Power Icons Legend: Difference between revisions

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imported>Shigmiya64
m (moved Icons Inner Symbol Key to Power Icons Legend: I'm in the process of rewriting this page to provide an overview of the entire power icon "system," not just the inner symbols, so the more general title is warranted. -Vanden)
imported>Shigmiya64
(Rewrote the overview, added the Borders table. More to come. -Vanden)
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=Overview=
=Overview=
This page is intended to provide a key for the symbols used inside the City of Heroes power icons.


== Hierarchy ==
Many video games which give the player a variety of abilities will use icons or symbols to allow players to identify individual powers at a glance, City of Heroes included. However, unlike many of these games, City of Heroes not only uses these icons to quickly denote individual powers, but also to convey the effects and usage of the powers.


If one effect of a power is much stronger than the other, the primary effect's icon is used. For example, [[Ice Armor#Frozen Armor|Frozen Armor]] provides [[defense]] and [[resistance]], but the primary effect of the power is to provide defense, therefore the defense symbol is used.
A power icon in City of Heroes has three important components: the inner symbol, the border, and the color.  The inner symbol indicates one or more of the powers' effects.  The border indicates whether the power requires a target to use and whether it affects an area or a single target.  Most powers' borders do not, unfortunately, indicate whether the power affects teammates or enemies; this information must be extrapolated by looking at the inner symbol (i.e. if the inner symbol denotes a positive effect, the power most likely affects allies or the caster) The color of an icon indicates the power set that the power belongs to; every power set has its own unique combination of background and foreground colors, although some colors are shared between primary or secondary power sets and [[Ancillary Power Pools]] with similar themes, though never within the same [[archetype]].  This is done to reduce the footprint of the City of Heroes installation; by having Frozen Armor use the exact same icon in the [[Ice Armor]], [[Cold Mastery]], and [[Ice Mastery]] sets, one icon file provides the art for 3 powers, reducing the size of the City of Heroes install.


*[[Control]] trumps [[buff]]/[[debuff]] trumps [[resistance|resist]]/[[defense]] trumps [[damage]].
== Borders ==


There are a couple of specific things that trump one another in the same general category.
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Border
!Description
!Example
|-
| [[File:NoBorder.png]]
|An icon without a border indicates that the power only affects the caster.
|[[Regeneration|Reconstruction]], [[Invulnerability|Unyielding]]
|-
| [[File:STBorder.png]]
|The power is single target; it will only affect the currently targeted entity.
|[[Force Field|Deflection Shield]], [[Energy Blast|Power Blast]]
|-
| [[File:ConeBorder.png]]
|The power affects the target, as well as every valid target (up to the target's target limit) within a conical area in front of the caster.  The exact dimensions of the cone area depend on the power.
|[[Dark Melee|Shadow Maul]], [[Fiery Melee|Breath of Fire]]
|-
| [[File:PBAoEBorder.png]]
|The power does not require a target; it affects every valid target (up to the power's target limit) within a spherical area centered on the caster.  The exact radius of the sphere depends on the power.
|[[Fire Blast|Inferno]], [[Empathy|Healing Aura]]
|-
| [[File:TAoEBorder.png]]
|The power affects the current target, as well as every valid target (up to the power's target limit) within a spherical area centered on the target.  The exact radius of the sphere depends on the power.
|[[Archery|Exploding Arrow]], [[Storm Summoning|Snow Storm]]
|-
| [[File:TPBAoEBorder.png]]
|The power does not require a target; it affects every teammate within a spherical area centered on the caster, including the caster itself.
|[[Leadership|Assault]], [[Illusion Control|Group Invisibility]]
|-
| [[File:AllyTAoEBorder.png]]
|The power affects every target (up to the power's target limit) in a spherical area centered around the targeted teammate.  The targeted teammate may or may not be affected, depending on whether the power's effect is a positive or negative one.
|[[Sonic Resonance|Disruption Field]]
|-
| [[File:SummonBorder.png]]
|The power summons a separate entity at a selected location.  Some powers allow the caster to choose the location, while others simply summon the new entity at the caster's feet.
|[[Earth Control|Animate Stone]], [[Mu Mastery|Summon Striker]]
|-
| [[File:LAoEBorder.png]]
|The power affects every valid target (up to the power's target limit) within a spherical area centered around a location.  Some powers allow the caster to choose the location, while others automatically set the location to be the same as the caster's at activation.
|[[Plant Control|Spirit Tree]], [[Fiery Aura|Burn]]
|}


*Compound symbols (see below) trump standard icons.
== Inner Symbols ==
 
*[[Hold]] trumps [[disorient]] trumps [[sleep]] trumps [[immobilize]].
 
