A sneak peek at Update 24’s dungeons … and beyond

[Full_Bleed]

TToEE at level 7 coincides with Vet II. So in that regard it is well placed for new players to get right to it (much like the original xp stones and iconics are positioned to get new players right into the FR content.)

Some other random thoughts and questions-

I would rather have 5 one hour adventures than 15 ten minute adventures make up the Temple. The ToEE should not be fast-food. It should be a series of full-course meals. It was never designed to be done alone or fast.

Greyhawk is not going to get the FR treatment in this game. It would require a Menace like expansion and that is not going to happen. I suggest people temper expectations and just live with some ToEE being better than none.

The Elemental nodes would be a prime place to introduce random dungeon generator tech. That could make their replayability outside the scope of the ToEE more interesting and introduce technology that could be used elsewhere in the game in the future. At this stage in DDO's development I think this might be a good idea.

Are we getting a Harper tree unlock in U24?

Any other trees to round out classes in the near future?

Are we seeing a new event in U24 or U25?


Thanks for the updates. It is great to see some exciting stuff on the horizon.

[Oxarhamar]

Since forum opinion is really only the minority of players that use the forums frequently and the Player's Council is only a minority of players (even if supposedly a wide range of playstyles etc) would it be possible for the dev's to put a question or poll on log-in, so that maybe once a week or once a month you log-in to the game and answer a player opinion question. At least on log-in would make sure that all players see it, and if they have an opinion about it may be motivated to share that opinion.

For example, on log-in:
Yes or No Would you like to see Anauroch in 2015?

or

How would you prioritize cosmetics, with 1 being most important and 5 being least? *1 *2 *3 *4 *5

or

Which class needs updated next (after barbarian)? *Artificier *Druid *Favored Soul (All 3 chosen for only having two enhancement trees.)

or

Which heroic pack would you like to see Epic-ed next? *Shavarath *Vale *Titan *None prefer ALL new content

yes I guess you missed the 3 or 4 times 'I've mentioned "In game survey" as the ideal solution in this very thread.

That "snip" you quoted was in direct response to an opinionated player who thinks that forum opinions mean nothing. A bit hypocritical considering that opinion is a forum opinion itself.

[EllisDee37]

I agree with this 100 percent. IF you're the type of person that only runs quests two levels over on elite, leveling from 8-->9 and 10 -->11 are where it gets tricky.

Level 8 has tons of quests. Getting from 10 to 11 there is almost too much xp. (Any level with a necro pack has tons of xp.)

It's not hard to level by doing all content once and done on elite, but when you do that it becomes clear that the "light" spots (NOT "trouble" spots) are level 6 and 10 quests. Which, to clarify, are run on character levels 8 and 12. 12 less so than 8 if you run the level 10 raids. (Tempest Spine and VON5&6.)

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

But don't you think that we have enough content in that level range? And, that endgame content suits everybody at some point throughout their gaming path?

If you accept these two statements then I don't see why you wouldn't want endgame content.

Cetus you need to come to grips that coins are not single sided. Neither is the demand for end game content. Much of the content we relied on for years is stale. They are right to try and keep early game fresh as well as end game. In games like Neverwinter just about everyone can get to level 60 in 2-3 days. There is zero respect for anything in the game less than 60. Then at 60 you grind until you quit the game. Thats not happening in DDO and most likely never will. Turbine is to credit for that.

In DDO, even though you can race through in similar fashion the great majority does not. Most spend months playing through their toons to max level. They are developing low level and content up to level 30... what more can you ask for??

[fmalfeas]

The Elemental nodes would be a prime place to introduce random dungeon generator tech. That could make their replayability outside the scope of the ToEE more interesting and introduce technology that could be used elsewhere in the game in the future. At this stage in DDO's development I think this might be a good idea.

There's actually a canon random dungeon generator. I'm not being euphemistic about Undermountain's shifting nature either. I'm talking about the Modron Cube Construct.

