I AM DONE WITH MAPS. (Coordinates)

  • Acid Cheeto

    Maybe its just me, but I hate the maps. From what I've found the only landmarks are rocks and red bushes. And even then not all of them are marked on the map. I am on an island with 3 chests. I found the first 2 with ease, but the third is in the middle of the jungle with no way for me to navigate without guessing and digging up every inch of the surrounding area.

    To go along with this, I have an idea. Could you implement coordinates into the map system? I cannot tell you how many times I have played with others on a skull hunt only for one person to find the group of Skeletons and say,
    "I found them"

    so of course the rest of us say

    "Where are you?"

    and all they reply with is

    "Right here". Meaning on the other side of the island or in a cave etc. Real helpful.

    The larger map on the ships with the islands has a grid to it. I think the same style should be added to the smaller treasure hunt maps. And either give them labels such as "A1" or "D7". Or even true longitude and latitude. Once you've located your area and get there, you are still left with a large square to roam around and get a precise spot for the treasure or your crewmate fighting skeletons.

    I know this would only matter on the larger islands but I think it could be an improvement. Thoughts??

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  • HotelRevival
    Sailor

    @acid-cheeto i like the map system being that it does take some time to search for treasure like it would in real life, longitude and latitude coordinates usually make up a somewhat large geographical location.

    however, i think a solution for not knowing where your crew mates are on the island would be having their names visible even when you cannot see them. that way you know which direction to go in order to find them! i think that would be an awesome improvement!

  • Acid Cheeto

    @hotelrevival Like I said, maybe I am just r******d and can't find treasure as well as anyone else lol But I'm glad you see the same point as me on finding your crew. I always tell my crewmates to shoot into the air, it acts as almost a flare so we cant find them. I already see talk on here about a flare gun so we shall see what happens!

  • Glhadiator

    I agree, the maps leave a bit to be desired. Especially since I'm a retired mountaineer!

    However, Pirates had to rely on sketchy maps and descriptions in real life. And many of them never considered the fact that some landmarks erode over time.

    Also, we should not forget that we do have a compass, map and the Sun for reference. When looking at maps they are always oriented to North.

    I find that if I start from an identifiable physical location on and island and get a cardinal bearing to the 'X', I can limit my search to at least along one line (bearing). This really helps when the 'bushes or rocks' don't seem to make clear sense. The bearing line tells me it has to be 'there' even though it doesn't look quite right. Actually works pretty well.

  • Twisp6753
    Seafarer
    Insider

    @glhadiator Valuable information, thanks for sharing your experience!

  • Zep Darkwater

    @glhadiator This is exactly what I do, we also use the bell on the ship to communicate certain signals by the number of tones, so if you hear 2 chimes of the bell we know where you better be... On the ship :).

  • NoodleKranker
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    Dev's probably want you to count your paces in each direction with the compass in order for you to be able to tell your friends when you are.
    I hope that isn't the case; that's tedious and annoying. It's easier and undoubtedly faster, to run around the map like a chicken until you find your friends.

  • Whyo
    Lord
    Insider

    This is basic land navigation.

    1. Take note of where you anchored off shore, in relation to the cardinal directions.

    2. Take out your compass and orient yourself North.

    3. Take out the map, where you are standing is near where your ship and crew are. Assign everyone a target chest.

    4. If you get turned around, find a prominent terrain feature and repeat step #2.

    (Player names visible on the island defeats the whole mechanic)

  • Glhadiator

    Lantern flashes work pretty well too. Although they are limited to line of sight.

    Crewmembers could take compass bearings when reporting positions. For instance:

    I am on the East side of the island next to a small inlet.

  • Glhadiator

    I should add that I am cautious about signals! Pirates that are not part of your entourage can also see and hear them.

    I trust no one when I am hunting or transporting treasure!

  • Detroits Reaper
    Master
    Founder

    I think the islands just need better landmarks instead of different maps or add a flare of some kind to signal others of your location

  • NoodleKranker
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    @whyo said in I AM DONE WITH MAPS. (Coordinates):

    This is basic land navigation.

    1. Take note of where you anchored off shore, in relation to the cardinal directions.

    2. Take out your compass and orient yourself North.

    3. Take out the map, where you are standing is near where your ship and crew are. Assign everyone a target chest.

    4. If you get turned around, find a prominent terrain feature and repeat step #2.

    (Player names visible on the island defeats the whole mechanic)

    @whyo We usually leave 2 people on the ship to keep lookout and guard the treasure we have on board. Assuming you have a 4 man crew, you now only have 2 people to go about finding the treasure. Gd help you if you are playing solo.

  • Glhadiator

    @NoodleKranker L**O! No, God won't help the soloist!

