Check out Shattering of Ro now! You can find the link to the expansion on the launcher, it's well worth the buy. I haven't posted about the expansion here since I've been super enjoying it!
Arcane Tranquility is still recruiting!
Let's start with the not so good about this expansion first.
The expansion seems well planned and thought out, besides a few issues I've seen with it. The biggest issue I have with the expansion is how hard it is in t2 zones to traverse after having to get the flagging done in Candlemaker's Workshop. The issue I see with this is how hard it is to get folks to group if you want pick up players to come along. I'm a firm believer the group game should be accessible to everyone without much difficulty, because once it gets harder, there's less chance people will be invited. In a game that a lot if not most classes can not "solo" even trash mobs. (I'm speaking without mercenary help here.) and requires you to group, I find this an issue, as it causes the requirement to be less obtainable to access the game that people pay to play.
Really the above are my only gripes.
Now, this may sound contradictory, but I assure you it's not, as I see both sides here. I was at one point a high end raider, who took everything about the game way too seriously. I still do, but in different ways.
I think the jump in difficulty is ALSO A GOOD THING!!! I just wish the jump in difficulty was done in instanced versions of zones instead of the regular zones. I like instances for many reasons, but also I see the downside to them. I do however, think the challenging content should be in instances exclusively, so then even harder content can be released, and closer to the end of the expansion, lower tier versions for "catch up mechanics" if you will can be released.
The zones are beautiful and well put together for the age of the engine! I do recall during the Shattering of Ro stream it was said (I think it was Absor? (a deverloper)) that on the next expansion, even more graphical improvements will be made, without much more on that topic, it's hard to tell what exactly that means. However, I do think it's only going to be a good thing with improvements.
The new monster models are fantastic. My favorite is the new Solusek NPC's in Candlemaker's Workshop in the NW corner. Solusek Ro's Tower 2.0 dungeon crawl anyone!? Man that would be great to run through that zone in a group version with mobs that are tuned specifically to require you to take your time getting through. Perhaps Plane of Justice dungeon crawl too!? What about Valor?! Man... a dungeon crawl expansion through Planes of Power would be awesome. Anyways, before I go too far off topic, seriously -- these graphics are fantastic for the age of the engine. Well done Daybreak.
The bazaar seems to be pretty active currently, at least on Povar, which is very nice. Selling some old TOV stuff even, which btw, anyone need any of that stuff? I'll give it for free honestly. Hit me up in game.
The new buffs also make it feel like they are necessary again, when in the past it really didn't seem too necessary, just kill a bit slower or be a bit spikier in health. Now, it feels almost dangerous without, at least for my set up. I'm a mix of ToB and LS raid gear, so some of the best gear in game currently and still have issues.
All in all this expansion definitely is well worth it, especially if you have a friend group to play with! If not, hit up Arcane Tranquility today and join an amazing growing family/hopefully raiding guild.
-Xyvyn