Test Release Notes - July 16, 2009

[Eliza Creststeel]

Not on test (Eliza's a potty mouth), but HEY they are making some real efforts here. Thoughts:

Revive - The critics have very good points on the Groggy vs. Jail issue. Seems to me that the ONLY time this would be an advantage is if a total stranger revives you and you had NO crew or Guildies to TP back to. If you're on TEST - let'em know WHY it don't make sense.

Higher Tormenta Baddies - Only downside, finishing the Black Pearl quest with the dig at the VERY back of the cavern is going to a LOT tougher on the average pirate, unless you have a 40 friend get there and you TP in. And if Seabeards (who I hate more than any other enemy) can whack out 1200+ damage, this might get into OVERKILL on the big D's part ('Oh, you want tough - WE'LL GIVE YOU TOUGH!')

Cut Animations - I actually WELCOME them as opposed to - it just happened- results. Brings a little more life to the game. They actually need more, but with a SKIP option like with the Pearl Battle. I think it'd be funny to watch a shipwright animation where they haul your sunk frigate out and patch the holes (like Yosemite Sam in that classic Bugs Bunny cartoon where Bugs kept sinking his ship all the time)

Looking forward to some of these changes making it to Open.

[Sven Niscadae]

Originally Posted by Eliza Creststeel

Revive - The critics have very good points on the Groggy vs. Jail issue. Seems to me that the ONLY time this would be an advantage is if a total stranger revives you and you had NO crew or Guildies to TP back to. If you're on TEST - let'em know WHY it don't make sense

Regarding not being groggy when coming out of jail, I did send them a report on that. I would expect that going to jail would make you groggy. Aside from the in-game hint telling me I was (though I wasn't), it would be so easy to TP back to someone in crew within seconds of breaking down the jail cell door. With full health and no side effects? I think they just overlooked something in the code. I fully welcome being groggy when sent to jail. It just makes more sense.

Seems there's a bug with the Revive and using tonics. When I revived someone, my tonic quantity on my HUD decreased but my tonic quantity on the weapons/inventory screen (I key) did not. Not until I actually used one on myself did the quantity of tonics adjust itself.

I see this feature as good news for those baby pirates who tag along on flagship who would have died as soon as the melee broke out. Haven't tested what happens when someone is knocked out on a flagship and then the fight ends. Are they flung back onto their ship or sent to jail?

Higher Tormenta Baddies - Only downside, finishing the Black Pearl quest with the dig at the VERY back of the cavern is going to a LOT tougher on the average pirate, unless you have a 40 friend get there and you TP in. And if Seabeards (who I hate more than any other enemy) can whack out 1200+ damage, this might get into OVERKILL on the big D's part ('Oh, you want tough - WE'LL GIVE YOU TOUGH!')

Oh no, a challenge! Can't have that? Actually, they did lower the aggression of the baddies as stated in the release notes. We noticed that you can get a lot closer to enemies now and they won't attack you unless provoked. Example is one of my guildies above said about Tormenta. I also was on Devil's Anvil (where they've added to the giant scorpion population) with my brand new baby pirate and walked RIGHT NEXT to one of them and it just toddled past me without a glance.

[Bartholomew Foulsteel]

You bring up a good point on the ship boarding--perhaps the revive will help those who get toasted immediately by the Navy in the Boss Battle? That would eliminate one of the worst experiences a newer player could have.

[musicalklutz]

Originally Posted by Bartholomew Foulsteel

You bring up a good point on the ship boarding--perhaps the revive will help those who get toasted immediately by the Navy in the Boss Battle? That would eliminate one of the worst experiences a newer player could have.

I didn't even think of that, bart! Oh wow that would be fantastic!

[Eliza Creststeel]

Oh no, a challenge! Can't have that? Actually, they did lower the aggression of the baddies as stated in the release notes. We noticed that you can get a lot closer to enemies now and they won't attack you unless provoked

Ouch, Sven... I was just pointing out that they cranked up the baddies for higher levels to not be bored, but ypu have a quest that middle-levels will face and it was already kinda' tough.

And I agree that Revive for BB is a very nice point. Good not to lose a good gunny just because he got jumped hard and folks couldn't attune him fast enough. Though, I'm sure they'll tweak it some more...

[Sven Niscadae]

Originally Posted by Eliza Creststeel

Ouch, Sven... I was just pointing out that they cranked up the baddies for higher levels to not be bored, but ypu have a quest that middle-levels will face and it was already kinda' tough.

Didn't mean it that way, Eliza. Sorry if I was a bit harsh. What I meant by that comment is that some people say the game is too easy, and then whenever Disney makes an adjustment to up the difficulty there's always an outcry of dissent somewhere. It wasn't directed at you personally.

As far as the the Black Pearl quest is concerned, the only requirement in the Tormenta Caves is to dig up a chest. The lower aggro range of enemies should actually make it easier to get to that spot, yes?

Now, for other quests (Work for Hire & for Barbossa's Boots) where you actually have to defeat the enemies, then it may be a different story, although I didn't actually check the OTHER side of the cave near the water to see what level they were but I'd presume they'd be lower level (hopefully).

[Li Wildtimbers]

yes yes...reviving a fallen crew mate on a BB would be really nice.

bites when u lose a good gunner cause u cannt heal fast enough

[Dr. Zeppers]

I do not recall anyone mentioning this, but im not really fond of the rumbling of thunder when we teleport, it was neat the first time, and a pain from then on out! Oh well... I need a Gimmicks Off option, lol.

[Cannonfury]

Originally Posted by OFxZeppers

I do not recall anyone mentioning this, but im not really fond of the rumbling of thunder when we teleport, it was neat the first time, and a pain from then on out! Oh well... I need a Gimmicks Off option, lol.

I have sound effects and music turned off, that would help solve that problem.

[lostmymarbles]

Yeah Zep.. I mentioned my irritation with the teleport / thunder sound effect. Very irritating after the first few rumbles.

[roxxi]

I dont mind the little compass glitch. They FINALLY fixed the compass in PVP!!!!! WOOHOO!!

As for the other wild islands i didnt see mentioned... Cutthroat jungle is looking empty, all skeletons now no stumps gators scorps or flytraps and Cangrejos only change i noticed is no more rock and sand crabs, its over run with giant and devourer crabs now. Also... spanish skeletons on PDF now hmm.....

[CarribeanThunder]

Hmm, the higher lvl tormenta dudes will be bad. Know why?
Let's say some guy just turns Lv20, and he goes to pick up the Barbossa Clothing quest. When he reaches the part for the Urchinfists/Molusks/Seabeards, that won't be easy unless they have a high lvl friend ( which high lvl people don't usually make friends with lower lvls ( I didn't say never, i said not usually ( there's a small chance of a high lvl being friends with a lower lvl player ) ) ). At LEAST change it to Brinescum/Kelpbrain/Spineskull.

[Sven Niscadae]

Originally Posted by CarribeanThunder

Hmm, the higher lvl tormenta dudes will be bad. Know why?
Let's say some guy just turns Lv20, and he goes to pick up the Barbossa Clothing quest. When he reaches the part for the Urchinfists/Molusks/Seabeards, . At LEAST change it to Brinescum/Kelpbrain/Spineskull.

It does look like they've up'd the levels on all of the baddies in the Tormenta Caves (even by the entrances). However, this really isn't something that a little teamwork and a good crew can't handle.

that won't be easy unless they have a high lvl friend ( which high lvl people don't usually make friends with lower lvls ( I didn't say never, i said not usually ( there's a small chance of a high lvl being friends with a lower lvl player ) ) )

... ? I'm not aware of any high level clique snubbing their noses at the lower level pirates... If people are really doing that, well, that's just asinine.

[Raikel]

Originally Posted by Sven Niscadae

It does look like they've up'd the levels on all of the baddies in the Tormenta Caves (even by the entrances). However, this really isn't something that a little teamwork and a good crew can't handle.



... ? I'm not aware of any high level clique snubbing their noses at the lower level pirates... If people are really doing that, well, that's just asinine.

People who rub their high levels in others faces are just as immature as those who have no unlimited.... We do not have to worry about most of them though, they'll probably leave for any dumb reason anyways.

[Nelly Darkpaine]

Im friends with a ton of lower levels... and I help em all the time. =) Being fun with a bunch of high levels gets dull - nothing to do. Lower level friends gives us something to do on a daily basis!