cranebump

Little background: One of my Incarnates (and a toon I run fairly regularly on Excel) is KR Devil, who is basically Juan Jiminez from King's Row (note: I've seen his last name spelled two ways - this one appears to be correct). Yesterday, ran a new version of an old character idea on Torch. Running solo, so smaller pop was preferable. Running without 2XP, I picked up every AP contact that would allow me to do their mishes, and continued this into KR. As I went through Tony Kord's mish, I got to thinking, What (where) is this guy's super ID? I mean he IS Tony Stark/Ted Kord, so where is Iron Beetle, or Beetle Man, or Steel Scarab or something? So, then I thought, well, since I ran "Juan Jiminez" as a super hero, why not do the same with this guy? Which led to, I wonder what other contacts might lead the ol' super double life? This led me to consider creating and playing the following contacts, all as part of a team (maybe an irregular one, but a team nevertheless). Worse case, I might develop a series of AE arcs around them (since I'm looking for my next project). With that, I'm looking for ideas from the talented community to go with the ones I've already got, below (all in various stages of conception/development): Tony Kord: Some conglomeration of Iron Man/Blue Beetle (or other techie guy with $$). I figure this is an Energy/Energy Sentinel, though could work as a blaster for the KB melee (since I'll be soloing, that could come in handy). Rachel Torres: I managed to work up a basic character and get her in game as Street Angel (an homage to the Astro City character, though I am thinking she needs to be KR Angel, as bookend to Juan). Her detective BG and vendetta with the Lost has me picturing her last tussle was worse than the previous (says she was nearly killed early in her career by them, and lost her partner). So, I thought maybe ol' Tony might've provided her some minor augmentation (maybe a reticle or something for night sight; perhaps a cybernetic arm?). Currently have her as a Stalker, MA/SR. Jonathan St. John-Smythe: Seems like a support guy that works the lab, but thought of him as Omnibus (the guy who does the research, provides the designs and such, which Kord funds). Could be some sort of Mastermind? Kiros Nandelu: He already has minor powers (ability to see into the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums). And it sure seems easy enough to imagine him as some version of Black Panther, so probably a scrapper? Rebecca Brinell: Fits a similar niche as JSJ Smythe (and might be a better choice than him for a super dude [-ette?]), but I do not have a concept for her yet, but likely a Troller (urgh...would not be a fun solo). Haley Philips: It'd be interesting to do something with this contact, considering her backstory feels like a really interesting cover for her alt job: As an inspector for the Health Department, Haley investigates health hazards associated with super-powered, super-natural and alien events. Her group is dedicated to making sure the city´s residents live in safety, and that their homes protect them from Paragon City´s exotic threats. No concept just yet, but sure seems like a Defender. That's all I have spitballed at the present. I'll be running contacts on Torch for a bit to see what else comes up (and who else I've forgotten). Look forward to hearing any ideas folks may have. Thanks in advaance, Crane

Looks like our group sorta went pffffft...BUT... I am usually on THU. You can always hit me up for STUFF (whatever "stuff" may be). Like tonight, I just logged on Acrobattle just to check out rolls. We're still small and nimble.:-)

Might have to make it a quarterly thing?

KW-the exclusive home of AE content.:-)

I would so a "Save As" first, then bring it down to work on it locally. Other stuff: *USING ALLIES INSTEAD OF ESCORTS: I sort of like the Escort function, since it gives me the orange nav point. When I played it, I didn't really depend on the adds for support, outside named NPCs. *FIGURING OUT WHAT TO TARGET: When you're being mobbed, you may not have time to be selective about whom you target. My AR blaster was spraying AoE's everywhere so that I wouldn't be killed. I did start to target those force KB guys later on. Of course, while I did - END drain. Lady or the tiger (or rather, tiger or the tiger). *STORY VERSUS CHALLENGE: You're trying to combine a clue-driven mystery, while at the same time presenting a challenge arc. It might be that these two goals are mutually exclusive. The challenge aspects in the combat (esp. ambush waves) do not allow me to concentrate much on the clue-driven mystery. As a result, both goals suffer (well, at the moment). Finally, I want to specifically comment on this: I don't want to make the puzzle in M3 easier because there is a hidden but better way to solve it. Sadly, since nobody ever sees the connection, they think the mission is brutal or unwinnable. Easy to spot the fixes here: *If multiple players aren't seeing the connection, then make it easier/clearer to see. *If multiple players think my mission is "X," then it's "X," regardless of what I think about it. I imagine you can tinker with this to find the right balance between Challenge and Story. But, given my druthers, I'd rather your AE treat me to a story first. If all I want is a challenge, I'll try to find one of those farm mission thingies, or run an in-game TF at higher settings. If it's a Choose the right glowie challenge, that's fine. But it needs to be easier to figure out. Further, if you can fool the player, even as clues are in plain sight? Even better. Right now, this part is akin to the tabletop GM who keeps waiting for the players to ask the right question, rather than adjusting the campaign to make acquisition of what they need a tad easier (so that the campaign can move ahead, and everyone can have fun). My 3 and a half cents again. Good luck with the changes. Hope the refit isn't too excruciating. I do know how the editing process is, believe me. I applaud you for sticking with it.

