Champions Online - Zero trans fat hero spread

GnomeTank

Latest Patch Notes

From Cryptic Studios, the creators of City of Heroes, comes a new super-hero MMORPG for the PC and Xbox 360. Champions is now out and available for purchase from your local game retailer, as well as Steam.



Game Features

Character Customization:

Spoiler:

Champions Online takes the character customization of City of Heroes and turns that dial up to 11. Beyond simply configuring costume pieces and colors, Champions Online gives you full control of your character's height, weight, body proportions, and even their stance and running animations. Want a giant, oversized brute with massive arms who stalks forward with menace? Done. How about a savage beast, who runs on all fours? In Champions Online, it's possible.

In addition to being able to customize the appearance of your individual character, Champions Online also gives you control over the color of your character's powers, and the look and color of your character's weapons (if any). If you want green flames, lavender eye beams, or a gold-plated shotgun, the choice is yours.

But where is Champions Online truly different from other MMORPGs, especially its spiritual predecessor, City of Heroes?

Combat:

Spoiler:

In Champions Online, you have your fairly standard "Green and Blue bars" of Health and Energy. Predictably, your Health is the amount of damage you are able to take, you use your Energy bar to utilize your powers.

But where is this game different? Every hero has a basic attack, whether it's punches or fire blasts or pistol shots or whatever, that actually builds Energy, rather than using it.

The result is that truly, your Energy bar is never really empty for long. Combat is an action-packed game of building up your Energy bar with combos of basic attacks, and then using that Energy to unleash your more potent powers.

Downtime is minimal, combat is fast and very few powers have "cooldowns" or "recharge time".

Additionally, very few attacks "root" your character in place, allowing you to freely move about the battlefield. In many cases, this sort of "run and gun" style not only looks dynamic, it's good tactics, as some enemies sport area of effect attacks and other effects that are going to make you want to move out of the way.

Every character is capable of using a Block function, as well, mitigating incoming damage at the expense of continued attacks. Many of the higher level enemies have "tells", indicators that a large and very damaging or dangerous attack is incoming, and you better block!

The combat system in Champions Online is closer to "beat 'em up" games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance than traditional MMORPGs. There is a bunch of tiny details that collectively different in pronounced ways. For example, much of the objects in the game are destructible and, depending on your strength, can be lifted and thrown at enemies.

A very dynamic combat system, featuring unorthodox power usage, is really important, because the game is very big on...

Create Your Hero, Your Way:

Spoiler:

More than just offering visual customization options, Champions Online truly allows for freedom in character design by featuring a classless, powers-based level structure.

That's right, in Champions Online, there are no classes, and few limitations on what powers you are able to select from.

Powers in this game all fit into Frameworks, loose collections of related powers that constitute something of a "set". For example, all the Fire-related powers are in the Fire Control framework, while all of the gun and explosive based powers are in the Munitions Framework.

However, you can choose from any Framework you want, and mix them however you want. If you want a gun-toting half-dragon necromancer who carries an assault rifle and raises the dead and can breath fire, that's your business.

There is, obviously, a reward for specializing in a single Framework: Every power in the game is on a Tier, from 1-3. The higher Tier powers are, obviously, more powerful and unlock at later levels. If, however, you have a multitude of powers from a single Framework, the higher Tiers of that Framework unlock at a lower level for you than for someone who dabbles in multiple Frameworks.

Inevitably, though, all Tiers from all Frameworks are available, and high level characters can really take any power they want.

On top of your attack, defense, support, and utility powers there are also...

Travel Powers:

Spoiler:

These deserve a special mention, because unlike many other MMORPGs Champions Online does not make achieving a method of swift travel around zones into a chore or something you have to earn towards the end of the game.

Travel powers in Champions Online become available at level 5. To give you a sense of perspective, just finishing the tutorial of the game leaves you at level 5-7. So, your character can fly, teleport, swing, or whatever the case may be more or less right from the beginning of their career, no waiting till level 14 or 40.

