The Shattered Vortex

Dristin

No, unfortunately not. You'll have to be unenemied.

Neoma

Fingers are worth 10 faction points but i turned in 30 fingers and I am still neutral, so now i wonder if it is broken or that it requires a lot more fingers? I blame Zsadist, he must have broken it.

Dristin

Neoma said:

Fingers are worth 10 faction points but i turned in 30 fingers and I am still neutral, so now i wonder if it is broken or that it requires a lot more fingers? I blame Zsadist, he must have broken it.

It requires a lot more. I can't reveal the specifics of how many points are between each rank, but it's intended for you to have to work at it for a substantial amount of time. Your best bet to move up more quickly is doing the daily quests (which give 1k points) and killing the amag-however-you-spell-them (which also give 1k on death, but not all repop quickly). I'm not sure what you might see when you do FACTIONS, but check that out when you get time.

Neoma

Thanks @dristin, now i know what to expect. After completing the dirge I think smell another challenge.

Neoma

I must say I my latest mount.

Snorting angrily, a chaos stallion paws at the ground restlessly.

This stallion is fairly normal in form, sturdy and strong. He stands at roughly seven feet in height and is covered in bulky muscles. The thin layer of fur that covers his entire body is pitch black with red flecks tinging the ends. His eyes are blood-red and contain no normal irises. Thick red tresses serve as his mane and tail, both areas ill-kept and fairly tangled. Cracks appear all across his body, a faint red glow coming from them - as if hot lava was inside and trying to find a way out. He is called 'Balrok.'

Doesn't it just cry... I am Bloodlochian!

Zsadist

@Dristin: Just out of curiousity, how many people do you actually see go into the Vortex anymore? Because I'm in there almost 24/7 and I hardly ever see anyone in there, apart from Neoma, myself, and Coribhell.

Also, are there anymore future plans for the Vortex?

Dristin

There are plans, but nothing for any immediate future. As for the other question, I will just say that there are a fair number of people who come and go from it on any given day.

Alexina

Is there some trick to fighting the amalgations that I am not aware of?

Every single time I try to fight them, it goes like this:

H:8526 M:4522 E:33900 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [p e-]
An amalgamation of corpses's multiple eyes scan the area, finding singularity with Alexina, and an unearthly scream echoes forth from within an amalgamation of corpses, the pain of the once-innocent lives used to create the abomination, now twisted into blind wrath. An amalgamation of corpses charges at Alexina, determined to add a new victim.
[HINT]: You need to escape or you will be devoured whole! <- This is the warning

