Super Team FF

[wei yau]

Not, not the one with the stretchy guy and flaming guy (man, do I miss Uthgar).

But, how about an FF Super Hero Team in the City of Heroes? Just for a weekend. You can always use the Trial Version and we'll just synchronize the timings to make sure we're all on the same weekend.

Won't be able to do some things, since the Trial Accounts are limited:

* Trial Account restrictions implemented:
* Trial Accounts cannot email other players
* Trial Accounts may not level past 13
* Trial Accounts can only have 50k influence
* Trial Accounts can only speak in
[1] /local
[2] /help
[3] /team
* Trial Accounts cannot invite players to team
[1] Trial Accounts may join teams, but not invite other players
[2] Trial Accounts may not join SuperGroups.

But, I'm pretty sure none of that will get in the way of having a grand ole time beating on criminals.

Anyone interested?


ETA: Non-Americans won't be able to access the American servers with a European version of the game. And I think as far as CoH is concerned, Canada is America.

[ChuckF]

Yes. For great justice.

[wei yau]

Here's the linkage to the trial version (http://www.cityofheroes.com/trial/index.html).

[BrotherMan]

I hope evil is hungry because a great big helping of the sandwich of justice is being served with the french fries of my fists and the ketchup of my heart and maybe some pickles of righteousness on the side!
:tick:

[Leesifer]

:pout:

[BrotherMan]

Though it might be possible to purchase an American code and play on the American servers. (There are quite a few furriners who enjoy just such a thing.)

[ChuckF]

ANCHOR HEROES!!!1!1

Does homeland security know about this?

[Leesifer]

Though it might be possible to purchase an American code and play on the American servers. (There are quite a few furriners who enjoy just such a thing.)

Tell me more!

[Megatron]

I might give this a try, although I've never actually played the game, just designed characters for my friends.

[wei yau]

So for Veteran players, should we pick a server? Or should we roll up new characters on a less populous server for the FF Weekend Bash-a-thon?

[Sock Puppet]

Pick whichever server, it might be better if you have higher-level characters to take us n00bs by the hand with. However, no ultra-laggy ones, plzkthx.

[BrotherMan]

Though it might be possible to purchase an American code and play on the American servers. (There are quite a few furriners who enjoy just such a thing.)

Tell me more!

I believe all you have to do is follow the prompts here (http://www.cityofheroes.com/trial/) and you'll connect to the American servers. (There is a link at the bottom urging Euro customers to CLICK THERE, but don't.) They should be all too happy to take your furrin informations. If that does not work I shall inquire with the known furriners.

Pick whichever server, it might be better if you have higher-level characters to take us n00bs by the hand with. However, no ultra-laggy ones, plzkthx.

My entire presence is on Virtue, the second highest populated server there is. I have no qualms about creating new characters anywhere else, just putting that out there. I would caution against Virtue so as to avoid a weekend where an event is taking place and lag ruins the experience for everyone.

[wei yau]

As you might imagine, I've no problem creating new characters anywhere, either. Though, it does mean that we will all likely be equally low-level.

Depending on the timing and once we pick a server, it might be a good idea to have everyone level-up to at least Security Level 5 (maybe even 7) before we meet-up. That way we'll all get a chance to learn how to play our characters.

I'm not sure how Teaming works, since I've only ever joined a team and never led one. I'm sure BrotherMan can fill in the blanks:

- Can a Veteran player (non-trial account) invite any number of members to a team?

- Is there a limit to Team size?

- Will BrotherMan be willing to lead the Super Team FF?

[BrotherMan]

Depending on the timing and once we pick a server, it might be a good idea to have everyone level-up to at least Security Level 5 (maybe even 7) before we meet-up. That way we'll all get a chance to learn how to play our characters.

Bah! Knowledge not required! ER-ROR! Some of the best times (and worst times) were had at low levels when no one knew what to do. The best way to learn not to just jump into an 8 man spawn is to, well, be on an 8 man team and jump into that horde of vomit hurling cadavers. (Much luls to be had, really.)

Most assuredly a trip to the sewers is in order if we get a goodly number of people. (I'm thinking at least 5.)

I nominate Infinity as I know folks who have high level characters there which might be useful to tour higher level zones. But that's pipe-dreamy. I imagine folks having enough fun running around like goobs punching everything in sight to bother with tourism.

I'm split, however on a weekend. The weekend of the 24th is DOUBLE XP WEEKEND. Meaning, well, just what it says. Twice the experience for a whole weekend. (It starts Friday after server maintenance and continues until midnight-ish Sunday.) Sounds great, but it also means every Peter, Kal-El and Hal will be out of the woodwork for the duration, which means lag even on the less populated servers (though it's a sliding scale with Virtue and Freedom being difficult to even connect with).

I'm not sure how Teaming works, since I've only ever joined a team and never led one. I'm sure BrotherMan can fill in the blanks:


Can a Veteran player (non-trial account) invite any number of members to a team?

Is there a limit to Team size?

Will BrotherMan be willing to lead the Super Team FF?
[/quote]


Sort of.

Yes. Teams are limited to eight allies.

:shiftier:

[wei yau]

I nominate Infinity as I know folks who have high level characters there which might be useful to tour higher level zones. But that's pipe-dreamy. I imagine folks having enough fun running around like goobs punching everything in sight to bother with tourism.


Funnily enough, Infinity is the server I've been using to create the FF characters I've been posting here.

Weird.

I'm split, however on a weekend. The weekend of the 24th is DOUBLE XP WEEKEND. Meaning, well, just what it says. Twice the experience for a whole weekend. (It starts Friday after server maintenance and continues until midnight-ish Sunday.) Sounds great, but it also means every Peter, Kal-El and Hal will be out of the woodwork for the duration, which means lag even on the less populated servers (though it's a sliding scale with Virtue and Freedom being difficult to even connect with).


At the risk of sounding like a selfish twat, I'd want to avoid Double XP weekend not cause of lag but because I've got eleventy billion alts to level-up. So, that weekend will see me doing a lot of playing. A lot.

I hope.



Will BrotherMan be willing to lead the Super Team FF?




:shiftier:


Yes! That looks like the shifty eyes of a true leader to me!

[wei yau]

Oh and given the time limit on the 14-day trial, we should probably pick a weekend before anyone signs up for the trial account.

[Chris Porter]

I might be interested in a weekend of play. Not this weekend. But I'd like some time to play around constructing an avatar-it might take me a few hours. So I'd want to construct it before joining a group.

[wei yau]

[quote]I'm split, however on a weekend. The weekend of the 24th is DOUBLE XP WEEKEND. Meaning, well, just what it says. Twice the experience for a whole weekend. (It starts Friday after server maintenance and continues until midnight-ish Sunday.) Sounds great, but it also means every Peter, Kal-El and Hal will be out of the woodwork for the duration, which means lag even on the less populated servers (though it's a sliding scale with Virtue and Freedom being difficult to even connect with).


At the risk of sounding like a selfish twat, I'd want to avoid Double XP weekend not cause of lag but because I've got eleventy billion alts to level-up. So, that weekend will see me doing a lot of playing. A lot.

I hope.



NOTE TO SELF: Log-out all characters at XP Bonus Day Jobs (Police Station and Arachnos Base) to maximize Double XP weekend.

[BrotherMan]

I don't think you earn double time for day jobs. That is driven by time not by xp earned. Though patrol time xp may earn double, I'm not sure.

[wei yau]

I thought that those Day Jobs gave an extra bonus to XP earned during missions. So, would that bonus be doubled up during Double XP Weekend?

Like the Law Enforcer Day Job (http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Law_Enforcer_Badge)

[BrotherMan]

I have no particulars on how that works. The day job bonus is calculated off of the completion bonus for each mission. If that value is doubled during double xp events then the day job bonus is increased as a percentage of that.

