Or will you be able to solo up to lvl cap. Ive played many MMOs out there and absolutely fell in love with FFXI b/c of its "force grouping" (never played EQ1). A little bit of both would be sweet too. I guess what Im asking is will this game offer a challenge while lvling that will require help a lot? Im just getting sick of all the easy dull WoW clones....../cry

From what I've been reading, grouping is neither forced or useless until end game. You can solo if you want or have to go that way due to time restrictions, but you will probably do better and have more fun with the game if you group.

Like FFXI and LotrO they are group combo skills that will help you defeat challenging content, and the leveling curve while not being grindarific is not as easy peasy as WoW and will probably go faster in a good group.

If I'm wrong testers, let us know. ;)

Just to add that as far as i know The Abyss its supposed to be really group oriented, PvPvE, castles and so.  

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

Originally posted by mbg1411

Or will you be able to solo up to lvl cap. Ive played many MMOs out there and absolutely fell in love with FFXI b/c of its "force grouping" (never played EQ1). A little bit of both would be sweet too. I guess what Im asking is will this game offer a challenge while lvling that will require help a lot? Im just getting sick of all the easy dull WoW clones....../cry

I have to agree the most fun ive had in an MMORPG was in EQ ,1 when you basically had to group in order to level. Very few classes in tha game could solo unless you had very good gear.  And that was near impossible for a very long time. I hope that MMORPG's slowly go back to the you are requierd to group to level system.  However I dont think Aion will go in that direction.  Aion seems to be more like a Final fantasy in a WoW type enviroment. Which is a good thing considering WoW has some great art design, and im excited that they are taking the character art style from FF type art. Overall it should be a beutiful game, and I am hoping its gonig to be WoW/WAR/FF in one game.

some area's on the map require a party because the mobs are leet as hell. I have been soloing the whole time in OBT, At lvl 17-18 I came to the area with the leets mobs and died like 4 times trying to solo them. So with me unable to get a party I found a new map area with mobs ranging from l9 and up and I had no problem killing these mobs at lvl18. I think the better drops can be found in the party areas but i'm not sure.

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

that depends on who the 1 person is

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

 

that depends on who the 1 person is

so friggin true XD

Originally posted by redrum666er

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

 

that depends on who the 1 person is

 

so friggin true XD

Going "Rambo" in FPS games is awsome. Knowing that you just smoked the other team with little to no help from your team. There is no better feeling than that, as a gamer.   

IMO that is.

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

 

that depends on who the 1 person is

Amen

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

 

that depends on who the 1 person is

It would also depend on who the 5 other players were.

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by redrum666er

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

 

that depends on who the 1 person is

 

so friggin true XD

 

Going "Rambo" in FPS games is awsome. Knowing that you just smoked the other team with little to no help from your team. There is no better feeling than that, as a gamer.   

IMO that is.

I goddamn hate all of you.  1% of the time you're rambo.  99% of the time we're trying to do something and you charge out there, machine guns blazing, only to have the sniper put a bullet between your eyes.  Then we're down a man because SOME DUMBASS thinks that he's motherfucking Rambo.  

Now times this by half the team, and you'll see why 'clans' pwn you all the time.  Half of you suicided, while the rest of us are trying to do something here.

Groups>Solo, and I don't give a damn if you think you're Jackie Chan. 

You know how often I played Day of Defeat, and took heavy machine guns?  I'd cover a point we were capping, 3 man, and kill 5 guys.  Why?  Because each and every one decided to charge me, because he was muthafuckin Rambo.  

If they'd coordinated the attack, had one ruin my field of vision with smokes, two flank us, while the sniper got in position to kill me and the two charged us under heavy smoke cover so I didn't have a field of vision, you know what would have happened?  I would have been dead, and we would have lost the point. 

Instead, 5 Rambos ran into a heavy machine gun, and 5 Rambos died. 

You ain't Rambo, dumbass.

Originally posted by Sharajat

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by redrum666er

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

 

that depends on who the 1 person is

 

so friggin true XD

 

Going "Rambo" in FPS games is awsome. Knowing that you just smoked the other team with little to no help from your team. There is no better feeling than that, as a gamer.   

IMO that is.

 

I goddamn hate all of you.  1% of the time you're rambo.  99% of the time we're trying to do something and you charge out there, machine guns blazing, only to have the sniper put a bullet between your eyes.  Then we're down a man because SOME DUMBASS thinks that he's motherfucking Rambo.  

Now times this by half the team, and you'll see why 'clans' pwn you all the time.  Half of you suicided, while the rest of us are trying to do something here.

Groups>Solo, and I don't give a damn if you think you're Jackie Chan. 

 

You know how often I played Day of Defeat, and took heavy machine guns?  I'd cover a point we were capping, 3 man, and kill 5 guys.  Why?  Because each and every one decided to charge me, because he was muthafuckin Rambo.  

If they'd coordinated the attack, had one ruin my field of vision with smokes, two flank us, while the sniper got in position to kill me and the two charged us under heavy smoke cover so I didn't have a field of vision, you know what would have happened?  I would have been dead, and we would have lost the point. 

Instead, 5 Rambos ran into a heavy machine gun, and 5 Rambos died. 

You ain't Rambo, dumbass.

WoWzers you got some hate built up? Theres a method to the madness. I have been playing FPS for long as I can remember. There are the Rambos and the Rambo wannabes. Sounds like you have always got the short end of the stick with team mates. I always like playing team deathmatches with no respawn that way I can carry the team and not have to worry about some people zerging in and gettin 20 more deaths than kills. Like I said there is a method to the madness. some ppl got it while others dont.

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by redrum666er

Originally posted by toddze

Originally posted by Sharajat

PvP is always group oriented, even in FPS games.  5 people > 1, simple fact.  

 

that depends on who the 1 person is

 

so friggin true XD

 

Going "Rambo" in FPS games is awsome. Knowing that you just smoked the other team with little to no help from your team. There is no better feeling than that, as a gamer.   

IMO that is.

 

I goddamn hate all of you.  1% of the time you're rambo.  99% of the time we're trying to do something and you charge out there, machine guns blazing, only to have the sniper put a bullet between your eyes.  Then we're down a man because SOME DUMBASS thinks that he's motherfucking Rambo.  

Now times this by half the team, and you'll see why 'clans' pwn you all the time.  Half of you suicided, while the rest of us are trying to do something here.

Groups>Solo, and I don't give a damn if you think you're Jackie Chan. 

 

You know how often I played Day of Defeat, and took heavy machine guns?  I'd cover a point we were capping, 3 man, and kill 5 guys.  Why?  Because each and every one decided to charge me, because he was muthafuckin Rambo.  

If they'd coordinated the attack, had one ruin my field of vision with smokes, two flank us, while the sniper got in position to kill me and the two charged us under heavy smoke cover so I didn't have a field of vision, you know what would have happened?  I would have been dead, and we would have lost the point. 

Instead, 5 Rambos ran into a heavy machine gun, and 5 Rambos died. 

You ain't Rambo, dumbass.

 

WoWzers you got some hate built up? Theres a method to the madness. I have been playing FPS for long as I can remember. There are the Rambos and the Rambo wannabes. Sounds like you have always got the short end of the stick with team mates. I always like playing team deathmatches with no respawn that way I can carry the team and not have to worry about some people zerging in and gettin 20 more deaths than kills. Like I said there is a method to the madness. some ppl got it while others dont.

I bet he sucks

1. Will this game require groups? 2. Will the game have you lose exp everytime you die?

1. I f*cking hope so!

2. I 'double' f*cking hope so! FFXI was a prime example of an MMORPG, it made people think twice about being suicidal. Depending on your situation and chances of getting a party next time with your current job/subjob, people were required to think before acting. Weighing consequence versus the need to deathport. I loved how people were scared half to death about dying in FFXI, it was epic. Now with WoW and it's predecessors, everyone's all like zomglolzzzidyedlolzzz!!1111!!1. The game just didn't tolerate noobness unlike WoW. There's a reason why there was a Leeroy Jenkins in WoW and not in FFXI. ;)

Originally posted by FiresealMMO

1. Will this game require groups? 2. Will the game have you lose exp everytime you die?

 

1. I f*cking hope so!

2. I 'double' f*cking hope so! FFXI was a prime example of an MMORPG, it made people think twice about being suicidal. Depending on your situation and chances of getting a party next time with your current job/subjob, people were required to think before acting. Weighing consequence versus the need to deathport. I loved how people were scared half to death about dying in FFXI, it was epic. Now with WoW and it's predecessors, everyone's all like zomglolzzzidyedlolzzz!!1111!!1. The game just didn't tolerate noobness unlike WoW. There's a reason why there was a Leeroy Jenkins in WoW and not in FFXI. ;)

 

 

You need to be punished for dieing. Its plain and simple. IMO FFXI was perfect with the death penalty not to extreme and not to easy. aside from the xp  you lost the big debuff forced you on the sideline for awhile in a raid.  I forgot how long it lasted, but you could not do anything with that debuff on you or you would just die again.

Need to fear something besides who might beat you on looting an item.

Originally posted by mstersmith2

Originally posted by toddze

WoWzers you got some hate built up? Theres a method to the madness. I have been playing FPS for long as I can remember. There are the Rambos and the Rambo wannabes. Sounds like you have always got the short end of the stick with team mates. I always like playing team deathmatches with no respawn that way I can carry the team and not have to worry about some people zerging in and gettin 20 more deaths than kills. Like I said there is a method to the madness. some ppl got it while others dont.

 

I bet he sucks

Not hate.  Just facts.  But lets pretend for a minute you're both uber-l33t Rambos.  You STILL don't have a hope against me.  Why?  I don't play Rambo.  You're used to attacking 5 Rambos, and taking down all 5.  That will NEVER happen against a coordinated team.

Here's what happens if you Rambo 5 of us.  Lets say I'm in the lead, and I just don't have the 'uber-skillz' to to take you down.  You attack. 

If you kill me, well, lucky you.  I just announced your location in Vent, your position, your tag, and probably your weapon type.  Oh, and there were 4 guys who had my back.  You're probably dead.

Lets say you don't instantly kill me.  I'm not returning fire, except to keep you back.  Mainly, I'm heading for cover (which IS close).  Why?  Because there are four people who know your exact location.  I know where the nearest cover is, and I'm there (remember, in this world you're definitely 100% better than me, so I know I can't take you).  

My teammates will splatter you for me, then we'll move on.  After all, no matter how good you are, you're not good enough to take me out instantly while my entire priority is staying safe (not returning fire).  And if you're focusing on me, you're not focusing on the people who have my back. 

And lets say that you decide "oh, he rabbited" and go after my teammates.  Good news.  Now I have your position in Vent, and the fact that you're not focusing on me.  And because I was point, it means you've put me at your back.  So not only do you have to take down 4 people who know you're coming, you've put me at your back.  I don't need to be better than you to kill you from behind.  I just need to know your position, be able to see your back, and have a weapon.

Yes, you can run in, grenade spam, pull out your weapons, and Rambo.  You have some dream of catching us off guard, killing two with your first grenade, blindsiding the third and the fourth with your l33t machine gun fire, and drilling the fifth in a hardcore cat-and-mouse battle. 

You're crazy if you think that you can do that consistantly. 

Oh, and we're working on accomplishing the map goals.  You're Rambo.  We win.

Well I rolled into a large area on the map full of elete mob's trying to finish 3 or 4 quest I had. Lets just say I got totally smoked 4 times out of 4 attemps while trying to solo it. I just gave up on those quest because I can't join a party due to I cant speak korean ( quest rewards are quite good for elete jobs and better drops from them also ). I guess I'll wait for NA/EU to do them.

My impression of Aion from the informations of Korean beta testers and videos is that:

1.  Aion will most likely be able to solo level, but of course it wouldn't be that fast.  However, it seems like you can defeat monsters of your level 1 on 1 without too much issues.  This kind of points toward being similar to L2, however, Aion is most likely to have stronger mobs in general than L2.

2.  There are elite mobs types in Aion it seems, so party leveling should be pretty effective.  FFXI can be considered as having no normal mobs, since every mob feels like you are fighting an elite mob in other games.  However, experienced players can still take down a incredibly tough mob if they know what they are doing, but usually soloing provide little benefit other than a challenge most of the time.

3.  Unlike in FFXI, Aion should be basically rather free when it comes to whether you want to solo or group.  Grouping seems like a additional bonus thing you can do to level up faster than actually being enforced as the primary way to level.

4.  Most Korean like this type of game balance anyways, since some likes to do additional grinding (and alot of them) alone on their spare time, while still party when they can.

The game is either soloable or party oriented.  It really depends on your taste.  There are elite type of mobs, and it isn't like they are spread out and mixed in with random regular mobs.  You can choose to party and take on "certain" difficult mission quests which give more xp and better rewards (not that the rewards are too great), and it does seem somewhat like raids...because the mobs are just that much stronger.  Very rare number of those party enforced mission quests aren't soloable at all.  But as you level you always have the choice of doing sub quests which don't force grouping, and really doesn't require it.  But you always do have the option to go 1:1 party with friend or something. 

As far as quests in relation to leveling, it doesn't feel like you run out of any quests to level till 30, which is the current level cap for the OB.  Service stars on 25th anyways.

There are mission quests and regular sub quests as I have mentioned above.  Some mission quests can be alittle difficult, but the game doesn't necessarily force you to accomplish them right away.   You can always come back...or just leave it be.  Or if you prefer farming and grinding isn't so bad either...but you will not get the same type of rare drops available when partying for stronger mobs.

regular>green rare>blue rare>yellow unqiue:  this is how the equipments are differenciated, and although yellow uniques are tempting enough...they are indeed very rare drops...(one unique feature besides eminent stats is that yellow unqiue armor sets activate interesting visual effects when in combat mode)  However, you will get your way around the game with green rares fine enough, and these items are much hard to get from regular mobs. (But again, there is a bit of stat difference between the green rares the regular and elite mobs drops.)