Curse

ibex333 · Aug 22, 2007, 05:08 PM // 17:08

Hello guys.

I'm somewhat new to AB, despite playing the game since Proph Beta, so please forgive me if I say "stupid" things.

Anyway... The state of AB right now is not looking too good. I think Anet should really focus on this particular aspect of the game after sorting out GWEN.

My thoughts:

1)AB is pretty boring as of now. I cant really explain why, but it's just not fun... It's always the same. Every match. I can see how the fun factor can be raised.. New interesting maps can be added with traps and catapults. New interesting victory conditions can be added. There are other possibilities too.

2)As of now, I don't see much "strategy" in AB. When I play in PUGs, the victory almost never has anything to do with me in particular. Every match is the same. Either our team is capping/fighting and will hopefully win, unless the other team has better builds, or our team is composed of nubs that don't know what to do and they are just running around trying to fight someone/anyone... Every match is like a roll of a dice.. Maybe we win, maybe not. It really shouldnt be like this. The way it should be is, if our strategy/builds is/are better, we will DEFINATELY win. If we are a bunch on newbs we will DEFINATELY loose. The luck factor, and the amount of leavers/afkers should play NO ROLE in AB. As of now, it a very significant role.

3)Some AB places are dead... No one ever visits them. They are like ghost towns... Why is that? Can someone please explain? Is there anything that can be done to "populate" these places?

4)Anet did a great job of attracting more ppl to AB by introducing PvE only skills, but that doesn't make AB any more fun or "different". Maybe I am wrong? Please criticize me! (but do it in a mature way)

TheOneMephisto · Aug 22, 2007, 09:03 PM // 21:03

Welcome to random PvP. Playing PvP becomes different or fun because of metagames and playing different, distinct teams. Random PvP doesn't have that.

If you're bored, I suggest moving on to TA (with some friends), HA, or GvG.

And all random PvP types will have a luck factor. That factor is, the chance of my teammates being crappy of good, and the chance of my enemy being crappy or good. If you want a gametype that luck plays little/no role and leavers and afkers are nonexistent, get into an organized gametype. Most of the things that you're complaining about are just inherent in random PvP, and the only way to solve them is to get into higher levels.

Riotgear · Aug 22, 2007, 10:46 PM // 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibex333

1)AB is pretty boring as of now. I cant really explain why, but it's just not fun... It's always the same.

Because it's been stale for quite some time. The lack of healer support tends to mean the most effective builds also require the least intelligence to actually play (i.e. SP assassin, DA-spam, N/A death+DA spam, minion master, searing flames), and it's not exactly fun getting killed by button-mashers. Some like earth tanks depend entirely on the stupidity of other players to even work.

The maps have been the same since release, and the frequent stupidity of the other two groups means it's still possible to pull a loss on a deep-defense map with a solid team because the other two groups are busy getting farmed on a turtled rez shrine. Saltspray Beach tends to be the worst, decided entirely on which team has the most idiots that think it's smart to stand in front of the 12-man zerg at the end of the bridge. When you're playing in a teamwork-oriented game mode and nobody's going for the actual objectives, it gets pointless pretty fast.

If they want to improve it, there's only one solution: Allow the ability to select the other two teams to join with. AB could be an interesting, competitive format on par with HA or GvG with that, but as long as it's basically "big RA," it's going to continue to get boring.

moriz · Aug 22, 2007, 11:22 PM // 23:22

the easiest way to fix AB? put it on obs mode. that way, everyone will be able to laugh at the idiots and the idiots themselves will learn from the best teacher of all: humiliation.

also, it will give it a level of competitiveness that it currently lack, since when you are visible to observers, you tend to play better.

ibex333 · Aug 23, 2007, 12:00 AM // 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the easiest way to fix AB? put it on obs mode. that way, everyone will be able to laugh at the idiots and the idiots themselves will learn from the best teacher of all: humiliation.

also, it will give it a level of competitiveness that it currently lack, since when you are visible to observers, you tend to play better.

Hmm.. I like your thinking.

