Why No Bios On Major NPCs?
By
Balanced,
Posted on: 2011-01-21 23:01 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
Well, for one thing, no one likes Manticore. He's an bow defender for Christ's sake.
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That have bios when you see them in missions.
I'm not sure why no info was after placed on the ones that spawn as trianers.
Dot he new praetorian trainers have bios?
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He's my favorite Phalanx member. And my pure archer (also a natural origin) is one of my favorite characters. And yeah, it would be nice to be able to read bios for these characters.|
Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
Well, for one thing, no one likes Manticore. He's an bow defender for Christ's sake.
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Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
Currently listening to Heather Nova's Redbird
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@Captain-Electric � Detective Marvel � The Sapien Spider � Moravec Man � The Old Norseman
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Didnt they used to have Bios under the trainers many moons...err issue ago, back when Citadel was Bastion and such?
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And that doesn't change the fact that he's still a bow defender. That is, after all, little better then being a stalker, melee player without mez protection, or a person without a travel power. Sure they're on the team, but you can smell their gimpness from across the map. It's just unpleasant and unfair to all those involved. |
Originally Posted by Captain-Electric
He's my favorite Phalanx member. And my pure archer (also a natural origin) is one of my favorite characters. And yeah, it would be nice to be able to read bios for these characters.
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| That was random. |
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Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
All my listenings it random, generally. See, I have a lot of music, so I generally have Excel spit out a random album choice until it comes across one that fits my current mood. Then I'll put that cd in the turntable along with five others related to the first cd (either same artist or similar style). __________________ Currently listening to Heather Nova's Oyster |
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Ah, I see where you're coming from now. I've heard this argument a couple times. See, I have several really effective characters--so when friends see me playing gimpy characters (of which I also have a few), they sometimes want to know why. There are a couple of reasons. I could be experimenting. But usually, it's because I'm playing a concept character.|
Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
And that doesn't change the fact that he's still a bow defender. That is, after all, little better then being a stalker, melee player without mez protection, or a person without a travel power. Sure they're on the team, but you can smell their gimpness from across the map. It's just unpleasant and unfair to all those involved.
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"But," I can hear you saying, "concept characters are a waste of everyone's time!"
Yeah. Uh huh. Tell that to the regular group of concept players I team up with. I guess we're wasting each others time in harmony.
(What's nuts is that I play on Virtue, where I wouldn't expect to have to explain the notion of a concept character.)
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Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
All my listenings it random, generally. See, I have a lot of music, so I generally have Excel spit out a random album choice until it comes across one that fits my current mood. Then I'll put that cd in the turntable along with five others related to the first cd (either same artist or similar style).
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@Captain-Electric � Detective Marvel � The Sapien Spider � Moravec Man � The Old Norseman
Dark-Eyes � Doctor Serpentine � Stonecaster � Skymaiden � The Blue Jaguar
Guide to Altitis � A Comic for New Players � The Lore Project � Intro to extraterrestrials in CoH
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Yes, they did, I still find myself occasionally looking for it (old habits die very hard in my case).|
Originally Posted by Utopia
Didnt they used to have Bios under the trainers many moons...err issue ago, back when Citadel was Bastion and such?
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I can't recall when they were removed though, and I don't think it was ever mentioned in a patch note.
Warning:
The above post may contain Cynicism, sarcasm and/or pessimism. If you object to the quantities contained, then tough.
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I know a few Archery and Trick arrow wielding toons that could probaby make you revise that statement |
Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
Well, for one thing, no one likes Manticore. He's an bow defender for Christ's sake.
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
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Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
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If it's within a set group or it's warned ahead of time? I have no problem with that. But it's the random jackalope that you get once or twice a year that will not only have a near useless concept character that will join your team and then become very pissed off about any questions about it. |
Originally Posted by Captain-Electric
Ah, I see where you're coming from now. I've heard this argument a couple times. See, I have several really effective characters--so when friends see me playing gimpy characters (of which I also have a few), they sometimes want to know why. There are a couple of reasons. I could be experimenting. But usually, it's because I'm playing a concept character.
