Phoenix Feather tokens: Some concerns.

Hello again.

Referring to Flea's update regarding the end of Alpha where the existence of Phoenix Feather tokens were mentioned, I have a couple queries.

Why have they been introduced? I can understand perhaps that if there's a large dominant guild on a realm who is consistently engaging a mob that drops unique loot, say the Dragon, and you are concerned that the only way for people to access that loot is by buying from that specific guild. Was this the reason?

Are you convinced that it wont discourage people from doing the encounters? The last thing i'd want to see is people forgoing doing the actual content in favor of just farming feathers from easier mobs. How many feathers items cost, what mobs drop them, etc are all metrics that you'll decide and i have confidence you'll be able to balance accordingly, I just.. I don't know. Anytime new ways to get loot that don't include doing the encounter comes up I get nervous because I've seen systems like this in other games that completely trivialize the content.

Lastly, I believe there should be some loot that are completely exempt from this list. For example, I would HATE it if Caer Sidi, Galladoria and Tuscaran Glacier items were on the purchasable table. Those raids are some of the very core of Shrouded Isles content and are difficult for a reason.

Please, reassure me. :S

Fri 8 Jun 2018 3:37 AM by Chimosh

I am unsure about the system. I do like the idea that I do not have to run lots of dragon raids to eventually get items.

There can be a balance achieved here.

If they design it well then players will still want to raid for items because you still get a chance to get the item + you get the feathers as well. Meaning eventually you get to buy what you want.

Fri 8 Jun 2018 4:58 AM by cdc

I'd like to point out the relevant part of the announcement pertaining to your concern

So as long as I have enough feathers, I can buy any of the above items?

Yes, but remember you must have at least killed the Boss at least once on your account to get credit. If you have never killed the Dragon, you wont be able to buy the item until one of your characters on the same account has received credit for the kill. So this is not tied to a specific character - but your account.

Players are not discouraged from encounters, as they will still require encounter credit in order to purchase particular items. In fact, the 'camp bonus' for feathers shall hopefully encourage players to kill a broader range of end game mobs than we have seen traditionally on other servers.

Fri 8 Jun 2018 5:37 AM by Galahad

Another way to look at this would be to consider that rather than having to do that one boss over and over and over again until you may or may not get that one drop, the feather system is meant to incentivise people to generally do high-end raid encounters without sticking to a particular dungeon. This way, hopefully, PvE will become a bit more varied and - in addition to feathers - also gives more people more often the chance to do a mob they are interested in.

That said, the prices for the very high end items will be chosen in a way that people will still have to put in a significant effort to be able to buy them. It just removes some of the randomness while hopefully leading to a more diverse and more inclusive PvE experience.

Fri 8 Jun 2018 12:45 PM by Seigmoraig

This is a really great system and thanks for putting it in the game

I really think that this will make the game better for 90% of the people who will be playing this and are now adults with shit to do IRL.

Mon 11 Jun 2018 12:41 PM by Haruspex

This is very encouraging.

I look forward to seeing it perform!

Wed 13 Jun 2018 1:38 AM by Delbert

I think this is a great idea. Really opens up the game and eliminates people camping the same thing over and over.