Sigium

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(c) the larger and more active heroside market would trump his graphs and equations.


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All jokes aside, Bill. Do you really believe that economics and business run this way? What Smurphy is saying would not be disputed by any reputable economist. It's just that fundamental.

You're just guessing what would happen. Smurphy is applying a theory that has proven itself true for hundreds of years. You don't have to believe us, you simply have to go out there and learn a bit out simple economics.

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Oh snap. This just got real.

I'm not going to point out why the people against this idea are mistaken in their assumptions. I'm also not going to point out the obvious problems normally associated with this idea.

Instead, just a simple IBTL +1, since spamming the same idea is never a good idea.

I'd like to request some Custom Weapons: Clockwork Theme

Have weapons that are bronze in color, very reflective, filled with moving gears and other Steampunk-like designs. Everything from Katana to Pistols, and so forth.

It would be gotten by getting the Nemesis-related badge.

The thing it with the Banished Pantheon was that they are very Shamanistic.

The Conjuring was based on the Goldbrickers, AND the Banished Pantheon, and not so much based on getting the actual treasure as much as it is about stopping either King Midas or Lugehbu from attaining too much power, and possibly destroying the Rogue Isles. The second Taskforce is more treasure-focused, planting it on the family, and fighting the Legacy Chain. While it doesn't mean that they can't intermingle, I think that they should try and stay mostly separate.

Other than that, the layout DOES look wonderful. I like that you included the CoT, but kept them a very minor focus, and I also enjoyed the fact that you centered Goldbrickers around the whole scheme.

It's a good layout, Inev, but a few things could use changing:

1. Different enemies. Telluses and Radiants wouldn't be making an appearance. I'd personally like to see new enemies that are more higher-level oriented. This also goes for Boomers; I think there could be some elite bosses involved with all of this. I was thinking of either Wreckers or Pharaohs (Not sure why Pharaohs, but it seemed like a good name at the time).

2. More involvement in the Banished Pantheon? The treasure's supposed to be cursed, and therefore a Villain might be just a bit wary of it. Just add a bit more mysticism by some Shamans, and so forth.

Other than that, the layout looks absolutely wonderful, and I'm glad to have someone so talented helping out!

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The only non arcane ones would be the Aranchos flier and Ballista (if he even counts).

Looking back at that, I would say make it a tech, then again fighting a, giant mechanical golden totem, sounds cool in my head...

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In my other thread about GM's someone suggested a large Golden Sphinx.

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Don't know if they would try for a four legged creature, but then again they could just have it walk on two

As for the mission spawned GM, perhaps just have it highly mention as a 'failed' project then, that happens to break loose and wander around the island from time to time causing havoc.

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Well, I'm looking into two of them:

1. Gold Colossus: A massive, golden robot that acts like a giant patroller for the Goldbrickers around Ciudad De Sangre

2. Lugehbu: A massive totem with a great deal of variation, both in color of the spirit within it (multicolored, I would think), and the wood composing it (more evil, bordering Satanic?)

I guess Lugehbu would spawn after doing enough missions in the first Strike Force, and be an ambush, similar to how Babbage works for the Synapse Taskforce.

The Golden Colossus will just roam, however. No summoning, no defeating X amount of minions, etc.

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I don't exactly know if Corzzaro is a real name, or not.

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It's not. It's just an amalgamation of Francisco Pizarro (I recall he conquered the Incan Empire) and Hernan Cortez (conquered the Aztec Civilisation), two well known Spanish conquistadors. I used the name because I didn't feel like writing Cortez/Pizarro again... and look what you made me do!

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Well, I like the name, certainly, but the plight still stands... Do we need ANOTHER Ghost Giant Monster? I can't name a single one that isn't powered mystically in CoV.

Maybe a Gold Colossus? Something for the Gold Brickers?
Hmm... Maybe two of them? Who knows?

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It should be easily possible. There are at least two Giant Monsters that spawn similarly--Hamidon and Caleb--and I do really like the idea of a Pizzaro/Cortez type.

I don't think he should be a GM though. Eight elite bosses and Corzzaro an AV should be sufficiently challenging. I'd also like it if he didn't have 'dark' powers, but rather 'dark empowered' powers. Meaning his conquistador sword would simply deal NE damage on top of lethal.

