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An option to change Archetype characters to Freeform after purchasing a Freeform slot

leviticusloleviticuslo Posts: 7 Arc User
edited April 2018 in Suggestions Box
If I purchase a Freeform slot, I'd like to be able to move one of my existing Archetype characters into the Freeform slot.

Here's the type of process I'm thinking.

Let's say you have 2 Archetype slots; a Radiant named "Awesome Alex" and a Behemoth named "Bad Betty".

You purchase 1 unused Freeform slot, and decide you want Bad Betty to be a Freeform. Normally, you'd delete Bad Betty, emptying the Archetype slot, then remake her from scratch in the Freeform slot.

Instead, I suggest adding the option to move Bad Betty into the Freeform slot. This would preserve any progress Bad Betty has made in the game, and unlocking the option to make her into a Freeform. It would also empty the Archetype slot she was occupying in preparation for your future character; a Glacier named "Cool Caleb".

Ideally, it would be possible to continue switching characters in and out of a Freeform slot, or even switching two existing characters between slots (like switching Awesome Alex with Bad Betty). This could end up being a bit unwieldy, and if necessary, some limits could be implemented.

Possible options could include:

1. You can only switch a character between Archetype/Freeform if there is an empty slot available of the appropriate type.
* If it's not possible to directly swap two existing characters between slot types, then this would be the next best thing.
Example: If you want to move Bad Betty back into an Archetype slot, you'll need an empty Archetype slot available. Same for moving an Archetype character into a Freeform slot; you'll need an empty Freeform slot.

2. You are limited to 1 slot change within a set amount of time (anything from 5 minutes to 24 hours).
* Depending on the length of time, this may not be a bad option either, though partially depends on whether two existing characters can be swapped between slots. This could also be used to give the servers enough buffer time to read and save the changes.
Example: Since you moved Bad Betty into the Freeform slot, you'll have to wait 1 hour before you can change a character's slot type.

3. You are limited to moving Archetype characters into empty Freeform slots. Moving Freeform characters into Archetype slots is not possible.
* This option would mostly be in case of technical limitations, in case of reverting a Freeform character into an Archetype slot. Still a decent option for upgrading an Archetype character, though.
Example: Once you move Bad Betty into the Freeform slot, she can no longer be moved back into an Archetype slot (though you can still train/retrain her as an Archetype in-game). However, if you delete Bad Betty, you can then move Awesome Alex into the same Freeform slot.

4. You are limited to 1 slot change per unused Freeform slot. Moving an Archetype character into the Freeform slot, or creating a Freeform character, locks the slot from any further slot swaps permanently.
* Essentially just a stricter version of option 3, an Archetype character can only be rewritten as a Freeform if the Freeform slot has never been used before. However, it's definitely not my preferred option and mostly only here in case of technical limitations.
Example: Once you move Bad Betty into the Freeform slot, it's locked from any further slot changes. Even if you delete Bad Betty, you'll be unable to move Awesome Alex into the Freeform slot.

I'm sure there are other possible ways to handle this, though. These are just my ideas.

Comments

  • spinnytopspinnytop Posts: 16,467 Arc User
    Is not possible, sry.
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  • jasinblazejasinblaze Posts: 1,366 Arc User
    Or buy LTS for 4-6 times the price and convert all your characters to free form forever
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  • magpieuk2014magpieuk2014 Posts: 1,268 Arc User
    Or Subscribe and get a free Retrain.....
  • leviticusloleviticuslo Posts: 7 Arc User
    edited May 2018
    spinnytop said:

    Is not possible, sry.

    A subscription allows a player to change an Archetype character into a Freeform without deleting and remaking the character. If desired, a player can also change their Freeform characters into Archetypes.

    The means to changing a character's Archetype/Freeform status, as well as the character's slot type, already exists.

    Why would it not be possible to extend the same benefits to purchased Freeform slots?
    jasinblaze said:

    Or buy LTS for 4-6 times the price and convert all your characters to free form forever

    magpieuk2014 said:

    Or Subscribe and get a free Retrain.....

    Subscribing does give the option to change an Archetype character into a Freeform, along with a multitude of other extra goodies and rewards, and even has the additional benefit of allowing the player to create an unlimited number of Freeform characters.

    Extending the option to players purchasing Freeform slots doesn't seem out of line.
  • spinnytopspinnytop Posts: 16,467 Arc User
    edited May 2018
    leviticuslo said:

    A subscription allows a player to change an Archetype character into a Freeform without deleting and remaking the character. If desired, a player can also change their Freeform characters into Archetypes.

    The means to changing a character's Archetype/Freeform status, as well as the character's slot type, already exists.

    Why would it not be possible to extend the same benefits to purchased Freeform slots?

    Is not possible, sry. Character can not be transferred between slots.
    Squishy DPS builds that can solo QWZ w/videos.
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  • roughbearmattachroughbearmattach Posts: 4,785 Arc User
    Even for subscribers/lifers, those Freeform slots are different than other character slots.
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  • markhawkmanmarkhawkman Posts: 4,916 Arc User
    Yeah, the game draws a distinction between "gold" and "silver" character slots. certain features are based on if it's a gold or silver slot.
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  • roughbearmattachroughbearmattach Posts: 4,785 Arc User
    markhawkman said:

    Yeah, the game draws a distinction between "gold" and "silver" character slots. certain features are based on if it's a gold or silver slot.

