MA farming: The way to kill an MMO
By
Arctic_Princess,
Posted on: 2009-05-01 12:12 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
Well i think u can make up 20 different adjustments to make it different, but we lack the data-mining wich the dev team has acces to.
They see what mission is farmed, in wich way, with wich setup. Some farms are not even known to the public, only by experience and telling from/to it gets known to the people (family guy anyone?).
And i dont believe this 'farm hype' is of such huge impact that it will have drastic consequences. Sure to those who monitor it closely it will be alot of changes, but avarage 'i dont visit forums and happy play' players i dont think that will be much different. The majority is more 'in touch; with the farm hype because of the broadcast, not by the actualy farming itself.
(like how many people ingame actualy know ED? - THE most dreaded patch ever)
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
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the fact that you CAN get to 50 and enjoy the scope of a 50 in just a few hours will appeal to some people ...what is wrong with that ?
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If new players can get several level 50s in their free month, what are the likely to do when that free month is up?
A) Sub up and become long term players
B) Quit and tell their friends that CoX is a farming game that you can finish in a few hours
I weep. 
I haven't met a single decent player on CoH in the past week. Every single person has no badges, apart from lots of Architect ones, and don't have a grasp of English, let alone how the game works. I've seen epic archetypes say "he he i a alien", people at level 45 not understanding why my level 19 Controller can't get at the Imperious task force, Stone tanks with granite armour that don't understand the difference between defence and resistance.
Farming is no longer an issue for the market or something that you can pretend to ignore. For anyone who isn't in a good supergroup, who rely on pickup teams, CoH has become a desolate wasteland. On both servers, on many level ranges, at all times of day, I simply can't find a team that doesn't farm.
I'm not whining. I feel genuinely... hurt. Like I've been punched in the stomach. Every time I see a player who has powerlevelled to the top levels in days, I die a little inside. This game is in my blood, and it's been poisoned. Can any of you really blame the veterans of this game for wanting to flee to greener pastures?
EDIT: I just got asked to farm while typing this. Twice. ;-;
Necrobond - 50 BS/Inv Scrapper made in I1
Rickar - 50 Bots/FF Mastermind
Anti-Muon - 42 Warshade
Ivory Sicarius - 45 Crab Spider
Aber ja, nat�rlich Hans nass ist, er steht unter einem Wasserfall.
if it's so easy to get lvl 50, i might try it on a villain, maybe i can finally play COX the way i like it.
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if it's so easy to get lvl 50, i might try it on a villain, maybe i can finally play COX the way i like it.
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Lol, it's actually boosted villains popularity somewhat.
Fury
The simple solution is to not place AE buildings in any of the lowbie zones. AE should not be the first thing a new player encounters, they need to be introduced to the existing content - since that is more likely to help them form a strong affinity with the game and their character.
For those of us who have played the lower lvls numerous times, it wont be a major hit, since we will know exactly where to go if we want to level via AE and not standard. The lowest level zone i would place AE is the mid-teens zones (so Steel ect), id be tempted to even say AE should be post-20 content (Talos+).
We need to bring back the days when new players brushed shoulders with vets and learned from them. Getting a PL and having a level 50 within a week and not knowing 99% of the game is not good, regardless what people may claim.
We really need to think about the longterm affect this has on new players, since that is the problem area, not with experienced players. If a vet wants to PL, they will. New players should at least have the chance to experience the game before all this other nonsense otherwise they wont be here for a fraction of the time most of us have been.
Necro, I had the same problem finding teams, and then I started using the Mission Architect chat channel as well as the Defiant Architects one (MA channel also available on Union, I think). The MA channel seems to be relatively light on spam and the best place to find content-running MA teams, from my limited experience.
Cancelled in Three - MA ID #34608. Please play and comment! Top 10 placing in Projectionist's MA contest!
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if it's so easy to get lvl 50, i might try it on a villain, maybe i can finally play COX the way i like it.
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Lol, it's actually boosted villains popularity somewhat.
Fury
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It probably has.
Now you don't have to see any of that scary RI scenery or have to deal with criminals and evil contacts.
Just stay in the nice and shiny Cap AE building and get to 50 in a few hours.
Now that can only be good, right?
Right?
Anyone? 
Proud member of FOXBASE ALPHA and coalition associates.
Hero 50's - 25
Villain 50's - 1
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if it's so easy to get lvl 50, i might try it on a villain, maybe i can finally play COX the way i like it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Lol, it's actually boosted villains popularity somewhat.
Fury
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It probably has.
Now you don't have to see any of that scary RI scenery or have to deal with criminals and evil contacts.
Just stay in the nice and shiny Cap AE building and get to 50 in a few hours.
Now that can only be good, right?
Right?
Anyone?
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Now I know what I might do with my last day and a bit of sub time! Get my villain past 21! 
