Solution to fixing CTF - REVISED VERSION

**Energizeric** · 05-24-2014, 01:32 PM

Last month I posted a plan to fix CTF which received good support, but I've since come up with some better ideas and changes to the original ideas I posted, so here they are:

1) Change the way the "Flags" stat is computed by instead making it count "team flags", i.e. when your team scores, you get a flag. Now it will no longer matter who is carrying the flag as the whole team will receive credit. This will encourage team work. Maybe a player will give himself up to stop the other team from killing the flagger. Players will help escort the flagger, etc.

2) Current flag stats will be carried over and everyone will retain all the flags they had under the old method. All players will retain their flagging achievements and leaderboard spots.

3) Add a new stat called "Flags Against" for when the other team scores a flag. Players will strive to keep a good flags/flags against ratio, just as players strive to keep a good kill/death ratio. This will put an end to teams taking turns flagging as nobody will want to allow the other team to score when it negatively affects their stats. Instead, this will encourage teamwork to stop the other team from flagging.

4) These two changes will help return CTF to be the way it was intended to be played. It will once again be a game where the team works together to try to score flags and to try to stop the other team from scoring.

**Ravager** · 05-24-2014, 02:16 PM

This would be great. Need to do something about ctf. The current state is bad and discouraging many including myself to play there even though I like it.

+1

**Valkiryas** · 05-24-2014, 02:23 PM

Yes the flag's archivements arruin totally the CTF ....

I can't understeand why the developer can't see this, the way that CTF go, it's not People Vs People it's more like Flag Like MAD

**Titanium** · 05-24-2014, 04:35 PM

NO flag aps at all.

People who already have 5k flags or 10k flags should receive an exclusive banner or title.

Are so many people who fight for that ap . They dont bother anyone . Hard to have 5v5 with a flagger in your team who's more worried about his flags than the actual fight.

**Atten** · 05-24-2014, 04:56 PM

I agree with you Energizeric. But if that happens, some "smart" people will just be afk in CTF. So I suggest, if someone is just standing for 30 seconds, he/she should receive a warn. Warn will last 15 seconds. If he/she still doesn't respond after 15 seconds, he/she will be kicked from the CTF match without gaining any flags that team has already gained. So, I suggest this in order to avoid those greedy, lazy players :P

**Crowsfoot** · 05-24-2014, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Energizeric

Last month I posted a plan to fix CTF which received good support, but I've since come up with some better ideas and changes to the original ideas I posted, so here they are:

1) Change the way the "Flags" stat is computed by instead making it count "team flags", i.e. when your team scores, you get a flag. Now it will no longer matter who is carrying the flag as the whole team will receive credit. This will encourage team work. Maybe a player will give himself up to stop the other team from killing the flagger. Players will help escort the flagger, etc.

2) Current flag stats will be carried over and everyone will retain all the flags they had under the old method. All players will retain their flagging achievements and leaderboard spots.

3) Add a new stat called "Flags Against" for when the other team scores a flag. Players will strive to keep a good flags/flags against ratio, just as players strive to keep a good kill/death ratio. This will put an end to teams taking turns flagging as nobody will want to allow the other team to score when it negatively affects their stats. Instead, this will encourage teamwork to stop the other team from flagging.

4) These two changes will help return CTF to be the way it was intended to be played. It will once again be a game where the team works together to try to score flags and to try to stop the other team from scoring.

In theory, convert current flags to "team flags" and everyone starts at zero flags scored against. Ratios will be a bit screwy, I think the current system of only letting a flagger score if the other flag has yet to be taken supplies enough conflict. And that "flags scored against" stat is a bit unnecessary (it will also be easier to implement without it).

Ypi want teamwork and I believe having party flags count for each member is effective enough at that. If I am going for flag APs I will protect the flagger with my life. Maintaining a flag ratio would be of little concern to me (and I believe others).

Besides that, you have my full support. Well thought idea.

**Crowsfoot** · 05-24-2014, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sonafe

I agree with you Energizeric. But if that happens, some "smart" people will just be afk in CTF. So I suggest, if someone is just standing for 30 seconds, he/she should receive a warn. Warn will last 15 seconds. If he/she still doesn't respond after 15 seconds, he/she will be kicked from the CTF match without gaining any flags that team has already gained. So, I suggest this in order to avoid those greedy, lazy players :P

Easy solution: no flag gained if dead when it is scored. If you are afk, someone is bound to kill you.

**Energizeric** · 05-24-2014, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Crowsfoot

Easy solution: no flag gained if dead when it is scored. If you are afk, someone is bound to kill you.

Not just that, but if you are afk, who is to say that your whole team won't leave and then the other team will win the game, and when you return you find out you got no flags but 5 flags against.

And yes, people will care about flags against just like they care about PvP deaths. Having a good ratio will be an indicator that you are a good team player in CTF. Also, the bonus for people that already have high numbers of flags is they begin with a super high ratio. That is their reward for having worked hard for all of those flags.

