View Full Forums : "I picked my class because I knew what it was"


Miss Foxfyre
09-01-2002, 01:49 PM
Why have I chosen to single out this oft-repeated phrase?

Because, quite simply, it represents one of the biggest fallacies used to justify the status quo.

In all of the discussions and debates surrounding druid class balance and class balance in general, one of the biggest and most idiotic arguments is this "you made your bed -- now you must lie in it" mentality. Some other rather stupid and ill-conceived notions are "you knew what you were doing," "didn't you read the guides?" or "druids eat their cake for 50 levels and deserve to take a backseat."

Bullshît.

Let me spell it out for you since you have no idea how to understand some other people's experiences.

First of all, back when the game was released, a lot of players had no idea what their classes could do or become. The whole point of playing this RPG was a discovery of class design and of group dynamics. And class design means other areas of play such as soloing and raiding. Second, as the early game was evolving, players were still learning about other classes. There was no frickin' bed! Third, EQ has evolved quite a bit since its release, so the bed has gotten bigger, wider, and the sheets? Changed. The blanket? Changed. The pillows? Changed. Capisci?

Just because you came into the game at a later point and knew what the limitations of the class were DOES NOT MEAN that the older players did, so kindly shut up about them supposedly knowing what they were getting into.

As for those who say that druids have their cake and eat it too, which, by the way, is one of the lamest expressions ever falsely attributed to Marie-Antoinette, listen up. Being balanced 1-50 in no way precludes balance from 50-60. You think druids deserve to take a backseat or deserve to go the way of the dinosaur post-50? My @#%$ god, you are a dullard! Who wants to play a class — pick any class — and invest years of time into it only to see it become irrelevant in the endgame? Maybe you do, so do us all a favor and DELETE your druid now. Please — and hurry! Go on. Delete your level 55 druid now!

Who do you think you are to know better than the people who designed the game and maintain its gameplay?

Jahaar and Absor have pretty much spoken for the EQ Live team over the years, especially during the caster balance project. If you make a game, you try to make it fun REGARDLESS of the classes you play primarily, and you try to make all the races and classes appealing. That doesn't just stop at level 50.

But usually it's too much to ask that you think like a game designer.

And why do you play this game if you're such a supporter of the status quo? This game is all about change. Quite frankly, your argument that we knew what we were getting into make the rational part of my brain sick! Furthermore, how would you know what I knew or didn't know three years ago? You were sitting there next to me in an apartment in Berkeley, were you? Please.

Luviane01
09-01-2002, 04:54 PM
When EQ first came out, I bought the book, looked through the descriptions of each class and decided I wanted to be a paladin. I could tank and heal myself if needed. Honestly, a druid didn't look too appealing to me. A few months into the game, I decided to start a druid. Don't ask me why...I just thought it would be cool to be a wood elf. I thought it was neat that I could port myself instead of running and I could heal myself. Oh, and of course there was SoW.

And no...I had no idea of the potential of my character in the high end game...the high end game hadn't existed yet. I was only lvl 42 when RoK was released.

I could never imagine playing any other class. I have a few twinks, most are under lvl 20. It's my druid I enjoy playing, and I try to roleplay the best I can.

I think alot of people who are complaining about our class and it's power either do not play a druid, or they didn't start EQ from the beginning.

Tiane
09-01-2002, 05:11 PM
I dont think there's any reason to say that the people who are complaining about their class havent played from the beginning. Quite the opposite. Those who've been there since day 1, who've been on the bleeding edge nearly the entire time, done almost everything there is in the game, often have a pretty good and objective idea of our classes strengths and shortcomings, often before those shortcomings become apparent to the majority of average players.

I dont go around complaining about druids, but I *know* far better than anyone who doesnt play a druid what a druid can or cant do.

The kicker? I had no idea what my class was going to turn out to be when I chose it 3.5 years ago, and neither did anyone else who chose to play eq then. Nor does anyone who starts a character today know what that class might be 3.5 years from now, tho they prolly have a better idea than we did back then. EQ has taught all of us lessons in game design, players and developers alike.

The recent quotes from whoever it was (Scott?) about the directions various classes have taken, have been heartening. It shows that despite an almost complete lack of communication, they arent blind to current problems, and do listen.

Bottom line tho, when these bozos come here and deign to tell me that if I wanted to be of worth in the end game that I shouldnt have chosen a druid, well I just put em on ignore. You cant fight with them, or prove to them any point. People cling to their pre-conceived notions and stereotypes, and it's simply not worth my effort or time to try to correct them. I put what little faith I have left in the SOE designers to keep the game entertaining for the time it has left, and my friends in the game for wanting to play with me for me, not my class. In the mean time, I'll just keep playing my druid, how I want to play, thank you very much mr. or mrs. troll wherever you may be.

*raises a glass to Ms. F*

Cheers, fellow druids.

