CUEmu - Thread Posts

Daker-Naritus

Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:21 pm

Background:

Due to recent events, I have decided to post my ideas for a droid handlingMini-Tree to propose to the masses. The basis for this idea originally came from Drashk and his Droid Commander proposal. I liked Drashk's proposal a lot, but felt it went a little further than where we needed to go. Specifically, I thought that droids should be limited to CL30-40 (instead of in the 70s) and that the skill point investment should be kept to about 2 tree's worth, instead of a full 4 tree profession's worth.

My idea is based on the following 3 premises:

(1) Many DEs want to craft, a market for combat droids needs to be preserved. This market is hindered if only DEs can use combat droids

(2) Some DEs want to use combat droids as well as make them. It is important that DEs have some access to combat droids.

(3) Some DEs want a droid advantage of some kind.

So incorporating all these ideas, here is my ideas (including modification of Drashk's proposal)

All Players:

Outside of Droid Commanderany PC would be able to control 1 Level 10 Droid.

The Droid Commander

The Droid Commander would be a two-treemini-Profession. The basic layout would be the same as every other 4 tree profession, only with the 2 outside trees missing.

Basically, thismini-profession would be unavailable to everyone until they met certain pre-requisites. I envision the prerequisites to be that any player who becomes a novice of any elite profession (elite=any profession above novice), unlocks the Droid Commander Profession.At a minimum, the player must invest 29 Skill points (novice DE for example) to get access to the Droid Commander Profession. This is exactly the same as all other professions, which require non-professional prereqs. to entitle you to learn the skill.

The important aspects include that:

(1)It gives you nothing for free. ALL novice elite players get NO further droid ability without spending extra skill points. This meets TH's criteria of "no extra checkers."

(2) It does not interfere with, or encourage intrusion into, the DE profession. Any players who (a) meet the prerequisites and (b) spend the skill points, can use droids.

(3) It makes droids available to anyone who (a) meets the prerequisites and (b) spend the skill points, thereby preserving a good market for combat droids

(4) It utilizes combat experience for skilling up instead of crafting experience. If people are going to skill up on droid use, it makes sense that they will use the experience from using their droids to skill up instead of crafting experience.

(5) It preserves a DE-only advantage...an extra droid.

Basic Plan Layout: (Drashk's Plan Substantially Revised)

Novice Droid Commander (10 Skill Points)
+2 Max Droid Level / +1 Stored Droids
Skill - Overload 1
Cost - 50000 Combat Experience

Droid Commander Tree 1

Droid Combat Enhancement I (5 Skill Points)
+2 Max Droid Level
Skill - Supercharge 1
Cost - 75000 Droid Command Experience

Droid Combat Enhancement II (4 Skill Points)
+2 Max Droid Level
Skill - Overload 2
Cost - 100000 Droid Command Experience

Droid Combat Enhancement III (3 Skill Points)
+3 Max Droid Level
Skill - Supercharge 2
Cost - 150000 Droid Command Experience

Droid Combat Enhancement IV (2 Skill Points)
+3 Max Droid Level
Skill - Overload 3
Cost - 200000 Droid Command Experience

Droid Commander Tree 2

Droid Tactics I (5 Skill Points)
+2 Max Droid Level
Skill - Suppression Fire
Cost - 75000 Droid Command Experience

Droid Tactics II (4 Skill Points)
+2 Max Droid Level / +2 Stored Droids
Skill - Speed Boost
Cost - 100000 Droid Command Experience / 4 Skill Points

Droid Tactics III (3 Skill Points)
+3 Max Droid Level
Skill - Tactical Fire
Cost - 150000 Droid Command Experience / 3 Skill Points

Droid Tactics IV (2 Skill Points)
+3 Max Droid Level / +2 Stored Droids
Skill - Accuracy Boost
Cost - 200000 Droid Command Experience

Master Droid Commander (5 Skill Points)
+3 Max Droid Level / +1 Additional Droid / +2 Stored Droids
Skill - Overload 4 / Supercharge 3
Cost - 620 Apprenticeship Points

Explanation of Abilities: (NOTE: These play nicely with the droid power meter that is being added to the next 2 patches).

