Issue 5 Rumors

[Lawmaker]

Statesman posted here (http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=2846899&bodyprev=#Post2846899)

Just wanted to cover some of the things that have been posted...

skills - unlikely
new zone - likely
new missions & task forces - likely
new power sets - likely
new events - likely

[Thermyte]

Could have guessed all of those, even if I didn't play the game. I like the 'likely' response.

[Kurai Inago]

skills - unlikely


Whosajigawha? I thought skills were going to be the focal point of I5.... Oh well, as long as I get my pistols.

[coldcut]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't this make I5 the first issue without any real changes to gameplay?

I'm hoping that there are a lot of powersets to make up for skills getting bumped back again.

[The Widowed]

If there are to be no skills in I5, then why are they building the universities already? :confused:

[Jade_Dragon]

The skills are unlikely like a respec after Issue 4 was unlikely. :D

(I keed, I keed...)

[Seadevil]

Finally, new power sets. I hope Archery is among those slated for I5.

[Yin]

You haven't heard? Archery and Sonics are the two major power set talk of this issue. Manticore confirmed it'd be a Defender set: Trick Arrow, Archery. No confirmation on if it'll be a Blaster secondary though. I'm praying for bo-staves. And I expected skills to be pushed back yet again. I don't expect them until after CoV. I'd be surprised if it was sooner though.

[Seadevil]

Well, i have been out of the CoH loop for a short while. That's good to hear, although I hope they'll either add a Defender primary or make it (Archery, I mean) a Blaster primary to make a more traditional, Green Arrow/Hawkeye type of build possible.

[suburbanhell]

You haven't heard? Archery and Sonics are the two major power set talk of this issue. Manticore confirmed it'd be a Defender set: Trick Arrow, Archery. No confirmation on if it'll be a Blaster secondary though. I'm praying for bo-staves. And I expected skills to be pushed back yet again. I don't expect them until after CoV. I'd be surprised if it was sooner though.

Shouldn't a defender primary be a Controller secondary? I thought it was Blaster Primaries that were Defender secondaries....

[Quakester]

From what I understand, Archery will be a blaster Primariy, but TRICK archery will be a defender Primary...At least if the updated Manticore is any indication since that's what he is. ;)

[Seadevil]

.... Ok. I have no idea how they would make Archery a Buff/Debuff set. O_o

I think Thresh meant it'd be a Defender secondary and maybe a Blaster primary.... I think.... Maybe... I don't know.

Edit: Missed Quake's post. That would make sense, the 2 seperate sets.

[Lawmaker]

Here (http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=2742818&bodyprev=#Post2742818) is the original Manticore post...

From what I read, Manticore is a Trick Arrow/Archery Defender, meaning Archery could potentially be a blaster set as well... Trick arrow also could be a controller set, however the only confirmation so far is the defender...

So blasters and controllers hoping for this... Cross your fingers!

[suburbanhell]

What would "trick" archery be? i.e. how would it differ from actual archery?

[suburbanhell]

Here (http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=2742818&bodyprev=#Post2742818) is the original Manticore post...

From what I read, Manticore is a Trick Arrow/Archery Defender, meaning Archery could potentially be a blaster set as well... Trick arrow also could be a controller set, however the only confirmation so far is the defender...

So blasters and controllers hoping for this... Cross your fingers!

Would be pretty odd to have it defender-exclusive based on the way the entire rest of the game is built...

[Lawmaker]

What would "trick" archery be? i.e. how would it differ from actual archery?

They haven't said yet, But my guess would be debuffs and holds/stuns or something like that... Smoke arrows to debuff enemy accuracy, boxing glove arrow for a stun or disorient, Flash arrows for a blinding AoE stun, web arrows for immobilize... etc. etc..

Hmmm... sounds almost controller like :p

[Lawmaker]

Would be pretty odd to have it defender-exclusive based on the way the entire rest of the game is built...

Oh you mean like Dark defenders? :chuckle:

(not to say that i disagree with you... I'd rather like to see a Archery blaster set... just Cryptic hasn't confirmed anything more than the defender set yet...)

[inkblaster]

Just wanted to cover some of the things that have been posted...

skills - unlikely
KHAAAAAANNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[suburbanhell]

Oh you mean like Dark defenders? :chuckle:

Hrm...I must've missed something, doesn't that set belong to the blaster & controller realm respectively as well??

