Hyperstrike

I keep wanting to give the DCnU a chance. But the more of this crap I see (and let's be honestly it's a BODACIOUS pile of crap at this point), the less likely I am at ANY point to finally break down and buy one of their new books.

At this point, I no longer have a pull list. During reboot and "event" pushes like this I cut all pulls. All the DC titles that interested me are gone or have been so jacked up in this reboot that I have exactly zero interest in following them anymore. I'm praying for the stupid "Fear Itself" event in the MU to end so I can see if there's anything I still want there.

Otherwise, I save a butt-ton of money every month.

Thank you Marvel!
Thank you DC!

*Shakes head in disgust*

Honestly, I think the game is pretty much at the max of what's viable for a 32-bit OS right now. You can tweak the game to use slightly more memory, but this takes away from the memory available to the OS itself, possibly causing crashes on the back-end.

While a 64-bit OS isn't REQUIRED at this point, in my not-so-humble opinion, it's REALLY a good recommendation nowadays.

As for the OP. You're running Vista on a machine sporting 2GB of RAM with less than half of it actually available things other than the OS. The game client itself will EASILY eat half of that, if not more. Tacking in another 2GB of RAM might ameliorate the problem, but it won't get rid of it completely, due to the things I've mentioned above.

If you are considering a memory upgrade. The previous link is for your particular system. $50 for 4GB.

Now, I'm sure some of this is just sloppy coding on the programmers' parts, and the game could probably benefit from a good once-over to tighten up the code a bit (I have YET to meet a software product that couldn't).

But, at the end of the day, you're still faced with the fact that the game is gradually growing beyond the constraints of a 32-bit Windows OS. So now is the time to start laying the groundwork to an upgrade (or migration) to 64-bit computing.

Okay,

Just checked on this by running a Borea mission at +1x8.
Was getting significantly more than 6 prestige per.

Hey there all you would-be tights-wearing, cape-brandishing CoH: Freedom players!

I've been noticing a bit of confusion in what it takes to set up a brand new CoH account.
However, if you're not one of them, or you want to see just what the character generator is about, head on over here.

Currently, if you don't already have an NCSoft account, there are two methods of setting up such an account.

1: Register an account from the website. Or if you're in the EU.

2: Install the NCSoft Launcher and register from the sign-on screen.

The latter of the two is actually more reliable in my opinion. I tried starting this guide with the website method and had it fail out with no sort of meaningful error. So I will be covering Method 2.


First things first. Download and install the City of Heroes Installer.

Once it's done, start up City of Heroes.

Once the client is up, you'll come to this screen.


Note: All thumbnail images are hyperlinked to the full-sized versions (1920x1200). You can just click on them to see the original image.





Click on the "Create New Account" button.





You'll need to fill out all this information and check the second of the two checkboxes agreeing to the terms, privacy policy, yadda yadda yadda. If you check the first one you're agreeing to accept e-mail advertisements from Paragon and NCSoft.

WARNING! Please retain copies of ALL the information you put in here. The e-mail is necessary for account recovery options. And the security questions are part of NCSoft's two-factor security for account management. Your NCSoft account should be identical to your game username and password. If you do NOT retain this information, NCSoft will NOT be able to help you recover your account in case you forget the logon info or run into a problem.





Once you click Create My Account you'll have a short pause and then you should be met by the congratulations screen above. Give the account management system about 5 minutes to actually get the entry set. Click the X in the corner to go back to the sign-on screen.





Input your new username and password.
What do you MEAN you forgot it already?
You DID record it someplace right?
Check "Remember Account Name" if you're doing this on your own machine. Saves a step in later logons.





I'd suggest, at least ONCE, reading through the user agreement. This way you have a general idea of what's expected of you. Once done, click Accept. This will take you to the server selection screen.





The server selection screen is organized, initially, by server load (lowest to highest).
This is not the same as sever population. A server can have a large, idle population logged on and still be at a lower load level than a less populous server where the players are tearing it up.

Whenever you log on subsequently, the last server you visited will come up first on the list. Then the servers will be listed in order lowest load to highest load.





