It Shouldn't Cost 20.00 to Survive a Quest (Yet Another Champions Rant)

[Montegue]

Devs,

I am so very, very tired of encounters in quests, on EE or even low Reaper (R1, in this case) spawning hordes of champions in single encounters.

My serve pop is not great. Getting PUGs isn't easy, and I don't play on a schedule that allows me to run with a regular group. So, I solo most of the time, with hirelings, and I am often forced to use the various quest tools you sell in order to make the limited time I have to play worth the investment. If I get to the end of a quest, having worked hard to get there, and then I get screwed on the final encounter because RNG spawns seven Champions that I just cannot overcome, then all you're doing is squeezing me for money to get a single point of XP for the time I invested in play.

Today, soloing (which is to say, healing hireling and my Shield Guardian, and a Xoriat summon) the second quest in the Soul Splitter saga, I get to the end brawl with the people capturing the Warforged, and the majority of the mobs that spawn are champions. Ultimately, the Demon Soul spider flinger whatever mob was completely insurmountable. This is on R1. I have 20 Reaper points, I'm on my 4th or 5th life, I have solid gear and am a skilled player. I went through three spirit cakes and my jibbz and still could not bring that *one goddamn mob down*.

Please, I am on my knees begging you, please limit Champion spawns or allow us to change a setting. This is not fun to encounter, it's not fun to waste time *and* money trying to just get *some* return on my investment of time for the quest, and it's fury-inducing to do everything right while playing and still get slaughtered. This game shouldn't be the Kobiyashi Maru on EE or R1.

My build is fine, don't ask.

My playstyle is fine, I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

My gear is about as good as it gets for someone who has my available play time.

Please reconsider how champions spawn, what they're capable of, and put some **** limits on it that scale with difficulty level.

Thanks. You won't get another dime from me in the store for quest aids until you do. I have spoken.

[KoobTheProud]

You have a setting change available that guarantees you will never see multiple champions in the end fight.

[Enoach]

Seems to be a trend... "It is not me, so it has to be you"

Gone are the days when people started with asking for advice before asking for change?

And just a note when Reaper first dropped I had a time where 6 various Reapers were in the Acid Dragon Room in TOR. I was dead before I even finished loading in, so I understand the frustration of being overpowered and the feeling of "I don't have a chance".

However, I bet if you change your mind and seek advice on your approach there are people here on the forums that would be more then willing to point out options you may not have considered.

[Loholt-UK]

...don't ask.

I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

I have spoken.

Well alrighty then.

[droid327]

This is on R1.

This game shouldn't be the Kobiyashi Maru on EE or R1.

You're soloing what's specifically designed to be a group mode. Drop down to HE or EH. Why wouldnt you? Its (literally) infinitely better XP to complete it on HE than to get killed on R1...




My build is fine, don't ask.

Is it, though? How do we know if you dont at least say what you're running?

Lots of people solo R1 with a variety of builds without having problems with champs. Particularly unlucky Reaper swarms, I'll hear about occasionally, but not champ spawns, and certainly not a single champ like you cited. So if you're really as well-geared and well-prepared as you claim, then the only logical conclusion is there's something you could be doing different to get better results.


(Yet Another Champions Rant)

No one else is ranting about Champions...for most of us, Champions are just Remnants that havent dropped yet.




My playstyle is fine, I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

Then send a PM to a dev, dont post this on a discussion board and then try to say we cant discuss it.




Thanks. You won't get another dime from me in the store for quest aids until you do. I have spoken.

Well yeah. Dont ever buy quest aids regardless...if you cant complete a quest just with your in-game stuff, then do something different.

[HungarianRhapsody]

My build is fine, don't ask.

My playstyle is fine


At least one of those two statements are obviously incorrect.

[FlavoredSoul]

This is on R1

You are not owed a completion of any quest on any difficulty, this is infinitly more true on reaper, which was specifically designed to be a challenge/groups required difficulty for the people for whom elite was too easy, the fact that reaper is soloable at all is a big fail of the system.


My build is fine, don't ask.

What is "fine", it clearly couldn't handle R1. That doesn't necessarily make the build bad, but perhaps it's just not cut out for reaper.


My playstyle is fine, I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

Clearly you're not looking for feedback, your demanding that the Challenge mode be made easier and refusing to change anything about your build or playstyle.


Thanks. You won't get another dime from me in the store for quest aids until you do. I have spoken.

Good, Quest aids are a massive waste of money, you don't need them to do any content in the game if your build and playstyle are correct, but you refuse to accept any criticism on those.


Please, I am on my knees begging you, please limit Champion spawns or allow us to change a setting. This is not fun to encounter, it's not fun to waste time *and* money trying to just get *some* return on my investment of time for the quest, and it's fury-inducing to do everything right while playing and still get slaughtered. This game shouldn't be the Kobiyashi Maru on EE or R1.

You have a button that disables champions on the quest entrance, it's called Normal no champs there, hard and elite both have weaker champions than reaper.

If you can't handle the champs play on normal where they don't exist, hard where they're total pushovers, or just group up.

[fatherpirate]

That is exactly why I do not play Reapers.
As far as I am concerned, that is not D+D.

Play up to elite, bring hireling...have fun.
Will still be champions but not as many and lower tier.

[lyrecono]

Devs,

I am so very, very tired of encounters in quests, on EE or even low Reaper (R1, in this case) spawning hordes of champions in single encounters.

My serve pop is not great. Getting PUGs isn't easy, and I don't play on a schedule that allows me to run with a regular group. So, I solo most of the time, with hirelings, and I am often forced to use the various quest tools you sell in order to make the limited time I have to play worth the investment. If I get to the end of a quest, having worked hard to get there, and then I get screwed on the final encounter because RNG spawns seven Champions that I just cannot overcome, then all you're doing is squeezing me for money to get a single point of XP for the time I invested in play.

Today, soloing (which is to say, healing hireling and my Shield Guardian, and a Xoriat summon) the second quest in the Soul Splitter saga, I get to the end brawl with the people capturing the Warforged, and the majority of the mobs that spawn are champions. Ultimately, the Demon Soul spider flinger whatever mob was completely insurmountable. This is on R1. I have 20 Reaper points, I'm on my 4th or 5th life, I have solid gear and am a skilled player. I went through three spirit cakes and my jibbz and still could not bring that *one goddamn mob down*.

