This update destroyed the game

The update was just released and there will obviously be less reaper activity after the hype dies down a bit. But more importantly, solo slooping has ALWAYS been designed by Rare to be "hard mode" - now add to that the emissary system which is meant to be a risk/reward thing, you get more gold but add a higher risk of getting sunk by reapers or eventually losing your loot cos of hoarding. So maybe be more careful about the emissary stuff when you're solo slooping.

On the other hand, i do feel like you level your emissary rank WAY too fast and it's ridiculous how much gold and rep you get. It really needs to be nerfed - which would help with the problem you're talking about as well since there would be less lvl 5 reaper crews.

@deadaye-ally Being an emissary isn't mandatory.
While taking an emissary flag you accept a risk/reward thing.

You can always see the reapers ship on the map.
You can check at emissary table if there are any reaper emissaries

This game never was intended to play solo. You choose that way and it's the hardest one.

@ghostpaw I played yesterday from about 4pm to 7 pm with my two crew mates then again from 8 pm to 1:30 am and we were an emissary the entire time and had no problems. Not one ship came after us. I agree with what you say . People do tend to focus on one bad thing in hours of playtime.

Side note I can't believe how fast can rank up while an Emisarry..I wish this was around back when I was grinding merchant to level 50.

@skritsarn
Agree. I liked solo missons and alliances. I guess Im more of an RPG player. Thought that was the difference between Arena anf Adventure.

@ghostpaw said in This update destroyed the game:

@sorenthaz said in This update destroyed the game:

This update seems to basically be a big middle finger to solo players and anyone who doesn't want to be turned into content for PvP crews.

You are catastrophizing. The update is optional to participate in. Just don’t put up an emissary flag and go do your thing just as you did a week ago. Nothing changed. Keep your eye on the horizon and be ready to flee if necessary. The only aspect that changed is that being attacked and sunk can no longer be characterized as “absolutely for no reason at all!”

Ghost I'll have to disagree with your statement. If it were truly optional then we would have to option to download the content. We don't. The game will advance on its own and if they bring in things we don't like or want to be a part of and do as you suggested and simply "do your thing just as you did a week ago" we only short ourselves. If solo players keep opting out and ignoring new content because they don't like it then what reason is there to keep playing? There was an issue of sloops being targeted by bullying before this update. Now it is practically encouraged and given a stamp of approval in the form of an emissary flag.

I do still acknowledge that not every time a solo player ships out they will be suck and targeted. You stated such experiences and I still have good days where others leave me alone too. However, I would say it is still arrogant to think that sloops and solo players do not face a noticeable increase in being targeted after the update.

@ghostpaw
My point was that sloops were targeted before this update and there was no means of foreknowing if another ship was on to you. This update does nothing for that. Trackers offer little help if you are a solo player because they only help if you are on the ship to see it. If you are just going to be spending most of your time running rather than actually getting to do anything productive then the game is essentially killed for you. This update gives sloops and solo players the sh*t end of the stick. That much is obvious.

@dennisdragonz said in This update destroyed the game:

@ghostpaw so what are solo players supposed to do? Avoid half the map because a person in a crows nest half way cross the sea can sea them? You don’t even need and emissary flag up, only reapers bones 5 can see that. Every ship to the reapers are worth sinking because stolen loot gets their grade up. So there is a reason to chase from devils roar to shores of plenty.

Chances are they were sinking ships anyways before being a reaper and that is actually totally fine because sinking ships and stealing loot is not being a bully or griefer. I doubt my crew will do the Reaper Bone faction because we do not sink ships unless in self defense. Last night we sailed by a slooper headed right for an outpost and we left them alone as we do with anyone.

Being a solo slooper is not easy, I know I was one but I just do not think this update is going to make it any harder. You do not have to be an emissary if you do not want to be marked on map yourself.

Also I thought Reapers only sinking ships that were emissaries raised their grade? Unless I am wrong about that.

