Will Range Rule the Sky?

[Chu]

I'd actually thought about this a few months ago, but now that there's some videos of PvP in flight, I figured a discussion is in order.

Given the circumstances of flying (I'm guessing a different set of controls from walking) and the limitations of a melee character needing to be close enough to attack, obviously scouts and wizards will have the immediate advantage.

Personally, I think that's great. There's going to be some people complaining about "overpowered classes" and it "not being fair" but whatever. It lends strategy to the game, which is awesome-- think about it. In raids you'll know the best option is to send your ranged classes out to attack while in flight.

It also counterbalances the usual lack of vitality a wizard has, but I digress.

So here's the question: Do you think that the obvious advantage is beneficial or detrimental to PvP?

(I'm a fan of strategy, so my opinion won't change. XD)

[Aggelos]

What's the difference between range while flying? An assassin can still make himself invisible, fly behind your back and stab you to death. And I guess melee classes can fly faster.

[Chu]

Originally Posted by Aggelos

What's the difference between range while flying? An assassin can still make himself invisible, fly behind your back and stab you to death. And I guess melee classes can fly faster.

Assassin can't 'stealth' while flying, and as you'll see from the beta videos there's no difference in flight speed.

[Celebrity]

My concern with ranged classes in pvp combat atm, that goes for both ground and flying pvp, is that i saw many movies with mages hitting without even need to face their oponent,they were basicaly runing away hitting all the time while the fighter were trying to catch his target. If that happen also on fly pvp, obviously ranged will kick malee fighters butt.

I've saw ranged owning everyone on another NC game... hum where that happened... ah Lineage2... Archers everywhere.

[Chu]

Originally Posted by Celebrity

My concern with ranged classes in pvp combat atm, that goes for both ground and flying pvp, is that i saw many movies with mages hitting without even need to face their oponent,they were basicaly runing away hitting all the time while the fighter were trying to catch his target. If that happen also on fly pvp, obviously ranged will kick malee fighters butt.

I've saw ranged owning everyone on another NC game... hum where that happened... ah Lineage2... Archers everywhere.

I'm assuming that's a bug they're working on-- the shooting backwards thing, I mean.

[Robillard]

it was in a translated Q&A, the ability to attack while not facing your enemy was meant to be there.

As for my thoughts. Im going chanter (which im guessing will be mostly melee), but i trust that ncsoft will even it out somehow. possibly with a stygma or class specific spell so your not being kited in every fight.

[Fayeth]

Mmm as stated, you will not need to face your enemy to attack, im sure someone can link teh Q&A on this, but it was posted in one fo them before....

Flying and walking really wouldnt be that much different tbh, you just add the up down factor. Other then that the pvp should remain the same. It does seem that ranged has the advantage in Aion, tho . Although i hope this will change.. judgeing from NCsofts other gaming i wouldnt hold my breath on it.

[Koji]

If assassins cant stealth during flight then there will be no point in them doing aerial pvp at all. Where is the source for assassin's being confirmed as a totally useless class while in the air? I honestly haven't seen it or i would have made a big deal about it.

[solidbrim]

The only balance is that usually sole melee classes have more HP and tougher armor (aside from the unusual stigma enhancements). This is pretty much how it goes with any game. Range "kite" and melee have to find a better way to approach and destroy their target in 2 or 3 hits.

[Frostwire]

Prolly they just nerf ranged classes skills so that they cant do knockback and stuns in PvP, well thats mostly for archers. Mages just will have huge chanting time so melees can get up close. :P well those are most common "solutions" i've seen in games, but maybe Aion will be different

[Koji]

I think the only way i can think of a rogue class doing well in flight is if they get teleports of some sort. Early footage showed that but the newer vids havent shown it.

[Yakuzan]

I heard the facing problem going to be fixed in the final stages?

[Disturbing]

In some of the earliest videos you can see a charge attack. As if it was driving or swooping into the character. I'm sure after you swoop onto a ranged character they can only do so much on the chance of a combo or not. While range attempt to keep a distance or gain distance after a swoop to continue to fight without harm.

My guess. I don't know what will happen! Great Top FTW.

~DisTurBinG

[Diablo]

Originally Posted by Yakuzan

I heard the facing problem going to be fixed in the final stages?

One would hope so.

@others - If the ranged loose their roots and states it should even it out with the melee.

[bsofferl]

i´m a bit dissappionted here.. why do ranged classes always have to loose on power? maybe the melee classes will just have skills so that ranged can´t run away all the time.
i think about some thing like charging, u *run* fast to your target hit it and it is stunned. maybe there are different skills too. we will only be able to see it, if the high lvl pvp is available i think.
i like rangers a lot. knockback is verry useful in PvE but maybe in PvP it is unfair i have to admitt. (even if i don´t want to hrhrhrhrhrh)
so maybe ncsoft does not have to make ranged classes and mages skills less effective but can do something against it. and about the stealth class.. it IS anfair if they can´t stealth in flight... i mean what is the differenz between getting hit from behind while on the ground, or while in the air? ure hit anyway^^