Do any of the developers even know how to play the game they have developed???
Do any of you even know what a hazard emitters even does???
Can any developer even take a direct hit from a borg gate???
Unfortunately it is apparent from the developers blogs and posts that the answer to all of these questions and many not asked is a big resounding whole-hearted hilarious laughter and nothing to be said on the topic.
Again stop thinking about now... Devs don't make changes with out thinking 6 months down the road.
Sorry, stop taking Hawk at his word?
He explicitally stated this was about narrowing the effective gap between new VA and vet VA.
In that context, its utterly valid to consider the proposal in that light.
And, in that light as you have amply demonstrated, the min maxer actually gains an advantage from this change.
In terms of its stated aim, you have shown that it has utterly failed.
I agree this doesn't go far enough to fix the gap alone. To be honest I have no idea how they fix the shimitard build issue... short of a massive nerf to Rom Boffs. (which isn't a bad idea at all)
However it does stop it from getting any worse. There will be at least 6 reps 6 months from now. Hawk is thinking about that you can be sure.
Actually, I don't disagree with this.
There are two problems with the proposal as currently posited.
Firstly it doesn't actually address current power creep, it actually makes it worse.
Or are you suggesting that a skilled min maxer, newly buffed in their specialist area, is going to have their fatal weakness regulary found out by the average joe new VA?
Secondly, it is taking things away from the player, bad sophistry to the contrary notwithstanding.
However, the basic idea is not fatally flawed in my view. It simply doesn't go far enough.
To address the first problem is actually easy.
All you have to do is tier the passive slots.
So, instead of picking any four of your passives, you may only select one tier 1, one tier 2, one tier 3 and one tier 4 power.
This prevents the double dipping of particular powers, which were set up as either/or in the original configuration.
Because a sci ship, properly min maxed with both Nukara tier 4 powers, is blatantly OP.
This would also mean that a new VA would have to get two reps to tier 4 in order to fill up both of their passive trays.
This partially addresses problem number two.
It means that the new VA still has to do some work to get to on an exactly level playing field in this regard.
This honours the work people have already done in good faith.
To properly address problem two though, the tier 5 active powers need to be left ut of this new system.
In other words, ration the passives, but actives become permanently available.
Because getting to the end of multiple rep projects should mean something.
Do any of the developers even know how to play the game they have developed???
Do any of you even know what a hazard emitters even does???
Can any developer even take a direct hit from a borg gate???
Unfortunately it is apparent from the developers blogs and posts that the answer to all of these questions and many not asked is a big resounding whole-hearted hilarious laughter and nothing to be said on the topic.
o.O
dangerous questions I like, but you should have pointed out, "without their GM powers" as well
We are the Borg. Existence as you know it is over. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
Remember think positive: you no longer have to grind the reputation! Just do one you might want, and ignore the rest--huge time saver.
Otherwise you look at it and think "wow, so you're saying I've been playing and customizing and paying for respecs for years.... but I can only be as good as someone who just started this month? THANKS! " Just wait... next they'll have all weapons and consoles be set to the same values if you do PvP that way there's not a huge benefit to having fleet weapons over MK X/XI/XII that people buy. Spent time grinding for the best things? Great! Now you'll be having the same DPS as someone who just started--we can't have a huge gap!
Seriously... I've already heard of a few people who are giving up STO as a result of this change, because of the massive nurfing to the eng and sci characters (the tanks) in favor of the Bug ship/escorts
Remember think positive: you no longer have to grind the reputation! Just do one you might want, and ignore the rest--huge time saver.
Otherwise you look at it and think "wow, so you're saying I've been playing and customizing and paying for respecs for years.... but I can only be as good as someone who just started this month? THANKS! " Just wait... next they'll have all weapons and consoles be set to the same values if you do PvP that way there's not a huge benefit to having fleet weapons over MK X/XI/XII that people buy. Spent time grinding for the best things? Great! Now you'll be having the same DPS as someone who just started--we can't have a huge gap!
Seriously... I've already heard of a few people who are giving up STO as a result of this change, because of the massive nurfing to the eng and sci characters (the tanks) in favor of the Bug ship/escorts
I'm not giving up the game. I'm just not giving the developers any money!
That's how they grade things. If they get more money, the change was good. If they get less, the change was bad.
Those who like this change, spend cash. Those who dont, keep the money. That money has to be earned by doing stuff I like XD
Let us wear Swimsuits on Foundry maps or bridges please! I would pay zen for that.
I'm not giving up the game. I'm just not giving the developers any money!
That's how they grade things. If they get more money, the change was good. If they get less, the change was bad.
Those who like this change, spend cash. Those who dont, keep the money. That money has to be earned by doing stuff I like XD
Oh I meant people I know in the game Some are fairly big PvP players who are healers--this is going to nurf them to the point of uselessness. Instead of healing others, they'll spend their time healing themselves and running without doing damage--so it's going to make them basically useless.
