Please put the Black Panther on sale for Black Friday

[EdwinRophe]

You pick the reasonable price. I was not around when it was sold and really feel i missed out.

Edit:
Grrrrrr misspelled Please

[Krelar]

You pick the reasonable price. I was not around when it was sold and really feel i missed out.

Edit:
Grrrrrr misspelled Please

It was never sold, it was a bonus item for pre-purchasing the first expansion. They also said the bonus items would never be available again. (There has been some debate about exactly which items this statement applied to but it always seems to cause enough of a stir that they've probably decided it's not worth it even if they originally intended to)

[Cordovan]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

[Ravand]

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

Be silent and take my TP!

[cru121]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

Actually, this is not true. If you read the Pre-Purchase FAQ, at the very bottom, it says:


If I don’t pre-purchase the expansion, can I still buy the pre-purchase items at a later time?

The following item colors will not be available in the DDO Store after the pre-purchase period ends on June 24th 2012, nor will they appear in future expansion bundles:


Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion
Druid’s Wolf Pup Creature Companion
Onyx Panther Cub Creature Companion

Panther cosmetic companion is exclusive, panther hireling is not.

[Cordovan]

Actually, this is not true. If you read the Pre-Purchase FAQ, at the very bottom, it says:


Panther cosmetic companion is exclusive, panther hireling is not.

I was just looking at that specific part of the FAQ, but the bit you quoted is referring to the Creature Companions, not the Figurine of Wondrous Power (which is what the panther hireling is technically called in the Limited Edition bundle.) Our marketing and promotional material released at the time, in addition to the press release we sent to media outlets, specifically refers to the figurine as an exclusive pre-purchase bonus. The landing page at the time also listed it as an exclusive to the pre-purchase.

[arkonas]

Actually, this is not true. If you read the Pre-Purchase FAQ, at the very bottom, it says:


Panther cosmetic companion is exclusive, panther hireling is not.

doesn't matter. it was a preorder bonus. it would be a huge kick in the nuts for anyone who preordered it. heck if they allow that why not allow everything that was a special order thing or first time be available for everyone right? screw the people who were there when it happened. right? NO NO NO. that completely defeats the purpose of preorder bonuses.

rift did something like this and it ****ed off a lot of customers. people were whining how unfair it was they couldn't have the items that were at the start. so what did trion do. give them what they wanted. people whined about fall damage. trion caved in. let me ask you something. what is the point of offering special bonuses if you just take them away later on and give it to anyone who asked for it? it makes those bonuses worthless. it destroys the companies ethics. sorry i will never agree with giving preorder or unique bonuses a chance to come around again. you should of been there.

do i think its unfair i wasn't around for certain events and all. nope. just my thought.

[cru121]

I was just looking at that specific part of the FAQ, but the bit you quoted is referring to the Creature Companions, not the Figurine of Wondrous Power (which is what the panther hireling is technically called in the Limited Edition bundle.) Our marketing and promotional material released at the time, in addition to the press release we sent to media outlets, specifically refers to the figurine as an exclusive pre-purchase bonus. The landing page at the time also listed it as an exclusive to the pre-purchase.

The part I quoted lists the stuff that won't be available later. Yes, it's only cosmetic pets, because pets are the only thing you marked as exclusive.

Marketing material says the same; for example.
http://www.tentonhammer.com/ddo/news/turbine-opens-pre-orders-for-ddos-menace-of-the-underdark-expansion
Search for "exclusive", the word is used 3 times, each time with a cosmetic companion.

Just saying; I wouldn't buy the hire.

[Cordovan]

The part I quoted lists the stuff that won't be available later. Yes, it's only cosmetic pets, because pets are the only thing you marked as exclusive.

Marketing material says the same; for example.
http://www.tentonhammer.com/ddo/news/turbine-opens-pre-orders-for-ddos-menace-of-the-underdark-expansion
Search for "exclusive", the word is used 3 times, each time with a cosmetic companion.

Just saying; I wouldn't buy the hire.

I hear ya; it's something we've looked into given the pleas by folks over the years to get one of 'em.

Even in the press release, though, it's pretty clear that the item is part of the Collector's Edition and would be only available for a limited time:




Menace of the Underdark Collector?s Edition ? $79.99/£59.99/69,99?

This limited time offer includes access to Adventures Packs, Epic Destinies, the Druid class and Eveningstar Challenge Pack plus the following items that players can begin using immediately:



? Greater Tome of Learning (1 free tome per DDO game world)
? Lesser Tome of Learning for all characters (1 free tome per character ? forever)
? 2,000 Turbine Points
? Veteran Status (lvl 7)- Start a new character at level 7!


? Veteran Status (lvl 4)-Start a new character at level 4!
? DDO Classics Adventure Pack bundle

? DDO Epic Classics Adventure Pack bundle (Vault of Night, The Red Fens, Sentinels Stormreach, Devil Assault)
? Pre-Purchase Bonus Items!

o Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion
o Druid?s Wolf Pup Creature Companion
o Elite Spider Cult mask cosmetic helmet
o Onyx Panther Cub Creature Companion - A rare dark panther cub from Faerun. Includes 4 tricks and a collar. Exclusively available with pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark.
o Figurine of Wondrous Power: Onyx Panther - Summon this Level 20 Black Panther Hireling to assist you in Dungeon and Wilderness Adventures! (min level 18 to use)




Players will have access to all of the bonus items including the new companions, veteran status, cosmetic helmet and Figurine of Wondrous Power and Tomes of Learning immediately after purchase. Menace of the Underdark expansion itself will be available to play on June 25, 2012. These special offers will only be available for a limited time. For more information, please visitwww.ddo.com/underdark (http://www.ddo.com/underdark).


Relevant bits bolded.

[Thar]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

Drizzt lovers aside... how about something cool for higher levels (like lvl 28)? A wardog or better yet. Battle chipMONK!!! go for the eyes booo go for the eyes!

[Kalaxia]

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

You're really missing out by not selling some on the DDO store. I've heard a lot of people over the years say they would love any permanent hireling, regardless of what it actually is.

Take the panther, change the model to tiger/lion (which you already have), put it on the store for 995. Done. Tons of people will buy it.

