SerialBeggar

If I wasn't at work and the time being the OP's, I'd still be sleeping. Assuming unexpected server downtime during prime time, I'd reading the forums and perhaps playing Free Cell on the side. If the downtime was especially long, I'd do some Bejeweled-2 or Peggle.

Since I can afford it now, I craft and use Common IOs until the level 25s which are close enough to SO value for attribute boosts. As new powers are added, they'll get the most appropriate level Common IOs until the powers have enough slots allocated (typically at least 4) to make switching over to Set IOs practical (ie I won't have take a big hit in the attributes boosts just to get some set bonuses).

Overall, any powers I've picked up up to level 35 will be slotted with level 33-36ish Set IOs. Once I reach level 30 and can see what powers I'm using and have a feel for how I'm using them to predict how many slots I'd need, I will start laying out low-ball bids for individual Set IO pieces that I want to have. I generally shop for one or two power at a time to keep things manageable and so I can reslot the power all at once. This way, I can enjoy having the Set bonuses for over a dozen levels as I play my characters. Powers that I pick up after 35 will get level appropriate Set IOs. Again, I will slot with Commons until I have enough to switch over to Sets.

I hardly use level 50 Set IOs except as an individual piece that won't have another to pair it up with to get a Set bonus. In which case, any "high" level Set piece would work just as well since the difference in effectiveness is minor while the cost savings is significant. That said, since Set bonuses are not involved, any cheapo/crappy Set piece is prefered as they will be significantly cheaper and is just as effective.

It's been said that prior to COH launching, the Contacts placements were shuffled around. This resulted in a lot of the missions being in other zones than the Contact. It was speculated that extra travel time added realism and a time sink to extend playtime. Back in the old days, it wasn't uncommon for you have to hop 3-4 zones to a mission, then back again after you finish the mission (before your Contact allows you to call him/her). Nowadays, there are various methods where you can take a short cut.

http://vidiotmaps.com/maps_po.php?map=steel_canyon

South-west corner of Steel Canyon. They're around and on top of that big hill there.

In COH, in the regular city zones, you're given 5 origin-based Contacts every 5 levels. Since origin doesn't really mean anything, especially also since in COV, the Quartermasters (stores) sell every type of enhancement, COV doesn't dish out Contacts by origin. Instead, COV's Contacts system is more linear.

The first time you enter a new zone, you are automatically assigned to one of the two Brokers for the zone. You work for the Broker, as represented by the "Newspaper" Contact now at the top of your Contacts list, for several mission. After which, you're given the "option" of doing a Mayhem mission (smash and grab bank job). I believe you need to actually choose to do the Mayhem mission. It doesn't matter if you complete or fail it, afterwards the Broker will offer to introduce you to a regular Contact. Note that if you complete the Mayhem mission, you'll be given a temp power. If you don't accept the Mayhem mission, then the Broker returns to having you do Newspaper missions (with no intro to a Contact).

Once you're through working all that regular Contact's missions, you'll need to do more Newspaper missions to get another Contact. Later on, these first tier Contacts may introduce you to their next tier Contact. Unlike COH where each zone is for a distinct level range, in COV the middle zones overlap.

From my own person experience in upgrading my computer during my years in this game:
- increasing my RAM improved my load time (changing zones, entering missions)
- upgrading my graphics card made things look way better (metals were shiny, colors were more vibrant, more details)
- changing to a multi-core CPU improved my frame rate (no more slide shows during fights, even in the middle of an invasion)

Has it already been over a year that they removed the 60 Days Auto Delete from the Market? My, how time flies.

Well, now that I can afford it and have a stocked Base, I use Common IOs on the way up. Generally level 15s, then replacing with level 25s.

Once I hit 30, I start laying down bids for level 35 Set IO recipes. I accummulate and slot what I can on new slots. Between 35 and 38 I might use a Free Respec to cash out the Common IOs and put in the rest of the Set IOs. While all the early powers are slotted with level 35 (+/-) Set IOs, new powers are slotted with level appropriate Set IOs.