If I understand this correctly, the total slots for powers will be changed/lowered, but the powers are switchable out of combat.
What this is effectively is dynamically reconfigurable power selection. This is actually a nice thing. On one hand yes you could call it a nerf, but I personally do not consider it as such. Will just add a little bit of forethought into your rep trait slotting. Nothing wrong with that.
what i dont get is: why should limiting to 4 passives (f.e. only space) help the game balancing?
since i tried A2B is see, that a lot of passives can be quite a creep, but so PWE/Cyp has also the "blaance" FAW, Scatter Volley, Romulan Hyper Plasma + Scimitar with Scorpion hangar pets...
i dont think the matter is to limit passive rep powers, i think the matter is more of the very uncreative, cheeky way Pwe/cryp tryies to save their game without thinking
I agree this is only one change that is pretty much needed to bring things into a better state of balance. No game can be perfectly balanced. Your right though most people can agree on a list of stuff that is obviously to powerful.
I know "all passives on all the time" wasn't on many people list.
I think if you follow the thought out though you can see how it WILL be a major issue going forward.
Right now I think we where right on the edge. 4 Full reps with 8 passives was/is very very powerful. There is also no real choices. Yes you choose one of the other all the time but people in general just took what was accepted to be the best of the 2 options.
Cryptic has even been selling respecs on Rep powers... I think its clear them dropping the idea of charging for that is them admitting that they didn't really make much money off that idea.
Is 4 to low... I don't know perhaps... I think they want to reduce current levels somewhat though and so a reduction to 4 makes sense there. However with the buff to some of the traits yes it can be seen as a buff for specific builds .... sort of. Truth is its a buff to one aspect of those builds. In that regard I think they want to make it more attractive to swap traits around... and there for make it more attractive to unlock new ones.
Honestly this change isn't some Unique Cryptic idea... pretty much every MMO with a trait system (and even other Video games in general) limits the amount you can slot at one time. They limit them 2 give players build opitons. (they could never release 100 traits with out a limit)... they also do limit creep by allowing them to do new content with new rewards constantly that don't effect overall balance points.
Here is a link to the LOTRO system... I point it out because I think its a pretty standard MMO example and its well described. All these games have something similer though... the names change and the ideas blend between skill trees / skill traits / passive bonuses / Reputation skills / Virtues / Racial traits / skill customization.... ect ect it all blends but most games have 2-3 different stat options you can tailor on a toon... the names change the ideas are all the same... and the only thing common is that you always have a Limited amount of space to slot them or a limited amount of points to spend on them. I can't think of any other MMO where you can just keep stacking as you unlock new stuff.
http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Traits (one of my all time fav MMOs... Race Class and Virtue traits... unlocked through deeds and had a limited number of each slottable)
It's just not infinitely scalable. As I pointed out in the blog, if we had 100 reps in the current live setup, the difference in performance between a fresh 50 and a "complete" 50 would be so immense they wouldn't fit in the same proverbial room.
And they should not fit in the same proverbial room, if they have the ability to earn the power the same as long time players. eventually they would be able to compete. after they earned it. Absolutely no reason other than placating cry babies to have new players on equal footing with long time players.
the old rep system to get the ground 3 piece set you had to grind on all 3 different ground missions. doing so you eventually ( way to random ) got the ground set and learned how to play on the ground. learned the mission. and the ques for those mission always had people.
now you never have to touch the ground to earn the ground set. then somebody comes in all decked out and is still a complete noob.
I believe that power creep is a problem that is for sure, but I don't see this as the way to fix the problem. the entire rep system is flawed just to make the new players and cry babies happy.
Id rather see each mission give an item after beating it x amount of times. easy mode gives mk x elite give mk xi and after you have both sets earned via playing the mission (not random drops) you can buy the mk xii set from a rep store. That way you would know when your going to get the sets, like the accolades.
Same would go for space gear. tie each part of a set to a mission. play mission x amount of times earn the set. period no need for marks or any of that other junk. then once the lesser sets are unlocked you go to rep store and buy the mk12 items you have now unlocked with Dilithium / EC / EXP .
And the only CAP increase should be in the MOBs not the players. increase mob lvl to 60 to help offset the damage you devs have already done with power creep.
Trophies for killing FEDS ahh those were the days.
The folks happy about this because they think suddenly FTP dabblers will somehow stay and play are fooling themselves.
What do you think turns off new players more, some powers that they likely have no idea other players have, in one of a multitude of advancement systems, and - IMPORTANTLY - one that they can actually complete rather quickly if they so choose - or the fact that you are constantly looting lock boxes that cost $1.25 to open and more times than not give you worthless TRIBBLE while dangling in front of you awesome looking and powerful ships that you cannot attain any other way?
It's a joke.
And, FWIW, I actually don't mind lock boxes, I've opened tons of them - I'm one of those "whales" who has spent a couple of thousand on this game over the years. I have all of the lock box ones, and most of the Lobi ones (just don't have a couple that didn't appeal to me - there reaches a point where you have enough ships). I also have all of the Lobi store space equipment.
