User:Hoobry/old intro

Introduction
Many months ago, I installed dofus to see if it was possible for there to be a flash based game truly worthy of being called massively multiplayer--doubting the game world (or population) could be sufficiently large or clever enough to foster a long term relationship with users. I created 'hoobry', an enu that didn't last 10 levels and left the game without ever getting a taste for it.

A month or two later, I came back to give it a second spin -- this time as a Sadida: Czou. After twenty some levels, I'd become hooked on the game and knew enough of what I was doing to know just what a mess the character's spell and characteristic point assignments were.

Begin again. I decided to give the new Pandawa class a try. This turned out to be the character I've stuck it out with, despite some significant spells of great discouragement. Now 100+ levels in and packing a hot flask and some heated wands, I"m pretty happy with where I am. Having gone this road without the luxury of a high level main to carry me through, I know the difficulties and frustrations with trying to turn a Panda into a warrior. I'm more than happy to answer any panda related questions I can--just /w *hoobry any time.

Zlze


Zlze is a Pandawa of 100+ levels with strong preference for Intelligence. He can often be observed hurling flaming flasks at adversaries (and perhaps allies in the midst!) When not starting and extinguishing fires, Zlze enjoys long periods at his favorite retreat, the vegi spa. He finds solace in the shadow of his cawwot. basking in its healing glyphs.

Additional Comments
The idea of toggling between drunk/sober and playing the character differently depending on the mode is very interesting, piqued my interest from the beginning. Unfortunately, it's implemented horribly.

The problem is that pandas require so many spells to do single things. Getting drunk is one spell, getting sober is another. There's 20 points used to do both effectively using ap optimally -- another 10 spell points for a drunk attack. There's 30 points that will deliver a useless blow at higher levels -- and at poor range. This seems to me to pose a far more severe degree of growing pains than leveling Tofu is for an Osa.

In the same "too many spells to do one thing" vein, you need one spell to grab an ally, another to then throw them. Another spell still if you wish to pick up an enemy -- and most disappointing, you can't throw one into another to cause knockback damage. The question I'm most often asked by young Pandas is regarding this. . . sorry. If there were significant differences between ally and enemy grabbing (for example, enemy taking damage when grabbed or in the event they walk out of your grasp (bear hug?)) -- then I could understand separate spells. At present, it seems more to me a means of recycling spells to avoid having to put time into new ideas.

( And tell me this -- how is it I can throw a trooll over 3 enemies/allies/trees/stones, but can't do so with a flask? WTF?)

Vulnerability -- 4 spells that are virtually identical except for their element. This is a disappointingly uncreative way to polish off a class in my opinion. I think the devs were in a hurry to wrap it up and sell it. I could live with separate magical and physical vulnerabilities, but 4 same spells is unimaginitive, uninspired, tired.

Wrapup
I complain because, on some level, I love. The class is certainly interesting, has its moments. I keep coming back to it even though it is buggy (broken spells not withstanding) and in many, many ways inferior to other classes in direct combat. Perhaps its biggest "shortcoming" is that it was designed to be a group play class-which is the spirit of the game, but a weakness other classes don't have. Even enis can very remarkably hold their own without a party in one on one combat. In many ways it's neither a well designed nor efficient class but is certainly unique. For those who can overlook the Pandawan shortcomings, it's a very fun class to play. If you can get over being neither stronger or faster than your peers, you might be able to have a lot of fun throwing things around. I know I do. Most of the time.

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