Mocha Cocoa Choco Latte Super Espresso To Go (12/1)

[Woody]

And that subject basically translates to:
The new Warrior Combat System.

You knew I wouldn't be able to completely leave it alone. I mean, it's necessity for me to continue to comment on it until I feel Warriors are no longer broken, and that the system works.

The idea behind the strip is that we'll still be making coffee, we'll just be making it in a new/dynamic way.

[Coffee]

**Points to his new name.**
I've got an interesting point of view on this topic. Personally, anyone who can make good coffee is a friend of mine.
Even if that is one very mean and angry looking troll(or orc...haven't played eq in quite some time), looks like good coffee.
**grins**

[Ciarin]

/chuckle

[Gnomish]

::giggles insanely::

[Macbaine]

But, but... what about tea?

>grins<

Ok so the question is... on which of these openings can someone else get their cup filled at the same time that the warrior is using the opening?

[DaMrac]

HEY HEY!! its the new monk system too!! *grin*

[Woody]

Monks aren't as broken... they aren't coffee makers YET.

[DaMrac]

but still!! I'm exited to see how it will help us monks!

btw Woody, I'll have a super expresso to go please! :)

[Iiliani Seadream]

Is this new melee system live now then? I didn't see any patch messages about it

[Woody]

Nope. Plans are tentatively set for Dec. 16th.

It is being goofed around with on Test though.

[Jishia]

I hope the Patch on Dec 16 will include the new spell effects...

[Acabar]

Haha, gave me a good laugh this morning. Great as usual.

P.S. Love the new forums :)

[Naelaen]

Hehehe, nice comic :D

Cup of Coffee
MAGIC ITEM
Skill: 1H Blunt Atk Delay: 25
Dmg: 6
SV COLD +20
Effect: Caffeine
Class: WAR
Deity: Nescafé

Caffeine
Causes you to become fidgety and twitchy, speeding your movement. Spell also combats the drowsy line of spells.

I'd do one for the tea pot but you aren't really interested and it takes up too much vertical real estate :(

[Sumamael]

If the liquid in those pots is sufficiently hot then it might cause some fire based damage!

[Death666]

Eh, who cares if it's hot. If it's cold it'll still serve as an effective taunt. Someone throws lukewarm coffee in your face, are you going to be happy with them?

[DaMrac]

id log on my druid and cast harmony on my self
if that doesnt help id log back on my monk and show who ever threw lukewarm coffee at me how much DPS I can do :)

[Enchanter]

same old coffee makers, just more holes to fill....

[YuriPup]

LOL Woody!

I will generally agree with you Woody, but since this whole system is almost exactally like spells, I think they will be able to mod it easily.

That say, I can't see combat still reducing endurance and still being able to use moves after 60 minutes of fighting in an LDoN adventure--while it recoves slowly and there is no way to boost the recovery rate.

And since they are talking about linking disaplines to this, it sounds like we could loose access to things like like defensive toward the end of an adv...or we would have to ask for a med break...

[John Dyne]

Ha.. SSDD. Almost ironic I finished Dreamweaver a couple of hours before I looked at the comic. They use that phrase quite a bit.

I'm curious. Do you think they'll have the arrows and 'OPENING: (Opening)' text when you get an opening?

[Quartz]

For all the cafeophiles here, I would suggest Terry Pratchett's new book that has a Vampire addicted to Coffee. I've not read anything other than the front for that but that alone sold me. ;->

BTW, as a Hybrid (SK) I already maxxed Coffee-Making and have my Grandmaster Geerlock Expresso Machine.

Just try for the Caramel Macchiato with extra expresso for 250.....

[FuzzyBear]

I decided to fire up Test Center and play around a bit more.
It's not enough info to clog the boards with a new thread, but it's somewhat relevant to this post.

Taunt messages are in. (Yay! These are nice!)

"Openings" are partially in.
That is to say, I get a message when my time to take advantage of an opening has expired.

No pop-up ability window yet, and no notification when the opening first becomes available, but they're working on it.

I spent some time trying to determine exactly when i lose openings, (it looked at first to have something to do with me clicking "kick") but I'll have to wait until I cart the laptop home to the network so I can hook it up to the parser on the tower.

Heh.
Fun Stuff

[ancarett]

Did ya hear about the new title for level 65 warriors? Barista!

/em ducks the tomatoes and other projectiles

[lymlym]

I still don't see any difference in the new melee system

[Lirren]

BWAHAHAHAHA. OMG, I spewed my coffee this morning. That was hysterical. Good job Woody!

