Development Cycle Archive
Thread: In Concept 1-1: Combat Roles; Bounty Hunter
Never say never about the Rebellion never using bounty hunters. The Rebellion did use mercenaries, right? In Star Wars canon, it seems that bounty hunters, mercenaries, and assassins are all fairly similar.
Personally, I think all SWG Bounty Hunters should be part of an Underworld Faction by default, and excluded from the GCW all together.
And to whoever said Fastblast is useless: Have you ever tried using it?
Fastblast requires almost no HAM to use. Fastblast actually seems to go faster than what a pistol speed mod might allow, it can be spammed back-to-back-to-back with almost no HAM cost. Fastblast targets all three HAM pools,I've noticed about 220 per shot. Divide that number by three. You're still doing decent damage, comparable to other higher-end pistol specials. Except that Fastblast is well... incredibly fast andeasy on the HAM.
So try using it once in a while.
I am one of the leaders of the guild <DOT> and we are rebel... I would doubt they would put all the work in a 3rd faction anyway, but do you know how many people would quit BH? Let me guess, your just neutral?
-Warf MBH
MY PLAYER BOUNTY IDEAS PLEASE READ***
Okay…player bounties would be the most fun aspect of star wars galaxies and would be fun for everyone. There hasn’t been a really effeciant way of creating this theory of player bounties but I have discovered and true bright idea that could change this.
Bounty hunters are begging for player bounties but the concern of this is of those that don’t want to be hunted…my idea gives them a choice to not be hunted and then there are those that want that extra tension of being the hunted. “Bring it on!” they cheer.
Lets say it’s a piket lair and instead of the reward being 9k for it its 11k now because its under a contract. You go out do the mission…and you die. A message comes up saying “Your contract has been broken. The bounty on your head is currently (or 16,500 whichever seems more reasonable for the economy)22,000.” I got 22,000 by multiplying the reward for the missions by 2(or by 1.5 if the economy is inflated). Now, lets say a bounty hunter never found your mission or no one wanted it…and you got another mission and failed that one and it was a 5k mission with the contract. Then a message would come up “Your contract has been broken. The bounty on your head is currently 32,000 (or 21,500 if the economy is inflated) and once a bounty hunter comes to get you and kills you…your slate is clean and you can do whatever and not have to worry about the bounty hunter coming for you
To me, the Bounty Hunter is suppose to be an enigma of sorts. Feared simply because no one knows their capabilities save for knowing the can pound you into Bantha Poodoo if they so choose. Which only really happens if you do something to become their next mark.
Ok, that being said, one of the other things a Bounty Hunter is all about is a 'Batman' style showcase of weapons and tricks. I don't want to say the Bounty Hunter is defined souly based on his equipment; but that is a big part of it... and the skill to use said equipment.
One addition that the Bounty Hunter really needs though is the Bounty Hunter Rocket/Jet Pack. It should work just like a normal backpack save for it doesn't leave game when you stop using it. There would need to be a different way to figure decay for the item since it wouldn't be a straight up vehicle.
This would also bring in effect new tactics for the BH to use. Like landing on top of a building to track a target in a crowd. Which will become more useful in the next few patches I believe.
The BH should also have a more diverse set of weaponry at his disposal. Encluding some weapons for Live capture. In this way you could get a bounty on your head and once your incapped by said weapon the BH moves on. No db because if he dbs you... he gets paid less or maybe not at all. Dead or Alive bounties would be really interesting to see then too.
Just a few ideas,
The Lunatic Fringer
Be able to track down and eliminate almost any enemy. A feared and extremely elite class.
What basic combat elements should they possess?
High damage attacks, be able to trap or restrain a target from a distance, be able to knockdown.
What offensive abilities?
High damaging attacks
What defensive abilities?
Be able to knockdown put many states on the bounty
What unique abilities?
Be able to restrain a bounty; i.e. some sort of whipcord
Should add what advantage or asset in group combat?
None bounty hunter is a "Lone Wolf" operator
How could/should they interact with other professions?
Be able to use others as informants or as distractions in their grand plan of capuring a bounty
What interaction / dependencies should exist with other combatants?
None are sole operators
What should be their unique role in the Galactic Civil War?
Be hired as a merc; bounty hunters want money, armor, and the best weapons they can get, so be highly paid assasins on high ranking officers of any faction(bounty hunters do not care about what faction wins as long as they keep the customers.
Tobbi Dala
Starsider
BH:2/4/2/4
Carbineer: 4/3/0/0
Mykasoda wrote:
I just have a suggestion for the Bounty Hunter profession to make it more interesting to play. Would it be possible for NPC's of factions to provide missions for Bounty Hunters out there to kill people that have the max faction against them? I think it would be much more interesting if Bounty Hunters were ableget missions tosearch and destroy players. Also, this would keep players aware of their factions and would punish them more for their thoughtless killing of NPCs.
Indeed a splended idea!
