OMG, how do I play this game? O.o

Hey everyone.

So, yeah. I joined CoH three months ago, when the AE/slammer craze was at the height of its powers. I wasn't really familiar with it for the first month -- I leveled my first character to 32 largely solo, doing paper missions.

Then, peer pressure. I have to admit, being able to fully realize various powerset combinations with easysauce XP wasn't a bad experience. I wasn't exactly -enriching-, but it was a fun indulgence.

Thank god it's over.

Now that it is, I realize that I have absolutely no idea what to do with my in-game time. I'm on hero side now, for the most part, but I've no idea how to get involved in task forces, where to hang out to find level 50 teams to do cool stuff, how to go about making influence and getting recipes outside of AE, etc. The list goes on.

So, my fellow virtuers -- help me out here. Please?

I'll even tank for you. Pick your poison. Shield defense? Dark armor? Willpower? Futa? Okay, I won't do futa, but seriously, give me a hand. AE farming broke my rudder.

My recommendation is that you start a new character and play through the dev content (and maybe an occasional good AE arc) all over, so you can learn the ropes (or re-learn).

Of course, eventually someone will be by plugging the global channels like VU2009, but the leveling process isn't just a "grind" of getting XP and levels, but the training period that teaches you how to play that specific character, what works and what doesn't work for both you and the powersets you've chosen. A PLed 50 (however it was PLed) is going to show its stripes, and it will be extremely difficult to learn what your limits are and aren't without the training period of the lower levels that slowly ease you into them.

You might be able to redeem that character you played to 32 yourself, but it's going to be a long hard grind learning the limits, foibles and strengths of your other 50s, I think. You might start by seeing how far you can push your difficulty settings with them solo, and should definitely play them for several weeks before you try to find a "Master" run of anything, for both your sake and that of the badgers.

Well, in my defense, I do know how to play the characters. On red side I did everything from patron arcs (at the appropriate levels, not grayed out) to treespec task forces to the occasional contact story arc. Not exactly end-game stuff for hardcore heroes, but learning the game mechanically isn't the problem. That's not the impression I meant to give in my post. I did have enough presence of mind to do proper game content every so often to test my characters against something other than massive alpha smashing damage. XD

So the issue is really -what- to do, if that makes sense.

That said, I am leveling a couple of characters in what appears to be the old fashioned way. although I have to tell you, soloing or even duoing dev content as, say, a blaster or a defender seems like an exercise in futility -- and mostly what I see are LFMs for radio/paper teams.

Task forces are given by special contacts around the city. You need at least 4 people for most, but generally 8 is best. VU2009 is a good place to find people organizing them.

As for just general teaming and such, Peregrine Island is the 50 homeland. But they can be anywhere really. You can do radio missions and get contacts there. Also Crimerora, Oroborous and the War Zone all have things to do and task forces for high levels.

But, as an old hand at tanking I would say start with small teams and make sure you are up to tanking on a TF before trying the more difficult ones. It's more complicated than you might think. It's not brain surgery but at the same time if you are stuck on a TF and cannot keep your team alive it makes for an unpleasant time.

Hey Doc, you will soon realize the best thing about this game is the Social element. From a player thats been on here for 4+ years, its not the mechanics or the content ... just the people. Hit me up anytime you see me, global @XeroCurve.

Xero has a great point there. It's not gameplay but people that makes for a good experience really. Make friends here and on the channels and then team with them and you will find the game much more rewarding.

Thanks for the input, guys. Sorry it's taken me a couple days to get back here.

A couple hours after posting this thread, I found out about the Virtue LFG Alpha channel, which proved fruitful five minutes after I joined it -- I then got invited to a Statesman Task Force team. That was a lot of fun. I had no idea there were complex encounters like that in this game.

(I TANKED LORD RECLUSE 8D)

I spent that evening doing high-level radio missions in Peregrine Island on Fedor's advice. Made some good cash, and it was varied and decidedly un-AE-like.

Been having a lot more fun since. Thanks for the advice, those of you that gave it.

Heh, there is nothing quite like standing toe to toe with Recluse as a tank. Holding your ground against the top villain in the game is always fun. Glad you had the chance to experience it.

It's been suggested already, but allow a 5 year vet to offer his 2 inf.

An acquaintance of mine did something similar, but it was before paper missions so he did a lot of farming and lost interest in the game after his one toon hit 50.

Start from level 1 for whatever side, red or blue. Play Outbreak or the redside equivalent and go through the content, one contact at a time. CoH & CoV both have rich stories embedded into them that make you more heroic or more villainous. (I especially recommend Peter Themari (sp?) and Westin Phipps for a more villainside feel)

If you play blueside, head for Faultline at about 15 or 16 when you get Jim Temblor for your first contact there and play it completely through all the arcs at the appropriate levels. In my humble opinion, that is by far the very best set of storyarcs concocted. I still get all choked up when I rescue Penny's dad.

Take the time out for the original TFs (with the members of the Freedom Phalanx as the starting contacts); at most they take maybe four hours each.

Someone mentioned social interaction; by far, that is one of CoH's best draws to the game. It's so easy to meet people and get to know them. I'd avoid Atlas Park and Pocket D, however. But that's my opinion. :-)

Above all, take your time. If you don't feel like playing 'x' character, switch to a different one or start a new one. :-) Become afflicted with altitis! Get into a Supergroup.

And we have some cool stuff coming with Halloween and Winter Holidays coming. Trick or Treating! Skiing! Candy Canes!

Good luck out there!