Automatic AA Point Grants Per Level, Up to 280AA @ 90
After reading today’s announcement, your first comment will probably be “Why the **** wasn’t this announced yesterday?!?!“. Your second comment will probably be “I’m never moving my AA slider above 0% again!“.
Starting Thursday, December 18th, all EQ2 characters as they level from up will receive an automatic amount of AA points based on their level. At level 10, you’ll be given 5 points. At level 11, you’ll get another 3 points. At level 15, you’ll have received 22 points and so forth. Any EQ2 character currently level 90 but with less than 280 AAs (I counted — it’s 9,785) who logs in after December 18th will be auto-granted 280 AAs.
This change does not interfere with your ability to earn AA points, and after level 90, you are ON YOUR OWN, this change should make sure that you have the minimum number of AAs to do the content you want AND lets you seamlessly continue playing after level 90 rather than being stonewalled. This should take a lot of the bite out of grinding AAs and let players level more freely in Agnostic Dungeons, from questing, and so forth. And hopefully this will debunk those conspiracy theories about SOE trying to sell Heroic Characters and AA baubles!
The announcement after the jump…
From EQ2 Senior Producer Holly “Windstalker” Longdale on the EQ2 Forums:
Hail Norrath!
We are happy to announce an addition to our Alternate Advancement (AA) system that will launch next week. For some time now we’ve wanted to improve our AAs to make earning them more in line with the natural progression of an adventuring character – not two individual leveling mechanics. In addition to that, we also recognize that the 280AA barrier at level 90 isn’t “fun” though it’s necessary for us to balance the higher end of the game for all players.
So, in the interest of fun and improved character development, on Thursday, December 18 we are going to add the auto-granting of AAs to our system in the following ways:
1. Starting at level 10 until Level 90:
- 5 AAs granted upon reaching level 10
- 3 AAs for each level (16, 17, 18, etc.)
- 2 Additional Bonus AAs for every 5 levels (15, 20, 25, etc.)
- 3 Additional Bonus AAs at level 90 (for a total of 8!)
2. Players keep banked or used AAs and will be auto-granted AAs up to 280AAs at or before level 90.
3. AAs stop being auto-granted when 280AAs are reached at or before level 90. (Players can still earn AAs naturally, however.)
4. The 280AA bauble available in the store will be raised to 320AAs and usable at level 10.
5. Players with unused “Touch of the Steward” items given with the Chains of Eternity expansion which grant 280AAs will find it now usable at level 10 (down from level 90).
6. All characters will be updated to the new system which will include granting AAs for levels earned.
- Example: a Level 48 character will be granted 133AAs in the new system. If a Level 48 character is below 133AAs when we launch the new system, they’ll be set to 133AAs. If they are above 133AAs, their AAs will remain unchanged. In both cases, that character will be granted 3 points at level 49, and 5 points at level 50.
We’re excited for this update on Thursday, December 18, and we’re grateful for your continued support!
Here’s a helpful chart of how many AAs you will be granted per level:
Trackback from your site.
Comments (44)
Dedith
| #
*enraptured* pretty charts and kermit.. 😯
Reply
Wilhelm Arcturus
| #
This will be good news for some of my pre-KotS characters that, in some cases, lack more than a few AA points while their adventure level is in the 50-60 range.
Reply
7rlsy
| #
whoa — !
Reply
Ereon
| #
Wow leveling just got a lot easier… So all these characters I have stalled at various levels earning AA, can be released. However, still might be good to stall as the AA cost at higher levels is higher. So my non-serious characters are good to go.
Reply
Carnifex
| #
Useless. The only version that would have been worthwhile would have been a complete adoption of the EQ1 system.
Reply
Feldon
| #
Ok, so how many developer hours do you think it would take to completely reengineer the AA window for 26 classes to have thousands of AA points for infinitesimal percentage gains on stats?
Reply
Keedahm
| #
What are you talking about? All they have to do is remove the limits.
Reply
Kruzzen
| #
I would rather see them remove the limits on individual trees. Let us spend how we want. But that is just me. The aa auto gain is nice, but already have all my aa so does not effect me at all. :/
Reply
Carnifex
| #
I don’t have any idea of the work involved. I have, however, paid them since 1998 for several accounts. For once I was hoping for a real change, rather than some pandemic bandage. That the aa system from conception being flawed I also don’t blame myself for. I will, however, continue to inform them as to what kind of changes would actually impact loyal customers.
