Aion Coverage - It's live folks!

[fatpat268]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
I don't understand the comment about a lack of UI customization.

You can have up to three hotkey bars visible in the bottom-middle. The upper two hotbars are activated using a number key plus another key (A and B I think). The lowermost bar can have up to ten different configurations (one active at a time).

There's another optional hotkey bar aligned vertically along the right.



As far as quest help, for the majority of quests that involve finding a specific person, the Quest Locator will put an "X" over the map where the person is located. For the quests that involve farming a certain mob, the Locator will mark the general area where you can find those mobs.

Well, I haven't personally played Aion yet (I'll play the trial if one comes out), so I'm basing my experiences off of other MMOs.

But three bars isn't good enough for me. When playing WoW, I had anywhere from 6-10 bars. All were organized and had their own unique function, so it was never truly cluttered. Neither is one bar that switches between 10 other bars. That's clunky in my opinion and just doesn't work for me.

I wish I still had a screenshot of my WoW Ui. If you saw it, you'd know where I'm coming from. That said, I haven't got in in any of the Aion beta action, so I'm just assuming here.

 

[JoshGuru7]

Anybody with CB care to share thoughts on the Cleric, Sorcerer or Chanter classes? A couple of questions I haven't seen answered anywhere:

1) Does the chanter have/get to twist buffs?

2) What is the overall etiquette for drive-by buffs in closed beta? Are chanters expected to buff outside of party without recompense for example? Or are they tipped? Does that apply to cleric buffs as well?

3) How easy is it to resist CC in PvP? I assume pretty easy (when geared out), but does that make the Sorcerer overly squishy in group PvP?

4) It doesn't look like the tanks have any ability to shield the squishies in group PvP. Does this mean a lot of deaths for the cleric? Or did I hopefully miss something?

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: JoshGuru7
2) What is the overall etiquette for drive-by buffs in closed beta? Are chanters expected to buff outside of party without recompense for example? Or are they tipped? Does that apply to cleric buffs as well?

I give/get a thanks sometimes, depending on if I'm the buffer or buffee, and whether the buffer sticks around for a bit or just runs off. (i.e. I'm probably not going to stop and say thanks if I'm in the middle of combat or the buffer just keeps going on their way after buffing me.)

The only exception to just a thanks was when I was going somewhere to get a drop off of an elite for a quest. I found someone else there first, getting hammered by the elite, so I buffed and healed the person until he had killed it. The guy then offered to help me kill the elite after it respawned, as a thanks.

If by "tip" you mean actual Kinah payment, no. I think people are more inclined to help for free in this game, since there isn't this "vulture mentality" caused by people wanting to see you die to get your kit.

 

[caivoma]

Originally posted by: JoshGuru7
Anybody with CB care to share thoughts on the Cleric, Sorcerer or Chanter classes? A couple of questions I haven't seen answered anywhere:

1) Does the chanter have/get to twist buffs?

2) What is the overall etiquette for drive-by buffs in closed beta? Are chanters expected to buff outside of party without recompense for example? Or are they tipped? Does that apply to cleric buffs as well?

3) How easy is it to resist CC in PvP? I assume pretty easy (when geared out), but does that make the Sorcerer overly squishy in group PvP?

4) It doesn't look like the tanks have any ability to shield the squishies in group PvP. Does this mean a lot of deaths for the cleric? Or did I hopefully miss something?

I can only answer number 2: I regular got buffs from chanter then they just ran away without expect anything from me.

 

[pathos]

Originally posted by: JoshGuru7
Anybody with CB care to share thoughts on the Cleric, Sorcerer or Chanter classes? A couple of questions I haven't seen answered anywhere:

1) Does the chanter have/get to twist buffs?

2) What is the overall etiquette for drive-by buffs in closed beta? Are chanters expected to buff outside of party without recompense for example? Or are they tipped? Does that apply to cleric buffs as well?

