Although my feelings about CoH are obvious from my name here, The one good thing they haven't (yet) nerfed is the way they handle instancing. There is still large outdoor zones to travel in, yet its fast due to travel powers, and the "door" missions are all instanced from doorways in the common zones. They have quite a few zones so there is some exploration, and interaction, yet you get your own copy of missions, so its a good balance.
This idea of being trapped in one town, simply running from one door to another sounds pretty shitty to me. Also, no resting when you want to? No xp for mobs? No soloing? No exploration, not even on your way to your quest? No crafting? No PvP? No player housing? Repeated dungeons over and over? Level 10 cap?
Uhhm..going back to GW, thanks. What exactly is it Turbine is justifying the monthly cost with??
Too bad, I was seriously considering this game, but paying monthly for all this vast "content"? Don't think so. Oh well, better luck with LOTRO Turbine!
Originally posted by ataridc In the history of the internet this is possibly the most idiotic post I've ever read. I won't bother trying to convince you to play, because frankly, I see that as a good thing.
Idiot this; intelligent that, is that all you can say? Exactly, you have nothing else to say but hide behind insulting people with your obvious intellectual superiority that you percieve you possess. You are all full of shit. Stop trying to "convince" people, just tell the truth about the game. Don't "convince" me or anyone else to play. I won't play no matter what, if people want to spend money on trash that is their perogative.
When you put yourself up on a pedestal that you and like minded asses like yourself are the only ones worthy of this garbage, is when you show exactly what you really are. And that is why we are having this conversation. Well that and my imense enjoyment of trolling and flameing, so please pour the kerosene.
Here is $50, don't buy DDO; instead buy yourself and your friends a better comeback then hiding behind intelligence or your lack thereof.
I'm officially withdrawing from my partcipation in this thread. What had started as a serious way for any pre-order beta testers to put their experiences out there for possibly interested players has turned into nothing more than an immature flame-fest. The last several posts have shown the very reason why forums are so negatively looked upon by most gamers. Have fun in your flaming guys; anyone who wants any further information on any of the classes or game features in a serious manner, you can email me at patrick.chase1@us.army.mil. Take care.
[quote]Originally posted by SaintedOne [b]I'm officially withdrawing from my partcipation in this thread. What had started as a serious way for any pre-order beta testers to put their experiences out there for possibly interested players has turned into nothing more than an immature flame-fest. The last several posts have shown the very reason why forums are so negatively looked upon by most gamers. Have fun in your flaming guys; anyone who wants any further information on any of the classes or game features in a serious manner, you can email me at [email=patrick.chase1@us.army.mil]. Take care.[/b][/quote]
Honestly I don't care, I'm sorry to have chased you away from your own thread. Please continue as I will not say anymore on this subject. Far be it from me to deprive good people of your well written propoganda for DDO. Despite everything said and done, DDO is still a very very bad game and although your opinion is in the minority, I will respect it. But the minute you assume you are a special person that "gets it", then this becomes something else entirely. As far as all of this is concerned I certainly did not throw the first stone towards you personaly. I guess being over in Iraq makes even DDO look great(not), so whatever dude.
Honostly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Its those type of "whiners" that sabotaged away the fun from WoW, they just become bored when they want to do a dungeon/thing "their way" and then start yapping about their opinion and leave the group/guild. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own.
Its this reason why I want to get DDO and play with a mature group rather than bored kids/bitter adults who claim they like/love/addicted to WoW yet find the time to post strong narrated comments about their opinion over and over again.
I'm truly excited about this game! I also hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind the sushi from WoW land!!!!
Originally posted by aymanzone Honostly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Its those type of "whiners" that sabotaged away the fun from WoW, they just become bored when they want to do a dungeon/thing "their way" and then start yapping about their opinion and leave the group/guild. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own. Its this reason why I want to get DDO and play with a mature group rather than bored kids/bitter adults who claim they like/love/addicted to WoW yet find the time to post strong narrated comments about their opinion over and over again. I'm truly excited about this game! I also hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind the sushi from WoW land!!!!
I never said anything about WOW. I've played it.. it's alright till you get to 60. Who cares? We are discussing(or in my case, practicing forum disobediance) DDO here. And 2 things can be discussed, your elitist superior I'm more mature then thou attitude and fail, or the merits of the game. I think this game is trash, and I stand by that opinion. When you try to jump on the bandwagon to brow beat me with your consent of how everyone including yourself is such a mature player in the hopes that you will feel all noble about it, is more disgusting then anything I have said.
Thats all you can say in defense of this product; how mature you all are. I'm sorry paying 15 dollars a month for a game that is obviously flawed such as this one doesn't make you mature and noble, it makes you an idiot. Don't confuse the game with your need to justify how adult you are playing video games.
Originally posted by aymanzone Honostly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Its those type of "whiners" that sabotaged away the fun from WoW, they just become bored when they want to do a dungeon/thing "their way" and then start yapping about their opinion and leave the group/guild. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own. Its this reason why I want to get DDO and play with a mature group rather than bored kids/bitter adults who claim they like/love/addicted to WoW yet find the time to post strong narrated comments about their opinion over and over again. I'm truly excited about this game! I also hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind the sushi from WoW land!!!!
I never said anything about WOW. I've played it.. it's alright till you get to 60. Who cares? We are discussing(or in my case, practicing forum disobediance) DDO here. And 2 things can be discussed, your elitist superior I'm more mature then thou attitude and fail, or the merits of the game. I think this game is trash, and I stand by that opinion. When you try to jump on the bandwagon to brow beat me with your consent of how everyone including yourself is such a mature player in the hopes that you will feel all noble about it, is more disgusting then anything I have said.
Thats all you can say in defense of this product; how mature you all are. I'm sorry paying 15 dollars a month for a game that is obviously flawed such as this one doesn't make you mature and noble, it makes you an idiot. Don't confuse the game with your need to justify how adult you are playing video games.
Honestly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own.
I also hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind the sushi from WoW land!!! ....Or he says he's left the game-rather than getting kicked out of it, probably for reason of spamming and overall attitude.
Well, I can't help but find myself strongly encouraged by posts like aymazone's. After spending a bit more time in the game these past two days, I have definitely noticed something about the age, maturity and quality of the players who have pre-ordered DDO. The voice-chat feature seems more and more popular with the groups as I get closer to level 3 with my Rogue, and I can honestly say I've only encountered one player who sounded (and admited) to being a minor. In the same sense, however, he was a very mature and intelligent young man who I very much enjoyed the company of in the party. Everyone I have grouped with has been very thorough in their exploration of the dungeons; they have all be patient while Rogues scouted ahead for traps and danger. The most rewarding experiencces I have had playing this game have been from the commradarie that goes along with finding the right group - and filling your class role perfectly to suit. I look forward to building up my guild, and enjoying my time in the game world with players like Aymazone and everyone else who has supported and appreciated what the game does have to offer.
