GrinningSpade

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But you can have your your Ma Baker with a machine gun and get the tommy gun at lvl 1 if you have some patience and a freind.

However i cant create super robo 11 with his glowing red eyes and fists till i hit 30 which could be several hundred hours of game play and a large number of weeks.

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Never tried to get the gangbuster badge red side i see. I can level faster to level 30 then you can get that badge. For that you can if you are desperate enough join a farm team and drink some coffee while you gain levels while you do absolutely nothing.

There is no way that i am going to ask a friend to go through the torture of getting me that badge. It is easier to get the illusionist badge then it is to get gangbuster.

If i want that tommygun. I first need to level up to a level where I can easily hunt in Nerva. Then spend a day or two doing non stop running around chasing 1 mob type. A mob type that is only distinguishable by reading it's info!

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But what if i wanted to play a roman legionaire lost between worlds? To get the roman cossie You need to have done ITF. A thing that is only possible after reaching level 35. It just cant be done.

The game world has its limits of what we can plausible create. It is up to the players who wants to do something possible to come up with the reasons why our characters havent reached that part yet. Be it capes, auras, tommyguns, roman legionaire armour, a fish tail or anything else for that matter that is not included in the game.

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I agree that capes have lost some of their shine nowadays but Auras are still good.

However. They are still milestones. Just like customizable weapons are milestones.

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Sorry, you can do what now?? How are customisable weapons milestones?

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A lot of them are unlockable only. You want them you get the badge. A lot of those badges can only be won the hard way and most definitely not at level 1. That is as stifling my creativity (more so in my case) as much as waiting until lvl 20 to get one of the most easiest mission ever.

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Wow, you go away for a bit and they change something like that. Actually, I think that's cool, along with the wings that you have to earn and the odd costume piece that you have to have paid for.

The difference there is that you actually get weapons with you character and there is a certain amount of customisation that you get with that. You don't get any choice in capes at level 1 at all (unless you pay for it or have been here a while). Even if they gave you a small selection of capes and there were others you could 'unlock'. I'd be happy with that... not sure if others would though, what does everyone else think?


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Well there are the shoulder capes if you really want one.

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I agree that capes have lost some of their shine nowadays but Auras are still good.

However. They are still milestones. Just like customizable weapons are milestones.

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Sorry, you can do what now?? How are customisable weapons milestones?

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A lot of them are unlockable only. You want them you get the badge. A lot of those badges can only be won the hard way and most definitely not at level 1. That is as stifling my creativity (more so in my case) as much as waiting until lvl 20 to get one of the most easiest mission ever.

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While yes some weapons are unlockable not all weapons are its not a case of if you want to play a mace shield character you first have to start of with a bit of pipe and a manhole cover and then unlock that cool tech mace and kick [censored] energy shield that you truly wanted at lvls 20 and 30, you can go strait to them with no waiting around to complete your vision which i mite add is CoHs major selling point it lets you create the hero you want.

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Problem is it doesn't do that. For example. I want to make Ma Baker. Zombie family granny with her tommygun. And i cant. See above post for more details.

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In over 3 years of playing iv never come across a player ingame whos moaned about not being able to have capes from the get go

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Me neither.

I have heard a lot of people wanting to play an epic character. I know quite a few people who want that special custom weapon. (rant on) Like a tommygun for my villain!!!!!! That bloody badge is near unobtainable red side. Stupid idea to have two family badges for us red side especially since of those family fractions (being the one you need) only exists in 1 count em 1 spot on the whole server (/rant)

But never did i hear somebody moaning about capes or auras.

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I agree that capes have lost some of their shine nowadays but Auras are still good.

However. They are still milestones. Just like customizable weapons are milestones.

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Sorry, you can do what now?? How are customisable weapons milestones?

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A lot of them are unlockable only. You want them you get the badge. A lot of those badges can only be won the hard way and most definitely not at level 1. That is as stifling my creativity (more so in my case) as much as waiting until lvl 20 to get one of the most easiest mission ever.

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Mutant - Your mutation has progressed
Science - The incident that gave you your powers has worked further changes in you
Technology - Hey, here's some new technology for you, look what it can do!
Magic - Here's a new spell for you to learn
Natural - I picked up this gadget that looks neat, want to try?

We have branching mission text now, so this IS possible. Anything's better than the current stupid explanation though.. Excuse me? Pacemaker? My skin is invulnerable, how're you gonna get that thing in there?

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With this part I can fully agree. Missions could use a bit of shining up and making them origin dependent seems to be a logical step.

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The reasons not to are not known by me. But I assume that they want us players to make our characters earn the right to wear capes/auras/get epic powers/get an epic AT to play.

And guess what, I fully agree with those reasons. Because those reasons are the ONLY thing that truly counts. This is a game and you have to earn things in game by reaching milestones. This is NOT a fancy chatboard although you can use it like that.

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Firstly, having capes and auras are nowhere near close to getting an epic AT or your epic power set. The former is completely concerned with your characters concept whilst the latter does have some benefits to you in-game.

