Well I have been doing some research on TSW and I must say that I am intrigued. The PvP looks pretty amazing, along with the whole look of the game. It seems to be pretty unique and not another cookie cutter MMO.
I wanted to get your guys opinion on the game thus far. The experience system seems unique, what are your thoughts? Does the game seem to have lasting power, unlike SWTOR? I don't really want to invest my time into something that is bound to fail.
I am also looking into getting a new computer just for gaming, would love to hear some suggestions. Curious what type of video card I should be looking for. I have a family member who can most likely help me out, and possibly build me something to save some cash.
thanks everyone!
Thinking about TSW
Re: Thinking about TSW
I played SWTOR and TSW and I thought SWTOR was a better game than TSW.
I was in a great guild in SWTOR and we did a lot of PVP. That community was awesome, and, when I got into TSW I was in AP and while it was kinda good, everyone was quite spread out and as usual no-one on in my timezone (in SWTOR I was on the sydney server so all the guys I played with were all aussies and we all had relatively the same hours).
The problem I had with TSW was that for one, it was pretty daunting to move around, for starters. Like, put it this way, in AO, you pop out of a grid exit and theres a bunch of people there.
In TSW, you pop out of the transport system, and you're alone, and you run and run and run and you get to XYZ location, and you might see a few other people, but it'll be a random encounter.
Chat systems are pretty limited, so it's tougher to see who's online. What does work in TSW though is grabbing someone to make a team and warping to them.
I personally found the PVP in TSW to be an exercise in frustration. Basically if you don't roll assault rifle from the start, you get destroyed instantly. If you intend to PVP, you'll need to check your framerate and latencybecuase you need to really be close to the servers to have any kind of effect in PVP. As well, you'll need to be in a group with voice chat. Non-voice chat = death, in seconds, you'll just be mowed down.
In SWTOR, I got all the way through, had full warhero, fully augmented gear in every slot, and knew my toon inside out, and had figured out many viable 'perk' setups. And I enjoyed the PVP, it was fast, fun and took brains to be effective. But it was a bit carebear too- like, if you die, you are ready to go again in 20 seconds, so the wait time to play was minimal.
TSW I only got about 10% of the way through, and while I enjoyed the diversity, I found it was impossible to stop working on a 'deck' half way through, because as you progress you gain strength and the actions become more synergistic. so if you stop halfway through, and try to adopt a new weapon system or deck, you kinda shoot yourself in the foot because it's much less of a grind to finish the current deck and obviously, even if it's not flavour of the month the deck you've progressed most in should be somewhat more effective than a FoTM deck if you haven't progressed in it.
Try it out, I paid for 3 months but stopped playing after 1. Just didn't hold my interest. AO just seems more fun, and easier to do what you want to do. like, if you want to log on and play I seem to be able to do that much more easily than in TSW.
I was in a great guild in SWTOR and we did a lot of PVP. That community was awesome, and, when I got into TSW I was in AP and while it was kinda good, everyone was quite spread out and as usual no-one on in my timezone (in SWTOR I was on the sydney server so all the guys I played with were all aussies and we all had relatively the same hours).
The problem I had with TSW was that for one, it was pretty daunting to move around, for starters. Like, put it this way, in AO, you pop out of a grid exit and theres a bunch of people there.
In TSW, you pop out of the transport system, and you're alone, and you run and run and run and you get to XYZ location, and you might see a few other people, but it'll be a random encounter.
Chat systems are pretty limited, so it's tougher to see who's online. What does work in TSW though is grabbing someone to make a team and warping to them.
I personally found the PVP in TSW to be an exercise in frustration. Basically if you don't roll assault rifle from the start, you get destroyed instantly. If you intend to PVP, you'll need to check your framerate and latencybecuase you need to really be close to the servers to have any kind of effect in PVP. As well, you'll need to be in a group with voice chat. Non-voice chat = death, in seconds, you'll just be mowed down.
