Power Respecification: Difference between revisions

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{{Otheruses4|ways to acquire a respec and how to use them|the slash command|respec (Slash Command)}}
{{Otheruses4|ways to acquire a respec and how to use them|the slash command|respec (Slash Command)}}
{{wip|date=2012-06-19|note=Rewrite underway.}}
== Overview ==
{{TOCright}}


A ''power respecification'' allows a player to ''respecify'' ('respec') a character. This allows Primary and Secondary Powers, Power Pool Powers and Enhancement Slot assignments to be changed. Power set selections (both Primary and Secondary) cannot be changed.


Respecs can be gained from a number sources, including various actions taken in-game, the [[Paragon Market]], the [[Paragon Rewards Program]], during some special events, and finally from the developers. These are described in detail below.
{{TOCright}}
== Overview ==
A '''Respecification''' (a.k.a. "Power Respecification", "respec") allows a player to ''respecify'' a character. This allows Primary and Secondary Powers, Power Pool Powers and Enhancement Slot assignments to be changed. [[Power Set]] selections (both Primary and Secondary) cannot be changed.


Respecs are often used to trade unwanted powers for more useful ones; rearrange hard-to-obtain Enhancements between powers; and to optimise a character once they have reached level 50. Respecs are started by visiting a specific contact (in most cases), or sometimes by using the [[Respec (Slash Command)]] (for some types of respec).
Respecs can be gained from a number of sources, including various actions taken in-game, during some special events, and from the developers. These are described in detail below.


==Types and Sources of Respecs==
Respecs are often used to trade unwanted powers for more useful ones; rearrange hard-to-obtain Enhancements between powers (but remember that [[Enhancement Unslotter]]s are readily available); and to optimise a character once they have reached level 50. Respecs are started by using the {{slashcommand|respec}} command.


Respecs fall into two categories: earned respecs that a character receives due to some action they choose to take; and free respecs (known as a 'freespec') awarded by the developers at certain times.  
A character may accrue quite a number of respecs. Available respecs are shown when a character logs on. A system (green) message is displayed in the chat box stating, "You have x unclaimed respecs available," where x is the number of available respecs. In addition to this, a player may have also have a number of respecs they may claim for a character from their in-game mail.


===Earned Respecs===
== Sources of Respecs ==
A character may accrue quite a number of earned respecs. Available respecs are shown when a character logs on. A system (green) message is displayed in the chat box stating, "You have x unclaimed respecs available," where x is the number of available respecs. In addition to this, a player may have also have number of respecs they may claim for a character from their in-game mail.
An respec can be earned in the following ways:
====Summary====
# Automatically every 10 experience levels.
A respec can be earned the following ways:
# By buying a [[Respec Recipe]] from the [[Auction House]], [[P2W Vendor]], or [[Reward Merit Vendor]] (the AH is likely to be much cheaper).
# Completing a power respecification [[trial]]. Up to three respecs per character may be earned this way.
<!-- So where do the ones on the AH come from? They're cheap, but I've never had one drop... -->
# Crafting a [[Respec Recipe]].
# Completing a [[Terra Volta Respecification Trial]] for heroes, or a [[Tree of Thorns Respecification Trial]] for villains. A maximum of 3 respecs can be earned by a character in this way.
# Purchase from [[Candy Keeper]] using [[Candy Cane Salvage]], during  [[Winter Events]]. One respec per character per event can be earned.  
# By placing a reward token in various slots in assorted tiers within the [[Paragon Rewards Program]]. Up to six respecs may be earned this way, and they are claimed from Account Items in-game email.
# By purchasing a [[Character Respec Token]] from the [[Paragon Market]]. Up to six respecs may be earned this way, and they are claimed from Character Items in-game email.
# For villains and rogues only, by completing the first Patron arc and unlocking a [[Patron Power Pools|Patron Power Pool]].
# For villains and rogues only, by completing the first Patron arc and unlocking a [[Patron Power Pools|Patron Power Pool]].
# For [[Soldiers of Arachnos|Soldier of Arachnos]] only, by reaching Threat Level 24. This respec is mandatory and must be taken the next time that character trains.
# For [[Soldiers of Arachnos]] only, by reaching Threat Level 24. This respec is mandatory and must be taken the next time that character trains.
====Respec Contacts====
# By opening [[Super Pack]]s.
An earned respec is used by visiting a special contact.
# By earning Veteran Reward Badges at specific levels in the [[Veteran Levels]] program.
# Granted by the development team after some major changes to the game.
 
