I was wondering if in the high game of this game if you fight things that are "cool". In WoW and many other MMOs, when you are in the high level content (not max level content) you fight things similar to all the other levels. In WoW's 60's, you are still fighting boars, spiders, etc; when I would much rather be fighting cool stuff like giants and such. Does DDO suffer from lame high-end mobs? What kind of stuff is often fought near the end? Thanks.

I have played WoW several times.  I purchased the game at launch and played for a month.  Every 4-5 months I would then resub for a month.  Each time I could not get into it for more then a week.  I believe I've subbed to WoW a total of 4 months since launch - this being said, please forgive me if these are my only accounts of the game.

WoW is extremly simple and is designed towards the lowest denominator, which is why it's insanely popular.  You pull single mobs, hit an attack button then wait for another attack button. 

There are lots of mobs in DDO.  While you do see goblins or ogres through most levels they really don't change much other then their level (refered to as CR).  Giants are similar yet you don't start seeing them till around lvl 6-7.  The higher level mobs that you find in, say, Running With the Devils, aren't going to be present in lower quests 'cs they just too damned powerful.  And Mindflayers...thankfully they're not common.

For the most part, the combat in DDO is more fluid then WoW.  This and the scripted environments provide for that level of dynamics that you're asking about.  WoW seemed too stale for me since everything felt like everything else in the game but with a different color scheme. 

One thing to note is that the character development in DDO is ridiculously dynamic. You can multi class, cross specialize and create completely unique character builds of which you could only dream of in WoW.  The character development process is only second to EVE Online; would have been close to pre-cu SWG, but that game was cancled. 

I belivee most people play DDO because of the heavy tactile feel of the combat system, the dyanmics of character development and the Grade A dungeons which have got to be the best directed experiances for any online game currently on the market.

How long does it usually take to hit the level cap on a character?

Would you say DDO has the best dungeons of any MMORPG out there?

Originally posted by DrWalnut

How long does it usually take to hit the level cap on a character?

Would you say DDO has the best dungeons of any MMORPG out there?

level cap - 2 days to 2 years depending on your playstyle.

I thought I had.  I can't think of anything remotely as good as the experiance provided in DDO.  It's like a narrated choose your own adventure of sorts.  You enter, identify your mission objectives and do your best to complete them.  It's not always a run from point A to point B and midlessly kill everything along the way.  There tend to be plenty of obstacles along the way that include some very nasty traps, ledges and cliffs to avoid falling from, along with occasional ambushes. 

If you haven't played it before and WoW is coming across as being grossly simple then DDO could very well be for you.  Keep in mind that the steapest part of DDO's learning curve is identifying a character build that suits your playstyle and learning how to develop a strategy with your fellow players on the fly.  Thankfully the game is a little forgiving in the lower level of dungeons. 

What effect does Jump have in WoW?  In DDO it's a dynamic skill that directly relates its self into the game play experiance.  Jumping to grab the ledge to disable a trap or leaping over the Ogre boss who's going to pound you - what other MMO has jump tied into navigating your environment while providing an affect on the combat mechanics?

Give this thread some time and you'll be getting more responces.  ;)

Originally posted by DrWalnut

How long does it usually take to hit the level cap on a character?

Would you say DDO has the best dungeons of any MMORPG out there?

DDO, although I don't play it anymore, has the best High lvl content of any MMO in my opinion.  This entertainment is further augmented by its insanely in depth and real time combat system.  But yes, there are incredible mobs to fight in all of the raids and high level dungeons.  Hitting cap depends on your skill level and knowledge of the game more than how much time you have.  So for a beginner I'd estimate it would probably take you 2-3 weeks of casual play to hit cap, maybe a little longer but it's not too difficult.

In short, DDO takes skill, intelligence, and experience to be successful, unlike WoW...therefore it's more fun for people over the age of 12.

Originally posted by mindspat

WoW is extremly simple and is designed towards the lowest denominator, which is why it's insanely popular.  You pull single mobs, hit an attack button then wait for another attack button. 

...

For the most part, the combat in DDO is more fluid then WoW.  This and the scripted environments provide for that level of dynamics that you're asking about.  WoW seemed too stale for me since everything felt like everything else in the game but with a different color scheme. 

One thing to note is that the character development in DDO is ridiculously dynamic. You can multi class, cross specialize and create completely unique character builds of which you could only dream of in WoW.  The character development process is only second to EVE Online; would have been close to pre-cu SWG, but that game was cancled. 

