A2 Epoch swap to PVP?

[Struis]

I have only been playing here for some weeks now, but I gues I can share my thoughts on this as well...

I started playing here because I was looking for a PVE server to play on. I basicly have just build and finished my base now so it kinda sucks that it will be gone pretty soon after. However, like everytime I settle on a PVE server, it does start to feel boring after a while, especially when you'r base is pretty much done and you aquired enough vehicles and choppers so there isn't much left you can achive other than just getting more of the same. So I actually don't mind to see the server switch to PVP. A new map might be a good idea as well but I do think that there will be more to consider when making this switch:

- The way the server is set up now it's pretty unique (PVE, ai strongholds, some roaming ai) in a way that it distinguishes from other servers. What's gonne make the 'new' server stand out from the croud? There's a lot more competition when it comes to PVP servers in comparison to PVE servers.
- You might want to think over the vehiclelist when switching to PVP. BTR-90's and apaches aren't a problem on PVE servers, but I've seen many PVP servers loose their players 'cause of one or more of these beasts dominating the map. You might have to limit them or set certain rules for them. I do like some military vehicles to be available though. Just make sure that nothing that's just OP destroyes the fun for others, especially newcomers.
- Is there still gonne be room for AI, both raoming and the strongholds? Strongholds are really nice but people might feel that the risk/reward rate just won't cut it anymore, since you'll also have to worry about other players around. And it would really suck if for example you would have just done all the hard work to clear Skalisty Island and then someone else just shows up, kills you and takes the loot. I know that's just part of how Dayz works, but people might just avoid these zones all the time.

I enjoyed the last couple of weeks on the server so regardless of what's gonne happen with it, I'll be checking out the new setup for sure.

[red_ned]

Before i can recast my vote i require more information. As a pvp server what will conditions be :
Are we talking basic dayz with no traders?
If we are going from "BC-war" how will that effect contruction of a base?
Which map ?
If a level playing feild is the idea, what about donator gear,will that remain, giving the donators an advantage over non donators from the start on a pve server is one thing doing the same on a pvp server is another.
Are we talking hero and bandit or just a free for all ?

Some good questions i hadn't even thought about, i would say the donator trader will only sell normal items available elsewhere but it would be an extra safe haven on the whole - that is if we even kept it.
What i would like to know as i never played PVP,
1. about bases and people camping other peoples bases to just grief
2. missions being stolen at the end
3. a larger squad taking over the whole server
4. most admins would be unnecessary to have powers in game but all have DART access for fast banning of hackers
ideas?

[red_ned]

- The way the server is set up now it's pretty unique (PVE, ai strongholds, some roaming ai) in a way that it distinguishes from other servers. What's gonne make the 'new' server stand out from the croud? There's a lot more competition when it comes to PVP servers in comparison to PVE servers.
- You might want to think over the vehiclelist when switching to PVP. BTR-90's and apaches aren't a problem on PVE servers, but I've seen many PVP servers loose their players 'cause of one or more of these beasts dominating the map. You might have to limit them or set certain rules for them. I do like some military vehicles to be available though. Just make sure that nothing that's just OP destroyes the fun for others, especially newcomers.
- Is there still gonne be room for AI, both raoming and the strongholds? Strongholds are really nice but people might feel that the risk/reward rate just won't cut it anymore, since you'll also have to worry about other players around. And it would really suck if for example you would have just done all the hard work to clear Skalisty Island and then someone else just shows up, kills you and takes the loot. I know that's just part of how Dayz works, but people might just avoid these zones all the time.

Again may be worth pairing down the vehicle list a bit?
May be worth not making new strongholds so large or time consuming and have more roaming patrols and random missions so people can go in fast and get out with the loot?

[Mad Frankie]

Yup, good points - Dell / Struis.

This is what I'd envisage is likely to be the setup (should the votes continue the way they are) at least initially (it's only my take on what's likely)...

* Dayz Epoch initially - the same as we have now - traders are in. Hopefully a single currency with banking will also be added as well.

* Base building will hopefully be similar in regards to getting money together to build things. There'll be missions / strongholds to do etc and scavenging loot will become more important too. Earning money won't be a huge problem but it won't be the breeze it is now.

* The map will more than likely be Napf or if someone can get everything working well enough on it, Taviana possibly. There aren't too many alternatives to be honest that will work with what's required or appeal to players out there, which is really what the server needs - more players, more regularly.

* Not a clue about donations / donators sorry, but this site and the servers have to be paid for somehow. A level playing field was never really an issue at all - the lack of numbers on the server was. Personally I don't see a problem with this as some individuals will make donations, not whole groups at the same time kitting themselves up with everything.

