biostem

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...

I love how mine came out! Thanks again @Scutt!

Hmm... I'm thinking you'd want someone who is semi-independent, but still able to handle a tough enemy that may still be alive. Two ATs come to mind - either a Mastermind, where you wouldn't have to worry about an abundance of alphas that'd wipe out your minions, or a Sentinel, who has good damage and armors, to handle any survivors that could still pose a threat...

How are your attacks slotted? Are you missing a lot? Generally speaking, I like 2 acc, 3 dmg, and 1 end redux or 1 rech depending upon my build and attack chain. Also, if you have a 50 alt somewhere, see if you can grab a panacea +hp/+end, a miracle +rec, a numina's +regen/+rec, and a performance shifter chance for end. Even just a few of those can make your life a whole lot easier...

If you used the existing animation, and placed the character's left hand on a foregrip, (existing or added), of some of the rifle models, it could almost work for archery...

The set has been renamed to "Degeneration", and slowly drains your health as you play.

Defenders don't get an ice APP either, so maybe it's to keep with some kind of parity, there?

Ancillary Power Pools and Patron Power Pools. The former become available at level 35, and the latter have the same minimal level, but require you complete a short mission arc with one of the 4 Arachnos lieutenants, (Captain Mako, Ghost Widow, Black Scorpion, or Scirocco). For reference: APPs PPPs

That's the 5th Column that do that, not the Council.

IIRC, the early builds of the game had origin play a more significant role, which didn't go over well, and resulted in them ditching that aspect. Keep it to some sort of arena setting, with no unique rewards, and I'd be fine with it. Absolutely not, especially if such a defeat can result from lag, a DC, or the actions/inactions of a teammate.

In general, many of the older TFs could use some love - be it by varying the maps, objectives, or by just generally streamlining them. The problem is that there are also players that like that O.G. feel. Maybe keep them as-is via Ouroboros, and introduce an updated version, like was done with some other ones...