BDO A Casual Gamers Take

I play BDO casually and highly recommend other casual players to give it a try.

[@brzozek9669]

It's really nice to see a casual and honest person presenting his own opinion about his game style. I feel that because of all those pro-gamers and hardcore grinders we slightly lost beauty of the game. Just remember that the most significant factor of playing any game is to have fun, so if you really enjoy yourself in casual playing, keep this up. It's not the silver that matters the most, peace o/.

[@hundvd_7]

That's pretty much exactly how I feel.
I started the game very early, like 2015. (alone)
I played very casually. Gave up after a week or two. It was fun, but I didn't get into it yet.
Then a group of friends joined me, played a week or so together, and realized what a mistake I'm making.
So I went on ahead without them, and that's when I got hooked.
Played quite a bit. Lot of hours, but very casually.
I reached like level 50 after doing everything in my power to avoid grinding. I life skilled a lot, did a lot of quests, etc.
Still, a month later I got bored.
Then took a big break.
It's like 2018/2019 now. Lots of extra content, lots of new classes.
"Shai looks really cute, let's try that."
Then I realized it was the perfect class for me:
I never cared about PvP, but I got hooked on life skilling.
And grinding was also a lot more fun - despite the more simplistic moveset.
Since then, I've been going back and playing about a month, about twice a year.
Which is even better because I'm getting all the returning player bonuses.
It's amazing looking at the top lifeskillers tab and seeing my name at the top - even if I know it's a really limited selection.
And I also learned to appreciate the combat system since then. I just reached lvl 58 last time IIRC (or maybe I was about to).

[@Andicus]

5:10 the only thing I'll add about this is that a premium outfit costs ~$34 dollars (really $40 because you have to get $10 after the $30 pack to get $34 worth of pearls (the premium currency)). And it gives you about 840m silver if you sell it max price on the Central Marketplace.
If you want a PEN Blackstar mainhand weapon (basically the strongest mainhand weapon), you'd have to accrue ~132b silver for the average price (more likely scenario is 141b silver but let's say you're lucky and someone lists it for normal price listing in NA).
So if we do some simple division >> 132b silver / 840m = ~157.14 and multiply that by 40 dollars = ~$6285.
Six grand for ONE piece of gear, and that's not even the MOST expensive piece of gear. It's on the cheaper side, actually.
If you want the strongest chest-piece >> Obliterating Fallen God's Armor, that'll cost you ~499b silver (535b for max price) or ~$23,762.
TWENTY-THREE GRAND just for that one chest piece. And with these 2 pieces, you're still not even close to being fully geared.
$30k just for two pieces of gear that wouldn't get you anywhere since those are only 2/13 pieces of gear...? Yeah, idk. No one in their right mind would do that.
It is _incredibly_ inefficient and a total waste of money to try to p2w your way through Black Desert. It's just not feasible.
Yes, it's possible (if you're a millionaire or hate your life), but then you'd have to worry about grinding yourself to level 62 (though you could get power leveled, then you'd need to worry about skill points which you HAVE to get by grinding yourself (granted it is a lot more lenient now than before)). Even after you fully deck yourself out with end-game gear after spending probably ~$100k minimum, you'll still get one shot by other end-game PVPers if you get CC'd which, if you're not skilled, you WILL get CC'd with a knockdown or grab and get one combo'd.
So trying to p2w will only make you a laughingstock and if you want to spend money to help yourself you could get a campsite for $50 which will make your grind a tad more convenient.
In any case, it's completely possible to play f2p and have fun. BDO is a game you need to take at your own pace anyways. It might be difficult if you're looking to get straight into PVP as the bar for entry in terms of GS and PVP competence only goes up, but it's not impossible. For those who worry about cosmetics, maids, and pets: Pearl Abyss gives you plenty of those over time even as a casual player, so just play the game at your own pace and find your own fun. (You can always buy outfits for silver you made in-game as well ^^, though a select few seasonal or functional outfits (like cooking clothes) will be difficult to get or impossible as they're not allowed to be listed on the central market, but 95% of the outfits are).
BDO is much more sandbox-y than people think. Sure, in the grand scheme of things, most of what you do is trying to make silver.. but that's just like real-life isn't it?
It's an MMO: socialize, find friends, become a guru at any of the various life-skilling (or all of them if you're a madlad), grind, PVP, help people, create drama, be toxic in server chat.. you find your own fun. Just remember, it's a _game_ . Find what is fun to you and don't be pressured by what you see other players do/tell you to do.
If you like roaming around on your horse and enjoying the scenery... that's completely fine! BDO is great for that, actually, with its beautiful graphics.

