Steady's Gaming Blog

Last week I finally made it to level 40 on Steady Enforcer my melee tank in Champions Online. I know, it took me long enough. So I have few thoughts about leveling in Champions Online.

I do like some thinks about Champions. I enjoy the nemesis system. It is fun, and a nice addition to game play. Most of the nemesis door missions are very well done. I don’t care too much for the open world missions, but I understand that they do have to vary the missions. In general, most of the leveling door missions are well done. They usually have a pretty good story line, and are fun to play.

Costume design is another good feature. I am not someone who spends a lot of time on costumes, but this system did entertain me for longer then most.

My biggest complaint is lack of content. The game does not have enough content to level a character from 1 to 40. It is as simple as that. They have added a zone, and some repeatable content in the past few months, but it is still not enough.

Upon hitting 40, I ran the unity missions. They were not bad, pretty easy. I ran the mission at the end, again, a pretty fun mission. Here is my problem, the rewards. Most of the good unity rewards cost 1,000 unity merits. I picked up about unity 20 merits the other day on my first run. I don’t think I will do those everyday for 50 days. The missions are not that varied, and it is just too much of running the same think over and over to hold my attention.

The same holds true for the nemesis rewards. I ran every nemesis mission, and have 288 nemesis merits. Most of the good rewards cost 1,000, so that leaves running the nemesis end game mission several times in order to get a decent reward.

So I am on the fence with this game. It is OK, but not great. It certainly has not knocked City of Heroes off its perch as the top game in this genre. In fact the numbers at Xfire and Raptr show that more people are playing City, then Champions already. I am disappointed, and here is why. This is not the first superhero game that Cryptic has made. They should have learned from the mistakes they made in City of Heroes. Instead, they used none of the previous knowledge to make this game better. They just rolled out an incomplete game, and say here you go, play it. I will still play Champions; I am a junkie after all. It will just not get as much game time as other games. Hopefully they will continue to add content, and improve some of the endgame.

Warhammer online is now the most expensive MMO on the market. I was charged $224.00 this morning in monthly fees. I have received a few e-mails, this week about this problem, but had not seen any charges on my account until this morning, and I was pissed. This is my business account, so it is a very fluid account, lots of money in and out. It is now negative, with a bunch of overdraft charges. Basically I cannot conduct any business today because my account is screwed up.

I find the e-mails from Mythic, it says, call your financial institution first. So I did, the usual song and dance, not our problem, call Mythic. I do put some fault on my bank. About a year ago, I entered my credit card info in the Warhammer site twice in a row, in a five minute span. I got some funky error message the first time, so did it again. The bank flagged my card for fraud, and put a freeze on it. So my main question to my bank was how did it not get frozen this time after two charges were made, and all fifteen charges were processed. Fifteen charges for the same thing did not set off some type of fraud alert. It should be noted they wasted no time in applying those overdraft charges. Did they not find it strange that for the first time in ten years of having this account, it has an overdraft. I just did not feel like they are protecting my account like they should, they are just after the fees.

So I call Mythic, and they claim the charges have been reversed. I am not so sure, they just showed up today, you send out an e-mail yesterday saying they are all credited. They claim a delay in some financials institutions posting methods. Again sets off an alarm, in ten years of having this account, a charge normally will be pending for two days, all of these charges just showed up today, they were never pending. So I am really pissed. I am in a 36 hour holding pattern, to see if these charges are in fact reversed. I have another personal account, so I transferred some money, and will be able to weather the storm.

Here is my main rant. This is so unacceptable. Mythic should have never let this happen. They need to make sure it never happens again, and they need to start giving out some free time to anyone that this has happened too, RIGHT NOW. Something that had a $450.00 effect on my bank account, is not acceptable, EVER.

Cryptic is no better. Last month they charged my $29.99 for my $14.99 monthly fee. So I sent in a ticket, you charged me too much. First off it took them five working days to respond. Oh, we are sorry our credit card vendor made a mistake (sounds familiar). So I am credited $29.99, and charged $14.99. So it takes about 8 or 9 business days to sort out the problem.

I cancel my account for a bit. I am a MMO junkie. Champions lacks content so I allow the account to go doormat for a bit. I decide to start playing again. Go in and reactivate my account. I get an error message, cannot process at this time. Ok, the system is down, it happens. One minute later, I get an e-mail, thank you for reactivating your account. So now I am confused. Check my bank account, no charges from Champions, so I will wait a bit. No charges made over the next 24 hours, so I go in the next morning, same thing. Get an error message, and receive the same e-mail as the day before. No charge on my account, can’t log in. So I take the same wait and see approach. About two hours later, I get an alert from my bank (anytime anything is taken out of my account, e-mail alert), Champions charged me $14.99, and I can now log-in. Why did it take over 24 hours to let me back into the game? This is not a very good business practice, and I am sure it is costing them players.

