jwbullfrog

I'd say go for it. Not everybody's crazy about AM but it's useful in both solo and team situations.

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I have to add a mention here for Fallout from the radiation set. I admit that is can be very useful in the right situation but I dislike the idea of a power that I can only use when an ally dies.

Hm, this could be the perfect choice for playing with those people who don't know what their doing.

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You dislike it -ok. But what exactly qualifies it as "Annoying"? The person who died was going to die anyway (unless they died on purpose - I've seen it happen), and the rest of the team can get a Big Buff from it.

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I guess the annoyance factor comes from the fact that I seem to find teams that either
1. Don't die
2. Self rez before their bodies hit the floor.
3. Hospital before the body hits the floor

Also, it annoys me a bit that a power that requires an ally to die (not counting rez powers) is taking up a spot in the powerset. I agree that it can be a big group buff but maybe something else could have been put there.
These might seem like minor points but "annoying" is a subjective condition.

But , you know AP, that does suggest some interesting story content. Recluse, seeing that he's about to have the first major increase in competition in something like 50 years (not counting rikti) starts authorizing raiding teams not only into Praetoria but in an attempt to keep the reemergent 5th Column in check.

Meanwhile, Statesman starts recruiting teams to counter these new moves by LR and 5th.

On the other side, Tyrant just gathers his armies, sends out assassins and prepares to rule two universes.

Just a few thoughts.

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If I were Recluse I'd wonder how I ended up in the only dimension with a "good" Statesman

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But it's to LR's benefit to be here. At least with a good Statesman who upholds the law and has to follow "the rules" LR has already carved out a reasonable powerbase and can continue working on plans.
When you have to spend all of your time fighting off opponents who are just as powerful and ruthless (if not more so) as yourself, you don't really have time for empire building.
Cooperation is rare in that kind of environment.

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Well they aren't difficult, they just are irritating snots the way they jump around from every direction.

On top of it all, Johnny doesn't even say hardly a thank you for saving his soul. There should be an optional ending where you can take out Johnny for being such an ingrate .

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Well, if it weren't for the fact that I was getting paid for the job, I (as a villain) don't really care about the state of his soul. I wouldn't mind an optional ending where you watch him being pulled into some unpleasant nether realm if you "fail" to save him.

I have a possible answer for that.

Once or twice I have found myself needing just a little extra inf to make the posting cost for something I know will sell well. Not feeling like running to the nearest vendor (depending on the zone I'm in) I just put something on the market that I don't really care how much I get for it, as long as it brings me over the top for the bigger sale.

There might be other reasons but thats just a suggestion.

Ok gang. Time for a bit of Quid pro Quo on this thread.

Arc # 61748 "A Deal with Destiny"
This is a good arc for starting off with. If you feel like skipping your first 5 missions or so in Ap or Galaxy or Mercy, give this one a try.

The baddies are our old friends the Hellions. It seems that they've been getting more powerful and agressive recently and you need to find out why.
I like the writing across all five missions. The plot was solid and did have me wanting to know what happens next. The clues you find in each mission are useful and give small hints to whats coming up.
The combats are well balanced. I did this as part of a two player team (mind/emp 'troller + SS/inv tank both lv 10.) The whole arc ran smoothly until we aggroed two mobs at once (oops, our bad.) An AV does show up in the last mission but the description warns you of this and is kind enough to tell you that it's not needed to complete. I like that.
Ticket wise I netted about 950 while my partner got about 1100. Not a bad haul I'd say.

I gave the arc 5 stars for a good story, clear writing, nice use of clues, and amusing dialogue.

There was only one flaw I could find and that was minor. In mission one the final boss still uses "$player" in the dialogue. A small fix there and i think you have something suitable for canon use.

No potatoes were used in the production of this review.

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So, how exactly would I work the potatoes in?

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I can't tell you everything! Maybe a packet of instant mash in a crate ... just for me?

GAH! Thats exactly what I had decided on. Curse you for your rapid cleverness..

I have to add a mention here for Fallout from the radiation set. I admit that is can be very useful in the right situation but I dislike the idea of a power that I can only use when an ally dies.

Hm, this could be the perfect choice for playing with those people who don't know what their doing.

I like the combination with the lightning. Very nicely done.

make an official report on this. It might be worth a bug hunter badge.
I truly think you've hit upon something nobody even considered.

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I wish to God it were otherwise, but it's not.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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Then we'll still have to put you on a pedestal as the example for those of us trying to catch with you in the music vid department.

I know, its flattery. But sometimes, thats what the situation calls for. Particularly when it's true.

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Come to think of it, some of the ATs and power-pools don't seem like they'd work well if you could switch 'em...

I mean, a heroic mastermind who defeats his enemies with an army of zombies? In fact, most masterminds don't make sense as heroes... "I'm a savior to the down-trodden, who sends his army of street thugs to beat up other street thugs! Gang warfare... for justice!"

Stalkers make sense in a way... Batman was a stalker, really. :P

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Now, if you gave me an MM who summoned sidekicks to throw in the path of villains, that could work.