[@cailee9820]

I really appreciate this video. As someone who mainly plays FFXIV, I was afraid to get into BDO because of all the "Korean grinder PTW garbage" posts. But it's good to see that's not the case. I'm really looking for something casual to play between FFXIV content lulls and it seems like this might be a good fit (and it's sooo beautiful!). I've been playing around with the different classes and just enjoying messing around in it. The UI is kind of a mess, but hopefully that will make more sense as I get more familiar with it.

[@david21289]

There's no p2w if you hop in to have fun, not to win anything. And there's a lot of fun inside this game, well if you're into the fast paced combat, or the "relaxing" life skills activity.
Just avoid high end PvP if don't want to rage quit out of enhancing rng cancer.

[@UKPr0t0type]

I've been wanting to get this game for years now but was very afraid because I am a solo gamer. However, you have helped me relax and want to give it a try, even if I may not like it 😅. Thank you for you honest thoughts 😊
Update: Sadly I don't like it, which is rather unfortunate 😞

[@gaarafam1953]

As someone with alot of time to play this game you describe alot of the realities of BDO from different perspectives!! All the positive and negs you mention are absolute truth and this is an a great review of the game bro!

[@acflory.writer]

Thanks for this. I've been playing ESO in much the same way for almost five years. I sub maybe two or three months of the year and play 'my way' for the rest of the time. I'm still hooked on building houses in ESO, but now I know where to go if/when I need a change of scenery.

[@just7561]

love this video a lot, cause this is exactly my play game style, just enjoy it, solo, no compete with anyone just me myself I and my enjoyement

[@Phoenix-rj8ou]

I agree with you 100% it's a very casual friendly game. my favorite part is sailing and navigating in the desert. the moment you spent money on this game for progression you will lose all the fun as a solo player.

[@shinigummy8569]

I don't mind spending at the cash shop occasionally and supporting the dev team but its usually 10 bucks for traveler pack or kamalamalama blessing.

[@DrSwazz]

@@shinigummy8569 the land of kamalamalama is so pretty

[@AtomLabX]

This is an amazing take, and I can feel it to the core, as I'm in the same boat.
I'm super super super super enjoying the game at the moment, and it is something that brough me back to enjoying video games again.
Because as of there is nothing that I can play recently, but this game changed that!
I love everything about the game, and I do not do PVP, I only PVE, and I prefer to play alone to be honest, as it is way better for me, because I can take my time with things.
I play the game on XBOX (mainly) that is where my main account is at, and then I play the game (recently) on PC, since a couple of my friends are there, so i thought I would jump on that as well!
I do have a job and I can not do more than a couple of hours playing a day, because there is so much that is going in my life, that I do not have a huge a mount of time to play.
And I do not mind the people spending money on the game, because why the hate?
If it was not for them, the game would be dead, because they pay enough where the devs care about keeping the game alive, and many games die, just because of the fact that they do not enough have enough income coming to them, and you need to keep in mind, that this is how the real world work!

[@ZenStarwalker]

I just started this game after years of neglecting MMOs. Great video

[@shinigummy8569]

I planned on having the next one up today but looks like it's going to be a weekend release. Thanks for the support!!!!

[@rusdhimohamad569]

I am a casual BDO player. Been playing since 2020 pandemic time. You can really relax in this game since its not a full pvp game. There are 2 parts of the game that is life skills and grinding mobs. For life skills I would recommend a Shai but limit her to lvl 49. Easier for you to move around and doing life skills. Pvp is not enable until you are lvl 50. For grinding I would recommend Ranger/Nova/Valkerie depending on your grind spot. Look at the menu for drop items and pick your spot for easy grind and expensive trash loot. I grind 20 minutes a day for 50 mill trash loot and buy my items. I dont do failstack. If you are a new player, the only time you will be doing failstack is on Tuvala gear. Lots of guide online and you should get your gear to PEN. Tuvala PEN is enough for the game. Dont get caught with trying to be the strongest in the game. With Tuvala gear, I never failed to defend my grinding spot 1v1 that is. The problem is they will call in help and it will quickly turn into 3-4v1 at which time, I will run and simply log out/change server. For the pearl shop I sometimes buy horse medal and costume. No harm done spending a little money to support the server since I am a free player. I agree that this game is breath taking beautiful. Early in the game I just ride a horse all around the map. Its huge. After 2 years I am still discovering new places especially in the desert where its easy to get lost.

