..then you can't use them hardly anywhere.
I recently took a chance, and bought Aion. I logged in, selected a server, and went about creating a character. I liked the idea regarding four basic character classes that expanded out into other classes. I selected the good guys for my Mage, and the bad guys for my Rogue.
The characcter customization is pretty well done, with options for skin, hair, and eye color, scars, hair styles, different faces, body types, and even your in-game voice. I made a pale skin, blue eyed, and blue haired elf looking Mage. After going through some starting movie, I went about questing. There is an overall campaign quest line, with many side quests to do such as collect 100 pork butts.
Every creature here looks like a pokemon or digimon, I swear. As I went about questing, the carrot danging was getting that next level, getting that next spell, but most importantly, getting to level 10. At level 10, you get a quest to ascend to become a Daeva. Once you do this, you get the ability to fly that was used as a big selling point of the game. Several in-game cutscenes later, I finally ascended.
I got my wings, and entered the Sanctuary. Which of course I could not fly in. So I teleported to a city I could fly in, to find out I can only fly for one minute. If you are in the air after that, your wings disappear and you plummet to your death. No parachute, no slowfall, no nothing. Also, you can not fly over water, or over mountains. The next leveling area I walked to, you could not fly there either.
So I was walking about doing questing with my same ol spells, my same ol gear, and my same ol crappy one minute or you die wings. I could continue questing, getting more levels, getting more spells, but why? I no longer had motivation to do it, it's as if the entire goal of the game is to get to level 10, play around with wings, and get bored of it. I'm sure the spells get flashier, but all in all the carrot was gone.
So I logged out. I am considering still playing my Rogue on the bad guy side some, the quests and areas will likely differ. As well, it is a different play style, so perhaps it will give me at least another ten levels of enjoyment. I can't say though that I care enough about this genericy game to try to make it to max level. All I need is for them to introduce a flight spell to Mages in WoW.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Arcane Changes
Likely, many other Mage bloggers have already covered the details regarding this latest patch changes (3.2.2 or something like that, I don't bother to count). If you want to read them all, go check the patch notes you lazy bastard. Since I am a kind and benevelent soul, I will link you to one of my favored bloggers, Critical QQ.
Myself being a fully devoted Arcane Mage, and owning a blog, it comes to my responsibility to enlighten all on my views. All in all, I think we went two steps forward and one step back. One great leap forward for standing still (How is that possible? Magic, bitches.), in that you get to stand still even longer (Yay!) and do supposedly more dps and save more mana (Again, magic.).
It is however quite a standstill (Yes, I went there.) for those in need to move, such as when a Death Knight is on your rear (quite literally). As well, there are many PvE encounters that need either minor movement (void zones), or to move most of the fight. Since you now have so little cushion time, expect to have your dps gashed. But wait, there's Arcane Barrage!
Now don't expect me to do any math, because I'm not one of those types. I just mash my big ol PWN buttons (I macrod all my buttons) and see the fireworks as a Warlock dies. However, Arcane Barrage has went from being THE rotation, to being something you only cast if you want to lose DPS. It still is the most amazing instant cast spell there is (It sure is purty too!), but it has no place in rotations anymore.
So after going and making a hodgepodge attempt at covering what is important about these changes, my opinion on them, I have some suggestions. One, is that Arcane Barrage when cast increases the duration of the Arcane Blast debuff. This way you can cast your AB and if you have to move suddenly, cast Abarr and then get back into your AB stack. This would have to be on a time limit, otherwise you could keep the debuff on a target all day.
Either that, or make a mini rotation. Give Arcane Barrage increased damage or some other benefit, when you have one stack of the Arcane Blast debuff. This is not so great as the idea I just had above which I just thought of on the spot (Go me), but could possibly work. You know what else would work? Having Arcane Barrage with one stack of AB refresh Slow on the target.