As you see, the list of servers is slightly longer than a single screen, hence the scroll bar.

You will notice that Exalted (the VIP server) is grayed out. Exalted is only available to VIP (subscriber) customers. Free Play and Premium players have access to every other server besides this one.

You will see a server grayed out on two other occasions.

• When the server has achieved max-load.
• When the server is down.

So we select a server and move on to the character list for that server.

Now, one thing to understand about higher load servers. Usually they are busier than some of the other servers. And their average populations may be larger than those of other servers.

HOWEVER, during some events, the loads may spike high enough to hit max load and lock out any further logons. This means if you're trying to get onto the server, you can't. If ALL your characters are on that server, you're put into a queue to wait. Additionally, VIP characters take priority in the queue over you.

So, if 500 free play accounts are on a server queue for an hour, if a VIP guy logs in 5 minutes before a slot opens up, he jumps to the head of the queue.

In short, if you're not going to buy character slots immediately, I'd recommend putting one of your characters on a server of your choice. Then put your second character on a separate server. This way, if your chosen server is locked out, you still can get in and play.





As you see, with a brand new account, all the slots are listed as "unlockable". You can unlock up to 48 slots per server. But, for an brand new free account, you are give two slots total. More would need to be purchased if you wanted more.





To unlock a slot you just click on it. If you have unlock tokens available, you'll get the confirmation screen shown above. To finish unlocking it, click "Accept".





You'll get a message that it'll take a couple minutes for the slot to actually unlock, but in most cases, it's nearly immediate. Just click OK.





You'll eventually get the notice that the slot's unlocked. Again, this is usually instantaneous unless something is wrong or the authentication server is HEAVILY loaded. Once the slot is unlocked you can click on it to get into the character generator.





Once in the character generator you see the option to create a City of Heroes: Freedom character. This allows you to create a hero or villain character on "Primal Earth".

There's also a locked option for City of Heroes: Going Rogue. If you choose to purchase this option, you're given the ability to create a Loyalist or Resistance character on "Praetorian Earth".

For more information on the character generator, take a look at my Character Generator Guide.





As you will notice, various archetypes will be locked off from you. Some are purchasable. Some are unlockable through gameplay. Some are unlockable through Paragon Rewards status. Several of them straddle two or more of these options. All of these unlock with a paid subscription though.

Note: None of these Archetype options are in any way NECESSARY to enjoy the game. Several of them are simply more resource-intensive for the servers to handle. Hence the choice to lock them behind a paid unlock or an unlock with your Paragon Rewards status or subscription.





Additionally, several power sets are locked against purchase or subscription. Currently only a VERY few of these power sets are ONLY available for purchase.

Again, the locked sets are entirely optional and in no way prevent you from enjoying the game.





Finally, you come to the costume creator. You'll have a HUGE assortment of costume pieces to pick from. But here, as in other areas, certain options are locked against purchase and/or subscription.

As with the previous several areas, you are not in any way gimped by not having EVERYTHING. Heck, even a good chunk of paid subscribers don't have EVERYTHING unlocked.

Additionally, with the costumes, you can unlock up to 5 (of a possible 10) costume slots merely by playing the game. So you have ample opportunity to try out multiple costume combinations without being limited. Not to mention that you can access the tailor function in-game at any time. You can pay for costume alterations with Inf, Inf augmented by day job tokens (giving a discount) or with costume change tokens (giving you a free tailor session).

Additionally, your character has the ability to run two separate "builds". Your primary and secondary power sets are still the same. But you can make different power and slotting choices inside of those parameters.

This way you can have one build that might be devoted towards solo PVE (Player Vs Environment) play (essentially most of the game). And then, you can have a separate build that's built for team PVE. Or PVP. Or the build could be used to experiment without touching a stable, dependable primary build.

As am I.

If you need someone to pay rent, just pop off an in-game IM to @Hyperstrike1 or if you're on a low-rewards account, shoot me a real e-mail at hyperstrike*at*cox-supergroups.com.

In chat, where people may be pressed for time, I'm not a huge stickler for spelling and punctuation.

