City of Heroes - Gladiator Guide +-------------------+ | City of Heroes | | | | Gladiator Guide | +-------------------+ By: UnSub {evilasahobby} <--a.t--> {graffiti} <--d.o.t--> {net} Version: 0.65 Date: 16 August 2006 CONTENTS: 1.0 Introduction .1 Fair Use and Email Policy .2 Who Wrote This Guide? .3 What Are Gladiators? 2.0 Gladiator List and Information 3.0 Gladiator Matches .1 Before You Start that Gladiator Match... .2 Starting a Match .3 The "Best" Gladiators 4.0 Final Notes .1 Thanks .2 Contributors .3 Version Notes +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 1.0 INTRODUCTION ________________ After dabbling in a few gladiator matches I went looking for a guide on how to do better and what tactics I should be using. No such guides seemed to exist, so I thought I'd write one. However, I've got limited experience with this CoH/V mini-game so I'll be relying heavily on the assistance of other, more experienced Lanistas. 1.1 FAIR USE AND EMAIL POLICY _____________________________ As collator and creator of this guide, I have no problems with its use and distribution provided that 1) it is distributed in an unaltered state and 2) that access to it is free (ie you do not need to pay an access fee of any type to purchase use of this guide). If you wish to alter this guide and / or charge for it's use, permission must first be sought from the creator (ie me ;-). If you wish to email me, PLEASE put something in the subject line about City of Heroes. I tend to delete emails with no subject line on the grounds that it is spam. Also, all submissions will be credited to their contributors, so if you send me info that gets included in this guide you will have your name credited in the guide, along with some general recognition of the type of information you provided. Please include a name (any name or nic) for me to use as I dislike putting contributor email addresses in guides. 1.2 WHO WROTE THIS GUIDE? _________________________ As a nod towards copyright, I'm getting my information about Gladiators (availability, how to unlock, point value, etc) from Sandolphan's Gladiator Pet Controls thread: http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Number=4149255 and from Badge Hunter's Gladiator Badge List: http://www.badge-hunter.com/view_badge_bytype.php?type=6 and from VidiotMap's outdated badge checklist, version 2005.12.20. 1.3 WHAT ARE GLADIATORS? ________________________ Introduced in Issue 6 was a fun mini-game in the arena called Gladiator matches. In such matches you take your team of Gladiators (NPC mobs you would usually fight in-game) that you've unlocked through collecting badges and fight them against another team of player controlled Gladiators. It's an indirect form of PvP that exists purely for bragging rights (although you do get two badges from winning enough Gladiator matches). Each Gladiator has a point cost to use (you have XXXX points to spend on building a team) and you can have a maximum of three Gladiators of any one type in a match. Heroes and Villain players have several unique Gladiators type available to them which can make Hero vs Villain Gladiator matches something different than if you were just fighting your "own" side. However, it should be mentioned up front that Gladiator battles are a long way from balanced. It appears that certain point values given to Gladiators were pretty arbitary and that some Gladiators are so overpowered as to be near-instant win buttons if you don't have your own stupidly overpowered Gladiators. It is unlikely that Cryptic has balancing Gladiator matches high on the agenda, so if you are going to take part you should accept that such lack of balance exists. That said - Gladiator matches among friends can be quite fun! +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 2.0 GLADIATOR LIST AND INFORMATION ---------------------------------- I've listed all the different types of Gladiators in-game below and provided some general information about them as well as comments about using them in a match. The comments below are simply from my personal experience and from contributors (as named). You may find something different. Abomination AVAILABLE TO: Hero Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: Completing Synapse's Task Force (Synapse's Cohort badge) POINT VALUE: 200 COMMENTS: Although big, Abominations go down pretty easy. Not worth taking. Anathema AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: Defeating 100 Lost Bosses (Finder badge) POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: Given that most enemies are vulnerable (or at least not resistant) to psychic damage, these guys have some potent attacks. Add in that Anathemas aren't too sloppy with their melee attacks and you've got a definite contender for any team. Pariah Anchorite AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Intellectual badge POINT VALUE: 350 COMMENTS: Another Lost with psychic attacks - very strong at range, but I feel they suffer a bit in melee. None-the-less, can be very useful because few Gladiators have psychic damage resistance. Arachnobot AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Agent of Discord badge POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Arachnoid AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Sewer Dweller badge POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: Arch-Mage of Agony AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: getting the Archmage accolade POINT VALUE: 500 COMMENTS: One of the most overpowered Gladiators. It doesn't attack much itself, but has abilities that can knock down / debuff enemy gladiator attacks and heal itself up. Overuse of Arch-Mage of Agonies can lead to Gladiator matches that end in ties because both sides are locked down. Avalanche Shaman AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: getting the Banisher badge POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: The Avalanche Shaman has some nice abilities, but is a bit too slow in its attacks to be a top pick. However it can serve well in support role. According to Ngamok: "The Avalanche Shaman spams Stone Cages like nobody's business." Behemoth Overlord AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Demon Slayer badge POINT VALUE: 400 COMMENTS: Bladegrass AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 300 Bladegrass / Razorvine / Blackrose (Devouring Earth) POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Bladegrass have a nice alpha strike and ranged attacks, but will fall over quickly in melee combat. Given that most Gladiator matches take place in melee range / close quarters, you'll probably find Bladegrass being left off your team permanently. Boulder AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: completing the Eden Spire trial (Liberator badge) POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Tough but slow. Probably not worth taking. Button Man Gunner AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: hitting level 20 (Keeper of Peace badge) POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: Has limited ranged attacks and will fall quickly in melee. Not worth taking. Caliban AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Troll Bosses (Regenerator badge) POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: Caliban point values are so low these guys are a steal. They are tough in melee and regnerate health quickly. They might not have some of the heavy attacks that some Gladiators get, but they'll often be the ones left standing at the end of a long fight. Mook Capo AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: getting the Stone Cold badge POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Has SS melee attacks and does a Full Auto and Burst attacks. Also comes with Assault buff." According to MinMin: "The Mook Capo is one of the staples of a villain Gladiator team as they are relatively cheap with a very strong ranged attack in Full Auto." Cobra AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: getting the Snake Charmer badge POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: According to Znemesis: "Cobras are a nice gladiator, and usually the first one a villain gets. They deal toxic damage which can be hard to resist, and they are fairly cheap." According to Ngamok: "Cobras seem to be Broadsword/Regen Scrappers. They Dull Pain at low health. Also they do a cone toxic damage w/ DoT attack and can sleep other Gladiators." Cog AVAILABLE TO: Hero and Villain RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Gears (Gearsmasher badge) POINT VALUE: 150 COMMENTS: A weak gladiator you may take only if you need a filler at the end of selecting your team. Won't last long versus the big guys and gals. Coralax Blue Hybrid AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeat 100 Coralax Blue Hybrids POINT VALUE: 200 COMMENTS: Crane Enforcers AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Tsoo Sorcerers (Tracer badge) POINT VALUE: 200 COMMENTS: Another minion-type Gladiator - better than average for its point cost and has some fast-recharging attacks. However, will be among the first to fall during the battle. Fire Thorn Caster AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: hitting level 30 (Defender of Truth) POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: It's fire attacks might be useful again fire-vulnerable Gladiators, but Fire Thorn Casters tend to die quickly when attacked. Probably not worth using. Fortunata Seer AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Fortunatas POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Fortunata Seer does Psychic attacks. Same as Patron Power Pet." Fungoid AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 500 Devouring Earth eminators (Protectorate badge) POINT VALUE: 350 COMMENTS: Fungoids are a little weak in terms of taking the blows, but they do have a range of attacks that will mez opponent Gladiators. As such, overlapping use of Fungoids can help lock down opponent Gladiators, but they won't add much to the offensive capability of your team. Gremlin AVAILABLE TO: Villains only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Gremlins (Electrician badge) POINT VALUE: 200 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Gremlin is an Electric Blaster. Not many attacks, mostly Lightning Bolt and Blast" According to MinMin: "Even compared to other minions these are very weak. They do some very minor Electric Blast attacks. Filler at best." Hellfrost AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: defeating 250 Helfrosts or Hordeling Lashers POINT