I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.

  • Frost033
    Founder

    I know this may not be a super popular idea, but last night, sailing solo and being attacked by a galleon was a bit frustrating. In my sloop I was able to avoid their cannon shots and what not fairly easily, but I couldn't lose them, so the cat and mouse game went on for over an hour. At first it was kind of fun, but after a while, it was boring and to be honest, annoying. I had 1 c****y chest and a skull on my ship, so I just scuttled my ship and logged off.

    I love the game, but there needs to be a way to stop this from happening. People don't log in to be chased for over an hour without needing to scuttle. And like it or not, there is a significant population that just aren't interested in open PVP (When I used to MMO a lot, I NEVER went into pvp servers). So after thinking about it, I thought that adding a safe harbor or two to the game would help this. Safe harbors are only for pirates who have NOT participated in pvp in a certain time frame and have been flagged (20 minutes maybe?). That way you can't start a fight and just run away. Safe harbors could be a place for pirates to meet up with others, a hub if you will. I'm not sure how hard it would be since I'm not a game designer, but it would be cool to have the option of adding new crew at these hubs as well. Then, when you're ready to leave, you can sail out of the harbor or through the "gate" which would spawn you in a random outpost like when you die. This feature will keep griefers from patrolling the safe harbors.

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  • subaqueousReach
    Ship Mate

    So you could pull into a safe harbour with a bunch of loot, then pull out and teleport to a randon outpost to turn in that loot?

    That's pretty broken and would eliminate PvP from being anything but a waste of time.

    Also, Rare has stated in multiple interviews they will never be adding safe zones or PvE only areas/servers as it takes away from the core concept of their game.

  • PixelHood

    Harbor defo not, but safe zones I agree with it would be cool if the pub was one and you could player mini games with other pirates like poker, x and o's, other card games.

    Or once your Pirate legend have that bar be large central hub for pve and once you leave the pub you have pvp immunity for like 1 min.

  • John Hatter
    Marauder

    I have to side against the "significant population that just aren't interested in open pvp".

    To be clear I am terrible at pvp and never joined in pvp during my mmo days and was nervous about playing this game because of the pvp. That said I bought this game knowing there was open pvp and have to accept that open pvp is in fact a core feature to the game. I have been lucky enough to not run into any sort of outpost drama and the few pvp interactions I have experienced have been enjoyable so I fully admit my bias is opposite that of your suggestion.

    That said I do agree we need some sort of port outside of the game world in order to socialize and mingle. I feel this aspect of the community is lacking in favor of conflict and pvp. I do not feel that this hub port should in anyway work within the active game world other than to socialize.

    Moving forward this game will have to balance between the two opposing playstyles that exist and I don't envy the task. The key moving forward is BALANCE. As far as how to go about it...well...I hope the devs know cause I sure don't.

  • Frost033
    Founder

    @subaqueousreach The PVP system is already pretty broken when a galleon can chase a solo sloop for over an hour with no way of escaping it and definitely no way of winning that fight. Oh I'm sure there is some master of the seas who will come in here and talk about how they won, but that is not the norm. A 4 man galleon vs a 1 man sloop is going to destroy it.

    I totally see what you're saying. I understand that PVP is an important part of this game, but there are ways around that. For instance, if you go into a safe harbor with loot, the harbor master takes 75% of your profit as a protection fee?

    The point is, the pvp system currently in place is driving players like myself away from the game. After last night, my desire to play went down a TON. I don't get a lot of time to play already, and spending over an hour running from a group of losers hell bent on sinking a solo player isn't what I'm looking for.

    Unless SOMETHING changes, I'll be moving on to other games because I play to have fun, not to be frustrated.

  • PixelHood

    I would absolutely love to see the likes of a big harbor done like "Destiny" as you say a big mingle and chill zone with shops and stuff before you join a crew.

    I really would love to see a few mini games in the games safe zones as I mentioned would make the whole lets head to the bar for a drink and a game of ..... it would be deadly.