3) How easy is it to resist CC in PvP? I assume pretty easy (when geared out), but does that make the Sorcerer overly squishy in group PvP?

4) It doesn't look like the tanks have any ability to shield the squishies in group PvP. Does this mean a lot of deaths for the cleric? Or did I hopefully miss something?

1. The last time I heard the word twist used in an mmo, it was about bard songs in eq, so honestly, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking A chanter gets single target timed buffs, plus, through 16, my chanter has gotten 3 toggle on group buffs. Perhaps its possible to twist them like bards used to twist songs, but since I personally haven't tried, I can't really say.

2. I haven't seen anyone trying to sell buffs. Nor has anyone offered to pay me for them (I'm not expecting it either). I'll usually stop and help someone out if I see them in trouble. I'll throw out buffs, if I'm thinking about it. Perhaps there might be some market for buffs at later levels. But, early on, in closed beta, there has not been.

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: JoshGuru7
Anybody with CB care to share thoughts on the Cleric, Sorcerer or Chanter classes? A couple of questions I haven't seen answered anywhere:

1) Does the chanter have/get to twist buffs?

2) What is the overall etiquette for drive-by buffs in closed beta? Are chanters expected to buff outside of party without recompense for example? Or are they tipped? Does that apply to cleric buffs as well?

3) How easy is it to resist CC in PvP? I assume pretty easy (when geared out), but does that make the Sorcerer overly squishy in group PvP?

4) It doesn't look like the tanks have any ability to shield the squishies in group PvP. Does this mean a lot of deaths for the cleric? Or did I hopefully miss something?

So I have a chanter at 22, haven't played him in a while but I can still answer most of these:

1)You don't have to do any buff twisting, the auras you get are all active at once. I'm not sure if there is a limit to how many you can have at once but I remember having 4 active at one time. These auras are your main buffs and they're group only so there aren't really buffbots or people selling buffs like in Lineage 2. You do get some self buffs for the chanter, but I believe they dissipate right when you switch between them so there is no twisting mechanic there either.

2)Like I mentioned in 1, chanter buffs are auras that are group only and they have a few self buffs. Basically if you want their buffs you have to group with them. They have a HP and armor buff, but only the cleric gets extra levels of it.

3) I haven't pvp'd at all, so I'm not sure about this, but I know chanters get a passive skill that makes them more resistant to stuns and knock downs.

4) Clerics and Chanters aren't really squishie, they get chain armor so they end up with way more armor than cloth or leather wearers. Plus they can use shields as well, most clerics i see use shields, chanters usually use a staff which has a really high parry rate. I've heard Clerics and Templars are the 2 hardest classes to kill in pvp, I've never done it though so I can't say firsthand. I know most classes have some kind of root, clerics definitely do, I believe they get a slow as well. A lot of other classes have disabling moves, I don't think templar have any direct protection skill that redirects damage or something, but I've noticed in pvp movies that even using a shield they cut down lighter armor guys (like leather and lower I mean) really quickly.

 

[JoshGuru7]

Thanks for the info! It's nice to see that a lot of it sounds less old school then your typical korean MMO.

Regarding PvP balance, I'm not so much talking about solo survivability but more about general playability in group PvP (3v3+) when healers simply can't keep themselves up against a focused attack without assistance from their group. One of the things I enjoyed about playing a healer in WAR was the tanking interaction in PvP where my healer could duo with a tank friend and if we were good then we could handle even organized groups. On the other hand playing a healer can be very frustrating in some of the other games I've played where you spend as much time running back from the Rez circle as you do fighting.

 

[imported_sushicide]

Haven't been really following the game, did the open beta start already? If so, are the servers on 24/7 now instead of specific test windows?

 

[caivoma]

Look like Open Beta will start from Sept 6 to 13.

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: JoshGuru7
Thanks for the info! It's nice to see that a lot of it sounds less old school then your typical korean MMO.

