biostem

I think, much like savage melee's special ability, that it should be a more reliable mechanism, built into every power, instead of relying on its version of build up...

Different take - what if we got, through some mechanic, (perhaps an extension of the Incarnate system), that gave us "slots", but they weren't connected to any powers. Instead, you could place any set IO in it, and gain the benefit of any set bonuses, (but NOT the normal stat bonuses from the IOs themselves)...

Fantastic design! How'd you get those fangs, though?

I mean, "feathered dragons" are the most outlandish thing ever, in a fantasy setting...

There's a setting to use low color/alternate/compatible cursors in the settings menu... Have you tried that? Barring that, I believe "Vidiotmaps" replaces the actual map textures, which might help...

TBH, I'd take a different approach; Divorce the "siphon strength" function from "Power Siphon", and instead give each power its own chance to apply a "Power Siphon" effect, and when you hit an enemy with this debuff on them, you gain a buff to your own damage and recharge...

I don't understand why they have to retread what's already been covered; They've established this wonderful world full of different types of dragons; Why not just have a new story taking place somewhere else in that same world?

I am mulling over some ideas for a generic "Sci-Fi Soldier" character. One AT/powerset combination I'm considering is an illusion/arsenal dominator. Am I setting myself up for failure? Anyone try this combo? Any other suggestions? I'd love to hear what you have to say. Thanks!

You could combine the various "ranged slash" animations from claws focus and shockwave with katana animations, for some of the attacks...

Why couldn't you just do this by slotting those enh's into 2 different powers? I don't think the issue, necessarily, has to do with "7 enh's bad", but more that you'd have to adjust the UI and put in new checks, so you could only slot that 7th slot in only 1 power. As @Snarky pointed out, you can kind of get this effect via your Alpha slot ability, (though obviously not for the purposes of IO set bonuses). TL:DR - I don't think the amount of work it'd require to implement this would be worth the edge case of being able to gain the set bonuses for slotting both 3 and 4 IOs from 2 different sets...

Are you saying that there is no possibility that, if you were to replace the self-rez with some other power, it wouldn't alleviate the need to use said self-rez, even if just a little? I have no issue with a set having a self-rez for theme or "flavor/concept", but it is pretty much a truism that if you "need" a self-rez, then the rest of the set was not up to snuff. Again, I'm not saying you shouldn't play such sets or take the self-rez, but ask yourself this - if you took some other power instead, would it have removed the need for it in the first place?

I don't think you even have to think about that deeply - let the player determine what their character's weapon looks like and how it functions...

I mean, we are talking about a 20+ year old game, so it's only natural that the bulk of the players would be older. The grumpy part? Well, I chalk that up to a matter of interpretation... You know things can't be that bad if people have the time and resources to logon to an online game and complain. I would argue that, since tone/inflection does not convey well via text-chat, it's hard to distinguish between sarcasm, trolling, or even genuine sentiment...

I'm not against a more mundane/straightforward rifle set, but please do not limit what weapon models we can use!

No, it means that set has holes in its protection, and a heal is a catch-all way of addressing that. However, it's important to note that you aren't punished with debt for using a self heal, like you are with a self-rez. Except other sets don't need it, and as others have already mentioned, you still suffer the punishment/penalty for being defeated. Wouldn't you rather play a set that has other tools that prevent the need for a self-rez in the first place, (besides RP/concept reasons)?