Originally posted by SaintedOne Well, I can't help but find myself strongly encouraged by posts like aymazone's. After spending a bit more time in the game these past two days, I have definitely noticed something about the age, maturity and quality of the players who have pre-ordered DDO. The voice-chat feature seems more and more popular with the groups as I get closer to level 3 with my Rogue, and I can honestly say I've only encountered one player who sounded (and admited) to being a minor. In the same sense, however, he was a very mature and intelligent young man who I very much enjoyed the company of in the party. Everyone I have grouped with has been very thorough in their exploration of the dungeons; they have all be patient while Rogues scouted ahead for traps and danger. The most rewarding experiencces I have had playing this game have been from the commradarie that goes along with finding the right group - and filling your class role perfectly to suit. I look forward to building up my guild, and enjoying my time in the game world with players like Aymazone and everyone else who has supported and appreciated what the game does have to offer.
The most rewarding experiencces I have had playing this game have been from the commradarie that goes along with finding the right group.
Agreed!!! + D&D fan = "No need to do any math here!"
Originally posted by aymanzone Agreed!!! + D&D fan = "No need to do any math here!"
LOL. I highly doubt you have the cognitive sense to do any math, don't worry about me it seems we both are somehow able to post on the forums. Did you have much trouble counting the dice rolls on the table top game? Oh yes, thats right you played D&D.. there was only 1 d20 to roll for most everything.
Originally posted by FullMetalAlc [quote]Originally posted by SaintedOne [b]I'm officially withdrawing from my partcipation in this thread. What had started as a serious way for any pre-order beta testers to put their experiences out there for possibly interested players has turned into nothing more than an immature flame-fest. The last several posts have shown the very reason why forums are so negatively looked upon by most gamers. Have fun in your flaming guys; anyone who wants any further information on any of the classes or game features in a serious manner, you can email me at [email=patrick.chase1@us.army.mil]. Take care.[/b][/quote] Honestly I don't care, I'm sorry to have chased you away from your own thread. Please continue as I will not say anymore on this subject. Far be it from me to deprive good people of your well written propoganda for DDO. Despite everything said and done, DDO is still a very very bad game and although your opinion is in the minority, I will respect it. But the minute you assume you are a special person that "gets it", then this becomes something else entirely. As far as all of this is concerned I certainly did not throw the first stone towards you personaly. I guess being over in Iraq makes even DDO look great(not), so whatever dude.
What happened to your willingness to give up your pursuit of flaming on this thread, FullMetalAlc? I haven't once assumed, or stated that I was a special person that "gets it" in any sense of your wording. I have my opinions, have supported them with facts and experiences within the game, and have merely attempted to share those with the readers of these boards. Yet, even after you make a post shunning me for being a deployed soldier (apparently thinking that I am under the impression that I deserve treatment for fighting for the country, which I don't), shunned me for articulating my opinions with supportive answers, and sharing my ideas and opinions with others, you continue to flame on my thread. As you have stated you would stop doing so, I am kindly asking that you move on to discussing your views and opinions on another thread, and with other people - so that those of us interested in doing so may discuss our ideas and experiences in peace on this thread.
Technically I ment that I would refrain from trying to flame with you. Other people have come in and stirred the pot and anything directed is at them. They continue to feel worthy of proving the merits of this game by trying apear better then those who do not wish to partake in the grand adventure which is DDO.
Also, please don't misconstrue my forum trolling as any disrespect towards you as a soldier or any of our armed forces in IRAQ or elsewhere in the world, they deserve our support and respect for putting their lives on the line for ungrateful ingrates like myself, I think Sam Kinison said it best in his speech in "Back to School". I tried to be respectfu of your military status and not say things like "Aren't your orders to defend turbins and not Turbine?" My comment only ment that I will not take your word as divinity and that others may claim to offer the support to troops or any situation are lying through their teeth for their own benefit, ces't la vie that is life in America and the corporate world. But here on the forums we are above such shit eating grins and can say some vile things, but it's beautiful because it's pure and true and even though it doesn't matter and is just being said for the heck of it to piss people off. I don't know you and thus everything I say or you say or anyone else says matters not. What does matter is I am enjoying myself and if people wish to persist in trying to one up me with their inane commentary I will proceed to respond back with equal drivel devoid of any value.
So in summary, our little flame fest started with a comment from me, and then comments from you about my intelligence. Well what ensued, can be considered your fault just as much as mine. I can't say I didn't instigate this with my comments but you clearly are not the better man for engaging in my bait.
Still none of this matters. I don't care about DDO to flame it,defend it, really this is just the ramblings of someone who is bored without any decent mmorpgs out there to play.
Any points I made regarding flaws in DDO however, are still very much valid, and I have not seen anything to argue otherwise that was based on the merits of the game compared to its peers, not even WOW or EQ, but DIABLO/Guild Wars which it most resembles. All I have seen is how it is a game for special people who can enjoy it only if they are mature enough, and that just seems very pretentious. Even a forum troll needs motivation and what is better then that.
So, I apologize for going back on my word as it was assumed that I would not post in the thread anymore. after this post I won't post in here and you can continue to do as you wish. To all others who need to get the last word in plz STFU and let this honorable soldier continue with his happiness, so that I do not have to post again. Although I am fearful there are people more mean spirited then myself and would like to see nothing more then this continue.
To the OP, thank you for posting an honest review of your experiences and perceptions of the game. I enjoyed it imensely although I am still skeptical of the DDO game. I do not intend to subscribe but I will keep my eye on it to see where it heads.
And now...for two quotes from the rules...
Transmit any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable content.
"Spam" by posting frequent and/or annoying messages in the forums or messages not in the topic for that forum (except in such areas where it is clearly indicated that "spamming" is allowed)
If you desire to disagree with the OP or any poster please feel free. Just ensure that you do so in a polite, well thought out manner to provoke discussion not flames. And I quote...
Arguing on the internet is like running in the special olympics, even if you win you are still retarded.