Please, I am on my knees begging you, please limit Champion spawns or allow us to change a setting. This is not fun to encounter, it's not fun to waste time *and* money trying to just get *some* return on my investment of time for the quest, and it's fury-inducing to do everything right while playing and still get slaughtered. This game shouldn't be the Kobiyashi Maru on EE or R1.

My build is fine, don't ask.

My playstyle is fine, I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

My gear is about as good as it gets for someone who has my available play time.

Please reconsider how champions spawn, what they're capable of, and put some **** limits on it that scale with difficulty level.

Thanks. You won't get another dime from me in the store for quest aids until you do. I have spoken.


Ignore all the go play normal/hard crowd, they'll never get over uber cheat builds and the fact not every server is populated with reaper players all the time.

Vote with your wallet and walk away. The devs don't care, the elitist crowd doesn't care.

[capsela]

You are not owed a completion of any quest on any difficulty, this is infinitly more true on reaper, which was specifically designed to be a challenge/groups required difficulty for the people for whom elite was too easy, the fact that reaper is soloable at all is a big fail of the system.



What is "fine", it clearly couldn't handle R1. That doesn't necessarily make the build bad, but perhaps it's just not cut out for reaper.



Clearly you're not looking for feedback, your demanding that the Challenge mode be made easier and refusing to change anything about your build or playstyle.



Good, Quest aids are a massive waste of money, you don't need them to do any content in the game if your build and playstyle are correct, but you refuse to accept any criticism on those.



You have a button that disables champions on the quest entrance, it's called Normal no champs there, hard and elite both have weaker champions than reaper.

If you can't handle the champs play on normal where they don't exist, hard where they're total pushovers, or just group up.

Good feedback that OP won't listen to.

[FlavoredSoul]

Ignore all the go play normal/hard crowd, they'll never get over uber cheat builds and the fact not every server is populated with reaper players all the time.

Vote with your wallet and walk away. The devs don't care, the elitist crowd doesn't care.

You don't require "Uber cheat builds" to do R1, but if you can't do R1 then you're supposed to drop the difficulty down.

The idea that everyone should be entitled to complete any difficulty without issue regardless of build or personal game skill is one of the most toxic ideas in the DDO community, what happens if reaper 1 is nerfed to the point where it's was easy as normal and basically impossible to die in? all those people asking for reaper 1 to be made easier will start trying to solo R3, get destroyed, and then ask for R3 to be made easier, repeat until the devs need to add reaper 30 (same as old reaper 10) because R10 is easy enough anyone can do it.

The "muh elitism" meme is toxic, in a MMO there is supposed to be content that is only for the elite players, DDO in fact is extremely generous to lower skilled players because it gives them the option to do the content on normal or hard, many MMOs don't have difficulty settings at all except for "hard modes" of raids.

If every player regardless of build, gear, and personal skill is entitled to complete reaper without a chance at failure then there is no point in improving your build or grinding for gear/character power, the entire game ceases to have a purpose.

If you can't handle reaper there are 3 difficult settings that range from moderately easier to extremely easy (well 4 but casual is kinda irrelevant because normal is easy enough for any player to do).

[Ghwyn]

Let me summarize for you:

Hey Devs, I'm not performing as well as I know I am. Can you tone the game down so I'm actually good as I think I am? I know reaper level is where the dungeon is trying to kill me, but R1 should be no fail, like casual.

[Matuse]

Rather than whining about Reaper - don't play it. Problem solved. Reaper is awful.

[Clemeit]

https://i.imgur.com/uBnGrvF.png

[droid327]

This seems like a good time to repeat my oft-repeated request that R1 first time xp get normalized to the same as Elite, so there's no incentive to run R1 solo - and therefore no sense of entitlement to.

Either raise elite xp, or drop reaper xp, or meet somewhere in between.


Let me summarize for you:

Hey Devs, I'm not performing as well as I know I am. Can you tone the game down so I'm actually good as I think I am?

Heh

[Lonnbeimnech]

"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." - Benjamin Franklin

[Drunkendex]

To those who suggest normal to avoid champs.

WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.

Elitists are bane of every game I played.

I don't care if OP is wrong in statement that his skill/build is good, for you elitist ***** there is R10, and since R1 has double first time XP over Elite (and don't even go to lower difficulties), it's clear on what difficulty it's expected to play.

Go play your OP build of the week and leave us who like our mish mash builds to play game we like in a way we like. If you wanna feel "#teh leet" you have R5+, and we "scrubs" have R1 to get our XP bonus.

[rabidfox]

The instance being mentioned as an example is a super short, 5 minute or so, instance. The RNG gods can be painful in elites/reapers; sometimes you run into a 3 reapers as you round a corner (or a bad mix of multiple champs that just ROFL stomp you). Release/reset, good odds you won't get hit with the same combo mobs the next time. It's not worth burning any DDO points on a couple minutes of time. There's a risk/reward for doing harder settings (better XP/loot); but that's the reward is what makes it worth trying.

[Matuse]

To those who suggest normal to avoid champs.

Champs are not a problem. Reaper is the problem.

WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.


Elitists are bane of every game I played.

Don't play a difficulty that is too hard for you is not elitism.


since R1 has double first time XP over Elite (and don't even go to lower difficulties), it's clear on what difficulty it's expected to play.

A nonsensical argument. By that definition, you should only ever run Spies in the House or other massive XP quests since they give more than other options. You're "expected" to play at whatever difficulty you choose based on your preferences and ability. Any other definition than that is just wrong.


Go play your OP build of the week and leave us who like our mish mash builds to play game we like in a way we like. If you wanna feel "#teh leet" you have R5+, and we "scrubs" have R1 to get our XP bonus.

Follow your own advice: keep your elitism to yourself.

[Drunkendex]

Champs are not a problem. Reaper is the problem.

Read OP post again will ya.


WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.

What did you mean with that? That's what I wrote...



Don't play a difficulty that is too hard for you is not elitism.

Kinda hard to see what you mean here...Not playing diff that's too hard for me is not elitism? Errr, WAT?
I run Elite, and avoid Reaper. You can freely feel "superior" with your Inq over my mish mash Warlock.
But when people who can only play OP build of the week expect entire game to be made around that build, we see problem here. That's what destroyed Path of Exile.



