Near empty PvP Zones

[Old Crusty]

   So those that know me or have fought against me know that I am average at best in PvP combat. I am doing my best to improve. I started in the Nassau patrol zone. I went in there with 2-6 other US players. Sometimes we were grossly outnumbered and got our buts kicked. Sometimes we grossly outnumbered our opposition and kicked their but, but a few times things were about even. Every one of those times had two things in common. I learned how other people sailed and fought their ships, and I did damage to enemy ships that earned me PvP marks.  

   Recently with the Hercules and La Requin, the Nassau patrol zone has died way down. So in the last month I have sailed into the Tumbado and La Mona patrol zones. They were fairly dead also.

the point of this post is I went to the La Mona patrol zone by myself on Sunday and in a couple hours in my Hercules made 30 PvP marks. Only one battle was against AI, because I simply couldn’t find a live player. I had fun and made those all powerful PvP marks that all the PvP players want to earn so bad.

Why do I not find the people that complain about lack of PvP in the patrol zones?

[Liq]

5 minutes ago, Old Crusty said:

Why do I not find the people that complain about lack of PvP in the patrol zones?

Because most have probably given up, as have I. The patrol zones with their current RoE are utter trash. Always ends up the same way. Once you find a decent battle, 20 min into it a massive side joins (the enemies or yours) and ruins the fun.

Thread created on march 29, and not even an answer as to why its not gonna happen.

[William Death]

28 minutes ago, Liq said:

Because most have probably given up, as have I. The patrol zones with their current RoE are utter trash. Always ends up the same way. Once you find a decent battle, 20 min into it a massive side joins (the enemies or yours) and ruins the fun.

Basically this exactly. I go out of my way to AVOID the patrol zones when hunting. If its Tumbado Patrol day and I want to sail out of Tumbado to OW hunt, I make a loop around the zone. Same thing with the Tortue zones. Far too easy to start a good battle, then have the mega fleet pile in against you, and you've got circle of death with little to no chance of escape. No thanks. If I wanted to fight 1v10, I'd sail a slow boat to KPR and sit in front till the fleet comes out.

About the only time I use patrol zones is when I'm with that "gank squad" that pops into the battles, or if its super late and low population on, I'll go farm an AI or two for free PvP marks. Patrol zones are so broken.

Many have suggested better ROE to fix the Patrol Zone. I think Liquicity's idea is one of the better ones. Basically its the old 1.5x (although I like 1.2x BR better) BR limiter: you start a battle and you're not likely to have something join that you can't reasonably fight. Also, I'd suggest that the battle disappears after...say 15 minutes. This would give time for people patrolling the zone to spot it and maybe join, but not so long that you have people popping in both sides after you've nearly finished your fight.

[Old Crusty]

Thanks for the response and information. I think the uneven battles is the big culprit keeping people out of the zones. That seems like a really easy problem to fix by closing one side when it has xx amount of BR more than the other. Once people join the other side and there advantage gets to high then that side is closed for entry and the other side opens. I think it would also help in that case to show actual nAtions involved in the info about the battle.

   I truly believe if the patrol zones were fixed so that more players used them that it would fix a lot of the problems we have with Enemy camping the capitals.

[Nelsons Barrel]

3 minutes ago, Old Crusty said:

   I truly believe if the patrol zones were fixed so that more players used them that it would fix a lot of the problems we have with Enemy camping the capitals.

Don't be stupid. As long as 'savezones' are not completely safe, you will find enemies around.

And we are waiting for patrol zone fixes for too long already to expect a proper fix. Take them as they are or just leave them.

[Kawazz]

3 hours ago, Old Crusty said:

   So those that know me or have fought against me know that I am average at best in PvP combat. I am doing my best to improve. I started in the Nassau patrol zone. I went in there with 2-6 other US players. Sometimes we were grossly outnumbered and got our buts kicked. Sometimes we grossly outnumbered our opposition and kicked their but, but a few times things were about even. Every one of those times had two things in common. I learned how other people sailed and fought their ships, and I did damage to enemy ships that earned me PvP marks.  

   Recently with the Hercules and La Requin, the Nassau patrol zone has died way down. So in the last month I have sailed into the Tumbado and La Mona patrol zones. They were fairly dead also.

the point of this post is I went to the La Mona patrol zone by myself on Sunday and in a couple hours in my Hercules made 30 PvP marks. Only one battle was against AI, because I simply couldn’t find a live player. I had fun and made those all powerful PvP marks that all the PvP players want to earn so bad.

Why do I not find the people that complain about lack of PvP in the patrol zones?

Player count is trending downwards. Might have something to do with it.

The main issue is people tend to attack quickly get their pvp marks and leave. Its not a long experience/loop.

Edited August 15, 2018 by koiz

[Elric]

Until battles end up more balanced, I think the patrol zones will be largely ignored.  It is a shame.  I enjoy the even battles - but they are rare.

Worse, the shallows has become requin/herc/basic cutter only.

The fact basic cutters can even join is a joke.  These ships should not even be allowed in.

 

I would hope future ROE would force a balance - with you only able to join when it makes the odds fairly even - 6 v 7 and not 3 v 10

[Old Crusty]

20 minutes ago, Nelsons Barrel said:

Don't be stupid. As long as 'savezones' are not completely safe, you will find enemies around

Why would you call me stupid???? How about you be civil.

[Old Crusty]

Another decent trip into the patrol zone last night. Participated in sinking Player Le Requin, and a Player Hercules, plus a couple AI. I got my 20K damage.

I lost one Mercury.

I earned 15 PvP marks.

I think that is a very fair trade and I had a good time. Wish more people were there.

[Barbancourt]

I've heard it's a troll-fest so I've never tried it.  Well...I tried to try it once but somebody sank my t-lynx full of repairs before I could get to Tumbado to make an outpost.  😕 

[Werewolf]

Tried them, got ganked by a bunch of smack talking kids in third rates against my solo Surprise three times in three nights. No thanks.

[jodgi]

On 8/15/2018 at 7:58 PM, springby said:

I think this may also be due to timezone. I and many players I know enjoy the patrol zones, gank or be ganked

Heh,  brutal honesty.

If we get our way with the patrol zones "gank or be ganked" will be blocked. You're free to enjoy the prime sandbox content "gank or be ganked" on 99% of the PvP server forever.

[Old Crusty]

Nassau patrol zone again today. I took part in 3 battles, lost a Brig ( who cares ) and gained: 4 PvP marks for killing a Hercules,  Navy Structure refit (worth 10 PvP marks) 10 PvP marks from doing 20k damage.

24 PvP mark value for a Brig and some repairs. Good day. 

In the OW participated in a battle against four Dutch in  Bellonas. I was in my Wasa that I built for speed (and it performed very well), Almost killed an Enemy player but his team mate was able to save him. Then they almost killed me but I was saved by my team. The battle dragged on for 90 minutes without us being able to put one of those Bellonas under the waves. The Dutch did a great job against us. 

My rewards? A few hundred useless exp points.

Patrol Zone was way better.

Edited August 26, 2018 by Old Crusty

[sveno]

Regulary sailing alone in the Patrol Zone, did have more enjyoable fights then not.

It's a bit underpopulated, but that eases on the RoE issues.