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AoC- Worth it?
Recently, I've quit WAR after going back to it for about two weeks. Wondering why WAR, WoW and Vanguard's free trial all left me annoyed and feeling unfulfilled, I sat down and looked at the similarities between them. The most glaring common flaw is as follows:
Combat is always secretly some turn-based clickfest which masquerades as a real-time combat system. I also get no feel of how much damage I'm dealing aside from piles of numbers floating above someone's head. I'll admit that WAR's slow-burning PVP combat was good fun for a while, though. And then the Witch-Elves came and ganked everything.
Now, the only MMO which I've heard of that has a combat system which is fast, brutal, and, most importantly, real-time, is Age of Conan. The problem: I've heard this said about the combat countless times, and yet no-one's really described it. Is it strictly real-time? Can you decapitate, and thus kill, someone in one hit? How do the combos work? If you have lag, does it kill the PVP completely?
In short, just tell me as much about the game, particularly PVP combat, as you can. A general idea of how strong the PVE, ganking and grouping are would be great too, as well as any unique features that the game has besides the combat. As always, thanks XD.
"Smacking kids doesn't hurt them, kinetic energy does!"- Doctor Tobia
Comments
Ok, let's describe it then.
First of all, the biggest (and best) difference between AoC and all other MMOs I played is that in melee you hit all (non friendly) that your weapon touches. No need to aim, just swing in the right direction and you hit what's there. This is the absolutly best of AoCs combat system and I miss it in all other games.
Secondly: You cannot decapitate someone that you wouldn't kill anyways. Instead you get a nice buff when you finnish of someone.
Third: The combo system works like this... First you press your attack. Then you make the moves that blinks, like left-left-right.. Each move makes some damage and the last one makes most. If you make a wrong move your attack stops.
But not all classes have combos, some works just like they do in other games.
The combat of AoC is a lot faster than WAR but not as fast paced as Guildwars. Blood and guts spray around.
Lagg is bad as in any game, you have a limited time to get that combo in so if you lagg a lot you might not get it in. Usually you get the lagg from having your computer yanked up or from the necros all #¤%& pets.
I however havn't had any lagg problems since 3 months after release or so with the exception of a crappy server patch that took a month to fix once.
I think you should give it a try, it is far from the ultimate MMO combat but the way it handles hits are very good and something we will se more of in the future. It is also a very beutiful game. It do still need a lot more content however.
No it's not worth it and a lot of the stuff above poster said is kind of untrue and flawed.
I played AoC for 8 months, there's still lots of bugs. Everytime they patch a new patch they break more things than they fix which usually ends up taking 10 hours LONGER after an 8 hour patch for a repatch.
The game content is not great. Most quests (about 98%) have no lore behind them, it is pretty much (X person stole Y from me or killed Z so I need you to kill them or something along those lines) There's no real story behind them.
The game can be soloed to max level with ease and you can get powerleveled from a good friend and hit max level going 1-80 in under 48 hours if you know what you are doing. (I had multiple characters at 80 getting power pumped)
End game PvE is next to nothing. There's a few raids but the level cap and game design make the raiding repitituous and boring. Even WoW raiding was quite better.
The game is heavily PvP focused. You will be constantly ganked and camped for hours by little immature kids, well most of the population is immature in that game anyways. You can literally log in and try to do something for 5 hours and get nothing accomplished because of ganking, even if you're in a guild, it doesn't matter people form large groups for the very purpose of GRIEFING people.
Honestly the game sucks and is overrated, and unless you have a computer from NASA, you will not be able to run at max settings in sieges with 90 people next to each other. I have 2 280 GTX in SLI and a quad core with 4 gb ram, and had to run at lowest possible settings in sieges, the game demands a lot and offers not so much.
Thanks. I had some suspicions that the fanbase of this was split between those who think it's quite good but flawed, and those who hate it. Too risky, so I won't bother. Again, thanks.
"Smacking kids doesn't hurt them, kinetic energy does!"- Doctor Tobia
Is AoC worth it? I think it is.
Its a shame that you have given up so quickly just based on on comment. I heard alot of the negative comments. But then I heard alot of the positive feedback that people have been saying. Especially since Craig Morrison has taken over the game. I took the plunge because I like to check things out for myself. Well lets just say that I have been pleasantly surprised. I say give it a try. Besides the game is only around 19.99 so its not like you are losing much.
Hmmm... I see what you mean. But I didn't fully explain myself... I've seen evidence of this split in the player base for about eight months, ever since I started looking at Conan. It seems that, out of those who jump into the game, some love it, and some avsolutely hate it. Still, I could be one of the people who love it, so I see your point. I'll give it a shot. I'll probably end up playing EVE instead, since the only majot issue with it is that it's merciless and insanely difficult; but still, who knows? Until I take the plunge and see which category of the player base I fall into, the answer's certain: not me.
