UnicyclePeon

It helps that I get naked and run the water just as the team finalizes. Maybe I've said too much.

Lewis

It includes washing my hair and my body. I was never in the military but I hear they do 2 minute showers.

Lewis

Gang,

Maybe I'm jaded because I've been in a period of unemployment. However, I recently discovered that I have *just* enough time to take my daily shower during the BAF load time and cut scene.

Thank you, Mother. May I have another?

Lewis

Cool. That sounds pretty reasonable for my eclectic (dare I say anti-social attention-defecit?) play tendencies. Of course I am an altaholic too, but that means that in about 6 months, I'll get my initial one done on about 12 of them all around the same time!

Lewis

My deal is that I dont like task forces. I can count on 2 hands the number of times I've run any kind of task force or trial since the game started. I really have to be in the right mood to even enter one. So to even run an ITF or a Lady Grey task force is stressful to me, and to run through 1 a week for me is grindy ... more in the sense that I can do it, but it isn't activity I enjoy. So doing a bunch of activity I dont enjoy for a goal feels grindy to me .... whereas I'm sure knocking out tip and door missions over and over feels grindy to others.

I guess it comes down to what you like, and while I'd love to have the basic Cardiac or something, to even do a task force is an emotional hit for me; gives me a sense of dread, unless I happen to be in the exact right mood. I wish that weren't the case.

So I unlocked the alpha slot on my favorite level 50 character, but I'll probably leave it at that.

Lewis

I've been reading up on the system a tiny bit, and I think it is looking a bit grindy to me. I may not actively partake. But if I do nibble, I will definitely go cardiac.

Do the Incarnate powers always work when you are level 50 (like in a scanner mission) or do they only work on Incarnate-flagged stuff (such as the 2 new missions)?

Thanks,

Lewis

Are you *sure* that's what the "B" stands for?

Lewis

Ah dang. Ok then. Thanks for the info!

Lewis

Emperor Steele,

Thanks much! I'll give it a shot once we start doing the taskforcy stuff.

Lewis

Yeah, I might try to get a taste of both. I just don't normally try to blend both recharge and defense on my controllers, so I kinda need to re-visit mids at some point. Hence the shelving etc. I'll have to spend a little time before I can really get something I like.

Lewis

Cool. 2 votes for Cardiac from names I trust. I will go that route ... assuming I can figure out how the system works. I'm still open to alternate views or information / opinion / speculation about some of the new stuff.

I glanced at the new Incarnate abilities and I have to say that I found the control ones mediocre at first glance. I mean, I dont think I can get bonus to fear, stun, hold, etc in one choice. So the control stuff is all split up, and my biggest issue with control is that the devs hate statues and so tons of stuff ignores controls, or ignores enough of them that it all pretty much comes down to damage ... or at least comes down to anything other than control.

So frankly, I'm kinda liking the big Pyro fire AOE thing. Cause you know, I'm a Sorceress raised by Tengu. I have a violent streak and I like elemental chaos and destruction. And stuff.

Lewis

All,

TL/DR: what Incarnate abilities should a controller take? I'm a recharge and proc heavy Earth/Storm/Fire controller.

Full Post:

I have been intending to avoid the Incarnates thing like the plague. I mean, I'm an altaholic with more level 50 characters than I can shake a stick at, and no characters less than level 32. I have a lot of characters. I like getting them to 50 and then considering them "done". I take them out on spins as my mood dictates. So now its like ... hey you've got 50 characters that are no longer finished. Take THAT. I freakin' hate it when level caps get raised in games. I hate incremental endgame improvement systems too, because it says to me "you'll never be done". I have a serious need to finish before I can enjoy. Plus I hate task forces and crap, and so grinding out task forces for shard drops (whatever those are) ... yuck!

Anyway, it looks as if that is the way of things in COH now. I know all my friends I game with are psyched about it. So it looks like I'll get dragged into this, like it or not. So I've decided to take my favorite controller and make her my Incarnate (Earth/Storm/Fire). I'll try to enjoy it as much as I am capable of doing. Blah.

However, I don't even understand the system yet. I grouped with my friends and went through some short quest that unlocked my alpha slot and I got some shard or rock or whatever. I don't quite get it. I even looked at a FAQ about it in the player help forum and I still didn't understand it because it was a giant list, with no real overview section.

