Some Questions Before I Take the Plunge

Cypt1

Hey there!

I originally thought that the concept of DDO was absolutely amazing; however, I just couldn't leave my guild/friends in WoW/SWG, but I've finally purged myself of those games for good over the last few months (doesn't matter WHY - I'm just sick of them), and now I'm playing Tabula Rasa, and LOVING it, but I typically play two MMOs concurrently, and I've heard that DDO has received many improvements since I last checked it out, which was well over a year ago (I think some outdoor tropical/jungle-type area was being added at that point?).

I was browsing over the official website, but I have some very specific questions that I'd like to address since there's currently no trial available (due to Module 8, I'm assuming).  I couldn't find a comprehensive list of what content has been addded in chronological order, so if anyone could point me in that location, I would appreciate it.

All right; now, on to the questions:

 

1. I heard that raiding was added in since I last played. How does this impact non-raiders in terms of gear progression, etc.? Is the gap (gear-wise) between raiders and non-raiders as drastic as let's say... WoW was pre-TBC? (It was a HUGE difference as far as gear-quality goes, for anyone who hasn't played WoW.) I ask because I don't intend to raid, which is why I left WoW to begin with.

 

2.  I heard that the character creation process is being revamped to facilitate the process for new players. I understand that the Drow race was added as an unlockable race, and that the Monk class is now avaialble. Are there plans for any new races or classes? And are there any new character appearance options (hairstyles, faces, etc.)? (I was slightly underwhelmed by the appearance choices. I wanted different faces to choose from, for example.)

 

3. I've been reading up on the possibility of duoing with a partner, and I'm looking for a serious challenge in this regard, which is why I'm taking a look at DDO more so than other MMOs at this point. Aside from raiding, I understand that a capable duo can take on most of the non-raid content in the game, and this is very appealing to me as I'm sick of the non-challenging, craptastic solo content that 90% of MMOs throw at us these days. Did I place enough emphasis on wanting a CHALLENGE? Yeah, I don't mind dying/learning the game. I want to FEAR death again. In any case, what class combinations would be a wise choice in my case?

 

4. Has any type of guild/player housing been added in yet? If not, are there plans for such a thing?

 

5.  What types of zones exist in the game now? I hear that in addition to the typical underground dungeon romps, outdoor zones have been added as well? I really like the thought of this as I enjoy exploration a great deal.

 

6. What side-activities exist, if any? (Mini-games, collections, title collections, badge collections, etc.). If you've played other MMOs, you'll know what I'm talking about here.

 

7. Hirelings - how will these work? I think that each player can take one hireling along with them? Will these be worth taking as a duo?

 

Thanks in advance.

we3ster

Originally posted by Cypt1


Hey there!
I originally thought that the concept of DDO was absolutely amazing; however, I just couldn't leave my guild/friends in WoW/SWG, but I've finally purged myself of those games for good over the last few months (doesn't matter WHY - I'm just sick of them), and now I'm playing Tabula Rasa, and LOVING it, but I typically play two MMOs concurrently, and I've heard that DDO has received many improvements since I last checked it out, which was well over a year ago (I think some outdoor tropical/jungle-type area was being added at that point?).
I was browsing over the official website, but I have some very specific questions that I'd like to address since there's currently no trial available (due to Module 8, I'm assuming).  I couldn't find a comprehensive list of what content has been addded in chronological order, so if anyone could point me in that location, I would appreciate it.
All right; now, on to the questions:
 
1. I heard that raiding was added in since I last played. How does this impact non-raiders in terms of gear progression, etc.? Is the gap (gear-wise) between raiders and non-raiders as drastic as let's say... WoW was pre-TBC? (It was a HUGE difference as far as gear-quality goes, for anyone who hasn't played WoW.) I ask because I don't intend to raid, which is why I left WoW to begin with.
 
