MongoJerry,Nov 5 2004, 06:37 AM Wrote:OK, I think you and Lochnar are forgetting the unique structure of an on-line based game like this. With this type of game, you can "go gold," print CD's, etc. and yet continue to work on the game and have a game-day patch. Lots of other games have done this. Heck, D2:LoD did that, and that was a "stand-alone" game.
Level 12? I'm sorry, but I have to chuckle a bit. I mean, this is like someone playing D2 for the first time and saying that sorceresses are gimped because they're having a hard time beating Blood Raven. You haven't seen much of the game, yet, and haven't gotten some of the best skills for your class. I can tell you that the rubber-stamp level 60 five-man group for alliance is: warrior, paladin, mage, warlock, priest. Other classes can be subbed in (druid for pally, rogue for mage or warlock, for examples), but that's the default group. There are lots of high-level pally's out there and they are desired for groups. Also, they are considered good PvP'ers. It'll be nice for them to have talents like everyone else, but it's laughable to say they're "gimped." Everyone's "gimped" at level 12.
The idea behind this game is very different from your standard stand-alone games. I know people here know that intellectually, but it seems like people are still thinking in stand-alone mode where every possible feature has to be implemented right at release. There's going to be a large development team creating things after the release. One isn't expected to have everything already in place at release, because there are an infinite number of possible improvements and additions that can be made to the game. The question is, is there plenty of stuff to do to have fun with the game at release, even before all the other stuff gets put into place. The answer right now for me is, yes, there is. Months of gametime play can be devoted to just what is in the game now. It would be nice to have all the PvP system and raid system completely fleshed out before release, but we know that there will be some of that at release, and after that, a lot of post-release development will be devoted to it. Meanwhile, there's a lot of fun to be had with the characters, quests, and instances that are already in place now.
But again, let's temper our discussion until we see the patch that should be coming in the next few days. The next patch is supposed to introduce pally and hunter talents, the first real vestiges of a PvP reward system, the first mini-battleground, the first raid instance, and a lot of revamping of areas and classes. That's a lot of stuff, and no doubt having read that sentence, several of you are probably ready to sound off on how that's not enough time to test everything yadda yadda. But, you know what? Let's just see what comes and keep an open mind about it.
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No. Not eveyone is gimped at level 12. Only Paladins and, to a lesser extent, Hunters. At least Hunters can manage aggro through ranged attacks. Paladins have NO such option! We have NO crowd control. We are GIMPED. Without a group, we can BARELY solo because we can't handle more than two monsters at a time!
I have no fear that as I progress through the levels, things will shape up. I also have no fear that when Talents are introduced, Paladins' powers will climb dramatically overnight. But that doesn't change the FACT that, as it stands right now, Paladins are gimped. :P
In other news, I finally got Resurrection. I LOVED that quest. I almost felt it was a little too short / easy, but it was still fun. I hope they have lots more class / profession-specific quests. It just totally adds to the RP value of the character. Maybe now I'll be able to help in groups more than standing back and healing while someone else takes the punishment (generally a "weaker" class, like a Priest!).
Edit:
I know all about MMOs. I play them all the time these days. I know how they work, and I know how they can be worked on after release. But you CANNOT RELEASE A BROKEN GAME! Imagine releasing D2 without only the first 3 Acts and only 4 out of 5 characters had skills. It's the same exact thing. It doesn't mean JACK that they can patch to eternity after release. That's a given. What is "laughable" is your willingness to bow down and accept a wholly incomplete game that's missing the most BASIC functions!
I'm getting WoW at release, and I'm sure I will enjoy it (how long remains to be seen), but I am not going to stay quiet about a release without Paladin and Hunter talents. THAT is what is laughable.
Roland *The Gunslinger*