Looking for PvP and general advices.

I'm "back" on CoX after a... long break. I left a few weeks before CoV came out. My only PvP experience were non-SKed messy arenas with my broken spine/invul scraper on US servers.
Anyways, I could be totally fresh on the game it wouldnt make any difference.

So I came back and managed to make my brother play with me.
We started on hero side on Union thinking it would be easyer to get a team to level up. And we did our was to 50 with our Earth/Ice tank and Kin/Sonic Defender farming ad nauseam these AE bossfarming Pyroboom lame missions.
Then we went in Recluse Victory and found... 10 heroes farming mobs and 0 vilains.

So we thought maybe we should have rolled vilains and started again Ice/Dark Corr and Grav/Psy Dom who are now 50 and 47.
And we'r getting to my point.

I did a some PvP, I understand I'm a total noob and I have no enhencement set effects. But I am getting unbelievebly detroyed by absolutly anyone who passes by.
I have to cast 3 holds to manage to hold for about 2 seconds an enemy. My frost damage is incredibly low and I cannot manage to kite tankers and scrapers with tar patch and enhenced +snare ice attacks.


So I would like to ask a few questions:
1- Is Ice/Dark corr absolute junk in PvP?
2- What strategy/build should I use to make it work? (is it even possible?)
3- Am I getting flawless killed because of my lack of IOs and skill? Or because my Corr just cannot do anything in the current status of the game?
4- I'm sick of rerolling. But would my 40 Thud/Storm MM be any better? What would be a good teamate for a Grav/Psy Dom?
5- The PvP zones are terribly empty, the arenas are about non existant. Should I go back to US server? Should I move to Defiant? Is there good hours? Good days? Events for PvP?
6- I'm trying to make an effort here. I really love the game mecanism and variety but is there any place in CoX for non-Altoholic PvP-oriented players?


My build:
[b]+---------------------------------------------
+---------------------------------------------
+ Built with SuckerPunch's Online Planner
+ http://www.cohplanner.com
+---------------------------------------------
Name: Anneke Nightchill
Level: 50
Archetype: Corruptor
Primary: Ice Blast
Secondary: Dark Miasma
+---------------------------------------------
01 => Twilight Grasp ==> Heal(1),Heal(3),Acc(3),Acc(9)
01 => Ice Blast ==> Acc(1),Acc(5),Dam(7),Dam(15),Dam(15),Slow(17)
02 => Tar Patch ==> Rech(2),Rech(5),Slow(7),Slow(9)
04 => Darkest Night ==> ToHitDeBuff(4),ToHitDeBuff(11),ToHitDeBuff(11)
06 => Ice Bolt ==> Acc(6),Acc(13),Dam(13),Dam(17),Dam(19),Slow(19)
08 => Aim ==> Rech(8),Rech(21),Rech(21)
10 => Freeze Ray ==> Acc(10),Acc(23),Hold(23),Hold(25),Rech(45),Rech(46)
12 => Howling Twilight ==> Rech(12),Rech(25),DisDur(27),DisDur(27)
14 => Ice Storm ==> Rech(14),Rech(29),Slow(29),Slow(31)
16 => Shadow Fall ==> EndCost(16),EndCost(31),DefBuff(37),DefBuff(37)
18 => Bitter Ice Blast ==> Acc(18),Acc(31),Dam(33),Dam(33),Dam(33),Slow(34)
20 => Fearsome Stare ==> Rech(20),Rech(34),Acc(34),Acc(36),Fear(36),Fear(36)
22 => Swift ==> RunSpd(22)
24 => Health ==> Heal(24)
26 => Stamina ==> EndMod(26),EndMod(40),EndMod(40)
28 => Hasten ==> Rech(28),Rech(39),Rech(40)
30 => Combat Jumping ==> Jump(30)
32 => Super Jump ==> Jump(32)
35 => Petrifying Gaze ==> Acc(35),Acc(37),Hold(39),Hold(39),Rech(46),Rech(46)
38 => Bitter Freeze Ray ==> Acc(38),Acc(42),Dam(42),Dam(43),Hold(43),Hold(43)
41 => Dark Servant ==> Acc(41),Acc(42),ToHitDeBuff(45)
44 => Shark Skin ==> DamRes(44),DamRes(45)
47 => Spirit Shark Jaws ==> Acc(47),Acc(48),Hold(48),Hold(48)
49 => Summon Coralax ==> Rech(49),Rech(50),Dam(50),Dam(50)
+---------------------------------------------
01 => Sprint ==> Empty(1)
01 => Brawl ==> Empty(1)
02 => Rest ==> Empty(1)

Note:
Its not coralax I have but Hibernate sloted with 2 refresh and 2 heal.
All Enhencements are level 50 48% basic crafted enhencements.