I belivee most people play DDO because of the heavy tactile feel of the combat system, the dyanmics of character development and the Grade A dungeons which have got to be the best directed experiances for any online game currently on the market.

 

As far as character development you are spot on.   It is impossible in WoW to screw up a character beyond repair, because all characters of a particular class and race minus their gear are totally and absolutely identical, with the only variations you have (talents) being completely respec-able for a fee (which increases each time you do it, but it still can be done).   Contrast that to DDO where it is completely possible to make a character that is totally unsalvageable with no possible way of fixing it, e.g. build a rogue with 18 WIS and put all your skill points in jump, listen and swim and see how far you get.

Originally posted by DrWalnut

How long does it usually take to hit the level cap on a character?

Would you say DDO has the best dungeons of any MMORPG out there?

DDO has the best dungeons out there by far IMO.   They are all unique and well scripted, and very nicely detailed graphically.   The only minus is that there are only ~200 dungeons total, and that is all there is... not much in the way of exploration/travel and no resource gathering/crafting until you get into the last three zones at which point it gets completely riddikulus (get 20 of these, 20 of those, and 20 of that, each of which drops a couple per quest, and then we'll let you into the raid.   Alternatively you can get 140 of these and trade in 3 for 1 for those or that).

Is DDO the kind of game that catches your attention early on? Does it suck at first and then get really good? I don't like how so many MMOs make it so you have to put days and weeks into a character before you can do the fun stuff, usually the end-game content.

DDO for a new player looking to get away from the EQ/WoW clone MMO's is one of the best games out imo.   Eve and DDO are the two modern games that are really impressive at what they do.

My favorite parts of DDO in no particular order:

Amazing quests in all level ranges.

Incredible character development options.

Combat that is real time and fast paced.

Great Community.

I just recently resubbed to the game and I have been very impressed at how its grown since launch day.  You can get to level cap now without having to repeat a single quest.  Its obviously benefiting from the code that is going into LoTRO and tweaked to DDO which means even more great feature changes down the pike for DDO.

To the OP just try the Free Trial and you will know within a hour if this is a game that is your cup of tea or not. good luck.

I'm going to download the trial to see if I like this or not.

Are there any class/race recommendations for a newbie; races/classes to get a good feel of DDO?

Originally posted by Riddikulus

 

Originally posted by mindspat

I have played WoW several times.  I purchased the game at launch and played for a month.  Every 4-5 months I would then resub for a month.  Each time I could not get into it for more then a week.  I believe I've subbed to WoW a total of 4 months since launch - this being said, please forgive me if these are my only accounts of the game

WoW is extremly simple and is designed towards the lowest denominator, which is why it's insanely popular.  You pull single mobs, hit an attack button then wait for another attack button. 

I disagree that WoW's combat is really all that simplistic.   My Paladin in WoW has almost 4 full bars worth of various attacks, shields/buffs and heals, while my Paladin in DDO only has a couple bars, plus one more for switching weapon sets.   Granted WoW doesn't have the click/swing or block mechanism that DDO has (and I really do miss that), but that doesn't necessarily make it more complicated.

 

As far as character development you are spot on.   It is impossible in WoW to screw up a character beyond repair, because all characters of a particular class and race minus their gear are totally and absolutely identical, with the only variations you have (talents) being completely respec-able for a fee (which increases each time you do it, but it still can be done).   Contrast that to DDO where it is completely possible to make a character that is totally unsalvageable with no possible way of fixing it, e.g. build a rogue with 18 WIS and put all your skill points in jump, listen and swim and see how far you get.

And to the OP, as stated, it is easy to screw up a character in DDO.  For example, making your fighter with an 8 str and con and putting all the points into Int and Cha might be a bad decision.  This opened ended character development is pretty darned sweet.  If you do not understand how to build a D&D character the default builds are a respectable choice since they will play well enough as you level up.

I suppose the tactile combat system of DDO has a lot to do with the feeling of dynamics.  It just never felt like I was in control and merely watched what happend in WoW - oddly enough, this is also what a lot of people say about EVE Online which is pretty amazing once you see the depth of it. 

Originally posted by DrWalnut

I'm going to download the trial to see if I like this or not.

Are there any class/race recommendations for a newbie; races/classes to get a good feel of DDO?

Race choice doesn't matter a great deal starting out, but dwarves are the current favorite due to some extra enhancements that are available to them if you take the toughness feat (gobs of hit points).