New to Rebirth? Interested in checking out our server? Start here: https://play.cityofheroesrebirth.com/Need help? Or want to provide feedback? Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/mhkYg2sQPeHello everyone!
In the next update, we are revisiting and revamping the original Epic Archetypes: Peacebringers and Warshades. Kheldians' unique shape-shifting abilities grant them access to melee, ranged, and survival powers; and made them the first archetypes able to play across multiple play styles. Transforming between Nova form and Dwarf form, a player could delve further into one play-style at the cost of another--trading survival for ranged damage or vice versa.
However, due to CoH's game system limitations at the time of their creation (in Issue 3), Kheldian shape-shifting was mechanically handicapped in numerous ways. The most glaring of which included:
Survival toggles would deactivate upon shape-shifting and could not be reactivated until changing back to human form. This made it hazardous to return to the human form mid-combat and also cost critical time reactivating toggles one by one. This limitation discouraged most in-combat use of shape-shifting.
Nova and dwarf forms provided their own powers which needed to be independently slotted and enhanced. This added a total of 10 additional powers above the standard 24 powers that all archetypes receive. With 36 powers in total (including two free travel abilities), Kheldans were given no additional means to enhance their powers. As a result, players have long struggled with the process of building their Kheldians in a manner that is both fun and balanced.
Until now, these issues have discouraged shapeshift forms, the core aspect of the archetype, and prevent Kheldans from living up to their title of being an "Epic Archetype." However, newer systems have given us a chance to unlock their true potential!
Get ready! With Rebirth Issue 4, Kheldians are shaping up to be EPIC.
Available NOW on the test server.
Global Changes- Toggles no longer turn off when shape-shifting into Nova or Dwarf forms. However, their effects suppress and they are granted endurance to offset their endurance cost.
- Nova and Dwarf forms have been expanded allowing them to round out their unique powers, abilities, and play style. (Details below)
- Travel powers can now be used in any form but activating them while in Nova form or Dwarf form returns Kheldians to their original form.
- Null the Gull can now enable or disable the shapeshift popup tray.
Peacebringer
[spoiler]
Bright Nova
With this revamp, you will no longer need to enhance your Nova or Dwarf powers separately. Instead, for example, when you slot and enhance your human form version of Gleaming Bolt, you will simultaneously be improving the Bright Nova Bolt used while in Nova form. The following powers become power redirects allowing them to change while in Bright Nova form. Slotting the first power listed below enhances the power in both forms. Note: Existing Peacebringers must respec to obtain this:
Gleaming Bolt will 
become Bright Nova Bolt in Bright Nova form
Gleaming Blast will become Bright Nova Blast in Bright Nova form
Photon Scatter will become Bright Nova Scatter in Bright Nova form
Luminous Detonation will become Bright Nova Detonation in Bright Nova form
Bright Nova now comes with two free muti-form powers, Photon Scatter (awarded upon obtaining Bright Nova) and Luminous Detonation (awarded at level 12 or higher after obtaining Bright Nova). Both of these powers are usable in their original form.
Additionally:
Glinting Eyes can be used in Bright Nova form
Inner Light can be used in Bright Nova form
Dawn Strike can be used in Bright Nova form
Reform Essence can be used in Bright Nova form for sustain.
White Dwarf
The following powers become power redirects allowing them to change while in White Dwarf form. Slotting the first power listed below enhances the power in both forms. Note: Existing Peacebringers must respec to obtain this:
Radiant Strike will become 
White Dwarf Strike in White Dwarf form
Incandescent Strike will become 
White Dwarf Smite in White Dwarf form
Solar Flare will become 
White Dwarf Flare in White Dwarf form- Reform Essence will become White Dwarf Sublimation in White Dwarf form
White Dwarf now comes with two free form-locked powers, White Dwarf Antagonize and White Dwarf Step, and two free muti-form powers, Solar Flare and Reform Essence. All free powers are awarded upon obtaining White Dwarf and both Solar Flare and Reform Essence powers are usable in original form. Additionally, Reform Essence is usable in Bright Nova for sustain.
