Hawkwing Vehicles + Nighthawk Belt Grab Bag

trailturtle · August 2012

After trying out the Hawkwing jets in the Nighthawk mission chain, you can get a permanent version for yourself in one of two ways. You can either win one of the three variants (randomly chosen) through the Nighthawk Belt Grab Bag (along with special Nighthawk devices and more), or you can get your choice of the three vehicles a la cart for 1500 ZEN.

Get more info in the blog post.

theravenforce · August 2012

You then have to take into account how insanely low the chance of getting one is...

lordhavelock · August 2012

theravenforce wrote: »

You then have to take into account how insanely low the chance of getting one is...

The chance is 100% if the buyer is smart enough to bypass these lottery tickets and just pay the $15 for whichever vehicle they want, or $45 for the whole set. No chance involved via the ala carte method. Oh, and another $4.75 gets them the costume from the C-Store.... (Though I imagine many of the pieces will end up on the Exhcange, eventually...)

Personally I think this is a fabulous way to release "big ticket" items. Put a straight-up set price on how much they cost, but offer a gamble-method for those into that sort of thing. I wish they'd do this with the STO Lock-Box items. I'm always the former type, myself.

Regardless, I don't plan on buying the vehicles. I don't care for Become Devices in general, and my heroes can all travel/fight on their own. So I don't really get the point of Champion Vehicles anyway.... I mean, I suppose there are those "Batman"-type themed toons that want their Bat Jets and Bat Mobiles, and I say, God Bless 'em. Maybe when the whole new "system" comes out, I'll reconsider, but again, Become Devices do nothing for me.

manwholaughs · August 2012

Well my interest has been thrown right out of the window for these "become devices" (even though the devs said the become device state was just temporary so that people could try them out sooner) that are on the C-Store for a laughable amount of Zen.

At least the final part of the Nighthawk mission was pretty cool, just a shame all I got for it was a one time use Bola.

I have a few "Batman" type characters, so vehicles would work wonders for me, but as become devices with no customization they are basically useless. I'll hold off for a month or two to see if Cryptic implements the vehicle system they said they would before I give up on it completely.

fudgemonsta · August 2012

"I helped Nighthawk clear his name and all I got was this lousy drifter salvage." :rolleyes:

beldin · August 2012

manwholaughs wrote: »

Well my interest has been thrown right out of the window for these "become devices" (even though the devs said the become device state was just temporary so that people could try them out sooner) that are on the C-Store for a laughable amount of Zen.

Can i say : i told you so ? And your answer was :

manwholaughs wrote: »

Then play as your "hero" the way you always have, because vehicles are a choice of play, hence adding a whole new way of playing the game!

Oh and most "heroes" use vehicles, maybe you should accept that fact.

The devs have stated that when fully introduced these vehicles will not be your typical "become devices".

So yes this is new content, it's a fact!

mistformsquirrel · August 2012

I'm on the fence here:

On the first hand -

I love vehicles, just in general; aircraft particularly are a passion of mine. I've also got a lot of characters who can make use of them. I also think the general playstyle is interesting, albeit different enough compared to basic CO that I had to do some learning on the fly (and failed the mission my first time through... we'll see if I can beat it later)

On the other hand -

I really have no desire to fork out 15 bucks for something that isn't customizable. The hawk jets are neat, but only work for one of my characters; and I figure with her I'll just keep doing the daily to try to get her one that way. I realize this is the prototype stage, so I'm not angry or upset or even surprised - I just want it to be understood that the reason my money isn't forthcoming is because for me, there's not a lot of point until I can customize them and get my mitts on the full system.

Don't consider that 'lack of interest' merely prudent purchasing from someone with limited income. (If I had heaps of cash lying around, I'd probably go ahead and buy em; but I don't so...)

manwholaughs · August 2012

beldin wrote: »

Can i say : i told you so ? And your answer was :

Which my answer still stands.

magemighty1 · August 2012

DISGRACEFUL... I went through the mission, not getting hopeful, and handed it in to find that it gave me a costume piece that I didn't use but wasted Zen on the set for last week.

beldin · August 2012

manwholaughs wrote: »

Which my answer still stands.

