White Sapphire: I've never seen a portal like this before. It's all swirly.. I wonder where it goes. *walks up to it*
*two orange-con behemoth masters appear*
White Sapphire: AHH! ITS A SUMMONING PORTAL! AHH!!
*targets behemoth master* *miss* *miss* *miss* *miss* HIT HIM GODDAMNIT!! *hit* *miss* *miss* AHH! *hit* *hit*
*targets next behemoth master* *hit* *hit* *miss* *hit*
*targets portal* *miss* *miss* *miss* *miss* *hit*
*two more behemoth masters appear* NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! *sucks down every inspiration in her tray*
*actually manages to kill both behemoth masters with little missing*
*frantically destroys portal before more spawn*
*pantpantpantpant*

Moral of story: swirly portals are SUMMONING portals. BEWARE.

I just found the "scale windows" option. I can scale all the trays and windows down. So I can have chat, power tray, nav bar, menu, target, enhancement tray, inspirations, team window and anyting else I might need open.... and still see the screen!

Insert crazed laughter here.

This be Judas Goat
( Read more... )

Woo! The latest patch is up, and among many other things, it fixes the Exemplar problem that prevented people from Exemplaring down into a Task Force. My 28th level Fire/Fire/Flight Blaster, Shadow Cinder has badges for every Task Force up through Bastion, *except* for Positron, which I had completed long before the badge system was ever implemented.

So now it's time to grit my teeth, power down to 16th level, and take care of the lingering Positron issue. I suspect a lot of other people will be doing the same thing.

Current Mood: excited

Made my 2nd attempt at the Respec mission last night on Victory. Wash. Total wash. It's not necessary for me to respec White Crow, but it would be useful. Anywho,

The first two missions of the Respec task force are easy. One is a kill mission. The other is a standard door mission (and you can use the standard door mission tactics to complete it). We had a pretty good group going at this point too. It was myself one of the scrappers, my husband as a defender, a second defender, a friend of ours who was our tank, a broadsword scrapper (with a high enough dps above the standard scrapper that they deserve specification) and a fire controller with kinetics.

The fire controller, who was also the highest level, and the only 27 in the group, bailed on us without explanation just before the third mission. I don't know if she went link dead or just got pissy because the group leader was telling her the third mission is timed. It is, in a sense, but you don't get a count down. Instead, you go through, but if you take too long getting to the reactor core, then the attack has begun without you and you may lose the core. Scratch may... will.

Still, we pressed on. It's not like you can add people if someone decides to crap out and bail.

The mission was suprisingly easy going in. When you rescue the guard, there was only one peep. When we got into the big room, we were only having to deal with a few skiffs, and not at the same time. We got the key and took care of the bomb in front of the door with no problems. I don't think up to this point anyone died. Not even the blaster.

Past the door, things got a little tougher, but managable. I died once or twice, but no big deal. We got all the way to the reactor door, got belts and bubbles and went in. I think we made it through about 4 waves? Unfortunately we didn't have the DPS we needed, so we were still taking down one wave when another would come. That is what spelled our doom. We lost the core. I was the last person up (the healer rezzed me then promptly died). I was needing to heal the core, but was getting dotted by the core and attacked by the raiders. Plus I couldn't get the damned thing targeted so... bada boom!

The broadsword scrapper bailed on us, even though we could attempt the third mission again. Again, no word or explanation. Just bail. That took care of our DPS right there, let me tell you. We decided to try again, hoping that the mission would be kind to us. No go there. The mission was it's usual hateful self.

In the main room we were having to deal with 3 skiffs. I tried doing the assist thing on the tank and died 4 times to the skiffs' fire (I can't take it from three. I'm not that big). I finally took to using taunt/hide to pull individuals off of the tank. It was the only thing I could do to actually do anything useful. Needless to say, we all died again. Decided that we'd had it. Two bails killed our chances for respec on that one. Unfortunately by then it was too late in the evening for us to try to put a new group together.

I decided to have one productive thing from the evening, so I took out my aggression on 5th column in the NW corner of IP. I got several werewolves in a row, so finishing out my level was quicker than I thought it would be. I might be a freak, but I love when the lts and bosses turn. :)

I'm torn on whether to worry about the respec or not. My husband has attempted it about 4 times now. I'm starting to think that completing it is a myth. I understand why they make it tough, but the kinda screw you on it too. Hubby's about ready to give it up, but I know he really wants to respec his defender.



The evening was fun, up until we got bailed on and the mission decided to screw us for it. The evening has led me to the following conclusions:

1. They need to fix how grouping works for task force. You can't always control whether people stay or leave, and to my knowledge, there's no reliable database listing problem players. So, on any kind of task force, if you get reckless people or people who bail, your screwed. You have to either suck it up and *maybe* finish it or reform and start over. There needs to be a way to add new people into the task force if someone proves reckless and continually gets the party killed or if people bail on you. You shouldn't get penalized because you try to do the group thing like the game wants and the people you are grouped with are inconsiderate buffoons.

