We are entering a new decade with grand plans for Dungeons & Dragons Online, and I am writing today to share some of our ideas with you. The past decade-plus has been an amazing adventure, and we thank you for being a part of it.

We're kicking off 2020 with a bit of polish and refresh to two of DDO's most historic adventure packs: The Catacombs and Delera's Tomb! Both of these adventures will get Epic versions in our next game update, which also features the previously-announced Alchemist class. The Alchemist mixes and matches spells to create powerful reactions that help allies and incinerate foes. Expect Update 45 to arrive in February!

Season One of the Hardcore League was met with enthusiasm and excitement, so we're making it a recurring event! In Season Two, Mortality will be replaced by DDO's classic foe Arraetrikos, who will empower new Champions with devilish powers. Expect future seasons to test your skill in how you build and play characters, in addition to new rewards! You will read more about these changes as we near future seasons.

2020 will also bring a long-standing community request to the game: a 64-bit client. The 64-bit client can improve the overall performance of the game for many, and we look forward to its release later this year. We also have user interface improvements planned for the Shared Account Bank to make it easier to store, sort, and access the items you've collected. Other quality of life improvements are in the planning stages as well, and we'll talk more about it later this year.

Spring will bring a new adventure pack set in Stormreach, where the Gatekeepers need your help to determine the fate of some missing acolytes in the Cerulean Hills, and investigate the sudden appearance of a strange hut in the Harbor. In the summer, we're considering a new adventure pack in addition to some Legendary versions of well-known raids, but we want to keep that unannounced for now.

As we gaze further into the second half of the year, we are thrilled to share news about our next expansion, which will see players travel into the mystical plane of the Feywild! Joining characters on their trip will be our next new player character race: the Shifter, capable of temporarily embracing their bestial aspects to rend enemies and survive. Another thing we can say today about our upcoming Feywild expansion is that you will need to learn new, powerful ways to overcome challenge, and doing so will gain you the experience necessary to push past level 30 for the first time in DDO history.

We have other surprises in store for 2020 as well, but the above is a high-level road map of our current schedule. As always, the road map can change, and we will endeavor to let you know how things are going as plans become realities. We are very thankful for your support of this game for more than a decade, and we are thrilled to embark on a new decade of adventure with you.

Sev~

FUCK FUCK FUCK Fuckity fuck....

Breaking the level 30 wall they promised not too...

As if the dick in the pencil grinder isn't already bad enough with all the Pastlife farming you do extending that is a real hit in the nutsack.

Unless their 64bit client really fixes the games internal memory leaks and significantly helps with the lag another expansion without sufficient content in between is just too much.

Synchrono wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:22pm:



Just think about the possibilities!  Legendary past lives. 

The grind is real.

Cool stuff for this year

You had me At 64 bit client.

Then lost me at level cap increase.   That is such a bad idea.   None of the level cap increases since going to 20 have been anything but a multi year disaster for end game.  All that equals is more grind, more power creep, fewer people speed over more levels (quoting bilbo: I feel like too little butter scraped over too much bread”.  That’s why going over level 30 feels like), and a new level cap with maybe 14-15  quests and two raids.   When we have how many at cap quests and raids now?   8 raids and 50-60 quests?   The worst part is that a level cap raise has never felt less needed or wanted. 

On the plus side shifters might be cool.

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


It'll be interesting to see what classic raids they choose.


NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:



I would have assumed they learned from their past mistakes with constantly raising level caps.

If they increase the Feywild Expansion's power creep beyond that of the last two expansions then its Post-MotU disaster all over again.

I'm pretty excited for the details of how we can pay for this.

Sev: "We can restore DDO to its former glory."

DDO:

You know I was doing some math and pondering if they decide to keep the +50k/Epic level rate they have now you get some downright entertaining XP numbers.

31    1100k
32    1150k
33    1200k
34    1250k
35    1300k      14,250k

36    1350k
37    1400k
38    1450k
39    1500k
40    1550k      21,500k

41    1600k
42    1650k
43    1700k
44    1750k
45    1800k      30,000k

46    1850k
47    1900k
48    1950k
49    2000k
50    2050k      39,750k

I decided to do the math out to level 50 just to give myself a feel for the numbers and they really are NOT our friends if you even like alts. Given their average expansion tends to be 12 Quests and 2 Raids along with a Slayer zone just how much XP could an expansion give us? 

I did see a quote from Coco that they want the Epic Reincarnations to require no more XP but I just don't see it unless they are some other sort of XP tree progression and will that be some whole other set of tree's and feats to throw on to the pile? again with no real storage expansion just where the fuck are we supposed to put all the gear? I mean given they seem to want to make nearly everything BtA now you have 1 toon and 18 or 19 alts just used as bankers....

I really don't want to think of the math if they switch from 50k to +100k per level too since it will be "Legendary" levels

Quote from Cocomajobo

"We are quite a ways out from being prepared to announce specifics on our plans for character progression past level 30. What we are willing to say at this point, however, is that one of our goals is to NOT increase the amount of XP required to complete an Epic Reincarnation."

Meh, more adventure packs, races, expansion, etc. If anything ddo will last another year.

I'm totally cool with that

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


So...not permadeath?

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


That could be sweet.

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


Long overdue, but very welcome.

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


That does not sound like a terribly interesting adventure pack...

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


What's left to update? Titan? ToD?

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


Ugh, more 5e nonsense.

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


Finally another Eberron race!

Shifter: (3.5 stats)

Shapechanger Subtype: Shifters are humanoids
with the shapechanger subtype.
• +2 Dexterity, –2 Intelligence, –2 Charisma: Shifters
are lithe and agile, but their fundamental bestial
nature detracts from both their reasoning ability
and their social interaction.
• Medium: As Medium creatures, shifters have no
special bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Shifter base land speed is 30 feet.
• Shifting (Su): A shifter can tap into his
lycanthropic heritage to gain short bursts of
physical power. Once per day, a shifter can
enter a state that is superficially similar to a
barbarian’s rage. Each shifter has one of ten
shifter traits—characteristics that manifest
themselves when a character is shifting. Each
shifter trait typically provides a +2 bonus to
one of the character’s physical ability scores
(Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution) and
grants some other advantage as well. Shifter
traits are described in the following section.
Shifting is a free action and lasts for a
number of rounds equal to 3 + the shifter’s
Constitution modifier. (If a shifter trait or
other effect increases the character’s Constitution
modifier, use the newly improved modifier.) A
shifter can take feats to improve this ability. These
shifter feats are described in Chapter 3 of the EBERRON
Campaign Setting.
Every shifter feat a character takes increases
the duration of his shifting by 1 round. For every
two shifter feats a character takes, the number of
times per day he can tap into the ability increases
by one. So, a character with two shifter feats can
shift two times per day (instead of the usual one),
and each use of the ability lasts for a number of
rounds equal to 5 (instead of 3) + the shifter’s
Con modifier.
Shifting, though related to and developed from
lycanthropy, is neither an affliction nor a curse.
It is not passed on by bite or claw attacks, and a
shifter can’t be cured—shifting is a natural ability
for the race.
• Low-Light Vision: Shifters can see twice as far as
a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and
similar conditions of poor illumination. They retain
the ability to distinguish color and detail under
these conditions.
• +2 racial bonus on Balance, Climb, and Jump checks:
A shifter’s animalistic heritage enhances many of his
physical skills.
• Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages:
Elven, Gnome, Halfling, and Sylvan.
• Favored Class: Ranger. A multiclass shifter’s ranger
class does not count when determining whether he
takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.

SHIFTER TRAITS
Each shifter has one of the following special traits,
which is selected when a character is created and
cannot be changed thereafter. Traits marked with an
asterisk (*) are introduced in this book.
Beasthide (Su): While shifting, a beasthide shifter
gains a +2 bonus to Constitution and natural armor
that provides a +2 bonus to AC.
Cliffwalk (Su): While shifting, a cliffwalk shifter
gains a +2 bonus to Dexterity and has a climb speed
of 20 feet.
Dreamsight* (Su): The dreamsight trait is the rarest
of all shifter traits, and many dreamsight shifters
become druids within shifter communities. Unlike
other shifter traits, which increase a shifter’s physical
abilities, the dreamsight trait sharpens a shifter’s
instincts and awareness. While shifting, a dreamsight
shifter temporarily gains a +2 bonus to Wisdom and
gains the ability to communicate with animals as if
under the effect of a speak with animals spell.
In addition, the shifter gains a +2 bonus on Handle
Animal and wild empathy checks, even while not
shifting.
Gorebrute* (Su): While shifting, a gorebrute shifter
temporarily gains a +2 bonus to Strength and manifests
powerful horns that can be used as a natural weapon,
but only during a charge attack. (The horns are too
awkward to use as a natural weapon in any circumstance
other than a charge.) If a gorebrute shifter uses
his horns in a charge attack, the horns function as a
natural weapon, dealing 2d6 points of damage (plus an
extra 1 point for every four character levels he has). A
gorebrute shifter can’t combine a charge attack with his
horns with any other attack, even if he has the ability
to make more than one attack as part of a charge (such
as from the pounce ability).
Longstride (Su): While shifting, a longstride shifter
gains a +2 bonus to Dexterity and a bonus of +10 feet
to his base land speed.
Longtooth (Su): While shifting, a longtooth shifter
gains a +2 bonus to Strength and grows fangs that can
be used as a natural weapon, dealing 1d6 points of
damage (plus an extra 1 point for every four character
levels he has) with a successful bite attack. He cannot
attack more than once per round with his bite, even
if his base attack bonus is high enough to give him
multiple attacks. He can use his bite as a secondary
attack (taking a –5 penalty on his attack roll) while
wielding a weapon.
Razorclaw (Su): While shifting, a razorclaw shifter
gains a +2 bonus to Strength and grows claws that
can be used as natural weapons. These claws deal 1d4
points of damage (plus an extra 1 point for every four
character levels he has) with each successful attack. He
can attack with one claw as a standard action or with
two claws as a full attack action (as a primary natural
weapon). He cannot attack more than once per round
with a single claw, even if his base attack bonus is high
enough to give him multiple attacks. He can attack
with a claw as a light off-hand weapon while wielding
a weapon in his primary hand, but all his attacks in
that round take a –2 penalty.
Swiftwing* (Su): While shifting, a swiftwing
shifter temporarily gains
a +2 bonus to Dexterity.
His arms grow leathery
fl aps of skin (similar
to a bat’s wings),
which grant him a
fl y speed of 20 feet
(average maneuverability).
While airborne, the
shifter can’t use his hands
for anything other than fl ying,
though he can still
hold or carry objects.
A shifter can’t
f ly while carrying
a medium or
heavy load or while
wearing medium or
heavy armor.
Truedive* (Su): While
shifting, a truedive
shifter temporarily
gains a +2 bonus
to Constitution and a
swim speed of 30 feet.
Gaining a swim speed grants
him a +8 racial bonus on
Swim checks.
In addition, the shifter can hold his breath for a
number of rounds equal to 5 × his Constitution score
before he risks drowning. A truedive shifter gains
this benefi t even when he isn’t shifting.
Wildhunt (Su): While shifting, a wild hunt shifter
temporarily gains a +2 bonus to Constitution and
the scent ability. This ability allows the shifter
to detect approaching creatures, sniff out hidden
creatures, and track by sense of smell. A wild hunt
shifter can identify familiar odors just as a human
does familiar sights.
A wildhunt shifter can detect creatures within
30 feet by sense of smell. If the creature is upwind,
the range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops
to 15 feet. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting
garbage, can be detected at twice the ranges noted
above.
Overpowering
scents, such
as skunk musk or
troglodyte stench, can
be detected at triple normal
range. These stronger
scents block other scents, so
they can sometimes be used
to confuse or hamper this
shifter trait.
When a wildhunt shifter
detects a scent, the exact
location of the source isn’t
revealed—only its presence
somewhere within range.
The shifter
can take a
move action
to note
the direction
of the
scent. Whenever
the shifter
comes within
5 feet of
the source,
he pinpoints the
source’s location.
While shifting,
a wildhunt shifter
who has the Track feat can follow
tracks by smell, making
Survival checks to find or follow
a trail. The typical DC for
a fresh trail is 10 (regardless of
the surface that holds the scent). This DC increases
or decreases depending on how strong the quarry’s
odor is, the number of creatures producing the
odor, and the age of the trail. For each hour that the
trail grows cold, the DC increases by 2. This ability
other wise follows the rules for the Track feat. Shifters
tracking by scent ignore the effects of surface
conditions and poor visibility.
When not shifting, a wildhunt shifter gains a +2
bonus on Survival checks due to the lingering effects
of the scent ability.

NOTpopejubal wrote on Jan 21^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:


DO NOT WANT.

Artorias wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2020 at 7:09am:


Because we'll probably get Legendary Levels. With Legendary Reincarnation, Legendary Ottos, higher tomes and everything they can possibly sell. So Coco is technically not lying but they are going to add XP. It's just a given.

Bah more races. Was almost done with those too. Guess I’ll keep the sorc gear sets around for later.

Least they surprisingly thought of not fucking up the exp needed to eTR...unlike last time.

Could be interesting to play around with multiple legendary feats and, though not particularly excited, more raids available at end game could be good. Except they’ll probably invalidate current ones since that’s the only way they do things.