The modrons of Mechanus got curious about adventurers. Why they do it, how they do it, what exactly they do...so, they went to Limbo to use it's malleable nature, and built the Cube Construct. Then they built devices that teleport you to the construct when used. Once there, the modrons actually tell you exactly what the place is, and have you select a difficulty setting. They pull some levers, flip some switches and turn some knobs, and off you go. None of that is a joke. Once they send you in, the only way out is to 'complete the dungeon'. Inside it are a bunch of various types of specialized 'dungeon enemy constructs' representing types of foes adventurers would encounter (as in melee, arcane spells, that kind of thing, not creature types...the modrons aren't that creative). On the lowest setting, they're pretty much just golems. On the highest settings, you're dealing with things that may as well be high-end Inevitables, powerful and very intelligent. All of them, however, are aware of their purpose. The high end ones tend to think it's ridiculous and mock the entire process as they slaughter the poor chumps who picked those settings. At the end, there is a special 'boss monster' construct, carrying rewarding loot if beaten.

However, having been constructed in Limbo, things sometimes go...wrong. Introducing a thing of perfect order into a place of absolute chaos is naturally not going to work out the way you plan.

*That* would be the perfect testbed for random dungeon technology, and it's canon, and has a built-in excuse to provide access to it. Any bugs can even be treated as canonically justified by the effects of Limbo. Of course, instakillers and assassins wouldn't be very happy in there, unless Slaad got in...and nobody is really happy if that happens.

[Seljuck]

Everything sounds quite good. One thing sounds HORRIBLE

That's the CR 26 bit for all three in the new pack? What more, that turns out to be the paid one too?

Let me remind you that your ostensibly "endgame" pack last time contained quests that were soloed day 1. What do you think your CR26 nonsense will contribute to this game, exactly?

The fact that ToEE is announced and the other quest is CR 30 somewhat excites me.

Cetus, In fact adding CR 30 or even 40 quests won't change anything. Do You think people don't soloed them in 1st or 2nd day? You will be probable the one, who done it 1st.
The only way that prevent this situation is doing quests with mechanics that require 2+ people that CAN'T BE SOLOED... and that's not popular trend this days..

[Full_Bleed]

*That* would be the perfect testbed for random dungeon technology, and it's canon, and has a built-in excuse to provide access to it. Any bugs can even be treated as canonically justified by the effects of Limbo.

Neat concept. But you don't need canon to justify randomly generated content in this game. With the development team being cut like it has been it might relieve some of the content creation pressure to put some more random components in to increase replayability.

The ToEE is on the schedule now. Developing random gen tech for the elemental nodes could be a good testing ground. Something that could then surely be used to create stuff like the concept you've mentioned.

[Eth]

Update 24 will be previewed on Lamannia starting this weekend, so now seems like a good time to unveil its dungeons. Get ready for some surprises!

First up in Update 24 is a new content pack, Heart of Madness. The plane of Xoriat is encroaching on Eberron once again and the result is three dungeons full of Xorian insanity. Both the Lord of Eyes and the Lord of Stone are back, as well as some other fan favorite characters. (Hint – one of the dungeons is named “Fashion Madness.”) The centerpiece of the pack is “Terminal Delirium,” the follow-up to two of our most popular dungeons. Once again you’ll be returning to the Sleeping Spell Inn, and once again you’ll be seeing—and be turned into—some very unusual things. Heart of Madness is CR 18 Heroic/26 Epic, and is a paid pack (450 Turbine Points; free to VIPs of course.)

Also coming in Update 24 is a Forgotten Realms dungeon themed to tie in with Wizards of the Coast’s Tyranny of Dragons storyline. You’ll infiltrate a Cult of the Dragon base while on the trail of the fabled White Dragon mask. “The Mask of Deception” is CR 16 Heroic/30 Epic, and is free to everyone.

Update 24 will round out the year with new quests, new Festivult cookies, and a new event that centers on something we can all agree on: looting chests!

What's with the event - whatever it is - that was announced. Will we see that in U24 or not?

[nolifer1]

haunted halls was awsome, looking forvard to temple of evil

[Uska]

Lol - D&D never had Min Level requirements for ANY named Loot!

That is an MMO thing!

I was actually pleased that the Devs were putting at least a little bit of D&D back into DDO!

No but any gm that let low level players access to that kind of stuff was Monty Haul, you don't have a gm here preventing players from passing Monty Haul loot to others or selling it to them. Level limits are like a non-Monty Haul gm

[Uska]

Fixed yes but not to the point of them being worse then rings you can loot from chests, so for me they still need to fix them.