You could make all sorts of permanent hirelings:

- Tiger/Lion
- Bear
- Kobold Shaman
- Yugoloth caster
- Hyena
- Rust monster
- Giant Rat

You've got the game mechanics for them.. and can easily re-use models you already have. You can either have them similar to the owlbear, where you get a level 10 and level 25 version... or have them auto-scale by level, up to a certain level (25-ish seems fair.) I'm not sure how difficult it would be to have it auto-scale, but that would be ideal.

[Protasious]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

How about instead of yet another permanent fighter hireling like the panther and owlbears are, how about making a permanent bard or wiz hire. I would really like to see a Satir Trickster hireling, make it basically a spellsinger bard. or a Harpy Wizard hireling...

Anyways just throwing out a couple more ideas. I really don't want to see the Onyx Panther go on sale though. I'd be kinda upset if it did go on sale.

[Basura_Grande]

You sell XP in the store and you're worried about ethics?

[JOTMON]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

Coming soon ~Insert alternative Colour here~ Onyx Panther ...


but really..
There are lots of other animals that could be introduced.. like a variety of coloured wolves, ..
Even in the panteresque Feline category.. cheetahs, cougars, jaguars, leopards, mountain lions, pumas, lynxes, and bobcats..

[Ganak]

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.


Thank you very much for this stance. Special items mean something in DDO.


As an alternate animal companion hireling....how about a level 30 Boo?

[HAL]

You sell XP in the store and you're worried about ethics?

There is nothing unethical about selling XP in the store (although I don't remember seeing any for sale). The game and all of its content belongs to Turbine / et al. They can sell any part of it they please. Heck it wouldn't even be unethical for them to sell capped characters with raid gear!

I think you don't really mean "ethics". Perhaps you mean a different word.

[Qezuzu]

Screw the panther. Give us more monster hirelings.

Cleric Kobold Shaman.

Enchantress Sorcerer Succubus.

Barbarian Ogre.

You know you want to. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON-7v4qnHP8)

[rfachini]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

White Ivory Panther? :D
How ever you implement it, my requests are:
1. Let it scale with level (that would be a very valuable bonus)
1b. If not possible, then have it epic or have a higher-level version of it.
2. Allow it to be used at the same time as the Black Onyx Panther.

[HAL]

Coming soon ~Insert alternative Colour here~ Onyx Panther ...

I hope not, go with this:



but really..
There are lots of other animals that could be introduced.. like a variety of coloured wolves, ..
Even in the panteresque Feline category.. cheetahs, cougars, jaguars, leopards, mountain lions, panthers, pumas, lynxes, and bobcats..

[LongshotBro]

Preorder exclusives in any game should remain just that.

That being said, other permanent hirelings I support fully. In source, there are quite a variety of figurines of wondrous power, for starters. Other sorts at a range of levels would be terrific, especially exotic sorts and nonfighter types.

[UurlockYgmeov]

NO - neither. unless you refund the full purchase price for those who bought the upsale for this.

/never signed.


Preorder exclusives in any game should remain just that.

That being said, other permanent hirelings I support fully. In source, there are quite a variety of figurines of wondrous power, for starters. Other sorts at a range of levels would be terrific, especially exotic sorts and nonfighter types.

yes.

and this is good. reskin it and make it only 86% as powerful and call it another name - all good. same goes with the owlbears.

+1 oh yeas! a Legendary Kobold Shaman!

[Tlorrd]

I hear ya; it's something we've looked into given the pleas by folks over the years to get one of 'em.

Even in the press release, though, it's pretty clear that the item is part of the Collector's Edition and would be only available for a limited time:


Honestly, if you all made a permanent hire that would scale with a character, I'd consider it as all the new boosts to augmenting summons would probably help.

[Loromir]

I puchased the Underdark pre release pack...so I have a Panther. I would not be offended if they offered to sell the Black Panther (one day only) for a really high price. High enough that I won't feel like people now are getting it cheaper than what I got it for.

[UurlockYgmeov]

I puchased the Underdark pre release pack...so I have a Panther. I would not be offended if they offered to sell the Black Panther (one day only) for a really high price. High enough that I won't feel like people now are getting it cheaper than what I got it for.

hmm... one time only - for 9995 TP on this Black Friday? or for DDO's anniversary? ok as long as it was white and named something else. :P

[Tyrande]

Oynx panther; no. That is an exclusive pre-purchase expansion pack Menace of the Underdark permanent hireling item.

If you ask one for this Black Friday or Christmas, it will have to be "Pink Panther"... or "Purple Dragon" pseudo dragon familiar.

or something else, like funny kobold worker... or kobold shaman.

or one of the birds from storm horns... the Griffon familiar...

if you love pets (that actually fights in the party); why not be part of nature and become a druid, or a ranger?

[Dandonk]

I have the panther. And I understand the inherent problems in selling it now (though I personally wouldn't mind it).

But making a different-level somewhat-same panther, just different enough that both we who have the old one could use it and just the same enough the people would still think Drizzt... well, might be tricky, but could work heh.

[cdbd3rd]

Having put forth the cash for buy-now-or-never stuff, I also would be cheesed if that was gone back on. Not ragequit level, but certainly grumpy level.

That said, however...



...

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

THAT^. Even a framework-adjusted re-skin of the panther would be fine in my book, as long as our blacks remained unique.

Tiger striped, or leopard spotted, etc. Not only wouldn't grump folks that have the unique critters (I don't think), but might also entice us into expanding our collections.

[Knobull]

I want a Pink Panther! :cool:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/96/Pink_Panther.png

[moomooprincess]

How come players don't want the Owlbear?

[sithhound]

I would so buy a kobold shaman hireling.

[sithhound]

Kalaxia's Yugie idea is awesome, as well.

[sithhound]

How come players don't want the Owlbear?

Two words: mana sponge

[Gljosh]

How come players don't want the Owlbear?

Not as cool looking and they get stuck in doorways!

I support more Permanent Hirelings. I bought the starter pack one (even though I already owned the packs) for that Lvl 3 Cleric. I upgraded my Shadowfail for the Owlbears, because I missed out on the Panther. If another one comes along I would easily buy one.

