Ultimo_

I'm suprised (and a little disappointed) that no one has commented on my idea. Does it not meet the needs of everyone?

Just some tinkering... I could move things around, but the awkward part is that there's only so many slots available at L50 (or I might put Hand Clap there)...


Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Level 50 Science Tanker
Primary Power Set: Invulnerability
Secondary Power Set: Super Strength
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fitness
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Temp Invulnerability -- EndRdx-I(A), ResDam-I(3), ResDam-I(3), ResDam-I(5)
Level 1: Jab -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(5), Dmg-I(7), Dmg-I(7), Dmg-I(9)
Level 2: Dull Pain -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(9), RechRdx-I(11)
Level 4: Haymaker -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(11), KBDist-I(13), KBDist-I(13), KBDist-I(15)
Level 6: Air Superiority -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(15), Dmg-I(17), Dmg-I(17), Dmg-I(19)
Level 8: Unyielding -- EndRdx-I(A), ResDam-I(19), ResDam-I(21), ResDam-I(21)
Level 10: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 12: Resist Physical Damage -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(23), ResDam-I(23)
Level 14: Fly -- Flight-I(A), Flight-I(25), Flight-I(25)
Level 16: Health -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(27), Heal-I(27)
Level 18: Invincibility -- EndRdx-I(A), ToHit-I(29), ToHit-I(29), DefBuff-I(31), DefBuff-I(31), DefBuff-I(31)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(33), EndMod-I(33)
Level 22: Knockout Blow -- RechRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(33), Acc-I(34), KBDist-I(34), KBDist-I(34), KBDist-I(36)
Level 24: Hand Clap -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(36), KBDist-I(36), KBDist-I(37), KBDist-I(37)
Level 26: Tough Hide -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(37), DefBuff-I(39)
Level 28: Rage -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(39)
Level 30: Resist Elements -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(39), ResDam-I(40)
Level 32: Resist Energies -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(40), ResDam-I(40)
Level 35: Hurl -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(42), KBDist-I(42), KBDist-I(42), KBDist-I(43)
Level 38: Foot Stomp -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(43), KBDist-I(43), KBDist-I(45), KBDist-I(45)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(45), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 44: Physical Perfection -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(46), EndMod-I(46)
Level 47: Laser Beam Eyes -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(48), Dmg-I(48), Dmg-I(48), Dmg-I(50)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(50), DefBuff-I(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A)
Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet

I'll be honest, the main reason I find myself using Unstoppable is to avoid running out of Endurance. Only against particularly damaging foes (GMs, AVs, etc.) did I also rely on its defensive aspect. I'm hoping Perfect Physique can help with that. In any case, I've frequently considered dropping US for something else, but it is something I have found fairly useful. Perhaps I'll reconsider. Again...

Yeah, I thought that might be the case, but I hesitate to send unsolicited PMs to the devs. It just seems rude, somehow.

Still, if I don't get a response here, I may take that course. I'll give it a day or two.

With the development of alternative animations for powers (eg. Super Strength has variations on its punches), it seems possible that other power sets could get similar treatments.

My question is specific to the Energy Blast set. Having been trying to make a character based on Cyclops of the X-Men, I've tried a couple of different approaches. My first instinct was to make him an Energy Blaster (Nrg/Dev), but there's currently no way to make the blasts come from his eyes (or even just his head). More recently, I've been toying with a build that is Radiation/Psi (using only X-Ray eyebeams and psi effects coming from his head). This latter build is somewhat aesthetically displeasing, and somewhat less than effective in combat.

My question is, will there be an animation set that will have Energy Blasts coming from the eyes/head of the character?

If yes, then I'll keep the Nrg/Dev Blaster. If not... well, I don't know quite what I'll do.

Is it possible to get a definitive answer from BAB or one of the other devs?

I'd like the game to follow comic book mores rather than MMO ones.

Redlynne's dancing icon is mesmerizing me...

A couple of things. First, speaking as a "hesitant" tank, the reason I hesitate is to ensure everyone is ready before I draw aggro. I like to remember that I'm not the only one on a team.

As for teams breaking up and facing different foes all over the map, I've always thought that's how the game should be (but often isnt). Think of that issue of the Avengers (I don't recall the number) where they ended up fighting the Squadron Supreme over a downed plane. Each character paired off to fight a different foe. Personally, I blame the devs for lazy game design, making it nearly impossible for this kind of thing to happen.

Finally, I think the award for most egregious scrapperlock goes to my Protector Bots, who insist on charging willy-nilly into every group on the map despite their profound squishyness.

An option to make a foe invulnerable would be nice. For example, I wanted to make a story in which the heroes encounter the villain they're going to encounter later (ie. the big bad guy). However, even as an AV, he could thoeretically be defeated in this early mission, breaking the story. What I needed was an option to make him immune to harm so he could escape to reappear later.

All I know is that I spend a LOT of time making my story arcs and characters. I jumped through their hoops struggling to get the arcs to fit in the memory thimble they allowed us, and now I'm being forced to add critters to the groups so their memory requirements will go UP?

No, I'm sorry, but no. My stories are well made and are not farms. The charcaters are appropriate and not wimps (in fact, my representations of the Norse and Greek Gods are downright SCARY). No one plays my arcs now because they're not giving any xp. The "solution" didn't solve anything as far as I'm concerned. They threw out the baby with the bathwater.

Some time ago, I put forward an idea, maybe its time has come.

Ok, here we go.

First, change ALL knockback in the game to Knockdown/up. Then, make it so adding one knockback enhancer changes that effect to knockback. Finally, make it so knockback enhancers add a damage effect to knockback.

That way, those that hate knockback needn't put up with it, and those that do can have it.

