Warshade Newbie
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
The temptation to pick apart your post for proof my beliefs on Kheld building are correct is "almost" too much, but on this single part I totaly agree.
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"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
I was not doubting the verasity of your post at all, just found your switching builds interesting.
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
Oh, ok... Didn't know that I actually HAD a tri-form build when we had all those discussions before, did 'ya? No, I don't hate tri-form builds... I find them very useful, actually... I also switch to my tri-form build every time I want to do a "guaranteed" hour and a half to 2 hour Posi run... It's *almost* not possible to do a Posi run in that amount of time at that lvl in human form. Nova is a HUGE factor in speed on a Posi. I find that the higher the lvl the TF is (35 or 40+), the more viable a human form becomes for particular situations--for example, I just did an Eden Trial yesterday in my all-human form, and my job was (you're going to hate this) to "tank," since we didn't have the tank on the team. I successfully held the attention of all enemies we faced (including 2 GMs and the Crystal Titan) using Provoke, and I guarantee you I was doing more damage to them while taunting than Dwarf is capable of, due to its limited attacks.
I really am not as dense as you think I am... I just don't believe in slamming others' playstyles, even if you don't find that particular plastyle fun *yourself*.
"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
As i have stated before I do not get into debates much less argue fun. It's pointless.
I do not hate the tanking human form as I believe I suggested it's use to ACTUALLY tank mobs and not just run around letting a lower threat rating and at best moderate damage agro everything as without either a taunt aura or taunt you cannot actually hold agro to yourself and off others unless your actually the most damaging person on the team.
My interest in your post was that it seems there are situations where even you are willing to admit the forms are useful in some situations that a pure human build is as you say "practicly useless".
I have never been in a situation with my Tri-Form where I have felt I should change builds to a human only one because my present build will not be up to the task.
I had no doubt you had at least one Tri-Form Build because your well versed enough in the numbers to know that situations exist where human only will be an excersise in frustration.
And this is why I continue to advise people to go with the forms.
I do have no problems with dual builds, but I find the promotion of human form only while keeping a Tri-Form build in storage for when the rubber meets the road to be a bit..misleading.
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
And yet, you've admitted to situations where a tri-former (nova in particular) might be a bit "overkill."
Personally, I prefer a challenge. This is pretty much the sole reasoning behind loving to play in human form. Because it provides an actual challenge. If I'm on tri-form against a *normal* mob, and not in any difficult task force scenario as I described... It's pretty much "ho-hum." There seems (to me at least) no real danger of death, because "every angle is covered," as it were. Need to do extreme damage? Nova. Need to stun them or hit a Quasar? Human. Need to break a mez or tank? Dwarf. It's just waaaaaay too simple for me.
I come to this MMORPG (first one that's ever really completely held my attention for this long, although I've tried many) from a First-Person-Shooter background. I've got about 280 games in my arsenal (yes, I actually own all of them legitimately...Kept the boxes and everything! haha), and I've always preferred the most fast-paced "ballz to the wall," challenge-oriented playstyle. The game that held my attention for the longest before I got into City of Heroes was Unreal Tournament 2004. Even in THAT game, I began to feel (after a year of playing) that the *normal* gameplay was getting a little boring, even though it's known to be one of the fastest-paced FPS shooters out there. So, what did I do? I found out how to challenge myself to keep me interested in the game. I wound up frequenting the "Capture the Flag Instagib" servers. Instagib, if your'e unfamiliar with the term, refers to "one shot, one kill." This sort of gameplay requires EXTREMELY fast hand-eye coordination and reflexes just to make kills. Now, add to it that everyone isn't just playing "Deathmatch." They're trying to capture a flag and bring it back to their base at the same time.
Now, that's just an example. Back to City of Heroes. Same deal. I've played this game for nearly 4 years, and have made just about every AT you can think of. Although I do enjoy casual TF runs with coalition mates, I'm still the same person I was 5 years ago. I've maintained the same fast-paced mentality, the same "challenge me!" mentality, and the same "A-D-D-like" symptoms. I particularly enjoyed playing tri-forms way back in the day when they were more challenging...
...Now, inherent powers work in the forms too... Nova and dwarf got even MORE damage buffs... and Dwarf breaks mezzes.
Too easy.
So, what's next? You guessed it. Surviving in an all-human form, *almost* all the time.
