Let me get something straight here. Phoenix, as far as I was concerned, was technically a "classic" daoc server, and though there were some post-classic elements I could overlook when the server first opened, things have now become so post-classic that I actually realised the other day that it's literally one expansion from being fundamentally the same as live.
First of all, put old frontiers back on. That's one of the cornerstones of a classic daoc server. New frontiers is not only awful in design but it's far too large for the servers dwindling population. The design of NF is very unoriginal and doesn't inspire very fun solo, stealth or group play. Each realm is literally the same layout except rotated vertically or horizontally, which is boring to say the least. Having to get boats everywhere is damn annoying as well, especially when the buff pots are only 10 minute duration. It tales almost 10 minutes to get anywhere in NF, only to usually die to some RR10 sneak on a bridge; yes, a bridges which literally connect everything together. Also, the keeps are far too large to be taken efficiently by population of this server. I noticed most keeps are taken when there is little or no resistence from the opposing realm. In OF you could take a keep even with strong resistance. NF does NOT stop zerging; if anything it's made it worse.
Secondly, fix that damn minstrel charm. Minstrels are already incredibly strong as it is without having purple/red con pets. Yellow pets are acceptable and should be the limit of their charm ability. It's become a "Carry Hard: With a Vengeance" class for bad, lazy players. Fix it or it's going to drive people away from the server.
This brings me to my third point: FIX THE GOD DAMN DAMAGE TABLES!!!!! This has been a problem since the server first opened. I'm sick of my hero hitting like a hybrid tank. His weaponskill is barely 1300 with capped STR, LW skill and a Galla weapon ... this is a joke. A heroes weapon sklill should be at the very least 1600 unbuffed, and upwards of 1900/2000 with buffs. Pure tanks are therefore pretty useless. They're technically slam and block bots (which i'll come to in my fourth point) and can't seem to dish out damage for the life of them. This is why, on hib, there is a Champion epidemic happening, because people are thinking: well if I hit as hard as a Hero, I might as well have debuffs too!
My fourth point! Fix the realm abilities. Giving every class almost the same realm abilities is boring and tedious. Slam, stun, roots, snares etc are all pretty damn useless because everyone has Determination 9 now. That pretty much nullifies the unique abilities of any given class to perform solo or in groups. I can honestly say, I don't care so much about this point, but it would be nice to have classic RAs on a classic server.
And finally, as I originally mentioned, make buff pots 20 minutes instead of 10. It's increadibly annoying and inefficient having to rebuff everytime you run from A to B.
I hope you heed my advice, because I'm pretty sure that's what most people came to Phoenix to experience.
First of all, put old frontiers back on. That's one of the cornerstones of a classic daoc server. New frontiers is not only awful in design but it's far too large for the servers dwindling population. The design of NF is very unoriginal and doesn't inspire very fun solo, stealth or group play. Each realm is literally the same layout except rotated vertically or horizontally, which is boring to say the least. Having to get boats everywhere is damn annoying as well, especially when the buff pots are only 10 minute duration. It tales almost 10 minutes to get anywhere in NF, only to usually die to some RR10 sneak on a bridge; yes, a bridges which literally connect everything together. Also, the keeps are far too large to be taken efficiently by population of this server. I noticed most keeps are taken when there is little or no resistence from the opposing realm. In OF you could take a keep even with strong resistance. NF does NOT stop zerging; if anything it's made it worse.
Secondly, fix that damn minstrel charm. Minstrels are already incredibly strong as it is without having purple/red con pets. Yellow pets are acceptable and should be the limit of their charm ability. It's become a "Carry Hard: With a Vengeance" class for bad, lazy players. Fix it or it's going to drive people away from the server.
This brings me to my third point: FIX THE GOD DAMN DAMAGE TABLES!!!!! This has been a problem since the server first opened. I'm sick of my hero hitting like a hybrid tank. His weaponskill is barely 1300 with capped STR, LW skill and a Galla weapon ... this is a joke. A heroes weapon sklill should be at the very least 1600 unbuffed, and upwards of 1900/2000 with buffs. Pure tanks are therefore pretty useless. They're technically slam and block bots (which i'll come to in my fourth point) and can't seem to dish out damage for the life of them. This is why, on hib, there is a Champion epidemic happening, because people are thinking: well if I hit as hard as a Hero, I might as well have debuffs too!
My fourth point! Fix the realm abilities. Giving every class almost the same realm abilities is boring and tedious. Slam, stun, roots, snares etc are all pretty damn useless because everyone has Determination 9 now. That pretty much nullifies the unique abilities of any given class to perform solo or in groups. I can honestly say, I don't care so much about this point, but it would be nice to have classic RAs on a classic server.
And finally, as I originally mentioned, make buff pots 20 minutes instead of 10. It's increadibly annoying and inefficient having to rebuff everytime you run from A to B.
I hope you heed my advice, because I'm pretty sure that's what most people came to Phoenix to experience.