In SWTOR, I got all the way through, had full warhero, fully augmented gear in every slot, and knew my toon inside out, and had figured out many viable 'perk' setups. And I enjoyed the PVP, it was fast, fun and took brains to be effective. But it was a bit carebear too- like, if you die, you are ready to go again in 20 seconds, so the wait time to play was minimal.
TSW I only got about 10% of the way through, and while I enjoyed the diversity, I found it was impossible to stop working on a 'deck' half way through, because as you progress you gain strength and the actions become more synergistic. so if you stop halfway through, and try to adopt a new weapon system or deck, you kinda shoot yourself in the foot because it's much less of a grind to finish the current deck and obviously, even if it's not flavour of the month the deck you've progressed most in should be somewhat more effective than a FoTM deck if you haven't progressed in it.
Try it out, I paid for 3 months but stopped playing after 1. Just didn't hold my interest. AO just seems more fun, and easier to do what you want to do. like, if you want to log on and play I seem to be able to do that much more easily than in TSW.
" I Don't Like That Man. I Must Get To Know Him Better." -Abraham Lincoln
Re: Thinking about TSW
In my opinion TSW is a great game! It has a bunch of new ideas that is quite refreshing. If you are looking for a new video card for TSW i suggest you dig as deep as you can in your pockets because TSW use all the newest gfx tech that DX11.0 offers. I dont have the newest rig but i hear people that have state of the art pc's are in awe about the gfx in this game!
I do agree to some extent on some of the points that noob has but i will not go in detail just to level out the picture abit! I don't think its that bad and the game is full of people that enjoy the game! There are free tryouts offered so why not try for your self?
I do agree to some extent on some of the points that noob has but i will not go in detail just to level out the picture abit! I don't think its that bad and the game is full of people that enjoy the game! There are free tryouts offered so why not try for your self?
Re: Thinking about TSW
TSW is a good game, but its definitely a different game to AO. Along the lines of SWTOR you do most of your stuff solo, your storyline quests and sde quests are all do able at the appropriate times in your levelling and as usual it starts off quite easy and fast and then the equipment/setup curve kicks in and you've got to start to really learn what is what.
Depending on what you like you may enjoy TSW. With games like TSW and SWTOR the goal is to try and keep you interested after you have progressed through your quests, or after you have maxed out your upgrades (AP and SP iirc).
TSW is more of an RPG than an MMORPG, but as you get to the higer levels then you will probably experience the MMO side of things more. TSW doesn't work on a levelling XP side of things, but you kind of roughly equate your progress based on the QL of items you can equip.
IMHO i dont like that you pretty much just get AP and SP until there is no more to be upgraded. Essentially you dont have a breed and prof like you do in AO where the prof determines your role/abilities etc. I do fear there will stll be a cookie cutter approach as there will still be the "best" DD set up or the "best" heal set up etc.
I liked the idea of TSW better than SWTOR, but TSW isnt really a game that you can just pck up and put down like AO. IT'd be like tryng to read a book 5 pages at a time.
Its worth a look, but i'm unconvinced, possibly cos my AO addiction > all atm
Depending on what you like you may enjoy TSW. With games like TSW and SWTOR the goal is to try and keep you interested after you have progressed through your quests, or after you have maxed out your upgrades (AP and SP iirc).
TSW is more of an RPG than an MMORPG, but as you get to the higer levels then you will probably experience the MMO side of things more. TSW doesn't work on a levelling XP side of things, but you kind of roughly equate your progress based on the QL of items you can equip.
IMHO i dont like that you pretty much just get AP and SP until there is no more to be upgraded. Essentially you dont have a breed and prof like you do in AO where the prof determines your role/abilities etc. I do fear there will stll be a cookie cutter approach as there will still be the "best" DD set up or the "best" heal set up etc.
I liked the idea of TSW better than SWTOR, but TSW isnt really a game that you can just pck up and put down like AO. IT'd be like tryng to read a book 5 pages at a time.
Its worth a look, but i'm unconvinced, possibly cos my AO addiction > all atm
Re: Thinking about TSW
I was going to write a little thing about TSW but I was surprised by some things posted above so I guess I'll focus on them before even posting my own opinion (which is favorable, but with some restrictions).
I don't think that TSW should be compared to AO, except to clarify some points. It's just two totally different things.
First, TSW is a game made with a lot of soloing possible; almost each quest/mission has its own story and fun NPC's, and there is a general storyline in three main parts (which doesn't' really end and that will be extended in the future). Missions also offer some nice diversity in what you have to accomplish.
But, to the exception of some solo instances during some quests, you can always team to do a mission. For some, like Nightmare missions, you even have to team: last night I helped Arrxx with the Eye of Horus mission in the Reformatory area which is a nightmare place the City of the Sun God (5th zone in TSW but you have Nightmare areas in each zone). We were 3 (with TheMel who is not in AP but teaming a lot with us). I could probably solo this quest because of my mostly purple gear QL10 but that wouldn't be extremely easy.
You also team for dungeons that come in three flavors: normal versions, elite versions, and nightmare versions (not all dungeons offering all versions, but most do). We do quite a lot of them.
About PvP, we do PvP almost everyday. Almost each night I have some PvP with Bredin, Capone, Arxx, and some others. We never had any need for voice (that comment surprised me; I'll analyze below); neither has anyone in Fusang area and I saw many teams win in other areas without voice as long as they play as a team (some have some quick macros for a few types of instructions). There are three different challenges in PvP and frustration can appear if you don't realize what they are.
Fusang is a very large zone, with many people involved. I'm positive that voice is absolutely not necessary. It would even be confusing to have 18ish people on voice. You just need a leader (useful but not mandatory) and to work as a group with a little bit of good strategy. A few days ago, Lasa was there (and some other AP's, sorry I forgot), and I took lead over because the situation was dramatic. Then, in less than 30 minutes, we captured 4 facilities and some "anima wells", which is likely the max you can do in normal conditions.
El Dorado and Stonehenge are a whole different story: they are two zones, with two different kind of goals, for small groups (Eldorado) and very small groups (Stonehenge). Voice can help here but less than knowing what to do, and less than knowing your team and working together by INSTINCT so you do NOT have to communicate except a few words (that can often be typed.)
And this is the issue: if someone tries that as a PvP starting experience, especially in a pick-up group, it will be very frustrating. In those two areas, teams tend to come in over-geared with purples and they are pre-made. They are killer teams, period. If you are in mostly green or even blue gear, you'll need all the possible help (voice can be one) and even like that, you'll likely be owned. Therese zones are either a fight club for top-geared seasoned PvPers or a farming ground for them, earning easy points on weaker people. No hope.
Let's add that El Dorado and even more Stonehenge require low latency as the fight can be extremely fast. It's less important in Fusang but, unfortunately, in all games, PvP is always more or less unbalanced if you have high latency.
(Or low frames per second.)
About the weapons in PvP, sincerely, I'm Assault Rifle -and a lot are too- but we can get owned many times in a session by melee characters using the right stuns abilities (you don't have stuns with assault rifle) and violent attacks. It's even frustrating and needs to be addressed: with some builds, a melee character can hit you for like 5-6 seconds while you are unable to do anything. If you don't have some passives powers (powers that work automatically) to counter that a bit, you have zero chance to win.
On the other hand, something like shotgun (shorter range than AR and less damage/tricks than melee) seems quite useless in PvP... but I may be wrong as I have not worked a lot on this. Some passive powers coming from the shotgun line (and not requiring a shotgun to be equipped) can be nice though (like extra penetration procs).
In SWToR, PvP was, in my opinion, really interesting but totally unbalanced because it was based on specific PvP equipment and people who did a lot of PvP were over geared (way above anything in TSW where there is not specific PvP equipment) and I saw many times players that couldn't be killed by like 7 or 8 players together. And, as you could progress to new PvP gear added at some point, there was no way to catch up really.
