Dabofi goes 90 (a few weeks ago...)

Yes, i finally manage to get some char to max level in Star Wars Galaxies. Took it time, but finally my Bounty Hunter reached his peak. (Date of ding 90 - ‎19‎ October ‎2009, ‏‎20:39:31)



After some intense terminal mission questing, i got him to 90, and now it's time to start working on those heroics instances, and gearing it up (i might in the future switch class to another one, just for the fun of it). Besides getting it to level 90, i've been having fun using the chronicle system, trying to get it up and trying other people quests. I'm also working on getting badges (it's a great fun) and also trying to get my space pilot experience up.
There is plenty to do in Star Wars Galaxies for anyone who likes a game with tons of options.

Star Wars Galaxies, what's happening there?

These last few month, while i was absent SWG saw a release of a nice amount of updates, most with really nice additions to the game.

First, August 10th, 2009:

Game Update 12 Engineering Trader

This update brings lot of new stuff to Engineering Trader profession. Besides that, it adds a good amount of droids (to be used as pets for combat, crafting gathering etc), a new cybernetic update for characters (simply put it, like Luke and Vader got their cybernetic arms, we can do that too, not just arms), a new dungeon for the legacy quest line, and some other updates.

Second, September 30th, 2009:

Game Update 13 Star Wars Chronicles Master System

The first time i've heard about this update, i was sceptic. The idea is to give players the ability to create their own quests and content. I was sceptic because, if i'm paying for the game, i should have someone developing stuff for me, not players but the game's responsible team. They have access to game's mechanics, codes and the stuff, so they should be more resourceful... Well i still have that idea, but i feel like i'm enjoying this update afterall. It's nice to be able to create your own Star Wars ideas, and put them on action. Create your own epic journey and let others enjoy it. Ok not that epic, cause the system has is own limitations.
How it works? Well first off, you need to get relics. And what are those? Relics are not more than the objectives you can add to your quest. They can range from the simple go to location, to kill a boss in the latest instance. You acquire them by killing npc, so for instance if you are killing rancors (that big creature Jabba as in a jail), you are bound to get relics with objectives regarding rancors (like killing them or getting stuff from them). Also relics can be deconstructed to make new types of relics. Not happy with this relic objective, deconstruct it, get fragments (10) and make a new one. Pretty simple.
After getting the relics, you pass to the quest creation phase. Simply open the window quest build, add your steps (up to 6), modify them to your taste, add a juicy reward and voilá create it. You can also do a draft to be able to test it or finish in a near future.
My only remark on this system is the way to make quest get to players. The only way i know is in the bazaar, and it can be annoying to browse all those quests to find one you like. Simply put, you sell your quests. So imagine having 100 players doing 10 quests here, all with the same name (my quest name)... You have to scroll and check all thos to find one that fits. In my opinion, quests should be delivered to an npc in each planet, that would sort them, tag them, and give it to you accordingly to your level, profession and other choices..
But after all it's a really nice addition to the game, and i'm enjoying it.

And third, October 12th, 2009

Game Update 14 Death Troopers

This update was a kind of suprise to me. I was expecting it, but not this soon.
The action resolves in some mistery regarding a new disease that is spreading in Dathomir. The zone is in quarantine and we are sent there to investigate. I've played just a bit, but the best remark i saw so far was "Star Wars meets Resident Evil". And it feels like it. This update is really interesting, and so far i'm liking it. I'm still going through it so it's too soon to say much about it.

So it seems that SWG it's still breathing and going nicely. It's also expected a new update soon that will revamp the GCW (Galatic Civil War), so i think the game will stil go on, at least until the new Star Wars game comes out.

Again back, after some time...

Again i'm back since my last posting in past June. Not that i wanted to, but due to some lazyness i end up not posting anything. Fun or not, just didn't posted.

Well i'll gonna start it again! Actually in the last month some mmo's came out, but i haven't tried any, but i'm feeling really interested in Fallen Earth. Huge play world, interesting crafting, sort of sandbox game, are some of things i've read about it, so it is giving me some curiosity. I'm also considering doing some sort of dairy to it, in case i start playing it. If i do so, i'll shall leave some link here.

Also i'm starting a trial to Final Fantasy XI, just to see it at least once.

Besides that i'll keep posting some nice info and such. Happy gamings!

Lots of mmo lately

School is over. More time for playing and trying new things.
This month as been quite a full one, mmo speaking. Besides Everquest 2, Age of Conan (which just recently both of this got big updates) and WoW, got a free month of Vanguard and Star Wars Galaxies, and 15 days of Pirates of the Burning Sea. Without mentioning i got in Aion closed beta :D.