@galactic-geek sorry just trying help :)

@dennisdragonz

@ghostpaw so what are solo players supposed to do? Avoid half the map because a person in a crows nest half way cross the sea can sea them?

Exactly what you did every patch before this one, what I think both myself and @Ghostpaw are trying to tell you is that nothing changes as long as you aren't an Emissary, a completely voluntary program. The kind of person who would have targeted you before this patch is the same person. This dynamic is no different. Instead of being an Emissary of the Reaper's Bones, they were just Reapers flying the Reaper's Flag.

Every ship to the reapers are worth sinking because stolen loot gets their grade up. So there is a reason to chase from devils roar to shores of plenty.

They also level it with normal loot as well. Loot in general raises the Grade, but if I understand correctly the stolen loot sells for more. They get nothing from empty non-Emissary ships. This hasn't changed.

@DanFox90

My point was that sloops were targeted before this update and there was no means of foreknowing if another ship was on to you. This update does nothing for that.

Mate have you actually read or played the game since then? This does alot for that. They have a tracker on them. A ship physically sailing directly at you, being displayed on the map, is the BEST foreknowing

Trackers offer little help if you are a solo player because they only help if you are on the ship to see it.

This is just excuses at this point, you can quite easily glance at a map before you leave the island. You aren't spending hours off ship, you have 360 degrees of vision to see ships approaching you that way, now you can glance at the map and use that to know which direction you should be focusing on. Before this update you had only what you could visually see with sight, and a reapers mark if they flew it. Now you have the same as before. A mark on a map if they opt into it, and what you can visually see from your ship. This patch changes very little in terms how you approach stuff.

This update gives sloops and solo players the sh*t end of the stick. That much is obvious.

A completely voluntary stick that you aren't required to hold. This is what seems to be lost on you guys. Don't want to deal with Reaper's Bones? Don't join the Emissaries.

@nabberwar
If a solo player is tracking chests on an island, running around an island solving a riddle, taking on skellies for a bounty, or doing a tall tale that takes them away from their ship, do tell how a quick glance at the mad before starting is going to save them from reapers. There have been times I've spent ten minutes running around an island on a riddle or looking for the spot to dig up a chest. That's plenty of time for a ship to get to mine before I can get back onboard and split. Depending in internet connection and servers it could take me 5 minutes just to get back from the ship of the damned. Reapers have more incentive to sink a ship, emissary or not, now. All loot benefits their level. If it were only stolen loot that would be one thing. Do you not see how this will cause the casual player and new player alike to lose interest in the game? I understand this is a pvp game. That is an unavoidable aspect. But I maintain, if one is going to be spending a significant time of game time running rather than gaining rep and reward, what incentive does that give them to play? I keep hearing "high risk/ high reward" but I mostly see high risk/ moderate reward if any.

@deadaye-ally hello, the emissary system helps solo players by making targets for reapers to go after. If you want to play alome the sad truth is that you should not raise the emissary flags. Doing so says "I welcome pvp in exchange for higher rewards"

@danfox90

@nabberwar
If a solo player is tracking chests on an island, running around an island solving a riddle, taking on skellies for a bounty, or doing a tall tale that takes them away from their ship, do tell how a quick glance at the mad before starting is going to save them from reapers.

Your missing the point, how is this any different with this patch? If you are doing a Tall Tale, then don't be an Emissary. If you don't want to be tracked, don't be an Emissary. As long as you don't become an Emissary nothing changes for you. If you can't handle the risks that come with Emissaries, don't become one.

Reapers have more incentive to sink a ship, emissary or not, now.

The same people are playing the game, if you had loot before people can go steal it. Those same people are going to do the same thing this patch. Nothing changes. If they become and Emissary, you see them coming. If you don't become an Emissary, they can't track you. Reaper's Bones are incentivized to steal from Emissaries more, so if anything, they will only go after you if they find you. This is no different before, because the people stealing last patch targeted people they saw as well.

I understand this is a pvp game.

You honestly don't.

