Hi all.  I subbed up last summer and played for a few months.  I was thoroughly impressed with the character creation screen and liked the feel of the game but got bored rather quickly.  I got sick of killing the same bad guys over and over.  It's been a while since I last played and I was thinking of re-upping.

Can anyone tell me what the state of the game is?  Has it improved much in the last year, and is it worth another go?

Thanks all.

Originally posted by deny

Hi all.  I subbed up last summer and played for a few months.  I was thoroughly impressed with the character creation screen and liked the feel of the game but got bored rather quickly.  I got sick of killing the same bad guys over and over.  It's been a while since I last played and I was thinking of re-upping.

Can anyone tell me what the state of the game is?  Has it improved much in the last year, and is it worth another go?

Thanks all.

I ask if you were still playing during the Issue 11 release. New content had been introduced. But the general premiss of killing bad guys is going to continue throughout the entire game. It's what heroes do. The main play of the game is mission running and story arc completion while removing threats and bad guys along the way. There are other dynamics within the game that provide relief such as Super Group events, Costume Contest, Dance Parties and NCSoft sponsored events such as Christmas Gifts and Holloween Events. There is badge hunting and enhancement crafting as well.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "same" bad guys, as different groups are introduced as you level. However, if you have leveled and are working on additional characters and leveling them, then I see where that would be "The Same". I really feel that the game is what you take from it. If you are a mission and task force type of person, the game is real strong in those areas. If you are looking for new content, it's rather limited if you have explored all the areas and ran every mission in the story arcs and every task force. They only release new issues about once a year. The real change in the game is the player interaction with other players. There is where you can make the game anything you want, within reason. Events, socials, base raids, PvP and other interactions will play very heavy in this area.

I hope it helps a bit. Sadly, each person is going to judge the game differently. I've been playing for 4 years and still find it exciting and fresh.

Thanks Pan.

My main criticism the first time I played (only until lvl10-12 I think, I know, I should give my MMOs more time, lol) is that all the generic bad guys always looked the same.  It got boring.  I also didn't do much within groups, which could help alot, I'm sure.

I think I quit just before they allowed the combat zones between CoH and CoV.  I'm not really sure what's happened since then.

Thanks again Pan.

You should probably come in when I12 comes out.. It has a lot of new content.. They typically relase 2-3 issues a year... Though last year they only had a handful of ppl working on the game so there wasn't to much new content... 15 ppl I believe... But NCSoft got a new studio in NorCal soley dedicated to CoH and are hiring new developers. So they should be back up to 2-3 issues a year again.. Issue 12 is supposed to be a small issue but has an assload of new content for us. New zones, QoL updates, Powerset Proliferation, new villain groups, And Villain Epic Archetypes... And you're getting all that despite the fact that there are a lot of new ppl working on the project. So if you don't come back immediately at least come back in the next month or two when I12 drops.

ooh, and one more thing they changed the XP curve recently so lvling is a lot easier now.. There have been some who have gotten to 50 in 2 weeks. You can easily get a new character to 14 2 days now. Teamed of course...

Awesome.  I've never been against a bit of grinding, I find it relaxing sometimes.  Maybe I'll resub tonight to try out the new features for a month.  If I truly dislike it, then I doubt another Issue is going to keep me interested.  But as of a few days ago, I caught the CoH bug again.

If anyone can recommend good servers, I'd be much appreciative.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Freedom is the most populated server hands down.. Virtue is second... Most other servers are deserted and migrating to Freedom or Virtue.

Originally posted by deny

Thanks Pan.

My main criticism the first time I played (only until lvl10-12 I think, I know, I should give my MMOs more time, lol) is that all the generic bad guys always looked the same.  It got boring.  I also didn't do much within groups, which could help alot, I'm sure.

I think I quit just before they allowed the combat zones between CoH and CoV.  I'm not really sure what's happened since then.

Thanks again Pan.

The generic bad guys still look the same. There are some nice costume additions and powers since you left but if you didnt like the constant mission grinding over and over and over with the same stuff, it'll wear you out.

I keep my subscription active cause my 6 year old son loves to play it

So I resubbed last night, and man did I ever miss the character creation mode.  That could be a game all it's own.  And I have a few questions:

1. Lag.  There's a bit of lag when walking around the city.  Are there any tips on how to reduce it, any options that I can toggle off that'll make noticeable affects?

2. Levelling.  I've noticed that it's much easier to level than last time I was here.  But other than going on building searches and eliminating enemies, what can I expect in terms of content between lvls 5-15?  Is it all missions from contacts?

3. Grouping.  What's the grouping like in this game?  I'm assuming it makes things alot faster to level considering how easy it was solo.

