Smuggler Archive
Thread: Well Han had Chewy.... A Smuggler buddy discussion 2.0
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Whiteness
Sun Feb 27, 2005 2:01 pm
#1
I have always been a fan of this idea, but I think GM tried killing this idea after he suggested it, anyone remember why?
SmugglinZane
Sun Feb 27, 2005 2:02 pm
#2
I agree with Akiram about upgrading instead of ditching...
Another option for space would be to have them man the co pilot seat so that you could use your flight computer. This in a way is better since you can have a buddy from any space alignment man the guns, but only those of the same alignment can man the copilot seat.
I don't know how much I'd use the sidekick for protection since I'd have to worry about healing him. I think the whole NPC command thing would have to be examined as well in order to keep them from just becoming a pet. I like the idea, just looking for ways to keep it unique.
JediArashi
Sun Feb 27, 2005 2:26 pm
#3
Overall Yim, I think thsi is a good upgrade over the last version of this proposal. With the additon of JTL, now there are even more opportunity for a sidekick role in a MP ship. I think you utilized it fairly well.
I would rather have the option of either upgrading my current sidekick, or swapping for a new one. Why not have both right?
I would also, like Zane, be able to place my sidekick in the copilot chair. In fact, like the previous, why not have the option of putting them in all three mentioned postions; in the gun, in the copilot chair, or manning a repair console. If we wanted to try to stay balanced we could always place these upgrades in the various skill boxes instead of only giving this as a master thing. I think maybe allowing them into space to man a repair console at UW4 and at master getting the other 2 options?
I think it would be great, however, not every Smuggler will want one. I think maybe we should try to come up with an alternative to these skills for the solo Smuggler. I'm always for choices, even if they are difficult ones, like choosing between a sidekick and a specialized pistol.
Another thing to think of is maybe tying this in with a higher end game that has been mentioned regarding prestige points orfame. Maybe getting a certain level of fame as a master gives you points that you could spend on getting a sidekick? That's taking this beyond what you were trying for though, so I'll keep that in my cargohold for another discussion.
Smuggler_Caylin
Sun Feb 27, 2005 3:07 pm
#4
In an MMORPG I find it important to not seek a way to replace an active, living and breathing player with a lifeless automaton.
I have never been a fan of the NPC idea, simply because I would rather have a meaninful and lasting partnership with another player to enhance and increase my skills as a Smuggler.
I have never been a fan of the NPC idea, simply because I would rather have a meaninful and lasting partnership with another player to enhance and increase my skills as a Smuggler.
One of the Four Horsemen of the Smuggler Apocalypse! 
SmugglinZane
Sun Feb 27, 2005 4:49 pm
#5
Smuggler_Caylin wrote:
In an MMORPG I find it important to not seek a way to replace an active, living and breathing player with a lifeless automaton.
I have never been a fan of the NPC idea, simply because I would rather have a meaninful and lasting partnership with another player to enhance and increase my skills as a Smuggler.
I agree Caylin, and I would never replace my buds with an NPC but I do like the possibilities that JTL has brought to this idea. My best friend really wanted an X-Wing. I wanted a YT. Unfortunately it's hard for us to get together on our MP ships because of the way we interact with them. Even if it was only something that applied to the space side of things, I'd love to have this.
NickHeel
Sun Feb 27, 2005 11:36 pm
#6
Hmm...wasn't this Kav or EN's revamp idea? Makes me want to go back and read that stuff.
But if I did, I'd just get sucked backwards about 14 months and I'd be even more pissed off
KaernLegorah
Sun Feb 27, 2005 11:46 pm
#7
My only problem with the NPC "buddy" idea, as a whole, is that it essentially kills the solo-Smuggler. If the NPC "buddy" is so good that it seems stupid not to use it, then nearly every Smuggler in the game is going to have a buddy. It seems silly, in my opinion, to have almost every Smuggler have a buddy, but have very few Smugglers flying solo. Just because Han and Chewie were buddies, doesn't mean nearly every Smuggler in the Galaxy had a best chum that he/she smuggled with.
So, while I can appreciate how good your suggestion is yimaz, I'm still skeptical of the NPC "buddy" idea as a whole.
But you still get 5 stars
So, while I can appreciate how good your suggestion is yimaz, I'm still skeptical of the NPC "buddy" idea as a whole.
But you still get 5 stars
Whiteness
Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:02 am
#8
This is snipped from Kav's Smuggler VIsion 2.5:
Recruit Thug
As a Smugglers Underworld contacts grow, so does his organization.
Underworld2: Recruit Thug-Allows the /taming of meatlumps-swooper-desertdeamon-Sleemo basically all "ganger" types up to CL8
Underworld4: Recruit Henchman-Allows the taming of up to CL10 "ganger" NPC's
Master Smuggler: Recruit Sidekick-Allows taming of up to CL15 "ganger" NPC's
You can only have one "ganger" tamed at anytime.
Not sellable/transferable to anyone else, even other smugglers.
These would not be “pets” per se. One suggestion that may help remove that line of thought would be to only have the Henchman “hired” for a limited time. Not be a perpetual pet in our data pad. Though they would count against that total.
the /recruit thug skill could work as follows:
you get within a few meters of a non-hostile ganger.
issue command /bribe [insert credits].
the amount of credits is added to the faction you have with the gang.
if the total is [some number SOE likes] you hire/bribe the ganger.
This would make me feel more "underworldy" to have a crime syndicate kinda feel, instead of a rock-beetle.
Yes we are not CH, but this isn’t asking to be, no +pets in pad, no significant increase to pet level. This is nothing we could not easily get by using faction pets, just a different flavor. This is a pale substitute for our missing Hutt faction that had to be pulled out in beta.
This would also mean allot of us would have to repair our "gang" faction by trashing our cop faction. Such as killing Cor-Sec to get in with the swoops.
While this would be a pain to some, it would be more fitting to have cops auto aggro ya instead of Swoops and Monumenters.
Message Edited by Whiteness on 02-28-2005 01:03 AM
yimaz
Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:35 am
#9
This was talked about by GM making me feel like it may be an option for us come re-vamp time. I wanted to present some ideas and see what for guys can add, enjoy.
Smuggler NPC
Smuggler (not smuggler)has no space perk and planets side his/her lifecan bevery dangerous. The Smuggler needs a good friend or partner in these situations, someone who can "watch his back".
Underworld 1-Thislow lvl NPC for planet side protection ( like the basic rebel troop NPC) will have an inventory or storage window that works just like a droids storage.
Underworld2 to 4 - A Smuggler can "end his partnership" with weaker NPC buddys and gainone with better HAM, Weapons and Storage space. (again just like a faction NPC but with the storage of a droid) This "buddy" can also repair one ship item in space so long as he/she is placed near that item and repair kits for the part you want this NPC tofixare loaded intohis/her storage. When the kits are gone the "buddy" stops fixing the part.
Master Smuggler - highest lvl combat NPC and a "co-pilot" command, basically at master your NPC buddy gives you the ablity to useuse the MP co-pilot skill set while flyingyour ship.
Selection of the NPC's name, race, sex,etc will be at the smuggler trainers discretion but once loaded intoa playersdata pad this same NPC will be called every time. In other words unlike the Faction NPC this is a buddy notsome random troop reporting to you for combat, the same NPC you have always work with (untill you trade him/her in for a higher lvl one which would thenbe a new partner) will be called everytime you use your NPC smuggler.
But like a Faction NPC you lose this buddy if he dies (in other words watch his/her back as well). If the buddy dies you can replacehim at any smuggler trainer location (like faction NPC's).
Message Edited by yimaz on 03-02-2005 08:09 PM
Ternque01
Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:51 am
#10
I would choose a sexy, female NPC companion with a personality as robotic as my own, HAHAHAHAA 
No seriously, those are nice perks, but not unbalancing at the same time 
Akiram_Glockem
Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:56 am
#12
Sounds good, however I'd suggest having one "buddy" that you upgrade at the different levels. Han never ditched somebody else to have Chewie follow him around.
JediArashi
Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:22 am
#13
NickHeel wrote:
Hmm...wasn't this Kav or EN's revamp idea? Makes me want to go back and read that stuff.
But if I did, I'd just get sucked backwards about 14 months and I'd be even more pissed off
Yeah, I knew that...(so did Yim most likely) that is why I mentioned that it was a good upgrade to what was currently on the table. With the JTL additions Ithink it makes the whole thing more viable. As 'Zane said, even though most of us will agree with Caylin's sentiment, the use in a MP ship sometimes can be vital to the enjoyment of the game.
As I mentioned before, I would be concerned about leaving solo smugglers in the dust. I;m still thinking that this could be something to add as a "perk" to any sort of new endgame enhancements that may come down the line someday. There's always been talk of a way to upgrade your character post-master, and I think this could be a good candidate if combined with other similarly powerful options so that it is not a "must have".
There are wonderful possibilities for this though that have yet to be explored methinks.
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