Ultimo

From years of playing pen and paper RPGs, I came to the realization that the enemy shouldn't be a lot stronger (ie. do damage) than the hero characters. If they are, there's nothing for the heroes to DO to react to the events of the battle. I mean, if you're oneshotted, you can't do anything to respond. Your teammates can't do anything to respond. It takes away the GAME. So, I usually try to restrict enemies to having powers that don't do too much damage. On the other hand, that means you need them to be more DURABLE, so they can inflict the necessary damage over a longer period of time. So, I do put armours on the enemies, where it's appropriate. I also always give them at least one ranged attack, even if they're mainly a melee character. It's fine if they ONLY have ranged attacks, because those can still be used in melee, but if they only have melee attacks, they become trivial to characters who can stay out of reach.

Interestingly, I originally made a Luthor-themed character as a bots Mastermind, but he never quite "felt" right. In the comics, he was always that mad scientist type (until more recent years), making weapons and death traps and personally battling Superman. When I finally settled on him as a Blaster (Beam Rifle/Devices), he felt a lot more like Luthor.

I agree... not every character with allies is a Mastermind. The X-Men aren't Xavier's pets, they're allies. Meanwhile, Joker's henchmen would be best thought of as pets.

So, I had a bit of a discussion in chat the other day, and it got me thinking. I made the assertion that certain comic book characters were best represented as Masterminds, but many disagreed. My question for the community (for the sake of amusement, if nothing else) is, which characters in the comics would you think is best represented by the Mastermind class? The character I was playing at the time was based on Doctor Doom, whom I qualified as a Mastermind because he rarely gets personally involved in events, preferring to send lackeys to do his bidding. Of course, when he DOES get personally involved, he's FAR more capable than a petless Mastermind is in the game... so does Doom qualify as a Mastermind? A second character I built as a Mastermind was based on the Joker. Joker also has a variety of minions he sends to distract his enemies while he does other things. Joker himself isn't especially dangerous on his own (though he does have one or two genuinely dangerous attacks, such as his acid or Joker toxin), so I think that fits the Mastermind mold pretty well. Red Skull is another who is not a serious threat on his own, but pulls the strings from the shadows, using minions to do his dirty work. Similarly, Baron Zemo might have started out that way, but in the Avengers, as a member of the Masters of Evil, he was more of a match for Captain America on his own. What do you guys think? Who would be a Mastermind? How would they be built in the game?

And again you're missing the point. You want an example of what I think it should look like? Go watch THE AVENGERS (2012). What were the Chitauri doing? What were the heroes doing? The invasion was in INVASION, with enemy troops dropping in everywhere. The big space worm things were very like the Rikti ships. What happened with those? Iron Man took them on solo. Thor took them on solo. Hulk took them on solo. They were big, intimidating and presumably very dangerous, but the heroes were ABLE to fight them. The Chitauri soldiers were all over New York... taking civilians as prisoners. Blowing stuff up. Yes, they fought the heroes too, but they were doing other things the heroes needed to STOP them doing. THIS is the kind of thing I want to see from these invasions. Heroes doing heroic things, fighting off the enemy, whether solo or in groups. Saving the people. Stopping the bad guys. Right now the so-called invasions are dull and lifeless. THAT was my point. I offered a suggestion I thought might rectify the matter, but no one seems interested in that. So, how about suggesting something else to make the invasions more engaging... more FUN? You don't like my ideas, fair enough. What's YOURS?

Everyone seems to be missing the point. The Rikti aren't DOING anything in these "invasions." They have no objective they can achieve that requires us to stop them. The point is, however you choose to characterize their tactics, to make the invasions FUN and ENGAGING. As it is, they're NOT. 99% of the time, you can't fight the ships, so their presence is irrelevant Maybe they're just there for atmosphere, and aren't supposed to be fought. Fair enough. Waste of a cool opportunity though, which I why I suggested making them possible to fight. That requires making them do less direct damage, so people aren't being constantly onshotted by them. Yes, it makes them "easier," but it makes them more fun and engaging. Defeating the bombs does nothing. Defeating the troops beaming in does nothing. LEAVING the bombs and troops unopposed does NOTHING. There's no reason to engage in the "invasion" at all, because nothing happens if you don't. My suggestion is simply to give them a purpose, some goal we can OPPOSE and some consequence for failing to do so. The tactics are beside the point, and are just rationalization to explain why the event is even going on.

