Review of Phiarlan Carnival Adventure Pack

[Keeper]

Housing districts.
In between all the city zones are housing districts which we never go to, with the exception of those two quests so far.

Indeed!

I would have liked to build the area with a strictly Phiarlan look, but there was a slight problem: all of House Phiarlan's buildings are domes. I needed flat roofs to make the area work.

[SINIBYTE]

I couldn't find all of the firewood - 3 of us searching every aspect of the map - only 2 firewood spawned. We all abandoned the quest.

[Cyr]

Oooh, I got good grades on my report card!

I enjoyed the one run of snitch and three of big top that I ran last night on epic with the guild. We short manned some of the runs, but that is standard for us. Difficulty was noticably lower then some other epics, but still could be an issue for those not prepared for epic which is just fine with me. The shard drop rate is excellent in big top. The seal drop rates and scroll drop rates are miserly on the other hand. Considering how truly bad much of this loot is I'm not sure what the logic was here, but the quest design was lots of fun.

[SolarDawning]

Indeed!

I would have liked to build the area with a strictly Phiarlan look, but there was a slight problem: all of House Phiarlan's buildings are domes. I needed flat roofs to make the area work.

Are you the one also responsible for sneaking Velah and Arach d'Kundarak into the Bogwater Tavern? I very much liked spying on their conversation.

[Keeper]

Are you the one also responsible for sneaking Velah and Arach d'Kundarak into the Bogwater Tavern? I very much liked spying on their conversation.

Nope, not me. Nor do I have anything to do with drop rates. I mostly deal with visual things, and my contribution here was the visible portions of the Snitch and a lot of the Phiarlan work.

[rest]

Nope, not me. Nor do I have anything to do with drop rates. I mostly deal with visual things, and my contribution here was the visible portions of the Snitch and a lot of the Phiarlan work.

Did you also freshen up the Wiz King? I thought it looked really snazzy!

[MateCarefor]

Indeed, some good graphics all around in the new adventure pack.
(Barring some flickering textures)

Almost makes one forget the Airship towers......almost.....

[Naash]

You might want to mention that if you've done the Sharn quests, then Rouge won't bestow the chain on you.

So thats what happened,Rouge has a quest chalice overhead but refers me to the favor guy in house P.
I was still able to pick up all 3 from their respective questgivers.

Could you add some of those new Abishai to the Vale/Shavarath?

[Deathseeker]

I must say I was very very impressed by the visuals and creativity in these quests. Run these, then go back and run something like Redwillow...the scenery difference is incredible. I really like the direction on the quality aspect of the quests.

Now, if only they were level 17 quests....

[rest]

So thats what happened,Rouge has a quest chalice overhead but refers me to the favor guy in house P.
I was still able to pick up all 3 from their respective questgivers.

Could you add some of those new Abishai to the Vale/Shavarath?

Yeah she has the chalice but tells you to go talk to the favor guy or

[DANTEIL]

Yeah she has the chalice but tells you to go talk to the favor guy or

Yea, and he has no idea what you are talking about. Quest? What quest? Do you see a chalice over my head? I didn't think so. Now how about some buffs..

[Matuse]

I couldn't find all of the firewood - 3 of us searching every aspect of the map - only 2 firewood spawned. We all abandoned the quest.

Erm? I've run the quest a half dozen times, and there are 5 or 6 firewood pieces that spawn. I've found it's best NOT to go talk to the Grimm brothers. The bit with getting flung is amusing the first time, but it doesn't land you in a good spot to gather firewood.

[Manahath]

Back and forth, back and forth, get ****, deliver ****
Don't waste your turbine points or your time.

[Fridas]

I thought that all the new quests were very visually stunning......but.... "A Small Problem" bugged me, it was too much like WOW. I just got very sick of running and fetching. That's actually why I tried WOW for only a week. But the other quests are very good. I loved "The Snitch", very much like "Come Out and Slay". I love these kind of quests and wish there were more.

[The_Phenx]

I thought that all the new quests were very visually stunning......but.... "A Small Problem" bugged me, it was too much like WOW. I just got very sick of running and fetching. That's actually why I tried WOW for only a week. But the other quests are very good. I loved "The Snitch", very much like "Come Out and Slay". I love these kind of quests and wish there were more.

Agreed... bleh to fetching.

Snitch was freakin awesome. I would love to see an actual full city type adventure... kinda of a keep back the horde town invasion. Where you can place auxilliary npcs (stay here and fight) and snipe off the rooftops...

[Gornin]

I didn't mind the "fedex" nature of the quest "A Small Problem". The tasks are quick and easily obtainable and fit in with the story line. That is my opinion, of course.

Actually, "The Snitch" is my least favorite of the pack, but it is still ok.

My only real issue is the spike traps in "Party Crashers". They should get 2 saves, one will to disbelieve, and a dex if you fail that check. And as with all Illusions, once you make a will save, you are immune to that illusion.

Alternatively, once you destroy a mark and it is not the main one, the spikes in that area should stop respawning.

Over all, a very nice set of adventures, well done from story line to art work. A solid 4 out of 5 IMO.

[ristretto93]

Nope, not me. Nor do I have anything to do with drop rates. I mostly deal with visual things, and my contribution here was the visible portions of the Snitch and a lot of the Phiarlan work.

If the visuals are at the heart of the work you did on these, I have to say you absolutely get an 'A' on that report card. You guys did a terrific job in taking a given theme (carnival!) and squeezing out as much flavor suitable to that theme as possible. Interesting/clever use of space, as is consistent with a lot of quests throughout DDO (as far as I'm concerned one of the most compelling, if sometimes confusing and tricky, and intriguing aspects of the entire game).

I guess maybe the ballroom in Party Crashers feels like it could use more of a party feel. More guests, more activity. It sort of has the feel of a hotel lobby or something - its just a little tame in my opinion. The twists and turns in the 'underground' part of the Snitch were fun, and I guess I will just never get tired of running around on rooftops in Stormreach (reminds me of a PnP 2nd Ed. AD&D campaign in which we did this a lot in a large city as thieves and had such a blast). Looking forward to doing this series on Epic.

I also like that there is another +UMD item in the game somewhere as another option because there are so few, even though the lower level version is easily obsoleted by the Golden Cartouche from Delera's. The look of that hat is way classy and maybe just a little ...pimp?

Thanks for entertaining, imaginative, and well put together quests.

[Matuse]

I also like that there is another +UMD item in the game somewhere as another option because there are so few, even though the lower level version is easily obsoleted by the Golden Cartouche from Delera's.

You're aware that the Big Top stacks with all other +UMD items, yes?

[ristretto93]

You're aware that the Big Top stacks with all other +UMD items, yes?

I am aware of it now

Look at me, spoutin' lies about things and stuff.

Thanks.
You know, I've started to think it might actually help if I took the time to read...weird.

[OverlordOfRats]

Very happy with it so far. Nice to see some variety in the quests.

Playing fetch for a giant isn't for everyone. But for me, I'll go get him some wood once in a while just for the discussions we had.

What better setting is there to chase some scoundrel through a city. Over roofs, through courtyards, and swimming in sewers, can't ask for much more fun than that. Oh, and don't disturb the dogs, you'll wake up the whole neighborhood ya hooligan.

Simply amazed at having illusions and a fancy dress ball both in the same quest. Various ways to complete the quest and a skill used for something other than combat. I tip my hat to you design team. Next time I simply must bring my dress armor. P.S. Thanks for the warning. I should have listened. Doh!

Now I just need to get my second character up to level or wait for the fix so I can see what is under the Big Top.

Would love to see more like these as well as hack-n-slash quest. Variety is the spice of life. Thank you.