Is spending money a requirement for success?

lonegreywolf20 · May 2010

I came to this game because it's a free game to play. It's getting hard to afford even a monthly fee of $15 a month at this current time.

Will I need to spend money here to have any kind of success in the game?

I noticed in my other thread about soloing it's spending upwards of $150 will be required for a Herc, not even sure what that is at this time. I would prefer not to spend anything as that's the whole reason for coming to a free game in the first place.

Sacredxstar - Heavens Tear · May 2010

It basically is, so yes.

You can be an average to below average player in the game now without spending a single dime. That is if you start right now from a level 1 character, but seeing as you've started a year ago, you should be self-sufficient in some way and able to make coins from grinding (even though there's a DQ price drop). If you even have at least a mil game coin, then you can always try your hand in merchanting.

Elviron - Dreamweaver · May 2010

And your definition of success in a game..sorry....MMO is?

If you just wanna have fun with friends....no you dont need to spend any sort of money really.

However, if you wanna compete with all the high lvl players in a competitive PK environment then playing a console/normal pc multiplayer game would be cheaper.

lonegreywolf20 · May 2010

Sacredxstar - Heavens Tear wrote: »

It basically is, so yes.

You can be an average to below average player in the game now without spending a single dime. That is if you start right now from a level 1 character, but seeing as you've started a year ago, you should be self-sufficient in some way and able to make coins from grinding (even though there's a DQ price drop). If you even have at least a mil game coin, then you can always try your hand in merchanting.

I haven't played for this entire year. I played for a few weeks and quit, then would play for a few weeks if that and then quit again.

lonegreywolf20 · May 2010

Elviron - Dreamweaver wrote: »

And your definition of success in a game..sorry....MMO is?

If you just wanna have fun with friends....no you dont need to spend any sort of money really.

However, if you wanna compete with all the high lvl players in a competitive PK environment then playing a console/normal pc multiplayer game would be cheaper.

I don't really play on consoles... they can't compare with PCs as far as I am concerned.

I guess what I mean is overall as a solo player.

Sacredxstar - Heavens Tear · May 2010

lonegreywolf20 wrote: »

I haven't played for this entire year. I played for a few weeks and quit, then would play for a few weeks if that and then quit again.

I suggest you run. Run fast and run far, far away from this game. There has been quite a few glitches which you'd notice if you read the other threads in this forum. I basically retired my own character and only log on for the territory wars since this game isn't really worth playing anymore.

WarrenWolfy - Sanctuary · May 2010

Yes, you will likely need to spend money to succeed.

I say this because the forums are full of threads about people who are paying $0 and have figured out ways to win anyway, but it doesn't seem to matter. People don't search for these threads, and if they do they certainly don't accept that maybe the advice found in these threads really works. Instead, they start yet another thread lamenting that only rich people can win.

It's true that the game is deliberately designed so that the simplest, most obvious and straightforward way to win is to pay, and for many people that's all they can see. If the game wasn't made that way then it would likely be unable to generate a profit.

lonegreywolf20 · May 2010

WarrenWolfy - Sanctuary wrote: »

Yes, you will likely need to spend money to succeed.

I say this because the forums are full of threads about people who are paying $0 and have figured out ways to win anyway, but it doesn't seem to matter. People don't search for these threads, and if they do they certainly don't accept that maybe the advice found in these threads really works. Instead, they start yet another thread lamenting that only rich people can win.

It's true that the game is deliberately designed so that the simplest, most obvious and straightforward way to win is to pay, and for many people that's all they can see. If the game wasn't made that way then it would likely be unable to generate a profit.

I have done a search, and maybe I used the wrong keywords, but nothing came up under that particular topic.

Searing - Dreamweaver · May 2010

You can do fine once you know your way around this game..particularly the market. You can also be competitive in high level PvP as well if you put some effort into the game (no need to spend money).
There are some players with toons ''worth'' even 20-30k USD, but those present a very very small % of the population and you won't run into them on a regular basis - no, you probably will never be able to compete with those.