A nonsensical argument. By that definition, you should only ever run Spies in the House or other massive XP quests since they give more than other options. You're "expected" to play at whatever difficulty you choose based on your preferences and ability. Any other definition than that is just wrong.

Because of that way of thinking SSG made most recent XP changes. Not everyone likes to only run high XP/min quests.

I don't look at XP/min, but clearly see what SSG want's me to run given first time XP bonuses.



Follow your own advice: keep your elitism to yourself.
Spoken like a true elitist, as if you only have R1 to run, and not R1-10.

XP is not only problem here, ever tried to farm named on normal/hard runs? When it's gonna be same PITA as Elite/R runs I'll stop complaining. And taken into account that named gear outclasses lootgen by wide margin, it's clear why people complain.

Also favor is an issue, yes it's easy to run normal, but good luck getting any favor that way. Funny how not one of elitist ****** suggested casual.

[C-Dog]

Today, soloing...

My build is fine...

My playstyle is fine...
There was a time when "Elite" meant exactly that - it took the best of the best.

Now, Reaper fills that spot. "Fine" doesn't cut it. Accept that, and you'll find much of your answer.


I'm not interested ...
So, really, how can you expect anyone else to be?

/out

[Chai]

This is why reaper happened in the first place. People not able to solo elite in game defeated it on the forums. Elite was the original "designed for groups, doesnt scale down for less players" setting. When a bug happened that allowed it to scale, heavy lobbying on the forums kept it that way. Combine that with liberal amounts of power creep, and that setting became too easy for those who play the game the way it was set up - to farm character power over and over again.

[Matuse]

Read OP post again will ya.

Why? I already read it. Champs are not the problem. Reaper is the problem.


What did you mean with that? That's what I wrote...

And you're not quoting me, because I didn't write it.


Kinda hard to see what you mean here...Not playing diff that's too hard for me is not elitism? Errr, WAT?

Suggesting that someone play a difficulty that in tune with their self-admitted ability to play the game is not elitism.


I run Elite, and avoid Reaper.

Cool story. I don't run Reaper at all. Ever.


Because of that way of thinking SSG made most recent XP changes. Not everyone likes to only run high XP/min quests.

Many of these quests have high BASE XP, not optional XP, and the changes only changed optionals.


Spoken like a true elitist, as if you only have R1 to run, and not R1-10.

For the guy complaining about other people not reading what he wrote, you should take your own advice.

I have R1-R10 to run, same as everybody else. So what? I don't. Reaper offers nothing to me.

I.
Do.
Not.
Ever.
Run.
Reaper.

Is that clear enough for you, or is there some other way I could possibly make that more clear? Because looking at it, I don't actually believe it is possible for me to be any clearer about it.


XP is not only problem here, ever tried to farm named on normal/hard runs?

Sure. But then I wised up. I don't farm any items at all. Game is a lot more enjoyable. When a named item comes, that's just a bonus.


When it's gonna be same PITA as Elite/R runs I'll stop complaining.

Elite has essentially the same drop rate as Reaper, and is not Reaper. You do not need to do Normal/Hard. There is another option.

[Drunkendex]

Why? I already read it. Champs are not the problem. Reaper is the problem.

Yeah, he does not even mentiones Champs in OP post, only Reapers, OH WAIT, he does.

Devs,

I am so very, very tired of encounters in quests, on EE or even low Reaper (R1, in this case) spawning hordes of champions in single encounters.


Please, I am on my knees begging you, please limit Champion spawns or allow us to change a setting.

Please reconsider how champions spawn, what they're capable of, and put some **** limits on it that scale with difficulty level.

Nope, no mention of champs at all...



And you're not quoting me, because I didn't write it.

Then why it was written without quotes? ANd divines help me, I hope you did not go back to edit original post. XD



Suggesting that someone play a difficulty that in tune with their self-admitted ability to play the game is not elitism.

...
What does"Don't play a difficulty that is too hard for you is not elitism." have with above sentence?



Cool story. I don't run Reaper at all. Ever.

So? Why are you commenting here then?



Many of these quests have high BASE XP, not optional XP, and the changes only changed optionals.

...
Errr... WAT?
Is Bravery Marshal still here?
Do you still need to keep track of what diff you run?
Does Elite still give 80% first time run? And not 45%?

You might go check exact XP changes, just a suggestion...



For the guy complaining about other people not reading what he wrote, you should take your own advice.

You first.



I have R1-R10 to run, same as everybody else. So what? I don't. Reaper offers nothing to me.

I.
Do.
Not.
Ever.
Run.
Reaper.

Is that clear enough for you, or is there some other way I could possibly make that more clear? Because looking at it, I don't actually believe it is possible for me to be any clearer about it.

Would be clearer if you actually bothered to mention that sooner.



Sure. But then I wised up. I don't farm any items at all. Game is a lot more enjoyable. When a named item comes, that's just a bonus.

Welllll... I like getting named, and playing loot tetris, I consider that fun. Does it mean I should not enjoy it? Should I have EXACTLY same fun "criteria" as you? LOL...



Elite has essentially the same drop rate as Reaper, and is not Reaper. You do not need to do Normal/Hard. There is another option.
[/QUOTE]
As I actually mentioned, I run Elite. And on quests that are above my skill, lower.
My point from earlier post still stands.

To those who suggest normal to avoid champs.

WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.

[AlmGhandi]

To those who suggest normal to avoid champs.

WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.


Entitled much?

[lyrecono]

You don't require "Uber cheat builds" to do R1, but if you can't do R1 then you're supposed to drop the difficulty down.

The idea that everyone should be entitled to complete any difficulty without issue regardless of build or personal game skill is one of the most toxic ideas in the DDO community, what happens if reaper 1 is nerfed to the point where it's was easy as normal and basically impossible to die in? all those people asking for reaper 1 to be made easier will start trying to solo R3, get destroyed, and then ask for R3 to be made easier, repeat until the devs need to add reaper 30 (same as old reaper 10) because R10 is easy enough anyone can do it.

The "muh elitism" meme is toxic, in a MMO there is supposed to be content that is only for the elite players, DDO in fact is extremely generous to lower skilled players because it gives them the option to do the content on normal or hard, many MMOs don't have difficulty settings at all except for "hard modes" of raids.

If every player regardless of build, gear, and personal skill is entitled to complete reaper without a chance at failure then there is no point in improving your build or grinding for gear/character power, the entire game ceases to have a purpose.

