Sorry if I left Perfect World Expedition hanging for a while. Real life got in the way! You know how it works. Anyway, here I am again, back for more.
As many of you know by now, the newest patch for our beloved Pangu has come out. Dusk Temple is now open and with it a literal plethora of mobs, bosses and treasure. My first foray into the new area was a real blast, because I got blasted to bits a few times by the traps within Dusk Temple. Luckily I was with my friends, one of which was a Yu Ling.
To put things in perspective, most of my game friends are now above level 90 while I am still at 69 at the time of this writing. My stop has taken its toll, but as they say, more often than not, its a lot like just coming back home again when you handle that mouse and that keyboard again. It just fits and eventually you find your way again.
Thing was I found my way all right! All the way to asking for resurrection three times in a row. Thing was, me and my buds were actually laughing about it rather than being pissed about it, as the trap got me in the dumbest way possible.
I actually said, "What does this do?" and as one of my buds desperately tried to type in the message, the trap got me just as the words "Kuya huwag! Trap yan!" appeared in the chat box. XD Ambubu!
We were laughing so much afterwards I guess. After I was alive again, here's the clincher, I didn't move as I was still chatting right after I clicked revive, and just as the words "Ang lakas naman nun! One hit lang dedz na aku! Lolz!" appeared, BOOM! I was dead again! =D
It was a good two minutes before I could move again, because I couldn't stop laughing. I'm actually smiling right now remembering what happened. And this now, in hindsight, I realize is where the fun of party adventuring always lies. In recollection, in relating the story to others, in the brotherhood and company and time shared. This is what MMORPGs are sooo addictive for. It's not the gaming itself, but the extent of human contact that the game can simulate through the internet. And as far as the chat options of Perfect World go, now that I have really compared them to other chat systems, I prefer this one, be it because of familiarity, or because of the amount of conversations I've had on it.
Anyway, its nice to be back and bitter sweet too. Nice because the community of gamers is still vibrant and active. Sad because friends of mine have gone missing. In the short amount of time that I have been online trying out the new dungeons, I have seen so few of the old gang and there is no way to contact them anymore it seems.
These are my regrets, why didn't I spend more time trying to improve the friendships I had when I was online more often. Then maybe I would have been able to call together the gang and once again have a go at it. So learn from my mistake next time you party up with your usual suspects, get their numbers, you don't even need to get their real names, just so in case real life also gets in your way, you can keep in touch.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
SOMETHING GONE WRONG
Obviously, by this time it is apparent that I haven't had the luxury to post on this blog. Soon though I will be able to post regularly again. It's not because I don't want to, but, my internet connection got lost and I focused on playing instead of posting. But after a while, when my money ran out for playing at the internet shops, I was left with nothing.
Hasn't been fun, but that is the truth. I can't wait till I get to play again very soon, as I recently got a new job. Now, let me put this straight. The blog came before the job, and the job didn't come because of the blog. Now that's out of the way, hope to be able to update soon.
As with all expeditions, this one will soon be funded again. And the journey will resume. See you soon in Pangu.
Hasn't been fun, but that is the truth. I can't wait till I get to play again very soon, as I recently got a new job. Now, let me put this straight. The blog came before the job, and the job didn't come because of the blog. Now that's out of the way, hope to be able to update soon.
As with all expeditions, this one will soon be funded again. And the journey will resume. See you soon in Pangu.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
WHY I DON'T PLAYER KILL
Though I knew about Player Kill or PK activities in Online Games, having seen it in its first inceptions in Diablo Battlenet, I have never seen it in MMORPGs as this is my first one.
As with all forms of violence, I was introduced to it in a most unexpected way, when I least expected it.
It was due to an incident where Malystryx was backstabbed during one of our forays. We were battling a flight of dragons in the skies around Fishing Village when from out of the blue, this coward struck from a distance. The damage Malystryx had sustained from the dragons made her easy to kill at that time. By the time I turned around, the coward had teleported out. We were left seething. I complained in the clan boards of the event. True enough, someone calmly replied "If you don't like player killers, you're playing the wrong game."
A major part of the game is the versus combat; from the one-on-one to the massive clan vs clan territorial wars. It is so integral that there are items that clearly are designed for PK, or to prevent being a victim of PK. There is even a switch to set your character either as willing for PK or not.
