How would the players feel about a character wipe?

ErictheRed · Post by **ErictheRed** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:20 am

Hi guys,

I realize that this is entirely up to the Powers That Be, but I wanted to see how the players feel about a character wipe. I, for one, am all for it, and I have a fair number of mid-hi level characters that I stand to "lose" (one
level 16, one 13, and 5 or 6 levels 7-10). I think there are a number of advantages in having a character wipe at the end of Beta. Here are some of them:

1) Probably the biggest, it gives us an opportunity to create characters that are more in line with the Dasarian campaign. I think this is pretty huge. For instance, when I first made Turin, I didn't know much about Dasaria. I didn't fill out any background information on him for other players to see, and I didn't even know much about him myself. For instance, although he was a Druid, I didn't know how to RP where his powers came from. At times I wanted him to be a follower of an Elven god that was largely unknown in Dasaria, while at other times I went along
with being a follower of Iaosia. Still other times I just played him as getting his powers from Nature, not from any particular divine being. This obviously lacked cohesion, and I feel that it was a negative impact on my ability to RP Turin effectively.

To put things in contrast, I made a new character just a couple of days ago: William of Aucklorn. I had this idea of someone growing up in Aucklorn Mill, and wondering why their beloved home is so darkly cursed. He started to accumulate local legends, tales, songs, lore, etc., trying to "solve" the mystery. Hence, he's a bard. When the Varanites made contact with Aucklorn Mill, he hitched a rid on a military caravan (or whatever) and was escorted to Cear to search elsewhere for answers about what happened to his home town. Having a background that
directly ties in with Dasarian lore is very nice, and my earlier characters just couldn't have that--I didn't know enough about Dasaria at first.

2) The second big advantage, almost as big as the first one to me, is that it sets everyone back to the same level for a while. Thus, you can group/roleplay with almost anyone, and there will be a lot of people getting to know eachother that wouldn't otherwise. For instance, if a new character comes to Das or if one of us starts a new character, we don't have the option of adventuring with all those level 10+ people here. Since we'll all be the same level for a little while, I think there will be a lot of people meeting up and adventuring that wouldn't have otherwise. Of course you can still stand around town and chat, but to me a large part of roleplaying is adventuring together.

3) The server economy is reset. I think this would be a good thing, as I see a lot of "new" characters running around with quite good gear. Even though it's frowned upon, a lot of people "mule" nice things to their new
characters (I admit to being guilty of this a few times myself). I think this really hurts balance/immersion/economy, and I've seen a few players not want to group at lower levels because they already have the uber items and tons of potions and charms, and they can make more XP and reward by soloing things. It's a bummer for me to see brand-new characters already decked out with almost all the equipment they will need for the next 10-15 levels or so.

4) It will unclutter my "Select Character" screen at login, and will ease Wyvern's task of deleting everyone's "mistake" characters.

5) It will eliminate all those broken characters, i.e. those that suffer from the sorceror unlearn spell bug.

Evelond Formos · Post by **Evelond Formos** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:27 am

1. I'm not reading that.

2. I would not feel too great about a character wipe, considering I've been here since November last year and I've just gotten a character to level 6. But I am the exception rather than the rule, and I think many players would not mind a wipe too much.

broncoblitz · Post by **broncoblitz** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:32 am

hahahaha

this is the funniest thing i've read in a long time. Not that I actually read, it, it was too long.

ErictheRed · Post by **ErictheRed** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:52 am

lol yeah, I wrote that throughout the day while I was bored at work, and copied and pasted in later. I didn't realize how long it was

.

Maybe I'll split it up into 2 posts and trick you guys into reading it

.

coruscadragon · Post by **coruscadragon** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:02 am

i wouldn't mind but many would...

i'd be very surprised if it happens.

ErictheRed · Post by **ErictheRed** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:02 am

Now for the negatives:

1) Probably the biggest is the sense of loss people have. We all get attached to our characters. Personally, I don't think this is a very big deal, as I would remake my characters (with some modifications) after a wipe anyway. I understand not wanting to "lose" your level 18 character that you've spent so much time on, but think of it this way: you're getting the opportunity to play him even more! All quests are open to you again, there will be more people to group with and meet as everyone will be at the same level for a while, etc. Starting over is not the same as losing
a character permanently. I personally feel like I've practically lost Turin, because at level 16 there isn't really much for him to do, other than chat in town and wait for higher level content. Now I'm not a powergamer (as evidenced by most of my builds!) and I realize that I could "roleplay" more, but to me a big part of roleplaying is adventuring with others. That's what D&D is about to me, not just creating drama by chatting. To me there should be a balance of adventure and roleplay, and preferably roleplay while adventuring!

