Say what you want, but I’ve been a fan of the super booster packs that Paragon Studios has been bringing out for City of Heroes. And the latest, full of Ninja-y goodness is one of the best yet. Let’s see: new weapons for those who wield blades, great costume parts from Sexy Jay, and a little something called Ninja Run What an excellent power! Starting at level 4, you can run faster than sprint, jump higher than hurdle, and look crazy awesome as you flip while jumping. As could be expected, Atlas Park is currently City of Ninjas, but once the initial excitement dies down I think things will fall back into balance. With only one super booster origin to go (Mutation), now all I can do is wait anxiously for the Going Rogue beta. Hopefully it starts in time for my birthday in February!

Yup, it’s been years, but for the last few days Chris and I have been having a serious blast playing Tsu and Blue again on Triumph (well, whenever the lag spike monster doesn’t get us, that is). We’re working our way through flashback missions and accumulating plenty of prestige, salvage for the base, and merits. I’m especially enjoying being able to customize their powers; blue now has apropriately ‘blue’ energy melee, while Tsu is enjoying some retro costume goodness from her original build. (Thank goodness I saved them on test!)

Well this years Deadly Apocalypse was a blast. Don’t know if all of you had as much fun as I did, but I enjoyed chasing down the banners and defeating the giant monsters. Of course, smacking down a few zombies is always a good time, and let’s never forget the original Trick or Treat I don’t know if as many people participated in these events as in years past, but I do know that the best is yet to come.

Fire is the best blaster set.

Let that sink in. FIRE is the best blaster primary power set.
“Uncle Dave, why is Fire the best blaster primary set?”
I’m glad you asked, children. Answer me this; what is a blaster’s job?
“Ranged damage!”
Correct. Now every set has a signature secondary effect. Ice has nifty Slow, Electricity has end drain, Assault Rife has a mixed bag of knockback and debuff, Archery has… uh… hmm… suck (but that’s a whole nother post). The point is; Fire’s secondary effect is: more damage! No other set gives you more unresisted damage options. Let’s have a look…

PAIN DOMINATION

Nullify Pain
- Nullify Pain will heal nearby allies for some hit points by numbing the pain caused
by their wounds. Nullify pain is not as potent as soothe, but can heal multiple targets
at once.

Soothe
- You heal an ally by numbing their pain and calming their mind. You cannot use this
power on yourself.

Share Pain
- Share Pain draws away some of an ally’s anguish caused by their wounds, but damages
the user. The pain caused by this power causes the user to go into a frenzy, briefly
increasing their damage output.

SHIELDS - Tanks

Deflection
- Your mastery of the shield allows you to easily deflect melee attacks and attacks
that do get through your ironclad defenses tend to do less damage. While active defense
is active the user will gain defense to melee attacks and some minor resistance to
lethal and smashing damage. Recharge: Fast

Battle Agility
- Your incredible reflexes allow you to position your shield to deflect incoming ranged
damage. While deflection is active you will benefit from increased ranged and AOE
defense as well as some moderate protection from Defense debuffs. Recharge: Fast

You guessed right, this is the NEW power included with the $9.99 cyborg pack. Which will be available TOMORROW in the NCSoft store. You know you have to have it - also some great new auras, including a heads-up display and a full costume set of (what else) cyborg costume pieces. How many of you will be buying it?

Hint: I will.