PVP:

Spoiler:

In Champions Online, you are super-heroes. Super-villains are not, at this time, playable (although see the Nemesis system later for a bit on that).

But, the game still does feature PVP. There are duels (as depicted above) which you can do at any time, any where, with consenting parties.

There is also the Hero Games, a sort of in-universe professional fighting league for superhumans, which features multi-hero bouts and even cage matches.

Finally, a rather unique feature of Champions Online is the...

Nemesis System:

Spoiler:

In Champions Online, high level heroes have more concerns than villain groups like VIPER or the machinations of Doctor Destroyer.

As you advance in the game, you eventually get the opportunity to create your own Nemesis, a foil and opponent for your hero who will have an entire series of story arcs tailored just for you. You design your Nemesis using the same extremely versatile and creative character design tools available to player characters, and set aspects of their personality and powers for the game to use to generate missions for you.

Your Nemesis will ambush you, send their minions after you, and engage in diabolical plots you will have to stop. You can recruit friends to help you fight your Nemesis, but beware... they may have Nemeses of their own!

Game System

Frameworks:

Spoiler:

Champions does not use a class system, but instead uses a mix and match system based on the concept of frameworks. Each framework is backed by a power pool, and they are as follows:


Electricity
Fire
Force
Ice

Archery
Gadgeteering
Munitions
Power Armor

Dual Blades
Singe Blade
Fighting Claws
Martial Arts

Telekinesis
Telepathy

Might

Darkness
Arcane Sorcery
Primal Sorcery
Ebon Sorcery
Radiant Sorcery
Supernatural


All frameworks have four tiers of powers, 0 through 3. Each tier requires a progressively larger set of pre-requisites to purchase. The pre-requisite table is as follows:

Tier 0 - No requirements
Tier 1 - Requires 1 power from the framework or 2 non energy building powers from any framework
Tier 2 - Requires 3 powers from the framework or 5 non energy building powers from any framework
Tier 3 - Requires 5 powers from the framework or 8 non energy building powers from any framework

You are completely free to mix and match powers from various frameworks within those rules.

Statistics:

Spoiler:

The stat system in Champions uses eight statistics to represent your character. Each statistic governs a particular bonus to your character. What statistics you use are up to you and there are tons of possible builds. During the course of the game you will get to "Super Stat" two of these stats. That will be covered more in the Character Advancement section below. In addition, you can raise these statistics with equipment and talents (also covered in Character Advancement).

The following list shows the name of the statistic as well as what it effects for your character.

Strength - Knockback, Knockback Resistance, Tangible Hold Breakfree
Dexterity - Critical Chance, Stealth Range
Constitution – Maximum Health
Intellect - Reduced Energy Cost, Reduced Recharge, Stealth Detection
Ego - Critical Severity, Intangible Hold Breakfree
Presence - Threat Generation
Recovery – Energy Equilibrium, Energy Generation
Endurance – Maximum Energy

Character Advancement:

Spoiler:

As you level up in Champions, you will gain three types of points as you level:

Power points - These are used to buy new powers
Talent points - These are used to buy talents (stat modifiers)
Advantage points - These are used to rank up powers and buy power advantages

Each level, you will receive either one power point, one talent point, or two advantage points. The progression of advancement is:

Spoiler:

Level 1; End Builder, Starter Power
Level 2;
Level 3;
Level 4;
Level 5; Super Stat, Power Point, Travel Power
Level 6; Talent Point
Level 7; Advantage Points
Level 8; Power Point
Level 9; Talent Point
Level 10; Advantage Points
Level 11; Power Point
Level 12; Talent Point
Level 13; Super Stat
Level 14; Power Point
Level 15; Talent Point
Level 16; Advantage Points
Level 17; Power Point
Level 18; Talent Point
Level 19; Advantage Points
Level 20; Power Point
Level 21; Talent Point, Advantage Points
Level 22; Advantage Points
Level 23; Power Point
Level 24; Advantage Points
Level 25; Advantage Points
Level 26; Power Point
Level 27; Advantage Points
Level 28; Advantage Points
Level 29; Power Points
Level 30; Advantage Points
Level 31; Advantage Points
Level 32; Power Points
Level 33; Advantage Points
Level 34; Advantage Points
Level 35; Power Point, Travel Power
Level 36; Advantage Points
Level 37; Advantage Points
Level 38; Power Point
Level 39; Advantage Points
Level 40; Advantage Points

