Gear up the noobs - This means you

[zobo]

If you give someone an experience stone to get them from L8 to L16, please take the time to give them some gear. Most experienced players purchased the pack themselves. Those looking for free stones are probably noobs or at least somewhat new to the game - not a TR w/ GS in the bank. Taking a L8 noob and expecting them to be able to run Gianthold, Lordmarch, or Vale (even on norm) with the gear they have is a cruel joke. The nasty "PUGs suck" posts will get 10 times worse over the next month. Spend 5 minutes and get them a couple things from AH or just give them some plat.

Remember how clueless you were on your first toon at L8. Now imaging joining a Shroud with that level of knowledge. Please help the noobs.

[HunterjWizzard]

http://www.ddo.com/stoneofexperience

What is the Stone of Experience?
The Stone of Experience is a special item that gives a character enough experience to instantly reach level 16, then grants a set of level-appropriate bound gear for that level. Share the Stone with a friend or even use one on your alts!

Pay special attention to where it says "Level-Appropriate Bound Gear". its not jumping them 8 levels and leaving them with level 8 gear.

Edit: 8 levels, its only jumping them 8 levels. I totally knew that :P

[dredre9987]

You don't seem to understand the stone correctly.

"The Stone of Experience is a special item that gives a character enough experience to instantly reach level 16, then grants a set of level-appropriate bound gear for that level. Share the Stone with a friend or even use one on your alts!"


You might want to read a bit before your doom and gloom.

[korerok]

good idea bro this need to happen

[zobo]

Ahh. Cool, they fixed the web page.
The FAQ answer for the first 2 questions on that page used to be identical.
Now you have me wondering what "level-appropriate bound gear" is.

[Chette]

Yes, but starting a character at level 7 also gives "level appropriate gear" like the ring of trolls regeneration...I am nervous to think what the devs think is appropriate for a level 16 character.

[Enoach]

not having used one yet, or seen the results I will have to say I'm not sure what the "Level Appropriate" gear will include...

Will it include:

A Heavy Fortification Item
A Level appropriate False life item
Appropriate gear for specialists (OL, DD, Search, spot)
Weapons/Armor are not necessarily build specific and do lend themselves to personal taste
Appropriate Stat enhancement items (Primary stats vs secondaries)
Stack of Healing potions and minor ailment cures
Pocket Change (Spending money)


Again without know what Turbine has used to define Level Appropriate gear, it is safe to assume that they will not have everything they need for a level appropriate quest if they are dependent on Turbine. Of course if its a TR than anything they get will most likely become deconstruct fodder or sold.

[Charononus]

off the top of my head on what was included it was:
spiked turban
Vulkoorim Dervish Robe
Cape of the Roc
Belt of Thoughtful Rememberance
I forget the name of it but a 5 spot search set of googles
Nightforge Docent

There was also a club kind of like the the one that gets given with delera's with -1 instead of +1 and ultimate good + potency 6 maybe.

I think I treat the desert items that they gave out as vendor trash when I loot them.

[Paryan]

off the top of my head on what was included it was:
spiked turban
Vulkoorim Dervish Robe
Cape of the Roc
Belt of Thoughtful Rememberance
I forget the name of it but a 5 spot search set of googles
Nightforge Docent

There was also a club kind of like the the one that gets given with delera's with -1 instead of +1 and ultimate good + potency 6 maybe.

I think I treat the desert items that they gave out as vendor trash when I loot them.

Death's Locket was included as well....

[Charononus]

Death's Locket was included as well....

I forgot about that one..... at least they have deathblock I guess.

[JudasPriest]

This stone sharing thing is lame the way they made it, I got sucked in accepting the stone from a random player without any knowledge since i had many crafting windows open, i did not see it and accidentally clicked i guess and now i have a leveled character that i would have never chosen myself.

Now i have 5 stones and I cannot use them anymore the character i would have chosen.

[taurean430]

There are going to be problems in pugs with this type of setup. For an experienced player working an additional life it's a boon. For the player who just got off of the boat from korthos it's going to be a nightmare by way of how they are treated by some groups.

When I started playing there were all kinds of stop check type mechanisms (leveling sigils/high stat or player skill requirements) that forced you to learn the game and learn character building. Think I had like 5 characters I'd dink around with just learning things while reading the forums. These forums weren't then as they are now. There were many posters who offered helpful advice to new players or posted threads explaining things. Now there are only a few, if that. Most argue and that's it. Point being is that you weren't getting out of the harbor until you learned some things that were useful later on and put them to practice.

There will be a number of players jumping into the mid level range that should be learning in the harbor. Whatever impression that leaves - bottom line is there are going to be partying issues. Hopefully it will be short lived, but I'm not optimistic.

[Enoach]

...

There will be a number of players jumping into the mid level range that should be learning in the harbor. Whatever impression that leaves - bottom line is there are going to be partying issues. Hopefully it will be short lived, but I'm not optimistic.

It will be short lived in that it will no longer be an option (at least through this batch of stones) after August 2012.

Maybe the best words that can be given out are "stone responsibly".