[@TheTrueVor]

Thank you for sharing your experience as a casual player! Nice video!

[@JonMidori]

BDO is an MMO with a sprinkle of actual multiplayer.

[@MaxWis]

the pay to win aspect isnt so bad, you can get around most things just by having multiple characters or leaving your pc on at night aks skilling. or if you have a free horse flute you can abuse that to infinite stack your horse and then call it to you when youre back in town. and events give you a ton of free premium items

[@Muhammad-Jacobs699]

The game is massive, so much so that I've looked up every beginner guide grind video possible at the start. I spent a few months just grinding until my character reached lv50. At this point, I had to stop myself to ask, "WTF am I doing here? Why does this feel like a job?" since I've been grinding the same tasks over and over again every day.
So I stopped playing the game entirely at the time (this was several years ago, before the Remaster update). However, very recently I've decided to get back into it. Only this time I've been playing it on my own terms with a new character, just trying to enjoy the game as much as possible for what it is!

[@chibifox7543]

I can relate. Tried to go full grind mode, but it only made me take a break 3 times after just 1-2 months of active play. After changed my take on this game i also turned into a casual enjoyer. I still grind, but much more less and not always. Sometimes just chilling with barter or quests and journals.

[@cool_sword]

Feels like this game was made for me personally. Thanks for posting!

[@__MPires__]

I've been in a hate/love relationship with BDO for quite some years now. I come and go, depending on what other games I have available to play. I feel like BDO will satisfy me for a while, but then it becomes dull fast. Since on my main MMO, my fav activity was raiding and group content, I find it very annoying that end-game PvE is almost no existence, and the gear upgrade is based on RNG and if you fail, your gear is downgraded... like you're going backward. It's stupid in my perspective.
ATM I just play for fun, without any real objectives. If I have enough silver I buy equip off the market, if not I have fun in the combat and questing. Until I stop having fun and uninstall the game for a few months again!

[@gilgamashu1435]

I just started playing and planning to take it casually.
Edit: just finished the video. This is really helpful for someone like me. Thanks.

[@shinigummy8569]

Im currently working on my casual cooking guide so stay tuned!!!

[@justacrusaderguy3320]

I just got this game for a whopping $1.06 (hurray to steam winter sale) and I'm excited to play it.

[@AmritZoad]

You should try ESO. I also cannot dedicate longer time on a game and want to play something everyday. ESO works well for me. And it is very solo friendly. I play it like that.

[@shinigummy8569]

I played ESO for a day. Combat was clunky and it just wasn't my jam. Great community tho.

[@makara204]

I got the game for free around the same time as you but I quit after 20-ish hour of play time. Too much information to keep up as a new player. But during last month or so, I've been craving for medieval fantasy game where I could just chill and imerse myself. Skyrim with mods came to mind. So, I opened up Steam and saw BDO just sitting there in my library. It got me hooked since then. 😅
I don't consider myself a casual nor a hardcore player. Somewhere in the middle I guess. Meaning I do sometime grind and spend some money. Other than that I mostly just chll in the world. And with the Life skill, I got what I've always wanted which is living my life in this fantasy world. If you've seen a warrior somewhere just leaning against the wall or sitting on a crate somewhere in the world or sitting in a tavern having casual convo with other players, that's me. 😆My warrior and I currently working on become one of the horse dealer in the game.

[@jackyinthilath5496]

Bro! it's Amazing You solved my problem! Thanks!!!

