Lost Island observation

'bout a month ago I attempted Lost Island HM with some guildies. We were in vent and definitely well-geared, and LR-5 creamed us. Didn't go back until couple days ago...

Used the group finder to form a group for normal mode. None of us had any idea about the flashpoint after the first boss. We were totally making it up as we went. Sure there were some wipes, but in the end we four pugs figured it out and cleared it, and it was a lot of fun. Haven't had that sense of accomplishment in a while in this game, since there's almost always someone in your group who knows the mechanics and just explains them to you.

Now I feel like I'm ready to queue for hard mode and see how it goes. It will be challenging, but it's supposed to be.

LR5 is super easy on Story Mode, however on Hard Mode it is a lot more challenging...especially if the group is melee heavy.

Firstly I just want to say i enjoyed reading your reply
And your correct in saying that content achievable by 95% of players wouldnt be attractive to all of the same 95%. But over the last 6 years flashpoints or instances have become the poor mans version of end game content in rpgmmo's. 95% of players expect to be able to complete HM flashpoints and could up until HM LI, I am more concerned with non raiding players becoming disillusioned with the game because content that they thought could be done will no longer provide them with what they are after.
I saw the casual playerbase diminish in Cata to a point where cities became ghost towns, all because heroic instances were ramped up to a level of difficulty where 95% could no longer complete them. I dont want to see that happen here if HM LI is to be a trend of things to come.

Again I agree with you but it's the mentality associated with flashpoints thats the problem, which is why I prefer to call HM LI a mini raid. Players who raid have patience, understand the need to practice coordination, and time investment on bosses. But for flashpoints it's different, a percentage of the players who exclusively run 4 man as end game content arent accustomed to it. Some will enjoy it but others will recoil from it,
I wouldnt say only the creme will complete it, but at the moment most players I have spoken to who have completed it are either raiders or ex raiders. I truly dont believe the average player will be able to complete HM LI in the same fashion as they have other flashpoints, and that is a problem for them.

I really like this idea

I've always been of the opinion that anything that creates segregation amongst players is negative for the community. I just wish the Aratech Ice wasnt dependent upon completing HM LI, then I wouldnt have to run so many guildies through it because they wouldnt care whether they did it or not.

Again I agree, but I usually raid for the challenge and have been very pleased with EC its definately a step in the right direction after EV & KP. But does flashpoints need to follow the same example as operations? thats the question. Because we then run the risk of locking out a percentage of the playerbase.

Honestly I thought the loot was terrible, never ran it for any upgrades. Was only ever after the BH badges and Aratech Ice to add to my collection. Maybe if every boss dropped Rakata then sure we could expect the average player to man up and put in the time and effort but in my opinion not as it currently stands.

Did HM LI for the first time this weekend. PuG group with two experienced players. We had plenty of wipes but eventually got it all down. We all knew what we were getting into when we queued for a Tier 2 HM FP.

They all went on my friends list and we should be clearing content together again in the future.

I am a casual player, and I do not think this should be nerfed. There is nothing wrong with giving the experienced players something fun and challenging to play. They may be a minority, but they still exist and pay their 15 bucks. There is plenty of stuff for casuals to do instead, and this gives us something to work towards. I honestly would quit playing if were able to just blow through everything right away, because what is the point of all the gearing and learning then?

As for the distinction of this actually being a "mini-raid", who cares? They already invented a new category for it. They just chose to call it "tier-2 flashpoint" instead of "mini-raid". Semantics. It is pretty clear that it is supposed to be harder than the normal flashpoints. If you can't tell that from the group finder, then there is no hope for you anyway.

After another 3 hour round of wipes to the first boss I've sworn it off. I would say the main problem is that if you can one shot this boss atm there is no reason to. You most likely already have the rakata chest or have access to EV HM gear. Even when I actually cleared the place with a group of raid geared people the hours we dumped into this did not equal the reward.

Honestly the biggest indicator that the first boss needs a nerf is how comparatively easy the rest of the instance is. Reduce the droid's health by 10% and reduce the number of lightning balls so that melee dps isn't as much of a handicap and it would be in line with the other bosses.

Even if you think it doesn't need a nerf I think you'd agree that lightning ball and incinerate should share a cd. That's just an incredibly cheap combo not an "interesting challenge"

Wow, you're actually resorting to life checks now. You have my pity.

I also note a sudden silence on the topic of BiS gear. Interesting, that.

Anyway, back ontopic: given that LI wasn't touched in the massive round of flashpoint nerfs in 1.3, I'd say BioWare must presently be happy with the level of challenge. Given all it requires is some basic gear and four players with functioning human brains, so they should be.

The loot tables could use some tweaking, however. Even if Lorrick dropped a random slot Rakata token, rather than solely chest; Columi groups should be able to run the instance in <30 minutes, meaning they'd have a reason to keep coming back.

They are funny. Now I gotta get back to signing bills into law in my cushy chair in the Oval Office.

I should go too. I have to meet with the rest of the Illuminati so I can let you know what bills to pass.

Obviously I'll be traveling to the meeting in my solid gold Rolls Royce.

Only for now. We're busy mandating a benz in the driveway and yearly overseas trips for everyone. Don't you have the last meeting's minutes?