Originally posted by FullMetalAlc Well.. Technically I ment that I would refrain from trying to flame with you. Other people have come in and stirred the pot and anything directed is at them. They continue to feel worthy of proving the merits of this game by trying apear better then those who do not wish to partake in the grand adventure which is DDO. Also, please don't misconstrue my forum trolling as any disrespect towards you as a soldier or any of our armed forces in IRAQ or elsewhere in the world, they deserve our support and respect for putting their lives on the line for ungrateful ingrates like myself, I think Sam Kinison said it best in his speech in "Back to School". I tried to be respectfu of your military status and not say things like "Aren't your orders to defend turbins and not Turbine?" My comment only ment that I will not take your word as divinity and that others may claim to offer the support to troops or any situation are lying through their teeth for their own benefit, ces't la vie that is life in America and the corporate world. But here on the forums we are above such shit eating grins and can say some vile things, but it's beautiful because it's pure and true and even though it doesn't matter and is just being said for the heck of it to piss people off. I don't know you and thus everything I say or you say or anyone else says matters not. What does matter is I am enjoying myself and if people wish to persist in trying to one up me with their inane commentary I will proceed to respond back with equal drivel devoid of any value. So in summary, our little flame fest started with a comment from me, and then comments from you about my intelligence. Well what ensued, can be considered your fault just as much as mine. I can't say I didn't instigate this with my comments but you clearly are not the better man for engaging in my bait. Still none of this matters. I don't care about DDO to flame it,defend it, really this is just the ramblings of someone who is bored without any decent mmorpgs out there to play. Any points I made regarding flaws in DDO however, are still very much valid, and I have not seen anything to argue otherwise that was based on the merits of the game compared to its peers, not even WOW or EQ, but DIABLO/Guild Wars which it most resembles. All I have seen is how it is a game for special people who can enjoy it only if they are mature enough, and that just seems very pretentious. Even a forum troll needs motivation and what is better then that. So, I apologize for going back on my word as it was assumed that I would not post in the thread anymore. after this post I won't post in here and you can continue to do as you wish. To all others who need to get the last word in plz STFU and let this honorable soldier continue with his happiness, so that I do not have to post again. Although I am fearful there are people more mean spirited then myself and would like to see nothing more then this continue.
This is one iraqi who will defend this american soldier:
Honostly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own. Either why I am sure FullMetalAlc will continue to whine no matter what he had promised earlier. This is clearly evident in the length of his respones.
Its this reason why I want to get DDO and play with a mature rather than a bitter adult who time to post strong narrated comments about their opinion over and over again.
I would like to confirm again I hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind that sushi from WoWy land!!!!
In conclusion, SaintedOne, you can post your very good reviews here or start a new thread, either way FullMetalAlc will read your reviews because they are good and he can keep humilating himself until he gains some sense!!!!
Question - how do they handle agro in DDO? Do the monsters just attack the nearest guy?
This is a crutial element to game play, and I think it deserves a bit of attention. If there was no agro in WoW, playing my preist would have been really boring in groups.
Nick
PS - could someone please delete FMC's spastic rantings? And perhaps help him to tie his shoelaces.
The race doesn't always go to the swiftest, nor the battle to the strongest, but that's the way to bet.
As far I know the agro in DDO is determined by your level of Charisma. The lower your Charisma are the more likely you are attacked. You can use spells to agro or avoid monster to attack you.
When creating a character in DDO you can decide where to put your points. Normally you see figherts and barbarian with low charisma as the are likely the first line of attak/defence
I have not heared about the charisma thing. Not sure about the mechanics behind it but here is how the "aggro" system looked like in my adventures.
The monster will always attack the one that does the most damage, or the healer that is healing ithe monsters current target if the healer heals more damage than the monster deals.
There are 2 ways to affect aggro: diplomacy and intimidate.
Intimidate is your standard MMO taunt. It also comes in useful in extracting information from certain NPCs.
Diplomacy lets you get better prices at vendors and better quest rewards. If you use diplomacy on a monster it will make it less likely to attack you.
The best way to handle aggro in this game is to use a "body wall". Since monsters can't pass through players or other monsters it is usful and sometimes necessary to outmanouver the montsters so that they can't get to you or to stop the monsters from getting to the squishy fellas if you are the tank.
Since my most extensive experience has been as a rogue I'll relate how I use aggro. In a large fight I find myself circling around the main melee and lunching backstabs wherever I see fit while staying on the move to keep the monsters away from me. If fighting a single monster, like a giant, I often use diplomacy to lose its attention.
The game also provides optiosn for tumbling and other ways to evade attacks so that you can play very defensivley... unfortunatly the healers and casters aren't usually very good at combat... offensive or defensive so they have to rely on other party members to handle the melee.
I've been looking for a new online game since I'm outgrowing the one's I play and after reading SainedOne's and Burrek's detailed experiences, I think I'm going to try the game after all. I've scan trough the post's by other MMORPG subscribers and although the majority say don't bother, I'm going to try it anyway. I like to see things for my self and conclude my own opinion. Most of the negative feedback is usually about the same issues, no PvP (which is a plus for my style of play), no soloing (which in MHO is the point of playing online games), and the box and monthly fee (money is not an issue for me so spending the money even if in the end I don't like the game is fine), and really, not one of the negative post I read were as detail as the feedback these two gentlemen provided.
People forget that the hole point of doing beta testing is to test the game, find the bugs and report other issues that will improve the game. But what I find more ironic is that most of the people that post are the ones that rushed trough missions, expected a perfect game play during beta testing, and forgot that they were there not just to play for free. I bet most played with one character the entire time. Well, I don't know if that is true but it sure is the impression I got from the posts I read.
Clearly from the read on this post, even the unwanted spamming, this game is for the mature player and not the power leveling hungry trolls. I look forward to meeting you guys in game when it opens. I know that beta testing is close for now so I don't expect any more reports from SainedOne, but if he reads this, I'd like to say thank you for posting your evaluation.
BTW-I register for DDO beta testing and got a beta key but I never got the opportunity to download the client.
SaintedOne, thank you for a great post. I was in WOW for a while and after the influx of new users after Christmas I quit. Why? Well I don't have anything against the new users, I am glad they got the game. Blizzard is so stupid that they didn't handle the new population influx and thus the severs were hosed. I couldn't get in to play my character. *sigh* What was their solution? Log into a new server and start over! Whatever. What to transfer a character? Have to pay for it. So I quit.
I read some reviews of the game and what really interested me is how the game will use LOW population servers to make stronger and tight nit communities and the instance battling. Plus the battle system sounds awesome. I just wonder why all the "this game sucks". I see alot whining about soloing. HELLO!! Welcome to Dungeons and Dragons, soloing doesn't exist and shouldn't. I like the no PVP and no crafting.
I got interested in this game due to I have a $50 gift from Christmas and I need to spend it and I do miss the online multiplayer. I have dial up but Guild Wars and WOW played fine, I hope D&D Online can, if not then no go.
My main questions are (maybe been asked, scanned through all the flamming crap from that other guy) 1) How is the community? I am a HEAVY role player. I love to rp. Is this happening in beta. Could D&D Online do rp servers like WOW? 2) Is the game long/big? I don't mean the wide open spaces to run and waste time in like WOW, but a big game that will take time to complete till expansions and online updates expand the world. I don't want to beat the game anytime soon.
After WOW I told myself I was swearing off MMORPG's. I have been played Neverwinter Nights online again, but it is not the same. SO. I am really interested in this game, just wonder if it is my cup of tea. I am tired of the MMORPG's that are boring and make you run all over the place with crappy quests. I do like Pnp paper Dungeons and Dragons but played Neverwinter more. I just like to rp, have fun and the likes while finding friends to run with. You can't do that with 20,000 people on a server. I can do that where I am playing online now with NWN, but with just 25 people online, hard to do there to. Thanks again for the "review".
