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Star Wars: The Old Republic community Q&A addresses mobile apps, ops, and more

Matt Daniel — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Bugs, Classes, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

It's time once again for another riveting episode of Star Wars: The Old Republic's community Q&A. This time around, the BioWare team covers a variety of concerns from SWTOR players ranging from the addition of a /roll command to the possibility of a mobile app. SWTOR's lead combat designer Damion Schubert had a bit to say regarding the latter, teasing that "it's almost as if this [crew skills] design was created specifically with [a mobile app] in mind, doesn't it?" Unfortunately the studio isn't prepared to give an ETA on the feature, "as [it] is a significant technical endeavour."

Non-Force-using healers also have plenty to look forward to as well, as the Q&A reveals that they'll be getting some love in patch 1.2, while Consulars and Inquisitors will have their heals brought back into line so that all healing classes and specs are (theoretically) viable. To get the full details on these subjects and more, just click on through the link below to the community Q&A at SWTOR's official site. Oh, and while we're at it, the game is on sale for $49.99 US on Origin, so if you want to get in the game and see what all the hubbub's about, now's your opportunity to do so while keeping a cool Hamilton to yourself. The sale is only happening for a limited time, though, so be sure to act quickly.

Star Wars: The Old Republic community Q&A addresses mobile apps, ops, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaderboard: Tanks vs. healers

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Polls, Humor, Miscellaneous, Leaderboard

While often seen as a symbiotic pairing against the greatest threats the video game world has ever known, tanks and healers have nevertheless fostered a rivalry of sorts. Both see their role in a group as being paramount to success, but which is more vital? Which takes more skill? Which is under-appreciated by fellow teammates?

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "This is a chicken-or-egg scenario! How can I choose when both are vital to survival? I love both! Don't make me pick!" Now you're lying on the floor, cradling your head and whimpering.

Seriously, stop being a Charlie Brown and take a side! Are tanks more important due to their scarcity and skill that it takes to juggle aggro and take all the pain meant for others? Are healers the mostly unsung heroes of raids, forced to stare at shrinking green bars instead of getting to eyeball the action?

Let's put this bickering to rest, daddy wants to take a nap. Have it out after the jump: tanks vs. healers. I expect that this will put an end to centuries of violence surrounding the subject.

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Leaderboard: Tanks vs. healers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWTOR: So you want to play a Bounty Hunter

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, Launches, Previews, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guides

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: 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.

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Behind the Mask: The choice of team support

Patrick Mackey — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-play, Champions Online, Behind the Mask

Last week's Behind the Mask covered Champions Online's super team support solo monster, the Mind, but I thought it would be prudent to cover the other ways a player can support a team. Some of this will tread existing ground, as I've already talked about the Mind and Grimoire archetypes in previous editions, and both have one of the four team support options.

I'll be covering the Mind's passive in more detail, taking a brief look again at the Grimoire's passive as well as covering the other two options, Seraphim and Medical Nanites. While we don't have a Celestial archetype just yet, it is only a matter of time before Cryptic adds one, so this will give a bit of a preview for what a Celestial healer plays like.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: The choice of team support

Behind the Mask: The choice of team support originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Behind the Mask: Mind over matter

Patrick Mackey — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Classes, Game mechanics, Opinion, Free-to-play, Champions Online, Behind the Mask

I have been hounded a bit lately for more coverage on the free aspects of Champions Online and the options available to free players. Fortunately, even before I wrote last week's article on the penultimate freeform tank, I was planning to cover the Mind archetype next.

The Mind is the Silver answer to a dedicated support character, and it is perhaps by accident that she is also the most interesting and powerful archetype in the game. She combines team support, healing, survivability, DPS, and self-sustainability into one neat package that is literally unrivaled by any other archetype, free or otherwise.

Unlike other archetypes, the Mind is too complex to be summarized by one article. She's an exceptionally varied creature with many options. Because the essential advantages in her build are pretty loose, she can get all of her key powers with a minimum of sacrifice. Hit the jump and I'll show you how playing the Mind is more like playing a freeform character and less like playing an archetype.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Mind over matter

Behind the Mask: Mind over matter originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lore-masters tune up their hogs to cruise the mean streets of Isengard

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Classes, Expansions, Free-to-play

Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard is bringing plenty of class changes, tweaks, and updates to the table, and the hybrid Lore-master class is waiting for the dev love with arms wide open. While Turbine's talked about the class' increased ability to be a reliable off-healer, word is coming out of the beta that there are many more changes than just the ability to slap a bandage on a wounded ally.

