Does it get any harder?

I just started playing the game a couple weeks ago. I got a buddy who started the game as well, but he already wants to quit because he says it's just too easy, which is making it boring for him and his girlfriend.

I love the game myself, but I don't really know what to tell him, seeing as my highest level toon is level 9, and I just started doing the Hollows. But he does have a point, it has been pretty darn easy so far...any advice for some noobs who want more of a challenge?

I assume like all MMO's that it gets more difficult later...right?

How far in is your buddy?

There are a fair number of answers to this. Every AT is going to play differently - if he's playing a scrapper, quite a bit is going to be easier than, say, as a blaster or defender. Also, you should (by now) have been introduced to the Hero Corp. representative (or Fateweaver, villainside.) You can change how much higher mobs are than you, as well as the default for how many players - you'll see people talking about running, say, +4/X8 (which is the maximum setting) - this is mobs spawning like you were +4 to your level, and for a team of 8 players even when solo. (I don't recommend it at level 9.)

Some mobs are going to be much rougher, too. Later in the game, the rogue Vanguard (and to some extent the Cimerorans) can chew up and spit out Melee. Malta is always "fun," and Carnies and others do a fair bit of Psy damage (which a lot of armors are weak to.)

Alternately - run in Praetoria. Yeah, it's 1-20, but the mobs there tend to have a few tricks that can make them more difficult.

See my Guides and Tutorials

There are some steep learning curves on some of the Trials (mainly the Incarnate trials, level 50+). Otherwise increase your difficulty settings.

See this paragonwiki article about it:
http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Notoriety

Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters

Well, "harder" is pretty subjective; it could mean many different things to different people.

In short, yes it does get harder. The enemies gain new powers and abilities, as well as doing more damage and being harder to kill. Keep in mind, though, you can adjust the difficulty at a field analyst, upping the number of enemies you face at once, or their level, or both.

Difficulty adjustments

Edit: Too slow...

Tell your friend to run a Keyes trial without experienced players. That will be enough answer.

But like everyone else said, the Field Corp Analyst should solve the problem.

A lot depends on what archetypes and powers you've chosen, and how well they 'gel' into a team. That's the beauty of the difficulty adjustment feature -- you can find the sweet spot for your particular team.

Mr. Enigma is also right that enemies do get harder as you level. Pre-10 or so, they really don't do much but just attack. Groups like Tsoo, Circle of Thorns, and especially Arachnos have many more tricks up their sleeves.

Awesome. I was kind of afraid to mess with the Field Analyst settings, LOL. I will definitely try it out now. Thanks!!

Very disappointed in the lack of That's What She Said jokes, c'mon people!

That aside, there are some parts of CoH that are somewhat challenging, but for the most part it's a pretty easy game.

Well, if you want challenging the Abandoned Sewer Trial says hello. That's not available until level 38 though.

While some people have comment on AT (which does affect things) I'm curious about location and content. If you're a hero, Skulls and Hellions are almost insultingly cannon fodder and that's a lot of what you'll encounter. Circle of Thorns, primarily in a large group, will require a bit more tactics to engage.

I lot of the game stays pretty easy. You are a superhero after all.

Some of it though can get challenging quickly. Circle of Thorns are famous for TPK once you get past the very basic adversaries. Watch out for Ruin Mages.

The difficulty of the game is dependent on your level, archetype, and build in comparison to the task you're facing, and your difficulty settings.

For example, A character capable of dealing lethal damage won't have much trouble with the Carnival of Shadows, but they'd have much more trouble with the spectral minions of the Circle of Thorns.

It's all relative, really. Certain content is harder than others, though, but a skilled character who knows how to play will rarely run into a situation where a team wipes multiple times trying to figure out how to beat one boss.

Also, ealier mobs are not supposed to be as challenging as other mobs later game.

Obviously your friend is not fighting Malta/Carnies/High level CoT/Knives of Artimis or Devouring Earth, which can all be annoying for certain AT's based on the power choses.

I don't think it's any different than other games out there where you fight things that don't even aggro until you make the first attack, nor do I think it's any different than the "Giant Rat, Kobold, Hob Goblin" kills in other games.

Low content is designed to allow you to learn the AT without the constant concern of always being defeated.

It should also be said that while in games like WoW, DDO or GW having more than a couple of even con enemies attacking you at once can be difficult especially at lower levels. In CoH especially later on in the game you will be facing more mobs that you can control, so facing mobs that would be a challenge in WoW et al, will not be a challenge here.

I faced the reverse of the issue when leaving CoH and finding that no you cannot herd up entire areas to nuke until you significantly out level that content. And something I had to explain to a friend who had only ever played WoW as to why I was levelling nearly three times as fast even though he played more often, he only faced even/+1 con mobs solo. I was facing +1/x4...

Alternative suggestion: get less LEET friends.

OR Keep those friends and make them play with one hand or blindfolded or with their monitors upside down.