Hey Everyone! Allow me to begin by apologizing for all those who were expecting frequent updates of my reviews for my absence over the last couple of days. I've been pretty busy getting set up with my new guild, trying to find time to get a couple of extra hours in during the last days of Beta, and keeping up with everything at work. Allow me to extend a sincere note of appreciation to everyone who has kept this thread alive; and more importantly, for everyone who has shown such an interest and support in my (and others') reviews of the game on this thread. Now that I have a couple of minutes to note on things, I would like to address some of the questions asked by players, my final experiences in the Beta testing, and extend an invitation to interested players for the guild I have joined - The Council of Valenor. I hope this all helps to clear up any confusion, frustration, or simply help to make anyone's final decision easier on whether or not to join the DDO Community upon release. The Pre-Order beta testing will be closed at the end of this evening, so that added bonus will no longer be available to those who pre-order the game. However, if anyone still does pay to pre-order the game before release, they will still get the Bonus Item that comes with the package, and be able to participate in the Head Start event. As well, anyone who has pre-ordered the game and decides they are interested in joining The Council of Valenor will recieve a bonus helmet as well - for the guild's creation with a number higher than 10 members during the head start event. I am still a strong supporter of this game (even with all of the faults that have been discussed), and continue to urge players to try it out and see how it fares for them. I will note, as I have before, that this game is not for everyone! Interested players will either fall into the niche of the few, dedicated players that will stay on after release, or they will find the faults and lack of some features too overwhelming for their enjoyment. With my reviews, I merely intended on giving everyone a head's up to my experiences and opinions of the game, for a better understanding of the feel and play of DDO. Well, without further adu, herein lies the next chapter of answers, experiences, and now a guild invitation:
Player Questions:
CardinalSin - I'll start with your question concerning the game's mechanics for AI and aggro. I fully agree with the other poster's answers to your question, and can only share my limited experience of study in this aspect of the game. I, personally, cannot note for sure whether or not a player's Charisma affects a mob's attention to your character. It does make sense, however, so I won't completely write it off either. From my experiences, I've learned a few things about avoiding (and peeling) monster aggro. To start, a monster will automatically (and understandably) devote his complete attention to the first character that it visually sees, or audibly hears. This means, whenever your group first enters a room, a monster will instinctively go directly to the first player it encounters. If that player does not attack the mentioned monster before another player does, however, then the first player to deal damage to that mob will draw aggro. These are all basic and expected AI reactions, however; and we've seen them in nearly every other MMORPG to date. What I understand past this is very little, as I never spent too much time on any class other than a Rogue (other than the experiences I have mentioned previously in my reviews). My understanding of the system is very similar to burrek's; the player dealing the most damage, or a cleric healing for more damage than the mob is dealing to a player character, will receive the mob's aggro. As for sneaking goes, there seem to be a lot of factors that tie into whether or not a monster will see/hear you moving about in the shadows. Even with a Hide and Sneak skill over 15 modifier each, while doing the Stealthly Reposession quest (given from the Wayward Lobster, level 1 Quest), I had huge issues with kobolds realizing my presence amongst them in the darkness of the dungeon. From this, I've concluded the following: First, you can never sneak/walk while hidden right next to a monster unless it is previously engaged in combat with another player. Doing so will get you seen everytime. You have to avoid walking too close to the mob, or they will undoubtedly hear you. I think this system could use a little more tweaking by the devs, and as a result, I have noted such in trouble tickets sent to the higher authorities . I found it best to keep a minimal of five paces behind a monster, and to try to stay in the shadows as best as possible. For anyone who has played the Beta and spent much time sneaking around, you already have a basic understanding of how well you are visible. As you sneak, a number of eyes (or a lack thereof) indicate how hidden you are to mobs around you. And as you sneak, if your stealth skill is too low to prevent you from making much noise, a red sound-vibration graphic rolls out from under your feet. I noticed, however, as I became more stealthly with my Rogue, the graphic for his footstep's sounds went away completely; thus, I only had to worry about a mob hearing me if I were too near to them. Anyone wanting a further review on my experiences sneaking, hiding, and avoiding the attention of various monsters within dungeons, please inform me and I will go into more detail.
Serien - Thank you very much for your appreciation of burrek's and my own reviews and posts in this thread. I completely agree with you about your comments on the Beta experience, and what one's expectations and duties should be while Beta testing a game. I'd very noteably like you to take a look at my section near the end of this review concerning an invitation to players for my guild. It would be an honor to group up with you in the game, so I hope you will check out the site included in this review and consider joining.
sandmanfvr - Thank you, as well, for your support of my reviews. I wasn't a big fan of WoW either, so I'm sure that the added frustration you mentioned would have driven me over the edge if I were still a subscriber at that time. I as well agree with their low server population choices, and the ongoing argument of the non-soloing aspect of this game. As for your questions, allow me to answer them in turn, as asked:
1) I found the overall majority of the community in DDO to be a more mature, respectful crowd than I have experienced on some MMORPG servers. As the Beta was cut down to one server in the final days, however, I did start to see some of the more "annoying" (for lack of a nicer word) players that we're so used to in these online games. Your best bet is to find a good guild, with a similar play style as your own. Community interaction is actually limited to the point of some trading, but is mostly directed and executed in grouping (with such a heavy emphasis on group oriented, instance quests, how else could you expect it?). If you manage to find a group of players who share your interest and play style, you're very likely to enjoy this game immensely. You sound like a great person to fit into our guild, so I urge you to look at my invitation to such players near the end of this post. As for Roleplaying servers, there are two unofficial servers. My guild will be on one of them - Thelanis.
2) At the time of release, there is a limited amount of content and exploration available to your character and to your play experience. However, Turbine and WoTC plan to constantly develop and release new content - I've heard some unofficial rumors or a big patch being released by the end of the first month following release, including new areas and possibly even new races and classes. We'll just have to ride this one out to see where it goes, but again; with the right group of friends, that is easily an accomplishable task.
My Final Beta Experiencces:
Voice Chat - Over the last couple of days, I have been using the game's built-in voice chat system to listen to my group, while being restricted to typing (as I haven't had a mic out here to use). However, I've occasionally had some major issues where my group mates could hear eachother clearly, but their voices would cut in and out (and sometimes not be heard at all) on my system. Today, I went out and purchased a head/mic set, took the time to set it up, and tested it out; the result was that my group mates could now hear me clearly, but I was still having the same issues with hearing them. I reported the issue to the dev team, so hopefully they are able to fix this (or at least be able to address it in the in-game help menu) by release, or shortly after. I'm really looking forward to when this issue gets worked out though - from my successful experiences using the voice chat feature, it makes the quests go a lot smoother, and is more involving than typing everything (particularly when you consider that this is Dungeons and Dragons we're talking about).
