Wrong_Number
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Posts
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Eva nailed it! I added another boss which was for level 15-24 and the group started giving full exp. They should document this since expecting a group for a 5-14 mission to have to contain baddies of each rank at least a level over the mission's level is not stated as required anywhere that I know . Thanks a ton Eva and everyone who helped.
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Quote:I will check that out. I have played this arc dozens of times with all sorts of levels (part of the 40+ hours of working on the arc). it is possible I or no one else noticed this before, but with the exp changes in the patch they jumped out.Originally Posted by Eva Destruction
I caught part of this discussion in the MA Arc Finder channel last night, and my theory is this:
A level 14 mission will spawn level 14s and level 15s. There are no level 15 bosses available in your group, so at that level the system treats your group as incomplete. Try adding a level 15+ boss, or just replace the bosses with "random boss."
If this is the first time you have tested the arc with a character above level 13, that's probably why your arc "suddenly" broke.
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Quote:Actually, my arc A Hero in Need... (full details in sig) is 5-14 and listed on page 3 with 65 plays and five stars. Also, last I checked Gypsy Roses arc named Suppression is also listed there and is for levels 5-15. Page three is the first page that has any normal player arcs on it.Originally Posted by Aura_Familia
There are such arcs. And some of them are very good.
Unfortunately they are buried under all the dreck, and impossible to find with the useless search feature.
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Quote:I don't think Patrol Exp is the issue. I was using Miss Jersey who is 50 and the numbers for even level minions in the same arc are:Originally Posted by PoliceWoman
I looked at your screenshots and I agree that it looks like your custom enemy group ought to award normal rewards.
Is it possible that the character you are testing on has Patrol exp? For reasons I don't fully understand, Patrol exp does not count inside AE, and this could make it appear like you are earning half the exp inside an AE mission that you are outside, when actually you're earning normal exp in the mission, and double exp outside. (Sorry if this seems like a dumb question.)
M1: CoT "Custom" group - 1182
M2: Council - 2362
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I have been running each of my arcs since the patch to see which have been impacted (Death to Disco! and Trademark Infringement are impacted) and which have not (Golden Age Secret of the Paragon Society was not).
Last night I ran A Hero in Need...is a Friend Indeed! and happened upon an issue that I can't explain. Overall the arc is fine except that the group in the first mission is giving about 50% of the exp that it should be giving.
The group in question is named Circle of Thorns and is in fact made up of all Dev created CoT that have not even been recolored. The reason this group exists is that when I changed the arc from 5-10 to 5-14 level range it introduced Spectral Demons and Spectral Knights. These two CoT are introduced at level 12 which made them part of the normal CoT mix with the arc set to 5-14 and in my opinion made the group too tough. As a solution I created a "custom" CoT group named Circle of Thorns that had all the normal CoTs minus the Spectral baddies. The group that is left has all ranks and covers the 5-14 range fully. Here is a screen shot: Custom Group Details
I can see no reason why this group should be providing less exp. Of course, I thought of the patch changes, but none of the things that would reduce exp exist in this mission. Details are in this screen shot: Mission Details
Can anyone see why this group/mission would be giving less than full exp? Any help is appreciated.
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Quote:This is great, but I feel you are in the extreme minority. I would be surprised if 5%-10% of the MA player base feel that little or no exp is acceptable.Originally Posted by MrCaptainMan
I play for story primarily. XP etc is a bonus. It's nice when it comes, but if the MA gave no rewards I'd level on normal missions and play MArcs for fun.
The drop in plays after the initial reduction in exp to MA was dramatic. Point and case, look at the arcs that have over 100 plays and 5 stars. Of the nine, seven were created in April of last year, one in June of last year and one in Nov. (my arc, which I why I noticed this break down). The reason for this spread isn't that great arcs stopped be written after April of last year, far from it. I can tell you for sure, having played many 100's of arcs that arcs have gotten better and better in quality as people have learned how to work in MA. The reason is simply that less people are playing MA.
