On Gaige, Fan Faire and the Community Summit...

[Gaige]

<DIV>Well SOE is having their Community Summit and Fan Faire tomorrow, as I'm sure a lot of you are aware, and I'll be flying out tomorrow afternoon to attend for the duration.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Along with me will be Jezekiel (woot!!) and various others, and from getting the schedules, list of attendees and things, it seems like its going to be a great and informative time, and I'm glad I received the opportunity to attend.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I hadn't really said anything about it up to now because of my rather, strong opinions, heh, and I didn't want people to think I would be going there with only my own "agenda" on my mind.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Its actually quite to the contrary.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I haven't been in a lot of balance/tanking/dps/etc threads lately because such sweeping changes are due/being made/in-testing and I don't feel its worth my time anymore to talk about a subject where my opinion is already known; not to mention that everything we can discuss here and now with factual information is probably going to change.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>What I did want to tell you guys is that I printed our bug thread out, as well as a few other threads I found that had good questions or ideas in them, and I've had some good in-game conversations with people about how they view the class, what they want to see, what they fear, etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh, and I'm in no way saying I'm going to this thing because I'm a monk, or to speak on behalf of all monks out there.  I would never overstep my bounds to assume such a thing.  But I will take this opportunity to at least try to find out where the devs are coming from, what they envision for the game and our class, and hopefully find out a lot about the balancing and combat changes.  Which I will then share with you guys upon my return.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So that's pretty much it, just wanted to let you guys know I'd be there, listening intently for all things concerning our class both directly and passively, and giving any input I can when/if asked.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you guys have any issues/concerns/questions that you'd like brought up if I have the opportunity, please post them for me.  Just because we can't all attend, doesn't mean all of our ideas/suggestions can't; its our class, not mine, and I'd like any discussion surrounding it to show that.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Cuz]

<DIV>I've been unjustly harsh to you Gage, for that I apologize. I don't agree with you vision of Monks, but you are far from a hindrance. I've been wanting to apologize for a while, and this thread seems like a happy one, so why not here. I'm glad that we'll have someone with a great understanding of the game out there gathering information.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Good Luck, and don't get bothered with schematics, enjoy yourself first.  :smileywink:</DIV>

[Cusashorn]

<DIV>As far as class balance goes, there's only two things I really desire:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>A bit better mitigation.. Nothing on par with the plate classes, but I'd like to log in one day to see my mitigation has been raised a solid 10-15%.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>More importantly: Bring our HP on equal terms with other fighter classes. We all know that at level 50, a naked, unbuffed guardian still has about 1200-1500 more HP than a naked, unbuffed monk. Berzerkers, Paladins, and Shadowknights all have at least 1000 more HP than we do at levle 50.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>... Either that or give us our own self-HP buffs like the other classes. Or maybe thats why they gave us mend? blah.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, Have fun and see what you can find out.</DIV>

[Reluctant_Messiah]

<P>Seriously...did you actually misspell your own name?  :smileyindifferent:</P> <P> </P> <P>Sorry, I couldn't help it...</P>

[Gaige]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Reluctant_Messiah wrote:<BR> <P>Seriously...did you actually misspell your own name?  :smileyindifferent:</P> <P>Sorry, I couldn't help it...</P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Well, I guess it depends on if you mean my forum name, or my in-game name, since they are different.</P> <P>When I moved to Permafrost to join Fires of Heaven, Gage wasn't available, so I had to add the "i" and I just happened to use that name when I made this thread.</P> <P>Since they are both me anyway <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR></P>

[Jezekie]

<span><blockquote><hr>Gage-Mikel wrote:<div></div>Since they are both me anyway <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div><hr></blockquote>(Insert X-Files theme here)</span><div></div>

[Ulkesh-Blackburr]

Don't forget the check out the new Star Trek exhibit! (Borg Experience or something)  That's the Hilton right?  Have fun!

