Randomize Elite Skills - Fairer for everyone

Mordeth

Mordeth

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

E/N

I think if GW wants to make this game for the "casual player" and if they don't want any uber/leet chars. Then they should randomize which bosses that carry elite skills and where they spawn....on a daily basis. I don't know if it's possible due to the programming involved. But I think it would be more fun just bumping into a boss and seeing that he has an elite skill that you need. You'd be ecstatic. As opposed to the way it is now...go on the net...look at Elite skill list..check map...run to that area avoiding mobs....spam signet ring....go back to city. And for the thousands of players who are unaware of all these forums, it's not fair that they are "unable" to use the lists and maps.

In conclusion, if you make the finding of Elite Skills more random...then it's a bigger bonus when you find one...and for the first time...everyone would have an even chance of finding one. Not just those people that are handy on the forums.

Gs-Cyan Bloodbane

Gs-Cyan Bloodbane

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

Orlando, FL

Global Gaming Syndicate

N/R

yeah but if this the case then you can just run the same misson over and over where you know there are set bosses and just look for an elite you don't have. if its not one you jump out and screw everyone just like they do now.

Randomizing will do nothing but make elite jumpers more common

RepinsMirg

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Tacoma, WA

First Name Only

W/E

Not to mention for warriors this would mean you would never know wht boss is using what stance.

Mordeth

Mordeth

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

E/N

Quote:
Originally Posted by RepinsMirg
Not to mention for warriors this would mean you would never know wht boss is using what stance.
But that's the problem....most people don't know which one's use them now. Only those who use the forums know. It's roughly less than 2% of the people that play this game and use the forums. So if you didn't know which boss would use which stance...then you'd be the same as the other 98% of the players that don't know about Elite Skill lists. And even if 50% of the people used the forums (which they don't) then that's still unfair.

Xavz

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2005

Wisconsin

E/

So you're saying you want to make the skill grind worse? Great idea.

RepinsMirg

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Tacoma, WA

First Name Only

W/E

You don't have to goto this forum to know where an elite skill is it is as simple as this:

(Scene 1)
-Guy #1 maps into LA he looks very frustrated and confused-
Guy #1: Does anyone know where I can find Battle Rage I been fighting every warrior boss that I could find.

-Guy #2 walks up to Guy #1-
Guy #2: Yeah I know where it is you can find it in Talos Chute off the Warrior troll boss in the caves to the NW of the city but be warned he is bugged so you have to drop and pick up items while you try to cap it.

Guy #1: Thanks I appreciate the help

-Guy #1 Maps out to Draknars Forge while Guy #2 resume dancing-

(End Scene)

See just because the don't visit this forum doesn't mean that someone from the forum won't hear them ask for help. If it was just totally random it would only increase the difficulty of finding skills mostly ones that are bugged like Battle Rage that you have to do a specific action to acquire the skill.

goku19123

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2005

This has to be the worst suggestion I have seen in a while. What you are suggesting is taking a system that requires about 10+ hours for a few skills, and making it take an unheard of amount of time, for the same amount of skills. No thanks, I like when games move forward, not backwards.

Zeru

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

Do you have any idea how boring that would be?

Rhunex

Rhunex

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Dark Nightmare

E/

Doesn't this already happen...? I've searched for a few of the elite skills, and if there's multiple bosses of the same kind of monster on the map(let's take mountain trolls for example, though I don't know if that's possible, accept it anyways for now) I've found it can spawn as either of the bosses, or neither of them, because sometimes bosses don't even spawn(I've learned such in the search for Old Red Claw).

Maybe I was just tired and forgot what I was forgetting and know I don't know what I'm trying to remember when I forgot it...so I might be wrong.

Mordeth

Mordeth

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

E/N

Quote:
Originally Posted by goku19123
This has to be the worst suggestion I have seen in a while. What you are suggesting is taking a system that requires about 10+ hours for a few skills, and making it take an unheard of amount of time, for the same amount of skills. No thanks, I like when games move forward, not backwards.
It takes 10+ hours for the 2% that are familiar with the Skill lists....and ten times that amount of time for everyone else. So if you random it up....then it takes the same amount of time for everyone.

Quote:
(Scene 1)
-Guy #1 maps into LA he looks very frustrated and confused-
Guy #1: Does anyone know where I can find Battle Rage I been fighting every warrior boss that I could find.

-Guy #2 walks up to Guy #1-
Guy #2: Yeah I know where it is you can find it in Talos Chute off the Warrior troll boss in the caves to the NW of the city but be warned he is bugged so you have to drop and pick up items while you try to cap it.

Guy #1: Thanks I appreciate the help

-Guy #1 Maps out to Draknars Forge while Guy #2 resume dancing-

(End Scene)
At least this would involve some kind of interaction between players...instead of closing the game to go on forums. But if the skills were randomized then the player wouldn't be able to know where the skill would be.