VALUE: 450 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "[Hellfrosts have] ice melee attacks, area hold, Sleet or Blizzard type AoE." According to MinMin: "Somewhat disappointing for its points cost. Glacier does not last very long and is used very infrequently. While reasonably tough its damage output is disappointing when compared with other Boss class Gladiators." Serpent Red Ink Man AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 125 Blue Ink Men POINT VALUE: 400 COMMENTS: Juicer AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: getting the Watcher on the Knoll badge POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Hordeling Lasher AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Hordelings POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Hordeling Lasher is ok ranged filler Minion Gladiator." Kaolin Legacy of Earth AVAILABLE TO: Hero and Villain RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: collecting 25 badges (Collector badge) POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: These stone-throwing mages don't really cut it for their points cost. It seemed that they'd end up dead before you even realised they'd been attacked. Ember Legacy of Flame AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Legacy Chain minions POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: Lucent Legacy of Light AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Legacy Chain lieutenants POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: Longbow Warden 2 AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: getting the Disupter badge POINT VALUE: 500 COMMENTS: An expensive Gladiator, but one of the best. Wardens can heal your other Gladiators, are tough in a fight and, while not dealing a lot of damage, can keep opponent Gladiators knocked off their feet. Wardens can find a place in almost every Gladiator team. Longbow Rifleman AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: getting the Locked and Loaded badge POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Good for an all ranged team, that's about it. Won't die as fast because they sit in the back with their ranged attacks untill a boss or Lt. type Gladiator turn on them." Longbow Warden 1 AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: getting the Politician badge POINT VALUE: 400 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "The Warden 1 is a SS/Invuln Tanker/Brute with flight." Meson AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Dimensional Warder accolade POINT VALUE: 450 COMMENTS: Mob Specialist AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Prisoners POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Mob Specialists have limited ranged and melee attacks - overall, they probably aren't worthy selecting in a Gladiator match. Mook AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: getting the Washed Up badge POINT VALUE: 100 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Mooks are terrible but cheap. Very slow firing attacks." According to MinMin: "Filler, but cheap. Probably better than Cogs at 150 and about the same as Outcasts at 100. Better for filler than Outcasts for villains due to the much easier requirements to unlock." Mu Guardian AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Mu Guardians POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Can heal others but not often. Uses energy ranged attacks. They have Charged Armor." Nebula Elite Buckshot AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: getting to Level 10 (Protector of Innocents badge) POINT VALUE: 150 COMMENTS: Not that great - filler for the last few points when you set up your team. Nemesis Soldier AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Corrupter badge POINT VALUE: 350 COMMENTS: Night Widow AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting to Level 30 (Wiseguy / Wisegal badge) POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: A hideously overpowered Gladiator - I've seen a team of these wipe three other Gladiator teams off the map without breaking a sweat. Likely bugged, but overpowered all the same. Longbow Nullifier AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: winning 1 rated Gladiator match (Lanista badge) POINT VALUE: 450 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "These guys are decent for their ranged attacks and grenades." Omega Wolf AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Council War Wolves (The Silver Bullet badge) POINT VALUE: 500 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Omega Wolf is too expensive for what it brings to the match. Slag Piles and Tank Smasher are better for the cost. As are the Longbow Warden 1." 