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[Wings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/wings-over-atreia-touring-tiamaranta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/wings-over-atreia-touring-tiamaranta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/wings-over-atreia-touring-tiamaranta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia
If the eeriness of the truce between the Elyos and the Asmodians in Aion's new land of Sarpan wigs you out and makes you long for a good old-fashioned tussle, you can always head on over to Tiamaranta. Although the entire zone is not open for PvP, all four corners and the center are cordoned off for your opponent-bashing pleasure. In fact, Tiamaranta's Eye is often hopping as both sides contest mobs and try to land one of the bosses.

But even if you aren't in the mood for a bloody round of patty-cake, there is plenty of PvE and exploring to be had in this ecologically diverse land with a variety of new mobs to see (and dispatch) and new tasks to accomplish. Not able to make the trip yourself right now? Join Wings over Atreia's guided tour and get a taste of Tiamaranta.

Gallery: Aion: Ascension

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionascensionf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playguideguidesHearts-of-TiamatncsoftopinionpvepvpsiegesiegesTiamarantaTiamarantas-Eyetourwings-over-atreiaMon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/five-top-tips-for-your-first-few-days-of-diablo-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Diablo III title image
Diablo III officially launched at midnight last night, opening the floodgates on what is possibly the most pre-ordered PC game in history. It's been almost 12 years since the previous game in the series launched, and it's still going to this day. Whether you've played previous games, have taken part in the Diablo III beta or are taking your first steps into Sanctuary today, everyone starts with a clean slate. In this article, I give my top five tips for spending your first few days wisely in Diablo III.

#5 - Spend most of your time on one character

It seems like a bit of a no-brainer to initially focus on one character, but in Diablo III's case, there's a special reason to do it. You'll likely finish normal mode around level 20-30, and until then, you'll get a new skill almost every level. It's only when you've completed normal mode and moved on to nightmare that the challenge really starts and you will have picked out an effective set of skills. Your last active skill unlocks at level 30, and from then on you'll gain a combination of two to three runes or passive skills every level until you hit the level cap at 60.

Read on for four more tips you should keep in mind as you start playing Diablo III.

Continue reading Five top tips for your first few days of Diablo III

MassivelyFive top tips for your first few days of Diablo III originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgauction-housebarrelsbattlenetblacksmithblizzardblizzard-entertainmentchartd3diablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasyfeaturedgothic-fantasygraphguideguideslaunch-daylevellevel-chartlevelinglevelsmultiplayeronline-multiplayerpartypassivesphysicsrpgrunessanctuaryskill-chartskillstipstop-fivetop-tipsweaponsTue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Learn the basics of Diablo III gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/learn-the-basics-of-diablo-iii-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/learn-the-basics-of-diablo-iii-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/learn-the-basics-of-diablo-iii-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Diablo III
Massively's sister site WoW Insider brings us this special bonus article tonight on the basics of Diablo III for folks who normally play MMOs like World of Warcraft. Enjoy the rest of Joystiq's WoW team's Diablo coverage over on WoW Insider, and stay tuned for our own Diablo III launch roundups tomorrow morning!

Since Diablo II was released 12 years ago, it's safe to say that Diablo III will be the first Diablo title many people will have ever played. It's one of the most anticipated titles of the season and is attracting countless new players to the genre. We've received a number of questions asking how this game is even played -- and if it has anything in common with your favorite MMOs.

We have you covered.

The core of Diablo gameplay is the mouse click. You do everything from combat to looting to movement with your mouse, and your interactions with your keyboard are extremely minimal overall. On Twitter recently, many Diablo diehards have mentioned they were buying a new mouse specifically to use with Diablo III -- and that's not a bad idea. No, we're not talking a brand-new $80 Razer Naga; we're talking some $10 to $15 thing you can pick up off of a department store shelf. You want a mouse that you're not going to mourn when your buttons inevitably give out from the mountain of abuse you're about to unleash upon them. Grab something cheap and disposable so that when it dies, you will consider it a victory -- just another technological corpse for the bone pile.

Continue reading Learn the basics of Diablo III gameplay

MassivelyLearn the basics of Diablo III gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbarbarianbattlenetbattletagbattletagsblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopclassclassesd3demon-hunterdiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiifantasyfeaturedgame-mechanicsgothic-fantasyguideguideshow-to-play-diablo-3how-to-play-diablo-iiimonkmultiplayernewbienewbie-guideonline-multiplayerroguelikerpgrunesrunestoneswitch-doctorwizardwow-insiderMon, 14 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mike O'Brien: Guild Wars 2's beta weekend 'overwhelming']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/mike-obrien-guild-wars-2s-beta-weekend-overwhelming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/mike-obrien-guild-wars-2s-beta-weekend-overwhelming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/10/mike-obrien-guild-wars-2s-beta-weekend-overwhelming/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mike O'Brien
Mike O'Brien said that the result of Guild Wars 2's initial public beta weekend was "overwhelming in more ways than one." ArenaNet's president took the time to write up a short blog post reflecting on the outcome of the past beta weekend and the reasoning behind this coming Monday's surprise stress test.

According to O'Brien, while the feedback from the event was quite positive, the team had to struggle with unexpected demand for the game. Even after the management temporarily turned off the ability for players' ability to pre-purchase the title through ArenaNet, the game's 48 servers couldn't contain the influx of testers and beta tourists.

It wasn't just a PR stunt, however. "This was definitely a real beta, designed to find problems, gather player input, and learn what work still needs to be done before we ship the game," O'Brien stated.

The team is anticipating a bigger crowd with the next beta weekend, which is why it's running a seven-hour stress test on May 14th to test new changes.

