Character Strategy(spoilers)

[Darcia]

WARNING: This thread contains game secrets which will spoil your playing experience. Enter at your own risk!

From what race (http://lotgd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1360) you choose, to the way you spend your DK points (http://lotgd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1358). Strategy (http://lotgd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=344&highlight=dk+points) can be a very privately discussed or even a secret topic. In this thread, I want you to express some of your strategies, opinions, and goals. This thread's purpose is not meant to exploit game secrets. So try to discuss your stragety, pointers, and tips as unsuspecting as a hint. Farmies will be reading this thread, so veil your words in a way they will have a hard time understanding.

Example: <character name snipped by Saucy> has an alternate character named <character name snipped by Saucy>, which interested me greatly at first. He attacked me while I was sleeping and won. His character only having 1 DK and my character at the time, only 2 DKs may not seem very strange. But it is, whether you think so or not. Because where Enchanters failed, a Traveler succeeded. After I saw what his hitpoints were, once I read the YOM, I was in disbelief. 741 hitpoints on a character so young, even if you were to go to Cedrik for Vitality, how is this possible. But after looking over his character's history, I saw how "old" his character really was. He was in the mid 200's(in days) when he killed me and had 191 resurrections and so I thought... Since he is a felyne, if he spent all of his gems on HP and avoided his masters at all costs; so he basically only PvP'd. Now keep in mind, this is his alt-character, so he is just doing something that has simply not been done before(at least to my knowledge). He wins PvPs with characters that have many, many DKs. Past Enchanters... upwards into 50 DKs. This is a marvelous feet really... But he will lose all of those hitpoints once he kills the dragon.

With my character, Darcia, I have invested my dk points into his defense. I always choose the thieving ability and after much dabbling, the Storm Giant race. So I am going with a strategy that has more dexterity, in terms of skills, than vitality, or strength. Some players will put all of their points into health, ff's, and most spend on attack. Most believe, I think, that it is better to be balanced. Meaning this: they spend 2 attack, 1 defense, 2 attack, 1 defense (Or) 1 attack, 1 defense, 1 attack, 1 defense, 1 attack, 1 defense. I think you get the idea after that example.

What is the best? Well, that is the entire point to such a thread as this. Only your discussions, and your personal trial & error, will announce the winners. I personally think there is no best or worse, but each individual's style of play.

<Forgive me, Darcia, but that character has been an "xp landmine" for players in the know, and was used to level up repeatedly. That character's (cheating/taking advantage of a loophole) now has the dubious honour of having caused us to make changes to the core code. Players at level 15 now do not gain experience or gold from PvP. The character loses most nights to a high player expecting a feast, so his experience will begin to drop rapidly from here. --Saucy>

[Waugh]

What is the best strategy? What is it that you want?

See, the beauty of this game is the ability to alter your race, mount, strategy as you see fit. Sure you have to work a little to do it, but it's very do-able. Classic example. Me. Astute Marksman Waugh.

Back in the 20's and 30's DK's, I developed a strategy using a Gryphon to earn me a 3-Day DK. It turned a few heads, because back then there were no Dag Quests and no Gorgons roaming about to give you the chance to nab a bunch of exp. As the game progressed, and I progressed, I noticed it was harder and harder to level up. So I evolved.

The first thing I did was try the Terrapin, as my thinking was I wanted to block the first attack of my Thrillseek enemies and get in with a hit of my own. Flawless victories is the key to leveling up fast. I also decided I wanted to be better protected while I was sleeping, so this worked well for me, added defence of the DK Point allocation to make the Terrapin most effective combined with protection in the Inn.

Then I decided I wanted to try other mounts. And again, the beauty of this game, I switched to Felyne for a few DK's to earn the GEMS needed to switch mounts and pay a visit to Heidi to re-allocate my points. And there I had it, I had switched to the Cassowary. With it being a creature best complimented with forest fights, I have sacrified PvP power for forest fight power. I am more vulnerable to PvP. But I have worked out my own strategy to stay as hidden as possible from attackers.

There's certain things I do at certain times that work for me. I don't think I've figured out the absolutely most efficient method yet, but that's ok. I can continue working at the game and trying variations out. Because if I mess up this DK, I'll regain my composure and try again at the start of the next DK...

[Darcia]

Many players don't like having to deal with the 200+ forest fights when they are level 1. If you are receiving all of those flawless fights, and know how to maximize on this. It can really be a great benefit to you. The race Felyne can help your # of gems increase quite a lot, and then switch through transmutation to the race you prefer once you are finished. I think this, in itself, is a great strategy for getting those great mounts earlier than you would normally.

