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[Flameseeker Chronicles: How do trinities work?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/flameseeker-chronicles-how-do-trinities-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/flameseeker-chronicles-how-do-trinities-work/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/flameseeker-chronicles-how-do-trinities-work/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No, no -- there's three characters. That must mean there's a trinity.
People have had varying reactions to Jon Peters' post on ArenaNet's blog last week, which explained the newest system of traits and attributes for Guild Wars 2. There've been all sorts of thoughts about it: that it's awesome, that it's unnecessary, that it's a whole lot of words to keep track of (I'm saying that, in fact, and I'm firmly in the camp of folks who think it's all pretty great). Specifically, the inclusion of the compassion attribute, which improves a character's healing output, has raised a glaring red flag for some players who are afraid this is the first step toward holy trinities and dedicated healers. I respectfully disagree.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: How do trinities work?

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: How do trinities work? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetattributesdedicated-healerfantasyfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsguild-wars-2guild-wars-2-guideguild-wars-2-previewgwgw1gw2holy-trinityjon-petersncsoftopinionravious-makes-a-good-pointtraitstrinityTue, 06 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR's Georg Zoeller salutes the Trooper class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/swtors-georg-zoeller-salutes-the-trooper-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/swtors-georg-zoeller-salutes-the-trooper-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/04/swtors-georg-zoeller-salutes-the-trooper-class/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SWTOR
He won't play favorites between the choice of builds, but BioWare's Georg Zoeller is remarkably open otherwise when it comes to talking about Star Wars: The Old Republic's Trooper in action.

In an interview on RepublicTrooper.com, Zoeller fields a number of questions about the Trooper's capabilities in combat, especially in regard to how a ranged class can function as a tank. After struggling with these unique problems, BioWare tuned the Vanguard (the Trooper's advanced tanking spec) to be a mid-ranged tank with visual effects to show when the class was warding off melee attacks.

"Statistically, their tanking ability is based more upon absorption and shielding and less about avoidance, making them the slightly more predictable tanks (Medics love that)," he wrote. "Finally, they are visually very different when in action, as most of their abilities are themed around technical attacks "

Zoeller said that all-Trooper guilds are entirely possible, given the flexibility of the advanced class roles, as Troopers cover the gamut of the Holy Trinity. He sees Trooper healers as being extremely desirable: "Commandos are the only medic class capable of increasing their target's mitigation and receptivity to heals. They are also the only Advanced Class that features a 'smart heal,' an auto-response heal that triggers on the target when they take damage."

MassivelySWTOR's Georg Zoeller salutes the Trooper class originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommandoeaelectronic-artsgeorg-zoellerholy-trinityinterviewmedicrepublictrooper.comstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortankingthe-ol-republictortroopervanguardFri, 04 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How do you deal with class overload?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-deal-with-class-overload/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-deal-with-class-overload/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/the-daily-grind-how-do-you-deal-with-class-overload/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Not a real depiction of my guild roster :D
As my guild gets around to signing up on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic website in the hopes that we can join the game as a group during the pre-order access phase, we're slowly coming to the realization that we kinda like playing the same class. As in, most of us. As in, more than half of us are planning to play Smugglers at launch, which makes for an awesome themed guild but doesn't really help us much in terms of class balance when it comes to actually putting groups together and running content.

Granted, the new wave of MMOs is doing away with rigid class restrictions and holy trinities, but that doesn't mean all need for balance is dead and gone. So how do you deal with a class overload in your gaming groups? Do you embrace the theme or hope players' desire to be a unique snowflake will help them spread out their choices? Do you impose limits on classes and force people to diversify? Or do you figure your friends will figure it out on their own once they can't form a balanced group out of four Han Solos?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How do you deal with class overload? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebrianna-royce-tdgclassclasseseaelectronic-artsgroupsguildsholy-trinityopinionstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortdgthe-daily-grindtortrinityMon, 12 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a healer?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-healer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-healer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/03/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-healer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you're going to play a game in which your allies will rush forward into their imminent death despite your best efforts, someone's going to need to take the task of keeping them from death. Sometimes the healer is up on the front lines like the Warrior Priests of Warhammer Online, but most often your job in the healer is to stand back and keep everyone alive in spite of their determination to stand in fire. It's not a glamorous job, but boy is it ever important.