Reply
Loch
| #
Good thing you’re out there selflessly speaking on behalf of all of us loyal customers.
Reply
Carnifex
| #
What can I say…..I’m a giver =)
Reply
Charn
| #
If you are telling them what changes would negatively impact customers, then yeah, I agree.
I played EQ1 since ’98. I stopped a few months after EQ2 came out since I liked it more than EQ1. Going back to EQ1 now, with my level 66 characters, and the (literally) THOUSANDS of AAs I’d have to get in addition to the level grind (which was always hell in EQ1, not sure how it is now) in order to compete is WAAAAY too daunting to EVER consider going back to EQ1.
Adopting the EQ1 system would end EQ2 for me. Why would they do that, though? If I wanted the EQ1 system, I’ll play EQ1. EQNext will have an 8-spells hotbar you can use, “multi-classing,” world destruction, and other, different features. I don’t want that here, either. Each game will be different and have its appeal for different people. I wouldn’t want it merged into one.
Now, I AM all for the ability to spend the points how we want on individual trees (with the only limit being you must spend Y points to get X endline). If I want to spend 200 points in one tree and 20 points in another, why not let me?
Oh, and a re-work of how we spend AA points, making it easier to change earlier-spent abilities without having to clear out everything spent after it, would be MUCH nicer for quality of life.
Reply
Malade
| #
Finally they admit that the entire AA system didn’t work without a f-ton of grinding.
I loved the idea, but ‘starred’ mobs were worth almost nothing and grinding was so much simpler.
Reply
Eric T Lewis
| #
I almost have to laugh at this, I know somebody last night who was griping she had just bought the 280 aa thing from the sc store and the price of it. I can just imagine shes going to hit the roof. I recon seo was not making enough sales of this 280 aa thing in the sc store.
Reply
Blitz77
| #
SOE scews there players then does something solid and most will forget
Nice Job SOE
I will never give SOE another dime as long as that LOSER John Smedley is in charge at SOE.
I cancelled my sub and will only log in FREE to say Hello to my friends but i will encourage them ALL to bail.
Reply
Paddyo
| #
The funny thing about this is, I get 6 AA when I ding 10 already…. and those times when I created a new toon on a double xp weekend, I would get 10 aa for dinging 10 (xp bonus, and such.) Still, this makes sense in terms of a sort of compromise for removing the dungeon maker xp factory. I certainly won’t complain, if I ever make another alt.
Reply
Xalmat
| #
Meh. I say its about time. No one likes grinding for experience in lower levels, especially when the majority of players sholud be at or near level cap, and low levels are virtually deserted.
Reply
Xalmat
| #
Side note: Let’s not forget that EQ2 is 10 years old, and has to compete with other MMOs in a highly competitive market. There are plenty of other games out there if you like grinding (anything from Korea, or named Final Fantasy).
Reply
7rlsy
| #
FFXIV phooey :p
Reply
naturus
| #
Am not happy that last week I bought three 280AA unlockers from marketplace for three of my level 90 alts. If I understand this correctly, now all level 90 toons automatically can level past 90 and I spent station cash for nothing?! Please help me to understand this.
Reply
Filly67
| #
So I couldn’t get all of my AA’s quickly through DM but having them granted automatically is ok.
I am not upset with the decision (’cause I really don’t care) but I am so confused by their thought process. It’s like they don’t even remember what they do from day to day.
Reply
Loch
| #
Their thought process isn’t about speed of earning things. It’s that they’d rather you played in the content intended to gain levels and AAs, instead of sit idle in a Dungeon Maker.
Even the Heroic Character option is meant to get you going and playing in the higher content.
Reply
Oxymorphone
| #
I remember the time those AA’s ment something, now they are a chore and most of them irrelevant.
Think it’s good for new players and people with alts.
Reply
Nefa
| #
what do level 100 toons get? 350 AA ? Did I miss something about level 100?
Reply
Thait
| #
Yeah they still sit at 350. We got a new prestige tree in this exp.
