Well around about level 20 you have the faultline story arc, at 20+ there's the Striga Isle story arc. As you approach level 30 and beyond there's Croatoa to explore. It's highly likely that by the time you get to level 25 you'll be able to access Ourobouros, which will open up some more possibilities. At level 35, you can earn entrance into the cooperative zones of 'Rikti War Zone' and 'Cimerora' which brings the possibilty of teaming up with villains. The RWZ also has its own story arc. Level 40+ gets you to Peregrine Island and the machinations of the Praetorians, plus there are the Shadow Shards to explore. Not to mention throughout most of this the subtle (and not so subtle) plots of Nemesis, Carnival of Shadows and the mysterious Malta Group. Then there's the true origin of the Rikti to discover....well actually I could go on, there are more groups that come into play as you level up, plus some groups make a reappearance at higher levels.
Hope this helps. 
Allodoxaphobia is the fear of opinions.
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. MARCUS AURELIUS (121-180 AD)
That does help, thank you Thyristor.
Further to the above answer... You'll start to see Task Forces becoming an option. These are sort of like story arcs, but require a minimum number of players to start, and you can't add new ones to the team. Some of them are fantastic, others not so much (The Hess Task Force on Striga (Level 25-30+) is great, but Positron (Level 10-15+) is considered by many to be one of the most painful experiences in the entire game).
What sets City of... apart is the story. There are story elements everywhere, and lots of the missions tie into some overarching schemes that run throughout the game. While how you play the game tends to be moderately unchanging, especially if you solo, the real excitement comes (in my opinion) from discovering the secrets of Paragon City and the groups that operate there. In the words of some other people on this forum: It's the journey that counts, not the destination. Getting to Level 50 is not the goal. Having fun on the way is.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise 
; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
You probably won't agree with me, many don't (the fools ). But I think to an extent all MMOs are like this, I know I had much the same issue when trying to level characters in WoW and to a certain extent GW. However IMO if you don't put some work into levelling a character you don't get the same rewards.
My current levelling sequence is roughly:
Atlas/Galaxy -> 5/6
Kings Row -> 10
Steel Canyon/Skyway City -> 15
Faultline -> 20
Then I either do some of the Striga Arcs or do a bit of grinding to get the first of the Talos/IP arcs to 35 At which point I can do either RWZ arcs/missions, do some Roman Zone missions or carry on doing story arcs in Brickstown or Founders Falls.
Peregrin Island I move to at 40 and either run paper missions to get a good contact or if I have one start on the arcs there immediately.
You could go to Croatoa as well but personally I hate the place.
However there is always points at which you grind to a halt unless you do some grinding.
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Further to the above answer... You'll start to see Task Forces becoming an option. These are sort of like story arcs, but require a minimum number of players to start, and you can't add new ones to the team. Some of them are fantastic, others not so much (The Hess Task Force on Striga (Level 25-30+) is great, but Positron (Level 10-15+) is considered by many to be one of the most painful experiences in the entire game).
What sets City of... apart is the story. There are story elements everywhere, and lots of the missions tie into some overarching schemes that run throughout the game. While how you play the game tends to be moderately unchanging, especially if you solo, the real excitement comes (in my opinion) from discovering the secrets of Paragon City and the groups that operate there. In the words of some other people on this forum: It's the journey that counts, not the destination. Getting to Level 50 is not the goal. Having fun on the way is.
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/agree
ought to point out that there's an awful lot to explore villainside.
Allodoxaphobia is the fear of opinions.
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. MARCUS AURELIUS (121-180 AD)
Plus the villain side storyarcs are way more interesting then the hero side storyarcs.
Other things you can do is roleplay (I am still trying to figure that one out myself), go out and PvP other players, collect temporary powers or allways a favorite collect badges! The last one has as benefit that badgehunters like to do Task Forces all the time because they want to have the shiny sparkly badges you get at the end. Of course that rare recipe you get as well is a nice bonus.