MassivelyMike O'Brien: Guild Wars 2's beta weekend 'overwhelming' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbeta-weekenddev-blogdev-diaryfantasyguideguild-wars-2gw2Mike Shanahanmike-o-brienMikeShanahanncsoftpresidentserversstress-testThu, 10 May 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA gives players a guide to guilds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If these players were in a guild, they'd be having at least 30% more fun right now.
Maybe TERA is your first MMO, maybe you want to learn about what TERA offers its guilds, or maybe you just want to see guilds defined as something other than small-scale drama generators for once. There are a lot of reasons you might want to look at TERA's new guide to guilds in the game, but whatever your motivation, the guide will provide you with all the answers you need to start guilding away with ease.

The main benefit to being in a guild in TERA are the guild quests; available all across the game, each guild quest provides players with Catharnac Awards that can be used to improve the guild's level and buy special items from vendors. You also need to be part of a level 3 guild to run for public office, which is all the more reason for politically minded players to make friends. But don't take our word for it -- after all, there's a guide to tell you all of this in detail.

MassivelyTERA gives players a guide to guilds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueholebluehole-studioscultureen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasygame-mechanicsgame-systemsguideguidesguildguild-benefitsguild-questsguildsnewssystemsteraThu, 03 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: Improving our skillshot dodging skills]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/the-summoners-guidebook-improving-our-skillshot-dodging-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/the-summoners-guidebook-improving-our-skillshot-dodging-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/26/the-summoners-guidebook-improving-our-skillshot-dodging-skills/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

League of Legends screenshot
Although the term "skillshot" was a new word for me when I started playing League of Legends, the concept of avoidable attacks is something that is very intuitive for even novice gamers. Skillshot is just a fancy term that roughly means "dodgable attack" in MOBA games. Although the official terminology sometimes differentiates between ground-targeted AoE and true skillshots (which are generally projectiles or groups of projectiles), that distinction is not really necessary for us. If it can be evaded, we'll call it a skillshot.

Dodging skillshots is something that is fairly easy to develop skill for. It takes only a little bit of mental effort to dramatically improve your ability to evade them. It's also a skill that can always be improved with practice. We can always react to them faster or predict them more reliably. This makes it a good area to improve on because we can always get better.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Improving our skillshot dodging skills

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Improving our skillshot dodging skills originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agh-nidalee-spear-in-my-facedodgingdodging-nidalee-spearsdodging-skillshotsdodging-spearsdominionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfrench-maid-nidalee-is-pretty-hotguideguidesleagueleague-of-legendslolmobanidaleeopinionriotriot-gamesskillshotskillshotssummoners-guidebooksummoners-riftthe-summoners-guidebookyorick-versus-nidaleeThu, 26 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: Yes, I've seen your bear Tibbers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-summoners-guidebook-yes-ive-seen-your-bear-tibbers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-summoners-guidebook-yes-ive-seen-your-bear-tibbers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/19/the-summoners-guidebook-yes-ive-seen-your-bear-tibbers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

League of Legends screenshot
Annie is a very popular champion in the lower skill ranks of League of Legends. This is especially true of the Classic gametypes, where she is one of the more common choices for the solo mid lane. Additionally, she is a fearsome enemy even when played by the AI. Horror stories of Annie Bot wrecking whole teams have been going on since the dawn of the game.

Because Annie is so popular and deadly, she's an ideal character to spotlight on the Guidebook. She's fun, easy to play, and oh-so-very cute. When you go up against her, it's good to know exactly what to expect.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Yes, I've seen your bear Tibbers

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Yes, I've seen your bear Tibbers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annieannie-the-dark-childap-carrycasterf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguideguideshave-you-seen-my-bear-tibbersleagueleague-of-legendslittle-girllollolimagemobaopinionpyromaniariotriot-gamesteddyteddy-beartibbersThu, 19 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: Upping my kill-death ratio]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-summoners-guidebook-upping-my-kill-death-ratio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-summoners-guidebook-upping-my-kill-death-ratio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-summoners-guidebook-upping-my-kill-death-ratio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

League of Legends screenshot
Those of you who have been reading WRUP know that I've been playing a lot of Kassadin lately. He's an assassin with a very high skill cap, and he's ridiculously powerful in Dominion. Kassadin is also kind of hard to play. He has a lot of strange mechanics, and his powerful tricks are somewhat unintuitive. Recently, I had a small epiphany that dramatically improved my skill. This improvement improved more than just my Kassadin game; it boosted my overall skill level with every champion in League of Legends.

Before I made this development, I was performing terribly. I ended up playing a lot of bot matches because I felt my execution with Kassadin was really awful, and every time I went back to PvP games, I felt more and more behind. Suddenly, after a string of bad decisions cost me a match, I realized something I was doing wrong and went on to begin dominating. I went from getting focused down early every fight to utterly demolishing teams and causing enemy players to second-guess fighting me 1v1 even with both of us full on life. What's the secret, you ask? I'd like to tell you, so read on!

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Upping my kill-death ratio

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Upping my kill-death ratio originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceassassinf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguidekassadinleagueleague-of-legendslearn-to-playlearning-from-your-mistakeslolmobaopinionriftwalkriotriot-gamesstrategysummoners-guidebookthe-summoners-guidebookThu, 12 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion: Ascension launches and class begins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/aion-ascension-launches-and-class-begins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/aion-ascension-launches-and-class-begins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/aion-ascension-launches-and-class-begins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Aion screenshot
And we have lift off! Aion Ascension has launched at last, and finally, some of those tidbits we were teased with in the notorious Visions Trailer are in-game. Housing! Mounts! New Zones! Choirs of winged Daevas singing!

Not only are these much anticipated features available, but the new Truly Free business model has now made its way to another NCsoft title. Edward Chang, Director of Product Management at NCsoft, states,
"We started converting current players to the new business model late last week in preparation for today's launch and we couldn't be happier with the response, tripling concurrency in a matter of hours. We spent a considerable amount of time focused on optimizing Aion Ascension for the Truly Free business model, and early feedback from the community indicates that we made the right decisions."
What more could be added to this good news? How about a free introductory course of helpful hints to offer Daevas a little boost! It just so happens we have the syllabus for Ascension 101 right here, penned by none other than Producer Adam Christensen. Read on for Adam's very own tips and tricks for the 3.0 patch. Don't worry -- there won't be a quiz at the end!

