Returning Player Questions

[Archangel]

Its been a long while since I have last logged into Defiance. Coming back I am seeing new skills, changed skills, new HUD icons and I just need a quick summary as to what these things are.

Threat?
The shields?

I'm also seeing weapons level up in the Ego levels along with me. Example the Hydra launcher I had from the beginning used to have no ego level to it. Now its matching my level.

I'm seeing charged snipers are not as effective as they used to be.

Mass Launchers are still super sexy.

But what else have I missed? Are there new mods to be put into slots? New weapon types to shoot for?

I'm just now going through the new season content and am picking up pretty much from the Gunslinger Xp forward.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Griffix8]

Its been a long while since I have last logged into Defiance. Coming back I am seeing new skills, changed skills, new HUD icons and I just need a quick summary as to what these things are.

Threat?
The shields?

I'm also seeing weapons level up in the Ego levels along with me. Example the Hydra launcher I had from the beginning used to have no ego level to it. Now its matching my level.

I'm seeing charged snipers are not as effective as they used to be.

Mass Launchers are still super sexy.

But what else have I missed? Are there new mods to be put into slots? New weapon types to shoot for?

I'm just now going through the new season content and am picking up pretty much from the Gunslinger Xp forward.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. Threat level means that the enemies in the area are harder. The hardest is Threat Level 10. You will see your EGO turn yellow, this means you have an artificially inflated EGO. The enemies will also be at the level present. So if you are at Threat Level 10 you'll be fighting level 4750 enemies.

2. The shields are your ablative armor. Each shield means you resist 10% of whatever damage that hits you. 1 shield is 10%, 2 shields are 20% and 3 shields are 30%. The max amount is 3 shields and that's for Legendary level shields. Enemies will also have these shields. When they "break" (when they aren't fully colored in) that means you don't have that 10% protection, so if you have 3 shields and 1 is broken then you are only resisting 20% of damage.

3. You have to maintain your weapons to your EGO level. The closer to your EGO the better your weapon will be. You MUST maintain your weapons to your EGO (the Hydra Launcher, according to most people, sucks).

4. They nerfed those. Amongst other things.

5. There are Tier 5 mods.

6. You likely have pre-patch weapons which means they aren't as powerful as current weapons. You may need to find new guns to use.

(The Rocket Launchers aren't that great in my opinion, I seldom see anyone using them outside of PvP)

[SirServed]

Threat: Basically enemies get harder based on total EGO level present.

The Shields: Armor plates. Each plate reduces damage taken by 10%.

Weapons deal more damage the higher EGO they are. You will want to keep your weapon as close to your current EGO as possible. They upgrade in increments of 100 and cannot exceed your EGO rating when doing so.

There was an issue with charged weapons killing Volge, among other things instantly. It was addressed as necessary.

Mass launchers are sexy? Are we playing the same game?

[Roez]

As always, many people would recommend you check out Etaew's Returning Player Guide.

[Luffy490]

As always, many people would recommend you check out Etaew's Returning Player Guide.

Ah, thanks.

[Archangel]

Mass launchers are sexy? Are we playing the same game?

I have always loved the Mas launchers and since they ignore armor and can be controlled when and where they go boom allows me to hit from behind over or snipe from a long way and am still able to deal a good amount of damage.

I have always loved the mass launchers > swarm or any other launchers.

[Griffix8]

They ignore ablative armor? Since when? That's Radiation's job.

[Atticus Batman]

They ignore ablative armor? Since when? That's Radiation's job.

He would mean shields Griff. He left before actual armor was added. That said the Op will find that this is basically a different game than it was before dlc 2. The base concept is still buried there, but the mechanics, nanos and plenty of other things have changed.

Op my advice would be to look over the link Roez posted. Then treat this game as a new game, and take the time to relearn it. I suggest hanging in Mount Tam for a little while as you rediscover the game, since it's threat level doesn't change as quickly as any other area in the game.