Signature Characters: Your Best and Worst
By
Ashen_EU,
Posted on: 2009-01-07 20:13 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
I, me, Ravenswing, doesn't really have any. I guess if I had to pass comment, several of them are a bit too cliched for my taste, Statesman, Manticore, Recluse. Sister Psyche and GhostWidow will always have a place in my heart for their costumes and, as various people have said, the GhostWidow/Wretch arc is really rather sweet (it's one of the few tales I've got through in villains that left any lasting impression).
My characters have somewhat different views. For example:
Nitoichi thinks Borea is great, and Dark Watcher, and has some regard for Lady Grey. She also likes Crimson and Indigo, for being two people who just want the job done (Borea for the same reason, really). Despite hardly knowing the woman, Ms Liberty is definately on her dislike list, but that might have something to do with Longbow. And she hates the Rikti, with a vengeance.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
well. to start of my least would have to be all heroes tbh. im just not a hero person and they all seem so typical tbh. though there are the odd hero i suppose i could like in the future:P (there is hope 
)
(just realised Manti closly sounds like my rl mt8 from college lol)
Fav would have to be
Mako and Scirocco
Mako: Hes a freaky fish guy. enough said. but reading his story i can understand his life and everything. full of hate, anger, mission in life to find something. hes like a villain that wants to bring peace and control throughout the world through the means of death. his goals are honorable and the means are just. plus i mean he demanded Sharkland Island inorder for Lord Recluse to have him as his personal enforcer. i mean thts power.!
and Scirocco: well hes also seems to be up to something. not like the typcical villain. hes also very sneeky and not much known about him. has alot of power and control yet doesnt use much of it. watch out for him folks
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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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Just consigning him to the scrapheap would be more trouble than it's worth, and not even the best idea at all. He's buried into the universe, you can't just put him on the bus or bump him off.
CoX doesn't have too much depth of characterisation built up to save Statesman as a character, they just have to make the effort. And he doesn't even have to be likeable, the comic where he was hilariously incapable of being able to deal unexpectedly with a real person (the young hero who became a hero through the inspiration of Statesman) was an absolutely wonderful piece of characterisation that could be run with. He inspires just by being there, resolute, a symbol of untiring heroism, but we only get really, really brief glimpses into just how damn tired and worn down this guy really is (aforementioned social reclusiveness, and when he was talking about having to deal with every single villain out to prove himself). Eighty years of crimefighting and the world is worse than ever, every friend he makes will either be killed or simply outlived, and if I were him I'd be a bit depressed that my grand daughter is building a massive personal army that's slowly putting Paragon City effectively under a colourful martial law.
I want Statesman played UP, warts and all. He HAS a character, we know he's a dour but hardworking man who inspires by action, and we know he won't compromise his principles under any circumstances. We also know he has the one to one skills of a thrown brick. What we need is to know why, because without having any reason for him to be this way, and I can come up with loads of them, he's just an entry on super****ery.
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."
For some reason, everytime I think of this question, I immediately think "Mako needs more love".
I love him. Ever since Villains was announced I thought he'd be great, and I really do think he could be.
The description of him taking down the Ghost of Scrapyard (y'know...before he was a ghost) is completely vicious and actually makes him seem like a villain...which I think is lacking.
The "born a mutant and cast out" is extremely cliche, but after that his story is (personally) fantastic! Becoming a pirate, being drawn to Sharkhead thanks to the name, the way Recluse finds him, his search for "something", teaming up with Barracuda...
So yeah, my best is definitely Mako 
Worst, I can't really think. I don't hate any of them, really.
@Crius
Bassai, Canadian Kid, Alruna, Kahi
Mistress Rad, Culpeo, Ms. Demeanor, Celsius
If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. Let's go to work.
I have to agree with Commander_Beet and Khorak - once you've read the books, you really get a better feel for the Hero sig characters.
Statesman has one hell of an attitude. It's almost understandable, since he's immortal and has to watch his loved ones die around him - but still... chill!
Synapse and Positron as a duo are great - it's a relationshop/friendship not stressed at ALL in the game, I feel, which is a shame, because they're both amazingly well-established in the book, the Freedom Phalanx.