Continue reading Aion: Ascension launches and class begins

MassivelyAion: Ascension launches and class begins originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adam-ChristensenaionAscensionexclusiveexclusive-guidef2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playguideguidesncsoftnewspatchpatchestruly-freeWed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breaking down Guild Wars 2's character creator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/breaking-down-guild-wars-2s-character-creator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/breaking-down-guild-wars-2s-character-creator/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/breaking-down-guild-wars-2s-character-creator/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

GW2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

In just the few minutes that it takes to traverse the 10 screens of Guild Wars 2's character creation process, I'm left with one overriding thought: This game looks ridiculously good. Ludicrously so, even. And I didn't even enter the game world yet!

I always love a good, in-depth character creation system, as there's a joy in spending a good amount of time making exactly the sort of character you want to play. Unfortunately, most MMOs have stripped this process down to the bare basics, which is why I'm pleased to announce that it's actually a mini-journey in and of itself in Guild Wars 2.

The point of this process isn't just to make a character but help you grow attached to this person and get to know him or her through it. What are this character's motivations? What branch of his or her profession is the most appealing? How did you become a hero? What obstacles do you have to overcome?

Instead of playing the game itself, I took some time over this beta testing weekend to dissect every step of the character creation system and bring my findings back to those of you who want to start building your character in your mind.

Continue reading Breaking down Guild Wars 2's character creator

MassivelyBreaking down Guild Wars 2's character creator originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbackstorycharactercharacter-creationcharacter-creatorcharacter-customizationcharacterscharrclassclassescustomizationfantasyfeaturedguideguidesguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewgw2hands-onhumanncsoftnornpreviewraceracesstoryMon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/making-the-jump-from-guild-wars-to-guild-wars-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Citadel Forest, Guild Wars 2
The second Guild Wars 2 press beta weekend has come and gone, and Massively was there every step of the way. Stay tuned throughout the day today for even more guides, impressions, videos, and Q&As to get you ready for the highly anticipated sequel to Guild Wars.

Guild Wars 2 is on the way (when it's ready), and classic Guild Wars players probably understand that soon they'll be competing with a younger sibling -- a smarter, more attractive one who's sure to get more of mom's attention. And while we're sure that some of the more stalwart Guild Wars 2 fans are also Guild Wars players, not all veterans of the first edition are dedicated to licking up every drop of sequel info squeezed out of blogs, conventions, and betas. Those veterans might just be wondering, what exactly can Guild Wars 2 offer them, other than Hall of Monuments tie-ins? What's changed? What's the same? What will they love, what will they hate, and what could possibly make them jump ship to the new hotness?

The first and most important thing you must know is that yes, you can jump in Guild Wars 2! Seriously, though, jumping is more than just a thing you do with your spacebar when you're bored; it's a symbol of boundlessness. Guild Wars 2 itself is trying to jump a lot higher than its elder brother, and probably the essential difference between the games is that feeling that the walls have come down and gravity is letting loose. That alone should urge classic players to take a peek, but if that's not enough for you, fire up your Jeremy Soule soundtracks (yes, he's onboard for an encore!) and read on...

Continue reading Making the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2

MassivelyMaking the 'jump' from Guild Wars to Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetauction-hallbetacash-shopcharacter-creationclosed-betaclosed-beta-3comparisondeathdeath-penaltydungeonsdynamic-contenteconomyendgameeye-of-the-northfantasyfeaturedgeargemsgroupgroupingguideguidesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-betaguild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewguildsgvggwgw2hall-of-monumentshands-onhominterfacejumpjumpingloremap-travelncsoftpreviewpreviewspropheciespvpquestsrenown-heartrmtsidekickingskill-pointtrading-posttyriauiuser-interfaceworld-vs-worldworld-vs-world-vs-worldwvwwvwvwMon, 26 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RuneScape bonus XP weekend generates workshops, strategy videos]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/runescape-bonus-xp-weekend-generates-workshops-strategy-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/runescape-bonus-xp-weekend-generates-workshops-strategy-videos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/runescape-bonus-xp-weekend-generates-workshops-strategy-videos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RuneScape
If there's one thing we've learned about the RuneScape community, it's that these players are very, very serious about bonus XP weekends -- so serious, in fact, that there are forum threads, workshops, and videos devoted to helping players get the most out of these events.

Starting tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. EDT, RuneScape will be throwing open the gates to a truly insane bonus XP weekend. Unlike most MMOs that try such events, RuneScape won't just slather a steady percentage increase all over players' XP bars. Instead, players will log in to find that their first half-hour of play has a 2.7x multiplier for training activities, and then every 30 minutes after that the rate will decrease until it bottoms out at 1.1x for the remainder of the weekend.

The bonus XP will go away on Monday at 8:00 a.m. EDT, and if you want some tips on how best to maximize this opportunity, hit the jump to watch one of the aforementioned help videos. What, you thought we were joking?

[Source: Jagex press release]

Continue reading RuneScape bonus XP weekend generates workshops, strategy videos

MassivelyRuneScape bonus XP weekend generates workshops, strategy videos originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonus-xpbonus-xp-weekendbrowserbrowser-basedclassic-mmof2pfantasyfree-to-playguidejagexjagex-games-studiorsrunescapesandboxstrategyvideovideo-guideworkshopworkshopsxp-bonus-weekendThu, 15 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Five scams to avoid]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/eve-evolved-five-scams-to-avoid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/eve-evolved-five-scams-to-avoid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/eve-evolved-five-scams-to-avoid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Anyone who's familiar with EVE Online will have heard stories of the game's criminal underworld, from devastating corporate infiltration to the daily grafting of common con artists. Most players will never perpetrate a scam, but those who do are constantly coming up with new tricks to part you from your hard-earned ISK. For every genuine smooth-talking con-artist who comes up with new schemes and socially engineers his way to a fortune, you'll find dozens of copycats who flood popular chat channels with scams they've seen perpetrated in the past.