From games like World of Warcraft that require a dedicated healer to games like City of Heroes where your "healer" may have no direct healing spells, the third part of the holy trinity sees the least direct action but still tables a lot of responsibility. So what's your favorite experience from taking on the role of the walking band-aid? Were you stuck in a group with members who couldn't keep themselves alive at all if not for your healing? Or is there a particular game that always made healing feel more fun than any other task in the game?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a healer? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesgroup-contentgroupshealershealingholy-trinityopinionpartiesparty-contenttdgthe-daily-grindWed, 03 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a tank?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-tank/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-tank/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/02/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-tank/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Maybe you have a sword and shield, maybe you have a really high Dodge rating, maybe you have durable force fields. Whatever your qualifications for the role, you take up the mantle of the tank to keep the rest of your party safe against your enemies, whether they're gang members in DC Universe Online, vicious beasts in Final Fantasy XIV, or enemy starships in Star Trek Online. Whatever your game of choice, if you've played MMOs for a long enough stretch, you've had opportunity to tank.

Of course, part of tanking is that you wind up with stories, in no small part just because it's such a vital job. You can't fake the experience -- you have to get in close and take the blows for the party members who can't survive them. So what was your favorite experience as the party's meat shield? Was it a specific run, a specific group, or was there an entire game that made tanking feel like the most enjoyable thing in the world?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a tank? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anecdotesculturegame-mechanicsholy-trinityopinionpartyparty-mechanicsrolesstoriesstorysurvivaltankingtdgthe-daily-grindTue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What was your favorite experience as a damage dealer?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/01/the-daily-grind-what-was-your-favorite-experience-as-a-damage-d/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classesdamage-dealerdpsgame-mechanicsgroup-playholy-trinitymechanicsopinionpartyparty-contentrolestdgthe-daily-grindMon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: Guild Wars 2 edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/the-mmo-report-guild-wars-2-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/the-mmo-report-guild-wars-2-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/30/the-mmo-report-guild-wars-2-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In today's MMO Report, Casey Schreiner takes his viewers to Bellevue, Washington for a trip to ArenaNet's offices to preview Guild Wars 2. Casey talks to two members of ANet's team: Game Designer Jeff Grubb and Lead Content Designer Colin Johanson.

Jeff spends most of his time filling Casey in on the lore of Guild Wars 2, detailing the story that leads to the alliance between the Humans and the Charr and the addition of the other three races of the game. He also discusses how the choices players make will influence their story experience.

Colin, on the other hand, is more focused on the gameplay end of things. He talks about how the game's classes will function without the omnipresent holy trinity, explaining that classes can fill various roles, which can be swapped between in combat. Dungeons are another topic covered, and Colin explains the differences between the story mode dungeons (which are more casual, story-driven experiences) and the exploration mode dungeons (which are tailored for more hardcore players seeking a challenge.)

For the full, info-packed video (plus an inside look at the swanky ArenaNet offices), click on past the cut!

Continue reading The MMO Report: Guild Wars 2 edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: Guild Wars 2 edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcasey-schreinerclassescolin-johansoncombat-rolesdungeonsguild-wars-2gw2holy-trinityjeff-grubbloremmo-reportncsoftstorythe-mmo-reportThu, 30 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Of revolutionary design, babies, and bathwater]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/flameseeker-chronicles-of-revolutionary-design-babies-and-bat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/flameseeker-chronicles-of-revolutionary-design-babies-and-bat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/flameseeker-chronicles-of-revolutionary-design-babies-and-bat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The "revolutionary" aspects of Guild Wars 2 might be an old topic, but it's one that's been on my mind lately for two reasons. First, a couple of my colleagues and I got some hands-on time with Star Wars: The Old Republic at E3. One consistent feeling was that it's a good, solid game but nothing revolutionary. (I was very impressed with it overall, even though I feel it's not a game for me.)

