Thinking Of Switching To Dark Age of Camelot...

Nikoz78

After the disaster of Star Wars Galaxies and the letdown of EverQuest II, I am left feeling like a dog without a home. I have researched all the current and upcoming MMORPG's for two months now and it seems from what I have read/heard that Dark Age of Camelot is the best choice by far. Now I find myself finally thinking seriously about moveing here. I have a few questions I'd like to ask the vet's of the game. I read somewhere that classic servers are available for those who prefer them over the newer rule-set or whatever. Could anyone explain to me in detail what are the pros and cons of each? I am also interested in finding a good server to play on. Role-playing is something I enjoy very much and would certainly like to land on the best RP server the game has to offer, so any help here would be perfect. I am also wondering: does Dark Age of Camelot have a player-set campsite feature for scout types? I enjoyed adventuring deep into the wilds of Star Wars Galaxies and building various-size camp sites where I pleased . It was immersive. Finally, is this a 'sandbox' style MMO? --Respects, Nikoz

Kane

Classic servers, from what I understand, just removed Trials of Atlantis, the PvE expansion. In manys opinion, a bad expansion for an RvR based game (though that can be argued since you can't gain levels in RvR). Role Playing wise, I have yet to find a great RP community in the game. Nothing horrid, just nothing active. Their is ZERO player construction of the world. All is set in stone with the exception of the battlegrounds/frontier where you can take control of towers and whatnot. This is NOT a sandbox MMO. It is, at its heart, an EQ clone with a very good tacked on PvP system. I recently (today) came back to see what changed have been implemented. They are numerous and good. The grind is much less and the quests involve you in an actual plot now. Have yet to try the new RvR, but that is more for the end game.  I would love to see a game with DAoCs setting and a sandbox environment. It does, however, have great atmosphere, common gameplay, but engaging PvP.

Elnator

Classic Server is best choice for someone brand new to the game.  There isn't as much to learn because TOA isn't on it and neither are the Master Levels.  So you can level up and enjoy everything there is to the game except that expansion then, if you feel you need MORE *pve* content then you can try a toon on a 'normal' server to see if you like TOA.

That's just my opinion.

If you decide to go with a "Classic Server" then I recommend Gareth.

Welcome to DAOC   It really is the best thing currently available.  Personally I think it's the only currently available MMO worth playing. 

JulianDracos

1.  This is not a sanbox style game.  There is no large amount of land masses filled with homes/buisness/player run towns.  The only thing you can do is build a house in housing zones.  No need to be forced to watch some dancing wookie.  None of that stuff is in DAOC.  It is not exactly an EQ clone.  At first they were very similar.  One of the first reviews of DAOC said, "it is like EQ but they fixed everything wrong with EQ."  Or something like that.  Of course in the 3rd expnasion, someone, who I really hope is fired and never has a job again, released an expansion for the game like an EQ expansion thus pissing off the 50%+ of the player base that left EQ.

2.  That leads to the difference between Classic and regular servers.  The Classic server is the same game, but with 3 changes.  The first change is that it remove the Trial of Atlantis expansion. The second change is restrictions on the distance buffs will work.  On the regular server buffs will stay with you.  Last, you do not get free level 20's on this server.

3.  Role-playing you will not find on the Classic servers, nor will you find them on the regular servers.  There are 3 servers that allow for role-playing.  The servers have the same content and rules as the regular servers, but the role-playing servers have name restrictions and rpg chat filters.  So people will not see lfg, instead they will see something like looking for group.  If RP is what you are looking for, then you should play here.

4.  I have no idea about the question you asked about scouting because I do not understand what you are asking about.

The pros/cons of the server types. If you play on the Classic servers there is less PvE content.  You will find a lot more people below level 20 to group with.  It is a more casual enviroment.  The bad side is that you are far more dependent on finding a group with a healer.  In my opinion, the newer servers have a worse community than the older established communities.  People tend to do more TD (instances) than on the regular servers.  Leveling will take longer at high levels (you will be missing out on a lot of added abilities from ToA).  RvR will be different.  For example, casters die a lot more often.  Archers are truly the dominate class to play on Classic servers. 

On the regular servers, there is more PvE content - a lot more.  Money is quicker/easier to come by.  People are more likely to twink you out.  Leveling at high levels is a lot easier.  People level outside of TD more often (I said more, but still the TD are very popular on both).  The ToA additions to RvR will make it a different experience.  The population on the regular server is more balanced than you will find on the Classic servers.  The community is better on the classic servers.  The normal servers are "clustered."  This means that there are 4-5 normal server all sharing the RvR zones and a couple other zones.  The rest of the zones are seperate.  You can teleport between the different servers to group.  This makes those servers seem more empty.  It also means you might have to TP to another server to group.  On the upside it makes doing ToA a lot easier because there are now 4-5 ToA areas for people to go to thus making it easier to do things.  The downside is the ToA is a boring expansion unless you love hours of raiding which has to be the more boring content type ever added to a game.  You will need ToA abilities and items in order to compete in RvR.  Finding people below 20 to group with will be harder.  Even after 20 finding a group will be more difficult than the Classic servers because of lack of people leveling and power leveling.

Since you like RP, I would suggest you go to the largest RP server and start there.  I think it is Guinivere.  I believe that Mid is the dominate realm on that server and Hib is in last place.  Not positive on that since I do not play there, but I think that is the current state on that cluster. 

Echani

Most of your questions have been answered previously but as an MMORPG'r with some experience in SWG, EQ, and too many other games I may be able to address your specific questions about SWG vs. DAoC.

1.  This game is class based unlike SWG so it's not as adaptable.  Not necessarily bad since my experience is that even in Skills based games people find a good template and everyone follows thoes anyways.

2.  As people have said this game is not Sandbox style.  There are many things to do and create in the game, but they are all rigidly defined.  Crafters have been and will continue to be (IMO) getting more things to make for the world but these are still going to be rigidly defined.

3.  There isn't any class that really gets to create a camp like you would find in SWG.  Recently there has been a campfire intrduced that aids in recuperation of pools but that is about it.  I thought this was a pretty cool addition to the game as I also loved my CH/Scout back in my SWG Days.

Hope these posts help.  If it is any help in deciding to come on over to DAoC I can say that it is the best MMORPG for me.  I enjoy PvP as well as a touch of PvE and I love crafting. 

Unknown

one thing you should know, that the other people did not mention, if you're going to play DAOC then you must consider this, everyone is a veteran, and are capable of leveling up their own characters, which means you will not find any groups to hang up with, not anymore.

so basically if you want to avoid this, you might as well roll a class which can solo very very well, and also make a buffbot account too ( 2 accounts ).

but unless you make a vampiir in hibernia you won't need a buffbot, and that class is a very good solo class and leveling up class, very strong and such.

an animist, also in hibernia is a very good solo class, with or without a bot, the necromancer is also ( albion class )  a good class to solo with, good in rvr too, but better with a bot, you also have the midgard berserker or savage, or the theurgist of albion.

alot of good classes, but i suggest you make a class with a pet, or a very good dmg dealing class with a bot.

my combo in hibernia was an enchanter + druid + mentalist, with this combo you will never need anyone else, and forget about not beable to do anything, you can take down few of the most powerfil raid mobs with this combo, and farm higher level mobs, purples to you, with easiness, but this one requires 3 accounts unless you get to know a mentalist.

Nikoz78

Thank's to everyone who posted replies!! It's everything I wanted to know. I am going to switch to Dark Age of Camelot soon!! I especially like the player-housing system in-game. A garden? That is neat. Plus the horses look real, unlike the lame cartoon ones in EverQuest II. Overall, this sounds like a awesome game. I wonder if Warhammer will be like this one? Thanks again everyone for all the information! --  Respects, Nikoz

Nikoz78

Well, I just did it - I left EQII in the dust. It's just a (bad) memory now, heh. I have my sights on Vanguad, simply because it's the ultimate MMORPG ever IMO (even if it does not have RVR-type gameplay). After SWG went to CU, I quit. Played EQII, hated it. Decided to go back to SWG even though the skill-based system was gone... the NGE was a serious shock. SOE = Idiots. I refuse to play WOW because I am not a trendy kinda dude (no offence). So I was left without a home /sob. DAoC is a great game!! I may even continue to play it after Vanguard goes live (or I get into beta). Love the realistic character modles., et al. Too much to list.

Ashkent

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Originally posted by Nikoz78
Well, I just did it - I left EQII in the dust. It's just a (bad) memory now, heh. I have my sights on Vanguad, simply because it's the ultimate MMORPG ever IMO (even if it does not have RVR-type gameplay). After SWG went to CU, I quit. Played EQII, hated it. Decided to go back to SWG even though the skill-based system was gone... the NGE was a serious shock. SOE = Idiots. I refuse to play WOW because I am not a trendy kinda dude (no offence). So I was left without a home /sob. DAoC is a great game!! I may even continue to play it after Vanguard goes live (or I get into beta). Love the realistic character modles., et al. Too much to list.

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lol, you won't play wow because thats the trendy thing to do? isn't not liking or not doing something because its trendy its own trend? man, some people need to grow up.

Fenrir767

WoW is trendy and crap. Its all raiding so staying away from it is a good call.

Nikoz78

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Originally posted by Ashkent

 isn't not liking or not doing something because its trendy its own trend? man, some people need to grow up.

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Aye, but isn't it also trendy to go ahead and do something because it's ALSO trendy to not do something because it's trendy? Geek. Grow up? I DON'T WANNA!!!

Lasraik

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Originally posted by Fenrir767
WoW is trendy and crap. Its all raiding so staying away from it is a good call.

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I agree