Hyperstrike

There is nothing saying that you have to use a a heavily optimized build designed to spackle over every last "deficiency" in your AT/power combo. It's like sticking a 1000 hp engine in a VW Beetle and then complaining about all the tickets you get because of your lead foot. Again, not using a uber-optimized build and STILL being successful is part of the challenge in the game. Just so we're clear. You (not necessarily YOU (first person)) are complaining that the game is "too easy" with your uber-build, and therefore "not fun". But you then turn around and say that there's "no incentive" to use anything other than an uber-build? I know, I know. You want a higher rewards table... HOWEVER, at that point we're no longer talking about "fun". You're talking about greater remuneration for your time. Why not just ask the devs to institute a "Gimme 2B Inf and 10 of every ultra-rare-thing-out-there" button and call it done? As for tweaking sets? Usually there's a great deal of math behind a set's output. And if something is too great an outlier, it'll eventually get normalized if you bring it to the devs' attention. That's a completely different animal from "Make things harder and more rewarding".

I Have Another Opinion: The game gives you all the tools you need to tweak your own sensation of difficulty. It is not the game's fault if you do not take advantage of all of those tools.

Or you could just read ParagonWiki.

AFAIK, there's no ability to abandon "final missions".

Not especially but yes, there are things that can be done. Just realize that you're compromising the build in other areas. Here's a build that brings up Psi Defense a little, and brings up Psi Resist significantly. It still manages Soft-Cap-Plus for S/L Defense and "normal game" Defenses that are respectable. It's just not going to be the generally ultra-durable monster at high difficulty settings that other builds can achieve.

/jranger (aka: NO) As has been pointed out, it'd require major rewrites in the game code and STILL wouldn't yield what you want. If things are too "easy", you have a VERY simple solution. STOP USING HEAVILY OPTIMIZED BUILDS. On live, such builds were exceptionally rare, due to the time and cost of assembling such a setup. Things are significantly easier here. So if you want to reintroduce challenge into the game, limit yourself to what you could have reasonably gotten together on live for a set budget. And you don't even have to destroy your uber-build! Simply go with an alt-build. Simple. Straightforward. Requires no massive, pointless changes to the game code.

I'm a bigger fan of "steady state" tanking, in lieu of an "I Win Button" that, after 2-3 minutes, becomes an "And Then I Died Button". Or relying on a Proc in an AoE with essentially floored chances to fire.

Below is a Rad/Fire built on the "Blood from a Stone" (squeezing every last erg out of Resists) concept. Haven't actually PLAYED this. But the low resting End consumption makes it look fairly viable.

Pretty tough build! Wouldn't rely too heavily on the Defense. You have exactly ZERO DDR. So, on rocking into enemies sporting monster Defense Debuff (Arachnos, Cims, Incarnate BP), expect that Defense to blow away like a baseball cap on the hood of a jet drag car. Honestly, if you can, trade it for capping out your S/L Resist and your Neg if you can. Here's a quick stab at how I'd go about it.

Just remember to stick all the way to the ground if you want to actually use Foot Stomp.

Actually looks pretty damn tight! Toss an Agility Core on there to softcap your S/L Defense and I think you're good! Good work!

Hyperstrike, my first toon, ran through to Level 20 before I ever enhanced anything... And I did the tutorial!

I like the "Roll Your Own Nemesis" too. Too bad all the systems tied to it are (and have been) broke for the better part of 10 years. And unless it pushes lock boxes and keys, it's NEVER going to be worked on.

Someone else said it here. There's no way to completely avoid CDF'ing now and then. There's three ways to remove the fangs. 1: Ridiculously high defense (Over Incarnate Soft Cap. Plus some. The closer you get to Triple Digits, the better.) 2: Work on bumping your Resists and Heal/Regen. 3: Have access to something that can readily strip out debuffs cast on you. Quote my Fire/Electric Tanks/Brutes and Kheldian. "Oh no! My Defenses have been kicked down to negative three digits! Whatever shall I do! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

To be fair, in my understanding, the CO staff is tiny. If it's 10 actual people (and not just a bunch of interchangeable hats), I'd be shocked. You KNOW it brother!

I'd have to see your build before I pass judgement.

