Should I come back?

Hey all! After checking out the Going Rogue expansion, I've suddenly become interested with CoH/V again. I've joined/left about 3 times (so this would be my 4th). But before I consider re-joining, I would like to know a few things.

1. How long does it (on average) take to get to level 50? Say I play a little more often than casual (i'd say 2-3 hours a day, maybe more)

2. What is there to do at 50?

3. How good is PvP?

4. Are there any servers I should avoid?

So thanks for any/all help!

P.S. Feel free to talk about anything that might help me bring me back here!

1. If I'm not mistaken my last L50 needed ~400 hours of casual play (no PLing, some TFs, often had "rested xp").

2. With the supersidekicking feature it's easier than ever to exemplar down, so there's always stuff you can do. However, there's almost zero end game content. The devs work on this but it will take some time. GR is supposed to introduce the first level of the new Incarnate system which is at least part of the new end game content.

3. Not good.

4. No, but I would prefer a more populated server like Virtue.

5. Currently we're still experiencing problems that came with I17. It seems that the more populated servers (Virtue and Freedom) are a lot more fragile than they used to be. The market was "improved" like they "improved" PvP a while ago - but this is in part opinion, of course (and PvP got hit harder). Plus some bugs here and there.

If you come back I would recommend to start with monthly paying.

I guess I'll take a shot at your questions. =P

1. I can't give you an exact time, but it's not nearly as long as other games. For an hour a day, I would estimate about one or two months if you work at it. Obviously, it can take longer if you suffer from Altitis, but that's a different matter altogether. If you regularly complete missions and run task forces from time-to-time, it can go by fairly quickly. If you team-up a lot with other players, it can significantly reduce the time it takes.

2. While the game isn't about getting to level 50, there's a bit of fun stuff you can do when you get there. There's the Statesman Task force, the Lord Recluse strike force, Rikti Mothership raids, Hamidon Raids, and a couple other things. There's the Reichsman task force, but that's not very popular. Also, Ouroboros is a very fun place to go if you're level 50, since it lets you go back and play all the story arcs you may have missed. There are tons of badges associated with it, so my inner badge-hunter rejoices at that. =P

But really, the game is all about the journey, and not the destination. There's tons of fun stuff to do at any level, unlike other games where all the good stuff is at level 1,000,000 or something. Don't try and rush to 50, just take your time and enjoy the scenery. =P

3. Unfortunately, PvP is near-death as the changes in Issue 13 made most of the PvP'ers leave. If you really want to PvP, there's some occasional action on Freedom at night, but that's the most we've got. I don't know about other servers, but I've heard that PvP is dead on most of them. If you really want to PvP, then Freedom is your server choice.

4. While some servers have different "personalities" associated with them, they are all the same game. Go to the different server boards here on the forums, ask around, introduce yourself. Plus, there's nothing restricting you from making characters on multiple servers. Currently, I have characters on Freedom, Virtue, Guardian, and Pinnacle. Make some characters on different servers and find the one that's best for you! =P

I would say this is a good time to come back if you're thinking about doing so, since Going Rogue is just around the corner. I don't know when you left, so I can't really lure you in with any new goodies that have been added after you left. =P

Hope this helps!

P.S. If you need any other info, Paragon Wiki is a great place to get all your info, if you didn't already know about it. =D

I will add that there really isn't all that great of a need to get to 50 anymore. They reduced the requirements for the epic archtypes, (Warshade and Peacebringer, blue side) and (Widows and Crabs, red side) down to level 20.

With the way autosidekicking and exemplaring has been changed, you dont need to worry about the teams level or your level, as much. Teaming is super easy now. Just find a group you like and friend them and have fun.

My first 50 since returning back has 174 hours played on it and a fair number of those have been after hitting 50. That's without PL, and constant teaming for Radio Missions, Arcs and TF's. Everything was new and shiny to me when returning as i hadn't played for so long so i imagine that if it's not been too long since you've played you'll be more used to what's in the game than i was and take less time. I'm at 97 hours played on my current toon at 48.

Over the past couple of years, the adjustments to the XP scaling have made it almost TOO fast for me these days. I can't seem to join an in-level TF without jumping 4-5 levels (well, the lower end ones, anyway).

LEGION OF VALOR - Be a part of the Legend!

