Ramblings of a depraved gaming madman or pure genius? You decide.

Author: Torak

Vanguard Player Profile - Balakor Halasin

Vanguard Player Profile
 
Character Name - Balakor Halasin

Race - Thestra Human
Class - Ranger
Adventure level -14
Diplomacy level - 6
Crafting level - 8
Harvesting level - Lumberjacking 126/ Qarrying 111/ Harvesting 171
Guild - Nasty Habits
Server - Halgar
 
*(optional) Tell us a bit about yourself (the RL person)
Active duty Air Force NCO currently stationed in Germany. I've been playing MMO's for about 8 years starting as a Planetside beta tester and my first full up MMO, Earth and Beyond.  Since then I've played EQ2, SWG, EVE, Horizon beta tester, Lineage 2 beta tester, City of Heroes, LOTRO, DDO, Saga of Ryzom, Matrix Online, WOW, EQ, DAOC, Guild Wars....basically darn near everything.  
 
Given Vanguards huge variety of races and classes, tell us how you picked your particular character & class and why. 
Class was really not a difficult choice. I have always enjoyed the Ranger profession in all MMO's, exploring the world and spending days in the field hunting, so naturally I picked Ranger right away. Race, however, was a different matter. Originally I started with a Wood Elf, figuring Wood Elf and Ranger just went hand in hand. I was enjoying his progression when my wife decided to give Vanguard a shot and went straight for the human class. After many attempts of trying to coax her into the Wood Elf race, I surrendered and moved to a human Ranger. I'm enjoying it, but every now and then will sneak back to play the Wood Elf for a bit.
 
What is it that drew you to Vanguard and how long have you been playing?
I've only been playing Vanguard a few months. Several things drew me in though. First, just the sheer size of the world. I have never seen a world this big before. In SWG, I used to love running on foot all over Tatooine, hunting creatures in the hills and dunes for weeks before returning to the cities to sell my goods. Vanguards land masses puts SWG planets to shame. I have had a blast trying to explore every nook and cranny of the world so far. 
 
The second thing that drew me in was the amount of professions and different skills each player can work on. Tired of Adventuring for the day/ Switch to crafting or harvesting or go find some NPC's and work on your diplomacy skills. There is always something to do.
 
The third thing that I love is that this game helps you a bit, but doesn't hold your hand. You have to really pay attention to the quests and ensure your gear and teams are prepared for the adventures. Running in hacking and slashing doesn't cut it.
 
What sphere to you enjoy the most in Vanguard? (adventure, diplomacy, crafting)

Right now I'm really enjoying the Adventuring side of the house. It lets me get out into the world and explore. Diplomacy is fun as well and reminds me of a different version of Legends of Norrath (except its free ! :) ).
 
Vanguard leaves a lot of room for different play styles, very thing from soloers to raiders, what is your preferred play style and why?
 
Soloer definitely. I enjoy getting out into the wilderness and just look for those odd sites or landmarks. Also it helps with questing and hunting when I get into groups in areas I have explored. if they don't have a clue where to go I have usually been there and can guide them right to it. I try and bring folks out on my treks, but they tend to miss cities after awhile.
 
What do you enjoy most about your class?

The freedom to explore a vast world and survive on my own, as well as help in a group. I can pull individual enemies to the group from a longer range, root them down for the tank or hide and sneak up behind them for a surprise attack.
 
What would you change about your class if you could?

Not real sure yet, I'm still to new to the game and low level to really have an idea of what he may need changed.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in trying your class?
 
Patience, it takes some time to get used to playing Rangers, or any character in Vanguard. If you are used to the quick paced leveling of other MMO's it may get a bit frustrating. Take your time, learn to evaluate your targets and from what I've experienced, you are great vs. 1-2 targets. Anymore then you need to run, and there is no shame in that.

Of the places / areas you have visited in Vanguard what are your favorite?
 
Themwars Shield. Nothing really special about it, its just a cool looking place and a good jumping pint to more rugged areas.

Are there any particular favorite adventure sessions or quest you would like to share?
 
No real favorites so far, i'm still rather new to Vanguard. however one particular session that made me like Vanguard even more was my first trip down to the RiftSeeker cave. We had a quest to enter the cave and enter a portal for a series of quests. well, we get down to the portal entrance, but have no clue how to get in. We walk through it....nothing happens. We jump, stand in it, etc...nothing. We reread our quest and it mentions nothing of how to enter. As we are talking to each other a non aggro NPC walks right to the front of the portal, looks at our groups, shrugs and says a strange saying.
 
Pop, he disappears.
 
Suddenly the lights clicks on and we all say the same words. Pop, we are in the dungeon.
 
4 days and many, many deaths and alot of swearing later we finish the quests and head out.
 
And that was just a level 10 cave.

Do you own a house? If so, where is it and what type is it? What do you enjoy about it and what would you change about housing if you could?
 
No, not yet. But I am trying to level my crafting up so I can support the creation of our guild house.

Do you own a Ship? If so what kind is it? What do you use it for?
 
No, no ship...yet

What sort of mount do you own?
 
A sooty brown horse right now. Its hard to believe that I already can buy and use a mount at this low of a level. Its great.  I'm working towards getting my city faction pet as well, but that may take a bit. Oh, and you can rent flying mounts for 25 copper, how great is that. You also have total control over the flying mount. Direction, how high/low they are and actually having to "launch" them into the air to get them flying. Its a blast!

What would you most like to see added or changed in Vanguard?
 
Better Guild Management tools. SOE, if  you are reading this, take the EQ2 guild management tools/functions and plant them in Vanguard. It desperately needs them.