So here is the main point of this rant. I will play your game if it lacks content, or if it’s not the best game out there. I will not play your game if you cannot do something as simple a bill me properly, or in a timely manner. End of story, have a nice day, off now to play World of Warcraft, and City of Heroes all day, because I am mad at Mythic and Cryptic for messing with my bank account and my game play. Figure it out people, both of your games are on the ropes, and crap like this is not helping your cause.

As a gaming junkie, from time to time, I have to draw a line in the sand. I have to ask myself, how much money Will I pay to play a game. How long will I pay for a game, that lacks content. I asked myself this question this week in regards to Champions Online. In case you missed it, they announced an expansion, Vibora Bay. This will be a new level 37-40 zone. The problem is that they are going to charge players for this expansion. This has caused a really big firestorm on their forums. It is a huge problem, I would say for about 90% of the players. The lifetime subscribers are really upset. So I have a few thoughts.

First, the lifetime subscription covers the monthly fees; it does not cover expansions to the game. So lifetime subscribers, get over it.

Second, shame on you Cryptic, this is total nonsense, to make people pay for additional content, and here is why.

1. Your game already lacks content. My highest character is level 33, and the reason is lack of content. I have ran every level 33 mission I can find, and still need over two hundred thousand experience to make it to level 34. I have already ran several public quests, and I am so tired of running the zombie apocalypse PVP map, that I am have having zombie nightmares. The game lacks content; fix it before you start charging me for more of it. How can you charge me more money for an already incomplete game, come on be real. This is just being unreasonable.

2. Don’t get me wrong, I will pay for an expansion. I just have one rule. I will pay more when the level cap is raised, like World of Warcraft. If this expansion raised the cap to 50, and solved the lack of content problem, I am happy to pay for it.

3. You need to fire someone over there, this is a game killer. Do you have a marketing department, if you do, they need to wake up. Your game is dying, look at sites like Xfire, and Raptr, your game is already dead. I mean come on more people are playing City of Heroes, then your game. Star Trek Online is being released this week; I see were it already has several free expansions listed. The way you are treating your Champions Online player base, does make me want to rush out and play Star Trek Online. I find it hard to believe that you are this stupid. I am beginning to think that Champions Online is being set up to fail, so you can move on. Trust me, this is a bad move. Gamers don’t like being scorned; we will bitch for years and year about bad games.

4. I cancelled my six month subscription. The game just lacks too much content, plain and simple. I still have a month of game play left, and I am really not sure if I am going to keep playing. Cryptic really does not seem to interested in fixing this game anytime soon, I will be surprised if it lasts until the end of the year.

5. While I am on my soapbox. Another sinner in the gaming world is Gearbox, and Borderlands. I still cannot save the damn progress on your overpriced game on my PC. Like all good bloggers I track how many visitors I have, and what search term they use to get here. By far the term that brings the most people to this blog is “borderlands can’t save”. Shame on you for putting out downloadable content for a game that does not work for PC players, that is sad.

This is yet another tank build. This build has evolved several times. Let me know what you think, or have any comments. I am using mostly might powers; they just seem to work best. Don’t be shy, any comments good or bad are welcome.

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Dexterity
Level 13: Super Constitution

Powers:
Level 1: Kinetic Dart — Accelerated Metabolism
Level 1: Experimental Blaster — Crippling Challenge, Rank 2
Level 5: Nanobot Swarm — Rejuvenating Injectors
Level 5: Flight
Level 8: Defensive Combo — Surge Of Strength
Level 11: Bionic Shielding — Overloaded Circuits
Level 14: Force Shield — Force Sheath, Rank 2
Level 17: Resurgence — Evanescent Emergence, Rank 2
Level 20: Lightning Reflexes — Rank 3, Rank 2
Level 23: Haymaker — Nullifying Punch, Rank 2
Level 26: Shockwave — Challenging Strikes, Rank 2
Level 29: Masterful Dodge — Rank 2
Level 32: Enrage
Level 35: Havoc Stomp — Rank 2
Level 35: Teleport
Level 38: Psionic Healing — Rank 2

Talents:
Level 1: One Of Mind And Body
Level 6: Agile
Level 9: Enduring
Level 12: Acrobat
Level 15: Covert Ops Training
Level 18: Survival Training
Level 21: Impresario

