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== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
  
'''Enhancements''' are permanent boosts to powers.
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Powers have many aspects, such as damage caused, accuracy, and endurance cost. '''Enhancements''' permanently improve one or more of those aspects. For example, for a typical ranged blast power, Enhancements can make it hit more frequently, cause more damage, reach farther, cost less endurance to use, or have a faster rate of fire. An Enhancement's type and level both affect how much benefit it gives to a power. Once an Enhancement is assigned to a power, it cannot be moved to a different power, although it can have its level increased or be replaced or removed entirely.
  
There are four main types of enhancements: Training, Dual-Origin, Single-Origin, and Special. Training and Special enhancements are usable by any characters.  Dual-Origin and Single-Origin enhancements are only usable by characters of specific origins, as indicated by the exact enhancement type.
+
Enhancements can be bought from [[contacts]] and [[stores]]. They are also "dropped" randomly by defeated (non-player) enemies and are provided as rewards for some missions.
  
With the exception of special enhancements, each enhancement is for one particular ''aspect'' of a power.  Special enhancements affect multiple aspects of a power.  Aspects are characteristics of a power, such as accuracy, damage, recharge rate, etc.
+
A common mistake made by new players is to refer to enhancements as ''enchantments'', a carry-over from fantasy games.
 
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Enhancements can be bought from contacts and stores, and are also "dropped" randomly by defeated (non-player) enemies.
+
  
 
== Enhancement Types ==
 
== Enhancement Types ==
  
There are four basic types of enhancements:
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There are four main types of Enhancements: Training, Dual Origin, Single Origin and Invention Origin (abbreviated to TO, DO, SO and IO respectively). There are also several kinds of Special Enhancements, usually as rewards of a particularly difficult task set to players.  Training, Invention Origin and Special Enhancements are usable by any character. Dual-Origin and Single-Origin Enhancements are only usable by characters based on the character's origin.
  
* Training Enhancements
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The main types of Enhancement all improve only one particular aspect of a power. Special Enhancements and some Invention Origin Enhancements improve multiple aspects.
* Dual-Origin Enhancements
+
* Single-Origin Enhancements
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* Special Enhancements
+
  
 
=== Training Enhancements ===
 
=== Training Enhancements ===
  
Training Enhancements are usable by all character archetypes and origins. Training Enhancements may be bought in Freedom Corps stores located in various zones, from Freedom Corps Superpowered Field Trainers in [[Atlas Park]] and [[Galaxy City]], and at an inflated cost, from individual contacts.
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Training Enhancements are usable by all character Archetypes and origins. Training Enhancements may be bought in Freedom Corps stores located in various zones, from Freedom Corps Superpowered Field Trainers in [[Atlas Park]], [[Kings Row]], and [[The Hollows]], and, at an inflated cost, from individual contacts. They are also sometimes provided as mission bonuses.
  
[[Image:Freedom_Corps_Store.jpg|center|frame|Freedom Corps Training Enhancement store in [[Talos Island]]]]
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[[File:Freedom_Corps_Special_Forces.jpg|center|thumb|700px|Freedom Corps Training Enhancement store in [[Talos Island]]]]
  
Training enhancements are the least potent of all enhancements, but they are the cheapest to obtain and the most commonly dropped by enemies when they are defeated.
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Training Enhancements are the least potent of all Enhancements. They are dropped by enemies for characters of level 1-21.
  
 
=== Dual-Origin Enhancements ===
 
=== Dual-Origin Enhancements ===
  
Dual-origin enhancements, often referred to as ''DO's'', may only be used by characters whose origin is one of the two origins that are the basis of the dual-origin enhancement. For example, a [[natural]]/[[magic]] dual-origin enhancement is only usable by characters of a natural or a magical origin.  Dual-origin enhancements may be bought at origin-specific stores in various zones, some special contacts, and at an inflated cost, from individual contacts.  Currently, the lowest level of dual-origin enhancements available for purchase is level 15, usuable by characters of minimum level 12.  They are also sometimes somewhat rarely dropped by some enemies when they are defeated, and occasionally awarded as a prize for completing certain mission story arcs.
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Dual-Origin Enhancements, often referred to as ''DOs'', provide exactly twice as much improvement as Training Enhancements. Because DOs are more powerful, they are more specific for a character and also much more expensive. DOs may only be used by a character whose origin matches one of the Enhancement's two. For example, a [[Natural]]/[[Magic]] DO is only usable by characters of a Natural or a Magical origin.
  
Because these enhancements are more specific for a character, they are more powerful, and also much more expensive than training enhancements.
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Dual-Origin Enhancements may be bought at origin-specific stores and NPCs in various zones and, at an inflated cost, from individual contacts.  Currently, the lowest level Dual-Origin Enhancements available for purchase are level 15, which are usable by characters of minimum level 12. DOs are dropped by enemies for characters of level 13-40. DOs are also sometimes provided as mission bonuses, and in the cases of [[Task Force]]s and [[Story Arc]]s, the player may even choose the aspect.
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 +
Each Origin only "crosses" with two others in Dual-Origin Enhancements. This may be relevant when deciding which stores to visit and for party optimization.
 +
 
 +
{|class="wikitable"
 +
!Character Origin!! colspan=2 | Enhancement Types
 +
|-
 +
|Magic||Magic/Mutation||Magic/Natural
 +
|-
 +
|Mutation||Mutation/Magic||Mutation/Science
 +
|-
 +
|Natural||Natural/Magic||Natural/Technology
 +
|-
 +
|Science||Science/Mutation||Science/Technology
 +
|-
 +
|Technology||Technology/Natural||Technology/Science
 +
|}
  
 
=== Single-Origin Enhancements ===
 
=== Single-Origin Enhancements ===
  
Single-origin enhancements , often referred to as ''SO's'', are even more powerful still, and may be used only by characters of the specific origin that is the basis of the enhancement. Single-origin enhancements may be bought at origin-specific stores in various zones at a relatively very high cost, from certain special high-level contacts, or at a highly inflated cost, from individual contacts.  Currently, the lowest level of single-origin enhancements available for purchase is level 25, usuable by characters of minimum level 22. They are also sometimes, though very rarely, dropped by some high-level enemies when they are defeated, and occasionally awarded as a prize for completing certain high-level mission story arcs.
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Single-Origin Enhancements, often referred to as ''SOs'', are even more powerful. They provide twice as much improvement as DOs (or four times as much as Training) and may be used only by a character whose origin matches the Enhancement's.
 +
 
 +
Single-Origin enhancements may be bought at origin-specific stores and NPCs in various zones and, at an inflated cost, from individual contacts.  Currently, the lowest level Single-Origin Enhancements generally available for purchase are level 25, which are usable by characters of minimum level 22. There are, however, some particular exceptions as low as level 13 sold in [[Mr. Yin]]'s store, allowing some characters to use some SOs as early as level 10. SOs are dropped by  enemies for characters of level 22-50. SOs are also sometimes provided as mission bonuses, and in the cases of Task Forces and Story Arcs, the player may even choose the aspect.
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 +
SOs in certain level ranges for Heroes may only be purchased from contacts that require a mission before they will deal with you.  Here is a quick reference.  More detail in each contact's page and on the [[Stores Inventory]] page.
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 +
{|class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" align="center" style="text-align:center"
 +
|- style="background:#efefef;"
 +
! Origin !! Contact Name !! City Zone
 +
|-
 +
|  Magic ||  [[Serafina]] || [[Brickstown]]
 +
|-
 +
| Mutant ||    [[Penny Preston]] ||    [[Founders Falls]]
 +
|-
 +
| Natural || [[Agent Six]] ||    [[Founders Falls]]
 +
|-
 +
| Science || [[Holsten Armitage]] ||    [[Brickstown]]
 +
|-
 +
| Technology || [[Mark IV]] || [[Founders Falls]]
 +
|}
 +
 
