Factions

[GravenStone]

Picked up Factions today since it looks like there's nowhere else to wander in the Prophecies line until we get into the Crystal Desert, and that appears to only come through the storyline.

Wandering around as an Assassin to get a feel for things. So far liking the changes quite a bit, first quest reward dings you into 2nd and gives you the rez signet, so no more spamming for a group just to fill that niche. As an added bonus, you can opt out of the tutorial portion if you prefer. Early quests send you all over the adjacent zones, and the zones have a fair amount of critter variety - up to 12th level Red Yeti in an otherwise 3-7th level zone. :eek!:

Also, they have Quartermasters in the starting Temple where you can trade in quest rewards (Temple Credit or some such)for magick items, basic supplies, even Runes of Holding and Advanced Salvage Kits. Also, it looks like the armour you can acquire from the various collectors is actually on par with the crafted material, at least in this region - another nice departure.

Did have one nasty surprise, happened across a solo named (6th level). I and my three Droogs were all 3rd level so I figured it'd be a decent fight. Charge up to the guy, only to have him summon in TWO 7th level henches of his own, all ninja style. :evileye: Needless to say, the smackdown was delivered in lightning fashion, all over our faces.

So far, enjoying the ride. I expect this will be my lower level diversion as we slowly edge towards the Crystal Desert portion of the main plotline, as well as bring Onnie and Caranthir up to speed to join us.

[Onnie]

I played it a bit the other day. Think it was saturday, made a ritualist but I must say I don't care for the class already. I did rant and rave about seeing a tiger and thought it was a good thing Xellany wasn't there. Not that I could really Part her from George but it would of been tough.

I just ran around outside the Temple area, it is beautifully done. Last night though I watched a main Assian/Mesmer just absoutely own. In fact I think Own was in his name.

It was a guild that's ranked 170th something (yes Observing) up against Idiot Savants I think or maybe they were the first ones I watched. Anyways, they were up against a guild ranked under the 50's. This assian was just creaming out anything he picked. Cleared out all the NPC's near the Hero and cleaned up the monks left to Rez mounts.

Then it was jsut ownage by the other team and keeping pressure on. Smart little guy had his recall set to a nearby healer who was purposely hanging back behind the lines JUST for him to jump back to when the other team would go for him. Two hits whatever he targeted was toast. Complete hit and run tactics by him.

Down right rude I tell you guys.

I wonder though how he would of faired had a ritualist been standing there summoning all over him. Though might not of even had a chance to take him out before the blow landed.

--Onnie

[GravenStone]

Couple additional observations - the pathing seems a lot smoother in this implementation. Yeah, you still occasionally have apparently clear routes that have an invisible wall to navigate, but for the most part you can move much more easily - including through most undergrowth now.

Also, the quest exp is sort of insane. I'm halfway through 6th level in maybe 90 minutes played - and still have 6 secondary professions to sample. You get roughly 4500 total exp each I'd say.

[Raveneye]

I had seen in a review that they boosted xp gain in Factions so that players already familiar with the original could get their new characters up to speed much quicker. Apparently there is also quite a bit of high level content. Guess that means NCSoft is banking on Factions to sell more to current players than new ones.

[GravenStone]

I had seen in a review that they boosted xp gain in Factions so that players already familiar with the original could get their new characters up to speed much quicker. Apparently there is also quite a bit of high level content. Guess that means NCSoft is banking on Factions to sell more to current players than new ones.

I'd have to say this is quite true. I just finished samplnig all the secondary classes, and have a 3500 exp choice ahead of me. Once I dual class, I'll be < 400 exp from 11th :roll: And all this solely from the class quests, except for a single quest I stumbled on in the wilderness that was worth 3k. I also have 2+ plat already, and even had a gold weapon drop. All in all, I'd say they accelerated things significantly.

Tempted to run a newbie back through the Prophecies side to see if they made comparable changes there.

[Quervo]

Dont waste your time... It is the same as it always was... stupid slow grind

[GravenStone]

This game is seriously compressed compared to Prophecies. I completed the first storyline mission and found it contained three goals - Novice, Apprentice and Master level - the first two worth 1000 exp and the last 2500, and each worth 1 skill point.

Get to the next area and am immediately offered a 4000 exp quest that also affords 15 character points on completion!! I need to go Wiki mining, but this sounds like Factions characters will be the equivalent of 21st level from a stats standpoint, and I somewhat doubt this will be the only such inflation.

I'm already almost 13th, and have access to a 6 member party of 13th level henchmen. At this rate, I'll be 20th in another week or so - and probably able to join the Prophecies group once I find the port which connects the two games.

[Onnie]

I only know where the connection is from the side I'm on with Xellany. Lion's Arch, talk to the Skill guy and do the quest. I have no idea on the oppisite side.

Since Bixie has access to Lion's Arch I might take her on a trip to see where ya's end up. Might as well, she's my test out for everything. Plus, she has a new friend. They are scared. ;)

--Onnie

[Erudite]

Get to the next area and am immediately offered a 4000 exp quest that also affords 15 character points on completion!! I need to go Wiki mining, but this sounds like Factions characters will be the equivalent of 21st level from a stats standpoint, and I somewhat doubt this will be the only such inflation.

There are two quests in Prophecies that each offer 15 character points as well. My understanding is that both campaigns offer two quests that result in 15 character points. I don't think the Prophecies quests show up until Crystal Desert, though.

[Onnie]

Okay, I took Bixie over. I stopped though and am either going to play Xell or Seas. Either that or just run her back. I feel like I'm spoiling something I don't want to spoil.

But she ended up, this is interesting, on Bajunken's Peir with Kitty and the allies who stand outside at the Lion's Arch. They were all in her "Ally" party. I logged her out after getting a couple of quests from the guy standing right there.

Upon going to see relog she's back at Lion's Arch. However, she can travel on the boat that normally takes you to Balthazar's Temple to the Captial over there (forget the name) now as well. That is from the Travel Map, it has two options now for me if I click on the boat. It looked like this Pier was South East a bit from the Captial it's self.

--Onnie

[GravenStone]

Well, now I can see why they ram you through the levels early - once you leave the starting island, good god does the difficulty ramp up! After only the second (of 13) plotline missions, the story moves to the mainlaind - an urban slum. There, you have the full on party of 8, 20th level henchies, and all over nastiness. And of course, my poor 16th level butt is a magnet for the bad guys - death be neither proud, nor delayed it seems. :*

Still have two missions (4k each) left on the newbie isles, but they seem really intended for full PC groups because you're facing down groups of 18-20 baddies. Had I completed those in a timely manner, as well as gotten the full mission completion bonus (only hit one of three on the second storyline for some reason), I'd have been 18th level on arriving at the mainland. Not indestrucatble, but certainly not quite so.... fragile.