=== Earned Respecs and Free Respecs ===
Before Homecoming, there was a distinction between different kinds of respec, with some respecs requiring you to visit a special contact:
* Heroes: [[Jack Wolfe]], located in [[City Hall]] in [[Atlas Park]]; and [[James Frost]] in [[Fort Trident]].
* Heroes: [[Jack Wolfe]], located in [[City Hall]] in [[Atlas Park]]; and [[James Frost]] in [[Fort Trident]].
* Villains: [[Arbiter Lupin]], located next to to the AE Building in [[Nerva Archipelago]]; and [[Arbiter Sawyer]], standing near the [[Pocket D]] entrance in [[Port Oakes]].
* Villains: [[Arbiter Lupin]], located next to to the AE Building in [[Nerva Archipelago]]; [[Arbiter Sawyer]], standing near the [[Pocket D]] entrance in [[Port Oakes]]; and [[Jacob Stone]] in [[The Crucible]].
* Praetorians:  [[John Snow]], in [[Imperial City]], inside Studio 55. He is on the third floor of the club past the gambling area.
* Praetorians:  [[John Snow]], in [[Imperial City]], inside Studio 55.
A free respec is used by either visiting the above contacts, or by typing the {{slashcommand|respec}} command on the chat command line at any time or anywhere, though it is still subject to [[#Respecification Limitations|limitations]]:
If you use the slash command when you have no respecs available, you will receive a confusing message suggesting you visit one of these contacts to use "earned respecs", a legacy of this distinction.
 
== Limitations and Respec Failures ==
Respecs are subject to a number of limitations and possible failures.
 
=== Limitations ===
* A character must be at least level three.
* A character cannot be in strike force or task force mode. This includes all trials, strike forces, task forces, signature story arcs, mission architect missions and flashback missions,
* A character's [[Origin]], [[Archetype]], primary power set, secondary power set, and [[P2W Vendor]] powers cannot be changed.
* A power cannot be taken at a level that isn't possible for a character levelling normally. However, slots may be rearranged freely, even into "impossible" configurations (eg, six-slotting the power taken at level 49).
* Changes are permanent! For this reason, it's often wise to plan your new build in advance. (Note: a [[Character Planner]] program can be useful here, or testing the build on the [[Beta Testing Shards]]).
 
=== Respec Failures ===
Sometimes, a player may receive a 'respec failed' message. These may occur for any number of reasons. Possible reasons are thought to be:
* Being in Task Force/Strike Force mode, including Flashback and Architect missions.
* Being in very busy zones.
* Being in a Supergroup Base or other instance.
* Not training up to the character's effective level before starting a respec (however, [[Soldiers of Arachnos]] always respec with an untrained level at level 24).
 
However, it's also possible that, since most respecs succeed, none of these things is particularly likely to cause a respec to fail; it's just that when the player tries again after trying one of those things, it succeeds by pure chance and so it seems as if whatever was tried worked.


===Free Respecs===
If there were any un-slotted enhancements in the character's tray before the respec began, they might appear to have vanished after a respec failure, but if you log out and in again, they will reappear.
A free respec, often known as a 'freespec', is awarded to all characters by the developers during a special event or after a significant update of the game.
====Summary====
* No more than one freespec can be available at any given time. If a character has an unspent freespec, and another is awarded, they will not receive the new freespec.
* For the above reason, players should choose to use a freespec (if one is available), before spending an earned respec. That way they will receive another, should it be awarded.
* A freespec can be used with the [[Respec (Slash Command)]], without needing to visit a special contact.


== How to Respec ==
The process of completing a respec occurs in several stages. These are '''Power Selections''', '''Enhancement Slot Selections''', '''Slotting Enhancements''', and finally '''Confirming'''. These stages are outlined below in brief.


* During a power respecification, a character may choose different powers within his or her primary and secondary powersets, as well as completely reconfigure his or her selection of [[Pool Powers]], [[Ancillary Power Pools|Ancillary Pool]] powers, and [[Patron Power Pools|Patron Pool]] powers (for villains/former villains that have unlocked PPPs). Respecs also let a character reallocate Enhancement slots and redistribute all Enhancements that were either in a power or in his or her inventory tray.
=== Power Selections ===
Select all of your character's powers. All powers will be chosen in the order that they are available, level by level. Progress as your pick each power is shown in red at the bottom of the screen.  


* Respecs cannot change a character's [[Origin]], [[Archetype]], primary powerset, secondary powerset, or [[Paragon Rewards Program]] power selections.
This stage mimics the normal training the character receives, with more powers available at later levels. The first choice mimics level 1 (character creation screen), the next choice level 2 (the first power received from a trainer), and so on.  