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I don't exactly know if Corzzaro is a real name, or not. Even then, as a GM, it would still have that 'Ghost of Scrapyard' feeling to it that I'd rather not get it mixed up with.

CoV's AVs are ALL some kind of Ghost, or demon...
Deathsurge? Cap Au Diable Daemons
Ghost of Scrapyard? Ghost
Caleb? Spectral Ghost

I'm really gunning for something different, though Lusca is looking to be more and more prominent, or simply the Lugehbu totem that can be spawned by the TF.

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While I understand that the way I type could be confusing, and I'm sorry if it is, but my point is that it's beside the point. What I say should not be ignored because you're uncomfortable with the way I portrayed it. (I already conformed to your preference, so please leave it at that). That being said, I'll check out some of the other posts and the link Sardon left for me.

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Thank you very much for changing your own text format, and taking the time out to search. I truly hope you find any/all answers you seek.

Coming from a man who abuses his shift key like movie producers and directors have abused the story of every lame and boring serial killer ever to have should've been forgotten by America, please leave it alone. I think I find capslock more pleasant than having to watch one capitalized word after another, like some haunting DaVinci code that won't let me sleep.

As for the idea itself? I'm not going to talk about it. You should know how to search, and that's not the fault of the community if you were unable to find anything for it.

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Anything with more gold brickers and my boy King Midas in it, I'm more than game

x[u] MIDA$[u]

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Glad to know I've got the support of Midas to add Midas into the game!

I'm also REALLY looking for some more community input/critique. If you've got an idea for a Giant Monster for the zone, or something else to give the zone some more 'spice' to it, then I'd LOVE to hear it.

And yeah... I'm bumping my own topic after requesting the critique.

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I mean, you don't expect Midas to have some giant, gold monster

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And why in the hell not!? That would be awesome.

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No offense, I simply don't seeing them hauling one around. Monsters typically deal with the arcane, and the unknown, which is why I think the Legacy Chain could have a REALLY nice Giant Monster... Perhaps a Chimera, of some kind? I think all Villains would love a chance to do battle with the 'Legacy Beast'.

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A Chimera would be very nice. How do you envision it? Some sort of modification of the arachnid wire frames? or a humanoid version? I can't recall any 4-legged creatures in game, so I'm guessing there's no pure 4-legged skeletons to build from. (Why I don't know. You'd think there'd at least be guard dogs with some of the more militant groups)

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That DOES pose an interesting question, as well as a challenge.

I was thinking of the Chimera you'd see from Gauntlet Dark Legacy, which actually had three long necks with the head of a Snake, Lion, and an Eagle... I think it would be an interesting concept to have to fight a sort of three-in-one Giant Monster... Maybe even make it into a raid, I don't know. All I know is that it would be a challenge.

Admittedly, the biggest challenge of creating a brand new Giant Monster is the developmental challenges it presents to the devs. I'm caught in a conflict of wanting new Villain-side content so badly, but realizing the limited resources of which the devs have to work with.

I'd kill to have BABs give a recommendation of what kind of Giant Monster he'd like to see in Isla De Los Muertos.

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Solution for the whole Midas' golden GM thing:

He's had his Goldbrickers (obviously a Tech group) capture and reprogram one of the giant Clockwork critters (forget the name) and then he turned it a golden color!

There...see how easy that was?

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NO Re-hashes... A re-color is still a re-hash, friend. That's not what I want. I'm asking an incredible amounts of work on the devs part, and I realize this, but I do think that Villains deserve this kind of effort being put in.

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I mean, you don't expect Midas to have some giant, gold monster

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And why in the hell not!? That would be awesome.

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No offense, I simply don't seeing them hauling one around. Monsters typically deal with the arcane, and the unknown, which is why I think the Legacy Chain could have a REALLY nice Giant Monster... Perhaps a Chimera, of some kind? I think all Villains would love a chance to do battle with the 'Legacy Beast'.

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Adding a GM giant golden statue, or a cthullu might seal the deal for me.

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Sorry, but this isn't mythology... The only golden statue I could see being involved would be Lugehbu if Midas just decided to turn it to gold... Which would be pretty cool.


