Vangelus

Tried some lvl40 Elec/Elec PvE...went up against a Ballista EB solo.

I took him down, but only thanks to Power Surge. Grounded did NOTHING against ANY of his powers. I was flying back and forth in the little corridor shouting "I'M SO HAPPY I HAVE KB PROTECTION".

I'm guessing it was because Ballistas use Elite Boss Mag knockback, but ugh. Acrobatics it is. Really disappointing, to me.

When I was playing, the sides were -very- unbalanced due to the villains having all the new toys to try out at lvl40.

But, I do have one critique that I think will likely carry over to Live...

The Signature Character boost rubs me the wrong way. As far as elements of a game mechanic, I understand them. They arrive to more or less decimate one or two pillboxes' defenses to give a beleagured side a chance to retake them.

But on the other hand...it also feels like a GM saying "Oh hey, you guys seem to have forgotten your place. In case you don't remember, MY CHARACTER IS BETTER THAN YOURS, HAHAHAHA." It's kinda like, I'm out there enjoying myself, and then the guy in charge comes by to break my nose so I don't forget to remember that I'm nowhere near his level of prestige.

Anyway, mechanics-wise I appreciate the idea, but I wish it wasn't represented quite this way.

I -do- like how smoothly the zone areas changed in appearance! I was surprised to see it not cause my computer to explode. Very effective in adding a sense of accomplishment to the goings on.

From my lvl40 testing so far today:

-Damage, overall, really needs some kinda boost. :/ I didn't see any kind of bigtime burst attack (LRod still was lacking against Player Characters), which really sets ElecMelee back in the current "Burst Damage Or Go Home" PvP design.

-Slotting EndMods into the first 3 powers (the two punches and Jacob's Ladder) was surprisingly effective in conjunction with Power Sink from ElecArmor.

-Jacob's Ladder is NOT something I would take home and show off as a cone. The power's icon remains deceiving, IMO.

-Powers skipped were Taunt, Thunderclap, and Chain Induction. Thunderclap strikes me as not titanically useful considering how high up the ladder it's located on the power list, and CI sounds pretty underwhelming going by other folks' reports. Perhaps these two powers could be tweaked somehow?

In the end, I'd very much like to see at least some sort of damage boost happen for ElecMelee. I'll be using it for concept reasons, but I'll likely spend a lot of time thinking "everything would be easier with Energy Melee".

The KB/Immob resistance is definitely not there. Bugged it myself, too.

Power Surge is really, really cool while it's up. I had at least 5 or 6 PC heroes wailing on me to little avail. With them all herded 'round, Powersink/Lightning Rod was quite fun. THe crash = me dead, but I still had a kick out of it.

That said, the crash is -nasty-. The EMP boom is nice, but if you stick around to actually try and use it, you're dead more often than not. Dunno how I'd see that changed, though...


*EDIT*

Oh, forgot! Is there any real gain from slotting Static Shield (mez protect one) for +Resistance?

Chiming in after 7.5 levels of Elecn-ness...

All I can really say so far is that Jacob's Ladder has a somewhat deceiving power graphic. When I saw the button, I was assuming the cone would be akin to the Katana/Broadsword cones. Instead, it's seeming much closer to Golden Dragonfly's or Headsplitter's.

If this is as intended, I'd suggest both changing the description somewhat, and removing the Cone arc from the power button. However, I'd much rather see JL get its arc widened, in order to provide a mini-AoE early on.

Updated - The 12th Kingdom

RP Concept: The Kingdom's leader publically touts the group as a haven for the technologically/mechanically-inclined to work and research. Nearly all members would have heard of the group via word-of-mouth or one of 12th King's public speakings on bionic enhancement.

Guidelines: RP group, very casual on inactivity and things. Membership theme is a very loose Technology one. Robots and cyborgs are the obvious examples, but I'm very open. The only thing I'd be hesitant about allowing in is a loudly tech-hating destroyer of all ungodly machine life, etc. Also note that I don't require your -origin- to be Tech.

AT Preferences: We're basically a ton of Masterminds with a few Brutes right now, so any AT other than MM's would be great. I won't turn away MM's, however.

Messageboard (shared with The Nest): http://www.wreckedandruled.com/coh/forum/index.php

Big thanks to Bradders for the boards!

