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Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
What feelings will AoC combat provoke in its players?
MybroViajero
Member, Alpha Two
https://youtu.be/Lzlhdy3Hr2s?t=2I really like the direction that has the development in AoC combat shown in the last update, but there is something that worries me, I think I really liked the environment in which the AoC combat is surrounded, the environment in AoC has improved so much that is able to convey those real artistic sensations where it seems a more alive world, I really love how the direction of the environmental development in AoC is going but that's why I have a doubt, I'm so pleased with what has been shown in the last development updates where there is combat because of the environment or because of how the combat is being developed? .
1.- What feelings will AoC combat provoke in its players?
2.- LoL vs DOTA2
Most of the links are 30 second videos, please watch them for more understanding.
1.- What feelings will AoC combat provoke in its players?
While a well-made lore, a well-made music, a well-made environment, well-made systems or even well-made cinematic can provoke in the players the birth of sensations and feelings that make them want to try or continue playing that video game is also very important, I would say that even primordial, the feelings and sensations that the combat provokes in its players, and I do not mean that it has to be the best combat made in the history of video games, but rather that this combat can transmit to its players those feelings and sensations that the video game wants to transmit with its development and for which that video game is being developed.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxXVDKljkPKuISVOs3be3G1kslZSVToSGf ( The feelings that different things in a videogame can provoke in people )
Players are like sponges, we absorb all the good and bad that the video game throws at us and we reach a limit, good or bad, where it makes us want to keep playing or stop playing, that's why it is so important the feelings that the combat provokes in its players as it is something that players will be doing for a long time.
So, I understand or I think I understand what is the current approach that has the AoC combat shown in the last update, a combat very pulled to the old school style, where the skills, moves and teamwork is very strategic to bring out the best potential of all, apart where the focus of each class is very defined,for me the cleric I saw in this last update is one if not the best cleric I've seen in my life playing MMORPGS, he felt and transmitted what a cleric is, he was totally a cleric and I loved it because it made me want to try it not only for his skills or rotation but for what he transmitted, to be a true cleric.
In my opinion the approach and direction of the combat is in a very good way , you can feel the organic , artistic approach to combat coupled with the environment that also has a spectacular direction , you can feel that the combat is in a direction that will let it grow healthily to get better with the development .
However, I also noticed in some moments that the combat seemed to lack mobility, as if it was too old school and lacked to add some modernity.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxJNGIUCf0W6FkBU2eA0wipiNIiDqBclN-
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxBszmqpLtTdAH9P5wVUVpCebPLixqBztA
When people talk about AoC combat they tend to say that it is "hybrid", but what does that really mean?.
Will there be moments where the mobility will be hybrid?.
Will there be moments where the mobility will be faster or slower?
Will there be times where it will feel more old school or modern?.
I would like to give two examples that do not go hand in hand with MMORPGS but that in my opinion provoke in their players those feelings that make their players say "this is my main" and that's why I play this game.
2.- LoL vs DOTA2
They have so much in common but at the same time so many things that differentiate and characterize them.
LoL is explosive, frenetic, not very strategic because players are differentiated more by their skills, their quick reaction and speed of adaptation to situations. You could say that LoL has a lot of "modern" influence within the MOBA genre.
Dota on the other hand is more strategic, slower, with less explosiveness because its players are more characterized by knowing how to manage their economy, know how to punish the opponent and take advantage of the clear moments to make the difference between victory and defeat. It could be said that DOTA2 has a lot of "old school" influence within the moba genre.
Both have a very similar combat but with very marked differential characteristics, while one needs to be more explosive and skillful, the other needs to be more slow and strategic.
But, what do they both have in common in their combat that attracts so much attention from their players? What do LoL and DOTA2 have in common that generates in their players those feelings to dedicate 5 thousand hours to a single character to call him "MY MAIN" or on the contrary to say "MY MAIN" to a newly created character but of which the player generated those feelings that made him feel so comfortable with that character that he just knows.
LoL and DOTA2 have managed to conceptualize and demonstrate that it is not necessary to have a combat so explosive and skillful or slow and strategic to please the players, But in their combats that have different characteristics, a hybrid balance prevails where their characters have many characteristics of TAB TARGET and ACTION COMBAT (AIM) in their skills and that causes that their players of both LoL and DOTA2 feel comfortable with the characters since they have skill kits that manage to create for the players situations of versatility, differentiation and freedom that other video games do not have.
The key to the success of LoL and DOTA2 combat is the "MOMENTUM". where players are given the freedom to use a character's distinctive ability to generate a distinctive "moment" that character has and therefore give their player a feeling of full control in that situation.
For example, let's take a look at the situation that happened here. https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxBszmqpLtTdAH9P5wVUVpCebPLixqBztA
Now let's look at that situation https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxF5J4MU5Uh60wE6HwK6agnEpZPApSx1gd
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxWPPGxGiRakqTnZdmT_wJT1iCBiDthO-E
How important it is to give focus to those "MOMENTS" that make the player feel powerful, free, in control but without being ACTION or TAB dependent, but rather as a mobile detail that gives a unique characteristic to the character and player.
I think this is the key to hybrid combat in AoC, it is not that the problem is too much or too little TAB or ACTION, but that there are not those "moments" that make you have a differential in certain circumstances and therefore make the TAB look more leisurely and ACTION more frenetic.
It is not the same to have a BDO combat (Action) frenetic, compulsive, chaotic than to have ACTION combat with skills that generate "MOMENTS" where the character has and demonstrates versatility, freedom and control of the situation.
It is not the same to have a WOW combat (TAB) slow, strategic, manageable than having a TAB combat with skills that generate "MOMENTS" where the character has and demonstrates versatility, freedom and control of the situation.
How different this situation would have been https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxJNGIUCf0W6FkBU2eA0wipiNIiDqBclN-
that this situation https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxuJKtT7rx_mOWt8s-hw2PRvf85Tvtbcue
that simple movement of running would have given dynamism to the situation, would have given Steven freedom of positioning to use skills and would have given him control of the situation or maybe some repositioning skill, something that generates that "moment" that gives the player the freedom to generate outplays.
With a simple detail of "moment" you can change a whole situation and that's what makes LoL and DOTA2 combat great, they take advantage of the "moments" very well either in moves, skills, items, passives, etc, put 10 people together in a 5 vs 5 combat and the magic is born, imagine 250 vs 250 people with skills that generate unique but controlled moments, it would be spectacular.
The vast majority of players do not play characters out of necessity (unless they are in a very high elo), but play characters for affinity and fun, what is more affinity and fun for them they will play or in some cases play characters that are in the "META" but that condition is temporary being rotating and always returning to the search for FUN AND AFFINITY WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER.
That is why LoL and DOTA2 players are so attached to their characters , that is why those players do not call a character DPS , tank or mage , but rather by their names , Jinx , Wukong , Axe , BREWMASTER , because those characters for LoL and DOTA2 players are their mains , they have unique characteristics that differentiate them from others to create "moments" by which the player will have the ability to have situations to create outplays , have versatility , differentiation and freedom.
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Comments
Time to kill should have the same effect as the psssss of the creeper in Minecraft.
Not too long and not too short. Just right to realize you die. Sometimes you must be able to escape if you flee. Or survive if you fight and others unexpectedly join to help.
And here's a "moment" from a tab mmo (not my gameplay). Two best representatives of their respective classes on the server. Usually this matchup is a 50/50, but here the main character of the video (playing my main class from L2) managed to win because her paralysis successfully landed. One more skill from the rogue and MC woulda lost.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxgYubmVrs_MzTHsJRMcQZFiXJZXW9GBSD
Did you see the DOTA 2 super patch ?
That could be considered something similar to what Intrepid is trying to do with skill augmentations?
What Valve has done is to give more versatility and adaptability to the way of playing, a fresh air for players to have more ways to play.
Right now i have the Feeling that :
- There is no running from a Fighter. They are scary Monsters that WILL hunt You down. (lol)
- If Cleric Healing is to strong and nobody can kill of Groups with Clerics inside of them -> then about everyone or most People will play a Cleric.
This magical Shitshow happened between Burning Crusade and Mists of Pandaria in WoW. Nigh Unkillable Druids, Priests, etc.
Ashes of Creation would do VERY well to have and go a bit more by Rock-Paper-Scissors Class Balance in PvP Combat.
No Rogue should ever hope to just be able to beat a Tank or a Fighter.
But no Cleric or probably Bard as well should be able to overpower a Rogue. At least not one they can not shake him off from Melee'ing them.
As i still know nothing about the Summoner, i think i who wants to play one, will take the greatest Gamble here. Maybe my Class will suck against almost Everyone. But if that is the Cost of Style, i think i might be able to pay it. (hahahaaah)
I was always a Fan of Rogues. And Rogue-Gameplay.
But i was also a Fan of "Necropolis" and Undeath since Heroes of Might and Magic Three since my late Childhood. So will i finally be able to return a bit to my most beloved Fantasy since my Childhood ? I am happy i am able to play a Necromancer f~aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from that nasty Pile of You-know-what that is Activision Blizzard.
A nice and fresh MMO ? With Necromancer Possibilities ? With amazing Battles small and gigantic ?
An "MMO" ??? With amazing Looks and awesome Possibilities around the own Home-Cities/Nodes ? Possible Cultures ? Possible Roleplay ? Where do i need to sign up ? Oh wait i already know.
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
✓ Guild is " Balderag's Garde " for now. (German)
wtf these changes. Imo bloodseeker change is bad in most chases, u now need to move so its going to break up your attack speed because you are pushing. So you will actually do less DPS unless u are trying to do pure dmg.
Don't poke the Troll !!!
meh, supports are always in high demand and low supply. most people don't play them T_T
I think summoner will be the best class for solo pve and one of the best, if not the best at 1v1 (aside from the cleric), so lucky you. I'm just worried about their performance and utility in a party. will people need them or can they easily be replaced by another cleric or dd?
From my POV, it caters more to tab targeting players.
Instead of bridging the gap between the tab targeting and action combat with AWESOME telegraphed skills shots like Scatter Shot (which can be used effectively in both gameplay types) they keep coming up with these tab target heavy skills that makes the game look outdated. Gameplay wise at least.
- A blend of tab and action.
- Impactful.
- Not flashy sparkle epileptic seizure inducing animated swings.
- That a class (archetype combo) feels unique with a reasonable amount of organic configuration (instead of wiki-driven cookie cutter specs). Organic - meaning I figure it out, experiment, and make it my own
- Damage types (arcane, fire, bleed, etc) are thematically consistent with a spec (I don’t want my bleed vampire fighter to have one lightning damage ability)
- oh and FUN! 🤗