Do you Exercise Purposeful Gimping?

In the name of a concept chacracter? Absolutely.

To fit a concept I will:

-turn off XP to hold a character at a certain level.

-Not take specific powers from power sets (or, if I must take them, never use them) <<I have big hopes for my petless Beast MM>>

-Mix enhancement strengths (yes, I have characters with IO/ SO/ DO/ TO, all at the same time)

-build characters based around power pools

-build characters based around crafted temporary powers

Now, do I expect these characters to be able to go everywhere and do everything? Nope, they're more for the challenge of the thing. Just to see if I can get it to work.

Would I use them for something big like a TF/SF? Not really. That would run too much of a risk of messing up someone elses day. For those situations, I go back to a more standard playstyle

The closest thing I do to this is conceptual power choices. I absolutely never use SOs on a final build; I very rarely even use SOs past 30. I would never, ever, ever outright skip powers that make a set what it is, and I never skip things like Incarnate abilities.

The most important part of a character concept, to me, is conceptual development. It actually really irritates me when people say "I refuse to use X because it doesn't fit my original concept." Concepts can grow. Characters can grow. They can gain things they didn't have to start with.

I24 Proc Chance = (Enhanced Recharge + Activation Time) * (Current PPM * 1.25) / 60*(1 + .75*(.15*Radius - 0.011*Radius*(360-Arc)/30))
Single Target Radius = 0. AoE Non-Cone Arc = 360.

I consider myself a reformed min/maxer that falls off the wagon a lot.

I enjoy learning the mechanics and working the system to know how to get the best possible performance from something. Some people play chess against themselves-- growing up, I played Axis & Allies vs myself and studied probability and stats solely to determine the best possible strategies for various contingencies. I knew the best possible options available to Russia on the first turn and the best statistical results Germany could have based on that Russian player's various options. I had a 1-inch binder "playbook" of various scenarios covering both "statistically probable" outcomes and my "more likely" results that came from the "bad dice" curse.

Yeah, I didn't get out much.

So, yes. I like seeing how I can play with game numbers to min/max.

The "reformed" part is once I figure these out, I get bored and ignore my findings for the fun of concept builds. Characters without travel powers; characters with more slotted in pool powers than their primary because the pool powers fit the concept better. I'll make a dual-pistols blaster with more slots in whatever melee attacks I can grab from pool sets just because he's a "use lethal force only when necessary" guy.

So, yes, I do self-gimp.

Then I look back at that dual-pistols melee'er and realize with a little IO'ing, I can softcap defense... and a little different slotting gets me faster regen... and if I just go without power x I can invest more into powers y and z. Next thing I know, I'm blowing several billion on the auctionhouse (I min/max there too) for an 'alternate build' that I'll never use...

I find nothing more interesting about the most weak and pathetic heroes than I do the very strongest heroes. Comic book writing is all about tropes, once you get past the initial appreciation of Batman having no powers you quickly realize it doesn't matter that he has no powers because he'll still be written like a nigh-untouchable demigod most of the time anyways, and that none of them (the popular ones, anyways), will ever die and remain dead for very long. Not that it matters, because a character's power level does not define the character nor the quality of the stories that can be told with the character. Case in point: All Star Superman, Superman at his very strongest, probably the best superhero comic of the last decade.

I build for concept, but no, I do not intentionally gimp my characters. I make do with my power choices the best I can, even if it means taking Fly on a Tanker over Super Jumping and thus missing out on the defense from Combat Jumping. If that qualifies as a gimp, I suppose I do gimp to an extent, but I've never felt like I should stop buying more and better IO sets, nor working toward more and better Incarnate pieces. The game separates itself from the concept at that level for me.

This is a pretty interesting topic that I can definatly relate to. As an avid Lore RPer of virtue, I also am one who subscribes to the Build reflecting on the concept. Meaning if your suppose to be a mundane human then dont build a gawd, and if your going to try and RP as some superior being from magneto to silver surfer class, or be a doc strange or Mephosteles then your build better have the BAMF! to back it up.

I even feel compelled to relate stories concerning two of my favored characters, on quite the opposite end of the spectrum from each other inspite of both being scrappers.

My oldest toon is T'Keron Valmaz, lord of demonkind. For more then 6 years I have done my small part to try and breathe life into one of the most interesting if very often unknown bits of lore, concerning Infernal's best friend, and how our resident Heroic Half Fiend came to our primal earth.

Some on occasion get stuck on the Lord Of Demonkind thing feeling this was the soul reason for taking such a concept on, and is some attempt to justify godmoding. It is infact the opposite in intent, meant to set a standard showing there is a place for RPing such powerful concepts, but drawing upon the game lore for limits and logical origins was essential to avoid true godmoding.

This idea was born in first year while on one of my early toons who was a D&D PC inspired dark elven concept. I came to cox directly from a D&D table top group where one of the friends had shown me the game during its beta, and all effort was invested in getting my current comp at the time and internet access upgraded to handle an MMO, something I hadnt gotten into during the early craze of EQ, PnP groups and the pleasure of chucking dice was more common to come by in those days.