The Halfling Rogue - Due to issues that kept me logged out of the game (work, school, guild, frustration with occasional lag at peak times), the highest level I achieved was Level 2, Rank 3. I can't comment too much on the higher end quality of the game, but I can go into a little detail on the Harbor quests for the first two areas, including quests from The Wayward Lobster and The Leaky Dinghy. I finished all but one of the quests from The Leaky Dinghy, two or three from The Wayward Lobster, and all but maybe two from The Harbor. I even took part in one quest that took my group (made up of level 1s and 2s) on a Level 3 Quest in an outside dungeon. Yes, they do exist people - outside instance zones for quests. We had to do a series of objectives that included raiding some camps, stealing some ale (or something), replacing some kegs of ale with a more flammable substance, sabotaging a named mob's boat (and ultimately blowing it up, though no graphical effect showed the explosion), and then finalling killing Yaaryar, the named mob. It was by far the largest instance zone map I had played on, and had at least 5+ rest/ressurection shrines (which were much needed, considering we were doing the dungeon below it's suggested level), and countless treasure chests. In all of my experiences, I got a good feel for my Rogue; his duties as the "crash-test dummy" of the dungeons if you will (run ahead of everyone, look for traps, try not to get spotted by that optional objective named Mob as I report back to my group), and came to learn very quickly that I'm not very supportive of the feats system in the game. At every rank, you earn an ability point to spend on a new feat. The problem with this: you can only have four feats, so you have to switch out old ones for new ones. Once I got the ones I wanted, I really had no need to replace them for other ones I saw as being less useful - so by the time I was 2.3, I had two unspent ability points, and still no urge to use them. Maybe they would have become more useful in my next level or something, I'm not sure... Perhaps burrek can comment, since he has a little more experience in the class? Anyway, there isn't much new news to report on the class - I've said a lot, but was very limited in my experiences (I took my Beta opportunity to test out the overall feel of the game, the classes, the features, etc. rather than power leveling on one character). As with anything else, I'm always willing to answer any specific questions on this topic, as I am able.
Grouping - My latest experiences in grouping taught me one thing above all else... How gravely important having a good group of friends to level up with is. Every time I logged in, I would have to find a new group, with a new group of people, with a varying selection of classes, levels, and completion of quests. I had to re-do many of the quests because group members wouldn't have them completed, and would often find myself getting frustrated due to the various personality conflicts within the group. I'm now all the more satisfied with the guild I have chosen, and can't wait to get into the game with them - this game is very definite in it's conversion from PnP to MMO; how many PnP games would you play with a group of people that you didn't get along with? How much more enjoyable was it to have a group of close friends? Point made...
My Personal Invitation to Join The Council of Valenor:
To all players who have read my reviews, discussed their thoughts intelligently and articulately, and agree with my own views, opinions, and play styles, I urge you to join The Council of Valenor. An all elf guild to be created on the Thelanis server (one of the two unofficial roleplaying servers), the guild is made up of an older, more mature audience. The majority of our members are over the age of 30 and have extensive experience in both Pen and Paper gaming as well as Online Computer gaming. I invite all who are interested to swing by and check out the guild's web page, read over the Charter, and take a look at the forums. If interested, feel free to apply for membership to the guild's site, and our leader will hastily return a response to you. The link is provided below, and I hope to see many of you on the guild forums soon!
Comments
Although my feelings about CoH are obvious from my name here, The one good thing they haven't (yet) nerfed is the way they handle instancing. There is still large outdoor zones to travel in, yet its fast due to travel powers, and the "door" missions are all instanced from doorways in the common zones. They have quite a few zones so there is some exploration, and interaction, yet you get your own copy of missions, so its a good balance.
This idea of being trapped in one town, simply running from one door to another sounds pretty shitty to me. Also, no resting when you want to? No xp for mobs? No soloing? No exploration, not even on your way to your quest? No crafting? No PvP? No player housing? Repeated dungeons over and over? Level 10 cap?
Uhhm..going back to GW, thanks. What exactly is it Turbine is justifying the monthly cost with??
Too bad, I was seriously considering this game, but paying monthly for all this vast "content"? Don't think so. Oh well, better luck with LOTRO Turbine!
Idiot this; intelligent that, is that all you can say? Exactly, you have nothing else to say but hide behind insulting people with your obvious intellectual superiority that you percieve you possess. You are all full of shit. Stop trying to "convince" people, just tell the truth about the game. Don't "convince" me or anyone else to play. I won't play no matter what, if people want to spend money on trash that is their perogative.
When you put yourself up on a pedestal that you and like minded asses like yourself are the only ones worthy of this garbage, is when you show exactly what you really are. And that is why we are having this conversation. Well that and my imense enjoyment of trolling and flameing, so please pour the kerosene.
Here is $50, don't buy DDO; instead buy yourself and your friends a better comeback then hiding behind intelligence or your lack thereof.
*Yawn*
HELLO WORLD
Don't open your mouth so wide, you may find a male reproductive organ put inside. Too bad it won't fit; because your mouth is full of crap already.
HELLO WORLD
hehe lol.. come come now, it's no fun if you don't flame back. what if I said "I bite my thumb at thee"?
[quote]Originally posted by SaintedOne
[b]I'm officially withdrawing from my partcipation in this thread. What had started as a serious way for any pre-order beta testers to put their experiences out there for possibly interested players has turned into nothing more than an immature flame-fest. The last several posts have shown the very reason why forums are so negatively looked upon by most gamers. Have fun in your flaming guys; anyone who wants any further information on any of the classes or game features in a serious manner, you can email me at [email=patrick.chase1@us.army.mil]. Take care.[/b][/quote]
Honestly I don't care, I'm sorry to have chased you away from your own thread. Please continue as I will not say anymore on this subject. Far be it from me to deprive good people of your well written propoganda for DDO. Despite everything said and done, DDO is still a very very bad game and although your opinion is in the minority, I will respect it. But the minute you assume you are a special person that "gets it", then this becomes something else entirely. As far as all of this is concerned I certainly did not throw the first stone towards you personaly. I guess being over in Iraq makes even DDO look great(not), so whatever dude.
If you wanna see something that sucks, you should watch Full Metal Alchemist.
Honostly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Its those type of "whiners" that sabotaged away the fun from WoW, they just become bored when they want to do a dungeon/thing "their way" and then start yapping about their opinion and leave the group/guild. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own.
Its this reason why I want to get DDO and play with a mature group rather than bored kids/bitter adults who claim they like/love/addicted to WoW yet find the time to post strong narrated comments about their opinion over and over again.
I'm truly excited about this game! I also hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind the sushi from WoW land!!!!
I never said anything about WOW. I've played it.. it's alright till you get to 60. Who cares? We are discussing(or in my case, practicing forum disobediance) DDO here. And 2 things can be discussed, your elitist superior I'm more mature then thou attitude and fail, or the merits of the game. I think this game is trash, and I stand by that opinion. When you try to jump on the bandwagon to brow beat me with your consent of how everyone including yourself is such a mature player in the hopes that you will feel all noble about it, is more disgusting then anything I have said.