But let's call a spade a spade and stop pretending it's a club - this has nothing to do with new players getting them to play the game - join fleets, play through content, etc. At all. There are tons and tons of things that turn off new players, and rep powers weren't it.
The truth is, they want to make this game easier for someone to jump in and PvP with no time invested - like a MOBA. They want to attract the MOBA crowd who expects to jump in a game, a few might drop a few bucks, and then rule PvP. In a game that wasn't designed for that, and won't attract that type of player no matter how hard they try.
Basically, they are trying to emulate the online game of the moment, which is why I am sure MOBA-type content is coming - folks that won't actually play STO, just use one feature of it, and, like their attention spans, will come, try it out, and then move on to the next MOBA of the moment. These folks don't build communities or care about deep content, it's the antithesis of what an immersive MMO is. It's like picking up a mobile game to play for a few minutes until you get bored.
And all the while, the same changes will drive out folks who just don't have a reason to play - why bother doing a rep tree when you've already got your slots filled, and stacks of 3-pc sets already. At least the rep trees as they are give you something permanent to work for and that actually look like development in your character - not just more "choices" at the same level that you only use if you micromanage yet another system every time you want to switch tasks in game.
Frankly, the only reason I am playing the amount of time I do now is moving through these rep trees - and without motivation to do so, I won't continue buying ZEN, I won't feel the need to play but every few months when a new Featured Episode comes out. What's the point - not going to spend time just to give myself a few more choices as opposed to progression. I guess I should thank them - more free time for me to do other things, I guess.
(Cracks a beer, and opens a bag of potato chips)"Oh this is going to be a good one.":D
What is the old forum clich
My Old Blog about things that could and should have been added when I wrote it. Not sure what I want to do with it now. I'll just keep it available now that most of it is outdated.
This is all really good feedback, and we're happy to look at any Reputation Trait that feels underwhelming in the new system and make sure it's up to snuff. We want them all to feel really potent.
I don't think increasing the number of slots really meets the system revamp's goal of containing power creep or making Reputation trait choices more interesting and fulfilling to make, but as I think I wrote in the blog, everything is still up for discussion pending playtest feedback on Tribble.
Jeff--may I call you Jeff?--while I really, sincerely appreciate the sentiment and the attempts to halt power creep, there are a few issues with the changes outlined in the blog.
First and foremost, the changes would increase the value of min-maxing builds as opposed to playing smart.
This is a huge, critical, glaring flaw. It'll be great for my Rommie, who will be able to solo entire teams of opponents in PVP with the appropriate rep traits slotted, but...that's not a good thing.
I don't WANT to be able to solo ISE in 30 seconds or single-handedly wipe entire teams in PVP. I want to work as a team with other players, cooperating and playing smart instead of mashing buttons wildly. If I can solo any STF or non-1v1 PVP match in my T'varo, then this is not a halt to power creep. If I can min-max my scimitar to make it completely invincible AND able to instakill anything in the game, the game is no longer fun.
I prefer the system as-is because it provides a set of buffs that reward dedicated players without giving anyone the power to single-handedly beat elite Borg STFs. The new version makes it hypothetically possible to solo ISE, if you min-max a scimmy or fleet Dhelan right. And then to respec rep traits and go 3-man Infected ground elite, if you have the right gear.
This is bad. Like most Trekkies, I love challenges. I THRIVE on challenges. To me, the rewards earned by figuring out the best strategies and tactics to take down a ridiculously OP boss monster are by far the sweetest. Not the rewards earned by min-maxing my gear to a stupid extent and running in pushing buttons.
It's all fun games until everything comes crashing down... I'll see what happens.:cool:
The dress is gold and white. Over 70% people says so. When viewed from a certain screen angle it appears blue and black. The dress displayed on amazon is a blue and black dress, but it's not the same dress in the picture. If you're seeing blue & black you're slightly colored blind. A normal upright screen = white and gold.
I think its really hard to judge the impact of these changes until we have chance to use them on tribble. On first glance I was fuming but after reading this entire blog and Hawk's remarks, I think this might actually be a great change.
You can swap these powers at anytime, out of combat, without paying, and basically have stronger stats for the ones you choose. I think when you combine this with the other changes being tested with various enemies being improved, the upcoming changes to the rep systems and the associated gear, and kit powers revamp, there is going to be much to consider and other ways to balance your character. We also know that a revamp of the Doff system will be coming at some point too.
I think all in all its a good thing and we should reserve judgement until the system can be fully vetted. Hawk said they are open to changes and tweaks where needed. I'm ready for this game to get back to providing challenging content and not just repetition and I think balancing out the skills is the first step.
I think when you combine these changes with all of the great new makeovers on the old content and the Undine as well as ESD this is shaping up to be a great season release. Stephen D and the whole team are really doing a superb job on improving the "quality of life" things in the game. I think balance has a long way to go but this is a good start.
