Pretty simple suggestion that's aimed to further incentivize players to raise an Emissary Flag if they want to hunt Reaper.
If you don't raise the flag, you don't get the benefit of seeing the Reaper on the map table.
The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.
that's interesting but it removes some of the risk/difficulty from reapers. Being fully visible is the risk for the reward
I think the new event and the new live event will do wonders for emissaries out there without tinkering with risk/reward balance
it'll also just create a lot more level 1 flags laying around outposts from hoppers throwing it up and leaving
I've noticed more emissaries on maps since the new season began. The changes they made with regards to Storage Crates is big too. But this at least gives a non-lvl-5-reaper a chance to level up when fighting a ship who has used the map table to locate it. So yes, it makes things easier for the reaper but certainly doesn't affect any other players in a significant way.
It's obviously subjective as to whether you believe a reaper should be par for the course for non-emissary ships. The current reward for the Reaper is nothing if the opposing ship has no emissary and no loot, whereas, a ship that has nothing has at the very least, an emissary flag to gain.
@touchiertooth28 I thought about your idea for a while, about the pros and cons, but honestly there aren't really any cons about it.
It is a great idea, people would start raising Emissary flags more often.Edit: Actually it would make a pretty good balance.
People wouldn't be joining and leaving immediately when seeing a reaper.
And now, if they want to know the location of the Reaper, they're risking their own location also. (which is a good thing imo)Might be a one slight con; new players that aren't aware of surroundings, watching the horizon etc, might have a tougher time against reapers.
(but then again, they wouldn't see flagless ships on the map anyway)@jumli7 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
People wouldn't be joining and leaving immediately when seeing a reaper.
No, they'd join, raise an emissary flag, check for Reapers, and then leave.
Hmmm, interesting take this. My immediate gut reaction is that I think it is something potentially worth testing out and seeing how it potentially changes server dynamics. I think this could be a good idea, but there might be unexpected pitfalls in how it makes things play out in a live environment.
Needless to say, it isn't so skewed that it immediately lacks merit.
@touchiertooth28 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
Pretty simple suggestion that's aimed to further incentivize players to raise an Emissary Flag if they want to hunt Reaper.
If you don't raise the flag, you don't get the benefit of seeing the Reaper on the map table.
I assume you're talking about the Flag of the Reaper's Bones Emissary; the Reaper's Mark Flag is unrelated to the Emissaries.
@jumli7 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
So it didn't really change the behavior of those players.
Indeed, which is why I don't see any point to it. Those who want to do Emissary missions will do them and those that don't will move on. Same as it is at the moment. An additional five seconds to check for Reapers isn't going to change anybody's mind.
Also, are you going to hide the wooden ships on the Emissary tables as well? Cause they'll tell anyone how many Emissaries are on the server right up front.
It seems that the only real benefit is to Reapers who want an easier way to get the drop on non-Emissary ships, which flies in the face of the whole Emissary system quite badly.
I frequently fly Reapers and don't have any interest in sinking a non-emissary ship since they generally don't have much loot, or a flag.
What "drop" are you talking about? you mean the same advantage that a non-emissary has by not being on the map?
Also, I would never suggest to hide the wooden ships on Emissary tables.
@touchiertooth28 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
What "drop" are you talking about? you mean the same advantage that a non-emissary has by not being on the map?
Non-Emissaries aren't participating in the Emissary system, so not appearing on the map makes sense. Reapers are choosing to participate and being compensated by increased rewards.
The Reaper faction isn't about stealing loot. All pirates steal loot from each other. The Reapers are about battle and displays of strength. The Reaper's Mark is basically a huge "Come At Me, Bro" to the entire server. That's the entire point of the faction, stealing loot while also beating your chest like a 'roided out silverback on a sugar high.
Also, I would never suggest to hide the wooden ships on Emissary tables.
Then the changes to the visibility of Reapers on the map is pointless. Players will still come in, check the tables, and bounce if they see Reapers present.
@aca-hombre said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
@jumli7 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
So it didn't really change the behavior of those players.
Indeed, which is why I don't see any point to it.
Exactly, if it isn't a major change, then it could be implemented. If it isn't a significant change doesn't mean it shouldn't be added.
People might want to raise an Emissary flag just to know where the Reapers are.Also, are you going to hide the wooden ships on the Emissary tables as well? Cause they'll tell anyone how many Emissaries are on the server right up front.
Oh please, no need to get illogical.
It seems that the only real benefit is to Reapers who want an easier way to get the drop on non-Emissary ships, which flies in the face of the whole Emissary system quite badly.
The Emissaries are for xp multiplier and Reapers are there to balance it.
@jumli7 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
Exactly, if it isn't a major change, then it could be implemented. If it isn't a significant change doesn't mean it shouldn't be added.
But I don't see it making any change other than a five second addition to some players' load in routine.
And why change it if it doesn't add anything of value.
Oh please, no need to get illogical.
What's illogical?
One of the benefits you and the OP mentioned was non-Emissary players not checking for Reapers on their map and server hopping.
But the tables show everyone if there are Reapers in the server, so they'll still know.
And again, five seconds to raise an Emissary flag and check their position and then ghost it.
You're correct that this change wouldn't change much, but that's also why I don't see the need for it. It doesn't add any benefits for the Emissary system and doesn't incentivize any change to player tactics. The only real difference would be to keep Reapers hidden from non-Emissary ships which, again, seems counterintuitive to the idea of the Reaper faction.
@aca-hombre said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
Indeed, which is why I don't see any point to it.
@jumli7 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
Exactly, if it isn't a major change, then it could be implemented. If it isn't a significant change doesn't mean it shouldn't be added.
The thing is, you are asking for them to make changes to the code for something that will not accomplish the OPs goal. You gain nothing at all from this. If the issue is people logging onto a server, checking for higher level reapers, leaving if they see one, then the only change is the few extra seconds it takes to raise a flag before heading to the map table. If no reapers are around they drop the flag and do their thing just as always. Maybe they had the flag up for 15 seconds before voting it off again. Nothing really changed, but the proposal is asking that Rare devote time to change and test a non-solution to something that may not even be a problem to begin with.
@aca-hombre said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
Also, are you going to hide the wooden ships on the Emissary tables as well? Cause they'll tell anyone how many Emissaries are on the server right up front.
@jumli7 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
Oh please, no need to get illogical.
It is almost like you don't understand the system. If you want to avoid people leaving the server when they see reapers, all they have to do is look at the reaper's table to see how many little wooden ships are there. If the number of ships on the table is more than zero thenthat means there is a reaper somewhere on the server. hombre was being completely logical in their question. It is the logical next step to address the perceived issue of players logging on, looking for reapers on the server, and bouncing if they see one.
It is almost like you don't understand the system.
You understood wrong here. The main point was that people would raise the Emissary Flag more often.
If you want to avoid people leaving the server when they see reapers, all they have to do is look at the reaper's table to see how many little wooden ships are there.
That is a bonus that might come with it, not the main feature.
It could help with the both issues, that's what I was meaning with it.hombre was being completely logical in their question.
It wasn't a question from him.
It was an assumption what I was going to suggest next.the proposal is asking that Rare devote time to change and test a non-solution to something that may not even be a problem to begin with
Well we don't know that, do we? That's why it is just a suggestion. Lets Rare do the "calculation".
Cheers! Happy sailing!
@aca-hombre
The feature can perhaps increase the amount of Emissary flags we see, but we don't know that yet obviously.
But in my opinion, it could be a feature worth a try.It's only a con for people who don't like playing with Reapers in the server, it'll make server hopping 5 seconds slower for them.
Cheers! Happy sailing!
@jumli7 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
The feature can perhaps increase the amount of Emissary flags we see,
But immediately lowered.
This is what I'm saying. Having to raise a flag isn't a big enough inconvenience to make anyone change their minds. The people that would have server hopped after checking the map will still server hop after raising a flag and then checking their map.
If you want more people raising Emissary flags and keeping them raised, you have to offer incentives, not punishments. A minor inconvenience won't change people's playstyle and a major inconvenience will just earn Rare a load of angry players.
If you think people server hopping to escape Reapers is a big issue, then fair enough. But the change suggested here just ain't gonna solve it.
Reapers definitely need some help, because as it is, by the time they get to rating 5, the rest of the server has lowered their flag or left. Not to mention that they need to PvE just to get their flag working in the first place.
It's far better for a pvp crew to raise either no flag or another trade company flag, because they can attack with surprise.
Most of the time that i have been sailing as reaper, we have had no benefit from our flag and had to find our prey with the usual telescope and map skills. That flag is useless and a hinderance.
As I mentioned earlier, the change is to encourage the few players who want to hunt a Reaper to raise an emissary flag, in order to keep tracking them.
Reapers are about stealing loot, yes. "The prizes they admire most, however, are Emissary Flags taken as trophies from sunken rivals." https://www.seaofthieves.com/ships-of-fortune
My suggestion is not really intended for non-emissaries who are trying to avoid Reaper ships since they can already see they're on the server by checking the emissary tables.
I assume, that once players are out at sea, they are scanning the waters for any kind of danger, and not relying solely on the map table for the presence of a Reaper.
I'm not trying to address server hopping, or the fact that players do not want to always PvP.
@touchiertooth28 said in The Reaper's Mark should only be visible on the map tables of ships who have raised an Emissary Flag.:
As I mentioned earlier, the change is to encourage the few players who want to hunt a Reaper to raise an emissary flag, in order to keep tracking them. .
Okay, that does make more sense. Though it may create a new problem where Reapers get frustrated by a plethora of empty ships with low level flags cause people are just using them to hunt and aren't leveling them up.
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