[@nhifuu]

For new players out there, some of the life skillers I've known.. are usually the richest players ever lmao
I'm talking like 1 million meat in storages, 200k+ meals ready to sell on the market, bunches of silver just lying around and at any point in time when they want to buy an actual gear set they could hop into any siege guild lmao

[@shinigummy8569]

I'm happy with just 2+ billion in the bank and enough resources to make stuff on occasion but you're right. Life skilling makes $$$$$

[@KevinColt]

Played this game for over 1100 hours, as someone who played games all my life and pro at many of them, I tell you this game is great but be prepared to be capped out of end game content.
You will get to near the end game in terms of combat and leveling progression quick, the thing is theres lots of other stuff to do that take as long if not longer to cap. So you will be busy no matter what.
Now the fight mechanics in this game are what really kept me playing as they are the best of the best.

[@renddra2435]

Your explanation is very clean and clear Thx

[@PrismaticD2]

Great video! Hy from Brazil!!

[@shinigummy8569]

HELLO FROM AMERICA!!! BDO binds all nations!!!

[@dillonkeating1478]

Great video could you explain more how you make enough silver to buy things off the central market?

[@serenisma3402]

grind

[@a.plipps]

Grind mobs, life-skilling, etc

[@flumbz5266]

My highlight of this game was the Sunday meet up for vell in the middle of the sea. That was amazingly fun to do

[@manasuars.3341]

Just in case anyone wants to know if its pay to win. Just the best in slot main hand is $5,580 if you wanted to pay to win for one piece of your armor.

[@arya_404]

THANKS A LOT!

[@PokeBurnPlease]

As someone having only played one MMO in their life for a long time which is Blade and soul which sadly has no support from the dev anymore as in Cheating is allowed, fixes are not getting applied to gamebreaking things and support favoring cashers to an extend that they give out free max gear to them i am looking for a new MMO since like 2 years.
I tryed BDO and my issue with it is:
1. Way to big world and i dont think there is a way to use teleports (i played it before their revamp)
2. Combat system is way to hard as if you havent played for a while you can pretty much relearn your whole class since its not as simple as pressing button x to do action x you need to use combos.
3. No alternative PVP mode to the Pay to win PVP Mode. (PVP is a huge part for a MMO for me)
4. Upgrading gear is not guranteed a system the western audience hates and its pretty known that we hate it. When i saw this after getting awk lvl i immediatly uninstalled the game back then.
5. The biggest issue i have is there are no dungeons or raids only world bosses to my knowledge and thats pretty much just button mashing till it falls dead.
6. Guild activities are boring af as i dont wanna kill 5k randoom mobs with them i want to experience strong opponents as in dungeons etc.
7. Customization requires events or a ton of money while in Blade and soul i could drop an outfit in any dungeon.
The best MMO i have found so far was Lost ark but again issue of Customization very few outfits obtainable without real €€€, non guranteed upgrades and Top down sucks.

[@rtruth550]

I am also a casual player and don't like to spend money on games . I too have a real life to live instead of spending an eternity on this game. So this is how I play. I am also trying to get guru cooking. This game lures you to do other things. I have 9 characters in total and I buy costumes as soon as I hit a billion. Sometimes I wish to buy good gears for PVP or furniture for my residences. BUT the sad reality is you can't have everything you desire in this game as a casual

[@dariocardenas5170]

Thank you, this was very helpful

[@kevinpedersen5290]

after having raided as a top 20-30 player (with some top 10 kills) in world of warcraft, for 6 years straight. I finally found my inner peace as a casual player. You quickly realize that games are a lot more fun, when there isn't a pressure to perform, or stress about making sure you are the best. From experimenting with other games, i learned that games like WoW are actually the least casual-friendly games out there. Black desert online has a lot of content for a casual player, it's chill and it even lets you do stuff while away from home. I've never played this game with the same mindset that i played wow with.

[@accisia987]

You forgot to mention the game throws free items at you. Pets, costumes, select pearl shop items and maids are usually paid but you can get them through login rewards/events nowadays. As long as you play consistently, you'll get stuff you usually buy from the cash shop. Up to 10 pets now, all from rewards.

[@razaleighwiseman1744]

You can also take a break (not sure how long) so that you will get returning rewards

[@dndonkov]

I'm really skeptical about getting into BDO amd am a casual player like you. The appeal of the node systems, life skills and lower rier PvP is what peaks my interseted but idk if I will eventually have to splash cash and be punished of the PvP for not paying. I wanted to ask if you spent money on this game, a year later after this vid, and if yes, how much, and also, do you think I shoudl give it a try?

