New MMO: Age of Conan. - Page 2

Mister Earl · #31 (**permalink**) 17-May-2008, 01:02 PM

Update: Non yet. Still can't log in. They said early access is open on the 17th, but they don't state what time. I was hoping 8AM est, but that's a no-go.

Mister Earl · #32 (**permalink**) 17-May-2008, 10:45 PM

The doors have slammed open. I am logging in now. Also, I noticed that one of my posts here was my 1,000th here on BAUT.

Mister Earl · #33 (**permalink**) 18-May-2008, 05:35 AM

Fazor, this is a good one. A REALLY good one. I'm cancelling my other subscription as we speak.

Mister Earl · #34 (**permalink**) 18-May-2008, 03:20 PM

Ok, for Fazor and anyone else interested in AOC, here are my first impressions. First, you need a moderate to highly powerful machine to run this game. An old graphics card likely will not cut it. I have a pretty decent PCIe (kinda old), and I had to lower the graphics settings WAY down. That being said, even with minimal detail, the game is gorgeous! Also, there's two concurrent "worlds" if you will. Daytime is where you see everyone else. If you go to an instanced dungeon during the day, you'll be there with everyone else who entered in daytime (game, not RL). If you go to a tavern, you can switch to night, where you have the cities and whole world to yourself (most merchants sleep at night, though). I'm on a PvP server, so I can only really tell you how that works. If I go to an instanced area during the day, the first thing I do is stealth. It's not common for someone to camp the entrance, but I've seen it happen. I've also managed to make people doing that pay.

The combat is peerless. I love it. Combo system and all. Here's how that works. You have three attack directions: Left, right, and from overhead. You can hit a combo button, which will light up the corresponding direction. If you don't hit the wrong one by mistake, the combo (more like a special move) fires off. Now here is where it gets interesting: Enemies have three "shields". Little arcs to the left, right, and above them. They symbolize which direction the enemy is guarding against. It can be one shield in each direction, or all three in one. If you hit a three-shielded direction, you'll do minimal damage. If you hit a non-shielded one, they take more damage. Anyone taking the time to time their swings, and fire off combos into unguarded flanks of your enemy will mow through them far much quicker.

Spellweaving: Haven't got there yet. From what I understand, it's a way to get mage types to put together different spells, to be fired off later I imagine. Very risky: If you try to combine too many, or add too many effects (going off of a wiki, no firsthand knowledge. Yet), then you get death or worse.

All in all, this one gets the Earl seal of approval. I've already cancelled my other MMO subscription. Don't regret it in the slightest.

Mister Earl · #35 (**permalink**) 18-May-2008, 03:30 PM

When I get out of work this afternoon, I've already got a plan. I'm gonna scrap a lot of my test characters, and work on a PvP necromancer. I've seen a few in the PvP areas, and generally speaking tend to die before everyone else, but I think that's because they're relying on their pets to do the work instead of relying on their rather powerful damage-over-time spells. If this spellweaving allows you to combine these DOTs and hold them in abeyance, then I think I can build a suitable store of these to use in actual PvP.

Mister Earl · #36 (**permalink**) 18-May-2008, 04:36 PM

Nevermind on that PvP necromancer, hehe. Apparently spellweaving isn't going to be as handy for PvP as I'd thought it would be. Gonna stick with the barbarian for now.

Fazor · #37 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 02:25 PM

Well man, what's the word? Is it that good that you haven't gotten a chance to update us yet?

I looked at HDD's the other day when I was at Best Buy. New HDD of the type I'm looking at circa $100, game around what, $50? Plus after the first month IIRC ~$15/mo.? I'm not convinced I want to spend that money yet. Guild's attempting to make a revival in WoW for the ... I dunno I lost count how many times we've tried to rebuild.

Mister Earl · #38 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 05:16 PM

Fazor, this game is so good that I fully expect WoW to shortly take a massive playerbase loss. I severely doubt this game is a "WoW killer", since WoW is, after all, WoW. That being said, Fazor, this game is awesome. The combat mechanics are excellent, the visuals are better than WoW, I'd say, and there's 12 different classes that play very very different from each other. It's a really good game. There's so many quests that I keep grabbing every single one I can find, I do all I can, and by the time I return there's even more quests to grab before I can go out! I can't keep up! And if you join a PvP Free-for-all server like I have, then it throws in a challenge level I haven't seen in an MMO in about a decade.

