Aion (Open Beta, Launch Day Info too!)

[Draegan]

Your're more than welcome.

Have everyone sign up on the forums, and when you post in the "Give me access" thread just have everyone reference you/F13 so I know who you are and I'll give you access.

[waffel]

Played for about an hour and.... its just feels like another damn MMO. Boring quests, spamming the same 2 abilities, hearing the dame casting sound every single time.... I dunno.

[DLRiley]

Your boredom was well polished boredom  Kinda makes you forget you can do the same thing for free 

[Threash]

Played for about an hour and.... its just feels like another damn MMO. Boring quests, spamming the same 2 abilities, hearing the dame casting sound every single time.... I dunno.

Were you expecting an RTS or a first person shooter? i don't get it.

[Hawkbit]

Look, lets be clear here, because there's a bunch of people getting their panties in a bunch over this game. 

Aion is a good, polished diku MMO.  It will be the second largest MMO in NA a year from now. 

That said, it is still a diku MMO.  It's World of Warcraft with Asian Zing sauce and flying PvP.  That's it. 

It will be wildly successful and sent to the graveyard moments after it launches. 

[Draegan]

Look, lets be clear here, because there's a bunch of people getting their panties in a bunch over this game. 

Aion is a good, polished diku MMO.  It will be the second largest MMO in NA a year from now. 

That said, it is still a diku MMO.  It's World of Warcraft with Asian Zing sauce and flying PvP.  That's it. 

It will be wildly successful and sent to the graveyard moments after it launches. 

People are getting their panties in a bunch because of trolls like DLRiley.   A people like waffel sounding like Re Tards.

Anyway your post is spot on.

[Numtini]

Basically yeah, if you're not looking for a new slightly different spin on diku, then you're not. If you are, this is probably the first AAA title to launch in anything like decent shape since LOTRO. And the most promising IMHO since WoW.

[Feverdream]

Basically yeah, if you're not looking for a new slightly different spin on diku, then you're not. If you are, this is probably the first AAA title to launch in anything like decent shape since LOTRO. And the most promising IMHO since WoW.

I'd agree with this, and would add that some of us are also playing the beta in order to get to 20-25 for future beta weekends and check out the PvP.  I'm not looking for anything earthshattering or innovative in gaming at the moment (it'd be nice, but I just don't think it's out there).  I AM, however, really hungry for an MMO that has a solid PvP focus and PvP well-integrated within the endgame. 

Some of us are interested in AION for that reason alone.  If anyone else is in a similar boat, you may or may not want to get involved with the Aion beta.  While the game is in far better shape than Warhammer was at release, you'll just be leveling for the moment.  I'm playing partly out of sheer boredom, partly to see whether healing classes are horrible to level,  and partly in the hope that I can eventually experience enough of the PvP to get a sense of whether I want to play upon release.

But if you are considering the beta, or the game, because you want to be part of the Next Great Leap Forward in gaming, I wouldn't bother.

[AcidCat]

Basically yeah, if you're not looking for a new slightly different spin on diku, then you're not. If you are, this is probably the first AAA title to launch in anything like decent shape since LOTRO. And the most promising IMHO since WoW.

Yeah, I've got the game prepurchased with Amazon, and I actually won't be spending too much time with the beta, because just from my limited experience already I know I'll enjoy it, so I don't want to spoil too much of the content or waste too much time with characters that will be wiped.

[ghost]

I'll play it.  Then, as with most games, I won't have enough time to play to really enjoy it and I'll get bored and quit.  It's all teed up and ready to go, pre-ordered on Amazon. 

Should be fun!

[waffel]

Yeah, don't want to spoil that amazing content like collecting 6 boar hooves or killing 15 worker goblins.

[BitWarrior]

Yeah, don't want to spoil that amazing content like collecting 6 boar hooves or killing 15 worker goblins.

Hay guyz. i baugt dis "fps" game n all you do is shootz peeps. Booooooooooooooring!!!! Why dont devs make n fps that do somethin diff? seriosly wtf?!

[tmp]

I'd agree with this, and would add that some of us are also playing the beta in order to get to 20-25 for future beta weekends and check out the PvP.

Isn't that like trying to evaluate WAR PvP basing it solely on Tier 1?

[Feverdream]

I'd agree with this, and would add that some of us are also playing the beta in order to get to 20-25 for future beta weekends and check out the PvP.

Isn't that like trying to evaluate WAR PvP basing it solely on Tier 1?

Absolutely, yes.  If I implied that I was going to draw anything more than tentative conclusions about Aion based on level 20-25, then I did a bad job of expressing myself.  I don't expect to get more than just a glimmer of what it'll be like at endgame.  My expectations are low in terms of what I think I can learn from the beta.

But it's not like there's much on the gaming horizon that claims to include PvP as a core element.  I'm not checking Aion out because I see it as the best choice amongst a richness of options out there.  I'm just hoping that it evolves into a reasonable option.  I have friends, guildies, and old DAOC alliance members who are all scattered again as a result of Warhammer...it'd be nice to find something that we can play together again.