I'm not here to argue military tactics. The point I'm getting at is that the "invasion" is really nothing of the sort. The ships appear and fly around. No heroes around (and sometimes even if there are), there are no invaders either. No resistance. What then do the Rikti do? Nothing. They just fly away again, because the whole point of their appearance is to be targets. There's no sense of urgency, no desire to defend anything or anyone. They don't attack the NPCs they don't do anything except beam in to be beaten up. There's a problem when the "invasion" can be completely ignored with no effect. There's just no engagement. So let me ask you, who are condemning this suggestion: How is this worse than what we have? You're telling me you wouldn't WANT the invasion to be more involving? You wouldn't WANT some kind of purpose?

I remember how it was on Live and the fact is, Rikti ships were (and are) essentially unassailable... which is just no fun. I have characters based on Superman, Green Lantern, etc. and it would be GREAT to be able to go fight these foes... but it's basically impossible when they take you out in one shot. Needing 1000 people to take ONE on is just no fun either. You say the purpose of the invasion is to eliminate resistance... but there's NO sense of that. There's no sense that anything is going on in the zone at all. The Rikti beam in for one purpose, to get beaten up. It's very underwhelming. I don't want to take away a threat from the invasion, I want to make it something players can DO something about. It's no fun just hiding in a corner somewhere, let us engage the enemy. As I said before, if it's going to require 1000 players to take on a ship, they're basically irrelevant. Having troops moving through the streets means players can engage them more naturally, and potentially more strategically. Having them just beaming in wherever you are makes it seem less like a troop movement than a game mechanic... if you see what I mean. Also, giving the Rikti actual objectives means they don't HAVE to fight the superheroes. From a strategic standpoint, the heroes shouldn't BE an objective. Your last point, about a zone becoming unplayable, is valid. I suggested an hour, some shorter period might be more appropriate. The point is to have some consequence to losing the zone. Perhaps some other consequence would work.

So, tonight I was in King's Row for another of the Rikti raids, and again I'm thoroughly underwhelmed. So, I'm going to outline a suggestion to improve the invasions. I don't know if what I'm going to suggest is even possible, but the basic problem needs addressing, I think. The problem as I see it is that the Rikti aren't DOING anything. The ships fly around overhead and oneshot people here and there while being entirely impervious to attack. Troops beam in around heroes here and there (sometimes, very often nothing at all beams in) and don't do much of anything except beat them up or get beaten up. The Rikti have no OBJECTIVE. My feeling is that the Rikti should have objectives in each zone that they will try to accomplish, and it will be up to the heroes in the zone to fight back and prevent them achieving the objective. Each zone should have several structures designated as targets. A command post (eg. Atlas Park might use the City Hall), a staging area (presumably where troops will gather to fight back), Anti-air defenses around the zone to fire on the attack ships, ground troops around the zone to combat Rikti invaders. The heroes (and villains) in the zone would need to protect those targets all around the zone. The Rikti ships should be made FAR less devestating with their attacks. As it is, most heroes are being essentially oneshotted. Ship weapons should be far less damaging and should have a chance to miss, like any other attack. Ships would periodically beam troops down, which would then MOVE through the streets to the nearest targets. Ships would also drop bombs, not as a separate phase, but as part of their attack. These bombs should have HUGE areas of effect, and would do enormous damage (eg. the size of a city block, doing oneshot damage at ground zero, and less the further away you get. Heroes would want to attack the ships, attack the troops and attack the bombs. If nothing is done, or the heroes fail to defend the Rikti objectives, the zone will become "controlled" by the Rikti. If this happens, ships will continue to patrol, but bombs will not be dropped. The objectives now fall under Rikti control, and it will be up to heroes in the zone to recapture them. Heroes in the zone will have Rikti troops beam in around them if they stay in the open, much as we have now. While the zone is controlled, services in the zone will be suspended. Characters to allow leveling, tailor shops, inspiration and enhancement shops... none will be available. This will give the players an incentive to retake the zone. If the zone is not recaptured after a set period of time (say, an hour), it will revert to normal. As I say, I don't know if this is something that's possible, but as it is, the invasions are very lackluster, and rather boring. I hope something like this can be done, for the Rikti, but also the other invasions (eg. Zombies).