@danfox90

Reapers have more incentive to sink a ship, emissary or not, now. All loot benefits their level.

Loot regardless of Emissaries benefits everyone who steals it, being a Reaper's Bones Emmisary or not. Gold is still Gold, and Reputation is till Reputation. If you had loot before this patch, that was all the incentive they needed to rob you. So as repeatedly said, nothing changes as long as you don't opt into Emissaries.

Now the only difference is you are more likely to see them coming.

@propheteyes6235 a dit dans This update destroyed the game :

The server I was on yesterday hunted down the level 5 reaper ship. 4 ships chasing them down til they sank. If see a level 5 reaper, do something about it. Don't ignore it and then come complain here 😂

And if I was in the position of the reaper ship I would have loved every bit of it !
At last, some challenge !
I've sailed two times as Reaper and both time, there was challenge and axesome fights !

I disagree immensely with this post. As a new player that focuses on being a pirate rather than a friendly merchant, I think it is absolutely balanced. Level 5 reapers always has their locations marked, increasing the risk of being attacked by one or many ships that are also looking to fight. Having all other ships marked so you can continue PvPing without sailing across the entire map is a welcome addition in my book, especially because you can see them coming your way. Just the other day I got into a huge ship fight as a solo sloop and came out victorious. Its about how you play that makes it so "imbalanced."

At the end of the day, its a pirate game. The core game is being a pirate. Plundering, sinking ships, being fearsome. This post goes against everything the game is supposed to be. Sure, the combat is buggy and annoying at times, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't learn it. Part of the game is learning how to fight back and go against the odds of a bigger ship. That's how you improve at games.

This update brought out a lot of the pirate in people, and it doesn't force the game to be a friendly alliance server at the risk of getting false reports for going against those unwritten rules.

No matter what mode you choose, adventure or arena, you will come across PvP. That's how the game was intended, and that's how it will remain. If you disagree with it, then maybe a game with a PvE focus will be more your style.

I feel many of you miss my underlying point. The devs seem to have little or no regard for the new players or solo players. For new players they are basically being given the choice of "deal with it or leave" just as solo players are. There is little reward or cause for teamwork in the game as things keep moving to a "take what you can" mindset. No one seems to want to acknowledge that players will leave the game. Without a growing fanbase to support it games will die. I know many players that have sworn off the game because they have run out of patience and enjoyment with the game. I feel this update does little to remedy that. No you can't please everyone but I feel the devs are taking a George Lucas stance of "it's mine. I'll do what I want" and not really listening to their fanbase. Personally I still enjoy the game and plan to keep playing regardless.

@danfox90 did you not read my post? I started playing a few days ago and im masters in reapers. I have little to no trouble playing as a solo sloop, even in large ship fights. Again, its how you play that makes it a problem, not the actual concept or idea of it.

@danfox90 said in This update destroyed the game:

@nabberwar
If a solo player is tracking chests on an island, running around an island solving a riddle, taking on skellies for a bounty, or doing a tall tale that takes them away from their ship, do tell how a quick glance at the mad before starting is going to save them from reapers. There have been times I've spent ten minutes running around an island on a riddle or looking for the spot to dig up a chest. That's plenty of time for a ship to get to mine before I can get back onboard and split.

Ten minutes away from the ship ? Sure if you're doing at tall tale - but in all other cases - get back to the ship quicker, check the map and try again. If it takes you this long to find a chest or kill a skellie captain, change your tactics completely ASAP.

Depending in internet connection and servers it could take me 5 minutes just to get back from the ship of the damned.

What ? You play games that leaves you helpless for 5 minutes or more ?

I get that not everybody has a premium internet connection or the best system money can buy, but in this case you cannot blame the other player or game developer for your loss.

@danfox90

For new players they are basically being given the choice of "deal with it or leave" just as solo players are.

Your missing the third option, the option to simple not become an Emissary and sail normally.

There is little reward or cause for teamwork in the game as things keep moving to a "take what you can" mindset.

