Producer's Letter - 5/21/15

[Severlin]

Greetings!

It’s been extremely busy and fun for us here on the DDO team this year and we feel the time is right to provide an update on some of our plans over the next few months.

We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

Update 26 is coming in June, and it will focus mainly on a new class; the Warlock! Warlocks make pacts with powerful otherworldly patrons and channel that eldritch power into powerful blasts and arcane spells. The Warlock can choose a pact with Fiends, Archfey, or even a Great Old One. The Warlock will also have three enhancement trees; the Tainted Scholar, the Souleater, and the Enlightened Spirit.

Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research. They’ve tracked the Remnants back to Shavarath, the Plane of Battle. You need to travel there to recruit the help of the Archons in unravelling this mystery. The Archons, however, will only aid those who are worthy, and you find yourself embroiled not only in their tests, but in their eternal struggle with the Devils and the Demons. This adventure pack will include three new dungeons and a new raid, and as usual will be free to VIPs.

We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.

We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you. We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!

Thank you for being a part of the Dungeons & Dragons Online community, and we love hearing your feedback. It's been a pleasure to talk to everyone here, and we hope to see you in-game for a long time to come.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

[dunklezhan]

Greetings!

One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center.

Dooooooom!

Good luck!




all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research. They’ve tracked the Remnants back to Shavarath, the Plane of Battle. You need to travel there to recruit the help of the Archons in unravelling this mystery. The Archons, however, will only aid those who are worthy, and you find yourself embroiled not only in their tests, but in their eternal struggle with the Devils and the Demons.


Drool... lore....



This adventure pack will include three new dungeons and a new raid, and as usual will be free to VIPs.



Drool...



We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you.

Drool... slurp


We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!


*wipes drool* I await details with trepidation. I'm not someone who particularly likes the Greensteel loot system for various reasons I've explained many times in other threads and I really don't want to spoil an otherwise drool-filled reaction :)

Thanks for the update Sev!

[Cleanincubus]

So no new quests for Update 26? Seems a little strange to have 2 updates in a 2 month period. Why not wait for July to release Warlock, along with the Shavarath content, and call that Update 26? It'd even give more time to refine Warlocks. Does this also mean that there won't be another update in the Fall or Winter (one of them removed), or is U26 just in addition to the regular 4 updates a year schedule?

Have Sentient Weapons been scrapped?

[Delacroix21]

Greetings!


Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath,
Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

Yep this is what I was afraid of with all the warlock focus. I wish the warlock was coming in July and Shavarath in June. Players havent been leaving DDo due to a lack of classes/races to play, but due to a lack of end game content. I know you guys say you are "aware" of this, but it doesnt feel like the message has really sunk in yet.

[psteen1]

So... since the servers are moving anyway, how about cutting their number by 50% to consolidate the player base?

What? Dead horse? What's that?

Also post above me... I have come back for the warlock, so might want to check your data.

[Nuryam]

We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability

Right. Did the April/May crash reporting for Ghallanda not reach your mailbox?

But nice to see people are working on it! And on new content. Keep it up! Both the good work and Ghallanda! :P

[stoopid_cowboy]

Dooooooom!

I'm not someone who particularly likes the Greensteel loot system for various reasons I've explained many times in other threads

Strange response...
Greensteel is and has always been the best and most widely used crafting system in game. How could someone not like greensteel? Let me guess, you are a fan of the LoB crafting system?

Epic vale might actually get me to keep my VIP status active.

[PNP]

Looking forward to the Summer - thanks for keeping us informed.

Just one thing, why get rid of lag anyway? The poor monsters have been harassed by over powered toons and new items, lag is their only special trick to wipe us.

[Monkey-Boy]

Right. Did the April/May crash reporting for Ghallanda not reach your mailbox?

But nice to see people are working on it! And on new content. Keep it up! Both the good work and Ghallanda! :P

You know, that fact that they are moving to new hardware gives me some hope.

No content for U26 is okay with me since EVERYONE will be a friggin warlock for a few weeks anyway.

When are Ranger and Fighter getting their respective passes?

[The_Human_Cypher]

We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

Yay! This truly needed to be done. Thank you for taking on this expense for the benefit of the player community. If Turbine ever needs a quote for data center as a service, please let me know.

[Oxarhamar]

Color me wanting more info

New data centers
U26 warlock (no quests?)
U27 Shavarath 3 quests & 1 Raid ( more please we need more)
Future stuff we won't talk about lvl 30.

Yeah not very exciting then.

[Delacroix21]

So... since the servers are moving anyway, how about cutting their number by 50% to consolidate the player base?

What? Dead horse? What's that?

Also post above me... I have come back for the warlock, so might want to check your data.

Well I play with a large guild with several partner guilds, who share a teamspeak server and have all been playing another mmo. So a handfull (at best) of players coming back for a new class doesnt mean diddly squat. "Data" remains the same. Besides, what made you LEAVE ddo? I doubt it was a lack of the warlock class. So as I said, they need to fix the reson players are LEAVING.


Top 3 Reasons players are leaving DDO=
1. Lack of endgame content
2. Lag
3. Bugs



Will we roll warlocks to try them out for a few weeks? Sure... Then we will go back to the other MMO that actually has new content for us to play.

[cave_diver]

Greetings!


Update 26 is coming in June, and it will focus mainly on a new class; the Warlock! Warlocks make pacts with powerful otherworldly patrons and channel that eldritch power into powerful blasts and arcane spells. The Warlock can choose a pact with Fiends, Archfey, or even a Great Old One. The Warlock will also have three enhancement trees; the Tainted Scholar, the Souleater, and the Enlightened Spirit.



All sounds good except the part you failed to mention whether or not new quests will be involve with U26. If there are no new quests, it would be an unprecedented move since all previous updates always included a few quests and and this rather speaks to where DDO is heading.

We need content & multiple end game raids to keep us occupied.


Fondly remembers running TOD/VOD/HOX/Shroud/DQ/Reavers Fate & VON on multiple nights with multiple toons.

[Severlin]

When are Ranger and Fighter getting their respective passes?

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

[Xaxx]

In other words.... they cant get the quests and warlock done in time for june so they're going to split it up and call it two updates... then vale actually makes the 4th update of the year in sept/oct so they've made their 4 updates a year quota without having to squeeze one out in december again this year.... if this isnt whats going on Id like to know because if so, using tactics like that to squeeze in the update per quarter thing is meh at best and something I wont say at worst.

[Severlin]

So no new quests for Update 26? Seems a little strange to have 2 updates in a 2 month period. Why not wait for July to release Warlock, along with the Shavarath content, and call that Update 26? It'd even give more time to refine Warlocks. Does this also mean that there won't be another update in the Fall or Winter (one of them removed), or is U26 just in addition to the regular 4 updates a year schedule?


We want Q/A fully engaged with the Warlock release, and our attention fully on Warlock once it goes live because a new class is a big deal for us.

I should not confirm that U26 is an additional release, and that our plan is to still release three more content packs this year since our plans may have to change.

Sev~

[Wizza]

This is one of the most..boring? producers letters ever. Honestly. I'm not even mad/sad or anything in particular, this just made me say "ok".

Also nice! No quests in U26! I did ask to stop having only 1 quest per update but I meant I wanted MOAR than 1, not less! I was misunderstood :(

As for U27, 3 quests and 1 raid. Eh, okay. Was hoping at least 4-5 quests + 1 raid.

[Drakos]

Yep this is what I was afraid of with all the warlock focus. I wish the warlock was coming in July and Shavarath in June. Players havent been leaving DDo due to a lack of classes/races to play, but due to a lack of end game content. I know you guys say you are "aware" of this, but it doesnt feel like the message has really sunk in yet.We've gotten quite a bit of "end game content" in the last few updates including Update 25 with ToEE. The Devs can't just put out end game content, that really does not serve the entire user base. Many players don't care for end-game and would prefer more attention be put into broadening the player options, including Races and Classes.Me I've always saw end-game-content as a bit of an oxymoron, as in End-Game denoted the end, which is time to start another character and play them through. But I understand that some players only want to continue playing their uber-loot bedecked character forever rather than playing a new character, who stands on their own without inheriting twink gear which makes content at the lower levels trivial.Personally, I like to find new ways to approach the game such as, solo new character from 1 to 20 without teink gear, or level to 20 with only using explorer areas. Too each their own. Me I prefer that we get the new class first and the new quests later, but I like to play a lot of alts and very diverse builds, specifically avoiding the FotM or most elite builds,. It seems much more challenging to take an average, or even purposefully gimped, character to high levels than to play a character with the most uber loot and elite build to the same level.

[PsychoBlonde]

We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you. We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!

Does "updated and epic" mean the existing version is getting an update too, or that the new epic version IS the update? I'm assuming the latter, but curious if it's the former.

[Wongar]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

Thanks for not telling us :)

Very much looking forward to the Ranger pass so glad to see it is in the pipe.

[Drwaz99]

Greetings!


Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research.

Poor choice to do Warlocks first then endgame content. We need endgame content so much more than a new class. Hope I can stay interested another couple of months.

[PsychoBlonde]

We've gotten quite a bit of "end game content" in the last few updates including Update 25 with ToEE. The Devs can't just put out end game content, that really does not serve the entire user base.

They did state some time ago that the focus is going to be on endgame for a while because they're working to roll out level 30 and don't want to only have a smattering of relevant content at the time of the rollout. They intend 30 to be the long term cap so after that rollout they can once again look into a wider range of options.

[Uska]

Poor choice to do Warlocks first then endgame content. We need endgame content so much more than a new class. Hope I can stay interested another couple of months.

I would disagree a new class should apeal to more people as some couldn't care less about end game unfortunately for me I care even less about warlock since it is a class I actively fought against but it is still better than end game stuff I won't play since I have to do at least one warlock life

[FifthTime]

One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.



So does this mean one mega server is an option?

[Drakos]

Strange response...Greensteel is and has always been the best and most widely used crafting system in game. How could someone not like greensteel? Let me guess, you are a fan of the LoB crafting system?Epic vale might actually get me to keep my VIP status active.I'm not a fan of greensteal crafting either. I prefer Canith crafting system.

[Cathimon]

Besides, what made you LEAVE ddo? I doubt it was a lack of the warlock class.

Nothing said on these forums, has ever been more accurate!

And yes, merge the servers already. Why don't you answer us on that issue, Severlin?

[Qhualor]

Curious as to why this letter has no real detail compared to the last few? It looks more like an update release schedule. I think this letter will just turn into another gripe thread.

[Grosbeak07]

Poor choice to do Warlocks first then endgame content. We need endgame content so much more than a new class. Hope I can stay interested another couple of months.


I absolutely agree. Move Warlocks to July [keep the discussions going!], get us new content in June. I shudder at the thought of not having anything new to run in the next 2 months.

DDO needs new classes (and races!), but in the end there is only so much variation you get running the same quest over and over.

[cdbd3rd]

"One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center."...


I personally am holding my opinion on this tidbit of news. Given the deterioration of LOTRO gameplay in the recent past, I can't see how cramming both games into one swimming pool is gonna help either game.


...and if the rumor I've heard about the new DDO Store being involved with Steam somehow - am gonna be a sadder puppy.

[dunklezhan]

Strange response...
Greensteel is and has always been the best and most widely used crafting system in game. How could someone not like greensteel? Let me guess, you are a fan of the LoB crafting system?

Epic vale might actually get me to keep my VIP status active.

Not really, it's more this:


I'm not a fan of greensteal crafting either. I prefer Canith crafting system.

And also I simply dislike intently the grind per item of greensteal. I know I said I wasn't going to go into it but briefly:

-The general drop rates require bazzillions of runs of the raid (always took me at least 2 x 20th rewards to finish an item), which just doesn't happen anymore, even with a new raid. And frankly, it wasn't fun when it did used to happen (not the raid, just the needing to run it 40+ times per item, per character).

-Rerunning the flagging quests each time,

-The byzantine nature of the system which in and of itself is not a problem then combined with how easy it was and still is to mess up your end item as you move through the tiers, even with the new interface,

-And always and still especially because of the fact that it's impossible to know what order to do things in to get the end result you want without going out of the game to a community driven system.


In particular, that last one should be discoverable in game by now without trial and error.

There's room to tweak all of that and make it better - I'm not saying I hate the results, and I'm not saying the various tools the community has created don't now make it easy to work out. I just dislike it as an overall implementation.

I haven't even done any of the raids since CITW because by the time I was ready to think about it, everyone had run them dry and wasn't posting pugs anymore (unless it was "BYOH know it" type pugs). I don't mind if it takes a month of so running on a 3 day timer to finish an item on average, but if your problem is people finishing raid items too fast, the answer is to not let raid timers work on it, not make the mechanic offputting for people who don't use raid timers.

I know its a business, but I also know Sev doesn't want it to be unfun.

Anyway. I guess that's probably more useful feedback for Sev than any number of lengthier posts I've made on the subject so I'll leave it there!

[cave_diver]

...and if the rumor I've heard about the new DDO Store being involved with Steam somehow - am gonna be a sadder puppy.

Don't think this is a rumor, the failed game of Infinite Crisis (which bleed tons of $$$ & talent away from DDO & LOTO) are now with steam and all cash transactions now must be made through steam. It was part of the maintenance that was done on Monday.

[Marten]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

Sev, any "unconfirmable" information you want to share on the monk? And, can someone PM me when they get to the Monk? I have it set to send me an email :p

PS: Thanks for spending some time on Quality of Life issues for the game, it is much needed.

[ThomasHunter]

We want Q/A fully engaged with the Warlock release, and our attention fully on Warlock once it goes live because a new class is a big deal for us.

I should not confirm that U26 is an additional release, and that our plan is to still release three more content packs this year since our plans may have to change.

Sev~

Great additional updates on the sly...:rolleyes:

[Severlin]

Steam is cool, but we have no plans to force players to use Steam to play DDO or to use the new store. Steam users can keep using Steam, and players who don't use Steam don't have to switch to it to play DDO or use the store when the new store becomes available.

Sev~

[dunklezhan]

I personally am holding my opinion on this tidbit of news. Given the deterioration of LOTRO gameplay in the recent past, I can't see how cramming both games into one swimming pool is gonna help either game.




/darthvoice... Don't underestimate the Power.... of a greenfield network architecture. /darthvoice

The complexity of the set up and of course the mind blowingly complex task of migrating the game and all our accounts... well. That means that power could be used for Good or Evil as far as performance goes if they get it just slightly wrong... but it could make an amazing difference.

[moomooprincess]

I really don't recall a lot of posts or threads about a better store experience.... I rarely interact with the store and have had no problem making purchases.

Warlocks will just be another class I won't play for a few years. I just started to play druids at the end of 2014 and 2015.

I remember a server migration in the past, can you say a few days worth of downtime? Looks like I will be needing to schedule a vacation during this server migration.

[dunklezhan]

I remember a server migration in the past, can you say a few days worth of downtime? Looks like I will be needing to schedule a vacation during this server migration.

thats a good point actually - Sev, how much notice do you think you'll be able to publically give of the planned migration date? Or is that an unreasonable question? (I don't understand corporate law/espionage risks at all. I mean, it could be an unreasonable question, I'm not being passive aggressive or whatever!)

[The_Human_Cypher]

/darthvoice... Don't underestimate the Power.... of a greenfield network architecture. /darthvoice

The complexity of the set up and of course the mind blowingly complex task of migrating the game and all our accounts... well. That means that power could be used for Good or Evil as far as performance goes if they get it just slightly wrong... but it could make an amazing difference.

I think that this involves moving the existing servers and network devices to a new data center for co-location, not migrating the game environment and accounts to new hardware.

[dunklezhan]

I think that this involves moving the existing servers and network devices to a new data center for co-location, not migrating the game environment and accounts to new hardware.

Are you sure about that? That would be... a missed opportunity. I mean, new hardware would very likely be cheaper to maintain, more efficient to run... the 'spend to save' ratio should be quite high.

[cave_diver]

Steam is cool, but we have no plans to force players to use Steam to play DDO or to use the new store. Steam users can keep using Steam, and players who don't use Steam don't have to switch to it to play DDO or use the store when the new store becomes available.

Sev~

Good to know, thanks.

[UurlockYgmeov]

We want Q/A fully engaged with the Warlock release, and our attention fully on Warlock once it goes live because a new class is a big deal for us.

I should not confirm that U26 is an additional release, and that our plan is to still release three more content packs this year since our plans may have to change.

Sev~

http://media.giphy.com/media/LOHCxgW6HnHzy/giphy.gif


and must give props to Sev for handling the 'additional information' beautifully - TV lawyers couldn't have done better!

SO we get U26,27,28 AND maybe even U29!! W00T!

http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/283/0/2/party_owl_says_woot_woot_by_nix916-d30iqop.jpg

[Severlin]

I think that this involves moving the existing servers and network devices to a new data center for co-location, not migrating the game environment and accounts to new hardware.

Just the opposite. If all goes well we will be migrating the game environment and accounts to new hardware and a more modern data center infrastructure.

Sev~

[Grosbeak07]

Just the opposite. If all goes well we will be migrating the game environment and accounts to new hardware and a more modern data center infrastructure.

Sev~


That is good news.

[Cordovan]

thats a good point actually - Sev, how much notice do you think you'll be able to publically give of the planned migration date? Or is that an unreasonable question? (I don't understand corporate law/espionage risks at all. I mean, it could be an unreasonable question, I'm not being passive aggressive or whatever!)

It'll be more about locking in the hours closer to actually doing it rather than any kind of espionage thing. I would expect at least a few days notice on downtime, and a more general time frame as we get closer to it.

[cdbd3rd]

Steam is cool, but we have no plans to force players to use Steam to play DDO or to use the new store. Steam users can keep using Steam, and players who don't use Steam don't have to switch to it to play DDO or use the store when the new store becomes available.

Sev~


That's a good tidbit. Thanks. :)


edit: And regarding the migration - networking always was my weak point even when I remembered what I used to know. I'll take y'all's word for this being a good thing.

Heck, if it fixes LOTRO's problems, too, then I'll be back to bouncing between games again. :)

[Sephenis]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

Another melee buffing for 3 years and a little divine? Is there any chance in the next 10 years that the extremely underpowered arcane casters get a pass? They've only weakened since the beginning of ddo. Only them. Looks like turbine has a deep hatred for arcane chars.

[The_Human_Cypher]

Just the opposite. If all goes well we will be migrating the game environment and accounts to new hardware and a more modern data center infrastructure.

Sev~

Thank you. As a previous poster noted, this can be either very good or very bad. Server migrations tend to "lose things" during the process.

[Gratch]

Good to hear about the datacenter move... though the last one that was announced had a bunch of up and down times for a week as things got tuned/fixed. Everyone can be like Ghallanda until they get it setup right.

Your U27 looks more like a U26.5. I was kind of upset it was a whole update later until I saw that it was only a month. Maybe U26 should be U26WarlockBeta. Any chance there's a new explorer in the Shavarath Pack? Normally I'm not much for explorers, but I want to annoy archons in their home field... err I mean help them with spawning in Devils/Demons. Plus Turbine already had a rough layout for the Archon and Demon field landscape artwork back when they did the Devil side. Was hoping we'd finally get to go down there.

Thanks for the mini-update and moreso responsiveness in general.

Less excited by Shroud and New Store. Before you spend too many resources (I'd really prefer other UI in-game work) on your store, might see how well the current one functions once you move to new hardware.



We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.


Streamlined experience is about the only new thing I see here - from my experience it's mostly just the sometimes lag that's annoying with the store. We can already use CC's and Paypal (which accepts a large number of forms of payment). Though I have heard some international players request for more payment methods so if you make it better and/or better exchange rated for them, that part I would approve.

[UurlockYgmeov]

It'll be more about locking in the hours closer to actually doing it rather than any kind of espionage thing. I would expect at least a few days notice on downtime, and a more general time frame as we get closer to it.

hopefully will be on a plane heading to a ship by then *knocking on wood*

[slarden]

Just the opposite. If all goes well we will be migrating the game environment and accounts to new hardware and a more modern data center infrastructure.Sev~Have you considered merging game servers as part of this process (e.g., Sarlona + wayfinder) or is that something completely off the table?

[Severlin]

Another melee buffing for 3 years and a little divine? Is there any chance in the next 10 years that the extremely underpowered arcane casters get a pass? They've only weakened since the beginning of ddo. Only them. Looks like turbine has a deep hatred for arcane chars.

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

[Seikojin]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

AHAHAHAHA! Win!

