Great point docrock, make no mistake...the new system is WAY more complicated, and I use the hell out of the offline enhancement builder...but LOVE the system.

Originally posted by HisButterfly

 

Originally posted by Vincenz

 

Originally posted by HisButterfly

Maybe I'm coming at this from the wrong angle, but here goes...

DDO was my very first MMO. I'd just started playing video games in general a few months prior after having met my then boyfriend who introduced me to the fun of gaming. From the very beginning I was totally addicted to DDO. (I mean, from beta to launch and then some!) I ate it up like a kitten with cream.

Real life put a huge crunch on my time, still I squeezed in as much as possible. It was my drug of choice.

Then they changed the enhancement system. My completely wonderful cleric went to something I almost didn't recognize and whether it was inexperience or just a general dissatisfaction with the change,  that was it for me. I was cured of my addiction.

Since cancelling my account I have given it two more "one more shot" tries. The decrease in size, the lack of groups, and the still-the-same (back then) enhancement system was a turn-off. I wanted so badly to go back and find the same welcoming embrace, really, I did!

I read the forums and I wonder a lot. Playing Lord of The Rings has definitely made me think about trying again, but we'll see. Turbine had a good idea with DDO. I'd like to see them go back to the basics and build from there.

/endrant

 

I would dare say the enhancement changes ended up being the single most well received change to this game since launch.

 

Additionally, the "decrease in size"????  The game has more than doubled in size since launch.  Grouping is also a breeze now on the US servers post merge and has been for several months.

Again, being so new to gaming in general, I willingly admit that the issue may not have been the enhancement system at all. From reading the forums and trying to understand the enhancement system, etc. perhaps now I am in a better position to try it again.

 

I wasn't aware that the game had doubled in size or that some servers had merged. (This is why I continue to read the forums because often times others are far more in the know!)

Thanks, Vincenz for setting the record straight.

I was in the same boat as you.  At first I really hated the enhancement system on my character.  I had everything perfect the way I liked it.   But after messing around with it, you realize how much better it is then the old system and every Action Point and level opens up new possibilities.   Its one of the systems now that really lets you differentiate your character even more from other players.

Originally posted by Vincenz

Great point docrock, make no mistake...the new system is WAY more complicated, and I use the hell out of the offline enhancement builder...but LOVE the system.

I wasn't happy with the system initially due to the obvious nerfing of skill based enhancements from +10 to +4, but a couple modules later the devs had ironed out all of the skill descrepancies (lowering trap DCs to match the loss of skill potential in particular).

My only complaint about the system at this point was the massive HP giveaway in the toughness enhancements... dwarves being able to get +100 HP for 20 APs was a bit much.

Uncus,

Thanks for the advice, I will take it and try to it out.  I'm looking forward to it.  Right now, I just tried out the Catacombs with my 3rd level barbarian, and I failed twice.  I'm on part 2: She Went Below.  There are some nasty skelletons in there that are CR 4.  (3-4 at once.)  Any suggestions?  I tried drinking my mage armor and protection from evil potions as well as going into rage mode.  Any other suggestions, or should I just wait till 4th level to tackle this one.  (It says it's level 2, but a group oriented adventure.)  Again, thanks.   

If you really want to solo, then I would suggest a Ranger (Cleric might be easier at low levels and a Sorc at high, but Rangers are the ones with a bit of everything), then concentrate initially on ranged combat, keep a stock of handy potions, including Jump (potions start off expensive, but soloing is not a cheap art, you have to do it for the challenge). Then as you go through look for places you can climb, so if you get overpowered you can use them as fall back positions.

Ideally you want to get a holy blunt weapon for skeletons, not sure what level that is possible though.