What Nissl said, I've had 3 EU beta keys and not paid a thing so far, won't do till the release as places like Amazon, Game, etc dont charge on pre-orders till the games ready to ship. If you pre-order instore then some charge $5 (like gamestop if you're in the US) but you get a small pack which includes a beta key there and then, pre-order codes get you into all the beta weekends, next ones this week.
Uh, at the launch thing try the server that says "九 something something" and then pick Azariel or whatever once you're logged in. From my experience, that's the least laggy one.
Is it wrong that I am playing a foreign language game because I'm bored of WoW and cant wait for the English release of Aion?
I would be too, I just don't want to burn out on Aion before it comes out. If it's gonna get wiped twice between now and launch...
Azariel barely has any lower-level players playing, and it gave me the most ridiculous packet loss ever.
Azariel is the one where a lot of the english speaking players rolled originally on the chinese open beta but its a P2P server now so you'll only get 7hrs or so free time there to try it out and yep its fairly advanced in terms of age. What you're best doing is selecting the very bottom server region and using the freebie servers. These are basically free to play trial servers however you can only make a max of about 4 chars over all 3 servers in this cluster (to obviously encourage people to pay and go on the proper servers). I played Aion originally in the chinese open beta and I still play now and then on the freebie servers but I tend to avoid them purely because I still want the game to be fresh when it launches here.
I'm also making an EU Asmodian guild as well if anyones interested as there doesn't appear to be much in the way of official PA guilds atm. Atm we're an Asmodian legion called NomNomNom on Azphael(?) forgotten the beta server names but its the longer names EU one but when it switches to live/open beta we'll be using the proper legion name Ravenous, webby's in progress here - http://ravenous-eu.guildlaunch.com/ So if anyone's interested drop and app and just mention PA on the app.
Ah, didn't know that. I guess I've been looking at really old guides.
Damn, this game replicates my usual pattern of enjoying melee much more than ranged when grinding monsters. That's too bad, because the chanter is the one class I haven't pretty much played before in another game and I usually enjoy control classes like SM the most in PVP.
Feeling it more now, anyway.
So you're enjoying the game more than your initial post. Honestly, once I got the fuck out of newbie island hell, it became immensely more enjoyable, and even before then, just getting in a group and killing some fucking kobolds was great.
Also, how do you get DP skills? I've managed to fill mine all the way a few times, and all I really know is that it's used for special skills which I don't have.
Also, how do you get DP skills? I've managed to fill mine all the way a few times, and all I really know is that it's used for special skills which I don't have.
You should get a quest from your class trainer in yer home city to go to the next quest area and then you'll get the first one as a reward.
Also, how do you get DP skills? I've managed to fill mine all the way a few times, and all I really know is that it's used for special skills which I don't have.
You should get a quest from your class trainer in yer home city to go to the next quest area and then you'll get the first one as a reward.
Ah, that's why I could never find it. I never bothered going back. Thanks.
So you're enjoying the game more than your initial post. Honestly, once I got the fuck out of newbie island hell, it became immensely more enjoyable, and even before then, just getting in a group and killing some fucking kobolds was great.
Yeah. In fact now that I got a little grouping in and got a better sense for the nuances of combat, I like the way this plays a lot. In retrospect it probably wasn't a great idea to demo the Aion newbie area just a few days after a night of trying out the the V:SOH, RoM, and SWG starter areas.
Does anyone know for certain whether duo grinding two dot mobs is as fast as questing or solo grinding in this game? Most Chinese players I bump into in good grind spots are inviting me even though I clearly can't speak a word of their language, which makes me think so. I hope so, because it's a lot of fun.
Also, how do you get DP skills? I've managed to fill mine all the way a few times, and all I really know is that it's used for special skills which I don't have.
i think thats your voice
Grath on
0
CostanzaKOnly walks away from burning buildings.Registered Userregular
edited July 2009
First off, all this "Cancel the Pre-order if you don't like it" won't work. I read the fine print before placing my own pre-order and it states that if you use the Beta Access key that you are not allowed to cancel the pre-Order.
