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Scouting balloons as craft-able/rare loot/etc
SparkyCJB
Member
Saw mSilver talking about wanting to see Vera from the air https://forums.ashesofcreation.com/discussion/53709/discussion-over-flying-mounts#latest and this got me thinking. Without breaking travel times or core concepts of flying mounts there could be an item like a "Scouting Balloon" or "Recon Balloon" (name is really unimportant). Basically something that is anchored to the ground and goes X feet/meters into the air. This could allow for different thing depending on implementation. Here are a couple examples depending on how it may be good/bad for the game:
1. Allows for only scenic view. Does not show players NPCs moving around, great for scenic vistas or "I wonder what's over there" type of exploring
2. Allows for the same view someone on a flying mount might have, including caravan scouting/over-watch, rear guard for sieges
3. Not allowed to be used during "Prime time." Not useable during siege preps or basically as any bonus to group meaningful PvP. Could still provide visas and possible bounty hunting scout position.
These are just some ideas I had and by no means the only way an item like this could be used or restricted. Just a thought I had after seeing Jahlon read the previously mentioned thread on PGN's twitch stream.
1. Allows for only scenic view. Does not show players NPCs moving around, great for scenic vistas or "I wonder what's over there" type of exploring
2. Allows for the same view someone on a flying mount might have, including caravan scouting/over-watch, rear guard for sieges
3. Not allowed to be used during "Prime time." Not useable during siege preps or basically as any bonus to group meaningful PvP. Could still provide visas and possible bounty hunting scout position.
These are just some ideas I had and by no means the only way an item like this could be used or restricted. Just a thought I had after seeing Jahlon read the previously mentioned thread on PGN's twitch stream.
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Comments
Good point, seeing the map from above could reveal strategical points and maybe caravans.
Might not be a good idea to have balloons after all.
To have resource sink, the balloons should be destroyed by something.
It does however reduce the value of actual exploration and area familiarity in terms of caravan route planning. A blessing for tourists, but a curse for explorers and locals.
If you are responding to me, please think again. If it shows no players and no caravans, it still shows an outsider who isn't familiar with a node and hasn't spent time exploring or scouting it the ability to bypass all of that effort, and to bypass engaging with a scout who is intimately familiar with the local region when they are trying to decide what route to take their caravan on when it passes through this area.
In this way it reduces player interaction, and eliminates a good half or more of a scout's job.
Yes, I misunderstood your point of view.
I am so used now to players to say that easy = better and somehow I wrongly assumed you want to see more when using a balloon.
I agree with your point of view now that I understand it.