Age Of Conan - Topic

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Posts: 10,264

Joined: Mar 26 2007

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Aug 23 2009 07:56pm

This is a guide to answer the bulk of the recurring questions in the Age of Conan sub-forum, as well as educate potential players of AoC who want to know a bit more.
Key;AoC = Age of Conan

Section One
-Why should I get this game? What's the scoop?
0: Game Requirements
1: Common Questions
2: Payment
3: Server Types
4: General Information
5: PvP Server General Information

0: Game Requirements
Required
OS: Windows Vista/XP
Processor: 3GHz Pentium IV
RAM: 1GB RAM
Video Card: Shader Model 2.0 and 128MB RAM: NVIDIA GeForce 5800 or ATI 9800

Recommended
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz (E6600) or better
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7950GX2 or better
RAM: 2GB or more

Enhanced for: DirectX 10, 64-bit processors, multi-core
Supports Parental Controls on Windows Vista

1: Common Questions

||"Is AoC worth playing and paying a monthly fee?"
This, of course, depends on your own experience. If you play on a PvP server and enjoy the challenge of PvP, you'll be endlessly entertained.
If you love the raid-aspect of WoW you'll love the PvE 24-man raids at the end of AoC. Every person needs to cooperate like a well-oiled machine, or else face failure.
Leveling up is fun the first time around. The quests aren't quite as repetitive as WoW, as many have interesting twists. Making and leveling a second character can be tedious, however.
The new ability to create a second character starting at level 50 (if you have a character above level 50 already) helps a lot with this, however.

||"If compared to WoW how would you rate it? (game play/graphics/audio and overall)"
The gameplay is improving vastly. The developers work incredibly hard and make many improvements and additions often.
As I said before, your own opinion will depend on your experience, but I personally enjoy playing AoC much more than WoW.

The graphics are head and shoulders above WoW. Even with low graphic settings, they are amazing. With high settings or in DX10, it's as close to realistic as I have ever seen.

The audio of the game is interesting. Anyone I have asked about this has said that they don't mind listening to the AoC music rather than their own music, because it's entrancing and ambient enough to be pleasing.
The sounds of combat etc. are good as well, and make you feel as if you are in the fight yourself.

||"In your opinion - how long is it playable until it gets a little boring?"
In a PvP server the game is endlessly playable if you can hold your own. Grouping with friends, fighting wars with other guilds, doing PvP mini-games, or just solo-hunting -- it's all fun.
Even in a PvE server there are great challenges to face. Some of the harder PvE Raid Dungeons have still not been cleared on several servers.
There are still more being added, and defeating the bosses of Black Ring Citadel Wing Three or getting the Feather of Ibis is still post-worthy on the AoC Forums. These achievements give your entire guild boasting rights.

Quote (Age of Conan Official Website FAQ)
What is Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures?
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures is an MMO based on the world of Hyboria, originally created by the famous Robert E. Howard. Age of Conan will allow players to immerse themselves in the world of Hyboria, a harsh and brutal land where they embark in amazing and action-filled journey, following the footsteps of the world’s greatest fantasy hero: Robert E. Howard’s Conan. Meet Conan’s friends and foes, battle monsters and demons drawn from 70 years of backstory and lore, and even befriend the mighty King Conan himself. You can also engage in warfare with other guilds for control of valuable resources, craft powerful and rare items, and adventure with thousands of other players simultaneously.

Quote (Age of Conan Official Website FAQ)
How does the combat system work in Age of Conan?
The simple answer is: Unlike anything you’ve seen before in any MMO. One of the key features in Age of Conan is its hands-on approach to combat. With Real Combat, we have created a system that really brings players into the game and makes them active participants in each battle they fight. This system gives you control over your attacks in real-time, and requires aiming, planning, and coordination, rather than clicking auto-attack and walk away. Players must make strategic decisions regarding how and where they stand in relation to the enemies they are fighting, as well as figuring out how to circumvent their defenses and do the most damage. We call this the Real Combat System, and it promises to bring a unique element of action to MMO combat.

In other games of the genre, combat is usually as simple as targeting something and clicking a fight button, but in Age of Conan, you actually have to direct your weapons in real-time, guiding your strikes around the enemy’s guard for maximum damage. With this unique system, you can also hit multiple enemies at once, so if you slash your sword through two enemies standing next to each other, both of them will suffer damage. It is all, in a word, real.

Quote (Age of Conan Official Website FAQ)
That’s fine for melee fighters, but what about ranged combat?
Players who prefer using ranged weapons will also experience the real combat system. In most games, you equip a bow, click the “Fire” button, and see your character fire the arrows automatically, but in Age of Conan, you have the option of aiming and firing manually as you would in a single player game, with skill and precision rewarded accordingly. While it makes archery more demanding, but it also makes it much more exciting.

