Returning Player: VIP or Buy Archtype?
By
Aggelakis,
Posted on: 2011-12-18 23:26 in Player Questions
Well, by getting the VIP membership, you get a lot more than just the controller unlocked..... but only for one month. If you buy the Controller Unlock, that's all you get.... but it's yours for keeps. So your answer will depend on whether that other stuff is something you want and how long you think you might be playing for. (I think there's a page somewhere on the main site that has a side-by-side comparison of the different things you get when VIP vs. Premium, and it's probably on Paragonwiki.com too. But I don't have a link for you, sorry.)
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Wiki link about how to unlock stuff for premium players:
http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Premium_Player
Once it has been unlocked, it's unlocked forever. However, being VIP doesn't UNLOCK things, it just allows temporary access to locked systems/mechanics/characters/slots/whatever. If you want to continue to play, you'll either have to continue subbing or purchase the unlock. (or purchase enough points/subscribe long enough to get enough reward tokens to permanently unlock controllers through the paragon rewards program)
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Originally Posted by Dispari
I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.
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how much is a controller?
If you subscribe you get 400 pts per month in addition to your VIP status
so you could subscribe for a month and try out VIP, if you don't like the extra stuff you still are earning points towards unlocking controller
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1,200 Paragon Points.
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Originally Posted by dugfromthearth
how much is a controller?
If you subscribe you get 400 pts per month in addition to your VIP status so you could subscribe for a month and try out VIP, if you don't like the extra stuff you still are earning points towards unlocking controller |
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I think it's worth asking how many reward tokens you already have; get up to 13 and you'll unlock controllers permanently anyway. That might make a difference as to whether you'd be better off subscribing (which would get you controllers for a month, 400 points, and a reward token that would get you closer to not needing to buy controller access at all) or buying points (which would earn you a reward token for every 1200 points you buy, plus the points themselves), and whether you're better off spending points on unlocking controllers or getting something else with them. One thing I will say: no matter how you decide to spend your money, always spend your reward tokens before you spend your points. Otherwise you may end up buying something you've already "paid for."
FUN FACT: That burst of light when you level up is actually the effectiveness escaping from your enhancements all at once.
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This. Also, note that there are other ways to get reward tokens. Every 1200 paragon points that you buy (including bonuses for large purchases, but not VIP stipends) is worth a token. Plus, you get a bonus token the first time you buy points. If you are thinking of buying other things as well (extra character slots, powersets, the alignment system, costume parts) then don't forget to account for those tokens toward your "free" controller unlock.
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Originally Posted by Doctor Roswell
I think it's worth asking how many reward tokens you already have; get up to 13 and you'll unlock controllers permanently anyway. That might make a difference as to whether you'd be better off subscribing (which would get you controllers for a month, 400 points, and a reward token that would get you closer to not needing to buy controller access at all) or buying points (which would earn you a reward token for every 1200 points you buy, plus the points themselves), and whether you're better off spending points on unlocking controllers or getting something else with them. One thing I will say: no matter how you decide to spend your money, always spend your reward tokens before you spend your points. Otherwise you may end up buying something you've already "paid for."
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Originally Posted by Fulmens
The plural of anecdote is not data.
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Or you can "re-imagine" the character as a heroic Dominator. Relatively similar play, not a Premium AT. Win, perhaps.
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I forgot about that part! It's important enough that it should be pointed out again.|
Originally Posted by Kahzi
This. Also, note that there are other ways to get reward tokens. Every 1200 paragon points that you buy (including bonuses for large purchases, but not VIP stipends) is worth a token. Plus, you get a bonus token the first time you buy points. If you are thinking of buying other things as well (extra character slots, powersets, the alignment system, costume parts) then don't forget to account for those tokens toward your "free" controller unlock.
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So really, spending $15 on points will get you:
- a reward token for buying points for the first time;
- another reward token for buying 1200 points;
- 1200 points, which you can spend to permanently unlock controllers or for whatever else you want;
- 120 bonus points because you get 10% extra for buying that many all at once (which do count toward the 1200 you'll need to buy to earn another reward token).
- Total: 1320 points, 2 reward tokens and 1/10th of the way to a third
Spending $15 on VIP access will get you:
- VIP status for a month, including access to controllers for that month only, as well as access to the invention system, auction houses, and incarnate content if you've got a level 50 character (all also for that month only);
- a reward token, because VIPs get one every month;
- 400 points (which do not count toward the 1200 you'll need to buy to earn another reward token).
