Pantheon Rise of The Fallen Is An Unforgiving New MMORPG

[@TeskoLove]

As a fan of EQ and FFXI, I have been loving Pantheon as a social MMO with an emphasis of getting out there and exploring over going from quest hub to quest hub. It's got A LOT of work to go, but I'm so very excited for where it is going. Monsters & Memories is another classic style MMO on the horizon that I'm keeping a watch for.

[@sesenji]

So glad to see you checking out Pantheon, some of us have been captivated by it for some time! Love to see you in Terminus!

[@stormk-1130]

Really that hard? looks pretty meh.

[@Toweliee69]

It looks incredibly dated, unfinished, and clunky. I still can’t decide whether to buy it even after this video.

[@Pyriold]

@@Toweliee69 You have to be the target audience. Sounds like you are not, its just a matter of preference. What i can say is that for a lot of people, it grows on them. There are quite a few stories where people almost instantly refunded the game, then changed their mind, tried it again and now can't stop. You might not be one of those, maybe the optics and clearly unfinished state are too important for you to enjoy it.

[@sesenji]

Its all in the experience, its an early access game. So alot of things are very clunky, and in fact I agree that more should be put in the game before alot more people join. But its the night and day systems, mixed with incredible scenery and social bonds to be built the farther you go! Its worth every penny in my opinion.

[@DayleDiamond]

I've been watching the coverage of Pantheon for a while. Early Access games don't usually do it for me but, almost everything you're describing sounds like the launch of XI, which I miss. XP loss on death, having to know which NPCs have quests by talking to everyone, group content, checking mobs levels in the open world or else, and no starting maps.

[@ryuno2097]

the devs said they'll get the game ready for release in 2 years. Hopefully they'll be able to reach that goal.

[@hoangkongfuey3345]

It is similar to FFXI in some aspects. I would say like a mixture of EQ, WOW and FFXI.

[@benevolentwitch7077]

"Incoming Gob train to Selbina!" :P

[@sauntor]

Great tale, sir! Regarding your comment on moving faster; Shamans currently give a sprint buff, crafted food and drink can give movement speed buffs, and Druids will soon be able to cast Spirit of Wolf movement speed buff. I believe other classes, like rangers, have self-only movement speed buffs. Safe travels to you!

[@darkwulf2k]

This in the mold of EQ and Vanguard because the original Game director was the legendary Brad McQuaid, may he rest in peace. This game is a throw back to old mmos. Now a static map is coming, but it wont be like your modern gps map. if you played eq back in the day, it will be similar to looking at the maps on eqatlas. The game is meant to be a social mmo, where grping is key. There are mounts coming at some point, but not anytime soon. Focus is on environment, leveling, and getting things like the Druid out later this month. There will be no way points or anything like that. They want you out exploring the world, and following Brad's vision. I have over 300 hrs in the game, and loving it as it reminds me of my days in EQ.

[@Catryx39]

WoW was my first MMORPG 20 years ago. Haven't really played anything that's older than wow but have tried nearly everything that's come after wow. For some reason this game just hits right for me. I'm loving the social aspect of Pantheon that I've really missed from old WoW.

[@alphadragongamingFTW]

EQ was my first one. Over the years I became spoiled with EQ2 and other games that held your hand and lead you through quests lines and playing MMOs. I never could stay very long. I lost faith in Pantheon after the change of graphics and a few other things. I was convinced to come back and give them a try after it went public and Man, It made me realize how much I miss this style of MMO. It makes you stay active in General chat asking questions and keeps you active in Guild chat too seeking help and quest hints. Enjoying it!!!

[@Franusky]

Nice to see you around! Hope you keep doing Pantheon content at least from time to time ❤

[@seanlt]

So the mobs do have range which they give up chasing you, but it’s ridiculously long. But if you can run to a guard, they will kill it for you (no xp if they do)

[@Electrify928]

Im in EA and have 100+ hours. Game is fun. It's not next gen or ground breaking. I say it's going to end up like a restored classic car. It will have that feeling and you know what? Sometimes thats what I want.