Sticking with it. The character (Whipsmart, 2nd version) is a BR/Regen sentinel. With the extra END buff (in addition to Stamina) can run the 3 leadership buffs without a hitch. He can bring a bit of support to the group.

I can also throw in Zero G + Prestige Jet pack for some nice jump. This makes the pack seem like it's a sort of catch-all device. Yeah, we'll keep that.:-)

Well, I was going to eventually pick up flight, but notice this when I used a plain ol' jet pack: Dat's a lotta rocketry.:-) Tempted to just keep using jetpack as my flight travel, since my aux set is going to be Leadership. (wonder how the small jetpack looks, or the Brickers?)

Agh! That GD truck! I ran that with 2 other maps, which I exchanged for the map I finally used, then tested it multiple times for that stupid truck in the air spawn. Didn’t happen so I thought, “Good-finally got it.” But noooooooi!:-) (it is funny though) (and yeah it’s Daredevil all over it. And KRD is a nod to vanity-I used Juan in Ordinary People. Then I drew up an AR/TA blaster who is one of my Incarnates now. Juan is actually in the KR zone (I think on a rooftop not far from WW’s) and his official NPC backstory (which I pasted straight out of the wiki), plus my use of him in Ordinary People, I felt, allowed me to push his story forward a bit (to fit with my running of him as one of my PCs). Beyond that, What can I say? I like callbacks.:-)) thanks for the run and the kind words.

Well...out of curiosity, I played this. And here's what I think. Kyksie's right about M3. Full stop. Other stuff: Timers are uniformly long and slow (and not just this mish, either, though this one is heinously long, and obviously geared to make me fail). Case in point? In M2 (not M3), I clicked on one, hopped to a separate window to type the sentence, above, and when I got back, it was still counting down. As for M3: Screw this mission. I clicked on a Rikti computer, since those ostensibly contain what I need (I assume). And here I am, typing what you're reading right now, waiting, hoping I got the right one. Well, I DID summon an Elite Ambish, which basically cleaned my clock, despite me popping Insps and everything. So, here's my inescapable conslusion: you made me stand around for nearly 2 minutes, then ambushed me with a very tough mob, just so I would die. I therefore stood outside and let the timer wind down. I guess I learned my lesson. And, yes, I did reread your clues - not for long, though, because I only had 5 minutes to actually get into and complete the mission - LESS, when you count the ridiculous use of timers. My suggestion is to reduce the timer length. If this hurts your soul for some reason, increase the timer to at least 10 minutes, especially if it's a tough mob, and you'd like me to go back in if I faceplant (or maybe just so I have time to review the previous clues, as you suggest). Otherwise, I'm just going to stand outside and wait (while you, no doubt, blame me for my own demise, as you did Kyksie, above). M4 (finale) I got END drained and KB'ed constantly. Defended one of the mainframes, but not the other. Mish failed, and that was it - because I could not get back in there to save the 2nd mainframe. Btw, I was running an exemplared L50 with loads of IO sets and a ton of Insps. It's not like I had a chump toon. Plus, I know how to run blasters (especially this one). For this one, I'd limit it to one mainframe. You want to keep the ambushes and everything, I think that's fine. But you did this to me twice, and, frankly, I'm not sure why. It felt like it a bit anti-player. Verdict: I don't have any issues with your main idea. The elements are competently executed. You know what you're doing with AE. However, you seemed out to make sure I failed, which I inevitably did. And in such a way that I don't want to try again, because I know the deck is stacked against me. It's player-unfriendly there, as is. I can't imagine how I'd fare with a L20. Maybe it would be easier, I dunno. Main thing was all the END-sapping, coupled with KB. And I was popping large Def and DR Insps - against normal mobs. Beyond that, I'll add this: your response, above, is a primer in how not to take criticism (you complained that Kyks didn't complete your optional objectives, which evidently means they shouldn't be optional, thereby making that your fault, not his). You disagree with the commentary about your premise, well and good. Premise is subjective. But when you get told by the reviewer who's #1 thing is time wasters that you have time wasters, you should sit up and take notice. That's a mechanical thing that you have control over that inhibits enjoyment of your arc. I'm a REALLY nice reviewer, and I did not like M3 AT ALL. The long timer ruins any chance I have of bouncing back if I screw up. It's punitive. Put M4 on top of that, and I'm left with a sour taste at the end. Which is too bad, because the overall execution of it is clean and competent (though I don't like being so directly coached on how to play it - I'd rather get hints from the contact or something, so it least it looks organic). As for criticism, take what you can use from it, and move on. None of us is perfect. I've had some comments about my material that I didn't like and/or didn't agree with at first. I've found, though, that when someone bothers to comment on something I designed, and points out a flaw, they're almost always correct in their assessment (or at least they have a point). Anytime you put something in the public sphere, you have to resolve yourself to not blaming the audience if they don't respond the way you thought they should. As the writer, it's my fault if what I want to happened didn't. Just saying "the audience didn't get it," or some such, is an ego-driven waste of time, and a barrier to improvement. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to write the mish. I'd do a bit of work on it, were it mine. Either way, keep on scripting. Original content is always welcome. Crane