2.  I heard that the character creation process is being revamped to facilitate the process for new players. I understand that the Drow race was added as an unlockable race, and that the Monk class is now avaialble. Are there plans for any new races or classes? And are there any new character appearance options (hairstyles, faces, etc.)? (I was slightly underwhelmed by the appearance choices. I wanted different faces to choose from, for example.)
 
3. I've been reading up on the possibility of duoing with a partner, and I'm looking for a serious challenge in this regard, which is why I'm taking a look at DDO more so than other MMOs at this point. Aside from raiding, I understand that a capable duo can take on most of the non-raid content in the game, and this is very appealing to me as I'm sick of the non-challenging, craptastic solo content that 90% of MMOs throw at us these days. Did I place enoughe emphasis on wanting a CHALLENGE? Yeah, I don't mind dying/learning the game. I want to FEAR death again. In any case, what class combinations would be a wise choice in my case?
 
4. Has any type of guild/player housing been added in yet? If not, are there plans for such a thing?
 
5.  What types of zones exist in the game now? I hear that in addition to the typical underground dungeon romps, outdoor zones have been added as well? I really like the thought of this as I enjoy exploration a great deal.
 
6. What side-activities exist, if any? (Mini-games, collections, title collections, badge collections, etc.). If you've played other MMOs, you'll know what I'm talking about here.
 
7. Hirelings - how will these work? I think that each player can take one hireling along with them? Will these be worth taking as a duo?
 
Thanks in advance.

 

Hi there, I will try to answer your questions the best I can.

 

1)  There are raids and gear attained from raids which would be considered uber to what you pick up in regular quests but I don't see it as 'necassary' to have this gear to do anything in game. I have only done 2 raids in 2 years of playing but don't feel disadvantaged at all. Skill, co-ordination and planning is just as important in DDO I feel.

2) Not sure about appearance changes, such as hairstyles etc. I know you can in LOTRO and since the two games share some mechanics/features, would not rule out this coming across at some stage.

There are plans for Druids, Half Elves, Half Orcs to be introduced next year sometime.

3) You said you wanted a challenge? By god, DDO will give you a challenge!!!! You sound very much like me and my playstyle in that regard!!!! I too don't care about dying and gain immense satisfaction from completing a quest designed for four on my own! DDO has been designed for group play, most dungeons for a group of 4, a well organised, patient duo should have no problems with most of the content. I have soloed a Sorcerer to level 7 and by god, it has been  tough, very tough but soooooo satisfying so far.

4) No housing as of yet. Not sure if there are plans, again, LOTRO either has or is getting this feature, don't be surprised if we do too.

5) Yes, there are many outdoor zones now. They are all quite large and have specific quests and challenges to accomplish. There are explorer quests, where you have to find specific places of interest, kill x amount of monster quests and find the rare monster red named quests. I love the outdoor quests and offer something different from the dungeons. I love the dungeons though!!!!!!!!

6) The collections quests/mini achievements have recently been expanded. They started with collecting various items found on mobs, which when you collected a certain number could be cashed in for various items such as potions, wands and arrows etc. These offer no xp. These are extremely handy when new to the game and have little cash. There are now also bounties which come in two forms, hunt the red named and gather specfic weapons such as 12 kobold warrior spear tips. These offer xp when completed. Once one is done, after a little time, you can collect another bounty to collect different items or hunt another red named. I love these little quests.

7) I CANNOT wait for Hirelings. They are not in game yet and as I am in Europe, will get them later than the US but will share my understanding of them. Each player can hire a hireling. To begin with, I believe you will be able to hire a cleric, barbarian and maybe a fighter. As a duo, you and your partner will be able to double your party size to 4 when needed!!! They stay with you until you leave the dungeon I believe. It seems they will have various characteristics and personalities, so you would not be hiring say a generic barbarian for instance, you will have a choice, say one who is headstrong and rushes around or one who may be cautious and seek to always defend his 'master'. They will have a separate tool bar I understand and you can give them various commands such as defend me, open doors and walk into that trap, so I don't get acid in the face or a blade up the ass!!!!!!!! They will almost definitely be worth taking as a duo!!!!

mindspat

1. Raids aren’t the same as they are in WoW. There are around 10 different raids with 2 of them being attached to an underground raid area. You dont have to raid to enjoy the game and if you do them there are going to be pre-requisites that you’ll need to accomplish first. Some of the raids might take around an hour or more to complete, but there are a few that can be done in about 20 minutes. Having the items from Raids will help you define a character's build although it’s not a necessity.