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Other things you can do is roleplay (I am still trying to figure that one out myself),
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Keep bringing the toons along, GS! As you've no doubt noticed by now, I'm at the Galaxy Girl statue most nights, and I do try to involve new characters, if I can.
Of course, with the large number of plots going on right now (and there are a fair few!), I can find myself easily distracted. Please, persevere! It's great fun.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
If you want to experience team play but are levelling too quickly you could always wait until you're a level or so above the mission level and form a small team of players maybe 3 or 4 levelss lower than yourself.
That will allow you to help others who may look to level quicker, but your XP rewards won't tip you into the next level quicker than you're ready, thus giving you at least 2 levels and a reasonable time to learn exactly how to use your new power.
I'd also say I find that there's often still a bit of a bump in the XP curve somewhere between 20 and 30 depending on AT, so it's often worth pushing on through if you do feel you've hit a sticking point
Thelonious Monk
Thank you all for your extensive replies - I appreciate the time taken to do so. I've got a couple of points to discuss, but I'll deal with them in separate posts.
Thanks again folks.
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...but Positron (Level 10-15+) is considered by many to be one of the most painful experiences in the entire game).
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Ah, that explains the tell I got the other day when I was asked if I'd like to do a "Posi". Is this also the same as the one in the Hollows? I can't remember the guys name, but he said I needed 8 people to enter some caves.
[ QUOTE ]
What sets City of... apart is the story. There are story elements everywhere, and lots of the missions tie into some overarching schemes that run throughout the game. While how you play the game tends to be moderately unchanging, especially if you solo, the real excitement comes (in my opinion) from discovering the secrets of Paragon City and the groups that operate there. In the words of some other people on this forum: It's the journey that counts, not the destination. Getting to Level 50 is not the goal. Having fun on the way is.
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I certainly agree - I don't rush through any game just to get to the end, I prefer to take my time and enjoy the build up. I have enjoying reading through the stories as I've worked through them ( even though, some times, I seem to be sent to the other side of the city just to pick off a few people *grin* ).
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You probably won't agree with me, many don't (the fools ). But I think to an extent all MMOs are like this, I know I had much the same issue when trying to level characters in WoW and to a certain extent GW. However IMO if you don't put some work into levelling a character you don't get the same rewards.
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I think that depends on the person and the game. I've not had any problem with any other game, it's just CoH/CoV. Though, as I was reading your post, something hit me. In my other MMOs, I'm a member of a guild - there is a group of us that play similar games, I'm the only one who plays CoH though and I've not joined an SG here because they all seem to want active members gaining a minimum of rep each month ( even the "casual" ones ). I also don't know anyone here ( or, at least, I'm not aware of anyone that I know - though if you've ever met Tlilarema in WoW, GW, LOTRO or AoC then you'll know me ) so I'm missing the social aspect just now.
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My current levelling sequence is roughly:
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Thanks for this breakdown, that makes it clear on how I could move about. I'll give that a go and see how I progress.
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Keep bringing the toons along, GS! As you've no doubt noticed by now, I'm at the Galaxy Girl statue most nights, and I do try to involve new characters, if I can.
Of course, with the large number of plots going on right now (and there are a fair few!), I can find myself easily distracted. Please, persevere! It's great fun.
[/ QUOTE ]
I've tried to do some RP and whilst I've met a couple of other RPers, my RP seems to be all one sided so I've not been as active with it. Is there lower level RP or is this more of a higher level thing? Superhero RP isn't new to me - many years ago ( far too many than I care to admit ) I was very involved in a MSH group, so I look forward to doing some here.
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Ah, that explains the tell I got the other day when I was asked if I'd like to do a "Posi". Is this also the same as the one in the Hollows? I can't remember the guys name, but he said I needed 8 people to enter some caves.