    Somewhere you could buy anything that's in the shops but as far as making money or selling items you couldn't do that

  • HoD Make U Rage

    @frost033 Trust me, go play another game, I only stay because I'm 7 lvls from pirate legend and I want to give up so badly.

    When I get there I will quit until content comes out because it's empty, when you get to lvl 40 you will stop having fun and grind non-stop. Unless you are ready to sacrifice your whole weekend getting lvl 48 and 49 done, you should go now and come back when they put more things in.

    This game should never have a safe space, either your crew is good or you sink. I wouldn't want to change that. Even if it might end badly for me sometimes.

  • subaqueousReach
    Ship Mate

    @frost033 said:

    For instance, if you go into a safe harbor with loot, the harbor master takes 75% of your profit as a protection fee?

    That sounds more like, "If I can't have my treasure, no one can."

    There doesn't need to be safe zones. People honestly just have to learn to be okay with losing once in a while.

    Another crew sinking you and taking your loot is basically this games "Mission Failed". The only reason it bites more is because someone else gains from that loss. People need to get over that. I've been sunk and robbed plenty of times, and i've sunk and robbed plenty of other people. It's just how the game goes.

    If that's not you're cup of tea then I would recommend going with your gut and switching to other games. Because this one isn't likely to change any time soon.

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @frost033 you should try outpost dropping. Just drive by real close jump out and turn in. Rinse and repeat.

    Also, a sloop can easily evade a galleon. Practice.

  • Frost033
    Founder

    @gloog Evading isn't the issue. The Galleon didn't sink me and never would, the sloop is too quick. The problem is, that I couldn't ever get away from them. Sure, I could turn, start running, but they get their ship turned and chase me down. There is no chance of jumping off, running to the outpost and turning more than 1 thing in. There is no path to escape from this type of encounter.

    Listen, I'm not here saying that we shouldn't lose our loot, I understood that was part of the game when I started, but there needs to be some sort of ability for losing pursuers outside of sinking them.

    And @subaqueousReach You're right in a way, but isn't that what throwing it over board would do too? Which is something I've seen people write that they've done.

    Instead of advising people to find another game, shouldn't we be trying to keep people? The game has lost a ton of players because of the lack of content, and based on this forum and others, the broken PVP system too.

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @frost033 you misunderstand. You only turn one piece of loot in. Mermaid back to your ship which should be traveling against the wind in a straight line, which causes the galleon to never catch up. Island dodge once more, and return to do another drive by.

    If this is unnaceptable, this game is not designed for solo sloop players.

  • Trickrrrtreat
    Insider

    @frost033 said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @gloog Evading isn't the issue. The Galleon didn't sink me and never would, the sloop is too quick. The problem is, that I couldn't ever get away from them. Sure, I could turn, start running, but they get their ship turned and chase me down. There is no chance of jumping off, running to the outpost and turning more than 1 thing in. There is no path to escape from this type of encounter.

    Listen, I'm not here saying that we shouldn't lose our loot, I understood that was part of the game when I started, but there needs to be some sort of ability for losing pursuers outside of sinking them.

    And @subaqueousReach You're right in a way, but isn't that what throwing it over board would do too? Which is something I've seen people write that they've done.

    Instead of advising people to find another game, shouldn't we be trying to keep people? The game has lost a ton of players because of the lack of content, and based on this forum and others, the broken PVP system too.

    1 using a spyglass would prevent Galleons from getting close. Prevention is the solution.

    1. We do not need any kind of safe zones whatsoever.

    2. If we lose people that want the game changed it's ok. It's better to keep the people that want to play the game as intended than the people who want to turn it into a PVE game.

    Can't make everyone happy so we need to please the people that wanted a pirate game where you can actually do pirate stuff to other pirates. You don't get to opt out of the parts you don't like.

