New player wanting some more insight!
By
Aett_Thorn,
Posted on: 2010-03-02 11:02 in Player Questions
First off, welcome to the game and to the forums!
1) Yes, it is easy for new players to get into. Because this game does not focus on the "end game" for content, but spreads it around, it encourages creating "alts" (new characters), and as such, you can find even veteran players on new characters pretty much all the time.
However, this game is unlike many other MMOs, and is very heavily instanced. This means that the majority of the time, the majority of the players aren't out in the world, but in their missions. This can make the game seem fairly empty, when in fact there are a lot of people on. I would strongly recommend that you pick a server, and then head down to the forum for it, and ask to join a few global channel that can help you out. These global channels can be a big help, and with a lot of people in them talking to each other, and often putting teams together.
2) This game focuses more on content throughout the whole game. While there is stuff to do at max level, such as Rikti Ship raids, Hamidon Raids, and some Task Forces, don't focus too much on blowing through the lower-level content, where there are actually some good stories.
Edit -> 3) This game is heavily into PvE, and you will definitely be able to blow away minions and other PvE enemies by the truckload.
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I was just the one with the most unsolicited sombrero." - Traegus
Welcome to the game.
#1. There are lots of people out there of all levels very willing to help new people learn the game just don't be afraid to ask for help.
#2. With Ouroboros you can go back and do all the missions you might have missed, there are numerous task/strike forces, Hami raids, Rikti mothership raids, you can always team up with people of any level to run with higher or lower level friends.
The game for me is more about the journey to 50 and having fun with all the other people out there than being lvl50.
If you are on Justice feel free to give me a shout my global is in my sig.
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Global: @Cinder Spawn
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Welcome to the game!|
Originally Posted by AltaMihan
Hello heroes and villains!
I recently picked up Champions online but was quickly disappointed with the team play in the game, and quite a lot of people pointed me to City Of Heroes. I'd like to ask 2 questions: 1) Is this game easy for new players to get into? Will I encounter players while leveling or is it a wasteland until I reach max level? 2) What is there to do at max level, are there instance runs, or perhaps even full blown raids? Finally, I'm a huge PVE geek so will this game please my urge to play together with like minded people while mowing down the enemies? Hopefully some veterans can give me a good insight at how this game feels and plays as I am really interested but not yet fully convinced if it's worth my time or money. Thanks in advance heroes or villains! |
This game is mostly about the journey than about the end game, so there are usually many players at all levels, and not a huge rush to get to the end game. Some people think the end game is a bit lacking, but there are several raids and task forces to go and experience once you get there, plus we have a 'flashback' system where you can go back and do or re-do content that you missed on the way up there, which you most likely won't be able to complete all of it before some of it is out-leveled. Many players also have dozens of regularly played characters at all levels, which many call alt-itis.
The developers have mentioned that they are working on developing new end-game systems at this point so chances are more is going to be added soon. But if you're just starting out, unless you race to get to level 50, there will be more than enough for you to do. I've been playing for nearly 3 years and still haven't done all of the missions on both the hero and villain side. Soon there will also be the Going Rogue expansion with even more content and things to do.
The game is very very team friendly and most players are very welcoming of new players. I will say the game is heavily instanced so you may not see a ton of people out in the main maps because they are all in instanced missions, but there are still ways to find them.
As far as server populations, Freedom and Virtue are the most populated, with Virtue being the 'unofficial' role-playing server (meaning more people on there tend to get into the role-playing side of it). Infinity (where I play mostly) is pretty good as well. When you log in, the servers are listed with your most recently played server on top, then in the order from lightest load up top to the heaviest load at the bottom.
Don't currently have the links on me, but in the forums there are several collections of things to do at different levels and, as said before, most of the player base is very friendly and more than willing to help you out if asked.
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Depends on the server but yes, you will encounter anywhere from "some" to "lots" of people while levelling. The game is [b]not]focused on reaching max level, and racing to the level cap is a good way to hate yourself and the game. With that in mind, remember that the game is largely instanced so seeing few players in the game overworld means pretty much nothing. Use search, use global channels, ask in your server's forum what global channels to join.|
Originally Posted by AltaMihan
1) Is this game easy for new players to get into? Will I encounter
players while leveling or is it a wasteland until I reach max level? |
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2) What is there to do at max level, are there instance runs, or perhaps even full blown raids? |
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| Finally, I'm a huge PVE geek so will this game please my urge to play together with like minded people while mowing down the enemies? |
Here's the deal: City of Heroes/Villains is not like any MMOs that you've likely played in the past.
- No holy trinity of tank, damage, healer. All the content (except maybe one raid) can be done with literally any combination of archetype. I've run most of the content using teams made up of nothing but glass cannon blasters or melee-types. Healing is merely one of several ways to keep a team alive, and many, including myself, would argue that it's the least effective way.
- No reason to race to level cap. Powerleveling your character is foolish and a waste of time, because you have the opportunity to get rewards (merits, rare drops) while leveling. As mentioned above, most of the content does not require you to be at max level. On my level cap characters, which I play daily, I have not run any content that required me to be over level 35 in weeks. This really is a case where it's the journey, not the destination.