[Harpax]

<P>make sure to drink a "warp core breach" at Quarks bar.  Prop's to you if you can finish one by yourself and not die.</P> <P> </P> <P>One thing i'm sure you'll see is that the dev folks you meet are passionate about games, and a ton of them play not only EQ2, but a lot of other stuff out there.  You might also see that things we think of as trivial are never as simple as we believe <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>last of all, have fun <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P>

[Gaige]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Harpax wrote:<BR> <P>make sure to drink a "warp core breach" at Quarks bar.  Prop's to you if you can finish one by yourself and not die.</P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Oooo we are going there tonight after dinner, supposed to meet up with some FoH and some other guys.</P> <P>What is in a Warp Core Breach anyway?</P> <P>And with that, to the airport I go.<BR></P>

[sglant]

<P>I would like to know more about the mitigation and avoidance factors.</P> <P>We are supposed to have superior avoidance over the other tanks, with lower mitigation (to class balance).</P> <P>However, I have see guardians with 70% avoidance, with over double my mitigation. Where is the balance if a guardian can avoid 70% attacks, while absorbing so much when actually hit?  While my opinion doesnt really count, I would think it would be fair to say everything should be based on a 125%  rule (unbuffed).... say base of 50% mitigation, 75% avoidance, or 50% avoidance, 75% mitigation. I do not think a guardian should be able to reach 100% avoidance, ever, whereas monks should never reach 100% mitigation. </P> <P>I am not sure if you understand what I mean. I am not even sure if I am conveying it well. Overall, I just think avoidance should play a true role in a monks ability. (meaning if I have 80% avoidance, I should be able to dodge 80% of the attacks.) When I solo, I can almost guarantee I dont dodge 80% (actual is 77.3%, but 80% for easy understanding).</P>

[ganjookie]

Gage/Gaige, <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />   After reading  your thoughts on both Bruiser and Monk boards, I was hoping that some of the questions you asked might be related to us as Bruisers also. We are affected by similar problems <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div>

[Owa]

I'd really like to know if our Wind Walk will ever be useful again. Pre level 43 or so it was a real help and one of the reasons I wanted to play a monk. So if you can ask the devs whether...Oh. He's already left, hasn't he?  Dammit.

[Xaime]

<DIV>"What is in a Warp Core Breach anyway?"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Vodka and antimatter I believe. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Dovifat]

Warp Core Breach is usually Tequila, some Scotch or Bourbon ( Cognac works as well ) and Cinnamon Liqueur. Suiting name, this will blow up your head. <div></div>

[FamilyManFir]

<blockquote><hr>sglanton wrote:<P>I would like to know more about the mitigation and avoidance factors.</P> <P>We are supposed to have superior avoidance over the other tanks, with lower mitigation (to class balance).</P> <P>However, I have see guardians with 70% avoidance, with over double my mitigation. Where is the balance if a guardian can avoid 70% attacks, while absorbing so much when actually hit? While my opinion doesnt really count, I would think it would be fair to say everything should be based on a 125% rule (unbuffed).... say base of 50% mitigation, 75% avoidance, or 50% avoidance, 75% mitigation. I do not think a guardian should be able to reach 100% avoidance, ever, whereas monks should never reach 100% mitigation. </P> <P>I am not sure if you understand what I mean. I am not even sure if I am conveying it well. Overall, I just think avoidance should play a true role in a monks ability. (meaning if I have 80% avoidance, I should be able to dodge 80% of the attacks.) When I solo, I can almost guarantee I dont dodge 80% (actual is 77.3%, but 80% for easy understanding).</P> <hr></blockquote>A lot of what you'd like to see will be upcoming in the Big Combat Revision. How far it will go and what it will do to Fighter "balance" overall is hard to say yet, but what details are available now indicate that plate tanks' Avoidance will be going down ... but so will avoidance tanks' Mitigation. We'll see.

[ganjookie]

Didn't ST have white russians? Those are great..cause well, the Dude abides <div></div>

[Gaige]

<DIV>We will be getting an upgrade to windwalk, but the way spells work are changing.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The avoidance/mitigation issue is being addressed, and I've sat down and had good conversations with various devs, and will continue to for the duration of the event.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bruisers, no need to worry, Jezekiel is here too <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'll have a lot more comments after the Faire is over, but the Community Summit went well, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Talk to you guys soon <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Smear]

<DIV>And perhaps you could fill us in on these dev conversations? <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Grabaan]

Keep us posted Gage. Sounds like there's been some good dialogue so far. <div></div>

[SomeDudeCRO]

Just wanted to say good luck and have fun man! (I quit a long while ago, maybe some day I'll be back who knows... ) <div></div>

[Grabaan]

Good to hear from you Lavomir. You are missed bro. Hope to see you back someday soon. <div></div>

[Harpax]

Gaige, be on the lookout for someone tonight.  You'll know who I'm talking about if you see them. ;P

[Gaige]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Harpax wrote:<BR>Gaige, be on the lookout for someone tonight.  You'll know who I'm talking about if you see them. ;P <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Yeah, I met a very good friend of yours from EQ1 Harp, and we had a very good conversation about various things the other night.  I owe you a beer or something sir <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR>

[SomeDudeCRO]

Hey Grabaan, say hello to my friends in prophecy for me <span>:smileyhappy:</span> Hope all is well with you all. <div></div>

[Harpax]

How many warp cores did you go through?

