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This issue is like getting free stuff. I like free stuff.

_WAter_

So, there's a lot of hatred here.

Until these packs came out, I hadn't spent a single dollar on the store.

After the packs came out I dropped about $65.

I'm neither ashamed (as many of you will likely think I should be) or upset with my decision.

I enjoy the randomness, I enjoy opening each card. I think the biggest problem with the packs is the button at the bottom that reveals all. It spoils the intensity and enjoyment of crakcking open the pack.

I happened to get the wolf inside about 80 packs, I feel lucky, that luck makes me feel good, and makes it easy for me to justify my purchase. I sitll play games like Magic because I enjoy that (though the 1 in 12 very rare cards have spoiled alot of that for me) as I prefer the not gaurenteed but likely method used in these packs for that definition.

I do, however, agree that all of the items should be on the store though as I at least respect the viewpoint that some people that don't want to gamble. Make it slightly statistically better to gamble (as statistics and gambling don't agree with each other very well). As it's money regardless, I don't think there's a good reason not to sell the items from the packs at a much worse rate (as packs come with abunch of largely useless fluff with them).

However, the constant condemnation of this method for delivering content that I've witnessed in this thread seems pointless. Instead of asking for a method to obtains what you want through other means (some of you kept it to that and I thank you for it) you want to ruin the enjoyment I get by removing the item through petitions.

Just my $.02;
_WAter_

Thanks, I'll try the checksum tonight, though I'm not sure how flushing my DNS cache will affect my FPS. I'll try it anyway but I would imagine that's for non-card specific FPS drops.

Thanks;
_WAter_

Got a new AMD HD6900 series (was a 6950, been flashed to a 6970, unlikely to be the problem but oops for AMD anyway) and while I expected to be CPU capped as I'm running it with an Intel Core 2 Duo E6700, I wasn't expecting to see this:

All graphical settings are maxed except for particle physics which is set to medium.

GPU numbers are pulled from GPU-Z ver 5.0.0 (comes with techpowerup.com's kit for flashing a 6950 to get the extra pipes and clock speeds)

In old CoH zones, I see about 30 FPS, 95% CPU utilization, and 70% GPU.
In preatoria on the same character I see about 10 FPS, 95% CPU, and 40% GPU.

Not exactly sure what Preatoria is doing graphics wise that a new top of the line GPU is tossing off to the CPU instead. Any thought on how I could resolve this would be appreciated. I actually saw better performance from my 4870 with similar Graphics settings, so this is disconcerting.

I can provide a DXDiag if people are interested.

Edit:
Of note: just popped into the same zone with a villain (and left her toggles off) and I was only using 75-85% of my CPU but was still only getting 10-15 FPS and only 30-40% GPU utilization. Something buggy is going on here.

I do not have the Catalyst Control Center installed, you don't need it unless you want to override game settings.

_WAter_

Have any of you tried uninstalling the Catalyst Control center? (But not the drivers of course)

I tend to find that programs sitting on top of drivers make things worse than just using the drivers.

I have (for reference):
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6ghz
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi
ATI Radeon 4870 1gig DDR5
and 4 gigs DDR3 for RAM
With Win7 x64 as my operating system.

I was having problems where for no apparent reason the floating text from damage in large groups could cause my computer to become crippling slow. (I tested this on an Electric Electric tank and with Lightning Field on in large groups I would actually get server disconnects from the lag). Among a few other issues. I tried all kinds of things to get it to work including updating to 10.5.

Finally got tired of playing with all the settings in the various programs (SB ALchemy and ATI Catalyst) so I uninstalled both and now I'm getting amazing frame rates with full Ultra Mode settings.

(Note I run at 1920x1200 so I only use 2x AA as 1) you can't really tell the difference between no AA 2x AA and 4x AA at this resolution, and 2) 4x AA at that resolution would require LOTS of ram to be effective.

Note: this is a 4xxx series card so I don't have the AO+AA issues that others have reported...

Just though I would toss that out there;
_WAter_

Some of you people scare me.

If you're suggesting a significant change to more than 3 powers, try a different set.

And yes, some of us "old-timers" did like the old animations (strike, slash, and swipe). it's what we were used to, they didn't include draw times then, and the change wasn't that beneficial as that's when they "standardized" everything to include draw times.

So, while the animations are shorter, the character just seems less active.

Also, I've had Eviscerate for 4 years, the cast time lets my other attacks recharge and I'm one of "those people" that enjoy the double backflip.

Seriously, looking at the numbers, Claws was balanced against having Follow Up always on which needs to be fixed. (Or, at least, after I activate follow up, the damage from claws is more consistent with base damage from similar powers in other scrapper sets) I.E. Evicerate should be in the 160-190 base level 50 damage with its cast time and placement in the set as the other tier 8 powers are.

