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Post by not1stepbackwards on May 7, 2014 6:40:23 GMT -5
It's been a year since we posted in this subforum. For new, or returning, players, I'm starting this thread on what, in my experience, is worth buying...plus what you don't need to buy since you can get it for free in various promotions. We're going to have different opinions, but by sharing them, it may help others weigh their decisions on what to (not) get. WHAT TO BUY IMHO:
A Freeform Character Slot when they go on sale - previously exclusive to Gold subscribers, these cost US$50 regularly, but drop in price to US$25 about once a year. Instead of the free Archetypes (Inferno, Behemoth, etc.), you can customise all your power choices, Super Stats, etc. It's more expensive than the Premium Archetypes, but IMHO a much better value. Not only can you make a Freeform character, this purchase gives you a new Slot (so in addition to the 2 character Slots you get for free, this gives you a 3rd). If you made a Freeform character, then decide to delete it, that Freeform Character Slot remains so you can make a new one. A limitation as compared to subscribers is that you -cannot- change the colour hues of the powers you select. At US$50, the price of a full game normally, it's quite expensive, but if you like CO, it's worth it on sale at US$25 for sure. WHAT TO GET FREE (may have expired, but worth trying):
Hideouts - hideouts are a secret base for all your characters for roleplaying or to use as a shared bank. This is where I store valuable items like Vehicles or Rampage Tokens. There was a promotion for the Cave Hideout and a Sanctum Hideout. You can get them using the redemption code found at: www.arcgames.com/en/arc-news/detail/3031673-more-free-arc-gifts_Titles and Halloween Costumes - purely cosmetic, but quite a nice offer. Again, from a redemption code at: community.arcgames.com/en/news/neverwinter/detail/3030473-come-grab-your-free-arc-gifts_#PLEASE NOTE - for both the above promotions, you need to a.) download and install the ARC game launcher, b.) enter the redemption codes at those links by clicking your name in it to go to the option to redeem codes, then c.) claim the items in-game at the Zen store in the Bonus tab. Devastator Premium Archetype and Viking Costumes - the Heavy (melee) Weapons class with corresponding Viking costumes were given away in a promotion. It's still going! Please go to and see the instructions at: na.alienwarearena.com/giveaways/champions-online-ffa-game-bundle-key-giveaway--- Just some ideas. Feel free to post your own or ask your questions here!
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Post by scorcherofthorns on May 15, 2014 5:34:38 GMT -5
These looks awesome! I remember the Devastator Alienware promotion, though the AT itself felt super boring and quite underpowered, I ended up deleting mine. But freebies are freebies and you got to get them while they last. I wonder what has changed in CO since I stopped playing it.
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Post by not1stepbackwards on May 15, 2014 12:04:14 GMT -5
The Cave Hideout is truly awesome. There was no "open house" thing where we can try out a Hideout, but after getting it, it would have been the 1 Hideout I would've bought (I bought one of the Sanctums instead). For a single Hideout type, he Cave has the most themes that are very distinct from each other, to fit different character types.
I found the Devastator has become a favourite for PvPers. It is very effective with its leap, then its knock-up move, followed by a fully charged Skewer. Also, I don't know when you deleted your Devastator, but it got Constitution as as Secondary Superstat, which made it a lot more fun to play. Also, Foxbat's Trout as a weapon.
I ran into Brou shortly after they let the Trout become a Heavy Weapon. He was like, "That makes me happy." So true.
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Post by Meegatron on May 16, 2014 12:29:32 GMT -5
In case you were considering AT purchase...
The Void, The Savage, The Master and The Invincible. These ATs are worth paying for.
The Cursed, The Disciple and The Specialist might be acceptable if you really dig the theme. Still worse than ATs from the previous group.
All the rest of the archetypes, functionality-wise, aren't really worth paying for. Know that you will buy only different theme, but their performance is not better than free ATs. Some of them are straight outperformed by better built freebies.
