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Giving CO a look, possibly...
AgtSmith
Member Posts: 1,498
I never really gave CO much thought because of the micro transaction thing but a pal of mine is looking for an MMO to try (his first) and seeing as Aion would not be a good one for him to try (not casual enough for him) I wondered about CO. I read some of the reviews and posts here and I think I understand the game's issues (content holes, possible lack of repeatability, etc) but my questions are more for some of the gritty detail it is hard to get from reviews. Mind you, I am not looking for recommendations as to play or not, more information so I can make that determination myself.
First, the item store and micro-transactions. Personally, I think MMOs are very threatened by micro-transactions and that it is important to avoid games with them, pay games anyways, to send the message that it is not OK to go that route. I won't go in to detail as it is a separate topic but let me offer a short explanation so you can answer my question meaningfully. My main objection to micro-transactions is that they are a slippery slop to MMOs becoming cash factories in the way that coin op games are quarter factories. That is to say that today they may sell side items or other trivial things, or even gameplay relevant things that are fully attainable through normal play but over time that will change. If we accept this it won't be long until the DEVS start adding grind upon grind to the normal way of attaining such things to push people to buying the thing from the shop. There is more to my objection but that is the summary concern. How does CO's implementation of micro-transactions stand up against this concern?
My pal is likely going to give the game a whirl whether I do or not so I wanted to get some info to help him out since he is totally new to MMOs, though he has done a few SP RPGs. I understand that CO is a bit of a sandbox in terms of skill but content/quest driven in terms of the world. So this being the case having good info before you start making a character, even a good plan, is essential to avoiding the delete and re-roll treadmill. Anyone got a good resource they can link or some summary info about how the various CO skills and such relate to the typical MMO tank/dps/support roles? Any detail would be great, hoping to get some good info about possibly builds and path recommendations for various styles.
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Comments
First things first... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Please don't try this game.
Right now the MT store has vanity pets and nothing more. Of course there is always the possibility that a Cryptic employee will secretly steal all your underwear and sell them back to you on the store. Who knows?
The best builds are a moving target right now with power changes happening frequently. I really only have two pieces of advice. Use the recommended stats for your set. These stats will be recommended on the first screen of character creation when you choose your power set. Write them down or tattoo them on your forehead (backwards so you can read it in the mirror). Also, take a defensive passive power that compliments your chosen stats. There are only five of them. Any set can take one at level 8.
No matter what happens you'll probably make some bad decisions on your first character. Don't panic. Retcons (respecs) are outrageously expensive and shouldn't be bother with past the top to changes. Plan on rerolling once you reach level 15ish and have a better understanding of the game. Going through the content a second time is a breeze. Level 15 is no more than a few hours of play.
In a typical class based MMO one would ask what classes are what role (i.e. dps/tank/support) but as that doesn't apply what skill groupings or power sets (not sure the terminology) equate to these roles? Or is it that you can build form each the various roles? This is mostly what I am not sure of with CO.
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It really comes down to how you want to build your character. Every set kind of leans a certain way though.
DPS: Elemental sets, martial arts, telekinesis, munitions, darkness
Tank: Might, Supernatural, Power Armor, maybe Force
Support: Sorcery (all of them), Telepathy
Its all pretty flexible though. You could mix in defensive powers and make any set tanky. When grouping you'll find that 99% of the time you won't need complimentary roles. Just mow stuff down together with whatever you think is fun. You might be surprised at what sets you enjoy the most or don't enjoy at all.
The hard part is figuring out what you like. All the sets are similar starting out, but develop into some unique play styles by the teens. You'll find that the deeper you dig the more layers of complexity there are in character builds. Its a lot like DDO in this regard. And like DDO it takes a few tries to get it right.
Since the game is new and powers are changing as is a lot of game play the best thing is to just make a character type that you like. You can pick powers from multiple areas pretty free form. I tend to make a character concept and try to pick powers that work for it. Like I made a dragon like character that I'm making into a tank but with some fire skills to breath fire etc. It might not be the most efficient character in the world but it is fun to make something unique and with the theme.
One of the things that CO excels at is allowing you to customize and create the compete picture of your character. Looks, powers, functions are all customized. Making alts and playing with different combinations is currently the best feature of this game and perfect for a casual player.
For the hard core MMO person this game will suck. It doesn't take that long to get to 30 and when you do you will find the game is seriously lacking in content.
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Ethion
I wouldn't worry too much about the microtransactions.
Why do I say this. Well for exactly the same reason you say Aion is not for your friend. This is not a DIKU game. Even if they had equipment based transactions (which I do not believe they do). It really would not matter that much unless you got really into the PvP. Frankly the game is just not even close to balanced enough in powers for them to sell stuff in this way. And the grind for equipment does not make much sense either. Especially once you understand the crafting.
You seem to be aware of the games problems. There is no doubt it is still a pay to play beta IMO and not just in power balance the aggro in groups is whacky. I think it is a pretty fun game even with the nerfs and other problems but its not finished really. Its not a con-job like AOC was at release. But it has a number of whacky things.
I personally took a break from the game as I basically have no idea whether Cryptic is going to radically alter any character I make which kind of killed my ethusiasm for making new characters.
Since your friend is new to MMOs I am not sure what to say. I made a pretty powerful character and was able to do well even after the massive nerfs. But some people have had real trouble and I believe I can see why (in Canada Crisis if you get held my the middle level LT class mobs you can die fast).
If this was end of OB /headstart I would say go ahead it would be fine. I don't really know what to say now.
