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<center>''It's strange.''
{{TOCleft}}
 
''This entire dimension is suffused with a mystic power.''
 
''As if it was all the construction of a single vast consciousness.''
 
''As if we were walking among the dreams of a god...''
 
- [[Akarist]], [[Circle of Thorns]] mage</center>
 
 
[[Image:Shadowshard.jpg|center|450px|]]
 
 
== Overview ==
== Overview ==
[[File:Shadowshard.jpg|right|thumb|350px|{{center|We're not in Kansas anymore.}}]]
The '''Shadow Shard''' is an alternate dimension permanently linked to by [[Portal Corporation]]. It is called the Shadow Shard because among its inhabitants are many that appear as [[Shadow Shard Reflections|shadows]] of familiar enemies from the main dimension (where [[Paragon City]] and the [[Rogue Isles]] are located).


The '''Shadow Shard''' is an alternate dimension permanently linked to by [[Portal Corporation]]. It is called the Shadow Shard because among its inhabitants are many that appear as [[Shadow Shard Reflections|shadows]] of familiar enemies from the rest of the game.
The Shard is a world of islands and rocks floating in a strange-colored sky. Humans from the main dimension have begun to explore the zone, and have set up bases of varying sizes across the shard.


The Shard is a world of islands and rocks floating in a strange-colored sky. Humans from the main CoX dimension have begun to explore the zone, and have set up bases of varying sizes across the shard.
The Shard is made up of four different zones, beginning with [[Firebase Zulu]], and progressing through [[Cascade Archipelago]], [[The Chantry]], and [[The Storm Palace]]. All are hazard or trial zones. There is a hospital that is located in Firebase Zulu, in addition to a [[Reconnaissance Officer#Firebase Zulu|Reconnaissance Officer]], who gives information on the whole Shadow Shard.


The Shard is made up of four different zones. [[Firebase Zulu]], [[Cascade Archipelago]], [[The Chantry]], and [[The Storm Palace]]. All are hazard or trial zones. Minimum level to enter the first zone of the shard is level 40, and the deeper zones have progressively higher minima.
Enemies across the Shard include natives like the [[Shadow Shard Reflections]], [[Soldiers of Rularuu]], [[Lanaruu|Storm Elementals]], and visitors from the human dimension such as the [[Circle of Thorns]], [[Crey]] and [[Nemesis]].


Enemies across the Shard include natives like the [[Shadow Shard Reflections]], [[Soldiers of Rularuu]], [[Lanaruu|Storm Elementals]], and visitors from the human dimension such as the [[Circle of Thorns]], [[Crey]] and [[Nemesis]].
Four Task Forces are organized out of the Shard, and missions may be run from several contacts in the zone who will give unlimited missions to high level heroes.


Several Task Forces are organized out of the Shard, and missions may be run from several contacts in the zone who will give unlimited missions to high level heroes.
While villains cannot visit the Shadow Shard itself, several higher level contacts (such as [[Technician Naylor]]) offer instanced trips into the Shard.


Several Villain missions have the Villains visit instanced maps of parts of the Shard.
== Zones ==
The Shadow Shard is a parallel universe with four zones.
*[[Firebase Zulu]]
*[[Cascade Archipelago]]
*[[The Chantry]]
*[[The Storm Palace]]


== Mapping ==
== Mapping ==


[[Image:Shardlongdrop.jpg|right|thumb|250px|{{center|There is no ground in the Shadow Shard...}}]]
[[File:Shardlongdrop.jpg|right|thumb|250px|{{center|There is no ground in the Shadow Shard...}}]]
As the Shadow Shard maps are all considered Trial zones, the player mini map is initially set to black. This makes navigation... challenging, to say the least. Certain transport methods (below) often require a literal "leap of faith", until the player becomes familiar with a particular zone.
As the Shadow Shard maps are all considered Trial zones, the player mini map is initially set to black. This can make navigation quite challenging without the [[Reveal]] power.


The Shard maps historically were often affected by a map-reset bug that was fixed in I9.
Shadow Shard maps are crisscrossed with faint green lines that show origins and destinations of gravity geysers, but their locations are not always clear from the map.  Also, many jumps are vertical and thus do not show up on the 2D map.  However, the ready availability of flight powers (eg from the [[P2W Vendor]]) renders the gravity geysers largely redundant.