A Casual Stroll to Mordor reports on how the improved skills function in play. These include the ability to stack up to three Burning Embers DoTs on a target, the combination of two Signs of Battle powers into one Wizard's Fire, a nice 10% buff to pet damage through Sign of the wild: Rage, and a much more versatile Improved Staff Sweep.

There's also word on the new Lore-master pet: a Limrafn. While Lore-masters were originally slated to receive an Auroch pet, apparently the common complaint about the pet's size ended up swaying Turbine's mind. The Limrafn is a floating ball of light that doesn't attack, but instead assists the Lore-master in the off-healing department.

Lore-masters will also see one of their lesser-utilized trait lines -- Keeper of Animals -- given much love in the form of tempting abilities and buffs.

Lore-masters tune up their hogs to cruise the mean streets of Isengard originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TERA introduces new healer trailer

Matt Daniel — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Classes, News items, TERA

Healers are the unsung heroes of fantasy worlds, protecting the valiant warriors of the realm and receiving none of the glory. Well, En Masse Entertainment is looking to change that, and to start it off the team has released a new cinematic trailer thathighlights the healers of TERA.

Our healer host for the trailer, a female Castanic, provides us with a bit of backstory via voiceover as monsters ravage the land. The heroes of TERA won't take that sitting down, of course, and soon enough our Castanic friend and her allies make a grand entrance and take down a legion of foul creatures, only to find themselves face-to-face with one Big-Ass Monster. For all of the action-fueled excitement, hop on past the cut for the full trailer.

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TERA introduces new healer trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wings Over Atreia: Class builds -- Cleric

MJ Guthrie — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Aion, Classes, Opinion, Wings Over Atreia, Guides

Last week we discussed how personality influences class choice, so after some deep reflection, you have decided that it is time to reveal your true nature and be reborn as a cleric in Aion! Either that, or maybe you just wanted to solo some dungeons to horde all the loot. *cha-ching* Perhaps you already became one to impress that really cute voice in vent who is always looking for a healer. Whatever your reason, the life of servitude is for you. Now what?

Welcome to Build-a-Cleric. While some Daevas are content to just play with what they get from drops or quests, a number actually want to outfit their characters the best they can. Even if leveling too quickly to worry about uber gear thanks to mentoring and an easier grind, it is never a bad idea to keep an eye on endgame. And with the plethora of manastones, armor sets, weapons, and stigmas available -- not to mention advice, both solicited and unsolicited -- it can be a daunting task to maximize your potential. So to help you wade through the possibilities, Wings Over Atreia will be exploring each class individually and highlighting popular and effective builds. With any luck, some advance knowledge will help you make informed decisions and avoid the catastrophes of expending all of your energies in obtaining the wrong gear for your needs. Nothing shouts broke like having to re-socket entire sets or enchant new ones!

Roll up your sleeves and explore various builds for Aion's Cleric class after the cut.

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Class builds -- Cleric

Wings Over Atreia: Class builds -- Cleric originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIFT unveils Cleric class video

Matt Daniel — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, News items, RIFT

It's been a while since we got our hands on one of RIFT's class videos, but it would seem that the wait is over. Today we have a short trailer highlighting RIFT's Cleric class. If your idea of a Priest is a robe-wearing, finger-wiggling, back-lines pansy, think again.

Telara's Clerics can take it as well as dish it out, and the video proves it. In the trailer, we get to see a Cleric taking on the roles of ranged DPS, healing, and melee DPS, showcasing the class's excellent versatility. And if you want to jump into the boots and hauberk of a Cleric yourself, keep in mind that RIFT is on sale for $10 on Steam for today only. To see the whole Cleric trailer for yourself, jump on past the cut.

Continue reading RIFT unveils Cleric class video

RIFT unveils Cleric class video originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Man in the mirror

Larry Everett — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, New titles, Professions, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon

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

Hyperspace 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.

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Hyperspace Beacon: Find the Force

Larry Everett — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, New titles, Opinion, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Hyperspace Beacon

With E3 last week, I really considered devoting this article to opinions regarding the latest news for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Then I realized that Massively already published a ton of SWTOR related articles about E3 this week. During the show itself, Dan gave his impressions of playing the game, and all four of our attendees delivered impressions yesterday. It's good to read impressions from people who love MMOs but aren't necessarily die-hard fans of BioWare or Star Wars -- you'll get a different perspective than you would reading this column.