Gold Sub since March 2010
Lifetime Sub since June 2010
I spent over a year getting my reps to tier 4 and tier 5 on my character and now I'm going to be limited in which ones I can and can't use!? OVER A YEAR! Cryptic is again taking the lazy way out instead of building options into pvp that could potentially limit number of passives used or universal consoles used. It's also another blatant cash grab because we all know Cryptic will eventually offer +1 slots through fleet holdings. Pathetic.
OK and? All that means is that you personally are ok with the fact you are giving up that work you did, good for you(not sarcasm)
Great... Another person with both Temporal Consoles XD something I have been trying to get XD. No sir, I am not begrudging you, in fact I have nothing but respect for you, since you have kept a very calm attitude with me, and I apologize if I had been rude at all, it is just I have been trying to get the Mobius console myself
You might not be, but other are which is probably why this is happening, or at least PART of the reason why
I don't mind giving things up if it is for the good of the game honestly. I also don't really look at as giving them up. I still have them all unlocked and because I fly so many different ships I can think of times where I might slot almost all of the options... so having them unlocked isn't really a bad thing.
The temp consoles are over rated. I know easy to say when you have some TIF. I honestly used the 2 piece for a short while and then decided I didn't like having to run the manhim console which is just unusable really.
Honestly I play mainly to PvP... and I have always looked at all the PvE as just a means to get my ships ready to go... having said that I don't not enjoy the PvE and I will admit at times I just want to play a trek game.
In any event as a PvP guy I can argue hard so you probaly only slighly mis read me if you did at all... I can be more "aggressive" then I ought to be at times.
I don't think this is happening due to any player wine though to be honest... if that was the case I think they would have been changing things that where on more top 5 broken things lists.
After looking at what they are doing and thinking about it a bit this afternoon though I think I see where they are coming from.
I guess we will see now if they stick with 4 back track to 8 or 6... I am sure they won't budge on the cap going forward though.
I finally figured out how to get thing changed in game by Cryptic. First you need to post in the PvP forums then say it is totally OP how it needs to be nerfed. After you post that you haveto rage about it over and over and complain about how unbalanced it makes the game. Oh and dont forget to glorify yourself to say how much you test for Cryptic because the PvP player are the only people on earth who are able to do that and everyone else that tests is inferior. Then theres more whining, moaning, crying, and raging. Throw in the huge mass posts from the 1-2% of the player base to add to the complaining and crying about balancing and nerfing and finally guess what the nerf hammer falls and the rest of the player base suffers for the minority. Honestly I hope the companies trent continues and no new PvP maps ever get released or updates and more and more P2W console just keep flooding the game. Why do I feel this way I would rather see Cryptic make money and the game to live on then to cater to a very small minority of players who pay close to nothing and cry about everything. I truely hope all these new game changes ruin all the cookie cutter builds out there and pre-made teams. Thank you Cryptic hahahaha.
Honestly this change isn't some Unique Cryptic idea... pretty much every MMO with a trait system (and even other Video games in general) limits the amount you can slot at one time. They limit them 2 give players build opitons. (they could never release 100 traits with out a limit)... they also do limit creep by allowing them to do new content with new rewards constantly that don't effect overall balance points.
It's only a trait system because they ret-conned it into their new scheme. As it was originally designed, it was more akin to EQ's AA points: stuff to do after you're max level. And given the obscene grind requirements the rewards have to be good enough to be attractive.
I think its really hard to judge the impact of these changes until we have chance to use them on tribble. On first glance I was fuming but after reading this entire blog and Hawk's remarks, I think this might actually be a great change.
You can swap these powers at anytime, out of combat, without paying, and basically have stronger stats for the ones you choose. I think when you combine this with the other changes being tested with various enemies being improved, the upcoming changes to the rep systems and the associated gear, and kit powers revamp, there is going to be much to consider and other ways to balance your character. We also know that a revamp of the Doff system will be coming at some point too.
I think all in all its a good thing and we should reserve judgement until the system can be fully vetted. Hawk said they are open to changes and tweaks where needed. I'm ready for this game to get back to providing challenging content and not just repetition and I think balancing out the skills is the first step.
I think when you combine these changes with all of the great new makeovers on the old content and the Undine as well as ESD this is shaping up to be a great season release. Stephen D and the whole team are really doing a superb job on improving the "quality of life" things in the game. I think balance has a long way to go but this is a good start.
Know how many times I've respec'd my reputations? 0. None. Not once. Why? Because I don't want the other types on certain characters. My healing characters don't need crit change or anything for more powerful attacks---when I need to survive and attack. I want to attack and have powerful hits? I'll use a tac.
How many times, when you have an Omega/Maco set, did you think "wow, I really should've gone with the borg adapt slower instead?"
Know what's going to happen? People are going to talk, and everyone's going to have very similar/identicle specs for all the choices at all times.... just like now.