[Chilldude]

If you give someone an experience stone to get them from L8 to L16, please take the time to give them some gear. Most experienced players purchased the pack themselves. Those looking for free stones are probably noobs or at least somewhat new to the game - not a TR w/ GS in the bank. Taking a L8 noob and expecting them to be able to run Gianthold, Lordmarch, or Vale (even on norm) with the gear they have is a cruel joke. The nasty "PUGs suck" posts will get 10 times worse over the next month. Spend 5 minutes and get them a couple things from AH or just give them some plat.

Remember how clueless you were on your first toon at L8. Now imaging joining a Shroud with that level of knowledge. Please help the noobs.

To get into the shroud you have to flag, the stone does not teleport you to Harry's feet.

[Kakashi67]

There are going to be problems in pugs with this type of setup. For an experienced player working an additional life it's a boon. For the player who just got off of the boat from korthos it's going to be a nightmare by way of how they are treated by some groups.

When I started playing there were all kinds of stop check type mechanisms (leveling sigils/high stat or player skill requirements) that forced you to learn the game and learn character building. Think I had like 5 characters I'd dink around with just learning things while reading the forums. These forums weren't then as they are now. There were many posters who offered helpful advice to new players or posted threads explaining things. Now there are only a few, if that. Most argue and that's it. Point being is that you weren't getting out of the harbor until you learned some things that were useful later on and put them to practice.

There will be a number of players jumping into the mid level range that should be learning in the harbor. Whatever impression that leaves - bottom line is there are going to be partying issues. Hopefully it will be short lived, but I'm not optimistic.

You need to be level 8 to use the stone. I'm guessing they should have left the harbor by then...

[Chette]

Wow, what a bunch of garbage gear. Would it have been that hard to give them a nice selection of items? Give them a minos, let them pick from a selection of +6 stat items, or some of the non epic challenge gear. It would at leave give them a chance at contributing late game, and would probably spike their interest at seeing some of the rest of the possible loot.

You only get it once per account, it's not like it can be exploited.

[Jay203]

they give you Ethereal Bracer as well

[Charononus]

Wow, what a bunch of garbage gear. Would it have been that hard to give them a nice selection of items? Give them a minos, let them pick from a selection of +6 stat items, or some of the non epic challenge gear. It would at leave give them a chance at contributing late game, and would probably spike their interest at seeing some of the rest of the possible loot.

You only get it once per account, it's not like it can be exploited.

That's my complaint too especially since most people seem to be posting lfms to use their stones as fast as possible so they can get the pet. I only hope most getting this are tr's or alts not new players as I can only see this hurting the new player and getting them discouraged. I hope I'm wrong I really want to be.

[Charononus]

they give you Ethereal Bracer as well

huh don't remember that one, ah well, that's one peice of gear that isn't complete junk even if there are better items to get ghost touch with.

[Chette]

That's my complaint too especially since most people seem to be posting lfms to use their stones as fast as possible so they can get the pet. I only hope most getting this are tr's or alts not new players as I can only see this hurting the new player and getting them discouraged. I hope I'm wrong I really want to be.

To be honest, I have a friend from highschool that used to play DDO. She quit around level 6 because she didn't have a lot of time or money to spend on it, and she couldn't keep up with me. This is the sort of person I think turbine wants me to give my stones to, but no way would I ever do that. I would not wish my friend upon the level 16 pug world...not with her understanding of the game and her available resources.

[taurean430]

You need to be level 8 to use the stone. I'm guessing they should have left the harbor by then...

One of my current TR's is level 8 for a few moments yet. Perhaps generalizing the term 'Harbor' wasn't wise of me. Yet I'll clarify that anything Pre-Gianthold/Orchard of the Macarbe I and others have considered 'Harbor' questing.

You learn a lot about how to work your character in those quests. Much of what you learn gets put into practice consistently Gianthold and beyond.

The erosion of many stopchecks has resulted in supplying end game raids with players that don't know things like:

1. Moving a skill from your character sheet to your hotbar allows you to use it.
2. Fortification is a good thing.
3. Having 'X' investment in a primary class stat allows you to use primary abilities.
4. Self healing mobs require a high dps push or immobilization to kill.
5. Using items that increase your stats and saves is a good thing.

That's only a few of them. A new player going from being in range to do Mira's Sleepless Nights is going to have trouble I think stepping into Desecrated Temple of Vol in example.

[Kakashi67]

One of my current TR's is level 8 for a few moments yet. Perhaps generalizing the term 'Harbor' wasn't wise of me. Yet I'll clarify that anything Pre-Gianthold/Orchard of the Macarbe I and others have considered 'Harbor' questing.

You learn a lot about how to work your character in those quests. Much of what you learn gets put into practice consistently Gianthold and beyond.

The erosion of many stopchecks has resulted in supplying end game raids with players that don't know things like:

1. Moving a skill from your character sheet to your hotbar allows you to use it.
2. Fortification is a good thing.
3. Having 'X' investment in a primary class stat allows you to use primary abilities.
4. Self healing mobs require a high dps push or immobilization to kill.
5. Using items that increase your stats and saves is a good thing.

That's only a few of them. A new player going from being in range to do Mira's Sleepless Nights is going to have trouble I think stepping into Desecrated Temple of Vol in example.