- Alts! Alts are encouraged. Playing the game through as a blaster is very very different than playing as a defender or scrapper or controller or tank. Even changing the powersets you use makes a huge difference. The game is not about making a single main character and some trivial alts. You can, with minimal investment, make every one of your alts awesome and valuable to a team. Plus it's always nice when you are forming a team to be able to fill whatever role you feel like playing.
Welcome to City of Heroes and hope to see you soon!
Thank you for the quick replies.
I'm incredibly happy to hear that the game is not defined by it's max level content, like some other MMO's out there. Being able to do almost all content with a variety of archetypes sounds really good, I have to admit I thought it would be more the traditional approach of tank, healer, dps so hearing the opposite is quite refreshing for me.
I specially like the mentioned "flashback" system, I assume using it will scale up the difficulty of the mission you are currently embarking on towards your level?
It sounds to me like there's a lot to do in this game, and the player base being friendly is a *huge* plus in my opinion.
These replies have convinced me, it seems like it's worth my time.
Thank you and see you in the game!
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Actually, just the opposite. When going back to events further in the past, your character experiences what Ouroboros calls "Temporal Scaling." Your character's body adjusts to being in a new timeline, and your level is temporarily reduced to whatever the particular event you're doing is. You will lose access to any powers you picked up after that point.|
Originally Posted by AltaMihan
I specially like the mentioned "flashback" system, I assume using it will scale up the difficulty of the mission you are currently embarking on towards your level?
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For example, say you picked up your travel power at level 14, when it first becomes available. If you go to a flashback that puts you at level 12, you will no longer but able to use that travel power until you finish the mission and come back out, thus returning to your normal level.
What server are you going to play on? If you join Freedom, you can look me up in-game and I'll help show you around. =3
To this 4/4 beat, I'm in time with you. To this 4/4 beat, I would die for you. Your lovesick melody is going to get the best of me tonight, but you won't get to me 'cause I won't sing.
Just as a note, if you do start before this weekend, its one of their double-xp weekends where a lot of people will be on. Basically you get double xp and money for kills this weekend.
Also, at the moment, it appears that they are about to put out a new patch with is supposed to enable a new, long desired power-set (dual pistols) for some archetypes if you pre-purchase Going Rogue, so likely there will be a LOT of new low level toons to play around with.
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One correction. You would still have access to powers that you chose up to *five* levels above your current reduced level. So if you're in a flashback at level 9, you'll have access to powers that you picked up to level 14. Flashback to level 14, you'll access to powers you picked up to level 19.
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Originally Posted by Staccato
Actually, just the opposite. When going back to events further in the past, your character experiences what Ouroboros calls "Temporal Scaling." Your character's body adjusts to being in a new timeline, and your level is temporarily reduced to whatever the particular event you're doing is. You will lose access to any powers you picked up after that point.
For example, say you picked up your travel power at level 14, when it first becomes available. If you go to a flashback that puts you at level 12, you will no longer but able to use that travel power until you finish the mission and come back out, thus returning to your normal level. |
Global @StarGeek
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Ahh thanks. Didn't know that. I haven't played around much with the Ouroboros system. XD
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Originally Posted by StarGeek
One correction. You would still have access to powers that you chose up to *five* levels above your current reduced level. So if you're in a flashback at level 9, you'll have access to powers that you picked up to level 14. Flashback to level 14, you'll access to powers you picked up to level 19.
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To this 4/4 beat, I'm in time with you. To this 4/4 beat, I would die for you. Your lovesick melody is going to get the best of me tonight, but you won't get to me 'cause I won't sing.
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Originally Posted by Staccato
What server are you going to play on? If you join Freedom, you can look me up in-game and I'll help show you around. =3
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I haven't decided on a server yet, I assume my best choice is between the previously mentioned Freedom or Justice, with one of the two being more of a RP server.
Also want to "Welcome to the game!"
Many of the posters have addressed your original questions. Now its just a matter of jumping in and experiencing the game. From which more questions may soon come to mind. If you hop onto Protector server, feel free to message me and we can the indoctrination started. 
There's a wealth of information available too...
Titan Network -- http://cohtitan.com/
Paragon Wiki -- http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page
Vidiotmaps -- http://www.vidiotmaps.com/
plus many other websites including coh.com (forums), guild portals, personal webpages, etc.
Enjoy!
The Mentor Project - Because we were all new to the game at one time...
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=212083
Quick drive by post.
Welcome to the game.
Note that most missions are instanced. That along with travel powers, base teleporters and other various means of travel to and from those instanced missions, you will not see a lot of players roaming the streets fighting crime. It does give the appearance that there isn't a lot of players in game.
The two most populated servers are Virtue and Freedom in the US.
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Come to Pinnacle!
Bring beer.
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I was just the one with the most unsolicited sombrero." - Traegus
Quote:
If it's RP you are interested in, you might find find more of a home on Virtue. It's been dubbed the "Unofficial Role Playing Server". Its also one of two most highly populated servers at any given time.
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Originally Posted by AltaMihan
I haven't decided on a server yet, I assume my best choice is between the previously mentioned Freedom or Justice, with one of the two being more of a RP server.
