City of Villains takes place on the Rogue Isles off the coast of Bermuda in the Atlantic ocean, which used to be a French colony and later a pirate haven. The Rogue Isles have acquired United Nations status. The Rogue Isles are under the control of a new and powerful villain group, Arachnos, led by Lord Recluse. Unlike City of Heroes, the zones in City of Villains run in a linear pattern; as your character levels higher, they progress to the next zone. These zones also lack the "War Walls" to divide them, and require the use of ferries or helicopters to traverse between islands.