Be it a
Pink panther (breast cancer month special).
Bearded Devil-November Special.
Kobold Shaman
Halfling Riding an Ogre
Worg
Griffon
Efreeti
Djinn
Elemental
Pseudo Dragon

[arkonas]

Preorder exclusives in any game should remain just that.

That being said, other permanent hirelings I support fully. In source, there are quite a variety of figurines of wondrous power, for starters. Other sorts at a range of levels would be terrific, especially exotic sorts and nonfighter types.

yes something like this they know would sell. i like my owl bears and panther. cordovan would that be something turbine would be willing to do? sell things like that in the ddo store? that would probably earn them a little cash. nothing overpowered and it might make some people happy since you don't need any of it to play.

when i mean sell things like that i mean newer things not the panther/owlbear. like a lion bear etc or even something stupid like a kobold shaman etc.

[HernandoCortez]

I would like to see other permanent hirelings for sale.
This whole discussion made me wonder one thing: do we have another expansion coming?

[moomooprincess]

I paid $79.99 for the pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark(on two accounts), if players today want to pay $79.99 for ALMOST the same deal, I am okay with that.

Those of us that paid the pre-purchase dollar amount had no idea of what we were buying. We were basically buying sight unseen.

Now, after people have seen what other players have, of course, they want it.

I would prefer that players today, don't get exactly the same offer.

Otherwise, you are basically telling me that I should not EVER buy a pre-purchase deal because in some time frame in the future I can get the same thing, cheaper.

There is a thin line here.

[J-mann]

Oynx panther; no. That is an exclusive pre-purchase expansion pack Menace of the Underdark permanent hireling item.

If you ask one for this Black Friday or Christmas, it will have to be "Pink Panther"... or "Purple Dragon" pseudo dragon familiar.

or something else, like funny kobold worker... or kobold shaman.

or one of the birds from storm horns... the Griffon familiar...

if you love pets (that actually fights in the party); why not be part of nature and become a druid, or a ranger?

A baby dragon XD that would be pretty cool and would get bought the **** outta.

but in some less powerful viens, I like the idea of the sorceress succubus, maybe a cleric type would be nice, but level scaling would make me buy whatever it is pretty quick.

[Krell]

Drizzt lovers aside... how about something cool for higher levels (like lvl 28)? A wardog or better yet. Battle chipMONK!!! go for the eyes booo go for the eyes!

That funk has to come from somewhere.

[Knobull]

... and when a character who has a pink panther summoned goes into sneak, this song should play... :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q

[UurlockYgmeov]

... and when a character who has a pink panther summoned goes into sneak, this song should play... :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q

Oh yeah!

[Nuclear_Elvis]

I'm holding out for the Black Dragon Hireling, which should sell for about 100,000 TP and is a Gold Seal. The Black Dragon Hireling comes with a clickie Spell Like Ability called "Stayin Alive" which simultaneously causes the Dragon to both dance and eat all other summoned hirelings in your group which then regenerates all its health. I hear it also has a slot for a collar and an augment gem. For an extra 50,000 TP, you can purchase the "Collar of Instant Victory" which can summon a special Dimension Door that you can immediately click upon entry to all quests so that you immediately finish the quest and are granted a 100% XP bonus. This will be available for sale for one-day only, never to be available again...at least, not as a Black Dragon, but we can always hope for Red...

[silinteresting]

Drizzt lovers aside... how about something cool for higher levels (like lvl 28)? A wardog or better yet. Battle chipMONK!!! go for the eyes booo go for the eyes!

take my cash i want boo too

your friend sil :)

[IronClan]

There is nothing unethical about selling XP in the store (although I don't remember seeing any for sale). The game and all of its content belongs to Turbine / et al. They can sell any part of it they please. Heck it wouldn't even be unethical for them to sell capped characters with raid gear!

I think you don't really mean "ethics". Perhaps you mean a different word.

IMO he's conflating ethics with his personal preference for how other people should be allowed to play the game and spend their time/money, he chose to say ethics because it sounds better than "but I don't want them to".

[Waaye]

[…] selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic[…] it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.
It is good, Cordovan, that you want to keep your old customers happy but it is still important to attract and retain new players too. Perhaps offering a permanent contract for the level 1 Rogue Riana in the store would be a good place to start. If that works then a permanent level 8 Rogue Shadow hire would help more players make it over the mid-teen ‘hump’. Retain a thousand players here and thousand players there and pretty soon you’re talking a real sizeable audience.

[Maquist]

For what it's worth, the Players' Council has asked for a few more permanent hirelings a couple times. They have heard, and acknowledged, our desire to have other permanent hireling options. Beyond that, I can't say if there are plans for new ones.

One consideration: scaling hirelings, like the Arti dog and Druid wolf, aren't actually scaling like we might think. They are essentially a new hireling at each level. This means that an inordinate amount of time would have to be put in to creating 30 new hirelings for one scaling hireling. I had suggested a compromise of only having them at select levels (3, 8, 13, 18, 23, and 28) to cover the level range. While that suggestion did get a little bit of notice from the devs, it's still creating half a dozen "hirelings" for one hireling.

[ViolentEnd]

Exclusive items should remain exclusive. I actually wish there had been more exclusive stuff released over the years. One might not play a game for years and years just to get a few exclusive things that aren't available to folks that just joined last week, but those things are always kinda neat because they just cannot be acquired any longer. Either for nostalgia, or for some sort of recognition for long time play (like the Founder title/helm), those kind of things give more depth to the game, in my opinion.


Regarding permanent hirelings, which were brought up above, I have always enjoyed the concept of cohorts (from pnp). While I imagine real pnp-style cohorts would be prohibitively labor intensive to create codewise, I think permanent hires that scale with level would be a great addition to the game. I would imagine them as being similar to as described above, probably borrowing heavily from existing hire tech.

I think they would sell quite well, if offered, and the progress made on that kind of coding could be further used later, in the form of animal companions and/or familiars.

[Nightmanis]

Give me a flesh render like the one from the shard of xoriat with 100 prr and evasion.

Then make it self cast hate magnet every 5 minutes.

995tp

[niehues]

I hear ya; it's something we've looked into given the pleas by folks over the years to get one of 'em.

Even in the press release, though, it's pretty clear that the item is part of the Collector's Edition and would be only available for a limited time:



Relevant bits bolded.

