The City Scoop - Page 1- July 27, 2008


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The City Scoop



The PermaDom SuperTeam












Time 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, powersets, and even individual powers are chosen to provide
maximum team buffs, plus AoE debuffs and damage. This week I'll talk about a
small SuperTeam I ran a little while ago involving Dominators.


The whole point of the Dominator SuperTeam was to achieve perma-Domination.
Domination is the Dominator Inherent power. Like Fury on a Brute, you build up
Domination by attacking. Once you reach 90% you can activate a click power that
gives some nice buffs including an instant END refill, solid status protection,
+75% Damage, +50% Duration on control attack, and high enough Magnitude on
control powers to affect bosses. These buffs last 90 seconds, during which time
your Domination meter stays full. After that your Domination meter drops to 0
and you have to both build it up and wait for the click power to recharge
(normally 200 seconds from the time you activate Domination).


My goal was to avoid the crash. If you have enough Recharge Reduction, the
Domination click power will recharge while it's still active, and you can click
it again! Better yet, leave it on auto. You'll always have +75% Damage, solid
status protection, etc. That's what Permadom means. Now you can't slot the
Domination click power because it's an Inherent power, but you can get global
Recharge Reduction elsewhere.


There's a post in the Player Guides forum
here
by _Brev_ with all the numbers on Recharge Reduction. The key is
that with Hasten slotted normally (3 Recharge Reduction Enhancements), you need
about 70% more Recharge Reduction for perma-Domination. Speed Boost from a
Kinetics Corruptor gives +50% Recharge Reduction, which means we want 2 Kins on
the team. Everyone else was a Dominator.


I recruited a single team of 8 people and we started at level 1 with 2 Kinetics
Corrs (AR/Kin and Sonic/Kin) and 6 Dominators. After looking at the Primaries
and Secondaries, I recommended Fire/Psi Doms. Power gamers everywhere know that
Fire Control is the best AoE damage set, and SuperTeams are big on AoE. Psionic
Assault is a late blooming AoE set, but Psychic Shock Wave REALLY makes up for
it. I think we ended up with 4 Fire/Psis, 1 Plant/Thorns, and 1 Fire/Fire. We
only played for a few hours every Sunday night, so this was a fairly long
running SuperTeam.


The early levels were slow, but they didn't last long. Hot Feet is an endurance
hog, and Kinetics Corruptors don't get Speed Boost until level 20. The
Plant/Thorns took Seeds of Confusion, and that kept things rolling till the 5
Fire Control Doms got Flashfire around 12. We had Domination now and then, and
we could stack holds, so it was fairly safe if slow.


To make it a SuperTeam, you need plenty of team buffs. We took Leadership:
Maneuvers relatively early, but mostly left Assault and Tactics till after 20
due to the endurance drain.


At level 20, everything changed. It was like night and day. The Psionic Assault
Doms picked up Drain Psyche, which is an amazing Regen and Recovery buff in big
teams. More importantly, the Kins picked up Speed Boost. Suddenly all the Doms
were Permadoms. Damage was buffed all the time, so mobs went down faster. Mez
protection meant our toggles weren't dropping. Our mezzes were strong enough to
hold bosses with a single shot. With stacked Tactics our AoE holds started
hitting almost everything. It really brought the Super back to SuperTeam.
Granted the Kins missed SB now and then, causing Domination to drop. We could
still bring it up pretty quickly and keep mowing through mobs.


It wasn't long before we picked up pets at 32 and then Psychic Shock Wave at 38.
We rolled over mobs in typical SuperTeam fashion. We leveled very fast when we
played, but our infrequent schedule began to take its toll. Two people took a
break from the game (including one of the Kins), while a few others missed
sessions due to real life. We used Empowerment buffs and IO set bonuses to make
up the difference in Recharge Reduction due to the lost Kin. In the end only 3
of us hit level 50 in the SuperTeam, but it was certainly fun and fast while it
lasted.


That's about it for SuperTeams. I've run a few others, but they're more
variations on the themes I've already done. My next article in the City Scoop
will be on something else. What? I don't know. Maybe badges. Maybe game
mechanics. Maybe power sets. Only time will tell.





