So as tons have made post about before AI ships. e.g: Merchant Ships, Ghost\ Skeleton Ships for more naval combat.
And opportunity to get loot, now some say this will take away PvP from forts and other part of the game.
How about a compromise?
Make two factions, e.g.: Merchants and Buccaneers. Players select what faction they want to play ether using NPC or from main many (not important).
Now if you want to do regular voyages then Merchants is your faction.
Here there are convoys or "fleets" of ships transporting goods by routs this includes AI and player ships.
If some buccaneers are plaguing the sea merchant AI will get better ships protecting them.
Now the way I see it is use the > or < formula and depending on protection Buceneers whould want to target players first in a small fleet.
Or the buffed AI ships in the event of the Buceneers is sinking to many Merchents. For the Merchents bigger fleet means safer voyage for players (maybe players sail in middle and AI on the outer.
On the other end in case of power beeing to skewd for Merchents then rumors spread far and wide of the booty to be plunderd and some buffed Buceneer ship shows up.
Now bigger fleet more loot and bigger risk and maybe even imposible to take down by 1 galleon. This will create a resson to team up with crews on both sides for firepower and protection.
This means that the PvP and PvE is intrinsic but will balance it self, dynamicly. Depending on the winning favor, and it will provide a way to make "good" and "bad" players (hero\ vilan).
Of course players shoud be able to switch at next session to keep everything open for everyone.
But i see a way players then could chose to play.
I see no point in honrebol merchents sinking etch other and that could have a rep penalty. Buceneers on the other hand are pirates and that may gain rep or infamy in buceneering faction. (Done sinking merchents start on the other Buceneers crews) for the most piraty of crews.
Unieqe cosmetics can be gaind from both factions, along with achivments and titels.
Now ether way you look at it no side could dominate for ever as when the power balance is even, its left to the crews wit, seamanship and grit tath rules the outcome.
Now winning is profitable for both sides must stop and get the loot from sunken ship. Giving Merchents players the abilaty to get away, and profit, bothe sides win in that case make it fun for both sides.
In the event on Merchents sinking buceneers they take there loot but risk beeing sunk by some other buceneers.. Buceneers sink Merchenst they take there loot, some get away it will be a constant battle but not always direct player to player exchange. as depending on ship fleet buff and or size diferent stratagys must be imploid.
It can give the community a sence of idantity, bond and rivalry. Some will want to excel at one faction others in both.
What about the forced PvE for PvP that can become a issue? Well Skull forts work just fine and that brings most of the best PvP encounters. Even tough you have to deal with skeleton cannons, also there is a lot of scenarios to think about.
Merchent: Do i defend the AI Man of War or do i flee?
Buceneer: Do i attack that other buceneer crew or that merchent player crew. Or Do i take out a AI ship`s? Player decide to take hem on just becuse they are buceneers\ merchents AI\ Players.
Am not saying this is the complete be all end all design but. I hope i get the idea across in a meaningfull and understandable way.
I also like to note that i favor PvP and that is way i love this game. But i feel it lacking and see people wanting more PvE content and how we all want to fight more at sea. I think this whould solve that, and give the community a resson to thrive be social and to team up like i belive Rare meant for.
Also i belive this whould be in line with the theme and history.
Best Regards