Any other questions or things, feel free to contact me either via PM or in-game (12th King/@Vangelus).

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That makes me wonder: What would happen if you hit someone with a taunt then immediately placated them afterwards?

Looks like I have a new project

[/ QUOTE ]

Doesn't work anymore. I abused it completely in our PvP testing and was nearly lynched. Now, whichever is the most recently cast takes precedence.

[/ QUOTE ]

For some reason, I find this heartwarming.

"GADFRICKIN STALKERS AWRGH" during in-house PvP testing. Hehehe.

Tried my first real go at the game, earlier. Me vs buddy that also hasn't played. I built a 22-card Regulus deck to go against the CoV DVD Statesman deck.

Beat him thanks to Glitterdance, but we both enjoyed it. I found it kinda fun to use the Rad Emission harassment stuff. We're gonna try again with mini-decks but without sidekicks (I'll do up a Ms Liberty deck, or something), 'cause...Glitterdance swayed the game.

Well, my collecting of this game has been briefly halted as my city has -sold out-. O_O And no, it wasn't me.

I did get a foil, though!

I too am like Mantid.

...

WE BOTH TYPE WORDS. O_O_O

Picked up a bunch, and I think it looks rather promising.

The lack of many specific deckbuilding rules is part o' the strategy, I think. I've already seen two seperate deck types that jumped out at me:

-Focus on your Hero, pump him/her up with powers and enhancements, open fire

-Bring along a Sidekick (or several, with the Exemplar card) as harassers to prevent your opponent from actually hurting you. Glitterdance is GREAT for this (she's got like...inherent Taunt)

And yeah, I agree that it's annoying to try and collect -any- certain powerset. But, if you go in and just work with what you have, it's not that bad. The Battlepacks coming with a healthy selection from a primary/secondary combination really helps.

I also find the turn structure rather interesting. Instead of one big turn with several actions, there are several actions that you choose -one- of, each turn. Very fast-paced, and it adds an element of unpredictability. Also liking how inspirations are, technically, any card in your hand.

Anyway, I'm quite impressed. Can't wait for Katana to come out (hopefully next expansion!) so I can do up my CoH main.

Adding my voice to the sentiment that a lot of us are -really- sure that during Beta, we were told that rent affected Base Items -only-. So basically, your base wouldn't do stuff other than be a place to hang out, so long as there was rent owed.

Not like it's the end of the world, but it's a bit of a blow to have to pay rent on a base that WILL NOT be able to do ANYTHING but be a hangout place for a few months, since the SG's not heavily prestige-grinding.

*shrug*

*looks at the thread title*

Castle, I love you.

The 12th Kingdom

A haven for those whose bodies are not wholly organic. All mechanicals, robots, and cyborgs are welcome to find a new home with those like yourselves. Commanded by the 12th King, this group operates under an unclear agenda.

(Not known to many, if any): "The goal of Global Mechanization will not be achieved by ostracizing ourselves from those organics who would be useful tools to meet our needs."

Synopsis: An RP villain group meant for characters whose bodies contain some form of technology, be it cybernetics, a fully robotic body, etc. Classic hierarchy of a cold and calculating leader (The 12th King) commanding a group of characterful villains.

Leader: The 12th King
Global Chat Contact: @Vangelus

((The music (wait for the cue!) is "Riseross" from the Justirisers soundtrack, which I'm sure none of you have. *cries* Bug me for a link if you want to hear it.))

"Macht Schnell. We don't have long."

Archon Kruger glared at his squad, as they worked on searing away the joints on the vault door. They grunted in affirmation, but then resumed muttering to each other.

"Why does he do that? He's not even German."

"Shh! Don't say that too loud, he might have another episode."

"Yeah, you don't want to end up like that hero out front, do you?"

"Hf...I still can't believe we managed to off a hero -and- a squid in the same day."

"And now, we're about to make off with a choice-cut Dissonance Crystal. Praise be to the Center."

"Yeah-"

---------

"...hey...hey you..."

"...nani? Have I...is this the afterlife...?"

"Nn...no, it's...listen. My name is Soundaslodian. I-HHK!..."

"Where is this...? My friend, be still..."