- Total: Controllers and other VIP perks for 30 days, 400 points, 1 reward token
If you're at all close to 13 tokens, I'd say buy points instead of VIP and use tokens for the permanent archetype unlock. (Technically, that happens automatically when you spend that 13th token, so you don't really "use them to unlock it," but close enough.) If you're not, I'd probably still say buy the points and use them to unlock controllers, unless you think you'll see some use from the other VIP perks like the incarnate or invention systems (both of which will shut off for you as soon as you stop paying for VIP anyway). For you, VIP is really only the best option if you're in this for the long haul.
FUN FACT: That burst of light when you level up is actually the effectiveness escaping from your enhancements all at once.
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Just a note: Paragon Rewards tier-based unlocks, such as global chat, consignment house and inventions access and archetype unlocks, don't actually require tokens to be spent. The account just needs to have earned the appropriate number of tokens and these things should unlock themselves automatically.|
Originally Posted by Doctor Roswell
One thing I will say: no matter how you decide to spend your money, always spend your reward tokens before you spend your points. Otherwise you may end up buying something you've already "paid for."
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Now, whether or not the correct number of tokens has actually been credited to your account...
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Now that you mention it, I actually don't know offhand whether those unlocks are based on tokens earned or tokens spent, but you're probably right; I tend to spend my tokens as soon as I get them (except right now, since I've bought everything non-repeatable and I'm saving for the Fire and Ice sets), so it's effectively the "same time" for me personally.
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Originally Posted by Selina_H
Just a note: Paragon Rewards tier-based unlocks, such as global chat, consignment house and inventions access and archetype unlocks, don't actually require tokens to be spent. The account just needs to have earned the appropriate number of tokens and these things should unlock themselves automatically.
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FUN FACT: That burst of light when you level up is actually the effectiveness escaping from your enhancements all at once.
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Originally Posted by Kahzi
Plus, you get a bonus token the first time you buy points.
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Not quite. If he has a controller from long ago, then he probably has at least one retail box code and a few months of play time. So he should already have the bonus token.
It's not really "first purchase" its the transition from completely free to having paid for anything at all, at any time, including before Freedom launched. All old accounts are really Premium accounts, they aren't what the devs call "Free" accounts. Even though a lot of players call their premium accounts "free."
I think the points about checking your current reward tokens is a good one. Planning a little ahead is a good idea, and will save you some dough. Playing a dominator instead is also a good idea.
Finally, look into getting a license if you want to play, but are cash constrained. For about $4 per month, you can get a license for Inventions and for the Auction House (each is $2 per month). This gives you a lot more flexibility in playing the game, especially as you move up into levels 30+ where IO start to become very practical.
It all really depends on what you want. Think you'll only play for one month? $15 will get you everything for that one month. Want to be able to come back to the controller? The unlock is permanent. Plan on playing casually a lot off and on? A $50 purchase will net you 3 tokens, so if you're close to 13 reward tokens, this will unlock controllers with out having to pay anything extra, plus give you lots of points for licenses, and goodies like costumes or new power sets.
Kinda depends where you want to go eventually.
The box token and the points bonus tokens are seperate. At least, if the box code was applied pre-freedom, anyway.
OP - when you log in and openthe "Paragon Rewards" window - how many tokens earned does it list?
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Yep, I had a total of three retail codes on my account (CoH Collector's Edition, CoV Collector's Edition, and Going Rogue) when Freedom launched, and I got a token with my first ($5) points purchase.
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Originally Posted by Rajani Isa
The box token and the points bonus tokens are seperate. At least, if the box code was applied pre-freedom, anyway.
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FUN FACT: That burst of light when you level up is actually the effectiveness escaping from your enhancements all at once.
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Are you sure? I'm pretty sure that I got a bonus reward token the first time I bought extra Paragon Points, and that was a while after Freedom launched, on an account that had been subbed for years.
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Originally Posted by gameboy1234
It's not really "first purchase" its the transition from completely free to having paid for anything at all, at any time, including before Freedom launched.
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Retail code and points purchase are separate tokens. Obligatory wiki link: http://paragonwiki.com/wiki/Reward_Token|
Originally Posted by gameboy1234
Not quite. If he has a controller from long ago, then he probably has at least one retail box code and a few months of play time. So he should already have the bonus token.
