As I wrote, I finished playing LOTRO and I just started on DDO. A 10 free trial is available for anyone who wishes to try it. I will give my impressions on DDO. For anyone who has played the PnP you discover that DDO is a pretty faithful translation.
Playing as 1st level/rank 3 Human Paladin.
Graphics. The character graphics are nice, but the scenery does equal LOTRO.
Classes/Races. This was nitpick I had about LOTRO. Character proper character construction is very important in DDO. Unlike LOTRO where 1 level 50 champion resembles another. Classes in DDO require that you plan very carefuly. You will have to make choices of traits and abilities. For example have a STR of 16 will allow you to use a 2-handed weapon and use sheer force attacks, but it also means you will not have the DEX high enough to dual wield, shoot a bow effectively, or to use certain combat manuevers that require agility. Character creation is a very careful balancing act. Already my longsword and a shield carrying Paladin has met another Pally carring a 2-handed Warhammer while another used a longbow (no idea as to why).
Combat is better in LOTRO hands down. There is to auto-target. To kill a monster you must be in range, facing the enemy. Attacks work in a cone. Anything inside that cone can get hit. So I actually hit 2 spiders at once using a single normal attack.
Environment. The game takes place inside the city of Stormreach, there is no exploring the countryside. Most quests are in Dungeons, all quests are instanced. While in a Dungeon you will not meet other players except those in your party.
Questing/XP. You will only get XP from completing quests, you gain nothing from killing monsters. As DnD is all about grouping, Soloing is not recommended. You need to form parties in order to survive. Unfortunatly the partying interface is not as intuitive as say LOTRO, can be annoying to find people.
In short, LOTRO is more of a hack and slash, whilst DDO is a true rpg. More later as I play further.
Hm, that sounds quite good, maybe I should give this one a try as well..
Found this 10 free trial that I might check out this weekend (or next weekend..). http://trial.ddo.com/
I still have a few more free days left. But here's a update.
My character right now is a lvl 2 Dwarfen Fighter. Specializing in Greataxes. (Think Gimli from LOTR but with a even BIGGER AX...)
First of all character creation is an addiction. I have restarted countless times with various races and classes trying to find the perfect blend. There isnt one. There is just tons of options, you'll go crazy. My Advice pick a VERY Specific role and stick to it. Want to DPS dont bother with shields, want to TANK forget 2-handed weapons. Want to be everybody's best friend, be a cleric. (Actually Clerics are pretty powerful, not just walking band aids). They can carry almost any weapon and armor (making them decent fighters), have a wide arrange of Heals and Buffs and are the best un-dead killers in the game. Its even got a few direct damage spells designed primary at killing the undead, though most will work on the living as well. On top of it your ability to heal (and resurrect) is critical to the game at high level. Everybody is going to fight to protect you. All in all its the best class.
Healing is unique in the game. Your spell and health points do not regenerate whilst in a dungeon (they do in town). That means you must use potions, spells (which use spell points) or find a rest shrine. Rest Shrines only work ONCE. So when to heal is a tricky decision. Some of the Dungeons are huge and it maybe a long wait until the next one. That is why Clerics/Bards/Paladins (in that order) are so popular.
All classes have weaknesses and bonuses. Fighters, barbarians have no magic abilities at all but are the best fighters in the game. Paladins and Rangers have special abilities and a few spells but are not as powerful in H2H combat. Wizards and sorcerers have powerful magic but are dead meat if monsters get too close. Then there are the support characters rogues, bards, and clerics and they have very unique skills unavailable to other classes.
In case you haven't guessed it. The point of the game is TEAMWORK. Warrior classes protect the mages, mages kill the critters, and support keep both out of trouble. A perfectly balanced part is 3 warriors (1 of each type) a rogue, a mage and a cleric. Or a bard the jack of all trades, who can do alittle of everything.
In addition to races your have a veriety of races, which are VERY different. Some are hardy other are weak, some are smart others dumb. Some can resist magic others have better reflexes. Severals races get bonuses based on weapon types. For example If you play a Dwarf give him an axe of any kind. The Elves get attack bonuses with rapiers; long bows and longswords. Are races have weakness too Halflings and Elves are weak, warforges and dwarves are Trap and spell prone.
The spell system is unique. You have buffs, healing, direct damage, and my favorite 'effects'. Effect spells can do variety of annoying things. Darkness turns the screen black, Hold paralyyzes you, Fear (you can move but not attack) Disease (drops your stats), Poison (drips HP away). I have only been to lvl 3 (of 14) so I have been to the high lvl areas yet.
Dungeon are great. Plenty of traps and secret doors, and only characters with the right skills will find them. Lots of critters with very distinct abilities. For example Slimes and oozes can not be hit with slashing weapons. They damage them and if they are killed by them they will split into two. In otherwords you need to use a Blunt weapon like a mace.
The treasure system is ingenious. perfect to avoid player sharing arguments (which I hated with WOW). If the part finds a chest the game will automatically assign who gets what. Everybody gets something according to class. So Wands will go to wizards, big weapons to fighters, etc.
I'm hooked. I liked LOTRO but its better suited for those who want a more casual game. DDO is hardcore. Yes I am going to subscribe. My only think is Hellgate London comes out soon.
This certainly sounds very interesting, and I think I'll give the trial a try soon..
I also like LOTRO, but I do also agree with most of the "negative" things you've posted about it...
Well I really like it. However I wont buy it (at least right now). Hellgate London is coming out in 3 weeks and then after that Conan and Warhammer, both of which look to be awesome.
Hellgate London certainly looks interesting as well, but Conan's been delayed several times already so I really wouldn't be surprised if it gets delayed again next year....
Hellgate London certainly looks interesting as well, but Conan's been delayed several times already so I really wouldn't be surprised if it gets delayed again next year....
There is also Tebula Rasa, which is a very different than other games as its Sci-fi.