If only 5-10% of MA players are hardcore, exp does not matter types like you and that equals a reduction in plays to that level, not many will still invest the time to write new MA arcs and that is a shame.
Only speaking for myself, I write arcs so others will enjoy them. As I have matured as a MA author the time I have invested in writing arcs has risen to the point where the last two arcs I made took me 40+ hours to create and tweak. That's over a full work week per arc. If almost no one plays them, I am less likely to write another arc since, for me at least, that is my "reward" for writing them. Nothing makes me happier than getting nice feedback or hearing that someone has enjoyed my arc. If that stops, I stop writing them. I bet I am not alone and that makes me sad.
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Quote:This is incorrect. Battles and patrols that contain friendly WILL reduce exp. The only thing Death to Disco! has in the second mission is several battles, no allies, patrols, captives, etc. and yet the exp has been reduced to about 40% of normal exp.Originally Posted by Necrotech_Master
IMHO i think this nerf was a little too much
someone did some testing for what actually drops xp and what not in the thread here
apparently defend objects, escorts, and captives all reduce xp for being nothing more than interactable, while ally patrols and allies in battles will not affect anything
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The arc that was Dev nominated as Best Original Story of 2009 is pretty much ruined.
Death to Disco! now gives about 40-45% of normal exp in it's second mission because there are battles going on between the Rockers and the Disco Nation. The Rockers are of course considered an ally group even though all they really do is fight in the battles and not aid you in any way.
Disco really is dead now.
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Looks like the reduction in exp is also applied to friendly patrols and battles in addition to allies.
I just logged on and played an arc of mine which features battles. The first mission that had no battles and compared it to the second which did. The result was a 60% reduction in exp.
I can only hope this change is reversed.
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Quote:This change effects patrols and battles too?Originally Posted by twelfth
Laz, can you go in and replace that ally with an ally-aligned patrol and see if it still happens? I'm curious if the nerf is affecting those too and whether its on a per-critter basis (3-ally patrol < 8-ally patrol) for calculating the XP crash.
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Small Update
- Added a fourth optional clue to the last mission to aid the player in correctly finding what they need.
- Modified one of the optional clues in the last mission to more clearly state it's origin.
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One Mission Arcs
Don't Freak (Customs Version): 384769 - @Gypsy Rose
Storming Citadel #379488 by @MrCaptainMan
Three Mission Arcs
Drakule vs. The Werewolf Bikers From Hell #340316 by @LaserJesus
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I have done zero advertising of this arc, but I have to break that today considering the date. If you have been maybe thinking about playing this arc, today is the day,
375018 A Hero in Need...is a Friend Indeed! (Heroic, Levels 5-14)
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I wanted to thank your team for playing The Golden Age Secret of the Paragon Society. I appreciate the feedback and was very happy that you all enjoyed it.
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P,S, - It's not my arc, but my husband did an arc based on my characters from that arc called "The New Paragon Society Reborn". In short, Sherman asks for your help in reforming the Paragon Society. If your group wants to team with Sherman again at some point, there is an option out there.
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Of my arcs (full details in the links below) I would say that The Golden Age Secret of the Paragon Society fits perfectly. You can check out the details of the others to see if anything catches your eye, but that one should be a nice fit for your group.
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Thanks for showing us these! very nice.
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I was there for the first arc we ran yesterday. I'm not sure about next week, we will see how I feel. I've stopped working on the MA promotions/events I have had in the works too for now. MA has kinda soured for me the last couple of weeks so I have been taking a break.
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I was noticed that I have not updated the feedback this arc has been getting in months! So, here is some more of what people are saying:
@Fasttrack1 wrote: I thorougly enjoyed the humor and the atmosphere you gave the story (WW2 era). Gave it 5 stars, especially since I love reading on WW2 history. Fantastic creation!
@Dalghryn wrote: Well-written and researched.
@Fiery Redeemer wrote: Excellent arc. Doesn't hurt that it's about beating up 5th Column. Thank you.
@Dr Mechano wrote: loved it, very golden age and would like to see more on the Paragon Society
@Dark Phoenix wrote: Fun story. Very polished.