Thats all you can say in defense of this product; how mature you all are. I'm sorry paying 15 dollars a month for a game that is obviously flawed such as this one doesn't make you mature and noble, it makes you an idiot. Don't confuse the game with your need to justify how adult you are playing video games.
I never said anything about WOW. I've played it.. it's alright till you get to 60. Who cares? We are discussing(or in my case, practicing forum disobediance) DDO here. And 2 things can be discussed, your elitist superior I'm more mature then thou attitude and fail, or the merits of the game. I think this game is trash, and I stand by that opinion. When you try to jump on the bandwagon to brow beat me with your consent of how everyone including yourself is such a mature player in the hopes that you will feel all noble about it, is more disgusting then anything I have said.
Thats all you can say in defense of this product; how mature you all are. I'm sorry paying 15 dollars a month for a game that is obviously flawed such as this one doesn't make you mature and noble, it makes you an idiot. Don't confuse the game with your need to justify how adult you are playing video games.
Honestly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own.
I also hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind the sushi from WoW land!!! ....Or he says he's left the game-rather than getting kicked out of it, probably for reason of spamming and overall attitude.
The most rewarding experiencces I have had playing this game have been from the commradarie that goes along with finding the right group.
Agreed!!! + D&D fan = "No need to do any math here!"
LOL. I highly doubt you have the cognitive sense to do any math, don't worry about me it seems we both are somehow able to post on the forums
. Did you have much trouble counting the dice rolls on the table top game? Oh yes, thats right you played D&D.. there was only 1 d20 to roll for most everything.
Well..
Technically I ment that I would refrain from trying to flame with you. Other people have come in and stirred the pot and anything directed is at them. They continue to feel worthy of proving the merits of this game by trying apear better then those who do not wish to partake in the grand adventure which is DDO.
Also, please don't misconstrue my forum trolling as any disrespect towards you as a soldier or any of our armed forces in IRAQ or elsewhere in the world, they deserve our support and respect for putting their lives on the line for ungrateful ingrates like myself, I think Sam Kinison said it best in his speech in "Back to School". I tried to be respectfu of your military status and not say things like "Aren't your orders to defend turbins and not Turbine?" My comment only ment that I will not take your word as divinity and that others may claim to offer the support to troops or any situation are lying through their teeth for their own benefit, ces't la vie that is life in America and the corporate world. But here on the forums we are above such shit eating grins and can say some vile things, but it's beautiful because it's pure and true and even though it doesn't matter and is just being said for the heck of it to piss people off. I don't know you and thus everything I say or you say or anyone else says matters not. What does matter is I am enjoying myself and if people wish to persist in trying to one up me with their inane commentary I will proceed to respond back with equal drivel devoid of any value.
So in summary, our little flame fest started with a comment from me, and then comments from you about my intelligence. Well what ensued, can be considered your fault just as much as mine. I can't say I didn't instigate this with my comments but you clearly are not the better man for engaging in my bait.
Still none of this matters. I don't care about DDO to flame it,defend it, really this is just the ramblings of someone who is bored without any decent mmorpgs out there to play.
Any points I made regarding flaws in DDO however, are still very much valid, and I have not seen anything to argue otherwise that was based on the merits of the game compared to its peers, not even WOW or EQ, but DIABLO/Guild Wars which it most resembles. All I have seen is how it is a game for special people who can enjoy it only if they are mature enough, and that just seems very pretentious. Even a forum troll needs motivation and what is better then that.
So, I apologize for going back on my word as it was assumed that I would not post in the thread anymore. after this post I won't post in here and you can continue to do as you wish. To all others who need to get the last word in plz STFU and let this honorable soldier continue with his happiness, so that I do not have to post again. Although I am fearful there are people more mean spirited then myself and would like to see nothing more then this continue.
To the OP, thank you for posting an honest review of your experiences and perceptions of the game. I enjoyed it imensely although I am still skeptical of the DDO game. I do not intend to subscribe but I will keep my eye on it to see where it heads.
And now...for two quotes from the rules...
Transmit any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable content.
"Spam" by posting frequent and/or annoying messages in the forums or messages not in the topic for that forum (except in such areas where it is clearly indicated that "spamming" is allowed)
If you desire to disagree with the OP or any poster please feel free. Just ensure that you do so in a polite, well thought out manner to provoke discussion not flames. And I quote...
Arguing on the internet is like running in the special olympics, even if you win you are still retarded.
This is one iraqi who will defend this american soldier:
Honostly - I'm so glad that people like FullMetalAlc will not be playing DDO. Now this thread has lost its quality and dignity because he decides to spam it with his own. Either why I am sure FullMetalAlc will continue to whine no matter what he had promised earlier. This is clearly evident in the length of his respones.
Its this reason why I want to get DDO and play with a mature rather than a bitter adult who time to post strong narrated comments about their opinion over and over again.
I would like to confirm again I hope for "SaintedOne"s reviews to continue. Thank you SaintedOne, and don't mind that sushi from WoWy land!!!!
In conclusion, SaintedOne, you can post your very good reviews here or start a new thread, either way FullMetalAlc will read your reviews because they are good and he can keep humilating himself until he gains some sense!!!!
Question - how do they handle agro in DDO? Do the monsters just attack the nearest guy?
This is a crutial element to game play, and I think it deserves a bit of attention. If there was no agro in WoW, playing my preist would have been really boring in groups.
Nick
PS - could someone please delete FMC's spastic rantings? And perhaps help him to tie his shoelaces.
The race doesn't always go to the swiftest, nor the battle to the strongest, but that's the way to bet.
As far I know the agro in DDO is determined by your level of Charisma. The lower your Charisma are the more likely you are attacked. You can use spells to agro or avoid monster to attack you.
When creating a character in DDO you can decide where to put your points. Normally you see figherts and barbarian with low charisma as the are likely the first line of attak/defence
I have not heared about the charisma thing. Not sure about the mechanics behind it but here is how the "aggro" system looked like in my adventures.
The monster will always attack the one that does the most damage, or the healer that is healing ithe monsters current target if the healer heals more damage than the monster deals.
There are 2 ways to affect aggro: diplomacy and intimidate.
Intimidate is your standard MMO taunt. It also comes in useful in extracting information from certain NPCs.
Diplomacy lets you get better prices at vendors and better quest rewards. If you use diplomacy on a monster it will make it less likely to attack you.
The best way to handle aggro in this game is to use a "body wall". Since monsters can't pass through players or other monsters it is usful and sometimes necessary to outmanouver the montsters so that they can't get to you or to stop the monsters from getting to the squishy fellas if you are the tank.
