Frustrated

[BASTARD!]

I feel like I have put in decent work since I got here. I have roleplayed with boatloads of other characters for numerous hours of the day. To be honest I play too much..

Now I'm starting to get frustrated. I have a two-week old character who has done really very little. I get no DM interaction outside of what becomes server-wide mobfests. I put in time and effort and get nothing in return. My reputation in game grows, my levels grow, people respect me until... they realize my character sucks. I have no gold, my weapon is the same one I arrived with and now that I'm level 8 there is nothing to do.

I guess I could always go die and drop back down to the fun levels where you can actually play with other people.. but I want to progress!

I really try to do fun plot things, and my character is indeed involved in some affairs, but realistically I can't do anything combat-oriented because I am a gear-dependent class with no gear.

I see other players waving around their magic weapons and showing them off. I wonder how I might ever get one and realize that I probably never will. Not everyone can be catered to, and that's fine, but why can't I even find a crappy +1 damage sword?  In fact I'm forced to use weird weapons like spears, maces, clubs, and tridents in order to prove that i'm "different" and "unique". How long do I have to roleplay and exist before anyone ever actually notices me?

To further complicate things I have recently found myself not even wanting to participate in higher level quests. The monsters on this server are far too powerful, but not because of their strength or damage. It is because of near-uncontrollable disabling effects that border on retardation. Why in a single fight am I being knocked down by NUMEROUS foes in a mob, aoe str drained MULTIPLE times, level drained 2lvls at a time, blind, deaf, AND being entangled? This is on top of magic missiles and other magical damage and the insane number of mobs beating on you. This coupled with a very very old laggy game like NWN, and poor maneuverability make combat a NIGHTMARE.

In order to live through a quest you -must- metagame. There are so many race/monster specific abilities that crush you unless you have specifically prepared to combat them. Many of the quests will cause you to burn through nearly all of your items that you've been hoarding until this point. Without a stacked team and at least one player who has done it previously you will lose someone.

And finally I feel as if the combat here has morphed into something that couldn't be further from what Tabletop Dungeons and Dragons is like.

If you are not a fighter or a cleric then you are invisible. If you aren't invisible then you're dead. Healing is no longer just for the cleric class, now everyone who isn't a beefed up ac-machine gets to huddle together and use their items to continuously spam-heal the tanks from invis. Fun!

I do not spare my buffs or potions. I drink my ghostly, divine favor, str, endurance, barkskin like everyone else and I am still disabled or killed by something out of my control like a surprise death-magic spell being hurled at me.

Beautiful server, amazing lore, great players, great STORIES..but the combat and enemies are the worst ever. I do not enjoy standing in place for nearly all of a fight while invisible teammates spam their heal items on me just so I don't disintegrate. I do not want to be forced to play in this specific survival-based style that is custom to this server. To be honest I feel like it diminishes creativity and diversity when players do specific things to survive, or play a specific style of character who needs to be unique to be noticed.

So, what do you think? Am I a fickle noob,or do my complaints have any merit?

[Valo56]

EfU can be a stressful place, and especially at your level the fights are difficult. It's not meant to be like tabletop, tabletop would be drastically different.

With fame, levels and supplies comes plots, and with plots sometimes comes loot. Joining a faction helps in this regard.

Ultimately you'll be happier if you never look at people's DM loot or screenshot threads, and never worry about getting loot yourself. Focus on the story and having fun. Really, just don't worry about it.

As for quests, they are all about strategy, not metagaming or who has the most loot. It's about a team with various strengths and weaknesses working together. Plan it out. Who will do what in a fight. Who will heal, who will tank, who will flank, what buffs will you have when you go in and which will you have in reserve. Usually this means that the random sending quest groups are woefully unprepared for the tougher quests.

I'm sorry you feel so frustrated, I recently had similar feelings of being ignored. Best to just tough it out and focus on the things you like about the server, eventually someone might give you a hand.

Also, level 8 is always a tough level. Best to join a faction and get involved in plots at that point. Personally, when I hit level 8 I try to stop questing and focus purely on plots and my character's agenda, and if I ever hit level 9 it will be off of DM XP.

[Dr Dragon]

If your character is constnatly being proactive, and risking permadeath DMS will reward you, and give you loot. So be proactive incluide others, and make some enemies.

[Pool]

Big league characters eventually fall over dead. If you're around for awhile and have the means, you can ascend to the top.

I can't remember his name, but there's a Gnome (or Dwarf) that's been around for a long time. Nobody pays him any mind but he's sitting on a giant pile of gold and can probably get his hands on anything his little heart wants.

Time has a way of rewarding people who wait and are around when the shift of power begins. I'm not looking for recognition because it gets characters killed alot from what I've seen, but I'm sure eventually I'll be sitting on some pretty useful equipment.

[Apocalypse Nigh]

The Combat is rough.

I should have mentioned that, that singular quest, is the most difficult in EFU.

Sorry if I turned you off from the server.

[sylvyrdragon]

I learned a long time ago, "never expect, always hope".  What I mean, is I never expect to be 'noticed' or rewarded for anything by players or DM's, but I always hope that I somehow managed to make my characters story fun for everyone I come in contact with.

As for levels and quests.  Do the ones that make sense for your character, at your level you can be picky about what you do and don't do.  I can tell you, I have died more often than I've lived on any high level quest.  In the almost 4 years I've been here, I've managed to get 1 character to 9th level, and maybe 1 more to 8th.  I am not mechanically inclined at all when it comes to NwN.

Don't think of this as an online Table Top Game, it is a unique world with unique players and monsters.  Yes we are based in DnD cannon, but with the number of custom changes to class and monsters it's easier to think of it as totally unique world.

Our DM's here are usually very helpful and are willing to try to run unique things for your character if you let them know what you are trying to do. Now don't take this to mean that they will run or do everything you want them to do, we have few DM's to players, so they can't do it all.  But, if it's something you have worked for IG, something you have involved others in, and something interesting, generally they are willing to help.

Just try to tell your characters story as best you can.  Find interesting points of view on things, or maybe a unique quirk, something (aside from the weapon they use) that makes your character different from "Fighter #234325".  EFU gives us all a chance to tell an evolving story, not just your characters, but all of those he / she comes in contact with.  You might start out as a C/G Bard and end up a C/E Moander Cultist.  (Yup, had it happen to one of my characters)  If you let those around you influence you, change you in some small way, it is amazing just where your character may end up.

Any way.. I've rambled long enough.  Just have fun, don't sweat the small stuff.

[Jayde Moon]

If you would like to chat about it, you can generally find me in #efu on irc.

EfU is set up the way it is for very good reason.  For many, it can take some time to become accustomed to it, and it simply is not a match for certain people.

But for those who persevere and realize the merits of the server, it is an amazing experience.  Feel free to find me in chat.

[BASTARD!]

Don't blame yourself Alura. For the first time ever I was standing there winning a fight, fully-healed and hating every second of it. I was being disabled in every way possible and it just wasn't fun to quaff potions repeatedly to fight off all of these effects and stay alive. My main complaint is the mass-amount of disabling moves against us- and death spells are crap. I feel bad for Sid. It was this that made me question, why I am even bothering to progress if this is what I have to look forward to.


I was in a great party with great players who blew tons of stuff keeping me alive before the level drains zapped me. I definitely don't blame anyone involved, and that is why I am upset. None of the players did anything wrong.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

Death spells are always a mood killer, on quests or events. Basically it's how you stop PCs from getting too confident in their abilities because it's an instant death that can't be avoided other than sheer ooc luck. Most people don't have any special DM loot of any sort, though you can get uniqueish items from high level quests.

And yes, in order to do anything you really do have to have prior server experience to semi meta it. Even if you were doing something as simple as some of the level 5-6 cap quests a group would be utterly mutilated if they didn't know how to prepare for it. There really are four types of characters: Frontliners, invis-suppourt healers, rogues, and townfolk.

It's a rough and unrewarding place, EFU. You're going to get your ass kicked again and again, you're going to have everything you gain whisked away at a moments notice. Possessions are fleeting at best, and when you do get something nice, there are other PCs who will like it and surely try to take it from you. If you can look past it the rewards are in the lore you uncover and what you accomplish in the greater story. I feel very similarly to you and that is why I try to avoid a lot of these things that just are not fun for me and focus more on building, on creating groups or events for others to enjoy. Don't worry about working around what is, or taking what is and making it part of yourself. If it is frustrating you then step back and try building for others to enjoy instead. It comes with its own sense of gratification even if not rewarded with physical representations like items.

You don't have to go out into combat. Kyra's always got the local magic community and Clarice to take care of her. I do enjoy feeding her songs and bardic items hehe. EFU is a -very- frustrating place, especially when new to it, but a good group of friends makes it so much easier and more fun.

[Pup]

Thomas (Apocalypse Now/Alura) took you on one of the most difficult quests on the server.  It's insanely hard (but fun!).  That quest is in no way indicative of most of the "regular" quests.

We all die (me more than most), but I assure you something will come along if you make IC friends and just play your character.  There are a hundred plots going on and you are bound to get involved with one, if not many.

Don't give up on us.  We're worth the steep learning curve.

Feel free to message me in-game (PupEfUM) or on the forums with any questions.

[VanillaPudding]

Now I'm starting to get frustrated. I have a two-week old character who has done really very little. I get no DM interaction outside of what becomes server-wide mobfests. I put in time and effort and get nothing in return. My reputation in game grows, my levels grow, people respect me until... they realize my character sucks. I have no gold, my weapon is the same one I arrived with and now that I'm level 8 there is nothing to do.

This is how modern EFU functions. Loot is extremely rare and, while frustrating, you simply have to utilize your personal growths as a measurement of success rather than any other thing.  

EfU is set up the way it is for very good reason. For many, it can take some time to become accustomed to it, and it simply is not a match for certain people.

I disagree with that. It's been openly stated that loot or "rewards" are heavily lacking by others of the staff (as of late), and to say it was setup this way is simply wrong. Either way, find your enjoyment from personal character gains and relationships, they are rewarding in themselves.

[Aethereal]

I would like to say, from an OOC perspective, I feel almost like a mechanical leech. My current character contributes next to nothing to faction PvP, and upon that rare and odd occasion he partakes of a scripted quest, as a spellcaster he is taking mad risks and roleplaying a confident yet incompetent elven magus who stabs at the world with his pathetic alchemically derived magical dagger.

I can only thank my fellow players who heal him before he dies, as he so often comes near to. And I think you, dear original poster, should consider the OOC benevolence of your fellow player, in that they enable you to portray such mechanically incompetent characters.

Perhaps I am alone in this, though I think I am not, for EFU is a closed community indeed, of individuals who realise the setting they  create is dependant upon the contributions of their fellow players.

So to end my intrigue, dear "BASTARD!" please stay with us and help us create the wonderful fantasy universe that is Escaped from Underdark: Mistlocke.

[Coin Lord]

A couple of tips I once recieved from a DM about getting DM attention and avoiding lulls when few people are about:
 
Be proactive: Even if its just doing a scripted quest, arrange stuff, get people together IG. See what Alura Hiddencrypts player just did. Arrangement something to go do a less common quest. Tricker quests = more interesting items as well. In fact the very high ones occasionally have better things than much of the DM loot given out!
 
Have something to do in your concept in the "down times": When the server is quieter, you have hit a higher level or you IG buddies aren't about, have something you can still "do" IG. Examples:
 
Merchant - Buy Low, Sell High, Get Rich
Spy - Sneak about listening to random conversations
Mapper - Create maps and then sell maps
Archeaologist - Find a Dungeon
Crazy Preaching Cleric - Rant Rave Repeat
Explorer - Get every bit of exploration xp going
Duelist - Challenge every PC you meet to a fight

[Divine Intervention]

It has been said, but do not think that Sinister Enclave is representative of the difficulty of many quests on efu.  A simple glance at the level range will tell you just how hard its expected to be considering its a 4-12 and even level 10 is uncommon.  As for the fixation on death magic, I can count the number of instances where you encounter it on one hand and other supplies will help you deal with other issues.  As for DM and PC recognition, like others have made clear, its about finding your goals and pushing for them.  Involving others in this and making it interesting will encourage support.  Standing idle in the town square isn't fun for anybody, whereas for example a undead fighting pc might organise a patrol and thus explore the island with allies.  Its risky but undoubtedly fun and likely to further said pcs goals whilst contributing to others enjoyment.

[Jasede]

The higher end it gets the more ridiculously hard it gets. It's probably because usually people that do go on quests at that end are year-old veterans with boatloads of experience that would fall asleep if they weren't being hit by 20 mobs with Death Attack that all blind you on hit while invisible casters drop Ice Storm on you.

I don't know what to say. If it wasn't this hard there'd be little challenge to the ancient ones. One day, or with their help, we'll be able to face those odds too. Until then it's probably best to stay away, unless you are with people that know what they are doing.

I sort of agree with one thing: it is almost needed to "meta-game" slightly sometimes unless you want to spend more than you will earn. Usually they are good about giving you hints- but not always. And some behavior is so deeply ingrained that it doesn't seem like meta-gaming anymore- like encyclopedic knowledge of spell effects, PvP potion combinations, what to do vs. certain monsters and so on.

I suppose you can rationalize it by saying that we're adventurers and at a higher level we'd probably know those things in a world that is so consumable-dependent and deadly.


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That said, EfU has actually gotten much easier. You can now get to level 8 effortlessly. They give you 6 for free. That is plenty to do all the plotting and PvP you might want. No need to grind further, unless you enjoy the quests (I do!) and there's nothing else to do right now.

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Also, stop hoping for that DM-given weapon. It's hit or miss. Doing your plot stuff and being interesting directly correlates to your odds of getting some loving - but it's just that, odds. Maybe you're the best player we've ever seen, but DMs aren't seeing it. Maybe they are seeing it but they are busy. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

You can't force these things. Just do your best.

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You should probably also hang around other cool characters and do stuff with them. What's better than watching 1 cool character do cool stuff? Watch a bunch of cool characters do cool stuff! That might even inspire a quest or some plot hook.

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Go get them, tiger.

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Edit: Another thing. A lot of those cool weapons to see were gotten through blood and sweat and extreme risk. They don't usually drop from the sky. But if they see this gutsy barbarian who picks fights at level 4 against higher levels and somehow gets away with it, that's worth rewarding the huge risk- especially if it's a fight that actually adds to the world in some meaningful way.

As you noticed, death is everywhere on EfU. A lot of those cool weapons you see came with the pricetag of odds of permanent death. If you think about it that way, not having one doesn't seem all that bet, does it?

If you flirt with danger smartly you'll probably lose a couple of characters. But the ones that stick are going to kick ass, let me tell you!