Tia

Taylen
09-01-2002, 05:59 PM
To those people who tell me that I should have picked another class, I tell them that they should have picked another game because this one isn't suited to their level of intelligence.

VERY LOW SODIUM
09-01-2002, 09:24 PM
Good Post Miss Foxfyre. *bump*

Eh.. I'm never going to finish nor revise this... so I'm going to stick it here :p

-----------------
Home

I pause near the edge of the druid's grove, searching for the tranquility the grove brought me when I was a bixie slayer. Wearily, slumping against a sacred stone, I take out my pipe. "You have grown old", I murmur, packing emerald orange tobacco into the bowl. Dashing black hair and mustache given way to a balding crown and hairless face. It's practical to be hairless, I tell myself, denying the whole Nillipuss/acorn oil/firework incident.

A burst of flame and three puffs later, my pipe is lit. I savor the musky smell. Still, tranquilly eludes me.

Damn! Damn that Karana!
No! Karana has given me so much! It is them. Those that assault the grove, who despise all the grove stands for! Those come full of prejudice and malice, which mock through their use of false titles. Those that would forbid us pursuits of higher magic! It is their fault... their fault...

I fly into a fit of coughs, as I have been puffing my pipe like a gnomish steam engine. A belt of Faydwer Shaker and a gasp (sounding something like "Huungwzeezeee"); I manage to regain my composure. Silly 'ol fool. Drinking affects you now, you know.

Looking into the grove, I can make out the oratory tree stump. Many debates have taken place here. Men greater than I stood on that stump and delivered powerful sermons that moved me to joy. Hateful people, too, used the tree stump to deliver their messages. Debates raged. Debates that eventually pulled me out of my silence.


--------------------------------------------------------------
Fanatic

On the stump, a fiery eyed half-elf delivers a sermon. I listen on halfheartedly. My passion for the crusade dried into a wry sort of humor. The orator repeats years old mantras... only different.

The incantations have grown terrifying over time.

I feel a pang of regret. I am partially to blame, for I had a hand in perpetuating them.

I notice, here and there, many of the grove's most malicious opponents in the shadows. The opposition really hasn't changed at all. The same people, feeding on the harvest of bitterness and fanaticism they sow.

I look around the edge of the grove, take note of the scars on the trees, listen to the echoing cries of assailants along the trampled game trails, and glance at the orator one final time. Turning my back, I also turn away from the path of the bitter druid; from the sentiments of "us vs. them" and "with us or against us". Every druid has a right to be happy, free of the enlightenment in which the bitter druids and druid-haters revel.

Looking deeper into the grove, I smile. The emerald green of the grove and memories draw me on. The leader waits, and time is too precious to waste any more on bitterness.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Penance

"Hello, Venerable Grandfather!" exclaims a halfling child as I step into the inner circle. Not my grandchild, just a sign of respect.

"Hello, child." I smile as I slip the cabbage-patch-kid some Pixie Powder Cinnesticks from my belt pouch. "Run along and share these with your friends." The child scampers off, leaving me to face The Elder.

"Greetings, Elder." I kneel low. "It has been a long while. I am glad to see the inner sanctum is still safe."

The Elder crans his neck and looks at me from one eye, yet remains silent.

"Don't be like that, Elder. I have done my best. I am only halfling, after all. I seek peace, as everyone does at one time or another."

Still, horrifying silence from The Elder.

I shrink back. "Yes. You are right. I have strayed from the flock. But I have grown weary, Elder. I tire of the racial slurs. I abhor the class power struggles. I despise the venomous vipers that lurk in the shadows. I once lay my scimitar before you, and promised to bring Norrath under your protective wing. The vision of a world ruled under the combined wisdom of Karana and Tunare was... is magnificent! But look at how the grove is suffering! The grove's pain is greater than I can bear."

"QUACK," says The Elder.

I smile. "Thank you for your blessing. Be well, Elder." I place a loaf of bread in front of The Elder as a token of my good will, and step away.

"Gubgubgub," says The Elder, happily devouring the bread.


--------------------------------
No point to this story. Just "bored while medding" stuff.

Aorion
09-02-2002, 04:29 AM
I quite agree

Taylen
09-02-2002, 05:11 PM
About the quack part? :)

FyyrLuStorm
09-02-2002, 06:47 PM
I too heard the words of wisdom from the elders when I was a wee Woodelf.

I have too encountered the bigotry of the outside world. And have seen the words of those who wish to be Oreos.

I really wish I were born early enough to have had the opportunity to garner a guise to decieve, for I am no goody goody treehugging druid.

I made my way over to the Misty Thicket when I was but only 10, and was assured, but the obvious use of trees, that the Hobbits were neither.

I have been through the rites. And the rituals over the years. And as a loyal officer of D.U.C.K., all I can say is, fist in the air...

QUACK.

Korwyn
09-04-2002, 04:31 AM
Good post for sure!!!!


Korwyn