How is that any different from noobs/newbs now, who have leveled up the regular way? :)

[taurean430]

How is that any different from noobs/newbs now, who have leveled up the regular way? :)

Not terribly different. Except in the fact that the numbers of players like this joining end game parties and raids will likely exponentially increase. Can't be sure of course, but on the surface it's looking that way.

As I said, it's a boon for the experienced. I'm not against it. But seeing the frequency I run into no fort, low hp, unprepared puggles already... I'm concerned a bit.

Consider your first character you made with the intent to level to cap. Did you find in play that you'd made some errors? I did, and I'm a pretty quick learner with a good backround in PnP.

[ShadowFlash]

no heavy fort item hurts...giving a "nightforged" item hurts even more...if a noob destroys it, they will no longer be able to get the nightforge gorget, which is the free heavy fort item of choice for most F2P

ShadowFlash

Edit: Apparently it was finally changed to allow more than one possession of nightforged gear...didn't know...sorry

[ainmosni]

hell i dont care if there are a bunch of undergeared noobs running around my server, if its motivation to let them learn the game and sstick around so be it. let'em die a few times like we did in raids and endgame, it seems nowadays all anyone runs with is vets or at least semi-competent people, it's been so long since a large influx of newbishness has been introduced into the game. i dont have a problem with it whatsoever.


some will get killed, mercilessly, more than once, and wonder 'why does this keep happening?' and figure it out for themselves, others will not get any better and the server elite will eventually make them leave the game anyway, so dont worry this pain is only temporary. more people running raids is a GOOD thing. even if initially they're really bad, the super bad ones will leave the game anyway because they're bad and DDO players have a 0 tolerance in regards to xp and endgame, and the ones with potential for at least mediocrity will live, die and learn.

plus people are making the assumption that everyone getting these stones are fresh off the boat players, the truth of the matter is no new huge influx of players is going to occur just because rumor has it DDO is letting you get from level 8-16 for free- most of these players probably already have level 20 toons and know the basics. a small percentage are probably newer players.

[Galeria]

I'm not afraid of new players in my groups... I am afraid of new players getting frustrated and giving up.

[ainmosni]

I'm not afraid of new players in my groups... I am afraid of new players getting frustrated and giving up.

new players coming to DDO are like little baby fishies being thrown into a very small shark tank with some very big sharks.

[Galeria]

new players coming to DDO are like little baby fishies being thrown into a very small shark tank with some very big sharks.

LOL, so true.

Save the guppies!

[Gizeh]

It's kind of like a fast forward button that shows us what many high level characters will look like if everyone insists on keeping up an elite streak on their first character - undergeared and inexperienced.

[Therrias]

As far as the gear you receive, everyone receives the same items.

Some not previously mentioned:

Demonic Breastplate
Reaver's Ring
Striding/balance Boots (Sure-Footed I think)

I like to think of it as the warp zone in mario bros. Its a nice boost, and there's nothing stopping a newb from going back and running that content for little to no xp if they wanna learn and get some platinum. Most people run more than one character anyway.

Not having good gear is a problem, but hopefully they will have generous friends or take it easy for a while. (don't jump into vale elites!)

[phillymiket]

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1025/21492373.jpg

I'm exited by it.

Sure there will be lots of level 16s with some not great gear without the benefit of grades 8-16 in their education but there will also be tons of TRs also at level 16 adding a life to their favorite, and therefore probably pretty geared, characters.

The two groups may balance each other like oil balances water - wait, bad example - you know what I mean.

Plus, we can learn up them newbie grade-skippers. :)
.

[taurean430]

hell i dont care if there are a bunch of undergeared noobs running around my server, if its motivation to let them learn the game and sstick around so be it. let'em die a few times like we did in raids and endgame, it seems nowadays all anyone runs with is vets or at least semi-competent people, it's been so long since a large influx of newbishness has been introduced into the game. i dont have a problem with it whatsoever.


some will get killed, mercilessly, more than once, and wonder 'why does this keep happening?' and figure it out for themselves, others will not get any better and the server elite will eventually make them leave the game anyway, so dont worry this pain is only temporary. more people running raids is a GOOD thing. even if initially they're really bad, the super bad ones will leave the game anyway because they're bad and DDO players have a 0 tolerance in regards to xp and endgame, and the ones with potential for at least mediocrity will live, die and learn.

plus people are making the assumption that everyone getting these stones are fresh off the boat players, the truth of the matter is no new huge influx of players is going to occur just because rumor has it DDO is letting you get from level 8-16 for free- most of these players probably already have level 20 toons and know the basics. a small percentage are probably newer players.

That's a good point. Frankly I'm concerned about attrition due to new underequipped players with no knowledge getting railed in harder content and raids.

It may not happen at all, which is my hope. Yet the door is open to it. Idk, we'll see what happens either way.

