An Idea for NPCs in PVE

[Saint George]

Would like to see NPC's be a real threat in PVE.

 

To make it such I propose the following modifications to NPCs in PVE server:

 

1) Make it such that enemy nation NPC ships and fleets have a chance to engage players that approach with LOS of them. This could be done by creating a chance that the enemy NPC fleet will attempt to intercept, based on perhaps BR difference. The greater the BR the NPC has over the player, the more likely the NPC will try to engage. This would not be an increase in the tagging radius, but rather a separate radius, that if you enter into with an NPC fleet, it may attempt intercept, and then tag you, if and when it reaches the standard tagging radius. Thus allowing the player the chance to try to outrun the enemy NPC's.

 

2) Make it such that players can switch from commanding their trader, to commanding one of their fleet escorts, in the event that the NPC fleet is able to tag. This would allow the player to try to fight  off the enemy while his trader is order to escape if the player wishes. Or the player could choose to command the trader, and sail it away their self, while ordering his escorts to delay the enemy NPCs.

 

This change would add a little more risk and adventure to the PVE play. And when balance correctly, won't result in constantly being engaged by NPC's while trying to make your trade run.

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

Just one detail. Presence of player is what triggers NPC spawns near a port. So the uncertainty factor is somewhat gone. But looks like a good thing to implement in PvE.

[LeBoiteux]

Make it such that enemy nation NPC ships and fleets have a chance to engage players that approach with LOS of them. This could be done by creating a chance that the enemy NPC fleet will attempt to intercept, based on perhaps BR difference. The greater the BR the NPC has over the player, the more likely the NPC will try to engage. This would not be an increase in the tagging radius, but rather a separate radius, that if you enter into with an NPC fleet, it may attempt intercept, and then tag you, if and when it reaches the standard tagging radius. Thus allowing the player the chance to try to outrun the enemy NPC's.

 

Bots used to attack players before Dec. 2015 patch. 

I hope AI aggressiveness will be reimplemented someday. A long-awaited feature.

 

Maybe when/after AI is improved :

Content patch: August - Estimated date August 17 (Work in Progress)

(...)

• AI improvements and new missions (delayed due to other priorities)

 

The problem with this feature as long as developed features are identical for PvPers and PvEers might be that pure PvPers would really dislike being attacked by bots while PvEers (and PvP/E players) really need that feature.

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

A small measure of roaming privateers that carry aggressive behaviour could be implemented, but all AI being agressive would return us to the point hwere it was annoying being attacked at every step.

[LeBoiteux]

A small measure of roaming privateers that carry aggressive behaviour could be implemented, but all AI being agressive would return us to the point hwere it was annoying being attacked at every step.

 

It really depends on your play style (PvE, PvP/E or PvP).

 

And it might be a matter of tuning :

- if a PvE server remains open alongside PvP server(s), all AI could be agressive in the PvE server and, as you proposed, only a small group of bots could be aggressive in the PvP server,

- if both servers are merged into a PvP/E server with a protected PvE zone, the same as above could be implemented : all bots agressive in the PvE zone vs some bots in the PvP/E area.

 

That said, it's very easy to avoid being attacked by bots. It only takes a bit of attention and avoid coasts. So all AI could easily be aggressive everywhere...

[LeBoiteux]

A small measure of roaming privateers that carry aggressive behaviour could be implemented, but all AI being agressive would return us to the point hwere it was annoying being attacked at every step.

On a second thought, in fairness to PvEers, such a proposal needs its counterpart as being attacked is half the fun of NA and PvEers are for the moment "robbed" of that.

So I propose that if PvE/PvP servers are merged, PvP players' aggressiveness will be disabled : only " a small measure of roaming player privateers" will be able to tag and attack other players because to a PvEer, "all PvP players being agressive (...) is annoying".     

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

Yarr... let me loose on the Pacific !!!

 

Joking, but I will try to, make land, burn the ships and find a passage through the jungle.

[Billy Budd]

Being new to NA, I understand most of the abbreviations used in this game, but what does NPC, BR, LOS and Bots mean?

[LeBoiteux]

NPC = non-player character = (ro)bot = AI ship = ship not controlled by a player (but robot ≠ rowboat)

BR = battle ratting = power indicator of a ship in combat. Small ships have small BR and vice versa. See : http://navalaction.wikia.com/wiki/Ships

LOS : line of sight. In NA, visibility in the OW. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_sight_(gaming)

[Billy Budd]

Thank you for that LeBoiteux.