If you can't handle reaper there are 3 difficult settings that range from moderately easier to extremely easy (well 4 but casual is kinda irrelevant because normal is easy enough for any player to do).

And there we have part of the problem.
Responding to a strawmen argument instead of dealing with the issue at hand.

@op
We asked the devs to return elite to what it used to be, now the elitist got their way with reaper mode,
The failed to see the mess they created had a bigger impact on some playstyles and people who are forced to solo then on the vet incrowd.
So i suggest you do the same as so many of have already, walk.

Neither party accepts the responsibility or the concequences of their selfish actions, then there is no reasoning with them.

Just go

[Quikster]

To those who suggest normal to avoid champs.

WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.

Elitists are bane of every game I played.

I don't care if OP is wrong in statement that his skill/build is good, for you elitist ***** there is R10, and since R1 has double first time XP over Elite (and don't even go to lower difficulties), it's clear on what difficulty it's expected to play.

Go play your OP build of the week and leave us who like our mish mash builds to play game we like in a way we like. If you wanna feel "#teh leet" you have R5+, and we "scrubs" have R1 to get our XP bonus.

Yeah everyone should just be able to go to a vendor and collect the item they want for free. Why even should they have to run the quest? What if they cant finish the quest on normal? Then the elites get all the fun and others have to suffer. That's not fair.

[Drunkendex]

Yeah everyone should just be able to go to a vendor and collect the item they want for free. Why even should they have to run the quest? What if they cant finish the quest on normal? Then the elites get all the fun and others have to suffer. That's not fair.

I just "love" this way of thinking.

Noone said getting stuff for free.

I could go on about "fair" part.

There is ton of reason to go on, and on about "no fair".

POINT: No one expects free loot, yet also in a game where to contribute you need to be at least decently geared, expecting someone to reach some criteria of "decent" gear while having considerable handicap (differences of named drops between N/H/E, which IIRC are ~8%/~16%/33%) is also "not fair".

[rabidfox]

My serve pop is not great. Getting PUGs isn't easy, and I don't play on a schedule that allows me to run with a regular group. So, I solo most of the time, with hirelings, and I am often forced to use the various quest tools you sell in order to make the limited time I have to play worth the investment.

Title of the thread shouldn't be about a champion rant. It should be about server population. There's no need to care about how hard champs hit if you can get groups going for harder content. A simple server transfer to one with decent population at the times you play would solve the overall issue and not require any game changes. If only they'd open up occasional free transfers to the current "default" new player server.

[LOOON375]

Every time through the years, when major changes happen, Ive had to learn new ways to be successful in the content.
Epic, epic elite, champions, and now reaper.
Anytime I participate in harder or new content, I have to adjust my playstyle.
It's literally been that way for numerous years.
Sometimes while running mid to high reaper, I run into a pack of champs and pack of reapers. and guess what?
We may party wipe, and it sucks, but we rebuff and give it another go.
Sometimes you just can't foresee unlucky rolls of the dice.

Don't forget to have fun.

[Ashlayna]

To those who suggest normal to avoid champs.

WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.

Elitists are bane of every game I played.

I don't care if OP is wrong in statement that his skill/build is good, for you elitist ***** there is R10, and since R1 has double first time XP over Elite (and don't even go to lower difficulties), it's clear on what difficulty it's expected to play.

Go play your OP build of the week and leave us who like our mish mash builds to play game we like in a way we like. If you wanna feel "#teh leet" you have R5+, and we "scrubs" have R1 to get our XP bonus.

Except that it's not clear, at least to some. "Reaper is the difficulty that is trying to kill you". If someone is finding that they're dying a lot in Reaper, it's working as intended. Now, before you start waving your "living room moderator" flag, or hollering about how elitist I am, perhaps search up my history on Reaper. You see, I was dead set against it being included in the first place. I knew that it was starting out with claims of "we need the challenge", and would transition to "but if there's no rewards, it's not worth running", and then ultimately wind up right where we are now: "It needs to be nerfed because it's too hard". I stated last year that it needs to be left alone, and if one is struggling in it, then they need to play a lower difficulty. Nobody is entitled to Reaper completions, R1 or 10, doesn't matter to me. 90% of the time I ignore it completely, the other 10%, I run whatever the group wants to run on, R1, R10, Hard, whatever, I don't care, whatever they think they can run. Nothing in the OP is suggested as something that shouldn't be happening in a difficulty that is trying to kill players, quite the opposite. If it's killing the OP, it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do. It's Reaper, not Casual with extra goodies.

If you want the rewards, play it the way it's presented, just like everyone else that plays it does. If it's too hard, play a lower difficulty. The point to the extra goodies is a "cookie" for completing something that's actively trying to prevent you from completing it.

[Quikster]

I just "love" this way of thinking.

Noone said getting stuff for free.

I could go on about "fair" part.

There is ton of reason to go on, and on about "no fair".

POINT: No one expects free loot, yet also in a game where to contribute you need to be at least decently geared, expecting someone to reach some criteria of "decent" gear while having considerable handicap (differences of named drops between N/H/E, which IIRC are ~8%/~16%/33%) is also "not fair".

I disagree. I think it's totally fair. I also think asking for the same drop rate between normal and elite, is asking for something for free.

[Memnir]

My build is fine, don't ask.

My playstyle is fine, I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

My gear is about as good as it gets for someone who has my available play time.Citations needed.

[rabidfox]

I disagree. I think it's totally fair. I also think asking for the same drop rate between normal and elite, is asking for something for free.

Anyone can run an instance on elite while over leveled to farm for gear for their next life (I know I have on many occasions). So I'm with you, the difference in loot % is totally fair; it only takes a little farming effort above level or grouping up at level to get the higher percentage chance. Even with the 30% drop rates from runs I've done over 6 reincarnations, it's took me until today to get the healing bracers I wanted out of Sharn; that's just the nature of RNG loot and MMOs.

[droid327]

I disagree. I think it's totally fair. I also think asking for the same drop rate between normal and elite, is asking for something for free.

It's an issue of perception. 33% is not the default drop rate, and Normal is penalized for being easier...10% is the normal rate and Elite gets a bonus for being hard.

So if you wanted to make Normal and Elite the same drop rate....you'd make Elite 10% like Normal.

Careful what you wish for...

[rabidfox]

It's an issue of perception. 33% is not the default drop rate, and Normal is penalized for being easier...10% is the normal rate and Elite gets a bonus for being hard.