[Chette]

hell i dont care if there are a bunch of undergeared noobs running around my server, if its motivation to let them learn the game and sstick around so be it. let'em die a few times like we did in raids and endgame, it seems nowadays all anyone runs with is vets or at least semi-competent people, it's been so long since a large influx of newbishness has been introduced into the game. i dont have a problem with it whatsoever.


some will get killed, mercilessly, more than once, and wonder 'why does this keep happening?' and figure it out for themselves, others will not get any better and the server elite will eventually make them leave the game anyway, so dont worry this pain is only temporary. more people running raids is a GOOD thing. even if initially they're really bad, the super bad ones will leave the game anyway because they're bad and DDO players have a 0 tolerance in regards to xp and endgame, and the ones with potential for at least mediocrity will live, die and learn.

plus people are making the assumption that everyone getting these stones are fresh off the boat players, the truth of the matter is no new huge influx of players is going to occur just because rumor has it DDO is letting you get from level 8-16 for free- most of these players probably already have level 20 toons and know the basics. a small percentage are probably newer players.

That's a good point Soturi. I'm more worried about people like my highschool friend who quit the game. IF they were frustrated at level 6, I can't imagine how frustrating it would have been for them at level 16 with no experience.

Still, you're right. The ones that will quit were probably going to quite anyways, and the ones who stick it out will probably learn faster than they might otherwise have.

Still, I like the idea of trying to gear out the people that you do level, if you don't know them at all. For a lot of us a few +6 stat items and a heavy fort belt are peanuts, so spread them around and we'll all have a grand ol' time.

On that note, I'll gladly craft any unbound item for anybody on Ghallanda if you provide the materials.

[ainmosni]

That's a good point Soturi. I'm more worried about people like my highschool friend who quit the game. IF they were frustrated at level 6, I can't imagine how frustrating it would have been for them at level 16 with no experience.

Still, you're right. The ones that will quit were probably going to quite anyways, and the ones who stick it out will probably learn faster than they might otherwise have.

Still, I like the idea of trying to gear out the people that you do level, if you don't know them at all. For a lot of us a few +6 stat items and a heavy fort belt are peanuts, so spread them around and we'll all have a grand ol' time.

On that note, I'll gladly craft any unbound item for anybody on Ghallanda if you provide the materials.

indeed. i wont mind helping out some new players with some gear and stuff too, i just think it's a suicidal mindset to say 'we dont want new players to get to level 16 because it will hurt my own raids'. we can't keep running the same content with the same people forever, as long as vets keep quitting the game and people create a hostile environment for new players the game is going to die eventually.

today's newbies are tomorrow's vets.

[FranOhmsford]

Best two items that come with the Stone:

1. Belt of Thoughtful Remembrance
2. Ethereal Bracers

Trash items that come with the Stone:

1. Reaver's Ring
2. Vulkoorim Dervish Robe
3. Goggles of Perception {On Lama these had +2 to hit on them - On live they're back to +5 Spot and either Search or Listen - Wish I could figure out why}.

All the items are between Lvl 8 and 12 I believe so hardly level appropriate gear for Lvl 16s

There are no weapons and absolutely no caster gear except the Club of The Holy Flame - Still -1 but has Greater Good and Imp Pot VI on it.


EDIT: Oh and it's newbies btw - Noobs means something completely different.

[ainmosni]

Best two items that come with the Stone:

1. Belt of Thoughtful Remembrance
2. Ethereal Bracers

Trash items that come with the Stone:

1. Reaver's Ring
2. Vulkoorim Dervish Robe
3. Goggles of Perception {On Lama these had +2 to hit on them - On live they're back to +5 Spot and either Search or Listen - Wish I could figure out why}.

All the items are between Lvl 8 and 12 I believe so hardly level appropriate gear for Lvl 16s

There are no weapons and absolutely no caster gear except the Club of The Holy Flame - Still -1 but has Greater Good and Imp Pot VI on it.


EDIT: Oh and it's newbies btw - Noobs means something completely different.

reavers ring is decent for a newer player in the sands, unless it's still bugged and doesnt block despair. i think they fixed it though

edit: too bad level 16's probably wont be fighting any mummies

[ShadowFlash]

VERY mixed feelings on the subject. I just had spent a heck of a lot of pp to fully trick out my lvl 9 "lowbie"...all wasted. Yes, I had a choice...but I took the freebie. What this means however, is I won't be playing that toon for some time. I was using my main to farm pp and items for my lowbie...always staying slightly ahead of the curve. I had a leveling plan. Now it's all shot to ****. So...for the next week or 2, I'll be farming enough pp to trick out my lvl 16 "lowbie" <---because without gear, that's pretty much what it is. After I gear it...then it's back to another week of easy flagging quests, before I actually start farming bound gear for the toon itself. With my available play time, it certainly saved me a few weeks...but it completely disrupted my plans. Like I said...mixed feelings :/

ShadowFlash

[FranOhmsford]

reavers ring is decent for a newer player in the sands, unless it's still bugged and doesnt block despair. i think they fixed it though

edit: too bad level 16's probably wont be fighting any mummies

Light Fort at Lvl 16 is a joke - It has to be!
Immunity to Fear is nice don't get me wrong BUT it comes at a price {-2 to Will Saves}.


BTW Having thought about it - It would probably be for the best if the people here on the forums started putting up Farming runs for those Lowbies who've suddenly become Highbies rather than just handing out gear.
Teach them where to get the good stuff.
Perhaps provide a guest pass here and there.

Lordsmarch Plaza, Sands slayers, Gianthold for the flag.

