U78 Preview 2: 20th Anniversary Raider's Rewards

[Aelonwy]

Ha yea...I just forgot that DDO is built on spaghetti code and it’s difficult to resurrect old pre-orders or content. However, if SSG managed to bring back the old Mists of Ravenloft bundles, why shouldn't they do the same for MoTU and Shadowfell?

If SSG can't re-release the Onyx Panther or the Owlbear, they could at least do a reskin. For example, why not a Gold Hireling version of the Underdark Warrior's Panther mount? This could be a cool solution, especially with the next expansion taking us back to the Underdark.

That was just a suggestion to offer something more than a 'Raider’s Box' for the 20th anniversary. Even just giving out infinite Gold Hirelings for levels 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 would be great. Hirelings are a feature SSG hasn't changed much in years. I remember proposing something similar to the 'Heroes' from Guild Wars, or even the ESO Companion system (The Elder Scrolls Online), which DDO could consider. But I’m going off-topic now—it would probably be better to move that last part to another thread.

That's a pretty cool idea (Underdark Warrior's Panther Mount but as a hireling), although its probably something they would save for the next expansion. I happen to have both the onyx panther and alabaster lioness, but I would really like one tiger-like in appearance that is scaled for 25 because the owlbear is still slow, stupid, and mostly useless.

 

[Synalon]

I'm just saying this, even though I haven't played DDO for a few months. After a PC crash, I lost all my saved builds and setups because I couldn't boot the system correctly and had to format everything. At first, I didn't give it much thought, but the idea of recovering every build and modifying everything by hand made me lose the desire to play. On the other hand, I’ve lost some interest in the game due to the choices SSG is making regarding loot and monetization... but that’s not why I’m here.

The reason I want to comment is that I’ve been following the current situation of this update. I was hopeful but also "scared" and "suspicious" that something could go wrong for the 20th anniversary. I’ve been playing DDO for more than 8-9 years, and since this is the 20th anniversary, I was hoping SSG would celebrate in a big way—something similar to what they did with LOTRO a while back.

The rider box looked nice, and the "Quiver of Alacrity" was an item I couldn't wait to get, since the raid where it drops isn't run very often. The only flaw is that it’s not the upgraded version, which would have been much more convenient given how hard it is to get the upgrade item.

Apart from the rider box, I expected something more. This is the 20th anniversary of DDO, and besides a nice new event zone and a new quest, I was expecting more gifts. SSG, I don't want to be arrogant, but I was hoping you would give players a special gift, like the Deluxe versions of old expansions (for example, the Owl Bear from Shadowfell or the Celestial Panther from Menace of the Underdark) that are no longer available.

I expected something at the level of the LOTRO anniversary, where they gave away Deluxe versions of expansions up to Mordor, which made everyone happy. Here on DDO, the raid box is nice (though a bit too nerfed, and people aren't happy about it), but apart from that, a cloak, and a new archetype, there is nothing else.

I don't expect you to give away the Deluxe versions of current expansions (except maybe Chill of Ravenloft), but for 20 years of DDO, I expected bigger and more interesting gifts. Maybe a cosmetic set or a matching mount to go with the cloak. DDO has always been a game of statistics and "broken" builds rather than just looks, so the rewards feel very light. Even the Quiver of Alacrity would be ideal if it were already the upgraded version. Currently, after the nerfs I'm hearing about regarding the Raid Box, there isn't much worthwhile or interesting left.

To be fair, there is also the remnant rush event, going on all year, which looks great.

 

[Solarpower]

BTW, they first remove the ability to make augments and later removed the items.

So, did anyone test whether it's possible to upgrade quiver or not ?

 

[rabidfox]

So, did anyone test whether it's possible to upgrade quiver or not ?

Yes.

Quiver upgrade without issue.

 

[Gizah]

I believe the anniversary should be an opportunity for “DDO company” to express its happiness in seeing that the project is still going strong and for the players to receive rewards for making that possible!

