Character Threats

[ckirmser]

Ya know how, when you're taking on an NPC, you get that display showing its health and what not?

For regular targets, it's just a simple grey border, but for some, it's red, maybe with teeth. Heck, there's one guy in the Fields of the Dead that's red, has teeth, horns and an evil grill - man, I cannot beat that guy.

My question is, is there a guide to what the various graphics on these displays mean? I've come across some where I'm like twice their level, but they still eat my lunch - like in the Black Castle.

So, is there anything that describes what the different displays mean?

[HaremBunny]

From memory:
Smooth: normal mob
1 set of small teeth: normal mini-boss
2 sets of small teeth: normal boss
2 Horns: EPIC mob
3 horns: EPIC BOSS

This last categorie you MAYBE can take down solo when you are a minimum of 20 leve;s higher. Depend on class too

[Jaedelyia]

Ya know how, when you're taking on an NPC, you get that display showing its health and what not?

For regular targets, it's just a simple grey border, but for some, it's red, maybe with teeth. Heck, there's one guy in the Fields of the Dead that's red, has teeth, horns and an evil grill - man, I cannot beat that guy.

My question is, is there a guide to what the various graphics on these displays mean? I've come across some where I'm like twice their level, but they still eat my lunch - like in the Black Castle.

So, is there anything that describes what the different displays mean?

Yeah, it basically it's meant to tell you if it's group mob or a regular mob. Small teeth just indicate that it's boss but can be done solo. Horn, Horn + grid and so on means it's meant to be killed with a small group. If you want to do it solo, you will have to have a WAY higher level than him, as HaremBunny says.

[ckirmser]

20 levels higher?

Oy!

I guess, then, it's more than just a nice magic sword or armor.

[xCodename]

Those mob types can be pretty confusing for new players, I took some screenshots of their healthbars:

Normal-Mode Enemies:
(can be solo killed)

Normal Enemies: http://abload.de/img/enemynormalrmut5.png

Normal Minions: http://abload.de/img/minionnormaltouut.png

Normal Bosses: http://abload.de/img/bossnormalreulh.png



Epic-Mode Enemies:
(Normally for Groups of players but can be solo killed, if you character is much higher than them)

Epic Enemies: http://abload.de/img/enemyepic3iuf3.png

Epic Minions: http://abload.de/img/minionepicrkudk.png

Epic Bosses: http://abload.de/img/bossepicsaujd.png



Raid-Mode Enemies:
(can be killed with a group but will mostly happen with raids)

Raid Enemies: http://abload.de/img/enemyraid3tuhq.png

Raid Minions: http://abload.de/img/minionraidgzup9.png

Raid Bosses: http://abload.de/img/bossraidvkucl.png


(ALL Minion types can be instant killed by abilities!)


Maybe that makes everything a bit clear ^^

[ckirmser]

Good images.

What defines 'epic?' I mean, besides really bad dude.

Is it just an arbitrary setting that has arbitrary bonuses, or does it mean the character is armed and armored in a particular way?

I think I'm trying to apply D&D ideas that really don't apply.

[xCodename]

Good images.

What defines 'epic?' I mean, besides really bad dude.

Is it just an arbitrary setting that has arbitrary bonuses, or does it mean the character is armed and armored in a particular way?

I think I'm trying to apply D&D ideas that really don't apply.

Well, once you enter a playfield there will be mostly coming up a message which lets you choose between "normal" or "epic". These two options are for the instance you choose, the "normal" one is for players that want to play solo, that means the enemies there have "normal" statistics (for example a Vanir in FotD hits a player on normal for like 40 - 55 damage).

The "epic" instance is just the same but with stronger enemies (if you attack the same Vanir as I said before he will now damage you for maybe 100 or 200), playfields in epic mode are supposed to be done by a group of players (maybe 3 or more). You will need a tank (they got the strongest armor and can take more hits by this stronger enemy but they will need a healer because the fight will take longer also a damage dealer may be needed to be faster at killing them)

There are also some enemies on a "normal" playfield that still have the statistics of an "epic" enemy, those are mostly mobs for group quests (they are marked in you journal with 3 heads behind the title of it).

In dungeons you will mostly find "epic" enemies, some are solo dungeons and won't contain (with some exclusions, for example the last boss on "The Isle of the Iron Statues", but it can still be killed by a single player) this stronger type of enemies, only the normal enemies.

In Raid-dungeons you will find the raid enemies, these are the strongest ones (hence the 24 players in a raid).


Its like the Mobs just get a Health boost and a damage multiplier with each higher "tier".


EDIT:
I forgot to say: Fighting against these stronger enemies will also give you better rewards! Bosses on playfields that are set to "epic" will always drop a "blue" (Well, its called rare but the font is blue ^^) items, the first boss in FotD for example will nealry always drop a "green" item only very rare a "blue" one, in epic mode playfields these bosses will always drop a "blue" item but you will need a group to kill them.
The raid bosses will drop the "epic" (purple font) weapons.

[Belatsunat]

20 levels higher?

Oy!

I guess, then, it's more than just a nice magic sword or armor.

More like 25 levels.

I just did the 'challenge' version of the armsman tavern quest yesterday solo on a lvl 80 demo for the achievement. Until the lvl 54 elite boss they basically could not scratch me. Starting with the lvl 56 one, though, their hits started to hurt a lot, and actual tactics were required.

[ckirmser]

Yeah, I tried White Sands in epic mode and a cakewalk turned into a murderous gauntlet. I mean, how can any solo player take that sort of thing on without being ungodly more powerful than the normal version of the epic characters?

It does seem that these sorts of games are wildly tilted in favor of group play, but I like playing solo with, perhaps, a smattering of off the cuff, spur of the moment teaming.

As a result, epic areas are waaaay off limits for me.

[Chaman-bourru]

I mean, how can any solo player take that sort of thing on without being ungodly more powerful than the normal version of the epic characters?

It's kind of the point, to have quests that you can do with a friend or two without one shotting every mob that crosses your path