New Patch Pickin' Part II!
I've been receiving a lot of Emails...err...responses to what you the reader has thought about the recent patch and the new changes that have been added. Also, I have been reading on some recent boards that there are certain things that really do bother the players as a whole when it comes to the /level attribute. I want to touch on this subject some more since I was vague on my feelings and points in my previous article. But I hope that I can clarify some things as well with my points and what I would like some of you to understand.
All be it that Mythic has done a lot in this patch to make Hibernia a little more appreciated, and making Midgard turn the other cheek with nerfing Left Axe. The sentiments aren't the same, but that's quite alright! Since I have to look at this in both directions this may be somewhat of a challenge to break it down on why they did this and how players have felt about it, so bear with me.
Midgard: A lot them feel that they have been jipped and bit the bullet big time for being a powerful group when it comes to wiping the slate with RvR. Some feel that LA shouldn't have been nerfed and there is nothing else that they can do to make the damage up or their powerful hits return. Since the Berserker and the Shadowzerker were two top classes dealing the most damage, they felt that with such power, they could take on just about anything. With these two classes being able to take down just about any class (which I'm going to have to assume this), Mythic decided that it was high time to even the odds. And to this, they lowered their chance to make a difference in RvR as a whole. Over half of Midgard may have had these two classes running about, with cookie cutter designs and the same outcome over and over. And Mythic had to look at this and what the other realms were doing against this force. Mind you that the Mercenary, Berserker, Blade Master all fit into the category of light tank. And no, neither one of them should be cookie cutter layouts of each other and also should have their own uniqueness and qualities. They do mind you, for many still have to understand that there are reasons to why they do these things. Mythic has their reasons, you ask them not me. I don't know what their own true intentions were, but all I can say is that it was done and people don't like it too much.
Other Realms: Many players from other realms feel that they can breathe now due to the LA change. Many feel that they have a chance to break even or make a better difference with RvR as a whole. With this mindset, I'm wondering whether if these other two realms are really looking at what they are doing wrong instead of right. RvR is a two sided coin and you have to look at both what went wrong and what you did right.
How did the battle turn out?
Who won the battle?
What went wrong?
How many of us were there?
How many of them were there?
What do you think would've made the battle turn out more in your favor?
These questions are really important and you have to analyze each and every situation. Mythic has by looking at the numbers and the battles that have happened in the past, hence the change. But does that really give the other realms the even advantage that they need against their enemies? Does it really mean that Midgard as a whole has slumped into the drenched pit of a losing battle against just losing a slight damage spree that they had?
No! There are other ways to defeat your enemy other than through pure, unadulterated strength! You have to use tactics and force them into action. You have to think ahead and know the enemy instead of just using your brute strength. Planning, and scheming, and thinking, and probing each step that you must take to make the battle come in your favor. You can't just run in, axes, blades flying about and just taking down whatever you can. What fun is that? However, I digress on this. I'm sure that many of you will rant or flame to me the reason why Mythic shouldn't have done it, but as I said before, don't tell me, tell Mythic!
Now, as far as the other part of the patch is concerned for there have been a number of mixed feelings about this. I'm talking about the /level command. Many feel this...
1) Wow, I love this new /level command. I can just breeze through the first set of levels and just not worry about having to do it all over again!
Or...
2) Eh, it's ok. I just wish that there were more options or just restrictions as a whole to this /level command. It's kinda difficult to find a group sometimes, but it does beat making a new toon all over again.
Or...
3) This has got to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen! I mean, I can't find a group? I can't get do this, that, blah blah blah! I wish I never saw this /level command entered in the game!
Like I said mixed feelings. And there are people that do feel that way if not more profound about it. There is another side of this coin though which I sort of want to touch on that I have read about, and that's new players as whole. This really can really be a tough choice and situation, but here goes...
Old Players: For those that have been around the block in DAoC more than once and know the game and its mechanics and etc. They have several lvl 50's now sitting in their accounts, not to mention that they may have an extra account for bot sitting. These players feel comfortable with the idea of the /level command and take advantage of it without regard. It's like a privilege and a gift for them for getting all the way to the top. And I commend them on that, I really do.
New Players: People who have just recently started playing and walk into a new plethora of ideas of RvR and the game itself. Trying to find their way in around the land that they are in but fumbling at the same time in doing so. They need some help like basic ideas of what to do with their toon and where to hunt and how to go about searching for what they need to succeed. Many of them either get in a nice small group of friends, eventually into a Guild, or some just muck it up on their own, or some just leave because they feel that they haven't been treated well enough to stay in game. Their impatience gets the better of them and immediately feels that instant gratitude just isn't there for them.
Folks, this game isn't about instant gratitude or trying to buy your way into something. This game is about making friends, learning things about how to be effective in communication and also having fun. But whatever you do, remember that every single player has their own reason on why they are there. But this isn't about why they are here; it's about those that have a hard time in game. Those that have a hard time in game are those that are the low levels. They do what they can to strive and make it right where all the others are. And it's a tough road really, now that over half of the players have lvl 50's and are able to jump, hop, and skip 20-30 levels without breaking a sweat. It puts a damper on grouping and hunting and making friends and enemies as a whole for those that just joined the game and wanted to see what its all about. Now, not all lvl 50's go straight to the /level command, some actually like to go through the mess. If I had a lvl 50, I would do it all over again and again because I like to help people and love to meet others. I'm not saying that you can't meet new people while higher in level, but it does make things difficult for them when you can't hunt or be a part of that group and know how they deal with situations. It's important for those new people to understand though that are just some people out there that won't want to have anything to do with you, but you don't let that stop you. Make your own friends and just remind yourself who your friends are. And for what it's worth, it'll be better for you in the end. We need those new players (fresh meat) to help keep the game interesting, to help invite new ideas, to help liven things up, to help the realm as a whole, to help maintain some form of balance.
The patch as some have stated was left in a wide mix of doubt and unfinished business. The /level command as a whole could've been tweaked somewhat better or the idea changed. Where someone had stated where it would take only a 1/3 of the time to level to 50 if you already have lvl 50's in your account. When you had a lvl 50 in your account, you could've chosen at the toon selection screen how you wanted to train; either by the /level command or going through the motions again, but faster.
Another thing that they could've looked into was the LA. Even though I do feel more cozy knowing I won't get hacked by a ridiculous amount of damage, I still feel something could've have been done differently to maintain some form of balance with the whole issue. I'll try to think of something later...
New players, stick with each other when times are rough and hunting isn't all that great. Look for kill tasks from name NPC'S or just solo. It's not all that bad really, you just to make it like you have to through life.
Old players, remember that there are those that are less fortunate than you and remind yourself that you got there and you did it just like everyone else. You were once considered the little people at one point, so just be mindful of that and watch out for them. They need just as much help from you now as you did when you were their season.
Well, I think I've done chewed up enough virtual paper on this for me to make my point. I hope I have clarified some things, and if I didn't, just Email me with an EMAIL THAT I CAN RESPOND TO, and I'll do my best to help you understand better. ;)
Until then!
Oh, it's editor@warcry.com by the way...
