Please do not make group quest open world areas.

[Crescent_Dusk]

Do not make the same mistake as ESO or Wildstar, creating open world zones/camps that require more than one players.

With ESO and Wildstar, this resulted in the first wave rushing through the content, and then the areas became ghost towns as the new tiers came out or people got what they wanted.

What this means is for late comers, returning players, or alts, they could not complete these zones at all since the main population had moved on to the latest content, leaving them to spam zone chat for hours in hopes they'd get a group to complete these quests.

It creates player fragmentation, and the place for group content should be dungeons and trials.

People also do not want to traverse a map ala FFXI where it's a pain in the ass because anything aggroing can kill you. Especially if you have to go through some laborious fight for what is essentially a dead mob that took all of your cooldowns and potions and the loot table for said mobs is garbage so you spend a lot of time getting through a map for little returns.

Don't make it a hassle to traverse your world. It's going to be especially aggravating for arriving at FATES in time.

[Jarinolde]

They never said that they were going to make the Heavensward open world areas require groups to level through.

[Felis]

What this means is for late comers, returning players, or alts, they could not complete these zones at all since the main population had moved on to the latest content, leaving them to spam zone chat for hours in hopes they'd get a group to complete these quests.

Party Finders ^^

I doubt that the open world enemies will require a full party or even a light party, but I hope that they are hard enough to bring a single player without Chocobo help to sweat. Around the Alexandrite maps difficulty level.

Ad yes, the "visit all aetherytes" achievement from 1.0 I did solo, regardless of all the lv80 enemies on the way who can have killed a player with a single hit * I look at you, Black Shroud *

[m3eansean]

Straight from Live Letter:

"We have seen many comments where players felt the A Realm Reborn areas were too peaceful as the monster placement in the areas were a bit too easy; however, the monsters in Heavensward are very strong. If you encounter two or more monsters at same time, you’ll either need to fight doing your best, or be prepared to run.

If you plan on stepping in areas such as the beastmen camps, and other dangerous areas, you’ll probably want to talk with nearby players to get through them."

I'm with OP, I foresee problems here with forced grouping just to get from one place to another. Can you imagine something like atma's for the next grind, or gathering for that matter? I really dislike when traveling from A to B becomes a hassle personally. I avoid the Sylphlands as much as I can due to their heavy spam in this region alone.

[Spy]

Personally I'm SUPER HAPPY that they're finally bringing actual DANGER to the world. I'm a lover of exploration, and yet, with no threat of anything, it's almost as if they may as well not put monsters there at all...Sneaking around dangerous enemies, hell even dying to some, led to some super fun times with my friends and I XD

Here's an example of what it was like in Mor Dhona back in 1.0

[3Jane]

Actually, this kind of thing is precisely what this game has been lacking since launch. You never explored pre nerf Mor Dhona in 1.0?, that was fun. Or the Wanderer's Shadow' aetherite quest also 1.0, LOL. You're supposed to be out in the wilds not in a themed game ranch. The further, the riskier the better.

[Crescent_Dusk]

Actually, this kind of thing is precisely what this game has been lacking since launch. You never explored pre nerf Mor Dhona in 1.0?, that was fun. Or the Wanderer's Shadow' aetherite quest also 1.0, LOL. You're supposed to be out in the wilds not in a themed game ranch. The further, the riskier the better.

I'll just switch to my lv60 ninja and stealth through it all if they make it such a hassle.

If I want challenge, I seek it in dungeons and trials because I'll be REWARDED for the hassle. In open world these mobs won't be dropping valuable, powerful items to compensate me for the stupidly long travel times and inconvenience.

Some of us can't play more than 2-3 hours a day and I'd rather not waste my precious time allotment in just getting through a map.

Besides, this tale of danger is moot once you obtain your flying mount as you'll be able to trivialize it all.

[Spy]

I'll just switch to my lv60 ninja and stealth through it all if they make it such a hassle.

If I want challenge, I seek it in dungeons and trials because I'll be REWARDED for the hassle. In open world these mobs won't be dropping valuable, powerful items to compensate me for the stupidly long travel times and inconvenience.

Some of us can't play more than 2-3 hours a day and I'd rather not waste my precious time allotment in just getting through a map.

Besides, this tale of danger is moot once you obtain your flying mount as you'll be able to trivialize it all.

If "this tale of danger is moot" then....what are you worried about? As you said, just fly over it. Or teleport. As for me, just the thrill of adventure is enough of a prize! I don't need gear when my goal is to have FUN in this game. Not get the best gear/items.

ALSO (I forgot) crafting mats drop from mobs. If the mobs are more difficult to farm, the prices will go up, helping those who farm them benefit from the difficulty.

[lololink]

It's likely that these areas will be 60+ though.

[Duelle]

Ad yes, the "visit all aetherytes" achievement from 1.0 I did solo, regardless of all the lv80 enemies on the way who can have killed a player with a single hit * I look at you, Black Shroud *

So did I, and it wasn't a good thing.

Great, now I'm worried. And if the leveling experience turns to shit, I know exactly who to blame it on.