D&D Online Free To Play

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/...erron_unlimited

This sounds kind of interesting. I know several of you were against playing paid MMO's. What would you think of trying this one Friday night as a group?

My hesitance toward MMOs has always been more about the monthly cost than the content. While not my favorite, I'll give it a whirl and see what happens. Assuming my machine will run it that is.

Cool. I'll d/l it myself. Of course, I'm always subject to the head spin factor.....

Where is the DL at?

Looks like it's still beta. wth..... Either way, it's free, so why not.....

http://content.turbine.com/pages/www.ddo.c..._source=ddo_com

the beta is the free2play option.. the game has been roaming around for quite some time now.

From what I've read, they are changing business models and going free. It changes some of the things you can do, but it still has the game available to play. Thought it might be fun to try for free, even though I expect it will make me dizzy.

I've played my share of 'free' mmo - I was surprised to see in the article their real cash store itsn't stocked with gear. I wish I had time to try it out. Maybe once I get around to building my self something more than an 'internet' pc.

I played the 10 day trial a while back. Had some interesting gameplay but the only time I grouped with anyone it seemed they were just interested in burning past the levels to get to end-game content.. though it seems that is the only content in MMOs to a lot of players anymore..

So why not just make an MMO that starts you out at endgame and says.. there you go. its 'all' endgame. deal with it. /rant

Other than the rush level thing it seemed to have some nice things going on, not too much crazy movement to make you sick.

http://www.ddo.com/launcher-news wrote:Reminder: DDO Unlimited has a new launch date of September 9th, 2009 (headstart begins September 1st, 2009 for VIPs). If you've not heard the news yet, be sure to click here for more information!

Just in case you were wondering.. it has slipped a month.

Thanks for the update. Never did get a beta request.......

I'm with you though. I like to enjoy the game, not rush through leveling to get the end game content.

Still, might be fun to get our small group together and give it a shot.

I avoid these types because I fear getting way addicted. We will see how I feel when we get closer to this, though I am going away for two weeks at the time of release so I will not get a chance to play until after you guys have tested it.

Let's try to remember this. I've never played one of these, but I'll join with you guys if you get a party up. A lot of ppl like these, and I've got friends and relatives that play them. The good thing about this is I won't be judging it against the million FPS's I've played.

That looks fun! I recently recovered from a 8 year MMO addiction 😮 I'm too busy chasing a toddler to play these 🙁

I should remember the day it comes out, it will prolly pop up on a number of different gaming blogs that I watch.

Kenny seems to be on board as well.

If anyone has ever played a little D&D in the old days you will get a few twinges of goodness from the game. And have a bit of a better starting point as there could be some confusions with all of the starting numbers and the like, whats good for what sort of thing.

This is now out and free to play.

http://www.ddo.com/

Grabbing it now.

Also getting it.

DocJon wrote:Also getting it.

Wait - not getting it yet. I think this Pando Downloader keeps working in the background even when not playing and when you think it's not running. I have to look into this.

OK, I think this is what we need to know about the P2P stuff it's doing:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=198345&page=8

It installs either Turbine DL Manager, or, if you try to do a "direct" (and this is a use of the word "direct" heretofore unknown to me) download of the STANDARD or HI-RES version, it give you a 1,673 KB file that you have to run, and it installs Pando Media Booster downloader, which will then DL your game.

Apparently, the Pando DL'er can stay resident and use bandwidth at a high priority, even though it give no ready appearance of running (no open window or tray icon). Ppl have said you can uninstall Pando after installing the game, and the game will run fine, and that it will not be needed for updates.

Pretty half-assed work here. If they had used a regular goddamn torrent they'd have avoided any worries and appearances of impropriety. I'm gonna do an Erunt registry backup and DL the hi-res version.

DocJon wrote:Apparently, the Pando DL'er can stay resident and use bandwidth at a high priority, even though it give no ready appearance of running (no open window or tray icon). Ppl have said you can uninstall Pando after installing the game, and the game will run fine, and that it will not be needed for updates.

