Regarding my friend’s struggles with well-equipped players in goblin caves while I was a new player:
Compared to a genuine newcomer, I possessed certain advantages. Primarily, my familiarity with the game map set me apart from the average novice. Additionally, I displayed a better than average ability to evade unwinnable fights and optimize loot acquisition during each run. With this context in mind, let me share the outcomes of a day’s devoted gameplay.
For a change of pace, I decided to roll a new character as a ranger, a class I hadn’t previously explored, having usually favored fighters, rogues, and occasionally warlocks. The endeavor involved undertaking 50 raids within goblin caves (a task that elicited quite a few disapproving glances from my wife, who humorously referred to it as my “eye of death” sacrifice on account of the time invested).
Across these 50 expeditions, conducted with a level 1 ranger character:
- I managed to eliminate 88 enemy units.
- I successfully extracted 22 times, with an average yield of 115 gold per extraction. While my loot returns were commendable on average, my 44 percent survival rate painted a less promising picture.
Notably, I deliberately refrained from upgrading my equipment beyond what a novice player might reasonably acquire. This meant I avoided incorporating rare or higher-grade items, sticking to common gear and an occasional low-level green piece obtained from merchants.
Regrettably, my character faced demise on 22 occasions due to encounters with other players and, on 6 instances, environmental hazards.
In the aftermath of my deaths, I opted to spectate the other participants. It emerged that in 17 out of the 22 deaths, the assailants sported equipment ranging from blue-grade to superior, commonly referred to as “chad level” gear. For the remaining instances, the equipment of my adversaries was comparable to that of newcomers. Intriguingly, in instances where my death was attributed to players with beginner-level gear, three other individuals within the same session showcased markedly advanced equipment, further contributing to a 20 out of 22 death rate within these well-equipped lobbies.
To synthesize my observations:
Presently, the gaming experience would likely be a formidable ordeal for a genuine newcomer. The learning curve involves mastering maps and grappling with the challenge of damaging well-equipped opponents, colloquially termed “chads.”
I intend for this communication not to be construed as a complaint; I acknowledge the game’s demanding nature and find great enjoyment in its challenges. Yet, for the game’s community to flourish, it’s imperative that we engage in discussions regarding aspects such as the unevenness in the experience for novices.
Although I’m not equipped to propose an all-encompassing solution, I do ponder whether instituting a gear cap specifically for goblin caves could be a potential remedy, while leaving other aspects of the game untouched.
And now, my focus shifts as I prepare to take my wife out for dinner, hoping to make amends for the time I’ve invested. As it turns out, I believe I’ve managed to extricate myself from her metaphorical “shit list.” We’re headed to a Mexican restaurant, where the promise of margaritas awaits.
For those interested in a more detailed breakdown of statistics, I can provide a comprehensive overview. While I was able to observe deaths in detail during the spectating phase, my approach to kills involved a cursory assessment of whether my opponents possessed noteworthy gear (blue or higher), following which I proceeded with the map.
Kills Breakdown:
Rogue: 23 kills, of which 6 were equipped with advanced gear.
Fighter: 17 kills, with 8 employing formidable equipment.
Barbarian: 12 kills, 4 of whom exhibited substantial gear.
Cleric: 11 kills, with 2 utilizing advanced gear.
Warlock: 8 kills, and 3 of them sporting advanced gear.
Wizard: 7 kills, with none possessing elevated gear.
Ranger: 7 kills, and only 1 had significant gear.
Bard: 3 kills, among which 1 was well-equipped.In terms of kills, approximately 28 percent of opponents I eliminated demonstrated a significant gear advantage, a circumstance that would likely prove challenging for a newcomer.
Deaths Breakdown:
Fighters: 6 deaths, with 4 attributed to exceedingly equipped adversaries. These were encounters in which my options were severely limited.
Barbarian: 2 deaths, one of which involved a well-equipped opponent.
Rogue: 3 deaths, 2 of whom boasted potent gear, resulting in swift defeat.
Ranger: 0 deaths – a testament to my prowess as the ranger archetype.
Wizard: 1 death, the adversary being fully decked out in equipment. My encounter was brief, as I fell before being able to react.
Cleric: 4 deaths, 2 of these were against opponents wielding exceptional gear.
Bard: 2 deaths, both instances involved well-equipped bards.
Warlock: 4 deaths, all attributable to lavishly equipped warlocks. This was particularly challenging, as victory should have been feasible.Admittedly, there is an additional death for which I neglected to identify the class responsible. Consequently, there’s a discrepancy of one death in the account.
In summary, while I may not classify myself as a neophyte, my defeats overwhelmingly transpired against opponents boasting superior equipment. This prompts contemplation on the plight of someone fresh to the game. The question arises: What prospects would a newly minted player have in such circumstances?
Related:
Dark and Darker Entrance – https://www.darkanddarker.com/
Dark and Darker Gold – https://www.mmoexp.com/Dark-and-darker/Gold.html
We’re looking forward to Dark and Darker hitting Steam.