That cheeky Ardua over at Echoes of Nonsense has tagged me in GirlIRL‘s meme. I don’t mind, as I planned to answer it over at Book of Grudges, but hell, thought I’d do it over here too as it’s slightly better suited on my general purpose blog, and at the moment my BoG blogging isn’t really reaching any dizzy heights of greatness (I know this people, I really do).
1. What is your current main character’s name (or names, if you play multiple games)? Explain how you chose the name.
On LotRO it’s Idris, chosen because I like the name and because I first played around with it on WoW.
On WAR it’s Kaja, picked to be Norse-y when we started WAR on a RP server. I kind of wanted either Kaya or Kaia or Kaja, but in the end I liked the j. Just noone now pronounces it right!
2. What was the name of your very first character in an MMO? Explain how you chose that name.
My very first surname was Nim Little on DAoC, and the Nim was picked as a hang-over from my MUSH days. My last MUSH post was as Changeling Wizard on Dublin by Night where we all had names from Arthurian legend. I was Sangreal when I was an Admin and then Nimue when I became a Wiz (MU* terminology with no apologies here). So when I started on DAoC, I shortened it because I didn’t want to use anything too Arthurian and because I didn’t really have a feeling about RP names, but it seemed ‘good enough’. A close friend online started called me Nimlet, so when a surname was gettable it was suggested that I pick Little (I was also a very small char), so I picked it. Plus, as I was a friar, I liked the gentle Robin Hood reference. I don’t think anyone has ever asked before.
3. Have you kept a specific name through various games, or do you tend to change your naming habits based on the individual game?
I keep a stable of names, from those I always use to back-up ones I like. But if I start on a RP server and none of my names suit, I’ll pick another (see WAR naming).
4. Do you ever reserve names, planning to use them for characters that you might play later? If so, what are they and why do you hold on to them?
I try to get Nim, but never do. My current MMO pals all know me as Idris, so I try and get that – and frequently don’t, and after that I don’t bother. If husband is playing or planning on playing, I grab Ylyana for him. Weirdly enough, there’s probably other names I’d quite like, but I’m fairly laid-back if I can’t get Nim or Idris!
5. Of the three common archetypes in MMOs — tank, healer, DPS — which is your current main character?
WAR – healer
LotRO – healer/melee hybrid (specced for healing)
6. What archetype was your very first character in an MMO? Why did you choose it?
My first archetype was a healer/melee hybrid (the friar in DAoC). I picked it because Spinks suggested I try either a Cleric or a Friar as, for some reason I don’t remember, I must have said I wanted to be able to heal. We certainly had no plans to duo at the time, so she wasn’t angling for a pet healer, I do know that. She told me how the classes were and that friars were a bit gimped but expecting a buff (she’d read all the beta forums, I did actually start the game in the first week of release), and anyway the idea of being a monk in a robe with a quarterstaff REALLY appealed. So I went with the friar and never looked back. We need more monk classes.
7. Are you usually attracted to one archetype over another, or do you play them equally? Why?
I suppose my previous answers have kind of answered this already, I tend to play healers, but healer hybrids. My only pure healer has been the Rune Priest. I do really enjoy healing, especially in high pressure environments, but I also like decent armour, so the hybrids call out to me.
8. What is your favorite feature from an MMO you no longer play?
Hrrm, a tricky one, as I don’t look back ALL that much. And while there’s stuff I miss from DAoC and WoW, I’m not sure any of them are ‘features’ as opposed to just bits of content. I miss massive free-for-all raids in DAoC, master levels, epics, Darkness Falls, battlegrounds, and relic raids. I miss shifting in WoW (I played a druid 4-5 times), again, the instances, and um.. some of the PvP.
9. Is there an MMO that you would play if it was free? Which and why?
Despite this being a love letter to DAoC, it’s too old a game for me to go back to. I’d probably play WoW if it were free, or if I’d had a lifetime sub. Purely because it’s a common denominator game and I imagine me and my friends could have fun there if we ever were in the mood to level there all at the same time, and not out of synch with one another (as has happened). I’ve said before I’d never go back, but I would, in the right circumstances, and being free to play would help those.
10. How do you measure the success of a character in an MMO (total kills, titles accumulated, wealth, rare items collected, level reached, etc.)?
That’s a tricky one, because as GirlIRL said, it depends whether I’m levelling on in endgame. I find a character successful for me if I enjoy playing it enough to not want to roll an alt within the first 10-15 levels. After that it’s probably basic stuff, like level reached and dungeons/quests achieved. I tend to take each task as it comes and try and conquer it. For example, in LotRO, I’ll feel good about Idris again when I’m Kindred with the damn Galadhrim because that’s my current trawl. Before that it was getting the Radiance gear which was tougher and more fun. Plus, if I’m finding groups and able to play through the content I WANT to play through. I rarely look at damage or healing tables. If we live and I’m the healer, that’s a success ;p
Now. Do I tag more people? Probably!
Ok, who do I want to hear from:
War of Alts – I want to know where Roo got the name and more DAoC memories
Spinksville – because I think I know the answers, but I want to test my sibling knowledge
MMeOw – let’s spread it to the LotRO blogs, and this is one I read all the time!
Only going to name these three, as I think it’ll get fairly well spread about anyway and I’m lazy!
Nerf the Cat 