As for the idea of removing the flag APs, then we will have a few hundred players who all have every single achievement possible, and then how do we determine which ones get the banner for the "Top Player" leaderboard? If you go by PvE kills, then the Top Player leaderboard will be identical to the PvE Kills leaderboard. You need some hard to get achievements, and none of the others take much time at all.

**Linkincena** · 05-24-2014, 11:27 PM

Lets look at the worst side also energi...what cheaters can do...
Dummies standing in ctf.. blocking for flags....

**Hoardseeker** · 05-25-2014, 12:45 AM

Adding a Win/Lost Counter!

**Otahaanak** · 05-25-2014, 01:00 AM

This would be a great idea if the majority of players are equally equipped. They aren't. This would also be a great idea if STS wants to limit the number of those playing CTF.

With this you are creating an environment of:

1. Teams who will simply farm newer, lesser geared players who will have a HUGE flag deficit - discouraging them from ever obtaining these APs.

2. More guild drama will ensue, as CTF will be avoided by the majority of players and guilds. So this does nothing to actually change the environment/culture of CTF - which worsens daily.

Sorry, but until STS creates an environment that promotes fairness and a more level playing field for a majority of players nothing is going to change.

**Energizeric** · 05-25-2014, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by Otahaanak

This would be a great idea if the majority of players are equally equipped. They aren't. This would also be a great idea if STS wants to limit the number of those playing CTF.

With this you are creating an environment of:

1. Teams who will simply farm newer, lesser geared players who will have a HUGE flag deficit - discouraging them from ever obtaining these APs.

2. More guild drama will ensue, as CTF will be avoided by the majority of players and guilds. So this does nothing to actually change the environment/culture of CTF - which worsens daily.

Sorry, but until STS creates an environment that promotes fairness and a more level playing field for a majority of players nothing is going to change.

And how do you suggest they do that AND keep the game earning enough money for them to stay in business?

Sorry, but very few people are going to spend real money on a free to play game unless it gives them some advantage, and even fewer players are going to spend a LOT of real money unless it gives them a significant advantage.

**Energizeric** · 05-25-2014, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by Hoardseeker

Adding a Win/Lost Counter!

Win/Loss counter will not work since everyone will just leave when their team is losing before the game ends, so nobody will ever register a loss.

**Hoardseeker** · 05-25-2014, 02:26 AM

Originally Posted by Energizeric

Win/Loss counter will not work since everyone will just leave when their team is losing before the game ends, so nobody will ever register a loss.

After a PvP Match is Over , Below the Scores there will be the Names of the People who Participated and It will automatically add the Win/Lose even if they leave....

**Energizeric** · 05-25-2014, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by Hoardseeker

After a PvP Match is Over , Below the Scores there will be the Names of the People who Participated and It will automatically add the Win/Lose even if they leave....

So if I join the game 3 seconds before the other team scores the winning goal, I get a loss?

Or what if I get disconnected when my team is winning 4-0, and then I am unable to rejoin the game because someone took my spot, and then the team loses 5-4. I still get a loss?

Doesn't exactly sound fair to me. That's why I like the flags for/flags against system. It gives you credit for the flags you were present for, whether they are for your team or the other team.

**Madnex** · 05-25-2014, 06:54 AM

*Mumble muble* SEASONAL LEADERBOARDS *mumble mumble*..

**Otahaanak** · 05-25-2014, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Energizeric

And how do you suggest they do that AND keep the game earning enough money for them to stay in business?

Sorry, but very few people are going to spend real money on a free to play game unless it gives them some advantage, and even fewer players are going to spend a LOT of real money unless it gives them a significant advantage.

I am not privy to sales numbers, but I'm confident CTF/PVP AP's are not keeping them in business. Players enjoying the content do.

I have every AP but 100 flags and up and 5k and 10k PVP kills. I will not spend any money to get them, but I would like to enjoy the content. I enjoyed the content enough to drop plenty of plat so far - but am reaching my limit just to TRY and enjoy PVP.

At this point, let's be honest, PVP is only available and enjoyed (or dramatized if you prefer) by the top geared players and guilds. I'll say most legendary geared players who step into PVP leave after the verbal abuse and getting farmed, never to return.

I like your ideas- but I don't think an AP should be tied to 1000 flags when CTF rooms are used for PVP guild wars or farming.

They need to pull the unobtainable PVP APs like they did with the top tier gold APs, make seasonal leader boards as has been suggested numerous times and create new CTF and TDM environments. Flag and kill totals can remain for prestige sake but only the season totals go towards player and guild rank. That *might* minimize some of the drama. But honestly, I doubt it.

My idea is simple: having multiple rooms and game types (CTF, TDM, FFA - free for all, etc.) with a list of the joined players, their level, and class. Maybe even gear type. This would allow for choice of which room to enter - so you can at least find a room with similar players where you have a decent chance of a fair match.