But I do know that I'll be tediously collecting another type of salvage and eventually making some new powers. It may take me a year to absorb the system. Seriously, a year. So I'm hoping that some of you more savvy types can give me a good idea of which paths are of most value to controllers.

I do like the idea of level shifted powers ... if that means what I think it means. It may not. I am an Earth/Storm/Fire controller with perma-hasten, 8 damage procs, and 3 other procs. I like to make things into statues and blow them the **** up. So I like overkill control/debuff but I also like damage. Also, I resent the fact that there is even an endurance bar in this game, so I love endurance efficiency too.

So, Earth/Storm/Fire controller with perma-hasten and 8 aoe damage procs. I like Control, Damage, and Endurance/Recovery, in that order.

What path should I pursue?

Thanks,

Lewis

Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.93
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Li Lung: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Earth Control
Secondary Power Set: Storm Summoning
Power Pool: Teleportation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Flight
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Fire Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Fossilize -- BasGaze-Acc/Hold(A), BasGaze-Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(3), BasGaze-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(7), Lock-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg/Hold(7)
Level 1: Gale -- Acc-I(A)
Level 2: Stone Cages -- GravAnch-Immob/Rchg(A), GravAnch-Acc/Immob/Rchg(5), GravAnch-Acc/Rchg(5), GravAnch-Immob/EndRdx(9), GravAnch-Hold%(9), Posi-Dam%(45)
Level 4: Snow Storm -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 6: Quicksand -- ImpSwft-Dam%(A)
Level 8: Recall Friend -- Zephyr-ResKB(A)
Level 10: Steamy Mist -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(11), LkGmblr-Rchg+(11)
Level 12: Stalagmites -- Amaze-Stun(A), Amaze-Stun/Rchg(13), Amaze-Acc/Stun/Rchg(13), Amaze-Acc/Rchg(15), Amaze-EndRdx/Stun(15)
Level 14: Super Speed -- QckFt-EndRdx/RunSpd(A)
Level 16: Freezing Rain -- UndDef-DefDeb/Rchg(A), UndDef-Rchg/EndRdx(17), UndDef-Rchg(17), Achilles-ResDeb%(37), LdyGrey-%Dam(43), Posi-Dam%(43)
Level 18: Earthquake -- UndDef-DefDeb/Rchg(A), UndDef-Rchg/EndRdx(19), UndDef-Rchg(19), Achilles-ResDeb%(46), LdyGrey-%Dam(46), ExStrk-Dam%(46)
Level 20: Hurricane -- DarkWD-ToHitDeb(A), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/Rchg(21), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(21), DarkWD-ToHitDeb/EndRdx(31)
Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(40), RechRdx-I(40)
Level 24: Hover -- Srng-Fly(A), Srng-EndRdx/Fly(25), Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(25), LkGmblr-Rchg+(50)
Level 26: Volcanic Gasses -- UbrkCons-Hold(A), UbrkCons-Hold/Rchg(27), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(27), UbrkCons-Acc/Rchg(31), UbrkCons-Dam%(34), G'Wdw-Dam%(34)
Level 28: Thunder Clap -- Stpfy-Acc/Rchg(A), Stpfy-EndRdx/Stun(29), Stpfy-Acc/EndRdx(29), Stpfy-Stun/Rng(31), Stpfy-Acc/Stun/Rchg(34)
Level 30: O2 Boost -- Dct'dW-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-Heal/EndRdx(37), Numna-Heal(37)
Level 32: Animate Stone -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(33), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(33), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 35: Tornado -- ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg(A), ExRmnt-Dmg/EndRdx(36), ExRmnt-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(36), ExRmnt-EndRdx/Dmg/Rchg(36)
Level 38: Lightning Storm -- Decim-Acc/Dmg(A), Decim-Dmg/EndRdx(39), Decim-Dmg/Rchg(39), Decim-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Decim-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(40)
Level 41: Fire Ball -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(42), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(42), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), Posi-Dam%(43)
Level 44: Fire Shield -- TtmC'tng-ResDam/EndRdx(A), Aegis-ResDam/EndRdx(45), Aegis-ResDam(45)
Level 47: Salt Crystals -- FtnHyp-Sleep(A), FtnHyp-Sleep/Rchg(48), FtnHyp-Acc/Sleep/Rchg(48), FtnHyp-Acc/Rchg(48), FtnHyp-Sleep/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
------------
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- Clrty-Stlth(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 1: Containment
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Flight-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A), Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(50)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- P'Shift-EndMod(A), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc(23), EndMod-I(23)

