I do not want to see SoT turn into a loot grind and love the idea that all items are created equal. However, I do feel that adding a semi-casual progression system to the game would help players feel like they are working toward something while not adding imbalance to the PVP/PVE. So...here is my idea:
Perks and Quirks
Perks and Quirks are gained at significant faction milestones starting at level 10 and ending at level 50. The are distributed in the following order:
Level 10 (perk) - L15 (quirk) - L20 (perk) - L25 (quirk) - L30 (perk) - L35 (quick) - L40 (perk) - L50 (perk)
(level based on standing with all 3 factions)
- The mysterious stranger will inform you of your next status.
- Once you reach the appropriate level, an option will pop up automatically and force your selection (this is to prevent people from delaying a selection)
- You can mix and match perks from any tree - the tree is just to help align them with different play styles.
- Once selected, there is no going back for now … (although new char slots or reroll cost could be included later)
Perks
Learned from a life of hard nocks, these skills will help you thrive. From these perks, select five.
Buccaneer Tree
Shark Skin
Melee attacks due less damage allowing you to absorb one additional hit
Pot Belly
Range attacks due less damage allowing you to absorb one additional hit
Dead Shot
Aided by trajectory line when aiming cannon shots
Delirium Tremens
Effect of puking or throwing puke on someone last twice as long.
Forged in Fire
Take 25% less explosive damage from
Pieces of Six
One extra ammo piece per gun
Powder Monkey
Allows you to reload cannons 25% faster
Explorer Tree
Big B***d
Allows you to take 25% less fall damage
Duffle
You sport a fish net tote which allows you to carry one additional booty. Bag is filled after hands are full and cannot be used to keep hands free to use items/weapons
Parlay
Become friendly to all pirates/players for one minute when invoked. Can only be used when in range of an outpost and will fade if you leave that zone. Melee/Gunfire has no effect. Cannon fire will still damage ships. Name tag will become green to everyone so though know you have invoke Parlay. Can be used once an hour.
Slight of Hand
Gain two for every one common resource you pick up (banana, boards, cannon balls)
Eagle Eye
Spot glowing items from further range including booty on other ships that is not hidden below deck.
Quartermaster
Earn 10% more gold from factions
Hornswoggler
Pay 10% less for all accessory from vendors
Salty Tree
Webbed Toes
Allows you to swim 25% faster than the average pirate
Sea Legs
Allows you to run 25% faster than the average pirate
Gills for Lungs
Allows you to hold your breath 25% longer under water
Friend of Neptune
Allows a ship wrecked crew to land closer to original sinking and only loose half of their basic inventory when wrecked. Can only happen once per hour.
Boatswain
Adjust sails and raise anchor 25% faster than average pirate
Carpenter
Allows you to patch holes 25% faster
Sail Master
Allows you to set two unique map markers which appear to you as floating waypoints in the world. These do not appear on anyone else's HUD.
Quirks
Long days bleached in the sun, perks do not come for fee. Of these quirks, choose three.
Brittle Bones
Take additional 10% damage from melee weapons
Dry Belly (aka Lead Poisoning)
Take additional 10% damage from ranged hand weapons.
Tapeworm
Two bananas to every one a normal pirate eats to gain same amount of health
Peg Leg
Run 10% slower than the average pirate
Cabin Boy
Earn 10% less from vendors
Fish Breath
Pay 10% more to accessory vendors
Swabbie
Bail water and patch holes 10% slower than the average pirate
Shark Bait
Hold your breath 10% less and swim 10% slower than average pirate
Hole in Pocket
One less ammo pellet per gun
Scurvy
10% slower moving when carrying booty.
Of course - this selection of Perks & Quirks would be retroactive for any pirates already past these milestones upon their next logon.
Foot Note; Friend of Neptune perk assumes changes to being shipped wrecked (ship spawning) that have been discussed in other threads. Random distant island and all on board supplier (boards, cannon balls and bananas) are lost and must be restocked via gathering.
