I hated reaper

[krimsonrane]

I did. I thought it was far too difficult for solo play and divided an already small and divided gaming population.
But when I felt that way I was running by myself 99% of the time. My guild had effectively fallen apart and my running partner lost her spouse to a deadly illness. So it was just me.
Then I packed up and moved to a new server, joined an active guild, got to know some new folks and before you know it, I was doing reaper 10 and consistently proving to be useful.

I learned that having no reaper points definitely makes reaper far more difficult, but once you get a couple dozen points reaper 1-2 becomes easier than elite. I also enjoyed having someone to game with again. It's been years.
There's also the matter of building and gearing a toon that can thrive in reaper runs. I learned how to be better and more discerning at that. I also enjoyed going back to D&D basics where there's little zerging and each of us depend on the other. Sure, I can CC and instakill. I can DPS. But missing one trap can kill me. So we depend on our trapper. On our healer. On our tank. Etc.

I guess I'm giving a testimony to say "give it a chance". Find a group willing to babysit you a little while while you learn the ins and outs. Gain some reaper points and enjoy a newer experience.
Nowadays I'm kind of an elitist. I just can't justify running under R4-6 on my main. If I do, I end up being that zerger so many dislike. Either that or I have to force myself to go at a slower pace and not instantly kill everything in sight just so others can participate.
It doesn't take long to get up to that level. A year ago I hated reaper. The posting record is there. Now I'm one shotting R10 monsters with ease.
Don't let frustration prevent you from growth. All it takes is time and tutoring.

[Stradivarius]

I did. I thought it was far too difficult for solo play and divided an already small and divided gaming population.
But when I felt that way I was running by myself 99% of the time. My guild had effectively fallen apart and my running partner lost her spouse to a deadly illness. So it was just me.
Then I packed up and moved to a new server, joined an active guild, got to know some new folks and before you know it, I was doing reaper 10 and consistently proving to be useful.

I learned that having no reaper points definitely makes reaper far more difficult, but once you get a couple dozen points reaper 1-2 becomes easier than elite. I also enjoyed having someone to game with again. It's been years.
There's also the matter of building and gearing a toon that can thrive in reaper runs. I learned how to be better and more discerning at that. I also enjoyed going back to D&D basics where there's little zerging and each of us depend on the other. Sure, I can CC and instakill. I can DPS. But missing one trap can kill me. So we depend on our trapper. On our healer. On our tank. Etc.

I guess I'm giving a testimony to say "give it a chance". Find a group willing to babysit you a little while while you learn the ins and outs. Gain some reaper points and enjoy a newer experience.
Nowadays I'm kind of an elitist. I just can't justify running under R4-6 on my main. If I do, I end up being that zerger so many dislike. Either that or I have to force myself to go at a slower pace and not instantly kill everything in sight just so others can participate.
It doesn't take long to get up to that level. A year ago I hated reaper. The posting record is there. Now I'm one shotting R10 monsters with ease.
Don't let frustration prevent you from growth. All it takes is time and tutoring.

The "12-point rule" is primarily for casters, for melee it's more like 30~40 Reaper points.

And yes I know I know, but like I said there is someone or some people on SSG's Dev team that has something against melee. It's whatever.

[Wahnsinnig]

Outside of exploring Ravenloft when that launched then soloing OOB and Invaders on reaper the first time is the most fun I have had in DDO for many years.

Reaper is fun

[Ereshkigal]

Nowadays I'm kind of an elitist. I just can't justify running under R4-6 on my main. If I do, I end up being that zerger so many dislike. Either that or I have to force myself to go at a slower pace and not instantly kill everything in sight just so others can participate.

Eh, there's a lot of people that are on the TR treadmill that would be happy for you to zerg to your hearts content. 138+ TRs is a quite a large lot. (soon to be 141+ - *if you do all your Iconics before doing those heroics, otherwise it's more )

[C-Dog]

The "12-point rule" is primarily for casters, for melee it's more like 30~40 Reaper points

I find that 4 or 6 (or 8) points is when it turns the first corner, when you can get 4 points into the DPS boost for your style (double strike/shot or spellpower), then plus 2 in Defense for some Hit Points plus 1 more use of the DPS boost (and possibly 2 more in the other DPS boost for yet one more use of DPS boost).

From there, not sure what the other "must have" points would be - guessing more in Defense tree for bigger chunks of Hit Points, sure can't hurt.

[mbartol]

I agree that Reaper is fun because it throws additional randomness into each quest (Champions do the same thing, as well).
And, yes, I did struggle with it earlier on when running melee lives—especially as a solo player. Sometimes it was a little frustrating, but usually it was pretty exciting.

Eh, there's a lot of people that are on the TR treadmill that would be happy for you to zerg to your hearts content. 138+ TRs is a quite a large lot. (soon to be 141+ - *if you do all your Iconics before doing those heroics, otherwise it's more )

If you’re counting ALL possible past lives, then the current total is 183. There are 61 unique Past Lives which can be earned 3x each:

• 15 Heroic
• 6 Heroic-Archetype
• 14 Racial
• 9 Iconic
• 17 Epic

Of course not all are needed. Also, having Iconic doubling-up with heroic can reduce the number of actual reincarnations performed.

[C-Dog]

If you’re counting ALL possible past lives, then the current total is 183...

<...pauses (yet again) to reconsider his alt-itis...>

[Zites]

I did. I thought it was far too difficult for solo play and divided an already small and divided gaming population.
But when I felt that way I was running by myself 99% of the time. My guild had effectively fallen apart and my running partner lost her spouse to a deadly illness. So it was just me.
Then I packed up and moved to a new server, joined an active guild, got to know some new folks and before you know it, I was doing reaper 10 and consistently proving to be useful.

I learned that having no reaper points definitely makes reaper far more difficult, but once you get a couple dozen points reaper 1-2 becomes easier than elite. I also enjoyed having someone to game with again. It's been years.
There's also the matter of building and gearing a toon that can thrive in reaper runs. I learned how to be better and more discerning at that. I also enjoyed going back to D&D basics where there's little zerging and each of us depend on the other. Sure, I can CC and instakill. I can DPS. But missing one trap can kill me. So we depend on our trapper. On our healer. On our tank. Etc.

I guess I'm giving a testimony to say "give it a chance". Find a group willing to babysit you a little while while you learn the ins and outs. Gain some reaper points and enjoy a newer experience.
Nowadays I'm kind of an elitist. I just can't justify running under R4-6 on my main. If I do, I end up being that zerger so many dislike. Either that or I have to force myself to go at a slower pace and not instantly kill everything in sight just so others can participate.
It doesn't take long to get up to that level. A year ago I hated reaper. The posting record is there. Now I'm one shotting R10 monsters with ease.
Don't let frustration prevent you from growth. All it takes is time and tutoring.

Once they implement the Reaper changes where one can share 75% of their 156 reaper points with anyone in party, say good bye to anyone ever playing anything outside of Reaper.

But maybe they will give free transfers to wayfinder for the 200 or so folks that refuse to play Reaper.

They could have servers that cater to play styles like a role play server or a I hate Reaper mode server, but they would all end up solo play severs like wayfinder.

BTW can we get some new Reapers for the 95% of people playing the game.

[Captain_Wizbang]

I learned that having no reaper points definitely makes reaper far more difficult, but once you get a couple dozen points reaper 1-2 becomes easier than elite. .

THIS is the 2nd biggest problem with reaper. The first being the idiotic reaper enhancement system. I've said it before and I'll say it as many times as I see posts like this about reaper. You DON'T REWARD A DIFFICULTY SETTING WITH MORE POWER. The people responsible for implementing that debacle have ZERO clue on how to challenge a player.

[donblas]

once you get a couple dozen points reaper 1-2 becomes easier than elite.

So the "ultimate challenge" idea of Reaper actually becomes easier than the easier setting - elite? That makes no sense. Why would anyone think that making such a system was a good idea?

I guess I'm giving a testimony to say "give it a chance".

Already did. Soloing low reapers is fairly trivial. But the implementation is poor. Reapers in every dungeon breaks immersion. Why didn't they have tough monsters appropriate for the quest rather than reapers everywhere?

Find a group willing to babysit you a little while while you learn the ins and outs.

Does that mean that Reaper becomes doable if you can pike for a while first?

I gave it a chance. disliked it. Can't be bothered to do it again. Holds no interest for me. Glad you like it.

[LightBear]

The struggle to get those first reaper points is real.

And remains if you don't have the right gear.

Even with the right gear and with a min-/max-ed character you won't do high reaper without the right group.


I went with a good group last week and all I had at their level range was an Iconic character, it was a prefab build with just the basic iconic gear.
Man, that character stank at everything.
Had to redo a lot of points and just about completely swap gear for her to be viable.
Still, the party was what was carrying most of the weight.

[Captain_Wizbang]

The struggle to get those first reaper points is real.

And remains if you don't have the right gear.

I went with a good group last week and all I had at their level range was an Iconic character, it was a prefab build with just the basic iconic gear.
Man, that character stank at everything.

Which brings about the divide reaper creates. Especially for the new player.

[Diracorvus]

THIS is the 2nd biggest problem with reaper. The first being the idiotic reaper enhancement system. I've said it before and I'll say it as many times as I see posts like this about reaper. You DON'T REWARD A DIFFICULTY SETTING WITH MORE POWER. The people responsible for implementing that debacle have ZERO clue on how to challenge a player.

People don't want to play a challenge mode. A challenge mode reaper would only be for very few people. Look at 90% of the complains and suggestions in this forum or anywhere else, look at all the min-maxing and speedrunning that has become the norm for many players - they don't want the game more difficult, they want it easier. And don't get me wrong, I am not saying that's good or bad, just that it's how it is.
Reaper has succeded in what it was supposed to: It's another progression system that gets people to play and makes them feel good while playing.

[Captain_Wizbang]

People don't want to play a challenge mode. A challenge mode reaper would only be for very few people. Look at 90% of the complains and suggestions in this forum or anywhere else, look at all the min-maxing and speedrunning that has become the norm for many players - they don't want the game more difficult, they want it easier. And don't get me wrong, I am not saying that's good or bad, just that it's how it is.
Reaper has succeeded in what it was supposed to: It's another progression system that gets people to play and makes them feel good while playing.

Really? Why is HCL so popular?



As I say, if it's a difficulty setting, why introduce enhancement trees and power? Chasing after cosmetic wings? Which to me is the only legit reward that it should offer. cosmetics

Here's the real issue if they drop those trees. People are heavily invested in reaper, and without proper compensation, we'll lose even more players. Reaper (as designed) is be a source of sales as much as a difficulty setting.

I personally like the base concept and implementation of how it works, BUT... it alienates a % of the player base. It's an oxymoron *challenge player and reward power creep to offset that difficulty*

[Diracorvus]

Really? Why is HCL so popular?

Because of the rewards, the grouping and because it's only temporary and after it you can just go back to regular play. You can even just continue to play your characters on a different server. There is literally nothing at stake. I wouldn't even call it a difficulty setting. It's just a special event. I don't think it's comparable to reaper mode.

[Zites]

People don't want to play a challenge mode. A challenge mode reaper would only be for very few people. Look at 90% of the complains and suggestions in this forum or anywhere else, look at all the min-maxing and speedrunning that has become the norm for many players - they don't want the game more difficult, they want it easier. And don't get me wrong, I am not saying that's good or bad, just that it's how it is.
Reaper has succeded in what it was supposed to: It's another progression system that gets people to play and makes them feel good while playing.

Because of the rewards, the grouping and because it's only temporary and after it you can just go back to regular play. You can even just continue to play your characters on a different server. There is literally nothing at stake. I wouldn't even call it a difficulty setting. It's just a special event. I don't think it's comparable to reaper mode.

This reminds me of something someone said about forumites that don't know what they're talking about, but you my friend are spot on and know exactly what your talking about. If funny how the person your responding to has no clue, yet has all these green dots of popular misconception next to their name.

Keep up the good work Diracovus, and can we get some New REAPERS!

[Oxarhamar]

Really? Why is HCL so popular?



As I say, if it's a difficulty setting, why introduce enhancement trees and power? Chasing after cosmetic wings? Which to me is the only legit reward that it should offer. cosmetics

Here's the real issue if they drop those trees. People are heavily invested in reaper, and without proper compensation, we'll lose even more players. Reaper (as designed) is be a source of sales as much as a difficulty setting.

I personally like the base concept and implementation of how it works, BUT... it alienates a % of the player base. It's an oxymoron *challenge player and reward power creep to offset that difficulty*

Hardcore is not hard

[EdsanDarkbane]

THIS is the 2nd biggest problem with reaper. The first being the idiotic reaper enhancement system. I've said it before and I'll say it as many times as I see posts like this about reaper. You DON'T REWARD A DIFFICULTY SETTING WITH MORE POWER. The people responsible for implementing that debacle have ZERO clue on how to challenge a player.

Reaper is a power inflate mechanic. Reaper rewards bad players, uninformed players, and glory seekers. It does not increase replayability except to reward the above mentioned behaviors.

We need to reward players for not setting off traps. Reward them for disabling them. And because it's fun, have an enemy 'alert' status. For example, guards stand watch over a passage. If alerted the guards would collapse the bridge, lock the door, ect... The passage is no longer an option due to player choice. Maybe a mini boss spawns, maybe it has chest maybe some XP.

Scenarios like that can promote certain behaviors.

Remember we are roleplaying, or rather pretending to be adventuring, we need mechanics that show us we are doing just that.

Reaper does not do that.

[Oxarhamar]

So the "ultimate challenge" idea of Reaper actually becomes easier than the easier setting - elite? That makes no sense. Why would anyone think that making such a system was a good idea?



Already did. Soloing low reapers is fairly trivial. But the implementation is poor. Reapers in every dungeon breaks immersion. Why didn't they have tough monsters appropriate for the quest rather than reapers everywhere?



Does that mean that Reaper becomes doable if you can pike for a while first?

I gave it a chance. disliked it. Can't be bothered to do it again. Holds no interest for me. Glad you like it.

They already have tough monsters appropriate for the quests those are Champions Reapers appear on Reaper difficulty setting it’s not immersion breaking at all.


You don’t need to pike for a while for Reaper to become doable

You do have to l learn how to play reaper and that only happens from playing it

Take your time and stick with the group piking is not a requirement

[Bunker]

1-2 dozen reaper points makes reaper easier than elite. How much more powerful is your character really getting with just 24 reaper point? Honestly. I'd say you aren't that much more powerful, aside from the extra hit points.

I think the HP increase is where the most value is.