biostem

I'm not against your suggestion, but you'd have to fundamentally change how mission objectives work, first, then you can start to take things like perception into account...

It doesn't need to be a zero-sum game. Maybe make it co-op, with villains able to aid the Red Caps - you'd just need to sprinkle in some new contacts...

I wonder if we could see some sort of middle ground - like a few AE bases where there are designated "no-build" zones, which contain the pathing and spawn point data for NPCs, then players could decorate the "permitted zones" however they like...

I mean, we got the Carnival of Shadows, which are like walking wardrobe malfunctions, so I don't think depicting scantily clad women is the issue, which is why I'm more leaning toward an earlier lighting rig making certain costume look fully nude...

Something about the powers, costume, and everything just clicked for me. I was in love with my dp/rad sent for a while, then my fire/dev blaster, but this one I'm managing to stick with...

I get where you're coming from. My perspective is that it is much easier, and therefore more likely to be implemented, if we take what already exists and just tweak it. Having it require a mini-arc or just being available as long as you're a hero of level 35+, doesn't really matter to me...

I vaguely recall a time period where the lighting or the way lights reflected off of character models would make the female models look like they had visible nipples, but nothing quite so obvious as the OP describes. I mean, there's a male torso pattern with pierced nipples, so I doubt it was quite that severe...

Well, I think stating which TF(s) or SF(s) you think are the most fun to play or have the best flow/pacing, would give a good baseline. Beyond that, while a general framework of what makes a good TF would be good in theory, I wouldn't want them to become homogenized either.

It's been a while since I was able to get a piece commissioned, but I am elated to share this one I got of my Dark/SR Sentinel "The Lithe Spectre", from "Seven":

Or for that matter, that the CotW's cuisine wouldn't have morphed into various tidbits or bite-sized chunks that can be easily fed up from behind the visor.

Excepting special difficulty or other such settings, what would you consider the best example of how a Task Force/Strike Force should be? If we consider the length of the Task Force, its difficulty, maps, enemy types/diversity, environmental effects or other features, which ones are the most fun for you to play, (also take into account the level they are played at)?

A few of my thoughts:

I would argue that those "some" are incorrect. This, IMHO, is more due to which ATs better lend themselves to the kind of steamroller play that is frequently encountered in PUGs or the like, vs the kind of methodical and surgical strikes Stalkers excel at...

I don't have an issue with providing the alternate animations, (as long as the times are correct), it's just that there aren't enough distinct whip animations to fill out an entire set, and some don't have a ranged component. Would you be happy if only like 1 or 2 attacks in a set had the appropriate characteristics to be set to use a whip animation?

I don't have an issue with alternate animations per se, but with only 3 animations for whips, (4 if you count hell on earth), it'd be a tough call to shoehorn them into existing blast sets...

A claws/radiation armor stalker would have the ability to "reach out" and get at those distant enemies, while also providing some PBAoE punch, debuffing, and healing. A savage or electric melee stalker could instead move themselves to the enemy instead of the ranged attacks in claws.

The patrons don't necessarily need to still be alive in order for there to be powersets inspired by them, and War Witch is ice blast/fire manip, so darkness doesn't make sense for her. I suppose they could switch the set to be psychic based instead of dark and use one of those heroes instead. Riptide is spines/elec, so spirit sharks and such don't really fit for him.

The question is which 4 heroes. You could basically tweak the villain patron pools to make them hero-themed. For instance: Scirocco would become Stateman or Synapse - still mainly electricity based, but perhaps with PPD units instead of the MU ones. Black Scorpion could be Manticore, just switch from the Arachnos mace to a bow and arrow, with Wyvern agents instead of the Arachnos units. Ghost Widow could be Malaise or maybe Numina, though I'm not sure which minions to use in that case - perhaps Malaise's shadow illusions. Mako would be the most difficult, as there's really no heroic aquatic equivalent. Maybe Woodsman, and switch out the Coralax for Tuatha de Dannan minions?

I'm in favor of adding more APPs/PPPs. That being said, what "hole" would you seek to fill among the HEATs or VEATs? IMO, the APPs/PPPs are meant to give regular ATs things that they don't normally have access to, but the Epic ATs aren't really lacking in any one area... EDIT: After some thought, here's a few ideas as to how the Epic Power Pools could be handled in a slightly different way for those special ATs: For Khledians, add some powers that are usable in all forms, but behave slightly differently depending upon which one you are in. For VEATs, maybe play against type and offer a PBAoE or single target ally heal, etc.

My understanding is that maps need paths and spawn locations setup for NPC enemies to properly function within them, which bases lack...

I think there's room for different playstyles. Sometimes I'm running a BAF and interject frequently with instructions and what is coming up and where everyone should be, other times I'm running casual PI radios open to all, just to unwind and wreak destruction upon some baddies with my brain mostly turned off. I think the issue is the expectations of a team leader and those that join/they invite, and a general lack of communication...

Also, there are numerous energy blade options for the melee weapon sets...

Thank you to all who help keep the lights on!

War Mace is the blunt/smashing alternative to battle axe, broadsword, and katana. What's the one for dual blades?

It's not the stabbing per se.. it's WHO you're stabbing that's the problem...