New in Armory: Knife-boot

Knife-boot equipment is now available to purchase in the store!

Another league war was fast approaching. From all across the world, heroes would come together to fight and train to better defend the world should the Legion ever return. Morphons gave many people amazing powers, but powers alone wouldn't be enough. Training was necessary. Skill and discipline a must. But for some, Gear and equipment were thought to be the most vital. The proper gear to enhance and modify a hero's capabilities could take a capable cape and make them lethal.

That is where the Quartermaster came in...

"Hello? Is anyone here?" a new cape asked as he entered the armory for the first time, unsure what would best for him to use during league wars.

An elderly woman stepped out of thin air as she removed a cloak that somehow became visible as it came off of her shoulders. "Yeah, I'm here. Hold your horses."

The young hero gulped, shocked by her appearance and demeanor. She stood nearly eight-feet tall and wore a ripped Def Leppard t-shirt over her tight black leather pants. Her skin was a greenish-grey and her hair was pulled into mossy green dreadlocks that hung in every direction from her oversized head. "I wanted to--"

"Speak up, kid," she bellowed as she hung the red cape onto a hook on the wall behind her. "No need to be a churchmouse here. You're looking for some gear. What do you want?"

He drew in a deep breath. "I needed a new pair of boots. The combat boots I got from BADGE aren't really cutting it anymore."

"Boots that cut it... hmmm..." she said as she held up a meaty hand to her large double chin, musing for a few moments as she studied the many items on the shelves all around them. "I've got it. We just got these in."

With that, she reached over his head to the shelf behind him and pulled down a pair of sturdy leather boots. She slammed them down on the counter and from the tips of the pointed end of the stylish footwear, a small, thin blade popped out.

"That'll be 450 Bux," she said. She pulled a box out from beneath the counter and proceeded to put the boots inside.

"Shouldn't I try them on first?" the hero asked.

She stared at him with the one eye visible behind her mass of hair. The stare could have brought down and entire army with its intensity and aura of building anger as her iris began to glow. "You're questioning me?"

"No, no. I'm sure they're perfect. Four-fifty you said. Here's 500." He put down his payment and grabbed the box off the table. Rushing out the door, cradling the package in his arms, the young, inexperienced hero fled the shop.

The Quartermaster watched his departure and laughed. "And they said customer service would be hard for a troll."

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Prepare for league wars by Cr@z¥

Cr@z¥ #20314
As a player, Patrols, Gyms, and Missions are a good way to prepare for LWs just collecting all the free goodies they offer. Cards from gyms, MPs from all 3, cards that sell for MPs, and consumables you can't get otherwise. This is just the tip of the iceberg everyone plays in their own way and does things a little bit different. Using these to your advantage also has its disadvantage if you want to hold level over time because it is a continuous source of experience. At the same time standing still your toon is either falling behind or costs you $$$$ to stay at the top of your game.

 
Taking your free gains and using them to max potential growth can be a bit overwhelming but some new features make it a lot easier to see and understand what will help you the most. In powers the new tab shows you what powers are in play in each section attack, defense, and move. Look at the bottom of each to see where you can use the most help. If you have enough cards and don't want to go with cards the next idea I would have is gear. Set up for different Gyms looking at what gear you could use in the store and narrow it down to the gear you could use in battle as well. Once you get it narrowed down to what you need and can use start patrols trying to build up them certain gym skills you have prepared for and best suited for. Collecting the free MPs and possible cards from gyms can definitely help push your toon to new heights.

 
Patrols: patrols offer consumables, gear, cards, MPs, and access to Gyms for building up skills, or trying to take ownership of the gym. The consumables vary some are specific for Gyms others are good for limited events and lots can make an impact on LWs since not all have an expiration date and can be saved specifically for LWs. Half the time I don't use them for LWs but in preparation for LWs fighting the 150 events for better cards or in special events or raids even. The cards to small to make the cut get sold off and repurposed when it can be used to grow.

50 day log in challenge is also a really good way to prepare for league wars for anyone. It offers a ring and a core each run plus cards and MPs so for any free or new players it's a gold mine offering 6 cores and rings if you do it all 6 runs. 300 days in just logging in you end up with over 200 MPs 12 ok cards 6 different cores and 6 rings. That's one heck of a good way to start off preparing for LWs. Using these free rewards you should be able to start beating bosses in missions by swapping gear around and starting to learn how the gear works in battle vs different opponents.

 
Last few little blips to cover really fast make sure as you level your friends list keeps up with you level to optimize growth. Bank your Bux frequently and consider running a deficit during LWs if you don't have enough cards better than the highest Bux card offered in the store for your level once it's at tier 5.
HQ building can help slow down the experience gain but you have to toggle the button in the building to get negative XP instead of plus XP if you use the building. Also it's individually not for the whole group you choose if you want + or - by the toggle button in the building.

To all the best of luck hope this helped and if I missed anything chime in and point it out.

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LW12: How are you preparing for it? Share your views and get rewarded!

League War 12 is upon us! As this event unfolds, we invite all participants to share their views with live updates and interviews.

As always, all editorials published will be rewarded according to merit. Let's hear your views on the battles, interviews with participants, and reviews of each round. (We only ask that you avoid merely copying battle results/summaries; we want to hear your opinion!)

Submit your articles as posts to the Sentinel group page (request to join if you aren't a member).

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New in Armory: Ronin Sandals

Ronin Sandals equipment is now available to purchase in the store!

The Legion killed my master. I am now Rōnin. All I have to guide me is my hatred.

Now, I wander the lands, waiting for signs for the return of those who were driven off. I am certain that one day, they will invade again. They must. The anger in my heart will not leave until I see them laying defeated on the field of our last battle.

My master's vestments are all that I carry with me. His sword. His armor. His shoes. As long as I have them, it is easier to follow in his footsteps.

That does not mean I go unchallenged by the residents of this world. On occasion, I am met by some who find my wearing his simple footwear foolish. They point at my feet and ask why I would wear such simple and garish bits of wood. They proudly display their own feet and brandish their elegant gear, with bright colors, laces galore, and logos that are meaningless to me.

People such as these don't understand tradition. History and respect are foreign concepts to them.

I could easily strike them down, but my need isn't to punish them as I need to punish the Legion. Instead, I will instruct them.

With one well-placed kick to their temple, they fall to the ground with two long, large welts forming where my simple sandal connects with pressure points of their skull. A painful message is passed along to their brain, sending them into unconsciousness.

Perhaps wisdom will come to them as they sleep. Even if it does not, it matters not to me. I will have moved on, continuing my quest to honor the teachings of my dearly missed master and find revenge upon his killers.

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Previously in Heroes Rising - The Gathering Storm

It all started in Las Vegas last year.

No, it was hinted at even longer ago during a celebration aboard the BADGE Space Station.

After the defeat of Krampus and rebirth of Lady Phoenix, one story seemed to be coming to a close. That didn't mean characters important to the next story weren't starting to make their appearances... 

Shizue said, “I have had some help from the World Corps.”

“World Corps?” Gar asked.

“Yes, Marshal Gamma has been instrumental in taking care of all the horrible technology our former dear leader had created, especially those awful weapons.”

“Marshal Gamma?” Nova was even surprised by this.

“Yes, he... oh, there he is. Marshal!” Shizue waved a man over.

A man in a strange military uniform, covered in badges and medals, approached. He had a bright smile, red hair, and a piercing blue eyes. “Director Nova, at last. I wanted to make your acquaintance.”

