City of Heroes/City of Villains

Monday 31st March/... Brighton, England – With anticipation for City of Heroes/Villains Issue 12: Midnight Hour gathering apace, NCsoft Europe can today reveal new information which ties in with events set to play out in the latest update. All is revealed in Dr Brainstorm’s surprise radio address to the Rogue Isles…

Powerset Proliferation Fictional Update

PART 1 - Radio address to the Rogue Isles from Dr. Brainstorm.

Ehhem, fellow super beings of the Rogue Isles, Dr. Brainstorm here. I’m broadcasting from an undisclosed location to announce my latest breakthrough!

Many of you have inquired as to my whereabouts since I brought you the wonders of the invention system. I have good news for you all! Upon completion of the Hypothetical Framework the universe revealed to me a profound secret.

Late one night in my lab, as I placed the final piece of Rikti technology into the Hypothetical Framework, a glorious vision appeared before me. The Framework revealed to me a mystical subterranean web, invisible to the naked eye. This network represents the sacred geometry of the earth, threads of energy that converge to create vortices of power over particularly special places and even people.

Somehow my Hypothetical Framework opened an access portal onto this mystical network, an energy based control panel for super power distribution. Knowing we must harness this newfound information, I built a monitoring system into every invention workbench. Every time an invention is made, I am able to tap into the power network, gathering information about this mystical nexus.

Based on the information gathered through your workbenches, I have determined that every super powered being taps into these energy threads at their own resonance. This individual frequency determines what powers each hero or villain can gain mastery over. No matter our origin, each of us accesses our available powers in a unique way.

Since that day, I have diligently worked to alter these restrictions placed so unfairly upon us.

Using my newly built kinetic capacitor I discovered a way to alter the resonance of these energy strands. After the, er…massive release of energy generated in my lab with the kinetic capacitor, I appear to have sufficiently altered the resonance of these energy lines. Despite the minor….mishap in the lab, I am proud to announce that I, Dr. Brainstorm, have opened the door to new powers here on the Rogue Isles, allowing new super powered citizens of the Rogue Isles to access an additional primary and secondary power to choose from!

PART 2 - Longbow Report on the investigation of an explosion in a Crey lab.

LONGBOW Report

RE: Peregrine Island Explosion

From: Agent Crimson, Alpha-Black Unit

During a recent mission to prevent Malta raids on Crey science facilities, a hero I work with was alerted to the existence of a secret Crey lab. I was unable to locate the lab until last week when I intercepted reports of an explosion under the streets of Peregrine. Upon locating the entrance to a subterranean facility, I discovered the remains of what appears to have been a well-equipped laboratory. Inside I found the badly charred remnants of a large mechanical device.

I also located a security system and was able to extract surveillance video. This video was passed onto Dr. Advance in the science and technology division and I have included his interpretation of the video below.

Shortly after the explosion, I began to receive reports of new heroes able to use previously inaccessible powers. I am convinced that these are connected and will investigate further.

RE: Security Video Report

From: Dr. Advance, Longbow Science and Technology Division

This video, although highly degraded, appears to show Dr. Brainstorm activating a massive Resonance Manipulator, also known as a kinetic capacitor. Many scientists have proposed that it might be possible to create an oscillating energy field able to reach a strength of over 10,000 megateslas - roughly equivalent to a neutron star.

While this device is clearly not of that magnitude, the size and blast radius of the ensuing explosion suggests that Dr. Brainstorm managed to generate close to 2,000 megateslas.

It has long been understood that even heroes who gain their abilities through technology, nature, or science are somehow special, the pinnacle of human achievement. Many theorize that these super-powered beings are connected into some sort of power nexus beyond our comprehension. Although the exact nature of this energy grid is unknown, I believe that it acts as a control network for super power distribution.

I propose that this video shows Dr. Brainstorm attempting to open a conduit onto this energy grid. By generating this massive energy field, it appears that Dr. Brainstorm is attempting to pull the earth’s cosmic balance off kilter. Clearly he did not anticipate the ensuing explosion as he barely escaped the destruction.

The explosion suggests that this energy grid relies on a delicate balance that must be maintained. In upsetting the balance of the earth’s geodesy Dr. Brainstorm may have caused a rift. Although I do not yet fully understand the implications, I remind you that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Crimson tells me there are reports of heroes able to access new powers. If heroes are able to access new powers it seems likely that the same may also be true for the villains of the Rogue Isles.

Dr. Brainstorm’s complete list of Proliferated Powersets that each Archetype will be receiving in Issue 12: Midnight Hour.

Hello everyone!

I, Doctor Brainstorm, have unlocked the secrets of the universe! In the coming weeks you will see a lot of powers used by archetypes who never had access to them before, and I wanted to give you some forewarning of what you can expect/achieve with this new Powerset Proliferation!

With all the coming new powersets, I know you are anxious to find out who got what, and that is exactly what I am going to tell you. I will also go into a little detail on the “hows and whys” that certain choices were made.

From a development angle Plant Control just made sense for a Controller. I mean, it has the word “Control” right in the title! Controllers also get access to Thermal Radiation, to keep those spores, trees, and fly traps enveloped in the growing warmth of their own solar powers, as well as being a good thematic match to the current Fire Control powers they have access to.

