Dungeons & Dragons Online

[Vergil]

A few of us have started playing this game together and it's probably a good idea to make a thread so everyone can find eachother. I'll update the OP with users and their character name(s) as people posted them.
The server we're playing on is Argonnessen

User	Characters
@Vergil	Vergstarion (Rogue/Wizard), Veenk (Paladin)
@Kalarion	Kalarionis (Bard)
@LemonDemonGirl	Ahmanet Samde, Setkuna Lezan
@The_Mask	SevenWinds Septerra (Monk)
@Tweed	Iskssissth (Wild Mage)
@asf	Nllgger (Sorcerer)
@Jordy	ShoveIt (Rogue)
@Finarfin	Daevithiel (Barbarian), Haygaz Markossian (Paladin)
@rusty_shackleford	Porfo (Alchemist)

[Oyster Sauce]

What classes have been claimed? And what's the best class, so I can be it?

[asf]

only **** have more than one char

[LemonDemonGirl]

Ok.
Ahmanet Samde - Half Orc Cleric (Dark Apostate), Wizard
Setkuna Lezan - Tiefling Cleric, Wizard, Warlock (Acolyte of the Skin)

[The_Mask]

SevenWinds Septerra

(don't laugh, everything else was taken - and besides, if you know the RPG it's taken from you'll agree it's a prestigious name)

EDIT: Human, Monk.

[Vergil]

If people wanna list their classes too I'll add them

[Greyborne]

What made you guys decide to play this?

[Vergil]

What made you guys decide to play this?

s'cool

[asf]

(it isnt)

[Greyborne]

Was reading some reviews. Sounds like it's got the old school charm, but the support team are practically non-existence, the micro transactions are overkill, and the expansions are expensive

[Acrux]

You can play in modules that Gary DMs

[asf]

game is awful, only fun is playing coop

[Jordy]

ShoveIt (Rogue)

Finding an available name was horrible.

[fkirenicus]

Is this really any good? I must say I have my doubts, based on feedback on Steam (basically: prepare to spend (quite a lot of) RW money if you want to do anything in this game, really).

[Finarfin]

I used to play this but classes and races were locked behind real money was bumming me out.

[Acrux]

Is this really any good? I must say I have my doubts, based on feedback on Steam (basically: prepare to spend (quite a lot of) RW money if you want to do anything in this game, really).

Every once in a while they give away the DLCs for free. Wait for that.

[TKVNC]

Isn't this game supposed to be pozzed?

[Xenich]

Is this really any good? I must say I have my doubts, based on feedback on Steam (basically: prepare to spend (quite a lot of) RW money if you want to do anything in this game, really).

You don't have to spend any money to enjoy the game (ie buy store items), in fact I would advise against it as the game is best setup for starting out fresh and earning your progression (ie you start buying things like + stat/skill tomes, the higher point builds, etc... and it begins to make early content trivial. Besides, a lot of those things will unlock naturally when playing.

My advice is to play it FTP, but don't judge what you are limited by when you try it. If you like the game play, the atmosphere, etc... then Sub.

Sub to the game (15 bucks a month) as this will unlock pretty much all the content for you (it also gives some perks in play as well), except maybe the newest expansion. Then if you really like it as new expansions come out, pick up the base expansion as that will unlock all the content. The higher tier expansion content is extras (tomes, exp tools, mounts, cosmetics, fast travel tools, and occasionally extra content which you would have to decide if it is worth getting at the time or just wait and pick it up separate in the in-game store on sale with the points you earn from playing).

You will see various roll things here and there, but they aren't advertising spam like some of the FTP games (though they are visible such as a roll button at the bottom of a chest you open which will allow you to spend shards to try another roll). The game plays more like a traditional MMO if you sub, which is why I recommend it in that form.

While the game is HEAVY PTW in terms of the tools and leveling aids to fast level through reincarnations, it is one of the fewer FTP form games out there where it doesn't ruin the game for those who want to bypass it or ignore it. There is no useful gear buying in the stores, so it doesn't PTW to that level, all of that you have to earn in game.

The mechanics are rather unique in the game that no other game has (stealth, secrets, traps specifically) and the dungeons are self contained packaged stories with a narrator GM. There are some open world areas that they package some of the dungeons in to create a better feel for a world and they have their own themes related to the modules they contain.

Anyway, it is one of the only MMOs out there that even with the PTW crap can still be enjoyed.

edit: and aside from some very specific things in the store, everything can be earned in game.

[fkirenicus]

Thanks, both to @Acrux and @Xenich . One final question, only (for now , anyway ) : is this game turn-based (like ToEE, BG3) or real-time (NWN) ?
(I kinda get the impression both, but I would guess one of the sources I've looked at is "inaccurate")

[Xenich]

Isn't this game supposed to be pozzed?

Some of the newer stuff I have noticed that, but that is mostly the content that they put in "themselves". Because the game is heavily reliant on the nostalgia of original modules, they pretty much stay within the confines of them. I haven't checked it heavily, but I didn't notice any major adjustments in some of the modules and a lot of the content is from AD&D 1st editions, so there is that, but like I said, I didn't pay heavy attention, so there may be.

There was a new thing they put in called a "date with fred" where you go on a date with a mindflayer as practice and that is certainly pozzed with its *** story. Though this is avoided by simply not doing that quest (there is tons of content for the levels now and plenty of exp from them where you will outlevel them before you do your level range).

The game does have a lot of **** in it, but I don't talk with people or group (and my chat is always off) and if I were interested in that, I would get friends to play with me. I think in the last 5 years I have talked "briefly" with maybe 2-3 people and that was only because they sent me a tell asking if I wanted to group with them.

I don't raid though... so if you are going to play on that scene, good luck, though there are some old guilds on there that may not be infected with weirdos, I just never bothered to try.

[TKVNC]

Isn't this game supposed to be pozzed?

Some of the newer stuff I have noticed that, but that is mostly the content that they put in "themselves". Because the game is heavily reliant on the nostalgia of original modules, they pretty much stay within the confines of them. I haven't checked it heavily, but I didn't notice any major adjustments in some of the modules and a lot of the content is from AD&D 1st editions, so there is that, but like I said, I didn't pay heavy attention, so there may be.

There was a new thing they put in called a "date with fred" where you go on a date with a mindflayer as practice and that is certainly pozzed with its *** story. Though this is avoided by simply not doing that quest (there is tons of content for the levels now and plenty of exp from them where you will outlevel them before you do your level range).

The game does have a lot of **** in it, but I don't talk with people or group (and my chat is always off) and if I were interested in that, I would get friends to play with me. I think in the last 5 years I have talked "briefly" with maybe 2-3 people and that was only because they sent me a tell asking if I wanted to group with them.

I don't raid though... so if you are going to play on that scene, good luck, though there are some old guilds on there that may not be infected with weirdos, I just never bothered to try.

All MMOs are infected with freakshows.

[gastovski]

There is another mmorpg called "Neverwinter" from arc games

[Xenich]

Thanks, both to @Acrux and @Xenich . One final question, only (for now , anyway ) : is this game turn-based (like ToEE, BG3) or real-time (NWN) ?
(I kinda get the impression both, but I would guess one of the sources I've looked at is "inaccurate")

Action based with a combined directional and tab based targeting system. That is, if you swing your sword near something, it will hit, but if you want to shoot an arrow or cast a targetted spell, you have to click on them or use a hotkey to tab (target, interact, etc...).

The magic system is spell point based, but not regen like EQ. To refresh some abilities and spell points (there are exceptions with some gear, items, potions, skills, etc...) you will have to find a shrine within the quest to gain them back.

Also, the dungeons are in various difficulties. Solo, Normal, Hard, Elite, Reaper of 10 levels. (Epic is 20+ in the same format). FTP used to have to unlock them in sequence doing each one to open the next until you got to elite, not sure how much of that has changed as I usually sub.

Also, those difficulties will require higher dice rolls to overcome them, so if it is your first life, it could be very difficult.

If you pick a class, don't multiclass on your first run, if you mess it up, you will have to use the store to do a lesser reincarnate to fix your mistake. If you screw up a feat selection, you can swap it in game fairly easily as long as you catch it early (ie before you add more feats in the next levels).

Safe bet is monk, barbarian, Paladin, ie melee classes and the like. Don't pick rogue unless you know what you are doing, they are "AD&D rogues, not WoW rogues" and require a very special approach to play. Wait till you know the game better before doing them (same with Bard).

