Grind area spawn rates

[Maecius]

We try to balance for the best of both worlds.

If we increase spawn rates too high it makes roleplaying in dungeons difficult, as you'll constantly be attacked while emoting, and won't be able to create "safe space." If we make them too low, it's difficult to get the adrenaline rush that comes with taking on a lot of enemies, or the surprise that comes from being unexpectedly ambushed by a respawn.

We don't really design the dungeons for maximum xp grind. We obviously know that a lot of people use them for that purpose (i.e., to kill monsters for level ups), and don't really discourage it if it's not interrupting someone's RP. But for most of the area builders, the core aim seems (to me) to be to make areas that are interesting enough to visit and RP dungeon crawls around.

Naturally, if an area has a really low or really high spawn rate, we would like you to let us know so that we can check it out. But I don't think we'll be upping the global spawn rate on every map in the near future, unless there's a really big call for it. And just looking at the poll right now, the server seems pretty divided.

[Akroma666]

We try to balance for the best of both worlds.

If we increase spawn rates too high it makes roleplaying in dungeons difficult, as you'll constantly be attacked while emoting, and won't be able to create "safe space." If we make them too low, it's difficult to get the adrenaline rush that comes with taking on a lot of enemies, or the surprise that comes from being unexpectedly ambushed by a respawn.

We don't really design the dungeons for maximum xp grind. We obviously know that a lot of people use them for that purpose (i.e., to kill monsters for level ups), and don't really discourage it if it's not interrupting someone's RP. But for most of the area builders, the core aim seems (to me) to be to make areas that are interesting enough to visit and RP dungeon crawls around.

Naturally, if an area has a really low or really high spawn rate, we would like you to let us know so that we can check it out. But I don't think we'll be upping the global spawn rate on every map in the near future, unless there's a really big call for it. And just looking at the poll right now, the server seems pretty divided.

Thanks for the feedback, what about a global XP bump? for RP and grinding?
Or a system that creates a trigger that spawns a mini DM like event? Such as a short faster wave spawn, then a final fight with a slight bump of exp at the end.

[Maecius]

It's possible, and the ambush scripts are one way we have tried to mix things up with "random events," but as far as XP bumps go I guess I'm not sure it's necessary? I mean, I don't think we really want to encourage a "race to level 30" mentality.

I know some veteran players have gotten into the mindset that "once I'm level 30, then I can RP," and I know that there will be some upset players when we turn the 100% RCR bot off; but BG:TSCC wasn't really designed to be an epic-level server, and its content's not quite as strong at epic levels. (It's also not as strong as I'd like it to be at low levels, but that's an entirely different conversation.)

The server's probably best enjoyed at mid-levels, from about level 7 to about level 23, when characters are being crystallized in the minds of their players, and there's a wealth of content to explore.

And while level 30 is great for PVP and for unrestricted exploration of the server, it can also be really hard to DM for or to challenge in a meaningful way. There's few things worse from a DM perspective than having a level 30 come crashing in to "save the day" during an event with a bunch of mid-level characters. It takes all the thrill, teamwork, and heroism out of the adventure when a one-man army clears the battlefield.

And many level 30s know this as well, which means they often bow out of events and other opportunities to develop their own characters unless it's a purely social event or a "mass combat" style event. And once both mechanical and narrative character growth stops, boredom slowly seeps in to take its place.

[chad878262]

I wonder if it would be possible (and not overly difficult to implement/taxing on server resources) to provide some sort of adventuring XP bump for players in a party who actually are doing 'adventure RP' as opposed to grinding an area. What I mean by this is to have a similar impact to what we did with chests being lootable by parties. So, perhaps it becomes equally/more beneficial to RP with a party and travel to various areas as opposed to ROFLStomping an area for hours on end. Perhaps when a party visits a dangerous area for the first time in a server reset they gain bonus / RP XP and a bump in kill XP for say 10 minutes. After that there would be some benefit to enter a new area. Would need to be limited to bonus once / reset to avoid spamming back in forth between areas, but it might give a gentle nudge to encourage players to travel together to many areas for their grinding pleasure as opposed to camping on the xvart map.

Then again, you may end up with grinding parties running about, interrupting RP'ers as opposed to staying in a single location, at least somewhat out of the RP'ers way. Not sure, but it would be nice for some sort of benefit to RP adventuring to various areas as opposed to just grinding for hours in a single location.

[Eclypticon]

Some places already have good rates last time I checked. Balance wise, we may want to leave those places be. Some places have a larger area that could use a boost. The area near Beregost with the boat that takes you back to BG, for example, this is a good place for grinding certain kinds of builds that have a hard time with other areas, especially, solo. I would not object to boosting areas like this a small amount.

[Shad]

I like chad878262's idea too. It could be implemented lots of different ways. May be as simple as to add time multiplier for every area (int var with name like "XPM_"+GetName(oPC)) stored on an area) which would deteriorate over time - until reset, say from 1.25 to 0.75 - in an hour or two. Or over kills count.

And make it same for talkers! Boost first hour, then drop when PC is tired of talking or feeling overheat near campfire.

Would encourage to do both type of role play - storytelling, and adventure.

[Darkcloud777]

I would personally love an occasional *unique* spawn.

[Moltrazahn]

*you have been ambushed by a random kangaxx*

[chad878262]

*you have been ambushed by a random kangaxx*

"Excuse me, I need to go change my shorts..."