And, you know what? It's fun. It's holding my attention for the current time being. At least until Going Rogue comes out, and then I can switch sides with him and try him out on all the villain missions...
And, by the way, no matter how many times you say I'm "promoting" human form, it doesn't mean I'm actually sitting there telling people "you should play human." I've never actually said that. You're welcome to peruse every single post I've ever put on these forums. I've never told anyone that. I've maintained that it's a challenge, and that it's extremely fun to play, AND that it's VERY expensive.
So, to say that I am "misleading" people by just relaying the *facts* about how I choose to play, and how I've *personally* been successful, is very much an insult, because that's basically saying "you have no right to post your opinion on the boards, because it's not the way I would play."
Well, I'm sorry to have to let you in on this, but you're not the "be-all, end-all" source for information on Khelds, no matter how much math you can spout off for hours on end. Many of us have had varying *SUCCESSFUL* experiences on playing Khelds MANY different ways, and we're all welcome to share what we know and what we've personally experienced on these boards.
Yourself included.
"The One"
*EDIT*
By the way, since this is the thread I've been postin' my build pics in, I might as well post the pic to my 2nd build...
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
Well, I'm sorry to have to let you in on this, but you're not the "be-all, end-all" source for information on Khelds, no matter how much math you can spout off for hours on end. Many of us have had varying *SUCCESSFUL* experiences on playing Khelds MANY different ways, and we're all welcome to share what we know and what we've personally experienced on these boards.
Yourself included. |
Your always correct in some way shape or form and you continue to throw around your credentials as proof you "know" what is what.
Your good. Your very good, but here is the thing. So am I. I have played longer than you (and I do not believe this matters in any way at all but you posted how long you have been playing so I thought I would point it out), spent "just" as much time on Kheldians as you have and am just as correct as you in my facts. So please remind yourself that you also are not the be-all, end-all of Kheldian affairs (oh and I know your going to say you never claimed to be but neither have I and it didn't stop you either).
I'm rude, I'm arrogant, and I'm annoying. I fully admit that. But seriously, how much of my information was actually incorrect?
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
And yet I have given up ground and conceded points I have had in error. You have not.
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Care to throw anymore lies around?
"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
I was going to post quotes of mine where I have said things like "you have a point but.." or "I'll have to give up ground on this one, although.." and things of this nature, but after rereading the word you used (Lies). I decided I would be wasting my time again and stopped as you didn't address anything I said. You just flat out said I was wrong (and lying)and figured that was good enough.
This however is exactly what I was talking about with your complete and total belief your always right and do not need to explain why. I cannot change that and thats fine, but the more I read of your posts the more I come to believe you really do believe your head and shoulders abouve the rest.
But again, thats just my take on things.
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
Re-read the post for clarity, and you may notice the portion of your quote I bolded.
This is what I said you were lying about.
I maintain my position.
"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
Fair enough, I didn't notice the bolded till after I posted, but in any case I do not remember (and no I do not have perfect memory) any of your posts where you admited error on your part other than the one involving 5x set bonuses (which I seriously couldn't believe you didn't know, because as much as I do not like you, you are very good at this sort of thing).
As such I also stand by my assertion, and infact speculate admitting error in a debate with me might actually kill you.
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
Fair enough, I didn't notice the bolded till after I posted, but in any case I do not remember (and no I do not have perfect memory) any of your posts where you admited error on your part other than the one involving 5x set bonuses (which I seriously couldn't believe you didn't know, because as much as I do not like you, you are very good at this sort of thing).
As such I also stand by my assertion, and infact speculate admitting error in a debate with me might actually kill you. |
Ok, since you asked for it, here's a *partial* list where I conceded to someone else, admitted to not knowing something, or otherwise flat out agreed with someone...
...You can also find this by going through just the first 6 pages of "all posts by AlienOne"... I didn't have the time nor inclination to go through more than 6 pages of all my posts... In fact, I'm not even sure why I feel the need to do this here. I really shouldn't.
8/21
Very informative and accurate post. I could agree with that.
Thanks for your input. |
8/21
Ah, ok... Well, that's a perfectly reasonable argument. You got me there.
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You know, I would have probably been on the naysayers side of the glowing touch issue (I don't have it myself on my PB), but after doing two all-Kheld iTFs recently on my tri-form build WS teamed with a couple bad-*** Human-only PBs who HAD it and managed to save my butt a few times from the brink of death on those TFs....