On an average day, over 90% of the chat in Jita's local channel is people posting copycat scams, with legitimate offers completely drowned out. There may not even be anyone at the helm with these scams, as a script could easily paste the scam message every few minutes for an entire day. Not confined to Jita, these scams are often replicated across all of the game's main trade hubs and popular mission-running systems. Knowing how these scams work is the first step to protecting yourself from making an expensive and extremely embarrassing mistake.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explain the trick behind five of EVE's most common copycat scams and how to protect yourself from them.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Five scams to avoid

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Five scams to avoid originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescontractseconomicseconomyeveeve-evolvedeve-onlinefeaturedguidemarketopinionsandboxscamscamssci-fiSun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: It's time to get serious!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-summoners-guidebook-its-time-to-get-serious/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-summoners-guidebook-its-time-to-get-serious/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/01/the-summoners-guidebook-its-time-to-get-serious/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the things that was baffling for me as a League of Legends noob was the overall tempo of PvP games. In bot matches, I got used to staying in my lane, and I was never sure when it was a good time to meet up with my team or go for objectives. I actually didn't really understand what "mid game" and "late game" actually meant.

However, on Summoner's Rift, those terms actually have real meaning. You have different goals in the early, mid, and late game, and if you try to continue laning when you're in the midgame, you're going to run into huge problems, as the entire enemy team is probably ganging up to come and kill you. This week, we're going to talk about the flow of the game on Summoner's Rift, and when you should be switching up your game to accomplish different things.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: It's time to get serious!

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: It's time to get serious! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue-buffdragonf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgankingganksgold-farmingguideguidesjunglejunglerjunglingleague-of-legendslolmobared-buffriotriot-gamesshyvana-is-not-a-neutral-creepsummoners-riftteamfightingtempotime-managementtower-divingThu, 01 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: Get back, get back!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/the-summoners-guidebook-get-back-get-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/the-summoners-guidebook-get-back-get-back/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/the-summoners-guidebook-get-back-get-back/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Last week, I said I would avoid doing articles on the situational "soft skills" in League of Legends. Well, this week kind of ruins that already. Today we're going to talk about lane positioning, zoning, and harassment. These things are not something I can just give you blanket tips on. There are a lot of nuances involved in good positioning, and every single matchup is completely different. You do not stand in the same places laning against Cassiopeia as you do against Kennen, and those positions change depending on which character you're playing, too.

Even though there is a lot of matchup-specific knowledge involved in lane positioning, there are some general tips I can provide. This week I'm going to only teach you about the basics of lane safety but give you some dirty mindgame tricks that will absolutely ruin your opponents. Interested? Read on!

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Get back, get back!

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Get back, get back! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aioncounter-logic-gamingcounterpushingcurse-gamingdoppler-effectf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgankingganksguideharassmentkorealane-harassmentlaninglast-hittingleague-of-legendslollolpromobaopinionpatrick-is-a-beast-at-image-editingpeak-concurrent-userspushpushingriotriot-gamesshureliastarcraft-2starcraft-brood-warsudden-attacksummoners-guidebookteam-dignitaszone-controlzoningThu, 23 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![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[The Road to Mordor: Ten things to do in East Bree-land before you die]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-road-to-mordor-ten-things-to-do-in-east-bree-land-before-yo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-road-to-mordor-ten-things-to-do-in-east-bree-land-before-yo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/18/the-road-to-mordor-ten-things-to-do-in-east-bree-land-before-yo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
It's been a long, long time since I've been able to work on this series, going through each Lord of the Rings Online zone quest by quest and pulling the top 10 locations, points of interest, or missions for the aspiring adventurer to check out. There are many reasons I've been tardy in continuing it, but no excuses today! Today we dine in the Prancing Pony, for tomorrow we die!

I decided to divide Bree-land into two separate articles, with this one covering the eastern portion and Bree proper, and the upcoming one tackling the western and northern areas. This is not just because Bree-land is a pretty dang big zone but because it's pulling double-duty: East Bree-land and Bree serves as the 1-15 leveling area for Men, while the west invites all four races to continue the journey to level 20.

While it may seem like a generic fantasy zone on the surface, Bree-land is actually teeming with interesting details, stories, and activities. I've never regretted leveling in the area (it's a darn sight better than Ered Luin), and it was pretty tough to limit myself to just 10 activities for this list. So what should you do in East Bree-land before you die? Let's take a look!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Ten things to do in East Bree-land before you die

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Ten things to do in East Bree-land before you die originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breebree-landcat-ladys-housecatseast-bree-landeastern-bree-landf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playghostbustersghostbustingguidelord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromapmess-hallmidgewater-marshesneekerbreekeropinionprancing-ponyroad-to-mordorsnikenthe-road-to-mordorturbineTurbine-EntertainmentSat, 18 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: I suck at last-hitting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/the-summoners-guidebook-i-suck-at-last-hitting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/the-summoners-guidebook-i-suck-at-last-hitting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/the-summoners-guidebook-i-suck-at-last-hitting/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Given all of the fansites dedicated to League of Legends, you might wonder what kind of content I have planned for The Summoner's Guidebook to set it apart. Fortunately, there are quite a few little niches to cover.

Our focus with the column will be on the beginner to intermediate players and improving key elements of lower-level play. While I do recognize and admire the pro League scene, websites like SoloMid.net and Curse Gaming's new LoLPro.com have tons of advice to push your gameplay from the expert levels of play to the master and professional levels.