[vyxzuw]

I remember awhile back, Statesman saying something about the Skills not being up to standards...(Read: The scrapped the idea they had, and are remaking another skill system. Pre-Beta anyone?)

[inkblaster]

Defenders are the only ones to get Dark Maisma, Dark Blast, and Psychic blast.
All controller primaries are unique to them, all Scrapper Primaries are unique to them.
All Tanker secondaries are unique to them, well, except the energy, ice, and fire have some common powers with blaster secondaries, yeah, tell me that makes sense!

If you look at the current total powersets, and thus combinations of powersets, here's the rundown with primaries/secondaries/combos

blaster 5/5 = 25
controller 6/5 = 30
defender 6/5 = 30
scrapper 6/4 = 24
tanker 4/7 = 28

I really can't see them giving defenders a set and not adding another set for scrappers and tankers. Hopefully scrappers will get staffs or pistols or something to that nature!

But if blasters get sonics, defenders get bows, and scrappers, tanks, controllers all get 1 set, here's how unequal it starts to get:
blaster 6/5 = 30(presuming sonics is just a primary)
controller 6/6 = 36(presuming dark maisma is opened for them)
defender 7/6 = 42(presuming archery and it's secondary)
scrapper 7/4 = 28(what would be another defense set for them?)
tanker 5/7 = 35(mebbe shape shifting? We've seen what they can do with Kheldians, and upgraded stone armor graphics.)

Either way, scrappers, the 'uber-leet' ones, get the shaft as far as diversity.

If blasters got the archery sets and defenders just got sonics, it would be a little more fair diversity-wise methinks. That and give scrappers a street brawler set, that's an easy one, and maybe they get a limited form of shape-shifting?

If you look at the typical team set, you have the orange rock guy is a tank, the fiery flame guy is a blaster, the force-field girl is a defender, so what's the stretchy guy? Scrapper?

[Freeze Warning]

Hrm...I must've missed something, doesn't that set belong to the blaster & controller realm respectively as well??

Nope, both Dark Miasma and Dark Blast belong to defender powersets exclusively. I was very disappointed when the game came out and I couldn't make my Illusion Control/Dark Miasma character I had been dreaming of.

Also, Radiation Blast and Psychic Blast are exclusive secondary sets for defenders (along with Ice blast, Fire blast, and assualt rifle being exclusively blaster primaries), so I wouldn't be surprised to see Archery only a defender set.

On another, and slightly off topic note, how come all the major NPCs seem to be defenders and blasters? Is Sister Psyche a controller at least? Are there any scrappers?

Freeze

edit: Argh! ya beat me to it Ink!!!

[Amoeba Man]

If blasters got the archery sets and defenders just got sonics, it would be a little more fair diversity-wise methinks. That and give scrappers a street brawler set, that's an easy one, and maybe they get a limited form of shape-shifting?
Due to the upcoming Power Sets Manticore is actually a Trick Arrow, Archery Defender. Also, his arch-enemy is called Protean, not Doppleganger.Looks like from Manticore's post Defenders are getting two sets. Trick Arrow Primary and Archery Secondary. Now, Blasters could be getting Archery and Sonics. And there has been some talk about the Shield powerset. Probably Tanker Primary maybe Scrapper Secondary. Now if Scrappers get Pistols and Staves that's 3 for them.

Gah...too late to think about all the possibilities. Must get sleep.

And don't think I didn't see that Shape-shifting comment Ink. For that and the skills being pushed back...

KHAAAAAANNNNN!!!!!!!

[Stalking Shadow]

KHAAAAAANNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What he said.

[8 Ball]

Not sure if it's been posted but here's a quote from State's about I5

Just wanted to cover some of the things that have been posted...

skills - unlikely
new zone - likely
new missions & task forces - likely
new power sets - likely
new events - likely


ARRRGGGHHHH!!

edit: Ooops...was already posted...walk along, nothing to see here.

[Stalking Shadow]

I think that's the first post in the thread, 8-Ball. :P
Regardless....

KHAAAAAAAN!

[Vendel]

KHAAAAAAAN!


Heh.... I have created a monster.....dang peopel copying my global chats :P

[Poison]

No skills? What the firk! It's what I5 was all about, dammit!

