Fort Aspenwood. Too easy for Kurzicks?
Cebe
After having played a number of matches in Fort Aspenwood, on both sides, I am under the distinct impression that it is extremely difficult for the Luxons to get a win. There are several reasons for this, I've noticed:
1. The Siege Turtle gets very distracted trying to fire on humans stood on the "battlements" inside the base. So long as there is someone stood behind an obstacle, the Siege Turtle will try to fire on him/her until someone else managed to kill them.
2. Monks. Human Monks on the Kurzick side will bond every strategic NPC they can find, it seems. There usually seems to be 1-2 Monks per game, and even when you go in as a character devoted to enchantment stripping, due to the ease of which your primary offense is distracted, it is still very difficult to kill the NPC is the "downtime" between the enchantments being stripped, and the Monk re-casting the enchantments.
3. Due to the fact that the Kurzicks win so easily, the Kurzick Arena Town is much busier than the Luxon Town, and the quality of the players on the Luxon side simply isn't up to those from the Kurzick side.So I'm setting up this poll, to get an idea of the state of Fort Aspenwood.
Fort Aspenwood used to be fun for both sides. I've played on both sides, and for a good long while after Factions was released, there was a reasonable win:lose rate for Luxons and Kurzicks. Now it seems Kurzicks have the upper hand more and more, and that seems unfair.
Oh well, discuss I guess.
1. The Siege Turtle gets very distracted trying to fire on humans stood on the "battlements" inside the base. So long as there is someone stood behind an obstacle, the Siege Turtle will try to fire on him/her until someone else managed to kill them.
2. Monks. Human Monks on the Kurzick side will bond every strategic NPC they can find, it seems. There usually seems to be 1-2 Monks per game, and even when you go in as a character devoted to enchantment stripping, due to the ease of which your primary offense is distracted, it is still very difficult to kill the NPC is the "downtime" between the enchantments being stripped, and the Monk re-casting the enchantments.
3. Due to the fact that the Kurzicks win so easily, the Kurzick Arena Town is much busier than the Luxon Town, and the quality of the players on the Luxon side simply isn't up to those from the Kurzick side.So I'm setting up this poll, to get an idea of the state of Fort Aspenwood.
Fort Aspenwood used to be fun for both sides. I've played on both sides, and for a good long while after Factions was released, there was a reasonable win:lose rate for Luxons and Kurzicks. Now it seems Kurzicks have the upper hand more and more, and that seems unfair.
Oh well, discuss I guess.
Xerzes II
Maybe that's just you. Pretty much every time I play as Luxons we manage to pull through and win, it just depends on the team u have.
TempusReborn
Sorry to be contrary but did Fort Aspenwood 20 times a week ago, for some stress relief-complete PuGs - And the Score Rate was 19 Luxon: 1 Kurzick
Muranodo
I've been one of those monks who bond every NPC in sight before; it goes to say that it's all team-based as mentioned here.
If the Luxons had MMs, I'd notice imbalanced Kurzick teams would fold rather easily with even two bonders. Plus, even if there are more on the Kurzick side---that also tends to mean more leechers.
If the Luxons had MMs, I'd notice imbalanced Kurzick teams would fold rather easily with even two bonders. Plus, even if there are more on the Kurzick side---that also tends to mean more leechers.
Taurus
Not that easy, if you're on the luxon side do this : grab a touch ranger with 3 stances ( you dont need a rez ), get inside the green gate ( wait for someone to bring in the amber ) and kill all the three architects.
Schmerdro
Well, I would say that it's easier for a good GW player to have a major impact on the Kurzick side by playing a Monk bonder. On the Luxon side, you need good damage, good defense (for turtles and players), and sometimes enchantment removal so it's more complicated and challenging. But then again, on Kurzick side people have to play defensively (play a Monk or Rit, run amber, kill Turtle and not so much Luxons) while Luxons have a simplified combat goal of just killing all Kurzicks (hopefully they focus more on NPCs than players)
I don't play too frequently but when I played on Kurzick with my Monk I won 90% of the time. On the Luxon side, I won 66% of the time.