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=== Drop Rates ===
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 +
This table shows the exact chances that dropped Enhancements will be of a certain type, according to the patch notes for [[Issue 9]]. This is ''not'' the chance of ''getting'' an Enhancement as a reward for defeating an enemy.
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 +
{| class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" align="center" style="text-align:center"
 +
|- style="background:#efefef;"
 +
! Character<br />Level !! Training !! Dual-Origin !! Single-Origin
 +
|-
 +
|  1-12 ||  100% || &nbsp; || &nbsp;
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|-
 +
| 13-21 ||    50% ||    50% || &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| 22-31 || &nbsp; ||    50% ||    50%
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|-
 +
| 32-40 || &nbsp; ||    25% ||    75%
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|-
 +
| 41-50 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; ||  100%
 +
|}
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 +
 
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This table shows the relative chances of getting a specific type of enhancement (Accuracy, Damage, etc.) when you receive an enhancement drop.  These rates apply to Training, Dual, Single, and Common Invention enhancement drops.
 +
{| class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center" style="text-align:center"
 +
|- style="background:#efefef;"
 +
! Enhancement !! Drop Ratio !! Drop %
 +
|-
 +
| Endurance Discount || 26 / 175 || 14.86%
 +
|-
 +
| Accuracy || 20 / 175 || 11.43%
 +
|-
 +
| Damage || 20 / 175 || 11.43%
 +
|-
 +
| Recharge || 20 / 175 || 11.43%
 +
|-
 +
| Range || 17 / 175 || 9.71%
 +
|-
 +
| Defense Buff || 10 / 175 || 5.71%
 +
|-
 +
| Heal || 10 / 175 || 5.71%
 +
|-
 +
| Resist Damage || 10 / 175 || 5.71%
 +
|-
 +
| Fly || 5 / 175 || 2.86%
 +
|-
 +
| Hold || 5 / 175 || 2.86%
 +
|-
 +
| Immobilize || 5 / 175 || 2.86%
 +
|-
 +
| Stun || 5 / 175 || 2.86%
 +
|-
 +
| Run || 3 / 175 || 1.71%
 +
|-
 +
| Sleep || 3 / 175 || 1.71%
 +
|-
 +
| Slow || 3 / 175 || 1.71%
 +
|-
 +
| ToHit DeBuff || 3 / 175 || 1.71%
 +
|-
 +
| Knockback || 2 / 175 || 1.14%
 +
|-
 +
| ToHit Buff || 2 / 175 || 1.14%
 +
|-
 +
| Confuse || 1 / 175 || 0.57%
 +
|-
 +
| Defense DeBuff || 1 / 175 || 0.57%
 +
|-
 +
| Endurance Modification || 1 / 175 || 0.57%
 +
|-
 +
| Fear || 1 / 175 || 0.57%
 +
|-
 +
| Jump || 1 / 175 || 0.57%
 +
|-
 +
| Taunt || 1 / 175 || 0.57%
 +
|}
  
 
=== Special Enhancements ===
 
=== Special Enhancements ===
  
Special enhancements are usable by all character archetypes and origins, but are only obtainable by completing some very difficult-to-accomplish tasks.  Special enhancements have the same aspect-boosting power as single-origin enhancements, but unlike all other enhancement, they affect multiple aspects of a power.  For example, a special enhancement may affect both the damage and accuracy of a power, whereas all other enhancements would affect either one or the other.
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: ''Main article: [[Special Enhancements]]''
  
Currently, special enhancements include [[Hamidon Origin Enhancements|Hamidon Enhancements]], [[Crystal Titan Enhancements]], and [[Hydra Enhancements]].
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Special Enhancements are usable by all character archetypes and origins, but are only obtainable by completing some very difficult-to-accomplish tasks. Special Enhancements provide the same improvement as Single-Origin Enhancements, but to more than one aspect simultaneously. For example, a Special Enhancement may affect both the damage and accuracy of a power, whereas all other Enhancement types would affect either one or the other.
  
=== Invention Enhancements ===
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Currently, Special Enhancements include [[Hamidon Origin Enhancements]], [[Crystal Titan Origin Enhancements]], and [[Hydra Origin Enhancements]].
  
Invention Enhancements are useable by all character archetypes and origins, bt are only obtainable by using the [[Invention System]] with earned recepies in either a supergroup base with the right workshop or at a [[University]] for a fee. Invention Enhancements are special in that they can only be crafted from recepies or bought/traded through Wentworth's and only come in every ten levels. Invention Enhancements will always give the same bonus to any level character, and can be slotted on any character that is within minimum level or higher. Also, any Invention Enhancement can be slotted even if they would normally be considered inferior. Invention Enhancements are worth about 40% or higher at Level 50.
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=== Invention Origin Enhancements ===
  
Currently Invention Enhancements include either regular types, which are like SO's, or "sets" like Sting of the Manticore, which give special effects based on what type of power it is slotted on, instead of enhancing any said property.
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: ''Main article: [[Invention Origin Enhancements]]''
  
== Slotting Enhancements ==
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Invention Origin Enhancements, often referred to as ''IOs'', are usable by all character [[archetypes]] and [[origins]], but must be crafted from [[recipes]] by using an [[Invention Worktable]] in a supergroup [[base]] or at a [[University]]. Invention Origin Enhancements only appear for level 10 and above.
  
Each power may be enhanced up to six times, in six enhancement ''slots''.  Every power begins with one enhancement slot, and as a character increases in level, he or she receives additional enhancement slots which can be distributed however she chooses among her powers. Once an enhancement is slotted in a power, it may not be reallocated to another power or removed without replacing it with another enhancement, deleting the enhancement, or using a [[Power Respecification|power respecification]].
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Invention Origin Enhancements fall in to two categories: Standard (aka Common) Invention Origin Enhancements and [[Invention Origin Enhancement Sets]]. Both IO enhancement categories require three parts to create: a [[recipe]], [[Invention Salvage]] and [[inf]], and both can only be created at an invention worktable.
  
[[Image:Enhancements.jpg|center|frame|The [[Electrical Blast#Lightning Bolt|Lightning Bolt]] power, slotted with three accuracy enhancements and one damage enhancement]]
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Both Invention Origin Enhancement categories always provide the same bonus to a power, regardless of character level - they never expire as a character advances in levels, and a lower level IO can still be slotted by a high level character. Generally though, the higher the level of the IO, the higher the benefit that it gives. A level 50 Invention Origin Enhancement provides approximately 27% more benefit compared to an even-level Single Origin Enhancement, and is less than 11% better than a +3-level SO. ''See also: [[Invention Origin Enhancement Scaling]].''
  
Enhancements must be within three levels of a character to be usable.  For example, a level 12 character may use enhancements that are level 9 through level 15.  Enhancements that are unusable or that are obsolete are shown with the number in red.  The lower an enhancement's level relative to a character's, the less powerful the enhancement is in boosting its aspect. Enhancements with an effective level below the character's level are shown with yellow numbers. Enhancements with an effective level equal to the character's level are shown with white numbers. Enhancements with an effective level equal to the character's level are shown with green numbers.  In the example image above, the effective level of the first accuracy inspiration is equal to the character's level, 27. The effective level of the second enhancement, 26, is below the character's level.  The effective level of the third and fourth enhancements, 28, is above the character's level.
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'''Standard Invention Origin Enhancements''' can be purchased (using [[inf]]) at a fixed cost, at any level, at an invention worktable, or if other players are selling them, through the [[Auction House]] . Standard IO Enhancements are only available at levels divisible by 5 (i.e. 10, 15, 20 etc). Standard IO Enhancements only ever improve one aspect of a power (much like a TO, DO or SO) and provide no other benefits apart from not expiring as the player levels.
  