I probably answered the wrong question above. I was thinking about progress towards the badge award not the perc that comes with the time logged out.

In addition to experience being doubled, influence/infamy as well as prestige values are increased so don't be totally selfish and remember the kind folks what took you in and gave you a home. :unnod:

But I'd like some time to play around constructing an avatar-it might take me a few hours. So I'd want to construct it before joining a group.

:unnod: Learn from Master wei. The character creator is expansive and can be overwhelming (as well as tonnes of fun). One could spend many hours just tweaking options and colors and that is before the joy of picking a suitable alias! I'll have to do some poking about but there was a stand alone creator released to Korea when City of was released there. I should have the installer somewhere as well as instructions on how to translate it to English. But don't get your hopes up.

[wei yau]

A standalone creator? One I can use when I'm away from my home PC?

OMG, I think I need to change my pants.

[BrotherMan]

It was "new" as of two years ago so it is not as expansive as the one you're used to dealing with. But it's still pretty good.

[wei yau]

In addition to experience being doubled, influence/infamy as well as prestige values are increased so don't be totally selfish and remember the kind folks what took you in and gave you a home. :unnod:


No worries. I'm probably going to restrict my Double XP Weekend activities to Super-Group mode only. So far that means Ti Gou (Paragons) and Tornado Rider (Crusaders of Liberty).

Hopefully, it will also be Kassai (Dauntless) and if I ever get in touch with the right people, Dog O'War (ULTRA).

[Zehava]

Infinity would be fine, just let me know when. I may even have a low level character or two on Infinity.

[Sock Puppet]

Yeah, screw double XP weekend vis-a-vis the :ff: souper group. There's a level cap on trial accounts anyway, and I for one wouldn't be in it to go racing through levels rather than just having fun bumping into things and getting beat up by mobs.

I forgot, y'all use Vent for this here shindig? I have access to two Vent servers for WoW, but I'm not sure how either owner would feel about using them for That Other Game (gasp).

[Zehava]

Yeah, screw double XP weekend vis-a-vis the :ff: souper group. There's a level cap on trial accounts anyway, and I for one wouldn't be in it to go racing through levels rather than just having fun bumping into things and getting beat up by mobs.

I forgot, y'all use Vent for this here shindig? I have access to two Vent servers for WoW, but I'm not sure how either owner would feel about using them for That Other Game (gasp).

I have a vent server that's not being used should we want to do that.

[wei yau]

:bump:

Guess we should start a list of who's interested, by my lights I got:

wei yau
BrotherMan
Zehava
Sock Puppet
ChuckF
Leesifer
Megatron (?)
Chris Porter (?)

That's eight, a full team complement, if everyone is in and Leesifer can fix her "being British" problem.

Should we start talking timing, I guess it doesn't have to be a weekend, right?

[Sock Puppet]

I'm trying to enlist Uthgar as well.

I won't know what is good timing for me for a few days yet. Certain unresolved family issues -- visitors, etc. Should have it worked out soon.

Time zone differences may be a problem.

[Leesifer]

Meh! Sock is right about the time difference thingy too!

Once we've bandied some dates around - I will definitely see if I can fix my "little problem" and I will be prepared to stay up late if I can, seeing as it will be a weekend.

[wei yau]

It would be nice to see Uthgar once more.

I hope this works out, but we shall see.

Also, I assume that there will be a Valentine's Day Event this year, so that has to factor into our planning...if we push it out another month.

[BrotherMan]

:unnod:

The Valentine's event(s) aren't terribly exhaustive (not as go and go again as the Winter stuff) but, as in years past, it will require heroes and villains to cooperate.

[Chris Porter]

Meh! Sock is right about the time difference thingy too!

Once we've bandied some dates around - I will definitely see if I can fix my "little problem" and I will be prepared to stay up late if I can, seeing as it will be a weekend.

Yes, if I have a future date I can rely on, I can switch my sleep so as to catch it, no matter what time it might be. So I would prefer it on a weekend, if at all possible.

eta: and if it's not, at least three days notice, so I can switch stuff around for a night or afternoon (or morning, even) few hours play.

I think I'm just asking for some advance notice so I can sign up, pick the right server, and construct my character. Then I have all the community time to play around.

[Megatron]

I'm in for it, I just need a time/date. Also, don't be surprised if I come up with something utterly absurd.

[wei yau]

I let this fall by the wayside for too long.

So, let's start talking dates and stuff:

- Weekend seems to be the preferred option. I'm assuming either Friday or Saturday night. Let's pick one and I'll take it to the "Boss" for approval on my end.

- Server probably can be "Virtue", since BrotherMan and I both have a heavy presence there. On the other hand, if the majority of people are lowbies, we can play on just about any server (with the exception of "Freedom", it gets crowded).

- Issue 14: Architect just hit, but I don't think it'll be a significant factor, unless we want to run player created content. I don't think Trial Accounts can create content, but they can play them. BrotherMan?

- Let's start with a date of April 24th as a talking point.

[Adam]

:ff: welcomes viral marketing.

I mean, uh, if you have an open slot, I'm in (:bunnythrust:).

[wei yau]

Fair point, max team size is eight, though we can always run multiple teams

Another amendment, let's start with April 17th instead. I think April 24th is part of "Turn Off TV Week" and I need to set a good example for my daughter.

[Sock Puppet]

Hmm, the 17th would be next Friday, which is usually the one night I get into 25-man raids in WoW. Not saying I wouldn't forgo it, but it's a consideration. Lemme think on it. :thinkup:

And you might as well start disappointing your daughter now. Avoid the rush.

[Zehava]

The 17th is doable and Ding gave me a good name for a character. I'll try to download/update the Mac version of CoH/CoV before then.

[BrotherMan]

I don't want to kibosh anything or nothing here, but I recommend a lower population server. Freedom and Virtue generate a good deal of lag especially for systems that are already struggling with the game itself. But in the same breath and out the other side of my mouth seeing the variety (depth and height) of what the community has to see and or offer, looking around on Virtue isn't a bad idea.

Just throwing it out there.

[Chris Porter]

17th is doable. Decide quick please, since I need time to download the trial, and learn the knobs and levers before trying anything in a group.

Consider me an absolute novice, with my only experience being Second life, and that some years back.

Also, do I have to have a specific server if I'm going to be playing the 14-day free trial?

[BrotherMan]

Nope. You can start on any server.

[Chris Porter]

I started, and I'm level 2 after completing the tutorial. I am not so happy with the bunny ears, frankly. I will probably have to construct a new hero.

And this gang... it's heros, not villains, right?

[wei yau]

Yeah, I'm thinking it'll be heroes.

[Kael]

17th should be fine, I can probably spare some time then. Looks like I'm working on a Mutation Blaster named John the Nobody (though I almost went with John the Everyman or Average Joe), a typical fellow in a t-shirt and jeans who suddenly gains psionic powers. Unfortunately, I accidentally selected the wrong power at level 6, so I still can't fly, which bothers me a lot more than I thought it would.

I also found my global, which is @Echal, an early character that I already dropped. It may be because I am on a trial account, but when I tried to add @wei yau to my global friends list, nothing shows up...

[BrotherMan]

Adding global friends requires consent on both sides. You can add a person who is offline but they won't show on your global list until they log in and click [yes] or [ok] or sommit.

[wei yau]

Okay, so now we have a date:

Date: April 17th
Start time: Whenever
End time: What is this end time you speak of?

Server: Infinity
Virtue and Freedom are likely to be jammed on the weekends, per BrotherMan

Sorry if you started your character on Virtue, Kael, but since you're low level, it should be okay to re-roll. Join a sewer team in Atlas and you'll level right quick.

[Kael]

yeah, it won't hurt anything to start over, I guess. I can change to Energy blast instead of the Mental one, or try out Fire or something. Or I may roll up a completely different character between now and then...