With these formerly villain only powersets now in the hands of a heroic archetype, we also find out that the opposite is now true. Brutes get access to Battleaxes and War Maces, weapon-based powersets that they have been asking for. And with Issue 11’s Weapon Customization they have all the different implements of destruction at their disposal that Tankers do. For their secondary they get access to Super Reflexes, which is very good at helping them generate Fury while avoiding damage.

Now before I go on a lot of Brute players have been asking for Ice-based powers, and I should point out that in the City of Villains beta, there were... problems... with Ice Brutes. You see, when Ice attacks land, they tend to slow down the attacks of the opponent. For Tankers this is fine, but Brutes live and die by their Fury bar. The Fury bar relies on attacks coming in on you at a steady pace, and so slowing down that pace with Ice powers is self defeating. Ice Brutes had problems generating Fury, and so they were cut from City of Villains, and sadly won’t be returning, even in this new Proliferation.

Now on brighter news, Storm Summoning was a natural fit for Corruptors who want to be masters of the elements. Nothing better than corrupting Mother Nature herself with new, evil, uses for Gale, Freezing Rain, and Hurricane. With the addition of O2 Boost, we villains now have another avenue of healing available to us as well. To couple with that, Corruptors get Electrical Blast as a Primary power set for their lightning based attacks.

And that brings us to Psychic Blast Blasters. I know a lot of jaws dropped when they saw this was going to be a reality, but Psychic damage is one of those “all or little” damage types. It is either highly resisted, or not at all. The “newish” Secondary set of Mental Manipulation gives some moderate control options as well. This will shake up the PvP game for sure, and the developers will be keeping a VERY close eye on this powerset to make sure that it is not overpowered in the hands of Blasters.

And then there are other Archetypes we have not discussed at all before. Tankers will get Dark Armor and Dark Melee as Primary and Secondary powersets, so they have an avenue into Negative Energy damage that was previously unavailable to them. Scrappers get nice matched sets as well with Fiery Melee and Fiery Aura, another “newish” set allowing players to make better themed characters.

Stalkers get to share in their Brute cousin’s love for all things electrical with their own version of Electric Melee and Electric Armor. Assassin’s Strike and Hide have stealthily made their way into these powersets giving the Stalkers the tools they need and love.

I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss Dominators. They get access to Earth control, which of course keeps them grounded for their new access to Electricity Manipulation as well. All the villain electrical effects are of course tinted in the evil red that City of Villain players have come to be familiar with.

Finally Masterminds get access to the Storm Summoning Secondary powerset along with Corruptors. Yes, yes, I know a lot of Masterminds were looking forward to the possibility of Kinetics as their new choice, but the gods are not that crazy... yet. They will have to settle for the knockback of a well placed Gale or Hurricane instead.

Oh, I seem to have forgotten about Defenders. They now get access to Cold Domination and Ice Blast allowing them to put Ice and Glacial shields on their allies, as well as throw Ice Bolts and Freeze Rays. I always said it would be a cold day in Paragon City when Defenders would get access to Cold-based powers, and I guess my prediction came true!

There you have it, the final word on Power Proliferation... next week I will do my best to answer any burning questions you have left about these new powersets

List of New Primary and Secondary Powersets added in Issue 12

Blaster

New Primary - Psychic Blast

New Secondary - Mental Manipulation

Corruptor

New Primary - Electrical Blast

New Secondary - Storm Summoning

Controller

New Primary - Plant Control

New Secondary - Thermal Radiation

Dominator

New Primary - Earth Control

New Secondary - Electricity Manipulation

Defender

New Primary - Cold Domination

New Secondary - Ice Blast

Mastermind

New Secondary - Storm Summoning

Brute

New Primary - Battle Axe

New Primary - War Mace

New Secondary - Super Reflexes

Stalker

New Primary - Electric Melee

New Secondary - Electric Armor

Tank

New Primary - Dark Armor

New Secondary - Dark Melee

Scrapper

New Primary - Fiery Melee

New Secondary - Fiery Aura

Ends.

© 2004-2008 NCsoft Europe Ltd. All rights reserved. City of Heroes, City of Villains, Paragon City, Dr. Brainstorm, Rogue Isles, NCsoft, the Interlocking NC Logo, and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. Cryptic Studios is a trademark of Cryptic Studios, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About NCsoft Europe

NCsoft Europe (NCE) is headquartered in Brighton, United Kingdom and is wholly-owned subsidiary of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation, the world's leading developer and publisher of online games. NCsoft operates publishing offices within North America, Japan, Taiwan, China and Thailand and has development studios in Seattle, Austin, California (North America) and Seoul (Korea). NCE recently announced the formation of the first European development studio, based within the UK.

NCE began operations on 1st September 2004 and serves as a central hub for all NCsoft sales, marketing and distribution operations in Europe, via its European distribution network. The company has successfully launched multiple online titles and continues to support its franchises, which include Lineage® II (November 2004), City of Heroes® (4th February 2005), Guild Wars® (28th April 2005), City of Villains™ (31st October 2005), Guild Wars Factions™ (28th April 2006), Guild Wars Nightfall™ (27th October 2006), Guild Wars: Eye of the North™ (31st August 2007) and Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa™ (2nd November 2007).

NCsoft will introduce a brand new title to its innovative portfolio in 2008; Aion – The Tower of Eternity, due for launch Q3 2008. More information about NCsoft Europe can be found at http://eu.plaync.com.