Then why say that your " interest has been thrown right out of the window" ?
If it is still "new content" for you then be happy you can now "play" this new content

ferrolho · August 2012

Looking forward to try these new vehicles. Sounds pretty fun.

manwholaughs · August 2012

beldin wrote: »

Then why say that your " interest has been thrown right out of the window" ?
If it is still "new content" for you then be happy you can now "play" this new content

My interest went out of the window because I was fully expecting some sort of customization like the devs stated we would get, they also stated the become device state was temporary. I also never stated that one should be happy about it, only that it is indeed either way you look at it new content, so yes beldiny old chap, my answer still stands.

lotar295 · August 2012

After seeing the c store and the fact that these nighthawk jets are not customizable nor permanent versions(the ones in the mission at least),I mean really,ANOTHER GRAB BAG?!?!?!?!

Why can't we just have ONE vehicle,seeing as the content will become vehicle only soon,we need to have one for it.:mad:

bioshrike · August 2012

lotar295 wrote: »

After seeing the c store and the fact that these nighthawk jets are not customizable nor permanent versions(the ones in the mission at least),I mean really,ANOTHER GRAB BAG?!?!?!?!

Why can't we just have ONE vehicle,seeing as the content will become vehicle only soon,we need to have one for it.:mad:

The content will not become "vehicle only". It was also announced that these are "prototype vehicles" - there is the intention to create a more refined vehicle system that will have a greater degree of customizeability.

I'm not at my PC ATM - can someone clarify for me - is the Nighthawk mission chain a daily given by Defender? Does completing this chain *always* award one of the Nighthawk belt grab bags?

Thanks.

lotar295 · August 2012

bioshrike wrote: »

The content will not become "vehicle only". It was also announced that these are "prototype vehicles" - there is the intention to create a more refined vehicle system that will have a greater degree of customizeability.

I'm not at my PC ATM - can someone clarify for me - is the Nighthawk mission chain a daily given by Defender? Does completing this chain *always* award one of the Nighthawk belt grab bags?

Thanks.

When I tried the thing,it only took me a little bit,I had to switch zones a bit to get to the specific sightings,then grind a couple mobs to get circumstantial evidence,then go through about 3 groups before beating Stone,and when we did,we got the grab bag,but honestly,the one major issue I have with this,is why give it so much attention,I've not met hardly anyone that has a conceptual build that would need vehicles,only non-super powered heroes would use it,and 1500 zen for that or grab bag farming?
its not that worth it....not worth it at all.....

jonsills · August 2012

bioshrike wrote: »

I'm not at my PC ATM - can someone clarify for me - is the Nighthawk mission chain a daily given by Defender? Does completing this chain *always* award one of the Nighthawk belt grab bags?

Thanks.

Yes, it does. I ran it once, on Spider-Bat (one of my heroes who could really use a jet, conceptually speaking), and got Nighthawk's Integrated Chest.

Lotar, if none of your characters wants a jet, by all means, don't run the Daily or purchase one from the Z-Store. It's not necessary, any more than, say, the Mountain pieces were for 99% of the populace. It's just a fun little bit of frippery. I want a Fast Attack Jet for Spider-Bat, and maybe one of the support jets for HandyMan, but I don't think any of my others need/want aircraft.

gaelyn1 · August 2012

Oh my god ! The game need a lot of content to play with our characters and this is what they will do the next months for the game: "vehicles content" which don't have any connection with our characters.
The fight vs Stone was all but fun to play. And this is this kind of content what we'll have the next months.
I don't know how to say what i think of this new feature without risk to hurt someone...
I assume we should wait for the devs finish to work on the vehicles "content", to have the chance to see another kind of content in a few months/next year. Sigh.

magemighty1 · August 2012

bioshrike wrote: »

The content will not become "vehicle only". It was also announced that these are "prototype vehicles" - there is the intention to create a more refined vehicle system that will have a greater degree of customizeability.

I'm not at my PC ATM - can someone clarify for me - is the Nighthawk mission chain a daily given by Defender? Does completing this chain *always* award one of the Nighthawk belt grab bags?

Thanks.

It has a low chance of giving a vehicle and then a 1/3 chance of getting the one you want

lotar295 · August 2012

jonsills wrote: »

Yes, it does. I ran it once, on Spider-Bat (one of my heroes who could really use a jet, conceptually speaking), and got Nighthawk's Integrated Chest.