For Vanguard, recently it was released the latest update (Halls of the Pantheon) which gives players lots of goodies:


Feature Details:
200 new quests
1000+ new items
2 new flying mounts
Choose your alignment and reap the rewards
Find out the truth behind the schemes of Kamelott
Become a god warrior and unlock the way to the Halls of Shattered Souls
Craft enhancements making them more powerful
Craft god armor
Craft a unique epic weapon for each class
New item mods
New resistances
Level Increase
New level cap is 55
95 new abilities
Spell crafting added
Item levels increased
New crafting related quest series



For Star Wars Galaxies Game Update 11 was just released, featuring:


Highlights

* Empire Day: We're bringing back the event from last year and have added many new features to ensure it is as exciting if not more so, than our past three events. Enhancements were made to the entire event from last year.

* Bounty Hunter: In this update we have changed Carbine expertise line to effect both carbines and pistols. You will find that deadly strikes now effect pistols as well. We have made changes to allow Relentless Onslaught to work with pistols.

* Community Requests: Introducing the ability to wear backpacks with all Jedi robes. In addition to this update head-wear can now be worn with elder Jedi robes.
* And many other changes.


Beside, this two games, which got some nice loving from developers, Everquest 2 and Age of Conan got also some love recently.
For Age of Conan, update 1.05 came to live servers during this week, and features the following changes:


Check it here (due to long list of changes. It's huge, really!)


And for my favourite, Everquest 2, european servers finally saw live the latest Game update 52 "Monument and Might"! This update brings lots of new content, like a new single group zone, a new raid zone, lots of new Kunark overland quest, the now famous Research Assistants and many other changes.



For more detail on the update just go here!

Seems alot of love has happen for these games, just hope they continue like that way. I will continue playing them!

I'm not over yet!

It's been a while since i've posted something here. Not because i've stopped playing or something. Just been a bit lazy. Lately i've been trying a bit of Age of Conan also (not much as i expected due to school) and also playing WoW and EQ2.
Next month i plan on posting some new stuff, so stay tuned (if anyone is coming here :P).

Level 80 Armorer!

After getting to level 80 adventurer, i decided to level my crafting profession also to max level. It didn't took long since it was already level 78, so i decided to take a daily instanced mission all by myself. So after like 2 hours (since this quests are kinda long for a solo player), it finally dinged 80. And i don't know if that's normal for a level 80 to receive, but i got the book for the tier 1 set shards. Not bad.



So that's like it, level 80 SK and level 80 Armorer. Now working on epic weapon and crafter epic quest line.

Everquest 2: Level 80 SK

Finally my SK dinged 80!



With around 1100 quests completed, 123 AA points and 94 collections completed, it finally arrived to level 80.
Now it's time to start doing some raiding and gearing it up!

The journey just started!

Everquest 2: Level 79 SK

My shadowknight dinged another level, 79, leaving it a level away from 80.

Congratulations Gonkard!

After hitting 80, time to start doing some instances, and to work on my class weapon. And get those AA!

Pirates of the Burning Sea

In the last two weeks (and after i finished the trial for Eve), i decided to load up and do the trial for Pirates of the Burning Sea. Wasn't my first trial (i did one before), so i already got the hang for the mechanics.

I consider POTBS to be some sort of a Eve Online on boats. We got a nifty little ship, some odd map to a secret (or something), and we are off. Basics are given in a tutorial, where we learn avatar and ship controls. While avatar is common to most mmo players, ship combat is a different thing. We take direct control of our ship, like speed, direction, weapons and such, we fight other ships, board other ships (or be boarded), etc. It's really something new and is lots of fun. My ship is small, but i can imagine a big galleon, full of canons blasting away. Must be nice. I only hate when i need to get to a target that is like 1000 yards away, and i have to travel against the wind (ain't complaining, it suppose to be like that), missions tend to get longer then expected. Back to avatar fighting, it's all instanced (as well as in ships), so you won't be fighting anyone in cities and places like that (unless we can do it in duel, but I'm not sure).



The game gives lots of quest to help you out in the beginning, some are avatar quests while others are with ships, like escort or sink some ships.
Another aspect of the game, is the economy. While i did but the tutorial, i managed to check the possibility to create some industry, to produce final products to be sold in the market. I haven't seen it much but i expect to explore this aspect of the game, when i subscribe it.
Also the game as a lot of PVP, but i haven't tried it yet. I noticed some talk about hot zones, or something, and port battles, but i haven't seen any. Another thing to check.
Overall, for someone who just did the trial, and have an open mind about MMO (yes because i know people who just play WoW, and think it's the best without taking other games in consideration), i liked it, and something i want to give a try to further the experience.

Elements of Corruption (GU #51) is Live!

Well, wasn't expecting this to be release today, but it did!

A zone revamped, a new raid instance, a threat meter, new shard gear, new crafting additions and loads of fixes.

You can read it all here!

