Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: How to fit the Enyo and Ishkur]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/19/eve-evolved-how-to-fit-the-enyo-and-ishkur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/19/eve-evolved-how-to-fit-the-enyo-and-ishkur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/19/eve-evolved-how-to-fit-the-enyo-and-ishkur/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
When tech 2 ships were first introduced to EVE Online, the first models off the production line were interceptors and assault ships. Interceptors served as agile tacklers with unmatched speed and maneuverability, while assault ships provided a slower but tankier option. Each race's assault ship had a bonus to its racial resistances, making it an incredible tank against certain damage types. This made it great for ninja-ratting in nullsec or tackling larger ships of a particular race. When subsequently released ships were also given this racial resistance bonus, the assault frigate lost part of what made it so useful. Players have begged for an assault ship buff for years, and in Crucible, it finally arrived.

The Gallente Ishkur and Enyo have always been capable PvE ships for speed-running low-level missions or ninja-ratting in nullsec, but with Crucible, they've become absolute monsters in both PvE and PvP. With the maneuverability and signature radius of a frigate but more tank and damage output than a tech 1 cruiser, both ships are incredibly fun to fly. Drone users will probably prefer the Ishkur, but the Enyo's raw damage output and buffer tank are truly terrifying.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I offer PvE and PvP setups for the Gallente Ishkur and Enyo to help you get the most out of these incredible revamped ships.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: How to fit the Enyo and Ishkur

MassivelyEVE Evolved: How to fit the Enyo and Ishkur originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescrucibledamagedpsenyoeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedfrigateguideishkurpvepvpsandboxsci-fishipship-fittingSun, 19 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: So you want to play a Sith Warrior]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-sith-warrior/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-sith-warrior/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-sith-warrior/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR - The Sith Warrior
No class embodies the Sith philosophy so completely as the Sith Warrior. Inquisitors hide and scheme, but Warriors let their passion run rampant. It's not that they lack in subtlety, merely that they are capable of channeling their passion into destructive force so effortlessly that careful manipulation is often unnecessary. In the army of the Sith Empire, they are the lords and the commanders, the highest aspirations of those with Force sensitivity, and the natural-born masters of nearly everyone else.

Sith Warriors are correspondingly limited in their options on the field. They can tear apart armies or hold said armies off single-handed, but they certainly can't help patch the wounds of their comrades. But the whole class philosophy is built around the best defense being a strong offense, and the plethora of Force abilities and agile lightsaber strikes in the Warrior's arsenal give you several options while you're breaking everything that stands before you. It's a talent that comes in handy as you progress through the class questline, a story of expectations, betrayal, and the survival instincts necessary for someone to be a true Sith.

Continue reading SWTOR: So you want to play a Sith Warrior

MassivelySWTOR: So you want to play a Sith Warrior originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtordpseaelectronic-artsfeaturedguideguideslucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpglucasartsopinionpreviewpreviewssci-fisithsith-warriorstar-warsstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorswtor-class-guideswtor-guideswtor-launch-guidetankthe-old-republictorMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: So you want to play a Bounty Hunter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-bounty-hunter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-bounty-hunter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-bounty-hunter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR - The Bounty Hunter
So you're thinking of being a Star Wars: The Old Republic Bounty Hunter, are you? It's a fine choice of profession. Challenging work, definitely. Requires a lot of travel, a quick draw, and a willingness to take on impossible odds. Some Hunters might see themselves as the avenging hand of the law, some just want to get paid, and some of them genuinely care about the Sith cause. But at the end of the day, every Bounty Hunter lives according to the same code: Find the mark and get paid for the job.

Of course, the in-game Bounty Hunter has all the tools needed to make that happen. With a plethora of tricks in his suit of armor, Hunters can do everything -- provide field medical support, keep targets occupied long enough for others to take them down, or even just waste everything with a plethora of missiles. There are a lot of options available to players who go down the route of the Bounty Hunter, and it doesn't hurt that the entire class oozes with style and intrigue from the start.

Continue reading SWTOR: So you want to play a Bounty Hunter

MassivelySWTOR: So you want to play a Bounty Hunter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebioware-austinbounty-hunterclassclass-mechanicsclassesdpseaea-biowareelectronic-artsfeaturedgame-mechanicsguideguideshealerhealingloremechanicsopinionrolesstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-class-guideswtor-guideswtor-launchswtor-launch-guidetanktankingthe-old-republictorMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: So you want to play a Trooper]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-trooper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-trooper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-trooper/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

SWTOR - The Trooper
Whether you're attracted to Star Wars: The Old Republic's Trooper class because of the iconic Stormtrooper/Clone Wars trooper look, the ability to dish out massive damage without any pamby-namby "Force" crutches, or the chance to hop on board a sci-fi military saga, you're in for a treat. While it may lack the grace of the Jedi, the sophistication of the Imperial Agent, and the swagger of the Smuggler, the Trooper gets it done with heavy armor, heavy firepower, and heavy quips.

The Trooper a strong contender for just about any role in the game except for melee combat (and even there it has a few moves). It can heal, deal ranged damage, and tank alike, so I'm not surprised to hear that there are all-Trooper guilds forming up for the game. If you like having wide-open possibilities for your character's future roles, the Trooper is the way to go.

The Trooper begins his journey on the war-torn world of Ord Mantell (alongside the Smugglers), where he's been recently recruited by the elite Havoc squad to tackle the toughest missions out there. You may not feel elite at the beginning, with light armor, an aged blaster rifle, and only a small handful of skills backing you up, but trust me -- by the end of your journey on Ord Mantell, you'll be ready to rock with the big boys.

Continue reading SWTOR: So you want to play a Trooper

MassivelySWTOR: So you want to play a Trooper originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassclassesdpseaElectronic-Artsfeaturedfemshepguideguideshavoc-squadhealingheavy-armorjennifer-haleloreord-mantellpreviewpreviewsranged-dpsstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-class-guideswtor-guideswtor-launch-guidetatankthe-old-republictortrooperMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: So you want to play a Jedi Knight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-jedi-knight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-jedi-knight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-a-jedi-knight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR - The Jedi Knight
If it's true that gamers would rather play Luke Skywalker than Uncle Owen, then the Jedi Knight is the class to put that claim to the test in Star Wars: The Old Republic. The Knight is the Republic side's melee specialist and classic tank-mage, who supplements her melee attacks with taunts, buffs, and Force powers. She operates on the front lines of the war against the Sith, protecting her allies and representing the Jedi Order across the galaxy.

Also, lightsabers. Two of them.

