An Idea for AVs

This is more opinion than an iron-clad proposal. As it stands, our AV and EB are simply targets with loads of hit-points. I was think that certain AVs would have normal (relative) hit-points if their character is supposed to be of normal strength and resistance, but would have extremely high level abilities. A perfect example would be Manticore; a man of peak physical fitness, but still only human level resistance. I think his AV hit-points could be set to boss level, but his defence through Maneuvers would be at a compensatory level, along with the effects of trick arrow would still make him rather formidable even for a team, but would require new tactics other than just standing toe-to-toe, wearing down his HPs. Could this with a specialized AI for his type of character that allowed him to move around a fight in an agile style. Every AV and even GMs could be customized in this way, making them unique in how to fight them, even making variations based on team or solo fights.

Well, the problem with this is just that Defense, for example, doesn't translate well between vs. PC attacks and powers, especially so with how common defense debuffs are, earlier I had been playing around in open beta, and found my katana scrapper had managed to stack a 50% defense debuff on a target!

Though I do agree that AVs need to be somewhat looked at to be more than bags of hit points, and speaking as someone who deals lots of lethal damage, more than just walls of resistance. (God help you if the two are put together *cough*reichman!*cough*)
What would be interesting is if AVs began taking after ATs their supposed to fall under and maybe use just such inherents (might not work with NPC AVs that are supposed to be tanks and defenders...), but things like Black Scorpion starting fights doing piddly damage, but as the fight drags on, his own Fury bar would go up, or maybe instead of Ghost widow having a cheap mag 100 hold, she could actually use Domination, or Synapse having defiance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow City of Heroes is a game about freedom of expression and variety of experiences far more so than it is about representing any one theme, topic or genre.

I do like what they appear to be doing to shake up AV fights recently (Protean, various fights in Praetoria, etc.)

The idea came from fighting evil Aurora Borialis. When the fight didn't look good for her, she took off and it became a fight across the skies over the city. I was amazed how simply moving made the fight that much more difficult.

Good thing you had Flight.