If you need to level a character I can run some Rikti repeatables on my 50, so you can get some (relatively) easy and quick levels, after I sort out some dinner.
I'll be in the game within the next hour and a half, most likely, and I'll give a shout to the PA channel to see who all wants to come along and get some sweet double XPs.
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Amikron DevaliaI didn't ask for this title.Registered Userregular
I started playing on my old account the other day, made a new guy and played for a bit. But damn to Masterminds sound badass. Unfortunately I would have to buy the class to use it and I'm not sure how into the class I'd be. I love pet classes in games, Necro was my favorite in D2 and so on. Everything I've read about them sounds good to me. I am just not exactly flowing in cash at the moment and am not sure if it is worth it to buy the class.
I started playing on my old account the other day, made a new guy and played for a bit. But damn to Masterminds sound badass. Unfortunately I would have to buy the class to use it and I'm not sure how into the class I'd be. I love pet classes in games, Necro was my favorite in D2 and so on. Everything I've read about them sounds good to me. I am just not exactly flowing in cash at the moment and am not sure if it is worth it to buy the class.
Any opinions on MMs?
Masterminds are pretty much god tier. Bots/Dark is a good starter combo for people new to the class.
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Amikron DevaliaI didn't ask for this title.Registered Userregular
Now with respecs, would I be able to change it to something else later? Like Necro/Dark, or Bots/Thermal? I played before villains even came out so it has been awhile.
Now with respecs, would I be able to change it to something else later? Like Necro/Dark, or Bots/Thermal? I played before villains even came out so it has been awhile.
No, you would not. Powerset respecs do not exist and will never exist.
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Amikron DevaliaI didn't ask for this title.Registered Userregular
Figured not but his line about people new to the class confused me.
ceresWhen the last moon is cast over the last star of morningAnd the future has past without even a last desperate warningRegistered User, Moderatormod
I keep hearing things about Statesman and Sister Psyche TFs going away on Tuesday... is this true? Because if it is I have a lot of work to do.
And it seems like all is dying, and would leave the world to mourn
There is nothing on test right now that reflects that. People are just being their dumb selves.
EDIT: Psyche, in particular, is part of the Task Force Commander accolade, which is one of the big four passive powers that people really like. Yanking it out of game without any other way to get that accolade would be pretty dumb. I don't see it happening.
ceresWhen the last moon is cast over the last star of morningAnd the future has past without even a last desperate warningRegistered User, Moderatormod
Soooo... any idea how to kill Recluse's pylons without anyone getting gibbed? I need me an MoSTF.
And it seems like all is dying, and would leave the world to mourn
Bring a stone tank and a pocket healer. Those two taunt Recluse away while the rest of the team murders the pylons, usually in the order blue->red->orange->green. Then when they're all down just dogpile on him and murderate him. A permadom can be handy here because Recluse is a Mastermind who summons all bosses like a dick.
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ceresWhen the last moon is cast over the last star of morningAnd the future has past without even a last desperate warningRegistered User, Moderatormod
Why blue first? It seems like it'd take a ton of pressure off the healer to do red first is all.
And it seems like all is dying, and would leave the world to mourn
So I hopped back ingame last night for the first time in a long while. Bought my Stalker a set of the ATOs and gave the new changes a whirl. The new AS system is pretty neat and I love the ATO proc. What I find kindof strange (and dislike tbh) is that Placate doesn't allow the full AS, it instead makes you use the fast/unhidden AS.
I've not found much theorycrafting on the forums about it, so a critting unhidden AS may do as much damage as a full Assassination AS, but it doesn't seem that way.
Since the unhidden AS animates way faster just pseudo-Scrapping it out may actually be way more DPS, I've not tested it yet. It just seems like it'd be a bit of a shame to me, since Hide/AS/Placate always seemed core to the Stalker AT.
Quick testing:
From Hide:
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 159.75 points of Smashing damage!
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 68.46 points of Negative Energy damage!
You land a critical hit on Guide with your Assassin's Eclipse for an extra 410.8 points of negative energy damage!
Total: 639.01 damage
After Placate:
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 245.13 points of Smashing damage!
