It would surprise me. It was stated in interview by PWE CEO (Back in February or March, 2013) that Classes will always be free to play. Though things change, it really would surprise me if a class were put behind a paywall.
As for the Dragonborn pack: go ahead and call me a "whale" or whatever you want. I bought one and I'm happy I did. Here's a couple points to consider, just food for thought, folks:
Why include another freakin' Companion? I have *too many* companions - all are account-wide through other packs and bonus rewards. I don't need another companion and if this pack included one it would frankly *lower the value* of the pack from my perspective. If you want to buy a pack that comes with a companion there are four others already available - buy one of those.
True, the Dragnonborn race is a "cosmetic" change, but having modeled in 3D myself for years I look at the example images and I can't help but feel there is a lot more to it. The body shapes are drastically different from all other race models - not the textures, mind you, but that actual body shapes. This leads me to believe there was a *lot* of extra work involved, creating armor and costumes and whatnot. Sure, I could be completely wrong, but it would be a massive undertaking to create all that stuff in such a way as to be compatible with existing model mesh shape and the new one. I dunno - I just hope there is quality there (no clipping, etc.).
The price of the pack is highly subjective. First of all $100 isn't all that much. But I'm an "old HAMSTER" (Age 52) - so I make enough discretionary money I can buy it. I know many of you are less than 30-somethings and that same amount is a lot "higher" percentage of your discretionary income than it would be for me. But also the "value" of the pack is subjective.
Everyone is looking at it as "buying the race with trinkets added-in". I see it differently: I am buying all the "trinkets: and the playable race is "added-in". The Dragonborn race is the bonus coming with the other stuff. Now consider the prices of all these other things, such as the Artifact if they were sold in the Auction House. I would hope you get my point.
If Dragonborn is the most-requested playable race then it's simply good business to charge people for it. This *is* business, not a charity as was mentioned above. So the question is: at what price point to sell it? It's a statistical fact that $20 and less is an "impulse buy" (people will just throw $20 around willy-nilly) - but $100 and less is a "careless buy" - very low percolation time in consideration before spending - meaning the buyer considers benefit first, value second.
So by adding in all the trinkets to make it a whole package - Cryptic raises the value of the package. Buy pricing it at the $100 point fewer people will buy it (yet they'll make the same money) - makes it "rarer" in-game, increasing the value even more for those willing to buy the package. Example: Black Ice Warhorse and Tenser's Disk Mounts in the AH: They are *Rare* - they sell between 17 and 30 Million and they *are* selling. Hence - the "rarity" of an item increases the worth.
Finally: this is not "pay-to-win" as some have hinted at. Playing a Dragonborn race will give no one any advantage over anyone else. You can play and "win" the game 100% without spending a single dime. So enough with that nonsense.
I could say "hey, I'm supporting the game studio by buying this stuff so you guys can play for free!" -BUNK. Truth: I'm selfish. I'm buying this stuff for myself because I want it. Supporting the studio and allowing others to play for free is just a side-benefit, PWE's business model. However, the good news is that the onus is on them: they must create high-quality stuff that people are willing to pay for or the whole house will collapse. Fortunately, they are building high-quality stuff people are willing to pay for. So you detractors and naysayers can whine and cry and complain and notch all you want - it won't change anything. But if shouting out your disapproval makes you feel better then fair enough.
I could not have said this any better sir. but as you said, you are 52 years old and the majority of the players on NWO are 15-30. that being said i think that they should cater to the majority of the players and maybe lower the price buy 10-20 dollars since quite a few of us youngsters have part-time jobs or are still in school and dont have a job at all. I have no problem with the content of the pack and believe that if they shaved the price down a bit it would be very reasonable. I myself already have an account wide mount and have no need for that or any more companions. Also you are very right about the 3D model of the dragonborn. It is COMPLETELY different from the other ones and how all the armors are going to fit to it we have yet to see, but i hope that it is a job well done because i plan on buying this pack and hope for the best when i try and equip armors that normally fit on the "normal" races. This pack makes up for what it lacks in mount/companions in the items it gives. it gives 6 or 7 (i dont remember) overload slot enchants, and if you havent read what they do then i highly recommend you do because they are very pleasing. And with that i bid you adieu.
As I've said before, I'd love to play as dragonborn, even making my main one, but I don't need or want the stuff that comes at the 100 dollar price tag. I just want the race, and would be willing to pay $20 max for it. I might be convinced to shell out a little more if its like $30 or something, but I won't buy it as it is currently.
