Abraxus

I agree wholeheartedly! I love that the game provides various methods to players about how to power their hero/villain/rogue. That's what makes this game so awesome! Choices! I was just having some difficulty reconciling my reticence to do this for so long, with the obvious value it brings to any character. And, like so many other things in this game, there are trade-offs to deal with, and as long as you are good with the trade-off, then everything is great! In this case, it is the time/research/effort/in-game resources, and brain power it takes to do this vs. staying with the less resource intensive methods that are not as powerful, but still quite viable. The take away here is not feeling like this is a must for every character. I will take this kind of time for those that I just have to see their ultimate evolution, and not worry about it for those who I deem "fine as is".

I did find one helpful thing that I had never really considered, until it became necessary. While I was in the process of building this awesome set, I respec'd the character to adjust for the different slotting, and the powers I never used before, that added to the bonuses of the build. From that, I created a secondary build to further the building process, while still playing on my primary build (the old fashioned crafted enhancement build). It helped being able to continue playing the character, while still assembling resources with which to complete the secondary (I/O set) build. Up to now, I had never had a use for additional builds. This experiment finally provided the scenario where it was quite useful.

Some of it is probably self-inflicted, because I had heard for so long how much better this approach was, and I knew that in order to form any kind of informed opinion, I had to do it at least once. I resisted for 15 years (only 8 of which involved actual play opportunity, as opposed to discussion), and now that I've done it, I'm still weighing the repercussions against my available play time, and style of play. I had to know, and now I do!

Yup, happily playing for every bit of this game's existence. But, I was wrestling with where this fit into things in my big picture. Thanks to the input of you good folks, I think I have a better bead on it. 😎

Cool! Nice to know I am not alone in this thinking. I think what it will come down to for me is perhaps taking the deep dive on those characters that I have absolutely loved playing to L50, and just have to see what more they are capable of, as opposed to those that just felt every bit of the grind to get there.

Perhaps that is a strategy I can embrace, as it sounds pretty similar to how I feel. Very helpful! Thanks!

I don't disagree with either of you. I totally get it! It's awesome! I know I can play how I want to, but I guess I feel a little guilty about not wanting to spend the extra time to correlate all of this information into a workable build, then spending the time, and resources to make it happen; when a L50 character with crafted I/Os (not the set bonus type, just the simple crafted type) could get me around 80% there in most cases without all of that, and still be an effective member of a team. For me, it really comes down to how I want to spend what little time I have to play. I love getting the most bang for the buck, and the two weeks it took me to assemble everything I needed for this one build just kind of put me off doing this again any time soon. Now, admittedly, I'm probably not the most efficient at the process, and it might get easier with each iteration. Guess I'd have to put that to the test in order to really know.

I will first admit that, while I always knew IO/Set Bonus' were the only way to take a character to absolute maximum potential. The combination of set bonuses just can't be duplicated using SOs, or Crafted I/O enhancements. Friends that I played with just couldn't understand how I could play as long as I have, and never gone down this path to ultimate power. Well, the answer was actually quite simple. While I freely admitted that this was the superior way to out fit any character, it requires a LOT more thought, time, and in-game expenditure than the more traditional methods. It really came down to how much of my precious play time did I want to spend gathering resources, formulating a build, farming when I would run low, and hours in the Auction House getting what I needed, as opposed to actually playing? Was the experience of a fully realized character SO much better from the perspective of the play experience that it justifies all of that? Now, after finally taking the deep plunge into that pool, I find the answers not to be as easy as "yes", or "no". It's not so clear-cut a choice, and like so many things in this game (or any other, for that matter), it is a subjective matter from a perceived play experience perspective. Statistically, there is no question. But, cases could be made for being less statistically superior, and still be effective enough to have fun. I now have an electric blaster that is fully outfitted, and I am noticing a big difference in damage, recharge, and defense. But, when I think about the hours involved in creating this damage monster, I'm still not convinced I would do this for every character I have. What do you all think?

It might be odd, but I have no desire to go to any of the other servers to try any of these new "shiny" powers, or costume pieces. It just doesn't appeal to me, probably because even with 20 alts, I still have not come anywhere near having tried all powersets, and archetypes. As for costume pieces, with millions of combinations available, I've not come anywhere close to going through all of that either. Still plenty of room to try new things right here on Homecoming, and there will, no doubt, be new stuff here to play with as well. So, I'm good.

I still love mission play! I just don't particularly enjoy soloing it. When I have one of my mates around consistently enough to walk through content, I always prefer that to DFB power-leveling for the first 20 levels.

To be fair, until the Devs are able to put out the word, far and wide, without concern for violating some term of the current legal situation, we really won't know what the current iteration is capable of attracting, player-wise. Hardly a day goes by where I don't read something about folks who loved this game, only now finding out it has returned. Imagine how many more of those might be out there, and could find out with a legitimate advertising effort. I'm not naive enough to think we will ever get to Warcraft numbers, but I think the population would definitely increase following a campaign like that. How much, and how long it's sustainable...anybody's guess. But, there are those of us (granted, a smaller segment of the total population) who will be here until this ride ends. Why? Because this is the only game we want to play, even if we don't play it as often, due to a myriad of potential circumstances.

I seem to remember in the OLD days, any time you came across restrooms, if you knocked on the door, you'd hear the sound of a flushing toilet. I tried that a few days ago in the train station, and it no longer seems to trigger that sound.

Not unlike "Icon", or "Paragon Chat" in the days before Homecoming burst back on the scene. For Icon, there was nothing but you, anywhere you went. With Paragon Chat, if you were hanging around one of the major population centers, like Atlas Park, you could see a few other players hanging around. But, pretty much everywhere else, you were still eerily alone.

Well, the nice thing about the Halloween event is, like most things in the game, it's optional. It's there for the folks that like it, and not compulsory for those who don't.

I'm not playing quite as frequently, but I am playing. Probably due to the fact that, at least for the time being, I feel pretty comfortable that when I want to play, it's here. Those first few months, I think a lot of folks were playing like mad just in case it all ended suddenly. Now, we are settling in for the longer haul. As someone above mentioned, this is probably just the state of things until the results of the negotiations are announced, and are (hopefully) favorable. Then, they can go out and advertise this game to the universe at large, at which time, I'm guessing we'd get a fresh influx of players.

May the wisdom of Solomon guide their decision on this. I'd hate to see such a touching, and earnest tribute end, due to efforts in getting right with the copyright issues.

👆This! Setting expectations is important in just about any situation where you interact with other people (regardless of whether that is in-person, or virtually). If you don't, you always run the risk of folks setting their own, and on a team of 8, those can span the gamut of possibilities, and things end up a mess. If you find yourself running a team, using the time while forming the team, and awaiting everyone's arrival, a few quick sentences just to get everyone on the same page is always time well spent. If the team is going to be going on for hours, and in the case of mission teams where folks drop, and new ones take their place, it is best to reiterate for the benefit of the new folks. Putting the verbiage in your copy clipboard, and pasting it in when bringing new folks in is also a good investment of time. Makes for a much better teaming experience overall. At least that has been my experience.

There's been a lot of talk (most of it vile, as usual) over at the Cox/g Discord about this. They are slinging a lot of accusations, which is nothing new. But, when it's pointed at Homecoming, I take notice.

I managed to find safe routes through Peregrine, surprisingly enough. I just headed out to the water, on the west side of the island, and followed the shoreline, until I was even with Portal Corp, and the Arena. There I was able to get the Duelist, Intern, Dimensional Explorer, and SG Base Monitor Day Job badges all very close together. But, in First Ward, a few of them got killed at D.U.S.T headquarters, until I learned to just put them on the roof of the building. But, getting the Psychologist badge at Mother of Mercy Hospital in that same zone got a little rough outside the front door with roving patrols of high 20's, and early 30's level enemies. It's challenging, but nothing I haven't been able to overcome. Just thought it would make for some conversation. 🙂

Lately, I've begun to realize that my pursuit of ALL day job badges for all of my characters is getting increasingly difficult. Mainly, for my lower level characters who have to venture into zones that are so far above their current level, that getting spotted, and taking even one attack is fatal. The ones that have fly have it a little easier. The Super Jump crowd, less so. Then there is the fact that some zones are difficult, or impossible to even get into, before a toon is above a certain level. I am going for it in most cases, but it has not been without it's casualties along the way, and I know that some of them will have to advance a few more levels before they can acquire certain badges. But, the challenge is making the pursuit all the more rewarding when I hear that "ding" of a Day Job badge, in a place where this toon has no business being at this stage in their career.

I played an Electric\Energy Blaster to L50, having popped that last level during this Halloween Event on a ToT league. I have had a lot of fun with her, and I plan to keep going until she is at least T3 on all 6 Incarnate powers. I don't pay a lot of attention to the stats. Only the amount of fun that I have with a character in total. I tend to play more with teams, so perhaps that mitigates the weaknesses that everyone else has pointed out. Bottom line. I've had fun despite the statistical weakness of the set, so don't be afraid to give it a try. You might like it too.

Did a few rounds in this farm tonight, and saw some familiar figures in there. Kudos man!

Then I guess saying "Godspeed" would be somewhat appropriate in this case! 😉

Agreed! There were some that complained that there were not enough new features, or content being added in the last few months. But, in this case, the Devs were working on future proofing what they had, so that when things like this inevitably happen, nobody has to stop playing because of it. Client, and such "under the hood" updates aren't as sexy, or widely applauded as new content/features, but they are necessary for the future of the game, whatever that may be.

I am neck-deep in nostalgia right now with the Halloween Event going on. 7 years since I last did that, legitimately anyway. I say that because when this time of year would roll around on Paragon Chat, I would do their best impression of this event, which was fun. But, only to the extent that it was all I had to get through the depression of not having the game anymore, and fanning the minuscule embers of hope that someday, it might return. Well, wish granted, and I'm not gonna miss a thing! If the past 7 years has taught me anything, it's that you can't take what you love for granted, because it could end without a moments notice. I am gonna do all the events, I'm gonna badge hunt, I'm gonna get all the accolades, all the Incarnate powers, and make as many L50s as I can with whatever time we have. If it goes on for years, that's gonna be a lot, just as it was during the days of live (had 25+ at L50 at the end). If it ends tomorrow, I will have gotten my fondest wish. To get the chance to play, and be a part of this community again. If it were to all end, this time I would know that I appreciated it every day, and played as much as I could. I will end in a good place....but, I hope that won't be for a very long time!