Mission Architect Handyman

*dusts off thread*

Still available for those who are interested. My only request is that you not run Illpracticed Malpractice since it's not updated.

I've got a slightly different help request.

I've been working on two of my arcs that are intended to play as a two-parter, and trying to make them work sufficiently by themselves that if you're just going to do one it doesn't feel like a letdown or a perversely-fast escalation. I've done what I can, but the problem with me lookign at these things is I've spent so many hours on them that I can't look at either one and not automatically work it into the other.

Any commentary on difficulty would also be helpful, because the few characters I have at this level range are either hilariously anaemic or absurdly powerful, giving me no useful feedback.

Operation Oedipus: Glory of our Empire - 372767

or

Operation Oedipus: Day of Infamy - 439295

Either would be very helpful, but the first is probably closest to single-arc functional.

I'll gladly run both if you run two of mine.

Ooh, let me know what you think of 438445. Be sure to read the text at the end though. Kind of a big part. I'll see what I ca do about running a few of yours, they sound interesting.

'Ey there,

I'd like the handyman-ification of arc #445456 (Tales from a Scorched Earth - Kali's Scythe) if possible. It's about 98% done (last mission needs a bit 'more stuff') and I'm at the "hm, this is almost complete, I wonder how I could improve it before releasing it into the wild" point. All feedback is welcome!

The arc is actually the first part of a 'semi-series', a set of loosely connected arcs built around the Scorched Earth post-apocalyptic setting. They are not meant to be an arc series though, so each one needs to work on its own as well.


Thanks in advance,

-- Z.

Operation Oedipus: Glory of our Empire gave me some interesting thought processes.

Overview

Ah, Malta. Sad to say, that may doom your arcs popularity in it's own right. It's a shame since it is a decently written story. However, there are some things here and there. First is the contact. In a lot of ways anonymous drops and such seems very much like what would be done when combatting Malta. Plus, the arc does have the player a little questioning of the contact's actions so if you're willing to RP it (gasp! in a MMORPG? BLASPHEMY!) it fits. At the same time other players may view it as:

Contact: Psst, hey hero. You hate Malta, right?
Player: RAWR, detestable scum!
Contact: Well, I got this super secret plan that will totally mess them up.
Player: Aw yeah, IT'S CRIME FIGHTING TIME!!!

You handle it better than that but some people are very picky about contact relations. BTW, your contact has a logic error. The Complex gadget clue mentions Kings Row while the contact is Locker 27, Atlas Park

Concerning your ambushes....

well...

...the last time I had to fight that many Titans was Master Koga's Agent Six Task Force. That is potentially one of the hardest completable arcs in the MA and Malta actually wasn't the hardest thing in the arc. The ambush waves could potentially be fun but be wary about that. Doubly so since you have a few all Sapper ambushes. Makes perfect sense for the story but runs the risk of ragequit. I think you've got them set to Medium or Hard. I'd argue bumping them down one notch in size. Also, that final map feels too long though it could be due to fighting Malta while dragging a lowbie along for the ride.

Mission 4 has a runner. I'm on the fence since it makes sense and I feel CoH needs more scripted runners. At the same time, people may react negatively.

Mission 4 completes rather than requiring the lead-to. I think he needs a surrounding spawn for it to work. Just have him "order" the men to attack. On that note, you may want to make him non-combat. Slightly immersion breaking for the guy trying to infiltrate Malta to start going all Crime Fighting Time upside their head. Also, "Fake Malta" would probably be better as "Malta Infiltrator" or even just Malta but that's a nitpick.

The first floor of the first mission could stand to have a patrol or some sort of dialogue so it isn't so dry. I find it funny the police arrived late to the action... >_>

In the end, I feel you did succeed on making this work as a standalone arc.

Spelling/Grammar

-Mission 1 intro

"neighbour"

For your native language this isn't a typo. Just noting that since I'm American. You can probably keep it but just noting it.

-Mission 3

8 Plant the demolition charges!, 2 Erase the databases!, 4 Destroy the Titan components, Defeat the Malta commander!

A bit of a formatting problem and you sometimes see this with dev content sadly. Consider rewording your plural objective text to (number auto inserted due to the system...) Demolition charges to plant!, Databases to erase!, etc

NPC "Take them out!"

I was still solo during this part of the arc though I think it happens more than once. Consider rewording to

Take $himher out!

Broken Prisoner bio
You think you've seen this girl before. In fact, she looks just like the hero you saw captured on that What was Malta doing to her in all that time?