....I'm kinda likin' it now. I guess you never really fully appreciate a power until you realize its potential. |
You're exactly right. |
8/23
8/23
Oh, it does? I stand corrected. I must have been mistaken...Sorry 'bout that.
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You got me, dammit. :P Actually, I think Nethergoat is pretty much correct in his assumptions |
8/24
8/24
8/24
8/25
8/25
8/25
8/25
8/25
Making a human-only build is a definitive choice for a Kheld, and not one that I go around "preaching" that everyone should do, unless they have the time, energy, influence, and patience for it. And even if one DOES start out with a plan for a human build, I STILL encourage them to grab the other forms as they're leveling up. They can always respec into a human form once they hit 40+, which is where the human forms shine the most.
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8/25 (Probably the one you should pay the closest attention to)
KThat's pretty much word for word what I would have said right there. I'm all for human-only builds, but if this is your first Kheld (and especially your first time lvl'in up a WS), then level it up as a tri-former, and learn that playstyle. It will be the most beneficial and fun to you while leveling up a Kheld, guaranteed.
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No, I don't hate tri-form builds... I find them very useful, actually...
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I think that's pretty much it. We all have the same "end goal" when it comes to making sure inexperienced Khelds get the "best experience" possible from playing their new Kheld... We just go about it in different ways. Neither way is "wrong" per-say...
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As I write this, I've noticed that Darkstar has already given good advice as to what you can do with the "extra" power picks... I would also advise to go with the Medicine pool, as your teammates will thank you for it later (especially in a TF situation--which you'll find I think in terms of quite a bit, since it's what I do more of than anything else in the game).
What Darkstar said. I'm not taking away from their advice for slotting a Kheld at all--they've got some really sound advice regarding tri-form play, which is what you're going for, so I'd definitely listen to them in regards to tri-form slotting. So, point remains... Take my advice at your own peril. |
You're right. I just checked it out. I actually didn't know that--I was always under the impression that the limit was placed on the set itself, and not on the set bonus.
That's pretty helpful to know. |
So, if your assumptions to admitting when wrong are correct...
...I'd already be dead by now.
Feel free to keep this list bookmarked if you need some self-comforting that I am a normal person who can admit to mistakes or agree with people from time to time.
However, like you, when I feel it's necessary to add an opposing viewpoint, ESPECIALLY when it comes to someone knocking human form like it's not even a respectable way to play... I'll feel free to give an opposing viewpoint. And I won't feel the need to "admit wrong," because I know from experience that I'm right.
What have I maintained? Let's review... (Check above quote if you need to make sure)
1. Human-form playing can be fun.
2. Human-form playing can be expensive
3. Human-form playing can be difficult
4. Human-form playing isn't for everyone.
5. First-time Khelds should not play human-form.
Now, while I know that even though I've taken a considerable amount of time to find, condense, and research quite a bit of my previous posts to prove a point, I realize that you'll still feel the need to find something wrong with something I've said, pick it apart, or otherwise completely discard any points I've made... And, since I won't have the time in the future to continually defend myself instead of posting legitimate help for other Khelds who may need it...
...welcome to my ignore list.
"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
Although I was pretty sure you two were going to go down the traditional Romcom route and just end up falling passionately in love with each other instead.
Does this mean an end to the constant bickering in every Kheld thread posted on the boards then? Oh praise the heavens.
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It's taking entirely too much time out of my day to constantly have to defend myself on every single post I make, which is ridiculous.
I've finally decided to put him on ignore and regardless of what poo he chooses to throw around about me personally, I'll remain blissfully ignorant of it.
And the playerbase can decide for themselves who's advice they'd rather take.
"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
Save Ms. Liberty (#5349) � Augmenting Peacebringers � The Umbra Illuminati
My initial urge was a snarky comment, but this is actually probably the best thing to be done as he can continue to make his points and I can continue to raise mine when I believe something is amiss or left out without the bickering between the both of us.
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
No, I simply do not care how skilled or unskilled a player is, if you take the best of one style against the best of another style one will outperform the other because one thing always outperforms another, cars, athletes,bowling styles,.