Similarly, endurance is supposed to be the "kicker" for claws, I.E. the free little buff the set gets similar to accuracy in katana and Combo's in DB, yet Dual Blades (a very similar set) consistently does more damage per attack, and more dps than claws without adding in the Combo's.

So animation wise:
Drop the draw time off all of the attacks.

Otherwise:
Bump the damage on a few attacks to be more consistent with other sets.

That's it.

At least that's my $.02 on the subject;
_WAter_

I really have to say that reading the current feature list has really shown the Devs have a solid connection with their audience. The QoL features you guys are implementing are brilliant, the options you are giving us are amazing, and it just feels like the game is heading in the right direction.

I actually did stop playing for a year after ED as it seemed like the game was going downhill. I'd read the upcoming features lists and was just not impressed (Arenas that are still underused, empty PvP zones, PvP balancing, salvage, the original invention system, hollows...) then ED hit and villains just wasn't doing anything for me. A friend convinced me to come back (and I was considering it anyway as Willpower and Dual Blades looked like fun) and I've been enjoying the game since.

At this point I'll have a level 50 DB/WP brute by the time the patch goes live, The VEAT's will hopefully be more enjoyable than the HEAT's (given that one is a blood widow, I'm really hoping so). And more than anything else, I'm able to play my first and favorite level 50 without feeling like I'm wasting my time. (Still have a couple of Ouroboros arcs left and about 600 million influence in IO's to buy...)

So, I just wanted to say, in response to this announcement. Seriously, and truly, THANK YOU.

You guy's have been great;
_WAter_

[ QUOTE ]

When Jack got the Jake Emmet mission the first time, the model was...not flattering. It's random within a group of male, casual NPCs which one you get, so there's nothing I can do about it!


[/ QUOTE ]

Jake Emmet mission durring beta was great for me. The model was the older balding man and there was something wrong with the way his head so I got to bug:
"There's something wrong with Jake Emmets head"
This was right after the ED announcement, so it made me feel pretty good =)

_WAter_

[ QUOTE ]
There is nothing wrong with people working to finally get claws into a position where it resembles the description its had for a year and a half.

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Then why do you have a problem with another set having similar stats but build up instead? Before Katana was just an alternate weapon for Broadsword. Even now It still has a slightly higher end usage per attack, but primarily it lacks rang whereas Claws has Focus and Shockwave.

I don't mind sets sharing a common designation of Low End. What I mind is people changing an inherrent power becuase they like something else more. It wouldn't be so bad if people didn't actively use it. I.E. old elude compared to the I2 version, but that's not exactly giving me something someone else already has (MoG changes came at the same time), nor did it hurt the flavor of elude. Elude currently eludes, you can just attack with it now. (And given the Phase Shift changes, which is what old elude was, it would have been turned into a click regardless)

However, suggesting swapping a power for something else, that's a great deal more significant, more so when the majority of traits are shared with another scrapper set, and by merely ditching focus/shockwave for some nice melee damage you end up with the desired result.

So if the arguement is that they want Focus with Build Up on a Scrapper, go play spines. if they want Fast Attacks and Low Endurance with build up, go play Katana. If you want katana/spines with different weapons, don't change a valid power for your own satisfaction. Instead, beg the devs for weapon customization. (Something promised back when CoH was released but still very far in the future).

At least that is my viewpoint on the subject.

_WAter_

[ QUOTE ]

Not to mention that stalkers with claws get build up, which already makes them better than the claws scrappers.


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I really hate when people say things like this. With ED, build up isn't as powerful as it was. At least follow up is essentially always on and Very ED friendly. (Two Acc to make sure it hits even the high def foes, a recharge or two, and two To hit Buffs make this power very solid)

It's obviously Build Up is better for stalkers because hitting your opponent with Follow Up before trying to Assassinate is worthless, no arguement on this change.

But I'll stick with follow up on my scrapper thank you. the power helped me through easily 40 levels up play and is a critical part of my attack chain.

I would hate to have to wait for Build Up to activate each fight to get the utility from it I get from Follow Up.

Go play with Katana if you want quick attacks, low end, and build up.

_WAter_
Doing my part to make sure the voice of the minority isn't taken seriously.

[ QUOTE ]

q) Is this the new AASQ?


[/ QUOTE ]

A) NOOOOOOOO not my adopted parents, it can't die *gives CPR to AASQ* Please cuppa say it ain't so!

Q) What am I going to do now? I'm practically the poster child for the current AASQ!

_WAter_

Wow, I never Appreciated SR so much until I found out how many mobs have slow effects with my Regen scrapper...

Many thanks Geko, we all love you!

_WAter_

What about the Rikti Crash site? I don' think I've seen anyone there in weeks.

_WAter_