ZionHalcyon Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 BALMORRA - Part I -------------------------------------------------------------- So, after a few days off from leveling in which I focused on gearing my Sorc in purple gear and doing some general crafting, I finally decided to head out to Balmorra. I can say leveling is pretty much the standard fare thus far, and have been since early Dromund Kaas. I still have yet to see this whole "Waaaahhh!!!! The Silvers are too hard!!!!" thing yet that was a common gripe in week one of release. In fact, I have already completed the Sobrik and Troida Workshop legs, and managed to solo a [Heroic 4] Settling Debts with just me and HK-51. However, I am overleveled at 20 (21 by the end) and have about 500 presence from companion complettions (last time I seriously mention that), but even so, before the change, no way I could solo a Heroic 4 head on like I did being just 4 levels up - usually that level of solo-dom required a 7 level overlevel minimum, for both heroics and flashpoints (unless you were using tricks). Not much to report. I will say people need to get over the whole discipline thing. The utilities are nice and it works well. People just need to get over the hybrid thing. Anywho, I'll check in again in a bit. Laters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotlu-Hunlon Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Love this thread, it's a breath of fresh air ..... just wish you could level faster so I'd have more to read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZionHalcyon Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 (edited) BALMORRA PART II ----------------------------------------------------- So, picking up where I left off, by this point I have managed to conquer just about all of Balmorra, with full plans to do the extended planetary quest once I wrap up the original Balmorra pacing. I can you right now where I've left off, I just wrapped up killing Vol Argen and am about to embark on the last 2 parts of the Balmorran Arms factory quests, my Sith Inquizzy class quest and the Planetary Quest, with the reward being some special fun time with me and Darth Lachris. Even a Sith needs to get some now and then right? I am also overlevelled at this point using just the saved up cartel XP buffs and general questing. Not even in a guild, and using rested XP sparingly. On Balmorra which is supposed to be for levels 16-20, and I'm sitting at 23. What that does help with though is soloing heroics. I've done all the heroics solo thus far, and none of them have been even remotely challenging until the very last one, which I think is called Rebel Sympathizers or something like that. That was one where I had to pace myself and use some hit and run tactics on occasion, and actually died 3 times trying to complete it - it finally felt like a challenge. And while for anyone playing the game, Lightning Sorcerer hasn't any new secrets to yield yet since getting a bunch of skills early on Korriban and Droumund Kaas, I can tell you the way it's set up now mirrored the fun of my pre-3.0 Bounty Hunter when I leveled him, and had Death from Above so early - Having lightning storm early in your rotation is a hoot for leveling, and that it more often than not triggers a free chain lightning makes it a lethal AOE 1-2 combo that all but wipes out even the toughest mobs, with HK-51 cleaning up any survivors with his incredible assassinate ability. Add to that Sorc gets 3 heals by this point - a basic, a DOT heal, and finally a "OMG, MY HAIR IS ON FIRE AND WEESA GONNA DIEEEEE!" Bailout heal, well, Lightning Sorc leveling is pretty much a hugely fun one man army, making you wanna sling bolts and yell on a near constant basis. So, all that's left is to break Balmorra, and then I am on to the after-party with Bugtown to go pick up my wisdom Datacron and hit on Darth Lacgonnatapthatazz one more time before I bolt for the stars and head off to try my fortune in the casinos of Nar Shadaa - I hear if you have enough cash, you can actually ride a Hutt! Think I'll name mine Susan.... Edited December 17, 2014 by ZionHalcyon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZionHalcyon Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 By the way, if anyone has any questions before my next installment, I'll do my best to answer them, so ask away. I usually check this thread any time between 9pm and 1-2 am depending how late I play each night, or if I take a night off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZionHalcyon Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 BALMORRA PART III ----------------------------------------------------- Today, I hit the bonus missions and heroics and completed my domination of Balmorra. At this point, I am definitely overleveled and can easily solo any heroic. I wish there was more to tell, but I leave Balmorra at level 25, with a bar almost to level 26 before starting Nar Shaada All in all, it was a slog and kind of uninteresting. There was even a level (25) where I got no new skills whatsoever! ANywho, Next report should be fun - heading off to the bright lights of Nar Shaada! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSVEindhoven Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Nice topic, are you still doing this? Greets Arkuset Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZionHalcyon Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 Nice topic, are you still doing this? Greets Arkuset To be honest, I've been just gaming, and there isn't a whole lot that's changed once you get past the newness of the discipline system, and getting chain lightning early. Currently, I am level 33 on Tatooine and just wrapped the bonus series on that planet, and for the first time, had to skip 2 heroics because I couldn't solo them, and needed help on a 3rd one - if you do every quest on every planet, even overlevelled the heroics kick up a notch on Tatooine, and I noticed the jump in difficulty, albeit I think it has more to do with an increase in health on the mobs. Other Sorc note in my lightning spec is just how damaging Crushing Darkness is in that spec, combined with chain lightning and affliction. Already I find myself wishing the cast time on it was shorter, because when the 30% chance of massive damage procs, it packs one hell of a wallop. I am already planning in my head once I finally hit 60 to see how well an Alacrity/Accuracy suit would fare, with power as the spillover once I get the activation time to where I like it. I know its not a popular build, but people are so conditioned to cookie cutter, and all it takes is one person to find a great build by going off the beaten path before others start to catch on. Also, since I have been keeping up with Gear about every other planet, I have to tell you that if you already have HK unlocked, he's the perfect sorc travelling companion while leveling, given the heals you get. Dude does damage in a hurry, and easily feels like the best DPS in the game, even when gearing him at level - Assassinate is NO JOKE. Anyway, I am about 2 or 3 levels away from the second tier of the discipline tree, so if I find any changes, I will be sure to note it. However, I doubt I will be doing a planet by planet breakdown from now on, because there just isn't anything to report - its the norm now. I will likely dive back in to the planet by planet experience once I get to Yavin and Rishi - I still haven't done these yet, opting to level, but I am glad I did, as it is giving time for much needed fixes for many of the early reported bugs. One final note - the massive lag-monster that came with 3.0 is affecting me as well, and the least enjoyable part of my experience is the sometimes even 5 second ability delay/lag. If nothing else, this NEEDS to get solved pronto - its a near gamebreaker in terms of annoyance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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