@Tubbius wrote: REALLY well done and well researched. Excellent arc.
@TheDeepBlue wrote: Neato
@Arctic Princess wrote: This was a great arc - I played it after playing your Aeon Challenge II arc! A lot of fun, quite difficult even on 0/1 setting with the EB and then Panzer but ultimately rewarding! 5 stars.
@K'aji wrote: I loved the custom Columnists. the 'Kid was a nice dynamic contact.. Nice arc,worthy of a 5!
@Teravoltt wrote: I liked this. Good job.
@CrusaderKal wrote: Nice Story
@Aehaed wrote: Great fun! Nice classic bit of adventurin'.
@PTD : Enjoyable arc!
@Aracade wrote: Another very good story. Nice progresion.. Over all solid arc.
@Sevyyn wrote: Good arc with good writing. Really enjoyed it.
@KemLi wrote: loved the story, loved the dialogue and the classic nature of the characters
@FredrikSvanberg wrote: The whole arc has a fine balance of humor and serious business.
@DarklordDKL wrote: Awesome! Your best yet, IMO. Firecracker has some classic material!
@BackFire wrote: Nazi-smashing fun! Great attention to detail, fun dialogue, and a solid story. There was a lot more humor than I expected, but it didn't detract from the arc. Esp. liked the fight dialogue for Sherman and his turn to the dark side. Great touch! BTW- was able to solo the EB with a lvl 27 MA/WP scrapper
@Meatpiston wrote: Nice story and great dialog!
@Tragedy Redtear wrote: great depiction of the 5th column, the customs were well made and a lot of details about the faction came through indirectly in while playing. I don't speak German but i know enough to see that you knew what you were doing when writing the names and dialogue.. Nice job!
@Lethal Guardian wrote: (as Pro Payne) Wonderful arc! The contact and mission briefings were very well done. The mission design and the story were top notch -- the arc was a blast to play, and I very much enjoyed it! Very, very good job!
@Gypsy Rose wrote: Loved this arc, especially the contact!
@Defensive Option wrote: Perfect classic red/white and bliue story thanks
@Kow wrote: Really awesome!! I enjoyed every single mission, and the dialogue for the contact is hilarious. "I can barely work my Jitterbug..." Classic stuff dude, keep up the good work
@Mad Machinest wrote: Well written and a lot of fun to play.
@Grave Touch wrote: I liked it very much; well written, good plot line; kinda creepy and fufilling on how well you mimiced the Nazis on that last mission, really felt good killing them; am I an Inglorious ******* now?
@Ultra Lad wrote: Very fun, I played it with a toon named Agent Valor...a perfect fit
@Hurricane Hank wrote: Nice arc, I always enjoy the old school stuff
@LaceySkye wrote: Hey! Just played this one with my lvl 50 Claws/Super-Reflexes Scrapper. This was an excellent story that had me laughing from the get-go. It held my interest the whole way through and really delievered in the "event" department. Sherman/Panzer turning on us in mission 4 was a great touch! I loved your custom baddies in the last mission and would love to see more of them. It IS fun beating up Nazi's. >.> lol! 5 stars and another fantastic job!
@Zamuel wrote: Very well done. Nice to see the 5th Column in a role where you can actually regard them as a threat.
@BigJoules wrote: Easily the most enjoyable MA story I've run thus far. Thanks for putting in he work!
@Adept wrote: well written and enjoyable to play through
@Rude Dog wrote: Very nice!
@Simian Stalker wrote: Really enjoyed this arc! Great story, flow, and characters!
@Hydrophidian wrote: Had a great time! I wasn't the leader, but I was still able to follow what was going on. Loved the custom group at the end. Thanks for making a wonderful arc we could play!
@Mr Wallace wrote: greart story very JSA loved it will run again with my SG thx
@PTD wrote: Enjoyable arc!
@KemLi wrote: loved the story, loved the dialogue and the classic nature of the characters
@Sevyyn wrote: Good arc with good writing. Really enjoyed it.
