evertheskeptic

Here is my suggestion for a new forum layout

COX General: I've always felt this was THE main forum, so should have it's own direct link on the main page, not hidden in the obscure "For Fun" section

Official News, Events & Announcements and Development
---Announcements and Discussion: remove the announcements only page, have the original message and all updates in the first post, if the person doesn't want to discuss it, they don't have to. Maybe even merge it with COX General...
---Calendar (maybe have a filter for official events, player events, and both)
---Developer's Corner
---Dev Digest
---Community Digest

Game Systems, Technical Systems, Guides and Help
---General Questions (I think this should be taken out if possible, somehow combine it with Gameplay/Technical)
---Gameplay/Technical Issues and Bugs: combined with Mac Users forum
---Suggestions and Ideas
---Player Guides
---Archetypes and Powers
------Powers General: non-specific power forum
------12 forums for each AT: big NO to the playstyle grouping suggestion
------Incarnates: I feel this should have been added in I20
------Inventions (and the Market): "ideally" inventions would be split from the market, but if that's not an option, at least link to it here
---Badges and Gladiators
---Base Construction
---Mission Architect
---The Market (and Inventions)
---Player vs Player: the 2 categories combined into one. Maybe also have it link in A&P like Market/Inventions

Training Room (could also be a subcategory of Official News or Game Systems)
---Training Room

Servers, Supergroups, and Player Events
---Player Events
---Calendar (see Calendar in Official News section)
---Supergroup Recruitment
---All server forums

For Fun: everything not directly related to playing the game or the servers
---Comic Culture
---Multimedia: combined Screenshots & Fan Creations with Multi-Media CoX
---Social: combined Lounges and Forum games
---Roleplaying: maybe combine it with the Social or Comic Culture section...

Much thanks

If I bought 800 points and got the 500 points from referring a friend, do I get a reward token?

I know most melee defense ATs get mag 10 protection and I wanted to match that, but I noticed Acrobatics gives 9, and the KB protection IOs are 4 per IO. I'm a bit tight on both slots and powers (and SJ isn't my travel power, though I will take CJ), but I will make room for KB protection, so I was wondering what's the best way to go:
-2 KB IOs
-Acrobatics
-3 KB IOs / Acrobatics + 1 KB IO

Basically is mag 8 protection enough? 9? What are some examples where I'll be flying backward with 8/9 but a regular melee-er with mag 10 protection will still be standing up?

I agree that CoF makes DA more survivable, but I don't see how it increases kill efficiency

I do like the control aspect of the fear powers, I've loyally stuck with CoF even after the nerfs years ago. But after I decided on strengthening my build, I thought about changing to an aura that would help me kill that much faster, and replace the fear-based survivability with some standard, ie stronger defense and resistance. I do still like the option of having ToF, though

Here is a new build I'm working on, going off some of the recommendations from kindredsun and looking at some of the other options, vastly different from the original one. I do have 4 slots still open that I'm not sure what to do with, I could strengthen my attacks, add another slot(+bonus) to each armor, boost the utility powers, etc, but I'm having a hard time deciding which route to take

Also, after looking into some of the set IO costs, purples are probably going to be a long term goal, so I'd like to stay away from those for now. Also the fact that some are PVP were brought up. Are they purple-esque in cost? Either way, this build here does remove all PVP and purple IOs

I actually don't have all those HOs slotted, maybe only like a third, and the rest I have stored. But to answer the question, yes, I do have a lot of respecs saved

More questions

1. Is there a specific reason to take Decimation instead of Thunderstrike or Devastation (or even aiming for Apocalypse)? They don't offer the same bonuses obviously, but they (the bonuses) seem about equally effective, except I would be able to use the Decimation bonuses at lower levels. Was that a factor here (and in other lower level sets)?

2. So set builds are stronger, and I can't deny the survivability numbers of the suggested build. But how much is individual slotting sacrificed to get those set bonuses? For example, in the suggested Touch of Fear, it's slotted completely with a toHit debuff set, for the max end and recharge bonuses. I did want to boost the debuff aspect, but I would also like to boost the mez aspect, are the bonuses (not just in this case but overall) that great?

3. I thought frankenslotting included builds like the one I originally posted, where different set IO enhancements are used, with or without much regard to set bonuses (without, in the case of my proposed build)

Okay, a general question, what are the pros and cons on going more enhancement based like my original posted build, versus set bonus based?