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Sigium,

I re-skimmed your OP after your updates (third time. still liking it) but didn't see a GM at all. Did you mean to include a special one or any one at all?

Side thought: Does redside ever get a crack at Lusca? The "real life" luscas actually are reported in the Bahamas, not terribly far from where the Rogue Islands are supposed to be. Your island might provide the opportunity for villains to get a Devilfish (or equivalent) badge.

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Well, follow me here on my ideas about a GM...

First and foremost; I don't want a re-hash. Lusca can have her Independence Port, and Heroes can have their Devilfish badge. Lusca is just a turn-off for an idea that's so Villain-dependent.

Secondly; I don't necessarily want to make this GM related to the Banished Pantheon, since they've already got Adamastor in Dark Astoria... Although, I'll admit, the idea of a Lughebu incarnate doesn't sound all that bad to me at this point.

Third; I don't want to make a Ghost Giant Monster... Between Scrapyard, Caleb, and Deathsurge (looks somewhat like a Ghost), the idea just isn't appealing to me in the least.

Fourth; The villain groups presented give me limited options. I mean, you don't expect Midas to have some giant, gold monster, do you Or the family to have smuggled something like that in? :P

Edit: I'm REALLY thinking about a Legacy Chain Giant Monster: The Legacy Beast. I'll post more information on it later.

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You don't have to have an Arachnos presence at all. Researchers, magicians, etc. who are FROM the island or working on research there or whatever can be your enhancement sellers. Their enhancements can be gated with missions to explain why they're there, help them and they'll help you. (Like Serafina in Brickstown on heroside, and all the other mid/upper level enh sellers in main zones heroside.) A special zone-related contact can be the trainer. (Like War Witch in Croatoa.)

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It's possible that there would be some sort of contacts to do this for you, though the possibilities are a bit... Low. All of Rogue Isles uses Quartermasters and Arbiters, though I will DEFINITELY be looking into alternatives to the same faces over, and over.

As for the Arachnos presence: I know NO Villain wants to hear it, but they need to be there. For one; Recluse loves owning everything in the Isles, and would have a hernia if he knew there was a large place full of villains he wasn't monitoring. Secondly, there would need to be contacts for the Soldiers/Widows involving Arachnos... Perhaps involving more information about the Well of the Furies, and some backstory about the magical aspects of Arachnos?

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In reference to the need for arbiters and such, I wasn't really talking about trainers and stores and all. I meant story contacts. Taking orders from a wimp like that whiney schmoe on Cap or the arrogant damn guy with the big Bone makes me feel like my toon should be ending the arc by ganking the contact.

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Contacts will have a wide variety, I'd REALLY like to think. Everything from Ex-Goldbrickers, to Rogue Legacy Chain members, to normal people just interested in Isla De Los Muertos. This island is different than the rest simply because neither Arachnos, nor Longbow are the dominant force behind it.

I love a post with great substance! Thanks!

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First I gotta say: Wow. For a stream-of-consciousness writing that's one hell of a venture.

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Thanks! I figured out the meaning of life like this.

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Second comes the compliment: I WANT! I love villains but hate the contacts and story arcs because if I'm a villain who thinks s/he's the Destined One, I'm sure as hell not going to be cow-towing to any putz in a suit who says jump.

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Thanks much. Unfortunately, since every villain zone is gonna need some Arbiters/Quartermasters, there's still going to be an Arachnos presence, though I'm hoping to have it spread out.

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Third comes the question: One of the SFs you've listed involves planting some of those mind-altering items on the persons of targeted enemies. How would you do that without being mind-altered yourself by having them in your possession while transporting them? That seems a bit thin (and since I had to stretch that far to find something that seems thin, I'd say this whole idea is pretty rock-solid).

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I would think the contact for this Strikeforce could be a Rogue member of the Legacy Chain, and have cast a temporary nullifying spell on said items, and then possibly have tipped off the Legacy Chain themselves about your involvement, knowing your Strikeforce would decimate them. Would be a win-win for him.
For the actual placings? It would probably either be a timed mission to defeat certain enemies, which would automatically plant the possessed treasures on them, similar to how you 'interrogate' some people by defeating them.

