Difference between revisions of "Power Set Proliferation"

Revision as of 00:39, 24 September 2011

Overview

Powerset Proliferation refers to taking powers available to one archetype and adapting them for use on another archetype. In some cases, such as the Blast sets for Blasters, Corruptors and Defenders, powersets can be copied with minimal changes. In other cases, like the Assault sets for Dominators, powers from multiple existing powersets may be combined to create a brand new set. Occasionally, entirely new powers are created for the proliferation.

Storyline-wise, Doctor Brainstorm is responsible for the event of Powerset Proliferation, having created a device dubbed the Resonance Manipulator, which somehow altered the energy strands connecting heroes or villains to their powers.

Issue 12

Powerset Proliferation first round of proliferation took effect with the release of Issue 12: Midnight Hour. The following is a list of powersets proliferated in this release:

• Mental Manipulation was a combination of Psychic Blast and Psionic Assault. World of Confusion was created during this proliferation.
• Electricity Assault was a combination of Electrical Blast and Electric Melee.

Issue 16

Powerset Proliferation's second round of proliferation took effect with the release of Issue 16: Power Spectrum. The following is a list of powersets proliferated in this release:

• Earth Assault is a combination of Stone Melee and Stone Mastery attacks. Stone Spears was created during this proliferation.

Issue 21

Powerset Proliferation's third round of proliferation took effect with the release of Issue 21: Convergence. The following is a list of powersets proliferated in this release:

• Darkness Manipulation will use powers derived from Dark Melee, Dark Miasma, and the Defender version of Dark Blast.
• Energy Aura and Poison will have significant changes in order to boost their performance.
• Ice Armor for Stalkers will substitute Hide for Icicles and "Ice Bastion" (a Strength of Will/Moment of Glory style new power) for Hibernate. Also, the AoE Slow effect of Chilling Embrace will suppress while the stalker is Hidden.
• Dominators do not have any proliferations this round because there are upcoming tweaks to the archetype as a whole or to all of the power sets (unknown as to extent).

Unlikely Proliferations

The following is a list of powersets that are not likely to be proliferated to certain archetypes in the future:

Brute

• Ice Melee

Along with Ice Armor, this set was available during the City of Villains beta testing and was removed because the set's Foe: -Recharge was counterproductive to the Brute's Inherent Power, Fury.

• Ice Armor

Stalker

• Shield Defense

This set was specifically not made available to Stalkers when it was introduced. The rationale was never given, but it presumably has to do with the ally-centric powers conceptually contrasting the Stalker's gameplay mechanics.

Corruptor, Mastermind

• Empathy

The developers have explicitly stated that Empathy will not get proliferated to villains; Pain Domination was introduced in its place.

Controller, Defender

• Pain Domination

Since villains will not be receiving Empathy, it's unlikely that heroes would receive Pain Domination.

See Also

• Issue 12
• Issue 16
• Epic Powerset Proliferation