Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Warhammer Online - General Information and Review

By Mads Vangsoe

Leveling: There are 3 different ways to level.

There is PvE experience which allows you to gain PvE levels. There are 40 PvE levels. You will find that it is quite easy, compared to other MMO's, to level in PvE, this is intentional. There is a HUGE emphasis on making the game "fun". PvE levels allow you to "buy"(Really cheap, there is no big coin need to buy PvE skills) skills and abilities. There is also special PvE skills and abilities that you gain depending upon which tree you pick to specialize in.(Each class has three different trees to specialize in) Always buy all PvE skills/abilities that you can, since there is no hurt in having them.

There is PvP experience, which allows you to gain PvP levels, this is called "Renown". There is a total of 80 PvP levels. PvP levels allow you to gain a few new skills, abilities, or attributes, depending on where you place your Renown points. You get 1 point for each Renown level you gain.

There is also "Influence" experience. This is separate from Renown and PvE experience. This is limited to a PQ area.(PQ = Public Quest) When you first start out there is only one PQ in the very lobie area. As you move up in levels and explore more of the world you will find other PQ's. There are three levels for each PQ, each level allows you to pick an item that you want. In the lobie areas the items are not that big of a deal, however after you hit about level ten, you will start finding PQ's that reward blue items, these are very decent! When you take part in a PQ, after the PQ is complete there will be a dice roll for loot. The more you contribute to the PQ the larger bonus you get to the roll. The top players get extra loot that they make pick from the end PQ treasure chest. Understand that after you hit the third level you get to pick a level one item, a level two item, and a level three item. If you only complete the first level, you can only pick a level one item from the NPC. After you reach level three of a PQ there is really NO reason to continue doing that areas PQ(s), as it is time to move on.(You cannot keep getting items after you pick that level's item)

Crafting: There was very limited crafting content in the closed/open/preview gameplay. This was also intentional in that the Devs did not want to give a lot of game info away. The crafting that was in the game is very easy and self explained in the "Tomb of Knowledge" think of this as an in game encyclopedia. I will give one example of a crafting skill. You can grow your own "seeds"(These drop from mobs, and some can also be purchased from merchants to get you started) You get a separate window to grow your own seeds. To start out with, you can only grow one seed at a time, however later, with levels, you will be able to grow up to four at a time. You can add water, a nutrient, and soil to give your plant a better chance to grow into something else besides a weed. After your plant grows you "loot" it. From this you can buy a vial and mix a potion. There are quite a few different potions you can make. There is even a tutorial to show you how to do this. This is not a long drawn out process, to just grow a seed takes a very short time.(Adding water, soil or a nutrient shortens this time.)

Gear: No you are not going to spends hours camping ANYTHING! Gear drops are common and you do get some trash loot that will give you more then enough coin to buy levels and items. Since you do NOT have to PvE at all in the game there are "Renown Gear Merchants". These merchants have average to awesome gear that you can buy pretty cheap, however you have to be a certain PvE level AND a certain PvP level to get them. The better the gear, the higher the level needed to buy the items. They do scale very well to your current level. With no problem at all I was fully geared out in "greens" by level ten on all classes. You will also be able to loot off enemy dead players in PvP! This does NOT come out of their inventory, however the vast majority of items are greens or better. So ALWAYS loot in PvP if you see the "sparklies" around an enemy dead player.

Areas: What if you are an orc and have a dark elf friend? From the very start of the game it will take you less then ten minutes to go join a friend in another area.(You need a very small amount of coin to "buy" a ride.) All the quests in all the areas can be completed by any race/class. Also do note that travel time is not some 30 minute trip on a flying mount, it takes about twelve seconds to fly to a new area.

I know that all this info sounds a little overwhelming, however you will catch on very quickly and you will see that the game was really designed to be FUN. Like PvP, then go PvP'ing. Tired of PvP'ing, go to a PQ and get some phat loot. Tired of PvP and PQ's go do PvE quests. Tired of PvP, PQ's and PvE questing, go do some crafting. So far in WAR I have never become bored, as I can always find something to do that is fun, and I say this having leveled over 160 times!


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Warhammer Online - General Class Overview-Comparison-Info of the Destruction Classes

By Mads Vangsoe

Destruction classes:

I will be doing an in-depth guide on each class in Warhammer online later. Ratings are from my personal experience and rank from A to F, just like a school report card.

