New Player, New Issue, 'old' questions...(??)

Hello CoH Heroes and Villians. New Player here (currently on Justice server), with some questions.

I am looking to make a toon that is able to fight off dozens of opponents at once, as I have seen many high level guys are able to do. I always played "tanks" in the other MMO's I have played (EQ, SWG, WoW, DCUO) and usually had a really fun time doing so.

Ive made 2 characters so far: Lady Taser (based on this ) and a Tanker named Lady Viltrumite (Invuln/SS)

Lady Taser was lucky enough to find some nice people to show me some of the ropes (Tanker101 and a whole bunch of people whos names escape me at the moment) They ran me through Architect Missions and at the end of the day I was lvl 28.... which was really cool, except I had no idea how to play this character and I am having major issues completing even solo missions now.... (which is why I made Lady Viltrumite, so I could learn more about the game)

Ideally I would Like to have a character that can fight lots of enemies at once and survive.... I have seen some controllers that are able to lock down a whole room and make it look easy... Maybe I should make one of those....

My question is; What is a viable build that I can play from start to finish and not find myself unable to be useful to a group.... Is there a 'buffer' style class that can help others?

I really have been enjoying these first two days of learning the game, and there is SO much more to learn...

"not a stalker," i think is the short answer

First off, welcome to the game!

Secondly, as you've found, while the Mission Architect system can be good, it's a horrible tool for showing new players the ropes, especially the way some people use it. So I'm glad you've made a new character to learn to play "properly."

Basically, anything can solo in this game, though some characters will have an easier time than others. There's much less of a need for the "Holy Trinity" of DPS-Tank-Healer than you might've found in other games, too. That being said, a Scrapper, Brute or a Tanker is a good first character. They've got good survivability, which can help as you're learning the ropes. Tankers will be tougher, but the Scrapper/Brute will do more damage. So that difference will be up to you of which you'd prefer.

Defenders, Controllers, Corruptors, and Masterminds all have buff/debuff sets to choose from. Of those four, Masterminds are easiest to level solo (though it will depend on whether or not it fits your playstyle). Controllers can definitely do a lot of cool things, especially at the upper levels, but some powersets will have problems being solo in the low levels, since they can be low on damage.

I think that a Scrapper or a Brute will be a good choice as you learn, but Tankers aren't that far behind, especially if you like that kind of play. An Invulnerability, Willpower, Electric, or Ice Tanker could be a good first choice.

any specifically come to mind?

Also, being that this is now Issue 20, how relevant are the guides? have major changes upset the way things used to work (that guide I am/was using for my blaster seems out of date) Is it smarter to play a defiant for a new player?

Welcome to the game!!!

For a new player, using Architect Missions don't do a good job of teaching you how to play your toon as you have found out.

Others will be along to give you in depth answers as to the benefits of each type. But newcomers should find a scrapper or brute to be easiest to learn and each has wonderful capabilities. The dominator and controllers are a finese type of character that offer wonderful buffs and debuffs depending on the power choices made. Each of the archtypes have their strengths and weaknesses. As this game doesn't restrict you to just one type, make a few different ones, then go out and do the missions that your contacts give you. Take your time and learn to play. Most archtypes start to come into their own once you hit level 20 and even more above level 30.

Enjoy the ride and read the story lines. They are great fun also.

everything ive been reading about tankers makes them seem like they are on the shortest end of the stick... Also since I have a lvl 20+ guy the hero classes (kheldarians?) are unlocked for me... are they too complex for a new player?

I have been enjoying the stories so far. *Gasp!* I take the time to read them, I'm old school like that.

Ill be sure to play around w/ a Mastermind as they seem like a pet class, and Pet classes are usually either amazing or terrible.

There are lots of characters in game with the ability to solo big groups... There are many guides available to help you design a Build for almost every power combination in the game... Local Man has two good guides in his sig that can solo GM's, and so on...

My only suggestion would be stay away from AE farms if you really want to learn to play the game, They are great for many things but learning the in's and out's of CoX is not really their forte'

As you develop your Alt'idus you'll find that there are character types that meet your play style and there are some that won't so don't pay attention to post that may say "this is gimp or That is gimp" play what's fun for you.

I would definately skip the "epic" ATs for awhile (Kheldians - warshades and peacebringers and Soldiers of Arachnos - Widows and Spiders).

