Dawn of Genesis: New Challenges, New Master of Badges, & New Alpha Compon Incarn

[The Doctor]

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New Challenges, New 'Master of' Badges, and New Alpha Component Incarnate Path


Developer Note: An Epic Challenge is on the Horizon

If you've been keeping up with our State of the Game 2023 update, you're probably aware that we're raising the bar for challenges.  We've taken note of how much our players enjoy a good challenge and are committed to delivering just that. We began upping the challenge in Rebirth Issue 5: Clockstoppers where we introduced ramped-up speed run challenges which set new time thresholds on many task forces and strikes forces and unlocked new rewards. But that was only the beginning!

The new challenges we have in store for players next won't be determined by speed but by teamwork, willpower, or super strength.  In Rebirth Issue 6 we expand the available challenge options and specifically focus on the level 35-50 endgame experience.  For anyone who has ever become a 'Master of' a famous or infamous task/strike force, there's a new top tier in town.  Several tiers in fact. 

We knew that to really challenge players the trials they endured would have to mount gradually.  Most players are aware of the original 'Master of' challenge requirements--No Defeats and No Temporary powers.  Those challenges have been part of City of Heroes since before the addition of Incarnate Powers.  Incarnate Powers have trivialized those once mighty challenges--no more.  The first tier above 'Master of' is the 'True Master.'  True Masters of task forces are able to surmount them without Incarnates.  The question is, can you best even more than a 'True Master of' task forces?

Three new challenge settings: 'No Set Bonuses', 'No Incarnate Powers', and 'No Incarnate and Temporary Powers', pave the way for more challenging gameplay, dozens of new badges, new unique and better rewards, and the first-ever alpha component incarnate path.


Interface, Lore, Judgement, and Destiny now have Alpha component recipes through tier 4.

Earn new "Master of" badges using the following challenge setting combinations:

Badge Title Prefix	Challenge Settings	Ms. Liberty's TF	Lord Recluse's SF	Imperious TF	Lady Grey's TF	5th Column TF	5th Column SF
True Master of	Zero Defeats. No Incarnate and Temporary Powers.
Grandmaster of	Zero Defeats. No Incarnate and Temporary Powers. No Set Bonuses.
Legendary Master of	Zero Defeats. No Incarnate and Temporary Powers. No Set Bonuses. No Inspirations.
Secret Master of	[spoiler]Zero Defeats. No Incarnate and Temporary Powers. No Set Bonuses. No Inspirations. Enemies Buffed.[/spoiler]

Completing any new challenge combination will earn greater rewards and access to high tiers of Alpha components as choices.

Note: You can still earn the reward choices (except for badges) even if you are defeated by completing the Task Force/Strike Force with all of the above challenges enabled.

'True Master of' Reward Choices

True Master of	Synthetic Hamidon	Alpha Component	Reward Merits
Ms. Liberty/Lord Recluse TF/SF	Level 51 Synthetic Hamidon	Drop of the Well	2x Reward Merits
Imperious TF	Not available	Incarnate Infused Nictus	2x Reward Merits
Lady Grey's TF	Not available	Vanguard DNA Metamatrix	2x Reward Merits
5th Column TF/SF	Not available	Infinite Tessellation	2x Reward Merits

'Grandmaster  of' Reward Choices

Grandmaster of	Synthetic Hamidon	Alpha Component	Reward Merits
Ms. Liberty/Lord Recluse TF/SF	Level 52 Synthetic Hamidon	Notice of the Well (1 only)	3x Reward Merits
Imperious TF	Not available	Notice of the Well (1 only)	3x Reward Merits
Lady Grey's TF	Not available	Notice of the Well (1 only)	3x Reward Merits
5th Column TF/SF	Not available	Notice of the Well (1 only)	3x Reward Merits

'Legendary Master of' Reward Choices

Legendary Master of	Synthetic Hamidon	Alpha Component	Reward Merits
Ms. Liberty/Lord Recluse TF/SF	Level 53 Synthetic Hamidon	Favor of the Well (1 only)	4x Reward Merits
Imperious TF	Not available	Favor of the Well (1 only)	4x Reward Merits
Lady Grey's TF	Not available	Favor of the Well (1 only)	4x Reward Merits
5th Column TF/SF	Not available	Favor of the Well (1 only)	4x Reward Merits