[Chris Porter]

So, I've been learning the ropes with a couple of defenders, thinking that buffing others would be better for a beginner, as well as ranged attacks. I don't think I can move my little monster to another server, but I will start one, and perhaps I can be a few levels up by the time game starts.

[Sock Puppet]

Okay, so y'all come up with a start time. I'll try to get around to dl'ing the trial version before Friday. I don't do much in WoW during the week except daily quests anyway.

I did get three epic pieces last Friday night from the Naxx raid, so it's gonna be hard to turn it down. But I'll try to be strong.

[wei yau]

Okay, so here's who's in so far:

- wei yau @wei yau
- Adam (tbd)
- Zehava @And Stay Down
- Chris Porter (tbd)
- Kael @Echal
- Sock Puppet (tbd)

Six is good for a team, still have two slots open if we want to run a single team. Some others have expressed an interest earlier, but have not done so in this latest incarnation of this thread.

BrotherMan? ManM? Megatron? Leesifer?

[wei yau]

So, I've been learning the ropes with a couple of defenders, thinking that buffing others would be better for a beginner, as well as ranged attacks. I don't think I can move my little monster to another server, but I will start one, and perhaps I can be a few levels up by the time game starts.

I'll be signing on tonight and will accept Global Friends from all you all. Also, if you need teamage for some leveling, just let me know. I'll do what I can, though all of my alts on Infinity are still lowbie.

[Zehava]

Can't try the Mac client as my iMac decided to die in the middle of the update process. :(

Luckily I still have the game installed on my Vista pc so I can use that. I'll reactivate when I get home and see who I have on Infinity (I'm sure I have at least 1 character there). I'll probably be a Defender as well as that is my favorite Archetype, but without a fire based power set my prospective name, Super Name Burn, doesn't make sense.

Maybe a Controller, I like those guys as well and they make good secondary healers.

[Sock Puppet]

Could somebody, for the benefit of the lazy, point to the CoH wiki pages on the basic terminology for Archetypes, powers, an' all that crap? So I have something else to read online when I should be working, in addition to getting to know this thing in advance.

[Zehava]

Could somebody, for the benefit of the lazy, point to the CoH wiki pages on the basic terminology for Archetypes, powers, an' all that crap? So I have something else to read online when I should be working, in addition to getting to know this thing in advance.

Paragon Wiki (http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Main_Page)
City of Heroes Wiki (http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/City_of_Heroes_Wiki)

For starters.

There are more, but these are about the only ones available to me from work that are not blocked by WebSense.

FYI: Those two sites look to be almost mirrors of each other.

[wei yau]

Could somebody, for the benefit of the lazy, point to the CoH wiki pages on the basic terminology for Archetypes, powers, an' all that crap? So I have something else to read online when I should be working, in addition to getting to know this thing in advance.

More specifically, here's the link to the ParagonWiki for Archetypes (http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Archetypes). As we'll be playing heroes, you can just focus on them.

I'm not so concerned about team balance with regards to Archetypes, I've yet to see it be a significant factor in my teamnigs (but that may be because the teams are already balanced).

I'll also add that "Scrappers" and "Tankers" are probably the easiest Heroic Archetype to play, since they are hardy and dish out the damage in great numbers.

My second favorite are "Blasters", though they can be a bit squishy. But, on the right team, you can blast baddies safely from a distance.

Personally, I've yet to master "Defenders" and "Controllers" on a solo basis, though they do play easily on teams.

[Sock Puppet]

Gotcha. So, simplistically,

Tankers = Tanks. :duh:
Scrappers = melee dps.
Blasters = ranged dps.
Defenders = healers/buffers.
Controllers = cc/buffers/debuffers -- only role that seems somewhat unique to CoH.

I'm tempted to do a Scrapper since it's the same role I've been playing recently, although a Blaster would probably be easiest for me. Then again, mebbe I'll do a Tanker since it's a role I've been unsuccessfully trying to break into in WoW.

[wei yau]

I'm tempted to do a Scrapper since it's the same role I've been playing recently...

With the Broadsword and Shield Defense powersets, you might even be able to create the same WoW character in CoH, if you were so inclined.

[BrotherMan]

Paragon Wiki (http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Main_Page)
City of Heroes Wiki (http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/City_of_Heroes_Wiki)

Just to note: Paragon wiki and CoH wiki are the same. The CoH wiki is now abandoned and is not being updated. The Paragon Wiki on the Titan network is the official, unofficial, broad information source.

[BrotherMan]

Gotcha. So, simplistically,

Tankers = Tanks. :duh:
Scrappers = melee dps.
Blasters = ranged dps.
Defenders = healers/buffers/debuffer
Controllers = cc/buffers/debuffers -- only role that seems somewhat unique to CoH.

I'm tempted to do a Scrapper since it's the same role I've been playing recently, although a Blaster would probably be easiest for me. Then again, mebbe I'll do a Tanker since it's a role I've been unsuccessfully trying to break into in WoW.

Most generally, yes. You have it.

Defenders and Controllers have access to similar powersets (with varying degrees of efficacy. A defender primary is stronger than a controller secondary even if they are the labeled the same powerset.

The same is true of a tank and scrapper. A scrapper's primary will be more powerful than a tanker's secondary; a tanker's primary will have more protection than a scrapper's secondary.

There are certainly some areas of overlap as far as purpose on the team goes. Some tanks can do passable damage; a few scrappers can hold their own defensively (group setting). Some defender sets will operate better if used with a controller's mentality. And there is one controller set (fire/kin) that simply owns late in the game.

But, yes. Tanks absorb alpha. Scrappers hit things until they don't move. Blasters *pewpewpew*. Defenders are enablers (force multipliers as I've heard them called). And controllers make it look easy.

[Zehava]

So in keeping with my proposed name Super Name Burn, thanks to Dingfod, I'm looking at powersets that could match. I mean how lame would a superhero named Super Name Burn if he couldn't burn anything.

Powersets that meet the 'burn' criteria:

Controller Primary
Fire Control
Ice Control

Controller Secondary
Radiation Emission
Thermal Radiation
Trick Arrow (a few powers)

Defender Primary
Cold Domination
Radiation Emission
Storm Summoning
Trick Arrow

Defender Secondary
Archery
Electrical Blast
Ice Blast
Radiation Blast

I'm digging a Radiation/Ice Defender. Radiation Emission is probably one of my favorite powersets, very group and solo friendly with buffs, debuffs and heals all in one package.

Though a Cold/Ice Defender is also interesting as is Storm/Ice. Radiation/Electricity is a common combination, in fact I've had one before named 3-Mile Island.

[Kael]

You know, I almost always play Tanks or Melee DPS in nearly every game, but for some reason in CoH I can't stop playing blasters. Must be the whole 'superhero' thing coupled with my own wishful thinking about telekinesis and blowing shit up.

[Zehava]

And controllers make it look easy.

Only after 32 when they get their pet (except for Illusion controllers who get a short lived pet at 18). :P

[wei yau]

BTW: The Trial Accounts are limited (http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/Trial_Account) to some degree.


Restrictions

* Trial Accounts cannot email other players until level 10
* Trial Accounts may not level past 14
* Trial Accounts can only have 50k influence
* Trial Accounts may not join global channels
* Trial Accounts can only speak in
o /local
o /help
o /team
* Trial Accounts cannot invite players to team
o Trial Accounts may join teams, but not invite other players
o Trial Accounts may not join SuperGroups.


I don't know if this means that Trial Accounts can't send "Tells" or not, but it shouldn't be a factor once we team-up

[BrotherMan]

Trial accounts cannot send or reply to private messages.

Fortunately for us we have alternate methods of knowing who someone is and can /friend or /gfriend them to keep track of who is or is not online.

[Zehava]

I went with Super Name Burn, a Radiation/Ice Defender and OmniHyper Name Burn a Cold/Ice Defender.

I don't really like Omni's costume so I may redo him. Both have only done the tutorials so only level 2.

