Verryn

Yup. I did mention that the new stuff is nice. You do need to be somewhat geared to get it though. I consider the vanilla MVP drops to be "newbie gear" here.

I'm a returning player. I haven't played for years. I may as well be a new player. That said... The server is very much pay to win. Keep in mind, this is from a new player point of view. Established players do not want to party with newbies. I've been told flat out that my damage isn't good enough, I'm too weak. Others have too. Doing RDC and cedi is pretty much not an option until you have gear and can hold your own. There are only two avenues open to new players. Farm the MVP rooms or donate. The new stuff added is nice, but you still need gear to farm it. The newbie package gear is temporary. I think the MVP rooms need to stay and stay as-is. If anything, I think the MVP card drop rates need to be increased. Here's my reasoning... 1. Those MVP rooms are the best possible way for new players to get decent gear. 2. Removing them or changing them drastically will only widen the gulf between new players and established players. 3. They're the only reliable money maker (aside from donating). Even so, it's a struggle to try to play catch up. 4. The players that want them removed likely already have got what they want from them. The stuff they have probably does not sell well. Removing them would be the only way to force it. Again, widening the gulf between new and established players. Removing them at this point would do more harm than good.

I need advice badly. Actually, I think every new or returning (after years away) player can use some advice... I have a few 255 chars (SG and HW atm, 155 sniper). I'd like to start gearing them. The only advice people provide in-game is "make money" or "donate". The idea of doing nothing but farming the MVP room for weeks to buy gear does not appeal - at all. I'd love to donate but I'm very poor. It just isn't an option. I'd love to be able to do any of the custom dungeons. RDC and cedi sound like a decent way to get gear. I've been told that you can't really do either unless you already have gear though. So how exactly, does one get gear here? Is there a way that does not involve farming the MVP room over and over to make zeny? Is it really impossible to do anything without already having high end gear? I'm really not sure where to go from here. Any advice would be welcome. Including any gear I can try to farm, instances or custom dungeons, and what gears I should be going for. Also, which classes are commonly needed for cedi and RDC?