The "psi hole" is overstated. Un-alloyed psi is fairly rare. And it's not terribly end-heavy. ESPECIALLY if you get your accolades.

There's no One True Way to slot up. There's lots of ways to achieve certain ends. It all depends on the goals and tolerances of the end-user.

Just take the framework and add what you want.

One of the few Anime Tanks I've had concepts for. But never really implemented, for some reason. Mister Fujisawa from El Hazard. A super-addict chain-smoking booze hound of a phys-ed teacher. They initially find out that, if you wean him off the sauce, he becomes nearly invulnerable and ridiculously strong. Near the end, having been transported to a different world, he's been hoarding his cigs. He finally finishes the last one and almost immediately goes into the DTs. He gets himself apparently stomped to death by a giant fusion-style bug-mech. He then lifts the huge thing off him, glowing with power, massive reverb in his voice and chucks the thing over the horizon. Yep, laying off the OTHER addiction basically exponentially increased his power AGAIN, and he's essentially a physical god. His entire through-line in the whole series is just ridiculous as hell and the denoument just has you laughing till you wet yourself...

Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! CEBR2: Level 50 Magic Brute Primary Power Set: Claws Secondary Power Set: Electric Armor Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Strike -- CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(A), CrsImp-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(3), CrsImp-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(3), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(5) Level 1: Charged Armor -- UnbGrd-ResDam:50(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx:50(5), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam:50(7), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(7), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(9) Level 2: Lightning Field -- FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg:50(A), FuroftheG-Dam/Rech:50(9), FuroftheG-Dam/End/Rech:50(11), FuroftheG-Acc/End/Rech:50(11), FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech:50(13), FuroftheG-ResDeb%:50(13) Level 4: Conductive Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam:50(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx:50(19), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam:50(19), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(21), GldArm-3defTpProc:50(21) Level 6: Slash -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx:50(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(25), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg:50(25) Level 8: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%:50(A) Level 10: Static Shield -- UnbGrd-ResDam:50(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx:50(27), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam:50(27), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(29) Level 12: Spin -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx:50(29), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(31), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(31), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31) Level 14: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam:50(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx:50(33), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam:50(33), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(33) Level 16: Grounded -- UnbGrd-ResDam:50(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx:50(34), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam:50(34), UnbGrd-Max HP%:50(34) Level 18: Follow Up -- AdjTrg-ToHit:50(A), AdjTrg-ToHit/Rchg:50(36), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx/Rchg:50(36), AdjTrg-EndRdx/Rchg:50(36), AdjTrg-ToHit/EndRdx:50(37), AdjTrg-Rchg:50(37) Level 20: Lightning Reflexes -- Run-I:50(A) Level 22: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(37) Level 24: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB:50(A) Level 26: Weave -- ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP:50(A), Rct-Def:50(39), Rct-Def/EndRdx:50(39), Rct-Def/EndRdx/Rchg:50(50), Rct-ResDam%:50(50) Level 28: Energize -- NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg:50(A) Level 30: Eviscerate -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg:50(39), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(40), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End:50(42) Level 32: Shockwave -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg:50(42), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(42), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(43), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(43), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury:50(43) Level 35: Power Sink -- PrfShf-Acc/Rchg:50(A), EffAdp-Acc/Rchg:50(45) Level 38: Mu Lightning -- SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprWntBit-Dmg/Rchg:50(45), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(45), SprWntBit-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(46), SprWntBit-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg:50(46) Level 41: Ball Lightning -- SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx:50(46), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(48), SprFrzBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(48), SprFrzBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg:50(48) Level 44: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(50) Level 47: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Rchg+:50(A) Level 49: Assault -- EndRdx-I:50(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Fury Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End:50(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+:50(15), Mrc-Rcvry+:40(15) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%:50(A), PrfShf-EndMod:50(17), PrfShf-EndMod/Rchg:50(17) Level 50: Cardiac Core Paragon ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1446;658;1316;HEX;| 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Every time I go online, I see endless social media posts "Are we down?" "Is the server down?" "Is this maint or a crash?" How tough would it be to set up a site that gives you: A) Is the site down? Yes/No. B) Is this downtime planned? Yes/No. C) A basic guesstimate/expectation for how soon the server will be back up? Expressed in Eastern or GMT?

