MMORPG.com City of Heroes Correspondent Marjorie Rhoadhouse writes this guide to respeccing in NCsoft's superhero game. In part one, she goes over some of the terminology involved.

Presuming one of the Respec Trials is merely being considered or has already been completed, and the player has a basic idea of the changes needed to improve his character's repertoire of Powers, this guide provides the semantics about performing the Respec itself. It reveals the Respec as a feature, defines the various forms of Respecs, how to start the process, how to proceed, the do's and don'ts, and what to expect. Part One of this Guide is devoted to terminology, clarification and details, while Part II (to be published at mid-month) shall then illustrate the process:

Read Respec Guide, Part One

Just wanted to add two things I find very useful when preparing for a character respecification:

1. Make use of a planner utility. I highly recommend Mid's Hero/Villain Designer (http://www.cohplanner.com/). The current version has even been updated to include the latest powersets and enhancements.

2. Copy your character(s) to the Training Room (test server) and try out your intended new build before committing to a respec on the Live server(s).

While nothing is absolutely foolproof, either (if not both) of these steps can go a long way in preventing frustrating mistakes.

You should be able to purchase Respecs, either outside of the game for real cash, or from within the game.

Power Pools: Mini Power Sets, known as Power Pools, become available at Level 6 to all Hero Archetypes (with the exception of Kheldians, who are offered fewer travel power choices), and remain available through Level 50.

since this seems to be written to brand new people, you might consider rewording the above a tad.  the "exception of khelds" part.  you don't say "all" are available initially, but then you say "except khelds".   just a bit misleading, especially if this is for brand new players.   which, what's being covered, i HOPE it's for brand new players.

@hanshotfirst, Great tips. I used to love this game. My first MMORPG, thinking of going back to it after learing about all the new stuff the devs added to this game.

First, Damien, its not like I can go back into a published article and edit it. Unlike a forum post, it's a done deal.

But I agree that it is poorly worded. I noticed the awkward turn of phrasing myself, as I scanned through the published article just before dinner. At best, it breaks up the fluidity of the statement and makes one wonder for a moment what exactly is the point. Not good. It would be better stated if I were to say, "with limitations to Kheldians..."

My apologies for the faux paus.

And as I've repeatedly, openly and broadly stated in our discussions Damien, with nothing mysterious or left to clue-seeking about it, my articles are indeed geared for new and still-learning players.

Originally posted by hanshotfirst

Just wanted to add two things I find very useful when preparing for a character respecification:

1. Make use of a planner utility. I highly recommend Mid's Hero/Villain Designer (http://www.cohplanner.com/). The current version has even been updated to include the latest powersets and enhancements.

2. Copy your character(s) to the Training Room (test server) and try out your intended new build before committing to a respec on the Live server(s).

While nothing is absolutely foolproof, either (if not both) of these steps can go a long way in preventing frustrating mistakes.

Most definately these are very helpful tools and will be mentioned in the second part of my article. However I am afraid it would likely take an entire article alone to describe how to transfer a character to the test server!

Originally posted by Gel214th

You should be able to purchase Respecs, either outside of the game for real cash, or from within the game.

 

Back in the day when this game was new, Gel, this idea would have had a strong following. I'm just not so sure it would find many supporters now. There are so many respecs available nowadays, between all the different sources, I don't hear of too many people going without a respec when they need one.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Originally posted by TheRedPill

Originally posted by Gel214th

You should be able to purchase Respecs, either outside of the game for real cash, or from within the game.

 

 Anyone else have thoughts on this?

I've seen Respec recipes at Wentworth's/Black Market for anywhere from 5 to 18 million influence/infamy. That might sound like a lot, but by the time most characters have used all available free/vet Respecs, it's quite likely that they may have come across a nice drop or two that could help fund such a purchase.

A 'real cash' Respec can be purchased through the store (via the button on the character selection screen) for ten bucks. Definitely a personal choice there. I'd never buy one, although I've happily paid the same fee to switch a particular character to a different server.