== Effects within the Shadow Shard ==
== Effects within the Shadow Shard ==


One interesting effect present everywhere within the Shadow Shard is that gravity is "different", meaning that a fall of ANY distance will not damage the player in any way. Given that, some drops should be enough to reduce even the hardiest Level 50 Tanker to a single HP; this is a boon.
One interesting effect present everywhere within the Shadow Shard is that gravity is "different", meaning that a fall of any distance will not damage the character in any way.


Additionally, if a player falls off an island (and is unlucky enough to miss one below if it exists), when they reach the "bottom" of the map they will instantly be teleported to the most recently used entry point. This does not count as a "defeat" and no debt is incurred. This effect is both a curse and a blessing, as the player often has to re-traverse the huge zones, but sometimes allows players a quick, free and larger-than-normal teleport to the required exit, often useful after completing a door mission.
If a character falls off an island, they will fall to the bottom of the zone and then be teleported back to a safe place on the first island in the zone (the one with the teleport gateway back to Zulu or, in Zulu, Firebase Zulu itself). This can be frustrating to players who are attempting to get to a destination via gravity geyser and miss. However, it can be advantageous as well, offering a convenient route back to Firebase Zulu, or a handy way to escape enemy encounters that are going poorly.


== Getting around on your own ==
Non-flying enemies that fall over the side of an island are never seen again.  They are not defeated so do not provide xp or badge credit; they just vanish.


[[Image:Flyingtheshards.jpg|left|thumb|250px|{{center|Flying through the shard is safest... probably}}]]
== Getting around ==
The Shadow Shard houses the largest zones in the game — some can take many minutes of continuous use of travel powers to cross.
 
[[File:Flyingtheshards.jpg|left|thumb|250px|{{center|Flying through the shard is safest... probably}}]]
The Shadow Shard houses the largest zones in the game — some can take minutes of continuous use of travel powers to cross.


=== Fly ===
=== Fly ===
As the zones are comprised of floating islands, truly in three dimensions. Flight powers are greatly appreciated. Group Fly often makes its only use here, although the restrictions on proximity and the demands of [[Endurance]] drain represents a major drawback.
As the zones are composed of floating islands, truly in three dimensions, flight powers are greatly appreciated. There is a [[P2W Vendor]] in each Shadow Shard zone from whom jetpacks can be bought. Group Fly can be of some use here to let teammates fly faster than P2W jetpacks. Note that geysers represent very high speed travel, and even flying players may find them worth using if their direction is convenient.


=== Teleport ===
=== Teleport ===
Teleport powers are also considered "essential", not only for the fast three-dimensional movement, but also for "Recall Friend". The Shadow Shard represents some of the only zones where the maximum range of Recall Friend is regularly exceeded, requiring the teleportee to try to keep up, at least somewhat.
Teleport powers are also very useful, not only for fast three-dimensional movement, but also for [[Teleportation#Teleport Target|Teleport Target]]. The maximum range of Teleport Target can easily be exceeded, requiring the teleportee to try to keep up or to be teleported to a midpoint in the journey. Slotting a Range SO or IO into the inherent slot can mitigate this to some degree.
 
The [[Mission Transporter]] and [[Team Transporter]] powers are very useful for door missions, but of no benefit for open-world missions. [[Assemble the Team]] is also valuable.


=== Jumping ===
=== Jumping ===
Jumping powers are useful for minor sorties into the Shadow Shard; however, some islands are deliberately placed to be further than the maximum distance.
Jumping powers are useful for minor sorties into the Shadow Shard; however, most islands are deliberately placed to be further than the maximum distance.  Jumpers are likely to need jetpacks (or the geysers) for most of their travel.


=== Super Speed ===
=== Super Speed ===
All in all, those with Super Speed are most likely to be left behind. Not only is movement difficult (but not impossible), the native [[Soldiers of Rularuu]] have a large number of +Perception foes, reducing the effectiveness of the +Stealth component of Super Speed.
Those with Super Speed are most likely to be left behind. Not only is movement difficult, the native [[Soldiers of Rularuu]] have a large number of +Perception foes, reducing the effectiveness of the +Stealth component of Super Speed.


