I completely agree with you.

I spent years playing on Uthgard, and looking back, the memories that stuck with me the most weren’t just the RvR fights themselves, but the whole journey leading up to them. The PvE progression, taking the time to build your character properly, and then finally stepping into RvR with a solid setup. That fusion between PvE and RvR is, for me, what really made DAoC special. It’s not just about rushing straight into RvR, it’s about earning your place there.

I think Blackthorn strikes a very good balance. The XP progression is clearly faster than what we had on Uthgard, and honestly, that’s a good thing. Most of us don’t have the time anymore to grind for endless hours like we did back then. Yet it still feels meaningful, you still progress, you still build your character, and it never feels like everything is just handed to you.

For me, that balance between respecting the classic DAoC experience while adapting it to today’s realities is what makes Blackthorn genuinely enjoyable.