New zone - Croatoa
New enemies - in Croatoa (witches and some mushroom guys)
New TFs and special events - hey, in Croatoa! (Corsair event?)
New events/missions - Troll Rave, Burning houses

New powers:
- archery (primary blaster, secondary defender)
- trick archery (primary defender, think Hawkeye)
- sonic (assured, the AV Maestro uses it already)
- shield (announced, probably)
- staff (announced, not sure)
And hopefully some more...

Something not mentioned that could happen: new Epic ATs.

[Astartus]

No skills? I'm really pissed!

KKKHHHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNN

[MaligneFamily]

Something not mentioned that could happen: new Epic ATs.

Has it not always been suspected that I5 is the time that Avians and Coralaxi(SP?) come out of their shells?
Thats what's mainly attracting me to I5. Though sonic is sounding very nice...

[Astartus]

Something not mentioned that could happen: new Epic ATs.

Hasn't Statesman clearly stated that there would be no new AT's before CoV is released? Only after CoV is out?

[Amoeba Man]

Heh.... I have created a monster.....dang peopel copying my global chats :PCopy you...no. Copy Capt. Kick...hells yeah. :chuckle:

[Remianen]

Either way, scrappers, the 'uber-leet' ones, get the shaft as far as diversity.

If blasters got the archery sets and defenders just got sonics, it would be a little more fair diversity-wise methinks. That and give scrappers a street brawler set, that's an easy one, and maybe they get a limited form of shape-shifting?

If you look at the typical team set, you have the orange rock guy is a tank, the fiery flame guy is a blaster, the force-field girl is a defender, so what's the stretchy guy? Scrapper?

I'm not sure the Fantastic Four could be cited as "the typical team". Especially since there are far more popular teams with far different setups (and have been for years. When was the last time the FF was popular? Secret Wars period?).

I think the idea that class maekup in MMOs should have some inherent sense of fairness is misguided. What is 'fun' often isn't very 'fair'. Uniformity is fairness at its best (since everyone is exactly the same), but is it fun? If you make Dark Miasma and Psychic available to Controllers then you'd HAVE to make AR, Ice, and Fire available to defenders or you're just shifting unfairness to a different side.

Besides, most of the super teams who maintain any kind of relevance have uneven AT makeups. From JLA & the Avengers (pick a roster, any roster, even the West Coast team of old) to Y.O.U.N.G.B.L.O.O.D. to Extreme X-Men, there were and are characters that appear to be several different CoH ATs at the same time. For example, is Storm a defender, blaster, or a controller? Is the Vision a tank, controller, defender or blaster? What ATs do you find in the founding roster of the New Warriors? What about Lifeguard and Sage?

It would appear to me that CoH is a game being developed on a foundation that is FAR more flexible than that of their predecessors. Maybe it's the increased competition (no need to change or adapt when you're the 900lb gorilla, as EverQuest was for the better part of 5 years) or maybe it's something entirely different. :think:

[Yin]

Hasn't Statesman clearly stated that there would be no new AT's before CoV is released? Only after CoV is out?

There's this rumor out that the Coralax is coming I6. I doubt it though.

EDIT: I'm hoping Air Control and Water Control come out with the Coralax and the other winged AT. Been wanting Air Control since pre-beta.

[Masked Revenger]

Copy you...no. Copy Capt. Kick...hells yeah. :chuckle:

Captain Kick? Heh... I think I have a new MA scrapper. :chuckle:

Chris

[Maveric]

skills - unlikely


Whosajigawha? I thought skills were going to be the focal point of I5.... Oh well, as long as I get my pistols.
*crosses fingers*

[Amoeba Man]

Captain Kick? Heh... I think I have a new MA scrapper. :chuckle:

ChrisTrademark! TRADEMARK!!! :(

That wouldn't be the first time I've made/inspired someone with a character name/idea by screwing up.

Capt Kick...Wow I suck. :chuckle:

[8 Ball]

Hasn't Statesman clearly stated that there would be no new AT's before CoV is released? Only after CoV is out?


I'm fairly sure that's the case, my guess is that the release of CoV will herald the introduction of the "Incarnate" EAT, which State's & Lord Arachnos are based on. With others to follow afterwards.

[Xielos]

I think Trick Arrow and Sonics debuffs resistances

[vyxzuw]

...Just thought of something.

Epic ATs need to be unlocked. Kheldian's for istance, need a lvl 50 character. Others are will need a Trial or TF. (And some have thought, that having been a subscriber for a year, will unlock one...whenever they release that AT.)