=== Stacking Enhancements ===
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'''Invention Origin Enhancement Sets''' (like [[Sting of the Manticore]]) are unable to be purchased - they have to be earned, as either a drop from a defeated enemy, or completion of a mission, trial or task force. They can, however, be auctioned through the [[Auction House]], at a price to be determined by the seller. IO Enhancement sets are available at every level (i.e. not only those levels divisible by 5) and provide two further benefits to the player:
 +
*Firstly, not only do they give the standard bonuses to a power, many of them improve more than one aspect (like Range/Accuracy) which allows for more effective and diverse slotting options.
 +
*Secondly, IO sets also provide special effects when different members of the same set are slotted in the same power. You cannot put multiple identical IO set Enhancements into the same single power, but you may put multiple identical IO set Enhancements into different powers.
  
Enhancements may be ''stacked'', or slotted multiple times within the same power to provide larger bonuses to the aspects that they affect.  The power improvement that comes from stacking enhancements is normally cumulative.  However, when the total enhancement becomes high enough, it is subject to [[Enhancement Diversification|enhancement diversification]], which imposes a point of diminishing returns on super-slotted enhancements.  In the example picture above, three accuracy enhancements (a dual-origin enhancement, a training enhancement, and a single-origin enhancement) are stacked in the slots for the Lightning Bolt power.  Since the cumulative boost of the accuracy enhancements are not high enough to be subject to enhancement diversification, the total boost in accuracy is equal to the sum of the boosts for each enhancement.
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== Slotting and Stacking ==
  
=== Combining Enhancements ===
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A power can only have as many Enhancements as it has ''slots''. Every power begins with one slot. As a character increases in level, they receive additional slots which they can distribute however they choose among their powers, with the only limit being that no power can have more than six slots. Thus, each power may potentially be enhanced up to six times.
  
Enhancements may also be ''combined'', which makes two of one type of enhancement into one slightly more powerful enhancementCombining enhancements allows for old enhancements to be boosted at a lower cost than buying new enhancements and to allow a hero to have enhancements of a level normally not sold in stores or otherwise easily obtained. When two enhancement are combined, it results in one enhancement that is the equivalent of an enhancement that is one level higher than the higher of the two enhancements.
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Each character also has an inventory tray that can hold up to ten spare Enhancements. The inventory tray can be extended via the [[Paragon Market]] using 1600 [[Paragon Points]] to add ten slotsThis can be done twice to have thirty inventory slots in total for holding Enhancements. As there is limited room to display slots, each set of ten slots are placed in tabs.
  
For example, if a level 14 and level 16 enhancement are combined, the resulting enhancement is a level 16+ enhancement, which is the equivalent of a level 17 enhancement.  If this new enhancement is further combined with a level 15 enhancement, the new ehnancement will become a level 16++ enhancement, which is equivalent to a level 18 enhancement.
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Once a slot is assigned to a power, it is permanent. Once an Enhancement is put into a slot, it may not be reallocated to another slot or removed, although it can be destroyed, replaced with a different Enhancement (which also destroys the old one), or ''combined'' with a similar Enhancement to increase its level (more on that later). A player can use a [[Power Respecification|power respecification]] to overcome these restrictions by completely rebuilding her character from level 1, but this is an all-or-nothing process, requiring every power and every slot to be re-chosen.
  
Enhancements may only be combined to produce a double-enhanced enhancement. In the example above, the level 16++ enhancement cannot be combined with any level 16 or below enhancements.  However, enhancements that have been combined may be combined with higher level enhancements as long as the effective level of the combined enhancement is lower than the effective level of the enhancement that it will be combined with.  For example, a level 16++ enhancement may not be combined with another level 16 enhancement, but it may be combined with a level 18 enhancement to produce a level 18+ (effective level 19) enhancement.
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[[File:Enhancements.jpg|center|frame|The [[Electrical Blast#Lightning Bolt|Lightning Bolt]] power, slotted with three accuracy enhancements and one damage enhancement]]
  
Dual-origin enhancements may be combined with each other as long as one of each enhancement's origins matches the character's origin. For example, a [[Natural|natural]] character may combine a level 15 natural/magic dual-origin enhancement with a level 16 natural/technology enhancement to create a level 16+ dual-origin enhancement.
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Enhancements may be ''stacked'', or have multiple copies slotted within the same power, to provide larger bonuses to the aspects they enhance. The improvement that comes from stacking Enhancements is normally cumulative. However, when the total improvement becomes high enough, it is subject to [[Enhancement Diversification]], which imposes diminishing returns. In the example picture above, three accuracy Enhancements (a DO, a Training, and an SO, respectively) are stacked in the slots for the Lightning Bolt power. Since the cumulative boost of these Enhancements is not high enough to be subject to Enhancement Diversification, the total boost in accuracy is equal to the sum of the boosts for each Enhancement.
  
Single-origin enhancements may only be combined with other single-origin enhancements that exactly match each other in aspect and origin.  Special enhancements may be combined with each other as long as they exactly match each other in aspect.
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'''To see when characters open up new enhancement slots, see the [[Leveling Chart]].'''
  
Like uncombined Enhancements, combinined Enhancements can only be used if they are less than or equal to 3 levels different from the character's level. For example, a player at level 27 can purchase and use a level 30 Enhancement, but cannot combine it until level 28. At which point, the Enhancement can be combined to create a 30+ Enhancement (equivalent to 31), but cannot be combined a second time until level 29, because a 30++ Enhancement is equivalent to a level 32 Enhancement.
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== Enhancement Levels ==
  
Likewise, Enhancements at lower than 3 levels can still be used if they are combined. For example, a level 14 character can use a level 9 Enhancement if it is combined to form a 9++ Enhancement, which is the equivalent to a level 11 Enhancment; 3 levels below 14. However, a level 9 Enhancement cannot be assigned to a power while the character is at level 14, because it is 5 levels below the player and Enhancements cannot be combined until they are locked in place.
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Every Enhancement has a level. All Enhancements (except Invention Origin Enhancements) must be within three levels of a character for the effect to be applied. For example, a level 12 character may use Enhancements that are level 9 through level 15. Enhancements that are slightly above or below the character's level provide slightly stronger or weaker benefits, respectively. Invention Origin Enhancements work slightly differently, providing a constant benefit if slotted, regardless of level.
  
== Enhancement Aspects and Schedules ==
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* Enhancements 4 or more levels above the character display their level in red. They cannot be inserted into slots. This includes Invention Origin Enhancements.
 +
* Enhancements from 1-3 levels above the character display their level in green. They provide an extra 5% of their usual benefits for each level above the character's. (That's “5% of the bonus”, ''not'' “another +5%”. For example, if an even-level SO gives a benefit of +20%, then a +1-level SO would give a benefit of +21%, not +25%.)
 +
* Enhancements equal to the character's level display their level in white. They provide their usual benefits.
 +
* Enhancements from 1-3 levels below the character display their level in yellow. They provide 10% less of their usual benefits for each level below the character's.
 +
* Enhancements 4 or more levels below the character display their level in red. They cannot be inserted into slots. Enhancements that are already in slots but become obsolete due to the character gaining levels stay in their slots but provide no benefits. Enhancements that are already slotted may be combined with equivalent appropriate-level Enhancements to provide an improvement, although at a low chance of success.
  