That sparked a lot of discussion regarding the fact that BioWare never claimed that the game would be revolutionary, so the argument is pointless. I can certainly get on board that train of thought, but it still set me thinking about this aspect of game design.

The other incident was a conversation in Massively's staff chatroom the other day. Two Massively team members were discussing the pros and cons of the Guild Wars 2 class setup -- specifically, the elimination of the holy trinity. Watching the two of them discuss it, combined with my recent thinking on revolutionary game design, set me thinking. Follow along after the jump and let's take a look at the pros and cons of blazing a new trail!

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Of revolutionary design, babies, and bathwater

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Of revolutionary design, babies, and bathwater originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcombatcraftingdevelopmentfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-wars-2gw2holy-trinityncsoftMon, 20 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyperspace Beacon: The hybrid]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/hyperspace-beacon-the-hybrid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/hyperspace-beacon-the-hybrid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/hyperspace-beacon-the-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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

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

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

Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The hybrid

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaredpsEAElectronic-Artsfeaturedhard-trinityhealerholy-trinityhybridLucasArtsPokketPokketsaysRIFTrift-planes-of-telarasoft-trinityStar-Warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicSWGswtortankthe-old-republictortrinitytrooperTue, 31 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA blog post redefines the holy trinity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/tera-blog-post-redefines-the-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/tera-blog-post-redefines-the-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/tera-blog-post-redefines-the-holy-trinity/#commentsFiled under: , ,

En Masse Entertainment wants you to take everything you think you know about class roles and shove it -- well, you get the idea. En Masse's Scott James Magner waxes nostalgic on Dungeons and Dragons, EverQuest, and the establishment of the holy trinity. Scared of change? Don't worry too much. Magner says, "TERA isn't going to re-invent the wheel as far as class roles are concerned. Instead, we're redefining them as we move into the next generation of online games. TERA's eight classes fall easily into four in-demand roles, but how they do it is another story entirely."

The Lancer and Warrior fill the tank role, but Magner is careful to point out that there is much more to to defending your allies than simply spamming your high-threat abilities; it's also highly dependent on blocking and dodging in a timely manner. Healers won't be playing whack-a-mole anymore, and Magner says that TERA's healers are "just as often in the thick of combat as the outskirts." Lastly, Magner thinks that the trinity should further divide into a "'foundation' of four," with DPS roles divided based on whether they are ranged or melee. The melee attackers deliver high damage with each strike, but the ranged attackers have an unbeatable attack speed. For the full details, head on over to TERA's site and check out the full article.

MassivelyTERA blog post redefines the holy trinity originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesclass-rolesclassesen-masseen-masse-entertainmentholy-trinityscott-james-magnerteratera-onlineTue, 17 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/the-perfect-ten-why-a-harry-potter-mmo-makes-sense/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The idea of a Harry Potter MMO is hardly a new one at this point -- we've even speculated on it around Massively for years now. Rumors and wishful thinking have brought up this hypothetical MMO time and again, and for good reason: It simply makes sense.

In fact, the more you think about it, the more surprising it is that we haven't heard official word of a Harry Potter MMO by now. After doing some poking around, the most likely suspects to take on this project would either be Warner Bros. (which owns the rights to the franchise) or Electronic Arts (which purchased a license from WB to make the movie video games). Both companies have MMO studios at their command -- Turbine, BioWare, Mythic -- and both have the resources to make it happen.

So why does Harry Potter make perfect sense for MMO-adaptation? Hit the jump and I'll run you down the top 10 reasons! And if you post a positive comment after this column, I'll add five points to the house of your choice (go Hufflepuff!).