Talents allow you to modify various stats for your character. The following talents are available:

Spoiler:

Mighty (8 STR)
Agile (8 DEX)
Enduring (8 CON)
Brilliant (8 INT)
Indomitable (8 EGO)
Intimidating (8 PRE)
Tireless (8 REC)
Energetic (8 END)
Martial Focus (5 STR, 5 DEX)
Physical Conditioning (5 CON, 5 STR)
Body and Mind (5 STR, 5 INT)
Professional Athlete (5 STR, 5 EGO)
Impressive Physique (5 STR, 5 PRE)
Relentless (5 STR, 5 REC)
Bodybuilder (5 END, 5 STR)
Acrobat (5 CON, 5 DEX)
Coordinated (5 DEX, 5 INT)
Shooter (5 DEX, 5 EGO)
Finesse (5 DEX, 5 PRE)
Impresario (5 DEX, 5 REC)
Accurate (5 END, 5 DEX)
Healthy Mind (5 CON, 5 INT)
Ascetic (5 CON, 5 EGO)
Shrug It Off (5 CON, 5 PRE)
Quick Recovery (5 CON, 5 REC)
Boundless Reserves (5 CON, 5 END)
Academics (5 INT, 5 EGO)
Diplomatic (5 INT, 5 PRE)
Negotiator (5 INT, 5 REC)
Investigator (5 END, 5 INT)
Showmanship (5 EGO, 5 PRE)
Worldly (5 EGO, 5 REC)
Daredevil (5 END, 5 EGO)
Lasting Impression (5 PRE, 5 REC)
Prodigy (5 END, 5 PRE)
Amazing Stamins (5 END, 5 REC)
Covert Ops Training (3 CON, 3 STR, 3 DEX, 3 INT)
Martial Training (3 STR, 3 DEX, 3 EGO, 3 REC)
Paramilitary Training (3 CON, 3 END, 3 STR, 3 REC)
Discipline Training (3 END, 3 STR, 3 INT, 3 PRE)
Sniper Training (3 END, 3 DEX, 3 EGO, 3 PRE)
Command Training (3 INT, 3 EGO, 3 PRE, 3 REC)
Survival Training (3 CON, 2 END, 3 DEX, 3 PRE, 2 REC)
Field Ops Training (3 CON, 2 END, 3 INT, 3 EGO, 2 REC)
Jack of All Trades (2 CON, 2 END, 2 STR, 2 DEX, 2 INT, 2 EGO, 2 PRE, 2 REC)

In addition at levels 5 and 13 you will get to choose a super stat. You can choose one of the eight stats, but you may only choose a stat once. "Super stating" a stat will cause that stat to greatly increase as you level.

Note: Your super stats are what determines your damage scaling. Whichever super stats you choose will add damage to all your powers. See the Super Stat guide linked in Useful Links for more info.

Crafting:

Spoiler:

Coming soon (tm)...

Screenshots

Spoiler:

Other Info

Useful Links:

Spoiler:

The main website: http://www.champions-online.com/
The official forums: http://forums.champions-online.com/
Quick reference guide: http://forums.champions-online.com/showthread.php?t=30182 (This is very, very useful. Much of the content from this post came from this guide. Read this.)
Super stat guide: http://forums.champions-online.com/showthread.php?t=46093
championBuilder - a great build utility: http://champions.zarzu.ch/

Playing With Us:

Spoiler:

The first step is to join the PA channel. To do so type:

/channel_join "Penny Arcade"

The quotation marks are important, so use them. You can then select Penny Arcade from the drop down list next to the chat input box to talk in the channel.