The comics reflect the books a little. Statesman is still up-himself, but my problem is with the Statesman / Manticore banter, which is just a rip from Marvel's / Avengers Captain America (star-spangled-team-leader) vs. Hawkeye (average-joe super-hero Archer with an attitude) and their heated disagreements. I felt as though the comics didn't do anything unique with these two (apart from when Manticore kills Statesman. THAT I like!)
So - faves? Posi and Synapse. Loved them in the book. If I had to pick *one*? Posi, hands down.
Worst character (not signature...)....
JANET KELLUM. She's an insult to forensic science (she other thread).
I'm glad so many people referenced the books / comics. We need more people to stand up and say they rocked - because they DID, and I'd LOVE TO SEE MORE
*Plans to re-read both shortly*
[B][COLOR="DeepSkyBlue"]@Winter Flare[/COLOR] - [url="http://sites.google.com/site/thenewguardians"] The New Guardians[/url] - [url="http://www.badge-hunter.com/index.php?/page/view_player.php?id=339"] 1211 Badges [/url][/B]
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I'm glad so many people referenced the books / comics. We need more people to stand up and say they rocked - because they DID, and I'd LOVE TO SEE MORE
*Plans to re-read both shortly*
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I must admit I've not read the books but I did LOVE the Top Cow comics and I was very sad to see them fall down 
Thelonious Monk
Rated:
1st:War Witch, for being smart, cool, funny, and generally awesome at player meets. (When does Apex get into the act as a trainer?)
2nd: Coyote from Outbreak - for his IRL backstory
3rd: Ghost Widow - goth icon in the making.
Hated:
1st Equal: Bat-Manticore / Statesman. Sheesh, talk about grumpy.
2nd: Sister Psyche (cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeesecake!)
3rd: Sefu Tendaji (for being a total weakling as your ally and unleashing ultimate awesome power when you have to face him yourself. Pick a side, dude!)
And the guy you love to hate:
1. The one, the only Westin Phipps. A guy who makes even the most evil, slime-dripping scum and villainry think twice about what they're doing - even if only because he's a (beautifully written) double-dealing, truly nasty piece of work.
Is it time for the dance of joy yet?
After reading the Freedom Phalanx book it made me wish the positrons taskforce dealt with Dr Null as I would really like to see him in the flesh.
Heroes: Phobos-, Protector-Bot, Shadow of Ra, Bionic Eye, Entropic Chaos, Strike-Freedom.
Villains: Necron Phobos, Khorne-Berzerker, Full Metal Panic, Smasher Devourer, Degrees Kelvin.
Co-Leader of The Echelon
Visit us at http://www.theechelon.eu
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What we need is to know why, because without having any reason for him to be this way, and I can come up with loads of them, he's just an entry on super****ery.
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The characterisation in the books goes someway toward explaining his dour nature. It's somewhat classic immortal isolationism, I think. With his friends vanishing (Dark Watcher) or dropping dead one way or another, he's lonely. He's also a figurehead who people tend to look up to. I think he probably needs people like Manticore to keep him going. People who don't believe he's right all the time and question his authority. At least they treat him like a human instead of someform of god.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
One of my favourite states quotes from the top cow series is "I don't care what people say about invulnerability... That hurt!"
Heroes: Phobos-, Protector-Bot, Shadow of Ra, Bionic Eye, Entropic Chaos, Strike-Freedom.
Villains: Necron Phobos, Khorne-Berzerker, Full Metal Panic, Smasher Devourer, Degrees Kelvin.
Co-Leader of The Echelon
Visit us at http://www.theechelon.eu
To be honest, some of this coming out in-game would give people a lot more insight, and maybe a lot more enjoyability. Better cutscenes, more interatcion with those characters...Cant remember the arc, but the two members of Omega Team you rescue, and they keep chatting to you; really gives them character, even if they're only brief.
Having them actually come on line and be RP'ed would, I guess, be the best thing to get character up that we could hope for. Personally I find it a bit of a shame not to see them ever hanging around in D's, given that BaB is meant to have been there, and suchnot. Do they actually show for events? (Ignorant >.> )
Back OT, for big bad guys I think Hro'Dotz deserves a mention. He's big and impressive, and a tough nut to crack. Again, a pity theres no cutscene for him or anything. More CoX cutscenes, actually animated? Please?
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
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Sadly the Dev's have said that cutscenes are quite difficult to do in the game. I say hire SamuraiKo and get her to do them.
