Epic Archetypes
Overview
Epic Archetypes are archetypes that are related to the storyline in some way and thus have special content and contacts relating to them. VEATs (villain epic archetypes) and HEATs (hero epic archetypes) both have a wide selection of powers, allowing for a wide variety of playstyles and strategies, making them extremely versatile. At the time, the only way to unlock these epic archetypes is to get a character to 50 on the archetype's faction. In the future, they may be linked to things like story arcs, badges or task forces.
Hero Epic Archetypes
There are 2 epic archetypes available in City of Heroes, collectively known as "Kheldians." They are unlocked by having a Hero character in the player's game account reaching level 50. Once this is achieved, the account will be flagged to always have Kheldians unlocked, even if the level 50 character is deleted.
Both types have access to two non-human forms allowing both archetypes to switch between different forms as required depending on combat situations. As both have travel powers inbuilt into their powers right from level 1, the Power Pools Flight and Teleportation are unselectable.
Villain Epic Archetypes
There are 2 main villain Epic Archetypes (sometimes collectively known as Soldiers of Arachnos, not to be confused with Arachnos Soldiers). They are unlocked by having a Villain character in the player's game account reaching level 50. Once this is achieved, the account will be flagged to always have both Arachnos archetypes unlocked, even if the level 50 character is deleted.
After starting out as "Wolf Spider", at level 24 the Arachnos Soldier can choose from Bane Spider Soldier or Crab Spider Soldier. Similarly at the same level, the Arachnos Widow ("Blood Widow") can choose from Fortunata or Night Widow.
Possible Future Epic Archetypes
In addition to the Epic Archetypes currently in the game there are a number that have been mentioned in the past. The status of these is currently unknown, they may eventually make it into the game or they may have been canceled with no word from the developers.
- Incarnates are mortals who have drunk from the Well of the Furies and gained the power of the gods. In game examples are Statesman and Lord Recluse. [1]
- Coralax are a race of aquatic humanoids who were mentioned as a possible Epic Archetype. [2]
- The Blood of the Black Stream are a group of Egyptian Shapeshifters mentioned in Mr. Bocor's story arc.
Canceled Epic Archetypes
These Epic Archetypes were planned to be in the game but since then have been confirmed by the developers as having been canceled.
- Avilans were going to be a race of winged humanoids but were canceled in favor of allowing winged costume options for all characters.
- Nictus were originally going to be the Villian Epic Archetype (giving them a direct copy of the Hero's Kheldians) but were canceled in favor of the Soldiers of Arachnos. [3]