Scout Archive

Hakai and I have come up with a compromise solution to our problem. While most of the community favors nerfing maskscent on vehicles to prevent abuse, we suggest that that ability be given either to a Master Scout or Novice Ranger. That way, it defeats the dabblers, but it does not nerf our porfession. To see a more detailed rebuttle please see our posts in the Top Ten Question thread. Doesn't this make more sense than voluntarily nerfing ourselves?

Lorell,

I haven't gotten to that thread yet, but my main response to this would be: what's the point?

There's no real need for us - even Master Scouts - to use mask scent while on a vehicle. There's not a single critter in the game that can catch up to us, so the entire point to having it is moot.

The only real use at that point would be to allow Rangers to use the mask scent maneuver to level quickly, and that's just as bad as letting the Scouts use it.

Voluntarily wacking ourselves with bat is one thing - but this is less a nerf than fixing would could arguably be called an exploit.

B

I have to agree with Brisc. The only use of maskscent while mounted is for xp exploitation purposes. Even the landspeeder can outrun most of the critters. And if you can't outrun em, you best be able to outfight em, or you don't belong there in the first place.

(If you went to an adventure planet while a noob and had your butt handed to you, raise your hand.)

The only people this screws over are the grinders. The real scouts (sans the wanna be BHs) don't mind earning scout xp.

JB

how about if it only is related to mounts? and also with terrain negotiation in place, it would make hunting much more interesting at least.

Message Edited by Hakai on 02-06-2004 02:18 AM

Ok, I can see mounts.

Can the devs separate the two? Notice the commands are the same if you alias them? (dismount/mount works on vehicles) Good idea that the devs will nix as too complicated to code.

JB

I know I can outrun them on a bike, but I would rather not have them not even notice me. I know the main point is to stop the grinders but if it is a Ranger ability then who is going to spend the skill points just to get that? Think about how many people take scout just to get to BH and the others. I bet hardly any of them will go on to Ranger just to get that. By doing it this way, we prevent them from cheating while keeping our best skill to ourselves.

The other alternative is to let maskscent work while on a bike but not give any xp.

It's the same solution as trapping pets in PvP. Let it happen, no xp. We can keep a function of our profession without being able to exploit it that way.

Guys,

First of all - we're only talking vehicles. Mounts are an entirely different creature (pun intended).

Second of all - I still don't get it. What's the point? Mask scent is unnecessary when on a vehicle. What good does it do you? I don't get it. If a critter aggros you, BFD - you're already gone by the time they realize you are there. You're never in danger, and you can't do anything except run away if you're on the vehicle anyway.

I guess what I'm looking for is a reason that makes sense as to why this is needed by anyone for any reason. If you can convince me that there is a logical need for this skill, then we can talk about who should get it.

B

I tend to approach my lairs on speeder...

So walk in. Do you deer hunt from a pickup or atv?

People complain that the game is not realistic, they make it more realistic and they whine more. Poor Devs, can't win for losing.

Nerf the grinders, no maskscent when mounted on vehicles.

JB

and while we are at it, remove the scout from BH and let em do something else, like brawler.

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and while we are at it, remove the scout from BH and let em do something else, like brawler.

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Maybe we won't have so many......Camping xp sucx....threads...

DONT remove it BECAUSE CH uses them, like me, we cannot catch agro or high level creaches with agros around us...if they MOVE it to RANGER, we cant use it...thats the most screwed up idea ever. no CH would want to go ranger as well, which means...that the CH profession would die even more

There are creatures that can keep up or outrun a vehicle. All the felines, possibly the canines, and area or ranged attacks. Many of these have a posture down or knockdown attack that will unmount you. The risk is good, just keep this in mind.

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We need to look at our goals with this.

Whether we can use maskscent while on a bike or not, the most important thing is that we do not get xp while zipping past an aggressive creature. We all agree on that yes?

Code-wise, the difficulty is about the same:
1) Removal - If the character uses the /mount command, maskscent (and conceal?) is removed. Make the check after all other checks for failing to mount otherwise you toggle it off even if you don't successfully climb on your vehicle.

2) No xp - When making the maskscent check, if on a vehicle, do not award xp.

3) Suspend - This is a compromise. When the maskscent check is made, if in a vehicle, it skips the check. No hiding. No breaking. No increased chance of aggression.

Considering all their talk about bugs showing up in different forms, options (2) and (3) have less ways to exhibit bugs. The first one involves the use of a command and toggling a state rather than simply bypassing it. (As a coder I don't buy a lot of their excuses for bugs, but using their logic this will be true.)

From a convenience standpoint, maybe I want to ride 250 meters and not have to be bothered re-appling mask to myself, or worse, conceal a group of 20 people. The first choice doesn't give me that option.

Shouldn't we be allowed to have options though? Maybe you won't benefit from leaving maskscent "enabled" (whether that means it gives no xp or is temporarily suspended) but someone else might. Why not allow the more convenient option as long as the end goal is met?

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I would personally go with option (3) for vehicles. While on a vehicle, we are considered a single entity to any non-sentient creature, so maskscent does not make sense. That doesn't mean I suddenly smell/look like a bike once I get off.

If it is deemed problematic awarding xp while riding a mount, let option (2) apply. With the slow-down for combat, that probably isn't necessary. Mounts definately need a reason to be used, otherwise a lot of development time was wasted.

Message Edited by Hakai on 02-06-2004 06:34 PM

Message Edited by Hakai on 02-06-2004 06:35 PM