Overview
Issue 9, titled Breakthrough, is an upcoming release for the game. The title is said to refer to invention "Breakthroughs", Hami breaking through into a new villain zone, and the heroes breaking through into the Rogue Isles via the new Statesman's Task Force.
ETA
"Near Q1/Q2" [1], which likely means March/April 2007 time frame. As usual, this is likely to change.
The devs have said that they want to give the issue a longer than normal time on the test server, in order to have additional time to bug fix and tweak the release, especially the Invention System.
The closed test of issue 9's inventions began on March 3, 2007, and lasted through April 3, when open testing began.
Confirmed content
Major Features
Statesman's Task Force
Statesman's Task Force, the hero side equivalent of the Lord Recluse Strike Force as an alternate method for heroes to earn HOs. [2] Heroes will be "taking the fight to the Rogue Isles".
New Hamidon Encounter
A new Hamidon encounter is coming where villains will be able participate. Villains will get their own Hamidon zone named The Abyss. Preview of the Abyss currently on YouTube
Both hero and villain Hami Raids will require new tactics. According to Positron, the new encounter will require "Smaller raids, better tactics, and less potential for griefing". Hami rewards will be limited to once per 24 hour period, because of the ability for smaller groups to succeed (to prevent farming). Defeating Hami will also now give a reward pop-up, with a "Rare Recipe" as an option instead of an HO.
Invention System
The Invention System, where "Players will be able to craft Enhancements and Costume pieces for their characters using recipes, and salvage that they find while adventuring." [3] It has also been stated that the long-rumored "Legacy System", which would allow for additional improvements of level 50 characters, has evolved/been wrapped up into the Invention System. [4]
Auction Houses
Auction Houses for the new Invention Items. Wentworth's Fine Consignments will open its doors in Paragon City while the villains will do their bidding alongside "black-market" trucks placed throughout the Rogue Isles.
Quality of Life changes
Influence/Infamy Transfer Amount
The influence/infamy transfer amount will be raised from its current 99,999. There are enough character slots to account for transfers up to 9,999,999, but the new cap amount has not been announced yet. [5]
Tram Stops
More tram stops are being added, Green Line Monorail to appear in Skyway City just steps from the underpass to Faultline. Also, a new Green line stop in central Founder's Falls.
New stores
There are several enhancement stores added in Kings Row.
Flight Emotes
The alternate flight poses return as a series of emotes that can only be used while flying.
Enhancement Descriptions
Enhancements have now been given detailed story driven descriptions, For example, the Magic Origin SO for Hold Duration, has been given a description where Hermes' forces the target to "mentally Fold a Road Map correctly" Other enhancements have been given similar descriptions, but this is still subject to change.
New Trainer
A new Hero Trainer, Castle, has been added to Peregrine Island.
Patrols
Patrols in missions no longer run around in a hunched-back fashion.
Confirmed NOT to be included
- Character transfers between servers. Although at one time, CuppaJo indicated that this feature was being worked on for Issue 8 [6], Lighthouse has confirmed that it will be after Issue 9 before this feature is implemented.[7]
References
- Lady_Athyna posted this list on the CoH forums.
- A good portion of the info contained in this article was pulled from these sources.
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- Dev posts about I9 - US
- Mod posts about I9 - US
- Posts about I9 - EU