Eric Nelson

I think it's been pretty clearly demonstrated here that you're erroneously linking two things and claiming there is cause and effect. Just because you didn't find a GM at a spawn point during a Banner event does NOT prove the Banner event had anything to do with that GM not being out at that particular time.

The Banner part of the event has nothing to do with the Eochai/Jack spawn part of the event. They are separate pieces, just as Trick or Treating is separate from them as well (all are linked by the theme, of course, but you can participate in any, all or none independantly of all other parts).

I didn't see anyone else address this question (apologies if I missed it somewhere).

The only reward for modifying the difficulty settings in Ouroboros is badges (or possibly personal challenge, I suppose). There is no addition reward in the traditional sense (i.e., more XP, more Inf, etc.).

Aramina has had to move on (temporarily, we hope!) from the game, and so the raids referenced in these threads have stopped as of a few weeks ago.

Hopefully, though, someone will pick it up and run with it -- why don't you, Hammer?

Absolutely. And the context is key -- in the correct context, I completely agree with Arcana's quote. It just doesn't happen to apply to me any more (although it certainly did at one time).

Yes, and for anyone who hasn't read it, I strongly recommend doing so. Especially for CoX players.

This. So very, very this.

Yes indeed there are -- Faultline is a personal favorite of mine. But as I've posted here, I've done most of the story content multiple times over the past 4.5 years (and I enjoyed the heck out of it!). I've evolved in my enjoyment of CoX, and now I enjoy it in the way that I do. This, to me, is one of the great strengths of this game -- the ability for players to sort of set their own paths (to a certain extent) and enjoy one or more aspects of the game at their own speed.

Well-said. Exactly. And I don't actually "purple out" all of my 50s -- far from it. Generic IOs and some of the affordable sets (for set bonuses) are just fine and you have a great, kick-*** toon. I generally strive to fill out purple sets and other high-end IOs for the few toons I'm really attached to, and let the others sit at the generic IO level.

Everything.

LGTF. ITF. STF/LRSF. Hami Raids. Accolade collecting. Slotting/enhancing. Customizing powerset colors. Helping out others (SG, global channels, friends). The list goes on and on.

And before you say, "But you can do all those things at 49!", your question is flawed. Does anyone "race to 49"? The way I read your question is more "What exactly do you do at 50 that is so much better than what you do at [1/8/15/23/31/42]?" And my answer is in my original post. I like to play a fully-realized character, one who has all resources available to her/him.

That's how I enjoy the game. I just got my 27th 50 today, and I'm sure I'll be getting more. I don't denigrade anyone for enjoying the journey -- that's great and I'm glad they are digging that aspect of CoX. I remember playing my first toons, and it's a wonderful memory, going through the content for the first time. But I've "been there, done that" and doing the same lowbie content with character after character (with relatively limited resources) just isn't interesting to me. I get excited to add another potentially-useful toon to my stable of 50s, get it all set up and working (and not in all cases with purples -- generic IOs work just fine and can be had on a budget if one pays attention) and then be able to swap over to it when someone needs assistance with something.

Yup, this is so true. Even stuff like sitting on a bench and such doesn't work with your shield activated. Just noticed it a few days ago.

But don't you see??? He was just so UNABASHED about it!!! The sheer nerve!!!

HAHAHAHA, nice one, Agge! (I was thinking the same thing with that letter inversion!)

But how would that use more than just the inspirations in your first row? Even the lowest level toons have 3 rows of inspirations (F1 - F2 - F3), while higher level toons can have as many as 5.

...or you can simply read the various stories on Sunstorm's entry on the wiki.

Hahahahahahahaha!!! Great post, but I just have to say, these exchanges made me LOL.

The way I read your post, it's somewhat discouraging regarding continued use of the vidiotmaps site. If you did not intend it so, then my apologies.

And yes, thank you for pointing out the details about TonyV's map site, I had absolutely no idea that it was his. Quite interesting.

I am certain it was Arcanaville also (I recall seeing the sig quote, not the original post by Arcana).

It stuck in my memory because I completely disagree with it -- I commonly "race" to 50 on every new toon I create, because for me, the game BEGINS at 50. I play my 50s exclusively (save any projects I'm working on getting to 50, and that's usually by using another 50 to help them get there).

Of course, many people enjoy playing their characters on the journey to 50 -- and that's great. It's something I really like about CoX, that there are SO many ways to enjoy the game, and there's certainly no "right" or "wrong" way to enjoy it (except for exploits).

But I get the quote, and it is a great quote for those who do primarily enjoy the journey.

Congrats on your accomplishment, Snugs!

That may well be, but I still think the maps listed there, updated or no, are the best I've run across. I wouldn't discourage anyone from using them (as long as they find them useful) while they're still available.

The CoP Trial had nothing (directly) to do with PvP (of course the REWARD triggered a PvP series of possible events...but the Trial itself was not in any direct way PvP). Beause of that, I don't see why it couldn't be resurrected with simply a different payoff.