To get to the point, Fazor, I'm in awe of this game.

Mister Earl · #39 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 05:23 PM

I had a Barbarian for quite some time. Got him to level 7. There's an outside area in the starting area called "White Sands". If you go there during the day, then you get put there with everyone else at white sands during the day. And you can attack everyone there. There's people here and there, of course, that go there as a level 15 and chase down lowbies, that's gonna happen on a PvP server no matter what happens. But I've been pleasantly suprised how that is turning out: I've seen, and conspired with, a good number of other higher level people that patrol that area and chase off / kill the spawncampers and greifers. I took a turn at that myself: I came across a level 15 Ranger that killed every newbie that respawned at one point. I snuck up behind him and did manage to hurt him enough to where he ran away.

I've since discarded the Barbarian, however. I got to like the stealthy part of the Barbarian, and decided to give the Assassin a whirl. I love it! I can single handedly put out enough damage quick enough to drop small groups of enemies. I can usually kill an even-level foe with one good backstab. It's great.

Fazor · #40 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 05:24 PM

So I'll take it that you'd say that the $150 start-up cost for me is worth it? Darn. Good thing I'm suppose to get my refund check this week.

Fazor · #41 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 05:27 PM

Ah, you posted while I was posting my reply. Assasin's what I'll probably play first. I'm have'n so much fun on my rogue in wow, and with AoC the combat system seems perfect for it.

Mister Earl · #42 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 05:47 PM

I'm on the Doomsayer server. It's PvP free-for-all, so if you decide to join me there, be forwarned

Yes, I love the combat system for the assassin as well. If you time it right, you can chain 3-5 combos together and drop a whole small group (3ish) of enemies. In this game, melee attacks hit more than one enemy if they stand close together. (lateral slashes hit multiples. Vertical strokes tend to hit one)

Mister Earl · #43 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 07:33 PM

Also, I've put up a PvP mini-guide on the AoC forums, if you're interested. Link follows.
http://forums-us.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=6613

Fazor · #44 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Earl

Also, I've put up a PvP mini-guide on the AoC forums, if you're interested. Link follows.
http://forums-us.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=6613

Eh, the forum requires membership to view the thread. Anyway you could send me your guide via PM? Or even post it here if others are interested...

Mister Earl · #45 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 07:49 PM

I will if you want me to. But be warned: It is very long, and written from the viewpoint of the PvPer. It has a slightly arrogant undertone, and doesn't mince words. The PvP/PK world is a rather harsh one.

Fazor · #46 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 08:01 PM

yeah go ahead. I'm not scared of reading...and you should hear me on WoW...I know I oft sound arrogant. But when you see people doing stupid stuff and giving the rest of us hunters a bad name...bah!

Mister Earl · #47 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 08:25 PM

Section 1: It's titled "Whelm's Big Big book of PvP." That's the handle I go by. Follows:

Authors intent: I'm putting this page up for the PvP curious. I intend to explain the differences between PvP, Pk, griefing, and spawnkilling. I will also explain the three different server types, and then wrap it up with beginner level PvP strategy and etiquette.

0.1) About the author. I've played a huge list of MMOs out there, always with PvP/PK as the goal. Asheron's Call, AC2, DAoC, EQ2, Anarchy Online, Eve, and a larger number of others I've completely forgotten in my old age. Back when I was a kid, PvP consisted of hitting your brother in the ribs so he'd drop his coleco-vision controller so you would win. I've a ton of experience on the subject of PvP/PK. That being said, I'm also extremely one-sided, opinionated, and stupid, so don't take the below to be the gospel. Season my advice to your own tastes.

1.) PvP subtypes

1-a.)PvP (Player versus Player).
PvP is, in general, combat between two or more players with the intent of killing the other player/team. Both sides are aware of the combat happening beforehand, and adopt strategies that reflect this. I.E. having a spread of classes in the team (damage dealers, ranged/casters, healers). Duelers are the main population that comprise this group.

1-b.)Pk (Player killing, also known as "hunting")
Pk is the practice of entering an open are with the intent of finding a suitable victim, and attacking them unawares. The purpose of this is to simply dispatch another player, with or without his or her consent. There's two types of players that populate this group, Body-counters, and trophy hunters. Body-counters are in the business of taking down as many other players as possible (same player multiple times, if they are a griefer as well). Trophy hunters are a rarer population, their objective is to locate and take down opponents stronger than they are. This includes your humble author.

