What does this suggestion change/add/remove:
The reason I'm going to call this one different is because it would take a blended OOC/IC approach to pull off. I know for an objective fact the biggest headache of Content when balancing SOP is that if you overbuff them, then whenever they get called to go help with another situation (for example; D-Block Riot or SCP Breach), their vastly superior arsenal would ruin the intended gameplay loop for everyone else, and why would anyone ever bother to try for AO or E-11 if Nu-7 has the best content for combat?
Accordingly, the IC part of this suggestion is that Site Administration will, if accepted, immediately codify changes to the duties and expectations of Nu-7 that outright forbids them from assisting with internal situations unless it has degraded to the point of a Code Black.
Think about it - why do duties like ArchAngels and Nu-7 striking deals to go to D-Block or even help E-11 in HCZ exist? Because the surface gameplay loop in terms of power balance right now is so unbelievably boring and one-sided that there needs to be refreshing alternatives to exist and access to keep people staying in the regiment. If that problem was alleviated and people willingly would try to power onto Surface, then we can stop them from also using these changes to disrupt internal gameplay loops on threat of removal from the regiment, and allow for raids to finally get under control a bit.
1) Greater depth of specialty kit - DEA recently got sticky grenades. They are a cool addition and quite tactically useful for certain killbox styled choke points that are commonly encountered within the raid gameplay loop, maybe Nu-7 could have these too. Possibly even other slots having more general grenades or support style base-kit, to increase their self-sufficiency on the surface.
2) Better weapons - The numbers argument doesn't work out when Content use that to try and defend Nu-7 being at a disadvantage guns wise. CI have insta-kills, their own easily authable and used AA, a Jugg who can use a weapon that is genuinely able to kill in less than 0.5 seconds sometimes etc. The only reason that more numbers exist is because raid defenses usually fail so bad that CI make it all the way to HCZ and the entire Site has to drop what it's doing to get to them. SOP should actually be the ones offering them the strongest resistance, so that raid combat is more engaging and doesn't disrupt site-wide RP as is now increasingly the case. CI basically have free reign over vents at this point - They bring about 6 people out, camp up at F Hill/Sniper Hill which has a perfect sight line over all of Compound, and no one dares to leave base because it'll result in a bee-hive swarm killing you instantly.
To add to the above point about compound, do remember that Nu-7 aren't just raid defense. They ideally should get to stretch their legs and do plenty of surface combat, but I currently think that their regiment is in the second worst state I've seen in terms of actual surface presence because the pseudo base-camping with no ability to counter it due to weapon imbalance means the whole regiment would rather camp inside compound or just hold internally for the raid. This is pretty much the opposite of the ideal.
3) Slot redistribution/changes - These last two are spitball ideas but just because I'm trying to offer something instead of going "meh leave it for content to figure out" - some jobs in Nu-7 are incredibly sought after. I know I love Marksman, a lot of people love Autorifleman/Specialist etc, but they are either difficult or infrequently accessed, meaning their vital tools are missed out of raid defense
4) A potential new job? (Naffen don't smite me please) - I know people meme about the Nu-7 Jugg, but something of it's nature really isn't a bad idea. Take the existing loop; there are numerous killbox styled sections of the F base layout that CI camp at before advancing. Surface Elevators just after the internal blast door, the EZ side of the Surface Elevators, PW Bathrooms overall, D-Block, 914, Numerous HCZ spots - the point is that at no point does any job Nu-7 has to offer have the muscle to shoot at them for over half a second. They get genuinely lasered until CI gets bored and move up, or go to meet an objective. Something to actually buy Nu-7 a small but targetted TTK window at these killboxes would be excellent.
Has something similar been suggested before? If so, why is your suggestion different?:
Almost 1000% numerous times, however my instance is different because of the OOC/IC blend approach that myself and other SA will take to forcibly balance this and keep the burden away from staff management, by ensuring that if Nu-7 is going to be strong enough to actually fight back on surface, they have to stay up there to enjoy these changes.