Relic Runs for Addy Ore and show them where the Dwarf is to get their Gorget and Bracers {Imp False Life and 3 Charges of Heroism is nothing to sniff at}. BTW these can be done on Casual and if you don't complete you won't lose BB.

[Charononus]

indeed. i wont mind helping out some new players with some gear and stuff too, i just think it's a suicidal mindset to say 'we dont want new players to get to level 16 because it will hurt my own raids'. we can't keep running the same content with the same people forever, as long as vets keep quitting the game and people create a hostile environment for new players the game is going to die eventually.

today's newbies are tomorrow's vets.

I don't think most people want the new players not to get to 16, for my part what I want is the gear given to them via this stone to be decent enough to run content with.

I'd like to see the gear be simular in mechanic to the select "your class" gear from vet status but with several changes.
helm: minos

necklace: silver flame talisman (lets face it they can't get it any other way since tormented is still down)

armor: something class appropriate +5 with greater false life

bracers: ogre power +6

gloves: dex +6

boots: striding 30%

cloak: This is a hard one maybe just a resistance cloak to help saves, it wouldn't be great but it wouldn't be op either.

googles: dependant on class either something with search when appropriate, lens of opprotunity for melee, int for wiz ext

belt: Health +6

rings: Class specific stats that aren't allready covered or skills for some classes

weapons: class appropriate +3 holy silver weapon or potency 6 weapon for casters

This gear wouldn't be op but it would be appropriate gear for a level 16 and would allow them to go on any lvl appropriate quest and the only limitation they would have is their own skill and knowledge.

[ainmosni]

I don't think most people want the new players not to get to 16, for my part what I want is the gear given to them via this stone to be decent enough to run content with.

I'd like to see the gear be simular in mechanic to the select "your class" gear from vet status but with several changes.
helm: minos

necklace: silver flame talisman (lets face it they can't get it any other way since tormented is still down)

armor: something class appropriate +5 with greater false life

bracers: ogre power +6

gloves: dex +6

boots: striding 30%

cloak: This is a hard one maybe just a resistance cloak to help saves, it wouldn't be great but it wouldn't be op either.

googles: dependant on class either something with search when appropriate, lens of opprotunity for melee, int for wiz ext

belt: Health +6

rings: Class specific stats that aren't allready covered or skills for some classes

weapons: class appropriate +3 holy silver weapon or potency 6 weapon for casters

This gear wouldn't be op but it would be appropriate gear for a level 16 and would allow them to go on any lvl appropriate quest and the only limitation they would have is their own skill and knowledge.

not enough do0m.

[Culver.Civello]

I don't think most people want the new players not to get to 16, for my part what I want is the gear given to them via this stone to be decent enough to run content with.

I'd like to see the gear be simular in mechanic to the select "your class" gear from vet status but with several changes.
helm: minos

necklace: silver flame talisman (lets face it they can't get it any other way since tormented is still down)

armor: something class appropriate +5 with greater false life

bracers: ogre power +6

gloves: dex +6

boots: striding 30%

cloak: This is a hard one maybe just a resistance cloak to help saves, it wouldn't be great but it wouldn't be op either.

googles: dependant on class either something with search when appropriate, lens of opprotunity for melee, int for wiz ext

belt: Health +6

rings: Class specific stats that aren't allready covered or skills for some classes

weapons: class appropriate +3 holy silver weapon or potency 6 weapon for casters

This gear wouldn't be op but it would be appropriate gear for a level 16 and would allow them to go on any lvl appropriate quest and the only limitation they would have is their own skill and knowledge.

Haha... I don't think the gear is really appropriate for a level 16, but this may be a bit TOO much. XD I'd say at least decent enough for a first lifer f2p player at level 16, and still not handing them everything... this is pushing that a bit. XD

[phillymiket]

I'm trying to think what I'd do if I was brand new and had this opportunity.

I'd probably jump into a high level quest solo just to try the waters.
Get my *** handed to me.
Then do quests way over level to get gear for my 2nd F2P slot character.

I wouldn't be reckless.
It would have made things more fun for me.

I have to trust most other people won't be reckless also.

There will be some of course.

Alea iacta est - the die is cast.
(Julius Caesar played D&D - true story)
.

[Airgeadlam]

A first lifer running on the tail of a XP farming party will get from 8 to 16 in no time. Streak bonus is there, they can do it already.

Gear? Try with a new FTP account. I know my gear at lvl14-16 on my first toon reaching that high was not impressive, and certainly I would have loved to get some of the items listed. Being FTP at the time, when I reached Tempest Spine I could be outgeared by the 95% of lvl5 VIP players with abishai set. The divide between having packs and not is that huge.

Also, as I've stated in other threads: since lots of FTP players are going to receive the stone, maybe Turbine didn't want to hand out PTP gear to them (as, per example, Minos Helm).

[EricKei]

Now i have 5 stones and I cannot use them anymore the character i would have chosen.
Call in to support directly. Other posts I've seen already found out that in-game GM/DM's can't help (which actually makes sense)

[doomboy]

the gear you get from using the stone is common to all classes, unlike the vet status gear, which is specialized for a certain class. i find this to be rather irritating, but i understand why it is so.

