Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

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Phoxly
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Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

Post by Phoxly » Thu May 17, 2018 5:33 am

I've finally reached level 12 on my first ever surfacer, after playing only Underdark characters up until this point; and it's been an uphill battle figuring out how the "Surface" actually works.

The biggest issue is the bubble around Cordor that is on a different server, meaning all writs you do require at least 2 server hops and losing your buffs, as well as the inability to PM or interact with anyone actually in your main settlement via the /tp system. It also seems there's no portal into Cordor for Surfacers to use, the same way only UD people can use the Hub?

And if you die on the first map or two after the server transition? You end up in Mayfield Junction, not back in Cordor where you first started. If you're a low leveled character you may very well end up stranded there (My level 5 rogue did), or running for your life past a goblinoid fortress. It wasn't until I was level 10 that I realized there is actually a Caravan that can get you from Cordor to Mayfield, but that had to be found out in game, and I'm still not sure if it can get you back to Cordor. There are also a lot of portal destinations in very odd or obfuscated places, but so far I've only found two that you can go to and from.

The city of Cordor is amazing, and I still haven't explored it all. Everywhere you go it's filled with people doing things and roleplaying. It feels super populated and well put together. It's just a huge bummer it's a pain to actually get to and from. I didn't actually start enjoying the Surface until I reached Crow's Nest writ levels (which once again going to/from Crow's Nest is more server transitions). Now I avoid having to go to Cordor whenever I can just to avoid the transitions.

I think a big thing that could help this would be giving the Underdark it's own server, or seeing if there are ways to creatively let Cordor regain some server real estate.

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WanderingPoet
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Re: Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

Post by WanderingPoet » Thu May 17, 2018 11:37 am

Welcome to the surface! I've always found it easier to navigate the surface and do things up top than below, so likely just being 'used to it' plays a large factor. Some tips:

- The caravan from between the Tower and Cordor is two ways, plus people'll often escort you around
- The walk from the Tower to the Cordor is along two roads and doesn't pass the Goblin fortress
- You can send speedy messengers from the Tower and other locations to people on the Cordor server, though this doesn't help with /tp (not sure why you'd need to use that frequently though)
- All of the writs in the sewers/crypts are on the C&P server, gobins/bugbears are on surface so just don't buff until after you get to Surface - this is actually a new change, the bramblewoods/north of cordor up to the Tower used to be part of Cordor's server pre-EE.
- Your buffs will come back when you re-transition, so if you buff on surface, then head back to hand in a writ and then back to Surface they will return if they haven't worn off.
- There are writs in Brogendenstein and Bendir that are around your level as well
- Talk to characters, they'll often show you how to get places, escort you or offer your characters advice :)

I'm curious, what issues do you have with server transitions? For the most part I find them only slightly slower than loading to a new area. Losing your buffs can be a bit of a hassle but generally there isn't a high need for buffs within Cordor itself, so you can always wait until you leave Cordor to cast them.
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Void
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Re: Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

Post by Void » Wed May 23, 2018 5:34 am

Phoxly wrote:
Thu May 17, 2018 5:33 am
I've finally reached level 12 on my first ever surfacer, after playing only Underdark characters up until this point; and it's been an uphill battle figuring out how the "Surface" actually works.
Past level 12 you can relocate to different settlement, if your character is so inclined, because you won't be getting any more writs in cordor.
Phoxly wrote:
Thu May 17, 2018 5:33 am
The biggest issue is the bubble around Cordor that is on a different server, meaning all writs you do require at least 2 server hops and losing your buffs,
There is large number of writs that happen on the same server and yield decent rewards. Sewer/crypt writs, for example.
Phoxly wrote:
Thu May 17, 2018 5:33 am
And if you die on the first map or two after the server transition? You end up in Mayfield Junction, not back in Cordor where you first started. If you're a low leveled character you may very well end up stranded there (My level 5 rogue did), or running for your life past a goblinoid fortress.
The area directly south from the tower is not goblinoid fortress, and it is possible to do the run from the tower to cordor at level 3. I advise to scream in terror in the process, but it can be done without much difficulty. Most enemies there can't catch up with you, and number of ranged enemies is low. There are 3 locations between cordor and tower.
Phoxly wrote:
Thu May 17, 2018 5:33 am
I didn't actually start enjoying the Surface until I reached Crow's Nest writ levels (which once again going to/from Crow's Nest is more server transitions). Now I avoid having to go to Cordor whenever I can just to avoid the transitions.
There are at least 5 surface agents that give writs. I suggest to look out for them.
Another forum ban, here we go again.

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With The Sky Below My Feet
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Re: Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

Post by With The Sky Below My Feet » Wed May 23, 2018 8:58 am

About dying on a different server and spawning somewhere else:

Isn't it still possible to switch between servers to respawn on a different server, by using the transitions in the death area?
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TimeAdept
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Re: Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

Post by TimeAdept » Wed May 23, 2018 4:20 pm

With The Sky Below My Feet wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 8:58 am
About dying on a different server and spawning somewhere else:

Isn't it still possible to switch between servers to respawn on a different server, by using the transitions in the death area?
No, this was disabled recently with EE.

Fionn
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Re: Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

Post by Fionn » Wed Jun 06, 2018 7:41 pm

I have only played since EE, and I had to server transition in the morgue in order to get rezzed on the other server. I assume this would work for white lighting as well.
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Blood on my Lips
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Re: Playing server hopscotch around Cordor...

Post by Blood on my Lips » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:26 pm

TimeAdept wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 4:20 pm
With The Sky Below My Feet wrote:
Wed May 23, 2018 8:58 am
About dying on a different server and spawning somewhere else:

Isn't it still possible to switch between servers to respawn on a different server, by using the transitions in the death area?
No, this was disabled recently with EE.
Are you sure about that? I died on Sunday on the surface and was able to respawn in the UD.

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