BurtHutt

No. Not in my opinion. Making any big changes to AE would mean some Dev work. My plan is for minimal Dev resource use. Hence why I noted radio/paper type missions. If the Devs can expand on that then great. However, the whole issue right now is a lack of resources. Waiting a year + for missions is a long time and I think it's been over a year since the last mission additions and the new ones just released.

I prefer more superhero genre. There's already way too much D&D-type influence in this game. However, I am OK with something elf, orc etc. if the creator has made something exceptional.

I'd prefer unique so you don't interfere or convolute lore. Also, I am very tired of seeing the same stuff over and over and would love seeing something different (factions, bosses etc). Bring on the new and original!!!!

I think I would go stigma. I PUG a lot and its always the same old radio missions that we've played a million times and look the same. They even overlap by having the same missions in different zones/levels. Then I say: Hey, why don't we try some AE - I'm usually met with an overwhelming no. I'm also in several SGs and it isn't much different. I also agree when you say there are some amazing missions and they're all sitting right there. For free. Ready right now. I would also suggest they not be connected to current lore/canon so there is no confusion or assuming material direction. Create your own, unique mission, write it up, do a Wiki write up for the mish and submit it in accordance to guidelines. You can add like 10 missions a month if not more depending on resources and time the HC team has. Let's do it! As an afterthought, if there are some brilliant multi mission arcs then maybe those can have their own contact placement.

Welp, this is what I mean. We have so many players that are pretty bright and capable of creating some unique stuff. @Darmian , do you also feel players are reluctant to sift through the piles of AE missions to try and find the good stuff? Do you also feel there is a stigma attached to AE and using it to access non-farm missions? I don't know the system or how logical my idea is but is SEEMS very easy to implement. I would absolutely love to become a part of this team if need be.

I've posted it before so I won't re-write the entire idea here. With limited resources and small Dev team, use the AE. No, not just finding Dev choices and do those. I think most will agree the AE has a bit of a stigma attached to it. My idea is to have separate contacts in various zones that are just hidden extensions of the AE. These contacts will have player created missions added to them and will appear and look like radio, paper etc missions. No AE number or ID. Just a regular looking mission. These new missions will be created by players and they will need to adhere to strict guidelines. Then they can submit the mission for consideration. If the mission is accepted it is then added to that contact. The player will also need to have a full write up for adding it to the wiki etc - yes, it becomes canon. This will definitely motivate players to create material. Community reps from the HC team can determine winners etc. This system should be little work for the HC Dev team and add a lot of things to do that are unique and different. It might be as simple as a drag and drop? I don't see how the Devs will be able to add content like this or anything close on a regular basis. I do love this game. However, my playtime is lessening as it is becoming the same old. This might be one way to help alleviate that issue. Devs can continue to work on trials etc and give players more to do. Adding powers, re-balancing things and QoL adds will not sustain the game. I have submitted a number of ideas but I feel this one might be the most important and the one I'd like to see added ASAP. Also, you can make some harder missions etc to challenge players and so on. I don't think there is ANY need to make any new zones. I would be up for new maps and mission maps etc. That is always welcome. We already have a ton of zones. I'd also be up for new event zones (like the current winter forest which is, I assume, only around for Xmas season? It may've been better if it had a badge and maybe a day job - it'd be cool if you could only access that for the 1 month a year and obtain it that way).

I've never really played tanks and appreciate this thread. @Infinitum, what's your take on the revamped energy melee? I am wondering about doing an INV/EnM tank or a Brute version. I see you have a tanker build for the old EnM - do you have a build that has the new version? Much like you, I want my tank to walk in and out of ALL scenarios and be able to take the punishment. Durability is my main concern.

Fellas/Fellettes! I have never been a big tanker guy but am wanting to give one a go. Yes, I want to have a tank that can walk into any situation and endure it. So, which power set would accomplish that? I see tons of info here and solo efforts on TFs etc. All good info. Is there a consensus on a powerset that can do it all (or almost all) without too much difficulty? Is the new Energy Melee a good power? I'm looking for AoE, damage and sturdy. Any help and builds would be great and much appreciated.

I ran with a team on hero and vill sides. The hero side had the difficulty cranked up and it took forever to do - so long that I had to leave. My friend continued with the team and it looked like it about 3+ hours. Way too much running around and it brought back nightmares of old CoH missions....traumatic, indeed. The red side was less running around and a bit shorter. I feel both arcs should have been TF/SFs due to the time and commitment (and lack of reward?). Just a suggestion. The biggest piece I'd like to relay is that the team cannot interact in the mission to the same level as the leader (can't read all of the material, comments etc). I really think it might help it cut scenes were used to relay a sentence or two. Another big help might be using load screens to relay story as well. I'd suggested using load screens to help relay the story with a couple of lines - they can be unique to the mission. I had also suggested using player artists to draw a mission specific splash page and use that as the load screen/zoning screen between parts of a mission - a fun new wrinkle to add to the game. There are a few very talented artists on the forums here and some said they'd be into this.

I will add, I am in NO rush to get to 50. I enjoy the ride. You level fairly quickly and don't get to most of the content. I am also placing IOs ASAP so I have a pretty good toon as I level. I also think no advertising etc hurts player population. I am NOT asking to advertise or anything like that - just stating many probably don't know about this game and/or its return.