However, what if Incarnates require you to have BOTH CoH and CoV. (Since they are an Epic for both, this would make sense.)

***

While Defenders may have the most combinations. They also have the least amount of uniqueness.

Blasters have 3 Primary, and 5 Secondary that are unique. (The secondary are mixes of other sets, though.)

Controllers have 6 Prim, and no Sec.

Scrappers have 6 Prim (Although BS and Kat are the same set, with some graphic and stat differences.) and 3 Sec.

Tanks have 3 Prim and 7 Sec. (With Ax and Mace being very similar.)

So, Blasters have 8 Sets, Cons have 6, Scrap have 9, and Tanks have 10.

Defenders have 1 Prim and 3 Sec. (4 total.)

Thus, while Defenders have a lot of combinations, they don't have much uniqueness.

(I believe that Pistols was meant as a Scrapper Primary...)

[Xanatos]

My Ma/Sheild scrapper could finnaly be made!

OMG joygasm!

[Yin]

...Just thought of something.

Epic ATs need to be unlocked. Kheldian's for istance, need a lvl 50 character. Others are will need a Trial or TF. (And some have thought, that having been a subscriber for a year, will unlock one...whenever they release that AT.)

However, what if Incarnates require you to have BOTH CoH and CoV. (Since they are an Epic for both, this would make sense.)

***

While Defenders may have the most combinations. They also have the least amount of uniqueness.

Blasters have 3 Primary, and 5 Secondary that are unique. (The secondary are mixes of other sets, though.)

Controllers have 6 Prim, and no Sec.

Scrappers have 6 Prim (Although BS and Kat are the same set, with some graphic and stat differences.) and 3 Sec.

Tanks have 3 Prim and 7 Sec. (With Ax and Mace being very similar.)

So, Blasters have 8 Sets, Cons have 6, Scrap have 9, and Tanks have 10.

Defenders have 1 Prim and 3 Sec. (4 total.)

Thus, while Defenders have a lot of combinations, they don't have much uniqueness.

(I believe that Pistols was meant as a Scrapper Primary...)

I'm confused. Defender AT not unique? Hm. Take this over to the Defender forum and see if people agree or disagree. IMO, we're a mixed bag. If you team with a Scrapper, you know what they're there for. To hit stuff. You team with a Tank. They're there to draw aggro and hit stuff. But what if you team with a Radiation Defender? Or a Force Field Defender? No one knows what each of these sets (not saying all, but somewhat of the majority) do unless you tell them. We're classed as support, but we do go beyond that. We can support in heals. Support in buffs. Support in debuffs. Support in mob control. That's what makes us unique. Get what I'm saying? :)

But anywho, I'm looking forward to shields and staves. I'm praying for dual pistols. It'll be the first Scrapper I make if dual pistols or staves come with this issue.

[coldcut]

Yeah, I'd say that each Defender powerset is basically an AT unto itself. They may not have the same number of different powers, but they've got plenty of diversity.

[Lawmaker]

Oh, another thing i noticed.

No skills does not equal no Non combat missions...

so the firey building in steel canyon may still be coming. There is the possibility that a number of new missions may be non-combat (although not skill related) OR that the new event(s) may be non combat related.

[Emerald Sky]

I might just have to get a 3rd account for some new alts once these new powersets come out...lol. I hope they eventually make it possible to switch servers with characters just for this very reason...lol.

[Poison]

No skills does not equal no Non combat missions...

so the firey building in steel canyon may still be coming. There is the possibility that a number of new missions may be non-combat (although not skill related) OR that the new event(s) may be non combat related.As I posted, that mission IS coming. You get a temporary water power to fight the little fires in the building. There's a total of 3 missions like this, each being harder and giving a badge. (Fire Chief, Fire Fighter and Fire something)
http://student.uncw.edu/cem8760/firebadge.JPG

[Jade_Dragon]

Well, i have been out of the CoH loop for a short while. That's good to hear, although I hope they'll either add a Defender primary or make it (Archery, I mean) a Blaster primary to make a more traditional, Green Arrow/Hawkeye type of build possible.

Actually, I feel that given the "Trick Arrow" idea of Buff/Debuff, Green Arrow and Hawkeye are more Defender-like.

