Spiral Knights - Rental Lockdown

Rental Lockdown

15 replies [Last post]

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 10:03

Kentard

In a continued effort to balance Lockdown, I've come up with a ludicrous spin-off of Lockdown: Rental Lockdown.

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The Basics
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Just like Lockdown, except for a few limiting factors:
1. No trinkets will be allowed, and each player will be given three weapon slots.
2. All players will be randomly given the same set of one sword, one gun and one bomb. Among these three weapons, at least one will be a Normal damage weapon.
3. All players will be randomly given the same set of a helmet, armor and shield. The armor and helmet will never be of the same set, and the shield will always defend against a different damage type than at least one of the armors.
4. Equipment will be scaled to the tier chosen; i.e. 3* for T2, and 5* for T3.
5. Equipment will cycle after every round.

Since there are less equipment varieties for T1, there will be no T1 Rental Lockdown. (apologies).

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The Rationale
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Rental LD tests your skills with a plethora of equipment, and given that everyone has the same equipment, it will lead to less rage through the justification that 'his equipment is better than mine'.
The forced equipment sets would also force players into adapting their playing styles to the equipment given, rather than going all out with the 'optimum LD build'. This means more teamwork, more defensive play, and less mindless slaughter.
In addition, the equipment cycles after every round, so you won't face toothpickers or GF/DA-ers continuously.

What do you guys think?

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 10:17

Demonicsothe

Yes Randomized equipment

Yes

Randomized equipment games I like

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 10:34

Blue-Phaze

The random feature is the

The random feature is the main concern I have about this. It would either be loved, because it'd balance things out, giving everyone equal chances of winning, or hated, because players are already used to the equipment of their choice - imagine you're a Cutter user but are randomly given a Troika; for the rest of the match; that'd suck badly.

The community would very likely reject this. Even though I do think it's a nice way to balance lockdown, I'm sure most players wouldn't like to try out weapons they can't handle.

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 11:52

Juances

No to 100% random. Some weapons/armor should be excluded.

It may not be a big issue since evryone will have the same problem but for example having to use a cautery sword, blitz and ionized salt bomb could create the most boring match ever.

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 12:34

Schattentag

Hm...

@Juances
"Equipment will be scaled to the tier chosen; i.e. 3* for T2, and 5* for T3."
With this, you'd never have an Ionized Salt Bomb, and you'd never have a Cautery Sword and Blitz Needle at the same time. I guess I can sort of see where you're coming from, though. I don't think I'd want to go running around with Sudaruska, Neutralizer, and BAB or something.

That being said, though, I actually like this idea a lot. I think if everyone was random all the time, any given person would have "good" equips sometimes and "bad" equips other times. I feel like it would probably balance itself out. Personally, I think this would be a great way for players to try out different equipment and different play styles without having to actually craft something.

+1 from me.

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 12:36

Doctorspacebar

Yes to 100% random. No

Yes to 100% random. No weapons/armor should be excluded.

It won't be a big issue since everyone will have the same gear, and for example having to use a cautery sword, blitz and ionized salt bomb could create an interesting match where players really have to adapt.

Plus, I get sick of Tier 2 looking like Wolver Den: High Voltail.

EDIT: One issue, shields in Lockdown don't really matter...

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 12:42

Schattentag

@Doctorspacebar

I was under the impression that the provided shields would replace the current Lockdown class system, making them extremely important. Perhaps Kentard could clarify?

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 18:04

Juances

Ancient set + normal weaps: The never-ending battle.

Now i want to see that.

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 18:29

Severage

Awh yeah.

What Juances said...

Ancient Plate gear only, sudas and Levis only.

That'd be hilarious...

~Sev

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 19:00

Serell

Sounds like fun

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 21:17

#10

Kentard

Moar responses~

I was under the impression that the provided shields would replace the current Lockdown class system, making them extremely important
Depends really. On one hand I was considering just bringing back the old shields, but that'd force everyone to go Guardian or Recon to keep themselves alive. Then I was thinking of reviving our own shields; though now the problem would be to integrate class abilities with the new shield system, otherwise it's Super Brawl all over again.