This week, we're going to start with the basics of laning well. While there are dozens of guides on how to do this, I want to cover them in the Guidebook because their importance can't be stressed enough. Laning fundamentals are something you should practice in every game, even as you learn new strategies or tactics. If you can commit yourself to constantly improving in this area, you'll see dramatic leaps in your ability to play. These tricks are the hardest skills in the game to improve on, so getting better at them gives you a significant edge over most opponents. If you want to take the first steps to improve your LoL game, you'll have to read on.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: I suck at last-hitting

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: I suck at last-hitting originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>curse-gamingf2pfeaturedfree-to-playguideleague-of-legendslollolpromobaopinionriotriot-gamessummoners-guidebookteam-solo-midThu, 16 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Greetings, summoners, and welcome to the first installment of the Summoner's Guidebook! For a new player, the Guidebook is a one-stop-shop to gaining familiarity with the various elements of League of Legends. For the more advanced players, we'll also be covering ways to improve on weak areas of your play and how to deal with the toughest of matchups.

I was a new player once, and I remember being extremely daunted by the number of things I needed to learn to be competitive in LoL. Although the journey from newbie to expert was long and difficult, I learned a lot about common mistakes and how to reduce them. If you're looking to step up your game or if you're just getting into the League, the Summoner's Guidebook is the place for you to learn without being treated like you're a noob.

This week, we're going to cover the community resources available to you. There are a lot of websites dedicated to League of Legends, and it would be foolish to assume that this column is the only place to get advice on the game. If there's something I haven't covered yet or there's a topic I'm unfamiliar with, you can be sure that one of these places will have the info you're looking for. This article can't possibly cover all the League fansites on the internet (there are probably hundreds), but I can focus on the ones with the best information.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counter-logic-gamingf2pfacebookfansitesfeaturedforumsfree-to-playguideleague-of-legendslolmobamobafireofficial-websiteriotriot-gamessummoners-guidebookteam-solo-midtribunalyoutubeThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: The top 19 ways to get your dungeon crawl on]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/wings-over-atreia-the-top-19-ways-to-get-your-dungeon-crawl-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/wings-over-atreia-the-top-19-ways-to-get-your-dungeon-crawl-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/wings-over-atreia-the-top-19-ways-to-get-your-dungeon-crawl-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
You know 'em -- those places shrouded away from the everyday grind of the world where you can chill-out without being interrupted (excepting spouse aggro), a private nook where you know there is a definite beginning and end to your adventure, one that offers the best possible loot. They are areas often steeped in lore.

They are... the instanced dungeon.

There are actually 19 separate PvE dungeons currently in Aion where Daevas can get their dungeon crawl on. If you include the Fortress instances, you can add another 10 dungeons to this list. Adding PvP instances raises the number even higher. However, since fort instances are seriously lacking in lore and fort ownership is required (so availability is not assured), we will forego including them. We'll also omit the Dredgions and PvP arenas to keep the list PvE focused -- after all, there are times you really may not want to bother with fighting the enemy!

This week, Wings Over Atreia explores the first half of the dungeon list for the benefit of both young whippersnappers and old-timer Daevas alike. Why would veterans need it? Because dungeons aren't just for certain levels anymore. For a change of pace or to break out of a rut, grab yourself some lowbies, mentor down, and check out one instance a day -- you'll pass two weeks before ever repeating. You might even have fun, meet new friends, and renew your enthusiasm for Aion.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: The top 19 ways to get your dungeon crawl on

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: The top 19 ways to get your dungeon crawl on originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A-LabsAetherogenetics-Labaionaion-gameAzoturan-FortressBeluslancrucible-challengeDraupnir-Cavedungeondungeon-crawldungeon-crawlerdungeon-crawlingdungeonsEltnenfeaturedfire-templeguideguidesHaramelHeironinstancesKromedes-Triallistlistsmorheimnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionnochanta-training-campntcsolo-instancesolo-instancestalocs-hollowWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not pictured: looking up from this point on the map to see several docked battlecruisers. It's unexpectedly impressive.
Whether you're a longtime World of Warcraft player or someone who's just recently tried the game and fallen in love with it, you're probably aware that there are other MMORPGs out there. Recently, the game that's been getting the most press is Star Wars: The Old Republic. And if you've sat down and tried it out as a veteran on World of Warcraft, you probably had some idea of what was going on when you started playing, with the only initial speedbump being the lack of an auto-attack feature.

But there's more to the game than combat and more things that might trip you up in the long run. So Eliot Lefebvre and Matt Daniel are here to help you out with a massive guide to coming into TOR when you're accustomed to the environment of WoW. Take a skip past the break to find out almost everything you'll need to know when converting from the world of Azeroth to the galaxy of Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic

MassivelyA WoW player's guide to The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentbattlegroundsbiowarebioware-eabioware-mythicclassescraftcraftingcrew-skillsea-biowarefeaturedgame-mechanicsguideinstanced-pvpmechanical-guidesopinionpvppvp-rewardspvp-systemssocialsocial-pointsspacespace-combatstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorsystemsthe-old-republictorwarzonesworld-of-warcraftwowwow-player-guideFri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Boss world tour -- Eltnen]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/wings-over-atreia-boss-world-tour-eltnen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/wings-over-atreia-boss-world-tour-eltnen/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/wings-over-atreia-boss-world-tour-eltnen/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header
They're big! They're bad! They're da boss(es)! And they've got your loot!

That's right: Lurking about all corners of Aion, powerful monsters beckon (lure?) Daevas with promises of tantalizing loot and illustrious glory. Who doesn't like the rush of downing a powerful foe or nabbing a coveted item?

Previous tours of Heiron and Inggison scouted out said monsters and offered some tips as to who was worth fighting and who should be avoided when hunting alone. Those lands focused on higher-level players. However, with double XP weekends throughout January, there will undoubtedly be an influx of players in the lower levels. What better time to take stock of the bosses available to this crowd?