Ship Alliance/ 2 Ship/3 Ship/4 Ship/5 Ship/6 Ship
Grade 1 (1.25) / .625 / 1.25 / 1.875 / 2.50 /3.125
Grade 2 (1.50) / .75 / 1.50 / 2.25 / 3.00 / 3.75
Grade 3 (1.75) / .875 / 1.75 / 2.625 / 3.50 / 4.375
Grade 4 (2.00) / 1.00 / 2.00 / 3.00 / 4.00 / 5.00
Grade 5 (2.50) / 1.25 / 2.50 / 3.75 / 5.00 / 6.25

This is a numbers breakdown on the percentages one can make off with the use of combining Alliances and Emissaries. Teamwork is extremely rewarding. At each Grade of Emissary what you turn in everyone in Alliances gets half. So an example would be if you are a Grade 5 Emissary, every item you turn in that other ship in your 2 person Alliance gets loot 1.25x the original value of that item. The numbers get massive the more ships that come in. I could go on, but working together is more so profitable then before.

Your so focused on Reaper's Bones, your forgetting every other Emissary and the gains they can get.

Without a growing fanbase to support it games will die.

People have been saying "such and such will kill the game" since day 1 here we are around 2 years with a game soon to be expanding on Steam. Eventually games will die of course, but this game still has a long way to go.

Ultimately, this conversation really isn't going anywhere, but the reality is nothing is changing and I think you are worrying way too much. This whole patch is voluntary, if you don't wish to participate in the new features, then don't. Its that simple, you will not be effected any different otherwise. If anything, it was made easier by making potentially hostile people displayed on the map at all times.

@nabberwar

Ultimately, this conversation really isn't going anywhere, but the reality is nothing is changing and I think you are worrying way too much. This whole patch is voluntary, if you don't wish to participate in the new features, then don't. Its that simple, you will not be effected any different otherwise. If anything, it was made easier by making potentially hostile people displayed on the map at all times.

I will admit that I am likely overzealous about what I'm trying to convey and even more so likely speaking beyond my depth and understanding. This is the first game I have had the opportunity to give feedback and suggestions to that might actually get somewhere. I do apologize for offending anyone that has more intimate knowledge about the game and its development than I do and for overstepping myself. With all the features of the game and all its aspects I honestly only play this game anymore. When I get frustrated I simply take a break and then come back later. I truly hope this game can continue to grow and expand as it has been. If I overstep myself again please set me straight, though I doubt you need my permission for it. I do thank you for putting up with my commentary and opinions though.

@deadaye-ally You can see reaper ships on the map, and you can see if they are level 5, and if you need to be scared of them hunting you. You can often tell that they're coming for you if they are. If you don't want them to target you, you can take off the emissary flag or not use it in the first place. There is of course going to be some risk associated with the emissary flags, otherwise it's a free gold/rep multiplier.

I think your complaint comes from you wanting the multiplier but also not wanting to be hunted by reaper emissary ships? This doesn't make much sense to me, hunting other emissary ships seems to be the main point of the reaper ships.

Agree with your opinion on revives, though. It hurts solo players more than other ships, which I'm not a huge fan of.

@sorenthaz said in This update destroyed the game:

"jUsT dOnT PaRtIcIpAtE" means to not play the game whatsoever

no thats just how you see it but how everyone else sees it is that you bought a game with pvp and pve principles combined rare set out to make a game with these principles as a combination and not a seperation nobody is telling you not to play but what we are telling you is that the game has lines and principles which are not suppose to be changed or otherwise crossed as it strides against everything rare has created you just got to either learn to live with the game you bought and be content with it or realize maybe the game wasn't for you or otherwise not what you expected it to be

@jollyolsteamed
That being said we know joe prefers the pvp aspect of the game, and he has stated they would never force players into pvp or force players into pve, you can still do any mode... and if you dont use an emissary you can still level up it just is 2.5xs faster if you have a level 5 flag. so the option is still there to only pve