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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The simple solution is to not place AE buildings in any of the lowbie zones. AE should not be the first thing a new player encounters, they need to be introduced to the existing content - since that is more likely to help them form a strong affinity with the game and their character.
For those of us who have played the lower lvls numerous times, it wont be a major hit, since we will know exactly where to go if we want to level via AE and not standard. The lowest level zone i would place AE is the mid-teens zones (so Steel ect), id be tempted to even say AE should be post-20 content (Talos+).
We need to bring back the days when new players brushed shoulders with vets and learned from them. Getting a PL and having a level 50 within a week and not knowing 99% of the game is not good, regardless what people may claim.
We really need to think about the longterm affect this has on new players, since that is the problem area, not with experienced players. If a vet wants to PL, they will. New players should at least have the chance to experience the game before all this other nonsense otherwise they wont be here for a fraction of the time most of us have been.
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now see i argee 100% with this.
I might spend a few hours getting my baby heroes (pre level 20) to 50 before i leave 
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if it's so easy to get lvl 50, i might try it on a villain, maybe i can finally play COX the way i like it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Lol, it's actually boosted villains popularity somewhat.
Fury
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It probably has.
Now you don't have to see any of that scary RI scenery or have to deal with criminals and evil contacts.
Just stay in the nice and shiny Cap AE building and get to 50 in a few hours.
Now that can only be good, right?
Right?
Anyone?
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Now I know what I might do with my last day and a bit of sub time! Get my villain past 21!
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Are you going somewhere FFM?
You've been very quiet about it 
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The simple solution is to not place AE buildings in any of the lowbie zones. AE should not be the first thing a new player encounters, they need to be introduced to the existing content - since that is more likely to help them form a strong affinity with the game and their character.
For those of us who have played the lower lvls numerous times, it wont be a major hit, since we will know exactly where to go if we want to level via AE and not standard. The lowest level zone i would place AE is the mid-teens zones (so Steel ect), id be tempted to even say AE should be post-20 content (Talos+).
We need to bring back the days when new players brushed shoulders with vets and learned from them. Getting a PL and having a level 50 within a week and not knowing 99% of the game is not good, regardless what people may claim.
We really need to think about the longterm affect this has on new players, since that is the problem area, not with experienced players. If a vet wants to PL, they will. New players should at least have the chance to experience the game before all this other nonsense otherwise they wont be here for a fraction of the time most of us have been.
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Interesting post
From my view on several 'lf farm' lvl1 people that i monitored, only 1 is now beyond lvl35. The others got 'stuck' pre 30's, great moment in the lvling to a nice ongoing build (travel, stamina, shields, powers, SO's).
Arent people blowing a few things up too big? Yes a numberous of people did get to high lvl relatively fast, but the bigload i've seen jumping around only managed to get a bunch of lvls. These lvls are nothing more then a sewer, KR newspapers and a few SK-runs.
But, i do note again, i play on the US mostly, with quite alot more players and way more diversity of lvling. The few times i went on EU was to get my badges 
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
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The simple solution is to not place AE buildings in any of the lowbie zones. AE should not be the first thing a new player encounters, they need to be introduced to the existing content - since that is more likely to help them form a strong affinity with the game and their character.
For those of us who have played the lower lvls numerous times, it wont be a major hit, since we will know exactly where to go if we want to level via AE and not standard. The lowest level zone i would place AE is the mid-teens zones (so Steel ect), id be tempted to even say AE should be post-20 content (Talos+).
We need to bring back the days when new players brushed shoulders with vets and learned from them. Getting a PL and having a level 50 within a week and not knowing 99% of the game is not good, regardless what people may claim.
We really need to think about the longterm affect this has on new players, since that is the problem area, not with experienced players. If a vet wants to PL, they will. New players should at least have the chance to experience the game before all this other nonsense otherwise they wont be here for a fraction of the time most of us have been.
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now see i argee 100% with this.
[/ QUOTE ]but this won't slove the promblem though... it not that hard to find out where the building will be if you get invited to a team or asking around for it
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if it's so easy to get lvl 50, i might try it on a villain, maybe i can finally play COX the way i like it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Lol, it's actually boosted villains popularity somewhat.
Fury
[/ QUOTE ]
It probably has.
Now you don't have to see any of that scary RI scenery or have to deal with criminals and evil contacts.
Just stay in the nice and shiny Cap AE building and get to 50 in a few hours.
Now that can only be good, right?
Right?
Anyone?
[/ QUOTE ]
Now I know what I might do with my last day and a bit of sub time! Get my villain past 21!
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21??
Go for the big 50
Proud member of FOXBASE ALPHA and coalition associates.