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no no thats not what I meant to say, I meant to say Dragonborn Will be the most OP class in PvP with +5% incoming healing bonus?.... lol You do understand that the +5% is a FLAT 5% increase in healing dont you? Its not effected by healing depression.
Not to mention :
--You have a 5% chance when attacking a foe to apply Dragonborn Fury to yourself for 6 seconds, increasing your Power and Critical Strike by 3%.
Ya this is hands down the strongest Race in PvP.
Rather have a power/Crit 3% boost, whilst having a 5%+ increased Healing from ALL SOURCES (constant)
Then having a 10% CC resist.
The healing is nice don't get me wrong. However the power isn't that great.
lets say you have 5000 power for a nice round number. An extra 3% makes it 5150 for an extra 150 power.
Now I'm going to assume this is right from the wiki
Power
Power Tooltip = Power*0.04
so your 150 power would equal 6 damage. Now I may be misunderstanding this, and if so I welcome someone to correct my math. The there is the crit boost which to my knowledge no one has tested if it's straight 3% chance to crit or if it's 3% crit rating, so some of that is up in the air.
Then there is that it's only a 5% chance to apply it, that is similar to darkfire except darkfire is 4 secs, that said darkfire isn't always up and neither ill be Dragonborn fury.
Next up the healing, it's nice however
If you heal 1000 per tick with regen that will be 500 per tick with HD an extra 5% is an extra 25hp per tick if I'm understanding it correctly.(best case it's 50 per tick) That's not likely to save you unlike 10% CR which will help get you out of a stun faster to avoid taking the big hit from whatever they have coming up next.
I can see a case being made for it being the best race for a perma that uses DF because the rapid hits of the third part of df would likely spawn DrF, and the extra 5% could help while they skulk around stealthed to regen any damage. However I just don't see it for the other classes.
Halfling (+2 Dex and +2Char or +2Con):
+ 3% Deflect and + 10% CC
Dragonbown (+2 to 2 stats)
+ 5% Healing and +3% Power and Crit
For PvP the winner is Halfling, CC and Deflect are better than a +50 HP each 3 seconds or something like that, and the +3% Power is something like +1% DPS?, lol, I don't see why some ppl say it's soooooo goooood!.
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glaciauzumakiMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Knight of the Feywild UsersPosts: 3Arc User
edited July 2014
There will be both male and female Dragonborn. Confirmed on Neverwinter Facebook page. But yes I would like screenshots. A dragonelle mount would be nice.
There will be both male and female Dragonborn. Confirmed on Neverwinter Facebook page. But yes I would like screenshots. A dragonelle mount would be nice.
It's been found that there will be "Drake" mounts in the next lockbox.(Obviously this could change, but as of right now this is what Preview players have reported. And the Mod 4 Video trailer SHOWS the Drake mount briefly.)
I would love to race change my main to a dragonborn, but I also cannot justify the 100 dollar price tag. My top is roughly 30.
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I could not have said this any better sir. but as you said, you are 52 years old and the majority of the players on NWO are 15-30. that being said i think that they should cater to the majority of the players and maybe lower the price buy 10-20 dollars since quite a few of us youngsters have part-time jobs or are still in school and dont have a job at all.
And you know what? I absolutely concur with you! I remember being 17, being 25, being 30 years old. Money was hard to come by and choosing what to spend few discretionary dollars on wasn't always easy. So I absolutely concur and empathize with people in this situation.
Now here's why I fully respect your comment over some of the others that are saying basically the same thing: you are not bashing Cryptic or PWE and proclaiming the package as containing "junk" and that it is "valueless". But rather you are simply stating your case in a logical, plain manner.
And for this your comment carries so much more integrity and validation than most of the bashers above.
The package is expensive. I get it. But here's the thing: all those proclaim the package as "junk" or lacking "value" are the ones who want to buy the pack but either cannot or will not at this price point. They are jealous and trying to self-justify not buying. So be it. With that said, I do hope Cryptic releases a "race-only" offer for $10 or $20 sometime in the (hopefully near) future to allow those with lesser discretionary means to be able to obtain this playable race.
The good news is that this isn't a temporary promotion. The Hero of the North and other packages are still available. This one will be, too. So at least people will be able to save-up for it if they choose.)
I have to admit I am confused why they didn't throw in an account-wide Companion and Mount as they did for the previous packs.
