Blaster sets for a power-suited hero.


IanTheM1

 

Posted

First, some back story:

In a Tanker thread I had an exchange with Arcanna where I was complaining that the Tanker AT doesn't allow players to create the concept of the classic super strong, invulnerable hero by virtue of the AT's relative lack of punch compared to other melee ATs.

Arcanna pointed out that there's lots of iconic concepts the ATs don't allow for, like Iron Man. A complaint that Tankers can't be Colossus or the Thing has no more merit than the fact that Blasters can't be Iron Man.

That got me thinking. I tried building a power suited hero, but none of the Blaster sets really fit what I think of when I imagine Iron Man, War Machine, etc.

So I thought, perhaps a power set could be created that allows Blasters to be closer to the concept of the armoured hero. Blasters are far from being my AT, but I thought "why not take a stab at it".

Granted, I expect some responses like: "You have no clue about Blasters" or "You can have a power like that on a Blaster..."

But, hey, take the proposal for what it is. I'm willing to discuss options and limitations with anyone who wants to do so in a civil manner.

So, here is an attempt at Blaster primary and secondary sets aimed at serving the Iron Man concept a little better. Mind the names. I can pizzazz them up later.


Techno Suit Offense:

Fire Rocket:
You fire a single rocket from a pop-out rocket pod on your back/shoulder.
(Moderate S/L Damage)

Fire Volley:
You fire a volley of multiple rockets from your pop-out rocket pod. There is a chance the multiple rockets can stun an enemy.
(High S/L DoT, Chance for Disorient)

Fire Salvo:
You fire a salvo of "drunk missiles". Their erratic path means they will hit multiple opponents clustered close together.
(Ranged Targeted AoE, Moderate S/L Damage)

Low Intensity Beam:
You fire a beam of low intensity energy configured for crowd control from your palm emitters. Deals minor energy damage with a good chance to knock your foes down.
(Ranged Cone, Minor Smashing/Energy Damage, Knockdown)

High Intensity Beam:
You fire a beam of high intensity energy from your chest cannon. Has a chance to knock down your foes.
(Ranged Cone, High Smashing/Energy Damage, Chance for Knockdown)

Divert Power:
You temporarily divert power from your offensive systems to your shields and repair systems.
(Self -Damage, -Recovery, +Def +Regeneration, 60s duration)

Focused Beam:
You charge up and release a tightly focused beam blast from your chest cannon with a chance to send your foe flying.
(Sniper, Extreme Smashing/Energy Damage, Chance for Knockback)

Nano Swarm:
You release a cloud of tiny machines that attack a foe and weaken them.
(Summon Nano Swarm, Minor Energy Damage, -Res)
*This would function like Devouring Earth Swarms where they run away/come back and the debuff is intermittent.

Death Blossom:
You overload your suit's systems in one massive attack, firing rockets and energy blasts in a dizzying pattern at everything around you.
(PBAoE, Extreme Smashing/Energy Damage, Self -Recovery)


And now for the secondary:


Techno Suit Manipulation:

Magnetic Pincer Beam:
Powerful waves of energy hold a single foe immobile.
(Foe Immobilize, Minor Energy DoT)

Armoured Punch:
You smash your foe with a mechanically assisted punch.
(Moderate S/L Damage, Chance for Disorient)

Sensor Array:
You activate your sensor array to assist in targeting and detecting enemies.
(Self +ToHit, +Perception, 10s Duration)
*The intent for the +Perception is to act like a yellow inspiration when the player is Blinded by something like a Smoke Grenade. Would it function like that?

Armoured Smash:
You smash your foe with a slower, but more powerful mechanically assisted punch.
(High S/L Damage, Chance for Knockdown)

Turbo Thrusters:
You overdrive your suit's movement systems for a bust of speed. Costs some endurance to activate.
(Self +Speed +Recharge, Self -End, 25s duration, non-enhanceable recharge on the power itself)

Magnetic Pulse:
You emit a pulse that forces enemies back and deals some damage.
(Repel, Moderate S/L Damage )

Razzle Dazzle:
You use a light based, non-lethal crowd control device to stun a crowd of foes. Even though not all of them will be stunned, the spots in their eyes will prevent them from landing their attacks.
(Ranged Cone, Chance for Disorient, Foe -ToHit)

Holographic Decoys:
Creates three holographic image decoys that can confuse your foes. The decoys do no damage.
(Summon Decoys, Chance for Confuse)
*Think Phantom Army, but with no damage. Generic looking green holograms.