I know it's a necro of an older thread, but I didn't see a point in starting a whole new thread to say exactly the same thing. I was going to post a suggestion for a single pistol power set (appropriate for characters based on James Bond, John Wick or any number of other similar characters), but I found this was already suggested in this thread. I'd like to suggest it be considered anew.

Opticon - Hero Blaster Build plan made with Mids' Reborn v3.6.6 rev. 3 ────────────────────────────── Primary powerset: Radiation BlastSecondary powerset: Martial CombatPool powerset (#1): LeadershipPool powerset (#2): FightingPool powerset (#3): MedicinePool powerset (#4): ConcealmentEpic powerset: Munitions Mastery ────────────────────────────── Powers taken: Level 1: X-Ray Beam A: Endurance Reduction3: Accuracy3: Damage Increase5: Damage Increase5: Recharge Reduction7: Recharge Reduction Level 1: Storm Kick A: Endurance Reduction7: Accuracy9: Damage Increase9: Damage Increase39: Damage Increase Level 2: Ki Push A: Endurance Reduction11: Accuracy45: Damage Increase45: Damage Increase46: Damage Increase Level 4: Reach for the Limit Level 6: Boxing A: Endurance Reduction11: Accuracy40: Damage Increase40: Damage Increase42: Damage Increase Level 8: Aim A: Recharge Reduction Level 10: Maneuvers A: Endurance Reduction15: Defense Buff13: Defense Buff13: Defense Buff Level 12: Assault A: Endurance Reduction Level 14: Tough A: Endurance Reduction19: Resist Damage21: Resist Damage21: Resist Damage Level 16: Dragon's Tail A: Endurance Reduction17: Accuracy17: Damage Increase19: Damage Increase39: Damage Increase Level 18: Weave A: Endurance Reduction25: Defense Buff25: Defense Buff27: Defense Buff Level 20: Reaction Time A: Healing23: Healing23: Healing Level 22: Aid Other A: Endurance Reduction33: Healing33: Healing33: Healing Level 24: Aid Self A: Endurance Reduction27: Healing29: Healing36: Healing Level 26: Cross Punch A: Endurance Reduction29: Accuracy34: Damage Increase34: Damage Increase40: Damage Increase Level 28: Throw Sand A: Endurance Reduction34: Accuracy43: Disorient Duration43: Disorient Duration43: Disorient Duration Level 30: Eagles Claw A: Endurance Reduction31: Accuracy31: Damage Increase31: Damage Increase39: Damage Increase Level 32: Inner Will A: Healing36: Healing36: Healing Level 35: Field Medic A: Recharge Reduction50: Recharge Reduction Level 38: Body Armor A: Resist Damage42: Resist Damage42: Resist Damage Level 41: Sleep Grenade A: Endurance Reduction45: Accuracy46: Sleep Duration46: Sleep Duration50: Sleep Duration Level 44: Surveillance A: Endurance Reduction48: Accuracy48: Defense Debuff48: Defense Debuff50: Defense Debuff Level 47: Infiltration A: Run Speed Level 49: Tactics A: Endurance Reduction ────────────────────────────── Inherents: Level 1: Brawl A: Accuracy Level 1: Defiance Level 1: Sprint A: Jumping Level 2: Rest A: Interrupt Reduction Level 1: Swift A: Run Speed Level 1: Health A: Healing37: Healing37: Healing Level 1: Hurdle A: Jumping Level 1: Stamina A: Endurance Modification15: Endurance Modification37: Endurance Modification

Well. That build certainly didn't post correctly...