Asking $95 for just a Race, a nice bag and some fluff seems excessive compared to previous Guardian and Feywild packs which for $60 gave you companions, mounts, 600K AD, and possibly a Race too.
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baylen76Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian UsersPosts: 0Arc User
edited July 2014
"Head here to purchase the Dragonborn Legend Pack on ArcGames.com (...)"
Could someone with first-hand experience please deny/confirm that having Arc installed is a necessary prerequisite for purchasing this pack?
If so, I'd like Cryptic/PWE to check back with their marketing department - to me, it makes no sense erecting artificial hurdles between your product and potential buyers. Instead, you want them to be able to impulse-purchase during a weak moment. Arc isn't helping anyone there, instead, it's preventing sales.
I'd appreciate having all purchase options easily accessible either on character screen or ingame, ideally for Zen.
"Head here to purchase the Dragonborn Legend Pack on ArcGames.com (...)"
Could someone with first-hand experience please deny/confirm that having Arc installed is a necessary prerequisite for purchasing this pack?
I do have ARC Client installed - but the entire transaction occurred on the "ARC Web site" (ARCGames.com) - I purchased it on my Macintosh in Safari Web Browser - so I know the ARC Client has nothing to do with it.
The package is expensive. I get it. But here's the thing: all those proclaim the package as "junk" or lacking "value" are the ones who want to buy the pack but either cannot or will not at this price point. They are jealous and trying to self-justify not buying. So be it.
Ok well that has to be the most ridiculous thing I've read so far today.
I bought the Hero of the North pack and I bought the Fey pack as well as spending more than I care to admit on Zen. I have no problems spending money on NW. I would even buy this pack if the contents were similar to previous packs. But when over half the items are things I wouldn't even use then yes it is "lacking value" to me. Jealousy has nothing to do with it. I like to feel things I purchase are worth it to me and this just isn't. It doesn't need any further analysis than that.
But when over half the items are things I wouldn't even use then yes it is "lacking value" to me.
This is fair. Personally I'm really happy there is no mount or companion. The jealousy comment refers to the shrill commentators - they know who they are, and so do you if you read back. It's not meant to come off as a blanket statement and I apologize to you and anyone else who felt that it was.
I wish there was an option to buy just the Dragonborn race, at a reduced price. I'm fairly careful with how much I spend on this game, and to me the current pack just offers far too little I care about at far too high a price point. The only reason I'd even consider buying it is to unlock the Dragonborn race, and everything else is just pointlessly driving up the price.
If there isn't going to be any way to get a Dragonborn character without buying the entire pack then that's no skin off my back. I will simply not play a Dragonborn. If Dragonborn character were available at a more reasonable price I'd certainly buy one, but if not I guess my Warlock will have to be a Human or something.
This is fair. Personally I'm really happy there is no mount or companion. The jealousy comment refers to the shrill commentators - they know who they are, and so do you if you read back. It's not meant to come off as a blanket statement and I apologize to you and anyone else who felt that it was.
I don't think anyone has been "shrill".
The pack is not worth the cost. Whether or not you can afford it is immaterial. I'm sure the Koch brothers could afford to have take-out Chinese food delivered in disposable solid gold containers. I'm also sure they don't. I can afford the Dragonborn pack if I really want it but it would be stupid to buy it.
Most of what is in the pack is useless. Why would you slot an armor reinforcement that gives you a bonus when fighting dragons when you could have one that boosts your stats and helps you fight everything? Same for the ring; why get that when I can get a Xvim ring? The artifact is nothing special; we get plenty of them just for existing now. If it shipped at an advanced rank that might be worthwhile but it doesn't. Likewise the consumable enchantments are a pig in the poke. I doubt most of the players buying the pack would buy the fashion items if they weren't included. The only worthwhile items in the pack are the Dragonborn unlock, the bag, the race change token and the character slot. The slot is $2.50, the bag is worth about $15 when compared to existing options and the race change token is a wild card at this point. Given what it (purportedly) does a price of 1000Z seems reasonable; I don't think it would sell at over 2000Z. This puts the value of the race unlock somewhere in the $40 range at the discounted price, which is too much.
This is a cash grab, plain and simple. They took something they knew was in high demand and bundled it with a bunch of stuff they knew they couldn't sell any other way to inflate the desirable item's price. If they've decided their target market segment is people who are willing to play outrageously inflated prices for things just so they can have things other people don't then fine; they've implicitly stated they don't value my business so they're not going to get any.
