Relikk

Now you're just being condescending. I am fully aware that homonyms exist in our language, and continuing the discussion when I've already gone down the "agree to disagree" route, while at the same using this mild insult, or "talking down" as I like to call it, is just bad form. But whatever, I'm already over it... honestly.

*waves white flag* Your unflinching devotion to trivial arguments far surpasses mine.

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So, technically, according to the definition that seems useful to me, the buffs that a random hero gives you while passing by are possibly not preemptive (since in my experience, they're often given to targets who are just standing around, with no real expectation that the buff will be useful.)

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It's this that will never allow us to agree, which was the irony that I pointed out before. If there is never an agreement on the definition of a term, arguing over when it applies is just useless. Whatever you all decide on this topic is fine with me. I think I'm going to stop with this one. Deliberation has been achieved. Congratulations.

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..."Facts" are things that are true...

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I don't think that this is the dictionary definition of the word, nor the scientific version. I'm also thinking that no one has really included that in their posts. Not trying to flame anyone, just sayin'. That's probably not the best starting point for discussion.

How about we leave the term "preemptive healing" out of it and start with a dictionary definition of "preemptive". That being a word that is probably much older and more recognized than the term, it sounds like a better jumping off point. Otherwise, we just might be doomed to the irony of naming an opinion as fact when the owner of said opinion doesn't have a clear definition of the word "fact" anyway.

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Yeah, well, that little bit about what "fact" means was meant to be illustrative that questions of semantics often short-circuit discussions like this. The actual discussion of whether or not "the Earth is flat" is a fact isn't all that interesting, but if the only definition of "fact" I'm willing to accept requires that facts be true (which I would contend is *one of* the dictionary definitions, and the scientific definition requires that a fact be something that is "actual or observable" which seems compatible to me), then we're not going to have a very interesting argument.

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Rest assured, I whole heartedly agree. The topic probably should have been put to rest before it got this far.

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I also wonder if I was intended to be the target of that "the owner...doesn't have a clear definition of the word 'fact' anyway." Sure seems like it, and I think that's a rather odd statement to make, since I actually went out of my way to define what I meant when I used the word.

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A target? No, I don't do that unless someone is just being extremely ridiculous. That was a poke at the irony of arguing a fact that the masses haven't accepted as fact in the first place (This acceptance option being a luxury of an environment built mostly by the players that is.) It's just pointless. As you said, it's not even interesting discussion.

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At any rate, I agree with you that a good definition of "preemptive" is worthwhile in this discussion. For the purposes of my earlier post, I used a pretty expansive definition of "preemptive": as long as you take an action (and usually I consider this from the user's perspective of activating/queuing up a power, rather than the hero's perspective of when a power takes place) before the effect you're using is necessary, you're preemptively doing something.

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Technically, that's not the definition of preemptive. I took a look at a few definitions and none of them include anything about the result, reason, or necessity of a preemptive action. They are all about doing something first, and that's pretty much it. Using a past example from this thread, tossing a heal to someone that just jumped into a large group of mobs isn't preemptive. You healed as a result of seeing someone do something many CoH practitioners consider stupid or deadly.

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But from the player's perspective, you can use them preemptively: any time you're anticipating something, you're using a power preemptively. And I think the strongest case that "preemptive heals" exist is the last one that I made, that Regen Aura and Adrenalin Boost are preemptive heals. I don't think in this case that "preemptive" is used controversially; the controversial usage there is "heal", but as a player, that's how I think of the power: I use RA and AB in place of using direct healing powers.

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Now this is extremely nit-picky of me, but looking strictly at the definitions that I found, technically the buffs given at the beginning or mid-mission aren't proactive either. When the team first walked through the doorway to the mission, it was expected that damage would come soon after. There was a reason for the buffer to give those buffs before he/she gave them, so the subsequent buffing wasn't done first. The only preemptive things here are the buffs that some random hero gives you while passing you on the street (a debate on that is also possible though).

Can't believe I'm sitting here at work breaking this word down! This is not important... like... not at all, lol!

That's right, my mistake. The enemy animation had me confused for a second. They all do that same "stroke-like" pose that stunned heroes perform.

Oh... the wisdom dripping from this Defender's lips... pure gold.

It is decided. A Storm/Elec defender will be my next project.

The Def EM pulse is a stun as well. Not sure about the animations being the same though, as I haven't played a rad blaster.

Alright, so kiting is the key. Got it. Thanks.

Mind posting your build Arrowyn?

Okay, sorry to keep visiting the same question from before, but I'd like to be crystal clear on the strategy of the fight. Since we've brushed over manuverability a couple of times, is it safe to assume that I'm using LR to keep them slowed (and of course the regen debuff) and kiting while blasting?

If this is the case, do I lead off with LR to prevent them from closing the distance, or the other debuff toggles?

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The attack chain I use is Shriek - Scream.

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So, I'm guessing that the answer to the range question is distance all the way through, correct? Any single target attacks in the power set that I shouldn't even bother with for the build?

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..."Facts" are things that are true...

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I don't think that this is the dictionary definition of the word, nor the scientific version. I'm also thinking that no one has really included that in their posts. Not trying to flame anyone, just sayin'. That's probably not the best starting point for discussion.

How about we leave the term "preemptive healing" out of it and start with a dictionary definition of "preemptive". That being a word that is probably much older and more recognized than the term, it sounds like a better jumping off point. Otherwise, we just might be doomed to the irony of naming an opinion as fact when the owner of said opinion doesn't have a clear definition of the word "fact" anyway.

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People. Don't argue real science in a superhero game. Your head will explode.

Arguing over 'pre-emptive healing' isn't much better, there's no such concept in this game and buffs are better anyway.

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Someone truly smart said this.

Seems like there was a term that was coined by a select group of MMO players at some point in history. This term and its definition were not passed along accurately through any viable communication medium to all players of the game, nor future games. The result, at its core, is a debate over opinions and paraphrasing, which, while it is pretty entertaining, is also quite trivial.

Come on Defenders. We're better than this.

My Rad/Sonic is at 44 and I'm thinking of using it for soloing GM's, since now I'm aware that it can be done. So, I'll just use this thread to ask some questions instead of starting another:

1. How important are Combat Jumping and the level 44 epic damage resist power? Are they both absolutely necessary?

2. How should the above mentioned powers be slotted, end reduction, dmg resistance, or an equal combination of both?

3. What is the general strategy for fighting these GM's? Are you trying to do some kiting, or are you up in its face screaming away? (I understand that some don't move, so I guess I'm asking if it's all distance or melee range, or if it even matters.)

4. Does your Epic pool choice matter? I've only seen a couple of builds, so I'm not sure what the preferred method is. I took /dark, but I'm probably going to respec for PBU and CE.

5. Are the IO sets a must, or can this be done with regular IO's? (I think I already know the answer to this one, but I figured I'd ask anyway. Might learn something new.)

6. What's the chain of events at the battle's beginning? (Start with RI, then EF, then LR, then right into the attack chain for the duration using CE, Amplify, and PBU when they're up?)

It seems as though I am in solitude, reading an ancient tome written by all of the prideful Defenders before me. While a little interaction with other Unofficial Students of the Great Ones would be good, I will continue to keep these brilliant etchings alive alone if I must...

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I take pride in what I do ... If anyone on a team I have joined, aside from me , dies I feel like I have failed in some way...

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Yes! This! I've felt this many many times in CoH and several other games as well. I've cured this self punishment with a Rad defender, and a subsequent "theoretical" calculation if you will:

My anchor is at point A... my dead ally is at point B.
Therefore: The ally killed himself/herself by straying outside of my range.

My anchor has not been debuffed yet... my dead ally is at point B.
Therefore: The ally was impatient or cocky, and died as a result.

