Pilcrow

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I honestly don't know why it isn't:

Controller: Control/Buff
Defender: Buff/Ranged
Blaster: Ranged/Control

[/ QUOTE ]

Because that looks like this:

Controller: Defense/Defense
Defender: Defense/Offense
Blaster: Offense/Defense

Blasters are meant to be extreme offense, controllers extreme defense, and defenders the middle ground.

Just as that doesn't mean that controllers should get NO offense, it doesn't mean that Blasters should get NO defense, but giving them an entire secondary devoted to defense just means we should merge the Defender and Blaster ATs.

Right now Blasters are ranged offense/melee offense, but that doesn't work too well. I think if should be ranged offense/tactical offense, personally, but I know it should NOT be control. Talk about turning 3 ATs into one!

[/ QUOTE ]

The devs did it for Scrappers/Tanks, why not the squishies also?

[/ QUOTE ]

They did do it for squishies. It's called a Defender.

They even have a blaster-flavored one (Rad/Rad) and a Controller flavored one (Dark/Dark).

If you want ranged defense/offense, that's your AT.

Turning Blasters into that is not the solution.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If a Blaster had to stay away from melee, then his melee attacks would be more like the melee attacks of comic book Blasters. Something they use as a last resort, but would really rather avoid using. Plus, those who WANT to build in a little extra melee defense (or get some from a Defender) can use melee, if they want to.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which comic book Blasters are you referring to? What "last resort" melee attacks do they use?

[/ QUOTE ]

How bout the martial arts skills Storm used to defeat Cyclops and become leader of the Xmen when she lost her powers, for one example? Cyclops removing his visor for PBAE goodness. Dazzler's PBAE Flash. Gambit's Staff.

Didn't have to even leave the X-men, though if that's not enough, Hawkeye and the Green Arrow could throw a mean haymaker as I recall.

[ QUOTE ]
I honestly don't know why it isn't:

Controller: Control/Buff
Defender: Buff/Ranged
Blaster: Ranged/Control

[/ QUOTE ]

Because that looks like this:

Controller: Defense/Defense
Defender: Defense/Offense
Blaster: Offense/Defense

Blasters are meant to be extreme offense, controllers extreme defense, and defenders the middle ground.

Just as that doesn't mean that controllers should get NO offense, it doesn't mean that Blasters should get NO defense, but giving them an entire secondary devoted to defense just means we should merge the Defender and Blaster ATs.

Right now Blasters are ranged offense/melee offense, but that doesn't work too well. I think if should be ranged offense/tactical offense, personally, but I know it should NOT be control. Talk about turning 3 ATs into one!

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
We can attack from range. No, some of the scrappers can do that as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Scrapper ranged output is nothing compared to blaster ranged output, and scrapper range is at best half of the range of bread and butter blaster attacks.

Yes, some scrappers can do damage at range. No, it does not compare to blaster ranged damage.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's something I touched on in my thread.

It doesn't matter that it isn't exactly Blaster level damage, it's good enough to the point where a Blaster isn't needed.

[/ QUOTE ]

No AT is "needed".

Worring about the small number of Scrapper ranged attacks is focusing in the wrong place.

"Blasters have way more range and have more cones/AEs than scrappers, and it's not enough because..."

There's how you begin a reasonable discussion on this topic.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
PS - States: This is one of the rare times that a post of yours actually left me MORE confused than before.

[/ QUOTE ]

What, you've never seen any of those posts that demonstrate why they're called "Cryptic"?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but you can't exceed infinite confusion

[ QUOTE ]
Dear States,

Personally, I think Ice Manipulation is a great secondary, with a couple of crappy powers, but I dont think its anyworse than Devices or Energy.

If changes are made to Blaster secondaries, such as adding new powers, please consider using the Kheldian model of power availability. What I mean is, Kheldians can unlock multiple powers from a primary or secondary set at the same time. As an example, Dawn Strike and Photon Seekers are both unlocked at level 32. If new powers are added to secondaries to add to Blaster survivability, I propose that none of the current powers be removed. Rather, just add more powers to the set that unlock at the same level as current powers. The code must already be there for this.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would second this.

If Blasters are ranged damage then they ought to be able to pick from their secondary a large number of powers that don't require that they be in melee range.

But there are plenty of happy blappers out there.

So I really see this as the only viable way to "fix" the secondaries.

PS - States: This is one of the rare times that a post of yours actually left me MORE confused than before.

[ QUOTE ]
Defenders are fine. Controllers have a problem because the order of their powers is wrong. Just poor design in my opinion and no excuse for it either.

Blasters have gameplay issues though that need to be addressed, they have lost their role and the title of damage king.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't agree that defenders are fine, but unless they focus solely on the controller primary when fixing controllers and solely on the blaster secondary when fixing blasters, they ought to come out OK, too.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Me too. While my instinct is to be pessimistic, the "nerfs" that go live tend to not really affect gameplay a great deal (in terms of what you're normally expected to face).

