Increased difficulty VS Std server play experience
I finally completed my experiment.
I jumped on to Treebeard the day it opened and started up a Hobbit Burglar.
I had great fun progressing him up to about L55 then decided to try the experiment.
I created a new character on Crickhollow, a Stout Axe Burglar.
I progressed him up to 60 and when I stepped onto the shore in Mirkwood I decided I would go back to Treebeard and compare the experience of finishing the Epic book.
I had just completed Vol. II. Book 8 on the Stout Axe the night before and hopped back to Treebeard and the Hobbit.
I intended to do the final Book 5 thru Book 8 quests on the Hobbit and compare the experience.
There is a vast experience difference in one respect.
The Skirmish chapters in particular.
Otherwise, yes, the Stout-Axe is one-shotting almost everything and the Hobbit sometimes needed 2-shots, but generally speaking it was similar.
The Stout-Axe makes a great Burglar...must be all the might or something.
The Skirmishes are another story.
The Eye-Of-Sauron is active in these "instances" unlike all the other instances, where the "difficulty" effects are negated.
On the Stout-Axe, I hadn't started any Skirmishes so I had to go thru the Training experience. I did it just enough to get out (got the Herbalist to 10 on all skills/training).
I breezed thru the 3 Epic Skirmishes even though I hadn't done them in years.
On the Hobbit, I had a much more advanced soldier.
So, I was thinking that the Epic Skirmishes would be similar due to the advanced state of my soldier.
No.
I retreated at least 6 times. I quit keeping track. I was very surprised. I was not expecting the difficulty changes. It's not only the EoS, but fights in-general are tougher.
You have to pay attention. That is what I want from Treebeard...some challenge. But it was "disturbing", to be on such a well-equipped and polished Burglar only to be made aware that I was not Super-Hobbit.
After the skirmishes things reverted back to normal and I was sad when I got to the end and discovered I was done...no Mirkwood for Treebeard yet.
If I were to go back and replay the Skirmishes, I have no doubt I would fare better now that I know to be more careful. I was so accustomed to breezing thru all of the content with the Stout-Axe that I just wasn't prepared for the difference.
The other purpose of the experiment was to experience the new Legendary System on a fresh character with no old-style Legendary to deconstruct.
Generally speaking, it went well. I was able to max out my Legendaries while just playing the game...mostly I just focused on the Epic, but I did a lot of the side-quests also.
I have to say that the New system is a much better experience than the old one for a new character. I remember slaving away, trying to get a First-Age Weapon and build it up...that was a lot of work I didn't really care for. With the new system...you don't need to "work" to get them advanced... it does seem to just happen as you advance thru the quests.