=== Good vs. Evil Jump Jet ===
== Getting around via gravity geyser ==


The jump jet from the Good versus Evil edition is worthy of its own note. Firstly it can be used as an emergency help if a geyser jump misfires. Secondly, when combined with Super Jump, it allows the character to leap across several islands, or some of the larger gaps without any issue.  And thirdly, combined with Fly, it will boost the speed of flight slightly for 30 seconds.
[[File:Geyser.jpg|right|thumb|250px|{{center|Using the geyser should propel you to the far island... hopefully}}]]
The first person you'll see in [[Firebase Zulu]] is [[General Hammond]] and the first mission he will give you is a tutorial on how to use the [[Gravity Geyser|Gravity geysers]]. Gravity geyser travel is a pretty different animal so pay attention! The ready availability of P2W jetpacks means it's not really necessary for any character to master these, but they can speed up your journey (and if you have such a jetpack, if you fumble and miss the geyser's endpoint, you can easily remedy matters.)


== Getting around without a 3D travel power ==
Unfortunately, what the general tells you is not entirely true, which has caused a lot of player confusion.


[[Image:Geyser.jpg|right|thumb|250px|{{center|Using the geyser should propel you to the far island... hopefully}}]]
Stepping on a geyser is much like stepping on a cannon. Each geyser has a 'slot' in the rock that leads up to the geyser itself. To use the geyser, slowly move up that slot and be sure you go '''straight up the center'''. These things shoot you a long way so being even a little off is bad. Once you are in the air, your controls are limited. If you try to go backwards then you will immediately stop moving forward. If you try to go left or right then you will lose most of your forward momentum fall ''unless you also have the forward key pressed down.'' However, if you do keep that forward key down (probably the 'W' key), you can steer yourself a lot by pushing the left and right keys. Just make sure you keep that forward key down! Holding down the forward key will cause you to go faster forward but will not break anything.
The last resort, often used by Super Jumpers and Super Speedsters, is to use the [[Gravity Geyser]] system. Scattered around the borders (primarily) of '''most''' islands are Gravity Geysers that launch the player like a catapult to a predetermined location. A tutorial exists at the start of the Shadow Shard ([[Firebase Zulu]]) through [[Sgt. Goddard]], who teaches players how to use them.


The player is catapulted, usually to an unknown point, at a faster rate than is normally possible with "traditional" travel powers. The effect is similar to Super Jump, but of much larger magnitude, and without so much control. The player can move around somewhat — waving their arms to move off to the left, right, back or forward, but the player cannot change direction more than a few degrees.
Despite what General Hammond says, people with superjump and superspeed '''should''' keep their travel power activated. Doing so increases your ability to steer. Given how often geysers will drop you right into a hostile Rularuu spawn and how easy it is to be a few degrees off as you go up the geyser, the ability to steer is very important. Turning on a flight power will stop you dead so you don't want that on when geyser jumping, but turning it on after you miss a jump can save you a lot of frustration early on.


Gravity Geysers generally only work best when used with no travel power effects in play — Super Speed, Super Jump, Flight; heck, even Combat Jumping, all cause "odd" effects with the Geysers, usually resulting in the player's parabolic path being interrupted and the player falling to the bottom of the map and thus back to the beginning.
Vertical geysers can be particularly difficult. There's a geyser just south of Point Charlie in Firebase Zulu that can be greatly frustrating to new Shadow Shard players. Done correctly, the geyser will shoot you almost straight up and you will land on an outcrop of rock sticking out of the island above. If you come at the geyser wrong, though, you will fall to either side of the outcrop. Also, if you hold down your forward key just a little too long, you'll go too far forward and bump your head on the bottom of the outcrop of rock. Having a travel power on magnifies this effect. However, even if you mess up a bit on the geyser, you can still easily correct the jump by steering. All you have to do is watch where you are going! In fact, with superjump or superspeed, you can steer yourself right to the next geyser's slot and save yourself some time!


Watch out, because Geysers aren't perfectly safe to use.
It's not too hard to tell where a geyser is going most of the time. Simply look down the rock slot and you'll see where you are going. The only exception to this is vertical geysers.