[Flavilandile]

Taking a L8 noob and expecting them to be able to run Gianthold, Lordmarch, or Vale (even on norm) with the gear they have is a cruel joke.

While I generally agree on the post, I can definitely say that an undergeared, gimped character can survive in the above : http://my.ddo.com/character/ghallanda/sylfae/log/?page=4

Ok it's still a bit painful; ok, I'm not a noob; ok, it's a fixed group character, we have been playing with each other for at least 5 years and the party is balanced. ( which to be honest won't be the case in pugs )

And once upon a time we had LVL 8 characters doing Madstone Crater or Prison of the Plane ( on normal )... before they locked out the area for characters below LVL 10 and before they removed the bonus for doing quests way above your level, so it has been proved numerous time that LVL 8 characters can survive there.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

2. Vulkoorim Dervish Robe

Interesting.

This robe is translated entirely different into German language : It is called a "Demonic Robe".

I wonder why ? I almost assume that the translating persion didn't grasp the concept or the meaing of the word "Dervish" (which is indeed "Derwisch" in German language - pronounced very likely the same way as in English language).


the gear you get from using the stone is common to all classes, unlike the vet status gear, which is specialized for a certain class. i find this to be rather irritating, but i understand why it is so.

This is my impression, too. It's basically a "bag with something for everyone". It's not entirely "trash", it's just not the appropriate class.

Meanwhile a pure fighter would call a robe "trash", a wizard would love it.

But some players are louder here than others. (Are fighter players in general more aggressive and vocal than other players ?) So the concept of "trash" just spreads,
instead of speaking of "items not appropriate for the own class".

[MysticElaine]

Maybe the best words that can be given out are "stone responsibly".

I did! I put in my LFM I would stone TRs :D Actually, I didn't stone any TRs but they were players who proved they had other high lvl toons so I was fine with that as I knew I wasn't contributing to the mass chaos of lvl 16 noobs.

[Zzevel]

Level 16 gear?

Spiked Turban - lvl 11 - Protection +3, Resistance +3
Cape of the Roc - lvl 11 - Roc's Strength(CL:8, 3/rest), Feather Falling
Belt of Thoughtful Rememberance - Lvl 11 - Constitution +5, Concentration +13, Negative Energy Absorption 20%
Vulkoorim Dervish Robe - lvl 8 - Lesser Fire Resistance, Armor Bonus +4
Nightforge Docent - lvl 8 - +5 Docent, False Life
Demonic Breastplate - lvl 10 - +5 Breastplate, Adamantine, Fire Resistance, Cold Resistance
Death's Locket - lvl 11 - Cause Fear (CL:1, 3/rest), Deathblock
Ethereal Bracers - lvl 11 - Ethereal, Parrying
Reaver's Ring - lvl 9 - Immunity to Fear, Light Fortification, Will Save -2
SureFooted Boots - lvl 11 - Balance +10, Striding +20%
Goggles of Perception - lvl 9 - +5 Spot, +5 Search


Seems Legit!

/sarcasm

If you want to know what the armors look like...for grouping purposes... :)
Docent (http://ddowiki.com/page/Nightforge_Docent), Robe (http://ddowiki.com/page/Vulkoorim_Dervish_Robe), BreastPlate (http://ddowiki.com/page/Demonic_Breastplate) (needs pic!)

[EbbOnFire]

I think the biggest danger is that returning players who left the game some time ago (the stated target market for this promotion) will jump to level 16 and then become very frustrated at their inability to jump into level 16 quests. In part due to inferior gear, in part due to inexperience with the character abilities, and in part due to most of the LFMs of that level being run on Elite by TRs. (Not that there's anything wrong with that - I think getting a big chunk of a second or third life is a great benefit of this program, even if it was unintended.)

I've started a thread over here to gather advice for the hypothetical brand new level 16'er. Feel free to contribute. We all know that only a small percentage of players read the forums, but some might be encouraged to click on a helpful link sent to them in chat, perhaps. http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=376543

I'm also in favor of the OP's suggestion -- help gear up the new players. A very small cost for a veteran can be a huge benefit to someone further down the ladder.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Helping to gear up new players has an indirect second result : No-one sees any need to go to gold spammers anymore ...

[FranOhmsford]

Interesting.

This robe is translated entirely different into German language : It is called a "Demonic Robe".

I wonder why ? I almost assume that the translating persion didn't grasp the concept or the meaing of the word "Dervish" (which is indeed "Derwisch" in German language - pronounced very likely the same way as in English language).



This is my impression, too. It's basically a "bag with something for everyone". It's not entirely "trash", it's just not the appropriate class.

Meanwhile a pure fighter would call a robe "trash", a wizard would love it.

But some players are louder here than others. (Are fighter players in general more aggressive and vocal than other players ?) So the concept of "trash" just spreads,
instead of speaking of "items not appropriate for the own class".


No! The Vulkoorim Dervish Robe is TRASH!

No matter what class you are you won't be wearing this if you have a choice!

http://ddowiki.com/page/Vulkoorim_Dervish_Robe

Any Deathblock, Invuln or Mod/Hvy Fort Robe/Outfit would be far far better.

