Balancing the Dark Zone - How would you?

[quinch1199]

Firstly ... and please read this ... this is not a thread just to bash the Dark Zone. Remain constructive, this is an effort not to remove Rogue Agents or even make things more difficult for them. This is intended as an ideas thread on how we can keep the Dark Zone challenging but also make the PvP aspect "Competitive" ... that is to say reduce the instances where a single player character (Agent OR Rogue) can take down multiple player characters in rapid succession without prior preparation and seemingly taking no damage in return.

I would like a Dark Zone that encourages teamwork, tactics, cunning ambushes ... from both Rogues & Agents. A Dark Zone where, if you're alone you're still "prey" but you will get a chance to defend yourself or cover your rapid retreat with an even chance of success. 

Rogues should still be able to take down Agents and steal their stuff but it shouldn't be just two shots "bam-bam!" and the Agent is down (though critical head shots, from high rolling sniper at range perhaps so).

So, how can Massive balance this? What stats or figures from characters can they use?

 

[ADK-Joker]

Sell the game rights to a different company and let them handle it at this point

 

[KidGreengene]

It is a tough one. I love the concept of the Dark Zone. I don't even mind that I get railed when I enter and I have to constantly avoid. I have fun in the Dark Zone... I just wish there was a better way balance it. Until they figure out how to properly give something a meaningful gear score, I don't see how that can be used to decide balance.

With the rogues, the good gear being so damn crazy expensive unless you DZ daily, the good gear needing a crazy level rank unless you play daily, the addition of HVT's... I am seeing lots of people just decide the DZ isn't what they want. I have been at level 43 the last four times I have DZ'd because what I gain, I lose from dying. Not a complaint, just an observation. The thought of getting to level 75 isn't even part of the imagination right now. I will never make it there because I don't DZ that way.

I have found the people that think the DZ is fine as it is play daily and have a group they regularly go in with. That is fine and I wouldn't disagree with them... but you have to make it accessible to more people. All it needs is true honest street fights. It isn't about skill, it isn't about tactics, it is about people putting in way more hours than the other person and that is fine but now the other person will soon want to stop being the pinata and just stop coming.

 

[RaneMokeev]

Copying my answer from another post:

I just wish there could be a "leave me alone" option in the DZ.  From what I remember, GTA Online had/has a feature where you can be exempt from any PvP.  While in that mode you obviously can't shoot anyone else, but they can't shoot you either.  I think that'd be a fine solution to allow those who want to fight others to do so, and for those who'd rather take on DZ mobs to be left alone for a while.

 

[TheDarkZone]

Copying my answer from another post:

I just wish there could be a "leave me alone" option in the DZ.  From what I remember, GTA Online had/has a feature where you can be exempt from any PvP.  While in that mode you obviously can't shoot anyone else, but they can't shoot you either.  I think that'd be a fine solution to allow those who want to fight others to do so, and for those who'd rather take on DZ mobs to be left alone for a while.

That is what the areas outside of the DZ are for.  There would be zero point in having the Dark Zone if this was implemented.

 

[RaneMokeev]

That is what the areas outside of the DZ are for.  There would be zero point in having the Dark Zone if this was implemented.

Then all the goodies exclusive to the DZ should be available in the PvE world.  My point is that people who want a break from PvP should be able to have it and still enjoy all the game has to offer.

 

[ShootFirstPodcast]

Then all the goodies exclusive to the DZ should be available in the PvE world.  My point is that people who want a break from PvP should be able to have it and still enjoy all the game has to offer.

Currently all of the goodies in the Dark Zone are available outside of the Dark Zone.  I mean, with the exception of say "extractions".. but what would be the point in extractions if you took away the ability of your stuff to be lost if you don't make it to the extraction or if it gets hijacked?  Rogues are a key part of the Dark Zone in every aspect.  Any single aspect that the Dark Zone does have that PVE does not.. if you take out the possibility of the Rogue PVP mechanics, it cheapens whatever that aspect is.  It really just comes down to the fact that the Dark Zone (how it is currently) is made for exactly what it's there for.  The only issue that really was making the Dark Zone bad was that there were people that hacked and exploited early on which put them at the very top of the order (and obviously those would also be the types that would troll).. Now, there are more people at the top of the order, and they're supposed to be dangerous.  As time goes on, and before the next update I would assume, that gap will get smaller and smaller due to them not increasing the Gear Level cap, etc.  Them not advancing the game currently is allowing for everyone to catch up and be at basically the same level so that when they do end up advancing the gear level cap and all that; there'll be more of an even playing field going forward.

 

[fewcm]

What if they gave all pc agents the same stats vs. other agents? Everyone going pvp would have standardized dps with a smg, ar, shotgun, etc. Everyone would have the same armor. Would that make it a more strategic fight than just who has the better gear? /devils advocate

I don't really think they should do this. I think an agent needs to know when he is in over his head and learn to evade. Or if you have all the right stuff and skill to match, walk your badass self right down the middle of the road >

There is always going to be a gap between players who put more time into the game or understand the statistics of the game than those who don't. Even when they raise the level cap that gap will become quite apparent very quickly once again. The thing is you can't dictate to players how to play the game. That wouldn't be good for business.

 

[MichFan]

Let's face it, in an area that is designed for players to be able to betray others there is no way to balance it. It isn't designed to be balanced and that is exactly how UbiSoft wants it. It is funny because when the game first launched everyone complained that there wasn't any PVP going on and now that they made the adjustments people complain because there is to much. There are many ways to avoid having to deal with a strong group of Rogue agents. From entering at checkpoints far from the action to waiting until they are engaged with more than just you or your group. Hell you can even just switch DZ servers and that takes all of a few minutes to do. 

 

[ADK-Joker]

I understand the DZ concept completely and really did enjoy playing in the Dark Zone pre-patch, both solo and group.

I also understand why they have set a higher DZ player bracket.

what I don't understand is why they stopped after just one bracket. How the fuck am I, a gear score 199 supposed to compete with a lvl 215+, there's no way. 

Suggestion: stagger the brackets by 5s. Anything less than 200, 205, 210, 215, 220 DZ player brackets

 

[ESGN]

I understand the DZ concept completely and really did enjoy playing in the Dark Zone pre-patch, both solo and group.

I also understand why they have set a higher DZ player bracket.

what I don't understand is why they stopped after just one bracket. How the fuck am I, a gear score 199 supposed to compete with a lvl 215+, there's no way. 

Suggestion: stagger the brackets by 5s. Anything less than 200, 205, 210, 215, 220 DZ player brackets

with the right tactics some can still be taken down. again. im a 207 and i take down 220's often. keep in mind im also in a 4 man group so its not just me fighting 1v1. if i do happen to solo 201+, which is rare, i just avoid players and sneak in shots on bosses while other groups take the boss out. then i move in for my loot once that group moves on.

If you stagger the brackets that much then you'll have very little action in the server. GS doesnt always mean better stats. I was running a 182 HE vest for the longest time, because all the 214-240s i had sucked in comparison.

 

[ESGN]

Just a suggestion since your under 200 GS. Id either farm incursions and HVT or drop the 204 guns for 182's until you get gear that boosts your toughness to atleast 300k, preferably 330-350k (if its not already there).