Let's Talk About Update 21 XP Changes

[Knockback]

Hello everyone! We're planning another round of quest XP adjustments for Update 21, and we'd like to get your thoughts.

We've been listening to your feedback, so this time around we're looking specifically at epic quests. The exact details are still somewhat fluid, but I can definitely say we've increased the experience for 17 quests. Those quests are:

• Chains of Flame (Epic only)
• Trial By Fury (Epic only)
• The Druid's Curse (Epic only)
• Thorn and Paw (Epic only)
• Outbreak (Epic only)
• In The Belly of the Beast (Epic only)
• The House of Death Undone (Epic only)
• The Tracker's Trap (both Epic and Heroic)
• What Goes Up (both Epic and Heroic)
• Breaking the Ranks (both Epic and Heroic)
• A Break in the Ice (both Epic and Heroic)
• Lines of Supply (both Epic and Heroic)
• Army of Shadow (both Epic and Heroic)
• Through a Mirror Darkly (both Epic and Heroic)
• The Thrill of the Hunt (both Epic and Heroic)
• Friends in Low Places (both Epic and Heroic)
• A Lesson in Deception (both Epic and Heroic)

We’re also planning to reduce the XP for one quest (on Epic only):

• Jungle of Khyber (Epic only)

Our goal is to get the XP numbers more in line with how long it takes to actually complete a quest. Some of the adjustments are minor - 6% more base XP for A Lesson in Deception, for example. Many of the changes are quite substantial. Ten of the quests have had their base XP raised by more than 20%. What Goes Up has had its base XP changed by ... Well, let's not ruin the surprise. Let's just say it's a nice, impressive number.

I don't see [insert quest name here] in this list. Does that mean that quest isn't going to be adjusted?

Just because a quest isn't listed here doesn't mean its XP won't be tweaked either up or down in a future release, or even for Update 21. We are definitely planning on more rounds of XP adjustments further on down the road.

For some quests we're just waiting for the right time to make the changes. For example, we'll be adjusting the Heroic XP in Three Barrel Cove when we add Epic mode to that area.

For other quests we're evaluating what the right fix is. Should we adjust the base XP? Change the optional XP? Alter the contents of the quest itself? Or some combination of the three? Given the sheer number of unique quests in DDO, it will be a while before can we give every one the full attention it deserves.


Why is this happening now? Why weren't these XP values changed earlier?

As PurpleFooz explained in the fall, we only recently got the ability to fine-tune XP - Epic XP in particular. We also wanted to give people time to get familiar with the Shadowfell Conspiracy quests before we started changing their XP values.


Don't you think you should change [insert quest here]?

If you have ideas for which specific quests should be adjusted (or not adjusted) and why, this thread is the perfect place to talk about it. Please use this thread to discuss!

Knockback
Senior Content Designer

[Qhualor]

Hello everyone! We're planning another round of quest XP adjustments for Update 21, and we'd like to get your thoughts.


We’re also planning to reduce the XP for one quest (on Epic only):

• Jungle of Khyber (Epic only)

Our goal is to get the XP numbers more in line with how long it takes to actually complete a quest. Some of the adjustments are minor - 6% more base XP for A Lesson in Deception, for example. Many of the changes are quite substantial. Ten of the quests have had their base XP raised by more than 20%. What Goes Up has had its base XP changed by ... Well, let's not ruin the surprise. Let's just say it's a nice, impressive number.

prepare for the rage muahahahaha

[Drwaz99]

Yup, get your VON3's in now. I have a feeling that one is going to sting..

[LOOON375]

A Cabal For One has horrendously low XP on repeats. Something like 15-16K for an EH run.

[Ghoulstorm]

A Cabal For One has horrendously low XP on repeats. Something like 15-16K for an EH run.

Heroic isn't any better. Went to do it on HH for first time bonus yesterday after doing elite the previous day. I checked XP after walking in the door and just turned around and walked back out.

[Carkolda]

prepare for the rage muahahahaha

As long as they don't **** us like they did for challenges, I don't see this being a problem. At least we didn't pay 1500 TP for VON and have the whole thing ruined in one pass.

[UurlockYgmeov]

+1 for increasing XP
+1 for communication! keep it coming!

[Grosbeak07]

VoN 3 has been coming. Hopefully it's only a small decrease.

But that's all people want to run to level. More xp in other quests, means hopefully people will be willing to run other stuff too.

My only suggestion would be to raise the xp of both House D Epics (Bargain of Blood, etc.) and Red Fens. Both those areas could use a boost (And loot overhaul, but I'll take an xp boost for now).

