Dungeons & Dragons Onlie - FAQs

[Detomah]

1. General Information

What is Dungeons & Dragons Online?
Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) is a fun, action-packed, massively-multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that allows thousands of players to participate in a story-driven D&D campaign. DDO features swashbuckling adventures, betrayal and intrigue, and lots and lots of deep, dark, dangerous, trap-riddled dungeons.

Who is making the game?
DDO is being developed and funded by Turbine, Inc. It will be published by Atari.

Is Wizards of the Coast involved?
Yes. We are working closely with Wizards of the Coast, the author and publisher of the most recent edition of Dungeons & Dragons, to ensure that DDO is a faithful online representation of D&D. The folks at Wizards of the Coast regularly help us with our design and development questions, in addition to participating in a formal review process of our work.

When will DDO be released?
No announcement regarding a final ship date has been made, though we are currently on schedule for release in the first quarter of 2006.

How much will the game cost?
The retail price of Dungeons & Dragons Online hasn't been decided.

Will there be a monthly subscription fee?
Yes. The exact amount of the subscription fee has not yet been determined.

What is your position on macroing? What measures are you taking to prevent macroing?
We do not support or endorse the practice of macroing, which we define as using third-party software to automate certain functions of gameplay. Dungeons & Dragons Online is being engineered to be resistant to the use of macro programs, and anyone caught using macros to play DDO will be subject to disciplinary action.

Is there a fansite program for DDO?
Yes. If you have a fansite for Dungeons & Dragons Online and would like more information, please email dndguy@turbinegames.com.

2. Beta

When is the beta? Where can I sign up?
Beta began on November 1st. You can sign up for Beta by visiting http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/ddo_stormreach/ and following the instructions.

I won a Beta slot at either E3 or PAX. When will I get into Beta?
Everyone who won entry into Beta at E3 or PAX will be invited within the first few weeks of Beta provided they meet our requirements (i.e., they meet the system specs, they are over 18, etc.)

If I already signed up through the beta.turbine.com site do I have to sign up through IGN?
No. The accounts registered through IGN will be added to our existing database. Those who signed up through beta.turbine.com are automatically still eligible for the Beta.

Does DDO.COM forum registration still increase my chance to get into the Beta?
Yes it does. You can register here.

I'm a member of the Turbine Beta Rewards Program! When do I get in?
Being a Beta Rewards Member gives you an increased chance of being selected for Beta, however it does not guarantee you a slot. To read more about the Beta Rewards Program click here.

Do I have to be a subscriber to Fileplanet to signup for the Beta?
No. You need to create a Fileplanet account however, you do not need to subscribe. We may do some special promotions that require a Fileplanet subscription, but for general access to the Beta you do not need to be a Fileplanet subscriber.

Once I sign up through IGN how do I get chosen for the Beta?
Turbine will continue to select people for the Beta.

Once selected, how will I get the Beta client?
Those who are selected for the Beta will be able to get the Beta client from IGN.

I went to the Fileplanet website and it told me only subscribers could register! Do I need to be a subscriber?
No. The first 5,000 people to register have to be Fileplanet subscribers, but after that brief period of exclusivity registration will be open for all!

I'm still confused. Do I need to pay to get into your Beta?
No. You do not need to pay. Our Public Beta is free for those people who are selected.

I just saw that a Beta account sold on Ebay for $300! Is this a good way to obtain an account?
While $300 might seem like a bargain, please understand that per the Terms of Service, selling or transfering accounts is strictly forbidden and Turbine will be disabling any accounts that are sold or transferred.

3. Dungeons & Dragons

What can you tell me about Dungeons & Dragons?
Dungeons & Dragons is the granddaddy of all traditional pencil-and-paper (PnP) roleplaying games. More information can be found at the official Dungeons & Dragons website at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/welcome.

How are the D&D rules being used in D&D Online?
The Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 rules are the basis of nearly all of our game mechanics. That being said, the D&D ruleset is designed for PnP gaming, not online play, and we will be making changes to the rules where necessary. Our design goal is to stay faithful to the rules and spirit of PnP D&D, while ensuring that D&D Online is a fast-paced, exciting game that’s fun to play.

I’ve never played Dungeons & Dragons. Is this game for me?
One of the great things about Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 and the d20 gaming system is that it’s easy to pick up, but tough to master – we know it’s a cliche, but in this case it’s really true. We’ll also have a comprehensive manual and tutorial system, so the game should be easily accessible to everyone.

Where can I learn more about D&D?
The easiest way to learn about Dungeons & Dragons is to buy the 3.5 edition sourcebooks  the Players Handbook, the Dungeon Masters Guide, and the Monster Manual. The d20 rule system that D&D uses can also be found online in text format at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35.

4. The Campaign

Where does the game take place?
Dungeons & Dragons Online takes place on the continent of Xen’drik in the world of Eberron, a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting created by Keith Baker and Wizards of the Coast. For more information, check out the official Eberron website at http://www.wizards.com/eberron.

What will the dungeons be like?
Adventures in DDO take place in all kinds of traditional and non-traditional dungeon environments. Indoors and outdoors, underground and above ground, in ancient ruins, infested warehouses, underground crypts, deserted islands, aboard ships at sea - just about any kind of setting is fair game for our designers.

Will I be able to solo in this game?
Solo content will be available in our game, especially at the lower levels. However, the majority of the content in DDO focuses on party-based adventures. D&D has always been about playing with a group of friends, and this will be reflected by DDO.

