What gets me is:
- [*] They couldn't get the name of the powerset they've repeatedly nerfed correct when nerfing it yet again.[*] They're nerfing a power that was never powerful to begin with.[*] The one thing that made AT useful is the one thing they're removing.[*] They're not even nerfing it because people were 'porting ATs (and AMs) around.[*] They're nerfing it because people were using TP Foe on things they shouldn't have been like Malta ATs and DE Eminators among other things.[*] This nerf, I strongly suspect, has little to do with a PvE exploit but a PvP one.[*] Instead of making these things highly resistant to TP Foe yet still 'portable with Recall Friend, like say Electro-Brutes, they're fixing a problem with a handgrenade instead of a scalpel. [*] No trade-off is offered for compensation for the change... again. Not that, in my opinion, there should be any compensation because this change should not be going live. AT, while hinky, is useful as it currently is and do not think mobility is the way to go. Not to mention would be much harder to code than simply tweeking TP Foe Res. A damage boost would be nice, but that should be done in addition to retaining its 'portability. Will that happen or will it just get blown off an the change go live? I think we all know the answer to that one.[/list]All of these, very much including the name slip, invariably leads one to conclude that there's a certain level, "Meh, [censored] 'em." attitude going on. [/rant]
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A while back, the Devs were discussing examining the Blaster Secondaries to try to make them more effective. I know that Electric, Energy, and Devices get a lot of use from Blappers or mine + TP-foe'rs, but you don't see that many /Ice or /Fire. I believe that was mainly why they were checking out the Secondaries.
Just curious, but was this dropped, put further back on the schedule, still working on it, but not mentioned much?
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they lied to shut us up. worked too.
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I've sent PMs as well, but I have never received a response either. Lighthouse has been on a sort of roll lately with answering questions, I was thinking he might see this and let us know what's up.
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Hey man..... Here's my best Kanye West impression.
"Jack Emmert don't care about blaster people." Lighthouse dosen't even know there is a blaster forum.... he might scan it for nasty language.... but he's not going to address anything. THat dosen't happen in blasterland.
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Lighthouse dosen't even know...
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Hell, he apparently didn't get the memo that Nov 11th stopped being about the end of WWI in, oh, 1954.
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Lighthouse dosen't even know...
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Hell, he apparently didn't get the memo that Nov 11th stopped being about the end of WWI in, oh, 1954.
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You got it wrong Ohms. It ended in the 9415.
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*struts his /Fire Dominator with Firey Embrace through the thread teasingly*
And he wasn't wrong to call Devices Gadgets. That's just the internal developer nomenclature for the set. Kind of like what we call mobs they'll call critters.
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Yeah "Devices" is a stupid name, gadgets is much more comic book superheroy.
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*struts his /Fire Dominator with Firey Embrace through the thread teasingly*
And he wasn't wrong to call Devices Gadgets. That's just the internal developer nomenclature for the set. Kind of like what we call mobs they'll call critters.
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Yes, but if your going to talk to the public get it right. There is no /Gadgets secondary so it took awhile for community to get a confirmation he ment /Device. When the players ask for a buff to say /energy, they don't say "The pink pom poms of sissy-ness needs a boost" They call it /Energy, /NRG, /Eng. If I suggested /Device fixes, I don't call it "The /brokenthingmawhatwhoists" I call it by its proper name.
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*struts his /Fire Dominator with Firey Embrace through the thread teasingly*
And he wasn't wrong to call Devices Gadgets. That's just the internal developer nomenclature for the set. Kind of like what we call mobs they'll call critters.
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Yes, but if your going to talk to the public get it right. There is no /Gadgets secondary so it took awhile for community to get a confirmation he ment /Device. When the players ask for a buff to say /energy, they don't say "The pink pom poms of sissy-ness needs a boost" They call it /Energy, /NRG, /Eng. If I suggested /Device fixes, I don't call it "The /brokenthingmawhatwhoists" I call it by its proper name.
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Yeah, and now you're bantering semantics. There's a pretty big gap between jibbering nonsense to mean something and something as similar as "devices" and "gadgets". That's like not getting that by "Cold Blast" they meant "Ice blast."
[censored].