Ever since I13, the PvP crowd has, on the whole, decreed it a total failure and headed out with loud objections.
There are still people there, at least on Union from time to time. RV is where it seems to be at mainly, afaik, although Warburg also had some peeps in it.

Ice/Dark...I have no idea what changed PvP has on it. But yeah, long holds/immobs etc are no longer possible. The trick is, it seems, to not rely to heavily on them.
Your MM might well do better, since MM's are still rather tough Bots/traps here. That Dom might do ok as well, although you just have to see, really.

IOs do seem to help, although not as much as they used to (aparently)

So, it can be hit and miss still, yes.

Quote:

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.

Well i'll start off with saying Dark is all kinds of awesome in PvP when built right. Zonal and arena. Corruptor ice blast is low on damage till scourge kicks in but it's not too low to the point of it being usless... Just means any fights will take a little longer, but no problem.

On to your questions.

1) As said above far from it. Dark is epic in PvP 2.0

2) I would gladly give you a Dark build to look at but i use Mids hero designer not SP's so it wouldn't be much use to you. As for strategy, that's something you'd need to work out yourself. There would be no point in anyone telling you how they play a character as you'll have your own play style which will then result in a new strategy being needed.

3) I would say it was both. The lack of skill will be the main problem but coupled with the fact that you're only running with basic IO's and your left with the reason why you die quick.

It will also depend on what your fighting. A blaster will more than likely steam roll you but a defender or controller would lead to more of an equal fight.

4)In my opinion no MM will be good in zonal PvP. Too much time is spent setting up pets after death which get's very annoying, very quick. Also, just like every AT when your outnumbered you'll go down quick but the MM flaw is if you move out of BG mode your dead anyway, no chance of escape.

As for the 2nd part of this question... A stalker would be best as a team mate for a domi.

5) US servers do have plenty more PvP than the EU but the same can be said for every group of the game. As for the Eu side of things you'll be better off stopping on Union rather than Defiant for PvP as there's loads more things going off.

Union might seem dead but it's far from it. Nothing like it used to be mind but there's always a decent sized PvP fight going off in RV every night and there's also arena fights going off throughout the day.

6) If you find a character you enjoy playing then yes there is. If you invest enough time into your chosen character to learn how to play it well and invest hundreds and hundreds of millions of inf to IO it to the best it can be there would be nothing stopping you from having a "signature" PvP hero or vill depending on you preference.


I'd suggest reading up on the i13 and to some degree i14 PvP changes so you can better understand how everything will work now seeing as you've been away for so long. Then go in game and practice till you've gotten to where you want to be. Take defeats with a pinch of salt but ask yourself "could i have done anything differently then to survive"

Hopefully that way to learning curve won't be too steep.he

One last thing to add is that by having a hero and villain both equipped for PvP is a really good idea so you always have something to use no matter who or what is in the zone so keep at your tank or fender (which ever one was yours)

Any other questions, feel free to ask


Rent.

After that comment, I'm tempted to see how you do VS the Bots/Traps of the in-game Alpha, Rent old chap
Need to dust of my Stalker someday, see if I can still be a right pain in the proverbial's

Quote:

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.

[ QUOTE ]
After that comment, I'm tempted to see how you do VS the Bots/Traps of the in-game Alpha, Rent old chap

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure... Always up for a fight. Though i hope you noticed i said MM's were no good in Zonal not MM's are no good in PvP :P

First of, thanks alot for the replies.

Rent. I'v been farming the boards alot (even when I wasnt playing by the way, I was webmaster for a state administration, you have no idea how long you have to stare at your screen for days doing nothing.)
What I can say of what i'v red about I13 is (feel free to correct me):
1- Holds now last 2 seconds (ehenced to 4 max) for all the non dimo/trollers.
2- Hold/Fear/root/whatsoever_but_knocks(and confuse? I'm confused) offers afterwards a 15 second immunity after they worn off.
3- Long amination attack recieve a damage bonus a short animated attacks a malus. Greater than the damage modifications on the power cooldowns.
4- Stats in general (refresh, defence, recovery, regen, or even healing) are affected but a Dishminuishin gReturn (however you spell it).

