I think that heroic achievements should be possible in an MMO but they should not be gifted to the player simply for subscribing to the game.

In some respects I see this topic as a variation on the Game World vs World Game debate: Some prefer an MMO to be like a world and it is up to players to rise to the challenges the world presents. Others prefer an MMO to be like a game in which heroic goals can be achieved with a wide variety of playstyles, skill levels and effort. Neither preference is right or wrong but personally I regret that, as the genre has become more mainstream, there is a greater emphasis on game rather than world.

Hero, of course.

If I want to be average, I will just go back to the real life.

A normal (or above average) character in a world with the opportunity for self-betterment that can bring about earned hero status and abilities.  (i.e., not like a supernatural hero, but like becoming a Conan or a Lancelot through hard work and adventuring).

I want no part of a linear forced storyline, and the worst thing I can imagine being is a "hero in a story", meaning that nothing was really earned and everything was pre-scripted or forced.

Being a hero is absolutely fun yes but gets boring over time when every mob you encounter is so easy that you can beat it just with auto attack while on the other hand being normal provides some challenge that makes you think that your not some super hero that can beat every single thing in the world with 1 hand.

So I prefer normal then hero I'd rather have a challenge fighting mobs then playing in god mode.

I like the idea of my characters being normal and my skill determining the outcome of a fight.  For topic discussions, I'd say normal with just one hero ability with that ability being able to increase my chances of success in an encounter or getting my killed in an encounter and me not knowing until I use that ability.  I don't like an automatic "I win" button.

This is more of a question of,,,

Do you like being able to Muti Fight NPC at once, or only fight 1 at a time (closer to real life)

I like the hero thing. Stroy wise, it can blend. Look at WoW for example. Raids explain the lore reason why heroes cant do everything alone

 Mature players or gamers with experience will choose NORMAL

While People new to the "Gamer World" or immature players will choose HERO.

The reason : ALL singleplayer games makes you the hero and Most of the mmorpgs also do.

Gamers with experience have already played lots of games where they are the knight in shining armor with villains throwing themselves at their feet. Not to mention the "Dificulty Rating" of some Dungeons/Instances, So thats why they seek something more real , a game where you cant choose how hard is the enemy , a game where your just an averrage nobody and depending on your actions and style of play you will become a "Real Hero " , not just a New Created Character Who Is Destined To Be Hero just from its existence.

While New Gamers , will seek to be a Hero to escape from the "Normal" life . But as they gain experience in the world of gaming , they will find out that its far more satisfying to Earn the title of Hero through your unique personality and actions , rather than just pressing the "Enter World" button.

Originally posted by LordShinobu

While New Gamers , will seek to be a Hero to escape from the "Normal" life . But as they gain experience in the world of gaming , they will find out that its far more satisfying to Earn the title of Hero through your unique personality and actions , rather than just pressing the "Enter World" button.

the journey is longer if you start as a "no one" and you fight your way to the top... If you want to go there. 

me approves Lord Shinoby message.

Bit of both, really.

On the one hand, it's lame to walk into a new MMO world as "the chosen one", the hero upon whom the fate of all mankind resides only to walk two steps and bump into a group of other "chosen ones".

On the other hand, I don't want to spend my entire time in-game as a pleb whose only function in life is to, well, to kill 10 boars to feed a starving family that is apparently too lazy to save itself from starvation by killing the nearby boars themselves.

My preference is to start off as "normal" and, through a sequence of progressively more courageous acts, become a "hero" at the end-game level.

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where’s the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need

I need a hero

Hero,definitely. I'm so normal in real life that I'm practically invisible, and games like these are my chance to shine. Yes, I know that it's pretty much imaginary, and that in games like these, practically everyone is a hero as well. But still, I like the feeling of pretending that I am unique and special in the game world (instanced games are very good at that, sometimes normal MMOs as well, if you pretend that no one else is doing what you're doing). It gives me a feeling of achievement, and that's what matters. That's what should matter anyway; as long as you're having fun.