I believe something got cut off here. AE will occasionally chew up your text when typing quickly.

Mission 5

6 Demolition charges, Activate the base lockdown!, Destroy the hard-copy blueprints!, Take out the Sapper Plant commander!, 2 Take out the main database

Same problem as above

My arc needing review is "Trading Blood for Roses", #161399. I have tested it solo and with teams of 4 and of 8.

The combat can get to be hot and heavy late in the arc. The idea is, after all, that you end up taking on a Council project head-on.

Save a CoH player from Arachnos! was interesting to say the least.

Overview

The main issue with the arc is that it is simultaneously goofy humor and full tilt serious business in the story. I was rather conflicted when I ran it on how I was supposed to view it and react. I will say that it's not impossible to pull off. You might want to watch the movie Life with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence on how it can work to handle both though it'll be different for everyone viewing the movie or your arc.

I have to wonder if it would be better to have the dramatic reveal much earlier in the arc so that it could be interwoven a bit better. Or at least it wouldn't seem like such a heavy drop in the end. I think this is where I got the most conflicted on how to view the arc so maybe you just need another pair of eyes to look at it.

Couldn't see any major mechanical errors. The glowie in the first mission lacked a time. The mission 3 version of James lacked a bio while Charles and the slave shared one. No clues and the time Portal destructable lacked a bio.

Also, the gun holding emote lacked guns. I don't think this one is your fault at all because I found a similar quirk with an arc I'm writing. Needs testing to see if it's a one off problem or needs to be reported as a bug.

Spelling/Grammar

Arc description

Arachnos has gone back in time to prevent two slaves, one of them being my great-grandfather, from being freed, all because I won too many missions against them. I had no idea they were real! You've got to help me!

This seems like a run-on sentence. Consider changing to

Arachnos has gone back in time to prevent two slaves, one of them being my great-grandfather, from being freed. All because I won too many missions against them. I had no idea they were real! You've got to help me!

OR

Arachnos has gone back in time to prevent two slaves, one of them being my great-grandfather, from being freed...all because I won too many missions against them. I had no idea they were real! You've got to help me!

For Tales from a Scorched Earth - Kali's Scythe I must say how dare you insert your post apocalyptic roleplay in my holographic entertainment complex!

Oh wait...

Overview

It's an interesting premise that seems to be setup well. The maps make perfect sense though one caught me by surprise simply due to my own perceptions and it was immediately cleared up.

I'm not as knowledgeable about the canon as some but I'm slightly curious on "I don't think even the most fanatical Rikti would choose to destroy all life on Earth. They want to conquer, not destroy." I was under the impression that they didn't really want to conquer, they just wanted to bust heads because [spoilername] sent [spoiler] to their homeworld and got them in retaliation mode. Then again, it it would also depend on when your event happened since Borea might not know the reveal and thus have her own perceptions.

The boss clue for mission 3 should be rearranged so that it is last in the list, this can be done with drag and drop in the mission list. Adding a <BR> tag will add a line break to clean up your objectives but it may take some rearranging to get things how you want.

Sort of minor but Lt Neville didn't exit upon lead out.

Spelling/Grammar

I didn't see any but having someone else look over it won't hurt.

Played and Rated: Dhahabu Kingdom and the Indelible Curse of Hate: #367872

Top notch arc, just found one spelling error, and something Im fairly sure you can't even control, the contact's face image in the dialogue box does not match the color of your custom NPC contact.

Can I take a rain check on reviewing my own arc though? It's not quite ready yet.

Hey, thanks for reviewing the arc! Glad to hear ya liked it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zamuel I'm not as knowledgeable about the canon as some but I'm slightly curious on "I don't think even the most fanatical Rikti would choose to destroy all life on Earth. They want to conquer, not destroy." I was under the impression that they didn't really want to conquer, they just wanted to bust heads because [spoilername] sent [spoiler] to their homeworld and got them in retaliation mode. Then again, it it would also depend on when your event happened since Borea might not know the reveal and thus have her own perceptions.

I am a bit uncertain about this too. However AFAIK the Rikti don't have a real reason to completely burninate / destroy our homeworld... maybe I'll just have Borea say that instead.

Quote:

The boss clue for mission 3 should be rearranged so that it is last in the list, this can be done with drag and drop in the mission list. Adding a <BR> tag will add a line break to clean up your objectives but it may take some rearranging to get things how you want.