I assume you mean when the DL is done the booster can stay active sharing your file a'la torrent? As when I am dl'ing the file with the Pando booster there is a definite status window.

Either way I started getting this yesterday and saw that only today is the service actually ready to play.. -shrug-

Here's to looking forward to some DDO with ya'll.

I'd like us to actually play together one friday night. How do the different levels affect the game? Should we make a play around character to check it out, then all start new characters to plan on Fridays?


BTW, good catch Doc. I really hate when they pull crap like this. I just went to uninstall it and before it could uninstall, it had to shut it down. So a one time piece of software became a TSR. That pisses me off....

Ok, well, let's hope I can play this game and that it's fun....

I honestly don't remember if this had a 'group with me' mechanic that would boost the different levels. The first few levels are going to run through fairly fast as it is.

I would say play with a few characters, find one style you like and then we will bust him/her [Bubba] out over Fridays or just when we are online together.

EDIT: by first few I mean like 1-5.. this is based off of some traditional AD&D rulesets that cap out at 20, though they have since extended teh level cap to 25 or 30 with this latest expansion. Most codeable skills/spells have made it in, stats all have a purpose and are used throughout. It might use some forum reading, or just pick what you think looks good and fits you.

Me I am proly going to go for a dual wielding suicidal warrior type. Love me some suicidal.

I've always been partial to Rogues and Rangers myself, but I'm not opposed to a Paladin or Cleric.


Looks like we have to pick a server. I'm going for Argonnesson.....

Atomm wrote:I'd like us to actually play together one friday night. How do the different levels affect the game? Should we make a play around character to check it out, then all start new characters to plan on Fridays?


BTW, good catch Doc. I really hate when they pull crap like this. I just went to uninstall it and before it could uninstall, it had to shut it down. So a one time piece of software became a TSR. That pisses me off....

Ok, well, let's hope I can play this game and that it's fun....

OK, I have the game installed, and I've uninstalled the Pando DL'er, so that's done. Should we talk about what character we're going to be? We don't want to roll up a half-dozen dwarf fighters. . . Cold's a warrior. I'm leaning towards wizard or cleric. I'm more interested in the wizard, but I'll take a cleric if necessary.

Do we want to get in Vent over the weekend and dweeb/roll characters in-game, or should we take care of that on our own time before hand?

I rolled a Paladin. I'll keep him if we need a healer/fighter type. Doc, try the Wizard.

I played through the first level. As far as I can tell, you are solo for a bit. Not sure when that changes.

So far, it was ok. Some things really impressed me and some things seemed not so good. I'm thinking about redownloading the HD version cause the graphics are so/so.

It bothered me a little bit, but I think I can work through it.

I attempted to download it last night but went to bed before it finished so I'm not sure if it completed or not. I'll attempt to get up and running tonight.

slowest......install.....evar......

Sarge wrote:slowest......install.....evar......

I think it's even worse than some of those old BF2 patches.

It's up and running for me. I've done the initial quest with one character (Elven Ranger) but that's it.

Sarge wrote:It's up and running for me. I've done the initial quest with one character (Elven Ranger) but that's it.

I'm hanging out at the tavern. My Character name, after a great number of rejections by the server, is Docj Skylyx. Post your character names, and I think we can add them to a friends list.

There's a guild function, but you have to pony up cash to start one.

I can't figure out how to use/study my spells. You're supposed to be able to do that in the tavern, but I haven't figured it out.

Server: Argonnesson
Main Classes:
Doc = Wizard? [rDPS/CC] Skylyx Docjon
Atomm = Paladin [Tank/Heal] Atomm
SC = Barbarian [mDPS/OffTank] Ludoki
Sarge = Fighter [Tank/DPS] - Sargendwar
Bubba = 'unknown'
Paladin = 'Rogue?'
Kenny = 'unknown'

Seems to be a fair class makeup, should be able to take most even without a dedicated healer with all the damage output, I will attempt to make my Barb a bit more survivable to offset the no cleric thing.