This Issue:





Community





The People On...




Classifieds




Comic




Upcoming Events:


July 26th









July 27th






July 28th






July 31st





August 1st





Next Month:




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Superhero Blockbuster Ignored by Biggest
Fans!





ATLAS PARK, PARAGON CITY, RI – (BRXC) The City of Crime may be the number one
place to be for most of the world this weekend, but surprisingly it is not the
case for one metropolitan city known for their superheroes.


“The City Knight”, the sequel to the ever-popular movie “MidKnight Begins”, set
box office records on its Friday Midnight debut in most places around the
United States… except for Paragon City.


Box office sales for the movie in Paragon City have been surprisingly anemic on
Friday, with most of the movie’s biggest potential draw spending the time
fighting real-world crime and stopping real-world dangers.


Paragon City officials blame the lack of box office draw on an infrequent
mystical event called by some as the “Double XP Weekend”, where personal and
group rewards for superhero activities are doubled for that period of time.


“It’s really a bad series of coincidences” said Susan Davies, in charge of the
Enhanced Logistics for Insight and Tactical Excellence. “Most of this city’s
heroes are huge fans of MidKnight. They’ve grown up with the comic books, they
enjoyed the animated series, and many of them will even say that they began
their careers to be just like MidKnight. If the debut was done on any other
weekend, every single theatre in this city would be packed to the brim with
superheroes!”


Ironically, much of the filming of the movie, which has the natural-based
scrapper fighting his arch-nemesis HelliJester, was done in Galaxy City and
Steel Canyon through coordination with ELITE. Davies is even listed in the
film’s credits as “Location Coordinator”.


Davies said that city officials petitioned distributor Barner Boys to move the
debut either one week ahead or back, but Barner executives balked at the idea,
saying that their release date was set months ago.


“We can’t change the XP weekend,” Davies said. “That’s like trying to stop the
planet from rotating. Well actually we have a few heroes that can do that, but
you get the general idea.”


Barner officials are currently mulling over the idea of an exclusive premiere
party for the superheroes to be held the following weekend with a special
appearance by most of the cast.


Meantime, Lord Recluse has banned the film from being shown in the Rogue Isles,
accusing it of being “Pro-Statesman propaganda”. Recluse had previously banned
the showing of the film’s predecessor for the same reason.





Requiem for Eye Beams





With Issue 12 out, I speak for a good number of people who wished that they'd
release a new set for multiple classes. Sure, a War Mace Brute is interesting,
and even the treason of a Controller using Plants is fun. I even hear talk of
new spooky sets like Shields and other witchery, but there's still a plethora
of comic book powers that haven't been tapped yet, and that's both a good thing
and a bad thing. I wouldn't mind a webslinging Blaster or a Stalker based
around the power to shapeshift, but I know that there are some powers that
shouldn't be made into sets, period, and I'd like to do a quick overview of
what shouldn't be a power set.


Ancient Weaponry: Oh sure, you could have an assault rifle held together with
duct tape. But why not make yourself a jack-of-all inferior weapons? Sure, we
have swords and claws, but we know it works somewhat for Lord Nemesis. Working
your way up from Spear to Flintlock Pistol, your alpha strike will be the
fearsome......cannon? A giant ball of steel may be scary, but it's easily
avoidable and it's resisted Smashing damage. On the plus side, you can make
your battle cry "I'm Spartacus!" and it will make sense. I give this theory a
thumbs down, and I shut the history book on this idea.


Prehensile Hair: No. No, no, no, nein, nyet, non, nuh-uh, never. Imagine a
Scrapper whipping people with his hair. The 80's are over for a reason, and I'm
fairly sure you'd get picked on a little. I can't even think of an ultimate
move for this set. I give it a shave and a haircut, free of charge, and ignore
this idea.


Self detonation: The ability to explode at will? Pros: Works for zombies, and
you'll earn your debt badge in no time flat. Cons: Death, death, more death,
and you'll need one heck of a regenerative defense to stitch you back together.
I give this a possible no, unless they make a set that can make you regenerate
like crazy, then I give it a yes.