It wasnt long though before I came to notice that despite some aspects of coh blended with D&Ds multi verse fairly well, A drow just felt kind of silly to play.

One day I was pondering this very thing as I stood under Atlas. When a nearby IC conversation caught my attention. Some folks had been RPing some general hero chit chat when this really low lvl dark defender showed up and started talking about how they where the ancient god of death and chaos etc etc and no one was calling them out on it, and worse a fair number actually seemed to try and be building up such RP since they where on magic origin characters.

To me such behavior was a dangerous trend that could not be tolerated if virtue RP was to become something meaningful. So I started bringing up just some of the basics. Id already encountered DA and it had quickly become one of my favored zones, temp powers like the idol of lughubu, sands of mu, and undead slaying axe all became objects every alt would persue aquistion of just for the fun of playing with them.

So I started to quiz them, maybe grill would be a better word, on just basic stuff. They didnt even have a clue how gods came to exist in COH lore, nor did they know who Tielekku was. And promptly shredded into them explaining that if you want people to RP such things with you and take them seriously the least you could do is learn the lore around such concepts.

Then and there I swore Id make a lore based character to set the standard. To walk that fine line between sane Rpability and over powerful cosmic being. And anyone curious on how I do it is free to look T'Keron Valmaz up in game on virtue anytime I happen to be on.

On the flip side is my character Invisible Falcon. My main version of if now days is an old claw/WP scrapper. He became the main one due to having old fitness powers rather then the new inherent ones. This I believe reflects very much on the OPs pondering of self gimping. But I dont call it gimping to be honest.

IF has no lvl 50 purple IOs in his build, has 3 powers used up taking hurdle,health, and stamina. Uses no complete sets but rather more frankenslotting procs for effects like disorients and knockdowns to reflect a more martial arts type claw fighter. He also doesnt use Rise to the challenge, nor the self rez or lvl 38 power which I honestly cant even recall the name of atm since I have never used it on my WP guy lol.

As for his incarnate use, he doesnt run I trials, and earns his up through slow and steady shard drops being converted, and the occasional wst if its one that suits him. He does have and use judgment but more in the way batman would use a super powerful explosive against something like Mettallo as seen in the great superman/batman public enemies animated film which I highly reccommend to fans of either character.

Funny enough IF still has people say he seems a very powerful build and he is definatly in the poor man do it yourself build range.

It's interesting to me, because (when reading the thread title) my immediate thought is that I do.
However, after reading the actual questions and examples, I realize that I really don't tend to go to any of these lengths.
The reason, for myself, is that it seems as though most of my concepts keep the elements of CoH in mind. I often take a long while before I actually make a character (they might sit as saved costumes for years before they become an actual character in-game... or, you know, of course some times they happen over night too... anyway).

While I absolutely pick and choose a character's powers entirely around concept, I don't tend to find any incongruities between my concepts and what the game provides for successful power selection.
If and when I do have such incongruities, I'd certainly choose for concept, but I suppose that I tend to build my concepts around working somewhat well.

Of course, by some definitions, not taking Tough and Weave and Combat Jumping and Maneuvers is "gimping" your Tank or Brute or Scrapper... And I not-only don't take those combinations (unless the concept REALLY calls for that level of performance AND I have room for those powers - which is the biggest rarity), but I'll eagerly take and use Jump Kick and Hand Clap and so on, if the concept calls for it.

Powers are pretty much on the same plane as emotes, auras and costumes for me.
However, I tend to design the whole thig to work... And I shouldn't take all of the credit... CoH seems to really make it possible for me to have solidly represented concepts that actually work successfully within the game.

The one thing that I have often thought of doing was to limit a character's level based on a particular zone... But I never have.
My main character's main haunt is Kings Row, but I don't mind pummeling Skulls with one shot each... I actually find it enjoyable.

So... No, but yes... maybe? Not really... but I would...

Putting this into a separate post, because I feel it calls for it...

Actually, my main villain is a Mind/Psi Dominator and his powers were only of the psychic variety and not the physical/telekinesis types... So, no Levitate and Telekinetic Thrust or whatever it is called.
And then... in game-play... when dealing with trying to break open vault doors or attack robots... I would generally avoid using his psychic powers and just brawl or use any temporary powers (that fit the concept), such as baseball bats, guns, grenades and such.

Funny enough... after reaching 50, he did end up developing his powers somewhat and I respec'd those telekinetic powers in. I still don't use them often as he doesn't quite have great control over it. That makes it all the more fun, though, as... when he does use them, it plays off as so much more of a GET OUT OF MY FACE burst of anger, resulting in powers that he doesn't have a hold on yet.

Ahhh... good stuff (for me).



I don't think this really counts, but Amazing Ape (my only real Tank) is deathly afraid of water... and it has gimped him a few times (especially in those dank, tight caves with large puddles of water with no other way through).
He has spent many a minutes growling and fussing at the edge of a pool of water, while the rest of the team has rushed ahead.
As a player, I feel badly... but my character's phobia extends so greatly to me that I really have a hard time sending him through the water. Most often, someone on the team learns of his phobia and will teleport him through such obstacles, haha.
This tends to result in a lot of fun.

