NoiaJr's Journey in the Magic Prison Tournament on Ragnarok Mobile SEA (Prelude)
This journal is intended solely for personal reflection and expression. Its contents may not necessarily represent objective realities or conditions, and are influenced by subjective perspectives and emotions. Readers are advised to interpret its contents with discretion and awareness of its subjective nature.
Background :
I never considered myself a highly skilled player. My last Magic Prison season, which I completed by myself, was about 1.5 years ago. I used to play with friends from Surabaya and Balikpapan, but due to internal issues, our team eventually disbanded. Booby Moonzie retired to focus on real life, Ko Vito did the same to grow his insurance business, and Fusan lost his spirit to play without Ko Bobby's guidance. Aquilegila remained cheerful as ever but transitioned to being a casual player.
I almost forgot to mention Ichwan. He's still competitive, managing several accounts including Fusan's, but he received an offer to pilot for the Ahn family team. This left me searching for a new team. Although I received several offers, I struggled to find time to play. The Magic Prison schedule on Saturdays in Indonesia, where a 6-day workweek is common, added to my difficulties. My wife usually wanted us to go out on Saturdays, making it impossible for me to play Ragnarok and participate in the MP competition with a muted Discord. It wouldn't have been fair to my team if I couldn't fully commit. That's why I turned to Stan Pilot's service, which provided both piloting and guidance on how to properly participate in MP, build a team, and develop my character according to my job. Over almost three or four seasons, I learned a lot from him and his team.
Fast forward to April 2024: I honestly missed the thrill of playing MP. Watching Stan's team finish as the runner-up reignited my old competitive spirit. However, real-life commitments, work, and my wife still hinder my ability to fully dive back into competitive play. Still, I wanted to participate. So, I decided to play casually this time, aiming for a relaxed top 600 position while maintaining points for future reference. My plan was to build a decent, not overly competitive team to achieve this goal, focusing on having fun with minimal effort. With proper communication, team building, and some light practice, I believe our experience will help us secure a spot in the top 600.
Team Building :
I immediately reached out to Ichwan, who just got married and is enjoying newlywed life. After pitching the idea of a fun, casual MP season, he was on board. The beauty of a relaxed MP is that it requires minimal effort, and even if we don’t hit all our goals, we can still maintain our current points. We're aiming for at least 3000 points, so if we decide to get serious next time, we won’t have too much ground to make up.
Ichwan is a naturally great support player with a quirky sense of humor, and I can trust him to handle the backline. He suggested we bring in Nic Khor, a Malaysian player with an amazing account. Nic's just come out of retirement and needs some time to catch up, but his gear is top-notch. With our main DPS and one support character ready, we just need to find a saint, a ball holder, and a roamer for our team.
Finding the perfect saint and ball holder is proving to be quite the adventure. As a DPS player, I'm all about that 110% support. Let's face it, us DPS folks can be a tad demanding—we crave buffs, protection, you name it. And even when we're trying to keep things light and casual, that ego of ours still demands attention.
It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack—teammates who are willing to set aside their own egos and fully commit to supporting the team. But hey, that's what makes this journey exciting, right? We're on the hunt for those rare gems who are willing to embrace the servitude of life on the battlefield.
Sure, it's not the easiest task in the world, but it's all part of the fun. Because at the end of the day, finding the right teammates who can balance out our ego with their selflessness is what will make our team shine.
Our top pick for the saint position would be Attica, an old teammate from the 100 guild. I've known her for as long as I've been in the 100 guilds, and she's someone I've come to understand quite well. One of her standout qualities is her exceptional communication skills, which is a huge plus for our team. But what really sets her apart is her unwavering understanding of the needs of a DPS player—she gets it, always.
In my previous experiences as a DPS, I've often grappled with the question of whether the DPS should support the support character or vice versa. Who should protect whom? It's a dilemma that seemed impossible to solve, until I realized that the answer lies in finding balance between the two. And that balance is precisely what Attica brings to the table.
Attica's versatility is truly remarkable. Not only does she excel in the supporting role as a saint, but her expertise extends to various other jobs as well. Her ID is already finely tuned for the support role, and what's more, she's incredibly versatile. In today's Ragnarok Mobile landscape, versatility is key, and Attica embodies that perfectly. With her ability to adapt to different situations and roles, she brings an invaluable asset to our team.
