Completely agree, not a permanent checkpoint, just a “per run” type of thing.
E.g. Clear rooms and get to boss, if you die and re-enter during that session, you go back to the boss room. If you go back to town to sell, or log out, it resets and you have to repeat the rooms.
Even half the number of rooms, from the current pool, would make it feel more engaging. Instead of doing every room every time in a random order, doing only 3 or 4 of the rooms at random. It would cut down on the time it takes to ‘earn’ an attempt and create more variety.
I think part of the frustration, for me personally, comes from the time factor. I like the boss being difficult, but sometimes I have limited time to play and, right now at least, I really want to beat this guy!
Even the way I’m running it now, not looting, using throws or backstabs to oneshot mobs, it feels too time consuming per run/attempt which undermines the fun.
One of the better ideas regarding the crucible I’ve read. I like the idea of making it longer with increasing difficulty, but check points every couple levels.
Most the suggestions I’ve seen have basically just wanted to make it easier. At that point, if you just want the game to hand you the W, just watch streamers play, lol.
Guys, but it’s part of game design. You’re following the story, aren’t you? It’s a cerim trial, the best warriors go through it, that’s the whole point, I like it.
I think, to simplify my feelings about this, it comes down to the time it takes to reach the boss.
It’s nothing to do with the bosses difficulty, I like that challenge, it’s an awesome boss fight. It’s that the rooms before the boss, once you’ve reached level 30 and have gear that you want, are boring, it feels like padding that you’re forced to interact with to get to the fun bit.
Honestly I think my build is bad. I allocated stats into all attributes because I wanted to try out new weapons. I don’t have high stamina or HP, which definitely feels like a handicap, and my damage is lower than it could be. I’m chugging stamina and poise potions before the fights to try and help, and eating damage food.
I don’t want it to be “easier”, I want it to be more fun, plain and simple .
For me that could mean less rooms with more randomness. I timed a run through (from stepping on the first platform to getting to the boss room) and it takes about 10 minutes, 5 would feel better. A big part of that is the running between platforms and waiting for load screens, and this is without looting, killing enemies as quickly as possible.
Or
A checkpoint at the boss, that only activates once you’ve cleared the rooms, and only remains active as long as you stay near the crucible whisper (or log out). If it can happen as a bug, why not make it a feature .
I agree with ya. The time investment is a bit much. There’s been a couple nights where I’ve sunk in 3 hours mostly clearing the rooms when I only really wanted to fight the boss.
On the stat situation you may need to make a new character. I’m not saying it’s impossible but when I tried a run with a level 14 character I ended up making it to him (level 17 by the time I did) and I just didn’t do damage to him. Had to level a few times and max out the weapon to beat him. So I imagine even a level 30 character with spread out stats would feel like that level 14-17 guy did.
There ain’t a chance in hell I’m beating him but with 40 mushroom soups and a dream I started the crucible at level 13 and managed to not die (came close 4x) and get to him. I feel good about that.
EDIT:
Got him halfway which was more than I expected. Ran out of food
Just passed the 50-hour mark, mostly as DEX/Faith. For the crucible, I think I would rather see it be redone in one of two ways.
The first would be as suggested already. Either a lot fewer rooms with more randomness, or a whisper before Echo Knight.
The second would be to turn it into a bigger activity with more diversity.
2 rooms
First miniboss + checkpoint
2 rooms
Second miniboss + checkpoint
1 room
Echo Knight
The second option would still be a grind to reach Echo Knight, but with the two checkpoints (which would clear upon finishing the run) and the minibosses, you would hopefully feel more rewarded. Perhaps have the second checkpoint serve as a point to have a “loot chest” to deposit goods at as well (another item that could be upgraded).
I think a big point here is that you are always doing the exact same rooms, with maybe 1-2 enemies in different places. Sure it may only be roughly 10 minutes to get there, but it is a very, very repetitive journey.
Having it shorter makes how repetitive it is feel less bad. The checkpoints would be more beneficial for those trying to learn without them getting bored or annoyed.
I would rather it not be shorter and instead its worth your time. Have the enemies drop ridiculous amounts of upgrade items that are currently not that easy to get.
Just curious, how would you feel about it if most of those upgrade materials were now more common in the overworld? Like more wildlife spawns that actually have half-decent rates of dropping their parts?
I like this! Another idea this gave me is the possibility to fight Echo Knight early on, but they retreat further back into the crucible. So it would be something like:
1-2 Normal rooms
Fight miniboss
1-2 Normal rooms
Fight Echo Knight to 50% phase 1
1-2 normal rooms
Fight miniboss
Full Echo Knight fight (maybe heal up to 75% for P1?)
Being able to farm the crucible rooms is fine, alot of exp and silver from doing that, but I would have to agree that when you reach the boss the first time something changes. There could be another option when offering a Fallen Ember, by offereing 2(+) fallen embers you get to start right outside the boss room for example, a best of both words; farm mobs (1 ember) or the boss (2+ ember).
I don’t know if you guys played Legend of Zelda BOTW, there is a trial called sth like “master sword trial”, where you lose all your gear immediately and start from scratch once you enter the mode. So you need to use gear you pick up along the way to fight and also recover health. It is more like a challenge instead of some sort of dungeon to grind.
I somewhat think this could be a good way to make crucible more playable.
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