Shops in hamlets.

[Lionix]

I have to say, I haven't seen such a civilized, friendly and interesting thread in a very, very long time. I wonder if they related in anyway. Anyhow, fine thread. Seems a bit unlikely we'll get such a gem delivered, specially with that super-tight schedule they are running, but that doesn't make the thread any less fun.

Wouldn't it be amazing if the team could deliver? Ah~.

One way around this is the "If you build it, they will come," model.

That is, an unpopular, ignored hamlet doesn't get attacked as much, if at all, so it doesn't end up a constant, lost cause.

But the more a hamlet that gets its defenses raised (in whatever activities players can better prepare it for battle), the more it gets seen as a threat, and it's attacked by greater and more dangerous forces. And of course, the rewards for victory are all the sweeter, too, so this escalation is encouraged.

But if two or three people want to be heroes in a neglected hamlet, they could still raise its defenses and thwart a small invasion they can handle.

This is a very interesting concept. With this method, we'd have "lower" tier hamlets on various places that lower levels could take part on. The event of all hamlets going "high" tier is unlikely as they would all start getting heavy offensives drawn to them and some would eventually give in.

As for the stars comment, it should auto-scale, if they are into that kind of thing, or at the very least, just let you know before you join that the incoming attack is of X-Amount of stars of difficulty.

I also like the idea of we getting a global message saying "X forces are mobilizing against X hamlet (30 minutes earth time)" so can at least finish and drop what we are on and teleport back to town. I'd like a teleport to the hamlet only for the purpose of defending against an attack, if possible. I'd hate to make it too late for the defense or having to camp it or anything. Or we could teleport (when not under attack, or about to be), at the cost of Company Seals?

Now, I find this whole topic very fun, but how big should it scale? How many participants do you guys think seems sensible? If the time between attacks is big (once or twice a day), a small participants cap would be detrimental. Too many would feel "I never get to do a hamlet defense, it blows!". If it's too often (once an hour or something) even on a small party cap, I doubt people would feel to inclined to do it often. I think a huge amount of people, on a huge time interval (11 or 13 hours) would be the most appropriate.

Lastly, I really liked the "zone bonus" idea thrown by Imagene. This way, even if a 50 comes in and steal everyone's thunder during the defense (some people see this as helping, some as plain screwing everyone's fun), the lowers are not at a complete loss-- You get them bonuses! Heck, even the people not participating will appreciate the effort!

[Kio]

One way around this is the "If you build it, they will come," model.

That is, an unpopular, ignored hamlet doesn't get attacked as much, if at all, so it doesn't end up a constant, lost cause.

But the more a hamlet that gets its defenses raised (in whatever activities players can better prepare it for battle), the more it gets seen as a threat, and it's attacked by greater and more dangerous forces. And of course, the rewards for victory are all the sweeter, too, so this escalation is encouraged.

But if two or three people want to be heroes in a neglected hamlet, they could still raise its defenses and thwart a small invasion they can handle.

I really like this idea, but how would we not run into the same rut as we do with the current 3 nations? That is, everyone only focuses on populating and maintaining an economy in Uldah because it's easier that way.

[Veltaine]

I really like this idea, but how would we not run into the same rut as we do with the current 3 nations? That is, everyone only focuses on populating and maintaining an economy in Uldah because it's easier that way.

grand company followers could take the hamlets ala conquest mode, and stake it for their country for a period of time. giving them access to AH through an Anima delivery system, discounted for users in the same country as its being controlled by, tack on a tax for the others.

everyone signed up for their countries.. so everyones locked in.. if you want to get good stuff at convenient locations, you have to fight with your own country to get a hold of it. not everyone chose uldah, though after the patch that will yet to be seen with the new players..