Yeah, I do have an Ice/FF and an Earth/FF, both level 50, neither slotted for much recharge but both slotted for soft capped ranged, AOE, energy, smashing and lethal, and so I do like the soft-capping action. I also have one other non-FF controller with some good soft-capping too. So I know the benefits. I just really actually like the powers of Flash Freeze and Thunder Clap. I can live without Flash Freeze but there is no way I'd drop Thunder Clap. I like it too much.

Anyway, I was thinking of tricking out my Ice/Storm in prep for Incarnates but since everyone is saying its smarter to soft cap Ice/Storm, but I'm just not feeling it, I'm just going to leave her shelved at 50 with whatever random stuff she has.

I'm going to stick to my Earth/Storm (who is also level 50) for Incarnates. Heck, I dunno, maybe I should have slotted my Earth/Storm for soft cap also. But I just enjoy recharge. So my Earth/Storm is all finished and has Perma Hasten, 8 damage procs, and I'm good to go.

I will re-visit the Ice/Storm later. Maybe at some point I'll throw a bunch of cash at her (assuming I can earn any) and have a dual build: one I enjoy, and one that is good. But I'll probably keep Arctic Moon on Ice.

Thanks,

Lewis

All,

I do have a legal copy of Windows 7 on a dual boot on my main gaming Mac but until I buy more memory and parallels or something, I'm forced to boot into Windows to run Mids' or else use an old crappy Windows 98 PC I have. I'm using the crappy Windows 98 PC. But I'm wondering if there are any other options.

I dont know much about Macs but I was wondering if there are any options like Wine etc for the Mac and if anyone had run Mids' under Wine or the equivalent? I prefer free options, but will consider anything. I would just like to be able to run Mids' on the same PC I do my e-mail through so that I can copy/paste from my Mac browser to the Mids' in emulation and vice versa so that I could easily discuss builds without having to go over to the old Win 98 PC and work there, save off text files, copy them across the network etc.

What options do I have?

Thanks!

Lewis

What the hell is a Wartroller?

I vaguely remembered it had something to do with MagicJ when I saw the title, and I guess I was right, but do more than like, ten people maybe, even recognize that pet term? Also, I swore a Wartroller was Mind/FF but I saw some Illusion stuff. I suppose I should read the thread.

But I'm kinda a Slacktroller myself.

Lewis

Interesting. I'll think about it. I actually love the sleep power and the mag 1 stun. I use them all the time (situationally).

I've decided to delay my decision. I was closer to perma-hasten on my earth/storm so I worked on her and finally got her all finished over the weekend. She also has 8 AOE damage procs and 3 AOE "other" procs. Anyway, I'll revisit the Ice/Storm later, perhaps, since I'm feeling indecisive.

Thanks to all!

Lewis

Hmm. I've been considering tweaking out my Ice/Storm some, but I was thinking about going for high recharge and taking every power (even the sleep) for maximum utility, now that inherent Fitness gives me more wiggle room.

Would that be a mistake of an approach do you think? Those range-capped builds are neat and all, but they skip lots of powers I want to have, and I cant afford a dual spec.

So is recharge and max power selection a bad option for Ice/Storm?

Lewis

I think Praetoria is cool. I mainly stopped playing it because it is too hard for my tastes by comparison to other 1-20 content. But I'm not asking the Devs to change it, since they won't, and why should they? Plenty of players prefer harder content. I'm just telling you why I am sick of Praetoria. I don't expect anyone else to agree.

Yay! Its back up. I can stop doing Pindleskin runs now!

Lewis

Ah crap. I was playing until 2:30 am or so. I guess that puts me in the risk time frame.

Oh well ... nothing to do but wait.

Thanks for the info.

Lewis

I have seen a couple of people mention rollback issues. What exactly happened?

Lewis