Great idea for a powerset for a villian. But Void mercenaries works directly for the concil... So it might be a bad idea for players.
As someone who is not very into the numbers (and also might be missing something lore-wise)...
I like the Nictus Mastermind idea very much.
The power suggestions look pretty cool to me!
Regardless of tweaks or changes that may be needed, the idea of a Nictus Mastermind is brilliant!
You are hired!
I'll double the pay I was giving you before!
@Zethustra
"Now at midnight all the agents and the superhuman crew come out
and round up everyone that knows more than they do"-Dylan
and round up everyone that knows more than they do"-Dylan
Quote:
*points to the kheld backstory guide* |
Originally Posted by Mr Scythe
Great idea for a powerset for a villian. But Void mercenaries works directly for the concil...
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Void mercenaries are implanted with N-fragments. They, and to another extent Galaxy soldiers, can find themselves getting "called" elsewhere by those fragments and undergoing full Nictus conversion.
They may work for the council at first... but that's hardly guaranteed to last.
If they ever did make a proper Nictus AT, then the damn thing should have mez protection. Having shields but no mez protection is just a pain in the rear...
And no, Voids really wouldnt work there. It just....eh. Way too clunky.
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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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Actually... it begs the question: Should there be a Nictus Secondary as well?
Shields, drains, all the fun stuff!
@Zethustra
"Now at midnight all the agents and the superhuman crew come out
and round up everyone that knows more than they do"-Dylan
and round up everyone that knows more than they do"-Dylan
I like it! That being said I would like to see the developers move away from epic archetypes with a specific story to epic archetypes with a specific power theme like a speedster or stretchy hero/villain.
^
"I am a Tank. I am your first choice, I am your last hope." -- Rune Bull
"Durability is the quintessential super-power. " -- Sailboat
I just want to see Assault/Armour ATs and a Rikti EAT...
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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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Quote:
I thought about it, then went... /dark.|
Originally Posted by Electric-Knight
Actually... it begs the question: Should there be a Nictus Secondary as well?
Shields, drains, all the fun stuff! |
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Originally Posted by McBoo
I like it! That being said I would like to see the developers move away from epic archetypes with a specific story to epic archetypes with a specific power theme like a speedster or stretchy hero/villain.
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*points down to EAT at WW's*
EAT history.
All of them have storylines to examine - the Coralax, the Blood of the Black Stream. Even though Incarnates are no longer "an AT," they're still getting tied into a story of sorts - but Incarnatedom is in a weird spot.
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I suspect Spines is about as assault(ish) as the devs are willing to go for Armor Archtypes.
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Originally Posted by Techbot Alpha
I just want to see Assault/Armour ATs and a Rikti EAT...
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Don't forget the EATs, they are all essentially Assault/Armor Powersets to some degree or another.
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Originally Posted by je_saist
I suspect Spines is about as assault(ish) as the devs are willing to go for Armor Archtypes.
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Quote:
I am completely happy with the idea of a speedster epic archetype being attached to the Incarnate storyline in some way as long as it is not limited by it (i.e. All speedsters are some form of inter-dimensional entity discovered during a Task Force or some such). Make them an option to adding incarnate slots to your existing character and call them Paragons. That way you have a free form Incarnate and an Incarnate archetype with a set list of powers. |
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
Quote:
*points down to EAT at WW's* EAT history. All of them have storylines to examine - the Coralax, the Blood of the Black Stream. Even though Incarnates are no longer "an AT," they're still getting tied into a story of sorts - but Incarnatedom is in a weird spot. |
^
"I am a Tank. I am your first choice, I am your last hope." -- Rune Bull
"Durability is the quintessential super-power. " -- Sailboat
I love the concept, I would really like to see it happen in some variation or another. Great suggestion!
Bill, I'd be behind this 1000%.
No, that's not a typo.
Where to now?
Check out all my guides and fiction pieces on my blog.
The MFing Warshade | The Last Rule of Tanking | The Got Dam Mastermind
Everything Dark Armor | The Softcap
don'T attempt to read tHis mEssaGe, And believe Me, it is not a codE.