I pre-order and would like to keep it as it is.. EXCLUSIVE...

but it would be nice to make another one tho.. perhaps similar to the panter... Druid black wolf perhaps

[Saekee]

Sell a CR 1 kobold, heavily coded as an aggro generator, uncontrollable/uncommandable, that gives a stacking 5% xp boost if it survives EE quests. AI: always keeps up with frontmost player character.

Ok /joking off

[Arianrhod]

There are plenty of figurines of wondrous power they could add to the store without changing the exclusive preorder nature of the panther - bronze griffon, ebony fly, golden lions, ivory goats, marble elephant, obsidian steed, onyx dog, serpentine owl, silver raven. Not all would work well in DDO, but some could, quite easily. Golden lions were always a favorite of mine in the pen & paper days, being one of the few that weren't temporary :) No doubt it's a bit late to add something new for Black Friday, but I'd certainly be tempted if such things were added to the store in the future.

[LightBear]

My only pet peeve about this is that "a limited time release" has never stopped the sales team of Turbine to put things on sale again at a later time slot, with the same words to advertise it's oh so "exclusiveness".

I'm pretty sure if you put any color panther out there with the same abilities peeps would love to buy it and those with a black panther can now summon two at the same time.

Or why not put a level 32 panther out there that's summonable at level 28?

[AshurDS]

I think it would be neat to have a displacer beast for a perma-hireling. Kind of a neat twist on the black panther.

Ashur

[JOTMON]

I would like to see a pet version of summons that is similar to the Artificer pet.
~ a purchasable pet that earns xp and is level able.
One that you can level various traits and level with the player.
~would make a good DDO store purchase with various purchasable add-ons.. cosmetics for pets..
add some customizable skins.. use cuti-pet inventory skins for templates to change the artificer dog into the appropriate sidekick pet.

Would be a good introduction for..
House Vadalis, the holders of the Mark of Handling gained magical benefits related to calming and controlling animals. Magebred animals are a booming trade, and everything from mounts to guards, or pets, can be bought, for the right price. They also run some of the best stables and training facilities, and also maintain lines of communication to smaller outposts using their system of mounted messengers.



Also...
~Change all summons and pets to take up the pet slot, not a player slot.
Player becomes responsible for the associated pet/hireling and does not screw up parties trying to fill with real players.
~any pet/hireling deaths associate to the summoner not the party.


Other Houses would be interesting to see..
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/454664-Surprised-we-are-getting-Warlock-when?highlight=map+all+the+realms
like..
House Thuranni is an elven dragonmarked house. Its members carry the Mark of Shadow, which is also carried by House Phiarlan. This is the only dragonmark carried by two separate houses.
The heraldic symbol of the house is a displacer beast.

[geoffhanna]

I pre-purchased MotU and the figurine of wondrous power was part of the reason why.

It should remain the way it is.

That said, I would love to see other re-usable hirelings made available. NOT a clone of the black panther. But others, new ones.

It is a very handy capability.

[rfachini]

How about instead of yet another permanent fighter hireling like the panther and owlbears are, how about making a permanent bard or wiz hire. I would really like to see a Satir Trickster hireling, make it basically a spellsinger bard. or a Harpy Wizard hireling...

Anyways just throwing out a couple more ideas. I really don't want to see the Onyx Panther go on sale though. I'd be kinda upset if it did go on sale.

Definitely agree on a non-fighter hireling. I'd love to see a healer or even better yet, a trapper or secret door finder. I'd pay for it. I do have the panther and owlbears, and I for one would NOT be upset if they put them on sale.

[Xanthrawl]

I hear ya; it's something we've looked into given the pleas by folks over the years to get one of 'em.

Even in the press release, though, it's pretty clear that the item is part of the Collector's Edition and would be only available for a limited time:



Relevant bits bolded.

Marketing is admittedly not my area of expertise, but doesn't Turbine use this exact same wording for limited releases of items to the DDO Store such as tomes and Ottos Boxes?

It was available for a limited time. That doesn't necessarily mean it will never be made available again.

I personally have 2 accounts. At the time I was between jobs, so I cheaped out and got 2 standards. I have been hoping to upgrade my mask at least on my main account ever since... :-(

[The_Human_Cypher]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

DDO could sell a Level 28 Fighter Griffon hireling instead.

http://megawallpapershd.com/wallpapers/l/1920x1080/45/griffon_1920x1080_44027.jpg

[The_Human_Cypher]

I pre-purchased MotU and the figurine of wondrous power was part of the reason why.

It should remain the way it is.

That said, I would love to see other re-usable hirelings made available. NOT a clone of the black panther. But others, new ones.

It is a very handy capability.

Geoff, do a DDO Gamer article on the Griffon fighter hireling.

[Isolani]

I forgot I even had the Black Panther from MotU prepurchase until I read this. Wouldn't bother me if they sold something similar in the store if people want it.

[LrdSlvrhnd]

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

I would feel rather burned if the Onyx Panther was now sold. I would be much happier if other perma-hires were sold, as then I could now have both if I so chose.

Rather than a reskinned panther, I would rather have something different (although I can understand simply reskinning a panther simply on a cost-effectiveness basis, especially if you left it L20 with all the same abilities).

Please *never* reskin the owlbears and sell them... unless you make them able to fit through doors.

What I would really like would be to have a fighter, an arcane, and a divine every 3-5 levels. My uber-dream is to have one contract for each type and you choose which level to summon (similar to picking which version of Trap the Soul you want to cast, or which summoned creature you want, etc.). So rather than having a hireling "grow" with you, it would instead be 5+ versions of Kobold Shaman with different level-relevant abilities... but still only one contract. (Which yes, would mean you couldn't have multiple versions because the L10 has DV and Restoration but the L18 has DW and Mass Heal...)

[LrdSlvrhnd]

Also...
~Change all summons and pets to take up the pet slot, not a player slot.
Player becomes responsible for the associated pet/hireling and does not screw up parties trying to fill with real players.
~any pet/hireling deaths associate to the summoner not the party.

I wouldn't like this because my druid often has multiple hirelings/pets - when leveling, for instance, he was part of a static group that had four players, so two of us usually pulled a healer since we had no dedicated healer (druid, arti, monk, and... I now forget the fourth. But I and the arti usually ran the hires 'cause we had Augment Summons). And of course my pet. And often a summons. And now when I solo, I'll still pull a healer and usually the panther and an owlbear. But I couldn't do this if they took up the pet slot, since you can only have one pet.

