Crysis

Scotty was old. McCoy was old. Keyboard…..how “quaint.”

Honestly with Tanker changes I don’t know why everyone is recommending Brute, especially for a duo. You didn’t really say what kind of AT you’d be playing alongside him but a Tank + Corruptor or Controller duo is potent. Even more so if you are playing Kin so you can max out damage for both of you constantly. Even poorly built tanks seldom need buffs in PVE content to survive but augmenting damage makes everything viable.

Westworld. Red Dead Heroes.

I still believe shitcanning farming is part of the player population decline. And not for the reasons most would think. Farmers automatically had multiple accounts....it's part of the farming lifestyle. You shitcan the results, you shitcan the "spare accounts" and are left with 2/3 to 1/2 of the ACTIVE playing population. Thus....some of this is an illusion. We -never- had the "active" population we thought we had. Selection bias I'm sure but....I have 5 accounts here. I used to play 3-4 of them at a time, always observing the max account rules. I only have two now and my farming account is only used to powerfarm an alt to 32 or so in 30 mins. And while I literally used to create almost a new alt a day, I'm maybe down to one new alt per week, if that. I tend to have "farming" days where I mass create a bunch of new alts to add to the 'reserve library' for future use. But I just quit rolling them out, leveling them up and kitting them out with IO builds. I used to enjoy that (not everybody would) and then played them actively from mid 30's to 50 over the course of a week or so. Now? Just not into it like I once was. Thus....you "had" 5 players (all Crysis). You now "have" 1.2 players. If that. And I'm playing maybe 2-4 hours per week tops whereas I used to be playing 10-15 hours per week.....even more if you considered all my alt accounts. Just not there now, other games to occupy my time. Hell, I'm playing D&D again, mostly virtually, and at least one Champions campaign, also virtually. Those are high-interaction gaming sessions. The world, as they say, has changed. And for us....it may have changed in ways we just didn't recognize at the time.

This is an old, very old by gaming standards, game. And it was officially killed over a decade ago. Many players left for good back then and many of those players a) don't even know the game is back and b) don't really care. The superhero genre was never big back in the heyday of COH Live and it's certainly not today, although that does actually intrigue me given we are witnessing the golden age of Marvel and DC movies. But maybe that's actually part of the issue....there's far more visually stunning outlets to get your superhero 'fix' now rather than a recycled game from 2012. And honestly, are MMO's still a really big thing these days? Multiplayer gaming is very mature now and there's a lot of other games to pull in players who enjoy cooperative playstyles. I think the rise and fall of the MMO came about with the rise of mobile gaming and people who used to spend hours grinding out a level or two now spend 10 minutes every other hour playing a mission on their phone to some other game because that's the lifestyle today. Honestly, I think this is about what we can expect from here on out. One shard, about an average of 700-1000 active players, slowly folding in on itself over how ever many years are left. Will I miss it when it's gone, if its gone for good? Yes, to a degree. But already been through that separation anxiety once and hey....I managed to find other gaming outlets to scratch that itch. I'll do so again. In fact, even now, I find I've more alts available than I have time to level them and with that desire to level them. The game mechanics haven't changed, the new content is neat and all but it's still the same enemy AI and behaviors against different maps and it's the same game, played the same way, with different power combo's but still a zerg-fest of DPS rules and nobody else really matters at endgame. I have gaming buddies who herd everything regardless of tactics and all the enemies are the same AI so they simply bunch up while we rain DPS on them until they die. Rinse and repeat. Crafting system has come and gone many years ago and really...what's left? COVID brought about a massive work-from-home movement, and I can't speak for everyone else, but I often had games running in a side window when I was listening in to some drone buzzing about P&L statements for hours. Even while on video (just don't wear glasses!). And the release of this game benefitted from the stay at home shift when nostalgia and retro-gaming got this big lift. We enjoyed it as well. Rising tide lifted ALL boats, ours included. But now, we have a leaky boat and well.....we are sinking. And will continue to sink. So the question is....why should I recruit someone to come play this game for the first time? It's free, sure. But there's gobs of free games out there. Most of which I can get with a single download from the App store or even Xbox or PS or Steam stores. Not something that requires me to download this sketchy launcher and then learn how to use a quaint keyboard and mouse combo to activate my powers. It's old. It's retro. Just like the vast majority of us players are. And it's dying. Just like we are as well. Some of us faster than others but all things must come to an end. I'll play here until it sunsets again, but I've got so many other options (I'm literally resting my thumbs from a Steam Deck session as I type this) available to me now that I just don't really care if it dies again. Not enough to go out and recruit a bunch of players at any rate. I love finding old friends here, but I've found many of them in other games also. The game can die and that's fine. Friendships will still prevail if they were truly more than casual acquaintances.