Since my most extensive experience has been as a rogue I'll relate how I use aggro. In a large fight I find myself circling around the main melee and lunching backstabs wherever I see fit while staying on the move to keep the monsters away from me. If fighting a single monster, like a giant, I often use diplomacy to lose its attention.
The game also provides optiosn for tumbling and other ways to evade attacks so that you can play very defensivley... unfortunatly the healers and casters aren't usually very good at combat... offensive or defensive so they have to rely on other party members to handle the melee.
I've been looking for a new online game since I'm outgrowing the one's I play and after reading SainedOne's and Burrek's detailed experiences, I think I'm going to try the game after all. I've scan trough the post's by other MMORPG subscribers and although the majority say don't bother, I'm going to try it anyway. I like to see things for my self and conclude my own opinion. Most of the negative feedback is usually about the same issues, no PvP (which is a plus for my style of play), no soloing (which in MHO is the point of playing online games), and the box and monthly fee (money is not an issue for me so spending the money even if in the end I don't like the game is fine), and really, not one of the negative post I read were as detail as the feedback these two gentlemen provided.
People forget that the hole point of doing beta testing is to test the game, find the bugs and report other issues that will improve the game. But what I find more ironic is that most of the people that post are the ones that rushed trough missions, expected a perfect game play during beta testing, and forgot that they were there not just to play for free. I bet most played with one character the entire time. Well, I don't know if that is true but it sure is the impression I got from the posts I read.
Clearly from the read on this post, even the unwanted spamming, this game is for the mature player and not the power leveling hungry trolls. I look forward to meeting you guys in game when it opens. I know that beta testing is close for now so I don't expect any more reports from SainedOne, but if he reads this, I'd like to say thank you for posting your evaluation.
BTW-I register for DDO beta testing and got a beta key but I never got the opportunity to download the client.
SaintedOne, thank you for a great post. I was in WOW for a while and after the influx of new users after Christmas I quit. Why? Well I don't have anything against the new users, I am glad they got the game. Blizzard is so stupid that they didn't handle the new population influx and thus the severs were hosed. I couldn't get in to play my character. *sigh* What was their solution? Log into a new server and start over!
Whatever. What to transfer a character? Have to pay for it. 
So I quit.
I read some reviews of the game and what really interested me is how the game will use LOW population servers to make stronger and tight nit communities and the instance battling. Plus the battle system sounds awesome. I just wonder why all the "this game sucks". I see alot whining about soloing. HELLO!! Welcome to Dungeons and Dragons, soloing doesn't exist and shouldn't. I like the no PVP and no crafting.
I got interested in this game due to I have a $50 gift from Christmas and I need to spend it
and I do miss the online multiplayer. I have dial up 
but Guild Wars and WOW played fine, I hope D&D Online can, if not then no go.
My main questions are (maybe been asked, scanned through all the flamming crap from that other guy)
1) How is the community? I am a HEAVY role player. I love to rp. Is this happening in beta. Could D&D Online do rp servers like WOW?
2) Is the game long/big? I don't mean the wide open spaces to run and waste time in like WOW, but a big game that will take time to complete till expansions and online updates expand the world. I don't want to beat the game anytime soon.
After WOW I told myself I was swearing off MMORPG's. I have been played Neverwinter Nights online again, but it is not the same. SO. I am really interested in this game, just wonder if it is my cup of tea. I am tired of the MMORPG's that are boring and make you run all over the place with crappy quests. I do like Pnp paper Dungeons and Dragons but played Neverwinter more. I just like to rp, have fun and the likes while finding friends to run with. You can't do that with 20,000 people on a server. I can do that where I am playing online now with NWN, but with just 25 people online, hard to do there to. Thanks again for the "review".
Hey Everyone! Allow me to begin by apologizing for all those who were expecting frequent updates of my reviews for my absence over the last couple of days. I've been pretty busy getting set up with my new guild, trying to find time to get a couple of extra hours in during the last days of Beta, and keeping up with everything at work. Allow me to extend a sincere note of appreciation to everyone who has kept this thread alive; and more importantly, for everyone who has shown such an interest and support in my (and others') reviews of the game on this thread. Now that I have a couple of minutes to note on things, I would like to address some of the questions asked by players, my final experiences in the Beta testing, and extend an invitation to interested players for the guild I have joined - The Council of Valenor. I hope this all helps to clear up any confusion, frustration, or simply help to make anyone's final decision easier on whether or not to join the DDO Community upon release. The Pre-Order beta testing will be closed at the end of this evening, so that added bonus will no longer be available to those who pre-order the game. However, if anyone still does pay to pre-order the game before release, they will still get the Bonus Item that comes with the package, and be able to participate in the Head Start event. As well, anyone who has pre-ordered the game and decides they are interested in joining The Council of Valenor will recieve a bonus helmet as well - for the guild's creation with a number higher than 10 members during the head start event. I am still a strong supporter of this game (even with all of the faults that have been discussed), and continue to urge players to try it out and see how it fares for them. I will note, as I have before, that this game is not for everyone! Interested players will either fall into the niche of the few, dedicated players that will stay on after release, or they will find the faults and lack of some features too overwhelming for their enjoyment. With my reviews, I merely intended on giving everyone a head's up to my experiences and opinions of the game, for a better understanding of the feel and play of DDO. Well, without further adu, herein lies the next chapter of answers, experiences, and now a guild invitation:
Player Questions:
CardinalSin - I'll start with your question concerning the game's mechanics for AI and aggro. I fully agree with the other poster's answers to your question, and can only share my limited experience of study in this aspect of the game. I, personally, cannot note for sure whether or not a player's Charisma affects a mob's attention to your character. It does make sense, however, so I won't completely write it off either. From my experiences, I've learned a few things about avoiding (and peeling) monster aggro. To start, a monster will automatically (and understandably) devote his complete attention to the first character that it visually sees, or audibly hears. This means, whenever your group first enters a room, a monster will instinctively go directly to the first player it encounters. If that player does not attack the mentioned monster before another player does, however, then the first player to deal damage to that mob will draw aggro. These are all basic and expected AI reactions, however; and we've seen them in nearly every other MMORPG to date. What I understand past this is very little, as I never spent too much time on any class other than a Rogue (other than the experiences I have mentioned previously in my reviews). My understanding of the system is very similar to burrek's; the player dealing the most damage, or a cleric healing for more damage than the mob is dealing to a player character, will receive the mob's aggro. As for sneaking goes, there seem to be a lot of factors that tie into whether or not a monster will see/hear you moving about in the shadows. Even with a Hide and Sneak skill over 15 modifier each, while doing the Stealthly Reposession quest (given from the Wayward Lobster, level 1 Quest), I had huge issues with kobolds realizing my presence amongst them in the darkness of the dungeon. From this, I've concluded the following: First, you can never sneak/walk while hidden right next to a monster unless it is previously engaged in combat with another player. Doing so will get you seen everytime. You have to avoid walking too close to the mob, or they will undoubtedly hear you. I think this system could use a little more tweaking by the devs, and as a result, I have noted such in trouble tickets sent to the higher authorities
. I found it best to keep a minimal of five paces behind a monster, and to try to stay in the shadows as best as possible. For anyone who has played the Beta and spent much time sneaking around, you already have a basic understanding of how well you are visible. As you sneak, a number of eyes (or a lack thereof) indicate how hidden you are to mobs around you. And as you sneak, if your stealth skill is too low to prevent you from making much noise, a red sound-vibration graphic rolls out from under your feet. I noticed, however, as I became more stealthly with my Rogue, the graphic for his footstep's sounds went away completely; thus, I only had to worry about a mob hearing me if I were too near to them. Anyone wanting a further review on my experiences sneaking, hiding, and avoiding the attention of various monsters within dungeons, please inform me and I will go into more detail.