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 105.05 points of Negative Energy damage!
Total: 350.18
So the unhidden crit AS does a bit over 50% of full Hidden AS, but animates in like 1/3 the time. So from spitballing the math on the animation times, the second one has way better DPA. Strange.
Edit: Except I just tested it again and the Placate-AS had the extra crit text and hit for the same amount of damage. This bears more testing. Or forum searching.
My understanding back when this was proposed was that the only difference was that a hidden crit inflicted the Fear effect while the Placate one didn't.
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Amikron DevaliaI didn't ask for this title.Registered Userregular
Caved in and bought MM, then spent 2 hours working on a character design and backstory. Quit having not even made a character yet. But hey I have 10 costumes!
Great ScottKing of Wishful ThinkingParagon City, RIRegistered Userregular
edited March 2012
MMs are completely awesome but seem to collapse at the high difficulty due to the pet negative levels. I may start to Incarnate mine since apparently it's so bad they gave all pets a level shift in DA so they don't insta-die.
There is this weird dichotomy where at base difficulty MMs are insanely facerolling, and somewhere around +2 and/or x4 they just start to suck when pets take too much damage-in. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? If so, I'd love to know the secret to keeping the Tier-1 pets alive and pumping out damage at high difficulties. The MM secondaries seem to be designed to be weaker than a normal secondary, which makes sense thematically (Corr powers should be stronger, after all) until you get into a mission and realize that the powers don't generally cut it.
My Bots/Dark's problem wasn't so much that bots would die as the lack of ability to focus them. Against large enough groups you can't really afford to drop bodyguard or you'll get one-shotted by a stray shot or AoE, which is a pain when enemies scatter, as the Bots AoE damage suddenly falls through the floor. Most of the my control went into setting up sizable clumps with Fearsome Stare and hoping not more than one or two of them resist it.
Hate Rikti so much. Even if you open up with FS outside of their aggro range they will instantly mez you and with 8-persons groups there's enough stacked mez to keep you slept long after your FS wears off. Now Rikti are running and teleporting all over the place, your pets have scattered to the wind and all you can do is chase them with the world's smallest PBAoE heal (though they've increased it since, if memory serves) and hope they don't die because you'll die instantly should you dare issue a command.
Glal on
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Great ScottKing of Wishful ThinkingParagon City, RIRegistered Userregular
edited March 2012
Sorry to hear that , Glal. I've dodged the issue by simply dual-boxing my MMs so that the secondary powers are meaningfully stacked. Even there, I don't know how I'd manage with melee pets - I'm stuck with Mercs and Bots (good thing I like those sets!) because they are almost all ranged.
I guess my new plan is going to be Zombies/Pain. I'll stack up the Regen aura power and just get into melee myselves and hope for the best. Ninjas are far more sturdy but with 1200% regen I don't want to pay the damage penalty for their inherent +Defense. Toxic Puke FTW!
Why blue first? It seems like it'd take a ton of pressure off the healer to do red first is all.
Blue gives Recluse a gigantic tohit bonus, and an insane amount of +recharge, so he can spam (essentially) autohit attacks on the tanker. Taking blue down first means that Recluse will attack less often and will start missing more often, saving a ton more damage in the long run.
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ceresWhen the last moon is cast over the last star of morningAnd the future has past without even a last desperate warningRegistered User, Moderatormod
Why blue first? It seems like it'd take a ton of pressure off the healer to do red first is all.
Blue gives Recluse a gigantic tohit bonus, and an insane amount of +recharge, so he can spam (essentially) autohit attacks on the tanker. Taking blue down first means that Recluse will attack less often and will start missing more often, saving a ton more damage in the long run.
Whoa, I didn't know that. I assumed all that was the yellow one, because yellow=hitting in my head. I thought blue was just an end boost.
And it seems like all is dying, and would leave the world to mourn
So, finished the DA content yesterday, and it's definitely something. Something with a few 53(+3) mobs that turned everyone inside out more than a few times, but good times were had by all. Probably will be up for a few repeatables later, since repeating arcs requires ouro flashback (and thus everyone on the same side to start due to TF code, which is stupid).