* They don't all land on safe ground (enemies at the landing zone)
All that said, you '''will''' need practice to learn how to do this. If you have never used geysers before, don't try to learn them when people are waiting on you. Go in solo and set aside some time just to learn the system. Enemies in the Shard are very rough for a single player so you might want to wait until you have a few levels past 40 and/or some good stealth to help keep the wildlife off you while you practice your cannonball runs. Once you get the system figured out and some practice under your belt, though, you'll rarely fall and will be able to get around the giant zones fairly quickly.
* They don't always have a return Geyser to get you back to where you just left
* They don't all aim at ground at all! (Geyser aims you into space and you fall to the bottom of the map and teleport to the last entry zone) — VERY annoying.)


Thankfully, the location, direction and destination of all Gravity Geysers have been mapped for some time. Vidiotmaps.com has the full mapping information available as map replacements, although this benefit is offset by the maps being reset as they are classed as Trial zones.
Note that there are two geysers (one in the Chantry and one in the Storm Palace) that shoot you straight up. If you don't steer, you will land right back at the geyser you jumped from! You'll have to figure out yourself which way you want to go and go there. Both of them shoot you very high so you'll have plenty of time to steer, assuming you have superjump or superspeed on.


[[Category:Game Background]]
[[Category:Shadow Shard Lore]]

Latest revision as of 12:15, 5 April 2022

Overview

We're not in Kansas anymore.

The Shadow Shard is an alternate dimension permanently linked to by Portal Corporation. It is called the Shadow Shard because among its inhabitants are many that appear as shadows of familiar enemies from the main dimension (where Paragon City and the Rogue Isles are located).

The Shard is a world of islands and rocks floating in a strange-colored sky. Humans from the main dimension have begun to explore the zone, and have set up bases of varying sizes across the shard.

The Shard is made up of four different zones, beginning with Firebase Zulu, and progressing through Cascade Archipelago, The Chantry, and The Storm Palace. All are hazard or trial zones. There is a hospital that is located in Firebase Zulu, in addition to a Reconnaissance Officer, who gives information on the whole Shadow Shard.

Enemies across the Shard include natives like the Shadow Shard Reflections, Soldiers of Rularuu, Storm Elementals, and visitors from the human dimension such as the Circle of Thorns, Crey and Nemesis.

Four Task Forces are organized out of the Shard, and missions may be run from several contacts in the zone who will give unlimited missions to high level heroes.

While villains cannot visit the Shadow Shard itself, several higher level contacts (such as Technician Naylor) offer instanced trips into the Shard.

Zones

The Shadow Shard is a parallel universe with four zones.

Mapping

There is no ground in the Shadow Shard...

As the Shadow Shard maps are all considered Trial zones, the player mini map is initially set to black. This can make navigation quite challenging without the Reveal power.

Shadow Shard maps are crisscrossed with faint green lines that show origins and destinations of gravity geysers, but their locations are not always clear from the map. Also, many jumps are vertical and thus do not show up on the 2D map. However, the ready availability of flight powers (eg from the P2W Vendor) renders the gravity geysers largely redundant.

Effects within the Shadow Shard

One interesting effect present everywhere within the Shadow Shard is that gravity is "different", meaning that a fall of any distance will not damage the character in any way.

If a character falls off an island, they will fall to the bottom of the zone and then be teleported back to a safe place on the first island in the zone (the one with the teleport gateway back to Zulu or, in Zulu, Firebase Zulu itself). This can be frustrating to players who are attempting to get to a destination via gravity geyser and miss. However, it can be advantageous as well, offering a convenient route back to Firebase Zulu, or a handy way to escape enemy encounters that are going poorly.

Non-flying enemies that fall over the side of an island are never seen again. They are not defeated so do not provide xp or badge credit; they just vanish.

Getting around

Flying through the shard is safest... probably

The Shadow Shard houses the largest zones in the game — some can take minutes of continuous use of travel powers to cross.

Fly

As the zones are composed of floating islands, truly in three dimensions, flight powers are greatly appreciated. There is a P2W Vendor in each Shadow Shard zone from whom jetpacks can be bought. Group Fly can be of some use here to let teammates fly faster than P2W jetpacks. Note that geysers represent very high speed travel, and even flying players may find them worth using if their direction is convenient.