I don't think I'd want to go running around with Sudaruska, Neutralizer, and BAB or something.
Nah, we're sure to throw in at least one piercing/shadow/elemental weapon into the mix.

Ancient set + normal weaps: The never-ending battle.
Oh well. :3 Have fun for that round!

I think if everyone was random all the time, any given person would have "good" equips sometimes and "bad" equips other times. I feel like it would probably balance itself out. Personally, I think this would be a great way for players to try out different equipment and different play styles without having to actually craft something.
Precisely - some rounds will give you equipment that you are more accustomed to using, whereas some are just plain terrible. Either way, it boils down to skill instead of equipment imbalance to win these matches, and the best players can be determined by how spontaneously they can master all three weapons for their tactical usage.
That and players who don't already own the equipment can try them out firsthand before deliberating how useful they are - hey, you'll never know if some underused piece can save your life in LD.

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 23:48

#11

Cyankitsune

Hmm...

While I agree this could be an interesting idea, I don't see how it could be implemented easily or be considered a good alternative to the current LD: however, I think the concept of the idea is still viable.

Perhaps, instead of randomized equipment, the players would have standardized equipment. Amour that gives a moderate Normal resistance (but no status resists) to give players an even playing field, and of course, they'd be allowed to choose which weapons to include in their loadout to keep variety (be it swords with different speeds or a mixup of weapons), but each would would only deal Normal damage, and perhaps a status if desired (in return for less damage done per hit).

...Ehn, that seems a bit complicated I suppose, it seemed better in my head. Maybe just simplify it to Gunner, Swordsmen and Bomber pre-made loadouts but still allow people to choose classes during the match to keep things interesting.

EDIT: Another thought - perhaps make it so you can 'rent' gear from Krogmo for that match (perhaps free or at the cost of a minimal amount of energy), so people who like to run higher tiered LDs can do so without having to invest huge amounts of money to get top-tier gear. Of course, for balance reasons the rental equipment would probably be no better than if you used Cobalt/Calibur gear of that Tier level (2* for T1, 3* for T2, 5* for T3)

Wed, 03/21/2012 - 02:53

#12

Kentard

Perhaps, instead of randomized equipment, the players would have standardized equipment.
It's randomized AND standardized since everyone will have the same set of random equipment.

Maybe just simplify it to Gunner, Swordsmen and Bomber pre-made loadouts
I've already considered this; each random loadout will have a sword, gun and bomb. You're welcome to use any one you prefer for the duration of the match.

Amour that gives a moderate Normal resistance (but no status resists) to give players an even playing field, and of course, they'd be allowed to choose which weapons to include in their loadout to keep variety (be it swords with different speeds or a mixup of weapons), but each would would only deal Normal damage
I don't suppose you've seen the concerns from Juances and Schattentag.
TL;DR, the battle would be too long-drawn. Hence at least one weapon that doesn't deal normal damage.

Another thought - perhaps make it so you can 'rent' gear from Krogmo for that match (perhaps free or at the cost of a minimal amount of energy), so people who like to run higher tiered LDs can do so without having to invest huge amounts of money to get top-tier gear. Of course, for balance reasons the rental equipment would probably be no better than if you used Cobalt/Calibur gear of that Tier level (2* for T1, 3* for T2, 5* for T3)
Pointless if the equipment is going to be of the same performance, if not worse than anything Kozma sells (basically all the normal damage thingums).

Wed, 03/21/2012 - 03:01

#13

Aureate

Awesome idea.
I am personally sick of the fact that my absence of health trinkets gives a not-inconsiderable disadvantage as a striker, and I like playing around with the different weapons.

Wed, 03/21/2012 - 03:43

#14

Milkman

Sounds goooooooooooood.

Wed, 03/21/2012 - 03:48

#15

Shion-Sinx

man

+8000 to this, it would be so cool

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