Reaper is a complete fail

[Pyed-Pyper]

...I have played Khyber and found plenty of at level reaper groups for full xp. On Cannith all i see is -50% groups that still insist on reaper with bb xp. Seriously, rxp is so small, why on earth would you run at -50%. I have yet to see any at level groups posted. It seems like people are back to the same old DDO trope of soloing content. I was hoping reaper made grouping fun again, as at level full reaper groups ARE doable and ARE fun. The lfm is fractured as ever now, but I just cant figure out why you wouldnt want to do reaper at full xp. Is it that its too difficult? I have heard a lot of people have complained that they didnt match reaper with bb levels. Is this really that hard to figure out? It seems people just like to complain. ...

What I have observed:

There are still people that don't know the rules regarding reaper XP.
Players that have no business in Reaper are joining Reaper groups (I haven't yet asked 'why').
The LFMs are more fractured.
Posted LFMs go ignored through completion, or players give up waiting.

As people move into their comfort level of difficulty to farm Reaper rewards, the pool of available players at any level thins.

[JOTMON]

fixed per release notes..

https://www.ddo.com/en/update-34-patch-1-release-notes
~Resurrection timers will no longer be reset after being pulled back to your soulstone for wandering too far from it.

The fix was a lie.
We still get our timers reset when we rebound.

[SiliconScout]

Agreed our group nearly wiped an R4 and they ran back to me to get a Raise and when it was slow they still had the lock out. Eventually I had to run in, grab stones, drop some CC and run like hell and res on the fly to make it work.

[CaptainPurge]

I will first say I really enjoy reaper, because it encourages team play, slows down the game and brings back roles to the group. This is what made DDO enjoyable... to some. DDO eventually go to the point of a self heal, screw everyone else in the party- mentality. Now this is going to be a rant of a sort, specific only to Cannith server. I have played Khyber and found plenty of at level reaper groups for full xp. On Cannith all i see is -50% groups that still insist on reaper with bb xp. Seriously, rxp is so small, why on earth would you run at -50%. I have yet to see any at level groups posted. It seems like people are back to the same old DDO trope of soloing content. I was hoping reaper made grouping fun again, as at level full reaper groups ARE doable and ARE fun. The lfm is fractured as ever now, but I just cant figure out why you wouldnt want to do reaper at full xp. Is it that its too difficult? I have heard a lot of people have complained that they didnt match reaper with bb levels. Is this really that hard to figure out? It seems people just like to complain. This game is getting more frustrating but not because of standing stone, but because of narrow minded pessimists. I have posted for reaper 1 base level and left it for hours... and... its not because i have an enemy list or I suck, I am a legend toon, capable of reaper. Maybe its because people dont "recognize" my character, but that is some weak reasoning to not party. With a pug of 6 people, reaper one is completely doable. How do I know? I have done it on Khyber a ton of times. What is up Cannith?

Notes since I am on the server your are dissing.

I came across this simple graph to visually help people understand R1 versus R3. Basically, run your quest on R3 at level or if you miss that quest then R3XP at 2 levels over (BB) is the same as R1XP at level....seems to create a 5th bracket of people who are RR'ing? { (1) Those who refuse to do Reaper. (2) Those who run R1 at level. (3) Those who run R1 at level +2. (4) Those who do R3 at level. (5) Those who do R3 at level +2.) }

[Forzah]

Notes since I am on the server your are dissing.

I came across this simple graph to visually help people understand R1 versus R3. Basically, run your quest on R3 at level or if you miss that quest then R3XP at 2 levels over (BB) is the same as R1XP at level....seems to create a 5th bracket of people who are RR'ing? { (1) Those who refuse to do Reaper. (2) Those who run R1 at level. (3) Those who run R1 at level +2. (4) Those who do R3 at level. (5) Those who do R3 at level +2.) }

Nice and helpful graph.

Leveling has become complex with several parallel experience systems with non-parallel bonuses and penalties.

In my opinion it is too complex. You could almost fill a lecture explaining the experience system to people that don't know this game. Such complex systems can scare people away...

[Cantor]

Nice and helpful graph.

