New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 12:39 AM CDT
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Well my friend finally got curious enough to try the game he always sees me playing so tonight I help him set up his account and get him rolling. Get him to spend his tdps join a guild and steal him a chain shirt and a few weapons to start out with.

Now we head into ship rats and he kills the first couple no problem. Now two come in at once and start attacking him. Eventually I see him start to run and I kinda laugh to myself. I remember getting beat on while prone way back when and being completely fine.

Then I see him collapse and go into shock from the light hits RATS are landing on him.

So I run him to the puff guild and get him healed and we head back. I sit hiding with my longbow sniping when a second rat comes in. Well, him fighting the one rat and he nearly goes down again.

I know its gotta be the new combat changes, any chance of them being tweaked to be more noob friendly?

~Birkan Featherhands teh Drunken Prydaen
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 12:59 AM CDT
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> I know its gotta be the new combat changes, any chance of them being tweaked to be more noob friendly?

We're working on it. Hopefully things should be a bit better for newcomers over the next few days.


- GM Dartenian

"You ain't seen nothin' yet!" - Al Jolson

LiveJournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/dartenian/
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 01:44 AM CDT
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Ah, good. Was kinda worried there for a bit, just really shocked me that rats almost killed him.

Rats used to like never kill anyone heh.


~Birkan Featherhands teh Drunken Prydaen
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 02:41 AM CDT
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i don't know about that when i first started playing as deathsblade back in '97 rats almost killed me several times.. in fact i thing they did once


--
Treat empaths with respect, you'll live longer
--
let us paint you a picture with our words
--
http://blog.myspace.com/57223313
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 06:03 AM CDT
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Depends on the guild, non combat oriented guilds always had a harder time in rats, when I rolled up a moonie for the first time around 6 or so years ago he was getting beat up pretty badly, yet with my warrior mage 9+ years ago or when I made catullus 7 years ago rats were like insects to them.


Executioner Catullus
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 06:28 AM CDT
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Back in the day I wouldn't ever bother with rats with a newbie Barb or Ranger. Right ot goblins.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 07:18 AM CDT
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Yeah that was my point hence the part about them being like insects.


Executioner Catullus
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 09:46 AM CDT
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It seems people have been mentioning that shield and other armor must be learned first, then evasion can be learned, then parry. I don't know anything about that, rats taught me awesome... uh.. I guess it was 2.5 months ago? If Axillus is in Realms when said adventurer is hunting, I'd be happy to give him/her a SW. Oh yeah, by the way, I really like black rat hunting area in the farmhouse better than shipyard rats, you just have to watch out for the silverfish. The area's much less inhabited. When there's only 1 fighter in there, I think there's a 2 rat spawn, but since that includes through the odd door, which used to just be door, and down the ladder, getting 2 on you can be pretty controlled. Tell your friend AIM's MJdaSober1 if he/she wants some Swirling Winds action. I'll be around a fair amount this weekend.


Axillus - Halfling Warrior Mage
If I knew the way I would take you home
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 09:54 AM CDT
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>2.5 months ago

Wouldn't have been a problem then, combat has changed since. It will be fixed soon.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 10:02 AM CDT
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>Wouldn't have been a problem then, combat has changed since. It will be fixed soon

I know, I was just givin' a point of referance. :)


Axillus - Halfling Warrior Mage
If I knew the way I would take you home
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 02:33 PM CDT
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At least the guy didn't quit. I say leave it like it is to weed out the bad ones that try to play the game. If they're spoiled in the beginning then it'll just lead to more problems later on, especially dealing with other players. When I very first played I got killed by goblins and firecats when I did some exploring. Ever since then I decided to get revenge on them when I got stronger, not dislike the game and quit.

Of course Simu would never agree since new players = more money, regardless if they're whiny or not.


Vinjince




"There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die."

- Sima Yi
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 04:05 PM CDT
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>>At least the guy didn't quit. I say leave it like it is to weed out the bad ones that try to play the game

I disagree. Most people that try this game come from a visual game world with lots of whiz bangs to tell them whats going on. Textually its harder to catch on and know what differents wounds represents, people are used to hit points not mangled left arms. There is so much to adapt to that its better to have a "training" zone. DR could always use new life blood in the community not just an increasing number of Alts.

Without mentor...

If they bleed, will they know to tend?
If they get infected (if they even noticed) will they know they need an empath?
If they fall will they even know to stand?
Do they know that balance matters?
Do they know that they need two layers of defense?
Do they know that if they want to use a shield they need to adjust their stance?
Do they know what kinda coins they have? Did they deposit them?
If they die do they know they lose those coins?
How to earn money right out of the gate?
(And a million other things)

All of these things take time to learn and get used to.

