11-29-2004, 07:24 PM
Here are some of my general thoughts on the gameplay experience since starting last Wednesday with a NE Hunter:
1. I have not put in much effort on this, but it seems to me that quality groups are difficult to assemble. This might be due to a lack of incentive at the early stages of the game to form groups. For most quests, I have had no trouble finishing on my own. This might not have been true if the server had fewer people around. As it is right now (i.e., crowded), most areas are reasonably safe for travel, even if a character is slightly below the level of the mobs nearby.
2. Level disparity is a huge factor - maybe even too much of a factor - in deciding the outcome of battles. A level 12 character would have a challenging time defeating a level 13 mob; the fight is winnable, but the level 12 character would certainly have significantly reduced life afterwards. In contrast, a level 14 character could engage the same mob with very little challenge. I think that the level disparity could be smoothed out somewhat so it is not so jarring.
3. Combat, from my experience so far, has involved almost no strategy. In every instance that I can think of, the outcome of a fight can be predicted before the beginning. If you are damaging the mob faster than you are taking damage, then you will win. If the reverse, you will lose. There is very little that you can do during the course of combat to change the outcome. I realize that this might be different in later stages of the game, especially if group play is involved. However, so far, it has not been much more than click and wait for the mob to die (or run if the mob does not die fast enough).
4. I have really appreciated the guild so far, even though I have not partied with anyone (guiild or otherwise) yet. It is z useful channel of distributing spare resources, and I imagine that this will only be more true as characters become more specialized with trade skills.
5. Is it too early to start thinking of a tabard?
1. I have not put in much effort on this, but it seems to me that quality groups are difficult to assemble. This might be due to a lack of incentive at the early stages of the game to form groups. For most quests, I have had no trouble finishing on my own. This might not have been true if the server had fewer people around. As it is right now (i.e., crowded), most areas are reasonably safe for travel, even if a character is slightly below the level of the mobs nearby.
2. Level disparity is a huge factor - maybe even too much of a factor - in deciding the outcome of battles. A level 12 character would have a challenging time defeating a level 13 mob; the fight is winnable, but the level 12 character would certainly have significantly reduced life afterwards. In contrast, a level 14 character could engage the same mob with very little challenge. I think that the level disparity could be smoothed out somewhat so it is not so jarring.
3. Combat, from my experience so far, has involved almost no strategy. In every instance that I can think of, the outcome of a fight can be predicted before the beginning. If you are damaging the mob faster than you are taking damage, then you will win. If the reverse, you will lose. There is very little that you can do during the course of combat to change the outcome. I realize that this might be different in later stages of the game, especially if group play is involved. However, so far, it has not been much more than click and wait for the mob to die (or run if the mob does not die fast enough).
4. I have really appreciated the guild so far, even though I have not partied with anyone (guiild or otherwise) yet. It is z useful channel of distributing spare resources, and I imagine that this will only be more true as characters become more specialized with trade skills.
5. Is it too early to start thinking of a tabard?