Caved in and bought MM, then spent 2 hours working on a character design and backstory. Quit having not even made a character yet. But hey I have 10 costumes!
Welcome to City of Heroes, the best digital dress up doll ever. Oh, it's got some kind of super hero game somewhere. But it's mostly about playing dressup.
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Amikron DevaliaI didn't ask for this title.Registered Userregular
I played years ago before villians launched, spent more time making characters and backstories than I ever did playing. Now that I've returned it seems even worse than before.
I played years ago before villians launched, spent more time making characters and backstories than I ever did playing. Now that I've returned it seems even worse than before.
I don't think it's much worse - all new (returning) players go through that phase, I think. Once you have a character made and in the game, feel free to look me up - I'm always willing to teem.
I'm unique. Just like everyone else.
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Amikron DevaliaI didn't ask for this title.Registered Userregular
Or to just plain powerlevel your mm to 30 so you can become the proper Solo Tank you were meant to be.
Because me and scott were essentially exposed to this concept in the same mission. I had brought along my 45ish MM to his 50+ DA arc and it wasnt so much the problem of damage, but the fact that they were simply too weak to survive long enough to be of any use. This was completely foreign to me, as I had been mostly soloing this dude over the last 4 years. I went from being able to handle anything the game could throw at me, to spending most of the late mission Pet-less, because they just couldnt hang.
In Incarnate Content, your pets not only get bumped to match your level, but also receive your level shifts. But if Scott was running on +4 with level shifts and you were sidekicked and, thus, not getting those shifts, then it's not that the MM pets were worthless, it's that most of what anyone would be doing was worthless.
Gonna scoop Pow on this one. Having just won a Dilemma Diabolique, I have learned that once you do, Prometheus has even more to say! Spoilers for Dark Astoria plotline here.
Recall that Diabolique's plan with Mot was to become a well unto themselves.
Me: I think you've kept another path hidden from me, Prometheus. I could become like a 'well'.
Prometheus: I have kept nothing from you, because what you suggest is simply not an option available to you. Ultimately, it is I who bear the responsibility for those who ascend among humanity, and there are very few who have ever been deserving of such an honor. You are not among them.
However, since you have learned of ascension, I see no harm in explaining it further.
The events in Dark Astoria are like many others I have borne witness to in the past. A being of great power, feeling constrained by the 'well' to which they are tied, strives to break their link to it. They seek to link instead to that which provides a 'well' with its potential. To achieve this, however, requires a great amassing of power from outside the 'well'.
This very often brings those who wish to ascend into conflict with their own kind, with their 'well' and with those like me who are charged with watching over the 'wells'. This is because the individual who does ascend no longer needs to draw upon their 'well'. They become engines of their own power and creativity. They are their own potential. They become as powerful as any 'well' could ever be in their own right, and in the process, potentially diminish their original 'well' and those who still remain connected to it.
In the past, I have generally acted against such actions amongst humanity, because so very few have been worthy of this honor. However, in the case of Mot and Diabolique, a singular opportunity presented itself which would allow you to prove how far you have come on your own path.
Me: What sort of power does an 'ascended' wield?
Prometheus: Those who have become like a 'well' have the ability to create whole worlds out of their very thoughts. They can make dimensions of their own design, setting the rules by which their world will exist. They can create entities to serve them, or isolate themselves in a peaceful silence. In this way, they are freer than the 'wells' which are linked to a species, for their continued existence is dependent only on themselves, not the survival of the species. This makes them quite dangerous, and is the reason why my organization watches all attempts to 'ascend' in this way closely.
Me: What you describe ... it sounds like Rularuu, actually.
Prometheus: Quite observant of you. Indeed, Rularuu is an example of an individual who managed to become a 'well' unto himself... though I will note that he did so without my knowledge. How he managed to achieve it while remaining beneath our notice for so long remains unresolved. Prometheus stops speaking, deep in thought. You can tell this mystery troubles him deeply. After a moment, he begins speaking again.