There are three starting racial areas:

Greenskins:

Black Orc = Melee Tank(Orc)

Shaman = Healer/Caster(Goblin)

Squig Herder = Ranged DPS - pet class(Goblin)

Chaos:

Marauder = Melee DPS - dual wield(Mutation)

Chosen = Melee Tank

Zealot = Healer/Caster

Magus = Ranged DPS/Caster - pet class

Dark Elves:

Witch Elf = Melee DPS - dual wield

Sorceress = Ranged DPS/Caster

Disciple of Khaine = Healer/Melee

Tanks:

Black Orc:

This is your melee tank in Warhammer online, special skill is a three combo attack. You use a "starter" skill to start your three skill combo, this opens up "da good plan" skills. You use a "da good plan" skill to progress the combo to "da best plan". After you use a skill from "da best plan" you then start over or use another ability.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Da Brawler" this is for players going 2H.(Using a 2 handed weapon)

"Path of Da Toughest" this is for players going 1H weapon and shield.

"Path of Da Boss" this is for players that want to max out group skills, empowering other players in the group, or protecting them.

"Plays like": A typical "warrior" class.

Solo PvE = B+ You really have to do something stupid to die in PvE as a Black Orc.

Group PvE = C Average class in group, as long as you can hold agro.

Solo PvP = D Taking way too long to kill, most players will just ignore you and move on.

Group PvP = A With a healer you are almost unstoppable and will collapse enemy frontlines.

Chosen:

This is your other tank in Warhammer online, special ability is buffs. There are many buffs to choose from and these are "always on" until you die/zone/turn them off. You can only use one buff at a time.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Strife" - this is for players going 2H

"Path of Retaliation" - this is for 1H and shield

"Path of Discord" - This for those that want to concentrate on the buff aspect of the class, usually adding to DPS or an ability.

"Plays like": kind of like a Paladin, not a WOW Pally, more of a DnD Pally.

Solo PvE = B Having a little more DPS then a Black Orc, but less survivability.

Group PvE = B Group buffs do make a difference.

Solo PvP = D Same problem as Black Orc.

Group PvP = B If you have a healer you do halfway decently.

Melee DPS:

Marauder:

This is a straight out DPS class in Warhammer online, specialty is mutation. Basically you are a dual wielder, you use a weapon in one hand and the other hand is a mutation weapon.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Brutality" - This is for players that want max DPS against a single target.

"Path of Savagery" - This is for players doing better DPS with DOT's.

"Path of Monstrosity" - This is for players that want a little better defense and wanting to hit multiple targets.

"Plays like": This is rather a unique class, think of a dual wielding barbarian, better DPS then a tank, but less survivability.

Solo PvE = C+ Awesome one versus one, runs into problems with adds.

Group PvE = B Very good against anything but bosses.

Solo PvP = A- Except for tanks this eats everything, and eats quickly at that.

Group PvP = A Rips casters quickly and downs healers better then any other class.

Witch Elf:

This is your other melee DPS class in Warhammer online, and plays very differently from a Marauder. Specialty is a "point" system, build up points and release on a skill, the more points built up, the more damage or effect.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Carnage" - This is for players that want straight out DPS right in the enemies face.

"Path of Suffering" - This is for players that want better DOT's.

"Path of Treachery" - This is for players that want to use tactics to do more DPS. You do a lot more damage hitting from the sides and back, but not so much face to face.

"Plays like": A typical rogue, including the WOW rogue.

Solo PvE = B+ a little better agro management then Marauder, but a little less raw DPS.

Group PvE = C+ Takes a few seconds more to build up the DPS then a Marauder.

Solo PvP = A You don't want to solo against this class, even healers will have problems.

Group PvP = B+ Must build up DPS, otherwise most classes are a cakewalk.

Ranged DPS:

Squig Herder:<7i>

Not using magic, but a bow and a mobile pet. Specialty is, of course, da Squig. Only one Squig can be out at a time. Total of 4 Squigs by level 10. Squigs are basic, horned, (better melee) ranged, spiked.(hard melee) The Squig is a little tricky to play, if you specialize in ranged DPS you get a slightly gimped ranged pet. Specialize in melee you get the "so-so" horned Squig. Specialize in versatility, you get slightly gimped damage, but a strong pet. You can also summon a Squig and jump inside it, but it has been my experience that it is not that great in PvE or PvP.(This is called "Squig Armor")

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Big Shootin" - better ranged DPS, slightly gimped ranged Squig.

