I've spent 30+ hours a week for the past 2 months. Most of my time was spent in Fusang. I have ran atlest half the dungeons on hard and nightmare. For the most part if I wasn't pvp'n I was building, rethinking, and  rebuilding. 

Feel free to ask the fluff, and the hard questions. I'll do my best to answer how I've seen it. I'm sure others will fill in the gaps.

gogogo!

Quoting from the official forums,

"Please note that the non-disclosure agreement is still in place for any previous versions of the Closed Beta that has existed prior to June 21st. Please also note that any posts on the Closed Beta forum may not be shared with anyone outside of that forum, such as comments from both testers and developers. This includes previous, current and future posts on that forum."

Originally posted by DanitaKusor

Quoting from the official forums,

"Please note that the non-disclosure agreement is still in place for any previous versions of the Closed Beta that has existed prior to June 21st. Please also note that any posts on the Closed Beta forum may not be shared with anyone outside of that forum, such as comments from both testers and developers. This includes previous, current and future posts on that forum."

 

Thanks mom eer dad? I am aware ;) Thanks for putting the quote there. Wait isn't putting that quote there a no no since it is a forum thread ;)

Originally posted by bcbully

Originally posted by DanitaKusor

Quoting from the official forums,

"Please note that the non-disclosure agreement is still in place for any previous versions of the Closed Beta that has existed prior to June 21st. Please also note that any posts on the Closed Beta forum may not be shared with anyone outside of that forum, such as comments from both testers and developers. This includes previous, current and future posts on that forum."

 

Thanks mom eer dad? I am aware ;) Thanks for putting the quote there. Wait isn't putting that quote there a no no since it is a forum thread ;)

That's from the general forums, but it says you can talk about your experiences - Funcom just wants people not to get confused about the game by looking at videos of an old build.  As you and I know - there's been many iterations the past few months.

Watch a closed beta player streaming from Egypt: http://www.twitch.tv/the009xfire

Originally posted by Blackbrrd

Watch a closed beta player streaming from Egypt: http://www.twitch.tv/the009xfire

Wow, Egypt actually looks really nice - fairly tempted to pre-order TSW. Running low on cash at the moment though haha.

M

1. Do dungeons require you to take roles as tank and healer?

2. Does the combat get better later on?

3. Is there gear grind?

4. Can players with their first sets of abilities compete with others in PvP who have played for a longer time?

5. Are the other zones as good as Kingsmouth or better/worse?

6. Are dungeons just killing mobs, or are there puzzles and traps, too?

7. Does progression really feel differently from other MMOs, where there are levels, or is it the same in the end?

8. Does your faction ever really matter aside from PvP?

9. Most people have seen the game from the Character creation to Kingsmouth. Is there later any type of content that is completely different from what we have seen already (some surprises)?

10. Does the skill-wheel give some room for experimentation?

11. Could you elaborate on PvP. Is it fun? Is it about competition or more about owning others with the right build and the right gear?

Originally posted by LaZyBuTCrAzY

 

The bad?

Character Creation and some of the Animations.  A few missions are bugged.  Couple of other interface issues that require a /reloadui every now and then. 

Originally posted by LaZyBuTCrAzY

Originally posted by jdnyc

Originally posted by LaZyBuTCrAzY

 

The bad?

Character Creation and some of the Animations.  A few missions are bugged.  Couple of other interface issues that require a /reloadui every now and then. 

I thought they worked on CC?

yeah - they have a new one in latest CB build, but it is not very good. However you can be bald if you want.

TSW will have a multitude of clothing alternatives, Faces and hair will be different from char to char, but everybody will have more or less the same body.

Is it possible to 'out level' an area or is it like GW2 in that you can come back and be challenged in any area of the game? Basically will getting stronger limit the areas in the game where you can play and still be challenged?

Originally posted by Mahavishnu

1. Do dungeons require you to take roles as tank and healer?

Yes and no.  Based on the encounters certain roles need to be fullfilled.  It is possible to have 2 hybrid DPS/healers + support/DPS + Tank/DPS.  But you will want to have one person that can take most of the damage and you will want a couple of people group healing.  Because you can mix and match abilities - it really is up to what the party you're with has.  Starting out in the game Dungeons will feel more traditional because party members simply don't have as many options with abilities.  Of which there are 525 Active and Passives to choose from.