IMHO, party leaders should be able to dismiss hires, which would avoid screwing up parties.

Pet/hireling deaths already only affect the summoner and not the party (and only pets that cause HP/SP loss upon death because you're not an Uncaring Master). Hireling deaths don't affect XP at all anymore, anymore than my deaths would affect your XP, and pet deaths never affected anything (except HP/SP)

[TheOnly_LightInDark]

I would so buy a kobold shaman hireling.

Oh yes I would throw some of my stash at that, make it around lvl 10 as a step between the cleric and the panther

[PermaBanned]

It is good, Cordovan, that you want to keep your old customers happy but it is still important to attract and retain new players too. Perhaps offering a permanent contract for the level 1 Rogue Riana in the store would be a good place to start. If that works then a permanent level 8 Rogue Shadow hire would help more players make it over the mid-teen ‘hump’. Retain a thousand players here and thousand players there and pretty soon you’re talking a real sizeable audience.
You and I must be very different kinds of players. When I first came to DDO (also my first MMO) it was the idea of teaming/partying up with other characters/players - each of us bringing different elements to the group - for a successful quest run that I found desirable. If instead I was offered the opportunity to purchase (especially with RL cash) NPCs (I view hirelings as such) to fill in those gaps I would not have found that encouraging. Much the opposite actually; in all honesty had I first come to this game in it's post MotU solo-centric not-so-D&Dish form I'd have never stayed.

[morkahn82]

I know there are people out there who really wish they'd be able to get the Black Onyx Panther nowadays, but the item was sold explicitly as an exclusive pre-purchase-only item for Menace of the Underdark.

For better or worse, selling this particular item after explicitly saying we would not is problematic. Besides potentially being a business ethics issue, it would also upset some people who made their pre-purchase at least in part because it offered exclusive items in a limited edition that would not be made available afterwards.

There has been some consideration of creating an alternate panther hireling that we could sell in the future, but we have not yet moved forward on that idea.

Make it dark purple (with pulsating purple undercar illumination), call it Purple Amethyst Panther, and sell it in store, problem solved. Would love to see an eaglebear hireling with sunglasses available too.

[Waaye]

You and I must be very different kinds of players.
There is no doubt we are different but we do have something in common in that we both have characters that have made it to the level cap. The vast majority of players who have tried this game over the years never made it past level 15. That puts anyone with a character at cap in the top 10% for longevity just for being there.


When I first came to DDO (also my first MMO) it was the idea of teaming/partying up with other characters/players - each of us bringing different elements to the group - for a successful quest run that I found desirable.
These MMOs are not like the written rules based RPGs. For most new players in MMOs grouping is done at random with strangers instead of with friends as with the old RPGs. MMO style grouping is unlikely to please everyone for obvious reasons. Who would choose any kind of partner at random from a telephone book? Grouping by ostensible level instead of effective level, as is done in DDO, only makes things worse. There is a narrow range of effective player levels that will work in a quest because the mob difficulty scales exponentially. This means that most new players with 28-point builds and ordinary gear can only pike in most groups they join. So, many have chosen not to pike and soloed quests until they could proceed no further. Then they moved on to something else. Permanent rogue hirelings should improve the new player’s solo experience and encourage them to play for a longer time before leaving.


If instead I was offered the opportunity to purchase (especially with RL cash) NPCs (I view hirelings as such) to fill in those gaps I would not have found that encouraging. Much the opposite actually; in all honesty had I first come to this game in it's post MotU solo-centric not-so-D&Dish form I'd have never stayed.
The vast majority of gamers will choose to leave a game before allowing it to force them to group at random with strangers. Particularly if the strangers have uber characters that do not need help from anyone, especially the newbies. Gamers want to be the heroes in their own quests and have fun doing it. They do not want to pike and watch ubers with heirloom quality gear completing quests without any real need of assistance. Where’s the fun in that?

[tarrith_dourden]

I puchased the Underdark pre release pack...so I have a Panther. I would not be offended if they offered to sell the Black Panther (one day only) for a really high price. High enough that I won't feel like people now are getting it cheaper than what I got it for.

Call it the "Striped Planer Panther" Give it some dark stripes. Whatever, Id still buy it.

I missed out on buying the pre-pack due to having a stroke that damaged my eyesight at the time. Everyone that knows me knows how ****ed I was at missing out on it, but hospitals, doctors and brain scans kind of took up my attention and money at the time. I quit the game for three months when I found out. You'd think after a close call with death I'd find something better to concern myself about, but nope i still play DDO. Go figure.

No one ever pulls the Onyx Panther out anymore, so it sucks that such a cool item is treated like a mantlepeice dust collector.
Forever will I hold enmity to the Dev that deciced to make it exclusive.

Long live the planar panther!
And may you gather as much dust those that leave it on the mantlepeice!

TD
PS, your owlbear hirelings looks stupid :P

[JOTMON]

Make it dark purple (with pulsating purple undercar illumination), call it Purple Amethyst Panther, and sell it in store, problem solved. Would love to see an eaglebear hireling with sunglasses available too.

or..

displacer beast.


http://arania.kamiki.net/Gaia/Soquili/customrefs/displacer%20beast/displacer_beast.jpg

[dunklezhan]

No one ever pulls the Onyx Panther out anymore, so it sucks that such a cool item is treated like a mantlepeice dust collector.


Use mine all the time from 19-25. Just rarely in groups.

[LongshotBro]

No one ever pulls the Onyx Panther out anymore, so it sucks that such a cool item is treated like a mantlepeice dust collector.
Forever will I hold enmity to the Dev that deciced to make it exclusive.

PS, your owlbear hirelings looks stupid :P

i can't wait to pull my panther out when i am able! i agree the owlbear is not my favorite looking but it is handy as well.

if they released other sorts of figurines of wondrous power or similar permanent hirelings, that is something i fully support.

the onyx panther however, nope. it was exclusive preorder bonus. there's a million reasons people didn't/couldn't/wouldn't preorder. i sympathize with your situation, honestly. but that's the long and short of it. it should never be released in the store.

