Latest revision as of 23:19, 19 February 2014

How to Level Faster ... without PL or Farming

First things first this is article is purely my opinion and the way I generally go about getting a character through the security levels quickly. Everyone has an opinion and their own way of playing the game so take what I say and use whatever you like and discard the rest. I frequently wish people I have teamed with before I log off good luck and tell them to have fun. No matter what COH/COV is a game and you play a game to have FUN!

Early Levels (1-7)

1. Regardless of how long you have been playing do the tutorial.

• no matter which side (COH or COV) there is a badge available you will be hard pressed to get if you don't (although the Isolator Badge is now available by doing mission through Ouroboros).
• This allows you to arrive in Atlas Park or Galaxy City as a 2 level so you can already train and gain an addition power before ever running a mission.

2. Run enough missions from your initial contact to accomplish two things:

• They will sell you any type of Inspirations.
• Get to level 4.

3. Find a Sewer team and head under the neighborhood.

• A good PUG sewer team facing the larger mobs of Hellions , Vahzilok , and The Lost will quickly take you from level 4 to level 7. I've seen this take as little as 30 minutes on a 7 to 8 man team.

Level 7 through 14

1. Head to Kings Row and contact whichever Detective you're assigned and start doing Police Radio missions.

• Any other contacts are going to start sending you to different zones but the radio missions will always be right there in Kings Row so this definitely cuts down on the time running to the train and back between missions.
• Other contacts will normally make you do a few missions before they give you the ability to contact them without physically being in front of them. Once again this cuts down your time running back and forth just to get another mission because as soon as you step outside of a radio mission you can get another no matter where you are on the map.
• After 3 radio missions you'll be told to see the Detective and offered your first Safeguard Mission to protect the Atlas Park Bank. This mission is HUGE in regard to saving time because once you stop the bank robbery you get the Raptor Pack as a temporary power and have 2 hours of actual in flight use before it runs out. Now you can fly and get to any mission faster.

2. Find a good team and run missions

• I don't care if you are an 8 level or a 49 level the game is designed for team work and you face more villains and see more lieutenants and bosses (which of course give out greater XP) on a team than you do solo.

3. Don't avoid badges but don't panic over getting them

• Before Ouroboros came along serious badgers would slowly grind through a contact's missions until they finally got that one mission that awarded a badge. In some cases this was fairly easy since the very first mission the contact gave was the badge mission but in other cases a player might have to do any number of missions that took them to zones all over the city just to reach the one that awards the badge. Now keep in mind that you can always go back in time and do JUST the badge mission from any contact once you pass that level. Above level 25, when time travel begins, you can travel back after any mission badge from 6 through 24 as an example.

4. Exploration Badges are your FRIEND

• At level 14, once I have my permanent travel power, I do an exploration badge run. A lot of players view these badges as worthless and don't want to take the time to locate them. But exploration badge do award XP and by level 14 it is enough that by taking a little time and getting all the badges in Atlas Park , Galaxy City , Kings Row , Steel Canyon , and Skyway City you can actually see your experience bar go up several bubbles (blocks... whatever you refer to them as).
• Also certain exploration badges, including ones at these levels, are a requirement for some of the Accolades available that reward you with added hit points, more endurance, etc. So do you want to go ahead and get them now? or have to run back after them later?

5. Join a Super Group

1. While this isn't mandatory for anyone, and there are players out there that don't belong to any group at all, there are advantages if that SG is established and has full services.

• A good sized SG will give you the opportunity to teleport, via the base, to as many as 22 zones in the game. At any level this can save you a good deal of travel time between missions.

• A good SG will provide you with a personal storage vault for your invention salvage so you don't need to sell or craft as often. Best part is if your group has a few coalitions formed even if your base doesn't have a vault but one of the coalition groups does you have access to their vault for storage.

• A good SG will provide enhancement storage so you can store any IO enhancements you make but want to sell so you don't need to run to Wentworth's as often for that as well.

• A good SG will have inspiration collectors, and some even stock them so you have quick access to inspirations even during a task force or trial.