Thanks for the update, and the timetable looks aggressive in my QA eyes. Not that I haven't seen that before or anything... LOL

[Sebastrd]

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

Oh no! I've seen Duck Soup?! I know where this is going...

[btolson]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

I wish you'd do it through a revisiting of current spells or casting mechanics instead. This makes it sound like "the new spell" will be just about the only thing you'll want to use on a boss, which is boring. Would vastly prefer making an array of older spells more relevant for the sake of variety/fun.

Off-the-cuff-and-possibly-bad-idea:
Add a new stance, "Focused Fire". For every successive spell you cast against a single enemy you gain a stack of -3% sp costs, stacking 15? times. Targeting a different enemy with a spell clears the whole stack.

[Harusennin]

Thank you! I need that warlock.


Greetings!

It’s been extremely busy and fun for us here on the DDO team this year and we feel the time is right to provide an update on some of our plans over the next few months.

We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

Update 26 is coming in June, and it will focus mainly on a new class; the Warlock! Warlocks make pacts with powerful otherworldly patrons and channel that eldritch power into powerful blasts and arcane spells. The Warlock can choose a pact with Fiends, Archfey, or even a Great Old One. The Warlock will also have three enhancement trees; the Tainted Scholar, the Souleater, and the Enlightened Spirit.

Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research. They’ve tracked the Remnants back to Shavarath, the Plane of Battle. You need to travel there to recruit the help of the Archons in unravelling this mystery. The Archons, however, will only aid those who are worthy, and you find yourself embroiled not only in their tests, but in their eternal struggle with the Devils and the Demons. This adventure pack will include three new dungeons and a new raid, and as usual will be free to VIPs.

We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.

We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you. We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!

Thank you for being a part of the Dungeons & Dragons Online community, and we love hearing your feedback. It's been a pleasure to talk to everyone here, and we hope to see you in-game for a long time to come.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

[Drakos]

And also I simply dislike intently the grind per item of greensteal. I know I said I wasn't going to go into it but brieflyAgreed. I disliked this enough that of my 30+toon I have exactly one with greensteel items.

[nibel]

Steam is cool, but we have no plans to force players to use Steam to play DDO or to use the new store. Steam users can keep using Steam, and players who don't use Steam don't have to switch to it to play DDO or use the store when the new store becomes available.

Sev~

On a different, but related note, can you guys make DDO available worldwide on Steam? I really like the platform, but for a while I can't install it through Steam because the game is blocked on my country. I was able to do some work-arounds to INSTALL it, but then if you install it through steam, you can only add TP via codes or the Steam store, but not the credit card in your turbine account. And since the game is blocked in my country... well, I had to remove the Steam installation.

[Silkenwise]

Another melee buffing for 3 years and a little divine? Is there any chance in the next 10 years that the extremely underpowered arcane casters get a pass? They've only weakened since the beginning of ddo. Only them. Looks like turbine has a deep hatred for arcane chars.

The lack of spells is really dissapointing. It's one of the things about this game that is the LEAST like actual Dungeons & Dragons.

Warlocks are another arcane casting class, but our spellbooks are still woefully inadequate.

So many old spells are completely useless, and it's been YEARS since we've seen even a single new spell. It's pretty sad.

[HatsuharuZ]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

Umm... this may not be an optimal solution. I would suggest a discussion thread be posted concerning casters in epic content before the devs do anything.

[FranOhmsford]

Steam is cool, but we have no plans to force players to use Steam to play DDO or to use the new store. Steam users can keep using Steam, and players who don't use Steam don't have to switch to it to play DDO or use the store when the new store becomes available.

Sev~

Hang on...WHAT?

So is DDO going to have a new store AND the current store then?

Otherwise hell yes you'll be forcing people who use the current store to use the new one!

Is it a good idea to tell your players who WANT to pay for your game that they no longer can unless they download/install and use a completely different program that they have no other interest in?

I'm sorry but if this post is a joke it's in very bad taste!

[Robai]

...
We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.
...


Since DDO Store will be updated then can we expect the most wanted item in there at some point? (Hint: ... BtC storage ...)

[Steelstar]

Hang on...WHAT?

So is DDO going to have a new store AND the current store then?

Otherwise hell yes you'll be forcing people who use the current store to use the new one!

Is it a good idea to tell your players who WANT to pay for your game that they no longer can unless they download/install and use a completely different program that they have no other interest in?

I'm sorry but if this post is a joke it's in very bad taste!

That's the opposite of what was said.

There will be a brand-new Store, unrelated to any current Store (DDO or otherwise).
All users will be able to use said Store, regardless of Steam. Just like the current Store.

[FranOhmsford]

Have you considered merging game servers as part of this process (e.g., Sarlona + wayfinder) or is that something completely off the table?

Ghallanda would be better suited for a merge with Wayfinder than Sarlona.

Sarlona imo would fit best community and pop. numbers wise with Argo.

Cannith with Khyber

and Thelanis with Orien.


A Drop to 6 {Ghallanda/Wayfinder and Thelanis/Orien being the two I'd choose} or even 4 servers would in my view be a very good thing for DDO and the news that Turbine are planning on a move to new data centres etc. makes me hopeful that server mergers will be included in that move.


As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~


So what about Monks and Artis?

I know Artis got a bit of a buff with the Rogue Mech buffs but Pure Artis seriously need a redo!

And as for Monks - Well it would be nice if we weren't forced to go full on Earth Stance with all enhancements AND two item slots dedicated to PRR to have any chance of staying alive for more than 3 seconds!

[FranOhmsford]

That's the opposite of what was said.

There will be a brand-new Store, unrelated to any current Store (DDO or otherwise).
All users will be able to use said Store, regardless of Steam. Just like the current Store.

Thank you for the confirmation - Sev's wording was not great and I had enough trouble with the DDOMarket when that was introduced!

[Delacroix21]

When will any of this hit Lammania? as it seems to keep being pushed back. I check everyday multiple times a day for Lammania to be patched up but its just not happening. Im so bored... =(

[lasertagbugzapper]

orien already merged with thelanis. they just did it themselves via character transfers. we want ghallanda and Khyber. and cannith.

[Kanuk]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

I agree with what you consider to be the biggest issue, boss DPS, but I am worried about the possible solutions. If its a new level 8 or 9 spell that arcane and divine get, that could work but I would be totally against a new feat. Melees don't kneed to take a special feat to have good boss DPS, why should casters?

If you feel that the only way possible is via a feat, please consider a ED feat for level 26. Even if it would take a while to get the feat, I feel it the "feat slot" that would hurt caster least.


I wish you'd do it through a revisiting of current spells or casting mechanics instead. This makes it sound like "the new spell" will be just about the only thing you'll want to use on a boss, which is boring. Would vastly prefer making an array of older spells more relevant for the sake of variety/fun.

Off-the-cuff-and-possibly-bad-idea:
Add a new stance, "Focused Fire". For every successive spell you cast against a single enemy you gain a stack of -3% sp costs, stacking 15? times. Targeting a different enemy with a spell clears the whole stack.

Agreed 100% with your point of view.

Regarding "Off-the-cuff-and-possibly-bad-idea" for "Focused Fire". I would be willing to drop to -1% sp cost or even no SP reduction, but instead +X spell power (non-positive) stacking X times. Not disrupted by casting heals/buffs. Probably not usable in raids or else we could end up with even crazier amount of HP for raid boss. Most casters can't get close to typical melee DPS these days but can balance that out with DC spells, I just want to be able to kill red names in similar time as melee with similar resource usage.

On a completely different topic, considering the amount of server merger threads in the last few months, anyway to get a possible comment? Considering the producer letter is a yearly thing, would be nice to get some feedback from the dev on the subject so people stop asking for a time. Something like, yes you are considering something in those lines or no server merger will happen within the next year(s)? If it's a hard no, any possibility on a server transfer special? Like 75% off or 3 characters for the price of 1 ?

[IronClan]

Umm... this may not be an optimal solution. I would suggest a discussion thread be posted concerning casters in epic content before the devs do anything.

I concure with this. I don't believe the current Dev staff have or run casters in high level content if they think the issues can be fixed with a Epic Spell or destiny feat DOT.

The problem(s) are:

.) hitting 386,000 HP bosses with spells that cause a couple thousand damage per 50 to 115 spell points used, cast out of 2800-3800 sp pools. This is 386,000 divided by (say) 2000 damage (that's generous for an average) = 193 casts @ 50 to 115 spell points (we'll call it 80sp average), that's 15,440 spell points required... Which at 600 sp recovered per drink means chugging 25 superior memn pots to kill 1 sub-boss. Granted the caster doesn't have to do all the damage unless solo'ing but this is just meant to illustrate a point, you're also not going to get 2000 damage average per spell against a boss that can't be helpless, unless you're waiting on your best two spells to cool down instead of using filler spells. So in other words unless you're standing there waiting for Ruin and Draconic burst to cool off, you're doing a LOT less than 2000 damage every time you cast... Heroic spells in your rotation will drop this even more.

.) AOE's have been massively outscaled in Epics, Blade Barrier, Icestorm, Firewalls signiture spells of the game are all tickle torture to 9000hp trash mobs, might as well be handing out wedgies and purple nurples.

.) Direct damage Heroic spells in Epics are a joke, the only way to effectively nuke is by using Destiny and Epic feat spells, and SLA's or Shiradi cast.

.) and finally yes the DOT's we already have need to scale better just like Direct damage spells and AOE's.

Adding a new Epic Spell DOT while not objectionable by itself just pigeon holes everyone into using that, building for max crit % and spell power for whatever that DOT is. It also means we're all forced to take the same feat if we want Boss DPS. No offense Sev you know I like you: but since you started chucking massive hunks of Healamp and Melee power at Barb, and 20% DPS increase set bonus to make the spoonful of ToEE loot go down, this heavy handed stuff is not a good look... it says to me "just get it done", we all know you guys can do better... If you want to quick and dirty something quick and dirty the old level 20 end game into a mythic level 30 end game... don't quick and dirty casters they need more nuanced attention than a DOT. But they are easy to fix:

Take the caps off heroic spells in epic.
Give epic level as generic caster levels, and remove them from Destinies.
Put X1 multiplier in T5 Savants for their Element and X0.5 in Archmage give both a way to "build" multiplier and crit chance by small increments when solid nuking using SP spells (not SLA's).

[Eryhn]

sheesh, all this ranting, I couldnt care less about which update hits first and which class pass gets bumped, the single big thing here is we gonna get new hardware and better networking.
my ddo time currently consists of checking forums twice a weak cause I just about have had it with lag and performance issues. knowing somebody actually made WB see the benefits of investing some in up to date tech I'll be comin back to play even before that happens due to hoping things gonna improve.

Thank you very VERY much for that, I'll take that hands down as a sign of not all is lost even if it means 3 weeks downtime when it happens ...

[Hiponic]

orien already merged with thelanis. they just did it themselves via character transfers. we want ghallanda and Khyber. and cannith.


$25 at a time?

Rough dude. I would LOVE if the sale of the week one week would be %50 of or buy one get one toon transfer..
I have 5 Toons, 1 almost a triple completionist just sitting on G-Land. Would love to move to a more active server.


Or.. MERGE MERGE MERGE MERGE

[Silverleafeon]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

Epic Maximize You gain 150 spell power. It does not cost sp to activate this metamagic.
Requirement: Level 30

Bingo, instant epic boost for all spell casters.


But I very much like the addition of some Epic Spell Feats.

[slarden]

Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!

Thank you for the update. The plans look great!

This seems to be implying that we will be able to upgrade our existing greensteel into a more powerful epic version. Is this accurate or will epic greensteel be independent from the existing heroic versions of gear/weapons?

[zehnvhex]

Hello. Apologies if this is the wrong place to ask a question like this but is there any plans to make grouping with varied level friends easier? For example, I'm getting my friends into playing the game but some of us are level 10+, some are 7ish, some are only level 2 or 4. In many other games they either realize it's just a game and let you play/advance together regardless of levels, others offer some gimmick like artificially lowering/raising power levels so you can play together.

It just really sucks to never be able to group with friends who might not play as much or play more then you do. We're already paying 150+ dollars a month to just play all the dungeons together, it would be nice if we didn't have to jump through hoops or flat out not play the game just to be able to play together when our schedules align.

Thank you for your consideration.

[FranOhmsford]

Hello. Apologies if this is the wrong place to ask a question like this but is there any plans to make grouping with varied level friends easier? For example, I'm getting my friends into playing the game but some of us are level 10+, some are 7ish, some are only level 2 or 4. In many other games they either realize it's just a game and let you play/advance together regardless of levels, others offer some gimmick like artificially lowering/raising power levels so you can play together.

It just really sucks to never be able to group with friends who might not play as much or play more then you do. We're already paying 150+ dollars a month to just play all the dungeons together, it would be nice if we didn't have to jump through hoops or flat out not play the game just to be able to play together when our schedules align.

Thank you for your consideration.

You probably already know this but I'll say it anyway:

DDO Has a system for running with friends of differing levels - MAKE A NEW TOON! {Perhaps on a new server if you're full up on alts already}.

Seriously - If you want your friends to have fun in this game then create a secondary toon to level them up to the level your main is waiting at!
OR
If they run that irregularly or say at a specific time and day once a week/month have that secondary toon to run with them when they are on and your main/s to play when they're not on!

There is one other possibility too:
Have them buy Vet 1, 2 or even an Iconic Race so they can get straight to your level {of course if you're planning on running E-BBs in Gianthold and Orchard with newbies then good luck keeping those newbies playing even with Iconics! {Bladeforged and PDK have good starter gear but it's still starter gear and not aimed at running E-BBs straight off, Morninglords have ok starter gear and Shadar-Kai have terrible starter gear!}.



BTW An Iconic is perfect for a player levelling up newbies as you don't need to take Lvls 2-15 till you're ready to take them and can level at the exact pace of your friends and take them through the best quests {perhaps multiple times to get them geared up each level}.
You already have all that xp and no need to worry about your own so can concentrate on theirs!

[phillymiket]

Cool.

Sounds good.
I'm looking forward to Warlock.
I'm coming back from a break for personal reason (no time these days) and wanted to get back into DDO before the new class arrives.
In before the 'Lock (sorry, couldn't resist)
I love the new stuff I'm seeing. Love the Aeofel DMing of ToEE.
Looking forward to the new Shav stuff.

The idea of new Hardware is super-encouraging for the games future and it made my day to hear.


Ghallanda would be better suited for a merge with Wayfinder than Sarlona

Wow that would be great.
We need some new peoples around here and a few more of our European brothers and sisters would fit in like peas and carrots.
Half of Wayfinder probably already knows a person or two in G-Land from the before times.

Anyway, just I wanted to pop in and tell the DDO team thanks for the good work and I look forward to more.

[maddong]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

It would help efficiency if epic spells had free meta magics (just like Ed powers)....

Anything that adds more spell power or max caster levels will of course help too. The problem may then become that the caster one shots all the trash if you increase it too much.

Maybe heroic damage spells need to get cheaper and cheaper as you increase in epic levels. Then throw in some more spell power closer to level 28. That would make casters more fun to play.

[Bloodskittle]

Looking forward to all this new content coming out, but please do us a favor and spend longer on Warlock, don't bring it out until you bring out epic shavarath. A new class with no new content will make for a fairly lame update.

[Marupal]

Greetings!

<lotsa cool stuff>

...

We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

Looking forward to the year's plans.

Hopefully this new DDOstore will give us the ability to gift store purchases or points straight to someone's account. You're missing out on a pretty big cash cow and we're missing out on the fun of it. :)

[Memnir]

I appreciate the return to Shavarath. It's been often requested, and it felt like the request was falling on Realms-deafened ears for a long time now. I may not have quested there very much, but I know that this will make a lot of long-time players very happy if done well. The more Fan Service in this game, the better, as far as I am concerned.

Nervous about the data-center move. We were told the exact same reasoning behind the last move (or two), that it would increase stability and reduce lag... and then we had the exactly opposite result. Wish I didn't have to be skeptical - but the weight of history is what it is. In this case, it has me worried that this is a budgetary move that is being gilded and wrapped in a nice bow to make it sound better.



As with everything, the proof is in the pudding. For a long time, the end results got me more and more disillusioned... I'm hoping that the trend continues to turning that around. It's been getting better - and actually listening to We The Players, and us seeing the results of that listening hitting the game, is fantastic. I'm not the utter cynic I was not too long ago. I'd enjoy nothing more then to count myself in the positive side of the ledger once more. I just hope the proof is worthy, and the pudding tasty.

[Singular]

Greetings!

It’s been extremely busy and fun for us here on the DDO team this year and we feel the time is right to provide an update on some of our plans over the next few months.

We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

Update 26 is coming in June, and it will focus mainly on a new class; the Warlock! Warlocks make pacts with powerful otherworldly patrons and channel that eldritch power into powerful blasts and arcane spells. The Warlock can choose a pact with Fiends, Archfey, or even a Great Old One. The Warlock will also have three enhancement trees; the Tainted Scholar, the Souleater, and the Enlightened Spirit.

Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research. They’ve tracked the Remnants back to Shavarath, the Plane of Battle. You need to travel there to recruit the help of the Archons in unravelling this mystery. The Archons, however, will only aid those who are worthy, and you find yourself embroiled not only in their tests, but in their eternal struggle with the Devils and the Demons. This adventure pack will include three new dungeons and a new raid, and as usual will be free to VIPs.

We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.

We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you. We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!

Thank you for being a part of the Dungeons & Dragons Online community, and we love hearing your feedback. It's been a pleasure to talk to everyone here, and we hope to see you in-game for a long time to come.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

Neat stuff!

Can you talk more about what the new servers will mean? Are you merging existing servers, creating a megaserver or just putting existing servers onto new hardware?

Me no savvy!

[Stoner81]

Some really neat stuff coming up looking forward to see what the rest of the year brings us :)

Stoner81.

[Susquehana]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~So fighter will be lucky to see anything for a year?

[Silverleafeon]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

It is beginning to be obvious to us players (who are less smart than you, at least I am), that designs for caster to be good at 20 and at 28 will fail due to the high front loading of spell power scaling. Unlike Melee Power which is very conservative in the heroic levels.

A good balance at 20 will be underpowered at 28.
A good balance at 28 will be overpowered at 20.

You don't have enough scaling.

And yes I am talking more power creep, but the DM started this one when they put CR 70 Creatures on the game board, not me...


Not sure, but if you added 3 universal spell power at each epic level for all classes, then all casters would appreciate it.

Good point.

It might should be more, spellcasting are used to doing with 200~400+ spell power.
Melee and ranged power is typically half that.
But whatever.


So looking at a Legendary Dreadnought Toon:

Gains Epic Power = +3 ranged and +3 melee power per epic level
Gains +3 melee power per level of LD (and if this increases from level 5 to 10 which it ought to that complexes things).


However, assuming one changes things from this angle:

All Epic Destiny Levels would be examined and grant about 6ish Universal Spell Power.
Some more, some less.

Then Epic Power would be changed to grant:
+3 ranged
+3 melee power
+6 universal spell power
per epic level


Now we have some decent scaling going on during Epic levels.
Let us see how that compares to Epic Maximize (150 universal free spell power)

Level 20 --- Full ED of 30 universal spell power
Level 28 --- Increase of 48 universal spell power

Hmm...and we have to go thru the effort of ranking all the Epic Destinies too.
Not enough scaling between level 20 and 28 (which is a problem due to the instant full ED available at 20).


How about moving it all to Epic Power instead?
Increase to +10 universal Spell Power per Epic Level

Level 20 --- Zero
Level 28 --- Increase of 80 universal spell power

This is actually about 2 more than the 78 shown above.
But 70 less than my example with the epic feat tax.

I think maybe Sevs Dot Epic Spell, HatsuharuZ's theories and an new Epic Item with a higher reduced spell cost along with some better metamagic item reducing spell costs might be the better route?

Nicely done.

But is it enough?

How much will +80 spell power do for toons that easily have 350 spell power to begin with at level cap?

Take a spell that does 100 damage.

Spell power rating determines how much damage you deal with spells. In most cases, each point of spell power increase increases the base damage of your spell by 1%. Various effects can contribute to your spell power, all effects are added together.

So with 300 spell power (Fawngate's best spell exceed thus but most come to at ? Let me log in and look.)

Assume 300 (which is low).

100 damage becomes 400 damage.

Increasing thus to 380 spell power.
100 damage becomes 480 damage which is an increase of 480/400 = 20% increase in spell damage.

This is assuming one does not apply Empower or Maximize to one's spells.

But, one will go higher.