The cost of the items exchanged for remnants is excessive and the box should contain useful items that can be used in end game, casual, and TR.

My two cents! Tc

 

[pirotessa]

Latest update, DDO 20TH Anniversary gift is a free month pass to play LOTRO.

 

[Bjond]

Latest update, DDO 20TH Anniversary gift is a free month pass to play LOTRO.

LOL. Oddly enough, after reviewing current MMOs, LOTRO is next for me.

The reason won't work for others, though: I have 2x LOTRO lifetime accounts sitting there unused since 1st expansion with ~100K LOTRO Points; ie. after so long away it's basically a free new game with free store to me at this point.

I had a lot of fun playing it 18y ago; didn't really "punt" LOTRO so much as went big on Aion. What I'm seeing so far in LOTRO is a whole bunch of QOL UI changes that I dearly wish were in DDO.

If DDO got the LOTRO UI treatment (scalable, lua, ui-skins, parser!, more char customization, cosmetics, etc), people would return in droves.

 

[Solarpower]

If DDO got the LOTRO UI treatment (scalable, lua, ui-skins, parser!, more char customization, cosmetics, etc), people would return in droves.

They will come back, see the same bugs and other problems that haven't been fixed for years, and then leave right away ?
When revenues fall in ... some institutions , they change girls, not move beds around.

 

[Bjond]

They will come back, see the same bugs and other problems that haven't been fixed for years, and then leave right away ?

It will take them a while to realize they're bugs. Play first, read text second, wonder why it's not working per text is last.

 

[VinoeWhines]

I wonder if there could be a 3 month gathering of Poll data to ask players if they would welcome more "Putting a List of Bugs in the game and then put the importance of which Bugs should be listed 1-10 in order of getting Fixed"; as oppose to putting out the "New Content" in the next 3-6 months.(in Quarters 3 or 4)


Poll:

We know there have been bugs in the game and appreciate our Players having to play through these issues. In saying this, We would like to put out a Poll wondering what you as the Player would like for us to bring out in the coming Quarter.

New Content or Enhancement Trees: Interest %
Fixing game issues or QoL changes: Interest %

 

[Lacci]

Poll:

We know there have been bugs in the game and appreciate our Players having to play through these issues. In saying this, We would like to put out a Poll wondering what you as the Player would like for us to bring out in the coming Quarter.

New Content or Enhancement Trees: Interest %
Fixing game issues or QoL changes: Interest %

I don´t think they need a poll for that. I´m pretty sure they are not THAT ignorant...

 

[HunterRayder93]

That's a pretty cool idea (Underdark Warrior's Panther Mount but as a hireling), although its probably something they would save for the next expansion. I happen to have both the onyx panther and alabaster lioness, but I would really like one tiger-like in appearance that is scaled for 25 because the owlbear is still slow, stupid, and mostly useless.

I proposed what I proposed because I would have liked to have something more for the 20 years of DDO that's all, but yes I'm sure they could save this idea for the next expansion coming this year.

To be fair, there is also the remnant rush event, going on all year, which looks great.

But it's an event, I was talking about 20th anniversary gifts mostly. Events and gifts are two different things.

BTW, they first remove the ability to make augments and later removed the items.

So, did anyone test whether it's possible to upgrade quiver or not ?

In my opinion the quiver seam right now the only valuable choise but i prefare that the heroic version is already upgraded.

I believe the anniversary should be an opportunity for “DDO company” to express its happiness in seeing that the project is still going strong and for the players to receive rewards for making that possible!

The cost of the items exchanged for remnants is excessive and the box should contain useful items that can be used in end game, casual, and TR.

My two cents! Tc

Good point.

LOL. Oddly enough, after reviewing current MMOs, LOTRO is next for me.

The reason won't work for others, though: I have 2x LOTRO lifetime accounts sitting there unused since 1st expansion with ~100K LOTRO Points; ie. after so long away it's basically a free new game with free store to me at this point.