[/ QUOTE ]

After seeing the new comic preview I have this feeling that Enhancements are going to be nerfed. Actually if they have not thought of doing that the Devs should think of nerfing enhancements. SOs are unbalancing the game and forcing them to make things difficult to the point that in order to challenge a minority the rest of the population suffers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dude, you REALLY need to read the Balance thread. He plans to "nerf" them by making them too expensive for people to keep them full slotted.

Discussion already going on in that thread.

[ QUOTE ]
With all do respect Statesman, the last time you posted about looking at Blasters, you said Controllers were in front of us - that's fine. However, now you're saying that Scrappers and Tankers are in front also? When exactly are the Devs going to actually take a look at Blasters? It seems we've had issues for quite some time, yet are being pushed to the back of the line in (terms of fixes) constantly.

[/ QUOTE ]

They have to test/reverse the harm they did to scrappers/tankers based on the bugged test server. They are also using those two ATs as the baseline for how others should play.


[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
At the moment, Scrappers, and to a lesser degree, Tankers, are being analyzed. Once we establish a baseline, then we'll be in a better position to look at Blasters.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does this mean you are making a new baseline? Last I checked the base line was three white minions. Is this changeing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Read his Balance thread. The goal is now for capabilities to grow as we level to 3 +3 minions. So, yes, he's establishing a new baseline.

Personally, I hope he makes all ATs as fun to play as Tanks and Scrappers are currently. If that's going to be the baseline, Blasters should expect some nice buffs.

STATESMAN:

For what it's worth, my ideas for how to fix blasters can be found here: Squishies of the world, unite.

You can make Blasters the Kings of Damage again without raising their actual damage 1 iota. Just give it more ways to get through!

-Pat McCall

[ QUOTE ]
My 2 cents:

[ QUOTE ]
I would recommend that you create an accolade that can be earned at early levels (something you could earn at level 2) that would allow you to initiate a Teleport to the Hospital.


[/ QUOTE ]

Couldn't disagree more Pilcrow That's like using 911 to call an ambulance to give you a ride to the deli.

[/ QUOTE ]

Then have the TP transponder TP you to another likely spot on the maps instead of the hospital.

Some ideas: those bus stops are pretty unused, have it TP you to the nearest one. If you are in a Bus stop, have it TP you to the next one. Or maybe they can TP you to the nearest zone change entrance (you could set up TP booths there pretty easily).

The point is, we all have TP transponders in us so we can be taken to the hospital. It makes sense that the city can use the system to TP us when we aren't defeated. Since we can all use this capability now for 10 levels, we might as well formalize it to help everyone out in the early game (and in some cases in the later game).

[ QUOTE ]
IMO you should never be able to escape a situation quicker than you could by logging with this suggested power. Make it 30 seconds, and I'm ok with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree you should never be able to use it to escape an attack. That's why I suggested that TP to Hospital is 10 seconds INTERRUPTABLE, which means if you are attacked even once in those 10 seconds, the TP doesn't happen. (Logout happens in 30 seconds even if you are under attack.) So you would not be able to escape a combat situation with the accolade at all. You could only use it when you are not under attack.

States:

Lots of responses here discussing people "suiciding" to get a free TP to the hospital.

I would recommend that you create an accolade that can be earned at early levels (something you could earn at level 2) that would allow you to initiate a Teleport to the Hospital.

Make it an interruptable power that takes a long time to cast (10 seconds-ish?) so people can't use it to escape hairy situations but can use it to get around quicker before their travel power.

Conceptually, it makes sense. They can TP you when you are defeated, they ought to be able to TP you when you're still alive, too. (Maybe make it cost you some influence to use.)

Playwise it makes sense. It will never be convenient enough to replace travel powers, but it sure will make the lower levels more pleasant to play. And, as noted, it's nothing you can't do for the first 10 levels now that they're debt free.

I could see you getting it for visitng markers on the low-level hospitals (Atlas, Galacy, King's Row, Maybe Steel Canyon), hunting a lowbie number of hellions, clox and vahz and doing a mission for the City Representative (same one who sends you on cape missions later).

I'd like to thank the MODs this time, for these boards themselves. The "regulars" in the Controllers area have formed a pure controller SG and I'm having a great time participating.

Thanks for setting up this area to help me meet such great people to game with.

States and crew:

Thanks for all the Defender and Controller PvE love in I4. Turned a lot of "don't bother" powers into "how do I find a slot for that" powers. I very much appreciate that when you are looking at fixing an AT, you take out the low-hanging fruit with minimal delay.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

3. When I hit level 50 I wanted to come back were it all started for me that was Atlas. I came back to be trained by the Lady herself because she had trained me to 2 and well it just seemed so right she be the one to take me to 50.


[/ QUOTE ]

Gee, and I thought I was odd doing this. (Only it was the Brawler for me!)

