Development Cycle Archive

What defines theBounty Hunterrole in combat?

BH is a combatant who mainly works by themselves. They are able to move in undetected and attack with great force in a chance to disable, disarm, capture, or kill a mark. The drive for combat comes from greed of money. BH missions are the lifeforce for BHs. They need content. Fun missions. PC Bounties! If we wanted to hunt NPCs we'd play another game.

People should be careful with their medium-high level missions. If they fail there's a chance for a bounty to be on them, and this is given to them AS A WARNING IN THE MISSION BREIFING (constent to PvP). This should happen with all major themepark and Faction missions.

Being frieghtned that something is going to happen to you makes games FUN. Why elsedid Doom become so popular? If people don't want to get attacked by other players, they can be artisans or entertainers. People choose combat professions because they want to combat with others. (unless of course they're hologrinding) If you follow the timeline, Jedis are being hunted to extinction at this time. Please let us try to do this.

What offensive abilities?

Power & Accuracy. Not one-shot-one-kill, as this IS a game and still needs to be fun for both sides, but if we lack defenses oureffectiveness with a weapon needs to increase. (yes I know this is being addressed with the combat patch)

The ability to "trap" a target some how. Slow them down, gain some advantage. With the ability to make a mark walk slowly, allowing us to get out of melee range, we could go without large defenses. These don't need to hit every time either, maybe 50-70% of the time. It would be something fun and unique for BHs. How many times do you fight a TKA and fear Knock down. People should fear being tripped up by a bounty hunter.

What defensive abilities?

Minimal defense, enough that the BH can run away if need be, but not so much they can stand there like a TKM and not get hit. And more than they have right now.

What unique abilities?

Stealth, similar to the way Mask Scent works, except hides from the Radar of PCs. It will allow BHs to sneak up on their marks undetected and attack with surprise. It would allow us to follow people, to learn what they do and plan appropriate attacks.

Tracking. PC, NPC&Jedi. With droids (we're not rangers so we shouldn't be able to use that.) Our job is to track people and get to them quickly.

Capture. Similar to when you can DB someone. Except it gives the mark a chance to offer a money to spare their lives. Of course if a BH used this too much, THEY would get a bounty on THEM.

Should add what advantage or asset in group combat?

BH should be allowed to group for combat as it will allows us to have fun with friends, but I feel if we are solo, we should be able to do more damage. As the idea that the BH is a solo hunter foremost.

How could/should they interact with other professions?

This is the key to MMORPG's in my opinion. Every profession should require the use of another profession some how. This makes the economy work. BHs need droid makers, Armorsmiths, weaponsmiths, chefs, etc.

Perhaps master level (and this should happen with all Master level combat professions?) get special armor and different weapons (a unique Carbine cert!)

What should be their unique role in the Galactic Civil War?

BHs should NOT be allowed to join a faction. They can take missions from a faction, but in the end they are neutral. This would prevent faction PvP BH dabblers. When grouped with faction friends, BHs should still not be able to attack based on the group TEF. (However you run into the problem of alienating your friends, perhaps if the BH is attacked first, then they can participate) This would force BHs into the roll of taking on Bounties for PvPing. Again, missions would warn of the chance of a bounty on their head if they fail a mission. Thus consenting to PvP actions.

Since Master level Jedi should be tough for a MBH, perhaps MBH should be rasiedin the ability to overpower other combat professions because we have to fight high level jedis. However, since we could not be factioned, we would not participate in the PvP Raids and people wouldn't dabble. Or if that would cause too much of an influx of BHers. Maybe our abilities are increased ONLY when we are in combat with Jedi.

Another note. I don't know if this happens or not, but PC bounties should expire. Say in 24-48 hours. That way the BH won't become a PvPer ONLY profession. We want it to hunt bounties so we make money. Plus if we dont get the mission in 24 hours, that mark's life is sparred. Also the mark should not know if they have a mark on them or not, and if it expires or not.