Astral Projection: Yeah, it looks cool. Of course, no one can see you and you
basically leave your body in a defenseless coma. You can't attack, can't
defend, can't even talk to people. It's like death but temporary. I give this a
no, because this will lead to a rise in corpse camping should you want to
return to your shell.


Probability Manipulation: "Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?" Of course you
do. You can control fate itself. You could kick a tin can and somewhere a
Nemesis robot explodes. You could sit down and eat a sandwich and a bag of
money falls into your lap. You could drink a glass of water and Lord Recluse
keels over with a heart attack. With mostly passive abilities and a few active
ones, I give this set a probable no. Besides, why save the world when you can
win big at the races?


These are just five possible sets that should never be implemented. I have
plenty more, including omnipresence (every enemy everywhere will be aggroed by
you) and elasticity (sure you can't be hurt, but rubber does smashing damage).
So count your blessings, because every archetype gained a tried and true set
and you'll never have to worry. While I do want shapeshifting or a whole set of
eye beams, I'm content as is. It could be worse... They could've made a set of
echolocation. /e shudder.


Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager


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Continued below...


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Community



Fan Fiction Spotlight





Survivors


By
BlueBattler




He hates moments like these.



The young heroes stand before him battered, weary, but triumphant. In spite of
incredible odds, they have thwarted Lord Recluse’s latest scheme for world
domination. They look to him to vindicate their pain, their suffering. They
want him to tell them they have made a lasting difference in the world. He is
Statesman, and they look to him for meaning.


He doesn’t tell them that within a matter of days Recluse will be free and as
strong as ever, working on yet another scheme to destroy Paragon City and all
those who oppose him. He doesn’t tell them it will never end. He doesn’t tell
them these things because he is Statesman, and that is his burden to bear.



He praises their courage instead. He thanks them for their bravery. He salutes
them for their dedication, their heroism. He tells them they are an example of
the best and bravest that Paragon City has to offer. The words come easily to
him because it is the truth.


He doesn’t tell them it never ends. He can’t. He is Statesman...



One of the first stories I reviewed was
The Conscious of a King
, a story that touched many hearts across the
forum. BlueBattler returns with another story that touches at the core of some
of the main characters of the game's backdrop.


There is a pathological belief throughout much of the City of Heroes/Villains
community. Typically, it revolves around Statesman being a jerk, but the actual
description used by most commentators is often blipped out by the forum's
profanity filter.


That's why I liked this story. Statesman still lacks any redeeming human
qualities, but we're finally introduced to the reasons why. He's immortal and
he's starting to see the effects of it. His wife is dead, his daughter's
gray-haired and wrinkled, and his granddaughter is "sass-talking" him all the
time. He's a curmudgeonly, bitter old man in a young man's body, and he doesn't
really know if he'll ever truly know the peace of the grave. He's miserable and
it's been damaging his personality.


Thank goodness he's still on our side. However, there is a catalytic moment on
the horizon. There's always a catalytic moment on the horizon for heroes like
this - a time when he'll make a pivotal choice that will determine whether he
remains a leader of heroes, or just another monstrous enemy that we have to
stop.


Perhaps that's why Sister Psyche has this conversation with him. Perhaps she's
trying to salvage his humanity before he risks losing it. He certainly needs
the help, and there are very few people willing or able to provide it.




Multi-Media Showroom





Hey readers! Welcome to another animated edition of MMS! Once you’ve
recovered from the epileptic shock brought on by such a horrible pun, we can
get started.


First, a reminder: The “Show your dark side” Mechanima contest deadline
is only a few weeks away! August 10th is the cut-off date, so get crackin’!
Now, with that out of the way…


A few weeks ago, to commemorate the anniversary of the back-story event of
Statesman and Lord Recluse getting their powers, and subsequently unleashing
super-powers in individuals across the world, the ever-talented Dark_Respite
(aka Samuraiko Productions) made a
deliciously awesome video
of these events. And wow, that was a long
sentence. If for some reason you missed the announcement (yes, a red-name made
an announcement!), now’s a good time to go check it out. In fact, check out her
other videos
too, they’re all top-notch!


A forum newbie, Feminoid, put up their first video, “The
Problem with Hammers
”, for everyone to see. Once you get past the
pre-teen british kids doing the narration (apologies if this isn’t the case!),
a funny exposition between the hero and villain unfolds. Definitely amusing.