[FranOhmsford]

We don't really need more permanent Gold Seal Hirelings.

But possibly we could do with a longer timer for Gold Seal Hires so that people can get more use out of them {probably beats a price reduction}.

There may be a decent argument for allowing the Panther and Lvl 24 Owlbear to scale to the Epic Level of the Player using them {the Owlbear would start at 24 still but scale up above that. the Panther would scale from 20-30}.

The Owlbears are extremely buggy and don't like levers OR doors.
The Panther is a bit better but could still do with an AI overhaul as well as an Upgrade.

I'd love to see Turbine take a leaf out of SW:ToR's book and give us actual scaling Hirelings but that's a pipe dream.



I do however have two big gripes about Hirelings:

1) Rogue Hirelings below Lvl 20 being DDOStore/AS only!
It's time to make these available for Plat Devs - I'm fed up of not being able to gain full xp from many quests because I can't afford to buy 10 Rogue Hirelings a life off the store and trappers don't actually need to group!



2) The Overabundance of certain hirelings at certain levels and scarceness of same at other levels.
We don't need MORE Hirelings - There are enough in the game already - We just need some of them upgrading to fill out the higher levels.

Clerics and Souls:
At many heroic levels there are TWO Clerics AND a Soul Hireling.
But at Epic Levels there's Albus and Wyoh at 20, Selis at 21, Luna at 22, Brec at 23, Andaro at 24, Garrett at 25 and Erytheia at 27 - That's It!
Move Erytheia up to 30
Move Garrett up to 30
Move Wyoh up to 29
Move Andaro up to 28
Move Klin up to 27
Move Brec up to 26
Move Heystack up to 25
Move Luna up to 24
Move Selis up to 23
Move Ayron up to 22
Move Albus up to 22
Move Caraneth up to 21
Move Natasha up to 21
Move Merenon up to 20
Move Isadora up to 20
Move Nina up to 19
Move Jatrina up to 19
Move Althea up to 18
Move Tempys up to 18
Move Larafey up to 17
Move Beleth up to 17
Move Skein up to 16
Move Dheran up to 16
Move Duerim up to 15
Move Miranda up to 15
Move Tanya up to 14
Move Flagon up to 14
Move Roshan up to 13
Move Arkyn up to 13
Move Ruthok up to 12
Move Fayden up to 12
Move Lani up to 11
Move Marissa up to 11
Move Nimeth up to 10
Move Samuel up to 10
Move Zaghar up to 9
Move Fergus up to 9
Move Storm up to 8
Move Laerathor up to 8
Move Aunidil up to 7
Move Burak up to 6
Move Marduk up to 5
Move Galanis up to 4
Move Clara up to 3
There's no need for Lvl 1 or 2 FvS Hires as we already have multiple Clerics at both levels {3 Clerics at Lvl 1} and FvSs are naturally weaker than Clerics at Lvl 1/2 as Hirelings because they have less spells and no TU based abilities.

Fighters/Paladins and Barbarians +the one single Ranger:
We don't need multiple options at so many levels for these.
So move them up to fill out the Epic levels and reduce the number of multiples at certain Heroic Levels.
Move Kieran to Lvl 30
Move Sledge to Lvl 29
Move Sadiele to Lvl 28
Move Vilgo to Lvl 27
Move Rovegar to Lvl 26
Move Tarlov to Lvl 25
Move Club to Lvl 24
Move Uma to Lvl 23
Move Slash to Lvl 22
Move Helga to Lvl 21
Move Lanalos to Lvl 20
Move Full Metal to Lvl 19
Move Arnal to Lvl 18
Still a handful of double choices at lower levels but not so many and no triple choices.

Rogues:
Missing Lvl 25-30 Rogues!
So:
Move Iessin to Lvl 30
Move Cassandra to Lvl 28
Move Mussassaba to Lvl 26
Move Lilo to Lvl 24
Move Sullivan to Lvl 22
Move Tatyana to Lvl 20
You've now got a Rogue hire every level from 1-18 and every two levels thereafter.

Arcanes:
The top Hireling Sorc is Lvl 20, The top Hireling Wizard is Lvl 24.
So:
Move Boltha to Lvl 30
Move Kaylen to Lvl 28
Move Shael to Lvl 26
Move Namisa to Lvl 25
Move Lyvwen to Lvl 24
Move Antonio to Lvl 23
Move Grobbin to Lvl 22
Move Marisia to Lvl 21
Move Zefyn to Lvl 19
Move Sigil to Lvl 15
Move Aithas to Lvl 14
Now you have at least one Arcane at every level up to 26 along with Sorc Kaylen at 28 and Wizard Boltha at 30.
You still have double options at Lvl 1-6 with both a wiz and a sorc at each of those early levels.
You've also moved Sigil an extra level away from Barrage because atm Barrage is outright better and Sigil isn't a bad hire himself and doesn't deserve to be so blatantly outclassed by one of the best hirelings in the game!

[cdbd3rd]

...

No one ever pulls the Onyx Panther out anymore, so it sucks that such a cool item is treated like a mantlepeice dust collector...

My Arty never leaves town without her friends. Good thing on one particular Wiz King run.
It was just a bad day. :o

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt291/cdbd3rd/temp%20pix/wizking20_zpsbd81bafc.jpg

[Aletys]

We don't really need more permanent Gold Seal Hirelings.

But possibly we could do with a longer timer for Gold Seal Hires so that people can get more use out of them {probably beats a price reduction}.

There may be a decent argument for allowing the Panther and Lvl 24 Owlbear to scale to the Epic Level of the Player using them {the Owlbear would start at 24 still but scale up above that. the Panther would scale from 20-30}.

The Owlbears are extremely buggy and don't like levers OR doors.
The Panther is a bit better but could still do with an AI overhaul as well as an Upgrade.

I'd love to see Turbine take a leaf out of SW:ToR's book and give us actual scaling Hirelings but that's a pipe dream.



I do however have two big gripes about Hirelings:

1) Rogue Hirelings below Lvl 20 being DDOStore/AS only!
It's time to make these available for Plat Devs - I'm fed up of not being able to gain full xp from many quests because I can't afford to buy 10 Rogue Hirelings a life off the store and trappers don't actually need to group!



