Mercenaries - A good idea?

[Natocha_Daisy]

@Scoots_Choco

No, I cannot agree.

The system would have to be designed in such a way that new players would be able to afford these rent-a-cops. I don’t know if you know this, but the average income of new players is incredibly low.

You would have to make these rent-a-cops so weak due to their incredibly low price range in order for them to be affordable by new players. At which point, they become useless in actual combat/escort scenarios.

Not to mention, this is a horrible crutch to place new players on, because they will refuse to leave highsec for fear of losing their rent-a-cop escorts that keep them only feeling safe but don’t actually do much.

Worse, I can foresee the development of these NPC rent-a-cops being one where users will start demanding for buffs and strengthening them on the forums (because they would have to be designed to be incredibly weak to begin with). And this will just cause a mess.

New players should be learning how harsh the EVE Online universe is and realizing that the best place to improve is to reach out and develop with other real players. Not NPC Rent-a-cops. And finally, HTFU.

How fantastic this new version of Eve sounds!!

I seriously don’t think the npc mercs would need much skilling to be effective for new players, otherwise they wouldn’t be mercs.

[Scoots_Choco]

@Natocha_Daisy

How fantastic this new version of Eve sounds!!

It’s really nothing more than a lot of highsec carebears whining instead of HTFU, though. We already have enough of that, and I am glad to know that we will never see this kind of change take place in EVE.

[Kaylee_Rayl]

@Natocha_Daisy

In Eve, too many people already play solo, because either they multibox several toons or they found the way to solo complete tasks that, i suppose, were designed to be done by groups (For example : blood raiders 10/10 DED).

I simply make a proposition so that players can have further options: it’s so hard to find other players to team up with straight away, and that’s the key word here: straight away or within the timeframe that you are likely to be able to be online in a single sitting.

I can go on Guild Wars and join a dungeon raid in less than 10 minutes - but I don’t want to do that.

As I’ve already said i’m an Eve subscriber. I’m not here to bash Eve, I just want to explore features that may or may not help the game to attract more players and hopefully improve the fun aspect.

Then keep exploring, because in all fairness your proposition is not suitable (but only to you, unless proven there be a need for alike-minded 1k other players) to Eve online. What initially appeared to be well proposed OP, is actually along this thread, revealing to be unresearched, unprepped and suiting only a very small audience. It is common sense to seriously ponder on alternative solutions first, and then later propose an idea, to the world.

And if you happen to be playing in a different Time Zone (tz) from the majority (because you cannot seem to find the ‘right’ person to team with, then I’d propose that you work it out on your own and try to fit it the popular tz - wake up earlier and sleep a bit later maybe? Do not expect the game mechanics to suit you timing when you are being too slack to reach out in the first place. Nothing in life is straight away, HTFU please.

[Natocha_Daisy]

@Kaylee_Rayl

Then keep exploring, because in all fairness your proposition is not suitable (but only to you, unless proven there be a need for alike-minded 1k other players) to Eve online. What initially appeared to be well proposed OP, is actually along this thread, revealing to be unresearched, unprepped and suiting only a very small audience. It is common sense to seriously ponder on alternative solutions first, and then later propose an idea, to the world.

And if you happen to be playing in a different Time Zone (tz) from the majority (because you cannot seem to find the ‘right’ person to team with, then I’d propose that you work it out on your own and try to fit it the popular tz - wake up earlier and sleep a bit later maybe? Do not expect the game mechanics to suit you timing when you are being too slack to reach out in the first place. Nothing in life is straight away, HTFU please.

You make several extreme assumptions about me. I suggest you stick to fact based points about Eve as opposed to trying to distinguish character flaws about myself when you have no idea who I am.

If you want to make a point please do it without getting personal. It’s irrelevant and ultimately exhausting to read on a game forum.

Otherwise I totally respect your opinions.

[Salt_Foambreaker]

Wrong, when many experienced people keep telling you something and you ignore them, you become the point.

[Kaylee_Rayl]

@Natocha_Daisy

I suggest you stick to fact based points about Eve as opposed to trying to distinguish character flaws about myself when you have no idea who I am.

Fact: your OP and the uneducated (in-game or otherwise) way you’ve been dealing with this whole thread, actually reveals your flaws, and / or your inexperience of the game itself.

Actions speak louder than words dear, and in spite of the hundreds counter argument that have been outlined, by other more experienced players and myself previously, in appears that you only want to keep badgering with same the agenda. And this only begs the question, do you really ‘respect’ the experienced ones opinions?

[Natocha_Daisy]

@Kaylee_Rayl

And this only begs the question, do you really ‘respect’ the experienced ones opinions?

What experience?

[Natocha_Daisy]

@Salt_Foambreaker

Wrong, when many experienced people keep telling you something and you ignore them, you become the point.

I thought you were doing well for a second, and then you became corrupt.

[Kaylee_Rayl]

@Natocha_Daisy

What experience?

lol, in-game experience dear what else?

[Kaylee_Rayl]

Anyhow, I’ll let all this marinate a bit, sleep on it and rethink your approach.