[@Duallight-kw1nx]

Glad to see you like it. Grouping is everything. Classes can kind of hybrid between roles but class selection is generally role selection in this game. And no trinity here it’s the true old school tank-healer-dps and the long forgotten support who is a cc buff debuff class. I play enchanter and in groups I have no heals and 1 spell on my bar that does damage and that’s only because it can restore mana to myself a caster dps or healer my gameplay is spent mesmerizing mobs, debuffing their damage, resists, action speed throwing out stubs and silences and the gameplay loop is fun even though you’re not the one murdering mobs.

[@BlinkCastBoom]

No way dude, I'm playing enchanter and it's one of the least interactive classes. You can tell that class is not complete or fleshed out compared to the others.

[@alexrush4140]

Welcome to Terminus! Enter for the nostalgic gameplay, stay for the...incredibly fun, difficult, frustratingly exciting nostalgic gameplay

[@christopherg7483]

Also, there is a tether range. As you get higher level your sprint skill will get better and you will be able to run further and longer

[@floridachomps2885]

You HAVE to group unless you are a pet using class. But it's not hard to find groups, simply because almost everyone needs one.

[@vonblunder]

The first few hours can be brutal. Once you get into it, it grows on you and you really feel like you are adventuring instead of being on a treadmill. This game also brings back the Tank / Healer / Crowd Control / DPS concept. You cant just AOE everything to death, it's more like Everquest or Vanila WoW, rooting or mezzing adds is crucial. Every class is really unique and bring its own special abilities to the table making for a deep group play. Combat is a bit slower and more tactical than just spamming Meta rotations. Sure its not for everyone, but I can see they got it right so far and I have great hopes that it will be one of these slow burner that will grow over time.

[@alphadragongamingFTW]

There is a map you can find online that is interactive. It has way points using the /loc command in game and then using the location numbers on the map to figure things out. After getting used to it I do not mind it. It does help quite a bit. It gives you a list of the NPCs and mob camps as well.

[@casediedwell5094]

Don't be like Dad: Put your torch in the torch slot, ALWAYS "C"onsider mobs, do NOT just run around all willy-nilly at night, and if you don't know how something works; Ask in /ooc!

[@benevolentwitch7077]

Though I played a bit of EQ, my first true MMO love was Final Fantasy XI. It will forever live in my heart. I really hope that with the survey that went out recently to players, that they just link XI with XIV on a single subscription. I would absolutely play again. My husband and I were playing Pantheon together for a bit, but we're taking a break now to see what more gets implemented. We were having a great time though :)

[@TrukkD-CBCO]

This is a great review. You experience is your reality. I'm glad that you gave it some time; and didn't just ditch it after a steeper than expected learning curve. Part of the charm of this game, is that you have to invest the time to figure things out. It is rewarding to learn and grow your character in this way. Instant gratification does not scale across hundreds of hours. The game really comes into it's own once you hit level 10; for most classes there is a pretty big power spike @10. I will also say that around that level you'll be ready to head into a dungeon and experience some of the advanced combat mechanics, which are a ton of fun. Try and get a Goblin Caves Group if you can to experience that.

[@jonathanhughes8679]

I don’t mind not having a map showing everything, but a small area map isn’t a big deal to just get a feel for the area

[@ray-ray_jackson2k5]

Mobs do reset eventually. You have to alternate sprinting & running, and use terrain. Master Points (for skills) don't work currently, and you don't get stats on each level up to assign only at creation. Stats come from gear and every 5 levels "totems" for each class. If you want to level up swords you have to use them but it goes really quick. Yes... Pressing C is everything. Also, X sits/rests to regen mana and hp.

[@wanderin_aimlessly]

Better fonts, less aggro chaos, and a basic mini-map.. i like the idea of it filling in through crafting.

[@hoangkongfuey3345]

I died from that same skitterfang like 4 times trying to get my corpse back...

[@chrisbailey8362]

Been having so much fun with this. Started playing the day it went to early access. It’s got that old EQ style of play to it. Definitely isn’t going to hold your hand and it’s not that pretty of a game but it’s graphics do the job. I’ve met some very cool people grouping just hit 16!