Fawngate's spells she does not care about are at 318 (and they rise +60 in battle)
The spell she does care about are 393, 467, 441

So her favorite spell type will easily break 500 in a dungeon.
100 damage becomes 600 damage.
Increasing 80 universal spell power, 100 damage becomes 680 damage.

The net increase is 13%

Given the effects that I have seen a mere 20 melee power do, I must conclude that melee power and spell power are in totally different categories.

Should we add an applied +225 for both Empower and Maximize for 725,
the new net increase is about 9%


I am going to lean back and say I like the simple solution of Epic Maximized Metamagic applied for free available at level cap better.
We need more really good Epic Feats.
I made a whole bunch of suggestions on the player's council last year and only one of them was a popular choice among the council members, so I can easily say its tough to get good ideas for epic feats.


So I offer you 3 very attractive Epic Feats:


Epic Maximize -- gain metamagic that does not cost sp and add 150 spell power.
Requirement level 30 and Maximize spell

Epic Combat Casting -- your spells cannot be interrupted.
Requirement level 30 and Mobile Spell Casting

Extra Twist -- gain an extra twist slot (costs for opening and increase slot level use the same math.
Requirement level 30 --- must have all spheres maxed out

Epic Dot Spell with low sp cost (per Sev's wisdom)
Requirement level 27~30[/b]

[Silverleafeon]

I guarantee a world of fighting over whether Shirdai should get more spellpower granted than Magistar...


Btw `` Magistar and Draconic need to be rewritten particularly when someday Epic Destiny levels increase to 10.

[Thrudh]

Well I play with a large guild with several partner guilds, who share a teamspeak server and have all been playing another mmo. So a handfull (at best) of players coming back for a new class doesnt mean diddly squat. "Data" remains the same. Besides, what made you LEAVE ddo? I doubt it was a lack of the warlock class. So as I said, they need to fix the reson players are LEAVING.


Top 3 Reasons players are leaving DDO=
1. Lack of endgame content
2. Lag
3. Bugs



Will we roll warlocks to try them out for a few weeks? Sure... Then we will go back to the other MMO that actually has new content for us to play.

Be honest for a second... If they released new content, wouldn't also play it for a few weeks, then go back to the other MMO? (Which I bet you haven't been playing for 5+ years - Let's see if you're happy with how fast they release new content after you've played all their current quests 100 times each)

There's no way ANY game company can release content fast enough for you...

[Thrudh]

Top 3 Reasons players are leaving DDO=
1. Lack of endgame content
2. Lag
3. Bugs

Also, by the way, (and this is totally true)... I got two new players to join DDO last month, and they are amazed by:

1. How many quests there are to play.
2. How there's no lag in a physics based real-time combat game (they are old FPS guys, so they like this kind of gameplay AND they have fast new computers)
3. How there's almost no bugs (the ONLY bug they've mentioned to me is hitching a couple of times on a ladder - I told them to jump on the ladder, and they said "Yeah, we figured that out... no big deal")

[noinfo]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

A new spell that does dot is really only a bandaide approach.

We need variety and versatility in spell casting beyond just spam mm and dot.

melee in general are in a pretty good place and I enjoy playing mine, My casters vs trash are in a good place too.

When it comes to orange named and above they could use some work.

With orange named save vs death spells should have the same effect as mortal fear. But limited to 1 hit at all (no stacking from multiple failed regardless of different casters)
PWK should instakill orange below 10%

Red and Purple named, used to be debuffed back in the day by casters to reduce their damage output. now a few low stat debuffs make little difference so no one bothers.

in addition to stat debuffs make spells like waves of exhaustion give significant debuffs, to melee power and direct % penalty to hit.

Get rid of additional time triggers on charms

Spells of incapacitation effecting the boss for reduced time even 1 second then a 1 min timer on being affected again,

Something a little more creative than another dot.

[Silverleafeon]

Compare the possible scaling of 9% over levels 20 thru 28 to the increase in hit points of red named bosses?

I bet I know which one is much higher.

[Thrudh]

Curious as to why this letter has no real detail compared to the last few? It looks more like an update release schedule. I think this letter will just turn into another gripe thread.

Makes it real easy to stop writing letters.

I used to call my grandma, and all she did was complain about how I never called.

So I stopped calling.

I can't believe the negativity... A new class, new servers, Shavarath and epic Vale/Shroud and people are complaining... Not even a little excited?

[mightstriker]

Progress? Sev - if what we have been experiencing on Ghallanda for the last two months is progress - I really am going to be giving up my VIP subscription. I am actually a little angry that there was no apology (or recognition at all) of the problems our server has experienced over the last two months. It would have been nice to see a little statement that our concerns have been heard by you, that there was some feigning of interest, at least.

[Silverleafeon]

Some really neat stuff coming up looking forward to see what the rest of the year brings us :)

Stoner81.

I agree, I am very excited.

[Thrudh]

I agree, I am very excited.

Me too.

[Silverleafeon]

The disadvantages of an Epic level 30 Epic Maximize is that it comes all at once at level cap.
Therefore it totally removes all the benefits from the reincarnation playstyle.
That is not entire healthy.

Tying it to ED levels is not good as ED levels might increase, and its hard to predict which ones deserve the most love.

Tying to ED innates are more static as they innates will not increase regardless of the ED, and it would grant the Devs a bit of rebalancing power.

Tying into Epic Power is the most smoothest way and does not involve a feat tax.
However +3 melee power >>> is much stronger than +3 universal spell power.

[Silverleafeon]

Me too.

Definitely, I read it all and was delighted.
Did not know what to say, except woot!

[mikarddo]

Seperating the Warlock update from the quests+raid update is exactly what I have been hoping would happen. It spreads out the "news" factor which is exactly what DDO needs. This means less "rushing" and more time to enjoy each new item.

Much appreciated.

[Lonnbeimnech]

The disadvantages of an Epic level 30 Epic Maximize is that it comes all at once at level cap.
Therefore it totally removes all the benefits from the reincarnation playstyle.
That is not entire healthy.

Tying it to ED levels is not good as ED levels might increase, and its hard to predict which ones deserve the most love.

Tying to ED innates are more static as they innates will not increase regardless of the ED, and it would grant the Devs a bit of rebalancing power.

Tying into Epic Power is the most smoothest way and does not involve a feat tax.
However +3 melee power >>> is much stronger than +3 universal spell power.

Another reason melee damage overperforms compared to caster dps into epics, there is no caster equivalent to pulverizer, devistating crit, overwhelming crit, you just do double damage on crit, period. Also as melees get better weapons and various ways to add [w], there is nothing like this for casters. Imagine if equipping a thunderforged orb made your fireballs do 4.5[10d6], or ruin do 4.5[500d1]...

[Silverleafeon]

Another reason melee damage overperforms compared to caster dps into epics, there is no caster equivalent to pulverizer, devistating crit, overwhelming crit, you just do double damage on crit, period. Also as melees get better weapons and various ways to add [w], there is nothing like this for casters. Imagine if equipping a thunderforged orb made your fireballs do 4.5[10d6], or ruin do 4.5[500d1]...


Well the devs need to add spell critical multiplier into wizards and sorcs through their core enhancements. Reason for this is because the meta right now in this game is mostly melee and casters have been left in the dust in terms of overall dps from their spell casting. And something tells me that the devs arn't going back to tweak wizards and sorcs anytime soon.


Well, perhaps Epic Power simply needs rewriting:

Epic Power

Usage: Passive
Prerequisite: None

Description

+3 Melee Power
+3 Ranged Power
+10 Universal Spell Power
+15% Universal Spell Crit Bonus Damage

Note This feat is automatically given to all characters each time they gain an Epic level.



Also, each Epic Destiny Innate could have 1d6 Universal Spell Power added to it.
(Or we could use a more scientific method ;)

[Calinthus]

Greetings!

(1)It’s been extremely busy and fun for us here on the DDO team this year and we feel the time is right to provide an update on some of our plans over the next few months.

(2)We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

(3)Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research. They’ve tracked the Remnants back to Shavarath, the Plane of Battle. You need to travel there to recruit the help of the Archons in unravelling this mystery. The Archons, however, will only aid those who are worthy, and you find yourself embroiled not only in their tests, but in their eternal struggle with the Devils and the Demons. This adventure pack will include three new dungeons and a new raid, and as usual will be free to VIPs.







Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

(1) And, I, for one, greatly appreciate the work you've done.

(2) I've noticed this, and, well, see above. Looking forward to the swap. ( I know it'll require some careful handling.)

(3) Yes. Yes! YES!!! WOOT!

You guys ROCK!!

[Qhualor]

Makes it real easy to stop writing letters.

I used to call my grandma, and all she did was complain about how I never called.

So I stopped calling.

I can't believe the negativity... A new class, new servers, Shavarath and epic Vale/Shroud and people are complaining... Not even a little excited?

I'm not complaining. It all looks good to me, but it read more like a schedule without details. The last letter had more meat to it. I suspect that it's probably because some people don't understand delays, tentative ideas and hold what is said as a promise when it's not. For about 6 months some people were quoting from the last letter and using it as a basis of "but Sev said.." and proof.

[Calinthus]

So what about Monks and Artis?

I know Artis got a bit of a buff with the Rogue Mech buffs but Pure Artis seriously need a redo!

And as for Monks - Well it would be nice if we weren't forced to go full on Earth Stance with all enhancements AND two item slots dedicated to PRR to have any chance of staying alive for more than 3 seconds!

Dunno much about arties, but, as a monk, I run(ran) in Fire Stance, and virtually no PRR, and, aside from a few (ok, a lot) of overwhelming mobs, and EIN not charged, I did fairly well.

[lyrecono]

intriguing......

The letter refreshingly short and grounded in reality.
Shockingly it seems to be lacking grand ideas that don't ever seem to make it...

i really hope you guys(dev's) learned from the past and don't bring half finished content in order to reach a deadline, separating warlock from the content seems to suggest this... fingers crossed.....

So transferring your hardware....
are you considering merging servers?
In it's better years we had multiple(4) instances of the marketplace due to it's population being so big (lv 20 was cap)
But i don't see multiple instances of evening star either (just an example though).
either everyone put his status on anonymous or the game is bleeding people badly since U14

New content& Storyline:

+++
Continuing some real endgame/epic story instead of emo drow, epic rats, cheap conversions of heroic material.
Kudo's!

Updating shroud, although this was said before i'm happy to see this confirmed.
Please don't make this as meager and rigid as Canith raid crafting or ToEE, the biggest strenghts of Shroud gear are the many crafting options (4 elements and 2 alignments coupled with weapon and clothing& jewelry slots) and the low level you could equip it, making it amazing tr gear.


Greetings!

It’s been extremely busy and fun for us here on the DDO team this year and we feel the time is right to provide an update on some of our plans over the next few months.

We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

Update 26 is coming in June, and it will focus mainly on a new class; the Warlock! Warlocks make pacts with powerful otherworldly patrons and channel that eldritch power into powerful blasts and arcane spells. The Warlock can choose a pact with Fiends, Archfey, or even a Great Old One. The Warlock will also have three enhancement trees; the Tainted Scholar, the Souleater, and the Enlightened Spirit.

Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research. They’ve tracked the Remnants back to Shavarath, the Plane of Battle. You need to travel there to recruit the help of the Archons in unravelling this mystery. The Archons, however, will only aid those who are worthy, and you find yourself embroiled not only in their tests, but in their eternal struggle with the Devils and the Demons. This adventure pack will include three new dungeons and a new raid, and as usual will be free to VIPs.

We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.

We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you. We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!

Thank you for being a part of the Dungeons & Dragons Online community, and we love hearing your feedback. It's been a pleasure to talk to everyone here, and we hope to see you in-game for a long time to come.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

[The_Human_Cypher]

Looking forward to the year's plans.

Hopefully this new DDOstore will give us the ability to gift store purchases or points straight to someone's account. You're missing out on a pretty big cash cow and we're missing out on the fun of it. :)

This is a good idea. I would like to be able to gift Guildies, new players, and friends in game directly from the Store.

[The_Human_Cypher]

Progress? Sev - if what we have been experiencing on Ghallanda for the last two months is progress - I really am going to be giving up my VIP subscription. I am actually a little angry that there was no apology (or recognition at all) of the problems our server has experienced over the last two months. It would have been nice to see a little statement that our concerns have been heard by you, that there was some feigning of interest, at least.

They apologized on DDO's Facebook page for the G-Land downtime today.

[Blackheartox]

Greetings!

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

Wonder why noone asked you this yet in the past, but can we call you Robie?

Polish classes and releases and revamps before you present it to live servers to make it with least ammount of bugs possibly, good call is to check lammanina live servers, not forums but servers since many people point out bugs there but dont write on forums, is my biggest wish

[mezzorco]

Hi :)
I remember in 2014 a couple devs / PC members talking about a new class coming, a heavy armor user, quite different from current heavy armor classes (I suspect it was Duskblade).
Has it been discarded?

[patang01]

Please put in place a moratorium on raid bypasses for at least 5-6 months. Or make them 1 days permanently. That using a bypass cuts it down to 24 hours. Not zero seconds until you can raid with that toon again.

We need this, or it'll be like all raid over again - a group of people will do it 24x7 until no one runs it and people that can't dedicate to that schedule gets screwed.

[Xerio]

two weapon fighting could use a review, it feels very weak when compared to thf and swf.

[laurawilder]

We've gotten quite a bit of "end game content" in the last few updates including Update 25 with ToEE. The Devs can't just put out end game content, that really does not serve the entire user base. Many players don't care for end-game and would prefer more attention be put into broadening the player options, including Races and Classes.Me I've always saw end-game-content as a bit of an oxymoron, as in End-Game denoted the end, which is time to start another character and play them through. But I understand that some players only want to continue playing their uber-loot bedecked character forever rather than playing a new character, who stands on their own without inheriting twink gear which makes content at the lower levels trivial.Personally, I like to find new ways to approach the game such as, solo new character from 1 to 20 without teink gear, or level to 20 with only using explorer areas. Too each their own. Me I prefer that we get the new class first and the new quests later, but I like to play a lot of alts and very diverse builds, specifically avoiding the FotM or most elite builds,. It seems much more challenging to take an average, or even purposefully gimped, character to high levels than to play a character with the most uber loot and elite build to the same level.


Exactly the way more should approach the game. Keeps it challenging and fresh each time.

[moo_cow]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

Hopefully this isn't another epic feat that cost 100 spell points.

[moo_cow]

Are we at least getting a few quests with the warlock update. I was lead to believe that we were getting warlock and shavarath in u26.

[Saekee]

The stuff about the archons got me really excited. LOVE the devil battlefield, with arrows peppering the ground as the trace of the conflict.

I guess the archons are unlike kobolds--they will forget about that little incident in the vale?

[Saekee]

Please put in place a moratorium on raid bypasses for at least 5-6 months. Or make them 1 days permanently. That using a bypass cuts it down to 24 hours. Not zero seconds until you can raid with that toon again.

We need this, or it'll be like all raid over again - a group of people will do it 24x7 until no one runs it and people that can't dedicate to that schedule gets screwed.

they should do this on new content every time it is released.

[mikarddo]

Please put in place a moratorium on raid bypasses for at least 5-6 months. Or make them 1 days permanently. That using a bypass cuts it down to 24 hours. Not zero seconds until you can raid with that toon again.

We need this, or it'll be like all raid over again - a group of people will do it 24x7 until no one runs it and people that can't dedicate to that schedule gets screwed.

I dont know if the moratorium needs to be that long but at the very least 3 months where raid timers cannot be used when a new raid comes out would be most welcome (read absolutely mandatory).

A 1 per day per raid per character would also be alright as that lets you run with friends even if you are on a timer - but not farm instantly and endlessly which is very detrimental to the game.

[Elytia]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

At this rate we'll all be long dead before arties get a 3rd tree or ED! :(

[Grosbeak07]

I can't believe the negativity... A new class, new servers, Shavarath and epic Vale/Shroud and people are complaining... Not even a little excited?

I think even the negative people (like me) are excited. The problem is we are bored now (after only 9 years!) and there is just not enough content to keep satisfied. And I know the Devs can't possibly produce enough content to keep people like me happy between updates anymore. So this means check back in 2 months for new quests. 2 months that I'm playing other games, doing other things, spending money elsewhere. I know I"m not alone in feeling this and it can't be good for the game as the less engaged players become, the less likely they are to come back between these breaks and the less money DDO takes in, which leads to further cuts in staff and content and we are looking at a dead game, sooner rather than later if the devs don't plan carefully.

[Sephenis]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

Actually, the biggest weakness of ARCANE casters is after you reach epic levels, you're become more and more weak, compared to melee chars, and to enemy mobs. The only way to be a useful wizard for example is to use CC spells, and death spells. However the original advantage of the wizard is the variety of spells can be used, despite of this, nearly all of the heroic spells become useless (except high level CC). One extra spell does not solve the problem. For years, arcane classes does not have any updates, while melees became overpowered (mrr was the most "interesting" buff for them).

[Qhualor]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

I still don't think a new DOT is the way to go. They already have existing DOTS and I remember when they first came out they were so powerful that a dedicated tank had trouble holding agro against a triple stack. I still see powerful casters all the time against trash mobs, so maybe just need to improve existing spells. Casters that I have seen don't usually have sp problems from shrine to shrine and usually are dumping mana blasting away. I just think there is more of an underlying problem that should be looked into rather than just giving casters a boss DOT.

[FifthTime]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

Seriously? More melee buffing?

Wow...

Who is making these decisions? Please tell me it's not based on that moronic survey in which all the people who play melee characters said casters were over powered.

That would be just sad.

[Severlin]

two weapon fighting could use a review, it feels very weak when compared to thf and swf.

Two weapon fighting tests show it doing a lot more damage than comparible THF and SWF at the top end for Paladin, Barbarian and (of course) Rogue builds.

Tempest specifically is behind the curve though if that's what you are running.

Sev~

[FifthTime]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

When you stuff say this like this it makes me wonder if anyone on the Dev team actual plays the game.

[Severlin]

Seriously? More melee buffing?

Wow...

Who is making these decisions? Please tell me it's not based on that moronic survey in which all the people who play melee characters said casters were over powered.

That would be just sad.

Ranger has a lot of ranged options?

Sev~

[Rys]

Ranger has a lot of ranged options?

Sev~

Make sure so we actually have the options after the pass.

[axel15810]

Devs, thanks for the letter. Looking forward to the next two updates, especially epic amrath. I hope the comments from people that keep rolling 1's on their reading comprehension skill checks don't deter you from communicating with players in the future.

As others alluded to, I hope the team is considering merging servers if we're moving to different hardware anyway.

[edrein]

Make sure so we actually have the options after the pass.

Nice edit by the way, but to your original post. Ranger has a lot more ranged options at this moment than melee. Tempest has always been niche as a pure ranger, now as a multiclass build it works fine in tandem with things such as monk levels for the 100% offhand proc or the holysword 14/6 build I've seen a lot recently with pally-rangers.

[patang01]

Can we get a sense of what your plan about Epic Green Steel is? Specifically, ML of the items? My personal preference is that this is not end gear. Because quite honestly the great stuff about Heroic GS is that you end up spending lots of runs adding mats and stuff to get a nice bunch of TR gear for each toon. You have to run the content for the shards and you use the combined saved mats to build the item you need for that specific toon. It's really the perfect combination of rewarding grind over time and adding pieces of pivotal equipment that eventually 'replace' a bunch of gear you might have stored so you don't have to keep 'replacing' pieces as you level.

By making Epic GS gear in the high end range you probably end up screwing over any high end content over time, making it harder to make and provide less incentive to even run. By making it a ER type gear by setting the ML around say 22-23 you create a replacement cycle that might eventually mean you phase out existing level 22-25 gear but it'll be some times anyways because the progressive grind and it won't be all pieces but some and it'll aid further ERs until you reach high end stuff; high end you'll end up adding over time and that'll be the 'final' gear selection.

[zehnvhex]

As others alluded to, I hope the team is considering merging servers if we're moving to different hardware anyway.

I would like this too. I've recently gotten several friends and old clanmates from other games back into the game but some are reluctant to leave servers where they have friends/family playing.

And yes, thank you for keeping us in the development loop. I have a lot of fun playing this game and new content is great!

[Xerio]

Two weapon fighting tests show it doing a lot more damage than comparible THF and SWF at the top end for Paladin, Barbarian and (of course) Rogue builds.

Tempest specifically is behind the curve though if that's what you are running.

Sev~

Short of those three recently revamped classes/enhancements, outside of that SWF and THF both feel ahead if used for any other build.
Tempest being the key point though, yes.

