Question: What powers do you want Alternate animations for?

I'm tossing my support in for the breathe powers too. They're the ones I find the most off putting and difficult to fit in with a concept.

A purely personal list:

Devices/Traps: I'd like to see a less "tech-y" theme for these sets. For example, an "arcane" theme for Traps might replace the mines of Trip Mine with glowing sigils the character inscribes on the ground. Having a couple of less tech-oriented, or simply more unusual-looking, models for Force Field Generator or Targeting Drone would also be helpful in accomodating more character concepts. Of course, some of this might fall into the realm of Pet Customization, which I assume is still off the table.

Medicine Pool: As with Traps, I'd like to see animations that fit more origins. Simply having the character's hands glow, for instance, might fit a number of themes, while flinging a glob of chemicals at the recipient (think Alkaloid from /poison) might fit a mutant or scientific concept.

Assault Rifle: Several of the older blast sets suffer from having very similar animations for most powers, but I notice it most with Assault Rifle. I'm not sure how the animations could be more varied, but I'd like to see differences among the attacks beyond what shoots out of the gun's barrel. For an example of how a blast set can display variety without being as over the top as Dual Pistols (which I consider too outlandish), consider all the different arm motions in Radiation Blast.

Travel pools, especially Superspeed: I'd like to be able to change the stance and FX produced by travel pools. Changes here might allow such things as running on all fours, flying in a lotus position, or just changing the color of the glow from Hasten and Superspeed. Frankly, I'd be happy if it were just possible to tone down the Superspeed glow a little.

Alternate animation for Assault Rifle could be getting on one knee a la Rest, and firing the rifle from the side of the chest.

This may be above and beyond simple alternate animations, but:

Traps in 3 flavors: Magic, Ninja/low-tech/military, future-Tech (triage beacon already looks kinda magical to me).

Blast sets: Can these emanate from a magic/tech wand like Vanguard stuffs?

Hex animations for some debuff powers. Prayer/meditation animations for heal powers. Hand-to-head animations for mental powers.

Off-hand attacks with weapons (ability to replace a ST attack with a shield bash or off-hand punch, a la brawl).

More powers with the dominator "stone spears"-style animation. Imagine inferno with a punch in the ground style animation. Snipes in general should have a cool animation especially since they take so long.

Pools, obviously.

Fire/Ice sword circle: An animation that involves stabbing the sword into the ground in order to create the elemental burst.

Either broadsword or katana, whichever is more technically convenient: More graceful attacks usable for a fencer type of character.

Alternate animations for blast sets in general.

i like the idea of new animations for pool powers specialy the travel ones, a ground stomp at the end of an Superjump would be amazing for a brute to feel the floor shake as you land so your not landing like a ballerina lol

Poison Trap could be made into a more nature-themed device. Instead of laying down a device, a plant rises from the ground and when threatened (enemies approach the plant) it spews forth toxic vapors.

[Edit] Acrobatic Super Jumping, with flips, twists, cartwheels, and etc. would be excellent.

I'm working on the assumption that pool customization isn't feasible at the moment.
I'm also willing to assume that changing particle effects and animation (ie: blasting from feet or chest/adding pseudo-weapons non-weapon-based animations) isn't particularly easy either.

With that in mind, I think the best option for alternate blasts would be to have animations that fit a different tempo. Some blasts look like you are really trying to put some power into it. For those, add a minimal effort looking animation. Sort of a "I'm powerful and need not actually try." Perhaps holding out a hand casually and flicking your fingers/hands. Think Sylar using ice blast.

Some just look straightforward, for those it might work to have something more involved. More, building power and concentrating it and then "HAAA!" This would probably pull from DBZ-type blasting. Presumably, the animations would have to end with the origin-point of the particles in the same spot, but perhaps it is still reasonable to achieve.

The same rule could apply to weapons-based and melee. Dual Pistols and Dual Blades might have somewhat calmer animations, whereas Assault Rifle might add some flair. Again, I expect that animation times would make too much tinkering difficult.

I'll try to sum it up in short as "Try to find an opposite-feeling tempo, and that could cover a good bit of ground and bypass the illusion that some powers are too slow/fast/dramatic/lacking-ponies."

PS- moar ponies

For long animations, consider the possibility of front-loading the strike in certain animations with a flourish afterwards (though this would have a gameplay effect if damage is delivered earlier in an animation) For example, in a martial arts kick with a flip afterwards instead of before.


Also, give us a maniacal, laughing, one-handed AR spray for full-auto

Weren't we supposed to get a no FX version of Super Strength and Martial Arts?

Some of us don't want super-flashy punches with lights and sparkles.

Still here, even after all this time!

This isn't a request for an alternate animation, but for a way to use them: for sets that have multiple animations, how about the ability to use different animations- either alternating, or at random. Would make more sense on the unarmed and armed melee sets than the blast sets, but could be useful for anyone.

Dual Blades: Animations that are more about brute force than finesse.
Defense Poses: Crazy poses when you activate a power a la Japanese Super Heroes (Ultra Man, et al.)
Control Sets: Something besides the hand wave or double hand wave. Something like the Demon Summoning animations would be cool.
Katana: The old broadsword copy animations.
Fire Blast: Something for Flares that isn't just holding your hands out.
Radiation Blast: Non-eyebeam version of X-Ray Beam.
Psychic Blast: Versions that fire from the hands instead of the head.

Also I agree with all the elemental weapon/non-weapon requests.

Eviscerate -Just looks stupid. Also if I remember correctly this is why Stone Armor Brutes cannot have Claws.