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Post by scorcherofthorns on May 17, 2014 20:18:25 GMT -5
The Cave Hideout is truly awesome. There was no "open house" thing where we can try out a Hideout, but after getting it, it would have been the 1 Hideout I would've bought (I bought one of the Sanctums instead). For a single Hideout type, he Cave has the most themes that are very distinct from each other, to fit different character types. I found the Devastator has become a favourite for PvPers. It is very effective with its leap, then its knock-up move, followed by a fully charged Skewer. Also, I don't know when you deleted your Devastator, but it got Constitution as as Secondary Superstat, which made it a lot more fun to play. Also, Foxbat's Trout as a weapon. I ran into Brou shortly after they let the Trout become a Heavy Weapon. He was like, "That makes me happy." So true. I love the cave hideout but I prefer the Lunar hideout, to me nothing beats the idea of having your own zero gravity playhouse on the moon! As for the devastator, the fact he's a PVPier might help explain why I never got alone with mine since I don't do PVP in CO, I got mine in the 1st days the Alienware promotion came out, I was told by someone (here) about it, I think it might have been you but I don't remember it exactly. I think if I ever get into CO again, it will be because I got a deal on a freeform toon. But that would be a long shot because I got so many games installed on my comp right now (and they are all good) that I don't even know what to play anymore, and to make matters worse I'm working and studying at the same time! In case you were considering AT purchase... The Void, The Savage, The Master and The Invincible. These ATs are worth paying for. The Cursed, The Disciple and The Specialist might be acceptable if you really dig the theme. Still worse than ATs from the previous group. All the rest of the archetypes, functionality-wise, aren't really worth paying for. Know that you will buy only different theme, but their performance is not better than free ATs. Some of them are straight outperformed by better built freebies. It's good to know that info, I like it when gamers come up front with honest opinions and inform the community about which AT (classes) are worth the time and which are not. Most people don't do that for fear of offending gamers. Well done mate. I remember playing a Savage and I loved it, the only problem with it was that it felt a lot like the wolfie transform device you get from the C-store.
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Post by Meegatron on May 17, 2014 23:19:55 GMT -5
I remember playing a Savage and I loved it, the only problem with it was that it felt a lot like the wolfie transform device you get from the C-store. The Savage was kinda "meh" before On Alert. It had Devour Essence which is a very simple to use power and can keep you alive through a lot of things, but apart of this skill it wasn't much better than the become device. With spec trees added it is much better now. Becomes don't have gear and spec trees, and this AT has both Con-to-DR and defense-to-offense specs. You can just stack Con which not only gives you damage resistance, but also improves all your healing and overall damage. On the other hand, I feel that all paid ranged DPS ATs are a big letdown, unless you want the theme. Aside of the Cursed which comes with self heal. Sure, I can hit harder with electricity than with munitions or archery, but if I consider ranged DPS in team environment like bosses... I need aggro wipes, if said DPS has to work within trinity. Most of archetypes are poorly built even IF you take them as holy trinity classes, especially all DPS ones who can't even manage their aggro.
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Post by eviltaco on May 21, 2014 18:21:28 GMT -5
See, and I thought the cursed AT was great. First paid AT I took to 40, I ran that thing for a heck of a long time. Con SS, self heal, good dps... There's really not much bad to be had there, as long as your tank is paying attention. Big fan of the Devastator, too. I still have my dev 40, he hits like a bag of bricks and can off tank if there's a healer on board.
The Invincible? Energy issues is the phrase that pays. I've been spending the first 20 levels trying to run 2 slots at the same time without constantly building energy. It's fun, though, and I'll bet by 40 it's pretty solid. The self heal needs some help, though. I've always hated it, even on freeforms.
I also gotta say: The mountain may not be the *Best* archetype, but it's freaking fun to play. Seconded on the specialist, but eef. The dodge nerf hit him hard.