1-c.)Griefing. (large number of unlisted expletives)
These are they guys that are simply out to give people a hard time. They'll kill you over and over again, camp your body, and generally be a large pain in the arse. Primarily body-counters. A favorite of trophy hunters as well, I myself am more than happy to answer the OOC report of a griefer in progress. Another notch on my belt waiting to happen.

1-d.)Spawnkillers. (Also a long list of four-letter words)
These are the laziest and unskilled of griefers and body-counters. They will remain immobile, and simply use their higher level or large numbers to stay in one spot and rack up body count. 99% of the time, they can simply be dealt with by engaging them directly when they are busy with someone else. Spawnkillers abhor a direct fight, and tend to flee if backstabbed/root shotted/casted on from a distance.

1-e.)Hard-core.
These are the guys that want a game with the difficulty severely ramped up in a way that approaches insanity. Most MMOs that implement hard-core rules dictate that death is permanent, or at minimum total gear loss. Your author here is a fan of this type.

1-f.)Carebear.
Contrary to popular belief, Carebears are _not_ people who sit on a PvE server and never PvP. Carebears are people who claim to be PvPers, but adopt a set of beliefs that are not conducive towards PvP. They tend to believe that they cannot lose unless there is something either wrong with the game, the other player is cheating, or an exploit has been used. A normal PvP/Pker, upon losing a battle, will consider counters, new strategies, and will often at great length, consult forums, game wikis, and additional data sources to formulate a new plan of attack. Carebears do none of these things, and simply pray that if they complain loudly enough on the servers, that the developers will heed their plight and "nerf" the game to cover the weakness in their strategy that they will refuse to spend the time or effort into correcting themselves. General PvP/PKer reaction towards carebears is undeniably hostile; History shows a good number of games where PvP has been damaged or ruin due to carebear griping. In all but a few rare exceptions, Carebears do not have the proper PvP mindset to be truly effective at any level.

1-g.) "Gank". Not so much a PvP type or player style, Gank is a term which simply means initiating combat on someone else without their consent. Gank can mean an Assassin popping out of nowhere to backstab someone, a mage suddenly opening up all kinds of trouble on your from afar, a team of higher level players attacking lowbies out alone, or someone interfering in a duel to give one side an unfair advantage.

(broken up in two parts due to length)

Mister Earl · #48 (**permalink**) 19-May-2008, 08:26 PM

2.) Server types

2-a.) PvE (Player versus Environment)
This server type is primarily cooperatively designed. You can quest solo or with a team without fear of of being attacked by other players. PvP does exist in the forms of duels and PvP minigames. Carebears should be directed here at each opportunity. _This_ is the server you go to for PvP, purely by definition. Here you can carefully arrange one-on-one matches to your heart's content, and have maximum control over how and when you do PvP.

2-b.) PvP Social (Player versus Player, realm-style)
PvP is only enabled in public areas for the three separate races. If you are teamed with a mix of races, be warned: They may be attacked, and you may not be able to protect or assist them if the attacker shares your specific race. This may change in the future. PK oriented, but realm-level PvP available as well. Interesting mix.

2-c.) PvP FFA (Player versus Player, Free-for-all. The only current choice leaning towards a hardcore rule set)
If you want to PvP, do not come to this server. Seriously. This server isn't about standard PvP, it's all about Pk and severe difficulty. Join one of these servers only if you're looking for the maximum level of difficulty possible. Do not come to FFA if you want to become a level 80 with top-notch gear as soon as possible. Do not come if you just want to "pwn nubs", as this will likely see you perma-spawncamped and being beaten to obliteration. DO come if you are a bodycount, griefer, spawnkiller, or trophy hunter. PK here flourishes.

3.) Beginner level strategy and advice.

3-a.) How to begin?

3-a-1.)PvP. My advice to you, in order to get your feet wet, is to join a PvE or PvP: social server and get into as many duels and free-range brawls as you can. If you have a sufficiently powerful computer, get a video recorder program and record some matches. It may be painful to watch, but review it and learn what the enemy used to defeat you. Watch them counter your moves. If your opponent is a jerk, ask them afterwords what you could have done different. If I personally gank someone, and they send me a tell asking for advice, I will, without exception, drop what I am doing and give it to them. They have the proper mindset to want to learn to improve, and this should be rewarded. In short, get your feet wet as often as possible, and you'll learn the tricks of the trade far quicker than someone just reading stupid guides like mine.

