Smuggler Archive

Thread: Depending On Smugglers

JediKozel
Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:34 am
#105






StGabriel wrote:

The story is stupid, but who cares. Swordsman and Fencers DO need a role in the game just as much as Smugglers. This example uses all of the arguments posted against my statement and yet this system, I think, is obviously just obnoxious to other players. If Swordsmen were to suggest such a change I would expect and welcome commentary from players of all professions saying that is simply too obnoxious for their own playstyle. Many systems that players may desire for their professions necessarily impact other professions.

This example is very silly and somewhat satirical but I could easily have come up with a more serious version that would have entailed the same effects. Now imagine 15 professions asking for such changes. I hope you see the point. Changes that add content to one profession at the expense of existing options for other professions will not be "fun" for other professions. Instead of working on such prohibitory systems it will be better to provide new ways in which professions can complement each other. This still allows other professions to have unique abilities, to be desired in groups, etc., but does not require that other professions lose time and "fun" in order to create new content.

End of story, simple enough.

StGabe.





This is a perfect example! This is exactly what we are talking about! Each prof has to be unique. Period. And each prof needs to have purpose, a defining role. Period. Especially profs like Smuggler, BH, and Jedi - those are the basic building blocks of SW Universe.


I think others would agree with me that this jungle ideas is very cool.And we (Smugglers) would never ask for a "Jungle Navigation Bonus" just because it limits our ability to enjoy wearing our armor (which most of us wear for PvP only anyway). And we wouldn't ask for a machete certificate, just because it hinders our ability to run through that jungle. And we certainly wont propose ideas for Jungle Clearing KITs. Heck, if we get what we want (smuggling), you won't see us crawling through jungles and Scalp Bashing ub3r monsters. But if we have to - we'll be glad to hire a swordsman to clear a path for us. Becuase this is what this game is all about - a vast variety of Skill tempaltes and the need to sociliaze and group with each other. This is an Online Multi-player game, not a first-person shooter.


Award vs punishment. If I choose to wear Armor, I get penalized in a jungle. If you choose to carry contraband, youpenalized by stormtrooper scanning crew. And that's how it should be. And that's how it is with some of the current game systems.I'm quite frankly shocked that you, being one ofa correspondents, do not understand that. But then again - it seems that neither do some of the Devs.





Mokael Openg
Mayor by Day, Fixer by Night, Gunfighter by Need
"Face it, if crime did not pay, there would be very few criminals."
Laughton Lewis Burdock
(from Shadows of The Empire by S. Perry)
Shrendyc
Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:13 am
#106

St. Gabe wrote:


"Perhaps my last post."







Oh, God willing...




"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius --- and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. "
Raanan
Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:28 am
#107

Gabriel, I'm amazed you don't see this. You keep coming from a perspective of "this is a game. Fun comes first" This is infact the root of where the disagreements are coming from. True this is a game but it is a game of a story. Specifically this is Star Wars. Now from your perspective of this being just a game, yes, your points are 100% correct. However, as I said already this is Star Wars. It's part of a story and as such has to follow the story. Now you can make an mmorpg where there are droids, energy weapons, space travel, etc and put the name Star Wars on it but if you make all battles fought on planets with no space combat or make creatures the workhorses of the galaxy with droids being infrequent pets, is it really Star Wars? Obviously no. Why not though? It has all the elements of Star Wars. Simply because it doesn't follow the rules of the story. For this to be STAR WARS: A Galaxy Divided instead of just A Galaxy Divided, it MUST follow the rules of the story. That being established this is how the rules of the story go.


The ruling body of galaxy is the Empire. The Empire is a powerful, opressive, and dangerous dictorship with an equally powerful, opressive, and dangerous dictator. You screw with the empire and you have a high chance of getting killed or causing the death of others. For proof I point out the destruction of Alderan. The peaceful planet screwed with the empire by harboring rebels. A native of the planet, Princess Leia, majorly screwed with the empire by being a leader in the rebellion and stealling the death star plans. As a consequence, Alderan was transformed into small bits of space debris.


The Empire has declared spice and slicing illegal. They have also declared the transportation of spices and illegally modified (sliced) weapons illegal. Just for clarification lets look at the word illegal. According to Merriam Webster (www.m-w.com)


Illegal - : not according to or authorized by law : UNLAWFUL, ILLICIT; also : not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game)


Now that those two story rules have been established we can look at how it applies to this "debate."


As the second story rule states, slicing, spices, and the transportation thereof(also known as smuggling)is illegal. In otherwords, by slicing weapons, creating spices, and carrying them around, you are screwing with the empire. As such, there should be substantial consequences if you are caught. I don't know what it would entail to create a system of consequence for actually crafting spice and slicing items but there is already a system in place for the transportation (smuggling) of the illegal items. Is it an inconvience (I doubt you'll argue a hassle isn't an inconvenience)to be scanned 3 times on your way to a poi? Yes, I'm not even going to try and deny that. Is it necessary? Yes. In order to follow the rules of the story to be Star Wars, scans and penelties have to be in the game. If you aren't happy with that then I ask you one question. Do you want to play an mmorpg or a Star Wars mmorpg?




*******************************************************
Explorer 80% - Socializer 53% - Killer 40% - Achiever 26%
Player type

Raanan Soulfire - Bloodfin MSmuggler/MCommando
Breytei E'kre - Starsider Commando/Bounty Hunter
TheSmokey
Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:44 am
#108

My prediction:


The Devs will put this slice-kit thing through. But they will make it so that it only unlocks the mag-seal containers in dungeons, not slices weapons, not slices armour, not even slices regular looted containers. Mag-seal containers will now have some higher level loot in them with this change.


One week later the mag-seal containers in dungeons are made unlocked all the time, with a loot timer, and the slice kits are removed from the game. Reason? Smugglers refused to sell these kits (or sold them at EXORBITANT prices), and camped all the mag-seal containers themselves, grabbed the "new uber loot", and sold it for jacked up prices. Then the general population complained that their game was being made "un-fun" and Smugglers had access to something they didn't.


I would. In a heartbeat. I don't even think I'd blink.


We didn't ask for the Imperial Crackdown. We were an after thought. You don't like being stopped to be scanned? Boo-hoo. We, at Master Smuggler, get a 95% chance to have our contraband not be seen in the scan (let's face facts here: Saying "evade the scan" is giving people a very wrong impression that Imps and Smugglers don't even get stopped for the scan, which is patently un-true). High ranking Imps get 100%. But guess what? We still have to stop, and wait for the scan. Is it an inconvenience? Depends on how you look at it; I love the thrill of seeing that Probe Droid and thinking, I wonder if I'll get hooked this time - I wonder if I'll make it out of here alive. If it is ruining your game so much, do one of three things: 1) Go Imperial and get a high rank (watch out, you may have to interact with a Smuggler to buy Faction Points if you don't want to ruin your game experience by having to do un-fun faction missions) or 2) Drop all your skills and go Master Smuggler (but be careful, you could still get caught!) or finally, 3) Don't carry contraband.


In RL I own a car. I'd love to be able to race up and down the streets with a souped-up Nitrous Oxide engine, but you know what, it's illegal (where I am) to have a Nitrous Oxide container in your car. So I weigh my options. Is it worth the thrill of winning a few street races? If I get caught, I go to jail, which entails missing work, which means losing money, if not losing my job entirely. Risk vs Reward. And in my particular case, I say it's not worth the risk so I don't do it.

You say over and over that you want the game to be fun. SO DO WE! Flip flopping snap-dragons, man. Look at our profession. Look at it, objectively! You don't think we are broken? We are asking for some content, something, anything.

I hope you never unlock your FSCS. Next thing you'll be posting in the BH forums saying that their content is making your play time "un-fun".


Face it, just make the bloody Mag-seal containers work as designed (preferably openable by everyone, loot on a timer), remove the Slice option from it, and leave us limp along in peace and quiet. Any more helpful suggestions and I'll be pulling myself along the floor with my arms.


I don't post often, but this topic has me burning.



Smuggler_Caylin, Smuggler Correspondant, in reply to "What's a Smuggler": I wouldn't know, I haven't seen one yet myself.
StGabriel
Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:49 am
#109

Oh, God willing...

Is it really so painful to read opinions that differ from your own?

StGabe.



--- The Clan McDonnell ---

Gaffyn McDonnell -- Master of Blades (master fencer/swordsman/brawler)
Flynn McDonnell -- Master Weapon Smith (+22 exp), Armorsmith (+25 exp)
Lorrinne McDonnell -- Nightsister (pike/doc)

ClearNinja2000
Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:58 am
#110

Gabe's jungle example, while suffering from a serious case of sarcasm and hyperbole, is actually not a bad idea at its core. There's already some slowing terrain in the game -- some call them "hills" -- that certain classes have an advantage in navigating. So there's a precedent for terrain that favors certain classes. But if we're throwing terrain nav bones, they should probably go the Rangers -- for all those skill points burned, that seems like a seriously under-powered class.


The point that Gabe seems to be mis-firing on is that Swordsmen don't really need an extra role, any more than pistoleers, carbineers, or TKAs do -- because it's a COMBAT CLASS. Your "unique role" is that you kill things really well with pointy weapons. You have many unique specials that allow you to kill things in different ways. Smugglers, on the other hand, are a hybrid class -- we forego a signifiant amount of firepower, in return for some non-combat abilities.


What probably burns Gabe is that Swordsman is not "unique", in the sense that there are several other combat classes -- and several other melee classes, that serve a similar purpose. I've never been a melee class, so I don't know how diverse they are -- I know that there's a world of difference between Pistoleers, Carbineers, Riflemen, Commandos, etc., and I would hope that there's a similar diversity amongst melee classes.


The fundamental issue here -- or one of them, as we seem to be approaching a total disconnect -- is the distinction between "Combat Classes", "Crafter Classes", "Support Classes", and "Hybrid Classes". Combat classes have a combat role, crafters have a crafting role, and Support classes have (ta-da) a support role. As a hybrid class, we get a smattering of abilties in each of these disciplines, while not excelling in any of them. I guess I can see where that would draw some envious glances, though anyone that had actually BEEN a smuggler would die laughing at the thought.




Warrant Officer To'Ani Mondanna
The World Is Yours Enterprises
Master Smuggler/Master Gunfighter

"You're going to die here, you know. Convenient."
Roadego
Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:01 am
#111

I think hes refering to the fact you're like a brick wall. You ignore anything you can't refute so it gets this thread nowhere. It's great to have an opinion but not well recieved if you can't logically backup the premise of your opinions and refuse to see any that disagree using very valid points. Refer to Solo's post up above as an example of things you ignore that I don't think you can refute.



____________________________________________________________________________________________
A Smuggler's Life
The devs need to watch star wars again. Luke was a whiny baby with the hots for his own sister. Solo was the rockin smuggler with the blaster, the chick, (a personality) and a wookie.

Adravis
Ryutek
Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:01 am
#112






StGabriel wrote:
Oh, God willing...

Is it really so painful to read opinions that differ from your own?

StGabe.






I had removed myself from this thread, but I have to comment here.


The pain is in having to reiterate the same points over and over, as though beating our heads against a wall, to try to get people, apparently like you, to actually understand what is being said.


I do not know you personally, and I hope I have not come across as attacking you. That is not my intention. However, you seem to be completely incapable of comprehending that which is being stated, logically and with supportive arguments. This is where the perceived "pain" comes from. I welcome differing opinions and the chance to debate. You have not provided that because everything you have stated does not take into account the nature of this "debate."


I'll urge you one last time to go back, read my first response to you in its entirety, quote it, and respond to each point. Then we can see if you can provide an argument that holds water.


I'm removing myself yet again from this thread, and hopefully will not feel the need to comment yet another time.




Ryutek

Former Teräs Käsi Correspondent, Circa 08/2004 to 02/2005

No longer holding out hope, SWG will never be the game we fought so hard for, that we believed so much in. Farewell friends.



[email protected]
StGabriel
Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:18 am
#113

I think hes refering to the fact you're like a brick wall. You ignore anything you can't refute so it gets this thread nowhere.

I am making rather an effort to respond to as many replies as I can.

You don't see my point and I don't see yours. I'm trying hard not to assume that this is because you don't have one and am really making an effort to read and consider all replies and consider the option that I may indeed be wrong.

As originally posted, this is an attempt to foment discussion and not discord and to understand your viewpoint as well as putting forth mine. I'm not demanding that anyone agree with me but I'd hope that you at least try to understand me.

StGabe.



--- The Clan McDonnell ---

Gaffyn McDonnell -- Master of Blades (master fencer/swordsman/brawler)
Flynn McDonnell -- Master Weapon Smith (+22 exp), Armorsmith (+25 exp)
Lorrinne McDonnell -- Nightsister (pike/doc)

NickHeel
Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:33 am
#114

GABE....Try and answer this one lol:


If you want slicing kits, then you are going to have to allow self-use Stimpacks (of all sizes), Woundpacks (same, Rez kits, and buffs. Because, it's simply too much of a hassle and it's too boring to sit around and heal damage, wounds, and get buffed.....also, I don't choose to go the the cloning center when I die so I have to hassle with finding a Doc to Rez me.


Same exact principle. You want other people's skills sold to you without Skill Point loss. Plain and simple. In that case, I want to be able to buy all the certs I want from a MHS to wield a Power Hammer and Scythe effectiveley as a MHS so I can do mind hits. See? Does that sound stupid?


Heavy Swordsman:"But I worked so hard for my Master Heavy Swordsman! Why should some dude with a ton of credits get what I WORKED so hard for!?"


Other Dude: "Because it's not far that I can't do mind damage and have tanking abilities! It's too much of a hassle for me to go and find a MHS so I can have a tank in my group."


Disprove THAT without making me laugh, Gabe. Because right now...not a darn thing you've said in this thread has had ANY relevance other than out-right trolling. Think what would happen if I went into the HS forum and asked for those MHS "kits"...think your buddies would be too happy?




THE LEGENDARY CAPTAIN N'JOH SONIK OF ORD MANTELL
Independent Smuggler N Pilot of the Famous Sonik Rogue N Forever, The Most Legendary and Greatest Smuggler on Tarquinas
ClearNinja2000
Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:36 am
#115

Gabe, you've completely lost me. The slicing numbers are compelling but, as you point out, slicing is available to everyone via a one-time transaction, just like a weapon. So I'm not sure where you were going with that. If the implication is that we're over-powered in our "Crafting" skills, I'd have to disagree -- the ability to improve an item by 1/3 (at Master Smuggler) pales in comparison to the ability to actually make a powerful weapon (Master Weaponsmith). Hence our "Hybrid" status.


On the other hand, if your point is that you have to either a.) be a smuggler, or b.) group with a smuggler to derive the benefits from sliced equipment -- well, that's not true either. If you're Imperial, sneaky, or can fight well, you can tote around as much illegal equipment as you want, and use it at will. On the other hand, if you want to live the undisturbed life of an anonymous citizen, you're going to incur a certain amount of risk in transporting all of that gear. If slicing is so great that the need to carry it is overwhelming, then the relatively tiny cost of having to battle it out with stormtroopers, or pay a fine, is pretty minimal -- especially since this fancy equipment gives you that much more killing power to deal with the troopers.


I am a bit puzzled as to why this basic theory of "cost vs. reward" is such an issue. Carrying slicedincurs a cost,in the possibility of getting caughtduring a scan. Enhanced combat prowess is the reward.A master smuggler spends a large chunk of skill points -- that is the cost. His reward is the ability to transport illegal goods, and to pass those advantages on to the members of his group. None of these costs seem particular out of whack with the granted reward. The fact that everyone used to get the reward (sliced equipment) without any cost doesn't mean that that is the best system.



Warrant Officer To'Ani Mondanna
The World Is Yours Enterprises
Master Smuggler/Master Gunfighter

"You're going to die here, you know. Convenient."
StGabriel
Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:45 am
#116

So I'm not sure where you were going with that [talking about slicing here].

Slicing is a likely target for contraband scans. Many here have tried to convince me that using sliced weapons and such is simply a "choice" that I make. I am trying to point out that if the contraband is too be powerful enough to provide advantages on the order of 500% then it will not really be a choice when competing with other players.

There is a give and take here. As contraband is less powerful it is more reasonable to imply restrictions on it. As contraband is more powerful it is less reasonable to do this and there are more balance issues involved.

I am addressing specifically slicing here as a contraband item however the same argument applies to any item that is powerful. Armor is incredibly powerful (as the game stands) and because of this I have used it for my "jungle" example. I think it rather unreasonable to hinge its usage on having a swordsman with you at all times (or being willing to undergo the regular hassle of long delays and potential death).

StGabe.



--- The Clan McDonnell ---

Gaffyn McDonnell -- Master of Blades (master fencer/swordsman/brawler)
Flynn McDonnell -- Master Weapon Smith (+22 exp), Armorsmith (+25 exp)
Lorrinne McDonnell -- Nightsister (pike/doc)

Shrendyc
Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:47 am
#117

Gabe, I am quite capable of seeing opinions different than my own. As a design professional (architect) in real life, there is a great deal of dialogue between clients and architects. When I present an initial response to a design challenge, I am met with feedback from the client that helps me better understand the needs, desires and budgets, all in turn to allow me to come up with a much better design for the next go around in the studio. Another meeting will generate more information, until the design is considered acceptable. It's called cooperation.


You've come in here with an initial post. Several people have outlined, in my opinion very neatly, whyyour way of thinkingcould be a problem for our profession later on, and then went on to back up arguments why we should do as what our professional name says. You've continually harped on the same ideas, not lending anything to back up your side. In a case like this, cooperation is not occuring and it's best to just let it go.


We're fighting for our class, and you're telling us to lie down and die. In fact, with your recentintervention in the Panic Shot nerf, you're helping the killer, not us. Maybe if you'd acknowledge that we need help and render some assistance in getting it for this class, rather than have a track record of A) getting us more broken, and B) enraging this forum by posting such things like this thread, you'd get more respect.


You're not going to get all of us to "see your way of thinking" because we play the class and have distinct ideas as to what will make it more fun for US. What you are proposing is akin to me asking for the artisans make a one use "craft anything" kit in case I need something and an artisan isn't around to make it for me. For example, when my vehicle gets destroyed when I am out in the wild. I need a replacement, but lo and behold, there's no artisan around for me to buy one off of. But that's OK, I have this kit I bought, so I'll just make a swoop...no wait, I'll make a speederbike. I really don't think that the artisans would appreciate that idea, either.


I think that we're just going to have to agree to disagree, Gaby.






"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius --- and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. "
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