Mayar third Keeper

Mayar third Keeper

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

Much more Grind -> Bad idea!

Eclair

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

I seriously doubt only 2% of the player base looks on forums. I'd say it'd be more like 80% of the players would either know where the elites are, or know to search or ask where to find it.

Not to mention, if ANYBODY wants a certain elite, they'd have to farm bosses until the one they wants shows up. Basically, you're screwing over anybody who even remotely knows how to play the game, and rewarding the 2% of the players who have no idea what elites do what and are too lazy to check the internet for information.

Mordeth

Mordeth

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

E/N

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eclair
I seriously doubt only 2% of the player base looks on forums. I'd say it'd be more like 80% of the players would either know where the elites are, or know to search or ask where to find it.

Not to mention, if ANYBODY wants a certain elite, they'd have to farm bosses until the one they wants shows up. Basically, you're screwing over anybody who even remotely knows how to play the game, and rewarding the 2% of the players who have no idea what elites do what and are too lazy to check the internet for information.
Sorry but you are wrong. It's simple math. There are tens of thousands people who own this game....Guru for example is the number 1 forum for it. But how many members does it have? I havent' seen the math done for Guild Wars...but they did it for City of Heroes....and it was less than 2%. So I highly doubt 2% of CoH players checked the forums and 80% of GW players do. Numbers like that usually stay roughly the same with regards to any game.

Eclair

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Just because they don't come and register at Guru doesn't mean they don't check out info for a game. Many casual people will look up information online regarding the game they play, that's why gamefaqs is so popular. Registering at a forum is generally the last thing they'd do, considering you can view this forum without being a member. As somebody said earlier, people do ask where things are in-game, so information can spread through ways other than registering and posting at forum =P

Basically, if somebody wants an elite (possibly because they saw somebody use it and thought it was good), they'll get it because there is so many different ways to obtain that information. They can ask the person who used it what it is and where to get it, or ask their friends, or do a search online. Bottom line is, if ANY player knows that a certain elite is good and they have to get it, the resources they can use are plentiful. If they don't ask around, don't try to look up the information, etc, then they screw themselves for being lazy.

Goonter

Goonter

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

I dont believe elites should be in main missions. It just encourages people to leave a team hanging after they got what they want. (another fix would be to have henches replace players. A good idea Ive seen on these forums) But still, elite bosses neednt be on main missions anyhow. Im not sure what the developers intention was when doing this. Actcually, to suit the casual gamer even more, Id say have skill npcs to give missions to elite bosses and ofter a capture signet for the price of a skill point and some gold. If thats not challenging enough, have the these skill givers in places that you have to look for like collectors.

MaglorD

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

I agree this is a dumb suggestion. Capturing elite skills is already a big pain in the ass. I am already not happy about random bosses from other professions spawning in my solo games.

I just did the Iron Mines of Moladune mission about 12X to get Devastating Hammer and the Warrior boss with the skill refuses to spawn at the first spawning spot. All I got was Elementalist, Mesmer, Necro and even Ranger bosses...absolutely maddening and a big waste of time.

I totally don't agree with the postulate that Guild Wars isn't a time-sink. My experience at capturing elite skills is evidence that it IS a big time sink...and frustrating as well. You can spend literally hours just trying to get a skill and still end up with nothing.

ManadartheHealer

ManadartheHealer

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Awaiting GW2

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by MaglorD
I agree this is a dumb suggestion.
Damn, you already took my position

You must realize: randomizing makes it at least 30x harder to get the skill you want (since you can only use one skill at a time, maybe someone uses common sense and only goes after the one they need).

Finding the location of elites is easy. Just ask for the location politely in all chat, and some kind person is bound to answer...

MaglorD

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhunex
Doesn't this already happen...? I've searched for a few of the elite skills, and if there's multiple bosses of the same kind of monster on the map(let's take mountain trolls for example, though I don't know if that's possible, accept it anyways for now) I've found it can spawn as either of the bosses, or neither of them, because sometimes bosses don't even spawn(I've learned such in the search for Old Red Claw).

Maybe I was just tired and forgot what I was forgetting and know I don't know what I'm trying to remember when I forgot it...so I might be wrong.
Yup, sometimes, too often if you ask me, random bosses don't spawn at all and you just find regular critters without the boss. Happened to me many times while looking for Orbhit, the boss who refuses to use his elite skill.

Sira

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

Clan of the Black Rose

N/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordeth
It takes 10+ hours for the 2% that are familiar with the Skill lists....and ten times that amount of time for everyone else. So if you random it up....then it takes the same amount of time for everyone.