[Aurizen_Darkstar]

Hehehe, nice comic :D

Cup of Coffee
MAGIC ITEM
Skill: 1H Blunt Atk Delay: 25
Dmg: 6
SV COLD +20
Effect: Caffeine
Class: WAR
Deity: Nescafé

Caffeine
Causes you to become fidgety and twitchy, speeding your movement. Spell also combats the drowsy line of spells.



This is funny. I was in the Bazaar the other day and commented that since they have tea in game (Qeynos Afternoon Tea), why HAVEN'T they put coffee in? :D

Woody, great comic! :)

[Diviine]

another good comic, as usual Woody

[Zeroaga]

Lol, I'm a big fan of coffee, and theres one way to describe this comic: YUMMY!

[Pike Tha Blodd]

hmm.....coffee as a haste item....

im going to write a letter :)

[Gnomish]

hmm.....coffee as a haste item....

im going to write a letter :)::gasps:: That's a GREAT idea!

[Mordican]

I'm thinking a triple white mocha would hit the spot right now :)

[Satarus]

Who needs coffee when you can have a nice cup of Grobb Liquidised Meat.

[FuzzyBear]

An amusing idea.
Rather like a toned down version of this popular beverage (http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=3615).

Far less actual effect, and possibly a massive endurance drop after it wears off, unless you consume another. :)

Or an uncurable endurance DoT.

I would like to see the introduction of some endurance potions as far as the new melee system goes.
Supplies cost about as much as, say, a gate potion (>100pp)

I mean, they have pizza and fizzlepop, why not coffee?

*shrug*

[Zorathenne]

*purr* mmmmm... coffee....

*pouncehuggles Ompa*

[Sticket]

Loved the comic today. I hope they manage to bring us pure melee up to par with the dmg output of hybrids now.

[Bisuketto]

Dynamic Coffee.... now thats something that could have a market in norrath.

[Gnomish]

You have gotten better at Brewing!

[Xyrra]

mmmm, coffee.

Good thing I like the stuff. :)

[Gurney]

mmmm, coffee.

Good thing I like the stuff. :)

You like me! You really like me!

Hehe, and yes, Coffee is a haste item, considering my main character for two years was a bard. **grins**

*edit* Woops. Thought I was logged on as Coffee.
BRB.

[Keaolien]

Great comic Woody. I really like how you can see the warrior's hands holding his coffee making tools. "Little" details like that just make it that much funnier :) hehehe

[Tadashya]

ok I am gonna pledge idiocy... I went to the test server and loaded up my girly troll warrior and mess around a bit... what exactly IS this 'opening'?

and coffee (more specifically gingerbread lattes).. well its the drink of the gods.

[Ompa]

*pouncehuggles Ompa*

omgomgomg! I'm so grinning right now! I'm so printing that out & tacking it to my wall! Never imagined I'd ever have my name up on a panel heheee, too cool! k, I'm not gonna need any coffee for like 2 hours I'm too giddy lol...

and as usual excellent panel Woody!

[Katina]

I have come to the belief that warriors.. will never truly be fixed... we were great back in the day.. pre kunark... but.. it's all gone now

[Billybobtheranger]

I hope this new system helps...cause i'm havin a hell of a time with Ldon groups, but I still love my Warrior, he kicks so much butt and is sooo fast with his little Thex loop and defiance and lammy.. :)

[Karimi]

Heh good one Woody and excellent drawing.

[Callipygia]

There must be an easier way of fixing warrior taunt than what they are planning. Warriors should get a passive ability at low levels that makes them more offensive when they drink alcohol, so it gives them a big aggro increase. The ability can scale up as they level, and warriors would get a higher Alcohol Tolerance skill than other classes. That way, they have a way of buffing their own aggro without relying on other classes as much. In addition to that, give Enchanters and/or Shadowknights a targetted 20% aggro buff that lasts two hours...call it Voice of Innoruuk or Stinky Breath of Bertox or Warrior Crack or something... The alcohol aggro ability and the new line of aggro buffs would fix warrior aggro in a fun, yet very simple way. And it would give warriors a reason to learn brewing skill.

Callipygia

[Tolamar]

Lol beautiful comic with great punch line. I can see the new system now.

*Warrior you now see an opening*
*Warrior spills coffee on Rujarkian Ork for 421 points of damage!*
*Rujarkian Ork ENRAGES!*
*Rujarkian Ork sues You for 10,000 platnium!*

[Satarus]

Does anyone else have the urge to shout ZUG ZUG, or FOR THE HORDE when you are in the middle of a rajukan adventure?