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You get tokens multiple ways:
If you have an account: 1 token [everyone gets this]
If you apply a retail code: 1 token (even if you apply every single retail code out there, only 1 token)
If you had old subscription time: 1-34 tokens, 1 per old vet badge (or 1 per 3 months sub pre-Freedom)
If you had old subscription time: 1-7 tokens, 1 per year subscribed pre-Freedom
If you buy points: 1 token (first time purchase only)
If you buy points: 1 token per 1200 purchased, cumulative (doesn't have to be 1200 at a time) and repeatable (bonus points count! VIP points do not)
If you subscribe: 1 token per month at the end of the subscription time (though people with uninterrupted sub time since pre-Freedom have their token reward dates all kinds of screwed up)
EDIT: Also, reward token unlocks happen automagically as you are granted the tokens, not requiring you to socket them in anywhere. My preemie account has unlocked T4's bonuses even though I haven't slotted most of my tokens yet.
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Originally Posted by Dispari
I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.
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Originally Posted by Grouchybeast
Are you sure? I'm pretty sure that I got a bonus reward token the first time I bought extra Paragon Points, and that was a while after Freedom launched, on an account that had been subbed for years.
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The way I understood it to work was that the Tier 2 was basically your extra token, the one you got from any purchase, and so anyone who progressed beyond that level would already have it. However you, Aggelakis and the Wiki are all saying you get a further, extra token from a first purchase of points, so perhaps I'm mistaken.
I tell ya, the rewards are nice, but they sure are complicated. I kinda wish it was more straight forward.
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No and no. It *IS* "first purchase". Your first purchase of points gets you an extra bonus token. It makes no difference how many retail codes you have applied.
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Originally Posted by gameboy1234
Not quite. If he has a controller from long ago, then he probably has at least one retail box code and a few months of play time. So he should already have the bonus token.
It's not really "first purchase" its the transition from completely free to having paid for anything at all, at any time, including before Freedom launched. |
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He's absolutely right -- it's based on Reward Tokens earned, whether they are spent or not.
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Originally Posted by Doctor Roswell
Now that you mention it, I actually don't know offhand whether those unlocks are based on tokens earned or tokens spent, but you're probably right; I tend to spend my tokens as soon as I get them (except right now, since I've bought everything non-repeatable and I'm saving for the Fire and Ice sets), so it's effectively the "same time" for me personally.
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No. I didnt get any extra token with my first purchase. The extra token only applies to free accounts, not premium
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Originally Posted by Ironblade
No and no. It *IS* "first purchase". Your first purchase of points gets you an extra bonus token. It makes no difference how many retail codes you have applied.
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Hogwash. I got it on a VIP account the first time I purchased points. It's true for ANY account upon the first purchase. You must have just missed seeing it (but if for some reason you really DIDN'T, you need to contact Customer Support).
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Originally Posted by Erhnam
No. I didnt get any extra token with my first purchase. The extra token only applies to free accounts, not premium
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As stated above, I too am a VIP player who got this token (to my surprise) when I purchased points for the first time, even got two because I brought the 1200pts bundle which earned me the second regular token gain for having bought 1200pts.|
Originally Posted by Erhnam
No. I didnt get any extra token with my first purchase. The extra token only applies to free accounts, not premium
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To clarify this in K.I.S.S.-speak:
The token you get from buying points is a flag that only went into effect from the launch of CoH:Freedom, ALL accounts, whether new and free or old and subscribed were not selectively flagged for this token. This means that even if you're a seven year vet, purchasing points for the first time gets you a token, because as far as the system goes, it IS their first time buying points. There was no such thing as paragon points before freedom launched.
See the logic now?
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Mmm maybe I missed them, not sure :S I will try counting them when I get home, but I dont really remember how many of them I had when I came back with all this Freedom thingy 
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False.|
Originally Posted by Erhnam
No. I didnt get any extra token with my first purchase. The extra token only applies to free accounts, not premium
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If you didn't get a 'free' extra token on your first purchase, contact Support. Even a mere $5 purchase will get you the free token. I know because I got it. I also got the free token on a $100 point purchase. (I have 2 accounts.)
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I have a level 28 character that I used to play a looooong time ago and he is a Controller. I want to play this character again, but that archtype is locked. Should I get a VIP membership or should I buy the archtype? Both ate $15 I think. Does the archtype lock again if I let my VIP lapse?
Is there any other way to play my character again? I'm bummed that the one archtype from the original game when it first came out is a premium item.
Thanks