Hamlet defense feedback from a top 20 provisioner: Critical problems and solutions

[Kiara]

I was a top 20 provisioner for Hamlet Defense on Durandal and I wanted to give my complete feedback regarding the event.

For the supply phase I spent an unhealthy 12-18 hours turning in botany items. This was over a two day period, and I also spent a good chunk of time crafting while I waited to get out of botany fatigue. Despite this, I was only able to secure the #15 position, and being that I fell from position 12, down to 17, and was able to get back up to 15, I barely secured the spot.

What did top 20 provisioner do? Top 20 provisioner allows one to have a second chance at another item when talking to the Militia Captain. This is a chance, and not guarenteed. So after you spend the better part of your waking two days doing botany, you can't actually collect any reward unless you involve yourself for a third day. So in total, to receive your provisioner rewards you have to spend three total days completely focused...

The 3 days demanded of the provisioners is only good if people continue to do Hamlet Defense. As the day went on it became harder and harder to get players, because no one was getting rewarded despite putting in several hours of combined effort. Eventually it got to a point where I was throwing rag-tag combinations together trying to get a kill, but for the last 5-7 hours I didn't secure another defense, simply because the players were losing interest; on the very first day the content was available...

Problem 1:
Phase 1 has negative effects on your life in order to receive the reward; and if you don't make it in the top 20 for the extra chance, what's your motivation to turn in items?

Potential Solution 1:
Shorten Phase 1 to 24 hours.
Add thresholds players can cross to turn in items, once they turn in the maximum threshold their contribution to the hamlet is complete, and they secure the extra bonus. This can keep this a 2-4 hour event rather than a 2 day event; and encourages everyone to contribute - not just the players who have 3 days in a row available.

Problem 3:
Players aren't happy with the reward ratio at poorer performance levels. This will hurt the future of gatherers supplying because the adventurers aren't participating, and it will make players less likely to reach the current provisioning top 20.

Solution 3:
Increase the chance of reward to keep players motivated to participate; otherwise it's just going to collapse on itself.

Hi Platinum,

Fantastic post.

Very well thought out and I totally agree with you. I hope Yoshida-san & Team looks at your post and we see some improvements.

I participated in the 1st round (and saw you shouting for groups) and am participating in this 2nd round now (after the buzz has died down) and even trying to put in a solid ~6+ hours a day, for 2 days in a row, isn't enough to break the Top 20 on our server. You mentioned you had to drop 12 - 18 hours to get there. Yikes.

So without that (but still contributing a solid amount), we got in some solid wins (in the ~25,000 - 30,000 range), but everyone in our party received... Dark Matter for the entire day.

Of course drops should be rare, but hearing reports from Doctor Mog (breaking 40,000) and one of my friends (a Top 5 Contributor and breaking 40,000) getting NOTHING but Dark Matter is really discouraging.

Part of it is that there just aren't that many Militia Items right now and maybe they want to extend the "rarity" & Time Sink aspect of it, but it's quite sad to see how things are progressing.

I think most of your suggestions would resolve many of the issues with Hamlet Defense.

I definitely agree that having a Turn-In Threshold (where once you turn in enough Items, you "cross" that Threshold and are guaranteed a 2nd Chance at an Item), is MUCH healthier and more satisfactory than *having* to break the Top 20, *and* then participating in a winning Hamlet Defense just for a *chance* at a drop. With a Maximum Threshold, players can then reach that limit and then take a break and do other things. It also allows more players to get a chance at a 2nd / Better Loot Pool.

The amount of time investment to break the Top 20 (via Gathering & Crafting), and then spending a 3rd Day in a row spamming Hamlet Defense with wins just for a small chance at a Militia Item is too punitive and discouraging for many.

And as you say, the Drop Rates are too low. If ONLY the Top 20 Contributor gets a realistic chance at a drop, what incentivizes *anyone else* (especially those that are only Disciples of War / Magic) to participate and help out?

For Fun? Maybe a few times... then they'll get bored and stop.

I don't think anyone's asking for Dzemael Darkhold-like drop rates (basically 100% from Batraal), but the Drop Rates are practically nil right now and even being in the Top 20 doesn't guarantee you much of anything.

One last solution is an ongoing Cumulative Running Point System (so you Earn Points that you can trade in for Items). At least with a Point System EVERYONE has a chance to work their way towards a goal (some rare / nice Militia Item) and they know they're making progress & not wasting time.

Especially with a 50 Hour "Lockout" Period (Supply), before the actual Defense starts. There's more than enough of a "Time Sink" with this limitation already, without the need for infinitesimally small Drop Rates.

Here's to hoping we get some attention on this.

Thanks!