Robotech_Master

Funny, but the recharge time of the powers is barely even an issue for me. My characters are so well-built and slotted that even in power sets that have a built-in "panic button," like Willpower or Shield Defense, I nearly never end up using it. Same token for powers like Archmage/Demonic; there's just nearly no time when I ever actually need it, so I'm not usually likely to need it again within 8 minutes or so of the last time (which, with permahasten plus other recharge rate boosts, is probably just about what that 25-minute period works out to). Yeah, the Crey freeze gun is pretty useless, but then it was probably never intended to be all that useful anyway; it's just a visual reminder of a bragging right. Proof that you went to all the trouble to earn the thing. Rah rah. Personally, I wish the Vanguard Medallion was more useful to people who aren't Controllers or Dominators. Who else is even going to care that you can double the length of your mezzes if you don't even have any mez attacks? Now, if they added doubling the duration of taunt effects, too, then we might have something…

How is any of it a slog? Maybe on your first ever character, it could be. But if you play for a while, the extra Empyrean Merits you get every 3 vet levels really start to add up—to say nothing of the Empies you could claim for doing Hamidon Raids every night. On my newest level 50s, I was able to email about 300 Empyrean Merits (converted 50:1 to Transcendent Merits for mailing) from my older 50s who already had all the powers they needed. Combined with the Threads they earned in their first dozen levels, I was able to kit them out very easily. Indeed, I could have bought pretty much everything up to Tier 4 without needing to do Trials, but I held myself back from that 'cuz I like doing Trials. Actually, you should be slotting sets with Influence, because you get a better return on buying stuff that way than buying it with Merits. Buy yourself five level 10 Steadfast Protection Resist/Defense recipes @ 20 Merits each, craft them, sell them, you'll probably have 27 million Inf after the AH fees. That'll buy you several Enhancements. You can convert it into Threads, though. Which you can use to buy Super Insps and sell for big money on the AH. There isn't any way to convert Reward Merits directly into Inf. Some things just can't be converted like that. That's what an economy is for.

I find it really weird that there's a significant market for Superior versions of these enhancements, such that I can actually make a profit by unslotting my Superiors to sell, re-slotting non-Superior versions, and re-catalyzing them. Are people really that lazy that they would rather pay extra than just use a catalyst for themselves? Or does the game need to do a better job of explaining how the Superior version is made?

The Vanguard Medal accolade power's description says it boosts the length of "Disorient, Hold, Immobilize, Fear, Confuse and Sleep" effects, as well as boosting knockback. Which is nice if you're a Controller, but it's kind of underwhelming for melee classes who don't necessarily have any of those kinds of powers. How about adding a boost to the length of Taunt effects, too? Would make it a more useful power to have for Tankers and Brutes.

Welcome home! One thing you'll find is that leveling is actually a lot faster on Homecoming than it used to be back on live—in part because you can get double-XP for free, from the P2W store, and the "Experienced" patrol XP packs in the Super Packs (which can now be bought for Influence rather than real money). Granted, using double XP means that you don't earn Inf while using it, but there are other ways around that. I strongly recommend you read the guides I wrote, linked from my signature below. A lot of them were written based on things I found out after playing again for a while, and wished someone had told me about sooner!

It seems to be the case for any Enhancement that has part of its range where it doesn't overlap with others. I can convert sniper sets into an Exploit Weakness, but not convert one out of it. This also holds true for things like Cloud Senses and Siphon Insight, which are 10-30 and 30-50. Cloud Senses won't convert within category; Siphon Insight will offer the option to convert within category, but the conversion always fails. Whether this is a bug or working as intended, I have no idea.

Funny…until just now, I somehow missed noticing that you can also enable Dual and Team Inspiration drops from the P2W. Well, I've updated the guide accordingly.