"Nn...no time!"

"There is always time. I hear no angels singing, after all-"

"A-angels...singing? Ha ha!...if you knew the sort of songs I've composed..."

"...I do. What is going on?"

"Mental link must have really worked...look, we're...I don't know why, but your body's ended up near where they shot me down."

"Body? Link...then you are...ah. Sou."

"Yes. I'm a Kheldian. But I...agh...don't know how to...I never wanted a part in this stupid war-"

"Fate, Soundas-san. It has brought you this far..."

"...hheh...I don't believe in that sort of...oh well. What have I got to lose by trying?"

----------

"Got it!"

Archon Kruger nodded, and watched as the vault door fell aside with a loud clang.

"Excellent work, meinen herren. Let us take this prize and-"

"What's that noise?"

Kruger glared at his subordinate.

"I hear no noise, lackey. Do not interrupt me again."

"But...yes, sir."

"Hmm?"

The man sighed.

"Jerwohl, herr Kruger."

Smiling, the Archon moved towards the Dissonance Crystal, not noticing the increasing hiss that began to fill the chamber.

----------

"I don't feel merged...blast! I knew this'd never-"

"I...feel...renewed..."

"Wh-...no, no, that's your mind starting to give out. I'm afraid that we wouldn't be having this conversation if the merge succeeded."

"...koi, Soundas-san."

"H-hey! Wait, if this -did- work, then we've hit some kind of...of waypoint between two physical states! We shouldn't-"

"Ssh. Listen."

"...that's...beautiful..."

"Let the harmony of existance fill your ears, Soundas-san."

"Yes...yes, I think..."

"...it is time..."

"...for revenge."

----------

"Keep an eye out for any back-up security measures," barked Kruger.

"Jehrwohl, herr Kr----."

"----?!"

Krugar stopped abruptly.

"---- -- ----?"

He glanced at his men. Their lips were moving, but all he could hear was-


----------

((Cue Music.))

----------

All the lights went out. Heavy percussion thundered through their bodies as the Council troops drew their rifles and whirled around, looking for a target. Feathery strings sang through the air.

A gleaming tentacle appeared, near the entrance. It seemed to be plucking at a Shinto-like instrument constructed of a similar gleaming material. Soon, another tentacle appeared, slowly drawing itself back and forth over a long stringed instrument.

Briefly, light gleamed over a metallic guitar.

The electric chords slammed through the room as the white armoured figure, tentacles and instruments protruding from his shoulders, slowly approached the villains. One Council member collapsed on the spot, a heavy chord rupturing a blood vessel in his jaw. The armoured hero's shock-white eyes glared at the villains, mercilessly. His short, white hair crowned the ethereal glow that emanated from his reborn body.

Desperately, Kruger hurled a fragmentation grenade at the hero. Those of his men that still stood opened fire as well.

With an explosion of pure white, the hero rocketed into the air as bullets and fire obliterated the spot he once stood in. As the white ebbed away, the Council members stared up at the alien lifeform that flew overhead. The Mefnanim's tentacles still played singing strings of musical force, taking the lead as the electric guitar took a movement of reprieve. Shining bolts of music lanced into the Council troops, soon felling the entire group. Except for Kruger.

The Archon stumbled back as the Mefnanim's form exploded into light. The hero's armoured feet slammed into the ground as electric chords and heavy percussion overtook the piece's final movement. A third set of tentacles played the guitar, as the hero's hands menacingly hung to his sides.

Kruger snarled, throwing a trained kick towards his opponent's throat. A white-armoured hand parried the blow as another snatched the cuff of the Archon's jacket. Kruger's eyes widened as he gaped into the face of a man whose life he thought he had ended not 20 minutes prior.

Daisuke looked into the fear-stricken eyes of his murderer. The lower half of his face, forcefully removed not 20 minutes prior, was now a swirling vortex of glowing white.

As the music moved into its final climax, Daisuke pulled Archon Kruger's face closer to his own...

...and screamed.

----------

((Music Ends.))

----------

The white scarf twisted through the summer breeze as it fell over the lower half of Daisuke's face. A glowing Mefnanim head emerged from the back of his spine as he watched the sunset.

"Ah...Daisuke, was it? Listen, that was very impressive and all-"

"...hnn..."