Possible Positives of the suggestion (At least 2):
Surface combat and raid gameplay loop are greatly enhanced and the majority of the conflict will take place at these areas, reducing site-wide RP hinderances that a raid can cause.
SOP overall has the ability to engage in a more proactive and fun approach to combat on the server, boosting their regimental health.
Quality of roleplay as mentioned above should increase due to more uninterrupted time being spent in flow.
Raid objectives of CI/GOC may be refreshed or improved due to having to surprise SOP a lot more, allowing for them to figure out new ways to actually get inside Foundation and execute their plans
Possible Negatives of the suggestion:
CI/GOC vs F will become rebalanced towards surface, whilst good, this does mean that more raids overall may be deemed a failure than the current rate.
Staff will have to monitor closely to ensure an Nu-7/DEA power dynamic imbalance does not arise.
The above problem of overall power of regiment content may still draw players away from other regiments to take part in Nu-7.
Based on the Positives & Negatives, why should this suggestion be accepted:
I think that focusing Nu-7's intended role (a main, surface oriented combat force to defend Site-65) actually back up to the Surface is a healthy approach. If they got all this kit and then could still go down into Site all the time for Code 2's and 5's, fair enough, I could see this suggestion getting denied from a mile away, but I do think that this is the fairest balance one can reach. Surface combat will actually occur more often, SOP will have a more proactive and fun time playing into the gameplay loop, and CI will get an increased challenge but greater reward for getting past SOP and into the Site. This should repair a lot of things, especially the issue with the RP loop CONSTANTLY getting interrupted by an ongoing Code, which is becoming a nigh on fundamental issue to the Server health. Fingers crossed this suggestion works!
IMPORTANT: If you're a member of Nu-7 currently and have feedback as to specific issues that cause this power imbalance, you should help out a lot with the acceptance chances of this by using your reply to demonstrate these issues with clips or data as I do not have access to this!!!
The Premise:
This suggestion would provide basis for Content Team to perform a relatively quick balance update for surface combat, specifically targetted to SOP forces within the combat gameplay. Now, I am aware that DEA has already been receiving some smaller buffs, so if needs be, these overall suggestions can be oriented more to Nu-7.The reason I'm going to call this one different is because it would take a blended OOC/IC approach to pull off. I know for an objective fact the biggest headache of Content when balancing SOP is that if you overbuff them, then whenever they get called to go help with another situation (for example; D-Block Riot or SCP Breach), their vastly superior arsenal would ruin the intended gameplay loop for everyone else, and why would anyone ever bother to try for AO or E-11 if Nu-7 has the best content for combat?
Accordingly, the IC part of this suggestion is that Site Administration will, if accepted, immediately codify changes to the duties and expectations of Nu-7 that outright forbids them from assisting with internal situations unless it has degraded to the point of a Code Black.
Think about it - why do duties like ArchAngels and Nu-7 striking deals to go to D-Block or even help E-11 in HCZ exist? Because the surface gameplay loop in terms of power balance right now is so unbelievably boring and one-sided that there needs to be refreshing alternatives to exist and access to keep people staying in the regiment. If that problem was alleviated and people willingly would try to power onto Surface, then we can stop them from also using these changes to disrupt internal gameplay loops on threat of removal from the regiment, and allow for raids to finally get under control a bit.
The Changes:
Look, I'm gonna be honest, I don't have every specific idea under the sun, this isn't my area of expertise. The Suggestion is more to have it be accepted so that Content can actually do the data dive required to determine what the best changes actually are. Some suggestions;1) Greater depth of specialty kit - DEA recently got sticky grenades. They are a cool addition and quite tactically useful for certain killbox styled choke points that are commonly encountered within the raid gameplay loop, maybe Nu-7 could have these too. Possibly even other slots having more general grenades or support style base-kit, to increase their self-sufficiency on the surface.