Teleport

Teleport powers are also very useful, not only for fast three-dimensional movement, but also for Teleport Target. The maximum range of Teleport Target can easily be exceeded, requiring the teleportee to try to keep up or to be teleported to a midpoint in the journey. Slotting a Range SO or IO into the inherent slot can mitigate this to some degree.

The Mission Transporter and Team Transporter powers are very useful for door missions, but of no benefit for open-world missions. Assemble the Team is also valuable.

Jumping

Jumping powers are useful for minor sorties into the Shadow Shard; however, most islands are deliberately placed to be further than the maximum distance. Jumpers are likely to need jetpacks (or the geysers) for most of their travel.

Super Speed

Those with Super Speed are most likely to be left behind. Not only is movement difficult, the native Soldiers of Rularuu have a large number of +Perception foes, reducing the effectiveness of the +Stealth component of Super Speed.

Getting around via gravity geyser

Using the geyser should propel you to the far island... hopefully

The first person you'll see in Firebase Zulu is General Hammond and the first mission he will give you is a tutorial on how to use the Gravity geysers. Gravity geyser travel is a pretty different animal so pay attention! The ready availability of P2W jetpacks means it's not really necessary for any character to master these, but they can speed up your journey (and if you have such a jetpack, if you fumble and miss the geyser's endpoint, you can easily remedy matters.)

Unfortunately, what the general tells you is not entirely true, which has caused a lot of player confusion.

Stepping on a geyser is much like stepping on a cannon. Each geyser has a 'slot' in the rock that leads up to the geyser itself. To use the geyser, slowly move up that slot and be sure you go straight up the center. These things shoot you a long way so being even a little off is bad. Once you are in the air, your controls are limited. If you try to go backwards then you will immediately stop moving forward. If you try to go left or right then you will lose most of your forward momentum fall unless you also have the forward key pressed down. However, if you do keep that forward key down (probably the 'W' key), you can steer yourself a lot by pushing the left and right keys. Just make sure you keep that forward key down! Holding down the forward key will cause you to go faster forward but will not break anything.

Despite what General Hammond says, people with superjump and superspeed should keep their travel power activated. Doing so increases your ability to steer. Given how often geysers will drop you right into a hostile Rularuu spawn and how easy it is to be a few degrees off as you go up the geyser, the ability to steer is very important. Turning on a flight power will stop you dead so you don't want that on when geyser jumping, but turning it on after you miss a jump can save you a lot of frustration early on.

Vertical geysers can be particularly difficult. There's a geyser just south of Point Charlie in Firebase Zulu that can be greatly frustrating to new Shadow Shard players. Done correctly, the geyser will shoot you almost straight up and you will land on an outcrop of rock sticking out of the island above. If you come at the geyser wrong, though, you will fall to either side of the outcrop. Also, if you hold down your forward key just a little too long, you'll go too far forward and bump your head on the bottom of the outcrop of rock. Having a travel power on magnifies this effect. However, even if you mess up a bit on the geyser, you can still easily correct the jump by steering. All you have to do is watch where you are going! In fact, with superjump or superspeed, you can steer yourself right to the next geyser's slot and save yourself some time!

It's not too hard to tell where a geyser is going most of the time. Simply look down the rock slot and you'll see where you are going. The only exception to this is vertical geysers.

All that said, you will need practice to learn how to do this. If you have never used geysers before, don't try to learn them when people are waiting on you. Go in solo and set aside some time just to learn the system. Enemies in the Shard are very rough for a single player so you might want to wait until you have a few levels past 40 and/or some good stealth to help keep the wildlife off you while you practice your cannonball runs. Once you get the system figured out and some practice under your belt, though, you'll rarely fall and will be able to get around the giant zones fairly quickly.

Note that there are two geysers (one in the Chantry and one in the Storm Palace) that shoot you straight up. If you don't steer, you will land right back at the geyser you jumped from! You'll have to figure out yourself which way you want to go and go there. Both of them shoot you very high so you'll have plenty of time to steer, assuming you have superjump or superspeed on.