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Lastly comes the suggestion: One of the posters asked about why people would come to this isla, knowing how dangerous it was and that they really couldn't get anything out of it. Spread around some (false?) rumors that there are ways to break that curse on specific items found and you've got treasure to be had. Put one of those cursed items in the hands of one of the Villains and tell them it's only a matter of time before it takes them over if they don't get it back to the island and you've got a major motivation to go there. Those are in game reasons. For reasons why the players would want to go there: DUH! It sounds like it could reasonably be the best zone in the whole of the Rogue Islands.

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Obviously, one reason is to prevent your OWN destruction. Of course, I do hate having to make it so revolved around nobility under duress... Hence the other Strikeforce.

As for Villains claiming to have found some, I could see a GREAT deal of contacts in Isla De Los Muertos either claiming to have found the great sum of treasure, or wanting to find it.
For instance, you could get a contact pop-up about someone excavating the site, and he needs help. With the promise of mystic artifacts, or just plain GOLD, what kind of Villain would willingly turn down their chance to pocket some for themselves?

Thanks for posting.

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I liked the Lusca idea for a GM.

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All respect meant, I want Villains to have their own GMs, and everything. I want a completely new zone that's nothing re-hashed from Paragon City. Something ENTIRELY new would entice a lot more people to play their villain characters a bit more, don't you think?

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As far as the GM an idea.

In the Conjuring SF One could have a similar approach as Babbage. Perhaps part of the Pantheon's plan is to summon Lugehbu in a 'incarnate' totem.

The SF stops the summoning but the idol breaks out onto the island. not powered by the god, but still a menace in it's own right. The design team could have fun building this GM Super-totem. (as a joke the contact could have. "Well you managed to stop Lugehbu from gaining a physical body, of course the Totem is now wandering around trying to destroy bits of the island. But a few of your nefarious cohorts should be able to put a stop to that..") The hess and ITF both have had the "stop the giant weapon" but you never really fight them.

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A Lugehbu Giant Monster is VERY possible, or a Lugehbu Totem of some sort. Rest assured, Isla De Los Muertos WILL have a GM or two. I'd just rather not have one expressly tied to the Strikeforce. That's all well and good, but it creates 2 problems:
1. Makes Monster Hunting much more difficult, since people have to go through the rest of the taskforce just for the ambush.
2. It brings the possibility that it won't be defeated. Villain-side is much lower-populated than Hero-side, and doesn't always have an available team on the side to help with the GM, especially if the team is level 34, or somewhere.

Don't get me wrong, it's still a possibility, although Banished Pantheon DO already have a GM of their own.

Gonna give a response/bump the thread to keep it off the second page.

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I completely and totally love it! Can we get some special costume drops from here?

giggles

Stormy

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Witch Hat for Villains?

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As for a Witch Hat, it's doubtful at best... Besides, I'd rather add some kind of Tribal Mask that would be Villain-exclusive just to sorta even out the score.

C'mon, EVERYONE would love a Tiki Shaman mask!

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Update!

I've added in the Legacy Chain as bad guys... I'm considering placing them into the second Strikeforce, rather than the Banished Pantheon.

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Great addition!

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Thanks! Let me know if there's anything else I can add to make it better!

I feel shameful, but I'll selfishly promote my own idea here:

Isla De Los Muertos

I think this would REALLY help villains.

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Adding a GM giant golden statue, or a cthullu might seal the deal for me.

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Sorry, but this isn't mythology... The only golden statue I could see being involved would be Lugehbu if Midas just decided to turn it to gold... Which would be pretty cool.

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Undead pirates, the lost souls such as who keep jumping off of the ghost ship, maybe a few different era ghost ships.

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The backstory of the Island was that it was found by Conquistadors hundreds of years ago. There would be no reason to have a plethora of ships any more than wreckage, especially from different eras.

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The Hag contact, maybe a giant scylla, or gorgon monster to come along for the ride.

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This isn't based on mythology. El Dorado gave me a lot of inspiration, but I'm certainly not going to add anything like gorgons into the game, or anything of the like.

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Make the zone coop, or pvp.

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Guess you weren't a big fan, then?

Update!

