Curse

Alexandria Kotov · Oct 13, 2005, 03:09 PM // 15:09

That's right. I think the greatest mission in the game is Thunderhead Keep.

A game like Guild Wars, standing alone in the realm of MMORPG's as the only real free one of it's class, is bound to attract the detritus of the gamer world. We get more than our fair share of younger, less ... intelligent, and "Independent" players. Thank god this game doesn't have open Player Killing or it would be replete with them.

Some people play this game not because it's the only free one, but because we sincerely beleive it to be the best choice on the market. I love the 20 level cap, 8 skill bar restriction, and lack of godly items in this game. The playing field is so level that nobody can have an advantage over you that you're not able to acquire as well, save for one thing: Skill. This game gives two players the exact same stats, skills, equipment, and level, and shows just how much the player behind the character really matters.

What does all this have to do with THK? THK, Thirsty River, and the Doppleganger are the three solitary lines of defense against those players who jumped from the kill-spamming world of Diablo 2 and it's kin, and who either need to readjust their gaming mindsets, or find another game. THK, Elona Reach, and in a much smaller sense the doppleganger, all require you to either be a good team player, or be pretty damn good yourself. Both missions can be VERY easily done by a team that's merely competent, and both can be done without much stress if you use minions and your own build properly.

If you're patient, assemble a good team, and force some order and teamwork into the mix, you're good to go. All those people complaining about players who drop, teams that aggro, etc... you're not being very wise about your team selection. Do you TALK to your team before you start the mission, or just spam "gogogogogog" until the party leaves? Ask some questions first. Who's calling? Does everyone have 1-2 hours to do the mission? Do enough players have Rez Sigs and the like? Are you all infused (You'd be shocked how many people miss this)?

You one of those poor ignored Mesmers or Rangers? Gather up the other Rangers and Mesmers wandering around and make a weakness/trapper team. You don't even need a single monk if you do it right.

These missions are not HARD missions, and everyone needs to figure that out. If you're on your 10+ attempt, then I think you need to stop for a minute, realize that the problem may not be the mission, and adjust how you've been playing this game. Cuz in HoH, GvG, THK, TR, and most REAL LIFE situations, gung-ho, balls to the wall, mindless attacking won't get you anywhere.

gimpysonofgroin · Oct 13, 2005, 06:02 PM // 18:02

Really well said. Now if only we can get the gotards to read something like this.

lord_shar · Oct 13, 2005, 11:08 PM // 23:08

I remember doing thunderhead keep a few weeks ago. I thought I was performing pretty well as a tank (outlasted all other tanks and was the last standing), yet my group failed for assorted reasons. I was then disbanded by a mostly [Beer] guild group (not sure who they were, but their tag stuck in my head), so that didn't make me feel too much better. Anyway, to make a long story short, I logged on the next day, found a good group, and power-gamed to the story's end in one outing.

A few weeks have come and gone, and I still wonder what ever happened to that [Beer] group...

huh · Oct 13, 2005, 11:31 PM // 23:31

Seriously, I think Thunderhead Keep should be not be considered a noob-filter anymore (apologies for the word noob). Reason? I passed it on my first ever try with only henchies.

I myself wholeheartedly agree that I'm a noob, as up until now with 500 hours on my warrior, I still don't know how to tank properly. Admittedly, I spent most of that time farming. Still, its no excuse for not knowing how to tank properly and pull enemies, keeping them away from casters.

Perhaps other missions such as those in Perdition Rock could be considered filters since I've never done them before and I don't know how difficult they are (I just don't want to finish the game yet). But then again, they're the end missions, so what are they filters for?

I did the quest (Final Blow I think) which takes you to Ring of Fire with a PUG. A very good team, all of us knew our roles. Noone rushed and aggroed 200 enemies at once and took our time to do it. Very unlike PUGs that I've been in prior to Perdition Rock. So, I suppose it does give your argument some base, but I still don't think THK is strong enough a filter. A tough mission should require at least a couple of tries even to the best players. First try, get a feel of the area and know what to expect. Second try, counter the things that took you down in the first try.

Note, I did THK with my n/me, not with my w/mo. Waiting for a guildie to do it with my w/mo. I suppose a warriors role is the hardest to play. I read before somewhere in this forum or another and I think its a good quote.

Quote:

Its the easiest thing to play a warrior, but the hardest thing to play a good warrior.

Guizzy · Oct 14, 2005, 03:07 PM // 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by huh

I myself wholeheartedly agree that I'm a noob, as up until now with 500 hours on my warrior, I still don't know how to tank properly. Admittedly, I spent most of that time farming. Still, its no excuse for not knowing how to tank properly and pull enemies, keeping them away from casters.

The OP didn't say it's a noob filter. He said it's a filter for people that run around calling each other n00bzorz; bcauze "t3h w4rrz are t3h 0WZ w1th M3|\|D1n6!", and that want every group to start in less than 5 s3condz b3c4use their "b16 s1sta w4nt teh PC fer sk00l-w3rk; b|_|mm3r".

You don't seem to be one of these; thus, the point remains.

Alexandria Kotov · Oct 14, 2005, 04:55 PM // 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guizzy

The OP didn't say it's a noob filter. He said it's a filter for people that run around calling each other n00bzorz; bcauze "t3h w4rrz are t3h 0WZ w1th M3|\|D1n6!", and that want every group to start in less than 5 s3condz b3c4use their "b16 s1sta w4nt teh PC fer sk00l-w3rk; b|_|mm3r".

You don't seem to be one of these; thus, the point remains.

Best. Reply. Ever.

I feel I've wasted my time with my post, seeing as you summed it up in a moments work with l337speak.

pyrohex · Oct 15, 2005, 09:00 PM // 21:00

I find this mission quite enjoyable now - acting as party leader, I can filter out the retards and put together a competent group of people. My last three attempts with PuGs have been completely successful, with no deaths at all. :P As long as you have one or two people who know what they're doing, barking orders to the rest.

Savio · Oct 15, 2005, 10:11 PM // 22:11

You love THX? So do I. Wait...that's THK. My bad.

Thunderhead Keep is one of the "different" missions. It's ceased to be difficult for me, but I enjoy going back once in a while. Try doing it with odd group combos. 3 Rangers and a Monk who nukes? Bring it on. (I'm still wondering how...)

Cartoonhero · Oct 15, 2005, 10:38 PM // 22:38

THK..just did it with my e/mo, and i got in a group that actually knew what they were doing. the last 2 groups i had split up and the monks couldnt keep up with them, and they were yelling and calling each other n00bs and fools...needless to say we died...this last group was organized, there was no n00b spamming, and we beat it easily...people that talk in nothing but l337 speak are not to be trusted..or over the age of 12 most likley...lol.