I'm finally ready to dive into making a strong(er) build, via respeccing plus using set IOs (this will be the first time I'll be using them instead of just selling), and choosing some Incarnate powers

First, incarnate powers. I've got Alpha T4 Cardiac Core and Judgement T4 Void Radial, and I've chosen Diamagnetic for Interface, but should I get the T4 Core or Radial? I thought stacking the tohit debuff was a nice way to go, but I'm not sure which path to take for the final power. Also, I'm aware of the effectiveness of Reactive, but I won't take it due to the concept-breaking fire damage. For Destiny, I picked Ageless to get even more endurance for my end heavy build, but now that I've reached the top tier Cardiacs (and with the improvements I'm making to my slotting), I'm considering taking something else. Should I just stick with Ageless (the recharge is still nice, though I would probably take the debuff resistance path instead), or switch to Rebirth (+HP looks tempting) or Barrier (sort of make up for the lack of a /Dark T9 armor)? None of the Lore pets fit my character so I'm staying away from that for now

Onto the build, how does this look?
Click this DataLink to open the build!
Power Sets: Dark Melee, Dark Armor
Power Pools: Flight, Fighting, Leaping, Speed, Darkness Mastery
------------
Level 1: Shadow Punch -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(13), HO:Nucle(13), DampS-Rchg/EndRdx(15), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(17), DarkWD-ToHitDeb(25)
Level 1: Dark Embrace -- HO:Ribo(A), HO:Ribo(9)
Level 2: Smite -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(17), HO:Nucle(19), DampS-Rchg/EndRdx(19), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(21), DarkWD-ToHitDeb(27)
Level 4: Death Shroud -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(5), HO:Nucle(5), EndRdx-I(7), EndRdx-I(7), EndRdx-I(9)
Level 6: Murky Cloud -- HO:Ribo(A), HO:Ribo(11)
Level 8: Shadow Maul -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(21), HO:Nucle(23), DampS-Rchg/EndRdx(23), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(25), DarkWD-ToHitDeb(31)
Level 10: Siphon Life -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(11), HO:Nucle(29), Numna-EndRdx/Rchg(29), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(31), Numna-Heal(40)
Level 12: Fly -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-ResKB(43)
Level 14: Obsidian Shield -- HO:Ribo(A), HO:Ribo(15)
Level 16: Dark Regeneration -- C'ngBlow-Acc/Rchg(A), Sciroc-Acc/Rchg(31), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(34), HO:Golgi(34), HO:Golgi(36), HO:Golgi(36)
Level 18: Dark Consumption -- Efficacy-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(A), Efficacy-Acc/Rchg(37), P'Shift-EndMod/Acc/Rchg(39), P'Shift-Acc/Rchg(39)
Level 20: Cloak of Darkness -- HO:Cyto(A), HO:Cyto(27)
Level 22: Kick -- Acc-I(A)
Level 24: Combat Jumping -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-ResKB(40)
Level 26: Soul Drain -- Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Armgdn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37), Armgdn-Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 28: Touch of Fear -- HO:Endo(A), HO:Endo(48), HO:Endo(48), DampS-ToHitDeb/Rchg/EndRdx(48), DarkWD-ToHitdeb/Rchg/EndRdx(50), SipInsght-ToHitDeb/EndRdx/Rchg(50)
Level 30: Hover -- Zephyr-Travel(A), Zephyr-ResKB(46)
Level 32: Midnight Grasp -- HO:Nucle(A), HO:Nucle(33), HO:Nucle(33), DampS-Rchg/EndRdx(33), DarkWD-Rchg/EndRdx(34), DarkWD-ToHitDeb(40)
Level 35: Tough -- HO:Ribo(A), HO:Ribo(36)
Level 38: Weave -- HO:Cyto(A), HO:Cyto(39)
Level 41: Petrifying Gaze -- G'Wdw-Acc/Hold/Rchg(A), EoCur-Acc/Hold/Rchg(42), UbrkCons-Acc/Hold/Rchg(42), Lock-Acc/Hold(42), Lock-Acc/Rchg(43), Lock-Rchg/Hold(43)
Level 44: Dark Blast -- HO:Lyso(A), HO:Lyso(45), HO:Centri(45), HO:Centri(45), HO:Centri(46), RechRdx-I(46)
Level 47: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 49: Soul Transfer -- Dsrnt-I(A)
------------
Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon
Level 50: Diamagnetic Total Core Conversion
Level 50: Void Radial Final Judgement
Level 50: Ageless Partial Core Invocation
Level 0: Portal Jockey
Level 0: Task Force Commander
Level 0: The Atlas Medallion
------------
Level 1: Sprint -- HO:Micro(A)
Level 2: Swift -- HO:Micro(A)
Level 2: Health -- Numna-Regen/Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(3), EndMod-I(3)
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 3% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 3% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 3% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 3% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 3% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 3% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 3% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 3% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 1.88% Defense(Energy)
• 1.88% Defense(Negative)
• 3.75% Defense(Ranged)
• 2.5% Enhancement(Held)
• 5% FlySpeed
• 95.4 HP (7.12%) HitPoints
• 5% JumpHeight
• 5% JumpSpeed
• Knockback (Mag -12)
• Knockup (Mag -12)
• 4% (0.07 End/sec) Recovery
• 12% (0.67 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 5% RunSpeed

