Untitled Document




Advanced
Encounter System (A.E.S.)

by Martuk

The Advanced Encounter System is Sigil's answer to instancing in Vanguard:
Saga of Heroes. How will the A.E.S. work in the game, and how will it solve
the problems previously addressed by instanced content? Can this system benefit
the game? Can it overcome the draw backs to instancing and improve the game
for the better?

Instancing is usually done by taking a group of players and sending them to
their own private copy of an area or zone inside the game. The group has exclusive
rights to this content, and others may not enter. It was used to address a few
problems such as overcrowding, kill stealing, grieving, and camping. The drawback
to instancing is that while solving these problems, it tends to separate the
community making the world seem smaller and less alive. A little instancing
can be good, but a lot can be harmful to the social community these MMOs enjoy.
This function is disliked by some of the player base for that reason. The A.E.S.
designed by the development team at Sigil Games Online will address these problems
with a new approach, and without the problems of community separation that was
a result of instancing content.

This system will use triggered quests in dungeons that may be started by players
looting a trigger item, such as a rare drop on a creature found within that
dungeon. A player may then use this item to activate the encounter route. It
is not clear what other methods may be set up to begin one of these special
encounters. This is good news as it allows many groups access to this content
without having to wait for a group to complete the whole event. The encounter
routes are done in different segments. There may be several groups doing the
same encounter route, but each working on a different segment of that route.

If two groups have an item for the same segment of an encounter route, the
first group that activates the route will have rights to the content. The second
group will have to wait for the first group to move onto a different segment
before they can begin theirs. This may not happen often as there may be several
encounter routes within a dungeon all with multiple segments to each. This allows
a wide range of additional content to the dungeons of Telon.

Once the encounter route begins, the party will be given clues in game on which
way to proceed. Some routes, at a given point, may branch out and provide the
group with different options on how to proceed. Bill Fisher, known on the forums
as Tagad, describes the encounter routes as an interactive adventure that can
be used to advance a storyline or just to have fun.

These routes are not required content. They are intended to add another layer
to the dungeons. While not required, it is an additional challenge for players
to accept if they wish. As players advance through each segment, they may reach
a climatic final challenge referred to as "The Golden Mob". This can
be the boss of a dungeon or some other large creature. "The Golden Mob"
can only be engaged by the group that completes the encounter. This was done
to allow groups the proper chance at a hard earned reward, and prevent any group
or player who had not completed the event from running in and killing it. Brad
McQuaid, known on the forums as Aradune Mithara, also stated that the A.E.S.
could be used for low level raiding.

There may be some requirements for certain encounter routes, such as a certain
number of players within the group. Other players may join once the encounter
starts, allowing the group to balance itself if someone has to leave during
the encounter. It has been stated that there may be encounter routes for casual
and solo players as well, but the main focus of the dungeon will remain on grouping.

To prevent farming of items in the lower level encounters, higher level players
will find that they are not able to trigger the encounter. This will ensure
that the special encounters are done by the level range it was designed for.
This is good news to everyone who has ever been frustrated by not being able
to complete a task due to farming and other forms of griefing.



The Advanced Encounter System has all the potential to be a great feature in
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. With the possible "Golden Mob" to reward
a group for delving deep into a dungeon, and routes that hold in both story
lore and design, the A.E.S. looks like a great replacement for instancing. This
system seems to address the problems caused by instancing, but without the drawback
of isolating the community. This feature hints at many surprises to entertain
veteran players as well as newcomers to the MMO world without separating them
from each other.

Lets us know what you think

 



To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Game Page.

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2016

About The Author

Karen is H.D.i.C. (Head Druid in Charge) at EQHammer. She likes chocolate chip pancakes, warm hugs, gaming so late that it's early, and rooting things and covering them with bees. Don't read her Ten Ton Hammer column every Tuesday. Or the EQHammer one every Thursday, either.

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