What am I doing wrong?

[Garem]

Mort's thread is perfect.

Play one character.

Study the game, both IC and OOC. There's the initial phase of learning the server, basic mechanics, most useful spells, etc. Then there's a secondary phase of learning how to USE those things. Efficiency is crucial. Waste not, want not.

Oh, and I don't think you're doing anything wrong! In fact, I'm very glad to see that you've set such high expectations for yourself. Just don't let that bog you down, mate.

One little phrase that did stick out to me, regarding a death of your PC:

"...all the work I put into this character is lost."

If your character's goal was just to beef up and get rich, yes, you "lost". If your character's goal is to punish himself for a past life of crime and misdeed by hurling himself into the blades of the dangerous beasts of Ymph-- Great Success!

Goals. Set them, and the small victories will flow as you work towards them.

[sylvyrdragon]

I'm not a veteran of the game and I'm not good at the mechanics.  I play because I LOVE the game.  I play because I enjoy the Role-Play moments, not the Roll-Play moments.  

What I mean, is that this server is about the 'story' your character tells.  It tells MOST of his / her story through interaction with other players. Not by the Crit damage, the number of monsters you killed, or the level you are.  Now don't get me wrong, levels and power are a wonderful thing, but they do not necessarily go hand in hand.

If you are enjoying the character no matter if they are 3rd level or 10th level then in my book you WIN.  Have fun, make friends, plot,what ever it is your character likes to do, and enjoy the story.

(Oh and just an FYI, I gave up on winning long ago, hence the reason I play EFU.)

[djspectre]

As someone who has been here for close to 4 years (if not more) and someone who has quested alongside you, let me share couple of brief experiences and perhaps even some sage advice.

To begin, when I first joined the server I was plagued by lack of knowledge of both the mechanics of D&D, NWN, the changes made on the server and the difficulty of a PW server. I still held onto the run-smash-grab mentality that was common on the single player side of things. I never used the NWN-provided respawn option, I just went back to my last save point.

So the first things I learned was that death sucks. Every way you spell it, experience it or look at it. It sucks. And I reacted terribly. Most of the older DM's may or not remember my OOC tantrums that I used to throw when things like crits or lag or just plain stupidity would load me onto an express train to the Fugue.

I've died to all kinds of glitches and messed up stuff. Just recently, I had a character die because my compute froze up, the server didn't log me out right away, and I was swarmed by the dozens of enemies in the crystal mines quest. I lost over 10k XP and two levels. And I was fully buffed and had enough supplies to heal my entire party to full health probably at least twice. I didn't get any DM help from that (not upset, fyi, DM's!) You can imagine my frustration at that.

But the upside to such a terrible thing? I got to reroll my crap hp rolls when I got one of the levels back.

I've discovered that playing on EFU from a mechanical standpoint means always forcing yourself to find the upside and silver lining in the situation. If you die, you can do lower level quests again and interact with the community more than you can at high levels. There also tends to be more healing supplies and moderately good loot on lower quests (things like rings of barkskin, endurance, totems of strength, beast man healing charms, etc). You have to focus on the GOOD things that can happen at lower levels.

This leads me to your other point of how do people seem to have level 10 characters with 50k gold and loot so uber you'd think they crafted it in the Toolset themselves issue.

I've never had a character with more than 4k gold on him. Ever. Secondly, my 'best' gear was usually a rare drop (not DM-one-of-a-kind gear) that was suited only to my class on a quest OR was part of the gear on a dead PC who perma'd. The thing is that these rare drops only came from sticking with a character through all kinds of death/glitches/stuff. OR I'd buy (bartered) it off another character. Also having lots of gold really isn't that difficult. It is at the start of a new character for the first several months, since you're spending all your gold on supplies, but thats what the gold is there for - supplies! Low level quests give lots of healing. If you play the quests conservatively, meaning dont go running into a mob of monsters EVERY encounter, you'll get out of the quest with more than you started. If you die a few times, you keep doing these quests, eventually you'll build up supplies and have 50k worth of supplies. :-)

As far as if your character memorable in the public eye....well thats a more difficult topic to address. What some people consider memorable, others wont. Also, because our server appeals to players on four continents with often times +/- 6 or more hours between our time zones, sometimes we dont see these 'memorable' people.

I RP'd with Felix, I thought he did a fine job. Especially as far Thomas' short-lived Talosian Rebecca was concerned. I liked him.

I've always considered memorable and respected characters to really have three key traits (and this is only MY opinion on this and may or may not be shared by other players)

1.) Longevity - Did you stick with the character long enough for him to be recognizable or to do things that directly impacted other characters in a significant way?

2.) Quirks - Did they have a unique nuance or habit about them? Maybe an emote that they always did, or something else.  I constantly refer back to a character of mine who refused all forms of Arcane magic being cast on her, as well as openly and verbally distrusting any mage she encountered.

