Originally posted by themilton

TRP - what do you use to take your screen shots?

I take my screenshots like everyone else I guess, with my computer.    I will return to this post this evening and add a line of geek speak (once I get it from my husband) regarding the make-up of my computer.

 EDIT: Here are my computer stats regarding graphics: MS Office Pro 2003 Picture Manager; NVidia GEForce 7800 GS; 1600 x 900 Pixels; 32 Bit Color Quality

But I jack up the graphics (in-game) if I know I'm going to be doing it, which was the case for the first shot --- though for different reasons.  The other two shots were taken long ago by much older computers/video cards, etc. (perhaps even before we see these mobs decked out like we do today). However, I enjoy editing my screenies. I import them into my MS Office Picture Manager for some cropping and lighting changes, usually to tweak gamma. If its a real favorite I will send it on to Photobucket for additional ornamentation, such as these fade-to-black-frames.

One thing I've noticed when I post screenies on the web is that they always seem to come out darker than I see them in their original form. So if I know I am going to post them on the web, I will make use of Photobucket's  sharpen/soften feature under the 'Beautify' tab and sharpen up the pic a bit. Sharpening the dark colors for some reason seems to do the trick most of the time.

Originally posted by Amarsir

For villains, I've noticed something interesting. I keep running into people who, like myself, have heros on other servers but put their villains on Protector. There's no real reason for it, but I think it would be cool to encourage Protector as an "unofficial villain server."

Of course they'll still probably be outnumbered by heroes everywhere. That's just how the game is.

I've noticed the same thing, Amarsir. I myself do it because I am an alt-aholic and have all my heroes on my home server, then found another server to host my Villains when City of Villains went live.

And I agree it'd be cool to have a single server known as the Villain server! That really would be a "City" of Villains then, wouldn't it? =) 

For the unitiated, Ragdolls refer to "ragdoll physics" employed by CoH devs to send our mobs flying into some very entertaining positions once they're defeated.

Here I have recorded for posteritly a few of my favorites.

Enjoy!

Always nice to see a new name in the forums! Welcome!

To answer your question, several servers in City of Heroes are heavily populated, the most densely populated being Freedom. Freedom in fact was so heavily populated that when the ability to transfer from one server to the other went live last winter, whole Supergroups (guilds) moved to other servers. Thus the issues that come with over-population are less problematic now.

Virtue comes in Second, with Infinity and Champion probably vying for third place. Virtue is unofficially known as the role-playing server. Elsewhere in the game role-playing is almost nonexistant in its traditional form, though there are notable exceptions.

Triumph has a moderate population but seems --- in my experience --- to have a higher ratio than the others of seasoned and mature players. Triumph is unofficially known as the friendly server, and I have found it be true.

If you are intrested in a lot of PvP, Freedom and Virtue are probably the servers to check out, though there is PvP available on all. Pinnacle I believe has a small but very hardcore PvP population.

I am less familiar with the popularity of the Villain populations on these servers. Perhaps another reader might fill us in.  =)

The charge of slander is in regard to Damian7's precise claims that I do not have 4 1/2 years in the game, and that I've never been on the Test Server --- and to Wikkedbowtie's claim that I am providing misinformation.

If I cannot quote CoX Customer Support, who am I to believe? The likes of you?

Wikked, I never said the beginning month that came free with a new game/account counted against Veteran's Rewards. I said it MIGHT ---AND I said that I wasn't sure. Only after I was challenged by you two did I explain my reasoning, which referenced the FACT that non-paid subscription months  do not count toward Vet Rewards. As I stated, this comes from CoX Customer Support, because I once found myself one month short of what I was owed in Vet Rewards, and this is what THEY told me, in person, on the phone. I had at one point extended an invitation to a friend to join CoH, and recieved the one month subscription for free as a reward. However it was classified as an unpaid month when counted toward Vet Rewards and therfore set my account one month behind in that regard.

So, Damian7 may very well have three months that count toward his Vet Rewards, for which HE never paid. Or maybe he is just full of his usual stories, I don't know. I don't really care. He can fill his posts with all the presumptions, contrived "facts" and lordly psycho-babble that he wants. (If it meant a thing, the editors of this site would have gone knocking on his door instead of mine.) But neither of you will be permitted to trash my name as a writer and you better darn well watch your step.

Damian7 asked how you all can "report" me? The same way I reported you: write a calm, professional letter to the powers that be at this site, with a copy to my attorney. Whether Damian7 can actually produce anything calm and professional remains to be seen.

Originally posted by Wikkedbowtie

Which means every month your account is active, free or paid, counts toward vet rewards. This is nothing but more misinformation from our CoH game correspondant.