Also this week, I’m going to give props to a rather famous (though somewhat
absent recently) member of our community, Ubie. His
YouTube
account is full of CoH goodness. He’s done several “trailer”
style videos, but has the occasional one-off, such as my favorite, “Kronos
Titan Battle
”. It’s worth it to spend about a half hour watching his
stuff, which shows just how epic our game of choice can be. And if you ever
know anyone who is considering starting to play CoH, but says they’re not quite
sure? Show them Ubie’s videos. They’re better than any commercial could do.


And lastly, another reminder for the creatively inclined who may not be too good
at making videos or comics: You can always submit ideas for loading screen tips
(gameplay hints and back-story tidbits that appear when you’re going between
zones or missions), or images for the new in-game ad feature. So if you
have an idea, go for it! The more player-created content, the better! If you
have any questions, try PMing Ex Libris or Lighthouse for
details.



Multi-Media Showroom is a biweekly column. If you have any work you would like
featured, give Emperorsteele a holler. Please note that all work submitted
might not be featured, due to space constrictions and other limitations.




Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager


If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.

 

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The People On...



The Return of The Rikti





Hello loyal readers, Scoop Man here. Well from the overwhelming support and love
I received on my last two pieces on the Midnight Squad and Arachnos, I’ve
decided I would give you more of what you want. Honest, raw opinions and news
from heroes AND villains. Today I ventured to lovely Atlas Park. Somewhat taken
aback by the cleanliness of the area, I wandered to Atlas Plaza in a daze,
occasionally bumped by the new “would-be” hero in training on his way to do
something or other. Yet when I was below the impressive statue of Atlas, I saw
something I was unprepared for. The hero, Foxy Ferret, was lounging casually on
Atlas’s foot, and conversing with young-heroes. Not telling them off, not
passing on fortune cookie wisdom, not rushing into battle, just “chilling.”
Interested and very impressed that a hero of her stature was doing this, I knew
I had found my next subject for interviewing…




Scoop Man: Ahem. Foxy Ferret?


Foxy Ferret: Yes and how can I help you?


SM: Scoop Man, I work for the local fish wrapper around here. You ever hear of
me?


FF: Who hasn’t?


SM: I see my reputation precedes me. Wondered if I could ask you some questions
about the Rikti. Would you mind?


FF: Sure, though I don’t know much about the aliens, other than wiping 'em off.


SM: Well let’s just see where we go, eh? As a noted figure here in Atlas Park
you see a lot of “newbie heroes” yes?


FF: Yes I do.


SM: And Atlas Park is a big old target for the Rikti wouldn’t you agree?


FF: Oh yes, they come sometimes and the newbies are all scattered and we try to
keep them calm. It’s our job as veteran heroes.


SM: Mhm. So as a “veteran” would you say that entrusting the “newbies” with the
safety of Atlas Park is a little too much for them? In your honest opinion of
course.


FF: Oh not at all, but sometimes they need a little guidance or a push in the
right direction. Most of the new heroes don’t know what they are facing right
off the bat.


SM: Would you say they need some sort of course or teaching before they come
here? Especially now since the war has started up again?


FF: Training... hmmm. Well, no. They just need some help like anyone does at
times. I think finding your own path is the best way to go, but that doesn’t
mean you ever have to do it alone.


SM: So you advocate crash courses in protecting the citizenry of Paragon City?
Not very safe sounding to me...


FF: That’s not what I meant.


SM: What did you mean?



FF: We just all need help sometimes and that’s why I stay in Atlas. I answer
questions, talk with other heroes and make sure some of the new heroes stay out
of trouble.


SM: Doesn’t that cut into your own missions or whatever? Taking time to help the
young heroes while tasks that need YOUR attention go on without resolution?


FF: If things do get too chaotic I can just put my force fields round them. Oh,
I make sure my own tasks are taken care of - nothing to worry about there. I
have a team to help me with that.


SM: Really? What team is this?




FF : The Havok Brothers help me when I am out here in Atlas. Also the Rangers
help me out as well.