So if you wanted to make Normal and Elite the same drop rate....you'd make Elite 10% like Normal.

Careful what you wish for...

Noooooooooo!!!!! Just wait until we get something like 5% drop rate + 5%/per person in the group, that'll really stir people up...

[Sylvado]

I solo almost exclusively. I have completed quests on reaper but it seems to me that if they create reaper so it can be completed solo how would they provide a challenge to a full party. This is a multiplayer game and if you choose to solo, as I do because I am never sure how long I will be in each play session, then you must be willing to accept playing at lower difficulty levels. Frankly it seems odd that I can keep a bravery bonus soloing in a multiplayer game.

[HungarianRhapsody]

I solo almost exclusively. I have completed quests on reaper but it seems to me that if they create reaper so it can be completed solo how would they provide a challenge to a full party. This is a multiplayer game and if you choose to solo, as I do because I am never sure how long I will be in each play session, then you must be willing to accept playing at lower difficulty levels. Frankly it seems odd that I can keep a bravery bonus soloing in a multiplayer game.
The answer to that is MOAR REAPER!

if it’s too easy, turn up the difficulty. If it’s too hard, then it down

if I couldn’t solo, I couldn’t play DDO because more than half of the time, I can’t group.

[HungarianRhapsody]

I disagree. I think it's totally fair. I also think asking for the same drop rate between normal and elite, is asking for something for free.
In the quests where there is different gear for N/H/E, I’d like to see the drop rates be made 33% for N and H as well. You’re already getting the “weaker” version and I don’t want to have to farm Normal any more than I have to if I want to grab that version of the item when I’m used to running Elite.

[Dnarth]

In the quests where there is different gear for N/H/E, I’d like to see the drop rates be made 33% for N and H as well. You’re already getting the “weaker” version and I don’t want to have to farm Normal any more than I have to if I want to grab that version of the item when I’m used to running Elite.


Name one piece of gear from that era that is worth a **** but sentient food?

[Dnarth]

Why spend 20 bucks when you can restart and change tactics in that pinch point? You say you solo, you should know better.

[Graskitch]

Name one piece of gear from that era that is worth a **** but sentient food?



dnarth!

jeweled cloak.

BAM!


p.s. - please check your forum pm dnarth - I have been trying to contact you for the past week, but stealthsiren keeps &@$#blocking me.

[Dnarth]

dnarth!

jeweled cloak.

BAM!


p.s. - please check your forum pm dnarth - I have been trying to contact you for the past week, but stealthsiren keeps &@$#blocking me.


I stopped using that years ago. It's such a hassle. This is Stealth. Dnarth sold me his account for donuts.

[Graskitch]

I stopped using that years ago. It's such a hassle. This is Stealth. Dnarth sold me his account for donuts.


omg.


noooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

..

what kind of donuts?

[Dnarth]

omg.


noooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

..

what kind of donuts?

A box of maple bacon bars. They are the dopes

[HungarianRhapsody]

Name one piece of gear from that era that is worth a **** but sentient food?

Epic Normal Wall of Wood (40 Equipment Healing Amp stacks with Cannith Crafted and other Competence Healing Amp)
Backstabber's Gloves with Deception (the kind that blinds opponents and grants Sneak Attack)
Jeweled Cloak (more options for Spell Absorbtion is always helpful)
Nightsinger's Mantle (Fey warlocks can blind opponents with their aura/sla

There are reasons to want Heroic N, H, and E Morning Star along with Epic Normal and Epic Elite from Shadowfell. In case something specific with throwers ever comes back. I'd only farm them if that came back, but I'm not throwing away my Morning Stars.

[Kalindush]

To be honest, I'm only playing on R1 for more XP. I actually hate Reaper/Champions, but never ranted about it. (At least, not in public, just inside the walls of my bedroom).

However, I see people enjoying Reaper and I'm glad people are in love with it. It's even better when people goes Hardcore Server and I don't have to play any permadeath. People enjoy what I don't enjoy. And that's fine.

I just fear for the newcomers, who are playing their first lives and they don't know how to survive in a R11 PUG. There's no more groups for Normal, Hard or Elite (except on Epic for XP Trains). The gap between new players and hardcore veterans is too big. The Update 34 Release Notes said: "Reaper difficulty is meant for players who enjoy a serious challenge". A novice can't enjoy a serious challenge without have enough gear and past lives.

So I propose the First Time Elite XP Bonus and First Time Reaper XP Bonus become the same value. The difference between Reaper and Elite should be only in the Reaper XP (needed for Reaper Enhancements). That way, people who enjoy reaper will have their beloved enhancements, wings, cosmetics and people like me can ignore the content.

In this way, we should have a bit more people running Elite quests, thus helping newbies to get better XP and loot. And when they amass gear and past lives enough, they can try Reaper if they want to.

[Dnarth]

Epic Normal Wall of Wood (40 Equipment Healing Amp stacks with Cannith Crafted and other Competence Healing Amp)
Backstabber's Gloves with Deception (the kind that blinds opponents and grants Sneak Attack)
Jeweled Cloak (more options for Spell Absorbtion is always helpful)
Nightsinger's Mantle (Fey warlocks can blind opponents with their aura/sla

There are reasons to want Heroic N, H, and E Morning Star along with Epic Normal and Epic Elite from Shadowfell. In case something specific with throwers ever comes back. I'd only farm them if that came back, but I'm not throwing away my Morning Stars.



Sure. I guess. All easy drops. If they don't have reaper and mythic on it nom nom nom nom.

[Graskitch]

Sure. I guess. All easy drops. If they don't have reaper and mythic on it nom nom nom nom.


nom nom nom?

ugh, stick to your maple bacon mayonnaise donuts, sir.

[Dnarth]

nom nom nom?

ugh, stick to your maple bacon mayonnaise donuts, sir.


Mayonnaise? foul...

[fatherpirate]

The only donuts worth eating are
..........
Voodoo Donuts 'The frequent frier dozen' (13)

There are only a few shops in the US, one is in City-walk Universal Orlando,
there is a Que line to get in.
There is a good reason for the line.

[Kutalp]

Devs,

I am so very, very tired of encounters in quests, on EE or even low Reaper (R1, in this case) spawning hordes of champions in single encounters.