Okay. Managed to make the Cage Series finale fit the theme: You had remarked after the first two that you wondered if you're still a vigilante. I took that as a starting point for the finale.:-)

Rather than write a pair of disparate arcs, I chose to close out the cage series with a single, vigilante story. Think it fits the whole feel better. Tested with a pretty tough blaster. The last boss took me awhile to bring down, but that may have to do with dmg type and its resistances. Is is just me or are bosses really running around more? My end boss dragged all the adds in the last room right into the fray...Sorta liked that, actually.:-)

I’m always down for old school stuff, but getting it organized enough for regular play is tough. The .38 Specials are dedicated to this, but, after trying to run a couple of events with no luck, I gave up. But I’d be down to have a dedicated stable of OGs who like running Old School. Maybe a CoH version of the OSR?:-)

Hm...that's interesting, because you can obviously solo mishes - like, actually solo, on your own. And it's still an MMO. Weird thing to say, since it proves nothing (and is obviously untrue. I'm not sure they're entirely wrong to be put out with someone who runs off on their own, without any consultation or coordination whatsoever, while obviously part of their team (they're on the roster, right?). I think of it this way: if I just do whatever the f*** I want, I'm saying I know better than everyone else, or that my way/style is better. At the very least, aren't I saying, Its not worth my time to even check if this style is okay with the team/leader, because what I want to do matters more? I mean, don't I agree to some small level of cooperation the minute I accept the team invite? I didn't form the team. I don't know anyone. Why would I think it's okay to run off and leave the team without some small discussion of tactics first? Doesn't NOT doing that make me this guy?:

The Rippers. I just love getting my face kicked in.:-) I guess it'd be Arachnos, but that's assuming this "me" is some other, more ruthless version of "me." The real me would probably be Legacy Chain, because I assume they play D&D on the weekends.:-)

True! Though I don't think anyone's complaining about soloing. It's the "soloing with an audience" thing where it gets prickly.:-) (what do we call that anyway? "grandstanding?") To address the topic, though: Know what? I have zero expectations when it comes to hopping on a team, other than I expect common courtesy. Speeding, splitting off, etc., just is what it is. Toons are tougher, overall. From a strict, mechanical standpoint, we don't need each other as much as we used to (well...depending on level, and Diff, and so on). I'm either on the team to grab some merits, or taking a toon on mish teams as a change of pace. The only thing I try to make sure of is not to enter mish until the leader enters first - unless it completely clear they don't care about that (we usually find this out pretty quickly, if there's a response to the speed buggies in the group). The only aspect of "soloing while teaming" that bothers me in any way is if we're dealing with grindy mishes full of purps, and folks jump out of unfinished enemies to take on other mobs - not to gather a few extras and drag them back. Nope. Just to start fighting a full mob while the rest of us deal with leftover purples. That just feels douchey (if they leave a lot behind, it feels like we're wiping their a** for them). I suspect I'm more sensitive to this because I run a lot of ranged types, and too often end up as "free safety." I'm just, "....oh, come on...I gotta stay here and dance with these guys? They don't even mambo!":-) But truthfully, even that is a fairly minor annoyance. I know why I'm on the team (usually for the merits or the good XP). I do feel like it's a good idea, though, for team leaders to set expectations for the group, particularly for certain tasks we're all familiar with. There really is a good case for splitting up during the interminable kill-alls of Cit. In fact, running in a small pod, or in a duo in those situations is actually quite fun. It's like, "Alright! Me & Super Dude took down that entire mob ourselves! BOOYAH!" I have enjoyed this more, felt more relevant to the team's success, than trailing behind while mobs melt to near nothing by the time I get there. In that sense, I guess I echo the sentiment that teams of 3-5 can be a lot more fun than the full Monty. (speaking of, did anyone ever run that "star-configuration" team idea I remember seeing - basically running a team of 5 through content? maybe I should start that up.)

Change for the new lore? Pshaw! The lore must come to ME!:-) (though I do wonder if any community ideas will be appropriated-there’s enough of them certainly).

