tanstaafl

Conan borrowed it from a book about Genghis Kahn

http://www.barbariankeep.com/ctbsecrets.html

I'm pretty similar, 3+ years playing, 3 50's, loads (approx 40) between 20-35

Agreed. I keep a few characters grey for RP/Concept, but lure of H/V merits is strong. There's a sense of gimping my rewards by choosing it for concept.

I don't find the teaming options much better for the Vigs/Rogues - most of my teaming is found by global friends and channels, so I'll just alt to a Hero/Villian if need be, and can only be in one zone at a time anyway.

Right. So why the comment about proving to me about soloing the alpha slot?

I think you skimmed past my post in this thread that explicitly states that the alpha slot is something that can be soloable, and that I'd be happy of the rest of the systems is as soloable. I also like how the shard rate increases on any team so it allows for PUG play (which is what I do mostly - self interest here) not just taskforce play.
I like how you get best rate for taskforce, then random mission teams then solo. I consider it a good mechanic for promoting team play without buggering the 'pure' solo player.

I wouldn't say that doing it on a scrapper implies anything special over any other less solo friendly AT.

My comment, in context is that it remains to be seen about future unlocking of different incarante abilities. And yes, that does remain to be seen, as its in the future and all. I have interpreted the letter is probably the most negative way on first reading. I am most likely wrong to do so.

Please do not try to read my mind. You haven't even read my posts in this thread.

I have only seen this stated direction from you. All I would actually want is to see something like that statement by a redname, that there will be a way to participate in the Incarnate system even by soloing (which would then imply by PUGs doing standard missions).


.

I'm asking for insight on the general direction about soloing and the incarnate end game. About the next issues Incarante slot.
Do you understand this is different to asking the devs to tie thier hands for the future of the rest of the game forever?

If NCsoft is serious about wanting to listen, (and I believe they are) then don't ya think they are probably serious about having players speak up about thier concerns.

If there is as you claim, a stated direction is to provide soloing opportunities already, then all I need is a pointer to that.

It remains to be seen. I hope I am wrong.

And this is the time to complain about it as a possible direction before it beomes fact, and to ask for clarifaction.

edit: anyway, it will take a few days to see if Second Chance is able to/wants to clarify, and dont think there is much else to be said until then.

I'm not complaining that I have to play my character to get to 60.
I'm complaining that I have no choice other than to team to get to 60.

This is not something that City has ever done before - locked level progression behind teaming.

It's not a massive assumption. It's a small assumption. No existing trial in game can be started by one person.

The Alpha slot mission is solable, so is getting shards, though if we need 200+ for rares it will be a grindfest for those who choose to do it without a team, and I'll be happy if the rest of the incarnate stuff is as soloable as the alpha is.

I agree we don't have enough information, hence why I asked for a plain clarification instead of guessing games.

In my experience, one shard an hour is about average for casual play. Estimating 200 shards is estimating 200 hours. For people who only play a few hours a week, this will take them a long while - months.

The slots/level shifts are a replacement level cap. Fairly natural that people will want thier characters to be at the level cap.
The random element is worse for some than actual exp which is a definable steady going up progress bar.

I do think its too early to worry about as yet.