Shops in hamlets.

[Nakiamiie]

Hamlet defence wins = full access to shops.
Hamlet defences fails = no access to shops, Discipline of the Hand and Land must perform repair/clean up and then the shops become accessible.

I like that idea.

[Ilethius]

Maybe put a selectable star rating on each hamlet, so when a party signs up there given the option to vote for a star rating the most voted rating wins. Maybe award extra xp/hamlet points for people who complete star ratings over there level.

1 star = 2 people
2 star = 4 people
3 star = 5 people
4 star = 7 people
5 star = 8 people

So if 4 people complete a 3 star hamlet defense they get say 110% xp/hamlet points?, well not sure on the correct % I guess thats up to the dev team to flesh out.

Also maybe create special NM's that come in on the final wave for 4 and 5 stars, give them a random level say 45 - 60 and if beaten they drop a chest with amour/shields in (no weapons as the primal fights pretty much cover high level weps). Could even drop some DOL/DOH primary/secondary tools to give them a incentive to participate.

[Kio]

I think it would make more sense just to have it automatically scale down to the amount of people and level range whom are currently signed up for it, similar to how behest works.
I'm afraid if it's left up to the players to decide it may lead to griefing or accidental setting of a difficulty level the attendants cannot beat.

Hmm now that you mention it though, why is there no dropped loot for DoH/DoL? Would be fun if we got some prizes too.

[BlaiseLallaise]

Make it like besieged from ffxi, anyone can join, free exp at the end, and waves of hard ass monsters that require like 10-15 people beating on it, the a "final boss" of the fight

Don't you think that's overdoing it a little? I agree with using the general besieged formula, but not the difficulty. What invading force in their right mind would send that much power to overwhelm a tiny little village? There's no logic to it.

A chunk of XP at the end would be good, but let's not neglect a per-kill XP award.

[BlaiseLallaise]

Here's another thought in regards to typing in Grand Companies. Perhaps it was already mentioned and I just missed it, so if so, consider this a post to reinforce the idea.

I like the idea of tying in Grand Companies to Hamlet defense. What I have in mind is a type of FFXI conquest system where a certain GC would gain 'presence' in a hamlet if more players from that GC fought in the successful defense of said hamlet than players from other GC's. After the successful defense, a GC rep would be on hand to award you with a small sum of seals. Naturally, a failed defense would yield no GC rep in the hamlet.

I'm sure there could be other benefits to having a GC rep in a hamlet. Maybe some kind of buff for the players from that GC in the next defense, I dunno.

[Teuciont]

Here's another thought in regards to typing in Grand Companies. Perhaps it was already mentioned and I just missed it, so if so, consider this a post to reinforce the idea.

I like the idea of tying in Grand Companies to Hamlet defense. What I have in mind is a type of FFXI conquest system where a certain GC would gain 'presence' in a hamlet if more players from that GC fought in the successful defense of said hamlet than players from other GC's. After the successful defense, a GC rep would be on hand to award you with a small sum of seals. Naturally, a failed defense would yield no GC rep in the hamlet.

I'm sure there could be other benefits to having a GC rep in a hamlet. Maybe some kind of buff for the players from that GC in the next defense, I dunno.

While I agree that there should be a GC presence in Hamlets, I'm not sure it should be competitive. It wouldn't make much sense to have the Uldah company occupying a Hamlet on the island that La Noscea's on. Having RATINGS though, like in XI for conquest would make a lot of sense. Depending on who's top country you'd be able to buy special items from the GC person in town. The whole "not being able to switch GC's" will help with this too, considering people can't just switch to whoever's the most popular at the time. This promotes rivalry between nations and some nationalism that really boosts the sense of community within the game.

If they're going to make Ifrit/Moogle drop better loot if the entire party is from one GC, SE needs to have members of GCs interact with eachother more often and meet eachother. I think Hamlet defense would be a perfect opportunity to meet some of your fellow GC mates and to get those groups together.

The rivalry would also give a good sense of competition for when they implement cross GC PvP.

[BlaiseLallaise]

While I agree that there should be a GC presence in Hamlets, I'm not sure it should be competitive. It wouldn't make much sense to have the Uldah company occupying a Hamlet on the island that La Noscea's on. Having RATINGS though, like in XI for conquest would make a lot of sense. Depending on who's top country you'd be able to buy special items from the GC person in town. The whole "not being able to switch GC's" will help with this too, considering people can't just switch to whoever's the most popular at the time. This promotes rivalry between nations and some nationalism that really boosts the sense of community within the game.

If they're going to make Ifrit/Moogle drop better loot if the entire party is from one GC, SE needs to have members of GCs interact with eachother more often and meet eachother. I think Hamlet defense would be a perfect opportunity to meet some of your fellow GC mates and to get those groups together.

The rivalry would also give a good sense of competition for when they implement cross GC PvP.

I'm not sure I see the difference. I wasn't meaning to imply an occupation of the hamlets by a GC, merely showing up to reward their people for doing a good job before heading back to their respective cities. I suppose this could be done for all three GC's per defense, but then going in you know you'll get your XP and some seals to boot. If only the highest-performing GC gets the bonus seals, then there's motive for doing your very best during the defense as well as bringing fellow GC members, yet not so much that you'd be disappointed if another GC got the bonus seals. All I'm suggesting is some additional harmless competition with minor rewards, not anything on the scale of PvP.

