As soon as I saw the power armor preview video on the Champions Online website I knew it would be the first powerset I'd try out. In a game that seeks to break common MMO character archetypes, the power armor strikes me as a candidate for the most original character concept. After all, in a market proliferated with fantasy hack and slash how many of us have been presented with the option of playing as a super robotic killing machine?
It was with much curiosity but very little real expectations that I made my first character in Champions. Since the idea of a power armored character was so foreign to me I really did know what to expect in terms of play style or group role. Would I just be rushing in and obliterating my foes with a hail of rockets and lasers? Or would it turn out to be more of a 'tank' type with lower damage output but ridiculous survivability?
As it turns out, a little of both. I found while playing my power armored hero up to around level 15 that the powerset seems to be aimed more at a 'balanced' play style. The ole' power armor wasn't cranking out the numbers that some other damage dealers were capable of doing and it was far from an unstoppable tank, instead coinciding in a happy little middle ground. A jack of all trades sort of setup (albeit I didn't see any healing abilities, they could certainly be there. We'll see.)
Weapon Systems - The Gentleman's Damage Dealer
In terms of damage the power armor can certainly hold it's own, though it might not be initially apparent. Instead of dishing out fast burst damage attacks, the powerset seems to focus more on sustainable damage in the form of 'channeled' attacks that deal a stream of comparably smaller hits to foes. An example of this would be the shoulder mounted chain gun attack. When activated, the chain gun spews a constant stream of bullets at the player's target while simaltaniously draining small amounts of the player's energy with each round. Suffice to say, unless deactivated the stream of damage will continue until the opponent dies or the player runs out of energy.
What's I found most interesting about the powerset is the fact that you can run multiple weapon systems at the same time. So if you do want to crank out the burst damage you certainly can by activating..say..that shoulder mountain cannon while simaltaniously using your characters energy gauntlet ability. It is a trade off however: while one weapon system being active might not put a huge strain on your energy pool, firing off several simaltaniously is sure to deplete the reserves in short order.
So while elemental players might be able to dish out big hits in exchange for large chunks of their energy, the power armor makes a trade of instantly big damage for versatility. I think that the powerset, with it's more conservative and gradual energy use, will allow for skilled players to make quick changes in strategy and utility depending on their priorities at any given moment of a fight.
Defense - There's a Reason They Call it Armor
The power armor user is not invincible. But they're pretty darn tough all the same. I seemed to notice that my character had a good deal more natural defenses than some other powersets, and slightly higher health. I didn't spend much time putting him into groups yet to test tanking capabilities out too thoroughly, but I'd definitely say that the option is there. Certain ability upgrades allow for extra threat generation in order to insure the power armor keeps the enemy's attention away from those darn squishies standing behind it, and I believe that with the correct application of Champions Online's role system (Which I'll admit I've not touched at all up to this point), Power Armor users could make for some very viable tanks.
Overall Opinion Thus Far
I think that power armor will make for a nice balanced class. Depending on where your focuses lay I think the powerset could be well applied for a dpser or for tanking, though it's not likely to be the best or completely wow anybody at either task. I would recommend it as a first character for folks to try out coming into the game, as the balanced play style makes soloing easy enough while players get a feel for things.
That said, it'll probably be a while until I level one further than I have already. Why? For the same reason I tried power armor out first. I think that as one of the more obviously original and appealing powerset choices that there will be a lot of them running around on launch day. I'll let folks more passionate about the powerset than I blaze that particular trail.
Also, I've already got my mind set on a certain other character come launch time...
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