Zenimax should add new open-world NPC roam mechanics to make exploration more interesting.

Dahveed

TLDR - Put new, rare (ultra-rare?) NPCS and events in current zones that rarely and randomly patrol vanilla zones that hit like trucks and make things more unpredictable.


The newest weekly endeavor of "kill 20 bosses" got me thinking about how shallow world bosses have become. They are just static loot pinatas that get ganked by raving mobs of players at this point. IMO this is indicative of my biggest complaint about ESO in general, about how boring and predictable open world exploration gets. I think Angry Joe put it best in his initial review of the game several years ago when he called it "painfully average". The game has of course gotten way better since then, thanks in no small part to the devs' willingness to admit errors and try to improve things based on feedback.

I think a big part of this "painful averageness" has to do with the predictability of world encounters, and I think my experience so far killing world bosses for this endeavor has really shone a light on this aspect. Granted, there is *some* unpredictability insofar as there are random spawns already in the world (i.e. Werewolf hunters, random daedric portals etc), and the anchors can spawn different enemies... but they offer very little in the way of challenge or "true" surprise or rarity. They are just different "flavours" of the same farmable activity - i.e., a loot pinata to whack with your stick until the goodies come out.

What I think would truly shake things up in the open world would be truly challenging enemies (i.e. world bosses), or perhaps gangs of roaming raiders, true "player killers" which can take you by surprise while you're farming ore nodes and put an end to your cockiness for a while. The problem with static world bosses and static anchors is that they are so easily farmable by groups who aren't looking for a gameplay challenge, but who just want to slice through things like butter to collect their goodies at the end. (This is fine, I'm not complaining too loudly about that... This is a very normal activity for an MMO.)

But wouldn't it be more fun, unpredictable and challenging to have this randomized in the open world? Something similar to roaming dragons in Elsweyr, except way more rare, less predictable, with no map markers or anything... Kind of like the Fel Reaver in WoW BC classic. Something that would truly patrol by (not just "appear" and stand there waiting for you, as in current random encounters) and stomp you into bloody goo if you're not on your toes.

This could encourage random grouping and spontaneous cooperation, or perhaps even a new unexpected solo challenge for min/maxed players just doing farming runs out in the world.


(Just throwing this idea out there for funzies so all you naysayers can start writing me essays about how it won't work. I know there is probably a 1 in 1,000,000 chance ZoS would actually do something like this.)

Sylvermynx

I don't have any idea if it would work, but I'd absolutely hate it personally. Exploration is enough of a PITA the way it is now with mobs every few feet.

Fennwitty

'Surprise, you're dead' doesn't sound like it has a lot of benefits for overland.

Dahveed

Fennwitty wrote: »

'Surprise, you're dead' doesn't sound like it has a lot of benefits for overland.

"Surprise, you're dead" only if you're not paying attention or are /afk. If you have a modicum of skill or sense you could just run away. (Enemies in this game are very, very easy to run away from in this game.)

Amottica

Sylvermynx wrote: »

I don't have any idea if it would work, but I'd absolutely hate it personally. Exploration is enough of a PITA the way it is now with mobs every few feet.

Dark Brotherhood has a passive that reduces agro while mounted. It greatly reduces the chance of getting in combat when riding through an area.

Feljax

Ah the WoW Fel Reaver...it was HUGE and noisy and belligerent and yet it still occasionally somehow managed to sneak up behind you and make you go SPLAT. Good times!

I for one like this idea. It's always fun to have some unpredictability in the mix.

Morvak

Anything to shake up the status quo I’m all for.

Sylvermynx

Amottica wrote: »

Sylvermynx wrote: »

I don't have any idea if it would work, but I'd absolutely hate it personally. Exploration is enough of a PITA the way it is now with mobs every few feet.

Dark Brotherhood has a passive that reduces agro while mounted. It greatly reduces the chance of getting in combat when riding through an area.

Since I can't destroy the DB, I just ignore it. I don't have any use for TG and thieving or DB and assassination.

Tandor

No thanks, that's not what overland content is for. Nor should it be.

Dahveed

Tandor wrote: »

No thanks, that's not what overland content is for. Nor should it be.

*In your opinion

Amottica

Sylvermynx wrote: »

Amottica wrote: »

Sylvermynx wrote: »

I don't have any idea if it would work, but I'd absolutely hate it personally. Exploration is enough of a PITA the way it is now with mobs every few feet.

Dark Brotherhood has a passive that reduces agro while mounted. It greatly reduces the chance of getting in combat when riding through an area.

Since I can't destroy the DB, I just ignore it. I don't have any use for TG and thieving or DB and assassination.

That is a choice. I was merely offering a helpful suggestion that would alleviate what you suggested was a pain.

LalMirchi

Let me add my no thanks to this idea.

aaisoaho

Yeah, because flag-carrying xivkyn makes IC sewers fun. /s

They are just a nuisance to be honest. How often do you kill the roaming bosses in sewers instead of sneaking past them? How often do you even get help with them? I think they would not add any fun to overland, because everyone would just circle them - they would just annoy people. Overlnd is not an organised place and thus challenges requiring organised groups would not fit them.

UGotBenched91

LalMirchi wrote: »

Let me add my no thanks to this idea.

And what great and engaging input it was.

NSatin

I wish there were dynamic zone events like in Guild Wars 2: it would help give zones a lot more life.

Fenris_Arainai

Dahveed wrote: »

Fennwitty wrote: »

'Surprise, you're dead' doesn't sound like it has a lot of benefits for overland.

"Surprise, you're dead" only if you're not paying attention or are /afk. If you have a modicum of skill or sense you could just run away. (Enemies in this game are very, very easy to run away from in this game.)

... or are excavating something, or opening a chest...

No, thanks. If I want to relax and pick flowers after a hard RL day, I don't want to be on high alert. High alert is not relaxing.

BlueRaven

No, that is not enjoyable

I don’t think being insta killed is fun for a new player. And I am not 100% certain of the point.

If you want to be instakilled by a passing unfriendly, there is cyrodiil and imperial city. Leave the new player experience alone.

Khenarthi

Let me just chip in to day no thanks. I like my overland relaxing and stress-free.

mocap

Dahveed wrote: »

I know there is probably a 1 in 1,000,000 chance ZoS would actually do something like this.

there is a 1 in 1000000 chance ZOS would do anything from forum topics.

Valabrog

Dahveed wrote: »

TLDR - Put new, rare (ultra-rare?) NPCS and events in current zones that rarely and randomly patrol vanilla zones that hit like trucks and make things more unpredictable.


The newest weekly endeavor of "kill 20 bosses" got me thinking about how shallow world bosses have become. They are just static loot pinatas that get ganked by raving mobs of players at this point. IMO this is indicative of my biggest complaint about ESO in general, about how boring and predictable open world exploration gets. I think Angry Joe put it best in his initial review of the game several years ago when he called it "painfully average". The game has of course gotten way better since then, thanks in no small part to the devs' willingness to admit errors and try to improve things based on feedback.

I think a big part of this "painful averageness" has to do with the predictability of world encounters, and I think my experience so far killing world bosses for this endeavor has really shone a light on this aspect. Granted, there is *some* unpredictability insofar as there are random spawns already in the world (i.e. Werewolf hunters, random daedric portals etc), and the anchors can spawn different enemies... but they offer very little in the way of challenge or "true" surprise or rarity. They are just different "flavours" of the same farmable activity - i.e., a loot pinata to whack with your stick until the goodies come out.

What I think would truly shake things up in the open world would be truly challenging enemies (i.e. world bosses), or perhaps gangs of roaming raiders, true "player killers" which can take you by surprise while you're farming ore nodes and put an end to your cockiness for a while. The problem with static world bosses and static anchors is that they are so easily farmable by groups who aren't looking for a gameplay challenge, but who just want to slice through things like butter to collect their goodies at the end. (This is fine, I'm not complaining too loudly about that... This is a very normal activity for an MMO.)

But wouldn't it be more fun, unpredictable and challenging to have this randomized in the open world? Something similar to roaming dragons in Elsweyr, except way more rare, less predictable, with no map markers or anything... Kind of like the Fel Reaver in WoW BC classic. Something that would truly patrol by (not just "appear" and stand there waiting for you, as in current random encounters) and stomp you into bloody goo if you're not on your toes.

This could encourage random grouping and spontaneous cooperation, or perhaps even a new unexpected solo challenge for min/maxed players just doing farming runs out in the world.


(Just throwing this idea out there for funzies so all you naysayers can start writing me essays about how it won't work. I know there is probably a 1 in 1,000,000 chance ZoS would actually do something like this.)

Oh man, your idea is awesome. I guess those who oppose it never solo dungeons (because in group its quicker!), dont play pvp and dont intend to become ultimate killers in Tamriel/test themselfs up to the maximum. Random summon of super strong bounty hunter who attacks you from stealth and you can actually die even with your 2000 cp - yes please! And the reward for killing it should be also big.

To make it stronger, make him companion strong - 5 skills and ultimate. Random class abilties every time...Damn.

Vevvev

The idea is basically the patrolling horrors of the Imperial City and it's Sewers. I personally love the idea, especially since you have to hunt them down and each patrol has different bosses that can spawn on it.