@Venture-1@Venture from City of Heroes if you remember that far back. Yes, *that* Venture. Yes, I probably trashed your MA arc. For me it was Tuesday.
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ministerofchangeMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Neverwinter Knight of the Feywild UsersPosts: 1Arc User
The jealousy comment refers to the shrill commentators - they know who they are, and so do you if you read back. It's not meant to come off as a blanket statement and I apologize to you and anyone else who felt that it was.
You think its shrill here, you should see what's being said in blogs and on gaming sites. Bottom line, they made a really bad decision, making the Dragonborn a payed race though is not where I take issue. The mistake was to put the price point way beyond reasonable for what was included. I bought the Guardian Pack and the Feywild Pack, and would have gladly bought this pack if it had been 59.99 even with the lack of Items I think have Value. The price is simply way to high even on sale. As it stands now this situation has damage the games reputation with some members of the community, and even influenced the decision of some people who were considering becoming new players. I hope they come to realize that, and decide to make amends at some point.
lordashendaleMember, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 3Arc User
edited July 2014
I really wish the Devs would say something about this situation. we are at 48 pages and they still choose to remain silent on this issue. I would hope as customers that we would at least warrant acknowledgement that they are even reading our concerns.
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rojorMember, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users, Neverwinter Knight of the Feywild UsersPosts: 178Bounty Hunter
edited July 2014
$75-$100
No mount
No companion
No buy
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zankardMember, Neverwinter Beta UsersPosts: 0Arc User
-You have a 5% chance when attacking a foe to apply Dragonborn Fury to yourself for 6 seconds, increasing your Power and Critical Strike by 3%.
-You receive 5% more healing from all sources.
A Dragonborn GWF will be MILES stronger then any other Race as a GWF.
This is a PAYED Competitive advantage whether you agree or disagree, Specially in all end game Premades.
For PVE DPS Half-Orc is still king. Can't compare a stable 5% critical severity with a 5% chance for a 6 second +1% to DPS. There is just no comparison. Also a Dwarf should be still better for off-tanking. For PVP I think Halfling is still top. Dragonborn looks like the "jack of all trades" race, if you get what I mean.
edit: On topic: The price for the pack sounds too high for what it is to even bother...
Why?
Just curious.
What would you like to see in this pack to replace the 'value' of the mount and companion?
Because there already are FOUR other packs that have mounts and companions. There have been countless mounts and companions given away willy-nilly. The last thing I want is *another* mount or companion. Having artifacts and other wanted-gear makes this pack something fresh and not "just another stupid freebie Mount and Companion pack". Yes, this is my opinion and I maybe speak for some others, but not everyone. However, I am also Cryptic's target customer: I spend a lot of money on this game, likely a lot more than most (save Botsters and those types).
I am not bragging or anything; you're curious so I am simply answering your curiosity. If you want a pack that comes with a Mount and Companion: you already have four to choose from.
Having artifacts and other wanted-gear makes this pack something fresh
If you want a pack that comes with a Mount and Companion: you already have four to choose from.
Those other 4 you are talking about DO NOT come with the Dragonborn which I think is the main focus of this thread.
As for something fresh, the Artifact is nice I guess, but I already have 7+ on each character I play (sadly with only slots for 3). Many of the items in the pack will already be available in game through less expensive means (they are already on the Preview Server). Two appearance sets would be a nice thing is these two weren't so darn ugly (unlike the one from the Feywild Pack which I find quite attractive).
As you said these are just opinions. I am also part of the demographic you talk about, as are many of those here in this thread, but it seems more of them are unhappy with this pack then are happy (just my observation from 48 pages).
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imaginaerum1Member, NW M9 PlaytestPosts: 378Arc User
Because there already are FOUR other packs that have mounts and companions. There have been countless mounts and companions given away willy-nilly. The last thing I want is *another* mount or companion. Having artifacts and other wanted-gear makes this pack something fresh and not "just another stupid freebie Mount and Companion pack". Yes, this is my opinion and I maybe speak for some others, but not everyone. However, I am also Cryptic's target customer: I spend a lot of money on this game, likely a lot more than most (save Botsters and those types).
I am not bragging or anything; you're curious so I am simply answering your curiosity. If you want a pack that comes with a Mount and Companion: you already have four to choose from.
