T.E.R.A.

[Rulke]

^I agree /sigh. Part of the problem for me is that Ive been in both FGTs: so Ive played the game already. I know what I'm missing and its only improved since then. While I wouldnt trade that experience away, it would probably be easier waiting like I did for SC2 and only got to play it when closed/open beta was out just a few months before release.

[Deathgazer]

New Q&A is up. Good read too. http://www.terafans.com/topic/6480-t...a-qa-with-bhs/

[Kupo]

First of all, I think this game sounds amazing and I am really looking forward to it.

However, I'm a little worried about it getting "dumbed down":

Posted yesterday:

Q. Recently you've changed the genre of the game from non-targeting to free targeting.

The genre we consider TERA, whether it's called free targeting or non-targeting, is a simple tool to differentiate TERA from other games. TERA is an MMORPG with action elements, but the game itself is not an action game. If we call TERA a non-targeting game, many people expect an action game. Throughout the game's various tests, we tried to make TERA easier to get into, adding a lock-on system and many other improvements.

http://www.terafans.com/topic/6480-t...a-qa-with-bhs/

Doesn't that defeat the whole point of what makes this game special? Please tell me I have nothing to worry about.

[Cichy]

I'm glad about that, the whole targeting system was the only thing I suspected I wouldnt like.

[arus2001]

I'm not sure I like how the above linked interview mentions smaller characters can have advantages like being able to stand under a dragon's breath attack. Basically, I'm looking at it as there will be no advantage to being a taller/larger character since you'll just make an easier target. The only mentioned drawback was that smaller characters would be harder to target for healing, but I'd figure once you do it enough, it'll be easy enough to work around while AI stuff (like the breath) is constant.

[Charismatic]

You seem to forget that online games have things called patches... if it gets to be too stupid, they can always change it.

[arus2001]

While I can understand the literal sense behind the idea, it just doesn't sound fair on paper. A variant would be like, the biggest race warrior equivalent have some kind of 5 range AoE, whereas if you're the loli, it'd be 3. Every warrior would be the big race if that AoE was the go to move. Meanwhile, you could probably guarantee every ranged character would want to be the loli so they'd be harder to hit in both PvE and PvP.

Kinda like the old taru/galka mage thing all over again.

[Rulke]

I am quite curious about the "lock on" idea as well, perhaps its only for certain skills or spells. I seem to recall reading about a couple Priest skills that allowed them to lock onto allies for the purpose of casting that particualr spell.

[Purrrfect]

That's how FGT2 was iirc. Mostly there was no targeting, but a few select skills allowed you to select a target. They were mostly heals I think.

[Rulke]

^ Heh, yes, exactly. But by "reading" it someplace, it upholds the NDA testers are still under /nudge nudge wink wink

[Lucavi]

While I can understand the literal sense behind the idea, it just doesn't sound fair on paper. A variant would be like, the biggest race warrior equivalent have some kind of 5 range AoE, whereas if you're the loli, it'd be 3. Every warrior would be the big race if that AoE was the go to move. Meanwhile, you could probably guarantee every ranged character would want to be the loli so they'd be harder to hit in both PvE and PvP.

Kinda like the old taru/galka mage thing all over again.

What's wrong with that? Why should some midget taru with a spear the size of a toothpick have the same range as some Galka with a spear that looks like its an entire tree? On the flipside, why should a Taru get hit by a high-arcing attack by a boss when he's clearly under the the range of the attack, simply because the huge Galka is within range? I call it realism.

If the loli-lovers want to get their loli-jollies (I loled), they'll have to be ready to get out-ranged in melee combat in PVP. Sounds like a fair trade to getting to play the game with a solid stiffy the entire time.

I support this notion, and it it turns out to be insanely unbalanced (though I like the tradeoff), they can patch it later.

[arus2001]

Realism and game balance just have a hard time meshing, really. Personally, I hate being bound to an aesthetic that compromises functionality. To use another FFXI-ism, it's like how all the (old) good gear is ugly as hell (Ohat, Turban, etc.). Or more generically, all wizards have to be frail, robe-wearing sissies. Race, however, is an aesthetic you can't really change like a piece of gear, and there will almost always be overhwlming pros where the cons are inconsequential. And if Utsu's taught us anything, it's that not taking damage > taking any damage (Which is bound to happen if you're a larger target in a world where size matters). Will only get worse in PvP when you start introducing lag with hitting small(er) targets and flashy animations blinking around against the environment.

In a nutshell, class/race discrimination is just inviting more of the elitism that can make the MMO scene suck.

[Alderaan]

I can already see people making ranged damage classes as tiny as possible.

It's a huge advantage with the way targeting works not to.

[Rulke]

I think Tera will lend itself to the same style of 2 choices that even FFXI did to (some) degree. You had people pick Galkas or Elvaans for tanks b/c of HP or Vit and people went Taru for mages b/c of mana etc. Others just said fuck it and made that Galka whm or taru pld. So with Tera you'll have some people who will go best size or race because they want that 'edge' or whatever, but others will just play what they like. Since there will be both PvE and PvP servers, I imagine too that people will maybe care less about being 'perfect' say on the PvE server than they might on the PvP one. I dunno, I don't care for PvP in the MMORPG setting but I wont critize someones choice to play what they like in a game.

[Kupo]

What's wrong with that? Why should some midget taru with a spear the size of a toothpick have the same range as some Galka with a spear that looks like its an entire tree?

Where in the article did you see that smaller classes would have less range? They said smaller classes would have smaller hitboxes but made no mention of other disadvantages besides being harder to target for healing (which isn't the best tradeoff). Are you just assuming they would do that or did I miss something in the article? Also, half the classes are "ranged" classes so small size shouldn't hurt their range but being large makes them a bigger target. So you want a game where all sorcerers are gimped if they aren't little animals or little girls?

and it it turns out to be insanely unbalanced (though I like the tradeoff), they can patch it later.

How's the "patch it later" strategy working out for XIV? How'd it work out for WAR's Bright Wizards? I prefer a game to be fixed from the start.

[Cyn]

The fuck is Bright Wizards?

[Alderaan]

The fuck is Bright Wizards?

The most OP class at one point in Warhammer. No idea if they still are.

[Kupo]

Posted yesterday:



http://www.terafans.com/topic/6480-t...a-qa-with-bhs/

Doesn't that defeat the whole point of what makes this game special? Please tell me I have nothing to worry about.

Well, I know I'm answering my own question here but it's a day later and this caused enough rabble on the official forums to get an official response:

From Scapes, En Masse Entertainment Senior Community Manager:

Remember that you're reading a translation.

This system has been in the game for multiple builds now. It refers to lock-on skills, a type of ability which incorporates tagging targets and then casting the skill. There are far more non-targeting skills for each class.
-- Scapes

This makes me feel better. Others on the forums have mentioned that locking on could mean you still have to have the aiming reticule very close to the target to be locked on (like a space fighter/ jet fighter game) but if the target moves, you don't stay locked on unless you move the aiming reticule with the target. This will also make me feel better if it turns out to be the case.

[Cyn]

Oh fuck, I remember Bright Wizards now. I was sooooo glad I rolled White Lion, until I met Witch Elves that didn't drool on their keyboards.

[Kupo]

The most OP class at one point in Warhammer. No idea if they still are.

And on top of that, only one faction had access to them. The other faction's "equivalent" was not as powerful. This lasted for months leading to numerous complaints of unbalanced PvP. And unbalanced PvP was a large reason Warhammer failed.

I totally understand the need for patching but having the "patch it later" mindset from the start does not seem like a successful strategy for many MMOs.