The City Scoop! ~ Front Page ~ June 27, 2008
By
Ex_Libris,
Posted on: 2008-06-27 13:23 in Announcements
The Original Tank Mages SuperTeamTime for another SuperTeam. If you recall from my previous articles, a SuperTeam is a carefully crafted themed team designed to roll over mobs quickly and easily. The ATs, power sets, and even individual powers are chosen to provide maximum team buffs (often including the Leadership pool), plus AoE debuffs and damage. This week I'll talk about the Tank Mages, a SuperTeam I ran right after Sonic Resonance Defenders came out in Update 5 (August 31, 2005). What is a Tank Mage? It's a single character with great defense (Tank) and offense (Mage) that's often ranged. This is generally viewed as a bad combination from a game designer's point of view, but a great combination from a player's point of view. Thanks to lots of stacked buffs, this SuperTeam turned Defenders into Tank Mages. The ideal Tank Mage team is composed of 2 Force Field Defenders, 2 Sonic Resonance Defenders, and 4 Kinetics Defenders. I started this SuperTeam during the same update as the Global Defense Reduction, but we certainly didn't see any problems. This was also before Enhancement Diversification. I'll include current numbers for buff stats below, but understand that we had higher buffs when we originally did this SuperTeam. The Force Field Defenders provide effectively capped defense, meaning mobs only hit us 5% of the time. They have two individual bubbles (15% defense to most attacks) that last for 4 minutes, plus a PBAoE toggle in Dispersion Bubble (10% defense to all attacks). Slotted and double stacked from the 2 Defenders, that adds up to 78% defense. Add in stacked Maneuvers for about 44% more, or 122% defense total. We rarely got hit. Even without the individual bubbles (when the FF Defenders got lazy), we were hard to hit. The Sonic Resonance Defenders provide capped damage resistance to all but Psi damage. They have two individual bubbles (20% damage resistance to most attacks) that last for 4 minutes, plus a PBAoE toggle in Sonic Dispersion (15% more). Slotted and double stacked that's 109% damage resistance to all but Psi, but Defenders are limited to 75% Resistance. The hits that made it through the Force Field bubbles didn't hurt much. The Dispersion Bubbles gave us significantly more than Tanker level status protection, except to Sleep. Sleep was the biggest hole in our protection as it would take down our toggles, and sometimes lead to a cascade failure. | The Kins add all the usual Kin buffs including Transfusion (Heal), Speed Boost (+Recharge, +Recovery, +Movement), Siphon Power and Fulcrum Shift (mob -Damage, team +Damage), and Transference (+END). This was before stacking in the buff bar, and we'd often have the entire visible bar (55 buffs) filled with Fulcrum Shift icons. We chose a variety of Secondary power sets, but Electric Blast was pretty popular. It added more damage mitigation in that stacked Short Circuit was enough to drain mobs of all their endurance. It also had 2 AoEs that could hit 16 targets, and they worked well when surrounded by massive numbers of mobs. I had originally recommended Dark Blast due to the higher damage, but I highly recommend going all Electric Blast now. The most effective play style is to sit right in the middle of the mobs so you benefit from Transfusion, Transference, and Fulcrum Shift, and the most effective secondary for that play style is Electric Blast. This is the SuperTeam where Blazing Imp started using Team Teleport and Group Fly. Team TP kept everyone together inside the Dispersion Bubbles, in range of Leadership, and close enough to benefit from Transfusion and Transference on nearby mobs. We all ran Tactics, and that let us hit while running on Invincible. The SuperTeam ran before aggro caps were introduced, so we were able to herd large numbers of mobs. We'd TP into the middle of a spawn and unload AoEs, usually defeating most of the minions and Lieutenants, and then repeat for several more spawns. Eventually we'd stand still and finish off the mass of bosses trailing after us. Group Fly gave us all Knockback protection, which was easier to maintain than having the Kins spam Increase Density all the time. This is also the SuperTeam where I learned that you want as few builds as possible. Some people level fast, some level slow, some play early, and some play late. It's rare that you'll get a team of 8 people with the right power sets and level distribution to actually play together. In the end, a single team of 8 stuck together and half hit 50 the same night. The biggest problem we had was that mob would run away after we sucked out all their Endurance. If I were to do this team again, I'd replace 2 of the Kins with Fire/Kin Controllers. Stacked Hot Feet