And this statement now puts you, Wickkedbowtie, in the same category as Damian7, as in being reported for slander, since my information came directly from CoX Customer Support. By the way, I'm sure any court of law will accept their say-so to verify my years in the game, AND the number of hours I've spent on the Test Server as well.  Call me what you will boys, I don't care. Challenge my professional reputation and you've crossed the line.

Originally posted by Wikkedbowtie

I am pretty sure caveat 1 is the dumbest thing anyone has ever said. Any time your account is active you get vet reward credit.

Number two is pretty obvious as well, but I have seen people ask about it and it is good information.

It does sound dumb doesnt it? However, like it or not, its actually the truth. I do believe I covered it in my article about the Lusca Raid. Any time you participate in one of those "Get a month for free,"  deals, that month does NOT count toward your Vet Rewards. Only paid months count. And even though the cost of the MAC package is enough to include the cost of a subscription, that is not all it includes. It is being marketed complete with the first month's paid subscription for free. That first month subscription likely does NOT count toward your Vet Rewards then, but as of yet I've had no verification of this. To those who are hung up on badges and the associated bling, this may be a serious consideration, and worth the two month wait and the extra $5 bucks.

But it's nice that you recognize it all as good information anyway. 

We are already seeing the gorgeous shining wings in-game! How can we possibly wait two months for the non-exclusive Valkyrie Package to become available to PC users?

The good news is, we don't have to. Even better, if we buy now, it's a better deal!

For those who might not know, the Valkyrie Package is the bonus pac within the new MAC friendly version of CoX. It includes costuming pieces that when assembled look rather like a heavily armoured archangel, including a bad-ass sword (which is only a "skin" for the Broadsword powerset, not a power unto itself). However there is a new power included in this package: a Teleport-to-Mission power (recharge time is 2 hours). Extra character creation slots are also offered.

The great news is that anyone can buy this package now and make use of the bonus pack, even if you dont use a MAC. Just activate the code given as an upgrade to your account and use it on your PC like normal. Yes, it costs $20 bucks when, two months from now it will only cost $10. But right now, it includes a month's subscription fee, which you'd be paying anyway! So you are actually getting the bonus pac for only $5!

Now there are caveats: 1) In case it matters to you, we're not yet sure if that month of subsription time will count toward Vet Rewards; and 2) The extra character creation slots offered are for new accounts only.

But if what you want are the costuming and the mission teleporter, and you've got the extra five bucks, I say, GO FOR IT!

Originally posted by gestalt11

CoX is funny that way alot of the RP is character concept rather than "acting".  I think this is kind of cool in that it brings alot more people who would otherwise not RP into an RP like state.

 Also it fits with the comic book theme.  The japanese Anime's like Naruto and Bleach do alot of their writing based off of character concepts and concept art.

A very astute observation. I totally agree.

Originally posted by damian7

Originally posted by HellsMajesty

yer i just tried the trial out briefly and it looks ok

although the game doesnt seem to run very smoothly its very jumpy which is unsual because my rig handles games like AoC and WAR on full spec but the customization options where very cool so im gonna keep going on the trial and see how it goes

 

the game's been that way this past week or so.  it's normally not like that.

I agree with Damian. I've found it to be jumpy as well, and not in the areas or situations where you'd normally expect it to be if it was due to lag or a slow computer. Something's glitchy. Hopefully, they will resolve it soon.

I was not trolling; I was teasing. A form of friendly PvP here in the forums. The dfference is INTENT. No insult, defamation and humiliation was attempted, you see?

And even if I was trolling, Damian deserved every bit of it. He's been busting my chops for three weeks now and dancing circles around everything I say in trying to explain myself against his accusations, using twists and pieces of my own text out of context to support his own arguements. Plus he insists that I am being arrogant and condescending while he says things about me AND to the reader that are 10 times worse than anything he perceives coming from me. THAT is trolling.

Actually, I nearly gave Damian a "thumbs-up" over his initial comeback remark to my tease. It was equally as sharp, as full of meaning, and without his usual venom. Touchette.

Pill - 1 point. Damian - 1 point.

But then he had to spoil it by vomitiing out his usual noxious bastardized interpretation of reality for three times longer than anyone wanted to hear about it. So I am taking back the point.

Damian's signature indicates he has clues for sale. I think he's let go of a few too many. I don't know how much clearer I can make my position on these two points he seems to consider the be-all and end-all of this game.

1.) I do not, have not, never have supported the idea of a "holy trinity." Damian pulled that assumption out of someplace I'd rather not discuss, and I'm sure he will cite AGAIN the pages and pages of his reasoning for it. I say, READ for yourself. Go to my articles and posts and make your own decision.