    And also "Freeform Slots". They are a third category, and have slightly different parameters than usual gold or silver slots.
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  • pantagruel01pantagruel01 Posts: 7,091 Arc User
    It is probably technically possible to implement 'convert slot to freeform', but given that this has been a known issue for years, it is likely not trivial.
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  • reaperwithnoname#5949 reaperwithnoname
    reaperwithnoname#5949
         Posts: 388 Arc User
    This is far too complicated. It would be simpler to just have a 5000 zen token that converts an AT to a FF. I doubt that Cryptic would do either, though.

    > @roughbearmattach said:
    > Even for subscribers/lifers, those Freeform slots are different than other character slots.

    This is news to me. So a person who has FF slots and goes LTS has no way of getting those benefits for those particular characters? Interesting. Out of curiosity, what features are those?
  • roughbearmattachroughbearmattach Posts: 4,785 Arc User
    reaperwithnoname#5949 said:

    This is far too complicated. It would be simpler to just have a 5000 zen token that converts an AT to a FF. I doubt that Cryptic would do either, though.



    > @roughbearmattach said:

    > Even for subscribers/lifers, those Freeform slots are different than other character slots.



    This is news to me. So a person who has FF slots and goes LTS has no way of getting those benefits for those particular characters? Interesting. Out of curiosity, what features are those?

    It's minor, but a clue to the difference: FF slots, even when purchased by lifer, don't have the "color all" button in the power tinting interface. Each power can still be colored individually. FF slots have a different icon on the character select screen. Purchased FF slots remain accessible if an account goes to Silver, too.

    A FF slot is it's own thing.
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  • spinnytopspinnytop Posts: 16,467 Arc User
    Why would you even wanna do that anyway you bought a FF slot, you can have a whole new character in that slot. 2 characters are better than 1, and as a non-sub you're pretty limited when it comes to slots.
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  • reaperwithnoname#5949 reaperwithnoname
    reaperwithnoname#5949
         Posts: 388 Arc User
    If you were referring to me, Foxi, converting a pre-existing character to a FF instead of getting a new FF slot would save one the time and effort of re-farming all their stuff, but come at the cost of a character slot. It wouldn't be worthwhile to some people, obviously, but to others it might be.
    roughbearmattach wrote: »

    It's minor, but a clue to the difference: FF slots, even when purchased by lifer, don't have the "color all" button in the power tinting interface. Each power can still be colored individually. FF slots have a different icon on the character select screen. Purchased FF slots remain accessible if an account goes to Silver, too.

    A FF slot is it's own thing.

    Ah. I was thinking the differences were more significant than that.
  • leviticusloleviticuslo Posts: 7 Arc User
    reaperwithnoname#5949 said:

    If you were referring to me, Foxi, converting a pre-existing character to a FF instead of getting a new FF slot would save one the time and effort of re-farming all their stuff, but come at the cost of a character slot. It wouldn't be worthwhile to some people, obviously, but to others it might be.

    Pretty much. For myself at least, being able to preserve an existing character's progress, equipment, character specific unlocks, and whatnot can be more beneficial than starting over from scratch just to remake the exact same character with a modified skillset.

    Assuming it truly is 100% impossible to adjust the functionality of purchased Freeform slots, then adding a.. "Freeform Conversion Token" (change a Silver/Archetype slot into a Freeform slot) could end up working instead. Since it wouldn't add a new Character slot (one is 750 Zen), the price for a "Freeform Converstion Token" could perhaps be.. 4250 Zen?
    roughbearmattach said:

    It's minor, but a clue to the difference: FF slots, even when purchased by lifer, don't have the "color all" button in the power tinting interface. Each power can still be colored individually. FF slots have a different icon on the character select screen. Purchased FF slots remain accessible if an account goes to Silver, too.

    A FF slot is it's own thing.

    Mostly out of curiosity (and being unable to find the answers elsewhere), would you happen to know how Retrain Tokens work with Freeform slots? More specifically, would using a Retrain Token to convert a Freeform Character into an Archetype Character reset the Freeform slot they're occupying? I'd imagine not, but I can't seem to find any answers on this.
  • roughbearmattachroughbearmattach Posts: 4,785 Arc User
    leviticuslo wrote: »
    Mostly out of curiosity (and being unable to find the answers elsewhere), would you happen to know how Retrain Tokens work with Freeform slots? More specifically, would using a Retrain Token to convert a Freeform Character into an Archetype Character reset the Freeform slot they're occupying? I'd imagine not, but I can't seem to find any answers on this.

    A purchased FF slot can't be converted to an AT slot.

    Gold slots (ones from purchasing sub/life/leveling while subbed) can't be changed into silver ones, AT or not.

    Silver slots (2 free ones, plus ones you bought with Zen) can be converted into FF, but I don't remember them being able to revert. I think there is even a text warning when you convert them, that it's a one-way trip.
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