Zatanna 1964, and Mental DPS & Controller loadout!

Zatanna 1964, by RUIZBURGOS

As one can see, I'm in the midst of redesigning a few things on the blog (specifically the header, at the moment), so whilst I'm in the middle of re-design, I figured I'd not only post a sample of Mr. RuizBurgos' outstanding retro-magazine artwork, but also post an excellent (and current) Mental DPS & controller load out!  Please do enjoy - I'll see you in-world (those season event sand-dollars won't earn themselves!)

Supergirl, and Atomic DPS Loadout (mid-ranged and ranged)

Supergirl, by torqueartstudio

Today's featured loadout is for Atomic DPS (mid-ranged and ranged) by Mr. Vagrant!  I've recently been working with an atomic toon, and its only useful to have both a melee loadout as well as ranged loadout.  I'd think this is applicable no matter your combat preference.  I really enjoy battle tanking and melee combat, but if you're facing a boss like the big Starro or Doomsday, your survivability will be minimal if you melee, especially if you are in a DPS loadout.  Thus, having a ranged capability of some sort is always a good option to have.  Well, back to the summer event - see you in-world!

Justice Magazine - Harley Quinn and Munitions DPS/Controller loadout

Justice Mag - Harley Quinn

Continuing with loadout descriptions, it seems (via the DCUO Forums) that munitions is currently one of the more popular powers, as the nerf for distance has been removed.  Essentially, you'll be able to inflict as much damage from a distance (ranged) as you can up-close (melee).  Thus, ranged powers *seem* to be more popular, and one can't but like a plethora of munitions!  Thus, the Munitions power DPS and Controller loadout by Mr. ObsidianChill is listed below - see you in-world!

Batman v. Deathstroke battle

Deathstroke bullet storm, by TomKellyArt

Reaching back into the past with one of my favorite videos, the "Batman vs Deathstroke" fight is probably the best CGI combat I've seen, and figured I'd take a moment to post it here (again - it was on the old blog as well).  Do enjoy!

Justice Magazine - Bat Girl & Gadget Weapons Expert DPS Loadout

Batgirl Justice Magazine, by Artgerm

The summer quickly approaching, I may have some limited windows associated with my blogging time. However, I am taking a page out of the past and posting some outstanding examples of "super" artwork I've come across in the past.  One excellent artist is Mr. Stanley Lau, (aka Artgerm), who creates amazing metahuman work with his exceptional talent!  A series of his that I particularly enjoy is the "Justice Mag" series, with tasteful renderings of super-heroines as part of magazine covers.  I'll post the rest during this month, but do make a point of visiting his DeviantArt website here!

As I've posted a gadget expert above, a Gadget DPS loadout would seem to be appropriate!  Thus, Mr. OG Mentor's loadout is posted above - see you in-world!

The Summer Event, Tides of War, has started!

Woot! Woot!  The summer event (and my personal favorite event), the Tides of War, started yesterday, and runs through almost the entire month of July as well!  I outlined the the base items and style on this blog entry, and I will be following up with a new feature focusing on member's hideouts, but for now, I'm going to be living in world to "beach-up" Blue's bar!  See you in-world!

Titans Beach, by Glee-chan

DC Superhero City Locations!

DC Superhero Cities, by Batbrony

Unlike the Marvel universe, the DC universe uses "alternate" names for many of their major cities (e.g. Metropolis, Gotham, etc...).  As a kid I always wondered what was where, so... I was able to locate a map that lists excatly that (well, for the most part).  The map above is one of the more recent maps, but the map below has more detail, though it is a bit dated (from way back to 1990).  Nonetheless, its pretty intriguing to find out where things are at - and who is where.  I've added a few more links about narratives of some of the major cities - do enjoy!

The Hollywood Reporter - The Guide to the Fictional Cities of the DC Universe

360.here - Mapping the DC Comic Universe

Screenrant.com - The 15 Most Important DC Comic Cities, Ranked

Superhero Hype - 10 DC Comic Cities Perfect for their own series

A highly detailed map of DC cities, circa 1990 (via iFanboy)

Justice Magazine - SuperGirl and the complete tank specs for 2018 (circa May, 2018)

Justice Mag - Supergirl, by Artgerm

Just posting a "holding graphic" today, from the outstanding "Justice Magazine" series by Artgerm.  There will be more to come, but I like the series as I'd expect that if Metas were "real world", they would change their attire quite frequently, especially the ladies.  I realize the comics use the "usual" costumes for ease of drawing and character recognition, but still - some variation (and perhaps something a tad more fashionable and / or combat-efficient would be nice).

