Raids... Say "It ain't So.

I dislike raids.
I left WOW back when Raids were the end content, and never looked back.

Now Raids are the end content in COH.

Raids are a bunch of people running around like chickens with their heads cut off...chaotic and disorganized. Often the only strategy used is the Zerg (charge and attack and try to overwhelm the defending MOBs).

Trying to organize PU raid teams is like trying to herd cats. Especially if nobody has a clear idea of what they're trying to do, or if there's no-one willing to explain or organize.

Raids are intended to be repeated over and over and they're there to give you 'stuff' you need for later content--i.e. the later content is gated based on whether you have completed sufficient raids to get what you need to survive the advanced material in the next layer of Content. (That was a bad idea in WOW and it's still a bad idea).

Now what WOW had that we don't have here is a staging area and time for the Raid leader to explain what's going on to his/her team.

What the BAF and Lambda Sector (and any other Raid) needs is a staging area before entering the mission. There should be tools for the Raid leader to explain what's going to happen, and where people should go... A map would be a good idea with the ability to put markers on it, and a pointer which allows the raid leader to call attention to various locations on the map. When everybody's ready, the leader can then hit the mission execute button and the Raid Group enters the mission.

Simply to dump 20 people on the steps of the BAF, in front of the Lambda Sector, or anywhere else for that matter, directly out of a que is confusing and chaotic unless you have an already organized group that knows what it's doing. The staging area is a tool that players could use for any TF, Raid, or similar situation where players need to develop a strategy prior to entering a mission. Simply running around willy nilly is counter productive and frustrating.

Finally, I hope that there's going to be more small group content that is not Raid oriented in which we can get the necessary materials for Incarnate Slot Exp and Enhancements. As I said, I really dislike running around in Raids (large groups).

Wait.... Did the OP actually use the LFG tool? And actually GET INTO A RAID?

I'm stunned. I think that's the second time I've heard of that doing anything more than dumping them into an eternal queue.

See my Guides and Tutorials

1. They're Trials, not Raids.

2. No, not just semantics. They're not Raids. They're just like the Trials and TFs already in the game. What makes it a Trial is basically a timer on some sections.

3. In PuGs, you usually wind up with the minimum number, which, for one Trial is the size of a team, and for the other, a team and a half. Not exactly the model of huge raids of other MMOs.

4. You can avoid the PuG by putting together your own League to enter the Trials.


So, in conclusion, see #1.

Indeed they are, and they are every bit as bad as a lot of us feared. The folks pointing out the much vaunted "alternate path" oddly always fail to mention that the developers have clearly stated it will be MUCH slower than the already glacial pace of the current raid-based system. Assuming you are not favored with lightning advancement by the whims of the RNG, but that's a whole 'nother discussion already ongoing elsewhere in the forums.

I'm with Cptn_Courageous in his OP. I don't like raids. Shoe-horning them into CoX does nothing good for the game. If they're gonna insist on jamming then in where they don't fit, though, he's right, they oughta at least give us the tools to make them a little more endurable.

See comparing Trials to 'raids' in the current city location is about the fairest you can give these new itrials.

Comparing them to WoW level raids is just at all a comparsion.

WoW, you have 10 - 20 players who get to clear some trash, then work on a raid boss, which is they win, they get a CHANCE for an item they made need, and possiblity a badge. Then they clear more trash, and down another raid boss.

Now, 1 raid instance could have 4 - 12 bosses, and can take upwards of 6 hours to 'full clear' (or multiple days of running the same instance) and if you fail, you get zero reward for it, and you actually have to pay repair bills for your gear, which can mean you actually spend in game money on losing.

In city, you can clear a Lambda, and a BAF in about 15 - 25 minutes. Full clear. And even if you fail, you still get iXP, astral merits (usually) and threads, so even if you fail completely, you still progress.

And, comparing the Lambda and Baf to Hamidon and Mothership raids isn't very right either, due to time investments. Hamidon and the mothership raids while they do require multiple teams, can take upwards of an hour to complete. The longest Lambda i've been on, took me 35 mins, and that is only because we were going for the badges.

These are not normal raids. These are team content that have built in failable objectives. Thats about it.

In an attempt to get back on topic somewhat, I do agree with the OPs suggestion of a staging ground before the main assault. It would give the league and league leaders time to prepare. It would be especially helpful to players new to the trials/raids (whatever you want to call them) so that they understand what to expect and what roles they might play. It can be daunting for a first time player on these things if they have no clue what to do.

----- Union's finest underachiever -----
Farewell CITY of HEROES
The First, the Last, the One.
Union: @ominousvoice2059

The raids and trials here are not nearly as difficult as the stuff in wow though. This is a faster paced game for the most part and usually with an easier learning curve. But I wouldn't mind seeing more raid/league and team leader tools added.

I'm another one who hasn't tried to gut through innumerable repetitions of the 2 trials to get the level shifts. I am also one of those hoping that the epicness of the Coming Storm won't be gated behind multiple level shifts, unlike GG and some others.

I've never really understood the attraction of extra-large teams running chaotic fast-paced trials or raids (not going to touch the argument between M_B & Z_M on the difference). I guess I'm not a true-blue gamer, because I really don't want end game that looks like this. That makes me a bit sad, because I've had a lot of fun playing solo or small teams, with the occasional 8-person TF or PuG. The game seems to be changing, I'm going to try to change with it, but right now, the new stuff isn't for me.

I guess I was feeling like a super hero before the Incarnate stuff was added, but I guess I was wrong. I was obviously somehow lacking, which doesn't seem likely to change unless I grit my teeth in order to qualify for the addition of new content in the future.

Before anyone jumps down my throat in defense of Incarnatism and Level Shifts and "this is what so many people have been wanting for ages and ages" - I understand that there have always been people looking for epic End Game Raiding. I just wasn't one of them, so the idea that the really kewl stuff that might be added, like the Coming Storm, is gated behind activity that I really don't like is disheartening.

So when I see things like this from GG:

Well, you could ask Prometheus:

Quote:

"Tyrant will soon be nigh unstoppable, at which point his fate, and the fate of humanity, will be sealed. Whether he is consumed by the Well, or simply remains its servant matters not, for neither would have the strength to stave off the greater threats that loom in the future."

Or you could ask Second Measure:

Quote:

Eventually, once we release all of the Incarnate Slots, you’ll even be a little overpowered for the first waves of Incarnate Trials, and by then, we’ll have something much more challenging for you to do with your newfound power. (Evil chuckle redacted.)

They both give the same answer regarding what comes after Tyrant's defeat, and what level of power it will require