Quote (Age of Conan Official Website FAQ)
Alright, well, that sounds fun for those guys, but I play a caster/priest class. What about me?
Don’t think the robes and magic will keep you out of the fray! Age of Conan is all about combat, and our caster/healer/priest-type classes will all be able to get in the scrum and split some skulls. Magic using classes will have access to a system we call Spellweaving that adds a new element above and beyond simply pressing a button and casting a spell.

2: Payment

No, AoC is not free. It requires a monthly payment, just like WoW or FFXI.
The payment can be made via credit card or playtime card.
A playtime card can be bought in a video game store and it's code redeemed for playtime online.

The credit cards accepted are:
* Visa (not Visa Electron)
* Mastercard
* American Express
* JCB

The pricing is as follows:

1 Month Recurring
USD $14.99
3 Month Recurring
USD $41.97
6 Month Recurring
USD $77.94
12 Month Recurring
USD $143.88

3: Server Types
PvE (or player-versus-environment) - servers focus largely on players fighting against computer-controlled monsters and characters, with PvP limited to areas set aside expressly for that purpose.
PvP (or player-versus-player) - servers have more widespread PvP rule sets, encouraging players to fight against each other.
RP-PvP -These are PvP servers with extra rules of conduct to encourage role playing and a more “in-character” feel in-game.

4: General Information
-The maximum level is 80.
-Each class has its own feat tree. After level 10 you will gain the ability to place feats into the tree, gaining one feat point per level. This is similar to the Diablo 2 Skill Tree.
-Guards are NPC protectors of open areas and city areas. They are stronger than any player and attempt to keep the peace.
-Guards will attack any monster attacking a player, unless the player is a criminal or murderer.
-Characters attacked in the back by a monster while sprinting will be Staggered. Staggered characters will run 25% slower for four seconds, unless the debuff is reapplied.
-Items are similar to that of Diablo 2. There are Normal items (white), Enchanted items (green), Rare items (blue), and Epic items (purple), in order of superiority.
-The hiding skill is an extremely innovative and important skill in AoC. Using it will make you completely invisible to other players. If you are hit with any AoE attacks, or if a players uses the Search skill and has a high Perception, you'll be revealed and taken out of Hiding.

5: PvP Server General Information
-PvP servers mean that PvP is enabled anywhere outside of major cities. If you see a player, AFK, killing a monster, or just walking around, you CAN attack them.
-If you attack a non-criminal player by a Guard, the Guard will kill you.
-A new addition to PvP is the Aggressor factor. If you attack another player, you gain the "Aggressor" status. If you attack the other player first and end up getting slapped around, the Guards will not protect you if you try to run to them for help.
-If another player attacks you in the back at any time, there is a high chance you will be Staggered and move slower. This hinders your ability to move around your opponent or to run away to the Guards like a wuss.
-Players 9 levels higher than a player they attack will become a criminal. Guards will not protect you, and merchants will not trade with you.
-Players that kill other players 9 levels lower will gain Murder Points. The amount you get upon killing the lower-level character depends on the level difference.
-If you get too many murder points you become a Murderer. Guards will attack you on sight, traders and travelers will not deal with you, and you will resurrect at a Murder Camp upon dying.
-Murderers must deal with Murder Camp NPC's for common necessities like potions.
-To lose Murder Points and eventually Murderer status, speak to a Redeemer at a Murder Camp to complete Redemption Quests.
-Murder points slowly disappear over time, and also disappear as you kill monsters close to your level.
-Hiding will make you completely invisible to other players. Even large groups of players can hide in an open area, and when other players walk by, all appear at once, dirtying many pants and resulting in an almost assured victory.

Chimerical

Member

Posts: 10,264

Joined: Mar 26 2007

Gold: 5,928.00

Aug 23 2009 07:57pm

Section Two:
-Got the Game! What else should I know?! What should I make?!

1: Races

The Aquilonians
"The Aquilonians are a people divided behind a front of unity, and threatened behind a show of dominance. Their kingdom, the so-called Flower of the West, is the unrivaled jewel of Hyboria."

The classes an Aquilonian can play are:
*Soldier: Conqueror, Dark Templar, Guardian
*Priest: Priest of Mitra
*Rogue: Assassin, Barbarian, Ranger

The Cimmerians
"You laugh greatly, drink deep and bellow good songs; though I never saw another Cimmerian who drank aught but water, or who ever laughed, or ever sang save to chant dismal dirges."

The classes a Cimmerian can play are:
*Soldier: Conqueror, Dark Templar, Guardian
*Priest: Bear Shaman
*Rogue: Barbarian, Ranger

The Stygians
"The Stygians are an ancient, decadent people, born of a culture more than fifteen hundred years older than any of their neighboring kingdoms to the north."