I don't suppose the Shadow Maul changes will propagate to the Sands of Mu temp/prestige powers? 🙂

Mayhem missions are great, aren't they? It's incredibly cathartic to be able to wander through a neighborhood and bust stuff up—sort of the City of Heroes equivalent of popping bubble wrap. And what's more, there's a contact, Lord Schweinzer, who will give you access to all the Mayhem missions without having to complete five newspaper missions first, if you earn the "Hero Slayer" badge. "Hero Slayer" requires defeating 25 heroes, of the sort found in Mayhem Missions, tip missions, the Lord Recluse Strike Force, and a few other places. It can take forever to grind those out if you're just relying on those missions, even with the occasional LRSF thrown in. But someone told me about a really speedy way to get it, and I tested it, and it works. So, here it is for you! Go to Pocket D and have Null change your Alignment to Hero or Vigilante. Go to Brickstown and talk to contact Dakota Berg, who offers part 4 of the "Who Will Die" signature story arc. He's the red storybook icon east of the hospital. You must be at least level 30 to do this. Do the first two missions of the arc at -1/x1 for speed. When you get to mission 3, set it to -1/x8. (If your character class isn't good at damage, you might want to bring a damage-class along to help with this.) This mission spawns bunches of dream-ghost-images of Malaise and Aurora, who count as "heroes" for purposes of the badge. Defeat them until you get the "Bloody Hands" badge; it shouldn't take too long. You can then quit the TF, go back to Pocket D, and have Null change you back to Rogue or Villain. "Bloody Hands" will become "Hero Slayer," and you should get Lord Schweinzer as a contact as soon as the alignment switch completes. This also offers a speedy route for heroes or vigilantes to get the "Invader"/"Task Force Commander" accolade power if they don't want to have to do all the Task Forces to obtain it. Just get "Bloody Hands," then change to Rogue and get the exploration badges from all the Mayhem missions. (You don't even have to complete them; just go into each mission, get the badge, then exit and drop the mission.) Once you have all of them, you will get "Invader," which will magically change to "Task Force Commander" when you return to Paragon City. (Sadly, there isn't any similarly speedy way to unlock the equivalent badge for the all-Safeguard-missions contact, Villain Disruptor. You just have to grind those out, though the Statesman (Miss Liberty) Task Force can certainly help.)

Uh, saying stuff to all the people in the same zone that they're in? Broadcast isn't server-wide, the way Help and LFG are, and General will be. Given how many times I've seen both LFG and Help become Barrens Chat where originally on-topic conversations devolve into random chat, it'll be handy to be able to say "take it to General." Advising people to take it to a global channel didn't work so well, given that people have to join those channels manually.

My favorite placeholder sets tend to be Kinetic Combat or Mako's Bite for single-target melee, and Obliteration for PBAoE.

You mean you think I overslotted Blood Thirst? I suppose that's possible, but Gaussian's has some good bonuses at the high end. Discarding Hemhorrage, adding Maneuvers, shifting a slot over to replace Kinetic Combat with Hecatomb, and putting Armageddon into Savage Leap since I don't have another one in another power anymore, and I have Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Savage Tigress: Level 50 Science Brute Primary Power Set: Savage Melee Secondary Power Set: Willpower Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Leadership Power Pool: Fighting Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Savage Strike -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(7) Level 1: High Pain Tolerance -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(7), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), RctArm-ResDam(9), RgnTss-Regen+(11) Level 2: Maiming Slash -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(15) Level 4: Mind Over Body -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(19), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(19), RctArm-ResDam(21), GldArm-3defTpProc(21) Level 6: Fast Healing -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(23), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(23), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(25), Pnc-Heal(25) Level 8: Vicious Slash -- Hct-Dmg(A), Hct-Dmg/Rchg(27), Hct-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(27), Hct-Acc/Rchg(29), Hct-Dmg/EndRdx(29), Hct-Dam%(40) Level 10: Indomitable Will -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(31), Rct-ResDam%(31), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31) Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 14: Taunt -- Taunt-I(A) Level 16: Rise to the Challenge -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(33), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(33), Prv-Heal/Rchg(33), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(34), Prv-Absorb%(34) Level 18: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A) Level 20: Rending Flurry -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(34), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(36), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(36), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(36), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(37) Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37) Level 24: Quick Recovery -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(37), EndMod-I(39) Level 26: Maneuvers -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(39), GifoftheA-Def(39), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(40) Level 28: Heightened Senses -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(40), GifoftheA-Def(42), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(42) Level 30: Blood Thirst -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(45), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(45), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(46), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(46), GssSynFr--Build%(46) Level 32: Savage Leap -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dam%(42), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(43), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), Arm-Acc/Rchg(43), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(45) Level 35: Resurgence -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 38: Strength of Will -- StdPrt-ResKB(A) Level 41: Boxing -- Acc-I(A) Level 44: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(48), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), RctArm-ResDam(48) Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(50), GifoftheA-Def(50) Level 49: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A) 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 1: Fury Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(17), EndMod-I(17) Level 1: Blood Frenzy ------------

After discarding Shred and shuffling some things around, I have this. Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Savage Tigress: Level 50 Science Brute Primary Power Set: Savage Melee Secondary Power Set: Willpower Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Ancillary Pool: Energy Mastery Villain Profile: Level 1: Savage Strike -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(7) Level 1: High Pain Tolerance -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(7), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(9), RctArm-ResDam(9), RgnTss-Regen+(11) Level 2: Maiming Slash -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(13), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(15), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(15) Level 4: Mind Over Body -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(19), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(19), RctArm-ResDam(21), GldArm-3defTpProc(21) Level 6: Fast Healing -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(23), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(23), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(25), Pnc-Heal(25) Level 8: Vicious Slash -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(27), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(27), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(29), KntCmb-Knock%(29) Level 10: Indomitable Will -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(31), Rct-ResDam%(31), ShlWal-ResDam/Re TP(31) Level 12: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 14: Taunt -- Taunt-I(A) Level 16: Rise to the Challenge -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(33), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(33), Prv-Heal/Rchg(33), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(34), Prv-Absorb%(34) Level 18: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A) Level 20: Rending Flurry -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(34), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(36), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(36), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(36), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(37) Level 22: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(37) Level 24: Quick Recovery -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(37), EndMod-I(39) Level 26: Hemorrhage -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(39), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(39), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(40), KntCmb-Knock%(40) Level 28: Heightened Senses -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(40), GifoftheA-Def(42), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(42) Level 30: Blood Thirst -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(45), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(45), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(46), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(46), GssSynFr--Build%(46) Level 32: Savage Leap -- SprAvl-Acc/Dmg(A), SprAvl-Dmg/EndRdx(42), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(43), SprAvl-Rchg/KDProc(45) Level 35: Resurgence -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 38: Strength of Will -- StdPrt-ResKB(A) Level 41: Boxing -- Acc-I(A) Level 44: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(48), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), RctArm-ResDam(48) Level 47: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(50), GifoftheA-Def(50) Level 49: Superior Conditioning -- PrfShf-End%(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A) 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 1: Fury Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Health -- NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(A) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(17), EndMod-I(17) Level 1: Blood Frenzy ------------

How do you mean "procc'd out"? Why get rid of Hemorrhage? It's a strong single-damage attack, good against AVs and such, isn't it? I like having a self-rez, partly because it's convenient and partly because it's a good 0 slot power that frees up slots to throw into other things. What are good strategies for soft-capping? Are there some other sets I should be looking into using?

Trying out my first Savage Melee/Willpower Brute, and I have questions. This is the build I've come up with in Mids thus far, and I wonder if I'm badly gimping myself. Are any of the primary or secondary powers readily skippable without too much harm? I'm strongly considering dumping Shred, as I'm not terribly fond of melee cones. That would let me move various other powers back earlier, give me skill slots to spend on Weave and a couple other places, and free up a power slot to spend on Energy Mastery/Superior Conditioning, which doesn't really need any slotting. Any other thoughts? Villain Plan by Mids' Reborn : Hero Designer 2.6.0.7 https://github.com/ImaginaryDevelopment/imaginary-hero-designer Click this DataLink to open the build! Savage Tigress: Level 50 Science Brute Primary Power Set: Savage Melee Secondary Power Set: Willpower Power Pool: Leaping Power Pool: Speed Power Pool: Fighting Villain Profile: Level 1: Savage Strike -- SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprBrtFur-Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(3), SprBrtFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(5), SprBrtFur-Rech/Fury(7) Level 1: High Pain Tolerance -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(13), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(13), RctArm-ResDam(15), RgnTss-Regen+(15), NmnCnv-Regen/Rcvry+(46) Level 2: Maiming Slash -- SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg(A), SprUnrFur-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(7), SprUnrFur-Dmg/Rchg(9), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(9), SprUnrFur-Acc/Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(11), SprUnrFur-Rchg/+Regen/+End(11) Level 4: Mind Over Body -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(34), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(34), RctArm-ResDam(36) Level 6: Shred -- Arm-Dmg(A), Arm-Dmg/Rchg(17), Arm-Acc/Dmg/Rchg(17), Arm-Acc/Rchg(19), Arm-Dmg/EndRdx(19), Arm-Dam%(46) Level 8: Fast Healing -- Pnc-Heal/EndRedux(A), Pnc-EndRdx/Rchg(36), Pnc-Heal/Rchg(36), Pnc-Heal/EndRedux/Rchg(37), Pnc-Heal(37), Pnc-Heal/+End(37) Level 10: Vicious Slash -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(21), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(21), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(23), KntCmb-Knock%(23) Level 12: Indomitable Will -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 14: Combat Jumping -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 16: Taunt -- Taunt-I(A) Level 18: Rise to the Challenge -- Prv-Heal(A), Prv-Heal/EndRdx(40), Prv-EndRdx/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg(42), Prv-Heal/Rchg/EndRdx(42), Prv-Absorb%(43) Level 20: Super Jump -- BlsoftheZ-ResKB(A) Level 22: Rending Flurry -- OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg(A), OvrFrc-End/Rech(25), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End(25), OvrFrc-Dmg/End/Rech(27), OvrFrc-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(27), OvrFrc-Dam/KB(46) Level 24: Hasten -- RechRdx-I(A), RechRdx-I(29) Level 26: Hemorrhage -- KntCmb-Acc/Dmg(A), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx(29), KntCmb-Dmg/Rchg(31), KntCmb-Dmg/EndRdx/Rchg(31), KntCmb-Knock%(31) Level 28: Heightened Senses -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A), LucoftheG-Def(50), GifoftheA-Def/EndRdx(50), GifoftheA-Def(50) Level 30: Quick Recovery -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(33), EndMod-I(34) Level 32: Savage Leap -- FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg(A), FuroftheG-Dam/Rech(39), FuroftheG-Dam/End/Rech(39), FuroftheG-Acc/End/Rech(39), FuroftheG-Acc/Dmg/End/Rech(40), FuroftheG-ResDeb%(40) Level 35: Resurgence -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 38: Strength of Will -- GldArm-3defTpProc(A) Level 41: Blood Thirst -- GssSynFr--ToHit(A), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg(43), GssSynFr--ToHit/Rchg/EndRdx(43), GssSynFr--Rchg/EndRdx(45), GssSynFr--ToHit/EndRdx(45), GssSynFr--Build%(45) Level 44: Boxing -- Acc-I(A) Level 47: Tough -- RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx(A), RctArm-ResDam/Rchg(48), RctArm-ResDam/EndRdx/Rchg(48), RctArm-ResDam(48) Level 49: Weave -- LucoftheG-Def/Rchg+(A) Level 1: Brawl -- Acc-I(A) 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 1: Fury Level 1: Sprint -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Rest -- RechRdx-I(A) Level 4: Ninja Run Level 2: Swift -- Run-I(A) Level 2: Health -- Mrc-Rcvry+(A) Level 2: Hurdle -- Jump-I(A) Level 2: Stamina -- PrfShf-End%(A), PrfShf-EndMod(33), EndMod-I(33) Level 1: Blood Frenzy ------------

Welcome home! One thing I would suggest would be to read up on the various guides on the guides forum. In a lot of cases, the guides come out of someone writing down the things they learned by experience and wished they'd been told when they started out. I know they were in my case! (Just click the link in my signature, below.) And if you have any problems in-game, feel free to ask about them in /help — one of the best things about this game is that so many people are so helpful.

Woohoo, this Trial is finally getting its day in the Weekly Strike rotation! Can't wait to run it some more…

It's not so much the merits I'm doing it for as the XP, and also conveniently getting one of the sought-after stat-boosting accolades for doing nothing more than how I'd level myself up anyway along the way. I'll probably never spend all the merits I have now, either, except possibly on converters. It's so much easier to buy stuff with cash when you've got a total of about 11 billion Inf across all your characters and self-emails.