Ichwan also came through with another potential candidate for our team—a specialized saint from the OxOx guild in Thailand, Arisa. Arisa real life occupation is an Aesthatic Doctor at Jakarta. From the get-go, it was clear that Arisa was serious about her role as a saint. She had posted her availability in recruitment channels and was specifically looking for a team aiming for the top 600. In our conversations with her, it was evident that she was determined to be a top 600 player and wanted to ensure that our goals aligned with hers.
Arisa even took the initiative to check our equipment and deposits to ensure that we met her standards, which was impressive and showed her commitment. After discussing our plans for the season, Arisa agreed to join our team as a saint. This decision prompted us to move Attica to the Hela position, while Arisa would serve as our dedicated saint. Given that I would primarily be taking on the role of main DPS as a Thor player, Arisa would essentially become my personal assistant—a vital role in supporting my gameplay.
Finding the right roamer for our team is proving to be quite the challenge. The roamer is a jack-of-all-trades, capable of filling multiple roles depending on the needs of the team. They can act as a second DPS to assist the main DPS in taking down enemies, they can work in the backline to keep the holder and support safe, and they can even step in as the third holder when necessary. Versatility is absolutely crucial for this role, as the roamer needs to be able to adapt to various situations on the fly.
However, being versatile comes with its own set of sacrifices. While a roamer who can do it all may not excel in any one particular area, their ability to fill multiple roles can be invaluable in today's meta. With the current state of the game, having a roamer who can seamlessly transition between different roles is more important than ever. So, as we continue our search for the final member of our team, we're keeping versatility at the top of our list of priorities.
The final member we've found for our team is a Nyrheim member that goes by the nickname MaoCeTung, real name Henlee. He's a genuinely good guy in real life, though a bit introverted. You'll often find him quietly listening, only speaking up when necessary. But don't let his reserved nature fool you—he's incredibly efficient at what he does. While he may need more experience in competitive MP tournaments, he's more than capable of getting the job done. With his efficiency and dedication, coupled with some experience under his belt, MaoCeTung will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to our team.
Obstacles :
It might seem like smooth sailing with rainbows and unicorns, but every team, whether competitive or casual, faces its own set of challenges.
The Meta Shift
One major issue we encountered was the ever-changing meta. Just when we thought we had a handle on things, the developers decided to shake things up with a massive overhaul of the League Skills. This shift completely altered the gameplay dynamics, rendering much of our hard-earned knowledge obsolete overnight. Suddenly, we found ourselves back at square one, needing to re-learn everything from scratch. It was a stark reminder that even in the casual arena, staying ahead of the curve requires adaptability and resilience.
Experiencing a sudden drop in DPS can be incredibly disorienting, especially when you've put so much time and effort into perfecting your build. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been to see your hit rate plummet and your damage output take a nosedive during trial runs. It's like being caught off guard by a curveball when you were expecting a fastball.
It feels like I'm facing quite the uphill battle, but I'm determined to tackle this problem head-on. Relearning all my skills from scratch is no small feat, but I see it as an opportunity to truly understand my role as the main DPS and uncover new strengths along the way.
I know I need to question what makes each skill hit hard and identify the factors that contribute to its effectiveness. With the elemental factor taking a hit in the latest update, I realize it's crucial to explore other aspects of my DPS's toolkit that can make up for this loss. Whether it's focusing on size factor, penetration, or ignore defense aspects, I need to be open to trying new strategies.
Researching and experimenting with different approaches is going to be key in overcoming this hurdle. Sure, it might be frustrating at times, but I know that every obstacle I face will only make me a better player and strengthen my bond with my new team. Embracing this challenge and pushing myself to adapt will lead us to victory in the competition. I've just got to keep my spirits up and stay focused on the goal ahead—I know I've got what it takes to succeed!
With the elemental factor taking a hit in the latest update, I'm forced to explore other avenues of strength for my DPS. Maybe it's time to shift focus to factors like size, penetration, or ignore defense. Each path comes with its own set of challenges, but it's essential to adapt and find a new strategy that works for our team. Researching and experimenting with different approaches is my next step. It's frustrating, sure, but every obstacle presents a chance to grow and improve. Embracing this challenge and pushing myself to adapt will make me a stronger player and lead our team to victory in the competition. I've got to keep my spirits up and stay focused on the goal ahead—we've got this!
ID change in the beginning of the training season
It was quite a shock when Attica broke the news to me just a day before our scheduled practice session. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, she wouldn't be able to use her ID to play with us for personal reasons. This news hit us hard, especially considering that the competition was less than a month away. Without her ID as our main orb holder, we were left scrambling to find a replacement—a task easier said than done.