Dragonrealms has great depth, but also comes with a steep steep steep learning curve.
(Compared to other games)

Player of Gilart and Olatio
Everything written by this poster is non-guaranteed, use or accept at your own risk. All information is accessed from posters limited brain power unless log is provided.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/13/2007 07:05 PM CDT
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>Gilart's post

Yup, I agree with you. When I first started on AOL we were all noobs and you could be OOC without fear of THUMP. So you'd just go to the bank and ask how to do stuff ;) The easier they make it, the better for the game. What Vinjince talks about is important to me as well, but not for newbies. We need to hold their hand at the beginning. It's not like we're telling them how to forge, how to enchant or how to do triage during a war.

Had I started now, died in rats, and departed with death scars into the crazy confusing temple... forget it!

-Ghodbane
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 12:14 AM CDT
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<<At least the guy didn't quit. I say leave it like it is to weed out the bad ones that try to play the game.>>

Yeah, hes sticking to it and slowly but surely hes getting the hang of it.

Was pretty funny, he sliced a rat in half and IMs me saying "I think I'm gonna like this game"

Just glad i'm gonna be on the mainland a bit so I can help him out.

~Birkan Featherhands teh Drunken Prydaen
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 01:31 AM CDT
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I inadvertently removed a bonus to parry for low skills and I put it back in earlier today. Let me know how things go now.

-Ssra


"I just wish it could be cast indoors. Aren't spell restrictions a moon mage thing?" -Sephos
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 09:49 AM CDT
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>>All of these things take time to learn and get used to.

Maybe it was just me, but I pretty much learned everything easily. The problem is when people "hold their hand", the noobs get used to that and can't take certain situations. I've met a few people that joined and didn't hold their hands and they've turned out to be tougher from it.

If you think DR has a steep learning curve then you've got to play a lot of other games. Don't mistake the difficulty of learning it with how much there is to learn.


Vinjince




"There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die."

- Sima Yi
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 09:51 AM CDT
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Oh, and just to be clear, I think it's perfectly fine to help them when they need it. Give them weapons, directions, etc...

But when you're practically their shadows and leading them through everything like they're a 5 yr old kid (including conflictual situations) then that's when they don't "grow up" right.


Vinjince




"There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die."

- Sima Yi
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 05:34 PM CDT
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>>If you think DR has a steep learning curve then you've got to play a lot of other games.

Thanks for taking the time to make a personal slight.

However, I have played a lot of games. I have roommates that are game fanatics, I have friends who design games (and gainfully employed doing so) that don't immediately grasp DR. Not so much conceptually but winning in the fine art of "syntax".

Yes when I help young ones I encourage them to try then ask. But if its simply a matter of syntax then I just give the answer, I don't play this game nor does most of the people here play it to "figure out syntax".

I am sorry you have had bad experiences with the young characters and feel helping them is a crutch.

Player of Gilart and Olatio
Everything written by this poster is non-guaranteed, use or accept at your own risk. All information is accessed from posters limited brain power unless log is provided.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 05:39 PM CDT
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Newbies could all use some help with the whole concept of ranks, circles, and TDPs.

DR is pretty removed from almost every game. The experience concept is simple enough but it's so drastically different that a little OOC explanation often helps.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 07:13 PM CDT
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Not sure if it was the parry fix or not because his skills have increased but he told me hes not getting hit and can take three rats at once now.

~Birkan Featherhands teh Drunken Prydaen
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/14/2007 07:22 PM CDT
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had a new Barb out of the CG today, about three hours ago...

Had to shield and evasion it. Parry did not cut it until evasion came up.

Wasn't a big deal, he wasn't dieing, but parry wasn't getting it done.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/16/2007 07:43 AM CDT
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<<Yup, I agree with you. When I first started on AOL we were all noobs and you could be OOC without fear of THUMP. So you'd just go to the bank and ask how to do stuff ;) The easier they make it, the better for the game. What Vinjince talks about is important to me as well, but not for newbies. We need to hold their hand at the beginning. It's not like we're telling them how to forge, how to enchant or how to do triage during a war.

<<Had I started now, died in rats, and departed with death scars into the crazy confusing temple... forget it!

