Epics, Patrons and a New AT

I am a comics genre fiend. I like the archetypes that I've found there and believe that, like characters in CoH, it's how you develop the character that makes it unique. How many different kinds of Fire/Fire Blasters can you make? As many as you have imagination for.

Several years ago I was disappointed that there was no ranged AT that had enough defenses to take some damage (think Iron Man). I tried to create one, thinking that it should be a Epic AT so that it wouldn't become so common as to dominate the landscape. The idea was shot down as 'Tank-magery' but then a year later VEATs came along. Obviously the AT is competitive but not overwhelming despite its strengths.

I was wrong in my thinking that an Epic AT was simply supposed to be powerful. I was informed that they also followed a fairly narrow theme (Khelds for instance). My idea was too broad and therefore did not qualify as an Epic AT.

Now with all of the recent concern for Blasters I've begun thinking of my idea again. Is there a way to build a character that is balanced, puts out damage at range but isn't invulnerable? VEATs do this very well but why not have an AT with a broader scope? Why can't we have characters with ranged attacks, some melee, some lightweight mez resistance and enough defenses that they don't get flattened with 2 hits?

Many will leap in with 'Well Inventions let's us do that NOW. How would the same inventions affect this new AT?' This is a valid point. However I think the idea has merit. Would an AT with roughly the same damage output as a VEAT yet less resistance be overpowered?

Would it be worth the effort to design such a thing or should we just tweak Blasters and call it done?

Blasters are already close enough that I wouldtend to think providing such a solution within the confines of the Blaster AT would be the best idea.

Blaster with Leaping/Acrobatics and the Fighting Pool.

Acrobatics: Mild mez (well, hold) resist and KB protection.
Combat jumping: Small bit of defense, with immob protection
Fighting: Little bit of defense and resistance.
Inherent: Defiance, lets you keep fighting somewhat even while mezzed.

Add APP as needed. Granted we're not talking HUGE numbers here.

See my Guides and Tutorials

I still think the best idea for a new Epic AT would be a Sorcerer.

You could combine some of the aspects of both Khelds and Arachnos ATs, with two verry large powersets (Sorcery Primary and Sorcery Secondary, for lack of better terms at the moment) with lots of powers to pick and choose from, like Warshades and Peacebringers. Then you could spice things up by incorporating the ability to unlock more power choices upon achieving higher levels combined with a free respec, like the Widows and Soldiers. The new advanced pools could even have specific themes, like Spatial, Infernal, Angelic, Elemental, Primal, Mental, Physical Forces, Enchanting, Spirits, etc.

Sure, it'd be a huge development in terms of coming up with powers, but it would produce a new epic AT, give players the flexibility and customization that a Sorcery-based character SHOULD have, provide an immense breadth of playstyles and power combinations, and just generally be awesome. Now, that said, I don't expect something like this would ever see the light of day due to the absurd effort and time that it would take to port/create the many powers that would be needed, but, hey, this IS dreaming, right?

Comicsluvr- So do you want a tankmage AT or not? I can't tell by your post.

know what I wouldnt mind seeing?

An AT with a dom's assault set as its primary and a support set (like a corruptor) for their secondary...

Could even be introduced as a praetorian EAT

The idea of a mix of melee/ranged offense and support to provide defense to self/party is very appealing to me.

I would love to see Praetorian epic ATs, but I am at as loss as to what those would be. The only thing I can think of would be IDF/T.E.S.T. and Carnival of Light. I'm afraid that those would basically just be counterparts to the Arachnos Soldier and the Arachnos Widow, however.

I never thought of Praetorian EATs. Now my interest is peaked once again hmmmmm

To be fair Iron Man is probably just Blaster Incarnate with clarion, scorpion shield and barrier.

If you did do the melee/support deal, the support would have to some serious mez and kb protection or it would just be a hot mess.

Imo most of these things aren't really different enough to warrant creating new ATs. I'd rather see (and believe it would be less work) the apps/ppps expanded (breadth and depth), granted a bit earlier (maybe mid 20s), and treated more like a third power set instead of a pool (powers restricted by level but not prerequisites) to give more playstyle options with the already existing archtypes. Considering the kinds of things we can do with IOs and incarnate powers already, I don't see expanding the roles of the current archtypes through power choice options as much of a balance problem.

an AT that's good at everything and still kind of tankey...?

What would be the point in playing anymore if it rendered the entire range of AT's aside from pets, support, and control moot.

That kind of character would nearly eliminate the need for scrappers, stalkers, brutes, tanks, blasters, etc.


although...Idk what you're talking about, when fully built, the VEATs are pretty damn tank magey.

Sure. Sounds good.


http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=278037