Ive got a real thing for WW2 era superheroes. This is great!

I’ve got several /Nin blasters. DP/Ninja is likely the best mix of animations but not necessarily best DPS. Fire/Ninja is likely highest DPS. Archery/Ninja is thematic but I think not as good as Archery/Tac Arrow (even post nerf). Ice/Ninja is kinda a weird pairing but I admit it’s fun to slow everything down and then jump into melee with sword attacks. I also have AR/Nin and Beam/Nin but don’t really recommend those two as its this constant mix of ranged cones and jumping into melee to blap. Honestly, I tend to prefer thematics and overlapping benefits between primary and secondary. So my vote remains DP/Nin or Fire/Nin.

I borrowed some great builds from others like @plainguy and @Darkir (among others) and used this for my recent DP/Kin. With Agility -or- Defense Amplifier you are softcapped DEF to Ranged and Melee both. I found Melee softcap to be very helpful for a /Kin Corr since you'll be in melee often for Fulcrum, Transfusion/Transference, etc. Couple that with the big +DEF buff from Hail of Bullets and you'll be damage capped and very safe at same time for most spawns. It's a great build, very fast and fun. EDIT: Oh and yes, absolutely, I have CrossPunch in here and a five slotted boxing. Boxing is just meh but Cross Punch, since you are in melee all the time, with a full Fulcrum load does bonkers damage. Looks wild too from a ‘squishie’ Corr. Both are in my single target rotation, usually used on Bosses that survive a HOB alpha. This Villain build was built using Mids Reborn 3.2.17 https://github.com/LoadedCamel/MidsReborn Click this DataLink to open the build! Level 48 Natural Corruptor Primary Power Set: Dual Pistols Secondary Power Set: Kinetics Power Pool: Fighting Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Ancillary Pool: Mu Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Dual Wield -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(3), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(3), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(5), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(5), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7) Level 1: Transfusion -- NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx(A), NmnCnv-EndRdx/Rchg(7), NmnCnv-Heal/Rchg(9), NmnCnv-Heal/EndRdx/Rchg(9), NmnCnv-Heal(11), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(11) Level 2: Empty Clips -- SprScrBls-Acc/Dmg(A), SprScrBls-Dmg/Rchg(13), SprScrBls-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), FrcFdb-Rechg%(15) Level 4: Boxing -- SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx/Acc/Rchg(A), SprBlsCol-Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(17), SprBlsCol-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(19), SprBlsCol-Rchg/HoldProc(19) Level 6: Swap Ammo Level 8: Bullet Rain -- SprScrBls-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(A), SprScrBls-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(21), SprScrBls-Rchg/+End(21), FrcFdb-Rechg%(23) Level 10: Siphon Speed -- Acc-I(A) Level 12: Repel -- SuddAcc--KB/+KD(A), FrcFdb-Rechg%(23) Level 14: Tough -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(25), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(25), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(27), GldArm-3defTpProc(27) Level 16: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def(A), LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(29) Level 18: Executioner's Shot -- Thn-Acc/Dmg(A), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Thn-Dmg/Rchg(31), Thn-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(31), Thn-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(31), Thn-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(33) Level 20: Speed Boost -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A), BlsoftheZ-Travel/EndRdx(33) Level 22: Maneuvers -- RedFrt-Def/EndRdx(A), RedFrt-Def/Rchg(33), RedFrt-EndRdx/Rchg(34), RedFrt-Def/EndRdx/Rchg(34), RedFrt-Def(34), RedFrt-EndRdx(36) Level 24: Tactics -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(36), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(36), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(37), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(37), GssSynFr--Build%(37) Level 26: Piercing Rounds -- SprMlcoft-Acc/Dmg(A), SprMlcoft-Dmg/Rchg(39), SprMlcoft-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(39), SprMlcoft-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(39), SprMlcoft-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), SprMlcoft-Rchg/Dmg%(40) Level 28: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(40) Level 30: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 32: Hail of Bullets -- SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(A), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(42), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(43), FrcFdb-Rechg%(43) Level 35: Transference -- EndMod-I(A) Level 38: Fulcrum Shift -- Acc-I(A) Level 41: Charged Armor -- UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(A), UnbGrd-ResDam(43), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(45), UnbGrd-EndRdx/Rchg(45), StdPrt-ResDam/Def+(45) Level 44: Increase Density -- UnbGrd-ResDam(A), UnbGrd-ResDam/EndRdx(46), UnbGrd-Rchg/ResDam(46), UnbGrd-Max HP%(46) Level 47: Cross Punch -- Obl-Dmg(A), Obl-Acc/Rchg(47), Obl-Dmg/Rchg(47), Obl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(47), Obl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(48), Obl-%Dam(48) Level 49: Inertial Reduction -- BlsoftheZ-Travel(A), BlsoftheZ-ResKB(49) Level 1: Scourge Level 1: Brawl -- Empty(A) Level 1: Sprint -- Empty(A) Level 2: Rest -- Empty(A) Level 2: Swift -- Empty(A) Level 2: Hurdle -- Empty(A) Level 2: Health -- Pnc-Heal/+End(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-EndMod(A), PrfShf-End%(15) Level 1: Prestige Power Dash -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Slide -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Quick -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Rush -- Empty(A) Level 1: Prestige Power Surge -- Empty(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 50: Agility Core Paragon Level 50: Marshal Level 50: Invader Level 50: High Pain Threshold Level 50: Born In Battle Level 6: Chemical Ammunition Level 6: Cryo Ammunition Level 6: Incendiary Ammunition ------------

