Goal: To revitalize old content while bringing together veterans and new players to solve the dead content issue between Lv. 1~95, without spreading the player base too thin.
Suggestion:
>[] Mode is now available on all battles considered non-endgame (presently, sub-95). It becomes available at Lv. 24, after the tutorial quest is completed.
>Boss HP and other stats are increased to pose a reasonable challenge, similar to pre-RISE. Boss SPD is slightly increased, similar to the original Hero Mode.
>When playing in this mode, player stats are applied up to a strict cap. This cap varies by boss and is based around area-relevant gear. For example, Ainle battles will be balanced around and consequently capped at stats from the Wind Crust/Blood Prince gear that players receive for free. These stat caps do not allow cap-breaking stats to apply; ATT Surplus is not applied. However, CRT, BAL, and SPD are not capped besides their natural caps. This allows veteran players to join without feeling uncomfortable playing their class with low SPD, etc, and also allows for veteran players to feel they are getting at least some value out of their hard-earned gear, despite the caps.
>TL;DR...When two players of different levels play this mode together, their stats will effectively be the same, with the exception of CRT, BAL, and SPD.
>Drops in [] Mode depend on the player’s level, not the area’s level. When a Lv. 20 and Lv. 105 player play together, the Lv. 20 player receives Lv. 20 drops, while the Lv. 105 receives Lv. 100~105 drops (similar to RME).
>When a Lv. 100+ player parties with a pre-95 player, they receive a [Mentor Seal], which can be exchanged for a variety of useful goods that appeal to endgame players (without being too valuable).
Regarding how to launch [] Mode:
>It is possible to create a party for [] Mode as usual.
>However, there is also a [Quick Join] button. When using [Quick Join], the player automatically joins an available boat based on the following criteria:
1. Number of players in the boat. Boats with less players take priority.
2. Time since the boat was hosted. If there are two boats with the same number of players, the boat that has been waiting the longest takes priority.
>Players that join with the [Quick Join] button receive an extra [Mentor Seal] upon battle completion, but only if there is a pre-95 player in the party.
>Players with a Rookie or Returner mark receive additional XP, AP, and drops compared to Normal mode.
>Departures for this mode are unlimited(?).
>Tutorial:
Players are given a tutorial on the differences between Normal Mode and [] Mode. This tutorial takes a similar form to how Dullahan is treated now, but for Giant
Polar Bear instead. Players are directed and encouraged to form a party in [] Mode to get the most out of their dungeons
Why do this?
There are two major issues that this update would solve:
1. The new player experience is currently dreadful. Players are expected to grind through hours upon hours of mind-numbingly easy solo content, entirely on their own.
2. Currently, no old content holds any value for the veteran player base. It is also mind-numbingly easy and provides no enjoyment for veterans.
Although it may be a bit of work, creating a scaling system of this nature would give veterans a reason to join and assist new players. And, with the ability to actually form a party for old content, the necessity of making old content easy enough for brand new players to solo disappears. That said, this update doesn’t require the current easy solo progression to be removed. Players who would rather solo can continue to do so, including solo [] Mode, if they like.