[Elena_Laskova]

@Natocha_Daisy

[…]
I thought you were doing well for a second, and then you became corrupt.

When a poster switches from Vet-splaining why EVE is perfect as it is to argumentum ad hominem you’ve learned two things:

• They’re all out of rational arguments
• They could never have been persuaded even if you could mathematically prove you were right.

Remember: they think that any suggestion for improvement is a harsh and unjustified criticism of EVE, and that by making the suggestion you proved that you are the problem

FWIW I think the idea is good, and practical even in today’s EVE, but is bumping into some flaws in EVE that may never be dealt with.

Practical because the game includes adequate NPC AIs and other necessary components, and (hopefully) the logic used for existing combat missions could also be utilized. OTOH there doesn’t seem to be any in-game logic that could be re-purposed for implementing suitable limitations and “abuse-avoidance” - if so, it wouldn’t be trivial to implement this.

[Natocha_Daisy]

@Kaylee_Rayl

Anyhow, I’ll let all this marinate a bit, sleep on it and rethink your approach.

Are you cooking something?

[Natocha_Daisy]

@Elena_Laskova

[…]
I thought you were doing well for a second, and then you became corrupt.

When a poster switches from Vet-splaining why EVE is perfect as it is to to argumentum ad hominem you’ve learned two things:

• They’re all out of rational arguments
• They could never have been persuaded even if you could mathematically prove you were right.

Remember: they think that any suggestion for improvement is a harsh and unjustified criticism of EVE, and that by making the suggestion you proved that you are the problem

FWIW I think the idea is good, and practical even in today’s EVE, but is bumping into some flaws in EVE that may never be dealt with.

Practical because the game includes adequate NPC AIs and other necessary components, and (hopefully) the logic used for existing combat missions could also be utilized. OTOH there doesn’t seem to be any in-game logic that could be re-purposed for implementing suitable limitations and “abuse-avoidance” - if so, it wouldn’t be trivial to implement this.

Thanks. You perfectly summarised the feedback on this thread. After your perfect summary nothing more needs to be said.

Live long and prosper Elena.

[Jint_Hikaru]

@Natocha_Daisy

1. Combat/Escort (levels 1 - 5)
   Adds 150 - 900 dps to a player’s offensive capabilities

Benefits:
-New miners will be able to store a lot more ore before docking to empty their loads.
-Adding mercs will add an extra dimension to the already lacklustre storyline involving concord and the races of the empire, that will draw many new players.

Cons
-NPC Transport will only be effective if used in high-sec. Taking your transport merc with you into dangerous space will be just as silly as going there solo in a wreathe.

Mercs wouldn’t be available in fleets and their feasibility would be limited to a small dimension of the mostly highsec/lowsec intersection of the gameplay.

@Natocha_Daisy

The Merc feature would not be allowed outside empire space.

@Natocha_Daisy

I can’t think of a way an older player could misuse a merc/npc hire feature - with the limitations i’ve already discussed.

Are you sure you can’t think of any group in High-Sec who could misuse an extra 150-900 DPS on their ships… really…

This would be an absolute win for suicide gankers!

[Natocha_Daisy]

Suicide tankers can’t use mercs.

[Gerard_Amatin]

@Natocha_Daisy

Suicide tankers can’t use mercs.

Well that would be a bit inconsistent right? In a universe of EVE where everything can be bought with ISK, people can pay mercenaries to fight for them, but some people cannot do so?

Real player mercenaries would be able to help anyone for ISK, friendship or other services. Why should NPC mercenaries be limited to some people only?

(And why does this sub-group of people who can benefit of these NPC mercenaries happen to include your personal playstyle but not the playstyle of people who are a danger to you?)

[Lord_Kalus]

@ArmyOfMe

for solo players or those of us who do not want to rely on others

For that demographic Elite: Dangerous and/or No Man’s Sky exist. Feel free to go play a single player game instead.

Terrible idea is terrible.

[Lord_Kalus]

@Natocha_Daisy

After your perfect summary nothing more needs to be said.

Funny that you say that only when someone agrees with you. It must be lonely living in that echo chamber by yourself.

[Lord_Kalus]

@Jint_Hikaru

I can’t think of a way an older player could misuse a merc/npc hire feature - with the limitations i’ve already discussed.

Remind me to be sure, if this idea goes in, to camp you into whatever station you’re in with 10 alts that all have 900 dps worth of mercs. You know, to show my appreciation for the feature.

[Hillbert_Alexis]

@Daichi_Yamato

No pets. They will become mandatory for PvP and are essentially drones.

Drones ARE mandatory for PVP right now.
What harm does having npc allies do?

It would be an isk sink
It could be tied to a station service mod, which consumes more resources
It would give content to those seeking pvp content
It would give cover for the small group/single man if they wanted it

There’s not enough players in eve currently to really flesh out the experience. Adding in npcs in this manner would be a step forward. Sure, don’t make them as good as diamond npcs, and it would probably be good to restrict the players ability to adjust what ships are flown and such

@Wyk_Bathana

then you should play a solo game, not a mmo

I take it you don’t play other games. A massive amount of other MMOs have npcs and other AI controlled assistant style things.