Archetypes, Part 1
Archetypes, Part 2
Archetypes Descriptions

The Free-to-Play Update will introduce Archetypes to Champions Online. We’ve given a general overview of what they are; now it’s time to get specific!

An Archetype is a pre-defined build for a hero. It specifies which powers you’ll receive when you level up, what superstats you’ll have, and what role you’re best equipped to play. You’ll still choose your travel powers, talents and power Advantages, but the general process is much more streamlined than a Custom Framework.

Though some Archetypes are rather like general classes found in other games, some may be very specialized and niche. Each Archetype is based on a beloved style of crime fighter in comic books, so even specialized Archetypes should feel familiar.

Archetypes are available to both Gold Members and Silver Players. There is no difference between them. (I.e. Gold Members do not get to choose the non-travel powers; they must follow the progression exactly as a Silver Player would.) This means Archetypes provide a standardized baseline of hero builds. Besides making character advancement much easier for those who just want to “get in and play,” some players may find Archetypes especially interesting in PvP matches.

Archetypes are freely available to all players. Silver Players have the option to purchase Gold Archetypes, and Gold Members can play any Archetype for free.

So, let’s take a look at some specifics. First, take a look at the progression “schedule.”

S = Archetype Superstat (pre-determined)

P = Archetype Power (pre-determined)

Let’s talk about free-form heroes (which are what all heroes in Champions Online are currently) for a second. We are modifying the point-earning schedule for free-form heroes, specifically for they’ll earn Advantage Points. Rather than getting two points every “off” level, they will get one or two Advantage Points every level starting at level seven. This gives free-form heroes more advantage points early on. They will now have 11 points by level 16, where previously they would only have six.

Archetypes earn their advancement points on a different schedule than free-form heroes. The included chart illustrates the two schedules. The free-form chart is identical to what is in the game today, with the exception of Advantage Points, which we just covered. The Archetype chart is brand new. Let me point out some features!

First of all, you’ll see that Archetypes get fewer powers (11 total) than free-form heroes do (14 total). We found that all 14 powers weren’t necessary for most builds; players usually pick up some extra powers to fill in holes. This makes high level free-form heroes capable of filling in for practically any role needed. Archetypes, however, are more like comic heroes. They don’t switch roles; they do their one thing really well. It lets us make more interesting and varied Archetypes as time goes on, too.

Archetypes get the same number of talent and Advantage Points as free-form heroes, though. We’ve spread Talents out a bit so that the early game isn’t as loaded with different kinds of choices. It frees players up to think about Advantages Points, which are earned every level from nine on.

Head over to Part 2 to learn about the Base Archetypes everyone can play!

Link to the forum post

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Archetypes, Part 1
Archetypes, Part 2
Archetypes Descriptions

Have you read Part 1 of our Free-to-Play Archetype rundown? It’s a great place to start!

Here are the eight base Archetypes we’re planning to include with the Free-to-Play launch. The Archetypes stay pretty much within existing frameworks rather than crossing them. This is because the frameworks were built with comic themes in mind; they match certain heroic tropes already. Also, we wanted the basic eight Archetypes to be your meat and potatoes sort of heroes. We made sure the classic DPS, tank and support characters (and their common blends) are clearly and obviously represented. As we add Archetypes, they’ll get a bit more niche and specialized.

1	Throw Fire	Steady Shot	Reaper’s Touch	Bestial Fury
1	Firestrike	Assault Rifle	Reaper’s Caress	Shred
SS – 6	Recovery	Dexterity	Dexterity	Strength
6	Fire Breath	Shotgun	Thunderbolt Lunge	Frenzy
Passive – 8	Fire Form	Targeting Computer	Enlightened Warrior	Regeneration
11	Fireball	SMG Burst	Shuriken Throw	Pounce
SS – 13	Endurance	Ego	Strength	Constitution
Block – 14	Fire Shield	Retaliation	Parry	Parry
17	Pyre	Frag Grenade	Scything Blade	Bite
22	Thermal Reverb	Killer Instinct	Swordsman Form	Supernatural Power
27	Immolation	Rocket	Inexorable Tides	Resurgence
32	Conflagration	Gatling Gun	Dragon’s Bite	Howl
40	Flashfire	Sniper Rifle	Reaper’s Embrace	Massacre
1	Clobber	Ice Shards	Psi Lash	Eldritch Bolts
1	Defensive Combo	Ice Blast	Ego Blast	Eldritch Blast
SS – 6	Strength	Endurance	Presence	Intelligence
6	Mighty Leap	Frost Breath	Ego Sleep	Pillar of Poz
Passive – 8	Defiance	Invulnerability	Radiant Aura	Primal Aura
11	Thunderclap	Ice Cage	Psionic Healing	Storm Sigils
SS – 13	Constitution	Dexterity	Endurance	Presence
Block – 14	Retaliation	Ice Shield	Telekinetic Shield	Eldritch Shield
17	Hurl	Wall of Ice	Summon Nightmare	Invocation of Vitality
22	Aggressor	Shatter	Telepathic Reverb	Arcane Circle
27	Demolish	Unbreakable	Ego Sprites	Skarn’s Bane
32	Uppercut	Ice Barrier	Ego Hold	Ebon Sigils
40	Shockwave	Avalanche	Mindful Reinforcement	Hex of Suffering

For the sake of example, we’ll be focusing on The Savage and The Inferno. The Savage is a melee character based on bestial sorts of heroes that might be wolves during a full moon, or perhaps have big sideburns and claws. The Inferno is a ranged DPS hero who can naturally control or perhaps is even composed of fire.

First note that there is a role associated with each Archetype. Archetypes’ roles are fixed and cannot be changed on the fly. The Savage is not a pure tank, nor is he just dishing out damage, so he has a balanced role: Guardian. The Inferno, though, is all about damage from a distance: He’s an Avenger.

All Archetypes will have a passive and block power. The rule is that the passive is earned at level eight and the block at level 14 for all Archetypes. (This rule won’t stop us from breaking that rule if we think there’s a particularly cool Archetype that requires it, however.)

We’ve aimed to make each of these Archetypes feel like they had a niche slightly smaller than that defined by their role. For example, The Inferno is very focused on AoE powers, whereas The Savage has some AoE damage, but is much more focused on single targets. While these two don’t have any new powers, we have made several new powers to fill out other Archetypes. These powers will of course be available within Frameworks to all free-form heroes.

Though it’s plastered right up there, let us make clear that all this information is subject to change. We’ll be watching Beta as well as the forums to see what you think. We think we’ve got something pretty good here, and can’t wait to have you play them!

Link to the forum post

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