Rularuu is not even the only such entity with which you are acquainted. There are a very few others who have 'ascended'. Most of them use their power wisely, either eventually coming to believe that they can aid another species in its growth and serving as their 'well', or working to create places of security, serenity or service for the good of the multiverse.
Me: Most of them? You mean there are 'renegade' ascended?
Prometheus: There are indeed. Occasionally, one of those who seemed worthy was... misjudged, or as with Rularuu, an unworthy circumvented the system. Those wretched deceivers use their power to further their own agendas or grow their own power, some of them daring to even try to control that to which they are linked.
Such 'renegades' are a threat to the multiverse, and we see to it that such threats are neutralized. When such a threat appears, it frequently gives rise to a war which dwarfs any conflict with which you are familiar, even that in which you are currently engaged.
You can see, then, why control over such monumental power is so carefully monitored and sanctioned by my organization.
Me: Why have you been hiding this from me?
Prometheus: Prometheus's face hardens in response to your charge. When he speaks, you catch notice of him glancing back at Michael, who appears to be watching his reaction intently. Whether it is in support of him, or in judgement, you cannot say for certain.
I have hidden nothing from you. Have I not explained this to you now, when you first asked me about it?
Remember, I am the one guiding you along a path in which you control the Well without bringing its control or our judgement upon you. I have presented you with the path that keeps all of us alive and us in control of the Well.
If others have told you of the path to ascension as though it were a real option, then you must understand that they were mistaken. I... we... simply will not allow any further ascensions amongst humanity while its fate remains so uncertain.
Your options remain unchanged from our earlier conversations. You can only choose to serve the Well, or you can choose to use it as a tool for your own ends. That is it.
Me: I fail to see how you have the right to deny me anything, Prometheus.
Prometheus: The tension between you and Prometheus is palpable. You can feel a simmering anger emanating from him, but he remains firmly in control.
I do not deny you anything. I simply will not permit anyone to entertain any thoughts of ascension while the very fate of humanity is on the line. Be you hero or villain, focusing on such a lofty endeavor now is selfishness of the highest order.
I have devised this plan, guided you through it, so that humanity will stand the best chance of defeating Battalion and you will have the best chance of retaining your freedom from the Well. If I had believed that any of you, regardless of whether you were capable of ascending or not, would achieve equal or better results, I would have taken that course instead. That this displeases you is understandable, but my goal is victory against Battalion. The truth of the matter is this: you are not capable of ascending at this time, and even if you were, it would do more harm than good.
Know this: when Battalion comes, many will fall. Were all of those who would fight them ascended, then their power would be added to Battalion's should they fall. For an Incarnate, however, the power would return to the Well and allow another to take on the mantle.
Make no mistake about this. I would rather have you dead and your power returned to the Well, than vanquished and your power absorbed by our enemies.
Me: I would still like to have known this option even existed.
Prometheus: You still do not understand, do you? You still think that pursuing ascension at this time is an option!
Let me then illuminate you: should you attempt to abandon my plan and try your hand at ascension before the time is right, our association will be ended.
Should you truly wish to pursue such madness, then you will have to find your own way to defeat Emperor Cole. You will have to make your own path to defeat Battalion.
If you survive that, then you will be alone while you struggle to retain all the power you have acquired from the Well, because that wretched fool will try to take it from you should you try to leave him. No assistance from me shall be forthcoming when that confrontation occurs.
And finally, when you emerge from your battle with the Well, know that you will be considered a 'renegade', and that I will come to destroy you.
I would really rather it not come to that. For all the inconvenience and aggravation you cause, I have come to enjoy our deliberations.
Then you get a choice:
Me: Why do I get the feeling that the time will never be right with you?
Prometheus: Prometheus grins broadly and breaks out into a hearty laugh. He then leans in closer, in such a way as to prevent his statement from being heard by Michael.
You are like an impetuous child! Let me be more direct then!
I will not allow any further ascensions while I have a say in the matter. And, should you attempt to do so before I permit it, our paths will cross one final time. When that day comes, you will submit to my judgement or I will bring a force to bear upon you unlike any you have ever imagined.