2) I happen to think using the word "healer" is okay in this game. This does not mean I think there is a healer archetype. Nor do I think the archetypes with heals can do only healing. Damian makes a lot of presumptions of me, and of others, when he insists we are all dumb enough to think these things. Once more, and for the last time, let me state that when I refer in my articles and my posts specifically to the powers or toons that heal, whatever archetype is involved, and whatever other powers those toons may have, I will use the word healer. When I refer specifically to buffs, debuffs, holds, and so on on, and those that wield them, I will use those words, and the words defender, controller, or suuport. It is semantics. something I choose to do as a writer, and for a couple good reasons, whether Damian likes it or not. I have no problem with Damian NOT using the word healer. I think the game and the world is big enough for both options.

That does sound cool Damian.

You mentioned this in another post somehwere too, with the plan sounding a little more fleshed out. I take it you've spoken of it with your buddies and have begun to act on this?

How do you take down notes and stuff about what is said and what is going on while you play? Log chat? Do you take screenshots?

Ahhhh... Now that you mention it, I do remember reading about changes... things like less intense agro and shorter agro range, and the introduction of different mobs (not new ones, but different ones) into The Hollows. Since I didnt have any Hollows-level toons at the time, I didnt pay too much attention. I don't recall seeing anything about spawn triggers. Thanks, Amarsir. I'm going to go research that some more.

That's a good idea, too, about the Cavern trial. As it happens, this toon needs that badge too.  =)

It started out as just another romp, marking defeats toward a badge for an alt. The badge was the Volcanic badge, which would make a pretty cool title for this alt, who boasted fire-based power sets. I needed to defeat 200 Igneous bosses. As far as I know, they're found out in the open only in Grendal's Gulch, in The Hollows.

 It had been a while since I spent any kind of time in The Hollows, so I was a little surprised to see the
sheer numbers of Pumicites laying around above ground, all over the Gulch. I figured pulling bosses into the fray from below ground would be easy. I was wrong.

Igneous laying-in-wait below ground are marked by little fires burning on the surface. A toon need only saunter within agro range of the fires to get the attention of what lies beneath, or hit the flames with a non-targeted attack.

What jumps up out of the ground is usually just more Pumacites, but sometimes you get a boss. See the big bad dude in the screenie, above. By the way, if you really tick him off, he can hold you fast in a formation of molten lava that is most deadly. Anyway, like I said, it used to be that SOMETIMES you got a boss... oh... maybe two or three bosses out of every 10 fires? No more!

I recently spent three different sessions in Grendals Gulch, one day after the other, each session about two hours each. I shot up countless Pumacites, stirred up all kinds of flames, and got exactly twelve bosses. TWELVE, when I needed TWO-HUNDRED.

I think I am going to bug it.

Has anyone else noticed a definitve decline in Igneous Bosses? Any info at all on their spawn rate? Has it changed in the last couple years from what it used to be previously?

Originally posted by damian7

 there are several ATs with swords, shields, archery, maces, axes.  there are a, literal, ton of combinations if you want to make some type of mage, rogue, warrior, or even say a tank/mage, rogue/mage, whatever.  if you want to create and elven priestess even... you can make that in coh.

Really? There are mage, rogue and priestess archetypes in this game? What if I wanted to play a healer?

Most recently we've enjoyed the changes brought by Issue 13, including but not limited to the introduction of Dual Builds; Day Jobs; Rest XP; a shield power set with visable hand/arm held shields; a healing power set for Villains; the merger of salvage types; lower base expenses plus the additon of extras for the base, such as swimming pools!

Before that we saw the introduction of two new zones, the Roman era styled Cimorea and the backstepping Ouroboros.

Server Transfers and other "quality of life" elements were added or improved last winter.

An electric power set was added to the Brute archetype for Villains at one point...sometime in 2007 I think.

So come on down! Explore! Join the fun! 

Originally posted by grunty

I've been playing on a trial account for a little longer than a week.  Everyday I've gotten at least half a dozen private tells asking me if I want to group up.  This doesn't include the looking-for-group requests in public chat.  As a trial account you can't reply to a tell though or talk on anything other than the local channel and the local channel is very short range.

If you hang around areas where NPCs are walking around and you click on them when they are near, one will occasionally say how many 'masks' are in that part of the city you are in.

You may also type this command into your chat line: /whoall

It will give you a listing of everyone in the zone not hidden from searches. It will not include characters who are inside missions or bases.

With the exception of finding any 'normals," you will find all of the above in City of Heroes, plus combinations you will have never dreamed of. Isn't it great? There is something for everyone, and room enough for all. 

All player characters are Heroes or Villains unless you enter a PvP zone, where you may run into player-run adversaries. The general population of the virtual environment and most of the interactive NPCs are normal. Many times heroes are called upon to rescue normal citizens from the bad guys and lead them out of the depths of an abandoned building, or a dismal cave, etc. Sometimes these citizens turn out to be not so normal and jump in to "help" you fight --- and you really wish they wouldn't. 

Yep, it's all in the life of a superhero.

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 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.