An enhancement ''aspect'' is the element of a power that an enhancement boostsCurrently, there are 26 enhancement aspects.  The following is a complete list of enhancement aspects:
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In the example image above, the effective level of the first accuracy Enhancement is equal to the character's level, 27The effective level of the second, 26, is below the character's level.  The effective level of the third and fourth Enhancements, 28, is above the character's level.
  
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=== Combining Enhancements ===
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 +
All Enhancements except Invention Origin may be ''combined'', which makes two of one type of Enhancement into one slightly higher-level one. Combining allows old Enhancements to be upgraded at a lower cost than buying new ones. It also allows a character to have Enhancements of a level not sold in stores or otherwise easily obtained.  Combined enhancements can not be sold in the [[Auction House]].
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 +
Enhancements may only be combined if:
 +
 +
* They are the same type.
 +
* They enhance the same aspect (or full set of aspects).
 +
* For DOs and SOs, they must both match the character's origin. Two DOs can combine as long as they both share an origin with the character, even if they don't have the same two origins as each other.
 +
* The higher of the two Enhancements is at most '''2''' levels above the character. If both Enhancements are the same level, they must both meet this requirement.
 +
* The higher of the two Enhancements hasn't already been upgraded twice. If both are the same level, they ''can'' combine if one of them has been upgraded twice, but not if both have.
 +
 +
The most often-used method of combining involves one Enhancement already in a power and one in the inventory tray. It is also possible to combine two Enhancements that are already in the same power. A successful combination destroys the lower-level Enhancement, increases the level of the higher one by 1, and puts that upgraded Enhancement into the power. The increase is shown by an extra “+” after the Enhancement's level, which marks the increase as well as the fact that it's been upgraded once. This is important, since Enhancements cannot be upgraded more than twice through combining. For example, a level 6++, a level 7+, and a level 8 Enhancement are all effectively level 8 and all provide identical bonuses, but the 8 can be improved two more times, the 7+ only once more, and the 6++ cannot be improved (although it ''can'' be used to improve another).
 +
 +
Combining doesn't always work. Success or failure depends on how different the Enhancements' levels are from each other. Equal levels are guaranteed to combine. Every level between the two Enhancements adds a 5% chance of failure. A failed combine destroys the lower-level Enhancement and puts the higher one into the power without increasing its level. (Note that when combining from the tray, if the tray Enhancement is higher than the one in the power, a failure still replaces the low with the high, which is still an improvement.)
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== Enhancement Aspects and Schedules ==
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 +
Currently, there are 26 Enhancement aspects:
 +
{| style="width:50%"
 +
| style="vertical-align:top; width:33%" |
 
* Accuracy
 
* Accuracy
 
* Confusion
 
* Confusion
Line 90: Line 221:
 
* Fear
 
* Fear
 
* Fly
 
* Fly
 +
| style="vertical-align:top; width:33%" |
 
* Healing
 
* Healing
 
* Hold Duration
 
* Hold Duration
 
* Immobilization Duration
 
* Immobilization Duration
 
* Intangibility
 
* Intangibility
* Interrupt Time (also sometimes seen as ''Activation Acceleration'')
+
* Interrupt Time (or ''Activation Acceleration'')
 
* Jumping
 
* Jumping
 
* Knockback Distance
 
* Knockback Distance
 
* Range Increase
 
* Range Increase
 
* Recharge Time
 
* Recharge Time
 +
| style="vertical-align:top; width:33%" |
 
* Resist Damage
 
* Resist Damage
 
* Run Speed
 
* Run Speed
 
* Sleep
 
* Sleep
* Slow (also sometimes seen as ''Snare'')
+
* Slow (or ''Snare'')
 
* Stun
 
* Stun
 
* Taunt
 
* Taunt
 
* To Hit Buff
 
* To Hit Buff
 
* To Hit Debuff
 
* To Hit Debuff
 +
|}
  
These enhancement aspects may be further broken down by ''schedule'', or a category used to calculate exactly by how much a power is boosted by an enhancement.  The enhancement schedules are as follows.
+
These aspects don't all receive the same benefit from Enhancements. Some get more boost than others. Aspects fit into four general categories, called ''schedules'', according to how much benefit they get.
  
 
=== Schedule A ===
 
=== Schedule A ===
  
Enhancements in the Schedule A category are enhanced by 33.33% when slotted with a single-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, they are enhanced by 16.66% when slotted with a dual-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, and they are enhanced by 8.35% when slotted with a training enhancement of equal level as the character.  All modifications are subject to differences in level between the effective level of the enhancement and to [[Enhancement Diversification|enhancement diversification]], if applicable.  The following is a list of enhancement aspects that fall under Schedule A:
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* Accuracy, Confusion, Damage, Defense Debuff, Endurance Modification, Endurance Reduction, Fear, Fly, Healing, Hold Duration, Immobilization Duration, Intangibility, Jumping, Recharge Time, Run Speed, Sleep, Slow, Stun, Taunt
  
* Accuracy
+
Aspects in the Schedule A category are enhanced by 33.33% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 16.66% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 8.35% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:
* Confusion
+
 
* Damage
+
{| class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" style="text-align:center; width:50%"
* Defense Debuff
+
|- style="background:#efefef;"
* Endurance Modification
+
! width=15% | Relative<br />Level
* Endurance Reduction
+
! width=28% | Training
* Fear
+
! width=29% | Dual-Origin
* Fly
+
! width=28% | Single-Origin<br />and Special
* Healing
+
|-
* Hold Duration
+
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–3</font>
* Immobilization Duration
+
| 5.845 || 11.662 || 23.331
* Intangibility
+
|-
* Jumping
+
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–2</font>
* Recharge Time
+
| 6.680 || 13.328 || 26.664
* Run Speed
+
|-
* Sleep
+
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–1</font>
* Slow
+
| 7.515 || 14.994 || 29.997
* Stun
+
|-
* Taunt
+
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=white>&nbsp;&nbsp;0</font>
 +
| 8.350 || 16.660 || 33.330
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+1</font>
 +
| 8.768 || 17.493 || 34.997
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+2</font>
 +
| 9.185 || 18.326 || 36.663
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+3</font>
 +
| 9.603 || 19.159 || 38.330
 +
|}
  
 
=== Schedule B ===
 
=== Schedule B ===
  
Enhancements in the Schedule B category are enhanced by 20% when slotted with a single-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, they are enhanced by 10% when slotted with a dual-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, and they are enhanced by 5% when slotted with a training enhancement of equal level as the character.  All modifications are subject to differences in level between the effective level of the enhancement and to [[Enhancement Diversification|enhancement diversification]], if applicable.  The following is a list of enhancement aspects that fall under Schedule B:
+
* Defense Buff, Range Increase, Resist Damage, To Hit Buff, To Hit Debuff
  
* Defense Buff
+
Aspects in the Schedule B category are enhanced by 20% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 10% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 5% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:
* Range Increase
+
 