Regarding PvP balance, I'm not so much talking about solo survivability but more about general playability in group PvP (3v3+) when healers simply can't keep themselves up against a focused attack without assistance from their group. One of the things I enjoyed about playing a healer in WAR was the tanking interaction in PvP where my healer could duo with a tank friend and if we were good then we could handle even organized groups. On the other hand playing a healer can be very frustrating in some of the other games I've played where you spend as much time running back from the Rez circle as you do fighting.

I hear you there man, I played a tank in WAR and I really liked how tanks could actually TANK in pvp, they weren't just low DPS chars with high survivability. Unfortunately I don't think templars get many direct tanking pvp skills like gaurd or hold the line or something like that. I'm speaking from memory here but I think they might have one that they get at higher level that redirects damage for a short period of time, but that may be incorrect. There are some complete skill lists out, I'd check but most sites like that are blocked at work for me.

 

[xCxStylex]

Can anyone expand further on this? Does this make mobs respawn faster?

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
The ability to change channels in the game- big, big plus. Quest mobs being camped? Select different channel and ten seconds later you are g2g. That is a really nice addition.
.

My 2 cents. I played the last (8-14 - 8-16) open beta as I bought the collectors Edition. I played a scout ---> Assasin, reaching level 14

Good

+The graphics are incredible for an mmo, but the game doesn't look that great to me. It runs great on max settings on my stock gateway 7805u fx laptop. I turn AA down to 2 though for better FPS but everything else is maxed out.
p8400
1gb 9800m gts
4gb ram
+It feels polished, but nothing is as polished to me as a Blizzard game though :[ I'm biased as a fanboi and former employee.

Bad

+No talent trees = lack of customization
+Seems like a boring grind, but since everyone says the game changes after 20, I'm really hoping it does


I'm really hoping there's good PVP after 15/20 because I'm already committed to the game :[ Like someone else, I feel like I wasted my $$$ buying the CE

 

[caivoma]

Originally posted by: xCxStylex
Can anyone expand further on this? Does this make mobs respawn faster?

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
The ability to change channels in the game- big, big plus. Quest mobs being camped? Select different channel and ten seconds later you are g2g. That is a really nice addition.
.

For me, a zone is the same area with different people in it. Say you need to kill 20 dragons in this forest but the dragons in your zone are being camped by other players, you can change to different zone and may be there won't be as many people there. From level 1 to 20, there are 12 zones visible for me and it does help a lot when random douche ran up and tag my named mob after I just cleared 5 other mobs leading up to that one.

Regarding the talent system, Aion doesn't have 1 but they have a stigma system with 8 slots total (not sure on this, I am not high enough to get it yet) for new abilities.
About grind, with the new 1.5 patch for Open Beta and Launch, there suppose to be more quests to lessen the grind but I guess we will see on Open Beta then.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: xCxStylex
Can anyone expand further on this? Does this make mobs respawn faster?

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
The ability to change channels in the game- big, big plus. Quest mobs being camped? Select different channel and ten seconds later you are g2g. That is a really nice addition.
.

My 2 cents. I played the last (8-14 - 8-16) open beta as I bought the collectors Edition. I played a scout ---> Assasin, reaching level 14

Good

+The graphics are incredible for an mmo, but the game doesn't look that great to me. It runs great on max settings on my stock gateway 7805u fx laptop. I turn AA down to 2 though for better FPS but everything else is maxed out.
p8400
1gb 9800m gts
4gb ram
+It feels polished, but nothing is as polished to me as a Blizzard game though :[ I'm biased as a fanboi and former employee.

Bad

+No talent trees = lack of customization
+Seems like a boring grind, but since everyone says the game changes after 20, I'm really hoping it does


I'm really hoping there's good PVP after 15/20 because I'm already committed to the game :[ Like someone else, I feel like I wasted my $$$ buying the CE

Personally, talent trees suck. All you end up with is a cookie cutter BOTM anyway. But your comment is blatantly false anyway. Aion has the stigma system, which is basically the equivalent of a "talent" tree. In fact, it's more customizable than a talent tree would be.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

So how do you get into open beta? I hear you still need a key and I'm not willing to preorder it without trying it first.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
So how do you get into open beta? I hear you still need a key and I'm not willing to preorder it without trying it first.