[@rick001982]

Been playing since 2019 and love it, but it's frustrating when you retrieve your corpse and all your bags are missing every now and then

[@dach829]

Im loving this game and it's direction

[@j-sin3344]

I can tell you the Shaman is BEAST. I can solo up to orange con mobs, non casters that is, up to lvl 10. Has great buffs, rez (no xp, at lvl 9, xp lvl16,) Mad dots. The good and bad, sadly is you only have so many available spell buttons, eventually you have to chooses which is best for that moment. Also, if you cast a buff and remove the spell from the bar to use another, yea it removes the buff right then. Including pets, ugh. Climbing is INSANE< you can find incredible places and go pretty much anywhere. I was in a cave ran to the back as far as I could, decided to look up, yea I climbed the wall of a dead end tunnel and was able to get onto a 2nd floor, ran to end, boom a 3rd floor. Its Brutal tho, mobs can decimate you in 1 second. 1 of any stat is like a super buff. The mobs will chase you forever, there IS a drop off but its way too far...Great game LOTS of playtime for $40, w NO monthly sub fee.

[@yahiaamra2495]

I played pantheon for the first time with my brother today. Keep in mind we're new too mmos I only recently have touched ffxiv. And we had so much fun in 2 hours we just explored and got like 3 levels 😅

[@Magnusstormborn]

Been spending a lot of time on this game loving it

[@OrangeHippopotamus]

Best video I've seen so far on Pantheon

[@01dixieforever01]

game has been in dev for 10 years. still has another 2 years of early access with wipes. will be an amazing game after another 5 years of dev more than likely. cant wait to play it then! just wasn't enough for me right now.

[@oligarchy-usa]

I purchased Pantheon Rise of the Fallen early-release on Steam recently to support the effort, but thus far both Dark Age of Camelot (2001-2006, PvE Gaheris mostly) & Vanguard SOH (2010-2014 on & off) were better gaming/play/mechanics experiences for me. See how it progresses, since it still seems like an rough & dated alpha-release thus far. Only other MMO I have been playing lately is the Turtle WOW (Vanilla+ custom) private server doing hardcore challenge play.

[@Apzue]

Pantheon is a vibe

[@kearseymorton2078]

the first thing you must know about this game (never mentioned in this video) is that Pantheon is Everquest 1.1 (albeit in pre-alpha with many years of development ahead) everything is like everquest: the classes, the spell visual effects, the sound effects, the UI, the animations, the monsters, the chat system, the ding when you level up, etc... ad nauseam.... everything! yoiu will be transported 25 years in the past, hopefully nostalgia is your thing

[@Pyriold]

The combat is much deeper though with group techniques and almost every class has some special resource to manage. There is also acclimation, climbing, perception system... The deep bones are like EQ1, but there is a lot on top of it.

[@Ubeenblind]

Ragnarok Online was my first MMO buat WoW was my first western MMORPG

[@jingokhan]

God damn. You sold me on this.

[@Deathrydar]

I started in the original EQ back in 1999 and still play on the classic emulated server, Project 1999. This game is very easy compared to Everquest, and that's fine as there are some things that Everquest did that were very difficult only due to the era that it was released and what we knew at the time. However, Visionary Realms is already starting to make the game too easy- It's popularity has become It's downfall. The players that backed this game for over a decade, and supported it financially, did so because it was a promise of going back to the "old school" type of MMORPG, so they will lose us at the gain of gaining the EZ mode crew and build yet another WoW-clone. There is another game launching in 2026 called Monsters and Memories that will not give in to this type of degradation and will strictly stick to the old school blueprint. For the moment, I will play this, but if they continue their current path, I forsee a chunk of the population (the loyal chunk) abandoning the game. Thank you for the video. Cheers!

