I like to to think it saves dev-time and makes a game more complex to use already existing mechanics compared to adding always new stuff to solve existing problems.
My suggestion(s) targets at following things:
- reduce of objective-flipping
- tie in JP into WvW scoring
- present more diverse things to do solo/small group
- as well as adding layers of meta for big guilds/whole server
- incentives to split zerg force even more
- reintroducing orbs /CTF style
- adding new achievements and personal & guild reward mechanics
- more sandbox-feel via simple mechanics adding up to each other over all maps
- more ways to score in WvW and make a “comeback”
…and therefore not only a mere suggestion, but a WvW specific view on things to open a discussion about adding more layers to meta/WvWscoreing:
The Orbs
They (re)spawn at lot of different locations (even possibly at the same time) and can be seen on map after respawn (maybe even announced). 5 minutes before actual spawn, players nearby can see them “materialize” and after that pick it up FFA (like before dropping on death, despawning if untouched).
Orb Spawn locations are every:
- Borderland JP
At some 3-5 random locations where 1-2 orb(s) spawn roughly every 60-120 minutes. (PvEers can be nice scouts who wont get bored in there…^^)
- Tower & keep
For T1/2/3 every 3/2/1 hours after last cap a respawn is possible.
Makes upgradeing towers more rewarding, while attracting more enemies into the area…and as well as more defenders (/orb runner).
Orbs go where…?
To our beloved quaggan, ofc
Either of the nodes (as long as your server holds it) will do it..but the center node/isle should reward sligthly more.
Orb Run Event Rewards
Rewards should be like other events (karma,xp). In addition for each orb:
- 1st server
+1% “OLD FELLA”-buff stack per event (permanent for whole week!)
- 2nd server
+1-10 WvW score
+1% “OLD FELLA”-buff stack per event (permanent for whole week!)
- 3rd server
+10-30 WvW score
+10% “OLD FELLA”-buff stack per event (permanent for whole week!)
+ “OLD FELLA”-buff trigger for Eternal Battlegrounds
Players from homeworlds currently 1st in WvW score will mostly try to defend orbs and keep other servers from transporting them to quaggans. For the 2nd its a small incentive to better own Score, but also defending against 3rd server who would/might try to push scoreing a lot via orbs…and thus be able to make a comeback….Or even let them comeback to rush both servers afterwards…as the currently losing server can try to play joker on Eternal battlegrounds via this “OLD FELLA” buff.
(Skritt/Centaur camp would be possible orb-rent-in locations, too but maybe to near JP)
Eternal Battlegrounds “OLD FELLA” meta
There is this old oak-tree-elemental in EB who outlived a lot of battles, but got ill by age and is mostly harmless and slowly moving around its way. Still, you shouldnt stay in its path to not be squished to death or wiped off your feet…
Sometimes it roars in anger & agony weakened (thus dmg inflicted on him will rise 10x times …attracting players) and rooting on a big scale especially the winning servers while currently 3rd in WvW score will often be unharmed…
No single guild, nor a single homeworld can down him on a day…maybe not even a week…
He wont regenerate, tough… BUT he can be healed by everyones healing effects!
World boss raiding meta in a nutshell
Every single players dmg AND heals will be tracked over the week as well as the guild represented at this time.
As explained before doing orb runs losing server can trigger dmg buff for all allies on EB, as well as it allows solo player or guilds to “farm” a bonus buff on dmg to this raid boss.
Rewards for Most DMG / HEAL / Finishing blow…
…done for player(s) & guild(s) tracked over the week/until kill. Big treasure chest (high chance on precursors) and adds a lot bonus WvW points to their homeworlds score (either at kill or end of the match).
This way you get more personal/guild-related ways to affect WvW score and even enhance personal rewards while presenting Boss Raiding, Orb-CTF and deeper WvW meta in a single package.