What does this suggestion change/add/remove:
I've only ever played the US server, so this might not be as true for the UK side of things, but here we go:
As the title implies, classify the usage of 914 to farm weapons as FailRP.
As it stands, the rampant abuse of SCP-914 to farm for extremely powerful weapons is creating a divide between normal players and the ones occupying server leadership roles. Every time you see an 05, SA, or EC announce that there's a "private 914 test" occurring, you know damn well they are shoving as much morphine as they can into that thing to get energy weapons for themselves and their respective posse, and it fosters an "us VS them" mentality with players. Normal players who would do such a thing would be subject to arrest by IA, but since these people are so high up on the totem pole (in addition to an entire MTF team that'd protect them from any arrests), they are effectively immune from the consequences of breaking the rules; further driving a wedge between them and the player base at large. Rules for me, but not for thee, is not a healthy way to run a community.
This sort of feeling of immunity extends into other interactions with the player base. Why RP out a scenario with someone, when you can just kill them instead? Is someone being an inconvenience? Why bother with solitary, just send them to the respawn menu! Doesn't matter how many people witness it, they'll just shake their heads and walk away. After all, you're immune, so why even bother speaking up?
This sort of blatant rule-breaking doesn't follow conventional lore either; why would the people in charge of running the foundation flaunt the rules so much? Would doing so not only inspire others to do the same? Should they not set an example for others? I'm sure that a little rule-bending is to be expected, but it seems to almost be a ritual now with many people. Log on, get your A-1/O-1 guards, and hit up 914 to get energy weapons, augurs, and what have you. It's not right.
In addition to this unhealthy divide between our players and the lore concerns, there exists a practical gameplay reason for this as well: Metagaming. Why would you feel the need to gear up your team with such powerful weapons, if there is no threat? By arming their respective guards/teammates with these high-powered weapons, they are prepping themselves to have an advantage against enemies that have yet to materialize yet. Sure, this makes them more effective guards, but it cheapens any combat encounters with them since anyone you fight will be at a massive disadvantage, especially with the recent SL ruling that AA weapons gained with 914 can be used on humans. Yes, that's right, AA weapons gained from 914 can be used on humans. Whatever resemblance of combat balance gets thrown out the window when your entire pose is equipped with the most dangerous weapons obtainable, for the low cost of a few morphine syringes. And it'll be that way every day, all day, unless something changes.
Now, if this does get passed (and I don't think it will since SL has been making some pretty questionable rule decisions recently), it'll be a big step in ensuring that players are held accountable to the same rules that everyone has to follow and would be a great step in mending the divide in our community. Healing that resentment people feel when they see higher-ups break the rules and get away with it. Rules for me, AND rules for thee.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
P.S. While we're here, can we remove the whole "AA weapons from 914 can be used on humans" thing? Why the hell would that be an exception, it's just encouraging this sort of behavior. It's also pretty damn confusing for players not in the know since this isn't written down and instead is being spread word-of-mouth style as seen in the photo below.
Possible Positives of the suggestion (At least 2):
Possible Negatives of the suggestion:
Based on the Positives & Negatives, why should this suggestion be accepted:
Ensuring that there is a healthy respect for the rules at all levels of a community is important. The higher-ups shouldn't get to break the rules just because of their status, as it sets a bad example for other players to follow. Ultimately, accepting this suggestion will be a big step forward in fostering a healthier community on the SCP-RP servers.
I've only ever played the US server, so this might not be as true for the UK side of things, but here we go:
As the title implies, classify the usage of 914 to farm weapons as FailRP.
As it stands, the rampant abuse of SCP-914 to farm for extremely powerful weapons is creating a divide between normal players and the ones occupying server leadership roles. Every time you see an 05, SA, or EC announce that there's a "private 914 test" occurring, you know damn well they are shoving as much morphine as they can into that thing to get energy weapons for themselves and their respective posse, and it fosters an "us VS them" mentality with players. Normal players who would do such a thing would be subject to arrest by IA, but since these people are so high up on the totem pole (in addition to an entire MTF team that'd protect them from any arrests), they are effectively immune from the consequences of breaking the rules; further driving a wedge between them and the player base at large. Rules for me, but not for thee, is not a healthy way to run a community.
This sort of feeling of immunity extends into other interactions with the player base. Why RP out a scenario with someone, when you can just kill them instead? Is someone being an inconvenience? Why bother with solitary, just send them to the respawn menu! Doesn't matter how many people witness it, they'll just shake their heads and walk away. After all, you're immune, so why even bother speaking up?