I think it also depends on which map there is in Alliance Battles. During Caanay Canyon/Etnaran Keys, the best Luxon players are more likely to AB and the best Kurzick players are more like to play Aspenwood... and vice versa.
But yeah, I got bored with bonding behind gates so now I'm full time Luxon with a Beatmaster Ranger with EoE
(rank 8 Luxon and rank 1 Kurzick)
Edit: Just a helpful thread: Fort Aspenwood balance?.
Edit: Just my suggestions for the most useful builds on both sides:
Kurzick: Monk (anything but smite), Restoration/Communing Ritualist (can't kill Spirits behind gates), Spike/Interrupt Ranger (height advantage), Amber Runner (Ele, War, Derv, Ranger, Sin etc. can do this).
Luxon: Monk (anything but smite), any AoE damage dealer (Rit, Ele, Ranger), Anti-caster Mesmer or Necro, Beastmaster with Enraged Lunge and Edge of Extinction, Minion Master. But ALWAYS equip Gaze of Contempt from a Necro secondary and bring a speed booster when you can!
I don't play too frequently but when I played on Kurzick with my Monk I won 90% of the time. On the Luxon side, I won 66% of the time.
I think it also depends on which map there is in Alliance Battles. During Caanay Canyon/Etnaran Keys, the best Luxon players are more likely to AB and the best Kurzick players are more like to play Aspenwood... and vice versa.
But yeah, I got bored with bonding behind gates so now I'm full time Luxon with a Beatmaster Ranger with EoE
Edit: Just a helpful thread: Fort Aspenwood balance?.
Edit: Just my suggestions for the most useful builds on both sides:
Kurzick: Monk (anything but smite), Restoration/Communing Ritualist (can't kill Spirits behind gates), Spike/Interrupt Ranger (height advantage), Amber Runner (Ele, War, Derv, Ranger, Sin etc. can do this).
Luxon: Monk (anything but smite), any AoE damage dealer (Rit, Ele, Ranger), Anti-caster Mesmer or Necro, Beastmaster with Enraged Lunge and Edge of Extinction, Minion Master. But ALWAYS equip Gaze of Contempt from a Necro secondary and bring a speed booster when you can!
Cebe
Well it's certainly plausible that it's just my bad luck, though, I thought luck sometimes went the "other way" from time to time. Not so far for me it seems.
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Originally Posted by Taurus
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Quote: Originally Posted by Muranodo If the Luxons had MMs, I'd notice imbalanced Kurzick teams would fold rather easily with even two bonders. Herein lies the problem as far as I'm concerned: When monks bond the people at the gates, there is precious little to kill and raise minions from.
As far as I'm concerned, I've been doing it all right, I've played Monk, Necro, Mesmer and Ele in Fort Aspenwood recently (Luxon Side) and only once did I manage to win. I won on my Mesmer and got cursed by the Kurzick Monk for diverting their Blessed Signet. Though trying it as Mesmer a couple of other times...we got nowhere.
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Sometimes yes, but usually the Necromancer has a few minions before getting there and can spam Gaze of Contempt/Rend Enchantments; with a little help from some allies, that should be enough to break down the gate.
Originally Posted by Schmerdro
good defense (for turtles and players)
Doesn't seem much point in keeping the turtles alive, as I found out on one of my recent attempts as a Monk. Kurzicks stand on the battlements and draw the Turtle's fire. The turtle is then out of the game until the Kurzick player dies.
the ruloes
I've played a couple of matches as a mind blast elementalist on the Luxon side. Generally, I've been winning a lot.
Bonders are hardly ever a challenge, since I just go /N and bring [gaze of contempt] , then time it so that the turtle hits a fraction of a second later than I strip a bonded person. Usually, the bonders are too late to pick up that they've lost their bonds, and they don't have the time to set up their bonds again before I've killed their subject. The only issue I've really found to be a difficulty are degenerators constantly killing turtles, and me not having any support to save them (and monks are hard to find). But I guess I can't complain, the turtles do incredible damage, and the only way to kill them seem to be by degeneration or life steal. Whether or not we win a match seem to be determined on whether or not the turtles progress and if they survive. Schmerdro
I've played a Touch Ranger quite a few times and I didn't really like them because their DPS is too small (I would prefer more spike damage with a longer recharge to compensate), they only affect one target at a time (a Chanelling Rit, Fire or Earth Ele, or Barrage Ranger could break a gate or capture a mine faster), and they run out of energy too soon (even with 16 Expertise and Offering of Blood), and they're melee range (too predictable and easily countered by healing Monks).
When monks bond the people at the gates, there is precious little to kill and raise minions from.
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Sadly they dont most of the time
Doesn't seem much point in keeping the turtles alive
Did you ever try killing or just pressuring whoever is holding up the turtle? Also, the Monk would be keeping the turtle alive and anybody near it (like those who are trying to break down the nearby gate). The Turtles are extremely useful when Green Gate is down and their powerful AoE attack can damage Gunther and any Kurzicks close to him (the Monks will run out of energy if they try to put Protective Spirit on everyone).
dazza30987
I normaly run MM for the luxon side and have only lost once out of the last 15 time's ive played. The minion's seem to cause enough of a problem for the kurzick's as long as there's enough body's of corse.
Divine Xan
I play on both sides (reasonably frequently) and I can say from my experience it is FAR easier on the luxon side. Also ever since the coward buff I have find it even more difficult on the kurzick side due to the insane amount of cowards thrown at you (Love the skill... its just 4 warriors...).
With the luxons it just-> enchant removal -> nuke -> easy... most players on both sides are not amzingly good, even to the point where playing a cripshot can allow you to run rings around people who STILL try to attack you (on either side). As for the number of monks its i find 1 or 0... its a rarity i find to get more then that, and most people who play are not tactical about what they bring. So, basically, from my own experiences... I find the luxons win more and its easier for them... ADDITION: Wheres the poll choices for playing both sides lol? XDeadboltX
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Originally Posted by Divine Xan
I play on both sides (reasonably frequently) and I can say from my experience it is FAR easier on the luxon side. Also ever since the coward buff I have find it even more difficult on the kurzick side due to the insane amount of cowards thrown at you (Love the skill... its just 4 warriors...).
With the luxons it just-> enchant removal -> nuke -> easy... most players on both sides are not amzingly good, even to the point where playing a cripshot can allow you to run rings around people who STILL try to attack you (on either side). As for the number of monks its i find 1 or 0... its a rarity i find to get more then that, and most people who play are not tactical about what they bring. So, basically, from my own experiences... I find the luxons win more and its easier for them... I havent played aspendwood for a while but this is why I stopped. At least in AB you can bring guildies with decent builds and will work together. When aspenwood first came out it was juts chance if you would get in with friends/guildies because of its popularity Bront
I've played as the Luxons several times, and the Kurzicks once, and only lost once (as a Luxon).
It depends on who you get, but I've found a good Kurzick's team can thwart a Luxon team, and a good Luxon team can thwart a Kurzick team. The Luxons need to not be afraid to die, keep control of their mines, and babysit the siege turtles to a point. The Kurzicks need to neutralize the siege turtles, take the mines and run amber (This isn't done enough from what I can see, but rebuilding gates and shortening the match are big deals), and try to get the luxons to overextend. Parson Brown
I remember when Factions came out and everyone was crying about how impossible it was for Kurzicks to win.
Then... someone tried bonding the gate guards... and it was impossible for Luxons to win. Then... most Luxons started carrying enchant removal... and it was impossible for Kurzicks to win again. Then... Kurzicks started pulling the Luxon warriors to the back of the arena, preventing the turtles from respawning... and it was impossible for Luxons to win. As has been said, if Luxons keep their mines, protect turtles, and worry more about NPCs than killing players, they will win. If Kurzicks remember that they are there to defend and run amber, they will win. Cebe
Ok, so that seems encouraging...perhaps I really am getting THAT unlucky with the groups I get stuck into.
I find it interesting though that the poll shows a lot of people "usually play Kurzick", and "win a lot", compared to the Luxon options. Would I be correct in assuming the Kurzick side is more popular due to their propensity to bond up all their NPCs, and hence, people consider it an easier win? Divine Xan
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Originally Posted by Parson Brown
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Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
I find it interesting though that the poll shows a lot of people "usually play Kurzick", and "win a lot", compared to the Luxon options. Would I be correct in assuming the Kurzick side is more popular due to their propensity to bond up all their NPCs, and hence, people consider it an easier win?
The poll cant be known to be highly accurate, though i will say that i find the kurzick side is more popular, yes, but there doesnt seem to be a reason, bonders I find are not that common (mesmer fixes this extremly easily btw, and gaze..) so if people could see this as easy wins then people would run bonders more frequently... but the Kurzick side is certainly more frustrating to play and I find there usually of worse quality (from personal experiance).
PS: Yes you probably are unlucky Schmerdro
Imo, the poll shouldn't be taken very seriously because you can not know for sure if people are lieing or voting honestly, and you don't know what kind of players actually voted on this forum (maybe there are more Kurzicks than Luxons for example). It's a fun poll no doubt, but it doesn't say much.
Edit: What Divine Xan said. I definitely agree that the Kurzick side always has more players than the Luxon side which means Kurzicks wait considerably longer to get in... idk how that affects their winning rates but it's another observation. Shayne Hawke
If they don't like it, I suggest that the Luxons play Jade Quarry.
Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
=D Quote: Would I be correct in assuming the Kurzick side is more popular due to their propensity to bond up all their NPCs, and hence, people consider it an easier win?
I'd actually say that the Luxon side is better to play, just because you can end the game sooner and get more faction for it. It's really a gamble though, because you can end soon and have a full reward, or you can play the whole game and get nothing. Kurzick is a lot more balanced for the end reward.
Bront
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Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
Ok, so that seems encouraging...perhaps I really am getting THAT unlucky with the groups I get stuck into.
I find it interesting though that the poll shows a lot of people "usually play Kurzick", and "win a lot", compared to the Luxon options. Would I be correct in assuming the Kurzick side is more popular due to their propensity to bond up all their NPCs, and hence, people consider it an easier win? The Kurzick side is more popular due to their ability to FFF easier, so many people who want to max out their title chose a Kurzick guild over a Luxon guild. That may also elude to the quality of Kurzick players too, though I'm aware not everyone who gets run or FFFs is unskilled. When do you usually play FA? You could probably organize some people who've had success in it togeather to try to play around the same time. The big thing though, is play smart and play for the win. Part of the problem lies in many players leaving if there's no monk (on either side, dumb since no DP and res is 6 sec, so death isn't a big deal, and can occasionaly be the fastest way to recharge skills and energy), and players playing like it's a normal PvE area (not even a mission). People Leeching don't help either, but that happens everywhere. I've found builds that work well there that I wouldn't dream of taking elsewhere. It's an odd mix of PvE, a Mission, and PvP. Saborath Gilgalad
I've played countless of FA on both sides since factions came out and it always has been easier to win on the Luxons. However, when it first came out winning on the luxons was beyond quick and easy, you used to be able to go in and steam roll your why through it in like 5min. Now with the changes to the Luxon warriors and more so the turtles its a bit harder and more annoying, especially when a single ranger can aggro and hold the turtle indiffinently. Though the luxons still tend to win a majority of the time.
Seef II
I play both sides regularly. It's a time-of-day phenomenon there: sometimes, Luxon can't seem to win, sometimes Kurzick is terrible. I've found that a healer on Luxon generally gives them a large advantage, as they can hug the turtle and have the Luxon Warrior Death Squad kill anything that tries to come by. But most Luxon teams don't have a healer, and then the turtle is degen food for any decent ranger or mesmer.
upier
To understand the Luxon problem you need to look at the battlefield itself.
1. The static components. This includes the NPCs. If you look at the NPCs there is a very clear trend - a HUGE weapon-mastery hate. From Reckless Haste necros over to Sliver Armor + Ward Of Melee eles and spirit spam this isn't a good map to be running the best damage dealers in the game. The battlefield itself. We have a fortress and it's doors can be closed. Which means that ANYONE that relies on view of the target to do damage is in an unfavourable position! 2. The variable componets. This includes the players so we shouldn't really base our strategy on this. What we do know is that the the jobs are easy - the Kurzicks protect and the Luxons attack. Which means that any player that is playing to win - will use that. And in the Kurzick case this means - protecting the NPCs. Now if we combine everything - we get to a simple conclusion. IF ANYONE on the luxon side is running any kind of weapon mastery classes that person relies on the variable component to either: 1. do the job for him 2. for the Kurzicks to do something stupid The good thing here is that this is primarily a place for PvE players. Which means mistakes WILL be made. The bad thing is that one relies on the mistakes - so if one misses the chance to capitalize on them (and once again - mistakes will be made on BOTH sides!) one is screwed. Which pretty much means that Luxons are in a disadvantage EVERYTIME they have a weapon-mastery character on their team. And that's just the team build! Now if we also consider the stupidity of the players who view this game as a PvP game - it really becomes a downwards spiral. What your observation shows is that stupidity is getting punished. Teutonic Paladin
I'm a Luxon player and I win more than half the time. However, I almost never play without 1 or 2 friends and due to the random nature of FA, a single coordinated group is often enough to rip through the Kurzick defenses.
Bront
Yeah, I played with a guildie of mine on Teamspeak once. That was fun. As it was just 2 of us, and I was walking him though how to do it in the first place, it probably wasn't a huge advantage, but i worked well enough.
Yuhe Ji
I typically play Luxon with a monk, though I have gone Kurzick with my monk as well. As Luxon, I typically just choose a turtle and hang around near it. I make sure it doesn't die, and depending on the quality of the Kurzick players, I can get the turtle alive without ever dying, or everything goes to hell once the inner gates are breached.
McMullen
An alternative to a touch ranger could be Rt/R using Nightmare Weapon + Dual Shot + Distracting Shot.
Although it does rely on line of site, it's still life stealing and by-passes bonders while dealing some spike damage.. Also, AoE damage is underused on the luxon side. Most of the gate NPC's are clumped together and are begging for a Meteor Shower. As for Kurzicks, a good tactic I've seen is people using builds that can solo the luxon command posts (and preventing siege turtles from respawning). It can also buy valuable time by forcing Luxons to respawn further back than normal. Risus
Luxons:
TT + Shockwave = ftw Blind bot + damage = ftw MM + skillz = ftw AoE spammer + heals = ftw uber monk = ftw Kurzicks : uber mega spikes = ftw AoE dmg = ftw Prot Spirit = ftw Spirit bond = ftw Amber Runners = ftw Ruku Carrin
I always seem to be winning with the luxons, maybe becuase I'm just that good.
lol, =D MasterSasori
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Originally Posted by Ruku Carrin
I always seem to be winning with the luxons, maybe becuase I'm just that good.
lol, =D Or maybe the kurz had a bad team. Thecrocodile
luxons always win plus they mob!
Alleji
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Originally Posted by Schmerdro
A touch ranger with 16exp/OoB should NOT run out of energy fast. You should be able to spam touch skills non-stop on a stationary target for at least a 1-1.5 minutes. If your target is kiting and you're not using touch skills on recharge you should never run out of energy. I have no idea how you can screw up on a toucher, but you're doing it wrong. EDIT: You have touch skills, not vamp gaze and life siphon, right? The Meth
Where is the option in the poll for "I play both sides and I usually win, because 1 good player >> 12 bad players"?
The skill level of people in places like FA and AB varies wildly. In any given match you will have some players running the best PvP cookie cutter builds alongside terra tanks and touch rangers. Just play as best you can and if you are good you will win more then you lose. TheGuildWarsPenguin
I usually play on the Kurzick side. Occasionally on the Luxon side.
zling
used to play on the Kurzick Side, now I'm on the Luxon. as with any random PvP arena, aka RA, AB, JQ and FA most of the so called "PvPers" are actually PvErs... I almost always see at least 1 idiot using a farming build, be it Terra Tank, 55 Monk, Glads Defense War, VwK War/Rit, etc. sometimes I see 2 or 3 of these :S
I also see plenty of Shadow Form griefers :\ that's on both sides btw. what I do notice is that Luxons usually lack AoE damage for some reason. havent seen a lot of Ele Nukers around the Luxon brigades :\ but anyway my win/loss ratio is around 50% on both sides so meh... too random to make any serious predictions of it TheGuildWarsPenguin
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Originally Posted by zling
used to play on the Kurzick Side, now I'm on the Luxon. as with any random PvP arena, aka RA, AB, JQ and FA most of the so called "PvPers" are actually PvErs... I almost always see at least 1 idiot using a farming build, be it Terra Tank, 55 Monk, Glads Defense War, VwK War/Rit, etc. sometimes I see 2 or 3 of these :S
I also see plenty of Shadow Form griefers :\ that's on both sides btw. what I do notice is that Luxons usually lack AoE damage for some reason. havent seen a lot of Ele Nukers around the Luxon brigades :\ but anyway my win/loss ratio is around 50% on both sides so meh... too random to make any serious predictions of it Shadow form is ok for keeping the green gate open permanently. ![]() kazi_saki
I play kurzick side always and tried twice on luxon side. I won 1st round w/ luxon and i basically win kurzick side most of the time. Its pretty fun w/ kurzicks, especially w/ a Rt resto/channel hybrid. I can keep gates closed most of the time and kill ppl but when luxons are coordinated..........they kick gunther's ass good. I think FA is pretty balanced but i still hate getting hammer raped (the warriors always run up the battlements straight for me, bypassing most of the other players
Lord Oranos
The only thing I care about is getting more people into fort aspenwood.
Reward needs to be raised. Also, maybe it needs to be rebalanced a bit. Kurzicks usually have three times the people waiting for a match than luxons. Also, I play the kurzick side and win 50%-75% of the time. Since I can't find a guild that does AB regularly, and accepts people cant use teamspeak or vent, this has been my main form of entertainment in the game for far too long. I don't want it to die. kazi_saki
we share the same sentiments Lord Oranos! I"m already sick of RA/TA/HA and want some variety and FA/JQ(if anyone's on) provides me with that! They should have more events for FA/JQ and we need to attract more people there!
Danger Russ
I love FA. I play it all the time as a Kurzick though I did play it a Luxon at one point to get my Elite Luxon armor for my ranger. Someone wrote that you can use build here that you would not dare use in other places, lol. I wholeheartly agree. So many fun builds so few victims. I have unlocked almost all the skills in the game through Bath rewards from FA.
I think the sides are pretty even on most occasions. MM can be a terror to the Kurzicks, especially if a spirit spammer and trapper are around. Monks are available about half the time. I had four monk at once yesterday and we almost lost badly. My scythe wielding sin saved the day by relieving the pressure on the monks by killing luxons...just barely. I also agree that the relative skill level of the kurzicks varies greatly. It has even been worst lately. No amber running. Green gate falls and no Kurzicks show up but me. No one applying even the smallest bit of strategy. Smiting monks, wth? Anyway, it is a lot of fun and I play several times a week. Kurzicks rule!!! Death to the Luxon infidels!!! LOL |