Enough, I have to stop now or I will continue to babble out ingenious ideas for free. I should be charging you all for this! Consider it your birthday and xmas gifts.
-Vinven
Myself being a fully devoted Arcane Mage, and owning a blog, it comes to my responsibility to enlighten all on my views. All in all, I think we went two steps forward and one step back. One great leap forward for standing still (How is that possible? Magic, bitches.), in that you get to stand still even longer (Yay!) and do supposedly more dps and save more mana (Again, magic.).
It is however quite a standstill (Yes, I went there.) for those in need to move, such as when a Death Knight is on your rear (quite literally). As well, there are many PvE encounters that need either minor movement (void zones), or to move most of the fight. Since you now have so little cushion time, expect to have your dps gashed. But wait, there's Arcane Barrage!
Now don't expect me to do any math, because I'm not one of those types. I just mash my big ol PWN buttons (I macrod all my buttons) and see the fireworks as a Warlock dies. However, Arcane Barrage has went from being THE rotation, to being something you only cast if you want to lose DPS. It still is the most amazing instant cast spell there is (It sure is purty too!), but it has no place in rotations anymore.
So after going and making a hodgepodge attempt at covering what is important about these changes, my opinion on them, I have some suggestions. One, is that Arcane Barrage when cast increases the duration of the Arcane Blast debuff. This way you can cast your AB and if you have to move suddenly, cast Abarr and then get back into your AB stack. This would have to be on a time limit, otherwise you could keep the debuff on a target all day.
Either that, or make a mini rotation. Give Arcane Barrage increased damage or some other benefit, when you have one stack of the Arcane Blast debuff. This is not so great as the idea I just had above which I just thought of on the spot (Go me), but could possibly work. You know what else would work? Having Arcane Barrage with one stack of AB refresh Slow on the target.
Enough, I have to stop now or I will continue to babble out ingenious ideas for free. I should be charging you all for this! Consider it your birthday and xmas gifts.
-Vinven
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Class Difference.
Currently, I play an Arcane Mage. It is quite fun as I get to shoot purple arcaney fireworks at people. My rotation is fairly simple but can be based off several variables. Now I originally started with an Elemental Troll Shaman, and still have the char. Problem is when I started shooting bolts of lightning, I realized I was just playing a not as awesome version of my Mage.
Besides different spell icons and graphics, it's mostly the same feel to me. I figure if I am going to be shooting anything from my hands, it might as well be arcane goodness. This is why I respec'd my Shaman enhancement. Not every caster class is the same I understand, but it seems that the game is trying to move forward to everyone being the same.
I'm currently leveling a Troll Priest (female, shadow), and this class has some uniqueness to it. It has dots, some dd, some channeled spells, it seems pretty diverse for a 'hybrid' class. Of course it is not quite as unique as it used to be. No one really needs a shadow priest for anything but their dps, in a world (of warcraft) filled with everyone being dps.
How do you give a class unique-ness then, without making it so that they are near mandatory? Perhaps some unique mechanics? One example, is Warlocks. They use an additional resource system (soul shards), are a pet class (one out of two in the game), and add something to the raid that can assist in making them wanted (healthstones, soulstones, summoning).
I realize now that I went from how nuking feels the same on most classes, to how each class should have something that makes them wanted in raids. My next post will be concentrated, I swear!
Besides different spell icons and graphics, it's mostly the same feel to me. I figure if I am going to be shooting anything from my hands, it might as well be arcane goodness. This is why I respec'd my Shaman enhancement. Not every caster class is the same I understand, but it seems that the game is trying to move forward to everyone being the same.
I'm currently leveling a Troll Priest (female, shadow), and this class has some uniqueness to it. It has dots, some dd, some channeled spells, it seems pretty diverse for a 'hybrid' class. Of course it is not quite as unique as it used to be. No one really needs a shadow priest for anything but their dps, in a world (of warcraft) filled with everyone being dps.