So instead, this week I'll examine the announced abilities for the Jedi Consular class. The majority of this information stems from the advanced class page, but there is a little bit that comes from MMORPG's interview with Georg Zoeller. Hop past the break as we explore the abilities of this powerful Force-user.

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: Find the Force

Hyperspace Beacon: Find the Force originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, Classes, Free-to-play

Despite being deep in the beta process -- or perhaps because of it -- Eden Eternal has emerged to highlight another one of its 15 classes: the Cleric. Master of buffing and heals, the Cleric promises to be a welcome addition to any team (not to mention a very solo-capable class).

Clerics are unlocked at level 5 and are the first characters to be capable of healing and supporting others. The class has access to seven Cleric-only skills as well as five skills available to all support classes. And while Clerics -- like all classes in the game -- can wield any weapon, they do the best when equipped with a mace.

You can check out the class trailer for the Cleric after the jump, and make sure to check out our first impressions of Eden Eternal if you haven't done so already!

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Eden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyperspace Beacon: The hybrid

Larry Everett — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, New titles, Opinion, Star Wars Galaxies, Hyperspace Beacon

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

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

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Behind the Mask: Being a good team player

Patrick Mackey — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Classes, Game mechanics, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, Champions Online, Behind the Mask

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.

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Behind 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.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Opinion, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift

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."

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Enter 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.

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Enter at Your Own Rift: 'Role' play

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Opinion, RIFT, Enter at Your Own Rift

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

Enter 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.

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The Anvil of Crom: It's the Bear Shaman (barely)

Jef Reahard — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, Classes, Opinion, Massively Meta, Hands-on, The Anvil of Crom

Well, the people have spoken, and it seems like I've got some new marching orders when it comes to Age of Conan. If you've been following the column for the last little while, you'll know that I'm running a miniseries that borrows heavily from Massively's Choose My Adventure pieces.

Every so often I'll offer up some polls relating to various gameplay choices, giving you the reader the opportunity to vicariously explore aspects of Funcom's fantasy title that may have lacked previous coverage. I'll report on my character's adventures on a regular basis, with the long-term goal being a pretty comprehensive record of what it's like to play AoC from 1 to 80, as well as a deep look at endgame.

In addition, it's a public character, so anyone who wants to group for dungeons, PvP, or general shenanigans can hit me up in game. Preambles aside, head past the cut to see the results of last week's polling and a glimpse into the future.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: It's the Bear Shaman (barely)

The Anvil of Crom: It's the Bear Shaman (barely) originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Krystalle Voecks — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, Opinion, Consoles, DC Universe Online, Alter-Ego

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

Alter-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.

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Champions Online unveils the eight free-to-play archetypes for launch

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Business models, Game mechanics, Previews, News items, Free-to-play, Champions Online

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.

Champions 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.

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Waging WAR: A healer's survival guide

Greg Waller — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, PvP, Warhammer Online, Opinion, Guides, Waging WAR

This week, Waging WAR steps back from all the news and hype of Gamescom and GamesDay and focuses in on the healing archetypes in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. As we all know by now, Greg plays a healer and he's put together a guide for those who kill by mending the wounds of those who kill by bludgeon or blade.

In my time in WAR I've learned a thing or two. No, I'm not writing about my extensive knowledge of how various terrains taste (the sand on the beaches of Nordenwatch and the cobbled brick streets of Praag have become favored delicacies). I'm writing about how to be an effective healer in WAR. While I am by no means invincible or infallible, I do consider myself a decent, relatively resilient and capable PvP tank (let's not kid ourselves here -- who needs plate when you can wear robes, right?). I have some advice to share with those who are interested in endgame PvP/RvR healing, or even those who are already there but seek to add an edge to their game.

To achieve enlightenment, click the Read More button.

Continue reading Waging WAR: A healer's survival guide

Waging WAR: A healer's survival guide originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Waging WAR: Patch 1.3.6 and the proverbial DPS-Healer

Greg Waller — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game mechanics, Patches, Warhammer Online, Opinion, Waging WAR

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

Waging 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.

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The Road to Mordor: Rune-keepers under siege

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Classes, The Road to Mordor

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

The 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.