Ya, the way I've been thinking of this character is X-Ray Beam/Martial Combat. He'd have Aim and other powers to boost X-Ray Beam, but it would end up being his only eyebeam attack... which seems odd for a Cyclops themed character. <!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /> <title>Opticon - Radiation Blast / Martial Combat Hero Blaster</title> <style type="text/css"> html, body { background-color: #000; color: #FFA500; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Microsoft Sans Serif', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; } hr { border-top: 1px solid #FFA500; border-bottom: none; } ul { list-style-type: none; list-style-position: inside; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; } ul:not([class*="noBullet"]) li::before { content: "\2022"; color: #FFA500; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt; display: inline-block; width: 1em; margin-left: -1em; } ul[class*="indent"] { padding-left: 0; } ul.indent1 li { padding-left: 0.25em; } ul.indent2 li { padding-left: 0.5em; } ul.indent3 li { padding-left: 0.75em; } ul.indent4 li { padding-left: 1em; } ul.indent5 li { padding-left: 1.25em; } ul.indent6 li { padding-left: 1.5em; } ul.indent7 li { padding-left: 1.75em; } ul.indent8 li { padding-left: 2em; } </style> </head> <body> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Opticon - Hero Blaster</span></strong></span><br /> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #32CD32;"><em>Build plan made with Mids' Reborn v3.6.6 rev. 3</em></span></span><br /><hr /><br /> <ul> <li><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Primary powerset: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Radiation Blast</span></strong></li> <li><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Secondary powerset: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Martial Combat</span></strong></li> <li><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Pool powerset (#1): </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Leadership</span></strong></li> <li><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Pool powerset (#2): </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Fighting</span></strong></li> <li><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Pool powerset (#3): </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Medicine</span></strong></li> <li><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Pool powerset (#4): </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Concealment</span></strong></li> <li><strong><span style="color: #1E90FF;">Epic powerset: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Munitions Mastery</span></strong></li> </ul> <br /> <br /><hr /><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #1E90FF;"><strong>Powers taken:</strong></span></span><br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">X-Ray Beam</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">3</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">3</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">5</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">5</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Recharge Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">7</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Recharge Reduction</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Storm Kick</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">7</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">9</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">9</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">39</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 2: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Ki Push</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">11</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">45</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">45</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">46</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 4: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Reach for the Limit</span></strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 6: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Boxing</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">11</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">40</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">40</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">42</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 8: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Aim</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Recharge Reduction</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 10: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Maneuvers</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">15</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Buff</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">13</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Buff</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">13</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Buff</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 12: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Assault</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 14: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Tough</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">19</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Resist Damage</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">21</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Resist Damage</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">21</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Resist Damage</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 16: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Dragon's Tail</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">17</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">17</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">19</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">39</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 18: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Weave</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">25</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Buff</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">25</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Buff</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">27</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Buff</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 20: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Reaction Time</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">23</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">23</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 22: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Aid Other</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">33</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">33</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">33</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 24: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Aid Self</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">27</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">29</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">36</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 26: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Cross Punch</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">29</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">34</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">34</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">40</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 28: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Throw Sand</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">34</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">43</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Disorient Duration</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">43</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Disorient Duration</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">43</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Disorient Duration</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 30: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Eagles Claw</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">31</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">31</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">31</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">39</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Damage Increase</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 32: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Inner Will</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">36</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">36</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 35: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Field Medic</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Recharge Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">50</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Recharge Reduction</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 38: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Body Armor</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Resist Damage</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">42</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Resist Damage</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">42</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Resist Damage</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 41: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Sleep Grenade</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">45</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">46</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Sleep Duration</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">46</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Sleep Duration</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">50</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Sleep Duration</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 44: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Surveillance</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">48</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">48</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Debuff</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">48</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Debuff</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">50</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Defense Debuff</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 47: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Infiltration</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Run Speed</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 49: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Tactics</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Reduction</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <br /><hr /><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #1E90FF;"><strong>Inherents:</strong></span></span><br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Brawl</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Accuracy</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Defiance</span></strong><br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Sprint</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Jumping</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 2: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Rest</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Interrupt Reduction</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Swift</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Run Speed</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Health</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">37</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">37</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Healing</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Hurdle</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Jumping</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="color: #32CD32;">Level 1: </span><span style="color: #FFA500;">Stamina</span></strong><br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">A</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Modification</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">15</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Modification</span></span></li> <li><span style="color: #FFD700;"><span style="color: #32CD32;">37</span>: <span style="color: #FFD700;">Endurance Modification</span></span></li> </ul> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </body> </html>

