Why the static quest XP reduction?

[HATEFACE]

...It occures to me that "The lvl 1 doldrums" you speak of must be on the side of players who've reached lvl 8-15 and now have to play as a lvl 1. A pain in the ass; I'm sure but it should be taken with a grain of salt. ...

. . .as a dockworker/mailman/shipper/reciever/UPS/Fed-ex/postmen/eBay salesperson/ go-between-guy everywhere, all the time.

Maybe, call me crazy, but perhaps there are meaningful things lvl1 PCs could do in small ways.

I have gotten to lvl8 before, but that's the max for me. Low to mid level PCs are my standard fare, i've probably spent more than half my lifetime play here lvl6 or lower. I Ƥøا hate level 1 though. First level makes me not want to play.. I am here to play an adventurer, and as you indirectly point out lvl 1 is pretty crappy for adventuring.

Fluff, I understand. I get what you're saying and that "being lvl 1 is pretty crappy for adventuring" isn't the due to the fact that you /are/ level 1 but due to the fact that some DMs and all statics in general don't do enough to make being lvl 1 interesting. I'm all for adventuring right outta the gate when I make a character but I often find that isn't the case. I could care the less that I'm lvl one, I just hate how lvl 1 is being represented in ALFA. There are some DMs, and I applaud them for doing this, that make lvl 1 very awesome. - And there are others. . . who treat it like, "Oh boy, another newb, let's give him some stupid shit to do." and that could be due to the fact that lives are very abruptly taken when you have limited HP. Its hard to make quests for lowbies because it seems like everything can kill them. When I was on TPI, I made a Mage who had a total of THREE hit points. Now, I managed to get that mage to lvl 4. But starting off, it was difficult finding an opponent because even a 1/4 CR crab could knock my magling dead on his ass. Fionn did manage to handle it brilliantly though by incorperating subdual damage on certain low CR opponents. Heck, I even planned a few things and manage to get the drop on some baddies unleashing spells. - Made my 3 HP magling feel like a super awesome smartie.
Sure it was RP oriented combat sometimes, but it was BRILLIANTLY done.

. . .Now only if there could be brilliant statics. . .

[Swift]

Again I'll point out that new content is very close to being released.

Glad to read of of the opinions on the matter, and as long as I'm HDM I can assure you that the rewards can be adjusted in either direction according to what we're seeing in game.

How much of it has less risk than the existing statics?

Everything in Ricks post was "Get a party for these" stuff, which is exactly the kind of statics we have now, where the risk is barely worth the reward and which will be hard to do once people move on.

*makes an unapologetic nudge for less risky level one statics*

[Rick7475]

Again I'll point out that new content is very close to being released.

Glad to read of of the opinions on the matter, and as long as I'm HDM I can assure you that the rewards can be adjusted in either direction according to what we're seeing in game.

How much of it has less risk than the existing statics?

Everything in Ricks post was "Get a party for these" stuff, which is exactly the kind of statics we have now, where the risk is barely worth the reward and which will be hard to do once people move on.

*makes an unapologetic nudge for less risky level one statics*

I agree 100% with you Swift.

I would love to put a lot of statics that allow PC's to solo things and earn XP.

I have 2 statics that require PC's to carry some stuff over a safe distance, non combat going in. The other 4 require a chance of some form of combat. But the exp and gold is incredibly low from what you might have seen in NWN1.

I mean, I ran a server, built one from scratch, with a lot of statics that required no combat.

However, every time I build something I feel like I am under the gun from the DMA. Everything we do is closely monitored and insepected by the DMA who is roving around our boards sniffing around for something to catch. When I assign exp and gold for my statics, it is low, because of what Indio's statics went through. I don't like having my stuff reworked and nerfed after I've planned it out.

Our DM exp that we grant players is intensly monitored and any extra exp, even a little bit, and the DMA demands an explanation.

So, entusiasm for writing statics is at an all time low. Giving out exp while DM'ing will most likely be lower than it might have been because if we make a small amount that is off, we will get flagged and brought to the DMA's attention.

