- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Location
- United States
While this isn't necessarily a direct "balance" issue, I think that balance plays a role, and seeing as how this topic isn't being discussed anywhere but here, I'm going to try my luck and see what happens.
Kainzo if you'd like me to later move this to suggestions, or just feel like telling me to shut up and deal, let me know. I simply have some concerns that I think should be voiced here.
Anyways, here's what I'm seeing.
The Herocraft class situation is not a clear cut one. You have several classes that are lacking in terms of PVP viability, classes that are lacking in heir concepts, classes that are lacking in their playstyles, classes that could use a few simple tweaks, and classes that are in a good place and need no changes. Additionally, the leveling path for many classes is a bit sporadic / random, and it leads to the leveling process being too easy or too painful in comparison to other classes.
Overall, I think that Herocraft is in a good place, but introducing some large balance changes and revamps is a great idea that will serve to improve the quality of enjoyment for every individual player.
I have several concerns with the ever approaching update that will overhaul the classes and perform a level cap increase. Here's why:
1. The level cap is increasing, but nothing is being introduced to change or improve the leveling experience.
I feel as though a level cap increase without attention being given to all classes is a bad idea. I feel as though the balance team is in a very poor state. I feel as though there is a lack of communication with the balance team.
Is now really a good time to push this revamp? Is a level cap increase actually necessary? Will we really pay attention to all classes that need it, or only a select few?
In the end, I'm questioning the update, and would like to gauge for thoughts.
Kainzo if you'd like me to later move this to suggestions, or just feel like telling me to shut up and deal, let me know. I simply have some concerns that I think should be voiced here.
Anyways, here's what I'm seeing.
The Herocraft class situation is not a clear cut one. You have several classes that are lacking in terms of PVP viability, classes that are lacking in heir concepts, classes that are lacking in their playstyles, classes that could use a few simple tweaks, and classes that are in a good place and need no changes. Additionally, the leveling path for many classes is a bit sporadic / random, and it leads to the leveling process being too easy or too painful in comparison to other classes.
Overall, I think that Herocraft is in a good place, but introducing some large balance changes and revamps is a great idea that will serve to improve the quality of enjoyment for every individual player.
I have several concerns with the ever approaching update that will overhaul the classes and perform a level cap increase. Here's why:
1. The level cap is increasing, but nothing is being introduced to change or improve the leveling experience.
Level caps can be cool. In MMORPG's, they're often used to introduce new content. You're given new areas to explore, new monsters to kill, and new dungeons to fight through. Additionally, your class is able to receive new abilities as they progress towards the new leveling cap.
But here's the thing. leveling on Herocraft sucks. It's terrible. It isn't fun, there's nothing unique about it, and there aren't any systems in place to make it anything other than random mob grinding. I understand that the HeroBoss mod and Dungeons are being worked on, but it doesn't sound like these things are coming with this update. Right now, leveling a class is a chore, and it is largely is nothing more than random mob farming in the wilderness and camping spawn biomes.
Why are we forcing players who have already gone through this terrible experience to go through it again?
2. The level cap is increasing, but not every class is going to be getting new skills.I agree that not every class needs to skills. Whether it be regarding the concept itself, or simply the balance of the class, not everyone needs changed. Even still, there has got to be nothing worse than being told "Yeah, you mastered, you've been enjoying your class, but we just increased the level cap, so you need to go do it some more. By the way, nothing else is different for your class."
I don't like this. Players are going to be upset. Hell, I'll be upset. I already mastered several classes, and I enjoy playing many of them. Some of them I enjoy more than others, some of them I'll never play again. But the fact of the matter is, I did master them. Everything that is the current version of the class I have "earned" through my own effort. I went through a grueling leveling process in order to obtain the complete version of my classes. If nothing is different for the class, how is it fair for me to have to level it again?
Now, if we're adding in new abilities to everyone, things are a little different. It becomes justified when the class is "more" than it was before. The idea of a level increase is to signify that your power is raising. If players do not feel like that is the case, then is there any real point?
3. The balance team is in a pretty rough state right now.I know that I just joined the team recently, but it's very clear to me that the balance team is in a slump. There are very few members, and the few members that it does have aren't necessarily active in PVP. I mean no offensive by this, and I don't mean that any of you do not have a keen eye for balance, but the fact of the matter is, the team is lacking higher level experienced pvpers.
I find that this fact limits our ability to balance. It's very possible that this update will release, and Herocraft will be thrown into a massive state of imbalance, leading to frustrated players.
4. I worry that the update is being "falsely" advertised.The server is expecting something cool, something great. When any game announces a level cap increase coupled with class revamps, they expect something big. Many Herocraft players are hoping for all of the class playability / balance issues to be sorted out, and that they'll have a whole new outlook on the Heroes classes. Is this really going to happen? Will the face of Herocraft really change, just like that?
Maybe it's because I'm not an upper level staff member, and if that's the case, maybe I'm worrying too much, but I feel as though I am completely in the dark as to how these class updates will be done. There's only two weeks until this update comes out, but we haven't even truly discussed what we will be doing. I've posted my feedback and laid out my thoughts, I'm coding away on the Runeblade skills, but I've hardly heard anything from any staff.
I feel as though a level cap increase without attention being given to all classes is a bad idea. I feel as though the balance team is in a very poor state. I feel as though there is a lack of communication with the balance team.
Is now really a good time to push this revamp? Is a level cap increase actually necessary? Will we really pay attention to all classes that need it, or only a select few?
In the end, I'm questioning the update, and would like to gauge for thoughts.