Also, since I am a defensive player, I can go for a long time with my armor staying at 2. If I roll some good dice, rest in the gardens, Audrey, eat some snacks, drink ale, feed my mount, and even lucky gold from PvPs; the list goes on.(Stonehenge is a big IF, you can win a lot, or lose a lot. Specials in the forest can sometimes make or break you.) I can get my weapon maxed out very early. From that point on, it is hard for anyone close to me in DKs to touch me. Once I max out my armor, anyone with 20-30 DKs more than me risk losing that 15% experience when attacking me.

Beware of logging back in, but if you are surfing the net you can check the news to see if anyone killed you. One good thing about logging back in is collecting gold from PvPs you won.. oh yeah, and totally for YOM'ing!!! Yay! Because it hurts to have all that gold in your hands and then lose it and the experience both at the sametime to some lucky punk(I love you muad)!

[ThantosFive]

*Waltzes in with a pipe and smoking jacket*

Hello.... I'm ThantosFive*Lights his pipe*

..and today I'll discuss the art...of being an Artist *cough cough wheeze*

First, I like to start off my day with a healthy breakfast of...ale,Violet, and random illogical posts.
Depending on my state of weapon and armor, I'll swing by Dag's to see about some of those ...Oh So Special Bounties. I tell ya.. Minotaur's for breakfast, Bandits for lunch, and Manticore for dinner really helps to keep the old heart and wallet pumping. *puffs on the pipe..then gags*

"But Thantos? How do you keep that manly figure and move around so fast" you're probably asking. Well I tell ya *long puff....wheeeze* it's my wonderful mount that I just recently upgraded to an SUV model.....now yes...it guzzles fuel like a sink hole in the desert, but I tell ya, the ladies just go wild when I fly by all manly like *Cough*

"But Thantos? Why do the farmies,peasants,sheperds,and other various town folk hate your guts?" What!? Who said that?! Erm...no comment...*Cough hack gag*
I've practiced long and hard on picking out those juicy PvP dinner delights...oooh you know 'em, all nice and sleeping out in the field, practically saying "Kill me Mr Thantos...I'm crammed pack with gold and experience"....oh yes...I can hear them now! *TwiTcH*

I'll leave you now with the best piece of advice I can give you......Never..nevah evah ever...try to PvP that McD guy unless you're on steroids and hopped up on goofballs!

I'm ThantosFive and I wish you and your loved ones, a Merry Christmas. *raises his scotch glass to the viewers*

**This message paid for by the committee to commit ThantosFive**

[Marcus]

Sweet Jaerbus! McD has fallen to the TacoMod! Ring the bells in the town square! Run around like headless chickens! IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!

[SharDeNayMerLow]

Hello, my main char's name is Calian and I am a Green Dragonoholic!

**looks around, and considers last statement, and then joins ThantosFive in a Scotch. Balvenie, actually.**

Since I've had some success over on the tournament servers I thought I'd add my two cents to this discussion, mainly with respect to what I have done there. Waugh has previously described a strategy extraordinarily similar to that which I utilize here on Central.

On both those servers, I had several common elements to my strategy. It didn't hurt that I only missed a handful of days as well!

1) DK point distribution - Initially I devoted DK points to Attack and defense equally, until I reached the point where I consistently could win 2 normal FF's before healing. I then applied all subsequent DK's to FF's. The FF's were especially helpful on Purple - I gained approximately 24 FF's per day from Heidi alone in the last half of the tourney, as long as I was not killed prior to activating them.

2) Drinking, constantly, every time I wasn't drunk I topped off again.

3) Specials that could take away FF's - I generally did not take advantage of these until I was out of FF's. Between Audrey, Seth, Saucy and specials like the stream, I believe that on average this saved me 3 FF's a game day.

4) Events that could kill me - I did not attampt these unless I had less than 5 FF's left (including potential like from Heidi) and all my gold was stowed in the bank.

5) Suicide at low levels - I generally sought death on my last FF each game day up until level 8, although these extra days mostly broke even in XP, they allowed me to amass additional gold. On Orange this was especially helpful due to the PvP element.

I should add a few general points:

I do not normally engage in PvP, Orange was exceedingly interesting as it was truly my first real foray into that portion of the game. On Central Calian has *never* initiated a PvP! This predilection was a huge natural bonus to me on Purple, where PvP actually wasn't worth the risk (IMHO).

My strategy, especially w/respect to DK distribution, was initially refined on Purple to reduce the amount of actual time I spent playing. Some changes Saucy made during the game played right into the strategy I ended up adopting benefitted me immensely.

**Sips more Scotch, and heads over to Blue***

[Furion]

:grins as that jubilation.