'Secret Master of' Reward Choices

Secret Master of	Synthetic Hamidon	Secret Master IO	Reward Merits
Ms. Liberty/Lord Recluse TF/SF	Level 53 Synthetic Hamidon	Liberty's Belt (Resistance Set)	5x Reward Merits
Imperious TF	Not available	Imperial Might (Knockback Set)	5x Reward Merits
Lady Grey's TF	Not available	Forced Indoctrination (Universal Control Set)	5x Reward Merits
5th Column TF/SF	Not available	Inexhaustibility (Rest Special)	5x Reward Merits

Plus earn even more badges by running Flashbacks in Ouroboros

Badge for 'No Incarnate Powers:'

• Deincarnated  Complete a level 46-50 Flashback arc without Incarnate Powers

Badges for 'No Set Bonuses:'

• Basic  Complete a level 1-15 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses
• Minimal  Complete a level 16-19 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses
• Primitive  Complete a level 20-24 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses
• Unadorned  Complete a level 25-29 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses
• Nothing Extra  Complete a level 30-34 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses
• Set Back  Complete a level 35-39 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses
• Simplified  Complete a level 40-45 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses
• Unsettled  Complete a level 46-50 Flashback arc without Set Bonuses

Notes:
The Reward Merit choice works like any other TF and will only reward half the value when claimed more than one time per 20 hours per challenge tier.
Uncommon Alpha components (located under the True Master rewards) can only be claimed once every 72 hours.
These rewards replace the random purple recipe drop added in Ri2.






New Enhancement Sets

[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_Libertys_Belt.png[/imgleft] Liberty's Belt

Liberty's Belt is a Resistance set with effects available from levels 25 to 50. Liberty's Belt offers massive strength to those seeking its unique enhancement style within this category. These enhancements can be obtained by completing the Secret Master of Ms. Liberty Task Force or the Secret Master of Lord Recluse Strike Force.

Enhancements: Resistance/Endurance Resistance/Recharge Endurance/Recharge Resistance/Endurance/Recharge Resistance Resistance/Global Damage Bonus

Set Bonuses: 2-piece: 1.5% Recovery 3-piece: 2.5% Damage 4-piece: 9% Accuracy 5-piece: 6.25% Recharge Time 6-piece: 4.5% Toxic/Psionic Resistance, 7.5% Mez Resistance

[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_Inexhaustibility.png[/imgleft] Inexhaustibility

Inexhaustibility is a Special Enhancement among enhancements. Inexhaustibility adds an entirely new enhancement category called Rest Buff.  This enhancement's effects are available from levels 2 to 50. Inexhaustibility can be obtained by completing Secret Master of 5th Column Task Force or Strike Force.

Enhancements: Inexhaustibility: Out of Combat +Hit Points/Endurance

Unique: No more than 1 enhancement of this type may be slotted by a character. Slotting this enhancement into Rest will give the user a chance to recover Hit Points and Endurance at a rapid rate if they've been out of combat for 30 seconds or more. in a PvP zone the player will gain a chance to receive a dramatic boost to regeneration instead of the healing effect triggered by this power.  NOTE: Inexhaustibility can only be slotted into Rest and Rest does not need to be activated for this power's effect to be triggered.

[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_ImperialMight.png[/imgleft] Imperial Might

Imperial Might is a Knockback set with effects available from levels 17 to 50. This enhancement set features higher Accuracy, Endurance Reduction, and Recharge Time Reduction than other Knockback sets in exchange for not enhancing damage. Its unique proc converts Knockback into Knockdown.  Additionally, it possesses the signature 6th set bonus Total Might which converts all Knockback enhancements into Damage enhancements in the slotted power. These enhancements can be obtained by completing the Secret Master of Imperious Task Force.

Enhancements: Knockback/Accuracy Knockback/Endurance Knockback/Recharge Recharge/Endurance Knockback/Accuracy/Endurance Recharge/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown

Set Bonuses: 2-piece: 7.5% Movement Speed 3-piece: 3pts. Knockback Protection 4-piece: 9% Accuracy 5-piece: 3% Damage 6-piece: Total Might Bonus: Converts all Knockback enhancements into Damage enhancements in the slotted power.

[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_ForcedIndoctrination.png[/imgleft] Forced Indoctrination

Forced Indoctrination is the first ever Universal Control Duration set with effects available from levels 10 to 50.  It can be slotted into any power that accepts immobilize, sleep, stun, hold, fear, or confuse. This unique enhancement set features Control Duration which enhances the power of any control effects, and also enhances a power's Damage, Accuracy, Endurance Reduction, and Recharge Time Reduction. Its proc is a chance for Psionic Damage, further increasing the set's damage-mindedness.  These enhancements can be obtained by completing the Secret Master of the Lady Grey Task Force.

