All I've done so far in Black Desert Online is quest and explore. I'm playing very short sessions during the week due to other obligations. So far it's proven to be a nice way to unwind after dinner before I get back to working on other projects.
Over the weekend I need to figure out several mechanics so I can mix them into my routine. I'm pretty sure one of my Star Citizen org mates, BelGeode, probably has video on them. I just haven't had the time during the week to look. But over the weekend I want to learn how to:
- Unlock nodes - you have to unlock the subsections of a zone to enable harvesting resources from them
- Connect nodes - this is necessary to do trade runs
- Get a small farm - I like farming
- Acquire workers - you use this mechanic to do mass harvesting and production
- House required workers - necessary to maintain workers
- Unlock fishing
- Unlock alchemy and cooking - no healing class means that you use potions and food. It would be good to make my own
With the above in my repertoire, I'll have more flexibility in deciding what to do during a given play session.
He Did What??
I've mentioned and shown video of the co-op bosses you summon for spirit quests. They're all labeled co-op quests but thus far, I hadn't seen people doing them in groups when I go to the location to spawn the boss. So I've been doing mine solo too. Well last night I ran into a really mean mo-fo that yes, should have been done with multiple players. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures or video since I wasn't planning to play very long and certainly didn't expect any surprises.
My first issue was that this boss' spawn location is in an active area for aggressive mobs, meaning other hostile NPCs wander by and jump into the fight. While I was randomly killing mobs in an adjacent area, I keep hearing what sounded like thunder or bombs exploding. I wondered what the hell was going on over there. I thought perhaps the game had fireworks and players were celebrating the last night of the head-started. Nope, that weren't it.
I was eventually led over to that noisy area to summon a co-op boss for a quest. There was a bit of mayhem going on that I didn't understand and it was dark so I couldn't see very well who was doing what and why. I decided to move as far away as the summon scroll would allow me, so I could get on with my quest. Dun-dun-dun, I wasn't prepared for what felt like a BAM (Big Ass Monster) from Terra to jump out at my ass. BAMs in Terra are no joke and require very concerted combat strategies to triumph unscathed.
Suffice it to say that my mouth fell open when this beast appeared swinging a spiked ball-n-chain at me that does a knock down. The ball hits the ground like Thor's hammer, kicking up dust and emitting sparks. Okay, that's the noise I'd been hearing. Seriously? Okay, let's try spells that stun him for a bit to see if that will work. Uh, not so much. He's in my face before I can complete casting the spell.
He hit me with his first swing. On swing two he killed my mount because I strafed near him trying to avoid being hit again. I was like "oh no he didn't just kill my mount!?!" I don't think by-standers can help cuz they started running to avoid the fray. There isn't a healing class so it's not like someone could have thrown me a few heals. I died when I was attacked from behind by other hostile mobs who'd come into the area. WAH-WAH-WAH. Bleh, it was a long run back being resurrected and then I had to run to a Stable to have my horse resurrected too. Grrr!
During attempt #2, where I almost died again, I realized it wasn't possible to stand still long enough to cast my powerful spells. Every time I tried, he wailed on me and knocked me down. So I took the suckers way out and used the only attack I have that allows me to cast on the move - my weak frost bolt. Whatever works right? I circled strafed him for what felt like forever, whittling down his health with the measly frost damage. Eventually he tumbled over dead. WHEW. I think perhaps the first few co-op bosses you summon were to get you used to the mechanic and from here on out, the they're are going to bring the pain. Death run and all, I still enjoyed it. smile When I have time I also need to take a careful look at Witch spells and plan a build. I've been very ad hoc about it thus far. However, that encounter made me realize I need a few mobile spells in my arsenal if others exist.
I have followed you since Rift beta, and truly enjoyed your columns. I also enjoyed AA farming, but not much else. I have started BDO and look to being a farmer and fisher, having a home, mayhaps doing large scale PvP and GvG. I have not had an MMORPG home since WoW and left there after WOLK, never looking back, but ya sorta miss my first online game home.
I very much look forward to seeing how you do in BDO, and this game may prompt me to start finally bloging about these games I care so much about.
Go you! the more posts the more you inspire me and entertain me.
Anke
Posted by: Anke | March 05, 2016 at 02:23 AM
Thanks so much for following and taking the time to read my blog. I too missing have a regular place in a fantasy MMO I felt like I was on the drift as far as MMOs for a long time after leaving WOW. I enjoyed Rift but it never became home. The only MMOs since WOW that have felt like home for me were GW2 and AA. I left both for different reasons.
In BDO Im just looking for casual entertainment. Its a very deep game for sure but comes at a time when my focus is elsewhere but I do plan on experiencing whatever I can that I find enjoyable and not worry about the rest. Im this will let keep me playing longer since new AAA fantasy MMOs are pretty thin on the ground. Good luck in your BDO adventures!
To: [email protected]
Posted by: Alysianah aka Saylah | March 05, 2016 at 07:55 AM