This week, Wings Over Atreia takes a tour of Eltnen to expose the available bosses to treasure-hungry Daevas. Be warned, though: The opportunity to take on these behemoths may be short-lived during a time of double XP, especially when combined with mentoring. So before you move on to bigger, brighter lands, take a moment to stop and smell the roses -- or kill the bosses, as it were.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Boss world tour -- Eltnen

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Boss world tour -- Eltnen originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamebossesdropsErucas-TemplefeaturedgearguideKaiden-Headquarterskaiden-mineKHQLepharist-Citadellootnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionWings-Over-Atreiaworld-bossworld-bossesWorldBossesMon, 16 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- Urgoz's Warren]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-urgozs-warre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-urgozs-warre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/02/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-urgozs-warre/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Urgoz starting area
All was quiet at ArenaNet last week as the various members of the Guild Wars 2 team enjoyed a well-deserved vacation. I'm going to consider it a welcome breather after being drowned in so many squee-worthy updates the previous week and take the opportunity to turn my attention back to Guild Wars 1 and another elite area: Urgoz's Warren.

I really enjoy Urgoz's Warren for a couple of reasons. Obviously, it gives me tons of Kurzick faction, but once you've got the hang of it, it's a fun challenge even without the perks. It's full of environmental effects and hidden enemies that prevent you from simply charging in and blasting away, so you have to think ahead, be careful, and play strategically.

Follow along after the jump and we'll take a closer look.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- Urgoz's Warren

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- Urgoz's Warren originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetdungeonsfactionsfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguideguidesguild-warsgwinstancesncsofturgozurgozs-warrenMon, 02 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Win free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/win-free-steam-games-with-spiral-knights-and-rusty-hearts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Win free steam games image
If you've been checking out this year's Christmas Steam sales, you'll undoubtedly have seen the Great Gift Pile giveaway. By completing various game achievements and objectives, Steam users unlock prizes that can be anything from a lump of coal to discount vouchers or even a full copy of any game on Steam. There are reports of people winning massive prizes like Skyrim or the Valve complete pack, and even if you just get a lump of coal, it's still a valuable prize; seven lumps can be exchanged for a new random prize, and those left over at the end of the holiday event will count as tickets in a lottery to win a copy of every single game on Steam.

While many of the achievements require the purchase of cheap indie titles, there are several ways to get your hands on a gift from the great pile absolutely free. Checking your Steam inventory page and trading any item with another user will get you two free gifts, and joining the 2011 Holiday Group will net you a third. Two more prizes can be collected by completing the Son of a Nutcracker! achievement in Spiral Knights and the All I Want for Christmas is Sewers achievement in Rusty Hearts, both of which are free-to-play MMOs available through Steam.

Skip past the cut for details on how to beat the Steam gift achievements for Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts, including full walkthrough videos.

Continue reading Win free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts

MassivelyWin free Steam games with Spiral Knights and Rusty Hearts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsaction-mmoall-i-want-for-christmas-is-sewersanimef2pfantasyfreefree-to-playgiftsgreat-gift-pileguidenewsperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentprizespvppwerise-of-immortalsroiround-uprounduprusty-heartsson-of-a-nutcrackerspiral-knightssteamthe-great-gft-pilethree-ringsvalvevideowinMon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Fitting the Gallente Talos]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/eve-evolved-fitting-the-gallente-talos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/eve-evolved-fitting-the-gallente-talos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/25/eve-evolved-fitting-the-gallente-talos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Among the hundreds of changes brought by EVE Online's recent Crucible expansion, the new tier 3 battlecruisers certainly rank as player favourites. Rather than giving each race a bigger, tougher battlecruiser, CCP gave the new ships the ability to fit battleship-class weapons but heavily limited their defensive capabilities. All four tier 3 battlecruisers are turret-based, letting them output massive damage with close-range guns or hit for solid damage at battleship sniping distances.

As with all new ships, it can be difficult to figure out how to fit the new tier 3 battlecruisers to make full use of their unique combination of high damage output and high mobility. Last week I looked at three viable setups for the Caldari Naga, which proved to be an absolute monster with 1,000-1500 DPS when using close-range blaster setups and a terrifying 650 DPS when sniping at 100km-130km. This week I take a similar look at the Gallente Talos, a ship designed specifically for close-range combat. I explore a traditional armour-tanked blaster fitting with dual webs, a shield-based variant that packs a huge 1,500 DPS punch, and two long-range blaster fits that give the Naga a run for its money.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore four solid PvP fittings for the Talos, with both shield and armour setups.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fitting the Gallente Talos

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fitting the Gallente Talos originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlecruiserbattlecruisersbattleshipbattleshipsblasterblastersccpccp-eveccp-gamescrucibleeveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineexpansionexpansionsfeaturedfleetfleetsgallenteguideguideshybridhybrid-weaponshybridsnagapvpship-fittingsnipersnipingtalostier-3Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/eve-evolved-fitting-the-caldari-naga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/eve-evolved-fitting-the-caldari-naga/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/eve-evolved-fitting-the-caldari-naga/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
While EVE Online's recent Crucible expansion brought us over a hundred small features, balance tweaks, and graphical updates, its headline feature was undoubtedly the four new tier 3 battlecruisers. It's been several years since a new combat ship was added to EVE, and combat had begun to get a little stale. Most of EVE's ships follow a logical design progression, with larger ships having more tank and higher damage output. CCP turned that concept on its head with the new tier 3 battlecruisers, which deal battleship-class damage but have both the agility and paper-thin tank of a tech 1 cruiser.

