This page is a sort of catch-all category for all the things I couldn't fit into other parts of the site. And of course, there are some basic questions that all new players seem to ask, that can be answered quickly. For more extensive information on other questions, I suggest using the Knowledge Base on the City of Heroes site, or ask in the message boards.
Q: Why can't I have a cape from level 1?
A: Originally, this question was, "Why can't I have a cape?" At release, you couldn't have a cape at all. The devs wanted to take the time and effort to get capes exactly right, to make the animation as realistic as possible, and not just a dead weight hanging off your back. They still have some work to do (they are planning on adding bigger capes, as well as things like trenchcoats, but I think the wait was worth it)
As for the question of why you have to wait for a cape, I think it's intended to keep you playing the game. But since they spent so much time on capes and it's such a popular feature, I think they're justified in making it a reward. I might not have made the same decision, but I think any player can reach 20.
Q: How can a Natural hero fly or have any powers?
A: With a jetpack or some other tool. Remember that Natural heroes can use Gadget and Relic Enhancements, which they share with Technology and Magic. So using a tool doesn't make you Technology, it's how you USE that tool. If it bothers you, just think of Natural as a catch-all category, and use the term "skill-based" to describe a hero that doesn't have any powers.
Q: Do I have to use the mouse to play this game? Can I use the arrow keys?
A: Select Options from the Menu button to the upper right of the screen, and there will be a tab for Keybinds. You can set the arrow keys to move or rotate, as you see fit. Personally, I have the arrow keys mapped to rotate so I can still use "A" and "D" to strafe. Note that you can also rotate with the "Q" and "E" keys, although it doesn't tell you this in the tutorial. (Although it does in the manual)
Q: Can I use a key to set off a specific Power?
A: For this, you will want to use /bind. See the Commands section of this site, or ask around on the message boards. The /bind function can be incredibly powerful, and I use it myself a lot. (For instance, I have Hover mapped to my right shift key so I can hit it quickly while moving with the arrow keys)
Q: Why am I not getting experience in the Tutorial?!!!
A: You don't get experience for individual "kills" in the tutorial, only for finishing the missions. So just kill as many Contaminated as you're asked to and leave the rest to the other new players. You automatically gain enough XP to get to level 2 in the tutorial, so you'll be ready to talk to a trainer the moment you leave.
Q: Where is Miss Liberty or Back Alley Brawler?
A: They were right in front of you when you left the tutorial. If you've wandered around since then, you've probably lost your place. Just go back in front of the building and look for the huge crowd of heroes. :D
Q: Where is my first contact?
A: Inside the building. :D Go to the door and click on it. This also shows you how you enter mission zones.
Q: How do I sidekick?
A: Just ask someone to sidekick you, or if you want to sidekick someone click him and select "Sidekick" from the Actions menu. The mentor (person inviting the sidekick) has to be level 10 or above, but the sidekick can be any level up to five levels below the mentor. It's important to note that you can unsidekick at any time, but the other person must be online for you to click on him and open the Action menu. If the other person is NOT online, you will have to use the command /unsidekick.
Q: How do I use Enhancements?
A: First, click on the Enhancements button on the lower right of your screen. (It's interesting to note this button will turn red when your Enhancements tray is "full") You will now see a list of all your powers and their available slots. What you do next depends on if there is an empty slot to put the Enhancement in ("slotting an Enhancement") or there is already an Enhancement of that type in a slot. ("combining Enhancements")
To slot an Enhancement, simply drag it from the tray into the empty slot. You will notice that all valid slots will turn green when the Enhancement can be dropped there. Once fitted, the Enhancement cannot be returned to the tray, but it can be discarded. Just drag it from the slot on the Power to the trash can. You can also throw away Enhancements from the tray.
To combine an Enhancement, click on the Power bar and the Combining screen will appear. You can then click on the slotted Enhancement you want to combine, and the Enhancement in the tray you want to combine it with. Compatible Enhancements will always be indicated when you select a slotted Enhancement. (The Enhancements have to be the same type, although they can be of different levels) You will NOT be able to combine an Enhancement if the slotted Enhancement is at ++, even if the new Enhancement is a level higher. This is because if the combine were to fail, your ++ enhancement would be effectively reduced to a +. You have to use an Enhancement that is two levels higher than a ++ to allow it to "upgrade" to the new level.
You cannot combine Enhancements that are not identical, but you can replace an Enhancement at any time by dragging a new Enhancement over it, as if the slot were empty. You will get a confirmation dialog to make sure that this is what you want. This can be used to "downgrade" a ++ to a new Enhancement of the next level. (Which may then be raised to ++ if you have more Enhancements of that type)
Q: I just got a new Power, and it is WEAK! How come the devs made this Power so bad?
A: It's important to understand that the new Powers that you get are not BETTER than your current Powers, just different. Your starting Powers, the basic Powers that you choose at level 1, may still be useful to you at level 40. If you choose to, you can make any Power your "signature", and Enhance it to the point where you can use it all the time, as your main attack.
Once you start getting to higher levels, however, you start to notice that your older Powers, the ones that you have Enhanced, are more powerful than the new ones that you have not had time to Enhance. This is because for the higher levels, Enhancements become more important than level. Your damage is not based as much on what level you are, but how many Enhancement slots you have put on that Power, and how many Damage Enhancements you have put in them. Your fire rate, Endurance usage, secondary effects (such as knockback) and so on are all determined by how you have CHOSEN to Enhance your Powers.
In short, give the Power a little time to find its usefulness. Put a couple of Damage Enhancements in the one slot you get for free and THEN test it out. If it seems like it has potential, put some more slots on it, and experiment with different Enhancements. If it doesn't seem to fire fast enough for you, speed it up, if it drains your Endurance, reduce its cost, if it doesn't do enough knockback, enhance that. Don't just dismiss it outright.
Q: What's the difference between Single Origin and Dual Origin Enhancements?
A: Single Origin Enhancements are better than Dual Origin Enhancements, and they're better than Training Enhancements. (The ones you get at the start) Training Enhancements boost a Power about 7%, Dual Origins boost about 15%, and Single Origins about 33%. Note that while you Combine Enhancements so they can keep up with your level (you want to keep Enhancements at your level or above, or green) if you slot the same Enhancement in two DIFFERENT slots you will always get a BETTER effect from the two of them cumulatively. So choosing when to combine and when to "double up" is an important strategy.