*Increase [[recharge]] speed ([[Speed#Hasten|Hasten]]) trumps increase run speed ([[Fitness#Swift|Swift]]).
 
*Running trumps [[jumping]] trumps [[flying]].
 
*[[Healing]] trumps [[endurance]].
 
*Defense trumps resistance.
 
*Damage trumps [[accuracy]] if the power's effect is equal.
 
*[[Knockback]]/[[knockup|up]]/[[knockdown|down]] sometimes trumps other control powers even when it is not the strongest effect.
 
== Instant and Persistent / Buffs and Debuffs ==
 
Buff/debuffs have two main types of symbols. One is an arc, the other is a triangle. Buff/debuffs with the triangle have an instant effect. Buffs/debuffs with an arc have persistent effects. A triangle or arc at the top of the icon means a buff. A triangle at the bottom of the icon means a debuff. The exchange symbol is only used when the two things being affected are the same. Powers that buff/debuff multiple aspects should be using the icons found in powers like [[Thugs#Equip Thugs|Equip Thugs]], [[Mercenaries#Tactical Upgrade|Tactical Upgrade]] and [[Mercenaries#Serum|Serum]]. Usage of which icon depends on the strength of the buff/debuff.
 
== Compound Symbols ==
 
A few of the symbols used in power icons are combinations of two or more icon graphics. Some of the best examples of this are the power icons for [[Umbral Blast#Unchain Essence|Unchain Essence]] (defeated plus damage), [[Invulnerability#Invincibility|Invincibility]] (defense plus accuracy/to hit plus buff) and [[Ice Control#Shiver|Shiver]] (slow recharge plus slow movement). Many, many of the powers currently in the game could use compound icons to replace the current graphic. For example, [[Umbral Blast#Dark Extraction|Dark Extraction]] could use the defeated plus single pet summon icon. [[Umbral Aura#Stygian Circle|Stygian Circle]] could use the defeated plus heal buff icon.
 
== Icon Table ==
 
Some of the images in the table below are not found in the game, but are provided for reference purposes.


{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"

Revision as of 05:11, 15 August 2009

Overview

Many video games which give the player a variety of abilities will use icons or symbols to allow players to identify individual powers at a glance, City of Heroes included. However, unlike many of these games, City of Heroes not only uses these icons to quickly denote individual powers, but also to convey the effects and usage of the powers.

A power icon in City of Heroes has three important components: the inner symbol, the border, and the color. The inner symbol indicates one or more of the powers' effects. The border indicates whether the power requires a target to use and whether it affects an area or a single target. Most powers' borders do not, unfortunately, indicate whether the power affects teammates or enemies; this information must be extrapolated by looking at the inner symbol (i.e. if the inner symbol denotes a positive effect, the power most likely affects allies or the caster) The color of an icon indicates the power set that the power belongs to; every power set has its own unique combination of background and foreground colors, although some colors are shared between primary or secondary power sets and Ancillary Power Pools with similar themes, though never within the same archetype. This is done to reduce the footprint of the City of Heroes installation; by having Frozen Armor use the exact same icon in the Ice Armor, Cold Mastery, and Ice Mastery sets, one icon file provides the art for 3 powers, reducing the size of the City of Heroes install.

Borders

Border Description Example
NoBorder.png An icon without a border indicates that the power only affects the caster. Reconstruction, Unyielding
STBorder.png The power is single target; it will only affect the currently targeted entity. Deflection Shield, Power Blast
ConeBorder.png The power affects the target, as well as every valid target (up to the target's target limit) within a conical area in front of the caster. The exact dimensions of the cone area depend on the power. Shadow Maul, Breath of Fire
PBAoEBorder.png The power does not require a target; it affects every valid target (up to the power's target limit) within a spherical area centered on the caster. The exact radius of the sphere depends on the power. Inferno, Healing Aura
TAoEBorder.png The power affects the current target, as well as every valid target (up to the power's target limit) within a spherical area centered on the target. The exact radius of the sphere depends on the power. Exploding Arrow, Snow Storm
TPBAoEBorder.png The power does not require a target; it affects every teammate within a spherical area centered on the caster, including the caster itself. Assault, Group Invisibility
AllyTAoEBorder.png The power affects every target (up to the power's target limit) in a spherical area centered around the targeted teammate. The targeted teammate may or may not be affected, depending on whether the power's effect is a positive or negative one. Disruption Field
SummonBorder.png The power summons a separate entity at a selected location. Some powers allow the caster to choose the location, while others simply summon the new entity at the caster's feet. Animate Stone, Summon Striker
LAoEBorder.png The power affects every valid target (up to the power's target limit) within a spherical area centered around a location. Some powers allow the caster to choose the location, while others automatically set the location to be the same as the caster's at activation. Spirit Tree, Burn