"But," I can hear you saying, "concept characters are a waste of everyone's time!" Yeah. Uh huh. Tell that to the regular group of concept players I team up with. I guess we're wasting each others time in harmony. (What's nuts is that I play on Virtue, where I wouldn't expect to have to explain the notion of a concept character.) |
The classic: The petless mastermind.
2nd Runner up: The pug stalker
3rd Runner up: bow defenders
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Chief Hamster of the Fist of Justice / Shadows of Victory
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I'm sure the NPC versions of the signature characters that you encounter as enemies and allies in various missions had bios at some point... strange that they would be blank now.
I don't think I should even touch the comment that everyone who has trick arrow or is a Stalker is a gimped concept character... geez. Will not argue as to petless Masterminds, though.
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Well, the petless MM is pretty limited and gives up most of their effectiveness.|
Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
If it's within a set group or it's warned ahead of time? I have no problem with that. But it's the random jackalope that you get once or twice a year that will not only have a near useless concept character that will join your team and then become very pissed off about any questions about it.
The classic: The petless mastermind. 2nd Runner up: The pug stalker 3rd Runner up: bow defenders __________________ Currently listening to Tim Finn's Big Canoe |
The PuG Stalker isn't really an issue with the character, concept or not, so much as an issue with the player.
Bow Defenders can be pretty effective. A well played Bow Defender will still outperform almost any other poorly played Defender.
Wait, i'm replying to humorous posts as if they were serious again. Ah well.
i'm pretty sure i remember reading the major NPC bios in game years ago, but i don't recall if that was just the TF contacts, the trainers, or both.
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Ms. Liberty Zone: Atlas Park Secret Identity: Jessica Duncan Origin: Natural Archetype: Scrapper Primary Powers: Martial Arts, Invulnerability Background: Jessica is the granddaughter of the original Miss Liberty from the Golden Age. She has taken up the mantle to fight for freedom, in this specific case to free Paragon City from its infestation of villains. She has heightened strength and endurance as well as the power of the Liberty Belt, which was passed on to her by her grandmother. Early in her career Ms. Liberty worked extensively with Statesman, but recently seems to be spending more time working on making certain that new heroes in Paragon City have the information they need, as well as working on the Freedom Corps. It is clear that she is determined to do her energetic best to make the Freedom Corps the premiere hero assistance group in Paragon City someday. |
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Valkyrie Zone: Steel Canyon Secret Identity: Valerie Kellum Origin: Technology Archetype: Scrapper Primary Powers: Spear, Regeneration Background: Valerie Kellum was an up-and-coming archeologist exploring Scandinavia when she discovered what she first took for an ancient spear. A more careful examination led to the realization that the spear had a technological component. She traveled around Europe looking for ideas about its origin and ended up in a local Crey facility. When a Crey security team tried to take the weapon from her it activated and injected Valerie with advanced nanites that transformed her into Valkyrie, an extraordinary warrior with a completely different personality. She broke free and traveled to Paragon City where Positron is helping her come to terms with her new identity. |
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Minx Zone: Skyway City Secret Identity: Katherine Stevens Origin: Science Archetype: Scrapper Primary Powers: Claws, Super Reflexes Background: Katherine Stevens was a young girl in the wrong place at the wrong time. While attending Paragon City University, she volunteered for a Crey research project. When the Crey research scientists realized that she had no family and few friends, they decided to try some of their more dangerous procedures on her. A volatile serum transformed Katherine and gave her some feline features and characteristics. Crey considered the result a failure because Katherine could not be controlled. She managed to break free of her captors, scarring the face of one of Crey's top scientists horribly with her claws. Adopting the Minx identity, Katherine lived on the streets or Paragon City for a time. She got involved in petty crimes to keep herself alive. Synapse discovered her there and helped her develop control of her heightened reflexes and her animalistic nature. She is still undisciplined and prone to overconfidence, but is fiercely loyal to Synapse and grateful for the second chance he has given her. |
