Greetings!
I have an idea to propose for an Objective & team-based PvP system. This system would be 100% optional. If you don't want to PvP in XIV, you'll never have to participate. This idea is borrowed from Dark Age of Camelot, who's PvP system was incredibly fun.
Battlegrounds
There could be persistent, instanced zones which contain a fort or walled hamlet or keep (or something similar) in the center. The objective would be to take and defend this fort. This zone would always be open and accessable. No set times for battles like in XI. To get to the zone, you would be teleported by an NPC in any of the 3 nations.
Teams
Teams would be based on one's starting nation. Or, you could sign up with one of the 3 nations to fight for them.
Objective
In order to take the fort, your nation/team must first break through it's defenses. This basically would mean breaking down the gate. Then, once the gate is open, your nation/team will need to eliminate the NPC guards. Finally, in order to capture the fort for your nation, you will need to move into a room which contains a "boss". If the boss is defeated by your nation/team, the fort is claimed and basic defenses are instantly put back up.
Defending
The fort's defenses can be upgraded with special parts made from crafters. Anyone can use them to upgrade the fort from level 1 to 10. Each level would take 10 minutes to complete, but once started by the player is automated. A keep's level can be upgraded once per RL hour. Higher levels would mean stronger Defense NPCs, boss, gate and walls.
Once a fort is claimed by a nation/team, a Linkshell may then put their banner on it. To do so would require 5 Linksell members to be in a group, and use a certain command. This would be for looks only. Defending NPCs would wear the LS colors.
Attacking
Attacking forces would be able to manually break down a fort's door with magic/weapons, but even low level keeps would take a while doing this.
On top of being able to create upgrade components, crafters could also make siege equipment such as battering rams and catapults to break down doors and walls of a fort.
Separate Zones Based on Rank
These zones would be broken down into tiers based on class rank.
20-24
25-29
30-34 and so on.
The zones should also have a light amount of equally ranked monsters.
If a player goes beyond the rank cap of a zone, they will be unable to return when they die and release to their home point.
Thoughts? Suggestions?