would slow down the runners if Fire Cages didn't immobilize them completely. I'd also do just a single team, because the power set and level distribution would usually be messed up in a large "everyone is invited" style SuperTeam. Like the Fire/Rads, slotting was a bit strange. After the Kins got Fulcrum Shift, there was no need to slot for damage. Tactics meant no need to slot for significant accuracy. Stacked Speed Boost meant no need to slot for endurance, since we didn't run out as long as the Kins were paying attention. We mainly slotted attacks for recharge and secondary effects, like endurance drain in Power Sink. Feel free to grab a few friends and try this, and PM me if you have any questions on it. I'm currently running a VEAT SuperTeam on Justice, though it has lost critical mass. Maybe I need to start a new SuperTeam. Next Week: A New PvP SuperTeam |
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The Fan Fiction SpotlightThe Neighborhood Watch By: drrmidnight Recently, the forums took note of the return of drrmidnight. Along with that return, it was brought to our attention that the return of the Neighborhood Watch was shortly on his heels. As it stands, we're presented with a story going on in the background of the general hub-bub of the City of Heroes universe. The main character is a newcomer to the city, not even a hero as the story opens, and he is slowly, meticulously introduced into the world we, the players, know so well. Then the shock kicks in. The character, Doc Midnight, simply doesn't have the time to do the job slowly and Ray Danner isn't learning quickly enough to keep up. This is currently the theme of the comic, a classic "Passing the Torch" scenario that is being stretched out so as we can see the training that is usually so oversimplified in normal comics as to be almost a farce. The comic seems to be very meticulously developed. Several scenes are cut in very novel methods, with locations and characters recognizable as other areas seeming much different with only a simple shift in camera angle. To get these kinds of images has to be a difficult job for the author, and it's a good yarn at the same time. In the end, the story works. It's a good read, and with luck, we'll see more of it in the future. I know I'm hooked. | Writing Your Own Fan FictionDeveloping charactersA story is something that happens to people. Think about your favorite action films. When I think of Armageddon, the moment I always remember is the moment when Bruce Williss character yanks the air hoses off Ben Afflecks suit to force the decision of who stays and who goes. In The Empire Strikes Back I remember Luke, I am your father, and I love you, I know. In Terminator, its Come with me if you want to live. For that matter, in Terminator 2 its Come with me if you want to live. Fan fiction for the 'City of' world can take many different genres from character driven to action, but always remember: a story is something that happens to people. Is anyone going to care what happens to your characters? A character that people care about must be distinctive, likable, interesting, have realistic flaws (temper, arrogance, stubborn), realistic emotions (fear, anger, jealousy), and should be physically appealing but not physically perfect. No one is perfect, no one is motivated solely by duty and altruism. Your characters will be more likable and more believable if their motivations are realistic. Yes, absolutely, real people do have a sense of duty, but we are also motivated by fear and reward. Let your character make mistakes and bad choices, allow him to be selfish occasionally. Ultimately, it will make people care more about him. Finally, your character is a hero (or a villain,) but its not an interesting story if he easily vanquishes all obstacles. The opponent should present a challenge, in fact, should probably have an early win over the hero so that your main character has to learn and overcome in order to win in the end. If your characters are not interesting, believable, and likable, your stories will not interest your reader. As you work on your fan fiction, always keep in the front of your mind: a story is something that happens to people. |
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The People On:
