the aim of this discussion:
To brainstorm a solution for the following issues
- Apathy toward PVM (an active PVM retains and helps new players level and become involved in the community)
- Making players re-emerge on maps where they can be seen and joined by others (i.e: not instances or GD; see first point)
- Increase awareness of current events such as challenge dungeon
- Encourage party play over solo play
- but not to shut down solo play entirely.
PVM as it stands now consists mainly of the following
- Instances (Mainly ET, I do not see sealed shrine being done often)
- Guild Dungeon (for supplies)
- Turn in Event
- Thors.
Players being limited to so few maps sure does make the server seem very empty and very "samey". After levelling 2 characters in Thors or ID, I'm done and want a scene change! I'm sure other people feel similar.
I feel like one of the first things that needs to be done is that more maps need to be buffed as "good" alternatives. So lets look at the maps available.
Biolabs
Biolabs 2
is not used very often as it was used mainly to level pre-trans characters because the monsters give no job exp. On top of this the monsters have varied elements and kind of crappy jobs. It's never been used much since the old servers. This could be a good place to consider giving a drop boost to. Perhaps giving the mobs job exp wouldn't be terrible.
Biolabs 3
Bio3 is one of ROs iconic dungeons. It's a shame to watch it sitting dusty and unused. I would propose an exp buff to bring it more inline with thors for a party (if someone can solo bio, they deserve it) this could be done via a regular exp boost or through a large number (400) kill count that essentially would quadruple your kills.
Increasing GSB drop would allow guildleaders and suppliers to align their goals with those of their new members, to level with them and be involved instead of separated in GD. I think this is important, it personally affects me tho. So maybe bias!
Juno area
Magma Dungeon
Magma 1 seems fine since it's still buffed.
Magma 2
seems so pointless, that could use an exp boost. More reason to hunt earth deleter cards would be pretty cool too.
Juperos
Juperos 1 - is a fun dungeon that used to get a decent amount of use before it's dimik nerf on the old servers. It has a use for WoE players as a good spot to farm steel. It's mobby but you can't mob because of dimiks. Banish them back to level 3! Add a small TI as an exp boosting method.
Juperos 2 - may as well just be a quest dungeon
Juperos 3 - The Juperos quest IS actually fun. I enjoy it, but not to go down there every time. The completion of the quest the first time should give an elevator ticket to return without re-running the quest.
Hugel Area
Abyss lake - is fine.
Odins Temple - would get more use if there was Job exp in Skeggiolds. It is a dungeon that cannot reasonably be done without trans skills... so why no job exp?! Make this appealing please!
Thanatos
The issue with Thanatos is that it takes time to climb the tower. Thanatos is very questy and its is good exp. If there was a method in with characters progress could be saved and resumed (with an expiration) it would make Thanatos a lot less stressful. Even ET allows you to jump to floors you already passed!
I am sure other things can be done to make Thana a more appealing dungeon, I will revisit this topic.
Other Areas
Thors
Thors 3 is a great party spot but people won't use it because it's annoying to get to. This requires a fix!
Clock Tower
Back to unused! I think Heim's CTHO and batholians should come back. They were fun!
I will add to dungeon thoughts more tomorrow. Please add ideas!
Aligning the goals of various players within the game
So if the goals of players can be aligned, then they are more likely to party eachother. Lets face it, a lot of the reason people don't party is because they already have everything 99 and want to hunt for money or pvp/woe supplies.
Here's a crazy idea, what if all these things could be achieved together? No, not all at once.
But you have to make a choice.
There is no reason that TI npcs shouldn't offer the choice of all base or all job. Perhaps in exchange for various items as a token fee (give the npc 10 chainmail and you are allowed to pick between job or base exp... don't mind that example, I just use chainmails as currency)
regarding my comment about woe/pvp supplies, why could turn in npcs not offer the choice of supplies to certain characters (at the forfeit of other rewards such as exp): My suggestion is this, that an npc who checks the following critera
> is guildleader
> is trans 95+ or expanded 95+ (no nontrans sry)
> guild is over level 12
Hands out a number of tickets (with a cooldown) that can be used to obtain supplies from TI NPCs instead of EXP.
Here's an example of how this would affect the game
My guildies party in titans a lot, currently, myself and some others are stuck in supply hunting areas (GD/challenge dungeon), I am sure this is not unique to my guild.
Under this proposed idea, I would talk to an npc and pick up 3 tickets and go searching for a TI party spot myself. I would not receive exp, but the people I am partying with would. The tickets could even be tradeable. Perhaps points could be accumulated from doing TIs by the players with tickets and then traded in in a fashion similar to WPS on the old servers (X points for Y supply materials)
I feel like little things like this would increase the number of players seeking active parties. There's other things but I have to bring this essay to a close for now.
note: Challenge dungeon should totally have a kill quest.
Edited by Xellie, 08 October 2014 - 09:51 PM.