Hero 50's - 25
Villain 50's - 1
If everyone abuses the system then its a home goal for the Devs so that's exactly what there is some sense in doing, before things change. Punish them for it and save money in the long time, because the sooner you have all the 50s you wanted, the sooner you'd be packing up, having your goals achieved and having the time for another game. Getting your toons to 50 is a much greater smack on the bum for them than a complaint.
As far as journey goes, yes but how many people from your journey have left?
As far as experience goes, yes but then people always stop in a Rut where they will never become as experienced and knowledge able as they could be, as they find one way of doing things and stick to it like glue.
I get bored in no time repeating stuff myself but don't care how others play or how many 50s they got, this game is just to while away the hours with something a little more interactive than the balls on TV and not much more.
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
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The simple solution is to not place AE buildings in any of the lowbie zones. AE should not be the first thing a new player encounters, they need to be introduced to the existing content - since that is more likely to help them form a strong affinity with the game and their character.
For those of us who have played the lower lvls numerous times, it wont be a major hit, since we will know exactly where to go if we want to level via AE and not standard. The lowest level zone i would place AE is the mid-teens zones (so Steel ect), id be tempted to even say AE should be post-20 content (Talos+).
We need to bring back the days when new players brushed shoulders with vets and learned from them. Getting a PL and having a level 50 within a week and not knowing 99% of the game is not good, regardless what people may claim.
We really need to think about the longterm affect this has on new players, since that is the problem area, not with experienced players. If a vet wants to PL, they will. New players should at least have the chance to experience the game before all this other nonsense otherwise they wont be here for a fraction of the time most of us have been.
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Interesting post
From my view on several 'lf farm' lvl1 people that i monitored, only 1 is now beyond lvl35. The others got 'stuck' pre 30's, great moment in the lvling to a nice ongoing build (travel, stamina, shields, powers, SO's).
Arent people blowing a few things up too big? Yes a numberous of people did get to high lvl relatively fast, but the bigload i've seen jumping around only managed to get a bunch of lvls. These lvls are nothing more then a sewer, KR newspapers and a few SK-runs.
But, i do note again, i play on the US mostly, with quite alot more players and way more diversity of lvling. The few times i went on EU was to get my badges
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No i dont think its being blown up too much at all, i have seen a very large number of people go from nothing to post-35 and yes, alot to 50. Now as i said, this is only a problem when its a player who is inexperienced. When a lvl 47 tank tells me that they dont have mez protection and that is why they are being thrown around by mobs (and i know hes wrong because they could have picked active defense) or the Empath has no idea what im talking about when i ask for clear mind because im being mezzd, or the controller has no idea how to lockdown mobs using cages/flashfire despite having both and being well into their 40s - these are all symptomatic of being elevated to a level before your experience in-game is ready to handle it.
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The simple solution is to not place AE buildings in any of the lowbie zones. AE should not be the first thing a new player encounters, they need to be introduced to the existing content - since that is more likely to help them form a strong affinity with the game and their character.
For those of us who have played the lower lvls numerous times, it wont be a major hit, since we will know exactly where to go if we want to level via AE and not standard. The lowest level zone i would place AE is the mid-teens zones (so Steel ect), id be tempted to even say AE should be post-20 content (Talos+).
We need to bring back the days when new players brushed shoulders with vets and learned from them. Getting a PL and having a level 50 within a week and not knowing 99% of the game is not good, regardless what people may claim.
We really need to think about the longterm affect this has on new players, since that is the problem area, not with experienced players. If a vet wants to PL, they will. New players should at least have the chance to experience the game before all this other nonsense otherwise they wont be here for a fraction of the time most of us have been.
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now see i argee 100% with this.
[/ QUOTE ]but this won't slove the promblem though... it not that hard to find out where the building will be if you get invited to a team or asking around for it
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Agreed, but at least they would have to go looking for a PL, which is fine. If somebody wants to PL you cant stop them and to a certain extent, you shouldn't have the right to. What we should however avoid is having new players experience detrimentally affected by having PL and farming thrown in their face when they might otherwise enjoy the game normally.
Removing AE from lowbie zones would do this and perhaps people would do normal things until SO level at which point they will have the experience to make an informed choice about their character and how to further progress it.
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No i dont think its being blown up too much at all, i have seen a very large number of people go from nothing to post-35 and yes, alot to 50. Now as i said, this is only a problem when its a player who is inexperienced. When a lvl 47 tank tells me that they dont have mez protection and that is why they are being thrown around by mobs (and i know hes wrong because they could have picked active defense) or the Empath has no idea what im talking about when i ask for clear mind because im being mezzd, or the controller has no idea how to lockdown mobs using cages/flashfire despite having both and being well into their 40s - these are all symptomatic of being elevated to a level before your experience in-game is ready to handle it.
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U do know a firetank even at 50 is still getting trown around? Only with the knowledge of IOs or acrobatics this will be gone
But i dont know, i dont feel any different then when a DXP event is going, so i just wait and see what the future will bring.
