Experiences in Defiance (MMO RPG Action Game)

NOTE: I recently (Febuary 2015) started playing Defiance again and updated this topic.

Defiance is labeled as an Action, Massively Multiplayer, RPG game that started as a retail game.  But it is now free to download and play (F2P).  It can be installed though STEAM (my recommendation) or as a stand alone game install.  There are a few downloadable content packages (DLC) that are available to purchase if you feel like spending some cash.  But they mostly pertain to SP and MP aspects of the game... honestly, there is enough COOP content to last a long time.

Although Defiance is an MMO without the usual MMO game subscription, the 3rd person combat action mechanic is comparable to pure 3rd person shooter games out there today such as Ghost Recon Future Soldier and Dead Space III.  

However, when you aim your weapon, you get an over-the-shoulder view that is close to a firt person view in games such as Joint Ops AW2 and Sniper Elite-3.


On the RPG side, it's a bit reminiscent of Borderlands I-II, Dead Island and of course Dead Rising II OTR in terms of the questing, collecting items and inventory management.

The system spec requirements are low, but the graphics are ok and textured nicely.  Of course when SweetFX is applied they are even better... more crisp, clear, colorful and vibrant.  So anyway, Defiance might install and play smoothly on some laptops.

System Requirements:

Minimum -
OS: Windows XP SP2
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz CPU or better
Memory: 2 GB System RAM
Graphics: 512MB video card (NVIDIA GeForce 8600, ATI Radeon HD 2900, or Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics or better)
DirectX®: 9.0c
Hard Drive: 15 GB free hard drive space
Sound: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card
Internet: Broadband internet connection

Recommended -
OS: Windows 7
Processor: Intel Core i5 2.4 GHz CPU or better
Memory: 4 GB System RAM
Graphics: 1024MB video card (NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 or ATI Radeon HD 4750 or better)
DirectX®: 9.0c
Hard Drive: 15 GB free hard drive space
Sound: DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card
Internet: Broadband internet connection

Relative Quick Comparison:

Firefall does not adjust the enemy AI difficulty according to the number of players, there isn't too much single player action that is easy.  COOP becomes very, very important and is the core focus of the game's development and current game play.  Although I have to say single player is entirely possible initially.  In fact, in order to acquire a vehicle you must reach level 40. On the other hand, Defiance gives you the ability to summon vehicles after a few missions.

Defiance not only gives you a vehicle to summon anywhere at any time, but there is also a fast travel feature available for some major way-points.  Firefall, clearly has more colourful graphics to see, but distinctly lacks the vehicle system and fast-travel feature.  So, be prepared to foot-travel to your destinations... until you can spend hours levelling up to 40.

Both Defince and Firefall have systems in place to help players find ech other and cooperatively play.  Firefall's squad formation system is not very stable and must be redone each time after logging on.  There is a permanent friend system available, but Defience has the same friend system and permanent squads called clans.

Defiance is pretty easy to pickup and learn the basics.  However, some players might want to learn a bit more and take advantage of all the game's features.  The below contains a lot of information and links to even more information.  Personally, I am still find myself going back and forth attempting to absorb all the information.


Much of the main storyline campaign can be done as a single player. However, there are missions and a point of enemy AI difficulty that sternly requires a cooperative effort.  So COOP is certainly part of this game... just not as a separate mode.  Certain missions are a bit more forgiving with a "drop-in, drop-out" feature, auto matchmaking is employed and you can always get invited by group or friend or clan.


TRION Support Center (Official Developer/Publisher) ==> https://support.trionworlds.com/app/home

Game Wiki Site  ==> http://en.defiance-wiki.com/wiki/Defiance_Wiki

Game Database Info. Site ==> http://www.defiancedata.com/

NOTE: Usually MMO developers or publishers like Triton host the games on their servers... such is the case with Defiance.

The Official Defiance Wiki help new player just starting Defiance for the first time.  As seen below, the starter guides p1 and p2 link to IGN's Starter Guide.  

Advice: DO NOT click on anything extra within p1 and p2... just read what is there.  There is an index on the right side of the page for answering specific question about certain topics, but DO NOT use the index unless you have played the game more than 3-6 times.

STARTER GUIDE p1: First Thing's First - http://www.ign.com/wikis/defiance/Starter_Guide
STARTER GUIDE p2: Your First Three Missions - http://www.ign.com/wikis/defiance/Your_First_Three_Missions

After (not before) you have 3-6 times, you might find the generic Defiance Game Wiki useful... advice; use the index. ==> http://en.defiance-wiki.com/wiki/Defiance_%28game%29

NOTE: I recently (Febuary 2015) started playing Defiance again and updated this topic.

