Today is finally the day, the next big content patch for WildStar, the “Protogames Initiative”, is on the starting blocks, and while you read this, you probably can already download it.
We summarize once more what changes and expansions the patch brings and tell you whether the game is still worth a look.
Itemization
One of the biggest annoyances in WildStar was previously the rather poorly implemented itemization, which is now being addressed, at least in the PvE area. Finally, there is a clearly recognizable progression curve, and you know in which order you can tackle the different content.
As a fresh level 50, you should start with the veteran ship missions, which are also being introduced in this patch. Once equipped there, adventures, then dungeons, and finally raid instances await brave visitors. In summary, character progression should now feel much more logical and comprehensible.
Fragment Zero and Veteran Ship Missions
The new ship mission is accessible from level 6 and is supposed to represent the very first step into the world of group content of WildStar – if you want, you can of course also tackle it alone, as it scales with the number of group members, as usual.
Small cinematics and data cubes are a novelty for these small missions, but the “old” ship missions also receive an overhaul: All can now be visited in veteran mode at max level!
Fresh level 50s should therefore take a detour into the previously often undiscovered mini-instances, which can now also be easily accessed through the group finder and no longer need to be discovered in the world.
The Protostar Academy
WildStar is to become more accessible, and not just since yesterday. With the new instance for level 10, “Protostar Academy”, they are taking this announcement seriously!
Hardly has one set foot on Nexus, one can already face the challenges of this small dungeon and is gradually introduced to the difficulties of a “real” instance.
Unusual mechanics, such as interruption protection (“Interrupt-Armor”), are explained to you in short boss fights. Gradually, other mechanics come into play: environmental effects that must be avoided, additional minions that a boss summons, or different phases of a fight, until at the end of the instance you really feel like you’ve mastered a real challenge.
The academy will not lower the challenging difficulty of the other instances, but will at least better prepare new or inexperienced players. However, there is no heroic version of this dungeon – it is meant to be just a tutorial.
The Ultimate Protogames
If the academy is too boring, you can also grab 4 friends and plunge into the Protostar game show. This dungeon is relatively easy to conquer, but if you want to achieve really good performance, you’ll probably have several days of hard work ahead of you.
Overall, heroes of the Dominion and Exiles can expect 6 rooms to master each time. 3 of these are fixed boss encounters, while the other 3 are randomly selected from a pool of 8 event rooms.
It will thus take a while to experience all possible combinations. Depending on performance in the individual rooms, you receive a score – after all, it is a game show – that will determine bonus loot at the end. Although the instance also drops quite good rewards at low scores, those who really want the best gear should prepare for long evenings, during which they must overcome much proto-football and even more angry vending machines.
Many More Adjustments
In addition to these highlights, there are of course a multitude of changes that are more cosmetic in nature or that enhance the general “quality of life” within the game. Especially in the area of housing, players should take another look, as many more adjustments can now be made to create their dream home – or a stinky dump with plush figures, if that is what they like.
Conclusion: In any case, everyone who still has some CREDD on the high side should take another look at WildStar – and everyone else should at least consider it, as the game is still progressing and improving with each patch.
[pullquote]Less grindy, more fun[/pullquote]
I personally have a pretty good feeling about the patch, which has also been strengthened by an exclusive stream with the developers. If you’ve always wanted to try another class, you’ll be pleased to know: Between levels 16 and 49, you get 15% more experience points through all quests, which will eliminate some dry spells (especially in the far ends). “Less grindy, more fun” was one of the big goals for this patch.
If leveling was “too casual” and instances were “too hardcore”, you should find your way back to Nexus now at the latest – as the development is now significantly more linear, noticeably more thought out. Just better.
In this must-see trailer, you can watch the features of the monster update in moving images:
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Further articles about this update:
Ship missions with a bit more “pizzazz” at level 50
The next big update is based on player feedback
“No more biting”, WildStar will be easier, more digestible, nicer – and bigger in 2015
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Update: Content Drop 4 is now live! The official website wildstar-online.com now also has the patch notes available.
