Patch 4.1 out and Open RvR thoughts

With the opening of Preview Weekend+ today and Open Beta launching this Sunday, path 4.1 was released today! Reading the highlights over at Waaagh! there is very exciting improvements from the last PW Flea and I played in: auction house is launched, class overhauls like the Magus (YES!), AI and pathing issues, and updates to the Open RvR ruleset!

Flea and I have been discussing which server type to play. We are big fans of all out, full PvP. We think it provides the best gameplay and the real way to play a MMO. Sure, it can be fucking frustrating but it also has it’s fun rewards. Makes things exciting. However, I have some concerns over the Open RvR ruleset. It all relates to “chickening” or the process you turn in to a 1 hit point chicken if you are a high level player entering low level tiers. For example, if I am Tier 3 equivalent level, I will turn in to a chicken when I enter Tier 1.

Pros

• No griefing of low level players by very high players
• Keeps the low level RvR in these zones on the same level: itemization, player abilities and stats and to a degree player skill will be more even (yes there is a diff b/w a lvl 10 and lvl 1 but nothing like lvl 40 to lvl 1)
• Helps in terms of leveling and learning your class: always having a high level player around, you don’t have to do anything in quests except /follow; this ensures those players are learning how to play their toon and in a group

Cons

• Unable to help level your low level friends or guild mates
• Hard to help out friends or players when they are being griefed by higher non-chickened players
• Tome! The tome is an amazing feature in this game. Let’s say I get to lvl 40 but want to go back to the tier 1 zones to unlock a bunch of Tome exploration, quests or other items to unlock
• What happens when a realm wins RvR? As I understand, the servers “reset.” What does that really mean for my high level player?

All of, at least at this time, applies to the Open RvR ruleset. Is this really open RvR then?

On the other hand, in the Core RvR ruleset (PvE with some Open RvR “lakes” in zones) you are free to go back to low level tiers to de exactly what I point out in the con section.

In terms of overall enjoyment and gameplay, I’m conflicted. I don’t want to feel “locked” if I’m a high level player and not be able to explore those low level areas again; especially after a lengthy time investment on my toon. Yet on a Core server, I’ll be able to do this but only get the enjoyment in the RvR lakes.

I understand the design reasons behind these rulesets but in terms of choosing a server to play on… But I have read Open RvR will not be active at launch but that isn’t rinal.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this all unfolds.

Patch 4.1 Thoughts>>
Full 4.1 Patch Notes>>