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EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 2: High-end healing

Brendan Drain — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Guides, PvP, Tips and tricks, Grouping, PvE, Hands-on, EVE Evolved

In the first of this two-part guide, I looked at some of the more affordable entry level ships and modules available to dedicated healers in EVE Online. I went on to examine an effective strategy for using medic ships as part of a PvE gang, whether you need some help on a particularly hard mission or you're trying to crack one of EVE's hardest exploration complexes. This week, I look at high-end healing as I explore capital ships and the role of medic ships in both PvP and wormhole operations.

Healing in missions and exploration sites is a largely passive affair, with the healer permanently locked to the main tank. NPCs in these sites never switch targets but the same can't be said for players or the advanced Sleeper AI that roam wormhole systems. Repairing your gang-mates in PvP or a wormhole operation is a completely different affair, made all the more complicated by the fact that the dedicated medic ship is sure to come under fire.

In this article, I look at capital ships and the remote assistance strategies players use in PvP or wormhole operations.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 2: High-end healing

EVE Evolved: Medic ships, part 2: High-end healing originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Brendan Drain — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Guides, Tips and tricks, Grouping, PvE, Hands-on, EVE Evolved

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

EVE 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.

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Attacking the holy trinity of MMOs

Eliot Lefebvre — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classes, Game mechanics, Grouping, Opinion, Academic

If you've played MMOs for any length of time, you've probably grown very familiar with the trinity. You can't help but be acquainted with it in any sort of group content, where in more games than not there's that split between the tank, the healer, and the DPS. Certainly there are subdivisions and extra roles, but for the most part those extra roles are slight twists on one of the existing roles. (Controllers in City of Heroes are DPS with a debuffing/controlling aspect and slightly less damage, for instance). Brian "Psychochild" Green has an article on Gamasutra examining the issues with the holy trinity in game design: what purposes it serves, what its drawbacks are, and how useful it might be to get rid of it entirely.

Examining the roots of the trinity design in Dungeons & Dragons and common gameplay types it offered, Green goes on to take a look at how the structure has become codified, what other potential systems could be put in place, and if there's even an advantage to doing so. He discusses the issues of hybrid classes, group versus solo design, and proposes a potential alternative that remains rooted in the core elements of the design. Anyone with an interest in design should take a look at the full article, as it contains some interesting insights and analysis of one of the core underpinnings of our genre.

Attacking the holy trinity of MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Are you tired of the "Holy Trinity" yet?

Kyle Horner — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: News items, Opinion, The Daily Grind

Rogue, Warrior and Cleric -- or in other words DPS, tank and healer -- have been with MMOs since the very start. Since those humble beginnings, some MMOs have eschewed the classic three-role dynamic. Shooters have definitely been the most common variant, but puzzle-focused titles are also another example. It's only a matter of time until an entirely generation of MMOs move away from the system. In fact, that seems to be happening right now, although it may be too early to say.

What we're wondering though, is this: Do you think the change will, or should be, permanent?

Beyond even that, do you care how your MMO gets its combat on? We're sure some of you just want great games, and there's nothing wrong with that sentiment at all. Our guess is that those of you most adamant about something new, something fresh, are probably more seasoned players. Don't worry, the same is true of us as well. After almost ten years of the trinity, we're itching for something to take us by surprise. Wonder who or when that'll be...

The Daily Grind: Are you tired of the "Holy Trinity" yet? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Tank, DPS, Healer, or other?

Samuel Axon — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classes, Opinion, The Daily Grind

The small group gameplay in many of today's MMORPGs is about the interplay of several archetypes that each offer something different to the dynamic -- tanks absorb damage so weaker classes don't have to, DPS classes dish out massive damage in short amounts of time, healers reverse or prevent damage done to party members altogether, and then there are a myriad of other classes that fill various other roles like crowd control.

Seems a lot of folks fall comfortably into one role or another -- some even stick to just one through multiple games, always playing healers, for example. Do you have a strong preference for one particular group role, or do you try to vary your play experience? In either case, which role is most comfortable for you, and why? We're always interested to learn more about the psychology behind these games, so we're eager to see what you've got!

