Hey Everyone!

I present you with a giant list of questions and answers! This is a compilation of question that's been addressed by the dev team that isn't covered in the Basic FAQ.


Will Lifetime Subscriptions be offered again?

Destra: Yes, please see http://champions-online.com/lifetime for details!

When CO goes Free to Play, will there still be possibility to pay via gametime cards, and if so, will this form of subscription be considered gold or silver?

Poz: Game time cards are equivalent to subscribing for the time on the card, so you would be a Gold Member for that time.

What will be the protection against RMT spammers in CO, when it goes free to play?

Poz: There will be chat and email restrictions for all new-ish Silver accounts. We're still figuring out when we can relax those restrictions. The current idea is to have a time in game requirement of 20 hours, perhaps coupled with a level minimum. If we find this is insufficient, we'll get more stringent.

Silver players can talk with a rate limiter in local and team. A regular person would probably not hit the rate limit. The comparison matrix has the full list of limitations we plan on right now. Again, if they're not enough, we'll get more strict.

We don't really want to make it hard to communicate, but we do need to keep spammers at bay. So we're trying to walk a line here.

Can you have both Gold and Silver characters on the same account?

Destra: Yes, in the current plan it is possible.

The key is that Gold Characters can only be accessed while the account is in Gold Status. Meaning, you'll have to be subscribed to access your Gold characters. If the subscription lapses, you'll only have access to your Silver characters.

There are plans to make it possible to convert Gold characters to Silver Characters, but the details are still being worked out.

For players who are locked into the "$30 every 3 months" discounted subscriptions, will they be able to retain this rate if they keep their subscripton active?

Ivan-Cryptic: Yes.

Are there plans to add a system to earn Cryptic points through game mechanics?

Poz: There are currently no plans to earn Cryptic Points at a slow rate in game, though we may decide to do it in the future.

Does the introduction of Archetypes mean new powers will be introduced to the game?

Ame: The introduction of Archetypes does not imply the introduction of new powers. However, we still plan on making more powers as the game progresses. These powers will immediately be available for Gold Members, and we will likely introduce additional Archetypes that will have access to many of them as well.

What are the Special Travel Powers that Gold Members get access to?

Poz: The Special Travel powers aren't new to any subscriber, because they already exist. Remember that all "Special" items are included in the Gold Membership. Currently, we plan these travel powers to be Special:

• Fire Flight
• Ice Slide
• Swinging
• Tunneling
• Jet Boots
• Rocket Jump
• Hover Disk
• Earth Flight

Can you give us more information on the Item Boosts? Particularly, the cost and exactly how they will work?

Poz: We're not ready to post the whole matrix of all the items and their costs.

The game isn't being re-balanced to allow us sell boost items.

In general, we tried to choose things which we thought would make the game more fun or exciting. For example, there is a team "resurgence" available. The idea is that players could perhaps use it to overcome a particularly difficult villain, or maybe try to take them on at a higher difficulty level.

• The cost varies, but is in the range of what we sell today.
• Most can be used any time, though there are some that only work when out of combat.
• Items usually come with multiple charges (4 and 10 are common). Some items are toggles with a lifetime instead.
• The duration of the boost depends on what it does.
• They can be traded with others.
• They are usable in PvP and PvE at this time (tough we're open to changing that).

Once Champions goes Free to Play, will automatic Credit Card billing stop automatically?

Destra: Regular subscribers become Gold Members automatically. Subscribers are charged a regular fee based on which of the several subscription options they have chosen.

If you stop subscribing, you become a Silver Player. If you have heroes that use Gold features, you will need to convert them before playing them as a Silver Player.

Basically, recurring subscriptions will turn into recurring "Gold Member" subscriptions. Automatic billing will not stop, and you will continue to play the game with your current benefits without interruption.

How does "Priority Login" work?

Destra: If there is a login queue (caused by the server being full), Gold players will not need to wait in the queue. That's basically it.
Coderanger: Just to be clear, there will never be some arbitrary login queue for Silver players just because we want them to wait. We have only ever activated the queue a few times between both CO and STO on days of severe login server stress. It is only used to try and prevent a full shard meltdown.

