Starting your adventure in City of Heroes? Want to ensure you’re not just powerful, but also prosperous? This guide focuses on efficient Money Making strategies right from the beginning, ensuring you have the in-game currency ( ইনফ ) needed to enhance your hero and enjoy the game to its fullest.
I. Kickstart Your Wealth: The Merit Tour and Early Storylines
One of the quickest ways to line your pockets in City of Heroes is by leveraging the Merit system. Merits are valuable tokens that can be exchanged for Converters, which in turn sell for ইনফ on the Auction House (AH). Here’s how to get started making money immediately:
1. The Amplifier Advantage and the Merit Tour:
Upon creating your character, prioritize claiming your initial powers. Any character archetype will work, but Sentinels are often recommended for beginners due to their ranged capabilities and survivability. Don’t forget to grab the free starter enhancements (IOs) and the double XP boost from the START vendor.
The key to early money making is acquiring Amplifiers. At level 1, 8 of each Amplifier type will only set you back 23,000 ইনফ – a trivial sum. If you’re starting with absolutely zero ইনফ , don’t worry! Avoid leveling up to level 2 just yet, as Amplifier prices increase with your level. Instead, embark on the “Merit Tour.”
/thumbtack 545, 59, -2307
/thumbtack 129.2 16.4 -232.7
/thumbtack 283, 16, -884
/thumbtack 160, -768, -673
/thumbtack 134, 314, -340 - the START vendor has a free Jump Pack to allow reaching it (Prestige Powers - Travel).
/thumbtack 126, 171, -653
/thumbtack -135, -94, 470Following these coordinates (use /thumbtack command in-game) will lead you to various locations around Atlas City. Completing this tour rewards you with 5 Merits. Return to Atlas City Hall (the large building behind the trainer NPC) and find the ATM in the corner. Exchange your 5 Merits for Converters.
Now, access the Auction House by typing /ah. Open your Salvage inventory and drag the Converters to the AH interface. List one Converter for sale at 1 ইনফ . This will quickly sell, providing you with enough ইনফ to purchase your Amplifiers. This initial investment of 23,000 ইনফ is minimal and sets you up for efficient leveling and future money making.
2. Storyline Swiftness for Serious ইনফ :
If you prefer a more mission-oriented approach to early money making, engaging in early storylines is highly effective. Locate the contact NPC indicated below to begin your first storyline:
SpoilerCompleting this initial storyline unlocks a second contact, and finishing that one leads to a third. Completing these three short storylines will net you 9 Merits in approximately 20 minutes.
3. Combining Methods for Maximum Profit:
By combining the Merit Tour and the early storylines, you can rapidly accumulate ইনফ . The Merit Tour alone provides 5 Merits. Each Merit can be converted into 3 Converters. With each Converter selling for around 70,000 ইনফ , the tour yields approximately 1 million ইনফ (5 Merits 3 Converters/Merit 70,000 ইনফ /Converter = 1,050,000 ইনফ ).
Adding the 9 Merits from the storylines (9 Merits 3 Converters/Merit 70,000 ইনফ /Converter = 1,890,000 ইনফ ) brings your total earnings to nearly 3 million ইনফ within your first hour of gameplay! This substantial sum is more than enough to purchase generic enhancements (IOs/SOs) for your build, giving you a significant power boost right from the start and solidifying your early money making success.
II. Enhancement Economics: Smart Spending for Long-Term Gains
Efficient money making isn’t just about earning ইনফ ; it’s also about spending it wisely. In City of Heroes, enhancements are crucial for character power. Here’s how to manage your enhancements economically and strategically:
1. Early Leveling (1-22): Vendor SOs for Power on a Budget:
From levels 1 to 22, utilize Single Origin Enhancements (SOs) purchased directly from vendors. While Invention Origin Enhancements (IOs) are available earlier (from level 7), SOs provide a much larger power boost at lower levels. A level 2 SO, for example, grants a 36% stat increase, whereas a level 7 IO offers only a 10% boost.
Low-level IOs are also less readily available on the Auction House, often requiring crafting, which is inefficient at this stage. Vendor-bought SOs are time-saving and more impactful for early leveling. Even if SOs become “red” (outleveled) after 5 levels, they can be easily upgraded within the powers window. SOs are your cost-effective solution for maximizing power in the early game without hindering your money making potential.
2. Mid to Late Game (22+): Generic IOs for Lasting Value:
Around level 22-30, transition to generic Invention Origin Enhancements (IOs). Search for these on the Auction House using /ah - Enhancements - Crafted - Other. IOs are a smart investment for long-term money making and character development because they do not become obsolete after 5 levels like SOs. A single purchase of level-appropriate IOs will remain effective until level 50.
While level 2 SOs offer a significant early boost, multi-stat IOs become mathematically superior to SOs as you progress beyond level 25. Investing in IOs ensures your enhancements remain relevant and powerful throughout your leveling journey, contributing to your overall efficiency and ability to tackle content that rewards better ইনফ .
3. Understanding Enhancement Types (TOs, DOs, SOs, IOs):
To make informed decisions about your enhancement spending and money making strategy, it’s helpful to understand the different types:
- Training Origin (TOs): The weakest enhancements, providing 10% stat boosts and becoming obsolete every 5 levels. (Note: TOs are removed in Homecoming servers).
- Double Origin (DOs): Slightly better than TOs, offering 15% boosts and also expiring every 5 levels. (Note: DOs are also removed in Homecoming servers).
- Single Origin (SOs): Offer a substantial 33% boost but become outdated every 5 levels. SOs are available from level 2 onwards in Homecoming. Standard SO slotting often includes accuracy, damage, endurance reduction, and recharge reduction enhancements.