* Respecs don't allow a player to take a power or add slots in an order that isn't possible for a character leveling normally. An exception to this is [[Warshades]] and [[Peacebringers]] who, during a respec, may add slots to their Nova- and Dwarf-form-specific powers before the Nova and Dwarf forms themselves are available.
For example, when the sixth power is selected, the powers available will be the powers available for selection with the character attained security level 10 (i.e. when he or she selected his or her sixth power).


== Types of Respecifications ==
When a respec is used, a character will be presented with the power selection screen to select his or her powers. The choice will be limited to the powers available when he or she first selected powers at level 1. After selecting a power, the character will be asked to select another power, this time with the powers available when he or she selected powers at level 2. For each subsequent power selection, the powers available will be the powers available for the next progressive level of the character.
Though there are many ways of acquiring respecifications, the respecs themselves fall into only two types: ''earned'' and ''free''. The type depends on the method used to achieve it:
*'''Trial Respecs''' - earned, up to 3 possible
*'''Paragon Reward Program Respecs''' - via Reward Token, up to a total of 6 as at June 2012.
*'''Veteran Respecs (discontinued)''' - earned, up to 5 possible (at 69 months)
*'''Patron Respecs''' - earned, 1 possible (Villain only)
*'''Soldiers of Arachnos Respec''' - earned, 1 possible (Villain only)
*'''Character Respec Tokens (purchased)''' - 'earned', theoretically unlimited
*'''Free Respec''' - free (A character can only have 1 at a time and they do not stack)
*'''Respec Recipes''' - free (These cannot be crafted if the character already has a free respec available)
*'''Holiday Respec''' - free (These cannot be purchased at the Candy Keeper if the character already has a free respec available)


A character can accumulate any number of earned respecs, but at most one free one. Any more gained while a character already has one are lost.
Keep on selecting powers until no powers remain, and the respec then moves onto the next stage.


An earned respec is used by visiting a special contact.
* For a chart showing at what levels new powers become available, see [[Leveling Chart]]
* For heroes: [[Jack Wolfe]], located in [[City Hall]] in [[Atlas Park]]; [[James Frost]] in [[Fort Trident]].
* For villains: [[Arbiter Lupin]], located next to to the AE Building in [[Nerva Archipelago]]; and [[Arbiter Sawyer]], standing near the [[Pocket D]] entrance in [[Port Oakes]].
* For Praetorians:  [[John Snow]], in [[Imperial City]], inside Studio 55. He is on the third floor of the club all the way past the gambling area.
A free respec is used by either visiting the above contacts, or by typing the {{slashcommand|respec}} command on the chat command line at any time or anywhere, though it is still subject to [[#Respecification Limitations|limitations]]:


=== Respecification Limitations ===
=== Enhancement Slot Selections ===
In this stage, all enhancement slots are placed. Again, progress is shown in red at the bottom of the window. This reflects the training a character receives at levels where no power is granted.


There are a few limitations on claiming a Respecification.
At each step of this stage, either two, three or six enhancement slots are placed, depending on the effective level. Higher level powers are greyed out and cannot be slotted until the effective level they were chosen is passed.
* A character must be at least level three.
* A character cannot currently be part of a task force.


=== Trial Respecifications ===
After all enhancement slots have been placed, the respec moves to the next stage.


There are two respec-granting trials:
* For a chart showing at what levels enhancements are slotted, see [[Leveling Chart]]


* The [[Terra Volta Respecification Trial]] for heroes, and
=== Slotting Enhancements ===
* The [[Tree of Thorns Respecification Trial]] for villains
This stage shows a window labelled "Place Enhancements". All of the character's enhancements (slotted and unslotted) are automatically placed in the "unassigned" section.
 
Click and drag the desired enhancements into their respective slots. Unlike normal training, you can move slotted enhancements freely into and out of powers and slots during this stage.
 
You can also keep (but not slot) enhancements; just put them back into your inventory. When the respec is completed these will be available to your character in the Inventory tray.
 
This is the last formal stage of the respec process. It is worthwhile double-checking that you have slotted and placed all enhancements correctly before proceeding.
 
Click "Finish" to proceed to the final stage.
 
* Note:  Enhancements that remain unassigned will be lost forever once the respec is completed. You are not compensated in any way for their loss.
 
=== Confirming ===
The player is asked to confirm and finish the respec. A dialog box appears, and this is the last chance to change any aspect of the respec.