Lotar, if none of your characters wants a jet, by all means, don't run the Daily or purchase one from the Z-Store. It's not necessary, any more than, say, the Mountain pieces were for 99% of the populace. It's just a fun little bit of frippery. I want a Fast Attack Jet for Spider-Bat, and maybe one of the support jets for HandyMan, but I don't think any of my others need/want aircraft.

1,if not 2 of them could use a jet,transporter for sure,Im just saying,why make it so expensive since only a small portion uses it,only 1 out of all of my toons would use one,and what I mean by this,is that its not worth that much.

pariahoyama · August 2012

I REALLY REALLY do not like that they are transform devices.

I hope very wholeheartedly that these will become a build or costume because right now it really does not appeal to me. It appears not to appeal to most people at this point. They look like a hawk...yay. They shoot supped up version of the power armor powers...yay again.

Seriously...
These would sell, even at the ridiculous cost of $15US, if:
- You could customize their hull appearance to at least some degree
- You could customize the weapons (tech, fire, ice, wind, electricity, toxic, psionic, magic, ETC) appearance
- It was an account-wide item at least when purchased and not a device you have to trade around... (heck the dumb pre-order hover boots are available account-wide though the bonus screen, why not these!?!)
- There was more content to support vehicles

As I see it right now I would never buy into this. The only reason I have the interceptor jet is because my brother gifted me some zen specifically to buy one.

I am pretty disappointed really. I hope they refine this pretty quick because it could be pretty great if they do. Otherwise it is a massive waste of zen.

finalslaps · August 2012

These planes should just be a free travel power for Christ's sake. What's with all these special attacks?

theravenforce · August 2012

It has been said before that these are not the finished product! I am excited to see what the finished products will look like however...

I do like the force field animation on the heavy fighter jets *-*.....Is it a sign that AoE shielding is possible?:eek:..oh wait it already is..except it is called an Alert Bubble T_T..

Anyway back to jets issues..

I am getting an odd error when in the final mission however...when I am fully loaded on a jet with 150/150 energy..and try to use 26-29k blast of doom...I get to half charge and it shorts out...and tells me I havent got enough energy...

I am not sure whether this just happens to fast attack and heavy jets but it's irritating...

I do like how the scoring system works now

well in that alert anyway...I never realised the timed component until I looked in the corner of my screen and saw the timer...I think he is sufficiently difficult/doable...as long as your PUG isnt full of people just happy to be in a jet...>_>

cybersoldier1981 · August 2012

They said this wasn't the final thing. I think they're running these jets through the gauntlet before they hurl resources and work toward a full-blown vehicle system, which is smart if you want one that actually works well and isn't completely messed up.

As far as the 'I don't use vehicles' people, if your concept is all that restricts you from playing- this is not Cryptic's fault. You can't refuse to eat and claim you're being starved. If you don't like it, don't do it. Simple as that.

I like the speed on these things, to be honest. It's a hell of a break from Acrobatics and Swinging TP's.

fudgemonsta · September 2012

theravenforce wrote: »

I am getting an odd error when in the final mission however...when I am fully loaded on a jet with 150/150 energy..and try to use 26-29k blast of doom...I get to half charge and it shorts out...and tells me I havent got enough energy...

I noticed that on my run too. Watching the energy bar you can sometimes see it drop down by one, and then fill back up to 150. Whatever is making it do that seems to be screwing up the charging for it.

fysiel · September 2012

Well I've been giddy ever since I heard about vehicles making their way into the game, but after playing just the prototype I'd say we could do without.

The "vehicles" felt less like vehicles and more like an interactive travel power. The three dimensional movement made the experience lack luster. A permanent auto-run or at least a few simple movement commands would make it feel more "vehicle-like." The jet played more like a helicopter than a jet.

-Take Off
-Land
-Auto-move with selectable move speed increases (cruise, 1/2 speed, full speed)

I have to agree with pariahoyama in the account wide unlocks, similar to the hideouts. I wouldn't mind spending 1500 zen on something like that.

I can't wait to see a finished product, regardless of what it is going to be like.

