Strike Force
Strike forces are started by talking to a strike force contact, which is typically a unique NPC or signature villain. Each strike force has a minimum level requirement and a minimum team size requirement that must be met before the strike force can be started. Each strike force also has a maximum level associated with it; team members that are of a higher level than the maximum level will be automatically malefactored down. The strike force's missions will spawn mobs at the strike force's maximum level, regardless of the team's composition.
As of 2008-02-12 strike forces will always spawn according to the minimum number on the team, even if the team drops lower than that level. If 4 people start the Tarikos SF, and one logs out or quits, the groups will still spawn as if for 4 people on the team.
Strike forces are similar to story arcs in that they are a set of missions that tell a story. Unlike story arcs, strike forces can be started at any time provided a team meets the strike force's requirements. Strike force contacts cannot be outleveled, because teammates are automatically malefactored down. Strike forces may also be run more than once.
While running a strike force, none of the team's other missions are available to them, and normal contacts won't interact with the player. This means that inspirations and enhancements will not be available for purchase. A way around this restriction is the use of Arena stores and Bartenders in Pocket D to purchase the (often much needed) inspirations during the SF. Once the strike force has been formed, you must continue to run the strike force until you finish it or drop from it. Strike force missions can be run over several play sessions as the game allows you to log out without dropping from the strike force.
A group of villains forms a team for several missions strung together by a story line involving the strike force contact and often many villain groups (it usually focuses on one). There are many badges associated with certain strike force missions or mobs that are unique to the strike force.
Strike Forces by Level
| Strike Force Name | Contact | Min Size |
Level Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beast Beneath the Mountain | Virgil Tarikoss | 4 | 15 to 20 | |
| Pirates of the Sky | Silver Mantis | 4 | 20 to 25 | Only Accessible via the SG Mission computer in villain Bases. |
| The Temple of the Waters | Strike Force Operative Renault | 4 | 25 to 30 | |
| The Spider Weaves his Web | Mender Tesseract | 1 | 25 to 34 | Minor Strike Force, no recipe reward option. |
| The 5th Column Overthrow | Mender Lazarus | 1 | 30 to 39 | Minor Strike Force, no recipe reward option. |
| The Crystal of Serafina | Ice Mistral | 4 | 35 to 40 | Grants the Enchantment of Serafina temp power upon completion. SF required for Megalomaniac Accolade. |
| Time's Arrow | Imperious | 6 | 35 to 50 | takes place entirely in Cimerora |
| Lord Recluse's Strike Force | Lord Recluse | 8 | 45 to 50 | Reward choices include a Random Synthetic Hamidon Origin Enhancement. |
| The Lady Grey Strike Force | Lady Grey | 8 | 45 to 50 | Takes place in Rikti War Zone, Heroes and Villains have opportunity to team together |
| Trading Places | Mender Silos | 1 | 46 to 50 | Minor Strike Force, no recipe reward option. |
Rewards
Strike forces typically have badges associated with them and often have unique mobs.
Unlike Story Arcs, every team member receives a completion reward at the end of a Strike Force, not just the leader. Major Strike Forces (i.e. not Ouroboros) offer the option for a Pool C Recipe drop instead of the usual origin-appropriate enhancement.
All members Notoriety level settings will affect enemy spawns in accordance to the maximum level range of the Strike Force. It will also affect the completion reward at the end, with a same-level rare recipe (if chosen) on Heroic, +1 level on Rugged, and +2 level on Invincible. This obviously does not apply if the character's true level is 49 (for the +2 level) or 50 (+1 or +2), as level 51 and level 52 recipes do not exist.
Hardcore Badges
Complete the hardest Task/Strike Forces in the game without temporary powers and without any deaths.
3 Hour Recipe Timer
After claiming a recipe reward from a Strike Force, a player cannot receive another recipe from the same Strike Force for the next 3 hours. Players can still receive other rewards from it, or earn recipes from other Strike Forces. Or, you can wait out the timer, e.g. by leaving the reward window up while you play or logging out and logging in back later.