Each trial has three versions: one available to characters of level 24 and up, one for 34+, and one for 44+. There are also limits on how many respecs a character can earn from these trials: a character is eligible for a respec choice at levels 24, 34, and 44, for a total of three respec claims, regardless of the trials completed. Note that ''the respecification rewards are not linked to which trial is completed, but to the character's level''. For example, a level 48 character who has never done a respecification trial can do the first (lowest level) trial three times, or the last (highest level) trial three times, or any combination of the trials, and gain all three respecification awards.
{{CutsceneText|Text='''{{red|WARNING!}}'''


One other point: a character can do a respec trial even if he or she can't get any more respecs from it. The character will only be able to choose the [[Special Salvage#Reward Merit|Reward Merits]] as the completion reward at the end.
At this point all slotted enhancements will become Locked In. All unassigned enhancements will be deleted. Are you sure you wish to proceed?


=== Veteran Rewards Respecifications ===
'''{{green|Yes/No}}'''}}
Several levels of the [[Veteran Rewards System]] award respecs to all characters on the account. Specifically, the 9 month, 21 month, 33 month, 45 month and 69 month rewards all include respecs.


Veteran respecs are earned respecs and are claimed the same way as trial respecs.
Click No to return the the previous stage, and Yes to complete the respec.


=== Patron Power Respecifications ===
'''When you click "Yes", you will ''not'' be able to go back.''' Any changes are now permanent, and powers, enhancement slots, and enhancement placements are locked in place. The only way to fix errors made in the respecification process is to respec again.
Each villain character that completes the first Patron arc and unlocks a patron power pool will also receive an earned respec.


=== Soldiers of Arachnos Respecifications ===
A handy command to remember after a respec is {{slashcommand|clear_tray}}, as this will empty out a character's trays. After a respec, the game places powers in leveling order, followed by every single temporary, accolade, inherent, etc., power that the character has access to. Since the majority of players have their powers set up in a particular way, clearing the tray allows for a much easier process of placing powers where a player wants them; additionally, it will retain any [[Macro (Slash Command)|macros]] the player has created for that character.
A [[Soldiers of Arachnos]] respec is used upon a Villain Epic Archetype reaching [[Threat Level]] 24. When visiting a trainer for the first time after reaching level 24, the player will immediately be taken to the respec screen due to the extra powersets being unlocked.


=== Purchased Respecifications ===
=== Rolling Back During a Respec ===
'''Character Respec Tokens''' are available in the [[Paragon Market]] for 800 [[Paragon Points]].
At any time during the respec, clicking the "Back" button at the bottom left of the window will take you back one step, even to previous stages.  


Starting on [http://www.cityofheroes.com/news/news_archive/city_of_heroes_52.html July 31, 2008] and until [[City of Heroes Freedom]], players could purchase a respec from the Character Select screen. It cost $9.99 US. Players selected the character they wanted to respec, then selected the "Enter Store" icon in the lower right, and followed the prompts.
Even at the final slotting stage, clicking back enough times will eventually bring you right back to the very first step taken in the respec.


Purchased respecs are earned respecs and are claimed the same way as trial respecs.  {{red|Is this still true?  Or are the tokens claimed via email ''then'' the same way as trial respecs?}}
Clicking "Next" advances the respec to the next step.
<!-- Theory is there is no maximum limit. Of course, no one I know has purchased more than one of these at a time for any single character, so it's not a good test bed. :p -->


=== Free Respecifications ===
== Obtaining respecs: Details ==
If a character receives a power respecification due to having one given to him or her, it is a '''free''' respec. A character may have only one free respec available at any given time. If a character has a free respec when another respec is given out, he or she will not receive the new respec.
This section provides more information on each type of respec found in-game.
=== Respec Trials ===
There are two sets of trials, which upon completion will allow an eligible character to choose a respec from a reward table:
* The [[Terra Volta Respecification Trial]] for heroes, and
* The [[Tree of Thorns Respecification Trial]] for villains


Free respecs are usually given out after significant changes to game mechanics involving powers. For example, when [[Enhancement Diversification]] was released on the live servers, a free respec was given to all heroes due to a significant change in the effects of enhancement slotting.
Each trial has three similar versions, each with a different minimum level. These are a levels 24, 34 and 44. Throughout a character's life in the game, they may earn no more than three respecs from these trials, no matter how many or in what order they do these trials.


This type of respec is commonly known as ''freespec'' (free + respec).
From levels 24-33, a character can receive one respec from completing the first trial. From levels 34-43, a character can receive another respec from completing either of the first two trials. From levels 44 and up, a character may receive their third respec from completing any of the three trials.