Inner Symbols

Icon Type Icon Notes Power Example
Buff, Accuracy Buff, Accuracy.png Persistent accuracy or tohit buff.
Buff, Damage Buff, Damage.png Persistent damage buff.
Buff, Defense Buff, Defense.png Persistent defense buff.
Buff, Defense, Area of Effect Buff, Defense, AoE.png Persistent buff to area of effect defense.
Buff, Defense, Energy and Negative Energy Buff, Defense, Energy and Negative Energy.png Persistent buff to energy and negative energy defense.
Buff, Defense, Fire and Cold Buff, Defense, Fire and Cold.png Persistent buff to fire and cold defense.
Buff, Defense, Melee Buff, Defense, Melee.png Persistent buff to melee defense.
Buff, Defense, Psionic Persistent buff to psionic defense.
Buff, Defense, Ranged Buff, Defense, Range.png Persistent buff to ranged defense.
Buff, Defense, Smashing and Lethal Buff, Defense, Smashing and Lethal.png Persistent buff to smashing and lethal defense.
Buff, Defense and To-Hit Buff, Defense and Accuracy.png To-Hit and defense granting buff.
Buff, Hit Points Buff, Hit Points.png Hit point granting buff.
Buff, Hit Points, Defeated Buff, Hit Points, Defeated.png Hit point granting buff that requires a defeated target.
Buff, Hit Points, Timed Buff, Hit Points, Timed.png Hit point buff for a fixed period of time.
Buff, Endurance Buff, Endurance.png Endurance granting buff.
Buff, Instant A buff that provides an instant benefit.
Buff, Jump, Height Buff, Jump, Height.png Jump height buff.
Buff, Mega Buff, Mega.png Potent buff to multiple attributes with trade-offs after power expires.
Buff, Multiple Buff, Multiple.png Persistent buff to multiple attributes.
Buff, Multiple, Defeated Buff, Multiple, Defeated.png Persistent buff to multiple attributes that requires a defeated target. Vengeance
Buff, Persistent Buff, Persistent.png A buff that remains after the power has activated.
Buff, Range Buff, Range.png Persistent range buff. Boost Range
Buff, Recharge Buff, Recharge.png Buff that increases the recharge speed of a targets' powers.
Buff, Recovery Buff, Recovery.png Persistent recovery buff.
Buff, Regeneration Buff, Regeneration.png Persistent regeneration buff.
Buff, Run Speed Buff, Run Speed.png Increases the run speed of a power.
Buff, Secondary Effects Buff, Secondary Effects.png Buffs heals, defense buffs, endurance drains, disorients, holds, immobilizes, knockbacks and more.
Confusion Confuse.png Confuse control effect.
Damage Damage.png Damage power.
Damage, Assassination Damage, Assassination.png An interuptable melee power that does extra damage when hidden.
Damage, Chaining Damage, Chaining.png A power that does damage to one target and has the chance "jump" to do damage to another target. Chain Induction
Damage, Defeated Damage, Defeated.png Power that requires a defeated target to work.
Damage, Extreme Damage, Extreme.png Power with extreme damage.
Damage, Melee, Heavy Damage, Melee, Heavy.png Power with heavy melee damage.
Damage, Melee, Minor Damage, Melee, Minor.png Power with minor melee damage.
Damage, Melee, Moderate Damage, Melee, Moderate.png Power with moderate melee damage.
Damage, Melee, Over Time Damage, Melee, Over Time.png Melee power that does damage over time.
Damage, Melee, Superior Damage, Melee, Superior.png Power with superior melee damage.
Damage, Over Time Damage, Over Time.png Power that does damage over time.
Damage, Ranged, Heavy Damage, Ranged, Heavy.png Ranged damage power that does heavy damage.
Damage, Ranged, Minor, Fast Damage, Ranged, Minor.png Minor damage ranged power that has a recharge of fast.
Damage, Ranged, Minor, Very Fast Damage, Ranged, Minor, Very Fast.png Minor damage ranged power that has a recharge of very fast.
Damage, Ranged, Moderate Damage, Ranged, Moderate.png Ranged damage power that does moderate damage.
Damage, Ranged, Short Damage, Ranged, Short.png Ranged damage power with decreased range.
Damage, Ranged, Sniper Damage, Sniper.png An interuptable ranged damage power with increased range.
Damage, Weapon Damage, Weapon.png Power that creates a weapon from one of the four classic elements (air, earth, fire, ice).
Damage, Weapon, Greater Damage, Weapon, Greater.png Power that creates a superior weapon from one of the four classic elements (air, earth, fire, ice).
Debuff, Accuracy Debuff, Accuracy.png Accuracy or to-hit debuff.
Debuff, Damage Debuff, Damage.png Persistent damage debuff.
Debuff, Defense Debuff, Defense.png Persistent defense debuff.
Debuff, Endurance Debuff, End.png Endurance debuff.
Debuff, Hit Points Debuff, Hit Points.png Hit point debuff.
Debuff, Instant Debuff that has an instant effect.