Also, the game provides you with Hirelings ( a pet of a different class that has all the abilities of a player class) which are on timers, but will stay active as long as you are still in the dungeon if they run out. So you can play a melee and run with a cleric/favored soul for healing (or rez when you are higher level) or use fighter and be a cleric or healer (though this is more tricky with some fights). You get 1 of these to take in with you and they can only be summoned at the entrance (also no rogues for traps/chest until 20+).

There is a "gold seal" hireling in the store you can purchase with the points you earn and they have no limitations on how many (other than the size of a party which is 6), they can be summoned anywhere (CORRECTION: They have an expiration timer, it is the expansion ones that are perm). These are why people often buy the upper tier expansions as they give them out as bonuses. If you have been playing the game for years, you likely have a full contingent of gold seals at various levels to solo a dungeon as a full party.

The only think you have to worry about is that DDO loves to dangle a "get out of jail... with pay" carrot when get in trouble (ie you die and the rez screen pops up saying " release, or pay 35 shards to instant rez!" If you aren't tempted by that, then you will be fine, but keep in mind that the dungeons can be VERY lethal and frustrating for new players.

Go slow, don't zerg like an idiot, play it cautious, read the quests, slowly explore, watch your general chat and icons for pets (traps, noises of hidden monsters or secrets, etc...) and the game can be quite enjoyable.

Edit:
Oh, one other thing.

Loot. There is a mix of random generated loot and hand crafted (dark blue and some special color) items that are usually in the end chest (mostly these days). You aren't guranteed them, so if you really want something (ie you are collecting for another class reincarnation), then you may have to run the dungeon several times to get them to pop. In that way, it can be like EQ where you get to the boss, kill it... and nothing of worth.

[Xenich]

There is another mmorpg called "Neverwinter" from arc games

Horible action hack and slash gimmick game. Well, it was at release. It doesn't even compare to DDO.

only **** have more than one char

Nah. I have two, but only because I made another to play with friends one time in the past, and decided to level him up to max so I could farm gear in the lower dungeons if I wanted to tweak something for a character.

[Finarfin]

Is this really any good? I must say I have my doubts, based on feedback on Steam (basically: prepare to spend (quite a lot of) RW money if you want to do anything in this game, really).

You don't have to spend any money to enjoy the game (ie buy store items), in fact I would advise against it as the game is best setup for starting out fresh and earning your progression (ie you start buying things like + stat/skill tomes, the higher point builds, etc... and it begins to make early content trivial. Besides, a lot of those things will unlock naturally when playing.

My advice is to play it FTP, but don't judge what you are limited by when you try it. If you like the game play, the atmosphere, etc... then Sub.

Sub to the game (15 bucks a month) as this will unlock pretty much all the content for you (it also gives some perks in play as well), except maybe the newest expansion. Then if you really like it as new expansions come out, pick up the base expansion as that will unlock all the content. The higher tier expansion content is extras (tomes, exp tools, mounts, cosmetics, fast travel tools, and occasionally extra content which you would have to decide if it is worth getting at the time or just wait and pick it up separate in the in-game store on sale with the points you earn from playing).

You will see various roll things here and there, but they aren't advertising spam like some of the FTP games (though they are visible such as a roll button at the bottom of a chest you open which will allow you to spend shards to try another roll). The game plays more like a traditional MMO if you sub, which is why I recommend it in that form.

While the game is HEAVY PTW in terms of the tools and leveling aids to fast level through reincarnations, it is one of the fewer FTP form games out there where it doesn't ruin the game for those who want to bypass it or ignore it. There is no useful gear buying in the stores, so it doesn't PTW to that level, all of that you have to earn in game.

The mechanics are rather unique in the game that no other game has (stealth, secrets, traps specifically) and the dungeons are self contained packaged stories with a narrator GM. There are some open world areas that they package some of the dungeons in to create a better feel for a world and they have their own themes related to the modules they contain.

Anyway, it is one of the only MMOs out there that even with the PTW crap can still be enjoyed.

edit: and aside from some very specific things in the store, everything can be earned in game.

Play it via Steam or Standalone launcher?

[gastovski]

There is another mmorpg called "Neverwinter" from arc games

Horible action hack and slash gimmick game. Well, it was at release. It doesn't even compare to DDO.

only **** have more than one char

Nah. I have two, but only because I made another to play with friends one time in the past, and decided to level him up to max so I could farm gear in the lower dungeons if I wanted to tweak something for a character.

i dont know, people say neverwinter much better than d&d online plus with more player count

[Gregz]

Safe bet is monk, barbarian, Paladin, ie melee classes and the like.

What's wrong with playing a spellcaster?

[Acrux]

Safe bet is monk, barbarian, Paladin, ie melee classes and the like.

What's wrong with playing a spellcaster?

I think he means for someone not familiar with D&D rules.

[Xenich]

Is this really any good? I must say I have my doubts, based on feedback on Steam (basically: prepare to spend (quite a lot of) RW money if you want to do anything in this game, really).

You don't have to spend any money to enjoy the game (ie buy store items), in fact I would advise against it as the game is best setup for starting out fresh and earning your progression (ie you start buying things like + stat/skill tomes, the higher point builds, etc... and it begins to make early content trivial. Besides, a lot of those things will unlock naturally when playing.

My advice is to play it FTP, but don't judge what you are limited by when you try it. If you like the game play, the atmosphere, etc... then Sub.

Sub to the game (15 bucks a month) as this will unlock pretty much all the content for you (it also gives some perks in play as well), except maybe the newest expansion. Then if you really like it as new expansions come out, pick up the base expansion as that will unlock all the content. The higher tier expansion content is extras (tomes, exp tools, mounts, cosmetics, fast travel tools, and occasionally extra content which you would have to decide if it is worth getting at the time or just wait and pick it up separate in the in-game store on sale with the points you earn from playing).

You will see various roll things here and there, but they aren't advertising spam like some of the FTP games (though they are visible such as a roll button at the bottom of a chest you open which will allow you to spend shards to try another roll). The game plays more like a traditional MMO if you sub, which is why I recommend it in that form.

While the game is HEAVY PTW in terms of the tools and leveling aids to fast level through reincarnations, it is one of the fewer FTP form games out there where it doesn't ruin the game for those who want to bypass it or ignore it. There is no useful gear buying in the stores, so it doesn't PTW to that level, all of that you have to earn in game.

The mechanics are rather unique in the game that no other game has (stealth, secrets, traps specifically) and the dungeons are self contained packaged stories with a narrator GM. There are some open world areas that they package some of the dungeons in to create a better feel for a world and they have their own themes related to the modules they contain.

Anyway, it is one of the only MMOs out there that even with the PTW crap can still be enjoyed.

edit: and aside from some very specific things in the store, everything can be earned in game.

Play it via Steam or Standalone launcher?

I hate steam, and my experience with companies has been that stand alone is better. To be honest though, I don't think it really matters, so just pick what is comfortable for you.

[Xenich]

Safe bet is monk, barbarian, Paladin, ie melee classes and the like.

What's wrong with playing a spellcaster?

Nothing, they "can" be VERY powerful if you know what you are doing, but you have to understand not only AD&D (which you are likely fine), but how they adapted them for this game (Enchancement trees class/racial). They are shrine limited and for first lives, without any gear your DC's are going to be in the crapper (resists and fails).

IF you want to play a caster, I would say Favored Soul and Druid are powerful and forgiving. Straight Wizard (especially if you go Palemaster) is durable and powerful, but like I said, it is easier to screw up (though if you stay single class, fixable).

Artificer is a good one as well. Alchemist I never tried but I hear was very powerful at one time. Sorcerer is good if you want to be a spam fest and not have to micromanage your spell loadouts for dungeons. Cleric is fairly safe and warlock also can be very powerful as well.

They are all good in their own way if you put some effort into your builds. Bard and Rogue are the ones to be very careful on, they may have changed them over the time, but they used to be extremely difficult to play (great in a group, horrible trying to run dungeons alone... unless the dungeon was "designed" for the class).

In most cases, these days it is easier to fix your class as the bulk of your power is in the Enhancement Tree which can be reset with ingame coin (and an increasing cost for how many times you do it).

All I am saying is BE CAREFUL. DDO is all about "pre-building" your character, but for the most part if you stick to a single class at the start and pay attention to your build, you should be fine.