My anchor is at point A... my dead ally is at point A
Therefore: I wouldn't know what to conclude, because it has yet to happen this way.

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I AM A DEFENDER .. and yes I'm just a llittle bit crazy!

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I know of no other way that it should be.

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"In the end, you simply insist that the things you want must be easy or attainable or important enough to make a necessity, and yet, here we are, with a game that's operated for five years without your input or say so and without these seemingly-essential components..."

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My thoughts exactly!

The game has all of the tools for you to make the exact concept that you've described, but you don't want to play long enough to have your idea realized? Considering all of the given information, I think the only logical response to your suggestion is... "Too bad."

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I had an idea that it would be great to add new to the game on a quarterly basis. Have them open originally as hazard zones only accessible to levels 45 and above but over time their threat level is reduced until they are normal hazard zones set at whatever level or city zones open to anyone.

The idea is to have the higher level players be an advance exploration force that establishes a beachhead and secures the area for other heroes. The zone would change in relation to the time spent doing missions and exploring areas within the zone based on several way points on the map. As time goes by the higher level heroes will have made the zone safe enough to adjust the level and zone type to match it's original intent.

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Good concept. Incentive to the higher level players, while not excluding lower level players. I like it.

Indeed, to each his own. I think MA is right in line with the spirit of this game, giving players complete customization of their gaming experiece here instead of just the in depth customization of their characters. But we digress.

My only point here is that it is pretty ridiculous for a person to announce that they aren't motivated enough to play a character that they supposedly love up to level 41, let alone level 50, and attempt to remedy this by asking the devs to give them another type of character whose progression they will more than likely ignore in the same manner. I'm not really feelin' that.

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I agree with your points except your last one.
Sadly in CoH your character's future at L50 is of a very limited scope (more then in most MMOs).

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Fair enough, but to call this finite content "the end of your character's existence" is quite a reach, wouldn't you say?

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I have said several times that the epic pools are nice, but they come at the very end of the character's existence. The character concept is often, even usually, the first thing created. Thus, L41 is an awful long time to wait to finally realize the character's original conception, and even then only to a limited degree.

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Honestly, you don't deserve to be granted the AT that you seek if you believe what you wrote above. Why would the devs give you the exact character concept that you want when you're not even going to play it to max level? Just seems ridiculous, especially considering all of the alternatives that already exist and the issues with aggro control and damage that would come of it.

Level 50 is not, by any means, the end of a character's existence, so basing the discussion off of a lack of motivation for playing the characters you create is pretty useless.

Just sayin'...

I'd like to go against the grain with one of the points from above.

There isn't anything bad about slotting tohit debuff in any of your single target blasts. I think you had it exactly right with the "I'm not a blaster" mentality, but of course, I prefer a de-fender to an offender. It's more endurance efficient to stick to dark blast and gloom when you get down to 1 or 2 enemies, especially if you ever run around solo, so why not toss some debuff action in there? And the tohit debuff that you can pile on using them in TT, Nightfall, and Blackstar is quite awesome. Now, don't get me wrong. Later on, when you've got the slots for it, sure! Pop all the red in there that you'd like.

Couple things about the build. In my opinion, two slots for accuracy in your attacks is an overkill. Something else could go there... perhaps some ummm, dare I say, tohit debuff?

Hasten? Love it. Leadership pool? I don't care for it.

The end reduction in Gloom probably isn't necessary. You won't be tossing it enough to give you endurance problems, and you've got stam anyway.

If you slot your Servant a little different, it will probably free up some slots for ya. Give him some +hold and +immob on top of that -tohit and you can slot your own PG and TT in a different manner that may prove useful. That's just a preference thing I think though. I depend on my fluffy to help me lock stuff down, others may not. *shrug*

You're more than likely going to want a Fear enhancement in FS. With just the one recharge and no +fear, it will probably break on you. I roll with (2) +fear, (1) acc, (2) +rech, (1) tohit debuff.