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Malaise Zone: Independence Port Secret Identity: Jean-Pierre Lourdin Origin: Mutant Archetype: Controller Primary Powers: Illusion Control, Kinetics Background: Jean-Pierre Lourdin was not always a hero. He began his career as a villain in Europe, using the twisted images in his mind to commit robberies. With INTERPOL hot on his trail he landed in Paragon City, where his broken thoughts were detected by Sister Psyche. She confronted him and after an intense battle was able to subdue him. She spent months healing the damage to his mind and has taught him more productive uses of his abilities. Sister Psyche vouched for him with the authorities and he has been allowed to help with the current crisis in Paragon City. Many are keeping a watchful eye on Malaise, however, for signs of his madness returning. |
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Luminary Zone: Talos Island Secret Identity: None Origin: Technology Archetype: Defender Primary Powers: Radiation Emission, Radiation Blast Background: The original Luminary is Kit Rafter. He retired from the Freedom Phalanx in 1995 to become the spokesperson for Hero Corps. At his wedding, Positron presented Kit and his new wife Jeanette with the ultimate wedding present: a new android modeled after Jeanette with powers similar to Kit's. This next-generation heroine was the new Luminary, carrying on Kit's fine tradition under the watchful eye of Bastion. Her systems were all more advanced than Bastion's, making her the state of the art in android technology. The new Luminary has recently shown signs of developing a strong personality. It has caused Positron some concern that it seems similar to Jeanette's. He has performed many tests on her but has not determined the cause. |
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Swan Zone: Brickstown Secret Identity: Lena Elliot Origin: Magic Archetype: Defender Primary Powers: Force Field, Psychic Blast Background: Lena Elliot was touched by magic from the moment she was born on the Vernal Equinox. Her life seemed almost charmed; she grew up happy, did well in school and loved her parents very much. Everything she tried she seemed to succeed at. There was a reason for her good fortune. Both her parents were powerful mystics, and performed a ceremony to bless Lena's birth. Shortly after her 21st birthday the Elliot's luck ran out. They got caught in the middle of a battle between the Circle of Thorns and the 5th Column. The groups were seeking a pair of rings that had been in the Elliot family for generations. Lena's powers manifested and she instinctively threw a protective shield up around herself and her parents. Manticore had been following the 5th Column group and came to the Elliot's aid. The battle was going poorly when Lena lashed out with her psychic abilities, stunning many of the villains. Manticore mopped up the rest, but not before the 5th Column managed to escape with Lena's parents. Manticore offered Lena the chance to fight at his side and she jumped at the opportunity. As Swan, she aids him in his relentless war against the 5th Column, in the hopes that one day she will find her parents alive. |
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Infernal Zone: Founder's Falls Secret Identity: K'Varr D'Shall Origin: Magic Archetype: Tanker Primary Powers: Fiery Aura, Battle Axe Background: K'Varr D'Shall was the most skilled demon binder in the Order of the Crimson Lotus, on an alternate Earth. His order bound demons into their weapons and armor, in order to keep Infernal Earth from being overrun by them. They were maintaining and uneasy peace until K'Varr's best friend T'Keron grew jealous of his comrade's power and skill. T'Keron attempted to bind Valmaz, Lord of Demons, but lost control of the ceremony. K'Varr arrived to help his friend, but it was too late. K'Varr, T'Keron, and Valmaz were all drawn through a dimensional rip caused by the binding ceremony onto primal Earth, our Earth. T'Keron and the Demon Lord were bound together by the potent mystic forces. The ways of our world are strange to K'Varr but Numina is assisting him in becoming acclimated and beginning his search for the unholy fusion of T'Keron and Valmaz. |
Quoted from: Gamespy's Signature Sidekicks article. Just book mark it and every time you're at one of those trainers and you want to click "Info" pretend you do while alt-tabbing to your browser!
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But not in all capacities.
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Ah! I'm glad you didn't disappoint by failing to mention that |
Originally Posted by Golden Girl
But not in all capacities.
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In other topics Pandora IS awesome. My radio in my car is broken so I listen to Pandora on my phone while I drive. It is great
Arrow defenders suck? Since when? Those arrows hurt, especially on my squishies.
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Why were those removed from the game? Those were all pretty cool to read. |
Originally Posted by Razoras
Quoted from: Gamespy's Signature Sidekicks article. Just book mark it and every time you're at one of those trainers and you want to click "Info" pretend you do while alt-tabbing to your browser!