If what you're writing is truly meant to be a guide for how-to Respec, they might be worth a mention. I've run into a fair share of players who didn't know about either of those.

I completely agree with you about the test server character copy thing, Red --  that's probably an article unto itself. Maybe you could include a link to the sticky about it on the CoX forums?

Best of luck with Part II!

A Respec RECIPE ? Whoa! That must be new. I've never heard of it --- or the other, either, being able to buy a Respec with real cash. But I havent visited the store in a long time. Thanks, Render. I will certainly look into these details. You see? I've been playing all this time, and I'm still learning. What a great game!

Yep, I remember seeing (or hearing) about respec recipes last time I subbed... maybe last April? On an unrelated matter, I think Damian just likes you. He's trying desperately to get your attention after all.  If he cared enough about the situation, I'm sure he could always write and submit his own articles, right? 

Originally posted by TheRedPill

Originally posted by hanshotfirst

Just wanted to add two things I find very useful when preparing for a character respecification:

1. Make use of a planner utility. I highly recommend Mid's Hero/Villain Designer (http://www.cohplanner.com/). The current version has even been updated to include the latest powersets and enhancements.

2. Copy your character(s) to the Training Room (test server) and try out your intended new build before committing to a respec on the Live server(s).

While nothing is absolutely foolproof, either (if not both) of these steps can go a long way in preventing frustrating mistakes.

 

Most definately these are very helpful tools and will be mentioned in the second part of my article. However I am afraid it would likely take an entire article alone to describe how to transfer a character to the test server!

If that were true, then with all due respect I really have to question just who your intended audience is. All you have to do is log in with your NCsoft account via a web browser, select your character's server from a drop-down menu and click the "transfer" button. It's not exactly rocket science.

I'd have to argue that setting up the Training Room would be more involved than an article here should go in to.  Maybe post a link to the COH forums post on how to do it would be a far better use of the article's space than anything else.

Originally posted by hanshotfirst

Originally posted by TheRedPill

Most definately these are very helpful tools and will be mentioned in the second part of my article. However I am afraid it would likely take an entire article alone to describe how to transfer a character to the test server!

 

If that were true, then with all due respect I really have to question just who your intended audience is. All you have to do is log in with your NCsoft account via a web browser, select your character's server from a drop-down menu and click the "transfer" button. It's not exactly rocket science.

Hmmm...  Okay Perhaps I should not have used the word, TRANSFER. Yes, that word used to mean the same thing as copying a toon to the Test Server, back before Server Transfers became available last winter.

Though it is without question the easier of the two methods, you need not pay for a Server Transfer to copy a toon to the test server. There is a process, cited in detail in the official CoH forums, which describes how to copy an existing character over to the test server, otherwise known as the training room. Written by the people who invented the process, for those who can read geek-speak, the instructions take up maybe a third of a web-page.

Need I say more?

Originally posted by TheRedPill

Originally posted by hanshotfirst

Originally posted by TheRedPill

Most definately these are very helpful tools and will be mentioned in the second part of my article. However I am afraid it would likely take an entire article alone to describe how to transfer a character to the test server!

 

If that were true, then with all due respect I really have to question just who your intended audience is. All you have to do is log in with your NCsoft account via a web browser, select your character's server from a drop-down menu and click the "transfer" button. It's not exactly rocket science.

Hmmm...  Okay Perhaps I should not have used the word, TRANSFER. Yes, that word used to mean the same thing as copying a toon to the Test Server, back before Server Transfers became available last winter.

Though it is without question the easier of the two methods, you need not pay for a Server Transfer to copy a toon to the test server. There is a process, cited in detail in the official CoH forums, which describes how to copy an existing character over to the test server, otherwise known as the training room. Written by the people who invented the process, for those who can read geek-speak, the instructions take up maybe a third of a web-page.