qeb
H:8526 M:4522 E:33900 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [p e-]
You have cleared your eqbal queue.
H:8526 M:4522 E:33900 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [p e-]
You are again able to use a healing serum.
You stick yourself with a stimulant serum.
Mana Gain: 1454
The serum makes you feel more lucid and aware.
A clay golem slowly wakens, looking fit and refreshed.
H:8526 M:5976 E:33900 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [p e-]
You have recovered balance on all limbs.
You stand up and stretch your arms out wide.
H:8526 M:5976 E:33897 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [eb]e
Upon fabric, dusted in snow. (Shattered Vortex.) (16000)
Dawn rises upon a cloudless sky, the dim, reddish rays of the sun shining down upon the land. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, west, and northwest.
H:8526 M:5976 E:33895 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [eb]e
Facing the chill of the glacier. (Shattered Vortex.) (16002)
Dawn rises upon a cloudless sky, the dim, reddish rays of the sun shining down upon the land. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading north, east, west, and northwest.
H:8526 M:5976 E:33893 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
Your moon tattoo tingles as it regenerates your mana.
Mana Gain: 87
H:8526 M:6063 E:33893 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [eb]e
Approaching the western bridge spanning the Shattered Vortex. (Shattered Vortex.) (16007)
Dawn rises upon a cloudless sky, the dim, reddish rays of the sun shining down upon the land. Dressed in black and crimson, an elderly, strained Indorani is here. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, southeast, south, and west.
H:8526 M:6063 E:33891 W:24363 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
Your skin begins to slowly smolder and char beneath the assault of sunlight.
Damage done: 17, unblockable, none
You have dealt 7866 damage to target mob.
Health Lost: 154, fire, magical
H:8372 M:6063 E:33900 W:24410 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
You are again able to use a healing serum.
H:8372 M:6063 E:33900 W:24410 B:100% XP:68% [eb]touch shield
Shadow spills from your shield tattoo in viscous tides, the inky blackness forming a magical shield around you.
You have gained the shielded defence.
Equilibrium Used: 4.00 seconds
H:8372 M:6063 E:33900 W:24410 B:100% XP:68% [-b]
Health Gain: 154
H:8526 M:6063 E:33900 W:24457 B:100% XP:68% [-b]
You have recovered equilibrium.
H:8526 M:6063 E:33900 W:24457 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
Your skin begins to slowly smolder and char beneath the assault of sunlight.
Damage done: 17, unblockable, none
You have dealt 7883 damage to target mob.
Health Lost: 154, fire, magical
H:8372 M:6063 E:33900 W:24504 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
Your boar tattoo tingles as it regenerates your health.
Health Gain: 154
H:8526 M:6063 E:33900 W:24504 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
Your skin begins to slowly smolder and char beneath the assault of sunlight.
Damage done: 17, unblockable, none
You have dealt 7900 damage to target mob.
Health Lost: 154, fire, magical
H:8372 M:6063 E:33900 W:24551 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
Health Gain: 154
H:8526 M:6063 E:33900 W:24598 B:100% XP:68% [eb]w
Your movement causes your magical shield to dissipate.
Your shielded defence has been stripped.
Facing the chill of the glacier. (Shattered Vortex.) (16002)
Dawn rises upon a cloudless sky, the dim, reddish rays of the sun shining down upon the land. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading north, east, west, and northwest.
H:8526 M:6063 E:33898 W:24645 B:100% XP:68% [eb]w
Upon fabric, dusted in snow. (Shattered Vortex.) (16000)
Dawn rises upon a cloudless sky, the dim, reddish rays of the sun shining down upon the land. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, west, and northwest.
H:8526 M:6063 E:33896 W:24645 B:100% XP:68% [eb]
Your skin begins to slowly smolder and char beneath the assault of sunlight.
Damage done: 17, unblockable, none
You have dealt 7917 damage to target mob.
Health Lost: 154, fire, magical
H:8372 M:6063 E:33896 W:24645 B:100% XP:68% [eb]eval
Mana Lost: 36
"golem187484" a clay golem. (12963/12980)
H:8372 M:6027 E:33896 W:24645 B:100% XP:68% [eb]w
The alabaster bridge. (Shattered Vortex.) (15996)
Dawn rises upon a cloudless sky, the dim, reddish rays of the sun shining down upon the land. A small slice of kidney lies here, curved in the shape of a bean. <b class="Bold">Pulling itself along over mismatched, stitched-together feet, a monstrosity formed of corpses is here. Viscous green bile covers every surface, powerful acidic fumes rising up from it. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area. <- By this time, I've been out of the room for 15-20 seconds
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, west, and northwest.
H:8372 M:6027 E:33894 W:24645 B:100% XP:68% [eb]qeb stand;;earth batter amalgamation;;golem recover;;golem call
You are not fallen or kneeling.
Whispering an offering to the earth, you slam a menacing flail into the ground beside an amalgamation of corpses. A fissure opens beneath its feet, summoning forth a single-minded swarm of centipedes to engulf it.
Damage done: 944, blunt, brute
You have dealt 8861 damage to target mob.
Balance Used: 2.55 seconds
Mana Lost: 59
You utter a word of command to your golem.
A clay golem draws upon the power of Earth as it slowly recovers its wounds.
Equilibrium Used: 2.32 seconds
Your golem is already here!
H:8372 M:5968 E:33869 W:24615 B:100% XP:68% [--]Autobashing turned on.
eval
Mana Lost: 39
"amalgamation178999"an amalgamation of corpses. (19802/35000)
"golem187484" a clay golem. (12980/12980)
H:8372 M:5929 E:33900 W:24662 B:100% XP:68% [--]
You have recovered equilibrium.
qeb stand;;earth batter amalgamation;;golem recover;;golem call
H:8372 M:5929 E:33900 W:24662 B:100% XP:68% [e-]
You have recovered balance on all limbs.
qeb stand;;earth batter amalgamation;;golem recover;;golem call
You are not fallen or kneeling.
Whispering an offering to the earth, you slam a menacing flail into the ground beside an amalgamation of corpses. A fissure opens beneath its feet, summoning forth a single-minded swarm of centipedes to engulf it.
Damage done: 944, blunt, brute
You have dealt 9805 damage to target mob.
Balance Used: 2.55 seconds
Your golem is already at full health!
Your golem is already here!
H:8372 M:5929 E:33875 W:24662 B:100% XP:68% [e-]
You will execute the following command when you next regain equilibrium and balance: stand;;earth batter amalgamation;;golem recover;;golem call
H:8372 M:5929 E:33875 W:24662 B:100% XP:68% [e-]
The sickly smell of the acidic bile delights your undead senses.
Health Gain: 154
H:8526 M:5929 E:33875 W:24662 B:100% XP:68% [e-]
An amalgamation of corpses reaches one clawed hand to you and lifts you up with minimal effort. An amalgamation of corpses flings you high into the air, and you spin a moment, dizzy and disorientated, before falling into an amalgamation of corpses's gaping maw. You manage one final shriek as the jaws close, and the snapping of bone is your last conscious thought.
You have been slain by an amalgamation of corpses.
Experience Lost: 9750 [total: 91708487]


