Curse

FyrFytr998 · Sep 26, 2005, 03:54 AM // 03:54

I think Anet definitely should have had a command system in place for henchmen. Auroa Glades is a perfect example. No way to hench that mission at the end. And you'd be darn lucky to PUG the bonus without someone screwing it up. (They always attune the third portal after I thin out the mobs!!)

Makes me wish I wasn't the only one in my guild, lol. Which I started just for PVE people. I guess I need to start recruiting.

Warskull · Sep 26, 2005, 07:28 AM // 07:28

The henchmen don't really do their jobs very well, however sadly they are better than most players. The only problem is some missions have objectives or terrain that completely screws over henchmen AI.

Fantus · Sep 26, 2005, 08:13 AM // 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warskull

The henchmen don't really do their jobs very well, however sadly they are better than most players. The only problem is some missions have objectives or terrain that completely screws over henchmen AI.

That's unfortunately true for some missions and situations out there. Particularly the Aurora Glade mission comes to mind. This one is actually quite hard to do with henchies since it requires the group to split up and to set tasks to do sucessfully (one runner, the other players mop up the baddies). There's no way to tell Reyna "you run!", unfortunately.

Also, it's sometimes hard to keep the henchies from running into the Mursaat Wards and getting their energy zapped. Which is particularly bad if Mhenlo and Lina do it since this basically means you will have to do the battle without a healer. It's ok with just one ward, but the end of Abbadon's Mouth is a bit tricky to do with henchies.

I just wish ANet would program some special behavior into their AI, so they can deal with these special situations better. It would be nice if you actually could do ALL missions with henchies in a reliable way, including Aurora Glade.

Well, or maybe ANet just made the henchies to be as good as an average human - the average human monk rushes into Mursaat Wards, too...

sandstorm87 · Sep 26, 2005, 10:03 AM // 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical-Dillusions

And when you die, it's usually a case of watching the henchies mop-up for you instread of them all screaming "OMG you suck", before logging out.

My only beef with henchies is that they don't talk. It would be nice if alesia could tell you what her energy level is at or even engage in humourous conversations.

Eve: "Stefan, use your healing signet buddy!"
Lina: "Take that mesmer out guys!"
Cynn: "Dunham, that sound is annoying the hell out of me"
Dunham: "Sorry"
Beast Master Archer: "I'm attacking Flesh Golem"
Stefan: "O.K. i'm on it!"
Devona: "Dunham, don't just use your wand, you noob"
Stefan: "Nice heals Mhenlo"

Imagine going for dinner and they're engaged in a converstaion when you return.

Stefan: "C'mon lets take 'em!"
Lina: "No, Beast Master Archer is AFK, we should wait"

Very funny
This would be really cool

trelloskilos · Sep 26, 2005, 12:19 PM // 12:19

My only two problems with Henchies:

1. They never seem to adapt or change their skills. Orion will always be a Pyromancer, Aidan will never have a pet, lay a trap or shoot poison, Eve will never summon minions from corpses etc.

2. They always get the better drops in SF

Other than that, Henchies are brilliant, especially from Level 20 onwards. With my Monk character and a little consideration with the henchies reliably consistent playing style, I was able to hench my way through Thunderhead Keep, RoF, Abbadon's Mouth and most of Hell's precipice successfully and easily.

PUG teams, particularly on these later missions, seem to descend into chaos pretty quickly, end up more frustrated, and more prone to mistakes each time they play them. Some PUGs have been so poor and incohesive that even the first mobs have decimated the team.

Final result - you may curse them, you may call them dumb, you may say that their AI is pretty crappy, but the success rate of completing missions with Henchies is much higher than several PUG teams!

Snowman · Sep 26, 2005, 03:40 PM // 15:40

I have been studying this problem for along time.. because I agree that its better to go on your own and play with henchies in GW Missions ..

But I dont think its not about the henchies.. hear me out..

What seems to be the problem is that its easier and more fun to play the PvE by yourself! with no other human interaction. Which is pretty sad really consider what the game is supposed to be about.

Dont get me wrong, everyone likes to play on their own for a while.. but the Guildwars system has got something terribly wrong when people rather play on their own than with other people..

What is the problem?

Well, I've been looking at other games where you can have teams of other human players, so I dug out City of Heroes (CoH) and played it all day..,

CoH is very easy to solo in!.. very easy indeed... the levels or missions, automatically adjust (on the fly) the level AND the amount of mobs according to the party size and the party level! so if your on your own.. then the mission adjusts so its possible to do it.

And yet.. whenever I play CoH I always look to join a team, and people are forever sending private messages to people inviting them into teams.. because everyone wants to team!.. only half an hour after logging in I was in a large team..

now, in a game where Soloing is so easy (and fun) why does everyone WANT to team with humans.. and why is the opposite true with GW, I personally never play missions with peeps.. even Guildmembers .. why?

I dont think its because the henchies have better bed side manners.. I think its because all the levels in GW are set.. the same amount of baddies.. the same level.. they even spawn in the same places.. every single time! This 'predictability' of the quest means that if you throw un-predictable people in it makes it SO much more frustrating... and its hard work!.. it really is hardwork to lead people.. Especially when ANYONE can give out directions on the map.