=== Respecification Recipes ===
A character can continue to participate in as many trials as they like, but will only be able to choose the other rewards from the reward table at the end.
As of [[Issue 11]] characters may buy [[Respec Recipe]]s from other players or find them as rare drops from defeating enemies. Crafting this recipe awards the crafter with a free respec. These cannot be crafted if the character already has a free respec available.


=== Holiday Respecification ===
=== Patron Arc Respec ===
As of [[Winter Event 2009|2009]], the [[Candy Keeper]] sells a respec option. It costs 500 [[Candy Cane Salvage]] and 5000 influence/infamy per level of your character.  It cannot be purchased if the character is holding a free respec and each character can only purchase one per event.
Each villain or rogue that completes the first [[Patron]] arc will also receive one respec. This can be used at any time thereafter, even the character does not wish to use a [[Patron Power Pool]]. Note that Patron Arc Respecifications are not lost if the character changes [[alignment]] to hero, though if the character changes to hero prior to finishing the arc, progress is halted and the respec will not be awarded until returning to villain or rogue to complete the arc.


== How Respecifications Work ==
Patron arcs can be undertaken from level 35 and onwards. Characters will receive a pop-up message from [[Arbiter Rein]] as soon as they are eligible to complete the arc, and should see him to choose a patron and then complete the arc.


When a respec is used, a character will be presented with the power selection screen to select his or her powers. The choice will be limited to the powers available when he or she first selected powers at level 1. After selecting a power, the character will be asked to select another power, this time with the powers available when he or she selected powers at level 2. For each subsequent power selection, the powers available will be the powers available for the next progressive level of the character.
=== Soldiers of Arachnos Respec ===
An [[Arachnos Soldier]] or [[Arachnos Widow]] - or collectively, [[Soldiers of Arachnos]] - receives a respec as soon as they reach [[Threat Level]] 24.
 
This is a mandatory respec, and must be taken the next time the character trains. It allows these archetypes to use all of the power sets that are unlocked for them at level 24.


For example, when the sixth power is selected, the powers available will be the powers available for selection with the character attained security level 10 (i.e. when he or she selected his or her sixth power).
=== Free Respecs ===
Free respecs, or "freespecs", are sometimes granted after significant changes to the game mechanics are made.  


After the power selection is complete, the character is then presented with the enhancement slot selection screen. Again, the powers available for slotting are the powers that were available at the time that the character attained the level for that particular round of slots.
'''Note:''' Characters can have only one of these "freespecs" available at any time. If a new one is granted before the old one is used, it will overwrite the old. Use it or lose it!


For example, when the sixth set of slots is selected, the powers available for slotting will be the powers available for selection when the character attained security level 13 (i.e. when he or she selected his or her sixth set of enhancement slots).
=== Respec Recipes ===
Characters may find [[Respec Recipe]]s as rare drops from defeating enemies or trade them with other players either directly or through the [[Auction House]]. Crafting this recipe grants a free respec. These cannot be crafted if the character already has a free respec available.


After the enhancement slotting is complete, the character will be presented with a screen in which he or she assigns all of his or her currently assigned and held enhancements to those slots. Until an enhancement is assigned to an enhancement slot or to the enhancement inventory, it is considered unassigned. Unlike the normal enhancement management screen, enhancements may be freely moved around between enhancement slots, the enhancement inventory tray, and the unassigned enhancements tray.
A Respec Recipe can also be purchased from the [[P2W Vendor]].


After all enhancements are placed into appropriate slots or into the enhancement tray, all unassigned origin (SO,DO, TO) enhancements will be sold for their full purchase cost. Invention Enhancements will be sold for the crafting cost (the price does not include the purchase cost). Hamidon and Synthetic Hamidon Enhancements are not assigned any value. They will be lost with zero influence/infamy gained if they are unassigned at the end of a respecification. Enhancements combined with another of the same type(+ or ++) can be put in the tray but cannot de sold or traded.
=== Holiday Respecs ===
The [[Candy Keeper]] sells a respec option for 500 [[Candy Cane Salvage]] plus [[inf]] per character level. This salvage is readily available during the [[Winter Event]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
 