Also, being able to see my vehicle at my hideout would be sweet.

blumoon8 · September 2012

There really are few words. 15 bucks? Really? They are only prototypes and your willing to charge 15 bucks on a product that isn't final yet and will be different in the full release. Know you no shame Cryptic World? Do you honestly expect to get valid sales numbers on such a product? I've been around since January 2010 and the decisions I've been seeing lately have left me on the fence. I can't stay loyal to a company that keeps breaking my heart, no matter how good the product is. The old Champs spirit is slowly dying and being replaced...

I'm not really saying this to anyone in particular, call me a whiner, complainer, QQ'er, whatever, I don't care. If there a chance someone important might see this, then this is the feedback they are looking for.

My biggest problem is that these will be needed to access some content in the future. So we may need to fork over 15 bucks to get greater access to the game. Who wants to make a bet pool right now that it WON'T be a part of gold privileges? I bought the 3 month sub from the sale. If things don't clear up by November, I'm gone... May return at some point, may not. The ball is in Cryptic's court now.

crosschan · September 2012

fudgemonsta wrote: »

I noticed that on my run too. Watching the energy bar you can sometimes see it drop down by one, and then fill back up to 150. Whatever is making it do that seems to be screwing up the charging for it.

From the testing of myself and my friends I believe I know the cause of the issue. It's forms. If you have a form on before you get into the jet you cannot turn it off without exiting the jet(or being murdered which will turn it off). The slight cost increase of the form is what we believe to be causing the issue. While you do not build stacks it appears to be still "on" because sometimes you can see the icon pop up for a brief second. Bug reports have been made but, please, feel free to make more...many...many more. :biggrin:

kittyanon · September 2012

What is so hard for you people to understand about not using the jets for your character if you don't like them? It's a PROTOTYPE. There WILL be changes made and it's not as if they will be the only ones available. While we're on the subject of griping about the probability of getting one from the mission, let me remind you all that other desired reward drops are just as ganked. Example, costume drops from Warlord, Gravitar, etc.

That being said, it still -does- irritate me that I spent a good hour or two trying to finish that mission (Stone is a cheesewad to beat) and tried the final part a good 4-5 times before finally completing it, only to be given Drifter salvage. Not even a useful amount. I can agree that THAT needs to stop happening.

crypticbuxom · September 2012

The Nighthawk event is NOT EXCLUSIVE TO VEHICLES. You can still fight without the jet. However if you do NOT have flying capabilities, then the jet I guess would be fitting for your concept being this is a modern day super hero settings.

A super hero wouldn't let another down if he was worth his weight. So choke up on your pride and get in that vehicle. I mean, you use the SUPER JET to get to other places right?

kittyanon · September 2012

crypticbuxom wrote: »

A super hero wouldn't let another down if he was worth his weight. So choke up on your pride and get in that vehicle. I mean, you use the SUPER JET to get to other places right?

You win. I wonder if anyone else has ever stopped to give this a thought.

xenosinfinityx · September 2012

Agh... Look, I like the event and I like two of the jets, but the heavy fighter is lousy. I have better survivability when I'm on foot... Could we at least get Invulnerability or Personal Forcefield or something on it? Because everyone keeps picking the furthest one to the left and assuming 'heavy fighter' means artillery...

dibdabs · September 2012

Are the jets in the store account-wide or just per character?

thelastsonofzod · September 2012

Technically, they're per character, but you can trade between characters via your hideout vault. They do bind on account once equipped though, so you can't try them and then sell them off.

dibdabs · September 2012

Thanks very much

chalupaoffury · September 2012

So, wait, they cost more than a become and they bind to account after you try em?

Yeah, pass.

trunham · September 2012

I don't know if anyone else is having issues but since this patch with the Jets I am having serious issues trying to log into the game and its taking an age to actually do anything.

lotar295 · September 2012

chalupaoffury wrote: »

So, wait, they cost more than a become and they bind to account after you try em?

Yeah, pass.