Thanx to everyone who replied.

longhornrob · Aug 23, 2007, 02:40 AM // 02:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the easiest way to fix AB? put it on obs mode. that way, everyone will be able to laugh at the idiots and the idiots themselves will learn from the best teacher of all: humiliation.

also, it will give it a level of competitiveness that it currently lack, since when you are visible to observers, you tend to play better.

it would be wonderful if there was a second level to AB. Like, say, rank 6 and higher only. Granted, rank 6 doesn't always mean you know what you're doing, but it would weed out a lot of people.

Also, I'd love to be able to pick my groups.

AngeloM3 · Aug 23, 2007, 03:07 AM // 03:07

I think more maps...... and dont make maps favor one side over the other.

Snow Bunny · Aug 23, 2007, 03:16 AM // 03:16

I agree that a 12 man organized team would be great. I don't like the whole capping part much.

Honestly, the best times in AB I've had are when at least 8-10 players on each side are fighting over a shrine and the lines are drawn. That's when I've had the most fun.

kess · Aug 23, 2007, 05:17 AM // 05:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Bunny

I agree that a 12 man organized team would be great. I don't like the whole capping part much.

Honestly, the best times in AB I've had are when at least 8-10 players on each side are fighting over a shrine and the lines are drawn. That's when I've had the most fun.

then you like mobbing, that's how a team lose.

Perfected Shadow · Aug 23, 2007, 05:44 AM // 05:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibex333

AB is pretty boring as of now. I cant really explain why, but it's just not fun... It's always the same.

I don't think it's so bad. I mean sure builds like SP are rampant, but the random factor is usually more prominent. For me this random factor makes AB fun because the metagame is not as clearly drawn as another pvp form like HA therefore having more variety. Also with 24 players in a match, you are guaranteed entertainment by the endless typing of 'noob', 'kurdick', 'suxon', etc.

Quote:

Every match is like a roll of a dice.. Maybe we win, maybe not.

Not sure about that, I've been at the start of matches where I saw my other 8 teammates and instantly knew, didn't matter what the map was, that the game was ours. I think the better overall team still wins, but it's hard to make comparisons for obvious reasons. The only indication is often only the score. So if you think that the better team is losing, well it's probably not the better team.

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the easiest way to fix AB? put it on obs mode. that way, everyone will be able to laugh at the idiots and the idiots themselves will learn from the best teacher of all: humiliation.

also, it will give it a level of competitiveness that it currently lack, since when you are visible to observers, you tend to play better.

How do you get humiliated by being observed, when you can't see the comments anyway? Well at least last time I used it I couldn't. Observing games is boring for me so that was a long time ago I admit.

iridescentfyre · Aug 23, 2007, 08:36 AM // 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfected Shadow

How do you get humiliated by being observed, when you can't see the comments anyway? Well at least last time I used it I couldn't. Observing games is boring for me so that was a long time ago I admit.

You can't see comments because Observer mode shows you games that happened at least 15 minutes ago. The humiliation factor sets in because generally if you screw up, you know it. Knowing in the back of your mind someone may be watching you would theoretically encourage smarter play and keep you from doing risky (read: stupid) things...

...at least that's how it would work for some of us. But personally I question whether the average AB'er even knows Observer mode exists. Furthermore if these people cared what others thought of their actions in the first place, we'd never see Mending or Dolyak Signet again.

Riotgear · Aug 23, 2007, 08:38 AM // 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by kess

then you like mobbing, that's how a team lose.

Mobbing loses when the other team stays mobile and caps out the map while the mob is sluggishly capping one point at the time. In reality, mobbing usually works because idiots stand in front of the mob and get farmed because "running away is for n00bs."