Updated: We have a Super Group named Penny-Arcade Crimefighting Team. To get an invite, simply ask in the Penny Arcade channel.

Latest Updates

Spoiler:

9/9/09:
* Added SG info to Playing With Us

Tag

We should add the summaries explaining crafting and super stats to the OP probably.

GnomeTank

Suggest OP changes and I'll make them. I plan to spend tonight cleaning it up and getting it sectioned off with nice headers and stuff. I want to make sure all the info is up to date. We just needed a new thread.

Yoshua

Where's my half naked cat girls, demons, and anime chicks in battle lingerie. You fail good sir.

j/k, Thanks for getting the new thread started.

GnomeTank

Tag wrote: »

We should add the summaries explaining crafting and super stats to the OP probably.

Noted. I'll make sure that gets in there.

Dr. Face

PLEASE put in the PA chat channel and guild. I'd like to join it someday.

Yoshua

Dr. Face wrote: »

PLEASE put in the PA chat channel and guild. I'd like to join it someday.

It is right at the bottom. Does need SG info though.

Elldren

Yoshua wrote: »

Dr. Face wrote: »

PLEASE put in the PA chat channel and guild. I'd like to join it someday.

It is right at the bottom. Does need SG info though.

The top would probably be better, I think.

Dr. Face

Yoshua wrote: »

Dr. Face wrote: »

PLEASE put in the PA chat channel and guild. I'd like to join it someday.

It is right at the bottom. Does need SG info though.

is it "/join Penny Arcade" then?

Just_Bri_Thanks

Because it can't be said enough:

To Cryptic: Stop breaking your servers and forums, especially at the same time. Thanks!

Cherrn

Honestly all the min-maxing stuff is still enormously confusing to me. Just peering through the last 5 pages of the other thread, I had no idea what the hell people were talking about half the time.

Is there a straightforward FAQ somewhere that contains actual usable information that isn't several months out of date?

GnomeTank

Dr. Face wrote: »

Yoshua wrote: »

Dr. Face wrote: »

PLEASE put in the PA chat channel and guild. I'd like to join it someday.

It is right at the bottom. Does need SG info though.

is it "/join Penny Arcade" then?

I think that might work, but I did it through the UI. I think if you right click on your Chat tab, there should be somewhere in there where you can join channels. I'll go look tonight when I get home and get a detailed walk through in the OP.

Neva

Just_Bri_Thanks wrote: »

Because it can't be said enough:

To Cryptic: Stop breaking your servers and forums, especially at the same time. Thanks!

If the official forums weren't so awful I could see that as being a negative thing.

precisionk

So how is the pvp fighting in this game? Or whatever the cage fighting is.

Sonelan

Horribly unbalanced at the moment precisionk.

Lawndart

Oh, hello new thread.

Do you really need to re-join the PA chat channel with each new character? I know the fucking profanity fucking filter fucking resets with each new fucking character, but I vaguely recall that joining the PA chat channel on one character carries over.

GnomeTank

Yah, we got to listen to Sone complain for three hours last night about the pvp....hehe. If I wasn't playing the game because of his benevolence, I would have cared more.

Seriously though, it sounds very unbalanced from what he was saying. Frustratingly unbalanced.

Just_Bri_Thanks

Neva wrote: »

Just_Bri_Thanks wrote: »

Because it can't be said enough:

To Cryptic: Stop breaking your servers and forums, especially at the same time. Thanks!

If the official forums weren't so awful I could see that as being a negative thing.

Well the part that is broken most is the dev tracker. You can skip everything else and not miss much.

GnomeTank

Lawndart wrote: »

Oh, hello new thread.

Do you really need to re-join the PA chat channel with each new character? I know the fucking profanity fucking filter fucking resets with each new fucking character, but I vaguely recall that joining the PA chat channel on one character carries over.

Nope, you don't. I was still joined in the channel on my release characters despite not playing since beta (same account, patched client). When I created Cepheid Variable and Dapper Defender, they were both automatically in channel.