Enhancements: Control Duration/Damage Accuracy/Control Duration/Damage Control Duration/Damage/Recharge Accuracy/Recharge/Endurance Accuracy/Control Duration/Damage/Recharge Chance for Psionic Damage

Set Bonuses: 2-piece: 1.8% Maximum Endurance 3-piece: 2.5% Damage 4-piece: 6% Immobilize and Sleep, 3.3% Fear, 3% Confuse, Hold, Stun. 5-piece: 11% Accuracy 6-piece: 8.75% Recharge Time

[Donkyhotay]

I think this is an incredible idea. I had been hearing about people wanting the game to be harder and was worried the solution would be to simply make crank up the stats on certain mods/bosses harder resulting in further power creep. Power creep is bad as it can result in newsupes having trouble teaming with fully powered up chars. They either can't handle the content or just get carried. By allowing for voluntary debuffing (similar to flashbacks) for better rewards (and bragging rights (c;) then people are on a more even level. Going for a lot of these challenges, a fully kitted out char isn't going to be that much better than a fresh L50 that doesn't even have their alpha yet. Completing these is going to be more about the build and player's ability than simply raw power.

[Redlynne]

[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_ImperialMight.png[/imgleft] Imperial Might

Imperial Might is a Knockback set with effects available from levels 17 to 50. This enhancement set features higher Accuracy, Endurance Reduction, and Recharge Time Reduction than other Knockback sets in exchange for not enhancing damage. Its unique proc converts Knockback into Knockdown.  Additionally, it possesses the signature 6th set bonus Total Might which converts all Knockback enhancements into Damage enhancements in the slotted power. These enhancements can be obtained by completing the Secret Master of Imperious Task Force.

Enhancements: Knockback/Accuracy Knockback/Endurance Knockback/Recharge Recharge/Endurance Knockback/Accuracy/Endurance Recharge/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown

Set Bonuses: 2-piece: 7.5% Movement Speed 3-piece: 3pts. Knockback Protection 4-piece: 9% Accuracy 5-piece: 3% Damage 6-piece: Total Might Bonus: Converts all Knockback enhancements into Damage enhancements in the slotted power.

Counter-proposal (changes in bold text).



[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_ImperialMight.png[/imgleft] Imperial Might

Imperial Might is a Knockback set with effects available from levels 17 to 50. This enhancement set features higher Accuracy, Endurance Reduction, and Recharge Time Reduction than other Knockback sets in exchange for not enhancing damage. Its unique proc converts Knockback into Knockdown.  Additionally, it possesses the signature 6th set bonus Total Might which converts all Knockback enhancements into Damage enhancements in the slotted power. These enhancements can be obtained by completing the Secret Master of Imperious Task Force.

Enhancements: Knockback/Accuracy Knockback/Endurance Knockback/Recharge Knockback/Accuracy/Endurance Knockback/Accuracy/Recharge Endurance/Chance for Knockdown/Knockback to Knockdown

Set Bonuses: 2-piece: 7.5% Movement Speed 3-piece: 3pts. Knockback Protection 4-piece: 9% Accuracy 5-piece: 7.5% Recharge 6-piece: Total Might Bonus: Converts all Knockback enhancements into Damage enhancements in the slotted power.

= (0.625 SO * 3) + (0.5 SO * 2) = 2.875 SO Knockback
= (0.625 SO * 1) + (0.5 SO * 2) = 1.625 SO Accuracy and Endurance
= (0.625 SO * 1) + (0.5 SO * 1) = 1.125 SO Recharge
= 2.875 + 1.625 + 1.625 + 1.125 = 7.25 SO + Proc

Remember that for PPM Procs, increased Recharge Reduction enhancement (direct on the slotting, not global set bonuses) reduces the chance to proc when the power is used.

[Redlynne]

[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_ForcedIndoctrination.png[/imgleft] Forced Indoctrination

Forced Indoctrination is the first ever Universal Control Duration set with effects available from levels 10 to 50.  It can be slotted into any power that accepts immobilize, sleep, stun, hold, fear, or confuse. This unique enhancement set features Control Duration which enhances the power of any control effects, and also enhances a power's Damage, Accuracy, Endurance Reduction, and Recharge Time Reduction. Its proc is a chance for Psionic Damage, further increasing the set's damage-mindedness.  These enhancements can be obtained by completing the Secret Master of the Lady Grey Task Force.