As the case with any game, there are some basic error issues that a player experiences.  Here are a couple issues that I ran into and of course I listed the resolutions and solutions also.

I. Issue: After purchasing the full game and starting it, the game presents a notice that asks you to buy the full game.

Resolution: STEAM provides a CD code for a reason.  This code must be manually assigned to your Trion account.

Solution: You must register or sign into your account at https://session.trionworlds.com/login?service=http://www.defiance.com/en/my-ego/?CAS_REDIR=true .  Then simply click the APPLY CODE menu option... and then just enter the CD code into the box... remember to click the APPLY button.


II. Issue: During Defiance's registration process your email is already in use.

Resolution: Realize that Defiance is one of multiple games at the Trion Worlds website.  So, if you've played games such as Rift or ArcheAge or participated in any related game or alpha or beta programs put forth by Trion Worlds, then you have probably opened a Trion Worlds account without realizing it.  

The email used to sign into that account is on record.  So your log-in information is already available.  Registering and opening a new account with the same email is going to cause problems.  

Solution: Besides remembering the password of the previous account, you could open another online email account from sites like Google (Gmail) or Yahoo (Yahoo Mail) and use the new email to register.

NOTE: I recently (Febuary 2015) started playing Defiance again and updated this topic.

In Defiance, the graphics are not like the quality of Crysis III or COD Ghosts, but the basic textures and environment designs are there.  If wanted, you can use a handy graphic enhancement mod SweetFX to esthetically modify the overall look of the graphics.

This short clip shows the difference SweetFX makes when applied to Defiance.  When the recording colors seem a bit deeper and richer (upper right-hand side) is where SweetFX is switched ON... when the colors look faded and washed out (lower left-hand side) is where SweetFX is switched OFF.

NOTE: I recently (Febuary 2015) started playing Defiance again and updated this topic.

Defiance Weapon Modding: Here's a complete and detailed video about weapon modding... since somebody already made a really good one, I figured that I'd share instead of trying to make my own. 

==> https://youtu.be/ZO74ITJ2af8

Arkfalls: Note official nor complete, but here is an easy summery description. 

The Arkfalls are either minor or major and might require you to pursue them over several areas. Both bring down smaller sections of alien ships orbiting the planet and are often full of alien technology, Ark Salvage and even Volge and other alien beasts. 

Arkfalls usually present loot for everyone... it is also going to take a group effort to destroy the enemies that Arkfalls bring... opportunities to gain XP and Ego points for levelling up. 

Arkfalls can be called down or summoned "on-demand." Go to a Minor Arkfall Impact Site. There will be a glowing outline of an Ark Spike. If you have four Ark Spike Batteries and have completed the six Main Story Missions (includes the dark matter storyline) then you will be able to set up an Ark Spike... walk up to one and press the "X" keyboard button.

Reputation:  This becomes available once reaching EGO Rating 250. After EGO 250, Contracts become available from each Vendor and update automatically as you complete them. 

These are found in the Goals section of the menu wheel. These come in 2 types: Daily and Weekly for each of the 5 Major Vendors: Von Bach Industries (VBI), Soleptor Enterprises, Top-Notch Toolworks, Paradise Territory, Echelon. 

As you increase your reputation by completing the required number of kills/item collection or Co-op/Competitive missions, you will earn reputation with a specific vendor. This also earns you Reputation Points which can be spent at Vendor specific shops. These points are consumed when used but your reputation experience will remain. 

The video might explain Reputation better and how to get it and spend it. 

"New Player" Guide: Useful information for new and seasoned players at http://www.zam.com/wiki/New_Player_%28Defiance%29#Aim_Assist

Currencies: Different in-game money at http://www.defiancedata.com/currencies.php

Vehicles: This video covers how to get a better car (Capacity, 2 players).

I found an interactive map.  Locations of various places and things are marked.  If you click them, a small pop-up message label appears that names or decribes it.  There is also a map Key Legend the decribes what each color maker means.

Defiance: All Data Recorder Locations:

... exclusively data recorders.



http://orcz.com/Defiance:_All_Data_Recorder_Locations

How to Redeem Codes:

Please note that, in this case retail codes (purchased DLCs, gifted codes) might look like…
JHPQ-6HYZ-ZGN6-EJCX-JEMM.