While I'm highlighting one of DC comic's best known tanks above, I figured I'd add a exceptionally comprehensive guide to tanking by Mr. ObsidianChillDCUO.  As mentioned previously, he has some very good analysis of distribution and use of DCUO powers, and the above video covers the five tanking power-sets.  Please do watch it for more Tanking guidance, and for more of his videos, please do visit his YouTube channel, located at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCktwKpKOGJe2lEB43QInnRg

"Best Quantum DPS and Controller" loadout, and Teen Titans Raven!

Teen Titans Raven, by AerianR

I recall part of a chat while in-world asking for a good DPS rotation for Quantum, so I figured I'd post the latest Quantum DPS loadout, which also includes a good controller loadout as well.  You may note there are a plethora of DCUO YouTubers, but Obsidian Chill is by far one of my favorites for his direct analysis of damage inflection and power use, as well as logical explinations for his use of powers and rotations.  As such, back to the triple-crown weekend grind - see you in-world!

Triple Atlantean Crowns and new Deluge vendor items this weekend (Thursday, June 14th, 2018, through Sunday, June 17th, 2018)

Looks like its time to focus back on the Deluge event!  This weekend will provide triple Atlantean crowns.  Additionally, a few items (e.g. unique auras, a henchmen uplink device, pet/trinket) have been added to the Deluge vendor (and some are actually worth some SP), so there's that as well.  For more details, please head over to the DCUO Forums, located here!

Examples of the Urchin aura, Rainbow Current aura, and the White Solar aura

Summer Event 2018 - New Base Items & Hula Style!

Starfire enjoying the beach

My favorite event of the year is quickly approaching - the Summer Event!  This year looks particularly promising, based on the base items and style available starting July 20th, 2018.

Aside from being a huge Tiki fan, this year has a bunch of new nice items, such as the bamboo dividers and fire pit.  The dancing parrot is, needless to say, a must have!

Most of the time I'm not overly impressed with the event styles, but I'm thinking this event will be a "must have" item - a lei, hula skirt, wrist flora... well, not that many items to collect, but nonetheless, a great look.  Make sure you take advantage of this year's event!  For more pictures and discussion of the summer event, please visit the Summer 2018 event thread on the forums - see you in world!

DCUO Basics: How to shift phases

Miss Martian, by demidevil13

One frustrating thing for new people playing DCUO is figuring out some of the small things that many of the main "how-to" guides tend to overlook.  One these is how to phase to a different server in the DCUO - it's really easy to do, and will allow you to shift on a moment's notice to join groups.  If there is some group you wish to join but is in another phases (e.g. fighting big bosses such as in the Deluge event (the giant Starro), or Doomsday), or just someone you wish to phase with, then to phase, just:

1) Choose "F4" (Social Menu)

2) Scroll down to "Recent Text"

3) Choose the name of the person you wish to phase with (who recently texted)

4) You'll get the option "Phase with"... choose this

5) Your screen will blank for a few seconds, then... you'll be in the phase of the group / person you wanted to join

That's it!  It may seem like a small thing, but if you don't know how to do it, you don't know how to do it.  With the "Deluge" (Starro) and "Death of Superman" (Doomsday) events in full swing, there will be plenty of requests to phase where the big damned Starfish is hanging out in Central City or to kill DD 100 times (both are skill point events), so you'll be ready - until next time!

The *Real* Hall of Justice!

The Hall of Justice, by Anongamer

Always wondered why the Justice League "Hall of Justice" isn't in the DCUO.  One would figure that there would be some kind of nod to it.  The default (the Watchtower) works well, but still, it'd be nice to see the HOJ!  One can hope - it would be a great place for some team combat!  Thanks to Mr. Anongamer for his re-colorization efforts!

(Interesting note - per Anongamer's note, the HOJ was based on a real location - the Union Terminal in Cincinnati... the more you know...!  Seriously, more pictures of the real location are below)

 Another view of the Union Terminal (during daylight hours)

Inside the terminal

Another view of the interior

A really nice bar at the Union Terminal 

(Why isn't there a bar in the Watchtower?  You'd figure there'd be plenty of after battle drinking binges... and just regular drinking!)

Really nice shot of the Union Terminal at Dusk

Finally, a night picture of the Union Terminal - beautiful!

So, there you are!  The "Hall of Justice" wasn't just a quick doodle for a cartoon, but a real place!  Next - finding the lost map of the DC "US" cities!

"DOJ Stanley M. Lieber Building", by vatrox

Another variation of the Hall of Justice.... and the original Super Friends version below - see you in world!

Initial First Post, and Wonder Woman Selfie!

Say Cheese!, by J-Skipper

Testing out formatting, color patina, and other things related to blog design and seo (search engine optimization / google stuff).  Thus, I'm adding a test post - for image formatting... and a nice "selfie" by WW!