The boxing glove arrow is a perfect example. It's a non-lethal attack, it doesn't do damage. What it does do is (no, not stun/disorient) knockback. An electric arrow (probably called "Stun Arrow") would stun. A net or web arrow could immobilize, with attack rate slow. Clouds of smoke for accuracy debuff, as suggested.

A "good heavens, how does he fire that fast!" type archer, like Legolas, Robin Hood, or the Green Archer from Gauntlet Legends, that would be a more Blaster-type Archer. Not as much into the "tricks" as speed, accuracy, and perhaps different attack types, like fire arrows or exploding arrows. Of course, the Defender Archer would have access to those attacks, too, but just wouldn't be as deadly with them.

[Lawmaker]

As I posted, that mission IS coming. You get a temporary water power to fight the little fires in the building. There's a total of 3 missions like this, each being harder and giving a badge. (Fire Chief, Fire Fighter and Fire something)
http://student.uncw.edu/cem8760/firebadge.JPG

:) Ya. I meant to emphasize that there will be non combat stuff, even if the skills are not coming... so there will be something for those of us who are waiting for more than just "kill-em-all" missions to do. And hopefully there will be more than just the 3 fire missions. <crosses-fingers>

[Emerald Sky]

As I posted, that mission IS coming. You get a temporary water power to fight the little fires in the building. There's a total of 3 missions like this, each being harder and giving a badge. (Fire Chief, Fire Fighter and Fire something)
http://student.uncw.edu/cem8760/firebadge.JPG

I thought those missions were on test awhile ago. They didn't get pushed live with I4?

[Stalking Shadow]

Heh.... I have created a monster.....dang peopel copying my global chats :P

I've been saying that since I saw the movie, about two years ago.

[Astartus]

I thought those missions were on test awhile ago. They didn't get pushed live with I4?

No, only the buildings were there, but not the missions or the badges.....
It seemed as if a dev activated this too early

[vyxzuw]

Defender AT not unique?

Not the AT, the power sets, themselves.

A Controller can use almost all of those sets. A Controller that puts most of their effort into their secondary, will do a decent job of 'playing defender'.

The same as a Inv scrapper can play 'tank'. (Mostly due to the auto taunt of Invincibility.)

A set that designed around an AT, will behave differently than one designed for two sets.

For instance, Trick Shot, if only a Defender set, can contain attack powers. (Such as explosive arrow. It's does AoE damage, maybe minor, and stun.) The attack powers, wouldn't fit with a Controller, since they aren't supposed to be a damage dealer.

Invulnerable, for instance, is a fine example, of what happens when you mix a set. Invincibility allows a scrapper to draw aggro, as well as most tanks. (Even though, from the other three sets, they want to AVOID aggro. DA has the only other power that really draws aggro...Death Shroud, but also has a Stealth power.)
***
My comment on uniqueness, was in regards to Ink's question on why defenders are getting another set. And that answer is they don't have as many sets that are purely theirs.

(We also don't know whether they plan on mixing more sets. For instance, is it possible that Fire Armor may become a Scrapper set?)

[Yin]

Not the AT, the power sets, themselves.

A Controller can use almost all of those sets. A Controller that puts most of their effort into their secondary, will do a decent job of 'playing defender'.

The same as a Inv scrapper can play 'tank'. (Mostly due to the auto taunt of Invincibility.)

A set that designed around an AT, will behave differently than one designed for two sets.

For instance, Trick Shot, if only a Defender set, can contain attack powers. (Such as explosive arrow. It's does AoE damage, maybe minor, and stun.) The attack powers, wouldn't fit with a Controller, since they aren't supposed to be a damage dealer.

Invulnerable, for instance, is a fine example, of what happens when you mix a set. Invincibility allows a scrapper to draw aggro, as well as most tanks. (Even though, from the other three sets, they want to AVOID aggro. DA has the only other power that really draws aggro...Death Shroud, but also has a Stealth power.)
***
My comment on uniqueness, was in regards to Ink's question on why defenders are getting another set. And that answer is they don't have as many sets that are purely theirs.

(We also don't know whether they plan on mixing more sets. For instance, is it possible that Fire Armor may become a Scrapper set?)


Gotcha. :) Perhaps I should've clarified that I should've understood that part. Oh well.

[Jade_Dragon]

My comment on uniqueness, was in regards to Ink's question on why defenders are getting another set. And that answer is they don't have as many sets that are purely theirs.