I get the warning, leave the room for a while (15-20 seconds), return, and I'm instantly killed every time. Heck, one time, it chased after me and its first attack was the instant kill. In the past when I fought them, it was possible to go out of the room to avoid them devouring you, but now it seems unavoidable.

Toz

Bugged last I heard.

Dristin

It's not necessarily bugged, though I have put it up to a higher level to look at. The code has not changed since they were first released, save for adding in a reset to make sure health levels go back down to normal after a time. We have put in debugging to watch and see what's going on.

Edit: Let me use this opportunity to point out, for those who might have missed the changelogs, a load of adjustments were made to the area to make things a little easier. These adjustments are done at this point and will also have made experience a little lower. However, it should even out the difficulty of the NPCs (besides the monstrosities) to be fairly balanced.

Alexina

I guess I just don't really get the design behind that particular mob then. Why create a hint about running away if it just means the mob will kill you as soon as you're in the room again?

I guess they're killable with the crit buff, but by that point, you're up in the ranks with the factions already.

Dristin

There is a daily quest you can get that will reward with some gold. It's one of several options that you might be given, but killing the monstrosity is one of them. You can find details on this in-game.

Keroc

Amalgamation was a little bugged in that it took a while to register that someone had left. It'll stop trying its instakill the next time it tries to attack and the target is no longer there, so make sure you wait a bit at the very least.

Zsadist

I'm not really liking the changes to the xp and difficulty of the Vortex... because now its just TOO easy and the xp for me (which is why I bashed the area so much) has been cut down way too far for it to be a viable xp bashing area. What I mean is this, before the xp/difficulty changes I could bash about 2-4 million xp in about 3 hours (with Coribhell) of bashing the Vortex, now I can't even bash 1 million xp in that same amount of time (also with Coribhell).

I know there's no real way to balance xp to difficulty without making the mobs easier/harder due to the xp/difficulty formula, but as much as I love the Vortex... as an experience basher, this just isn't anymore lucrative than Tiyen/Xaanhal/Volcano being an Open PK area. Just my two cents worth.

Alexina

Keroc said:

Amalgamation was a little bugged in that it took a while to register that someone had left. It'll stop trying its instakill the next time it tries to attack and the target is no longer there, so make sure you wait a bit at the very least.