Now, about my statics well, you would not believe how many times I have had to explain to several people how they work and what exp they will be awarding, and non of them was the HDM.

Welcome to the ALFA that trusts no one.

[Vendrin]

So Rick, let me get this straight, Rusty is going through each static and quest to make sure no more xp then he approves of is being given?

[witch]

So Rick, let me get this straight, Rusty is going through each static and quest to make sure no more xp then he approves of is being given?

*Chuckles*

[darrenhfx]

I'd just like to point out that I am fully in favour of cooperating with standards when we put together an update to the module. Being the first live server in NWN2 will mean taking extra time to check and double check all of the systems and content that go into the game. Updates go in with an understanding that they are going to be there on a trial basis to be assessed and adjusted when necessary.

[Veilan]

And it's not like compliance with our standards is equivalent to kowtowing to a fascist dictator, sexy though that might seem .

Just remember how you guys wanted an even and checked playing field without any horse-out-of-the-barn issues, loopholes and fountains before we went live - that we take the time for a better quality assurance now, in the end, means a higher quality of content delivered to you by your loving DMs. Really, there's not much reason to complain about it.

[Magonushi]

But now that we're actually here I'd like there to be favoritism for me.

[Vendrin]

Darren, that's nice that your in favor, but you shouldn't have to check with standards every update. They should just take your word that your stuff is following the guidelines. Not Rusty saying, I think this delivery static is awarding to much, even though it fits within the standards.

[Mulu]

Rusty needs to get a life.

[HATEFACE]

Rusty needs to get a life.

Rusty has a life...


























































































...tormenting players.

[dergon darkhelm]

....an even and checked playing field without any horse-out-of-the-barn issues, loopholes and fountains before we went live - that we take the time for a better quality assurance now, in the end, means a higher quality of content delivered to you by your loving DMs. Really, there's not much reason to complain about it.

+1

[Cynon]

Wow.

Thought I'd take a look at how good old ALFA was doing for NWN2 and was almost done downloading all the Haks and stuff when I made the usual mistake of reading one random General discussion post and being reminded what ALFA is all about.

It's the same old story of 99% of people knowing exactly what the fun balance of RP and gaming is all about but 1% being in control and totally missing the point and ruining it for everyone.

No offence but the 99% needs to throw out the 1% on it's ass cos you people seem to be putting a lot of work into something that is really gonna flop.

There is so much awsome stuff out there for NWN2 and ALFA appears to have some of the best potential but the least actual awsomeness of it all.

From my current experience, the best RP servers have plenty of content for players. You need to be able to log on and group up with other people to do things. This builds IC bonds and conflicts and starts the ball rolling. At the moment, it's a case of log on to ALFA and be a bit bored to be honest. It's not worth doing the statics and it's not worth waiting for a DM to maybe turn up.

DM's are the spice, getting a DM is opening a birthday card and finding hard cash inside BUT, a player world that relies upon DM attention alone is really not gonna hold a computer game players attention very long. People need more than talking over a cyber ale to make it worth logging on to ALFA for an evening.

You also need the content to provide fair and reasonable xp and wealth so that people feel they are achieving something. It's nice if you can get to level 4 ish fairly soon and start being capable in your build and destinguished as something.

As with most things in life, if you are getting it regularly and proportionately then you won't become obsessed with it. If you get it too much it becomes boring and if you don't get it enough it becomes what your whole life is about. This is really basic primitive human psychology.

Personally I've had two really involved PC's ever, both being NWN1 PC's.

The first was Kail Onifhet in ALFA.
When it came crunch time in ALFA for me to take the risks with Kail and face some challenges all I did was try and escape and run away. I watched things fall apart IG and unfold unrealistically until his eventual dissapointing and kind of OOC death.

The second was a character called Juggra on City of Arabel.
When it came crunch time for Juggra I always went in headlong as ICly as possible and RPed my heart out, Juggra died as a result of me roleplaying his stats and being lured into a CvC situation I could not win.
Result was I have better memories of the City Of Arabel character as I roleplayed him well and even when he died it was sad but it was a good end without too much sense of dissapointment and a year of really awsome constant and passionate RP that I had not seen anything near in my 4 or so years playing on ALFA.

What was the difference between ALFA and it's competitor?

On City of arabel I gained steady XP and wealth fairly and ICly and at a pace that was slow yet still enjoyable. I was level 9 after playing the character for about year and a half of playing the PC.

level 2 was a day,
level 3 was about another 3-4 days,
level 4 was about another 1 1/2 weeks
level 5 was about another 3 weeks
level 6 was about another 1 1/2 months
level 7 was about another 2 1/2 months
level 8 was about another 4 months
level 9 was about another 6 months

Wealth was steady, I worked for it, quested took risks, gathered materials and became part of a crafting guild providing iron for crafters. Involvment with other players was high and I got to be on the occasional server changing DM plot and quest.

In the end I did not worry so much about RPing well to my demise because it had been worth it.

In ALFA I couldn't do this, I couldn't RP well cos it wasn't worth it. I didn't take the IC risks cos the losses were too high for the insane 3 years of crap it had taken to achieve the same. The obsession was to preseve the character and what I was aiming for because ever 1 point of XP was worth hours of time and every coin was worth risk beyond what it should have been. To loose a character like that on ALFA mean't never having the time to attain the same again. It mean't taking too big a step back.

ALFA's pro RP focus is so off course and retarded in it's basic psychology it's unreal.

Anyhow i'm sure this will fall yet again on deaf ears.

I'm not as nieve as I used to be, as are many others and we know what we are looking for in an RP server this time around. I wait to see what ALFA offers, if you can sort yourselves out before it's too late.

[Sintaqx]

Good to see you on the boards, Cynon. I came back to ALFA as RL has calmed down a bit and decided to see what the folks here have done with NWN2 and I am impressed. TSM is great, the DMs are top-notch and all the players I have been involved with are incredible. However, the advancement possibilities are akin to those available in a fast food joint. From everything I have seen, both before and after my hiatus, the only difference between a roleplayer with a level 1 character and one with a level 6 character is the level 6 character won't be killed by the first stray dog with a temper they encounter. The sweet spot in advancement is between levels 5 and 11, the most fun I've had has been in that range.

I'd love to see characters reach level 2 in a solid day of playing (~5 hours), and level 3 within 2 weeks. After level 3 and a couple good weeks of playing (up to a month for really casual players) a character will have formed bonds with other characters and will be able to undertake more dangerous tasks without being afraid of dying to the first stray crossbow bolt. Character wealth is a similar issue, we are adventurers, not farmers with a big knife. Even a level 1 character should be a cut above most NPCs but many times in ALFA a player character, who has risked dying many times to reach level 3, has the same cash and gear as a militia grunt.

As a DM I was always adjusting my events to not outright kill the level 1 and 2 characters who came along, not an easy thing to do especially when your average character level is 5 on any given event.

Anyway, it's an issue as old as ALFA itself, and a sad state. Sure you can have alot of roleplay fun at level 1, but you are always afraid of getting too involved in anything when your life expectancy outside city walls is measured in hours.

[HATEFACE]

Wow.

Thought I'd take a look at how good old ALFA was doing for NWN2 and was almost done downloading all the Haks and stuff when I made the usual mistake of reading one random General discussion post and being reminded what ALFA is all about.

It's the same old story of 99% of people knowing exactly what the fun balance of RP and gaming is all about but 1% being in control and totally missing the point and ruining it for everyone.

No offence but the 99% needs to throw out the 1% on it's ass cos you people seem to be putting a lot of work into something that is really gonna flop.

There is so much awsome stuff out there for NWN2 and ALFA appears to have some of the best potential but the least actual awsomeness of it all.

