Blog of Heroes

While not quite as whiz-bang as some expansions, I19 for CoX looks like it will have some fine features:

From the official overview page (abridged):

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The Alpha Slot

Issue 19 unveils the long-awaited Alpha Slot*, the first part of the new Incarnate* system that gives high-level characters access to new powers and challenges.

[All the asterisked items require Going Rogue.  Which is kind of interesting, though I understand it from the perspective of the Praetorian activity they have tied into it.  Still, saying that you need GR in order to enhance your Level 50 will probably draw some fire.]

Unlocking the Alpha Slot is no easy task. Players must first learn what it means to exceed the definition of Hero or Villain to become an Incarnate. Mender Ramiel in Ouroboros guides players on this journey.

[From what I’ve read on the boards, there will be opportunities for soloists and small-groups (vs TF-sized groups) to do this.]

Two New Task Forces

Challenges already await new Incarnates. The Praetorians have begun their invasion of Primal Earth. Protecting Paragon City™ and the Rogue Isles™ from such overwhelming forces requires the greatest Heroes and Villains (as well as Rogues and Vigilantes) to work together. Two familiar faces will help in stopping the invasion: Apex and Tin Mage.

[It’s using the Praetorian invasion (great idea) that drives the GR requirement.]

New Auras

Issue 19 includes two free auras for all City of Heroes players. These auras are customizable.

Fireflies – Your character can be surrounded by glowing, tintable fireflies.

Snow – Celebrate winter and be showered by snow.

[Auras are always nice.]

Praetoria Zone Events*

Live events in Praetoria in which your Resistance or Loyalist character can participate:

[Okay, it took me a minute to realize that these are like the Events on the Hero and Villain side — Rikti invasions and Zombies and Ghost Ship and so forth. Good — Praetoria needed these.]

The Protest (Nova Praetoria): The angry citizens of Praetoria are staging a protest in Nova Praetoria. Will you join them or shut them down?

Syndicate Takedown (Imperial City): The PPD has found a cell of the Syndicate in the Agilecorp building. The two forces are at a standoff at the base of the building. If you hurry you can capture one of the Syndicate’s leaders.

The Great Escape (Neutropolis): One of the Failed Experiments has remained lucid and sane, and appears to have the ability to influence other Ghouls. Informants say he is eager to aid the Resistance in its war against the regime. Will you aid him in his escape? Or will you hunt him down now that he has escaped?

[And now for the announcement everyone’s been waiting for …]

Fitness Pool Powers are Inherent

Fitness Pool powers are now inherent powers granted to all new and existing characters starting from Level 2. All characters will be granted Swift, Hurdle, Health, and Stamina. These powers can be slotted and will accept the appropriate Enhancements.

Existing characters with these powers selected via Pool Powers will be able to gain the powers they have not previously taken via the normal leveling process.  They will not gain access to any of the Inherent fitness powers until they Respec.

Upon using a Respec, the Fitness pool will not be selectable by the character and all 4 powers will be granted as Inherent Powers at level 2.  This prevents issues with lost enhancements or slot allocation errors.

[I am guessing, of course, that everyone will get a Freespec with I19, just for this reason.

By the way, every Guide and Power Tracking Tool just shattered into a zillion pieces.

By the way, this is now TEH AWESOME.  Unless they scale back dramatically what the powers do without slotting (or maybe for level) to make up for the fact that everyone now is regenning Health and Endurance faster, running faster, and jumping further.]

Alternate Power Animations

Now players can customize the animation for some characters’ powers. Shoot a Psychic Blast or even launch a Fire Breath from your character’s hands. Hurl an attack from one or both hands. Select the animations and customize how a character fires off its powers at any Tailor.

[Another “minor” change, but still very cool. Except for my dragon character, the whole “fire breath” thing always seemed stupid.]

The following powers have alternate animation choices:

Primary Sets: Dark Blast, Electric Blast, Energy Blast, Fire Blast, Radiation Blast, Ice Blast, Psychic Blast, Sonic Attack, Mind Control.

Secondary Sets or Powers: Psionic Assault, Sonic Resonance, Icy Assault, Fiery Assault, Mental Manipulation, Energy Assault, Electricity Manipulation, Integration.

[If only we could get alternate forms for the various blades.  Never have liked the Fire blade powers.]

Primal Earth Characters Can Enter Praetoria

Non-Praetorians can journey to Praetoria* through Pocket D.

[Interesting. I wonder how the locals react.  And I guess this means that Praetorians can return.  Also, aside from touring, why would anyone go there — will there be missions that non-Praetorians can hook into, even if they are not immediately Resistance or Loyalist?  And how do they get out again (and is that route available to Praetorians)?]

More Tip and Morality Missions

All City of Heroes characters can play and enjoy more Tip missions, while City of Heroes Going Rogue™ characters can choose from more missions* that impact a character’s alignment.

Other Enhancements

New Badges: We’ve added new Exploration badges for hazard zones.

Merged Monorails and Ferries: The Transit Authorities in Paragon City and the Rogue Isles have made major improvements to the monorail and ferry system by merging their respective routes. All monorails can now travel to every monorail station on the Green and Yellow Line, while all ferries can now travel to every ferry station in the Rogue Isles.

[That’s … I think that’s very cool.  Certainly, once, I would have thought it fabulous.  As it is now, though, it sort of makes any sort of street activity even less necessary than it once was, especially coupled with all the teleporting powers (Pocket D, Base Teleport, Action House teleport, the O, etc.).]

[Overall, a nice set of QoLs for I19, unless you’re dying for Level 50 TFs.  Not a lot for non-GR owners.  Not a huge amount of there there, but I’ll take it with a smile.]