Me: We'll see about that, someday. Until then, let's talk about Cole.
or
Me: Very well, Prometheus. We'll continue your plan.
Prometheus: Prometheus smiles as his body noticeably relaxes. You notice Michael's eyes arch momentarily, as though this was not the outcome he expected.
Very wise, my friend. I can assure you that I am simply trying to give us the best chance for victory in the battles to come.
Should you prove up to the task of defeating Cole and the Battalion, then you will already have the power of the Well at your fingertips. From there, you will be able to grow humanity across the multiverse into the great power it was always meant to be.
After victory is achieved, you may discover that you do not need ascension. However, if your interest in such matters has not waned by that point, we may be more amenable to assisting you on that path.
Me: Sounds like a plan. Until then, let's talk about Cole.
So ... that. That is some VERY VERY INTERESTING STUFF.
the various Hamidons are incarnates of a renegade ascension, rather than the Well of the Furies. The story dude strongly implied there was a reason that Praetorian Hamidon was named Hamidon despite showing up so much before Hamidon Pasalima
Whenever the servers come back up you can play with Beast Mastery and Enhancement converters. You might want to wait a few days on Beast Mastery, though. All the reports say it's pretty a underperforming set, since the only pet with a ranged attack is the tier 3, and he only gets that ranged attack after the second upgrade. Plus the pets have jack shit for melee defense and resists, sooooo.
The problem with Masterminds is that they're not bad, but they just do not hold up in Incarnate level content. Particularly in ITrials where everything is so go go go now now now, having your pets keep up with the steamroll and meaningfully contribute is not so easy. When they're not getting gibbed outright by Nova Fists or Obliteration Beams.
Warshades aren't very good in ITrials for a similar reason, they're not a bad AT but they rely on pets and build up time to a degree, neither of which are things well suited to Incarnate trials.
Masterminds run into so many edge cases in this game that 90% of the time I am playing my one mastermind is me trying to figure out a way around the bullshit. It's why I don't bother playing him anymore. Sure I could set up an elaborate system of binds to hand out single inspirations to every pet so they can all have one 12% defense bonus going or I can log onto my tank. Gee I wonder which I will do.
I have no idea how much of this falls under everyone's favorite 'lol this engine' excuse, but the entire AT needs a big rework so that they actually fit into this game. Honestly, the concept of masterminds almost needs its own game entirely.
One problem is that they've locked themselves into this 3/2/1 setup with two upgrades. Why not mess with the amount of pets, or make upgrades either/or for a new set? The only room for ingenuity is the level 18 power.
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Amikron DevaliaI didn't ask for this title.Registered Userregular
Why wasn't anyone telling me this when I was considering buying mastermind, now I feel like an idiot :P
First off, thank you Kaf for finally getting a summary of the story into the thread. A simple question though:
Who is Hamidon Pasalima? I've never heard that term before.
Second: When the power list for Beast came out, one of the things that so shocked me is that they still *had* that weird 3/2/1 set up. It really doesn't make a whole bunch of sense within this system. You're somehow expected to travel around with 3 wolves, 2 lions (which still irks me that they call that a "pack") and then...another Wolf. The system just seems like they had a bunch of extra character models, and didn't want to waste any. Why can't you have a whole pride of lions with one single Male lion as the singular Top Tier pet? Say a..Lion...King of some sort.
Narbus has a pretty good idea in that they seem to be meant for a different game. The playstyle is *completely* at odds with every other AT, the game is *not* designed around the possibility of you carting around your own Team-In-A-Can, and trying to compensate for that leaves you either horribly overpowered in Solo or gimped in a Real Team environ.
Hamidon Pasalima, aka Doctor Hamidon, is the man who turned himself into what we know as THE Hamidon. This is old news and not worthy of being spoilered. The Hamidon coming into existence earlier in Praetorian Earth than in Primal is likely nothing more than a quirk of fate. The good doctor completed his life's work sooner rather than later. Happenstance like that is what alternate dimensions are all about.