Didn't Cryptic say the pvp in this game was negligible? So why should Cryptic care if the rep powers are making pvp unbalanced? If you care so much, why haven't you fixed the aux to battery technician spam nonsense we have going on in this game? Why are the team abilities not on a global cooldown anymore since this now favors the big battle cruisers like the scimitar and disfavors science builds?
I agree this is only one change that is pretty much needed to bring things into a better state of balance. No game can be perfectly balanced. Your right though most people can agree on a list of stuff that is obviously to powerful.
I know "all passives on all the time" wasn't on many people list.
I think if you follow the thought out though you can see how it WILL be a major issue going forward.
Right now I think we where right on the edge. 4 Full reps with 8 passives was/is very very powerful. There is also no real choices. Yes you choose one of the other all the time but people in general just took what was accepted to be the best of the 2 options.
Cryptic has even been selling respecs on Rep powers... I think its clear them dropping the idea of charging for that is them admitting that they didn't really make much money off that idea.
Is 4 to low... I don't know perhaps... I think they want to reduce current levels somewhat though and so a reduction to 4 makes sense there. However with the buff to some of the traits yes it can be seen as a buff for specific builds .... sort of. Truth is its a buff to one aspect of those builds. In that regard I think they want to make it more attractive to swap traits around... and there for make it more attractive to unlock new ones.
Honestly this change isn't some Unique Cryptic idea... pretty much every MMO with a trait system (and even other Video games in general) limits the amount you can slot at one time. They limit them 2 give players build opitons. (they could never release 100 traits with out a limit)... they also do limit creep by allowing them to do new content with new rewards constantly that don't effect overall balance points.
Here is a link to the LOTRO system... I point it out because I think its a pretty standard MMO example and its well described. All these games have something similer though... the names change and the ideas blend between skill trees / skill traits / passive bonuses / Reputation skills / Virtues / Racial traits / skill customization.... ect ect it all blends but most games have 2-3 different stat options you can tailor on a toon... the names change the ideas are all the same... and the only thing common is that you always have a Limited amount of space to slot them or a limited amount of points to spend on them. I can't think of any other MMO where you can just keep stacking as you unlock new stuff.
http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Traits (one of my all time fav MMOs... Race Class and Virtue traits... unlocked through deeds and had a limited number of each slottable)
i see and respect your point, in fact something in your post said to me: "maybe this is not bad at all", stil there is this in my mind:
pwe/cryp started the rep system, it was perfectly clear that it will not only be omega rep. S7 with new romulus gave us rom rep and suddenly nukara rep...now dyson rep...and it will be undine rep...
stacking all up was their idea, we/me get to use the best of it. for my part: i'm used to have all the passives working in order to make some ships worth while (like Intrepid, Wells, Nebula). Now we have to suffer from their fault. I'm still convinced bringing back the omega shop on Ds9 would be the best way -but that would be difficult^^ -
.
Making a assimilated gear in Mk X, XI and XII + assimilated set was a very bad step.
now pwe trys to limit the dmg (haha in both ways) by restricting the players to only certain rep powers.... that is a step in the wrong direction...
instead of this AND bringing up a new rep system they should concider going an other way for new content.
tbh, undine rep will suck like hell. f.e. i like the dyson gear, but i still keep my adapted maco, i may not the only one thinking this way.
i think pwe/cryp is playing a very bad Bull****-game with the players: for one reason they want money, revamp hole species, low-level-missions - both will be soon forgotten - but the real bugs and problems stay the way they are...there are no power creep problems and no problems with OP ships. Still people belive they can enter a PVP game without keybinds...
the problem at hand is, the way they treat their players and the way they bring up new stuff. in every other MMO there wouldnt be that kind of farm/grind, because everyone knows that the base of every MMO are the hardcore-max-lvl-players and not the small casuals...
the hole pwe/cryptic strategy with STO is wrong an no limiting with rep powers will ever solve this.
as long as they pretend to do Star Trek without ever looking deeper into ST, Gaming and other MMOs, they will do it wrong.
Just another example of no respect to the hard long term players.
1. They kill the great orginal STF's. Remember when they were almost stories. Yea took a while but it was fun!
2. They change the forums so we don't even have our orginal names or dates.
3. They go free to play and just about give everything to the free people and step on the still Subs.
4. After stepping on the lifers and subs they then kill vet rewards
5. Then kick the lifers again with the fire sale on the vet rewards and new lifers.
6. Kill STF's again by making it eaiser for new people over the hard working players by turning STF's into Reps.
Now this! I got news for you cryptic. I want to be more powerful than the newb! A 4 year player that has played his but off should me more powerful than the guy playing for a month. OMG its not all about the new players!! Its good we have new ones but don't p*ss on the long term players. We are worth something!!
At first i was a little upset about this but thinking about it and checking the power, i noticed that, for my sci character, which is nerfed so hard its laughable already, its not really a problem. Of all the rep powers there are, maybe 2 or 3 of the passives are remotely relevant to my torpedo-boat. And those will get buffed.