Need I say more?

Um, I'm talking about the (free) process of copying your character from the live servers to the Training Room.

Go to this URL:

https://secure.cityofheroes.com/cgi-bin/coh_transfer.pl

Use your City of Heroes login name and password to login.

After you login, you will be able to select the server and character you wish to copy to the test server. It will take several moments, but the character will copy. At this point you will be able to play the test server.

That's not my description, that's Ex Libris'. It hardly takes up a third of a web-page, nor does it require excessive fluency in geek-speak.

As for installing the test server client itself, that's simply a matter of creating a new shortcut for the game updater and adding the following to the shortcut's properties argument:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -test

Again, this isn't exactly rocket science.

Originally posted by hanshotfirst

Um, I'm talking about the (free) process of copying your character from the live servers to the Training Room.

Go to this URL:

https://secure.cityofheroes.com/cgi-bin/coh_transfer.pl

Use your City of Heroes login name and password to login.

After you login, you will be able to select the server and character you wish to copy to the test server. It will take several moments, but the character will copy. At this point you will be able to play the test server.

That's not my description, that's Ex Libris'. It hardly takes up a third of a web-page, nor does it require excessive fluency in geek-speak.

As for installing the test server client itself, that's simply a matter of creating a new shortcut for the game updater and adding the following to the shortcut's properties argument:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -test

Again, this isn't exactly rocket science.

WHAT IS THE TEST SERVER? (taken from CoX Official Forums/Ex Libris)

The Test Server is your chance to preview upcoming changes and updates and provide feedback to the developers.

The test server is set up specifically for the testing of updates *before* they are incorporated into the game itself. Players can login, preview/test the planned new features, fixes, changes, tweaks and offer up bug reports or suggestions.

How does a test server differ from a “live” server?

Due to the nature and purpose of a test server, the operative word to keep in mind is “temporary.”

· Content and characters could be wiped at anytime as game specific updates and changes are published, tested and removed.

· Players can expect lower levels of support, since the bulk of this service is centered around our live servers.

· Normal bug reporting and petitions will be handled a bit differently, as all issues need to be given more time for in-depth study, review and reproduction.

HOW TO ACCESS THE TRAINING ROOM TEST SERVER

In order to access the test server, you will need to download and install a second copy of the game. This second copy will patch up the test files to your PC. The steps for this process are outlined below.

1. Locate the file 'CohUpdater.exe'. If the game was installed to the default folder then look for: 'C:\Program Files\City of Heroes'. Do not create a shortcut for the desktop shortcut. To do this, you will have to locate the City of Heroes folder.

2. After you locate the City of Heroes folder, you will need to create a new shortcut to the cohupdater.exe file in the City of Heroes folder. To create a shortcut, right click on the file you wish to create a shortcut for. You can then select an option Create Shortcut which will then create the shortcut.

3. Right click on the new shortcut and open the Properties option.

4. In the Target window, add the following flag to the end of the line:

[space]-test

Do NOT add the word [space] to the Target. The example shown is intended to visually represent a single keystroke of the space bar, and should not be interpreted literally. An example of the correct use of the Flag is listed below.

The finished selection should look like this after you add the flag:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -test

Below are possible incorrect additions of the flag to add the test client. The selection should NOT look like this:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe"-test

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater-test.exe"

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe-test"

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe"[SPACE]-test

Also, this line in the shortcut can take multiple arguments. That is to say, if you have multiple things you want to tell the game when it launches like -test and -compatiblecursors 1 you just tag them all on the end, like:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -test -compatiblecursors 1

5. Run the shortcut.

The first time you run the shortcut, you will be asked whether you want to install the test client to the default directory. Choose Yes if you want to install it there, or choose No if you want to choose a different directory. We strongly recommended that you install the test client to a different location than your normal game client.