[/ QUOTE ]
The one in the Hollows that you're thinking of is the Cavern of Transcendence Trial, which is a bit like a Task Force, but can actually be failed, and are generally shorter. The Positron (or, as you correctly surmise 'Posi') TF is 12 missions of agony if the team mix is wrong. A team I was on cleared it in 3 hours 7 seconds a few weeks back. It's possible to do it faster. It's more common to do it slower.
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I have enjoying reading through the stories as I've worked through them ( even though, some times, I seem to be sent to the other side of the city just to pick off a few people *grin* ).
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Oh, we've all been there! 
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
[ QUOTE ]
I think that depends on the person and the game. I've not had any problem with any other game, it's just CoH/CoV. Though, as I was reading your post, something hit me. In my other MMOs, I'm a member of a guild - there is a group of us that play similar games, I'm the only one who plays CoH though and I've not joined an SG here because they all seem to want active members gaining a minimum of rep each month ( even the "casual" ones ). I also don't know anyone here ( or, at least, I'm not aware of anyone that I know - though if you've ever met Tlilarema in WoW, GW, LOTRO or AoC then you'll know me ) so I'm missing the social aspect just now.
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*blinks*
*Reads that again*
*blinks again*
Hmm... Not sure how to solve this one. I'm what many might consider a 'hardcore' RPer (I think of myself as 'semi-hardcore'), and the SGs I tend to interact with really don't care about Prestige earning.
In my personal opinion, then, for your best bet in finding a wonderful group of friendly, cheerful players (although the SG is primarily based on Defiant), see if you can get hold of someone from The Echelon. Honestly, they don't come nicer than the Echies. And if they have a minimum Prestige requirement... I owe them about 2 years worth.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
[ QUOTE ]
I've tried to do some RP and whilst I've met a couple of other RPers, my RP seems to be all one sided so I've not been as active with it. Is there lower level RP or is this more of a higher level thing? Superhero RP isn't new to me - many years ago ( far too many than I care to admit ) I was very involved in a MSH group, so I look forward to doing some here.
[/ QUOTE ]
If you're interested in RP in CoH, go take a look at the Roleplaying section of the forum. The "Hints, Tips and Tricks" thread is fantastic, but as a brief overview on where to find large(ish) numbers of us at once:
The Galaxy Girl Statue. In Galaxy City, officially after 9.00pm UK time, but it can start sooner. Rarely before 8.00, though. To find it, well, if you're in Galaxy City facing the trainer (Back Alley Brawler), look upwards. See that big statue? That's Galaxy Girl. We're under there.
Pocket D. Not my preferred location, but there are a number of RPers who swear by it, especially as you get to take both heroes and villains there. I think it tends to get busy around 8.00/8.30 UK time.
No one is fussed what level you are. Honestly. We really don't care. We just want to have fun and RP with interesting characters. But read the thread I mentioned above, especially the bit in it about 'being ignored'.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
If as I'm guessing you're on Union anyway then you're undoubtedly in good hands. If on the other had you make Defiant your home, I know of at least one nice (not saying we're good ) SG that you could join. But its also not the most active of SGs. No prestige requirement though we do prefer you earn some, occasionally. We have a base with all the mod cons too...
Give me a shout if you need a home to lay your weary head. Names below...
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If you want to experience team play but are levelling too quickly you could always wait until you're a level or so above the mission level and form a small team of players maybe 3 or 4 levelss lower than yourself.
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Or you may ask for someone to exemplar you... That way you get temporarily get back to whatever level your group has, earn no inf or XP, except for debt payoff, if no debt, you get INF but no XP.
..... I've found that I play upto around level 20-25, then start a new character due to boredom of doing the same "Kill 10 Trolls/Outcasts/Skulls et al." then "Enter this building/cave and save X/collect Y/kill Z".
I picked that out of the original post as it illustrates how much the stories in CoH/V are limited by the technology of the mission editor, something no doubt many of us will feel when we finally get our hands on the cut down user friendly version coming in issue 14.
every now and then that same technology is used in particularly imaginitive ways and you get missions that really stand out. of course like a proprietry brand of savoury spread you may love them or hate them, but at least they're a little different.