So for my neglected Sci in his rather weak sci-ship, this is actually not a nerf at all - its a buff!
Comments
Do any of the developers even know how to play the game they have developed???
Do any of you even know what a hazard emitters even does???
Can any developer even take a direct hit from a borg gate???
Unfortunately it is apparent from the developers blogs and posts that the answer to all of these questions and many not asked is a big resounding whole-hearted hilarious laughter and nothing to be said on the topic.
Sorry, stop taking Hawk at his word?
He explicitally stated this was about narrowing the effective gap between new VA and vet VA.
In that context, its utterly valid to consider the proposal in that light.
And, in that light as you have amply demonstrated, the min maxer actually gains an advantage from this change.
In terms of its stated aim, you have shown that it has utterly failed.
Actually, I don't disagree with this.
There are two problems with the proposal as currently posited.
Firstly it doesn't actually address current power creep, it actually makes it worse.
Or are you suggesting that a skilled min maxer, newly buffed in their specialist area, is going to have their fatal weakness regulary found out by the average joe new VA?
Secondly, it is taking things away from the player, bad sophistry to the contrary notwithstanding.
However, the basic idea is not fatally flawed in my view. It simply doesn't go far enough.
To address the first problem is actually easy.
All you have to do is tier the passive slots.
So, instead of picking any four of your passives, you may only select one tier 1, one tier 2, one tier 3 and one tier 4 power.
This prevents the double dipping of particular powers, which were set up as either/or in the original configuration.
Because a sci ship, properly min maxed with both Nukara tier 4 powers, is blatantly OP.
This would also mean that a new VA would have to get two reps to tier 4 in order to fill up both of their passive trays.
This partially addresses problem number two.
It means that the new VA still has to do some work to get to on an exactly level playing field in this regard.
This honours the work people have already done in good faith.
To properly address problem two though, the tier 5 active powers need to be left ut of this new system.
In other words, ration the passives, but actives become permanently available.
Because getting to the end of multiple rep projects should mean something.
How the hell does saying that help anyone? Joseph's comment was perfectly valid.
I'm also peeved that my characters are all being re-spec'd.
o.O
dangerous questions
Otherwise you look at it and think "wow, so you're saying I've been playing and customizing and paying for respecs for years.... but I can only be as good as someone who just started this month? THANKS!
Seriously... I've already heard of a few people who are giving up STO as a result of this change, because of the massive nurfing to the eng and sci characters (the tanks) in favor of the Bug ship/escorts
I'm not giving up the game. I'm just not giving the developers any money!
That's how they grade things. If they get more money, the change was good. If they get less, the change was bad.
Those who like this change, spend cash. Those who dont, keep the money. That money has to be earned by doing stuff I like XD
Oh I meant people I know in the game
What this is effectively is dynamically reconfigurable power selection. This is actually a nice thing. On one hand yes you could call it a nerf, but I personally do not consider it as such. Will just add a little bit of forethought into your rep trait slotting. Nothing wrong with that.
I agree this is only one change that is pretty much needed to bring things into a better state of balance. No game can be perfectly balanced. Your right though most people can agree on a list of stuff that is obviously to powerful.
I know "all passives on all the time" wasn't on many people list.
I think if you follow the thought out though you can see how it WILL be a major issue going forward.
Right now I think we where right on the edge. 4 Full reps with 8 passives was/is very very powerful. There is also no real choices. Yes you choose one of the other all the time but people in general just took what was accepted to be the best of the 2 options.
Cryptic has even been selling respecs on Rep powers... I think its clear them dropping the idea of charging for that is them admitting that they didn't really make much money off that idea.
Is 4 to low... I don't know perhaps... I think they want to reduce current levels somewhat though and so a reduction to 4 makes sense there. However with the buff to some of the traits yes it can be seen as a buff for specific builds .... sort of. Truth is its a buff to one aspect of those builds. In that regard I think they want to make it more attractive to swap traits around... and there for make it more attractive to unlock new ones.
Honestly this change isn't some Unique Cryptic idea... pretty much every MMO with a trait system (and even other Video games in general) limits the amount you can slot at one time. They limit them 2 give players build opitons. (they could never release 100 traits with out a limit)... they also do limit creep by allowing them to do new content with new rewards constantly that don't effect overall balance points.
Here is a link to the LOTRO system... I point it out because I think its a pretty standard MMO example and its well described.
http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Traits (one of my all time fav MMOs... Race Class and Virtue traits... unlocked through deeds and had a limited number of each slottable)
And they should not fit in the same proverbial room, if they have the ability to earn the power the same as long time players. eventually they would be able to compete. after they earned it. Absolutely no reason other than placating cry babies to have new players on equal footing with long time players.
the old rep system to get the ground 3 piece set you had to grind on all 3 different ground missions. doing so you eventually ( way to random ) got the ground set and learned how to play on the ground. learned the mission. and the ques for those mission always had people.
now you never have to touch the ground to earn the ground set. then somebody comes in all decked out and is still a complete noob.
