Back to DDO in Time for Update 5

The thing I like best about Dungeons & Dragons' f2p model is that I have a hard time keeping up a steady playing schedule, but love to come back to the game. Sure, I've probably spent more buying adventure packs and 32-point builds and whatnot, but then again I also haven't paid a subsbscription for months with no playing happening. To me, at least, it evens out in the end.

After having made the Orien server my home during the first part of this year (as it is the home of some real-life mutual aquaintances of myself and Redeye), I am happy to report I am back in my OG hood Sarlona (which I chose as my home server back at launch). Why leave Orien? It isn't my DDO "home" and I lost the desire to play with the Orien guild as I gradually learned they had no clue how to play the game, or even display the slightest shred of intelligence or thoughtfulness.

Not to be too harsh, but within a few not-so-easy instances I realized that the core members' main strategy was ZERG, ZERG, ZERG!! Of course none of them are "vets" and have no clue how to run the instances ... which results in a wipe every few minutes. And like that cliched definition of insanity, there apparently was no learning of how not to wipe happening. Add to that high levels of frustration on the part of those causing the wipes and some rather racist commentary from the same. Partying with imbeciles just wasn't happening for me and so I took a couple months off from DDO entirely.

While I look forward to completing my Exploiter Drow Rogue/Ranger, Emmil Cioran on Sarlona, which I abandoned to move to Orien, I rerolled a copy of the character I played on Orien and absolutely fell in love with: a Halfling Monk/Cleric. It's all personal preference, but I have had the most fun I have ever had in DDO with this class combo. I got him up to level three before the server came down for Update 5, but didn't visit the trainer. His name is Trillax (trill + chillax = gangsta) on Sarlona.

Right now I am actually considering making him a pure Monk. But most likely I will be targetting a 17 Cleric /3 Monk build. He's a Weapon-Finesse/Dexterity build and I to focus on unarmed combat. I've begun with two levels of Monk and now will level him strictly as a Cleric; the third level of Monk will come later, perhaps around level 12-or-so. I'm playing with the build in the DDO Character Planner right now and will probably be posting it on my DDO blog when I get the chance.

I have to admit, I am sorely tempted to make him a pure Monk, however, and taking advantage of Update 5's Ninja Spy enhancements. Though that is more for the coolness factor - the Cleric Radiant Servant enhancements from U5 will suffice just fine. In fact, considering the Monk Ninja spy enhancements, I am willing to bet there is a really solid Rogue/Monk build ... I am sensing synergy with the Drow short sword racial enhancements. This will be something to consider down the road.

In other Update 5 news, Zen Archery is a new feat which should make the Divine Archer (Elven Cleric (or Favored Soul) / Ranger) I want to build even better as it allows you to swap your Wisdom bonus for your Dexterity bonus for damage. Now if only bow-based combat in DDO didn't suck overall - someday I'll bother to work through this build.

You'll also notice that guilds have gotten a lot of love. Most noticeably in the form of renown and guild levels, giving access to all sorts of items and bonuses and whatnot. And the most noteable of these benefits will be DDO's first stab at player housing - the guild Airship. This should be interesting, it definitely makes me want to join a regular guild.

Preferably one that doesn't have members that rush into death over and over pointlessly then scream "F***KING N**GER!!" when they can't figure out why they completely fail at the game - and obviously fail at life as well.