Compensation, prize events, etc.

[GM Mercy]

I recently just fixed the Token of Midas, and I am interested in giving compensation... however:

I need some help with understanding the 'scaling' of the gameplay. Cause I'm not sure 'at what stage the players are already' so I don't want to give you useless benefits (e.g. surplus of EP.. for what?)

So I need someone to think of how to distribute value to the different resources, or someone who can explain to me or map out to me the low, mid, and high tier prize benefits that make sense at all stages of the game (early, mid, late game).

Zeny is kinda important right now due to the new custom effects, but how do we balance off the interests of the players on the other resources (EP, cash, other stuff)?

[averagecabbage]

Here's a short rundown regarding the stages of gameplay though I'm not too familiar with most Renewal content yet, and I hope this answers a few of your questions.

I'd say the majority of the Server is around the end of mid game. Temporal Boots are Best in Slot for all classes but we still lack the early end-game content of Ragnarok which is Temple of the Demon God Instance which requires the Isle of Bios and Morse Cave instances. These contain armor pieces for all classes and stat "cards" that can be compounded in any piece of gear for yuge stat boosts.

Which leads us to another instance, Sky Fortress this contains the upgraded versions of Crimson Weapons which also have 3 random enchants each, making them the best weapons currently.

Unsure which stage: Terra Gloria added a substantial amount of equipment but i know little about it so i'm not sure where to place it. (Type-A Illusion Armor is an example)

Illusion Dungeon is the hardest content that I can think of right now, which are beefed up version of already existing maps and these have daily quests for you to do to trade in for stronger versions of existing items. We currently have Pyramid Illusion dungeon, there are lots more like Moonlight Illusion, Turtle Dungeon Illusion and the like.

PVP will always be part of any kind of end-game and placing prizes in this will definitely push people to grind through the content. It doesn't have to be the only way to enjoy and obtain end-game stuff since we have a world that is reactive to the decisions of the Players and its Dungeon Master. (Can't wait for Business Venture)

TL;DR

Early game: Crimson Weapons, Mora Equips, Airship Raid, Shadow Gear(Costume Slot items that give minor benefits, iRO exclusive)

Mid game: Old Glast Heim, Faceworm Nest, Charleston Crisis (arguably end-game for Mechanics OSFrog)

Pre-end game: Instances - Morse Cave, Bios Island, Temple of Demon God, Sky Fortress, Malangdo Culvert, Jitterbug, Horror Toy Factory, Bio Labs 5(Could be an Illusion dungeon I think)

End-game: Illusion dungeons , refines on items, PVP, Custom Content.

[migsramos1]

As compensation, to be honest, I'd love to have +1 safe refine tickets (NOKIAs). It has been pretty hard to go beyond +9, truth be told, and we are rolling out custom items that require +15 to maximize their effects. If it's too much, then maybe we can work hard for them? 

[jaywalker]

If we're talking about tiered rewards i think those can be the following:

The definitions were taken from averagecabbage's post.

Pre-Early Game [lvl 1-130]

• EXP/ Job EXP
• Zeny
• Battle Manual/ Job Battle Manual
• +5 Safe Refine?
• Oridecons/ Eluniums
• Yggdrasil Seeds

Early Game [Crimson Weapons, Mora Equips, Airship Raid, Shadow Gear(Costume Slot items that give minor benefits, iRO exclusive] 

• EP
  
• Zeny
• +6 Safe Refine?
• HD Oridecons/ HD Eluniums
• Yggdrasil Berries
• Potion Packs
• Mora Coins

Mid Game [Old Glast Heim, Faceworm Nest, Charleston Crisis (arguably end-game for Mechanics OSFrog)]

• EP
• Zeny
• +7 Safe Refine
• HD Oridecons/ HD Eluniums
• Bubblegum
• Gym Pass
• OCA
• Coagulated Spells (Item ID# 6608)

Pre-End Game [Instances - Morse Cave, Bios Island, Temple of Demon God, Sky Fortress, Malangdo Culvert, Jitterbug, Horror Toy Factory, Bio Labs 5(Could be an Illusion dungeon I think)]

• EP
• +7 Safe Refine
• Safe Refine (NOKIA)
• HD Bradiums/ HD Carniums
• Make-Believe Fruits
• Token of Ziegfried
• Bubblegum
• MCA
• Divine Fire? 
• Whitesmith's Blessing?

End Game [Illusion dungeons , refines on items, PVP, Custom Content.]

• EP
• Safe Refine (NOKIA)
• Make-Believe Fruits
• MCA
• Divine Fire? 
  
• Whitesmith's Blessing?
  
  

Blue items are items i am not sure are implemented yet.

I also think we can never have a surplus of Zeny and EP currently. EP can be used for Kafra items (bbg, gym pass, etc) and Zeny can be donated for the server and there's still the pretentious charms.