I used to play Quake 2 competitively (ie, against the big guys with single-digit world rankings), and all I was doing in that game was clicking the right button at the right time. If it had been in an MMO environment like WoW, I would have been bored to tears because I can’t fight enough enemies quickly enough with enough challenge to make the game remotely interesting.

If anything, the feeling is worse in your standard MMO. I have to kill 30 harpies? Great. Root one in place, hit it with wrath ten times, root it again, hit it with wrath ten times, etc. There’s no skill involved in that, but it works.

I’m holding out hope that the AoC system will be exciting enough and fast-paced enough to get rid of that button feel.

I wouldn’t describe button-mashing as requiring effort.

Macro’s could be used, but once again, the moment you start the macro, you’re stuck in it to some degree. If you’re fighting someone with half a brain and a decent shield, he’s just going to recognize the macro, and block it each time you start.

I think players that keep a good bit of situational awareness, and fight creatively, rather than scratch together a bunch of macro’s and try to grind AoC will find themselves having a much more entertaining experience, as well as more lucrative.

One comment on the OP at the top set me off.

“MeanKeenLurikeen: The day they randomize combos is the day I quit then. There are times when I come home from a long day and all I want to do is grind away on mobs or run a few quests. If I have to focus in on exactly every action I’m taking at all times to be effective then I’m out. I don’t think Funcom would be that silly.”

Funcom has stated numerous times, that the idea of Conan is that you’re stepping into a dangerous and deadly world, where you must keep your wits about you, or find yourself in a graveyard. Also, that they wanted to eliminate the feel of “walk to this bunny rabbit, click a few things, and walk onto the next” (or somthin to that degree)

If you’re looking for a relaxing grind through the rabbit field, this is not the game for you. The combat is supposed to be edgy, and fill you with a constant sense of imminent death. You are supposed to be put on edge, studying your opponent while he/she does the same, in hopes of removing the other’s head. In other words, realistic combat.

As such, In my opinion, a person who uses tactics and learns from his/her opponent, will do better overall.

I guess I’m having my doubts now after reading a bit more on it but I’ll give it a spin anyway.

Mounted combat looks fun.
Hope to read your article on that aspect of the game.

*edit* Just went back and checked and none of your comments are in the spam filter. You made replies to two other blog entries and those went through as well. I know you better than to think you would ever be spiteful or malicious on someone else’s blog Bildo — I believe you and I share a very mutual respect even on topics that we disagree on.

*edit #2* But you’re the second person today to ask that. I wonder if some comments are not coming up. I have no idea why that would be though.