u/Inner_Clerk7769

As many players have communicated, currently it would seem the MSCW devs are unsure what to do in regards to PQ balance. I am genuinely curious how this can be as it would seem the answer is fairly obvious?

I don't think it would actually be that difficult to balance, at least conceptually. There are obviously a lot of variables once you get into the exact numbers, but the basic framework seems pretty straightforward.

First, the devs have to decide what they actually want the PQ's primary purpose to be. Is it primarily an EXP alternative? A way to make money? A source of equipment? Or is it supposed to be a healthy mix of all three?

From there, compare the PQ to the only alternative: a player spending the same amount of time solo grinding mobs appropriate for that level.

If a 15–20 minute PQ gives you significantly less EXP than grinding, essentially no mesos (or a net loss after pot cost), and a small chance at an equip you're going to replace in 10 levels anyway, then there's a pretty obvious problem that I don't really understand made it past the 'ideas' stage. The PQ doesn't have to be strictly optimal compared to grinding, but it should at least provide a reasonable return for the time you're investing.

And you don't even necessarily need to make it better in every category. You could make it slightly worse for EXP but give it better equipment drops, or sacrifice some EXP for more mesos, or whatever combination the devs think fits the role they want PQs to have.

Am I crazy? What do other people think is this something that is plainly obvious and the devs are sleeping at the wheel or what?

With the second beta test ongoing (that I did not get a code to) I've been thinking a lot about Classic Worlds and what it's going to look like six months or a year from release.

Right now there is a lot riding on nostalgia and the excitement of a fresh launch. That's completely normal, but eventually that honeymoon phase is going to end, and I think one of MapleStory's oldest problems is going to come back into focus.

For most of your journey, leveling is basically just finding a map and grinding mobs for hundreds of hours. There are a few party quests along the way, but they're pretty limited, and regular quests have never really been a meaningful way to progress. Most people ignore them because the rewards just aren't worth the time.

I don't think the answer is making leveling easier or faster. I think the answer is giving players more ways to level.

Imagine if there were repeatable dungeons, world events, boss hunts, instanced challenges, or any other type of PvE content that gave competitive experience. Not because grinding should go away, but because sometimes you just want to log in and do something different for a while without feeling like you're falling behind.

Grinding has always been part of Maple's identity, and I don't think that should change. The problem is when it becomes the only realistic option for hundreds of hours.

If Classic World is meant to last, I think player retention has to be a bigger focus than just adding a new map for you to stand at for the next 40 hours killing the same mob. The leveling journey is where people spend the overwhelming majority of their time, so making that journey more varied would go a long way toward keeping people invested.

I'm curious how other people feel about this. Would you actually want more alternative ways to level, or do you think the traditional grind is enough?

I just wanted to post a celebratory milestone for the Octowow community and server. We have officially hit a 1000 player peak less than 2 days into opening signups.

To all the new friends and turtle refugees, welcome!

If you are hesitant about trying a new server, or are unsure about what we are all about come hop into the community ran discord at https://discord.gg/JK2XN7Nh

There are plenty of lovely and helpful players around to ask questions to. Or I'll do my best to respond to any below 😄