Ability, Skill respecs, 32 point/drow unlocks.

[Quanefel]

Many arguments can be made on that.

It's should be different in D&D:

• DDO is a video game, and therefore should capitalize more on skills while D&D is a game based on dice and therefore luck should be a greater factor than skills (especially since skills is not much of a factor in D&D - intellect is but that is quite different).
• D&D is a roleplaying game while DDO possesses very few roleplayers. So, while in D&D lower ability scores can be part of your character personality, that is generally not the case in DDO.

It should be the same in D&D:

• It is not fun to be the ones with only twelve or lower in your ability scores when all your friends got 16 as their lowest.

However, one thing is certain to me, ability scores should not be decided by luck in DDO.

The reasoning is that it first encourages players to constantly reroll until they got uber stats (it gets even more absurd if your stats are generated after choosing your class and race). So, while so would not mind starting with horrible stats, many would mind and it would cause the ridiculous situation where someone spends quite some time rerolling until he gets ability scores he is satisfied of.

Other than, it would create a few other problems:

• Ostracization of those who didn't "powergame"
• Lesser diversity between character for those who "powergamed"
• Game harder to balance between the all-18's and the all-10's

Socialism has no place in an MMO, there will never be equalty between powergamers and casual players no matter how much effort is put into it. It will never happen. It does not speak well of those who would try to force it.

[bobbryan2]

Socialism has no place in an MMO, there will never be equalty between powergamers and casual players no matter how much effort is put into it. It will never happen. It does not speak well of those who would try to force it.

Correction... socialism simply doesn't exist in MMOs. There's no way to keep powergamers from enlarging the gap.

However... too large of a gap is bad for the game, so attempts to lessen the gap are sometimes the correct move.

Making a game where the upper echelon is years of work above the casuals is not great for longevity and a broad consumer base.

[Borror0]

I showed your reply to my rommate and he bugged me to reply, so here is his reply:

Socialism has no place in an MMO, there will never be equalty between powergamers and casual players no matter how much effort is put into it. It will never happen. It does not speak well of those who would try to force it.

It's not about socialism, it's about Fairplay. When we play monopoly, we all start with the same money. On a F-1 racing track, everyone has a F-1, nobody has a go-kart. Powergamers are just better at using the car (or have slightly better engines). Can't we all have a F-1s?

Another example, in a hockey game, everyones has a hockey stick. But you know, I didn't powergame at hockey so I can't beat a pro... but I'd still have a hockey stick.

It's all about Fairplay. Sure life isn't fair, some have bigger bonuses than others and the people with small bonus feels inadequate and develop bonus envy. But this is a GAME, can't everybody start with a bonus the same size. Imagine a 28-points character getting out of the shower and looking into the mirror. He look at his small bonus and think:

"I was there form the start. I worked so hard and it's because of me that my player has access to 32-points. And how does he repay me... by replacing me with a bigger bonus. I was good enough for him LAST WEEK! Now he's a bigshot and my small bonus is not enough for him!

Sure, sometimes he comes and play and we get to use my small bonus... but I see it in his eyes, I don't satisfy him. I used to bring him ecstasy... now I'm just his ex-character. Whatever we had... it's long gone and he only feels nostalgia toward me... if only I had a bigger bonus to satisfy him."

THAT'S HOW A 28-POINT CHARACTER FEELS LIKE!!!!

[Azdraugnor]

There's no reason that the 1750 favor reward couldn't be replaced with something that wouldn't invalidate most new characters. No one seems to have refuted my earlier comparison with PnP, which pointed out just how absurd to have certain characters be more powerful based on the achievements of a separate character.

[branmakmuffin]

There's no reason that the 1750 favor reward couldn't be replaced with something that wouldn't invalidate most new characters.

"Invalidate" is just a teensy, eensy, weensy, itsy, bitsy exaggeration.

No one seems to have refuted my earlier comparison with PnP, which pointed out just how absurd to have certain characters be more powerful based on the achievements of a separate character.

DDO is not D&D. Consider it refuted.

[Quanefel]

I showed your reply to my rommate and he bugged me to reply, so here is his reply:
It's not about socialism, it's about Fairplay. When we play monopoly, we all start with the same money. On a F-1 racing track, everyone has a F-1, nobody has a go-kart. Powergamers are just better at using the car (or have slightly better engines). Can't we all have a F-1s?

Another example, in a hockey game, everyones has a hockey stick. But you know, I didn't powergame at hockey so I can't beat a pro... but I'd still have a hockey stick.

It's all about Fairplay. Sure life isn't fair, some have bigger bonuses than others and the people with small bonus feels inadequate and develop bonus envy. But this is a GAME, can't everybody start with a bonus the same size. Imagine a 28-points character getting out of the shower and looking into the mirror. He look at his small bonus and think:

"I was there form the start. I worked so hard and it's because of me that my player has access to 32-points. And how does he repay me... by replacing me with a bigger bonus. I was good enough for him LAST WEEK! Now he's a bigshot and my small bonus is not enough for him!

Sure, sometimes he comes and play and we get to use my small bonus... but I see it in his eyes, I don't satisfy him. I used to bring him ecstasy... now I'm just his ex-character. Whatever we had... it's long gone and he only feels nostalgia toward me... if only I had a bigger bonus to satisfy him."

THAT'S HOW A 28-POINT CHARACTER FEELS LIKE!!!!

First, tell your roommate to lay off the caffeine.

Secondly, nothing he thinks resembles the reality of an MMO. More emotional appeal than logic. Can't we all be equal? No, no one is equal nor will ever be. There will always be someone smarter, in better shape, have more wealth and better looking than others.

Fairplay already exists in this game. Want more or the same as someone else? Play more hours. Fair. Want a reward that is set up in place? Work for it. Fair. Don't like it? Stop drooling over what others have and go out and get it yourself. Jealousy is a dark emotion I hope some learn to not let it eat at their lives. For others, there is no hope for them. Envy can be a good thing, if the person's is willing to use it to strive to be better instead of letting it eat away at them.

Using all capitial letters almost makes me feel bad, yet strangely I don't.

[Borror0]

Fairplay already exists in this game.

Exactly, and some wants to remove that. Once again, you didn't follow the conversation much.