Continue reading SWTOR: So you want to play a Jedi Knight

MassivelySWTOR: So you want to play a Jedi Knight originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassclassesdpseaElectronic-Artsfeaturedfocusguardianguideguidesjedijedi-guardianjedi-knightjedi-sentineljedi-templeknightloremeleemelee-dpspreviewragesentinelstar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-class-guideswtor-guideswtor-launch-guidetanktankingthe-old-republictortythonwarriorWorld-of-WarcraftwowMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC Online 2011: KingsIsle's Sara Jensen Schubert talks RPG math]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/gdc-austin-2011-kingsisles-sara-jensen-schubert-talks-rpg-math/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/gdc-austin-2011-kingsisles-sara-jensen-schubert-talks-rpg-math/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/gdc-austin-2011-kingsisles-sara-jensen-schubert-talks-rpg-math/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm sure many of us have wondered how game developers decide upon item stats, experience amounts, damage per second, and all of the other numbers that we come across in our favorite games. Actually, it might sound more like, "Why the heck is my uber sword of uberness only doing X amount of damage?!" At GDC Online this week, Sara Jensen Schubert gave a rare glimpse into the math behind MMORPGs. She has worked on games like Shadowbane and DC Universe Online and is now a lead designer at KingsIsle Entertainment. Her background and focus is a traditional RPG viewpoint, and she builds from there to go through the process of designing and building stats, character attributes, experience rewards, the leveling curve, and itemization. While her talk is aimed at those in the industry, it offers a unique perspective into what goes into those stats behind our gear and why it takes us so long to level up. Read on for highlights from the presentation.

Continue reading GDC Online 2011: KingsIsle's Sara Jensen Schubert talks RPG math

MassivelyGDC Online 2011: KingsIsle's Sara Jensen Schubert talks RPG math originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I have slain a rat
Fallen Earth PvE can be anywhere from laughably easy to downright frustrating. I guess that's a good thing since you get a gamut of difficulty levels, but much of the leveling span leans toward the easy end of the scale. I tend to get bored with PvE combat fairly quickly in MMOs (not just Fallen Earth). Other people love to struggle against the environment. Some even refuse to do anything remotely akin to PvP. I'll only throw the term "carebear" at those who think all PvPers are maladjusted psychopaths. I'm not talking about them; I'm talking about regular hardcore PvEers: players who would rather play against the NPCs than against other players.

Many of my posts center around PvP. If I didn't PvP (and since I'm not a big roleplayer), I doubt I would still be playing Fallen Earth. That's just what I spend most of my time doing in the wastelands. So I tend to write a lot about it. But all PvPers have to PvE. PvE has its own set of challenges for the player. Granted, these challenges are quite static, and once you find a way to overcome them, you are done. But they are challenges nonetheless, and knowledge is power as much in PvE as it is in PvP. In this post I will give you some tips and tricks that might help you get through that next tough mission. Much of this stuff is common sense, but it may not occur to you until it's too late. So click past the cut and let's get started.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: PvE like a boss

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: PvE like a boss originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesammunitioncombatconsumablesdeath-penaltydpsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirstgroup-contenthealingmeleeMissionsmobsnpcspistolpveregeneration-ratesrifleskillsFri, 23 Sep 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon releases new MapleStory map and two new classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/nexon-releases-new-maplestory-map-and-two-new-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/nexon-releases-new-maplestory-map-and-two-new-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/nexon-releases-new-maplestory-map-and-two-new-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

MapleStory - Wild HunterMapleStory's Big Bang patch series is reloading for a second round of content updates, and this time the new stuff includes a new map, two new classes, and a new story.

Nexon's free-to-play fantasy side-scroller now features the Wild Hunter and Battle Mage classes, which players can commandeer in an effort to stem the tide of the relentless Black Wing menace that threatens to destroy the Resistance. Surprisingly, the Battle Mage isn't a bring-up-the-rear kind of DPSer like most mages you may have met. Nexon's press release says he'll be "the first into danger, placing himself between his teammates and the forces of darkness."

The Wild Hunter, on the other hand, is very much a keep-'em-at-range kind of gal who "will shoot down her targets with deadly accuracy [while riding] on the back of a jaguar." MapleStory will also be featuring another Hot Time event on August 6th, so mark your calendars and be sure to log in, grab an SP reset scroll and get some double XP. Finally, don't forget to click past the cut for a couple of videos focused on the new classes.

Continue reading Nexon releases new MapleStory map and two new classes

MassivelyNexon releases new MapleStory map and two new classes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-mageclassesdouble-xpdpsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-mechanicshot-timehottimehunterjaguarmagemaple-storymaplestorynew-contentnexonpatchespress-releaseranged-damagetrailersvideowild-hunterThu, 04 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a damage dealer?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Out of the three roles of the holy trinity, damage dealers (or DPS, depending on personal preference) are usually seen as the most superfluous. After all, you just have to pound something into the ground, right? But that's neglecting all of the work that damage dealers actually do, and it's neglecting the fact that you notice when your resident monster-pounder isn't up to snuff. Just because there are an awful lot of damage-dealing players in certain games (World of Warcraft springs to mind) doesn't mean there aren't some noteworthy members of the role.

From EverQuest to RIFT, pretty much every game has some way of allowing players to just rack up huge numbers and lay waste to the opposition. So what has your favorite experience been when piling on the damage? Was there a time that you broke numbers you didn't even think you were capable of hitting? A time when you showed your entire party just how good you were at what you did? Or was it a game where you got to combine your love of breaking things with a more party-oriented utility approach?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a damage dealer? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesdamage-dealerdpsgame-mechanicsgroup-playholy-trinitymechanicsopinionpartyparty-contentrolestdgthe-daily-grindMon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: You're fired]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/behind-the-mask-youre-fired/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/behind-the-mask-youre-fired/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/behind-the-mask-youre-fired/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

At the time this episode of Behind the Mask was written, neither Hideouts nor Aftershock had been released. I could run a hype post about hideouts, but they are not on PTS (or at least, we can't access them), which is worrying. In fact, the recent patches have been extremely frustrating for a lot of Champions Online's veteran players. Last week, the huge patch that integrated Vivox voice chat also broke the snot out of the game; it ruined everything from team chat to mission doors to certain parts of the in-game C-Store. It even broke the difficulty slider! I haven't even played CO in the last week due to the bugs. It's pretty frustrating.

Combined, these things make me really mad. Hideouts haven't been tested by players at all, and they were intended to roll out on Wednesday. The Vivox patch was pushed full of game-breaking bugs that players knew about in advance. Remember the kitchen sink patch? I thought the sloppy, impulsive, not-listening-to-players mentality that Cryptic had back then was dead. It needs to stay dead.

I will not, however, be roped into writing a gigantic, mega-DOOM column this week. We can save those types of columns for EVE Online. Instead, I'm going to rant about something familiar and relevant to everyone: archetypes, and specifically, how the current archetypes are bad. I've already covered this ground, but I'm rearmed with research and rage. This week, we're throwing the Inferno archetype under the bus. He's not terrible by any means, but... to be honest, we can do better. A lot better.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: You're fired

MassivelyBehind the Mask: You're fired originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aoe-dpsbehind-the-maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-failscryptic-studiosdamage-dealerdpsf2pfeaturedfixing-class-imbalancefree-to-playinferno-archetypekitchen-sink-patchpve-damage-dealerThu, 07 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Man in the mirror]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/hyperspace-beacon-man-in-the-mirror/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/hyperspace-beacon-man-in-the-mirror/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/hyperspace-beacon-man-in-the-mirror/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

On Friday, our friends on the BioWare community team gave us a second progression video for the Bounty Hunter in Star Wars: The Old Republic. As with anything on the internet, the video wasn't above scrutiny and complaint by followers. The complaints ranged from "we already have a Bounty Hunter progression video" to "why don't we have a Jedi Consular video yet?" But that doesn't hit on the real issue: There were no fiery explosions for the Bounty Hunter to walk away from in slow motion! He just can't be cool unless he turns his back on the destruction like he just doesn't frelling care.

