Aion: The Tower of Eternity

[aduidarnenye]

I got talked into trying it this weekend. It is quite pretty to look at but nothing spectacular. I got through the first 10 levels in just over two hours. It was basic run and do quests, but I did like that it was easy to understand where one was supposed to be going. The combat was really a lot like WoW and Warhammer. I didn't see much difference at all in that regard.

I got into some arena or another, got clobbered. I got into a party with a couple of people, got clobbered. Then we ended up in a huge alliance and I didn't get clobbered for a lot longer. I did notice that PvP combat is really difficult to control. You have to figure out how to target, to attack, to move, to fly. I found flying combat nearly impossible. I think I need a third hand to control the direction of the screen.

[Fhqwghads]

This game rocks. Needs to go live soon.

[OzzofAsura]

I find it upsetting that anyone is even considering FFXIV after the absolutely retarded way that FFXI was handled... from RMT to bannings to game progression. I'm really not enough of a masochist to let them do that to me for another 4 years.

Aion on the other hand, doesn't seem flawless, but their customer service has to beat FFXI.

[Cat]

I find it upsetting that anyone is even considering FFXIV after the absolutely retarded way that FFXI was handled... from RMT to bannings to game progression. I'm really not enough of a masochist to let them do that to me for another 4 years.

This, pretty much.

FFIX has left such a bad taste in my mouth from the way SE handled it, despite XI being one of the better MMOs on the market generally. I'm looking forward to Aion too, since warhammer online has no real endgame to speak of.

[Spliffy]

I got talked into trying it this weekend. It is quite pretty to look at but nothing spectacular. I got through the first 10 levels in just over two hours. It was basic run and do quests, but I did like that it was easy to understand where one was supposed to be going. The combat was really a lot like WoW and Warhammer. I didn't see much difference at all in that regard.

I got into some arena or another, got clobbered. I got into a party with a couple of people, got clobbered. Then we ended up in a huge alliance and I didn't get clobbered for a lot longer. I did notice that PvP combat is really difficult to control. You have to figure out how to target, to attack, to move, to fly. I found flying combat nearly impossible. I think I need a third hand to control the direction of the screen.

Is controling during PvP really that hard? I was really considering this game because I'm a huge PvP fan myself and this game is based around PvP, but I'm also not a huge PC gamer so PC controls might be kinda hard for me. I play on Xbox360 for FFXI so ballista isnt hard at all.

[Yastora]

Is controling during PvP really that hard? I was really considering this game because I'm a huge PvP fan myself and this game is based around PvP, but I'm also not a huge PC gamer so PC controls might be kinda hard for me. I play on Xbox360 for FFXI so ballista isnt hard at all.

The only problem I see about casters and PvP is that you cannot move at all while casting. You cant even turn around.

[Spliffy]

The only problem I see about casters and PvP is that you cannot move at all while casting. You cant even turn around.

Oh that really sucks, I was really looking forward to lvling Sorcerer or Spiritmaster actually ><.

[aduidarnenye]

Is controling during PvP really that hard? I was really considering this game because I'm a huge PvP fan myself and this game is based around PvP, but I'm also not a huge PC gamer so PC controls might be kinda hard for me. I play on Xbox360 for FFXI so ballista isnt hard at all.

I should have probably qualified that I only did the PvP stuff for an hour and a half. I'm sure with practice you could get good at it. My major issues were targetting and combat while flying. I'm really used to the awesome targetting in FFXI so I always find other games difficult. And the adding the third plane for movement was disorienting, especially while trying to hit buttons to attack and swing the screen around to see. But like I said, it could be a practice thing.

[Pooky]

Is controling during PvP really that hard? I was really considering this game because I'm a huge PvP fan myself and this game is based around PvP, but I'm also not a huge PC gamer so PC controls might be kinda hard for me. I play on Xbox360 for FFXI so ballista isnt hard at all.

No, its not that hard if you have any experience with pc games. Even without prior experience it wont take very long to get used to. PvP will be nothing like ballista btw >.>;

Oh that really sucks, I was really looking forward to lvling Sorcerer or Spiritmaster actually ><

As a now 33 Spiritmaster, its really not that big of an issue. Use the mouse to turn the camera, problem solved. The longest casting spell you use on SM is ~2s iirc, which you can "jump-cast" (jump at ~85% of casting) if your timing is right you can eliminate some of the casting animation while kiting.

I got into some arena or another, got clobbered. I got into a party with a couple of people, got clobbered. Then we ended up in a huge alliance and I didn't get clobbered for a lot longer. I did notice that PvP combat is really difficult to control. You have to figure out how to target, to attack, to move, to fly. I found flying combat nearly impossible. I think I need a third hand to control the direction of the screen.

Keybinds are your friend. If your hand is leaving the mouse, you're probably going to die...esp in the air. Aerial combat can be a little tricky as you have more to keep track of, but its not too bad once you get the hang of it.