How do you give a class unique-ness then, without making it so that they are near mandatory? Perhaps some unique mechanics? One example, is Warlocks. They use an additional resource system (soul shards), are a pet class (one out of two in the game), and add something to the raid that can assist in making them wanted (healthstones, soulstones, summoning).
I realize now that I went from how nuking feels the same on most classes, to how each class should have something that makes them wanted in raids. My next post will be concentrated, I swear!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Class is in session!
There is this new video out (correction, it is a year old), done by a fellow mage that does me proud. It has a cute art style, very humorous, and teaches a valuable lesson. I am hoping the creator continues the series, so I can educate people with them that break sheep in group.
Emergency Kindergarten - Lesson 1, Shapes and Colors
Monday, September 14, 2009
Why skill should be more important than gear.
Just a fair bit of warning, you may find some 'QQ'.
This is what I dislike about WoW.
Order of importance in PvP.
1. Class
2. Gear
3. Skill
What I loved about Planetside, is that it eliminated 2 completely, and 1 for the most part. If you wanted to kill someone, you would have to actually aim your gun and know how to fight. Which brings me to my main idea.
I am going to make an FPS RPG. A game where you must aim, dodge, block, etc all manually via your controls. In this game, everyone is able to access the same gear as everyone else, such as via an equipment console in Planetside. From there though, they can do quests, turn in pvp points, use professions, etc to customize it here and there. That way those that just want to jump in and pvp can, but those that want to spend time to put effort in, can turn out an advantage.
Of course there is always the issue of class balance. In an FPS, everyone is pretty much the same except what gun they are holding. I guess for an example, I would have to look to Team Fortress 2. Sure there can be some percieved imbalances (Demoman, I am looking at you), but all in all the game is enjoyable via all of the classes.
So the game would be an FPS RPG with classes similar to TF2, gear system like Planetside, and combat similar to DDO/FPS's. All with asian MMO (lineage 2, aion) graphics. Yes, that is my game. In it, Mages can fly. Deal with it.
This is what I dislike about WoW.
Order of importance in PvP.
1. Class
2. Gear
3. Skill
What I loved about Planetside, is that it eliminated 2 completely, and 1 for the most part. If you wanted to kill someone, you would have to actually aim your gun and know how to fight. Which brings me to my main idea.
I am going to make an FPS RPG. A game where you must aim, dodge, block, etc all manually via your controls. In this game, everyone is able to access the same gear as everyone else, such as via an equipment console in Planetside. From there though, they can do quests, turn in pvp points, use professions, etc to customize it here and there. That way those that just want to jump in and pvp can, but those that want to spend time to put effort in, can turn out an advantage.
Of course there is always the issue of class balance. In an FPS, everyone is pretty much the same except what gun they are holding. I guess for an example, I would have to look to Team Fortress 2. Sure there can be some percieved imbalances (Demoman, I am looking at you), but all in all the game is enjoyable via all of the classes.
So the game would be an FPS RPG with classes similar to TF2, gear system like Planetside, and combat similar to DDO/FPS's. All with asian MMO (lineage 2, aion) graphics. Yes, that is my game. In it, Mages can fly. Deal with it.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Can you ever go back?
Nostalgia is a cruel mistress, some have said.
Every now and then you look back to games you played in the past, recalling the memories of all the great times you had. You think of perhaps going back, to see if you can recreate that magic.
Don't.
Take my example. I was on Youtube the other day, when I came upon a goodbye to EverQuest video. Of course immediately nostalgia came pouring out in droves, and I went back in my mind to a time when I was a young Dark Elf Rogue, in a little city called Neriak. The experiences I had, the incredibly close friends I made, and me just a budding gamer learning about the world (..of warcraft, not).
Of course I immediately went to the EQ website, and downloaded the free trial. Eventually I got in, and hearing that music while the game loaded was like I was high. I created a Dark Elf Rogue, putting in my stats, customizing my face, and selecting my name. Then I entered the game, and I almost immediately regretted it.