Other than preorders and giveaways, no idea. I got in because I had a Tabula Rasa subscription, so as an "apology" they gave me first crack at the Aion beta. Apparently I also get a free copy of the "Collector's Edition", and probably 3 months of free subscription, at least according to what seems to be happening in my PlayNC account.

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
So how do you get into open beta? I hear you still need a key and I'm not willing to preorder it without trying it first.

Other than preorders and giveaways, no idea. I got in because I had a Tabula Rasa subscription, so as an "apology" they gave me first crack at the Aion beta. Apparently I also get a free copy of the "Collector's Edition", and probably 3 months of free subscription, at least according to what seems to be happening in my PlayNC account.

Wow lol, was Tabula Rasa that bad that they gave you a free collectors ed? That's pretty funny I didn't try it but I've never heard of a game being so bad a company gives away free loot to apologize for it.

I agree with what you said about talent trees though, I felt like I was intentionally gimping myself if I didn't use certain builds with the talents in WoW. Hopefully the stigma system works better in Aion, but I never got a chance to really use it much.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: VashHT

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
So how do you get into open beta? I hear you still need a key and I'm not willing to preorder it without trying it first.

Other than preorders and giveaways, no idea. I got in because I had a Tabula Rasa subscription, so as an "apology" they gave me first crack at the Aion beta. Apparently I also get a free copy of the "Collector's Edition", and probably 3 months of free subscription, at least according to what seems to be happening in my PlayNC account.

Wow lol, was Tabula Rasa that bad that they gave you a free collectors ed? That's pretty funny I didn't try it but I've never heard of a game being so bad a company gives away free loot to apologize for it.

I agree with what you said about talent trees though, I felt like I was intentionally gimping myself if I didn't use certain builds with the talents in WoW. Hopefully the stigma system works better in Aion, but I never got a chance to really use it much.

To be honest, I liked TR. Officially, what active TR subscribers were supposed to get was:

- 3 months of credit for City of Heroes
- 3 months of credit for Lineage 2
- Automatic Beta invite for Aion

Later, everyone that had active subscriptions at the time TR went "free" were credited back the balance of their subscription fees. That was a nice surprise.

I got an email yesterday confirming an account change on my PlayNC account, thinking it was spam (didn't realize I had changed my email address for the account), I checked to make sure. What I was greeted with was listed as an unused serial code labeled:

Aion? (US) Prepurchase Collector's Edition Collector Aug 26 2009

This was definitely not part of the original compensation for TR, but hey, I'm not going to complain.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Well can you preorder it without paying in full and still get the code. Like at Gamestop or somewhere similar?

 

[imported_sushicide]

I did that with TR, preordered the game through Gamestop to get into the beta, didn't like the game and canceled, was not charged a dime.

 

[VashHT]

I pre-ordered mine from gamestop's website. In the email it said you can not cancel the order after you receive your beta key, not sure if it's the same policy in the store.

 

[caivoma]

From what I read on the aionsource forum, if you whine enough to Ncsoft, it will refund the money. But that is what I heard.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Well cool I'll try the b&m Gamestop then.

 

[coloumb]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
So how do you get into open beta? I hear you still need a key and I'm not willing to preorder it without trying it first.

fileplanet subscriber is one option [probably just easier to go pay $5.00 for a pre-order and then not buy it if you don't like it].

"FilePlanet subscribers will have instant beta access once game play begins. Keys will be delivered on September 1st."

9gb download - holy cripes

 

[matas]

damn missed the key.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

I love how you need a key for an "open" beta.

Doesn't sound too open to me.