WoW started an avalanche because the basic design was fantastic and the time was ripe. Most of the original team is gone now. They could introduce a poop-demon race, and millions of people would still be playing it. You can't look at WoW today and consider every decision 100% correct because it's still popular. You have to use your brain a bit for that. Blizzard themselves have admitted that they didn't intend the world to be empty, and have people stand around waiting for dungeons to pop. That's why they're going to try with "world scenarios" and whatever crap they come up with next. If you think they're flawless because WoW is a success, that's your business. I guess you think Avatar is the best movie ever, or Farmville is masterful. Anyone who remembers the original PvP ranking system and how people got physically ill from playing around the clock to compete - should understand how Blizzard can suck majorly in terms of game design. WoW lost its way long ago, and people are just slow getting to terms with that. Introducing a cross server LFD tool will please the mainstream audience, sure, but it doesn't necessarily make for the better game in the long-term.

You're very wrong. The vast majority of gamers think short-term - because they're not game designers. Yes, in the short-term - you want the dungeon to pop instantly and get playing. In the long-term, you don't want the world empty and everyone standing around thinking short-term waiting for dungeons to pop. Believing people truly know what they want from a game, is the same as believing everyone is the best game designer in the world. It's ignorant in the extreme.

LFD doesn't just affect the community, but the entire flow of the game. Instead of meeting up with people and instead of travelling to your destination - or at least the fleet - you instantly teleport to your dungeon. It's a convenience - and that means human nature will want to use it. It's not used because it's better for you or the game - but because it's easier. That's human nature. The same is true for Warzones. People won't commit to World PvP - because Warzones are more convenient. It's not necessarily more fun - it's just incredibly convenient and the reward is there. Rewards do something to the human mind - and it can make us do things we don't really want to do - because we think the reward is worth it. The same is true when you're out doing your quest number 1000. Do you kill the 40 mobs in the bonus quest for fun? No, you do it for the reward - even though the reward is often rather small. Smart design has to go further than what seems immediately apparent. It's why you shouldn't give players mounts from level 1 - and it's why you shouldn't let players teleport to any bind point at will. I'm afraid Bio/EA will eventually cave to the demands of the mainstream audience - because they'll insist on features like this. But we'll see...

I can certainly agree with that. Meaningful open world objectives and areas where you fight for a reason. But the game just launched - and it has more content at this stage than the vast majority of MMOs do at launch. Let's give them a chance, shall we?

No, it turns into pure ganking if you reward it too much. The guilds with the most players will hunt the open world areas and they will kill everyone they see. Only a fool would wish for that, or someone who is entirely selfish.

This.

He doesn't "know" Ilum is hardly open world PvP. That's THEIR version of it, because it happens in a large part of the world. I'm all for minor rewards for random world PvP - but I'd never actually do that much if they don't implement proper objectives. You're trying to make your vision of open world PvP into the only vision. That's not dishonest - but I'd say it's rather narrow-minded. Implementing major rewards for random ganking would be VERY detrimental to the game. It has nothing to do with a War. War is about land and objectives. It's not about ganking people and getting medals for being an ***. What we can probably agree on, is that they should implement MORE open world PvP - rather than what Ilum seems to be. But I think we both know SWtOR will never be a primarly PvP game. If you don't, then you're being very naive.

Also, how long does it take you from 10-20 again? We're talking half a day at most. Deal with it and buy your PvP gear at 20/24. Then Bolster will boost you a lot more - and you can compete within reason. Focusing on PvP from 10-20 is a waste of time. It's a TINY fragment of the game.

I think they've already mentioned they intend to separate 1-49 and 50 at some point, though I can't find the source.

They try to balance teams and I think they're doing fine. It's not perfect, but your scenario is extremely rare - and it can happen to both sides. Don't blame the poor players on the game, that's just silly.

I prefer a non-tiered approach. Yes, high level players have an advantage - but the teams are mixed. Meaning you have high level players on your team as well. The problem with tiers is the wait between WZs. It probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but BELIEVE ME - once the game has been out for a couple of month - it will take AGES for low level WZs. I most certainly don't hope they go cross-server to fix this problem, because that will destroy the community building. I really like what they've done, and even as a low-level player, I've made a significant difference in WZs. You have most vital skills at ~25 anyway, and you represent a significant threat to high level players once you reach that point. It doesn't take long to get there, so the issue is minimal overall.

I wonder if they only reward max level world PvP in Ilum? Makes sense, as I've seen no sub-level 50 items available for Mercenary commendations. But the simple fact that they HAVE Mercenary commendations suggests that they're going to implement their use soon, regardless. Still, I think it's very unfortunate if you won't be rewarded for open world PvP as a low level.

That's strange, as several people have reported getting Merc commendations for World PvP. I guess we need an official confirmation, then.

Hehe, the level of blind denial in this thread is amazing

Bolster boosts your stats based on the gear for your level. So get better gear and you will get bolstered more efficiently. Bolster can't make you win the game without making an effort, though. You have to actually be better than your opponent to win, and the game won't change to make that happen for you.

Bolster is based on your gear for your level, not your class. Get better gear, and bolster will work to your advantage - regardless of your level.

You will never get people to stop whining when they lose without realising why. It's human nature. The only way to respond to this is with a level head, and all we can do is hope Bioware doesn't succumb to the blatant whining - and that they have the ability to single out the 1 legitimate concern in the horde of ignorant ones.

How many times has it been confirmed that kills in open world PvP yields Mercenary commendations - which is exactly as useful as Warzone commendations? Why are we still debating this? You want rewards? Go PvP in the way you want. Now, since I don't know how MANY commendations open world PvP yields, I can't speak about balance. But obviously the system for rewards is in place.

Yup, I think it's the single most impressive idea in a modern MMO. Why? Because I couldn't actually come up with that myself If it really does this - it's BRILLIANT. Makes all the whining seem extra amusing, doesn't it?

Well, your stats only diminish for the WZs - so upgrading makes a lot of sense. At 50, I suspect you will enjoy your gear upgrades in world PvP, and yes, I think you're right that they will eventually separate 1-49 and 50 for WZs.

That sounds good. Really great system

/bump

I'm not sure what you're saying here?

/BUMP I'd really love a straight answer from someone in the know. I know most people are busy ************ about PvP without really knowing how it works - and I'd like the Bolster system detailed - so people have something factual to ***** about

I've been told that the bolster system does something like this: Scales ALL stats (including weapon damage) for ALL players - based on GEAR FOR YOUR CURRENT LEVEL to stats of a level close to the highest level player in the WZ. Meaning, basically, that your gear MATTERS a lot even when you're low level, and your gear MATTERS a lot when you're high level. If I understand this correctly, it means there's ALWAYS a good reason to upgrade, and it means the "ONLY" disadvantages as a low level player are: Fewer abilities Fewer talent points (which also grant unique abilities) If that is correct, then I have to say the BOLSTER system is absolutely brilliant. It means we all get to fight each other early on the server, building a community. It means we all have a good reason to upgrade, because it will give us all advantages. It means we don't have to wait for WZ, because there are no brackets. It means we don't get endless meaningless gear upgrades because of too many brackets. It means when we DO get a gear upgrade (through PvP) it matters and you can really feel it. GREAT. As for open world PvP and no reward, that's apparently not true at all. AFAIK, you get MERCENARY commendations for killing players and capturing objectives. These provide the same level of rewards as the WZ commendations. So, it is NOT pointless. It just means you can do what you prefer and you'll get rewarded.