* While respecs are readily available, it is suggested to use a [[Character Planner]] and/or test new builds on the [[Beta Testing Shards]] before actually committing to the respec on the live server.
* '''Important!''' Keep in mind that unless a character finds or purchases a [[Respec Recipe]] on the [[Consignment House]], or a player spends $10 on a purchase recipe, earned recipes are finite and free respecs are somewhat rare. If a character runs out of earned respecs, bad choices are semi-permanent!
* The number of respecs a character has is shown each time they log into the game. A system (green text) message is displayed in the chat box stating, "You have ''x'' unclaimed respecs available," where ''x'' is the number of available respecs.
* Because the maximum number of respecs available is limited and the time between gaining respecs is typically very long, it is highly suggested to test new builds on the [[Training Room]] server before actually committing to the respec on the live server.
* Because a character may have a maximum of one free respec at a time, it is highly suggested that these respecs be used before earned respecs by typing the '''/respec''' command on the chat command line.
* A player may see how many unclaimed respecs his or her character has at the time of logon. A system (green text) message is displayed in the chat box stating, "You have ''x'' unclaimed respecs available," where ''x'' is the number of available respecs.
* Remember that the order in which a character's powers are selected determines which powers are available when that character is exemplared or malefactored with lower-level heroes and villains. In general, the most wanted or most often-used powers should be selected first.
* Remember that the order in which a character's powers are selected determines which powers are available when that character is exemplared or malefactored with lower-level heroes and villains. In general, the most wanted or most often-used powers should be selected first.
* The word "respec" is often misspelled "respect" by those unfamiliar with the term, by speed touch-typists, or sometimes even by some in a deliberate satirical manner. The word is an abbreviated form of the word ''respecification'', however, and "respec" is the correct spelling. In addition, "respec" is sometimes incorrectly expanded in-game to "respecialization", such as in the badge text for respecs given as [[Veteran Rewards Program|Veteran Rewards]], leading to further confusion among players as to what "respec" is actually short for.  Upon completion, your character has been "respecified" or "respecced" (some players also use the term "respec'd").
* The names of the villain respec trial contacts, Sparcetriel, Trepsarciel, and Ractespriel, are all anagrams of "respec trial."
* The names of the villain respec trial contacts, Sparcetriel, Trepsarciel, and Ractespriel, are all anagrams of "respec trial."
* After using a respec, using the command line '''/clear_tray''' will clear all power trays of powers, as they will all fill up with random powers. This allows easier power placement onto the power trays.
* After using a respec, using the {{slashcommand|clear_tray}} command will clear all power trays of powers, as they will all fill up with random powers. This allows easier power placement onto the power trays. Taking a screenshot of the power trays will also help you restore the status quo after a respec.
 
==Historical==
*The '''[[Veteran Rewards Program]]''' program was removed from the game with the release of [[City of Heroes: Freedom]]. It was replaced by the [[Paragon Rewards Program]]. While it was available, the Veteran rewards program awarded one respec to each character on a player's account at varying intervals. Respecs were awarded for 9, 21, 33 45 and 69 months membership.
* '''Purchased Respecifications'''. Prior to the introduction of City of Heroes: Freedom, players could purchase a respec from the Character Select screen. Players selected the character they wanted to respec, then selected the "Enter Store" icon in the lower right, then followed the prompts. Cost was US$9.99. After the release of City of Heroes: Freedom, this was removed and players instead purchase a [[Character Respec Token]] from the [[Paragon Market]].
* '''[[Respec Recipe]]s''' were added to the game with [[Issue 11]].
* '''Holiday Respecifiations''' were added to the game with the [[Winter Event 2009]].


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Respec (Slash Command)]]
* [[Respec (Slash Command)]]
* [[Terra Volta Respecification Trial]]
* [[Terra Volta Respecification Trial]]
Line 162: Line 170:
* [[Candy Cane Salvage]]
* [[Candy Cane Salvage]]


[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Gameplay]][[Category:Character Items]]

Latest revision as of 04:19, 25 January 2024

This article is about ways to acquire a respec and how to use them. For the slash command, see respec (Slash Command).


Overview

A Respecification (a.k.a. "Power Respecification", "respec") allows a player to respecify a character. This allows Primary and Secondary Powers, Power Pool Powers and Enhancement Slot assignments to be changed. Power Set selections (both Primary and Secondary) cannot be changed.

Respecs can be gained from a number of sources, including various actions taken in-game, during some special events, and from the developers. These are described in detail below.

Respecs are often used to trade unwanted powers for more useful ones; rearrange hard-to-obtain Enhancements between powers (but remember that Enhancement Unslotters are readily available); and to optimise a character once they have reached level 50. Respecs are started by using the /respec command.

A character may accrue quite a number of respecs. Available respecs are shown when a character logs on. A system (green) message is displayed in the chat box stating, "You have x unclaimed respecs available," where x is the number of available respecs. In addition to this, a player may have also have a number of respecs they may claim for a character from their in-game mail.