[Woody]

The changes to the melee system are NOT a fix for the problems with taunt. They are simply an addition to the complexity and nuance of the melee classes.

There are also changes being made that have nothing to do with the new system. So don't fret too much.

Despite my comments, I believe warriors will be fixed before the year is up.

[Rifter]

As a Barista for a certain world-engulfing coffee chain, I can officially say that I feel that warriors' pain. Oddly enough, that orc reminds me of a customer I serve every once and awhile...

[Tadashya]

does he ask for a 5 shot venti americano? That would be my husband :D

Is there a page somewhere that goes over these melee changes in detail?

[Radical Edward]

I think warrios should get a new special move "scalding hot crotch splash".

[Velenka]

ROFL... now THAT would be aggro management.

[Rifter]

"does he ask for a 5 shot venti americano? That would be my husband"



I wish it was as simple as an Americano.

[Callipygia]

The changes to the melee system are NOT a fix for the problems with taunt. They are simply an addition to the complexity and nuance of the melee classes.

There are also changes being made that have nothing to do with the new system. So don't fret too much.

Despite my comments, I believe warriors will be fixed before the year is up.

I still like my offensive drunken warrior idea and think they should add it anyway. :D

[Coffee]

Woody, you've inspired me.
If I ever get back into eq(still thought it was fun when I left, but the time constraints) I'll make a warrior and call him Barista.

[Sentack]

Okay call me stupid but I'm not sure I get the comic. :P What are the coffee refrences for?

In DAoC, the combat styles are perhaps one of the best parts of playing a melee class in that game. Trying to get off the styles can be a pain as the best ones have really annoying requirements sometimes to get off. I would assume it'll be a fun addition to EQ. Specialy considering how more complex it sounds like they are going for.

Sentack

[Drakenred]

First time caller long time listener here(Gawd dont you hate hearing that line on talk shows?) All I have to say is that if the mob keeps the same hours as some of the online players, they may not mind being doused with coffee!

And no, they are not Betatesting Ideas from EQII

They are stealing them out of desperation becuase they may lose their jobs next June when EQII goes live and all of the wariors and their friends run to a game that may make them usefull!

[Coffee]

Sentack, the origins of the running coffee jokes are these two comics, http://www.gucomics.com/archives/view.php?cdate=20030829 http://www.gucomics.com/archives/view.php?cdate=20030808

[Drakenred]

How can you forget

http://www.gucomics.com/archives/view.php?cdate=20030902

[Zorathenne]

omgomgomgomgomg Ompa!! rofl =)..
I saw the byline before I even read the rest of the comic and was like woohoo!
Kewlies to ya booness.. *huggle*

[Shiach_gaidin]

Lol Classic, now if i can finally find a cheap replacement for my coffee maker!

[Sentack]

OOoooh Yes that coffee refrence! I forgot about that!

So what are we saying now that the changes to Warriors in EQ won't really add anything that will make them all that much more desirable? Is the expectations that the new combat styles will just add something to do but still not address something along the lines of lack of purpose in a group.

--Still out tanked by SK's and Pallys,
--Out Meleed by Monks and Rouges
--Out Taunted?
--Not sure what else out done..

This is the vibe I'm getting now about these changes from you guys. :P

Sentack

[Naelaen]

Despite my comments, I believe warriors will be fixed before the year is up.

Woody says that an you're getting negative vibes Sentack? :D

Nah we're just playing with the whole coffee thing. The new openings are just part of the warrior overhaul (including damage mitigation and better aggro holding). :)

[John Dyne]

Out-tanked by hybrids? From what I've seen, playing both classes, equally equipped (Somewhat.. equal equipment slacks when you're dual-wielding), the warriors are much better at taking a punch than a hybrid. A warrior of equal level to my paladin can have as much as a 500 HP lead.

We're out-melee'd, yes, but warriors aren't really made to DPS, in my opinion. We're made to take aggro and hold it. This can succeed or fail depending on, not only the warrior himself, but the group. I tanked around in one of the mid-level zones last night, and the only time I lost aggro was when the enchanter nuked when I had just pulled, and we had a monk and a paladin in the group. Just keep the paladin from taunting, and don't spam taunt, and you've got aggro for as long as you want.

I'd say a good warrior in a good group could hold aggro however he liked. The cleric in our group was amazed how well I kept aggro, and how shoddily the paladin did when HE wanted to tank (He had 7 defense. So.. yeah.)

