The Addon Experiment Day Two: Scrolling Combat Text

"What addon should I try next?" I mused into guild vent. The resounding chorus echoed what I had read in WAAAGH!'s comment section -- "Scrolling Combat Text!"

I wasn't a big fan of WoW's SCT after Blizz patched their own version of SCT into the game (which I felt was more than adequate), but I have to agree with the crowd here -- SCT for WAR is almost essential for an informed, fun gameplay experience. Instead of easy-to-miss numbers flying over heads, SCT uses a more significant and clearer font, along with separating the damage into subtle columns (damage dealt, damage being dealt to you, healing) that fly about in graceful arcs.

This photo was taken from a keep siege last night in Kadrin Valley. I joined a guild group and a larger warband in defending the last bastion of Order in the region -- we were very close to flipping the zone even so, which placed a special importance on this keep.

Oddly enough, the buildup to the fight was more enthralling. We knew the battle was coming, and the people mounting the siege engines on the walls kept firing at the random Destructoid who would wander close enough. You could feel a very real tension about it all -- for my part, I kept dropping turrets right in front of the door, and watched a small group of Order stand outside the keep looking to get a couple quick licks before ducking back inside.

When the enemy army came, we buttoned up and tried to stave them off. This is when the framerate started to drop, but not badly enough to prevent fighting. Even as a ranged fighter, I couldn't really get to a great position to snipe the bad guys (the part above the door is too high up to fire down, and if the enemy stays in the middle, they can avoid most of the ranged fire coming from the sides). Of course, they broke through the door, and we retreated to the inner keep. That's when Warhammer Online: The Slideshow broke out. It was simply unplayable (again), and I sighed, took my rez and went back somewhere where I could actually see and fight.

Again, the keep fights are a great idea with immense potential, but I have yet to see any improvement since 1.06 in terms of framerate (no matter what the Herald says -- my guildies concur), and fighting in a cramped keep where you can't see squat because there are so many bodies moving around doesn't lend itself to any strategy of defense or battle. It's just close your eyes and spam whatever AOE attacks you have time.

My computer is no slouch, and it's an absolute shame that large-scale PvP is near unplayable, even three months after launch. Others agree with me here -- the crown jewel of WAR's RvR is chipped and flawed.

Should Mythic Incorporate SCT Into Warhammer?

Absolutely. It's more elegant than the default presentation, and gives you a lot more info (particularly what spells are being used by you and against you) that are vital for battle situations.