Despite the lack of carnage in the class progression video, we did glean insight into many of the class powers, some of which mirror its Republic counterpart: the Trooper. I know for marketing reasons and to keep from confusing the potential player, it's not a good idea to use the word "mirror" when describing The Old Republic classes. But it's hard to deny that the Imperial Bounty Hunter and the Republic Trooper are very much mirrored insofar as combat roles and abilities. After the break, I will explain to you what I see that is the same and what is different between the two classes. Then, in the end, I will let you decide whether the classes are truly mirrored or not.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Man in the mirror

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Man in the mirror originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebounty-hunterclassescomparisonDamage-Per-SecondDPSEAeletronic-artsempirefeaturedgameplayhealerhyperspace-beaconLucasArtsmechanicsmirroredmirrored-classesprogression-videorepublicStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtortankthe-old-republictortrinitytrooperTue, 05 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: Find your focus]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/hyperspace-beacon-find-your-focus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/hyperspace-beacon-find-your-focus/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/hyperspace-beacon-find-your-focus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Thanks to the new advanced class page on the Star Wars: The Old Republic website and MMORPG.com's interview with Georg Zoeller, we now know quite a bit about the skill tree breakdown of each advanced class. However, over the next few weeks, I want to take a look at a few of the classes and read between the lines of text. Several abilities are listed for each class, but how do they fit together? What does the complete package look like?

The Jedi Knight looks to be one of the most popular classes to play. After all, what kid growing up didn't have a fantasy of wielding a lightsaber just like Luke Skywalker or Obi-Wan Kenobi? I'd like to give a general overview of the advanced class abilities and collate a comprehensive list of the announced abilities. Follow me beyond the cut to see how these puzzle-pieces fit together in SWTOR.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Find your focus

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: Find your focus originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced-classesBioWareclassescombatcrowd-controldefensedpsEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedfocusgeorg-zoellerguardianjedi-knightLucasArtsmmorpg.comsentinelStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortankthe-old-republictorvigilancewatchmanTue, 07 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: The hybrid]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/hyperspace-beacon-the-hybrid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/hyperspace-beacon-the-hybrid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/hyperspace-beacon-the-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

As many of you know, BioWare revealed the Trooper progression video for last week's Friday update. This surprised me because I was expecting a light update -- after all, E3 is next week, and Star Wars: The Old Republic is going to have a major presence at the expo. During the video, we witnessed many of the different Trooper abilities. The AoE of the gatling-like blaster, the heals from remote droids, the root from the carbonite grenade, and all the other abilities attest to the range of roles the Trooper can play in a group.

The Trooper is not the only class that can possibly fill every role of the group dynamic. In fact, we know four of the eight classes have the choice of being full DPS, healer, or tank: Trooper, Consular, Bounty Hunter, and Inquisitor. There is much debate on what this means for group dynamics and boss fights as well. Although most of the community would agree that having these hybrid classes isn't going to stop anyone from buying or playing the game, they might have an impact on the staying power of the MMO.

For me, it boils down to a couple of different schools of thought. On the Galactic Underground, an internet radio show, the hosts and the IRC audience spoke about the differences between a hard and soft trinity gameplay and which they preferred. For me, how the hybrid works depends on whether the game is set up with a hard or soft trinity. The definition of hard and soft trinity is a bit subjective. After the break, I will outline what I mean by hard and soft trinity and detail how I think the hybrid classes fit in Star Wars: The Old Republic...

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The hybrid

MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The hybrid originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 31 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredpsEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedhard-trinityhealerholy-trinityhybridLucasArtsPokketPokketsaysRIFTrift-planes-of-telarasoft-trinityStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicSWGswtortankthe-old-republictortrinitytrooperTue, 31 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: Back to the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/captains-log-back-to-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/captains-log-back-to-the-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/captains-log-back-to-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Captain's Log, Stardate 64884.1...

Hello, computer (and players)! Guess what's back? That's right! Hailing frequencies are now reopened -- Captain's Log is no longer on hiatus. Over the past few weeks, there has been some great news released about the Star Trek Online universe: the winner of the Design the Next Enterprise Contest was announced, the May Ask Cryptic was released, the dev team revealed the 500-day veteran rewards, and the Featured Episode reruns began. While everyone has had his or her own opinions on these stories, there is one piece of news that everyone can agree on: the awesomesauceness of the latest Engineering Report.

As first announced earlier this week, Executive Producer Dan Stahl dropped his latest report, which describes the updates to the game coming in Season Four. As usual, aside from the imminent new content, Dan foreshadows the future for us. Captain's Log is no stranger to talking about the future of the game, so I am excited to share some more details about the upcoming updates with you. Since Season Four is right around the corner and I believe it will be the "game changing update this game has needed since launch," let's get on to this week's Log entry.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's talk about Season 4 and beyond...

Continue reading Captain's Log: Back to the future

MassivelyCaptain's Log: Back to the future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academycaptains-logcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdan stahldaniel stahlDanielStahlDanStahldpsdstahlduty officerduty officer systemDutyOfficerDutyOfficerSystemfeaturedforum-postsforumsground combatGroundCombatGunsIdeasklingonofficial-forumspostssalami_infernoseason 4season fourSeason4SeasonFourshuttlestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestar-trek-online-gameplaystarfleetstarfleet academyStarfleetAcademystosto-gameplaytutorialVivoxvivox-voice-chatwishstonewishyThu, 19 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aeria teases Eden Eternal Thief video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/aeria-teases-eden-eternal-thief-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/aeria-teases-eden-eternal-thief-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/aeria-teases-eden-eternal-thief-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Another day, another Eden Eternal video reveal. It's almost old hat now since the free-to-play fantasy title from Aeria Games is on its third class trailer in as many weeks. First we had the Warrior, then the Magician, and today we get a glimpse of the Thief as the game rolls on towards its June 2nd beta date.

A glimpse is probably all we'll get, too, since the Thief is a trickster who excels at evasion and stealth. Two cloaking skills come standard with every Thief, and the rascals can also make use of the five branch skills available to all melee DPS classes. Thieves are most effective when dual-wielding a pair of daggers, but like all Eden Eternal classes, they can fight with any weapon in a pinch. Sneak past the cut for a look at the Thief in action.