The mounts and companions that have been "given away willy-nilly" are not good ones. You have to pay a ton of ADs to upgrade them. The ones that came in the previous packs were 110% mounts, and purple companions with good active bonuses (wolf is 5% chance to interrupt when attacking, sylph is 50% control resist). Thus, I do not put much weight on your complaint that there are too many of them given away already. True, if you bought the previous two similar packs, you already have them, but the question isn't "what made prior packs worthwhile" but "what makes this one worthwhile".
Artifacts and other wanted gear would indeed make this pack fresh. But that's not what you get. You get artifact (singular) and a good bag (singular). You also get a bunch of mostly-useless rubbish.
Even so, I would have been willing to spend $60 on this pack, the price of the two packs I have previously bought. At the current price point, though, I'm basically making a choice between 1) Buying a good new game, 2) Subbing to a game for between 5 and 8 months, depending on subscription rates, or 3) Getting one new playable race, one so-so artifact, and one good bag. I just can't justify option 3 at this price point. It's not that I don't have the money, it's just not worth the money as it stands.
Now, if they had made the bag account wide, I'd have snapped this up. That would have made it worthwhile, and yes, "something fresh", but as it stands, it may look fresh on the surface, but it's rotten inside.
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dheffernanMember, NW M9 PlaytestPosts: 216Arc User
edited July 2014
This is your opinion and that's fair. I am not of the same opinion, I hope you find that also to fair.
I don't, because you can't back that up. If you add up the value of what's in that pack using any reasonable criteria it falls short.
If you want to buy it anyway that's your prerogative, of course, but that doesn't mean it's a good decision to do so.
@Venture-1@Venture from City of Heroes if you remember that far back. Yes, *that* Venture. Yes, I probably trashed your MA arc. For me it was Tuesday.
Lowering the price does not necessarily equal more sales or more profit. If they cut the price in half, that means they need to convince double the number of people to buy it. It's easier to get 5.000 people to buy something than it is to get 10.000 people to buy something to make the same amount of money. Since I have no interest in the Dragonborn race, even at 50$ with a mount and companion in the pack I still would not buy it. I am sure I am not the only one with that point of view.
Lowering the price does not necessarily equal more sales or more profit. If they cut the price in half, that means they need to convince double the number of people to buy it. It's easier to get 5.000 people to buy something than it is to get 10.000 people to buy something to make the same amount of money. Since I have no interest in the Dragonborn race, even at 50$ with a mount and companion in the pack I still would not buy it. I am sure I am not the only one with that point of view.
If you'd read the entire thread, it's very obvious that they'd make more money by lowering the price to around 50$
Comments
I could not have said this any better sir. but as you said, you are 52 years old and the majority of the players on NWO are 15-30. that being said i think that they should cater to the majority of the players and maybe lower the price buy 10-20 dollars since quite a few of us youngsters have part-time jobs or are still in school and dont have a job at all. I have no problem with the content of the pack and believe that if they shaved the price down a bit it would be very reasonable. I myself already have an account wide mount and have no need for that or any more companions. Also you are very right about the 3D model of the dragonborn. It is COMPLETELY different from the other ones and how all the armors are going to fit to it we have yet to see, but i hope that it is a job well done because i plan on buying this pack and hope for the best when i try and equip armors that normally fit on the "normal" races. This pack makes up for what it lacks in mount/companions in the items it gives. it gives 6 or 7 (i dont remember) overload slot enchants, and if you havent read what they do then i highly recommend you do because they are very pleasing. And with that i bid you adieu.
...
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lets say you have 5000 power for a nice round number. An extra 3% makes it 5150 for an extra 150 power.
Now I'm going to assume this is right from the wiki so your 150 power would equal 6 damage. Now I may be misunderstanding this, and if so I welcome someone to correct my math. The there is the crit boost which to my knowledge no one has tested if it's straight 3% chance to crit or if it's 3% crit rating, so some of that is up in the air.
Then there is that it's only a 5% chance to apply it, that is similar to darkfire except darkfire is 4 secs, that said darkfire isn't always up and neither ill be Dragonborn fury.
Next up the healing, it's nice however
If you heal 1000 per tick with regen that will be 500 per tick with HD an extra 5% is an extra 25hp per tick if I'm understanding it correctly.(best case it's 50 per tick) That's not likely to save you unlike 10% CR which will help get you out of a stun faster to avoid taking the big hit from whatever they have coming up next.
I can see a case being made for it being the best race for a perma that uses DF because the rapid hits of the third part of df would likely spawn DrF, and the extra 5% could help while they skulk around stealthed to regen any damage. However I just don't see it for the other classes.