[Lanadazia]

Update 26 is coming in June, and it will focus mainly on a new class; the Warlock!

Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war.

We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you. We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear.

YAY! finally that shavarath storyline is going to be continued. also a new raid! will we have some cool sets again? or will the old Tower of Despair sets be revamped maybe, to make the initial shavarath adventure pack more popular in the community? i'd really like to see shavarath being run more frequently. right now its a dead adventure pack, what is pretty sad, since the story is quite good and the loot used to be, too..
a revamp of the ToD sets would make the 1st pack alot more interessting (aka you sell more stuff), and would (re-)add a raid to the common run raids (more raids = more fun)

Also a new class! can't wait to roll it :) artificer and druid were major additons to the game, i hope the warlock will turn out just as well

you wrote "epic AND extended version of shroud". does that mean you make us run a heroic-shroud-setup with epic monsters and just add something in the end?
please make it an all-new raid. (if it is like reavers fate <> fall of truth it'll be fine) but please don't make it the same, just with higher numbers and something more at the end
"a new adventure pack that relates to the vale" (??) is that all-new too, or are locations re-used / quests getting epified? (no friend of epifying content... its like that coffee from yesterday you decided to reheat. :/ )

will the heroic greensteel system be updated aswell (more recipes maybe)? the way i understand that sentence, it means there will be epic GS and the heroic GS will be updated.
(but that'd be strange, since the greensteel is THE best crafting system in DDO)

[Monkey-Boy]

I should not tell players that Ranger will be next once we finish up Warlock in case something causes us to change our plans. Nor can I say that fighter will be some time after that, probably after we work on a new Favored Soul tree. Sadly I cannot confirm any of this information.

Sev~

Perfect non-answer :) Thank you.

[sharachan]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

Seems like my desicion to let the VIP run out was correct. Have been waiting since MOTU was releaced to get epic spells. Dont want to wait another year so i will silently leave the game.

[The_Human_Cypher]

The stuff about the archons got me really excited. LOVE the devil battlefield, with arrows peppering the ground as the trace of the conflict.

I guess the archons are unlike kobolds--they will forget about that little incident in the vale?

I mentioned including the Archons in the new Shavarath story line for Update 26 a while back.

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/454405-New-Shavarath-Content-(Update-26)?highlight=Shavarath+Archon

[Zasral]

Can we get a sense of what your plan about Epic Green Steel is? Specifically, ML of the items? My personal preference is that this is not end gear. Because quite honestly the great stuff about Heroic GS is that you end up spending lots of runs adding mats and stuff to get a nice bunch of TR gear for each toon. You have to run the content for the shards and you use the combined saved mats to build the item you need for that specific toon. It's really the perfect combination of rewarding grind over time and adding pieces of pivotal equipment that eventually 'replace' a bunch of gear you might have stored so you don't have to keep 'replacing' pieces as you level.

By making Epic GS gear in the high end range you probably end up screwing over any high end content over time, making it harder to make and provide less incentive to even run. By making it a ER type gear by setting the ML around say 22-23 you create a replacement cycle that might eventually mean you phase out existing level 22-25 gear but it'll be some times anyways because the progressive grind and it won't be all pieces but some and it'll aid further ERs until you reach high end stuff; high end you'll end up adding over time and that'll be the 'final' gear selection.
This is spot on getting epic shroud, and it's crafting right, could be great for ddo. Personally I would like to see everything available now in shroud, available in epic form. Either by crafting the new item or upgrading the base item. Both have there good and bad sides. I would imagine from a code perspective upgrading heroic items would be the easier route.

[Severlin]

Seems like my desicion to let the VIP run out was correct. Have been waiting since MOTU was releaced to get epic spells. Dont want to wait another year so i will silently leave the game.

Honestly I don't understand this response, since we said we intend to address caster's weakness with high hit point bosses by, in part, introducing a new epic spell, and you voiced your dissatisfaction at not getting new epic spells.

Sev~

[Thar]

When you stuff say this like this it makes me wonder if anyone on the Dev team actual plays the game.

Casters do need more low sp options at epic to get away from shiradi. Devs have that part spot on. Is this the biggest need... no.. the get hit once and blow up cause we can't wear heavy armor is probably #1...

oh wait we have displacement...

oh wait champoin has true seeing and fort bypass... and double damage...

[Rys]

Nice edit by the way, but to your original post. Ranger has a lot more ranged options at this moment than melee. Tempest has always been niche as a pure ranger, now as a multiclass build it works fine in tandem with things such as monk levels for the 100% offhand proc or the holysword 14/6 build I've seen a lot recently with pally-rangers.
I think you misunderstood me. What I am worried about since the day I heard about the ranger pass is that one option will be only replaced by another option. So we'll end up with the exact same number of options and many ****ed people ;)

[sharachan]

Honestly I don't understand this response, since we said we intend to address caster's weakness with high hit point bosses by, in part, introducing a new epic spell, and you voiced your dissatisfaction at not getting new epic spells.

Sev~

I can only level my sorc to 20. After that i got 8 levels of commoner. Almost all my spells are capped at 20. Its like a barb could not use his weapons after 20.

While you make even more passes to melees you want to fix casters by giving us a single spell to use on bosses. What is the point of that? At the moment i get more from leveling from 19 to 20 then i get from all epic levels.

Since no devs is playing this game i dont think you understand what the problems with casters is and will probably make some changes that dont help us at all.

[Portalcat]

Hopefully this isn't another epic feat that cost 100 spell points.

Why not? Ruin is ridiculously strong because of its bypass and relatively better cooldown versus Energy Burst. If they want to give us a big DoT that cost 100 SP, that's fine by me so long as the damage justifies the cost.


A much more important question is the balance concern - it's been okay that decked out DC casters top-kill most content and have excellent CC because they aren't high raw DPS when it's needed. Change the dynamics of DPS too much and the build doesn't have real tradeoffs anymore.

[Lanadazia]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

While you're on that topic, please consider adding new spells in general! divines still only have 5 grade 9 spells to chose from.
actually there are very few grade 8 and 9 spells, i'd love to see more choice there, even if its a situational-spell.
like i want to think about, if i get mass-hold, wail of the banshee and enervation as 9th grade spells on my sorc, or if i should pick up something else that fits my playstyle better
more spells = more fun :)

and yes, caster damage on EE bosses is meh. actually i'd like to see something else than a DoT like biting cold or electric surge. some stationary spell like firewall, icestorm or fog-spells, that continuously deals damage




By making Epic GS gear in the high end range you probably end up screwing over any high end content over time, making it harder to make and provide less incentive to even run. By making it a ER type gear by setting the ML around say 22-23 you create a replacement cycle that might eventually mean you phase out existing level 22-25 gear but it'll be some times anyways because the progressive grind and it won't be all pieces but some and it'll aid further ERs until you reach high end stuff; high end you'll end up adding over time and that'll be the 'final' gear selection.


i see what you mean. heroic GS is nice TR gear, so epic GS should be nice epicTR gear. to be in a good level range for epic TR gear it should be 22-23 as you wrote, but i fear that the CITW weapons will get obsolete. and that would be pretty sad, since these weapons are actually nice.

i think its pretty hard to balance epic GS though. we have CITW weapons in lower 20's and thunderforged weapons (that need a heavy grind to accomplish!!) on level 28.

adding another weapon-system into 23-28 level-range will make one of the 2 systems above obsolete, and thats something that has to be prevented. no more dead crafting/gear systems in DDO!

we got cannith crafting dead, we got the old epic system dead, we got LoB/alchemical weapons dead, we got ToD sets dead...
nothing is more frustrating, than dead gear-systems you've invested your time in and cannot complete it (LoB is the best example here, even though it actually somewhat is the epic GS... really good eTR gear! check it out)

[dunklezhan]

I can only level my sorc to 20. After that i got 8 levels of commoner. Almost all my spells are capped at 20. Its like a barb could not use his weapons after 20.

While you make even more passes to melees you want to fix casters by giving us a single spell to use on bosses. What is the point of that? At the moment i get more from leveling from 19 to 20 then i get from all epic levels.



I can empathise that the epic levelling system is lacklustre at best. I can't get on with it at all really. But you can't tell me that the way EDs and twists overlay all the possibly different heroic builds does not allow for caster growth or build complexity. I can appreciate that because there are only 9 destinies it can all feel a bit samey across different characters in terms of some of the main things you use on your hot bar at those levels, but I've seen plenty of casters laying down their earthquakes/icestorms/firewalls/other persistent AOEs quite successfully in Epic.

I'd like to see them even out the epic level advancement system so it's not so devoid of choices in the first five levels, but unless you simply don't have access to the destinies I can't understand where you're coming from in terms of caster advancement at all. If you don't have destinies then I'd say you're quite correct. Turbine do want you to buy the destinies. And you should - many of them increase things like maximum caster levels and introduce new SLAs you can use.

Your last comment about devs not playing... well I don't even know where to start. Maybe read the weekly DDO newsletter from time to time and watch some of the videos.

[Monkey-Boy]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

Please read my signature.

[dunklezhan]

we got cannith crafting dead,

Darn it you're right. i was so distracted by the shinies I somehow missed that there was no mention of Cannith Crafting. I take it to mean then, that they have indeed had to bench it again.

*sobs* all I wanna do is make all that time I spent relevant in terms of crafting stuff for people other than just new players I might meet and want to twink. Even though we didn't get what Fernando originally enthused about (I no longer refer to that as a promise. It's unfair. I kinda realise now that he was just overexcited, bless his little hamster cheeks, annoyed though I still am we didn't get to swap effects about). Even though we didn't get that - Cannith Crafting was such a good idea.

Everything about it is a good idea - tradeables, easier skill checks for 'self only' crafting, artificers getting a bonus for it, House Cannith Favour rewards, the random drop and deconstruct essence system and the way it reused collectibles, it was absolutely spot on in terms of verisimilitude with the Eberron world system. Heck it even neatly explained without anyone having to write a single word, where all that trash from chests comes from. Now? Now the question is - how come we never see this kind of loot in chests? Its so easy to make, you'd think it would be everywhere!

Its not perfect, of course it isn't. There are tweaks that are needed beyond an effects pass (deconstruct interface revamp required for sure, and it certainly needs the lag issues fixing urgently). But in conception? Brilliant.


And Sev hasn't mentioned it. I know he warned us it might have to get put back but...

*wails*

...I might be about to go right off Warlocks.*





*for clarity - I'm not that petty. If Warlocks are fun, that's all I need. But I will be bitter about it. Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose on that score for me, I guess ;)

[geoffhanna]

Seems like my desicion to let the VIP run out was correct. Have been waiting since MOTU was releaced to get epic spells. Dont want to wait another year so i will silently leave the game.


Honestly I don't understand this response, since we said we intend to address caster's weakness with high hit point bosses by, in part, introducing a new epic spell, and you voiced your dissatisfaction at not getting new epic spells.

Sev~

Maybe he meant something more like this http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/spellsIntro.htm rather than a new DoT for improving DPS.

[sharachan]

I can empathise that the epic levelling system is lacklustre at best. I can't get on with it at all really. But you can't tell me that the way EDs and twists overlay all the possibly different heroic builds does not allow for caster growth or build complexity. I can appreciate that because there are only 9 destinies it can all feel a bit samey across different characters in terms of some of the main things you use on your hot bar at those levels, but I've seen plenty of casters laying down their earthquakes/icestorms/firewalls/other persistent AOEs quite successfully in Epic.

I'd like to see them even out the epic level advancement system so it's not so devoid of choices in the first five levels, but unless you simply don't have access to the destinies I can't understand where you're coming from in terms of caster advancement at all. If you don't have destinies then I'd say you're quite correct. Turbine do want you to buy the destinies. And you should - many of them increase things like maximum caster levels and introduce new SLAs you can use.

Your last comment about devs not playing... well I don't even know where to start. Maybe read the weekly DDO newsletter from time to time and watch some of the videos.


The best ED is a non caster. I think that would cover everything...

A pure sorc in draconic should be the strongest sorc, but i felt like a gimp last life. All the bosses and champions with debuffs and imune to everything non melee was a pain. Only way to feel more usefull is to TR. At heroics my spells work as they should.

[Blackheartox]

Honestly I don't understand this response, since we said we intend to address caster's weakness with high hit point bosses by, in part, introducing a new epic spell, and you voiced your dissatisfaction at not getting new epic spells.

Sev~

Because he wants to play the game with his caster now and not feel like a burden compared to melles he plays with, and he doesnt have the patience to wait 1-2 years til you guys finally decide to buff this because you think that rangers/fighters/melle druids are more important then dc casting wizzards/sorcs/clerics/fsouls/druids AND soon to be on list warlocks?

My guts tells me this is the reason.
I might be wrong of course

[Portalcat]

I can only level my sorc to 20. After that i got 8 levels of commoner. Almost all my spells are capped at 20. Its like a barb could not use his weapons after 20.

While you make even more passes to melees you want to fix casters by giving us a single spell to use on bosses. What is the point of that? At the moment i get more from leveling from 19 to 20 then i get from all epic levels.

Since no devs is playing this game i dont think you understand what the problems with casters is and will probably make some changes that dont help us at all.

Most of what one gets out of epic leveling is the ability to wear high level gear (which substantially increases DPS via spellpower and crit chance). You also become much more survivable from the saves and HP.

I won't deny that it's unexciting compared to getting new spells every level, but you do get a lot of improvement to your character from that leveling.

[Dorian]

Because he wants to play the game with his caster now and not feel like a burden compared to melles he plays with, and he doesnt have the patience to wait 1-2 years til you guys finally decide to buff this because you think that rangers/fighters/melle druids are more important then dc casting wizzards/sorcs/clerics/fsouls/druids AND soon to be on list warlocks?

My guts tells me this is the reason.
I might be wrong of course

Someone understands.

[Thrudh]

Casters do need more low sp options at epic to get away from shiradi. Devs have that part spot on. Is this the biggest need... no.. the get hit once and blow up cause we can't wear heavy armor is probably #1...

oh wait we have displacement...

oh wait champoin has true seeing and fort bypass... and double damage...

Fight at range, something melee can't do....

Also CC is a good strategy... I certainly use CC with my casters AND my melee... but I don't have to get into "getting hit" range to use CC with my caster.

[Thrudh]

Because he wants to play the game with his caster now and not feel like a burden compared to melles he plays with

I play my caster NOW and I don't feel like a burden compared to the melees I play with...

So who should the devs design for? That guy or me?

I'd rather they work on Tempest because my ranger TWF guy could use a little love... I'm perfectly happy with my wizard. He contributes quite well as is.

Sure, he could use a little boss DPS help, but Sev already said they are working on that... so I'm happy. Their plans seem exactly right to me.

[Sephenis]

Actually, I can't understand something. There are a lot of threads about the underpowered casters, where we already told a thousand times, what is our problem. And to that, there were never an answer. You will have a new spell. Thanks a lot - but that not is the problem. The problem is that the dev's neglected the arcane casters since lvl 20. For years. If you hate them, and you're never going to buff them (no, not with 1 spell), then tell it. But the I already told you, there will be a new spell from the devs, or the noooooo, the casters are not underpowered from the melee lovers (who cried for years from the beginning that the casters were OP, simply because they are just want to hack'n'slash in terminator mode, and they can't understand the d&d system) is a little bit strange, categorically avoiding the real question.

Don't get me wrong. I love this game, and the quests, the fighting system, the teamwork (if you have friends online),the sneak mode, and in my opinion, the dev's made a very good job with this mmo - but this underpowered arcane problem is a very great, and unnecessary one. And I have a feeling it's not a coincidence. No offense.

[salmag]

*sigh*

still no mention of...

GNOMES!

*sigh*

:(

[Steelstar]

If you hate them, and you're never going to buff them (no, not with 1 spell), then tell it.

We do not hate any particular class, or race, or destiny. That is never a factor in our decision making.

[sharachan]

Maybe he meant something more like this http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/spellsIntro.htm rather than a new DoT for improving DPS.

Letting your normal spells scale in to epics might get some silly effect and give more powercreep. Adding epic spells to use instead of your normal spells give devs controll over the power. Epic spells should be tied to character levels and not work like EDs. This way we could progress when we entered epics.

[Rys]

We do not hate any particular class, or race, or destiny. That is never a factor in our decision making.

Not even monk? I really don't think that you are lying but to be honest it's really hard to believe it at this point.

[sharachan]

Because he wants to play the game with his caster now and not feel like a burden compared to melles he plays with, and he doesnt have the patience to wait 1-2 years til you guys finally decide to buff this because you think that rangers/fighters/melle druids are more important then dc casting wizzards/sorcs/clerics/fsouls/druids AND soon to be on list warlocks?

My guts tells me this is the reason.
I might be wrong of course

You got it. I have waited a few years now and the message is that i should wait longer and probably never get wait i am waiting for.

[CeltEireson]

Fight at range, something melee can't do....

Also CC is a good strategy... I certainly use CC with my casters AND my melee... but I don't have to get into "getting hit" range to use CC with my caster.

That may be more of an issue with epic shavarath and shroud - having epic mobs teleport right next to you somewhat negates your ability to keep your distance. On epic elite a traditional robe wearing mage is likely to be dead before they can get off a spell if a couple of epic devils land right beside them.

[Loromir]

Honestly I don't understand this response, since we said we intend to address caster's weakness with high hit point bosses by, in part, introducing a new epic spell, and you voiced your dissatisfaction at not getting new epic spells.

Sev~

I think his concern is not knowing when to expect this/these new epic spells. Saying it won't take 3 years still leaves room for a long wait.

[Wizza]

We do not hate any particular class, or race, or destiny. That is never a factor in our decision making.

Then explain to me why Paladins, Barbs and Bards weren't nerfed yet (as showed by everyone how OP they are. Not including Rogues because haven't played much after update but I've seen people claiming they do even more dps than Barbs), when you are probably going to nerf Monkchers, 10k stars and Manyshot in the Ranger pass when they are behind those 3/4 classes.

[axel15810]

Not even monk? I really don't think that you are lying but to be honest it's really hard to believe it at this point.

Monks were the flavor of the month for a long time. That didn't change until the armor up pass this year.

As were casters for the longest time. Melees for most of DDO's life have been very underpowered compared to casters.

The devs I think you can criticize for taking as long as they have to balance the classes, but they are clearly trying. It's not so much that monks and casters have been nerfed, they've just gone from amazing to OK. Centered Kensei is still strong. Shirardi Sorc is still strong. Just not the best anymore.

[Wizza]

Monks were the flavor of the month for a long time. That didn't change until the armor up pass this year.

As were casters for the longest time. Melees for most of DDO's life have been very underpowered compared to casters.

The devs I think you can criticize for taking as long as they have to balance the classes, but they are trying. It's not so much that monks and casters have been nerfed, they've just gone from amazing to OK. Centered Kensei is still strong. Shirardi is still strong. Just not the best anymore.

This right here is the problem. Developers don't know what "middle ground" is. They buff one style so much that everything else is underpowered/inefficient. Once it was melees, then casters, then it was ranged, now it's melees.

[Drakos]

*sigh*still no mention of...GNOMES!*sigh*:(And there was much rejoicing.

[CeltEireson]

Letting your normal spells scale in to epics might get some silly effect and give more powercreep. Adding epic spells to use instead of your normal spells give devs controll over the power. Epic spells should be tied to character levels and not work like EDs. This way we could progress when we entered epics.

The only problem with going down that route is that you are effectively consigning the vast majority of spells to the bin because they can't scale up into epics and the problem is only going to get worse as we move to a cap of 30 - generally mob hitpoints scale faster than spellpower does, so without increases in damage related to caster level all existing spells are going to suffer. I would prefer not to be in a situation where only a small handful of spells were relevant in epics, it kind of defeats the reason to have the scores of different damage spells that we currently do. And that applies not just to damage spells - many of the buffs are also getting less and less relevant - many items now come with blur or even a few with lesser displacement, spells like barkskin and shield of faith top out at +5 whereas items go to +10, resist only goes to 30 whereas items go to 50 - the list goes on.

Also I'd prefer that we not have to spend a feat to gain one spell - a feat to open up the option of epic spells would be preferable. If that's not possible I'd rather they just made any new spells level 9 ones and have no cap on the maximum caster level - doing it that way means theres no power creep at lower levels but theyr scale into epics. I'd also prefer that some of the existing spells that currently cap at level 20 be unlocked, or capped at level 25. It would also encourage people to use the magister destiny rather than shiradi as the magister one provides caster levels whereas shiradi doesn't

[axel15810]

This right here is the problem. Developers don't know what "middle ground" is. They buff one style so much that everything else is underpowered/inefficient. Once it was melees, then casters, then it was ranged, now it's melees.

