biostem

These - the generic IOs. Use and slot level 25 ones to cover your basic power needs. They're relatively inexpensive, are about as good as SOs, and never expire. They'll get you where you need to until 50, and then you can start focusing on set IOs, uniques, ATOs, and so on...

They could do a little tweak in the leveling scheme, to go from... 44 power 45 slots 46 slots 47 power 48 slots 49 power 50 slots To... 44 power 45 slots 46 power 47 slots 48 power 49 slots 50 slots

That acc is unenhanceable, though, right? They get 10% tohit w/ tactics, which can become about 15% w/ enh's, and IIRC tohit is a lot better than acc, and if you're having end issues to begin with, that extra cost really matters...

I never understood these broad "can you solo as a(n) X" threads - the answer, if they don't clearly state under what specific circumstances they are talking about, is always "yes" - Frankly, (and unless it is some outlier mission with something like an EB or AV that doesn't scale down), if you can't solo at x1/-1, then it's a player/build issue...

Only if they are all automatically added to the "Lonely Hearts Club Band" SG...

In a perfect world, characters should be able to "pull their punches", limiting the degree to which they knock enemies back or just on their butts, but CoH doesn't really allow for that sort of dynamic. IMHO, I think a better solution would be to introduce more KB sets that have typical and appealing set bonuses, including ones that apply some sort of -KB mag, (either per-power or globally, whose exact values can be worked out later). If you make these sets competitive with other alternatives, and treat the -kb as a bonus and not a penalty, then I think it could work...

I think an important distinction to make is whether we are talking about how our characters perform in-game, or as their players envision them performing on a more narrative level. For instance, even a level 1 "squishy" human character can survive multiple gunshots, but from a storytelling standpoint, you'd likely depict them taking cover, using distractions or misdirection, etc, just to take down a few enemies - not standing nearly toe-to-toe while exchanging gunshots.

There are polite or courteous ways of summoning & fighting Ada, and there are selfish ones. I wouldn't say there are any "obligations", though...

Gravity is one of the most "blastery" controller primaries. I rarely find that I need other attacks. I did notice that you didn't list crush, the ST immobilize - take it! It's mag 4 and helps set up containment. I also like to include stealth, so I can avoid unwanted fights, can get a bit better positioning before I start one, and it can take a LotG global recharge IO...

Are you saying to offer lower level versions of those IOs, or to make them all attuned from the get-go?

You'd have to recode all powers to be able to affect yourself, then you'd have to adjust the self-affecting portion to grant lesser values. Next, you'd have to adjust power costs, recharges, and durations to further limit how powerful they'd be. Just play an AT or powerset that already has self-affecting buffs/powers...

I've gotten the best results with setting 1 of the color options to black, and the other to something bright - you then get a hint of that second color, at least... but, yeah - it's annoying.

Right, but it won't let you do anything with that first build until you do place those slots, and without using a respec, you still wouldn't be able to 6-slot that lvl 49 power pick.

I wonder how difficult or unbalancing it would be to have an option to still level up, but just not place any enh slots "yet"...

I just can't seem to enjoy playing dominators. Controllers, I can have fun with. Blasters and melee ATs I enjoy, but the combination of ranged, melee, control, and seemingly no sustain or other such buff powers just makes dominators feel like a slog for me. I've even forced myself to get one to 50 and do the whole "perma-dom" thing, and still, it just isn't my cup of tea...