monkus
11-23-2005, 06:48 PM
After getting myself involved in the Unit Reviews section, I came to a horrible realization: most people simply were describing the unit in its most basic form. I mean no offense to anyone, but to be entirely honest, most of the reviews were essentially what one could learn by trying the unit out...in a single game. A few good points are made in most FAQs, but any player that is not a total novice will rarely get more out of a review than reinforcement of obvious strategy.
Informative writing has lost, and stating the obvious while hoping to get a few prizes has won out. Detailed strategy guides, like Bottle's, and others along those lines, are becoming extinct as guides aimed at noobs are taking over. Just a hint guys: If a player isn't active in the forums (where a lot of learning would take place), then they probably won't read the FAQs either for a while.
Just to give an example of some common trends:
Most reviews start with a very long explanation of the mechanics of the unit. "He can move 3 spots. He has a recovery of 3. He has a power of 15." Yes, we usually know what a unit does by this point. A list of forms is sometimes provided, with NO explanations or analysis on the forms' potencies, nor how the form's advantages work, so a person could possibly make an even better form. Any strategy is brief and, quite often, under-explained. The brief strategy insights are rarely explicit, nor do they fully explain the workings of the unit in the vast world of TAO.
I don't know what the reason is. Perhaps people just don't want to explain. Maybe they're aiming towards the newer players, instead of the intermediates, where most players spend the majority of their time. I think it's time to change this.
Tips for review writers:
-If you're going to post forms, explain WHY those forms are the best for that unit, and explain HOW they were created, and HOW a player can take the concepts and make their own form out of it.
-Explain both strengths and weaknesses IN DETAIL. Players need to know how to cut back on the weaknesses and make full use of the strengths, or abuse the weaknesses and mitigate the strengths in their opponents' units.
-Analyze the unit's uses in a variety of situations. I want to know how this unit can be used in rush games, turtle games, gray games (if possible), when there are a lot of units left, when there aren't that many units left, when I'm under attack, when I'm attacking, etc.
-Make sure that EVERYONE except the best of the best will have something to gain from your review. This includes neat tricks, side uses, situations where a unit can surprisingly gain a huge advantage, or uncommon strategies that most people won't expect. This should all be in addition to the unit's main uses.
-Think of different potential uses, and the pros and cons of each when in conflict. For example, a DSM can charge, probably dying, or it can stay behind the lines and take opportunistic shots, possibly dying. When is each worthwhile? How much damage should I shoot for with the former? How can I best protect the DSM with the latter, while still getting moves out of it.
-Don't just use pictures to post forms. I always try to avoid just posting a row of forms, because it really doesn't get anything across. I usually just post forms to make a point, or demonstrate how some things can be used. Or, you could even use pictures to demonstrate specific uses. That'd be reallyyyy nice.
-Dedicate sufficient portions to both using the unit and beating it. Assume the opponent is always intelligent, and add pointers as to how to best counter the unit.
I don't wish to sound arrogant or egotistical, but I have yet to find reviews, other than my own, that even come close to meeting these standards. I would, however, like to congradulate IronHorse123, for his new assassin ward has done particularly well in reaching most of these concepts. I sent him a PM after his DSM review, and I'm glad to see that more people can, and should, be taking advice from his assassin review. Bravo Iron.
It'd be nice if this were sticky'd, but I just really want to get the message out there, to FAQ writers, future FAQ writers, and really everyone in general. The FAQs have so much potential to help people. Let's take advantage of it.
Monkus
p.s. One final word. I'm writing one more review, possibly my last. This one is also probably going to be my best. I hope it's out by 2006, but we shall see how bogged down I am with work. Everyone, prepare yourselves for:
The Ultimate, One-of-a-kind, Comprehensive, Illustrated, Fully Detailed
Guide to Frost Whoring
Informative writing has lost, and stating the obvious while hoping to get a few prizes has won out. Detailed strategy guides, like Bottle's, and others along those lines, are becoming extinct as guides aimed at noobs are taking over. Just a hint guys: If a player isn't active in the forums (where a lot of learning would take place), then they probably won't read the FAQs either for a while.
Just to give an example of some common trends:
Most reviews start with a very long explanation of the mechanics of the unit. "He can move 3 spots. He has a recovery of 3. He has a power of 15." Yes, we usually know what a unit does by this point. A list of forms is sometimes provided, with NO explanations or analysis on the forms' potencies, nor how the form's advantages work, so a person could possibly make an even better form. Any strategy is brief and, quite often, under-explained. The brief strategy insights are rarely explicit, nor do they fully explain the workings of the unit in the vast world of TAO.
I don't know what the reason is. Perhaps people just don't want to explain. Maybe they're aiming towards the newer players, instead of the intermediates, where most players spend the majority of their time. I think it's time to change this.
Tips for review writers:
-If you're going to post forms, explain WHY those forms are the best for that unit, and explain HOW they were created, and HOW a player can take the concepts and make their own form out of it.
-Explain both strengths and weaknesses IN DETAIL. Players need to know how to cut back on the weaknesses and make full use of the strengths, or abuse the weaknesses and mitigate the strengths in their opponents' units.
-Analyze the unit's uses in a variety of situations. I want to know how this unit can be used in rush games, turtle games, gray games (if possible), when there are a lot of units left, when there aren't that many units left, when I'm under attack, when I'm attacking, etc.
-Make sure that EVERYONE except the best of the best will have something to gain from your review. This includes neat tricks, side uses, situations where a unit can surprisingly gain a huge advantage, or uncommon strategies that most people won't expect. This should all be in addition to the unit's main uses.
-Think of different potential uses, and the pros and cons of each when in conflict. For example, a DSM can charge, probably dying, or it can stay behind the lines and take opportunistic shots, possibly dying. When is each worthwhile? How much damage should I shoot for with the former? How can I best protect the DSM with the latter, while still getting moves out of it.
-Don't just use pictures to post forms. I always try to avoid just posting a row of forms, because it really doesn't get anything across. I usually just post forms to make a point, or demonstrate how some things can be used. Or, you could even use pictures to demonstrate specific uses. That'd be reallyyyy nice.
-Dedicate sufficient portions to both using the unit and beating it. Assume the opponent is always intelligent, and add pointers as to how to best counter the unit.
I don't wish to sound arrogant or egotistical, but I have yet to find reviews, other than my own, that even come close to meeting these standards. I would, however, like to congradulate IronHorse123, for his new assassin ward has done particularly well in reaching most of these concepts. I sent him a PM after his DSM review, and I'm glad to see that more people can, and should, be taking advice from his assassin review. Bravo Iron.
It'd be nice if this were sticky'd, but I just really want to get the message out there, to FAQ writers, future FAQ writers, and really everyone in general. The FAQs have so much potential to help people. Let's take advantage of it.
Monkus
p.s. One final word. I'm writing one more review, possibly my last. This one is also probably going to be my best. I hope it's out by 2006, but we shall see how bogged down I am with work. Everyone, prepare yourselves for:
The Ultimate, One-of-a-kind, Comprehensive, Illustrated, Fully Detailed
Guide to Frost Whoring