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Why a Harry Potter MMO makes sense originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareclassesdeathly-hallowsdefense-against-the-dark-artseaea-biowareea-mythicelectronic-artsfactionsfantasyfeaturedgolden-goosegoose-that-lays-golden-eggsharry-potterharry-potter-mmoherbologyhogwartsholy-trinityhouseshufflepuffipj-k-rowlingjk-rowlingkingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlevelinglevelslord-of-the-ringsmagicmythicnarniapotionsquidditchrowlingspeculationturbinetwilightUniversal-Orlando-Resortwarner-broswarner-bros-interactiveWarner-Bros-Interactive-Entertainmentwizardwizard101wizardsworld-buildingThu, 05 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: Eat your tanking or you won't get your ice cream]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/the-soapbox-eat-your-tanking-or-you-wont-get-your-ice-cream/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/the-soapbox-eat-your-tanking-or-you-wont-get-your-ice-cream/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/the-soapbox-eat-your-tanking-or-you-wont-get-your-ice-cream/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Picture this -- you're a parent of a squalling child. (For some of you, this may be a very easy picture as you sit at the dinner table.) Your child is refusing to eat his or her dinner on the basis that the broccoli doesn't taste like doughnuts covered in Skittles. Being a mature adult and realizing that a lifetime of Skittle-based food toppings is not a viable dietary choice, you are trying to patiently reason with said child despite the fact that the child assumes Kevin at school is evil incarnate because he took the good swing despite your child's having called it.

Eventually, you break down. You tell your child that a special treat awaits if he or she eats all of those vegetables. And so your child queues up for a random heroic in World of Warcraft, and -- wait, we skipped ahead of the metaphor, but that's essentially what the whole Call to Arms feature boils down to. And it brings up interesting questions of bribery, choice, and what makes a fun and functional mechanic.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Eat your tanking or you won't get your ice cream

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Eat your tanking or you won't get your ice cream originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentcall-to-armsclass-rolescommunityfeaturedholy-trinityopinionsocial-engineeringsocial-interactiontankingthe-soapboxworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 19 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2's Johanson: MMO class trinity is "tired"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/guild-wars-2s-johanson-mmo-class-trinity-is-tired/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/guild-wars-2s-johanson-mmo-class-trinity-is-tired/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/guild-wars-2s-johanson-mmo-class-trinity-is-tired/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Have you ever wondered where all the hype comes from regarding Guild Wars 2? Sure, the original game was a financial success, and the sequel has NCsoft's considerable financial muscle behind it. When you get right down to it, though, ArenaNet is a company with one game to its credit, yet the firm still has the courage to openly challenge Blizzard as well as the rest of the crowded MMO market. In a new interview at Eurogamer, lead content designer Colin Johanson says ANet's success and confidence largely stem from a culture of creative fearlessness.

How does this attitude translate into a next-gen MMO? Johanson says the best example is the dev team's willingness to scrap one of the themepark MMO genre's sacred cows: the holy trinity. "We're basically saying, listen, this as a core game mechanic is tired, we can do something better, we can do something more interesting than this," Johanson explains.

The interview also touches on ArenaNet's release-it-when-it's-done mantra, and Johanson elaborates on why Guild Wars 2 has been so long in the making. "We're going to do all of this, we're going to make this the game that offers something for everybody, and we're going to get that right, and if it takes us a little longer to do that, the trade-off is totally worthwhile," he said. Head to Eurogamer for the full report.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2's Johanson: MMO class trinity is "tired" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena-netarenanetcolin-johansondynamic-contentdynamic-eventsfantasyguild-wars-2gw2holy-trinityinterviewstrinityFri, 15 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: 'Role' play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/enter-at-your-own-rift-role-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/enter-at-your-own-rift-role-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/enter-at-your-own-rift-role-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesbardchloromancerclassclassesdarkening-deepsdpsdungeon-runfeaturedfive-man-dungeonsgrouphealerholy-trinityoff-tankpugriftrift-planes-of-telarariftstalkerrolerole-systemrolesrubisaboteursoul-systemsoul-treesoulsswiss-army-knifetankteamtrainertriontrion-worldsWed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Chat: Game development edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/global-chat-game-development-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/global-chat-game-development-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/global-chat-game-development-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat!