I found a few nice tools that are very helpful, if you are playing Champions Online. The first one is a webpage that helps you find missions that you might have missed. You can put your characters info into the search query, and it will show you all the missions you have missed. This is a very helpful tool. I think it still has a few holes in it, but is a very nice program. I noticed one thing when I ran this program on my level 19 character. There are not a lot of missions out there. I noticed that for level 21, this program lists 9 missions, which have 105,060 xp. According to the Champions wiki, 214,500 is needed to level to 22. That is a huge xp gap. Yes this does not include the missions that citizens give you, but generally the xp for those missions it really not very good. I noticed on my level 20 character that these missions were around 3,000 xp. Ok, so I have to say this. These numbers are not mine, they are provided by cryptic, and the author of the crime computer. So they might be a bit off. However I think is does show, that something is not quite right with the leveling system in Champions.

Crime Computer 2.0

The second helpful site that I found was a nice excel spreadsheet that displays the raw numbers for all the power. This spreadsheet is just awesome. The author did spent a lot of time on this, and it is very well done. So take a look at it if you get a chance. I used this with a grain of salt, because really these numbers are changing daily. It is however a nice place to start when making a build for a character.

A Flawed Spreadsheet for Damage and Healing Power Comparisons

Today I rolled an Ice Character, Steady Ice. I always like Ice because of the hold, controls and slow. It looks like it will do some fair damage as well. I choose Regeneration for my passive defense. My thoughts were with all the slows, and holds, that regeneration would have plenty of time to do it’s thing. Took resurgence for a heal, because it works well with regeneration. Also I am still not sure about the healing bots AI. I like frost breath over shatter, because frost breath does not remove chill like shatter does. I just found that at lower levels frost breath just used to much energy. I am looking for some feedback on Ice Burst. Does the spire of ice explode on its own, or do you have to target it. Seems like a waste to have to target something other then a mob. As always all feedback is welcome.

Steady Ice: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Recovery
Level 13: Super Dexterity

Powers:
Level 1: Ice Shards
Level 1: Ice Blast — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 5: Shatter — Rank 2
Level 5: Ice Slide
Level 8: Regeneration — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 11: Ice Shield — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 14: Ice Sheath — Rank 2
Level 17: Resurgence — Rank 2, Evanescent Emergence
Level 20: Vapor Form — Rank 2
Level 23: Ice Cage — Rank 2
Level 26: Wall Of Ice — Rank 2
Level 29: Sniper Rifle — Rank 2
Level 32: Ice Barrier — Rank 2
Level 35: Frost Breath — Frost Bite, Rank 2
Level 35: Tunneling
Level 38: Snow Storm — Rank 2

Talents:
Level 1: Absolute Zero
Level 6: Agile
Level 9: Tireless
Level 12: Impresario
Level 15: Covert Ops Training
Level 18: Martial Training
Level 21: Paramilitary Trainingce: Level 40 Champion

Ok, here is a power armor build. This one really needs some help, I think. So come on, let me hear what you think. The problem with power armor is that you can only slot one power in the hand, shoulder, and chest slot. So the debate is which one to slot. I think I have taken the most powerful one, in most cases. My concerns, taking an AOE so late, but shoulder laucher does the most damage. I took the healing drones, just because I did not take it in my might build. Looking forward to some feedback on this one.

Steadycombat: Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Strength
Level 13: Super Intelligence

Powers:
Level 1: Wrist Bolter
Level 1: Power Gauntlet — Rank 2
Level 5: Invulnerability — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 5: Flight — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 8: Laser Sword — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 11: Energy Shield — Rank 2
Level 14: Chest Beam — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 17: Field Drones — Rank 2
Level 20: Shoulder Launcher — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 23: Enrage — Rank 2
Level 26: Entangling Mesh — Rank 2
Level 29: Sniper Rifle — Rank 2
Level 32: Sonic Device — Rank 2
Level 35: Electric Sheath — Rank 2
Level 35: Teleport
Level 38: Shockwave — Rank 2

Talents:
Level 1: Mechanized
Level 6: Mighty
Level 9: Brilliant
Level 12: Body And Mind
Level 15: Healthy Mind
Level 18: Covert Ops Training
Level 21: Jack Of All Trades

I have been playing Champions online for a few weeks not. So far the game is fine; it needs some work, but most MMO’s out of the box need a bit of work. I also think it lacks a bit of content, but again that is not usual for a new MMO. So here are some pointers that I think will help people playing Champions.