I had a lot of fun playing it 18y ago; didn't really "punt" LOTRO so much as went big on Aion. What I'm seeing so far in LOTRO is a whole bunch of QOL UI changes that I dearly wish were in DDO.

If DDO got the LOTRO UI treatment (scalable, lua, ui-skins, parser!, more char customization, cosmetics, etc), people would return in droves.

On dis part...It's worth considering that towards the end of the year SSG will be doing the first step of reworking the character models, starting with the Drow... which is a very strange choice from my point of view because 4 months ago, when I was still playing DDO, the Drow seemed to be little played... perhaps it's to create more hype for the new expansion? It's strange that they didn't start with humans like in LOTRO, since humans in D&D are the most played race and the most common in all fantasy universes and MMOs in general... but this was a topic I wanted to address in another post... so it's better to stick to the topic of feedback here for now.

 

[WolfKobold]

I'm really disappointed they removed the dinosaur clicky that was on the original list. Both my partner and I wanted it, as we've never and will likely never be able to participate in a Skeleton raid, due to the annoying mechanics involved.

Why even release that initial list if you're just going to remove things.

 

[Rosze]

On dis part...It's worth considering that towards the end of the year SSG will be doing the first step of reworking the character models, starting with the Drow... which is a very strange choice from my point of view because 4 months ago, when I was still playing DDO, the Drow seemed to be little played...

Actually according to DDO Audit Drow is the second most popular race after human. It seems like it wouldn't be but according to data it seems to be the case. Could be bank toons though.

 

[Solarpower]

SSG will be doing the first step of reworking the character models, starting with the Drow...

More like "1 time only".

which is a very strange choice from my point of view

Actually, it has the perfect sense.
They are going to release another Underdark expansion that heavily evolves around Drows. And Druegars. Since they can't add Drow race for the 2nd time, they choose to rework it.

A waste of time, if you'll ask me. Instead of recreating the Drow they can spend that time creating one more new monster.

 

[Lordpiglet]

I'm really disappointed they removed the dinosaur clicky that was on the original list. Both my partner and I wanted it, as we've never and will likely never be able to participate in a Skeleton raid, due to the annoying mechanics involved.

Why even release that initial list if you're just going to remove things.

What mechanics in Skellies keep you from participating?

 

[Greatpumpkin]

Congratulations.

You just put at least 5x more thought into making a decent 20th anniversary reward list than all of SSG combined apparently.

It's a shame such an enthusiastic effort on your part was wasted as SSG has proven repeatedly that they don't value our feedback because they think they know better.

I'll trade all that for one, brand new d20 of airship access clickie.

 

[Kimbere]

I'll trade all that for one, brand new d20 of airship access clickie.

I would, too.

However, since it's unlikely that SSG would ever do this since it's an excellent idea, the next best thing, which we can already get is the Saltmarsh teleport clicky you get from the Ultimate edition.

It drops you into the Saltmarsh boat/inn. It's super convenient because you have the banker and a vendor to sell to right there with the portal to the guild airship AND the Gatekeeper's Grotto right behind you.

 

[Aelonwy]

Actually according to DDO Audit Drow is the second most popular race after human. It seems like it wouldn't be but according to data it seems to be the case. Could be bank toons though.

Most of my bank alts are either retired HC characters or Warforged... because if I'm going to have an intentional mule it might as well be a race created to be functionally a workhorse. Also since I don't play warforged it make sense the bank ones hold all those wretched named docents I get instead of the loot I actually wanted.

 

[WolfKobold]

What mechanics in Skellies keep you from participating?

It's the whole mechanic around entering the Ghost Flame messages that I'm baffled about. I don't know how raid groups handle this - who divides what to say etc. Also, to actually enter the text, somebody told me to set-up custom commands for each line, but I looked at the wiki page on how to do this and just got lost. It honestly seems easier to just copy/paste the lines in manually.