2. Does the combat get better later on? Define better.  If you mean more challenging where you have to switch out builds to complete content, the answer is yes.  If you mean, does the game turn into Tera?  The answer is no.

3. Is there gear grind?  NO absolutely not.  you can craft your talismans and what you look like has no impact on your stats.  There are some nice drops in the dungeons though.  Oh and you can reskin your new weapon stats to keep the look of your old weapon if you want - or vice versa.

4. Can players with their first sets of abilities compete with others in PvP who have played for a longer time?

My guess is probably no, but I honestly haven't done PvP in this game yet - so no clue. 

5. Are the other zones as good as Kingsmouth or better/worse?

Better and more challenging.

6. Are dungeons just killing mobs, or are there puzzles and traps, too?

There's virtually no trash in the dungeons.  Bosses, Traps/Puzzles, Mini-bosses is what you'll find. Dungeons is one of this game's VERY strong suits.

7. Does progression really feel differently from other MMOs, where there are levels, or is it the same in the end?

If you're talking about end game, I don't know.  I'm too busy still enjoying the journey.  Of which I've spent an insane amount of hours.  Seriously.  TSW is really about the journey, not racing to end game.  I've seen there's plenty to do though.  It depends on what you like and if you're a PvPer, RPer or Raider.  There's no Raids, but 3 versions of each dungeon.  RP have the whole theater/London stuff for them.  PvP - I'll let someone else answer.  

8. Does your faction ever really matter aside from PvP?

Yes, but we don't know for sure.  Faction stuff just got in and it's not fully implemented and won't be until launch.  Along with a ton of Investigation missions.  Funcom doesn't want spoilers out there before launch.

9. Most people have seen the game from the Character creation to Kingsmouth. Is there later any type of content that is completely different from what we have seen already (some surprises)?

YES.

10. Does the skill-wheel give some room for experimentation?

YES.  Tons.  It's what it's all about.

11. Could you elaborate on PvP. Is it fun? Is it about competition or more about owning others with the right build and the right gear?

I'll leave this to someone more qualified to answer.

Originally posted by cinos

Is it possible to 'out level' an area or is it like GW2 in that you can come back and be challenged in any area of the game? Basically will getting stronger limit the areas in the game where you can play and still be challenged?

Yes you will get more powerful in an area.  You can still revisit areas though, but you will have to switch to new weapons that you haven't used before or didn't use much (ie - lower QL weapons.)

Oh, thanks for the quick and long answers :)

Originally posted by Mahavishnu

Oh, thanks for the quick and long answers :)

Honestly my pleasure.  Hearing all the doom and gloom from certain people on these forums and having to sit on my hands to not break NDA.  I was more than happy to answer your questions:)

Got any more - feel free and ask.  Game isn't perfect, but the way some people have been just making crap up - it really is BS.

Originally posted by Mahavishnu

1. Do dungeons require you to take roles as tank and healer?

This is a tough one. In short yes, but that's not the whole story. For example you could run a group with 2 off healz, 2 dps, and a dps with mitigation itemization but no tank like itemizations. If you said in LFG "LF4 more for X" you will probably be ok. You will need some healish and some tankish people. The rolls are soft not hard.

2. Does the combat get better later on?

W/o question it does. Passives allow you to effectively make new abilities out of your actives.

3. Is there gear grind? 

No so much you can craft what ever you need. Upgrades are nice though. If there is a grind it's a skill grind, you want you weapons skills to be maxed so that you don't glance as much, but in later zones you can get 5 skill points from one quest, so it comes quick. 

4. Can players with their first sets of abilities compete with others in PvP who have played for a longer time?

Yes if they are skilled and build well, but they will not be able to deal with hard counters, and the chances of you building well with your first set are not good :)

5. Are the other zones as good as Kingsmouth or better/worse?

I have a warm spot for KM.  I just like the place, but yes they are as good if not better. They do get way more challenging 

6. Are dungeons just killing mobs, or are there puzzles and traps, too?

I haven't cam across puzzles, that's not to say they are not there. The bosses can be puzzles. There are very few trash mobs if any. It's almost like mini boss to mini boss to big boss. 