Enhancements: Control Duration/Damage Accuracy/Control Duration/Damage Control Duration/Damage/Recharge Accuracy/Recharge/Endurance Accuracy/Control Duration/Damage/Recharge Chance for Psionic Damage

Set Bonuses: 2-piece: 1.8% Maximum Endurance 3-piece: 2.5% Damage 4-piece: 6% Immobilize and Sleep, 3.3% Fear, 3% Confuse, Hold, Stun. 5-piece: 11% Accuracy 6-piece: 8.75% Recharge Time

While a Psionic damage proc may seem like a good idea at first blush ... it is fundamentally flawed with respect to Sleep and Confuse powers. Adding damage to Confuse will negate the value of powers that do not automatically draw aggro (and the same is also true for some Sleep powers too!).

Additionally, why are you mixing Damage into this set? NONE of the mez sets mix damage into their enhancements! A significant fraction of mez powers do not do any damage at all. So building damage enhancement into this set is inherently "wasteful" in terms of potential for a lot of mez powers.

Speaking just for myself, you could turn this set around by removing the Damage buff from it ... and replace those modifiers with RANGE (think about it!).
Likewise, drop the 3-piece global damage buff in favor of a global range buff.
Remove the Psionic Damage proc ... and replace it with a hybridized Build Up/Power Boost proc (+to hit and +special, instead of +damage) that has 1/2 the (usual) buff value and 2x the duration (10s instead of just 5s) of the Gaussian's Build Up proc (so as to make it different) ... which would have ALL KINDS OF INTERESTING SYNERGIES with Snipe attacks and other powers that have variable behaviors under different thresholds of +tohit as well as enhancing buff/debuff values and mez durations temporarily (10s).



So my preference would be for something like this:

[imgleft width=48 height=48]https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/public/images/Issues/rebirth-issue-6/E_ICON_ForcedIndoctrination.png[/imgleft] Forced Indoctrination

Forced Indoctrination is the first ever Universal Control Duration set with effects available from levels 10 to 50.  It can be slotted into any power that accepts immobilize, sleep, stun, hold, fear, or confuse. This unique enhancement set features Control Duration which enhances the power of any control effects, and also enhances a power's Damage, Accuracy, Endurance Reduction, and Recharge Time Reduction. Its proc is a chance for Psionic Damage, further increasing the set's damage-mindedness.  These enhancements can be obtained by completing the Secret Master of the Lady Grey Task Force.

Enhancements: Control Duration/Endurance Accuracy/Control Duration/Range Control Duration/Range/Recharge Accuracy/Control Duration/Range/Endurance Accuracy/Control Duration/Range/Recharge Chance for Power Up

Set Bonuses: 2-piece: 1.8% Maximum Endurance 3-piece: 2.5% Range 4-piece: 3% Confuse, Fear, Hold, Immobilize, Sleep, Stun 5-piece: 11% Accuracy 6-piece: 7.5% Recharge Time

= (0.625 SO * 1) + (0.5 SO * 2) + (0.4375 SO * 2) = 2.5 SO Control Duration
= (0.5 SO * 2) + (0.4375 SO * 2) = 1.875 SO Range
= (0.5 SO * 1) + (0.4375 SO * 2) = 1.375 SO Accuracy and Recharge
= (0.625 SO * 1) + (0.4375 SO * 1) = 1.0625 SO Endurance
= 2.5 + 1.875 + 1.375 + 1.375 + 1.0625 = 8.1875 SO equivalent

Remember that for PPM Procs, increased Recharge Reduction enhancement (direct on the slotting, not global set bonuses) reduces the chance to proc when the power is used ... so you actually want LESS recharge reduction on the enhancement values and MORE recharge reduction from global bonuses. Arrange things such that this set can be slotted multiple times in a build because none of the enhancements are unique single only "1 per build" ... so Controllers and Dominators can slot up to 5 of this set into their build ... and we'd be off to the races! 

[Jagged]

While a Psionic damage proc may seem like a good idea at first blush ... it is fundamentally flawed with respect to Sleep and Confuse powers. Adding damage to Confuse will negate the value of powers that do not automatically draw aggro (and the same is also true for some Sleep powers too!).

I couldn't agree more. Its very annoying for couple of characters I have that are heavy with Sleep & Confuse powers that their own ATOs are counter productive to many of their powers. So sets aimed at Controllers should have procs that do something other than damage