Let's talk about the update 11 raid

[Zildoran]

That makes a heck of a lot more sense than an entire raid with gimpy equipment.

[PyrosianFelicity]

Players vs Monsters is never going to be completely balanced because players have real intelligence (most of the time).

It seems like the route to go is to get monsters to copy as many player tactics as possible. We've got some of these going already (bees is a DoT, some bosses dispel, some buff). Observe some of the popular player tactics, and copy those. Have a boss that recognizes who's a spellcaster and instantly fixates on them. Have a boss that tries to block off your healers. It's trickier to do in the AI, but copying player tactics is the best way to give players a challenge.

[ArkoHighStar]

I think a better idea for this "Naked Start" Idea would be having the players rush in, do a big fight, and have it be a ruse of some sort.

They are all captured at the end of the fight, and all wake in a cell. They get out of the cell with a bit of cliche and find some specific things that they can use. Force them to make their way through that specific part with only the specific items.

At the end of the phase, all the gear is returned and they can move on.

someone played Baldurs Gate 2 I see

[gloopygloop]

I think a better idea for this "Naked Start" Idea would be having the players rush in, do a big fight, and have it be a ruse of some sort.

They are all captured at the end of the fight, and all wake in a cell. They get out of the cell with a bit of cliche and find some specific things that they can use. Force them to make their way through that specific part with only the specific items.

At the end of the phase, all the gear is returned and they can move on.

I like this idea, but Turbine already has enough trouble keeping track of our items even when we're just using the bank or sending mail or using throwing weapons.

I'm not sure I'd trust that we would get all of our gear back again.