7. Does progression really feel differently from other MMOs, where there are levels, or is it the same in the end?

Yes its, there is no comparision to traditional system.  There is no set way in which you progress you toon. Once you have a couple max skill weapons and max skill gear, the rest is almost like AA.

8. Does your faction ever really matter aside from PvP

Stat wise or ability wise not at all. I hate the Lumies though... The Secret War did a lot to bild that faction v faction v faction rivalry, so they factions are very different to me. Other than faction specific clothes that are unlocked there is not much in game difference between the 3. Idk though Dragons are dragons, Lumies are Lumies, and Temps are temps. If there is a weakness this here could be improved. 

9. Most people have seen the game from the Character creation to Kingsmouth. Is there later any type of content that is completely different from what we have seen already (some surprises)?

There are different quest mechanics as you go further. For example I've ran into a couple quest that you have to /emote_accuse or /emote_spit. I found myself stoping to think still even on the kill quest. 

10. Does the skill-wheel give some room for experimentation?

I consider myself a specologist... I spend hours making builds, and making build philosophies.

11. Could you elaborate on PvP. Is it fun? Is it about competition or more about owning others with the right build and the right gear?

I'm hooked, I love it. The build counter build is truly a meta game. That be said you may feel you are hard countered, then step back and realize you opponents weakness and exploited the next go around. 1 v 1 remind me of WoW arena. You need to know what you opponent is trying to do.

Great questions! My response in in Orange as you can see ;)

WOW my answers are nearly the same as jdnyc!

bbl about 2 hours need to get somethings done. Can't wait to answer more!

Originally posted by Mahavishnu

1. Do dungeons require you to take roles as tank and healer?

If you want a better chance at completing a dungeon, you will need "Healers" and "Tanks".  However, because your role is determined by both your abilities and gear... its easy for groups to adjust builds as necessary.  I would reccomend focusing on versatility in character.  

For example, I play primarily as a DPS.  However, because I had acquired some "Healer" gear and built up some "Healing" abilities, I was able to step in as the party healer.

2. Does the combat get better later on?

Combat does feel a lot better once you've acquired a number of abilities (you'll be near the end of Kingsmouth or partway into Savagae Coast).  A large part of it, is finding a "build" that just "clicks" with your playstyle.  

My initial beta character wasn't fun to play at all.  My next character, I took some tips and feedback from more experienced players and it was like night and day.

3. Is there gear grind?

You will be acquiring gear via random drops, raids, and crafting.  The best stuff will be crafted or dropped from raids/dungeons.  While gear does determine your relative power, player skill is equally as important if not more.  If you want the best of the best, you will have to grind to get those raid drops or get those crafting resources.

4. Can players with their first sets of abilities compete with others in PvP who have played for a longer time?

I didn't get a chance to pvp.

5. Are the other zones as good as Kingsmouth or better/worse?

My experience with Savage Coast and Blue Mountain were just as enjoyable as Kingsmouth.  I can't speak to other zones.

6. Are dungeons just killing mobs, or are there puzzles and traps, too?

If players slow down a bit and observe their surroundings, they will be rewarded... thats all I will say.

7. Does progression really feel differently from other MMOs, where there are levels, or is it the same in the end?

Progression feels different.  I didn't feel driven to level up.  I just experienced the game.  Progression seems to come in the form of unlocking abilities, increasing skill levels, acquiring higher quality gear and achievements.  It doesn't feel nearly as linear as other games.  

You can still go back to previous zones and progress.  Mentoring is a matter of equipping lower QL gear.  So if you really like Kingsmouth, you can continue to play in Kingsmouth and still have it be a challenge while still progressing.  You will never essentially "out level" a zone.

8. Does your faction ever really matter aside from PvP?

I can't say

9. Most people have seen the game from the Character creation to Kingsmouth. Is there later any type of content that is completely different from what we have seen already (some surprises)?

I felt like the game got more interesting and more engrossing the more I played.  

10. Does the skill-wheel give some room for experimentation?

Absolutely! I doubt players will ever have their decks finalized.  This is a tinkerers dream!

11. Could you elaborate on PvP. Is it fun? Is it about competition or more about owning others with the right build and the right gear?

I can't say.  I would imagine pvp is about having a capable build and having the actual skill to utilize.  Equipment will come into play but your deck and your skill are just as important if not moreso.  If I'm lazy, a "low-level" mob can still own me.  I imagine the same is true for pvp.