I just want to point out that even though "critters" is an internal term used by Cryptic, they've also let slip the term in the Prima guide. (There's multiple examples but read Sonic Resonance it's in there multiple times for that set)
Not getting into the arguement here but I laughed the first time I saw "critters" mentioned in the Prima guide. 
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Yeah, and now you're bantering semantics. There's a pretty big gap between jibbering nonsense to mean something and something as similar as "devices" and "gadgets". That's like not getting that by "Cold Blast" they meant "Ice blast."
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"Gadgets" could have just as easily refered to the CoV power set /Traps as it could have the CoH power set /Devices. I really don't know why they think they need to call a power set by one name internally and another name externally. Its not exactly something that facilitates communication.
Actually, I PM'd Castle on this a few days ago.
My PM:
Dear Castle,
As you know, blaster secondaries have been broken since beta. I know you've posted on this, and you've promised to try and fix it. But here we are on the eve of I8 without these changes, and no word if I9 will be any different.
When Statesman stopped posting and Positron became lead designer, there was rumor of 'The Demise of CoX!!!' We later came to find that it was simply because Jack (and a few others) were redirected to start working on the Marvel MMO. Now, I didn't buy into the 'End of CoX' hype, but it does seem to me that resources are being redirected... I am theorizing that with the Marvel MMO on the horizon there is less of a focus to make CoX better, and more of a focus to simply make Marvel Universe essentially City of Heroes II.
So what I'm asking is, with everything going on at Cryptic right now, are blaster secondary fixes still in the works?
I'm biased, you see. My 'main' is an Energy/Fire blaster. I've been playing CoX now for over 2 years and have 6 level capped characters. Out of all of them, I dislike my blaster the most. Not because its not my playstyle, not because I dislike the AT, but because I dislike looking at my power tray and seeing half my power choices as 'fluff.' (I mean, bonfire on a blaster? Burn patch? They're just for show -- I never actually use them.)
I'm not angry, and I'm not 'demanding' any changes, certaintly. But I am curious as to the fate of my blaster. Will she stay shelved forever? Will I someday get a chance to make her wonderful? I don't know, so I figured I'd ask.
Many Thanks,
Shak
His Reply:
Yes, they are.
In my personal opinion....uh...he's lying. I don't think they're in the works. I think it's one of those things where they *think* about doing it, but never actually schedule the time for it -- thus it never gets done. It happens at my job quite frequently, actually. They ask people to cover 'special projects' without reducing their normal workload. The result? The special project never gets done.
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Yeah, and now you're bantering semantics. There's a pretty big gap between jibbering nonsense to mean something and something as similar as "devices" and "gadgets". That's like not getting that by "Cold Blast" they meant "Ice blast."
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"Gadgets" could have just as easily refered to the CoV power set /Traps as it could have the CoH power set /Devices. I really don't know why they think they need to call a power set by one name internally and another name externally. Its not exactly something that facilitates communication.
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/Agreed.
Look, the real issue is not that "gadgets" vs. "devices" had two completely different connotations; it's that the the whole point of the Patch Notes is to inform the playerbase. Therefore, when the devs refer to a powerset change using a completely new term, how is the player base supposed to understand what is being stated? This then relates to the distinct deduction that the devs really haven't been paying attention to Blaster issues when they unequivocally nerf a powerset and then can't even refer to its proper name.
Sorry, these are clues even Scooby Doo can deduct from and the conclusion is that Blasters are the so irrelevant to the CoX game as to not even be worthy of proper annotation.
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All of these, very much including the name slip, invariably leads one to conclude that there's a certain level, "Meh, [censored] 'em." attitude going on. [/rant]
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Not at all true. If that were my attitude, I wouldn't even be trying to get some changes through. I can understand why you think that would be the case, though.
In an upcoming patch, here are a few things you'll see:
Increased EDIT:Maximum ranges for attacks like Blaze.
Some improvements for */Fire (No, no powers were switched out. No Fiery Embrace, I'm afraid. )
Some improvements for Fire/*
A very minor improvement for Gadgets...I mean, Devices! (Yeah, it was a dumb mistake -- typing in haste and all of that.)
I have some ideas for other changes/improvements, but there is no ETA on when or if I'll get them in.
Edit: Tyed minimum when I meant Maximum. One day, I'll learn to proofread.
::Crosses Fingers:: Maybe after all this time some of the Blaster sets will get some love!
Jets L50 eLx3 Blaster (1300 Badges) @Jets or @Jets Too
L50 Stalker, 4-Tankers, 3-Scrappers, 2-Dominators, 2-Arachnos, 3-Brutes, Blaster, 4-Controllers, Defender
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::Crosses Fingers:: Maybe after all this time some of the Blaster sets will get some love!
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-QFT-
-QFE-
*Keeps fingers Crossed*
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Increased minimum ranges for attacks like Blaze.
Some improvements for */Fire (No, no powers were switched out. No Fiery Embrace, I'm afraid. )
Some improvements for Fire/*
A very minor improvement for Gadgets...I mean, Devices! (Yeah, it was a dumb mistake -- typing in haste and all of that.)
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My faith has been restored! /faint
I'm not really sure that Fire/ needs to be looked at but thanks anyhoo Castle 
.
COH/CoV - Virtue
8 Ball - Lev 50 Kin/Energy Defender
The Canadian Fist - Lev 50 Ice/EM Blaster
Omega Ghost - Lev 50 Robo/Dark MM
Ghostfall - Lev 50 Arachnos Crab Soldier
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Not at all true. If that were my attitude, I wouldn't even be trying to get some changes through. I can understand why you think that would be the case, though.
In an upcoming patch, here are a few things you'll see:
Increased minimum ranges for attacks like Blaze.
Some improvements for */Fire (No, no powers were switched out. No Fiery Embrace, I'm afraid. )
Some improvements for Fire/*
A very minor improvement for Gadgets...I mean, Devices! (Yeah, it was a dumb mistake -- typing in haste and all of that.)
I have some ideas for other changes/improvements, but there is no ETA on when or if I'll get them in.
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*&@!^!)(*#!
Bless you Castle, I can't believe this. w00t!
:***** out from joygasm::
<QR>
After having watched and waited for so long for significant Blaster love (and instead seeing /Devices neutered and Desperation/Defiance and a hit point boost that means we last .2 seconds longer) I'm still a touch skeptical.
However, the increased range for attacks like Blaze (which I'm assuming includes the might-as-well-be-melee attacks in most of the Blaster primaries) is nice and the promise of improvements for at least one of the secondaries still makes my ears perk up.
*Checks his calender* Yep, it's about that time blaster's get a red name.
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Not at all true. If that were my attitude, I wouldn't even be trying to get some changes through. I can understand why you think that would be the case, though.
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Castle, we understand you are trying, but from our perspective, it seems like nothing or when ever will happen. Blaster's have been waiting a long time, and we do appreciate the effort you are at least attemtping.
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In an upcoming patch, here are a few things you'll see:
Increased minimum ranges for attacks like Blaze.
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Why must the 20 footers be nerfed? 0-20 feet wasn't good enough, it will now only work 5-20 feet? or per haps 10-20 feet?...
Oh...you ment increase the maximum range on 20 footers. WOOT!
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A very minor improvement for Gadgets...I mean, Devices! (Yeah, it was a dumb mistake -- typing in haste and all of that.)
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Woo hoo, Devices is getting an improvment. A nerf to nerf a nerf. Kidding!
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I have some ideas for other changes/improvements, but there is no ETA on when or if I'll get them in.
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Snipes, what about Snipes?!?!? And Defiance too!
Nice to see a little blaster love coming down the pipe. I really wish Elec/ would be looked at, though. I know it's the least effective Blaster set, and I'm fine with that, but without the end drain, it's less than useless in PvP, and the fact that it STILL doesn't have a MISS animation like the rest of the ranged sets bothers me.
Yeah, I'm colorblind, and I talk about it a lot. Sorry.
VICTORY: Zephyr Cyclone - 50 El/El/El Blast
VICTORY: Schysm - 36 SS/In Brute
VIRTUE: Galaxy Beast - 17 Warshade
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All of these, very much including the name slip, invariably leads one to conclude that there's a certain level, "Meh, [censored] 'em." attitude going on. [/rant]
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Not at all true. If that were my attitude, I wouldn't even be trying to get some changes through. I can understand why you think that would be the case, though.
In an upcoming patch, here are a few things you'll see:
Increased EDIT:Maximum ranges for attacks like Blaze.
Some improvements for */Fire (No, no powers were switched out. No Fiery Embrace, I'm afraid. )
Some improvements for Fire/*
A very minor improvement for Gadgets...I mean, Devices! (Yeah, it was a dumb mistake -- typing in haste and all of that.)
I have some ideas for other changes/improvements, but there is no ETA on when or if I'll get them in.
Edit: Tyed minimum when I meant Maximum. One day, I'll learn to proofread.
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Sorry Castle but you let the cat out of the bag. They will hence forth be known as Gadget Blasters or the Macgyver set. 
[color=gold][b][size=5]♪ Sometimes you feel like a Tank, Sometimes you don't! ♪[/size][/color][/b]
[url=http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=114726][color=black][b][size=5]Moon [color=red]Hazard [color=black]Zone![/size][/color][/color][/color][/b][/url]
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Sorry Castle but you let the cat out of the bag. They will hence forth be known as Gadget Blasters or the Macgyver set.
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I second that Devices be renamed Macgyver set. All those in favor, say "Aye!"
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All of these, very much including the name slip, invariably leads one to conclude that there's a certain level, "Meh, [censored] 'em." attitude going on. [/rant]
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Not at all true. If that were my attitude, I wouldn't even be trying to get some changes through. I can understand why you think that would be the case, though.
In an upcoming patch, here are a few things you'll see:
Increased minimum ranges for attacks like Blaze.
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This would go a long way towards helping Blasters. They need a ranged single target attack chain, or it cancels the whole idea of "range = defense", because they have to spend so much time in melee.
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Some improvements for */Fire (No, no powers were switched out. No Fiery Embrace, I'm afraid. )
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Great to hear.
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Some improvements for Fire/*
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Really odd to hear, though I don't spend much time in the blaster forums, so maybe they have problems that I haven't witnessed in game. Or did you mean to say "some improvements for AR/*"?
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A very minor improvement for Gadgets...I mean, Devices! (Yeah, it was a dumb mistake -- typing in haste and all of that.)
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Great! Hopefully what you consider "minor", we consider "just what it needed".
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I have some ideas for other changes/improvements, but there is no ETA on when or if I'll get them in.
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Can I suggest one? Could you consider changing the Knockback on some (particularly Energy) or all Blaster AoE/Cones to Knockdown so that they can be used in teams without disrupting other people's powers? Also, could you push for a (Dam, Acc, Rech, or EndRed)/Knockback enhancement in inventions that is cheap to make, to allow those who prefer knockback to keep it without being forced to sacrifice much?
Or even better, is it possible to make a (Dam, Acc, Rech, or EndRed)/-Knockback enhancement to keep from forcing any change on anyone, and giving people who don't like the knockback the ability to remove it?
Thanks for all that you do, Castle.
Please try my custom mission arcs!
Legacy of a Rogue (ID 459586, Entry for Dr. Aeon's Third Challenge)
Death for Dollars! (ID 1050)
Dr. Duplicate's Dastardly Dare (ID 1218)
Win the Past, Own the Future (ID 1429)
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And seeing as the Trip Mines nerf was not only not even mentioned in the patch notes it was never admitted to after I3 went live, I suppose I should be happy for at least getting a head's up. [/sarcasm] For the record I dropped the whole issue when _Castle_ posted and would've left it dropped if not for [censored]hats that insist on dragging it the [censored] back up. It was a slip. That's very true. Exactly how Freudian a slip it was has people, myself included, concerned.
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I am just pissed that can't even get the name for /Device right when nerfing a power that wasn't even spectacular to begin with. Double insult to me. "Auto Turret was never ment to be mobile and goes against the mechanics of the game."-Dev *looks at Dark Servant and Voltaic Sentinel* Both were non-mobile before being made mobile were they not? And its not like 90 seconds of random burst level damage is over powering, like say Total Focus be used every chance its up. /rant off