First, before you start reading, it’s actually only a sketch of two ideas, which would be nice in combination, but would also work alone each.
The main idea is the Gauntlet-Item, inspired by the Queen’s Gauntlet, it should allow players (outside of the mists / PvP) to duel other players. The item should only be usable, if both players are out of combat, but it should be usable everywhere. Like in
- Cities, e.g. Lion’s Arch
- Any Open PvE-Area
- Dungeons,
- WvW-Area
The advantage of this item would be, in different to the PvP-Mode, that it allows Players to actually test their PvE equipment, especially in a controlled area, like by duelling a friend. Or just give them a new kind of mini-game, which can be done in a dungeon, when waiting for some players. Or even in WvW, when e.g. guarding a camp.
However, since the duel can be started everywhere, it could be affected by any nearby friendly player. As this would lead to unwanted match manipulation, I’d suggest to make duelling players unaffected by friendly spells. Maybe due to an effect, that blocks any friendly action, like heals, condition remove, etc.. Or, depending on how hard that would be to add, put the duelling players into two new independent teams, but still allied in terms like chat and foes. That could also make it easier to detect duels between friendly and enemy players in WvW, if say friendly players appear in a different colour, if one of the players used the item.
- Why should this item be used anyway in WvW between enemy players?
Well, it’s an one-time-item. To encourage players to accept the duel-invitation (even in PvE), give the item a small reward for the winner. Say, the item itself costs 10 silver and the winner will get 5 silver reward. Furthermore, since it should also be usable at dungeons or even Fractals of the Mist and can be some kind of mini-game, the losing player shouldn’t get any repair costs, unless finished by an enemy player (obviously not the one involved in the duel). Since the cost for the item is still higher than the reward and not gained repair costs, these shouldn’t be a problem. Everything else should be unaffected, like loot bags or a point for the server, if finished by an enemy player having any Bloodlust.
- What else to add?
Duels can’t be cancelled when started, but you can surrender. Either by using /bow (or maybe add a new command like /resign) or running away. To make this easier to detect, who actually ran away, add a virtual arena, i.e. a large circle (large enough to move around without feeling restricted, maybe up to Mesmer Portal range, but must be tested).
Also add a permanent version in the Gem Store, maybe 800-1000 Gems (Account Bound). For this, there is no 5 silver reward, but still no repair costs. Players will be seen, when invited to duel, if there is a reward and how much it is (allows maybe custom rewards later on as well).
Second idea, just to make the use of the item much easier: Add up to three action slots for each character. You can put any usable item in one of these action slots, like tonics, miniatures, nourishments, blueprints, etc.. However, the advantage of these is, you can bind each of them to a key. And maybe even add a small icon on the screen, you have to click only once, instead of twice, to activate it (checkable in the options menu or at the Hero panel, then for each slot).
Since the Gauntlet Item would require you to select your target, open your inventory, search for the item and then use it, it would be much easier to just press one button instead. Especially when using it frequently. Furthermore add three slots, to make them useful even for players, who don’t like duels but have a favourite miniature, tonic and/or like to use both types of nourishment as well. So they can use these slots the way they prefer to play.