Finding another ID that could even come close to matching Attica's heavily tuned setup, especially in terms of support and holder roles, was proving to be a real challenge. It felt like we were racing against the clock, desperately searching for a solution that would keep our team competitive in the upcoming competition. With time running out, the pressure was on to find a suitable replacement and get back on track for the big event.
Thankfully, at the eleventh hour, Ichwan's resourcefulness came through, and he managed to find Attica another ID just in time. However, playing on a different ID presented its own set of challenges. Each ID is like a unique persona in the game, and switching to a new one is akin to stepping into someone else's shoes—it may fit, but it's not your perfect fit.
Becoming fully synchronized with a new ID takes time and adaptation, and we all hoped that Attica, as an experienced player, would be able to overcome this hurdle before the MP days arrived. And true to form, she did just that. Despite the initial adjustment period, Attica managed to seamlessly integrate with her new ID, showcasing her adaptability and skill as a player. With her back in the game, our team was finally back on track and ready to face the competition head-on.
Team Cohesion and Coordination Problem
New teams bring new challenges, and our first training match was no exception. We were up against a team led by one of Attica's friends from PH. I knew this guy too, and to be honest, we had some in-game issues in the past. I admit, I can be a bit of a toxic player, stirring up confrontation to make future encounters more intense and competitive. Sometimes, though, things can escalate and become a bit too personal.
For me, it's all part of the game. I can separate my gaming life from real life and not take it too seriously. However, I understand that not everyone can do the same, and some people might take these in-game confrontations to heart.
During our scrim with this team, I was confident that, with our current IDs, player skills, and overall team synergy, we should come out on top quite easily. Despite the past tensions and the added layer of personal history, I was focused on ensuring our team performed at its best and secured the win.
Ichwan, our soulbinder, couldn't make it today due to some family matters, so we had to find a substitute. We called in Enjo Reyes, a friend of mine from the 100 guild, to fill in. Enjo is an absolute riot in real life—his warm personality and hilarious accent always light up our Discord chats, making everyone laugh.
However, when it comes to gameplay and team coordination, Enjo is quite strict. He absolutely hates losing, especially to the particular team we were about to face. Given the circumstances, the pressure was on for us to perform well and secure a win for the home side. Despite the last-minute change, I was confident that Enjo's determination and our collective skills would carry us through the match.
And so the game began—our first match on the famous Magic Prison map. Unfortunately, it didn't go well. We lost by quite a margin. Enjo was furious, and I felt like I was all over the place, probably losing my touch a bit. Everyone seemed disoriented and unfocused, which is why we lost. Meanwhile, the opposing team played aggressively, overwhelming us from the start.
After the first game, it became clear that our saint, Arisa, was underperforming. Her support was too slow, and she needed more dps guarding her than a normally support character should typically require. On my end, I noticed a significant decline in my DPS—my kill count dropped from 20+ to just 10+, which was quite a shock.
This first match was a wake-up call. We realized we needed to step up our game and address these issues immediately. We couldn't afford to be disorganized and underperforming if we wanted to stand a chance in this competition. It was time to regroup, refocus, and fix our problems as quickly as possible.
Surprisingly, the loss seemed to be the jolt we needed to shift into a higher gear. Somehow, it sparked a change in us. For the remaining five games, we won them all, bringing the final score to 5-1 in our favor. However, it took a tremendous amount of effort to secure those victories, highlighting a significant decline on our side that needed immediate attention.
Despite the wins, it was clear that we couldn't afford to ignore these issues if we wanted to achieve our goal of reaching the top 600. The effort it took to win revealed underlying problems that, if left unaddressed, would hinder our progress. We had to focus on fixing these weaknesses quickly to ensure we stayed on track and continued to improve.
Job for each person and too much creativity
There are currently over 50 classes in ROM, ranging from adventurer jobs to hero jobs. Hero jobs are the latest addition, designed to simplify and reinvigorate the game, making it more appealing to the younger generation. This strategy of making the game simpler and easier to play is great for attracting new players. However, with so many classes, there are countless ways to build a team lineup, but not enough time to research them all to find the best meta.
Most of us juggle daily work and can only dedicate an hour or two a day to playing, doing weekly tasks, and researching builds for competition. That's why having Nic, our Malaysian teammate, is such an asset. Nic is incredibly dedicated when it comes to research. With his background as a lawyer, he excels at analyzing what makes a character strong or weak. He loves experimenting with new things to find the so-called meta.
