/signed
Well thought out and looks quite interesting.
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For a long time, people have been discussing alter egos and origin stories. Today, I would like to introduce:
The Back Story Power Pools
Back Story Power Pools are Power Pools available at a level 4 (or some other very early level). These powers represent the experiences that a character has had in their life previous to becoming a hero/villain that have shaped how they approach the Herculean task of changing the world.
Back Story Power Pools (from here on referred to as BSPPs) provide benefits to the players that enhance the experience of the world of CoX without altering the strategies of fighting or detracting from those who choose not to use them.
The restrictions for picking Power Pool Powers still apply. You still need to have 1 or 2 to pick 3, and two powers to pick 4.
Here are some examples of ideas.
Rogue
Even before you began your official career in Paragon City/The Rogue Isles, you led a disreputable life. Whether you were a high profile hit man or a self righteous pick pocket, you understand how complicated crimes work.
1) Pilfer Your hands are faster than most peoples eyes, allowing you to grab and hide objects at incredible speeds. Due to this, your interruption time for mission related objects is lowered 20%.
2) Eavesdrop Your ear is constantly to the ground on the subject of big crimes. You know when they are going to happen before anyone else. You must complete one less newspaper/radio mission before unlocking a Safeguard/Mayhem mission.
3) Criminal Efficiency - Every second is an opportunity to either slip up or hit it big. You value these seconds, and make the most of them. When you enter a Safeguard/Mayhem Mission, your team immediately gets a 2 Minute bonus. This power may only be stacked once.
4) Blueprint Knowledge A good rogue knows the area before attempting to get anything out of it. You are the best warrior you know, and glowing mission objectives appear on your map when you enter the mission.
Obviously, the purpose of the Rogue Power Pool is to increase ones enjoyment of the newspaper/radio missions. This can be great for those that dont like the story of CoX and just want to play.
Student
You may have been a college student. You may have been a religious scholar. In the grand scheme of things, you study hard and learn quickly, a skill that can be invaluable to a developing hero.
1) Subservient When someone tells you what to do, you do it well. When you are in lackey/sidekick mode, your level is increased by an additional level, making you the same strength as your Mentor/Boss.
2) Protective You take care of your Mentor/Boss loyally. Toggle: While this power is active and you are within an appropriate range of your Mentor/Boss, they receive a defense bonus.
3) Visual Learner Learning by example is a specific strength of yours. When you complete a mission in Sidekick/Lackey mode, you receive an experience bonus.
4) Studious Through your studies youve valued mistakes and negative experiences, as they are the best teacher of all. When in sidekick/lackey mode, your experience debt burns off at a twenty-five percent higher rate.
This is a good Power Pool for beginners. Additionally, it can serve as an incentive for players to make long term duo characters.
[u]Although I did not write it out, I suggest a symmetrical version of this called "Instructor", which rewards people for being Mentors/Bosses. The third power of that pool would allow one to have two lackeys/sidekicks.[u]
Lone Wolf
Youve been by yourself most of your life. That doesnt bother you, though. In fact, not much bothers you anymore.
1) Inner Strength When you are on a mission without a team, Inspirations provide an additional 5% bonus.
2) Unshaken Youve been outnumbered so many times, it doesnt frighten you. When more than four enemies are simultaneously attacking (drawn aggro from four enemies), you receive an 8% attack bonus.
3) Vicious Strike When you are alone, sometimes you have to play dirty, just to survive. When you are on a mission solo, you have a slightly increased chance of stunning enemies.
4) Wanderer- The more you are by yourself, the more you learn. When you complete a mission solo, you receive an experience bonus.
This is for the breed of folk that want to solo City of Heroes/Villains, or for those that just want to feel hardcore by diving into the fray themselves.
Merchant
Before all of this started, you dealt in currency, and lots of it. You understand its value more than most people.
1) Silver Tongue You can haggle and negotiate easily, always getting the better bargain. When buying Enhancements, you receive a 10% discount.
2) Businessperson Your ability to come off trustworthy always gets you in with people. When completing missions for non-broker contacts, your relationship meter fills more rapidly.
3) Haggler Somehow, when someone buys from you, they always think that they are coming out ahead, even though you completely ripped them off. When selling Enhancements, you sell them for an additional 10%.
4) Business Deal Friends give friends discounts. Your Kindred Contacts sell you Enhancements at an additional 20% discount.