<<-Ghodbane

Three days old, but I have to reply. The easier the game is, the poorer the game is. I didn't know that even needs to be said. I disliked the Mentor system when it came out, still do. Anyone who thinks dying in rats would make them give up, they need to give up.....hint.....hint.


<<As if there wasn't enough to allow ranged users to escape melee.
If they're at melee that's a good 8 seconds or so you get free attacks on them. If you can't hurt or kill them in that time, you probably should just reroll or something. -Ssra
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/16/2007 08:16 AM CDT
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>The easier the game is, the poorer the game is. I didn't know that even needs to be said.

Uh, wow. Can you say that with a straight face?
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/16/2007 02:41 PM CDT
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I don't have a problem with helping noobs and making things easier for them. But I do firmly believe that they need to learn how it is to die, and get used to it.


Vinjince




"There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die."

- Sima Yi
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/16/2007 04:38 PM CDT
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>>If they're at melee that's a good 8 seconds or so you get free attacks on them. If you can't hurt or kill them in that time, you probably should just reroll or something.

Really? Let's do the math.
Retreat twice as fast as the system accepts your command: 2 seconds
Hide.. 0 seconds they are in hiding.

>>Anyone who thinks dying in rats would make them give up, they need to give up.....hint.....hint.

Way to be a cool guy elitist.


Player of Gilart and Olatio
Everything written by this poster is non-guaranteed, use or accept at your own risk. All information is accessed from posters limited brain power unless log is provided.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/16/2007 04:49 PM CDT
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>Retreat twice as fast as the system accepts your command: 2 seconds

You're aware that that is Ssra talking about FLEE, right? That's where the 8 seconds came from.

-Durnil
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/16/2007 04:53 PM CDT
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LOL he tried to crack on Ssra ahahahahaha


~Arwinia

You are Shrimpstar, a Prydaen Bard.
You have pointed ears and cat-slitted clear colored eyes. Your amber mane is short and thick, and is worn tousled. You have grey fur and a slender tail.
You look tired.

You are wearing nothing special.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/16/2007 05:02 PM CDT
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>>You're aware that that is Ssra talking about FLEE, right? That's where the 8 seconds came from.

Nope. Comments retracted.

>>LOL he tried to crack on Ssra ahahahahaha

Yep, failed.


Player of Gilart and Olatio
Everything written by this poster is non-guaranteed, use or accept at your own risk. All information is accessed from posters limited brain power unless log is provided.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/17/2007 12:22 AM CDT
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>The easier the game is, the poorer the game is.

Yes, overly complicating something makes it inifintely better especially when its first introduced. I guess thats why hoola hoops and slinkies became popular.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/17/2007 10:00 AM CDT
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>>The easier the game is, the poorer the game is.

A game should be easy to learn, but hard to master.

The concept of learning curves is that they should be sloped in such a way that you can climb them and get to the point where the game is fun and challenging quickly.

A learning wall does no such thing. It just stops people.

~Kashik
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/17/2007 07:59 PM CDT
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>A game should be easy to learn, but hard to master.

Like Othello? A minute to learn, a lifetime to master.

-Vision et al



Also, I can shoot bees.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/18/2007 04:05 AM CDT
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<<Anyone who thinks dying in rats would make them give up, they need to give up.....hint.....hint.>>

My complaint was that he couldn't dance with two rats (the easiest creature in the game) Even first starting out 2 of the easiest monster in the game shouldn't be killing you. (because you'd need 2 to learn multi)

I could understand if there was a swarm on him but getting beat down from 2 dosen't make much sense to me.

~Birkan Featherhands teh Drunken Prydaen
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/18/2007 04:33 AM CDT
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>(because you'd need 2 to learn multi)

Not true, but the complaint was still valid.
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/18/2007 10:41 AM CDT
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at zero (or maybe sub 10) ranks, a single rat will teach you MO.


Legendary Bard Mibe Oyiee, Dead Eye of Elanthia
~ You know I could always put it back to the old roundtimes...
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/18/2007 12:20 PM CDT
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Hah, I was completely unaware of that, I had never noticed it (haven't made a new character in a loooong time)

Then I suppose if you can dance with one fine (which I believe he was doing) then my complaint is invalid.

~Birkan Featherhands teh Drunken Prydaen
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Re: New combats and Noobs on 04/18/2007 03:09 PM CDT
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I've found that a single anything will teach MO below 32 ranks. I tested rats, hogs, frogs, pots, and badgers.

~Ranger Hanryu, Sword of House Calibanor
Keeper of the CEC
http://www.kynevon.info/CombatEquipmentCompendium.xls
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