VileTerror

But Gulver, don't you see?! It's all a cleaver deception! The Warshades aren't evil at all. The "Peace"bringers just have better P.R. since they're all white and bright. The day will come when their villainy will become apparent, and the "Peace"bringers will attempt to destroy the Warshades and enslave our planet! Will YOU be ready?

I wonder if we'll see any missions or trials on hero-side about rooting out corrupt cops, particularly from the Psi-Division. You can't trust them damn dirty psychics!

Did you know the original Pocket D still exists?
I have a Spine/Dark Scrapper on Victory who's still there.



. . . it's lonely in there.

Oh . . . my.

Well, colour me mis-, then, reinformed!

I suppose Lightning Rod really will be an impressive sight with maxed Fury!

Sorry Johan, Lightning Rod isn't effected by Fury.


Hmm, looks like all the standard City of Heroes zones are available to be invaded. I'm fairly sure I recognized Brickstown, Kings Row, Skyway City, Steel Canyon, Atlas Park, and Galaxy City. Even think I recognized Peregrine Island or Talos Island in one of those. Don't think I saw Indie Port though.

Here's a question, though I expect the answer to be a firm "no":
Will we see zone events in our instances Mayhem Missions? ie: Lusca

I think the Red Rook symbolizes Manticore.
Eh, just my theory.

You use to be able to move while logging off.
I use to do this all the time. I'd turn on auto-run then click "Quit to Login". I would be able to wander around for thirty seconds before logging.

You can still Teleport while logging.

*wakes up from tranq*

Eh! If it's still relevant and hasn't been toasted, then it's fair game. The Devs may not be looking for more emotes right now, but it doesn't hurt to remind them that we made some really good ideas, and are still capable of coming up with new ones.

Leaving the hospital use to be very easy. All you had to do was click on the Medical Reclamator which you spawned in and you'd be sent directly to the bottom floor of the hospital! No need to walk to the elevators.
This bug was fixed some time before 02/24/05.

It's kinda cool to come back and see which emotes made it in.
Still a lot of good ideas that could be added yet in this thread too.

His full name was referenced as "Jeremy Jenkins" and he's purportedly the son of notorious Paragon City criminal attorney Chris Jenkins.

The Circle of Thorns like his chanting voice.

The Sky Raiders were impressed with his abilities to pilot a jetpack and maintain a force field generator.

"You" is 120 pounds. If we consider the "You" from the earlier stories to be Jenkins, then Jenkins weighs about 120 pounds.

"You" also has a thick moustache. Again, if consider "You" to be Jenkins . . .

Jenkins has an old college room mate named Matt.

Jenkins had an apartment in a (slightly less) brown building (with a water tower on top) in Brickstown while imprisoned in the Zig.

Jenkins was a blob in Hamidon. Not sure how he un-blobbed though.

Jenkins (and his Praetorian counterpart Hopkins) wears glasses.

Did you know:
Originally when you right-clicked on a player and read their Info, all the data would appear in a single window with no tabs?
This window would contain the character description, if written, and a list of all powers, including the inherent powers Brawl, Sprint, and Rest, and also any special addition DVD powers, such as Prestige Power Quick. This effectively allowed anyone to tell which version of the game another player was using.
The Info window was changed to something similar to the current version some time after the addition of Badges and the Arena. I’m afraid I don’t know the exact date, or the exact nature of the change.




Oh, and in reference to what somebody said earlier: it's true that some Fire Controllers managed to successfully get 25 Fire Imps out at one time. Prior to the changes to Controllers for Feature Update Issue 4, a Fire Controller could summon a random number of Imps between 2 and 5. If I recall correctly, there was even a VERY rare chance to get 6 imps with a single use of the power. The first two would always be the same level as you, and the remaining imps would con +1.
With the Fire Imps power 6-slotted with Recharge Single Origin Enhancements, and with Speed Boosts provided by other players, I was able on three occasions to summon 25 imps. Rare, but I used to just sit around and summon imps for hours when I finally got it 6-slotted.

*drills a hole into ProfEinstien's head*

Let a little air in.

