City of Heroes - Character Creation

Character Creation

In character creation, the player first selects a character's origin and archetype, then primary and secondary power sets. Next, the actual avatar with its costume is created. Then the player has a choice of customizing the color and hues of his/her powers. Lastly, the player chooses a name and can optionally write a background story to add some flavor to the character as well as creating an individual battle cry.

There are five origins a player can choose for his/her character that dictate what type of enhancements the character may use, affect which single short-ranged power they begin with (in addition to powers obtained from their primary and secondary power sets), and can influence the various villain groups that the character goes up against; these origins are Natural, Magic, Science, Mutation, and Technology.

There are five basic hero archetypes, which affect a character's power choices and team role throughout the game. Blasters are versatile damage dealers, capable of fighting at short or long range against one or many opponents. Controllers are adept at preventing enemies from moving or acting. Defenders turn the tide of battle with weakening attacks (debuffs) and ally strengthening powers (buffs). Scrappers are melee fighters with a greater chance of critical hits against tough opponents such as bosses. Tankers possess great defenses and the ability to take hits for the team.

There are also five basic villain archetypes. Brutes deal increasing damage as they attack or are themselves attacked. Corruptors can cause damage at range, with high chance for critical hits against wounded targets. Dominators assail enemies with status effects and direct damage. Masterminds summon, upgrade, and control combat pets. Stalkers are stealthy fighters, dealing critical hits when hidden or when accompanied by a team.

There are also two shapeshifting hero archetypes which are unlocked after attaining level 20 (level 50 prior to Issue 17) with a hero. Peacebringers are peaceful symbiotic aliens that have light based powers. Warshades are warlike symbiotes that are normally enemies to the Peacebringers but have reformed their evil ways. Both archetypes are capable of shapeshifting into a more offensive or more defensive form. The villain side mirrors this, with two branching villain archetypes which are unlocked after attaining level 20 (also level 50 prior to Issue 17) with a villain - both are rank-and-file soldiers for the villainous group Arachnos attempting to make a name for themselves, each with two distinct specializations.

With Issue 21, the player can now create a character and go through a tutorial involving the destruction of Galaxy City by Shivans that allows them to choose the alignment: like a heroic Corruptor or a villainous Blaster. Heroes go to Paragon City, and Villains to the Rogue Isles. Characters created with Going Rogue start the game in Praetoria, and choose whether to be a Loyalist, who follows emperor Cole, or to be in the Resistance, who oppose him. In Praetoria, however, things are not so black and white. There are good and evil people on both sides, and when leaving Praetoria at level 20, players can choose their character to be either a Hero or a Villain. (Note: Epic Archetypes like Warshades and Arachnos soldiers are still bound by their respective alignments at character creation and skip this tutorial, and CANNOT be used to create a Praetorian character.)