Everquest 2: nearly 80

Besides playing Eve trial, i also have been playing Everquest 2, proceeding on my epic quest of getting my first level 80. My shadowknight, dinged 78 this last weekend, making it more two levels to go to finally achieve the ultimate goal.

Well I am taking longer because EQ2 is a game that alts is as good as playing with one char. It's a game for alt-aholics. And i admit it, I'm an alt-aholic. I have like, 4 chars besides the SK, that are all around 40 adventuring and 40 crafting. It's very important not to forget that crafting are also 80 levels like adventuring.

But lately with my Sk I've been doing some shard runs with guildies, so eventually when i ding 80 it will be possible for me to get some shard gear, which will save me some work. To get shard i need to do quests (even if the mobs are gray), and with quests come xp, so I'm leveling all along. Can only be good.

EQ2 is becoming a very impressive game, with lots of offering to players (it's not just raid you know), and it seems to me that is becoming more popular. I can only suggest to anyone to try it.

Eve Online: An extended trial

During this month I've been playing mostly EQ2 and an extended trial of Eve Online.
Taking the fact of the recent release of the newest expansion (Apocrypha), i decided to give it another go (since it's not my 1st trial). Mostly on any of the trials i did on Eve, i basically did the tutorial and a bit more, so for a start, with this new expansion, i got some changes.

First of, and even before starting the tutorial, we need to create a character. Change number 1, creating a character is now more straightforward. Before we had multiple options, like race, sex, bloodline, ancestry, career, specialization, school, and allocate free attribute points, leaving the new player abit overwhelmed. They eliminated choices that had no effect on the player whatsoever and moved these choices to a more appropriate time where you could make an informed decision. You are in charge of your destiny. On the other hand, before when we started the game, a new character would have some skills already trained(800k), and now it starts with around 50k. But there is a training bonus. It's up to the player to pick up his best route.

Once inside the game, time to start the tutorial. Also the tutorial is now changed and it's more intuitive and faster then before (and the rewards are nicer :D ).

Finally, the last thing i noticed which was added, was the epic mission arc. Basically it's a set of missions, put together, with a storyline, that puts players in the universe of Eve. It's a very good way for a new player to start.

From Eve Online Apocrypha EPIC MISSION ARC
"Spanning multiple regions of space, this all new mission arc will take players on a journey through all four empires, starting at character creation. As the story progresses and the rewards grow more enticing, pilots will be faced with the decision of which side to fight for in the final battle."

(One small note, don't leave the mission for too long, or you end up failing. I did took to long to get the mission, and the agent just shoved me up and i can't seem now to continue it)

Also, there is now a skill training queue, which enables player to queue up skills to a limit of 24 hours training.

Overall finally i'm starting to like Eve Online, and this changes only maked it better. Probably i will subscribe it.

Tabula Rasa: End of Transmission

It's always with great sorrow, i see a mmorpg closing doors. It's like seeing a world full of adventurous, just closing down and no one else can come and look at it again. Or like, seeing the final minutes of Star Wars Episode 6, and realizing i won't have any more new adventures to see.

This time it came to Tabula Rasa. I know that the game had many flaws, like not enough high level content, any real PVP since there was only one faction, the fact that the production was too expensive (they had to remade it twice), or even by the reason that the game's father, Richard Garriot, left it just too soon. Maybe those were the reasons for it to not succeed, or maybe it was just all a financial situation (can't argue with all the crisis going on). But it's just a shame it didn't go anywhere.

From what i've played (ok i had a few free months to play but i didn't take cause i felt the game was going down, so i didn't wanted to waste much time), i found it to be fun mmo with a shoot'em up twist. I manage to get around level 25, did some instances, and had some quick blasts (the Bane attacks on bases were great fun). And with a good group i think the game would be even better.

Oh well. As they say: "Tabula Rasa i salute you! Farewell!"

One last tranmission.

Vanguard: Another breath taking view of Telon!

Yet another video from Vanguard and all it's sight seeing landscape. Impressive to say the least!


Makes me wanna come back...

SWG and EQ2 adventures

After the free week i got awarded in LOTRO, i was expecting to give it a go for a month to check a bit more of Moria. Well i expected...

I end up subscribing Star Wars Galaxies and Everquest 2, neglecting LOTRO for a future opportunity. And i can't say i regret it.
First off, Everquest 2 is getting better and better. Besides the huge amount of content it has to offer (at least to me, cause i haven't seen most of it), a some great news has arrived, which promises some tweaking to melee characters (my favorite type) and a revamp to one of the older zones, Lavastorm.
For more info about this revamp you can go here.
Well, i have yet to get my shadowknight to level 80, and i want to start doing the dungeons that came with The Shadow Odyssey. Also, besides that char, I'm playing with my brother, so there's another character to raise. And not to mention i have others. Yeah, guess I'm an alt-aholic. :P

And Galaxies? Well... First off, I'm a huge Star Wars fan, then it's no big surprise that i play it. But why now? Well first off, i found myself in one of the largest Imperial Guild in Farstar server. Secondly, because from what i seen, the guild master seems to be an excellent person, and he wants to help everyone who are in the guild. Thirdly, i wanted to try the PVP as soon as possible, and for that i would need to get to level 75 (level 90 is the max). So i made an extra effort to get to that level.