Good call on the objective lines. If you mean the clue you get after rescuing Neville in M3, you're right that it should be the last in the list -- I'll fix it.

Quote:

Spelling/Grammar I didn't see any but having someone else look over it won't hurt.

My secret weapon is a SGmate who is a professional editor / proofreader IRL. She also has a heart of gold and wades through my worst run-on sentences like a champ. (If you are reading this, please don't kill me *cower* )

Thanks again. I think I'll be back in this thread soon... with another arc! *cue ominous music*


-- Z.

Could you give mine a shot? 452196 If you can PM me the critique that would be grand (I tend to loose track of my posts on here sometimes)

I will play yours this evening after my numina tf

btw mine is a Rogue alignment, best started/played with a villain for best flavour (I'm Canadian that's how I spell)

Trading Blood for Roses is enjoyable but has a few quirks that bear checking out.

Overview

This is a 1-54 arc. While you use Council, one of the 4 enemy groups that you can actually do that with, you also use customs that no level 1 character stands a chance against. Considering this is a Striga arc, limiting it to a range in the upper 20s or low 30s would make more sense. Also, the arc is listed as Neutral when it's pretty blatant that you're working for the good guys.

I must say, I have a hard time taking normal enemies seriously if they have Dual Pistols. Nothing I'd mark an arc down for but just a personal thing. For generic minions, you can actually use Thugs with no henchmen without worries about xp loss though this isn't needed. In theory you could use recolored Loyalists for the secretarial staff but I think they have questionably low xp.

I don't remember any specific part of canon where the Council are stated to be overtly sexist. Sort of doubly notable since one of their leaders is a woman.

The emote on the Mission 1 boss seemed a little weird. Likewise, the generic punch fist emote looked funny on Liberty's Edge since the sword was clipping through her. Menace might be better for her while clipboard or one of the talking emotes might be better for the first boss.

The difficulty was mostly okay for middle and upper levels barring two issues. First, the SR EB in mission 4 was frustrating due to the difficulty in hitting him despite yellows. The saving grace was his lack of status protection. The difficulty was exasperated by the sizable ambushes. I guess as a disclaimer, I was on my Stalker since it is the only one of my two 50s. I respect the challenge but I don't think both the large ambushes and SR are needed.

Second issue is that the final boss is AV class but a runner in an office map with an elevator. It's one of those things that I'm on the fence about. I feel the game should actually have far more runners but Purple Triangles make AVs far harder to actually stop. I had to run the arc twice in order to beat it, though it was partially my own fault since I deliberately avoided one of my allies on the first pass. Luckily, I had a nice Warburg surprise waiting on him. Something to note with this is that I had no problems with Liberty's Edge running.

Spelling/Grammar

There's a number of places where your interact bar for your glowies have the word starting with a lowercase such as "downloading"

-Mission 2 objective

Rescue last janitor

should be

Rescue the last janitor.

A few other objectives may need a once over for the wording.

-Mission 3 bio

Liberty's Edge has a really short bio. However, the Mission 5 version has a full bio that would make sense porting over.

-Mission 5 intro
"We think he's the mastermind behind anything that's going on."

should probably be

"We think he's the mastermind behind everything that's going on."

The title for the end of mission clue is too long. It actually clips the box without any word wrap.

Awesome service for you to offer, Zamuel. I see a great deal of thoughtful and constructive advice.

While I am getting great feedback from a couple of my friends, the RP group I'm making an arc for will likely be running it full team.

What I will likely need when I do finally complete my arc, is a test run by a full team most of whom should be max-level with a variety of builds (IO/genIO/SO.) Is that something you could pull together?

I can try to see who all I can threaten/bribe to help out.

Thanks for the feedback.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zamuel Dr. Eva Lone's betrayal fits her but there's a critical gameplay error. While I and several others probably won't cheat and use Ouro to avoid the Find Mission Exit, the arc's intention of fighting her and the other spawns can be broken simply by dying. Standard lab maps lack jail code so if you die you have to hosp or wait for an ally rez. Since you are fighting Crey in this mission, it is unlikely that one of the few maps with working jail code (Arachnos, Council, 5th Column) will suit you. On that note, the last time I checked the Longbow maps that SHOULD have working jails are still bugged. Also, you might want to rearrange the order of the clues so that they fit spawn order.

This is kind of by design. I've intentionally made the mission "complete" before Eva's betrayal, but by making it "Find Mission Exit", even if someone just sped ahead and ditched her, when they're leaving they should bump into her as well. There are two additional spawns but they're also optional, so the intended "result" would be one of two things:

• That either Eva successfully betrays you, and you have to hosp it out and thus can't just go back in and retake your revenge.
  