My serve pop is not great. Getting PUGs isn't easy, and I don't play on a schedule that allows me to run with a regular group. So, I solo most of the time, with hirelings, and I am often forced to use the various quest tools you sell in order to make the limited time I have to play worth the investment. If I get to the end of a quest, having worked hard to get there, and then I get screwed on the final encounter because RNG spawns seven Champions that I just cannot overcome, then all you're doing is squeezing me for money to get a single point of XP for the time I invested in play.

Today, soloing (which is to say, healing hireling and my Shield Guardian, and a Xoriat summon) the second quest in the Soul Splitter saga, I get to the end brawl with the people capturing the Warforged, and the majority of the mobs that spawn are champions. Ultimately, the Demon Soul spider flinger whatever mob was completely insurmountable. This is on R1. I have 20 Reaper points, I'm on my 4th or 5th life, I have solid gear and am a skilled player. I went through three spirit cakes and my jibbz and still could not bring that *one goddamn mob down*.

Please, I am on my knees begging you, please limit Champion spawns or allow us to change a setting. This is not fun to encounter, it's not fun to waste time *and* money trying to just get *some* return on my investment of time for the quest, and it's fury-inducing to do everything right while playing and still get slaughtered. This game shouldn't be the Kobiyashi Maru on EE or R1.

My build is fine, don't ask.

My playstyle is fine, I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

My gear is about as good as it gets for someone who has my available play time.

Please reconsider how champions spawn, what they're capable of, and put some **** limits on it that scale with difficulty level.

Thanks. You won't get another dime from me in the store for quest aids until you do. I have spoken.








Dear friend. My support to you and to everyone who really plays the game as an ordinary player with qualified gamer's skills. The reasoning at your post is valid. Please dont give a dang to anyone tells the opposite.

Stay cool.

[kathyddo]

Agree with OP.
The idea that reaper is just limited to grouping is just imbecilic regardless of how many times people parrot that rubbish. If it was there would be an entrance requirement of being in a group and it wouldn't offer superior experience.

Reaper and particularly the clumping of reapers or champions is there to make people overstretch and spend money.
And it does in the short term.
In the long term of course it's helped turn SSG into the graveyard it is.

Another stupid mechanic.

[MaeveTuohy]

This seems like a good time to repeat my oft-repeated request that R1 first time xp get normalized to the same as Elite, so there's no incentive to run R1 solo - and therefore no sense of entitlement to.

Either raise elite xp, or drop reaper xp, or meet somewhere in between.

No, don't compromise, you were right the first time.

No reaper xp bonus.

[Quikster]

It's an issue of perception. 33% is not the default drop rate, and Normal is penalized for being easier...10% is the normal rate and Elite gets a bonus for being hard.

So if you wanted to make Normal and Elite the same drop rate....you'd make Elite 10% like Normal.

Careful what you wish for...

I’m not wishing for anything. ¯\_(?)_/¯ not sure why you quoted me here.

[Kutalp]

It's an issue of perception. 33% is not the default drop rate, and Normal is penalized for being easier...10% is the normal rate and Elite gets a bonus for being hard.

So if you wanted to make Normal and Elite the same drop rate....you'd make Elite 10% like Normal.

Careful what you wish for...





Drop rate discussion vs Viability of builds discussion


According to the user's manual, these words are true. Anyhow, Normal is not easy mode. Casual is; once again according to user's manual. Additionally players need good drops to run harder (especially elite epic and further) settings, just to be able to run them.


The virtual builds are based on several 'paradigms'. Items, ranged styles, speed/spread burst mechanics (only appear as several feats and t5s and Deep cores/Level 12-20 only if the build fits the fashion). Anything else is actually a filler. Filllers have %3-4 effect at best. Items roughly have %35-45 effect. Supported feats, tree mechanics/clickies have %55 or more effect which varies according to the build of choice; where fillers are further killed.

Unsupported builds, feats, mechanics leave %50+ power compared to a build which is supported, which ends up double to triple the power through criticals and mobility. When AH and vendors pull the last remaining %35-45 power that meants to come from items what happens ? Left out only with filler feats, filler enhancements, fail items... Lots of happy threads.


When players lose % chance/challange power for heading out their , new favorite quest and turn down; they lose another % to win chasing the cr4p AH and thrash vendor market. AH is not viable market; vendors are even worse.

When players lose time, the ability to team up and have to solo (not all soloers are this way but most need to even if a skilled player. Be it timing and bigger issue Favorite build does not follow the fashion whilst not supported and not wanted at any raids) they lose interest in sparing time for playing a game aswell...Fraking chain reaction.


Dirty pieces of eight.


https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/nuntonlibrary/images/e/ec/Kobold.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20130404213513

A badass newcomer zerg/rush raid (!) team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaWwrpBzxms&list=RDD8LTCr3BQW8&index=2

[TitusOvid]

Well, while this is not the norm, I have encountered mobs that had more champion spawns than normal mobs. I am pretty sure I even had more reapers than mobs occasionally (for exmaple: Shadow Crypt). In leveling process I play on low reaper. I don't have numbers on this, mind you. This is just a guestimate. But if numbers would support that we have more champions in mobs than normal non-champions I would support a quality investigation if this is needed for Elite or low reaper. Emphasis is on quality.

Cheers,
Titus.

[Dnarth]

The only donuts worth eating are
..........
Voodoo Donuts 'The frequent frier dozen' (13)

There are only a few shops in the US, one is in City-walk Universal Orlando,
there is a Que line to get in.
There is a good reason for the line.


Yes. They opened their first shop in Portlandia. Maybe Sev should fly out there pick up a box or two for the devs. All while talent scouting for the next DM voice. All good decisions are made at 3am when the clubs are closing and you've blown a wade of petty cash on dances.

[myliftkk_v2]

The only donuts worth eating are
..........
Voodoo Donuts 'The frequent frier dozen' (13)

There are only a few shops in the US, one is in City-walk Universal Orlando,
there is a Que line to get in.
There is a good reason for the line.
I saw the line for one of these once at Universal L.A. Read the menu and no thanks, lol. Reads like a five year old with access to the candy aisle came up with the flavors, which wholly explained the line (also totally explains how it came out of Portland).

This woman does maybe best in US, donuts (http://www.destinationdonuts.com/flavors-gallery).

I do miss me some Black Bean Deli chicken and sweet plantains from Orlando though (moreso since Pacos closed years ago). That place is worth a flight to visit.