Hamidon Pasalima, aka Doctor Hamidon, is the man who turned himself into what we know as THE Hamidon. This is old news and not worthy of being spoilered. The Hamidon coming into existence earlier in Praetorian Earth than in Primal is likely nothing more than a quirk of fate. The good doctor completed his life's work sooner rather than later. Happenstance like that is what alternate dimensions are all about.
Ah, I figured he was Original Hami, just never heard of him being referred to by that name before. I guess I should do some of these arcs one of these days.
Posts
even with double xp, it's so painful
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
I'll be in the game within the next hour and a half, most likely, and I'll give a shout to the PA channel to see who all wants to come along and get some sweet double XPs.
Any opinions on MMs?
Masterminds are pretty much god tier. Bots/Dark is a good starter combo for people new to the class.
No, you would not. Powerset respecs do not exist and will never exist.
EDIT: Psyche, in particular, is part of the Task Force Commander accolade, which is one of the big four passive powers that people really like. Yanking it out of game without any other way to get that accolade would be pretty dumb. I don't see it happening.
I've not found much theorycrafting on the forums about it, so a critting unhidden AS may do as much damage as a full Assassination AS, but it doesn't seem that way.
Since the unhidden AS animates way faster just pseudo-Scrapping it out may actually be way more DPS, I've not tested it yet. It just seems like it'd be a bit of a shame to me, since Hide/AS/Placate always seemed core to the Stalker AT.
Quick testing:
From Hide:
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 159.75 points of Smashing damage!
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 68.46 points of Negative Energy damage!
You land a critical hit on Guide with your Assassin's Eclipse for an extra 410.8 points of negative energy damage!
Total: 639.01 damage
After Placate:
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 245.13 points of Smashing damage!
Your Assassin's Eclipse waylays Guide for 105.05 points of Negative Energy damage!
Total: 350.18
So the unhidden crit AS does a bit over 50% of full Hidden AS, but animates in like 1/3 the time. So from spitballing the math on the animation times, the second one has way better DPA. Strange.
Edit: Except I just tested it again and the Placate-AS had the extra crit text and hit for the same amount of damage. This bears more testing. Or forum searching.
There is this weird dichotomy where at base difficulty MMs are insanely facerolling, and somewhere around +2 and/or x4 they just start to suck when pets take too much damage-in. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? If so, I'd love to know the secret to keeping the Tier-1 pets alive and pumping out damage at high difficulties. The MM secondaries seem to be designed to be weaker than a normal secondary, which makes sense thematically (Corr powers should be stronger, after all) until you get into a mission and realize that the powers don't generally cut it.
Hate Rikti so much. Even if you open up with FS outside of their aggro range they will instantly mez you and with 8-persons groups there's enough stacked mez to keep you slept long after your FS wears off. Now Rikti are running and teleporting all over the place, your pets have scattered to the wind and all you can do is chase them with the world's smallest PBAoE heal (though they've increased it since, if memory serves) and hope they don't die because you'll die instantly should you dare issue a command.
I guess my new plan is going to be Zombies/Pain. I'll stack up the Regen aura power and just get into melee myselves and hope for the best. Ninjas are far more sturdy but with 1200% regen I don't want to pay the damage penalty for their inherent +Defense. Toxic Puke FTW!
Blue gives Recluse a gigantic tohit bonus, and an insane amount of +recharge, so he can spam (essentially) autohit attacks on the tanker. Taking blue down first means that Recluse will attack less often and will start missing more often, saving a ton more damage in the long run.
Whoa, I didn't know that. I assumed all that was the yellow one, because yellow=hitting in my head. I thought blue was just an end boost.
PSN: LucidStar_BC
Welcome to City of Heroes, the best digital dress up doll ever. Oh, it's got some kind of super hero game somewhere. But it's mostly about playing dressup.
I don't think it's much worse - all new (returning) players go through that phase, I think. Once you have a character made and in the game, feel free to look me up - I'm always willing to teem.
Or to just plain powerlevel your mm to 30 so you can become the proper Solo Tank you were meant to be.