2. An active SG provides you with potential team mates so you have a better chance of finding a team so you can level faster. If that group has coalitions you also gain access to those players through coalition chat for even more potential team mates.

3. If you join a group and discover it's not providing you with any support or simply find you don't mix well with the other members don't be afraid to QUIT. There are thousands of them out there so why stay with one that isn't giving you what you need? Of course if you have joined a new group starting out with some friends it will take time to earn the prestige needed to build the base but if you join one advertising all sorts of services and they simply don't exist ... shop around for another.

6. Unless your build simply doesn't make it possible, don't be afraid to solo

• No matter what there are going to be times when you log on where you just can't seem to find anyone that wants to team or any team looking for more members. As long as your character's build allows you to solo without dying and accumulating debt run solo missions and advertise that you're looking for team (LTF) between. Solo missions may not pay off as well in XP as an 8 man team but if you do 2-3 solo missions before getting an invite it's better than standing around for 20-30 minutes begging to join a team and getting no XP at all.

Level 15 to 20

1. Run the missions in Faultline

• These offer up some good, short story arcs and unlike a lot of other zones every mission a contact in Faultline gives is located somewhere in Faultline . Once again you are saving time by not running from one zone to another. While you are there pick up the exploration badges as well since, aside from the RWZ, there are more exploration badges here than in any other zone with a total of eight.

2. Keep doing radio missions.

• At every level range, another temp power becomes available and all are designed to aid you with everything from increased speed, more health, more endurance, self rez, team teleport and life insurance as you continue upward through the ranges (11-15), (16-20), (21-24), etc. Don't be afraid to do the side missions or in such a hurry you skip them. Side missions award badges, award additional temp powers (the Stop the Weapons Deal one), and add time that you can use to take out the villains scattered through the area. At lower levels you can go up as much as half a level if you clear a Safeguard mission completely and usually come out with a full enhancement tray, and any number of invention recipes and salvage some of which you can't get anywhere else. That, by the way, can translate into a good deal of influence at Wentworth's selling them to players that skip the sides and outside villains so they never see those recipes.

3. Do the task forces

• Not only do these provide you with a good sized team and a lot of missions filled with everything from lieutenants, bosses and at least one elite boss but they usually award a rare recipe at the end, along with the badge, that you can use or sell.

• For the badgers its an easy way to get any number of "defeat X number of villains badge" for example the Positron Task Force will let you face enough Vahzilok to get the Gravedigger Badge while the Synapse Task Force has you facing enough Clockwork for the Gearsmasher Badge along with Clockstopper Badge by battling Babbage.

• Even for those that don't obsess over every badge keep in mind that certain ones, like Gearsmasher Badge help later on in getting those accolades that grant added powers.

20 to 35

1. Striga Island - Level 20 and up

• Like Faultline this zone allows you to run missions from contacts that take place on Striga so no rushing from zone to zone.

• The Large Council presence makes it easy to find and defeat enough Vampyri and Werewolves to complete the requirements for the Atlas Medallion which increases the total hitpoints of your hero by 5%.

• Several mission grant really good Temp powers including Wedding Band, Warwolf Whistle, Holy Shotgun Shells and Electromagnetic Grenades. These not only come in handy as you continue to level but if your doing a time travel mission they are still available as added attacks.

2. Croatoa - level 25 and up

• Once again a zone where all the missions you get from the contacts occur in the same zone.

• Missions offer additional temp powers including Bow and Arrow, Iron Blade, and several others that are useful against the villains groups in Croatoa but have limited applications elsewhere.

3. The Katie Hannon TF

• Located in Croatoa the Katie TF is one of the fastest to complete and provides heroes with two useful tools. Amy's Ward is a temp power that allows you to summon the young Cabal witch 5 times and take advantage of her healing and buffing powers. Geas of the Kind Ones Badge increases your Recharge rate on attack , Recovery rate, and Accuracy of attacks while decreasing your Defenses.

