Re: Origins and Respecs...?

Hi, sorry to all, I'm a newbie to this game, just came over from WoW.

I'm still on a trial account, but I have some questions to ask..

I've tried and tested several characters, and I think my favourite is a Demon Mastermind and a Stalker. (Btw I thought Stalkers were supposed to be locked until I leveled at least one character to level 20, but somehow it unlocked itself the 3rd or 4th time I logged on.. On day 2 I believe.)

I'm playing on Freedom atm.

My DM is level 7, and my Stalker is only 3.

However before I carry on, I would just like to ask...

Is there a major differences to choosing your origin?

I've heard that choosing the Science origin gives you slightly harder enemies at the start. Other than that, and storyline, is there a difference? I keep going Science because I like the fact that your Science ability gives you a chance to Sleep mobs.

Second...

When I get the chance to respec in the future...

Do I get to rechoose origins? I know I CAN'T rechoose powersets, but I couldn't find anything about Origins.

Thank you!!

PS: What is an AT?
PPS: Are EM Stalkers still as overpowered in single target DPS? I tried both EM and DB, I kinda prefer the DB animations more... =)
PPPS: Demon Mastermind? I heard it's the most powerful Mastermind, but the demons just remind me of Warlocks and their Imps from WoW, which I'm trying to get away from. I like the idea of Ninja Masterminds, but I've heard they are somewhat weak. Fast, albeit, but weak.


THANK YOU guys so much for bearing and putting up with all my questions, but most importantly, answering them! =)

First off, welcome to the game and to the forums!

Onto your questions:

0) Stalkers are one of the basic Archetypes (ATs) in this game, and require nothing to unlock them. The only aTs that need to be unlocked are Peacebringers and Warshades (get a level 20 hero), and Arachnos Soldiers and Widows (get a level 20 villain).

1) Not really. There are some minor differences between them, such as what enhancements you will use later on in the game (though even those are just naming differences) and some very minor things here and there, but not enough to worry about when creating your character. Use it as part of the backstory.

2) When you respec, you do NOT get to rechoose your origin.

PPS) EM isn't that great, though on a burst-damage AT like Stalkers, it can be good. Still, go with what you like more.

PPPS) Again, go with what you like. Any powerset can do fine in this game.

Welcome to the game!

Remember to look for your server's global chat channels and join up. It will help in teaming and other activities.

Also, the wiki (link) is a good source of information.

Probably already scooped by now, but...

I have never noticed origins ever having an impact in the game once it went live - something in early beta, but I joined shortly after the game launched, so missed out. The only exception is the contact you get blue side when you start in Atlas Park (AP) or Galaxy City (GC).

You can not respec your origin. If it is bothering that much, your toons are low enough that you can re-roll if you have the time.

Stalkers are a standard AT and free for anyone to pick. The Epic ATs (EATs) are for heroes (HEATS - Peacebringer/Warshade) and villains (VEATS - Widow/Fortunatas & Banes/Crabs).

AT - Archetypes, what our "classes", "professions" or other similar terms are, like fighter, mage, cleric, etc.
I have a DB stalker and love the animations. From what I have read, EM is still near or at the top for single target DPS, but you may want to go the specific section in the forums for further details.
I have finished a demon summoning mastermind recently. It was my 3rd MM to 50. IMO, and I maybe a minority, I didn't find them as good as my other two MM's (Bots/storm & thugs/Pain Domination). But this could be because of my playstyle for MM's. I think the overall MM AT is just too awesome.

Big shift in basic approach: Despite the fact that the penalty for dying is larger in CoH than you're used to, people are much more casual about it. You will rarely see groups give up just because they wiped. A few times. Due to the same guy doing something stupid. People are more focused on playing the game than on beating specific content.

Also, this game is much more alt-oriented than you might be used to. CoH gives everyone a "global" -- a unique handle that identifies them. (That's why so many forum sigs say "@SomeName") This lets you friend people rather than individual characters, and then you can keep in touch with them when they alt-hop. You can have up to 36 characters on a server if you buy extra slots, and people often fill up more than one server.

Basically, don't try to find the One True Character. Play a ton of them. Stalk while you feel like stalking, and when you want to just mow stuff down, move to a mastermind or blaster or something. Get sick of having to watch your health, swap to your tanker. And so on.

I'd just like to add that I beat you all by about 4 minutes. You guys can do better than that.

For us old timers here, debt due to defeat is now simply laughable. Back in the first couple of years, the debt cap was so high that some ATs simply ran with debt all the time. Didn't help back then that the game sent you, just as you qualified to accrue debt, to a zone where large purple coning mobs were between you and your mission door (thank you original Hollows).

Since then with the tweaks to XP leveling curve (by increasing XP of critters at various levels), debt reduction by both amount and cap and patrol XP countering debt, the problem now is getting into debt to qualify for the badges.

Hi, sorry to all, I'm a newbie to this game,
Oh, then we all owe each other apologies. We were all new once.