They are more complex ATs to play and until you get a feeling for the ropes of the game, I'd skip them for awhile. Just my opinion though.

As to what to play:

Tankers - excel at personal defenses, medium single-target damage, good (non-ranged) AoE damage. Tankers are the non-ranged AoE and mob aggro specialists.

Scrappers - good personal defenses, high single-target damage, usually have at least one or two non-ranged AoE attacks as well. (spines is the exception here, they are AoE specialists with less single-target ability).

Blasters - minimal personal defense (basically none), massive damage at range. "the glass cannon - kill them before they kill you type"

Defenders - Team Support (buff team, debuff enemies, healing, etc) with medium level ranged attacks (basically a weaker version of the blaster blasts)

Controllers - Mob Control and Team Support. Controllers lock down the enemy and have slightly weaker versions of defender powers for team support. Controllers do only medium damage as a base, but get extra damage once they've taken control of the mobs...also they get pets at high level to help with damage.

MasterMind - The Pet Class. Masterminds get most of thier damage/defense from thier pets (which are fully controllable via commands - controller pets are AI controlled only). MasterMinds solo fantastically and can act as Mini-Tanks and Mini-Blasters/Mini-Scrappers (depending on your pets).

Brute - A combo version of Tank and Scrapper. Brutes start off with medium damage and gain damage as they gain "fury" while fighting. Fun but hectic type of play.

Dominator - basically a villain version of a controller. Plays differently due to "Domination" though, and has better damage.

Corruptor - basically a villain version of a blaster, but with team support abilities. Kind of a hybrid blaster/defender more or less.

Stalker - the sneaky assassin kill type.

ANY character (unless you almost purposely build against it) can solo. Some are just faster than others.

Play whatever sounds good, heck play several different types to get a feel for things. The melee types (Tank, Scrapper, Brute) are usually the easiest to get into at first. But give others a try and you'll get a feeling for them quickly.

wow thanks for the TONS of info, still alot to learn... Since it really boils down to the concept of -play what you will enjoy- I think I will be remaking my Main from DCUO (Fire Tank) I just hope the name is available.

Welcome to the game and the forum

Nice comic GG

Best discription of a stalker would be "Blaster meant to melee and survive"

The Hero-> Villain "conversion" chart

Tank - > Mastermind by design, and Brute by evolution
Scrapper - > Brute
Defender - > Corruptor
Controller - > Dominator
Blaster - > Stalker, Dominator by evolution

Here's "the thing":you won't get to beat up dozens of guys at once until you hit, oh, at LEAST level 22. Which could take a WEEK! or more!

I normally restrict myself to one monologue per new kid, but I'm going to give two this time. Because I deserve a treat.

1) Enhancements! enhancements. There are two "systems" of enhancements: the traditional (single-origin aka SO after level 22, dual-origin aka DO after level 12, training origins initially) and the newer invention-origins. IO's vary from slightly more performance than traditional to "totally change the way the character plays" (at high level, with an investment of squillions of inf and a lot of planning.) They're also a LOT more work and have a brutal learning curve. You can do just fine with traditional enhancements until you get your feet under you in the rest of the game. ("Did we just get our *** kicked by a mushroom?" -Me, August 2004)
So. Enhancements make a really big difference. You can enhance up to about double strength (except a few where you can enhance up to about 60%- you'll know them because SO's only give 20%) which is three SO's or six DO's.
"Standard SO Slotting" is one accuracy three damage on attacks, and then "chrome" in any other slots- usually endurance reduction, recharge reduction. Defensive powers usually get one endurance reduction, three defense or damage-resistance.

2) Money. When you're playing with traditional enhancements, it costs something like 15 million inf, level 1-50, to outfit yourself. There are invention-origin enhancements that cost a whole lot more than 15 million inf, EACH. So your "traditional enhancement" investment is really low, so you don't HAVE to spend a lot of time worrying about costs of things at the auction house. You can sell everything for 1 inf. The way the system works is "lowest seller sells to highest current bidder" which means you will get a little bit ripped off selling for 1 inf. But only a little bit, and you don't need very much inf at all BY AUCTION HOUSE STANDARDS so you will still stack money up pretty fast. If you need any inf, send me a tell at @Boltcutter and I'll give you a million, you should be self-sufficient after that.