What would be an ideal situation though, is to start out as a normal person, but become a hero in the end. That's probably why Spiderman is so popular as compared to Batman; Spiderman is pretty much the normal guy on the street, while Batman was a rich heir. The Spiderman route is what I would advocate in games, and it's pretty much the most realistic route as well.

Originally posted by Aladyleyna

Hero,definitely. I'm so normal in real life that I'm practically invisible, and games like these are my chance to shine. Yes, I know that it's pretty much imaginary, and that in games like these, practically everyone is a hero as well. But still, I like the feeling of pretending that I am unique and special in the game world (instanced games are very good at that, sometimes normal MMOs as well, if you pretend that no one else is doing what you're doing). It gives me a feeling of achievement, and that's what matters. That's what should matter anyway; as long as you're having fun.

What would be an ideal situation though, is to start out as a normal person, but become a hero in the end. That's probably why Spiderman is so popular as compared to Batman; Spiderman is pretty much the normal guy on the street, while Batman was a rich heir. The Spiderman route is what I would advocate in games, and it's pretty much the most realistic route as well.

I dont think that Spiderman and Batman are good examples in this situation.

I think using Superman and Batman would fit better. Thats why most of the people choose Batman over Superman , Because before being a hero he was normal , not a birthed almost invincible Super Hero that can destroy planets.

I think being a fatal hero is the most rewarding.  I want my kills to matter, and the risk of death should mean something.

Normal. Being a hero doesn't really feel like being a hero when you know everyone else in the world is the exact same "Hero". Being a hero in a single player game works because you are the only hero there. In an MMO, when I read all of the "You're a hero!" BS it just seems stupid to me.

The game needs to strike the right balance.

You are not normal, but at the same time, you are not the Hero.

You are a member of a special group of people, but the members of this group are uncommon, not rare. You are the the hero of the story, you are a person who's abilities are above those of the normal populace.

Even in old EQ this was the case. You were not a villager, you were an "ADVENTURER". You were one of many adventurers, but you were not quite normal.

Most games these days are slewing over towards the "Hero of the Story" concept, instead of a member of the community concept. That is a problem. But I never want my character to be "Normal"

i appreciate all the replys. heh the first hour i watched as only people read it, this being my first post lol. finall ygave up and did something else. like i said this is only a minimal element of the game, but its one of the most important. it creates how the rest of the game feels. i used the word HERO as opposed to GODLIKE because thats how everyone and everything is kinda portrayed. in truth i think most of these games are promoting GODLIKE figures still vunlerable to mortal perils. the few games that promote a more average joe type experience are fun in that you are a hero to the people you play with and the actions you do. a simple act of helping out someone in a tough game has made a simple beginner more loyal then just logging in and being godlike from the beginning. to me these HERO style games promote a help each other for thyself attitude.

i only am using WOW as an example because thats what im currently playing and can remmeber the most about lol

in a average joe game like i said your more of a hero not in the sense that you can run around and kill almost anything, but in the sense that you work together and help each other out. i dont know how many times ive felt bad for some lvl 80 running me through a low level instance in wow, theres almost absolutly no return to that player except for something to do(which in most cases they are bored and like to help someone out because its gratifying).

when playing a normal type game you can log in and with a good community all those things you might not have in reality can be there. its also a good teaching guide and lesson for reality almost. if your nice ect.... but if your an asshole the entire server will know and almost no guilds will recruit you. the normal type atmosphere promotes a more healthier enviroment for everyone.

i agree that i get in the mood to jump on something like dynasty warriors and kill millions of mindless peons, but compared to getting a team together and taking on a hard as hell instance or event or story together is one of those memories us the gamers will hold onto.

heh sorry for such long posts.

I would prefer my character start out as a normal, everyday person and let my actions/accomplishments separate me from the crowd.