On the forums, where people have more time to use things like...well...SPELLCHECK to avoid what I affectionately refer to as "C4 word salad", it's irritating.

Reminds me of AOL'er 'leet-speak from 20+ years ago and the slow decline of "the masses" into an iconerate, rather than a literate society.

I try not to comment too much about it. As I've been known to fat-finger posts as well. And overuse of this plaint smacks of spelling-fascism (HEIL WEBSTER!) and other social nastiness.

This doesn't stop it from being irritating all the same.

Note: All images are hyperlinked to the full-size versions (1450x1080)

If you wish to see all of them, you can click on this link to take you there.

And, for those of you not wanting to read through a wall of text and pics, I've put up a video walk-through as well.


Okay guys, have noted that some people are having problems getting through the new character generator.


So, in my infinite wisdom...
...

...

...
Sorry, took a minute for me to stop laughing at myself.

Anyhoo, figured I'd go through a quick run-through of the character generator for people. This way they can see what it looks like and get a basic idea how to use it. If, for some reason, your view of the Character Generator differs from this, you may be experiencing technical issues. At that point, you should be asking for help on the Technical Forum or contacting Support.


First you start out on your server screen.

From here you simply click on one of your available "Create Character" slots to get going.





This takes you to the first screen of the Character Generator.
Here is where you make a couple choices. These can all be made in pretty much any order.





First, you can choose between City of Heroes: Freedom and City of Heroes: Going Rogue. The difference is in the starting points for your character.

The Freedom choice will allow you to create a Hero or a Villain that starts on Primal Earth.

The Going Rogue choice (if it's available to you) allows you to create a Praetorian character that starts out on Praetorian Earth and eventually moves to Primal Earth.

Second, you choose your character's Origin. Now this is relatively pointless, but it DOES impact you in some aspects.

Your Origin will give you an Origin-specific attack. This is a very low-level attack power that's unslottable and one you probably won't be using much once you're past your teens.

Your Origin will also determine what sorts of normal Enhancements you can use.

• Training Origin enhancements can be used by anyone.
• Dual-Origin enhancements can only be used by two particular Origin types (Like Mutation/Magic or Science/Natural).
• Single-Origin enhancements can only be used by the Origin to which they belong (Science, Mutation, Magic, etc)

Finally, Origin will make a difference in some of your early Rewards Program-granted attacks. Specifically the first choice for Blackwand/Nemesis Staff. You can choose either or. But you'll gain an additional effect if your origin matches with the attack (like Magic/Mutation and Blackwand).

The last choice you'll be allowed to make here is your character's name. You can input it at the bottom of the screen. It need not be done immediately. You have the option to choose your name at any point in the Character Generation process.





Clicking on items will cause them to enlarge and change color.
Clicking Next will take you to the Playstyle screen.





In my not-so-humble opinion this screen is relatively worthless. But I'm sure it's useful to someone. Essentially it outlines the major playstyles in the game, though the various ATs can cross over in multiple playstyles. Tanks can tank and do melee damage. Kheldians can be ranged damage, melee damage, tanks, etc.





Choose the basic playstyle you want to move on to the next screen.





Here's where you pick your AT type.





Once you choose your AT, you'll see the basic rankings.
Again, most of this is fairly meaningless. At the low-levels, most of the ATs are indistinguishable. At the high levels, they can be built incredibly tough and output colossal amounts of damage. And pretty much ANY AT can solo most of the content in the game.

From here we click next and begin choosing power sets and powers.





You first come into choose your primary power set. This isn't mandatory. You can click on the secondary and choose that first.





Essentially, click on the power set you want.





Then choose the power.








Rinse and repeat and then click next.
Here's where we get into the Costume Generator. Hopefully you've set aside a bit of time. Because there's LOTS of options in here. Some people can (and do) spend HOURS on their costume selections.





The first screen is the physique choice.

Unlike real life, there are three genders in City of Heroes.

• Male

• Female

• and Huge (male)

From there you can choose your general physique with the medallions below gender choices.