[@shinigummy8569]

I have spent money on the game. I would say all together in the 4 years I have played I probably spend 20-40 dollars a year either on a costume I like or kamasylv blessings if I am grinding long sessions. If you play the game regularly and learn the power system getting strong isnt hard it just takes some grind like all MMO's. I say give it a shot, wait for it to go on sale and see if you like it. You dont have to throw your wallet at the monitor to enjoy the game.

[@Xivinux]

Played this game until I had my own boat. Pretty decent game but I realized MMO's aren't for me

[@shinigummy8569]

At least you realized it early. Some don't come to that realization until years down the road. Lol

[@wolfhound4582]

THE FRUIT HAS SPOKEN

[@shinigummy8569]

I am no the fruit. I am a meat popsicle!!!

[@edmonddantes1203]

I loved this video

[@brentdaryll6737]

Thank you for sharing this tutorial

[@blainepowell183]

Thank you for the video. I just started playing yesterday.

[@shinigummy8569]

New video should be up Friday. I'll be showing how to craft cooking and alchemy utensils.

[@blainepowell183]

@@shinigummy8569 looking forward to it

[@ffxiisucks]

The best thing about this mmo is that it doesn't play like an mmo.

[@shinigummy8569]

I agree. At most times it feels like a life sim to me since I usually just life skill anyways.

[@jimmybal10]

just landed upon this video and YOUR FAMILY NAME IS THE SAME AS MY CHARACTER NAME ON MY SHAI HAHAHAHAH

[@shinigummy8569]

Thats awesome!!!!

[@Jimmyz96]

if you are a casual player, i really suggest a private server. Ive been playing since it came out, ive got a retail account too. My opinion is the retail game is way too slow. you can play for free, most still have a system that you can buy goodies, many offer free pearls daily. being able to crank up your weight and inventory slots right away makes the game much more enjoyable

[@badjuiceOffical]

55-60h a week? wowlucky, my country allows only 4days a week 7-15.00. do you work in restoran or something like that?

[@beastmode3776]

my country only allows.....😂😂. Fucked up sheep society

[@dslick6234]

I'm a casual and literally all I do is grind because the pve combat is great. Everything else sucks.

[@adre238901]

would you say it's still worth it to buy and play with crimson desert supposedly coming out this year?

[@shinigummy8569]

Absolutely. Crimson Desert is not an MMO, it is an RPG you can play solo or with a friend. Furthermore we don't have a solid release date on Crimson Desert yet and it may have been delayed even longer than expected.

[@TheTrueVor]

How much time to spend before reaching the point where I can access those casual features and do stuff that doesn’t require too much time per day?

[@shinigummy8569]

The game can be quite grind and it depends on what route you take. The free route could take about a month or 2 if RNG is on your side but if you spend some cash and buy some pets and buffs a couple weeks and you should be at a high enough level and gear score to open all available activities.

[@pvcvalley]

are chariots good for lifeskilling?

[@shinigummy8569]

You can definitely set up a shop in a town and make silver off of wagons. I would suggest heidel but they require a LOT of resources.

[@hadiessongaming1004]

name of games

[@Lark_Planet]

Why are 98% of my tutorial gears

[@jc82gaming78]

Unless you are doing trading, which judging by your lifeskills mastery, you dont, I dont see any reason to use wagon for traveling. Its just way too slow and boring.

[@Jimmyz96]

the only time it is advantagious to use a wagon is if you get one that can hitch 4 horses, if you are into horse breeding . this way you can level all four horses at once

[@cain7925]

gitgud bud

[@valdencorr2861]

BDO is not for casuals unless you want to be a nonfactor. Who plays a game to not be competitive? a loser I guess.

[@Aziryn1]

Black DESERT IS THE WORST DUMPSTER FIRE OF ALL TIME lol, get away from that P2W trash game. The gear upgrade system is beyond bad.

[@shinigummy8569]

While I respect your sentiment I don't think you watched the video. I discussed why I love the game despite the P2W aspect and all its faults.

[@deeznut2977]

it’s very pay to win

[@itsmeobsidian6915]

meh not really