Thanks for the enlightenment.
"Smacking kids doesn't hurt them, kinetic energy does!"- Doctor Tobia
ok time to defend this game.
I have been playing this game for about 3 months now. most people I know that tried this game were instantly hooked. right now more and more people are coming in now that the dolldrums of mmorpgs has set in (WAR, WoW, LotR, all overplayed and boring now... DF is a failure). If you want honest an honest opinion of the game, ask someone who recently joined, not one of the old guys who had to go through AoC's rough times (Q1-Q3 2008) because a lot of them are bitter, unforgiving and spiteful, and will never view the game in a positive light even if funcom were paying them to do so.
I, myself, left WAR for AoC and am enjoying it immensely. the pvp is REALLY hardcore, i was brutalized like hell when i first started but hey, can you really expect to be a master at pvp from day 1? No you can't, at least in this game. God forbid an mmorpg comes around where you actually need to use skill instead of mash buttons all day long (Guild wars is button mashing compared to this game btw). If all else fails, you can take the carebear way out and join a PvE server and only played instanced pvp or pvp in pvp only areas.
Theres no other game that comapred to AoC in terms of intricate pvp combat. Asides from skills and spells, all characters can dodge, block, and stun by tapping directional buttons. It also matters where you hit your opponent-side, front, rear, as they can decide shield themselves in any of those areas. All other games pvp is just run around and then press your hotkey buttons in a certain sequence depending on what archetype opponent you encounter, move on, rinse and repeat.
Whatever you do, take your time in the game. Whoever says the game is not worth playing until end game is full of shit, I dont care how many months of AoC they played. I have several characters lvl 43-65 and I am taking my time, enjoying the early-to mid game content as thoroughly as I can. For a pvp oriented game, the PvE and questing is pretty good. The early quests and storyline are amazing- they even have character voice overs. Mid game questing and dungeons are ok, and end game dungeons I don't know, I havent got to that point yet. However there have been many updates lately, especially to end game and a lot of players who returned recently are quite happy about it and are planning to stay.
So yeah, of all the mmorpgs out there right now, this is probably the best one. The moment you step into the game you will know that it is a quality game just by looking at the intricate environment, immersive ambiance, and how closely the devs paid attention to detail when constructing the newbie town and storyline.
Most memorable games: AoC(Tryanny PvP), RIFT, GW, GW2, Ragnarok Online, Aion, FFXI, FFXIV, Secret World, League of Legends (Silver II rank)
Forgot to add: please update this thread after you finish playing the game for the first time, so we can all see if you liked it or not.
Most memorable games: AoC(Tryanny PvP), RIFT, GW, GW2, Ragnarok Online, Aion, FFXI, FFXIV, Secret World, League of Legends (Silver II rank)
Funcom has announced that they will be offering a free trial of this game in the next few months. You will be able to try it then for free. What you can expect, the best graphics of any MMO, a unique combat system unlike anything yopu have seen in an MMO. Intense PVP.
You need a very good computer to play it on max settings, but the game still looks awsome with the grapics turned down. You will be ganked alot,this is a brutal enviroment, and it is meant to be that way. Hyboria is not for the weak, but that is why they give you a sword.
if your unsure about trying this game, wait for the free trial, but try this game.
If you let these forums dissuade you from trying AoC, you might be a moron. I almost did the same thing, Im glad I got bored enough to try it. I went into AOC expecting to hate this piece of shit.
Its easily my favorite MMO right now. Will i be playing it 6 months down the road? Yes.
It is very polished. Plays extremely well.... if you have a good PC. The quests seem better than average. I have played everything but lotro.
I play on Tyranny (pvp). I get ganked daily. Im fine with this, infact, I enjoy it. The threat of getting ganked by everyone is very real, makes that quest dialogue extra special.
I might spend an hour session just killing/getting killed by gankers. This slows down questing, making the grind up a bit slwoer than WAR. This has the affect of making me stick in level ranges longer, which helps me get to know people.
All in all I would say give it a shot. Main site prices it at 20 bucks, Trust me, you will play it for the free month at least.
I think all the hate for AoC comes from people with crappy computers. Or, it comes from people that played till max and got bored. The thing you gotta remember about those types is that they still PLAYED THE GAME TILL MAX. They just got bored of the game... which happens to all of them.
