Signature Characters: Your Best and Worst

This came from the spin of a different thread so I wanted to give it some air in a thread of its own.

I really love this game and I actually admire a lot of the back story. There was a seriously concerted effort to invest in the world, and there is a wealth of back story - so much so that I'd argue that in a few instances it rivals some of the long established comicbook characters that we already know and love.

That's an achievement. Seriously, it is. The comic books have had almost 50 years to produce their product. City of Heroes has been around for like 10% of the time, but there is a wealth of material (if you care to look.)

So: Where do you stand? Who are your favourite signature characters? Who are your least? Why do you love and/or hate? What draws you to them?

Here we are in a comic-book inspired world - but we've mostly transcended the comicbook. (I actually genuinely belive that CoX can break new ground in that arena.)

So who are your main guys in CoX and why? Who are the guys you hate? (Why do you hate them?)

Some of the signature characters are pretty anonymous and I'm interested if they come out of the woodwork.

Over to you

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I think I'm on record here that my pet hated character is Dr Aeon. What kind of scientist mixes magic and technology. It's not right! Not now, not ever!

I'll get him one day

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[ QUOTE ]
What kind of scientist mixes magic and technology.


[/ QUOTE ]

Answer - a mad scientist

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@Golden Girl

City of Heroes comics and artwork

[ QUOTE ]
What kind of scientist mixes magic and technology. It's not right! Not now, not ever!

[/ QUOTE ]

Abraceureka!

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DON'T eat muffins while I'm developing you.

Pants! Turkey Magnates! A man in a box! Rogue AI! Come one, come all, to arc ID 10107 - It's [i]'Not as long as some other arcs'[/i]!

I hate posting in my own thread but I honestly couldn't see how to do this otherwise.


So my fave fave fave by a long shot:

Ghost Widow: She's amazingly original, but she's not a zombie, or a vampire, she's corporeal and can be beaten but she's tough. There's no immediate comicbook comparison to her, and yet she slots in immediately. If there was a "Ghost Widow" book in a CoX comicbook franchise it would quickly turn into the equivalent of Wolverine (ie in every book, because tt works so well.)

One of her characteristics that is uncommon is that she combines brains, brawn and magical powers, and yet is seemingly content to be subservient to Arachnos - but no way is she a lackey. The only comicbook comparison I can come close to is Sue Richards (nee Storm) who took 40 years to evolve from ditzy blonde to the 2nd most dangerous person in the Marvel universe - but the compare isn't direct. GW has the edge.

Least Fave:

I'm very sad to say for me it's Positron.
To me he's a poor man's Iron Man. He's contained in a special suit because otherwise he'll die. He blasts but as defender type he's not an aggressor. He's not likely to take the fight to the enemy. He doesn't necessarily show the leadership of Stark and even after his rehabilitation, we're not seeing him taking a front role. (I do, however admit that he can't really show his colours when he's not got a regular forum to show what he can do... so to a certain extent, tho the he's been saved from the suit, the character is still damned.) I'd also say that he and Psynapse are a bit too close in that they are both the "tortured reluctant hero"- neither asked for what they got.

I should give Hon Mentions to:

Statesman. It's damned tough being the boss. Sometimes it just sucks and the role is bigger than you. So yeah you get branded as a tightwad/@$$ etc when you wanna do the right thing and you haven't partied in 50 years because you care too much. I think the guy gets a bit more stick than his due. His Marvel counterpart is Captain America who did occasionally manage to cut loose but ultimately made THE sacrifice. The DCU equivalent is Superman, but their resolution is to turn their world-saviour into a blithering idiot when he's in civvies.

Lt David Wincott. Perhaps not a "Signature character" in the traditional sense. He doesn't wear a cape or have powers, but he does know of the dark side and if you just see what he's had to go through (spoiler - do the arc) he's kept the faith. Most men in his position would arm themselves and go hunting with a "no prisoners" attitude.

Nemesis: Fantastic. The perfect Meme. A minor character that has grown from Napoleonic Origins as a supporting toon into somebody who's actually running the game. He's done this from nothing. Minor arcs but so many seemingly more powerful factions (Freakshow, Council, Praetorians) have gone nowhere.