I believe that power creep is a problem that is for sure, but I don't see this as the way to fix the problem. the entire rep system is flawed just to make the new players and cry babies happy.
Id rather see each mission give an item after beating it x amount of times. easy mode gives mk x elite give mk xi and after you have both sets earned via playing the mission (not random drops) you can buy the mk xii set from a rep store. That way you would know when your going to get the sets, like the accolades.
Same would go for space gear. tie each part of a set to a mission. play mission x amount of times earn the set. period no need for marks or any of that other junk. then once the lesser sets are unlocked you go to rep store and buy the mk12 items you have now unlocked with Dilithium / EC / EXP .
And the only CAP increase should be in the MOBs not the players. increase mob lvl to 60 to help offset the damage you devs have already done with power creep.
The folks happy about this because they think suddenly FTP dabblers will somehow stay and play are fooling themselves.
What do you think turns off new players more, some powers that they likely have no idea other players have, in one of a multitude of advancement systems, and - IMPORTANTLY - one that they can actually complete rather quickly if they so choose - or the fact that you are constantly looting lock boxes that cost $1.25 to open and more times than not give you worthless TRIBBLE while dangling in front of you awesome looking and powerful ships that you cannot attain any other way?
It's a joke.
And, FWIW, I actually don't mind lock boxes, I've opened tons of them - I'm one of those "whales" who has spent a couple of thousand on this game over the years. I have all of the lock box ones, and most of the Lobi ones (just don't have a couple that didn't appeal to me - there reaches a point where you have enough ships). I also have all of the Lobi store space equipment.
But let's call a spade a spade and stop pretending it's a club - this has nothing to do with new players getting them to play the game - join fleets, play through content, etc. At all. There are tons and tons of things that turn off new players, and rep powers weren't it.
The truth is, they want to make this game easier for someone to jump in and PvP with no time invested - like a MOBA. They want to attract the MOBA crowd who expects to jump in a game, a few might drop a few bucks, and then rule PvP. In a game that wasn't designed for that, and won't attract that type of player no matter how hard they try.
Basically, they are trying to emulate the online game of the moment, which is why I am sure MOBA-type content is coming - folks that won't actually play STO, just use one feature of it, and, like their attention spans, will come, try it out, and then move on to the next MOBA of the moment. These folks don't build communities or care about deep content, it's the antithesis of what an immersive MMO is. It's like picking up a mobile game to play for a few minutes until you get bored.
And all the while, the same changes will drive out folks who just don't have a reason to play - why bother doing a rep tree when you've already got your slots filled, and stacks of 3-pc sets already. At least the rep trees as they are give you something permanent to work for and that actually look like development in your character - not just more "choices" at the same level that you only use if you micromanage yet another system every time you want to switch tasks in game.
Frankly, the only reason I am playing the amount of time I do now is moving through these rep trees - and without motivation to do so, I won't continue buying ZEN, I won't feel the need to play but every few months when a new Featured Episode comes out. What's the point - not going to spend time just to give myself a few more choices as opposed to progression. I guess I should thank them - more free time for me to do other things, I guess.
What is the old forum clich
Jeff--may I call you Jeff?--while I really, sincerely appreciate the sentiment and the attempts to halt power creep, there are a few issues with the changes outlined in the blog.
First and foremost, the changes would increase the value of min-maxing builds as opposed to playing smart.
This is a huge, critical, glaring flaw. It'll be great for my Rommie, who will be able to solo entire teams of opponents in PVP with the appropriate rep traits slotted, but...that's not a good thing.
I don't WANT to be able to solo ISE in 30 seconds or single-handedly wipe entire teams in PVP. I want to work as a team with other players, cooperating and playing smart instead of mashing buttons wildly. If I can solo any STF or non-1v1 PVP match in my T'varo, then this is not a halt to power creep. If I can min-max my scimitar to make it completely invincible AND able to instakill anything in the game, the game is no longer fun.
I prefer the system as-is because it provides a set of buffs that reward dedicated players without giving anyone the power to single-handedly beat elite Borg STFs. The new version makes it hypothetically possible to solo ISE, if you min-max a scimmy or fleet Dhelan right. And then to respec rep traits and go 3-man Infected ground elite, if you have the right gear.
This is bad. Like most Trekkies, I love challenges. I THRIVE on challenges. To me, the rewards earned by figuring out the best strategies and tactics to take down a ridiculously OP boss monster are by far the sweetest. Not the rewards earned by min-maxing my gear to a stupid extent and running in pushing buttons.
Anyway, that's my personal opinion on this.
(Brings in a huge bucket of popcorn) Got a few extra bottles?
http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/10052253
Why are you not rejoicing?
You can swap these powers at anytime, out of combat, without paying, and basically have stronger stats for the ones you choose. I think when you combine this with the other changes being tested with various enemies being improved, the upcoming changes to the rep systems and the associated gear, and kit powers revamp, there is going to be much to consider and other ways to balance your character. We also know that a revamp of the Doff system will be coming at some point too.
