Entry 26

So the Kickstarter video is nearing its completion. First look of the guy behind Antilia. Didn't expect him to have hair like that! Wonder if we'll see any outtakes of the video...

Life has been going alright. For about two weeks, been playing Elsword (via Steam) with Nel and Fang. Similar to Grand Chase, but far, far, FAR better, and I'm saying this from past experiences.

I don't know if GC has changed since I last played it few years back. You start out with three characters, all female. Elesis the Knight, Lire the Archer, and Arme the Mage. Eventually and quickly after release in NA version, there was a lot of whining from players about "started playing as a female character only" that there was a force of out-of-order-character-release for Ronan the Spellknight. (Suppose to be after either Lass the Thief or Ryan the Druid release, don't exactly remember.) I didn't really care in all honesty.

I started liking it as I played a bit. However I eventually ran into two issues: Job and Character Unlocking quests. (Keep in mind, this is based off when I last played it; don't know if this is still valid today.)

Job Quests

1. Repetitive dungeon runs at least 10-20 times, including a certain dungeon at least 5-10 times alone, for drops that were below 50% drop rate, boss drops being harshly lower to 20-30%.
2. 3rd+ job quests required PvP WINS
3. Multiple dungeon runs on a certain difficulty for a certain amount of times.

Character Unlocking

1. Repetitive Dungeon Runs for drops.
2. May require PvP WINS
3. Had to complete certain dungeons at a certain difficulty at a certain amount of time.

And that's just the free version! For cash version, either the drop requirements are harshly less, only need to run a certain dungeon at a certain difficulty ONCE, or only need to get one certain item from ANY dungeon that has a higher drop rate compared to the free version. To make matters worse, in the cash store, pay-to-win gear too. You get some gear from the cash shop from the story quests, but temp for about a week.

Did I forget to mention GC is currently hosted by Ntreev (aka SG Interactive)? Trickster Online was also hosted by them. Only issue was P2W gear in the cash shop that PvP, thankfully 100% optional, was one-sided and pure open field. Either you had money or just a target to grief and bully. Wanna duel a friend? Too bad! Trying to find a good spot just for your friends to battle each other? Not gonna happen! Either you're strong with cash shop equips, high stats, and elitism build; or dirt, trash, and a noob.

Anyway, Elsword replaces the bad what GC is with something better. Different job paths that won't take you 3-5 days, but instead hours to 1-2 days at most to complete the quests, or instant via cash, but either is doable. Interesting and very ponderous skill tree system; Really makes you think of what skills to get and max out (some need to be maxed out to get another skill). The equips in the shop are costumes that hardly give any additional offense and defense stats that you don't have to buy it to be stronger, just look better (and very little bit stronger). Some do have a set bonus, but offer little as well to matter. Including accessories, again on the stats, don't offer much to make a huge difference. Either timed or perm (twice the price for perm). Also, some gear has additional stats for either Dungon or Match (PvP) only, some stats work for both.

Cash shop also have understandable items to buy: character slots, skill slots, various additional inventory space, bank storage, move items between characters, skill point resets, etc. Also class advancement (instant upon purchase), and, only available for 1st and 2nd job change, class change tickets.

Plus, you can choose to be one of, currently, 6 characters without having to unlock them; although I wouldn't mind unlocking them with the original three by going through certain parts of the story first. Three of them similiar to GC: Knight, Mage, and Archer, except the knight is Male. I currently play as Elsword, under the Sword Knight path (main) and Code: Electra Eve (alt). I find it fun, especially with friends.