Where have all the chain quests gone?

[ArkoHighStar]

A lot of people still have the same items as everyone else. They just have to run the quest a lot more.

8+ completions of TR, and I never got the Dex Bracers. I have 3 Visors and had the gloves, a few items that weren't named, and the cloak as well before finally giving in and calling it quits on that quest until I need it for favor (and I swear to all that is holy, if the Dex bracers drop then, I will scream).

Many people are on 10 repititions of Threnal just to get the goggles or Retribution. Yes, they're powerful items, but that doesn't mean it should be 10 times as hard to get it.

As it stands, there is no easy way to please both groups of people (static loot lovers, semi-static loot lovers), because either way will result in the same -- people with the same items. It's just that one way will result in 10 repititions instead of, say, 4.

It was worse because character builds became gear dependant, and then everyone screamed when they nerfed some gear. Most first generation characters had all the same gear and the characters were all the same. Every fighter had the following, spec ops, retribution. Casters had the wizardry gem etc. And everyone had the +3 stat items from TR. Everyone who had UMD had a golden cartouche. Now the items are there but they drop randomly, so someone really has to want it to go through the quest chain over and over to get it. Most of the items have been replaced with better items available to higher levels etc. Only the golden cartouche has no real equal outside a raid item.

The quest chains were great for those who did not care what quest they were doing as they would simply hop into a group and get some XP. But if you were trying to get the end reward it was hit or miss

[muffinlad]

It was worse because character builds became gear dependant, and then everyone screamed when they nerfed some gear. Most first generation characters had all the same gear and the characters were all the same. Every fighter had the following, spec ops, retribution. Casters had the wizardry gem etc. And everyone had the +3 stat items from TR. Everyone who had UMD had a golden cartouche. Now the items are there but they drop randomly, so someone really has to want it to go through the quest chain over and over to get it. Most of the items have been replaced with better items available to higher levels etc. Only the golden cartouche has no real equal outside a raid item.

The quest chains were great for those who did not care what quest they were doing as they would simply hop into a group and get some XP. But if you were trying to get the end reward it was hit or miss

NONE of the things you list as problems has significantly changed, and nor do I agree that what you have described is necessarily a bad thing, just something you may not care for, and I like.

ONLY the need to run the quest many times to get what they want has changed. This is a poor result. Further, the promise that other, equal value items would be added in the place of the fixed rewards is in my opinion, and the opinion of many others, has not been met.

Linking other quests, creativly, and with level siginifcant awards, makes people run them. Adding different items to the mix reduces the number of "must have builds", and gives options for different types of play. This is a good thing in my view, and the primary reason static awards should be increased, not diminished.

Regards,

muffinposter

[ArkoHighStar]

NONE of the things you list as problems has significantly changed, and nor do I agree that what you have described is necessarily a bad thing, just something you may not care for, and I like.

ONLY the need to run the quest many times to get what they want has changed. This is a poor result. Further, the promise that other, equal value items would be added in the place of the fixed rewards is in my opinion, and the opinion of many others, has not been met.

Linking other quests, creativly, and with level siginifcant awards, makes people run them. Adding different items to the mix reduces the number of "must have builds", and gives options for different types of play. This is a good thing in my view, and the primary reason static awards should be increased, not diminished.

Regards,

muffinposter

I have no problem with linked quests, but chains are problematic, as you are forced to run them in order. The desert quests, the gianthold, the twilight forge and the LOTD all have similiar mechanics which in my opinion are far superior to the old quest chains, as all quests can be run in any order.

[Dariuss]

I just want peopel to do more of the quests... so if chains, or links, or whatever will help that happen, then I am all for either one.

[ArkoHighStar]

I just want peopel to do more of the quests... so if chains, or links, or whatever will help that happen, then I am all for either one.

The reason many people do only certain quests is that certain quests give out more xp than others, nad since 14 came out and the lootapolooza that is the gianthold became available, many have powerleveled their characters to lvl14 so they can loot run on +1 loot weekends with more chars(guilty as charged), so only the high xp quests get done, nobody cares about the quest chains as the loot is only good for a few levels and they take too long, and many do not give out much xp for time spent. This is why you see lvl 3-5 in Stormcleave on normal as the xp beats anything in the level range for the time spent doing the quest.

[Dariuss]

The reason many people do only certain quests is that certain quests give out more xp than others, nad since 14 came out and the lootapolooza that is the gianthold became available, many have powerleveled their characters to lvl14 so they can loot run on +1 loot weekends with more chars(guilty as charged), so only the high xp quests get done, nobody cares about the quest chains as the loot is only good for a few levels and they take too long, and many do not give out much xp for time spent. This is why you see lvl 3-5 in Stormcleave on normal as the xp beats anything in the level range for the time spent doing the quest.

Yes, XP is an issue.

But i think the lure of loot is just as high.

otherwise, why would be peopel be complaining they HAVE to run Threnal 10 times to get their Optics?

[ArkoHighStar]

Yes, XP is an issue.

But i think the lure of loot is just as high.

otherwise, why would be peopel be complaining they HAVE to run Threnal 10 times to get their Optics?

You aren't seeing as many peopel complain as you used to before gianthold came out as people spend so little time at level 10, because they are doing pop at 8-10 now. I created a fighter on Mabar prior to the merge to get drow favor so I could max out my character slots, I got to likeing him so I decided I would keep playing him, but try to do all the quests at the approriate levl, the thing is hardly anyone is running C06 or threnal or most ofthe other quest chains, because with the exception of the golden cartouche you can get better weapons for your lvl 8 to 10 from the bad loot from gianthold. My lvl 9 fighter has +4 mithral full plate, +4 stat items for everything that matters, holy greataxe of pure good, transmusting greataxe, flaming burst greataxe, Icy burst greataxe, and at lvl 10 he has a vorpal waiting for him, so why would I bother doingthe chains for +3 stat items that just put me to an odd number and have benefit for one level or maybe 2

[Kalanth]

I love the chain quests. I will be honest, I have no idea why we are saving Arlos, storming the Splinterskull outpost, fighting Delera, or stomping through the caves of Threnal. But that does not change my love for them. One day I will read the story behind them, just like I keep meaning to do with VoN and Tempest Spine, but that time is in the far off future I am sure.

[Dariuss]

I love the chain quests. I will be honest, I have no idea why we are saving Arlos, storming the Splinterskull outpost, fighting Delera, or stomping through the caves of Threnal. But that does not change my love for them. One day I will read the story behind them, just like I keep meaning to do with VoN and Tempest Spine, but that time is in the far off future I am sure.

Well you are saving because..

...if you don't, the DM voice will say "You must FREE Arlos.." over and over until your brain explodes

[tihocan]

My main gripe against quest chains is actually that I need to do them on all difficulty levels (at least until I get enough chars), while most other quests I can run once on elite only.
It makes favor grinding tedious.