Anyway, maybe training could be like contacts and stores: Once you have them as a trainer you can always go back.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what the proposer was suggesting. A high level player can train on his level appropriate trainer or any trainer BELOW his level, but a lowbie can't train up on a high-level trainer.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You can not receive XP if your combat level excedds your security level by X(2-3) levels.(Excess to debt and inf just like rsk) And when you train you have to visit an level approiate trainer.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why couldn't I think of a cool idea like this?

No normal player will ever not train for 3 levels.

The only thing that concerns me is that this might not be annoying enough to affect PLing ...but on the plus side, it has absolutely no effect on most players.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well worth considering.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Jury is out on death timer in missions.

[/ QUOTE ]
Jury is not out.

The code at this very moment (not yet propagated to TR) handles mission rewards like they have always been handled. There is no death timer. There is no distance requirement.

We are watching this thread closely and appreciate all your comments. Keep them coming, especially when the most recent changes hit the TR.

[/ QUOTE ]

Poz:

Thanks for the clarification on that one.

And thanks as always for the responsiveness of the dev team. I'm ready to test it when it goes up.

Looks lik we were both too equivocal in our statements.

Jury is out on death timer in missions.

[ QUOTE ]
The psychic clock king is inside a mission. Missions are unaffected by these changes. End of story.

[/ QUOTE ]

Missions are not subject to the range restriction. The death timer remains active even in missions.

[ QUOTE ]
Ok pardon me if this has been answered already, but I don't have time to read 50 pages of posts, but I have a controller (ice\rad) whose specialty is debuff\crowd control...will I receive xp for those mobs defeated by my team? This is my team only character and I rely on others to do the killing while I make things more squishy...if I don't get xp, then that puts a huge damper on my advancement.

[/ QUOTE ]

Outside of missions, you will need to be withing 300' of the MOB when it dies to be credited for it unless you damaged it directly.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tater Tots are overpowered. Hash Browns have less flavor and cost just as many calories. NERF TATER TOTS!!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Correction: It's not Tater Tots that are overpowered, it's Tazer Tots -- the convenient side dish that's also a self-defense weapon.

[/ QUOTE ]

You lawyer types can be really annoying with your always getting people on technicalities and such.

[edit]Cleared to remove remove references to deleted posts[/edit]


Tater Tots are overpowered. Hash Browns have less flavor and cost just as many calories. NERF TATER TOTS!!!

[ QUOTE ]
Exactly. He wasn't nuts about it. In all games, there are ways to PL that aren't exploits. But they still encompass the basic principle. Trading items, for example, is not an exploit. MMOs encourage it for a prosperous economy. But giving away items to lowbies? Is that an exploit? No... but it is immoral. Just as giving items from a higher level character to one of your own lower level characters is not only immoral, it's a BANNABLE offense.

[/ QUOTE ]

DISCLAIMER: LordArkaine is here using a definition of "immoral" that is his and his alone. Ask your priest if you don't believe me!

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Ya know, I often get together with SG mates in PI or the RCS & we just split up & hunt the zone for xp. This tactic completely eliminates that opportunity

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. That "opportunity" is your team powerlevelling each other. You're not hunting together when you do this, you're soloing. The difference is a private channel and the xp you get for someone across the zone's kill. The point of teaming is to work together, not to just share xp.

[/ QUOTE ]

How exactly is this powerleveling? What about those who are casual gamers and do not have a lot of playtime? Splitting up into smaller teams for missions/hunting is an effective and necessary tactic to complete objectives in less time. This is not someone standing at a distance in safety while being bridged. This range limit thing is the worst idea yet.

As many have said, this will not deter or stop powerleveling. It's only going to hurt the majority of players who don't pl.

[/ QUOTE ]

Except that very example IS powerleveling. You're not actually DOING anything to get that XP. The monsters you kill are your own xp. You get a little less by having a second person on the team, but it's made up for and more by the other person hunting. Basically, you could stop hunting altogether and still be receiving experience from your teammate's kills. That's powerleveling. How is that ANY different from standing a tram while receiving credit from another's kills?

Powerleveling doesn't have to be profitable to be powerleveling. Even gaining 1xp per hour could be considered powerleveling. In the example above, there's no difference between just standing at the tram or hunting solo. You're still getting free experience from someone else, regardless of whether or not YOU are hunting.

[/ QUOTE ]

DISCLAIMER: Lord Arcaine is using a definition of PLing that is his and his alone. The developers have specifically NOT defined PLing his way.

Only the highlighted text above is of relevance to the PLing being discussed by the Devs in that the same mechanics that allow you to do this form or play (which again the DEVS have not come out against) also allows the form of PLing where someone simply sits at teh train station and racks up XP with no risk. The devs have decided that some harm to a perfectly legitimate form of play is worthwhile in order to close this loophole for PLers.

[ QUOTE ]
I just want to call to your attention that April Fool's Day doesn't make it appopriate to bump 6-month-old topics.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let us not chastise people for posting to existing threads.

If only more people did so.