Sources of Respecs

An respec can be earned in the following ways:

  1. Automatically every 10 experience levels.
  2. By buying a Respec Recipe from the Auction House, P2W Vendor, or Reward Merit Vendor (the AH is likely to be much cheaper).
  3. Completing a Terra Volta Respecification Trial for heroes, or a Tree of Thorns Respecification Trial for villains. A maximum of 3 respecs can be earned by a character in this way.
  4. For villains and rogues only, by completing the first Patron arc and unlocking a Patron Power Pool.
  5. For Soldiers of Arachnos only, by reaching Threat Level 24. This respec is mandatory and must be taken the next time that character trains.
  6. By opening Super Packs.
  7. By earning Veteran Reward Badges at specific levels in the Veteran Levels program.
  8. Granted by the development team after some major changes to the game.

Earned Respecs and Free Respecs

Before Homecoming, there was a distinction between different kinds of respec, with some respecs requiring you to visit a special contact:

If you use the slash command when you have no respecs available, you will receive a confusing message suggesting you visit one of these contacts to use "earned respecs", a legacy of this distinction.

Limitations and Respec Failures

Respecs are subject to a number of limitations and possible failures.

Limitations

  • A character must be at least level three.
  • A character cannot be in strike force or task force mode. This includes all trials, strike forces, task forces, signature story arcs, mission architect missions and flashback missions,
  • A character's Origin, Archetype, primary power set, secondary power set, and P2W Vendor powers cannot be changed.
  • A power cannot be taken at a level that isn't possible for a character levelling normally. However, slots may be rearranged freely, even into "impossible" configurations (eg, six-slotting the power taken at level 49).
  • Changes are permanent! For this reason, it's often wise to plan your new build in advance. (Note: a Character Planner program can be useful here, or testing the build on the Beta Testing Shards).

Respec Failures

Sometimes, a player may receive a 'respec failed' message. These may occur for any number of reasons. Possible reasons are thought to be:

  • Being in Task Force/Strike Force mode, including Flashback and Architect missions.
  • Being in very busy zones.
  • Being in a Supergroup Base or other instance.
  • Not training up to the character's effective level before starting a respec (however, Soldiers of Arachnos always respec with an untrained level at level 24).

However, it's also possible that, since most respecs succeed, none of these things is particularly likely to cause a respec to fail; it's just that when the player tries again after trying one of those things, it succeeds by pure chance and so it seems as if whatever was tried worked.

If there were any un-slotted enhancements in the character's tray before the respec began, they might appear to have vanished after a respec failure, but if you log out and in again, they will reappear.

How to Respec

The process of completing a respec occurs in several stages. These are Power Selections, Enhancement Slot Selections, Slotting Enhancements, and finally Confirming. These stages are outlined below in brief.

Power Selections

Select all of your character's powers. All powers will be chosen in the order that they are available, level by level. Progress as your pick each power is shown in red at the bottom of the screen.

This stage mimics the normal training the character receives, with more powers available at later levels. The first choice mimics level 1 (character creation screen), the next choice level 2 (the first power received from a trainer), and so on.

For example, when the sixth power is selected, the powers available will be the powers available for selection with the character attained security level 10 (i.e. when he or she selected his or her sixth power).

When a respec is used, a character will be presented with the power selection screen to select his or her powers. The choice will be limited to the powers available when he or she first selected powers at level 1. After selecting a power, the character will be asked to select another power, this time with the powers available when he or she selected powers at level 2. For each subsequent power selection, the powers available will be the powers available for the next progressive level of the character.

Keep on selecting powers until no powers remain, and the respec then moves onto the next stage.

  • For a chart showing at what levels new powers become available, see Leveling Chart

Enhancement Slot Selections

In this stage, all enhancement slots are placed. Again, progress is shown in red at the bottom of the window. This reflects the training a character receives at levels where no power is granted.

At each step of this stage, either two, three or six enhancement slots are placed, depending on the effective level. Higher level powers are greyed out and cannot be slotted until the effective level they were chosen is passed.

After all enhancement slots have been placed, the respec moves to the next stage.

  • For a chart showing at what levels enhancements are slotted, see Leveling Chart

Slotting Enhancements

This stage shows a window labelled "Place Enhancements". All of the character's enhancements (slotted and unslotted) are automatically placed in the "unassigned" section.

Click and drag the desired enhancements into their respective slots. Unlike normal training, you can move slotted enhancements freely into and out of powers and slots during this stage.

You can also keep (but not slot) enhancements; just put them back into your inventory. When the respec is completed these will be available to your character in the Inventory tray.

