Why I love DDO

[freekay]

Lately there's been a lot of doom threads about how [insert doom topic here] is making people [insert negative emotion here]. To be honest, some of the arguments made in these threads I can relate to, but when it all comes out in the wash, I still find DDO to be the best MMO out there by a long shot.

Before I continue, let me remind you all that what is written in this post is NOT FACT, it is merely my opinion - one that I am entitled to. Likewise, you are entitled to your opinions so let's all play nice if you decide to respond :)

So why do I like DDO so much? For me it is the level of character customization that is available in this game. I love the fact that I can roll up a pure L20 FvS (for example) and have it be completely different to any other L20 FvS in the game. I love the fact that I can choose up to 3 classes in which to multi-class in order to leverage synergies between the classes. But by far, what I LOVE MOST about DDO is how easily it is to completely gimp a toon. Now some people may hate this aspect of the game, but I think this is what makes the game so damned addictive.

When I first started playing DDO, I had no idea what anything meant. I had never played DnD before in any format, so I didn't understand such nuances like most same stats not stacking. Needless to say, the first few toons I ever rolled were so gimp that I never made it past L14. But over time, and by running with more experienced players, I soon learned the basics of the various classes and what made them tick. For me, I get sense of achievement when a toon I plan turns out well and is capable of the tasks I built it for. I doubt that this sense of accomplishment would be felt I hadn't failed so many times before that.

So yeah, I like the chance of failure. I like the fact that new to L20 toons can't handle epics. It just makes it all that much sweeter when you finally do crack those last uber quests.

What makes DDO fun for you? If you can't think of a reason, maybe it's time for you to go for a jog in the park ;)

[Jakarr]

So why do I like DDO so much? For me it is the level of character customization that is available in this game. I love the fact that I can roll up a pure L20 FvS (for example) and have it be completely different to any other L20 FvS in the game. I love the fact that I can choose up to 3 classes in which to multi-class in order to leverage synergies between the classes.

QFT I like DDO(and dnd) b/c of the customization I can have even special builds like a 16 sorc/2monk/2pal that I love playing when I see someone else play one we are still very different.

Also I enjoy the Journey from 1-20 and the Story Line.

[TBot1234]

What makes DDO fun for me....?

There are many reasons I enjoy the game. I came across DDO by fluke, reading about it in some RSS feed (might have been delicious). When I checked it out, I was simply floored at this graphical adaptation of Pen-and-paper Dungeons and Dragons. I played D&D back in my teens, and I was always the Dungeon Master. I enjoyed planning, build back-story, and creating a world that would be fun for players.

When I stepped into DDO, I was able to sit back and enjoy the milleu from the point of view of a player...rolling up characters, equipping them (I am sad I cannot buy rope and iron rations), and wandering off in search of adventure. Seeing the monsters that previoulsly lived only in my imagination (kobolds, orcs, hobgoblins, giant rats) running at me on my screen was, and still is a thrill.

So, being able to be on the other side of the DM screen is fun. I've also enjoyed the comardarie of guilds, many fun pugs, and have enjoyed the many times on Cannith when people are helping each other achieve shared goals.

This is my first MMORPG (previoulsly played online shooters) and I can't imagine leaving to go do anything else.

[freekay]

Wow.. only 2 responses <_< does that mean hardly anyone who plays this game actually enjoys it anymore? Come on guys, take some time out of your gloom and let's try to remember why we're playing this game :P

[Captain_Wizbang]

I like it for many reasons,

I dont have to sit here & watch the "snob" from my tuesday V 2.0 group, admire & polish his marble dice!

[Ruphus]

Why I love DDO so much....

Well, for starters, I am a long time DnD player (started in 2nd edition, over *gasp* 20 years ago) and I have been playing MMO's off and on for the last, 10 years roughly. Started on EQ, played EQ for probably a good 8 years, tried WoW, but never really got as "into" it as EQ, Played for maybe 2 years, but with lots of breaks, and never pulling what I would call a "bender" -- A "bender" for me in EQ was playing for 3 days straight (I am not joking) while on vacation or between jobs. I couldn't even pull 20 hour stints in WoW, I would just doze off. Finally switched to DDO about 2 years ago, and love it, still don't pull the benders, guess I am getting old, but when I log off, it's more because of RL than me getting bored//sleepy.

Anyways....

What seperates DDO, to me, from EQ and WoW, is the total immersion from levels 1 to 20. In "those other MMOs" the path from 1-X0 is really just a ho-hum, jump through circles to get to "real" game which always starts at the peak level of the current expansion. I hate that

I love that there are raids in DDO, that a level 12 can do, and still has pieces of gear that are still being used at level 20. I love that there is a real feeling of accomplishment when you finally get that rare item and put it on, and it rarely, if ever, comes off. Reminds me a lot of pen and paper, when your character might use a lowly item he got at level 5 all the way until the campaign ends at level 20, or 25 or whatever.

I love the fact that as soon as you enter the game the very first time, you are in a dungeon. And it's not just a start, the WHOLE game is in dungeons. Even "outdoor" areas are "dungeons" in the sense that it's an adventure. There is no sitting in 1 place that gives best XP per kill and killing 20-30 mobs then waiting for respawns. There is no "Hey go kill 10 orcs, bring me back 15 wolf hides, and spy on this goblin dude" which is then, of course, followed with "Hey, thanks, now go bring me back 20 orc fangs from the same orcs, kill 10 of those same 10 wolves, and kill the goblin you were spying on, kthxbye" Blah!

I love the character customization, as others have said. And I love that you can take your fully decked out, maxed to the 9's character full on exp, TR them and play them again and get a minor boost, but play the game all over again. I also love that if you take a character to level 20 and it's a gimp, you can always TR and try again, and have some bonuses to boot.

And as much as the community bashes Turbine, I can say that they are the only MMO I have played where they actually do listen to their playerbase, at least somewhat. Sony never did, nor did Blizzard, unless there was some serious broken problem.

Sheesh this turned into a book, but I think that about sums it up for why I love DDO.