Also Rans: Praetorians. Alter-dimensional alter-egos of existing characters that should have been either a) strangled at birth or b) given massive input. As they stand they have no character and are simply AVs to be smashed to bits for the badge/XP/Inf but with a little bit of tweaking they could potentially be an excellent series of Task Forces. The Alter-Ego of the main Sig toons need a bit more respect. And no, they aren't a Nemesis plot

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[ QUOTE ]
I think I'm on record here that my pet hated character is Dr Aeon. What kind of scientist mixes magic and technology. It's not right! Not now, not ever!

I'll get him one day

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is why he gets a A+++ from me. Stephen Strange barely knows what to do with the Winds of Watoomb and yet Aeon would bind them into Positron's suit if he got the chance.

Great suggestion. He goes in my "Yes!!!!" collumn

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Hmm, interesting question.

Given that I'm one of those people who only reads the arc plots when they remember to ( i.e. about 25 % of the time ) I can't speak from a hugely knowledgeable perspective.

However, a few favourites for me.


Ghostwidow. Bascially for the reasons SS mentioned, plus the fact that she is the only AV that still scares me :S
Great character background and she seems SOOO sinister

Romulus. From a game mechanics point of view he's the most fun AV to take down. His cut scene is funny ( substitute the word 'nictus' with the word 'sparta' for laughs ) and he has an interesting backstory. The AV I actively look forward to fighting with a good team.

Fusionette: Ok, I hate her and I love her. Her aggroing everything on the map AND the three maps closest to you is very annoying, but she just seems to have so much fun whilst doing it. Definately a lively character, faultline has his hands full I think

As for worst, I wouldn't really want to say. The ones I think are worst may have a great story that I've just completely missed.

I try and avoid comparing them with DC/Marvel for the inevitable arguments that ensue

On that note, and belonging in the culture section I suppose, but

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Richards (nee Storm) who took 40 years to evolve from ditzy blonde to the 2nd most dangerous person in the Marvel universe

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Huh ... 2nd most dangerous ?

Did I miss something ?

Fahie

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Pretty dangerous guy.

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DON'T eat muffins while I'm developing you.

Pants! Turkey Magnates! A man in a box! Rogue AI! Come one, come all, to arc ID 10107 - It's [i]'Not as long as some other arcs'[/i]!

I kinda like that Statesman is an uptight social incompentant. It's like he's jaded from eighty years of constant fighting and all that's left is the costume.

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Chairman of the Charity of Pain; accepting donations of blood and guts.

Prophet of the Creamy Truth; "If it's empty, fill it with cream."

My favourite signature toon would have to be the Council AV Maestro! From the 1st time i saw him i thought he is the coolest looking guy iv fought, and still think that now! He hasnt got a big history and not even that hard to take down, but the man's got style and makes great music!

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Dr Aeon is my favorite. After that one arch in Cap au Diablo, where I found out who he use to be, and what he will become. A mad scientist that will only wake up to what he is and what he is doing after it is too late. And running in to him again in the patron arch was just a bonus.

The back story of Ghost Widow and Wrench, comes a close second though, story line that explores it is a good enough reason to level at least one villain


Most hated would be Manticore, he just seem so one directional. He is a boring version of batman with a bow. Just with out the originality to come up with a name and costume for him self, instead carrying on his fathers.

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My least favourite?

Personally it's Mako. In everything bar looks he's a poor mans wolfman with all of the personality and depth of a pathologically genocidal rock. I've seen no reason to relate to him, no reason to sympathise with him and barely any reason to think he's even remotely interesting. He is, in essence, hatred on legs and even the most shallow villains I've seen in other films, games and books (not a major comic buff here) have more thought put into their character.



My favourite character is more difficult however after some thought it has to go to:

The Clockwork King.
This villain is cliche in nearly every sense of the word. Steampunk design? Check. Brain in a jar? Check. Massive Psionic powers? Check. Huge ego and psychological problems? Check and check. While I hate going up against clockwork I enjoy that they've taken a mass of comic cliches and actually molded them into a villain with character. After you've done a lot of the arcs based around him you really get a feel for his motivations and, depending on your particular mindset, even sympathising somewhat. It is even revealed at one point he has a somewhat noble side.



