Slaughter was basically Secure without the non-player objectives. Team Deathmatch, basically. And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a rather basic competitive multiplayer mode? It wasn't large amounts of players finding and taking out unsuspecting players. You knew what you queued for, the objective was quite clear. Why it was removed, other than being such an underplayed mode (thanks to being left for dead at level 50 all through Heavensward) is something you'd have to ask SE. If we wanted it back enough, that is, if enough player demand wanted to see Slaughter return as a mode, it's entirely possible. I know the PvP community has a real bad case of defeat when it comes to SE hearing us on anything, but they DO listen. Freelancer and the Dueling circle wouldn't exist otherwise. Those weren't their ideas. They were ours.
Let it also be noted that the rules for Secure, Seize, and Shatter clearly note in the descriptions of how to score, "as well as defeating other players". If they didn't wish to encourage gameplay that's only about killing another player, that would be the complete antithesis of Player versus Player gameplay that involves combat.
That said, the common issue here is people assume - and I understand there's experience behind this - that players are simply going to hunt and gank unsuspecting players. So let me ask these few questions:
- If a PvP zone is clearly marked and defined, with a notification upon trying to enter: how would it be possible for someone uninterested in PvP to "accidentally" wind up there?
- If there is no required PvE content within said area, how would it be an issue for any player uninterested in PvP?
- If a player can toggle a status to signal they do/do not wish to PvP within the area, how is it an issue to be attacked if/when you don't wish to be?
- If there's every accomodation made to ensure that someone who does not wish to PvP at all is in no way affected by, or impacted by such an area existing, then where lies the issue in allowing such an area to be added?
These questions continue to be dodged, for the sake of the "but I don't want to get ganked!" narrative. If there's absolutely no possibility of that happening, even if you're in the area and have your "Don't touch me" status on, then what's the issue?