Leveling has become complex with several parallel experience systems with non-parallel bonuses and penalties.

In my opinion it is too complex. You could almost fill a lecture explaining the experience system to people that don't know this game. Such complex systems can scare people away...

Agreed. I've run multiple reaper only lives at this point and still haven't settled into optimal. This graph doesn't even address r2-3 at one level over, which could be better since the penalty is non linear too. Though I try to run at level all the time the penalty for one over is no where near as bad as two, and running a skull higher at -1 might be more rxp in certain level ranges.

[CaptainPurge]

Agreed. I've run multiple reaper only lives at this point and still haven't settled into optimal. This graph doesn't even address r2-3 at one level over, which could be better since the penalty is non linear too. Though I try to run at level all the time the penalty for one over is no where near as bad as two, and running a skull higher at -1 might be more rxp in certain level ranges.

I found a graph that contains those scenarios. As we try to reach a global consensus on efficient RXP & RR Farming XP Online it is important to help mankind see what makes sense and what doesn't make sense. We have here an LFM Dilemma about Level Ranges, Reaper, and You. Here it is obvious in shiny graphical format that R3 2 levels above is exactly as bad as what we've known all along. We see LFM's for that on Cannith and that causes a divide as the previous Cannithian remarked.

[Riddle_of_Steel]

At least half of the people I meet in game now aren't running reaper for the RXP they are running for the Heroic bonus.

That said Running R3 or R2 is becoming more popular as people are adjusting to Reaper and R2 and R3 are completed in a comparable amount of time (with the group) and you get the same XP but better Reaper XP on the run.

Some players are certainly grinding out Reaper specific XP and Heroic is a by product but I would say more are grabbing whatever Reaper XP they get as gravy while they ride the 1-20 TR train.

[RobbinB]

So loot you acquire in a week and poor reaper xp can be compared with everything you get by doing a tr?

I played this game since beta, I had enough tr, and I want to play endgame. Also raid are available once every three day and actually only one raid matter for endgame.

What they need is "nonfarmable" loot. Named items or versions of named items or upgradeable looted recipes for named items that are so rare they put jibbers to shame. Loot items that are so rare there's argument over whether the posted example is photoshop or real. No way to plan a build for these items but certainly the sort of thing you would alter a build around if you won the lotto (the rare drop).

Think of drop rates circa 100-fold more rare than jibbers. Stuff that pretty much drops only in "endgame" chests. And the loot a definitive step up from anything current endgame (and not just invalidated by lootflation in a couple of updates).

[Jasparion]

What they need is "nonfarmable" loot. Named items or versions of named items or upgradeable looted recipes for named items that are so rare they put jibbers to shame. Loot items that are so rare there's argument over whether the posted example is photoshop or real. No way to plan a build for these items but certainly the sort of thing you would alter a build around if you won the lotto (the rare drop).

Think of drop rates circa 100-fold more rare than jibbers. Stuff that pretty much drops only in "endgame" chests. And the loot a definitive step up from anything current endgame (and not just invalidated by lootflation in a couple of updates).

That sounds horrible. The only people who would go for it are the truly obsessed.

Drop rates should be set such that a reasonable number of people have a reasonable chance of getting it after a reasonable number of runs - modified by the difficulty level that you are running.

Making items incredibly rare is just a sign that there isnt enough content to keep people busy, so you stick them on a Wheel of Luck to keep them busy. And maybe make have them spend some AS on re-rolls.

[CaptainPurge]

Back to basics. I found this last graph which focuses on the R3 +2 levels LFM Dilemma. Word is born.

[acdcrocks]

Reaper is supposed to be a challenge but in less than a week some groups completed r10 raids.

Several r10 groups completed in the first day.
Which raids? I assume those players are either very good at the game, or the raid in question is LTS

Absurd grind for the reaper enhancs.
I dunno i personally like the grind. Fun challenge in heroics and it has a competitive aspect too for me.

Make us refarm and recraft slavers for new reaper items is unbelievable.
You don't have to. While reaper bonuses on all of your gear WILL add up to be very powerful, believe me, its not by any stretch of the imagination necessary.

