Thread: Stone, Sky, & Sea As A DF Requirement

I didn't see a "Trials/Raids" forum so I'm posting here.

With the release of Stone, Sky, & Sea we now have a solid metric in the game to test individual readiness for content. Ideally the system can be expanded to mimic mechanics and throw that in as part of the test process.

With a fairly solid base test in the form of these solo challenges, we may be able to solve the problem of time commitment vs readiness in forming groups for endgame content.

Can we please make a SSS clear requirement for all non-story DF trials and raids (not the 24-man kind)? (players with clear achievements from the duty itself pre-qualify)

This would allow us to add even endgame content to the duty finder. The only people in queue will have proven themselves capable of carrying their own weight, making forming parties a safer prospect for everyone involved. Players who don't have the consistent time commitment needed for a premade raid group would finally have a reliable way of grouping for this content.

If SSS can also mimick mechanics, this eases the strain of learning. Currently you need a PF learning party, which people are unlikely to go for. It takes 7 other people's time just to show you the fight. You typically have no way of getting the experience/practice you need against them simply due to lack of people doing the same or willing to go with you, or due to the others you CAN find being far slower learners unable to push the battle forward. With a solo version of it, you could acclimate and remove the current barrier to entry of PF groups looking for only people who have already cleared.


Basically, if SSS can create well-emulated scaled solo versions of raid encounters, it can be used as the gate for the real thing, finally solving the problem of perfectly competent players unable to complete endgame content due to lack of time commitment or necessary connections.

I don't know about having it as a DF requirement, might be worth being an option on PF

my consider would be how SSS has been implemented

if its just a static/passive dummy with the def/eva values of the content then the whole system is pointless because all you are test is your rotations and your gear is good enough for the content.

if its an active dummy that can potently kill you (aka testing your rotations under stress) would be more useful

Just rewatched that part of the patch video and..... it looks like a passive dummy

I just hope that I'm wrong and it not showing the full system.

Originally Posted by Callback

Think of the gatekeeper from TSW. role-based solo trials that simulate common mechanics you will have to deal with in the hard dungeons it unlocks.

I love the Gatekeeper, but it doesn't really seem to have served the purpose of preparing people for NM dungeons--nearly all nightmare shouts continue to have absurd AR/HR requirements that are way, way above what you need, because clearing Gatekeeper apparently isn't enough of a barrier to ensure #gitgud quality.

That said, I still think S3 should be a requirement for unlocking the queue option for content. If you can at least clear the DPS check, you should be 90% of the way there, and most players simply can't.

Originally Posted by fm_fenrir

I love the Gatekeeper, but it doesn't really seem to have served the purpose of preparing people for NM dungeons--nearly all nightmare shouts continue to have absurd AR/HR requirements that are way, way above what you need, because clearing Gatekeeper apparently isn't enough of a barrier to ensure #gitgud quality.

That said, I still think S3 should be a requirement for unlocking the queue option for content. If you can at least clear the DPS check, you should be 90% of the way there, and most players simply can't.

Yeah, I mean even if it is raw DPS that still fits as a bare minimum. And you can check for accuracy requirements on ones like A4S dummy. It would just be so much better as a mini solo version of the actual trial.

Originally Posted by Dalex

Basically what I was advocating in another thread before everyone shot it down

Not even one that can kill you through normal means. Just several fail conditions as instant wipes, and all other attacks required for mechanics reduced to 1 damage if you do them properly. Healer trials would be the only ones that need real damage on the player. Keep themselves alive along with dummies.

Originally Posted by Ageofwar

Just rewatched that part of the patch video and..... it looks like a passive dummy

I just hope that I'm wrong and it not showing the full system.

There are multiple SSS dummies and I believe what was shown is the basic one.

From the way they mentioned it earlier it sounds like there will be mechanics to them but things can change - will see.