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Quote:Definitively. I really appreciate you playing it and all the work you put in on your review. These character driven reviews are so creative and the most fun to read.Originally Posted by MrCaptainMan
*Hopefully you can at least appreciate some of my simpler catches such as the tense 'typo'. As for the mystery aspect, I thought you were going for a more 'detectivey' sort of thing. My apologies for getting the wrong end of the stick.
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Quote:Like I said, the Statesman has lost his powers is the "mystery" that is intended to draw you in. I can't say more without ruining the arc except that a good twist does not broadcast it's coming. Once revealed, it is very clear what is going on and what the real "mystery" has been all along.Originally Posted by MrCaptainMan
Because it's tagged 'mystery', I guess, is why I was expecting more of a mystery-type arc.
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Quote:I am not sure where on earth you came up with the idea this arc is supposed to be a great mystery. It's not, nor was it ever intended to be one. The hook "mystery" is why had Statesman lost his powers, but you know there is a lot more to it than that. I don't want to go into more detail since I don't want to give away spoilers, but your assumption is totally off base. If you went into it with an expectation of looking for Christie or maybe Hitchcock type mystery, I can see why you are so confused.
I don't think it's a great mystery.
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Due to popular demand I have created a "Hints" list available to anyone that has finished the arc and would like all the hints that are dropped during it pertaining to the "mystery".
If you want it, just shoot me a PM!
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I got this one today, not once, but twice from two people who clearly played the arc together and are either family or RL friends (they had almost identical global names) .
"get a native english speaker to check the dialog"
I didn't even know how to respond or where this could be coming from, but finally think I hit upon it. The contact in the arc is old and uses slang and sayings from the 30's and 40's in his dialog. I am guessing that the people behind these comments did not realize that and assumed it was just bad English. I actually spent a good deal of time doing research on phrases popular in the time period when the contact was at his prime. The kicker to this is the two three star ratings my research and hard work in this attention to detail got me.
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Quote:The first four listed aren't sequels, just partially developed ideas.Originally Posted by BeyondReach
I generally don't think sequels are a good idea, but out of those I think "The Dress Code" would probably be the most interesting to see.
Oh and another idea I just remembered is:
The Statesman Ex-Wives Task Force - Statesman has racked up more than one Ex is his 100 years and some of them are not too happy with him. I would guess this would a villain arc.
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OK, I am almost out of slots with 6 of 8 filled. I actually don't want to fully load up all my slots because I want at least one open for future inspiration, contests, etc.. That leaves me with one open slot and a ton of ideas. So, I thought I would see what everyone else thought.
New Arc Ideas
- The Miss Jersey Task Force MJ is away from New Jersey for a week and you get to fill in facing all the threats she normally would. Featuring villains like the Toll-Bot 3000, Toxic Waste and others.
- All Tricks, No Treats Halloween is being threatened by other lesser holidays who are jealous of its success and growing popularity.
- Insert Coin! A cult of 80s arcade and pinball purists are outraged by the perversion of gaming today and plan to put gaming back where it belongs ..in full sized arcade cabinets.
- Name? - A villain arc working for the Injustice Legion.
Possible Sequels
Death to Disco! - Possible Sequels
- Long Live Rock! Dr. Disco Fever takes another shot at reviving Disco
- Disco Lives! Villain arc where you are hired to help Dr. Disco Fever take down Rock and Roll. Are you really that villainous?
The Golden Age Secret of the Paragon Society - Possible Sequel
- Name? Though MA experience classic Paragon Society battles and villains by joining the Paragon Society during its heyday. Perhaps might feature missions divided by decades 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and the 1970s.
Trademark Infringement, In Poor Taste - Possible Sequel
- Name? Ms. Manner is once again on the case and this time she is tackling the overly skimpy costumes that many heroes and villains are prancing around in.
A Hero in Need is a Friend Indeed! - Possible Sequel
- Name? You know who is back up to his old shenanigans and he would like your help in making the lives of some of Paragon Citys heroes a little more interesting. This would be a villain arc.
What, if anything sounds promise to you all?
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