I refuse to run Castrum the way it is now

[Wilford111]

Here's a strange concept. If you don't need that dungeon as you already did it for your story, don't, run it. I know, I know, a crazy idea. But think about the possibilities.

Here's an even stranger concept. Perhaps allowing players to skip cutscenes is good for both new and old players? It's good for new players because the don't have to wait as long to move forward in the msq, which is required for progression; and it's good for old players because they can get through it quickly and the rewards are actually worth it.

I'm not sure which way is ultimately better, tbh. I'm just saying that the "skip cutscenes" side does have some legitimate points that you should address before dismissing them as a whole.

[Iscah]

Here's an even stranger concept. Perhaps allowing players to skip cutscenes is good for both new and old players? It's good for new players because the don't have to wait as long to move forward in the msq, which is required for progression; and it's good for old players because they can get through it quickly and the rewards are actually worth it.

That’s only helpful for new players who see the MSQ as an obstacle to “get through” rather than actually experience it as it happens. I certainly wouldn’t find any benefit to being able to quickly ‘move forward’ past the climax of the story that’s been building up for the past fifty levels. I’m finally there and I want to enjoy it.

[BillyKaplan]

I’m finally there and I want to enjoy it.

I don't think anyone objects that the way things were before wasn't optimal, but two wrongs don't make a right. People can tell us to not run the roulette until the cows come home but that's actively detrimental to the purpose of the roulette in the first place.
I still think revamping it into a solo duty, or using the squad technology using some GC NPCs would've made this a much better experience (they have the tech now, they just need to want to revamp the content which they refuse to do). Just now if people wanted poetics they'd have to farm the 50/60 roulette instead [shrug]

[Coratanni]

Here's an even stranger concept. Perhaps allowing players to skip cutscenes is good for both new and old players? It's good for new players because the don't have to wait as long to move forward in the msq, which is required for progression; and it's good for old players because they can get through it quickly and the rewards are actually worth it.

I'm not sure which way is ultimately better, tbh. I'm just saying that the "skip cutscenes" side does have some legitimate points that you should address before dismissing them as a whole.

I have run the msq roulette almost every day since the change and have found the parties much friendlier to deal with, than it ever was before. The roulette is optional. If you dont like the change, then don't run it. You have plenty of other ways to farm experience and poetics.

[Tranquilmelody7]

I specifically refuse to run Castrum, I don't really mind Praetorium.

While a bit shorter, Castrum is a lot more actual work than Prae and yields nearly half the experience.

As things are now, I still run the MSQ roulette but straight up back out whenever I end up with Castrum.

I guess I made a mistake by mentioning the cutscenes in my OP, as that is all everyone is talking about...