Overload 1 - Increases the damage output of 1 Droid by 10% on its next 5 attacks. After the 5th attack, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid every 90 seconds.
Overload 2 - Increases the damage output of 1 Droid by 30% on its next 5 attacks. After the 5th attack, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid every 90 seconds.
Overload 3 - Increases the damage output of 1 Droid by 50% on its next 5 attacks. After the 5th attack, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid every 90 seconds.
Overload 4 - Increases the damage output of 1 Droid by 70% on its next 5 attacks. After the 5th attack, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid every 90 seconds.
Supercharge 1 - Increases the HAM pools of one droid for 10 minutes by 15%. After the 10 minutes, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid once every 90 seconds
Supercharge 2 - Increases the HAM pools of one droid for 10 minutes by 30%. After the 10 minutes, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid once every 90 seconds
Supercharge 3 - Increases the HAM pools of one droid for 10 minutes by 45%. After the 10 minutes, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid once every 90 seconds
Suppression Fire - Causes all droids under the DCs command to fire at a single target to reduce the targets chance to hit for 5 seconds. The targets chance to hit is reduced by 10% for each droid involved in this action. This ability can only be performed once every 90 seconds.
Tactical Shot - Causes all droids under the DCs command to attack a single target as if they were firing a single shot. 5% is added to the total damage for every droid that is included in the shot. This action can only be performed once every 90 seconds.
Speed Boost - Increases the Speed of 1 Droid by 25% for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid once every 90 seconds
Accuracy Boost - Increases the Accuracy of 1 Droid by 25% for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, the Droid's battery is depleted. This skill can only be used on 1 droid once every 90 seconds

A Master Droid Commander would have a total of +25 Max Droid Levels (for a maximum droid level of CL35), +7 Stored Droids, and +1 Additional Droids (2 droids total). The total cost from Novice to Master would be 1100000 Combat Droid Experience,43 skill points (plus whatever prerequisite skill points the person spends to get a novice elite profession), and 620 Apprenticeship Points.

DE Side-Note:

At Master Droid-Engineer, all DEs would also get +1 Additional Droids under this plan. This gives and extra droid of ANY type (including combat) to DEs who earn master, and prevents dabbling in a DE tree just for the one extra droid.

The basic result of this is that a Master DE/Novice Droid Commander would be able to control TWO droids of any type(instead of onlyone like every other class), and a Master DE/Master Droid Commander would be able to control THREE droids (instead oftwo like every other class). This provides the DE class a nice droid advantage over every other class, without encouraging dabbling in our profession.

Comparison with CH for Balance:

CH Requirements to get a Level 35 pet:

Novice Scout: 15 Skill Points

Exploration and Hunting Trees: 28 Skill Points

Novice Creature Handler: 6 Skill Points

Two of the CH Trees for +36: 28 Skill Points

Total: 77 Skill Points

DC Requirements to get a Level 35 Droid:

Novice Elite Profession: Minimum of 29 Skill Points (using DE as an example)

Novice DC:10 Skill Points

Two DC Trees: 28 Skill Points

Master DC:5 Skill Points

Total:72 Skill Points

As an additional note: Comparing this plan to Sodan's plan, the result is basically the same. The maximum droid level is CL35, DC spend about the same skill points as CH for that CL35 pet, DEs get more of a market for combat droids, and players have to spend skill points from other professions as prerequisites forbecoming a Droid Commander.

However, this plan does not (1) cause people to grind DE just to get combat droids, (2) discourage people from buying combat droids because they do not want to grind artisan, or (3) cause an influx of competing crafters into the DE profession because they want to craft as well as the bonus of combat droids. Instead it builds onplayers current abilities, and allows everyone to use droids IF they spend a balanced number skill points to have them, AS WELL AS providing a benefit to all master DEs (an additional droid).

Comments?

Sodan-droiddreamer

Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:26 pm

#2

Five-stars from me to protect you from one-stars as promised; substantive comments to follow.

Sodan Droiddreamer (GEGN)
Sodan's Exotic Droidgarten - In Bohemian Grove (Geigen Shuttle), Tatooine (6156 7275)

Jenden

Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:32 pm

#3

Don't have time to read it thoroughly right now but from what I have skimmed over its the kind of system I'm in favor for. I know its been suggested with mixed results a couple times, hoepfully we can get a more specific read on it this time.