Reply
Feldon
| #
You’re on your own after 280AA. If you are low level with lots of AAs, then you will still get the bonus AAs each level until level 90 (or whenever you get 280). You’ll reach 280 AAs earlier and so it’s still a beneficial change.
Reply
Filly67
| #
It seems crystal clear to my husband and I that this game is really moving away from the interests of their long term subscribers. Anyone of us who has played this game for five or more years can clearly see the writing on the wall. The game is stagnant and these types of blind sweeps like the DM fiasco and meaningless changes like this AA change are aimed at new blood coming in the game.
Show people that they can buy a heroic, not need to put much time into the easy to get AA’s…. Then show them to the potions, and other paid items. The new target customer is someone who will play and pay for 12 to 18 months. For some reason they seem to have their sights set on them.
This latest change doesn’t bother or affect us. Not one of our 40 toons have less then 280 AA. But this game is no longer interested in long term relationships with their customers.
Reply
milliebii
| #
Pretty much this.
After all people who have been playing “this game for five or more years” are quite unlikely to move to EQ Not!, for a variety of reasons. However people who will “play and pay” this game for the next 12 to 18 months seem like a good target audience for playing EQ Not! on release.
So it comes down to SOE is not interested in players that have supported them for five years and more.
Reply
Loredena
| #
/shrug Different people, different perspectives.
My husband and I have been playing since launch (so 10 years). We both have ~5 characters at 95+ and another 8 or so between 80 and 95, not all of whom have the 280AAs. We also both have another cluster considerably under 80/280 who will be happy to have the autoleveling of AAs. Even if that doesn’t impact the one I level locked, it’s still an improvement. I did not enjoy grinding out AAs so I could get past 90!
I like the changes to AA. I have mixed reaction to the changes to DM. They were broken, and they’ve been broken since SOE fell to the cries of ‘let us play our characters’; they should have left them at avatars frankly. So I do understand why they are taking out the experience, yet at the same time I think there will always be players who want to simply race to max level, and I’d personally prefer they use the DMs then wipe out every contested zone. Of course, I’ve heard an awful lot of people say they feel pressured to use the DMs and so they might be relieved to see them go away.
I do wish they’d leave the earning of tokens though, as I like using them. I also used to use DMs as the easy way of getting my kill x mobs for the loyalty points, but most days 2 writs takes care of that for the same amount of time, so that’s a wash.
Personally, I think SOE still is interested in keeping the long-term subscribes happy, as we are the ones most likely to stay and pay once Next launches. The problem is that we’re a diverse group, and what makes some happy will make others unhappy.
Reply
Danejasho
| #
I come here for the articles, I stay for the comments 😆 😆 😆
Reply
Feldon
| #
A complementary sick bag is provided for SOE employees and rational-minded players who stumble into the comments.
Reply
Loch
| #
I’m sorry, but how exactly is a change like this to AAs going to help sell more heroic characters or AA potions?
Making it easier to level up a character to max level without hitting that 280 wall…I fail to see how that will make players buy MORE of those things.
The dungeon maker was a monumental failure. It turned into a leveling and AA treadmill. The devs want players to play the damn game that they made. The only reason people were in those dungeons was because it was the easiest route.
What they needed to do (and are taking steps toward, it seems) is make the content that they want us to play and make it reward a proper amount of xp. Then people will WANT to do it. It’s a challenge that it seems like they’re working on now.
Reply
Silzin
| #
IF they where to just uncap the AA and unlock all trees they would have to make sure that the Class Spesific Tree and Cub-Class Trees for all classes have the same number of AA in them. Also i for one am not looking forward to the day they say the AA cap is know +/- 800AA. Just did the math all the monk class aa trees.
Reply
Necromancer
| #
I’ve completely stopped caring about things like this. SOE is going to do whatever they want regardless of how the majority feel. You either find ways to enjoy the game and keep giving SOE money or you walk away.
Reply
Filly67
| #
I agree completely, Necromancer. The only change I would make is that I will find a way to enjoy the game and stop giving them my money. Once my sub runs out on our accounts they will not be getting any more.