What will the max party size be?
The maximum party size hasn't been determined yet, but it will most likely be six characters.

How do I earn experience (xp)? Can I earn experience for non-combat activities?
Experience in DDO is earned by completing quests, not by killing monsters. As long as the quest goals are completed, we don't really care how many enemies you kill along the way. This system gives us flexibility in deciding whether or not combat is required in a given situation - some encounters might make combat unavoidable, while others can be circumvented by an appropriately sneaky and/or silver-tongued party.

5. Characters

What races and character classes can I play?
The character races planned for launch are humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, and warforged. The available core classes will be barbarian, bard, cleric, fighter, paladin, ranger, rogue, sorcerer, and wizard. More races and classes are planned for future updates.

Will there be skills and feats?
Definitely. Players will be able to choose from a wide variety of skills and feats for their characters as they advance.

Is there a level limit?
Yes. Characters will be limited to level 10 in the initial release, divided among four ranks per level. This will provide 40 additional moments of advancement.

What about multiclassing and prestige classes?
Both multiclassing (belonging to more than one class) and prestige classes (exclusive classes available only to more experienced characters) are being implemented in DDO.

What are ranks?
Ranks can be considered milestones that are achieved within the D&D level system. Between the progression from one level to the next characters will achieve ranks, which give the ability to buy special enhancements for their characters.

Do I roll for stats?
Characters will be created via the point buy system similar to the one detailed in the Dungeons & Dragons rules. This will allow players to create the kind of hero they want, while ensuring an overall balance among the characters.

How many classes can a multiclass character have?
There is going to be a limit on the number of classes a multiclass character can have. The limit will probably be either three or four classes, but this is still subject to change.

Do I roll for hit points?
No. Characters will receive a fixed amount of hit points when they reach a new level, based on their class and constitution bonus.

How will rogues be implemented? Will they be able to disarm traps? Open locks? Sneak attack?
Were aware that roguish types have been on the short end of the stick in a lot of MMORPGs, and we aim to correct this. Just about anything and everything in a dungeon can (and often will) be trapped, so having a rogue around to protect you is a good idea. A rogue will also come in handy when dealing with locked chests and secret doors, which conceal valuable items and useful shortcuts. Finally, rogues can hide and move silently in order to sneak up on a foe to deliver a deadly sneak attack. Needless to say, they'll be a welcome addition to almost any adventuring party.

6. Combat

How does combat work in Dungeons & Dragons Online?
We’re making a clean break from the “press auto-attack and wait” style of combat that has become so prevalent in today’s MMORPGs. Our real-time combat system is designed to be fast and responsive, while still requiring tactical, coordinated decisions from adventuring parties.

How will my character’s stats make a difference in an action-based system?
Think of it this way – in PnP Dungeons & Dragons, player skill means understanding the combat and magic systems, knowing how initiative works, and optimizing your character’s position and movement to use the rules for attacks of opportunity, bull rushes, spell ranges, etc. to your advantage. In our game, player skill means mastering the movement and targeting controls, learning to predict the movements and behaviors of various monsters, and making decisive tactical decisions in a real-time environment. Player skill is important in both games, but skill and character stats together are what determine the actual “power” of a given character.

I’m not very good at action games. Will I be at a significant disadvantage in DDO?
No. While player skill is a significant factor in DDO, our combat system does not require the same level of reflexes and coordination that it takes to compete in a purely action-based game. As long as you're comfortable with a mouse and a keyboard, you should be fine.

What happens when my character dies?
Character death will be something to be avoided – there will definitely be a penalty to pay when your character dies. However, your characters cannot be permanently killed in Dungeons & Dragons Online.

Will there be Player vs. Player (PvP) Combat?
Not at release. Cooperative gameplay has always been the main focus of Dungeons & Dragons, and it is the main focus of DDO as well.


7. Magic

Will I have to memorize my spells?
Dungeons & Dragons Online uses a modified version of the spellpoint system presented in the Unearthed Arcana rulebook. Spellcasters receive a number of spellpoints based on character class, ability scores, and other factors. Spellpoints are expended whenever a spell is cast, and are restored by resting.

Wizards and clerics must memorize a limited selection of their known spells; they can cast a memorized spell as many times as they want, as long as they have the spellpoints to do so. Sorcerers and bards can cast any spell they know until they run out of spellpoints.

Will I be able to craft my own magic items?
Crafting will not be a part of the initial release. Our focus right now is on breathtaking combat, swashbuckling adventure, and epic campaigns.

What spells will be available?
A wide variety of arcane and divine spells from the Player's Handbook and Eberron Campaign Setting will be available in Dungeons & Dragons Online. Information on specific spells will be made available closer to the game's release.

Will material components be required to cast some spells?
Our current game design requires players to purchase reagents for all spells with a material component requirement. Common, generic reagents will be available for purchase in the city of Stormreach, while some of the more exotic components will need to be acquired via other means.

In PnP D&D, characters can get taken out very quickly by instant death spells (Finger of Death, Disintegrate, etc.). How will these spells be handled in DDO?
According to our resident PnP D&D expert, most DMs reserve these types of spells for special encounters, and give their characters fair warning before facing them. We're taking the same approach in DDO - high-level characters don't have to deal with these spells every time they turn a corner, but they probably want to be protected by a death ward spell before they take on that really powerful necromancer.