Because me and scott were essentially exposed to this concept in the same mission. I had brought along my 45ish MM to his 50+ DA arc and it wasnt so much the problem of damage, but the fact that they were simply too weak to survive long enough to be of any use. This was completely foreign to me, as I had been mostly soloing this dude over the last 4 years. I went from being able to handle anything the game could throw at me, to spending most of the late mission Pet-less, because they just couldnt hang.
Me: I think you've kept another path hidden from me, Prometheus. I could become like a 'well'.
Prometheus: I have kept nothing from you, because what you suggest is simply not an option available to you. Ultimately, it is I who bear the responsibility for those who ascend among humanity, and there are very few who have ever been deserving of such an honor. You are not among them.
However, since you have learned of ascension, I see no harm in explaining it further.
The events in Dark Astoria are like many others I have borne witness to in the past. A being of great power, feeling constrained by the 'well' to which they are tied, strives to break their link to it. They seek to link instead to that which provides a 'well' with its potential. To achieve this, however, requires a great amassing of power from outside the 'well'.
This very often brings those who wish to ascend into conflict with their own kind, with their 'well' and with those like me who are charged with watching over the 'wells'. This is because the individual who does ascend no longer needs to draw upon their 'well'. They become engines of their own power and creativity. They are their own potential. They become as powerful as any 'well' could ever be in their own right, and in the process, potentially diminish their original 'well' and those who still remain connected to it.
In the past, I have generally acted against such actions amongst humanity, because so very few have been worthy of this honor. However, in the case of Mot and Diabolique, a singular opportunity presented itself which would allow you to prove how far you have come on your own path.
Me: What sort of power does an 'ascended' wield?
Prometheus: Those who have become like a 'well' have the ability to create whole worlds out of their very thoughts. They can make dimensions of their own design, setting the rules by which their world will exist. They can create entities to serve them, or isolate themselves in a peaceful silence. In this way, they are freer than the 'wells' which are linked to a species, for their continued existence is dependent only on themselves, not the survival of the species. This makes them quite dangerous, and is the reason why my organization watches all attempts to 'ascend' in this way closely.
Me: What you describe ... it sounds like Rularuu, actually.
Prometheus: Quite observant of you. Indeed, Rularuu is an example of an individual who managed to become a 'well' unto himself... though I will note that he did so without my knowledge. How he managed to achieve it while remaining beneath our notice for so long remains unresolved.
Prometheus stops speaking, deep in thought. You can tell this mystery troubles him deeply. After a moment, he begins speaking again.
Rularuu is not even the only such entity with which you are acquainted. There are a very few others who have 'ascended'. Most of them use their power wisely, either eventually coming to believe that they can aid another species in its growth and serving as their 'well', or working to create places of security, serenity or service for the good of the multiverse.
Me: Most of them? You mean there are 'renegade' ascended?
Prometheus: There are indeed. Occasionally, one of those who seemed worthy was... misjudged, or as with Rularuu, an unworthy circumvented the system. Those wretched deceivers use their power to further their own agendas or grow their own power, some of them daring to even try to control that to which they are linked.
Such 'renegades' are a threat to the multiverse, and we see to it that such threats are neutralized. When such a threat appears, it frequently gives rise to a war which dwarfs any conflict with which you are familiar, even that in which you are currently engaged.
You can see, then, why control over such monumental power is so carefully monitored and sanctioned by my organization.
Me: Why have you been hiding this from me?
Prometheus: Prometheus's face hardens in response to your charge. When he speaks, you catch notice of him glancing back at Michael, who appears to be watching his reaction intently. Whether it is in support of him, or in judgement, you cannot say for certain.
I have hidden nothing from you. Have I not explained this to you now, when you first asked me about it?
Remember, I am the one guiding you along a path in which you control the Well without bringing its control or our judgement upon you. I have presented you with the path that keeps all of us alive and us in control of the Well.
If others have told you of the path to ascension as though it were a real option, then you must understand that they were mistaken. I... we... simply will not allow any further ascensions amongst humanity while its fate remains so uncertain.
Your options remain unchanged from our earlier conversations. You can only choose to serve the Well, or you can choose to use it as a tool for your own ends. That is it.
Me: I fail to see how you have the right to deny me anything, Prometheus.
