New to server observation/question

[Ming]

So I've been playing on Blackstone for a little over a week now. I know not a ton of time, but I've made it to lvl 30 on my primary character so far. Now I am starting to struggle quite a bit as a solo player at this point. The servers beamdog forum post/advertisement states its solo friendly, and that seemed true at first. But now as I start facing things like Hell Giants with a +68 AB. I am wondering if I am missing something here, or what? For reference I am currently playing the typical druid/monk/shifter variant, with an ac of 56 in Risen Lord form, with a though I can achieve up to 70 in the other less damage resistant forms.

[Cornflower]

My two cents:

I've been playing a bit longer, but on the other hand I really suck at powergaming and character-building. I've never even heard of a "typical druid/monk/shifter" variant with AC at 56. I play a fighter level 29 with AC at 48 (or something).

My own conclusion is that this server is only solo-friendly in case you play a fighter or some kind of power-gaming combo. I've tried pure sorcerer but gave up after lvl 6... I've tried pure monk but gave up after lvl 11... I tried an archer (rogue/ranger) but gave up after lvl 11...

Now, there are many players here that have awesome character building skills, that can manage their creations, but for a more casual player, I agree this is definitely not a solo friendly server unless you play a fighter of sorts wielding a melee weapon. Monks and archers are seriously under-powered compared to melee weapon-wielders.

But, if you know what you're doing, I think it's a bit easier. If you can join a party, it's definitely easier. After you found out all sorts of "secret things" (secret as in: not documented, you have to learn it in game from someone who's found out the hard way), it gets even easier. Examples without spoilers: The awesome stuff you can buy in XXX. The hidden spider-cave in XXX. The even more awesome stuff you can buy from XXX if you only activate the secret guardian so you get the key. The awesome weapon-drop at XXX. You get my drift.

Now, that being said, it's an awesome server to play around in. You just have to be patient. This is a server that rewards communication in-game and perseverance. It's really well thought-out and extremely well-built (I've built two PW:s, so take my word for it). It's hard, and for me it's useless playing something other than a fighter, but I love it.

[Ming]

Yes perhaps more time is needed, and I may need to explore the crafting system a bit more. My build is a kind of powergaming build, however one of the flaws is that all 3 classes are medium bab, so my attack rolls kinda stink. Shifted forms special powers make up for alot of this. I guess I need to learn where to find items with more then 10 slash resist, and also need to find magical damage resistance, and negative energy resistance as I seem to be running into that alot now in the places I attempted to go to.

I have experimented with all the forge stones I found, so I have learned a bit there. I guess Im just a bit offput by having a decent challenge, to hitting a brick wall. I could grind to 40 on raiders or on Ithilids, but that doesnt seem very fun.

[Cornflower]

There are probably more qualified players than I who can answer this, but:
Better than 10 slash: If you find anything, let me know where... Although, you can use the sockets for that, stack three runes on the same armor. But then that's all you get.
Magical resistance: There's a ring you can buy somewhere.

[Gimili]

I've been on this server for several months.

Soloing on this server was never meant to be the case, this server towards end-game requires groups and teams. In terms of Fire Giants I can personally solo them very easily.

But thats because I am fully forged and strong builds. I have a Risen Lord build Druid/DD/Shifter, it can easily hold its own solo as it is after all a walking tank.

If you're looking for tips, help, or a new friend just find me in game or Warlock and we'd be happy to put you on the right path.

[Garek]

So I've been playing on Blackstone for a little over a week now. I know not a ton of time, but I've made it to lvl 30 on my primary character so far. Now I am starting to struggle quite a bit as a solo player at this point. The servers beamdog forum post/advertisement states its solo friendly, and that seemed true at first. But now as I start facing things like Hell Giants with a +68 AB. I am wondering if I am missing something here, or what? For reference I am currently playing the typical druid/monk/shifter variant, with an ac of 56 in Risen Lord form, with a though I can achieve up to 70 in the other less damage resistant forms.

Like others said you need to communicate in game to find better gear. The gear should match to what you're fighting as well (slashing, piercing, etc.).

Also a very important key is fight creatures that your build is good for. There is an area where the Risen Lord form shines. You just have to ask around or explore. The giants might not be the best place for you.

[Ming]

risen lord was just used as an example, I run the master shifter build with access to all forms except the druid elemental and dire forms. So its not speciallized like Balors 20 druid, 10 shifter, 10 dd build. Obviously I'm not lvl 40 yet, where by then all my forms obtain another 8 ac, and I can imp expertise in dragon form if necessary and breath attack stuff down.

I am also aware the gear should match what I am fighting. I have been playing this game since 2002, don't treat me like an idiot. I have a full tab of gear to switch in and out for my shifted forms. I have thousands of hours on shifters over the years, I get how they work, the way they interact with equipment is different from every other class in the game. Never mind the issue that this server saves your equipment data to your pc skin on rest so the only way to update what you take in your shifted form is to change your gear and rest again. Cause if you don't it will remember what you had on when you last rested, not what you currently have on when you shift forms.

Unless their are items with more then 10 Slash/Pierce/Bludgen resist, I have the best you can get for that. Unless there are items that allow you to reduce the in take of magical damage and or negative energy damage then I have those bases covered as well. (which cornflower hints that there is one such item to further bolster my defences against magical damage at least)

[driller]

No one is calling you an idiot. He was just trying to help you. There is no way he could know what your knowledge of the game is or how long you have been playing.

Let's keep it civil please.

I am also aware the gear should match what I am fighting. I have been playing this game since 2002, don't treat me like an idiot.

[Ming]

No one is calling you an idiot. He was just trying to help you. There is no way he could know what your knowledge of the game is or how long you have been playing.

Let's keep it civil please.

I am also aware the gear should match what I am fighting. I have been playing this game since 2002, don't treat me like an idiot.

As is usual with text it came out harsher then its meant. And with further thought my title for this thread would make one possibly think I was new to the game as a whole, not the server. I should edit that if it lets me.

[gamma521]

Greetings. A few comments/observations as a new player as well if i may.

-20 resist belts exist; i grabbed one out of the pawn shop once, no idea where it came from.
Also 'crown of thorns' is your friend on a risen, neg, pos, and divine resist and 5 regen. (drop only afaik)

AC seems pointless, dr and soak is the way to go as a solo player imo. (this does pigeon hole you into high lvls of dorf defender)
a 6/10/24 dd risen is easy mode once you get to lvl 24 and get a kd immune item. make sure to have some acid resist as well. and you can start farming umgahs all the way to 40.

and lastly as a reminder if you didnt know, gloves never merge on any shifter shapes .
hope this adds to the convo, or can help another new player..

[Ming]

Greetings. A few comments/observations as a new player as well if i may.

-20 resist belts exist; i grabbed one out of the pawn shop once, no idea where it came from.
Also 'crown of thorns' is your friend on a risen, neg, pos, and divine resist and 5 regen. (drop only afaik)

AC seems pointless, dr and soak is the way to go as a solo player imo. (this does pigeon hole you into high lvls of dorf defender)
a 6/10/24 dd risen is easy mode once you get to lvl 24 and get a kd immune item. make sure to have some acid resist as well. and you can start farming umgahs all the way to 40.

and lastly as a reminder if you didnt know, gloves never merge on any shifter shapes .
hope this adds to the convo, or can help another new player..

Ah thank you, very good to know. Yeah I know about the glove thing. The only way to fix that is servers like salvation that run that one guys script that allow all items to merge to a shifters skin. Let me tell you that makes shifter so strange feeling when its gear acts like a normal classes.