4. The other TFs

• Like the ones at lower levels most of these provide a large team and in a few hours you can go up anywhere from one to two levels. Most provide enough Villains to get you badges needed for a variety of Accolades: the Sister Psyche Task Force is full of Freakshow bosses, the Moonfire Task Force has Vampyri and Warwolves, and the Manticore Task Force has plenty of Crey Paragon Protectors.

35 to 45

1. The Rikti War Zone

• Another zone that allows you to run missions from contacts without leaving the zone.
• Vanguard Merits can be used to obtain certain temporary power that can be useful battling Rikti in the RWZ or elsewhere. These include a Vanguard Heavy Power Core, a Vanguard Psi-Bomb, and the Vanguard Psionic Shield.
• The Lady Grey Task Force is designed for characters from 45-50 but if SK'd even a 35 level can join for XP.

2. Run the Terra Volta Respecification Trials; the 2nd trial is good for XP from 34-43 and the third is good from 44-50. The waves of villains attacking the reactor can boost you anywhere from a full level to 1/2 level depending on your security level when you join a team.

3. The Manticore Task Force still awards XP at level 35 if you haven't already done it; this is another good XP source and provides enough Paragon Protectors and Crey Tanks to help with, if not earn, two more badges.

4. The Numina Task Force offers XP from 35-40 and is the 6th and final one needed for the Task Force Commander Badge.

5. Keep running radio missions in Brickstown, Founders Falls, and beginning at 41 level Peregrine Island. By this time you need to do 5 in each zone before you need to talk to a detective about a Safeguard Mission. Two strategies can be used at this point as well concerning Safeguards. If you already have all the available badges from Side missions and defeating signature villains you can either decline the safeguard and get a fresh batch of 5 radio missions or accept the mission but as soon as you stop the bank robbery just leave and move on to your next mission. Also keep in mind that as long as you have less than 3 missions assigned once you accept a safeguard you automatically get a new batch of five radios so you can do as many as 10 before you have to do a safeguard.

45-50

1. Team up and do the Praetorian story arc(s). With at least one AV and sometimes two in most missions these are an excellent way to get XP fast

2. The Imperious Task Force in Cimerora is short and filled with Bosses, Elite Bosses and several AVs including Romulus Augustus and Requiem. A great way to gain XP and a good deal of Influence. The task force can be started at level 35 but most teams look for members between 45-50.

3. Several TFs take place in the Shadow Shard, etc. Some are quite lengthy time-wise but any TF will garner a lot of XP. If you have the time run those as well.

4. The Statesman Task Force that originates in Independence Port has numerous Arch Villains and the last mission pits you against Lord Recluse and all of his inner circle, along with a chance to defeat the Arachnos Flier.

Time Savers

• When possible plan your "shopping trips". I usually try to combine a trip to Wentworths with selling dropped enhancements, buying any inspirations I need and dropping off salvage at base. Unless I run out of room I'll do this toward the end of my time on line so when I log back on the next day, or whenever, I am ready to start doing missions not spending half an hour running around.

• Use any and all of your available teleports to get there fast. Ouroboros is a shortcut to Founders' Falls, Talos, Independence Port, Atlas, and Peregrine and you can use your portal anywhere ... so why run to the base portal or train to zone? The Vanguard Base connects Atlas, Founders' Falls, and Peregrine as well and the Midnighters Club connects Croatoa, Founders' Falls and Steel Canyon so if your close to one of those ... use them. I have the Vet reward that allows me to teleport from anywhere in the game to my SG base ... why travel half way across a zone to get to the portal when you can step outside a mission and get there in a few seconds? I also have a VIP Pass so I can teleport into Pocket D from anywhere ... this gives me access to Kings Row, Talos, Faultline, and Founders' Falls.

Temp Powers

Beginning on Striga Island there are a vast number of Temporary Powers that you can acquire that will assist you as you continue your quest for level 50. These range from ones that will increase your defenses to ones that add additional attacks and, while it’s entirely possible to survive without them, they provide benefits that make taking the time to obtain them worth the effort.