With so many high-profile games both in development and recently launched, the development process for MMOs both big and small is a popular topic of conversation among our readers here at Massively.

Follow along after the jump for a look at what a few of our most well-spoken readers had to say this week!

Continue reading Global Chat: Game development edition

MassivelyGlobal Chat: Game development edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communityculturefeaturedgame-developmentglobal-chatgolemizerholy-trinityjondifoolopinionspace-cobraSun, 20 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter-Ego: An overview of the trinity in DC Universe Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/alter-ego-an-overview-of-the-trinity-in-dc-universe-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancebalancingbreaking-the-moldbrokenclassesdpsdual-classfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivehealersholy-trinityimbalanceimbalancedjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreariftromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmenttankviableMon, 28 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Tankers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-tankers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-tankers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-tankers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If there's one thing that's always bothered me about the archetypes in City of Heroes -- the vanilla game, that is -- it's that none of them has a name that's particularly evocative, even though there are tons of examples that each archetype can draw upon. Today's archetype is a perfect example, one that covers Superman, Colossus, Giant-Man, Captain Marvel, even certain incarnations of more variable characters like Iron Man. But the name "Tanker" fails to conjure up images of anything beyond a dry recitation of party roles.

Yes, this week we're discussing the third of four melee-heavy archetypes with the Tanker, as was hinted at the end of the last column. It's also the archetype closest to its two predecessors, coming with almost identical power selections in a slightly different order. But the Tanker's powers get prioritized in a very different way, so whether you're new to the game or just the class, let's take a look at how to make your Tanker as tanky as possible.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Tankers

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Tankers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporterarchetypescharacter-creationcharacter-optionscity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassclass-discussionclassescohcolumncovcoxfeaturedholy-trinityncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiostankerstankingWed, 02 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What's your style? Guild Wars 2 game designer elaborates on the combat system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/whats-your-style-guild-wars-2-game-designer-elaborates-on-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/whats-your-style-guild-wars-2-game-designer-elaborates-on-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/whats-your-style-guild-wars-2-game-designer-elaborates-on-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The unusual combat system in Guild Wars 2 has been one of the hallmarks of the game for fans as development progresses. ArenaNet's commitment to breaking away from the holy trinity has been consistent, and now that we know five of the eight professions in Guild Wars 2, game designer Jon Peters is able to build on the information he gave us back in July.

The newest ArenaNet blog entry revealed several new details on combat mechanics, including an explanation of boons and how they work as well as the fact that allied targeting will not exist in GW2. There's much more to see -- this blog entry is a great read not only for Guild Wars 2 fans but for any MMO player who is interested in combat mechanics.

MassivelyWhat's your style? Guild Wars 2 game designer elaborates on the combat system originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcombatcombat-mechanicsguild-wars-2gw2holy-trinityjon-petersncsoftWed, 02 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Eight ways for free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/behind-the-mask-eight-ways-for-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/behind-the-mask-eight-ways-for-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/behind-the-mask-eight-ways-for-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A little while ago, a full list of Champions Online's first eight archetypes was given to the public. Originally I wasn't going to talk about them much, but a couple people came up and asked me, "Are you going to write about archetypes this week?" I told them I probably wasn't, but after reflecting on it, it seemed a hot topic that I should probably talk about.

Cryptic has a habit of releasing ideas and content that are ridiculously bad in their first iterations. Over time, these ideas tend to get more and more polished, until we get something ranging from playable (melee) to almost exactly right (pets). The first pass at archetypes really isn't any different. The archetypes are bad. I am pretty sure the team will tweak the little problems, so talking about them seems sort of like jumping the gun.

But hey, you guys asked for it.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Eight ways for free-to-play

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Eight ways for free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesbalance-train-wreckbehind-the-maskchampions-onlineclassescocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumholy-trinityrolesThu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online unveils the eight free-to-play archetypes for launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/champions-online-unveils-the-eight-free-to-play-archetypes-for-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/champions-online-unveils-the-eight-free-to-play-archetypes-for-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/champions-online-unveils-the-eight-free-to-play-archetypes-for-l/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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

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

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

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesbusiness-modelschampions-onlineclassescocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdpsf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-updateshealerholy-trinityparty-structureplayer-archetypesrolestankupdatesWed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe devs talk trinity, changes to the game world]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/dc-universe-devs-talk-trinity-changes-to-the-game-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/dc-universe-devs-talk-trinity-changes-to-the-game-world/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/08/dc-universe-devs-talk-trinity-changes-to-the-game-world/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thirsting for more information on Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe Online? Comic Book Resources has your long cool drink of water in the form of a lengthy studio visit recap. Last week, SOE invited a gaggle of game journalists to "DC University" for a tour of the game's development headquarters that included lectures from the likes of game director Chris Cao, creative director Jens Andersen, producer Wes Yanagi, and writer/resident DC legend Marv Wolfman.

In between geekgasm-inducing peeks around the studio, the lucky invitees got some hands-on time with the upcoming title as well as the opportunity to ask the developers a few questions. When the discussion turned to combat, it became apparent that DCUO isn't going down the traditional MMO "holy trinity" path with its classes and builds. Cao states that while tank, healer, and DPS parties may be possible, they won't necessarily be the norm since "everybody's a damage dealer."

Cao also talked about accessible and inaccessible portions of the game world and whether players would be able to unlock more locations as the title ages. "We've bottled the city, the idea is that somebody's going to have to unbottle it," he said, referring to the storyline angle in which Brainiac cuts off access to Metropolis' Daily Planet. While the devs were noncommittal in terms of specifics, Wes Yanagi commented that permanent changes to the world would likely occur via seasonal events and new players would be able to experience the pre-event world.

MassivelyDC Universe devs talk trinity, changes to the game world originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brainiacchris-caocombatDC Comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlineDcComicsdcuogame-worldholy-trinityin-game-eventsjens-andersenmarv-wolfmanwes-yanagiworldworld-locationsMon, 08 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you like debuffers?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-debuffers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-debuffers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/17/the-daily-grind-do-you-like-debuffers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Controllers and dominators in City of Heroes, mesmers and necromancers in Guild Wars, affliction warlocks in World of Warcraft -- the debuffing class has long been a staple of MMOs. While the class frequently is closest to being a damage dealer, its primary function is to cripple enemies. Played properly, the resultant effects can turn a normal challenge into a cakewalk, or knock a seemingly invincible enemy back down to normal levels.

Of course, as time has gone by the archetype has become a bit less common, with the holy trinity of tanks, healers, and DPS becoming more focused and less open to more esoteric inclusions. But it hasn't gone away -- science ships in Star Trek Online make heavy use of debuffs to cripple and wear down opponents. Do you like having debuffs and debuff classes as a central element of party gameplay? Or would you rather designers continue to emphasize the holy trinity and have classes focused on doing damage while debuffing targets?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of our readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's The Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you like debuffers? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainsclass-setupsclassescohcontrolcovcoxdebuffdebuff-classesguild-warsgwholy-trinityopinionstar-trek-onlinestosupport-classtdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwowSun, 17 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Waging WAR: A healer's advice for melee-DPS]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/waging-war-a-healers-advice-for-melee-dps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/waging-war-a-healers-advice-for-melee-dps/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/07/waging-war-a-healers-advice-for-melee-dps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWarebioware-mmorpgbioware-mythicdpsdpsingEAea-mythicfeaturefeaturedhealer-questionshealersholy-trinitymeleemelee-combatmelee-DPSmmommorpgmythicmythic entertainmentmythic-eaMythic-EntertainmentMythicEntertainmentsquared-addontankTrinitywaging-warWarhammerwarhammer-eaWarhammer-OnlineWarhammer-Online-Age-of-Reckoningwarhammer-online-eaSat, 07 Aug 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Finding the Holy Trinity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/behind-the-mask-finding-the-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/behind-the-mask-finding-the-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/01/behind-the-mask-finding-the-holy-trinity/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

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

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

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

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Finding the Holy Trinity

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

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Behind-the-Maskchampions-onlinecoco-wikicrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosdpsfeaturedguidehealingholy-trinitynemesis-confrontationtanktankingvibora-bayThu, 01 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most important part of the trinity?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-important-part-of-the-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-important-part-of-the-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-important-part-of-the-trinity/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While the structure of the jokingly-named "holy trinity" in MMOs -- tanks, healers, and damage dealers -- isn't universal, it's certainly common enough to be recognizable. Even in games without pre-defined classes, such as Champions Online, have a group structure oriented toward the three roles.

But you can't have classes without a struggle between them, and there's always a discussion in relation to the trinity about which part is the most important. Tanks point to their relative scarcity and the pressure of their job, Healers point to their relative scarcity and the importance of their job, and DPS points to the fact that healers and tanks can't keep their stunts up forever if nobody is killing the target.

So where do you fall in this debate? Which part of the trinity do you think is the most important to a group's success, and which one is the most superfluous? Do you think that (by astonishing coincidence) the role you play most frequently is the most important one, or do you think it's lower on the scale and you play it for other reasons?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the most important part of the trinity? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-mechanicsclassesdpsgroupinghealersholy-trinitytankstdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-tankswotSun, 14 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How MMOs infect other games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/26/how-mmos-infect-other-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/26/how-mmos-infect-other-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/26/how-mmos-infect-other-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Games are rather viral in the way that their ideas spread around. You start off with perfectly self-contained genres, perhaps, but before long your characters are leveling up in a sports game and going through jumping puzzles in an action game (or a first-person shooter if you're unlucky). Next thing you know, you're shooting hoops before racing a car and shooting people and then solving a riddle... you get the idea. MMOs seem like they'd be largely immune to this -- after all, many of their conventions not ported from elsewhere, such as persistent online play, are fairly unique to them. However, Spinks has a fascinating essay regarding the way that, for better or for worse, MMOs are becoming closely entwined with other games.

In short, while she notes that the mechanics haven't always made the jump from, for instance, World of Warcraft to Dragon Age, the design of the game's structure and the tactics available have. She notes the increasing prevalence of the "holy trinity" in non-MMO games (Final Fantasy XII being another excellent example), the ways in which our ideas about discussing both the game itself and the tactics it requires have expanded, and the ways that our attitudes toward our characters in a game have changed as MMOs have diversified, expanded, and improved. Insightful and astute, fans of gaming should find more than a little food for thought within the full article.

MassivelyHow MMOs infect other games originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

MassivelyAttacking 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-greenbrian-psychochild-greencity-of-heroesclass-mechanicscohdpsdungeons-and-dragonsgamasutrahealerhealingholy-trinityhyrbidspsychochildtanktankingTue, 22 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New details emerge on SWTOR's healing and space components]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/new-details-emerge-on-swtors-healing-and-space-components/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/new-details-emerge-on-swtors-healing-and-space-components/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/new-details-emerge-on-swtors-healing-and-space-components/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


So it looks like those lucky buggers over at IGN sat down with a couple Star Wars: The Old Republic developers and pelted them with as many questions from the community as possible. The results have made our day much brighter, and we're sure yours will benefit in much the same way.

While a lot of the questions were deflected in one way or another -- as this is a game that's probably not coming out for a while -- some tiny new pieces of information did surface. For instance, much of the community has been wondering about healing. Will the game go with the "Holy Trinity" or is something else planned? The answer appears to be a little bit of both. It sounds as though each class has the opportunity to invest resources into healing abilities. Although, BioWare is quick to point out that parties will definitely want some "healers" in higher-level situations.

Insofar as space combat is concerned, it appears that BioWare isn't talking about it, yet. Yes, they didn't flat out deny its existence in the game nor did they give confirmation, so for now we'll have to wait. A large part of the interview merely confirms things we've already known or suspected. Planets will have multiple zones, PvP is important to the team, customization will be very important and all the stuff you'd expect from a game this immense.