Some examples,
Three factions ( two of which are ostensibly part of the same organisation) are battling in the streets over possession of an extraordinary device and the one person that can operate it. You could claim success by simply spiriting the hostage away, but there's more fame to be had if you could take all three villains down as well....
Two groups of mythical creatures are locked in eternal battle, the spells keeping them hostile are located at three locations, destroy them and a critcal step in ending the war is taken, unfortunately the creatures are as likely to attack you as each other...
You are working for a world wide organisation devoted to battling a global threat, however it seems that elements of this organisation has gone rogue. You are sent to arrest one of the ringleaders only to find him dead by his own hand and the area crawling with agents of an allied organisation, news of the rogue's activities cannot get out and you find yourself facing someone you had counted as a friend....
An original member of an arcane club asks you to rescue one of his colleagues, this leads on to an investigation into the links between two hostile groups, ultimately this leads you to the realisation that not all members of one of these groups are hostile, and also you are given the chance to craft something of enormous significance to the city.
and there's more 
There are others that could be mentioned, but the important thing to remember that there is some relief from the 'Hunt:click glowie:defeat all' grind.
Allodoxaphobia is the fear of opinions.
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. MARCUS AURELIUS (121-180 AD)
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Three factions ( two of which are ostensibly part of the same organisation) are battling in the streets over possession of an extraordinary device and the one person that can operate it. You could claim success by simply spiriting the hostage away, but there's more fame to be had if you could take all three villains down as well....
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I love that arc (its Fautline by the way, for the benefit of the OP). The whole arc is well worth doing on teams. So much fun (except for the annoying Vash mission. Damn zombies)
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you get missions that really stand out. of course like a proprietry brand of evil in a jar you may love them or hate them, but at least they're a little different.
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Edited for accuracy
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you get missions that really stand out. of course like a proprietry brand of ambrosia you may love them or hate them, but at least they're a little different.
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Edited for accuracy
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Edited again for accuracy
Allodoxaphobia is the fear of opinions.
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. MARCUS AURELIUS (121-180 AD)
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...However there is always points at which you grind to a halt unless you do some grinding.
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I have found this to be true myself. That's generally when I allow my rampant Badging Obsession to take full hold Well, if you're gonna grind you might as well do it with a goal in mind... e.g. mash shedloads of CoT Mages, get big shiny Badge for doing so. The Exploration Badges can be fun to get too - and also add to that sneaky sense of pride you feel when you look at your Personal Info menu and see how many you've racked up (or is that just me..? 
)And they're among the easiest to get, particularly once you've got Fly/Jump type powers.
The downside? Badging can be addictive. Me, addicted? Noooo, never, I've got it under control, I can quit anytime I want... just let me get to my 50 total first...!
Just wanted to thank everyone on here and in game for the support I've received over the last couple of weeks. I've taken on the advice given and jumped into the game with both feet and it's been excellent fun. Of course, this means that I've started a few alts to try the other classes as well.
Thanks again everyone for taking the time to help me appreciate the game a little bit more.
Cheers!
I'm not a new player to CoH/CoV, having played for a couple of years, but I am a very casual player ( also playing WoW, LOTRO, GW and AOC ). This means that I've not really levelled that much. I've found that I play upto around level 20-25, then start a new character due to boredom of doing the same "Kill 10 Trolls/Outcasts/Skulls et al." then "Enter this building/cave and save X/collect Y/kill Z".
I don't always team as I feel I level way to quickly to even get to grips with a new power, but I sometimes struggle to play solo as I like to social aspect of teaming.
So, does the game play change at higher levels? I know that there are big group runs ( I've found one at the end of a story arc in The Hollows, but I've never found enough to do it ) but I wondered what else I could look forward to if I level?
Cheers!