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Post by Meegatron on May 22, 2014 4:02:16 GMT -5
I care little about the theme when it comes to paid ATs. The Mountain offers nothing that isn't already served by the free Glacier. Not worth money, gives nothing extra. Why to give any money for something that doesn't fall even close to the "best" AT category? The Devastator is just another DPS with no self heals or aggro wipes. Also not worth money, gives nothing extra. Each paid AT should have self heals or/and panic buttons, not only the Cursed, or ATs I counted in the first or second groups. If Cryptic wants to sell any premium archetypes, they all need to perform considerably better than free ones. And mistakes like the Impulse, the Invertor, or the Fist (really, why this failure even exists? Theme is covered by the Master and play-wise it's just unarmed the Blade, paper-thin and no self-heals...) should never happend. Otherwise there is no sense in paying for them. I think I do a good thing every time when I manage to explain and discourage someone from giving Cryptic money for underperforming ATs. I'm not a Cryptic employee and I like helping people.
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Post by scorcherofthorns on May 23, 2014 13:22:06 GMT -5
The Devastator is just another DPS with no self heals or aggro wipes. Also not worth money, gives nothing extra. Also I may add that the animations he uses are incredibly boring to the eye, I totally despised the cumbersome way he brings out and swings his weapons. I wonder if I was the only guy bothered by this. If I wanted another suicidal DMG oriented AT that uses blades I would go for the Blade, sucks just as much, but at least it's free, fun to play, and has some seriously awesome looking animations. But then, like it's been said, the Devastator is apparently for PVP, and I'm a PVE type so maybe I shouldn't pass judgement on the Devastator.
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Post by ragingghost on May 28, 2014 13:06:29 GMT -5
The Devastator is just another DPS with no self heals or aggro wipes. Also not worth money, gives nothing extra. Also I may add that the animations he uses are incredibly boring to the eye, I totally despised the cumbersome way he brings out and swings his weapons. I wonder if I was the only guy bothered by this. If I wanted another suicidal DMG oriented AT that uses blades I would go for the Blade, sucks just as much, but at least it's free, fun to play, and has some seriously awesome looking animations. But then, like it's been said, the Devastator is apparently for PVP, and I'm a PVE type so maybe I shouldn't pass judgement on the Devastator. That's because Cryptic suck katanas as if they were, you know...
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Post by Meegatron on May 28, 2014 17:30:52 GMT -5
Also I may add that the animations he uses are incredibly boring to the eye, I totally despised the cumbersome way he brings out and swings his weapons. I wonder if I was the only guy bothered by this. That's the point of the heavy weapons. Some players enjoy this kind of brute and powerful look. It's not supposed to look anime and finesse.
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Post by ragingghost on May 28, 2014 17:39:15 GMT -5
Also I may add that the animations he uses are incredibly boring to the eye, I totally despised the cumbersome way he brings out and swings his weapons. I wonder if I was the only guy bothered by this. That's the point of the heavy weapons. Some players enjoy this kind of brute and powerful look. It's not supposed to look anime and finesse. Meanwhile, I would favor some kind of Western finesse, as seen in those HEMA videos.
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Post by Meegatron on May 29, 2014 2:43:43 GMT -5
I wouldn't mind few western swordplay moves, especially since we have longswords and rapiers, but they'd go more with the single blade powerset. I also wouldn't mind real heavy weapons like claymore or zweihander, since majority of HW models are just crap. But then, CO would need two handed animations in the first place.
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Post by scorcherofthorns on May 30, 2014 0:55:13 GMT -5
Also I may add that the animations he uses are incredibly boring to the eye, I totally despised the cumbersome way he brings out and swings his weapons. I wonder if I was the only guy bothered by this. That's the point of the heavy weapons. Some players enjoy this kind of brute and powerful look. It's not supposed to look anime and finesse. Yeah but they could have make it interesting to the eye. I don't know man but just looking at a Devastator swing makes me wanna go for a smoke, and I don't even smoke! Se it doesn't have to be anime, just interesting, though I realize I talking of something totally subjective here since some people like you said might actually like the animations.
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Post by SatoruMasamune on Jun 4, 2014 15:00:15 GMT -5
I really hope that Cryptic North turns their attention to overhauling at least the free ATs soon. Most of them aren't even playable now, like Inferno and Blade, and the ones that ARE viable have a lot of wasted powers hogging up space in your power tray.
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