I grew up reading X-Men comics, from the time when there were just five members in black and gold. I always identified really strongly with Cyclops, he's a lot like me (or I'm a lot like him... chicken and egg). He's always been my favourite X-Man, and one of my favourite comic book characters overall. I used to be an actor. I'd kind of given up trying to get ahead as an actor when I heard that first X-Men movie was being made. I fought like crazy, trying to get a part in it... and Cyclops would have been the perfect role for me, because I know him so well. Ah, what might have been. Really, alternative animations for some of the various blast powers, such that the effect comes from the character's head, would be very welcome. Most of the animations needed are already in the game (eg. Psychic Blast), it's just a matter of using them for other power sets, like Energy Blast and the like.

Ya, that's X-Ray Beam. The trouble is that it's the ONLY eye beam power I can find.

Ya, I considered that too. Just didn't quite FEEL right, if you take my meaning. I might try to make him as a blapper, see how it goes.

So, I'm looking at making a character based on Cyclops, from the X-Men. However, I don't see many powers that come from the character's eyes. X-Ray Beam seems to be the only one... and it might be unmanageable playing with only ONE power... Anyone able to suggest a power set that might better resemble him?

Awesome analysis there! I'm not a pro historian either, but have some knowledge of WW2. I appreciate a second opinion on the matter. I worry that making the Italian special forces with the special ability might make them more effective than they should be... but then, I made all of them Minions, so the Officers are as likely to spawn as the Special Forces. I might go with that. Thanks again, and I welcome any other thoughts.

Congratulations, this is exciting news!

Just an update. I'm loving this character, he's an absolute blast to play, and does capture the "feel" of Lex Luthor pretty well. Someone pointed out to me that Trip Mines can be placed more than once, so I can lay a long line of them to blow enemies up as the come, or just put a bunch right in front of me to alpha strike almost anything to death. Still tinkering with the build a bit, though... It's the effort to make the "armoured" version of Luthor using Epic pools that's proving most challenging.

So... I'm trying to create a character inspired by Magneto, but I'm a bit torn by the choice of powers. He needs to have Force Fields, this is one of the staples of Magneto in the comics. However, it's his offensive set that's giving me fits. Originally, I made him a Gravity Controller, but Magneto doesn't usually just grab people in magnetic energy, he manipulates the target's surroundings. More, some of Gravity's more effective powers involve teleporting things around, which isn't how Magneto's powers work either. So, I created him as an Stone Blast Corruptor... but I'm not sure about this one either, as he seems to conjure big stones from nowhere (rather than having them come up out of the ground, or some such). I thought about making him an Earth Controller, but I'm finding the same kind of dissatisfaction with it. So, here I am again, seeking suggestions from the gallery. What do you guys think? What power set (and AT) best suits Magneto?

Actually, I made them ALL minions. The idea is that the regular troops, even the officers, are all just normal people, it's the superhumans that are the real threat in the missions. I wanted the regular soldiers to be little more than cannon fodder, letting the heroes feel extra powerful, wading through literal armies. I thought about giving the Russian officer mercs, but they look exactly like my German infantry, so I didn't want to do that, as it might be confusing. Also, they're a lot stronger than the posse members. I thought about giving someone of them grenades, but the only explosive grenade is fired from the gun, something that didn't really exist in WW2 (I think there was a dedicated grenade launcher, but it wouldn't have been useful as a regular firearm). The Japanese were something of a conundrum. I'm not entirely sure how best to represent them, and they really only appear in one mission. So, I opted to go for a bit of flavour instead of sticking to realism for that one mission. It works ok, I think, since it's the most unusual of the five missions (as it also involves Ouroboros and the Rikti).

