GET PUMPED! My 8/8 Experience (again)

I want to start off by saying that this league was much harder to 8/8, but was also both more satisfying and more fun. I had every intention of not trading and playing solo but that was quickly cast aside as explained in the breakdown of challenges below. Additionally, I will offer my criticisms and suggestions at the end of the breakdown in hopes that something will add to this wonderful adventure known as Path of Exile.

1)Kill Rare Monsters: I found this challenge to be attainable through undertaking a reasonable amount of time and experiencing a fair portion of the game for both casual and hardcore players alike. Most were found from playing through the game with only a few exceptions needed to be hunted for in maps (two for me I think -- the boiling ambusher and the voltaic guardian). I enjoy these types of challenges and hope they continue to make an impact next league.

2)Touch these shrines: The shrines could have been an interesting addition, but I feel as if they were too weak (both for and against the player) when the league launched and their impacts were diminished. If the league's major softcore difference was the shrines then their impact should have been felt more. I did, however, enjoy the idea itself and would like to see more interact-able objects in future gameplay.

3)Slay the Nemeses: These hardcore mods were the perfect blend of thought-provoking difficulty and fun for me. One had to take the time to really understand the build they were doing even from early on and follow through with elevated play. For me, this iteration was more successful than the shrines in their goal: to add to the core game and make every playthrough a fresh experience. I remember almost dying to a corrupted blood mod with a spectral throw character purely because I was caught off-guard. In this sense, the league succeeded in that despite having leveled numerous characters between vanilla and the two leagues, there was something new to experience and adapt to on the fly when the most valuable of assets is on the line -- time.

4)Reach Level 65: I like that this challenge was changed from hardcore only to both leagues as it opens it up for more of the player base to experience builds with each of the starting exiles. More were able to learn the game without being scared of the hardcore stigma being some dangerous trap-laden battlefield where only veterans were wanted. I had fun experimenting with odd builds I otherwise would have blown off and have come to appreciate some of the less popular skills such as searing bond and righteous fire while leveling.

Thus far, I say of the 4 challenges, 3 of them have met or exceeded expectations. Anyway, continuing on...

5)Kill these Unique Bosses: When I first saw this list I thought it was going to be a cakewalk. My main character was a very safe Lightning Strike, Mind over Matter, and Lightning Coil ranger. I figured I'd hack away and win after sometime. Well, this held true until some of the 74+ maps. I learned one very valuable lesson this league: DO NOT MESS WITH SHOCK AND HORROR AFTER THE CHANGE! I actually had to prepare for a lot of these bosses with specific flasks and uniques just to survive their onslaught (Looking at you Crematorium). While I feel a few of these fights were slightly overtuned, this challenge taught you two very important lessons: Know your limitations and always have a backup strategy when your hp gets obliterated! In terms of overall challenge goals of forcing one to explore the game, this challenge did wonders in making the player understand endgame map mods and what their specific builds could and could not handle all while walking the thin line between better loot and staying alive.

6)Use the Currency Items: Not too much to say about this one other than a good way to teach show players most of the available currency without being boring or redundant. This challenge and the next one go hand-in-hand with this same simple, but effective, ideology.

7)Vendor Recipes: As aforementioned, this challenge is an effective way to teach players about a very important aspect of the game, vendor recipes. In addition, in order to find a lot of these recipes, most players consulted wikis, guides, or even friends. This in turn sparked community participation and involvement as well as the potential for players to help others learn. In the end, community participation is everything in this game and GGG understands that completely. That whole overused pithy saying, the one about the man and the fish, applies here completely. If we can educate new players then the game will continue to grow, which is best for both business and for us, the players. This, however, is NOT the same as holding hands. Successful games of this genre add in secrets or veteran tricks for a reason, to keep the feel for veterans that they are always one step ahead of the newbies. Again, a fine line that I feel GGG walk brilliantly. In fact, my only regret with this challenge was that I did not have to vendor another 6L for the divine orb recipe! Last league I was actually the first to complete that challenge, and I will never forget that mixed feeling of anticipation for the challenge to complete and total sadness of what I had just done...the holy grail of links...gone to Tarleigh...

That brings us to the challenge which I feel could use the most altering because it detracts from what the creed of these challenges has been...

8)Collect these Uniques: What more can be said than the list this league was extremely daunting. I understand that there were more players last league that completed 8/8 challenges than GGG every imagined. I think Chris had estimated somewhere around 20 and we had over 60 last league, which is really impressive and made me happy about all the dedication. So, this league, there were less uniques on the list (down from 90+ to 65), but those on there were almost all expensive premier-build items, which I'll refer to as tier 1 items for the time being. These tier 1 items were in total around 250-300 exalted orbs depending on whether it was domination or nemesis. I am not a multi-boxer, but I did have to make friends with magic finders quickly in the league. While trading and grouping is a major part of Path of Exile, sitting in town for hours on end spamming trade can be extremely daunting for most players. Sure there are shop mods and sites dedicated to making the experience easier, but the fact remains that I spent more time in town and on XYZ than on mapping itself, the major endgame focus.

As a compromise between too many free shirts and a daunting unique list, might I make the recommendation in the future of taking the Build of the Week project and fusing it with the upcoming leagues down the road? If instead of a random collection of expensive uniques, why not have the player collect sets of uniques that apply directly to some of these builds of the week. Naturally, there would be more interest if it were clear that say a group of 4 uniques were used in the construction of a specific Build of the Week and it was their task to recreate this build. Not only would they be more inclined to play a multitude of builds (which increases replay value), but they would be more active in general, tweaking the build and sharing it on these forums. When the forums are active, the chat channels within the game are also bustling with an exchange of information and strategy. A talkative player is typically a happier one. And of course, in order to make the challenge still a challenge, there could be builds that do have some of the high priority tier 1 uniques that are 30ex+. I would much rather feel like the trading I am doing is accomplishing something more than filling up stash space.

Overall, the challenges were well-done and despite working and playing way too much Dota 2, I did manage to finish them with some time to spare. I had help from some great people, both real-life friends and in-game acquaintances, and without them, I would not be boring all of you with these critiques/suggestions. In passing, I would like to announce that next league unless there is a major triple-crown prize for 3x 8/8 players (such as a trip to GGG or something) I will be playing casually only to take a break and have fun with everything. If any of you see me doing otherwise please remind me to get a life and maybe, just maybe, a girlfriend!

when will you finish the thread?

Congrats sven, well done.

Grats! 8/8 this season seems like a pretty epic achievement.

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danisonxtc wrote:

when will you finish the thread?

my internet went out and it sent through. I typed all of this up in only about an hour so If I missed anything I will add it into the comments below

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Icholas wrote:

Grats! 8/8 this season seems like a pretty epic achievement.

Thank you! I just hope that I've earned at least a read from the GGG team. If we keep working together, who knows how amazing this game will become in the coming months. A great community for a great game I always say!

Also, if there is a list like last league being compiled of those who completed 8/8, can someone please link me to it so I may congratulate everyone? Thanks!

I've also added your post to ranking thread if you make further changes to your post let me know so I can update it. It can be found here.

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ignarsoll wrote:

I've also added your post to ranking thread if you make further changes to your post let me know so I can update it. It can be found here.

Awesome, thanks for the hard work ignarsoll!

Bro, if you don't share your trading/flipping/tarde chat spamm story then this thread is boring for me.

Since you are stopping and not going for a third 8/8 why don't you share your "trading/How you acquired the 250EX" strategy? After all, it's the hardest challenge.