They're still doing it:

An amalgamation of corpses's multiple eyes scan the area, finding singularity with Alexina, and an unearthly scream echoes forth from within an amalgamation of corpses, the pain of the once-innocent lives used to create the abomination, now twisted into blind wrath. An amalgamation of corpses charges at Alexina, determined to add a new victim.
[HINT]: You need to escape or you will be devoured whole!
qeb
H:7383 M:5497 E:32400 W:24470 B:100% XP:69% [p e-]
You have recovered balance on all limbs.
You stand up and stretch your arms out wide.
Whispering an offering to the earth, you slam a menacing flail into the ground beside an amalgamation of corpses. A fissure opens beneath its feet, summoning forth a single-minded swarm of centipedes to engulf it.
Damage done: 991, blunt, brute
You have dealt 4474 damage to target mob.
Balance Used: 2.55 seconds
Mana Lost: 59
You utter a word of command to your golem.
A clay golem draws upon the power of Earth as it slowly recovers its wounds.
Equilibrium Used: 2.32 seconds
Your golem is already here!
golem twinsoul on
H:7383 M:5438 E:32372 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [--]
You have cleared your eqbal queue.
H:7383 M:5438 E:32372 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [--]
You must regain balance first.
H:7383 M:5438 E:32372 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [--]
Your moon tattoo tingles as it regenerates your mana.
Mana Gain: 127
H:7383 M:5565 E:32372 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [--]
Your boar tattoo tingles as it regenerates your health.
Health Gain: 408
H:7791 M:5565 E:32372 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [--]w
You must regain balance first.
H:7791 M:5565 E:32372 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [--]
You have recovered equilibrium.
H:7791 M:5565 E:32372 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [e-]w

You have recovered balance on all limbs.
Edge of the fabric bridge. (Shattered Vortex.) (15991)
Sunset falls, casting the clouds above in a shadowy array of darks and silvers and lending the sky a purplish cast. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading east, southeast, south, southwest, and west.
H:7791 M:5565 E:32370 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [eb]w
A billowing white bridge. (Shattered Vortex.) (15988)
Sunset falls, casting the clouds above in a shadowy array of darks and silvers and lending the sky a purplish cast. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading east, southeast, south, and west.
H:7791 M:5565 E:32368 W:24440 B:100% XP:69% [eb]
You are again able to use a healing serum.
H:7791 M:5565 E:32400 W:24487 B:100% XP:69% [eb]touch shield
Shadow spills from your shield tattoo in viscous tides, the inky blackness forming a magical shield around you.
You have gained the shielded defence.
Equilibrium Used: 4.00 seconds
H:7791 M:5565 E:32400 W:24487 B:100% XP:69% [-b]
Health Gain: 373
Mana Gain: 319
You feel able to reconstitute your body once more.
H:8164 M:5884 E:32400 W:24487 B:100% XP:69% [-b]
You have recovered equilibrium.
H:8164 M:5884 E:32400 W:24534 B:100% XP:69% [eb]touch shield
Shadow spills from your shield tattoo in viscous tides, the inky blackness forming a magical shield around you.
You have gained the shielded defence.
Equilibrium Used: 4.00 seconds
H:8164 M:5884 E:32400 W:24534 B:100% XP:69% [-b]
Your moon tattoo tingles as it regenerates your mana.
Mana Gain: 127
H:8164 M:6011 E:32400 W:24534 B:100% XP:69% [-b]
You have recovered equilibrium.
H:8164 M:6011 E:32400 W:24581 B:100% XP:69% [eb]touch shield