I've added in the Legacy Chain as bad guys... I'm considering placing them into the second Strikeforce, rather than the Banished Pantheon.

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IMO villains have enough arcane themed zones and I'd rather have some tech zones. 5 of the 7 are themed heavily around some terrible arcane group or monster threatening the zone.

Also, I think that a lot of the potential of such a zone could be achieved by expanding the content of primeva.

Of course TFs and expanded group backstory are welcome, but since there are a limited number of zones likely to be added in any given period, I can't see using a slot on a zone that sounds so much like what's there now.

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If you ask me, between Cap Au Diable, having Dr. Aeon's buildings there, St. Martial with the giant modern-day casinos and all that, and Grandville being Grandville, I think a more dark/mystic zone would do the Rogue Isles good. It would be nice for those who didn't want to have to scrounge out to the north side of Nerva in Podunk, Nowhere.

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Way cool idea! You obviously put tons of work into this.

My suggestions (because you asked...):

1) Open it up all the way to 50.

2) I would add story arcs for each enemy type just to really flesh things out. Not every one needs to be a huge production but I can see prequils to the SFs in story arcs.

3) I would add the Vahz as an enemy to this just because Lord Vahz has an interest in ANYTHING having to do with raising the dead. He doesn't like the competiton you see...

Otherwise I love this idea.

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1. I'd actually like to keep this at 45. It fills in a special gap that I REALLY think Villains need. As it is, they can go from 29-40, and 30-40 in Nerva/Martial before going into Grandville: 40-50. I think adding something that goes up to 45 would give people a nice alternative if they don't like the grind in Grandville, or need some time to experience other things first. The Conjuring is a level 50 TF, though. Make no mistake.

2. All contacts WILL have story arcs about these sorts of things to give a bit more background... Possibly like how RWZ handled it; putting in Archvillains not only in the taskforce, but also into certain arc missions.

3. I need to say no to Vahz, simply because you've already fought their leader at level... What? 16? 18? If Cortex was the highest-ranking Vahzilok that existed in the game as of yet, I'd say 'Sure! The doc would love it!' And besides, the good doctor doesn't have much to work with... What with all the potential subjects either being dead for several hundred years, or being dead for several hundred years and not ACTING like it. :P

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Its a very nice idea, but my major problem with it is that its yet another zone full of badguys for our badguys to beat up on. Couldn't have some good guys to fight? pretty please?

What if that spooks and zombies were actually good, protecting the Isle from any serious takeover by Arachnos, and giving a more peaceful life for the inhabitants, further aided by Wyvern, Legacy chain and maybe other hero groups) support. (who use it as a valuable staging area to assault Arachnos interests) The our villains could come in to mess things up, either at the behest of Arachnos, other villains groups, just because we want to or to get at all the treasure (both mystic and financial).

As described, it sound much more suited to valient heroes boldly fighting all the evil doers. CoV really needs to get away from that, in my opinion.

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Legacy Chain? Ya' know, I hadn't thought of them... I'll DEFINITELY consider that!

Otherwise, I could sort of see the Goldbrickers at least looking like neutral-guys... Until later on, it looks like they're just trying to prevent the ritual, rather than gain anything much from it. Nobility under duress, if you will... Of course, Midas isn't the kind to just give up the possibility of infinite power.

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It's still villains getting to cooperatively play in hero zones. *looks at RWZ and Cimerora*

[/ QUOTE ]Again, it's just my personal feelings towards if. If the devs came out tomorrow and said 'Striga for Villains!' I'd ask what would be done about Moonfire, and other Taskforces that would need some villain backstory, but would otherwise be happy.

[/ QUOTE ]Yes, but it's more content that is geared toward heroes that villains just happen to have access to...that's not villain content, IMO. Cooperative content can't be very villainous because no true heroes (discounting the emo darkitydark anti-heroes here) would ever cooperate with villains to do something terribly dastardly, even if it's to thwart a bigger dastard (with a b). So villains get cooperative content that's really watered down and pretty un-villainous.

OP's idea? That's villain content. That's a pretty decent framework for a pretty decent zone. I'd play it.

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Thanks!

And now the OP needs to finish his frosted flakes and head to bed... What AM I doing up?!