3. Special live event.  I think there was a live event last night.  I was standing around and all of a sudden the sky darkened and a bombardment began.  We fought off aliens for some 15minutes.  It was alot of fun!

So I think I'm going to be sticking around for at least the full month to try out the features that I haven't tried yet.  And I'll probably start looking for a guild (or whatever they're called in CoH) soon.  Thanks all again.

Two number 3's there ^_^...

Meh, lag has never been a problem to me in CoH... Dunno, though the game can be a little taxing on some systems. Just adjust the graphics slider down a notch or two or use the advanced graphics feature and untick anything you don't need...

Solo is fine and all but for leveling teaming is usually faster... Solo has it's pluses though... Fighting magic enemies like CoT that Drop Arcane invention salvage means you get that salvage all to yourself and can occasionally find a pangean soil, Hamidon Goo, etc which the fools waiting at Wentworths Auction will buy for millions of influence. But if Xp is what you want just broadcast for a team in the appropriate zone.

Grouping is the best way to level... Best way to find one is to broadcast, check the Looking for box so if someone is looking for members they'll know you are looking for team. Oh, or you can join a decent SuperGroup (CoH version of a guild) with an active coalition (A group of supergroups)... The Sg I'm in right now constantly runs Farms, TF's, SF's, Respecs, Raids, etc...

Oh and they added the rikti invasions which happens a few days out of some months. Good for badges only as they XP is horrible from em.

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Originally posted by deny
1. Lag.  There's a bit of lag when walking around the city.  Are there any tips on how to reduce it, any options that I can toggle off that'll make noticeable affects?

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That second is purely a connection issue, and if it occurs constantly you may want to try a different server. But I assume that's not what you mean.

Here are somethings you can try. For all of them, go to Options, then Graphics & Sound

1) Use the simplified "Graphics Quality" slider, and move it down a notch or two. "Recommended" isn't necessarily recommended, so try Minimum or Performance.

2) If step 1 isn't enough, On the line above that is an item called "Advanced Graphics Settings". By default it is "disabled", but change it to "Enabled". Then try the next few settings:

2a) Suppress Extra Player FX: Enabled
2b) Particle Physics Quality: None
2c) Character Texture Quality: Medium
2d) World Detail to 50%
2e) Character detail to 80%
2f) Max particle count to about 2000. (Do this first actually, and slide it waaaay down. The max is far too high.)
2g) Shadows: disabled
2h) FSAA: off

Those are the "tweak" settings. You can play with any of them if you get good enough performance and want to move the visual quality back up.

3) If 1 & 2 weren't enough, scroll back up to to the top of that menu, and lower the resolution. At some point, it will work for just about any machine. If this makes your windows too big (power tray, etc) you can use the "Window Scale" slider at the bottom to make them smaller.

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2. Levelling.  I've noticed that it's much easier to level than last time I was here.  But other than going on building searches and eliminating enemies, what can I expect in terms of content between lvls 5-15?  Is it all missions from contacts?

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At 15, the first PvP zone opens up, Bloody Bay. You'll get a mission from one of your contacts introducing you to it and telling you where to go.

Also, at 10 you get your formal introduction to the universities and crafting. You may have received salvage or recipes already, but you should get a better understanding of them after that. Not that you necessarily want to start crafting inventions yet, but understanding about the salvage drops will add an extra layer.

Something you might want to do is join the global Badge channel for your server. Each server has at least one, and it's a good way to find stuff to do outside the standard missions. Especially task forces. And collecting badges is a task that will add a layer to the game from now until long after you hit 50.

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3. Grouping.  What's the grouping like in this game?  I'm assuming it makes things alot faster to level considering how easy it was solo.

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3. Special live event.  I think there was a live event last night.  I was standing around and all of a sudden the sky darkened and a bombardment began.  We fought off aliens for some 15minutes.  It was alot of fun!

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Usually those invasions are player triggered (by one of those TFs I mentioned). But about 1 week a month, they're turning it up to really be an event (and help people with badges).

There are special live events at holidays, like Christmas, Halloween, and Valentines day. In fact, there might even be one next week for the 4 year anniversary (though it would probably be something small). Additionally, if you check the official forums, they sometimes have special events where the Devs come on and play the signature characters.

To me it's the best MMORPG out there. Occasionally I get played out and leave, but I always come back.

Originally posted by deny

So I resubbed last night, and man did I ever miss the character creation mode.  That could be a game all it's own.  And I have a few questions:

1. Lag.  There's a bit of lag when walking around the city.  Are there any tips on how to reduce it, any options that I can toggle off that'll make noticeable affects?