• You successfully defeat Eva, and then bump into the follow up crews.

The reason for Eva NOT being required to defeat is because she can be an outright -pain- depending on how the MA decides to spawn her and your powerset of choice. If we had access to "conditional" spawns, I'd love to have Eva, DS, and C, show up in the final mission if you don't defeat them in the first, but we don't, and I didn't want to over saturate things.

Quote:

Both Mission 2 and 4 require you to defeat all of Comrade's spawn when it would make more sense to only require Comrade himself. Also have to give you a thumbs up on the repurposed enemies you used to represent Comrade's personal army.

That's mildly annoying and not working as intended and will be fixed. (I've corrected it twice already, something keeps forcing it to default back.)

Quote:

For Bad Penny in Mission 3 and Comrade himself in Mission 4, you have them speak their emotes out loud. It doesn't give the effect I think you're going for. Bad Penny's would make more sense as a defeat clue while Comrade's could be done with gloating exposition. "You see this? I press this button and -insert threat here-"

Bad old RP habit. Guess it doesn't faze me because I'm used to it, but I'll see about updating it.

Quote:

You mention the Hero Corps offices but then you have Comrade elsewhere in a nearby warehouse. Comrade is the type to be there in the midst of the threat though he does have an escape plan. I wonder if using the Freedom Corp warehouse could be a decent enough thematic fit. There's two of them and they're pretty linear in structure.

Yeah, this is the one that's still annoying me, I'm debating re-doing the entire mission. Initially, it was in an office building, had bombs, and hostages that you rescued, then they collapsed suddenly, with you having to choose later to pursue Comrade or find an antidote. Instead, the hostages fell down, got back up again, fell down, got back up again, and then immediately spazzed out and ran for an exit. So I wound up doing the "Villain at site A, Hostages at site B" choice.

Quote:

One thing that mildly bugs me is Comrade's actual escape plan though sadly it might not be solvable with how the MA is currently setup. You can stop Comrade for good but people die or get the cure but let Comrade free. While it probably "works" it just feels...cliche. Also, in being genre savvy you don't know if he'd truly keep his word. A better option would be a timer to rescue the people who are poisoned or taking the option to fight Comrade. Still mildly cliche but it is a better example of heroically saving people versus getting revenge on Comrade himself. It may take a small bit of rewriting but it might be a viable option. Plus, the timer could be used for the victory/failure condition.

Oh, in an ideal world, I'd have a pop up appear when you encounter Comrade with the "Rogue or Hero" choice, or, having the option to ignore Comrade while you go save the hostages physically, but with MA, it's not possible, sadly. This set up was really the only way I could utilize any form of "choice" mechanic, because if I used a timer, people were able to power through and do both, and then I could not also use the Mission Fail dialogue to present an "alternate ending" for your choice.

While it is a huge cliche, the alternative of the plucky hero powering through and winning the no-win scenario isn't much better.

Typo's have been corrected, thanks for the catch, and the other things I'll have to consider,

Hey, Zamuel, I've been looking for some feedback on the arc I finished the other day. So I figured why not ask you for some.

The arc in question is 'Your Blue Collar Nemesis' Arc ID 455005. Synopsis is in my sig.

Do you have any Sci-Fi/Horror arcs since you want people to play through one of yours with a similar style first?

Edit: It's pretty much my first arc, except for a short test one I threw together during a free weekend a few years back.

Edit x2: Oh, and a pre-emptive issue. The names a bit of a misnomer, Nemesis is not actually involved in the arc. It was just the most appropriate descriptor, I believe.

thank you. The "more" would be actually having the alignment choices and interactive text (like click on buddy he monologues then you kick his butt) put into the Mission architect. I know that much. Trust me, if I had that toy I would make that arc shine so bright...but alas, all I have is a shamwow instead of a buffing pad.

I'll fix those typos. And the Accent. Well he is from the 5th's dimension.. >.>

About the Zoo security..I tried to have EM but people complained, I can't really find a good secondary for something like that..and the security forces cut off at a certain level. I'll look into it though. I don't want to add tohit to them because defense based toons QQ You get the idea

Will fix the "Monkey" references

Ok, I dropped the Webnade from both the minion and LT Zoo security force and replaced it with Willpower's Quick Recovery. That way no one can really QQ hard. >.>