LF skill based MMORPG

rpazer · November 2007

I'm looking for a medieval mmorpg that is skill based instead of leveling based. I like Ultima Online when it first came out but its not what it was anymore. I know darkfall is going to be skill based but from what i saw its taking the devs a long time to even come out with a beta stage. I'm kind of anticipating AoC or Warhammer, but both of those I think are level based. So are there any other games out there that I should be looking at?

nonesuch2 · November 2007

Planetside is probably as close as you can get to what your looking for, because its an MMOFPS with plenty of RPG elements. Anyone can kill anyone, you really only get some new abilities/weapons the more you play so no one has a huge advantage over anyone else.

Saikron · November 2007

Ultima Online is still your best bet. You might want to look into free servers set in the classic eras of UO. UOGamers has what I still consider the best MMO PvP out there. Any other MMOs PvP is going to be heavily item based (like retail UO's became and UOGamers is in some ways) and/or heavily level based.

Guild Wars had its go with some of the most well balanced PvP where levels and items had little to no impact on the outcomes of games, but since the expansions most of the PvP community has moved on to other games.

Don't take your eyes off of AoC and Warhammer too early. If their item library is balanced (meaning the most effective items are easily attainable) and the level system is extremely fast or a non-factor in PvP, they still have a hope of coming close to what UO pvprs like you and me fell in love with.

Jaldren · November 2007

tried project entropia?

note: this game is completely different from what you may have seen elsewhere, so give it some time, learning the different skills and professions

do NOT leave it before you invested at least 2-3 days.

also, as it may seem free, i suggest to put in 10-25$ to have something to start with (you can get them back if you dont like the game, so dont worry)

Droch · November 2007

You seem to be looking at the same 3 games I am: Darkfall, WAR, and AoC. I also prefer skill-based systems, but class/level systems aren't too bad if leveling is really easy (or hard enough that most people never max) or when increasing levels is more about increasing versatility than power. AoC seems like it will have a dynamic combat system and will depend heavily on player skill. Perhaps it will be like an FPS where better gear (or gear and levels in an RPG) will be a definite advantage, but where skill and tactics can still win.

Also, I agree that the item libraries of AoC and WAR will likely be a factor in whether I decide to play these games or not. I play the game to develop my character and have fun, not to grind for items just so that I can compete. Good equipment should be fairly easy to come by (I suggest player-crafted items) and should build upon the toon instead of defining it.

Darkfall...well it simply looks amazing if it can deliver. It's skill based, and with full looting we know it won't be a heavily item-oriented game. And if someone does happen to have a powerful item, eventually someone will kill them and take it.