Nova cocked his head, “I’m afraid I am at the disadvantage. Who are you and what is this World Corps?”

Gamma retained that charming smile, “I’m with the World Corps, a new unity of nations born out of the former United Nations. They created a division called MHA, Meta Human Activities. My job is to monitor and handle situations involving super powered human, alien, and… other creatures.”

“That is my job. BADGE already deals with the meta-human activities on Earth.”

“Oh, I’m not replacing you. No, not at all. Merely, assisting. The MHA reports directly to the World Corps, so you don’t have to. I’m sure we won’t step on each other’s toes.”

We just didn’t know it at the time, but we should have suspected something after Marshal Gamma’s exchange with Lord Dragon and Nova over the need for Lady Phoenix to be brought up on charges for what happened at Hallows Port. We had no idea how large a threat this new group would become.

Shortly after the start of the new year, The Giant Robot attacked Las Vegas, destroying much of the city. There were hints of a missing scientist, Dr. Osteen, and his Dangerous Research being involved with the mechanical monstrosity. A Hollywood superhero turned into a major pain-in-the-Arx, and after being defeated by the world’s heroes, ended up in the hands of the same Dr. Osteen and a mystery group led by Delta.

“I’m Delta, Dr. Osteen works for me. That’s the only information you’ll receive. As of this point, you’re now a subject.”

“Subject. Hey, wait a minute. I didn’t sign up for anything.”

Delta leaned over, getting in Arx’s face. “Yes, you did. The moment you accepted all this new power Osteen gave you, you agreed to obey us. You became a part of a much bigger plan.”

“I WON’T…. AHHHHH!” Arx tried to use his laser eyes, but something around his neck sent waves of pain through him instead. He felt a metal collar on him. “What’s this?”

“Insurance. You’ll obey Dr. Osteen and he will use you as a subject for our grand plan.”

Arx snarled at him, “and just what part of this plan am I?”

“You’ll find out.” The lights went out and then came back on, Delta was gone.

Arx looked around, “where’d he go?”

Osteen laughed as he prepped an injection. “I have no idea, but it’s the coolest thing ever. Now, hold still, this might sting…”

The Avatars began to arrive, heralding contests searching for the heroes who used their gifts best. One by one, the Avatars were kidnapped. BADGE and the heroes found themselves fighting mercenaries, an apparent betrayal by World Corp agents, E.B. going missing, and finally battle against an overcharged Arx. The now-fallen Hollywood star Arx is again defeated, but little else is resolved.

While the uncertainty of the hidden enemy hung over the heroes, they battled a new foe in Neo Utopia. A foe with powers that were able to alter the fabric of reality. A brief distraction before the crap really started to hit the fan.

 Now, we are definitely at the part of the Gathering Storm. Around the world, Morphon-enhanced people have vanished in what eventually is discovered to have been kidnappings. And Judge Alpha makes her entrance. If you're not quivering with anticipation yet, you soon will be.

As it has been said before, “The hall is rented, the orchestra engaged. It's now time to see if you can dance.” If you want to know more about where the current situation of BADGE and the heroes is, read The Gathering Storm under the Community Tab, then under Read the In-Game Lore. After that, you should be prepared for the next story arc called –

--Spoilers--

Read the entire stories created by staff author Dan Peyton leading up to current events under the Community tab, then the tab Read the In-Game Lore.

Dangerous Research

Bad PublicityArcane KnowledgeA Hollywood EndingThe Gathering Storm

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New in Armory: All-seeing Patch

All-seeing Patch equipment is now available to purchase in the store!

"Stop it!" Bob said. Why does everyone have to be so mean? My list of people I need revenge upon just keeps getting longer.

"Look at this guy. He thinks he's Director Nova," Vixen said from her seat in the group therapy session, her voice as nasal and irritating as ever. She pointed at the new eyepatch over Bob's right eye and started to imitate Nova's voice. "We have a global emergency. There is an unsightly crime against fashion at Purgatory Penitentiary.

"Arrrg! Batten down the hatches. I think old Bob here is gonna cry," Steelfist said.

Bob stared down his two trolls. They didn't understand what he had gone through to get this special piece of supernatural gear. Stolen from the dresser of the Pirate King himself, this eyepatch had sight beyond sight. He was going to use it to escape. He had a lunch date to attend with the upstart hero who put him into BADGE's hands. Plus, he needed it to help avoid all the attempts by other inmates to give him wedgies when the guards weren't looking.

Casa Nova put his hand across his own eye, imitating having an eyepatch of his own. "Oh, this is so much better. Now I can only see half of the idiots in the room. Great idea, Bob!"

Seething, for an instant, a despicable thought flashed through Bob's mind. These guys are jerks. Maybe I should have been a hero instead.

"One day I will escape and have my revenge on you all..." Bob thought to himself, not realizing he was speaking aloud as he did.


One by one the villains rose from their chairs, their faces set like stone.

Bob gulped and took a step back. Thanks to his new All-seeing Patch, he knew what was coming next. "Umm. Guards. Can I go back into solitary confinement, please?"

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Winter Olympiad Fan-Fiction: "Five for Five"

 by Madam Marvelous
#26130

I'd started my hero's journey just before the Summer Heroic Olympiad. I even managed to compete and place in a couple of the events. Third place in one of the Magic Challenges, after some training by Krystal Fae in countering opponents using magic against my shapeshifting abilities. Third place in the ping pong challenge. I felt pretty good about my efforts as my friend Angelus and I competed. But I also discovered that competing in tournaments like that lit a fire in my belly like I'd never known before.

I liked to compete. More than that, I wanted to win.

But as a student at the Sagan Academy, a probationary BADGE field agent, frightening occurrences around Halloween, collecting food stuffs for Thanksgiving, two league wars with the Star Force Junior League, and two fights with Father Time, I found that my days were pretty busy. I didn't see much of Angelus anymore, which was sad, but he was busy with his own life as well. The most frequent people in my life were Astra, her best friend Doug, and Eggie, my electric grandmother who was designed to look and act like Mrs. Doubtfire.

This might all sound pretty strange, but when you are a Morphon-gifted individual working with BADGE, I guess strange is the new normal.

When the Winter Olympiad was announced just after Frostuary, I got excited. What events would there be? Would I be good at any of the challenges?

With the Star Force Junior League, we competed hard during the wars, but we frequently had competitors who were better than us. Leagues that had been around since the dawn of time, or in this dimension, I guess the right term is dawn of Heroes Rising. PAIN. Suffering. Then there were two newer leagues, Bomb Squads 1 and Bomb Squad 2, who were growing in capability. I tried my best, as did some of my teammates, but as a group, we'd only managed to earn silver and bronze awards since I'd joined. 

My disappointment was that the war before I joined, they had placed gold. Was it my fault they fell in the ranks? My mind tells me no, but there is still a tiny voice inside me that says yes.

Eventually, the Winter Olympiad finally arrived and the events were announced. Most Wins. Arm Wrestling. Elemental Battles. Contest of Skills. Cross Country. I'd been practicing my ping pong techniques, so I was sad I wouldn't be able to test them against others again, but despite that change, I started to plot my strategy. I wanted to try my hand at every single challenge. As Eggie would often tell me after my training sessions against Midgardsormr, "The only way you really lose is if you don't try. If you try and don't succeed, you didn't lose, you hopefully LEARNED, which in the end, is more valuable than winning."

