Dungeons & Dragons Online

Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited is an MMORPG developed by Turbine Entertainment Software and distributed by Atari SA . It was released for Windows in March 2006 under the title Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach . The basis for the game's fantasy - RPG Dungeons & Dragons (abbreviated D & D) to specified rules.

Gameplay

After installing and registering for the game, players can create a range of characters. These characters have a range of attributes and abilities. In addition to the usual basic attributes such as strength, skill and so on, there are a variety of skills that can be individually designed for each character. This includes special skills such as picking locks, disarming traps, discovering traps and the like. In addition, there is a multitude of talents that can be selected when certain level increases. The selection of these is crucial in the development of the character. Which talents are ultimately available depends on the class, race, level and attributes of the character. Furthermore, each character can choose reinforcements, the characteristics of which only depend on class, race and level and are a novelty of the game, as they do not exist in the basic rules of D&D. In contrast to a number of other MMORPGs, the character creation and individual design is quite detailed.

At the beginning the player has 5 races, namely humans, elves, halflings, dwarves and the so-called warforged (Warforged in the English original) and 9 different classes (fighter, barbarian, bard, wizard, sorcerer, paladin, cleric and ranger) available . With each step up, an additional class (maximum 3 different ones) can be selected, or progress can be made in the one already selected. In addition to the experience points ("XP"), which determine the character level, there are also fame points ("Fame" or "Favor") with which you can acquire another race (the dark elf or drow elf) and another class (the "beloved soul." “) And other benefits.

server

Two servers were available for European players: Devourer and Keeper. In the beginning there were more servers, which were divided according to language, even if this binding was not mandatory, so everyone could play on any European server. Since the game did not bring the hoped-for success, the number of players was rather low and continued to decline, the servers were later merged. Name conflicts arose with some characters because their first names must always be unique. In such a case, the previous server name was appended to the player name and the player was free to rename his character once. For example, “Uwe” became “Uwe-Dorn” if he previously played “Dorn” on the server.

Since August 2010 the operation of own European servers, which were operated by Codemasters , has been discontinued. Since then only US servers are available.

Course of the game

The game takes place in the town of Stormreach. Hence the official title Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach . Below this city there are a multitude of tombs and vaults where different groups gather. The goals of some of these groups are simple crimes, while there is one group that seeks the annihilation of all human civilization.

The players who get into the city are repeatedly given the task of entering the various cellar vaults in groups and performing tasks there. For example, abducted persons are to be freed from the hands of the kidnappers, undead or magical opponents are to be killed or certain objects are to be recovered.

In contrast to games like The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar , Anarchy Online and World of Warcraft , most of the game happens in demarcated areas. In the city of Stormreach, where many players can be at any time, they can take on tasks and trade. The actual tasks are then carried out in the so-called instances. This has the advantage that each group can do its job alone and is not disturbed by other groups. But it also has the disadvantage that it destroys the illusion of a comprehensive world.

Treasures

In almost every task, the characters can find treasure chests, which are usually guarded by a strong monster. In these, random items of the corresponding level are reserved for each character. It is not possible to steal anything from the other players' chests. Another way to get hold of treasure is the reward that you usually get for a completed task. The player can choose from a list of possible rewards that he would like to have. Here too, the selection depends on the level, the task and chance.

In contrast to many other games, the slain monsters themselves do not leave any objects behind, only collectibles. If enough of them have been collected, they can be brought to the appropriate collector. This rewards the character with a random item of a certain type. For example, you can get healing potions for collecting lower mushrooms, while plundered orc blades bring in magical projectiles. Alternatively, the collectibles are used in the production of objects, in what is known as "crafting".

Communication and group formation

As usual, with this title it is possible to get in contact with the other players via a chat window, but this is always limited to the current zone in which you are. However, there is also a separate window through which groups can be found. Here, the interested player can indicate in a tabular overview what kind of comrades he is looking for (both class / s and level of characters) and what he is looking for them. Conversely, he can now be addressed by any player who is interested in it. In addition, it is shown whether the player himself meets the minimum requirements. This clears the chat of the usual "group search" requests and makes searching for groups easier.

favor

In Stormreach there are different factions that fight for power. Almost every task that is assigned has to do with one of these factions and so you gain their favor if you do them. If you achieve certain favors, certain rewards are available. These range from temporary enchantments to recurring ammunition to enlarged inventory. If a certain amount of total favor has been collected, the player is free to create a new character with the race "dark elf". Higher values allow the creation of a character with higher attribute values.

Unique selling points

This game particularly distinguishes the treatment of the award of experience points. In contrast to other role-playing games, the character does not receive direct experience points for killing monsters, but only for completing a task. If the group fails before reaching the goal, it does not receive any points. How many points there are depends on various factors. Each task has a basic number of points, measured by difficulty and length. This is modified as a percentage by the level difference between the task and the highest participating character. Added to this is the percentage of monsters killed, secret doors found, defused traps and broken objects (barrels, boxes, etc.). In addition, there are optional tasks to be carried out within the instances, which can occur randomly. This can include killing a particularly difficult opponent as well as bypassing entire groups of opponents.

The tasks differ greatly, there are those in which there is a lot of fighting and those in which many traps have to be found and defused. These traps are usually fatal, so no precautions have been taken, and sometimes placed in different places. This requires good interaction between the thief and the rest of the group.

Equally unique is the fact that the character does not regenerate within the instances. Neither his life points nor his magic power is automatically refreshed. To relax there are so-called shrines, which are sparsely distributed in the instances. The rest shrine, at which some life points and the magic power are refreshed, can only be used at certain time intervals or only once per instance, depending on the level of difficulty selected before entering the dungeon, the resuscitation shrines, however, can be used as often as desired. This mechanism provides additional tension during the fights, since, unlike other games, heavy hits cannot always be compensated for by a subsequent break.

Another great feature is the ability to customize your character. Not only in terms of equipment, but also the chosen classes. Because with every level up the player can choose any other class. A maximum of three different classes are possible. So it is possible to create a thief who is trained to use the bow or a warrior who is also a magician. There are hardly any limits to creativity.

Another great USP is the reincarnation of the player character. If you have reached the highest character level, you can start again from level 1 with the same character, he reincarnates. You can proceed as with the very first character creation, only the name that a player has chosen remains unchanged. With each reincarnation, the new level 1 character gets a small additional bonus on the way, depending on which class he was mainly part of in the previous life. If you reincarnate a monk, the character receives a small bonus on the damage value that he inflicts in combat with physical attacks. With each reincarnation, the character gets a little stronger. There are different types of reincarnation with correspondingly different bonuses that result from them.

costs

The game has also been free-to-play for German players since August 2010 . That means there are no costs, but there is an item shop where you can buy benefits such as in-game items or spells for real money. The internal currency are "DDO Store Points" (formerly "Turbine Points"). You can also get them for playing by yourself, by earning favor with the various factions. So it is possible to earn any content that can be bought without ever having to pay real money.

Summary

D&D online is partly reminiscent of classic role-playing games. While titles such as World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XI simulate a whole world in which the player is offered the illusion of being part of this world, D&D online rather offers the opportunity to join in other players to explore underground labyrinths in such a world.

Web links

Official website
Dungeons & Dragons: Online at MobyGames (English)