I just received a buddy key from my friend and I'm downloading the client. I really didnt like the idea that I had to pay 2.99 euros for the client download. I understand the client is rather large but c'mon. I've tried this game once before and kinda liked it but it wasnt as polished as it is today? Well anyways, I would love to hear more opinions how the game is nowadays, it might be that I could set myself playing AoC
edit: Oh yeah, I've got to mention that my computer is rather out of date. Im worried how I will run the game. But I will let you guys know how I like it while Im on the trial period.
I was only afraid of "AoC is dead" like a lot of ppl said. But i started in AoC a few days ago and im realy nicely surprised. In a low lvl locations its full of low lvl players. A lot, it seems, are realy new playes, because lot of them havent guild tag. I take a chance to this game as lately as now, because a lot of friends said me about pros / cons of this game in past. Now it seems to be much much better and yes, combat system looks to be verry interesting. And technicaly stage of game looks good too. I havent problems with FPS / Ping, not lags. All servers seems to be on medium population.
Well, the moment is almost upon me
. I'm probably going to Game today (been stayng in London for the past three days), and I'll be picking up Conan and, if it's there, EVE's new boxed edition. I know that EVE has a free trial, but the boxed edition, with its access to a constantly updated career guide; an exclusive ship; and access to large-scale, organised combat early on in the game; seems to be making it easier than ever for new players to start. Hopefully, I'll have some impressions by tomorrow.
"Smacking kids doesn't hurt them, kinetic energy does!"- Doctor Tobia
I actually waited for this game for 2 years, was in their official forums everyday almost... I was so disappointed, my computer which is low/med end makes the graphics suck so hard.. also the Necromancer, the class I wanted to play.. they had promised so many features such as "real magic", "spell weaving" and in Conan magic will be something "dangerous".. it turned out they had put all their effort into melee classes and the mage and healing class sucks so hard, even WoW had better mage/healing classes.
Unless you like "magic arrow 1" "magic arrow 2", "wasp swarm"... very new eh, with a completely new melee system you wouldve think they wouldnt steal the mage abilities from d&d from the 80s.
melee good
other bad
Yeah, the launch of AoC involved a lot of disappointment for many, both when it came to performance and when it came to features that did'nt make it to the game. But a lot has changed since then, and more will change in the coming month or two (Full RPG system revamp). That's the reason they are holding back on the free trial, I guess. Performance of the client has increased immensely, and the ones who quit the game for such issues will most likely see them all but gone now. Spellweaving is in the game now too, allthough it's usefulness could have been better. Funny that you mention casters vs melee though as the general impression is that most caster and healer classes are overpowered to melee classes theese days and is definately considered dangerous!
Yeah, the launch of AoC involved a lot of disappointment for many, both when it came to performance and when it came to features that did'nt make it to the game. But a lot has changed since then, and more will change in the coming month or two (Full RPG system revamp). That's the reason they are holding back on the free trial, I guess. Performance of the client has increased immensely, and the ones who quit the game for such issues will most likely see them all but gone now. Spellweaving is in the game now too, allthough it's usefulness could have been better. Funny that you mention casters vs melee though as the general impression is that most caster and healer classes are overpowered to melee classes theese days and is definately considered dangerous!
doesnt matter if theyr better then melee, the casters that is when they have such an old way of using spells and abilities. The melee system was new and great, fun to play. The caster system was shit. I were a AoC fanboy.. until I played it and realised that Funcom had lied about so many things, also they had put all focus on the melee system (rebuilding it twice) and totaly neglected the mage/healer. Some animations are cool, yes true but its still buttom mashing.
The reason they wont use free trials is that Funcom wont accept the fact they have failed to achieve thier goals.
I followed every friday update, every newsletter, I played the beta and first it was the "invisible walls" then there were the necromancers first pets.. "undead scorpions" wtf? for those who havnt seen them I sugest checking youtube for a laugh/cry. When the game was released it was not much of the game that interested you in the first place, the melee system was great as for the rest its mediocre if not worse and I seriously doubt any later fix wouldve taken care of that.
Wanted to interject here. I started MMO's with EQ1. The necro was my main. I am a necro in RL as far as Im concerned. I have played every frigging game looking for another necro and never found it.
I play a necro in AoC as my main. This is the first game where the necromancer is actually a necro again. Granted, its not the exact same as EQ1. The main things I am missing now would be a snare and a lifetap. There are tactics that those spells bring that I cannot do in AoC. But the tricksy part of the necro class is here in AoC.
I feel like I must do everything just right or I am gonna die. I like that. Even pvp with me, has got to be just so, orI am gonna die. Nothing is better than surviving an assasin gank attempt while you were on a merchant screen and killing the bastard. Then doin g so again for good measure.