Additionally you should make your pre-order at least three days in advance of an open beta event so that your order can be processed and cleared through NC Soft and have your beta key mailed to you. So it is entirely possible to miss the event entirely if you do not pre-order before the event begins.
If you plan to get into the Beta, you would do well to download the NC Soft download client now and start downloading the 5 Gigs of data you'll need to install the game.
If you want the Collector's Edition of the game you'll have to go through Amazon most likely. GameStop has removed the CE from it's Website. I assume because they are completely sold out. You MIGHT find some in Fry's, but I wouldn't count on them. And Amazon has the same pre-order bonuses as GameStop plus an additional Amazon Exclusive item. Only problem is that Amazon is a mail order service, so there might be 3 days from the end of the Early Start event to the game arriving at your house.
And finally, I did careful research into the game before pre-ordering it to see if I would enjoy the game. I came to the conclusion through multiple YouTube gameplay videos and questioning people on the GameFAQs forum. While my own questions were in depth and direct, it boils down to this for people who are not me. Imagine the most beautiful Asian MMO you've played, including Lineage and FF11. Now strip away all the "Do your job this way with these people" BS that plagues those games. Fast and non-infuriating leveling with a plotline that guides you through the game. Realm vs Realm gameplay where there is an ACTUAL point to fighting the other guy, since if you don't your world and everything you love will be destroyed! Unparalelled customization that even WoW has not seen, since if you get an armor drop that looks like ass, you can change the look of it to a super-cool outfit and keep all the nice bonuses (unlike those pink or neon green tunics and beaver belts you get in WoW). Crafting systems that actually have a point to their use instead of just grinding Mats for the Auction House. Instance dungeons so you don't get rooked out of bosses by the inevitable Chinese gold farmers (a problem that is epidemic to Lineage). Multiple channels per server, a system used by Maple Story and universally beloved by it's players and prevents overcrowding. Efficient game engine that minimises slowdown from the 1000 players in the main cities. (Seriously, I got almost no slowdown on crowds in a BETA TEST). A combat system that is able to be surmounted and conquered by solo players, and excelled by teams alike (unlike any other big name Asian MMO). Combat that uses correct timing more than button mashing (or your chain skills will be used up and you'll have a harder time with the next fight). Of course, PvP is probably different, but I have not done that yet. And the game has seen three massive content upgrades in eight or so months. That's on a level comparable to Cryptic Studios' legendary upkeep of CoH/V game. So new content will come faster and sooner than the games you are use to.
All that together makes me think it's worth a trial run.
To everyone who is interested in a PAA Legion in Aion!
There has been all but zero talk about Aion in the PAA chats in game, and there are no threads talking about Aion in the official forums. So that means that there is currently no plans to make an "Official Legion" in the game so far. But I don't think that we need things to be Official if it's still the Closed Beta. Therefore I will announce my intent to make TWO semi-possible-in-the-future-official Guilds in the Closed Beta, and if there is interest in the Pre-Launch event.
Assuming that the final game shall be PvP oriented and mixing of Factions for a player on one server is forbidden like in WoW, WAR, and other RvR games the Guilds will be split by Realm amongst two servers.
Server: Siel (sp?)
This server shall be home to the Elyos players, not only are we the pretty and popular kids in the high school with acne free faces, but we're the fancy-pants do gooders who follow the code of gritty and violent justice! Call us < The Sorcelators >!
Server: The other one with the long name. Shabadoo or something.
Violence and revenge is the answer, and common sense for an Asmodian! We have lurked in the darkness and even though we left our Wolfoids in the shop getting detailed, we bring our wrath to battle! We are < The Witchaloks >!
Barring any profound disagreements, let this be the official splitting of the Factions so we do not get any orphans. Also, if people can think of better guild names then I would be proud to hear them. We got a week until the next open after all. Anyone who wishes to get brought into the Guilds, please send me a PM through the forum, and have the names of characters compiled by the next Beta event.