That's all I got. Have fun.

Hmm... I'm thinking that no one actually told you that you had to interact with the Mission Editor in any way. So, the answer to the original question is... "You don't."

Sleeping...

My heart beats…

It came from nowhere that I could trace; A single flash of violet electricity, glistening through the air towards me. When we fools rushed in, I heard the Tank barking orders and calling out for heals… said something about the “alpha” being really strong. I conjured up my strength in preparation to extend the power of the Fulcrum to my allies, but then my senses… they just… stopped.

My heart beats a second time…

The light is all around me now. I cannot hear my friends, nor do I see or hear our enemy, who, moments ago, turned their rusted extremities towards us in combat. This feels very wrong to me. I cannot sap my foes for their endurance. I cannot transfer their health to my friends. I cannot boost my allies’ speed, nor can I steal some of my own. I cannot move a single muscle, though when I try, my efforts are met with a sizzling shock moving up and down my spine. The little I do see shapes itself around my vision and my body like an impressive cocoon of energy. The manner of casing resembles… a cage.

My heart beats a third time…

How long has it been since I’ve been captured here? The seconds go by like decades for heroes like me and my fellow Kin. What has become of my allies? Perhaps the battle has long been done, and they’ve all met their fate. Perhaps I am doomed to rot in this forsaken cage, never will I learn to call upon the mysterious fire imps, and consume my foes in a deleterious blaze. While my powers carried me this far through life, only hope keeps my insanity from slipping… and even that has begun to fade…

My heart beats a fourth time…

All is not lost! Something breaks through this cage! My companion reaches in and touches my forehead with grace that I have never known. In that instant, my senses are restored. My rapidly blinking eyes eventually take in the view of the Tank smashing at the hordes of enemies that placed me in my prison, while Scrapper slices them into pieces. Blaster, wielding great focus in his eyes, blasts the onslaught with shards of ice from his fingertips, and together, we walk upon the corpses of our enemies towards their remaining forces, eager to triumph over them as well. Through the battle, I see Defender moving through the crowd, keeping out of harm’s way, and touching the others’ foreheads in the same manner that she touched mine. It is in that instant that I see the depth of her power, and my longing for her companionship.

I know why the “Tesla” caged bird sings. We cry out for the healing touch of our empathetic ally, and ALL of her siblings, to prevent our victory from escaping us. Whether it is spoken or not, my friend, I will always welcome your gifts. You are my savior… and well suited to hold the title that we’ve come accustomed to call you...

Search through the threads and you'll see a couple that address this and explain in a bit of detail how to do it right. They're not very old either.

I picked up Psy, and honestly, I'm not diggin' it. The hold is nice, but with a Pet. Gaze from both me and the dark servant, the bosses are pretty much locked down tight. Plus, all the minions and lieutenants are deaf, dumb, and blind in the TT, TP, and (on rare occasions) DN. So, not much use for it in the end. World of Confusion is fun to play with in Steel Canyon, making the purse snatchers "suddenly feel like fighting each other", but that's about all the use I get out of it. I can't even remember the last power I picked up from that set, so that should tell ya something.

This thread has enlightened me. I'm thinking I'll try out /Dark tonight. The Angel can handle the melee range I'm sure. She may be small and cute, but she's no delicate little flower by any means.

EDIT: /Dark - Tried it, love it! I think the time spent in melee range was exaggerated a bit in those earlier posts, but oh well. Oh the sweet crackling sound of Dark Consumption on a fat stack of mobs! Sounds like it hurts them a little bit. I am pleased with this.

Stick it out until level 32... thank us later

Nevermind what's waiting for you at 38. It just doesn't get any better than that.

My 4 mission arc should be good to go indefinitely, though my 1 mission story will need some tweaking. Hopefully, the chain of events that I originally intended will be do-able this time around without having to resort to all kinds of little "cheats" and such.