This is the last formal stage of the respec process. It is worthwhile double-checking that you have slotted and placed all enhancements correctly before proceeding.

Click "Finish" to proceed to the final stage.

  • Note: Enhancements that remain unassigned will be lost forever once the respec is completed. You are not compensated in any way for their loss.

Confirming

The player is asked to confirm and finish the respec. A dialog box appears, and this is the last chance to change any aspect of the respec.

WARNING!

At this point all slotted enhancements will become Locked In. All unassigned enhancements will be deleted. Are you sure you wish to proceed?

Yes/No

Click No to return the the previous stage, and Yes to complete the respec.

When you click "Yes", you will not be able to go back. Any changes are now permanent, and powers, enhancement slots, and enhancement placements are locked in place. The only way to fix errors made in the respecification process is to respec again.

A handy command to remember after a respec is /clear_tray, as this will empty out a character's trays. After a respec, the game places powers in leveling order, followed by every single temporary, accolade, inherent, etc., power that the character has access to. Since the majority of players have their powers set up in a particular way, clearing the tray allows for a much easier process of placing powers where a player wants them; additionally, it will retain any macros the player has created for that character.

Rolling Back During a Respec

At any time during the respec, clicking the "Back" button at the bottom left of the window will take you back one step, even to previous stages.

Even at the final slotting stage, clicking back enough times will eventually bring you right back to the very first step taken in the respec.

Clicking "Next" advances the respec to the next step.

Obtaining respecs: Details

This section provides more information on each type of respec found in-game.

Respec Trials

There are two sets of trials, which upon completion will allow an eligible character to choose a respec from a reward table:

Each trial has three similar versions, each with a different minimum level. These are a levels 24, 34 and 44. Throughout a character's life in the game, they may earn no more than three respecs from these trials, no matter how many or in what order they do these trials.

From levels 24-33, a character can receive one respec from completing the first trial. From levels 34-43, a character can receive another respec from completing either of the first two trials. From levels 44 and up, a character may receive their third respec from completing any of the three trials.

A character can continue to participate in as many trials as they like, but will only be able to choose the other rewards from the reward table at the end.

Patron Arc Respec

Each villain or rogue that completes the first Patron arc will also receive one respec. This can be used at any time thereafter, even the character does not wish to use a Patron Power Pool. Note that Patron Arc Respecifications are not lost if the character changes alignment to hero, though if the character changes to hero prior to finishing the arc, progress is halted and the respec will not be awarded until returning to villain or rogue to complete the arc.

Patron arcs can be undertaken from level 35 and onwards. Characters will receive a pop-up message from Arbiter Rein as soon as they are eligible to complete the arc, and should see him to choose a patron and then complete the arc.

Soldiers of Arachnos Respec

An Arachnos Soldier or Arachnos Widow - or collectively, Soldiers of Arachnos - receives a respec as soon as they reach Threat Level 24.

This is a mandatory respec, and must be taken the next time the character trains. It allows these archetypes to use all of the power sets that are unlocked for them at level 24.

Free Respecs

Free respecs, or "freespecs", are sometimes granted after significant changes to the game mechanics are made.

Note: Characters can have only one of these "freespecs" available at any time. If a new one is granted before the old one is used, it will overwrite the old. Use it or lose it!

Respec Recipes

Characters may find Respec Recipes as rare drops from defeating enemies or trade them with other players either directly or through the Auction House. Crafting this recipe grants a free respec. These cannot be crafted if the character already has a free respec available.

A Respec Recipe can also be purchased from the P2W Vendor.

Holiday Respecs

The Candy Keeper sells a respec option for 500 Candy Cane Salvage plus inf per character level. This salvage is readily available during the Winter Event.

Notes

  • While respecs are readily available, it is suggested to use a Character Planner and/or test new builds on the Beta Testing Shards before actually committing to the respec on the live server.
  • The number of respecs a character has is shown each time they log into the game. A system (green text) message is displayed in the chat box stating, "You have x unclaimed respecs available," where x is the number of available respecs.
  • Remember that the order in which a character's powers are selected determines which powers are available when that character is exemplared or malefactored with lower-level heroes and villains. In general, the most wanted or most often-used powers should be selected first.
  • The names of the villain respec trial contacts, Sparcetriel, Trepsarciel, and Ractespriel, are all anagrams of "respec trial."
  • After using a respec, using the /clear_tray command will clear all power trays of powers, as they will all fill up with random powers. This allows easier power placement onto the power trays. Taking a screenshot of the power trays will also help you restore the status quo after a respec.

See Also

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