3.) Presence - Did they interact with other characters in a memorable RP fashion? Did they perhaps engage in a debate with conflicting ideals? I had a LG character once have an amazing debate with a CG character about how to dispense justice. Of course both had radical different views, one vigilante-like one judge-like. Did they interact with people of opposing views? Did they seek out characters of similar interests?


Finally the most important thing to consider, is that this is a game. Which means you get an unlimited number of times to 'do-over'. I'll admit that this particular bit of information took a while to sink it. Its perhaps the hardest thing to do to separate your own personal feelings from that of your characters and your accomplishments. Consider that in real-life, you really dont get a do over in a lot of what we do, but in this game, there will always be DM loot to be had, quests to do, players to ICly harass and anger, and fun to be had.

I've had the same thoughts you've had and wondered the same thing you have.  I doubt if anyone even remembers any of my characters. None of them would ever be considered 'epic' by anyone's standards, except my own.

In the end, take a deep breath, maybe even step away from the game for a while and come back with a fresh idea and try again. After my one of my characters here died after making it to the Underdark, I took some time off from EFU. I played a radically different game, both in theme, genre and game-style: BioShock. That allowed me to refresh myself when I came back to EFU because while I was away, characters had died, others retired and the server felt fresh after a month or so to me.

One last note too. In the scenario that the Dm helped you when you encountered the 'total quest respawn bug' that a lot of us have encountered on a few quests from time to time, the DM helped you out. Dont forget that. The Dm's might not aways be around or available right away. Some might even be AFK despite being logged into the module. Just consider any help you get as a boon and try not to think about all the other times you could have used help by one.

I hope you're not to sour to not revive an old character and start again or begin anew with a fresh one.

Hope to see you still around the server! Keep your head up! :-)

[Drakill Tannan]

-Run away. Use an invisibility potion that's again worth a 100 coins at most npc vendors and you are not sure at all to get away should the guy have dudes in backup.

There's something here that bothers me mort. I've been in a few DM events in wich it's a defeat for the party, and all players die or are subdued except for one, or at least are facing impending death. Usually when this happens i do what you said: i run away, look for help. IC is the smart thing to do, the most logical one. OOC it is too, no one wants to loose that XP.

Now, in ALL the times i've done this, the ones who charged ahead and died/got subdued get rewards, i don't. Rewards mostly in RP. In all cases something unexplainably fortunate would happen that would allow the fighter of the party to kill the boss and all would be well... in the meantime my character was returing with help (because he did the smart thing) and turns out he misses the XP, the loot and the RP because he took your advise, and i only get the feeling of "i shouldn't have done this".

Actually, the one time we were all going to die and i stayed, Dram killed the bad guy and we all got rewarded.

So, how comes mort?

[Mort]

I was stating it as a choice that is equally as costly as submitting. It's not an advice. This entire paragraph was about Player vs. Player, not DM events.

[Howlando]

Busting out stoneskin and evard's scrolls is probably a sign that you're able to do more than hit level 4 and buy a barkskin potion.

Having a big mega-meaningful PC is challenging for sure, maybe worth a thread of its own.

Mort's advice is pretty much on the money, particularly in terms of the importance of sticking with a character - no DM is going to make loot for a PC that will be gone in less than a week.

In terms of mechanical surviving and so on there's tons of tips and tricks, if you'd like chat with me on IRC about it and I'm confident that I can help you come up with something that will do well.

[Paha]

I've played with few of your characters, and in all friendly way, like to hand over few tips, not that I know everything, but still.

You are active, but you're very concerned about winning. You tend to try and forcefully win something, that in character the people are deadly afraid of or they know death is almost 100% sure.

Within 5 years, I've only fully understood the ideal, that you have to roleplay the character. Sometimes some challenge is deadly, and you should fear death. Run. Retreat. Figure an alternative strategy and leave the charging to more heavily armored or equipped folks.

Second, if you wish to survive and so, the trick is to really start picking your fights. In the world where our characters live, dangers are all around. It's not anything foolish to run when you face up something darn dangerous. The truth is, rare survive charging into mobs, and those that do, they usually do get some name for a reason. You just gotta know when to back off and the not give up when something sets you back a little.

Last but not least. Don't assume. Like with monsters, don't assume they won't charge at you if you're at back. Try to stick in the role and see every opponent as like any other player. Wouldn't you charge at weak mage if you get a chance? It can happen, sometimes it's AI, sometimes DM. Don't assume anything on mechanical side.

[Nihm]

Allow me to share my wisdom in having a meaningful and server altering character.  Follow these steps Padawan and achieve greatness.
 
Give yourself a title - You are a general or Head Merchant of something, even if you have absolutely no one to command.  Don't let that stop you.  People will be impressed by titles.
 
Suck up, suck up - Suck up hard to the factions even if your character would have nothing remotely to do with them, because that shows people that you're willing to Get Involved.
 
