Valentine's Day Event 2008

This article contains information about a past event in City of Heroes Freedom. It is provided for historical purposes.

Overview

Manticore and Sister Psyche kicked off the event by having a wedding on the training server. On February 14th starting at 3:00pm PST (6:00pm EST), the wedding was performed live, repeating for the next three hours, but was only available to 100 players (50 heroes, 50 villains) at a time.

Also starting on February 14th, the Spring Fling event returned, hosted by DJ Zero in Pocket D. Heroes also were sent on a special wedding reconnaissance mission by Sela Vermont, while villains were sent off on their own nefarious mission involving Zev Scalamore. This event officially ended on February 28th at 8:59pm PST (11:59pm EST).

The Wedding

The Wedding Pack

4 new emotes created for this event, released in the Wedding Pack:
New costume pieces added (available to all characters on an account with the Wedding Pack):
- Deluxe Tux set; Jacket and Sleeves
- Butler Tux set; Jacket and Sleeves
- Bridal set (Female only); Hair, Chest, Gloves, Skirts, Boots
- Hearts Plus (Female only); Chest, Bottom
- Excess Plus (Female only); Chest, Bottom
- Angelic Plus (Female only); Chest, Bottom

The wedding took place in a modified version of the Ouroboros Citadel:

The Wedding Ceremony

At 6:20pm Eastern on the Training Room server, a special role-played wedding ceremony began in Ouroboros in which Manticore and Sister Psyche got married. Below is a complete transcript of the ceremony:

Positron: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Manticore and Sister Psyche in holy matrimony.
Positron: When I originally recruited Manticore and Sister Psyche to re-form the Freedom Phalanx with Synapse and myself, I had no idea that I was putting into motion a relationship that would be tested by an entire gamut of setbacks.
Positron: Everything from giant monsters, to natural disasters, to alien invasions, to rampaging lunatics, the Phalanx has faced it and our members have come to rely on each other more and more.
Positron: What took a while for any of us to notice was the relationship that grew between Manticore and Sister Psyche.
Positron: It wasn't until Manticore's "betrayal" where he went undercover in the Arachnos organization as a mole did any of us realize the bond that he and Psyche shared.
Positron: The only person trusted with the secret of his betrayal was Sister Psyche, to the point where she let herself be kidnapped and tortured in order for his plan to succeed. If that's not true love, folks, I don't know what is.
Positron: I feel fortunate to be the one standing before these two today. Of all the great heroes this city has to offer, it was a great honor to be asked to say a few words here about these two heroes.
Positron: I can safely say that without either of them, Paragon City would not be standing; you and I, we wouldn't be alive. Paragon City, and all of us, owe these two our lives and livelihoods.
Positron: It is the least we can do to come out here today and wish them the best on the beginning of their lives together.
Positron: They have informed me that they have written their own vows, and so I will now turn this over to Manticore.... Manti?
Manticore: From the start our relationship has been built more on pure emotion and honesty than it has on words. I could never hide my feelings from you, which established a foundation of trust that blossomed into something special as the years rolled by.
Manticore: We have been through good times and bad and faced so many challenges together. It seemed that there was always a new crime to stop or a new threat to save the world from.
Manticore: I began to think that we would never be able to take our relationship to another level. Then the Rikti War came into our lives and in the aftermath I just wanted to hold you and try, somehow, to make everything alright...but it wasn't fully you.
Manticore: I could sense that our psychic bond was still there but things just weren't the same.
Manticore: We grew apart for a time but my feelings for you never changed, but you have always known that. When you were returned to your own form I rejoiced with you and my hope sparked anew.
Manticore: Ironically, it wasn't until Lord Recluse dampened everyone's powers that I truly understood what I felt for you. Have you ever wondered why you were the first person I sought out during that dark time?
Manticore: Truly, deeply, and with every fiber of my being I trusted you. The rest of the world only sees the actions I take. They view me as the loose cannon of the Freedom Phalanx who takes reckless actions without fully considering the consequences.
Manticore: You have always seen me differently because you can see the thoughts and sense the feelings behind the actions. You have always been the one, the only one, who knows I have a plan.
Manticore: Even when it was a plan like 'I have to kill Statesman', which must have sounded crazy at the time, you saw more than the rest and you trusted me.
Manticore: I'm not known for my heartfelt words but that is the side of me you bring out. I'm sure everyone is expecting some sarcastic remark. The truth is that my real desire is simply to spend my life with you.
Manticore: I hope that in the years ahead we can continue to deepen this empathic bond, because together we are more powerful than the sum of our abilities.
Positron: Sister Psyche, you had written something for Manticore?
Sister Psyche: My darling Justin,
Sister Psyche: Having been on this world longer than most, I have seen more than my fair share of both joy and sorrow. Yet in all those years I never felt the kind of joy that you bring to my life. My abilities give me a window into the darkness of the human psyche.
Sister Psyche: I see people's inner-most thoughts and I find that most minds are governed by shades of grey. The day I met you I remember watching you in action, loosing arrow after arrow with such clear purpose it was like a beacon of pure light among the shadows.
Sister Psyche: We have been through our own dark times. After the Rikti War I know you found it difficult to relate to a 'me' that wasn't 'me'. I distanced myself from you, fearing that our connection was lost until I could return to my own body.
Sister Psyche: But now I know that our bond is not based on any one simple aspect of who we are. My world is of the mind and I sometimes lose my connection to the physical realities before me.
Sister Psyche: I stand here beside you today because no one else has ever made me feel so connected to the world, so able to take action when necessary.
Positron: ...and now the vows.
Manticore: Shalice, you are the person I have searched for my whole life. The one to be my partner and the true love of my heart; I am filled with joy and gratitude to have found you.
Manticore: Shalice, I will always take your misfortune as my own. I dedicate myself to you, heart and soul. I will always be there to lessen your sorrow and celebrate your joy.
Manticore: Shalice, here before our friends, the open sky, the endless sea, and the ancient earth, I give you this ring which represents the harmonious blend of two spirits, forming a stronger whole.
Manticore: Carved from the same metal as the ring you give me, it binds us forever.
Sister Psyche: Justin, here before our friends, the open sky, the endless sea, and the ancient earth, I give you this ring which represents the harmonious blend of two spirits, forming a stronger whole.
Sister Psyche: Carved from the same metal as the ring you give me, it binds us forever.
Positron: With the power vested in me by the state of Rhode Island, and Ken's 24 Hour Internet Ministry, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife... You may now kiss the bride!