What about the new version of Energy Melee? I've heard people say it's really good and some even said OP. I have no idea as I haven't had a chance to check it out. Does anyone have comments or a build for EM? What would be your ideal secondary for the power? Conversely, is Touch of Fear in Dark Melee really good? Does it make the set great? I've never been a fan of the set but haven't played it since Live. Anyone?

Well, I don't know if there is really a retention issue or people just taking a break. This site allows us to see the number of players logged on and it seems to be fairly steady (for the last while). However, I do feel people are coming and going...maybe a bit more on the going. I really appreciate the Devs here. Big time. I just don't know if adding powers and making changes is the way to go. I think they need to make additions that are fresh and new. Tons of ideas have been suggested so who knows.

Disagree. 110%. I like the unique names and not having 20 characters running around that may have the same name. I got on here summer 2019 and found a lot of names I liked. I continue to do so. I like being creative and having to think up some new names/ideas/concepts. This isn't the same for all but count me in as liking the system.

I've made this suggestion before. I'd also make it a co-op area.

Thanks to all who keep making this possible!

I don't think any new powers should be added. Incarnate powers have made toons too powerful and they steamroll most of the content when they have access to the powers. I don't think the HC Dev team have resources to pump out content (missions, SF,TF, Trials etc) where the incarnates can be challenged. I'd clean up the interface a bit and not much else. I don't mind the system but I don't really pay too much attention to it. It's great that I can progress in it doing regular content and I casually add the powers as I go along and craft for the slots. I know players want more endgame content but that's a never-ending request. If you add more slots, eventually players will want more beyond those and so on. Since resources are limited, add items that are more universal like missions etc. If you must add to the incarnate slots, take a different approach....no idea what that might be but making a toon more powerful isn't really necessary right now. There's no way we'll get enough things to do that will challenge the player.

I've read some ideas and there are lots of good ones. I had an idea ages ago regarding a varied toon and the theme may blend well with the Praetoria concept. It AT would be having two ATs in one. You build and level up a toon that is actually two different ATs in one. So, you can build a blaster and a brute all in one. You'd have to switch forms and go back and forth between the two. So, hitting the form button would essentially allow you to go back and forth between two ATs. As you level, you get your normal level of slots for each AT etc. Heck, you could have a combo toon that allows you to have 3 different AT/power sets in one. I haven't fleshed it out to any detail but I think its pretty much already there in game. You could call this AT class The Amalgam! Or something like that :) It would be easy to do and not too draining on the resources. Is it something new? Not really. I do feel it will add a new wrinkle to playing any toon. Until more missions, TFs, Trials, SFs, events etc are added, players will want something different and new. This is definitely different. Also, you could add another epic AT that's completely original to the game and add them to Praetoria as well. Just some ideas here :)

To me, it's been a game changer. We're not getting many new missions or actual things to do and a lot of what we have involves way too much pointless running around. It's old, lame game design. The travel hubs have made it palatable.

I really like Khelds. I thought I liked the Warshade but he relies way too much on enemies/bodies. This becomes a big issue when you're down to the final boss (AV, GM etc) and no minions around. Otherwise the Warshade is a lot of fun. So, I went to Peacebringer and he might be my fave toon - he's certainly up the list. The PB doesn't require enemies to siphon from like the WS so he's way more self-sufficient and can work in any situation. Those, to me, are the key difference. Yes, the play-style is also very different and I enjoy both. They're definitely a little more complex and that might be why I enjoy them. Oh, these toons are definitely not overpowered but they can be built in a way that makes them pretty effective!

I like the idea of more events and sandbox stuff. Something like this is solid. Each one can provide a badge and only come out during their month. Getting all 12 can result in an accolade power. I don't mind this idea at all.

I think it has been mentioned and maybe it doesn't really fit here but the Sentinel AT needs some improving. I have no idea why I like the AT so much but I do! I always team so the lack of damage isn't as obvious but when you break down the numbers...yikes! Also, under the Fire Blast power set, why does Blazing Blast have a knockback effect?!!? Really?! Please get rid of that 🙂

I just don't know why we can't keep our base/travel hub. It is, perhaps, one of the mist impactful things to happen to this game in a long time. Players no longer dread the missions/TFs etc that asked for time-sink run-arounds that were somewhat pointless and put in place to prolong a person's time they stayed logged on. CoH has so much to do, there is no need to resort to these time-sink tactics. Leave the player-made SG/travel hubs...please! 🙂

I see a lot of good comments and agree with most. So, I'll try and suggest a minor issue - Force of Will power pool set. The activation times are awful (this is also the same in various sets but my main has this pool and it is sooooooooo annoying at times). I don't know how many times my target is dropped between activation time and the power firing off...happens all the time during any invasion event, minion type enemies and so on. I don't think I'd take this pool power again due to the long, drawn out activation/animation time. I do like the concept and the actual powers but not so great when you try and attack using some of the powers.

Yes, I am tired of accidentally hitting the arrow key on a tray and losing my primary attacks in the middle of a fight. This is a minor issue but you asked 🙂 Also, the arrows are awfully close to slot 1 in a tray so sometimes I hit the arrow instead of the intended power (when using my mouse).

This is such sad news and such a tragedy. 2020 has not been a good one. My condolences to his friends and family.