The game looked old, I mean really old. There was a rat with the name "A rat" in big clunky glowing letters, and I just was amazed at how spoiled I've become with the current MMO's. The same thing happened when I tried to play my Kobold Shadowblade in DAOC again. I used to love that guy, killing casters and other rogues by the bucketload. When I logged in, I realized that movement was incredibly slow and choppy, and couldn't circle strafe at all.
I had a few nice little seconds playing EQ again. I looked in my bags and smiled to see my rations, water, and bandages right there like they always were in-game. I realized sadly though, that there was no going back to the good ol times. Even if I was to continue playing, I would not be recreating the magic. It would be a different experience all together, this time with no fresh into the world wonderment.
So please, take my advice. Cherish the wonderful memories of when you lost your MMO virginity, but don't go back. You may enjoy the game for a minute, a day, or even a week, but you will likely never recapture the magic of your first time. It's alright though, there are plenty of new games to experience now and in the future.
Every now and then you look back to games you played in the past, recalling the memories of all the great times you had. You think of perhaps going back, to see if you can recreate that magic.
Don't.
Take my example. I was on Youtube the other day, when I came upon a goodbye to EverQuest video. Of course immediately nostalgia came pouring out in droves, and I went back in my mind to a time when I was a young Dark Elf Rogue, in a little city called Neriak. The experiences I had, the incredibly close friends I made, and me just a budding gamer learning about the world (..of warcraft, not).
Of course I immediately went to the EQ website, and downloaded the free trial. Eventually I got in, and hearing that music while the game loaded was like I was high. I created a Dark Elf Rogue, putting in my stats, customizing my face, and selecting my name. Then I entered the game, and I almost immediately regretted it.
The game looked old, I mean really old. There was a rat with the name "A rat" in big clunky glowing letters, and I just was amazed at how spoiled I've become with the current MMO's. The same thing happened when I tried to play my Kobold Shadowblade in DAOC again. I used to love that guy, killing casters and other rogues by the bucketload. When I logged in, I realized that movement was incredibly slow and choppy, and couldn't circle strafe at all.
I had a few nice little seconds playing EQ again. I looked in my bags and smiled to see my rations, water, and bandages right there like they always were in-game. I realized sadly though, that there was no going back to the good ol times. Even if I was to continue playing, I would not be recreating the magic. It would be a different experience all together, this time with no fresh into the world wonderment.
So please, take my advice. Cherish the wonderful memories of when you lost your MMO virginity, but don't go back. You may enjoy the game for a minute, a day, or even a week, but you will likely never recapture the magic of your first time. It's alright though, there are plenty of new games to experience now and in the future.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Cataclysmic goodness.
Let's see what is going on in WoW, shall we?
With the new World of Warcraft expansion 'The Cataclysm' coming out, (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/) the entire face of Azeroth will be changing. Deathwing comes out (not from the closet) from an elemental plane called Deepholm. Personally, I don't think elemental planes need names besides 'The elemental plane of earth' or whatnot. Apparently, his coming out is quite messy (stop with the jokes), and he causes quite a stir.
Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms are getting a cataclysmic revamp, mostly for two reasons. The first being is for a new leveling experience. Many people will likely roll new alts with the two new races and new race/class combinations. Old-world zones will be redone, which means that they will very likely be introducing new quests and changing old ones. The second reason is that now people will be able to use their flying mounts in Azeroth, thus requiring them to change the tooltips on all flying mounts.
While this seems like some great changes, there is one drawback. There is no going back to the old world, it will be gone forever. Even those without the expansion will be seeing the changed Azeroth. So say goodbye to your favorite spots in the game, as they may be different in the future. It appears many zones will have large gaps in them with lava, for example I hear the barrens is being split in two. Other zones will merely be different, such as a desert area becoming lush with growth (last time I swear).