Since I have only gotten two players who have responded to this attempt to create a community during the Beta Test, it seems like it won't be happening. I would need more than just one person per server in order to actually make a Guild, let alone have it be worth it. If more people send me messages and there is an adequate number of people then i will be able to make a guild and provide people with the feeling of a community in order to counter act this feeling of loneliness that people are getting from the game so far.
You know why you feel lonely? Because you don't have Guild chat!
Either way, we need to start sorting the Elyos and Asmodian channels out for the actual launch.
Siel is Elyos
Israphel is Asmodian
There. Sorted. Now we won't have stragglers on other channels.
CostanzaK on
"We shall Capture the Flag. We shall go on to the time limits.
We shall fight in Hoth, we shall fight on the spaceports
and the orbital stations, we shall fight with growing confidence
and growing strength in the instances, we shall defend our Republic,
whatever the cost may be.
We shall Re-Spawn on the beaches, we shall camp the landing grounds,
we shall PvP Flag in the fields and in the streets, we shall gank in the hills;
we shall never uninstall."
--Winston Churchwalker
First off, all this "Cancel the Pre-order if you don't like it" won't work. I read the fine print before placing my own pre-order and it states that if you use the Beta Access key that you are not allowed to cancel the pre-Order.
It absolutely does work - as long as you select "In-store pickup." It's not the website that charges you at that point - it'll be the store, when you pick it up. It explicitly says so.
EDIT: From my order confirmation on Gamestop.
You will be required to remit payment at the store, at the time of pick up. We will not charge your credit card online for any in-store pick-up order. Please bring payment and identification in the form of either a copy of your order confirmation, a valid driver's license or other government issued identification. If you do not pick up the product within 48 hours of notification, we reserve the right to charge your credit card a $5.00 re-stocking fee.
Myself, I just went into Best Buy and laid down $5 for the pre-order. I don't really have any plans on trying to get that money back if I decide against the game, since it seems ample recompense for getting to try out the beta and see the game first-hand without paying full price.
As it's looking now though, I'm probably gonna get the game. I'm in full burn-out mode with WoW, and while I enjoy single-player games here and there, they usually don't hold my interest long term. So here's hoping we get a good PA guild going once retail opens!
If anyone's interested, I currently have an Asmodian guild in Israphel called Lunar. It gets awfully lonely. It would be nice to have some people to talk to.
Grabbed a pre-order today off Amazon, hopefully I'll get the key before the weekend and give this a shot. Are you able to download the client without having a 'preview weekend' key?
So you're enjoying the game more than your initial post. Honestly, once I got the fuck out of newbie island hell, it became immensely more enjoyable, and even before then, just getting in a group and killing some fucking kobolds was great.
Yeah. In fact now that I got a little grouping in and got a better sense for the nuances of combat, I like the way this plays a lot. In retrospect it probably wasn't a great idea to demo the Aion newbie area just a few days after a night of trying out the the V:SOH, RoM, and SWG starter areas.
Does anyone know for certain whether duo grinding two dot mobs is as fast as questing or solo grinding in this game? Most Chinese players I bump into in good grind spots are inviting me even though I clearly can't speak a word of their language, which makes me think so. I hope so, because it's a lot of fun.
my wife and i grouped from 1-12 warrior > templar and i was priest > cleric. Went by fairly quickly, my spirit master leveled a bit faster solo, but we took some time to fool around with crafting etc. on our other characters and spirit master is a god damn power house.
Went by fairly quickly, my spirit master leveled a bit faster solo, but we took some time to fool around with crafting etc. on our other characters and spirit master is a god damn power house.
Thanks for the input. I actually spent a little more time digging through the pile at Aionsource after posting. People disagree a bit but as a general rule it seems like group grinding/instancing>>>stacked duo grinding>solo quest~solo grind~non-stacked duo. The balance between the different modes is variable depending on level and zone and classes involved except that grouping for elites is always best. FWIW, fastest duo setups assassin/chanter and Sorc/SM, then various permutations on mdps/heal and rdps/rdps.