I still think, as others have pointed out already, a shard merge at some point would address some of these issues. But I realize bases, names, etc....makes that unlikely.

I know and it's why I refuse to play there. 😛

I think this argument has been hashed and re-hashed for over a decade. Whether it was or wasn't, it wasn't your nor my business property. I'm a business person. I have bought properties and although I never had a hard time renting them out, at some point, it's worth more to me to sell it to another property investor than it is to keep throwing money into it just to earn enough rental fees to pay for the upkeep. Heck, if you are watching the housing market right now, for many 'corporate' property owners, they buy homes so they can take the depreciating asset write-down to offset profits elsewhere in their portfolio. But for a game that was subscriber-driven for revenue, the metaphor is appropriate. They owned it. They evaluated their options. Looking at where we are today, I'm pretty confident they pursued the right option. Glad we have THIS as OUR option today (free to play), but highly doubtful that the view out the front of the windshield is ever going to show me more promise than what I'm seeing distantly in the rear view mirror. We were young once, and full of hope. We are old now and well....old. And dying. Get busy living with what we have or get busy dying.

@Without_Pause At the end of the day, all business plans must include a measure of growth. If you aren't growing, you don't have much of a viable business plan. This very thread is here because one of our shards isn't seeing any growth. From what data we have to work off of, it appears -none- of the shards are on the rise for player populations. And Homecoming is likely the highest population of any of the existing servers out there (Rebirth, etc). So if we aren't growing, nobody in COH land is growing. We hit our peak population likely in the first year of Homecoming. And that was significantly smaller than anything experienced during Live. Our player population continues to decline, forum participation (always a subset of player pop) continues to decline. And yes, I run into people frequently who didn't realize HC was even available. We will continue to shrink until we look like one of the other server communities. And then....just fade to nothing. Honestly, I don't have any ill will towards NC Soft like a great many others do here. They realized the peak money making years for the IP were behind them and made a business choice (likely a sound one) to kill it rather than continuing to invest in something that didn't show growth promise. Here we are, the game is free to play entirely now almost a decade later....and I'm not so sure I disagree with their evaluation of the facts. The facts say....they were right to cease investment in it. You and I may not like having our home sunsetted and our playtime taken away from us, but there just weren't enough of us then, nor now, to make a viable business case for continuation. So yes....NC Soft made a sound business decision. And this thread proves it.