The rush of energy fades.
Shadow spills from your shield tattoo in viscous tides, the inky blackness forming a magical shield around you.
You have gained the shielded defence.
Equilibrium Used: 4.00 seconds
H:8164 M:6011 E:32400 W:24581 B:100% XP:69% [-b]
Mana Gain: 319
H:8164 M:6330 E:32400 W:24628 B:100% XP:69% [-b]
You have recovered equilibrium.
H:8164 M:6330 E:32400 W:24628 B:100% XP:69% [eb]e
Your movement causes your magical shield to dissipate.
Your shielded defence has been stripped.
Edge of the fabric bridge. (Shattered Vortex.) (15991)
Sunset falls, casting the clouds above in a shadowy array of darks and silvers and lending the sky a purplish cast. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading east, southeast, south, southwest, and west.
H:8164 M:6330 E:32398 W:24675 B:100% XP:69% [eb]e
Overlooking the wide vortex. (Shattered Vortex.) (15993)
Sunset falls, casting the clouds above in a shadowy array of darks and silvers and lending the sky a purplish cast. Pulling itself along over mismatched, stitched-together feet, a monstrosity formed of corpses is here. A massive sandstorm threatens to choke out the life in this area.
You see exits leading east, southeast, south, southwest, and west.
H:8164 M:6330 E:32396 W:24675 B:100% XP:69% [eb]
Your moon tattoo tingles as it regenerates your mana.
Mana Gain: 65
H:8164 M:6395 E:32396 W:24675 B:100% XP:69% [eb]qeb stand;;earth batter amalgamation;;golem recover;;golem call
You are not fallen or kneeling.
Whispering an offering to the earth, you slam a menacing flail into the ground beside an amalgamation of corpses. A fissure opens beneath its feet, summoning forth a single-minded swarm of centipedes to engulf it.
Damage done: 991, blunt, brute
You have dealt 5465 damage to target mob.
Balance Used: 2.55 seconds
Your golem is already at full health!
Your golem is already here!
golem twinsoul on
H:8164 M:6395 E:32371 W:24675 B:100% XP:69% [e-]
You must regain balance first.
H:8164 M:6395 E:32371 W:24675 B:100% XP:69% [e-]
An amalgamation of corpses reaches one clawed hand to you and lifts you up with minimal effort. An amalgamation of corpses flings you high into the air, and you spin a moment, dizzy and disorientated, before falling into an amalgamation of corpses's gaping maw. You manage one final shriek as the jaws close, and the snapping of bone is your last conscious thought.
You have been slain by an amalgamation of corpses.
Experience Lost: 9750 [total: 93176374]

That's waiting at least 14 seconds before going in again, and their attacks are definitely more frequent than fourteen seconds.

Draiman

https://ada-young.appspot.com/pastebin/85db6780

lol wtf it keeled me when a.) I didn't touch it and b.) it didn't give the one shot warning.

Dristin

Zsadist said:

I'm not really liking the changes to the xp and difficulty of the Vortex... because now its just TOO easy and the xp for me (which is why I bashed the area so much) has been cut down way too far for it to be a viable xp bashing area. What I mean is this, before the xp/difficulty changes I could bash about 2-4 million xp in about 3 hours (with Coribhell) of bashing the Vortex, now I can't even bash 1 million xp in that same amount of time (also with Coribhell).

I know there's no real way to balance xp to difficulty without making the mobs easier/harder due to the xp/difficulty formula, but as much as I love the Vortex... as an experience basher, this just isn't anymore lucrative than Tiyen/Xaanhal/Volcano being an Open PK area. Just my two cents worth.

Surprisingly enough - it still has comparable XP to Tcanna, overall number-wise, as I've already looked at that. You get bonuses from crit-immune and it being a PvP zone. The numbers you were seeing were inflated, just like you see in bonus xp zones. You have to remember that Tiyen/Xaanhal/Volcano/Arbothia all have bonus XP added to them. Meaning, they aren't made like any other typical area and don't use the current XP formulas - giving you more experience than you normally should. It's not a good plan to compare any other bashing area to one of these that have bonus XP added to them because it's not a true comparison.

My hope, with reducing difficulty, is to encourage more people to want to go in and enjoy themselves without dieing multiple times over because they don't have artifacts. I may introduce other mechanics later, to make things interesting in a different way, but it won't be for a few months most likely.

Draiman

I know the gold tweaking is still being worked out, but the turn in quests only giving 10g per, down from 100/150g per, is a big reason I probably won't ever go back into the Vortex outside of helping people get fame lines or bugging Zsadist.

Experience only appeals to some people once they get level 100. Gold is pretty much the only reason I ever bashed after end game, and now I can make more gold beetling than bashing the Vortex. With this being an open PK zone and the gold drops/quests everywhere being nerfed into the ground, I'd say your best bet at getting people interested in the Vortex is upping the gold back to what it was, which was like 10k-ish per run (including quest turn ins and drops).