Day One: Most Wins:

For this event, I needed to fight and win as often as possible. Now, typically, I would want a fair fight, or a fight against an equal. It never feels good to me to beat up someone who can't defend themselves well. For one day, I put that mindset aside. I needed wins.

I knew that there were lots of BADGE heroes out there that weren't active combatants. They pretty much had given up on their heroic life and didn't do much of anything outside living their ordinary lives. I got their addresses and went out and proceeded to beat them up. 

(Sorry, but I know I wasn't the only one who stepped down to Level One and pummeled a bunch of quitters. Actually, its their fault for giving up. They could have spent some time and gotten better... Right?)

As a shapeshifter, there is a knack to my power as Madam Marvelous. When I get tired, I can shapeshift into a different form and become fully refreshed. I do need to use some boosts to keep it up, like a More-Fun Bar, a bottle of Hatoraide, some candy I got during my Trick-or-Treating efforts, and an occasional Stimpack. (Shhh. Don't tell my parents. Eggie gives me the shots in carefully regulated doses). Using these sanctioned enhancers, I was doing great in the overall event. Nearly top of the leaderboard for my division for most of the game.

Then I met Captain Planet. He was what I thought was any other competitor at first, but then for hours we went toe to toe as we fought for first place. Captain Planet worked out, and worked out hard. 

He was a great competitor. I did my thing. He did his. We both added win after win, but in the end, he managed to trump my efforts. I wasn't disappointed at all. I took second and was only defeated by a competitor who wanted it as badly as I did. We shook hands at the end of the day as friends. Very tired friends.

Day Two: Arm-Wrestling

Let's start out with the obvious. Arm-wrestling, really? At first, it may seem that the beefcakes have the advantage in this challenge. Brawlers who have more muscles than mind. When you are a hero, though, you can't get trapped in the box, so to say. A gifted individual needs to know how best to apply their gifts to every challenge. A person who uses ice powers can freeze a portion of the table beneath their opponent's elbow. A telekinetic can add their mental force to their strength. A talented magic-using hero might cast a hex on their foe.

And a shapeshifter can alter their mass. One of the strongest heroes I know is Gar, and fortunately, he hasn't taken offense at my 'borrowing' and 'copying' his body, and being made of stone definitely gave me an advantage. I managed to defeat many, many, MANY opponents, slamming their hands to the table's surface as a grappled them. I wasn't the most skilled arm wrestler when the day started, but by the end, I'd improved significantly. 

Not as significantly as El Toro Rojo. He really was the Red Bull when he and I faced off. Nothing was going to stop him from winning, I could see it in his eyes, and I was the person holding the red cape in his way to first place. I gave it my all, but he won, fair and square.

A second second. Better than I did in the Summer Olympiad, and I still had three events to go. Things were looking good, because for me in Division 3 in the next event, I was going to be on fire!!!

Day Four: Elemental Battles

I was ready for today. Ever since League War Avalanche and my discovery of my ability to change into pure energy, I'd been practicing shifting into earth, wind, water, and, of course, FIRE. I stepped into this challenge knowing that I was going to be the one to beat.

Once noon arrived, I OWNED that arena. Of the 26 potential opponents that entered alongside me, I went nearly unchallenged in my commanding the top position.

One Gold, two silver down, two more challenges to go. I was less certain about the next event. I would have to think long and hard on what battlefield I wanted to fight upon...

Day Three: Skill Challenges

Fencing. Cooking. Dodgeball. Chess. Dancing. Which was I going to chose?

Well, it didn't take long to realize that dancing wasn't going to be for me. For anyone, to be honest. It turned out there was a bit of a hiccup in the planning for the event and a fear of sexual harassment suits from excessive groping by one of the judges. Not only that, but I also hear that the soundtrack to the event was going to be one song. The Bunny Hop. In the end, it was the right choice.

That left me four choices, but the decision was far easier than I expected. If my triumph in the Elemental battle taught me anything, it was that I was hot and while not the traditional use of the word, I knew how to season AGGRESSIVELY. My volunteer time in the homeless shelter making spicy meals was going to pay off. I entered the cooking challenge. Surprisingly, many people opted for the more physical events, so not only did I place first in this challenge, the league leader of the Star Force Junior League, Arcane Ace, took second and another acquaintance of mine, The Cheese Wiz (ha-ha, how appropriate of him to place in a cooking challenge), came in third.

Had more people taken the chance on this new skill event, things may have been different, but as it was, I had the best dish of the night, a succulent roast duck confit. (No actual duck was harmed in the making of this dish. It was already dead when I started cooking it.)

Two Silver Medals, Two Gold. One to go.

Day Five: Cross-Country

I had an advantage in this event for sure. The ability to become an animal, such as a cheetah, gazelle, or antelope would make handling a ground course much easier. Then when I arrived, I found heroes on rocket ski's, snowmobiles, and any number of other vehicles. It was going to be more challenging than I expected. 

Division 2 had some impressive miles traveled in the beginning rounds. I expected that Division 3 would as well, especially after Hanzo's advice plan for rapid energy gains. There were some who traveled a more than respectable distance, but nothing I couldn't outdo. Then Unearthly Mitch the Lich used some voodoo magic and took first place, traveling over 700 miles. 

I wanted to push myself to see if I could place in all five of the events, but I wasn't sure if I could. I decided to wait until the last possible hour of the competition to enter. That way I knew if I should dare to risk it or if should accept my four medals and get some sleep. Nobody had surpassed Unearthly Mitch. I decided to position myself wisely and go for the gold.

My race started and I hit the slopes running. I made use of several boosts I had available. A can of Energy Drink, some candy corn from my Trick-or-Treating candy bag, a functional MightGlove, and a Spooky Pumpkinegg all gave me enough energy in my system to act like EB without any shapeshifting. I practically bounced down the course.

Unfortunately, not enough to beat Mitch the Lich, but close. I wasn't upset at all. Complaining when I reached first or second place in all of the five events would make me look like a real Karen, and I did my best to not be a Karen.

In the end, I ended up having an outstanding time during the Winter Olympiad, but I felt a tiny bit sad when I realized that all the activity and success of my efforts advanced me to the point I would be in Division 2 next Olympiad. No more being in the lowest tier. I'd be going up against some really big names next time.

Well, good! To be the best, I needed to face the best. Right?!

I hope that what I've done is an example of what can be accomplished if you put your mind to something. While it might have been nice to place Gold in everything and have it all, I didn't. But I did do my best and tried, giving each event I took part in solid effort, and earned rewards for it. Participation is key. 

For those who are interested, Madam Marvelous is a free toon. I've never bought MP on her behalf. She has earned MP rewards from the articles, stories, and challenges presented in game. She has been in a group buy with Villains Inc. as her prize for their contest, won Strange Quark's Kaiju contest around Halloween, and entered into the Heroes Rising Halloween Costume contest. She did donate $20 in real life cash to the Thanksgiving fundraiser, which merited her with one card. She has also been a part of multiple Fiction Forum stories and earned a few Strange Fiction awards for those collaborative efforts.

I'm saying this because I hope more people take part in the multiple opportunities in the community to benefit their characters. A few extra minutes of effort and contribution can make a difference, and more importantly, is fun. I've heard many people say "that's not for me" or "I'm not good at that", but here is the T(ruth). You won't get any better if you don't try.

Keep playing. Keep trying. Take part in the extra-curricular challenges. If you do so, I hope you will find you can get more out of this game, have more fun, and become a bigger part of the community.