Jenden Morn - Master of Droids- Tarquinas
Droid Engineer Blue Glowy
Owner, Operator, and Founder of DarkStar Inc.
Groupy of the best band in the galaxy, Solar Flair
3D art of Jenden by Saeelwenea

Daker-Naritus

Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:49 pm

#4

Sodan-droiddreamer wrote:

Five-stars from me to protect you from one-stars as promised; substantive comments to follow.

Thank you....I appreciate that.

Gribnitz

Mon Mar 08, 2004 4:53 pm

#5

I could go for this proposal as well. Anything to get higher level droids into the game.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gribnitz the Rodian with the glasses
Master Droid Engineer - Master Artisan

Did you know it is physically impossible to lick your own elbow?

Kauri Server shop located at -1155, -4532 only 900 meters South of Bestine

Tarne_Monter

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:07 pm

#6

I like this idea. The only problem I have is with Runesabre's comment about not wanting to add
new professions to the game until current ones are fixed. And that's more of a time scale problem than otherwise.

Tarne Monter from Elderhome, Naboo, Ahazi
Vendor "Tarne's Droids" in the Merchant Tent at 5680 4451 Naboo
Master Droid Engineer and Master Artisan
Smuggler 0/2/0/0

Kadaara, Naboo, TC
Marksman 0/0/3/0

Sodan-droiddreamer

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:09 pm

#7

Tarne_Monter wrote:
I like this idea. The only problem I have is with Runesabre's comment about not wanting to add
new professions to the game until current ones are fixed. And that's more of a time scale problem than otherwise.

That is an issue.

As a matter of personal preference, I prefer the "other" plan floating out there. But hats off to Daker for proposing this one.

Sodan Droiddreamer (GEGN)
Sodan's Exotic Droidgarten - In Bohemian Grove (Geigen Shuttle), Tatooine (6156 7275)

AudioOrgana

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:12 pm

#8

Bravo for putting your money where your mouth was, Darker.

I like this idea as well. To echo above, anything to get Combat Droids in the game without a full Droid Commander four-tree profession.

I also like the fact (correct me if I am wrong) that any novice profession is elligible? That means just about everyone, which is a plus in my book.

Finally, the inclusion of an extra droid for a DE is sorely needed, combat or not. Glad it was included as well.

Truth be told, I'd think either plan would work - it would be interesting to hear what the viability of any of this is.

Good work, Darker.

Audio

EricTheGreat

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:14 pm

#9

I honestly support anything that will get combat droids as playable in the game. Exactly how they are implemented is another matter, I just do not want a CH clone in the form of a full DC. After whoring my character out of DE, I can do anything now.

But it would be nice if someone, say whoever our nextcorrespondent is, finds out ASAP if anything like this or the other main proposal up now is even possible.

Kenner Aldric

~Deviancy At Its Best~

BH/Pistoleer Cowboy Extrodinaire, Recovering Old Timer MDE Spice Addict

Daker-Naritus

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:20 pm

#10

Tarne_Monter wrote:
I like this idea. The only problem I have is with Runesabre's comment about not wanting to add
new professions to the game until current ones are fixed. And that's more of a time scale problem than otherwise.

Hence the only real drawback. I do have a nice rebuttal prepared, however:

A couple of months back, TH posted in the DE and Development (as in past the "concept" stage and in development) forums that Devs were planning on implementing a Droid Handler Profession, and posted all the stats and setup, stating that Devs were pushing it in publishes 7 and 8. The developers obviously had already started development in this additional profession. They later stopped when we objected that DE-only droid provide no market for us to sell to.

Myidea does nothing more than to water down and consolidate TH's proposal, and to allow people to control less powerful droids than CL70 at areasonable skill point investment.

If the devs were ready to push out a full new profession in 1-2 months to the players, why couldn't they push out half a profession is 1-2 months for publish 8or 9? That is no longer than we are already going to wait for combat droids.

Additionally, devs are already going to have to restructure the DE tree to allow for droid level stats and other additions under the competing plan. If they are already inserting and balancing stats, why not insert them in a newskill treeinstead of an old one?

It is true this would be the equivalent of a new profession, but I don't envison it taking 6 months to implement...more like another month or 2. Additionally, according to the devs, all professions will be substantially fixed in the combat balance (patch 8), so there should be no reservations from Rune-Sabre after that. Additionally, almost all DEs have succumbed to the fact that we are getting bug fixes and utility droids in the next 2 patches. If we had to wait a little longer (as publish 9)for this proposal to be implemented, isit that much different from what we are already going to get?

Edit: That last paragraph didn't make any sense,,,

Message Edited by Daker-Naritus on 03-08-2004 06:25 PM

AudioOrgana

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:25 pm

#11

Daker-Naritus wrote:

Tarne_Monter wrote:
I like this idea. The only problem I have is with Runesabre's comment about not wanting to add
new professions to the game until current ones are fixed. And that's more of a time scale problem than otherwise.

Hence the only real drawback. I do have a nice rebuttal prepared, however:

A couple of months back, TH posted in the DE and Development (as in past the "concept" stage and in development) forums that Devs were planning on implementing a Droid Handler Profession, and posted all the stats and setup, stating that Devs were pushing it in publishes 7 and 8. The developers obviously had already started development in this additional profession. They later stopped when we objected that DE-only droid provide no market for us to sell to.

Myidea does nothing more than to water down and consolidate TH's proposal, and to allow people to control less powerful droids than CL70 at areasonable skill point investment.

If the devs were ready to push out a full new profession in 1-2 months to the players, why couldn't they push out half a profession is 1-2 months for publish 8or 9? That is no longer than we are already going to wait for combat droids.

Additionally, devs are already going to have to restructure the DE tree to allow for droid level stats and other additions under the competing plan. If they are already inserting and balancing stats, why not insert them in a newskill treeinstead of an old one?

It is true this would be the equivalent of a new profession, but I don't envison it taking 6 months to implement...more like another month or 2. Additionally, according to the devs, all professions will be substantially fixed in the combat balance (patch 8). Essentially, almost all DEs have succumbed to the fact that we are getting bug fixes and utility droids in the next 2 patches. If we had to wait a little longer for this proposal to be implemented, it that much different from what we are already going to get?

I also think it was Runesaber who said, "Can someone tell me how a mini-profession would work?" - I don't think the concept had ever been brought to him.

I can't remember which thread it was, but it was rather recent - and I remember it became abou fifty other things and I don't believe everyone answered him.

*points up*

*thinks Runesaber needs to look at this*

Audio

Jenden

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:28 pm

#12

I doubt either of the proposals up right now will actually happen (not that there aren't some good ideas). The devs are already past publish7 and a good way into publish 8. There's no turning back from the utility modules at this point, so the only way would be to, like you suggested, just push it back for another month or two. The problem then comes in that there are 31 (or whatever the number actually is) other professions to be worked on. I'm amazed we got two publishes (granted there isn't much in those two publishes) as it is. would I like for this plan to be implemented, yea. Do I think it will happen, no.

Damn, just realized I already passed my 1000th post mark... didn't even get any fireworks or cake! I thought this was supposed to come with fireworks and cake!

Message Edited by Jenden on 03-08-2004 04:31 PM

Jenden Morn - Master of Droids- Tarquinas
Droid Engineer Blue Glowy
Owner, Operator, and Founder of DarkStar Inc.
Groupy of the best band in the galaxy, Solar Flair
3D art of Jenden by Saeelwenea

duncje

Mon Mar 08, 2004 5:35 pm

#13

Good ideas here as well. I just have a couple issues, given the current state of DE.

This proposal would be much harder to add in terms of game developmentthan the other one. Not only is a new profession (be it a mini-profession) added, there are "specials" included as well, which only add to the coding/balancing time.

I fear the Devs might think it isunbalanced. It is 5 less skill points, and virtually nobody is excluded from taking this new profession, as at minimum only a single novice tree and a novice elite profession is needed. The "other" plan errs more on the side of conservativeness.

The point that Runesabre made about not adding new professions until the existing ones are fixed brings up the question "When?"

Good job with this Daker. I prefer the other plan just on personal preference, and based on how difficult this mini-profession would be to develop and add to the game.

Anything that adds depth to the DE profession is ok in my book, it just seems that the other profession is much more implementablefrom the devs point of view.

Beebo
Master Droid Engineer | Shipwright | Master Artisan
Crazy Beebo's Discount Droids & Ships {-1075 -2924} Bestine, Tatooine

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Thread: Daker's Droid Mini-Tree Proposal