The classes a Stygian can play are:
*Mage: Demonologist, Herald of Xotli, Necromancer
*Priest: Tempest of Set
*Rogue: Assassin, Ranger

2: Classes
Classes include one archetype which contains three classes beneath it.
What class you choose for your character determines his or her skills in combat,
the ability to equip specific types equipment and what feats they can acquire as they level up.

|||||Soldier:
* Guardian
---Guardians are the most heavily armored and well drilled soldiers in Hyboria. Capable of withstanding punishment like no other, they also have an array of deadly attacks that deal devastating damage.
Weapons: One-handed edged, one-handed blunts, polearms, crossbows, and thrown weapons
Armor: All armor and shields.

* Conqueror
---Conquerors are a sword-wielding fusion of heavy armor and battlefield command, rare individuals rising from the ranks of Aquilonian generals and barbarous Cimmerian war-leaders.
Weapons: One-handed blunts, two-handed blunts, one-handed edged, two-handed edged, crossbows, thrown weapons, and dual wielding.
Armor: All armor, no shields.

* Dark Templar
---Dark Templars combine heavy armor, martial prowess and blood-thirsty magic with an all consuming desire for triumph.
Weapons: One-handed edged, one-handed blunts, crossbows, and thrown weapons.

Armor: All armor and shields.

Soldiers' forte is in PvE raids and large-scale PvP. They are irreplaceable as the "tank" in any place applicable.

|||||Priest:
* Priest of Mitra
---Priests of Mitra wield divine power that can aid, heal, and even bring the dead to life.
Weapons: One-handed blunts, one-handed edged, daggers, crossbows, and thrown weapons
Armor: Cloth armor, light armor, and shields

* Tempest of Set
---These priests wield the awesome destructive might of Set, the snake god of Stygia.
Weapons: One-handed blunts, one-handed edged, polearms, daggers, bows, crossbows, and thrown weapons.
Armor: Cloth armor, light armor, and shields.

* Bear Shaman
---The spirit of nature is strong in Cimmeria and has begun to manifest itself amongst the barbarians of the north.
Weapons: Two-handed blunts, bows, crossbows, and thrown weapons
Armor: Cloth armor, light armor, and medium armor

Priests are powerful. Each type of priest has strong DPS capabilities, as well as the obvious advantage of healing. They are a necessity in large-scale PvP and Raids.

|||||Rogue:
* Barbarian
---The barbarian is one of the most dangerous and feared sights on the battlefield. Their combat style focuses on strength, aggression, and relentless assault.
Weapons: One-handed edged, one-handed blunts, two-handed edged, two-handed blunts, bows, thrown weapons, and dual wielding.
Armor: Cloth armor and light armor

* Assassin
---Assassins are the most lethal killers in Hyboria. Those aspiring to the top of this profession face the most deadly regime of training, discipline, and study, but the ones that survive are executioners supreme.
Weapons: Daggers, crossbows, and dual-wielding
Armor: Cloth armor and silk armor

* Ranger
---Rangers are the finest marksmen in Hyboria, capable of stalking an enemy and delivering devastating shots with pinpoint accuracy.
Weapons: One-handed blunts, one-handed edged, daggers, bows, crossbows, and dual-wield
Armor: Cloth armor, light armor, medium armor, and shields
***Rangers are the only class that has the "Track" ability. Using this ability will bring up a list of all characters nearby, and give you the option to choose one to display on your map. Rangers are excellent for hunting other players, with or without groups.

Rogues are great support DPS in raids and large-scale PvP, and also are extremely useful for their CC capabilities. Rogues are probably the best suited class for going solo and hunting other players in PvP zones.

|||||Mage:
* Necromancer
---Necromancers summon and command the undead, and they are legion. Their ghoulish minions are capable of tearing men apart or casting their own death magic.
Weapons: Daggers, crossbows, and thrown weapons
Armor: Cloth and silk armor

* Herald of Xotli
---Heralds of Xotli are hybrids of the mage and soldier archetypes who wield alien spells and two handed weapons, making them a formidable enemy on the battlefield.
Weapons: Two-handed edged, crossbows, daggers, and thrown weapons
Armor: Cloth and silk armor

* Demonologist
---The demonologist is the mightiest of sorcerers, wielding the power of hell and earth and capable of conjuring pillars of flame or titanic storms of electricity.
Weapons: Daggers, crossbows, and thrown weapons
Armor: Cloth and silk armor

Mages are the highest DPS class, although they are all very "squishy." They are extremely important to have in raids and large-scale PvP for their huge damage.

3: Attributes
# Strength: Gives you a damage bonus for melee attacks and also increases the attack rating for certain weapons.
# Dexterity: Gives you a bonus to your defense rating and increases the attack rating for certain weapons.
# Constitution: Determines the amount of health and stamina your character has.
# Intelligence: Determines the amount of mana your character has, and increases magic rating for mages.
# Wisdom: Determines the amount of mana your character has, and increases the magic rating for priests.

