A few realm balancing suggestions.

[bois]

Well I decided to come back to this little corner of the forum.

We all know that there is a problem with the realm balance. The big problem is that the populations fluctuate wildly during any 24 hour period with big swings from highs to lows. When a particular realm is in its low period, the population is so weak that an imbalance occurs.

So I gathered a few ideas which will not solve the problem but maybe try to reduce it at certain steps along the way.

1. To resolve the problem of lower levels getting steamrolled I suggest that (if possible) a system of immunity be implemented for players level 30 and lower. This applies once you are in your own realm. If you go in the War Zone you are fair game no matter what level you are. You can switch this mode off at any time and go into PK mode. Once you hit level 31 you no longer have access to this mode.

2. Idea of implementing a 'happy hour' system in realms at their most dead times. This can apply to level 50+ and apply to objectives only in the war zone. It could be quest oriented.

3. Offer bonus hidden quests that are war offensive driven only to the 'time zone underdog realm' and lock these to time constraints. These times will be the lowest activity points (as defined by server stat) for this particular realm. In other words they would not be available during the peak times of the particular realm.

4. Offer via the achievements system, bonuses and perks for clocking a particular amount of game hours on a particular character. Apply a diminishing returns system based on realm population and activity.

5. Offer temporary, time constricted special realm loyalty buffs to realms in the timezones that they are the most depleted. These buffs are only war oriented and give your allies the boost of fundamentalist zeal to fight against ridiculous odds.

6. Move gems from those locked pedestals in the middle of nowhere. Place these gems in the cities and every city has a pedestal. The server randomizes which city the gems will spawn and, shuffles them when a realm becomes vulnerable.

7. "Call to arms" gem that is only available to be equipped during invasions and to the heavily outgunned realm. This gem is available when the realm enters its dead zone and only can be used when the realm becomes vulnerable. Once it is used and the realm returns to safety , the item disappears from inventory. The gem gives some kind of ability.

8. Underpopulated realms will receive any combination of the following. Players who join under populated realms get any one of the following:
a. XP bonus
b. Free time limited mount with option to buy a time limited one for gold
c. Bonus quests every 10 levels.
d. Instant level 5 when they enter. (and a sum of gold)
e. Special edition Epic weapon that cannot be transferred and is level capped.
f. Limited option to buy (select) premium items at a small discount (time limited). This would have to be controlled carefully.

9. Consider formulating a reputation system across the game. The system can only add reputation. Players that are helpful can then acquire reputation that way. To gain reputation you must sign up to be a Realm adviser. From there new players can access you via a bulletin board in the cities and PM you or add as an adviser (friend). Players will be then be able (under a set of rules) to give +1 to an adviser that helped them . An adviser can then cash this in for something special or get a small discount on Ximerin or something. At least make it worthwhile. Even a medal under their name in the HUD.

A lot of these ideas heavily depend on the population sampling formulas of the server and they may not bring massive changes but maybe they can be a small step towards finding some kind of way forward. The main idea is that we bring granular time zone focused treatments to help ease problems of extremely volatile population flux. In times when there are buoyant populations, these can be lessened or even deactivated. These treatments are really for when population hits a critical low and not for mild imbalances.

Regards