Wrecker:
You devastate your foe with a slow, but extremely powerful mechanically assisted punch.
(Extreme S/L Damage, Chance for Knockdown)

***

That's it. I tried to work utility and survivability into sets for an AT that's really not supposed to be about that. I tried to incorporate concepts that come to mind when I think of armored heroes. I'm eager to hear if people think the sets are totally OP or gimp town.
Being just an exercise to kill time, I've got no stake in the Blaster AT or concept. So...whee!



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Posted

Sounds to me like most of that could be done by making an Nrg/Devices/Power Blaster with the Fighting pool (to account for the additional toughness and survivability the suit provides).

The biggest problem I've got with that is that it is highly specialized. Stone Armor can get away with it because you can explain any of the origins creating armor out of surrounding or grown or whatever stone. This specifically has remarkably origin specific animations and names (rocket pods, nano machines, holograms, etc.).


 

Posted

Sounds like fun. It would be neat to see some different animations for a new blaster set, like missiles fired from the shoulder or a beam emanating from the chest instead of the normal "stuff coming out of the hands" animations. And the Holographic Decoys would be cool if they used a copy of the player's skeleton & costume, but with ultra desaturated colors so teammates wouldn't be confused.


Freedom: Blazing Larb, Fiery Fulcrum, Sardan Reborn, Arctic-Frenzy, Wasabi Sam, Mr Smashtastic.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
This specifically has remarkably origin specific animations and names (rocket pods, nano machines, holograms, etc.).

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but the same can be said for Archery, Assault Rifle, Devices, etc.



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Posted

[ QUOTE ]
And the Holographic Decoys would be cool if they used a copy of the player's skeleton & costume, but with ultra desaturated colors so teammates wouldn't be confused.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think that's possible. The next best is generic looking holo decoys like in Illusion. Green, kind of looking like the default MA contact droid.


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Posted

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And the Holographic Decoys would be cool if they used a copy of the player's skeleton & costume, but with ultra desaturated colors so teammates wouldn't be confused.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think that's possible.

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Do not incur my wrath by pointing out limitations in the game engine! I'll pull this forum over and smite you!


Freedom: Blazing Larb, Fiery Fulcrum, Sardan Reborn, Arctic-Frenzy, Wasabi Sam, Mr Smashtastic.

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
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This specifically has remarkably origin specific animations and names (rocket pods, nano machines, holograms, etc.).

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but the same can be said for Archery, Assault Rifle, Devices, etc.
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Archery can be explained away in any number of ways. It's not as if the technology behind Archery is particularly advanced.

AR and Dev also have the issue of technology but it's not as if all of the animations pretty much dictate origin. You're talking about missiles, armor suit specific names, etc. It's even more of a stretch than a swiss army gun to make the origin something other than Technology, especially since you're specifically making most of the powers explicitly linked to the armor.

The other problem is how would it operate for characters who choose to not have armored suits as their costumes. It's just too specific imo.


 

Posted

I've had a Magical character run around wiht Pistols. She was a thugs/Dark Mastermind.

Her pistols weren't her 'Powers' and her minions were people who worked for her. her only real powers were her dark miasma spells.

-Rachel-


 

Posted

J_B, make a humanform Kheld already.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This specifically has remarkably origin specific animations and names (rocket pods, nano machines, holograms, etc.).

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but the same can be said for Archery, Assault Rifle, Devices, etc.


[/ QUOTE ]
You might think that, but some players find a way...


Issue 16 made me feel like this.
Warning: This poster likes to play Devil's Advocate.

 

Posted

that is the best description ever. it started out weak, but the ending is pure win.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This specifically has remarkably origin specific animations and names (rocket pods, nano machines, holograms, etc.).

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but the same can be said for Archery, Assault Rifle, Devices, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Though AR, Archery, and Dev are all tech origin, they can be used to suppliment a magic, science, or mutant easily.

Dark/Archery magic defender. Uses spells and magically imbued arrows. AR/Mental mutant blaster. Psionic powers, and uses a rifle to suppliment. Energy/Dev science blaster. Crey experiment with stolen tech devices, ect.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This specifically has remarkably origin specific animations and names (rocket pods, nano machines, holograms, etc.).

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but the same can be said for Archery, Assault Rifle, Devices, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny thing, but I seem to recall in the past that you insisted that Archery was proof that CoH was turning into a "City of Warcraft". So are you now claiming that Archery is somehow tech origin-slanted, or keeping with your "modern hunters use arcane secrets" theory?

FWIW, I actually dig the powersets, but I also don't think they're feasible.


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