[MisterBob]

I should have probably qualified that I only did the PvP stuff for an hour and a half. I'm sure with practice you could get good at it. My major issues were targetting and combat while flying. I'm really used to the awesome targetting in FFXI so I always find other games difficult. And the adding the third plane for movement was disorienting, especially while trying to hit buttons to attack and swing the screen around to see. But like I said, it could be a practice thing.

FFXI did not have awesome targeting.

No implied targets = failure

[Spliffy]

No, its not that hard if you have any experience with pc games. Even without prior experience it wont take very long to get used to. PvP will be nothing like ballista btw >.>;



As a now 33 Spiritmaster, its really not that big of an issue. Use the mouse to turn the camera, problem solved. The longest casting spell you use on SM is ~2s iirc, which you can "jump-cast" (jump at ~85% of casting) if your timing is right you can eliminate some of the casting animation while kiting.




Keybinds are your friend. If your hand is leaving the mouse, you're probably going to die...esp in the air. Aerial combat can be a little tricky as you have more to keep track of, but its not too bad once you get the hang of it.

Oh ok thanks for clearing it up Pooky ^^, and what do you mean nothing like ballista? and how is Spiritmaster? Is it like Summoner (Just summon and BP, cant reeally do much but help heal a lil? or is it actually usefull?)

And I know this is kinda off topic about PvP and what not but as far as partying goes, whats the max number of people in a party/alli? and is it like FFXI where you NEED a tank and healer to PT/Get XP. Or is it like you can just get any 6 people say like (Sorcerer,Sorcerer,Spiritmaster,Ranger,Assassin,Sp iritmaster) can party up?

[Insanecyclone]

Complete Overview of a Draconic Carrier - AionSource.com

[Pooky]

Oh ok thanks for clearing it up Pooky ^^, and what do you mean nothing like ballista? and how is Spiritmaster? Is it like Summoner (Just summon and BP, cant reeally do much but help heal a lil? or is it actually usefull?)

And I know this is kinda off topic about PvP and what not but as far as partying goes, whats the max number of people in a party/alli? and is it like FFXI where you NEED a tank and healer to PT/Get XP. Or is it like you can just get any 6 people say like (Sorcerer,Sorcerer,Spiritmaster,Ranger,Assassin,Sp iritmaster) can party up?

The ballista comment was referring to the fact that you could only pvp in the 1-2 places in the game. In Aion, once you hit 20 its fair game to have members of the other faction rifting and ganking people. The abyss is no different, you'll get ganked (esp if you're solo).

SM is probably the most fun job I've leveled yet, I tried Chanter and Ranger to 26/28 and while I liked the classes, SM is just a better fit for me. Its *Nothing* like SMN in FFXI, aside from having a pet. You do very decent damage, have many CC options (Fears, Bind, Snares ect) and you level PvE *FAST.* You can do absolutely rude crap to people PvP, you really control fights if you use your CC right, and you can definitely instant-kill people if they're not paying attention in the abyss: bait people over the edge in flight, then use water spirit's "Crash" ability (Note: You don't get Abyss Points for kills this way =/)

That being said however, SM isn't a class for everyone, as it really requires a lot of skill to play well (esp in PvP). There's a lot more to keep track of: Your HP/MP, Pets HP, Pet's CD abilities, Your CCs/CD's, Pet's Position near aggro, Pet's distance from target, Time it takes for pet's skills to land...that's not even counting keeping track of the enemy! You have a LOT going on if you're trying to push the job to its limits, its a lot of work to really pull off cool stuff.


(can you tell I like my sm? :3)


Party Max is 6, Alliance (Force) is 24 people. From my experience, you really don't need to group up for anything aside from certain Missions, Fire Temple (30+ instance) or Elite grinding. But when you do group, esp for FT, you need some kind of tank, healer, and a sorc make life a lot easier. (don't really need a sorc for exp outside of FT, they just make life easier with sleep/polymorph)

[Veyron]

I find it upsetting that anyone is even considering FFXIV after the absolutely retarded way that FFXI was handled... from RMT to bannings to game progression. I'm really not enough of a masochist to let them do that to me for another 4 years.

Aion on the other hand, doesn't seem flawless, but their customer service has to beat FFXI.

I'm actually very impressed by NCSoft's community interaction. If you have a NA closed beta account, you get access to their beta forums where various members of the team are readily available to PM and post in multiple area's daily!

[Aevis]

not to forget that the eu/na comm reps all twitter and are active on the big community boards. ffxi customer service is not even in the same dimension.

[fishstix]

^ this is pretty much why I'm not too interested in FFXIV. Sure it'll have better graphics, but the same company behind it still...

[Pooky]

September 22, US release.

^_______^

[Postal]

September 22, US release.

^_______^

This ^ YAY!!!!

[pohibaba]

So, I've been thinking about rolling SM when the game launches, but I'm afraid that it will end up being a second class job at endgame that will only be needed if there's not a better job (glad, sorc, assassin) available. I know that until everyone starts gearing themselves out at endgame that it's one of the most powerful DPS classes, but once everyone starts getting their gear am I bound to be second rate?

[Olo401]

September 22, US release.

^_______^

Coooool shit yo!