Having someone like Nic on the team is invaluable. If you can discover the optimal build first and successfully implement it, you can easily climb the rank ladder. His meticulous research and willingness to try new strategies give us a competitive edge and help us stay ahead in the game.
Personally, I love the idea of cheesing some competition and winning with minimal effort. It's been done before, like with the blacksmith meta, which allowed nearly zero skill delay, enabling the spam of invulnerable skills with every button press. So, on this matter, I agree with Nic's approach to experimenting with new jobs to find the best DPS classes for our team.
We tried a bunch of DPS classes such as Thor, Thanatos, Rathgricy, Fenrir, Jormungand, Doram, and Heinrich. We wanted to experience firsthand which one would be best for our team. However, the problem is that we simply don't have enough time. Following the current meta, which has already been researched by Thai teams, seems like the easy way out. Our Saint, Arisa, thinks that instead of experimenting and potentially wasting resources, we should stick to our best lineup and make the most of it.
While Nic and I are excited about finding the perfect class through trial and error, Arisa's perspective is also valid. With our limited time, it might be more practical to focus on refining our existing strategies and ensuring we play our strongest lineup to its full potential. Balancing these approaches—exploring new possibilities while optimizing what we already have—might be the key to our success in the competition.
Communication Problem, Muted Discord
Playing together as a team is a luxury for us because of our busy schedules. Often, we have to find gaps between our activities to fit in gaming time. This balancing act is complicated further by our personal lives. For example, if our spouses see us playing, they might think we have spare time and wonder why we're not spending it with them. The situation can become even more complex when our teammates are of the opposite gender, leading to suspicions and concerns about potential affairs or whether we prefer talking to someone else over our own partners.
As a result, we often end up multitasking while playing the game, which significantly reduces our concentration. This is a common issue during our practice sessions. Henlee, our roamer, usually goes silent and only talks when absolutely necessary, likely to avoid causing any misunderstandings. Ichwan and I face similar challenges, trying to balance our gaming commitments with our responsibilities and relationships at home.
These dynamics make it difficult to maintain focus and cohesion during practice, but we do our best to manage and support each other through these challenges. It’s a delicate balance, but with understanding and cooperation, we aim to keep our team functioning smoothly and continue improving despite the distractions.
Point fingering mistake, Complaining, and Giving Suggestion
Arisa, our saint, is still struggling when pressured by enemy DPS. We often hear her say things like "Nobody's protecting me while I'm taking the orb," "My SP is gone," or "I need a pull, but nobody is pulling me." We've tried to identify her problems—figuring out what makes her drop so fast, which jobs give her the most trouble, and, most importantly, finding solutions to prevent these issues from recurring.
To tackle this, we need a multi-faceted approach:
1. **Protection**: We need to ensure that someone is always assigned to protect Arisa, especially when she’s taking the orb. This means better coordination and possibly assigning a dedicated player to cover her during critical moments.
2. **SP Management**: We need to address her SP issues by making sure she has enough resources. This could involve tweaking our support roles to prioritize SP recovery for her or adjusting our strategy to include more frequent breaks where she can recover.
3. **Pull Mechanic**: We need to be more responsive to her calls for pulls. This could mean training our team to be more aware of her positioning and status, and ensuring that those responsible for pulling are always ready to react quickly.
4. **Counter Strategies**: We should analyze which enemy jobs cause her the most trouble and develop specific counter strategies. This might involve adjusting our lineup or tactics to neutralize those threats more effectively.
5. **Communication and Practice**: We need to improve our in-game communication to ensure everyone is aware of Arisa’s needs and the overall situation. More focused practice sessions can help us build better synergy and responsiveness.
by addressing these areas, we can improve Arisa’s survivability and overall performance, which in turn will enhance our team’s effectiveness. It’s crucial that we support each other and continuously adapt to the challenges we face to stay competitive.
However, while addressing Arisa's challenges, we DPS players have our own issues that need attention. We expect the support team, which includes three members, to assist each other first and only call on us if absolutely necessary. The principle is straightforward: if the support team can survive without disrupting the DPS role, they should do so. Calling DPS for help should be the last resort. The best situation would be that support need to develop good coordination with Roamer, so can lessen the burden of dps on the front line.
Trust is paramount in any team endeavor. Knowing that each member has your back and believing in their abilities allows for smoother coordination and a stronger collective effort. It's essential to foster this trust through consistent communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the team's goals. When trust is solidified, the team can overcome challenges more effectively and achieve greater success together.