2) Better weapons - The numbers argument doesn't work out when Content use that to try and defend Nu-7 being at a disadvantage guns wise. CI have insta-kills, their own easily authable and used AA, a Jugg who can use a weapon that is genuinely able to kill in less than 0.5 seconds sometimes etc. The only reason that more numbers exist is because raid defenses usually fail so bad that CI make it all the way to HCZ and the entire Site has to drop what it's doing to get to them. SOP should actually be the ones offering them the strongest resistance, so that raid combat is more engaging and doesn't disrupt site-wide RP as is now increasingly the case. CI basically have free reign over vents at this point - They bring about 6 people out, camp up at F Hill/Sniper Hill which has a perfect sight line over all of Compound, and no one dares to leave base because it'll result in a bee-hive swarm killing you instantly.
To add to the above point about compound, do remember that Nu-7 aren't just raid defense. They ideally should get to stretch their legs and do plenty of surface combat, but I currently think that their regiment is in the second worst state I've seen in terms of actual surface presence because the pseudo base-camping with no ability to counter it due to weapon imbalance means the whole regiment would rather camp inside compound or just hold internally for the raid. This is pretty much the opposite of the ideal.
3) Slot redistribution/changes - These last two are spitball ideas but just because I'm trying to offer something instead of going "meh leave it for content to figure out" - some jobs in Nu-7 are incredibly sought after. I know I love Marksman, a lot of people love Autorifleman/Specialist etc, but they are either difficult or infrequently accessed, meaning their vital tools are missed out of raid defense
4) A potential new job? (Naffen don't smite me please) - I know people meme about the Nu-7 Jugg, but something of it's nature really isn't a bad idea. Take the existing loop; there are numerous killbox styled sections of the F base layout that CI camp at before advancing. Surface Elevators just after the internal blast door, the EZ side of the Surface Elevators, PW Bathrooms overall, D-Block, 914, Numerous HCZ spots - the point is that at no point does any job Nu-7 has to offer have the muscle to shoot at them for over half a second. They get genuinely lasered until CI gets bored and move up, or go to meet an objective. Something to actually buy Nu-7 a small but targetted TTK window at these killboxes would be excellent.
Has something similar been suggested before? If so, why is your suggestion different?:
Almost 1000% numerous times, however my instance is different because of the OOC/IC blend approach that myself and other SA will take to forcibly balance this and keep the burden away from staff management, by ensuring that if Nu-7 is going to be strong enough to actually fight back on surface, they have to stay up there to enjoy these changes.
Possible Positives of the suggestion (At least 2):
Surface combat and raid gameplay loop are greatly enhanced and the majority of the conflict will take place at these areas, reducing site-wide RP hinderances that a raid can cause.
SOP overall has the ability to engage in a more proactive and fun approach to combat on the server, boosting their regimental health.
Quality of roleplay as mentioned above should increase due to more uninterrupted time being spent in flow.
Raid objectives of CI/GOC may be refreshed or improved due to having to surprise SOP a lot more, allowing for them to figure out new ways to actually get inside Foundation and execute their plans
Possible Negatives of the suggestion:
CI/GOC vs F will become rebalanced towards surface, whilst good, this does mean that more raids overall may be deemed a failure than the current rate.
Staff will have to monitor closely to ensure an Nu-7/DEA power dynamic imbalance does not arise.
The above problem of overall power of regiment content may still draw players away from other regiments to take part in Nu-7.
Based on the Positives & Negatives, why should this suggestion be accepted:
I think that focusing Nu-7's intended role (a main, surface oriented combat force to defend Site-65) actually back up to the Surface is a healthy approach. If they got all this kit and then could still go down into Site all the time for Code 2's and 5's, fair enough, I could see this suggestion getting denied from a mile away, but I do think that this is the fairest balance one can reach. Surface combat will actually occur more often, SOP will have a more proactive and fun time playing into the gameplay loop, and CI will get an increased challenge but greater reward for getting past SOP and into the Site. This should repair a lot of things, especially the issue with the RP loop CONSTANTLY getting interrupted by an ongoing Code, which is becoming a nigh on fundamental issue to the Server health. Fingers crossed this suggestion works!
IMPORTANT: If you're a member of Nu-7 currently and have feedback as to specific issues that cause this power imbalance, you should help out a lot with the acceptance chances of this by using your reply to demonstrate these issues with clips or data as I do not have access to this!!!
Game Master