Yeah that's the problem here sometimes they go to far in both directions, they make something to good then they go to far when they try to nerf it to a proper level

[Uska]

End Game stuff is not only what is lacking in the game right now (I.E. we don't need new lowbie quests, there is enough xp to once and done and skip some on the way, this is not true of Epic) but is also what the Devs have said the focus is going to be to work on building an endgame. Cetus has a valid reason for his question.

Wrong we always need new quests of all levels and it doesn't mean Cetus is right because that's what he thinks that's just what he wants. I don't care if there is enough xp at low level that is the level I like playing and like to see new stuff so I can play fresh stuff with friends and new players alike

[Uska]

But don't you think that we have enough content in that level range? And, that endgame content suits everybody at some point throughout their gaming path?

If you accept these two statements then I don't see why you wouldn't want endgame content.

I don't think we will ever have enough stuff at any level range and I don't play end game stuff so its not my desire to see it but I also understand some want that. I don't wan them to exclusively concentrate on any range. I do grudgingly admit they need to work on the end game more say 75-80% and the other stuff at 20-25%

[Hendrik]

Upcoming dungeons in Update 24



So what kind of cool things led to the detour away from Anauroch? One of them will be coming in Update 25. Since The Haunted Halls of Eveningstar was received so well, we’ve decided to adapt another classic pen-and-paper module to DDO. Rather than blabbing on, I’ll skip right to the awesome part and give you five simple words:

The Temple of Elemental Evil.

Yep, we will be creating our own version of the original, classic Temple inside DDO. We’re very excited about adapting one of the most famous modules in Dungeons and Dragons history, and we hope you are too.

ToEE!?!?!

I hope you all can do it as much justice as you did with Haunted Halls.

Right now playing this with a tabletop group on Roll20 and loving it once again. Looking forward to playing it in DDO.

Take your time with ToEE and do it right.

ToEE, I am so very happy you listened and are going to deliver another classic module.

Thank you.

[Wizza]

I thought you guys said: "We will concentrate on creating more end-game so players will have enough content to play with when the cap will be raised to 30". I see you say one thing and then make another. Wasn't expecting any better honestly.

Still would like to see an answer whether ToEE will be the only quest coming for Update 25 or not.

[Uska]

I thought you guys said: "We will concentrate on creating more end-game so players will have enough content to play with when the cap will be raised to 30". I see you say one thing and then make another. Wasn't expecting any better honestly.

Still would like to see an answer whether ToEE will be the only quest coming for Update 25 or not.

Show me where they said that

[Hendrik]

Yes we know your siggy also very nicely sums up how you feel about FR, that's okay to each their own. Consider though many of us like FR and other "realms" and WOULD PAY and PLAY it!

Try not to let your minority complaint/hatred of FR lead you into believing you speak for the majority.



Indeed, I wonder if this is based off the players or the "council" which doesn't necessarily reflect what players want.

Everyone seems to have forgotten the DEVs asking us what our favorite modules were....

Asking us here, on the forums.

The DEVs asked, players replied and now we get to play ToEE.

[Aelonwy]

yes I guess you missed the 3 or 4 times 'I've mentioned "In game survey" as the ideal solution in this very thread.

That "snip" you quoted was in direct response to an opinionated player who thinks that forum opinions mean nothing. A bit hypocritical considering that opinion is a forum opinion itself.

Yeah sorry about that, i read the first page, and then because so much had gone on and I had limited time I skipped to the second dev comment and skimmed from there.

[Wizza]

Show me where they said that

It wasn't meant for you but the Developers, I'm pretty sure they know what they said and when. Do a little research, I can't be bothered to find the quote among 20 livestreams and the dozens of Developers posts just for you.

[nibel]

We've banished a named succubus back to Shavarath after destroying all her works. That's an enemy primed.
We've banished the Demon Queen, banishing the named marilith back to Shavarath. Another, more powerful enemy primed, and they could readily work together to seek vengeance in a later chain.

Two quick corrections: While we did defeat Malicia in Big Top, we fight her again in Wrath of the Flame and destroy her for good (since it is on her native plane). She can't go back for vengeance because outsiders can't be raised from the dead.

Also, Queen Lailat is dead. The whole reason why we had to collect the Sands flagging items is so that Zawabi can reverse her sealed haven and prevent her soul from escaping to Shavarath. Then we invade and kill her for good, since Zawabi prevented her from being "banished back to Shavarath" upon defeat. She also can't come back for revenge.