I like it.
Let me explain: First off, it feels like an entirely new game, more MMO like. Each level, instead of being a tranquil after thought, feels important. There are goals; mini-goals. I need to get two levels to unlock this Skill. I need to get five levels to equip this item. I compare items at a very early level to improve my survivability. I'm wearing a Level 5 Gungdir. Levels 1-10 were completed almost exclusively in X-Defense. I was rocking bosses, real fast, due to the power of Legendary items at low-levels. Then I hit level 10 & had to go to the next "bracket" of X-Defense. Suddenly, I was the one that was dying in one or two shots, instead of the bosses.
I was, initially frustrated. Then I discovered Holo-Sim for leveling (after a guildmate suggestion). Levels 10-15 were pretty exclusively completed in Holo-Sim. Brackets of five levels didn't feature the disparity between power levels like those of brackets of ten levels. It was easier to solo & I could still 2-person queue if I wanted. I put on a new Cosmic item for pretty much every slot at every level because each level takes awhile to complete. So I can compare & exchange Cosmics to suit my needs for what I'm experiencing. When I was having trouble with survivability due to being under-leveled in a new zone, I would opt for invulnerability shields, in example.
I am currently level fifteen on Daredevil. At level 18 I get to unlock Nunchuck Beatdown. At level 20 I get Legendary Quests & can put on a big stack of Relics. Level 25 Unlocks an Uru-Forged Item (which I will inevitably put a Rune World on) & a Ring. I kept & organized all of the my duplicate uniques from when I leveled Daredevil to Prestige 5. Now they're all in my S.T.A.S.H. in order of level, so I can equip them as I progress. They're useful again! Suddenly a level 12 Unique looks pretty sweet.
Prior to Cosmic Prestige, I was going from level 1-30 in about an hour. I had it down to a science, almost. I wouldn't even pick up gear or use Power Points until about level 15. Now I feel like I have to earn certain aspects of the game. I was excited when I could equip a normal Starstone Tooth at level 14. I am getting use from low-level Artifacts & comparing one to another. It feels like an entirely new experience & since I had previously leveled Daredevil to 60 six times I needed it to feel different.
So, yes, it does go slow & I foresee hitting a wall eventually but it's something I can do when I don't feel like doing other things in-game. If I am tired of running Cosmic Kurse & trying to find a Gem, or leveling Alts, I can get on my Daredevil & try to level. It's not about just knocking the whole thing out in one sitting though. It's a process. It's like leveling a character in a game like World of Warcraft as opposed to leveling a character in a game like Diablo II.
So, I know quite a few people have expressed their dislike, disapproval & concern with Cosmic Prestige. I just wanted to say if you have this mentality about it, you too might also enjoy it. I would recommend, however, that if you have one "main" character, or even a character that you use when doing your daily Terminals or Cosmic runs, don't use that character for Cosmic Prestige. They will not be at end game again for a long time!
Thanks for reading. 8-X