[AcidCat]

Yeah, don't want to spoil that amazing content like collecting 6 boar hooves or killing 15 worker goblins.

Eh, I like exploring environments and seeing new creatures and stuff. The less of it I see now, the more will be fresh when I'm playing a character that "matters."

[Numtini]

I'm playing very casually so as not to spoil myself too much. Mainly I'm just trying to get a feel for the classes so I can figure out what I want to play. (Inevitably that means which healer.)

[Morfiend]

Can anyone thats playing give a breakdown of how the classes they have played, play.

[01101010]

Can anyone thats playing give a breakdown of how the classes they have played, play.

Umm, you have a warrior class they pokes with a sword, a rogue/scout class that pokes with a dagger, a mage class that shoots fireballs, and a priest class that pokes with clubs. NCSoft didn't reinvent anything here.

Not to sound flippant about things, but its a standard MMO with a new coat of paint and new stuff to look at and beat on. nothing earth shattering.

[Morfiend]

Can anyone thats playing give a breakdown of how the classes they have played, play.

Umm, you have a warrior class they pokes with a sword, a rogue/scout class that pokes with a dagger, a mage class that shoots fireballs, and a priest class that pokes with clubs. NCSoft didn't reinvent anything here.

Not to sound flippant about things, but its a standard MMO with a new coat of paint and new stuff to look at and beat on. nothing earth shattering.

Such insight. I am staggered by your informative response.

What I was talking about was a little more detail. I know there are several warrior classes, what I dont know is are there like Tank spec and DPS spec, do they do less damage than a rogue as in standard Diku, or is it more of a WoW diku where a DPS specced warrior can put out almost the same damage as a rogue. Can Priests only heal, or are they able to play like a Shadow Priest.

[BitWarrior]

Quite a shit ton of information regarding 1.5 located here:

http://news.mmosite.com/content/2009-07-03/20090703043556049,1.shtml

[Falconeer]

-Balaurs War Site

The Balaurs War Site is a battlefield place where the Elyos and Asmodians compete in the same instance. Players can enter it through the periodically refreshed NPC, and the Elyos and Asmodians should enter it together.

Players can form a team to enter this instance, enter this instance alone or even enter it immediately when there is little entrance time left. In this instance, players not only can fight the Balaurs and destroy main facilities to obtain points, but also they can defeat the opposite race to grab their points. These points will play a decisive role in the victory of a team.

However, the two may not obtain points only if they blindly fight against each other. Instead, they should defeat the monsters and destroy main facilities in the instance while hampering their opponents. This instance is suitable for lvl 45+ players and they can obtain Abyss Points.

What's not to love in this?

Or this?

[Lantyssa]

So does 1.5 add anything for people below 40?  Sounded like it was all high-level content.  That's great, but why is that news for a game that hasn't even released yet?

(The dresses are pretty though.)

[Xurtan]

Because the game is released in China and Korea, with people at max level? *shrug* NA will just have the luxury of starting at 1.5, which means more content to start out.
Patch Notes for 1.1, 1.2, and 1.5

As to DPS spec or the like, my understanding is outside of adding stats to armor and such, the only way to 'spec' a character is with Stigmas; they add different abilities to the character. Stigma Guide

Cleric is currently sort of OP, so yes, they can do the whole Shadow Priest thing; at least that is my understanding. My Cleric is only 13. Once you get your second chain attack you can certainly plow through things with pretty much no down time. (Lower levels at least.)

Besides, the game has killer corn monsters. How can you resist?  

[Severian]

Besides, the game has killer corn monsters. How can you resist?  

Here's a couple of critters I liked. I hope they don't westernize and replace that fabulous pet.
So, I took 396 screenshots in my one week in the Chinese beta. Seems I liked the graphics. And it ran like buttah.

[nurtsi]

Anyone know if I pre-purchase the EU client directly from NCSoft, I get to take part in the closed beta events? It says I can join, but it never mentions anything about EU beta, I guess it is the same as the US one, right?

[Falconeer]

Pre-purchase the "client"?
I preordered the EU collector and I am in. I think you get a spot with the collector, not sure with regular preorder, but it should be written up there somewhere on the EU Aion website. Oh, a friend of mine spent something like 5€ on a pre-order online thingie cause it was supposed to warrant him a spot, and it did. Got his key 22 hours later.

[nurtsi]

The game I mean. I bought the regular from PlayNC, downloading now. Will see if it lets me play in a few hours.

[Falconeer]

Crafted and rare, Funny Weapons   

[schild]

Crafted and rare, Funny Weapons  

Play more JRPGs and watch more anime. Nothing new here.

[Feverdream]

So I pre-ordered and have been dinking around in the beta.

And I can already tell I'm not going to make it past my current level 15.

I have mentioned here before that I am absolutely desperate for a good team-based PvP game (I guess I've never gotten over yearning for something like DAOC), and there's nothing to do in the beta but quest or grind and level up.

That's OK for awhile...it lets me get a feel for the game mechanics, get a sense of whether leveling (especially as a healer, which I always tend to play) will be a burden, and see whether I like the art and animations.

I knew going into it that it wasn't going to be a cutting-edge, stereotype-shattering game.  I don't need or expect that.  Everything about it seems fine (not compelling or brilliant, but fine), and it surely does run more smoothly than Warhammer.

I can already tell I'll be able to tolerate the leveling - though I don't know how tough it gets at higher levels, so that may yet be a problem.  Either way, I  just can't go on, heh.  There are no BGs, no nothing.  Just PvE.  I can't take it any more =P

Soooo....methinks I am done with the beta, as I'm just not interested in leveling up twice.  I'll stick with my pre-order for now and hope that the endgame is worthwhile.

The thing is, and it's hard for me to articulate this, so I may miss the mark...even at low levels, DAOC and WoW and even Warhammer felt more engaging somehow.  I can't describe this very well, but Aion just isn't pulling me in.  I'm not sure what that's about.  Maybe I'm just jaded, but I don't think so...because I am pretty certain I could roll a new character in any of those other games today and feel more connected and interested in what's going on.  I wish I could sort out this odd feeling of disconnect from Aion, but I guess I'll just have to be inarticulate about it for now.  I'll still give it a chance, I think.

[Nebu]

Summary: Things stop being new and exciting after the 10th time you've seen them. 

Aion will be successful if they can provide an interesting and organic pvp experience.  It doesn't have to be new or innovative, it just has to be less broken than WAR and less gear dependant than WoW. 

[Feverdream]

Summary: Things stop being new and exciting after the 10th time you've seen them. 

Aion will be successful if they can provide an interesting and organic pvp experience.  It doesn't have to be new or innovative, it just has to be less broken than WAR and less gear dependant than WoW. 

Good summary ;)

It's certainly true for me that the endgame will seal the deal with Aion (or not, depending on how it turns out).  I'm just not willing to do all that PvE leveling during the beta -- without even a BG to break the monotony of PvE -- to find out.

But there's something else in Aion that just isn't clicking for me, and it's not exactly about having seen the same thing 100 times before.  That reality doesn't explain the fact that I am pretty certain I could roll a new character right now in, say, WoW, and have more of a sense of engagement and connection than I would in Aion.  It's a weird feeling, but this probably gets into the realm of pure subjectivity and sort of arcane impressions, so I'll shush before I get denned.

[Lantyssa]

The thing is, and it's hard for me to articulate this, so I may miss the mark...even at low levels, DAOC and WoW and even Warhammer felt more engaging somehow.  I can't describe this very well, but Aion just isn't pulling me in.  I'm not sure what that's about.  Maybe I'm just jaded, but I don't think so...because I am pretty certain I could roll a new character in any of those other games today and feel more connected and interested in what's going on.  I wish I could sort out this odd feeling of disconnect from Aion, but I guess I'll just have to be inarticulate about it for now.  I'll still give it a chance, I think.

I haven't played Aion or DAoC, so I don't have comparisons there.  WAR though feels like something big is happening right from the start.  The Order races are under seige or about to be (though I found the Elven area to give the best feel for that), and the Chaos races are crushing their opposition (with again the Dark Elves really getting into it).  WoW is a little slower, but if you've followed it lore at all, then it's pretty easy to get right into it.

[Draegan]

Can anyone thats playing give a breakdown of how the classes they have played, play.

Warriors:
Templar: Sword and Board.  Shield bashes and sword strikes.  Your tank.  Has a pulling skill that can yank someone to you (must be on the ground and target must be on the ground as well).  Good in PVP.

Gladiator: DPS warrior.  Can tank some (I think) but can dual wield and use 2h weapons with some melee aoe abilities.

Scouts:
Ranger - Range dps, lower than Sorc, CC and traps.  One of the best "gankers" apparently.  Has rudimentry stealth.  Out of combat 30seconds.
Assassin - Typical stunning backstabing rogue archtype.. good burst dps.

Mages:
Sorcerer: Good CC, Great range magical DPS, squishy, has defensive spell that help.
Spirit Master: Pet Class. Dots and slows and other CC.  Really solo efficient, good in pvp as well.

Priests:
Cleric: Badass main healer class. Very survivable in PVP.  Sword and mace, strong healing and decent ranged magical dps.
Chanter: Buffer, but staff melee dps with HOTs single and group based.  Stuns a lot with other procs.  Pretty good in a group.  Must have at the high end for some of their auras.


Thats what I have so far.

[skrigg]

The thing is, and it's hard for me to articulate this, so I may miss the mark...even at low levels, DAOC and WoW and even Warhammer felt more engaging somehow.  I can't describe this very well, but Aion just isn't pulling me in.  I'm not sure what that's about.  Maybe I'm just jaded, but I don't think so...because I am pretty certain I could roll a new character in any of those other games today and feel more connected and interested in what's going on.  I wish I could sort out this odd feeling of disconnect from Aion, but I guess I'll just have to be inarticulate about it for now.  I'll still give it a chance, I think.

Some of this might be the fact that you know what to expect at end game in those other games. Looking forward to the pvp of end game is usually my drive for leveling. Seeing as how some of us don't know much about it, or how it plays its hard to push through the beta pve.