City of Heroes/Story arcs

Story arcs are somewhere in between regular missions and task forces. Like a task force, there is a series of connected missions which tell a story. Story arcs come from your regular contacts, though, and you can do them at your own pace, with a group or solo, or even with different groups on different days. Each mission will give you a clue, and the clues will pile up in your clue window until the arc is done. You know that you are doing a story arc when you see a clue which says, "It all started when..." When you finish a story arc, you receive an enhancement and a souvenir. The souvenir includes text summarizing the missions in the arc.

You can only have two story arcs running at a time. If you outlevel a story arc, don't worry. You can still do the missions and get the rewards, without having to exemplar down. The bad guys have a maximum level, though, and if you are beyond it then the fights aren't going to be very interesting. If you have missed any story arcs, go back to your very first contact and talk to them in person, and work your way up. Eventually, someone will give you either a mission or a new contact.

Names in boldface are nominees for the Best Story Arc award, from the contest held on CoH's first anniversary.