....

Back on the OP subject.

Devs, please make sure all D20 rolls land on 20 when I'm in Reaper.

k, thanx, bye!

[Dnarth]

Nope. Those donuts look good.

Nothing compares to this heavenly bliss.

https://www.frostology.com/products/bacon-maple

[SirValentine]

This seems like a good time to repeat my oft-repeated request that R1 first time xp get normalized to the same as Elite, so there's no incentive to run R1 solo - and therefore no sense of entitlement to.


/signed. They should have never made a "challenge" difficulty, that also includes it's own Reaper XP reward system, also have more regular XP so that it's the default XP-farming-fast-leveling difficulty.

[SirValentine]

if it’s too easy, turn up the difficulty. If it’s too hard, then it down


It really is that simple, but some people can't seem to figure it out.

[Dnarth]

/signed. They should have never made a "challenge" difficulty, that also includes it's own Reaper XP reward system, also have more regular XP so that it's the default XP-farming-fast-leveling difficulty.


I can get behind this R1 is for reaper fluffer players that think high skulls only good at 29 and higher. I could see r5 being the standard the higher xp mod% for regular xp. We do r3-4 for leveling. I can get behind r5 since that is when the new reapers start showing up. I mean lets kill pugging completely.

[nokowi]

They should have never made a "challenge" difficulty, that also includes it's own Reaper XP reward system, also have more regular XP so that it's the default XP-farming-fast-leveling difficulty.

They should have made a challenge setting for those that asked for challenge, and if only 30% of the player base played there, everyone would be receiving a better play experience.

Take the last 10,000 hours they put into picking who is a winner and who is a loser in their rewards per time race, and put it towards making play more interesting, and you would see 3x the concurrent player base playing this game.

You reap what you sow.

[SirValentine]

I could see r5 being the standard the higher xp mod% for regular xp.

Maybe you misunderstood me. You get Reaper XP and a chance for Reaper bonus items in Reaper. I'm suggesting not getting extra regular XP in Reaper at all ever, not at R1, not at R5, not at R10. So you'd run Reaper if you want challenge, or Reaper-specific rewards, and run Elite (or lower) if you don't.

Right now, people not particularly interested in challenge are basically required to run Reaper for the regular XP.

[Dnarth]

Maybe you misunderstood me. You get Reaper XP and a chance for Reaper bonus items in Reaper. I'm suggesting not getting extra regular XP in Reaper at all ever, not at R1, not at R5, not at R10. So you'd run Reaper if you want challenge, or Reaper-specific rewards, and run Elite (or lower) if you don't.

Right now, people not particularly interested in challenge are basically required to run Reaper for the regular XP.



Maybe I did. Sure would still run it for the "challenge". Steam rolling quest's because they are easy is lame and boring. So is r4 leveling up. It has gotten to easy. It's not like I gear for leveling. Take a half hour of gearing just to steam roll to 20. People are weird. Going to actually see how far the korthos and borderlands combo will take me not using reaper points or better gear. You know for the lulz.

[myliftkk_v2]

Nope. Those donuts look good.

Nothing compares to this heavenly bliss.

https://www.frostology.com/products/bacon-maple

Sorry, Voodoo is the donut version of this skit from Porlandia. :p


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

Frost looks interesting, but Bacon Maple is unfortunately the Inquisitive of the donut world. ;)

[myliftkk_v2]

Maybe you misunderstood me. You get Reaper XP and a chance for Reaper bonus items in Reaper. I'm suggesting not getting extra regular XP in Reaper at all ever, not at R1, not at R5, not at R10. So you'd run Reaper if you want challenge, or Reaper-specific rewards, and run Elite (or lower) if you don't.

Right now, people not particularly interested in challenge are basically required to run Reaper for the regular XP.

They should buff Elite XP to be considerably higher and shorten the TR hamster wheel. Since we know the SLR (Super Legendary Reincarnation) is just around the corner.

[Dnarth]

I know Portland is weird and they want it that way.

Voodoo created the bacon maple bar. Waiting in line for their doughnuts meh. They are a tourist trap.

[droid327]

/signed. They should have never made a "challenge" difficulty, that also includes it's own Reaper XP reward system, also have more regular XP so that it's the default XP-farming-fast-leveling difficulty.

I dont mind that Reaper has its own self-contained progression system. I just wish it actually WAS self-contained and didnt give you any benefits in non-Reaper (ie leveling) modes.

1% more drops per tier, even Reaper bonus gear, that's fine - but +800 HP or whatever, come on.

[Lokeal_The_Flame]

https://i.imgur.com/uBnGrvF.png

Is there any way where you can edit this to show a fake menu below casual like what pops up when you select reaper mode?

You know, have a list like that for casual:

Casual 1
Casual 2
Casual 3
Casual 4
Casual 5
Casual 6
Casual 7
Casual 8
Casual 9
Casual 10

In casual mode above casual 5, you are forced to put loot into the end chest which is empty.


In casual mode above casual 1 angels begin to assist you and help you survive

As the casual number goes up, the frequency of help goes up, the number of helpful entities increases, the loot you need to put into the chest increases, and the helpful entities gradually patronize you more for using the casual mode!

[bls904c2]

i was mean nothing to see here


sorry

[Annihilyght]

Devs,

...and am a skilled player...



Obviously not.

[Kutalp]

What the OP means is a group of champions can be much harder than coping with a Reaper npc. The champions also spawn ten times the amount of Reaper npcs.

So OP is not wrong.


Take ordinary Kobolds. Ten Kobolds jumping around and backwards; scattered across the room. Two of them are casters, four of them throwers (you can also add no evasion and crappy dexterity saves on you), 2 Kobold champions, 2 Kobold sneaks...and then there is Four Troll warriors.

The Kobolds can be alot more dangerous if you are careless and the lag hits compared to the trolls who pack together and run towards you bumping eachother. You can kite and bait Trolls and apply timed attacks to clear them much easier.

Pack of cbow/trapper goblins or halflings or pack of healer/offensive caster gnomes, dwarves are also alot more dangerous then Forgewraiths. Melee muscleman npcs are the saddest npcs at Sharn. We can name similar npcs at Ravenloft or anyother setting.

Gianthold goblin, gnoll, orc casters with bloat hp are much tougher than the Giants ! Same at Menechtarun or any other setting.

