Scout Archive

I am responding on the Scout forum because Delta suggested that I should. I asked the question if maskscent/camo was still bugged for Rangers. As mask scent is a Scout ability it was suggested to ask the question on this Forum. I am a Ranger. I am also a Master Scout (obviously). My question is why when I move into an "elite" profession, I forget skills I learned to get there. In case you dont know, a Ranger in a group, when he applies maskscent, attracts reds to him like flies. Heck they will warp to you from 128 meters out. Without maskscent on I can run/walk/dance past reds at 30-40 meters all the time.

And consider the Camo Kits we got in exchange. The ingredients sometimes are next to impossible to find and then when you do use the kit it doesnt last as long as maskscent does which requires no ingredients. Yeah I know camo kits affect the whole group but what about when a player wants to solo for a while?

So, Delta, I guess my question is EXACTLY what is the developers idea behind maskscent and camo kits?

Is it by design that when you become a Ranger you loose maskscent to gain camo kits?

Are the camo kits supposed to last longer and be more powerful than maskscent?

If there are acknowledged problems with Ranger maskscent/camo kits, what is the time table to fix them?

Olde,

Thanks for bringing your issues with maskscent over here. I'll try and answer them as best I can.

I asked the question if maskscent/camo was still bugged for Rangers.

It depends on what you are using it for, and how you feel it should work. There are some tweaks that need to get completed, but I believe (and others disagree with me) that mask scent is now working closer to what the devs envisioned for it than ever before. Notice I didn't say its not bugged.

In case you dont know, a Ranger in a group, when he applies maskscent, attracts reds to him like flies. Heck they will warp to you from 128 meters out. Without maskscent on I can run/walk/dance past reds at 30-40 meters all the time.

I'm a Master Ranger as well, so I know what you mean. There are some issues with mask scent and this problem, but I don't believe it has anything to do with being a Ranger. Master Scouts are having similiar problems.

And consider the Camo Kits we got in exchange. The ingredients sometimes are next to impossible to find and then when you do use the kit it doesnt last as long as maskscent does which requires no ingredients. Yeah I know camo kits affect the whole group but what about when a player wants to solo for a while?

Camo kits are supposed to be the "uber" maskscent. That's the goal, at least. Some changes need to be made, and rest assured, they will be. As a Ranger you can use camo kits on yourself, not just on the group. Target yourself with a camo kit in your inventory and type /conceal. It will apply the kit to you.

So, Delta, I guess my question is EXACTLY what is the developers idea behind maskscent and camo kits?

Here's a quote from the Scout Dev on what mask scent is supposed to be for: "There has been some discussion as to what the intent of mask scent is. The core intent of mask scent is to enable scout players to explore the world with reduced risk of combat. The secondary intent is to enable new kinds of gameplay that involve sneaking up to a dangerous creature (like taming and possibly other things to be introduced later)."

Camo kits are supposed to make you even MORE survivable, last longer, and allow you to protect other players who aren't Scouts, or who don't have mask scent levels as high as you do. Read the Ranger correspondent responses for more info on what they plan for mask scent.

Is it by design that when you become a Ranger you loose maskscent to gain camo kits?

No. The better analogy is /maskscent is to /conceal what /headshot2 is to /headshot3. /conceal is just a better version, that works better and longer. At least, it's supposed to.

Are the camo kits supposed to last longer and be more powerful than maskscent?

Yes.

If there are acknowledged problems with Ranger maskscent/camo kits, what is the time table to fix them?

I can't give you hard and fast specifics, but I will tell you that the devs are paying attention to these issues and are actively working to get them fixed.

There has not been a single patch or major update that hasn't had a maskscent tweak in it. I think its safe to say that this pattern may continue.

B

Conceal is also supposed to help hide from NPC's, whereas maskscent only works on creatures - correct? That's potentially a big improvement over maskscent alone.

I would have to agree though that using mask scent in its current form is an aggro magnet. Having mobs instantly aggro when it is broken was implemented badly, especially since it seems to break All The Time now. IMHO of course. I use maskscent when my group is looking for combat exp - it's like throwing chum in the water - especially on Yavin-4!

I have another question about maskscent - are only certain people having the problem? I don't seem to have the problems that others are having with masked scent. The first poster mentioned that it happens when you are grouped. Does the problem only happen when you are grouped? I feel bad that maskscent is so horrible for people when I love it so much.

When I first experimented with maskscent (2nd week into the game I think) I could never get maskscent to stay on. I would wander into the cantina with not even a sliver of blue showing in my mind bar -I had so many wounds (yes, I didn't know about cloning back then - if it worked back then). Then I hit Master Scout and it was paradise. I got xp all the time just running by mobs. I rarely aggroed. The next day the maskscent patch was put in. Maskscent never broke, and never gave xp. I was bummed. After the second maskscent patchI was elated again. I get aggroed sure, but I can usually outrun them, especially the little con blues. So my second question is, and please don't take this the wrong way, is it just that people are expecting it to be like it was after the first patch - never breaking - because that is when they started to play? Can someone who has been here since the first week tell me if maskscent is worse now then it was then? I was a Master Scout for so little time, I really can't compare. AllI remember is that before I was Master I died all. the. time. with mask scent on. Is that what it is like for non-masters, or even masters now? Or is it worse?

- Paks

In a group or single, I will draw aggro useing maskscent. Its just when Im in a group I endanger everyone and they start asking me NOT to use maskscent. Go to Yavinn and try to get past the mobs of reds without maskscent on sometime. I know, I can make a Camo kit and camo all in the group, but I have to run around for hours sometimes getting the ingredients for enuff kits to do a few hours hunting.

Delta, you made the analogy that maskscent is to conceal as headshot 1 is to headshot 2. Being a pistoleer, I will say this. I can use body shot 1 or body shot 2 OR both. I didnt loose the abiility to use body shot 1 when I advanced to body shot 2. All I am saying is Rangers should not have their learned ability to maskscent lessened just because they learn a new skill.

I love the ability to track babies with Tracking 3 because I am also a CH, but as it stands now, I am ready to give up Ranger and go back to Master Scout to get my maskscent back. I guess I'm just looking for some assurance that maskscent will be as good for Rangers as it was before the patch and not the "aggro bait" it has become.

Thanks in advance

One Frustrated Ranger

Oldeman,

Don't do that. The Devs are actively looking at this problem, and I am sure that they will find a solution soon.

B

OK I be a good Ranger. Me go play with ma beetles out in da wild for a while

Ranger/CH/Pistoleer