At this point, Lord Recluse showed up, and attacked with a group of villains:

Lord Recluse: Oh... how touching. The Freedom Phalanx thinks they can seclude themselves away and have a nice private ceremony. Well, not if I have anything to say about it!
Lord Recluse: Villains! Minions of Arachnos! Follow me to victory!
Sister Psyche: I just KNEW you couldn't let me have this day to myself, Recluse!
Manticore: Heroes! Let's take these punks down so I can get on with my honeymoon!

A battle ensued, with signature heroes and villains fighting alongside attendees—and crashers—of the wedding.

Manticore was portrayed by Sean Dornan-Fish, who posts as Manticore on the official forums and has appeared as Manticore in the game previously. Sister Psyche was portrayed by Sean's wife, Jennifer Dornan-Fish. Many developers and representatives attended the wedding, including Positron, Lighthouse, Ex Libris, Back Alley Brawler, Citadel (portrayed by developer pohsyb), Synapse, War Witch, Ghost Falcon, and Dark Watcher. The event was closely monitored for griefers, and those who violated requests not to use the broadcast and request channel and those who walked onto the platform were immediately dropped from the zone.

After the wedding, heroes and villains congregated in Pocket D for a party.

The Wedding Presents

For the duration of the Valentine's event, heroes can find Sela Vermont the wedding coordinator standing in Atlas Park Plaza near Ms. Liberty. Talking to her will assign a mission to retrieve seven stolen wedding presents from an Arachnos warehouse.

Likewise, villains can find Zev Scalamore standing near the Fateweaver on Mercy Island. Zev will offer a chance to steal the same presents.

Both missions merely require that all seven crates be opened, and they can be stealthed. The missions are available to all levels, but can only be run once per character. No special badge or reward is offered for completing either mission.

Spring Fling

In order to celebrate the anniversary of Pocket D, DJ Zero recreated the previous year's Valentine event.

The 2009 event had no changes from the 2008 event. [1]

Stage One - Working together

Two mission contacts, Ganymede and Scratch, were added to the Pocket D club. Ganymede assigned missions to heroes, and Scratch to villains. Upon completing missions for both contacts, a third mission contact, DJ Zero was unlocked.

As it was the previous year, both contacts gave out a two-mission arc. Both arcs required players to bring along at least one teammate from the opposing faction to get to the end-reward. The first mission of the arc could be soloed, but players had to have an opposing faction teammate to complete the second mission of the arc (only the opposing faction teammate could target and destroy the last object).

Characters had to be in the final mission of both arcs long enough to get credit for completing those two missions in order to acquire the Handsome(male)/Beautiful(female) badge. The Handsome/Beautiful badge granted the temporary power of Nectar, a 20-use targeted area of effect confuse and placate.

For characters that already had the Handsome/Beautiful badge from the previous year's event, they are able to do these missions again, but the badge isn't re-granted, and thus, the character did not get Nectar again.

Nectar Ranged (Targeted AoE), Foe Confuse, Placate
Eros has fashioned a version of Ambrosia from the waters of the Well of the Furies, which he has dubbed 'Nectar'. Eros' Nectar can be used up to 20 times on opponents to beguile them, effectively Placating and Confusing them. You have 20 doses. Recharge: Very Long [4 minutes]

Characters could only pick up one arc from their one contact. In order to do the other arc, they will need to get invited to an opposing faction team, or, invite an opposing faction teammate into their team and have that person pick up the mission.