I LOVE this idea. I'm not a number cruncher so I'll leave balance feedback to others but as a concept I love it and have been wanting to play a Nictus that is NOT a forced science origin and can be a villain at the onset of gameplay. This covers both and gives MMs something new and awesome.
/SIGNED
My Corner of DeviantART
The Queen's Menagerie
Quote:
Science is the origin of all Nictus, though. They're standard Kheldians, warped through scientific experiment to be energy-vampire-things. That's why PBs are Natural; they are natural for the Kheldian race. Nictus are warped offshoots of that. Hence Science.
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Originally Posted by Goblin_Queen
I LOVE this idea. I'm not a number cruncher so I'll leave balance feedback to others but as a concept I love it and have been wanting to play a Nictus that is NOT a forced science origin and can be a villain at the onset of gameplay. This covers both and gives MMs something new and awesome.
/SIGNED |
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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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I'll support just about any idea for more mastermind primaries. Especially one as good as this.
@Joshua.
Quote:
Ah, I thought it was for all Warshades for some reason, not Nictus. Poop.|
Originally Posted by Techbot Alpha
Science is the origin of all Nictus, though. They're standard Kheldians, warped through scientific experiment to be energy-vampire-things. That's why PBs are Natural; they are natural for the Kheldian race. Nictus are warped offshoots of that. Hence Science.
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Edit - ah well, still love the idea!
My Corner of DeviantART
The Queen's Menagerie
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Warshades are just reformed Nictus |
Originally Posted by Goblin_Queen
Ah, I thought it was for all Warshades for some reason, not Nictus. Poop.
Edit - ah well, still love the idea! |
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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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Quote:
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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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Quote:
Right. That's why I said "for some reason" as I was clearly confusing things. I had it in my head that there was a scientific process to get the Nictus to be compatible to merge with a host in a beneficial way (towards the host). I was way off! I've never played one past a couple levels nor read their lore extensively. Going to change that with Bill's backstory guide!|
Originally Posted by Techbot Alpha
Warshades are just reformed Nictus
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I can hang with Science Nictus Masterminds.
My Corner of DeviantART
The Queen's Menagerie
/Signed
The idea is interesting, and would definitely fit with some of the NPC nictus activity we have seen (not necessarily nictus backstory).
also, why not archive the idea in Lady Jades power suggestion thread?
"You, dear sir, are a legend. "- nelly. "PIE DOESN'T HAVE TENTACLES!"
Bladewing Draconian lvl 30 KAT/SR scrapper
DarkNinjutsu lvl 50 DM/REG scrapper
Dajoji Hino lvl 50 elm/ela scrapper
Bloody Byakko lvl 20 claws/sr scrapper
If this happened I would immediately reroll Archon Stuart, my Galaxy soldier. It's just WRONG that he has to start out blue.
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I dont care how or why. DO IT NOW. I want a character that has the quantum weapon. I want to be able to fire off those quantum bolts.
I like this idea. I think Nictus themselves, if they had ever been implemented, would not have been any different in any way from Warshades. That's really the concept, that a Warshade is nothing but a Nictus that's had a change of heart. They aren't physically any different. However, this is kind of like the difference between a Corruptor and a Mastermind. Conceptually, you can say that a Mastermind is simply a Corruptor that uses hired goons instead of developing his offense. So it's not as much a difference as a matter of degree.
I'm not sure about the Secondary, though. Khedlians are not really support ATs, which means Nictus are not really support ATs. I think the pets will work nicely with a defense/stealth Secondary, but that's essentially another VEAT. And it would certainly need different balancing that a Mastermind. Probably a better choice would be instead of the MM being a "full" Nictus, instead he is a normal supervillain/hero (with the Secondary drawing on his "real" power) with an infusion of Nictus energy. In other words, a Void/Galaxy himself.
There is a villain mission that gives you some Nictus powers, so we know this is possible in the storyline. You are just given a trio of Nictus blasts and a specialty power, and other Nictus-infused henchmen.
I'd rather trade out my blasts and 'utility' on my Nictus (redside shade) for some human form mez protection and some better damage =[
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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.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
|
One thing I still wish hadn't died was getting Nictus redside. Now, yes, with GR you can take a warshade redside. This, however, isn't satisfactory. It's like saying "My favourite steak place shut down." "Well, McDonalds is right down the street!" No.
