I just want to start off by saying that I understand the resource issues and dev priority that would limit something like this. It is for discussion.
As has been posted before, it would be cool to have an adventure mode version of the Sea Dog faction, specifically pointed towards PvP. Commendations and ledger value could be based off of things like combat performance whilst flying the Sea Dog flag (ships sunk, masts fully cracked, cannon shots hit, etc) and flag turn-ins. There are a lot of reasons why this either wouldn't work or would be very difficult to implement, so I'm going to leave that shelved.
I do think it would still be cool to work them into the world (actually utilize the Sea Dog Tavern) and tie commendations and progression to them, but maybe by having them be a more passive faction similar to the Hunter's Call. Where as I love the idea of them being a full on emissary, one of the biggest problems is how a pure PvP faction would throw off game balance for a lot of the player base. Perhaps by making it a passive faction then you give more options to players to engage. Additionally, rewards and commendations would new, nothing that previously existed in Arena. Below are a few thoughts on how to implement:
Stat Tracking
As it stands, there isn't a great way to see your in game metrics for certain things. If the backend code for tracking could be worked out then the Sea Dogs would track those details and tie commendations to them. Examples:
- Player ships sunk
- Players sent to the ferry (sub categories for by sword, flintlock, blunderbuss, EoR, blunderbombs, cannonballs)
- Masts fully cracked
- Cannon shots hit (sub: cannon balls, firebombs, blunderbombs)
- Damage dealt (sub for hand-to-hand and naval)
-etc
Sea Dog Chests
- Put in Sea Dog Chests similar to how Reaper Chests are implemented and make them a high value grab to be turned in to the Sea Dog Tavern. If you want to go for it then that is your choice, but it marks you as a high value PvP target
- Sinking and stealing the chest from another ship generates a higher value for the chest (one or the other, or both. If you steal a chest without sinking the ship the value goes up, but if you sink the marked ship then that adds another tier of value)
Dueling
- Two kinds: tdm and naval
- TDM would be started when two players of different crews perform the dueling gesture in close proximity
- Naval would be started when two ships shoot up a unique flare/firework in close proximity
- Base reward is faction grade. Stolen loot is rewarded as a bonus
- Allianced crews cannot duel each other
- I would love if combat performance was measured in naval duels, but the backend coding around it might be untenable. Mostly that one crew could not repair or bucket the opposing crews ship, so as to avoid endless spawn camping. I just wanted to list it, but also understand how hard it would likely be to implement.
Just a few ideas, none of them perfect. I love PvP but also like the idea of keeping the balance. Would love to hear thoughts on the matter.