What defines theBounty Hunterrole in combat?
right now nothing always getting wooped by every other profession
What basic combat elements should they possess?
tracking, good in 1v1 or 1v2 situations, should have pvp bounties based on a point system or based, faction, notouriousness, etc, should have a bunch of new gadgets, should be feared, have a type of stunning ability whre other playerscant react to them as quickly an "invoke fear" if you will, could have pvp bounties where the bh needs to capture and they have a type of net launcher (pvp bounties should not alow you to attack another bounty hunter).there are many improvements that should and could be made on teh bounty hunter proffesion. i beleive this because it is one of the hardest, and most time consumingprofessions to master, therefore it should defenitly be one of the best
What offensive abilities?
should have an effect that makes targets react slower, new weapons, and a wide range of weapons, traps and tricks, stronger attack especialy in 1v1 or 1v2, pvp bounties where when a bounty is accepted that player becomes automaticaly attackable that way a bountie hunter could have teh jump on them.
What defensive abilities?
better dodge, more dammage absorbance ability
What unique abilities?
a trap, dodge, a fear invoking "invoke fear"ability that slows down enimy responce time, shouldexcell attrackingpeople, using conventinal trackin and droids, should have tracking not rangers i mean common these are bounty hunters we ar talkin bout. deff need better weapons
Should add what advantage or asset in group combat?
not much as they are so to speak "lone hunters", however they should bring fear to what the group is hunting be it players or npc's
How could/should they interact with other professions?
they should hunt them, and be better than them in1v1 1v2 situations, good when they get the jump on them and use there tools, traps, and tricks to win
What interaction / dependencies should exist with other combatants?
should have absolutly no dependencies with other classes, however, should wook well with rangers, creature handlers, and smugglers
What should be their unique role in the Galactic Civil War?
well first off you should add an new faction, the "Jabba" faction, basicaly a faction of smugglers and theives that either side of the galactic civil war could hire to assinate important leaders of the opposite faction, or spys in their faction, Bounty Hunters dont care about the war, they dont care about the polotics, they care a bout the money, and even some dont care about that, most importantly they lust for the hunt, therefore there should be a jabba faction with a bounty hunter order
~Regnek
What defines the Bounty Hunter role in combat?
The Bounty Hunter is a one man "army", his only purpose is to kill or capture people, for money.
What basic combat elements should they possess?
Players have already suggested impressive first strike capabilities. That is a good idea. The ability to trap is a must. The Bounty Hunter should put almost as much care and attention to his snaring devices as his weapon, IOW, his trapping skills against people is almost deserving of a skill tree itself.
What offensive abilities?
Several High Damage, Long Timer Attacks to keep the 1v1 combat in mind. I read a lot of good ideas for this from other players.
What defensive abilities?
A Bounty isn't going to come to you, you have to go to him. That means attack is his best defense. You have to attack hard in the opening moments, defenses besides armor, are of little concern. What does a Bounty Hunter do when he can't win? He runs for his life! Money is important, but you can't enjoy it when your dead. You can always leave the mark and try again some other time. The Bounty Hunter should be able to make an escape with minimum damage to himself. Obviously, using any of these escape abilities would force him to not be able to engage in combat for a certain period of time. Simply put, the Bounty Hunter wins, or he makes a run for it. The timer based defense bonus sounded like a good idea.
What unique abilities?
The reputation bonus is an awesome idea, run with it. The Bounty Hunter is also good with people. The Bounty Hunter should be able to find random NPC's and pay them for information: "Has so and so been through here lately?" "Yes he was in here about 2 hours ago" [Bounty Hunter pays informant for the information]. As a Bounty Hunter gets higher level, the NPC can give more specific and more reliable information. "He's been in the area lately but hes gone now" (Low Level and costs 100 credits) versus "He was here about 20 minutes ago, and left headed due East" (High Level and costs 1500 credits). In addition, the various Bounty Hunter Guilds (Mantis, Benelex, etc) should play a role and Bounty Hunters would have to join one of those Guilds at a particular level. The guild affiliation offers certain perks to diversify the Bounty Hunters. This would also allow factional infighting. This brings me to the last point, since Bounty Hunters are motivated only by money.
In addition, the Bounty Hunter is a path that requires complete attention with no focus on anything else. The Novice Bounty Hunter skill should take ALL remaining Skill Points of the player, and the other levels simply cost 0 SP. So Novice Bounty Hunter would cost, 63SP for example. So the climb to Master Bounty Hunter is arduous, you can't rely on any other skills during your rise to Master besides your prerequisite skills. This means you are either a Bounty Hunter, or you are not, there is no in between.
Should add what advantage or asset in group combat?
Nothing, Bounty Hunters are cocky, arrogant, and not team players and they are in it for themselves, they should give penalties to groups and gain penalties when in groups. Only if they are in a group of Bounty Hunters from their Bounty Guild, then they should incur lesser or no penalties. Grouping with another guild's Bounty Hunters should not be possible. Possible exceptions when the group is composed soley of other Bounty Hunters. Not sure about that last one, you could make it so only a good Squad Leader can counter the negative effects of a grouped Bounty Hunter.