So instead your saying its fair to screw over those players who have either worked hard to find these elite skills or where smart enough to do a little homework to find these skills? thats ridicoulous. How do you think these skills got placed on the forums...people went out and did the grind to find them....then they were nice enough to share the info rather than hoard it to themselves. If you see a player in game asking, direct them to the forums...it takes like 20 seconds to pull the list up and less if a player is smart enough to bookmark the site. Yes elites can be aggrivating as hell to get...thats why they are elites...if they wanted these skills to be easy to get they would add them on a trainer

Synncial77

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

Elite skills should be obtainable through NPC Quests. Make them long and hard like the "ashes" quest that rewards you 2000 XP. Scatter them in the hardest areas of the game surrounded by mass mobs or something. Make Elites accessible to everyone who wants a shot at them. Leave the current system of capturing from bosses intact but give us quests as an alternative. This would both make "eliting" viable without checking "elite location lists" and add more content/fun for those of us who like adventuring.

Just my two cents.

Burem

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

East Coast USA

E/Me

I have to agree with whoever said that they can still find out from other players. In the last 3 days I must have told 30 people asking for artifacts/wands where the correct collectors are for what they want (I cant stand people selling collection items for insane prices).

Back on topic, though, I don't understand what the big deal is. I have the 5 or so elite skills I want and it didn't take that much work to get them all. People are always whining about it. Maybe I just don't need any that are hard to find but I haven't had any problems?

If people started carrying signet of capture everywhere they would have a number of elite skills by the time they get to the last mission.

MaglorD

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Burem

Back on topic, though, I don't understand what the big deal is. I have the 5 or so elite skills I want and it didn't take that much work to get them all. People are always whining about it. Maybe I just don't need any that are hard to find but I haven't had any problems?

If people started carrying signet of capture everywhere they would have a number of elite skills by the time they get to the last mission.
You're right, you don't understand because you don't make it a point to capture all elites for your primary and secondary.

I too have all the elites I need, but many ppl like me want all possible elites available for their classes. You never know when you might need these in PVP, if you PVP.

ManadartheHealer

ManadartheHealer

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Awaiting GW2

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by MaglorD
I too have all the elites I need, but many ppl like me want all possible elites available for their classes. You never know when you might need these in PVP, if you PVP.
If anyone wants ALL the skills, they should have to work for them...

CatLady

CatLady

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

No. Calif

Quote:
Elite skills should be obtainable through NPC Quests...(snip)...Leave the current system of capturing from bosses intact but give us quests as an alternative. This would both make "eliting" viable without checking "elite location lists" and add more content/fun for those of us who like adventuring.
I like this idea. Whether or not it turns out to be 'hard' or 'not a problem' for me to capture these skills, I still don't like the system itself, as it is. The option to get them either by capturing or by completing very difficult side-quests seems reasonable to me gameplay wise. Although a quest for every skill would be a big change...unless they just made a few new quests that randomly gave the player one of the Elite skills they didn't already posses each time they completed it, maybe...but then, people would complain about having to run the same 3 quests over and over. Hmm.....well....maybe there's no good solution to it.

But I'd still like some other option besides the capture thing. Ah well.

Goonter

Goonter

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

This may help:

http://www.xennon.co.uk/eliteskills/

Rieselle

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Melbourne, Australia

E/Rt

This might benefit from another wishlist item I had, a randomly generated dungeon(s), with infinite levels, each harder than the last. (all spawns, items etc procedurally generated of course - no need for some poor level designer to place objects on an infinite number of levels :P )

People can test their PVE skills by seeing how deep they could go, and you can have your Elite skill quests, or anything else that's meant to be "hard to get" available as an alternative by descending this short-but-brutally difficult dungeon. And doing it over and over will be less painful because it's completely random. You could fill it with every type of monster in the game, in any combination. You can even have a ladder with which guild has gotten the deepest, kind of like a pve ladder

I've heard of the "underworld" is that something like this?

Rieselle

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Melbourne, Australia

E/Rt

Oh, another idea is for (Elite) Skill Books to drop from monsters as rare treasure. So you can eventually have a market for skills and you can just buy them with a skill point and regular gold.

Great Gjl

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordeth
In conclusion, if you make the finding of Elite Skills more random...then it's a bigger bonus when you find one...and for the first time...everyone would have an even chance of finding one. Not just those people that are handy on the forums.
Unlike you, a lot of people don't get elite skills just for the sake of having them. What do you think randomising the skills people get will encourage in a game based upon character builds?

Don't bring 'maths' into this and pull completely random figures out of your arse, please. That's about as unconvincing as the rest of your arguments for this idea.

People being ignorant of things like these forums (which are listed on the main website, just so you know) has nothing to do with us, so stop trying to pass off crap like 'fairness' as a reason.

It's obvious this idea will never take off, so this thread might as well be locked.