How are Gold Members and Silver Players balanced in PVP?

Ame: In response to the question of "Silver vs. Gold PvP" issues, our plan is to have two queues for PvP maps.

One of the queues (let's call it "Unrestricted" for now) will allow everyone who wants to join to do so. This is where Gold characters will be able to go in and use their custom builds, and Archetype characters will also be able to choose to join in these if they want.

In the other queue ("Archetype Only"), characters will only be able to queue if they are using an Archetype. This will allow Archetype players to play against each other, all with the same restrictions, and not need to worry about people using min/maxed builds. Note that Gold Members are able to make Archetype characters, and will be able to do so and join in these games if they choose to.

How will the magnifier (character enlarger) work?

Poz: The full details are subject to change, but the plan is:

• They are toggle powers.
• They don't work in combat. (And shut off if you go into combat.)
• They make you 3x bigger (or 1/3 the size).
• There is a permanent version and a version which has an overall usage time.

Is the level range for Canada changing?

Poz: The early desert (including crisis) is bumped up in level. Canada is not. So the two crises are no longer coincident. Immediately after the tutorial, you'd go to Canada or Westside.

Are Archetypes going to be more single power set focused, or are we actually going to see creative blends of classes that attempt to mimic famous Archetypes we know and love?

Poz: Our initial archetypes may appear like they're each pulled almost directly from one framework, because the frameworks match some comic heroes pretty closely. But expect archetypes are meant to be interesting and nuanced like heroes from comics are.

Is Canadian Crisis being removed?

Poz: Canada is unchanged. You can take a helicopter to it immediately after the tutorial.

Why are restrictions to Market Slots being added?

Poz: Many players are currently using it as a bank and we think that's not good, hence the posting fee.

So the market is being used "unnaturally" right now, so the numbers we get for how many lots is "enough" are all over the place. Given the feedback [we've received on the forums], we're likely to increase it a lot from the 10 we stated. Let me talk to the team about it.

Why is hue shifting restricted to Gold Members only?

Destra: Customization is a central theme to Gold Members. One of the primary distinctions is that Gold Players have a wide array of customization options, whereas Silver players have a limited set to choose from. For example, Gold Members have access to build a character with any powers they choose, whereas a Silver Player is limited to the predefined archetypes. Hue shifting is currently considered to be a level of customization that is reserved for Gold Members.

When is CO getting the Foundry(UGC) and how will this work with F2P?

Destra: At this time, we don't have any specifics on UGC availability for Champions Online.

How will CO's XMPP (Jabber) support be affected by this?

Stormshade: The XMPP service is still in Beta, and as such is only available to PTS users.
Destra: The Free to Play transition shouldn't have any affect on the XMPP service. Note that the standard Chat Restrictions should still affect Silver players whether they are using the game client or XMPP to chat.

Do archetypes have predetermined superstats?

Lexeme: They are part of the archetype. Archetypes are set up to have the most effective superstat to go along with the powers.

Do silver members get to play on the Test Server?

Poz: At this time, I expect PTS will by Gold Member only.

Are there any plans to differentiate paying and non-paying Silver Members, effectively having three tiers of players rather than two (Gold/Silver)?

Poz: We decided to keep things as simple as we could, so we kept it to two levels (and made the base level have all the basic story content in it. :-) )

Are there any plans to change the XP balance when the games goes Free to Play?

Poz: We have no plans to change the XP balance in the game at this time.

Will pre-order items be added to the C-Store?

Poz: We expect that pre-order spiffs will eventually show up in the CStore.

If I'm playing an archetype, will I be able to have some spells multiple trees, such as the telekinesis tree, and the force tree? Or will I have to strictly stick to one power set?

Lexeme: An archetype is a set of powers you get in a specific order at certain levels. They aren't necessarily all from the same tree, archetypes are more about certain themes.

Will the prices current C-Store items be changed as part of the Free to Play transition?

Poz: The price sheet isn't final, but we're pretty sure that prices will be changing. If anything we're currently selling goes up in price, we'll give you fair warning.