The other 95% of players who spend money have nothing you can't achieve ingame with playing the market and knowing how things work (it comes with time so don't worry too much about it yet, just do whatever you like).
Why spend money at all then? It's much faster, doesn't require any effort and immediately provides results (e.g. ''I want this item NAO and not in 2 weeks!1'').
Like WarrenWolfy said, there's also some who just don't see any other way...doesn't mean it's not there though.

Michael_Dark - Lost City · May 2010

You can pretty much get to endgame wtihout spending a real cent. If you're clever and aren't addicted to speed leveling, you can earn enough money for some decent gear by the time you hit 90. By 100, if you want end-game gear, you have to be prepared to farm... a LOT. If you're not willing to put in lots of hours of hard work then the cash shop is your friend.

The one thing I don't get is all the speed-leveling addiction. Some people spend so much money just to level... it's kinda sad. EXP is the one thing that PWI gives you boatloads of for free, but of course, it's not enough for many people. So they spend. And then they don't really have anything to show for it except reaching some arbitrary number faster than someone else.

If you're going to spend money on the game, get a max speed fly mount. Also consider inventory and bank extensions. Maybe spend some more if you just have to have a specific end-game item, most notably a weapon... so dropping a couple hundred bucks to get your Lunar weapon and refine it a bit isn't such a big deal. Or you could play smart and merch/save money while you take your time and level. Anyone with a little bit of motivation can save up 30-60m with time and some conscious effort without spending any real money in the game.

Minimuss - Sanctuary · May 2010

I don't think it is necessary but you may have to be more patient than others who spend money or you have to spend more time to get some coin. I know of enough people who get frustrated because they can't afford to pay and others can and have an undeniable advantage.

lonegreywolf20 · May 2010

Michael_dark - Lost City wrote: »

You can pretty much get to endgame wtihout spending a real cent. If you're clever and aren't addicted to speed leveling, you can earn enough money for some decent gear by the time you hit 90. By 100, if you want end-game gear, you have to be prepared to farm... a LOT. If you're not willing to put in lots of hours of hard work then the cash shop is your friend.

The one thing I don't get is all the speed-leveling addiction. Some people spend so much money just to level... it's kinda sad. EXP is the one thing that PWI gives you boatloads of for free, but of course, it's not enough for many people. So they spend. And then they don't really have anything to show for it except reaching some arbitrary number faster than someone else.

If you're going to spend money on the game, get a max speed fly mount. Also consider inventory and bank extensions. Maybe spend some more if you just have to have a specific end-game item, most notably a weapon... so dropping a couple hundred bucks to get your Lunar weapon and refine it a bit isn't such a big deal. Or you could play smart and merch/save money while you take your time and level. Anyone with a little bit of motivation can save up 30-60m with time and some conscious effort without spending any real money in the game.

I definitely do not have a speed-leveling addiction. If anything i may level too slow. When playing a monthly fee MMO and they had bonus exp weekends, I wouldn't play for that weekend because I would level too fast and quests would become trivial too soon for me. I prefer slow leveling and exploring my surroundings.

Michael_Dark - Lost City · May 2010

lonegreywolf20 wrote: »

I definitely do not have a speed-leveling addiction. If anything i may level too slow. When playing a monthly fee MMO and they had bonus exp weekends, I wouldn't play for that weekend because I would level too fast and quests would become trivial too soon for me. I prefer slow leveling and exploring my surroundings.

Then you shouldn't have a problem. A few things in-game are actually worth paying for... most everything can be farmed with a little time and effort.

Yulk - Heavens Tear · May 2010

@ the OP
No you don't need money to be successful ingame, but you can spend money for fash / etc if you want.

the people who say money is required for success, those guys fail really hard its not even funny, them daily failures QQ about not being successful because they only think about bounty hunt, bounty hunt, bounty hunt and no grinding or REAL instances.

WarrenWolfy - Sanctuary · May 2010

lonegreywolf20 wrote: »

I have done a search, and maybe I used the wrong keywords, but nothing came up under that particular topic.

I apologize. I mistook your post as being a veiled complaint, rather than a genuine question.

I know people in-game who are doing far better than I am (ie. high-level, excellent-gear, top-faction), even though they do not merchant and do not spend real-life cash. They make up for it with their ability to dedicate more time to the game than I can, along with the support of the social network of friends they've built up in the game.

