A Guide to Mages comment thread

[Bolty]

While I'm sure that the guide can be cut some, I would suggest that the tool be a scalpel and not a machete.  I think the reader that would more likely fit the Lurker model would be the one that would read through a long guide pulling out every bit of info they can.  I don't believe that a Lurker Guide™ should be dumbed down to meet some internet lowest common denominator.  I would imagine players referring the guide to others would comment, "It's a long read but well worth it."
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I'm with Lochnar on this one. Length of guide has never been a real problem at this site - see Sirian's Fire Skills Guide as an example. The LL doesn't cater to the average Internet rules of "keeping interest" that are a staple at commercial sites and basic journalism standards like ESPN or MSN. Let's face it, if you're here it's because you want more than just a character build description - you want to know how the game WORKS. And if an article or guide takes half an hour to read, you'll read it - because if you just wanted a short synapsis, you'd be at some other site!

At the same time, Mongo's right in that if the guide reads like a physics textbook, it could be improved to make it more interesting. But I know when I read a guide, I want to know everything - every little tweak, bug, tactic, and concept. If it takes 10 pages on this site to do it, no problem! Guides can be long AND interesting. I read Skan's original thread from start to finish and was fascinated by all the changes in the class since I last played it.

Never sacrifice depth for an easier read. But then again, putting humor and other tidbits into a guide can make any length a joy to peruse. Ok, see, I'm rambling - not being concise! :)

-Bolty