Continue reading Aeria teases Eden Eternal Thief video

MassivelyAeria teases Eden Eternal Thief video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriaaeria-gamesbetaclassclassesclosed-betadaggersdpsdual-wieldeden-eternalf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsroguesthiefthievestrailervideoThu, 19 May 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eden Eternal's Magician previewed in new video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/eden-eternals-magician-previewed-in-new-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/eden-eternals-magician-previewed-in-new-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/eden-eternals-magician-previewed-in-new-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Eden Eternal's beta is coming up fast (June 2nd, if you're keeping track), and today we've got another class teaser for those of you anxiously awaiting the free-to-play fantasy title from Aeria Games. Our last video focused on the game's Warrior class, but this time around we're taking a look at how the other half lives courtesy of the Magician archetype.

Unsurprisingly, the Magician lives and dies by his ranged DPS, and thanks to Eden Eternal's switching mechanics, you can swap to one of the game's 11 other classes if you're dying a little too often. Chances are you'll do fine, though, as Magicians deal elemental damage, cast buffs, turn invisible, and provide party teleports. The staff is the Magician's weapon of choice, and he can also pick from eight class-specific skills and five branch skills shared with other magic DPS classes. Head past the cut for a closer look at the new Magician video.

Continue reading Eden Eternal's Magician previewed in new video

MassivelyEden Eternal's Magician previewed in new video originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeriaaeria-gamesbetaclassclassesclosed-betadpseden-eternalf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsmagicianranged-dpsskillstrailervideoTue, 17 May 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Don't give up]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/wasteland-diaries-dont-give-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/wasteland-diaries-dont-give-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/wasteland-diaries-dont-give-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In Fallen Earth PvP, there is a pretty wide rift between the haves and the have-nots. A novice will rarely fare well in Fallen Earth combat, but there are rare exceptions. There are some groups that fight so well that it might even seem like they are hacking or cheating in some way. Usually, this isn't the case. What they are doing, however, is using every advantage they can get out of the game mechanics. They are also working together like a well-oiled machine. This takes a bit of knowledge and a lot of practice. A well-trained and coordinated team will make short work of a rag-tag pick-up group.

In this post, I will lay out the basic knowledge that you will need to PvP. If you take these few pointers to heart, you will be more likely to understand what happens when you lose and what to do to correct it. Overcoming the learning curve in Fallen Earth PvP requires two things. The first and most important thing is patience. When you get knocked down, you have to brush yourself off and try again. The second thing you will need is a firm understanding of the game mechanics. If you understand the rules of the game, you will be more likely to figure out what you did wrong and what your opponents did right. I can't teach you how to be patient, but I can tell you a few things about the game mechanics that might help you stay alive. Even if you never plan to PvP (mobs can be vicious too), click past the cut to start your training.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Don't give up

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Don't give up originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffsconsumablescontingenciesdpsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedfocus-firegearhealshotsicarus-studiosmutationspvppvp-guideskillssnaresstunstacticsvoice-commsFri, 06 May 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Being a good team player]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/behind-the-mask-being-a-good-team-player/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/behind-the-mask-being-a-good-team-player/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/behind-the-mask-being-a-good-team-player/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The holy trinity is a sort of abolished concept in recent MMOs, and Champions Online is really no different. It's easy to make healer-tanks, tank-DPS, healer-DPS, and all sorts of variations on those themes. I commented previously that I like the idea of the trinity, but that was a year ago, and I've got a little more to say.

Champions is a hard game to explain in terms of role, so I don't really expect the community at large to actually accept a lot of what I'm explaining here. However, this is a breakdown of the real contributions each person can make to a team. Although there is no real "crowd control" role, there are still a lot of ways people can contribute to victory.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Being a good team player

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Being a good team player originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdpsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhealerhealer-dpshealer-tankhealer-tank-dpshybrid-dpsspecialist-is-a-garbage-classtanktank-dpstrinityThu, 05 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-for-groups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-for-groups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-for-groups/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Like some of you, I feel that RIFT's Update 1.2 can't get here soon enough. A good content update, in my opinion, has a little something for everyone, and in talking with Trion Worlds last week, I definitely got that feeling from this patch. The team is catering to endgame players with Slivers, build-enthusiasts with a fifth role, rift-runners with new types of dynamic events, and people who aren't content to merely spam my Twitter feed with accomplishments but must now do so from inside Facebook as well.

I'd be lying if I said I'm not planning on spending huge amounts of time assembling dashing and fashionable outfits for my characters once the wardrobe is in the game, too. I'm all about outfits in Lord of the Rings Online, so it's great to see RIFT bring this type of system into the game (unlike some other stubborn studios, which shall remain nameless). Players like to feel powerful while looking incredible, and this outfit system will hopefully allay some of the complaints of similar-looking toons.

Above all this in Update 1.2 towers one of the biggest changes to the game yet: the Looking for Group (LFG) tool. Designed to assemble teams of players to tackle dungeons and group quests, the LFG tool will certainly change how we play RIFT. Will it be a good change or bad? That's the $1,000,000 question, which I will tackle after these brief messages, by which I mean, "after the jump."

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archonbarddpsdungeon-finderdungeonsdynamic-contententer-at-your-own-riftfacebookfeaturedhealerinstanceslfdlfglooking-for-dungeonlooking-for-grouplord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropros-and-conspvpriftrift-planes-of-telarariftssliverssupporttanktriontrion-worldstwitterwardrobewarfrontsworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA releases Community Play Event numbers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/tera-releases-community-play-event-numbers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/tera-releases-community-play-event-numbers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/18/tera-releases-community-play-event-numbers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If you're a TERA fan but not lucky enough to score an invite to En Masse Entertainment's recent Community Play Event (CPE), you can take heart in the fact that the company has released some information pertaining to all the players who did attend. We know, there's the potential for some salt in the wound here, but En Masse's Jon Tuite nonetheless has some interesting factoids relating to character races, classes, leveling trends, and many other data points.

It seems that Castanics were the most popular race during the recent CPE, and humanoid races in general accounted for a whopping 68% of all characters. Tuite also points out that the Baraka race was the least popular (7% of the population) and postulates that the lack of a female version could be the culprit.

In terms of class and party dynamics, the CPE data aren't far removed from your average fantasy MMO (i.e., there were a plethora of DPS types, fewer tanks, and even fewer healers). These stats are the tip of the proverbial iceberg, and you can indulge in more number-crunching at the official TERA website.

MassivelyTERA releases Community Play Event numbers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesclassescommunity-play-eventcpedemographicsdpsen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasyhealersjon-tuitemathnom-nom-nomnumbersracestanksteratera-onlineMon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DOFUS introduces Rogue and Masqueraider classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/dofus-introduces-rogue-and-masqueraider-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/dofus-introduces-rogue-and-masqueraider-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/dofus-introduces-rogue-and-masqueraider-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Class-based fantasy games aren't unusual these days; in fact, they're the standard. It's rare that such a title has more than a handful of classes, though. Then there's DOFUS. The six-year-old free-to-play title recently added Masqueraiders and Rogues, bringing the game's class total to a whopping 14.