You can make a long list of npcs the same way.

Mind you Champions' special attacks are elemental dots that can pile up on eachoher + close range aoe blasts + self healing effects. More than two champs form a living bomb with hp bloat. Champions can come as crowded as six,seven (6-7) out of ten (10) npcs at an ordinary Elite quest.

[Montegue]

Agree with OP.
The idea that reaper is just limited to grouping is just imbecilic regardless of how many times people parrot that rubbish. If it was there would be an entrance requirement of being in a group and it wouldn't offer superior experience.

Reaper and particularly the clumping of reapers or champions is there to make people overstretch and spend money.
And it does in the short term.
In the long term of course it's helped turn SSG into the graveyard it is.

Another stupid mechanic.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Lots of nasty attitude in this thread, but I suspected that was how it was going to play out. Still salty, still won't spend anything on questing aids until they fix is, so at least in my own small way SSG is out some cash for their design.

[Drunkendex]

Mind you Champions' special attacks are elemental dots that can pile up on eachoher + close range aoe blasts + self healing effects. More than two champs form a living bomb with hp bloat.

This is something people often forget about champs.

I once fought group of mobs in heroic elite favor run with capped toon (archer ranger), by the time I killed them, champ stacked 10 stacks of acid DoT on my toon, could not do any real damage, but was not pleasant to see you can get 10 DoT stacks in less than 1 minute (that was ages ago, so might be nerfed in meantime)

[Cantor]

The most fun era of this game was when I had to do hard to solo quests. And the rare elite solo was an accomplishment even if it took much longer than hard or elite with a group.

[Seph1roth5]

Sometimes a mob of champs is waiting for you on the other side of a door, but sometimes not. I think you just got screwed by the random spawn really. If it was a persistent problem you were running into then yeah, lower the difficulty lol.

My static group tends to run low reaper/elite, and sometimes I talk them into running on lower difficulty just to make our lives easier. Sometimes our builds are wonky or we're on first life guys with questionable gear. EE isn't always the best difficulty to run spies in the house or VoN5 or whatever. Yeah the exp goes up a ton on elite/reaper, but when it takes twice as long to complete as EH and is a giant slogfest, why not just run EH twice?

[AbyssalMage]

I just had a run on r1 that spawned 5 reapers on the first 2 waves of Shadows and an additional 2 spawned on the 3rd wave. Yup, recall and reset :(

To top it off that was Reaper 12 through 19 on an r1 !!! The RNG was not being friendly to me.

[LOOON375]

SSG is out some cash for their design.And there you go. You do have a choice to buy or not buy stuff from the store.

[Bjond]

My build is fine, don't ask.

My playstyle is fine, I'm not interested in unrequested feedback.

My gear is about as good as it gets for someone who has my available play time.

At least one of those statements doesn't scan. My ranged character can solo R3 in Soul Splitter. My melee can do R1. My characters have fewer PLs than yours -- one of my melee is still first life and can do R1 there solo. LE is trivial. I don't view myself as highly skilled, but I do spend a significant effort planning a character. IMHO, gear in DDO is part of the build -- this is not like other MMOs where you can stumble on gear and cry "oh, that's nicer than my current glove, I'll wear it!" Each item is so idiosyncratic that you have to plan every single tiny upgrade and farm in advance if you want a fully capable solo character. This game will NOT provide a path for you. You have to carve one out.

With that said, Soul Splitter is currently by far the hardest content in game. It's hell on casters in particular; the DCs are crazy high. My Sorcerer is the only one that can't solo that series at R1, mostly due to all the ultra-high reflex + evasion ranged NPCs. I have a rebuild in mind for that one to PM that I suspect can do it as a caster, but DDO is so alt-unfriendly that I might never get around to playing it. If you're playing a caster, you're SOL for Soul Splitter without a full boat of PLs and DC gear. Go hit different content. All the rest is MUCH easier for a caster.

OTH, I would welcome some kind of change that permits melee and ranged to solo reaper at the same skull level. Currently, my ranged can do R3~R6. Melee is R1 and (for the easy ones) R2. The primary difference is incoming damage; ranged can kite and more or less avoid all incoming damage. Removing the solo heal penalty would maybe do it. Extra mitigation to EDF might do it, but might also kill the thrill, too. Killing solo reaper would be bad -- DDO is 90% solo atm due to low population.

[SpartanKiller13]

Ignore all the go play normal/hard crowd, they'll never get over uber cheat builds and the fact not every server is populated with reaper players all the time.

Vote with your wallet and walk away. The devs don't care, the elitist crowd doesn't care.

I've done THF melee Paladin in Elite back in like 2015 lol. You don't need to be on an "uber cheat build" to be successful.

My last life was a Wizard 20 PM DC caster, which did quite well in R8 (with 20-30 Reaper Points, and 20ish PL's of various types). PM & Wizard are both in a strong spot, but you'd be hard pressed to call that a "cheat build" even if you can all it uber.

I ETR'ed into a THF melee build, and I'm pretty happy in quite a bit lower difficulty lol. Will see after the next re-gearing, but I doubt I'll be good for much past R4 (which my PM could solo a lot of stuff on). Tailor your quest/difficulty selection to your build lol.

[MiKe_de]

To those who suggest normal to avoid champs.

WHEN normal would have SAME named drop rate as Elite/Reaper, and same favor reward. Then, and ONLY THEN your "teh leet" suggestion stands.

Elitists are bane of every game I played.

I don't care if OP is wrong in statement that his skill/build is good, for you elitist ***** there is R10, and since R1 has double first time XP over Elite (and don't even go to lower difficulties), it's clear on what difficulty it's expected to play.

Go play your OP build of the week and leave us who like our mish mash builds to play game we like in a way we like. If you wanna feel "#teh leet" you have R5+, and we "scrubs" have R1 to get our XP bonus.

Last time I checked AD&D was a group game. If you are not able to win on your own, find a group or open your game to randoms. If I am not able to solo samething, I simple do not do it. Or I invite somebody. Or I try to change tactics. If you are not able to play eilite, or reaper, then it is YOUR **** fault. You are doing something wrong. Get help from others. It's not a single player game.

I am telling you this as a natural born single player, who tries to solo most things on his own first. Imagine that. But sometimes it is not possible. Simple as that. If even I came to that conclusion, you must be far more stubborn than I am. I am at least not blaming the difficulty level.