Notes:
-For concept reasons, I'm sticking with Fly, though I may drop Hover (I've been using this for my pseudo-knockback protection for years)
-While I will start using set IOs, I'm mainly focusing on the enhancement values. The set bonuses are nice (and I try to select the sets with better bonuses), but I'm not planning on completely relying on them. Similar deal for the effects of Cardiac
-Dark Consumption is probably unnecessary at level 50 with Cardiac and Ageless, but I thought it might come in handy for any exemplaring, or if I drop Ageless like I talked about earlier

Questions:
1. Considering Swift+Microfilament, what does the slotting look like for maxed Fly and Hover speed? Will it be different in I21 (ignoring the new fly boost power)?
2a. On my attacks, I focused on +HP set bonuses (the extra tohit debuff slot), though I had the option of +2% damage instead, which one is better?
2b. Or should I take out these +HP/+Dam slots and throw in another Ribo in my resistance toggles?
3. Should I go with 2 or 3 Knockback protection IOs? I was thinking about switching one of them to a +Stealth IO, but CoD's stealth is fine if 3 is better
4. Performance Shifter proc in Stamina or 3rd common EndMod IO?

I'm respeccing a level 40 character I haven't touched in over a year, and I'm wondering about the some of the powers

I've taken Ice Arrow in the past and I thought it worked well. Would it still be worth it to take Stunning Shot? Since both are available at this level and I rarely exemp, Ice being available sooner isn't much of a factor (and I took it quite late in my current build anyway). Maybe use it with Entangling Arrow as a pseudo-second hold? Or just stick with Ice? Or replace Ice with the Stunning/Entangling combo?

Speaking of Entangling, how is it compared to Flash Arrow nowadays? I didn't take Flash before, but now I'm thinking about fitting it into my build. Even though I took Entangling, I rarely used it and kept it at the default slot, so Flash Arrow might be a better option if Stunning/Entangling isn't recommended

I'm not getting the "following a carcass" part, how does he follow somebody that's KOed

I see, is that really so bad? I've actually done that myself, but only if I die and the team is at 8-9 acids/grenades so they would be finishing up right as I'm getting back anyways

1. Scrapper
2. Mastermind
3. Defender
4. Blaster
5. the rest

I'm enjoying my Ninja/Pain (currently 46), but I do admit that I think Thermal would be better. As for Time, I didn't feel like it worked well with Ninjas from my (limited) experience in beta

I've really enjoyed the new sets in beta, I will most likely reroll my BS/SD to WM/SD and my Inv/BA tank to BA/Inv scrapper

I did get a new power supply too when I got the other stuff, is there a way to verify that it's the cause?

My PC restarts on its own when I'm in areas with lots of players/lots of active powers (RWZ, I-trial). It seems to be okay outside of the game, or when I'm playing solo. I'm not sure about small/non-league teams

I think turning down graphics would help, but I just upgraded my graphics card (and memory and CPU) so I wouldn't have to do that anymore. What's causing the restarting?

I'm not following why level 24s are better than level 50s

I've always been hesitant on the invention system outside of common IOs because trying to learn all the rules of sets and bonuses made my head spin, but now I'm thinking about diving in and making a build. I plan on using only the "enhancement" IOs like Acc/Dam, Dam/Rech/End, etc (ie none of the special +Recovery, or +Stealth, or Chance for Build Up, or what have you) and then mixing and matching with other enhancements (other "enhancement" set IOs, common IOs and HOs). I'm not worried about bonuses, I know I'll get some but they won't be anything I rely on. In this situation, do I need to worry about the level of the IO and losing power when exemplaring?

Since the 430/440 was only a small upgrade, I looked at the GTX 550 Ti
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130625

Will I need to upgrade my power supply for that? This is what I have now
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371006

Yeah it's officially dead. My price range... I'd say $120 (for the video card, not combined)