[@stevenclark5173]

Doubtful, all these old school hard games just make everything tedious. I have a feeling M&M will fall into the same category where it's starts uber hardcore and then eases up as development progresses in order to accommodate enough players to financially support the game. I think the difficulty in Pantheon is decently balanced right now. Dungeons and camps can be very dangerous if people don't know what they're doing. An accidental 3 or 4 pull without proper coordination is a near guaranteed party wipe. The real issue with Pantheon besides the lack of QoL (bank stacking, maps, etc.) and a few bugs here and there is just the lack of content. We need the last two classes, the mastery system, the reputation system, finished zones, finished itemization, and actual Lv. 30+ content.

[@Deathrydar]

@stevenclark5173 Nah, M&M won't give in and ruin the vision.

[@ScottiefromBMW]

1st MMO i played was Ultima Online, The wild wild west of MMO's for the time. Such a great game. Playing MMO's for most my life, i think the best MMORPGs are the ones that are unforgiving. MMORPGs, should not be "Everyone wins a trophy" or Pay to win. It should take grinding, long hours, camping, ect ect, thats what makes a great MMORPG for me. !

[@gongal]

The game is truly amazing for some reason

[@ironnoodle7992]

Can't believe you didn't go back far enough for my first MMORPG, Ultima Online. I guess you aren't old enough. Human is usually the most popular race because players want to create their alter ego. Which is why i usually select TROLL.

[@ryuno2097]

They also gave humans no penalties with their attributes making humans the go to race if you want to play any class. The other races have pros and cons and you need to judge if their stats is a worth while sacrifice for the class you select. They should've done the same for humans, not make them the overall "best" race.

[@j-sin3344]

You can only allocate from the start, the mastery points sadly dont work. You can get +1 to main stat every 5 lvls from the guild person for your class. Its crazy at lvl 12 I have 4 pcs of armor each has only 1 stat and only 1 point, the rest is empty, If you die YOU MUST /loc before you release or you will NEVER find your corpse. There are summoners who can get it but you wont find it running around. Also, Night is an actual NIGHTMARE> IMO

[@WhisperRavensong]

WoW then SWTOR for me ♥

[@LoadingRat]

I been looking this game for a while. I like the no map drop on dead old skool feel this game has. My only problem is the wipe after early acces. I know its 2 years before that happens but still. Its a dealbreker for me sadly

[@erikroderick98]

were is that castle gate at with elain whispertree

[@christopherg7483]

Just follow the road out of town, it will take you to crossroads and it will be the only building there

[@christopherg7483]

Shamens and later, once they are released, druids too, have run speed buffs. Summoners with the air pet can cast a minor (5% movement speed buff)

[@sammicopor]

I didnt know that. I am going touse the air pet for a speed buff.

[@vonblunder]

And Wizards can teleport you

[@Pyriold]

@@sammicopor Its a higher level skill on air pet, wont be available when you get the pet.

[@dupre7416]

Rangers get an always-on 5% speed buff...

[@imgnku]

Looks interesting, unfortunately, they need to disclose the monetization for this game. Right now, its buy to Early Access. What does that mean on release? will you have to start paying sub fee? will you have to buy the game again? will it go f2p with cash shop?

[@christopherg7483]

They have stated that they are currently in discussions about that, but that a subscription model is the most likely. Everyone who buys the game in early access will own it when it launches.

[@Duallight-kw1nx]

They don’t know exactly how they want to monetize it I think most of us want it to be a sub fee but we will see and if you bought the game you bought the game they aren’t going to sell it to you again.

[@WayPlanar]

They have also said that they are against in game cash shops, so a subscription is most likely.

[@Pyriold]

I think it will go subscription. But the facts that we already know are: 1) For 40$ you can play the whole time until EA ends 2) You will not need to buy the game again when it releases, though you may need to pay a sub fee.

[@Volku38]

Im classic wow player, Im not gonna lie, Pantheon took me by surprise

[@byromg459]

Asheron's call

[@HallyVee]

I cannot. Stop. Crafting. Followed game for a decade and had NO idea crafting would be this deep or involved. Realizing WoWs crafting was also arcadey.

[@killval849]

which one specifically. and for what class.