(betainvite dragonica, wooooooooo and stuff )
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
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Folks love to ruin it for themselves.
I joined a team a few days back (i had no idea it was an MA farm then) and when i join they're whining and [censored] about how easy it is to level in MA and so on.
And what are they doing? playing some farm mission over and over...
Fricking hypocrits, deliberatly going out to farm then start whining on how easy it is.
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It's a bit like fat people crying about how they are fat.
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
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Necro, I had the same problem finding teams, and then I started using the Mission Architect chat channel as well as the Defiant Architects one (MA channel also available on Union, I think). The MA channel seems to be relatively light on spam and the best place to find content-running MA teams, from my limited experience.
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I'm in that channel. It's full of awesome people. But I don't want to have to run MA stuff all the time. Also, I haven't really found content-running teams on there.
Necrobond - 50 BS/Inv Scrapper made in I1
Rickar - 50 Bots/FF Mastermind
Anti-Muon - 42 Warshade
Ivory Sicarius - 45 Crab Spider
Aber ja, nat�rlich Hans nass ist, er steht unter einem Wasserfall.
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No i dont think its being blown up too much at all, i have seen a very large number of people go from nothing to post-35 and yes, alot to 50. Now as i said, this is only a problem when its a player who is inexperienced. When a lvl 47 tank tells me that they dont have mez protection and that is why they are being thrown around by mobs (and i know hes wrong because they could have picked active defense) or the Empath has no idea what im talking about when i ask for clear mind because im being mezzd, or the controller has no idea how to lockdown mobs using cages/flashfire despite having both and being well into their 40s - these are all symptomatic of being elevated to a level before your experience in-game is ready to handle it.
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U do know a firetank even at 50 is still getting trown around? Only with the knowledge of IOs or acrobatics this will be gone
But i dont know, i dont feel any different then when a DXP event is going, so i just wait and see what the future will bring.
(betainvite dragonica, wooooooooo and stuff )
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I could take your Firetank and respec it into something that would look at the entire inner circle with just a trick archer for support and think "Yeah bring it!" doing things that aren't so simple to know.
People get to 50 and they think they know it all anyway but there is always plenty of stuff that we have yet to gain.
The problem now is that in putting a team together for something, you may seriously end up with a total liability that you have to teach the basics to and by basics I mean stuff that weigh up to be alot more than simply saying "take acrobatics".
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
Here's a thought - the MA is only available, like Ourobouros, to lvl 25s plus. You need to do the tutorial before you can touch the system.
As it is, new players even if they're not farming/powerlevelling are still seeing a lot of the content for 'later on' (i.e. mobs that appear after certain levels etc). So put a level cap on the MA, that'd be my solution.
Oh and remove it from Kings, Mercy, Atlas and Galaxy. Any other zones? Oh yes, Port Oakes.
Yes, it removes early level heroes/villains from enjoying different content to the starting stuff. Heck, you never know, it might encourage developers to make some more new content for those levels to alleviate the boredom?
*rolls on floor, laughing, clutching stomach*
I know, it's sad to laugh at your own jokes, but...
edit Something has just struck me - when people say 'Why doesit bother you? Let people play how they want to' it always strikes me that plenty of people opposed to powerlevelling en masse as we have seen with the MA come up with lots of reasons for the against, whereas the same argument (with little or no explanation) is touted by those 'defending' the right to do it.
To quote Skunk Anansie (trust me, never a sentence I thought I'd type...): Just because it feels good doesn't make it right...
So, I throw the gauntlet down for those who are just lurking and chucking in the 'let people play how they want to' argument to come up with something that has a little more backbone and actually means something.
Sorry, was pretty much all I could think of to help.
Cancelled in Three - MA ID #34608. Please play and comment! Top 10 placing in Projectionist's MA contest!
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your back to the problem , is the game about leveling from 1 to 50 in five weeks , or is it about having fun ?
the fact that you CAN get to 50 and enjoy the scope of a 50 in just a few hours will appeal to some people ...what is wrong with that ?
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For me the game is about having fun or I wouldn't play it and I guess you're right, people will find fun in different things and players should be free to play how they want to.
I'm not trying to say that all players should play the same way and most definitely not my way.
Farming is not a new thing it's just that MA has made it easier and much more visible, so much so it's all over the broadcast channel all the time.
I care little about farming or farmers for that matter, it's just the impact on the game overall that I'm discussing.
Take this for a scenario, a new player farms all the AT's up to 50 in a week and gets a load of tickets in the process(quite possible with MA), they haven't even seen most of the game and will most likely think that's it, what else do I have to play for. I've actually seen this happen in my SG recently where players have joined played a lot of hours for a week, got a few 50s, then got bored and vanished.
Giving players a very visible potential to exploit for easy rewards is surely not a good way to keep them long term.
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