Inspired by this post by
@JustVine , I want to hear what you guys think about fortifying our freeholds to some extent?
Mechanics of Theft: So I am really glad the team seems to have taken my criticism from years ago about how we needed the ability to steal from farmers or threaten them in some way, but there are some flaws with the current intended implementation. First of all nothing about security or defenses were noted and I think that is a real shame. You spoke a lot about the ability to customize your freehold, but let's face it, if you intend to introduce THAT much risk to a person using their freehold, no one is going to want to do it without options for more security. Guard NPC's and Pet monsters that when killed give the attacking players a small amount of corruption would be a great start. We should also think about giving players blueprints for walls, turrets, magical clouds of debuff effects and explosions, general traps, even ballistae. What is the saying? The home is a persons castle? Why not just roll with that now that freeholds are big enough to be a landed nobles estate. You definitely have enough room to do so and you will be implementing similar mechanics for node seiges and defenses anyway.
Over all I'm glad some risk was added to the system, but think we need ways to mitigate it somewhat.
With the shift from freeholds being primarily for single users to a more group/family oriented focus, and triple the size, I think it makes sense to add some defenses.
Especially with the new exclusivity they've introduced to freehold ownership (and that I hope they change to much less exclusivity), let us be able to defend the freehold properly after a successful node siege, as well as in general during normal gameplay.
Let us add walls tall enough that players can't just jump over them, and gates that require some time to break down. Let's be able to hire NPC guards manning an archer tower with turrets. The animal husbandry people should definitely be able to have guard animals roaming around. And like JustVine suggested, traps and magic clouds and so on.
I am not talking about a full fortress here, it still primarily a homestead, but please give us something. It should increase the monthly upkeep significantly of course, so players have to do a cost benefit analysis if they want to focus on profits.
I'd still rather we go back to smaller freeholds but many more of them than with the current change, but failing that, give us proper defenses please.