HOW TO COPY CHARACTERS TO THE TRAINING ROOM TEST SERVER

After the client installs, you will need to copy a character over to the test server. To do this, go to this URL:

https://secure.cityofheroes.com/cgi-bin/coh_transfer.pl

Use your City of Heroes login name and password to login.

After you login, you will be able to select the server and character you wish to copy to the test server. It will take several moments, but the character will copy. At this point you will be able to play the test server.

NOTE - Those who have just restarted their accounts may experience a delay or wait of up to 24 hours to be able to copy a character to the test server.

After you copy your character to the test server, you should be able to play the test client. Before you can play however, you will have to run the new shortcut you created to the cohupdater. You can copy the shortcut you created to the desktop by dragging and dropping it from the City of Heroes folder to the desktop. You will have to run this shortcut each time you wish to use the test server. Enjoy playing! 

And I would add for the benefit of all players new to the test server, that you cannot copy a toon on the test server BACK to the live servers. What's done on the test server, stays on the test server.

(Ahem.)

A lot of that sure looks like "geek" to me. I think there is a little more to it for the uninitiated than computer-savy people like Hans insist.  

 

Originally posted by Samhael

I'd have to argue that setting up the Training Room would be more involved than an article here should go in to.  Maybe post a link to the COH forums post on how to do it would be a far better use of the article's space than anything else.

I totally agree. It's a Respec Guide afterall, not a How to Use the Training Room Guide. However, I still don't think it's bad advice to suggest trying the test server before committing to a character respecification on Live... especially if you paid $10 for it via the NCsoft cash shop.

BTW & FYI, most cash shop items (Respecs, Character slots, etc.) are free on the Training Room.

Originally posted by Samhael

I think Damian just likes you. He's trying desperately to get your attention after all.  If he cared enough about the situation, I'm sure he could always write and submit his own articles, right? 

Originally posted by TheRedPill

Originally posted by hanshotfirst

Um, I'm talking about the (free) process of copying your character from the live servers to the Training Room.

Go to this URL:

https://secure.cityofheroes.com/cgi-bin/coh_transfer.pl

Use your City of Heroes login name and password to login.

After you login, you will be able to select the server and character you wish to copy to the test server. It will take several moments, but the character will copy. At this point you will be able to play the test server.

That's not my description, that's Ex Libris'. It hardly takes up a third of a web-page, nor does it require excessive fluency in geek-speak.

As for installing the test server client itself, that's simply a matter of creating a new shortcut for the game updater and adding the following to the shortcut's properties argument:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -test

Again, this isn't exactly rocket science.

 

WHAT IS THE TEST SERVER? (taken from CoX Official Forums/Ex Libris)

The Test Server is your chance to preview upcoming changes and updates and provide feedback to the developers.

The test server is set up specifically for the testing of updates *before* they are incorporated into the game itself. Players can login, preview/test the planned new features, fixes, changes, tweaks and offer up bug reports or suggestions.

How does a test server differ from a “live” server?

Due to the nature and purpose of a test server, the operative word to keep in mind is “temporary.”

· Content and characters could be wiped at anytime as game specific updates and changes are published, tested and removed.

· Players can expect lower levels of support, since the bulk of this service is centered around our live servers.

· Normal bug reporting and petitions will be handled a bit differently, as all issues need to be given more time for in-depth study, review and reproduction.

HOW TO ACCESS THE TRAINING ROOM TEST SERVER

In order to access the test server, you will need to download and install a second copy of the game. This second copy will patch up the test files to your PC. The steps for this process are outlined below.

1. Locate the file 'CohUpdater.exe'. If the game was installed to the default folder then look for: 'C:\Program Files\City of Heroes'. Do not create a shortcut for the desktop shortcut. To do this, you will have to locate the City of Heroes folder.

2. After you locate the City of Heroes folder, you will need to create a new shortcut to the cohupdater.exe file in the City of Heroes folder. To create a shortcut, right click on the file you wish to create a shortcut for. You can then select an option Create Shortcut which will then create the shortcut.

