Champions Online brings the Steel Crusade on September 4th

[Super Firebug]

1. So, I have to log on with one of my 40s in order to "unlock" the Reawakened Automaton archetype. My impression: I have to prove to the system that I have a 40 by logging one on? Shoddy system.

2. I have to play the archetype and get an Automaton to 40 before I can use any of its individual powers in a freeform toon. My impression: I've been LTS since pre-launch, and I'm required to play an AT and EARN the right to use those powers in freeform?

I want to go home. (checking train and airline schedules to see if anyone has restored service to Paragon City yet)

[Xev]

I've been so preoccupied with other stuff lately that I haven't followed things in-game as closely as I normally would. When I went to log on just now, I realized, hrrrm, I dunno how this new powerset thing is supposed to work. I mean, I had an idea but I didn't know exactly.

Anyway, thanks Firebug. That is exactly the info I just realized I didn't know.

Think I'm gonna delete my Marksman, roll up this new AT, and then see if I can get inspired on my latest and unexpected FF slot. I really like how the my last guy, Deeps, is turning out and I just don't have the concentration time lately to give virtual birth again so soon either. I'm one of those people that make rolling up a new toon kinda like taking a math final.

So far the thing I like best about my newest is his costume which nice surprisingly just kinda made itself but I've been floundering around on everything else.

[Xev]

I have to agree with not liking to have to level an Automation before gaining access to the powerset btw.

It does seem like pointless leetism and a cheap way to make people farm xp/play and I also think it was a lil lame that they used CoH's name to advertise their AT by saying it was similar to how CoH did things with the Epic Archetypes. That advertising failed doubly to me due to CoH Epic AT's being uninteresting to me.

I don't really mind dumping my Marksman and leveling an Automation, but, for some people they will feel like being forced to do something they really don't want to do. Because they will be. Some people think AT's are completely pointless and/or don't like to play them, for example. I won't be real happy either if the build ends up sucking more than my Marksman who is decent but not overly thrilling but I expect it to be a decent build and I want to steal my Marksman's costume and give it to my Soldier anyway : )

[Relitner]

So, I logged in to the level 40 FF I rolled up during Beta (my namesake), and played through a couple missions of the new content. I like the little "hospital" area idea, but the mission to "cool off" a few citizens with a can of aerosol freezy-mist had me rolling my eyes. Fine, I played along and cooled off a few toons. I'll admit that it was kind of disturbing to see NPC's screaming and bursting into flames around me while I saved one lucky pixel person. Still, the mission kind of felt contrived and recycled, like the infected wolves in Canada or the infected rats on Monster Island.
I talked to Dr Silverback, (who, along with Microman, has managed to somehow be in both Reniassance Center and the mobile hospital at the same time) then shrunk down to invade the brains of a couple hapless citizens. The new map is icky fun, but unfortunately, the play is no different than any other instance in CO; kill x bad guys and defeat a stronger enemy at the end (and destroy a few objects). Rinse, repeat ...this time with a stronger villain at the end. That's where I logged off.
I am glad that CO is finally doing something to ease the drought of new content, but I don't see this as a "major release" or an expansion. It's just a couple missions and a new map. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong and I'll end up eating my words.

[Angel Phoenix77]

So, I logged in to the level 40 FF I rolled up during Beta (my namesake), and played through a couple missions of the new content. I like the little "hospital" area idea, but the mission to "cool off" a few citizens with a can of aerosol freezy-mist had me rolling my eyes. Fine, I played along and cooled off a few toons. I'll admit that it was kind of disturbing to see NPC's screaming and bursting into flames around me while I saved one lucky pixel person. Still, the mission kind of felt contrived and recycled, like the infected wolves in Canada or the infected rats on Monster Island.
I talked to Dr Silverback, (who, along with Microman, has managed to somehow be in both Reniassance Center and the mobile hospital at the same time) then shrunk down to invade the brains of a couple hapless citizens. The new map is icky fun, but unfortunately, the play is no different than any other instance in CO; kill x bad guys and defeat a stronger enemy at the end (and destroy a few objects). Rinse, repeat ...this time with a stronger villain at the end. That's where I logged off.
I am glad that CO is finally doing something to ease the drought of new content, but I don't see this as a "major release" or an expansion. It's just a couple missions and a new map. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong and I'll end up eating my words.

I hear you, but I think it will be a long time before Champions sees another update.

[Brou]

The new map is icky fun, but unfortunately, the play is no different than any other instance in CO; kill x bad guys and defeat a stronger enemy at the end (and destroy a few objects). Rinse, repeat ...this time with a stronger villain at the end. That's where I logged off.