[dunklezhan]

I'd prefer raising xp of optionals to reward thoroughness rather than zerging to the main objective.

[stricq]

I'd prefer raising xp of optionals to reward thoroughness rather than zerging to the main objective.

Yes, please.

[Karadon_II]

I'd prefer raising xp of optionals to reward thoroughness rather than zerging to the main objective.

This! In some cases the optionals can be tougher to do then the main quest and/or take almost half the time you're in the dungeon but the rewards are rarely commensurate with the effort. This goes for Epic and Heroic.

[SeaWolf925]

I'd prefer raising xp of optionals to reward thoroughness rather than zerging to the main objective.

One of the exciting things about DnD, was exploring all the map areas and not knowing exactly what you would discover. The way things are now for the most part is people rush right to the end because optional xp and potential loot is lame. I tend to enjoy dungeon crawling and getting and discovering everything; this is not practical in most groups. What ways could this type of experience be fostered? I see three ways that this could be accomplished: 1) increased xp for completing optionals 2) potential loot 3) stacking xp and/or potential loot for completing all the optionials.

[Fedora1]

My only suggestion would be to raise the xp of both House D Epics (Bargain of Blood, etc.) and Red Fens. Both those areas could use a boost (And loot overhaul, but I'll take an xp boost for now).

Agree, especially Red Fen loot. It is only usable as a TR, because it is way under powered for the level of character running Red Fens.

[Fedora1]

Just going off the OP (not having read all the replies yet) one suggestion I would make is to grant a little more xp during the quest; either by way of optionals or at certain way points. It really hurts to spend an hour on a quest, wipe at the end, and end up with zero xp.

Not asking for a lot, but something equal to about 25% of the quest xp if you complete 75% or more of it. Or whatever - just a suggestion.

[Spellburst]

VoN 3 has been coming. Hopefully it's only a small decrease.

But that's all people want to run to level. More xp in other quests, means hopefully people will be willing to run other stuff too.

My only suggestion would be to raise the xp of both House D Epics (Bargain of Blood, etc.) and Red Fens. Both those areas could use a boost (And loot overhaul, but I'll take an xp boost for now).

Completely agree. House D and Red Fens are rarely run at the moment. Any boost there would be welcome. Maybe the best way to look for quests that need a boost is to see how many times are run. Those run the least should be boosted. There is a lot of content in DDO... let's get advantage of that.

[Guanmagi-1]

Completely agree. House D and Red Fens are rarely run at the moment. Any boost there would be welcome. Maybe the best way to look for quests that need a boost is to see how many times are run. Those run the least should be boosted. There is a lot of content in DDO... let's get advantage of that.

I race through EE fens pretty often. Easy bank favor and quick xp.

[redspecter23]

Nobody should be surprised about VoN 3. It was nice while it lasted. It's a shame that it took so long to get some improvements for the xp from the last expansion. It really should have released with better xp to increase sales and decrease the bad player reviews a bit. Nice to see it, but about 5 months too late on that one.

The druid chain could probably use a bump on heroic as well as epic. I'm wondering why it wasn't considered.

[Livmo]

Thank you for doing this.

I like the Shadowfell content, but there was not much motivation to run it after the first tour due to items and xp. Although I like to run the quests it seems hard to fill an LFM for them.

On the other hand filling a VON3 is quick and easy. Always a full boat.

Hopefully there will be more Shadowfell LFMs and less VON3s.

However it might upset some people if you reduce the VON3 xp. I won't be offended tho. The new content is more fun than running VON3 oodles of times (because its what folks want to do allott).

For the critics out there that may feel pressured to buy Shadowfell due to the proposed changes. I got it on Cyber Monday for $14.99 for my alt. That deal may or may not come around again. Please lobby for guest passes so I can get some for my guildies. Thanks.

[Thrudh]

Thank you for doing this.

I like the Shadowfell content, but there was not much motivation to run it after the first tour due to items and xp. Although I like to run the quests it seems hard to fill an LFM for them.

Me too... I like the new content, and I'm very glad of the exp changes.

If the only negative is lowering VON3 (which EVERYONE knows is too high), then this change is hugely net positive.

But don't worry, the doom-bois will be along to say "This change sucks".

[dragon2fire]

Me too... I like the new content, and I'm very glad of the exp changes.

If the only negative is lowering VON3 (which EVERYONE knows is too high), then this change is hugely net positive.

But don't worry, the doom-bois will be along to say "This change sucks".

Lets be clear this change is not doom/....it is stupid plain and simple.