Actually, my personal feeling is that, although there's probably good reasons for picking Power Sets to boost those AT's that don't have a lot of variation (I'd like to see more Tanker Primaries, for instance) most Power Sets will probably fit pretty obviously into a particular Archetype.

The Quarter Staff, for instance, is quite obviously a Scrapper Primary. A Shield could be either Tanker or Scrapper, but is more likely Scrapper, particularly if it can be used as a weapon. (Although it might not for legal reasons) Sonic is definately a Ranged Set, but while it could be either Blaster or Defender, I think the devs will add it not because it is for Blasters, but because Sonic is a popular choice that has been requested a lot. The same for the others.

The obvious exception is Pistols, which really will have to be restricted in some way to fit it into the Archetypes. They seem to be going the "gun-fu" Scrapper route, but even Blaster wouldn't be perfect, as its range would have to be exaggerated. Literally speaking it's too long range for Scrapper, and too short for Blaster. So Pistols will be design by a specific "flavor" of gun fighting which won't necessarily be generic.

Either way, though, I think the devs said, "We should add X" first, and then "Well, where's the best place to add X which will increase the diversity of the archetypes"? Which, to a certain extent is limited by the "feel" and capabilities of the concept. Trick Arrow combined with Archery is certainly going to have a very different feel than Archery alone, and I think the devs probably had helping out the Defender in mind a bit, when they decided on the "split".

[vyxzuw]

The pistols being a scrapper set, was from people asking for a 'Gunkata' type of set. (Hope I spelled that right...)

Also, a ranged scrapper set, isn't exactly new...look at the ranged attacks in Spines.

[Jade_Dragon]

The pistols being a scrapper set, was from people asking for a 'Gunkata' type of set. (Hope I spelled that right...)

Also, a ranged scrapper set, isn't exactly new...look at the ranged attacks in Spines.

I didn't say it was. I just meant that "Gunkata", "Marksmanship" and so on are not exactly the same as traditional gunfighting.

Heck, even western-movie style gunslinging was more about the quick draw, and shooting the gun out of the bad guy's hand. Then the hero slugged it out with the other guy, hand to hand. So that's really a third style. Although probably it could all be simulated with just the one Power Set. (Maybe take some Power Pool attacks along with the Pistols, or maybe it will include some punching mixed with shooting)

[Emerald Sky]

Am I the only who thinks that shields could also be used as a defender powerset and sonic could be a new set for controllers? Shields could easily be made into a defender primary. I can see how they could be scrapper, tanker, blaster, etc. but I wouldn't discount defenders and controllers.

Perhaps to make I5 really juicy, they'll add a lot of new powersets to make people forget about the skill system getting pushed back again.

[Kinetix]

When you say "Shields" do you mean http://metalprojects.no-ip.com/shieldbig.jpg?

[Yin]

No one really knows for sure. When I think of sheilds I think that too. It could possibly be a Scrapper set in which it is used in the same manner Captain America uses it. Don't know though. I'm sure we're all be surprised when it's released.

[vyxzuw]

Let's just hope that it's surprised in a good way. :)

[inkblaster]

Shields I think will be like the Ascendants in the game, if so it could be defenders, or possibly tanks. They seem like a one trick pony so far as I've seen.

[Kinetix]

I'm not understanding Ink, what's an ascendant?

[suburbanhell]

Speaking of words that begin with A that have no answer....What the heck is an Avion???

[Astartus]

Speaking of words that begin with A that have no answer....What the heck is an Avion???

The winged AT species

[8 Ball]

Speaking of words that begin with A that have no answer....What the heck is an Avion???


It's believed to be the "Winged" Epic AT :D.

[suburbanhell]

Ah, it is now clear. Everyone was making a big fuss over this last month but no one was saying what it was.

[Kurai Inago]

Acendants were Council members that got cut shortly before Issue 3 went live... a Shame, they were pretty cool.

[Poison]

Actually no. Ascendants are still in. Do the Ernesto Hess Mission and you'll find them with their huge shields. They have the shield powerset. (for example, they hold it before them and are almost unbeatable)

[Freeze Warning]

Yes, I tried to get some good screen shots of the very rare Ascendants the second time I went through the Hess TF, but couldn't. It seemed that their shields kind of folded out of their oversized armbands to form an upside down triangle nearly half a man tall. When crouched behind the shield, they were nigh-invulnerable.

