McNum

You know, it some times takes fresh eyes to make jaded vets like us remember just how good we have it. Thanks for the review.

It'd probably be easier to make a "Transfer Desdemona" temporary power. Target an ally, use the power and she switches target.

Animal Lord for Mastermind is what I think. Because sicking a pack of wolves on an enemy sounds fun.

Well, since I got help with my build, I'll return the favor, as I see a few places with room for improvement in yours.

Don't full-Mako Assassin's Blade. You want biggest damage possible in that, which Mako can't do. Swap your Assassin's Blade slots with Divine Avalanche. Yeah, it's just 10-20 damage at level 50 difference, but it's your most damaging attack, might as well go full tilt with it. Divine Avalanche doesn't do much damage, so Mako is better there, and the Lethal damage proc will come out more often as DA will be used a lot.

I'd also mention that you have no travel power, but with all the temp powers and Ninja Run in the game, I'm sure you have that covered. That and I'd warn you against being Incarnate dependent if you're ever going to exemplar with it. I purposely left out Incarnate abilities in mine for this very reason. Needed to see that Kuji-In Rin didn't have a gap when left un-incarnated. Yours doesn't seem to, by the way.

Kind of fun to compare our builds, actually. Mine is more offensive than yours, but with an AoE hole. I'd need to pop a Luck or even Retsu to move through AoE heavy areas unharmed. Or use Spring Attack. Yours will survive longer than mine, but its opening strike will be weaker. Still, both builds are pretty good, just goes to show that you can optimize something as simple as a Nin/Nin Stalker in more than one way.

Well, there's a new forum for this and I've been poking this build over and over and over and over for the last week, I figure I might as well toss it up here and get some feedback on what I've been doing so far.

As the title says, it's a Ninja/Ninja Stalker, and my goals with the build has been as follows:

- Softcap Melee Defense (Divine Avalanche makes this EASY!)
- Softcap Ranged Defense (With all my toggles active, of course.)
- As much +Damage as I can get
- Sprinkle with +Recharge for flavor (And quicker Build Up/Placate)

Anyway, now that I've told what I'm up to, here's White Lie as I have her build planned at this particular moment. Don't mind the exact levels the slots are placed at, I know I don't in game.

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.952
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

White Lie: Level 50 Natural Stalker
Primary Power Set: Ninja Blade
Secondary Power Set: Ninjitsu
Power Pool: Leaping
Ancillary Pool: Weapon Mastery

Villain Profile:
Level 1: Sting of the Wasp -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(3), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(3), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(5), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5)
Level 1: Hide -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 2: Flashing Steel -- Oblit-Dmg(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(7), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(9), Oblit-%Dam(11)
Level 4: Super Jump -- Zephyr-Travel/EndRdx(A), Zephyr-ResKB(45)
Level 6: Assassin's Blade -- C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg(A), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx(13), C'ngImp-Dmg/Rchg(15), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(15), C'ngImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), C'ngImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(17)
Level 8: Build Up -- AdjTgt-Rchg(A), AdjTgt-EndRdx/Rchg(9), RechRdx-I(19)
Level 10: Ninja Reflexes -- RedFtn-Def(A), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(21), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(21), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(23)
Level 12: Placate -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(23), RechRdx-I(25)
Level 14: Danger Sense -- RedFtn-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFtn-Def/Rchg(25), RedFtn-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(27), RedFtn-Def(27)
Level 16: Kuji-In Rin -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(19), RechRdx-I(29)
Level 18: Divine Avalanche -- Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), Mako-Acc/Dmg(31), Mako-Dam%(31), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(33), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(33)
Level 20: Kuji-In Sha -- Numna-Heal/EndRdx(A), Numna-EndRdx/Rchg(33), Numna-Heal/Rchg(34), Numna-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(34), Numna-Heal(34), S'fstPrt-ResDam/Def+(36)
Level 22: Combat Jumping -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 24: Spring Attack -- Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(29), Oblit-Dmg(36), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(36), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(37)
Level 26: Soaring Dragon -- Mako-Acc/Dmg(A), Mako-Dmg/EndRdx(37), Mako-Dmg/Rchg(37), Mako-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Mako-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), Mako-Dam%(39)
Level 28: Smoke Flash -- Acc-I(A)
Level 30: Caltrops -- Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(A), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(40), Posi-Dmg/Rng(40)
Level 32: Golden Dragonfly -- Oblit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(A), Oblit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), Oblit-Dmg(42), Oblit-Dmg/Rchg(42), Oblit-Acc/Rchg(42)
Level 35: Blinding Powder -- CoPers-Conf%(A), CoPers-Conf/EndRdx(43), CoPers-Acc/Rchg(43), CoPers-Acc/Conf/Rchg(43), CoPers-Conf(45), CoPers-Conf/Rchg(45)
Level 38: Kuji-In Retsu -- LkGmblr-Rchg+(A)
Level 41: Web Grenade -- Acc-I(A)
Level 44: Shuriken -- Thundr-Acc/Dmg(A), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(46), Thundr-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(46), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(46), Thundr-Dmg/EndRdx(48), Thundr-Dmg/Rchg(48)
Level 47: Exploding Shuriken -- Posi-Acc/Dmg(A), Posi-Dam%(48), Posi-Dmg/EndRdx(50), Posi-Dmg/Rchg(50), Posi-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(50)
Level 49: Physical Perfection -- P'Shift-End%(A)
------------
Level 1: Assassination
Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A)
Level 1: Sprint -- EndRdx-I(A)
Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A)
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A)
Level 2: Health -- Mrcl-Rcvry+(A)
Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A)
Level 2: Stamina -- EndMod-I(A), EndMod-I(11), EndMod-I(13)
------------
Set Bonus Totals:

• 25% DamageBuff(Smashing)
• 25% DamageBuff(Lethal)
• 25% DamageBuff(Fire)
• 25% DamageBuff(Cold)
• 25% DamageBuff(Energy)
• 25% DamageBuff(Negative)
• 25% DamageBuff(Toxic)
• 25% DamageBuff(Psionic)
• 3% Defense(Melee)
• 3% Defense(Smashing)
• 3% Defense(Lethal)
• 3% Defense(Fire)
• 3% Defense(Cold)
• 13.63% Defense(Energy)
• 13.63% Defense(Negative)
• 3% Defense(Psionic)
• 20.5% Defense(Ranged)
• 3% Defense(AoE)
• 63.75% Enhancement(RechargeTime)
• 4% Enhancement(Confused)
• 6% Enhancement(Heal)
• 57% Enhancement(Accuracy)
• 4% FlySpeed
• 85.84 HP (7.13%) HitPoints
• 4% JumpHeight
• 4% JumpSpeed
• Knockback (Mag -4)
• Knockup (Mag -4)
• MezResist(Held) 9.9%
• MezResist(Immobilize) 15.4%
• MezResist(Stun) 6.6%
• 11% (0.18 End/sec) Recovery
• 12% (0.6 HP/sec) Regeneration
• 5.67% Resistance(Fire)
• 5.67% Resistance(Cold)
• 2.5% Resistance(Psionic)
• 4% RunSpeed

Expensive looking, isn't it? It's okay, this is a long term build. It's what I'm aiming for eventually. I do know a bit of Market-Fu and any Stalker worth his salt can rush Tips for Villain Merits, so all the big items should be achievable in time. The only purple set is the confuse one, and Malaise's Illusions can sub in for that nicely.

Anyway, what I'm thinking of, is replacing the last IO in Sting of the Wasp, Flashing Steel and maybe Golden Dragonfly for an Achilles Heel: Chance for -Res Debuff. I'm also looking at Divine Avalanche and thinking if a full Mako's Bite set in that is a bit excessive and if I should get a Defense set frankenslotted into it. Do note the Steadfast Protection +Def slotted in Kuji-In Sha. I like that bit of stunt-slotting myself.

My slotting of Kuji-In Retsu bugs me. That power is more than a set mule, yet, with the bonuses I have, it's pushing through +100% Defense when I activate it, so it doesn't need more... And with all the global recharge going on, it recharges in just over 10 minutes, which is nice. So, just a LoTG seems good.

Finally, I got a few power picks that I don't care much for. Smoke Flash in particular. But what else is there to get if it's one power from a power pool that works good with no additional slots? (Or at least can leech a slot or to from elsewhere without hurting anything.) The only thing I can think of is Hasten, but... glowing hands breaks the concept. See the "Natural"? That also explains the epic pool. She won't be throwing around fire, lightning, or sharks. She'll be throwing shuriken, like a ninja. Yeah, it's a restriction that blocks her from being the ultimate she can be, but I always play concept first (then optimize the heck out of said concept).

Anyway, got any insights? As I said, I've been toying with this for a few weeks now, and I'm at a stalemate with myself over it.

Yeah, did that villain mission with Shivans in it in CaD yesterday on my Stalker.