-DPS = Damage Per Second [r.ranged / m.melee]
-CC = Crowd Control [slowing down mass groups of enemies for optimal slaying]
-Tank = The mememe player [attempts to be the main center of attention to all enemies]
-Heal = Your favorite friend who saves your arse and reverses damage done by the meanies.
-Traps = Sees the spikes in the road and opens the locked doors

Alternate Classes:
Doc = Cleric? [Heal/rDPS/CC]
Atomm = Rogue [Traps/DPS]
SC = Fighter/Cleric [Tank/DPS/Heal]
Sarge = Ranger [rDPS] Saaarge

My Character is named Saaarge (of the Battalion). I managed to acquire 2 swords and a bow on my trip through the cave to the village.

My other character is a Dwarf fighter named Sargendwar (of the Battalion) but I haven't played with that character yet so I can be flexible with what it is. I'm not sure I'm going to have the patience to level two characters however....

General Advice on to whats what in the Character Building Stage
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=198691


Some different Builds and discussions regarding them
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=1448452#post1448452
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=42780 [lots of bad links]

Some interesting advice for the 28pt starter toon [when you get to end game you can restart with a character that starts off with 32 stat points] is to play a cleric.. mainly for solo people I would guess. http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=182542

Name: Atomm ve'Dragonne (Yea, I'm a geek)

Sarge, your drawf name is awesome!

I'm in town, but couldn't find the tavern and was tired, so I went to bed.

At what point can we group up for quests?

I will likely join in once I return from my trip.

Atomm wrote:...
At what point can we group up for quests?

Once you leave the 'bay/cleric help me party' and make it to the town grouping is possible.

I have unlocked the 'elite' mode for the first dungeon raid so we can run that a few times to get our feet wet, I could prolly duo it with someone, so don't be afraid when I say Elite it will be good...

I added Saarge's & Atomm's characters to my friends list.. I couldn't add Docj to my list.. -shrug- you on the right server Doc?

Silent Cold wrote:Once you leave the 'bay/cleric help me party' and make it to the town grouping is possible.

I have unlocked the 'elite' mode for the first dungeon raid so we can run that a few times to get our feet wet, I could prolly duo it with someone, so don't be afraid when I say Elite it will be good...

I added Saarge's & Atomm's characters to my friends list.. I couldn't add Docj to my list.. -shrug- you on the right server Doc?

I took the first server in the list. I didn't think we had agreed on a server. Can I switch servers now?

I'll run Xfire now, look for me when you guys want to game.

DocJon wrote:I took the first server in the list. I didn't think we had agreed on a server. Can I switch servers now?

I'll run Xfire now, look for me when you guys want to game.

We hadn't but Atomm was the first to post a server name and the rest of us followed him there.

Server: Argonnesson

Atomm wrote:Name: Atomm ve'Dragonne (Yea, I'm a geek)

Sarge, your drawf name is awesome!

GEEEK!

The name was supposed to be "Sargendwarf", but it wouldn't except that. I think this sounds more dwarflike however so I don't mind 😀 All I need to do is equip him with a honkin big axe and I'll be good to go 😀

Sarge wrote:GEEEK!

The name was supposed to be "Sargendwarf", but it wouldn't except that. I think this sounds more dwarflike however so I don't mind 😀 All I need to do is equip him with a honkin big axe and I'll be good to go 😀

OK< I rolled up a new character and started in teh new server. I needed to create a new one because I switched servers, and I had to do the first quest all over again.

New Name:

Skylyx Docjon
Starting up Xfire

Alright now that we have mostly all -Bubba/Paladin/Kenny- had some play time and gained a level.

Here is a link for a character builder.

http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO/

Doc, what is your XFire name? I added what you have in your profile, but I still can't see you.