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As per [http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm?LOADFEATURE=1487&GAMEID=3&BHCP=1&SETVIEW=features&bhcp=1 Positron's Interview]:
== Overview ==
The flashback system lets heroes and villains run through [[Story Arc]]s and badge missions they may have missed earlier or simply want to experience again. These operate like [[Task Force]]s as there are minimum and maximum level requirements, other contacts are unavailable, only the team leader can initiate a flashback and once started the team can not add new members. Flashbacks involve Time Travel, which is initiated from the [[Pillar of Ice and Flame]] in the [[Ouroboros|Ouroboros Enclave]] or the equivalent [[Pillar of Ice and Flame (base item)|base item]] in a [[Supergroup Base]].


The second mission type allows players to travel into their own pasts by going to a place called the "[[Pillar of Ice and Flame]]". There, players will be given access to a list of things that happened in their pasts, both missions that they have already completed, and missions that for one reason or another were missed (I am told that they will be clearly marked either way).
[[Story Arc]]s involve a series of missions, often 8 to 12 or more, involving a given enemy group or story line. Badge Missions are short, usually just a single mission, which awards its own badge.


In an interesting twist, players will also be able to set their own parameters for the missions, intentionally making them more difficult to complete. Completing missions with these parameters will earn players badges. The parameter options are as follows:
Only the team leader has to be 15+. Each mission has a minimum level, required of all members, and a maximum level that characters will [[Sidekick|exemplar]] (malefactor) down to as needed. The minimum levels for each mission are ''not'' shown when accessing the mission list.


* Time Limit - Place a time limit on yourself to complete the mission.
The in-game introduction to the flashback system is provided by the missions of [[The Pilgrim]] in [[Ouroboros]].
* Number of "lives" - Place a finite number of "deaths" on the mission so that you can only try so many times.
* Make Enemies Tougher - Give yourself a challenge by making your enemies stronger.
* Put a de-buff on yourself - Give yourself a challenge by making yourself weaker.
* Can't use inspirations - Go through the mission with your inspiration "grayed out".
* Can't use Temporary Powers - Pretty self-explanatory, really.


These parameters can be mixed and matched (you can put more than one on at a time) and each parameter is a pass or fail on their own, meaning that you could manage to complete a mission in a certain number of lives while not meeting the time limit and still earn the badge for the former.
The popularity of the Flashback System is due, in part, to its 75 [[Achievement Badges]] and the roughly 15 [[Accomplishment Badges]] that can be obtained from its badge missions.


Story arcs in the past are able to be done either solo or in a group, but group play in story arcs is going to be treated like Task Force missions where players can't join mid-stream, and if you leave the team mid-way, you can not complete it.
== How It Works ==
To do a Flashback mission or Story Arc, click on an Aspect of the Pillar. A dialog box will appear with a list of Story Arcs and Badge Missions, sorted by level range. Arcs you have already completed will have a star next to them.
 
When you pick one, the box displays the introductory mission description from that arc's contact. Accept the mission, and you're given another dialog box filled with buttons and dropdown menus. These are a selection of optional challenges. If you're looking to test your might, or hunting for badges, these options are a treasure trove.
 
Once you accept a mission you are directed to click on the crystal to teleport to the mission's contact, but you need not do that if you prefer to go a more direct route to the first mission. Throughout a story arc the crystals, either in [[Ouroboros]] or a base, can be used when needed to teleport back to the contact again.  To be able to teleport to a contact, the character must be at least level 15.
 
 
== Quitting Flashbacks ==
Because the Flashback system uses the [[Task Force]]/[[Strike Force]] mechanic, a character is locked out of any other content in the game, including teaming with others outside their Flashback team, talking to contacts, buying [[enhancements]] and [[inspirations]] from contacts, and everything else that TFs/SFs restrict. If the character gets [[Sidekick#Exemplar/Malefactor|exemplared]], the character will stay exemplared through the duration of the Flashback.
 
In order to quit a Flashback, a player must open up their [[Team Window]] and select "Quit TF". They must then acknowledge that they want to quit the "task force" (Flashback) before it goes into effect.
 
'''NOTE:''' A player ''will lose all progress'' on that Flashback when they quit.
 