[@HallyVee]

@killval849 the Gathering professions are free for all, everyone is a woodcutter, herbalist, miner, etc. Skinner. Scavenger I think? Cook, brewer. I chose Alchemy and provisioner. I like recipes and the little extras you scrounge for in your bags while dying horribly.

[@syprus3687]

I hate the stalker cats in avp... just when im recovering some xp here comes a stalker out of stealth and stuns me. Dead.. and bears and boars dash and stun. But yoy can out run wolves..

[@jonathanhughes8679]

It’s EQ built with a more modern engine and game design.

[@GygaxxGrows]

I've been enjoying the game

[@vanguze]

I was grandmas best boy till she died a few years ago. Cherish that *this game rocks btw, currently 14 cleric doing HC entrance

[@KirtHooper]

It's so good.

[@sammicopor]

For anyone that is curious, there is an npc that sells 8 slot bags for cheap in demith village. You will know him when you find him as it will literally call him a bag merchant. I decided to explore demith village in avendyr's pass & found there is paladin & summoner scroll salesmen there, so it helps for lfg (looking for group) in avp. (Avendyr's pass)

[@casediedwell5094]

You can also buy 10 Slots from Leatherworkers in Throne for 10-12 Silver. Use your community! Heck, depending on which Professions YOU are doing, you can maybe Trade for some!

[@Pyriold]

@@casediedwell5094 On my server they generally go for 5 silver.

[@montanafreedomhomestead3949]

Everquest

[@Mounthuapleb5890]

Their discord community is among the shittiest, toxic pieces of crap youll ever come across too. The game itself is pretty great.

[@Pygmalion1.6]

Every discord are like that Do not go discord

[@kevingriffin8444]

Meridian 59

[@lynne8056]

Yea, I don't mind a challenge but this game is VERY hard and not fun. Not to mention the fugly character models.

[@chileplease3474]

There is absolutely no way these devs are charging $40 for this trash

[@fredmann5019]

You are paying for early access and helping to finish the development. If you think it's trash, then don't participate.

[@chileplease3474]

@@fredmann5019 An early access price for an up-and-coming game shouldn't be $40, full stop. Maybe for $20 I would give it a shot but there's no option to even get a trial run for free.

[@brimstonevalar6053]

Game is good but most of us dont have 10 hours a day to play just to get punished with xp loss 😂

[@nss5353]

Or you could just not die very often. There is also a leash range. It is just long enough that you have to actually get away from the monster instead of just running because you know it leashes. The game only punishes people because other MMOs induce participation trophy brain rot. It is like how out of shape people struggle to hike on a trail, while people that are not horribly out of shape find it a straightforward activity and fulfilling experience. Pantheon is a hike in the woods and not a scooter at Walmart.

[@Pyriold]

If you would not have that damocles sword hanging above you at all times, all achievements would become way more hollow, like they are in most other MMOs.

[@brimstonevalar6053]

​@@Pyrioldsure I agree but at low lvl when you die you lose half bar of hp...that is to much in my opinion

[@Pyriold]

@ at low level that is like killing 5 blue mobs. 5 to 10 minutes even if you are a mediochre soloer. At high levels this becomes way more hard, but you may have access to xp rez and you should have learned about what risks are worth taking.

[@Tory-JJ]

gf and I tried it, she got bored of it though I think. It's a bit grindy and I wish there was more quests :/

[@Duallight-kw1nx]