"...and I must admit, it was quite exhilerating, at the time-"

"...hnn..."

"A...and somewhat satisfying, considering how many times that cur shot me-"

"...hnn..."

"I said earlier that I wanted no part of this war, and I still don't, but..."

"...yes..."

"A duet, then?"

Daisuke nodded slightly, another breeze blowing perfectly through his white hair. His echoing voice audibly gave the impression of a man trying to speak without a mouth or throat.

"...we will...compose...a new anthem...of justice..."

"Er...I...suppose. Yes. Alright."

The orange sky slowly faded away into the night.

"...could you not disintegrate anyone else's head off like that, please? Vengeance and all, yes, but it really was quite appalling."

The man chuckled.

Soon, the Kheldian chuckled.

As the evening sky took its first breath of life, Daisuke Mugen chuckled.

I'll -seriously- have to test this out before I can give an honest opinion, but on paper it looks like an actual, -real- step towards fixing the overbearing weakness of defense sets.

Can't wait to try this out on Test!

((In case anyone missed it, Kricky edited her post in, so read that now!

Big thanks to Roy for letting me post something in here/taking part in the plot!))

It's alright. Everything's going to be okay. He'll pull through.

----------

"You should have drove it in!"

"..."

"Roy, wait--!"

*SHRRRK*

----------

You're...not supposed to die...

----------

The cheerful green optics went dead a final time. Unbelievable silence shrouded itself around the quiet noises of Roy's perspired husk.

"...did it himself."

Shinsektor reassured himself, outloud, of the one quiet victory of the day.

"...Vera..."

As Parzifal's prayer formed the quiet soundtrack of registered hero HEROID's conclusion, the Insectoid Knight looked helplessly at his love. She still gripped the katana, eyes held tightly shut.

"...should I call this in?"

Silence bore into his heart.

His comm flipped open.

The happy beeps that represented the hospital's phone number added a brief staccato movement over the ever-present prayer that continued to fall from Parzifal's lips.

"Critically injured hero, registered name: HEROID. Self-inflicted blade wound to the chest-"

An innocent voice asked Roy to wake up.

----------

"It's obvious she's got a thing fer ya. Don't let it slip away, y'know?"

"Ghh...alright, Roy, I got it the last time you said it. And the time before that. Could we just drop this already?"

----------

*Scrrrreetch*

"...yeah. We're at Devcon. Might need-...some manpower..."

*Pooonnnnnggg*

He could barely glance over his shoulder as the battered form of HEROID fell to the floor, now that Krickette had removed the sword. The final movement had been reached. The blade slid into its sheathe as Parzifal completed the prayer and crossed himself.

As a shaky breath became the sole sound amid the new silence, a last shred of hope began to wither away.

"...called the hospital..."

----------

"Ya shouldn't keep a nice gal like Kricky waitin' like this."

"I'm not ready for that kind of commitment yet-"

"What if she is? Y'have somethin' a lotta us could only wish fer, Shin."

"Roy...I just...I can't yet."

----------

"Roy...I said I called the hospital..."

Get up.

"...this is where you're supposed to get up..."

Don't do this to me.

"..."

The emergency crew's here, now pull yourself together.

"Medics are here now, Roy. Time to get up..."

What was that noise? Did she drop her sword? It's okay, it can take it. Pick it up for her, Roy.

Don't apologize, Vera. Everything'll be fine.

"It's not your fault, Vera."

Idiot medics. Don't drag him down the stairs, you might hurt him even more.

"...oh, get lost."

Yeah, run. I'll deal with this. Then Roy'll owe me lunch somewhere.

Why's it raining in here?

"Have to do everything around here ourselves..."

There, now he even has my medi-porter. The hospital'll have him patched up in no time.

Damn it, why does it have to rain -now-?

----------

Shinsektor stared at the spot that once bore the hero known as HEROID.

----------

You [censored]. Who told you you could leave?

----------

The wall buckled as a chitinous foot drove into it, over and over again.

----------

You're supposed to be here! You're always supposed to be here! You stupid self-serving son of a-

...

Why is it ****ing raining?! Why now?!

----------

He turned slightly, at the sound of footsteps. Fresh streams of liquid hid within the cracks of the chitin that formed his face.