[normalforce]

I'm not sure I see the difference. I wasn't meaning to imply an occupation of the hamlets by a GC, merely showing up to reward their people for doing a good job before heading back to their respective cities. I suppose this could be done for all three GC's per defense, but then going in you know you'll get your XP and some seals to boot. If only the highest-performing GC gets the bonus seals, then there's motive for doing your very best during the defense as well as bringing fellow GC members, yet not so much that you'd be disappointed if another GC got the bonus seals. All I'm suggesting is some additional harmless competition with minor rewards, not anything on the scale of PvP.

It might make more sense for that region's GC to be the only presence there. However, there's nothing to stop the GC NPC representative from saying something along the lines of, "Thank you for your help. Unfortunately, I am not authorized to issue you Serpent seals, but rest assured your service has not gone unnoticed, nor will it go unrewarded. Talk to X in the Adder's Nest to receive your compensation."

Or something like that. You still get rewarded, it's just not immediate. It's not like you can use your seals anywhere but your GC headquarters anyway.

[Tetsaru]

Some more ideas for DotH/DotL classes for hamlet defense:

Carpenter

- CRP would probably be one of the most valuable crafts for hamlet defense because they would construct and repair all of the wooden buildings. BTN would also be important, in order to provide them with the materials they need.

- Two or more CRP's partying together could use a large, two-man saw to cut raw lumber into large planks for construction. They would have to alternate their cuts properly, while also moving as quickly as possible, for speed of completion and possibly exp or other bonus rewards. After the planks are cut, one person could hold up and steady the plank (possibly some sort of balance-oriented mechanic involved) while another uses a hammer and nails to put it into place. If done improperly, the person balancing the plank could tip it over or drop it, or the person nailing it could accidentally hit his thumb with the hammer, etc. There could possibly be losses involved (such as breaking materials, etc.), but it would still be fun to watch and would promote cooperation. Similar mini-game style events for building or repairing could also be used for other jobs, and could also promote casual play for those who would rather help contribute to the community by building things as a crafter, rather than fight difficult and stressful battles as a Disciple of War or Magic.

Blacksmith

- BSM would not only provide weapons to troops, but also build armaments, possibly with CRP, to protect the hamlet: catapults, ballistas, trebuchets, etc.

- I imagine parties working together in a similar scene to that of the Smithing Guild in Limsa: one person has a giant sledgehammer to shape the metal, a second uses tongs to position it and hold it in place, a third controls the temperatures of the forge, etc. Actually, scenes from all the crafting guilds could probably be used as inspiration for crafting parties...

Armorer

- ARM would be responsible for supplying troops with armor, of course, as well as any masonry or metalworking, possibly with BSM or CRP, used to reinforce buildings and structures. Defenses such as walls, gates, fences, etc. can also be built.

Goldsmith

- I could see GLD possibly decorating existing structures, or building monuments, statues, fountains (maybe with ALC and ARM), etc. that could bolster morale among troops and encourage NPC's to take up residence in the hamlet.

Weaver

- WVR's could work together to create large flags and banners to decorate the hamlet and boost troop morale. Could work with CRP, BSM, ARM, or GLD to make flagpoles, decorate statues of important figures with capes(?), etc.

Leatherworker

- Not really sure, tbh, other than supplying armor and clothing... possibly work with WVR somehow, or reinforce structures with ARM...?

Alchemist

- Can provide medicine to injured/ill troops.

- Can imbue existing weaponry with additional effects: catapults that fire explosive boulders, ballistas that shoot fire arrows, etc.

- Multiple ALC's could have a large cauldron in which they could add various ingredients and stir them together, resulting in various concoctions.

Culinarian

- Would provide troops with food, allowing them to maintain their strength in battle.

- Kinda random idea: Could possibly use leftover/rotten food (possibly working with LTH or ALC?) that catapults could launch as a sort of "biological warfare" attack that can poison/disease attacking enemies.

- Similar to ALC's, multiple CUL's could also have a large cooking pot where they could make stews, etc.

Miner

- Would obviously supply ores, stones, etc. for building. Could also assist in digging foundations for structures, or similar applications. Miners could also clean up rubble from destroyed structures, possibly salvaging resources in the process.

Botanist

- Supplies wood, herbs, weaving materials, etc. Could assist in making gardens for providing a consistent source of resources without always having to venture to faraway areas.

Fisher

- Supplies fish for feeding troops, etc. Could work with other jobs to make things such as ponds or aquariums to allow for easier fishing.

[Picoman]

I had a lot of fun decorating my Bastokan Mog House with furniture i made myself through crafts like Woodworking.

Also made Flower Pots, Gold Fish Bowls, displayed Ornamental Rewards and my favourite was my Carpenters Drawing Desk (mainly coz i spent three years on getting it, lol ^^).

Along with the Achievement system, player housing has the power to make this game sticky. I remember a period in my FFXI career when all i would do is log in to check the flower pots and my chocobo raising.