Since that event, I made it a point to always be in Safe Mode. No point in getting bothered by watching my back while trying to finish the quests which is why I was playing this game in the first place. Sad to say, we never got our revenge on the cowardly backstabber, but we don't see him around that much anymore. I guess he made the mistake of pissing off too many people. Having a few individuals hunting you down is OK in a world as big as Pangu, but when Clans put a vendetta on you, it is time to move on.
But instead of letting that incident change the way I saw the game, it further strengthened my resolve to not PK and not Duel. All players have the choice to PK or not to PK, thus the Safe Mode switch. I'm glad to see most of the higher levels have foregone PK. But when needed they dive in to defend their lesser Clan Mates when they are attacked. Which is the way it should be. With all MMORPGs, the people have to learn to police themselves.
As with all forms of violence, I was introduced to it in a most unexpected way, when I least expected it.
It was due to an incident where Malystryx was backstabbed during one of our forays. We were battling a flight of dragons in the skies around Fishing Village when from out of the blue, this coward struck from a distance. The damage Malystryx had sustained from the dragons made her easy to kill at that time. By the time I turned around, the coward had teleported out. We were left seething. I complained in the clan boards of the event. True enough, someone calmly replied "If you don't like player killers, you're playing the wrong game."
A major part of the game is the versus combat; from the one-on-one to the massive clan vs clan territorial wars. It is so integral that there are items that clearly are designed for PK, or to prevent being a victim of PK. There is even a switch to set your character either as willing for PK or not.
Since that event, I made it a point to always be in Safe Mode. No point in getting bothered by watching my back while trying to finish the quests which is why I was playing this game in the first place. Sad to say, we never got our revenge on the cowardly backstabber, but we don't see him around that much anymore. I guess he made the mistake of pissing off too many people. Having a few individuals hunting you down is OK in a world as big as Pangu, but when Clans put a vendetta on you, it is time to move on.
But instead of letting that incident change the way I saw the game, it further strengthened my resolve to not PK and not Duel. All players have the choice to PK or not to PK, thus the Safe Mode switch. I'm glad to see most of the higher levels have foregone PK. But when needed they dive in to defend their lesser Clan Mates when they are attacked. Which is the way it should be. With all MMORPGs, the people have to learn to police themselves.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
BOSS HUNTING
Never underestimate a Boss. Never try it alone unless you are sure you can handle the damage type.
Just because a Boss' level is the same as yours or is even ten levels below you doesn't mean it is easy pickings. Even at my level I still tend to stay clear of Hades Wolf King at the Orchid Temple. My Yao Shou even with anti-magic armor got smacked good when I took him for granted and casually sauntered past.
Obviously, the physical type Bosses are a push-over for me. Yang Sheng (the big guy at the Mine) merely tickles me now, for instance. But the magical ones, like Pao Chi (thin guy at the shores opposite of Trade Wind Town) who is an earlier Boss than Yang Sheng actually still manages to damage me.
Even the high-level tankers of our Clan who assist during Boss hunts won't do it without a decent YuLing. I've seen our Clan Master get killed by the Elite Purple Dragon even with three YuLings watching him. For those who don't know Elite Purple Dragon, or EPD as he is called, his area attack damage reaches 3000 to 6000. Still snickering?
Bosses are obviously meant to be dealt with "in good time," not as a priority. But there are a lot of players out there, due to having had tankers, boast that these Bosses are push-overs. Really? Try taking them on yourself when you reach your tanker's level before you say that.
It is when you have to face a Boss that the value of friends, not Clans comes in, as it is these friends that will come in handy, if not in the form of tankers, but maybe a bit of advice. Woe betide those who do not heed the wisdom of experience in dealing with Bosses.
I guess one cannot really know the meaning of a Boss until one meets a Grand Titan. Though since all the territories in Tiger Server are now occupied, no one will ever see one anymore. Imagine a giant the height of the gates of Dragon City, weilding a tree. His area attack damage can easily kill 50th Levels in one strike. During our Clan's first meeting with him, he took down almost everyone in one strike. It took all 65 of us to take him down.
Treat all Bosses with respect. It will save you those precious 3% to 5% XP that you will miss in the high levels. There really are worse things in Pangu than can be thought of in your philsophy.
Just because a Boss' level is the same as yours or is even ten levels below you doesn't mean it is easy pickings. Even at my level I still tend to stay clear of Hades Wolf King at the Orchid Temple. My Yao Shou even with anti-magic armor got smacked good when I took him for granted and casually sauntered past.
Obviously, the physical type Bosses are a push-over for me. Yang Sheng (the big guy at the Mine) merely tickles me now, for instance. But the magical ones, like Pao Chi (thin guy at the shores opposite of Trade Wind Town) who is an earlier Boss than Yang Sheng actually still manages to damage me.
Even the high-level tankers of our Clan who assist during Boss hunts won't do it without a decent YuLing. I've seen our Clan Master get killed by the Elite Purple Dragon even with three YuLings watching him. For those who don't know Elite Purple Dragon, or EPD as he is called, his area attack damage reaches 3000 to 6000. Still snickering?
Bosses are obviously meant to be dealt with "in good time," not as a priority. But there are a lot of players out there, due to having had tankers, boast that these Bosses are push-overs. Really? Try taking them on yourself when you reach your tanker's level before you say that.
It is when you have to face a Boss that the value of friends, not Clans comes in, as it is these friends that will come in handy, if not in the form of tankers, but maybe a bit of advice. Woe betide those who do not heed the wisdom of experience in dealing with Bosses.
I guess one cannot really know the meaning of a Boss until one meets a Grand Titan. Though since all the territories in Tiger Server are now occupied, no one will ever see one anymore. Imagine a giant the height of the gates of Dragon City, weilding a tree. His area attack damage can easily kill 50th Levels in one strike. During our Clan's first meeting with him, he took down almost everyone in one strike. It took all 65 of us to take him down.
Treat all Bosses with respect. It will save you those precious 3% to 5% XP that you will miss in the high levels. There really are worse things in Pangu than can be thought of in your philsophy.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
TERRITORIAL WAR: OFFENSE VS MOBS
During the few times that I have had the opportunity to join a clan in their territorial bid on a land that is uncontrolled, the monsters or mobs as some are fond to call them are of the level that would have been hard to handle if the clan I was with was not as organized as they were. Truth be told, the clan I was with was not the strongest in the lot, but they made sure that they had field commanders who knew what they were doing, and was creating a sense of purpose to the advancing army. the situation was simple enough, three lanes filled with monsters lead to a fortress guarding a major boss creature. All the monsters act individually and do not provide any support to one another. Though mindless, the individual monsters are already a chore each at their respective levels and capabilities. As a group, they would be invincible as the attacking force is only allowed 80 soldiers to their 300. The solution is simple enough to anyone who has studied a little warfare and have read up on Sun Tzu.
The 80 are divided into groups of six each as this is what the game allows. They are further divided into three flying columns that take one lane each until they reach the gate, where they merge as a singular force to clean the inner court and eventually strike at the final Boss.
Simple enough, but organization is paramount in the early stages, each column must have a fair amoung of Tankers, Nukers, and Healers. They have to attack as a focused force, individually, the groups of six focus fire on one creature at every encounter, and provide support for the other teams. They have to stick together and move forward as one. If one strays, they're dead. If one is left behind, those in the front will be compromised. The final assault is manageable enough as long as the teams are under strict orders to not touch the boss until all his troops are done for. Easy enough if they are eventually able to kill the final boss, and no one is afraid.
The 80 are divided into groups of six each as this is what the game allows. They are further divided into three flying columns that take one lane each until they reach the gate, where they merge as a singular force to clean the inner court and eventually strike at the final Boss.
Simple enough, but organization is paramount in the early stages, each column must have a fair amoung of Tankers, Nukers, and Healers. They have to attack as a focused force, individually, the groups of six focus fire on one creature at every encounter, and provide support for the other teams. They have to stick together and move forward as one. If one strays, they're dead. If one is left behind, those in the front will be compromised. The final assault is manageable enough as long as the teams are under strict orders to not touch the boss until all his troops are done for. Easy enough if they are eventually able to kill the final boss, and no one is afraid.
INSTANCE DUNGEONS
Having been a Dungeon Master for many years before I finally had to retire my Dungeon Master's Screen makes me view the world of Pangu a little differently than most players. I see a lot of the common storylines and the running quests as parts of the whole. I actually read the lines in the quest and see if I can find any clues to what the quest entails and what it is for rather than just reading the final requirement of the quest which may be the reason why I view the game a little bit more seriously than the other players. This is not an advantage when you think about it, because instead of being out there, finishing the quest to get my XP, like the other guy, I'm busy trying to make sense of mhy I am doing this specific quest, and why I am running around for this NPC. It is nice to see the whole community using the terms and words of the RPG genre though. Here we thought that with the advent of CCGs in the early 90's, our cause would be lost to the sands of time. Now, 8 year olds over the world know whan an RPG is and what an NPC is, all without ever holding a d20.
What I find very interesting are the instance dungeons as some of the Token Boss quests are called. Everytime a group enters these dungeons, the game provides them with a fresh copy of their own, rather than sharing with the other people in the neighborhood. This is as old school D&D as this MMORPG gets. Sans the dice and the Mountain Dew.
What I find very interesting are the instance dungeons as some of the Token Boss quests are called. Everytime a group enters these dungeons, the game provides them with a fresh copy of their own, rather than sharing with the other people in the neighborhood. This is as old school D&D as this MMORPG gets. Sans the dice and the Mountain Dew.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
WHY I TRY NOT TO DUEL
First of all, my apologies to those who have been reading this blog, I will try and put entries more often than I have been.
I have given up dueling when I reached a certain level, I think it was 32 (I'm Level 63 as of this writing). Dueling is the safer alernative to Player Killing, and everyone from Level 1 can duel with other characters in Perfect World.
I decided to give it up because I always ended up either apologizing to those I beat or being insulted by those who beat me. Surprisingly when I made my announcement in the Clan Chatroom, I think I said "AMP ayoko na! Hindi na ako magdu-duel!"(Dammit! I quit! I'm never going to duel again!) the Clan Master also piped up: Ako din, ayoko na. (Me too.) We were surprised, and he proceeded to explain that he found it bad for his morale. He hit the nail on the head so to speak.
Since then I duel for only two reasons: friendly practice with friends, or beating up bullies. With friends, its a laugh-out affair, not unlike horse play. With bullies, its a pleasure.
There was this incident when I was in Near-Water Town and I was minding my own business, checking my bank. I noticed a loudmouth Yao Shou who kept dueling with everyone in the area. He was beating everybody as he was obviously higher level than those who were in the town on their regular quest rounds. I was there for a DSQ. I wanted to kick this guy's butt for blatantly rubbing everyone's face in it.
Knowing bullies as well as I do, I knew it was only a matter of time before he tried me. I was in tiger form so he couldn't really see my armaments unless he checked it before starting the duel. He didn't. I accepted with glee and as the count began I transformed in front of him. He got to say "Uh-oh" before I ripped into him. I drew it out when I saw he wasn't really making a dent. When I eventually humiliated him enough, I ended the duel with a flourish.
He immediately went into a tirade about me cheating, pretending; obviously trying to save face. There was a smattering of insults and approval from the crowds. All I said was, "Nice Game." He stormed off and teleported out of town.
I may not duel anymore, but that doesn't mean I won't battle.
I have given up dueling when I reached a certain level, I think it was 32 (I'm Level 63 as of this writing). Dueling is the safer alernative to Player Killing, and everyone from Level 1 can duel with other characters in Perfect World.
I decided to give it up because I always ended up either apologizing to those I beat or being insulted by those who beat me. Surprisingly when I made my announcement in the Clan Chatroom, I think I said "AMP ayoko na! Hindi na ako magdu-duel!"(Dammit! I quit! I'm never going to duel again!) the Clan Master also piped up: Ako din, ayoko na. (Me too.) We were surprised, and he proceeded to explain that he found it bad for his morale. He hit the nail on the head so to speak.
Since then I duel for only two reasons: friendly practice with friends, or beating up bullies. With friends, its a laugh-out affair, not unlike horse play. With bullies, its a pleasure.
There was this incident when I was in Near-Water Town and I was minding my own business, checking my bank. I noticed a loudmouth Yao Shou who kept dueling with everyone in the area. He was beating everybody as he was obviously higher level than those who were in the town on their regular quest rounds. I was there for a DSQ. I wanted to kick this guy's butt for blatantly rubbing everyone's face in it.
Knowing bullies as well as I do, I knew it was only a matter of time before he tried me. I was in tiger form so he couldn't really see my armaments unless he checked it before starting the duel. He didn't. I accepted with glee and as the count began I transformed in front of him. He got to say "Uh-oh" before I ripped into him. I drew it out when I saw he wasn't really making a dent. When I eventually humiliated him enough, I ended the duel with a flourish.
He immediately went into a tirade about me cheating, pretending; obviously trying to save face. There was a smattering of insults and approval from the crowds. All I said was, "Nice Game." He stormed off and teleported out of town.
I may not duel anymore, but that doesn't mean I won't battle.
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