Creep Updates

By: Jared 'Kelsen' Pruett

Summary

In Rise of Isengard we decided to focus on revising some of the core mechanics of Monster Play and the Monster Player classes to help create a more rewarding experience for both new and veteran players.

To accomplish this, we examined the acquisition and impact of PvMP Ranks, the purpose of questing, and the nature of the classes. In the hopes of avoiding skill bloat, we put our efforts in auditing each class’s existing skills/traits in the hopes of further defining their role on the battlefield and providing more meaningful progression choices.

Monster Player Creation

Probably the most obvious changes were made to the Monster Player character creation screen. The goal was to create parity between Freep and Creep character creation, so the two screens have almost identical layouts, but one is definitively more evil (of course.)

Notable changes:

• Mirrored layout to Freep Character Creation
• Random name generator
• Maximized Evilness.

Creep Quests

To help remove some of the hurdles involved in PvMP progression we have revised the Creep quests.

• All quests are now Dailies.
• All quests reward the player a combination of Destiny, Infamy, and Coin.

Creep Consumables

Creep consumable potency has been increased to be comparable to top tier crafted potions.

Barter cost for consumables have been reduced & unified:

• Potions with Rank requirements cost 10 Dull Spirit Stones per stack of 5.
• Potions without Rank requirements, but only a single tier cost 16 Dull Spirit Stones for 5. (These are the individual CC removal pots)
• Potions without Rank requirements, but with 2 tiers cost 16 Dull Spirit Stones and 2 Glimmering Spirit Stones for 5. (Resistance & Avoidance potions)
• The CC protection potion introduced in Book 3.5 costs 20 Dull Spirit Stones for 5.

Veteran Rewards

Long-time Freeps will have access to two quests when the servers come online with the Isengard launch and longtime Creeps will have access to one. The first, shared by both Creeps and Freeps, provides those of rank 10 or better with their choice of a special title. These titles will help to differentiate those who have been here for the long haul. The second quest, available to Freeps of rank 10 or better, will allow them to choose a cloak with unique art. There are several cloaks to choose from but you can only get one…ever.

The quests, for those rank 10 or better, will be available from the launch of Isengard through October 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Once we cross the threshold into November the quests will go away and if you have not completed them by then they are gone forever. You can find them at the quartermasters in the main bases of the Ettenmoors.

Troll Session Play

To ensure the Troll is able to utilize all of its abilities, skills that do not consume Rampage pips now generate 1 pip per use. This allows the trolls to continuously build Rampage while in combat and fulfill their role of creating chaos on the battlefield.

Additionally, the Troll now has map skills that for all of the key locations in the Ettenmoors. This will allow him to more easily traverse the landscape.

Battlefield Promotions & Finesse

For details on the functionality of the Finesse stat, please see Ken “Graalx2” Burd’s New Stat Updates dev diary.

Rank 0 Creeps will start with a base amount of Finesse, allowing them to penetrate roughly 5% of their target’s defences. The majority of Creep Finesse is given through Battlefield Promotions.

Battlefield Promotions are a new passive trait that can by acquired from the Monster Player Trainer starting at Rank 1, with an upgrade available with subsequent ranks. This trait provides additional Health, Power, Damage, and Finesse with each rank, totaling at an additional 20% Health, 20% Power, 15% Damage/Healing, and 6990 Finesse at Rank 15.

Passive Traits Updates

To compensate for cap removals/increases, Creep critical defences were enhanced via the Armour passive.

• Each rank of Armour provides 2% Critical Defence, giving Creeps the following values at Rank 0:
  • Reaver – 1800
  • Weaver – 600
  • Blackarrow – 2400
  • Warleader – 3000
  • Stalker – 600
  • Defiler – 1800

Racial Trait Updates

Across the board, traits have been updated to use the new unified stats.

• Individual Critical Ratings replaced with Unified Critical Rating
• Individual Resistance Ratings replaced with Unified Resistance Rating
• Damage Type Mitigations replaced with Physical or Tactical Mitigations
• Melee Offence Rating is now paired with Ranged Offence Rating
• Tactical Offence Rating is now paired with Outgoing Healing Rating

Uruk

Get a Grip!

• Reduced healing output to 2-3k
• Reduced cooldown from 15min to 3min
• Changed to Fellowship only heal.

Warg

Foe of the Light

• Replaced Light Defence with Tactical Mitigation
• Increased Stealth bonus from 2 to 4

Pack Alpha

• Added Finesse Rating

Corruption Updates

Critical Protection Boost (Ranks 1 & 2)

• Increased the amount of Critical Defence provided, allowing an additional 5% defence.
  • Rank 1 - Provides 2% Critical Defence
  • Rank 2 – Provides 3% Critical Defence