My guess is “the talks” was basically “Look, show us you can build up a paying population worth our time to sponsor this and we will do a royalty deal with you to legitimize this. Otherwise admit we were right in killing it initially back in 2013 because we saw what you are going to see….player pop just isn’t there.” And guess what…..they were right. Again.

Oh you can experience swarming, running zombies. Just take a Necro MM into a mission against the Ninja Chicks. Those zombies LOOOOOVE to happy dance on caltrops.

Illusion/Storm Controller and Thugs/Storm Masterminds, both with high Recharge. Try them both with knockback to knockdown IO’s inserted -AND- without them inserted. That one single IO is literally an entire game changer for both of those AT’s. Honestly, I wish Homecoming would just give us a damn toggle in settings to convert KB to KD. It’s almost unfair to many sets to force them to forego damage or something else just to get that kind of playstyle difference. The MM, in particular….I’ve just never found another AT anything quite like it in any other MMO/Action RPG. In Path of Exile maybe to some extent….but the ability to directly command/control Thugs plus the inability to really control what 3 tornado’s and a waterspout can do all out once is….wow. Just wow.

Okay got it working but controls are going to need some work. You -can- use joypad/mousepads on Deck to do full character movement, but you really have to use on-screen touch to activate any powers. That renders the SD relatively useless for combat since you have to let go of one side of the Deck to do that. I'm going to do some research back to the native COH-HC joypad controls and see if I can address that. Progress though. This is already -sooooo- much better than what I could accomplish via ShadowPC and my iPad with a joypad.

Read the posters’ “how to” in description. I’m trying to duplicate it now. It apparently doesn’t require installing windows on the Steamdeck.

Check it out gang! COH handheld!

Yeah I get this, if all you do is post a build and then never hear from them again. But there’s an abundance of threads on here where someone posts a build and asks for advice, or already has a build (but doesn’t know about MIDS) in-game and is seeking help on how to better their play experience. I don’t personally see how offering a build is just giving someone advice. They still need to understand attack chains (which can differ by build/recharge), how to obtain their own preferred powers by swapping out Hover/Fly for CJ/Super Speed as an example, how precious a single available slot might be and why you can two-slot Hasten, how Incarnate powers totally can change your build approach, leveling vs. end-of-game builds, etc etc. Just posting a build doesn’t address all that and all “that” is really the learning how to fish part of the game. Heck, I’ll go one level further. I’ve posted many builds that can cost upwards of a half billion or higher, which is still ridiculously cheap by Live standards. Equally, I’ve posted builds that -only- achieve certain build goals via P2W Amplifiers, which in HC at least is a perfectly viable approach and allows you to proc stuff out and outright sacrifice some set bonuses you’d otherwise be chasing. Just knowing how to obtain all the needed enhancements, and how to get ‘creative’ with a different approach to obtain similar results….posted builds have taught me to fish in a variety of ways. So I assume the best intent for other players and just post when asked and hope they engage in further dialogue that benefits others. Look at this thread (before the delete bombing)….it was a constructive dialogue about a rather “unimpressive” build combo that most wouldn’t have considered a top performer otherwise. IMHO teaching a person to fish easily accomplished by posting builds. Maybe not the person you were speaking with, but often because someone does a google search who already has a build or is considering rolling an alt but doesn’t quite know what the final outcome can look like.

Hmmm, well obviously some drama I don’t know about nor care to know about. Just know that for me at least, I enjoyed your contributions and your build advice has given me dozens of hours of happiness in a game. So thanks for that, sorry you felt unappreciated.

Judging by some of the comments originally posted (and available still via Wayback) @Switchfade simply doesn’t like to share build ideas. Some players feel a sense of ownership of a build even though hundreds of other players have likely assembled similar if not identical ones. /em shrug

For anyone searching for this set and wondering why all the comment deletions….can’t say. But the internet is forever: https://web.archive.org/web/20210205142644/https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/18033-dual-blades-energy-armor/

I think some some people are just social players and enjoy the company and chatting regardless of min/max for XP gain. And honestly I see a fair number of farmers exchanging power farming just to have an audience.

Here’s the two threads I have macro’d in-game. Very useful for a DIY’er.