3. Right click on the new shortcut and open the Properties option.

4. In the Target window, add the following flag to the end of the line:

[space]-test

Do NOT add the word [space] to the Target. The example shown is intended to visually represent a single keystroke of the space bar, and should not be interpreted literally. An example of the correct use of the Flag is listed below.

The finished selection should look like this after you add the flag:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -test

Below are possible incorrect additions of the flag to add the test client. The selection should NOT look like this:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe"-test

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater-test.exe"

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe-test"

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe"[SPACE]-test

Also, this line in the shortcut can take multiple arguments. That is to say, if you have multiple things you want to tell the game when it launches like -test and -compatiblecursors 1 you just tag them all on the end, like:

"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -test -compatiblecursors 1

5. Run the shortcut.

The first time you run the shortcut, you will be asked whether you want to install the test client to the default directory. Choose Yes if you want to install it there, or choose No if you want to choose a different directory. We strongly recommended that you install the test client to a different location than your normal game client.

HOW TO COPY CHARACTERS TO THE TRAINING ROOM TEST SERVER

After the client installs, you will need to copy a character over to the test server. To do this, go to this URL:

https://secure.cityofheroes.com/cgi-bin/coh_transfer.pl

Use your City of Heroes login name and password to login.

After you login, you will be able to select the server and character you wish to copy to the test server. It will take several moments, but the character will copy. At this point you will be able to play the test server.

NOTE - Those who have just restarted their accounts may experience a delay or wait of up to 24 hours to be able to copy a character to the test server.

After you copy your character to the test server, you should be able to play the test client. Before you can play however, you will have to run the new shortcut you created to the cohupdater. You can copy the shortcut you created to the desktop by dragging and dropping it from the City of Heroes folder to the desktop. You will have to run this shortcut each time you wish to use the test server. Enjoy playing! 

And I would add for the benefit of all players new to the test server, that you cannot copy a toon on the test server BACK to the live servers. What's done on the test server, stays on the test server.

 

(Ahem.)

A lot of that sure looks like "geek" to me. I think there is a little more to it for the uninitiated than computer-savy people like Hans insist.  

 

if you can't be bothered to spend a few minutes figuring out how to get onto any games' test server, or that's too hard, or too complicated for ANY player (excluding some kids, of course, and maybe grandma/grandpas); then the game itself is probably going to be too difficult for the person.

if someone playing coh is to the point they're running the first respec (and isn't just burning a freespec at lvl 10); then, they should have a little bit of experience with the game and if they're not using something like mid's; then they should to go test to try their build.

actually, they should be planning a build either on paper, or using mids; THEN trying it out on the test server and tweaking it when they see they do/don't like certain powers.

this is directed towards new players and not vets.

new player does not mean stupid player.  the official forums are places to go if "geek speak" is too much for you, if doing anything to get on the test system is too hard... the official forums have plenty of people more than happy to spend an afternoon walking you thru it.

but whatever, the op speaks as if omniscient and is wrong on so many things in so many articles on coh.

please mmorpg.com, have someone do fact checking on all these correspondent articles... these articles really are making the site look bad.

eve online and coh do mention mmorpg.com on occasion... have you ever seen either of them mention any of the correspondent articles?  these articles are, more and more, becoming like the move highlander 2.    if you're even a casual highlander watching person, you know what i mean.

edit:  seriously, anyone that CLAIMS to have played this game for 4 and a half years, and brushes off logging onto the test system as "geek talk" and seem to have NEVER logged onto test -- that person doesn't know this game and can't be bothered to learn about it.

stop posting erroneous information from this person already, geez.  4 1/2 years my eye.

I use the respec at level 27 just so I can sell all the SO's I bought at level 22. You get back like around 1.5mil. Most people think IO's are worth using early in the game but a level 25 SO has better percentage rates than a level 25 IO. IO's don't start to be better than SO's until SO's go yellow at level 26.