| SM: You sound resentful. Any reasons why? BK: Resentful! Oh heck no. It's great business! Lots of heroes are buying drinks because they're pissed off about one thing or another BECAUSE of the recruits. SM: So you support the large consumption of alcohol of heroes on the job? Kind of taking advantage of them don't you think? BK: What?? I didn't say that! Did...did I say that? I dunno maybe it SOUNDED like I said that but I didn't! SM: Right right right. How do you feel about the Midnight Squad? Do you think that having them come back into the lime-light could help even out the odds for the heroes? BK: Well I can't say much for that. I don't know too much about them to be honest but I have been seeing more and more heroes with Midnight Club badges and it kind of makes me feel good. SM: Why's that? BK: Well, it's like a having one big club looking out for you, you know? Like, the unity from friendship and all that jazz makes them stronger than the military unity from Arachnos. SM: So you think the Arachnos soldiers aren't as strong as the heroes? They just have strength in numbers? BK: NO! I mean uh, the heroes have powers and all that and the uh the soldiers are uh...is- is Lord Recluse going to read this? SM: Don't know. I get a lot of circulation. BK: Heh... no, uh, no comment. SM: I see, well it was nice talking to you. Thanks for the insight from the people, I appreciate it. And thank you for the water. BK: Yeah...yeah sure thing. The Bar-Keep pours himself a drink nervously as Scoop Man leaves, notepad in hand. As I left the bar, I knew what my next objective would be...find one of the so-called "Chosen Ones," and see what they had to say about this. I didnt think it would take me long to find one, but it would take me a while to find the right one to talk to.
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The Defenders of | |
Who is your base designer and who are your supergroup leaders? The base designer is Bayne. The SG leaders are Bayne, Exodus, Korporshutz, Nightclub, Red Switchblade, and Xanatos. Which server is your base on, and is it a Hero or Villain SG? The SG is on Virtue. It is a hero group. We have 4 hero SGs that make up our extended SG, as well as one villain SG. When was your supergroup established? The Defenders of Paragon was established three years before CoH went live. The SG existed on the original CoH forums during development, and was first brought to life in the closed beta testing of the original release of CoH. When the game went live, the SG was formed within the first few hours of the Head Start. How many players are in your supergroup? Our group has in excess of 100 players which account for over 400 characters in our affiliated TDOP SGs. What is the approximate value of your base? The base is worth somewhere between 20 to 30 million Influence. I've haven't spent the time to add it all up. How much time do you spend working on your base? How much time have you invested so far? I spend maybe four hours a month on the base right now. In total I've spent probably 200 hours or more editing the base as we have expanded it from the original size to what it is today. What is your favorite base item? Least favorite? My favorite base item is Autonomous Expert System (AES). My lease favorite base item is the Item of Power holder. What is the highest thing on your wish-list for new base items? My highest wish-list item is not a new item, but an intentionally designed method of creating objects using a Z axis (height above the floor).
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If you could give just one piece of advice to a new base editor, what would it be? My advice for a new base editor is to pay attention to the little things. That table with enhancements in it needs to be emptied before you decide to do something to it or else you risk loosing what was in it. Anything else you'd like to add about your SG, your base or the base system in general? Preferred Method of contact: Registering at our website and posting on our forums. Although meeting up with us in game is just as desirable. Description: "These guys have been around since the beginning and I'm sure they'll be here 'till the end!" -Paragon city mayor on the subject of the Defenders. Paragon City is full of crime and villains. The city cries out desperately for a hope, an answer, a defense from the evils that fill it. The Defenders of Paragon serve that hope and protect Paragon City. We shall use the powers gifted to us to there fullest extent to defeat evil wherever it exists. We stand for truth, justice, freedom, and righteousness. We are the ray of hope in Paragon City's darkest hour. We are The Defenders. It is accurate to say the Defenders are like the JSA of Paragon City. We are comprised of the best of the old and boldest of the new. We pay homage to the excellance that is the comic book industry through the characters we play. It is because of this that we have such a wide variety of members and such a brilliant mix of superheroes on the team. We have members at all level ranges, and look to promote a roleplay-friendly family spirit in our supergroup. We're not a "clan" or "guild." We are Superheroes. The Defenders of Paragon are comprised of several in-game supergroups. All of The Defenders of Paragon groups function as a branches of a single supergroup for most game purposes. - Bayne |
