VIP to Premium

So some real life issues have me seriously considered downgrading from VIP. I have some questions though.

I started playing in April 2011 and bought the CoH/GR/CoV combo pack.

So I understand I retain anything I paid for from the Paragon Market or unlocked with Veteran Rewards.

So I will retain my access to the trenchcoat costume piece.

Will I lose my access to the controller/MM AT since I didn't specifically buy them with Paragon points?

Since I purchased GR, I keep access to the GR alignment system, praetoria, and the power sets eg Dual pistol? If I unlock MM, I still have access to Demon Summoning?

What about character slots? I have 2, and seemed to unlock 2 more, so I'll have access to four toons?

Is there a UI that allows me to pick which toons are active? The character creator shows something about 3 global unlocks, so are those more slots I have for some reason? Should I allot them before downgrading or will they still be available afterwards? I've never purchased character slots separately.

I have 2 (or is it 3?) server transfers. Will I retain those after I downgrade?

What happens to IOs slotted in characters I keep playing? Are they grayed out and inactive until I buy the IO license? I probably will buy the IO license, but just want to know what would happen if I didn't.

I'm just curious about what its involved here and how to maximize my premium experience.

Just to second LordLunder on this.

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Originally Posted by radsmash So I will retain my access to the trenchcoat costume piece.

Exactly.

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Will I lose my access to the controller/MM AT since I didn't specifically buy them with Paragon points?

Yes you will lose access to any controllers and Masterminds until you have either bought the AT's in the store or filled in Tier 5 on the rewards chart.

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Since I purchased GR, I keep access to the GR alignment system, praetoria, and the power sets eg Dual pistol? If I unlock MM, I still have access to Demon Summoning?

This is correct you have access to all of these things since you purchased the GR boxed set.

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What about character slots? I have 2, and seemed to unlock 2 more, so I'll have access to four toons?

Correct though my fuzzy memory wants to say you'll have 5 slots you can unlock 4 is probably the correct number. Ok I went and looked at the side by side comparison chart and can't see why I think 5 so yes 4 slots is correct. 2 for Free/Premium 2 for the GR box.

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Is there a UI that allows me to pick which toons are active? The character creator shows something about 3 global unlocks, so are those more slots I have for some reason? Should I allot them before downgrading or will they still be available afterwards? I've never purchased character slots separately.

Ok, first if you have 3 global unlocks at the top you may have 5 not 4 slots available when you go Premium. No and don't bother spending them before you drop to premium unless you need more than 12 slots on a server while still VIP.

Anyway the first time you login after dropping to Premium you will see all of your characters greyed out. You will have 4 or 5 unlock tokens showing at the top of the screen and can unlock specific characters. Once they are unlocked you will be able to play them. Controllers/MM can't be unlocked until you have access to those AT's.

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I have 2 (or is it 3?) server transfers. Will I retain those after I downgrade?

I would predict you will retain them but not earn more unless you go VIP again.

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What happens to IOs slotted in characters I keep playing? Are they grayed out and inactive until I buy the IO license? I probably will buy the IO license, but just want to know what would happen if I didn't.

They stay slotted in your character but are greyed out and inactive until you have access to IO's. Best option is either use your alternate build available at level 10 for DO's/SO's or buy the $2.00 license each month.

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I'm just curious about what its involved here and how to maximize my premium experience.

It sounds like you are on the right track planning ahead.

Also note one other thing...
If you have a SG/VG, you must be a VIP to pay rent. If there are other VIP players in the SG, as long as those characters have permission to pay the rent, you're good.

Otherwise, I believe the other posters answered your concerns.

Thank you for the time...

@Travlr (Main) / @Tymers Realm (Test)

Firstly, you've obviously done your research. Every place you stated how you think it works, you are correct.

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Originally Posted by radsmash Is there a UI that allows me to pick which toons are active? ... I have 2 (or is it 3?) server transfers. Will I retain those after I downgrade? ... What happens to IOs slotted in characters I keep playing? Are they grayed out and inactive until I buy the IO license?

Yes, yes and yes.
To be clear, the IO's will not function AT ALL. You don't just lose any set bonuses or special effects, the enhancements will do nothing at all.

If you have not yet, buying any amount of points awards a bonus token the first time. Also, you do not have to fill a tier to unlock that tiers bonus, merely have enough tokens earned to do so (minor difference, admittedly, but as such it happens automatically unlike the stuff in the tiers you must slot for. )

Thanks all for your replies. Now I know what to expect.

Going to miss my trollers.

I'm going to hop in here with some of my own concerns.

My VIP account is going to run out this week. I'm allowing it to do so only temporarily, because I'm going to be out of town this weekend and busy for the next week, so no point in paying for a game I won't be able to play (since it has such a timely expiration date, at least), right?

I just want to know what to expect should I try to play while not VIP.

I'm one token away from completing Tier 7, I believe. I bought City of Villains, Going Rogue, a few costume pieces from the Market, Beam Rifle, and Street Justice.

What does that limit me to?

From what I've heard, I think if I get that last token (pushing me to Tier 8), my IOs will function fine. Is that true?

What won't I be able to access? What won't I be able to do? The only thing I know for sure that I won't be able to do is Incarnate Trials. What else?

If I play any before re-VIP-ing, it will probably just be lowbies, but I wanted to be aware of everything I could and couldn't use. Will I receive drops as normal? Salvage? Recipe? Incarnate Shards (even though I couldn't use them)?

Thanks.

If you make it to 27 Reward Tokens earned then all you will lose is large inspiration drops, Incarnates, Signature Story Arcs* and First Ward content*. *Unless you bought them separately from the store. There may be more you lose access to but you will retain all the Tier 7 Bonus stuff and all the previous Tier bonus stuff.

Here for more info:

http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Paragon_Rewards_Program

The scale works that you are at the level of your most recent filled tier. So if you are one slot short on tier 7 you are still considered a tier 6 as far as the extra rewards are concerned.

LordLundar, it's based on reward tokens earned, not slots filled. You can leave the slots unfilled if you want.