Rogues function a bit differently than the rascally backstabbers you may be used to from other games. Rogues effectively dictate actions on the battlefield through the use of bombs and walls, which direct enemy movements and function as a form of crowd control.

Masqueraiders take their power from a variety of wearable masks, which allow the player to adopt several fighting styles. Three masks types are available: the cowardly mask (ranged damage), the psychopath mask (close combat damage), and the classic mask (crowd control). Finally, Masqueraiders can also avail themselves of several buff-type spells including plastron, tororuga, and trance. Head to the official DOFUS website for all the details.

MassivelyDOFUS introduces Rogue and Masqueraider classes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ankamabombsccclassescrowd-controldamagedofusdpsf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-mechanicsmasqueraidersroguerogue-not-rougerogueswallsMon, 11 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: 'Role' play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/enter-at-your-own-rift-role-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/enter-at-your-own-rift-role-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/enter-at-your-own-rift-role-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In retrospect, it was all my fault. I had gotten too used to just throwing RIFT dungeon groups together and assuming that with the flexible soul system we'd be able to provide everything necessary no matter what archetype mixup we had. I suppose it's a testament to Trion Worlds' design that an exact group composition wasn't a top concern -- the goal is just getting five willing players together for a fun run.

We were running Darkening Deeps, and I decided to start a group so that I could show off the dungeon to Rubi. We had two Rogues, two Mages and a Warrior, and I felt pretty confident going in that we would prevail. And while the Warrior stepped up and said he would tank -- taking the burden off of my Riftstalker build -- everyone else was curiously quiet when I asked if there was another healer who could back up my Bard heals for boss fights.

Nothing. Not a peep. The other Rogue didn't have a Bard spec, and the Mages were whistling innocently when I asked if they happened to have a Chloromancer role tucked in their back pocket. Oh crud. This was going to hurt. Six trash pulls into the dungeon later, I called it and said that we simply didn't have enough healing power to make it through the bosses. My bad, I said, thanks for playing!

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: 'Role' play

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: 'Role' play originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesbardchloromancerclassclassesdarkening-deepsdpsdungeon-runfeaturedfive-man-dungeonsgrouphealerholy-trinityoff-tankpugriftrift-planes-of-telarariftstalkerrolerole-systemrolesrubisaboteursoul-systemsoul-treesoulsswiss-army-knifetankteamtrainertriontrion-worldsWed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter-Ego: An overview of the trinity in DC Universe Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In DC Universe Online, all of the different powersets can pump out DPS -- however, the trinity is alive and well even in this superhero game. Thankfully, due to the way the powers are designed, our ability to stack effects, and the heavy utilization of combos, grouping or raiding in DC Universe Online doesn't generally feel like you're stuck simply mashing buttons. If you get in with a regular group, you'll learn the ways you can play your powers off each other using synergy, thereby adding an entirely new level of awareness to encounters.

Unfortunately, endgame isn't just about going into an instance and unleashing everyone's max damage to tear through the place. While all characters can do damage in DC Universe Online, roles are still vitally important for group PvE and endgame content. As a preamble to a series that will look at builds for each role in the game and what they can bring to the table, I thought it would be a good idea to take this first week to look at which powersets go with the roles players use in endgame. Join me behind the break as I break it all down for those who are new to the game or perhaps are looking for a refresher.

Continue reading Alter-Ego: An overview of the trinity in DC Universe Online

MassivelyAlter-Ego: An overview of the trinity in DC Universe Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alter-egoaoebuffsclassescontrollercrowd-controldc-universe-onlinedcuodebuffsdirect-damagedpsendgamefeaturedgroupshealerhealsholy-trinityinstancespowersetspverolessoesony-online-entertainmenttanktrinitySat, 19 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should the MMO holy trinity be a thing of the past?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/the-daily-grind-should-the-mmo-holy-trinity-be-a-thing-of-the-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/the-daily-grind-should-the-mmo-holy-trinity-be-a-thing-of-the-p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/13/the-daily-grind-should-the-mmo-holy-trinity-be-a-thing-of-the-p/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dungeons, lairs, and instances, oh my! No, Toto, you are definitely not in Kansas anymore. No matter what game you play, there is usually some sort of division of roles that a toon you roll takes on -- some characters are support, some are up-font and center, and others stick to the side and unload what their mama gave them. Undeniably, the holy trinity seems to be something of a standard in most MMOs -- you are going to have to make a choice at some point about how you actually play.

But maybe some day you wouldn't have to choose a spec, roll a new toon, or make compromises in your class picks. Dreams of being a healer who can actually kick some serious winged-monkey butt could be a thing of the future. Or maybe it will never happen. That's why I pose the following to all of you: If the holy trinity became a thing of the past, how would you envision your favorite game changing? Would you rather see every class be able to use a mix of skills? Could it actually work, or would it just create games full of clone characters?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should the MMO holy trinity be a thing of the past? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-mechanicsclassesdpsgroupinghealersholy-trinitytankstdgthe-daily-grindtrinitySun, 13 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Balancing vs. viable vs. fun]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/lost-pages-of-taborea-balancing-vs-viable-vs-fun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/lost-pages-of-taborea-balancing-vs-viable-vs-fun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/lost-pages-of-taborea-balancing-vs-viable-vs-fun/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Thoughts of class-balancing, class-viability and triple-class combinations have been swimming in my head lately. In the wake of RIFT's open beta, Frogster announced that Runes of Magic will be moving to a triple-class system in early April. Along with a lot of speculation on how this will change RoM, there's talk of how badly three-class combos will upset class-balancing where some already feel classes are skewed.

Viable and balanced are pretty subjective terms in the MMO genre that make it hard for any two players to be on the same page. I find it even more confusing when some make it sound like there's a mass exodus to RIFT because of -- in part -- the idea that RoM's classes are more out of tune than yours truly trying to sing Zombie. These ideas are highly speculative. I'd like to throw my own opinions in about what makes a class in RoM viable, what not to look for when trying to find balance, and why we may not want to squeeze every possible class combination into the holy trinity of healer, DPS and tank.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Balancing vs. viable vs. fun

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Balancing vs. viable vs. fun originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebalancingbreaking-the-moldbrokenclassesdpsdual-classfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivehealersholy-trinityimbalanceimbalancedjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreariftromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmenttankviableMon, 28 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Fixing the glass cannons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/behind-the-mask-fixing-the-glass-cannons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/behind-the-mask-fixing-the-glass-cannons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/10/behind-the-mask-fixing-the-glass-cannons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's a sharp divide between the Champions Online that I play and the Champions Online played by the majority of the readers here at Massively. I play the heavily customized, freeform game -- and even among freeform players, I am aggressive in my builds. I avoid T0 blasts like the plague (although Two-Gun Mojo is pretty good), and I pick my powers with the sole intention of avoiding waste.

Most of you guys play F2P now, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. All of the Archetypes are viable, especially in team situations. In general, they can't quite compete with a polished freeform character, but they're not dead spots in a lair, and they work surprisingly well when teamed up with freeform supermen (and women).