I will reserve final judgement until I actually experience the content. I'm just voicing my initial concerns.
------- Skip down if you just want to see my offered solution. -------

I'd like to share an example of problems meshing conceptual accuracy with Patron Powers for my highest level villain, Commandant Nongratis.

Level 30, Mercenary/Traps Mastermind.
Build Guide as follows:
1 - !Soldiers (Accuracy), !Web Grenade (Accuracy)
2 - !Caltrops (Recharge)
3 - Soldiers (Accuracy), Soldiers (Accuracy)
4 - !Triage Beacon (Recharge)
5 - Triage Beacon (Recharge), Triage Beacon (Recharge)
6 - !Equip Mercenary (Recharge)
7 - Soldiers (Defense Debuff), Triage Beacon (Health)
8 - !Hurdle (Jump Height)
9 - Triage Beacon (Health), Triage Beacon (Health)
10 - !Acid Mortar (Recharge)
11 - Acid Mortar (Recharge), Acid Mortar (Recharge)
12 - !Spec Ops (Accuracy)
13 - Acid Mortar (Accuracy), Acid Mortar (Accuracy)
14 - !Health (Health)
15 - Acid Mortar (Defense Debuff), Spec Ops (Accuracy)
16 - !Force Field Generator (Defense)
17 - Force Field Generator (Defense), Force Field Generator (Defense)
18 - !Maneuvers (Endurance Cost Reducer)
19 - Maneuvers (Defense), Maneuvers (Defense)
20 - !Stamina (Endurance Mod)
21 - Stamina (Endurance Mod), Stamina (Endurance Mod)
22 - !Poison Trap (Recharge)
23 - Poison Trap (Recharge), Poison Trap (Recharge)
24 - !Tactics (Endurance Cost Reducer)
25 - Tactics (Tohit Buff), Tactics (Tohit Buff)
26 - !Commando (Accuracy)
27 - Soldiers (Defense Debuff), Soldiers (Defense Debuff)
28 - !Seeker Drones (Recharge)
29 - Seeker Drones (Recharge), Seeker Drones (Recharge)
30 - !Assault (Endurance Cost Reducer)
31 - Seeker Drones (Accuracy), Seeker Drones (Accuracy), Seeker Drones (Tohit Debuff)
32 - !Tactical Upgrade (Recharge)
33 - Tactical Upgrade (Recharge), Tactical Upgrade (Recharge), Maneuvers (Defense)
34 - Tactics (Tohit Buff), Commando (Accuracy), Commando (Accuracy)
35 - !Trip Mine (Recharge)
36 - Trip Mine (Recharge), Trip Mine (Recharge), Trip Mine (Damage)
37 - Trip Mine (Damage), Trip Mine (Damage), Spec Ops (Accuracy)
38 - !Detonator (Recharge)
39 - Detonator (Recharge), Detonator (Recharge), Detonator (Damage)
40 - Detonator (Damage), Detonator (Damage), Web Grenade (Accuracy)

Build explained via roleplay:
She is a 30-something year old woman who has been doing whatever it takes to remain vital and vigorous, but she focuses most of her attention on training and maintaining her Army, specifically her Personal Retinue (the 6 Henchmen). She's a noncombatant, but she gets a "kick" out of punching people in the face occasionally. She excels in leadership and manipulation, and via a high-jacked satellite, can recall a number of simple devices to her position to help turn the tide in battle. She does not carry a gun, though she could operate it without trouble, she's much too busy commanding her troops and maintaining her traps.