* Resist Damage
+
{| class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" style="text-align:center; width:50%"
* To Hit Buff
+
|- style="background:#efefef;"
* To Hit Debuff
+
! width=15% | Relative<br />Level
 +
! width=28% | Training
 +
! width=29% | Dual-Origin
 +
! width=28% | Single-Origin<br />and Special
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–3</font>
 +
| 3.50 || 7.0 || 14
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–2</font>
 +
| 4.00 || 8.0 || 16
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–1</font>
 +
| 4.50 || 9.0 || 18
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=white>&nbsp;&nbsp;0</font>
 +
| 5.00 || 10.0 || 20
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+1</font>
 +
| 5.25 || 10.5 || 21
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+2</font>
 +
| 5.50 || 11.0 || 22
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+3</font>
 +
| 5.75 || 11.5 || 23
 +
|}
  
 
=== Schedule C ===
 
=== Schedule C ===
 
Enhancements in the Schedule C category are enhanced by 40% when slotted with a single-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, they are enhanced by 20% when slotted with a dual-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, and they are enhanced by 10% when slotted with a training enhancement of equal level as the character.  All modifications are subject to differences in level between the effective level of the enhancement and to [[Enhancement Diversification|enhancement diversification]], if applicable.  The following is a list of enhancement aspects that fall under Schedule C:
 
  
 
* Interrupt Time
 
* Interrupt Time
  
=== Schedule D ===
+
Aspects in the Schedule C category are enhanced by 40% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 20% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 10% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:
  
Enhancements in the Schedule D category are enhanced by 60% when slotted with a single-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, they are enhanced by 30% when slotted with a dual-origin enhancement of equal level as the character, and they are enhanced by 15% when slotted with a training enhancement of equal level as the character.  All modifications are subject to differences in level between the effective level of the enhancement and to [[Enhancement Diversification|enhancement diversification]], if applicable. The following is a list of enhancement aspects that fall under Schedule D:
+
{| class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" style="text-align:center; width:50%"
 +
|- style="background:#efefef;"
 +
! width=15% | Relative<br />Level
 +
! width=28% | Training
 +
! width=29% | Dual-Origin
 +
! width=28% | Single-Origin<br />and Special
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–3</font>
 +
| 7.0 || 14 || 28
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–2</font>
 +
| 8.0 || 16 || 32
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–1</font>
 +
| 9.0 || 18 || 36
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=white>&nbsp;&nbsp;0</font>
 +
| 10.0 || 20 || 40
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+1</font>
 +
| 10.5 || 21 || 42
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+2</font>
 +
| 11.0 || 22 || 44
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+3</font>
 +
| 11.5 || 23 || 46
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
=== Schedule D ===
  
 
* Knockback Distance
 
* Knockback Distance
 +
 +
Aspects in the Schedule D category are enhanced by 60% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 30% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 15% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" style="text-align:center; width:50%"
 +
|- style="background:#efefef;"
 +
! width=15% | Relative<br />Level
 +
! width=28% | Training
 +
! width=29% | Dual-Origin
 +
! width=28% | Single-Origin<br />and Special
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–3</font>
 +
| 10.50 || 21.0 || 42
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–2</font>
 +
| 12.00 || 24.0 || 48
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=yellow>–1</font>
 +
| 13.50 || 27.0 || 54
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=white>&nbsp;&nbsp;0</font>
 +
| 15.00 || 30.0 || 60
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+1</font>
 +
| 15.75 || 31.5 || 63
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+2</font>
 +
| 16.50 || 33.0 || 66
 +
|-
 +
!style="background-color:black"|<font color=lime>+3</font>
 +
| 17.25 || 34.5 || 69
 +
|}
 +
  
 
=== Retired Aspects ===
 
=== Retired Aspects ===
 +
{{historical|type=section|reason=obsolete}}
 +
There are several Enhancement aspects that have been retired and combined into new ones. The currently known ones are:
 +
 +
* Cone Range, which was incorporated into the Range aspect;
 +
* Endurance Drain, and
 +
* Endurance Recovery, which were merged into the Endurance Modification aspect;
 +
* Team Defense, and
 +
* Self Defense, which were merged into the Defense Buff aspect
 +
 +
== Relative Enhancement Values ==
 +
{| align=right style="margin:5px" class="wikitable"
 +
|-----
 +
! Effectiveness (%)
 +
! Enhancement
 +
|-----
 +
| 5.85
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:grey; background-color:black" |  -3 TO
 +
|-----
 +
| 6.68
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:grey; background-color:black" |  -2 TO
 +
|-----
 +
| 7.52
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:grey; background-color:black" |  -1 TO
 +
|-----
 +
| 8.35
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:grey; background-color:black" |  +0 TO
 +
|-----
 +
| 8.77
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:grey; background-color:black" |  +1 TO
 +
|-----
 +
| 9.19
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:grey; background-color:black" |  +2 TO
 +
|-----
 +
| 9.60
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:grey; background-color:black" |  +3 TO
 +
|-----
 +
| 11.66
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:green; background-color:black" |  -3 DO
 +
|-----
 +
| 11.70
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 10 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 13.33
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:green; background-color:black" |  -2 DO
 +
|-----
 +
| 14.63
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 10 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 14.99
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:green; background-color:black" |  -1 DO
 +
|-----
 +
| 16.66
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:green; background-color:black" |  +0 DO
 +
|-----
 +
| 17.49
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:green; background-color:black" |  +1 DO
 +
|-----
 +
| 17.55
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 10 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 18.33
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:green; background-color:black" |  +2 DO
 +
|-----
 +
| 18.8
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 12 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 19.16
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:green; background-color:black" |  +3 DO
 +
|-----
 +
| 19.20
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 15 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 20.0
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 11 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 20.9
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 13 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 23.33
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:white; background-color:black" |  -3 SO
 +
|-----
 +
| 24.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 15 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 25.60
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 20 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 26.66
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:white; background-color:black" |  -2 SO
 +
|-----
 +
| 28.80
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 15 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 30.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:white; background-color:black" |  -1 SO
 +
|-----
 +
| 32.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 20 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 32.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 25 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 32.7
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 17 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| style="background-color: yellow; font-weight: bold" | 33.33
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:white; background-color:black" |  +0 SO
 +
|-----
 +
| 33.6
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 21 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 34.7
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 18 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 34.80
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 30 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 35.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:white; background-color:black" |  +1 SO
 +
|-----
 +
| 36.66
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:white; background-color:black" |  +2 SO
 +
|-----
 +
| 36.70
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 35 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| style="background-color: yellow; font-weight: bold" | 38.33
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:white; background-color:black" |  +3 SO
 +
|-----
 +
| 38.40
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 20 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 38.4
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 24 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 38.60
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 40 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 40.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 25 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 40.50
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 45 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 42.40
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:yellow; background-color:black" |  Level 50 IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 43.50
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 30 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 45.88
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 35 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 48.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 25 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 48.25
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 40 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 50.63
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 45 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 52.20
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 30 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 53.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:orange; background-color:black" |  Level 50 Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 53.00
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:purple; background-color:black" |  Superior Single Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 55.05
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 35 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 57.90
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 40 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 60.75
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 45 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 63.60
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:red; background-color:black" |  Level 50 Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| 66.20
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:purple; background-color:black" |  Superior Dual Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| style="background-color: yellow; font-weight: bold" | 66.66
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:blue; background-color:black" |  +0 Dual HO
 +
|-----
 +
| 79.50
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:purple; background-color:black" |  Superior Triple Set IO
 +
|-----
 +
| style="background-color: yellow; font-weight: bold" | 99.99
 +
| style="font-weight: bold; color:blue; background-color:black" |  +0 Triple HO
 +
|}
 +
 +
The following is a table of a combination of Training Origin, Dual Origin, Single Origin, Common Invention Origin, Hamidon (and Synthetic Hamidon) Origin, and a selection of Invention Set Enhancements, in order of enhancement effectiveness. It shows the relative value of all of these enhancements combined into one table. Naturally, this does not take into account the power it is being slotted into. An EndMod/Accuracy Set Enhancement will only be using half of it's value in an auto-hit power, for instance. Likewise it does not take into account the relative usefulness of the effect being enhanced. A Centriole HO for instance would appear to be highly ranked, however because it enhances Range, it is generally not considered one of the best enhancements available. Nevertheless this table shows that SO level performance is possible as early as level 18 by slotting level 21 dual set enhancements or level 14 by slotting level 17 triple set enhancements.
  