+ 3% Deflect and + 10% CC
Dragonbown (+2 to 2 stats)
+ 5% Healing and +3% Power and Crit
For PvP the winner is Halfling, CC and Deflect are better than a +50 HP each 3 seconds or something like that, and the +3% Power is something like +1% DPS?, lol, I don't see why some ppl say it's soooooo goooood!.
It's been found that there will be "Drake" mounts in the next lockbox.(Obviously this could change, but as of right now this is what Preview players have reported. And the Mod 4 Video trailer SHOWS the Drake mount briefly.)
...
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And you know what? I absolutely concur with you! I remember being 17, being 25, being 30 years old. Money was hard to come by and choosing what to spend few discretionary dollars on wasn't always easy. So I absolutely concur and empathize with people in this situation.
Now here's why I fully respect your comment over some of the others that are saying basically the same thing: you are not bashing Cryptic or PWE and proclaiming the package as containing "junk" and that it is "valueless". But rather you are simply stating your case in a logical, plain manner.
And for this your comment carries so much more integrity and validation than most of the bashers above.
The package is expensive. I get it. But here's the thing: all those proclaim the package as "junk" or lacking "value" are the ones who want to buy the pack but either cannot or will not at this price point. They are jealous and trying to self-justify not buying. So be it. With that said, I do hope Cryptic releases a "race-only" offer for $10 or $20 sometime in the (hopefully near) future to allow those with lesser discretionary means to be able to obtain this playable race.
The good news is that this isn't a temporary promotion. The Hero of the North and other packages are still available. This one will be, too. So at least people will be able to save-up for it if they choose.)
Asking $95 for just a Race, a nice bag and some fluff seems excessive compared to previous Guardian and Feywild packs which for $60 gave you companions, mounts, 600K AD, and possibly a Race too.
Could someone with first-hand experience please deny/confirm that having Arc installed is a necessary prerequisite for purchasing this pack?
If so, I'd like Cryptic/PWE to check back with their marketing department - to me, it makes no sense erecting artificial hurdles between your product and potential buyers. Instead, you want them to be able to impulse-purchase during a weak moment. Arc isn't helping anyone there, instead, it's preventing sales.
I'd appreciate having all purchase options easily accessible either on character screen or ingame, ideally for Zen.
I do have ARC Client installed - but the entire transaction occurred on the "ARC Web site" (ARCGames.com) - I purchased it on my Macintosh in Safari Web Browser - so I know the ARC Client has nothing to do with it.
Ok well that has to be the most ridiculous thing I've read so far today.
I bought the Hero of the North pack and I bought the Fey pack as well as spending more than I care to admit on Zen. I have no problems spending money on NW. I would even buy this pack if the contents were similar to previous packs. But when over half the items are things I wouldn't even use then yes it is "lacking value" to me. Jealousy has nothing to do with it. I like to feel things I purchase are worth it to me and this just isn't. It doesn't need any further analysis than that.
This is fair. Personally I'm really happy there is no mount or companion. The jealousy comment refers to the shrill commentators - they know who they are, and so do you if you read back. It's not meant to come off as a blanket statement and I apologize to you and anyone else who felt that it was.
If there isn't going to be any way to get a Dragonborn character without buying the entire pack then that's no skin off my back. I will simply not play a Dragonborn. If Dragonborn character were available at a more reasonable price I'd certainly buy one, but if not I guess my Warlock will have to be a Human or something.
Just curious.
What would you like to see in this pack to replace the 'value' of the mount and companion?
D&D Home Page - What Class Are You? - Build A Character - D&D Compendium
Thanks much for the info! Now I'll wait and see if a weak moment occurs.
I don't think anyone has been "shrill".
The pack is not worth the cost. Whether or not you can afford it is immaterial. I'm sure the Koch brothers could afford to have take-out Chinese food delivered in disposable solid gold containers. I'm also sure they don't. I can afford the Dragonborn pack if I really want it but it would be stupid to buy it.