This sort of blatant rule-breaking doesn't follow conventional lore either; why would the people in charge of running the foundation flaunt the rules so much? Would doing so not only inspire others to do the same? Should they not set an example for others? I'm sure that a little rule-bending is to be expected, but it seems to almost be a ritual now with many people. Log on, get your A-1/O-1 guards, and hit up 914 to get energy weapons, augurs, and what have you. It's not right.
In addition to this unhealthy divide between our players and the lore concerns, there exists a practical gameplay reason for this as well: Metagaming. Why would you feel the need to gear up your team with such powerful weapons, if there is no threat? By arming their respective guards/teammates with these high-powered weapons, they are prepping themselves to have an advantage against enemies that have yet to materialize yet. Sure, this makes them more effective guards, but it cheapens any combat encounters with them since anyone you fight will be at a massive disadvantage, especially with the recent SL ruling that AA weapons gained with 914 can be used on humans. Yes, that's right, AA weapons gained from 914 can be used on humans. Whatever resemblance of combat balance gets thrown out the window when your entire pose is equipped with the most dangerous weapons obtainable, for the low cost of a few morphine syringes. And it'll be that way every day, all day, unless something changes.
Now, if this does get passed (and I don't think it will since SL has been making some pretty questionable rule decisions recently), it'll be a big step in ensuring that players are held accountable to the same rules that everyone has to follow and would be a great step in mending the divide in our community. Healing that resentment people feel when they see higher-ups break the rules and get away with it. Rules for me, AND rules for thee.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
P.S. While we're here, can we remove the whole "AA weapons from 914 can be used on humans" thing? Why the hell would that be an exception, it's just encouraging this sort of behavior. It's also pretty damn confusing for players not in the know since this isn't written down and instead is being spread word-of-mouth style as seen in the photo below.
Possible Positives of the suggestion (At least 2):
- Everyone follows the same rules. There is no more blatant rule-breaking and getting away with it just because you have the number 5 in front of your clearance level instead of a 3.
- Combat with the respective groups that currently engage in this sort of behavior will have their balance restored. You'll know what to expect, and they'll know what to expect. And if you want to bring energy weapons into the equation, you better be prepared to lose that investment, as intended.
- Having server leaders setting a good example for prospective community members is important. Imagine being told that using the Augur on humans is FailRP, but you see a member of A-1 using it to kill a D-Class. You report it, but since he got it from 914, it's fair. You don't have that opportunity to use SCP-914 (IA would be on your ass so fucking fast), so you feel a bit cheated. By ensuring that SL members follow the rules, or at least make a decent showing at doing so, you can foster a more equal community, one where people will not be afraid to speak up when they see abuses happen just because the abuser is a member of server leadership. No more "It is what it is".
Possible Negatives of the suggestion:
- I could see people making the argument that this change would be setting a bad precedent for handling IC issues with OOC rules since this is effectively just one big IC issue (legal codex breach). However, I also believe that due to the effective immunity of the players doing these acts, it'll take a server ruling to make them stop. Also, this hasn't stopped staff from making rules on IC issues before so ?
- D-Class using 914 to get weapons would have to bring in their own stolen guns to upgrade as opposed to tossing in items from their inventory (I want to say I saw a D-Class drop morphine from their inventory, but I honestly never tried it and I don't think anyone else has either. Might be a non-issue.)
- CI would need an exception to this rule due to their unique role, as SCP-914 is a powerful tool for them to use and shouldn't be limited to them just for the actions of the foundation staff members abusing it. This could be mitigated by having a set of conditions that must be met before using 914 to farm weapons, such as an active CI/GOC raid, or being a raiding CI/GOC team (although this might result in the two parties just frantically rushing to 914 to see who can get the energy weapon / AA weapon advantage first, instead of the intended effect of limiting its use for these situations. Honestly, CI need the advantage because they get clapped in every raid and only ever make it past FL2 because of the vents)
Based on the Positives & Negatives, why should this suggestion be accepted:
Ensuring that there is a healthy respect for the rules at all levels of a community is important. The higher-ups shouldn't get to break the rules just because of their status, as it sets a bad example for other players to follow. Ultimately, accepting this suggestion will be a big step forward in fostering a healthier community on the SCP-RP servers.
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