There are several enhancement aspects that have been retired. The currently known ones are:
+
The table assumes Schedule A Enhancements, however the ordering would not change for other Schedules. The highlighted numbers represent traditional "signposts" of effectiveness. Before I9, an even-level SO was considered acceptable performance, while a +3 SO was considered ideal. When you hit level 47, you could begin to slot HOs, which represented the maximum effectiveness available before inventions. Very few powers can actually use all three enhanceable effects of triple HOs, but in theory they still represents the maximum possible effectiveness.
  
* Cone Range, which has been incorporated in the Range aspect,
+
This list does not attempt to list every enhancement in the game. The omissions are quad set IOs, non even-level HOs, Hydra and Crystal "HO"s, and many possible levels of invention set enhancements. It is not intended to be comprehensive.
* Endurance Drain, which has been incorporated in the Endurance Modification aspect, and
+
[[File:EnhancementChart.gif|left|400px]]
* Endurance Recovery, which has been incorporated in the Endurance Modification aspect
+
{{clr}}
* Team Defense, combined to just Defense Buff
+
* Self Defense, combined to just Defense Buff
+
  
== External Links ==
+
== See Also ==
 +
* [[Stores Inventory]]
 +
* [[Enhancement Colors]]
 +
* [[Enhancement Names]]
 +
* [[Enhancement Diversification]]
 +
* [[Exemplar Effects on Enhancements]]
 +
* [[Power 10 Enhancements]]
 +
* [[Leveling Chart]]
  
[http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat.php?Board=Dev&Number=3826972 Detailed description] of enhancement diversification, including documentation of aspect schedules
+
=== Costs ===
 +
<dpl>category=Enhancement Prices</dpl>
  
[[Category:Enhancements]]
+
[[Category:Enhancements| ]]

Latest revision as of 01:56, 18 June 2019

Overview

Powers have many aspects, such as damage caused, accuracy, and endurance cost. Enhancements permanently improve one or more of those aspects. For example, for a typical ranged blast power, Enhancements can make it hit more frequently, cause more damage, reach farther, cost less endurance to use, or have a faster rate of fire. An Enhancement's type and level both affect how much benefit it gives to a power. Once an Enhancement is assigned to a power, it cannot be moved to a different power, although it can have its level increased or be replaced or removed entirely.

Enhancements can be bought from contacts and stores. They are also "dropped" randomly by defeated (non-player) enemies and are provided as rewards for some missions.

A common mistake made by new players is to refer to enhancements as enchantments, a carry-over from fantasy games.

Enhancement Types

There are four main types of Enhancements: Training, Dual Origin, Single Origin and Invention Origin (abbreviated to TO, DO, SO and IO respectively). There are also several kinds of Special Enhancements, usually as rewards of a particularly difficult task set to players. Training, Invention Origin and Special Enhancements are usable by any character. Dual-Origin and Single-Origin Enhancements are only usable by characters based on the character's origin.

The main types of Enhancement all improve only one particular aspect of a power. Special Enhancements and some Invention Origin Enhancements improve multiple aspects.

Training Enhancements

Training Enhancements are usable by all character Archetypes and origins. Training Enhancements may be bought in Freedom Corps stores located in various zones, from Freedom Corps Superpowered Field Trainers in Atlas Park, Kings Row, and The Hollows, and, at an inflated cost, from individual contacts. They are also sometimes provided as mission bonuses.

Freedom Corps Training Enhancement store in Talos Island

Training Enhancements are the least potent of all Enhancements. They are dropped by enemies for characters of level 1-21.

Dual-Origin Enhancements

Dual-Origin Enhancements, often referred to as DOs, provide exactly twice as much improvement as Training Enhancements. Because DOs are more powerful, they are more specific for a character and also much more expensive. DOs may only be used by a character whose origin matches one of the Enhancement's two. For example, a Natural/Magic DO is only usable by characters of a Natural or a Magical origin.

Dual-Origin Enhancements may be bought at origin-specific stores and NPCs in various zones and, at an inflated cost, from individual contacts. Currently, the lowest level Dual-Origin Enhancements available for purchase are level 15, which are usable by characters of minimum level 12. DOs are dropped by enemies for characters of level 13-40. DOs are also sometimes provided as mission bonuses, and in the cases of Task Forces and Story Arcs, the player may even choose the aspect.

Each Origin only "crosses" with two others in Dual-Origin Enhancements. This may be relevant when deciding which stores to visit and for party optimization.

Character Origin Enhancement Types
Magic Magic/Mutation Magic/Natural
Mutation Mutation/Magic Mutation/Science
Natural Natural/Magic Natural/Technology
Science Science/Mutation Science/Technology
Technology Technology/Natural Technology/Science

Single-Origin Enhancements

Single-Origin Enhancements, often referred to as SOs, are even more powerful. They provide twice as much improvement as DOs (or four times as much as Training) and may be used only by a character whose origin matches the Enhancement's.

Single-Origin enhancements may be bought at origin-specific stores and NPCs in various zones and, at an inflated cost, from individual contacts. Currently, the lowest level Single-Origin Enhancements generally available for purchase are level 25, which are usable by characters of minimum level 22. There are, however, some particular exceptions as low as level 13 sold in Mr. Yin's store, allowing some characters to use some SOs as early as level 10. SOs are dropped by enemies for characters of level 22-50. SOs are also sometimes provided as mission bonuses, and in the cases of Task Forces and Story Arcs, the player may even choose the aspect.

SOs in certain level ranges for Heroes may only be purchased from contacts that require a mission before they will deal with you. Here is a quick reference. More detail in each contact's page and on the Stores Inventory page.

Origin Contact Name City Zone
Magic Serafina Brickstown
Mutant Penny Preston Founders Falls
Natural Agent Six Founders Falls
Science Holsten Armitage Brickstown
Technology Mark IV Founders Falls

Drop Rates

This table shows the exact chances that dropped Enhancements will be of a certain type, according to the patch notes for Issue 9. This is not the chance of getting an Enhancement as a reward for defeating an enemy.

Character
Level
Training Dual-Origin Single-Origin
1-12 100%    
13-21 50% 50%  
22-31   50% 50%
32-40   25% 75%
41-50     100%


This table shows the relative chances of getting a specific type of enhancement (Accuracy, Damage, etc.) when you receive an enhancement drop. These rates apply to Training, Dual, Single, and Common Invention enhancement drops.