Ganymede (Hero Contact)

Mission 1 - Defeat-all, Council Base, click computers (on solo and Heroic, it's only 21 foes).
Mission 2 - Arachnos Base - Find key, destroy box. (Key is within a hall or two of the locked elevator with a named boss, Tupelo, and his spawn.)

Scratch (Villain Contact)

Mission 1 - Defeat Circle of Thorn leader, Terrigol, and his coven; Oranbegan Map (can be stealthed to the boss battle).
Mission 2 - Arachnos Base - Find key, destroy cauldron. (Key is within a hall or two of the locked elevator with a named boss, Finch and his spawn.)

Heroes and Villains who completed the second mission from both Ganymede and Scratch received the Handsome Badge (called Beautiful Badge on female characters):

Handsome

Eros can bring out the beauty in any being

Several normally City of Villain only badges were available to heroes in this part of the event. Weed Whacker Badge, Coldblooded Badge, and two gladiators. These badges are for certain villain style Circle of Thorns enemies. When done right, Scratch's first mission gave heroes access to these enemies, and thus the badges. In order to spawn a map with City of Villain style Circle of Thorn enemies, a villain must be the first player to zone into the map. This flags the entire mission for City of Villain style enemies, and the rest of the team can then enter. The enemies necessary for the different badges spawn at different levels. Hordelings, for Coldblooded and one of the gladiators, spawn for lower level mission holders (levels 8-25), while Hellfrost and Succubi, for Weed Whacker, spawn at mid to high levels (25-40 or so).

Weed Whacker

You've cut down more than your fair share of the Thorns.

Coldblooded

You've defeated 100 cold demons, making you Coldblooded.

Hordeling Lasher

You have command of infernal minions.

Hellfrost

This demon is amused to serve you.

Stage Two - Snaptooth again

DJ Zero sent players on a mission to prevent Snaptooth from destroying a Dimensional Portal. This is exactly the same mission as the previous year, except with a new reward pop-up menu upon completion.

Reward choices:

Toga
Victory Laurel and Hellenic Sandals
Heart of Light Badge/Heart of Darkness Badge
Partygoer Badge
Heart Pattern - Note that the Heart Pattern is an overlay (like stripes or camo) for select tops, bottoms, and boots. (Sorry, no gloves or capes.) In general, the tops that take the Heart overlay are long sleeved tops that don't show any skin.

Partygoer

You've celebrated the one year anniversary of Pocket D by participating in DJ Zero's recreation of the inaugural Spring Fling.

Heart of Light

Through the choices made in your life, you have been blessed with a Heart of Light.

Heart of Darkness

Through the choices made in your life, you have been cursed with a Heart of Darkness.

Toothbreaker

You have defeated Snaptooth 5 times, and are truly a Toothbreaker.

Cap Buster

You have shown the Red Caps you are not to be toyed with.

Strategies for Snaptooth and difficult missions

Like all regular missions, the level of the foes of all these missions are set according to the mission-holder's level (not the team leader's or the highest level teammate's level) and the mission holder's difficulty. So, for example, a level 2 character can pick up a level 2 mission that can then be blown away with ease by a level 50. No experience, but all involved do get the reward popup.

If you defeat Boss Level Snaptooth and run out of his aggro range while the Elite Boss level Snaptooth is spawning, then the Elite Boss level Snaptooth just sits there doing nothing giving you time to wipe out all the waves of Red Caps which are aggro'd onto you. Try leaving the mission and coming back to see if you can lose their aggro.

If you have the damage capability, you can kill Snaptooth the three times over before the first wave of helpers even show up. But, if you take your time with Snaptooth, the waves will build up and overwhelm you.

The waves are aggro'd onto team members. If you leave a lowbie by the entrance, the lowbie will get a visit from Red Caps, too!

A solo squishy player on lowest difficulty hovering over Snaptooth with a tray of half defense, half damage inspirations is golden.

Snaptooth spawns up on the airfield near the tower.

Remember, while you can have teammates of the opposing faction help you with Snaptooth, the mixed team is only necessary for the second missions of Ganymede and Scratch. However, with the use of the Dimension Drop Powers, it might be worth it to bring along members of the opposing faction and give one another the powerful DDP buffs.

Unlike last year where you were limited to picking up the Snaptooth mission from DJ Zero only 5 times, this year, you can get the mission from DJ Zero 10 times.

Note: There was a cool bug that appears in the NW corner of the map a few minutes after entering the mission.

Dimension Drop Powers

The event store contacts, Chilly and Dram, sold special temporary powers called Dimension Drop powers. These powers increase your teammate's damage, defense, or buff their hit points and endurance, but if used on one's traditional enemy (heroes on villains or villains on heroes), the power had a significantly greater effect. Chilly sells these temporary powers to heroes, and Dram to villains.