I’d like to pick my map, difficulty, and modifiers.
With that out of the way, I think the biggest issue Darktide is facing right now is its map selection. I think an improvement to this system would be for each difficulty to have: 1 No Modifier map, 1 Specials Modifier (Snipers, Dogs, etc.), and 1 “Hard” Modifier (Elite Resistance, Hi Shock).
With no agency in the maps being offered, it is very frustrating to have conditions forced on us (outside of Hi Shock, My Beloved). This leads me to the next recommendation: Low Intensity should be removed from the game. It is, without a doubt, the absolute WORST modifier. It undercuts whatever difficulty it is available in, ruins otherwise fine modifiers, and further dilutes the tiny available map pool from other modifiers that could take its place.
I think the weekly modifier should be something you can opt into separate from my above recommendation or otherwise be removed. Let the weekly modifier overlap with whatever is available on the board for extra fun like Snipers + Shock or Dogs + Darkness (or maybe even the dangerous Double Dogs ooo). You can give out a high Melk Money weekly quest + Penance to encourage play or use general incentives like increased exp, ordo dockets, or a bump in item rarity.
People don’t get on because they know it’s pox hounds this week; They get on bc they want to play your game. But they might get off if they see their only option again is 2 Low Intensity Dogs + No Modifier.
Also, specifically for T5, I’d like maps to always be: 1 No Modifier, 2 Hi Intensity “Hard” Modifiers. Let the folks who have gotten good enough to play the highest difficulty always have access to the hardest stuff.
I think Darktide is at its best when you feel overwhelmed by but overcome its massive hordes, tons of specials, and disruptive bosses. I’d like to see more games on the mission board where this awesome experience can happen.