Before finishing the arc?

Okay...

I hear you, but I think it will be a long time before Champions sees another update.

Not true at all. Stay tuned.

[Xev]

So I hit the Reawakened Automaton link I got in e-mail and read this:

The Reawakened Archetypes are a new system designed for players who've already reached Level 40 (edit: and we want to keep them busy so we're throwing this at them) and want more power choices for their freeform characters. If you've already leveled up a character to 40, you'll be able to create a new character in one of the Reawakened archetypes, starting with the Reawakened Automaton.

"Starting with"? Does this mean I have to level more toons I'm uninterested in leveling just so I can unlock more powers I may be interested in?

The phrase 'time sink' keeps echoing louder since this update started..

I'm glad they're doing an update and I'm glad there's new powers to try and I have nothing but best wishes for CO but they can leave out the cheese. It's going to make people unhappy and resentful and for a dubious reward. It's easy to level a toon in CO. It doesn't take much skill. It just takes time (sink sink sink..).


>>

The new mishes so far are ok to me. I'd rate them over Fatal Err0r to this point and FE was ok. I didn't do many FE runs and I don't see doing more than 1 or two of this new arc either. *shrug* Unless I end up having to farm those new Mechanon recs for some reason.

It's not life or game changing stuff but it's entertaining and inventive enough for me to this point that I have only praise. They didn't run me around or rat-in-a-maze me too much which are pluses.

Some memorable moments were.. the first time I jumped into a brainblood stream and saw the red spray. Wasn't expecting that. Veiny brain caves.. The Purple Gang guy kinda whining then bursting into flames made me burst into a laugh for some reason.. I got a lot of presents, too, which was a nice bonus.

Anyway, thankies Cryptic.

Still think the having to level AT(s?) to get access to powers I might not even like is bad mojo.

[Relitner]

"Starting with"? Does this mean I have to level more toons I'm uninterested in leveling just so I can unlock more powers I may be interested in?

Taking a closer look, this new archetype really just has three new powers: Rocket Punch, Binding Shot, and Aspect of the Machine. All other powers in the build are recycled. Meh...

[Xev]

I think I'm actually going to pass. Out of those 3 powers the only interesting looking one is Rocket Punch.

Maybe when I get in Power Armor mode, someday.

The AT build looks decent but why in the world would I want to make an AT when I can make a FF? I had a lot of fun leveling my Soldier recently but it didn't inspire me to start rolling up more AT's.

I've never seen this CO ad: "Subscribe and go AT".

There's no prestige involved either it just shows that you bowed to their timesink to get the powers.

What in the world were they thinking. If they want to claim stealing good ideas from CoH, then steal a GOOD one..  : ) Rather than borrowing a not overly impressive one and making it even less impressive.

If Silvers don't have to buy the new AT then I guess it would make the game more interesting for some newcoming Silvers  *shrug* I'm reaching.

[Relitner]

I think I'm actually going to pass. Out of those 3 powers the only interesting looking one is Rocket Punch.

Agreed. I'm sure this is rubbing salt in the wound for some, but I'll keep spending time in STO until there is something significant to see in CO. I understand completely that it isn't CO's (and maybe even Cryptic's) fault, but when there is nothing interesting happening, well... I guess I get bored easily.

What would bring me back? For starters, bring back the old crafting. It wasn't fantastic, but it was better than the miserable excuse for crafting we have now.

Depth - Give us a story. Invest us in the outcome. Draw us in.

Compelling gameplay - Give us more options and different ways to meaningfully enhance our abilities, learn new powers, or go on quests to become more powerful. Unlock skill trees for each power. The power replacers were a really good start to that, but they're sadly gone now. So many ideas they could expand upon...

Mini games - I look at the Duty Officer system in STO and I am impressed. The new crafting is deep and compelling. Sure it takes forever, but in my opinion ...I guess it should. The Bridge Officer system is brilliant.

Fix bugs- Demonflame for example. As it stands, the Demon Key gets stuck 9 times out of 10 and the arc cannot be completed.

I want to like CO ...but I just can't.

[Brou]

A Double XP weekend starts today.
http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/champions-online/news/detail/7001663-bonus-xp-weekend!

Part II next week.
http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/champions-online/news/detail/7004463-preview%3A-steel-crusade-part-2

We're also launching the new GATEWAY space station, a brand-new hub area for missions in outer space. Currently this is the only mission based out of GATEWAY, but we've got some future plans that'll require space suits, so keep an eye open for that.

