Hacker Noob Questions

Hey there, I'm coming off of playing City of Heroes/Vills for about 2 years now and am looking for a class that best resembles a Blaster or possibly even a Defender. As I read that Hackers are supposed to be the Glass Cannon "Mage" class for MxO, I'm wanting to know if Hacker is really the direction I should go in?

I haven't been able to actually login yet as I'm still downloading all of the updates so forgive me if this is something I can figure out in-game. I've had a solid 2 years of experience with MMO's and really enjoyed doing massive burst AoE damage, with the possibility of debuffs. Is Hacker the way to go here?

I've read that with whatever most recent update, Hackers are more viable in interlock (which I'm assuming is melee) and dish out some pain there as well. If that's the case, then this class sounds even more like a CoH Blaster and I think I'm on the right path. Can anyone provide some feedback or insight into the matter? Thanks in advance.

Yes, hacker is the tree for you. If you're into AoE attacks/debuffs, you should check out the Destroyer and Howitzer trees.

Thanks for the quick reply Gerik. One thing though...

I get the sense that a lot of the stylish combat animations are reserved for the melee classes and this makes me wonder how aesthetically pleasing the Hacker abilities look in-game. Can anyone give me some feedback on this please?

Hack animations are the same for all of them, I think. Once you activate a move and it goes through, it will show you either red (attack) or purple (debuff) lines between you and the enemy and your hands will be moving panel-like things around infront of you, following the hack attack animation droping over your enemy's head.

Huh...well...that's a bit disappointing. What's the fun of causing widespread carnage if it's subdued and repetitive animations? In fact....are Gunman capable of inflicting burst AoE damage?

A Hacker (Doctor) healing a veteran operative using gunplay in interlock against an Agent.



A Hacker launches a debuff at an Agent:



Another Debuff being cast:



and then an AOE Hack:



AOE Hack Attacks:



The dreaded Logic Canon:



(I would hardly call the effects subdued, they are more over the top than any others in the game, and as you can see, they are not all the same.)

Just noticed that all but one of the above pictures are attacks on Agents!  FOR ZION!

Huh....well, I guess  it fits the "Hacking" concept fairly well although I'll admit, I thought Hacking was going to be more visually pleasing. I suppose I'm used to the powersets of City of Heroes and need to get used to them here.
Funny though as I thought "Hacking" meant being able to change the Matrix in ways that could resemble more awe inspiring animations. Oh well though, thanks for the screencaps. Once I'm able to finally run this game i'll stop pestering you vets about this stuff *grins*.

Pick Recursion server and come pester me in game " />  Check back in a bit, I'm still looking for a single-target hack attack.  I prefer to think of AOE hacks as changing the environment of the Matrix to be inhospitable to the enemy, like pouring salt water in a fresh water fish tank.  They don't like it!  It makes for easy farming and by splitting down the Ability trees, you can take advantage of the different timer families to launch a nearly continuous barrage.  My favorite loadout for this, Howitzer/Destroyer, is a triple threat AOE attacker with debuffs for added punch. 

P.S. When I played CoH, I preferred Blasters and Defenders, too.

Well I really like seeing Code Nuke's go off on lots of people. Looks so kewl when clouds of red come off enemies.

While you are waiting to patch, here is a link to probably the best online guide to the Ability Tree.  It even simulates the in-game experience of clicking thru the tree and displaying the description for a selected Ability.

http://www.thematrix.rumbaar.net/mo...cker_hacker.htm

Love the Rumbaar!

IMPORTANT EDIT: MxO is so flexible, you can change anything about your character EXCEPT Gender, Handle, Name and Personality Trait.  The Trait selects which Attribute will be high (+3) and which will be low (-3)  Hackers can do without Perception the most, so make sure you choose True Believer (best for attack hacker) or Secluded Introvert (best for any healer) to make a good hacker.

Thanks so much for the help and info Ps1on. I created a toon on the Recursion server by the name of HotSynch and t /friended you. If you could look me up I'd appreciate it, I need all the help I can get. Thanks.

Jumping in to add you.  Probably the problem was, my handle is P-S-one-zero-N  as in the number 10.  Sorry, it's a long story

I'm in-game right now if you get this. Just finished tutorial. In Uriah at the moment.

Come to vector, you will learn to use your hacker build REAL quick....

As for hackers being viable in melee combat it depends on you're defenses and the secondary buffs from your clothing... More often than not as a hacker you will be a target of opportunity regardless of wether you are attacking or using the patcher skills. If at all possible save room for the hyper defenses in your awakened tree and pay attention to what sorts of damage are coming in.

With some practice you can completely maim someone in interlock with hacker, as long as you know what you are doing, and it can be done without Upgrade Attacks.