Now, as mentioned, there are a few powers that might require a little looking over for balance reasnos, but in general, I think this might be good. What say you all?

Actually, I made an EA/Mace Tank as soon as the EA set became available (and he IS a Thor-based character), but I have to admit, I haven't played him much lately. I found the endurance costs just painful to play.

I switched to redside and have been playing the same character (essentially) as a Brute, but have had the same problem. I'm at work now, so I'll post the builds of each when I get home, for your analysis.

I should say, I greatly appreciate the tone of the posters in the thread so far, and also the excellent suggestions made. I feel threads like this help many people who might pass through for a look. Well done, folks.

Loathe as I am to say it, players who have knockback have to learn to play it. As has been noted, knockback can be a powerful tool when used properly, though I'll readily admit, it can be a pain in the behind when used poorly.

Would you believe I have a Super Strength Tanker that I spent three levels (L33-35) with the slotting: 1EndRedx, 1Acc, 3KB in all his attacks!

I've often suggested that knockback be even MORE prevalent. I mean, its' one of the few real comic book standards, and we often see characters ignoring it. Go look up the fight between Superman and Captain Marvel on Youtube. Most would agree that they're Tanks, but they're knocking each other all over the place.

In my opinion, I'd make only one real change to knockback in general, and that's to add a little damage to it. I mean, if I get sent flying 30 feet through the air, landing is going to be somewhat painful. The other, related, change I'd make is to make knockback unresistable or at least higher mag when Rage is running (Super Strength).

Some good points, but ones I've actually heard before. I slotted Dull Pain for heals and not recharge because I actually rarely have need for it, and the slots seemed more useful elsewhere.

Hand Clap is what I use for Taunting (oddly enough). I slotted it for Disorient as I generally found that more useful. I do enjoy it, though, as it's one of the few powers that actually seems super strong. As I say, I'd thought about swapping things around as Tough Hide seems too useful to wait for, but then, I'd miss something else. Still tinkering...

Endurance issues are my biggest issue. Unless Conserve Power is running, I'm generally out of endurance in no time flat. In fact, at this moment, I have some of my attacks triple slotted for endurance (temporarily, the build above represents the goal build...). I'm looking forward to Physical Perfection.

Delaying Resist Elements seems aesthetically displeasing to me, somehow... heh. I'll tinker some more and see what you think of the result, but the reality is that the character really doesn't suffer much except against foes that have other effects that rely on hitting him or unusually hard hitting foes (or endurance drainers).

Ok, here's the build as I'm playing it now. As I say, he's L44 and only just got Laser Eyes. All the defensive powers are fully slotted, and KO Blow is fully slotted. The other attacks are almost fully slotted, but that's kind of beside the point of the thread.

I've been tinkering with it to see if I can't get Tough Hide earlier (I think L30 is likely where it would end up...), and I've toyed with dropping Haymaker in favour of something else, so that might free up space to get Tough Hide earlier too.


Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.601
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Canadian Shield: Level 50 Science Tanker
Primary Power Set: Invulnerability
Secondary Power Set: Super Strength
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Fitness
Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Temp Invulnerability -- EndRdx-I(A), ResDam-I(3), ResDam-I(3), ResDam-I(5)
Level 1: Jab -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(5), Dmg-I(7), Dmg-I(7), Dmg-I(9)
Level 2: Dull Pain -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(9), Heal-I(11)
Level 4: Haymaker -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(11), Dmg-I(13), Dmg-I(13), Dmg-I(15)
Level 6: Air Superiority -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(15), Dmg-I(17), Dmg-I(17), Dmg-I(19)
Level 8: Unyielding -- EndRdx-I(A), ResDam-I(19), ResDam-I(21), ResDam-I(21)
Level 10: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 12: Resist Physical Damage -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(23), ResDam-I(23)
Level 14: Fly -- Flight-I(A), Flight-I(25), Flight-I(25)
Level 16: Health -- Heal-I(A), Heal-I(27), Heal-I(27)
Level 18: Invincibility -- EndRdx-I(A), ToHit-I(29), ToHit-I(29), DefBuff-I(31), DefBuff-I(31), DefBuff-I(31)
Level 20: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(33), EndMod-I(33)
Level 22: Knockout Blow -- RechRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(33), Acc-I(34), Dmg-I(34), Dmg-I(34), Dmg-I(36)
Level 24: Resist Elements -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(36), ResDam-I(36)
Level 26: Resist Energies -- ResDam-I(A), ResDam-I(37), ResDam-I(37)
Level 28: Rage -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37)
Level 30: Hand Clap -- Acc-I(A), Acc-I(39), Dsrnt-I(39), Dsrnt-I(46), Dsrnt-I(50)
Level 32: Unstoppable -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 35: Hurl -- EndRdx-I(A), Acc-I(39), Dmg-I(40), Dmg-I(40), Dmg-I(40)
Level 38: Foot Stomp -- RechRdx-I(A), EndRdx-I(42), Acc-I(42), Dmg-I(42), Dmg-I(43), Dmg-I(46)
Level 41: Conserve Power -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(43), RechRdx-I(43)
Level 44: Laser Beam Eyes -- Acc-I(A), DefDeb-I(45), Dmg-I(45), Dmg-I(45), Dmg-I(46)
Level 47: Physical Perfection -- Heal-I(A), EndMod-I(48), EndMod-I(48), EndMod-I(48)
Level 49: Tough Hide -- DefBuff-I(A), DefBuff-I(50), DefBuff-I(50)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Dmg-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Gauntlet

I think the issue is that it's not bringing anything very new to the table. If we can come up with an alternative that adds something that's different from other sets, we may have something.

Oh, I'll have to look up my build, but I'm afraid time is pressing at the moment. I'll get it this evening...