I think for my pal that having a casual friendly game is likely a must as he hsa a family and stuff so will get to play here and there in smaller chunks. Thus Aion is certainly not for him as he could find things to do but would definitely feel 'left behind' only playing and hour or so here or there. Also, I think the rift PvP in Aion is very liekyl to just be the same 'ole gank and grief we have all tired off many times before.
What I found appealing in Co, for him and myself, is that it seems to be a fun oriented game, friendly to individuals or small groups (duo type stuff), and it seems to be fun to make characters and explore the different skill possibilities. I liked that aspect of DDO and it seems worth checking out for that aspect alone.
My thoughts on toons I am gonna make (I went ahead and went a grabbed the game, what the heck - nothign else coming for a while)...
- An Agent Smith type of course, guy of normal build and look in dark suit and tie if I can make it. I figure he can be a melee or weapons guy, though I read melee took a hard hit so weapons is likely what i would try with him.
- Some kind of suitably cool looking superhero type, not really a comic book fanatic so have no particular look in mind so I will see what happens with the creation tool. I want him to be a DPS build with maybe some CC for minor support capability. My reading/research suggests elementalist (maybe lightning or something) and force (?) for CC?
Maybe folks could chime in with suggestions on specific directions skill wise on these builds. I am all fine and dandy discovering what works and doesn't myself, and I am not looking for flavor of the month build advice, but from my experience with DDO it helps to have an plan to follow even if you learn down the road that you would rather do it a different way. Having the plan or suggestions is helpful in learning how to develop a toon as well as exposing your preferences as you level him up.
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Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
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everything works well enough in pve, if youre going to pvp youll wanna fly and have ranged attacks because making people hold still so you can smack them down is a royal pain in the ass, at least when youre a ranged dps and they run you can run them down =D and meelee is extremely impossible if you cant fly in pvp cause you cant reach any fliers. hoping they nerf pvp teleporting as its also annoying when every time you do a little dmg to a tper they vanish like a fart in a hurricane
I went ahead and made my ranged guy, demolisionist (gun slinger and two gun mojo) I think it is - he has dual pistols, seems to do good damage and if I recall from character creation I am supposed to focus on dex and ego.
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Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
Intel Core i7 Quad, Intel X58 SLi, 6G Corsair XMS DDR3, Intel X-25 SSD, 3 WD Velociraptor SATA SuperTrak SAS EX8650 Array, OCZ 1250W PS, GTX 295, xFi, 32" 1080p LCD
Nice! I would recommend Lightning Reflexes as a defensive passive power at level 8. It would fit thematically and would provide the defense you need. It also scales based on dex.
Check the official forums plenty of info on builds.
forums.champions-online.com/forumdisplay.php
I have a bit on the hidden missions in the tutorial as well as a wrtie up on a straight power set unarmed martial arts build.
dougmysticeye.wordpress.com
Lightning reflexes sounds good, I recall reading somewhere that it was strongly recommended to take a passive defensive pwoer early. So far I think I get the basic combat, I got the two gun mojo which is my main dmg skill and the other one which builds power and I think that build/consume power mechanic is the underlying combat model going forward from what I gather. So few more levels, am 5 now just fresh out of first tutorial area now, then defensive lightning reflexes and from there just dex ad ego in those items/stat slots I guess while I totally figure out how all that works.
One question though, when do I get to fly? Seems that is a must for a superhero, plus it would definitely add spice to combat and whatnot.
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When you leave the tutorial the first thing you should be doing is heading to the powerhouse where you will pick a number of upgrades. Among them will be your very important primary attribute selection and you get your first new power and your travel power. the Powerhouse is a GREAT tool and innovation in this game. You can spend a lot of time testing out each option and undoing it while you stay in the powerhouse. When you leave your selections become primary.
Now very important when you pick your primary attribute make sure it matches your skills. You say you are dex/ego so you will want dex and ego to be your primary powers. One you pick when you hit the powerhouse for the first time and the second one you pick at 13. If you mess this up you will regret it big time :P
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Ethion
Yeah, I was planning on checking that powerhouse out first thing when I get back on. I think I 'get it' but if something confuses me I will ask for info here.
*edit*
I found the powerhouse and grabbed the shooter and dex buffs and looked for the lightning reflexes but could not find it so I took Killer Instinct (power regen on crit). I am guessing it is a level or pre-req thing whatever as I used search to find lightning reflexes and nothing came up at all. I also got my flight skill.
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Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
Intel Core i7 Quad, Intel X58 SLi, 6G Corsair XMS DDR3, Intel X-25 SSD, 3 WD Velociraptor SATA SuperTrak SAS EX8650 Array, OCZ 1250W PS, GTX 295, xFi, 32" 1080p LCD
You'll be able to get it at level 8. Its in one of the martial arts sets. Killer Instinct is one of those powers you'll definitely want eventually so its a good pick for now. Some of my favorites from Balistics are Shotgun Blast and Gatling Gun.
As another tip, you can change the look of your pistols at the tailor. You'll find the first tailor in the crisis zone right after the tutorial. It has a mask icon on the minimap.
Yeah, I found it under martial powers, it takes two non energy so I suppose that is why it was not showing available. So I am set for now until level 8 I suppose. Good info on the tailor, was going to head there just to check it out anyways.
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Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
Intel Core i7 Quad, Intel X58 SLi, 6G Corsair XMS DDR3, Intel X-25 SSD, 3 WD Velociraptor SATA SuperTrak SAS EX8650 Array, OCZ 1250W PS, GTX 295, xFi, 32" 1080p LCD