Be religous - You are a cleric whether or not you have cleric levels.  Making people convert shows you're willing to Get Involved.
 
A guildhouse - Rent one so that your nonexistant faction members can rest there.  More importantly it is a visible sign that you're there.
 
Muggings - see that lowbie in rusty chainshirt walking encumbered with clay buckets through the ruins, with the flies animation around him that shows he was hunting rats in the sewers? Mug.  Never mug a difficult or dangerous target.
 
Questing - No matter what the ideology of the dominant questing group may be (if any) you need to get in on that.  So ignore or pretend to not see signs that your Tormite may be questing with necromancers.  Later on you when you have levels and loot you can suddenly notice and smite them.  If they saved your life 10,000 times during the quests that makes no difference especially to a lawful character.
 
Good characters are badass - Your good character needs to be a grim and stoic person who does horrible things unnessecarily in the name of Goodness because that is edgy and interesting.
 
I will think of more later.

[9lives]

You definitely need at least one mental stat below 10, but sometimes it's better to just rock the 10/10/10 to keep those pesky DMs off your back.

[johanmaxon]

On the subject of Power and levels. I was once level 9. Wizard gnome, 60 hp and a great concentration skill. 20-ish.

Then one day Assassin Kreigan showed up from stealth in my room at Kingsmans. I had a great set of pvp spells ready... Still he scared the shit out of me. And he was level 4 or something.

[Yalta]

OK. I know the guys have given a lot of advice but i thought some practical OOC stuff may help:
 
Shortcut on the main screen your best defensive potions e.g. Barkskin, Invisibility, See Invisibility, Speed, Blur etc.
 
When *anything* nasty happens (potential mugging etc. / nasty spawn) immidiately down one of each. Having tried in PVP to take someone down who did this i realised how tougher it makes even a basically equipped PC. And on the reverse, i have taken down attackers by doing this and then starting to offensively buff whilst they are swinging at me.
 
Don't use wands in emergency situation apart from offensive ones (hold and dispel). The speed at which you can gain their benefits makes up for the attacks of oppurtunity.
 
Get you AC up as high as you can.
 
If in doubt run.
 
And yes as has been said, get buddies and stick with them. You are exponentially less likely to die when you are in good company.
 
And if you want to get up to speed, as Mort said, roll up a less confrontational "adevnturer" type and have fun playing him.
 
(I know that some low wisdom PC' shouldn't be so well "prepared" IG, so this stuff comes with a caveat of at least a 10/12 wisdom, remember kids, always play those stats!)

[Equinox]

Learning a few basic mechanics will rapidly increase your survival on this server.

Having invis/healing always hotkeyed is a key lifesaver. Stuff like havign an organised pack with healing on your first tab and thus easy to find.

If you get attacked, Yalta has a good advice. Get that AC up fast, or just attempt to flee. Knowing stuff like haste lets you down twice as many potions per round is really useful for pvp etc.


Making friends ig can often save your life, along with people who can tip you off that "mr x wants you dead". Being intergrated in the roots of society is how I personally have avoided many a gank or trap attempt.

[TheImpossibleDream]

If you get attacked, Yalta has a good advice. Get that AC up fast, or just attempt to flee. Knowing stuff like haste lets you down twice as many potions per round is really useful for pvp etc.

Ac is nice to get up fast but if you do have it, some form of concealment (displacement usually) is the best. Invis will help but sometimes its better to drink some form of speed increase potion to get you out of there. Most who know what they're doing drink a see invis before jumping, but being invis still allows you to run past monsters and hinder them!

[ForsakenSunlight]

Alot has been said, and I doubt I could say it any better. So I'll just point out.
 
There are "ALOT" of players (maybe dms if they arn't grumpy) who are willing to answer questions, help you, and get you on your feet.
 
So don't be afraid to ask ppl. Lots of vets as you see have done this years now, they have alot of just basic EFU knowledge on what works with what.
 
My only "tip" is start a bank account. Every time you get a hundred gold, donate it. You may die alot, but it will add up quickly.

[Zymnarkmar]

Nightshadow, You and I have had similar paths on this server.  Mort is right-on in his synopsis of how EFU:A works.  Some of my best characters imo were ones that lived a long time (month or more in RL).  It sometimes takes that long for them to start gaining some recognition among the server.  Baily Bhonn for example (not my PC) started out about the same time as my last character (Josh Lightwind) and Bailey is still widely recognized and played. Where as I let Josh die on gnolls because his goals and what I felt his 'place' on the server kept changing (and he lost lvl 7, almost 8 but w/e)... Long and short of it is I think that character could have gone many different directions and been great, or at least could have died awesomely, but I didn't stick it out and let the character grow and moved on (it doesn't help that I play sporadically either).  Stick with a character, get involved with plot (a key imo), and quest/play EFU:A alot to gain recognition and freinds/enemies.  Above all have fun and include others in your fun.  Hope to see you IG! :)