I don't know if anyone knows what "middle ground" really is. With a game like this with thousands of build possibilities, balancing the classes in this game is an incredibly difficult task. Even though stuff like Pally, Barb and Heavy armor have clearly swung too much in the other direction the game is definitely more balanced now than it was a year ago where we only had a handful of very good builds.

[Drakos]

Not even monk? I really don't think that you are lying but to be honest it's really hard to believe it at this point.Not too long ago the Monk was on top, and everyone claimed that the Devs only liked Monks. Not apparently the Devs hate monks because they have been dethroned. I sure wish the Devs would make up their mind on who they liked/hated :). Not every class can be on the top all the time we need to understand that as a community.

[Silverleafeon]

My Epic Scaling math is flawed, it did not take into account items.

So add in item of say 75 spell powerish --> 150/138/138 favorite spell power / 80 usp

Still the math shows that the Dev team needs to take this subject to the "Round Table" and ponder it before they settle in on EB figures even if they don't reply or act upon such till later on...

thanks for reading


minor hurt my finger fixing chainsaw -- will heal quickly but im out for a week or less

Sev's tree looks very interesting sorry cannot review atm

[Wizza]

I don't know if anyone knows what "middle ground" really is. With a game like this with thousands of build possibilities, balancing the classes in this game is an incredibly difficult task. Even though stuff like Pally, Barb and Heavy armor have clearly swung too much in the other direction the game is definitely more balanced now than it was a year ago where we only had a handful of very good builds.

Middle ground is not where the game is right now, for sure. Nerfs need to happen to have a balanced game but turbine is too afraid now. They love their OP melees too much.

[CeltEireson]

My Epic Scaling math is flawed, it did not take into account items.

So add in item of say 75 spell powerish --> 150/138/138 favorite spell power / 80 usp

Still the math shows that the Dev team needs to take this subject to the "Round Table" and ponder it before they settle in on EB figures even if they don't reply or act upon such till later on...

thanks for reading


minor hurt my finger fixing chainsaw -- will heal quickly but im out for a week or less

Sev's tree looks very interesting sorry cannot review atm

You might have meant to post in one of the warlock threads? ;)

[slarden]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~

This is definitely a problem for many builds, especially pure builds that aren't favored souls. The new DOT will be most appreciated.

However, it will be useless if DC and spell penetration requirements aren't reasonable when eShavarath and eVale come out.

I am not sure if it will ever be reasonable to compare casters to paladins. Paladins are basically invincible easy-buttons having high prr/mrr, high hp, great self healing and great dps. Casting will always require more effort to play and will always be resource-constrained.

[Tarinia]

Greetings!


Thank you for being a part of the Dungeons & Dragons Online community, and we love hearing your feedback. It's been a pleasure to talk to everyone here, and we hope to see you in-game for a long time to come.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

Hi Severlin,
since the Forgotten Ralms are the most popular Fantasy world, I dont understand, why Turbine will not further promote and develop the FR?
Very sad- no module can excite me as much, as a new Forgotten Realms module (Undermountain, Ruins of myth drannor, Pool of radiance) except perhaps "Castle Ravenloft" for a classic module.

Regarding caster weakness, just do the following:

1. Every epic Level will give +1 max. and normal caster lv to every spell, scrolls and wands.
2. every caster destiny Level gives +3 max. and +3 to normal caster lv spells, scrolls and wands

This would automatically rejuvenate scroll and wand use, even in epic lvs.
This would give old spells new fire power scaling apropriately till lv30 regarding bosses

And 2-3 epic spells per spellcasting class (starting with a hellball, that would not be blocked by every energyresistance possible doing effectly nothing against People protected by energy protection spells or epic Monsters.

Best regards
Tarinia

[Cathimon]

I'm not sure one DDO player can hope for some balance among classes anymore... Which is really sad.

[axel15810]

They love their OP melees too much.

Really?

I'm dumbfounded how people can actually believe stuff like this. Were you not around for any of the 7+ years where the top tier caster builds completely dominated all melees? Sorcs and wizards ruled this game for the longest time.

[sharachan]

The only problem with going down that route is that you are effectively consigning the vast majority of spells to the bin because they can't scale up into epics and the problem is only going to get worse as we move to a cap of 30 - generally mob hitpoints scale faster than spellpower does, so without increases in damage related to caster level all existing spells are going to suffer. I would prefer not to be in a situation where only a small handful of spells were relevant in epics, it kind of defeats the reason to have the scores of different damage spells that we currently do. And that applies not just to damage spells - many of the buffs are also getting less and less relevant - many items now come with blur or even a few with lesser displacement, spells like barkskin and shield of faith top out at +5 whereas items go to +10, resist only goes to 30 whereas items go to 50 - the list goes on.

Also I'd prefer that we not have to spend a feat to gain one spell - a feat to open up the option of epic spells would be preferable. If that's not possible I'd rather they just made any new spells level 9 ones and have no cap on the maximum caster level - doing it that way means theres no power creep at lower levels but theyr scale into epics. I'd also prefer that some of the existing spells that currently cap at level 20 be unlocked, or capped at level 25. It would also encourage people to use the magister destiny rather than shiradi as the magister one provides caster levels whereas shiradi doesn't

I do agree with you but i think the devs and melees would hate to see casters scaling properly in to epics. I would love to continue the path from savant to draconic incarnation on my sorc, but the message from Sev was to forget it...

[SableShadow]

Really?

I'm dumbfounded how people can actually believe stuff like this. Were you not around for any of the 7+ years where the top tier caster builds completely dominated all melees? Sorcs and wizards ruled this game for the longest time.

Why dumbfounded? Various flavors of this attitude have been around forever; the classes, races, and builds change, but the "y u hatz meh?!?!?!?" is everywhere, pretty much on every game ever.

Some of it is loosely true-ish: DM/dev has a vision for a class that is dramatically different than the player's vision, friction ensues, and people get passionate (rather a few of my posts back in the Rogue Wars were infraction worthy, for instance). It isn't hate, though, it's just a different vision. Unless it differs from mine, on my fave class, in which case it's hate. ;)

[Monkey-Boy]

Really?

I'm dumbfounded how people can actually believe stuff like this. Were you not around for any of the 7+ years where the top tier caster builds completely dominated all melees? Sorcs and wizards ruled this game for the longest time.

Only the "now" matters.

[EllisDee37]

I would've liked to see a mention about updating Cannith Crafting, even if only as a throw-away "and time permitting we're still hoping to take a look at cannith crafting toward the end of the year."

Not mentioning it at all makes it seem like it's no longer even a possibility.

[Wizza]

Really?

I'm dumbfounded how people can actually believe stuff like this. Were you not around for any of the 7+ years where the top tier caster builds completely dominated all melees? Sorcs and wizards ruled this game for the longest time.

We had different Developers 7+ years ago.

[Seikojin]

Actually, I can't understand something. There are a lot of threads about the underpowered casters, where we already told a thousand times, what is our problem. And to that, there were never an answer. You will have a new spell. Thanks a lot - but that not is the problem. The problem is that the dev's neglected the arcane casters since lvl 20. For years. If you hate them, and you're never going to buff them (no, not with 1 spell), then tell it. But the I already told you, there will be a new spell from the devs, or the noooooo, the casters are not underpowered from the melee lovers (who cried for years from the beginning that the casters were OP, simply because they are just want to hack'n'slash in terminator mode, and they can't understand the d&d system) is a little bit strange, categorically avoiding the real question.

Don't get me wrong. I love this game, and the quests, the fighting system, the teamwork (if you have friends online),the sneak mode, and in my opinion, the dev's made a very good job with this mmo - but this underpowered arcane problem is a very great, and unnecessary one. And I have a feeling it's not a coincidence. No offense.

Just a heads up, casters are not weak in terms of capability. Arcane or divine. They get chased around by the boss for a reason. Until they run out of ammo (mana, components), they are more dps than any other class in the game. They can layer cloud dots, aura dots, direct damage spells, and enchantment dots. The frequency matches and can exceed melee or ranged dps. And that isn't even counting Shiradi's brokeness.

If you dig around, there is a nice power graph and casters lead the pack. So if you have a particular beef with how caster have been implemented, talk about that. However the vague blanket statements don't really coincide with the experience on live. If you mean DC casting, that lives. It works, but the auto-no-fail people demand is a hard place to get to for EE content at level. As it should be. Same with auto-nofail melee tacticals. And top end DPS.

[FranOhmsford]

Monks were the flavor of the month for a long time. That didn't change until the armor up pass this year.

MULTICLASSED MONKCHERS!

NOT MONKS!


As were casters for the longest time. Melees for most of DDO's life have been very underpowered compared to casters.

WF Casters+Souls and PMs because of self-healing ability were Gods back in 2010!

However - Fleshy Archmages and Sorcs have always been weak!


The devs I think you can criticize for taking as long as they have to balance the classes, but they are clearly trying. It's not so much that monks and casters have been nerfed, they've just gone from amazing to OK. Centered Kensei is still strong. Shirardi Sorc is still strong. Just not the best anymore.

Eurgh!

Centered Kensai does NOT = Monk!
It's also contributed to the death of the Pure Fighter Kensai!
Centered Kensai is very specifically a Multi-Class Build!

Shiradi isn't even a Caster Destiny! - I'm fed up of the Devs FORCING SPECIFIC Multiclass Builds or Off Kilter EDs down our throats! D&D has always had multiclassing and like probably 99% of DDO Players I am happy to be able to play Multiclassed Characters in DDO. HOWEVER I WANT THE CHOICE!

[SirValentine]

We do not hate any particular class, or race, or destiny. That is never a factor in our decision making.

I don't want to attribute specific feelings to you in particular, Steelstar, but over the course of last 7 years, it's pretty obvious from the results that, if not active hatred, devs historically have not given a **** about divines, except maybe some token hjealbot support. And the gross discrepancy in class features, enhancements, and gearing options that has accumulated over the years still largely exists.

[FranOhmsford]

Just a heads up, casters are not weak in terms of capability. Arcane or divine. They get chased around by the boss for a reason. Until they run out of ammo (mana, components), they are more dps than any other class in the game. They can layer cloud dots, aura dots, direct damage spells, and enchantment dots. The frequency matches and can exceed melee or ranged dps. And that isn't even counting Shiradi's brokeness.

If you dig around, there is a nice power graph and casters lead the pack. So if you have a particular beef with how caster have been implemented, talk about that. However the vague blanket statements don't really coincide with the experience on live. If you mean DC casting, that lives. It works, but the auto-no-fail people demand is a hard place to get to for EE content at level. As it should be. Same with auto-nofail melee tacticals. And top end DPS.

That Power Graph is years old now!

Yes Casters still have a lot of Attack Power but their defenses have been eroded!

What you see nowadays is Multiclassed Casters for extra defense which erodes their attack power!

So overall yes Casters have been Nerfed. Just in a roundabout way!


EK was a great idea but didn't give enough of either defense or attack for a Pure Caster!
AM is still insanely weak and the Tree System basically cemented the requirement to be in Undead Form for Fleshies!
You don't see anything like as many PMs now as you did just two years ago either!
Warforged {Sorry make that Bladeforged} Casters are still around but the ones I've seen recently have been multiclassed builds because even THEY can't get the defenses needed for Epics Pure!



Now what we have to remember is that literally EVERY Class and Build works just fine in the RIGHT GROUP {and by right group I mean one specifically tailored to every player in that group, one where the players in it are all of a similar skill level and one that stays together!} and never mind whether that is a group of newbies in Proof is in the Poison on Normal or a group of Uber Elite players running EE ToEE or Haunted Halls!
If the group is set up to maximise each player's abilities then the game becomes very easy for the best players!
HOWEVER:
For most of us that type of Group comes around once a month! It's not a regular thing! And it doesn't come back together the next day or the next week at the same time!

We're not asking to be able to SOLO all content on EE!
We're just asking that content not be aimed at the Perfect Group!

Heck even when it is aimed at the perfect group there's players skilled enough and geared enough incl. past lives to Solo it with ease - Those Players have no need to group and when they do can't get their heads around that other players may need them to slow the heck down!
Even the worst player likes to feel that he/she's contributing and one of the easiest ways to give them that feeling is to work as a team...
- Let the Player who built a buff bot buff you before you go running off
- Don't moan and whinge at the player who built a Healer because she is in your eyes Piking
- Let the Pure Fighter Stalwart with S+B Tank from time to time IF HE WANTS TO even if it's not strictly needed or your Druid Wolf is an Ubertank capable of holding aggro on any boss in the game as well as dealing out insane DPS!
But most importantly: RELAX, ENJOY THE JOURNEY rather than thinking only of the destination!
You can't do any of the above if you're 3 rooms ahead of that player!

And you don't have to do this in every quest or every time you run with a lesser player than yourself - Many of them may be just as interested in the destination as you are!
Just regulate yourself rather than trying to change others - It's FAR EASIER for Usain Bolt to jog than it is for Man in the street to sprint 100 metres in sub 10 seconds! And DDO is NOT a RACE!

[Qhualor]

So apparently improving classes 1 at a time starting from the bottom of the poll and working up is taking too long for some people.

[IronClan]

Why dumbfounded? Various flavors of this attitude have been around forever; the classes, races, and builds change, but the "y u hatz meh?!?!?!?" is everywhere, pretty much on every game ever.

Some of it is loosely true-ish: DM/dev has a vision for a class that is dramatically different than the player's vision, friction ensues, and people get passionate (rather a few of my posts back in the Rogue Wars were infraction worthy, for instance). It isn't hate, though, it's just a different vision. Unless it differs from mine, on my fave class, in which case it's hate. ;)

Yep people always think they're persecuted or being actively hated on or neglected in every game...

It's just easier to say "y u hatz meh!?!?" than it is to consider a nuanced position like: it's a small staff and they have a lot on there plate.

It's especially puzzling to see people who really should know better putting such a silly viewpoint out there

[phillymiket]

I play my caster NOW and I don't feel like a burden compared to the melees I play with...

So who should the devs design for? That guy or me?

I'd rather they work on Tempest because my ranger TWF guy could use a little love... I'm perfectly happy with my wizard. He contributes quite well as is.

Sure, he could use a little boss DPS help, but Sev already said they are working on that... so I'm happy. Their plans seem exactly right to me.

Really?
I still like my Divines and Arcanes quite fine.
But I hopped on my Wiz after coming back from a break to explore ToEE.
I did fine but always had to worry about running out of steam and pacing myself.
Then I hopped on the Bard and just ate up the content.
There is no doubt in my mind that both the Arcanes offense and defense falls short.

Certain classes are just Energizer Bunnies these days and can just go on and on and on.
Certain classes seemingly have no weakness nor have a particular type of encounter that presents an extra-special challenge for them.

I totally am with you on the "I still like the Arcane and do fine" thing
But can you really say that a Pally or w/e doesn't do way moar fine these days?

The problem IMO is more than just lack of boss DPS and also has to do with nothing scaling past level 20 very well (as others mentioned)
Casters need some high level spells and need damage and DC from low level spells to scale right up to level cap.
CC needs to have some utility beyond the weakest of trash mobs.
Arcane defenses, like displacement, shouldn't just be a thing that protects you against mobs you didn't need protection from in the first place.
Arcane debuffs shouldn't be so weak and useless that they aren't worth the casting time.

[FranOhmsford]

I don't want to attribute specific feelings to you in particular, Steelstar, but over the course of last 7 years, it's pretty obvious from the results that, if not active hatred, devs historically have not given a **** about divines, except maybe some token hjealbot support. And the gross discrepancy in class features, enhancements, and gearing options that has accumulated over the years still largely exists.

This is another pet peeve of mine!

The Enhancement Tree changes didn't go anywhere near far enough towards making Divines viable!

In fact: The way the game changed with everyone and his mutt getting self healing Divines were made even more worthless!

All FOUR Divine Trees are badly done!
Radiant Servant has no Attack Power outside TU {and we all know how well that works these days unless you're a maxed Charisma Build}, No defenses whatsoever and Pure Healers are simply not wanted by other players anymore!
Warpriest cannot compete on it's own - Pure Healers may not be wanted but a Cleric who doesn't at least put 20 points into Radiant Servant is NOT A CLERIC!
Divine Disciple seems to have been made with the intent of making Clerics a Caster Class - I've got news for you Devs...WE DON'T HAVE THE SPELLS! {And again, Not a Cleric without at least 20 pts in RS!}.
Angel of Vengeance is a Joke!

The Biggest problem I see with Cleric is their most basic abilities:
Healing -
A Cleric does NOT need to maximise every last drop out of his Healing in DDO - Yes he needs it to be viable but most of the time a single non-empowered Heal or Heal Mass will get the job done.
However: That's no reason to tie their Healing power to a single Tree {and high up in that tree too!}
Turn Undead
Max Charisma Clerics are non-viable anywhere other than Full on Undead Quests where they're Gods! {BTW THEY SHOULD BE!}
Anything other than Max Cha and you can pretty much forget about Turning anything past Lvl 13-14! {Yes I know this is an exaggeration made for effect!}.
Then remember that you have to take TWO FEATS and Go heavily into RS AND gear up properly for it to work in even high level Heroics...Never Mind EEs!
THEN REMEMBER THAT FOR SOME REASON THE DEVS ALLOWED DEATHWARD TO STOP TU AND GAVE PRETTY MUCH EVERY SINGLE UNDEAD CHAMPION DW!

DDO Requires you not only to Maximise your Wisdom for Casting ability {and even then without gear, tomes etc. you may as well forget it!} but also to have high Str, Con and Cha - This is simply too much!
I don't understand how or why TU got moved to Charisma in the first place - It was always based on having Willpower {WISDOM}!

FavSouls are in the same boat when it comes to Multi-Attribute dependancy!
Drop the Wisdom requirement and make Cha their FULL Casting stat!


Divines were NEVER JUST HEALERS in PnP!
I was always against the Tank, Healer, DPS Trinity in DDO not because I hated waiting for a Cleric {or a Rogue} but because that's NOT what a Cleric is in D&D!
Clerics don't have to have equal casting ability to Wizards or equal melee ability to Fighters but they shouldn't be anywhere near as far behind as they are in DDO!
Where the problem lies is in DDO's insistence on making anything other than Max DCs useless!
Fighters can't Trip at all unless they Max Str! {Yes I'm still annoyed at the re-nerfing of Trip!}.
Clerics can forget about TU unless they Max Cha, take a Feat, go into RS AND gear up {or at least 3 out of 4 of these!}
Non-Maxed Wizards need to Energy Drain mobs TWICE before a FoD will even work at all - Never mind at 100%! {That's a stupid SP Cost!}

Another issue is that there's far too many REQUIRED Metamagic Feats in DDO!
Players are forced into taking these feats and ONLY these feats just to be any good {note far more is required to be great} at their main focus {forget everything else!}.
SP Costs of Metamagics are also higher than they should be!

Merge Quicken with Combat Casting and remove the SP Cost
Remove Efficient Meta Enhancements and...
Add a Tier 4 ability in Divine Disciple to remove ALL SP costs from Heighten
Add a Tier 4 ability in Radiant Servant to remove ALL SP costs from Empower Heal
Add a Tier 4 ability in Warpriest to remove ALL SP costs from Extend
Add a Tier 5 ability in Angel of Vengeance to remove ALL SP costs from Maximise & Empower OR Heighten & Enlarge!

Oh and merge the Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus Feats into one Feat {Seriously +2 DC for one feat slot isn't OP! Heck you could up it to +3 at the same time!}.
Doing the same for the Spell Pen Feats would be nice too!

[Thrudh]

That may be more of an issue with epic shavarath and shroud - having epic mobs teleport right next to you somewhat negates your ability to keep your distance. On epic elite a traditional robe wearing mage is likely to be dead before they can get off a spell if a couple of epic devils land right beside them.

Yeah, that may indeed a problem, but he's complaining NOW... It's pretty easy to keep your distance from a human who can't teleport.

[caberonia]

Honestly I don't understand this response, since we said we intend to address caster's weakness with high hit point bosses by, in part, introducing a new epic spell, and you voiced your dissatisfaction at not getting new epic spells.

Sev~

Because adding a single or 2 DOTs doesn't fix what years of development decisions has broken in casters. I've said this time and time again over the years but I'll repeat it one more time for posterity sake.