These enhancements enable people to be more focused on enhancing their character and contacts, driving them to complete the story missions. Also, it may influence trade, as Merchants will inevitably buy enhancements and then sell them for profit at the market.
Obviously, many of these will have to be tweaked. There are several more that I have in mind, but I am not trying to sell the individual pools, I am trying to sell the idea in general.
What do you think?
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Not a bad concept. They're independent of combat and largely innate and you've kept their proposed values to be moderate, yet valuable rewards. I'd only be concerned that the absolute lack of combat value may make anyone spending 3 slots here to be labled "combat gimp" by some groups. I think THAT would be unfair... I don't doubt that the hero could still function well on some difficulty levels, but the impact of these selections will have to be weighed to insure that players aren't paying too high a price in combat performance for their out-of-combat benefits
I like them.. some of the descriptions would need to be tweaked to be a little more heroic.
Cat Bot v 1.36 : NRG/elec Blaster : Level 50
"I thought so." - Hank_Rearden
This is a really interesting, well presented concept. I'm not 100% on all the powers, but its a neat idea.
Heroes
Dysmal
Lumynous
Sam Steele
Pluck
Wile
Slagheap
Pressure Wave
Rhiannon Bel
Verified
Stellaric
Syd Mallorn
Villains
Jotunheim Skald
Saer Maen
Jen Corbae
Illuminance
Venator Arawn
Taiga Dryad
Tarranos
These are pretty cool! I don't think I'd actually spend actual power picks on them, but they're very cool ideas!
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Not a bad concept. They're independent of combat and largely innate and you've kept their proposed values to be moderate, yet valuable rewards. I'd only be concerned that the absolute lack of combat value may make anyone spending 3 slots here to be labled "combat gimp" by some groups. I think THAT would be unfair... I don't doubt that the hero could still function well on some difficulty levels, but the impact of these selections will have to be weighed to insure that players aren't paying too high a price in combat performance for their out-of-combat benefits
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That was a concern of mine as well. My counter-argument to the "power-gimp" idea is that some players would be ingratiating themselves through the clever use of these powers.
Rogues would be invaluable to any pick up group that wants to do a Safeguard/Mayhem mission, and would you say "no" to a Student that has buffed out their "Protective" power? Merchant powers would be moot either way, unless of course a clever Merchant leveraged their powers into constantly green SOs. At which point, who would complain?
As far as Lone Wolf? That power pool is in there for people that don't want to put up with pick up groups.
Speaking from the perspective of someone who is a Mastermind dedicated to their pets, I often finding myself staring at the Power Selection screen thinking "But I don't WANT more fighting skills."
They aren't a great idea for those that are combat oriented. They will, however, promote Alt-itis to the nTh degree.
I like the concept, but I think they'd be better tied into origins than backstories- some (like those of my own character, I admit a bias here) can become incredibly complicated, and not fit well into anything aside from my own twisted mind. Meanwhile, Origins are already a component of the game and yet recieve almost no consideration except in a few exceptional cases.
For instace- my Stalker, an ex-USMC who studied under a murderous Ninja and the fused his soul with that of a demon in order to become more powerful- would he be a Rogue, a Lone Wolf, or a Student?
/unsigned, but on a technical dispute only- it's still a really good idea.
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I like the concept, but I think they'd be better tied into origins than backstories- some (like those of my own character, I admit a bias here) can become incredibly complicated, and not fit well into anything aside from my own twisted mind. Meanwhile, Origins are already a component of the game and yet recieve almost no consideration except in a few exceptional cases.
For instace- my Stalker, an ex-USMC who studied under a murderous Ninja and the fused his soul with that of a demon in order to become more powerful- would he be a Rogue, a Lone Wolf, or a Student?
/unsigned, but on a technical dispute only- it's still a really good idea.
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Origins are somethign I considered heavily before drafting this, but decided that tying them together would be forcing people to go with my idea. The concept is freedom, so it would be counterproductive.
As far as extremely complicated characters like yours (rock on for that character, by the way), as it wouldn't be mandatory, you can choose what you'd like. I'd recommend a small sampling of both Student and Rogue. 
/signed
/CAPSLOCKSIGNED
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[u]/underlinedsigned[u]
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/quotesigned
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/glowysigned
/evilsigned
/signed
I really like this as a concept. Would like to see some other "classes" added to it. No suggestions though... :-P
good idea but here's where you earn the thumbs down. i have a stalker and have a very tight build already. i can't get some of the powers i want (hasten or epic pool powers) much less these powers. the only way i would be able to get those is to sacrifice my fitness set (no) or my epic set (no).
now if they revolved on a different type of system that allowed you one per level, then i would have to agree. maybe have your person take one set and after leveling you get the option of doing a mission to uncover your past. after the mission is over you can claim one of the rewards. you could also make it so that they could only get one set. this way you would not have a lone wolf that also is a student.