[Megatron]

Timing couldn't be worse for me, sorry :(

This weekend I may actually be moving back to the US. The worst part is, I don't actually know if I am or not. Long story.

[wei yau]

I've sent out Gfriend to @Echal and @And Stay Down from @wei yau

[BrotherMan]

I went with Super Name Burn, a Radiation/Ice Defender and OmniHyper Name Burn a Cold/Ice Defender.

I don't really like Omni's costume so I may redo him. Both have only done the tutorials so only level 2.

I still hate that, though. I spend countless minutes or hours even getting the costume the way I like it, only to get in the game and see it in the "real" light, or how it looks from my camera angle or how it moves and think "ah, nuts!" and have to go through all of that again.

Luckily, they give the option to skip the tutorial now; but sometimes repeating content so soon after doing it initially (especially tedious content I've seen a bajillion times now) gets old fast.

[Chris Porter]

How do people arrange this sort of thing? Does one start with already in play characters, or does a group join with new characters for each? Do you exchange character names, or log-on names? I've been playing on the Infinity server, and I don't see heros in groups... except those folks in white and red, and they look like game characters, not players. Does this mean they aren't visible to others? A couple of characters have asked if i want to join up, but I don't know yet how to do that. Would hate to show up at the right time and not know how to connect.

[Chris Porter]

OK, read the rest of the posts. I'm on as @Farouche Exegete, and my little green monster is called Arct Inen, currently at level 8. All this may be moot if a trial account can't accept email from other players.

[wei yau]

To send a global friend request to me, type

/gfriend @wei yau

I've sent requests to @Echal, @Farouche Exegete and @And Stay Down

I was expecting to see requests from Kael, but I didn't see any when I logged on.

[wei yau]

If we find that communication isn't working, we can arrange to meet at a designated spot at a designated time, like say Galaxy City, next to Back Alley Brawler (the trainer).

[Chris Porter]

Sure. What I dislike most about this game so far is that it doesn't play in a window. Would like it not to take over my main computer (I'm online now, but typing this through my laptop)

[wei yau]

I believe you can set the options (http://wiki.cohtitan.com/wiki/The_Players%27_Guide_to_the_Cities/User_Interface/Options_Window#Graphics_and_Audio_Options) to play in Windowed format.

[Sock Puppet]

So will we have a Vent server? That would remove any restrictions on communication, at least for anybody with a headset (cheap ones available for US$15 or so).

[wei yau]

I mistrust that new-fangled technology.

[Sock Puppet]

Aw, c'mon. I've got verbal taunts all lined up that won't work as well in text. But seriously, it is waaaay easier to talk in Vent than try to type while a mob is bashing your face.

BTW, I just created an NCsoft account this morning, and they inform me that my trial account is now ticking. That kinda pisses me off 'cause I haven't downloaded the game yet. I'll probably do it this evening, but that's still dumb.

[Zehava]

So will we have a Vent server? That would remove any restrictions on communication, at least for anybody with a headset (cheap ones available for US$15 or so).

I mentioned a long time ago I have a vent server that is not being used if we want to do that.

I don't recall the server info off the top of my head but I can post it when I get home.

[Sock Puppet]

Yeah, I remember you were the potential Vent patrón, I just wondered whether anybody was gonna use it. I may have to bully wei into it.

[Zehava]

Yeah, I remember you were the potential Vent patrón, I just wondered whether anybody was gonna use it. I may have to bully wei into it.

Let's do it!!! :whup:

[Chris Porter]

What's Vent? Hey, I'm a complete novice at this, good thing I'm a fast learner, but you folks are slinging jargon at an amazing rate here.

Also, servers are down, so I can't go through the options again to find out if I missed putting the game in a window.

PS. I do have a headset, and use Skype to talk to my clients. If this is something Vent can accomplish, that's something I'm up for. I'm also thinking of just buying a month, so I have unlimited access to any sort of chat. Hope it works with Macs...

[Sock Puppet]

"Vent" is short for Ventrilo (http://www.ventrilo.com/download.php), a program that you can run simultaneously with your multiplayer games. Download is free, and as long as somebody is paying for the server (Zehava has indicated he has access to a server that somebody's paying for), you can use it. You assign a button on your keyboard as a talk-toggle, and hold it down when you want to talk. Everybody who is signed up to the same server at the time can hear each other. (Most servers have various channels set up in case more than one group wants to use it without hearing the chatter from the other groups.) I've never played CoH before, but I know in WoW it's damned nearly essential when you're in a group and trying to coordinate a fight. Plus we can hear what the other :ff:uckers sound like!

It's insanely easy to use, and if you have trouble with it we can walk you through it. I've probably fucked up everything in it that's fuckuppable, so I can help troubleshoot if need be. Once Z gives us the info we can tell you how to enter it into your Ventrilo setup.

[Chris Porter]

Thanks, I've downloaded the client, will check it out.

I had a stranger hero come up to me and apply some protective shields on me. Was this in jest? There was not chat communication.

[Zehava]

Hah.. not all the web pages were blocked by WebSense here at work so I was able to scrounge up the server info.


Server: v32.darkstarllc.com
Port: 4111
(PM me for the password if you want to login, I don't want to put it here)

Client can be downloaded here (http://www.ventrilo.com/)

May I suggest that everyone use their :ff: names for the user id in Vent?

[Sock Puppet]

That's a good idea. I'll set up my id as Sock Puppet for that server.

Btw, Chris -- once you've installed, check the hardware settings in the Setup window. Almost every time I've had trouble with Vent it's been because the hardware for input and output device has been set as "User Default" or somesuch. Once in awhile the gremlins that live in my PC decide to switch them back to default. The dropdown menu should have the name of the actual device you're using; select that and you should be good to go.

[Zehava]

What's Vent? Hey, I'm a complete novice at this, good thing I'm a fast learner, but you folks are slinging jargon at an amazing rate here.

Also, servers are down, so I can't go through the options again to find out if I missed putting the game in a window.

PS. I do have a headset, and use Skype to talk to my clients. If this is something Vent can accomplish, that's something I'm up for. I'm also thinking of just buying a month, so I have unlimited access to any sort of chat. Hope it works with Macs...

It does work with a Mac. When I was playing WoW I did it on my iMac and used Vent there as well. The server has to use the right codec before Mac clients can talk, but this one is configured for Speex so it should not be a problem.

[wei yau]

Gah! No Vent for me. You all will have to deal with me typing at you.

[Sock Puppet]

Seriously, chinkie, why not? No headset? Srzly, $15 at Wally World. Maybe as low as $10.

Or are you afraid we'll all melt when we hear your sexay voice?

[Chris Porter]

Whoa, finally found the "turn this damn thing into a Window" key combo (apple-return) and now have use of my second monitor for things like the manual, chat boxes and stuff like that. Did not find the option in the Menu/Options/Graphics area, went searching on the internet for it.

Now I can look things up when they puzzle me, and not have to resort to my second computer. Yay.

And btw, I'm running CoH on wireless access, and it's performed flawlessly. However, I've downgraded the graphics display options on the chance that running with a group will be somewhat taxing (that and having access to the rest of my monitor's footprint). So I think I'm good to go at this time.

[Adam]

He doesn't want to disappoint us by revealing that he really does know how to pronounce r's and l's? Wei's always thinking of our best interests.

[wei yau]

Updated Team Roster with Global Handles

- wei yau @wei yau
- Adam (tbd)
- Zehava @And Stay Down
- Chris Porter @Farouche Exegete
- Kael @Echal
- Sock Puppet (tbd)

Adam and Sock, let me know what your Global Handles are once you get 'em.

[Sock Puppet]

I should have my handle tonight if I get through the download.

[wei yau]

If you all want to do Vent, that's fine, but I won't be able to join you.

Either way it's fine, if I'm team leader, I don't need to hear from you, you only need to obey what I tell you.

