Fridgecritter 2X Diablo 2 random loot

[lsuee]

I had a weak impression on my first attempt with the server. I was highly disappointed with the rate of lvling (weapons didnt bother me b/c i had a monk).

I decided to give it one more try... I found out that there are certain zones with an exp bonus and stuck to them. Lvling def went faster and i'm far more pleased. I would recommend the same exp bonus for these certain zones to be implemented throughout the entire game world. "If" the server becomes more popular these zones will be too overcrowded and people will get frustrated.

Another concern I have is with the loot system. I was looting lvl 50+ items in my teens...Is this how it's supposed to be? I'm not sure of the reasoning with this. Also, is there a purpose to kill named mobs? Do they guarantee a loot drop? I've been getting some INSANE items off of low lvl mobs and am wondering if there's even a point to kill named guys.

[Fridgecritter]

I really appreciate the input from all of you, especially Angelox. I am constantly updating things to try and make the gaming experience better. I think I can address a couple of things that have been said:

The drops need a LOT of work. I will have to spend hours and hours more balancing the loot table. I was using GeorgeS program to automatically insert items into the loot table. This program does the job it was written to do. Unfortunately, this is not what I want. Because of this, I am going to have to actually put in the work myself to insert some more random drops that are level appropriate.

The starting items issue was fixed, as well as the starting cities. Everyone starts with the right items now, and new players start in Nexus now.

I changed the exp rate from 3X to 2X because people got to level 75 in 2 days when it was 3X. I figured out why this happened as well. I went into the zones table and accidentally changed the exp modifier to 1 with a script. This meant that instead of the .4 that some zones have by defualt, it was 1, so you had the 3X, plus the zone modifier of 1. I am changing the exp rate back to 3X soon.

I thought this was going to be an easy thing to do with that program, but there needs to be a lot more taken into consideration as far as the loot tables go. Also, I agree with you about the hot zones. There are hundreds of maps for a reason, and these hotzones fill up quick once the server is populated.

I have a lot of work to do, and I have already dove into the database to try and figure most of it out. I am in it for the long haul. In the meantime, I answer ALL petitions, so if you are on my server, and you don't want to flood these forums, drop me a /petition and I will read it and make changes when appropriate.

My end goal is not to shortcut exploration of the bosses and such, as is noted in one of the replies... Really I just want to randomize the drops game-world-wide, while keeping them level specific. GeorgeS program does not distinguish level increments. It lets you alter tables by regular, various, and high level. I need to either do it with the research and the console, or I need to write a VB program to do it. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks again for the input.

[Angelox]

I would first make one starting zone for all, which would probably be tutorialb, since it was made for that, and will be easy to adapt - then have some sort of "flag" system that gets you out of tutorialb, and to the next level. I still have sqls that will convert all starting zones to tutorialb if you need.
Having all starting zones in the same place is also good for any type server who has few members, as it brings them to play together (that's a big reason Sony started tutorialb, as their player base got smaller).
Anyways, in tutorialb, I had figured Krenshin was the highest mob there, hardest to kill, so, I used him for a "jump-start" quest (used to have) to LoY zones. You probably could alter this quest, and use it to your benefit - Krenshin still drops the item needed.;

#zone: tutorialb
#Revised Angelox
#This is a custom quest, intended mainly for the players to try out newly revised LoY zones.

sub EVENT_SAY {
 if ($text=~/hail/i){
  quest::say("Thank you for helping our rebellion. If you wish to [escape] at any time simply let me know.");
  quest::emote("sighs...");
  quest::say("Or perhaps you have become bored with the same adventures and prefer something [different].");
 }
  elsif ($text=~/escape/i) {
  quest::say("Here, I'll show you how to get out. But remember, once you leave you can't get back in, or you jepordize our whole operation.");
  quest::say("Are you [sure] you want to leave?");
 }
  elsif ($text=~/different/i) {
  quest::say("Aye, different; a world of [pirates] and [treasure] ... ");
 }
  elsif ($text=~/pirates/i) {
  quest::say("There are many evil pirates there, nasty place to be. I could [send] you there, with proper [status], although you'd never be able to return here");
 }
  elsif ($text=~/treasure/i) {
  quest::say("Many riches those pirates carry, you could attain an impressive [status] if you weren't killed first");
 }
  elsif ($text=~/status/i) {
  quest::say("I can give you a compatible starting-level, with a few extra spells, once you ge there.");
 }
  elsif ($text=~/prove/i) {
  quest::say("Bring me a part of Krenshin's bones, and I'll know you have mastered these mines, send you on your way...");
 }
  elsif ($text=~/sure/i) {
  quest::say("Good luck!");
  quest::delglobal("$name");
  quest::rebind(202,337.91,335.60,-126.50);
  quest::movepc(202,337.91,335.60,-126.50);
 }
  elsif(($text=~/send/i)&&(${$name}==3)){
  quest::say("Good luck my friend ....");
  quest::delglobal("$name");
  quest::level(35);
  quest::rebind(224,-978.10,1717.51,42.37);
  quest::movepc(224,-978.10,1717.51,42.37);
 }
  elsif ($text=~/send/i) {
  quest::say("I can send you, but I worry you might not survive, due to lack of skills. You'd have to [prove] yourself to me first");
 }
}

sub EVENT_ITEM{
  if ($itemcount{56001} == 1){
    quest::delglobal("$name");
    quest::setglobal("$name",3,3,"F");
    $name=undef;
    quest::level(25);
    quest::scribespells();
    quest::say("You have done well! I can now [send] you to The Gulf of Gunthak at your request"); 
  }
}

Since tutorialb is good for about level 1-15, send the players to a small group of zones (level15-25?), with similar (flag) quests on the big bosses.

[miotch]

server offline?

[Fridgecritter]

I chose Plane of Torment for the higher zone for 70s... I think this is crashing the server. None of the other zones seem to crash it. I will be working today to get it worked out.

Thanks for the tips on tutorialb. I had the zone as one of the choices on the teleporter, but not too many people used it. I guess if you make them go there first, and don't let them out until they bring the quest item, it would work out well. I see a problem with sending them to other similar places and making them get a quest item in order to leave... since the game is so big, and people will want to explore all of it.

Maybe this is not what you meant. If so, elaborate please. I will also be working on the loot tables today. I will be changing the name of the server to ALPHA since I am obviously not ready to have it open all the time, so players enter at your own risk (and by risk I mean several restarts while it's in alpha mode). I should have done a lot more research before opening it in the first place.

Anyhow, it should be a fun project, and last me a while. The server is paid up for 6 months, so it's here long term... I got a good deal on it through work hehe.

Thanks again for all of your input, and the code, Angelox.

[lsuee]

I'm actually having a good deal of fun on your server so far. I do have a couple of questions and would like to offer a couple pieces of advice.

Questions: You mentioned putting the server in ALPHA mode and said we can expect several restarts. Does this mean several restarts per play session, per day or per the ALPHA period? Furthermore, will our characters be wiped once you decide the final version is done?

Advice: Give main bosses their own item loot that will give people a reason to kill them. The other piece of advice would be to make all items dropable.

[Fridgecritter]

There will be a few restarts a day, depending on how many changes made to the database I do per day. I will try and wait until I have a few changes made until I do a restart.

As for character wipes... I don't plan on wiping the chars. I don't know if I will have to, and I don't see a reason to do so yet, so the answer for now is no.

I thought about taking the no-drop or no-trade status off of things in an effort to get people to trade back and forth for gear they can't use since there is no economy on a custom server... But I changed my mind because I don't want people hording items and giving it to their alts and not having to earn anything with their alts.

As for the bosses, there will be some planning involved, but I am not sure what yet. I am thinking not just drops, but custom quests that will take you to all corners of Norrath and beyond to finish them, with good rewards of course.

[Cvinion]

First thanks for a the fun server man, Im having tons of fun playing here, but secondly I was just curiois as to if you have an idea of how long it will be before the custom loot tables are implimented, any updates on this would be really appreciated. I jsut like staying on top of things to know what the next big thing is going to be.