http://blackville.nbed.nb.ca/sites/b...iles/bravo.gifMaybe to imply that Blizz needs to implement alternative modes/means of progression for players who don't raid?
You, my friend, get a gold star AND a round of applause for putting your finger on a VERY sore point. This has been the issue for a long time, and one that needs to be addressed.
First and foremost: the story: there MUST be a way for ALL to see the story and lore from start to finish. RThere are people campaigning to remove cutscenes and lore from LFR FFS, like the guy that kicked and screamed that HOW DARE Blizzard put the Lich King video up for the "scrubs that didnt deserve to see it". People dont deserve to see the end of the story?
WTH?
(No, I am not joking. That post was on the forums.)
Second: "You dont need raid gear" sadly has become synonymous with "you dont need x or y thats for me only" which gets a lot of people backs up. Had one guy tell me "You dont need cooking"- yes I do. I dont turn up to raid and expect others to have my foods there..I make them myself. Thats simple common courtesy to the raid team. Yes, others bring feasts, but I do too, thats one way I contribute to the team. Telling other players "you dont need this you shouldnt have it" - serves to do nothing but piss people off.
Sorry but its true.
Thirdly, raid gear / better gear is synonymous with progression: gear is part of progression and always has been. both for the character and the game as a whole. I may not raid, but I may and usually do other difficult content, and raid gear has set bonuses and stats that do make it easier to manage.
No one questions that either.
This : "you dont need "x" sounds selfish and in a way it is.. "this is mine you arent allowed to have it"..I submit that raid gear serves mnore than one purpose. MikePreach did a new video on LFR, and that smug, self assured, puffed up little......argghhh....raid gear and progression walk hand in hand on more than one level.
So yes, I agree. Alternative modes that tell the story AND provide a way for other players to progress outside of raids is needed. Desperately.
Lastly, I want to touch one other point: its been said sneeringly that "most players are mediocre" as if its some kind of disability. It's true. They are. Not everyone will reach the top 1%, and time commitment and gameplay commitment varies wildly depending on a huge range of factors. I dont subscribe to this "you are bad" mentality, yes there is a competitive edge in any MMO, thats a granted, but to me the average player is what makes up WOW in a huge percentile.
(Please dont use the word "entitled", its a meme and all it does is make people seem like snobs. No one feels "entitled". No one.)
I have always been raised to believe I have one person to compete against: me. I am my only real enemy. I stand or fall based on what I do...or dont do. Not everyone is the same, not everyone will reach the top, many will make the effort,many will not try....thats human nature.
Years ago I read a book by Hugh Miller, "Ambulance". Nothing to write home about, an average novel. At the end, however, was a phrase that shook me to the core. When we turn to competition, this is always with me. (I am quoting from memory as I cant find it...probably jettisoned when I moved house. I HATE losing books )
"When you climb a mountain, nothing is sweeter than the taste of victory. But that climb itself must never be for you alone,you must help others, and allow yourself to be helped on the way. Only then will that victory be able to be shared amongst all those you have encountered on the way. If not, it will be a sad, lonely trek on the way down, for no one will be there to walk with you"
I have tried to put this as best I can. Hope it makes sense.