2) The Overabundance of certain hirelings at certain levels and scarceness of same at other levels.
We don't need MORE Hirelings - There are enough in the game already - We just need some of them upgrading to fill out the higher levels.


~SNIP~

Now you have at least one Arcane at every level up to 26 along with Sorc Kaylen at 28 and Wizard Boltha at 30.
You still have double options at Lvl 1-6 with both a wiz and a sorc at each of those early levels.
You've also moved Sigil an extra level away from Barrage because atm Barrage is outright better and Sigil isn't a bad hire himself and doesn't deserve to be so blatantly outclassed by one of the best hirelings in the game!

I don't agree that Turbine should stop offering permanent gold-seal hirelings. But I agree completely that we need hirelings at the higher levels, especially rogues who can actually find & disarm the traps (at level), and healers who actually heal instead of running into the middle of the fight and suiciding while agro'ing everything in sight. However, unless they do some serious work to fix (Why Oh, Why Oh, Why) Wyoh's AI, I'd rather she was simply removed from the game. I won't let anyone in my parties bring her as she is worse than useless, nor will I expend any scrolls or SP to raise her when she dies (when I'm in someone else's party). And since they re-did the hirelings AI, Andaro has become the male version of Wyoh. At least Larafey actually clears some trash in the seconds before she completely expends all her spell points nuking everything.

[FranOhmsford]

I don't agree that Turbine should stop offering permanent gold-seal hirelings. But I agree completely that we need hirelings at the higher levels, especially rogues who can actually find & disarm the traps (at level), and healers who actually heal instead of running into the middle of the fight and suiciding while agro'ing everything in sight. However, unless they do some serious work to fix (Why Oh, Why Oh, Why) Wyoh's AI, I'd rather she was simply removed from the game. I won't let anyone in my parties bring her as she is worse than useless, nor will I expend any scrolls or SP to raise her when she dies (when I'm in someone else's party). And since they re-did the hirelings AI, Andaro has become the male version of Wyoh. At least Larafey actually clears some trash in the seconds before she completely expends all her spell points nuking everything.

Wyoh's a bit squishy like many Divine Hires {Fayden, Arkyn and Ayron are all worse though for this}.

The reason why Wyoh is so disliked is because Albus though his AI is actually worse than hers has far more HPs AND has Mass Deathward.

Andaro is actually a decent healer but unfortunately suffers badly from Garret being only one level higher than him - Garret has Mass Deathward, Andaro doesn't, in every other measurement there's no perceptible difference!

Brec and Selis are utterly useless.

Luna's ok but Albus is better despite being a level lower simply by virtue of having Mass Deathward.



Obviously my suggestion would require the Devs to actually fix the hirelings they're upgrading as they upgrade them so any old issues with those hirelings would be hopefully gone.
Also - Moving Wyoh to 29 while also moving Garrett and Erytheia to 30 and with other divine hires at 25-28 that should easily cope with ENs anyway should see relatively few people actually using Wyoh unless she's outright better AI wise than every other Lvl 25-30 Divine Hire and therefore your issues with her particularly would go away.

[The_Human_Cypher]

Use mine all the time from 19-25. Just rarely in groups.

I use the Onyx Panther every time I solo at higher levels and sometimes in PUGs.

[The_Human_Cypher]

Call it the "Striped Planer Panther" Give it some dark stripes. Whatever, Id still buy it.

I missed out on buying the pre-pack due to having a stroke that damaged my eyesight at the time. Everyone that knows me knows how ****ed I was at missing out on it, but hospitals, doctors and brain scans kind of took up my attention and money at the time. I quit the game for three months when I found out. You'd think after a close call with death I'd find something better to concern myself about, but nope i still play DDO. Go figure.

No one ever pulls the Onyx Panther out anymore, so it sucks that such a cool item is treated like a mantlepeice dust collector.
Forever will I hold enmity to the Dev that deciced to make it exclusive.

Long live the planar panther!
And may you gather as much dust those that leave it on the mantlepeice!

TD
PS, your owlbear hirelings looks stupid :P

Someone could give you an old account from a player that bought the pre-order expansion but no longer plays DDO.

[The_Human_Cypher]

if they released other sorts of figurines of wondrous power or similar permanent hirelings, that is something i fully support.

My suggestion has been a Level 28 Gryphon fighter hireling.

http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/top-kek/images/f/f1/Griffin.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20151006214018

[Hydian]

I wouldn't really care if they sold the black panther. I've got mine and don't really use it much. I didn't get it for bragging rights or to be internet cooler than the noobs. Heck, who else is even going to know about it anyway? Do people just whip them out to impress girls or something?

I would, however, like to see more permanent hirelings of any sort and at any levels. That's something I'd actually spend TP on even if I don't use hirelings very often.

[Aletys]

Wyoh's a bit squishy like many Divine Hires {Fayden, Arkyn and Ayron are all worse though for this}.

The reason why Wyoh is so disliked is because Albus though his AI is actually worse than hers has far more HPs AND has Mass Deathward.

Andaro is actually a decent healer but unfortunately suffers badly from Garret being only one level higher than him - Garret has Mass Deathward, Andaro doesn't, in every other measurement there's no perceptible difference!

Brec and Selis are utterly useless.

Luna's ok but Albus is better despite being a level lower simply by virtue of having Mass Deathward.



Obviously my suggestion would require the Devs to actually fix the hirelings they're upgrading as they upgrade them so any old issues with those hirelings would be hopefully gone.
Also - Moving Wyoh to 29 while also moving Garrett and Erytheia to 30 and with other divine hires at 25-28 that should easily cope with ENs anyway should see relatively few people actually using Wyoh unless she's outright better AI wise than every other Lvl 25-30 Divine Hire and therefore your issues with her particularly would go away.

While Andaro used to be an excellent, steady healer, now I find that as soon as there's a mob anywhere in the area (even ones I haven't seen yet), off he goes to fight, and to get him to heal me or other party members I first have to passive him, call him to me, then give the order to heal. If I call him before passiving him, back he goes to the fight. I'ts like watching a rubber band. And, sometimes when he's passived, he refuses to do anything. I've had him run half way across an orchard valley to attack a mob, causing red dungeon alerts for the entire party. I try him periodically in hopes they've fixed the glitch, but the last time (last week), I ended up dismissing him because he was getting us killed.