- Invention Origins (IOs): The most versatile and economical in the long run. IOs can be slotted from level 7 onwards and never expire. Level 30 generic IOs are comparable to level 22 SOs, and they become progressively stronger at higher levels (35, 40, 45, 50). IOs are available in generic and set varieties. Set IOs provide stat boosts and set bonuses when multiple enhancements from the same set are equipped.
4. Enhancement Diversification (ED) and the Rule of Five:
Maximize your enhancement effectiveness and money making efficiency by understanding these key rules:
- Enhancement Diversification (ED): Avoid diminishing returns by not exceeding 100% of any single stat from enhancements. Using three SOs for a given stat is generally recommended to stay within this limit.
- Rule of Five (Set IOs): Set bonuses from set IOs are capped at five. Equipping more than five enhancements from the same set will not grant additional set bonuses, although the individual stat boosts will still apply. For example, five “Touch of Death” IOs provide a 7.5% resistance bonus (5 x 1.5%), but a sixth will not increase the bonus.
By understanding these enhancement mechanics, you can make informed decisions about your ইনফ spending, optimize your character’s power, and enhance your money making capabilities in City of Heroes.
III. Gameplay Efficiency and Resource Management for Profitability
Beyond initial money making and enhancement strategies, efficient gameplay and resource management are crucial for long-term financial success in City of Heroes.
1. Origin Powers and Inspirations: Smart Combat Tools:
- Origin Power: Utilize your Origin Power (from Prestige Attacks) effectively, especially during early levels (up to level 15). It provides a useful damage boost when your power pool is still developing. While its damage scaling diminishes at higher levels, it can serve as a filler power in your attack chains in the early game, helping you clear content faster and thus improve your money making rate.
- Inspirations: Master the use of inspirations. Purple (Luck) inspirations are the most valuable for general use. Discard less useful yellow inspirations. Protection (mez) inspirations are less critical for melee classes and Sentinels once you acquire mez protection powers. Ranged classes (except Sentinels) may find mez protection inspirations more useful. Replenish inspirations conveniently using the
/ahcommand between missions, allowing for efficient resource management and uninterrupted money making activities.
2. Auction House Mastery: Your 24/7 Marketplace:
The /ah command is your key to efficient trading and money making. Access the Auction House from anywhere in the open world to:
- Buy Enhancements: Quickly purchase vendor SOs, generic IOs, and set IOs as needed.
- Sell Salvage and Converters: Convert Merits into Converters and list them for sale to generate ইনফ . Sell unwanted salvage acquired during missions for additional income.
- Restock Inspirations: Purchase inspirations to ensure you are always prepared for combat.
The Auction House is your central hub for managing your in-game economy and optimizing your money making efforts.
3. Hero vs. Villain vs. Praetorian Sides: Choosing Your Path to Profit:
The game offers three distinct starting zones: Hero, Villain, and Praetoria. While your choice impacts your storyline and initial experience, it can also indirectly influence your money making journey:
- Hero Side: The original and most populated side. Offers a smoother and easier start for new players. The large player base can lead to a more active Auction House, potentially facilitating faster sales and money making.
- Villain Side: Features improved quest design and snappier gameplay. Generally more challenging than the Hero side. A smaller player base might mean a slightly less active Auction House, but potentially less competition for selling goods.
- Praetoria: More complex and significantly harder for new players. Lore is intertwined with the Hero side, making it less beginner-friendly. Best explored after gaining experience on Hero or Villain sides. Praetoria’s unique environment and challenges may offer different money making opportunities later on, but it’s not recommended for initial financial focus.
Ultimately, your faction choice is largely cosmetic and based on preferred gameplay style. Both Heroes and Villains can access each other’s content. However, be aware that team formation might be slightly easier on the more populated Hero side, potentially leading to more efficient group-based money making activities.
4. Taskforces and Story Arcs: Merit-Rich Activities:
To maximize your money making through Merits, prioritize completing Taskforces and Story Arcs to their conclusions. These activities offer substantial Merit rewards upon completion. As previously discussed, Merits are readily convertible to ইনফ via the Auction House. Engaging in these rewarding activities is a key component of sustainable money making in City of Heroes.
IV. Long-Term Financial Strategy and Investment
City of Heroes offers a unique economic system where enhancements are not a continuous ইনফ sink. Once you invest in enhancements, they can be transferred between characters, making it a long-term investment rather than a recurring expense.
1. IOs as Investments, Not Expenses:
Think of high-quality IOs (especially set IOs) as investments in your account’s overall power and money making potential. While they may seem expensive initially, their permanence and transferability make them cost-effective in the long run. The ability to transfer enhancements between characters eliminates the need to repurchase them for each new alt, significantly saving ইনফ over time and boosting your overall financial efficiency.
2. Reselling and Transferring Enhancements:
This guide highlights the method for transferring or reselling IOs. This feature ensures that your investment in enhancements is not wasted. You can upgrade to better enhancements and resell your older ones, or transfer them to a new character, effectively recouping your initial investment and streamlining your money making cycle.
3. Building a Financially Sound Hero:
By implementing these money making strategies, understanding enhancement economics, and utilizing the Auction House effectively, you can build a financially robust hero in City of Heroes. Starting with the Merit Tour and early storylines, progressing to efficient enhancement management, and engaging in rewarding endgame content, you’ll ensure you have the ইনফ to thrive, customize your hero, and enjoy all that Paragon City and the Rogue Isles have to offer.
Embrace these tips and start your journey to both power and prosperity in City of Heroes!
Alt Text: Hero character interacting with the ATM inside Atlas City Hall to exchange merits for converters, a key step in early game money making in City of Heroes.
Alt Text: Image of the contact NPC offering initial storylines, a quick method for earning merits and in-game currency (inf) in City of Heroes.