To summarise, in general I like a villain you can sympathise with or at the least understand. Either the reluctant villains, those with some clear motivation or at least those that happen to be insane and admit it. Those I don't like are those with nothing going for them other than an obsession with killing.

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Friends are just enemies that haven't betrayed you yet.

Favorites? Gosh, I dunno. Lord Nemesis/Mender Silos is always cool, especially as we've obviously not really seen anything from the guy yet. Anything could end up being some zany, drawn-out yet brilliant plot in a few issues, which was right under our noses.
Who else? Hm. Probably Requiem for once leading the most badass faction in the game. We'll be back, you'll see. Also, his outfit is just intimidating and respect-generating somehow. On top of all that, he seems to be a very rare example of a symbiotic Nictus-host relationship. Add onto that his resentment for the Council (who are allied with the regular Nictus) and I can see something interesting growing out of this in the future, especially with the 5th Column related content/hint build-up we've been getting.
Honorable mention goes to Vernon von Grun for being the most awesome Villain contact ever. I won't start spoiling it in case anyone's not done his arcs yet.

Least favorite has to be Fusionette for obvious reasons. I never liked the Penelope Pitstop type damsels-in-distress who deliberately charge headfirst into trouble only to need rescuing a gazillion times. And in-game she's an Energy blaster, and I loathe uncontrolled knockback.
The Vindicators. They're boring and uninteresting, completely overshadowed by the Freedom Phalanx as a faction and just about every other hero with a shred of backstory in the game as individuals. Personality-wise they're not much better, based on the Top Cow comics..

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Ho-hum, thats a tough 'un...especially seeing as I haven't seen a lot of the TF stuff...

Hard. I would actually say Recluse comes quite high. He always seems to me like Terry Pratchetts Lord Vetinari, albeit far more powerful and with a slightly mdarker streak. He manages to make the Rogue Isles function, in a roundabout way, he's Lord of Arachnos, and he has spider arms...very cool.
Ghostwidow too comes in high, for all the reasons mentioned. She manages to have emotions, character and yet still be cold by beind dead. Her own words, 'The dead cannot change' makes her an interesting character.
I actually like the Arachnos Patrons more than most of the Phalanx. Where the Patrons stand for a borad range of power, and are each a specific facet of Arachnos, the Phalanx and Vindicators...well, their kind of bland. Their used as trainers. You barely see much of them, except on the odd TF.

Clockwork King, Nemesis and the Rikti are high. I need to fight Dr Vahzilok someday to actually rate him...
And amen to the Honourary for Winscott, the Hollows wouldnt be right without the LT.

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Hmm, favorite.
Ghost Widow i like alot for her deviousness. I like Minx for obvious reasons. And i quite fancy Silver Mantis, for other obviosu reasons (pain so close to pleasure ^^). Mirror Spirit is also a fave for her appearance only.


Least favorite. Lord Recluse. Too stereotype, same with Statesman really.

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Favorite? Positron and Synapse (as a duo), you'll know why if you've read the book Freedom Phalanx, plus I'm a sucker for technology or science based Heroes.

Most hated.. Has to be Manticore, he just seems to.. Bland and predictable, a classic (and well used) superhero background, and tbh not a fan of his costume either

Runner up favorite, Scirroco, a great background, interesting personality and very nice costume, not my favorite due to him being magic, and I don't like Mu as an enemy group

Runner up hated, Sister Psyche, a pretty original background but not a good personality, doesn't get my attension (her cotume does, but that's not neccesarily a good thing)


Nice thread idea.

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I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc

Favourite? Well I like Countess Crey cause her back story is brilliant. I also think The Centre is a great character and I like how Viracious Verandi uses you. Infact I like a lot of the villain contact's she's just the best written IMO. I also like Scirroco, they shouldn't make it so fun to betray someone though.

