Mind_Over_Matter

Wait - huh?

Energize offers a burst heal *and* regen. These are at least two of the elements Defense-based set players seek to obtain either via pool powers or set bonuses. I'm curious as to why you think it "doesn't work" or who these "others" are that deem it underwhelming, especially considering the debacle that was the previous healing option in the set.

The recharge isn't as fast as Reconstruction or Kuji-In Sha, but that doesn't negate the helpfulness of having a self-heal with regen included in the set. The endurance consumption reduction is just added thematic flavoring.

To clarify, Paragon Market sells an option for Cyborg Auras - plural - for 80 Paragon Points, specifically indicating that more than one aura is unlocked with the same purchase.

Although it may not be a "massive" deal, it is a deal if that extra dollar would have prevented you from buying the bundle and leads you to believe the practice of Paragon Studios may have been a "bait and switch."

The auras you seek will cost you an additional 80 points. At the most expensive rate of Paragon Points purchasable (400 points for $5), this breaks down 80 points per dollar.

If you wanted BOTH the BUNDLE-included costume pieces *and* the Auras, it will set you back an additional dollar. If you still desire the auras, buy it for a buck.

If you feel that the auras should be included in such a bundle, you may wish to address the "bait and switch" rhetoric and express your feelings about the Paragon Market distinctions involving Costume Bundle Components.

Additionally, I recommend commenting on the desire for additional Paragon Market product information as others have suggested in this thread. There will always be limits to how much detail they will provide but requesting more specific information is reasonable.

Lastly, one distinction that I haven't seen discussed is the difference in expectations for what a Costume Bundle will entail between current/legacy subscribers and new players. The new player expectation of what constitutes a normative Costume Bundle will often be defined by what they encounter in the market and not by a discontinued product offering such as the Booster packs. This will, as currently designed, often lead to them paying more for the equivalent of what would have constituted a Booster pack for Veteran players. Whether they consider auras an integral component of what a thematic Costume Bundle should be is a reasonable debate to present to the Devs.

You started off wrong but included something right.

Costume BUNDLES such as the Cyborg Bundle the OP posted are collections of the related thematic costume pieces found in what we previously received in BOOSTERS. BOOSTERS included additional items outside of costume pieces. As part of the intended design of the Paragon Market, BOOSTERS had their components decoupled in order to allow players the freedom to purchase only the parts they cared most about. Note: The BUNDLE: Cyborg COSTUME PACK has a description that says "COSTUME SET: Cyborg Inspired COSTUME pieces for Male, Female, and Huge characters." Costume is mentioned repeatedly to underscore that this includes costume pieces.

Costume BUNDLES sought to offer an advantage to players who like the costume piece components of the prior BOOSTERS without being charged for the other components of the BOOSTER.

If you believe that you are paying more *now* for the individual components of a BOOSTER than you would have paid had you purchased the BOOSTERs when they were released (or during the occasional BOOSTER sales), you are right. It costs more to purchase things separately.

There was no bait to be switched. No grift has been deployed in this transaction. The BUNDLE: Cyborg COSTUME PACK has a description that says "COSTUME SET: Cyborg Inspired COSTUME pieces for Male, Female, and Huge characters." Costume is mentioned repeatedly to underscore that this includes costume pieces.

Please take a moment before jumping to "Bait & Switch." There may actually be true examples out there. Outright incorrect accusations such as this detract from actual issues that may exist.

As always, CAPS are cruise control for cool.

*slow clap*

Harsh *and* hilarious.

5 Stars. Would read again.

Of course, the Manticore promo is only one of the potential Signature Characters who may fall. I wonder if there is a similar assertion in the Tanker Threads for the pic with Statesman...

Ah, but this would be the part where Mind Control would get to actually control basic settings of the enemies they confuse!

You wouldn't get to select the precise powers they use any more than you can currently, but you could set them to Aggressive, Passive, etc. and direct them on where to go. As far as I see it, Mind Control (and Plant/Illusion Control) would just get even *more* awesome.

Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Still one of the most memorable episodes of BTAS for me. Man, great lines like that were thrown all over that show. But that episode was the first time I heard the awesomeness that would be Mark Hamill as the Joker.

I'll take a moment to address the hyperbole here. Assuming you take all toggles/auto armors/heals from Fire Armor and Electric Armor:

Def - Neither has any inherent defense nor Def Debuff Resistance
S/L - Base 22.5% Fire Armor versus Base 26.25% for Electric
Fire - Fire Armor can Self-Cap with SOs versus Base 26.25% for Electric
Cold - Base 15% for Fire Armor versus Base 26.25% for Electric
Energy - Base 22.5% for Fire Armor versus Electric Armor can Self-Cap with SOs
Neg. Energy - Base 22.5% for Fire Armor versus 22.5%
Toxic - Base 15% Fire Armor (requires using Healing Flames) versus 0% Electric Armor
Psi - 0% Fire Armor versus Base 26.25% Electric Armor

Overall, that extra 4% Base in most of Electric Armors powers is above the average, but Fire Armor has the rare Toxic resistance.

As for Healing:

- Fire Armor "Healing Flames": Base 25% Heal/ 15% Toxic Res. (60 seconds)/
40 sec. recharge
- Electric Armor "Energize": Base 25% Heal, +100% Regen (30 sec duration),
60% Endurance Discount (30 sec duration)/120 sec. recharge

In situations where there is no -recharge, endurance drain, cold, or psionic damage, I would say that Fire Armor will like be more resilient "out of the box" thanks to the direct benefits of a faster recharging Healing Flames.
However:

Some Fire Armor drawbacks that you haven't detailed as much include:
- even with the +Endurance buff to Consume, Fire Armor is highly susceptible to endurance drain (whereas Electric Armor can shrug off most endurance drain attacks due to high res)
- even with the added 20% Res to Slows/Recharge, Fire Armor is still susceptible to -slow and -recharge (far more than Electric)

One significant Electric Armor strategy that can play a role in its overall survival is combining the heavy Endurance Drain potential of Powersink (Base 40% drain)*with* EndMod slotting from Lightning Field (Base 3% drain)

This is to say nothing of comparing Tier 9 powers, the benefits of a self-rez versus a "Godmode" power, or even the utility of "killing things faster to avoid incoming damage"
(a reasonable debate that should also take account for the benefits of Endurance Sapping in a prolonged encounter as a counterpoint to kill speed)

The game has changed much, but I was hoping to try to combine the single-target focus of Energy Melee with the AOE-goodness of Fire Armor. It was once a thing of beauty, even *before* the changes to Burn and Fiery Embrace.

Man, I really miss the days of Speed Cap SFs right after i19 and.../nostalgia.

Sorry. But yeah, I'd like to find another option other than deleting. I imagine you've enjoyed the Dark Melee/WP though. Nice synergy there.