The Daily Grind: Tank, DPS, Healer, or other? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Healer strife reaches Age of Conan

Adrian Bott — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Age of Conan, City of Heroes, Classes

It's the kind of scenario you wake up from in a cold sweat, reaching for the comforting bulk of the axe under your bed: the healer wars. City of Heroes arguably had it worst, but other games haven't escaped, and now Age of Conan is getting it. The row centers upon that archetypal figure of MMO gaming, the healer; and the argument, in essence, is 'Healers aren't supposed to do damage, so just shut up and heal, noob'.

In the case of Age of Conan, one player made a guide for Priests of Mitra, a powerful healing class. In that guide, he treated the issue of PoMs doing damage with the simple words 'You don't.' This wasn't all he said, but it was enough to cause a firestorm, particularly when one of the visiting moderators saw fit to sticky the post - which was seen as endorsing a 'you're just healbots' mentality.

It seems to be a particular curse of support-type classes that everyone you group with has a better idea of what you should be doing than you do yourself. We'd like to know, from those who've played such characters: have you ever been told to 'just heal'? Do you care whether you can do DPS or not? Would you willingly give up all offensive abilities to help a team survive better? Or, in a barbarous world like Hyboria, should everyone be dangerous in combat?

Healer strife reaches Age of Conan originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Do guild relationships transfer between games?

Akela Talamasca — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classes, Game mechanics, Guilds, Raiding, Quests, Grouping, Opinion, The Daily Grind

When you have the right group of people, everything is just easier. When your guild members communicate well with each other, and each person knows her role and responsibilities, there isn't anything you can't overcome. At least, in that particular game. But what happens when you try to transfer that guild to a different game?

Although many MMOs have similar classes and structures, it isn't always a one-to-one correlation. Your tank might suddenly find himself with a much more challenging job than in the previous game. Your healer could see a new class and decide he's done with his old job and wants to try something new. Maybe the functions of the group just don't work in the new game. When your guild wants to tackle the challenges of a new MMO, how do you go about settling in? If it isn't happening, how do you fix it?

The Daily Grind: Do guild relationships transfer between games? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What's your favorite archetype?

Krystalle Voecks — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:07:00 EST

Filed under: Game mechanics, Opinion, The Daily Grind

It seems like no matter what game you spend time in, the majority of classes fall into the "trinity" of archetypes. You have your damage-soaking tanks, standing on the front line, drawing aggro and taking a beating. Then you have the DPS classes, who can generally DoT, fear, kite, sneak, stab, shoot, and a myriad of other nasty things to bring the pain. And without the third part of the trinity, the healers, the other two would spend most of the time dead on the floor or fighting mobs while using lots of bandages, med-packs, potions or the like. Once in a while you'll find one class that are a "hybrid" these abilities, taking one or all of the three unto themselves, making for a more solo-friendly character.

Personally, I've played all three primary archetypes as well as hybrids. While I've really enjoyed them all, my heart keeps coming back to pure DPS classes, with a close second in hybrids. Whether with stabby knives, flowing robes and fireballs, or carrying a gun, the straight damage classes are fun to me when I've got a good group to run with. When I need to get into a game and see how it works, I tend to go hybrids for their self-reliance. How about you? What's your favorite class archetype (or archetypes) and why?

The Daily Grind: What's your favorite archetype? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I am healer: breaking healing's spell

Chris Chester — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classes, Culture, Game mechanics, Opinion

Imagine a fantasy MMO that completely shirked the idea of healers, healing potions, and healing in general. Instead of dedicating hundreds of player hours to perfecting these combat crutches, why don't game designers finally throw aside the long-cliche notion of healing, and design their games more like real life? This is the question at the heart of a recent blog post by Kendricke over at Clockwork Gamer. If you follow Kendricke's line of reasoning - the heroes in most major forms of media survive not by having one of their cohorts plant themselves in the back of the room and lob magic spells that regenerate cleaved flesh, they simply avoid damage. Wouldn't this make a more exciting product for players in the long-run, and free developers from the "tank/healing/dps" trap that has held them for so long?

The answer, naturally, is that of course it would be an improvement, but only if the developer gave the idea due diligence. EVE Online is an example of a game that doesn't rely on the healing crutch, but it was something that was really built into the foundation of its gameplay mechanics and lore. Warhammer Online's approach to having combat healers is slightly more suspect, because it seems like they're trying to have their cake and eat it too; how long will it really be before these healing/damage hybrids become completely co-opted for healing? Kendricke's take on the subject is definitely worth checking out, even if you're not typically the guy who gets suckered into healing as some of us do.

I am healer: breaking healing's spell originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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