Honestly I'm just glad it's in the ballpark. The option to solo quest to cap that WoW introduced is great, but the solo questing>>>group thing that everyone's copied drives me nuts. Nobody ever wants to group and just go kill shit for a couple hours if it's a suboptimal way to level, so unless you have a static group you wind up solo 90% of your leveling time, which isn't social enough to keep me interested. What really jumped out at me with Aion is that the "flow" you get duoing actually feels much better than soloing, at least as a healer.
While we're at it, I'm also really tired of being *forced* to quest to level efficiently a la LOTRO or WAR or WoW after the XP revamp. It constrains you much more than if you at least had the option to grind whatever mobs you like. I'm hoping the quest xp revamp in Aion keeps grinding as an equal alternative.
While we're at it, I'm also really tired of being *forced* to quest to level efficiently a la LOTRO or WAR or WoW after the XP revamp. It constrains you much more than if you at least had the option to grind whatever mobs you like. I'm hoping the quest xp revamp in Aion keeps grinding as an equal alternative.
I couldn't agree more. The one thing Aion has really showed me is how much I dislike questing. Don't get me wrong, I like quests when there is some lore/reason behind what I am doing. But being the be-all, end-all of XP advancement isnt for me.
I find that if I have a quest to kill 10 boars, then I will go out and kill 10 boars. I won't stop and kill the chickens on the way becuase they are not important. Aion encourages killing EVERYTHING. I like finding a spot and just killing. (Kinda like old school Final Fantasies. Random encounters FTW!)
So this game is looking more and more tempting by the day. I think Il just pre-order on Amazon to play but whats this I read about ...a big ass download of injustice that could take days to download? Id love to know of that and get it down before preordering and not being able to play for god knows how long.
mastrius on
"You're like a kitten! A kitten who doesn't speak Japanese." ~ Juliet Starling
So this game is looking more and more tempting by the day. I think Il just pre-order on Amazon to play but whats this I read about ...a big ass download of injustice that could take days to download? Id love to know of that and get it down before preordering and not being able to play for god knows how long.
Just plugged in my beta code and downloaded it tonight. Took a a bit over an hour.
Unless there is additional patches/etc I won't see until the beta servers go up. "shrug"
It seems this is the great white hope at the moment. There a penny arcade guild going up?
If any new people want to group together in the upcoming beta weekend, I'll be starting a new cleric on the Asmodian side on Israphel. Name is still to be determined.
Ugh, I'd been avoiding this thread in order to avoid getting hyped over a new MMO that's two months out. Is there any point to trying to get in the beta at this point, or is that pretty full?
Also, has there been discussion on the collector's edition goodies? I'm a sucker for dropping 10 extra bucks to get a bigger box with in-game items. I'm an addict.
Ugh, I'd been avoiding this thread in order to avoid getting hyped over a new MMO that's two months out. Is there any point to trying to get in the beta at this point, or is that pretty full?
Also, has there been discussion on the collector's edition goodies? I'm a sucker for dropping 10 extra bucks to get a bigger box with in-game items. I'm an addict.
The main thing that comes with the collector's edition is in game wings that look cool and boost your flight. Also a statue and a soundtrack and other shit.
So I tried the chinese beta, didn't make it past level 3 before uninstalling, I just had no real desire to level a character on a beta filled with people I couldn't communicate with, but I was impressed how the game both looked and ran better on my computer than LOTRO.
So how awesome are Spiritmasters? This may convince me to slap down a preorder to try the beta this weekend with you guys. Though I still don't know if I'll actually buy it as I also want to play Champions in september.