I. The game of Defiance is owned and developed by Triton/Glyph… Go to http://www.trionworlds.com/ and sign into your account.  Your log-in username and password are exactly the same as the username and password that you use to log into the game.





Once signed-in, move your mouse-pointer over to the “account button.”  Then select “apply code.”





Enter or paste your code and click “apply.”  Note that after doing so, you’ll see the code (package) displayed in the “previously applied to this account…” section.

Alcatraz Releases April 14!

Alcatraz is just an expansion of the Defiance playground!  This new map area is loosely based on Alcatraz Island and brings several new missions, pursuits, conflicts, enemies, friendly AL, story lines and of course, loot, weapons and mayhem!

Details and Images Guide:

==> http://www.defiancedata.com/page=484/alcatraz-island-alcatraz-guide


Here' a few videos that I found to be informative.

Defiance Treat Levels

Threat Level Details: http://www.defiancedata.com/page=205/threat-level

Bottom Line: Threat Levels change according the event (like a Volge Swarm or Arkfall) to each player's EGO rating... even if the player is not actively participating (ie. on the edge of the event radius circle, came to the event and then left or just passes through on the way to somewhere else).

Just my guess, but maybe the overall clan or group Ego rating counts too!

Defiance Season 3!!

The Syfy Channel's Defiance TV show is starting up season 3 on June 12, 2015. So this means new content for the Trion Worlds Defiance Game too!

Codes for weapons and other game related goodies will be embedded in the season 3 episodes. Don't worry about watching every show when it broadcasts. I'm sure the codes will be posted on the Defiance Forums at http://forums.defiance.com/ But don't delay too much, I think someone on a Trion Worlds Live Stream mentioned that the codes will have a shorter life span than last year.

Do you need to know how to redeem codes? Check out my tutorial... now with screen shots and pictures! https://mmgaming.forumotion.com/t120-experiences-in-defiance-mmo-rpg-action-game#231

Misconceptions about the DLCs.

First, there are five Original DLCs! There are three new Ark Hunter Bundles that are seemingly labelled DLC on STEAM, but those are different. I bought the Season Pass DLC that included the original five DLCs from the STEAM Store at a reduced price (STEAM was running a sale at the time).

Overall, the five Defiance DLCs do not give you an instant advantage over other players. They add content... meaning extra or expanded mission events. Here's some other things the DLS do and don't do.

-EGO Level: They do not instantly increase your character's EGO level. Depending upon the DLC, XP or point boosts are provided for a short amount of time. So, you might be able to gain a few extra XP or bonus points for events, but only for a limited amount of time like 24 to 2 hours.

-Weapons: What they do is enable you to buy (with in-game currency) different weapons and items. Yes, they do give you a few weapons, but as a Season Pass DLC owner, I can tell you that the weapons requiring a DLC actually are not any better than the ones freely available within the game.

Buying: I understand everyone is not as enthused about using STEAM as a gaming platform and subsequently buying from them. The DLCs are availible right on the Trion-Worlds Defiance Website. They are named slightly different. So here's a quick guide... using the address below.

Website/Store Address: http://www.trionworlds.com/defiance/en/store/

Each of the five DLC costs $10. The five DLC bundled is $40. So, unless you are totally into Defiance, then you might wait for a sale or discounted price. Since a sale or discount may not happen any time soon, buying just two costs $20... the most beneficial in my opinion are:

DLC #2 Arkbreaker - Key features include new missions, an enhanced ability to summon arkfalls, new contacts and new weapons!

DLC #1 Castithan Charge Pack - Key features include new missions (storyline and arena style missions), new weapons (a blade, sword and 2-3 guns), new vehicle (fits 4 people) and new pursuits, duels, outfits.

Defiance Info Bits: War Master (Monkey Facts)

Most Defiance players know that the War Master (AKA. The Monkey) is far easier to take down if two things happen:

1. there are at least 20 players with fairly powerful weapons
2. players do not break the cage locks by force.  

Waiting for the locked cage to open on it's own and players standing in one place (not moving around) causes the War Master to stay still a bit longer.  At this point, players have the oportunity to shoot the back of the War Master and break down it's sback armor.  Once the back aromor is brocken, the War Master's back becomes softer and more vulnerable to attack.

However, did you know that the War Master can be killed even easier? Having half the players shoot at the back while the other half is aiming at the right arm it can still die fast.  Why?  Because the WarMaster has arm armor and he exposes his right are while hanging from the rechage wall.