Dislike? Well I never got all the like of Phipps, the storylines are great but I dont feel that he's particularly well written.

Hero side I like Moonfire, at least what I know about her, she's a bit too brief.

I have a loathing for Positron cause he sends you on a dull TF early on in the game to put you off speaking to his colleagues, shouldn't that make him a villain?

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"Well, they found my diary today.
They were appropriately appalled
at the discovery of the eight victims
They're now putting it all together.
Women wrapped in silk
with one leg missing
Eight legs, one body, silk,
spider, brilliant!"

I like the early sig villains and I still enjoy doing the Frostfire mission after all this time.

I would love to see a level 45-50 arc that includes the return of Dr Vashilok, Atta and Frostfire - as AV's.

It would need a bit of work to have outcasts, trolls and vash as 45-50 mobs but it would be entertaining IMHO.

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Proud member of FOXBASE ALPHA and coalition associates.

Hero 50's - 25

Villain 50's - 1

Most favo, Ghost widow. She just have to come Hero side, this way she can ensure nobody wacks Wretch and she can prevent Arachnos every to be wiped out. Looks great, story is great, just great. Also, she is 1 of the few having a rather unique attack, unlike the others.

Least Favo, Recluse himself. Being the 'godfather' of the villains, he's a joke. Where states fights bearhands, this idiot needs a spiderpack to even do damage. Also his story just dont cut the villain 'leader' position.

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50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore

Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!

Fave would be Requiem, he's a Nazi affiliated villain, he's damn old and has a wealth of experience to draw from, intelligent and charming his interactions with your character always rivet my full attention. Simply wonderful, kind of reminds me of Doctor Doom when well written.

Least favourite is easily Statesman, as the equivalent of Superman he fails because he's not remotely as innocent and likeable, as the equivalent of Captain America he fails because he's not remotely as inspiring and smart. Generally speaking it's clear to me that he is a horribly written Gary Stu char, I've been hoping to see him downplayed since Jack Emmert left.

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Shadowplay - Scrapper DM/DA SL 50
Doctor Storm- Brute SS/Elec SL 50
"speed boosts someone in the face" - Cognito

Aye, I think it would be a good move to kill of Statesman in the first wave of "The Coming Storm".

Best characters: War Witch and Dr Aeion.

Worst: Siroccocco (for being a boring emo whiner with an unspellable name)

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I really should do something about this signature.

[ QUOTE ]
Where states fights bearhands, this idiot needs a spiderpack to even do damage.

[/ QUOTE ]It's not a spiderpack, those spider limbs actually grow out of his back. He's just plated them.

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Where states fights bearhands, this idiot needs a spiderpack to even do damage.

[/ QUOTE ]It's not a spiderpack, those spider limbs actually grow out of his back. He's just plated them.

[/ QUOTE ]

With Impervium, if I remember my Web of Arachnos correctly.

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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.*

Protosteel. Protosteel seems to be Arachnos' thing, while the heroes prefer Impervium.

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oooo.. tough pickings.

Favourite(s):
Statesman, The Paragon of the City, the man him self, badass to the core and really has the likable features and the compelling charm of a dead (and rotten) goose. He is arrogant etc, something that Manticore feels very strongly about. (in the comics). The irony (like it).

Dr Aeon: The lunacy, the back story given for him is great. As mentioned doing a certain contact in Cap and you get to see more of this fellas future.

Nemesis: This fella has so much going that he can't be human any longer, no sane human mind could keep track of it all. But then, who says Nemesis does?

Hated:
Synapse. Big crybaby. The Crey did this and this to me so im going to be emo about it. Sheesh, brighten up! (Specially had this feeling when I did the Origin arc and I felt my char had a worse background then him)
What I would see for him is a little character development. Something that could bring a smile to his face... a little like what we see in the later comics.

Signatures heroes and villains I would like to see more of for char development and plot development are:
Preatoreans (all), Maestro and the rest of the Council Arch villains, Synapse (for above mentioned reason)...
and oh, he is only a scientists and a contact but "Victor Von Grun" (love this aspiring mad scientist, he makes me smile)

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