Additionally:
- Gleaming Bolt can be used in White Dwarf form
- Glinting Eye can be used in White Dwarf form
- Inner Light can be used in White Dwarf form
Pulsar can be used in White Dwarf form
Essence Boost can be used in White Dwarf form
Light Form can be used in White Dwarf form
Some powers have new unlock levels because of the new free multi-form powers:
| Luminous Blast | | | | Luminous Aura | |
| Power | Level | | | Power | Level |
| Gleaming Bolt | 1 | |  | Incandescence | 1 |
| Glinting Eye | 1 | |  | Shining Shield | 2 |
| Gleaming Blast | 2 | | | Essence Boost | 4 |
| Bright Nova | 6 | |  | Thermal Shield | 10 |
| Radiant Strike | 8 (Previously 6) | |  | Quantum Shield | 14 |
| Proton Scatter | Free with Nova | |  | Group Energy Flight | 16 |
| Inner Light | 12 | | | White Dwarf | 20 |
| Luminous Detonation | Free with Nova. Unlocks at 11. | | | Reform Essence | Free with Dwarf |
| Incandescent Strike | 18 | |  | Conserve Energy | 24 |
| Pulsar | 18 | |  | Quantum Acceleration | 24 |
| Solar Flare | Free with Dwarf | |  | Quantum Flight | 28 |
 | Glowing Touch | 26 | |  | Restore Essence | 35 |
 | Photon Seekers | 32 | | | Light Form | 38 |
| Dawn Strike | 32 | |
[/spoiler]
Warshade
[spoiler]
Dark Nova
With this revamp, you will no longer need to enhance your Nova or Dwarf powers separately. Instead, for example, when you slot and enhance your human form version of Shadow Bolt, you will simultaneously be improving the Dark Nova Bolt used while in Nova form. The following powers become power redirects allowing them to change while in Dark Nova form. Slotting the first power listed below enhances the power in both forms. Note: Existing Warshades must respec to obtain this:
Shadow Bolt will become Dark Nova Bolt in Dark Nova form
Shadow Blast will become Dark Nova Blast in Dark Nova form
Gravimetric Emanation will become Dark Nova Emanation in Dark Nova form
Dark Detonation will become Dark Nova Detonation in Dark Nova form
Dark Nova now comes with two free muti-form powers, Dark Detonation (awarded upon obtaining Dark Nova) and Gravimetric Emanation (awarded at level 12 or higher after obtaining Dark Nova). Both of these powers are usable in their original form.
Additionally:
Ebon Eye can be used in Dark Nova form
Sunless Mire can be used in Dark Nova form
Orbiting Death can be used in Dark Nova form
Quasar can be used in Dark Nova form
Essence Drain can be used in Dark Nova form and will become Shadow Essence Drain, a ranged single target attack plus self-heal.
Black Dwarf
The following powers become power redirects allowing them to change while in Black Dwarf form. Slotting the first power listed below enhances the power in both forms. Note: Existing Warshades must respec to obtain this:
Gravimetric Snare will become 
Black Dwarf Strike in Black Dwarf form
Gravity Well will become 
Black Dwarf Smite in Black Dwarf form- Sunless Mire will become
Black Dwarf Mire in Black Dwarf form - Essence Drain will become
Black Dwarf Drain in Black Dwarf form
Black Dwarf now comes with one free form-locked power, Black Dwarf Antagonize, and two free muti-form powers, Sunless Mire and Essence Drain. All free powers are awarded upon obtaining Black Dwarf and both Sunless Mire and Essence Drain powers are usable in BOTH human and Nova forms.
