Sanity Tips

[Vilidius]

Here is a lengthy positive review and sanity guide. A couple of quick notes. First, I am not at all a veteran of looter extractor PvP games though I've always been intrigued by them. And second, my goal in writing this guide isn't to tell anyone how to "get good" - it's to help you preserve your sanity while you improve.

Bear in mind, this genre of game is definitely for some players and definitely not for others. You need a high tolerance for risk and frustration. You need to know in advance you WILL lose progression in some forms. Mainly, I'm here to help players avoid rage-quitting if they find they do like this game but consider it too unforgiving. I'm not out to convince anyone who doesn't like it at all that they should. And for what it's worth, I think that divides people clamoring for PvE down the middle - some just don't like this game and need to accept that and leave. Others are struggling to figure out how to progress in a satisfying way while they learn. And truthfully it is there, just not in obvious ways.

Now, here's the sanity.

First, the advantage of better gear isn't as huge as it seems. Which means two important things to remember at all times. When someone wrecks you it isn't mainly because they're twinked out and you're not - it's because they're better at the game. You can get there too. But second, it also means that progression really is NOT about getting all purple gear or anything silly like that. You can lose that in an instant. Progression is about development in other ways, including just baseline skill.

Second, the real advancement in the game isn't about gear (which you can lose in an instant) but about other things. You want to develop your NPCs (done through quests and working with them), you want to advance your mainline quest, you want to unlock your lodge and increase your crafting options, and you want to gain XP and level up your characters - none of which can be taken from you. Of course you need materials to do some of that and that means extracting successfully...except maybe not.

Third, your soul pouch is your friend! If you learn nothing else learn this. Your soul pouch is your friend! This is the special pack where even if you die (and you'll die often) you get to keep what's in it. Now, your starting soul pouch only has two spots in it and that's not much. Unless you find something special to put in it, I recommend stacks of gold to start. Gold can get you other stuff. Also, there are green soul pouches with SIX spots that are usable for specific stuff - mining, food, wood, etc. Gaining those special pouches (including crafting them) is a high priority because leveling up your soul pouches is another form of progression you can't lose. Kinda obvious right, but if you can't lose what's in the pouch you also can't lose the pouch itself.

Fourth, once you absorb the information above, you'll realize the best way to get stuff is sometimes a "naked run." Use starting garbage, possibly don't even bring potions and bandages, and just get a few things. It's cost free to do that. People who are asking for low-risk PvE options aren't seeing that's already there. Just put a few things in your soul pouch, die if that's what happens, and repeat. If you choose your goals carefully (and before long start using the better pouches) you can get very far that way.

Fifth, definitely have goals that distinguish a "naked run" (or close to it) from a "real run." Risking your best gear and progress to that point in time is something we'll all do (because otherwise what's it for?) but you don't need to put everything you've earned on your back at all times. There's nothing at all wrong with naked runs, and in fact they can even be something you do when you may not even be able to finish a game you need to leave on zero notice. Anyone else got kids? This doesn't seem like the kind of game you could normally play like that, but if you have zero investment in the run and a soul pouch to fill...you're still ahead every time.

Finally, here's perhaps the most important advice. Decide when you're done, and when you're done just boot it to the extract point. I hear a lot of people complaining about the points being camped and being ganked. You want the truth? That has NEVER happened to me. I've gotten greedy, sure, and tried to loot one more thing before I left. And of course that's when I get attacked. But it was totally avoidable if I just KEPT RUNNING. To prove concept, I wrote almost this entire review while in game, standing still in foliage. I came back, had five minutes left, picked up just a few things and ran like hell and made it out. It was a naked run, of course, but a successful one.

As noted, you'll be frustrated. You'll lose (some) progress. You'll want to quit. For some players, games like this lure them back because the challenge is worth the frustration. If that's not you, that's okay. If it is, I'll see you in game.

UPDATE BASED ON ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE (BASE MAINLY ON SOLO PLAY)

Here are some further tips for players who are still struggling, based on some frustrated posts I've seen that seem sincere. And again, I'm not trying to convince anyone who doesn't like this game that they should. I'm trying to help people who want to like this game and just feel it isn't rewarding them.

First, do NOT think of this as a 30 minute game. I think when you're on a 30 minute timer it can set your expectations. Sometimes a great run is five minutes or less. Get in, get out. You can always empty your bag and get right back in within a few minutes.

Second, do NOT be afraid to just run away from PvP. Just because someone attacks you doesn't mean you have to turn and engage. PvP is inherently risky even when you're good. When you're not - yeah, you may just be getting ganked. When running, whether with someone chasing you or not, the best thing you can do is skirt close to mobs and start pissing them off. Then if someone stops you and tries to fight with you, there's a mess for everyone. It's a great discouragement to see someone trailing several wolves and a skeleton. You really want to fight in the middle of that?

Third, go into every run knowing what you want to achieve. It's fine to change your mind (I do that all the time) but have clear goals. That will also affect your choice of soul pouch once you have a choice. Maybe you're just trying to complete a quest and kill wolves. Maybe you need rarer wood and you're hunting for trees. If you know what you're trying to do, you can have a successful run even when someone comes and ganks you for no reason. If it bothers you that somewhere there's a player feeling like they "got you" then this game is going to piss you off. If you just accept that as part of the challenge, it's entirely possible you got what you wanted out of your eight minute run and so did they. It's a short game. Go again.