Will current subscribers receive a free retcon token when the Free to Play transition occurs?

Poz: Yes

For the "Summon Team" item, will there be a confirmation prompt for players who are being summoned?

Poz: We're adding that prompt for these kinds of powers/devices.

Will Gold Members and Lifetime Subscribers receive a stipend of Cryptic Points?

Ivan-Cryptic: All CO F2P Gold Members, including lifetimers, will receive a monthly stipend of 400 CP for as long as they are Gold Members.

Will the damage boost items be usable in PVP?

Poz: The boosts (like damage, big heals, etc) will not be usable in PvP.

Will the full glow option for tights return when CO goes F2P?

Poz: I'm sorry to say that no, we aren't doing a costume part revamp or changes to glow for the F2P launch.

Will there be hourly/daily options for Gold membership, or is it only available as a monthly purchase?

Poz: Hourly/daily access is not in the cards for launch (or anytime soon, most likely).

Is the monthly CP allowance for Gold Subscribers and Lifetimers usable in both STO and CO?

Destra: The current plan is that the points allocated via the monthly stipend for Gold Members and Lifetime Subscribers will only be usable in Champions Online.

How will passive powers scale in potential?

Poz: Passive powers will scale with superstats.

Will there be different rewards for restricted and unrestricted PVP?

Poz: There are no plans to reward PvP differently, but that answer not set in stone and we may change our mind.

Will Cryptic Points allocated from the monthly stipend be usable in both CO and STO?

Destra: The current plan is that the points allocated via the monthly stipend for Gold Members and Lifetime Subscribers will only be usable in Champions Online.

Are there going to be more free archetypes?

Poz: The eight archetypes announced will be free and it is most new ones will be for pay. They will likely be more expensive than costumes are, though prices are not yet final.

Will we get a free retcon with all these changes? If so will it replace any free retcons we've already earned or will it add to them?

Poz: The "system retcon", which you can only hold one of (for each hero). So, you may wish to use any system retcons you might have before F2P goes Live. Earned and purchased retcons are unaffected.

What are the Special Archetypes that are Purchasable by Silver members?

Poz: We haven't announced our for-pay archetypes yet.

If I Stop Subscribing... Will I be Converted to Silver?

Poz: We'll never convert a character from Gold to Silver unless you specifically approve it.

Can I use my trail version to play f2p?

Poz: There aren't really multiple "versions" of Champions. It looks at your account and either lets you play as a trial or full member. (In the future, as a Silver Player or a Gold Member.) They use all the all same data. In other words, if you go to the website and subscribe, then run the game and log in, it will be the "full version".

What is the possibility of Gold Members getting dual builds when F2P hits live?

Poz: There are no plans for them at this time, but it's a neat idea.

Will there be incentives for unrestricted PvP?

Poz: There are no plans to reward PvP differently, but that answer not set in stone and we may change our mind.

Do you still need to buy the retail copy of the game when F2P launches?

Poz: The retail copies will still exist after F2P, but you will not need them. Buying one will give you whatever retailer spiff is in the box and a month of Gold Membership from the time you enter the retail key on the new account. So, they will still cost money (~$15), but you get the month of subscription.

What exactly where the eligibility requirements for beta possibility?

Poz: We are inviting people over time, so if you didn't get an invite it doesn't mean you won't be invited.
We are starting slowly and adding people over time. Doing so reduces burnout and makes sure the game doesn't explode on impact. :-)

Do Silvers have access to SG bank tabs?

Poz: Silver Players are not limited in their supergroups, except that they can't create them when they are newly created accounts.

Will there be any mission and/or kill xp changes?

Poz: There are no planned changes to XP rewards at this time.

Will there be a fee to convert gold sub to silver membership?

Poz: There is no fee to switch from Gold to Silver at the account level. By definition, a Silver Player is someone who doesn't pay for a subscription. :-)

Will Silver be on a seperate server/shard?

Poz: There will be a single shard for Champions Online with both Gold Members and Silver Players on it. No special "Silver Shards" or anything like that.