How could/should they interact with other professions?
Player contracts should be available, but not through Bounty Hunters. The Bounty Hunter is just the arm of execution. Merchants or some other non-combat class should be the only profession able to place a Bounty on a player. Obviously there would be a cap on the number of contracts that can be offered and there is a guild listing fee. The Bounty Hunter simply accepts those missions through a player-offered Bounty Terminal. Obviously there would be limitations on the number of contracts that a Merchant can place on a player. The Merchant would be affiliated with a particular guild. Also Bounty Equipment requires special care, this means a relationship with Weaponsmiths, Armorsmiths and Tailors.
What interaction / dependencies should exist with other combatants?
The idea of Bounty Hunters being Bodyguards is also good. To prevent other Bounty Hunters from killing a particular target (goes with factional infighting). Bounty Hunters should have no reliance on other characters besides their guild brokers and their targets. Obviously since they are designed for one on one, a combined arms situation of more than 2 people should be a dangerous idea for a Bounty Hunter.
What should be their unique role in the Galactic Civil War?
Their unique role is that they have no direct role in the GCW. Bounty Hunters cannot have factional affiliation with Rebel or Imperial. They can be hired on by any faction through the merchant (or whatever class is the Bounty's Broker, obviously limitations so the BH can't be both) They are loyal to the paycheck, which would be their appropriate Bounty Hunter Guild. Obviously Bounty Hunters can be used for factional purposes, but only through regular bounty channels (contracts). They can recieve TEF's for Imperial or Rebels, by say attacking an overt member, but they cannot belong to any particular faction.
Population Control:
Novice Bounty Hunter should have to be acquired through something that isn't just killing alone. It is in part, quest driven in order to gain the support of a guild who will then admit you into the profession once you have gained their favor, so you begin selecting your guild from the beginning. The Bounty Hunter grind should be kind of painful, it should take significantly longer to make Master Bounty Hunter then any other single profession besides Jedi. In addition Novice Bounty Hunter should not be a particularly powerful class. The Bounty Hunters Power should come from between the mid and high levels of the skills. IOW: A Novice Bounty Hunter would stand little chance taking player contract kills. Also when you are a Bounty Hunter you cannot work on any Jedi Grinding or Questing. Your job is to kill Jedi, not try to become one.
PHEW! Hope that helps.
What defines theBounty Hunterrole in combat?
Asthe ultimate hunter, a BH should be a master in tracking down his/her prey using tracking droids and Ranger abilities.Asthe most clever combatant, a BH's skill as a warrior should surpass all other classes besides Jedi (should be about equal).Like Jedi, they should instill fear in everyone in his/her presence. Bounty Hunters and Jedi should NOT be "balanced" with other professions. Thedefining characteristicof BH&Jedi is that they are far above other profs in regards to combat.
What basic combat elements should they possess?
They should not be limited in regards to what weapons they can use. Each BH should be able to specialize in whatever he/she prefers and using whatever weapon he/she prefers---melee or ranged.
What offensive abilities?
Again, A BH should be able to choose any melee or ranged skill to specialize in, and the BH's abilties should surpass weapon specialists that are not BH's. The only limiting factor should be this: BH's are only allowed toattack their bounties and whatever group & guildtheir bounties aremembers of. Other than that, they can also accept duels.This wouldlimit a BH from going on a killing spree for no reason at all. Money should be his/heronly motivation.
What defensive abilities?
Emphasis on stealth, dodging, (jet packs?), highest defense levels rivaling a Jedi through the use of technology.
What unique abilities?
Other than droid tracking,a BH should have some value-added abilties to ANY of the weapons available---light and heavy(excluding lightsaber). Theyshould be the BEST at whatever weapons they specialize in----setting them apart fromaregular rifleman/pistoleer/swordsman, etc. The value-added abilities should incorporate more stealth,camoflage, dodging,and escape as well as improvements on accuracy, firepower, and defenses of other combat professions. They also should have access torare,powerful weapons.
Should add what advantage or asset in group combat?
A group should only benefit from a BH if the group is attacking the BH's bounty or that bounty's guild. The BH can only join a group if they pay him/her.
How could/should they interact with other professions?
The BH can pay other professions for intelligence, purchasing weapons & armor, meds, collecting bounties, getting healed, buffed, etc.
What interaction / dependencies should exist with other combatants?
BH's can accept help for killing or capturing their bounties. The BH can only join a group if the group pays him.
What should be their unique role in the Galactic Civil War?
Serving whatever client who will pay them the most. Have BH missions targettinghigh ranking NPC and PC officers on either side. They shouldn't have the ability to declare Rebel or Imperial. There should beserparate factions for Jabba and other crimelords. Warring criminal factions should be able to declare covert/overt.