Just_Bri_Thanks

GnomeTank wrote: »

Yah, we got to listen to Sone complain for three hours last night about the pvp....hehe. If I wasn't playing the game because of his benevolence, I would have cared more.

Seriously though, it sounds very unbalanced from what he was saying. Frustratingly unbalanced.

It is pretty bad, yes.

Yoshua

precisionk wrote: »

So how is the pvp fighting in this game? Or whatever the cage fighting is.

It's a fun diversion, well depending on your power selections. I won't say there are any must have powers for PvP, but non-standard builds may require some non-standard strategies to be viable.

However there is very little pvp content, so eventually you will tire of running the same UTC cage match over and over.

chrono_traveller

Cherrn wrote: »

Honestly all the min-maxing stuff is still enormously confusing to me. Just peering through the last 5 pages of the other thread, I had no idea what the hell people were talking about half the time.

Is there a straightforward FAQ somewhere that contains actual usable information that isn't several months out of date?

The debate/discussion/yelling of the last thread boiled down to really a disagreement about how difficult the game should be.

As far as an FAQ, I've been meaning to try and start one, but I keep putting it off. I might get to it this weekend. However, the thing is that the game is still going through its launch spurts, and as such things have been changing and as such, people only have a very narrow experience of their character or 2 (and even then not very high) so basically, if you're worried about some particular idea, just kinda throw it out here and see if anyone has any experience with something similar.

Sonelan

Just_Bri_Thanks wrote: »

GnomeTank wrote: »

Yah, we got to listen to Sone complain for three hours last night about the pvp....hehe. If I wasn't playing the game because of his benevolence, I would have cared more.

Seriously though, it sounds very unbalanced from what he was saying. Frustratingly unbalanced.

It is pretty bad, yes.

Man I only complain when something seriously horrible happens. Like when I first found out about TP being broken in PvP or last night when someone could healing through our entire team beating on them or their teammates.

Selecta

Oh hey new Champions Online thread. So I can't launch the game currently as the loader is trying to update or something and is timing out, and can't connect to the Champions site either for the same reason. Is there something going on right now or what?

GnomeTank

Sonelan wrote: »

Just_Bri_Thanks wrote: »

GnomeTank wrote: »

Yah, we got to listen to Sone complain for three hours last night about the pvp....hehe. If I wasn't playing the game because of his benevolence, I would have cared more.

Seriously though, it sounds very unbalanced from what he was saying. Frustratingly unbalanced.

It is pretty bad, yes.

Man I only complain when something seriously horrible happens. Like when I first found out about TP being broken in PvP or last night when someone could healing through our entire team beating on them or their teammates.

I was kidding bro, your complaints were completely valid. Actually gave me something interesting to read while I was (trying to) complete quests.

Though I do think we bombarded poor Akinos last night

GnomeTank

Selecta wrote: »

Oh hey new Champions Online thread. So I can't launch the game currently as the loader is trying to update or something and is timing out, and can't connect to the Champions site either for the same reason. Is there something going on right now or what?

Yes, everything blew up. Bill Roper in his EU gamer interview was saying they are working on it, no ETA.

Tag

Poor, poor Akinos.

Angry

is the goddamn server still down?

also, i don't think i ever mentioned it, but my account is Doomunit.

sonelan bitches about everything all the time. i've had a good amount of fun in my experiences in the hero games.

Sonelan

GnomeTank wrote: »

Sonelan wrote: »

Just_Bri_Thanks wrote: »

GnomeTank wrote: »

Yah, we got to listen to Sone complain for three hours last night about the pvp....hehe. If I wasn't playing the game because of his benevolence, I would have cared more.

Seriously though, it sounds very unbalanced from what he was saying. Frustratingly unbalanced.

It is pretty bad, yes.

Man I only complain when something seriously horrible happens. Like when I first found out about TP being broken in PvP or last night when someone could healing through our entire team beating on them or their teammates.

I was kidding bro, your complaints were completely valid. Actually gave me something interesting to read while I was (trying to) complete quests.