As for the other two Armours:

I personally feel that WF are overpowered BUT The Nighforge Docent? Really on a Lvl 16?

http://ddowiki.com/page/Nightforge_Docent

You're better off Going into Relic of a Sovereign Past on Casual on that brand new lvl 16 and running to the optional twice farming enough Addy Ores for The Gorget {Hvy Fort} and The Bracers {Imp False Life and 3 Charges of Heroism}.
Yes the Ethereal Bracers that come with the Stone are great BUT they are situational.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=284046

The Demonic Breastplate is nice BUT certainly not fighter Armour:

http://ddowiki.com/page/Demonic_Breastplate


EDIT: Back to the Robe - At least it is an Epicable item.
That reminds me - One person said the devs probably didn't want to give out P2P stuff - That robe is from Sands of Menenchtarun.
I believe the Ethereal Bracers are from Shadow Crypt. {{Necropolis II}

[hecate355]

Haha, if its former first life(newer player) level 8 turned into 16, its not really comparable to regular 16. Its still only a level 8 on steroids, players behind character dont change over night either.

I dont think anything would completely fix the issue, doesent matter what you hand out to them. Their experience from leveling is missing, result can be wrong choices in hurried level up process, without much time to plan things out.

Even more experienced players are bound to make mistake or two if they'd have to take bunch of levels all at once.

So in my opinion, those who suffer will suffer either way. Those who are experienced will fix things fast enough.

Learning cant be skipped like that, it doesent work in real life and it wont work here either.

[Esserbe]

I believe the Ethereal Bracers are from Shadow Crypt. {{Necropolis II}

Ghosts of Perdition in Necro IV actually.

Many of the items are from P2P packs, just very oddly chosen ones.

[Ardkor]

Spiked Turban - lvl 11 - Protection +3, Resistance +3
Cape of the Roc - lvl 11 - Roc's Strength(CL:8, 3/rest), Feather Falling
Belt of Thoughtful Rememberance - Lvl 11 - Constitution +5, Concentration +13, Negative Energy Absorption 20%
Vulkoorim Dervish Robe - lvl 8 - Lesser Fire Resistance, Armor Bonus +4
Nightforge Docent - lvl 8 - +5 Docent, False Life
Demonic Breastplate - lvl 10 - +5 Breastplate, Adamantine, Fire Resistance, Cold Resistance
Death's Locket - lvl 11 - Cause Fear (CL:1, 3/rest), Deathblock
Ethereal Bracers - lvl 11 - Ethereal, Parrying
Reaver's Ring - lvl 9 - Immunity to Fear, Light Fortification, Will Save -2
SureFooted Boots - lvl 11 - Balance +10, Striding +20%
Goggles of Perception - lvl 9 - +5 Spot, +5 Search


Speaking as one of the players who just jumped from 8 to 16 in a single bound, I'll offer my opinion of the gear and the benefit/cost of the powerlevel. (I played for about a year, then went away for a long time. I've recently returned and the game feels brand new to me again, so I consider myself a 'new player' though technically I'm not.)

First off, the general consensus of 'the newly created 16s won't have any good gear' is mostly correct. I'm running a WF Monk16/Rogue3/Artificer1 build (who is now M12/R3/A1 at 16th). In the gear I was given there are a couple of upgrades to what I had at 8th, but the rest is useless to me or not significantly better than my original gear (which was balanced against each other item I had equipped). The Turban, Cape, and Belt fit into my gear pretty nicely and allowed me to move some items around without giving anything up. Those items I was genuinely pleased to get.

The goggles improved my search/spot gear by 2 points, but I had a bid in the AH on a pair of goggles that are better, and I won it this morning. The docent improved my AC by 1 point and gave me a handful of HP, which doesn't feel very impressive when you consider I was wearing a +4 docent at 8th level, and 8 levels later I am wearing a +5 docent. The rest of the gear was pretty much trash to me, so I stuffed it into my bank for closer examination later. (One of the problems with being a new player is that you don't automatically know that the 'Trash Item of Random Stuff' is actually an important component of a critical upgrade later in your career...so it gets sold or dropped without a second thought.)

In my opinion, having the gear sorted into 'class packages' like Vet gear would have been *much* better, but at least there are a few items worth having (to anyone who gets the current selection).

As far as the recurring theme of 'OMG every noob who gets the instant 16 is going to ruin my raiding'...well, I play solo 99% of the time, so you have nothing to fear from me. I also ran around the harbor for five hours last night (at 8th level, Sarlona server) and never once got an unsolicited Stone offer. After I got my usual evening's worth of gaming done, I asked once in /Advice, and a half hour later in /General, to see if anyone had a spare stone. At that point a nice lady offered to give me the level bump, and I accepted. I did not see any of the mass stoning that some folks mentioned, in fact there wasn't much chat about stones either, but perhaps its a server thing and Sarlona is just quieter than some.

I think the multitude of doom and gloom threads on this topic in the forums is pretty sad, actually. If you really are concerned about us new guys being a hazard, spend less energy predicting the dark future and more energy preventing it. There is another thread here in the forums, where someone tried to point the new 16s towards key quests (and gear). That sort of thread would more helpful to players like me, at least. I need information more than I need free gear. Where do I go to get heavy fort (or in my case, Medium fort works just fine, as I'm WF)? What key quests should I be doing to equip my monk appropriately? Are there any quests that I *must* do now at 16 before I lose the window of opportunity for them? Answers to things like that are what I really would like to see in the forums right now.