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Coloring Event: FREE MPs

It has been a long while since we did one of these, so it's time. Just like always, I provide some of the base sketches for my art that is in the game and you add the color. 

You have the freedom to paint, color, digital paint...whatever...them however you like. There is no bad art when done in the spirit of creative fun. I am not judging these for a contest, don't worry if you feel your art isn't as good as someone else's. If you actually color something, you are ahead of everyone else who did not. 

Rules:

• Select a picture from the posted images below. Color it however you wish. You can print it off and add color physically. You can use digital programs like Adobe, Procreate, Painter, and/or Microsoft Paint to add color. 
• PG-13 or better, keep it family friendly.
• Post the finished pics under the main thread on the Heroes Rising Players page.
• Post your PLAYER ID# with every picture you submit. Do not assume we know your number.
• You will earn a 'good job' power card worth 10mp for each of the first 6 images you submit. Any past 6 will not count.
• Please turn them in on or before March 31st. 

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Olympiads... Are they worth it?

by Lykos
ID: 18321

TANSTAAFL: There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch - and just as in the real Olympics there are going to be winners and losers. When looking through who is winning, you might see a lot of the same names each time near the top of the heap. That can be frustrating and disheartening.

But let's look at the Heroes Olympiads from a different perspective. Just as in the real Olympics, the chance of actually winning the "Big Three" is pretty slim. Only the best of the best get to stand on the podium. So if your Hero isn't the absolute best it can be, sure, you aren't going to end up in the top ranks.

Unlike the Real Olympics though, there are consolation prizes for attempting to participate in many of the events. The first two events gave free MPs to anyone that landed in the top 50 spots. The higher you landed, the more MPs you got.

 
While the Elemental battle is not in that same vein, there is a good possibility the other two days will be. We shall have to wait and see.

 
And finally, there is the Participation Award. If you at least try; you at least show up and do something each day to participate, there will be an award given at the end of the Olympiad to congratulate you on giving it the ole college try.

The Olympiad isn't for everyone. Not every event is going to be your cup of tea. The Trick or Treat event takes effort to go and click on the houses, waiting in line, etc. The Secret Santa requires people to put their gear, powers, bux, and MPs into the pool to get something back.

 
The point here? You have to give to the game to get from the game. If you want the MPs and cool cards, you have to try and participate. If you want to win the Gold, Silver, or Bronze, you have to work hard, and yes, probably spend real world currency to get there. Earn the thousands of free MPs that are offered every month on Forums and Contests.

 
Get involved.

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PIMP Productions: An Interview by the Mayor

By: CJ

Island: 11504
The camera pans open to an image of mayor justice sitting calmly behind his regal desk wearing a ric flair-ish robe, feathered fedora and jeweled pimp cane. The stamp for his production company “politically incorrect mayor productions” (P.I.M.P.) flashes across the screen with the sound effect for peacemaker screaming “eat peace mother£^[#€R”.
Mayor: today we bring to you, in as PG-13 format as I know how to make it. A trio of in game characters, a leading source on building in game on a budget, an in game content creator, author and personality, Mark…Alan… Bisanz.
Mr. Bisanz, you control in game Starmaster, Silver Paladin and Madam Marvelous. All three have made a minor at least stamp on the game for various reasons. Star master as perhaps one of the first true non merit monster toons to join avengers. Yet a toon who has managed to hold its own in that arena. The toon is an enigma. Tell me truthfully how much has been spent on star master? I’m interested in the parts that make this toon. Like, what percentage of its inventory do you believe you grinded for in game? I ask because it relates to a future question.
Mr. bisanz: starmaster (one word) is my original toon for the game. I've spent a fair amount on him. In the almost two years I've played him, it might be fair to say 50/month, but less recently. A fair amount also came from writing articles about his league war experiences, trying to build a league, and other game relevant topics. Most of his gear is from the shuffle, and sometimes he's gotten lucky. Over time, he had managed to collect a fair amount of gear with damage bonuses to the same element, so that has really helped his League War efforts. Oh, and speaking of him, can't forget-- Hail Hydra.
Mayor: Secondly, silver paladin recently ranked second in a raid. And as many do discovered the efforts were for nought. Having harvested no gear from said raid despite attacking efforts. This is a cry often heard by many in the ranks. It almost unilaterally is believed that these drop rates should be improved. The reality is OUR raids. Are not the raids of the past. OUR raids are summoned by developers and are 5 or 6 at best times a year. They are uncommon and serious effort is done to complete them. What do you believe a fair middle ground is between what players want and what we currently have?
Personally I feel either across the board raising of the drop rate or a maximum damage equals 100% drops of various gears, stated in the raid description. Tell me your thoughts?
Mr.Bisanz: RAID events. They are what should be a huge draw to participate in for a game like this. RAID should be synonymous with BIG REWARDS for effort. First, if I had my way about it, RAID gear would be much, much better. What you get from defeating a major Supervillain should be worth having. They are the biggest and the baddest, so why is it that they have the crappiest drops. Their gear should be top notch. Second, make the percentages cumulative on a majority of the power cards. A player who expends maximum effort should be rewarded, not end up with huge XP gains for less rewards. If you are going to level a time or two while participating in a raid, your reward should be at least 10+ quality Power Cards to benefit your character/level. You add 15 cards each time you level, as I'm sure you know, so when you only get 4 or 5, you end up shortchanging yourself compared to how you could get items otherwise. Third, I like the idea of two raid groups, but I think you should be able to choose which one you will fight in. Strong low level toons should be able to fight higher and free-budget players who are weak should be able to use the lower battle to get good rewards that help them compete.
Mayor: Madam marvelous many months ago won a villains incorporated sponsored contest. It was a fiction contest. In my assessment, yours was the superior story in all regards. It was as blow out a victory as could be imagined. It was just a better story and many in VI felt it uniquely captured our true spirit. That of juvenile delinquents given power. What was your muse for this tale?
Mr. Bisanz: Sherlock. The modern version has Sherlock as a Consulting Detective and Moriarty ends up being a Consulting Criminal. Applying the idea of a 911 for villains for the contest flowed out of that inspiration.
Mayor: You have basically made an in game living off of hustling and grinding on game development features. It’s not gone unnoticed. Writing descriptions and articles to lessen the work load on actual game developers, and you seem to be rewarded well for it. As are many others. It’s an aspect of the game that is appreciated. Is there anything in the current development of the game you wish were moving in a different direction. Or something you believe development of is long over due? Something you believe could be a game changer?
Mr. Bisanz: I joined HR because I am a fan of the Superhero genre. It allowed me to recreate an RP character I enjoyed in my youth and breathe new life into him. And I am an overall creative person who is trying to build my writing skill, so taking part in the contests or doing POV stories of my characters helps me on both fronts. I'm also a big fan of participation. If there is an opportunity to do something to help the game and your character to be more fun, then I say go for it. As for the direction of the game, that's a good question. I think the best way I've heard it put is that the game needs more SUPER to it. Content is key. There need to be more patrols or missions, each one focusing on a BIG BAD of the month. Maybe even some Mini-bosses of the week. More elements of the Superhero genre need to be added, such as the ability to upgrade gear, developing personalized powers, and more uses for HQs. What if each month a band of NPC villains attacked player HQ's, rather than PvP only?
Mayor: Interestingly enough a form of this has been recommended in the recent past. The prior manifestation of the game had “the seven deadly sins” most players have superseded the power levels of original npc’s such as the void. The game needs a new level of big bass that are a difficult task for even the best of the best. Something to continue building towards. A new version of the seven deadly sins.
For a very long time it seemed avengers were the untouchable in the game. That water is murky these days. Who do you believe is the most influential league in the game currently? And is it simply a matter of being D1 champ or bust? Or is their other factors that play in?
Mr. Bisanz: I think it depends on if the PvP of League Wars is the main attraction of the game. For many players it is. I still think the Avengers are extremely influential, but that is because I see and hear from them. WMD Black Order is clearly a top-rated league, but what do they do other than take Division 1? I don't know much of what they do as a league beyond my interactions with one of their members. Same thing with 5th Precinct. It seems like they have become insular and only communicate with themselves. The days of friendly rivalries seems to have passed. It is cutthroat us against everyone else except for a few individuals. Villains Inc. members seem to be a driving force behind influencing the game recently, always trying to stir the pot. I wish there were more opportunities for leagues to stand out. Where are the rewards for long-term membership to an organization?
Mayor: The question that branches off of the earlier question for star master… in a game such as this. You have no less than 3 castes. You have people that are least in number, people that spend 100 bucks a week at times.
You have a group of casual spenders that in a successful game should be a majority of your population. These persons spend occasionally, 25 bucks here and there but out value the whales in sheer volume. They are hybrid players. Spenders and grinders and should be your life’s blood. And then you have truly free players that just casually play. Aren’t heavily invested, just want to have fun and provide food for the two castes above happily. What do you believe can be done to nurture and bolster the numbers of these three groups?
What group do you feel is most important to a games development and success?
Mr. Bisanz: I've had some experience with marketing and product development in RL, so I feel like I have ideas that would positively contribute to this topic. First, there needs to be better drive to get and retain new players. I feel that most new toons are alts for people wanting to try new builds. That means that early activities need to onboard new players and make them want to continue playing. That isn't going to happen as long as quality opportunities are bottlenecked by level campers. Slow leveling is one thing, but no-leveling is only going to push new players out when they continuously can't make headway. Second, there need to be clearly defined rules and information for them. There are too many secrets or pitfalls that stifle a new player's enjoyment of the game. I hate to think how many Morphon Points are foolishly spent by new players advancing cards that have no use. Cards like Slip Pulse and early Power Cards from Missions and Patrols shouldn't have the ability to tier. Low level cards like that should only display MP resale prices. Third, more content to keep people interested. The same three events every three months is wearing on long term players. The game is becoming a grind to some people. The game seems to thrive with fresh challenges. Patrol's introduction last year did good things. People loved the trick or treating introduced last year. Great. Tug of War events, not so much. Those need either revamping or left to die.
Mayor: Rapid fire questions. Don’t think. Just react. Don’t worry about hurt feelings. Rivalries make life.
Best over all player in the game… total package in every regard?
Mr. Bisanz: Trace is great. He puts himself out there in many ways, from being DewBee to his advice as Hanzo.
Mayor: Most over rated player?
Mr. Bisanz: Hard to say. I don't know as many players by name and most people have been behaving recently. But that is probably because the last person I had issues with blocked me. Bye bye Kim Horn
Mayor: Most helpful player in regards to helping new players and creating an environment for growth of player base?
Mr. Bisanz: Trace, Alan Gunhouse, you, Chris Evans
Mayor:Player you absolutely can not stand? Don’t look at management. We all know there is someone you can’t stand. There is someone we alllllll can’t stand. I’m trying to help you help them not be so unlikeable lmao. I got like 6 of em’.
Mr. Bisanz: ole shoey
Mayor: Kiss, marry, kill (google it if you don’t know what that is) star master, silver paladin, madam marvelous.
Mr. Bisanz: that’s just a wrong question to ask. Madam marvelous is a teenage girl.
Mayor: How’s her cardio? In a zombie apocalypse could prove useful to trip her. You don’t have to be the fastest, just can’t be the slowest?
Mr. Bisanz: She would just shapeshift into a zombie and join them as they ate me.
Mayor: There you have it folks. Madam marvelous is apparently not the weakest link. As always I thank my gracious guest for his candid and insightful responses. May your days as a member of heroes rising be long and friendships made forever.

Continue the Story

Building Powers from the Bottom Up

by Madam Marvelous
#26130

Hi. As a BADGE probationary field agent, I'm working on earning my training badge. Part of that comes from helping heroes understand how to utilize the different tools available from BADGE to help them be more effective during combat. Today, I want to talk about how powers work.

First, let's start with some thing basic. +1 level = +15 Power Cards

Divine Fire: Tier 5

Every time you gain one level, you can add 5 Attack Power Cards, 5 Defense Power Cards, and 5 Movement Power Cards to your available power counts. 

Level One: 5/5/5

Level Five: 25/25/25

Level One-Hundred: 500/500/500

Level Five-Hundred: 2500/2500/2500

and so on and so on...

Power Cards each have three stats on them. Attack in Red, Defense in Blue, Movement in Green. They can be tiered up from Tier One to Tier Five by paying variable Morphon Point costs. Tier Five gives the card twice the original values in each statistic. A Power Card, like Divine fire goes from being worth 70/25/30 to 140/50/60 if raised to its maximum tier.

Through time and effort, your collection of Power Cards will grow. The question is, how do you best make use of the cards you have. Is tiering every card worth it? It tiering any card worth it? How do Power Cards determine your overall ability score?

Let's start there. A very useful tool you have to answer that question is found under your Powers tab. This is where you can purchase Power Cards for your character. The second option is Train tab, where you will find an option for Power Counts. Select that, and in order, you can find the Power Cards listed from highest value in each of the three categories; Attack, Defense, Movement.

For each of the three categories, your highest value Power Cards for each type of card will be used. So, for a level 100 character, the top 500 ATTack Power Cards will be used to determine your ATTack value, the top 500 DEFense Power Cards will be used to calculate your DEFense number, and your top 500 MOVe Power Cards will add together to form your MOVe. This is all based on the highest value number for the card based on the tier of the card. 

Looking further down on the Power Count list, under the MOVe Power Cards, you can see that the bottom cards being used are very low in value. Two of the bottom three Movement Power Cards are differently tiered Crafty Dodge. There are also 53 Tier 5 Crafty Dodge Power Cards slightly higher up. The highest tiered Crafty Dodge Power Cards have a value of 36/40/50 and there are an additional 31 card with lower values.

Light as Air is a Bux Power Card that if tiered fully would have 20/18/84. It is an option to purchase the Light as Air Card to replace any number of the 84 (53+31) Power Cards with a lower MOVe and gain 2856 toward the Movement total, but it would cause loss of some ATTack and DEFense. Depending on the event, this might be an advantageous option. Remember, all of the total value from Power Cards is modified by the bonuses granted by gear. 

This character being used as an example is below level 60. Even at this level, it is clear to see that Power Cards gained in Fight Clubs, such as Crafty Dodge, Pure Force, and other cards like Ice Shield don't take long to fall into disuse and might actual be best not tiered. 

As you play, you will find that Power Cards come in many different ranges. Which Power Cards you tier, and how much you pay to tier a card is a very important consideration. Cards that have a MP cost of 10MP to tier/level(such as the Teamwork Power Card from League Wars and Ice Kinesis from the Frostuary Event) will cost a total of 40MP to take to Tier 5.