Once you've settled on a basic physique, you can make adjustments with the slider bars below the physique medallions.

Additionally, you can rotate your character 360 degrees so you can see the front and back.

Clicking next will bring you to your costume choices.





You'll start out with a relatively generic costume set.

Down the left side you have the costume piece choices.

Down the right, you have the option for picking colors.





If you click on Scales, you'll get a copy of the slider bars from the physique screen earlier. Also, you'll get a set of sliders for altering your basic facial dimensions as well. LOTS of room to customize.





I'm NOT going to go through every section. I'll touch on them briefly, but getting pictures of THAT many sections isn't really necessary.

The first option is to take a pre-generated costume from one of a couple dozen in the game. If you're not really sure WHAT you want to do with the costume, these can provide a good starting point for further customizations.

Additionally there's a button with a six-sided die on there that tells the costume generator to create something for you at random. Again, providing a starting point for further customization.

The Head Section
This section has roughly 15 choices for basic head types. In most of those the following things are universal.

• Basic shape
• Face (with masks, hats, helmets, makeup, etc)
• Hair
• Ears
• Various Detail sections (For things like glasses, visors, gas masks, cigars, headbands, etc)

The Upper Body section.
There's about choices for basic decoration types. In most of them the following things are universal.

• Chest decoration (tights, jackets, vests, etc)
• Shoulder decoration (pads, armor, spikes, etc)
• Chest Detail decoration (symbols, ties, chestplates, bandoleers, etc)
• Gloves
• Belt

The Lower body section.
There's about 7 sections in here. Anything from tights to pants, to kilts.
Three things in this section are universal.

• Pants (tights, actual pants, shorts, dresses bikini bottoms, etc.)
• Boots (Just about any type of footwear you can think of.)
• Tails (If you want a tail, you add it here.)

Weapons section.
In this section, if your power selections call for a weapon (Like Katana, Broadsword, Beam Rifle, etc), you choose the appearance of your weapon here.


Back Detail section.
This is where you add capes, backpacks, etc.

Auras section.
This is where a character can choose from various auras. In addition to choosing the basic aura type, they can also choose the part(s) of the body the aura appears on and whether or not the aura is visible outside of combat.






Basically you can rotate your character 360 degrees. So you can see it from the front or back. You can also zoom in on the area you're working on and see it up close.

Additionally, you're given the option to save costumes or load them from pre-saved costume files. If you are one of those people who wants to join an SG with a common costume, this is an easy way of sharing the costume out.

Also, in addition to zooming, and rotating, there are two buttons that allow you to darken or brighten the background of the character generator so you can see how your costume picks look in various lighting situations. This way you don't finish up a costume that looks fine in a dark environment and find out that in bright daylight it looks horrible.

Clicking next from here brings you into the power customization screen.





From here you have a chance to customize your primary and secondary power pools. ALL of the powers BEFORE you get them. This way, when you acquire them, they already look how you want them to look.








Now, on some power sets there just aren't any customizations. Certain weapons-based sets fall into this.

Some of the melee and blast powers have alternate animation sets.

And anything with any type of visual effect will usually have options for:

• Default (Just what it says on the tin.)
• Bright (Color customized with bright colors.)
• Dark (Color customized with dark colors.)
• No FX (A way to eliminate some of the visual effects if you dislike them or they clash with your costume/concept.) Note: This only works in the Player vs Environment portions of the game. In Player vs Player, you'll default back to the Default visual effects.

As before, you have the option to zoom, darken and brighten the background, rotate, save and load costumes.

Another thing that isn't showing in these pictures are two indicators:

• Matches color choices across all powers in a power set.
• Matches color choices across all powers.

Now, powers with no customization will not reflect these choices.
And even powers WITH customization will not reflect these two options being toggled on until you switch the set or the power off of "Default".

Clicking next from here brings you to the Character Stat screen. Here's your final chance to pick a name, set your battle cry and write your character bio.

You can always alter your battle cry and bio later on. Once in the game you can click on Menu (on the Health/Endurance/Level interface) and then ID.

Thanks Daemon.