Well, you DO have your origin blurb. But that's not really private or anything. And sending e-mails can be risk, as the game can accidentally corrupt/delete them.

Okay, don't know how close this is to what you want. But it should bag you some womp rats... Villain Plan by Mids' Villain Designer 1.962 http://www.cohplanner.com/ Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 50 Magic Stalker Primary Power Set: Broad Sword Secondary Power Set: Shield Defense Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Speed Villain Profile: Level 1: Slash -- SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprStlGl-Dmg/Rchg:50(3), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(3), SprStlGl-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(5), SprStlGl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(5), SprStlGl-Rchg/Hide%:50(7) Level 1: Hide -- LucoftheG-Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(7) Level 2: Slice -- SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprAssMar-Dmg/Rchg:50(9), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(9), SprAssMar-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(11), SprAssMar-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(11), SprAssMar-Rchg/Rchg Build Up:50(13) Level 4: Deflection -- LucoftheG-Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(17), UnbGrd-ResDam:50(19), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx:50(19), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam:50(21), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(21) Level 6: Assassin's Slash -- SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx:50(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(23), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(25), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg:50(25), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc:50(27) Level 8: Battle Agility -- LucoftheG-Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(27), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP:50(29), Rct-ResDam%:50(29) Level 10: True Grit -- GldArm-3defTpProc:50(A), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+:30(31), DctWnd-Heal/Rchg:50(31), DctWnd-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg:50(31), DctWnd-Heal:50(33), DctWnd-Rchg:50(33) Level 12: Build Up -- GssSynFr--ToHit:50(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg:50(33), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx:50(34), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx:50(34), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx:50(34), GssSynFr--Build%:50(36) Level 14: Placate -- RechRdx-I:50(A) Level 16: Active Defense -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(36) Level 18: Parry -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx:50(36), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg:50(37), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(37), Mk'Bit-Dam%:50(39) Level 20: Against All Odds -- EndRdx-I:50(A) Level 22: Kick -- FrcFdb-Rechg%:50(A) Level 24: Tough -- Ags-ResDam:50(A), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx:50(39), Ags-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg:50(39) Level 26: Disembowel -- Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg:50(A), Mk'Bit-Dmg/EndRdx:50(40), Mk'Bit-Dmg/Rchg:50(40), Mk'Bit-Acc/EndRdx/Rchg:50(40), Mk'Bit-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(42), Mk'Bit-Dam%:50(42) Level 28: Grant Cover -- LucoftheG-Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(42) Level 30: Weave -- Rct-Def:50(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx:50(43) Level 32: Head Splitter -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg:50(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech:50(43), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End:50(43), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech:50(45), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech:50(45), OvrFrc-Dam/KB:50(45) Level 35: Shield Charge -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg:50(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx:50(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx:50(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg:50(46), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg:50(48), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc:50(48) Level 38: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Rchg+:50(A), LucoftheG-Def:50(48) Level 41: Maneuvers -- Rct-Def:50(A), Rct-Def/EndRdx:50(50) Level 44: Hasten -- RechRdx-I:50(A), RechRdx-I:50(50) Level 47: Assault -- EndRdx-I:50(A), EndRdx-I:50(50) Level 49: Super Speed -- Clr-Stlth:50(A) Level 1: Assassination Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I:50(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I:50(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End:50(A), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+:50(13), Mrc-Rcvry+:40(15) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%:50(A), PrfShf-EndMod:50(15), EndMod-I:50(17) Level 50: Agility Core Paragon ------------ | Copy & Paste this data into Mids' Hero Designer to view the build | |-------------------------------------------------------------------| |MxDz;1454;671;1342;HEX;| |78DA6594496FD3501485EDC4A1A44D9A369DE789361D689AD0EE914A01091A88148| |90D4330CD6B621A35515289B6C082057B2820368C12E3865FC0CC1F60DC31FE005A| |24402036E6D6E7749062C9F9F2CEF5BDF7F85DDBB1F909DFA3BDE7766ABA7F57D62| 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The problem is, sapping NPCs isn't the same thing as sapping PCs. Because NPCs are allowed to fire off ANY attack they have available the second they get a single blip of endurance.