 

They are both ATTack cards, but Ice Kinesis is 38 points higher than Teamwork ATTack value, 3 points lower in DEFense, and 8 points higher in MOVement. That means after tiering, it would be 76 better in ATT, 6 worse in DEF, and 16 better in MOV.

Compare that to the higher value Strong Team Power Card given to higher divisions during league wars. That Power Card costs 20MP to tier one level.

Tiering Strong Team costs twice as much, but the end result is 70 lower in ATT than Ice Kinesis, 12 better in DEF, and 8 lower in MOV at to tier values at a cost of 40MP more.

As long as a player is gaining levels, it is worth considering not tiering cards at all. Often times, the saved MPs can go to purchasing spins on the Nova's Mystery Shuffle and winning quality Gear and Power Cards or be used during BOOST sales to purchase larger quantities while prices are low.

The value of tiering power cards comes competitively when you remain at one level or have all quality cards in your inventory and can essentially double the effective game value of a card.

The exception to this is the top 5 and 20 cards in your deck during Duel or Brawl challenges. Then only the value of the top 5 Power Cards in each category are used for a Duel, or the top 20 Power Cards in a Brawl. Otherwise, tiering your cards may not bring you the best value for your MP collecting efforts.

Continue the Story

The Elemental Ring

 Krystal was walking through New Amsterdam Municipal Park.  

It was a blustery afternoon, and Krystal had a lot on her mind.  She was soon to give birth to her baby, and she needed to decide if she should return to Fae-re, or remain in the H-R dimension.

As she approached the lake, one of those carnivorous trees grabbed a large deer.  Because she had been away from H-R, she was still regaining her saturation of morphons. A great deal of her magic was currently sustaining her baby, so she was at a disadvantage.

Krystal remembered a ring that she had, but rarely needed to use.  She quickly summoned it and slipped it on.  Pointing it at the tree, she engaged it's ability to enhance elemental energies.  

The trunk of the tree began to smoulder on one side, away from the animal.  With a nearly soundless sort of scream, the tree released the animal.

As the deer fled, Krystal directed a stream of snow at the smouldering spot on the tree's trunk.  She had no intention of permanently damaging the tree.

The cooling snow rendered the spot safe, and Krystal had her decision.  She still had work to do in H-R.

Continue the Story

New Activities while Off Duty... while doing Patrols???

by Madam Marvelous
#26130

Doing Patrols is a great way to get to know the local landscape. While searching for villainy in New Amsterdam, you may find an opportunity to play golf. As you chase down escaped prisoners every month in Purgatory Penitentiary, Gentleman Rex may tip his hat to you after playing a game of billiards. After fighting robots in Free Detroit, well, if you're below 8 Mile, there's really nothing to do. You could spend an afternoon investigating the weirdness on Planet X and find a useful Black Market vendor. Even while chasing down mob bosses on the docks of Neo Utopia, a hero may pick up a McGuffin or two (and yes, even after months, I don't have any idea what a McGuffin is or how many I have).  

And then there are the Gyms. Heroes have had the chance to own Billiard Halls, Ping Pong Halls, Push Up Gyms, and Pinball Arcades where players can stop by and take a breather while improving their skill at a variety of activities.

Now, there seem to be more opportunities springing up for off duty fun.

Not to long ago, there was an obsession with chess as seen on The Queen's Gambit. Elizabeth "Beth" Harmon, played by Anna Taylor-Joy(aka Magik from The New Mutants) displayed a potentially Morphon induced ability to see imaginary chess moves projected on the ceiling above her. 

Will that be a feature of the new Chess House? You'll have to stop in and "check" it out to find out.

Other movie buffs may be interested in this new potential skill.

Dodgeball. Yes, the elementary school game that you either loved or hated is now a potential Heroic Olympiad sport. 

Nick Shapiro, world developer, posted this tease recently. I've seen one of the offered activities so far in the Purgatory Penitentiary area.

Fencing. No, not competition for the Black Market shops. Well, I don't think they are, but you never know. Every criminal activity needs a legitimate front I guess. 

In this case, a Sabre Club definitely looks like it might be a contender for the Winter Hero Olympiad event opening on February 8th.

Not every activity looks like it is as competitive in nature. One looks to be good natured and possibly inspired by last Novembers food drive.

Cooking. The Homeless Shelter gives heroes a chance to cook three varieties of meals for those in need; simple, extravagant, or spicy.

Which one is the best? Who knows? My question is what abilities dictate a heroes ability to cook? If it is Attack, well, that's just wrong to be doing to our homeless. Defense is likely a good guess, because the only time I really need to Move is when the food is bad, bad, bad, and I need to visit Mr. Porcelain. 

Will this mean we will see new Gyms sprouting up? I hope so. It would be nice to see some new businesses to open up and give opportunities to others in the communities they reside in.

If you are trying to grow these off-duty skills, here are a few small hints to be more effective:

1) Use Gear and Consumables to enhance your effort. 

2) Don't be too eager to press the button. If you come across a While on Patrol... window with two Community Center choices, select one to find which one it offers. One will be for Dodgeball and the other for Ping Pong. If you select one, but want the other, exit out of the window and choose the other option. Until you choose which method you want, such as Forceful, Cautious, or Gentle for example, you can backtrack and get the option you want.

3) The points you collect in these skills are important to using the ability, but other statistics will also factor into the calculation. Watch out for further posts that will explain how to enhance your skills as they become available.

Continue the Story

Heroes Rising Fiction: Grandfather Time Part 6

 Heroes rushed to the League Wars Orbital Arena after Gar’s call. The place where they often competed against one another became a unified battlefield against a single foe. Quickly, Father Time realized he was overwhelmed and used his unique talents to split himself into two beings to face off against the enemy on two fronts.

Father Time used his newly crafted clock-staff to blast out waves of temporal energy. Fleagle rushed across the field, heading directly for Father Time when one of those blasts hit and he was encapsulated in a bubble of frozen time, leaving him mid-jump at his enemy. Two more heroes tried a sneak attack and were turned into babies for the effort.

“GRAB THEM BEFORE THEY GET STOMPED ON!” Astra yelled at Doug.

Doug grabbed one baby and dodged a blast of energy. Sliding to Astra’s side, both were now in custody of screaming, naked infants that were heroes moments ago. Doug said, “how can we fight him?”

“Dunno. Just don’t get hit!” Astra shoved him aside, and both barely missed being frozen in time.

“OVER HERE!” Aflima rushed by, also holding a baby.

Astra asked, “who...”

“It’s Rosa, just move!” Aflima ran straight at Nova.

Doug zig-zagged slightly as he ran behind them. “Hope you gotta plan!”

“First, don’t get turned into an infant. Second, get them with the others!” Aflima was shoved right into Astra and both were hit by Doug when he crashed into them.

Crossroads jumped back, having pushed them out of the line of fire for a time blast. “Careful you three...uh....six...oh, crud, more babies!”

Astra was quick to stand and pulled Doug up with one arm. “Yes.”

“This is bad.” Crossroads said. “We can’t hit him, we can’t fight him, and before long, BADGE is going to be nothing but a daycare.”

Krystal Fae ran as best as she could in her condition and used her own power to deflect a time blast. “Get them behind the time line. NOW!” She swung her hands in the air and another blast was deflected.

“The...what?” Astra asked.

“Over there!” Aflima pointed at Nova.

Without further questions, all three, each carrying a baby still, ran hard. Soon, they got to Nova. He had his hands up and a strange energy came from them.

