With the new Justice System, I thought of a pretty interesting NPC and Player Instigation mechanic that could add a more dynamic way to enter Duels than many other MMOs.
When a player approaches an NPC or another player, they should be able to press a button (R?) to shove the player and instigate them. The Instigating player could play a ‘shove’ animation and the target would play a ‘shoved’ animation.
NPC Instigation:
All NPCs could have an un-seen instigation meter that could be different for the different races. A player who instigates an NPC into attacking them will NOT receive a bounty for fighting back. A player that is caught instigating an NPC will receive a bounty, but it will be less than if they outright attack them.
Perhaps a Dunmer only needs to shove an Argonian NPC once to instigate that NPC to fight. On the opposite end, a Nord would need to shove another Nord quite a few times (5 or so) to get a Nord NPC to fight.
Player Instigating & Duel:
If a player instigates another player, the instigated player will have the option to either attack or instigate the instigator.
NOTE: ALL PLAYERS SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO NOT BE INSTIGATED.
The instigated player should have the option to instigate back or to attack. Once a player instigates another player, an Instigation Timer starts. Once the Instigation Timer runs out, the much shorter Attack Timer starts.
The initial instigator can see the timers, but the instigated player cannot. If the second player instigates the first player before the Instigation Timer runs out, they enter a friendly duel that isn’t associated with any ranking system whatsoever. If the second player instigates the player AFTER the Instigation Timer runs out (can be before the Attack Timer runs out) the the second player then receives the Instigation Timer and the chase begins again.
Once the Instigator Timer runs out, a much shorter Attack Timer begins. If a player attacks an instigator within the limit of the Instigation and/or Attack Timers they both enter into a Ranked Duel. The instigated player gets a first attack advantage in these Duels.
Players that only want to play Ranked matches can BLOCK after an instigation which will accomplish 3 things.
- It will let the instigated player know they want a ranked match
- It will not allow the instigated player to instigate back (blocking should prevent instigation)
- It will block the incoming attack from the instigated player.
Ranked matches should have leaderboards and perhaps even certain in-game perks for the highest tier of players.
These mechanics would add an interesting TAG dynamic to player Duels that could be used strategically to give players an advantage in Ranked Duels and can allow players to trick opponents into giving them the first attack.
Again,
ALL PLAYERS SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO NOT BE INSTIGATED.
Thoughts?
What ESO really needs is an Auction Horse.
That's right...
Horse.
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