Debuff, Mez Debuff, Mez.png Debuff to control-type powers..
Debuff, Multiple Debuff, Multiple.png Debuff to multiple attributes.
Debuff, Perception Debuff, Perception.png Persistent perception debuff.
Debuff, Persistent Debuff, Persistent.png A debuff with persistent effects.
Debuff, Recovery Debuff, Recovery.png Persistent recovery debuff.
Debuff, Regeneration Debuff, Regeneration.png Persistent regeneration debuff.
Debuff, Resistance Persistent resistance debuff.
Disorient Disorient.png Disorient control effect.
Effect Over Time A power that has an effect over a period of time.
Endurance Endurance.png Endurance related power.
Exchange Exchange.png A power that exchanges the same attribute between caster and target..
Fear Fear.png Fear control effect.
Fly Flight.png Flight related power.
Force Bubble Force Bubble.png Power that prevents foes from entering and remaining in melee range. Force Bubble
Hold Hold.png Hold control effect.
Immobilize Immobilize.png Immobilization control effect.
Intangibility Intangability.png Intangibility related power.
Invisibility Invisibility.png Power that causes invisibility.
Jump, Distance Jump, Distance.png Jump distance power.
Jump, Height Jump, Height.png Jump height power.
Knockback Knockback.png Knockback related power.
Knockdown Knockdown.png Knockdown related power.
Knockup Knockup.png Knockup related power.
Mez Mez.png Control related power.
Placate Placate.png Placate related power.
Resistance Resistance.png Damage resistance related power.
Resistance, Cold Resistance, Cold.png Power that provides cold resistance.
Resistance, Energy Resistance, Energy.png Power that provides energy resistance.
Resistance, Energy and Negative Energy Resistance, Energy and Negative Energy.png Power that provides energy and negative energy resistance.
Resistance, Fire and Cold Resistance, Fire and Cold.png Power that provides fire and cold resistance.
Resistance, Negative Energy Resistance, Negative Energy.png Power that provides negative energy resistance.
Resistance, Mez Resistance, Mez.png Power that provides protection from control-type effects.
Resistance, Psionic Resistance, Psionic.png Power that provides psionic resistance. Obsidian Shield
Resistance, Smashing and Lethal Resistance, Smashing and Lethal.png Power that provides smashing and lethal resistance.
Resurrection Resurrection.png Power that revives a fallen character.
Shapeshift Shapeshift.png Power that shifts form. Granite Armor, Black Dwarf
Sleep Sleep.png Sleep control effect.
Slow, Movement Slow, Movement.png Movement-slowing power.
Slow, Recharge Slow, Recharge.png Power that increases target's recharge time.
Slow, Recharge and Movement Slow, Recharge and Movement.png Power that increases the recharge time and decreases the movement speed of the target(s).
Stealth Stealth.png Power that provides stealth to the target.
Summon Summon.png Power that summons a pet or henchman.
Summon, Buff, Multiple Summon, Buff, Multiple.png Power that provides a buff to multiple attributes of a pet or henchman.
Summon, Equip Summon, Equip.png Power that provides a moderate increase to the capabilities of a pet or henchman.
Summon, Extraction Summon, Extraction.png Summons one pet or henchman from a defeated target. Dark Extraction, Soul Extraction
Summon, Fear Summon, Fear.png Summons or upgrades a pet or henchman with fear abilities.
Summon, Multiple Summon, Multiple.png Summons a large number of pets. Gang War
Summon, One Ally Summon, One.png Summons one pet or henchman.
Summon, Placate Summon, Placate.png Summons a pet or henchman with placate abilities.
Summon, Taunt Summon, Taunt.png Summons a pet or henchman with taunt abilities.
Summon, Three Allies Summon, Three.png Summons three pets or henchmen.
Summon, Two Allies Summon, Two.png Summons two pets or henchmen.
Summon, Upgrade Summon, Upgrade.png Power that provides further increase to the capabilities of a pet or henchman.
Taunt Taunt.png Taunt related power.
Teleportation Teleport.png Power that teleports target from one location to another without physically touching the space in-between. Teleport
Teleportation, Group Teleport, Group.png Power that teleports a group from one location to another. Team Teleport
Teleportation, Target Teleport, Target.png Power that teleports a foe from one location to another. Teleport Foe

Comments

There are many internal inconsistencies within the game that makes some of this page guesswork rather than fact. If the power rings and the power symbols were consistent within the game, it would be easy to identify what a power does just by it's icon.