Return of Reckoning

Issue
Recently, we've seen a significant influx of new players, and one recurring complaint from them is that they’re being overwhelmed by veteran players. While there are various factors contributing to this experience (such as skill gaps or playing solo), this post will focus on one key issue:
gear progression - and how we can address it.

Proposed Solution
To improve the RvR experience for new players, I propose a rework of the level requirements for various entry- and mid-tier armor sets. The main goal is to provide fresh level 40s -those without bolster- with an armor set that is significantly more competitive than what they currently have access to. By making Vanquisher/Oppressor available at level 45, we can better equip these players for a more enjoyable and balanced experience.



I’ve created an example of a gear progression chart, which can be used as a guideline or adapted in a different way. The key takeaway is that the Vanquisher gear is now accessible at RR 45. Edited for clarity: All other information in the table is provided for context and to help clarify the full scope of my suggestion.

Edit: Newbies are still going to struggle against veterans, but this might help to smooth the waters.

Just get bloodlord set and weapons and you can still be revelent enough to start your grind i guess

progression if fine as it is imo

Full support.
It would not only benefit newcomers but all those who rerolls and twinks as well. Which is pretty important in my pov cause this game with unmirrored classes has alot of things to offer gameplay wise on different chars. Vanq/opp level is enough for any class to be fully functional at T4.
Also it would adress the issue for a group of players who are not into theory that much, who dont like to read and study and just wants to play - those will benefit because a) even if they pve all their way up till 40 lacking rr not gonna be such a big problem b) they dont have to learn shotcuts and can just buy main gear and equip it asap.

Few more things i'd add are:
- stats have to stay as is, only CR/RR requirement should change
- costs for invader could also be decreased by at least 25%, getting bloodlord for a ward is just unbelievably way easier

I whole-heartedly agree with this kind of solution, the level limits for sets need to be dropped as well as their crest costs. Let gits who hit 40 have a competitive upgrade within reach of reasonable play-time. It'd be healthier for the game and make fresh forties feel like they're worth something. There's nothing more morale breaking than hitting 40 and suddenly being the weakest fish in the pond... it doesn't make sense!

saupreusse wrote: Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:52 am The main goal is to provide fresh level 40s -those without bolster- with an armor set that is significantly more competitive than what they currently have access to.

Please define competitiveness.
For instance, I find current entry sets competitive enough. By rising the bar you would achieve fundamentally nothing because of the relativist nature of competitiveness, but the potential retention and player lifetime will take an objective hit as new players would skip a full tier of equipment.

I like the idea,
reduction of the war crest price on vanq and invader is also needed.
Most efficient way to gear right now is to just get Sent/Bloodlord/Vale-Walker from PvE, cus you want to save crest to buy sov right away when you are high enough rr, if you buy Vanq or Invader you are delaying your Sov. So people rather just get the pve gear. By reducing the price you wouldn't lose as much time to get your Sov/Triump gear as you are now

Caith wrote: Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:34 pm

saupreusse wrote: Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:52 am The main goal is to provide fresh level 40s -those without bolster- with an armor set that is significantly more competitive than what they currently have access to.

Please define competitiveness.
For instance, I find current entry sets competitive enough. By rising the bar you would achieve fundamentally nothing because of the relativist nature of competitiveness, but the potential retention and player lifetime will take an objective hit as new players would skip a full tier of equipment.

By competitiveness, I mean the ability for new players to engage in RvR without feeling underpowered compared to veteran players, especially in early stages. The current entry sets often leave new players at a disadvantage due to large gear gaps. While the relative nature of competitiveness is valid, the issue isn’t just about raw power but about making sure new players can meaningfully participate without feeling overwhelmed.
By adjusting the progression, we can bridge that gap, giving them a fairer chance to contribute.
This would also improve retention by creating a less frustrating early experience.

Players wouldn’t be skipping any gear sets entirely, but rather progressing through the earlier sets more quickly. The higher tier sets would remain just as challenging to obtain as they are now

While I completely agree with the suggestion to adjust the RR ranks, I fear it would make another major problem i the gear progression even worse. Or atleast will not solve it.

A big problem atm is that the rr-progression is so out of touch with the gear progression. The gain of War Crests is so slow, that it just makes sense to get Vanq or BL via PVE and then just grind RR+Crest to go straight to Souv and entirely skipping Inv and Warlord.

I think there needs to be a smoother gear progresssion, maybe via gold bag drops for Inv (at rr60+) and Warlord (at rr70+) or something else. Maybe someone has a good idea how to solve that.

I really think this would also bind more players to the game with a steady progression instead of farming for months and suddenly turning rr78, buying full sov and "finish the game".

A great idea that will certainly reduce the disparity between fresh 40 and well-dressed high-level players.

I support this suggestion as long as the ward system isn't changed since my KotBS wears the triumphant set and I don't want to buy the warlord set before I can wear the full sov set.