[Xev]

Brou, is the new AT available to Silvers or do we have to buy it? I'm in no hurry to roll one up but if I know I have to buy it I can stop thinking about it altogether.

Relitner, I have to say I dunno what you expected from this update. It's a fairly significant one that is still ongoing. It's even a little bit game changing with the Space Station thing and even though I think it was a bad bad bad idea the way they introduced 2 new powers (1 of the '3' is just a reskin..), they did introduce 2 new powers and a whole new AT with a better than average looking build.

For me this update is all gravy. I was already having fun playing and then they threw this free stuff at me that I didn't even expect. Yeah the leveling up an AT to get powers for your FF is really dumb ("subscribe and go AT..."  wha..?), but, whatever. Hopefully they learn from the mistake and don't continue/expand on it..

Maybe they played this update up to be a lot bigger than it is and I just missed that. It doesn't appear to be huge, but, it's probly the biggest update since I started playing a couple years ago.

I think they can't do many updates they advertise as being major without addressing the Foundry, finally, either. Every time they say a major update is coming this is the question they get nailed with - "do we finally get the Foundry?".

So I would say hang in there and GL on finding something fun in the meanwhile.. I wanna try APB Reloaded... The write-up I got in e-mail awhile back was really good.

[Brou]

The AT is free. Simply log in with a level 40 character or turn level 40 on a character.

[LaughingAlex]

Couldn't speak on CO's forums, due to buggy login interfaces, but...

...That free vehicle/costume vender was pulled down right off the bat, due to a rather damaging bug.  :S  I cannot describe the levels of disappointment and anger i'm feeling towards Cryptic North for messing up so royally when I have other things to do that will probably keep me from ever claiming it when they do put it back up.

[Xev]

See now that is a good thing that they kept the AT free. New Silvers and completionists are the ones who will get the most out of it. I remember clearly how thrilled I was to play my Unleashed AT when I had no FF's and I think it's great that any Silver starting today can have this added content.

I'm looking forward to the space station thing. I don't have any expectations - just curious how it works out and how it will work out as it gets more attention.

Hey Alex if the Vendor is screwed up I would imagine that they'll extend the offer somehow. Deep breaths partner  : )

[Xev]

Vendor is working right now.

The vehicle just happens to be a silver version of the only vehicle I have already, the Smilodon. In appearance at least.

[Relitner]

Relitner, I have to say I dunno what you expected from this update. It's a fairly significant one that is still ongoing. It's even a little bit game changing with the Space Station thing and even though I think it was a bad bad bad idea the way they introduced 2 new powers (1 of the '3' is just a reskin..), they did introduce 2 new powers and a whole new AT with a better than average looking build.

Admittedly, I did a pretty poor job of managing my own expectations with this update. I was really hoping for more ...meat. Still, it is movement, and better than standing dead still.

[LaughingAlex]

Vendor is working right now.

The vehicle just happens to be a silver version of the only vehicle I have already, the Smilodon. In appearance at least.

It seems they didn't change the account bound thing.  Oh well, it'd be a vehicle I use as a travel, at least speed upgraded vehicles are typically faster.  At least, i'd hope so.  I might throw a few cheap lightweight materials and a flight AI on the one I got.

[Xev]

There's still more update to go. Could be good stuff. The first part wasn't so bad. I usually just click through dialog boxes and I can even tell you what is going on in the storyline so far.

The game is progressing at some kind of pace.. When I started there was no Forum Malvanum. Then FM became the vehicle envy event. Now they're giving out freebie vehicles at the same time FM comes out.

The update I was disappointed most in was the Rampage Rehash... err Revamp. We got 1 new Rampage and 2 recycled content ones that are so long that people don't even want to run them anymore. Rampages are CO's Incarnate. They have that kind of audience there and they tossed us a bone and moved on. The Rampage system could be so much more. And why do I only get to see 1 team. Why no raid interface still. There are always 2 teams in Rampages why not 1 raid team.

Ah well  : )

I have fun making new builds, leveling, and trying to show off in Alerts or Rampages.. ha. Sometimes I get caught up in the costume thing. There's fun people to play with and CO is always an active game - chat is always active, resource/xp/daily Patil Alerts are always active. There's always a huge new Grond riff right around the corner.. It keeps me coming back  : )

Hey, glad you got your new toy, Alex!  : D

[Xev]

The vehicles are Bind to Account but all of your toons can get one. Means, you can outfit more than one if that would be handy.

You probly knew that but jic...