Level 15-

• Shivan Shard – 5 uses and available after speaking with the scientist contact in Bloody Bay. The Shard allows you to summon a Shivan as a pet and comes in very handy when facing a Giant Monster or any Arch Villain with a lot of endurance. Unlike many other temporary powers (or pets) you can go back to Bloody Bay when your supply runs out and get a new batch of five.

Level 20-24

• Confiscated Beanbag – 50 uses and available from numerous contacts on Talos Island or Independence Port. While only causing minor damage this power will leave a single targeted foe dazed and unable to attack or retreat. This comes in very handy when fighting Tsoo Sorcerers or Circle of Thorn Mages as it leaves them unable to cast spells or heals while you and any team mates attack them and their minions.

• Cryonite Armor – 1 hour of use and available from numerous sources on Talos Island or Independence Port. Encases your character in a protective suit adding to your defenses. The one hour time frame is for active time so by using it sparingly it can protect you for quite a number of levels as you face off against Elite Bosses and even Arch Villains in later missions.

• Wedding Band – 2 hours of use and available on Striga Island from Stephanie Peebles. Once on this provides another defense against attack and like the Cryonite Armor if used sparingly will provide added protection against tougher villains for quite some time and through a number of levels.

• Idol of Lughebu – 24 hours of in game use and available from contacts on Talos or Independence Port.

Level 25-29

• Holy Shotgun Shells – 75 uses and available on Striga Island from contact Tobias Hansen. Medium ranges shotgun blast that adds an attack to your repertoire and is especially effective against foes like Banished Pantheon and Circle of Thorns.

• Warwolf Whistle – 5 uses and available on Striga Island from contact Tobias Hansen. This allows you to summon the same type Council Warwolf that roam Striga Island on five separate occasions as a pet. The Warwolf can provide a very good amount of added damage when facing an Arch Villain or Giant Monster.

• Sands of Mu – 24 hours of in game use and available from contacts in Talos or Independence Port. A melee attack that delivers a series of quick blows to any foe within a short range.

• Electromagnetic Grenades – 30 uses and available from Lars Hansen on Striga Island. Short range attack that causes damage and some disorientation these grenades are particularly effective against any type of robot.

Level 30-34

• Bow and Arrow – 75 uses and available from Kelly Nemmers in Croatoa. A long range attack that doubles as an excellent way to pull one or more villains away from a larger mob. Also good for delivering a long range damaging blow to a villain that is retreating.

• Nemesis Staff – 24 hours of in game use and available from contacts in Founders' Falls or Brickstown. Good knockback and tends to disorient any foe it is used against. Also another good tool for pulling.

• Iron Blade – 3 days of in game use and available from Buck Salinger in Croatoa. A melee attack that deals good damage, especially against Red Caps.

• Amy's Ward – 5 uses and available and available by completing the Katie Hannon Task Force in Croatoa. Another pet summoning temp power that provides you with a Cabal witch that will add additional heals and fortitude during a mission against a tough Arch Villain or Giant Monster.

Level 30 -

• Nuclear Blast, Chemical Burn and Biological Mutagens – all available by running specific missions in the PVP zone of Warburg and are only good for one use. While many skip these since they are a one-time only attack and then require you to return to Warburg and run the mission(s) again to obtain another they do provide a devastating attack, or a regenerative effect for you and your team mates.

Level 35 -

• Vanguard Heavy Power Core – 1 use and available through crafting at the workstations in the Vanguard HQ in the Rikti War Zone. Using your Vanguard Merits you can craft this tool that allows you to summon a Vanguard Heavy as a pet. Another temporary pet that either comes in very handy during Rikti Mothership Raids in the RWZ or against any Giant Monster or Arch Villain in the game.

• Vanguard Psi-Bomb – 3 uses and also available through crafting in the RWZ. These send out a powerful PSI attack that injures and disorients an opponent.

• Vanguard Psionic Shield – 30 minutes of in game use and another item you can craft with Vanguard Merits. Provides protection from any villain with PSI attacks.

Notes on temp powers

This guide is designed to show ways to level faster so the obvious question is “Why am I slowing that process by doing all this to obtain these temporary powers?”