Now, about the idea that, if everyone get all the powers, there could be some "best" builds cookie-cutter... Well this is also relatively true in AO but within a profession (or combo prof+breed), except the number of available items make this less visible. Nevertheless, getting all the powers is long AND you still have to get all the appropriate gear in this case. (It's not because you have all possible tanking powers that you'll be able to tank any hard elites or nightmare without the "right" talismans, weapons, and glyphs / signets).
Nevertheless, when you progress in TSW, you enter another kind of gaming: you permanently change your builds to ADAPT to a situation. There is nothing like an all-situation cookie-cutter build, unless you're just dealing with ordinary mobs or are over-powered for the place.
In dungeons, we very often re-balance the team, changing powers to adapt to the mobs. We change the roles in the team sometimes too. This is essential in hard elites and with nightmare mobs.
Last but not least, for the moment, as this post is already too long, I'll just focus on the fact that when you exit to a zone you don't have a group of people there, waiting. It's true but it's just that this is not AO. And in AO, anyhow, if you grid out to Harry's, Sentinels, 2HO, and most spots, you have no one waiting. People stay in a few hubs (Old Athen, Borealis, Omni-Trade mostly and some SL gardens). In TSW, by nature, people are a lot inside Agartha (transportation system) and in London, and, then, in their faction headquarters. There is no reason to stand at an Agartha exit: people are busy and move. You usually see people at big missions spots. Also, in TSW, it's often better to take missions "as they come" all along your way and go back when only it becomes too hard. You'll run clearly less than if you try to make missions "lists" to do.
But, honestly, I don't like much to have a dozen of people killing mobs around me or my team when we are in missions. It's less involving.
And as for the computer... TSW can run on any modern machine of the last years with the appropriate video card (200ish euros is fine). Now if you really want to use all graphic features (but the game looks good even with lower settings) or a large screen with many pixels, or both (like me), yes you'd better go for a 250ish euros graphic card, and a bit more if you want it all. (Up to 500ish euros max IMHO if you're really, really hardcore, let's stop the madness too! 1000+ euros cards...
)
You can see my current system here, it may give you an idea. (I added a new SSD since then.) It runs TSW nicely with full options (except the very last anti-aliasing by Nvidia which is for their new GPU only) BUT you won't need that, sincerely.
http://www.athenpaladins.org/forums/vie ... =45&t=6715
Here are some raw screenshots (except the png compression of the screenshot function which lowers quality a little bit), so you can have an idea.
I don't think that TSW should be compared to AO, except to clarify some points. It's just two totally different things.
First, TSW is a game made with a lot of soloing possible; almost each quest/mission has its own story and fun NPC's, and there is a general storyline in three main parts (which doesn't' really end and that will be extended in the future). Missions also offer some nice diversity in what you have to accomplish.
But, to the exception of some solo instances during some quests, you can always team to do a mission. For some, like Nightmare missions, you even have to team: last night I helped Arrxx with the Eye of Horus mission in the Reformatory area which is a nightmare place the City of the Sun God (5th zone in TSW but you have Nightmare areas in each zone). We were 3 (with TheMel who is not in AP but teaming a lot with us). I could probably solo this quest because of my mostly purple gear QL10 but that wouldn't be extremely easy.
You also team for dungeons that come in three flavors: normal versions, elite versions, and nightmare versions (not all dungeons offering all versions, but most do). We do quite a lot of them.
About PvP, we do PvP almost everyday. Almost each night I have some PvP with Bredin, Capone, Arxx, and some others. We never had any need for voice (that comment surprised me; I'll analyze below); neither has anyone in Fusang area and I saw many teams win in other areas without voice as long as they play as a team (some have some quick macros for a few types of instructions). There are three different challenges in PvP and frustration can appear if you don't realize what they are.
Fusang is a very large zone, with many people involved. I'm positive that voice is absolutely not necessary. It would even be confusing to have 18ish people on voice. You just need a leader (useful but not mandatory) and to work as a group with a little bit of good strategy. A few days ago, Lasa was there (and some other AP's, sorry I forgot), and I took lead over because the situation was dramatic. Then, in less than 30 minutes, we captured 4 facilities and some "anima wells", which is likely the max you can do in normal conditions.
El Dorado and Stonehenge are a whole different story: they are two zones, with two different kind of goals, for small groups (Eldorado) and very small groups (Stonehenge). Voice can help here but less than knowing what to do, and less than knowing your team and working together by INSTINCT so you do NOT have to communicate except a few words (that can often be typed.)
And this is the issue: if someone tries that as a PvP starting experience, especially in a pick-up group, it will be very frustrating. In those two areas, teams tend to come in over-geared with purples and they are pre-made. They are killer teams, period. If you are in mostly green or even blue gear, you'll need all the possible help (voice can be one) and even like that, you'll likely be owned. Therese zones are either a fight club for top-geared seasoned PvPers or a farming ground for them, earning easy points on weaker people. No hope.
Let's add that El Dorado and even more Stonehenge require low latency as the fight can be extremely fast. It's less important in Fusang but, unfortunately, in all games, PvP is always more or less unbalanced if you have high latency.
(Or low frames per second.)About the weapons in PvP, sincerely, I'm Assault Rifle -and a lot are too- but we can get owned many times in a session by melee characters using the right stuns abilities (you don't have stuns with assault rifle) and violent attacks. It's even frustrating and needs to be addressed: with some builds, a melee character can hit you for like 5-6 seconds while you are unable to do anything. If you don't have some passives powers (powers that work automatically) to counter that a bit, you have zero chance to win.
On the other hand, something like shotgun (shorter range than AR and less damage/tricks than melee) seems quite useless in PvP... but I may be wrong as I have not worked a lot on this. Some passive powers coming from the shotgun line (and not requiring a shotgun to be equipped) can be nice though (like extra penetration procs).
In SWToR, PvP was, in my opinion, really interesting but totally unbalanced because it was based on specific PvP equipment and people who did a lot of PvP were over geared (way above anything in TSW where there is not specific PvP equipment) and I saw many times players that couldn't be killed by like 7 or 8 players together. And, as you could progress to new PvP gear added at some point, there was no way to catch up really.
Now, about the idea that, if everyone get all the powers, there could be some "best" builds cookie-cutter... Well this is also relatively true in AO but within a profession (or combo prof+breed), except the number of available items make this less visible. Nevertheless, getting all the powers is long AND you still have to get all the appropriate gear in this case. (It's not because you have all possible tanking powers that you'll be able to tank any hard elites or nightmare without the "right" talismans, weapons, and glyphs / signets).
Nevertheless, when you progress in TSW, you enter another kind of gaming: you permanently change your builds to ADAPT to a situation. There is nothing like an all-situation cookie-cutter build, unless you're just dealing with ordinary mobs or are over-powered for the place.
In dungeons, we very often re-balance the team, changing powers to adapt to the mobs. We change the roles in the team sometimes too. This is essential in hard elites and with nightmare mobs.
Last but not least, for the moment, as this post is already too long, I'll just focus on the fact that when you exit to a zone you don't have a group of people there, waiting. It's true but it's just that this is not AO. And in AO, anyhow, if you grid out to Harry's, Sentinels, 2HO, and most spots, you have no one waiting.
People stay in a few hubs (Old Athen, Borealis, Omni-Trade mostly and some SL gardens). In TSW, by nature, people are a lot inside Agartha (transportation system) and in London, and, then, in their faction headquarters. There is no reason to stand at an Agartha exit: people are busy and move. You usually see people at big missions spots. Also, in TSW, it's often better to take missions "as they come" all along your way and go back when only it becomes too hard. You'll run clearly less than if you try to make missions "lists" to do.But, honestly, I don't like much to have a dozen of people killing mobs around me or my team when we are in missions. It's less involving.
And as for the computer... TSW can run on any modern machine of the last years with the appropriate video card (200ish euros is fine). Now if you really want to use all graphic features (but the game looks good even with lower settings) or a large screen with many pixels, or both (like me), yes you'd better go for a 250ish euros graphic card, and a bit more if you want it all. (Up to 500ish euros max IMHO if you're really, really hardcore, let's stop the madness too! 1000+ euros cards...
)You can see my current system here, it may give you an idea. (I added a new SSD since then.) It runs TSW nicely with full options (except the very last anti-aliasing by Nvidia which is for their new GPU only) BUT you won't need that, sincerely.
http://www.athenpaladins.org/forums/vie ... =45&t=6715
Here are some raw screenshots (except the png compression of the screenshot function which lowers quality a little bit), so you can have an idea.
Re: Thinking about TSW
You forgot a nice sunrise
Re: Thinking about TSW
On my laptop, Asus G73Jh - it runs SWTOR and TSW perfectly - smooth like a brand new lexus. and AO is like a clunky old pickup truck.
And.... for some reason I play AO still
And.... for some reason I play AO still
" I Don't Like That Man. I Must Get To Know Him Better." -Abraham Lincoln
Re: Thinking about TSW
Me too.noobas wrote:And.... for some reason I play AO still
I'm a sentimental person I guess, and, also, my main reason is called AP. 
Re: Thinking about TSW
I wish ima didn't have so many toons off in other orgs.
" I Don't Like That Man. I Must Get To Know Him Better." -Abraham Lincoln
Re: Thinking about TSW
I miss AO but don't want to waste my money on paying for a game I don't always have time to play.
Malo & I have gotten lifetime subscriptions (so at least I can play or not play as much as I want or can) - I love TSW, it's definitely is different & challenging.
Malo & I have gotten lifetime subscriptions (so at least I can play or not play as much as I want or can) - I love TSW, it's definitely is different & challenging.
Re: Thinking about TSW
To be such a crappy programmed game AO has really had a long life.. Of course this is because thay had many great ideas for that game! I really hope they will make a AO 2 with the TSW engine for gfx for their next game! And cram in all the good ideas and add new ideas and also good ideas from other games that have proved to work well! Then i will have a lifewtime sub for it!noobas wrote:On my laptop, Asus G73Jh - it runs SWTOR and TSW perfectly - smooth like a brand new lexus. and AO is like a clunky old pickup truck.
And.... for some reason I play AO still
. Seeing how they do it in the stock market and this being changing times for how people pay for games it may never come to life but i still dream about it 
Re: Thinking about TSW
I lack time to get to play a lot of anything currently.
However TSW is not the first game for me that would jump to mind, it got quite repetitive since I've done all missions lol
However TSW is not the first game for me that would jump to mind, it got quite repetitive since I've done all missions lol
Re: Thinking about TSW
After these first few months of the game it feels like:
If i got just a few minutes to spare i'll start up Anarchy Online.
But if i want to do some missions and know i got more hours to spare, than i'm online in TSW.
If i got just a few minutes to spare i'll start up Anarchy Online.
But if i want to do some missions and know i got more hours to spare, than i'm online in TSW.
Re: Thinking about TSW
AO always felt completely opposite to me. I know there are dailies and such now but AO always felt as though I couldn't really accomplish anything unless I dedicated half a day to it. Whether it was camping phats, grinding missions or trying to do some kind of instance, it wasn't ever something you could just jump into quickly and out again within an hour.enakur wrote:After these first few months of the game it feels like:
If i got just a few minutes to spare i'll start up Anarchy Online.
But if i want to do some missions and know i got more hours to spare, than i'm online in TSW.