I'd rather not use a high level Set IO in a much lower level power unless it is not going to be paired with another same Set piece so I wouldn't be getting a Set Bonus out of it anyway. The only time I'd use all high level Set IOs in a power is if I'm short on slots, then maximum attribute boosts takes precedence.

In addition, in the list of threads screen, any thread that you've posted in has a blue square with a check mark in it.

As SwellGuy said, the stores are marked on you Map with a "$".

Note: in Atlas Park and Galaxy City, you'll only see the Super Powered Trainers who buy and sell enhancements. There are several types of enhancements. Right now, you've only seen the Training Origin (TO) type enhancements.

When you're level 10+, you'll be moving on to the Steel Canyon and Skyway City zones. There you will start getting drops of Dual Origin (DO) type enhancements, like Magic/Mutant, Science/Tech, Natural/Science, etc. As long as one of the origins matches your character's origin, you can slot it. Note: you'll see that a Sci/Tech Accuracy has a different name than a Nat/Sci Accuracy. The names don't matter, they're for role playing purposes. The only thing that matters is what the enhancement does, Accuracy in this example. There is a consistant color scheme used to help you spot what you need while ignoring the goofy names. For example, Accuracies are always yellow, Damage is always Red, Endurance Reduction is always light blue, etc.

You'll also see origin specific stores. While you can buy and sell any enhancements you don't need at any of the stores, you'll get ripped off if you don't make the effort to buy or sell the enhancement in the appropriate origin store. For example, you can buy or sell the Mag/Mut enhancement in either a Magic or Mutant shop for the same (base) price. However, if you buy or sell the Mag/Mut enhancement at the Tech, Sci or Natural shop, you'll pay more for it and you'll sell it for less. Until you're "rich" or reasonably well off, make the effort to sell to the appropriate origin store.

Note, you'll also start to get Invention Origin (IO) enhancment Recipe drops. Steel Canyon has a University with a tutorial on IO recipes, IO salvage, and using them to craft IO enhancements. The tutorial Contact at the University is automatically added to your Contacts list. Check him out. There are 2 types of IOs - "common/generic" (they look like spiffier TOs) and named "Sets".

Common IOs work like regular enhancements, they boost one attribute. But unlike a regular enhancement, their effectiveness doesn't fluctuate with your level and they never expire (which can save you a lot of Influence since you won't have to replace everything every 5 levels). Set IOs boost 2-4 attributes in one enhancement. Each boost is less than a common IO, but will careful arrangement, you can boost all of your attributes for almost equal to better using less slots than with common IOs, SOs, etc.

I also don't see Burnt Matchstick's name above her head, whereas RedDwarf's name is showing (behind the chat window).

I assume that after 4 years you know how to "pull", right? If not, you will need to learn it.

You can solo with any character, regardless of powerset combination. However, I'd recommend something that deals moderate to high damage with at least one decent AOE or the experience will be very tedious. Not having (what feels like) "enough" damage, means you'll have to devote more time and effort in staying alive during your fights. Which in turn means spending more endurance per fight. Speaking of which, always pick up the controllerish power in your powersets. You'll need it. Perferrably get matching mezzing powers to take bosses out of the fight while you deal with the riff raff.

Make sure you have Tool Tips enabled in Options-->General-->Miscellaneous.

Some power changes were made for Issue 16, so there's a high probability that a Free Respec will be granted to all when it is released.

I vote for Air Superiority. While it doesn't have the awe inspiring one hit, one kill damage of the big attacks, it makes up for it in a couple of ways. First off, it is available for almost every character I have. The only exception is Warshade. Secondly, its (almost) guaranteed knock down has saved my characters butts numerous times. It is always ready to go and it performs well with only a couple of Accuracies slotted. It can be used as an offensive or a defensive action. I trust it. I rely on it. I can't think of any other power that can compare.

Have you looked over the info provided by vidiotmaps.com?