* Hero / Bandit - this is a big grey area. I doubt there'll be an indicator such as a certain type of skin denoting anyone's outlook as a player at all (if this is what you mean). Some groups and individuals will be friendly (or at least not try to kill you) and could be worth saying hi to or try and team up with (most players will probably be in this category initially until they find their feet I'd guess). Others will be worth avoiding / shooting from the off. It'll be up to you how you want to play and be treated by others in game entirely. Trust will certainly be much harder gained.


Base camping / griefing shouldn't be a problem. Announce in side chat that there's some undesirable at a certain location and see who comes to sort them out. Things like this could in fact form better relationships between individuals in the long run.

Yes, I'd tone down the bigger and more powerful vehicles. Removing the ammo from some or simply not having them available at all would be advisable. Yes to less time consuming strongholds too and more missions to spread things out a bit more as well.

More roaming patrols - suck it and see I'd say. It will probably need more of them but without seeing the rest of it all gelling together I'd say it's a hard one to judge at this time.

As for stealing someone's mission after it's done - that's a part of the risk / reward for me. Keeps it edgy and provides a reason to team up, at least some of the time.

A larger squad taking over the whole server...the occasional waterboarding of any group's leader has sometimes proved useful, otherwise a call to arms of everyone else on the server and the opening of a can of whoop-ass on them would likely do the trick should things look to be heading that way.

You know my thought re the admins - one ring to bind them all, ie Prad

[Kroenen]

I'm hugely encouraged by everyones input on this. As someone said previously, we do like to be a bit different and actually tailor what we have to what our community wants. Sure, not everyone wants the same things, but we get a general idea of what route to take, and figure out what works and what doesn't.

I've been plunged headlong into the A3 server recently, and we had a poll (although not as popular), and the end result was PvP with PvE areas (or safe zones). We've all seen how great a pve server is from the get go, and how brutal a pvp server can be, but I don't think it can be denied that without risk, you accumulate what you want quite quickly, then your interest starts to fade. Nothing beats the rush of 'constant threat', and it makes you play a lot differently.

Obviously everyone has their own 'vision' of what this 'reboot' might look like, but for me, these following points are pretty key;

1 - Even with full pvp, base raiding/griefing is never nice. I would propose godmode bases and traders, rest of the map is fair game.
2 - Donator perks would have to go aside from non-OP items. Gems and stuff that are hard to farm would be kept, overpowered or weaponised vehicles would have to go. Same goes for the other vehicle traders, and Neds silly shotgun!
3 - Map wise, definitely needs a refresh and therefore a wipe. Although people seemed to be favouring Napf, our Napf pvp server has been empty pretty much all the time. For me, anything but Chernarus is good.

Just my 2c

[strimmer]

I second what Kroe says apart from the "silly shotgun" its awesome

I wouldn't really mind what map we do decide to use maybe put that up for a poll once the initial decision on pvp has been made (although as it stands pvp is what is majority wanted)

Dulling down the powerful weapons and vics may be the way to go as we don't want one group having full control of the map as its unfair on other players.

yes missions will be more difficult as player will come along to take over the loot so maybe not declaring that you are undertaking the mission could save your own hide.

As for the admin bans will become more of a thing over the powers but having the powers there incase a hacker comes in and breaks a few things that does not call for a restart to earlier in the day.

So with all said when is this happening?

[Pradatoru]

I will say just that it can't get worst then this actual situation .
If some will leave others will rejoin server , maybe even others who left for pvp servers . So it can't get worst
A change was needed to the server and I think most of the active people have spoken .

[Struis]

Just had a quick look at the top 50 Dayz mod servers listed on gametracker and what I noticed is that the far majority of them (40+) use Chernarus. Amongst the ones who use a different map only 1 uses Napf. The next most used map in the list is Taviana (still only about 5 out of 50).

Not saying that Chernarus is the only way to go (I do like to play a different map myself), but it might be something to keep in mind when it comes to changing the map, especially since the major issue here is the ammount of players on the server.

[red_ned]

With regards to the map i think its best if we can use whichever is largest or provides cut off areas.
Luckily i paid for dev for another month but it does beg the question about running 2 A2 Epoch servers (someone on mumble pointed it out) as we could turn dev into PVP and then see which of the servers really brings in the bodies, this is however an expensive option so couldn't go on for long but we will require dev to make the changes and test.
I would like to hear from the other BP people and if anyone sees and AnB player ask if they may return if we went PVP.

[Pradatoru]

Well it's important what our community wants