Smuggler Archive

• Do nothing.




• This is good because it does not force any hardship to players


• This is bad because it severely limits both current and future smuggler content.


• This is also bad because ... well ... it just doesn't make any sense at all (and I can say that in full agreement from my master merchant side).


• Remove the ability for Merchants to put contraband on vendors.




• This is a good thing because then people would need to find a Smuggler if they wanted to deal with contraband and the black market.


• This is a good thing because it could be implimented fairly quickly.


• This is a bad thing because it implements a severe limitation to the Merchant profession without giving that profession a preferred way to interact with the Smuggler and his black market.


• This in practice isn't likely to work all that well as Merchants will find ways around it to at least some degree (selling a chance cubes named "XXX Damage Sliced T21" and then exchange for example) and without a more meaningful way to interact with the black market, merchant surely will look for these sorts of loop holes.


• Make a contraband-enabled vendor that only Smugglers can place - if Merchants want to deal on the black market, they can, but they'll need to invest the skill points into smuggler to do so.




• This is a good thing because it makes contraband the realm of The Smuggler and allows for a merchant to make the choice as to if the skill point investment is worth it to them. (There's nothing wrong with telling people "if you want to do smuggler stuff you need to have smuggler skills.)


• This is bad, however, because it does not inspire interaction between professions (it instead inspires just becoming that profession). Some would argue that a more immersive solution would include ways for a merchant to work with a smuggler (providing player driven content for each profession) rather than the merchantsjust picking up the skills themselves.


• This is also bad because it takes one of the DEFINING aspects of the merchant profession (vendors) and gives it to another profession. Worse it gives a more functional vendor to someone who doesn't even have artisan business 3. Some would argue that a better solution could be found that would increase the value of the skill boxes for all professions involved - not lessen them.


• Implement a fine or PC bounty system for Merchants getting caught selling contraband.




• This is good because it allows merchants to continue selling whatever they like ... but it severely punishes them for selling illegal materials.


• This is a bad thing because no fine is likely to be a real hardship on serious crafters in this game.


• This is bad because Merchants are not balanced for combat and thus their profession shouldn't be able to risk them into PvP.


• This is also bad because the DEVs have pretty much said that PC bounties outside of the Jedi system are not likely to happen anytime soon.


• Brand New implementation of how vendors work. -This is one of many possible solutions (none of which are fully envisioned yet), that allow for contraband on vendors - but require a smuggler to be involved with the process - providing profession interaction, player driven content, and a new source of income for the smuggler.




• This is a good thing because it allows for a Merchant to sell contraband - so long as he is doing so with/through/via/or otherwise in association with a Smuggler.


• This is a good thing because contraband is made the realm of The Smuggler. (Merchants will not be able to deal on the black market without the aid of a smuggler)


• This is a good thing because it inspires player/profession interaction.


• This is a good thing because itallows forplayer driven content.


• This is a good thing because it allows for a new line of income for the Smuggler.


• This is a good thing because it ADDS value to the Merchant skill boxes rather than removes value from them (the merchant's ability to deal with smugglers and the black market could increase as the merchant skills up) -- all while moving the control of contraband to the Smuggler profession.


• This is a good thing because it ADDS value to the Smuggler tree (the smugglers ability and bandwidth to work with merchants could increase as the smuggler levels up).


• This is a bad thing because it would bemuch more difficult to implement than the others. (Although I for one put this into the "That's the DEV's problem not ours" category - just because something is harder doesn't mean it's not the right thing.)

Given these choices would you rather:

A) Do nothing
B) Remove the ability for Merchants to put contraband on vendors
C) Make a contraband-enabled vendor that only Smugglers can place
D) Implement a fine or PC bounty system for Merchants getting caught selling contraband on a vendor
E) Ask the DEVs to develop a brand new implementation of how vendors work - allowing for contraband sales only when a smuggler is involved.

Message Edited by ValiantHalibut on 03-20-2005 05:47 PM

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JediArashi wrote:

I vote for E as well.

I think it is imperitive for the devs to find a programming solution to this issue, and not take an easy out. With such an abvious chance to make amends for the Imperial Letdown, as well as just to capitolize on an oppurtunity to add something dynamic.

I like some of your idea Indy, and definitley the spirit, but have just one thing that bothers me. No direct smuggler interaction. I mean, yes a Smuggler would have to gain trust and favor with the merchant, but thats about it. As much asI like easy money, a quick kick-back for letting someone use your name doesn't make for a whole lot of smuggler content.

...{snip}....

If we can come up with a way that involves the smuggler more, I would be in favor of that. Or if there is a solution for the issue I layed out, I would also support it. Granted...I don't have such solutiions right now...but I haven't thought about it a whole lot yet.

PS - I hate talking about the negative side of someones ideas without offering a solution or variation...but Ican't think right now, so please accept my apologies.

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