Part of what's missing with that is the Nictus side of the Kheldian war storyline. Yes, I can mess with it in AE, but it's not official.
Unfortunately, some people don't like the Kheldian playstyle. I like the flexibility, but it's not for everyone. Plus, as mentioned back when VEATs were announced, they didn't want to make villainside players feel like it's just something blueside painted red. Which I can understand.
So, with all that in mind (and just for the hell of it) I whipped up a Nictus mastermind. I do actually want this tied to a storyline - I know unlocks aren't popular with everyone, but having this unlock when getting a Mastermind to 12 OR bringing a Kheld redside should ease this. Yes, they get their own contact and arcs to go along with redside arcs. (This also has arcs for villainous Khelds.) Blueside, Shadowstar becomes their contact, giving them appropriate arcs as well.
No, Nictus don't have to deal with voids. I don't think they'd be the slightest bit of a threat, but since it sends some people into fits... *shrug* Besides, lore-wise it wouldn't make much sense.
This is really a sketch of what could be done. I'm not tied to any of this.
1. Nictus bolt.
Basic, ST blast. NE.
2. Void Mercenaries.
Yeah. Those guys.
3. Nictus blast.
More powerful ST blast. NE/smashing.
4. Empower.
Upgrade #1 for pets.
5. Essence drain.
Ranged attack with self heal.
6. Converted Nictus
Dark humanoid forms. Attacks and support.
7. Summon Essences
Takes a fallen minion, blows up the body and summons from 1-3 Extracted Essences.
ALTERNATE: Place Cyst.
Like trip mine in a way - a Cyst (stealthed) is placed in a location. When an enemy comes near, it spawns multiple short-lived Weakened Nictus to attack whatever came close and explodes several seconds later.
8. True Nictus.
Self-empowered (Quantum Balance type power,) also provides Resist buff to allies.
9. N-shard Infusion.
Upgrade #2 for pets.
Pet powers:
All pets have a small amount of En/NE Resistance.
Void mercenary powers:
Basic:
Quantum bolt - ranged ST blast, NE/Smashing.
Nictus brawl - ST punch, NE/Smashing
5% En/NE resist
Empowered:
Visual change: Glowing red/purple eyes, more "tendrils" as an aura starts to form.
Quantum blast - Ranged ST blast, NE/Smashing, slow/-rech.
Infused:
Visual change: More visible, "full" aura.
+7% En/NE/Sm/L Resist
Quantum Cone - Cone attack, DOT.
Converted Nictus powers:
Basic:
5% En/NE resist
Nictus Blast - Ranged ST blast
(?) Aura - Pet-AOE, small but continuous heal to allies in range.
Empowered:
Nictus Bolt - Longer range, heavier ST attack. NE/Smashing, slow/-rech.
Nictus Snare - Minor damage, immob, allied +dmg/enemy -dmg if it hits (similar but lower values to Siphon Power.)
Infused:
Nictus Emanation - Ranged (cone,) +Disorient
Nictus Cloud - No, not a bunch of nictus. Small "pet" that debuffs enemies - -rech/-recov, -per, -tohit.
Nictus AUra - Small Pet-based AOE aura, minor DoT.
True Nictus:
Basic:
Nictus shield - 10% resist
Nictus assault - heavier hitting melee
Nictus Bolt - ST ranged attack
Empowered:
Nictus Emanation - Cone attack
Gravity Well - ST hold - ranged, moderate DOT.
Summon Nictus - calls 2 weakened Nictus, each with one ST and one Cone attack. Each lasts several minutes before dying.
Infused:
Dark Dwarf - Can go to tank form (with Dark Dwarf powers except taunt. Has a taunt aura instead, perhaps.)
Nictus Circle - also provides small ally heal/end return if it hits.
Nictus Mire - self buff, PBAOE damage.
Stygian Return. Self Returns, but needs buffing again. (?)
Gains (auto) Orbiting Death (possibly with chance to stun.)
PVP note - no, none of this does extra damage to Kheldians.