In the meantime, I'm going to go back and visit a couple of monsters that were giving me trouble last night and show them my new moves (knock knock...hi, remember me from the big mugging last night? BipBopWhamBamPunchKick...yeah, how's that feel to YOU, tough guy? Off to the Tavern for a pint, now.)

[FranOhmsford]

I think the multitude of doom and gloom threads on this topic in the forums is pretty sad, actually. If you really are concerned about us new guys being a hazard, spend less energy predicting the dark future and more energy preventing it. There is another thread here in the forums, where someone tried to point the new 16s towards key quests (and gear). That sort of thread would more helpful to players like me, at least. I need information more than I need free gear. Where do I go to get heavy fort (or in my case, Medium fort works just fine, as I'm WF)? What key quests should I be doing to equip my monk appropriately? Are there any quests that I *must* do now at 16 before I lose the window of opportunity for them? Answers to things like that are what I really would like to see in the forums right now.

In the meantime, I'm going to go back and visit a couple of monsters that were giving me trouble last night and show them my new moves (knock knock...hi, remember me from the big mugging last night? BipBopWhamBamPunchKick...yeah, how's that feel to YOU, tough guy? Off to the Tavern for a pint, now.)


I did link a thread about Hvy Fort earlier in this thread which you must have missed - In fact I've been linking it in every thread I've seen on this subject.

For your sake however I will relink it here:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=284046

BTW Mobs are quite capable of knocking your fortification down now so even as a WF my opinion is that Hvy Fort is plain and simply the safer option.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Interesting.

This robe is translated entirely different into German language : It is called a "Demonic Robe".

I must correct myself : I mixed ("muxed" ???) it up with an "demonic plate" armor.
The robe indeed has the right name - although untranslated, if I remember correctly (can't check it right now because I can't connect).

[ainmosni]

what i would have given if i were the dev making the decision:

deathblock [class appropriate armor]
heavy fort ring
+4 saves cloak
striding 20's
ethereal bracers
improved false life belt
+6 stat ring of choice.

not at all overpowered, still pretty bad gear considering, but as it turns out random gen is better than most named items.

i honestly wonder who decided the gear to hand out to newbies, it's mostly complete trash and makes you wonder why the devs even decided to hand it out. kind of embarrassing to label much of this stuff 'level appropriate gear', when most of it's not even DDO appropriate gear.

[FranOhmsford]

what i would have given if i were the dev making the decision:

deathblock [class appropriate armor]
heavy fort ring
+4 saves cloak
striding 20's
ethereal bracers
improved false life belt
+6 stat ring of choice.

not at all overpowered, still pretty bad gear considering, but as it turns out random gen is better than most named items.

i honestly wonder who decided the gear to hand out to newbies, it's mostly complete trash and makes you wonder why the devs even decided to hand it out. kind of embarrassing to label much of this stuff 'level appropriate gear', when most of it's not even DDO appropriate gear.

The Boots are striding 20s as well as having Balance on them - They're actually not bad at all tbh.

Wondering why you'd prefer an Imp False Life Belt over Con 5 and 20% Neg Energy Absorption {The Concentration is a bonus}?

Hvy Fort Ring would be wrong - I'd have given the Nightforge Gorget and a Deathblock Robe of Spearblock instead of the Deathblock neck and Vulkoorim Dervish Robe tbh.

At least then the robe is actually useful {to everyone}.

The Breastplate is nice for Clerics, FavSouls, Barbs, Artificers and DPS Fighters and Pallys {Non Evasion obviously}.
Unfortunately not so nice for those who actually want an AC.

The Docent is a joke - The Gorgon Docent would have made far more sense.

The Cloak is also a joke tbh - It's basically a feather falling item {with a very short term str buff}.
The Cloak from Assault on Summerfield would have made more sense - That is +4 to saves btw.

Oh and I'll say it again - The Goggles should have kept the +2 to hit they had on Lama.

[nattus_rattus]

VERY mixed feelings on the subject. I just had spent a heck of a lot of pp to fully trick out my lvl 9 "lowbie"...all wasted. Yes, I had a choice...but I took the freebie. What this means however, is I won't be playing that toon for some time. I was using my main to farm pp and items for my lowbie...always staying slightly ahead of the curve. I had a leveling plan. Now it's all shot to ****. So...for the next week or 2, I'll be farming enough pp to trick out my lvl 16 "lowbie" <---because without gear, that's pretty much what it is. After I gear it...then it's back to another week of easy flagging quests, before I actually start farming bound gear for the toon itself. With my available play time, it certainly saved me a few weeks...but it completely disrupted my plans. Like I said...mixed feelings :/

ShadowFlash

I dont really understand this - if you choose to, you can carry on playing exactly the way you were, no problem. You just have another option now.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

i honestly wonder who decided the gear to hand out to newbies, it's mostly complete trash

Trash ? Are you serious ? Have you played the game a little bit too often, perhaps ??? :eek: