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[The Anvil of Crom: Deconstructing the dev update - PvP Edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/07/the-anvil-of-crom-deconstructing-the-dev-update-pvp-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/07/the-anvil-of-crom-deconstructing-the-dev-update-pvp-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/07/the-anvil-of-crom-deconstructing-the-dev-update-pvp-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

It's been quite a while since I devoted an Anvil of Crom entry to deconstructing one of Craig Morrison's monthly Age of Conan development updates, and what better time to resurrect an old tradition than on the heels of one of the lengthier producer letters in recent memory.

The end-of-July document took a decidedly pro-PvP approach, and since I've been spending the majority of my game time on the new Blood and Glory server lately, reading between the lines on the bossman's latest state-of-the-game manifesto seems like the thing to do.

Join me after the cut for a bit of discussion on PvP, the future, and a bunch of interesting bullet points.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Deconstructing the dev update - PvP Edition

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Deconstructing the dev update - PvP Edition originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedanvil-of-cromaocaoc-unchainedcombo-moldingcombo-skippingcraig-morrisondevelopment-updateexploitsf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgameplayopinionpvepvpranger-trackingsilirrionstaminastealththe-anvil-of-cromtrackingworld-bossworld-bossesSun, 07 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan dev update outlines PvP changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/age-of-conan-dev-update-outlines-pvp-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/age-of-conan-dev-update-outlines-pvp-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/age-of-conan-dev-update-outlines-pvp-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Age of Conan game director Craig "Silirrion" Morrison has posted his latest monthly development update, and the lengthy piece focuses heavily on the PvP side of the game. While class-specific balance fixes aren't given much lip service here (Morrison says they're addressed in each game update anyway, and are an ongoing process), Funcom is looking at quite a few changes to AoC's PvP component.

Morrison tasks lead systems designer Einar Forselv with talking about the specific goals, and he gives us a general look at what's on the dev team's plate. First up is the problematic minigame respawn mechanic, and Forselv says that Funcom is looking to make it more like the systems found in your average FPS as well as address the loopholes people use to perform AFK exploits.

Ranger tracking will also be "overhauled," which likely means a nerf since the feature is the subject of much QQ from the non-Ranger community. Siege performance changes are also on the table, as are stamina and aggro fixes, changes to animation and combat calculation interactions, and tweaks to the stealth system. Finally, this month's dev update mentions that new PvP world bosses are on the way to Hyboria, and teases the upcoming Savage Coast of Turan content that ties in with this summer's Conan film reboot.

MassivelyAge of Conan dev update outlines PvP changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedaocaoc-unchainedblood-and-glorycraig-morrisondev-diarydev-updateeinar-forselvf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-mechanicspvppvp-world-bossesqqrangerssilirrionstealthtrackingFri, 29 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analogy explains PvP basics in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/analogy-explains-pvp-basics-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/analogy-explains-pvp-basics-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/analogy-explains-pvp-basics-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


PvP in EVE Online can take a while to become effective at, and there are a number of factors a player must consider -- both in terms of ship fittings and tactics used -- when engaging opponents. Speed, range, damage types, active tanking vs. passive tanking, when to engage and when to evade, are but a few things that need to be taken into account.

Given this complexity, there are players in the game who've recognized that there's a real need for PvP instruction in the game and offer services to that end. Agony Unleashed stands as EVE's premier PvP school, regularly offering courses that show players how to use a given type of ship to its deadliest potential. Baka Lakadaka, of Agony Unleashed, has written a piece for EVE Tribune called "A Tale of Three Waterpistols" that could be useful to a newer player trying to get a handle on PvP in EVE. Check out his article for a look at how tracking, speed, and optimal range are interrelated in EVE, through the easily-understood analogy between children (of different sizes) shooting waterpistols at one another, and the relative strengths and limitations of different ship types.

MassivelyAnalogy explains PvP basics in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agony-unleashedbaka-lakadakaccpccp-gamesdamageeveeve-onlineeve-tribunegame-mechanicsinstructionpvprangesci-fispeedtips-and-trickstrackingMon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Electronic Warfare, part 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/eve-evolved-electronic-warfare-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/eve-evolved-electronic-warfare-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/eve-evolved-electronic-warfare-part-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


In the first two parts of this three part guide, I explained the basics of electronic warfare in EVE Online and examined the skills and equipment you'll need as an electronic warfare specialist. In this final section, I tackle the tricky issues of battlefield operations and survival.

Survival:
An unfortunate fact about being part of a fleet's electronic warfare crew is that you'll almost certainly be a high priority target for your enemies. To make matters worse, specialist electronic warfare ships tend to have very poor defensive capabilities. Fitting any kind of tank on an electronic warfare ship can waste vital module slots and severely impact the performance of your ship. This is particularly true in the case of ECM jamming ships where the low slots should be used for signal distortion amplifiers.

What can you do to keep your ship safe on the battlefield and what should you do to help your fleet be victorious? Join me as I answer these questions in a thorough tactical overview of electronic warfare in EVE Online.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Electronic Warfare, part 3

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Electronic Warfare, part 3 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In part 1 of this guide, I delved into the world of electronic warfare in EVE Online. In this second segment, I examine the skills and equipment you'll need to be an electronic warfare specialist with special regard to ECM jammers, remote sensor dampeners and tracking disruptors. Contrary to popular belief, new pilots with few skillpoints can still be extremely useful in this area of PvP. The entry-level skills and equipment for electronic warfare specialists can be obtained within days of starting the game.

Entry-level ships:
Although electronic warfare modules can be fitted to any ship, each race has its own set of specialised ships that get bonuses to them. Ranging from cheap expendable frigates up to expensive force recon ships, there are specialist ships for players of all skill levels and in all price ranges. The Caldari race have ships that specialise in ECM jammers, the Gallente specialise in remote sensor dampeners and the Amarr make good use of tracking disruptors and energy neutralisers.

Read on as I examine the skills and equipment you'll need to be one of the most effective electronic warfare specialists in EVE.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Electronic warfare, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Electronic warfare, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whether you're taking part in faction warfare, pirating, fighting a dirty corporate war or defending your homeland in 0.0, chances are you'll be engaging in a lot of fleet warfare. Although a lot of newer fleet commanders prefer all fleet members to be in ships that deal a lot of damage, the optimum setup makes better use of a variety of ship types. A strong fleet in EVE Online is typically composed of three main groups. First you have the tacklers who intercept and warp-scramble enemies, then the damage dealers who kill the enemy and finally you have the electronic warfare crew.

What is electronic warfare?:
Electronic warfare involves the use of modules that debilitate the enemy indirectly rather than attacking them head-on. This includes using target jammers to cause the enemy to lose his active target locks, sensor dampeners to decrease his lock range and energy neutralisers to deplete his capacitor. A good electronic warfare ship has the potential to remove several enemy ships from the battle, cutting the effectiveness of the enemy fleet down significantly. For this reason, a good electronic warfare wing in your fleet can be seen as a force multiplier, allowing your fleet to engage much larger forces and succeed.

In the first part of this guide, I cover the basics of electronic warfare in EVE and show just how important this often underused portion of a fleet is.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Electronic warfare, part 1

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Electronic warfare, part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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