Bot Commentary
Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:43 pm
If necessary, delete this post. Wanted to respond to some of the comments on the bot thread, but it was locked right before I could submit a response 
As one person mentioned, some of these have been long standing issues. And to clarify, it is not as thought 1 person or even 2 people were using these. I've observed more using these tactics and I doubt only the people I observed were using them.
Honestly, I think limiting bot owning to one and perhaps limiting based on account or character id is the best option at the moment. But, that is simply my opinion.
I agree with this and it is something that can easily be done
I have already done this on rev535 on a private server as a test. The problem was not just level requirements. Most gear has level requirements on The Hidden Forest. However, even though bots cannot use their ubbr weps at level 1, they can still equip the gear. Limiting by character id is the best option. However, I have implemented a fix for this directly at the moment that would prevent a bot from receiving stat boost of the material and have a few ideas for trading items fix.
Making them like familiars would be a bad idea in my opinion. There is definitely a way to only have them accept certain items or no items. I like the idea, but I do not think it is necessary for the hidden forest necessarily. On the timer, it's just instant respawn that is a problem, so yeah, a timer would work.
I would comment on this, but I think it's Lillu's or Tyler's discretion in my opinion. Bots can be changed and altered very much. However, the last thing I want to do is make changes that would comrpimise the integrity of the server or the overall vision of the server founders.
I think this would be a bad idea. It needs to be fixed, not threatened. In my experience, relying on players to make the good decision is not always a great idea.
Again, I reiterate, wasting time monitoring on something that should be fixed is probably not a good idea. And I don't think the confusion would exist in your scenario. It's clear who is using it to exploit and who is just popping a new bot because of the death to bots when a member leaves issue. Will look into fixing that also.
A very good argument for eliminating/changing bots. I think a more general heal bot is better than a cleric bot. That was its efficiency can be reduced. However, that may not be a good direction either. Thank you for your comments.
Koeril wrote:I never thought of repopping a bot to take out a named, that is a huge exploit, and giving no drop items to a lvl 1 toon, not kool...
As one person mentioned, some of these have been long standing issues. And to clarify, it is not as thought 1 person or even 2 people were using these. I've observed more using these tactics and I doubt only the people I observed were using them.
Bonehead wrote:But, we are still in the Beta process, so, perhaps, maybe, something else could be done...like:
1. Make bot quests, say at level 30 you do a quest for the ability to have one bot, then level 55 get an other, and one more at 70 for a total of 3 bots to have. Still only able to summon one at a time, and each quest requires friends...
Honestly, I think limiting bot owning to one and perhaps limiting based on account or character id is the best option at the moment. But, that is simply my opinion.
Bonehead wrote:2. Put a time limit on how soon you can summon a bot. Your Shammy bot just died from a bad AE? Too bad, you'll not be able to call up another for 15 minutes.
I agree with this and it is something that can easily be done
Bonehead wrote:3. Put level requirements on all gear to prevent low level exploits.
I have already done this on rev535 on a private server as a test. The problem was not just level requirements. Most gear has level requirements on The Hidden Forest. However, even though bots cannot use their ubbr weps at level 1, they can still equip the gear. Limiting by character id is the best option. However, I have implemented a fix for this directly at the moment that would prevent a bot from receiving stat boost of the material and have a few ideas for trading items fix.
Koeril wrote:Maybe make them like familiars? Is there a way to make them accept only items flagged a certain way, or no items at all? I like the idea of a cool down too - I think even as short as 5 minutes (after death) would make the exploitation stop. They could be like groupable augments or something?
Making them like familiars would be a bad idea in my opinion. There is definitely a way to only have them accept certain items or no items. I like the idea, but I do not think it is necessary for the hidden forest necessarily. On the timer, it's just instant respawn that is a problem, so yeah, a timer would work.
Koeril wrote:Just some ideas ... don't know what constraints you have with the bot system.
I would comment on this, but I think it's Lillu's or Tyler's discretion in my opinion. Bots can be changed and altered very much. However, the last thing I want to do is make changes that would comrpimise the integrity of the server or the overall vision of the server founders.
Mr_Magoo wrote:As far as exploits go like transfering no drop items to other characters on the account thats been apart of bot history for some time now just throw some scare tactics out there in shout or motd then monitor it from time to time, band a few accounts without question and the dedicated will honor this and not do it.
I think this would be a bad idea. It needs to be fixed, not threatened. In my experience, relying on players to make the good decision is not always a great idea.
Mr_Magoo wrote:Now with the exploit of popping bots one after the other to benifit on killing something that is just way to powerful to kill either because your bot needs mana or your using a tank or melee bot in my opinion this is another really well rounded reason to monitor from time to time with warnings and or bandings just be careful not to get popping a bot because someone left group or died mid fight on you confused as an expoilt for this.
Again, I reiterate, wasting time monitoring on something that should be fixed is probably not a good idea. And I don't think the confusion would exist in your scenario. It's clear who is using it to exploit and who is just popping a new bot because of the death to bots when a member leaves issue. Will look into fixing that also.
Chicah wrote:From a cleric main player point of view bots totally make u useless,cause bots regen faster bots get no aggro,bots seem to be able to med while meleeing.
The only stuff real clerics are needed for are raids,everyone knows that ,but likes to hide this fact cause its so comfortable with their OP bots.
A very good argument for eliminating/changing bots. I think a more general heal bot is better than a cleric bot. That was its efficiency can be reduced. However, that may not be a good direction either. Thank you for your comments.