Hiding [emotes] from Players (Bandits)

Here is my thought process:

I imagine that I'm casually out in a forest, foraging for various fauna I'll need for Alchemy recipes... In the distance, I hear or catch sight of an approaching group of players. They could be friendly. Or, they could be of questionable-repute. The point is; they haven't yet noticed me, they could be a threat and if it came to a fight- I'm already at a disadvantaged by being outnumbered.

From a visual standpoint, I 'could' place my character model behind a tree. Or try to conceal myself in a large bush. If my clothing is dark and the shadows are deep, my character model 'should' be hidden well enough to go undetected and unbothered by the group of passersby.

EXCEPT for the text in my Character's name. That might be perfectly visible (and most likely the primary means of noticing other players at a distance). As much as I would like to hide, it wouldn't really be possible due to the nameplate being so noticeable (alphabet letters peaking out from the side of a tree, or clipping through the branches of a bush).

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I've seen in other games there are special emotes that allow you to 'crouch' or 'hide' and while using it, and it disables the nameplate of the player/character-models. The trade off is; you can't move.

This WOULDN'T be like a Rogue's ability to Stealth. Your character is STILL visible. But the nameplate vanishes until you move again or interrupt the emote. Clever and observant players can still, indeed, spot you if they are looking. Or they just happen to notice the light reflecting off the polish of your armor, or if the coloring of your clothing is particularly bright. Or for any other reason.

But it affords the hider, at least, a chance to go unnoticed.

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This same system can also be used offensively as well. If a group of players wish to "Ambush" a caravan. They can lay in wait by the road. Using their hide-emote to remove their nameplates until the caravan draws closer. Then spring up all at once to attack!

If an observant group of guards happens to spot something 'odd' off on the side of the road, they might be able to predict a possible ambush and adjust accordingly.

Just imagine the excitement and exhilaration of being chased down by a small group of players. You dive into the darkest part of the forest, or a nearby tunnel to the Under-realm. You crouch down and hold your breath...waiting and watching as member after member silently stalk pass your hiding-spot. And once the final person is far down the trail, you quietly make your get away.

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Comments

Falkenrath

I would love to see something like this implemented. I completely agree that nameplates and titles are dead giveaways when you are trying to hide from other players and you are not a class with persistent stealth.

The only thing about this is that it serves no purpose in a PvE scenario, not that it has to, but what other benefits might it give in a PvE scenario? Could it be used as a stealth mechanic, similar to what ESO has, perhaps? Instead of being completely unable to move, maybe just a significant movement speed reduction. That could give it a potential use even in a raid, by sneaking past patrolling mobs, as well as for hiding and ambushing in PvP.

Another option is that name plates are only ever shown while in a party or directly targeting another player. I am just afraid that as this is a hybrid tab target/action game, players may still find you simply because they were close enough and pressed TAB.

FuryBladeborne

When we did the Apocalypse testing, there were no nameplates. I am hoping that stays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv26flFcvIM

Tacualeon

Wow, this is actually a good idea.

Can't imagine being hard to implement and would create an awesome cat-and-mouse interaction.

Sathrago

Lol yes, I fully support giving summit1g another game where he can hide on someones boat so that he can kill them hours later for fat loot.

Lore Dynamic

@Falkenrath

I was thinking that since other players can harass and kill indiscriminately, being able to hide from potential danger might prevent you fro spending so much face-time eating grass & dirt. Perhaps less persistent ganking may result, by giving players an opportunity to avoid it altogether.

I also like your sneaking past guards idea as well. For PvE scenarios.

@Sathrago

Haha! Exactly! Summit with his awesome sneaky-sneak antics. Always a recipe for hilarity and fun.

daveywavey

Hehe, I'd also had a similar thought about lying in wait for the caravan with your nameplate sticking out as a huge "Here I am!" beacon.

This idea has both offensive and defensive possibilities, and sounds like it would be useful.

Percimes

I like the idea, but I'm afraid any suspicions of a hidden character (trail of monster corpses for one) would activate a spaming of the tab key to find the danger by simple targeting. Which isn't a bad thing, only one more way to investigate the area.

When I say I like the idea, that's because it is close to my vision of what rogue stealth should be.

Limiting movement speed to a walk, no name plate, can't be tab targeted. Add smoke bombs. Using the environment to hide. Leave the transparency for short duration invisibility (potions or spell). A rogue choosing a mage secondary with illusions or mind affecting spells could have access to these abilities.

Because it doesn't belong in this thread.

Atama

FuryBladeborne wrote: »

When we did the Apocalypse testing, there were no nameplates. I am hoping that stays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv26flFcvIM

Except Apoc was a different game and the streams for AoC clearly show nameplates.

The problem with no nameplates is that it just makes it that much more difficult to do PvP. The nameplate gives you info about a character like their flag status, whether they are a teammate or opponent in a battle, etc. I don’t think that taking them out of the game is a good idea and it looks like Intrepid doesn’t think so either.

I do like the OP’s idea of being able to hide and not show the nameplate as long as you don’t move, as a simple kind of stealth.

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