Enhancement Drop Ratio Drop %
Endurance Discount 26 / 175 14.86%
Accuracy 20 / 175 11.43%
Damage 20 / 175 11.43%
Recharge 20 / 175 11.43%
Range 17 / 175 9.71%
Defense Buff 10 / 175 5.71%
Heal 10 / 175 5.71%
Resist Damage 10 / 175 5.71%
Fly 5 / 175 2.86%
Hold 5 / 175 2.86%
Immobilize 5 / 175 2.86%
Stun 5 / 175 2.86%
Run 3 / 175 1.71%
Sleep 3 / 175 1.71%
Slow 3 / 175 1.71%
ToHit DeBuff 3 / 175 1.71%
Knockback 2 / 175 1.14%
ToHit Buff 2 / 175 1.14%
Confuse 1 / 175 0.57%
Defense DeBuff 1 / 175 0.57%
Endurance Modification 1 / 175 0.57%
Fear 1 / 175 0.57%
Jump 1 / 175 0.57%
Taunt 1 / 175 0.57%

Special Enhancements

Main article: Special Enhancements

Special Enhancements are usable by all character archetypes and origins, but are only obtainable by completing some very difficult-to-accomplish tasks. Special Enhancements provide the same improvement as Single-Origin Enhancements, but to more than one aspect simultaneously. For example, a Special Enhancement may affect both the damage and accuracy of a power, whereas all other Enhancement types would affect either one or the other.

Currently, Special Enhancements include Hamidon Origin Enhancements, Crystal Titan Origin Enhancements, and Hydra Origin Enhancements.

Invention Origin Enhancements

Main article: Invention Origin Enhancements

Invention Origin Enhancements, often referred to as IOs, are usable by all character archetypes and origins, but must be crafted from recipes by using an Invention Worktable in a supergroup base or at a University. Invention Origin Enhancements only appear for level 10 and above.

Invention Origin Enhancements fall in to two categories: Standard (aka Common) Invention Origin Enhancements and Invention Origin Enhancement Sets. Both IO enhancement categories require three parts to create: a recipe, Invention Salvage and inf, and both can only be created at an invention worktable.

Both Invention Origin Enhancement categories always provide the same bonus to a power, regardless of character level - they never expire as a character advances in levels, and a lower level IO can still be slotted by a high level character. Generally though, the higher the level of the IO, the higher the benefit that it gives. A level 50 Invention Origin Enhancement provides approximately 27% more benefit compared to an even-level Single Origin Enhancement, and is less than 11% better than a +3-level SO. See also: Invention Origin Enhancement Scaling.

Standard Invention Origin Enhancements can be purchased (using inf) at a fixed cost, at any level, at an invention worktable, or if other players are selling them, through the Auction House . Standard IO Enhancements are only available at levels divisible by 5 (i.e. 10, 15, 20 etc). Standard IO Enhancements only ever improve one aspect of a power (much like a TO, DO or SO) and provide no other benefits apart from not expiring as the player levels.

Invention Origin Enhancement Sets (like Sting of the Manticore) are unable to be purchased - they have to be earned, as either a drop from a defeated enemy, or completion of a mission, trial or task force. They can, however, be auctioned through the Auction House, at a price to be determined by the seller. IO Enhancement sets are available at every level (i.e. not only those levels divisible by 5) and provide two further benefits to the player:

  • Firstly, not only do they give the standard bonuses to a power, many of them improve more than one aspect (like Range/Accuracy) which allows for more effective and diverse slotting options.
  • Secondly, IO sets also provide special effects when different members of the same set are slotted in the same power. You cannot put multiple identical IO set Enhancements into the same single power, but you may put multiple identical IO set Enhancements into different powers.

Slotting and Stacking

A power can only have as many Enhancements as it has slots. Every power begins with one slot. As a character increases in level, they receive additional slots which they can distribute however they choose among their powers, with the only limit being that no power can have more than six slots. Thus, each power may potentially be enhanced up to six times.

Each character also has an inventory tray that can hold up to ten spare Enhancements. The inventory tray can be extended via the Paragon Market using 1600 Paragon Points to add ten slots. This can be done twice to have thirty inventory slots in total for holding Enhancements. As there is limited room to display slots, each set of ten slots are placed in tabs.

Once a slot is assigned to a power, it is permanent. Once an Enhancement is put into a slot, it may not be reallocated to another slot or removed, although it can be destroyed, replaced with a different Enhancement (which also destroys the old one), or combined with a similar Enhancement to increase its level (more on that later). A player can use a power respecification to overcome these restrictions by completely rebuilding her character from level 1, but this is an all-or-nothing process, requiring every power and every slot to be re-chosen.

The Lightning Bolt power, slotted with three accuracy enhancements and one damage enhancement

Enhancements may be stacked, or have multiple copies slotted within the same power, to provide larger bonuses to the aspects they enhance. The improvement that comes from stacking Enhancements is normally cumulative. However, when the total improvement becomes high enough, it is subject to Enhancement Diversification, which imposes diminishing returns. In the example picture above, three accuracy Enhancements (a DO, a Training, and an SO, respectively) are stacked in the slots for the Lightning Bolt power. Since the cumulative boost of these Enhancements is not high enough to be subject to Enhancement Diversification, the total boost in accuracy is equal to the sum of the boosts for each Enhancement.

To see when characters open up new enhancement slots, see the Leveling Chart.

Enhancement Levels

Every Enhancement has a level. All Enhancements (except Invention Origin Enhancements) must be within three levels of a character for the effect to be applied. For example, a level 12 character may use Enhancements that are level 9 through level 15. Enhancements that are slightly above or below the character's level provide slightly stronger or weaker benefits, respectively. Invention Origin Enhancements work slightly differently, providing a constant benefit if slotted, regardless of level.

  • Enhancements 4 or more levels above the character display their level in red. They cannot be inserted into slots. This includes Invention Origin Enhancements.
  • Enhancements from 1-3 levels above the character display their level in green. They provide an extra 5% of their usual benefits for each level above the character's. (That's “5% of the bonus”, not “another +5%”. For example, if an even-level SO gives a benefit of +20%, then a +1-level SO would give a benefit of +21%, not +25%.)
  • Enhancements equal to the character's level display their level in white. They provide their usual benefits.
  • Enhancements from 1-3 levels below the character display their level in yellow. They provide 10% less of their usual benefits for each level below the character's.
  • Enhancements 4 or more levels below the character display their level in red. They cannot be inserted into slots. Enhancements that are already in slots but become obsolete due to the character gaining levels stay in their slots but provide no benefits. Enhancements that are already slotted may be combined with equivalent appropriate-level Enhancements to provide an improvement, although at a low chance of success.

In the example image above, the effective level of the first accuracy Enhancement is equal to the character's level, 27. The effective level of the second, 26, is below the character's level. The effective level of the third and fourth Enhancements, 28, is above the character's level.

Combining Enhancements

All Enhancements except Invention Origin may be combined, which makes two of one type of Enhancement into one slightly higher-level one. Combining allows old Enhancements to be upgraded at a lower cost than buying new ones. It also allows a character to have Enhancements of a level not sold in stores or otherwise easily obtained. Combined enhancements can not be sold in the Auction House.

Enhancements may only be combined if:

  • They are the same type.
  • They enhance the same aspect (or full set of aspects).
  • For DOs and SOs, they must both match the character's origin. Two DOs can combine as long as they both share an origin with the character, even if they don't have the same two origins as each other.
  • The higher of the two Enhancements is at most 2 levels above the character. If both Enhancements are the same level, they must both meet this requirement.
  • The higher of the two Enhancements hasn't already been upgraded twice. If both are the same level, they can combine if one of them has been upgraded twice, but not if both have.

The most often-used method of combining involves one Enhancement already in a power and one in the inventory tray. It is also possible to combine two Enhancements that are already in the same power. A successful combination destroys the lower-level Enhancement, increases the level of the higher one by 1, and puts that upgraded Enhancement into the power. The increase is shown by an extra “+” after the Enhancement's level, which marks the increase as well as the fact that it's been upgraded once. This is important, since Enhancements cannot be upgraded more than twice through combining. For example, a level 6++, a level 7+, and a level 8 Enhancement are all effectively level 8 and all provide identical bonuses, but the 8 can be improved two more times, the 7+ only once more, and the 6++ cannot be improved (although it can be used to improve another).