 
== Badges ==
:''Flashback Badge Checklist:'' [[:Image:Flashback_Checklist.png|Color]] | [[:Image:Flashback_Checklist_(Grayscale).png|Grayscale]]
 
A total of 75 [[Ouroboros Badges]] are unique to the flashback system. 10 are awarded for completing a certain number of flashbacks — both story arcs and badge missions count. 65 are awarded for successful completion of story arcs {{red|('''''not badge missions''''')}} using challenge settings.
 
Some arcs have missions that can be failed. Failing those missions may result in failing the arc, which means that the badges will not be rewarded. (An example is the mission "Stop 30 Fir Bolg entering door" from Skipper LeGrange. Failing it immediately ends the arc, without badge credit.)
 
=== Total Completed ===
Complete a number of Flashback Story Arcs ''or'' Badge missions.
*5 - [[Troubleshooter Badge|Troubleshooter]]
*10 - [[Adjuster Badge|Adjuster]]
*15 - [[Calibrator Badge|Calibrator]]
*20 - [[Alterist Badge|Alterist]]
*25 - [[Balancer Badge|Balancer]]
*30 - [[Correctionist Badge|Correctionist]]
*35 - [[Repairman Badge|Repairman/Repairwoman]]
*40 - [[Overhauler Badge|Overhauler]]
*45 - [[Time Fixer Badge|Time Fixer]]
*50 - [[Ouroboros Mender Badge|Ouroboros Mender]]
 
=== Time Limit ===
Complete a Flashback Story Arc within a certain time limit. Different arcs have different time limits. (30, 60, 120 minutes is a pretty common setup, though).  The timer begins at the moment of accepting the story arc.  When the time limit is set, the arc must be completed in the amount of time specified in order to earn the associated badge.  If you log out or are disconnected during the course of the mission, the timer will still be active.
* Fastest - [[Gold Medalist Badge|Gold Medalist]]
* Second-Fastest - [[Silver Medalist Badge|Silver Medalist]]
* Third-Fastest - [[Bronze Medalist Badge|Bronze Medalist]]
 
=== Limited Lives ===
Complete a Flashback Story Arc with a limited number of team member deaths.
*No deaths - [[All For One, One For All Badge|All For One, One For All]]
*One death - [[Divided Mastery Badge|Divided Mastery]]
*Three deaths - [[Proportional Supremacy Badge|Proportional Supremacy]]
*Five deaths - [[Shared Victory Badge|Shared Victory]]
 
=== Power Challenges ===
Badges are awarded in each level range for various adjustments to player or enemy powers.
{| class="wikitable"
! Level  !! Players are<br />DeBuffed !! Enemies are<br />Buffed !! AT Powers<br />only !! No<br />Travel Powers !! No<br />Temp Powers !! No Epic/<br />Patron Powers !! No<br />Inspirations !! No<br />Enhancements
|-
| ''01 - 15'' || [[Venturous Badge|Venturous]] || [[Audacious Badge|Audacious]] || [[Contributor Badge|Contributor]] || [[Refrained Badge|Refrained]] || [[Diminished Badge|Diminished]] || N/A || [[Cliché Badge|Cliché]] || [[Lessened Badge|Lessened]]
|-
| ''16 - 19'' || [[Headstrong Badge|Headstrong]] || [[Courageous Badge|Courageous]] || [[Vocational Badge|Vocational]] || [[Shut Down Badge|Shut Down]] || [[Curtailed Badge|Curtailed]] || N/A || [[Unimaginative Badge|Unimaginative]] || [[Debilitated Badge|Debilitated]]
|-
| ''20 - 24'' || [[Adventurous Badge|Adventurous]] || [[Bold Badge|Bold]] || [[Professional Badge|Professional]] || [[Desisted Badge|Desisted]] || [[Capped Badge|Capped]] || N/A || [[Flat Badge|Flat]] || [[Anemic Badge|Anemic]]
|-
| ''25 - 29'' || [[Daredevil Badge|Daredevil]] || [[Fearless Badge|Fearless]] || [[All Business Badge|All Business]] || [[Barred Badge|Barred]] || [[Inhibited Badge|Inhibited]] || N/A || [[Unoriginal Badge|Unoriginal]] || [[Weakened Badge|Weakened]]
|-
| ''30 - 34'' || [[Rash Badge|Rash]] || [[Valiant Badge|Valiant]] || [[Archetypical Badge|Archetypical]] || [[Still Badge|Still]] || [[Hindered Badge|Hindered]] || N/A || [[Dull Badge|Dull]] || [[Deflated Badge|Deflated]]
|-
| ''35 - 39'' || [[Venturesome Badge|Venturesome]] || [[Stalwart Badge|Stalwart]] || [[Obligated Badge|Obligated]] || [[Stalled Badge|Stalled]] || [[Bound Badge|Bound]] || N/A || [[Phoned it in Badge|Phoned it in]] || [[Decreased Badge|Decreased]]
|-
| ''40 - 45'' || [[Reckless Badge|Reckless]] || [[Lionhearted Badge|Lionhearted]] || [[Missionary Badge|Missionary]] || [[Stemmed Badge|Stemmed]] || [[Limited Badge|Limited]] || [[Cut-Off Badge|Cut-Off]] || [[Indifferent Badge|Indifferent]] || [[Devalued Badge|Devalued]]
|-
| ''46 - 50'' || [[Temerarious Badge|Temerarious]] || [[Intrepid Badge|Intrepid]] || [[Undertaker Badge|Undertaker]] || [[Suspended Badge|Suspended]] || [[Demarcated Badge|Demarcated]] || [[Marginalized Badge|Marginalized]] || [[Uninspired Badge|Uninspired]] || [[Unenhanced Badge|Unenhanced]]
|-
|}
 