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Do you have an event coming up? Are you going to attend an upcoming event? Do you want to see or even write an article for The City Scoop? Drop a line to an Editor-in-Chief a week in advance, and you too could be a guest writer for The City Scoop. Want your character to be interviewed by Scoop Man? Send a PM to HumanMiracle! Lost: Paradigm Shift Device. Contact Demented Cynic at Portal Corp. by Friday. Remember to bring Hawaiian shirt. Introducing Two-for-Tuesday at El Super Mexicano! All regular quesadillas just 2 for $5 all day Tuesday! LOST: My pet Alpha Bomb has been lost. Last time I had him he was on Protector. He has been last seen on Champion, but bounces to different places. He is very sly and can go by different names, but he always responds to Yo Gamma. If found please contact Crimson Betrayal. Want to be part of the VEAT Army? Yes we are an offshoot branch of the FUSION empire in the Protector dimension loyal only to Ghost Widow. We are destined for greatness. Ghost Widow has ordered my organization to form a new sect in support of special operations. I will recruit within our ranks as well as go outside of our known coalition. These chosen members will go to an academy for training as various Arachnos soldiers. While I do not like to be told how to run FUSION, Widow assures me that I will be rewarded for forming this group. My first order of business is to choose villains among my organization that display some of the following qualities: Mind control, knowledge of poisons, stealth, acrobatics, weapons fighting, and most importantly do not display fear and that would die if I ordered them to do such. I have at least 20 in mind from my 150 Villain organization that fit this criteria. Over the next few weeks I will begin listing them in preparation for training. This training will consist of a series of trials and strike forces ordered by Ghost Widow. More to follow soon. Want to know more? Please come to the Veat Army Project. Attention: All stalking kitties. Mantid has learned kung-fu. Do not attempt to eat! | ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT RIBS at InFront Steakhouse! Thursday night is all-you-can-eat rib night at InFront Steakhouse. Come in after 4 PM, mention this ad, and get endless plates of our mouthwatering baby back ribs for only $14.99! The Cooperative Story project is in need of authors. You can locate the current work here. Support, commentary and introductions are located here. The idea is simple: Find an author you know well and can work with, and write a story together. At present, all styles are welcome. We look forward to your contributions. Help Wanted: Writers for The City Scoop. Please contact Snow_Globe, Pants_Stealer, or Marcian_Tobay for submission details. "TO: The Sinclair Syndicate. Just a public note of thanks for always being there, even when the viewing public doesn't know that it's you. Without your help, some of the coolest shots in my videos would never happen (to say nothing of me meeting deadlines). And in case you missed it, the I-12 teaser was dedicated to you guys. Thank you. - Johanna Sinclair." Lost: One sense of humor. If found, please return to Agent Omega. Hiram Giovanni's Deli and Pizzeria Food, Fence and Forgery "Everything's Kosher" WANTED: Fan Artist to draw my character. I cannot offer much compensation other than any of the wares I would otherwise sell on the Auction House. If you are interested, please contact Hakuro de Killer on the Virtue Server Head of the Thug Security Task force is looking for new pryotechnic thug. IQ required, and tank like urges removed (or supply your own self rez). Thanks Mal Boneface Lost: Hub of the Wheel of Destruction. If found, please contact Azuria. P.S. Please do not use to construct deadly wheel of Destruction. Thanks. -Azuria Need to sell something? Post it in The City Scoop Classifieds. Send PM to EnnVee while LadyK is on Vacation. |
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Edition 54 of "The City Scoop a publication for Supers by Supers!
Im sure most of you feel the same way: What did we ever do without the weekly Scoop?
If you have concerns regarding the content of the Scoop please direct your comments via PM to Lighthouse or Ex Libris.
If you would like to do a feature article, have an event covered, or join "The City Scoop" team please PM Snow_Globe or Pants_Stealer
If you or someone you know should be considered for Behind the Mask Teldon
If you need some Advice contact Lady_Athyna or would like to Ask The X contact LiquidX
Finally if you have a Classified Ad or Recipe you would like included please contact: LadyK or MistressNoire
Discussion on the latest edition of "The City Scoop" is located here.