SM: The Galacto Rangers? Hmm I’ve heard of them somewhat. As for the Havok
Brothers, well, I try to avoid them.



FF: Avoid them?


SM: Not good press. Not yet anyway. As a hero do you feel more at odds with the
Rikti than at an advantage with all their weaponry?


FF: No, I’ll take on those things with just my bow if I have to.


SM: I see. Have you joined Vanguard?


FF: Yes, anything to get rid of that alien scum.


SM: Right. Well how do you feel about “villains” joining or working with
Vanguard?


FF: Well I think a lot of them are misunderstood really… Some of them do what
they must for their own reasons.


SM: You’re alright with their crimes?


FF: Don’t get me wrong, there are some that need to be put away. I think there
are some here in Paragon that could be put away as well, but that’s just my
opinion.


SM: OK. I recently spoke with the hero Night Wonder, here in Atlas. He said that
the villains and the Rikti were not having an effect on each other. The
villains’ actions would occur anyway without the Rikti and vice versa. What do
you think as a “veteran?”


FF: Well you know, the Rikti are invading their homes as well. We all have a
reason to join together and fight them.


SM: True, but they still attack the city here, and many of them are none too
happy about working with the heroes here.


FF: Well you know, with the Longbow going in as they have in the Isles I don’t
blame them. I didn’t agree with that. I want us to try and come to terms that
we could both live with...


SM: Why do you want the two sides merged? Guilt? Regret? Lover on the other side
perhaps?


FF: Well... I don’t really talk about it, but I guess it’s as good a time as
any...


SM: Excellent!


FF: I’m from the Isles. I was an orphan there.


SM: Tragic. Living there has given you a perspective you feel your fellows don’t
posses?


FF: I know for a fact there are good people out there. I don’t agree with
Arachnos though. I think the Isles would be better off without them.


SM: I see. Is that the hero talking or the woman?


FF: Both. I’ve seen what they do behind the scenes. I’m not pleased.


SM: Many would agree with you on that. Well it looks like I got all I need here.
Any parting thoughts for us?


FF: Sure. There is always trouble where I wander, so beware the ferret.


SM: I like it. He chuckles. Thanks for your time.


FF: Thank you.


Well, personally I was not as fulfilled as I have been in the past with my
interviews with this one. No scandals, no deep-seated hatreds, no celebrity
blow-ups, just a down to earth hero. While this is a good thing in my mind, my
career may suffer. Finding a hero like Foxy Ferret is sometimes difficult in
this day and age. While she did share her opinions with us, and gave some
insight into the veteran hero’s thoughts, I still feel we need another side of
the story. Looks like I’m taking at trip to the Isles to get the SCOOP!


Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager


If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.

 

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Classifieds






























TO: Everyone who posted comments about my "Incarnate"
video on the COH forums. Thank you all very, very much for the praise (and even
the occasional criticism). That you guys (generally) enjoy them as much as you
do, is all the more reason for Johanna Sinclair to keep running around like mad
with that videocamera of hers, and for me to keep making videos. Cheers! -
Michelle aka Samuraiko/Dark_Respite



ARTIST WANTED


Published author seeks superhero artist for politically
progressive comic book project. Speculative: no money up front, any profits to
be split 50/50. Character designs to start; full script pages will follow.
Interested parties should PM DoctorJ through the forums or @DoctorJ on the
game.



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.



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.



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.



Want your character to be interviewed by Scoop Man?
Send a PM to HumanMiracle!



Want your character to be interviewed by Patty-Sue
Ivanova? Send a PM to Emperorsteele!



Need to sell something? Post it in The City Scoop
Classifieds. Send PM to EnnVee while LadyK is on Vacation.



Introducing Two-for-Tuesday at El Super Mexicano! All
regular quesadillas just 2 for $5 all day Tuesday!



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.



ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT RIBS

at InFront Steak house!

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!



HELP WANTED


Writers for The City Scoop. Please contact Snow_Globe,
Pants_Stealer, or Marcian_Tobay for submission details.



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.






Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager


If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.

 

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The City Scoop Staff













































































































Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager


If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.

 

Posted

To discuss this issue of the City Scoop, join us here!


Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager


If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.