Prometheus: The tension between you and Prometheus is palpable. You can feel a simmering anger emanating from him, but he remains firmly in control.
I do not deny you anything. I simply will not permit anyone to entertain any thoughts of ascension while the very fate of humanity is on the line. Be you hero or villain, focusing on such a lofty endeavor now is selfishness of the highest order.
I have devised this plan, guided you through it, so that humanity will stand the best chance of defeating Battalion and you will have the best chance of retaining your freedom from the Well. If I had believed that any of you, regardless of whether you were capable of ascending or not, would achieve equal or better results, I would have taken that course instead. That this displeases you is understandable, but my goal is victory against Battalion. The truth of the matter is this: you are not capable of ascending at this time, and even if you were, it would do more harm than good.
Know this: when Battalion comes, many will fall. Were all of those who would fight them ascended, then their power would be added to Battalion's should they fall. For an Incarnate, however, the power would return to the Well and allow another to take on the mantle.
Make no mistake about this. I would rather have you dead and your power returned to the Well, than vanquished and your power absorbed by our enemies.
Me: I would still like to have known this option even existed.
Prometheus: You still do not understand, do you? You still think that pursuing ascension at this time is an option!
Let me then illuminate you: should you attempt to abandon my plan and try your hand at ascension before the time is right, our association will be ended.
Should you truly wish to pursue such madness, then you will have to find your own way to defeat Emperor Cole. You will have to make your own path to defeat Battalion.
If you survive that, then you will be alone while you struggle to retain all the power you have acquired from the Well, because that wretched fool will try to take it from you should you try to leave him. No assistance from me shall be forthcoming when that confrontation occurs.
And finally, when you emerge from your battle with the Well, know that you will be considered a 'renegade', and that I will come to destroy you.
I would really rather it not come to that. For all the inconvenience and aggravation you cause, I have come to enjoy our deliberations.
Then you get a choice:
Me: Why do I get the feeling that the time will never be right with you?
Prometheus: Prometheus grins broadly and breaks out into a hearty laugh. He then leans in closer, in such a way as to prevent his statement from being heard by Michael.
You are like an impetuous child! Let me be more direct then!
I will not allow any further ascensions while I have a say in the matter. And, should you attempt to do so before I permit it, our paths will cross one final time. When that day comes, you will submit to my judgement or I will bring a force to bear upon you unlike any you have ever imagined.
Me: We'll see about that, someday. Until then, let's talk about Cole.
or
Me: Very well, Prometheus. We'll continue your plan.
Prometheus: Prometheus smiles as his body noticeably relaxes. You notice Michael's eyes arch momentarily, as though this was not the outcome he expected.
Very wise, my friend. I can assure you that I am simply trying to give us the best chance for victory in the battles to come.
Should you prove up to the task of defeating Cole and the Battalion, then you will already have the power of the Well at your fingertips. From there, you will be able to grow humanity across the multiverse into the great power it was always meant to be.
After victory is achieved, you may discover that you do not need ascension. However, if your interest in such matters has not waned by that point, we may be more amenable to assisting you on that path.
Me: Sounds like a plan. Until then, let's talk about Cole.
So ... that. That is some VERY VERY INTERESTING STUFF.
Warshades aren't very good in ITrials for a similar reason, they're not a bad AT but they rely on pets and build up time to a degree, neither of which are things well suited to Incarnate trials.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
I have no idea how much of this falls under everyone's favorite 'lol this engine' excuse, but the entire AT needs a big rework so that they actually fit into this game. Honestly, the concept of masterminds almost needs its own game entirely.
Narbus has a pretty good idea in that they seem to be meant for a different game. The playstyle is *completely* at odds with every other AT, the game is *not* designed around the possibility of you carting around your own Team-In-A-Can, and trying to compensate for that leaves you either horribly overpowered in Solo or gimped in a Real Team environ.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Incarnate content is level 50 character + VIP player, so I don't think you'll have to worry about this.
Ah, I figured he was Original Hami, just never heard of him being referred to by that name before. I guess I should do some of these arcs one of these days.