I really do not care what works best for somebody based on a learned style, I'm looking at what performs best under perfect flawless or totaly unskilled play styles, because otherwise were not analyzing the AT or sets were analyzing individuals. And that will not help anyone. And FYI the picture only shows a solid human build with alot of set bonuses, I could post mine as well if this is going to be a point of reference for the future. |
This is the problem I'm finding with a lot of information in the Kheld forums. almost none of it takes into account a new player with no idea how manage a khled, limited influence to spend on a build, and unrealistic expectations of what "epic" means in regard to CoH vs CoV. CoV Epics ARE an Epic AT, CoH epics have an epic STORYLINE. That distinction is very important and would help a lot of folks new to khelds get a better idea of what to expect.
I am trying to get my own WS off the ground and after persuing this forum for the better part of two days still don't have a very good grasp of what I should be aiming for. I'm honestly most interested in a humanform WS but from what I've been reading, WS kind of suffer in human form...
Anyone have a RECENT guide for the primary Human Form WS that doesn't require unlimited influence to pull off and a good guide on human form tactics? I haven't found a WS guide that isn't six issues old..
I wouldn't actually say suffer (somebody get "The One" oxygen he might faint here.)
as 90% of the game you will do fine in human only land, what the great debate is about (for me), is that remaining 10% of the game where the forms provide options you need in that small portion of the game and "IF" the benifit you get for using the forms in the other 90% is worthwhile.
To me it is, I like being able to finish spawns faster with higher damage and more AOE attacks and being able to tank without fear of status effects from large groups of mobs.
Others believe the shapechanging takes too much time away from the attack chains and that makes up for the difference in damage scaler and is worth having to pop breakfrees now and then.
In the end you will have to decide for yourself because both sides are deeply entrenched in their veiws and cannot even agree on a criteria to establish baseline points to compaire.
In all honesty if you really want a forum to make informed decisions based on numbers and facts, at this point I would reccomend making any other AT and looking into their forums, or barring that find similar powers in other AT sets that do basicly the same thing (Incandecent and KO Blow from SS for example) and use that information from other forums to form opinions on the various powers, as I do not believe you will find the concrete answers your looking for here.
I will also point out (if only for the possibility of finaly causing that stroke I have been hoping for) that Alienone or "The One" is compiling his prefered methods and styles and build advice on human only play and he actually has a pretty good take on that style of play.
Good luck.
If you PL'd to 50 just to get an "epic" thinking you'd be �ber, you're going to be sorely disappointed with the HEATs, because the VEATs were designed so that anyone with one good finger and a braincell can rock the toggles.
The reason the guides haven't been updated is that Kheldians haven't changed very much. They had their damage scalars changed, and their inherent now carries over into the forms, and dwarf form doubles as a break free. Oh, and range increases in the human form ranged attacks. That's it, as far as I can remember. Tactics are still the same. Obsidian is correct though, in saying these boards are not overly number friendly. Kheldians aren't really top of the food scale in terms of performance, and that's usually all numbers people are interested in. Consider this: to achieve peak performance on a Kheldian, you CANNOT fully slot all of your powers...some scrapper builds take powers they never use just as mules for IO sets. Add to that the fact that a simple SO'd Kheldian can achieve the same peak performance level as a purple IO'd out one (but not as frequently, and the IO build needs some fairly IDEAL circumstances to maintain that level), and things get even more ridiculous. That said, Kheldians are incredibly versatile, and offer several play style paths right out of the box, even more when you factor in power pools.
This is the problem I'm finding with a lot of information in the Kheld forums. almost none of it takes into account a new player with no idea how manage a khled, limited influence to spend on a build, and unrealistic expectations of what "epic" means in regard to CoH vs CoV.
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CoV Epics ARE an Epic AT, CoH epics have an epic STORYLINE. That distinction is very important and would help a lot of folks new to khelds get a better idea of what to expect.
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I have never thought 'great we have an SoA!' but I have thought that about Kheldians (Warshades mainly admittedly).
I am trying to get my own WS off the ground and after persuing this forum for the better part of two days still don't have a very good grasp of what I should be aiming for. I'm honestly most interested in a humanform WS but from what I've been reading, WS kind of suffer in human form...
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Your damage will be ok, but you make up for that with the ability to use your controls more often, whereas a tri-former might be in nova and cause more damage but at the expense of control.
Overall damage is king in CoX, which is the main reason lots of us advocate tri-form, but human only Warshades still have enough tricks, and sometimes the team doesn't need that extra damage.
The only real suffering is the lack of mez protection, but that is a playstyle choice you would have to make.
However so people don't think I am a total convert: I still think a tri-former would be at least as good in most situations, and better in some. I just accept that human only is still a valid choice.
Anyone have a RECENT guide for the primary Human Form WS that doesn't require unlimited influence to pull off and a good guide on human form tactics? I haven't found a WS guide that isn't six issues old..
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To actually put some of my own advice in here though: Level up as a tri-former. Pick Nova at 6 (And give it slots!) and Dwarf at 20 (Maybe respec out of Nova when you get Dwarf if you don't like it, but at least get the experience with it - it lets you make an informed decision), then pay close attention to the powers you do use, and those you don't. Too many powers is a Warshades main headache, so find the ones you use most, max them out, then fill in the gaps as well as you can do.
British by act of union, English by grace of God, Northern by pure good fortune!
Just a quick breeze through the posts, and I wanted to throw a thought or two in.
1. Take advantage of dual builds. Start as a triformer, since Nova *does* make life at lower levels less painful (and a lot of fun - head to Perez and self-PL for a while.)
2. Don't look at Essence Drain as "another heal." Look at it as an attack that happens to heal you. (And take advantage of Theft of Essence if youc an - the Accurate Heal set - just to get a mix of Acc and healing if needed.) Balance to your own needs.
3. Don't worry about "needed" IO sets - because, really, none of them are. If you want to tackle a specific area that you really want to see if you can boost up, *then* go after them. (Alternately, they can give a whole new challenge to play - with even more tradeoffs to consider in slotting.)
4. Carry a blue.
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
I just want to remark on the build with Leaderships. I've been looking into an All Kheld STF possibility and came to the conclusion that Leadership is probably worth more than it's weight in Gold so I would remove Provoke for Vengeance for sure. You'd have to do the whole STF in human form but with someone elses Dwarf taking on the Mezzers it'll be great.
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The main reason I changed Vengeance to Provoke was in light of i16's release and the fact that I could spawn a map for 8 heroes without teaming, therefore making the "solo" part of the game a little more appealing to me. At that point, Vengeance didn't seem like a viable power, and since I figured I needed something to keep the 8-man spawns interested in me instead of my pets (to keep them up longer), I decided to switch out Vengeance for Provoke.
In the future, if Devs include more builds (like a 3rd, 4th, and 5th), that would allow VestigeOne to become even more specialized (i.e. solo human-only build, tri-form build, EB/AV test build, teamed up human-only build, ect.)
"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)
In the future, if Devs include more builds (like a 3rd, 4th, and 5th), that would allow VestigeOne to become even more specialized (i.e. solo human-only build, tri-form build, EB/AV test build, teamed up human-only build, ect.)
"The One" |
1) An all round fun PvE build high level.
2) A PvP build/AV soloer or something like that.
3) An all round fun PvE build low level.
4) A special feat geared build, ie a peacebringer with leaderships.
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
That said, I actually play in human form on the STF all the way up until the very last mission (and still have no problems with the big thorn, Dr. Aion, or any other AV)... In fact, I've actually gone inside the "Security Chief" mission and had 3 Security Chiefs down before the rest of the team knew what the heck was going on... Last time I ran it, someone commented "I have a feeling that VestigeOne solos this TF, and he's just letting us tag along this time..." (haha)
However, for the very last mission, I'll switch to my tri-form build (for nova in particular) specifically for the 4 AVs, as my human-only form becomes absolutely useless against GW and Scirroco. I've been on an STF before (and have several people who were on the team who can attest to this) where the tank was taunting Ghost Widow, and suddenly disconnected. The second I saw the "countdown sequence" appear over the tank's head, I switched to dwarf form and started taunting GW myself before she had a chance to target anyone else on the team. Thankfully, the healer was quick on her feet as well, and had several CMs on me in a matter of seconds. By the time the tank was able to get back online, we already had Ghost Widow down. That actually was the MoSTF attempt that got VestigeOne his badge... I've also been in another STF where an Ice Tank simply could not stand up to LR without going down before he could go through an entire taunt animation (was kind of funny to see, actually), so I switched to "tank mode" and taunted LR while the rest of the team (including the humiliated tank) took down the towers.
Sorry, went off on a tangent there.... TONS of stories I could tell about the STF... LOVE that task force! It really has been one of the biggest chances I've had to show "Kheld skeptics" that we really CAN be awesome...
"The One"
76 characters and Twenty-four 50s later, I still love this game.
AlienOne's Human-Form Warshade Guide (Old guide+New guide = 12,000+ views!)