2. I am seriously considering compiling and keeping up to date a database of problem players. They would be listed by either KS/Griefing, Bailing, Reckless Endangerment, or Harassment. People could check out names when forming task forces with a search command dependent on thier server. If the name comes up, they can see what was done (testimony from the player/s who report them). This way, you can put together your task force with maybe a little less chance that someone on it is going to screw it up for everyone.

Point 1. is a definate. They really need to do something about it.

Point 2. is one of those things that maybe I would do if people felt an equal need for it and I could figure out a good way to make it easy and quick to use. We pay $60+ for the game and $13+/month to play it. We should at least enjoy it. Ofcourse, if they would conceed to Point 1, then Point 2 would not be as necessary to have.

The following changes are now Live (as of 9.30.04)

City Zones:
    * The Hollows: Changed the position of the contacts Julius the Troll and Flux. They should be easier to get to now.
    * Boomtown: the Monster Babbage is now spawning correctly in this zone.

Badges:
    * Fixed the Head of the Hydra badge. It is now awarded correctly.

Powers:
    * Fixed Devouring Earth Plant resistance (was taking double damage to fire).
    * Fixed Devouring Earth Mushroom resistance (was taking double damage to lethal).
    * Modified (toned down) Outcast powers (Lts and Bosses).
    * Modified (toned down) Troll powers (Lts and Bosses).
    * Limited Tsoo\ss availability of Caltrops
    * Improved Clear Mind duration to 90 seconds. Allowed stacking and improvement over level. (updated help text).
    * Fixed bug with Medicine/Stimulant. Duration was longer than Clear Mind and is now 60 seconds. Allowed stacking and improvement over level. (updated help text).
    * Reduced duration of Rikti communications officer\ss portal.
    * Fixed (Increased) Hamidon Heal and Travel Enhancements.
    * Fixed Spines/Ripper system chat message. System chat reported Ripper did smashing damage, but it really does Lethal.
    * Fixed short help for Elude (it still said it was a toggle though it is a Click power now).
    * Modified Hamidon.
    * Modified Sewer Kraken Defense.
    * Doubled the Duration of Discipline, Strength of Will and Iron Will Inspirations.
    * More f/x changes to Blizzard (no change to power with this change, just visual f/x).
    * Fixed an inaccuracy in damage calculation which could give pet owners who heal their pets XP when their pets are killed


Game Stability:
    * Fixed bug which caused players to occasionally crash out of the game when trading with Ghost.
    * Fixed bug with Info window which could crash the client if the user requested target had changed before the server got the request (dying villain, mapmoving player).
    * Fixed rare crash which could occur if the Search Window was in use.


Missions:
    * Changed the first task of the Sister Psyche Task Force mission.
    * Changed the first task of the Synapse Task Force mission.
    * Changed the first task of the Bastion Task Force mission
    * Fixed a bug affecting some missions that prevented players other than the one originally assigned the mission from being given rewards for completing the mission.
    * Fixed bugs causing villains to jump through walls on many mission maps, often making missions impossible to complete.

Respec:
    * Fixed a bug that prevented players with certain network configurations from being able to complete the Respec procedure.
    * Fixed a bug that could cause the client to crash after a player completed the Respec procedure.

So i got a mission on one of my low level toons, i believe she was only 5 when i did this. To my suprise upon entering the building, it was on fire! Flames everywhere. It made me feal much more like a hero running through the burning building and saving people.

( Pics behind the cut )

Retroactive Badges
* Forgot to mention this one in the last post. I contacted support because I'm still missing a couple of Task Force badges and got a response back that there is still a bug in the process. Thought I'd share the reply for others who are in the same situation:
"Thank you for contacting the City of Heroes support team. The Development team is aware of some retro-active badges not being properly awarded at this time. We are currently working on a fix to resolve this situation and once the fix is available an update will be posted to the City of Heroes website and message boards. Once the fix is patched to the servers, if you are still unable to receive any retro-active badges, please let us know. I apologize for this inconvenience."

I don't think I have been able to complete a mission since Issue 2 went live. Personal Misisons, Cape Mission, Respec Missions... nada.

And this is as a Level 30 Energy/Devices Blaster. Total Stymie.

Thoughts?

Ok, here we go. I've been playing CoH for quite a while now, happily paying $15 a month to indulge in superhero fun.

Then Second Update comes out, and the game goes completely downhill.

Apparently NCSoft is too interested in making the perfect game, so what do they do? They start tweaking how the game works WHILE people are playing it!!!

Current Mood: pissed off

If you see a pile of white stuff that looks like powdered donuts (I know they are rocks, but they look like powdered donuts), DO NOT just run by them They get big and mean and go Aaa-Ooog before they blow you up... and they don't con till they change into humanoid form... so the could be 5th... they could be 15th. Welcome to the wonderful wacky world of the Igneous.

My new Hollows contact has given me an Igneous door mission. I'll take screenies of that tomorrow.

