Tara and other "top bosses"
When I started the game in oct. 2002 I learnt a thing or two.
One of the first things, I learnt, is the fact, that I will be ever a "noob" in the eyes of some, who played the game for a longer time. And as such a "noob" I am not supposed to have an opinion.
Nevertheless, I take the risk to be flamed and dare to have an opinion.
My descision for this game was based on it's skill system. In my early visions I saw so many ways, to develop one's character. Of course I learnt also very early, that most of the skills are not possible or at least very hard for for certain professions. Ok, no problem, so I must specialize and become "good" in my prof.
Then I learnt, that I do not really have a chance to become "good", because those, who have a rich main are always better, simply because they can twink their new characters without end, due to the credits, the main earned. So I learnt, that for me, as a "true noob" remains only the hard way to go. I tried my best, knowing, that I will be avarage compared to those twinks until I reached higher levels beyond 150.
At about level 20 I heard the first time about Tara and other top bosses. I heard about the precious items they drop, why everybody wants them and why it is so hard, to get them. That was my perspective: Make my way, until I can take it up with some buddies and win fights against those "uber bosses".
Meanwhile, at lvl 168, I know a lot more about the game.
About two weeks ago I took part on my first "Tara raid". Man, was I disappointed. A mass party with a tombola, nothing else. A point system, which supports only players with A LOT of time. Skills? ROFL. Team coordination? LoL. Luck and time, that's all.
Well, some know, how to force "luck" a bit in their direction. I know some players, who are on with 2 or three characters of friends, who are off. Nice way to gain Tara points.
I met ppl, who organize their life after Tara-spawns. I don't know, if they even quit whatever they do in RL, but in game they are a PITA for any team. Regardeless, what happens, they quit during team missions, tower battles or whatever, just because it is Tara time. IMHO the game itself becomes torn apart beyond lvl 140 because of this, although I can understand the motivation of those players, who are not to blame for this ridiculous system.
Why ridiculous?
Well, as stated above, in my imagination in a MMORPG one can earn good stuff by skill and not only because one has more time and/or more luck and/or more buddies, who give away passwords and account rights.
Almost the same, although a bit better, with other top bosses.
First one needs a good team to go for one of those. Alone this makes it unimpossible for some players, to ever gain one of the "better items". Why is it so hard to find a good team at higher levels?
1) Players are simply fed up, have all, need nothing
2) Players are too rich and buy good stuff for ridiculous amounts
3) Players are simply tired of camping hours and hours a certain boss, just to find some crap, but not the desired item
4) It's easier to make some quick BS-missions; more XP, less work
5) It's almost impossible, because the major bosses are mostly camped by several teams
Conclusions:
1) The game supports the lucky one, not the skilled one (other example: pppe)
2) The player, who prefers to play independently and solo gains nothing (except he is lucky, finds a pppe or a GAx, becomes rich and buys the stuff)
My suggestions:
1) Stop Tara-tombola! Make a Tara-quest instead: Everybody, who wants to take part in a Tara-raid, must have solved the quest. The quest could be somewhat random, to avoid boredom and routine. Restrict numbers of ppl, taking part in one Tara-raid.
2) Make special dungeons for top bosses to avoid the presence of several teams at the same time
or
3) Allow PvP in a "top boss area" between all, who want the loot.
4) Remove "NODROP" from all items, which can be found on bosses.
Of course I know, that it is simple to suggest things. Maybe some events must be the way they are, because it is technically not possible, to do it in a different way. But I am not convinced, if FC did really think things through, before they were implemented in the game.
why?