Depends on your definition of success. I don't think it's likely to make any serious headway in the U.S market. 500k max but I'm really seeing 200k. It's just not.. casual friendly enough. I mean (and I say this as a current WoW player who likes WoW and will continue to raid in WoW when Aion launches and probably drop Aion whenever a new patch or expansion hits in WoW) WotLK is piss easy. And every patch makes it easier. This assures WoW the maximum success among casual gamers, who will look at the comparatively long fights, long downtime, and pvp-centric end game and completely blow this game off.
I think this game's niche is mostly going to be the stupid fuckers like me who enjoy WoW's EZ-mode but who also want to get back the sense of accomplishment for putting up with asinine bullshit like they used to get in EQ or FF11, because I feel Aion is a nice middle ground between WoW's player friendly focus and ff11's fuck you in the ass mentality. The other major demographic will be PvP tards. The kind of psychos who liked lineage 2, or corpse camped in STV on pvp servers at 60 back in vanilla, or who liked Shadowbane.
Really, really think WoW warlock. Pet, fear, DOTs, everything. Competitive for fastest soloist, no downtime. Endgame PVP, what they do changes because their pet and orb disappear in flight, which is about a 50% dmg reduction. Their DP skill makes a huge difference in power, more than any other class, but again you lose it without the pet and you need to kill mobs for several minutes to gain it. On the other hand they have a nasty debuff that pretty much knocks one person out of the air and they have a solid spot as a heavy control class.
NCSoft seems determined to balance them without fixing the flying pet issue. I'm not sure that's possible without making them too good on the ground or shredding the pet's dmg at endgame. The whole unresolved issue suggests there are major changes ahead for this class way more than any other and kind of turned me away from wanting to deal with leveling one.
They're still very good in groups. From what I can tell no class is an automatic group invite (or reject) except cleric and maybe chanter. Class balance is pretty good.
Posts
You can preorder from Amazon or Direct2Drive without putting anything down.
oh hey i guess that's pretty handy
thanks!
Ah, didn't know that. I guess I've been looking at really old guides.
So you're enjoying the game more than your initial post. Honestly, once I got the fuck out of newbie island hell, it became immensely more enjoyable, and even before then, just getting in a group and killing some fucking kobolds was great.
Also, how do you get DP skills? I've managed to fill mine all the way a few times, and all I really know is that it's used for special skills which I don't have.
You should get a quest from your class trainer in yer home city to go to the next quest area and then you'll get the first one as a reward.
LoL: failboattootoot
Ah, that's why I could never find it. I never bothered going back. Thanks.
Yeah. In fact now that I got a little grouping in and got a better sense for the nuances of combat, I like the way this plays a lot. In retrospect it probably wasn't a great idea to demo the Aion newbie area just a few days after a night of trying out the the V:SOH, RoM, and SWG starter areas.
Does anyone know for certain whether duo grinding two dot mobs is as fast as questing or solo grinding in this game? Most Chinese players I bump into in good grind spots are inviting me even though I clearly can't speak a word of their language, which makes me think so. I hope so, because it's a lot of fun.
I want to play it so bad.
Well, the link The Sneak posted last page explaining how to get a free Chinese trial (with English translation) really works. I'm living proof.
i think thats your voice
Additionally you should make your pre-order at least three days in advance of an open beta event so that your order can be processed and cleared through NC Soft and have your beta key mailed to you. So it is entirely possible to miss the event entirely if you do not pre-order before the event begins.
If you plan to get into the Beta, you would do well to download the NC Soft download client now and start downloading the 5 Gigs of data you'll need to install the game.
If you want the Collector's Edition of the game you'll have to go through Amazon most likely. GameStop has removed the CE from it's Website. I assume because they are completely sold out. You MIGHT find some in Fry's, but I wouldn't count on them. And Amazon has the same pre-order bonuses as GameStop plus an additional Amazon Exclusive item. Only problem is that Amazon is a mail order service, so there might be 3 days from the end of the Early Start event to the game arriving at your house.