Of what I came to the conclusions:
1- My build relies ALOT on holds, whitch are terribly bad at the moment.
I took 4 holds (Freezing Ray, Petrifiying Gaze, Spirit Sharck Jaws-mostly for the -fly and Bitter Freezing Ray).
I definately have to get rid of some. Bitter Freezing Ray is a perfect client. I took it because I thought the damage would be great because of the long animation but it seems it gets no bonus because its a hold and not an "attack".
Petri Gaze is n°2 on suckyness because it has no side effect. And finally I could get rid of Shark Jaw because attacking does drop travel powers anyways (does it drop hover?).
2- Same as 1-, too many CC in my build leads to horrible weakness passed the first 4 seconds. It seems by the way that I should open with Fearsome Stare because fear resistance is less common than Hold (read: Acrobatics).
3- Besides my Bitter Freezing Ray mistake, Ice has extremely fast animations. Ever Bitter Ice Blast under Aim doesnt drop more than like 10% hitpoints of any heroes I'v attacked (even blasters and trollers). I feel the whole pool is totally gimped (It was absolutly amazing back in the time )
4- DR should alow me to beat maybe some of the heroes, or at least to drop them like 40% hp? But i'm really eating up fawless kill, against anyone. Well yeah i'm a complete noob but still.
Anways, I dont know if DR applies to slow effects but it seems I cannot manage to keep ppl into my tar patch, i'm starting to ask myself if these +slow enhencements in Ice attacks arent useless.

Cannot think of everything i'd like to ask.

I'v seen this build on the Corr forum, look PvP. Some things appeels me. He only takes one hold, go for acrobatics AND superspeed (alot of pvp players does it, why?)
http://uk.boards.cityofheroes.com/showfl...e=0#Post1378011

Oh and if anyone can global message me for a few duels so I can understand how to play it be amazing.

Another thing, is there a PvP (or maybe just a big) Vilain Group I shall try to join to play with competent players?


Thx again, Anneke.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
After that comment, I'm tempted to see how you do VS the Bots/Traps of the in-game Alpha, Rent old chap

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure... Always up for a fight. Though i hope you noticed i said MM's were no good in Zonal not MM's are no good in PvP :P

[/ QUOTE ]

Fair point =]
PvP is an almost unhealthy adrenaline high at times, especially fighting people you've never fought. Even under the 0.2 version.

As for builds, I've only just started a Domi, my corruptors tend to languish in the late twenties. The only things I have PvP experience with of any sort is MMs and Stalkers, with a bit of VEAT (mostly failure) added in.

Quote:

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.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
After that comment, I'm tempted to see how you do VS the Bots/Traps of the in-game Alpha, Rent old chap

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure... Always up for a fight. Though i hope you noticed i said MM's were no good in Zonal not MM's are no good in PvP :P

[/ QUOTE ]

You can take a MM in the arena rent - just ignore their cries for 'set up time'.

[ QUOTE ]
In my opinion no MM will be good in zonal PvP. Too much time is spent setting up pets after death which get's very annoying, very quick

[/ QUOTE ]

Rent, You do realize that MM Upgrades do all pets at once now, set up time is quite short. Now u can do it all in about 15 secs. Whilst this could still be annoying for some, its a far cry from the 60+ secs it used to take.

There main problem is mobility, to much mobility causes bad use of BG mode, not enuff causes people to just ignore you in zone. Also looking after pets around the NPC can also be issue.

Aye, i realise the AoE pet buffs are huge improvement from the old ST buff method but i still think it takes too long.

I'm very impatient so it may seem longer to me than it actually is but i know setting up after every death would drive me potty after 2-3 times. Hence my opinion on way MM's aren't good in zonal.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
After that comment, I'm tempted to see how you do VS the Bots/Traps of the in-game Alpha, Rent old chap

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure... Always up for a fight. Though i hope you noticed i said MM's were no good in Zonal not MM's are no good in PvP :P

[/ QUOTE ]

You can take a MM in the arena rent - just ignore their cries for 'set up time'.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, you could agree to 2 fights, one with them fully set up, and one from the moment you're allowed to attack

You can upgrade as soon as you can target one minion even if the others arnt fully summoned so it only takes as long as activating five powers if you target the fastest summoned minion.

I think the biggest problem with MM in zones is folk can just run away and not fight you and if you chase them you leave your damage and survivability behind.

That and good mind/storm controller, I think they could be nasty for MMs.

P.S. If you are looking for a future PvP MM though I think you could do far worse then the upcomming Bots/Thermal. Bots+Power Boost+Debuffs gotta be ok.

Well, I'll be lurking in Warburg tommorow, so if anyone fancies a crack, you're welcome.
If you can SPOT me or not, well...

Quote:

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.

Speaking of whitch, you someone feels like giving me a Thugs/Storm build I'd like to take a look.

If you havnt leveled your thugs/storm yet Id think about nec/storm as you get a self heal with life drain and with snow storm your melee minions can still engage fliers.

Otherwise thug pets (lower level ones 3acc,3dam as they are low level), gang war is ok for some burst and easy to use as it isnt placed. Best storm powers are snow storm (vs fliers), mist for resistances and hurricane for herding pet ATs and debuffing acc.

I think storm is best used offensively, getting in close to your target, so works well with melee minions rather then ranged ones to keep BG mode (keeping zombies in passive perhaps till you need burst).