I had to leave a match once because one of my teammates was using Glyph of Renewal + Iron Mist on someone, and 8 people refused to stop attacking them. AB retards never let a kill go.

ll goose unit ll · Aug 23, 2007, 12:16 PM // 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by iridescentfyre

...at least that's how it would work for some of us. But personally I question whether the average AB'er even knows Observer mode exists. Furthermore if these people cared what others thought of their actions in the first place, we'd never see Mending or Dolyak Signet again.

yea.. observer would work for the people who are watching since could just see what other people were screwing up on.. but really... most of the 'bad' teams are the ones that invite random people, generally dont (or do?) ping and go.. so they wouldnt really want to sit around and watch a match.. what might be good is if you could watch a match WHILE waiting for your own? that might be useful.. you would also get an idea of when your next game would be..

Tab · Aug 23, 2007, 12:25 PM // 12:25

Some of the most fun I've ever had playing GW is getting a coordinated team of guildies on vent and wiping the floor in AB

.

haswar · Aug 23, 2007, 12:35 PM // 12:35

Hello ibex333,

yeah i agree on some of what you said. We need new maps definetly with interactive elements in the map to spice things up a bit. Have a look in the thread I made in the Sardelac Sanitarium with more suggestions on AB.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10187241

Songbringer · Aug 23, 2007, 12:35 PM // 12:35

ur all cry babies deal with ab or dont play it. u complain complain complain and keep playing!??!?! that makes u worse then a toucher lawl

ibex333 · Aug 29, 2007, 10:03 PM // 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Songbringer

ur all cry babies deal with ab or dont play it. l

No no.. It doesn't work like that. I don't DEAL with something I don't like. I don't just QUIT if I don't like something. I go out there and try to CHANGE IT. I might not succeed, but at least I know I tried.
You want to be a mindless sheep and "deal" with things, go ahead, but PLEASE don't tell me or anyone else here what we should do. It's inconsiderate, to say the least. Where are your manners?

If you don't like us so much, why are you even here? Go away. This place is not for people who want to deal. This place if for people who want to actively participate and discuss all things related to GW. No one asked you to reply here. Why waste your precious time? Go do something productive with your life.
Last time I waste my time with you. Next time I see you yap, I'll just ignore you.

Dorling · Aug 29, 2007, 10:16 PM // 22:16

The problem you'll find with AB is that it'll always be a PvE recluse. If we want encourage strategic play, then the teams should be decided in full. As some said, you could invite 3 groups of 4 then have the leader go over the strategies and stuff.

The effect of this though will push aside what mediocre players have been getting away with doing, and that's going in and blasting and running however they want. Maybe two seperate AB modes, and RA mode and TA mode. RA mode AB will still function like ordinary AB, but then you have an AB segment that uses the organised method. Casual players are happy doing what they want while people who want a strategic game can choose to form a full team variant.

Tantra3 · Sep 06, 2007, 06:05 AM // 06:05

New maps definitely...maybe the Seige "Sling Shot" weapons that are seen in Guild Halls.

AB needs some change...I've been part of AB alliance since 15th June 2006, and haven't seen much changes at all...

b-M-d · Sep 16, 2007, 12:01 PM // 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorling

The effect of this though will push aside what mediocre players have been getting away with doing, and that's going in and blasting and running however they want. Maybe two seperate AB modes, and RA mode and TA mode. RA mode AB will still function like ordinary AB, but then you have an AB segment that uses the organised method. Casual players are happy doing what they want while people who want a strategic game can choose to form a full team variant.

Right on... The best battles I've been in were when all 3 groups on both sides were experienced and coordinated, no trash talk at all, everyone is simply enjoying the battle. It battles like that I don't care who wins because both sides do really well.

Anyway, back to the topic, yes changes in AB would be very nice... I'll quote from what I mentioned on another AB thread way back:

They should make AB similar to RA, like how the RA has different formats. More maps would be great, but the novelty wouldn't last too long.

I think it would be cool if AB had:

Capture the Flag - Kill a certain NPC in the opponents base or take a flag from their base and bring it back to your own.
Assault - wiping out the opposing forces in a free for all. Or Points scored by kills alone, no capping required.
Hold ground - No timer, but you'd have to cap and hold all shrines for a whole min, maybe two in order to win. (This would call for tactics and strategy)

But alas, all we can really do is hope. :P