You want to pay attention to your stats, primarily your superstats, in relation to your skills and your character concept, NOT in relation to what the game tells you on the build screen.  Do not trust that the recommended stats for a build at character creation are actually what you should be using.  For example, whatever the recommended stats for a build are, if you want to crit often & hard, you go Dex/Ego.  If you choose either stat on its own for crit purposes, you'll be disappointed. 

Some skills are affected by a stat, frequently that stat isn't one of the recommended stats for the build.  Ego blades does not scale with ego (although I've read that one may be a bug).  For ice, dex only affects the secondary (energy resistance) function of Ice form, and nothing else in the build, and without ego, it isn't doing much for you as far as crits either. The ice form elemental damage multiplier actual scales with End (which isn't a recommended stat).

And then there's simply choosing stats for how you want your character. Some stats are complementary (dex/ego- one increases the chance of crits, the the other the magnitude) - you may want tons of HP, high str for melee dmg, etc...  Because of this I always use custom framework even if choosing both powers from the same set in order to choose which stats get the initial bonuses (although in the long run, the level 1 framework stat bonuses are not really that important).

Looks like Beta has opened up to everybody.  I'm in the download queue now. This is great for me as with all the for & against going on here I'd decided I wasn't going to buy the game, instead waiting for game release & some polish (or DC's release - whichever came first).

it's funny how they open the beta to everyone with only a few days left.  they did the same thing with City of Heroes too.

Yeah.  I'm personally glad they did this - I'm really on the fence for this game.  I couldn't really get into CoH (however I loved CoV - purely for the Mastermind).  I just don't like the look they've gone for - I give them credit for originality, but blech.

That said, I'm willing to try it out.  Especially if it is free.

Looks like Beta has opend up to everybody.  I'm in the download queue now. This is great for me as with all the for & against going on here I'd decided I wasn't going to buy the game, instead waiting for game release & some polish (or DC's release - whichever came first).

I also like the Lone-Lands, especially as you get past Ost Garuth into the Red Pass, Agamar, and Garth Agarwen.  I have a set group, a Gaurdian, Warden, and Rune-keeper (me), and that was the first area were we really were consistently challenged.

Also, you need to push to find a full group (hopefully a good one) to do the Barrows and Retaking Weathertop.  You really need to see a couple of the epic group instances, and those are both great ones.  I'm sure people can post others to do as well.

...but keep in mind that you're not going to really see what the captain is all about until you get to the higher levels.

Basically all of the hybrids have this issue - they don't really shine until they have received all of the various types of abilities in their arsenal.  Burglars suffer from this also.  Expect a period of hell in mid-levels where (mid-30's on a burglar, not sure where on a captain) where you'll have real issues soloing based on a) being a little behind on the power to level curve, b) having to relearn how to play the class as it morphs into its final role.

I have a 32 burglar that I'm having real issues with right now, can solo great against 1 or 2 mobs even if they are elites, however I can't control agro at all. No biggie, I've always sucked at stealth classes.  I also have a 44 Champion (loads of fun if a bit one dimensional) and a 33 Runekeeper (love it- however have a set 3-man group so don't' have any solo issues), so no biggie if I suck with the burglar 

That was a pretty cool video.  Would love to get into this beta.

I'm a bit disappointed that it seems so close to City of Heroes in look, sound & character creation; it is essentially City of Heroes on steroids. I'm still very interested in playing, however wish it had more of a unique feel.

Look very interesting!

You really should give Malkavian a shot. It makes for a completely different game.

Thanks Aganazer - that gives me hope.  I'll just have to be patient & judge when I am finally allowed to play it.

What the heck does that mean though?  I'm not saying I want a "click and get a sandwich" game, but is this a console twitchfest? Is it AOC style of active combat?  More thought and faster combat is fine, what I don't want is to sit in front of a computer and think - 'this game COULD be great, if it was designed to take into account features a computer has'.  

Consolitis to me means a) it looks like a console game (poor resolution ports are a great example), b) it plays like one (this one is getting more & more blurry with time though), and c) it doesn't take advantage of the computer vs. console (i.e. plays better on a gamepad than keyboard & mouse) - this one is a gamekiller.    

I'd be curious to Aganazer's response to the 'consolitis' issue?  I can deal with consolitis in a great single player game as you only have to deal with it until you finish the game; I'm not willing to put up with in in an MMO.   

There seem to be a few of us who crave MMO's however aren't happy with the current selection and are really waiting for the next round of releases. Anybody interested in choosing one to park in for a few months until Champions comes out?  While there aren't many out right now I want get involved over a long term with, there are a few I remember as fun for a short term.

as a FYI - I was the Wargus in the Wanderer's guild in AOC (was primarily playing a HoX and a Bear Shaman).

Every time I read about this, I get more & more interested. Then again I am a MMO whore.   

System Shock 2 is fantastic. Also, while maybe not classic, if you play Vampire Masquerade play as Malkavian and you'll be in for a treat. It is almost a completely different game.  Those are both on my list (although I'll have to find a copy of System Shock, not sure I still have mine).

Gameplay aside, I had some great moments playing the game with friends.  I'll never forget the first time we found "The Pit of Despair".  If you pay attention to the signs there is some subtle (& not so) comedy in the game.