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good idea but here's where you earn the thumbs down. i have a stalker and have a very tight build already. i can't get some of the powers i want (hasten or epic pool powers) much less these powers. the only way i would be able to get those is to sacrifice my fitness set (no) or my epic set (no).
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You say no to the idea because you have a character that would not choose to take them for a tight-build reason? Uhh, okay. My Defender simply cannot squeeze Boxing and Tough into her build-- perhaps these powers would be better removed from the game 
On the subject, I think this is a very interesting idea. I'd love to see more things like this integrate into the game. Personally, I think the Invention system should have been done through a power pool.
/signed
Great Idea, Marcian. Very well thought out - kudos for obviously spending a lot of time on this.
I would love to see them either implemented as additional power pools, or as pools you unlocked access to through "flashback" missions (not to be confused with the infamous, never-seen system). It'd be neat if everyone could have background powers, not just builds that had excess powers at the end.
But overall, great stuff! Keep it coming.
I like the idea... sort of reminds me of the bonuses you get from accolades, but on a "personally creative" level... as has been said, if you WANT to invest your character into these sets, you can... or they can be like Provoke.... something you probably arent going to take (split my hairs about that on a private message if you like)
I agree however, with whomever said that it should be a system seperate from powers/power pools. Not so much because I wouldnt want to "waste" a slot on them.... but, like origins... they ARE something seperate from our powersets and pools.
Im not sure how else it could be encorporated..... perhaps every 5 levels you can "increase public awairness"???
basically, it isnt so much that you (the character) are selecting powers that illustrate your history....
...instead, its more that your noteriety is increasing... people are investigating you (either to assess a threat, or to start a Mr. YOU fan club...)
at certain milestones... lets say... level 15... maybe again at 25... this noteriety even warrents you a heroic/villainous "title" of sorts... like Valiant, or Brutal... just throwing stuff out there ;P
you could deepen each of these "history pools" to have 6-7 powers in them (following the pool growth system would still work) giving you the ability to "max out" a history set, and even aquire abilities from other sets...
just like titles, these pools would be totally up to the perogative of the player.... when you go to the trainer, theres a question there "Tell me about developing my history"
and then at level 5 theres the option "tell me something about yourself"
and when you select from a particular pool, the trainer says "I'll spread the word that you were once a dedicated student."
there could be dozens of such sets with various combinations of "non-com" history pools and bonuses to different GENERAL playstyles (It would be very very bad to have anything too specific (like a "buffs allies better: buffs work better on teammates" sort of pool...) too much "stamina-ness")
I could see one that improved the character's abilities when teamed with supergroup members... and definately one for "family of heroes" backgrounds (though, what the benfits would be, would take some crunching)
basically, a whole family of ability choices that further enable customization, give us a pleasant boost to certain aspects of the game, without ever feeling so "necessary" that players would feel compelled to chose background pools that mini-max their character's effectiveness. (not that some wont anyway, but we dont want it to be like "oh, you're a DM scrapper? you should have taken the Mommy never loved me pool, NOOB!")
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(not that some wont anyway, but we dont want it to be like "oh, you're a DM scrapper? you should have taken the Mommy never loved me pool, NOOB!")
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I laughed out loud at this. It is quite fantastic.
Yes, multiple times on this thread it has been pointed out that, perhaps, it would be better if these powers were handed out for free. I really like the idea of being given the opportunity to gain them at certain levels, like titles.
I like the ideas here, but except for the rogue pool, find them very overpowered. If it were up to me to balance this and fit it into the game, no bonuses (like merchant) would be more then 2-5% Lone Wolf looks the most unbalanced, that could be a huge difference over time in xp, even a 5% xp bonus would mean you're lvl 50 whiles others at 47.5
Also, I'd keep these rather low powered all the way around, make them inherant powers that you automatically get at like 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th, and make then auto, no clicks or toggles.
In essence, these are vocations, and such powers shouldn't be on par with any "super powers"
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Also, I'd keep these rather low powered all the way around, make them inherant powers that you automatically get at like 8th, 14th, 20th, and 26th, and make then auto, no clicks or toggles.