Yeah,I really don't see why they're priced beyond 1,150,they are just becomes with a speed boost,the jets can't really "work" their role like us,for example,invul is all you need to be more effective than a tank jet,and a taunt,come to think of it,I'm not sure if they are even worth 1,150,at least regular becomes can perform their roles somewhat well.

theravenforce · September 2012

xenosinfinityx wrote: »

Agh... Look, I like the event and I like two of the jets, but the heavy fighter is lousy. I have better survivability when I'm on foot... Could we at least get Invulnerability or Personal Forcefield or something on it? Because everyone keeps picking the furthest one to the left and assuming 'heavy fighter' means artillery...

With PFF's current state....you'd go down just as easily without it...I was suprised that the support jet doesnt have some kind of block or any of them really..

I thought the force shield animation was a shield of some kind but it is just a very cool looking block..

hocofaisan · September 2012

I thought people shouted me shown when I said on PTS! That these vehicles are just become devices!

Not that anything is wrong with that.
Here's hoping the money you guys spend on this leads to more free to play development!

agentnx5 · September 2012

Sheesh guys, 1500 Z isn't very expensive for a vanity device that you can also use to fight with... It's not like action figures can fight and many people have paid way more for those in total. Talk about penny-pinching. >_>

It would be an issue if you HAD TO have it to be effective. Thankfully it's not pay-to-win right now, and it must NEVER become pay-to-win! Mark my words.

jonsills wrote: »

Lotar, if none of your characters wants a jet, by all means, don't run the Daily or purchase one from the Z-Store. It's not necessary, any more than, say, the Mountain pieces were for 99% of the populace.

Logic wins again! :biggrin:

finalslaps wrote: »

These planes should just be a free travel power for Christ's sake. What's with all these special attacks?

http://co-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=161061

People want their "I win" button, as I predicted.

Also the heavy fighter does echo in my mind as being similar to the PyroGX's design, which is kind of cool. I might get one just for show.

crypticbuxom wrote: »

The Nighthawk event is NOT EXCLUSIVE TO VEHICLES. You can still fight without the jet. However if you do NOT have flying capabilities, then the jet I guess would be fitting for your concept being this is a modern day super hero settings.

A super hero wouldn't let another down if he was worth his weight. So choke up on your pride and get in that vehicle. I mean, you use the SUPER JET to get to other places right?

A fair point, although the complaints are about it being out-of-theme for their character, which will undoubtable change in time.

pugdaddy · September 2012

For other vehicle ideas, I'd like to suggest a flying saucer. Beam weapons, tractor beam, paralyze rays, temp government agent pets. Could be fun.

mijjestic · September 2012

Current implementation: money grab for work already gone into vehicle system, however half-arsed.

End Result: Yawn-worthy item if vehicles ever receive promised additional attention. OR yawn-worthy bygone reminder of what 'could have been' of vehicle system that was abandoned for the yawn-worthy idea that it was.

My response: *yawn* No thanks...(to purchase anyway)

In any case, if others enjoy, good for them. Be ye enchanted and fulfilled with the wonders you have received.

Won't really hold my breath for the 'full implementation' but I am not immune to being impressed later. I hope I am ultimately. But it'll take quite a bit of customization to happen, as 5000 of these clone hawkwings flying around was old the day they hit.

lordhavelock · September 2012

I completed the new in-game Nighthawk mission for the first time yesterday, including the part where you get to jump into a plane and flight it against Stone. I was quite disoriented and found the movement to be non-intuitive/strange. Perhaps if I change up my direction-key settings and/or practice at the flying it'll be better. Or maybe if I was using a joystick...

Still, it reminded me of some old stand-up arcade games I used to play back in the 80s, which was fun then, but cheesy now.

I understand these were prototype vehicles, but I was really underwhelmed.

>shrug<

However little interest I might have had in these "Become Devices" is gone. We'll see what the non-prototype vehicle system brings...

xvii013 · September 2012

My toons don't really need a jet, but its still fun to have one. More stuff means more options, and besides the jets definitely add something fresh/different to the game.

I really do hope that the "full/final" version of the vehicle system comes soon though, the mere thought of being able to customize jets/tanks/etc (and thinking of matching hero concepts) is already exciting enough, I'm sure doing it for real would be much more fun :biggrin:

And yup, I do think that the mission is quite good as well, except for the fact that the jets are sometimes incapable of firing the "full blast" attack

Hawkwing Vehicles + Nighthawk Belt Grab Bag

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