I have some constructive feedbacks and suggestions for Anet that I would like to throw it out there for everyone to discuss. If you think some of the ideas are worth spreading, please leave a comment.
It all started with the patch that limits maximum targets from AOE improved server stability and encourage players to play together. Raid groups no longer get wiped in an instant by another raid group. Anet made a right decision. WvW was enjoyable until paid-transfer kicked in. Anet had every right to make money from this because they made a great game. However, paid-transfer inevitably cause tier-1 servers to form up and “Blobs” to occur.
From speculation, there are more WvW focused players/guilds gathered on BG, JQ and SOR than rest of the servers combined. Most importantly, the communities (councils) on those tier-1 servers effectively invited Oceanic and European guilds to join them to improve their WvW coverage. They had every right to win. However, less organized servers tend to suffer when they had to face any one of those three servers in match up.
Currently, the lack of organization and cooperation between guilds caused players to “Blob” up. All you need is one commander to lead a blob. This is very hard to counter. To wipe a “Map Zerg”, an organized group needs at least 25 experienced players which is hard to gather. The other counter will be playing “Gorilla Tactic”, Guilds in groups of 10 or 20 attack on multiple capture points and perhaps on different servers at the same time, they can outplay the blob and force them to spread as well. This requires a whole lot more commanders on the map to lead and players to participate. European servers got this happening and got a positive cycle going. The US servers couldn’t pull it off due to lack of availability, morale and lack of organized WvW guilds. “Blobing” is obviously the winner especially during Off-Peak hours and weekdays since only one commander is required for each “Map Zerg” and they have enough resources to take down keeps without fail.
Players participate in “Blobing” are rewarded with WEXP significantly higher than having smaller groups doing “havoc” guerilla tactics. Anet implemented Supply Traps, Bloodlust Capture Points to counter “Blobing”. However, players are not rewarded for draining supply from “Zerg” or buffing allies. On the other hand, if players do receive benefits for setting supply traps or capture points, they will definitely be abused.
- to balance server population/coverage
Option 1 Gold League should be top three servers, not top six. BG, JQ and SOR have way too many people.
Option 2 Split scoring system into Peak-Hour and Off-Peak-Hour. This might encourage guilds to play together and work together.
Option 3 Server merges or give Free Transfer Tickets to players from bottom servers.
- to get more commanders on the map
Option 1 Players who are not in a Commander’s Squad receives a penalty on the amount of WEXP they receive.
Option 2 Commanders’ text message shows up in different colors on team chat or only in squad chat.
Option 3 Commander Tag has the option “Only visible for Squad Members” to avoid “Under Level Pugs” or “Rally Bots”.
Option 4 Commanders get to set their Squads as “Guild Members Only”, “Invitation Only” or “Free-for-all”. A Squad Window/Menu will sure be handy.
- to split the “Zerg”
Option 1 While under the Outmanned Buff, each time a player/group takes out an objective, it places a debuff on the opponents which increases in stacks that reduces their overall stats and/or WEXP gained. This allows the possibility for a small group to wipe out a “Zerg”, force them to spread out or force them to leave the borderland. The debuff is duration based and stay with the opponent when they switch borderland.
Option 2 set up an area in the EB Jumping Puzzle designed for organised GvG (around 15 vs 15) battles. Don’t forget to give spectators place to stand. Bloodlust does not affect those in the map. This will promote and encourage organized group fights and train commanders.
Option 3 Scale the difficulty of the Keep Lord on the number of invaders to the point that it hits like a Siegerazer. That will surely give outmanned defenders a chance or at least provide a challenge.