Most Spells become completely useless in epics.. Many are useless in heroics.
95% of buff spells are useless in heroic AND epic mostly due to ITEMs giving better effect.
Charm spells are useless in Epic.
Dispels are broken.
Summons are useless.
Most debuffs are completely useless other than in rare specific scenarios due to blanket immunities and the ones who aren't immune it's cheaper to Instakill them.
Healers are generally not needed due to many classes getting self healing.
(This is not an extensive list.. we could go spell by spell if you really wanted to)

The game has well over three hundred spells but dev decisions have reduced the number of spells that are useful to a little more than a handful for each casting class.


The higher casters level the LESS spell options they have.

Melee fans are happy with recent revamps.. not FULLY due to the power jump.. but also because now viable Melee class build options GROW as they level. Many of us who play casters are unhappy because the number of viable options maxes out in mid to upper heroics and actually DROPS from there.


Over the years the devs have pigeonholed casters more and more into specific builds which is the anti-thesis of what most people view as casters in DnD. Spell selection is SUPPOSED to be an important build decision but as the number of spells that are useful has DECREASED over the years Only the most restricted of classes actually have to make a choice. Most have had their choices pre-selected to dev decisions on blanket immunities etc.

The game has Taken what was supposed to be classes with MANY build options and turned them into cookie cutters with less than a handful of actual viable spell based builds. Sure you can splash this class or that class but at the end of the day casters only have 3 choices left, CC, DPS SPAM, instakill. All those things listed above have been removed from being viable options. And EVEN those 3 things have their own issues with many of the spells that fall into their respective categories being rendered useless.


Not to mention things like fleshy wizards pretty much HAVE to go undead due to the games direction in self healing. (its wizard class NOT NECROMANCER. PM and instakills shouldn't be the primary class focus, it should be one of MANY VIABLE options)

(I won't even touch on the PRR/MRR issue because We've had that conversation before and you have shown an unwillingness to see that there IS an issue. But that partly falls into the broken Buffs/PM focus category anyway.)

Yes, Boss dps and caster SP usage is an issue as well.
But if you think adding one spell for all casters to spam over and over will fix the over all issues then it's no wonder you don't understand the response. Rather than increase options it simply pigeonholes them into using that specific spell against bosses.

In short the dev team over the years have taken all the utility/options out of casting classes and decided on very specific roles each should have and not everyone shares that view of how casters should be.



Maybe one day All this will be fixed and I'll come back and play DDO to finish my last 2 lives for my main to get completionist and get to play the wizard i've been trying to build for years. But I'm not holding my breath. It's actually kind of funny though.. by the time I almost finished the grind the game had rendered what I had been building over years to be completely un-viable. (when I started only HALF that list was broken, PM was optimal but not required, and the number of viable spells was well over 3x what we have now)

[Seikojin]

*sigh*

still no mention of...

GNOMES!

*sigh*

:(

There is always next year :)

[UurlockYgmeov]

...
turned them into cookie cutters with less than a handful of actual viable spell based builds. Sure you can splash this class or that class but at the end of the day casters only have 3 choices left, CC, DPS SPAM, instakill.

So only three options for spellcasters? Better than Melee --- they have only two: Hack OR Slash.

another way to put it:

S+B or 2wf or 2hf.....


There is always next year :)

one can hope that Sev will sneak in dark gnomes with the FR content later this year! :)

[Lanadazia]

Darn it you're right. i was so distracted by the shinies I somehow missed that there was no mention of Cannith Crafting.

Everything about it is a good idea - tradeables, easier skill checks for 'self only' crafting, artificers getting a bonus for it, House Cannith Favour rewards, the random drop and deconstruct essence system and the way it reused collectibles, it was absolutely spot on in terms of verisimilitude with the Eberron world system. Heck it even neatly explained without anyone having to write a single word, where all that trash from chests comes from. Now? Now the question is - how come we never see this kind of loot in chests? Its so easy to make, you'd think it would be everywhere!



indeed. i really liked the re-use of collectibles. still its a pretty good system for TRing, but if you hit levelrange around 12-15 there is mostly no use for this anymore. maybe you'll craft a fire absorb item for an ocassion or something else that is neat to have in a specific situation, but its no general system to equip your toons past level 12-15




Hi Severlin,
since the Forgotten Ralms are the most popular Fantasy world, I dont understand, why Turbine will not further promote and develop the FR?
Very sad- no module can excite me as much, as a new Forgotten Realms module (Undermountain, Ruins of myth drannor, Pool of radiance) except perhaps "Castle Ravenloft" for a classic module.

Regarding caster weakness, just do the following:

1. Every epic Level will give +1 max. and normal caster lv to every spell, scrolls and wands.
2. every caster destiny Level gives +3 max. and +3 to normal caster lv spells, scrolls and wands

This would automatically rejuvenate scroll and wand use, even in epic lvs.
This would give old spells new fire power scaling apropriately till lv30 regarding bosses

And 2-3 epic spells per spellcasting class (starting with a hellball, that would not be blocked by every energyresistance possible doing effectly nothing against People protected by energy protection spells or epic Monsters.

Best regards
Tarinia


i like the idea of making scrolls more usefull. wands never were, and prolly will never be. (except cure wands in lower levels)

i noticed in older raids, that bosses are completely immune to hellball. its a level 28 feat and a CR 38 boss is immune due to mantle of invulnerability. thats a spell one can cast at level 11 (or level 9 with a scroll)
that blocks a level 28 epic spell.
also i noticed, that the acid part of hellball gets through, but the other elemental types are blocked. seems that hellball has different caster levels for each element (what is kinda odd)






THEN REMEMBER THAT FOR SOME REASON THE DEVS ALLOWED DEATHWARD TO STOP TU AND GAVE PRETTY MUCH EVERY SINGLE UNDEAD CHAMPION DW!

I don't understand how or why TU got moved to Charisma in the first place - It was always based on having Willpower {WISDOM}!

Oh and merge the Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus Feats into one Feat {Seriously +2 DC for one feat slot isn't OP! Heck you could up it to +3 at the same time!}.
Doing the same for the Spell Pen Feats would be nice too!


TU gets blocked by DW? at first this sounds weird, but it has some logic, since a missed save on a TU leads to death (just like a finger of death would do)
i rolled my cleric way before the champions came up, but i think that could be a problem, even if you've focused on turning)

with all the bonuses available and a good Cha stat (still was Wis based that life) Deleras was a cakewalk. The investments of a feat, gear and enhancements really paid off,
but as good as it ramped up for a few levels, it dropped down just as quick, making turns really useless.
you said nevermind TU in EEs. indeed that won't work no matter if you've a max'ed out TU. (hence i don't understand the TU buffs in the divine EDs. you won't turn anything on epic difficulty, the CR of the mobs is way too high)

i only know TU as a cha-based thing. I started playing DnD in 3.5, and DDO claims to be based on 3.5 too, so i guess its alright

merging those feats would be cool. it feels wrong that you take the epic feat 'great STAT' instead of 'epic spellfocus X'.
also i have 3 wiz and 3 fvs lifes, spellpen item and enhancements but no feat and SR is still a problem.
Now that we have eShavarath and more high-SR mobs comming, i think a merge of these feats, or a buff to them is needed! (like double the bonus?)
it doesn't feels good to pick up a spellpen feat at all. it feels more like "ok.. i could've get something better here"
in the end spellpen feats aren't really worth to take





Healers are generally not needed due to many classes getting self healing.


Not to mention things like fleshy wizards pretty much HAVE to go undead due to the games direction in self healing. (its wizard class NOT NECROMANCER. PM and instakills shouldn't be the primary class focus, it should be one of MANY VIABLE options)


Yes, Boss dps and caster SP usage is an issue as well.
But if you think adding one spell for all casters to spam over and over will fix the over all issues then it's no wonder you don't understand the response. Rather than increase options it simply pigeonholes them into using that specific spell against bosses.

The higher casters level the LESS spell options they have.



i love playing healers/supporters and i see 2 things here
1. self healing is important, cause not even the fastest reaction can help you if you're in animation, healing someone else at that moment. but it should be more like an emergency heal, instead of a sustain like we see it now. i've played a barbarian that was selfsufficient. its fun, its good, still i liked a healer in the group, but it was no 'i have to be careful, since we have no healer' sort of feeling when there was none.

2. even back in preU14 as divines definitely were needed in raids, people were waiting for that divine to join the group. alot of healers avoided highest difficulty raiding. i've been both, melee and healer in that time. i really liked getting into any LFM i wanted as healer, but disliked being rejected because i was a melee. also i liked how fast my LFMs filled, being a healer, but disliked waiting for one for hours, not able to run what you've planned for that day

so we can chose between: 'healers are obsolete' or 'we have to wait till a healer joins'


i don't really feel pigeonholed into anything as arcane. my current build is a fleshy DC sorc, i don't have any problems with self healing, not even in EE raiding, you just have to adept your playstyle to your current capability of healing


i'd feel pigenoholed though, if they just added a efficient DoT spell. a must-have. i want to make my own decisions, not take the only thing available.
hence add more spells in general, especially for spell-grade 8-9!

[rbarrett111]

DDO2!!

That pretty much sums it up - just make DDO2. Why the heck not?

All the updates are awesome. Obviously you guys are sinking massive manpower AND funds into keeping DDO going. That's probably because you have a solid, loyal player base that keeps pumping in the revenue.

You have tons of content that never gets old. My wife and I have been VIP's for five years plus at this point, and we're still enjoying playing Korthos and the freakin' Cerulean Hills, for Pete's sake. Happily shelling out money to do it. We have all the content, of course, and we play that - but what I'm saying is the old stuff never gets old. We've shopped around, played other games, and we always come back to DDO because this is the experience we're looking for. Obviously that's true for many others - an immersive, D20 based, fantasy gaming experience that's got the gritty feel of D&D (as opposed to combo clicky cartoon feel of, you know, ALL the other MMO's.)

The ONLY problem I can imagine with making DDO2 is simply that there would be this big push to confront the issue of D&D 5th Edition - licensing, etc. Valid concerns. How do you make something fresh enough to attract business without selling your souls for the licensing of D&D 5th? Well, the answer is D20 - sell your souls to them instead, because at least you keep your current fan base, who are loyal to the coolest RPG rule system ever devised. Build it, and more "hardcore" D&Ders will come.

As is, you guys just keep this dinosaur alive, and you do an OUTSTANDING job of it. One can't praise DDO enough. But at what point do you realize the fan base is not going away and go ahead and carry that forward to the future? It's a steady thing, even it's kind of a slow thing. It's like the 3.5 rule systems itself - it evolved over decades, slowly tested and refined to appeal to the connoisseur. That's secure revenue in business terms.

The real beauty is - you KEEP everything in DDO as it is and you simply remaster all of that. All of that stuff is classic and remastering all of it would be its own draw. But that's just the beginning.

WHY do I go on such a rant about this? What causes in specific would I be trying to champion in this clamoring for DDO2?

- More dungeon CRAWL at low levels. It's pretty damned righteous, as it is - so more of that. Bullseye lanterns, ten foot poles, grappling hooks. Marking you way in and out of a labyrinth with a piece of freakin' chalk, terrified the whole time because a squad of kobolds might follow your path.

- Living city zones. City guards. Bounties. Costly jail time. Clashes between PC parties in the streets over who stole who's purse. (I believe it's perfectly possible to have rogue activities as either an opt-in for players or to simply integrate the possibility of losing unsecured items to pickpockets.)

- Real tracking for Rangers.

- Encumberance.

- Rations.

- Seasons. Calendar. Obviously that implies some persistent world stuff.

- More character driven plot choices, based on alignment, temple affiliation, racial plot lines, etc. (I believe good versus evil is the crux of fantasy, and so having evil PC's is par for the course. Let's face it, having a Lawful Good character never stopped a jerk from being a jerk, anyhow.) God and goddesses that interact with the PC's and their choices. Schools of Wizardy and Druid Groves that do. Intelligent magic items that do, too.

- Horses and cloaks.

- True wall climbing.

- More customizable character appearance, as in individual pieces of gear that change the appearance of character models. Gear loadouts - possibly just in the tavern.

- My personal favorite idea - procedurally generated interiors for many locations in many zones. That means houses and temples for thieves to break into (at risk of all kinds of trouble) basically - although there's no need to limit things to just that, there are LOTS of reasons to explore. Procedurally generated migrant monster clans, too - that gain experience and accumulate loot.

AND then there's all the sort of directly additional stuff that I don't even need to list because it makes itself up.

- More quests of every level.

- More types of monsters.

- New continents. Why not the city of Sharn? Or, hell, just more of X'endrik.

Like I say, obvious stuff that goes with a new game. Eveningstar was darn near DDO2.

The fanbase is there - it basically won't die - and there's still much, much to do.

So why not DDO2?

Every now and then I fire this rant off, hoping the idea picks up some steam somewhere it matters, that's all. This seems like a good place to do it.

Like I say, you guys do an AMAZING job with this game. Utterly amazing.

Just remember - D20 exists, so Wizards doesn't have the whole D&D world by the balls. 3.5 is part of a legacy, and you can see the appeal of that in your subscriber base.

Obviously, I don't know the details of your whole operation. All I know is DDO2 could be beyond awesome.

My wishes will be fulfilled when my Rogue can fail to pick the pocket of a high level Barbarian in the market and, running for his life, foolishly try to hide from the pursuing Barb (and city guard) in a RANDOM Temple of the Sovereign Host, only to wind up quested by the Host to complete some distastefully noble task and worried what this goody-two-shoes stuff is going to do to his alignment. SO, he goes to a rival temple and gets the geas broken, but the town guard catches him anyhow and he's sentenced to fight in the arena. Now that is D&D.

Peace Out, and even if you never make DDO2 just don't stop what you are doing. I'm just cheerleading for more, more, more.

[Iriale]

As we've mentioned previously, the biggest weakness of casters currently is putting out good boss DPS without completely draining spell points. We will be addressing that with some kind of new high level damage over time spell. I have no time frame to announce at this time, but unlikely it will be 3 years out.

Sev~
This is a poor solution. It's boring and frustrating make the classes one-trick ponies. *All* spells should work. What good is having the flexibility of a wizard, if you end up in epic only with three spells that work fine? Where is the flexibility? The warlock will be infinitely better.

Sorry, but one new dot is not the solution. You have to review the entire system of epic magic. You have to implement drastic metamagic discounts in caster EDs, and make viable the spells themselves. It is absurd to condemn the futility nine levels of spells just because we have a system of magic that does not scale well in the new epic game, with so bloated statistics (absurdly inflated), not to mention all the stupid immunities (when will work charms in epics? When it will be worth using debuffs on bosses?)

I'm tired and frustrated with the current state of the game. I wish you had fixed the current problems before losing time with a new class. You (devs) have created the problem by making the epic game with too much inflated statistics. Now devs should not make us wait months and months for a solution. Players' patience has a limit (mine in particular is almost empty at this point)

[Iriale]

Epic Maximize You gain 150 spell power. It does not cost sp to activate this metamagic.
Requirement: Level 30

Bingo, instant epic boost for all spell casters.


But I very much like the addition of some Epic Spell Feats.
And wait to level 30??? Melees don’t have to wait to 30 for dps!!! A tax feat only for casters??? Melees don’t have any tax feat!!! No!!! Metamagic reductions should go in casters EDs. No more taxes for casters, while for melees all is free!

[Iriale]

Actually, the biggest weakness of ARCANE casters is after you reach epic levels, you're become more and more weak, compared to melee chars, and to enemy mobs. The only way to be a useful wizard for example is to use CC spells, and death spells. However the original advantage of the wizard is the variety of spells can be used, despite of this, nearly all of the heroic spells become useless (except high level CC). One extra spell does not solve the problem. For years, arcane classes does not have any updates, while melees became overpowered (mrr was the most "interesting" buff for them).
+1



The problem IMO is more than just lack of boss DPS and also has to do with nothing scaling past level 20 very well (as others mentioned)
Casters need some high level spells and need damage and DC from low level spells to scale right up to level cap.
CC needs to have some utility beyond the weakest of trash mobs.
Arcane defenses, like displacement, shouldn't just be a thing that protects you against mobs you didn't need protection from in the first place.
Arcane debuffs shouldn't be so weak and useless that they aren't worth the casting time.
+1


Because adding a single or 2 DOTs doesn't fix what years of development decisions has broken in casters. I've said this time and time again over the years but I'll repeat it one more time for posterity sake.

Most Spells become completely useless in epics.. Many are useless in heroics.
95% of buff spells are useless in heroic AND epic mostly due to ITEMs giving better effect.
Charm spells are useless in Epic.
Dispels are broken.
Summons are useless.
Most debuffs are completely useless other than in rare specific scenarios due to blanket immunities and the ones who aren't immune it's cheaper to Instakill them.
Healers are generally not needed due to many classes getting self healing.
(This is not an extensive list.. we could go spell by spell if you really wanted to)

The game has well over three hundred spells but dev decisions have reduced the number of spells that are useful to a little more than a handful for each casting class.


The higher casters level the LESS spell options they have.

Melee fans are happy with recent revamps.. not FULLY due to the power jump.. but also because now viable Melee class build options GROW as they level. Many of us who play casters are unhappy because the number of viable options maxes out in mid to upper heroics and actually DROPS from there.


Over the years the devs have pigeonholed casters more and more into specific builds which is the anti-thesis of what most people view as casters in DnD. Spell selection is SUPPOSED to be an important build decision but as the number of spells that are useful has DECREASED over the years Only the most restricted of classes actually have to make a choice. Most have had their choices pre-selected to dev decisions on blanket immunities etc.

The game has Taken what was supposed to be classes with MANY build options and turned them into cookie cutters with less than a handful of actual viable spell based builds. Sure you can splash this class or that class but at the end of the day casters only have 3 choices left, CC, DPS SPAM, instakill. All those things listed above have been removed from being viable options. And EVEN those 3 things have their own issues with many of the spells that fall into their respective categories being rendered useless.


Not to mention things like fleshy wizards pretty much HAVE to go undead due to the games direction in self healing. (its wizard class NOT NECROMANCER. PM and instakills shouldn't be the primary class focus, it should be one of MANY VIABLE options)

(I won't even touch on the PRR/MRR issue because We've had that conversation before and you have shown an unwillingness to see that there IS an issue. But that partly falls into the broken Buffs/PM focus category anyway.)

Yes, Boss dps and caster SP usage is an issue as well.
But if you think adding one spell for all casters to spam over and over will fix the over all issues then it's no wonder you don't understand the response. Rather than increase options it simply pigeonholes them into using that specific spell against bosses.

In short the dev team over the years have taken all the utility/options out of casting classes and decided on very specific roles each should have and not everyone shares that view of how casters should be.



Maybe one day All this will be fixed and I'll come back and play DDO to finish my last 2 lives for my main to get completionist and get to play the wizard i've been trying to build for years. But I'm not holding my breath. It's actually kind of funny though.. by the time I almost finished the grind the game had rendered what I had been building over years to be completely un-viable. (when I started only HALF that list was broken, PM was optimal but not required, and the number of viable spells was well over 3x what we have now)
This, this a thousand of times.

divines have too problems... it's a problem with traditional spellcasters, not only with arcane classes.

[moo_cow]

Monks were the flavor of the month for a long time. That didn't change until the armor up pass this year.



No they weren't....

[moo_cow]

Not too long ago the Monk was on top, and everyone claimed that the Devs only liked Monks. Not apparently the Devs hate monks because they have been dethroned. I sure wish the Devs would make up their mind on who they liked/hated :). Not every class can be on the top all the time we need to understand that as a community.

Seriously how do people keep coming up with this? A insta kill that required you to give up dps and it was still bad compared to the dps that other melee's could toss out.

[moo_cow]

+1


+1


This, this a thousand of times.

divines have too problems... it's a problem with traditional spellcasters, not only with arcane classes.

I agree with this quote. (couldn't find the actual quote)

A useful dot still doesn't help the fact that most spell are useless and that improving the cap on some spells in epics could be a better approach than an OP dot.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

This is one of the most..boring? producers letters ever. Honestly. I'm not even mad/sad or anything in particular, this just made me say "ok".

Also nice! No quests in U26! I did ask to stop having only 1 quest per update but I meant I wanted MOAR than 1, not less! I was misunderstood :(

As for U27, 3 quests and 1 raid. Eh, okay. Was hoping at least 4-5 quests + 1 raid.


I disagree.

While I am no fan of Warlocks, many people asked for them.

I am a fan of Shaverath(sp), and glad to see new content is coming with it... and Archons.

