Debilitated Farming Skills - ArenaNet's Benefit - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

tre_peter

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Northern Ireland

24 Nov 2009 at 19:59 - 1

Skimming through the other threads, I haven't seen this directly addressed. Please close if this already exists.

The recent update # and Regina's related comments # have given rise to debate on the future of farming/speed clears. In these discussions, it appears that forum users are addressing the resulting issues that affect themselves (as players) and the state of the game. The point of this thread is to speculate on ArenaNet's point-of-view, something I believe some forum users are overlooking.

To quote Regina,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

This was not an attempt to address all of the concerns about Shadow Form Assassins. That will happen in the next major skill update, which will include big changes to Shadow Form and may also include changes to other prominent farming skills.

Based on this, I have made the following assumption - changes will involve 'nerfing' in order to render them ineffective for farming. The nerf will be significant to hit nearly all of farming at its heart. Many are open about how farming is their main source of satisfaction from playing Guild Wars. If their available farming options are removed, it is reasonable to assume that there may be a mass departure (depending on the distribution of current play-styles) from the game.

In my opinion, it makes sense for ArenaNet's to remove the incentive of a large group of players to log on. As a result, there will be;

Reduced server running costs,
Reduced pressure on resources (such as staff),
And a remaining dedicated player base, which plays the game in its 'true spirit' (or as ArenaNet intends).

All of which I see as benefits to ArenaNet. I've assumed that running costs haven't reduced at the same rate as income has. Thus it is a good business decision to lose some players.

Of course people will adapt - perhaps farm on at a reduced rate or try to discover the next effective farm. In dispute to my 'good business' remark, I imagine some will claim that such an action will deter them from buying future ArenaNet products. Only time will tell if there is enough true 'abstainers' to hurt ArenaNet's pockets.

TL/DR version - ArenaNet nerf farming to purposely reduce player numbers to benefit from reduced server costs etc. Good business on their side.

I'd like to note that I currently farm (for HoM) while playing Guild Wars and would significantly reduce my activity in the case of such a 'nerf'.

Reformed

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2009

24 Nov 2009 at 20:27 - 2

Bit premature, wait and see what they do before you panic. Going from "...changes...farming skills." to "...ineffective for farming." is an awful big leap and some of those skills see heavy use in normal gameplay. Besides, they did split Mantra of Resolve...that should give you an idea of how serious they really are.

athariel

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2009

E/A

24 Nov 2009 at 20:28 - 3

I can assure you at most 10% who say they will leave the game are going to do it. After SF is nerfed, they will flock to the next farm, at worst case to raptors/vaettirs or something. They won't abandon the game and characters they put so much time into. You'll see

imnotyourmother

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2008

in a house

The Knitters Guild

W/R

24 Nov 2009 at 20:30 - 4

ok my two sense.

Its money related.

Add the Huntsman in pre. 5 gifts for 25 things per account

People buy up accounts. I got 4 more accounts for this very purpose

BUFF SF and get more people to buy the game cause more people will want it.

Kill SF and kill game and loose revenue or save as the ^^^^^^ pointed out cause of the cost savings to it.

So here is my 2 cents. they need server room to build GW2 SO, squash gw1 with new game.. say.. AION. but lets think that they remember the GW players so they give us say..wings.. yes wings in gw.

so now people in gw want the wings and buy the aion and play aion until gw2 comes out. but wait a sec. um we do not like pay and play so we stick around and get ectos on our buffed ass's (assassins)

So now what? no one is playing aion as there is still like 8-10 districts in spamadam and even 4-5 districts in PRESEARING Ascalon.

so they nerf everyting and get us off the servers and onto aion. but then again.. we just stand around in our armor looking stupid on their servers doing well nothing for free basically.

WE WIN!! Woot

Bring on gw2

The Drunkard

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2007

Still looking

Rt/

24 Nov 2009 at 20:44 - 5

So as a solution to nerfing SCs how about anet brings back some of the skills that were used in farming but nerfed due to guild battles? That way people have incentives to farm but with other professions.

Jensy

Site Contributor

Join Date: Apr 2007

Phoenix, Arizona

Blinkie Ponie Armie [bpa]

N/Mo

24 Nov 2009 at 20:49 - 6

Halp, halp, my broken farming skills are nerfed, and now I'm forced to be creative in the ways I farm like the way it was before SF became popular? Cry me a river.

You actually get enjoyment out of rolling your face over the keyboard to win? Really?

Highlander Of Alba

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2007

Real Rogue Clan

Rt/Mo

24 Nov 2009 at 21:02 - 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by imnotyourmother

ok my two sense.

Its money related

so they nerf everyting and get us off the servers and onto aion. but then again.. we just stand around in our armor looking stupid on their servers doing well nothing for free basically.

WE WIN!! Woot

Bring on gw2

Well Aion is falling in subs re a wide opinion its total Grindfest(easy to verify)

GW2 money worries a quote from anet....

November this year statement below

NCsoft has indicated that it doesn't expect to release its MMO sequel Guild Wars 2 until 2011, although it might get as far as closed beta testing in 2010.

Jaeho Lee - the company's chief financial officer, as well as chief executive of its Western arm - told investors during a recent conference call that NCsoft didn't expect to make any major launches in 2010. Guild Wars 2 from ArenaNet, and Blade & Soul from the Lineage 2 team in Korea, would follow in 2011, he said.

Last but not least taken from the advert re development jobs for GW2

# Complete creative autonomy; we make games we want to play.
# Sustained, long-term financial backing; no “funding milestones”.

Mindjack

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2008

24 Nov 2009 at 21:04 - 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jensy

You actually get enjoyment out of rolling your face over the keyboard to win? Really?

Yes. People get enjoyment from rewards, i.e. farming. Is it really that hard to understand?

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

24 Nov 2009 at 21:05 - 9

Do you really think enough people would leave the game based on a farming nerf to merit ArenaNet cutting back on server/maintenance enough to save a significant amount of money? That's pretty ridiculous.

What about all the people who came back to try the new UW content? What about the increased activity in UW because of the update? Do you honestly think activity will actually decrease because of the update?

Perhaps ArenaNet "nerfed solo farming" because most people prefer actually being able to find PuGs? Perhaps they simply want people to play the game as it was intended, and enjoy the new content rather than mindlessly farming it. Perhaps they did it to benefit the economy? I could think of a dozen more good reasons for ArenaNet to take this course, though sadly you are probably unwilling to accept any that aren't deeply negative, thus giving you cause to step up on your podium.

Ninja Ninja

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2006

W/

24 Nov 2009 at 21:09 - 10

One profession (assassin) having an unfair advantage over all professions in farming and SC this long then you shouldn't be surprised about a nerf.
If you can't adapt to what real farming is instead of an over powered skill then to the large group of players leaving I say good riddance.

FoxBat

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Amazon Basin [AB]

Mo/Me

24 Nov 2009 at 21:15 - 11

What on earth makes you think they could remove farming from the game. So what if you and most people don't have the creativity to adapt to skill changes, you can always copy off of those that do.

Jenn

Resigned.

Join Date: Sep 2006

24 Nov 2009 at 21:24 - 12

First of all, I think the conspiracy theory proposed here is beyond ridiculous... I mean, really? As JR had said, it's doubtful that a skill change will make the players fall away in droves that would make a big enough impact. Population decline in this game is gradual.

Call me the conspiracy theorist, but I actually think they might do skill rebalances in order to present us new challenges and spark some interest in forgotten methods/zones.

I can understand the frustration. I mean, with all that's left in this game, sometimes the quick n' dirty way is the only appealing way to do it. But I do genuinely believe that anet actually cares about how much we enjoy this game.

Tramp

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

24 Nov 2009 at 21:25 - 13

At some point I agree it makes perfect business sense to screw the existing players as bad as they can to force them out of gw1 and into a more profitable gw2. I think it is still too early for that though. They will do that shortly after the launch of gw2 in order to shove the die hards in gw1 out, so 2011.

I take the exact opposite theory on SF. I feel they have let the buff last so long because it has kept players happy and still playing. Any in many cases, buying Factions or other expansions to get into the farming juicy spots. Buffing SF probably caused a nice sales pop for them. I am sure their marketing or finance people have the data and I would be very interested to see how buffing skills in a stepchild expansion (Factions) has caused an increase in sales of Factions.

If my theory is correct, that overbuffing skills causes an INCREASE in revenue for them, then Ursan was great and caused many more EOTN sales. Then SF caused a jump in Factions. So if I look into the crystal ball I will make this prediction: They will nerf SF and buff another skill on some other profession and make that the new overpowered farming meta. This will cause sales to pop again. I will go so far as to predict the new skill will be Prophecies only based and cause a nice pop to their oldest product. Timing... I would look for the nerf and my predicted buff to take place in January. Why? They are probably figuring Xmas sales are going fine, but will need a first quarter boost for their financial statements. January-February-March is usually a slow quarter in sales and a buff and subsequent pop in sales of expansions would be welcome to the finance boys. It is a business and it's all about money. If they were smart, a little nudge here, a little nudge there to skills can actually translate into increased sales. Just one idea I have on how they could be getting more dollars from their customer base, but I dont get paid enough to share my other money makers.

reaper with no name

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2009

FaZ

D/

24 Nov 2009 at 21:27 - 14

The problem is not farming, per se. The problem is that certain farming builds are too effective in general play. Farming is, by its very nature, supposed to be limited in scope. IE, you make a build that is custom-tailored to the monsters of an area to allow you to defeat them with little risk. But you are not supposed to be able to take that same overly-gimmicky build and make it through missions and vqs and whatever else you can think of.

55 is a good example of what farming should be. It is great for some areas, but if you try to use it as a general pve build something will inevitably hit you with degen or lifesteal or enchantment stripping and you'll fall flat on your face.

Shayne Hawke

Departed from Tyria

Join Date: May 2007

Clan Dethryche [dth]

R/

24 Nov 2009 at 21:29 - 15

Or, maybe, just maybe, ANet doesn't like speed clears of elite areas anymore.

MithranArkanere

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Nov 2006

wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigo

Heraldos de la Llama Oscura [HLO]

E/

24 Nov 2009 at 21:37 - 16

Farmers are not playing the game as intended, and they get more cash, and they usually also trade more, and use external sites to trade and auction.

That makes farming the main source of a high-end microeconomy, that too often forces elevated prices for some items.
That frustrates average players, that see how will be impossible to get something from other players as fast as they do, and some even think that the only way to acquire such things is also doing what those farmers do.

But the thing is that excessive farming must be PREVENTED, not halted after having it working for years.
Otherwise many players will feel like that excessive farming is part of the game they paid for, even if it's not, and when you remove that, they'll feel as if they were cut from part of the game, even if that part was never meant to be.

If GW had a real ingame trade system and this kind of excessive farmings were cut as soon as possible, nothing of this would have happened.

What to do when things get to this? Explain the failure, apologize and bring the big skillchanger hammer, not the small one. And after that change, try to keep a good pace and not leave excessive farmings working for too long again.

And of course learn for future games.

Eragon Zarroc

Atra estern?? ono thelduin

Join Date: Jan 2008

Madness Incarnate

[Duo]

W/P

24 Nov 2009 at 22:13 - 17

there is much more dramatic courses of action that could be taken to drive people away from the game than nerfing SF... if that was truly their course of thinking, they would have just nerfed it into the ground long ago instead of taking so long to think of a proper way to nerf it without estranging the entire farming population... fvcking hell man...

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

24 Nov 2009 at 22:20 - 18

I don't buy at what this thread is getting at but at the same time it depends on what other farming builds.I will say this though that if it includes a lot of duel farming builds then yes a lot will just QQ like Warriors did when they did to absorption rune on running.It wasn't just the rune it was the run it self.

I doubt I would want to pug in the UW especially as a Monk missions are bad enough.I wouldn't want to go through the same experience in some place like the UW.

This is why I am playing another game right now as this game offers me nothing no rewards for beating it.The day the UW and FoW becomes like the Catacombs is the day I go get my FoW sets.

Painbringer

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

Minnesota

Black Widows of Death

W/Mo

24 Nov 2009 at 22:32 - 19

Reduced server running costs, -

Upgrade upgradable servers for new GW2 while maintaining current load on older aging servers… may cause some lag but not intentional

Reduced pressure on resources (such as staff)-

This has already been done they have moved most to new projects for the development of GW2. Leaving a enough staff to keep it flowing and enable small changes at a time. Keep in mind the staff can switch back and forth if they need to. Example events or major programming changes

And a remaining dedicated player base, which plays the game in its 'true spirit' (or as ArenaNet intends). –

We are still playing any cookie is a good cookie at this point. Ring a bell and the spit starts flowing... Pavlov’s theory

Davros Uitar

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Fool Wolves

W/Mo

24 Nov 2009 at 22:34 - 20

The thread is mainly just a "QQ, I shadow form and it looks like they are going to finally do their job and balance it. Think ima gonna leave GW if they won;t let me farm".

It really is quite amusing

. Personally I like evolution - the bear is dead, the clock is ticking on god mode - long live the next evolution. For those so attached to their sins - learn to use the daggers dudes.

Voodoo Rage

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2008

Sacramento, CA

Geezers

R/

24 Nov 2009 at 22:36 - 21

Anet is going to reduce the the length of all enchantments by 20% and then sell a 40% enchanting mod in the in-game store for $15 per character.

Barrage

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2008

A/

24 Nov 2009 at 22:50 - 22

This may seem over the top but I want to send a message :

If you are going to nerf farming builds, then make titles not cost 1mill + for some, OR RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE OFF.

fenix

Major-General Awesome

Join Date: Aug 2005

Aussie Trolling Crew HQ - Event Organiser and IRC Tiger

Ex Talionis [Law], Trinity of the Ascended [ToA] ????????????????&#

W/

24 Nov 2009 at 23:07 - 23

So you think there'll be a massive exodus of players if they nerf farming? Then I shall post this pre-emptively;

And nothing of value was lost.

MisterB

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Oct 2005

Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy

[ban]

W/

24 Nov 2009 at 23:09 - 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voodoo Rage

Anet is going to reduce the the length of all enchantments by 20% and then sell a 40% enchanting mod in the in-game store for $15 per character.

You do realize that works out to only a 12% net gain in enchantment duration, right?

tre_peter

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Northern Ireland

24 Nov 2009 at 23:30 - 25

Yes, I'd agree with most who said this is wildly speculating. It is a bit premature and a bit 'over the top conspiracy theory'. I tried to make it clear I was only making assumptions, sorry if this wasn't the case. I also sensationalised it to provoke a response, and I'm encouraged by most of them.

Back on topic though - it almost a given, that being a business, they wont run this game if it isn't cost effective (if it reaches that point).

So I gladly accept that they aren't trying to flush the player base right now, but I believe in the possibility of it happening. I could well be wrong, I fully accept that. Interpreting what action they've taken and seemingly plan to take, it could be the start of it (considering how they are aware that numbers of players enjoy this style, and what result it might have).

I'd also like to note (although it doesn't really matter) that I've never made an assassin in PvE thus never used Shadow Form.

Axeman002

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2008

A/Mo

24 Nov 2009 at 23:48 - 26

the games coming up 5 year old...how many times u expecting people to play the same thing over and over again....i like farming aswell as title hunting but titles can get as dull as farming, so i switch every now and then...take one of those away and i will have to find summit else to change i.e a new game till GW2 is released..

why do u guys have such a pain in the ass single minded view on people who farm and enjoy it?...its a game let me/them play it how i/they want, u only got to put up with it for another 12-18 months then the game will be deserted and all our farmed stuff is worthless.....

(2 months after farm nerf) but wait we have no one to bitch at...tell you what lets stop these PvP rollers as there too good so they need handicapped to make if fair for us blah blah blah blah.

please hurry GW2 so we get new guru arguments plzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Lishy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2008

25 Nov 2009 at 00:01 - 27

GW conspiracy theories are almost as stupid and ignorant as ones about our politics.

I`ll leave it at that since the message is clear. You`re silly.

tre_peter

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

Northern Ireland

25 Nov 2009 at 00:10 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

Do you really think enough people would leave the game based on a farming nerf to merit ArenaNet cutting back on server/maintenance enough to save a significant amount of money? That's pretty ridiculous.

What about all the people who came back to try the new UW content? What about the increased activity in UW because of the update? Do you honestly think activity will actually decrease because of the update?

Perhaps ArenaNet "nerfed solo farming" because most people prefer actually being able to find PuGs? Perhaps they simply want people to play the game as it was intended, and enjoy the new content rather than mindlessly farming it. Perhaps they did it to benefit the economy? I could think of a dozen more good reasons for ArenaNet to take this course, though sadly you are probably unwilling to accept any that aren't deeply negative, thus giving you cause to step up on your podium.

I enjoyed (and agree with) your post except the last bit. It kinda tainted what was otherwise a well intended argument.

Your post generally highlights the train of thought I'd go with, but in the sake of playing devil's advocate I made the original post from one side of the argument (of 'benefit the players' vs. 'benefit the business'). I'm just someone who doesn't like to rule out possibilities (though the way I originally sensationalised it does make it seem absurd).

Braxton619

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2008

A/W

25 Nov 2009 at 00:28 - 29

You know the reason why ArenaNet is slow about nerfing farming skills? They are afraid of ragequits. If perma sin gets nerfed, probably 50% of the player base will leave. This will lose ArenaNet a lot of money. This includes loss of Micro Transactions and GW2.

Fay Vert

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

R/

25 Nov 2009 at 00:31 - 30

If all a player has left in the game is permasin farming, they are not going to be around for GW2. The only hope ANet has to keep an interested and populous player base is to keep the game something of value.

Martin Alvito

Older Than God (1)

Join Date: Aug 2006

Clan Dethryche [dth]

25 Nov 2009 at 00:58 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramp

If my theory is correct, that overbuffing skills causes an INCREASE in revenue for them, then Ursan was great and caused many more EOTN sales. Then SF caused a jump in Factions. So if I look into the crystal ball I will make this prediction: They will nerf SF and buff another skill on some other profession and make that the new overpowered farming meta. This will cause sales to pop again.

"Your theory?" People have been saying that on this board since Ursan got out of control. Won't work now, in any event. You had to buy everything to use SF. Factions for SF, Nightfall for Paradox, Prophecies to get a decent group. People already had EotN due to Ursan. The hardcore farming crowd already owns everything.

I'm not convinced that they plan these things. (Well, OK, maybe Ursan and consumables.) I am willing to bet that marketing tells them to cease and desist when they suggest fixing issues that sell games.

I doubt that they can squeeze any more blood from this stone by decreasing activity. Dumb business move in any event. Your cost to server maintenance as a player between now and GW2's release is far lower than your prospective revenue stream if they retain you as a paying customer. Worth the investment, really.

I wouldn't be surprised to see some people walk over this nerf. The larger issue is that while this has desperately needed doing for a very long time, it's unlikely to attract back the players that walked away from GW easy mode.

II Lucky Charm II

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

Seoul, Korea

Mo/Me

25 Nov 2009 at 01:29 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by tre_peter

TL/DR version - ArenaNet nerf farming to purposely reduce player numbers to benefit from reduced server costs etc. Good business on their side.

Anet has already started this long ago. They purposely ban many accounts and blamed an unidentified hacker for it. Hence, during that "hacked" period, we were able to play with less lag since less people were able to access the server due to this "hack." Since many of the old guild wars players have already quit the game, this ban deemed to be the most efficient way to reduce the numbers of players (Not so many of those old players bother to check their guild wars accounts because they have moved onto better games). Hence, they were able to reduce the up-keep cost for the server. Check out these threads for more info. on this hack event:

Reduced lag: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10389173
Hack: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10388313

Zahr Dalsk

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2007

Canada

25 Nov 2009 at 01:39 - 33

Even if farmers leave, I think most title grinders will stay. And that includes a lot of the farmers.

EDIT: If ArenaNet was clever, they might actually decide to make the next farm build really good... but require something from the ingame store. Not explicitly so, but enough that people realize, "Hey, this store feature, it opens up a really powerful farming build possibility."

For example, a new BMP but with special PvE-only weapons that have unique effects. And these effects carefully tailored so that, with the appropriate build, make for really strong farming. Then ArenaNet could just leak the build out.

Ugh

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2009

R/

25 Nov 2009 at 01:51 - 34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zahr Dalsk

For example, a new BMP but with special PvE-only weapons that have unique effects. And these effects carefully tailored so that, with the appropriate build, make for really strong farming. Then ArenaNet could just leak the build out.

Anet wouldn't do that unless they wanted to lose the respect of every single player in their dedicated fanbase.

LunchboxOctober

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2008

Canada, eh

The Unsound Souls [Soul]

W/

25 Nov 2009 at 02:14 - 35

Changing SF won't have such a dramatic effect, humans are the most adaptive creature on this planet and they will find a way around whatever changes are made.

What would be nice is to fix tactics stances with PvE versions so Warriors can go back to tanking.

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

25 Nov 2009 at 03:20 - 36

you are assuming that everyone who plays guild wars uses SF and is a farmer ...

This is a good example of why ArenaNet has a wonderful business model. Buy to play without subscription fees.

First of all lots of GW players don't hang in the game 24/7, they come back whenever there's a celebration. Just wait till Christmas, you'll see.

Now my schedule is play Saturdays and Sundays, but only if the weekend rewards is what I wanted. Vanquish one area once in a while, when GW2 is out I'd have done everything there is to do, except getting destroyer weapons, which i think will take up too much of my time, since everything I once saved up were lost. But no biggie.

Cuilan

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2008

Me/

25 Nov 2009 at 04:12 - 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by tre_peter

TL/DR version - ArenaNet nerf farming to purposely reduce player numbers to benefit from reduced server costs etc. Good business on their side.

That has to be the most retarded troll post I've read here in quite a while. Nerf won't make people who enjoy the game quit.

Not everyone spends the day farming.

Personally, I'm very glad Anet is doing something finally about speed clears, etc. Nerfing farming builds and over powered skills is nothing new.

Tramp

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

25 Nov 2009 at 04:27 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugh

Anet wouldn't do that unless they wanted to lose the respect of every single player in their dedicated fanbase.

P/R ratio (price to respect ratio) or P/E ratio (price to earnings ratio), I wonder which one is ultimately more important? LoL. Of course they would and should sell an add on or bonus wep pack or something like that to buff some farming ability. Everyone and their mother would buy it and they would make tons of money. Look at it this way, people are not quitting because someone else is using SF or some other overpowered skill. However, the people who are likely to quit are those who enjoy farming with overpowered skills and have their enjoyment taken away. If they sold a new skill or weapons pack, the R would go down and the E would go up, and the fanbase would keep on playing through.

Silmar Alech

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2009

Europe

Tom Son [TS]

E/

25 Nov 2009 at 14:09 - 39

We players don't have the big picture. We don't know the size of the player base. We don't even know how many farming builds will be hit. Will it be SF, will it be 600hp, will it be all farming? We don't know how many players are actually using SF as main farming or playing skill (I know none of them, but other guilds consist 95% of them) or how many are solely doing solo-farming.

Anything mentioned here is pure speculation. Thinking about the economical impact of a nerf to Anet - again, we don't have the big picture, so anything is only a wild guess and most likely an invalid one, because we don't have the information Anet has.

In my opinion, you are wasting time if you put any thought into this topic. Most of you are clearly afraid of a farm nerf, but why don't you state this directly instead of rambling about how bad the financial impact to Anet it could be?

There is a reason for nerfs. Until now it was to keep the game balanced. Not more. A balanced game is a healthy game that has the best possible perspective for the future. I don't see a change in this concept.

zwei2stein

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Jun 2006

Europe

The German Order [GER]

N/

25 Nov 2009 at 15:04 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

Perhaps ArenaNet "nerfed solo farming" because most people prefer actually being able to find PuGs? Perhaps they simply want people to play the game as it was intended, and enjoy the new content rather than mindlessly farming it. Perhaps they did it to benefit the economy? I could think of a dozen more good reasons for ArenaNet to take this course, though sadly you are probably unwilling to accept any that aren't deeply negative, thus giving you cause to step up on your podium.

I think we were over this in prophecies era when people wanted to pug for THK and did not have enough monks to fill party.

55hp became obvious scrapegoat: General idea was that if farming was nerfed, 55ers would in turn flood THK district, lfg as healers and everyone will happily pug for mission.

That was, of course, ridiculously naive.

Economy benefits by nerfing Farming.
PuG benefits by mostly only one thing: Content that everyone wants to do.

Anet did smart thing and did both in last update: Nerf farming and introduce new content.