[mmorpeegee]

So I never played DAOC in its heyday and I always regret that. I know that it's largely PVP based and a lot of people still today consider it the best MMO.

So I FINALLY got around to downloading it and setting up the Uthgard emulator server. I played it for a while last night and it seems cool. However it looks like I have a LOT to learn about a whole new game, and a lot of work to do to build up a new character - while avoiding being ganked etc. So now I'm doubting whether it's worthwhile. I have plenty of other games to play so I need to prioritise and decide whether it's worth putting in the effort and giving this Daoc/Uthgard a try?

How good is the PVE in DAOC? Is the combat and depth of spell casting as good as EQ or better? And how about the PVP at the end game? Is it just running around doing ganklols, or do the sieges and stuff really provide some long term goals and motivation to keep playing?

Best PVP I've ever had was in WoW but there were not enough Battlegrounds to keep me interested for long, and I didn't like how rogues could stunlock and kill me without me even being able to do anything :P

Any opinions and advice very welcome!

[perfect]

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

So I never played DAOC in its heyday and I always regret that....

You should.

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...I know that it's largely PVP based and a lot of people still today consider it the best MMO....

It is.

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...decide whether it's worth putting in the effort and giving this Daoc/Uthgard a try?

It was a few years ago, not too certain about today.

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...How good is the PVE in DAOC?....

PvE? Is that what, like, they use in Hello Kitty Online? Seriously, it's a PvP game. If you are even remotely concerned about PvE, skip DAoC.

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...Is the combat and depth of spell casting as good as EQ or better?....

Better. It's tactical. You have Styles and Interrupts that you have to time around. EQ was 'do not take the mob off the tank', DAoC is 'you just blocked, you have .5s to decide if you want to use a follow up slash or increase your block rating for the next attack'.

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...And how about the PVP at the end game?....

Best in the world. I'm not just saying that cause I'm a fan but I'm a fan cause it's the best in the world. Three faction PvP is *the* way to go (see GW2).

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...Is it just running around doing ganklols, or do the sieges and stuff really provide some long term goals and motivation to keep playing?....

Depends on your class. Some classes (stealthers) lend themselves to solo/scouting play in which you gank people all day long. Other classes lend themselves to small groups (healers) and still others to large groups (hybrids). That is a complete generalization and I can get more specific once you determine a Realm (Albion [Alb; think Merlin and Arthur], Hibernia [Hib; think elves and faeries], Midgard [Mid; think Odin and Thor]) and a playstyle. I can suggest classes in all for a 'generalist' play.

Yes, the end game *IS* the Sieges. As to whether or not Uthgard can muster enough people to make it interesting is a different question. If the Frontiers are barren, well, it's going to suck.

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...Best PVP I've ever had was in WoW....

I'm so sorry. Not because it's WoW but because the PvP in WoW sucked. Only PvP in Vanguard sucked harder than PvP in WoW.

Originally Posted by mmorpeegee

...rogues could stunlock and kill me without me even being able to do anything....

You might want to pass on DAoC, then. One of the strategies of a well organized group is AoE Mez/Stun until dead. There are ways to break out of it early but those are on a decent (more than one minute) timer and there is no CC immunity.

I played DAoC from Beta until May of 07 (six years; when I got a WAR beta invite and foolishly became invested in that two faction game). I have a TON of experience with the system and thorough knowledge of the classes and world. If you want specific advice, let me know.

Character builder for you. Mess around with it.

[mmorpeegee]

Thanks for all the info! The population is around 260 (currently says 264 online), do you think that would be enough?

Been playing as an Elementalist and it's been fun. Only PVE so far, only got to about level 8 or so, but it's nice. It's similar to EQ in that you can just grind on mobs which I like, but there are some good quests too. I grouped with a guy briefly as well and that seemed decent.

I had fun with PVP in Shadowbane and EQ (sullon zek etc.) and some other games too, but I liked WoW's arena matches and battlegrounds. The open world PVP was a bit crappy but had its moments.

The stunlock thing doesn't bother me too much. I could live with it. I think my main concern now is that the population isn't enough. It would suck if 99% of the players are just old timers who have been playing forever. That's an issue with Shards of Dalaya too, but that game is only PVE so it doesn't really matter too much.

[perfect]

260 concurrent? Figure that's 85 people per Realm, most (all) at 50. No, that's not enough.

[mmorpeegee]

Awwww ok, thanks! That's the biggest emu server so I think I'll just give it a miss. Back to SoD again, until GW2. Wish it would hurry up