Among those goals, btw, it's completely reasonable (and even vital) to just concentrate on learning a few locations on the map, practicing how to fight particular mobs, mastering your skills, etc. I'm not trying to be an elitist here, but some level of "get good" is reasonable advice. Players who want a sense of achievement without actually wanting to master the game (at least to some degree) will always be frustrated because others will master the game and then in a multi-player and PvP environment there's no denying you'll lose out. So always put "figure out how the hell to fight that thing" or "find where the good loot is" on your list of goals.

Fourth, once you are booting for the exit seriously don't stop for anything. It's so tempting to imagine you need to fight everything, loot everything, or even just go around everything. Go through it! Nothing runs faster than you do so at worst you're going to be trailing mobs to the extract, which as I've noted is actually a bonus to discourage anyone from jumping you. Get there and if you need to just dodge a bit until you extract. If you're used to MMOs and worry about aggro just reset your expectations. It's not the issue you think it is.

Fifth (this tip should be higher) turn the volume on voice chat down to zero unless for some insane reason you want to hear other players you aren't grouped with. You'll be far happier. There will always be some incel who lives for gloating in a game like this because it's literally all he has in life. PvP is absolutely part of the challenge. But no one needs to hear that loser who thinks it proves something that he killed you on a naked run when you're out hunting for frogs. Or even that he killed you while you're trying to kill him. It's much better to imagine every PvPer just accepts the risk and challenge for what it is, rather than a test of self-worth.

Finally, please remember that gear is the most transitory form of progression there is. It WILL be lost. Progressing in other ways is mainly about guaranteeing it's relatively easy to get to at least green gear whenever you want to - it's not about getting the best gear in slot and then ensuring you never lose it. It'll never, ever be that - even for the best players.

Again, hope that helps.

[AsmodeusX1432]

Cultivating NPCs and developing your own residence is truly important, this is the key to growth/development

[Power Sword]

Originally posted by AsmodeusX1432:

Cultivating NPCs and developing your own residence is truly important, this is the key to growth/development

Was this google translated from Chinese?

[Highx]

All this is great and true information. I share the same views as you. I appreciate the words. I kinda believe just going in with heals makes the AI seem easier. When ever i bring in a backpack i get wrecked by everything or found by a rogue. I come in with just bandages on my priest, i hardly see another soul and AI feels easier. I'm prolly crazy but this is whats been happening to me.

[Thiefy]

Originally posted by Highx:

All this is great and true information. I share the same views as you. I appreciate the words. I kinda believe just going in with heals makes the AI seem easier. When ever i bring in a backpack i get wrecked by everything or found by a rogue. I come in with just bandages on my priest, i hardly see another soul and AI feels easier. I'm prolly crazy but this is whats been happening to me.

I have the same mindset as you playing priest haha. I had a 8 min skirmish with a rogue and ended depleted everything from my kit to stay alive, rogue ended up giving up due to using all items too probably but as I made my way to extraction, I was absolutely demolished by a dmg bug warrior. Ah the joy of being a priest lol.

[76561197979566298]

Originally posted by Thiefy:

Originally posted by Highx:

All this is great and true information. I share the same views as you. I appreciate the words. I kinda believe just going in with heals makes the AI seem easier. When ever i bring in a backpack i get wrecked by everything or found by a rogue. I come in with just bandages on my priest, i hardly see another soul and AI feels easier. I'm prolly crazy but this is whats been happening to me.

I have the same mindset as you playing priest haha. I had a 8 min skirmish with a rogue and ended depleted everything from my kit to stay alive, rogue ended up giving up due to using all items too probably but as I made my way to extraction, I was absolutely demolished by a dmg bug warrior. Ah the joy of being a priest lol.

Dmg bug is being addressed in a new patch that just dropped.

[Vilidius]

Updated main post based on additional experience. Hope it's helping people, as it seems to be.

[Kwazadi]

Nice info man, thanks for sharing. It would be great if there was a more clear info from the Devs maybe, on the games goal and mechanics. If the gear is not that important, that should be clearer, because that is what people will complain. Gear and loot is what players are used to have as progress, and losing it, is a big headache. But if you can still bring your earned XP to progress your home and shopkeepers, that's a good thing to know.

[Vilidius]

Originally posted by Kwazadi:

Nice info man, thanks for sharing. It would be great if there was a more clear info from the Devs maybe, on the games goal and mechanics. If the gear is not that important, that should be clearer, because that is what people will complain. Gear and loot is what players are used to have as progress, and losing it, is a big headache. But if you can still bring your earned XP to progress your home and shopkeepers, that's a good thing to know.

I agree the game could use much better direction in those terms. I also see why it's lacking. If you understand what an extraction PvP game even is, some of this is obvious. But the stated intention of the game is to appeal to another audience also (more the MMO crowd) and for them the orientation is vital.

That said, it's early access. Tutorials etc. are often the last added content.

[Papusote]

This needs to be pinned.

[Tagliente]

Originally posted by Papusote:

This needs to be pinned.

+++

[Klaus]

Originally posted by Vilidius:

wall of truth

Very good read, thanks for this, sent an award your way ;o