I would avoid measures that are based on presumptions of motivations. Some players don't care about kill counts.

I would avoid measures that provide too much protection to low level characters. I can get a basic centurion and plasma hx at levels 1/1/-/-/- and kill large trade ships all day with it.

Some parts of space should be dangerous. Going to gray space in an EC-89 should be fatal. Going to gray space at all should entail a level of risk. There should be areas that are properly "balanced" for reasonable newb survivability, but newbs should not just wander the galaxy without fear.

There are already areas geared for newbs, and those areas already have fairly high levels of security. If that security is insufficient, then we should focus on fixing just those areas. I don't see any major problems with how the rest of the galaxy is currently working.

I agree with much of what roda has said. I also like the idea of lower level players (below 2/2/2/2/1) being like ghosts in the 'verse. This would allow for them to experience all parts of the universe but with no consequences until one of their levels passes the limits prescribed above. The other part of this is to only allow them to dock in capitol sectors until they achieve non-newb status. With these changes would come a warning that they cannot harm other players until they move out of newb status, and that they themselves would be impervious to damage.

These 'ghosts' could fire weapons at other players but the impact would not be registered on the receiving player's end. This would eliminate the exploitation of trying to distract other players when they are involved in combat. 'Ghost' players would also not be possible to select as hostile with auto-select ('x').

I see these restraints as very basic and kind. It gives players a chance to try a few ships, get a feel for the flight and combat models, and meet a few folks within the 'verse.

Thoughts? Concerns? I will post a link to this as I am starting a new thread for this topic titled (NPC - Newb Protection Corps)

http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/20233

No. As Dr. Lecter said, "No magical shields for anyone."

How are they (newbs) going to experience the universe with out a certain amount of danger? When I was new, I was scared s***less to go into gray space, and for good reason. I was a newb. If newbs are allowed to go into dangerous areas then they'll go back when they're above the "ghosting" requirements. And die. A lot. What's wrong with trying ships and flying around in their home, and relatively secure, area?

I agree with Phish to the last word. When I was a complete newbie I knew nowhere is safe. I also knew about the extra danger when going to grey or, being Itani, flirting with Serco space.

Now, there are those turrets. Some waaaay more experienced Sercos are not trying to kill me in the front of Deneb O-3 station anymore ... and it is less fun.

I think newbie protection was sufficient and is even stronger now. I can rather imagine border turrets without these weird instant kills yoda is complaining about.

I played trial, paid first six months for me and my GF (Floralia). We both were facing all kinds of PKs but we did not have to give up playing, visit psychiatrist ... or start threads like this one and whine. We survived, paid and grew up to more experienced players.

I would fine tune what Dr. Lecter has said to "No magical shields anymore" and I hope we will also get rid of friendly fire protection shortly.

Cannot attack "4/4/4/4/4 difference"? Heh, just a crazy joke in my eyes. Anyway, I like the idea of some special pirating dialog (pop-up window) with the required workaround. This can probably help both sides.

I don't think PaKettle's piracy interface would really do much good (no offense, just the proposed solution is somewhat intrusive to gameplay).

What this section did remind me of is that UIT starters have it HARD. Itani/Serco guys truly have it easy (nearly no rats around), but the UIT do NOT have it easy. It might be useful to mention more strongly in the character/faction selection page that the UIT areas are plagued by its proximity to grey space. I'm making a new thread on this issue here: http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/20250#252030

Oh god, don't tell anyone they have it easy. They don't like hearing that.

While, you are right in some respects, I think that being UIT is much more fun. I had both an Itani and a Serco for a while... there was a serious lack of anything interesting going on, whereas in UIT space I'd have to watch my back. I dunno.

much more fun yes... but not for newbies. we should divert those comments to the new thread though.

for now the pirates are behaving themselves overall....

And if they dont then I will tell incarnate how to make the turrents much more effective LOL.