After 10 hours of playing we had LOADS other people joining and leaving as they please.. noone gets stressed when someone leaves... its no problem, in the MIDDLE of a mission you can invite more people, if someone goes to dinner they go.... they may even come back into the same team..

however in GW, once you enter a mission in GW, your stuck with the party you have... that sucks! no.. it REALLY sucks! and its this which makes the PvE on Guildwars short lived and eventually gets hideously boring... if it wasnt for Faction and PVP, this game would be on the shelf along with Sacred, Diablo, NWN and all the rest.

p.s.
I know CoH is not the game to be comparing GW too, and dont want flames about that.. I was just comparing the different ways in which TEAMS are handled in the game system.

CKaz · Sep 26, 2005, 06:32 PM // 18:32

one big problem I had/have with PUGs - those leaving and even worse, going AFK

the former you know and deal with accordingly
the latter, well our team was down and one &(*@& was obviously big time AFK near the beginning of the zone, we're doing a quest, 2 golds are on the ground for others.. one for me and another guy, after our party got wiped sans him we were all stuck..

I stuck it out as the last guy waiting, it hit an hour or so and I gave up..
I'm reaching 500hrs and my gold count I'm lucky if I'm passed 5 and nothing good
That was annoying - can't finish mission, get the loot, or continue on with group

wsmcasey · Sep 26, 2005, 06:46 PM // 18:46

I like the henches for the most part. It's much easier to focus fire when calling targets. My only problem currently is Mhenlo and Lina. I don't know how many times they have been the last two alive in the group and refuse to rez someone. They only rez if they have the time, it's second priority for them. Their first priority is to fight back if a mob is attacking them, but of course if they are the last ones left then they are sure to die. The code should be changed to at least have them attempt to rez a human player if the hench monk is the last one alive in the group.

Xue Yi Liang · Sep 26, 2005, 07:03 PM // 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKaz

one big problem I had/have with PUGs - those leaving and even worse, going AFK

oooh. those people who leave AFK unannounced are called, leeches. It's such a pet peeve of mine. This is just about the ONLY thing that will make me quit a mission.

If I see one green dot standing at the zone point I bring it to everyone's attention. I usually give the person 1 or 2 minutes to show their ass. I'll warn everyone, "sry. I can't stand leeches. FYI - I'm going to bail in 2 minutes if this person doesn't show. I'll be in district 1 and you can join me to start over, if you want." I don't care if we've made it through 75% through the Thunderhead Keep mission - I'll start over if there's a leech on the team.

More than once my announcement caused them to "magically" get back to their keyboard. Once or twice the person had the audacity to PM each of us after we left him there cursing us out for not doing the mission - and he even admitted he was leeching! I put him on my ignore list then PMed him with my insults.

kbealow · Sep 27, 2005, 04:19 AM // 04:19

I agree. I myself use the henchmen all the time. If I had to guess I would say about 96% of the time with henchmen and the other 4% with family and friends! I love henchmen. I get all kinds of greens with them.

nightblender · Sep 29, 2005, 01:34 AM // 01:34

man i luv henchies 2 =) man i even got a chance 2 beat Glint with them =) only me n 7 henchs

man the img is 2 big for imageshack >.<

smurfhunter · Sep 29, 2005, 01:43 AM // 01:43

dude thats is like so untrue. stefan once left us because he had to "go cap "bulls charge" with his guild"

and alesia once fell asleep on her keyboard and let us all die.

and then lina once wouldnt join our group because "it sucked"

these hench are evil

coolsti · Sep 29, 2005, 06:31 AM // 06:31

Playing with henchies is what got my first two characters mostly through the game. What everyone said in the posts above is true; henchies are great for the most part once you learn how to play with them (to control their actions). And playing with the wrong people is frustrating and aggravating. But lately I have been getting better at finding or forming decent groups of people, and the game is simply very enjoyable with at least a few human strangers in it. If one or two in the group does not play like the rest of us want to play, I simply ask them to consider more teamwork, or to please map back and leave the group. (I've done a lot of quests and missions lacking 1 or 2 players, maybe not the real hard missions, but otherwise its normally no problem with a team that works together).

I think now that the best combo is part henchy part human group. Humans for the diversity, the converations and jokes underway (ever try joking with Little Thom or Stefan? No sense of humor at all!), and henchies to fill in the profession gaps (can't find a healer? Take Alesia) and to keep from having "too many cooks in the kitchen".

nicksguild · Oct 11, 2005, 07:40 AM // 07:40

Totally agree. Henchies are reliable, if not inspiring and whilst they do the odd stupid thing that's better than having people who only do the odd sensible thing!

I've played the whole game with henchies without skipping any missions or being run anywhere and I just need to complete Thirsty River to ascend.

(I've also re-done some of it with people just to ensure my view is fair and balanced!)

It would be nice to have some directive ability a la Baldur's Gate.

Numa Pompilius · Oct 11, 2005, 07:51 AM // 07:51

I've now beat all missions in the game, in order, with henchies. Twice. Nearly all with bonus.

Except Aurora Glade. I could probably do it with one of my ascended avatars + henches, but that wouldn't be fair.

Hardest was Ring of Fire, until I learned not to listen to the vizier. Those lava lakes with lava imps throwing meteor shower were death to henches.