Smuggler Archive

I'm going to release the original post in a series of smaller ones because the first post was almost 20 pages. This will be the overview post. Basically I will describe the over all intent. So here we go.

The first and most important thing to remember when reading and criticizing this post is that we are trying to add content for two professions and because of that the system must provide fun and motivation for both bounty hunter’s and smugglers alike. The second most important thing is to make the bounty hunter fugitive relationship a balanced and regulated system that provides a fare chance of success and a personal experience for both, as well as adding a competitive side for the BH’s and a exciting experience for the smuggler. I also wanted to use systems that are all ready in the game to make for an easy revamp w/ a limited number of bugs and lag. So the idea in essence is based on a point systems similar to the faction point system, uses the in game e-mail system, and very basic and easy to understand ranking system. Smuggler points will be divided into FAME points and INFAMY points. These are two completely different point systems. One does NOT effect the other.

Fame points are gained from successfully completing a smuggler mission. (This we do not yet have in the game but since DEV’s are pushing a quest based system this will easily interface w/ it.) Fame will determine your standing w/ an NPC criminal faction (Also to be included in the smuggler revamp as the DEV’s have indicated.) It will also allow you certain perks. Infamy points are your BH interaction points. Infamy points are determined by your success in avoiding death at the hands of a BH. That’s a very basic overview and I will have separate posts on FAME points and INFAMY points.

The BH system will be set up on a Point ranking and TIER system with a sliding scale. 5 Tiers in all. This system is setup so that only the best and most successful BH’s in the galaxy will get to hunt the highest level fugitive. Only 5 bounty hunters will rank at Tier 1 the highest Tier. This system will change as success percentages fluctuate. The system takes into account total success at different levels, total failures at different levels, total missions under taken and the current level of the bounty hunter to determine his success rate. I will post more on TIER’s and Ranking later also.

The next part is the toughest. Motivation. And checks an balances. First checks and balances. Firstly BH verses Smuggler will always be a one on one show down. This is how it will break down. PvP BH missions will be assigned by System security or local Imperial authorities. When a smuggler out runs the law and has been previously I.D.ed and has a good amount of Infamy points he has a 75% chance of being bountied. This will be a not too uncommon occurrence. Bounty hunters will have to register (or be licensed, something they will have to purchase) in a system to be eligible for bounties posted that system. When a system Security of Imperial garrison puts a Smuggler player up for bounty all BH’s registered with that system will receive a e-mail that a bounty is on the boards. Only the first two BH’s that reach the bounty office can receive the contract. This means that a Smuggler will only be pursued by two BH’s at any given time. Only the BH’s can engage the smuggler so no gang bang groups. The two BH’s can not group w/ each other but they may attack each other. More on the ETHICS of BH’ers in another post. Only one BH will get credit for the kill. The one who lands the killing blow. If the smuggler kills both BH’s or the BH drops his contract the smuggler will advances to the next Tier and is safe from bounties until his next offense. These are few Checks and balances. You’ll get a better idea of the mechanics with future posts.

They last topic I will discuss in this post will be the motivation. Most smugglers want to be hunted but most do not want to be killed. Most BH’s want to be seen as a Bobba Fett/Jango level Bad A$S. Beyond that, Most players reach master and the game loses interest. So I propose that only Master Bounty Hunters can enter the tier levels. This is to stop dabbling to some extent and to allow a continuing gaming experience. To allow for enough prey to be hunted all Smugglers will be targets of BH’ers. The ongoing goal of BH’ers will be to achieve a notoriety w/ the SWG community as a cool calculated hunter w/ a very imposing resume as well as Special loot. (Over 100 items in totalwith would include special weapon attachments and 5 times use Weaps like saber darts as well as large sums of cash.). The ultimate Goal of a BH is to reach the coveted Tier 1 status and participate in a Tier 1 hunt. The on going goal of smugglers will be to achieve notoriety w/ the SWG community as a reckless outlaw as well gaining special loot (over 100 items total) and new abilities to allow for better chances of escaping BH’s. The Ultimate goal for a smuggler will be to earn the coveted Death Mark in a system. I will add an entire posts on REWARDS, TIER 1 Hunts and The Death Mark. That’s All for now. The following list will be posts to follow on this idea. I will try to go in order.

- SMUGGLER FAME

- SMUGGLER INFAMY

- THE BOUNTY PROCESS

- THE TIER SYSTEM AND RANKING

- TIER 1 HUNTS

- CHECKS AND BALANCES

- BH ETHICS AND PENELTIES

- BADGES AND CHARICTER MODS TO CHARICTER DESCRIPTIONS

- BOUNTY HUNTER LOOT AND AWARDS.

- SMUGGLER LOOT AND AWARDS

- THE DEATH MARK

- SUGGESTION POSTS TO CORRECT FOR SEEABLE PROBLEMS OR MODDIFCATION TO ADVANCE GAME PLAY