I just received a survey about AOM in my email. While I filled it out very truthfully and completely I have no reason to believe that they will make any changes based on the responses that they receive.
Reply
Eric T Lewis
| #
I got the aom email as well. I was able to say things to soe that if I would have said it in the regular forums I would have gotten the 5 day vacation. I just hope soe listens to what I had to say, but I would bet 50 bucks and a years sub they do nothing with that data. They don’t like negative comments now days.
Reply
Carnifex
| #
Totally and completely this. Case in point, my wife and I ran a few instances when AoM first came out, and out of 8 runs, 2 of the zones we completed with a group were bugged, we got no ferrins or crate rewards. So we each petitioned, talked maybe 6 times each to a GM, and just got told the quests were broken for everyone so they couldn’t help anyone. That was that….until the wife went on twitter and called out Holly publicly on the quests. Yeah, we had ferrin delivered to us 30 minutes later. Winning. I don’t twitter or twatter at all myself but I’ll turn the wife lose on it daily, now.
Reply
Malleria
| #
Keeping in mind that customer support staff don’t have the authority to grant things that aren’t covered by an existing policy. With brand new expacs it takes time to sort out procedures, so the response you got is exactly what I would have expected tbh. Making Holly aware of the problem got it the attention of someone with the authority to make that call, and a set of guide lines for customer support was probably created to deal with it.
Reply
Filly67
| #
All true except that it should not have escalated to that level. The CS team should have been able to bring it to the right person’s attention. If they did and it was ignored, shame on their system. If they didn’t then I hope someone was spoken to about not waiting until the customers are completely frustrated.
Reply
Flaming Homo
| #
This is a change they should have made the day they added the 280 wall for fucks sake.
Reply
Striinger
| #
I’m guessing the folks reviewing feedback read rational, respectful and constructive posts more often than not. The amount of read time the rants, tantrums and abusive pays get would likely be relayed to how much crazy had already been tolerated already in the day (or how funny the spit is).
EQ2 has some huge challenges to overcome, and clinging to the oldest player base isn’t everything.
* How do you grow player base when even hardcore players (save a few) can’t play/grind all day every day any more?
* How do you draw in players who don’t need prostate checkups when they think Halo is an RPG?
* How can you balance fun without power balance being an issue (in a role based game)?
* Finally, how do you deal with a highly competitive market (that wasn’t when you started) where the franchise producer is willing to suck resources and talent from you to support what he believes is the “next” 10-15 years for your company?
Reply
BG
| #
The AA thing is more than understandable in my opinion. It’s not as if grinding AA was ever an enjoyable activity. The one thing it did do was give me motivation to grind out all the beastlord warders. That made it bearable because I had stuck it out and hit max AA on my level 80 beastlord and gotten most of the warders to six. Honestly not to derail things here but warders are even more tedious than AA grinds were.
As far as the DM rewards.. I’m kind of at a loss there. These types of games are based on making the player “chase the carrot” so to speak. Taking away not only the exp (crazy..) but also the tokens (wtf?) seems like a strange reaction. Why not leave the tokens as is and throttle the xp gained at higher levels? I think they should have just left it as is since the quests won’t get you to cap. Not going to stop me from playing though.
Reply
Claviarm
| #
“I’m never moving my AA slider above 0% again!“.
Unless you’re not an all access subscriber, of course. Now everyone who doesn’t sub gets to see half their XP prior to level 90 go into a black hole. (The AA grants stop when you hit 280 AA as I understand it, so working towards them early actually is counterproductive.)
Back when the slider locking showed up, it wasn’t so bad because 50% was a decent spot for the slider to be–the ability to move it was a nice perk, nothing more. But now locking the slider at 50% is a wasteful idea for levels 1-90. It’s a new harsh punishment for nonsubscribing players, and if history is any guide the devs did not consider this angle at all.
Reply
Suddenly I Had 280 AA Points | The Ancient Gaming Noob
| #
[…] I knew that the patch was coming to EverQuest II yesterday, the patch that included the change to how Alternative Advancement points would be awarded. I mentioned it in passing earlier in the week, how the game would now award some AA points with levels so as to make sure that by the time you hit level 90 you would have 280 points. The whole thing was detailed over at EQ2 Wire. […]
Reply