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[UO Herald] NewTest Center - Arena Test

Salivern_Diago

Lore Master
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Having played a few matches at the arena, I have to say I'm excited with this feature. Its a nice way to learn how to PVP and practice it. All round a bonus feature!

Cheers Devs!!
 

MalagAste

Belaern d'Zhaunil
Alumni
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
UNLEASHED
Campaign Supporter
No this game isn't WoW. (In fact I think it's much better) But WoW does have some good ideas that can work well in UO.
100% correct =D
^^^

You don't have to like the truth.

And the MAJOR difference between UO and WoW? We can do what we want. We are just given the tools to shape our environment. If we WANT to hold a shardwide tournament...... we can. We need only do so. It doesn't have to be anything special. We can make our own rules for the tournament. Want Pure Mage tourney.... then announce it. Yes certainly there might be a griefer.... or two. But thanks to ignore we can ignore them.

Yes someone might try to "hog" the arena... but you know we could just move to another.

Or wait till they are done.

The beauty of UO is in the sand.
 

Llewen

Grand Inquisitor
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Campaign Supporter
There is something obvious which is missing from the arena system. And that is betting. :)

How many times do you see in general chat "duel you for 100 mil!" And how many times do losers not make good on their wagers? I think wagering could be built into the system, both for the participants, and for spectators. And it would be even better if you could wager items as well as gold.

I realize some might have some issues with the moral implications of gambling, but I think it would be great fun, and would separate UO even further from the "herd" of MMO's out there.

And the game could keep track of gambling losses, and if your account loses too much value, an in game gambling counsellor could come visit you at your home... Ok not being entirely serious here... :)
 

Tina Small

Stratics Legend
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
It looks like about 100 people have actually gotten in the arenas and tried them out so far. (Right now, there are 115 names in the Rankings and there were about 10 names, IGMs and a few EMs, when the shard opened. I'm not sure if a duel's results factor into the rankings if the duel host selected "No" for the Ranked option.)

Even if the shard only stays up temporarily as an alternative to the usual "Shard of the Dead," it would be nice if more people would jump on and give it a try. It's great fun! You can't really lose anything that you don't want to lose (i.e., you'll use up bandages and other "aids," tithing points, any gold you wagered on a duel that you ended up losing). (Having an entrance fee for a duel you set up is totally optional, by the way). As far as I know your corpse is completely non-lootable (not sure about this if you're partied though). You're automatically rezzed as you're teleported out of the arena. By default, no one can invite you to duel so you won't be pestered continuously to fight people if you're just there to observe or aren't sure about participating. You can set up private duels where you control exactly who participates, or you can make them public or join one that is public. It's all Trammel ruleset outside the arenas, so absolutely no risk you will lose anything or be attacked outside the arenas unless you set up a guild on the shard and someone in your guild attacks you. And you're there on a copy of a character or a new character you created. (Note that you can't copy characters from TC1, Siege, or Mugen to the Arena Test Center though, and you can't set skills or get resources like on TC1. It's come as you are on a normal shard or run around on a new character.)

You have nothing to lose by checking it out and just watching, or by participating in a duel. And even though chat works, the multiple times I've logged on there, I've rarely seen anyone using it. There are four arenas set up and most of the time, only one of them is actually being used.

Go check it out, folks!
 

Merion

Lore Master
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
I seriously hate this before I even tried it.

Sorry to be so negativ this time, but what is this good for? It will only worsen the situation in felucca as some will stop fighting there. So it will be ever emptier.

Why would I choose to fight in such an arena when the vast lands of Felucca are totally empty? I can have a duel there anytime without being interrupted.
And if I need a mechanic to impose rules because the duelists won't keep the rules by themselves, well, then I should probably not duel those people.

The only sense i see in this is the ranking, but how am I even supposed to find someone to fight after the first hype of this is over? There won't be standing 50 people around the arena just waiting for me to challenge the one who is one rank above me in the ranking. Of course, I can always kill the chars from my other account, thus cheating my way up the ranking. The more accounts you have, the better a duelist you are... sure!

I they want to see who's the best PvPer they just have to fix the faction point system and bring back the bounty system.

Sorry, but this is something that goes totally in the wrong direction and will be a dead system before long (anybody remember the public gardens in magincia?)
 

Ned888

Seasoned Veteran
Stratics Veteran


Wow has had arenas for a loooong while now...

Ned... I admit your unconditional love for the game is very... endearing. But UHALL is meant to be critical about how and WHY (very important too) its done.

We're supposed to be like this.
I'm critical of the game when it is appropriate. Unfortunately the weak arguments concerning the similarity to WoW and how it will 'ruin' PvP that barely exists to begin with, are without any merit what so ever.