• A number of them are available through missions in zone already described as potential for faster leveling like Striga and Croatoa.

• While others may take a bit of time to obtain elsewhere, weigh the advantage of added attacks or increased defenses against any time lost. Anything that makes you stronger, adds to your attack capability or increases your chances of staying alive and out of debt makes it possible for you to level faster down the line.

Badges that can help

Just like the "temp powers" I listed all of these accolades provide your character with added hit points, endurance, and an assortment of bonuses that will make you stronger and help you level a little faster. Any loss of leveling time is more than offset by the added benefits they provide so take some time and acquire the ones that help. Additional information on how to obtain each one is given on the Badges with Effects article.

Freedom Phalanx Reserve Member

Effects

Freedom Phalanx Reserve +10% Max Health Earning Membership into the Freedom Phalanx Reserve has granted you a permanent increase to your Max Hit Points by 10%.

Portal Jockey

Effects

Portal Jockey Self: +5% Health +5 Endurance As a Portal Jockey, you have been granted you a permanent increase to your Max Hit Points and Max Endurance by 5%.

Received the Atlas Medallion

Effects

The Atlas Medallion +5 Max Endurance Earning The Atlas Medallion has granted you a permanent increase to your Max Endurance by 5.

Task Force Commander

Effects

Task Force Commander Self: +5% Max Health As a Task Force Commander, you have been granted a permanent increase to your Max Hit Points by 5%.

Archmage

Effects

Eye of the Magus Self: +Resistance(All but Psionics) +Defense(All but Psionics) -Speed, -Recharge, -Accuracy When you activate the Eye of the Magus, you are granted a very high bonus to Defense and Damage Resistance for one minute. You can only activate the Eye of the Magus once every 25 minutes.

Conspiracy Theorist

Effects

Crey CBX-9 Pistol Ranged Moderate Damage over Time(Cold) Foe: Immobilize -Speed -Recharge The Crey CBX-9 Pistol immobilizes your target in an icy trap. Deals some damage over time and slightly Slows the target's attack and movement speed even if they break free from the Immobilization. The Crey Cryo Pistol is extremely accurate, but it can only fire once every 25 minutes.

Geas of the Kind Ones

Effects

Geas of the Kind Ones Self: +Recharge, + Recovery, +Accuracy, -Defense You have uncovered the secrets of Croatoa and have been awarded the Geas of the Kind Ones. Like most supernatural gifts, the Geas is both a blessing and a curse. By using it you can greatly increase your recharge speed, Endurance recovery, and Accuracy for 1 minute. However, your Defense will be severely reduced.

Vanguard

Effects

Vanguard Medal Self +Special When activated, your Vanguard Medal will double the duration of all your Disorient, Hold, Immobilize, Fear, Confuse and Sleep powers. Knockback distance is also increased. The effect of this boost will last for 1 minute. You can only activate the Vanguard Medal once every 25 minutes.

Watchman

Effects

Elusive Mind Self: +Defense (Psionic), +Resistence (Psionic) You have gained the ability to deflect and protect yourself from mental invasions of all sorts. By focusing your mind using this technique, you gain strong defense against Psionic attacks and are moderately resistant to Psionic damage while this power is active. It lasts for 60 seconds per use. Recharge: Very Long

Final Thought

There are literally thousands of ways to get from level 1 to level 50 and there is no right way or wrong way to get there. Eventually everyone would like to have at least one 50 level but there is no rule anywhere that says you have to get there in X amount of time. If you are perfectly happy leveling slowly and getting as much content from a vast number of contacts you'll meet in the game then do it! This is not a job, not a life threatening situations, its a game. Games are supposed to be fun! So go out there and enjoy yourself and do just that HAVE FUN!!!Taxibot Sara2.0 14:58, 13 July 2008 (UTC)Taxibot Sara2.0

MORE TO COME BUT I AM OUT OF TIME RIGHT NOW Taxibot Sara2.0 19:29, 18 June 2008 (UTC)Taxibot Sara2.0