MassivelyNew details emerge on SWTOR's healing and space components originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareeaelectronic-artsgroup-dynamicshealingholy-trinityignlucasartsstar-warsswtorthe-digital-continuumMon, 27 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you tired of the "Holy Trinity" yet?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/the-daily-grind-are-you-tired-of-the-holy-trinity-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/the-daily-grind-are-you-tired-of-the-holy-trinity-yet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/the-daily-grind-are-you-tired-of-the-holy-trinity-yet/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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...

MassivelyThe 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clericdpshealerholy-trinityroguetankthe-daily-grindwarriorMon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Coolest classes ever]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/player-vs-everything-coolest-classes-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/player-vs-everything-coolest-classes-ever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/player-vs-everything-coolest-classes-ever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


For most fantasy MMOGs, the basic classes you can expect to be playing aren't too hard to predict. Whether you're a stalwart warrior with shield in hand, a crafty mage raining fiery bolts of destruction, a sneaky rogue with poison on his knife, or a benevolent cleric healing the wounds of his allies, you make up part of what's known as the holy trinity of MMOs: Tank-DPS-Healer. You need someone to get your foe's attention, someone to whack them over the head until they die, and someone to keep everyone alive until that happens. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

We can debate the merits of that particular combat system as long as you like, but what I really wanted to point out is how boring those three specialized roles are. The four archetypes I mentioned are a staple in almost every single fantasy MMOG on the market, but they're far from the most interesting ones. While it's true that you can't get by without them, they've become so vanilla-flavored at this point that they're practically passé. Whenever I log into a new game and look at their class list, I wince a little. "Oh, a chance to be a brave warrior... again. Hmm. Mage? Rogue? Meh."

I've always been a big fan of classes that went against the grain, played outside the box, and did something a little different from the "core" classes. Not everyone needs to fit nicely into those three archetypal slots. The classes that don't often turn out to be the most rewarding and fun to play, in my experience. That said, I thought I'd take a look at some of the more interesting class designs in the games I've played and discuss what made them so cool.

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Coolest classes ever

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Coolest classes ever originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureranarchy-onlinecity-of-villainsclassclassesenchantereverquestfeaturedguild-warsholy-trinityhorizonshunterjoystiqfeatureslore-mastermastermindmesmerplayer-vs-everythingultima-onlineworld-of-warcraftFri, 18 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Confronting the MMORPG holy trinity]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/confronting-the-mmorpg-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/confronting-the-mmorpg-holy-trinity/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/confronting-the-mmorpg-holy-trinity/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For the veritable cavalcade of new titles in development to make it in the lucrative massively multiplayer genre, they're all going to have to face the challenge of standing up to the "holy trinity" that is World of Warcraft, Everquest 2, and EVE Online, at least according to Lauren Michele on her blog Mystic Worlds. While there is certainly room for niche titles to make their mark (a category she sets aside for the likes of CoX and Guild Wars) every new game in the MMO space, whether they like it or not, has to compete with the big three. Casual-friendly games have to compete with the polish and spit-shine of WoW, more intense games, both in terms of graphics and mechanics/lore have to compete with EQ2, and any game with aspirations in the PvP or economic niches have to go toe to toe with EVE.

While I might not be inclined to agree with the specifics of her characterization, I think the larger point Lauren makes is extremely salient to developers working within the genre. While second-tier first-person shooters get compared to Halo in the same way that new MMOs get compared to WoW, those new shooters aren't typically competing for those same dollars. The same can't be said for MMOs. While it's true that MMOs are one of the few growth spheres left in gaming, a fact which is largely responsible for the rather dense gaming horizon ahead of us, those new games aren't just going to have to compete with one another -- there's a whole litany of old titles that continue to hold players and represent direct competition. It's about to get a lot tougher out there.

MassivelyConfronting the MMORPG holy trinity originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitionholy-trinitylauren-michelemmo-industrymmosmystic-worldsnew-titlesThu, 20 Dec 2007 16:30:00 EST