Solo, it's a slightly different story. Of the current 10 Archetypes, most solo wonderfully, easily meeting the challenges present in the Normal difficulty game. That leaves three... and all share one similarity: They use the Avenger role. The Silver Avengers (not to be confused with the in-game organization of the same name) are very capable Archetypes. I've mentioned in the past that Inferno is one of the strongest, and to wit, all three Avengers absolutely roll through most content, especially on teams. Outside of teams, the three Avengers are so squishy that they suffer a bit when taking on the big baddies -- Master Villains and Super Villains. This week, I sought to find out the answer: Can Silver Avengers solo?

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Fixing the glass cannons

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Fixing the glass cannons originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avenger-rolebehind-the-maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdpsf2pfeaturedglass-cannonself-healingsuper-herosurvival-guideThu, 10 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What aspects of DIKU MMOs make you laugh?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/06/the-daily-grind-what-aspects-of-diku-mmos-make-you-laugh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/06/the-daily-grind-what-aspects-of-diku-mmos-make-you-laugh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/06/the-daily-grind-what-aspects-of-diku-mmos-make-you-laugh/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So I'm blowing up Triroan in Aion's Theobomos Labs dungeon the other night. He's a big nasty that drops decent equipment for 50ish Daevas, and my six-man group was running the instance for the umpteenth time in the hopes of helping out some of our gear-poor compadres. Beating Triroan with a great tank in your party is one of the most boring things in the game if you're a Sorcerer, as all you have to do is stand in the back of the room and nuke the living hell out of the boss while the plate class holds aggro.

This got me to thinking how silly a lot of DIKU mechanics really are from an immersion standpoint. Sure you can argue that you suspend your disbelief simply by virtue of flinging fireballs or sprouting wings, but the fact that a giant monster ignores the people doing him the most harm to focus on the heavily armored guy who couldn't top a DPS chart if his life depended on it just makes me chuckle.

DIKU is clearly the language of MMOs, as just about every game that comes out nowadays is indebted to it in a big way. It's an old and incredibly flawed system, though, and so we ask you, Massively mobsters: What other DIKU holdovers seem silly, far-fetched, or otherwise cackle-worthy to you?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What aspects of DIKU MMOs make you laugh? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiondikudpsflawedgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopiniont-labstank-and-spanktankstdgthe-daily-grindtheobomos-labstriroanSun, 06 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online unveils the eight free-to-play archetypes for launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/champions-online-unveils-the-eight-free-to-play-archetypes-for-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/champions-online-unveils-the-eight-free-to-play-archetypes-for-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/champions-online-unveils-the-eight-free-to-play-archetypes-for-l/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's an interesting road ahead for Champions Online as it prepares to go free-to-play. To facilitate the change and give subscribers a reason to keep paying regularly, the game is rolling out rigidly enforced archetypes that take away power selection but still allow for some personal customization. We've seen the initial description of how the archetypes will work, and the team at Cryptic Studios has just unveiled the eight archetypes that will be available to both free players and paying players when the conversion goes live.

Each archetype has a strictly defined role, along with several powers meant to enforce that role. Tanking, DPS, and healing are all represented by the available choices, meaning that even players who haven't spent anything will be able to take on whatever role best suits them in the game. Players should take a look at the official listing to see exactly what powers will be available and at the lore description for an idea of where each archetypical concept fits within the Champions Online framework.

MassivelyChampions Online unveils the eight free-to-play archetypes for launch originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesbusiness-modelschampions-onlineclassescocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdpsf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-updateshealerholy-trinityparty-structureplayer-archetypesrolestankupdatesWed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: Weapons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/wasteland-diaries-weapons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/wasteland-diaries-weapons/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/wasteland-diaries-weapons/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Those that say "violence never solves anything" have never been thrust into a post-apocalyptic future. Violence solves just about everything in Fallen Earth. And the cornerstone of violence, since man threw the first stone or hit his surly neighbor with a stick, has been weapons. Killing and incapacitating others is a lot of hard work, so leave it to mankind to devise a more efficient method. In Fallen Earth, weapons range from everyday household items and tools, all the way up to military-grade engines of destruction.

One of the tough decisions you will need to make in Fallen Earth will not be whether or not to use weapons. It will be to decide which weapons you will use. Weapons in Fallen Earth are divided into three main categories, those being melee, pistols and rifles. While it is possible to specialize in all three types of weapons, it is ill-advised. You would be better served to specialize in one type of weapon and use any additional AP to boost other skills and mutation lines. After the cut, I will discuss the ins-and-outs of each weapon style for PvP and PvE to ease your decision-making process.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: Weapons

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: Weapons originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dpsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedicarus-studiosmeleepistolrifleriflesweaponsFri, 22 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Forsaken World unveils new Bard class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/forsaken-world-unveils-new-bard-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/forsaken-world-unveils-new-bard-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/forsaken-world-unveils-new-bard-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ready for another Forsaken World class spotlight? If not, well, too bad! Perfect World Entertainment has just released a new blog entry highlighting the Bard, which the developer describes as one of the more complex archetypes for its upcoming free-to-play fantasy MMORPG. With phase one of the game's closed beta coming next week, you've got just enough time to wrap your head around the Bard's eccentricities before testing them out for yourself.

The class looks to be a hybrid DPS/buffer spec, as, according to the blog, Bards "have the ability to both increase everyone's combat and defensive abilities as well as drop massive twisting cyclones of music notes that shred enemy targets."

Sound interesting? Head on over to the official website for more details, and don't forget to sign up for the beta while you're there.

MassivelyForsaken World unveils new Bard class originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bardbetabufferclass-diaryclass-journaldpsf2pforsaken-worldfree-to-playperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentFri, 22 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vindictus' Evie offers a-mage-ing moves]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/vindictus-evie-offers-a-mage-ing-moves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/vindictus-evie-offers-a-mage-ing-moves/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/vindictus-evie-offers-a-mage-ing-moves/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Evie is not content to summon a wicked-looking golem to fight for her side, no! Details are coming to light that Evie, the recently introduced mage character in Nexon's free-to-play hack-and-slasher, Vindictus, will be bringing even more pain through additional magical means. Equipped with a staff at earlier stages, she will change to rather wicked-looking battle-scythes later in the game. Furthermore, one of her most insane attacks at low level is the Firebolt attack, which will not only grant high damage, but will add a knockback effect, if it remains true to the original version.

To add to this wee, juicy tidbit of information, we understand that the key to Evie's survival is a five-layer shield, which gives her the ability to resist most attacks without major loss of hitpoints or mana. Considering the majority of MMO mages tend to be high-DPS glass cannons, Evie's ability to shield without major mana or health drain is likely welcome news for those who prefer crazy-damage casters but hate spending time studying floor textures while waiting for a rez. In all, the game is still in beta, so these details may well change before launch -- but it sounds pretty awesome to us so far.