From my current experience, the best RP servers have plenty of content for players. You need to be able to log on and group up with other people to do things. This builds IC bonds and conflicts and starts the ball rolling. At the moment, it's a case of log on to ALFA and be a bit bored to be honest. It's not worth doing the statics and it's not worth waiting for a DM to maybe turn up.

DM's are the spice, getting a DM is opening a birthday card and finding hard cash inside BUT, a player world that relies upon DM attention alone is really not gonna hold a computer game players attention very long. People need more than talking over a cyber ale to make it worth logging on to ALFA for an evening.

You also need the content to provide fair and reasonable xp and wealth so that people feel they are achieving something. It's nice if you can get to level 4 ish fairly soon and start being capable in your build and destinguished as something.

As with most things in life, if you are getting it regularly and proportionately then you won't become obsessed with it. If you get it too much it becomes boring and if you don't get it enough it becomes what your whole life is about. This is really basic primitive human psychology.

Personally I've had two really involved PC's ever, both being NWN1 PC's.

The first was Kail Onifhet in ALFA.
When it came crunch time in ALFA for me to take the risks with Kail and face some challenges all I did was try and escape and run away. I watched things fall apart IG and unfold unrealistically until his eventual dissapointing and kind of OOC death.

The second was a character called Juggra on City of Arabel.
When it came crunch time for Juggra I always went in headlong as ICly as possible and RPed my heart out, Juggra died as a result of me roleplaying his stats and being lured into a CvC situation I could not win.
Result was I have better memories of the City Of Arabel character as I roleplayed him well and even when he died it was sad but it was a good end without too much sense of dissapointment and a year of really awsome constant and passionate RP that I had not seen anything near in my 4 or so years playing on ALFA.

What was the difference between ALFA and it's competitor?

On City of arabel I gained steady XP and wealth fairly and ICly and at a pace that was slow yet still enjoyable. I was level 9 after playing the character for about year and a half of playing the PC.

level 2 was a day,
level 3 was about another 3-4 days,
level 4 was about another 1 1/2 weeks
level 5 was about another 3 weeks
level 6 was about another 1 1/2 months
level 7 was about another 2 1/2 months
level 8 was about another 4 months
level 9 was about another 6 months

Wealth was steady, I worked for it, quested took risks, gathered materials and became part of a crafting guild providing iron for crafters. Involvment with other players was high and I got to be on the occasional server changing DM plot and quest.

In the end I did not worry so much about RPing well to my demise because it had been worth it.

In ALFA I couldn't do this, I couldn't RP well cos it wasn't worth it. I didn't take the IC risks cos the losses were too high for the insane 3 years of crap it had taken to achieve the same. The obsession was to preseve the character and what I was aiming for because ever 1 point of XP was worth hours of time and every coin was worth risk beyond what it should have been. To loose a character like that on ALFA mean't never having the time to attain the same again. It mean't taking too big a step back.

ALFA's pro RP focus is so off course and retarded in it's basic psychology it's unreal.

Anyhow i'm sure this will fall yet again on deaf ears.

I'm not as nieve as I used to be, as are many others and we know what we are looking for in an RP server this time around. I wait to see what ALFA offers, if you can sort yourselves out before it's too late.

I'll have you know that we love our off course retardation realm here on the internets. You're completely right this will fall on deaf ears. My tatic is to ignore your post by posting which will be subsequently deleted. I will not argue that ALFA had best unfuck itself or members will just up and leave due to bullshit or that its recruitment level is lower than the dutch military or that "You" are responsible for all the ills that befallen ALFA since is insipid inception at least 100 years ago. I will, however, argue on the fact that everyone here cares for this community and the bitching is just a good way of trying to improve it. May the loudest and most popular voice win. Granted we all can't be Wynna's here. In fact, most of us are lulsers who pretend to be perfect. Its hard to get over-ourselves when ourselves are so fuckin great. The only cooler thing about bitching on ALFA as a member is being a former member who comes back to bitch.

edit: Since this is turning into a stupid butthurt thread, shouldn't it be posted in the D&D NWN2 General?