So! I have been tinkering with my WW2 AE arc, and I've been toying with my representations of the various militaries. The idea was to create three units for each army, and officer, an infantryman, and a special forces trooper. They're just normal people with guns, so I gave each one ONE attack power only. Officers were given one additional support power, intended to make the other troops more effective. The idea is that this power should represent the "nature" of the particular army. For example, American soldiers were known for their toughness and tenacity, so the officers got the Fortitude power (from Empathy). British troops are known for that "stiff upper lip," their discipline, and so got the Clear Mind power (also from Empathy). German troops of that time inspired a lot of fear, what with the conditions of their POW camps and the like, so I gave their officers the Fearsome Stare power. I've been kind of thinking about whether I've represented the armies and their units properly, and I thought I'd see if anyone had some feedback. In particular, do you think the officer support powers I chose are appropriate, do you think I've chosen the right special forces for each faction, and do you think I've armed them all properly. I've highlighted the relevant units and powers I'm having issues with, let me know what you think. What I have now is this: US ARMY Officer (Pistols, Fortitude) - representing the toughness of the US Army. Infantry (Slug) - single shot, representing the M1 rifle. US Marine (Buckshot) - representing the combat shotgun or "trench gun," for close quarters combat. I'd considered giving them Burst, to represent the Thompson submachinegun, or Flamethrower, both of which were used by the Marines. What was more typical? BRITISH ARMY Officer (Pistols, Clear Mind) - representing the discipline and tenacity of the British Army. Infantry (Burst) - representing the Sten Submachinegun. Commando (???) - British special forces... but I'm not sure what weapon they were best known for. I thought of giving them a knife attack to represent the Fairborn Sykes Commando knife, or Full Auto to represent the Browning Machinegun. RUSSIAN ARMY Officer (Pistols, Gang War) - Russian troops were not known for being especially effective, but they were very numerous. Infantry (Burst) - representing the PPSH submachine gun and similar weapons. Sniper (Snipe) - forced to retreat at first, the Russians had some of the most effective guerilla snipers in the world. GERMAN ARMY Officer (Pistols, Fearsome Stare) - Germans were known for their brutality, and created great fear in many of their foes. Infantry (Slug) - representing the various Gewehr rifles. Stormtrooper (Burst) - I wasn't sure about this one, and considered using the SS. the weapon represents the famous MP40 submachine gun. ITALIAN ARMY Officer (Pistols, ???) - The Italians weren't known for being a strong military, so I'm uncertain what power represents their strength. Infantry (Slug) - representing the standard Carcano rifle. Gunner (Burst) - borrwing the MP40 from the Germans. Another unit I'm not sure of, what did the Italian special forces look like? JAPANESE ARMY Officer (???, ???) - My inclination was to give the Japanese Officer Pistols and a Katana, but he can't have both. So, I'm not sure what weapon to give him. Also, I didn't give him a support power, because their special forces unit, Ninjas, are so powerful. Infantry (Slug) - representing the Arisaka rifle. Should they have an automatic fire weapon? Ninja (Katana, Ninjitsu) - uniquely, this unit has several powers from the Ninjitsu set, so the Officer gets no support power to compensate.

Good info there! Thanks much, I'll have some new characters to work out now!

So, I've made and AE arc set in WW2 (The World at War, if you want to try it), and populated it with heroes and villains of my own creation. However, I would like to include any 'canon' City of Heroes characters of that time, and I just don't know any. I had thought the Reichsman was a WW2 character, but it turns out he's from another universe. Does anyone know what characters were around in WW2, according to CoH lore? Anyone know where I might find info about them (appearance, powers, etc.)?