Sure you should! The game is loads of fun and with Going Rogue around the corner it should get even better. Apparently some of Going Rogue is new End Game content. Okay sure PvP is a joke but there's plenty to do otherwise. Welcome back and hope you have fun.

(1) Stick with an Active Server like Freedom or Virtue

(2) Play with a team of hard core players, lvling on a team or in a Taskforce's will get you to 50 fast.

(3) Going Rogue and Issue 17 going bring out more Unique maps and Story Arc meaning more better Xp.

(4) 4 more Power sets, every Power Set gets a new power.

(5) More Costumes

1. All servers are active, it is perception that is key..try all servers you do not know which one you will like.

2. Join a global channel for TF/team building, great way to meet people, and level quick if you want to do that..not like it is hard.

3. With GoRo coming soon you will see a new side of the game, in Praetoria, and bring you vill/hero on either side you want, with more lvl 50 stuff in the pipes.

4. Issue 19 Incarnates 'nuff said.

5. PVP is on freedom. It has a good community there, and building another test ladder so PVP is there, but it is still a work in progress.

1) I just came back from an extreme "AFK" myself and find myself leveling a lot faster than I used to. I play for about 2-3 hours every night and usually gain a level or two in that time period. At the very least, you make marked progress.

2) I agree with others that it isn't all about 'being 50' as much as the journey in getting there. That said, while there isn't any 'ongoing end-game' like in many other games there is still plenty to do. One of the great things about the game is the replayability through different power sets and even different slotting/power selections within the same sets.

3) I don't really enjoy the PvP in CoX, but you might. I'm not going to tell you "it sucks" or anything like that. Give it a shot, maybe hook up with a pro beforehand so they can show you the ropes.

4) Every server has its own 'flavor'. I'd suggest starting with Freedom or Virtue (they are the most populated) and if they aren't to your liking try Pinnacle and the rest.


But to answer the question in your subject line:

Yes. You should come back.

is that a real question

Well last time I tried out the trial was right when Issue 16 came out. But last time I actually paid was right when the Invention system came out I think

Anyways, I have a new question. Which archetype (in either side) has the higher chance to get to level 20 very soon? I ask this because ever since I first joined CoX I've ALWAYS wanted to try out the PB archetype but because it took so long for me to get to 50 at the time I played i never got the chance.

Thanks for all the help given and thanks for any/all help that is to come!

The answer is "yes"

bump for question in post #14

Pretty much any AT while teaming. Running solo you need an AT that can plow through groups while not taking many trips to the hospital so Scrappers in CoH and Brutes in CoV.

The "new" difficulty settings allow you to spawn team sized mobs while soloing so you can maximize your XP per hour. Indirect adjustments to the XP curve, major reductions in debt and the addition of patrol XP for characters that haven't played recently has made leveling the lower levels considerably faster than the old days.

It honestly doesn't take that long to get to 50 anymore.
1-20 can be done in probably 5-6 hours, maybe a little less...it starts to curve off in the mid-30s, but if you join some Imperious Task Forces or have steady grouping (Freedom, Virtue) it shouldn't be much of an issue.

I'd say...hmm....if you do Arcs, a few TFs and team heavily maybe 30-40 hours to 50, probably less than that, much less with a good group of people.

2.PvP (serious PvP will require a time investment for IOs and Accoaldes), Imperious TF, Lady Grey TF, various end-level TFs, lots of story arcs, hunting down Invention Origins for your character, costuming, trials, Hamidon on active servers...and Going Rogue has new stuff for level-capped people such as the Incarnate System.

3. I'm addicted to PvP but the average person might find it meh. It's a lot of stop and go damage spam in the zones, so just bear that in mind.

4.You shouldn't AVOID any servers but you should try Freedom or Virtue for large-scale teaming, the others will be population lighter...but if you invite people to teams you'll never be alone.

For your question, try a Scrapper, Brute, Blaster for quick disposal of mobs. With the XP curve these days though, 20 is reachable fairly quickly regardless of AT, as long as you do a little teaming.

Just an example. I ran a level 15 controller through an 8 man Posi (both halves) at the default settings a week or two ago. Came out two hours later as a level 20. Really, it's like the rails have been greased.

LEGION OF VALOR - Be a part of the Legend!

Thank you so much, true metal, for implying correctly. I didn't know that. Saves me a lot of time and anger =)

And thanks for all your help everyone! I think the questions asked have been answered!