In essence, these are vocations, and such powers shouldn't be on par with any "super powers"
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This caused myself an inspiration. What if, at key levels, one could pick a Back Story Power in lieu of two slots?
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This caused myself an inspiration. What if, at key levels, one could pick a Back Story Power in lieu of two slots?
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If the advantages they gave felt compairable to what you can get from a slot, sure. But there can be quite a range in slot value, depending on what power it's in, and what you might have put in it. But generally, people think we have too few, especially after 47, and threads ask now and they for ways to earn extra slots.
While not a bad idea, I'd rather it happened some other way then to cost us our already valuable slots.
we're already slot starved at the begining of the game....
Id rather these just adhere to the NOBLE AND HONORED tradition of "Character Specialization"... by which a player has oprotunities throughout an RPG to give minor bonuses to a particular character to make them a "better choice" for certain activities.
Truely, in a standard RPG (non-PnP) these are purely number-based arangements (Tabs and the like) that you can use to one time boost a particular stat or a skill that increases a haggle ability.
There is actually a concept nearly IDENTICAL to the OP idea in Wizard's "The Forgotten Realms" PHB. In it, at character creation, the new character can chose feats that relate specifically to the character's background (natural magician, thug, sliver tongued, ect...) that give a minor boost to activities it relates to, Plus a bonus to activites over the life of the character (i.e. Blooded: +2 bonus to spot checks(minor boost) plus +2 to iniative)
all thats different here, is the application. Instead of a single shot that boosts your character relating to his/her background...
we have a series of minor boosts to the character that remain essentually thematic that add demension to them beyond power choice...
so, once again.... One Elec/energy blaster will be ever so slightly more different than the next Elec/energy blaster..
and Blackdream, you are wrong about the Lone Wolf being overpowered (unless its a minor dat-mine issue)
What you have to take into account is the significant difference between solo leveling and team leveling... i.e. after around level 20, it is a laughably large chasm. team play works, solo play doesnt.
if anything, something like Lone Wolf would bring solo play more in-line with group play (but STILL not its equal) meaning that, yes... someone who took it could actually progress at a more compairable rate to team players (not faster than)
also, please remember that said Lone Wolf bonuses wouldnt exist outside of solo play.... so the pool wouldnt boost team play xp...
speaking of Lone Wolf... dont forget "Dynamic/Dasterdly Duo" Tobay 
<QR>
There is already a significant precedence for temp and "semi-temp" powers to be earned:
- By completing a special trial, TF, or story arc.
- By logging in during an event or completing an event mish.
- As badge accolades (both vet rewards and badge combos)
These methods (or some variation therof) would provide additional ways to get these powers without sacrificing slots and powers on the "tight" build. The caveat being that these temp powers cannot be slotted.
Whether they are temp powers or power pools, though...
/signed
"Player First / Villain Second" - Dr_Hetero
"The real pros will never trumpet their experience. They'll lead by example." - Primal
Yeah, I agree these shouldn't be selectable/slottable powers. They should be little inherent auto powers earned automatically as you lvl.
excellent Idea /signed
only question I have is if we respec our toon canwe respec these as well?
I really like this idea. I know people are saying these should be in some other form of selection pool but I would keep them as just additional power pools. Yes, I know some builds are very tight but the key here is to add more and more options so you have less and less cookie cutter builds.
With something like this, you can opt to lose out on the bonus of, say, Fighting Pool so that you can grab the bonuses of Merchant. Yes, some people will be upset but these are choices you make during your character's career.
Now, you would probably have to put ins some other checks and balances. First thing I saw when I was reading the descriptions was enhancement sale begging. People would be in a mission and fill their tray of enhancements. They would then check everyone on their team to see if anyone has the merchant pool power Haggler. Then they will beg that person to sell off their enhancements for them for the bonus.
SG groups will form specific Haggler characters just to take excess storage items to the store.
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SG groups will form specific Haggler characters just to take excess storage items to the store.
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I had an idea for a Backstory called "Genius" to reflect Bruce Wayne and Richard Reed. The pool would be dedicated to gathering items and Salvage easier than anyone else.
If you are worried about Hagglers being abused, let's hope that one doesn't see the light of day.
What I find flattering and amusing is that everyone here is arguing HOW to implement this idea, and not WHETHER to implement this idea.
For a long time, people have been discussing alter egos and origin stories. Today, I would like to introduce:
The Back Story Power Pools
Back Story Power Pools are Power Pools available at a level 4 (or some other very early level). These powers represent the experiences that a character has had in their life previous to becoming a hero/villain that have shaped how they approach the Herculean task of changing the world.
