NZGDC 2016 Developer Presentation: Labyrinth Design

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Johny_Snow wrote:

They gate ascendancy points behind the lab because they are fully aware if they put them outside almost nobody but some enchant farmers will ever bother with it.

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shogunngt wrote:

Lab's a great change to the above flash-and-dash garbage that everyone seems to think is the core of this game. Now you've got to think, react, and actually watch what's going on on the screen, not just spam your attack skill and/or flasks.

Yes, some builds have a tougher time than others in the lab, and yes, you can die to an unfortunate lag spike. I've died to both, many, many times - sometimes it's a double crit from Izaro that I didn't flask in time for, sometimes a string of traps that I didn't dodge well or got caught by a slow field or a pack of mobs that prevented me from moving out quickly enough.

But I keep going back, because to me, it's just way more enjoyable. And the current rewards seem right with the silver chests, hidden coffers, and treasure chests and enchantment if you manage to defeat the final Izaro. That way I don't feel I've lost too much in terms of drops as opposed to running 10 or so maps that the lab takes.

Maybe there's a way to help out those builds who seems to suffer most when running the lab, but please do not remove the lab or it's rewards.

And for heaven's sake, please don't just gift ascendancy points at level intervals as one poster suggested. Not saying those have to be earned from running lab like it is now, but please don't cave to the "Gimme Uber Nao" generation. Make 'em earn it, somehow.

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shogunngt wrote:

And as for final uber Izaro, you gotta be able to take a hit and recover. Swap out one of the three quicksilver flasks you normally run with for something that heals - quickly. Or go with a long-lasting granite flask to improve physical damage reduction - Izzy's most damaging attacks are phys based. Quit trying to face-tank or dps him all on one go. Move! Find a safe spot in the room, away from deadly traps. Disable the increased damage sentinels so that a single crit can't cause a one-hit KO. Then attack when he's just completed one of his most damaging attacks, as there's usually a second or two where he won't do anything but just a basic attack. Don't stay too long, tho especially when you see that green circle or he starts to spin. Also, keep up a totem and golem - extra targets for izzy and his minons that are not you.

Most importantly, learn to keep off all of his buffs in the previous two fights. Those buffs can make a world of difference to the difficulty of the final fight. You don't get as a many keys, but you hate lab anyway, and are just doing it for the points and enchantment, right? So make it easier on yourself and just get it done.