Though I do think we bombarded poor Akinos last night

Yeah I feel bad about that sometimes. I don't think he likes me much he took me off his friend's list

EDIT: Thats not true angry. I had a couple days before the launch nerf where I wasn't complaining!

chrono_traveller

Selecta wrote: »

Oh hey new Champions Online thread. So I can't launch the game currently as the loader is trying to update or something and is timing out, and can't connect to the Champions site either for the same reason. Is there something going on right now or what?

Someone cast flashfire on the Cryptic Servers.

Selecta

GnomeTank wrote: »

Selecta wrote: »

Oh hey new Champions Online thread. So I can't launch the game currently as the loader is trying to update or something and is timing out, and can't connect to the Champions site either for the same reason. Is there something going on right now or what?

Yes, everything blew up. Bill Roper in his EU gamer interview was saying they are working on it, no ETA.

Ok good to know, was hoping it was legit and not on my end. Porn it is then. :winky:

Just_Bri_Thanks

Sonelan wrote: »

Man I only complain when something seriously horrible happens. Like when I first found out about TP being broken in PvP or last night when someone could healing through our entire team beating on them or their teammates.

When I complain, it is frequent but very mild. A lot of little things irritate me, and I thus spout of a lot of little inconsequential complaints.

When Sonelan complains, he gives it everything he's got.

Angry

oh and i can assure that akinos hates every single one of you.

chrono_traveller

Angry wrote: »

oh and i can assure that akinos hates every single one of you.

D:

Akinos

Angry wrote: »

oh and i can assure that akinos hates every single one of you.

No, just Sonelan.

Spoiler:

<3

Sonelan

Just_Bri_Thanks wrote: »

Sonelan wrote: »

Man I only complain when something seriously horrible happens. Like when I first found out about TP being broken in PvP or last night when someone could healing through our entire team beating on them or their teammates.

When I complain, it is frequent but very mild. A lot of little things irritate me, and I thus spout of a lot of little inconsequential complaints.

When Sonelan complains, he gives it everything he's got.

Thats because I belive if you are gonna do something you might as well do it right.

That hurts akinos

TheScruple

Well, the server was rolling along just fine until the last patch, which increased user bandwidth by 25% while reducing the server's ability to handle incoming bandwidth from 15-50% depending on what monitoring software was running. Cryptic will look to buy a new server to compensate, but costs to start a server over again are out of whack at the moment.

Just_Bri_Thanks

Sonelan wrote: »

Just_Bri_Thanks wrote: »

Sonelan wrote: »

Man I only complain when something seriously horrible happens. Like when I first found out about TP being broken in PvP or last night when someone could healing through our entire team beating on them or their teammates.

When I complain, it is frequent but very mild. A lot of little things irritate me, and I thus spout of a lot of little inconsequential complaints.

When Sonelan complains, he gives it everything he's got.

Thats because I belive if you are gonna do something you might as well do it right.

That hurts akinos

^5

Dr. Face

Yoshua wrote: »

precisionk wrote: »

So how is the pvp fighting in this game? Or whatever the cage fighting is.

It's a fun diversion, well depending on your power selections. I won't say there are any must have powers for PvP, but non-standard builds may require some non-standard strategies to be viable.

However there is very little pvp content, so eventually you will tire of running the same UTC cage match over and over.

When I pvped most of my teams that played well focus fired anyone with an offensive passive, which is very easy to see in game. Teleport and Regen (which one of my guys has) is king of survival from what I've seen and if that doesn't change the hardcore pvpers will all have it. Crowd control and knockback is annoyingly useful against runners/anyone. Melee energy builders SUCK.

Incenjucar

precisionk wrote: »

So how is the pvp fighting in this game? Or whatever the cage fighting is.

There are balance issues, but it is still incredibly fun so long as you have the unbalanced people on both sides.

I bought the game almost entirely for the PVP.

Angry

melee energy builders are super useless in pvp. melee users should really just have a passive energy recharge equal to their eb which stops on charge abilities.