Combining doesn't always work. Success or failure depends on how different the Enhancements' levels are from each other. Equal levels are guaranteed to combine. Every level between the two Enhancements adds a 5% chance of failure. A failed combine destroys the lower-level Enhancement and puts the higher one into the power without increasing its level. (Note that when combining from the tray, if the tray Enhancement is higher than the one in the power, a failure still replaces the low with the high, which is still an improvement.)

Enhancement Aspects and Schedules

Currently, there are 26 Enhancement aspects:

  • Accuracy
  • Confusion
  • Damage
  • Defense Buff
  • Defense Debuff
  • Endurance Modification
  • Endurance Reduction
  • Fear
  • Fly
  • Healing
  • Hold Duration
  • Immobilization Duration
  • Intangibility
  • Interrupt Time (or Activation Acceleration)
  • Jumping
  • Knockback Distance
  • Range Increase
  • Recharge Time
  • Resist Damage
  • Run Speed
  • Sleep
  • Slow (or Snare)
  • Stun
  • Taunt
  • To Hit Buff
  • To Hit Debuff

These aspects don't all receive the same benefit from Enhancements. Some get more boost than others. Aspects fit into four general categories, called schedules, according to how much benefit they get.

Schedule A

  • Accuracy, Confusion, Damage, Defense Debuff, Endurance Modification, Endurance Reduction, Fear, Fly, Healing, Hold Duration, Immobilization Duration, Intangibility, Jumping, Recharge Time, Run Speed, Sleep, Slow, Stun, Taunt

Aspects in the Schedule A category are enhanced by 33.33% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 16.66% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 8.35% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:

Relative
Level
Training Dual-Origin Single-Origin
and Special
–3 5.845 11.662 23.331
–2 6.680 13.328 26.664
–1 7.515 14.994 29.997
  0 8.350 16.660 33.330
+1 8.768 17.493 34.997
+2 9.185 18.326 36.663
+3 9.603 19.159 38.330

Schedule B

  • Defense Buff, Range Increase, Resist Damage, To Hit Buff, To Hit Debuff

Aspects in the Schedule B category are enhanced by 20% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 10% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 5% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:

Relative
Level
Training Dual-Origin Single-Origin
and Special
–3 3.50 7.0 14
–2 4.00 8.0 16
–1 4.50 9.0 18
  0 5.00 10.0 20
+1 5.25 10.5 21
+2 5.50 11.0 22
+3 5.75 11.5 23

Schedule C

  • Interrupt Time

Aspects in the Schedule C category are enhanced by 40% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 20% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 10% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:

Relative
Level
Training Dual-Origin Single-Origin
and Special
–3 7.0 14 28
–2 8.0 16 32
–1 9.0 18 36
  0 10.0 20 40
+1 10.5 21 42
+2 11.0 22 44
+3 11.5 23 46

Schedule D

  • Knockback Distance

Aspects in the Schedule D category are enhanced by 60% when slotted with a Single-Origin Enhancement of equal level to the character, 30% when slotted with a Dual-Origin Enhancement of equal level as the character, and 15% when slotted with a Training Enhancement of equal level as the character:

Relative
Level
Training Dual-Origin Single-Origin
and Special
–3 10.50 21.0 42
–2 12.00 24.0 48
–1 13.50 27.0 54
  0 15.00 30.0 60
+1 15.75 31.5 63
+2 16.50 33.0 66
+3 17.25 34.5 69


Retired Aspects

Badge time.png This section contains information that no longer applies to the current version of City of Heroes Freedom. It is provided for historical purposes.

There are several Enhancement aspects that have been retired and combined into new ones. The currently known ones are:

  • Cone Range, which was incorporated into the Range aspect;
  • Endurance Drain, and
  • Endurance Recovery, which were merged into the Endurance Modification aspect;
  • Team Defense, and
  • Self Defense, which were merged into the Defense Buff aspect

Relative Enhancement Values

Effectiveness (%) Enhancement
5.85 -3 TO
6.68 -2 TO
7.52 -1 TO
8.35 +0 TO
8.77 +1 TO
9.19 +2 TO
9.60 +3 TO
11.66 -3 DO
11.70 Level 10 IO
13.33 -2 DO
14.63 Level 10 Dual Set IO
14.99 -1 DO
16.66 +0 DO
17.49 +1 DO
17.55 Level 10 Triple Set IO
18.33 +2 DO
18.8 Level 12 Dual Set IO
19.16 +3 DO
19.20 Level 15 IO
20.0 Level 11 Triple Set IO
20.9 Level 13 Dual Set IO
23.33 -3 SO
24.00 Level 15 Dual Set IO
25.60 Level 20 IO
26.66 -2 SO
28.80 Level 15 Triple Set IO
30.00 -1 SO
32.00 Level 20 Dual Set IO
32.00 Level 25 IO
32.7 Level 17 Triple Set IO
33.33 +0 SO
33.6 Level 21 Dual Set IO
34.7 Level 18 Triple Set IO
34.80 Level 30 IO
35.00 +1 SO
36.66 +2 SO
36.70 Level 35 IO
38.33 +3 SO
38.40 Level 20 Triple Set IO
38.4 Level 24 Dual Set IO
38.60 Level 40 IO
40.00 Level 25 Dual Set IO
40.50 Level 45 IO
42.40 Level 50 IO
43.50 Level 30 Dual Set IO
45.88 Level 35 Dual Set IO
48.00 Level 25 Triple Set IO
48.25 Level 40 Dual Set IO
50.63 Level 45 Dual Set IO
52.20 Level 30 Triple Set IO
53.00 Level 50 Dual Set IO
53.00 Superior Single Set IO
55.05 Level 35 Triple Set IO
57.90 Level 40 Triple Set IO
60.75 Level 45 Triple Set IO
63.60 Level 50 Triple Set IO
66.20 Superior Dual Set IO
66.66 +0 Dual HO
79.50 Superior Triple Set IO
99.99 +0 Triple HO

The following is a table of a combination of Training Origin, Dual Origin, Single Origin, Common Invention Origin, Hamidon (and Synthetic Hamidon) Origin, and a selection of Invention Set Enhancements, in order of enhancement effectiveness. It shows the relative value of all of these enhancements combined into one table. Naturally, this does not take into account the power it is being slotted into. An EndMod/Accuracy Set Enhancement will only be using half of it's value in an auto-hit power, for instance. Likewise it does not take into account the relative usefulness of the effect being enhanced. A Centriole HO for instance would appear to be highly ranked, however because it enhances Range, it is generally not considered one of the best enhancements available. Nevertheless this table shows that SO level performance is possible as early as level 18 by slotting level 21 dual set enhancements or level 14 by slotting level 17 triple set enhancements.

The table assumes Schedule A Enhancements, however the ordering would not change for other Schedules. The highlighted numbers represent traditional "signposts" of effectiveness. Before I9, an even-level SO was considered acceptable performance, while a +3 SO was considered ideal. When you hit level 47, you could begin to slot HOs, which represented the maximum effectiveness available before inventions. Very few powers can actually use all three enhanceable effects of triple HOs, but in theory they still represents the maximum possible effectiveness.

This list does not attempt to list every enhancement in the game. The omissions are quad set IOs, non even-level HOs, Hydra and Crystal "HO"s, and many possible levels of invention set enhancements. It is not intended to be comprehensive.

EnhancementChart.gif


See Also

Costs