If this is what they plan for a shield power set, it would be very different from a Captian America type power set or really anything I've seen in comics (Not that that is a bad thing, but when I think shields in comics, I think 80's style Captian America with a round shield..).

Freeze

[The Widowed]

We (as in the Widowed, Dog Fight, Tarberetta and...someone else I can't remember right now...) fought a number of Ascendants in the Maestro mission. There's hardly anything as daunting as being surrounded by three or four Ascendants, having the one you're beating on pop out a shield and turn "Unaffected" on you, switching to another Ascendant, landing a few kicks on him and having him turn "Unaffected" as the first Ascendant loses the shield and starts laying into you again....

Frustrating buggers. :grr:

[inkblaster]

Yes, they still abound in the Maestro mission, using sonic guns,
the shield basically looks like the council emblem, so it's quite probably hero shields will look different, but maybe work the same?
The effect is essentially they're phase shifted, the bubble around these guys is from another ascendant I believe.
and knowing how mobs usually have 2 groups from different hero archetypes (like bone daddies have dark blast and shadow fighting), maybe this is a good thing?
yeah, had to get that shot of Steel Heart in there :P
http://home.comcast.net/~fuzzyweis/ascendant1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~fuzzyweis/ascendant2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~fuzzyweis/ascendant3.jpg

[Digital]

KHAAAAAANNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kind of off topic: KHAAAN! (http://www.khaaan.com/)

[8 Ball]

Yes, they still abound in the Maestro mission, using sonic guns,
the shield basically looks like the council emblem, so it's quite probably hero shields will look different, but maybe work the same?
The effect is essentially they're phase shifted, the bubble around these guys is from another ascendant I believe.
and knowing how mobs usually have 2 groups from different hero archetypes (like bone daddies have dark blast and shadow fighting), maybe this is a good thing?
yeah, had to get that shot of Steel Heart in there :P


Wow...this is the first I've even heard of these guys...damn they look cool :D.

[suburbanhell]

Wow...this is the first I've even heard of these guys...damn they look cool :D.

I agree, I've never seen these -- were they part of the 5th prior or have they been a council-only addition?

[8 Ball]

I agree, I've never seen these -- were they part of the 5th prior or have they been a council-only addition?

I'm assuming thier council-only as I've been through everything 5th-related prior to I3 and these guys are nowhere to be found. And even then I'm assuming they're only in the Striga TF.

[inkblaster]

They was one in the Burkholder task force I was in, so he's easy to miss. The Maestro mission is filled with them as Maestro is deaf and attacks with sonic powers, as do these guys, Maestro is also an Arch-Villain(like Burkholder).
Other than that I don't recall seeing them anywhere else on the island.

[suburbanhell]

Burkholder, Maestro, I never see any arch Villains, I'm missing out on all the good stuff...I think I've taken on Clamor & Vandal at this point...I don't remember finishing the Manticore TF but I know I did....oh right that bald guy that thought he was tough till he ran into Major 0bvious....he wasn't really an AV though huh....

[Tsarmina]

Burkholder, Maestro, I never see any arch Villains, I'm missing out on all the good stuff....
I know that AM's Lamprey has the Hess TF (with Burkholder at the end). I don't know when he's planning on attempting it but you'd be certainly welcome to join us. Burk is one nasty bugger. (and the tilesets are way cool too) :)

[Poison]

When do you fight Maestro anyway? I've done most Striga missions and both TFs there, never seen him though.

[Sebastian Kain]

I know that AM's Lamprey has the Hess TF (with Burkholder at the end). I don't know when he's planning on attempting it but you'd be certainly welcome to join us. Burk is one nasty bugger. (and the tilesets are way cool too) :)

ooo ooo I wanna join the Bandwagon. I did the Citadel one last nite.

[BvS]

When do you fight Maestro anyway? I've done most Striga missions and both TFs there, never seen him though.

Long Jack sends you to him; at least, that's who I remember sending FIying Fox to him.

I want his costume options.

[Jade_Dragon]

Maestro's mission is the last one you get from Long Jack. (I think) You don't HAVE to take it, as he gives you the next contact right before that mission. So you might have not noticed it.

[Amoeba Man]

I know that AM's Lamprey has the Hess TF (with Burkholder at the end). I don't know when he's planning on attempting it but you'd be certainly welcome to join us. Burk is one nasty bugger. (and the tilesets are way cool too) :)Ah, the Burkholder TF. The one Lamprey finished but didn't get a badge for. I'd like to do this soon, maybe this weekend. Depends on when the other TF I'm doing this weekend gets done. All are welcome to join. Maybe I'll start a thread.