Night all.

Conceptually I like the idea that in a mission some of the bad guys roam around rather than all groups staying in fixed positions. But...

I had the first Outcast Base mission in The Hollows. I went to the mission and needed to go to the bathroom, so rather than pause outside the mission I went inside and paused next to the door. I went to the bathroom. When I got back my character was defeated.

I think it would be good for specific areas on mission maps not to be patrolled by bad guys, so that if you need to pause you can do so safely. It seems to me that bad guys being able to roam right up to the entry door is not especially conducive to having a decent place to pause of one needs such.

Current Mood: disappointed

Here's something I've seen on the CoH web boards but not many players seem to be aware of:

When your contact sends you to talk to the police guy in the Hollows, it's not like one of those deals where they send you to the security chief and you have to do what he says.

The mission condition is satisfied by just talking to Wincott. That's it. You don't even have to ask about his missions. Just say hi to the guy and toddle back to the fellow who sent you to talk to him. Next mission. Thank you, drivethrough.

Being sent to the Hollows at level 5 or 6 is sheer insanity. Save yourself some frustration and a lot of debt: wait until at least level 8 or 9 before tackling it. In the meanwhile, just run your ordinary missions same as usual.

Stupid Task Force questions!

- You can exemplar down and take part in task forces that you've outleveled, yes?

- You can log off and come back to them later, right?

Yeah, you can see where I'm going with this... can you exemplar down from 24 to 15, start the first TF, log out, and later come back at your normal levelled self and blow through it solo?

I missed the first TF ages back, and I don't think there's anyone low-level in my Supergroup who's really interested in it... so if soloing it is possible for the credit, that'd be Way Cool.

If not, time to drum up interest amongst the lower people in the Storm Knights! :)


Thanks!

The following is a rather lengthy, but heartfelt, open letter to Cryptic about the recent developments, as I see them, in CoH. I'm aware that a number of regular posters to the community may disagree with my sentiments, and I support their ability to do so. However, I felt that there was a point of view pointedly not being expressed with candor, vigor, and intensity, which I now feel better about.

I appreciate your time spent reading and understanding this.

( Open Letter to Cryptic )

Current Mood: annoyed

I read that they are not going retroactive with monster kills.
so... doesn't anyone know how to spawn babbage?

We fought him in Skyway... is that where he always lives?

This is a written vow that I will never take another timed Circle of Thorns mission again.

Failed the Orenbega mission a few leveles ago. Timed. I've already posted about that.

Failed the "Rescue the spirit" mission last night. 1 hour mission. Cleared the level in less than 30 minutes. Spent the last 30 minutes trying to find a nonexistant spirit. Petitioned a GM with 25 minutes left and he never showed.

Mission Failed.

Screw it..

Bah

Current Mood: aggravated

I was Badge hunting in Perez Last night, taking out some Damned and Bone Daddies on the outskirts, then hopped over the wall into the park, to come face to face with... The Kraken (ooooh, scary) at level 14 (!) - my lvl 32 Controller took him out with no problems. I had to head out bowling and came back online a few hours later in the Park again to see the Kraken.. again. I Exemplar'd with a group of heroes to take it out again.. then ran around defeating Cadavers, only to run into the Kraken again!

In all my time in the teen levels I never saw this beast in the Park, and now it's decided to go romping around on holiday respawning faster than a horror movie killer.

Anyone else experience this many sightings of it recently or in the past?

Okay. I feel a bit better about US armor and the +1 Mob Boss. I figure I'll go street hunt to 11th, walk back in and yell "I'M BACK!" and blow his freakin' head off.

Also, I forgot to mention that I ran into a crew of 6th level Rualruu in Atlas with Tek Knight (at 6th) and figured I'd give it a try (since I heard they were so nasty) and *snicker Snack* down they went to the blazing Katana and two heal inspirations. I was pretty pleased...

Pumpkin King fell into one of the NEW "holes in the universe" in a Skull door mission. You fall for quite a while and land in a black and grey box with the moon in the "Sky". Logging out was the only resolution I found.

Dr. Apocalypse got his first "instanced outdoor". It was a timed 5th column mission to rescue a senator. The location given was "Board the Train". Exiting the mission (which you can easily so by accident) puts you back at the 'door' (i.e. the train station entrance). It was a lot of fun and favored fliers. It was a save 7 and wack the boss mission, so I flew around until I found all my targets and then once the mission was complete I systematically cleared the map. The possibilities with these instanced outdoors are endless...

Sup everyone just joined today! I'm a level 38 tank from the Justice server and go by the name Omega Tanker. Have any of you been as hooked on hunting badges as I am? Right now I have about 78. ^^ I don't know if its just me but I'm still missing 2 from Past TFs i've done... do any fo you also have probs with this? =\ Cuz Im one of the people who just have to have everything.... and its bugging the hell out of me ;p. Anyways happy to be a member... enjoy the pic of me kicking some badies asses >,<.
( Get out of my city damn it )