MassivelyVindictus' Evie offers a-mage-ing moves originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attack-typesbetadpsevief2pfree-to-playmagenexonscytheshieldsstaffstavevindictusFri, 24 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: PvP for dummies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/wasteland-diaries-pvp-for-dummies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/wasteland-diaries-pvp-for-dummies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/wasteland-diaries-pvp-for-dummies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PvP in Fallen Earth is different. It's not much like an MMORPG, and it's not much like an FPS (first-person shooter, for the uninitiated). It's a hybrid, and it can take some getting used to. But isn't that what PvE is for? To train us to PvP? I would like to think that, but many players of MMOs refuse to ever fight their fellow players. Considering I get most of my combat joy out of fighting other players, I find this online conscientious objector mentality beyond my ability to understand. But there are also those who will always PvP, and then there are the undecided. If you're wondering whether or not to try out some Fallen Earth PvP action, this article is for you.

I have never understood why, in a game that has such paltry death penalties, so few engage in PvP. The fine folks at Fallen Earth, LLC have even been nice enough to put kid gloves on us when we PvP in Blood Sports. There is literally no penalty whatsoever for dying in a Blood Sports match. You respawn fully buffed and ready to get some. My goal in this article is to convince some of the players who are undecided on PvP to try it out. I'll give you the low-down on what to expect, and at the end I'll give you some tips from the pros. So, without any further ado, let's move on.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: PvP for dummies

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: PvP for dummies originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blood-sportsclansdpsduelduelingduelsfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturedfpsguidehollywood-undeadhow-tohow-to-pvpicarusicarus-studiosinterviewInterviewsmisbee-havenpvppvp-guidepvp-tipszerogravityFri, 17 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hey, guys, did you know that Going Rogue is launching in less than a week? That's crazy. It feels especially strange to me, since this was an expansion that had barely been announced when I started here, and has since become pretty personally important. But we're not here to talk about my vague feelings about the impending launch, we're here to talk about its larger implications for City of Heroes -- namely, the obvious systemic changes that might well be coming when the expansion goes live.

Now, some of you are doubtlessly going to point out that we're not even getting our first Incarnate slot, the expansion isn't changing any part of the system, and so forth and so on. But you forget that there is an interesting change to the system coming that we all know about: the fact that archetypes will no longer be allegiance-locked. That's right -- whether you're in City of Heroes or City of Villains, you'll no longer be limited to five different archetypes. And considering the fact that the archetypes are roughly analogous on both sides now, this might have just a bit of an impact.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypebalancecity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainsclassclassescohcontrolcovcoxdpsexpansionexpansionsfeaturedgoing-roguegrgroupinggroupshybrid-classeshybridsncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiospartiespartyingplaystyleportmanteauspowersetssupporttankingteamsWed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: A healer's advice for melee-DPS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/waging-war-a-healers-advice-for-melee-dps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/waging-war-a-healers-advice-for-melee-dps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/waging-war-a-healers-advice-for-melee-dps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Waging WAR starts the month of August with a look at archetypes in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and the way they work together in RvR and scenarios. Although Greg's rules apply to pretty much any class-based, group-based, PvP-centric game, he prefers to think of them as particular to WAR, since there's a bunch of game-specific slang in there that he's too lazy to change.

Having a role to play is integral to the massively multiplayer online experience, but when the term "roleplay" comes up, it usually means something very specific and closely related to dramatic acting. Taken in a broader sense, it means that we choose our roles when we project the most imaginative aspect of our psychic selves and ask the question "who (or what) do I want to be?" Thus, our vicarious adventures begin. For the purposes of social gaming, it should come as no surprise that those classes usually fit another staple in the MMO universe -- the role trinity of tanker, healer, and damager. While the bond between the healer and tanker is obvious, the unspoken pact between healer and damager is just as sacred and yet all too easily forgotten. For those who were unaware such a promise existed, it goes something like, "I, the healer, promise to keep you alive so you can kill stuff in the face (better)." However, in many cases, the damaging character is delegated an expendable role, compared to the tank's priority or the healer's own survival. These are exceptions that the melee-damager is usually aware of and even comfortable with.

But today I'm not here to challenge those roles like I normally would when talking about damage-healer hybrids. As a specialized healer, I've defined a few, easy-to-remember rules that I believe every melee-damage player should follow in group situations (PUG or premade - there is little difference when it comes to these rules). Solo play is an entirely different realm and beyond the scope of this column; I want to focus on the special synergy between healer and melee-damager, and to dispense advice to those brave, wayward souls in their never-ending quest to face blades as they bring their own to bear.

I'll bestow these tidbits of wisdom after the break.

Continue reading Waging WAR: A healer's advice for melee-DPS

MassivelyWaging WAR: A healer's advice for melee-DPS originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebioware-mmorpgbioware-mythicdpsdpsingEAea-mythicfeaturefeaturedhealer-questionshealersholy-trinitymeleemelee-combatmelee-DPSmmommorpgmythicmythic entertainmentmythic-eaMythic-EntertainmentMythicEntertainmentsquared-addontankTrinitywaging-warWarhammerwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eaSat, 07 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: Patch 1.3.6 and the proverbial DPS-Healer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/waging-war-patch-1-3-6-and-the-proverbial-dps-healer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/waging-war-patch-1-3-6-and-the-proverbial-dps-healer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/19/waging-war-patch-1-3-6-and-the-proverbial-dps-healer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There aren't very many companies that open up planned patch changes to their players and fans for discussion; however, Mythic is one that does. This week, Waging WAR focuses on the suggested career balance changes for the Zealot and Runepriest coming in patch 1.3.6 for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. We'll cover the issue as well as the proposed solution for these careers. We'll also discuss the impact that these changes might have on the affected careers and on the community in general. There's also a part where Greg throws some drama at the fan and rants about "DPS-Healers."

Let's start by clarifying the main issue and the proposed change. Currently, the other healing careers (Archmage, Shaman, Warrior Priest and Disciple of Khaine) have their mastery paths organized by the role which they might play (i.e. damage focus, healing focus, etc.); whereas, the Zealot and Runepriest don't. Their mastery paths are organized by the delivery method of their healing (i.e. over time, direct, or area). The problem is, after deciding whether to specialize offensively or defensively and gearing to that role (a freedom of choice that they should be given), the Zealot and Runepriest are left with only one-half of an effective skill-set -- the other half of their skills being rendered ineffective by role choice and gear itemization. To bring these careers in line with their archetypical cousins, a new mechanism is proposed which gives Zealots and Runepriests a chance to retain some effectiveness in skills that are outside their chosen role.

Continue reading Waging WAR: Patch 1.3.6 and the proverbial DPS-Healer

MassivelyWaging WAR: Patch 1.3.6 and the proverbial DPS-Healer originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archmagecareersdeveloper-chatdeveloper-forumdevelopersdpsdps-healerdps-stancedpsingEAea-mythicforumshealerhealer-gearhealershealingmythicmythic-eaMythic-Entertainmentofficial-forumsofficial-websitepatch-1.3.6pvprunepriestwaging-warWarhammerwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eazealotzealotsSat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA berserker interview, part two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/tera-berserker-interview-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/tera-berserker-interview-part-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/tera-berserker-interview-part-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


TERA, the upcoming action fantasy MMORPG from En Masse Entertainment and Bluehole Studio, is looking to put a fresh spin on both genre combat and the traditional healer/tank/damage dynamic. One way the designers are attempting to do this is through individual classes that play a bit differently from what you might expect. Take the berserker for instance. Rather than opting for your standard meat shield, Bluehole has given the class significant DPS capabilities as well.

En Masse's Brian Knox and and Scott James Magner recently chatted about the berserker's unique features in part two of a lengthy interview with ZAM.com. "You want to be a target as a Berserker, but you also want to be targeting. And that's not a word we use a lot for this game. We talk about action and the way we play, but you are a destination for damage, just as you are an output of damage going the other direction," Magner says.

Check out the new interview segment, as well as the previous installment, at ZAM.com.

MassivelyTERA berserker interview, part two originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionberserkerBlueHolebluehole-studiobrian-knoxdamagedpsen-masseen-masse-entertainmentinterviewscott-james-magnertankteratera-onlinezamThu, 10 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Rune-keepers under siege]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/the-road-to-mordor-rune-keepers-under-siege/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/the-road-to-mordor-rune-keepers-under-siege/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/the-road-to-mordor-rune-keepers-under-siege/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Let's start today's column with a couple presuppositions, shall we? Number one: There is no set standard for being a "true" Tolkien fan. There's always someone out there who knows more than you, thinks that he is more faithful to the source material, and considers himself better than you in this regard. Like any fans, Tolkien-ites (Tolkkies?) are diverse. They may share the same passion, but they come to it from different backgrounds and with different standards.

Number two: Turbine is not out to molest the corpse of good ol' J.R.R. by turning Lord of the Rings into a farce. Yes, it's all well and good to say as such when you want to be melodramatic on the forums, but the truth of the matter is that Turbine's done an excellent job sticking to both the lore and the spirit of Middle-earth as much as possible while still fashioning a game within those boundaries. It's not in their best interests to make a mockery of this franchise.

These presuppositions converge on one of the most fiercely debated additions to LotRO, the Rune-keeper. Following the launch of the Mines of Moria expansion, fans responded with everything ranging from "Hey, it's a pretty cool class to play" to "IT'S THE END OF THE MIDDLE-EARTH!" hysteria. Seeing how passionate people are on this subject, I thought it would be worth looking into today, to answer the following questions: does the Rune-keeper have a place in LotRO, and does it break the lore and rules that Tolkien established?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Rune-keepers under siege

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Rune-keepers under siege originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordorbrian-aloisiocaptaincorey-olsendev-diarydpsfeaturedgaladrielhealerjrr-tolkienlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-lawyerlotromines-of-moriaminstrelrkrune-keeperthe-road-to-mordortolkientolkien-professortolkkiesturbineFri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: It's all about the DPS, baby]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/behind-the-mask-its-all-about-the-dps-baby/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/behind-the-mask-its-all-about-the-dps-baby/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/06/behind-the-mask-its-all-about-the-dps-baby/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There is a lot of pressure on me right now to write a review for the May 4th melee patch, but I want to delay it because the developers are already tweaking things. So instead of hearing a rant about how sad I am that Psi Lash is nerfed, I will talk about the toughest, most challenging role in Champions Online -- the Avenger.

The Avenger is the "glass cannon" of CO. Avengers have fewer hit points than their Guardian counterparts, and far less than the tank-like Protectors. Avengers cannot use defensive passives, or even support passives to increase their survivability. The last straw is that Avengers cannot heal as rapidly as other characters.

These tradeoffs come at a massive benefit: the Avenger deals far more damage than other characters. What's even more awesome is that the Avenger's role bonus multiplies on the effects of other damage buffs, meaning that extra 20% damage never goes out of style.

This guide won't be covering just the Avenger, though. It'll also cover Avenger's new cousin, the Brawler, as well as all the other ways to play a DPS machine in lairs and team content.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: It's all about the DPS, baby

MassivelyBehind the Mask: It's all about the DPS, baby originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 May 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avenger-roleBehind-the-Maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdpsfeaturedmeleeoff-tankingpveThu, 06 May 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Finding the Holy Trinity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/behind-the-mask-finding-the-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/behind-the-mask-finding-the-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/behind-the-mask-finding-the-holy-trinity/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

One of the common statements made among the newer MMO generation is the idea that a game "abolishes the holy trinity." It's the idea that their game has evolved to the point where labels like "tank," healer," and "damage dealer" aren't as relevant when talking about a character. This idea isn't particularly new -- the first big RPG with mass online support to break this trend was probably Diablo 2, which actually predates most of the mass-market MMORPGs available today.

Champions Online definitely takes a step in this direction. In fact, it was a suggestion on the forums and the overwhelming player response against the holy trinity that gave me the idea to write this in the first place. Champions is very solo-friendly, and a character can build to be pretty self-sufficient -- one can build for tanking, damage dealing, and self-healing all in the same package. This lends some pretty big weights to the idea that the holy trinity is a thing of the past.

But Champions Online has a few things in its design that maintain the "Holy Trinity" design concept. Hit the jump, and I'll talk about why, contrary to popular belief, I think that keeping the holy trinity around is a good thing.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Finding the Holy Trinity

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Finding the Holy Trinity originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Behind-the-Maskchampions-onlinecoco-wikicrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdpsfeaturedguidehealingholy-trinitynemesis-confrontationtanktankingvibora-bayThu, 01 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 1: The healers of EVE]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/21/eve-evolved-medic-ships-part-1-the-healers-of-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/21/eve-evolved-medic-ships-part-1-the-healers-of-eve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/21/eve-evolved-medic-ships-part-1-the-healers-of-eve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The holy trinity of tank, healer and damage-dealer is present in every MMO, including EVE Online. While most MMOs dedicate these roles to specific classes, ships in EVE can do all three at the same time. When running missions solo, for example, a ship will need to tank incoming damage, repair it and deal damage themselves. Setting up a ship for solo PvE becomes a balancing act between the three roles. Too little tank and you'll find yourself in trouble, but too little damage and you'll take forever to kill NPCs.

As part of a gang, however, remote armour repair and shield transfer modules allow pilots to specialise into a traditional healer role. Rather than having each player repair their own damage, it can be much more effective to have a dedicated medic ship to repair anyone that gets shot at. There are even specialised ships for would-be healers in EVE, from entry-level cruisers to advanced Tech 2 Logistics ships and massive capital ships. Medic ships can be an effective part of any gang, whether you're tackling a tough level 4 or 5 mission or engaging in large-scale gang PvP.

In this first part of a two-part look into dedicated healers in EVE Online, I look at the more affordable ships and modules available and the best strategy for healing in PvE.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 1: The healers of EVE

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 1: The healers of EVE originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amarrcaldariccpccp-eveccp-gamesdpseveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedgallentegroupgroupsguardianguidehealerhealershealinglogisticsminmataroneirossolotanktankingtipstips-and-tricksSun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST