Now, let me preface this by saying I've had such a great time playing on my Undead character, I've always been curious about them since I started playing this game. I could not have asked for a better Necromancer (who mind you is a deeply close friend of mine) to have this adventure together. However, during my time playing such a character I cannot ignore how painful it is to play as an Undead in the game.
Subject Case: NECROMANCY, UNDEAD, AND YOU!
Issue Number One: "Verb Monkey."
So this is a bit of a stretch but- at the same time? It's not. To get Undeath you have to go off and fight a danger, even then? It's 1 Undeath per fight. Luckily I am bat-shit insane and got over 30 fights (at the time of writing this) in less than 2 weeks of spawning on this character. I love verbing, I enjoy being a battlecuck that just fights and fights because it's what I find fun in this game!
That's not to say it isn't tiring. If you're the only undead for your Necromancer, then by god you have a ton of work to do. Another summon? 5 Undeath, for the Undead that's playing. Perfectly fine, that's 5 fights! But...
Skeletons: The very thing you start out as? Zero Racials, there's not even a discount bonus on Bone? (I mean c'mon why not???). I get it, these are the bare bones (ha) of what an Undead is supposed to be but these are also some of the most miserable times to play. Not only are you weaker than the most basic of races, you are very quickly hunted down. Mind you I was insane and I kept on fighting CONSTANTLY. Punching up? Hell yeah, I was. But I can safely say that if I wasn't someone who enjoyed constantly fighting? This would have become very tiring.
Zombies: Hey, look at that- we're on par with a basic human. I feel like there should be something a bit more creative here. If I wanted to play a human with Sturdy I'd of done so. I really can't imagine something here - the most my brain can come up with is some sort of healing. Maybe some constantly healing moves that an Undead can get at this stage? I don't know, but Sturdy while it's REALLY nice to have. Doesn't seem worth a total of 10 Undeath. Just to get on par with a human.
Champion: I have become Death. Burden, oh my beloved. Burden I fucking adore you but MAN getting to this point was not really amazing. Let's take it so far, right? To get to Champion that's 20 Dangers. That's 20! Dangers! I get it! But what if the Necromancer doesn't want to upgrade you to that point? What if they want to use it on other materials, maybe they want to get the summons before you get here. If you don't have a good Necromancer god knows how long you could be waiting to get to Champion at this point. ...And yeah? Burden is fucking worth it. It's so amazing and I am GLAD I got to this point.
But...
Now what?
There's nothing more after Champion. While demons have something really cool (if they want) to strive for. This being the Imperfect Demon. This ground-shaking, world-changing, amazingly cool moment for the entire game! ...Undead? Well. You really just get Champion. You become a massive threat but you are by no means any more important than John Eternia who has been fighting with great trees, skills, and equipment. I want something more. There has to be something beyond Champion. It's just something to keep them entertained. Imperfects can quite literally break the minds of an Occultist.
It's not a secret that a GOOD UNDEAD can crush out people way above their weight class. There's just not a lot of reward for it. Undead aren't allowed to learn Necromancy either, (One did, but apparently that was a huge mistake). I just want there to be this more air around Undead that they should be feared, something more than just "yeah that's so and so's undead." I adore my Necromancer, because on an OOC level? We're good friends. If I wasn't their friend? If I didn't know them as well as I do? In no fucking world would I be enjoying my time as one, because you as an Undead.
Are just that. You are the means to collect material for the Necromancer. That can get really really draining on most people. I think it comes around to the same issue "Not everyone can play an Antag" to which I agree! I think that's very valid. Good lord though, through the Undead some love here, they are simply struggling in IC and OOC mechanics.
Issue Number Two: "The Risk is not worth the reward"
Pasta what in the world do you mean? Isn't Undeath SUPER strong? Of course, it is! If anything it is one of the MOST powerful collected materials in the game! You can summon more Undead, You can make Arc into a batshit insane addition to a weapon, you can get Deaths Door (300 Undeath later....), and you upgrade your Undead to being horrifying champions! Yes! Undeath is the BEST material in the game, and this isn't even putting into account what you can do for DEV SCENES.
...But
Let's take a look at what's wrong with Undeath. For starters, you get one per danger, hell yeah, fine. A bit sad that it's so small but! I UNDERSTAND why. What I dislike the most is the fact every single year that you don't use Undeath, all your work towards it. Poof. Gone. Let me tell you when I woke up one morning and my Necromancer forgot to collect my Undeath before the year tick, we didn't just lose ONE Undeath, we lost two. That's two dangers for me that I have to go back and earn all over again. Frustrating! Also WHY is Deaths Door 300 Undeath spent!?
The only way for anyone to collect Undeath is through
-Dangers (+1 for Undead only, Necromancers get nothing)
-Necromancers Perming (+3 but only for Necromancers)
-Plaguelands (+3 with a year cooldown)
-Harvesting Bodies (+5 Per Body, Via Necromancer)
Now what about Essences? The lifeblood of the Witches/Warlocks in the game? They can earn it far quicker than any sort of material within the game AS WELL and their abilities are quite strong. (Hex, Dreamwalking, Potions, etc)
The way to earn Essence
-Aggro (+1 for any Witch/Warlock)
-Dangers (+2 for any Witch/Warlock)
-Sabbaths ( +??? Depends on how many Witches/Warlocks are there with a year cooldown)
-Signing the Book of Shadows (+5 to the Owner of the book)
-??? (There's likely something missing here I don't play Witches/Warlocks...)
While Essence is far easier to get, we must also not forget that EVERYTHING they do has a cost for it (Telepathy, Black Mark, Potions, Mask Potions are not included). So on the one hand I really understand why it's easier to get it because things have a constant cost, but what I would like to have? At least something is equal for Necromancers. Plague Lands in my eyes, with only 3 Undeath? Compared to a sabbath where let's say the average is 10-15 Essence every time?
Mind you, Witches can give Essence to one another, You cannot give Undeath to another Necromancer.
The scales are not weighted fairly. AGAIN. I get it! I REALLY REALLY DO. Undeath is the superior material. It always will be. I just wish there was a bit easier system for collection, it's pretty painful as it is right now.
As Undead go? It's 1 Per Danger. God help you if you're the only active spawn...
Issue Number Three: "Lack of Avenues."
What an odd thing to say, but it is one of them. If not the MOST frustrating situation I think I have faced with Undead. It's not just me, trust me, this has been a roaring issue for qutie some time. Being an Undead has some massive limitations on what we can do in the game. Can't learn Necromancy. Can't sell your soul. Can't learn faith either. You can't even attempt to become human again, because no god will be favorable for it!
From what I am told (so please take this part with a grain of salt, I am just the messenger) is that most times, when an Undead goes for something. They're often denied because they are... an Undead. This can range from Sigs, Story Arcs, Mechanics, etc. I've had people laugh at my idea of wanting my Undead to try and become just a normal human again, because- they said as follows "You're an Undead, you're not getting anything."
That is crushing to hear.
There's some odd disconnect with Undead, I'm not sure where it is or why it's there. Most of the time people get the response "Hey can I do XYZ?" The reply? "Go for it!" Whereas Undead? It's met with a quick "No." or "Don't get your hopes up." and "You're not gonna get xyz, don't even bother."
This is super, super, super discouraging. I'm not blaming ANYONE for this, I'm also not blaming any Undead who's simply given up because they have been given such a lack of Avenues to take. It's tough, this game is about writing together, but let's be honest. We all want to be that cool little Mary Sue in the heroes story. Or... perhaps you want to be a grand evil creation that tries to take on the world.
...Something about being an Undead... feels... Limiting. So swiftly to be told no, so quickly to be told: "Don't Bother."
I wish this wasn't the case. I really with all my heart wish it wasn't because I am having such an amazing time with my Undead.
Is there something wrong with Undead? Is there a reason so many are limited in what they do? I fully expect a reply from an Admin or Chance himself telling me that I am 100% wrong in this little section of my long-winded rant. I want to say this is maybe not the full truth but this is how it FEELS as playing an Undead character. It sucks! I want to be wrong, I want to be told I am so wrong and dumb.
But? It's clear there's an issue. There's not a lot of Undead. You'd think they'd be more popular.
I promise you there are more Demons currently in the game than there have ever been Undead.
Ending Remarks:
At this point I've been rambling about the very limited issues. It may not be the worst issues, but I am really begging for some kind of soft overhaul with the Necromancy and Undead situation. Because I know people want to enjoy playing the Undead, and being Necromancers. The issue is there is this endless cycle of of burn out, AFKing. Imagine you're an undead and your Necromancer goes afk? You become stuck at whatever stage you're at, HEAVEN Forbid you're a Skeleton. You're not gonna keep playing, you're not gonna keep doing anything for yourself. There's no Necromancer to help you.
The same thing applies for Undead. They are the source, the blood and life of the Necromancer getting stronger. It's supposed to be a Snowball effect, more Undead, More material, more material means more Undead. So on and so forth.
Part of me is very jealous of how everyone wants Demons reworked, and by god, they earned it right? I really want Undead to get the same treatment, I really want to see them get more love.
I encourage people who have/currently playing Undead/Necromancers to put their thoughts here.
I know this was a lot to read, but to those of you who have.
Thank you.
Subject Case: NECROMANCY, UNDEAD, AND YOU!
Issue Number One: "Verb Monkey."
So this is a bit of a stretch but- at the same time? It's not. To get Undeath you have to go off and fight a danger, even then? It's 1 Undeath per fight. Luckily I am bat-shit insane and got over 30 fights (at the time of writing this) in less than 2 weeks of spawning on this character. I love verbing, I enjoy being a battlecuck that just fights and fights because it's what I find fun in this game!
That's not to say it isn't tiring. If you're the only undead for your Necromancer, then by god you have a ton of work to do. Another summon? 5 Undeath, for the Undead that's playing. Perfectly fine, that's 5 fights! But...
Skeletons: The very thing you start out as? Zero Racials, there's not even a discount bonus on Bone? (I mean c'mon why not???). I get it, these are the bare bones (ha) of what an Undead is supposed to be but these are also some of the most miserable times to play. Not only are you weaker than the most basic of races, you are very quickly hunted down. Mind you I was insane and I kept on fighting CONSTANTLY. Punching up? Hell yeah, I was. But I can safely say that if I wasn't someone who enjoyed constantly fighting? This would have become very tiring.
Zombies: Hey, look at that- we're on par with a basic human. I feel like there should be something a bit more creative here. If I wanted to play a human with Sturdy I'd of done so. I really can't imagine something here - the most my brain can come up with is some sort of healing. Maybe some constantly healing moves that an Undead can get at this stage? I don't know, but Sturdy while it's REALLY nice to have. Doesn't seem worth a total of 10 Undeath. Just to get on par with a human.
Champion: I have become Death. Burden, oh my beloved. Burden I fucking adore you but MAN getting to this point was not really amazing. Let's take it so far, right? To get to Champion that's 20 Dangers. That's 20! Dangers! I get it! But what if the Necromancer doesn't want to upgrade you to that point? What if they want to use it on other materials, maybe they want to get the summons before you get here. If you don't have a good Necromancer god knows how long you could be waiting to get to Champion at this point. ...And yeah? Burden is fucking worth it. It's so amazing and I am GLAD I got to this point.
But...
Now what?
There's nothing more after Champion. While demons have something really cool (if they want) to strive for. This being the Imperfect Demon. This ground-shaking, world-changing, amazingly cool moment for the entire game! ...Undead? Well. You really just get Champion. You become a massive threat but you are by no means any more important than John Eternia who has been fighting with great trees, skills, and equipment. I want something more. There has to be something beyond Champion. It's just something to keep them entertained. Imperfects can quite literally break the minds of an Occultist.
It's not a secret that a GOOD UNDEAD can crush out people way above their weight class. There's just not a lot of reward for it. Undead aren't allowed to learn Necromancy either, (One did, but apparently that was a huge mistake). I just want there to be this more air around Undead that they should be feared, something more than just "yeah that's so and so's undead." I adore my Necromancer, because on an OOC level? We're good friends. If I wasn't their friend? If I didn't know them as well as I do? In no fucking world would I be enjoying my time as one, because you as an Undead.
Are just that. You are the means to collect material for the Necromancer. That can get really really draining on most people. I think it comes around to the same issue "Not everyone can play an Antag" to which I agree! I think that's very valid. Good lord though, through the Undead some love here, they are simply struggling in IC and OOC mechanics.
Issue Number Two: "The Risk is not worth the reward"
Pasta what in the world do you mean? Isn't Undeath SUPER strong? Of course, it is! If anything it is one of the MOST powerful collected materials in the game! You can summon more Undead, You can make Arc into a batshit insane addition to a weapon, you can get Deaths Door (300 Undeath later....), and you upgrade your Undead to being horrifying champions! Yes! Undeath is the BEST material in the game, and this isn't even putting into account what you can do for DEV SCENES.
...But
Let's take a look at what's wrong with Undeath. For starters, you get one per danger, hell yeah, fine. A bit sad that it's so small but! I UNDERSTAND why. What I dislike the most is the fact every single year that you don't use Undeath, all your work towards it. Poof. Gone. Let me tell you when I woke up one morning and my Necromancer forgot to collect my Undeath before the year tick, we didn't just lose ONE Undeath, we lost two. That's two dangers for me that I have to go back and earn all over again. Frustrating! Also WHY is Deaths Door 300 Undeath spent!?
The only way for anyone to collect Undeath is through
-Dangers (+1 for Undead only, Necromancers get nothing)
-Necromancers Perming (+3 but only for Necromancers)
-Plaguelands (+3 with a year cooldown)
-Harvesting Bodies (+5 Per Body, Via Necromancer)
Now what about Essences? The lifeblood of the Witches/Warlocks in the game? They can earn it far quicker than any sort of material within the game AS WELL and their abilities are quite strong. (Hex, Dreamwalking, Potions, etc)
The way to earn Essence
-Aggro (+1 for any Witch/Warlock)
-Dangers (+2 for any Witch/Warlock)
-Sabbaths ( +??? Depends on how many Witches/Warlocks are there with a year cooldown)
-Signing the Book of Shadows (+5 to the Owner of the book)
-??? (There's likely something missing here I don't play Witches/Warlocks...)
While Essence is far easier to get, we must also not forget that EVERYTHING they do has a cost for it (Telepathy, Black Mark, Potions, Mask Potions are not included). So on the one hand I really understand why it's easier to get it because things have a constant cost, but what I would like to have? At least something is equal for Necromancers. Plague Lands in my eyes, with only 3 Undeath? Compared to a sabbath where let's say the average is 10-15 Essence every time?
Mind you, Witches can give Essence to one another, You cannot give Undeath to another Necromancer.
The scales are not weighted fairly. AGAIN. I get it! I REALLY REALLY DO. Undeath is the superior material. It always will be. I just wish there was a bit easier system for collection, it's pretty painful as it is right now.
As Undead go? It's 1 Per Danger. God help you if you're the only active spawn...
Issue Number Three: "Lack of Avenues."
What an odd thing to say, but it is one of them. If not the MOST frustrating situation I think I have faced with Undead. It's not just me, trust me, this has been a roaring issue for qutie some time. Being an Undead has some massive limitations on what we can do in the game. Can't learn Necromancy. Can't sell your soul. Can't learn faith either. You can't even attempt to become human again, because no god will be favorable for it!
From what I am told (so please take this part with a grain of salt, I am just the messenger) is that most times, when an Undead goes for something. They're often denied because they are... an Undead. This can range from Sigs, Story Arcs, Mechanics, etc. I've had people laugh at my idea of wanting my Undead to try and become just a normal human again, because- they said as follows "You're an Undead, you're not getting anything."
That is crushing to hear.
There's some odd disconnect with Undead, I'm not sure where it is or why it's there. Most of the time people get the response "Hey can I do XYZ?" The reply? "Go for it!" Whereas Undead? It's met with a quick "No." or "Don't get your hopes up." and "You're not gonna get xyz, don't even bother."
This is super, super, super discouraging. I'm not blaming ANYONE for this, I'm also not blaming any Undead who's simply given up because they have been given such a lack of Avenues to take. It's tough, this game is about writing together, but let's be honest. We all want to be that cool little Mary Sue in the heroes story. Or... perhaps you want to be a grand evil creation that tries to take on the world.
...Something about being an Undead... feels... Limiting. So swiftly to be told no, so quickly to be told: "Don't Bother."
I wish this wasn't the case. I really with all my heart wish it wasn't because I am having such an amazing time with my Undead.
Is there something wrong with Undead? Is there a reason so many are limited in what they do? I fully expect a reply from an Admin or Chance himself telling me that I am 100% wrong in this little section of my long-winded rant. I want to say this is maybe not the full truth but this is how it FEELS as playing an Undead character. It sucks! I want to be wrong, I want to be told I am so wrong and dumb.
But? It's clear there's an issue. There's not a lot of Undead. You'd think they'd be more popular.
I promise you there are more Demons currently in the game than there have ever been Undead.
Ending Remarks:
At this point I've been rambling about the very limited issues. It may not be the worst issues, but I am really begging for some kind of soft overhaul with the Necromancy and Undead situation. Because I know people want to enjoy playing the Undead, and being Necromancers. The issue is there is this endless cycle of of burn out, AFKing. Imagine you're an undead and your Necromancer goes afk? You become stuck at whatever stage you're at, HEAVEN Forbid you're a Skeleton. You're not gonna keep playing, you're not gonna keep doing anything for yourself. There's no Necromancer to help you.
The same thing applies for Undead. They are the source, the blood and life of the Necromancer getting stronger. It's supposed to be a Snowball effect, more Undead, More material, more material means more Undead. So on and so forth.
Part of me is very jealous of how everyone wants Demons reworked, and by god, they earned it right? I really want Undead to get the same treatment, I really want to see them get more love.
I encourage people who have/currently playing Undead/Necromancers to put their thoughts here.
I know this was a lot to read, but to those of you who have.
Thank you.