Pre-order / CE in-game bonuses risk being useless?

EdgeTO Profile Options #1

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That's just an awful title, but these forums chop off any titles longer than a few words so what can you do. Anyway, on to the thread.

With Tera going into open beta on April 19th, and a week of scheduled playable time available between then and the official launch, how are pre-order and collector edition digital item rewards being handled?

I'm specifically concerned about items like the level 10 City Wheel Earrings, the level 15 Velik's Bloodstone Necklace, the level 11 Retail Exclusive Mount, and possibly even the higher level items (the level 20 Regal Frostlion Mount, the level 35 Seren's Sand Ring, and the level 40Shakan's Bloodstone Necklace).

The problem is, many players will easily pass the levels these items remain useful for by the time the game officially launches. And that best-case scenario assumes we receive our retail boxes+codes on launch day, and from experience I can say that isn't likely to happen with Digital River pre-orders (for those that are ordering directly from EME). And so, if these bonuses are not applied to our accounts until launch day (or beyond depending on when we actually receive our retail boxes) then most of these digital item bonuses become useless before we even get our hands on them in-game.

Obviously, players who roll plenty of alts after the fact will benefit, but some gamers like to invest all our time into a single character. My question is when exactly will these bonuses be applied to retail *boxed* pre-orders? Is there any chance it can happen with the launch of open beta? I know digital orders for MMOs usually gain access to their items during any head-start period, but typically retail box customers have to wait until the code is in-hand and entered before the bonuses are applied to the account. And while that usually only costs retail-box players a few days at the most, in Tera's case the impact will be more severe since there is no wipe following the open beta.

I'm just wondering what the plan is, whether this concern is on anyone's radar, and if steps are being taken to minimize or eliminate those concerns.
cyllo Profile Options #2

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+1

I absolutely agree with this. They should apply the in-game items to us at open beta since our character(s) will be going forward to release.
StUnT66 Profile Options #3

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I think all levels get reset May 1st
Aliasse Profile Options #4

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Neutral
Aliasse Lvl.60
Mount Tyrannas (PVP)
Castanic Lancer
Back in K-Tera they released pre-order items simliar to that I can tell you now that those items are useful though out the leveling process because you won't find n e other item with ATK SPEED ON a accessory....
Aliasse Profile Options #5

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Neutral
Aliasse Lvl.60
Mount Tyrannas (PVP)
Castanic Lancer
CBT (OPEN) - CBT (Closed); Reset @ End
OBT (OPEN - OBT (Closed); Reset @ End
Early Head Start; No Reset.
Aethernal Profile Options #6

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Alesiana on 2012-02-15 20:45:45 UTC
CBT (OPEN) - CBT (Closed); Reset @ End
OBT (OPEN - OBT (Closed); Reset @ End
Early Head Start; No Reset.


This is incorrect. EME has said the plan is no reset after OB
StUnT66 Profile Options #7

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k, then just slow down and take your time if you want to really enjoy the low lvl items. This is a sales gimmick.
JellyWalrus Profile Options #8

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@Aethernal

wait what? can you provide a link saying that please?
Arctorn Profile Options #9

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To clear this up, the items will still be useful, but not for your main.

The items will not be available prior to May 1st, but will be mailed to any character you create past that date. They are bound to the character, but even if you delete and recreate, you get a new set.

This is TREMENDOUSLY useful for alts, as it speeds up leveling a TON. The White Stallion has a speed of 255 (the level 11 quest horse has a speed of 240) and is available at level 11 for free, and if you pre-ordered the DCE, the Regal Frostlion has a speed of 280 and is available at level 20. It's equivalent to a level 40, 2.1 mil gold mount, but is free and available 20 levels early.

The gear is questionable at best, but the mounts alone are totally worth it.
deaddove Profile Options #10

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Neutral
Bunny Lvl.1
Lake of Tears (PVP)
Elin Lancer
Thanks for clarifying some things there Arctorn! I really wish though that pre-orders would recieve the benefits earlier, heh.