New servers (eventually) will be good for the game. (and shows the game is still being supported and invested in financially)
(but.... growing pains will be very painful I am sure....)


Long-term plans seem to be lacking from the letter though...
(additional hints at Rgr and Ftr passes coming....)

Long Live DDO!

[slarden]

There is no doubt in my mind that both the Arcanes offense and defense falls short.

Certain classes are just Energizer Bunnies these days and can just go on and on and on.
Certain classes seemingly have no weakness nor have a particular type of encounter that presents an extra-special challenge for them.

I totally am with you on the "I still like the Arcane and do fine" thing
But can you really say that a Pally or w/e doesn't do way moar fine these days?

Fully Agreed



The problem IMO is more than just lack of boss DPS and also has to do with nothing scaling past level 20 very well (as others mentioned).

I agree just a litlte bit. Casters get a huge boost at 20 once their destiny trees are filled. They get some boost in spellpower through itemization: 60 or so weapon (150 vs 90 @ level 28 vs 20) + a little bit from spellcraft. They also get more DC through gear and higher main stat.

There are epic feats that improve spellpower, DC, spell pen,

I think this problem has been exaggerated compared to the other problems.




Casters need some high level spells and need damage and DC from low level spells to scale right up to level cap.
CC needs to have some utility beyond the weakest of trash mobs.


Partially agree. Max DC when the level cap was 20 was around mid 40s. Now it's around mid 80s or so. People min/max less now so it's unlikely that many people actually achieve that 85, but it's possible. DC actually scales really well. Spell penetration may not scale well with eShavarath if spell penetration works like the wiki says it does

From the Wiki: "The most common creatures with Spell Resistance will be Drow, Duergar, Devils, anything with "Fiendish" in the name and somebosses. (Anticipate spell Resistance to be at least CR plus 10 for regular monsters. Red and purple named bosses tend to have a much higher CR, and generally have spell resistance within 0-5 points of their CR.)"

The new DOT proposed by Sev will be helpful.




Arcane defenses, like displacement, shouldn't just be a thing that protects you against mobs you didn't need protection from in the first place.
Arcane debuffs shouldn't be so weak and useless that they aren't worth the casting time.

Fully agree. The devs made champions specifically bypass the most important defenses for casters - fortification, displacement, etc., but having a high PRR/MRR is the biggest easy button this game ever had. Champions are no challenge for those builds because the debuff design is not balanced or even reasonable. Fortification bypass should be replaced by mortal fear which is equally challenging for all builds.

Any class can get enough UMD to cast a long-lasting GH or True Seeing. Even a 5 minute nightshield is good enough against mobs spamming magic missles. It's a bit of a pain for a barbarian, but they have plenty of rages available to cast scrolls as needed and even use displacement for key fights.

This problem will get worse at level 30 because the effective HP of a Paladin (HP/damage reduction) will significantly outpace that of a caster or rogue. This will mean if Turbine raises damage to provide a pseudo-challenge to a high PRR build, it will result in more one-hitting for lower PRR builds since the champion debuff design is severely flawed.

[Gralhota]

Just do with that spells have an epic version of these same , solving the problem of scaling without sacrificing heroic level.

Plus 1 or 2 Feats is not the answer , everyone will be forced to take such feats , customizing builds had been worse than they already are .

And please , redoing the Eldritch Knight , I do not know that this weaker tree (uselless and not fun ) .

Tier 5 tenser with toogle ? This does not bring any benefit to the Wizard .

Eldritch Tempest is a joke in bad taste , 6 ap + 30 sec CD + 30 mana for 1 sec trip ? DMG is Meh .

Eldritch Tempest makes no difference to wizards .

Sometimes even I come to think like many, that some classes are crowded out.

[CeltEireson]

Partially agree. Max DC when the level cap was 20 was around mid 40s. Now it's around mid 80s or so. People min/max less now so it's unlikely that many people actually achieve that 85, but it's possible. DC actually scales really well. Spell penetration may not scale well with eShavarath if spell penetration works like the wiki says it does

From the Wiki: "The most common creatures with Spell Resistance will be Drow, Duergar, Devils, anything with "Fiendish" in the name and somebosses. (Anticipate spell Resistance to be at least CR plus 10 for regular monsters. Red and purple named bosses tend to have a much higher CR, and generally have spell resistance within 0-5 points of their CR.)"

For bosses spell resistance will be something of a moot point - as generally only pure damage spells will work with them. But yes I can see spell penetration being a problem. In terms of the DCs - whilst its certainly possible to get a particular DC very high, generally most of the DCs for other schools will be lagging behind quite some way so if you come across mobs that are immune to your particular school such as enhancement the odds of spells from other schools landing reliably are much lower. The spread of DCs in PnP was much smaller than in DDO, and even if you decided to specialise there was generally only about 2-4 difference in the DCs of your spells - based on feats and maybe one item if you were lucky, in DDO you can be talking a difference of 10.


This problem will get worse at level 30 because the effective HP of a Paladin (HP/damage reduction) will significantly outpace that of a caster or rogue. This will mean if Turbine raises damage to provide a pseudo-challenge to a high PRR build, it will result in more one-hitting for lower PRR builds since the champion debuff design is severely flawed.

Particularly given that much of the higher epic levels will be based around epic Shavarath and the Vale - at least in current epics you have some chance to use crowd control to stop mobs from hitting you, but teleporting mobs remove that option especially with the tendency of mobs to go for spellcasters. Even without the mob having true seeing they could still one hit a mage - it just has a reduced chance to hit. As we're talking about mages I think we need some better defensive spells (self only) that reduce the chance of us being one shotted by physical attacks, and magic for that matter, after all there are plenty of spells in PnP that allow for both both - protection from magic weapons, dimensional lock to stop teleporting, spell turning, greater invisibility etc etc. An improved and higher level version of stoneskin that provide PRR as well would probably fit the bill.

[Sephenis]

I won't even touch on the PRR/MRR issue because We've had that conversation before and you have shown an unwillingness to see that there IS an issue.

Exactly. Sadly, i feel the same about every other caster/overpowered melee problem.

[slarden]

(I won't even touch on the PRR/MRR issue because We've had that conversation before and you have shown an unwillingness to see that there IS an issue. But that partly falls into the broken Buffs/PM focus category anyway

+1

[nibel]

And please , redoing the Eldritch Knight , I do not know that this weaker tree (uselless and not fun ) .

I wonder if current tech allow to make tree based on two classes. Like, making Eldritch Knight a very specific Fighter/Wizard multiclass tree: Something like Core 1 requires at least Fighter 1 and Wiz 1, and Capstone requires at least Fighter 8 and Wizard 8 (but still char level 20).

Or if is possible to make some feats grant access to enhancement trees, like making the 400 Silver Flame favor reward be access to "Silver Flame Exorcist" enhancement tree via a favor feat.

This would solve a lot of problems with trees that are stuck in one class, but are better aimed at specific multiclasses, like Kensei, Eldritch Knight, Henshin Mystic and Warpriest.

[Silverleafeon]

And wait to level 30??? Melees don’t have to wait to 30 for dps!!! A tax feat only for casters??? Melees don’t have any tax feat!!! No!!! Metamagic reductions should go in casters EDs. No more taxes for casters, while for melees all is free!

Eventually I saw those flaws too.


Well, perhaps Epic Power simply needs rewriting:

Epic Power

Usage: Passive
Prerequisite: None

Description

+3 Melee Power
+3 Ranged Power
+10 Universal Spell Power
+15% Universal Spell Crit Bonus Damage

Note This feat is automatically given to all characters each time they gain an Epic level.



Also, each Epic Destiny Innate could have 1d6 Universal Spell Power added to it.
(Or we could use a more scientific method ;)

Although we could create
Epic Empower (anit requisite empower) +75 usp w/o sp cost min level 23
and
Epic Maximize (anti requisite maximize) +150 usp w/o sp cost min level 27

with or w/o the other

[Iriale]

Eventually I saw those flaws too.



Although we could create
Epic Empower (anit requisite empower) +75 usp w/o sp cost min level 23
and
Epic Maximize (anti requisite maximize) +150 usp w/o sp cost min level 27

with or w/o the other
An epic feat is very impractical. There are only three epic feats (lv 21-24-27), and we need them for to increase DC spell and Ruin. And if is anti-requisite of heroic ones, you have to change the heroic feat when you reach epics? It is not practical. The destiny feats could be a option, but it’s a little late (lv 26 min!)

No. melee EDs have improvements to melee heroic feats: improved power attack, improved combat expertise, legendary shield mastery, etc. Why casters can not have improvements to metamagic feats in their EDs? Why caster EDs have to be so dull, so lacking in improvements of our magical skills and heroic feats?

It's my opinion, at least.

[Buffyanne]

Thanks for the update Sev. Lots of good stuff coming this year. A couple questions and thoughts.

1. You said epic Shroud was coming. Will epic greensteel be 'end game' gear? Original GS was the build goal for many years and the best gear you could get. I miss that sort of stability and something to build for. Please include lots of options! One of the fun aspects of GS is that you can make all sorts of different items and weapons. It would be fantastic if you would include prefix/suffix like options for eGS items and maybe introduce some legendary effects like Black Razor's life eating, or a Vorpal ability that works like a true Vorpal from PnP.

2. I am looking forward to the Ranger pass. You did a great job on the mechanic tree, I hope the Ranger ranged options look like this and it would be really good if you made the L18 and L20 ranger cores very powerful.

3. Can't wait for Warlock! Per other casting classes, I continue to think the caster experience would be enhanced if other schools of magic were developed. After years of game play I am just kinda sick of necromancy and would love to play a summoner or illusionist.

4. I know it ends up being a business decision but please remove raid timers. It is great we are getting a new raid, I love raiding, it pains me that the DDO raiding scene is so dead. One big step in reviving that raiding scene is getting rid of raid timers.

5. Finally great job on the continual improvements you have made to the game. I have really enjoyed all the new enhancements you have made to the character classes and really enjoy the new harder difficulty in ToEE. I hope epic Shavarath is wickedly hard and the raid is like ToD where Horath was exceedingly hard to beat for most groups for a long time.

[esojiul]

We want Q/A fully engaged with the Warlock release, and our attention fully on Warlock once it goes live because a new class is a big deal for us.

I should not confirm that U26 is an additional release, and that our plan is to still release three more content packs this year since our plans may have to change.

Sev~

70 % of complaints are caused by 30 % of the problems . If you are willing to attack first lag (new server etc etc) and introduce a new class meanwhile, is the right way.
Then you can introduce more quest, balance the classes etc etc.

[Lanadazia]

That pretty much sums it up - just make DDO2. Why the heck not?

if they made it new, they had to redo all of the coding. maybe the IP is identical, but its a different, new game.
a new game takes ~2 years to be coded, also they'd use another graphic engine and then they had to re-do all of the graphics ingame.

"just make ddo2" sounds quite easy, and even if it was it'd take a few years for it to be playable.
so nope. no ddo2

they'd rather put up a complete new game, that is nothing like ddo. like a completely other setting, and not eberron or forgotten realms.
still, very unlikely that this will happen

[jalont]

4. I know it ends up being a business decision but please remove raid timers. It is great we are getting a new raid, I love raiding, it pains me that the DDO raiding scene is so dead. One big step in reviving that raiding scene is getting rid of raid timers.


Removing raid timers is a bad idea. The reason the raid scene is so dead is because a low percentage of the current playerbase enjoy raiding. If you remove raid timers AND don't allow completions to last through TR, no one is going to bother raiding. It's not like any gear is needed when the game is this easy, so stopping the xp to raid is a net negative. If I can run 20 raids in the couple days between each TR, then it at least gives the illusion of accomplishing something.

[SisAmethyst]

Greetings!

... One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center...

Update 26 is coming in June, and it will focus mainly on a new class; the Warlock!...

Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war...

We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store...

...Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear...

...Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

Jayyy, new hamster wheels for our servers sounds great! Despite other players being not so impressed about that point I think that is actually a great thing behind the scene that Turbine is putting in some effort to work on the scalability and stability of the game!

I think the June/July gap for the new content isn't as bad as I don't think that a single month would change much in regards of player leaving the game due to missing content. In fact I rather have Turbine take their time to make the content right instead of pressing it and delivering sub par content that isn't worth the dime to run. Because players not only want new quest, but quests that are fun and cool to play and for endgames repetitive.

I also like that we get a look on the other side of an existing storyline, one that was hidden and overshadowed and left a lot of questions open. Please invest a bit in making the lore and story not some flat and empty pseudo reason why we have to fight devils and demons again as some of us who played the pen and paper version or games like Baldurs Gate do indeed care about story and lore.

I also love that one of the best crafting systems like Greensteel get a bump for Epic items and weapons and I am curious in how it will turn out!

A new Store however puzzles me. We already have the DDO in-game store, the DDO market place and now getting a third one? Why and who is asking for that?

[Thrudh]

Jayyy, new hamster wheels for our servers sounds great! Despite other players being not so impressed about that point I think that is actually a great thing behind the scene that Turbine is putting in some effort to work on the scalability and stability of the game!

That also shows that all the DOOM posts about DDO dying soon are junk...

You don't invest in new hardware for a dying game.

[Silverleafeon]

An epic feat is very impractical. There are only three epic feats (lv 21-24-27), and we need them for to increase DC spell and Ruin. And if is anti-requisite of heroic ones, you have to change the heroic feat when you reach epics? It is not practical. The destiny feats could be a option, but it’s a little late (lv 26 min!)

No. melee EDs have improvements to melee heroic feats: improved power attack, improved combat expertise, legendary shield mastery, etc. Why casters can not have improvements to metamagic feats in their EDs? Why caster EDs have to be so dull, so lacking in improvements of our magical skills and heroic feats?

It's my opinion, at least.


So you would suggest, an feat line such as thus:

Improved Metamagic Feat: Pick a particular metamagic feat you have already acquired. The Spell point cost of this metamagic feat is reduced by half (rounded up) before applying all other modifiers to spell point reductions. You can acquire this feat multiple times. Each time you acquire this feat, you must pick a new metamagic feat that you have already acquired. ?



{Having to choose between Ruin and a quality Epic Maximize with zero sp cost might be considered one of those "Tough choices" the Devs like to throw at us?}

[Silverleafeon]

Removing raid timers is a bad idea. The reason the raid scene is so dead is because a low percentage of the current playerbase enjoy raiding. If you remove raid timers AND don't allow completions to last through TR, no one is going to bother raiding. It's not like any gear is needed when the game is this easy, so stopping the xp to raid is a net negative. If I can run 20 raids in the couple days between each TR, then it at least gives the illusion of accomplishing something.

I agree, raid timers basic role in their creation was to allow TR lifestyle to function. It also brings in money which pays for DDO.

[Silverleafeon]

That also shows that all the DOOM posts about DDO dying soon are junk...

You don't invest in new hardware for a dying game.

Aye, and I imagine LotR fans are cheering too!

[Silverleafeon]

1. You said epic Shroud was coming. Will epic greensteel be 'end game' gear? Original GS was the build goal for many years and the best gear you could get. I miss that sort of stability and something to build for. Please include lots of options! One of the fun aspects of GS is that you can make all sorts of different items and weapons. It would be fantastic if you would include prefix/suffix like options for eGS items and maybe introduce some legendary effects like Black Razor's life eating, or a Vorpal ability that works like a true Vorpal from PnP.




One of the mistakes of Thunderforged and the current suggested Warlock Past life feat is:


Charges per day depend upon what the charges do. Having too few charges waste hot bar and screen space.

Attacks should be 10 a day ~~ not 6 a day for a past life and certainly not 4 a day for thunderforged which is bugged at 3 a day. Anything less than 10 a day is a waste of a hot key / easy to click spot on hot bars. The same thunderforged weapon at 10 a day would be actually considered, whereas now barely anyone and merely the curious make this 500ish per attack spell.

Buffs should be 3 a day ~ unless the buff is ultra powerful such as displacement, which could be 2 a day.

Heals and Raises should be 2 a day ~ unless they heroic levels in which case 1 a day.



DCs on items should be competive with monsters of that level. No double jeopardy. If an item procures all the time and is powerful then a low DC is ok. If an item procures only a small amount then the DC should be strong way high. Double jeopardy is an item that procures 2~6% and has a DC = of what elite monsters in a dungeon of the items min level minus 20 {thus creating an item that works {(2~5%)*(5%)= 1 in a thousand ~ 1 in four hundred}

An example of double jeopardy is the current "Epic Freezing Ice" on Lemure blade from ToEE, untested and unconfirmed by me, rumored by others. very small procure rate plus very low DC?

[011775715]

We do not hate any particular class, or race, or destiny. That is never a factor in our decision making.

when will otto box be able to be bought? or buy form ddo store.

[Jandric]

Greetings!

We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

Woot! On Thelanis, it's become a ritual to enter the quest, check to see if we got stuck on server i2049, recall, reset, and re-enter. Otherwise you get hit with massive lag and 10 minute freeze ups.


Update 27 will follow in July. It includes an all-new adventure pack that returns to Shavarath, showcasing the Archons’ side of its endless war. With your help the Gatekeepers have gathered enough Mysterious Remnants to continue their research. They’ve tracked the Remnants back to Shavarath, the Plane of Battle. You need to travel there to recruit the help of the Archons in unravelling this mystery. The Archons, however, will only aid those who are worthy, and you find yourself embroiled not only in their tests, but in their eternal struggle with the Devils and the Demons. This adventure pack will include three new dungeons and a new raid, and as usual will be free to VIPs.

I've been looking forward to seeing something done with the Archons since Shavarath was released. Hopefully a tie in is made to the mad archon in Amrath.


We'll have more updates this year as well, of course. Players will be able to increase their character level to 30. We’ll have more adventure packs for you. We’ll have an Epic and extended version of our popular Shroud raid and a new adventure pack that relates to the Vale of Twilight. Players will be able to use an updated and epic version of Greensteel to craft more powerful gear. We are excited to bring this content to you!

Epic Vale will be awesome. Hopefully a return to the days where you could always find a Shroud run on LFM is coming. Now we just need Sands to get some loving...

[Buffyanne]

Removing raid timers is a bad idea. The reason the raid scene is so dead is because a low percentage of the current playerbase enjoy raiding. If you remove raid timers AND don't allow completions to last through TR, no one is going to bother raiding. It's not like any gear is needed when the game is this easy, so stopping the xp to raid is a net negative. If I can run 20 raids in the couple days between each TR, then it at least gives the illusion of accomplishing something.

The raid scene is dead because there are only so many people per server who feel comfortable leading raids. Those people usually run the new raid to death in the first 3 weeks that it is out using timers. After that initial month the raid is no longer run. Your argument that people don't enjoy raiding doesn't hold much water because MoD raids filled constantly when the raid first came out. And now? You don't see any LFMs for them. No raid will have any longevity as long as raid timers exist in the game. (Unless it is a high XP raid like VON)

[Stoner81]

I would've liked to see a mention about updating Cannith Crafting, even if only as a throw-away "and time permitting we're still hoping to take a look at cannith crafting toward the end of the year."

Not mentioning it at all makes it seem like it's no longer even a possibility.

+1 although to be fair updating Cannith Crafting properly will probably take a whole update (imho) on it's own to do since there is so much to do with adding all the recipes etc.

I still live in hope though :)

Stoner81.

[phillymiket]

The raid scene is dead because there are only so many people per server who feel comfortable leading raids. Those people usually run the new raid to death in the first 3 weeks that it is out using timers. After that initial month the raid is no longer run. Your argument that people don't enjoy raiding doesn't hold much water because MoD raids filled constantly when the raid first came out. And now? You don't see any LFMs for them. No raid will have any longevity as long as raid timers exist in the game. (Unless it is a high XP raid like VON)

I don't think the why's and wherefores even matter at this point.
IMO just about anything that brings in cash for the game without completely destroying it is a pretty good thing.

In days past maybe we had the luxury of complaining about Ottos Boxes, Raid Timers or SP Pots but at this point if you took those things away the loss of revenue would probably cause bad things to happen almost over night.
Even if you made a good argument that those things caused the game to lose players in the first place, taking them away would be a mighty big shock to the game's ability to keep the doors open (in my view).

[Silverleafeon]

A player brought up about Mark of Death raids.

Personally when I want to log in, kick back and have a good time with my friends I lean toward Double Dragon and Shadow raids. Mark of Death is an anti magic death trap that can easily go wrong especially w/o a Flesh to Stone Wiz/Sorc.

[Buffyanne]

I don't think the why's and wherefores even matter at this point.
IMO just about anything that brings in cash for the game without completely destroying it is a pretty good thing.