[Cougarshand]

Woody, does this mean Vhah's next title after 'Baron' will be Barista Vhah?

[Rhiamon Fatesealer]

Just keep the paladin from taunting, and don't spam taunt, and you've got aggro for as long as you want.

DON'T spam taunt to keep aggro? I have a baby warrior, about lvl 30, and I've always spammed taunt, and kick. I haven't had any problems with aggro, but I also haven't grouped very much. And I carry a centi LS, which is better than most non-twinks at that level I think. (My war is SUCH a twink)

[Woody]

Technically, there's no good reason to spam the taunt button. You should only click it, the moment the mob turns its back to you.

Bash/Slam/Kick and Disarm however...

[Coffee]

My pally spam-taunted while soloing just to keep the skill up to par.

[Rhiamon Fatesealer]

Yeah, that's why I started out spamming the taunt button. But I kinda thought that the more you taunted it, the more aggro you were building up. I taunt even when I solo, though, to keep getting the skill raises.

And I'm suddenly feeling like a schlub for not knowing the warrior class better despite having a lvl 30 war. I know the wizzy class though!

[Woody]

I used to spam the Taunt button while soloing, and I still find myself doing it occassionally while grouped if I'm getting anxious in a fight.

And, I've never gotten a Taunt Skill-Up while soloing and I'm Level 53 with 6AA's; so, I've been doing it for a while now.

You guys have? For sure?

[Kat]

I'm going to make a warrior tonight. :D

Edit: Woody I saw my Ex get his warrior's Taunt up solo. But he was level 15 and hadn't known you had to spend a point initially to get it started, so when he spent that point we saw it increase.

[Gnomish]

I know I have gotten my taunt skilll up while soloing... ^_^ i solo ALOT with my pally

[Rhiamon Fatesealer]

Well, my EQ account hasn't been active in about 6 months, but I am nearly for sure positive that I have. I mostly solo with my warrior, and if I remember correctly, taunt is maxed for her level, so I would almost HAVE to have gotten skill raises while soloing.

[Quartz]

Quartz has a hot key

/snarl
/say You gonna get splatted %T
/pet attack
/taunt
/bash

Bash at 180, Taunt Maxxed, Defence/Offence maxxed, 2HS Maxxed, Riposte and Dual Attack Maxxed. Never sussed why people complain about not having high enough Defence but I did start in Silk armour.

[Coffee]

Dearg, my dorf pally, had a hotkey set up:
doability 4 *taunt*
/gesture
/say I wash me beard in yer blood.

Used for taunting in a group. Just so the chaps I grouped with regularly would know when I was taunting.

[Min the Druid]

Woody, if you get stuck at a certain skill level with taunt, try going to your warrior guild trainer and putting just 1 more point in the skill. If you can't, you're maxxed at the skill, at least for your level. If you can, you were just stuck for some reason.

My warrior got stuck at taunt at like a skill level of 20 back when he was level 30, and I had been asking people how to skill up taunt, and had been spamming it during fights without any skill ups for a long time. When one of my buds suggested I train it at the guild in Qeynos, I did, I put in 1 point and went back to grouping and had maxxed out my taunt skill in just an hour or two. No idea why I was stuck. So you want to spam the taunt button for skillups. But for aggro management, you're right, you just need to taunt to get the monster's attention. It just moves you to the top of the hate list. Spamming it then just makes it not available when you really need it.

[xenophon10k]

Doggon it,


BARON coffee maker now. ;)

[Kaylen]

I don't have a lot of HP gear (you can see my magelo in the signature), warriors usually have a big lead on me. A warrior two levels lower than me had a 300 or so hit point lead, but the AC tends to be the same - likely because of the Iksar AC bonus. I like managing agro - I'll cast my little agro buff on the warrior, get the adds off the casters in a heartbeat, and then give them right to the warrior. I like doing that a lot more than being the MT, and I've never met a warrior I could out tank, but my DPS is usually the same or better.

[Catila Amano]

Woody, if you get stuck at a certain skill level with taunt, try going to your warrior guild trainer and putting just 1 more point in the skill. If you can't, you're maxxed at the skill, at least for your level. If you can, you were just stuck for some reason.Maybe THAT'S why so many Warriors' taunt seems broken! They think it's maxed, but it's actually at a level well under where it should be, so they can't hold aggro. I wonder how many Warriors, even level 65 Warriors, know this. :roll: