Being on break from work, I took some time to go back home and visit with friends. While doing so, they mentioned how they were going to be playing TERA this weekend and how they want me to play with them. As much as I love the concept of an MMO game, I just don't like the idea of getting left behind in the dust because I can't play as much as my friends and thus get out-leveled. With a game like EVE this is a non-issue because in my frigate (beginning ship) I was still useful in a team consisting of vets.

I've noticed that TERA's skill system is extremely linear and that new and/or more powerful abilities unlock at new levels (pretty typical stuff), but does TERA have systems in place that will let me contribute meaningfully even if i was under-leveled relative to my friends?

No system like that exist in tera,  at most the level range at which you can party with someone and still get drops and loot is about 5 levels.  If they have more time to play than you then they are going to out level you fast (even if its just 1-2 hours more).

Someone correct me if I am wrong here but I thought there was a system that would enable higher level players to group with lower level ones but be of thier skill set? So even if your friends outlevel you they can still play with you like you were all around the same level.

This is just the nature of level based games and it always has been. Forget trying to keep up with anybody and just enjoy the game.

Originally posted by mrcalhou

Being on break from work, I took some time to go back home and visit with friends. While doing so, they mentioned how they were going to be playing TERA this weekend and how they want me to play with them. As much as I love the concept of an MMO game, I just don't like the idea of getting left behind in the dust because I can't play as much as my friends and thus get out-leveled. With a game like EVE this is a non-issue because in my frigate (beginning ship) I was still useful in a team consisting of vets.

I've noticed that TERA's skill system is extremely linear and that new and/or more powerful abilities unlock at new levels (pretty typical stuff), but does TERA have systems in place that will let me contribute meaningfully even if i was under-leveled relative to my friends?

No but its quite easy to level in the game and they should be able to help you by powerleveling you in BAMs and such.

 once you hit max level, which i dont think will take too long.  it depends on wether youre freinds are jerks or not and ostricize you for having less than the best gear.  becuase you might have to play somewhat regular to keep up with that.

...And this is the reason why I hate level-based MMOs. They're so arbitrarly restrictive.

Originally posted by mrcalhou

...And this is the reason why I hate level-based MMOs. They're so arbitrarly restrictive.

Well the other kind is a niche and is likely to stay so for a long time or forever sadly. Yet reaching level cap is as stated easy so there arent really any problems.

Originally posted by mrcalhou

...And this is the reason why I hate level-based MMOs. They're so arbitrarly restrictive.

They are restrictive, but its not arbitrary.  People do enjoy the progression, even at the expense of segregation.

Sadly most games take the path of simply using level cap to make everyone useful, as everyone catches up.  It would be nice if more games were like EVE where progression isn't vertial and thus doesn't break up the community.

I find I run into the same problem as you.  I'd really like to enjoy a game with some friends, but we move through content at such different paces that most of the time we end up splitting up, which just isn't as fun.

the lvl is honestly really fast speically this weekend is cbt 2 which means cap si only 27, 1-22 took about 10hrs or less so you got entire weekend to hit 27 more than enough time to do that and enjoy running the 26 dungeon and killing  BAM with your friends.

Originally posted by mrcalhou

...And this is the reason why I hate level-based MMOs. They're so arbitrarly restrictive.

 I agree with you and there are games that "scale down" really well such as EQ2 and recently Aion.  For all of the features TERA has collected, some from other games and some new, I hope they add scaling at some point.  It makes far too much sense not to.

Originally posted by rexzshadow

the lvl is honestly really fast speically this weekend is cbt 2 which means cap si only 27, 1-22 took about 10hrs or less so you got entire weekend to hit 27 more than enough time to do that and enjoy running the 26 dungeon and killing  BAM with your friends.

But I would rather not have to find time to grind so I can play with my friends. As a teacher, I usually end up needing to use my weekends to grade papers and write tests and lesson plans. So I'd like to be able to use my free time to actually contribute in a group setting instead of just catching up with my friends.

I understand why MMOs use levels, and segregate content by levels (and other factors that I consider asinine such as choosing a "nation" or "faction"), but I have a hard time understanding why so few MMOs move away from vertical progression and implement more of a horizontal progression (other than publishers wanting to follow the 800lb gorrilla).

Originally posted by mrcalhou

Originally posted by rexzshadow

the lvl is honestly really fast speically this weekend is cbt 2 which means cap si only 27, 1-22 took about 10hrs or less so you got entire weekend to hit 27 more than enough time to do that and enjoy running the 26 dungeon and killing  BAM with your friends.

But I would rather not have to find time to grind so I can play with my friends. As a teacher, I usually end up needing to use my weekends to grade papers and write tests and lesson plans. So I'd like to be able to use my free time to actually contribute in a group setting instead of just catching up with my friends.

I understand why MMOs use levels, and segregate content by levels (and other factors that I consider asinine such as choosing a "nation" or "faction"), but I have a hard time understanding why so few MMOs move away from vertical progression and implement more of a horizontal progression (other than publishers wanting to follow the 800lb gorrilla).

its there because it makes you feel progression, w/o it the game feel like your not really going anywhere. Its a reward that you kinda earn. But in all honesty mmorpg isn't really a game for you if you don't have spare time, its design to eat up as much of your time as possible. If you want something that you can play quickly with your friends, there probablly other mmo thats none rpg that would work better for you.

Yeah, having some sort of de-leveler/equalizer/assist function seems like a no-brainer these days, especially when you're trying to make things as easy for newer joiners, when finding parties in lower levels can be hard.

Sadly, nothing of the sort exists at this point, and there are a few mechanics that work against you playing with people of significantly higher level than you are, even before you consider gearing and skill differences.

Originally posted by mrcalhou

Being on break from work, I took some time to go back home and visit with friends. While doing so, they mentioned how they were going to be playing TERA this weekend and how they want me to play with them. As much as I love the concept of an MMO game, I just don't like the idea of getting left behind in the dust because I can't play as much as my friends and thus get out-leveled. With a game like EVE this is a non-issue because in my frigate (beginning ship) I was still useful in a team consisting of vets.

I've noticed that TERA's skill system is extremely linear and that new and/or more powerful abilities unlock at new levels (pretty typical stuff), but does TERA have systems in place that will let me contribute meaningfully even if i was under-leveled relative to my friends?

You can level really fast in tera...so unless you just don't play at all...you'll be fine

True friends rolls alts.

Since I'm a firm believer in End-game right after character creation, is there an ample amount of end game? Challenging PvE, PvP with meaning, and so on. I'm pretty sure with this being a Korean game (and not archeage) that there's practically no focus on a player driven economy and territory control. But will I have some reason to continue playing after wizzing past the levels?

this one.

First of all DUH!!! archage is a sand box game, its build to be player driven. Tera is a Theme park mmorpg with some sandbox like feature but overall theme so ofc its not going to be as player driven as a sandbox game.

End game wise there is lot of 5-man end game dungeon. PvP there is arena for political control. And in the future 4 way server war.

Originally posted by mrcalhou

Since I'm a firm believer in End-game right after character creation, is there an ample amount of end game? Challenging PvE, PvP with meaning, and so on. I'm pretty sure with this being a Korean game (and not archeage) that there's practically no focus on a player driven economy and territory control. But will I have some reason to continue playing after wizzing past the levels?

Archeage is korean