2) Some existing lore might get screwed up. For instance, Minuvas has created a cult following (quite literally!) and losing him might mean losing a character concept (followe of Minuvas, for instance). However, as I mentioned above, I think this is easily solved by just re-creating the same characters. Of course not everyone will want to remake the same old characters, but I think that most people will and so this shouldn't be much of a problem.

3) People who don't come to the forums might get upset when they login to find their characters gone! Is there a way that we could have a message waiting for all players at login the month or so prior to a character wipe? If so, that would solve this problem.

Anyway I realize this isn't up to the players, but I for one would like a character wipe. It would signify the end of Beta and the start of the real campaign, and everyone will start off on the same foot. It seems a little silly to me to have the real campaign start with players already close to level 20 (but again, it's not my decision). I have a feeling that most people won't want a character wipe, but I would like to know the player-base's feelings on the matter.

P.s. I was very bored at work today.

broncoblitz · Post by **broncoblitz** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:20 am

Geez people, let Jeh make a joke every once and a while. THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A WIPE! get over it.

Evelond Formos · Post by **Evelond Formos** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:46 am

It looks like an item wipe for Dasaria 2 has already been considered.

ErictheRed · Post by **ErictheRed** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:48 am

I realize Jeh made a joke (I was even smart enough to figure out he was joking before reading the punchline

), but I thought I'd ask other players' opinions about character wipes. No big deal.

edit: lol @ Evelond.

Toman Ironarm · Post by **Toman Ironarm** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:50 am

Well, for once I'm not the guy out there with the hammer and nail hammering the issues out for everyone to know about that sometimes gets put by the wayside of the road.

On topic though, I think the question is valid and should be addressed. Personally, I'd have mixed feelings about a character wipe, at least with the knowledge I currently have and with regard to how the situation is overall.

I'd definitly like to do some of the quests that I never got to finish due to the level restrictions (the undead crypt being one major one, the goblins, and that weird plant to name just a few.)

However, on the flip side, I have to also say I'd be unhappy about it.
It's tough trying to level up here in Dasaria (at least it was for me.)
I'm only eighth as Toman, and I had hell even getting to the second level.

I can say though, that with a few minor changes, I could certainly look back on my lower levels and not be so hesitant. One major thing was the lack of any kind of directions for the city. It was impossible to find anything in the city without any kind of map or notations on the overhead as to where things were.

I could find the statue, the apothecary, and the fountain easily, but beyond that I was completely lost. Add in the fact that the very first quest I was given was to kill vampires, when I had no weapons whatsoever, I was afraid of sticking my nose anywhere that I didn't know about beforehand (and that's still true.)

All in all, I'd not be too concerned if a wipe should happen at some point, provided things are a little less over-whelming for the beginner to Dasaria, either as a returning player, or a brand new member of the community.

(and feh at the auto-timeout when posting long messages!)

ErictheRed · Post by **ErictheRed** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:54 am

Toman Ironarm wrote: (and feh at the auto-timeout when posting long messages!)

Press "Preview" instead of submit. There's no timeout for preview.

Mas · Post by **Mas** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:59 am

On topic though, I think the question is valid

viewtopic.php?t=1565

'nuff said....

blackheart · Post by **blackheart** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:10 am

Christ, why would anyone care? If they wiped, start over, whatever.

Why is everyone so obsessed about this?

Not necessary, but if it happened, roll with it.

Toman Ironarm · Post by **Toman Ironarm** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:20 am

Firstly, I already know there will not be a wipe -- This is just my thoughts on the matter if it should happen at some point, for whatever reason. Think of it as when you were stuck out in the woods for a month.

Second, the issue is what you thoughts are about there being one, assuming it did indeed happen. My thoughts are mixed about it, with my reasons stated above, which I feel are valid. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. What does everyone else think on this?

ErictheRed · Post by **ErictheRed** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:32 am

Umm, I was just curious about what everyone's thoughts are. I don't have the power to institute a wipe and as far as I know the devs are not taking a vote. Can't we just have an interesting discussion?