I shouldn't hold my breath, but I'm curious as to what some of you think.

Oh my! I wonder if the term hook up means the same as what I think it means....


In any event, should you feel like bragging about your daughter again, you can reach me at ukaserex@gmail.com

(so can anyone else, for that matter)

I have missed playing with Hazy.

I will miss @FlyingCodeMonkey and his no doubt beautiful wife, @Brightfires -- as well as @Icon and his no doubt beautiful wife, @Guardian Pixie.

@Frankx and the rest of the Ouphers, in particular @Monika Chimera, you folks were probably the only reason I re-subbed after Summer started.

As for those of you on The Really Hard Way badge effort - it was just hard enough to be worth the effort, but not overly so.

Aside from the numerous MoUGTs and the sub 12 minute ITF speed run with @High Voltz and @Heavenly Perverse, those 3 times I got the badge were without question the most fun I've had in this game.

My sub was to be up in mid-October, and that was going to be a wrap. Tonight's UGT was going to leave every member 100 million richer - and all the UGT's to follow. But, since they're pulling the plug, may as well quit now.

Now, nobody gets my stuff! It all stays in binary!

As for @cera frost and her daughter @nex silen /em bonk!

I'm sure that the problem is not with CoH - as after I uninstalled bitdefender, I can log into CoH just fine.

I just got Bitdefender last night, after I'd closed down CoH for the night. I'd read about a predicted increase in the likelihood of ransomware and other malware problems, so I figured I'd pony up the cash to get some protection.

For whatever reason, with Bitdefender up and running, the launcher loads the game up ---right to the point before it shows a place to log in with username and password. The game just hangs - presumably because of something Bitdefender is doing.

Anyone familiar with Bitdefender that might shed some insight? It'd be a shame to have to uninstall and reinstall before and after each game session.

I'm sure different folks have different experiences with server populations and the amount of time/effort to form an iTrial.

My very first character was on Liberty - and then I went to Triumph, and then to Infinity in some ridiculous effort to get a 50 on every server. (And then like a crazy person, I used a lot of transfer tokens after CoH:Freedom to bring them all to one - and then transferred some off to make more room.

I know that on Liberty and Champion there are multiple global channels -private and public - that certainly assist in forming trials - but - outside of prime time and the weekends, it rarely happens - at least on the channels I monitor when I'm on. (not saying it doesn't - just that I don't see mention of them)

I had a fully functioning base on Liberty, where I played most of the time. But, after a struggle during prime time to form something up, I decided to test the waters on other servers. If Triumph can't get the job done due to lack of people, transfer your toon - and quickly make an alt by the same name on Triumph server so you can keep the name when you transfer back. There's no shame in it.

I know you have your reasons for not doing so - and that's fine. I just figured I'd let you know that the lights are on for you on many servers. They'd all be lucky to have you.

Well, I got my response back from CoH regarding the first run when the badge wasn't awarded. Someone did in fact put a light out in the first run.

Let's just say I'm not terribly surprised, but I am kind of disappointed. This fellow came along on our MoUGT the night before and ran ahead and almost "blew it" so to speak during the bomb phase - but I was ready and called for the league to run ahead and kill the same bomb, so no harm was done. When asked to stick with the league - his apology was quick and seemed sincere(and compliance ensued). I don't know the fellow aside from that - but I hope you folks will give him another chance on other trials. I suspect it was his first run and he may have missed a good bit of the instruction.

An excellent question.

The sad part is - the answer (whether right or wrong) will be different for a lot of people.

Almost all of my questions in this post are rhetorical in nature. I understand that the answers are going to be different for many.

One poster suggests that they find the use of Gale to be positional and situational. (that's as politically correct as I can put it) Others would suggest if they were skilled, they'd just use the F key and chase the baddies down 1 at a time and finish them off. It matters not that one simple use of Burn and Fire Sword Circle would have done that in far less time and aggravation for the melee character.

Another mentions that they should not be annoying power wise or annoying personality wise.

Another asks if this is "a game or is it work?".
Not going to put words in this poster's mouth -there's enough of those already.

I think the term skill is a bit broad. There are team skills, leadership skills, social skills and a host of other categories.

For me, a skilled player is one who understands that if you are level 20 and having endurance problems, you can slot your attacks with end reducers and worry about damage later, when you have more slots to use.

It's all about knowledge. Knowledge translates very clearly into power.
I have led at least 100 successful UGTs. Maybe half of them were for Master of. Almost all of them were scheduled runs, but PUGs just the same.

That doesn't mean I have the foggiest notion about what a storm defender can do or can't do. My highest one is level 2 or 3 and hasn't been logged on for over 1500 days.

All my level 50's have specific accolade powers - Portal Jockey, Atlas Medallion, Freedom Phalanx and TFC. Now, it really doesn't take any "skill" to get those accolades, per se. But it does take some dilligence, some patience and a little research that Paragon Wiki makes very simple and a lot faster than before Paragon Wiki.

Does it take skill to run into a mob of +3 magus' and use Psychic Shockwave + Drain Psyche + Rain of Fire + Fire Ball + Blaze and Mind Probe? No. It does take some knowledge of slotting and how the powers work. It also takes some knowledge of the market to fill the power slots with the right stuff. It also takes some practice to be positioned correctly - and sometimes even a skilled player will over compensate for various buffs. (and a few breakfrees in case a mez gets through)

Can a skilled player forget to slot his Alpha before an Apex?

I sure hope so. But that same skilled player can kill himself and hit the hospital to put it in the slot. Is that skill? or knowledge?

A skilled player can have a large difference in a really hard way badge effort. A player who's not skilled can adversely impact that effort. A defeated player does no buffing, no debuffing or dps. Is it really skill to move a character from where it is when warned to do so by the game and by another player in league chat?

How much skill is needed to move from the City Hall Rep to go pay SG rent? The distance is almost the same (as moving to safety from lightning in magi trial)- but circumstances are different.

As I play this game more, I learn how much of a fool I used to be years ago(when I thought I knew it all). And, as I move about from server to server and experience how different leaders solve the same problems differently, I again learn that I'm not nearly so clever as I think I am. Most of the lessons I learn get in through osmosis, mainly. I've a mind like a steel trap! Nothing gets in! I used to say Absorb Pain is skippable for an empath. It is, technically. But, now that I've used it again - after years of thinking one way - I've reconsidered. It basically just isn't for everyone. But, if you figure out when and when not to use it, it can make an incredible difference to foolish corruptors who clearly have more confidence in the emps healing ability than the emp.

As I express my opinion here - I have no doubt that in the days to come, I'll learn something else that I didn't know. Yet still (aside from PvP) I'd put my "skill" as a blaster up against just about any other blaster and hold my own - if not surpassing them.
But that doesn't make me more skilled, necessarily. It could mean that I have learned how to market more efficiently - or simply suffer through it while you find it boring or distasteful.
It could also mean that I have no problem "farming" for Fake nemesis bosses and getting the Freedom Phalanx Reserve Accolade sooner rather than later.

Some seem to think a player's ability to make teaming more "fun" makes them skilled. I won't say that it doesn't -- but I look at this game more as entertainment, not fun. I can pay for entertainment, but paying for fun ....well, that's splitting hairs, isn't it?

I "pay" to play. I want my teammates to be as invested in the experience as I am. They may be brand new VIPs. If they haven't read up on the activity - they should at least voice their ignorance so someone can bring them up to speed.

Like the OP, when I see a name with xX PlayerName Xx, or something like Captin Amerca or Captian Amecira ..... well, no, I don't want to dfb with you. You are a bad speller, or you are clearly lacking in imagination or intellect or some combination of those.
(or maybe you're just an 8 year old kid who's playing in the dark and can't see the keyboard to type out the words correctly)
Either way - I'm going to avoid you like the plague.

It doesn't matter to me how skilled you think you are -- what matters to me is that your character has all the bells and whistles that you can give them to give them the best chance possible.
Please note that's my preference. It doesn't mean that I won't team with you if you're not soft-capped for defense in all categories.

If you work 60 hours a week and can only play an hour a week, then no, I don't expect you to be min/maxed. You are playing the game for something far different than me. I've traded a penchant for drink and gambling for this game. I tend to be obsessive. Is it fair for me to want other players to take the game seriously? To play their characters to the best of their ability? Can a player play to the best of their ability without bonus sets? Does that make them unskilled? (remember, they're rhetorical!)

Now - after having typed all that - my slow, dim-witted brain has realized that a conviction on my part doesn't make things an obligation on your part. I certainly cannot expect anyone to be as passionate as anyone else(me) about how they play this game.

But, here's what dictionary.com says Skill is.

1.
the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
2. competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity: The dancers performed with skill.

3. a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.


Not sure about definition 2. ... Competent Excellence? isn't that an oxymoron?

New time for Sunday's MoUGT. Instead of 8pm Eastern, because the league took so long to form up, I need to start it earlier. Sunday's MoUGT run will start forming in DA at 7:30 pm Eastern.

And, if I don't get the personnel needed by 7:45pm Eastern, well, we won't start.

Really sorry I had to miss this. I'd already had my MoUGT on Liberty posted for the same time slot.

We got our Mo, though. Hope you guys gave the Jello all it could handle.

@Amygdala gave you good advice. Although only a fraction of a server's population are active in the forums, if there aren't posts in that server's section for regularly scheduled events - it doesn't mean there aren't any - but it does mean that you'll have to get plugged in socially to get involved in them.

Liberty is my "home" server, but I've found that I've been able to get more iTrials on a regular basis on Champion than on Liberty for my new preferred playing time. (got a new job)

What I did first when I filled all my slots on Liberty - before I transferred some over to Champion to make room:
I made a toon and leveled it to 50 to see how the journey would be with regards to ease of joining/forming task forces. (not really concerned about a regular teaming thing, I just prefer task forces and iTrials)
Once I realized that I could get about 4 iTrials at roughly the same time every weekday evening, it seemed like a no-brainer to me.

Liberty has some truly excellent leaders - and some truly wonderful people. Champion as well. Both also have their share of people who, when they miss a day of playing, need to be re-educated on how their characters work.

In a nutshell, my best advice is to try Virtue for the sheer magnitude of people, Champion for a higher, more consistent level of play. Liberty will no doubt be more chatty, casual and in all likelihood, fun. Champion is where you go if you're truly serious about Mo iTrial badges. Liberty is only serious when the badge first hits.
Obviously, this is only my opinion.
If you try champion, join the public channels - and if you do your due dilligence, you'll find out what they are easily enough. Same with Liberty. Without the public/private channels, you'll have a lot harder time getting into the trials - and of course, bookmark the server section of the forums and check them daily. (or whenever you wish to see what opportunities you missed because you were too busy/lazy to check them daily. )

As for Liberty - my UGT schedule has been fairly constant for about a year. UGT is so lengthy, that most folks just can't bear to do it - even for the guaranteed rare/very rare - when they could run probably 5 sLams in the same time frame. However, on Friday nights, if I could run two UGTs at the same time without my computer exploding, I could probably fill two leagues - the demand is that high after new powersets are released.

Infinity is also good - but if you aren't in "The Pinks" private channel, you're going to have a rough time getting things done well consistently. (at least I did. Super nice folks, but outside of the pinks channel, most are more concerned about chat than getting things done it seemed to me.)

As for the rest of them, Pinnacle has some marvelous people, but I can't tell you much more than that.

If I may, let me shed some further light on this topic.

In a nutshell, it may take you 7 runs of Unai Kemen's Freak map, or 11 runs of the council map to get one purple worth 150 to 300 million uncrafted.

But - what else did you get? Surely you got a Thunderstrike or two. A Doctored Wounds, maybe even a Numina or even a respec recipe!

I have always made far more inf off the other drops while hoping for the purples. The purples are just gravy.

Crafting time? If you're on the council map, it takes very little time because the council drop arcane and tech salvage both - so most of your common recipes will craft without any more fuss than just finding a crafting bench. As for the rare salvage - which I confess I'm always missing - that's when you go into AE and use those tickets so you don't have to plunk down the inf for that rare salvage. For a while, I was keeping all the rare salvage in my character's vault - but forgot they were in there and kept using tickets for them anyway.

So, in my mind, there's no question - farming for purples is worth far more to me than farming for tickets. But, your experiences may differ from mine.

Just don't discount the other drops that aren't purple - it doesn't take many to add up to more than a purple.

Wow - I just deleted about 1000 words of silly ranting.

TLDR version - I don't like CoH:Freedom. It is my opinion that the Dev team needs to do the following:

1. Encourage Freebies and Premiums to be VIP. There should be a more compelling reason to be VIP other than iTrials and Dark Astoria. (once a vip is on tier 9 - if all their 50's are "done" with badges and tier 4'd on all incarnate slots - why be vip when leveling the lowbies? )
2. I would much rather pay 20-25 a month and get all the goodies on the market included in my VIP sub. It's annoying to have to bring up the silly market to "buy" stuff with points. I know that the way it is now, I don't have to "buy" anything if I don't want to - and I know that most are thrilled to have a choice. I would just rather it be take from my credit card once a year or every 6 months and be done with it. (and yes, I'm sure that's probably just me)
3. Focus more on the quality (maturity)of the writing and the quality of the graphics. My characters look too much like they belong in a cartoon instead of looking real, and the stories all read like they're for a 14 year old.

So much for TLDR, eh? lol