I've fallen and I can't get up!

[ark014]

Are there websites, and parts of this forum, which give in depth details on Ryzom combat/magic strategies -- on both the individual level and the group level? This would involve skill sets, weapons, attacks to use, and even where group members should position themselves during combat situations?

I have found out the hard way that solo hunting, or hunting in a group of two, is very difficult -- unless there is nothing but belligerent vegetables in the area (no hostile animal predators that can aggro on you). Such places do exist here and there.

I have already learned a few things -- 1) Range weapons seem very weak compared to melee weapons. 2) Its better to be very strong in one type of melee combat than be average level in many types of melee combat. 3) If a mob of several creatures is being attacked, some of them are likely to go after the healers even if healers are not on the "front line". 4) Running away from a stronger enemy is very very difficult unless you are using the "Speeding Up Power". 5) Its best to have both melee and defense magic skills as a bare minimum -- if you can heal and rez even at low level you are more valuable to your group. 6) If you have melee and magic skills you should bring along both light armor (to wear while casting) and medium or heavy armor (to wear while fighting). 7) Riding a mektoub not only increases speed it seems to reduce the chance of creatures and NPCs aggroing against you. 8) No terrain feature seems to reduce risk of aggro, i.e. line of sight and obstructions don't seem to matter, just distance. 9) Learn how to make better actions using stanzas -- it's a vital skill. 10) When training choose the "teardrop" (stat) and "half-teardrop" (stat regen) first -- except not the blue focus ones which seem worthless. Also be sure and get plenty of the stanzas to use in constructing better actions.

Thanks,
Amphiaraus

[setstyle]

For reading, I'd suggest heading over to http://ryzom.twazz.net and registering an account, the information on there is great.

Since I'm in a typing mood, I'll address your observations too.

1) There are threads upon threads about ranged combat, but it is definitely a specialty branch, and is extremely difficult, compared to melee, to level, especially early on. The constant ammo requirement also demands you to level foraging/crafting simultaneously, unless you've an ammo supplier devoted enough to you to craft it all. In no way, though, would I call range fight "weak." Remember that when you see launcher missiles pounding your entire group.

2) ...is true, you'll get all the HP upgrades, skills, etc. quicker, always easier to have a high skill and go back to another one in that tree later, rather than trying to level them all at once.

3) An important part of being the tank is keeping the mobs trained onto you, as they'll lose interest in just one target, the effect of which like you said is multiplied with more mobs with which to deal during a fight. Now that dagger speed has been fixed, it seems more apparent now that a mob will more likely attack whoever is hitting the fastest, which includes rapid healers.

4) This really depends, for one on the mob since some like armas and bawaabs are easily outran at normal speeds, and for another on how un/lucky you are. I can't use speeding up to outrun anything, as it has the opposite effect of freezing up my aging computer so that after the "Please Wait..." disappears, I'm usually dead on the ground.

5) I think there's another thread going on right now about healing, and this is a very strong point.

6) Something I've seen a lot more of nowadays is mix-and-match armor sets, maybe with 3 LA/2 MA pieces for casting, and to switch out those 3 LA for 3 HA pieces for fighting. This cuts down on bulk while still keeping to the two respective roles, it all depends on personal preference and experience though.

7) I'm not sure if it decreases the chance of aggro'ing, but you'll usually just outrun them too soon to tell anyway. (I don't ride my mount much so can't say from experience.)

8) True, but I remember reading in another thread some time ago that aggro don't just see you, but would probably be hearing and smelling you from around that tree as well. Interesting point, but I'd still love some stealth skills.

9) Correct!

10) Important... and focus upgrades depend on the individual, since everyone has pretty unique foraging stanzas, techniques, and equipment. I think I'm still a ways away from maxing mine out.

Out of my typing mood.

[moyaku]

Only thing I gotta say about what you wrote is that focus stats isn't useless at all...
Foraging skills leveling is nothing but a race toward focus stat improvement. Even as a master forager I still feel like it would be good to get a bit more (maybe I ll do these rites which supposedly gets you more focus one day).

[vguerin]

Originally Posted by setstyle

For reading, I'd suggest heading over to http://ryzom.twazz.net and registering an account, the information on there is great.

Thanks for the reference man... our host (Panelhosting.com) has been dead for almost two weeks now, so the website is MIA. I am not sure if they went bankrupt or what, so not sure what to do about the site ATM.

[riveit]

Originally Posted by ark014

3) If a mob of several creatures is being attacked, some of them are likely to go after the healers even if healers are not on the "front line".

Part of being a good tank is shifting one's attention, taunting, using circular attack, etc. to keep multiple mobs fixed on you.

Originally Posted by ark014

7) Riding a mektoub not only increases speed it seems to reduce the chance of creatures and NPCs aggroing against you.

I think that effect is just because you are within their zone of attention for a much shorter time.

Originally Posted by ark014

-- except not the blue focus ones which seem worthless.

Every dedicated digger wants more focus to build better and faster digging stanzas.

[jennaelf]

Originally Posted by moyaku

Only thing I gotta say about what you wrote is that focus stats isn't useless at all...

Absolutely right!

Wearing my max quality focus suit, with a full set of focus jewels, and having completed one Focus boosting rite... I can consistently run out of focus before my most simple digging action is done, and my highest digging level is currently 170 Forest.

If you are going to be a serious harvester, Focus is TOP priority, in my maybe-not-quite-humble opinion. Having enough focus to finish a dig increases your overall material output.

However, I will acknowledge that there are MUCH more experienced diggers out there who may have their own little tips and tricks on how to conserve it and operate on lower amounts of focus. *grins*

[nillian]

Originally Posted by jennaelf

However, I will acknowledge that there are MUCH more experienced diggers out there who may have their own little tips and tricks on how to conserve it and operate on lower amounts of focus. *grins*

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to discuss some of these tips/tricks

[iphdrunk]

Originally Posted by jennaelf

If you are going to be a serious harvester, Focus is TOP priority, in my maybe-not-quite-humble opinion. Having enough focus to finish a dig increases your overall material output.

Just let me add that even in *crafting* it can become a must. One (myself included) does not consider this until you have raised a branch and you want a set overcrafting the other branches, and you are, of course, crafting with bonuses enabled. Or lately, after the addition of armillo boosted items, you need to craft hundreds of items to get a boosted set. At that time, focus is always welcome (I even use up flowers then).

Look around the stables.... if you see a crafter that regularly sits down, guess what's he/she is doing


PS: True, this only applies in given circumstances .

[ark014]

To clarify, in my original message "blue focus ones which seem worthless" meant worthless in combat. I understand Focus helps sustain intensive crafting and harvest activities. At first I thought higher Focus would help me create better crafted items but that does not appear to be the case.

Thanks,
Amphiaraus