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Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
3rd Runner up: bow defenders
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No one has EVER complained about my archer locking every villain down with nets or stickies, or stunning them with flash-bangs, or (for dessert) making pin cushions out of them. Can he dish it out like a blaster? No. Can he lock them down like a controller? No. That is why I mostly use him to team with other concept characters (his main purpose), and often solo him (yes, solo--and doing just fine).I'll explain where people like me are coming from. Since you're dying to know. (Shut up! You're dying to know.)
I'm not much of a gamer outside of this game. I write and read science fiction, and I read comic books. This game feels more like a big interactive comic book to me. Many of my characters are going to be inspired by cool origin stories, with game mechanics a secondary consideration. Fortunately, judging from my global friends list, I am far from alone in these sentiments, at least on the Virtue server.
Sure, I enjoy improving my characters. I take advantage of invention sets. And I do my time with super-efficient whiz bang characters that contribute to every team they're on-- though most of those were lucky builds, since that wasn't my primary goal for them. But there are a ton of power sets in the game to choose from. And there are 36 character possibilities on every server's bank of slots. I'm not here exclusively to recycle cookie cutter recipes. So I'm going to use my imagination, and do different things.
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Dark-Eyes � Doctor Serpentine � Stonecaster � Skymaiden � The Blue Jaguar
Guide to Altitis � A Comic for New Players � The Lore Project � Intro to extraterrestrials in CoH
Glue arrow . . . . . one of the most feared powers ingame!
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Way back in CoV beta I got into a base raid, we were attacking. The defenders had set the base up so in several rooms there were trenches.
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Something like that. Anyway the defenders had a bunch of TA (and Glue Arrow) on their team. Whenever I tried to make it through one of those rooms some enemy would hit me with Glue Arrow and I would be stuck running in the bottom of one of those trenches._ __ __
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Then I would get ganked.
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Sadly i've never been able to get Pandora to work well for me. It might be that my favorite bands/performers tend to be grouped with other bands that have more in common with their instrumentation than their actual themes and style. That listening to multiple genres gives results where the few crossovers are usually horribly insipid attempts to cash in on a perceived trend by a major label.|
Originally Posted by Chaos Creator
Ah! I'm glad you didn't disappoint by failing to mention that
In other topics Pandora IS awesome. My radio in my car is broken so I listen to Pandora on my phone while I drive. It is great |
Not that i listen exclusively to exotic/indie/underground/counterculture music or some such elitist garbage. It's just that what appeals to me about a band may have more to with that band's individual approach and style rather than a liking for the genre they're associated with as a whole.
Then again the few times i tried Pandora was years ago and they may have refined their algorithms since then. In my case it was that i listed a few aggrotech bands and Pandora decided that meant i liked trance, techno and Europop bands. All of which i usually find tolerable only in small doses.
i should try putting in some punk and ska bands and see what happens.
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Thanks very much, Razoras. I knew bits & pieces of this info, but it was nice to see full mini-bios on all the trainers.
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An SG-mate of mine said something like this in Pocket D once. Following an abrupt, pointy death, she found a golden title over her head that said, "Pwned by TA".|
Originally Posted by Satanic_Hamster
And that doesn't change the fact that he's still a bow defender. That is, after all, little better then being a stalker, melee player without mez protection, or a person without a travel power. Sure they're on the team, but you can smell their gimpness from across the map. It's just unpleasant and unfair to all those involved.
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Just sayin'.
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This may have been discussed previously, but I haven't seen it. NPCs in mission arcs have deep background bios, but characters like Miss Liberty, Blue Steel, Manticore, et al--that is, iconic characters to whom one goes to level up--have none.
I would think that the Devs already have a fairly complete notion of who these heroes are, how they got their powers, & what they are known for having done. So it seems to me it would not be difficult to add bios for these very prominent pillars of the heroic community.
The added realism & feeling of interaction is obvious in such a case. We can't really get away with saying "Everyone knows", because many new players probably *don't* know. I realise the Origin of Power storyline gives some basic info, but I still feel each "trainer" should have a reasonably detailed bio.
Thoughts, anyone?