"Path of Quick Shootin" - slightly gimped DPS, but the best melee DPS Squig.

"Path of stabbin" - so-so damage and a so-so melee Squig.

"plays like": This is another unique class, it will greatly depend on your tree choice. Do you want to focus on yourself, the pet, or a little of both?

Solo PvE = A Easy walkthrough in regular PvE.

Group PvE = C- Average damage, does not really bring anything unique to the group.

Solo PvP = C As long as you stay out of range you will do "O.K."

Group PvP = A+ You are not a healer, caster, or tank, so you are almost always ignored in group PvP, this allows you to sit back and shoot away. You don't need heals as you are always out of range, so you actually help healers. You can always send your pet against an enemy healer/caster to be a pain in the butt for the enemy.(When one Squig dies, you can summon a different class Squig in two seconds.)

Sorcerer:

This is your pure DPS caster in Warhammer online, of course this is going to come at a price. Specialty is a "power pool". This pool builds up as you cast spells, and when it is full, you can release it and cause massive damage. The problem is that most spells you cast have a small percentage to cause "backlash" which actually damages you. You can release all the power built up at any time before it is full if you wish. The problem is that the more you let your power build up, the better critical percent and the better bonus to critical damage the spell will deal, however the percent that a "backlash" will happen is also increased. If you have a healer that knows what he/she is doing this is not too bad, however if you don't you can actually one shot yourself!

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Agony" - This is for players that want to concentrate on a single target at a time, and you do not have to worry "too much" about killing yourself.

"Path of Calamity" - This is for players that want hardcore DOT's and is actually safer then the Path of Agony.

"Path of Destruction" - This is for players that like to go "balls to the wall" and hit many targets at the same times for awesome damage, the drawback is that you also have the greatest chance to face plant right into the ground, because you used more power then you could handle and you killed yourself.

"plays like": An overpowered mage. However you are not really overpowered, because you threaten and damage yourself.

Solo PvE = C+ sometimes when you do get backlash you need to chill out a little, if this happens at the wrong time or you are not paying attention to your health, it really hurts.

Group PvE = A Have fun and nuke everything.

Solo PvP = C With low health and you must stay at range, this can get you in trouble.

Group PvP = A+ With a decent healer you can force whole groups to think twice about advancing. When facing noobs, I have seen whole groups back up when a ranged AOE spell is cast.

Magus:

This is really an odd class in warhammer online to play as your pet is stationary and you must choose at what range you want to cause the most damage: Long range, medium range or close range. Your specialty is summoning stationary demons. You do not outright nuke as a sorcerer does, yet your DPS is not exactly gimped. This class is very situational.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of the Havoc" - Concentrating on long range attacks against a single target with a pink horror.

"Path of Changing" - Concentrating on medium range decent attacks using a flamer demon.

'Path of Demonology" - Concentrating on short range decent AOE attacks using a blue horror.

"plays like": Nothing I have played before, as such this class does take awhile to get used too.

Solo PvE = A+ Easily dropping mobs as you can summon a blue horror and pull mobs to it

Group PvE = B+ As long as you are not moving around too much you do well.

Solo PvP = F Forget it.

Group PvP = B+ Excels at guarding flags or areas. Sometimes noobs will even attack your pet not understanding that if they just killed you with your low hit points the pet would die anyway.

Healer:

Shaman:

Of all ten classes this one seems to be slightly OP in Warhammer online. (OP = Overpowered) A Shaman has decent healing abilities and awesome DPS for a healer class. Specialty is "WAAAGH!" which is actually almost useless. Basically when you cast a heal spell it slightly increases your next damage spell, this effect stacks up to three times. So if you cast three heal spells and then cast a damage spell it ends up being an empowered damage spell. Same as if you cast three damage spells and then cast a heal spell, your heal spell will be empowered. The problem here is that there is no sane individual that is going to sit there and count every time they cast a spell. I would advise to simply write this specialty off as a slight bonus that you do NOT need to keep track of, if you need to damage then damage, if you need to heal, then heal.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Mork" For those players that want to play a hardcore healer.

"Path of Gork" For those players that want to put out DPS and heal later.

"Path of Da Green" For those players that want a balance between the two.(Also increases buffs)

"plays like": A cleric in old school DAOC, go heal or go smite, or gimp yourself and try to do both.

Solo PvE = C+ you might take a little longer to kill in PvE, however your rarely die.

Group PvE = A Very versatile, you can heal or DPS.

Solo PvP = A+ Don't even try to solo an equal level Shaman.

Group PvP = A+ Massive heal or above average DPS, you can choose and simply change your mind with the click of the button.

Zealot:

This class is a lot better healer then it is at DPS in warhammer online, you will commonly be targeted and hunted down, however you have AWESOME survival skills. Specialty is group buffs, only one can be used at a time but it effects the whole group and they are usually very decent.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Alchemy" For hardcore healers.

"Path of Ritual" For those that enjoy buffing and debuffing.

"Path of Witchcraft" For those that wish to try and DPS.

"plays like": This is another unique class, wearing paper and low hit points, but awesome heals and group buffs.

Solo PvE = C weak DPS, but great survivability.

Group PvE = A+ really excels at healing and buffs.

Solo PvP = D Just cannot cause enough damage solo, to be viable.

Group PvP = A As long as you keep ranged, you will be a great healing asset.

Disciple of Khaine:

This class is a dual wielding/healer type and plays rather oddly in warhammer online. You cannot out-heal a Shaman or Zealot, yet you can off-heal and do decent melee damage. The specialty is rather odd, you have a "pool" of healing that depletes as you heal, however when you melee, it replenishes. This means that you cannot sit back and hardcore heal, however you are more then suitable for average melee fights. When you do fight, you replenish your healing pool.

The three skill trees are:

"Path of Ritual" For better healing abilities.

"Path of Torture" For better melee skills.

"Path of Sacrifice" This is a balance between the two.

"plays like": A very unique class that will take awhile to get used too, however this class does excel if played correctly.

Solo PvE = B+ When PvE'ing this plays like a gimped Witch Elf that can heal herself.

Group PvE = A Very flexible as long as you maintain at least a little melee combat.

Solo PvP = C+ While you cannot greatly heal, you do have average melee skills which makes you a very hard target to kill.

Group PvP = D Because of the complexity of the class it is hard to figure with action is the best to take in the chaos of group versus group PvP.


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Nintendo Wii "Backyard Baseball" Review

By Camilla Bertelsen

The latest version of Backyard Baseball 2009 was just released by Atari to take advantage of the Nintendo Wii Video game Controls. The wide and varied style of pitches and types of baseball hits manage to come truly well with the Nintendo Wii Wiimote. One only has to flick the Wiimote to hit the ball and use the Nintendo Wii nunchuk for on-base advancement.

The video game comes in six game modes. You can chose between quick play, a pickup game, tournament play, season play, a home run derby and an all-star game. There are several sub options within each game mode as well. For example, in season play, you can be a coach and do what a "real" coach can do.

To play the video game, use the directional pad as a batter for the type of swing you want. Next flick the Wiimote to take the swing. As in real life, timing is crucial. Hit the ball right and you be rewarded with an adrenalin rush! Miss it and it's a Strike Out for you! And if you want to use a special hit or pitch, you have to use both the Wiimote and nunchuk. Use the "Z" button to call up the menu for the special hit or pitch. However, you can only have these option enabled in the video game when you scored enough points.

Overall the game feel is reasonable and entertaining. Audio include some baseball sound and commentary from Sunny Day and Jack Fouler wannabes. The 3D graphics are not too bad in itself...sporting some Japanese stadium themes. I would say it appeal to kids of all ages but if you wish for a more fulfilling baseball experiences then this Nintendo Wii version of backyard baseball is not for you. So long as you don't expect the moon and the sun you be fine with this video game.

Atari could actually had done more to improve the game feel using the Nintendo Wii game control system. We are talking here about THE generation of video game playing using the Wii Mote. The realism and immersion currently is as close as it can get to the real thing before virtual reality. So far no game company had yet to fully capitalize on the Nintendo Wii control system.


Article by Camilla Bertelsen and the owner of http://popularvideogame.com

 

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