(Btw I thought Stalkers were supposed to be locked until I leveled at least one character to level 20, but somehow it unlocked itself the 3rd or 4th time I logged on.. On day 2 I believe.)
Nope. Stalkers are a standard type. Nothing to unlock. Maybe you didn't notice it initially because you didn't scroll down far enough?


Is there a major differences to choosing your origin? I've heard that choosing the Science origin gives you slightly harder enemies at the start. Other than that, and storyline, is there a difference?
Actually, you can fight any enemies you want, at any time. You can CHOOSE to follow the mission arcs from your initial origin contact (I don't).

The only difference I can think of is that, after being here for YEARS, when you get a particular vet power you have more options if you are Natural origin. But this is so trivial that I don't think anyone cares. In fact, most of my characters are not Natural origin since I like unusual backgrounds.


Do I get to rechoose origins? I know I CAN'T rechoose powersets, but I couldn't find anything about Origins.
Nope. You can't change your name, origin, AT or powersets.


PS: What is an AT?
Archetype (i.e. stalker, mastermind, scrapper, etc). Many game systems refer to this as 'class'.

Welcome to City of Heroes, snkfil.

Because no one has mentioned it (at least I don't recall seeing it) Temp accounts have several restrictions, not being able to advance past level 14, not being able to form teams, send tells, joins SGs, or global channels, and a couple of other things but those are the big ones. You can talk in Team chat though.

Add a Search Comment to your characters. Click on 'Team' above your chat window and type something like "Temp account, please invite" or something to that effect so that other players know that you are on a temp account.

Head up to the Mentor Project thread at the top of the Player Questions section, while you cannot join the 'N P C' global channel, you can poke your head in there and say "Hi" and ask for in-game help if you like.

Since you have all you're answers,i'll just say

WWWWWEEEELLLCOOOOMMMEEEE!

One thing I didn't see mentioned about Origins effect on the game is there is a veteran reward power a couple years down the line where you choose a Nemesis Staff or a Black Wand as a ranged power. It can't be respec'd either once one is selected on each character. The Nemesis Staff gets a damage boost on Tech, Science, and Natural Origin characters. The Black Wand gets a damage boost for Mutation, Magic, and Natrual Origin characters. Not HUGE deal, especially since altitis is so rampant and you'll most likely make/remake many characters by the time you get there (If I remember right, the reward is after 33 months), but might be something to consider.

Other than that, yes, the origin basically affects the small ranged power you get, which usually (for me at least) gets phased out of many character's attack chain as you get stronger since it's not very strong, and then your starting contact on the hero side, which determines what enemies you're fighting at the beginning.

Also, once dual origin and single origin enhancements start dropping after around level 10 or so, different enemy groups start dropping them for specific origins, so if there's a particular enemy group you enjoy fighting, you might get a slight advantage by choosing an appropriate origin by your drops frequently being of the right origin. But that won't be much and there are enough enemy groups with each origin spread around the levels its a rather small thing to consider. Its not that expensive to just buy your enhancements either.

I would consider all of these things a very minor effect on the game. Most people just worry about the origin for back-story reasons for their character. But, you can't respec it so if it matters to you, make your choice properly.

Hero side, science origins tend to get thrown at Vahzilok right away - which are perhaps the toughest of the low level baddies. But not by much.

Villain side (other than the ranged brawl power and the ranged vet powers) is the only other place I can think of Origin really matters, as there is ONE temporary power that works as Tar Patch for everyone but magic origin characters, who instead summon demons with it

Vahz projectile vomit attack followed by their normal melee vomit attack can literally be killer for a new lowbie. I always seem to remember getting hit with both attacks from all three minions seemingly more times than not. You run away while you are DoTed to death.

Welcome to the madhouse. Check your sanity at the door, you won't be needing it here.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Here is a list of things that are affected by origin:

1: Inherent power
2: Starting contact and starting foes (heroside)
3: DOs and SOs (if you opt not to use the more sensible IOs)
4: The Yin Talisman SOs you can slot as early as level 10. Different type for each origin.
5: For villains, the Demon Box temp power from Hardcase. Magic Origin characters summon a Wailer with it. Everyone else casts a Tar Patch.
6: Bonus damage for the 33 month vet reward temp power (Black Wand or Nemesis Staff). whatever is selected for the 54 month reward has no bonus damage).
7: Some of the text you get in the Origin of Power arc.
8: There is at least one mission in Praetoria where you have to disarm a bomb. How the disarming is explained is determined by your origin.

That is all I can think of at the moment.

One very minor difference between origins that I didn't see anyone mention: there are a handful of temporary powers you can find throughout the game which differ based on your origin.

• Demon Box normally creates a Tar Patch. Magic characters summon a Wailer pet instead.
• Stolen SMG does 50% extra damage when used by a Natural character.
• High Explosive makes a bigger kaboom when laid by a Technology character.
• Minor Mutation does 25% extra damage and stuns when used by a Mutant character.
• Psionic Activator deals damage in addition to its normal stun when used by a Science character.

That's cool, I didn't know about those.