Myself, I don't really care too much as long as any change to Quel'thalas is for the better. The entire area is pretty much already 'catacylsmed' all over, so some improvement would be nice. I am not too thrilled about any particular part of the expansion. Flying in azeroth will be cool, I will probably make a Worgen and Goblin to play around with. I may even try the barrens again. Besides that, I will just want to level to 85 and resume casual raiding and owning peoples faces.
-Vinven
With the new World of Warcraft expansion 'The Cataclysm' coming out, (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/) the entire face of Azeroth will be changing. Deathwing comes out (not from the closet) from an elemental plane called Deepholm. Personally, I don't think elemental planes need names besides 'The elemental plane of earth' or whatnot. Apparently, his coming out is quite messy (stop with the jokes), and he causes quite a stir.
Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms are getting a cataclysmic revamp, mostly for two reasons. The first being is for a new leveling experience. Many people will likely roll new alts with the two new races and new race/class combinations. Old-world zones will be redone, which means that they will very likely be introducing new quests and changing old ones. The second reason is that now people will be able to use their flying mounts in Azeroth, thus requiring them to change the tooltips on all flying mounts.
While this seems like some great changes, there is one drawback. There is no going back to the old world, it will be gone forever. Even those without the expansion will be seeing the changed Azeroth. So say goodbye to your favorite spots in the game, as they may be different in the future. It appears many zones will have large gaps in them with lava, for example I hear the barrens is being split in two. Other zones will merely be different, such as a desert area becoming lush with growth (last time I swear).
Myself, I don't really care too much as long as any change to Quel'thalas is for the better. The entire area is pretty much already 'catacylsmed' all over, so some improvement would be nice. I am not too thrilled about any particular part of the expansion. Flying in azeroth will be cool, I will probably make a Worgen and Goblin to play around with. I may even try the barrens again. Besides that, I will just want to level to 85 and resume casual raiding and owning peoples faces.
-Vinven
Internets
I now have a blog, myspace, facebook, twitter, and youtube account. You can read all about me and the stuff I like and get your fill of me (sounds kinky). Yay!
Email: Vinven@msn.com.
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/vinven
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Dvinven
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Dvinven
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000291935626&ref=profile
Steam: My steam name is Vinven. You may sometimes catch me on it, typically playing TF2!
Xfire: My xfire name is Vinven. Noticing a trend here? I'm not talking about my overuse of excalamationitory points either! You can find me on it sometimes, playing whatever the h e double hockey sticks I feel like playing at the time. Usually though, playing World of Warcraft.
MSN: Vinven@msn.com is my MSN name, same as my email address.
AIM/ICQ/ETC: I hate AOL it can die in a fire. I have already given you tons of ways to find me and information about me, what more could you possibly want?!!11 I used to have an ICQ at one time, till I realized it was outdated and my name was a string of numbers. I'm sure there are a million other instant messengers, social networking sites, etc, but I'm going mainstream. Don't judge me!
Of course you know where my blog is, because you are here!
Email: Vinven@msn.com.
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/vinven
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Dvinven
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Dvinven
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000291935626&ref=profile
Steam: My steam name is Vinven. You may sometimes catch me on it, typically playing TF2!
Xfire: My xfire name is Vinven. Noticing a trend here? I'm not talking about my overuse of excalamationitory points either! You can find me on it sometimes, playing whatever the h e double hockey sticks I feel like playing at the time. Usually though, playing World of Warcraft.
MSN: Vinven@msn.com is my MSN name, same as my email address.
AIM/ICQ/ETC: I hate AOL it can die in a fire. I have already given you tons of ways to find me and information about me, what more could you possibly want?!!11 I used to have an ICQ at one time, till I realized it was outdated and my name was a string of numbers. I'm sure there are a million other instant messengers, social networking sites, etc, but I'm going mainstream. Don't judge me!
Of course you know where my blog is, because you are here!
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