Issue 27: Second Chances, Page 1 - Out Now!

[UltraAlt]

7 hours ago, Tater Todd said:

Bear with me

Nice beard!

[Klaleara]

This looks awesome, I'm happy to see additional mechanics for the new stuff.

 

Here is to hoping that we can add additional mechanics to older powersets, as I'd love to see that (Cough cough, especially MM's).

[Tater Todd]

13 hours ago, UltraAlt said:

Nice beard!

Thank you Ultra!

[Cinnder]

I love the writing in the new arcs, but I really hate the lack of balancing.  The over-powered end bosses and obsession with ambushes (usually simultaneously) make them virtually un-soloable unless the character is a tricked out 50 exemping down.  I think these would have been better suited to be TFs rather than supposed solo content.

 

Also, it's not fun having so much dialogue occurring during the waves of ambushes, requiring a lot of scrolling back to see what was said after the fighting is all over.

[Piecemeal]

16 hours ago, Cinnder said:

I love the writing in the new arcs, but I really hate the lack of balancing.  The over-powered end bosses and obsession with ambushes (usually simultaneously) make them virtually un-soloable unless the character is a tricked out 50 exemping down.  I think these would have been better suited to be TFs rather than supposed solo content.

 

Also, it's not fun having so much dialogue occurring during the waves of ambushes, requiring a lot of scrolling back to see what was said after the fighting is all over.

To be fair... the subplot about Cortex getting Wicker Man'd by bees is entirely a bonus story. 😛

[Darmian]

2 hours ago, Piecemeal said:

To be fair... the subplot about Cortex getting Wicker Man'd by bees is entirely a bonus story. 😛

Nicolas Cage plays Cortex in the movie version?  Yeah, I can see that!

[Jacke]

4 hours ago, Darmian said:

Nicolas Cage plays Cortex in the movie version?  Yeah, I can see that!

Make sure to get the heavy duty scenery, 'cause it's going to get chewed. 🙂

[KalSpiro]

I'm disappointed with the loss of Combat Jump effects inside Gymnastics.  I have multiple versions of a character and I added Combat Jump to the other ones to mimic the effect, only to have that no longer be the case.

[Wavicle]

6 hours ago, KalSpiro said:

I'm disappointed with the loss of Combat Jump effects inside Gymnastics.  I have multiple versions of a character and I added Combat Jump to the other ones to mimic the effect, only to have that no longer be the case.

I thought that got change  reverted.

[Jacke]

4 hours ago, Wavicle said:

I thought that got change  reverted. [ Combat Jumping not stacking with Gymnastics ]

 

Good memory, @Wavicle.  I had to dig around the Focused Feedback topics.

 

According to the progressive patch notes (quoted below in Spoiler), for stacking Shinobi should still stack for Jumping with Combat Jumping and Ninja Run (and Beast Run and Athletic Run).  If it tests as not stacking, that should be reported as a bug.

 

 

From the Other Powers Changes topic the RC1 patch notes (last change for them):

https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/23371-focused-feedback-other-powers-changes/page/14/?tab=comments#comment-291275

Quote

Movement Buffs

• This change has been reverted
• This will be looked at again in the future, potentially Page 2, as we look into proliferating Ninjitsu
• The following travel powers will suppress Primary/Secondary equivalent power travel buffs:
  •  Pool > Leaping > Combat Jumping
  •  Pool > Leaping > Super Jump
  •  Pool > Force of Will > Mighty Leap
  •  Pool > Speed > Super Speed
  •  Pool > Experimentation > Speed of Sound
  •  Prestige Travel > Ninja Run
  •  Prestige Travel > Beast Run
  •  Prestige Travel > Athletic Run
• Primary/Secondary powers impacted by this:
  •  Scrapper Defence > Ninjitsu > Shinobi-Iri
  •  Sentinel Defence > Ninjitsu > Shinobi-Iri
  •  Blaster Support > Ninja Training > Shinobi-Iri
  •  Blaster Support > Tactical Arrow > Gymnastics

 
From the Blaster Secondary Revamp topic the RC1 patch notes (last change for them):
https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/23370-focused-feedback-blaster-secondary-revamp/page/22/?tab=comments#comment-291274

Quote

•  Gymnastics (Replaces Agility)
  • Gymnastics and Agility have been merged into a new toggle power
  • Provides knockback protection, a 1.75% defence buff, a recharge bonus, a movement speed buff and some slow / mez protection
  • If you previously had Agility, you now have Gymnastics
  • The Jump bonus has been removed (the run speed bonus remains), but the travel power stacking restrictions have been removed

So for stacking should behave the same as it was in i26p5.  Here on November 1, @Moonlighter did some testing comparing i26p5 to Build 2 i27p1.
https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/23371-focused-feedback-other-powers-changes/?do=findComment&comment=284970

Quote

Moonlighter

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Posted November 1

Not sure where to put this bug, so since this is other powers:

 

It looks like messing with the /Ninj toggles on blasters somehow messed up /Ninj scrappers.