2. There are plans for a Half Orc although there’s not been a definitive time line given. The Druid is a planned class as well, but I think it also has not been given a time line. There’s suspicion that module 9 might introduce one of these – module 9 is going to raise the level cap to 20 from the current level of 16. Armor, shields and robes might help flesh out an appearance yet the character creation has not received additions – more options then WoW from what I recall.

3. This game is more for you then you realize. There’s a plethora of templates and “flavor of the month” build. Your success is going to be geared towards your playstyle and how well equipped you become.

4. Not yet. This is a major fault with the game and I hope Turbine does something to remedy it.

5. lots! Besides the standard indoor quests, of which there’s a broad variety, there’s at least 8 out door exploration areas filled with mobs and randomly spawning named bosses. These areas are very solo friendly and provide decent exp.

6. Lots and lots of puzzles and traps. Plenty of collections, an entire collectible crafting type of thing, no badges (we don’t need no stink’n badges!) and another type of collectible crafting thing. Crafting really isn’t “crafting”, it’s more like collecting items then using them at special objects, some of which are buried deep in a raid, and it spits out your item. You can create some incredible items.

7. They will work as a means to fill your party. For example, you and your friend are playing and you have 4 spots left, you hire 4 cleric NPCs and they are supposed to assist your party and give heals, buffs, etc. Same for other rolls of fighters, rogues, wizards, etc – they are coming in a couple weeks!

 

 

Mystincloud

1. There are raids and with named loot. With that said, no they are not necessary. There is named loot in non raid questing at all levels.

2. Drow is unlocked at 400 total favor.  There are 9 different types of favor that will unlock different perks. Favor is attained by doing quests for the assigned house or organization. Half-Orcs and Half-Elves will be introduced in Mod 9 along with an increase to level 20. Remember, each level consist of 5 ranks. 4 ranks will increase action points and the 5 rank brings a new level. There is a tenative schedule for Druids to come with Mod 10 but it has not yet been confirmed. The Devs are working on some bugs.

3. In the character generation you will find several "recommend" builds and soloability ratings. You can also go onto the Official DDO forums and request builds from veteran players that fit your playstyle. As for challenges, this game was made for the more mature audience with some of the puzzle and strategy techniques involved. You will not be disappointed. Oh yeah, there is no "go kill X number of whatever" in this game.

4. No guild housing as of yet but the Devs are currently looking at adding it to the game. No scheduled timetable has been given.

5. There are explorer areas for level 1-19 at this time. There is a total of 14 exploring areas ranging from small to large is size. My fave is the desert and the Vale.

6. Crafting has been introduced on a small scale for now and the Devs do plan to make it larger. Basically, in breakables and on dead bodies, you can find collectibles to turn in for wands, arrows, armor, potions, or whatever. The new crafting systems utilizes these collectibles as well. This is not a necessity and some players don't even bother with it while others do.

7. There can be a max of 3 hirelings in a party. But each player can only summon 1 hireling at a time. Not all classes are available. When you summon your hireling, a hotbar will appear with them. For example, you hire a cleric. A hotbar will appear with their spells. You need to be healed? Click on yourself and click on the healing the spell you want your hireling to use and voila, you are healed. If you want the cleric to open a door, click on the door and tell your cleric to open it. If your hitpoints are falling, don't worry, your cleric will heal you when the hp's go below half automatically. If they are near by that is. They will stay with you for 1 hour or until the quest is completed.

I hope this helps you out.