4: PvP
Age of Conan sports a number of choices for the PvP player, everything from casual, instant fun minigames to massive siege battles to an entire PvP server with friends to make and foes to kill.

-Massive PvP/Siege PvP
Head out to the Border Kingdom with your guild, or hire yourself out for pay, and wage epic battles for control of player-owned battlekeeps. There are a limited number of these battlekeeps on each server, meaning combat will be fast and furious, and the benefits of owning one mean guilds will fight tooth and nail to keep theirs (or take away someone elses!)

-PvP Minigames
Age of Conan’s PvP minigames are intended as “pick up and play” fun, something easy to get into solo or with a group of friends, a way to hop right into the action when you want something fast and furious, more akin to an FPS match than traditional MMO combat.
Age of Conan’s PvP minigames include:
*Capture the Skull
You will join one of two teams with the goal of capturing the opposing side’s skull as many times as possible. They will, of course, not take kindly to this and will try to stop you.
*Team Annihilation
You will join one of two teams, with the goal being to kill as many players on the opposing team as you possibly can. Of course, they’ll be trying to do the same to you.

-PvP Servers
For those who just can’t get enough PvP, Age of Conan features PvP-flagged servers, with rules allowing widespread PvP, and PvP-RP servers, which not only allow for lots and lots of PvP, but also feature a robust ruleset encouraging roleplaying and staying in-character.

-My opinion on AoC PvP
The best thing about Age of Conan PvP is that it relies not solely on statistics, level or gear, but massively relies on skill, reaction time, and practice.
A player using a level 40 Barbarian could easily kill a level 70 Barbarian if there is a large difference in player skill.
This is a huge allure to those players who would be the level 40.

5: Feat Trees and Feat Planners
The explanation of feats ingame are better than those on the website, but you'll get the gist of them good enough here.
You get your first feat point at 10, and gain one per level. You gain two feat points at level increments of 10. By level 80 you'll have 79 feat points total.
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=34 Assassin
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=18 Barbarian
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=29 Bear Shaman
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=22 Conquerer (Conq)
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=31 Dark Templar
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=44 Demonologist
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=20 Guardian
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=43 Herald of Xotli
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=41 Necromancer
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=24 Priest of Mitra
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=39 Ranger
http://aoc.yg.com/feat-planner?class=28 Tempest of Set

6: Spells
Spells are used at the cost of Mana.
Spells can range from damage spells to buffs, debuffs, healing spells, or even resurrection spells.
There is also an array of "Crowd Control" spells, that will "CC" your enemies. These are extremely useful.
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=29 Bear Shaman
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=31 Dark Templar
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=44 Demonologist
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=43 Herald of Xotli
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=41 Necromancer
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=39 Ranger
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=24 Priest of Mitra
http://aoc.yg.com/spells?cl=28 Tempest of Set

To cast a hostile, targeted spell on an opponent, you must be facing them at both the beginning and end of the casting. The casting time differs depending on the spell, from instant-cast spells to 5+ second cast spells.
Area of effect spells will give you a highlighted green area under your mouse, and you can choose where to cast the effect. Other area of effect spells will cast in a circle around you, the radius depending on the spell.
"Cone" spells will cast the effect in a cone in front of your character. The area and size of the cone differs for each spell. It's similar to this -- <

7: Combos
Combos are used at the cost of Stamina.
Combos can be melee or ranged with a bow, and can have a variety of effects, including debuffs, damage over time, or CC's.
Combos are gained through leveling or feat placement.
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=34 Assassin
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=18 Barbarian
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=29 Bear Shaman
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=22 Conquerer
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=31 Dark Templar
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=20 Guardian
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=43 Herald of Xotli
http://aoc.yg.com/combos?cl=39 Ranger

The combo system is a new revolution in Age of Conan.
When you use a combo, arrows will appear on your screen. Press the directional attack keys corresponding to these arrows, and at the end of the sequence your character will do a unique combo animation.
Combos are always stronger than just doing normal, or "White" hits. You can use a combo, hit the arrow keys in the sequence, but wait to hit the last arrow until an enemy is in range. This is called "Charging" a combo, and is a good tactic for starting a fight with some heavy damage.
Charging a combo must be done with good timing, however, because if you charge a combo and wait too long to release the finisher, the arrow will fade and you will have to start the sequence over.
The bulk of the damage of a combo comes from the last hit, or Finisher, which includes the animation, extra effects, and +DPS (damage per second).

When you learn a combo, press "B" and open the Combos tab on the left. Place the combo on your skill bar. Replace older, weaker combos with newer, better ones. Do not bother using weak level 15 combos at level 30, for example.
Always read the +DPS on the combo, and learn the extra effects if there are any. Using the right combo at the right time is crucial in Age of Conan.

This post was edited by Chimerical on Aug 23 2009 08:02pm