1) With the Good vs Evil edition, 2006 or ‘07. 2) Yes. It felt like a death in the family, honestly. Made me very sad. 3) I couldn’t believe it. When I actually created a character and entered the game, heard the music, damn near cried. 4) I recreated Major Viktory and Acrobattle. I was happy to get the names. Then I went out and busted heads via Habashy. 5) I played Indomitable at first, only because I read it had a smaller population, and I wasn’t sure how things would run. I ended up Excelsior because it’s easier to team there. I created some variations on old toons, then rolled into AE scripting, which I had dabbled in before shutdown. I ended up spending a lot of time there. I was single before shutdown, so, in order not to be playing all the time, I have one night a week where I can run guilt-free. I’m on and off other days, when I can grab extra time. 6) I like either straight up, cheesy silver age heroes, or street level vigilante types. The former because it’s pure and uncomplicated. The latter because my favorite super heroes are usually “low power” types.

Well...lots of combos, I would think. I know I enjoy just about anything arrows. My AR/Tac Arrow has been fun. Some damage from the bullets, then all the tricksy stuff from the bow: glue, ESD, Flash. Ice Arrow has turned out to be handier than I originally gave it credit for. Plus you get the movement buff along the way (gymnastics). With all the travel stacks, you can motor fairly well with prestige run/Sprint/gymnastics. Grab a jet pack, get your zone TP power via Atlas, grab some Explores in key zones. You can bounce around quick these days. I also REALLY enjoyed Staff/Ninj a great deal. Probably best on a Brute, but I went scrapper.

He likely created it.:-)

Motorcycle, for sure. And a "non-descript van" full of guns for KR Devil.:-)

All of Darm's stuff is so well grounded in Lore than it can be slipped in pretty easily (esp. the Praet stuff). I'd add that there's a slew of arcs with (at the very least) selected missions that could work as radios, or even tips, with a bit of tweaking. As far as "fitting into the game," I liken finding that fit to locating "where the sidewalk ends" (with certain stories), then working in those open spaces. For example, my current Cage arcs are based on the question, "What happened to the Iron Widow after she was kidnapped and released (in the Petrovich arc)?" She seems to be gone for good. But what if she came back, ostensibly to continue "the good fight" on behalf of the Scrapyarders (not to mention in honor of her husband)? Boom! There is a gap to work in right there, so that's where I went (and ended up writing myself into 4 arcs [2 done, 2 I still have to design]). Using a similar "What's missing?" philosophy led me to fiddle around with a low level vill TF arc because there really isn't a Pos1/2 analogue (hence, The Port Oakes Task Force [pts I & II]). Darm's Praet arcs fall into similar spaces (and more firmly than mine, I'd say). Lore-adjacent or not, there's a ton of AE stories that can be wedged into any zone on the basis of the contacts there, and the zone's general feel. For example, I return to KR in original arcs because (1) I think of the zone as home for my street level vigs, and (2) I want that Daredevil/Hell's Kitchen vibe. If it's not already clear from the way several of my stories end, I lean a lot toward the idea that, on the heroic side, at least, you're doing some real good, but, in the end, it's like trying to hold back the ocean. All victory is fleeting, and some wins feel like losses. That's what the Row says to me. Now, if I can just figure out what, say, Skyway says to me, I might trundle on over there for a bit.:-)

Guess I just won’t run vs. purple then.

Just for funsies, clicked 7 times and got: The Lucky Oxman The Hot Sniper The Honorable Dagger The Heavenly Starling Commander Magical Macaw Chief Fancy Eagle Marvelous Spirit Professor Defiant Daggers Black Knight Black Star OF these, 9 & 10 are the least interesting ("I am the night!" "Oh, yeah? Well, I am nightier!") . Other than that, I had a few thoughts on some of these: Lucky Oxman....hmmmm...like...he just stands there...with his Ox...being lucky? Hot Sniper...change a couple letters, and you have a day (er...night) job. (but in the spirit, WECANDOIT!=Sentinel AR/FA? Blaster: AR/FM? Any powerset with a revealing outfit? (like...a dude running around in nuthin' but tighty whities?) Honorable Dagger: Come now - all daggers are honorable:-) Chief Fancy Eagle: "You know, it's not a bad eagle...I mean, we could fancy it up, add a few throw pillows...stuff like that...") I actually liked Magical Macaw. Not sure why we need the rank, but that indicates we have an organization of bird people? "Dat's MAH Caw! Not Yo Caw!" Lest I forget: Professor Defiant Daggers: "So, you're...defiant, and you, like, use knives and stuff..." "(sighs) No. Defiant Daggers is my given name. I just fly and punch myself real hard."

He is currently sad as an ally with the reaction setting to “do nothing.” When I was running the tests he never did follow me anywhere. I am hoping that it’s just a glitch.