== Hero Flashbacks ==
:''See also:'' [[Hero Merit Rewards#Flashback System|Hero Merit Rewards]] - Lists missions available in Flashback.<br />
:''See also:'' [[Hero Story Arcs]] - Lists all story arcs, but does not denote whether they're available in Flashback.
 
== Villain Flashbacks ==
:''See also:'' [[Villain Merit Rewards#Flashback System|Villain Merit Rewards]] - Lists missions available in Flashback.<br />
:''See also:'' [[Villain Story Arcs]] - Lists all story arcs, but does not denote whether they're available in Flashback.<br />
 
== Praetorian Flashbacks ==
All Praetorian arcs are available to any alignment in Flashback. Though Praetorians cannot access Ouroboros without leaving Praetoria, they can access Flashback via the Pillar of Ice and Flame base item.
:''See also:'' [[Praetorian Merit Rewards#Flashback System|Praetorian Merit Rewards]] - Lists missions available in Flashback<br />
:''See also:'' [[Praetorian Story Arcs]] - Lists all story arcs, but does not denote whether they're available in Flashback.<br />
 
== Note ==
Participating in flashback missions does not have an impact on the "timestream" or events in Paragon City, the Rogue Isles or Praetoria in most circumstances.  Exceptions to this are missions from newer content ([[Issue 21]] and after) that takes advantage of [[phasing]] tech to change what enemy groups are experienced in the world (among other things).
 
By and large, however, past decisions in arcs and decisions made in flashback missions do not have any impact on other flashback missions or on current arcs run in the open world.
 
== See Also ==
* [[Ouroboros]]
* [[Pillar of Ice and Flame]]
* [[Stature Level]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]

Latest revision as of 17:55, 16 May 2023

Overview

The flashback system lets heroes and villains run through Story Arcs and badge missions they may have missed earlier or simply want to experience again. These operate like Task Forces as there are minimum and maximum level requirements, other contacts are unavailable, only the team leader can initiate a flashback and once started the team can not add new members. Flashbacks involve Time Travel, which is initiated from the Pillar of Ice and Flame in the Ouroboros Enclave or the equivalent base item in a Supergroup Base.

Story Arcs involve a series of missions, often 8 to 12 or more, involving a given enemy group or story line. Badge Missions are short, usually just a single mission, which awards its own badge.

Only the team leader has to be 15+. Each mission has a minimum level, required of all members, and a maximum level that characters will exemplar (malefactor) down to as needed. The minimum levels for each mission are not shown when accessing the mission list.

The in-game introduction to the flashback system is provided by the missions of The Pilgrim in Ouroboros.

The popularity of the Flashback System is due, in part, to its 75 Achievement Badges and the roughly 15 Accomplishment Badges that can be obtained from its badge missions.

How It Works

To do a Flashback mission or Story Arc, click on an Aspect of the Pillar. A dialog box will appear with a list of Story Arcs and Badge Missions, sorted by level range. Arcs you have already completed will have a star next to them.