Due to how she was originally incarcerated in the Zig, and due to a number of events since escaping, she has become incredibly adverse to magic, especially that involving death and undeath (an undead hero lead the team which arrested her, and the zombie of her first "friendly-fire" victim nearly killed her). The only way she would work for Ghost Widow is if she were promised lots of money and no obligations to stick around after payment. Commandant Nongratis would absolutely NOT, under any circumstances, allow Ghost Widow to "bless" her. Even if hammer-drunk, the Commandant would be too afraid.
Scirocco may look appealing to the Commandant since he’s a man with a pulse, but ultimately she'd refuse his power as well. She's sadistic enough to enjoy electrocuting people, but the thought of that power coming from a magical source is appalling to her. (Taking the power out of context, saying it's a device is also unacceptable. She's still a noncombatant. I could see her taking the Armour, but that doesn't undo the fact that it's magical and from Scirocco).
I was hoping Black Scorpion would offer the Patron choice for Commandant Nongratis, but after seeing that mace, I know the Commandant wouldn't be caught dead with that thing. It's gaudy as hell and SCREAMS "Arachnos pawn". If it had been more subtle, she might have accepted it. And again, she’s a noncombatant. I suppose the webbing could work, but she already uses her own grenades. I don't know what the Scorpion Shield will look like, so it may be an option.
Finally, Mako. Aside from the fact that I can't see ANY excuse for Spirit Sharks, this might actually be the best option for the Commandant. As I stated earlier, she'll do whatever it takes to remain vital and vigorous, include injecting herself with a number of mutagenic cocktails. She's already got a few accidental by-products from a few attempts at "perfecting" her body, including an olfactory system more powerful than a blood hound's and a sort of shark-like frenzy instinctual impulse when she gets the scent of blood (which is easy with her super-nose. This makes for some fun roleplay sessions). If Mako's powers didn't seem so magical, he'd definitely be the right Patron for the Commandant (especially considering what the Commandant knows about Mako's bedding habits). She likes him, thinks he's kind of cute in a blood-thirsty mutant monstrosity way, or at least she likes what she knows about him. I could probably explain her getting Chum Spray as another by-product of further mutagenic experimentation (and it would go GREAT with her current biological state: pregnant). The Mako armour power is also an option, though I'd have to get a look at it.

This leaves me with no option from Ghost Widow, one potential option from each Scirocco and Black Scorpion, and two potential options from Mako. I've placed my current build under the test of fire in PvP zones, and virtually the only thing that can "pwn" me in a one-on-one so far has been high Accuracy/Damage Blasters and Scrappers. I've taken out Defenders and Controllers with no effort, Tankers with lots of patience, other Masterminds in the Arena, and recently I fought two Brutes and a Corruptor who were teamed together in Warburg, and beat them. HOWEVER, with the addition of these powers, it changes the dynamic of PvP against other villains, and I fear that I will not be as powerful as someone who has no issues about power-building their character without consideration of concept or theme. Barring that the story arcs don't clash with the Commandant's personal beliefs, my options are limited.

Story arcs clashing? Yes, that's also important. I'm very true to my characters. Right up to the point of refusing missions from contacts if my character can't justify taking that mission. Yes, this has made levelling up very slow. I've spent over 800 hours already and I just hit 30, but frankly: I have more fun knowing my character is conceptually accurate than power levelling.




I don't expect the Devs to tailor the game specifically to me, and it's true I could stop being so "hardcore" about the issue. However, there are three sets that are essentially magic in origin and one that is technological. This seems to me to have been a poor choice or an oversight.
I think Mako's set should be retooled almost entirely to make it more akin to the Chum Spray power (can't wait to see someone accidentally forget the "H") and make his powers a definite Mutant origin.
And though the Mu lightning powers are undoubtably cool, I think some Natural/ninjitsu-ish powers from Scirocco would be appropriate.

------- Solution? -------
Here's an option: multiple sets from each Patron.
Yes, it'll be a lot more work and a lot more hours for the Devs, but I'm not asking for it right away. It could be FUI8 or FUI9 content. I actually doubt I'll even make it to the post-40 content, I'm not here to level up, after all.
BUT, here's how I think it could play out:

After reading up on the Patron powers and choosing which Patron you wish to serve, you are offered choices of which mission arc you wish to take.

For instance, Scirocco.
Your villain speaks to Scirocco and he tells you of two problems he has. One is dealing with a magical threat, and in choosing this arc you will unlock the Mu Mastery powers. The other arc leads you against Malta or something, which unlocks a different Scirocco Patron set, one with powers like Focussed Accuracy, Conserve Power, and Power Boost (this will also offer those players who are complaining about the balance issue what they want).

