When City of Heroes was first released, many of the comic book efficiniados who played the game were surprised at the lack of two archetypes – the first, web-slinging type of super hero has yet to be created in game, while the second, archer was rectified when the stand-alone expansion City of Villains was released..
While it seems strange to include archery powers in an archetype whose sole purpose is defense, but that is where the designers have decided to put it, although not all the defender power sets are defensive in nature, the vast majority of them are. The archery defender is so named, because this Paragon City super hero wields his powers through a bow.
City of Heroes Defender Leveling with the Trick Shot Power Set
While the matter of leveling in any mmorpgs is simply a matter of killing monsters that give a player experience, a few helpful hints can help the archery or bow defender gain levels more quickly in City of Heroes. A good starting point for deciding the best strategies to gain experience quickly is to know the powers and what they do. Naturally, the powers will be filtered through the bow.
The secondary archery power set is a scaled down version of the trick shot set. What follows is a brief list of the power in the trick shot power set, compiled from the City of Heroes wikia:
- Entangling Arrow – Immobilizes Target, Movement Debuff
- Flash Arrow – Area Effect Power that Reduces Accuracy
- Glue Arrow – A Single Target Attack That Slows Movement
- Poison Gas Arrow – A damaging attack that can put an opponent to sleep
- Ice Arrow – A single target attack that freezes an opponent
- Acid Arrow – a damage over time attack
- Disruption – an area effect attack that reduces resistances
- Oil Slick Arrow – Area affect attack that does damage over time, causes opponents to fall down, and does damage to multiple targets when its lit
The secondary power set is a scaled down version of the primary set.
Using the Archery Powers for Effective City of Heroes Leveling
The trick shot archery defender can solo well, but is at his best in groups, where his abilities really shine. While the archery defender will never be in as much demand as the empathy defender, he can be a valued addition to any group he finds himself in. The key to utilizing this power set effectively is using the powers that lower opponents' defenses to increase the damage that the opponents can do. This often depends on the make up of the group of the archery defender.
Soloing with a trick shot defender as much the same as it is with other classes in City of Heroes. Leveling up while soloing uses the kiting process, which is simply keeping the monsters the character is fighting at bay and using damaging attacks to bring its hit point total down to zero. The trick shot archery defender power shot gives the user plenty of opportunities
Resources:
City of Heroes Controller Leveling Guide
City of Heroes Storm Summoning Defender Leveling Guide
Wikia – City of Heroes Archery Defender