1. Download the champion’s builder. Plan your build. Try out all your powers in the powerhouse; find someone to duel with if you must. I think all the complaining about he costs of respecs is out of line. They should keep them high; I mean you get to try out the power before you leave the powerhouse. So plan ahead.

2. Do every quest you can find, skip nothing. If you skip anything, you will run out of quests. Use the Crime computer, check out all the contacts. I missed some level 8 quests, and now at level 12 I have to go back and pick them up.

3. Make some friends, join a Supergroup (combat engineers is looking, pst @steadyc). Some of the quests with super villains, just have to be done with a team. I like the public quests, but it seems that not many like to run them. They are a nice way to fill the gap, when you run out of missions to run.

Anyone else have any pointers, post away. Have a great gaming day.

This is my proposed Might build. I am not too sure how it is going to work out. I have taken some of the standard powers. Invulnerability for defense. field drones for healing, mighty leap for a ranged attack, with a nice rooted skill. I took most of the other standard might attacks powers. I am not a real fan of all the knockback, especially Roomsweeper, but really this seems to be the only good melee set, that you can tank with. I tired Power Armor and just did not care for it. So I try to save my roomsweeper until my targets health is low enough , that when I hit it, it dies, and I do not have to chase it down. I will have to chase a few others down however. Also it is nice when you have too many mobs on you, and just need to get them all off of you, so you can regroup.

Another thing I have noticed with this power set, is you have to learn how to use your block. Especially with retaliation, you can block and really do some damage on your next attack. Just took fly for my travel because it is easy to control. Not sure about Electric Sheath, just seems like a good way to recover some energy, and gain some hold resistance.

I am only up to level 11, so I will post any updates I have as I level up.

Steady Smash:Level 40 Champion

Superstats:
Level 5: Super Strength
Level 13:Super Constitution

Powers:
Level 1:Clobber
Level 1:Beatdown — Rank 2
Level 5:Roomsweeper — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 5:Superjump
Level 8:Invulnerability — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 11:Retaliation — Rank 2
Level 14:Mighty Leap — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 17:Enrage — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 20:Field Drones — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 23:Havoc Stomp — Rank 2, Rank 3
Level 26:Entangling Mesh — Rank 2
Level 29:Demolish — Rank 2
Level 32:Haymaker — Rank 2
Level 35: Electric Sheath — Rank 2
Level 35:Teleport
Level 38:Shockwave

Talents:
Level 1:Superhuman
Level 6:Mighty
Level 9:Physical Conditioning
Level 12:Relentless
Level 15:Impressive Physique
Level 18:Bodybuilder
Level 21:Body And Mind

Ok, will today is the day, Champions Online is here. I have been in the early start and have a few opening thoughts. I only have a character up to level 12, so I do not know everything.

The Good

1. I like the powerhouse. The fact that you can try out a power is awesome. I spent a few hours in there just checking out powers.

2. Some of the travel powers are just cool. I have to give the developers credit; they found a way to breathe new life into so old stand bys, like fly. The tunneling and swinging powers are just flat out fun.

3. Costume design, lots to choose from. I spent a good hour in costume design. If you can keep the king of the random costume button (me) interested in designing a costume for that long, it must be a pretty good feature. I have seen some really good costumes.

4. Classless characters. Nice to pick any power you want. A lot of them are the same, just a different look, like fire or ice. Let’s face it, only so many ways you can shoot and kill something. All of the power sets I have put to the test, worked pretty well. I don’t see myself getting all crazy and using like two powers from each set, but nice to know I can.

5. Pretty darn smooth launch. I have to give them credit, at least for the head start people; they got the game off the ground without any major trouble.

The Bad

1. The graphics, all that time in the costume design, and then I look like a cartoon character. I think this is a personal preference; I just don’t like this look. I am old, maybe it is just an old grumpy man thing.

2. Lack of free space. Spend too much time waiting around to kill something, because everyone else is standing around waiting to kill the same thing. Maybe this will fix itself; when people start leveling and get more spread out.

3. Those zone map, please, they are terrible, looks like something my four year old drew. Please fix them.

Overall, so far the game looks doable. It is not going to replace City of Heroes as my main game, but it is going to get some playing time. I am sure I will have more thoughts, as I play more of this game.

We have started a Combat Engineers Super Group on Champions. Info is below, or contact me in-game @steadyc, and I will send you an invite. We have quite a few people playing the game, so we should have a pretty good presence in the game. Have a great gaming day.

Combat Engineers – Champions Online
Combat Engineers Champions Online Application