Solo zones general feedback

[NG23985_01]

There wasn't a place that I could see for general feedback for multiple zones, and I didn't want to make a thread in each forum for all of the zones I've done so far, so I put this here.

I am very disappointed with these solo zones so far. I've found & done at least partial on the following zones:

• Temple of the Faceless (Imprisonment)
• Throne of Fear (Ascension)
• Dreadcutter

All of these zones share two things in common. They are on the difficult side, as I assume the remaining solo zones that I haven't done are.  The EXP in them is pathetic. Why should I risk dying and getting EXP debt for 400 exp per kill? On Live, I can go to Chelsith and get 5000 exp per kill, and the mobs in there are super easy. What on earth should I bother with the new solo zones for? If the EXP is so low, and the risk of dying is so high, it just isn't worth the time of day. As before, I'll be going back to Chelsith to grind where the EXP is fast and the mobs are easy. The risk VS reward in the solo zones is NOT appropriate. Even my fully raid geared (170+ stat items) toons die in here easily. Dying to solo content should be a very, very rare occurrence just like it was in the old days. I shouldn't die 8 times just to clear one of these zones. Why do you even create new content if you're going to make it so worthless that we're better off doing old stuff? Bump the EXP per kill to a minimum of 2500 and then it will be worth my time to go in here. If it goes live as-is, I won't even bother zoning into these solo zones, ever. It just isn't worth it with such lousy EXP.

[Tylia]

What class were you playing?  Were you trying to pull too many mobs at once?  Did you try the zones with a merc?  I think the zones are enjoyable (I've done all but Harrow's End, Wurmbone's End, and the ST solo zone on my raid geared mystic with just a merc, and I only had the merc up for additional dps) and have had no problems at all.  I also took Tylia in equipped in just the items that are given in the bauble bag that is sent in the mail.  I took off all of her raid gear and she was completely outfitted in the legendary items.  I also used the SS inquisitor merc with her and I had no problems in Temple of the Faceless.  I haven't had time yet to take her through any of the other solo zones but I don't forsee them being "out of reach difficult".

[NG23985_01]

Tested the zones with raid geared Wizard, slightly lesser raid geared Warlock & old DoV raid geared Fury. I do not use a mercenary for content labeled solo. Solo means one, not one plus a mercenary. I wouldn't mind duoing it with a friend for social time, but they absolutely should be doalbe alone. I was able to kill in there, but it was rather difficult. Considering the EXP earned with the kill difficulty, I say the risk vs reward is broken in the solo zones because the fights are hard and the EXP is itty-bitty. Mostly tried just pulling 1 mob (or 1 encounter in the case of linked mobs) at a time. Biggest problem is the low EXP. Trash mobs have too much HP, named mobs tend to hit too hard, generally speaking. But the EXP is a slap in the face. Cleared the Faceless zone completely - killed EVERY single mob in there and walked out with only 50k exp. That's not acceptable in my opinion.

[Faildozer]

They arent really designed for exp but something to do as an alternative to a heroic zone and if they are a little more difficult but still doable (as you said,) then that is fine. Like Tylia said, you can use a merc, if you dont want to that is fine but dont complain about it being too hard.

*edit* if they did make the exp too good people would be able to level super fast just running them especially aoe tanks.

[NG23985_01]

Solo means solo, it does not include the use of a mercenary. These zones are labeled solo, so use of a mercenary should not be required to clear the zones - ESPECIALLY on my fully raid geared toons.What is "an alternative to a heroic zone" useful for if not EXP? If they aren't worth doing for EXP, they aren't worth being in the game, period. It is a waste of developer resources to create content that is overbalanced and underrewarding. The solo zones need to be made easier and the EXP needs to increase substantially. Otherwise it is a waste of time. It will be exactly like the solo Skyshrine zones - the EXP is pathetic, the rewards are mostly junk, and as a result nobody bothers to do them.

[Peysel]

I think I heard someone say on one of the panel videos, that the solo dungeons could be done with a merc, to be honest it's what I would expect them to be geared towards.  I haven't done them yet, I'm not 95, but I am concerned that you are raid equipped and find it challenging enough that the risk isn't worth the rewards.  Has anyone done the solo dungeons  and not been raid equipped? 

[Tylia]

Peysel@Runnyeye wrote:

I think I heard someone say on one of the panel videos, that the solo dungeons could be done with a merc, to be honest it's what I would expect them to be geared towards.  I haven't done them yet, I'm not 95, but I am concerned that you are raid equipped and find it challenging enough that the risk isn't worth the rewards.  Has anyone done the solo dungeons  and not been raid equipped? 

Yes, I took Tylia in equipped in just the items that are given in the bauble bag that is sent in the mail.  I took off all of her raid gear and she was completely outfitted in the legendary items.  I also used the SS inquisitor merc with her and I had no problems in Temple of the Faceless.  I haven't had time yet to take her through any of the other solo zones but I don't forsee them being "out of reach difficult".  And, you can go in to the solo zones at lvl 92.  You do not have to be lvl 95.

I kind of get the impression that the OP expects to be able to zone in and quickly blast through all the mobs while earning tons of xp.  I really hope that these zones are not changed to that simplistic level of difficulty.  There are plenty of other lower level zones that can be utilized for that type of level grinding.  The SS solo instances for example. 