7th Generation Paragon Protector AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Paragon Protectors (Infiltrator badge) POINT VALUE: 400 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "The 7th Generation Paragon Protector is a minion and dies fairly fast, has decent attacks though. Claws Scrapper I believe." Penumbra Elite Adjutant AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Super Spy badge POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: Night Haunt AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: trapping 50 ghosts in the ghost traps (Pirate badge) POINT VALUE: 150 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Night Haunts use ranged more and do run (rather fly) all over the place." Crey Power Tank AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Crey Power Tanks POINT VALUE: 500 COMMENTS: According to MinMin: "Slightly overcosted, but extremely tough with high smash/lethal resistance. The problem with them is a tendancy to use all their endurance very quickly, leaving them with only their basic blast attack to use later in the match (they basically use it as soon as they have enough end to do so, which means they never use anything else)." Hydra Protean AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: completing the Abandoned Sewers trial (Charmer badge) POINT VALUE: 200 COMMENTS: Raider Engineer AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Force Field Generators POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Although the Raider Engineer isn't the greatest of units, it's ability to create a mobile Force Field Generator that will help to protect your Gladiators is very beneficial. A good support Gladiator. Red Hand AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: trapping 100 ghosts in the ghost traps (Spectral badge) POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Red Hand is a decent Boss type Gladiator. Uses Parry ability quite often. Has ranged attacks and melee attacks. [Has] Flight." Research Assistant AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: getting the Crey Havoc badge POINT VALUE: 400 COMMENTS: According to Jade Dragon, "[Research Assistant] freeze pistols are weak, and although they can hold or sleep, they have a very slow rate of fire. Far too weak for the cost." Rikti Drone AVAILABLE TO: Heroes only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Savant badge POINT VALUE: 350 COMMENTS: Shivan Destroyer AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: spending 5 hours in Bloody Bay (Irradiated badge) POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: The Shivan Destroyer is great value and has radiation-based attacks that can really slow down enemy Gladiators' ability to regenerate their health. What stops the Shivan Destroyer from being too powerful is that his attacks are on a slow recharge, which will see it serve as a punching bag for a lot of the time. Fortunately it can take a bit of a beating before falling over. Slag Pile AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Slag Reaper badge POINT VALUE: 350 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "The Slag Pile does both Lethal and Smashing damage and cannot be slowed. I am not too sure if it can be Immoblized or not. Also has a knockdown [attack]." According to MinMin: "A very tough hard hitting melee gladiator with Hurl Boulder for range. (Heroes, think War Wolf). Good value." Outcast Slugger AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Outcast bosses (Weatherman / Weathergirl badge) POINT VALUE: 100 COMMENTS: Useful as Gladiator team filler only. Sorcerer AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: getting the Mage Hunter badge POINT VALUE: 350 COMMENTS: According to MinMin: "What should be a strong gladiator is hampered by a weird AI. Firstly it doesn't always respond to Follow or Go-To commands like your other gladiators. Secondly it follows the standard Sorcerer AI of teleporting in with Hurricane on, hitting O2 Boost and teleporting out about 10 seconds later." Longbow Spec-Ops AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 1000 Longbow (Reformed / Villain badge) POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Same as Rifleman for the most part on gladiator effectiveness. Good for themed matches." Steel Strongman AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 200 Master Illusionist pets (Illusionist badge) POINT VALUE: 450 COMMENTS: Swift Steel AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: defeating 300 Ancestor Spirits POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Chief Swiper AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: getting the Pwz badge POINT VALUE: 250 COMMENTS: A mostly melee-based Gladiator, it has the special ability it has is a (by my estimation anyway) 30% chance of resurrecting after death and coming back with full health. Useful if you want to take that risk. Wolf Spider Tac-Ops AVAILABLE TO: Villain Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting to level 20 (Insider badge) POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: Tank Smasher AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Freakshow Tanks (Tank Buster badge) POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Another melee-based Gladiator, it has the special ability it has is a (by my estimation anyway) 30% chance of resurrecting after death and coming back with full health. Useful if you want to take that risk. Tank Smashers can generally go toe-to-toe with most other Gladiators and not embarass themselves. Hercules Titan AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Lieutenant UNLOCKED BY: winning 10 rated Gladiator matches (Grand Lanista badge) POINT VALUE: 550 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Hercules Titan was a disappointment. Can combine into a Zeus Titan (Boss) but you lose control of it. Not very [handy as] a Gladiator." To combine into a Zeus Titan, you need two Hercules Titans - they may combine as they get damaged. According to Jade Dragon, "two of them is too risky [compared to taking three of them], though, because when I tried that one of them got killed right off the bat." As of today's date, the _Castle_ has indicated that this bug - losing control of the Gladiator Zeus Titan - has been fixed. Wailer AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: getting the Stonekeeper badge POINT VALUE: 400 COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Not worth the points. Does Energy/Smashing attacks." Wailer Queen AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Imprisoned badge POINT VALUE: 500 COMMENTS: Zenith Warcry Mk I AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: completing The MegaMech Cometh Task Force (Burkholder's Bane badge) POINT VALUE: 350 COMMENTS: Warhulk AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Meteorologist badge POINT VALUE: 400 COMMENTS: According to Znemesis: "Warhulks are fairly powerful with their attacks, they have a nice flamethrower, and a good long range cannon. Plus, when defeated, they still blow up and do some nice finishing damage on the other team(s)" Smasher Elite AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: defeating 100 Warrior bosses (Legionnaire badge) POINT VALUE: 300 COMMENTS: Wolf Spider Enforcer AVAILABLE TO: Villains Only RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: getting to level 10 (Soldier badge) POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: According to Ngamok: "Cheap Gladiator - Has 1 ranged and 1 melee attack, same as Mook. [Use] just for filler." Wraith AVAILABLE TO: Heroes Only RANK: UNLOCKED BY: defeating 333 Croatoan Ghosts (Haunted badge) POINT VALUE: 450 COMMENTS: Red Cap AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Minion UNLOCKED BY: getting the Toothbreaker badge (NB: this was an event badge) POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: Snowbeast AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: UNLOCKED BY: getting the Toy Collector badge (NB: this was an event badge) POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: The Snowbeast is a bit of a wuss. You probably won't get much value from him if you choose him before this Gladiator ends up face down. 5th Columnist AVAILABLE TO: Heroes and Villains RANK: Boss UNLOCKED BY: getting the Celebrant and Reveler badges (NB: both event badges) POINT VALUE: COMMENTS: The 5th Columnist isn't a bad Gladiator, with an equal mix of ranged and melee attacks (although this unit seems a bit happier in melee). However it isn't exceptional in performance and there may be other Gladiators you find you prefer instead. +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 3.0 GLADIATOR MATCHES --------------------- Below are just some general notes on Gladiator matches. 3.1 BEFORE YOU START A GLADIATOR MATCH... ----------------------------------------- 1) Come to an agreement with your other players. Are incredibly overpowered Gladiators allowed to be selected? Are you aiming to have a fun, social match where you chat while your Gladiators duke it out, or is it a competitive, winner-take-all contest? Are you playing so that everyone can get their Lanista and Grand Lanista badges? A bit of chat before starting can save a lot of frustration from players not getting what they want out of the Gladiator experience. 2) Check your Gladiator team and confirm you've selected the right units. It can be easy to forget and maybe go into a contest with less than your best available. Your Gladiator team set-up can only be tinkered with at the Arena consoles, but given you are planning to have a match anyway you should be close by if any changes are required. 3.2 STARTING A MATCH -------------------- Gladiator matches occur at the Arenas. Once you've got an opponent (or several opponents, if that's what you are aiming for) lined up, head to an Arena and click on one of the Arena consoles. 3.3 THE "BEST" GLADIATORS ------------------------- The best Gladiators to use (assuming you have access to them) are: OVERPOWERED / BUGGED GLADIATORS: Archmage of Agony Night Widow TOP SHELF / GREAT VALUE GLADIATORS: Shivan Destroyer Caliban Longbow Warden 2 Tank Smasher BEST HERO ONLY GLADIATORS: Archmage of Agony BEST VILLAIN ONLY GLADIATORS: Night Widow +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 4.0 FINAL NOTES --------------- If you've got any suggestions / comments about Gladiators, please send them in. 4.1 THANKS ---------- To MinMin for pointing out some very useful Gladiator resources. Thanks to Cryptic for adding this great mini-game to an already fantastic game! 4.2 CONTRIBUTORS ---------------- v0.65 - Added comments made by Jade Dragon. v0.6 - Thanks to MadScientist for the RANK: suggestion. Added comments made by Ngamok and MinMin. v0.5 - Thanks to Znemesis for letting me use his comments. 4.3 VERSION NOTES ----------------- v0.6 - Added in RANK: field. Added in comments made on the CoH/V forums to my thread about the guide. v0.5 - First draft of guide released to public. Still a work in progress. +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Version 1.0 completed DD MMMMMM YYYY +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+