by Felaion » Wed May 19, 2010 4:16 pm
Skirmishes, explained as simply as possible by someone just getting used to them, are like mini-dungeons. They provide a different way to gaining levels/getting gear then grinding and questing. There's a list of pre-set instances, that can be run solo, as a duo, as a three, a five, or a twelve. You can choose what level you'd like to set the instance, and then there's 3 tiers of difficulty.
Once inside a Skirmish (which you can join from anwhere in the world), you fight to complete the objectives as they're laid out before you. It's really that simple, but I'll just add an example. Siege of Gondamon is an instance where you're trying to defend Gondamon from waves of enemy attack. There's three entrances, and you recieve a warning just before each one is assaulted. Beat back three 'waves' (each of about 5 attacks), and the general'll show. Who's HARD. However, you're aided by an npc per player (who you level/buy skills and so forth for), and usually a bunch of npcs in the instance as well. To add flavour, there are random 'encounters', which if responded to and completed, give extra loot! These usually distract you from the main objective, like sending you to kill a specific mob at the south gate whilst the north is being stormed by goblins... you get the picture.
Can't really understand it unless you try it out, really. Selling point for it for me is the atmosphere... really immersive at times, they really did well to use the prettyness of the game (but since the instances are small and you tend not to move far - pretty scenery, but very little lag!). Fara, Wulf and me did Amon Sul the other night... It was just... awsome.
..then me and the captain failed about 60 times on gondamon. They certainly are challenging, I'll say that.
Master Vagandro Rist - Jedi Sage & Diplomat
The Jolly Green Giant