When you pick one, the box displays the introductory mission description from that arc's contact. Accept the mission, and you're given another dialog box filled with buttons and dropdown menus. These are a selection of optional challenges. If you're looking to test your might, or hunting for badges, these options are a treasure trove.

Once you accept a mission you are directed to click on the crystal to teleport to the mission's contact, but you need not do that if you prefer to go a more direct route to the first mission. Throughout a story arc the crystals, either in Ouroboros or a base, can be used when needed to teleport back to the contact again. To be able to teleport to a contact, the character must be at least level 15.


Quitting Flashbacks

Because the Flashback system uses the Task Force/Strike Force mechanic, a character is locked out of any other content in the game, including teaming with others outside their Flashback team, talking to contacts, buying enhancements and inspirations from contacts, and everything else that TFs/SFs restrict. If the character gets exemplared, the character will stay exemplared through the duration of the Flashback.

In order to quit a Flashback, a player must open up their Team Window and select "Quit TF". They must then acknowledge that they want to quit the "task force" (Flashback) before it goes into effect.

NOTE: A player will lose all progress on that Flashback when they quit.


Badges

Flashback Badge Checklist: Color | Grayscale

A total of 75 Ouroboros Badges are unique to the flashback system. 10 are awarded for completing a certain number of flashbacks — both story arcs and badge missions count. 65 are awarded for successful completion of story arcs (not badge missions) using challenge settings.

Some arcs have missions that can be failed. Failing those missions may result in failing the arc, which means that the badges will not be rewarded. (An example is the mission "Stop 30 Fir Bolg entering door" from Skipper LeGrange. Failing it immediately ends the arc, without badge credit.)

Total Completed

Complete a number of Flashback Story Arcs or Badge missions.

Time Limit

Complete a Flashback Story Arc within a certain time limit. Different arcs have different time limits. (30, 60, 120 minutes is a pretty common setup, though). The timer begins at the moment of accepting the story arc. When the time limit is set, the arc must be completed in the amount of time specified in order to earn the associated badge. If you log out or are disconnected during the course of the mission, the timer will still be active.

Limited Lives

Complete a Flashback Story Arc with a limited number of team member deaths.

Power Challenges

Badges are awarded in each level range for various adjustments to player or enemy powers.

Level Players are
DeBuffed
Enemies are
Buffed
AT Powers
only
No
Travel Powers
No
Temp Powers
No Epic/
Patron Powers
No
Inspirations
No
Enhancements
01 - 15 Venturous Audacious Contributor Refrained Diminished N/A Cliché Lessened
16 - 19 Headstrong Courageous Vocational Shut Down Curtailed N/A Unimaginative Debilitated
20 - 24 Adventurous Bold Professional Desisted Capped N/A Flat Anemic
25 - 29 Daredevil Fearless All Business Barred Inhibited N/A Unoriginal Weakened
30 - 34 Rash Valiant Archetypical Still Hindered N/A Dull Deflated
35 - 39 Venturesome Stalwart Obligated Stalled Bound N/A Phoned it in Decreased
40 - 45 Reckless Lionhearted Missionary Stemmed Limited Cut-Off Indifferent Devalued
46 - 50 Temerarious Intrepid Undertaker Suspended Demarcated Marginalized Uninspired Unenhanced

Hero Flashbacks

See also: Hero Merit Rewards - Lists missions available in Flashback.
See also: Hero Story Arcs - Lists all story arcs, but does not denote whether they're available in Flashback.

Villain Flashbacks

See also: Villain Merit Rewards - Lists missions available in Flashback.
See also: Villain Story Arcs - Lists all story arcs, but does not denote whether they're available in Flashback.

Praetorian Flashbacks

All Praetorian arcs are available to any alignment in Flashback. Though Praetorians cannot access Ouroboros without leaving Praetoria, they can access Flashback via the Pillar of Ice and Flame base item.

See also: Praetorian Merit Rewards - Lists missions available in Flashback
See also: Praetorian Story Arcs - Lists all story arcs, but does not denote whether they're available in Flashback.

Note

Participating in flashback missions does not have an impact on the "timestream" or events in Paragon City, the Rogue Isles or Praetoria in most circumstances. Exceptions to this are missions from newer content (Issue 21 and after) that takes advantage of phasing tech to change what enemy groups are experienced in the world (among other things).

By and large, however, past decisions in arcs and decisions made in flashback missions do not have any impact on other flashback missions or on current arcs run in the open world.

See Also