We Can All Be Elmer Fudd

In the combat driven world of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, players from all over clash, bringing blade against blade in a never ending battle for control of the realm. Player vs Player content is nothing new to the MMOG world and through the years tactics have been carried over from games such as EverQuest, Star Wars Galaxies, World of Warcraft, and many more. Using low level players as "bait" and passing on intelligence to the opposition are just two examples of what you can find almost anywhere, but one tactic in particular stands out. Today however we look at one of the most loathed and loved maneuvers of all time, the Bunny Hop.

Now if you aren't really a PvP player you might not be familiar with this less than subtle strategy. While it's not necessarily used by ranged classes, you can find most melee employing it in every battle. The idea is to approach your opponent, and begin hopping circles around them. What it attempts to do is put in a better location to use positional attacks and keep your opponent from hitting you. It's actually extremely entertaining to watch two players try to outhop each other while stabbing and bashing, and in some games it is effective. Will it work in Warhammer Online and should it be encouraged?

For the most part, classes in the game don't require much in the way of positional attacks. You do have a few exceptions like the Witch Hunter who have skills used to attack from behind. Even with this class, the abilities don't require a certain location to execute like traditional games. They do however provide a bonus such as negating armor which makes it a worthwhile goal. Taking away the positional necessity in Warhammer Online makes these hopping tactics less effective and more about preference. With that in mind, why do we still see people jumping around like they are on fire? Is it entertaining? Just like professional wrestling without the yelling, but is it necessary?

The method goes back in MMOG history as far as you can go really to the first 3D experience, EverQuest. PvP in this game was fairly unforgiving and being able to stay out of your enemies line of sight, especially if you were a rogue, gave an enormous advantage. As time went on, it continued to be used in many other games including the widely played World of Warcraft. After ten years however, maybe it's time we retired the hop. It's had it's day in the sun, and shouldn't new game design principals should be able to eliminate something so archaic?

Warhammer Online introduced a new mechanic called "autofacing" which addresses the issue somewhat. Automatically swinging around to face your target is useful but when someone is jumping the effect can actually be dizzying. It can also be used as a tactic to swing you in a direction allowing a positional attack from someone else. There was initially a bit of controversy surrounding it from those who want the control of strafing and circling but the mob has quieted down a little in recent days.

Another method Mythic could employ would to be make positional attacks rare. They aren't heavily prevalent now with only a few classes utilizing them, but in a fast paced game of combat, why are we still trying to backstab? Sure it adds an element of strategy, and I'm by no means trying to suggest an easy button but with the addition of collision detection, there is no other way to do this? Unless a few stuns, roots, or other skills that allow you to circle behind your target are implemented it just seems a little less than fun.

Another interesting idea floating around a few forums is actually attributing an Action Point cost to jumping. This could actually work in most situations but there would be a few instances where it might not work. An example would be if you are using your flee skill which completely drains your AP. When approaching an obstacle that requires jumping there would be a problem. The idea was at least thinking in the right direction though so maybe this can be a platform for an even better solution.

No matter what happens, there will be some that stick to the old ways and will refuse change. And like the ancient Kung Fu master they will probably get owned by the bad guy. Have an opinion about it? Let us know and join me in killing the Bunny.