Ten things to know when starting Champions Online

Every time a new MMO launches, there's always a good list of things that wouldn't hurt for a new player to know, and Champions Online is no different. We're all about making your first steps into an unknown game as grief free as possible, so check out Syp's list if you're interested in such a proposal. He's got a very good rundown on things you need to know when entering the tutorial zone.

The first tip is likely the biggest one to remember. Your stats really do matter in Champions Online, so for all you City of Heroes players looking to check it out, keep that in mind. The second one we recommend all people take notice of is the "Get a Defensive Power" tip, which really is a must for the game, even if you're not planning on soloing too much -- but supremely important if you're gonna go that route.

Reader Comments (14)

I see 2 tips?

wait sorry, I skiped to the tips and didnt realize you linked to the real list

A quick tip about costume creation- Subtlety will go far in making a costume rich and rewarding. As much fun as bold, duo-colored costumes might be- you start to realize that your mecha suit is looking kind of like a clown...

Also remember this game is NOT for us older folks (late 30's up) as it's a massive button mashing-a-thon.. if you value your fingers and them working as they should avoid this game.

That's actually a really good tip. I've been suffering a lot of hand strain lately, and the last thing I need is a twitchy game. I'm starting to wonder if I'm developing carpal tunnel syndrome. :(

Honestly, I don't find CO to require much more button mashing than other MMO's.

I've heard that in earlier betas you had to keep activating your energy building power, but now it's a toggle unless you turn it off. In fact, there is a gameplay setting that lets you make it even less clicky by setting it to never toggle off -- even when you change targets.

The only time you really have to mash the keys is if you're held. That's still a far sight better than DDO where you are constantly clicking the mouse to attack.

I'm a sadly un-athletic 33 y/o gamer and the only finger trauma I had was in the wrist from playing the dang thing too much. In fact I seem to be surviving pretty well *ghasp* *horror* clicking my powers and mouse turning with forward mapped to my thumb button.

I do not find Champions problematic in that area - controls are a bit different from other MMOs and combat is fast. But with the energy builder being a toggle it works quite well I think without too much mashing.

And I am in mid-40s, so I am also in the not that young crowd.

Actually CO is much better than most MMOG's for hand strain.

I am 36 and a full time programmer. I've been dealing with RSI issues for over a decade. A Belkin n52t has saved me in the past, but this time its the X-Box controller. This is one of the few MMOG's that can be played with a controller like that. Its putting much less strain on my hands mainly because I have my hands in a position that is different from my normal mouse/keyboard.

I agree with Aganazer; I switched to a 360 controller early on, and haven't looked back since. It's the first time I've used a controller for an MMO, and it plays nicely to CO's system. You won't leave the keyboard and mouse entirely, since there's still a lot of non-implemented tasks they haven't coded yet or are bugged for the controller, but easily 75% of my play is on the controller, and most of it is combat.

Either way, I can't recommend enough to switch to a controller; the only thing it doesn't do quite as well is with the free camera, which I can whip around with a mouse more easily for screenshots and such. Other than that, it's a hand/forearm saver.

There is a lot of button mashing if you attempt PVP. You have to tap to get out of crowd control.

I think most of the 10 Tips are really good. 1 through 6 are must reads for new players.

I posted in another forum that one of my major complaints about Champions is the lack of information on their site. I know they are publishing more now, but I hope they take a page from Blizzard's book and make their website as detailed as worldofwarcraft.com.

It is nice when Blizzard announces a new Battleground, they also throw up a webpage with a map, info, some fiction, etc....

Also my friends and I started a new Podcast Dedicated to Champions Online. Check it out please @ www.slashcry.com It is a weekly podcast dedicated to Champions Online.

All those who are having wrist issues at whatever age, look at your posture and your wrist positioning. My piano teacher beat the proper wrist position into my wrists at 5 and I have never had a single RSI issue since. And if you think about the number of piano players that play into their 80s, you'll start to realize why. I often wonder why this isn't pushed more.

Back to the game, I look forward to trying it out.

i thought the game played like a bad PC port of a console game... good to see this confirmed by ppl saying it is best played with a console controller.

Ten things to know when starting Champions Online

Reader Comments (14)

Posted: Aug 26th 2009 3:14PM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Aug 26th 2009 5:11PM Evy said

Posted: Aug 26th 2009 5:36PM aurickle said

Posted: Aug 26th 2009 6:16PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 26th 2009 7:12PM Sente said

Posted: Aug 26th 2009 8:23PM Aganazer said

Posted: Aug 26th 2009 11:12PM ZenJitsu said

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