New Villainous Arc

[cranebump]

 

DESIGN NOTES:

• Titles: obviously a take on Steinbeck (including individual mission titles).
• Exploring the "Smuggler's Run" coalition found in the Warriors Lore, as well as the Family's ability to create Consigliere's and other super-powered thugs.
• Guiding question: Assuming the Family's ability (above) is a closely guarded secret, who would be REALLY interested in stealing it?
• Introduces eventual Warrior "turncoat" Alexander Pavlidis at an earlier point in the overall narrative.
• Callbacks: The contact, Wesley, has appeared in other arcs of mine.
• Customs: a merc crew that merges magic and tech. Originally, wasn't going to do this, since one of my "Customs" was pairing similar in-game groups (Hellions and Outcasts, for example). But entity "Lupan" was mentioned, so it made sense to bring them in, particularly since a subplot involves whether the Warriors are actually getting into the "dishonorable" practices Alex believes they are, and hiring an outside group gives Odysseus deniability.
• NOTE: The Lupan varied in difficulty. I ran with a L15 DP/Dev blaster  (SO's only) who had Toughness toggle. The first time through, got my ass handed to me by the blasters. Ended up having to proceed much more carefully. Temp powers definitely helped. End boss was pullable in early runs, because they kept spawning close to last room entrance. Might be a lot tougher, otherwise. 
• Last thing: It's listed as L10-15, but I don't know that I'd even try this at anything less than max. My squishy blaster was fine until the end, but I can see it being really dicey due to power synergies of certain enemy combinations.

 

Now set up as Looking for Feedback. Thanks in advance,

Crane

Edited May 7, 2022 by cranebump