“Nova? What...WATCH OUT!” Doug flinched as a time blast came right at them. Just as it met Nova, a barrier of energy crackled and the blast was dissipated.

“What is this?” Astra asked.

Nova, straining to hold his stance, said, “those of us with time powers are creating a barrier to keep Father Time restrained. He can’t leave this place while we are holding him captive, but we can’t do this forever.”

Aflima set the infant down among a gathering of other crying babies. “Look at how many are here.”

“And there are more.” Crossroads said, pointing out to the new crop of infants.

“This is insanity. We fought Jinn, and it wasn’t this...impossible.” Doug said.

Nova made a strange grunting noise and then said, “we won’t be able to hold this line forever. If we drop it, he’ll get out of here in a fraction of a second.”

“I don’t know what to do. All the heroes with time powers are making up this line.” Crossroads said.

“What is she doing?” Astra pointed out at Chase, who was running head-long at the nearest incarnation of Father Time.

Nova grunted again. “I don’t know, but she must have a plan. All of you, go save babies before something happens to them.”

“On it.” Aflima tightened her gloves and lead the charge back out into the fray.

Chase dashed across the field, jumping over infants, side stepping frozen heroes, and dodging more than one time blast from her own grandfather.

“Crap, he’s onto me.” Chase muttered as she saw Father Time change his time-shifting moves and now had his eyes set on her. There was a toying smile on his face as though he was eager for her to try something.

She threw her blades, but he was quick to shift away from her throws. Her blades were magical and could re-materialize in her hands, but they took longer than she needed, considering how fast he was.

A blast hit her and she found herself frozen in time. Yet, it was as though she were inside a pocket of thick air with a light fog around her. The people outside were moving so fast, but then she could see the others frozen in time that were still stopped. Why could she tell the difference? She moved her hand, and it slid through this.

“Time must work different for me, or it’s because we are family.” She said, which echoed oddly around this pocket of space.

Pushing her way through this, she dropped out of the pocket and was back in normal time. There was a look of genuine shock and some fear in the eyes of her grandfather.

“Not this time, Grampa!” she yelled and made another dash for him, far more confident for her safety now.

“I have more than one trick, little girl.” Suddenly, two father times were in front of her. The other that had been battling on the other side of the arena showed up.

Half a dozen blasts of energy came after the second figure and he was forced to shift away.

Furious Squirrel yelled as he used two steampunk blasters to shoot. “WHATEVER YOU’RE TRYING TO DO, DO IT!”

Chase had her opening. She threw her blades and between her and Furious, the duo Father Times were kept off guard. Soon a dozen more remaining heroes went after the second Father Time and he was pushed back further and further.

Sliding across the field like a baseball player stealing second, Chase dodged one last blast and reached her target. Before he could shift away, she put her hand on his staff. He shifted, but took her with him. Both vanished and reappeared seven times before he realized he couldn’t shake her.

“Let go!” He tried yanking his staff from her hand.

She pulled back and punched him right in the face. “Not a chance.”

Father Time let go of his staff and fell down. His doppelgänger vanished instantly as he lost control of the supreme power of the clock.

Chase, holding his staff, said, “looks like you’re pretty weak without this.”

“Don’t underestimate me.” He vanished away. There came a great wave of energy across the barrier, still being produced by the time heroes around the perimeter. Father Time reappeared and rolled across the ground. When he came to a stop, he coughed hard and looked at Nova. “Fools, you can’t trap time!”

“Looks like they can.” Chase reached up to rip the clock free from his staff.

“NO! YOU CAN’T! IT’S TOO DANGEROUS.” Father Time cried.

Chase plucked the clock free, and she was instantly overwhelmed by a peculiar power. Everything around her froze in time. This differed from before. She wasn’t stuck, everything else was simply stopped. Holding the clock, she could feel time. She was certain she could move it like one might move leaves on the surface of a pond. It was an awesome, terrifying feeling.

Looking at the gathered babies off to the side, she waved her hand and they were all transformed back into adults. Then the bubbles of frozen time trapping heroes were dissolved away, freeing the heroes inside.

Holding the clock, she focused her mind on it and slowly severed it from the flow of time. Once again, it would be returned to just being a powerful relic.

Without even trying, her own powers activated, and she was exposed to raw time. She looked up and saw a handsome man standing on the other BADGE station, wearing what looked like an ancient Greek outfit. Nova said to him, “I now know the truth thanks to you, you have earned my trust.” Then she saw a man hovering over a burning city, dressed in an ominous gray super suit, his skin colorless, his eyes glowing, and the bodies of heroes littering the ground amongst the fire.

She was thrust out of that and back into normal time. Santa had the clock in his hands now. “Angela, are you okay?”

“I don’t know. I just had the strangest experience while holding that.”

“The clock is extremely powerful. You’re not accustomed to it. It can do odd things to the mind. You need rest and you’ll feel better.”

Chase held her head. “Rest would be nice. We can take my grandfather...where is he?”

Nova came up. “The moment we broke the barrier, he shifted away.”

Santa smiled. “He’s weak and injured after all this. I doubt we’ll see him for a long time...no pun intended.”

Chase saw the heroes around helping each other, most gathering clothing to return to the naked heroes that had been babies. Rutkowski and Peyton were arguing as they headed for the nearest shuttle. EB hopped around, giving heroes chocolate eggs.

Nova gestured toward the landing bay. “Let’s get back to the station and get the clock to a secure location.”

“Sounds like a fine plan.” Santa followed them out of the Arena.

Continue the Story

Just Playing The Game Makes You Competitive

Player ID: 23278

Just wanted to share something about my main toon with the free and budget players when it comes to collecting gear. I have 40 gear slots on my main. That toon has been considered an elite toon by many since the beginning of the game. My current suit does pretty dang good. It has 6 pieces of gear acquired outside the shuffle. 2 from the regular store, 2 from raids, and 2 from patrols. In fact, all 3 locations have some really good pieces of gear for free and budget players. Purgatory, Neo Utopia, and Planet X all have interesting gear to be got.

The two fights below are cool examples. In the one where I am in a sup nat core, I have only 2 store gear on, and the rest is shuffle. In the one with a magic core, I have 2 store bought gear, 2 raid gear, and 2 patrol gear.

My point is, just cuz your gear isn't "premium shuffle gear" doesn't mean it can't still kick ass. So keep collecting, even the gear that isn't "premier".

Continue the Story

"How They Got There" Collaborative Fiction

 

Five players responded to the challenge to describe how their characters got to the BADGE Stellar Arena for the Father Time's Bogus Journey. (That's five out of the over 250 toons that participated in the event. I think we can do better than that.)

My thanks go out to Astra, Furious Squirrel, Aflima, Crossroads, and Krystal Fae for taking part. Each of you will receive at minimum 2 Reality Writer cards for your efforts.

I hope everyone takes a moment to read the entries, which I will include below. Top Marks go to Aflima and Crossroads for their descriptive tales about how they got to the Stellar Arena, use of other player's characters, set-up for their departure, and their eventual arrival. They wove the current in-game events into their story from their character's perspectives.

Aflima Arrives

"Just shows you can't trust known baddies," grunted Aflima as he opened the hatch to the spacecraft. His arm was still not 100% from a previous situation that he and his team encountered, but he didn't want to worry his friend. (editor's note: This refers back to a different Fiction Forum story that Aflima is taking part in. Please check it out at 

Rosa, also known as Macaia's Daughter, slid in behind him. The spacecraft was on the small side, but since the BADGE aeronautics team had their crack at making the vehicle souped up for rapid-flight, it wasn't a bother.

