Here is a note to Paul I just wrote him. I hope you guys share the same opinions but I know some of you are a little upset at the moment too.
Hi Paul,
I will be one of the very first to admit that I am usually one of the first people to be critical or praise something. I remember our exchanges several months ago and I was very critical of certain aspects of ladder slasher. I have now played this game for 14 months about. I've done almost every imaginable build to think of. I've grind with no items and I've owned some of the best to exist.
I think you have made a very good and bold decision on the life steal thing. Your entire theme, since we have ever talked was about balance. Whether anyone appreciated or liked it, it did not matter. A melee character can slash 1-30 in less than 2 hours. A level 40 character with 11% life steal could no regenerate to 71 with any sizable weapon. As to casters, they are limited to chain 12 monster or less at any level unless extremely superb items. I really think this has balanced the game and I'm very sorry to see people behave in such a manner as they have last night and today. I am usually one of those whiners too.
It probably doesn't mean a whole lot, but in the end, it is getting better. People are able to make enough forum gold to buy decent enough items to play. People are finding decent enough items to play. In time now, I see many "poor" players that are capable enough to have their own weight in catacombs. For the older players, it has been a rough transition. From when the magic luck and transmuting increased, drop rates increased and the old items losing value. The dexterity nerf, as you said it, it wasn't particularly a nerf at all.. I still don't know 100% what you did, but I personally concluded you "ranged crit strikes" to hit from any point of a particular hit. As my sword did 1300 base damage, I would hit for 1350 damage at times which would be considered a low crit strike. Which in turn means, that sometimes you would not even see some crit strikes if you hit at the low end of your ranges. But in the end, all of those older players, they benefit more than anyone also... the ability and knowledge to utilize their equipment and characters to be successful is priceless and it comes from being "old".
The price check forum, in my opinion has been a tremendous success. There has been very few incidents. It is staying clean and civil. People are massively volunteering to help people understand their items. The progression is amazing. Every morning when I wake up, I check the pc forum and I'm always happily surprised to how wonderful it is functioning.
Warm regards and good evening to you,
Tom