 

On my 50 /Ninj scrapper:

 

Jumping on  LIVE

 

Shinobi Only

Speed: 55.76

Height: 31.38

 

Shinobi + CJ

Speed: 55.91

Height: 39.38

 

Shinobi + Ninja Run

Speed: 75.37

Height: 59.18

 

Jumping on TEST

 

Shinobi

Speed: 54.68

Height: 31.08

 

Shinobi + CJ

Speed: 43.07

Height: 22.40

 

Shinobi + Ninja Run

Speed: 62.53

Height: 42.20

 

Shinobi no longer stacks with Ninja Run, and Combat Jumping actually suppresses it.

 

Hopefully this will be fixed ASAP, as now moving around testing on my main is much slower.

Edited December 9, 2020 by Jacke

[CaptainLupis]

On 12/8/2020 at 8:04 AM, Cinnder said:

I love the writing in the new arcs, but I really hate the lack of balancing.  The over-powered end bosses and obsession with ambushes (usually simultaneously) make them virtually un-soloable unless the character is a tricked out 50 exemping down.  I think these would have been better suited to be TFs rather than supposed solo content.

 

Also, it's not fun having so much dialogue occurring during the waves of ambushes, requiring a lot of scrolling back to see what was said after the fighting is all over.

I almost lost the will to live playing through the blueside arc. The numerous go to zone x talk to y then go to Z and defeat... was like an unpleasant return to the original design style of the low level game. I gave up before finishing it.

[Stygus]

Loved the blue side arc, it was good fun, and touched on the old story stuff with new mechanics, can't wait to replay and check other options @Piecemeal, you do good work! 

[Jacke]

20 hours ago, CaptainLupis said:

I almost lost the will to live playing through the blueside arc. The numerous go to zone x talk to y then go to Z and defeat... was like an unpleasant return to the original design style of the low level game. I gave up before finishing it.

 

1 hour ago, Stygus said:

Loved the blue side arc, it was good fun, and touched on the old story stuff with new mechanics, can't wait to replay and check other options @Piecemeal, you do good work! 

 

I've yet to do either of the new arcs, didn't look at them during the beta wanting to experience them once they were polished.  This is a rather large spread of experiences, especially troubling on the bad end.  @CaptainLupis, @Stygus, could you both tell us more about your respective runs with more details, like what toons did you bring, teamed or not, etc.

 

I'll have to find time to run it meself as well.

[CaptainLupis]

9 minutes ago, Jacke said:

 

 

I've yet to do either of the new arcs, didn't look at them during the beta wanting to experience them once they were polished.  This is a rather large spread of experiences, especially troubling on the bad end.  @CaptainLupis, @Stygus, could you both tell us more about your respective runs with more details, like what toons did you bring, teamed or not, etc.

 

I'll have to find time to run it meself as well.

I was teamed with a couple of friends. We do themed teams on a Sunday and that particular run was with blasters, we were just out from gold side so in the low 20s level range. We didn't have a problem with the instanced missions, it was just the seemingly unending nonsense between them that was not fun. And that wasn't just my opinion, the others I was teamed with were of the same view, until we decided to call it a night before completing it.

[Stygus]

1 hour ago, Jacke said:

 

 

I've yet to do either of the new arcs, didn't look at them during the beta wanting to experience them once they were polished.  This is a rather large spread of experiences, especially troubling on the bad end.  @CaptainLupis, @Stygus, could you both tell us more about your respective runs with more details, like what toons did you bring, teamed or not, etc.

 

I'll have to find time to run it meself as well.

I solo'd it at +1/x2or3 on a level 43 DA/SM tanker, through Oro, 

 

Had a couple of rough moments but no faceplants, 

 

There're some tricky bits, but mainly because it's new and you don't know what to expect, 

 

Looking forward to running it tomorrow with some SG mates, 

 

I'd suggest taking at lower dif the first time you try it, whatever you think would be comfortable, but it's rewarding, the dialogue is good, and the arc makes sense and wraps some loose ends with the Vahz,  

 

Hope that helps, also pack insps, I ended loading my email with a few extra just in case

[Jacke]

Thanks, @CaptainLupis and @Stygus.

 

3 minutes ago, Stygus said:

I solo'd it at +1/x2or3 on a level 43 DA/SM tanker, through Oro,

I'm assuming that's Savage Melee and not Stone Melee.  So many powersets.... 🙂

[Stygus]

1 hour ago, Jacke said:

Thanks, @CaptainLupis and @Stygus.