Another P2W Gatcha in Horizon
Stancer and I have always comparing stuff in the game—whether it's which equipment has the better enchantments, whose ID is cooler (his always is, of course), or figuring out what's really necessary for our characters. We have our fair share of debates and disagreements, but I usually end up agreeing with him. He dives deep into the game mechanics and his insights always seem to work out well in this competitive scenario.
Recently, after week one, the devs decided to release a new box at the end of May, and it's a game-changer. This box gives us materials to upgrade our Sacred Runes, which is a big deal because there are very few ways to get these materials. Upgrading these runes can significantly boost our characters’ abilities and performance, so this is a huge opportunity.
But that's not all—the box also includes some awesome wings. These wings are powerful, giving a 12.5% boost to skill damage, a 5% increase in movement speed, and +5 to all stats. This combination of buffs is pretty sweet and can really enhance our gameplay.
Releasing this pay-to-win box in the middle of the competition makes us feel like we have to buy it if we want to stay competitive. It's a classic move by the ROM devs—they’re pros at nudging us to spend money. I just hope they ease up on releasing these kinds of boxes in the future. The gap between top players and average players is already huge, and at this point, skill alone can’t bridge it anymore.
The cost of maintaining an ID and the enjoyment we get from the game have become really imbalanced, and this needs to be addressed quickly. Stancer, for instance, ended up selling his ID because of this issue. The expenses just to upgrade or even maintain your ID are pretty high. Although ROM:EL is still cheaper compared to other Ragnarok games, it’s far from being cheap.
If the developers could make it possible to earn premium currency through in-game activities without severe penalties, it would be a game-changer. This adjustment could help maintain the player base because nobody wants to feel bullied in a real competition. The gap between top players and average players is so wide now that skill alone isn't enough to bridge it.
Losing can be really disheartening, even if it's just in fun multiplayer matches like my team plays. Personally, I hate losing, especially when I know I have the skills to win. The frustration is even greater when you realize that the main barrier is the cost of keeping up with the game. If the devs can balance this out, it would not only enhance the competitive experience but also make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
Fun Aspect For Creating a New and Fun Team.
We try to make this journey as fun as we can. Personally, I'm known as a bit of a toxic character. My real-life work makes me tough, and sometimes that attitude slips into my gaming life. I've had complaints from previous teammates like Aquilegila and Tinkerbell (RIP), and I promised myself I’d try my best to avoid that.
Balancing the intense competition with fun can be tricky, especially when you care deeply about winning. The high costs and the pressure to keep up with the top players only add to the stress. But I'm committed to improving not just my gameplay, but also how I interact with my teammates. After all, gaming is about enjoying the experience and building great memories with friends.
That's why being a casual player is quite new for me. It brings a different kind of pressure. Sometimes, you notice things that need fixing, but they can't be fixed because not everyone is as competitive or has the same ideas as you. This can be quite a challenge.
However, we learn different things every day, and this is part of the learning process—accepting others' weaknesses and trying to compensate for them, hoping they will do the same for you. It’s not just about winning or losing anymore; it's about finding positive aspects in every situation. Sometimes, you need to balance competitiveness with understanding and patience. This journey is about making the most out of our gaming experience, learning to adapt, and working together despite our differences. It’s about taking a step back and realizing that enjoying the game and building good relationships with teammates are just as important as winning. We try to make our gaming experience as cheerful as possible. It's important to get to know the real people behind the characters—their work, their passions, what makes them happy or sad. Understanding that your teammates are human beings who can make mistakes, and who feel emotions just like you, is crucial.
Knowing this helps us remember that we can unintentionally offend or hurt them with our actions or words. It reminds us to be more considerate and patient, both in the game and in our interactions. By acknowledging each other's humanity, we can build stronger, more supportive relationships, making the game more enjoyable for everyone.
Communication is, in my opinion, the most crucial aspect of gaming. Without it, you won't be able to achieve what you want. Communication is the key that holds everything together. It's essential to try to solve problems without straining relationships. Instead of pointing fingers at one mistake, it's important to be as collective as possible.
Remember, "one is team and team are one." If we always hold onto this mindset, I believe we can avoid deep conflicts and emerge victorious as a team. That's why having the same goal, expectations, and targets from the beginning is crucial. And if you have a change of heart, communicate it openly. Never keep things to yourself or talk behind your teammates' backs—remember, they're human beings with their own imperfections.
The focus should always be on finding solutions, not dwelling on the problems. By maintaining open and honest communication, respecting each other's perspectives, and working towards a common goal, we can strengthen our team bonds and achieve success together.
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