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I really enjoy seeing how other reviewers rated something that I played in my thread.


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Glad you enjoyed it. Glad you read it really - was starting to wonder if I was talking to myself. Like in real life... Anyhoo...

Originally from Scalding Reviews

Author: jwbullfrog (forum name)
Arc# 64142
Leave it, Badger

I rated this * * * *

Likes: Use of the word badger. The second incarnation of badger. The plot. Not too long.
Dislikes: Slightly 'unfinished' in parts. Insufficent use of mashed potatoes.

I'm pretty sure one of the stars in this is for using a character called Badger. I ran this on Basra Badger (Mercs/Poison MM). Sadly it wasn't Badger.

This arc was two missions long, and a light comedy/light story arc. Badger is a naughty boy, and the creator quickly and neatly gives the impression that he keeps getting to scrapes with villains, and you need to rescue him (for the cash if you are a villain).

Badger in the first mission has the default info text, in a mission of this style this is unforgivable! Also the clue from the first mission could do with a title as it looks untidy, or could just not exist - the speech does enough to tell you exactly what is going on.

Badger in the second mission has been abducted from a sci-fi convention by the Family. A little more could be done here, with chatter from the Family for example, or some custom family enemies (play it and you will know what I mean).

And there it ends, in a job well done. If the word badger amuses you, and it does if you are me.

So a short and amusing comedy arc, which needs some polish. And mashed potato.

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So, how exactly would I work the potatoes in? I admit its a bit rough. Upgrades are coming... (all together now)... soon.

Actually Pain Domination includes several self buffs. Combined with the scourge effect this gives corrs a bit of an additional kick.
Downside to that is you don't get the buffs as much playing solo since you need to heal someone else for that to happen.
I still think it's worth trying maybe combined with radiation or energy.

If you're interested in a little side work. I offer you Arc #64142 "Leave it, Badger". A quick little 2 mission arc that scales across all levels and has nothing at all to do with badge hunting.
Looks like Badger's in trouble again. It'll take more than a stern lecture to set this right.

Something doesn't feel right about this. It'll be interesting if true but...

I'll get excited whe we get official confirmation. Until then, paranoia is in charge.

I cannot imagine that there won't be some kind of "penalty" for switching sides. Now I don't mean that really as punishment but there has to be some kind of loss.

other things I could see:

loss of levels.
loss of influence/infamy
loss of temp powers/accolades

Might be best to wait for more information. Before we get our hopes up.

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New expansion? Side Switching? Awesome!

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I don't think it's too early in the thread to invoke the "if it isn't a redname post its only rumor" rule.

Now if you have a link or something on this Wheat it would be interesting to see.

edited for new evidence. Maybe it is real.

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I think I am in the minority here.

The only things I read are: power descriptions when I level, and occasionally mission text if I cannot figure out the objective on my own.

To each their own.

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Ah "to each their own" possibly the greatest bit of wisdom to be found on this or any other forum.

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By the same token, all a crappy arc needs is one friend/SG mate/significant other/second account to rate it ANYthing, and it's permanently out of the zero-star ghetto, since under the proposed no-finish-no-vote system, there's no way to vote it down again except by suffering through it, which most people won't do.

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Haven't read all of the posts here so please forgive me if I repeat something.
I've accepted from the beginning that the rating system is purely subjective. As some others have said "what you like, I might not". But I do feel that it can be a good rough guide for choices.
I actually make a point of trying to play at least one unrated arc a session. The percentage of good-average-bad has been about what you might expect.
I do try to rate everything I play AND send comments to the creator as to likes and dislikes. My hope is that this will encourage people to improve or, possibly, realize that this is not the avenue for creativity that works best for them.
I'm operating under the basic idea that an arc with a number of 4-5 star ratings might just be worth looking at. However, if the description doesn't sound appealing or, worse yet, no description at all, I still won't play it.
Perhaps this was the original thought behind the rating system?

I think all of this was behind my original reply. I know that all of us have seen or been subjected to that kind of playstyle at least once. I don't believe that style of play really needs encouragement or support.
I did see the suggestion that the option could be turned off but I didn't think I should have to turn off something that didn't need to be there in the first place. In my opinion, it would serve no effective purpose.
I can agree with the current ability to look at another players powerset, badgelist, accolades, ect. That can be a useful function since as a team leader it gives me an idea of what they're bringing to the party. Not only in powers but in experience. I know it's not an exact measurement but it's a fair indicator.

BTW is there any current news on city vault? I know that it has been "on hold" for quite a bit now.

Now that has some potential to it. It could be very interesting to see where you might take that.

What did you use for the "splash"/ "smoke" after the two small ones impact?

Not sure I can support this idea.

This pushes a bit close to one of my pet peeves, the idea that there is a "correct" and "incorrect" way to build characters. By allowing someone else to view my build it opens up way too much unnecessary criticism.

I'm here to enjoy myself not listen to a total stranger tell me how wrong I am.

The text is where your story comes in. Otherwise it's just repetition and formula.

"OK gang we have a CoT number six to start with..."