[Poison]

Why aren't Skills in I5?

First system wasn't that fun. It was only in the design stages and I couldn't see how we could get it in and add enjoyment to the game.

Second system was a lot easier to create the basics, but there was a huge amount of implementation behind it. In essence, it was like we were recreating the combat system and all the villains in the first release.

We could have rushed like mad to get that in - but we would not have had time to give it polish. Even worse, we'd only have the bare minimum of what the system was meant to be. Given that reality, we decided internally not to release it with I5.

When will it be released? Hmmm. That's a good question. There's lots of pressing feature requests from the boards (character x-fer, new archetypes, etc.) that are important. We'll continue to look for ways of getting the SSOCS into City of Heroes.

Bah. Though I understand it. *sighs* I trust the devs and agree, but I was so looking forward to this.

[Yin]

Makes me want to question him about upcoming powersets. They keep getting pushed back as well. We were suppose to have half of these things I3. Whatever happened to the custom weapon creation engine? Sometimes I feel as if we're in WoW with everyone running around with the exact same sword or assault rifle. I think that's even further back on the burner, as well as the ability to color your own powers.

[vyxzuw]

Um, actually, in WoW, most of the customization is by equipment...

Still, I aggree. I for one would like to turn in my Swiss-Gun for another model...

[D'Arkaine]

My single most requested feature over new powersets/ATs/or skills is power customization - color changing and weapon modding.

I hate having so many different colors in the powers my chars use (hasten orange, energy blue, energy pink, temp invul rainbow...ARGHH)

the color customization is the last thing to get my character the way he was invisioned many many years ago.

Not to say im not curious about the skills system. I just wish he hadn't mentioned them till they had them working correctly on an internal build. Then so many people wouldn't be this disappointed.

Something for the 50 crowd to do other than a boring hamidon raid would be nice too. Something only they could do. Maybe a special zone with Trials and TFs that only lvl50s can go into.

and giant robots. cause chicks dig giant robots. that's what i heard. :)

[Jade_Dragon]

He actually mentioned character transfer. Not when it would be ready, but it's certainly on his mind.

I agree on power customization. I think that should be the next big "character" feature to come out after the scaling sliders. It's been long overdue, and while I'd certainly rather have new Power Sets first, I'd still like it to be up there. If not for I5, for I6 or 7.

I'd rather have it before character transfer. :D

[Poison]

Power customs were originally annouced for I5. Guess not. :|

[ShadowHands]

I had an idea for a lvl 50 zone awhile back. It was called mount olympus. A place heroes could rp or chat without "newbs" crowding em.Basically a big stretch of rolling green hills and waterfalls with one huge mountian in the middle that led to clouds and greek pillars. There could be like 3 trials there. It would have to be a alternate dimension too. Its a little far fetched I know, but I think it would rock!

[Libertyman]

Im just a little irked because i was looking foward for somethign to do other than the grind to 50, something that didn't have to do with combat.

[Astartus]

I can't await to go to Croatoa.

It seems someone was a bit more successfull in editing a demofile and got an awesome demo file of Croatoa. You can dl a zipfile HERE (http://www.psopower.net/files/Croatoa1.zip)

Many noobs are still under the impression that Croatoa will be a hazard zoen and complain about this rumor on the boards. But this sin't true. Many facts seem to point out that Croatoa is a normal City Zone. One of the facts: Only City Zones have this building (http://img166.echo.cx/img166/5740/croatoatram5xk.png)

[Yin]

Power customs were originally annouced for I5. Guess not. :|

This is why they should just shut up. You think they would learn from 2001-2003 to keep quiet about these kinds of things. The SSOCS should have never been announced until it was a month ready to be tested on Test server. They just keep disappointing tons of people because they can't hush. Now he has everyone anticipating these new power sets, new zones, events, etc. For his sake I hope they're all released, or he'll piss off more people.

[vyxzuw]

Well, it's in the Devs nature to be overly open.

This is both good and bad.

I think people need to remember that when they bring something up, it's what they are TRYING for...and thus no guarentee that it will happen.

(I do, however, wish that they would not announce a time, and then push back...I'd prefer 'soon'.)