[feldon30]

Technically the zones are all tagged "Advanced Solo" which allows 2 players or a player and a merc. I do think they should provide as much XP as Chelsith. Worrying so much about how fast people level that you restrict it for the 99% just to stop the 1% is just not a good design strategy.

[CoLD MeTaL]

feldon30 wrote:

Technically the zones are all tagged "Advanced Solo" which allows 2 players or a player and a merc. I do think they should provide as much XP as Chelsith. Worrying so much about how fast people level that you restrict it for the 99% just to stop the 1% is just not a good design strategy.

And failing to stop the 1% at that.

[Mohee]

Zone is cake for SS raid geared toons of any class.

Using character with gear below the rewards that you get from these zones? Its actually quite difficult (without merc).

And yes, the XP is HORRIBLE... but then again, so is the XP everywhere so far in this expansion. The overland mobs, the quests, ect...

[Peysel]

Cleared Temple of the Faceless on my betabuffed 92 Fury, all buff/quested gear.. I did die a few times at the start before I figured out the lizardmans secret, and with the Planet of the Apes Scene when I AoE'd near King Kong.  (How cool was that seeing a horde of monkeys charging down the steps at me).  I finished the zone no problem, with this toon I found Sophis and Venekor easier than the first 2 and initially felt that they could have been bit harder but I want to try it with my unbuffed fury and see how that works out first.

I wish they'd tell us who they created these zones for, whether is aimed at fully mastered spells ect.. I'll soon get a more realistic picture from my own perspective when I take my adept III spells in heh.

[xanfer]

The only solo zone I found hard to do with my 92 Conj was Wurmbone - Crag. The only part that was hard was the group mobs of 4 heroic tadpole sort of creatures. Died a few times to them. All the bosses were easy in every Solo instance zone I have found.

[Mohee]

How many of you peeps were using mercs?

Just curious

[Regolas]

I tried temple of the faceless on my ranger. Died to the invincible lizzy named before I realised the strat. Then tried to kill the big monkey but died to him and then he became unattackable and I couldn't progress any further. But did it solo in UD faction gear and a few EM raid pieces. Seems just a little tougher than DP solo.

[Daeanor]

At level, Chelsith is a heroic zone. You shouldn't expect to get the same XP for an advanced solo zone as you do for a heroic one, and the only way to solo Chelsith is to be over level, or otherwise overpowered, for it.

That said, the XP ought to be better than it is, if not quite on par with heroics. I thought the same with the solo instances in Skyshrine (which, were super easy, btw): lousy XP, no faction, why bother? I got the few drops I wanted there, and never went back. I can see these going the same way if there isn't some better reward.

[Denon]

I don't think the solo zones should be used for grinding quick exp.

I think they should be an option for something fun to do on the side, when you cant ( or its not a good time ) for you to group. I actually really like the SS solo zones and played them allot - even at 92/320, just for something fun while I was LFG, or while my kids are around and I have some time to play - but don't want to group because I am only on for a short time, and I may need to go afk for a long time at any moment.

As far as difficulty - I think of 'Advanced Solo' as actually 'Duo' - If you are by yourself then use a merc if it is to difficult. It should be challenging, no challenge = no fun. However, I do think a raid geared toon should not need a Merc if you are playing smart. If you are expecting to go into a level appropriate dungeon and AoE everything and survive, then you are playing the wrong game. I know EQ2 has become that in alot of zones - but that was not their intent when they were released. I really like the old fashion dungeon crawl where you need to play smart no matter how good your gear is, even if the content is solo/duo.

As far as reward - I would like to see some good reason for an exp capped toon to still do the solo instances. Maybe a small chance of Fable/Mythical drop after final named boss. Or shards you can buy adornments / potions / Upgraded Legendary Gear with. ( Yes I know these ideas have been done in the past, and I thought they were fine back then and would work for these also )

If you are a raider, fully equipped with raid gear and feel these have nothing to offer to YOU, so SOE should not waist their time making them for anyone, because no one uses them, you are completely wrong!!  There are plenty of non-raiders who still play the game and play the solo/group content for fun ( not exp grind ).  And - the drops/rewards actually can be an upgrade for the non-raiders. So I am happy to see the Solo zones, and love the duo content. My wife and I play together and often dont group with others because the kids are watching cartoons, etc.. and we play a little and stop a little ... which is not good for raiding / grouping. So it is nice to see SOE making challenging/fun content for our style of play. ( We do prefer to group, however it just is not always possible, and we definitely can not schedule ahead of time when we will be playing the game ... so raiding is out of the question. )

Anyway - my point is ... I don't think we need more easy exp grind content, and I am happy seeing SOE make content for all types of players... Raiders/Hard-Core groups/ EM Groups/ Small group contested/ Duo / Solo ....

Keep up the good work !

Denon

[Gargamel]

If you want to blast through a solo zone in 5min for easy leveling, go do old content, there are plenty of places to derp it up to get to max lvl.

Ever consider devs wanted to put some actual fun non /faceroll solo play somewhere in the current tier game?

[Grumble69]

There's no reason why you can't have fun content that also rewards decent xp.