"You could zoom off ahead. Your ability does enable you to handle a lack of atmosphere for a good bit," offered Rosa.

Aflima chuckled. "No way, it won't take long. Besides..."

"I KNOW, I'm not a good driver," Rosa pouted, before settling back in her seat. She buckled her belts.

The spacecraft burst from the ground, the G-forces throwing both Aflima and Rosa hard against their chairs as they rocketed away.

"The AI will be able to handle things until we approach the station. Get your helmet on, Rosa!" Aflima called out loudly. Rosa followed the command without hesitation.

In rapid time they were outside the Earth's atmosphere and soon approaching BADGE's Orbital Station. Aflima from the cockpit could see a number of other space vessels approaching as well as smaller figures which he figured to be heroes with space flight capabilities.

"Can we get in through there?" asked Rosa as she pointed to an object near the arena. The object glowed bright and spun slowly.

"Why, I do believe someone's set up a direct portal for us," smiled Aflima. "Well done, Crossroads. Rosa... ready?"

"Ready."

"Hatch opening now. Grab my hand."

Aflima, partially ablaze, turned and grabbed Rosa by her shoulders. Together they flew toward the portal gate that would place them in the arena for a battle unlike any other.

Crossroads Arrival (She chronologically got there first, but Father Time was messing with clocks, so deal with it.)

Allison was tending bar, again.

"I swear, Alex," Allyson complained, "if Bobby calls off again you need to fire is butt. This is the third time this week. I do have a life, you know! I mean, I fight crime and I've been more reliable lately than Bobby!"

"I know and I really appreciate this, Ally!" Alex answered, trying to calm her down.

Alex was well aware of Allyson's abilities and other life as Crossroads the superhero, the entire night staff was. After all, last year when those gunman burst into the restaurant, she saved them all by dropping them all through a portal to a hotel across town. Unfortunately, she was turned into a cat. An event that Allyson definitely does not like to be reminded of.

"Well, we're dead right now and will be closing up in hour, anyway, so why don't you take off and let me close up your station tonight?" Alex offered.

"Really?! Your the best, Alex!" Allyson chirped with a bright smile while she struggled to untie her apron.


Allyson felt a weird wave of...something wash over her. Just then, a group of eight men pushed through the doors. From the way they were dressed, it looked like an episode of "What Not To Wear." An eye-tearing mix of frat boy "whatever is most clean" and "wannabe hipster from WallyWorld" clothing on what were obviously hired muscle. They were belligerent and ready to cause trouble.

Allyson froze for only a second. She knew these guys. But what were they doing here? The leader of the group was dead. She was told that Morganna killed him for failing to capture Allyson. All the rest of these guys were in prison! She reacted immediately.

While the gang was still approaching the bar, Allyson created a portal large enough to drop the entire group through and aimed it at Purgatory Penitentiary. A couple of tables and chairs went with them, but that was a small price to pay for the safety of everyone here.

At that moment an alert came over Ally's BADGE communicator. Gar's voice came over the speaker.“Heroes, Father Time has betrayed us. Get to the League Wars Arena! All heroes! FIGHT!”

Allyson, looked at Alex. "Sorry about the tables and chairs, I'll get them back as soon as I can, but right now, I have to go!"

Alex nodded and said, "I understand, just go and..." But she was already gone.

"...be careful, Ally." Alex finished in a whisper.

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Crossroads stepped through a portal right onto the Stellar Arena's observation deck. The area was getting crowded and heroes kept arriving. She looked out the large crystoplast window and saw a multitude of shuttle and ships waiting to dock and offload their passengers. The shuttle bay crews were expediting landings and leavings quickly, but the number of ships waiting were increasing.

Knowing that many of the incoming heroes could fly and survive in space, she created several one-way portals among the waiting ships, letting the dimensional energies bleed out just a bit so each portal was surrounded by a very visible swirl of color. The exit point for the portals was along the wall of the Observation Deck. Those approaching the portals in space could see the into the Observation Deck, but those in the station, could only see a grey void. Making portals one-way meant that the atmosphere of the Stellar Arena wasn't being sucked out into the vacuum of space, along with all the loose objects and people.

Crossroads hurried off to see if she could find her league mates and go over any battles plans that may have been made. She was all for just attacking an enemy en masse, but Father Time was going to require a little bit more than beserker ass-kicking.

Both of these stories will earn the reward of 460MP, for being the first featured story for each as well as being featured on the Sentinel News. That's enough for two triple-spins on the Nova's Mystery Shuffle should they choose to use them that way.

Each of the other three entries do a good job of highlighting their characters, a bit of what their powers are, where they are when they get the call, and other interesting tidbits of information. A big round of applause for Astra, Furious Squirrel, and Krystal Fae. 

Astra Arrives with Doug

Keri (Astra) and Doug were laying in the back of his pick-up staring at the night sky. They were counting shooting stars out in the field away from the lights of the city or even the small towns they grew up in. They had been doing this since they were two small boys.

"You know," Keri started, "people might get the wrong idea about you and me now that I'm a young woman." She stared at the falling stars. She put her hands behind her head, she thought it was funny how people looked at her now.

"Let them," Doug replied. "We've known each other since we were in diapers. You're still my best friend even if you are a young woman, now. It has taken me months to stop calling you Kevin. It's not like I can really do anything to you. I'm afraid of what your new mom would do to me even if I could. You heard EB, she has a bad temper." Keri laughed at that.

Just then they saw a familiar truck driving down the road. It was the same truck they were laying in the back of. "Oh, my, I think time is still fracturing," Keri stated in awe.

“Heroes, Father Time has betrayed us. Get to the League Wars Arena! All heroes! FIGHT!” Came over their communicators. It was Gar's voice.

"Astra here, Doug and I are on our way," Keri confirmed. She activated the psionic responsive nanites and she was in costume. In a flash of red psionic energy they were gone.

Furious Squirrel Arrives

Furious Squirrel was fighting crime on the mean streets of Neo Utopia. He got a signal from Gar that there was somthing going down in the arena. He jumped into his steampowered super dirigible and blasted off. this is no ordinary dirigible, it used mp for power. it can fly into space. He raced to the arena and landed in the middle of the field, steampunk pistols ready to blast mr time in his old butt.

Krystal Fae Arrives

Krystal was trying to ease a cramp in her distended abdomen.,. fortunately, yoga stretches seemed to help.

As the cramp eased, Krystal felt... well... not quite a wave of nausea, but something close to it... something was different.

From her bedside table, her B,A.D.G,E. comm sounded. She summoned it to it's usual spot on her wrist, then activated the unit.

The voice of Gar sounded from the speaker, and it sounded distressed.

"Heroes, Father Time has betrayed us. Get to the League Wars Arena! All Heroes! FIGHT!"

Krystal sighed, summoned her armor, and teleported to the staging area,

Each of these different scenes show different points of view on the same situation. Together, they become a collaborative fiction story. Participants in collaborative fiction stories are eligible for a monthly reward called "Collaborative Fiction Best of the Month". This reward is based on participation and quality, and may earn participants 2+ Strange Fiction Power Cards worth 120MP each.

So, hopefully some of you can now see that by participating in the Fiction Forum or joining others in collaborative fiction threads, there are worthwhile rewards for your efforts, on top of helping your hero become more well known in the Heroes Rising Community. 

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