Returning to the game, many questions

Anima.

Hi all,

Ok i first bought DAoC years ago, maybe 2 years or more now, can't really remember, I bought the normal version plus the Shrouded Isle's expansion that came with it "bundled", I installed it and after 2 weeks packed it in, I was not impressed at all with the graphics and control system, I didn't really see the PvP system at all, first impressions was not good so I moved on.

Now im at a stage where i find i want a good MMO with a proven PvP system, and almost everywhere i look I hear DAoC has the best PvP system todate, so I do a little reading, find out I can try the game for free. So I reinstalled the game and am currently downloading the catacombs expansion "1.1GB"

I have checked out the new graphics engine, seen pictures and a movie, and I like what I see, now obiously PvP won't come right away, so here are my questions.

1. On which server should I play, I've heard about the TOA expansion killing the game etc, and about the classic server, so would these be a good place to start, also factoring high population servers, nothing worse than running about ingame and not seeing anyone.

2. I want a Melee class, have read a little and like the Albion side, whats a good one for them, Paladin or Armsmen etc?

3. Has the control system been improved, I can't see this in the pictures obviously.

4. Any other advice about now would be great.

5. Oh and what other expansions do I need to get "which are free to download" to make the game better for me to play and give a richer fuller experience.

 

Thx in advance to anyone for answering these questions

JulianDracos

You can get the intro movie and the update on the older areas for more free expansions. 

I find it odd that when you got the Gold Edition you did not like it.  If you got the product around the time it came out it had the best graphics out there.   Maybe when you got it the product was already a year out of date with ToA coming out in which case it graphics would be been below what was available. 

First thing to know, unless you play on the PvP server - the game is not PvP it is RvR.  This means every realm has a huge amount of PvE content for you to level and quest in, and only designated areas to go kill other players. 

You can PvP from level 1 now.  It depends on the server you are on as to if anyone is out there to fight.  Most likely you will find some action around level 5 on the highest pop server. 

The server you play is up to you.  It depends on how much population you want.  I would not worry about ToA so much right now.  If you want a lot of people then for now playing on the Classic servers will be where everyone is at.  My server went from around 800 people down to 400 after the release of those servers.  Many of the older servers are slowly recovering, but for now the classic servers have 3000+ on at most times.

I hate albs, but I know people complain about the armsmen sucking so I would say Paladin would be your best choice. 

Control system?  I have no idea what problems you have had with that.  Outside of adding 3 quickbars and in game maps there is nothing that has changed. 

As for advice, do not judge the game on 2 weeks.  It takes at least a month and if you want to get the best experience of the game then buy the Catacombs expansion so you get the new zones and quests. 

Anima.

Hmm not sure some of the things i put came out right.

Ok I'll try one of the classic servers first, seems most people are happy with those than anything else, I'm assume these servers don't have the ToA expansions, not that im to worried about that atm.

Todo with the game itself, right now i have installed the original and SI pack that came with it "yes when I bought it I think the house addon pack was due to come out, if that gives you any hint on timeframe i got them" so graphics wasn't to great at the time, not with SWG already out setting the standard.

As I said i have those installed, and from the main website I am downloading the Catacombs update which is 1.1GB, I'm assuming this is in fact the expansions within it, which is just like the full 14day freetrial download you can get which is 1.8GB, but obviously I don't need that one as I already have the original.

I'm also hoping I can still use a free trial key to play for 14 days with the install I have now, seeing as I dont have a account atm. All I'm going todo is wait for the download to finish today, install it "patch it" and then run it, hopefully setting up a account then and server/class  to play.

I've read a little more while waiting, and Armsman sounded good, I'm not really into the whole Paladin thing, I also like the Mercenary, dual welding mail wearing guys, sounds fun, I want a melee fighter that can last a bit, but not sure if i want a big old traditional plate wearing tank or not, thats the class i normally play in all games.

Also, why do you hate the Albions? personal choice or enemy players ingame just idiots?

About the control system, well it was very rigid back then, cameral was restricted and generaly it wasnt very free, movement was kinda the way you looked, looking behind you wasn't possible when running, if i remember it correctly, games like SWG and WoW have a much more free and open control system in terms of char mobility and camera angles.

JulianDracos

I believe ToA was out by the time SWG was out. 

As for the camera angles I can only assume you didn't know the commands.  F11 changes views from 1st person to 3rd person to holding the screen in a spot for 3rd person.  Further you have keys where you can look up and down, i think S and X.  D brings your camera view back to normal.  Last you can use ~ and the arrow keys to pan your camera any way you want.  For those that like mouselook hit M on the keyboard and you can use your mouse to look around.  Of course all of these commands can be set to different keys but going to options on your character login screen.  The camera angles have been like this since the game came out.  Since I have played SWG I cannot see any advantage it has in regards to camera angles or movement.   

I hate albs because they are Mythic pet realm.  Catacombs was the first expansion where albion did not get the best of everything.  Albion also tends to not be the nicest realm when you play on them, which comes out more because it is by far the most populated realm.  On most servers, although I do not think it is so on the classic servers, Albion makes up over 50% of the players. 

Mercenary is a popular choice for an ALb tank. 

Doomsayer

I think albion is kinda weak compared to Midgaard and Hybernia tankwise. I mean albions get plate and all, but armsman is very dull, paladins are just endurance chant monkeys, mercs are pretty tough, but they dont wear plate, reavers are cool though, thats a good tank class. I believe as far as for the "interesting to play" thing goes for tanks, Midgaard or Hybernia are better realms to look at.