Most of what is in the pack is useless. Why would you slot an armor reinforcement that gives you a bonus when fighting dragons when you could have one that boosts your stats and helps you fight everything? Same for the ring; why get that when I can get a Xvim ring? The artifact is nothing special; we get plenty of them just for existing now. If it shipped at an advanced rank that might be worthwhile but it doesn't. Likewise the consumable enchantments are a pig in the poke. I doubt most of the players buying the pack would buy the fashion items if they weren't included. The only worthwhile items in the pack are the Dragonborn unlock, the bag, the race change token and the character slot. The slot is $2.50, the bag is worth about $15 when compared to existing options and the race change token is a wild card at this point. Given what it (purportedly) does a price of 1000Z seems reasonable; I don't think it would sell at over 2000Z. This puts the value of the race unlock somewhere in the $40 range at the discounted price, which is too much.
This is a cash grab, plain and simple. They took something they knew was in high demand and bundled it with a bunch of stuff they knew they couldn't sell any other way to inflate the desirable item's price. If they've decided their target market segment is people who are willing to play outrageously inflated prices for things just so they can have things other people don't then fine; they've implicitly stated they don't value my business so they're not going to get any.
You think its shrill here, you should see what's being said in blogs and on gaming sites. Bottom line, they made a really bad decision, making the Dragonborn a payed race though is not where I take issue. The mistake was to put the price point way beyond reasonable for what was included. I bought the Guardian Pack and the Feywild Pack, and would have gladly bought this pack if it had been 59.99 even with the lack of Items I think have Value. The price is simply way to high even on sale. As it stands now this situation has damage the games reputation with some members of the community, and even influenced the decision of some people who were considering becoming new players. I hope they come to realize that, and decide to make amends at some point.
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No mount
No companion
No buy
For PVE DPS Half-Orc is still king. Can't compare a stable 5% critical severity with a 5% chance for a 6 second +1% to DPS. There is just no comparison. Also a Dwarf should be still better for off-tanking. For PVP I think Halfling is still top. Dragonborn looks like the "jack of all trades" race, if you get what I mean.
edit: On topic: The price for the pack sounds too high for what it is to even bother...
Because there already are FOUR other packs that have mounts and companions. There have been countless mounts and companions given away willy-nilly. The last thing I want is *another* mount or companion. Having artifacts and other wanted-gear makes this pack something fresh and not "just another stupid freebie Mount and Companion pack". Yes, this is my opinion and I maybe speak for some others, but not everyone. However, I am also Cryptic's target customer: I spend a lot of money on this game, likely a lot more than most (save Botsters and those types).
I am not bragging or anything; you're curious so I am simply answering your curiosity. If you want a pack that comes with a Mount and Companion: you already have four to choose from.
This is your opinion and that's fair. I am not of the same opinion, I hope you find that also to fair.
Those other 4 you are talking about DO NOT come with the Dragonborn which I think is the main focus of this thread.
As for something fresh, the Artifact is nice I guess, but I already have 7+ on each character I play (sadly with only slots for 3). Many of the items in the pack will already be available in game through less expensive means (they are already on the Preview Server). Two appearance sets would be a nice thing is these two weren't so darn ugly (unlike the one from the Feywild Pack which I find quite attractive).
As you said these are just opinions. I am also part of the demographic you talk about, as are many of those here in this thread, but it seems more of them are unhappy with this pack then are happy (just my observation from 48 pages).
The mounts and companions that have been "given away willy-nilly" are not good ones. You have to pay a ton of ADs to upgrade them. The ones that came in the previous packs were 110% mounts, and purple companions with good active bonuses (wolf is 5% chance to interrupt when attacking, sylph is 50% control resist). Thus, I do not put much weight on your complaint that there are too many of them given away already. True, if you bought the previous two similar packs, you already have them, but the question isn't "what made prior packs worthwhile" but "what makes this one worthwhile".
Artifacts and other wanted gear would indeed make this pack fresh. But that's not what you get. You get artifact (singular) and a good bag (singular). You also get a bunch of mostly-useless rubbish.
Even so, I would have been willing to spend $60 on this pack, the price of the two packs I have previously bought. At the current price point, though, I'm basically making a choice between 1) Buying a good new game, 2) Subbing to a game for between 5 and 8 months, depending on subscription rates, or 3) Getting one new playable race, one so-so artifact, and one good bag. I just can't justify option 3 at this price point. It's not that I don't have the money, it's just not worth the money as it stands.
Now, if they had made the bag account wide, I'd have snapped this up. That would have made it worthwhile, and yes, "something fresh", but as it stands, it may look fresh on the surface, but it's rotten inside.
I don't, because you can't back that up. If you add up the value of what's in that pack using any reasonable criteria it falls short.
If you want to buy it anyway that's your prerogative, of course, but that doesn't mean it's a good decision to do so.