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But hide it from Aett if you want any.
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Originally Posted by Aett_Thorn
Come to Pinnacle!
Bring beer. |
total kick to the gut
This is like having Ra's Al Ghul show up at your birthday party.
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Freedom, Virtue or Justice are the top servers, with Virtue being the RP server and Freedom the new PVP server as well. PVP is strictly optional, but all of the pvpers consolidated there.|
Originally Posted by AltaMihan
I haven't decided on a server yet, I assume my best choice is between the previously mentioned Freedom or Justice, with one of the two being more of a RP server.
|
There's plenty of PvE content, plus (and I'm surprised no one mentioned this) there's the Mission Architect, which houses player-made content. While most of the game is soloable, teaming develops true synergies that make combat phenomenal. There are missions that are just fun (for examnple, Frostfire in the hollows) which you can play again and again with different team compositions and have totally different experiences.
Difficulty level settings vary. There's your typical level 1-54 baddies. In your instanced missions, you can set the difficulty to be anywhere from -1 to +8 your level. Then there's sidekicking and some event-scaling code that is balanced for level 30 content. While the former 2 are self-explanatory, the latter two, not so much.
Sidekicking basically scales up (or down) everyone in the team to the leader's or the mission holder's level. If you scale down, you get the level you're at + 5 levels worth of powers. This scaling is used in the flashback system as mentioned previously. Event-scaling code sounds a bit wierd but here's an example: every so often there is an alien invasion of a zone and the aliens can be attacked by anyone, conning within range regardless if you're levels 50, 30 or level 1. Of course, the higher levels will be far more effective given the breadth powers and slotting enhancements but anyone can take part.
Finally, when you do hop into the game, don't be afraid to tell people you're new (although the vets will likely be looking at your badges and figuring that out too ; ' ). Still, you'll find many people will offer to help you out and familiarize you with the game if you do introduce yourself.
Welcome to the game! ( ' :
@Texarkana
@Thexder
So i just finished installing the game, and will currently be fooling around on the Freedom server. My character's name (and oh gosh the options for customization..) is Aletaria!
Thanks again for all the replies!
Welcome to the game and the forums!
Just wanted to second, third, and fourth suggestions to lean heavily on the Vet players when getting started (Global Channels are great for seeking assistance).
This game, more than any other I've seen, has a long, rich history of Vets "paying it forward" in terms of taking polite, eager newbs such as yourself under their wings, showing them the ropes, Gifting them some startup Influence/Infamy (the in-game form of $), and answering any questions/concerns they may have.
This is precisely what happened to me, many moons ago, and I now practice it myself, and see and hear about it (in-game and on these forums) ALL the time.
NEVER be reluctant to reach out for help, advice, or assistance. If you do it in a pleasant, polite way (as you've proven yourself capable), you will be richly rewarded, and will then find great fulfillment in behaving in the very same fashion, down the road.
Best of luck! If you find yourself on Freedom server, please look me up, using my Global name found below. 
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Yes, yes, no. Not only will you encounter both new and experienced characters across the level range, unlike most games, differing levels are not an impediment to teaming. If you're level 8 and I'm level 40 and want to join you for your missions, the teaming system will automatically scale me down to level 8 but I can still earn normal rewards, including XP. Or we can do it the other way around and the system will temporarily raise you to level 39 to do my level 40 missions.|
Originally Posted by AltaMihan
1) Is this game easy for new players to get into? Will I encounter players while leveling or is it a wasteland until I reach max level?
|
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| 2) What is there to do at max level, are there instance runs, or perhaps even full blown raids? |
Quote:
| Finally, I'm a huge PVE geek so will this game please my urge to play together with like minded people while mowing down the enemies? |
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
Quote:
Of course, you CAN play that way. And many people do, particularly those coming over from games that are set up that way. It's what they're accustomed to and they stick with it.|
Originally Posted by AltaMihan
Being able to do almost all content with a variety of archetypes sounds really good, I have to admit I thought it would be more the traditional approach of tank, healer, dps so hearing the opposite is quite refreshing for me.
|
Or, you can take other routes. A team of all tanks is pretty much indestructible. In this game, 'healer' is just one sub-category of 'defender'. Some defenders heal, some make it harder for the enemies to hit you, some make you do more damage more often (yes, they can boost your damage AND make your attacks recharge faster). In fact, a team of all defenders is really really nasty. You can also go 'all damage' and nothing will live long enough to hurt you. Lots of variety here.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
Hello heroes and villains!
I recently picked up Champions online but was quickly disappointed
with the team play in the game, and quite a lot of people pointed me
to City Of Heroes.
I'd like to ask 2 questions:
1) Is this game easy for new players to get into? Will I encounter
players while leveling or is it a wasteland until I reach max level?
2) What is there to do at max level, are there instance runs, or perhaps
even full blown raids?
Finally, I'm a huge PVE geek so will this game please my urge to play together with like minded people while mowing down the enemies?
Hopefully some veterans can give me a good insight at how this game feels and plays as I am really interested but not yet fully convinced if it's worth my time or money.
Thanks in advance heroes or villains!