Single claw attacks. ie one hand with claw. That way we can have claws and shield.

Ice Sword Customiztion

Assuming power pools are right out, let's go down the list...


Ice Armor: Ice Armor in all its forms is unattractive at times. On an Ice Tanker, the character can be built for it and it can be fine, but it's usually considered an eyesore when used on another. For Ice Armor, I suggest a "Breastplate" option that only covers the wearer's torso, and perhaps one that just gives the Breastplate, Gloves, and Boots.

Fiery Melee and Ice Melee: Swords should be an option in all the melee attacks. The current "sword" attacks should have swordless options. The sword is an iconic image that should be available through the whole set for those that want it, but shouldn't be so mandatory for those that don't. Also, Fire/Frost Breath needs an animation where it comes from the hands, or by pointing a sword at the foe. Fire Breath has a rather unique feel that clashes with most fire users.

Dual Pistols: Please, please, please give us some more mundane animations. As beautiful as the twisting and gun flippery is, I can't help but think that it makes me look like a monkey. And don't get me wrong, I love my "Bananas Akimbo" DP/Ice Blaster, but it looks ludicrious on the cowboys.

Thugs: While on topic, could Thugs get access to the flashy Dual Pistols animations? That'd be nice. And on the topic of Thugs, if you can't give us total customization, can you at least give us the option to replace our thugs with Hellions or Skulls? And give Robots some Clockwork and Maltabot options, Mercs some Sky Raiders, RIP, and PPD, Zombies some Banished Pantheon, and Ninjas some Tsoo? Perhaps require a badge to unlock.

Dark Melee: Some kicks would be nice. This isn't a big deal, because Dark Melee is a really nice set already, but if it's not too much trouble, some kick options would be appreciated.


Ice Control: This is an entirely personal request I'm sure, but I'd like a Jack Frost in Rikti Monkey form. Just a little white Rikti Monkey instead of the translucent ice construct. Also, a Snow Beast option would be nice for Jack Frost.


Super Strength (Hurl): I'd like the option to replace the rock with the random item from Propel, allowing us to throw gargoyles, boxes, and all sorts of random objects.

Illusion Control: Doppleganger technology exists. Being able to replace the illusions with dopplegangers would be amazing. Also, I currently have my illusions recolored to look like Longbow (red and white, it looks pretty nice with my character in Longbow garb). Some "Enemy group" options similar to what I suggested for Thugs would be nice.

Archery: Arrow Color options would be nice. I have a character called "Silver Archer." He's a son of Apollo and thus uses Silver Arrows, so... Silver arrows would be nice.

Alternate cast animations for blast sets, including the Kin Melee animations to allow for a more summoning/blasting/element controlling feel and animations that summon up items to fire from. Give options of daggers, staves, wands, and specialty gloves, and that should give a nice variety for special attacks. Musical instruments for Sonic attacks would also be greatly appreciated. Trumpets, Guitars, flutes... All in all, 'weapons' for non-weapon sets.

Claws: Invisible-Claw Option. For characters using Zombie hands or other hands that come with claws in them already.

Alternate animations for MM pet summons

Origin themed power animations

Integration's chest beating should die.

Okay...here's my short list.

NO FX for travel Powers. all of them..possibly a step or jump into rift and appear in new spot for teleport. maybe even "dark" teleport

But definitely no fx for, hasten, SS, SJ, Hover and Fly.

Kicks for Energy Melee. I wanna kick a energy ball into the face of what ever I am fighting.


lose the Flip for Elude...I hate it. in fact I hate all back flip animation for attacks.

I like the no fire/ice sword idea. I'd probably have one or two uses for it too.

But, how about using all the pre-existing swords, only with fire/ice effects added to them. I'd like elemental versions, but I'd also like to see the actual sword underneath as well. Like a fire sword, only with an actual sword with flames/ice on it, as opposed to just a sword made of fire/ice.

Seeing as I'm probably asking for too much, might as well throw in Axe and Mace elemental variants as well for the Fire/Ice melee options. As well as, electric/energy/dark elemental variants as well for at least some of the melee attacks.

Stone melee could also use a couple more hammer shapes, as well as a no hammer option. Hmm, maybe Stone Brass Knuckles/knuckledusters. Maybe brass knuckles would be a better glove request.

Elemental Weapon Attacks: All the Fire Sword and ice Sword and Stone Hammer type attacks I'd love to see weaponless versions that are more universally related to using that element as an attack.

Power Pools: As many of the power pool powers as possible to be allowed to have a non animated effect as well as variants for the Medicine Pool that do not use the "tricorder."

Prestige Sprint Powers: The ability to color the various powers would open up a LOT of RP and creativity and the ability to match the looks to character concepts.

Dark "Skull" Powers: The various Darkness powers that incorperate a skull in the effect I'd love to have a more generic option that would fit other concepts beyond just using some other dimensional darkforce. Since they can be colored already I find myself skipping attacks that have that specific effect so I can color the rest of the sets into a different theme.

Ice Armors: I'd love for a variant of Ice Armor that wasn't as big and blocky. Maybe something inspired by the Stone armors with icicles and crusts of rhime and ice on your bode but not a giant body suit.

Granite Armor: Ability to color the current version as well as a non body swapping version that can be colored and also shows the character at the same time.

Claws: A way to allow for feral/fingernail non appliance claws to work for the character.

As an alternate to Unstoppable and other power's Tarzan chest beating I'd like to use the Cimeroran yell.