05-02-2014, 11:47 PM
Off topic= but related to what Hypernoma was saying:
Unless the mod is drastically changed, I don't foresee any changes to our current tactics for tackling hard and ragnarok mode. Shield walls are the most efficient as well as the easiest method of playing the game. Players will always tend toward sure-fire efficiency after the initial phase of exploration and experimentation. A moving shield wall takes a high level of skill, coordination, and knowledge, which are things you'll have difficulty finding on a public server. Considering the hectic nature of the game, it is unlikely that you can type out commands so teamspeak is necessary for it to work. Or at least everybody has to be on the same page/briefed beforehand so that they know what to do in scenario A through Z. But again, this would be involve higher risk compared to the current style of play. Most players prefer low-effort for high-reward, and that is why no tactic is more prevalent than the shield wall.
The consequences for dying are harsh in this mod. If you decide to be a little adventurous you could die and miss out on every wave (unless your team has a bunch of tomes). Even then, you will miss out on potential loots on waves known to drop good crafting materials. That's why most people play it safe.
I agree that the shield wall is boring. It's the most primitive form of teamwork possible in this game. It is the only way to allow for unskilled members of the team to contribute in a slightly more meaningful way, because seriously, how can you screw up repeatedly pressing the LMB (but apparently you can, as I have learned from experience)? Too many players these days are incompetent at fighting bots face-to-face in this game, and I think kiting solo (as melee and as ranged) would help to improve the base skill level of the community. It would help with developing decision making skills, planning, and map awareness. A good player should have a plan for every scenario. I see people continuing to slash straight ahead even when nords are slipping by and attacking them from the side. Or commandos who don't switch to shielding when a shielder dies. These are things that should be obvious but apparently are not.
The shield wall enables players to continue to be bad at the game. It simplifies the actions and thought required from each player to the bare minimum, and yet somehow players still manage to stuff it up. I now understand that encouraging the use of the shield wall has been a poor influence on the player base, because it has discouraged players from thinking for themselves, and outside of their given roles. The very idea of roles has led to inflexibility, stubbornness, buffoonery, and general incompetence.
Sorry for going off on a tangent. I look forward to the changes that the devs have in store for the mod. The things Hyper has hinted at all sound quite exciting.
Unless the mod is drastically changed, I don't foresee any changes to our current tactics for tackling hard and ragnarok mode. Shield walls are the most efficient as well as the easiest method of playing the game. Players will always tend toward sure-fire efficiency after the initial phase of exploration and experimentation. A moving shield wall takes a high level of skill, coordination, and knowledge, which are things you'll have difficulty finding on a public server. Considering the hectic nature of the game, it is unlikely that you can type out commands so teamspeak is necessary for it to work. Or at least everybody has to be on the same page/briefed beforehand so that they know what to do in scenario A through Z. But again, this would be involve higher risk compared to the current style of play. Most players prefer low-effort for high-reward, and that is why no tactic is more prevalent than the shield wall.
The consequences for dying are harsh in this mod. If you decide to be a little adventurous you could die and miss out on every wave (unless your team has a bunch of tomes). Even then, you will miss out on potential loots on waves known to drop good crafting materials. That's why most people play it safe.
I agree that the shield wall is boring. It's the most primitive form of teamwork possible in this game. It is the only way to allow for unskilled members of the team to contribute in a slightly more meaningful way, because seriously, how can you screw up repeatedly pressing the LMB (but apparently you can, as I have learned from experience)? Too many players these days are incompetent at fighting bots face-to-face in this game, and I think kiting solo (as melee and as ranged) would help to improve the base skill level of the community. It would help with developing decision making skills, planning, and map awareness. A good player should have a plan for every scenario. I see people continuing to slash straight ahead even when nords are slipping by and attacking them from the side. Or commandos who don't switch to shielding when a shielder dies. These are things that should be obvious but apparently are not.
The shield wall enables players to continue to be bad at the game. It simplifies the actions and thought required from each player to the bare minimum, and yet somehow players still manage to stuff it up. I now understand that encouraging the use of the shield wall has been a poor influence on the player base, because it has discouraged players from thinking for themselves, and outside of their given roles. The very idea of roles has led to inflexibility, stubbornness, buffoonery, and general incompetence.
Sorry for going off on a tangent. I look forward to the changes that the devs have in store for the mod. The things Hyper has hinted at all sound quite exciting.
ba da bing ba da BAN! -Hypernoma