I mean to write this is in as inclusive way as possible, so here goes:
Recent release means lots of new players. All trying to find out how good they are.
Recent release means lots of old experienced hands now playing with said new players.
Doesn’t always go well.
I’ve seen other posts on restricting Auric missions. I’m not so bothered about winning a few, losing a few, but there’s definitely a contingent of … let’s say level 27-45 players who are struggling to keep pace in this tier. And as someone who is generally able to keep up, it’s a bit of a lottery.
I can see how hard level caps on entry for this may be one idea. I’m not sure I like that: I’ve played with alts who are level 25 (and probably 100+ on their mains) who can easily get through them.
So - rather than apply a cap: can we have some kind of view of overall “true-total-level” somewhere? There’s a mod to show true-level for individual avatars, but what I’m asking for is a penance/frame unlock - a bit like the one with 3 skulls for those who’ve done all T5 missions - but with 4 skulls for those who’ve done all T5 at Auric level?
I know players don’t have to use those frames, but it’d be a useful nod to those that have and don’t want to be match-screen-abandoned…
You could just have an “Account” level that’s indicative of all your accounts. Deep Rock Galactic had it. So you could have player level 600 and engineer class level 1. They do it though by having every 3 class level gives you one player level.
A player level could be one way. Even gear level to an extent.
I’m not against that. I was more thinking that having a total level visible could be unfairly exclusive rather than inclusive, and what I really want to know is whether a player has ‘earned’ their right to play at that level, rather than taking a punt and relying on upskilled teammates.
I often play with sub 30s in matches. As I say to them (if they ask) - I was there once too. Quite often I’m pleasantly surprised by their competence. I actually quite like that aspect as I know it helped me.
But I do think there are some … optimistic … players, who have gone through the levelling process by aggressive levelling rather than learning the game mechanics, and on the occasions where 3 of these players turn up I can quietly exit and let them work it out without it costing me 15 minutes.
I’m not elitist. I’m not good enough to be elitist! And for the games greater good getting lower level players in to higher level games is a great “everyone-benefits” objective. But I also think it’d be fairer to better players to have an idea if the squad is just going to wash out.
I think the game itself doesn’t explain it’s mechanics very well. For new players I have to teach all my friends how to do the dodge slide. Nowhere does it mentions in the tutorial that’s a mechanic. They don’t explain dodge distance and effective dodges. They don’t explain push attacks and such. I think better tutorials would help.
I know warframe had the “lotuses hands” or whatever they were to assist new players. Could even have an avenue like that. Some people like bringing others under their tutelage.
Maybe you could have a meat grinder series of trials and scenarios to prove you can handle auric. How to engage multiple specials on your own and dodge them, how to handle mixed hordes, armor types, etc.
(The scoreboard being in the game may also change some of that optimism in players, but Fatshark isn’t implementing it, they said we have the mod so that’s that. Sorry console players.)