And finally, I did careful research into the game before pre-ordering it to see if I would enjoy the game. I came to the conclusion through multiple YouTube gameplay videos and questioning people on the GameFAQs forum. While my own questions were in depth and direct, it boils down to this for people who are not me. Imagine the most beautiful Asian MMO you've played, including Lineage and FF11. Now strip away all the "Do your job this way with these people" BS that plagues those games. Fast and non-infuriating leveling with a plotline that guides you through the game. Realm vs Realm gameplay where there is an ACTUAL point to fighting the other guy, since if you don't your world and everything you love will be destroyed! Unparalelled customization that even WoW has not seen, since if you get an armor drop that looks like ass, you can change the look of it to a super-cool outfit and keep all the nice bonuses (unlike those pink or neon green tunics and beaver belts you get in WoW). Crafting systems that actually have a point to their use instead of just grinding Mats for the Auction House. Instance dungeons so you don't get rooked out of bosses by the inevitable Chinese gold farmers (a problem that is epidemic to Lineage). Multiple channels per server, a system used by Maple Story and universally beloved by it's players and prevents overcrowding. Efficient game engine that minimises slowdown from the 1000 players in the main cities. (Seriously, I got almost no slowdown on crowds in a BETA TEST). A combat system that is able to be surmounted and conquered by solo players, and excelled by teams alike (unlike any other big name Asian MMO). Combat that uses correct timing more than button mashing (or your chain skills will be used up and you'll have a harder time with the next fight). Of course, PvP is probably different, but I have not done that yet. And the game has seen three massive content upgrades in eight or so months. That's on a level comparable to Cryptic Studios' legendary upkeep of CoH/V game. So new content will come faster and sooner than the games you are use to.
All that together makes me think it's worth a trial run.
Oh, and also...
Since I have only gotten two players who have responded to this attempt to create a community during the Beta Test, it seems like it won't be happening. I would need more than just one person per server in order to actually make a Guild, let alone have it be worth it. If more people send me messages and there is an adequate number of people then i will be able to make a guild and provide people with the feeling of a community in order to counter act this feeling of loneliness that people are getting from the game so far.
You know why you feel lonely? Because you don't have Guild chat!
Either way, we need to start sorting the Elyos and Asmodian channels out for the actual launch.
Siel is Elyos
Israphel is Asmodian
There. Sorted. Now we won't have stragglers on other channels.
We shall fight in Hoth, we shall fight on the spaceports
and the orbital stations, we shall fight with growing confidence
and growing strength in the instances, we shall defend our Republic,
whatever the cost may be.
We shall Re-Spawn on the beaches, we shall camp the landing grounds,
we shall PvP Flag in the fields and in the streets, we shall gank in the hills;
we shall never uninstall."
--Winston Churchwalker
It absolutely does work - as long as you select "In-store pickup." It's not the website that charges you at that point - it'll be the store, when you pick it up. It explicitly says so.
EDIT: From my order confirmation on Gamestop.
As it's looking now though, I'm probably gonna get the game. I'm in full burn-out mode with WoW, and while I enjoy single-player games here and there, they usually don't hold my interest long term. So here's hoping we get a good PA guild going once retail opens!
Earlier I canceled my Amazon preorder and there was no charge. Beta code unused though.
Yep
my wife and i grouped from 1-12 warrior > templar and i was priest > cleric. Went by fairly quickly, my spirit master leveled a bit faster solo, but we took some time to fool around with crafting etc. on our other characters and spirit master is a god damn power house.
Thanks for the input. I actually spent a little more time digging through the pile at Aionsource after posting. People disagree a bit but as a general rule it seems like group grinding/instancing>>>stacked duo grinding>solo quest~solo grind~non-stacked duo. The balance between the different modes is variable depending on level and zone and classes involved except that grouping for elites is always best. FWIW, fastest duo setups assassin/chanter and Sorc/SM, then various permutations on mdps/heal and rdps/rdps.