Back Story Power Pools (from here on referred to as BSPPs) provide benefits to the players that enhance the experience of the world of CoX without altering the strategies of fighting or detracting from those who choose not to use them.
The restrictions for picking Power Pool Powers still apply. You still need to have 1 or 2 to pick 3, and two powers to pick 4.
Here are some examples of ideas.
Rogue
Even before you began your official career in Paragon City/The Rogue Isles, you led a disreputable life. Whether you were a high profile hit man or a self righteous pick pocket, you understand how complicated crimes work.
1) Pilfer Your hands are faster than most peoples eyes, allowing you to grab and hide objects at incredible speeds. Due to this, your interruption time for mission related objects is lowered 20%.
2) Eavesdrop Your ear is constantly to the ground on the subject of big crimes. You know when they are going to happen before anyone else. You must complete one less newspaper/radio mission before unlocking a Safeguard/Mayhem mission.
3) Criminal Efficiency - Every second is an opportunity to either slip up or hit it big. You value these seconds, and make the most of them. When you enter a Safeguard/Mayhem Mission, your team immediately gets a 2 Minute bonus. This power may only be stacked once.
4) Blueprint Knowledge A good rogue knows the area before attempting to get anything out of it. You are the best warrior you know, and glowing mission objectives appear on your map when you enter the mission.
Obviously, the purpose of the Rogue Power Pool is to increase ones enjoyment of the newspaper/radio missions. This can be great for those that dont like the story of CoX and just want to play.
Student
You may have been a college student. You may have been a religious scholar. In the grand scheme of things, you study hard and learn quickly, a skill that can be invaluable to a developing hero.
1) Subservient When someone tells you what to do, you do it well. When you are in lackey/sidekick mode, your level is increased by an additional level, making you the same strength as your Mentor/Boss.
2) Protective You take care of your Mentor/Boss loyally. Toggle: While this power is active and you are within an appropriate range of your Mentor/Boss, they receive a defense bonus.
3) Visual Learner Learning by example is a specific strength of yours. When you complete a mission in Sidekick/Lackey mode, you receive an experience bonus.
4) Studious Through your studies youve valued mistakes and negative experiences, as they are the best teacher of all. When in sidekick/lackey mode, your experience debt burns off at a twenty-five percent higher rate.
This is a good Power Pool for beginners. Additionally, it can serve as an incentive for players to make long term duo characters.
[u]Although I did not write it out, I suggest a symmetrical version of this called "Instructor", which rewards people for being Mentors/Bosses. The third power of that pool would allow one to have two lackeys/sidekicks.[u]
Lone Wolf
Youve been by yourself most of your life. That doesnt bother you, though. In fact, not much bothers you anymore.
1) Inner Strength When you are on a mission without a team, Inspirations provide an additional 5% bonus.
2) Unshaken Youve been outnumbered so many times, it doesnt frighten you. When more than four enemies are simultaneously attacking (drawn aggro from four enemies), you receive an 8% attack bonus.
3) Vicious Strike When you are alone, sometimes you have to play dirty, just to survive. When you are on a mission solo, you have a slightly increased chance of stunning enemies.
4) Wanderer- The more you are by yourself, the more you learn. When you complete a mission solo, you receive an experience bonus.
This is for the breed of folk that want to solo City of Heroes/Villains, or for those that just want to feel hardcore by diving into the fray themselves.
Merchant
Before all of this started, you dealt in currency, and lots of it. You understand its value more than most people.
1) Silver Tongue You can haggle and negotiate easily, always getting the better bargain. When buying Enhancements, you receive a 10% discount.
2) Businessperson Your ability to come off trustworthy always gets you in with people. When completing missions for non-broker contacts, your relationship meter fills more rapidly.
3) Haggler Somehow, when someone buys from you, they always think that they are coming out ahead, even though you completely ripped them off. When selling Enhancements, you sell them for an additional 10%.
4) Business Deal Friends give friends discounts. Your Kindred Contacts sell you Enhancements at an additional 20% discount.
These enhancements enable people to be more focused on enhancing their character and contacts, driving them to complete the story missions. Also, it may influence trade, as Merchants will inevitably buy enhancements and then sell them for profit at the market.
Obviously, many of these will have to be tweaked. There are several more that I have in mind, but I am not trying to sell the individual pools, I am trying to sell the idea in general.
What do you think?