Coinneach, I know what you are saying, and to a certain degree I agree with you, but I was standing beside one of your guys who got respawned at the Kami in Pyr last night (and this was an excellent fighter) He wasn't a bit impressed, he got killed by some "no XP giving" beastie.
Regarding what you say about the increased difficulty, I could solo two Mean Kiozars (one after the other) and have about 100 HP left over. Now, One Mean Kiozar can kill me in about 3 hits. That is
some increased difficulty level. I have good armour and weapons, newcomers are going to find it tough going.
I can go kill Vig Kiozars (500 xp) and Str. Kiozars (800 xp), but I'll have to stop and sit down every few minutes to replenish HP, not Stamina, I have 1000 STM, I only get to use about 200 (max) in a fight, all the points I have left in STM, I could have used more constructivley in other ways, I have about 11 levels of Balance Training (to replenish stamina quickly) they are also wasted and could have been used more constructively.
You use Mage as an example, The Mage spells are more powerful now (I'm led to believe), so Soloing is a viable option, but I traded all my Mage Levels for Heal so I could be Healer and Figher in the Guild, Now the fights are over so quickly ( and 'cos Heal animations are so long), even my Heal levels are wasted.
I like to think of a game like this as a progressive thing. When I arrived in Pyr, I was shocked at how tough the beasties were, I got as far as South Stables after awhile (I remember an excellent night there with Ginzo [UKM's], killing Caps for teeth so he could make me new armour
). Then I got as far as Fourways with The Samsara Guild, I saw my first Strong Kipee ("WTF is that!" I shouted in awe). I then got as far as Barkgully, confident in the knowledge I could take on most beasties there, got past the Cloppers, Mean Kipees and Mean Kiozars to eventually get to Dyron and have some excellent nights there and in the Roots. As I said, continual progression, Now I'm stuck in Fourways again working off DP.
I'm not sure if I'll stay and I'm saddend by that, I have made some excellent friends here, (even you, ya big kilt wearin' Jessie
) and hopefully I'll stay on (If I don't who are you going to dance with
). But currently, I'm looking at returning to SWG (and pissing of the UKM's over there
), Neocron looks interesting or maybe Anarchy, but it is a very hard decision for me to make as I love(d) this game, the environment and the people. Here's hoping