Issue 10
Overview
Issue 10, titled Invasion is the next major update to City of Heroes and City of Villains. It entered closed Beta testing on June 13th, 2007. No release date has been announced. If NCsoft and Cryptic maintain a release schedule of every three to four months, the approximate date of release will be sometime in the month of August 2007.
Known Changes
The skies over Paragon City are filled with dark grey thunderheads. It is the same in the Rogue Isles, Europe, and across the globe. Small ships dart through the heavy weather … and there are so very many of them.
The Rikti have returned.
Rikti World Invasion
Issue 10 begins with a World Event that spans across numerous zones in both Paragon City and the Rogue Isles, as the Rikti return in devastating waves. They are armed with new, brutal weapons and seek to establish a beachhead on Earth, presumably to save their lost brethren and to finish what they started the first time... the destruction of Earth!
Rikti War Zone (Levels 35 – 50)
The site of the crashed Rikti mother ship has become a hot War Zone. Pylons of unknown purpose have appeared around the mother ship, and Rikti presence is extremely heavy. In an attempt to contain the Rikti from breaking out of the area or launching their ship, the government has cordoned off the zone, allowing only select agents access. Government officials have turned the region over to Vanguard, and given them the authority to recruit forces from across the world. This zone is open to both Heroes and Villains, in their combined, desperate struggle to hold the front lines against the second Rikti Invasion.
New Threats
Rikti Pylons are multi-purpose warning and attack devices that surround the crashed mother ship. It takes a concerted effort to take one of these pylons down, but once enough of these are destroyed, access to the ship may be granted. UXBs, “unexploded bombs” that arm, power up, and detonate if not stopped in time, provide a constant threat. Rikti destroyers zip through zones dropping troops, UXB’s, and Rikti Assault Suits.
New Inventions
The Vanguard base contains a special Vanguard Workbench that will allow for special costume pieces (tied to Rikti War Zone recipes). Vanguard Support Machines (“Heavies”) can be requisitioned using Special Salvage (unique to the War Zone). These Heavies function as powerful pets.
New Missions
The first missions in the Rikti War Zone are for characters level 35+. The characters meet a new contact, Levantera, who introduces them to the U.N. security force, Vanguard. They’ll also meet Borea, who sends them on several repeatable missions in the zone. From there, characters meet contact Serpent Drummer, Gaussian, and also talk to the Dark Watcher and learn one of the darkest secrets of Paragon City.
Rikti Co-op Task Force
The Rikti Co-Op Task Force is available for both Heroes and Villains. It is for 6 to 8 players, level 45 – 50. The mission is given out by Lady Grey, leader of the Vanguard. Co-operative missions create a new layer of depth and story as heroes and villains work toward a common goal.
Likely to Be Included
- Supergroup bases and user interface are being overhauled in Issue 10 or Issue 11. (Needs citation)
Not Confirmed Yet
- New NPC group: Vanguard Shield. They control the Rikti Crash Site and thus should be allied to player characters, but missions against them are a possibility, as Paragon City Community Information terminals include categories for "Vanguard_Shield Nemeses" and "Vanguard_Sword Nemeses".
Confirmed Not to Be Included
- Issue 10 will not raise the level cap past 50. [1]
- New powersets will not be included in Issue 10. [2]
- There is no Moon Zone in Issue 10, but possibly in later issues [3]