And besides, it's not like I'm not used to being ignored or anything....*sniff*

[Sock Puppet]

Okay, their motherfucking site has officially pissed me the fuck off. It hangs up just getting to the login screen, and then the two times it actually gets past that and I log in using my "Trial Account" login, it hangs up while I'm trying to create my "Game Account."

Worthless motherfucking dipshits need to fix their fucking server. I want to download this goddamned thing NOW, while I'm not busy doing other shit. Asshole incompetent fuckwads. :fuming:

ETA: Okay, apparently the Game account and the Trial account are the same. I'm logged in but it refuses to take me anywhere to load the fucking game. What the fuck?

Other than that, everything is fine.

[Chris Porter]

The download time for the game was about 3 hours. The second time I tried downloading it. The first time, it estimated it would take about 8 hours.

[Adam]

The roommate has claimed my computer to write a paper (I'm browsing :ff: from my work laptop), so no download for me tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

[Sock Puppet]

I'm on a good cable connection, so hopefully it won't take that long, but considering their fucking site sucks donkey balls, I haven't been able to start yet.

Is there a link I can follow to the actual download? 'Cause the link wei posted at the start of this thread just sends me through an infinite loop. Download the 14-day trial now! Login. Download the 14-day trial -- back to the banner page. I can get logged in after several tries, but nothing takes me to the actual download.

Bah, I give up. I opened a ticket. I'll have to try tomorrow. Meanwhile my WoW server is fucked in the ass too.

[Kael]

I don't remember having any problems downloading the trial, but then I don't really remember what I actually did either...

I've been trying a lot of stuff for a short while each. I've made a Broadsword/Shield Scrapper, an Energy Blaster, a Dark Blast/Miasma Defender, and an Ice Blaster. My favorite power combo is Energy Blast/Dark Miasma, but apparently only a Villain Corrupter can have that particular combo.

[Sock Puppet]

Okay, I finally found the fucking download, buried in the Account Management screen that finally loaded after the 4th time trying the link. It's downloading now, says it'll take 2.5 hours. Would've been nice if it had taken me there 2 hours ago. :plzhold:

[Sock Puppet]

I'm in. My global handle is @The Sock.

It was 10pm by the time I finished downloading, patching and installing. So I didn't have much time to play around with it. I created one character, a Scrapper mutant werewolf chick named Strassenwolf. I should've saved that name for a statuesque, Teutonic blaster chick with machine guns, but what the hell. I wanted to try a feral-ish scrapper, so I picked Claws as the primary, which I immediately regretted. In a desperate attempt to avoid making her a Wolverine fangirl's panty-wetting Mary Sue character, I picked the dodge thingie as the secondary rather than regeneration.

So anyway, I tried her out, only getting to the first actual combat mission, to defeat two mentally-challenged thugs. I assume it's impossible to tell a character's potential at level 1, but so far it seems like I'm not gonna love scrapping with claws. No biggie since I wasn't impressed with my character/costume design anyway. I wanted a wolf theme, but not the Furry-fetish-fuel critter I wound up with.

I'll create a pew-pew next, mebbe an energy blaster. I could create a puppet-themed character, but that would naturally be a Controller, which I think would be a sharper learning curve. I don't think I'll be upgrading to paid, at least not right away, so I'll focus on a quick-win atm.

It's hard enough getting used to the interface. I'll need to print out a hotkey guide; right now I'm mousing everything 'cause I don't have a manual. I also want to see if I can change the vertical camera pan, which feels bass-ackwards to me and I'm constantly panning up when I want down and vice-versa. I hope at least to be able to move around with more grace than a rusty shopping cart by Friday. In all, even though it's not really, it feels more like an FPS than I expected.

[Chris Porter]

You've nailed it! It really seems a lot like Baldur's Gate or Morrowind, in that you have tasks assigned to you to complete, and you go back to your contact when they are complete. Now, I thought this was because those are the few computer RPG games i've played. Maybe once one gets into group play this comes out differently.

I'm really eager to try my main skills (defending shields) on a group, since I've been running around using my secondary range weapons to take out purse snatchers.

[wei yau]

Updated Team Roster with Global Handles

- wei yau @wei yau
- Adam (tbd)
- Zehava @And Stay Down
- Chris Porter @Farouche Exegete
- Kael @Echal
- Sock Puppet @The Sock

[wei yau]

I'm in. My global handle is @The Sock.

Super Team FF Roster updated.

It was 10pm by the time I finished downloading, patching and installing. So I didn't have much time to play around with it.

Yesterday saw the release of Super Booster Pack II: Magic, which completely slammed the NCSoft Store, this may have caused your horrific experience with the download of the Trial.

So anyway, I tried her out, only getting to the first actual combat mission, to defeat two mentally-challenged thugs. I assume it's impossible to tell a character's potential at level 1, but so far it seems like I'm not gonna love scrapping with claws. No biggie since I wasn't impressed with my character/costume design anyway. I wanted a wolf theme, but not the Furry-fetish-fuel critter I wound up with.

Having two clawed Scrappers, one with Regeneration and the other Super Reflexes, I'd have to say that they don't really become super fun unti you can build a decent attack chain. I can't recall exactly which level that happened, but probably around or after the Level 14 cap for Trial Accounts.


I'll create a pew-pew next, mebbe an energy blaster.


There are lot of players who dislike teaming with energy blasters because of all the Knockback in their powers. Me, I love 'em. Nothing more satisfying than blasting a thug and watching him get sent flying.

It's hard enough getting used to the interface. I'll need to print out a hotkey guide; right now I'm mousing everything 'cause I don't have a manual. I also want to see if I can change the vertical camera pan, which feels bass-ackwards to me and I'm constantly panning up when I want down and vice-versa. I hope at least to be able to move around with more grace than a rusty shopping cart by Friday. In all, even though it's not really, it feels more like an FPS than I expected.

Having not played any other MMO and only a handful of FPS games, I've become accustomed to the CoH interface and see it as the default. I'm sure I'll feel us as out of sorts if I ever get around to playing the other MMO...LoTRO.

[Sock Puppet]

Aw, ain't that cute? He thinks that's glare-worthy, saying it to a WoW player. You're just adorable. C'mere. :squeezle:


BTW, do we have a time on Friday? Looks like we have at least one super team member in each of the US time zones. Might be a challenge.

[wei yau]

BTW, do we have a time on Friday? Looks like we have at least one super team member in each of the US time zones. Might be a challenge.

I'm thinking either 8 or 9pm ET.

What works for the rest of you?

[Zehava]

There are lot of players who dislike teaming with energy blasters because of all the Knockback in their powers. Me, I love 'em. Nothing more satisfying than blasting a thug and watching him get sent flying.

Preach it brother. I love Energy Blast as well.

It's hard enough getting used to the interface. I'll need to print out a hotkey guide; right now I'm mousing everything 'cause I don't have a manual. I also want to see if I can change the vertical camera pan, which feels bass-ackwards to me and I'm constantly panning up when I want down and vice-versa. I hope at least to be able to move around with more grace than a rusty shopping cart by Friday. In all, even though it's not really, it feels more like an FPS than I expected.

From the Menu go to Options then Controls and invert the mouse. It's one of the first things I do because of the exact issue you mentioned. Mouse look is ass backwards. I also swap the turn/strafe keys as they are also backwards (for me anyways).

[wei yau]

Having two clawed Scrappers, one with Regeneration and the other Super Reflexes, I'd have to say that they don't really become super fun unti you can build a decent attack chain. I can't recall exactly which level that happened, but probably around or after the Level 14 cap for Trial Accounts.


Looks like you can have a decent attack chain by Level 10. Here's how my Claws/Super Reflexes alt is built:

Lvl 1: Strike (claws)
Lvl 1: Focused Fighting (sr)

Lvl 2: Slash (claws)

Lvl 4: Focused Senses (sr)

Lvl 6: Combat Jumping (pool - Leaping)

Lvl 8: Follow Up (claws)

Lvl 10: Spin (claws)

All the Claws powers were taken as soon as they were available, with the exception of Spin (available at Lvl 6).