My point is that as a milestone, a cape is a ridiculous reward. They're not new and shiny enough anymore to warrant it. Also, it comes at a point in the game where you get a lot of stuff anyway. They don't need to be there in order to encourage or reward because, at this late stage, they do neither.

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I agree that capes have lost some of their shine nowadays but Auras are still good.

However. They are still milestones. Just like customizable weapons are milestones.

There would be numerous problems to make a levelless CoX.

One that would be hard to fix is how to scale up challenges for the players. From PvE to PvP that will be a nightmare.

The level system is a time proven system for dealing with that problem. You can try to invent a new wheel or just use the existing one.

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The reason that villains don't wear capes until they hit 20 is simple. Lord Recluse said so. Are you going to argue to the man before you hit a comfortable level and got some allies? I doubt it.

Why are villains allowed to wear shoulder capes? Because the rules say nothing about shoulder capes and for some reason LR is obviously not disapproving of this little rebellion. Why can you wear Valkyrie style capes? Because someone is paying big bribes to allow that particular item to be worn. There is a reason you have to pay so much for that one.

See? Some simple reasonable explanations why this is allowed on the rogue islands based on the game lore and all.

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But that in term is assuming and in fact straightjacketing every starting Villain to agree with His Nibs. There may be people who want nothing to do with Recluse, or only want to steal from him/usurp him. For example, Lord Atom works for no one but himself, which I represent by choosing Burke as a contact. He couldnt give two hecks what his Lordship things, and will happily radiate anyone six ways from sunday who tries to stop him. The fact is, we are limited only by the level structure and the game engine when it comes to that.

Any and all arguments for the capes are null and void when you have to deal with some capes being available at lvl 1 and some available at lvl 20. Lack of consistancy, canon bending and generally irritating. For those who want there characters to still be learning, simply dont give them a cape until say lvl 20, or even lvl 30 if you dont want to. But for those of us who want the capes on our designed characters from the start, why should we be restricted like that?

(Not aimed full at you Spades, just a general point, based on that point. )

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Problem is that your Lord Atom may say what he like. But so long as he ain't a lvl 50 and even after that he is nothing compared to LR. That is the CoH universe you are stuck with. This game is part of the CoH universe. In that Coh universe your villain better do what LR or his arbiters tell you. You can ignore that when you rpg, but you are stuck htat the game you rpg in is the CoH universe. So if you want something rpg wise that the engine does not allow you to do. You will have to make up your own reasons why.

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See? Some simple reasonable explanations why this is allowed on the rogue islands based on the game lore and all.

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But the devs could change that in a second, at there whim. It's no reason not to make them available at level one.

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The reasons not to are not known by me. But I assume that they want us players to make our characters earn the right to wear capes/auras/get epic powers/get an epic AT to play.

And guess what, I fully agree with those reasons. Because those reasons are the ONLY thing that truly counts. This is a game and you have to earn things in game by reaching milestones. This is NOT a fancy chatboard although you can use it like that.

The reason that villains don't wear capes until they hit 20 is simple. Lord Recluse said so. Are you going to argue to the man before you hit a comfortable level and got some allies? I doubt it.

Why are villains allowed to wear shoulder capes? Because the rules say nothing about shoulder capes and for some reason LR is obviously not disapproving of this little rebellion. Why can you wear Valkyrie style capes? Because someone is paying big bribes to allow that particular item to be worn. There is a reason you have to pay so much for that one.

See? Some simple reasonable explanations why this is allowed on the rogue islands based on the game lore and all.

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Same could be said for lvl 50, just make it a few days, let's make cool visual effects that add absolutely nothing to the how the game is played for lvl 50's onl.. oh, wait... that would exclude the majority of players, the devs have said... I wonder why that is...

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Ever played a Peacekeeper? Or a Fortunata?

They already did just made stuff for those who reached level 50's only.

What they now should do is make stuff for level 50 characters to do. Personally that would make me most happy. I would like to be able to do epic things with my epic level heroes and villains. I want a reason to try to get those rare IO's.

So a big patch, no patchnotes? Not even on US servers? Very curious indeed.

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Mutation: How about Extra limbs? Like 2 extra arms perhaps? OR perhaps pincers? After all we got the crab backpack. Replacing crabby parts with other appendages is not to hard to implement as the crabby part is already in the game.

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Arms are out of the question, like I said in my previous posts (read them). Pinchers created in the same style as the VEAT crabs would be possible, but would take some work.

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There is a big difference between some work and a whole lot of work. But pincers, tentacles etc should behave almost as the current crab versions do. Put new skin on them and a lot of fine tuning. Probably still a lot of work but better then reinventing a whole new animation set.

Mutation: How about Extra limbs? Like 2 extra arms perhaps? OR perhaps pincers? After all we got the crab backpack. Replacing crabby parts with other appendages is not to hard to implement as the crabby part is already in the game.

Come to think about it: extra mechanical arms would be nice for the dedicated scientist as well. Like the scalpel mechanical arm or the welder arm that can double as blaster. You only shouldn't call them mechandrites.

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This is a game. Games have goals, things you must work for. They even gave us gamelore of why things work like this. As a non rpg'er this is something i can appreciate. As an rpg'er this is a thing i can appreciate as well. After all, i am part of the coh universe and my hero or villain has to adhere to the rules of this universe.