In days past maybe we had the luxury of complaining about Ottos Boxes, Raid Timers or SP Pots but at this point if you took those things away the loss of revenue would probably cause bad things to happen almost over night.
Even if you made a good argument that those things caused the game to lose players in the first place, taking them away would be a mighty big shock to the game's ability to keep the doors open (in my view).

I hear you on the need for revenue. Maybe a compromise then where you can't use raid timers on 'new release' raids. Much like those free movie ticket coupons that can't be used opening weekend on new movies. So no raid timers on new raids in the first three months of release. This gives the raid strong life until the next update at the very least.

[phillymiket]

I hear you on the need for revenue. Maybe a compromise then where you can't use raid timers on 'new release' raids. Much like those free movie ticket coupons that can't be used opening weekend on new movies. So no raid timers on new raids in the first three months of release. This gives the raid strong life until the next update at the very least.

This sounds suspiciously like a compromise.
You realize you're on the internet?

That sound reasonable, kind of like hearts not working to switch to a new class for a while.

[Kulothar]

I wonder if current tech allow to make tree based on two classes. Like, making Eldritch Knight a very specific Fighter/Wizard multiclass tree: Something like Core 1 requires at least Fighter 1 and Wiz 1, and Capstone requires at least Fighter 8 and Wizard 8 (but still char level 20).

Or if is possible to make some feats grant access to enhancement trees, like making the 400 Silver Flame favor reward be access to "Silver Flame Exorcist" enhancement tree via a favor feat.

This would solve a lot of problems with trees that are stuck in one class, but are better aimed at specific multiclasses, like Kensei, Eldritch Knight, Henshin Mystic and Warpriest.

There is the precedent of the AA and Harper trees. If a Drow or Wiz took the right enhancements it could unlock the tree like elves, 1/2Elves and Mournlords unlock AA. They could make the AA enhancement a toggle so you could select AA or EK like other enhancements have options. Or there could be a quest/Feat/etc to unlock it like the Harper tree.

[Steve_Howe]

That also shows that all the DOOM posts about DDO dying soon are junk...

You don't invest in new hardware for a dying game.
Unless you are "forced" to.

DDO runs on Windows 2003 Server servers.

As you may or may not know, Microsoft is stopping ALL support for Windows 2003 on July 15th. Therefore, Turbine HAS to upgrade to at least Windows 2008 Server or, more likely, Windows 2012 Server.

LotRO is upgrading their servers too. Additionaly, it looks like they will be merging servers. They will also be moving their European servers to Amsterdam while the American servers will be moving to a datacenter in New Jersey. I think it's safe to say the DDO servers will also be moving to New Jersey.

There is a question, of course, as to whether the new servers will be as capable as the current ones? Instinctively, one would say newer = better. However, that's not necessarily true. It's quite possible the DDO servers could be migrated to less-capable blade servers and DDO performance could suffer. Blade servers are relatively cheap so it might just make more financial sense to move everything over to less expensive and less-capable machines.

[phillymiket]

I think it's safe to say the DDO servers will also be moving to New Jersey.
Nice!
Guys, I see cosmetic eyebrow waxes in our future! :-D

I can see the quests now.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/bwian001/EC2011_CrystalCove_Objectives_zps5xeddu35.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/bwian001/media/EC2011_CrystalCove_Objectives_zps5xeddu35.jpg.html )

He he, I'm "just kidding".
New jersey really doesn't "deserve" the rep.

But I'm pretty sure any quests in the NJ expansion zone will REQUIRE you to buff. That's a basic Jersey fail condition.

[Silverleafeon]

By the way I have seen a lot of MoD multi runs on khyber recently, I guess school is out now?

[Silverleafeon]

Additionaly, it looks like they will be merging servers.

I wonder if they could merge DDO servers and get around the TR cache destruction problem.

If everyone on DDO could group with other servers that would be cool?
Whatever...

[nibel]

There is the precedent of the AA and Harper trees. If a Drow or Wiz took the right enhancements it could unlock the tree like elves, 1/2Elves and Mournlords unlock AA. They could make the AA enhancement a toggle so you could select AA or EK like other enhancements have options.

No, not like that. I mean like specific class requirements on core enhancements. Eg, to get access to T5 enhancements you would actually require 5 levels in two different classes. Using my example on Kensai:

T1 would require Fighter 1 and Monk 1.
T2 would require Fighter 2 and Monk 2.
T3 would require Fighter 3 and Monk 3.
T4 would require Fighter 4 and Monk 4.
T5 would require Fighter 5 and Monk 5 and Character level 12.

Core 1 would require Fighter 1 OR Monk 1.
Core 2 would require Fighter 1 AND Monk 1 AND Character Level 3.
Core 3 would require Fighter 2 AND Monk 2 AND Character Level 6.
Core 4 would require Fighter 4 AND Monk 4 AND Character Level 12.
Core 5 would require Fighter 6 AND Monk 6 AND Character Level 18.
Capstone would require Fighter 8 AND Monk 8 AND Character Level 20.

I'm not sure if this is possible to implement under the current engine.


Or there could be a quest/Feat/etc to unlock it like the Harper tree.

Harper is a favor unlock. Once you hit that favor mark with any character, it is permanently unlocked for you entire account. I was thinking (as another option, not in addition to the previous one) about them being character-based. You take a specific feat and you get a minor benefit and access to an enhancement tree. Or a favor patron give you a free feat with access to an enhancement tree (like Argonessen give you the "Draconic Vitality" feat).

That is also another feature I don't know if it is supported by the current engine.

[Steve_Howe]

I wonder if they could merge DDO servers and get around the TR cache destruction problem.
I read the LotRO Producer's letter and it sounded like they may have licked the guild transferral issue there. Hopefully DDO could do the same.


If everyone on DDO could group with other servers that would be cool?
Whatever...
I'd like to group with Captain's Crew sometime. They sound like they're a blast. Yeah, it would be cool.

[Steve_Howe]

By the way I have seen a lot of MoD multi runs on khyber recently, I guess school is out now?
No, it's one OCD guy who simply HAS to get a Litany (among other things) on ALL his toons.

[Faltout]

No, it's one OCD guy who simply HAS to get a Litany (among other things) on ALL his toons.
I must have counted over 200 runs from that Kally guy. But I wonder for how long other semi-random people will keep joining. How many timers do they have? Seriously. And it's killing the raid for all the rest. All the people that would join an LFM are now running EN MoD over and over and over.

Kinda liked the recent LFM (not from Kally) though that had like 86 runs and counted how many succumbed to the grind :D (30 players was the last count before he succumbed as well around 60 runs). And the fun fact is that as soon as that LFM went away, Kally's LFM went up with another 20ish runs.

[Steve_Howe]

How many timers do they have?
A lot fewer than they used to, that's for sure!

I imagine Turbine is pleased.

[mudfud]

We've also been hearing your feedback that you'd like an improved experience when using the DDO Store, and we're happy to say that we'll be introducing a new store in the near future! We expect the updated DDO Store to offer a streamlined experience when making purchases and many other improvements. We're planning to start rolling out the new DDO Store to players later this summer. You will still be able to purchase Turbine Points with a credit/debit card, PayPal, and a wide selection of alternate payment methods. We'll have more to say about the DDO Store as we get closer to its launch.

Thank you for being a part of the Dungeons & Dragons Online community, and we love hearing your feedback. It's been a pleasure to talk to everyone here, and we hope to see you in-game for a long time to come.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

I was thinking this weekend. WoW we are getting an updated store that's what we really wanted, and you all are actually doing something we wanted. Then I logged into the LoTRo forums and saw pretty much a copy paste of them getting the store also because that is what they really wanted. So truthfully, why are we both getting the store we both wanted? Or do you actually have these forums confused with the LoTRo forums, since I have barely seen anybody wanting an updated store here.

And then I was like WoW again!!! We are getting new servers which might help some of the issues we are having on quite a few of our servers. And then I logged into the LoTRo forums again, and was completely disappointed again. They are also getting it.

So again I ask, who copied who? Did you copy and paste the stuff from Vyvyanne over there or did Vyvyanne copy paste your producer letter. Or for the super conspiracy people, are you Vyvyanne on those forums or are you really Vyvyanna being Severlin on these forums?

[phillymiket]

I was thinking this weekend. WoW we are getting an updated store that's what we really wanted, and you all are actually doing something we wanted. Then I logged into the LoTRo forums and saw pretty much a copy paste of them getting the store also because that is what they really wanted. So truthfully, why are we both getting the store we both wanted? Or do you actually have these forums confused with the LoTRo forums, since I have barely seen anybody wanting an updated store here.

And then I was like WoW again!!! We are getting new servers which might help some of the issues we are having on quite a few of our servers. And then I logged into the LoTRo forums again, and was completely disappointed again. They are also getting it.

So again I ask, who copied who? Did you copy and paste the stuff from Vyvyanne over there or did Vyvyanne copy paste your producer letter. Or for the super conspiracy people, are you Vyvyanne on those forums or are you really Vyvyanna being Severlin on these forums?

From my guessing and gathering, it would seem to me that DDO is being forced into new servers and a new store.
Would they have done that anyway?
Who knows? Does it really matter?

I can understand that they would want to frame the change in a positive light.
Why not? It's a positive turn of events for the game regardless of what inspired the change.

[fmalfeas]

Or, you know, Turbine has gotten sick of the lag, and the issues with the current store and awesomium many-instancing, and decided to migrate their games to new server hardware to deal with the lag, and are taking the opportunity while they're at it to revamp the store, possibly licking the multi-instancing of awesomium processes, and thus reducing lag as well. And I highly, highly doubt that the servers are /only/ running DDO, or /only/ running LoTRO. It's probably shared hardware. So what's good for one game is good for both games in this case.

[mudfud]

Or, you know, Turbine has gotten sick of the lag, and the issues with the current store and awesomium many-instancing, and decided to migrate their games to new server hardware to deal with the lag, and are taking the opportunity while they're at it to revamp the store, possibly licking the multi-instancing of awesomium processes, and thus reducing lag as well. And I highly, highly doubt that the servers are /only/ running DDO, or /only/ running LoTRO. It's probably shared hardware. So what's good for one game is good for both games in this case.


From my guessing and gathering, it would seem to me that DDO is being forced into new servers and a new store.
Would they have done that anyway?
Who knows? Does it really matter?

I can understand that they would want to frame the change in a positive light.
Why not? It's a positive turn of events for the game regardless of what inspired the change.

Then in that case don't put it in a producers note about ddo, when in fact it is a turbine wide thing. I feel it's misleading because we are not exclusive to getting it. It is being said as something "we" want, when in fact "we" didn't. Do they not know some people play lotro also and might feel mislead by a copy paste of what is happening in lotro touted as being exclusive to here also?

[lyrecono]

Really?

I'm dumbfounded how people can actually believe stuff like this. Were you not around for any of the 7+ years where the top tier caster builds completely dominated all melees? Sorcs and wizards ruled this game for the longest time.
Then you should know better...
True, this time wasn't fun for melee's, with the number of wining casters in party these days, i hope turbine gives their vitamin shot soon


Play with better people.

The way he said barbs were fine in EE with their new enhancements(right after U19) i doubt he has any idea what well played&build melee's look like.


That also shows that all the DOOM posts about DDO dying soon are junk...

You don't invest in new hardware for a dying game.
They never said new hardware, just a different data center, most likely one that cost less, cause money talks


*sigh*

still no mention of...

GNOMES!

*sigh*

:(


And there was much rejoicing.

They are a part of the Eberron story, they should be here, heck, even as just npc's
But the dev's just walk all over our gnome wishes :(
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/40/13/81/401381c913b0ccc6852c910672052b0d.jpg

[Steve_Howe]

They never said new hardware, just a different data center, most likely one that cost less, cause money talks
Incorrect. Sev CLEARLY said new hardware. The relvant paragraph of his was quoted in one of the posts above.

Not only did HE say there was going to be new hardware used in the new data center, the LotRO Producer said almost the exact same thing in their forums.

[Eth]

We do not hate any particular class, or race, or destiny. That is never a factor in our decision making.

It's completely acceptable to hate monks, halflings and unyielding sentinels.

[lyrecono]

Incorrect. Sev CLEARLY said new hardware. The relvant paragraph of his was quoted in one of the posts above.

Not only did HE say there was going to be new hardware used in the new data center, the LotRO Producer said almost the exact same thing in their forums.

Did he?

i must have missed it
i was going with the info on his opening post




We’ve made some excellent strides to reduce lag and improve stability, and we are continuing to work towards these goals. One of the larger projects that we are working on is a transfer of our game servers and other hardware to a new data center. The new facility will provide both Dungeons and Dragons Online and our friends over at The Lord of the Rings Online with more stability, greater CPU power, and a better networking capability. This will complement our ongoing efforts to reduce lag. It’s a big project and as the year progresses we will be working toward a date where we will migrate to the new datacenter.

Robert “Severlin” Ciccolini

honestly, i don't keep up with Lotro and their fora.
maybe a simple misunderstanding or translation error.
transfer sounds like moving what you already have to another location.
Buying new hardware sounds like buying new hardware.

if so, then:

my apologies

[Tyrande]

It's completely acceptable to hate monks, halflings and unyielding sentinels.

Wait, but everyone is a 1/2ling of some sort. ;) Let's see:

Dwarves: Fat half-lings.

Fumans & PDK: Full/tall half-lings.

Elves & Half-elves/Sun Elf: Full/tall half-lings that exercise and loose weight.

Drow: Full/tall black half-lings that exercise and loose weight.

Half Orcs: Angry and fat half-lings

Warforged/Bladeforged: Half-lings that rode on a half-ling transport module. You have to use an X-ray vision spell to see the inner workings of those. Ancient warforged are excluded since those run on older hardware and were driven by Intel 80486 hamsters and may not be capable of support the current half-lings.

Shadai-Kai: Ugly half-lings that loves pain.

Now, why the church of G'nonom don't like half-lings? :\

Monks? I don't know... May be the lack of PRR/MRR thingy? Same issue with traditional casters (arcane).

[Lanadazia]

I wonder if current tech allow to make tree based on two classes. Like, making Eldritch Knight a very specific Fighter/Wizard multiclass tree: Something like Core 1 requires at least Fighter 1 and Wiz 1, and Capstone requires at least Fighter 8 and Wizard 8 (but still char level 20).

Or if is possible to make some feats grant access to enhancement trees, like making the 400 Silver Flame favor reward be access to "Silver Flame Exorcist" enhancement tree via a favor feat.

This would solve a lot of problems with trees that are stuck in one class, but are better aimed at specific multiclasses, like Kensei, Eldritch Knight, Henshin Mystic and Warpriest.


if this was added as a specific tree: ok, but it shouldnt replace an existing tree/revamp an existing tree to be specific for one build (also if you claim it for wiz-ftr there will be others that claim a special tree for another build. in the end there cannot be a tree for each desire..)

i really like the idea with the favor and the tree-unlocking. this makes favor viable each life (cause it'd add another build option if needed)
in general favor rewards should not be one-time bonuses, but more like re-achievable stuff that is always good to have (silver flame, patron shops, yugo pots, etc)
i really liked getting that harper tree for favor, or the harper pins, but from now on each time i get that favor i don't get anything (the harper pins and the enhancement tree make up for this tho)
still i like to get rewarded for my efforts (hence i really like the yugo favor, since you always get a rewarding shop option, especially for casters)
its the favor rewards that are useful each time you achieve it, that are the most awesome.
maybe you can get some ammo in house D, or pack some silver flame potions into your TR cache, but maybe you'll run out before you get the favor and be happy to reach that favor again

so in the future i'd like to see more re-achievable favor stuff. mostly in high level, there seems to be plenty in low level of this (house D,J,P vendors, house K bank space, coinlord inventory space, gianthold rewards, silver flame, etc)

[Postumus]

I don't want to attribute specific feelings to you in particular, Steelstar, but over the course of last 7 years, it's pretty obvious from the results that, if not active hatred, devs historically have not given a **** about divines, except maybe some token hjealbot support. And the gross discrepancy in class features, enhancements, and gearing options that has accumulated over the years still largely exists.

I think this is some selective memory here.

I recall five years ago there was a 12-month stretch where everyone and his brother was a Favored Soul.
There were lots of posts about how OP the FvS class was after some superlative players were able to solo/duo raids with them.


Clerics just got an overhaul last year with enhancements, and Turbine added a third ED for the divine sphere.


Divines aren't the top classes now, but IMO they've had plenty of love over the last 7 years.

[Postumus]

T

All FOUR Divine Trees are badly done!
Radiant Servant has no Attack Power outside TU {and we all know how well that works these days unless you're a maxed Charisma Build}, No defenses whatsoever and Pure Healers are simply not wanted by other players anymore!
Warpriest cannot compete on it's own - Pure Healers may not be wanted but a Cleric who doesn't at least put 20 points into Radiant Servant is NOT A CLERIC!
Divine Disciple seems to have been made with the intent of making Clerics a Caster Class - I've got news for you Devs...WE DON'T HAVE THE SPELLS! {And again, Not a Cleric without at least 20 pts in RS!}.
Angel of Vengeance is a Joke!

The Biggest problem I see with Cleric is their most basic abilities:
Healing -
A Cleric does NOT need to maximise every last drop out of his Healing in DDO - Yes he needs it to be viable but most of the time a single non-empowered Heal or Heal Mass will get the job done.
However: That's no reason to tie their Healing power to a single Tree {and high up in that tree too!}
Turn Undead
Max Charisma Clerics are non-viable anywhere other than Full on Undead Quests where they're Gods! {BTW THEY SHOULD BE!}
Anything other than Max Cha and you can pretty much forget about Turning anything past Lvl 13-14! {Yes I know this is an exaggeration made for effect!}.
Then remember that you have to take TWO FEATS and Go heavily into RS AND gear up properly for it to work in even high level Heroics...Never Mind EEs!
THEN REMEMBER THAT FOR SOME REASON THE DEVS ALLOWED DEATHWARD TO STOP TU AND GAVE PRETTY MUCH EVERY SINGLE UNDEAD CHAMPION DW!

DDO Requires you not only to Maximise your Wisdom for Casting ability {and even then without gear, tomes etc. you may as well forget it!} but also to have high Str, Con and Cha - This is simply too much!
I don't understand how or why TU got moved to Charisma in the first place - It was always based on having Willpower {WISDOM}!

FavSouls are in the same boat when it comes to Multi-Attribute dependancy!
Drop the Wisdom requirement and make Cha their FULL Casting stat!


Divines were NEVER JUST HEALERS in PnP!
I was always against the Tank, Healer, DPS Trinity in DDO not because I hated waiting for a Cleric {or a Rogue} but because that's NOT what a Cleric is in D&D!
Clerics don't have to have equal casting ability to Wizards or equal melee ability to Fighters but they shouldn't be anywhere near as far behind as they are in DDO!
Where the problem lies is in DDO's insistence on making anything other than Max DCs useless!
Fighters can't Trip at all unless they Max Str! {Yes I'm still annoyed at the re-nerfing of Trip!}.
Clerics can forget about TU unless they Max Cha, take a Feat, go into RS AND gear up {or at least 3 out of 4 of these!}
Non-Maxed Wizards need to Energy Drain mobs TWICE before a FoD will even work at all - Never mind at 100%! {That's a stupid SP Cost!}

Another issue is that there's far too many REQUIRED Metamagic Feats in DDO!
Players are forced into taking these feats and ONLY these feats just to be any good {note far more is required to be great} at their main focus {forget everything else!}.
SP Costs of Metamagics are also higher than they should be!

snip


I disagree with everything above in RED. I think it is demonstrably false unless set only in the context of soloing about 12 EE quests.

[Wipey]

Clerics just got an overhaul last year with enhancements, and Turbine added a third ED for the divine sphere.

Thank god for that. There are five people on the server still playing cleric. Without this overhaul there would be none.

[JOTMON]

Thank god for that. There are five people on the server still playing cleric. Without this overhaul there would be none.

Four. I just TR'd..

oops, that's my server.. you may still have Five on yours...

[Postumus]

Thank god for that. There are five people on the server still playing cleric. Without this overhaul there would be none.


I haven't been pugging for the last year or so, but I've been playing a cleric as one of my mains now for a while and I really like the Warpriest enhancements.

[Drathsiddh]

So what happened to Anauroch?

[Steve_Howe]

So what happened to Anauroch?

It rained a lot.

[Cleanincubus]

So what happened to Anauroch?

They made ToEE instead, because of the "popularity" of Haunted Halls.