The Caldari Naga is the very definition of a glass cannon, able to output more damage than a Megathron or Rokh but at the cost of having practically no tank. It can be sniper-fit to deal around 650 DPS at ranges of 100-130km, blaster-fit to output a raw 1,500 DPS at ranges below 10km, or even set up to fight effectively with blasters outside web range. Its high top speed and cruiser-like agility add new gameplay options to existing sniper and heavy damage-dealer fleet roles, providing battleship-class damage for roaming cruiser gangs. It's a potential game-changer for nullsec alliances engaging in hit-and-run style warfare, but as with all new ships it can be difficult to figure out an effective ship fitting.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I explore three solid fittings for the Naga designed to fill common PvP roles.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Fitting the Caldari Naga originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlecruiserblasterblasterscaldariccpccp-eveccp-gamescruisereveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedfittingguideguidesmodulenagapvprailgunrailgunssnipersnipingSun, 18 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- The Underworld]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-the-underworl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-the-underworl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/flameseeker-chronicles-guild-wars-elite-areas-the-underworl/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Underworld
All is still quiet on the Guild Wars 2 front, and I'm almost thankful since I was hoping to be able to go over The Underworld in Guild Wars this week. There's a lot more to say about this area because it's so much more difficult, but you can do it -- I promise. The general tips I gave last week apply to this area as much as the others, so take a moment to skim through those as well.

There's so much to say that I'm anxious to dive right in, so let's not waste any time. Follow along after the cut!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- The Underworld

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Guild Wars' elite areas -- The Underworld originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguideguidesguild-warsgwncsoftunderworldunderworld-guideuwMon, 12 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR: So you want to play an Imperial Agent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-an-imperial-agent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-an-imperial-agent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/12/swtor-so-you-want-to-play-an-imperial-agent/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SWTOR - Imperial Agent
Espionage! Subterfuge! Classy accents! Such is the life of Star Wars: The Old Republic's Imperial Agent. If a career full of clandestine operations and lots of assassination sounds like a good time to you, then the Agent is your class. Agents can fill one of two roles: ranged DPS and healing/melee DPS hybrid. Whether you prefer to keep your friends alive, shank an unsuspecting opponent, or put a blaster round in someone's head from a mile away, the Agent's got something for you.

Did I mention the sexy accent? Mmm.

Continue reading SWTOR: So you want to play an Imperial Agent

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

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SWTOR - The Sith Inquisitor
OK, enough of these goody-goody Jedi, all right? It's time to come to the Dark Side of Star Wars: The Old Republic, where the Sith Inquisitor reigns supreme. The Inquisitor fills a variety of roles within the ranks of the Empire, from healing to ranged DPS to melee DPS to tanking. There's an option for any playstyle, which makes the Inquisitor a great character for the indecisive among us. Also, you get Force Lightning, so that's pretty cool.

On your journey as a Sith Inquisitor, you begin as a slave who has recently discovered his (or her) Force-sensitivity. As you arrive at the Sith Academy on the red planet of Korriban, you're faced with a simple choice: Become Sith -- or die.

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

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

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SWTOR - The Consular
Peace. Serenity. Harmony. These are some of the touchstones of the Jedi order, and they are the values that the Consular embodies. Where the Jedi Knight is meant to be the military and defensive might of the Jedi Order, the Consular is instead a teacher, a defender, and a scholar of the mysteries of the Force. If a Knight can be seen as a paladin, then the Consular is the gentle monk, teaching others and seeking out new mysteries for spiritual purposes.

Of course, the war against the Sith Empire means that there is no opportunity for these scholars to remain passive, but the Jedi Consular does not act with rash and overt motion. Instead, Consulars remain subtle, either slipping through the shadows or calling upon the raw might of the Force. In battle, they may specialize in a variety of roles, but all Consulars take a more cerebral approach. For them, the war is not their truest focus -- what matters is learning and understanding. This war will end, and afterwards, the Consular will teach those who remain what has been forgotten in the ravages of battle.

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

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

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SWTOR - When do I get...
BioWare has created an enormous world with Star Wars: The Old Republic. Over and over again, developers explained that this is absolutely[TM] the biggest single project BioWare has ever undertaken. This also means that it is the most complex, and not everything you want to know about the game is easy to find.

Every week for the last three years, the community team at BioWare has released tidbits of information, and sometimes when the information trickles out over that span of time, it's hard to keep track of it all. Therefore, the crew here at Massively decided it would be a good idea to compile some of the more common questions that have been asked about SWTOR, all in a single place. Catch all the questions and answers after the break, and if you have any other (serious) questions, feel free to ask them in the comments -- we will do our best to get them answered for you!

Continue reading SWTOR: When do I get...?

MassivelySWTOR: When do I get...? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR - Advanced Classes
Although the idea of advanced classes in MMOs is not new, the developers at BioWare have combined the holy-trinity combat roles into something unique as you level up your Star Wars: The Old Republic character. Traditionally, you choose your group combat role right at the beginning of the game. If you play a Monk, you're a healer; if you play a Warrior, you're a tank; and if you play a Mage, you're DPS. In SWTOR, your class primarily determines your story. Your combat role is only a minor consideration. For instance, when a Bounty Hunter picks an advanced class at level 10, he may choose to be a Powertech, which grants him either tanking or DPS abilities, or he may choose to play a Mercenary, which grants him DPS or healing abilities.

Every class works this way: After you finish the starter world quests you are shipped off to the Imperial or Republic fleet. If you are level 10 (and most people should be), you will automatically be granted a quest to speak to a special trainer who asks you which of two advanced classes you'd like to take. Choose wisely; currently, you cannot unchoose or change course.

To help you in this all-important decision, I tried out each advanced class. None of them is terrible, but there are unique nuances to each.

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SWTOR - Warzones
You cannot make a Star Wars game without some sort of galactic conflict. Subscribers to Star Wars: The Old Republic can play out this interplanetary war in appropriately named instances called warzones. Out of the box, BioWare's MMO includes three of these epic conflicts. The planetary government of Alderaan draws both major factions into its own internal conflict in the civil war warzone. Nar Shaddaa host the seediest death-games the galaxy has ever heard of. Huttball is the prime example of these deadly sports. And the technology of the Voidstar is up for grabs by either the Empire or the Republic, but the question is "who will get there first?"