Originally posted by jdnyc

Originally posted by Mahavishnu

7. Does progression really feel differently from other MMOs, where there are levels, or is it the same in the end?

If you're talking about end game, I don't know.  I'm too busy still enjoying the journey.  Of which I've spent an insane amount of hours.  Seriously.  TSW is really about the journey, not racing to end game.  I've seen there's plenty to do though.  It depends on what you like and if you're a PvPer, RPer or Raider.  There's no Raids, but 3 versions of each dungeon.  RP have the whole theater/London stuff for them.  PvP - I'll let someone else answer. 

I just wanted to give my input here and it's that it gets less linear as you go. The vertical progression is mostly tied to the QL of the weapons you use. You can usually take on mobs one or maybe two QL higher than the one you have. The scaling is different the other way, so QL3 mobs are still a threat to a character with some QL5 gear.

Anyway, the game has 8 zones and the difficulty of the mobs are as described below

• QL 1-3 Kingsmouth
• QL 3-5 Savage Coast
• QL 5-7 Blue Mountain
• QL 7-9 Egypt first zone (don't remember the name)
• The rest up to QL 10

Originally posted by bcbully

 

WOW my answers are nearly the same as jdnyc!

 

That's because we're telling the truth ;)

Originally posted by cinos

Is it possible to 'out level' an area or is it like GW2 in that you can come back and be challenged in any area of the game? Basically will getting stronger limit the areas in the game where you can play and still be challenged?

Yes it is possible to out level an area. The game actually does have levels, through the quality level on your gear "QL1- QL10".

The quests are repeatable after a 24 hour cooldown but things will not be challenging in Kingsmouth when you are in QL-5+ gear.

1. Do dungeons require you to take roles as tank and healer?

Yes, you will still need Tanks, Healers, and DPS. Classless game but still has roles.

2. Does the combat get better later on?

It can, I may have been doing something wrong but leveling as a tank(Shotgun/Hammer) I found it very hard to solo mobs.

3. Is there gear grind?

Definitely yes. Damn shame too :(

4. Can players with their first sets of abilities compete with others in PvP who have played for a longer time?

No, also gear is a huge factor there also

5. Are the other zones as good as Kingsmouth or better/worse?

Hard to tell, what made Kingsmouth so fun was the investigation missions. They didn't have those turned on in the other zones because they didn't want people making guides before launch.

6. Are dungeons just killing mobs, or are there puzzles and traps, too?

Killing mobs.

7. Does progression really feel differently from other MMOs, where there are levels, or is it the same in the end?

I think the SP/AP gains and unlocking all the skills are different progression but the glaring issue is the gear grind, thats definitely not new

8. Does your faction ever really matter aside from PvP?

There are some missions that will have variations for your faction, but in reality it seems the same.

9. Most people have seen the game from the Character creation to Kingsmouth. Is there later any type of content that is completely different from what we have seen already (some surprises)?

Eh, I love the environments

10. Does the skill-wheel give some room for experimentation?

Definitely even though I am sure in the long run min/maxxers will come up with "best builds"

11. Could you elaborate on PvP. Is it fun? Is it about competition or more about owning others with the right build and the right gear?

In my opinion PvP sucks in this game. Its seems to be all about who has the better gear. As an example I was playing Fusang with a group there were 5 of us that ganged up on 1 templar, the templar was in QL-10 gear and killed all of us before he even came close to dying.

After some PvP and seeing how gear is what matters I decided to cancel my preorder.. I love the Investigation Missions, the Ability wheel and the Environment. I have stepped back and decided to wait a few months on this one because right now it honestly feels like more of the same with a new gimmick (Ability Wheel/Investigation Missions).

Originally posted by Diemos

 

6. Are dungeons just killing mobs, or are there puzzles and traps, too?

Killing mobs.

 

This right here tells me you didn't run a single dungeon.  There's virtually no trash in the dungeons.  so.....

How far did you get into Savage Coast before cancelling?  Because if you had gotten even halfway through - I don't know how most of your answers could even be what you said.  PvP I can't comment on.

Originally posted by Diemos

 honestly feels like more of the same with a new gimmick (Ability Wheel/Investigation Missions).

really?