Lord of the Rings Online

Originally posted by observer

I agree about the combat, it's one of the most negative things about this game, or maybe it's because i played a Captain. 

Minstrel is also an issue. The heal/low damage factor makes killing a mob solo sleepy town (could just hit heal/hit and watch a movie at the same time). Captain is just like a Paladin in respect to it's light heal/combat feel.

But, this is pretty much the standard for all games. Wonder when some MMO company will step up and change this Tank/Heal/Spank mechanic.

Guild Wars definitely changes that up a bit now, but does not have the full MMO feel.

Maybe Guild Wars 2 will be a step in the right direction. Fast combat, short battles and a persistent world. Woot!

Originally posted by openedge1

Originally posted by observer

I agree about the combat, it's one of the most negative things about this game, or maybe it's because i played a Captain. 

 

Minstrel is also an issue. The heal/low damage factor makes killing a mob solo sleepy town (could just hit heal/hit and watch a movie at the same time). Captain is just like a Paladin in respect to it's light heal/combat feel.

But, this is pretty much the standard for all games. Wonder when some MMO company will step up and change this Tank/Heal/Spank mechanic.

Guild Wars definitely changes that up a bit now, but does not have the full MMO feel.

Maybe Guild Wars 2 will be a step in the right direction. Fast combat, short battles and a persistent world. Woot!

I have a minstrel, lvl 40 now. Since they introduced war-speech stance (DPS buff, healing skill debuff, new DPS (+aoe dps) skills), it cuts through mob like butter. A couple traits here and there, being able to stun with critical hits on the DPS shouting skill - it's actually pretty easy to solo them - an equal level mob takes seconds to kill.

Guardian is even better. Wield a 2H weapon, switch on "overpower" with/or parry modifier, slot parry response skills and you'll be flying levels killing mob. Even quicker than the minstrel slotted/stanced for solo play.

These changes were introduced more than half a year ago.

Thanks

DB

<modedit>

Originally posted by DonnieBrasco

Originally posted by openedge1

Originally posted by observer

I agree about the combat, it's one of the most negative things about this game, or maybe it's because i played a Captain. 

 

Minstrel is also an issue. The heal/low damage factor makes killing a mob solo sleepy town (could just hit heal/hit and watch a movie at the same time). Captain is just like a Paladin in respect to it's light heal/combat feel.

But, this is pretty much the standard for all games. Wonder when some MMO company will step up and change this Tank/Heal/Spank mechanic.

Guild Wars definitely changes that up a bit now, but does not have the full MMO feel.

Maybe Guild Wars 2 will be a step in the right direction. Fast combat, short battles and a persistent world. Woot!

 

I have a minstrel, lvl 40 now. Since they introduced war-speech stance (DPS buff, healing skill debuff, new DPS (+aoe dps) skills), it cuts through mob like butter. A couple traits here and there, being able to stun with critical hits on the DPS shouting skill - it's actually pretty easy to solo them - an equal level mob takes seconds to kill.

Guardian is even better. Wield a 2H weapon, switch on "overpower" with/or parry modifier, slot parry response skills and you'll be flying levels killing mob. Even quicker than the minstrel slotted/stanced for solo play.

These changes were introduced more than half a year ago.

Thanks

DB

<modedit>

Do you have some video for that you would wish to share? All indications from my level 36 Minstrel were still slow combat, slow kills. Now, of course, I had not seen a level 40 Minstrel in combat, and posted based on my experience from the last time I played (2 months ago). To get to level 36 was a bear.

Of course this is not to say that level 40 and above is not faster, and I never said it wasnt.

Also, here is an example video...this seems to take a while for 3 mobs and they were all lower level.

Youtube Minstrel

Compared to this combat sequence

Youtube Guild Wars

This is one of the weakest classes in GW as well.

As to Guardian, I never commented on them, and know for a fact they are the strongest class.

<modedit>

All I know is my wife's minstrel can out DPS my captain by a longshot.  She's always pulling aggro off me.  Kind of annoying.   I've also played her minstrel.  Sure, they aren't tops in DPS, but they certainly don't suck and cause you to go watch movies while you fight.

Originally posted by Thradar

All I know is my wife's minstrel can out DPS my captain by a longshot.  She's always pulling aggro off me.  Kind of annoying.   I've also played her minstrel.  Sure, they aren't tops in DPS, but they certainly don't suck and cause you to go watch movies while you fight.

Never said they sucked, they are awesome...as healers.

But, yea, first heal, and all the mobs were on you like butter on toast. The AI mechanics for LOTRO and healers was difficult unless you had a Guardian. Agrro and those heals were like Pizza at a college Dorm...you were tackled for a slice.

Loved my Minstrel, but the overall combat system just seemed slower than some other games is all. Especially Healer solo, or small groups.

As to the OP's topic, yes, I think there's plenty of story that Turbine can use to keep the game running for years.. because truthfully, nothing says that Evil ends with the death of Sauron .... many post-novel epics could yet be written.

<modedit>

         I view LOTRO as a short term game....What I mean by that is that it is fun but only for a short time.....I would not buy the lifetime membership for this game.......It gets the same ole same ole feel after awhile.....FOr some that may take a couple years but for me it lasted about 2 months before I got really bored and didnt feel like logging in anymore......Its also another in a long line of MMOs that are just too easy (WoW, EQ2, LOTRO, etc).....There is some challenging stuff in the game but overall its MMO lite and appeals more to the casual than the hardcore gamer.....IF youre looking for a game to hold you over for a month or 2 Id recommend it but if youre looking for a long term MMO home I wouldnt recommend LOTRO.

Originally posted by Theocritus

         I view LOTRO as a short term game....What I mean by that is that it is fun but only for a short time.....I would not buy the lifetime membership for this game.......It gets the same ole same ole feel after awhile.....FOr some that may take a couple years but for me it lasted about 2 months before I got really bored and didnt feel like logging in anymore......Its also another in a long line of MMOs that are just too easy (WoW, EQ2, LOTRO, etc).....There is some challenging stuff in the game but overall its MMO lite and appeals more to the casual than the hardcore gamer.....IF youre looking for a game to hold you over for a month or 2 Id recommend it but if youre looking for a long term MMO home I wouldnt recommend LOTRO.

I guess you are not very familiar with Tolkien's world then. Also, haven't heard of Mines of Moria expansion, coming out later this year?

LOTRO has the potential to be the *longest* term MMORPG out there easily.

(if you're definiton of a "long-term game" is one where you have to do 6-hours 40 man raids, then thankg god Lotro is "lite" - however misleading this term is)

DB

This is a map of the whole of Middle-Earth by Iron Crown Enterprise based off of the notes of both J.R.R. Tolkien and his son Christopher.  As you can see the small area where Lords of the Rings is based in the upper left hand corner.  If Turbine can stick with the lore (which they seem to do a great job of) this game world can be huge!