 

I'm assuming that's Savage Melee and not Stone Melee.  So many powersets.... 🙂

So sorry yes,  Savage Melee,  didn't think of it, apologies

[Cinnder]

To be clear, I'm not saying there's no place in the game for extra-difficult content.  It's just that (1) I hope there will be normal-level content developed in the future and (2) we need a better warning system when content is going to be next-level difficult.  Sure, these mishs have the standard 'You should bring some friends' warning, but that has traditionally meant 'There will be an EB/AV at the end, depending on your settings,' not 'There will be an extra-difficult EB/AV at the end and you may have waves of ambushes to deal with at the same time.'

 

I know some players want more difficult content, and that's fine, but there are also players who enjoy the standard difficulty.  Do the HC devs still subscribe to the original principle from Live that IOs are optional and one should be able to run level-appropriate content with just standard Enhs?  I for one would like to see new content that is interesting because it's creative with writing and mish design without including a crazy end fight.

[Piecemeal]

1 hour ago, Cinnder said:

To be clear, I'm not saying there's no place in the game for extra-difficult content.  It's just that (1) I hope there will be normal-level content developed in the future and (2) we need a better warning system when content is going to be next-level difficult.  Sure, these mishs have the standard 'You should bring some friends' warning, but that has traditionally meant 'There will be an EB/AV at the end, depending on your settings,' not 'There will be an extra-difficult EB/AV at the end and you may have waves of ambushes to deal with at the same time.'

 

I know some players want more difficult content, and that's fine, but there are also players who enjoy the standard difficulty.  Do the HC devs still subscribe to the original principle from Live that IOs are optional and one should be able to run level-appropriate content with just standard Enhs?  I for one would like to see new content that is interesting because it's creative with writing and mish design without including a crazy end fight.

I'm listening to your feedback, and will reiterate that these arcs are the exception, not the rule.

 

Your first work is rarely the best work - but I would rather it stood as difficult content than change it right now. More normalized arcs with new mechanics are in the pipeline for the future that aren't as out-of-control as this one. I had a lot of nuances to learn.

[Cinnder]

1 minute ago, Piecemeal said:

I'm listening to your feedback, and will reiterate that these arcs are the exception, not the rule.

 

Your first work is rarely the best work - but I would rather it stood as difficult content than change it right now. More normalized arcs with new mechanics are in the pipeline for the future that aren't as out-of-control as this one. I had a lot of nuances to learn.

 

Fair enough, and the fact that you care enough to respond is alone a good sign in my mind.

I think if these could somehow just be labelled as 'extra difficult' it would help players make a more informed decision.

Having just finished the Sgt Schorr rogue arc that the original devs wrote, I can unequivocally say I preferred your work!

[WindDemon21]

On 11/24/2020 at 8:48 AM, Jimmy said:

 Energy Melee

• Stun has been replaced by Power Crash, a new cone attack
• Total Focus now grants the Energy Focus buff, which allows you to cast an empowered version of Energy Transfer, Power Crash or Barrage
  • Energy Transfer: Significantly reduces the cast time
  • Power Crash: Doubles the maximum targets
  • Barrage: Has a 100%% chance to stun and applies a -special and -regeneration debuff to the target
• Energy Punch and Whirling hands have had their damage increased
• Total Focus and Bone Smasher have had their cast times reduced
• Energy Melee has also been proliferated to Scrappers

The more I play with it, there more I feel like there was a miss or oversight with build up. EM is pretty nice now, but trying to use the increased aoe on power crash during build up and proc, it feels like build up should also grant an energy focus buff for your initial aoe volley. Having to use TF taking up a significant amount of the build up buff's time is rather arduous. This should include an energy focus buff with build up, similar to how TW works.

Edited December 13, 2020 by WindDemon21

[Wavicle]

3 hours ago, WindDemon21 said:

The more I play with it, there more I feel like there was a miss or oversight with build up. EM is pretty nice now, but trying to use the increased aoe on power crash during build up and proc, it feels like build up should also grant an energy focus buff for your initial aoe volley. Having to use TF taking up a significant amount of the build up buff's time is rather arduous. This should include an energy focus buff with build up, similar to how TW works.

It was not an oversight. This was suggested, but clearly they feel that having to use TF is the necessary sacrifice to get to fast ET.

[WindDemon21]

11 hours ago, Wavicle said:

It was not an oversight. This was suggested, but clearly they feel that having to use TF is the necessary sacrifice to get to fast ET.

Suggested as in the devs responded to the suggestion, or suggested as in somebody said it and it disappeared in the thread.

[Wavicle]

5 minutes ago, WindDemon21 said:

Suggested as in the devs responded to the suggestion, or suggested as in somebody said it and it disappeared in the thread.

Suggested as in the Devs  are aware that people asked for this, and they chose not to do it, intentionally. They actually read every comment in the beta threads. Truly they do.

[Wavicle]

7 minutes ago, WindDemon21 said:

Suggested as in the devs responded to the suggestion, or suggested as in somebody said it and it disappeared in the thread.

It is quite clear that they explicitly do not want us to be able to hit build up and then lead off with fast ET.