I think all in all its a good thing and we should reserve judgement until the system can be fully vetted. Hawk said they are open to changes and tweaks where needed. I'm ready for this game to get back to providing challenging content and not just repetition and I think balancing out the skills is the first step.
I think when you combine these changes with all of the great new makeovers on the old content and the Undine as well as ESD this is shaping up to be a great season release. Stephen D and the whole team are really doing a superb job on improving the "quality of life" things in the game. I think balance has a long way to go but this is a good start.
Lifetime Sub since June 2010
There. Now there won't be a huge divide no matter how new a player is.
I don't mind giving things up if it is for the good of the game honestly. I also don't really look at as giving them up. I still have them all unlocked and because I fly so many different ships I can think of times where I might slot almost all of the options... so having them unlocked isn't really a bad thing.
The temp consoles are over rated.
Honestly I play mainly to PvP... and I have always looked at all the PvE as just a means to get my ships ready to go... having said that I don't not enjoy the PvE and I will admit at times I just want to play a trek game.
In any event as a PvP guy I can argue hard so you probaly only slighly mis read me if you did at all... I can be more "aggressive" then I ought to be at times.
I don't think this is happening due to any player wine though to be honest... if that was the case I think they would have been changing things that where on more top 5 broken things lists.
After looking at what they are doing and thinking about it a bit this afternoon though I think I see where they are coming from.
I guess we will see now if they stick with 4 back track to 8 or 6... I am sure they won't budge on the cap going forward though.
I'll see your J. Jonah Jameson and raise you Judge Judy.
No. It'll get merged with that mega thread and just be confusing.
OP: the designers or the developers?
It's only a trait system because they ret-conned it into their new scheme. As it was originally designed, it was more akin to EQ's AA points: stuff to do after you're max level. And given the obscene grind requirements the rewards have to be good enough to be attractive.
As nerfed, the grind isn't that attractive.
Know how many times I've respec'd my reputations? 0. None. Not once. Why? Because I don't want the other types on certain characters. My healing characters don't need crit change or anything for more powerful attacks---when I need to survive and attack. I want to attack and have powerful hits? I'll use a tac.
How many times, when you have an Omega/Maco set, did you think "wow, I really should've gone with the borg adapt slower instead?"
Know what's going to happen? People are going to talk, and everyone's going to have very similar/identicle specs for all the choices at all times.... just like now.
i see and respect your point, in fact something in your post said to me: "maybe this is not bad at all", stil there is this in my mind:
pwe/cryp started the rep system, it was perfectly clear that it will not only be omega rep. S7 with new romulus gave us rom rep and suddenly nukara rep...now dyson rep...and it will be undine rep...
stacking all up was their idea, we/me get to use the best of it. for my part: i'm used to have all the passives working in order to make some ships worth while (like Intrepid, Wells, Nebula). Now we have to suffer from their fault. I'm still convinced bringing back the omega shop on Ds9 would be the best way -but that would be difficult^^ -
.
Making a assimilated gear in Mk X, XI and XII + assimilated set was a very bad step.
now pwe trys to limit the dmg (haha in both ways) by restricting the players to only certain rep powers.... that is a step in the wrong direction...
instead of this AND bringing up a new rep system they should concider going an other way for new content.
tbh, undine rep will suck like hell. f.e. i like the dyson gear, but i still keep my adapted maco, i may not the only one thinking this way.
i think pwe/cryp is playing a very bad Bull****-game with the players: for one reason they want money, revamp hole species, low-level-missions - both will be soon forgotten - but the real bugs and problems stay the way they are...there are no power creep problems and no problems with OP ships. Still people belive they can enter a PVP game without keybinds...
the problem at hand is, the way they treat their players and the way they bring up new stuff. in every other MMO there wouldnt be that kind of farm/grind, because everyone knows that the base of every MMO are the hardcore-max-lvl-players and not the small casuals...
the hole pwe/cryptic strategy with STO is wrong an no limiting with rep powers will ever solve this.
as long as they pretend to do Star Trek without ever looking deeper into ST, Gaming and other MMOs, they will do it wrong.
thats my opp
1. They kill the great orginal STF's. Remember when they were almost stories. Yea took a while but it was fun!
2. They change the forums so we don't even have our orginal names or dates.
3. They go free to play and just about give everything to the free people and step on the still Subs.
4. After stepping on the lifers and subs they then kill vet rewards
5. Then kick the lifers again with the fire sale on the vet rewards and new lifers.
6. Kill STF's again by making it eaiser for new people over the hard working players by turning STF's into Reps.
Now this! I got news for you cryptic. I want to be more powerful than the newb! A 4 year player that has played his but off should me more powerful than the guy playing for a month. OMG its not all about the new players!! Its good we have new ones but don't p*ss on the long term players. We are worth something!!
So for my neglected Sci in his rather weak sci-ship, this is actually not a nerf at all - its a buff!
Sweet!