Plus, I know it's not a totally common complaint but, I hate cutscenes.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
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Plus, I know it's not a totally common complaint but, I hate cutscenes.
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Im not a great fan of the current ones, no. I know its down to the game engine, but they are a bit too clunky for liking. Some are quite humourus (Gheist) most are kind of annoying.
But CoX has no cinematics, at all. Which I do miss =/
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
|
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I have to agree with Commander_Beet and Khorak - once you've read the books, you really get a better feel for the Hero sig characters.
Statesman has one hell of an attitude. It's almost understandable, since he's immortal and has to watch his loved ones die around him - but still... chill!
Synapse and Positron as a duo are great - it's a relationshop/friendship not stressed at ALL in the game, I feel, which is a shame, because they're both amazingly well-established in the book, the Freedom Phalanx.
The comics reflect the books a little. Statesman is still up-himself, but my problem is with the Statesman / Manticore banter, which is just a rip from Marvel's / Avengers Captain America (star-spangled-team-leader) vs. Hawkeye (average-joe super-hero Archer with an attitude) and their heated disagreements. I felt as though the comics didn't do anything unique with these two (apart from when Manticore kills Statesman. THAT I like!)
So - faves? Posi and Synapse. Loved them in the book. If I had to pick *one*? Posi, hands down.
Worst character (not signature...)....
JANET KELLUM. She's an insult to forensic science (she other thread).
I'm glad so many people referenced the books / comics. We need more people to stand up and say they rocked - because they DID, and I'd LOVE TO SEE MORE
*Plans to re-read both shortly*
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Was there not plans for a third book but it was never published? I wonder if it exists in some for of early draft.
The actual content of the things I don't mind. I dislike systems which make you sit and watch, blocking progress through the game. Personal quirk. I don't believe cinematics and cutscenes work well with MMOs.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
For me my favourite Characters are Hero 1 and Mako. With regards to Hero 1 I like the fact that he is so highly regarded in the game, the Rikti then come along and turn him into a monster, the opposite to what he really is. Plus he used Excalibur and I'm a sucker for the whole Arthur Legend thing.
I like Mako for the reasons most others have said, I think it's the 'brutal hero killer' thing that first caught my eye but the fact that he's a savage animalistic killer and still considered an intelligent person means hes not just a one sided character.
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Rated:
1st:War Witch, for being smart, cool, funny, and generally awesome at player meets. (When does Apex get into the act as a trainer?)
2nd: Coyote from Outbreak - for his IRL backstory
3rd: Ghost Widow - goth icon in the making.
Hated:
1st Equal: Bat-Manticore / Statesman. Sheesh, talk about grumpy.
2nd: Sister Psyche (cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeesecake!)
3rd: Sefu Tendaji (for being a total weakling as your ally and unleashing ultimate awesome power when you have to face him yourself. Pick a side, dude!)
And the guy you love to hate:
1. The one, the only Westin Phipps. A guy who makes even the most evil, slime-dripping scum and villainry think twice about what they're doing - even if only because he's a (beautifully written) double-dealing, truly nasty piece of work.
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Oh yeah War Witch is the best Dev, just the character sits in a zone I wish wasn't there. At least she's in a pocket dimension too
"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!"
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What we need is to know why, because without having any reason for him to be this way, and I can come up with loads of them, he's just an entry on super****ery.
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The characterisation in the books goes someway toward explaining his dour nature. It's somewhat classic immortal isolationism, I think. With his friends vanishing (Dark Watcher) or dropping dead one way or another, he's lonely. He's also a figurehead who people tend to look up to. I think he probably needs people like Manticore to keep him going. People who don't believe he's right all the time and question his authority. At least they treat him like a human instead of someform of god.
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There's a few insights in game too, for example today I picked up a badge (I've been searching for the correct entry but my search-fu is weak) that highlights Statesman's attitude - During the first Rikti invasion he and Hero 1 knew they'd never see each other again so they didn't even speak.
I guess States is as alone as it's possible to be in many respects - and it must be painful to continually lose friends as they age and die around you. I guess the obvious choice is, dont' make friends
It's a sad story if you delve into it
Thelonious Monk
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Sadly the Dev's have said that cutscenes are quite difficult to do in the game. I say hire SamuraiKo and get her to do them.