3-a-2.)PK. I advice practicing trophy hunting here, as it'll generate the least amount of "Aggro" from your fellow players. If I am attacked when alone by someone lower level than me, I'll simply think "Ballsy little chap!" and be on my way. If I get killed by someone higher level than me, then I'm going to take some time out to try to find them and cut them down. I do not advise practicing PK by griefing or spawnkilling, as the skills needed to do these properly will not help you much when you do go out for the body-count or trophy hunt.

3-a-3.)Body count. This is simple enough, go to a free-range area and try to cut down as many people as possible before you die, regardless of your targets' level. Use superior equipment or huge gaps in your level difference to facilitate this. Watch out for trophy hunters.

3-a-4.)Griefer. This one requires no thought, just do whatever you can to make people miserable. Watch out for trophy hunters. I'll be gunning for ya.

3-a-5.)Spawnkillers. Another given. Get at least ten levels above the prey you want, then camp the lowbie spawn. Get a group of people together if you can to do it. Watch out for Trophy hunters. Spawnkillers are usually considered a big "prize".

3-b.)Etiquette.

3-b-1.) In-game

3-b-1-a.) When you lose, don't send annoying tells or cry in the OOC channel. This shows lack of resolve and intent on self-improvement. You will only be told "Cry moar." If you do want to send a tell, simply ask the other person what you did wrong, or what else you could have done. Heck, feel free to ask the winner how to counter a technique of his! Most of us will gladly teach you something.

3-b-1-b.) Gloating\Arrogance. Bread and butter for the PK and associated subtypes, or the socially immature. As a trophy hunter, I will gladly boast to all and sundry which camper or griefer I just took down, or gleefully tell everyone in range how I just offed someone a few levels above me. Considered a matter of form to the more hard-core PvP/PKers, care must be taken with this, as oftentimes will make you a nice fat target for people looking to take you down a peg. Can also be used prior to an attack, against a more permanent adversary. One of my more morbid lines goes like this: "I'm gonna sew you back into your mother's womb, then kick her in the stomach."

3-b-2.) Forum etiquette

3-b-2-a.)Avoid the nerf bat. If you lost in a legit fight, don't beg the devs to "fix" something to cover a weakness. Instead, use the PvP and class forums to ask people for assistance in countering what you just dealt with. You will be gleefully advised. At length.

3-b-2-b.)E-peen wars. I will not explain the term, do to forum rules. Simply put, don't bother getting into a "This class is better than this class." "Nuh-uh!". It's taking time away you could be using to hone your skills.

3-b-2-c.) The target- Stay on it! Don't attack the poster, attack the stupid remark they just made, then throroughly explain why and how it is stupid, and what could be done instead. Always offer an alternative.

4.) The epic myth of the theory of "Fairness" on a FFA server.

4-a.) Allow me to be perfectly blunt, here. No matter what you do, someone out there already thought of it, and a very good way to counter it. You WILL encounter people who seem to have an almost magical ability to take everything you have to throw at them, laugh as you do it, then quickly respond by annihilating you so badly that your first response will be to curl up in the fetal position. We've all been there. You will too, without exception. Also, there will be times where multiple people will all attack you, and they will be higher level than you and have better gear. You will also be killed, many times, at various spawn points where it seems impossible to escape. There *are* ways of getting out. (stealthing at the right time, calling backup, know a good trophy hunter, ect.) If you go on a FFA server expecting the elusive fairness fairy to follow you Link-style, you're going to be branded a Carebear and be soundly disappointed. The point of a FFA server isn't to become a god-like badass. It will never happen. The point of a FFA server is to say to the world, "Even with massive adversary, challenges, and a near zero survival rate, I thrived and held my own."

Well, that about wraps it up. Please feel free to correct/add information/flame the bejezus outta me. If your comment is stupid, I will call it stupid. If you call me stupid, I will agree with you. If you like this guide, petition for a sticky for me, and I'll take time outta my day to keep it shiny and new for the masses about to come in the next few days and weeks.

~Whelm