However, if you're more of a casual, solo-type player, like I am, then there is still the option of merchanting, which can generate more free income than 99% of the cash-shop players can afford to spend.

So the short answer is that no, money is not a requirement for success, despite what a large segment of the player-base believes. While "pay-to-win" might work as a fall-back strategy for people who aren't particularly good at the game, "free-to-play" and "free-to-win" also work just fine for players who are clever and resourceful enough to figure out how.

MALSUMIS - Lost City · May 2010

WarrenWolfy - Sanctuary wrote: »

I apologize. I mistook your post as being a veiled complaint, rather than a genuine question.

I know people in-game who are doing far better than I am (ie. high-level, excellent-gear, top-faction), even though they do not merchant and do not spend real-life cash. They make up for it with their ability to dedicate more time to the game than I can, along with the support of the social network of friends they've built up in the game.

However, if you're more of a casual, solo-type player, like I am, then there is still the option of merchanting, which can generate more free income than 99% of the cash-shop players can afford to spend.

So the short answer is that no, money is not a requirement for success, despite what a large segment of the player-base believes. While "pay-to-win" might work as a fall-back strategy for people who aren't particularly good at the game, "free-to-play" and "free-to-win" also work just fine for players who are clever and resourceful enough to figure out how.

Please dont take this as an argument. This is a real question from someone that has been trying for over a year. WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE WILLING TO TEACH!!!!!

I am a xbox junkie that has been making puzel pc games since 3rd grade when we started programing clubs at my school. I been making them not playing games till I got my xbox then I got stuck only being the Master Chief. Well at college (for game design) a kid talked me into trying this game. I was told he would teach me how to play a MMO and he vanished right after I joined. First toon is an Archer with 26 dex. Now I know better and learned how to build them. My problem is learning this game when I spend 4 or 5 hours a day reading the forums trying to learn, 2 or 3 hours a day grinding, 3-5 hours questing. well i was. now after all that I forget where the fun was. It turned into a job to play this. I would ask for help in game just to be told oh your not good enough to be with us.(to low of a lvl) Or I was mocked for being a noob. I now share what I have learned but I would put my game knowledge at about 5%. I know builds and skills. but I still want to learn how to play.

If anyone would be willing to teach me I will join a new server if need be. I want to play and be happy again. Anymore I am just mad when I play and that isnt fun for anyone. I dont like sounding like reds rose on here bitting peoples heads off. J/K Reds.

MoonUsagi - Heavens Tear · May 2010

Hey its not always money . . you can spending your time here.
Because time = money.
The difference is you must climb from very bottom to prosperity in game, maybe on real world you don't have to climb again . . but we don't want to spend money right ?

b:chuckle

sinners69 · May 2010

This game is all about money, no money u are noob, wat for steal another person time if he is not gonna to spent and eveuntally he will quit.

MALSUMIS - Lost City · May 2010

sinners69 wrote: »

This game is all about money, no money u are noob, wat for steal another person time if he is not gonna to spent and eveuntally he will quit.

translation please?!?!?!?!?!

Hell_rayzer - Heavens Tear · May 2010

No i havnt spent a dime but im only lvl 78 so i do plan on spending a little as a get higher but its seriously not a necessity i earned my herc without spending 200$ and im sure u will be able to.

MALSUMIS - Lost City · May 2010

where would you farm warsong?

Ranfa - Dreamweaver · May 2010

It's not a requirement but you can't really go anywhere legitimately farming stuff since the TT market crashed. Before I quit, I farmed my Lunar weapon by selling green TT mats around 100-150k a piece. Imagine how long that took. If the in-game economy wasn't so screwed up I could have literally done it 3 times as fast.

Then of course, there's the DQ price reduction...As a non cash shopper, you will always be at disadvantage. If you aren't discouraged from that, then good luck.

Nakhimov - Lost City · May 2010

MALSUMIS - Lost City wrote: »

where would you farm warsong?

Probably in Warsong City.

MALSUMIS - Lost City · May 2010

Nakhimov - Lost City wrote: »

Probably in Warsong City.

let me rephrase that. where can yu find people to help you farm that.

amotholen · May 2010

As a newbie, i think i m gonna be retired at lvl6:)
But still, end game items & gears are not dropable in game? can be bought by only cash? or only top guilds-alliances can farm them and they dont sell them like my previous game?