I am the jack of many trades, and not at all a master of anything. Many tricks I must employ to survive. Thats what the necro has always been. If anything I find the AoC necro more complex than eq1 necro.
I cant explain it..... the necro is a necro in this game. Im guessing many things have changed since beta. I only started a month ago.
Is AoC worth it? I think it is.
Sorry it isn't
I had 5 80s. 2 were powerleveled, all on Tyranny server.
The PVE is boring as heck period. Same combos over and over again.
It's NOT a fun game, and yes everytime they patch the game, they break a lot more than they fix.
Don't get me wrong the graphics are amazing, superb... but the gameplay sucks as does the atmosphere. VERY immature atmosphere.
All you see all day long is idiots in "Global" or "OOC" spamming stupid crap, or telling someone they suck because they just got 1v4ed.
The itemization is horrid. The PvP is horrid, constant 2 shot, CC lock fest. Same with sieges, 48 vs 48, 10 people attack you, you die and have to mount and run back which takes 5 minutes only to get zerged again and again, very boring.
Sorry if you try to defend this game, you are sorely mistaken:
Having played FFXI, WoW, AoC, I would rate AOCs PvP 4 out of 10, PvE maybe 6 out of 10, and a 2 out of 10 for having to have such firepower behind the screen in the computer box to even be able to half @$$ play the game.
Necro isn't a Necro in AoC, Necros were known for bringing the dead back to life, and if you are not nightfall end game you fail, and nightfall is not a summon spec.
Reanimation is a horrid spec after level 40 and I still don't see how you are a Necro when in Diablo 2 Necros, every spec was viable, summon and caster 1 pet.
Yeah and I guess having leveled 3 80s before the ToS LS nerf 5 months ago (legit no power level) makes everything I say completely redundant.
The game isn't fun, there's no end game at all, either you raid the same boring few raids, or you go PvP in Keshetta, or jump in 1 of a couple minigames. And even the minigames aren't near as fun as WoWs, I had way more fun running flags in WSG 10v10 then AoCs version.
There's gear PvP rewards but only after you sacrifice more hours then you did in WoW getting PvP exp. WoWs arena system is even faster than that garbage. Takes someone a solid 6 months straight at 80 to get PvP 5 working HARD. If not longer. If you PvP you will probably quit simply due to the fact its a longer grind than WoWs arena.
Pick up the flag with 3 team-mates with you, omg wait who 1 shot me, OH crap dang ToS.
AoC should be renamed whoever has the most ToS Stormcrown spec wins.
And every heal in that game is a HoT, minus a burst heal on a cooldown that puts a debuff on you so you can't recieve another one for a long peroid of time.
And all the HoTs require you to heal the guy right on top of them. There's no jump PoM heals like in WOW, no HoT castable in a huge range away from the person recieving, no big heal spammable, no utility heals, just a small HoT 1 burst on a cooldown thats all you get.
Seriously the healing in AoC is even horrid lol.
I'm curious to hear what your impressions are of the game
Sadly, my impressions have been postponed. Couldn't make it to Game yesterday, definitely going today.
"Smacking kids doesn't hurt them, kinetic energy does!"- Doctor Tobia
Greetings again.
I've played 2 days now and made several level ~10 characters just to feel how they are, just testing out which one would fit my style and I have settled with ranger, its maybe because they are rather strong in the lower levels thought Im aware that they will get equal to others in about level 40. The real problems Im having with the game is 2 things, 1) the Global chat, I think I dont want to explain any further but I will. I came from SWG, which still I think has the best community, the global chat is full of immature little kids talking about nonsense, atleast this is the case in Fury server. Im sure you could find a good bunch of mature guilds in later levels, but the global chat is just giving a horrible image of the game for the newcomers. 2) As much as I love the pvp and I know this is a cruel world where we are in but the gank fests are just upsetting. I was trying to do quests in two low level areas (the white sands, underground something? cant really recall the names, sorry) but anyways there was _always_ a group of people waiting in the spawn just to kill us "noobs" and there wasnt really any chance to progressing in the leveling. Well this has been my first experience from the game and Im looking forward to others. As far it goes now, Im not still quite convinced to subscribe.
TSamee, I am glad to hear that you are going to give AoC a try. MMORPG has a free 7 day trial now for AoC(which you probably already seen). Looks like you get a few cool items for trying it that way. I have heard that Eve Online is a nice game too. Wherever you wind up, good luck and happy adventuring
I usually roll on pvp servers; but the ffa pvp ruleset in AoC made me roll on a pve server. I do not regret it. If I want a gankfest I can (at late levels) go to FFA pvp zone in border kingdom. Until my new char gets up the levels I use the battlegrounds to get my pvp fix.