Aion: Tower of Eternity

[Khunlin]

Okay, (relatively) quick class summary for those fretting over what to pick. There are four base classes. Warrior, Scout, Mage, andPriest (Shocking!) At level 9, they pick one of two specializations. The specializations are basically variants on the general theme of the base class, and they share some skills, but they're slightly different playstyles.

Warriors can be Templars or Gladiators
-Temps are tanks. They can do some big damage, but while Glads pick up spiffy combo skills, Temps pick up a few more defensive buffs and taunts (for making sure monsters attack you). Useful later in game (starting about lvl 18), but a Glad would probably suffice for us until then.
-Glads are basically GW Warriors. They have some defensive skills and lots of really cool attack chains with awesome animations. I enjoyed playing mine, and they're good enough at tanking for the low-mid levels.

Scouts:
Haven't played either spec, so I can't say

Mage:
-Spiritmasters are probably the strongest solo PvE class, fastest levelers... relatively fun to play alone. They can be pretty strong in a party, too, thanks to the big damage skills they can use. They're kind of like a GW Beastmaster, but more effective
-Sorcerors are massive damage dealers /w snares... kind of a mix of Fire and Water eles. Haven't played one, but they're strong in parties.

Priest:
-Chanters are kind of like smiters--they have some melee attack skills (with epic animations), offensive party buffs, and enough healing to keep a party alive in the lower level areas without any trouble.
-Clerics are pretty completely defensive. They have some damage skills and melee attacks that they share with Chanters, but they have much stronger defensive buffs and heals. They're basically Healing monks when you get to level 18ish, but can fool around with damage before that.

I'm down for running a Priest--I haven't had the chance to try it in a party, yet. However, if someone else really wants to run a Cleric/Chanter (I don't think you'd be missing much), I may try a Scout. Or something.

[Jupiter]

I've been poking around this morning and I think I'd prefer Ranger, Sorc or Spiritmaster, probably in that order. I'd like to try out the Monkish stuff but not at first so that may not happen at all.

[mura]

I think I'll probably end up going for sorcerer. But that's just me.

[Triia]

Hmm...

I think I'd want to play a Chanter, Spiritmaster/Sorcerer, or Gladiator. I don't feel too tied down to what I play, since I've had a chance to try a few classes. Honestly, I think as long as we have one person who can do buffs/healing, we can all pretty much run whatever we want, so don't get too tied up in doling out the classes.

Jupiter, just so you're aware, the Scout starts out as a melee class and you'll receive a bow when you ascend (lvl 10). I hope that doesn't discourage you, though. I still had fun playing mine. It just got tiresome for me later (after she was a ranger... was very slow when alone), but I think it would be much more fun to play in a group.

[Jupiter]

Rats.
How long do you guys estimate it will take us to get to 10 (especially if Kaiser and I join in the fray later)?
And will we have some real melee?

[Khunlin]

I got from 0-20 in 3 days, but that was HARDCORE (srsly). If HLR plays really hard, we might be able to make it to the third continent (18ish) by the end, but it's unlikely.

I think Triia and I managed to get characters from 0-10 in one evening, although it was a relatively long session and we were skipping quest dialogue. However, the quest rewards were also bugged, so we had to grind out the last level and a half... might've made up for it. So yeah, I'd imagine 0-10 would be 2 of our weeknights, 1 if we're hardcore about it.

Also, the text on the beta announcement page seems strongly implies that a key will be needed for this "open" event. FilePlanet had some to give away, but the $5 preorder may be your only option.

[mura]

Sept 3, 2009 22:04:28 GMT -5 Khunlin said:

Also, the text on the beta announcement page seems strongly implies that a key will be needed for this "open" event. FilePlanet had some to give away, but the $5 preorder may be your only option.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure that is the case. Unfortunately I'm currently broke from having to get a repair on my oxygen sensor and my A/C in my Civic. So if that's required---sorry guys.

[Khunlin]

D:! And all of the sites are out of open keys?
Go find some public telephones to shake change out of! This is important!

Relatedly...

Because I'm bored while Portal is downloading on Steam To get you guys into the Aion mood and taunt those who can't come... here are some screenies of mine from the last closed beta.

Most of the beta consisted of me dragging Triia around to all sorts of places while she stood and scowled at me, disapprovingly.

However, I think even she enjoyed herself a little after stumbling upon The Verteron Gate Jump. What is the Verteron Gate Jump, you ask? It's really quite simple. You climb up really high... take a deep breath... and go for it. Ideally, you'll spread your wings at the last second, right before your juicy giblets are splattered all over the cobblestone, and soar majestically out of the front gate to the awe and admiration of the mortals below. Unfortunately, I never got any shots of this part because I was too worked up trying not to die


However, once Triia left, it got kinda boring. Tried leveling up my Spiritmaster, but the lame-assed PvPvE made that impossible... so I went a-sploring! (Notice my position on the map... or rather off it top-left corner).

I managed to, with clever manipulation of the flight mechanics, sneak behind the map and trek around (literally) uncharted lands.

At first, I thought I was being clever, by jumping so that I could get through the really deep water without drowning... but eventually I realized that the water wasn't dangerous on this side of the world. No matter what you do.

Amusingly, your character does the "Ooooo... I'm standing in a puddle and playing in water!" animations when completely submerged... even when it gets really, really deep.

[mura]

Sept 5, 2009 20:27:48 GMT -5 Khunlin said:

D:! And all of the sites are out of open keys?
Go find some public telephones to shake change out of! This is important

Fileplanet required you being a member, and I'm not...so couldn't exactly get a key. /hmm ...and public telephones? XD Not around here.

[Kaiser]

So, is it worth rushing home to have more play time if I have no intention of purchasing 2 preorder boxes?

[Khunlin]

I guess not, but what's $5? That's one matinee movie admission. Or a whole week of Aion.

[Triia]

Sept 7, 2009 19:45:42 GMT -5 Kaiser said:

So, is it worth rushing home to have more play time if I have no intention of purchasing 2 preorder boxes?

Well, seeing how you have to have the preorders to play in the beta, I... uh... I guess not? I'll warn you now though, I can sense a deep agitation that seems to come from somewhere in the vicinity of Arizona. Khunlin may have a meltdown of epic proportions, if denied the chance to flutter along in such a pretty, glowy place without a full complement of HLRians along to admire him.

Seriously, though, I won't tell you to rush home, but I have to say, paying for the preorder has been very worth it for me and I'd really miss getting a chance to play this with you two.

[Logo]

Kaiser, I just got word that President Obama has mandated that you join him in Aion. He has also mandated me to cry if you don't.

[Triia]

Sept 7, 2009 22:39:49 GMT -5 Logo said:

Kaiser, I just got word that President Obama has mandated that you join him in Aion. He has also mandated me to cry if you don't.

Kaiser, he's not kidding. It's true.

[Kaiser]

Hmm...strangely that makes me want to play even less.

And you're forgetting that it isn't just me. Unless there is some way to get 2 open beta keys for only one pre-order. If that was so, then why don't you guys just let us use your second?

Oh, hey look at that...I have a FilePlanet account. Hooray for free keys...!