Serien - Thank you very much for your appreciation of burrek's and my own reviews and posts in this thread. I completely agree with you about your comments on the Beta experience, and what one's expectations and duties should be while Beta testing a game. I'd very noteably like you to take a look at my section near the end of this review concerning an invitation to players for my guild. It would be an honor to group up with you in the game, so I hope you will check out the site included in this review and consider joining.
sandmanfvr - Thank you, as well, for your support of my reviews. I wasn't a big fan of WoW either, so I'm sure that the added frustration you mentioned would have driven me over the edge if I were still a subscriber at that time. I as well agree with their low server population choices, and the ongoing argument of the non-soloing aspect of this game. As for your questions, allow me to answer them in turn, as asked:
1) I found the overall majority of the community in DDO to be a more mature, respectful crowd than I have experienced on some MMORPG servers. As the Beta was cut down to one server in the final days, however, I did start to see some of the more "annoying" (for lack of a nicer word) players that we're so used to in these online games. Your best bet is to find a good guild, with a similar play style as your own. Community interaction is actually limited to the point of some trading, but is mostly directed and executed in grouping (with such a heavy emphasis on group oriented, instance quests, how else could you expect it?). If you manage to find a group of players who share your interest and play style, you're very likely to enjoy this game immensely. You sound like a great person to fit into our guild, so I urge you to look at my invitation to such players near the end of this post. As for Roleplaying servers, there are two unofficial servers. My guild will be on one of them - Thelanis.
2) At the time of release, there is a limited amount of content and exploration available to your character and to your play experience. However, Turbine and WoTC plan to constantly develop and release new content - I've heard some unofficial rumors or a big patch being released by the end of the first month following release, including new areas and possibly even new races and classes. We'll just have to ride this one out to see where it goes, but again; with the right group of friends, that is easily an accomplishable task.
My Final Beta Experiencces:
Voice Chat - Over the last couple of days, I have been using the game's built-in voice chat system to listen to my group, while being restricted to typing (as I haven't had a mic out here to use). However, I've occasionally had some major issues where my group mates could hear eachother clearly, but their voices would cut in and out (and sometimes not be heard at all) on my system. Today, I went out and purchased a head/mic set, took the time to set it up, and tested it out; the result was that my group mates could now hear me clearly, but I was still having the same issues with hearing them. I reported the issue to the dev team, so hopefully they are able to fix this (or at least be able to address it in the in-game help menu) by release, or shortly after. I'm really looking forward to when this issue gets worked out though - from my successful experiences using the voice chat feature, it makes the quests go a lot smoother, and is more involving than typing everything (particularly when you consider that this is Dungeons and Dragons we're talking about).
The Halfling Rogue - Due to issues that kept me logged out of the game (work, school, guild, frustration with occasional lag at peak times), the highest level I achieved was Level 2, Rank 3. I can't comment too much on the higher end quality of the game, but I can go into a little detail on the Harbor quests for the first two areas, including quests from The Wayward Lobster and The Leaky Dinghy. I finished all but one of the quests from The Leaky Dinghy, two or three from The Wayward Lobster, and all but maybe two from The Harbor. I even took part in one quest that took my group (made up of level 1s and 2s) on a Level 3 Quest in an outside dungeon. Yes, they do exist people - outside instance zones for quests. We had to do a series of objectives that included raiding some camps, stealing some ale (or something), replacing some kegs of ale with a more flammable substance, sabotaging a named mob's boat (and ultimately blowing it up, though no graphical effect showed the explosion), and then finalling killing Yaaryar, the named mob. It was by far the largest instance zone map I had played on, and had at least 5+ rest/ressurection shrines (which were much needed, considering we were doing the dungeon below it's suggested level), and countless treasure chests. In all of my experiences, I got a good feel for my Rogue; his duties as the "crash-test dummy" of the dungeons if you will (run ahead of everyone, look for traps, try not to get spotted by that optional objective named Mob as I report back to my group), and came to learn very quickly that I'm not very supportive of the feats system in the game. At every rank, you earn an ability point to spend on a new feat. The problem with this: you can only have four feats, so you have to switch out old ones for new ones. Once I got the ones I wanted, I really had no need to replace them for other ones I saw as being less useful - so by the time I was 2.3, I had two unspent ability points, and still no urge to use them. Maybe they would have become more useful in my next level or something, I'm not sure... Perhaps burrek can comment, since he has a little more experience in the class? Anyway, there isn't much new news to report on the class - I've said a lot, but was very limited in my experiences (I took my Beta opportunity to test out the overall feel of the game, the classes, the features, etc. rather than power leveling on one character). As with anything else, I'm always willing to answer any specific questions on this topic, as I am able.
Grouping - My latest experiences in grouping taught me one thing above all else... How gravely important having a good group of friends to level up with is. Every time I logged in, I would have to find a new group, with a new group of people, with a varying selection of classes, levels, and completion of quests. I had to re-do many of the quests because group members wouldn't have them completed, and would often find myself getting frustrated due to the various personality conflicts within the group. I'm now all the more satisfied with the guild I have chosen, and can't wait to get into the game with them - this game is very definite in it's conversion from PnP to MMO; how many PnP games would you play with a group of people that you didn't get along with? How much more enjoyable was it to have a group of close friends? Point made...
My Personal Invitation to Join The Council of Valenor:
To all players who have read my reviews, discussed their thoughts intelligently and articulately, and agree with my own views, opinions, and play styles, I urge you to join The Council of Valenor. An all elf guild to be created on the Thelanis server (one of the two unofficial roleplaying servers), the guild is made up of an older, more mature audience. The majority of our members are over the age of 30 and have extensive experience in both Pen and Paper gaming as well as Online Computer gaming. I invite all who are interested to swing by and check out the guild's web page, read over the Charter, and take a look at the forums. If interested, feel free to apply for membership to the guild's site, and our leader will hastily return a response to you. The link is provided below, and I hope to see many of you on the guild forums soon!
Link to Guild Portal: http://www.guildportal.com/Guild.aspx?GuildID=65772&TabID=570397