And so i did! (Dabofi gets level 75)


I end up doing that day alot of PVP, and being a PVP noob, i end up dying horribly a lot, although my team had some excellent medics, who did their best to keep me alive. I don't have any picture to put here, but i plan on doing it in a near future.
And how does this PVP consists? Well i only tried Restuss zone, but basically it was a city, that was disputed by the two factions (Rebels and Imperials). The story about Restuss, is that the Imperials developed some new technology, some sort of explosives, that would be strong enough to destroy a Star Destroyer, but small enough to fit in a backpack. I have yet to discover the benefits of capturing the city (didn't ask cause i was too concentrated on the PVP). Still it was loads of fun, and different from what I'm used to.
Besides the PVP, i want to get max level to try the different instances, including the one of the rogue Star Destroyer! :P

So that's what I've been up to in the last weeks, and will be for a while now.

Vanguard: A view from Telon!

Just been browsing on the Vanguard official site, and saw the recent (and nice) video they got up.
Check it out!



Btw, the sound is with problems.

EverQuest II Recruit-A-Friend

The EverQuest II Recruit-A-Friend program is a unique promotion that rewards you with free gameplay time (to be added to the end of your then-current subscription) and exclusive in-game items for each new player you bring into the game who becomes an active subscriber of EQII. If you have ever held a paid EQII subscription that is currently in good standing, whether active or inactive, you can take advantage of this amazing opportunity to have fun playing with your friends and earn exciting rewards for it. Don't wait. Get started today!

It's simple, rewarding and most importantly … fun for everyone!

What does my Friend get if they convert to a paying subscriber?

* Prospects are granted the RoK 14-day trial
* As long as Prospect is grouped with Recruiter, he or she will receive a 3x XP boost
* As long as Prospect is being Mentored by Recruiter, he or she will receive a additional 10% XP boost
* Ability to zone to your Recruiter at any time

o This lasts for 90 days after Prospect becomes a Subscriber

* One (1) LoN Oathbreaker Starter Deck
* One (1) LoN Oathbreaker Booster packs
* Green Journeyman's Cloak

o Increases runspeed by 25% when worn

* Potion Pack

o One (1) Flask of Adventuring I (10% bonus adventure XP for four hours)

o One (1) Flask of Tradecrafting I (10% bonus tradeskill XP for four hours)

o One (1) Flask of Achievements I (10% bonus achievement XP for four hours)

So for anyone who is slightly interested in giving EQ2 a go, just ask me here and add your e-mail so i can then send you an invitation!

LOTRO Mines of Moria and EQ2 The Shadow Odyssey

Since my exams are finally over (at least for the next 3 month), it's time to get back to business!


As on my previous post, i got a free week of play in LOTRO. So i end up ordering a copy of Moria's expansion, a took the chance to get a look at the newest addition to the game. I've played a little during that week (enough for 2 levels :P), and basically i did little of the new expansion, except for doing the 1st book so i could get access to the all new legendary items.
Talking about those items, it seems to be the finest addition to the game. Basically, your new items (so far just weapon and class item), will share any gained experience from monsters, allowing them to get levels and hence being more powerful as you upgrade inherit bonus. It's something i consider a nice idea, but i would change a thing or two.
Besides that, it's all the same, so if for some reason people like to solo, or do small groups quests/instance, this is the right game. It's very casual game.
I'm still thinking on paying a month to get to level 60, do some groups instances, and be done with it for a while.

Now for EQ2... There's a totally different thing. I'm nearly max level, and i really really want to try out most of the game content there is, since in my opinion, Everquest 2 is the most complete and rewarding game there is. There's always something to be done, and with the latest expansion even more was added. It's a fine game, that would entertain a lot of people for a very long time. Too bad everyone is so grudge at WoW...

Back and on LOTRO!

Been a while since i post something here, mostly because i was with a full schedule of school exams and works. With that done, it's time to go back to my little hobby. And why not with something i haven't tried for good 8 month or so?

Last week, i found in my mailbox an email from Codemasters, saying they were giving a week free for those who haven't been playing lately. So i decided to take advantage of that offer, and took the chance to order Mines of Moria, so i could start trying the new expansion (seems its good, everyone brags on it).

So here i am, all set and ready for a week (at least) of adventuring. Let's see what Moria brings!