Been away from the game since ISSUE #7

Hey guys,

I haven't played this game in a couple years (since issue 7), I was wondering what are the critical things I need to know to get back into this game? I was fairly active from issues 1 though 6, but haven't followed the progression of the game at all. I'm looking for a much more casual MMO that I can still have fun with so I decided I might sign this one up again.

I have a 39 Grav/Kin Controller (which back in the day had an amazing build). I also have a 35 Fire/Fire Blaster.

How as the enhancement system changed over the last few years? How as the group mechanics changed? Is my controller super nerfed from what it was 4 years ago?

Basically any pointers on things I might not be aware of would be very beneficial.

Thanks guys!

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First off, welcome back!! In my opinion the games better than ever.

Be sure to check out Paragonwiki for tons of info. It's a virtual one stop shop for instant answers.

Other than that I'm sure many will be behind me touting this or that.
Main things.
ED, learn it and love it.
Inventions, if your a min/max type this is for you.
PvP changes

Also, check out the patch update page on the main site. It should go all the way back to issue 1.

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Maestro Mavius - Infinity
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Keep Calm & Chive On!

http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Invention

is the key enhancement changes since I7, but there have been huge changes elsewhere in the game since then

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Thanks guys!

I will definitely be looking up that invention thing. I started reading through some of the patch notes but there is simply too many! lol.

Has there been any significant balance changes I should be aware of? When I had stopped playing COH, they had just rolled out PvP and it was horribly unbalanced to a point of being unplayable... has any of this changed?

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They've made huge, sweeping changes to PvP.

Mez protection (stops you from getting mezzed) no longer exists, only mez resistance (reduces mez duration)
Base mez duration maxes out at 4 seconds
Damage values on powers have been normalized in regards to activation time
The way travel suppression works in PvP has also changed



It's also worth noting that defensive toggles (toggles that don't affect your enemies) no longer drop when you get mezzed. This applies to both PvP and PvE.

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[ QUOTE ]
Thanks guys!

I will definitely be looking up that invention thing. I started reading through some of the patch notes but there is simply too many! lol.

Has there been any significant balance changes I should be aware of? When I had stopped playing COH, they had just rolled out PvP and it was horribly unbalanced to a point of being unplayable... has any of this changed?

[/ QUOTE ]
PvP is now totally different than it was. It's totally different than the normal game. The way powers work and the mechanics of everything are vastly different.

As for major rebalances in the PvE game... Not really, I suppose.

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Welcome back.

For info on issues you've missed and what was changed see the Issues topic at ParagonWiki.

There was also a patch players informally called Issue 11.5 which introduced a number of QoL changes and was the first major patch since NCSoft bought the game and staff from Cryptic.

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You'll definitely want to just create a new character or two, and take them through the tutorials and into the game - do the first tut, then when you have the ability get into the University to do that one - that's where you learn a bit about IO's.

SKIP the AE for the moment. You won't want to miss how to really play, since things did change dramatically since you've been gone.

Welcome back!

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Repurposed

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks guys!

I will definitely be looking up that invention thing. I started reading through some of the patch notes but there is simply too many! lol.

Has there been any significant balance changes I should be aware of?

[/ QUOTE ]
You said you had a Fire/Fire Blaster. Blasters saw an overhaul about a year ago. They had their base Ranged damage increased and the Defiance inherent was replaced. Now rather than getting a bonus as HP drop, Blasters get self-buffs for continuing to attack (kind of like Brutes). They also can use their Tier 1 and 2 (first two attacks) powers even while mezzed. Basically it was a solid set of Buffs. That kind of reworking has characterized Castle & Cos tenure in the game; in solid contrast to the serial-nerfs you were familiar with.

Stalkers, Dominators, Blasters, and weapon-based Sets have all been dramatically improved since you've been gone, along with various and sundry little changes.


In short the game has gone from strength to strength while you have been away.

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Seconding the suggestion to just create a new character and start with the tutorials. The tutorial has had a MAJOR overhaul since you left the game and there is a lot of good information there.

i recently came back after a 2yr hiatus and the game was, in many ways, totally different. In others (enjoyability, wonderful people, etc.) it was still the same.

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This is why I love the forums. Friendly and educational yet easy to understand. I have learned so much 'bout th' game from reading the forums, I try to read a little bit each time before I log to play. I too have recently started playing again and am amazed and blown away by the changes all except for AE. I did just learn 'bout the change for blasters and it influenced me to roll a blaster toon.

Welcome back bewareofthecow and thanks everyone for the wonderful input!

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Wow! I'm genuinely impressed at the warm welcome, thanks guys! I've come to realize that I have really missed the casual, friendly atmosphere in CoH that is simply missing in other MMO communities.

I had played for the first time last night on my Grav/Kin controller, made 2 levels in one night doing AE missions! I was pretty much invited to a group right away and I was fortunate enough to find a someone in the group that knew the game really well and was able to fill me in on a lot of the updated stuff.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find out my old build was still very functional and I even got a few compliments on my play style. I'm actually quite happy with my build except one thing someone mentioned to me was that immAoEs are pretty much required now. For some reason I didn't have it my build but I'm now thinking of perhaps losing wormhole for it?

Thanks for the advice on going through the tutorials again, I'm definitely going to do that tonight to figure out this whole invention system. I'm also really intrigued on the AE setup. Can you make your own scripted encounters and what not? Or what are the limitations to making your own missions?

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