Additionally:
- Shadow Bolt can be used in Black Dwarf form
- Ebon Eye can be used in Black Dwarf form
- Orbiting Death can be used in Black Dwarf form
Inky Aspect can be used in Black Dwarf form
Stygian Circle can be used in Black Dwarf form
Eclipse can be used in Black Dwarf form
Some powers have new unlock levels because of the new free multi-form powers:
| Umbral Blast | | | | Umbral Aura | |
| Power | Level | | | Power | Level |
| Shadow Bolt | 1 | | | No Changes | |
| Ebon Eye | 1 |
| Gravimetric Snare | 2 |
| Dark Nova | 6 |
| Shadow Blast | 8 (Previously 6) |
| Dark Detonation | Free with Nova |
 | Starless Step | 12 (Previously 8 ) |
| Gravitic Emanation | Free with Nova. Unlocks at 11. |
| Gravity Well | 18 |
| Essence Drain | Free with Dwarf |
| Sunless Mire | Free with Dwarf |
 | Unchain Essence | 26 |
 | Dark Extraction | 32 |
| Quasar | 32 |
[/spoiler]
The following powers have been rebalanced:
[spoiler] Peacebringer
Gleaming Bolt/Bright Nova Bolt:
- Damage increased from .6 to .68
- Recharge Time increased from 1.5s to 2s
- Endurance Cost increased from 3.12 to 3.534
- (PvP) Normal form Damage increased from 1.392 to 1.416
- (PvP) Nova form Damage increased from 1.812 to 1.836
Glinting Eye/Bright Glinting Eye:
- Damage increased from 1 to 1.32
- Recharge Time increased from 4s to 6s
- (PvP) Normal form Damage increased from 2.0748 to 2.1708
Bright Nova Blast:
- Damage increased from 1 to 1.64
- Recharge Time increased from 4s to 8s
- Endurance Cost increased from 5.2 to 8.528
- (PvP) Damage increased from 1.932 to 2.124
White Dwarf Strike:
- Smashing Damage increased from .34 to .4
- Energy Damage increased from .5 to .6
- Recharge Time increased from 3s to 4s
- Endurance Cost increased from 4.368 to 5.2
- (PvP) Smashing Damage increased from 0.6528 to 0.672
- (PvP) Energy Damage increased from 0.9792 to 1.008
White Dwarf Smite:
- Smashing Damage increased from .32 to .53
- Energy Damage increased from 1 to 1.11
- Recharge Time increased from 6s to 8s
- Endurance Cost increased from 6.864 to 8.528
- (PvP) Smashing Damage increased from 0.507 to 0.531
- (PvP) Energy Damage increased from 1.521 to 1.593
Warshade
Shadow Bolt/Dark Nova Bolt:
- Damage increased from .6 to .68
- Recharge Time increased from 1.5s to 2s
- Endurance Cost increased from 3.12 to 3.534
- (PvP) Normal form Damage increased from 1.392 to 1.416
- (PvP) Nova form Damage increased from 1.812 to 1.836
Ebon Eye/Dark Nova Eye/Black Dwarf Eye:
- Damage increased from 1 to 1.32
- Recharge Time increased from 4s to 6s
- (PvP) Normal form Damage increased from 2.0748 to 2.1708
Dark Nova Blast:
- Damage increased from 1 to 1.64
- Recharge Time increased from 4s to 8s
- Endurance Cost increased from 5.2 to 8.528
- (PvP) Damage increased from 1.932 to 2.124
Black Dwarf Strike:
- Smashing Damage increased from .34 to .4
- Negative Energy Damage increased from .5 to .6
- Recharge Time increased from 3s to 4s
- Endurance Cost increased from 4.368 to 5.2
- (PvP) Smashing Damage increased from 0.6528 to 0.672
- (PvP) Negative Energy Damage increased from 0.9792 to 1.008
Black Dwarf Smite:
- Smashing Damage increased from .32 to .53
- Negative Energy Damage increased from 1 to 1.11
- Recharge Time increased from 6s to 8s
- Endurance Cost increased from 6.864 to 8.528
- (PvP) Smashing Damage increased from 0.507 to 0.531
- (PvP) Negative Energy Damage increased from 1.521 to 1.593
Essence Drain/Black Dwarf Essence Drain:
- Damage increased from 1 to 1.96
- Heal Self decreased from 1.75 to 1
- Recharge Time decreased from 15s to 10s
- Endurance Cost decreased from 15.6 to 11.96
- (PvP) Normal form Damage increased from 1 to 2.5812
- (PvP) Dwarf form Damage increased from 1 to 2.5812
Dark Nova Essence Drain:
- Damage increased from 1 to 1.64
- Recharge Time decreased from 15s to 8s
- Endurance Cost decreased from 15.6 to 8.528
Sunless Mire/Dark Nova Mire:
- ToHit and Damage buff are doubled for the first 10 seconds
- Recharge Time decreased from 120s to 90s
Black Dwarf Mire:
- ToHit and Damage buff are doubled for the first 10 seconds
- Recharge Time remains unchanged at 20s
[/spoiler]
