myndBlank
11-08-2011, 15:10
It seems that there's a lot of confusion as to how the online aspect of PoE will work. Thus, I've created this thread in the hope of making the system more clear to hopeful players.
First of all, upon making a character on PoE, you must choose a specific league for your character. This league is basically a server or realm on which you play, but is much much smaller in terms of playersize than realms in MMOs such as WoW's. The idea behind each league is that the restricted number of players within that league are able to compete or cooperate with one another (depending on the type of league).
Now, there are several types of leagues. Again, in comparison to WoW, these are like PvP or RP realms. 4 unofficial leagues are:
Hardcore Just like D2; permadeath.
Ironman No vendors, no flask refills, no mana regen. This league supposedly encourages cooperation and teamwork between players in order to survive.
Cutthroat All areas are open to full PvP, ALL items drop upon death.
Attrition A timed league, where players race against each other to have the most experience. Players with the least experience are eliminated periodically until one remains.
Note that it's possible for some of these league types to be combined! Think about how much fun a Hardcore Attrition league would be :P
GGG has also mentioned the existence of temporary leagues, which would only exist for a short period of time, acting as a sort of event league. These leagues could maybe last a few days or a month, before ending with the winners receiving some token of victory. After these leagues finish, characters are supposedly transferred to a permanent league, but no information's been revealed about switching leagues.
Inside the game itself, all players can interact with each other in town which serves as a common area. Note that not all players in a league can be in one town at once; too many players, and the town will be instanced into sizes of 32 (I believe).
Outside of town, I'm told that everything is instanced (unless you're on a special league, such as cutthroat), so you don't have to worry about other players running around killing and looting everything of yours. Of course, with a party, you have the option of venturing into dungeons and the wilderness with that party in your instance. Nice!
In regards to looting: The proposed looting system in question is that all whites (normal) items are free-for-all to loot, while any magic, rare, unique, currency, or otherwise non-normal item will be allocated to a random nearby player, who will be the only player able to loot that item for a few seconds. Of course, everybody nearby will be able to see the item, the timer, and the player to whom it is allocated. The purpose of this system is to a) allow ranged players who are far away from the action a chance to get some loot, and b) allow players with latency issues to get some loot. Note that this maybe be disabled in certain league modes.
Another aspect of online play is the chat. Currently, you may chat with your league, your party, and local chat (e.g. with everyone in your instance). Future channels include guild chat, meaning there will be guild support in the future!
The death penalty has also been the subject of much confusion; currently, the death system is a simple experience loss if you're playing on Hard mode; if playing on normal, there is no penalty. Additionally, if playing on hardcore, if you die, your character does not simply disappear; he or she is simply sent down to a softcore league.
Well, that's about all the information I can divulge about the online experience in PoE. Hope some find it informative. Please tell me if there are any errors or false facts!
First of all, upon making a character on PoE, you must choose a specific league for your character. This league is basically a server or realm on which you play, but is much much smaller in terms of playersize than realms in MMOs such as WoW's. The idea behind each league is that the restricted number of players within that league are able to compete or cooperate with one another (depending on the type of league).
Now, there are several types of leagues. Again, in comparison to WoW, these are like PvP or RP realms. 4 unofficial leagues are:
Hardcore Just like D2; permadeath.
Ironman No vendors, no flask refills, no mana regen. This league supposedly encourages cooperation and teamwork between players in order to survive.
Cutthroat All areas are open to full PvP, ALL items drop upon death.
Attrition A timed league, where players race against each other to have the most experience. Players with the least experience are eliminated periodically until one remains.
Note that it's possible for some of these league types to be combined! Think about how much fun a Hardcore Attrition league would be :P
GGG has also mentioned the existence of temporary leagues, which would only exist for a short period of time, acting as a sort of event league. These leagues could maybe last a few days or a month, before ending with the winners receiving some token of victory. After these leagues finish, characters are supposedly transferred to a permanent league, but no information's been revealed about switching leagues.
Inside the game itself, all players can interact with each other in town which serves as a common area. Note that not all players in a league can be in one town at once; too many players, and the town will be instanced into sizes of 32 (I believe).
Outside of town, I'm told that everything is instanced (unless you're on a special league, such as cutthroat), so you don't have to worry about other players running around killing and looting everything of yours. Of course, with a party, you have the option of venturing into dungeons and the wilderness with that party in your instance. Nice!
In regards to looting: The proposed looting system in question is that all whites (normal) items are free-for-all to loot, while any magic, rare, unique, currency, or otherwise non-normal item will be allocated to a random nearby player, who will be the only player able to loot that item for a few seconds. Of course, everybody nearby will be able to see the item, the timer, and the player to whom it is allocated. The purpose of this system is to a) allow ranged players who are far away from the action a chance to get some loot, and b) allow players with latency issues to get some loot. Note that this maybe be disabled in certain league modes.
Another aspect of online play is the chat. Currently, you may chat with your league, your party, and local chat (e.g. with everyone in your instance). Future channels include guild chat, meaning there will be guild support in the future!
The death penalty has also been the subject of much confusion; currently, the death system is a simple experience loss if you're playing on Hard mode; if playing on normal, there is no penalty. Additionally, if playing on hardcore, if you die, your character does not simply disappear; he or she is simply sent down to a softcore league.
Well, that's about all the information I can divulge about the online experience in PoE. Hope some find it informative. Please tell me if there are any errors or false facts!