Don’t expect there to ever be quests as far as leveling goes, every quest even ones that give a couple thousand exp are nothing. The quests in this game are ways to progress your character, like the ghost you talk to only late at night who sends you on a quest to bring him back 3 items you have to find in the world and in return you get a 10 mana 10 hp ring that you’ll wear for a very long time Or the long sprawling chain investigating and bringing ruin too the Gadai bandits and if you make it through the long sprawling chain you’re rewarded with a very powerful weapon. Leveling is meant to be done in groups and it’s a social experience unlike modern MMOs. Usually you’ll go to a dungeon and find a “camp” a spot where your tank or puller can bring mobs to your group for them to kill. The pacing of combat and downtime between pulls is the perfect time to strike up conversations with your group mates and talk about the game, joke around, chat about life or whatever. In 2 and a half weeks I’ve added more people to my friends list then I have in any modern mmo in 15 years. The excitement comes when you get a named mob spawn who drops some rare item that upgrades a slot you haven’t upgraded for several levels, or the time your tank pulled more then he should and yet everyone does everything they can and you barely survive. It’s about the moments and memories you make with other people putting the multiplayer back in MMOs Hope you and your gf give it another chance but it is a niche game and ultimately might not be everyone’s cup of tea. You have to make the adventure and find the fun it’s not given out by the NPCs

[@kearseymorton2078]

"it is a bit grindy" is the understatement of the year, did she stop playing at level 4?

[@Electrify928]

@Tory-JJ I can grind usually 1-5 in an hour or so. Then its prolly a few more from 5-10. Have to get a character to at least 10 to get the base feel of the class. I made good money making boxes and bags and collecting EVRYTHING. Hell I'd skin player corpses if it let me.

[@drkmgic]

looks interesting. ill wait to play when they dont do wipes

[@Duallight-kw1nx]

They’ve already said they have no planned wipes up to 1.0 and will likely be migrating all EA characters to a couple live servers so you don’t have to restart.

[@kearseymorton2078]

see you in 3 to 4 years mate, i will enjoy the game while you are sitting on the fence

[@kearseymorton2078]

@@Duallight-kw1nx dont lie, that is completely false, the game is currently broken with people exploiting bugs everywhere, there must be wipes, in any case they are going to have to re do a few classes, the game is like 155 finished

[@Duallight-kw1nx]

@ go watch Joppas streams he’s said the only planned wipe is 1.0 and that they are looking at migrating characters to a server to continue playing. You obviously don’t follow the game or what the lead developer has said on the topic.

[@nothingtoseehere1097]

@@kearseymorton2078not true at all.

[@tordb]

Paying $40 for a demo feels very wrong

[@KurganGrey]

~2 years gameplay for $40 is nothing - I have more fun in Pantheon than any other MMOrpg that are around, even if it's only in an early access ..Speaks volume in my book.

[@Pyriold]

If that demo gives you hundreds of hours of fun, what is the problem? Calling it a demo makes it sound like there is only like half an hour of gameplay in it, which is blatantly wrong.

[@Harthal87]

Unfortunately, it's pretty standard. Have you seen Ashes of Creation?

[@zenithquasar9623]

I think xp loss is one of the most unfun and dumbest punishments for deaths that should never have been brought back unless for some sort of challenge mode akin to hardcore! A game can be grindy, but should still respect the players time and effort!

[@christopherg7483]

It provides a risk to exploration and delving deeper. At higher levels, 16 and 24 priest classes get a resurrection spell that recovers 25 and 50% of the lost xp to mitigate some of the loss. Even having to go back to your corpse to retrieve your loot if you die, is mitigated somewhat by summoners and necros at level 12 as they can summon the corpse of a player as long as everyone is in the same zone

[@gladeous4161]

It's one of the main reason I enjoy this game.

[@MrFifths7]

I've only made it to level 10 on two characters, but the xp loss isn't that bad, you make it back in 5-10 minutes

[@kearseymorton2078]

you don t have to play the game, i can assure you, nobody is forcing you

[@kearseymorton2078]

@@MrFifths7 it is 5% of a level, at higher levels that will translate in HOURS!

[@shonuff2216]

This game by design is tailored for soloing. No incentive for grouping at all.

[@Pyriold]

You have no clue. They fixed solo xp before they fixed group xp, making it so that just *at the moment* soloing is preferable if you only look for xp per time and if you are a decent solo class. Grouping still gives you all the good loot and more money as well as a lot more fun moments (can vary of course depending on group). This patch group xp will change and we will see how that works out. Of course some classes can solo pretty well and quick, maybe they will still get more xp solo. But guess what, xp is not everything. Items are pretty important.

[@defixon]

You’re joking…right?