Not sure that this really counts, but it is an example of how gimping can come from different angles, I suppose.

NOW! We're getting somewhere with this thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterminal In City of Heroes, a player can actually make a character more unique by not taking a certain ability.

Yes yes, my main is a master of swords which means, rather than not taking a certain ability for him, he must take *every* ability within those sword sets *and slot them*...*AND USE THEM*. So I have to actually conform his playstyle to incorporate all attacks, not just the good ones, and use them solo and teamed (even Confront).

Another is my Fire/SD/Mako brute. I'm still quite proud of his build which omits all Fire Melee attacks except the swords and fire breath. Since he's a dragon-kind, they don't shoot fire from their fingertips but instead from their mouths (he's got a good mix of damage, acc, endurance and range in Breath of Fire) and conceptualizes the sword as a type of dragon magic.

How many Brutes have a hover build, able to breath death on masses of foes from 40-60ft away? And how many only took the swords along with that? Probably not as many as you'd think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electric-Knight Putting this into a separate post, because I feel it calls for it... Actually, my main villain is a Mind/Psi Dominator and his powers were only of the psychic variety and not the physical/telekinesis types... So, no Levitate and Telekinetic Thrust or whatever it is called. And then... in game-play... when dealing with trying to break open vault doors or attack robots... I would generally avoid using his psychic powers and just brawl or use any temporary powers (that fit the concept), such as baseball bats, guns, grenades and such. Funny enough... after reaching 50, he did end up developing his powers somewhat and I respec'd those telekinetic powers in. I still don't use them often as he doesn't quite have great control over it. That makes it all the more fun, though, as... when he does use them, it plays off as so much more of a GET OUT OF MY FACE burst of anger, resulting in powers that he doesn't have a hold on yet. Ahhh... good stuff (for me). I don't think this really counts, but Amazing Ape (my only real Tank) is deathly afraid of water... and it has gimped him a few times (especially in those dank, tight caves with large puddles of water with no other way through). He has spent many a minutes growling and fussing at the edge of a pool of water, while the rest of the team has rushed ahead. As a player, I feel badly... but my character's phobia extends so greatly to me that I really have a hard time sending him through the water. Most often, someone on the team learns of his phobia and will teleport him through such obstacles, haha. This tends to result in a lot of fun. Not sure that this really counts, but it is an example of how gimping can come from different angles, I suppose.

I'd say both of those qualify. Good stuff good stuff

Some examples of mine: how I conceptualize my characters tends to require multiples of them (master of swords so Kat/, Dual Blades/ and Titan Weapons/ scrappers) so my most powerful is a Storm/Elec def, Sonic/Storm corr and Storm/Dark def. She's could drown the world in a torrent of storms if the magic council wasn't on her back...and she wasn't a crazy obsessed *itch (hey! why'd you bleep that? she's a storm witch!). Anyway, she's sidetracked by a lover who betrayed her and rather than continue her plans to wash the world clean, she's off trying to win the guy back, imbuing her powers into cats and making the guy realize what he's missing.

She imbued her 2 pet cats with all her lightning power (bye bye Storm/Elec def), then went and put her wind powers into another 'slave' (bye bye Sonic/Storm corr) and without her wind power, her overcast/fog powers had limited use (no Storm/Dark def). Now all she could do is call on storms. She had to find a magic fire-charmed relic to get by the fact she had no powers to directly assault people (new corr: Fire/Storm).

While that did reign in a lot of her potential power, it also created more characters (Elec/Regen stalker, Elec/Elec brute, TW/WP scrap) so it's not all bad.

Later in her story, she imbues her snow and rain powers into others but she'd be so ridiculously unfun to play without Freezing Rain and Lightning Storm, I haven't had the heart to do it yet.

Nope. While the story might say incarnates are all that, when done with just SO builds, they don't really feel all that incarnate

And I'm not even looking to play what the game calls incarnate level superheroes. I'm happy with Spider-Girl, Batgirl, X-23, Gambit, Spider-Man, Wolverine level of superhero. Without IOs that feeling just isn't there.

Oh, should add though, that I do take concept powers, however. I let IOs pick up the slack for concept driven power choices.

Jump Kick, Spring Attack, ect, powers Ive used and slotted. JK tends to be slotted more for set bonuses, buuuut, it's usually slotted well enough that when Im not trying to DPS an AV down, I'll use it in normal missions just for the fun of it (I like it's animation )

Spring Attack is nice added AOE, but getting to grab it usually means I'm taking powers I don't really need.

Yes. Most of my characters, well over half, are "merely" super. A couple are just very well-trained normals. These will never reach godlike or even demi-god levels of power. I don't unlock or run Incarnate content with them.

(I also don't take Hasten on most of my characters, just the speedster and the /Time controller. Heck, the speedster has (and sometimes uses!) Flurry.)