Vera ran towards him.

----------

"I figure I'm gonna end up livin' to see all o' my friends kick th' bucket."

"Hey, c'mon. You and me both, Roy."

----------

A dented wall, a scratched floor, and two insectoid humans in a comforting embrace.

----------

I guess we were both wrong.

See you around.

These changes really are a good start. And anything that lets more people see some of the incredible parts of the Shard (STORM PALACE!!) are fine by me. That said...

-The Portals to the other zones are nice, but...like others, I preferred the concept of Mole Points. I think the most jarring part, to me, is the method by which you teleport BACK to FBZ via nondescript white balls of glimmer. These really don't make sense to me, especially with them sitting right next to the Hortha Vines. I'd feel more immersion if, instead of a big array of portals in FBZ, the contacts mentioned there being new Mole Points that go deeper into the Shard. This'd also allow for new Shard contacts to be made for said Mole Points, and perhaps...more non-TF content.

-Segue! Making the Shard nicer to get around is one thing, but the fact remains that, outside of lengthy task forces, there is little-to-no "organic" content in there! No story arcs, no gradual explanations for things like the Reflections, not even more than 1-2 missions from each contact. As cool as it is to have a never-ending supply of simple missions, it feels like there's literally nothing going on in the Shard. Also, Shard storyarcs would make for some great level 50 content (ie: PLEASE, if you do introduce Shard arcs, don't level cap any of them at 44. The Shard doesn't -need- level caps).

-Finally, there's the case of that wholly deserted floating island behind the Storm Palace. That place is the stage for epic content waiting to happen. Granted, you may already be planning this, but if there were some sort of really cool epic encounter on the island, it'd cement the Storm Palace's place as Best Zone In The Game. If you aren't already working on something for that spot, please consider it. The atmosphere of the zone, expecially near the Palace itself, would make -any- epic content there feel really, really intense.

Thanks for reading this, and here's to making the Shard even better! *toasts*

You're still going to come by now and then, right?

You're definitely part of what made this community so special. Good luck with ya, wherever you go.

!!!

Man...I'll make a record of this. I have the necessary insomnia energy right now.

Thanks for coming up with the thread! It was a great laugh or twelve.

*Vangelus the masochistic nuclear robot gets ahold of a telephone*

HIIII~!

I just wanna go around the table and give some good cheer to all the guests! Hee hee!

Mister Vaaaahzilok! I absolutely aDORE how much your friends would.....mmmmm...buuuurn me. Even if it was icky speeeew!

Oooh oooh!! And and and, thanks so much to the Kingy and Vandal for making such...unique sensory expeeeeriences. *voice becomes deep and sophisticated* The little clocks are so rough and textured and ZAPPING...while the Vandaldroids are- *quick inhale, slooow exhale* -smooth and buuuurning...I would LOVE to meet with the TWO of you sometime...

I could give you both hugs! Hee hee hee!

OOoooh, and the Carnie lady's there, right? Right right right right?

Psychic lances are so stabby and aphysical, I love 'em! *disturbing giggle* I wanna meet you in person one day so I can give you a biiiiiig snuggly radiation hug!

*low voice* And maybe you can fillet me with brain daggers...hm hm hmmm...

Awww! Now Mister Shinsektor's figured out where I am! I gotta give his phone back... *audibly pouts*

Byyyee~!

Ahrrm. Hi. Shinsektor here. You know, the Insectoid Knight?

I have a question for Vahzilok. Ignoring all my...problems...I've had with you months ago, I was wondering something.

Have you considered the idea that your medical "practices" might be a liiiittle less threatening to the sanctity of civilization on the whole if you tried doing them -without- a giant, hulking, bladed, grenade-launching, machinegun-toting battlesuit made out of decaying human flesh? This is ignoring the army of crazed followers, projectile-vomiting explosive zombies, and leather-clad bondage cadavers.

*muffled female mumbling*

Oh, and how long have you been married?

u needs teh 1337 xP man

ur not up teh snuff on teh uBAR

Now I'll know who to yell at when I'm happily hopping through nice, safe Crey's Folly, and a car hits me in the face.

Of course, this means I'm elated that another hazard zone gets a monster. Mwahahaha!