WildStar PVP Video: Esper DPS Gameplay @ 19

Posted on 2014 June 11 by Ed Park

In this video, I discuss the class mechanics and combat tactics for the Esper class in a 15-29 Walatiki Temple PVP battleground in WildStar.

I’m playing Esper as my main for the following reasons:

I’m intrigued by the soloing capabilities of the class’s lifesteal mechanics
The class can be spec’d as an RDPS, MDPS, or hybrid
There is a lot of SpellSlinger envy on the Esper forum, and I wanted to see first-hand to what extent that is justified. I think Esper is very capable when played to its mechanics correctly

Additional Tips

I didn’t discuss Bolster, but it’s pretty much a mandatory ability because it provides instant-cast building of PP (Psi Points) and a mild HoT. You can see me topping off my PP throughout the video with it

Errata

The buff from Tier 8 Mind Blast lasts 7.5 seconds, not 5.5

Posted in Esper, PVP, Video, WildStar

Guide to the Panther Medium Tank in World of Tanks

Posted on 2014 May 23 by Ed Park

In this guide I review the underrated Panther, the tier 7 German medium tank in the E50M line in World of Tanks (WoT).

I decided to grind the E50M line, as I want to play a tier 10 medium tank with good gun handling and functional armor, and these are two of the E-50M’s strengths. In addition, I was swayed by Oneeechan’s advocacy of the E50M line on the WoTLabs forums.

To get to the E50M, you have to play the Panther, which by reputation is a craptastic tank. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Panther is a solid tank, if you respect its capabilities and limitations.

Posted in Guide, Medium Tank, PVP, Video, World of Tanks

When a Build Choice is Not Really a Choice [#ESO]

Posted on 2014 May 12 by Ed Park

One of the blogs I follow is For The Record (FTR), which is run by a gamer named SilentStalker (SS) who covers World of Tanks (WoT) news.

SS recently posted his take on Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). There were a few things that he wrote that stood out to me.

EDIT (2014/05/13): for full disclosure, I haven’t played ESO yet. What I find fascinating and confusing is that in the comments and tweets about this article, some players agree with SS, others claim he’s wrong.

Posted in Camelot Unchained, Elder Scrolls Online, Game Design, PVE, PVP, RIFT, Sage / Sorcerer, World of Warcraft

How Ready are You for WildStar?

Posted on 2014 May 11 by Ed Park

We’re less than a month away from the most anticipated MMORPG launch since Guild Wars 2.

WildStar!

As I wrote earlier this year, WildStar game developer Carbine has thoughtfully diverged from traditional combat mechanics. They’ve been savvy about taking the community through the walk of their design thinking in a series of Dev Speak videos on YouTube.

WildStar is now in Open Beta, so anyone can download the game and play. People have been asking me on social media about my Beta experience. The answer is that it’s been intentionally short.

Posted in Elder Scrolls Online, Guild Wars 2, PVE, PVP, RIFT, SWTOR, Warhammer Online, WildStar, World of Tanks

Per-Player Revenue (ARPU) for MMOs

Posted on 2014 April 10 by Ed Park

Yesterday SuperData Research posted the monthly ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) for 10 major MMO free-to-play (F2P) titles.

ARPU for 10 Major MMO Titles, per SuperData Research

It’s a fascinating article. What jumps out to me is that the ARPU’s are significantly less than a monthly subscription of $15 – the closest was World of Tanks (WoT) at 30% of that amount.