  • Frost033
    Founder

    @gloog said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @frost033 you misunderstand. You only turn one piece of loot in. Mermaid back to your ship which should be traveling against the wind in a straight line, which causes the galleon to never catch up. Island dodge once more, and return to do another drive by.

    If this is unnaceptable, this game is not designed for solo sloop players.

    Then why give the option? It's kind of dishonest if you ask me if this is true. I totally get that a solo player is at a disadvantage, but if it's not designed for solo play, then don't give people the option to play solo. It's that easy.

    I personally don't think this is the case. But Rare should undervalue the solo player at its own peril. SoT already has a rough start to over come given it's lack of content at launch. A situation that few games are able to fix and recover from. Lots of players have already left and moved onto other games. Many of those, won't be back. Thats how gaming works today. Now it's dealing with jerks ruining the experience for the people who have stayed, driving those players off as well. This is not a good formula for success. You can write me off as someone who is just not good, or who is whining about losing my stuff but unless SOMETHING changes, SoTs won't be the long lasting success they hope it will be. In fact, by the holiday season, it will be a distant memory.

    And I don't want that to happen. SoT is a great game. Flawed and fixable, but great.

  • CA2OR
    Insider

    No to all of this. Work on observation or continue to be an easy target.

  • CA2OR
    Insider

    @frost033 said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @subaqueousreach The PVP system is already pretty broken when a galleon can chase a solo sloop for over an hour with no way of escaping it and definitely no way of winning that fight. Oh I'm sure there is some master of the seas who will come in here and talk about how they won, but that is not the norm. A 4 man galleon vs a 1 man sloop is going to destroy it.

    I totally see what you're saying. I understand that PVP is an important part of this game, but there are ways around that. For instance, if you go into a safe harbor with loot, the harbor master takes 75% of your profit as a protection fee?

    The point is, the pvp system currently in place is driving players like myself away from the game. After last night, my desire to play went down a TON. I don't get a lot of time to play already, and spending over an hour running from a group of losers hell bent on sinking a solo player isn't what I'm looking for.

    Unless SOMETHING changes, I'll be moving on to other games because I play to have fun, not to be frustrated.

    Says you. I sunk 12 galleons last night. 9 when I was alone on my sloop. What are you talking about when you say stuff like "no chance at winning that fight"? Us skilled sloop captains make galleons run. No joke...

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @frost033 said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @gloog said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @frost033 you misunderstand. You only turn one piece of loot in. Mermaid back to your ship which should be traveling against the wind in a straight line, which causes the galleon to never catch up. Island dodge once more, and return to do another drive by.

    If this is unnaceptable, this game is not designed for solo sloop players.

    Then why give the option?

    So you can enjoy the thrill of the high seas in a more survival horror setting.

    Edit: Seriously.

    Edit2: this game will blow up during holiday season. The content by then makes me salivate.

  • Dazed898
    Master
    Insider

    @frost033 drive to the edge of the map. when the water turns red sharp turn back. the galleon wont be able to make the turn without dropping anchor and by that time you should be clear of them. Or drive to another ship and hope the galleon will diverge.

    There should be NO safe zone in this game. If they do implement a social area besides the game itself it should be a separate instance in which you leave all your loot and ship behind.

  • Kall Sands

    @ca2or Can you offer me advice on how to better solo on sloop? I feel like I’m not doing the best at it.

  • RealStyli
    Vanguard
    Insider

    I agree with the no safe zones responses but I do think there should be some sort of risk involved for attacking people unprovoked at outposts.

    For example; they could make it so if you damage/kill another player or ship at an outpost (having attacked first), you lose a small amount of rep with factions and can't turn in loot at that outpost for a small amount of time. Maybe have a bounty marker above the player for that duration, so everyone can see?

    If you shoot someone while on your own ship, this wouldn't apply as obviously you should be able to defend your own booty, but also gives people the option to stealth steal if they want to take that risk.

    This is only an idea but I think it would help satisfy the PvE people to a certain degree, while also adding meta for everyone.

    (by the way, I play a lot of solo and I have very few issues with other players attacking me but it is annoying when someone is obviously just out to grief other players rather than play the game as intended. PvP should be a fair fight on the seas, as it is written in the taverns.)

  • NWO Azcrack
    Master

    But attacking ppl at outpost is a Rare given right. Its frowned upon, and sounds boring, but its a tactic. Someone has to keep those outpost dangerous

  • RealStyli
    Vanguard
    Insider

    @nwo-azcrack said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    But attacking ppl at outpost is a Rare given right. Its frowned upon, and sounds boring, but its a tactic. Someone has to keep those outpost dangerous

    And that's why I suggested a risk rather than doing away with that "right". Rare on one hand gives that option but on the other hand writes it very clearly on the guidelines in the taverns that fights should be at sea.

    shrugs

  • Ve111a
    Ship Mate

    @frost033 said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    I know this may not be a super popular idea, but last night, sailing solo and being attacked by a galleon was a bit frustrating. In my sloop I was able to avoid their cannon shots and what not fairly easily, but I couldn't lose them, so the cat and mouse game went on for over an hour. At first it was kind of fun, but after a while, it was boring and to be honest, annoying. I had 1 c****y chest and a skull on my ship, so I just scuttled my ship and logged off.

    I love the game, but there needs to be a way to stop this from happening. People don't log in to be chased for over an hour without needing to scuttle. And like it or not, there is a significant population that just aren't interested in open PVP (When I used to MMO a lot, I NEVER went into pvp servers). So after thinking about it, I thought that adding a safe harbor or two to the game would help this. Safe harbors are only for pirates who have NOT participated in pvp in a certain time frame and have been flagged (20 minutes maybe?). That way you can't start a fight and just run away. Safe harbors could be a place for pirates to meet up with others, a hub if you will. I'm not sure how hard it would be since I'm not a game designer, but it would be cool to have the option of adding new crew at these hubs as well. Then, when you're ready to leave, you can sail out of the harbor or through the "gate" which would spawn you in a random outpost like when you die. This feature will keep griefers from patrolling the safe harbors.

    This will never happen as well and has been confirmed by Rare. This is a game about acquiring and defending you loot. ALLLLL the way till you give it to the merchants.

  • Dazed898
    Master
    Insider

    @realstyli all loot is fair game till it gets handed over. ive had many fights both running and chasing that were settled on the outpost and a lucky shot or dodge decided who got to turn in the goods.

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @trickrtreat01 said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @frost033 said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @gloog Evading isn't the issue. The Galleon didn't sink me and never would, the sloop is too quick. The problem is, that I couldn't ever get away from them. Sure, I could turn, start running, but they get their ship turned and chase me down. There is no chance of jumping off, running to the outpost and turning more than 1 thing in. There is no path to escape from this type of encounter.

    Listen, I'm not here saying that we shouldn't lose our loot, I understood that was part of the game when I started, but there needs to be some sort of ability for losing pursuers outside of sinking them.

    And @subaqueousReach You're right in a way, but isn't that what throwing it over board would do too? Which is something I've seen people write that they've done.

    Instead of advising people to find another game, shouldn't we be trying to keep people? The game has lost a ton of players because of the lack of content, and based on this forum and others, the broken PVP system too.

    1. using a spyglass would prevent Galleons from getting close. Prevention is the solution.

    Great point. I'd like to add that if you are not increasing your spilt time between you and the galleon, you are not being creative enough with the map nor the sloops maneuverability.

  • Doomed Panda

    I would like to see a safe zone or 2, but with a few stipulations.

    • You can not turn in any loot.
    • There are interesting things to do (fishing, dice, card games, darts (but with throwing knives please)
  • TommyHangout
    Marauder
    Insider

    I wish I could make an auto ignore rule for posts like this.

  • Melchizedek
    Rogue

    I disagree entirely. As a primarily solo-sloop player, I don't see the need for safe zones. More so, I feel like they would diminish the game.

    Sloops have the advantage into the wind.
    Galleons have the advantage with the wind.
    Raising & dropping sails gives the ability to make amazingly sharp turns.
    With the proper use of wind, sail control, islands and rocks, and skilled steering, a sloop can outrun even the most coordinated galleon crews.

    This game thrives from risk vs reward. Not having a safe zone helps drive that thrill of success and agony of defeat feeling.

    Having no safe zones helps generate the close call "loot drop on the fly" "saved by the kracken (true story)" "squeeze between these rocks and watch the galleon beach itself" stories that my friends get so excited to talk about and experience again.

    Safe zones diminish these kind of great escape successes.

  • RealStyli
    Vanguard
    Insider

    @dazed898 said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @realstyli all loot is fair game till it gets handed over. ive had many fights both running and chasing that were settled on the outpost and a lucky shot or dodge decided who got to turn in the goods.

    I never said it wasn't fair game but I do think it's very cheap and nasty gameplay to steal someone's loot at an outpost without a proper risk. In my scenario above, you could still turn in the loot, but you'd have to defend it for a time first. And I think it would be more realistic for merchants to not want to deal with you for a time too.

  • NWO Azcrack
    Master

    @realstyli
    But camping an outpost is risky. You could spend hours and get nothing. Or someone can roll up and kill you before they turn their loot in

  • RealStyli
    Vanguard
    Insider

    @nwo-azcrack said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @realstyli
    But camping an outpost is risky. You could spend hours and get nothing. Or someone can roll up and kill you before they turn their loot in

    Risky? It's blooming lazy gaming and only griefers do it.

  • NWO Azcrack
    Master

    @realstyli
    I will admit its lazy. And i dont partake in it. But its not griefing

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @realstyli said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @nwo-azcrack said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @realstyli
    But camping an outpost is risky. You could spend hours and get nothing. Or someone can roll up and kill you before they turn their loot in

    Risky? It's blooming lazy gaming and only griefers do it.

    Ive only done it once and that was after we were done for the night so we crashed our own galleon. Had a couple gunpowder barrels we were about to sell as the final sale. Saw another galleon. They were oblivious.

    It is not griefing but those that purposefully do it are mostly laughable.

  • RealStyli
    Vanguard
    Insider

    @gloog said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @realstyli said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @nwo-azcrack said in I would like to see a safe harbor or two put into the game.:

    @realstyli
    But camping an outpost is risky. You could spend hours and get nothing. Or someone can roll up and kill you before they turn their loot in

    Risky? It's blooming lazy gaming and only griefers do it.

    Ive only done it once and that was after we were done for the night so we crashed our own galleon. Had a couple gunpowder barrels we were about to sell as the final sale. Saw another galleon. They were oblivious.

    It is not griefing but those that purposefully do it are mostly laughable.

    I can't see it as anything but griefing if there's no real risk to the person doing it. If they die, they die, but they had nothing to lose, and the person coming in has done all the work to get the loot. They might also be at a disadvantage if they are low on supplies (e.g. bananas)

    As I've said, I am against complete safe zones outright but I do think there should be more balance, and more risk for attacking people at outposts.

  • Gloog
    Master
    Founder

    @realstyli griefing and risk are not even related and the definitions never overlap in a way that requires them to completely fulfill either definition.

    Should I of sold my barrels and logged off ? Seriously, just pay attention.

    The game will never give anyone an immunity to losing. That's the intended atmosphere.

  • Frost033
    Founder

    @realstyli You've pointed out a really interesting point with the code posted in the taverns. There should be a reason to follow this code. The whole honor among thieves and what not.

    I appreciate most of the responses here, and the tips that were given, I'll try them next time I play. I"m interested in seeing this game get stronger and attract/keep players. Something needs to change.

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