That was the reason why i left my previous f2p mmo ...

Yasarelle - Heavens Tear · August 2010

Malsumis, I think he said "This game is all about money and if you don't have enough sense to realize that it takes way too much of your time to get stuff you could just buy, then you're a noob. The game is only interesting if you're willing to spend and everyone who tries to play free will just get frustrated and quit." However, I think we've already discussed that there are reasonable options to farm and gain average gear in game solo without money--if you know how the game is set up. So, who's the noob now?

1) Networking in game is awful in my brief experience, but if you can turn over a few rocks and find a few buds to grind with and trade "friend gifts" with either in generous trade or for free, you can do better besides have more fun socially. People are nicer in personal trade than consignment or Auction and you can meet some really good people. Maybe even get one of those $30 marriage packs. (ehh....or not)

2) Merchanting....heard this term before....Any1 wish to explain it?

3) Gold: As for coin to gold, how is the rate? I see a rate of 100-120K per 1 gold. How fast can one make coin to get gold this way? Is it a good option? And if so, for what kinds of items? What is really worth trying to exchange coin for real gold to buy?

4) Coin: Thxs for the post about being able to save 30-60 M coin with effort (I will not despair!), so what are some good ways to save coin? What kind of items, gear, mounts, etc. would I need that kind of coin for?

5) Time or Money?: Mounts look like an impossible coin trade at 25g average to get something fun and reasonably fast. Expanding Inventory also looks like a punitive grind or an easy shell out. From personal experience, what do the veterans think is worth saving coin or spending gold outright for? Just in mounts and inventory, one can easily spend $50 (1 gold = 1 dollar). I mean, there goes the free part, you've just bought the game.

One idea for the mounts is if you can find a buddy with a fast mount, you can ride with them. Sadly, only girls can get rides and they can't give anyone rides.

So, I guess this is a crass move only available to the ladies. ("Hey, there, handsome, your mount looks pretty fast." xxThumbs Up!xx) I think they should change this to non-gender specific option. "Hey, handsome, <slings over shoulder> we're leaving!"

Deceptistar - Sanctuary · August 2010

3 month necro >.>

Bogatir - Heavens Tear · August 2010

I guess it really depends on what you want from the game. I play on a PVE server but can see that it would be much harder to be competitive on PVP without spending money, but for PVE u can get by quite well spending very little or no money at all. I'm on disability so cannot spend much on the game. i did buy my mount and flyer tho. But weapons i used drops till lvl60, then got tt axes by doing the runs. Armor i used drops till lvl79 then got a proud plate of corsairs which lasted me till i got my tt90 green. which i had ready at lvl 88 by doing the runs with friends. You can make coin by farming herbs to sell. you can learn the prices of some items and find good deals to resell. make potions, wines subs to sell. There are a lot of ways to make some coin in the game. But you have to do them consistently. Don't spend the coin you do have on junk. Don't tele unless you have to, fly walk whatever. In short for PVE you can have fun and get good gear with work, time and help from friends. Helping people has it's own rewards. Help when you need it, someone to do things with and just plain old conversation. After all grinding does get boring. I would say give it a try, if you don't lie it you can always uninstall.

sethh · August 2010

Well Deffo depends how u play the game i mean game became annyoing for lack of money. I would prefer waste money in WoW than here honestly this game has not options to buy

Ladidel - Raging Tide · August 2010

When there was 2x drop rate, when the prices of dragon quest drops were higher, when TT and Nirvana hadnt beed nerfed; it was possible have success only spending too much time and effort in game. But now a days it is really imposible if you havent already spent much money in game. The only alternative is merchanting, but you need inicial money and a free computer 24 hours a day on and besides it is not the funny part of the game; more exactly you do merchanting while you arent playing.

Knownase - Heavens Tear · August 2010

Aside from necro,

You can be very sucessful without spending money on this game. You can have great gears and such, however, you must plan ahead.

Learn to merchant items, farm instances. It will take time, but things work out at the end. b:pleased

My only regret in this game, I should have starting merching waaaaaaaaay earlier....

Is spending money a requirement for success?

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