While an interesting idea, islandtrevor72 has it right regarding characters who may not have any sidekicks / underlings. Along with the additional burden of handling transitions of the player controller from one pawn etity to another pawn entity and back again (not that it can't be done), and then the issues of instanced content, phased content, or even instanced copies of maps due to map size population limits and getting this second player controlled pawn into the same instance as the original character.

Additional systems would need to be made for certain with regards to instanced content and max team limits to handle the issue of adding the same player but using a different controlled pawn. As such, this is most likely something we would have to look into later down the line

Other questions to consider: what level would this sidekick character be? How would it be determined? What happens if the sidekick is defeated on the way to revive the other character? What happens if the sidekick is defeated while attempting to revive the other character? What limits are there on on the sidekick's ability to revive? Why do all such sidekicks must have a revive ability (does this fit with all sidekick themes?)

A possible alternative simpler solution would be to make this a skin of a temporary revive power. The player clicks the revive and a player designed temp npc is summoned whose function would be to revive the fallen character.

Another possible alternative and one that is a bit more involved, would be to have one or more factions within the game that provide the service of aiding those who fall in battle. The player would pay a fee for a certain number of revives. Once fallen, the player clicks the temp power and the NPC arrives to revive them. This could also fall in line with another player idea posted about having temporary sidekicks within the game for hire. These could be combantant npcs that player characters pay a fee for in the game, rather like a heroes-for-hire / mercenaries faction. Both would serve as a resource sink into the game and avoid the issues I posted above.

For reference here are the current possible ways to revive we are looking to use:
Player expends stored Reserves on their character
Player uses a power to revive the character (if they have it, could be part of a build or temporary)
Player receives a revive from another player who expends their own reserves in assisting the defeated player
Player receives a revive from another player who uses a power (if they have it, could be part of a build or temporary)
Player uses a medical evac to a medical station within the instanced map
Player uses a medical evac to a medical center within the city (with resource sink to have an instant return to the combat location)
Player uses a medical evac to their base (if they have a base with appropriate set up such as med station / evac systems)
Player was captured and either must escape or pay a bribe to get away (depending on the type of content)

Tannim222 wrote:

>Given the number of methods we already plan to employ to revive in the game, most revolve around expediency to return to action. Some even involve action on the players part, such as being captured. Even something that could potentially take the longest - going to a hospital or base can be minimized by travel powers, or with a currency fee (at the hospital) or resource cost (base) to teleport back to the location of extraction. This leaves very little down time in which to there is a serious need to eliminate it and provide something to fill the void.

Were using Transport instead of Teleport?
hehe... does that mean we can take a Cab or Bus or this or that... back to the Mission Entrance? ;)
And after 3 seconds screen fades to black... and after a seconds, fades back.. as the Cab or Bus or this or that stops right in front of the mission entrance? :)

Side note:
I rather this not be a Default, but Earnable feature, like the Crafting Table was in CoH. (Except it only takes 2 to 3 days of effort to Create/Get). And a player that has an EMT Device setup can drop one outside the Mission Entrance. So, you can fast track to it, If you're outside of a Mission Instance, in the Open World. Of course, Raids might Heavily DEPEND on the EMT Device... and most of the strategies will incorporate players that have it. Still, Not NECESSARY to have it, just APPRECIATED if they do. ;)

EMT (Emergency Medical Transport) Device Should Stay as a Earnable Reward, in my opinion. ;D

YES! Heroes have to take cabs Sometimes (we can't All Fly), So Cabbies are Required to have Emergency Lights/Sirens when blowing through Traffic Lights. :/

Fireheart wrote:

"Taxi!" Power is something I've discussed a lot. Also 'Titan City Taxi Cabs' (TCTC) as a Faction group, one can earn privileges and services from. **Alternately, 'Titan City Taxi Company' or 'City Cab Company' (CCC).And, rather than fading to black, I see the Taxi as resolving to a Camera view, which plots a least-time route between pick-up and drop-off points and 'drives' it. Regular Taxis will also route to avoid major disturbances, like large super-powered street battles and other disasters. 'Turbo' Taxis fly above the streets, so they will route through rougher areas and most 'disturbance zones'. 'Hard Core' Taxis will drive right through Zone Events and take short-cuts over rough terrain, to get you to your destination ASAP.Doesn't that sound like fun?Be Well!
Fireheart

As a compromise, before it fades to black in 3 seconds... it could show a countdown somewhere... and if you Don't press any key/mouse button in those 3 seconds, it fades to black....
...otherwise if you Do press a key, You aren't transported immediately, but are taken the long way... looking at the Scenery,, and if you press Escape, it fades to Black and you're transported to the Destination, resuming what it would have initially have done. :)