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you took the words right out of my mouth.
Favorite - Wretch, believe it or not I have a soft spot for poor Pablo, probably comes from the O' Wretched Man story arc, surprisingly after checking out some of the other arcs it came as a shock to realize that out of all the interesting characters that Arachnos has, the ones with the most characterization in game are the dumb hulk and the dead girl.
Favorite Hero Sig - Back Alley Brawler, he's probably the most go get them member of the phalanx, he's also supposed to be retired but doesn't mind sticking the old glove on and pounding a few villains every now and then, especially to help heroes he views as up and comers like Apex.
Least Favorite - Sirroco, "Oh look, I'm a tortured hero, forced to become a villain because I stole my powers." Get over yourself and commit some real crimes stupid.
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I guess States is as alone as it's possible to be in many respects - and it must be painful to continually lose friends as they age and die around you. I guess the obvious choice is, dont' make friends
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I like to call it 'Stage Two: Hiding.'
Stage One is Denial, where you carry on going as if nothing was different.
Stage Three is Acceptance, where you suddenly realise what you're also missing by not having friends and loved ones.
Some never make it to Stage Three.
Disclaimer: The above may be humerous, or at least may be an attempt at humour. Try reading it that way.
Posts are OOC unless noted to be IC, or in an IC thread.
The one that make the most impact on me, is the Wretch story. For me it just ticked all the boxes, as a brilliant little arc.
The worst, I have posted before is Westin Phipps. The arc is very well written, and never have I come across a character more deserving of a good 'sorting out' - please let us slap down this little ****!
Mission architect is gonna see some action on this. 
My favorites are all red side as I havent played heroes much.
Black Scorpion - no complicated plans or silly beliefs for him. He wants power and will do anything for anyone to get more "upgrades". A rational person, despite the occasional going too far. Plus he got Silver Mantis who really likes him - cant argue with success
Lord Recluse - he may have the powers of a dark god yet the guy still carries a gun - thats badass
Vernon von Grun - makes villainy feel good without any 'dark hero' silliness.
I do not suffer from altitis, I enjoy every character of it.
Ah, thanks, Z. As soon as I wrote that I knew it was wrong. Silly Shad.
Still having a lot of fun reading The Freedom Phalanx again, right now (as in - I've stopped reading it to type here), and I'll agree with the sentiment that Synapse and Positron are actually a really cool pair.
Right, my favourites...
I like Positron a fair bit, actually. He's such a... geek. It's awesome. The whole "I always wanted to be a superhero" thing coupled with the insanely phenomenal scientific and technical skills is just funky. He's one of the few heroes around who doesn't angst about anything much. It's quite refreshing.
Ms. Liberty as shown in the comics is also surprisingly appealing to me - she's trying so hard to get out of her Grandad's shadow, while not seeming to care one way or another, and it just adds the right level of rebeliousness to someone who would otherwise have been a goody-two-shoes stuck up cow.
Villain side (which I haven't really played much), Ghost Widow wins hands down. Awesome concept, fantastically realised character.
Worst...
I'd originally have said Synapse, before reading The Freedom Phalanx. He just seemed to be "yet another speeder". And then I read the book, and found out that Steve Berry is actually an interesting character.
I can't stand Scirroco (or however that's spelt), though I've picked up the odd hint that he's got some interesting things about him.
Manticore is just too arrogant by half. Really. He's a loner by trade, and to be perfectly honest, I can't for the life of me comprehend what Sister Psyche sees in him. Maybe that's because I'm a bloke, though, and he just comes across as a cocky rich brat trying to avenge his parents' deaths, with some ability to let him actually do it. He'd be great as a solo character, but he doesn't mesh well with the rest of the signature characters.
Sister Psyche is my "love her and hate her" character. I love the powerful psychic, I love the mindriding ability, I love the fact that there's this decidedly hawt red-head who's actually over 80 years old... and then there's her personality. She's an 80 year-old woman, for heaven's sakes. Sure, she might be brash and confident. But she's also vastly experienced. She should be a little wiser than she comes across, and the fact that she seems to think and act like a person who is as old as she appears to be just doesn't click right in my mind. She has the right to talk to people as if they were children, sure, but her attitudes are those of a woman in her twenties, and it just comes off badly.
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.