    Doing it solo requires a very different strategy. Which, by the way, I have become pretty proficient at doing.

    And no, I won't share those secrets. Otherwise it would become a non-working strategy. :-)

  • Whyo
    Lord
    Insider

    @noodlekranker
    Most of the time I play solo. I love this aspect of the game. When I’m on a crew I’m always the one striking gold. A good technique with two left on ship is to run the chest back to shore and drop it off. One of your crew can hop off and stow it onboard while you run off to the next X. I like the difficulty. I do believe, however, the harder the X-map/riddle the greater the reward should be. You should get an 87g castaway while on a 4-part riddle. Also, off topic, there should be more loot, such as trinkets or some chests in these caves and caverns. There is zero incentive to explore.

  • Detroits Reaper
    Master
    Founder

    They do have small things I've found a gold cup once lol

  • NoodleKranker
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    @whyo said in I AM DONE WITH MAPS. (Coordinates):

    @noodlekranker
    Most of the time I play solo. I love this aspect of the game. When I’m on a crew I’m always the one striking gold. A good technique with two left on ship is to run the chest back to shore and drop it off. One of your crew can hop off and stow it onboard while you run off to the next X. I like the difficulty. I do believe, however, the harder the X-map/riddle the greater the reward should be. You should get an 87g castaway while on a 4-part riddle. Also, off topic, there should be more loot, such as trinkets or some chests in these caves and caverns. There is zero incentive to explore.

    Don't forget the Rubys, Emeralds and the Pearls!!! This type of treasure was plundered for and used in trade among real pirates, not just gold.

  • TheBigLanowski

    I also had no problems so far, navigating with the map + compass.
    But I don't see a problem to add a switchable grid (on/off in the options) to the maps to help some players navigate, like they have on the ship map.

  • Glhadiator

    @Whyo There are plenty of 'trinkets'. It's becoming my favorite part of the game.

    I love to explore. Finding bottles washed up on a shore produce mega treasure hunts! Last night I found one that directed me to a small island with eight chests! Four Captains, Three Marauders and one Seafarers. It was so easy I felt like I was cheating.

    I find skulls, trinkets, chests and maps all the time. Not to mention treasure on sunken Ships.

  • TtargetPractice

    Quite often, the shape of the island itself is a usable landmark.

  • Whyo
    Lord
    Insider

    @glhadiator
    I agree, I find those too. Just not in caves and caverns. My brother and I found a huge underwater cavern system under Mermaid Island (not sure if that’s the right name). There was nothing in it. I love exploring the world because the art captures the lore perfectly but there is really no gain from it, other than enjoying the aesthetics.

  • Broker151
    Ship Mate

    I love the treasure maps and want more. The riddles are great and these are the times I feel like a true treasure hunter. They need to play this gameplay loop up much more. I want many many more deep multilayered quests for treasure! I want the treasure to mean more and get cosmetic rewards also for them! Gems, and pearls, and other loot would be good.
    More weapons and items with utility as well please. You can add more guns and have the cheap one look cheap an the same gun skin but more expensive one look better but they will always play the same. Maybe other weapons you have to buy and while it will give you an advantage in the sense you have the gun and the opponent doesn't during encounter 1, they will level up and eventually be able to buy the same gun and it's level field again! Point is, they can add so many weapons to this and keep balance... they can add increased abilities to items like higher level lanterns give off more light, high level compass doesn't spin in storms, etc. They have to play this up to make getting stuff more interesting and have a feeling of progression that goes beyond cosmetic but still is cosmetic. Know what I mean?

  • Morwynd78

    @zep-darkwater said in I AM DONE WITH MAPS. (Coordinates):

    @glhadiator This is exactly what I do, we also use the bell on the ship to communicate certain signals by the number of tones, so if you hear 2 chimes of the bell we know where you better be... On the ship :).

    OMG, I am so going to start using the Night's Watch horn system from Game of Thrones.

    1 bell - sailors returning
    2 bells - enemy ship spotted
    3 bells - KRAKEN Y'ALL

  • Zep Darkwater

    @morwynd78 Yeah, its a great way to communicate quickly plus it adds to the immersion :).

  • ImperatorMorsus
    Captain
    Insider
    Founder

    One thing I hate with maps is that the “x” isn’t always where they say it is. Especially if the island has levels.

    And honestly, I think some of the maps are bugged. I had a three “x” map and only two of the chests were findable.

    Where it said one was, was directly on rock, so when I went under it, and dug. No love.

    So, I don’t think the map system is 100% functional, but it’s fun when it works.

  • hex ten
    Sailor

    We find that the old "gunshot in the air" technique is quite effective when trying to find team mates.
    "Shoot in the air please", even easy to see during the day.
    But I get your point.

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