2. Levelling.  I've noticed that it's much easier to level than last time I was here.  But other than going on building searches and eliminating enemies, what can I expect in terms of content between lvls 5-15?  Is it all missions from contacts?

3. Grouping.  What's the grouping like in this game?  I'm assuming it makes things alot faster to level considering how easy it was solo.

3. Special live event.  I think there was a live event last night.  I was standing around and all of a sudden the sky darkened and a bombardment began.  We fought off aliens for some 15minutes.  It was alot of fun!

So I think I'm going to be sticking around for at least the full month to try out the features that I haven't tried yet.  And I'll probably start looking for a guild (or whatever they're called in CoH) soon.  Thanks all again.

2. Content hasn't changed a great deal since launch, other than eg. the introduction of radio missions. And that's just a more convenient means of getting essentially the same missions, but they save you needing to travel between zones.

You can pick the first of those up in Kings Row.

3. When it's good it's great. But people seem allergic to playing 'leader', or as I prefer to think of it in CoH, social director. Good, big groups of eight have this interesting habit of falling apart within minutes (or sometimes seconds) of the leader leaving. You basically need someone with the lfg screen constantly open if there are any spots open on the team that need to be filled.

Also beware of random invites. Too often it's higher level players inviting you into a team just to pad out their mission with more baddies, then they'll kick you out.

3. What's interesting about those events is the way the mobs don't have a 'level' - to every player the mob is that player's level. This opens participation up to everyone. It's one of those incredibly smart ideas that this game has come to be known for.

The only downside IMO is it's the same event over and over and over (etc. etc.) with no change. Like the Rikti are always driven off. They never eg. change tactics, win the zone, send down different units etc.

Cool, thanks alot for the information guys.  I haven't played all weekend, so I'll be testing out some of the advice.  I'm still churning out low-levels because I'm familiarizing myself with the archtypes.  I rolled a scrapper first, and that's fun, but the range limitation made it a bit tedious (chasing enemies down and all).  Then I rolled a blaster, and that's alot of fun.  Nowhere near as squishy as I had assumed it would be.

Thanks all.

Personaly I always liked this game and thought it way well made.

My ONLY complaint was that it seemed repetitive, but then it was one of my 1st MMO's and every one I played since has been repetitive in some way.

But then again I need to slow down and ENJOY the game and actualy do the missions and READ them :)

But now I play more then 2 MMO's, not at the same time but I take breaks and switch between them and CoX is awesome fun.

EvE has been a bore after a while, and the offline always skilling is not what some might think IMO. After 20 mill skill point I just going to quit and play about 3 months out of the year and oh well I guess I will just have to skill slower.

Originally posted by deny

Cool, thanks alot for the information guys.  I haven't played all weekend, so I'll be testing out some of the advice.  I'm still churning out low-levels because I'm familiarizing myself with the archtypes.  I rolled a scrapper first, and that's fun, but the range limitation made it a bit tedious (chasing enemies down and all).  Then I rolled a blaster, and that's alot of fun.  Nowhere near as squishy as I had assumed it would be.

Thanks all.

Scrapper Spines have some range attacks that will slow your enemy.

Originally posted by Sanctus_Mors

Originally posted by deny

Cool, thanks alot for the information guys.  I haven't played all weekend, so I'll be testing out some of the advice.  I'm still churning out low-levels because I'm familiarizing myself with the archtypes.  I rolled a scrapper first, and that's fun, but the range limitation made it a bit tedious (chasing enemies down and all).  Then I rolled a blaster, and that's alot of fun.  Nowhere near as squishy as I had assumed it would be.

Thanks all.

Scrapper Spines have some range attacks that will slow your enemy.

mmmmmmmm spines/dark ftw!

heh, you read my mind. Although I always hated the way the dark armor always make my character look like a giant, mobile ink blob... hmm new character concept. I think I'll call him Shakespear

Originally posted by YagyuJubei

Freedom is the most populated server hands down.. Virtue is second... Most other servers are deserted and migrating to Freedom or Virtue.

I just want to say that the above is complete exaggeration. I play on Protector, one of the less populated servers, and there are always plenty of people on, even at the most off-peak hours. Never a problem finding teams.... Very few people are "migrating" because of server populations, and if they are, it is in the opposite direction because of lag issues.

Originally posted by YagyuJubei

Freedom is the most populated server hands down.. Virtue is second... Most other servers are deserted and migrating to Freedom or Virtue.

That ain't true - There are some servers with less people than others (like Guardian and Pinnacle) - Freedom is the most populated and Virtue the second one (Virtue is also considered the unofficial Role-Play server) but if you play on Victory or Champion, for example, you won't have trouble finding a team to join or ppl to form a group.