If you can prove to me that this is some sort of bad thing, then I will get on board with you, but so far the comparisons are p!zz-poor.
 

Ned888

Seasoned Veteran
Stratics Veteran
great idea! wait on second thought i see a lot of scams that could happen with this. like lose and bet against your self? :(

maybe some sort of underground betting even then not sure how to stop the scams..

sorry is a great idea if we could work out the details some how :rant2:

I feel like Debbie downer now....
There's always going to be some sort of cheating! After all, someone could bet on themselves to win, and get a friend to duel them and throw the fight so they could split the winnings. It's possible, but hey, it's sort of a role playing challenge at the same time.

That will be what adds the excitement and danger to the arenas. It's always been about what kind of challenges players can create for each other, right? The sandbox liveth!
 

Salivern_Diago

Lore Master
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Hang on, people are complaining that this will ruin PVP in fel... umm..

Fel isnt just about PVP and it certainly isnt all its there for. Stop winging about it and get on with the game. The arenas make PVP more fun for those who wouldnt otherwise PVP, its not going effect fel as those who go to Fel just for PVP... well live with it and use the arenas. I go to fel all the time and rarely do I get caught by a red, I can outrun and hide before they have time to target me (Unless they are using many of the reported/suspected hacks, programs etc etc that we're told exist all the time)

Its a good feature and I'm sick to death of the minority trying to screw over decent ideas and upgrades becuase they cant go and murder some poor toon who's trying to get on with thier game. At lest the amount of trash people talk during PVP in an attempt to cover up thier own real life shortcomings will be limited. Deal with it and move on.
 

Ned888

Seasoned Veteran
Stratics Veteran
This may bring back the good ole "Friday Night Fights" nighs back on some shards. Catskills used to have them and they were a blast.

Btw....Neds postive and love for the game should be in every conversation. It is actually a fresh of breath air at times reading his posts. reminds me of the passion I once had.


Ned for President :)
You're gonna make me blush! Once I get deeper into the game, I might have something to complain about, but for now, it's all pretty new to me.

I see the faults people are pointing out, but I don't see them as such a large deal as others do. They are annoyances, not game killers (at least to me).

The worst thing I see happening is all the comparisons to other games. Look at THIS game, identify what can be improved and suggest it. Don't look at it and say 'Gee, they do this over there. It should/will be the same way over here!'

No! It shouldn't! It won't! This is a unique environment and game model!

P.S. - I started my arena character last night! I'll only really be able to get up to GM on my stuff since I don't have any l33t skrollz or veteran awards, but I'll meet anyone on LS who wants to have a go once the arenas are up! Come get some! :gee:

Swordsmanship
Tactics
Chivalry
Bushido
Parry
Anatomy
Healing
 

Tina Small

Stratics Legend
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Since the devs don't seem to be replying to questions or feedback in the forum for the arena test center, I suspect that the arena test center may have been activated just to give us something to do in lieu of a "Halloween shard of the dead" and to collect some feedback. I wouldn't panic too much at this point over the possibility that they'll be implemented on regular shards any time soon. However, if the developers do start posting in that forum and/or we start seeing some actual changes in the arena options, then I think you'll know it's something they actually plan to implement. In that case you'll probably be kicking yourself if you haven't given them a try and come up with some legitimate feedback.

So....go enjoy them, ponder how to make them better, provide constructive feedback, but don't get too stressed over them at this point.
 

Ludes

Babbling Loonie
Alumni
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
As long as he stands on at table in his undies it's cool with me! ;)
I dunno about that Ned, I'm of the firm belief that people my age should never walk around in their undies.
 

Ned888

Seasoned Veteran
Stratics Veteran
I dunno about that Ned, I'm of the firm belief that people my age should never walk around in their undies.
C'mon now! I imagine to the 65 and older scene you are a hot young stud! If you're that uncomfortable though, maybe you could wear a sash!:popcorn:
 

Ahuaeyjnkxs

stranger diamond
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
I'm not going to discuss moderator actions... but many many posts that would answer many of your questions went missing, poof, magic !

I know many have read it, and please don't speak up I am not trying to ferment dissent here.

I am also not saying this isn't right, I trust the moderators and am NOT going to discuss their choices.

But it often happens that I would not even know who did it. (yes really, no infractions, no warning, no explanation as to what part of the post which took me 2 hours to write and cross-reference was wrong and who wants it off the boards)

And I know I am the only one on these boards who receives such treatment.

So be it, again, I am asked to move on and change topic... think for yourselves Avatar, is all I have to say.
 