Honestly I'm just glad it's in the ballpark. The option to solo quest to cap that WoW introduced is great, but the solo questing>>>group thing that everyone's copied drives me nuts. Nobody ever wants to group and just go kill shit for a couple hours if it's a suboptimal way to level, so unless you have a static group you wind up solo 90% of your leveling time, which isn't social enough to keep me interested. What really jumped out at me with Aion is that the "flow" you get duoing actually feels much better than soloing, at least as a healer.
While we're at it, I'm also really tired of being *forced* to quest to level efficiently a la LOTRO or WAR or WoW after the XP revamp. It constrains you much more than if you at least had the option to grind whatever mobs you like. I'm hoping the quest xp revamp in Aion keeps grinding as an equal alternative.
I couldn't agree more. The one thing Aion has really showed me is how much I dislike questing. Don't get me wrong, I like quests when there is some lore/reason behind what I am doing. But being the be-all, end-all of XP advancement isnt for me.
I find that if I have a quest to kill 10 boars, then I will go out and kill 10 boars. I won't stop and kill the chickens on the way becuase they are not important. Aion encourages killing EVERYTHING. I like finding a spot and just killing. (Kinda like old school Final Fantasies. Random encounters FTW!)
Just plugged in my beta code and downloaded it tonight. Took a a bit over an hour.
Unless there is additional patches/etc I won't see until the beta servers go up. "shrug"
It seems this is the great white hope at the moment. There a penny arcade guild going up?
I think I'm like 14 right now. Name's Myrkabah, Asmo on Israphel.
Also, has there been discussion on the collector's edition goodies? I'm a sucker for dropping 10 extra bucks to get a bigger box with in-game items. I'm an addict.
The main thing that comes with the collector's edition is in game wings that look cool and boost your flight. Also a statue and a soundtrack and other shit.
LoL: failboattootoot
I shouldn't of read this thread, now I'm debating pre-ordering to get into the US beta this weekend.
Hopefully it will do well. :P
So how awesome are Spiritmasters? This may convince me to slap down a preorder to try the beta this weekend with you guys. Though I still don't know if I'll actually buy it as I also want to play Champions in september.
Depends on your definition of success. I don't think it's likely to make any serious headway in the U.S market. 500k max but I'm really seeing 200k. It's just not.. casual friendly enough. I mean (and I say this as a current WoW player who likes WoW and will continue to raid in WoW when Aion launches and probably drop Aion whenever a new patch or expansion hits in WoW) WotLK is piss easy. And every patch makes it easier. This assures WoW the maximum success among casual gamers, who will look at the comparatively long fights, long downtime, and pvp-centric end game and completely blow this game off.
I think this game's niche is mostly going to be the stupid fuckers like me who enjoy WoW's EZ-mode but who also want to get back the sense of accomplishment for putting up with asinine bullshit like they used to get in EQ or FF11, because I feel Aion is a nice middle ground between WoW's player friendly focus and ff11's fuck you in the ass mentality. The other major demographic will be PvP tards. The kind of psychos who liked lineage 2, or corpse camped in STV on pvp servers at 60 back in vanilla, or who liked Shadowbane.
LoL: failboattootoot
It is my secret passion.
Really, really think WoW warlock. Pet, fear, DOTs, everything. Competitive for fastest soloist, no downtime. Endgame PVP, what they do changes because their pet and orb disappear in flight, which is about a 50% dmg reduction. Their DP skill makes a huge difference in power, more than any other class, but again you lose it without the pet and you need to kill mobs for several minutes to gain it. On the other hand they have a nasty debuff that pretty much knocks one person out of the air and they have a solid spot as a heavy control class.
NCSoft seems determined to balance them without fixing the flying pet issue. I'm not sure that's possible without making them too good on the ground or shredding the pet's dmg at endgame. The whole unresolved issue suggests there are major changes ahead for this class way more than any other and kind of turned me away from wanting to deal with leveling one.
They're still very good in groups. From what I can tell no class is an automatic group invite (or reject) except cleric and maybe chanter. Class balance is pretty good.