You can swap that out with Combat Jumping, which I only added because I wanted to get Super Jump as my travel power at Lvl 14.

If you were do do that, then I'd take "Practiced Brawler (sr)" at Lvl 10, since you'll appreciate the resistance to being held, immobilized, etc.

[BrotherMan]

I'm in. My global handle is @The Sock.

I dunno why, but that amuses me.

I wanted to try a feral-ish scrapper, so I picked Claws as the primary, which I immediately regretted. In a desperate attempt to avoid making her a Wolverine fangirl's panty-wetting Mary Sue character, I picked the dodge thingie as the secondary rather than regeneration.

Super Reflexes isn't a bad choice for noob but it can be a rough road. If you're serious about not planning to go beyond the trial period, no worries. You can get plenty of enjoyment out of anything you pick. Just sayin.

I have two claws scrappers myself, one regen and the other willpower. Claws is an excellent primary for a scrapper. It's fast acting and has fast recharge on all of its powers; in addition to a slightly higher accuracy. But really, one could hardly go wrong with a scrapper. (I may be biased.)

I assume it's impossible to tell a character's potential at level 1, but so far it seems like I'm not gonna love scrapping with claws.

Quite impossible. Everything feels pretty heroic until level 10ish. That's when you start encountering bad guys who can kick your ass pretty good.

A word of note to y'all nubs: When, or if, you make it to level 5 or 6 and your first contact guy sends you to your second contact person who will send you to speak with David Wincott in a zone called The Hollows you DO NOT have to start any of Wincott's missions. The Hollows will be your first encounter with a hazard zone (level restricted) and is best encountered as a group. But, if you're feeling frisky, it's a good place to get levels and experience funner content.

I'll create a pew-pew next, mebbe an energy blaster. I could create a puppet-themed character, but that would naturally be a Controller, which I think would be a sharper learning curve. I don't think I'll be upgrading to paid, at least not right away, so I'll focus on a quick-win atm.

Actually I see the Sock Puppet theme more in tune with a Mastermind. But, Illusion/whatever controller isn't bad.

It's hard enough getting used to the interface. I'll need to print out a hotkey guide; right now I'm mousing everything 'cause I don't have a manual. I also want to see if I can change the vertical camera pan, which feels bass-ackwards to me and I'm constantly panning up when I want down and vice-versa. I hope at least to be able to move around with more grace than a rusty shopping cart by Friday. In all, even though it's not really, it feels more like an FPS than I expected.

In-game: Menu (where your health and what-not are) > Options > keybinds. By default, your #1 tray can be activated by the 1-0 on the keyboard (top row, not numpad). There are key chords that can switch and activate other trays and their powers but I hardly use them and they are therefor unimportant to me.

An easy way to get a printable reference is in-game type /bindsavefile "c:\location\name.txt" (location optional, quotes important if your file directory has spaces). This creates a text file of what every key and key combination does. One can make changes within this file, save it and load it back. (My preferred method for making the game bend at least partially to my will.) Obviously, a slightly advanced technique.

In the Menu > Options window, the second tab has the options for movement control. This is where you can change how the mouse moves the camera.

[Sock Puppet]

9pm ET would be 8pm my time. That'd be about the time I get Li'l Puppet to bed, so that would work for me, or a few minutes thereafter.

I noticed the strafe/turn swappage, but I actually kinda liked that setup. I don't strafe in WoW nearly as much as I should, so maybe I should swap them in WoW instead. I will definitely invert the mouse, though.

[wei yau]

I'm in. My global handle is @The Sock.
I'll create a pew-pew next, mebbe an energy blaster. I could create a puppet-themed character, but that would naturally be a Controller, which I think would be a sharper learning curve. I don't think I'll be upgrading to paid, at least not right away, so I'll focus on a quick-win atm.

Actually I see the Sock Puppet theme more in tune with a Mastermind. But, Illusion/whatever controller isn't bad.

I was thinking more along the lines of a Sonic blaster, given our Sock Puppet's penchant for shootin' his damn mouth off ALL OF THE TIME!

[wei yau]

Recap:

Super Team FF - Adventures Unparalleled!

Date: Friday, April 17th
Time: 9pm ET
Server: Infinity
Zone: Galaxy City
Location: Next to Back Alley Brawler (trainer - little green guy on map)

Oh and at some point when we're all gathered, I'll be taking pictures (screenshots) of our assembled might!

[Chris Porter]

(snip)

A word of note to y'all nubs: When, or if, you make it to level 5 or 6 and your first contact guy sends you to your second contact person who will send you to speak with David Wincott in a zone called The Hollows you DO NOT have to start any of Wincott's missions. The Hollows will be your first encounter with a hazard zone (level restricted) and is best encountered as a group. But, if you're feeling frisky, it's a good place to get levels and experience funner content.

(snip)

:lolhog: That is my second task, and after reading about The Hollows, I haven't even touched it, let alone traveled there to see the layout of the land. The Hollows is no place for a lone Defender.

[BrotherMan]

It's content worth going through at least once. But a team makes it betterer.

[wei yau]

It's content worth going through at least once. But a team makes it betterer.

Seconded.

First time through, I thought that I had to run through all of the Hollows content. By the time I was done, I had out-leveled all of my previous contacts.

Sucked because I wanted to see those story arcs.

Hopefully, we'll be able to do the Hollows content on Friday night, as they are definitely worthwhile, per BrotherMan.

[Zehava]

I've never done all of the Hollows content.

I'll work my guy up to 6 or 8 by Friday (sounds like that will be about everyone's level, or I can hold off).

Had a change of mind on powersets and will be rerolling (damn I do that a lot) as a Kinetics/Ice Defender.

[wei yau]

Heh, at this rate, I'll be the lowbie on the team.

[Zehava]

Friend requests sent out.

I hope none of you have any aesthetic sensibilities as OmniHyper Name Burn's costume color selection is, on purpose, horrendous. :D

[Chris Porter]

I'm running au naturel, myself. Just a belt and sunglasses is good enough for me.

[Kael]

My Ice Blaster is a big hulking snow-rock-thing. With spikes. My energy blaster is in the Enforcer armor outfit, 'cause I didn't want to spend another hour on a costume and end up hating it. The only guy that's more unique is my Dark Blast/Miasma Defender, but even then, I just stole the idea from WH40K. He's supposed to be a demon bound in human form, so he's in tattered pants and chains and tattooed with magic runes. I figured as he levels I'll make new costumes that make him look more and more demonic.

ETA: Do people actually take anything other than flying at lvl 6, unless they're melee-oriented? I can't stop myself...

[wei yau]

The only guy that's more unique is my Dark Blast/Miasma Defender, but even then, I just stole the idea from WH40K. He's supposed to be a demon bound in human form, so he's in tattered pants and chains and tattooed with magic runes. I figured as he levels I'll make new costumes that make him look more and more demonic.

I know that there's at least one Super Group in CoH (can't remember which server) who has a Space Marine -theme going. I've not seen them myself, though.

ETA: Do people actually take anything other than flying at lvl 6, unless they're melee-oriented? I can't stop myself...

I prefer the Super Jump travel power, actually. It moves faster than Fly and it's just plain fun. Though, it's tough to work it into each character.

[Sock Puppet]

Hmmm. Vent is not working. I've double-checked the server, host and the password Zehava PM'd, but when I try to connect it tells me it can't verify my login/password combo and that if I keep fucking it up I'll be banned. Not that it's a big deal since not all of us will be on it, but is everything correct? Do our user names need to be pre-approved? Mine is Sock Puppet.

Connected to server but unable to authenticate your login name and password. Make sure you entered the correct global server password or the password for your unique login name. You will be automatically banned if you try connecting with the wrong password several more times, so be sure you have the correct password before you try again. Passwords are case sensitive and must be completely retyped if you are making a change to it. The password will always be displayed as 8 (*'s or dots) even if the actual length of the password is shorter or longer then 8. You should also verify that you entered the correct IP address (or hostname) and Port number. If the port number is wrong you are connecting to the wrong server.

Hostname v32.darkstarllc.com
Port 4111
PW - as sent in PM, matching the case

[BrotherMan]

ETA: Do people actually take anything other than flying at lvl 6, unless they're melee-oriented? I can't stop myself...

I prefer the Super Jump travel power, actually. It moves faster than Fly and it's just plain fun. Though, it's tough to work it into each character.

The pool opening power is available as early as level 6, Air Superiority from the Flight pool is seriously one of the better powers in the game. Yes, there are a plethora of stronger, more powerful, flashier, shinier, zomg lol fun powers out there, El Guapo. But pound for pound, slot and time investment and final effectivity, Air Superiority is a workhorse for those who take it. What does it do? For starters, with the expense of the default slot with an even level accuracy enhancement it is an exceedingly accurate melee power. It can knock fliers out of the air. For those on the ground it knocks them down at a rate in the 90th percentile. Excepting only those mobs who are already resistant to knockdown.

By contrast, Teleport Foe (Teleport pool) is resisted by more mobs and can bring down a rain of pain by setting off BAF code. Jump Kick from the Super Leap pool isn't anywhere as accurate and its knockdown secondary effect rarely happens. But that only compares melee-ish power to melee-ish power. And don't get me started on Super Speed's Flurry! I'd have to double check to know if it even has a secondary effect besides being a attack chain filler (as well as endurance waster).

Teleport Ally is a great time saver and once in a blue moon may actually save a hero (or villain) from certain doom. Combat Jumping provides a modest +defense.

Teleport itself is tricky to use. Yes, you can cross a large zone (or small one, duh) faster than anyone or anything else but it eats endurance like no other. Super Leap, while one of the more fun powers in the game requires constant care and direction. Super Speed itself is the second fastest by speed, but one must either suffer with no vertical movement or obtain other powers to overcome that deficiency. Flight by all comparisons is a lot more boring. You make your way in a leisurely fashion between missions; but you can easily evade those who would impede your path and keep up with idle chit chat to boot.

But I admit my bias, readily. There are devotees of each travel power, and honestly people have been getting through with many degrees of success for years now with each of the travel powers. It's about fun and pretending you're something more, someone else than you are.

[Zehava]

Hmmm. Vent is not working. I've double-checked the server, host and the password Zehava PM'd, but when I try to connect it tells me it can't verify my login/password combo and that if I keep fucking it up I'll be banned. Not that it's a big deal since not all of us will be on it, but is everything correct? Do our user names need to be pre-approved? Mine is Sock Puppet.

Connected to server but unable to authenticate your login name and password. Make sure you entered the correct global server password or the password for your unique login name. You will be automatically banned if you try connecting with the wrong password several more times, so be sure you have the correct password before you try again. Passwords are case sensitive and must be completely retyped if you are making a change to it. The password will always be displayed as 8 (*'s or dots) even if the actual length of the password is shorter or longer then 8. You should also verify that you entered the correct IP address (or hostname) and Port number. If the port number is wrong you are connecting to the wrong server.

Hostname v32.darkstarllc.com
Port 4111
PW - as sent in PM, matching the case

:lolhog:

Forgot I changed the password with the last guild falling out. :D

It's been reset to what I sent I and verified it is working.

[wei yau]

=
The pool opening power is available as early as level 6, Air Superiority from the Flight pool is seriously one of the better powers in the game. Yes, there are a plethora of stronger, more powerful, flashier, shinier, zomg lol fun powers out there, El Guapo. But pound for pound, slot and time investment and final effectivity, Air Superiority is a workhorse for those who take it. What does it do? For starters, with the expense of the default slot with an even level accuracy enhancement it is an exceedingly accurate melee power. It can knock fliers out of the air. For those on the ground it knocks them down at a rate in the 90th percentile. Excepting only those mobs who are already resistant to knockdown.


Great points and definitely something to consider. About Air Superiority, I only just took it on one of my Blasters and I do like it. It's certainly more uesful than "Hover" as the opening power in the Pool.

As a matter of fact, I've got a Martial Arts scrapper who will be getting Air Superiority to make up for the lack of "attacks with hands" in the Martial Arts powerset.

[Sock Puppet]

Okay, so I rolled an Energy Blaster. I made him this Giger-ish, inky black thing with veins all over. I wanted to name him Ink, but that was taken, so I called him Oozymandias.

Sorry, I see the customization potential in this game, but when I actually get to the character generation screen I become completely uninspired. By the time I'm halfway through it I just want to be done with it. I don't know why; I should be all jazzed about it 'n' stuff but it just doesn't come together. I was going to try creating a Sonic Blaster with a name like Blabbermouth, who has harnessed his superhumanly annoying voice to fight For Great Justice, but I really wanted to try out the knockback from Energy.

Anyway, I cranked this guy all the way up to ... level 3. :blush: I won't tell you how long I spent right-clicking doors and wondering why they wouldn't open. (In WoW left-clicking only selects stuff and right-clicking interacts.)

After the tutorial level, I selected Atlas City before remembering we were going to meet in Galaxy City so I should have started leveling there. I assume I can still get there somehow? How, me heap big n00b.

I was able to do some of the non-tutorial missions, such as "arresting" the gangbangers in the abandoned office building (funny, arresting baddies in this game is an awful lot like killing them). I did okay until the last mission I tried before going to bed, a similar mission in a warehouse in the southwest corner of the map. To get there it seemed like I had to go past a lot of higher-level mobs. I even dropped a few of them, doing my best to pull them only when necessary, but eventually was overwhelmed and ended up in the hospital. Was I supposed to stick to a particular road/sidewalk to stick with mobs closer to my level? The map and I are not getting along well yet.

Oh, and one more dumb question: I got Zehava's (And Stay Down) friend request and accepted it, but every time I got to the other side of a load screen for any reason, I got the friend request again. I accepted every time, but is there something else I was supposed to do to make that prompt go away? And can I send out my own friend requests with a Trial account?

[Zehava]

After the tutorial level, I selected Atlas City before remembering we were going to meet in Galaxy City so I should have started leveling there. I assume I can still get there somehow? How, me heap big n00b.

There should be a monorail station close to the central area with the trainer/starter mission contacts. That would be the Yellow line, IIRC, which will take you to Galaxy City among other places.

I was able to do some of the non-tutorial missions, such as "arresting" the gangbangers in the abandoned office building (funny, arresting baddies in this game is an awful lot like killing them). I did okay until the last mission I tried before going to bed, a similar mission in a warehouse in the southwest corner of the map. To get there it seemed like I had to go past a lot of higher-level mobs. I even dropped a few of them, doing my best to pull them only when necessary, but eventually was overwhelmed and ended up in the hospital. Was I supposed to stick to a particular road/sidewalk to stick with mobs closer to my level? The map and I are not getting along well yet.

Mission front-loading, and back-loading, have always been an issue. I don't know specifics on how mob levels in missions are calculated but on occasion you will see what you ran into. The mobs at the front of the mission are higher level, while those in the middle and end are often lower level. Back-loading is the opposite. This has gotten better as the game has matured but can still be a problem as you found out. Early on, sub level 10, if you get a mission that does this simply exit the mission and go patrol the streets until you level up.

[Sock Puppet]

So you can only have one mission at a time, is that right? And how do you find another contact if you drop a mission? I haven't seen the whole city, but it seems like only one contact is interested in talking to me (despite my overweening fabulousness).

[Zehava]

So you can only have one mission at a time, is that right? And how do you find another contact if you drop a mission? I haven't seen the whole city, but it seems like only one contact is interested in talking to me (despite my overweening fabulousness).

You get more contacts as you go and can have more than 1 mission at a time. New heroes are not well known enough to get more than 1 contact to start with. Once your current contact gives you all the missions they have available they will offer to introduce you to another contact.

And there is no need to drop the mission, simply walk back out the door you came in. The mission stays active and you can come back to it later.

[Kael]

When I'm doing missions, I almost always get one ~ lvl 4 or so that, once inside the building, all the mobs are my level. But it's always in an area of town populated by lvl 6-8 mobs. Sometimes I toil my way through, since killing higher level foes levels you a lot faster, but other times the easiest thing to do is just sprint through them all to the door.

[Sock Puppet]

Oh, and one more dumb question: I got Zehava's (And Stay Down) friend request and accepted it, but every time I got to the other side of a load screen for any reason, I got the friend request again. I accepted every time, but is there something else I was supposed to do to make that prompt go away? And can I send out my own friend requests with a Trial account?Anybody know whazzup with this? Why do I keep getting a confirmation request after I've said "Yes" repeatedly?

[Chris Porter]

It's happened to me, too, but I think the second time it occurred, it stopped.

I entered the Hollows today, and got to take down enough mutants to level me to eight, which is where I'm stopping to get back to work.

[Zehava]

I figure 6 - 8 is about where I'll stop before we can all get together. A massive romp through the Hollows would be fun.

[Sock Puppet]

Damn, I'll try to get to 6 so as not to be a drag on the group. Got a lot of RL shit going on atm.

[BrotherMan]

After the tutorial level, I selected Atlas City before remembering we were going to meet in Galaxy City so I should have started leveling there. I assume I can still get there somehow? How, me heap big n00b.

lolnub.

Open your map (press m) and look for the tram. It's just a bit north of the city hall building. That can take you to Kings Row, Steel Canyon, Skyway City and Galaxy City. Walk to the center platform and left click the doorway. You should get a pop up where you can select your destination.

To get there it seemed like I had to go past a lot of higher-level mobs. I even dropped a few of them, doing my best to pull them only when necessary, but eventually was overwhelmed and ended up in the hospital. Was I supposed to stick to a particular road/sidewalk to stick with mobs closer to my level? The map and I are not getting along well yet.

In Atlas Park (and Galaxy City) the bad guys aren't so horrible but you will still get some missions that ask you to cross some rough turf (at least compared to your level). This is normal. Avoid the ones you can or run from the ones you can't. (Sprint, an inherent power, is a toggle and at this level helps you run faster than the mobs you'll encounter. Unlike WoW it does not completely deplete your endurance bar so you can just leave it on between treks.)

Oh, and one more dumb question: I got Zehava's (And Stay Down) friend request and accepted it, but every time I got to the other side of a load screen for any reason, I got the friend request again.

Sounds like quirky code. See if it persists after logging out and back in. I'll scan the boards to see if this is a larger problem and if there are any solutions.

And can I send out my own friend requests with a Trial account?

Accordin to the wiki, it doesn't look like trial accounts are restricted with regards to accepting or sending friend or gfriend invites.

[BrotherMan]

Updated Team Roster with Global Handles

- wei yau @wei yau
- Adam (tbd)
- Zehava @And Stay Down
- Chris Porter @Farouche Exegete
- Kael @Echal
- Sock Puppet @The Sock

Ginvites sented to these names from @MDanger.

Keep an eye out for Infinity's version of Protagonist Prime.

[wei yau]

Woohoo! Yay for Prime!

[Sock Puppet]

Goddamnit, WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IN THIS WAREHOUSE? I've found the key, defeated all the Skulls, but I'm supposed to "seek evidence." Besides the desk where I found the key, there is nothing else I can find in here that's interactable. I can't finish this stupid mission and it's PISSING ME OFF. Nobody else besides the dipshit who gave me this idiotic mission will fucking talk to me, so it's either complete this fool's errand or keep grinding on purse snatchers from now until I get sick of it. I'm ready to give up on the whole fucking game if I can't figure this out. HELP.

[Kael]

I think I've found my favorite powerset... or at least one of the top. Gravity control + Storm = Awesome!

For what it's worth, my wife dragged me back into wow, so I don't know if I'll be able to afford this too for this month, but at the very least I'll be there this evening and until my trial runs out.

[Chris Porter]

Goddamnit, WHAT THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO IN THIS WAREHOUSE? I've found the key, defeated all the Skulls, but I'm supposed to "seek evidence." Besides the desk where I found the key, there is nothing else I can find in here that's interactable. I can't finish this stupid mission and it's PISSING ME OFF. Nobody else besides the dipshit who gave me this idiotic mission will fucking talk to me, so it's either complete this fool's errand or keep grinding on purse snatchers from now until I get sick of it. I'm ready to give up on the whole fucking game if I can't figure this out. HELP.

Had the same problem. I just "finished" the mission, it's an option you get if you get stuck, I think you get one if you go back and talk to your contact again. I visited a damn warehouse three times before I gave up.

[BrotherMan]

Interacting with objects in City of Heroes: Left click. You'll know you can interact with an object in one of two ways (and sometimes both). Your mouse will turn into a hand. The other way is you will hear a distinctive audible sound; wooom-wooom-wooom when you are near it.

[Kael]

Well, I can't get on vent 'cause my headset is out right now, but I'm floating here next to the Brawler guy in Galaxy City... Anyone else coming?

[wei yau]

Sock, if you're out there, we're up and running. Check in here with your character name and we'll invite you to team

[Kael]

Lots of fun, thanks all. My friends list definitely isn't working, and I keep getting the popup asking if I accept a friend invite from wei over and over, like Sock did. Hopefully if I have enough to pay for this month it'll go away when I'm off the trial.

I'll probably be on tomorrow night, but not for quite as long.

[wei yau]

Here's the Super Team FF in all their ass-kicking glory!

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/gallery/files/1/6/5/super-team-ff.jpg

From left to right:
Walking Hairy Dog - Zehava
Oozymandias - Sock Puppet
Azilel (floating) - Kael
Cool Lee (foreground) - wei yau
Bexar Custo - BrotherMan
Artc Inen - Chris Porter

[Chris Porter]

Yes, I got the same @wei invite over and over and over again, and had to keep moving the "buy game" link each time I went into a new area. Other than that, as my first experience as a team in an MMOG, it was very fun but also sort of perplexing. I'm thinking of buying a month and really working out details of how to play.

Also, I got a new power, it's supposed to work on a whole group of foes to lower their resistance and ability to strike.

And I still can't jump worth a damn. But I can run like nobody's business.

[Zehava]

The invite problem seems to be from the trial account, though as Wei noted they don't mention it as a limitation of the trial.

Anyway it was much fun last night.

[Sock Puppet]

Much fun, thanks guys. Too bad the rest of you couldn't get on Vent, 'cause Zehava and I were talking lots of shit behind your backs.

Okay, not really. We didn't say much besides "where's the trainer" / "over here" -- although I probably managed at least one racist crack about wei.

I probably won't be getting a paid account, at least not right away. I'll try to get on again sometime before the trial period expires a week from tomorrow. But without access to the Friends list it'll be tough to find anybody without coordinating in advance.

[Chris Porter]

I bought it. I only bought one month, though. Then I made a villain with a robot sidekick. That city venture also has a bunch of interesting architecture.

Also, made a new hero that's a scrapper, so I could get up in the bad guy's face a bit, and not have to hang back. So, a bit of weekend fun, possibly evenings, for a while.

[Adam]

Crap, I forgot all about this, probably because I wasn't home all weekend. :tmsad:

[Sock Puppet]

No, it was because you suck.

[Adam]

I have never denied this.

[wei yau]

BTW: Did you FFers play together again during the weekend?