PvE: More variety to current missions

[KittyHawkes]

Okay, so this was originally an answer to the "real piracy" suggestion. But since it´s kind of it´s own topic, i decided to make it it´s own suggestion.

Open sea stuff could generally be more rewarding. From my PvEer point of view, missions are the way to go, which is kinda sad. Open sea hunting is my pair of shoes, but while the gold earned is pretty okay, the XP are lacking. Especially considering that finding a "worthy" prize can take some time if you´re unlucky, the time/ reward ratio can be very far below that of the missions, to a point where open sea is outright inattractive... neither xp nor loot (which seems to be very very rare anyway) are really worth the hassle. But i´d like it to be

So i´d suggest to add "letter of marks", which could function as a "permanent" or "temporary" (meaning it´s active for -let´s just say- 24 real-time hours) mission against a certain nation (npc) and/ or enemy traders (npc) in general, depending on what the admirality asks for. You would then gain the same (or similar) "additional" XP and gold as if you take a kill mission - per battle, maybe a scaling ammount, depending on the BR of your prey and you. Current Killmissions could still be in place, since i see them more as a bounty mission to sink a certain ship/ arrest the captain.

Which leads to another idea: Arrest missions: they would function the same way as our current missions, but a boarding would be necessary to arrest the ship´s captain or who ever is on board that the admirality has in mind.

I would really like this, since open world hunting is a bit more interesting and i don´t think it would really speed up the leveling in a "threatening" way, since finding the right prize (one which is worth sinking) can also take a while. It would just add the "feeling" of a bit more variation. And that´s what the idea is about: adding a bit more variation without too much work involved (probably ), it´s not about faster ways to level. Devs could balance things accordingly...
 

Edited April 11, 2016 by KittyHawkes

[LeBoiteux]

One way to add variety to PvE is indeed to create new kind of missions.

Another is to improve OW-pve by re-implementing AI aggressiveness (AI enemy tagging). That feature will certainly be back some day. 

[Treveli]

I agree there needs to be a better mission system for PvE. While I like the game being more sim than arcade, good missions would probably bring in a keep more causal gamers.

 

Ideas I've had, with descriptions to add flavor-

Search and Destroy (what we already have)- Local merchants have reported pirates operating in the area. There appears to be one, possibly two vessels , most likely 7th or 6th rates. The local Navy commander orders you to proceed to their last known location and sink, burn, or take them a prize. (add the two vessel part if the mission will have two opponents so you know what you'll be getting into, the rating range to know how big an opponent)

 

Local Security Patrol- Fleet commanders desire more safety for our shipping in the area. Patrol between (port) and (port) and engage any warships sailing under the flag of (other faction). (missions would only pop in your factions areas where AI warships of other factions are spawning, and either a set number of kills or a time limit)

 

Foreign Security Patrol- Same as above, but in waters controlled by another faction. Would also have a warning about possibly meeting 'superior' enemy captains (other players). 

 

Custom Inspection Patrol- Smugglers have been reported in the area. Patrol from (port) to (port), inspect any merchants you find for contraband. (same as patrols above, but against merchants (same faction or other), with the ability to order them to 'heave to for boarding'. Most will give a message 'no contraband found during search', while the smugglers will be flagged with the contraband tag and attempt to flee from you.)