This makes people want to go in to earn gold. This also creates incentives for everyone to pick a faction and dump gold into it for the new items like crit, damage, and area reset. If I'm only making 2k gold (random number as example) per trip, the only item of interest becomes whatever item effectively increases experience gain, and that only appeals to people wanting experience.

Also recommend re-pricing the pairing ring. 300k was a steep price for an item that only worked in one area of the game to begin with, now it's borderline ridiculous.

Trikal

Dristin said:

Zsadist said:

I'm not really liking the changes to the xp and difficulty of the Vortex... because now its just TOO easy and the xp for me (which is why I bashed the area so much) has been cut down way too far for it to be a viable xp bashing area. What I mean is this, before the xp/difficulty changes I could bash about 2-4 million xp in about 3 hours (with Coribhell) of bashing the Vortex, now I can't even bash 1 million xp in that same amount of time (also with Coribhell).

I know there's no real way to balance xp to difficulty without making the mobs easier/harder due to the xp/difficulty formula, but as much as I love the Vortex... as an experience basher, this just isn't anymore lucrative than Tiyen/Xaanhal/Volcano being an Open PK area. Just my two cents worth.

Surprisingly enough - it still has comparable XP to Tcanna, overall number-wise, as I've already looked at that. You get bonuses from crit-immune and it being a PvP zone. The numbers you were seeing were inflated, just like you see in bonus xp zones. You have to remember that Tiyen/Xaanhal/Volcano/Arbothia all have bonus XP added to them. Meaning, they aren't made like any other typical area and don't use the current XP formulas - giving you more experience than you normally should. It's not a good plan to compare any other bashing area to one of these that have bonus XP added to them because it's not a true comparison.

My hope, with reducing difficulty, is to encourage more people to want to go in and enjoy themselves without dieing multiple times over because they don't have artifacts. I may introduce other mechanics later, to make things interesting in a different way, but it won't be for a few months most likely.

The problem I have with this, is why would I go bash stuff that's crit immune for the same xp as stuff that I can blast through with crits. You say it's not fair to compare it to Tiyen/Xaanhal,Volcano/Arbothia, but I can still bash all of them, so unless that xp buff is getting removed, I see no reason not to compare it to them since that's what I'm bashing if not Vortex. Vortex is now an open pk zone, where I can't chat with my friends on web, or interact with City/Guild because I'm on a different plane so I can not crit mobs (or pay 8k gold so I can) for comparable xp as other places I can bash, which die easier and faster. The appeal before was that it was hard to kill things, but with that came better xp.

Dristin

Because I wanted to make sure the XP is still comparable, I did do some testing:

3647 - vortex monk
3104 - vortex ascendril
2044 - vortex soulmaster
1809 - vortex minion of chaos
2097 - xorani guard
2102 - xorani warrior
1911 - instance xorani guard
2025 - tiyen shade
1229 - tiyen cutter
2203 - tiyen crossbowman
2341 - tcanna elephant
2361 - tcanna ocelot
2204 - tcanna buffalo

The demons have never intended to be on the same level of xp as the sentient NPCs. But, looking at these numbers, sentient NPCs in Vortex still give more XP. It looks like it's an average of 1/3 more XP. Considering that people can now get something to be able to crit on these NPCs, that's not a bad bonus in my mind.

I can't do a ton about the gold reward changes, but I did ask if I can bump the gold up some because it's an open-PK area. So, I am bumping the gold up to 15g a corpse. The quests also gave XP when you turned it in, even though you may not get notified of it. I have bumped this number up as well so that it's roughly 500 xp (more if you're not endgame) per corpse turn-in.

Just remember that bashing is intended for XP making rather than gold making. Things like vermin-hunting doesn't give much xp, that's why you get a greater output on gold return. That's why quests in zones that aren't just straight corpse turnins are worth more.

Keroc

Alexina said:

Keroc said:

Amalgamation was a little bugged in that it took a while to register that someone had left. It'll stop trying its instakill the next time it tries to attack and the target is no longer there, so make sure you wait a bit at the very least.

They're still doing it:

...

That's waiting at least 14 seconds before going in again, and their attacks are definitely more frequent than fourteen seconds.

Fixed for real this time! I swear!

Zsadist

Dristin said:

My hope, with reducing difficulty, is to encourage more people to want to go in and enjoy themselves without dieing multiple times over because they don't have artifacts. I may introduce other mechanics later, to make things interesting in a different way, but it won't be for a few months most likely.

I hope more people DO enter the Vortex..... because it'll mean I have more people to PK then. Because now, a PK death is worth more than my bashing the mobs in there.

Irruel

Dristin said:

Just remember that bashing is intended for XP making rather than gold making. Things like vermin-hunting doesn't give much xp, that's why you get a greater output on gold return. That's why quests in zones that aren't just straight corpse turnins are worth more.

May I ask the reason for that? Bashing for non-xp rewards is integral in other games (commodity farming). Is it possible to trade between the two - perhaps on the turn in quests there is a choice of reward, extra gold vs extra exp, but not both?

It seems to me that an open PK area (if there were more people, specifically pkers online at any one time) should not be the first choice of places to bash for exp, because of the risk of losing that exp.

Alternative rewards (some of these already in Aet, this list is just to make a point):

• commodities worth something, whether it is gold or something else (ylem is already used this way)
  
• access to instance (imagine if the xaanhal entrance was open pvp, and you couldn't begin the instance until X amount of the entrance was cleared)
  
• temp artifact-like item rewards
  
• area-specific commodities. Perhaps another area drops something that makes taking out the clerics in the chapel prison a bit easier
  
• compendium pages as rewards for completing an area completely, enough times to be recognised as an expert. Quests, bashing, exploring, the lot.
  

None of those area original ideas, taken either from Aetolia, or other MMOs.

Dristin

In response to @Irruel - I know that usually we don't look to do the split choice on what you get as a reward. As it stands, I don't see the need since the corpse turn-ins are a fixed rate - so either someone would get no gold and maybe 700 xp per turnin or the 15g per turnin and 500 xp. It doesn't seem worthwhile doing on my end. Concerning the commodity farming, I can't really touch on that - that'd be something to IDEA and the main admin will take it into consideration.

For the alternative reward stuff, I can say outright that I won't be doing any sort of instance related things. We've already admitted in another thread that we're not looking to implement another instance like Xaanhal and would be looking at instances as being more group-mechanic based. At this point, I don't see the advantage/need of that for this zone.

For the rest:
-Fingers drop from most NPCs that are sentient, save for the warriors. These can be turned in for faction points. That is a commodity in my mind.
-People can earn faction rank and go into faction halls to buy consumables to make it easier for them to hunt in the zone and in other zones. Plus, other misc trinkets and artifacts.
-Compendium pages are a complete no-go for a zone like this. In general, I don't forsee us adding a feature like that - but you can always put it through as an IDEA and it could be considered for future content.

I will say that I plan to add in some new drops in consideration of what was written in your post because you do bring up some interesting points. It won't be anything super fancy, but it'd be extra reward for those who go in there.

Irruel

When I mentioned instances, I didn't mean to make more 1p instances. I just meant that being able to enter an instance - any instance, 1p, 5p or 40p - is a reward all on its own, and so could be a reason to enter an open PVP area.

There are areas people consistently say are not worth while. Take the blobs - while I enjoy the challenge of that bashing run, it's no one's first choice for XP or gold.

Rather than changing that so it's the same as any other bashing area, make collected blob-slime useful in another area. The slime is given a low (1 week) decay time and cannot be cached. Draiman then bashes blobs and auctions them, while Alexina buys them because why would she stoop to farming her own comms? Meanwhile the blob area is now popular without EXP bashers going there.

Alexina

I noticed some people have the 'Has become a Speaker of the Void with the Aztob' honours line. Do you need to do something other than reaching the final rank to obtain it, or is it currently bugged?

Dristin

It should be a matter of going back and greeting the appropriate side NPC and looking for a key prompt. It could be bugged, I'm not sure.

Alexina

That doesn't seem to be working.

Dristin

Alexina said:

That doesn't seem to be working.

I just fixed it. Realized I was checking by faction generic rank (which means the title) rather than the numeric. My mistake!

Zsadist

Will there be a fix to be able to turn in fingers en masse instead of one by one?