Posted from another message board.  Thought you might want to know if you didn't.

"The combat system is pretty different, it's more 'action based'. Unlike CoH, your endurance starts low and you use weak attacks to build it up. once you have enough endurance, you can use your most powerful abilities. This essentially means that you will always be able to use a power. You can also block attacks to reduce their damage or negate any special effects (such as stun). There also seems to be more emphasis on movement, with many powers being usable while moving. Apparently, very few powers have cooldowns as well. There have actually been previews that have said the combat in CO makes CoH look slow, which is saying something.

There is also a lot more customisation. The number of costume pieces is said to be far greater, with a lot of improvements, such as varied textures, asymmetrical costume pieces, more colour choice and so on. You can also change your characters stance, which affects how they move (you can run on all fours if you choose to). You are also given a lot more choice with your powers. Instead of being limited to two main powersets, you can choose from as many as you want. Powers can also be customised, with different hues and emanation points (e.g if you have an ice blast power, you can choose to have it fire from your mouth, fist, fingers, chest, forehead, etc). You can also change how powers work, for example if you have a single target fireball power, you can improve it so that it becomes an AoE power.

The mission structure has also been changed. There are far more 'open-world' missions (i.e the types of quests you get in MMO's like WoW and WAR), you won't be forced into randomly generated maps for everything (like in CoH). Instanced missions seem to be more cinematic than those in CoH, with cutscenes, voice-overs and set pieces. There are also public missions, which are essentially the public quests from Warhammer online (although CO's version shouldn't suffer from a lack of population as everyone will be playing on a single server). Finally, the Nemesis system looks to add a decent amount of end-game content. Every player can create their own Nemesis (you use the same character creation tools that you use for your hero, choosing his costume, his minions, his powersets and his personality) who will occasionally send his minions after you. Eventually, you get to fight him yourself and can choose to defeat him forever (you get to create a new Nemesis) or continue fighting him.

The locations are more varied. While there is a city, there are also more unique settings, such as Snake Gulch (a wild west themepark with murderous cowboy robots), Monster island (think 'Island of Doctor Moreau crossed with 'the lost world') and Canada. Lemuria is probably one of the most unusual zones though, virtually all of it's underwater. There also more interaction with the locations as well. Providing your character is strong enough, you can pick up various objects to use as weapons. They are also meant to be persistent as well, so if you pick up a car and throw it somewhere, it will stay where it lands until it is moved again or destroyed.

There is also a full equipment system that proved stat bonuses and temporary powers. Equipment will change your characters appearance as well, although that can be disabled if you prefer to stay as you are. With a new equipment system comes a crafting system, although we don't know much about it yet."
 

I for one am excited about their being only one server and equipable items among other things.

I just watched a few lengthy videos of the Teleport, Swinging, and Rocket Boots travel powers.  I think the animations on these powers is fantastic and they look like a lot of fun to use.  At this point in time, the game looks polished and runs pretty smooth in combat.  CO does not have the really good combat animations that the DCU has, but holds its own in many regards.

I have also seen inside a few of the instanced missions that are given out by the contacts.  They are full of activity and color, nothing like the generic CoH missions we are all too familiar with.

Originally posted by zethcarn

I for one am excited about their being only one server and equipable items amount other things.

so you mean there will be only one server like eve online to play?? that would be great .also nice post .got alot of information from it .ty.:D

Two words: No mittens!

I can't believe I'm starting to get pumped up for this game! When I first heard about it, I didn't think it sounded like anything I would like. Lately I've been reading a lot of cool things about it, and each time I get more and more interested. Now after reading this post, especially the part about less use of instancing compared to CoH got me really excited...oh, and the one server thing to! So everything sounds good, but now I have to try for myself to see if it plays as good as it sounds.

As far as I am concerened the essential difference between the 2 games is that CoH is built with grouping in mind, with the option to solo; and Champions is built to solo, with the option for grouping. The result being that Champ has more in common with WoW than it does CoH.

Alas I must bite my tongue, but I think it is quite awesome, IMO. ^^

I'd like to mention that you guys should read with discretion. I keep forgetting how much fanboys (or haters) twist the facts or outright lie. This includes the press as well... I'm reminded of this every time stuff like this puffs up...

Nice read OP. Thanks.  I look forward to trying this game out.

Originally posted by LackeyZero

I'd like to mention that you guys should read with discretion. I keep forgetting how much fanboys (or haters) twist the facts or outright lie. This includes the press as well... I'm reminded of this every time stuff like this puffs up...

I usually agree to be cautious but so far what he's posted is pretty true... well... at least its confirmed by cryptic.. so.. thats pretty much as true as you can be at this point

 I wonder if an expansion will involve letting players nemesis be fully playable like a city of villians or at least let them "work" with other players nemesis in group sceanrios.

*Giveth and then Taketh away*

The one thing that usually contributes killing a new MMP, is when the Brain surgeons that create and implement really cool stuff that the players like in beta, one day decide to nerf the really cool stuff making players Jaded and  very unsatisfied.

My fear is That Champions will end up being just the same as all the other forgotten Money draining MMP's up on boot hill that had tons of promise but were slain by heavyhanded Developers that think they know best instead of actually listening to there player base.

BTW: City of Heroes is 5 years old, which is a pretty good run in these troubled Finacial times, yes the new games have tons of bells and whistles, but cut COH some slack, it paved the way for Champions Online.

True, however if you wanted to you could claim any game before it spawned the premise for allowing a player to create a hero (primarily medieval based and less on the powers side) but the reasons for CoH's success was possibly because it was the first and only super hero based MMO of its time.. now with atleast 2 on the rise (and super heroes increasingly prevomant appearance in our mainstream media as a source of entertainment) change has to take place.  I did CoH when it first came out but the gameplay made the grind too self aware more so than any other game I've ever played.  Maybe the same moves over and over again?  Either way, I'm psyched for Champions to see the next generation of Super Hero gaming.

I consider these are minor differences. Once you have played long enough and have get used to the combat mechanic of CO, you will feel the same as COH/COV.

I would say the differences are the graphic and game engine.

Does anyone know or can anyone point me to somewhere that discusses the game world? I am curious if its like COH where its one big zone with a lot of instances or is it more open world like WOW/LOTRO/EQ/etc.....

I am very much an explorer type gamer and just curious how the world is for exploring.

Thanks.

Originally posted by templarga

Does anyone know or can anyone point me to somewhere that discusses the game world? I am curious if its like COH where its one big zone with a lot of instances or is it more open world like WOW/LOTRO/EQ/etc.....

I am very much an explorer type gamer and just curious how the world is for exploring.

Thanks.

Mostly Open with some instances.  They have talked several times on this.  =)

sounds cool & good for me

as a coh player from day one i'm looking forward to champions online ...

Originally posted by Manchine

Originally posted by templarga

Does anyone know or can anyone point me to somewhere that discusses the game world? I am curious if its like COH where its one big zone with a lot of instances or is it more open world like WOW/LOTRO/EQ/etc.....

I am very much an explorer type gamer and just curious how the world is for exploring.

Thanks.

 

Mostly Open with some instances.  They have talked several times on this.  =)

Been looking for it and only found one thread where it was discussed but it turned into a "wink", "wink"  - lets talk on those other forums discussion and didn't really have any answers.

I have the game pre-ordered and am STILL trying to get in beta (been signed up forever) but exploration/open world is a make it or break it point for me.

Was not really that interested in the game but i must admit the OPs post is making me seriously consider giving it a look maybe it will have that something I never did get out of CoH.