At level 10, you can begin your PvP adventure by queuing up for these battles solo or with a group of four. But as any war general will tell you, the more you know about the battle you're about to enter, the more likely it is that you will win. Past the break, you'll find a rundown of each warzone and a bit of strategic advice before you jump into battle.

Continue reading SWTOR: Warzones whack-a-mole

MassivelySWTOR: Warzones whack-a-mole originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR - Flashpoints
We are all familiar with dungeons in most MMOs -- they're areas that usually require more than one party member to complete, and they're often (though not always) instanced off from the rest of the game. In the early games like Ultima Online and EverQuest, it would literally take an army of people to get to the bottom of most dungeons. Since those days, the definition of a dungeon has really expanded far beyond the idea of a cave or underground fortress, and the mechanics of dungeons have changed as well. Dungeons in many games no longer require a huge group of people to complete them, but your success or failure greatly depends on whom you bring with you. In Star Wars: The Old Republic, BioWare has expanded the definition of dungeon to the point that that word no longer makes any sense. BioWare devs call SWTOR dungeons flashpoints.

Starting at level 10, both the Imperial and Republic factions begin their journey through flashpoints. These hour-long instances tell one-off stories and give you, the player, a greater understanding of what is happening in the greater galaxy. During these adventures, you play a role in the stories of the galaxy's most famous figures. Grand Master Satele Shan, Darth Malgus, and maybe even a person or two from past games all make a appearance in these stories.

At the same time, these instances require strategy. Beyond the break, I will outline the first three flashpoints: the Black Talon, the Esseles, and Bringing Down the Hammer. Also, pay attention to the tips -- they may just make your first runthrough a little easier.

Continue reading SWTOR: Grouping up for flashpoints

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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

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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.

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SWTOR - The Smuggler
If someone were to ask Star Wars fans which of the characters had the most personality, most likely they would answer Han Solo. In the Expanded Universe, and most notably in the Star Wars video games, smugglers always mirror this dashing rogue of a character archetype established by none other than Harrison Ford. If that's why you're wanting to play the Smuggler class in Star Wars: The Old Republic, then you're in luck because you'll get exactly what you're hoping for.

The SWTOR Smuggler starts out on the world of Ord Mantell, a fringe planet on the brink of civil war. Of course, being a Smuggler, he breaks through the planetary blockade to deliver his shipment of weapons to gangsters on the ground. After that, things get really interesting...

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SWTOR Guide to Companions
For those of you who have never played a BioWare RPG before (or any single-player RPG, really), the concept of "companions" may initially strike you as strange. After all, in MMOs we're so used to jaunting off into the wilderness solo without some semi-intelligent NPC tagging along for the ride, so for a game to inform us that we not only will have them but will have to use them all the time may feel odd. If so, we're guessing you've never been into pet classes, either.

Companions are one of the long-standing features of BioWare RPGs; they're both useful fighters who help keep you alive and persistent beings whom you get to know, develop relationships with, and affect in significant ways. In the past, BioWare companions have often been cited as the most memorable parts of the studio's games, from Baldur's Gate II's Minsc to Mass Effect 2's Mordin (to name two of my all-time favorites).

Yet in MMOs, companion NPCs aren't that common, and if you're feeling a little bewildered at the thought of having one at your side at all times in Star Wars: The Old Republic, then we're here to lay out for you 10 reasons why companions are as useful as all get out -- and why you're going to love them like crazy before too long.

Continue reading SWTOR: Ten things you need to know about companions

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Massively's SWTOR Launch Guide (Original graphic by Larry Everett)
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, we first heard mention of a new Star Wars MMO set in the popular Knights of the Old Republic era. Star Wars: The Old Republic, BioWare named it, and we've waited patiently impatiently through months years of hope and hype, fanboys and haters, and at least eight million articles about the fourth pillar of story.

This week, The Old Republic is the new hotness, and the Massively staffers are right there with you, champing at the bit to get in the head start already! But what if you're not an expert on Star Wars lore or TOR's gameplay? What if you don't know the first thing about purple lightsabers, astromechs, and the Kessel Run? What if you can't decide which class to play? When do you get a starship? Can you really romance your companions? How do flashpoints work? And why are there no bathrooms on Coruscant?!

Relax, young Padawan. Put your blast-shield down and let Massively be your guide... literally. We've rounded up a massive collection of helpful introductory guides for each of the eight classes, along with overviews of gameplay mechanics like companions, starships, flashpoints, warzones, and crafting. We've also curated the most illuminating lore essays from our regular SWTOR column, Hyperspace Beacon, in addition to our extensive hands-on previews from the last few years.

Take your first step into a larger world...

Continue reading Massively's guide to SWTOR's launch and beyond

MassivelyMassively's guide to SWTOR's launch and beyond originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR - Starships
Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of an actual, factual, interstellar starship! Or you soon will be, assuming that you're planning to play Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Starships have captured the imaginations of Star Wars fans for over three decades now, as the Millennium Falcon, Luke's X-Wing, Boba Fett's Slave-1, and Knights of the Old Republic's Ebon Hawk have become geek cultural icons. It's not Star Wars without the stars, after all, which is why BioWare will be handing you the keys to your very own starship as part of your SWTOR journey.

But what does that entail? There's a lot of confusion and misinformation swirling about starships, which is unfortunate. SWTOR's starships are part player housing, part combat vehicle, and part story platform, and that combination lacks an easy analogue in other MMOs. That's why you've got this handy holocron with all of the starship "must knows" to aid your initial voyage to the stars!

Coordinates for the jump are plotted. Punch it, reader!

Continue reading SWTOR: Starship operator's guide

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