Hey. I only have 10 DK's, but I like my strategy a lot. I am highly PVP-oriented, and have a Catoblepas to accent that strength even further. Plus, I have only one DK point spent on the attribute the Catoblepas doesn't like, which is only to keep me from dying like I used to (It works very well too, and is usually coupled with a bonus from the fairy/stonehenge). My strength in PVP means that my Catoblepas is very strong. My new Storm Giant race helps a lot too. And the Catoblepas is so.... cheap..... to.... feed. I feed it all the time! And my lowness in the stat it doesn't like makes my fights shorter (and more flawless) and makes my mount last much longer than it did before the HP change. My strength in these categories makes for many flawless fights! And I use thieving skills, which is worth 3 flawless fights a day by itself. Thieving skills also makes defeating the Dragon, bridge troll, minotaur, or manticore a piece of cake. Plus, the Dragon is easier for me than FF heavy people since I am so buff. But I do have some forest fight points spent. Helps make the day last more than 15 minutes, dontcha know?

My strategy will probably have to change as I progress, but right now it is working very well. That, combined with what seems to be a recent spike in PVP targets, and me always taking PVP's I will probably win, makes for a nice DK rate. Hint to all you players out there: the penalty for slumming in PVP isn't that much. And each level above is worth an additional attack and defense, plus 10 HP! :wink:

[Elessa]

:pours herself a double shot of Oban, neat

i have used a strategy of absolutely no PvP whatsoever to slay other players. this has been my strategy long before the idea for heidi was introduced as an alternative way of using the PvP turns.

i evenly divided my dk points into hitpoints, attack and defense for a few dks, then solely spent them on ffs. even after the adjustment in hitpoints and the reset of dk points, i left my character with exactly the same stats in the reallocation.

i have managed quite well with my strategy for 75 dks. a number of them being accomplished in four days.

:settles into a high backed leather chair and sips her scotch

[SaucyWench]

: pours herself a vodka and orange

: drinks the vodka and orange

I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

: pours herself another drink

[Shiqra]

*joins Elessa in sipping scotch*

I am heartened that a non-PvP strategy can result in a 4 day DK. I divided my DK points pretty evenly, although have not yet put any in ffs. I strive for balance I guess - and I play for fun. So far it works pretty well.

Thanktos your post was HILARIOUS!!

[Furion]

I forgot to mention, I look until I am maxed out, then use all my PVP's and FF's until I am Level 15.

[Waugh]

I forgot to mention. And I forgot again. :D

[Milkboy31]

:picks himself up off the floor after reading ThantosFive's post... then stops laughing long enough to type...

Ok, wow... that was good stuff. I'm with Furion... I have 32 DK's currently and I've spent about half on Att, half on Def... and a few on HP or fights. Pretty balanced player so far. But I have managed a 6 day DK with the strategy of FF's till wep/arm maxed out and then PVP and FF for experience until I can DK.

It usually only takes me about 300 FF's to DK, and 140 or so of those are on my 1st day when I'm lvl 1 - 3 or 4.

Hybrid Ettile works great for a balanced player like myself, and the Storm Giant race is a plus as well!

[Darcia]

My last DK took 6 days, and I had 3 DKs. In my own opinion, balanced stats are for characters who may be stronger in the forest. If you are going to PvP everyday, like I do, and win... you need either a very strong attack or vice versa. (This is only my opinion.)

The only flaw I see in putting all of your points into attack is a great defensive player's riposte. It can end a fight within seconds. When I had 29 DKs on an old character of mine, I attacked someone who was higher than me. I had a slew of hitpoints, so I thought I had a good chance. Well, let me say because of their riposte, I had no chance basically. My character at the time was pretty well balanced on attack and defense points.

[Waugh]

My last DK took 6 days, and I had 3 DKs. In my own opinion, balanced stats are for characters who may be stronger in the forest. If you are going to PvP everyday, like I do, and win... you need either a very strong attack or vice versa. (This is only my opinion.)

The only flaw I see in putting all of your points into attack is a great defensive player's riposte. It can end a fight within seconds. When I had 29 DKs on an old character of mine, I attacked someone who was higher than me. I had a slew of hitpoints, so I thought I had a good chance. Well, let me say because of their riposte, I had no chance basically. My character at the time was pretty well balanced on attack and defense points.

Also, pay attention to who usually gets the first hit in the forest. What happens when you Look for a forest critter? What happens when you Thrillseek? What happens when you Suicide?

How you go about your forest fights is up to you, but you will find certain configurations of DK Point spending works better for Thrillseek, while another doesn't.

Let's face it. You're going to fight more critters than other players. You might want to fine tune your efficiencies in the forest, pay attention to who hits who first, and when you do get hit, watch if it is a hit or a riposte.

*Winks* Just some friendly advice... :lol: