Edge of the Mists has a fantastic design. It is visually impressive, has varying levels (below, middle, upper), undulating terrain (which is cool when zerg surprise-meets zerg when one climbs over the crest and goes ‘Oh f-!’). Most importantly, objectives matter more than points: they have utility.
They should incorporate the utility elements into the main WvW maps.
For example (1), the home server of the borderlands map could have “Defender’s Determination”, and get a x% toughness buff for the team in the home borderlands.
Another example (2): At Overlook keep, all enemies within 1200 range of the keep walls will be marked on the minimap to team members standing in the Keep Lord circle. The effectiveness of the utility could even be scaled. If the keep is T1, range could be 600. At T2, range could be 900. At T3, range could be 1200. (numbers are just examples. what I’m trying to illustrate is that the more the keep is upgraded, the more effective its basic function. If Anet wants they can even unlock a bonus upgrade and add a new utility function. Example: at T3, the range is 1200 PLUS anyone within the inner keep will be able to see enemies on minimap).
Example (3): Lowlands Keep: team members in water within 1200 range of keep walls will be stealthed from surface enemies, etc etc
Example (4): Pangloss Rise can be upgraded with explosives at either mine exit. Rockfall activates and damages first 25 enemies that pass through. Runs out after the 25 uses before upgrade has to be purchased again. (In this case, a T2 supply camp could now offer the explosives utility upgrade that lasts for 35 uses, and is more damaging, etc etc).
Example (5): Mercenary camps can be upgraded for utility purposes too. For example at the Dredge tunnel, the camp could be upgraded for armored carrier ambush, where a hell load of vet to elite dredge mobs spawn at each armored carrier that burrows out of the ground. (players may then use a tactic such as sending one suicide runner to run through the tunnel to check for ambush, so….) A timer will tick when the ambush occurs. If the ambush is not entirely wiped by the end of the timer, all vets are upgraded to elite and the carriers burrow back into the ground. If the ambush is wiped before the timer, players still have to defeat one more Champion Dredge Lieutenant to neutralise the tunnels (accompanied by ~10-12 dredge cannon turrets spawning in the area. The more turrets alive, the more armor and damage and range of the champ’s AOE and attacks.) . Hell, if it was so annoying to run from Wildcreek to Anzalias through the tunnel, I would prob route my forces around… and then I would be delayed ._. Even if I had a big enough zerg to wipe the ambush, the delay factor will still be there.)
etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc.
Main point: Just add utility functions to WvW objectives.
What do you think, guys?