My "process" is a lot simpler. As I explain in my powerleveling guide: When I start a new hero-side character, I usually put double-XP on and then go through Death From Below once or twice, to reach at least level 8. From there, I go straight to Positron, and do all the “Task Force Commander” Task Forces up through Numina, followed by a few Imperious Task Forces and possibly some Rikti Mothership Raids. I’m level 50 before I know it, often just over the course of a day or two. If I ever hit a stretch where I don’t have quite enough XP to get to the next Task Force, I will fill in with one of the other TFs or trials, like Moonfire or Hess, Market Crash, Summer Blockbuster, or a Respec Trial. I might also do the Abandoned Sewer Trial or Eden Trial for variety, or the Shadow Shard TFs if I can find enough people willing to do them; I’ll also be sure to do whatever the current Weekly Strike Target is for that big XP bonus.

And that's how I'm using it here. I don't think I used ATO in a context anywhere that it should be confused with "Attuned". I said "you should be full up on ATOs [and others]" or "you'll have to wait to get Superior ATOs [and others]". I don't think I ever used it in a context where it could be confused with Attuned. ATO is a specific and commonly-used term, standing for ArcheType Origin, along with TO for Training Origin, DO for Double Origin, SO for Single Origin, IO for Invention Origin, HO for Hamidon Origin, etc. I'm not sure how anyone could confuse the meaning with "Attuned".

Given the choice of someone acting super-entitled and someone acting apologetic, I have to say that as a team leader, I'd prefer apologetic behavior. It's less likely to annoy me. If you aren't annoyed by people who can't do as much as the rest of the team tagging along for extra XP, that's fine. I'm largely okay with it, too, in most circumstances. But not everybody will be, and as the old saying goes, you catch more flies with honey. Not worth what? A few thousand Inf? They're so cheap to craft, especially if you've got them all memorized, that you might as well have some. Having them in at least a few slots means your powers will be that much better than unslotted, and you're not going to want to go out and buy more Trainings every few levels. I don't see anywhere I confused the two. ATOs are Attuned, by the way; they've got the same round border and behave the same way.

Well, 270K/merit, after market fees, and you do have to spend a few thousand Inf to craft the IO to get that. And it depends on there being sufficient demand for that IO, which there might not necessarily always be, and they will take longer to sell than Converters or Boosters if you want to get the best return. But yeah…I'll probably have to revise the guide a bit for that.

Well, just as with real-world money, it's nice to have a little financial security and know you don't have to worry about where the next alt's Enhancements are coming from. If you go with ATOs, Purples, and PVPs, you could easily spend 1 to 2 billion Inf per alt, and stocking up ahead of time means you don't have to worry about taking time out of leveling your new alt to marketeer at the point you need it. Just bid, grab, slot, and go. Also, having a lot of Inf on hand makes it easy to do nice things for other people. If a friend is getting into the game, I could fund his first toon. And sometimes I like buying super packs and handing them out to lowbies. 🙂

Hmm, good thought. I may need to add an "As you powerlevel…" section with that kind of advice.

I've gotten to the point where I really don't even much bother with experimenting to find niches anymore. I just go with level 41 Reactive Defense to LotG global recharge. I'm not really in it for high volume anymore, since I've got several billion Inf salted away in emails and various characters' wallets, and I haven't rolled any new toons lately I need to blow the Inf on. So I'm not really in any huge rush to make more cash. I can afford to bid on a bunch of RD recipes and IOs at lowish prices and wait for them to roll in, and then convert them and list them. Over the last few months, LotG global recharge has sold at a pretty steady 7 mil. I know I'm far from the only person out there doing it, but they're just so necessary that I suspect a lot more people could jump on before the price falls too far. Something else I toy with is snagging Gladiator's Net (the cheapest PVP set, because few people care about Holds) and converting them into Panacea, Shield Wall, and Gladiator's Armor procs. Those sell at a pretty steady 12 million Inf per. But relatively few Gladiator's Nets come on the market, so it's not something I can really do in huge numbers.