"Assassin's Blade!" *POP* "...really? Let's do that again! Assassin's Blade!" *POP* "Teehee!" *POP* *POP* *POP*

They're like big gooey radioactive bubble wrap with skeletons inside. So fun to pop.

*POP*

Done and done. That was a quick survey. Then again, the URL said it would be. Hope it's useful to you.

Basically, yeah. There's the new shop, where VIPs get 400 points as a stipend every billing day, and the Paragon Rewards where your old Vet Rewards are now. You'll get a token for those each month rather than every three months now.

All Veteran Rewards and add-ons you've bought are still there. If they aren't, for some reason, contact support, because they're supposed to be.

Other than that, you may notice Galaxy City is different. More on fire and full of aliens. They blew it up, basically, and Atlas Park is shinier than you remember.

The parts download is so you can jump in and make a character while the game downloads the tutorial zone and the two starter zones. While you play those, it will download the rest of the game. Or you can just let it finish and not worry about it.

So that's what was going on. Part three of Dr. Graves arc suddenly makes part two make a lot more sense. Yes, Dollface makes you think she planted a mental time bomb in your head, and yes, she IS that powerful. I may have said some words I cannot type here out loud when I saw what she conned as. She's an Archvillain?! SOLO? A bit of a disappointment in how easy that fight actually was, but that was fun none-the-less. It did end up as a messy pile up of plans, but hey, I was the one with the trump card. It has an Arachnos logo on the back and Scirocco on the front.

So in the end, Scirocco was using my character to capture Dollface. Which is a win for Arachnos, and no one else. Except that through your actions, you get Scirocco's nod of respect, which is worth quite a bit on the Rogue Isles. All in all, not a bad ending, but part two is the weaker part.

Yeah, I suppose you're limited to Energy Melee, Super Strength, Martial Arts, Electric Melee, and Kinetic Melee if it has to be internally powered. That or the edge case that is claws, but only if you use Vanguard Claws. An internal monomolecular blade emitter? Could work, although it's adding additional tech where none is needed. Then again, "because we can" does seem to be a part of the design philosophy of the future tech.

Glad I could help.

Having time Manipulation powers and still be stuck is easy enough to explain, though. Power. In the far future utopia, the energy supply must be plentiful, otherwise, no utopia. So sending F Squad that far back in time, well that's not cheap in energy. It's possible, but expensive. In the 21st century, though, no such power exists. Even if you pooled the entire energy output of all Earth's power plants for a month, you'd still be falling short. But a personal generator could sustain minor temporal instabilities, such as those from Time Manipulation. If they could hook up with the far future time machine again, it's be easy to come back, but that line has been disconnected.

For the mech, then yeah. If "Can take a hit" is the goal, then you've got invulnerability and electric armor to pick from. And a mech shooting sparks all over looks like a broken mech to me. I'd consider if it should have a melee weapon, though. Yeah, it's an anime cliche, but that tech broadsword with the Jacob's ladder inside could be worth looking at. Not saying it'd work, but it's not another Super Strength.

And sorry about the name, I typo'd.

Yeah, Ren Tera should be the leader-type. Unless you give her a signature weapon, like one of the Vanguard ones, she should be classical hits things and gets away with it. I'd say StJ/Will Scrapper sounds fairly good.

Have you considered making Tillin Gax a Time Manipulator? He's the cybernetically enhanced engineer of a team of time travelers, it'd seem like a natural fit. For offense you could go several ways, Energy, Rad, Beam Rifle seem the most straight forward. Electric, too. Each of those colored to match his glowing gauntlets, naturally. He's the techie of the team, after all, he's allowed to have the nice toys. Plus it'd give the team a support member.

Irina Seth and her battle suit is a tough one. I'm thinking Tanker more than Brute, though. Her shtick is survival and bailing out her allies in trouble. That's a Tanker's job. Maybe a Super Reflexes/Kinetic Melee Tanker? She'll dodge what comes at her, which is not what you'd expect from a mech (exactly as her backstory says) and use the kinetic energy emitters on her suit to deal damage in return. Plus, Kinetic has a ranged attack, and a war mech should have at least one of those. Mechs traditionally use one of two modes of travel, flying or jumping. Either is good, but jumping perhaps gives the best in combat maneuverability, plus you can use Spring Attack to show her blistering attack speed. Suddenly she's just THERE, and then the enemy falls down.

That's just what I read of it. It'd make each character very distinct from each other.

Aye!

I've played other games where this was possible, and it was awesome. Could even make it drag and drop, so if you wanted a macro to execute one or more powers, just drag it to the Macro window, and choose if you want to Activate, Toggle On, or Toggle Off. It could also have a list of slash commands and their effects so you could add them to the macro simply by clicking them.