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But, the goal is being superseded by a paid for expansion pack and, as I have said before, gamelore is not a good enough excuse for not doing something. It's too easy to change.

As a goal it is something that might keep a new player 'on the game' (so to speak) until they reach level 20. That is probably well within the free game time that they will get anyway, if they just stick to one character. After that, it just becomes a drudge to get to a certain level to see your hero/villain finally realised. If you are more interested in RP or the look of your character than playing then it is something that may seam like a really unattainable goal.

I just can't see a logical reason not to do this. The counter arguments don't outweigh the original position.

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^ This. I was going to comment, then ended up on a whole new game post >.>
But this sums it up beautifully.

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Well I presented my arguments, you presented yours. You disagree with my view, I disagree with your view. I don't think I can convince you or you can convince me. So let's agree to disagree here.

Only thing that bothers me is the folly of paid for goodies that allows you to do things that should not be and go against the normal rules. If it was up to me, those goodies would not be available to level 1 toons.

I can understand why you would like to be able to customize your character with anything available to the game. Sure it would be neat if i can have my fairy pal now instead of having to wait a few more months. Sure, it would be grand if I can be granite boy from level 1 instead of having to wait until i got that nifty tier 9 power. Sure I would be like to be able to fly as well at level 1 since i got wings. Sure my caped boy blunder should have his cape at level 1 and electric hazard should have bolts around her body at all times. Sure I want my Heat and Veat without first leveling to 50.

Ain't going to happen.

This is a game. Games have goals, things you must work for. They even gave us gamelore of why things work like this. As a non rpg'er this is something i can appreciate. As an rpg'er this is a thing i can appreciate as well. After all, i am part of the coh universe and my hero or villain has to adhere to the rules of this universe.

But what if I am not part of the coh universe? Though luck there. This is a game/environment set in the coh universe, in that case you will have to make up your own reasoning why your character has no cape yet. But the world will not change because you chose not to be a part of it. Sorry if i sound harsh here but this is how i feel about this.

Grats on reaching another cake day! May many cake days happen in the future.

lets keep the capes at level 20 and the auras at level 30.

Why?

Because it is good to earn things. They are milestones.

Also, it makes sure that only heroes who have proven themselves get the honor of wearing one. I am in favor of disallowing the valkyrie cape until you hit 20. Same for the combat auras from the cyborg pack.

Problem with the current no level engine Ollie is that somehow they are to easy for a lvl 50 and way to tough for lowbies.

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While in an Architect mission, players will NOT get: end mission bonus, salvage, recipies, or enhancements.

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I like the MA but not the above. The mission bonus and the enhancemnets I can live without but not getting the normal rate of salvage and recipies. Too bad and boring in my op.

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But if you think about it for a moment, they really had little choice; otherwise the MA is just going to be a farmers paradise instead of what it's MEANT to be.

Plenty of people will use it, even if there weren't ANY rewards. They'll use it because of the stories.

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True. But you must admit that it is annoying that we can't level up normally. Getting badges salvage recipes etc while we go. I need those to pay for the enhancements on my toons.

It is a shame that because some people will misuse the system we all get penalized. I understand why they do it but that doesn't have to mean that I like it.

Happy Cake Day to you!

Remove and replace with the new system.

Fully signed here.

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I'm thinking of creating a couple of arcs for high level villains which give you an opportunity to pursue your own plans for world domination.

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Exactly what I was thinking It is time that us villains get serious with our own doomsday devices!

So far I am happy what the MA does bring. Of course more whistles and bells will be appreciated. But it sounds like a good start.

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Problem there is that people will simply use it to farm Family or Freaks, ad infinatum, or use them to get certain badges really easily, totally negating the point of the thing. They either need to dissalow that, which they say will be so, or spend an unrealistic ammount of time moderating each and every mission that goes up there.

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Not true.

If MA can be used to create farms as you describe then I have no problem with people doing that for their own use, as long as there's a way to identify and avoid these for people who don't want farm maps.

Some people will always farm. It doesn't really affect anyone who doesn't want to farm, so why stop them if that's what they want to do for their idea of fun?

The simple fact that you object means, I presume, that you wouldn't use MA this way. Neither would I. Nor would many others. So the system won't be 'abused' (if indeed it is an abuse) by everyone.

The best bet, as I say above, is to have a good MA tagging and search interface - so that if you want farms you can find them easily and if you don't want farms you can avoid them just as easily.

Tbh if it takes a dev 2 weeks to create a good indexing/tagging/search system for MA then that could be the best possible 2 weeks development for the future of MA. i.e. if people can't search easily and just get semi-random missions then MA could fall in to relative disuse compared to how it could be used with a good search.

Think of it like trying to use the web with no search functionality - so no google et al, no wikis... A good search engine could easily make or break MA.

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Totally agree here. Farmers already can farm their hearts out. But now they can get their beloved freak farms from lvl 1 to 50. Fine for them it is of no interest to me. I like interesting NEW stroyarcs and stories. I have done the old missions time and again and I welcome the idea of new opportunities this brings.