[tarrith_dourden]

Someone could give you an old account from a player that bought the pre-order expansion but no longer plays DDO.

Two people team with have said they would give me theirs if they could, but they arn't tradable. As for being given an account with a panther. It's probably against some rules of turbines. It would be nice if they were made tradable.

TD

[FranOhmsford]

While Andaro used to be an excellent, steady healer, now I find that as soon as there's a mob anywhere in the area (even ones I haven't seen yet), off he goes to fight, and to get him to heal me or other party members I first have to passive him, call him to me, then give the order to heal. If I call him before passiving him, back he goes to the fight. I'ts like watching a rubber band. And, sometimes when he's passived, he refuses to do anything. I've had him run half way across an orchard valley to attack a mob, causing red dungeon alerts for the entire party. I try him periodically in hopes they've fixed the glitch, but the last time (last week), I ended up dismissing him because he was getting us killed.

This is a problem that all hirelings have - it is not confined to any one though some have always been more glitchy than others.

I use hirelings a lot and frankly the biggest problem with Andaro is he doesn't have Deathward - Neither do Selis {21}, Luna {22} or Brec {23} - and neither does Wyoh {20}.

From 20-24 I pretty much religiously use Albus if I need a Healer because he has Deathward!

Secondary choice from 20-21 = Wyoh, from 22-23 = Luna, at Lvl 24 = Andaro.

From 25 onwards there is only one choice - Garrett {the lvl 27 Cleric - Erytheia is terrible!}.

Moving Certain hires up in levels would create more choice because there'd be options at the higher levels. BUT I'd hazard a guess that you'd still see Garrett, Albus, Heystack, Merenon, Natasha, Althea, Tempys and Duerim far more often than the others because THEY have Deathward!


The problem with Deathward is NOT that it's an OP spell but that it's a NECESSITY in the game!

I still don't see why more Hireling Divines don't have FoM because that's not OP either! {The only one that does have it is the Lvl 9 FavSoul - Lani Vesta}.

Basically we get Divine Hirelings for these reasons:
1) We need Heals/Ressing - All Divine Hires can do this but some are much better than others - Brec is the absolute worst, Caraneth doesn't have Raise Dead on her bar!
2) We need Spell Points - Hires with Divine Vitaility are common from Lvl 2-17 but Ayron {17} is the last one to have this {and is squishy as all get out!}.
3) We need Deathward! Duerim {13} is the first Hireling with Deathward, Garrett {25} is the last.
4) We need FoM {Lani is the only choice!}.

That's it!

That's all we need from Divine Hires.

So every Cleric Hire from Lvl 13 {when Mass Deathward becomes available} to Lvl 27 {Erytheia} currently should be given a multiple choice of Heals/Mass Cures, Mass Deathward, FoM/DV/A DPSorCC Spell and Raise Dead/Resurrection on their bar.
Heal Specced FavSoul Hires should have all of that except DV.
Aunidil, Nimeth, Tanya, Larafey, Caraneth and Selis should be exceptions to the rule but still have if they're high enough level Raise Dead/Resurrection and the best Healing available on their bars.

I'd love to see the Hireling UI tab fixed to work properly so we can actually choose what abilities we want our hirelings to use by themselves without stopping us from TELLING them to use those abilities!
I'd also love to be able to switch off Greater Command on Larafey {I can switch off Destruction because it's on her bar but can't switch off Greater Command which ISN'T on her bar} as she wastes SPs spamming this {and Destruction} in Undead Quests where all I want from her is Cometfalls, Heals and possibly Ressing!


Basically Hires need extra bar icons or the Attack/Defend icons merging into one so they can have a 5th bar ability.
There's too many necessities that have to be available to make them worth using.

[Baktiotha]

We don't really need more permanent Gold Seal Hirelings.

No to all of this ^^^^.

Hirelings are not a necessary part of the game. If they were removed today it would not make or break DDO. If they remain in the game it is in Turbine's interest and the game's interest that the most desired hirelings require people to spend real money to use. Real money funds the game and Turbine is in business to make money.

There is no need to change hireling abilities or levels or invest any time or effort into them. If the only way to achieve success was to use hirelings that might be different. But there is nothing that a hireling can do that a player character cannot do and do more intelligently. If people have a genuine need then the answer is to involve another player in the quest -- not to rework the copious number of hirelings already available.

One thought is that a number of favor rewards are badly outdated. Replacing those rewards with a variety of permanent hirelings has potential. Subsequent rewards might include a barter option to upgrade the hireling so that the reward is meaningful to reincarnated characters as well. It might even be possible to make them pet like in that players can control equipment and some build choices for the hires.

This comes near to the old follower system in D&D.

There is nothing inherently wrong with making a panther-like character available in the store. It is only a matter of whether Turbine feels that it is what would be best for the company and the game.

[Chai]

Just make it different so people who bought the panther on the expansion upgrade can also buy this one this time around. Those shouting no fair should have ponied up when they had the chance.

[LightBear]

My suggestion has been a Level 28 Gryphon fighter hireling.



It would have the same problem as the owlbear has; it can't move through doorways.

When The Menace of the Underdark came out, I did not like what the collectors edition had to offer for the price asked for it.
The figurine and the spidercult mask are nice but not worth the 50 bucks extra over the base or the 30 over the standard edition.
(That being said from a premium player that has bought all content so far, you should read back some of the rage posts of the vips)
So even then the figurine of wondrous power was something that was asked for.

[drwho1985]

I would like a bronze, undead, medium sized feline. His name will be....
....
....
....
....
....
....
Bobcat Goldwraith

[azrael4h]

I am surprised that there's not more of the permanent gold seals around. I think it would be a strong seller, especially if they made it as a feat grant rather than actual item. I'd gladly pay for a permanent rogue hire at certain levels (10, 18, etc). Probably a few healer hires. Just make sure they all have deathward/mass and heal, when at applicable levels.

But, if you add more, don't make it an item like the panther or regular hires/gold seals. Make it a feat granted to every character created on an account. That way inventory bloat won't become a further issue.

[Rykka]

i would like a bronze, undead, medium sized feline. His name will be....
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Bobcat goldwraith

booooo! :D