Roland Of Gilead

Seasoned Veteran
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
i think its a cool idea that should get more people to try pvp due to there being some structure to it rather than the mostly one sided factions crap pvp thats out there now.i know i myself will make a char for it.If people want a chance of looting their foes why not simply add a no insurance option in the gump for people into that sort o thing obv fighters would have to agree to that "rule" before the battle and so if they did there u go theres more reason to win! :)
 

Ludes

Babbling Loonie
Alumni
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
C'mon now! I imagine to the 65 and older scene you are a hot young stud! If you're that uncomfortable though, maybe you could wear a sash!:popcorn:
You just might be right about that actually! So yeah gimme a blue sash.
 

Ahuaeyjnkxs

stranger diamond
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
MATLOCK !!!

- We are thinking about naming this the Stratics Arena...

- Matlock !!! Matlock !!!!

MAAAAAT LOOoOOoOoCCKKKK !!!
 

puni666

Slightly Crazed
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
2 Problems I've notice are that you can precast/drink/whatever before the fight begins. This includes laying a full area of field spells before the fight even begins. The second is that you can't summon anything from a talisman in the arena.



It's actually really entertaining though how they have it set up on test imo.
 
A

anna anomalous

Guest
your own summoned pets attack you. please fix this before launch!

specifically; rising colossus, animated weapon, and energy vortex. (they do not attack you in the current felucca ruleset)

to add: faction gear can be equipped regardless of being in a faction. not sure if this is intended, but just wanted to give you all a heads up.
 

SixUnder

Legendary Assassin
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
Get on the Arena Test Center and try this out, folks. It's a hoot and the feedback is important! I've tried it and I'm no PvPer for sure, but it was definitely fun and something I can see myself using to get better at PvP.

Go try it even if you've been telling yourself you don't care about PvP!
did anyone notice that they made all characters copied to blues?

so is this a blue only thing?

if reds are mixed where do you have arena felluca?

do you honestly think arenas will work, there will be people outside casuing mass chaos if its in felluca.

this is what i mean

i dont want this to turn uo into wow jr.
 

Viper09

Grand Poobah
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
did anyone notice that they made all characters copied to blues?

so is this a blue only thing?

if reds are mixed where do you have arena felluca?

do you honestly think arenas will work, there will be people outside casuing mass chaos if its in felluca.

this is what i mean

i dont want this to turn uo into wow jr.
I sincerely hope that reds will be able to access this upon full release. Maybe there will be a separate place where everyone can access without fighting being allowed outside the arena
 

Tina Small

Stratics Legend
Stratics Veteran
Stratics Legend
did anyone notice that they made all characters copied to blues?

so is this a blue only thing?

if reds are mixed where do you have arena felluca?

do you honestly think arenas will work, there will be people outside casuing mass chaos if its in felluca.

this is what i mean

i dont want this to turn uo into wow jr.
From talking to someone yesterday on the Arena Test Center, red characters that were copied over had their short term counts wiped. I believe they still retained their long term counts though. I definitely saw a lot of red characters there yesterday and earlier today. However, just checking now, every character I see now is blue. Strange. Were you unable to copy a red character from a regular shard (not TC1) to the Arena Test Center? Or did your copied red lose all his counts and become blue?

If/when arenas are actually implemented, I think every shard except Siege will end up with four arenas--two in Trammel and two in Felucca. There will be one Trammel and one Felucca arena in T2A (kind of NE of where Khaldun is or would be located); one outside Haven (near the brigand spawn); and one in the same area outside Occlo.

I did some skulking around just now near the Occlo arena on Siege and took a few screen shots. Unless there's some change made that allows red characters to be whisked to the Trammel arenas and then back to Fel after a fight, I would imagine the Occlo arena will be the arena of choice if you want to have widely-attended duels that include red characters. I can't picture too many people who don't normally go to Fel being all that willing to trek into the arena near Khaldun and not be able to make a quick exit afterwards.

The first two screen shots below give you an idea of where/how the Occlo arena is situated with regard to land and water. (I believe a small house fits to the east of the arena, or at least it did a month or so ago on Siege when Queen Zen accidentally plunked a house there. Hopefully the developers will fix that and make it impossible to place there.) The last shot shows you approximately where the guard zone ends as you run down the road from Occlo to the arena. There is no guard zone in place around the Occlo arena and I had no problem gating in close to it or gating away from right in front of it, so it currently doesn't seem to be an area where you cannot cast spells.





 
A

AesSedai

Guest
- Aye, look forward to taking a few characters over to the Arena Test this weekend. Aye, look forward to participating and spectating a bit..
 
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