http://www.longislandexchange.com/profilesLong Island Exchange http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=195 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=195 I know I said I was done with Guild Wars, but something with the game finally clicked for me and I think I short-changed the game in my last post. . I dinged the game because I didnt find the search for skills to be all that interesting. I also noticed that people kept saying the game was like a collectible card game. The other day this finally clicked for me and I understood what they were talking about. I just couldnt stop thinking of the game in the terms I was familiar with, and it was giving me some kind of idiot mental block about it. I expect RPG games to follow a line of steady progression of character development from weenie to Wonderboy. I thrive on this sort of thing, and that expectation kept me from seeing the strategy game staring me in the face the entire time. You can only have have eight spells or abilities avilable at any one time. I thought this was like, an interface limitation. You know, thats how many spells fit on your hotbar, spell toolbar, whatever ..... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:11:50 -0600 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=194 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=194 However, it is useful to know the exact changes when planning the builds and strategies to be used. Enemies differ both in their AI and raw power: Monsters in hard mode are of a higher level (minimum level 20) compared to their normal mode counterparts. Monsters have a 33 to 50 percent shorter casting duration, faster movement and faster attack speed. In terms of AI: Monsters in hard mode respond and escape from AoE damage more quickly. Monsters in hard mode will be more likely to kite for longer periods of time. Melee monsters in hard mode avoid focusing their attacks on one target. All of these changes are meant to make monsters harder, but they can also be exploited. For example, a 50% faster attack speed means 50% more damage dealt to your party. At the same time, it also means 50% more damage dealt by hexes like Spiteful Spirit and Empathy. Team build As a rule of thumb, only the most efficient PvE builds will do for hard mode. Many sub-optimal builds are still able to ..... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:11:48 -0600 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=193 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=193 I have tested it multiple times, just to make sure that the first time through wasnt a fluke, and so far Ive been 5 for 5 with it. Equipment Armor: Max armor, Mysticism Hood. I used a superior vigor, but the way the runs went it didnt seem essential. As far as runes you will need a major mysticism, major earth prayers, minor wind prayers, and a Rune of Vitae or Attuenment, either is fine. For insignias, the only one that I would very highly recomend is a Windwalkers Insignia for your chest piece. You can use Radiant or Survivor Insignias if you want, just for a little extra energy and health on the remaining pieces of armor. Weapons: I used a totem axe, but any simmilar one handed weapon will work, as long as it has +20% enchanting(18% or 19% will work too if you you have one laying around). I used a modded offhand with +45 health w/enchanted and Halves Recharge of Spells 10%, but if you dont have something like that laying around one of the offhands that you can craft at D ..... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:11:57 -0600 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=192 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=192 If Guild Wars reminds you a bit of Blizzards classic Diablo action role-playing games, thats probably because developer ArenaNet was founded by Blizzard veterans. . While Guild Wars isnt a massively multiplayer, persistent-world game like EverQuest, the goal in the game is to explore a vast, virtual world while battling both computer-controlled enemies and other players. However, Guild Wars will require you to do a lot more than just rapidly click on the mouse button to hack and slash your opponents. The game also incorporates a vast and intricate skill-based system reminiscent of the card game Magic: The Gathering. Each character can have dozens, if not hundreds, of skills in his or her inventory, but prior to each adventure, you can only select a handful of those skills to bring along. We had the chance recently to ask producer Jeff Strain how the gameplay in Guild Wars will adjust to accommodate veteran and casual role-playing gamers. Hes about to deliver a splitting hea ..... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:11:17 -0600 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=191 http://www.longislandexchange.com/profiles/rss.php?header=blogs&id=191 It started out as just something to do to pass the time but after playing games such as Mafia Wars, Mobsters, and Dragon Wars I realized how addicting it could be. The problem is that with a full time school schedule and a full time job I just do not have the time to keep up with those people who can afford to spend 9 to 10 hours a day playing those games. So what did I do. Well I basically went on a quest to find any cheats, hints, tips, and codes for Mafia Wars that I could uncover. Also Instead of playing the game the regular way, I looked at ways that I can get ahead faster than the average person just clicking and waiting. I crunched numbers, I looked at the code, I asked other players. you name it I did it all. After doing all of this research I came to the conclusion that the developer did an excellent job of protecting Mafia Wars from cheats and hacks. However, no one is perfect and through my research I did find many cheats and glitches for the game that once worke ..... Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:11:34 -0600