That and lets us pick or create an icon for the macro.

I like these suggestions. They keep the Forcefield theme intact, yet add some relevant and useful buffs to the powers. I like that Detention Field becomes a nearly perfect stasis (you want a hefty -Recharge to finish it). Defense DeBuff resistance is just logical. It didn't exist when FF was made, but if it had, FF would have gotten it.

The only power I disagree with is Fore Bolt, I'd rather that they add an unresistable 0.5 mag knockback against Underlings, Minions, Lieutenants, Bosses, Elite Bosses, and Archvillains/Heroes. And players in PvP. Force Bolt is one of the best single target knocks in the game, I say make it the ultimate. Nothing reliably knocks an AV off its feet. Let's change that.

Some times, I'm reminded why I like the CoH community as much as I do. Logged on to Freedom and flew over to the Atlas Park stairs to help any new players with whatever questions they might have. Turns out, there were already several people there doing just that. In all three instances of AP. That's just awesome.

And there was an NCSoft sever guy on top of the globe in AP1. Quiet fellow that one.

I've been playing through the arc and I'm in the second one now. Mental Time Bomb, indeed. However, I'm seeing it slight different than most. The first arc was just a one-upmanship contest where my character, who has practiced this particular discipline a lot, blows up a Longbow base as a finale. Nothing too bad about this arc, and having Scirocco turn up at the end, quite literally behind you is a surprise. And yeah, it's an offer you can't refuse, because a "Kill me and you'll need to find another mole" ultimatum will likely result in him doing just that. Don't wager your life against supervillains, it's always a bad plan. Especially those that command a fifth of the army of the nation you're in.

However, being "hired" as Scirocco's mole also gives an out for a lot of the stupidity of your character in the next arc. I have to play along, perhaps going a little over the top, in order for them not to suspect that I'm playing for Arachnos in their game. So Dollface says she planted a mental time bomb. Yeah, right. But the audience demands acting, so... "A mental time bomb?! Oh dear! Whatever will I do?" All the while laughing at them while out of earshot.

It probably helps that my character is a hired blade and/or ninja. So for Scirocco to hire her to play along with the stupidity, well, any spy worth her salt can play dumb. So... "D'uuh, I are idiot who falls for painfully obvious trap!" I hope that the end will let me deliver a nice piece of intel to Scirocco. Spiders pay good money for their jobs, after all, so getting in on Scirocco's good side, at least temporarily is a good thing for business.

A dramatic interpretation of today's server unicorn trouble.

I agree with the Defense DeBuff resistance in the shields. That didn't exist when Forcefields was initially made, but it makes sense to have. For the remaining powers, though, I think it's important to keep the theme of Forcefields, which -Res DeBuff isn't part of. I have some ideas, though...

Force Bolt - Add a 0.5 magnitude knockback. Unaffected by enhancements, unresistable
What this does, is make Force Bolt the ONLY power in the game that can reliably knock down anything that isn't literally nailed to the floor. Even Arch-Villains. A Hellion gets hit by the Bolt? Knocked across the street. Lord Recluse taking on to the face? Lord Recluse falls down, then gets back up. Force Bolt has a niche, let's make it the best there is at it. Add exceptions for Objects, Rikti Pylons, DE emanators, Hamidon and other such environmental enemies.

Detention Field - Make Detention Field stack with itself
Detention Field is awesome when it's used right. Like on the STF towers. But you cannot keep anything perma-caged, since you can't recage something that's caged as it'll be Unaffected. Allow Detention Field (and Sonic Cage) to stack with itself and you can lock out something annoying for as long as you make the ToHit roll.

Repulsion Field - Restore it to pre-ragdoll glory
Before ragdolls, you could re-knock an enemy mid knockback animation. Repulsion Field pulses fast enough to do that, and with Follow and Flight, you could bounce someone to the sky while blasting them. That was fun. No clue on how to do this without an engine overhaul on knockback, though. Add a minor chance to stun if his doesn't work out.

Repulsion Bomb - 100% stun chance
The damage/control power with the long recharge for an AoE attack now actually controls things reliably.

Force Bubble - Replace knockdown with a heavy short duration Slow DeBuff
When something can resist the repel, it will still feel like walking through water to move through the bubble. A Force Bubble is supposed to be fairly solid, so let the Slow be used to show that.

But honestly, I just really want the unresistable Force Bolt knockdown. It'd be that one thing no other powerset should be able to do.