The City Scoop
Goin' Green
By
Hostile_V
Tanks 4D by Drunkfu
I know, you're wondering "Veng, why is such a powerful villain contemplating
helping the environment?". Well, the freakin' Devouring Earth have set up camp
outside of my VG's base, and I'm trying to make them leave. It's like every
time I break one, a couple take its place! But we should try to help the
environment. Even Aeon is with the totally clean and side-effect-free PTS. So
here are a few power sources to consider that will help the environment but
hurt people like nature intended. Now get off our porch!
Nictus Energy: If the Freakshow realize you can use this stuff to power Tanks,
why not power appliances? A Nictus power adapter draws dark energy from Nicti
(or Kheldians if you've beat up enough cops) to power whatever you want.
ANYTHING. I adapted the toaster the other day, and things haven't been better!
Now my toast tastes like pure hate and malice covered in butter. Save the
environment and make the world a more evil place!
Time Energy: So after an experiment with a coat hanger, a six-pack of energy
drinks and a bathtub full of duct tape, the leader of my VG adapted our Pillar
of Ice and Flame into a power source. And after plugging the fridge in, some
weird stuff has happened. The ketchup bottle is always full, food never expires
and sometimes when I open it, there's a full breakfast waiting for me.
Although, he did plug the teleporter into the Pillar, and I haven't seen him
since. *shrug* Since I don't understand the complex mechanics, I'm just going
to eat my cereal and not worry about it.
Mu Blood: Developed by the CoT, this incredibly unstable source is kind of hard
to power, which is why the few times I've seen it, some Heroes have been using
them. It's not like us Villains can just harvest some Mu and Recluse will turn
a blind eye. Bases powered by Mu blood tend to be....odd. Whispers of wars past
echo down the corridors, the lights are tinted red, and everything is all
static-y. And Arachnos attacks seem to increase against you. I'm not exactly
one to get energy through genocide, so I'm just gonna pass.
Troll Power: This is simple. Go to Skyway, grab a couple dozen Trolls. Put
sandwiches on strings, put the Trolls on treadmills in front of the sandwiches.
Duh. It's the villainous way to harness the power of the stupid for evil! Or
conversely, you Heroes are letting the Trolls vent their anger and are
preventing them from causing harm and destruction. Plus, you can always party
with them and harness the power of dance! Note: Dance is not a viable energy
source ever since the lawsuit M. Jackson v. E. Bunny. Disregard the notion.
Goatlord by imagesbyalex
Sapper Tech: Pretty easy to understand. After breaking a bunch of Malta faces,
they're rather eager to give you anything you want. After modifying a Sapper
rifle, you basically have a mobile energy source that can power anything you
want. There is a catch, in that stuff needs to be nearby for you to sap power.
Modify the antenna of your car, and zoom by as people's engines spontaneously
fail. Or just move to Cap Au Diable and live under the power lines. Make sure
to anger the energy demons for extra potency.
Funny story. The DE are gone, but now there seems to be an angry mob in front of
our base. I'm not sure whether to make a deal or turn the sprinklers on. Still,
make sure to help the environment in the most evil/heroic way possible. Or I'll
gnaw your face off. Save the whales and send me hate mail!
Vol. 2, Issue 3
June 27th, 2008
This Issue:
Superteam!
Community
Fan Fiction Spotlight
Point / Counterpoint
Writing Fan Fiction
Base Showcase
Classifieds
Puzzle Solution
Comic
Upcoming Events
June 28th:
Virtue:
Summer
Bash with the Knights
Justice:
150
Million Influence 3v3 PVP Event
June 29th:
Infinity:
dUmb
Turns 4!
Test:
PvPEC
Around the World
Virtue:
Alert!
Villain Hami Raid 6 pm EST
June 30th:
Guardian:
In
Game Wedding!
July 5th:
Guardian:
The
Guardian War: Arachnos Rises, Paragon Falls...