Or, for example, Mako.
Your villain speaks to Mako and he lets you know about some Red Coral he wants, but also mentions a certain Paragon Mutant who's been messing with his "import/export" business. If you go and collect the Coral, you will unlock the Leviathan Mastery. If you deal with the hero, you'll be exposed to some mutagenic compound which enables you to boost your Recovery or Regeneration, or shoot poisonous darts from your tongue.

This could also offer the option to Respec out of a Patron set in a limited way. You wouldn't be able to change Patrons, but you could Respec into a different set from that particular Patron.



What do you folks think of that solution? Can anyone see anything wrong with it aside from giving the Devs more work?

Mako is most definitely a mutant. His "girlfriend" Barracuda is the Coralax.

Black Scorpion is the Tech Origin, through and through. I realize the mace is "on loan" in a sense, but it still clashes with many of my natural characters, especially my highest level Mastermind.

Options for Mako would be less ghosts, more actual sharks. Or mutant piles of teeth. Or Spines like from the Scrapper/Stalker sets. Or like the Mutagen from level 1 - 10.
Like I said, I liked the vomit attack and I think that'd be really cool for some Mutant and Science origin villains.
And even WITH the fact that Mako is playing with the Leviathan, where are these Spirit Sharks coming from? Shouldn't those who choose him as a Patron be throwing explosive Red Coral Shards or some sort of Coralex urchins?

Three out of four sets are magic in origin? What the- . . . !?

Shouldn't Mako's powers be Mutant in origin? The vomit is cool, and the armour’s description can be rephrased . . . but Spirit Sharks?! It boggles my mind.

And what about the natural origin? I'd like to keep some of my characters true to their concept. I suppose I can just skip a Patron all together, but I fear that will severely hinder my characters' abilities to engage in Player versus Player combat, something I was hoping to get into.
I guess those rumours about a 5th, nonpartizan/non-Arachnos Patron were just that: rumours. That’s a real pity. I’ve always felt the greatest strength of the City of games were the players’ ability to create virtually ANY original hero or villain their imagination could come up with. These new powers don’t seem to affirm my belief.


Looks like I'll be taking a lot more pool powers if I ever make it to the 40 - 50 range.




I thank you, Devs, for the effort and the wonderful game. I'm just opposed to the thematic limitations of these Patron Powers.

You know, without craban here, I fear this will degenerate into mindless violence of the silly kind. I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that, but craban's words always had a special way of making the metal plate in my head ping . . . even though I don't have a metal plate in my head.

* comes running in to the Asylum hitting everyone and everything with the Mighty Whapping Sticks of Thread Rejuvenation™ *

Live, dämn you! LIVE!

* pines for the CoV Beta Forums *

Well . . .

I'm sure I could find something to complain about as well if I tried hard enough, but I'd rather just say "thank you, Devs!"

Thank you, Devs!



Now make sure I6 is total and utter dung, so I7 can be the most awesomely, mindblowingly incredible feature update ever!
Obey the fist! *squeeks fist*

Those aren't REAL heroes!

Where are the Statesmen? The Back Alley Brawlers? The Paragon Protectors? Huh?!



Anyway, I scored: 19 out of 21
Which is surprising since I'm not here for the comic book culture.

Yesss . . .
But Kenny was the Red Shirt of South Park.

EVERYTHING is a Star Trek reference. (Plop that in your signature and quote it!)

There you have it folks! Synapse is the Red Shirt of CoH.

Always getting killed, but never dead.

Don't blame Canada. Blame Danny.

I Blame Danny.

Though it's been said before:
All that team really needed was a good Controller.

* jaw falls off and hits the floor *

Gah!

* puts jaw back on *

Sooooooo beautiful! http://www.tothegame.com/sshotfeat.a...4380&pic=8




http://www.tothegame.com/sshotfeat.a...4380&pic=2
And I want this face for my main (me/VileTerror).
Though I'd have to change the colour.



My original comment about the Villains stands: they get all the cool costumes.
* plans daring rescue mission to liberate the awesome costume pieces for all heroes . . . or at least itself *