The Arena is open.

[Elagneros]

Raise dead scroll for events should be fine. We can put a tranisition to the arena for non sanctioned combat if need be but I dont want to see half the server in there getting free gear.

Stuff like Raise Dead scrolls or Heal potions seems ok to me. Some people like the idea of gear, but the problem with that is it sets up the idea to you have to pk people for equipment, and there are people who aren't into that. While the regular pkers will likely trot out the usual "pk server" argument in response, I think the idea behind the arena is to provide a diversion, and not be the main attraction. If gear is given as prizes at all, it should be the regular base items that are freely available throughout the game, and not unique stuff or artifacts.

Yoda's level divisions idea is also a good one. Combats are better within specific level ranges, rather than a situation where one player can easily wipe out everyone else because of wide level variations.

[Metis]

I agree with trying to control levels but even that first one was almost impossible to control everything, once the offer goes on shout, feilding the 20 tells trying to get everyones level then figuring it out well, anyone that was there saw I couldnt do it.

Then people have to log and I dont know who is from which team and what level they were you get the point.

I am trying to think of a way to offer it to close levels but everyone is on at different times so like any event I do I always want to give someone the opportunity to join if they want.

Things can be worked out as we go, when it was obvious 1 team was way overpowered I just had some people move to the other team.

1 last thing, this is a lot of fun but can be hectic and player cooperation is mandatory. When I tell people to stop I expect them to stop I cant watch every person. My avatar is a Goddess but I am really a person and I can actually make a mistake so if I do you can say something but let it go. 16 people were there at 1 point i am porting people in and out, raising the fallen for next round, rebuilding the shrines and trying to make sure its a fair matchup so player cooperation and help is required for this to be a seccess.

[Poet]

One of they ways I have seen it done works rather well if you are open for suggestions and would like to make it level specific.

Decide what you are going to do and set a level limitation. Make the announcement on shout and give everyone a few minutes to get a toon in that level range..most peeps have toons in different stages of development . For people who dont, they just have to wait for the next event. Sometimes you go lowbies from say.. lvl 5 to 9 some time 20 to 25 another time 35 and up ect. Eventually everyone gets an opportunity to participate and its much easier for players as well as the DM hosting the event.
he fu
Too many levels allowed at once and it takes the fun out for the lower levels. Just some suggestions if you were looking for some.

[DeputyDog]

Hence the transition to the arena so you dont have to port anyone.

You can also DM lock the exits once the game starts so noone in or out.

Perhaps we should script something for making team teams but it is not at the top of the list:) For now it should be easy enough to only do faction vs faction so at least the players only see red=dead

[Death Dealer1]

the perfect rule for chase...no matter what just red=dead

[ATI]

Well you can expect more {CLAD} and hopefully FoN people to deal with DD you jerks have all the relics right now.

I was wondering if maybe returning a relic for a success is a possible reward in the arena.

[Metis]

A few ideas I thought to try.

1. Cap the teams to 5 people per side. Having to many just causes a crash fest way to many graphics overloading peoples video cards.

2. Yes, for levels keep them within 6. Its a little wide but unless every member of a team is 6 below the other it should still be fair.

3. Give 2 standard faction guards to linger around the shrines and with this I had some additions.
A. Offer an upgrade option every 100k (each) will boost one of their powers and perhaps transform them into a faction boss
B. Offer the chance to buy a spy, if you offer to pay one of the guards 100k over what they are getting they will turn on their own sometime during the fight. The catch is you do not know how much was invested in them. If you offer 300k and they paid 400k in upgrades you are out of the money and you wont know until the fight is over. Same case if you offer 300k and they didn't upgrade at all you spent 200k extra for a standard usually fairly weak ally.

4. Offer a betting system, this wont be coded in but through the DM, as a team you offer up something as a bet that you win. The Gods dont play fair so if you win you get something half its value, tome of +4 you will get a +2 if you win. Or allow the players to bet each puts up item(s) of same value and the winner takes all.

5. Faction escort, the winner gets one of their faction guards to assist them on any travel for a short time, giants, planes, even relic runs. The escort is not invulnerable. He will be stronger then a standard guard but equipt with a lot of heals and some raises while very little offensive power. Consider your level he is escorting, add a few levels a lot of hitpoints and a quarter of your punching power.

I think there is a lot of potential for fun with this but, this is just meant to be the change of pace not constant which is the reason we can't offer big prizes otherwise everyone would just keep trying the arena. The other issue is honesty 2 teams put up a bet and there is a spy on one to make sure they loose is not acceptable, npc can be controlled by us and this is one issue that although I trust everyone if I tried this and discovered someone was deliberatly ruining it I would inflict severe penalty on their characters.

Investing money in something that doesnt give xp may turn a lot of you off, I know everyone wants to level but a lot of fun and some bragging rites isnt so bad and you have the option of not spending a single gold piece. It also gives everyone the chance if they are putting some rare items up to bet to get some reinforcements. I wont give an exact scale of the upgrade levels but I will say 1 million gold is maximum accepted (if you invest that much your ally cant be bought off) but it wont be a killer of 10 lvl 40 people but it will be a worthy advisary.

For the lower levels that come for group fighting, the guards will be replaced by peasants (yes they are mostly useless but short term meatshields)

Another issue is lack of contestants from same (or ally) factions. Unlike last time I will keep things between rivals, ie they would be red on login if there isnt enough then no event.