Groups excluding 1 playstyle(melee) because it's easier to kite it with ranged/casters.
Why would anyone exclude melee from reaper, even if melee does have an inherent disadvantage in reaper? At least if the melee in question is a good player. If groups are excluding good melee players from the group, then that shows something about the leader's knowledge, and not a lot about melees at that!

Annoying fear reapers that gives a stack damage even if you are not close to the reaper.
Yeah idk i kinda agree, but then again reaper isn't really supposed to be fair. Try to find the fear reaper if possible.

Mobs can 1 shot you if they are champs even in r1 with spells that hits the target multiple times like magic missiles and meteor swarm.
Sigh.. shield wands are really cheap. Can't argue with meteor swarm, spell's nasty.

Self heal reduce in reaper is specially punitive for melees and most of ppl don't play healers even if their class icon is cleric or fvs.
yeah, the self healing penalty sucks, but it's understandable. Idk, try to find a healer i guess? Theres always hires (lol) or use scrolls with wand and scroll mastery. Still heals for 100-200 in r1-r5

They are tanks or casters not healers, make us sit and wait for a healer is bad.
Scroll heal people, or better yet if your class gets inherent healing, then use it on them. Do everything in your power to heal. Otherwise theres always the option of a hire (or elite..)

Require a cc caster is fine but sometimes it takes long to find a good one.
Yeah, what can i say. Agreed on this one. CC is almost a necessity for mid to high skull reapers. Patience is indeed a virtue

Re-apply the death timer when you move away from you stone is a huge fail.
I wouldn't say a FAIL, more like an annoyance. But yeah there really is no reason for it. Edit: i think the fact that it does this is a bug.

Quests are getting locked out if the groups are full and someone leaves or dc nobody is able to get inside the quest.
Couldn't agree with you more on this one. Devs please take this truly AWFUL mechanic out! I hate it when someone leaves my group and we end up having to restart because the others can't get in!

I've been playing this game for 8 years, i had 2 raid healer(a cleric and a fvs) for 6 years but tr'ed then into warlocks because there's no point to have a raid healer if people are taking 24k damage in 1 hit.
Yeah i can't argue with this one. You know mob damage is too high (even on r10) when the tank is one shot.

I'm not quitting the game yet but every update makes me play less, it makes the game more annoying for me.
Sounds like a personal issue to me. Each to their own, though. Personally, the past 2 updates are aces in my book (more or less)

I'm playing mostly r1 because it's not really hard but the self heal reduce is really annoying if you solo.
Just play elite. That way you won't have to deal with the annoying self heal reduce (i know, reaper gives more xp than elite,
and rxp, but you'll still be able to TR in a timely manner only running elites)

Don't tell me that i should be grouping, i like to solo and i should be able to do so.
Up to you. No one's forcing you to join a group to run reaper. (for the record though, i'm with you, i prefer to solo)

I'll never spend a dollar in this game again if melees continue to be treated as second class like this.
Halfway agreed. I will continue to spend money on this game regardless, but i do think melees in general need a slight boost so that mediocre melee players (myself) can at least contribute in high level reaper without dying at every turn.

I'm not a native english speaker here sorry for typos and all.
All good i could understand you perfectly.

responses in red

[CaptainPurge]

responses in red

He's banned anyway.
If you click on a name and the option of not adding him to friends is not there, it means that person is banned. Dude was a trolling like godzilla so f him anyway. Just trying to save you time.

[acdcrocks]

He's banned anyway.
If you click on a name and the option of not adding him to friends is not there, it means that person is banned. Dude was a trolling like godzilla so f him anyway. Just trying to save you time.

ah i see ty lol. just wanted to share my take on his perception of reaper. hopefully even tho hes banned he can still read it xd

[slarden]

He's still here and will never leave.

that seems like the quality of an irrational person that is not stable.

[KoobTheProud]

That sounds horrible. The only people who would go for it are the truly obsessed.

Drop rates should be set such that a reasonable number of people have a reasonable chance of getting it after a reasonable number of runs - modified by the difficulty level that you are running.

Making items incredibly rare is just a sign that there isnt enough content to keep people busy, so you stick them on a Wheel of Luck to keep them busy. And maybe make have them spend some AS on re-rolls.

Yes.

Nothing should have less than a 3% drop rate or so. Everything should be available at a specific point, a certain number of completions like the 20th raid threshold.

Only a few people will run content for items that are 100-1 to drop. The reward system should not be balanced around those people unless the devs want to encourage unhealthy behavior in others.

[cheeselivesmatters]

Yes.

Nothing should have less than a 3% drop rate or so. Everything should be available at a specific point, a certain number of completions like the 20th raid threshold.

Only a few people will run content for items that are 100-1 to drop. The reward system should not be balanced around those people unless the devs want to encourage unhealthy behavior in others.

I know a few people that quitted the game after 50, 80+ runs and not pulling the item they wanted.

Low drop rates are frustating.

We should have a way to craft what we want after x runs.

[RobbinB]

That sounds horrible. The only people who would go for it are the truly obsessed.

Drop rates should be set such that a reasonable number of people have a reasonable chance of getting it after a reasonable number of runs - modified by the difficulty level that you are running.

Making items incredibly rare is just a sign that there isnt enough content to keep people busy, so you stick them on a Wheel of Luck to keep them busy. And maybe make have them spend some AS on re-rolls.

OK, you are missing the point. I'd give myself the headslap but it's probably me not expressing things clearly. So I'll try again....

The idea is that you have drops that are so low people aren't crazy enough to try to farm the items. That's the "nonfarmable" part. If the odds of drop are 1:333 like Jibbers there's always the stubborns that just say well I'll keep running this quest till I get it (even though I detest this quest). But at 1:10,000 drop rate the item is simply non-farmable. You can't just say well I'll get it eventually, you can't plan your gear setup around it. But if there is a whole subset of named items like these then you can guarantee that at some point of playing the game over many years you will get an item of that type (but you can't control which). And that will be an awesome moment. (It also means the items have to be awesome and have to have bonuses that aren't victim to loot-flation, jibbers being a great example.)

It would be a complete loot paradigm shift. (And I'm not saying that has to be the paradigm for all loot, just a reasonable subset.)

It's the opposite of hamster-wheel. If there's not enough content you currently enjoy running or if you aren't into the existing tr hamster wheels, then this loot paradigm won't really change that at all. But it might keep you re-running a quest that you love to run (like TOEE for me) but otherwise would stop running if there wasn't at least always the possibility of something wondrous dropping from it (because you already have all the regular loot paradigm items).

[Cantor]

OK, you are missing the point. I'd give myself the headslap but it's probably me not expressing things clearly. So I'll try again....

The idea is that you have drops that are so low people aren't crazy enough to try to farm the items. That's the "nonfarmable" part. If the odds of drop are 1:333 like Jibbers there's always the stubborns that just say well I'll keep running this quest till I get it (even though I detest this quest). But at 1:10,000 drop rate the item is simply non-farmable. You can't just say well I'll get it eventually, you can't plan your gear setup around it. But if there is a whole subset of named items like these then you can guarantee that at some point of playing the game over many years you will get an item of that type (but you can't control which). And that will be an awesome moment. (It also means the items have to be awesome and have to have bonuses that aren't victim to loot-flation, jibbers being a great example.)

It would be a complete loot paradigm shift. (And I'm not saying that has to be the paradigm for all loot, just a reasonable subset.)

It's the opposite of hamster-wheel. If there's not enough content you currently enjoy running or if you aren't into the existing tr hamster wheels, then this loot paradigm won't really change that at all. But it might keep you re-running a quest that you love to run (like TOEE for me) but otherwise would stop running if there wasn't at least always the possibility of something wondrous dropping from it (because you already have all the regular loot paradigm items).

The key is to not have it drop in a specific spot. If your uber rare items can drop in say any level 38+ end chest, then ok, don't have to hit the same quest over-and-over-and... . Do your chest blessing, gems, etc and run any legendary content.

[Whinemaster]

I know a few people that quitted the game after 50, 80+ runs and not pulling the item they wanted.

Low drop rates are frustrating.

We should have a way to craft what we want after x runs.

Frustrating, this is the perfect definition of this game.