[Gaige]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Harpax wrote:<BR> How many warp cores did you go through?<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Too many lol.  I know on Thursday night the FoH table had four I believe, and we had two last night before the beach party.  They are so good though <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR>

[Parrot665]

<P>I don't suppose they have Pan Galactic Gargle-Blasters??</P> <P>Now that would = teh win</P> <P>Genoshen</P> <P>The Legionnaires of Light, Blackburrow</P>

[Mystiq]

<P>The Warp Core Breach's were a little too sweet for my taste, but they certainly did the job heh......not that they helped Gaige score at all :smileyvery-happy:</P>

[Cusashorn]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Gage-Mikel wrote:<BR> <DIV><STRONG>We will be getting an upgrade to windwalk, but the way spells work are changing.</STRONG></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The avoidance/mitigation issue is being addressed, and I've sat down and had good conversations with various devs, and will continue to for the duration of the event.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bruisers, no need to worry, Jezekiel is here too <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'll have a lot more comments after the Faire is over, but the Community Summit went well, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Talk to you guys soon <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P> </P> <P>Originally back during Pre-Beta, Invis was suppose to work that monsters could still see if you ran right up into thier faces.</P> <P> </P> <P> </P> <P>Lets pray this isn't what they're changing...</P> <P><BR></P>

[Grabaan]

Making windwalk useful again is a step in the right direction, as is taking a look at all spell lines to make sure they remain useful (either through upgrades in the same spell line or revisions to existing lines). More classes than just monks will rejoice at these re-evaluations of skills. Several classes have complained of downright useless skills upon reaching 50. It is refreshing to see that our concerns and ideas are being discussed and debated, and that changes based on this feedback can and does routinely enter the game. I must say, since we started this ride in November, I've been amazed at the community feedback and how it was dealt with by the devs. You really can see the conscious effort they make to listen to our concerns and then act on them. I, for one, am appreciative of this. Having spent a long time in EQ with our suggestions falling on seemingly "deaf ears", it's nice to see this effort being made. Granted, even in EQ the dialogue between devs and players has increased since the release of EQ2 (or appears to have from my now outsider perspective) /bow to friends and devs alike Keep up the good work and --- HAVE FUN! <div></div>

[BLOODka]

Being halfway to 50 now, I'd very much like to know details on post 25 monkdom now...Eagerly awaiting changes <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Jezekie]

<span><blockquote><hr>Gage-Mikel wrote:<div>We will be getting an upgrade to windwalk, but the way spells work are changing.</div> <div> </div> <div>The avoidance/mitigation issue is being addressed, and I've sat down and had good conversations with various devs, and will continue to for the duration of the event.</div> <div> </div> <div>Bruisers, no need to worry, Jezekiel is here too <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div> <div> </div> <div>I'll have a lot more comments after the Faire is over, but the Community Summit went well, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the weekend.</div> <div> </div> <div>Talk to you guys soon <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><hr></blockquote>I'm not sure what to comment on, if anything. So much is going to change, that I'd rather wait until we actually have ALL the changes to play with before making statements or comments, since things are bound to change as well. Won't leave false expectations that way.</span><div></div>

[Ulkesh-Blackburr]

<DIV>Well keeping that in mind, can someone at least give us the vision of the combat changes?  More specifically to us of course <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[ShashLigai]

<P>Did the devs give any indication as to when the changes would occur? Will they release all the changes in one massive patch, or dole them out over the next few months?</P> <P> </P>

[Jezekie]

<span><blockquote><hr>ShashLigai wrote:<p>Did the devs give any indication as to when the changes would occur? Will they release all the changes in one massive patch, or dole them out over the next few months?</p> <div></div><hr></blockquote>Combat/Spell revamp should be on the Test server soon.</span><div></div>