RVR - Reduction in Zone Timers

[Ryleth]

Hello all, apologies if this has been proposed before, couldn't find on search:

1. Identify the issue.
RvR timers are currently extremely long if a zone progresses to a draw.

2. Explain why it's an issue.
Nothing saps willingness to play than to see a "120 minutes remaining" on zone timer when you've already been there a long time. Adds repetition, encourages cross realming and usually sees break-ups of functioning warbands as RL hits people

3. Propose a viable solution to the problem.
Preferably reduce the zone timer by 100 minutes.

4 Pros/cons
Pro:
-Much more variety in fights and gameplay.
-Less drawn out zerg conflicts.
-Encouragement to risk a keep siege as time is limited
-More 'natural' periods to take a break or go for RL

Cons:
- Obviously this would speed up bag and renown gain. I don't see that as an issue - there is already a very sizable grind to gear up. I would see this as a positive in making this game easier to get into, as well as providing a catch-up mechanic for newer players
- Potentially less time spent in T4, though this would be offset by rotation towards t4 being faster
- May be locked by client control or otherwise.

Thank you and obligatory shout out to the devs for keeping this alive!

[dansari]

This isn't the balance forum, so it's not going to be as strictly moderated. I too think that zones could be faster, but only because taking a keep is pretty frustrating with the current keep lord mechanic. That is likely not going to change, at least not until fortresses are introduced.

[Acidic]

I really can not see any of your "pros" being realized by shortening the timer.

Zerg will carry on zeroing,
Short time does not encourage keep take, look at how it is now, there is no "oh clock running down, let's take keep"
Natural time to take a break, this just is personal, as all play different amounts of time. Some guilds raid with set times and breaks irrespective of zone takes.

I would say readuced timer is just more bags and increased real to get bags on Alts.

[Hargrim]

Not gonna happen. If you can't lock zone you are in why would you be able to lock next zone if you draw the current one? This is to give players some diversity in maps and with up to 3 pairings open at the same time no more adjustments are needed here.

[Yaliskah]

The major issue i see is this one ( and i experience it these last days ) :

Why trying to take a keep or trying to reach rank 5 if i just have to wait for a random lock ?

[Ryleth]

Thanks for replies

Hargrim: Not saying you'll be able to lock the next one! But at least you won't be stuck in a fight that feels never-ending. A shift might bring a change in balance,it might not. Either way it feels fresher.
- Appreciate it may not change, though a man can hope

Yaliskah: You get better rewards for winning. Also I assume most people play to win rather than play to BO sit.

Acidic: True to some extent - I'd appreciate shorter games to get better breaks. Get cranky if I dont' move after 2 hours etc. Think that probably applies to a lot of people.
- Timers tend to focus the mind, I certainly push for sieges if the 5 star approach doesn't work.

[Stophy22]

I for one would appreciate shorter zone times, glad to see others think so even if a developer says it won't happen. As a player I feel like it's an issue.

I don't know how long current zone times are, I think they're 4 hours. It would be nice to get a shortertimer because reasons;

-zone locks happen more often so zones change so you aren't stuck in Empire/chaos when the influence gear you need is in dwarf/green skin etc

-During the dead times of NA-300people online-zones tend to stale mate or order just wins back to back; if they're going to win back to back shortening the time wouldn't be an issue but if it stale mates then at least you won't have to wait 4 hours to jump to the next zone.

I'm not sure if shortening the zone timers would fix it or what not but it's always nice seeing a zone to the end and I feel like with shortened timers I could do that more often. At least during dead times

I speak from personal experience on this so it definitely feels like a problem hopefully maybe with enough people who agree we can change some minds. Maybe it's just wishful thinking

[Darosh]

3. Propose a viable solution to the problem.
Preferably reduce the zone timer by 100 minutes.

Spoiler:

I rather not see FPS-hotjoin-esque RvR (little finger, whole hand, yadayada), thank you very much.

[dansari]

The major issue i see is this one ( and i experience it these last days ) :

Why trying to take a keep or trying to reach rank 5 if i just have to wait for a random lock ?

Believe me, I would love to be able to take keeps. With the current Lord hp being incredibly high with random resets, I haven't seen a keep taken in NA in.. months maybe. Not unless you face 200% aao and you're just free capping. As it currently stands, it's unfathomably better to defend a keep than to attack one. So now we just have postering around for hours on end trying to goad your opponent into attacking your keep first so you can farm them for two hours.

[Axerker]

Adding that I agree Zone draws should occur sooner. 3-4 hours (whatever it is currently) is wayyy too long.

However, you only need to play for 2-5 minutes to get a chance at a gold bag. If the Zone is going to draw anyways, you just wasted the extra 1-2 hours there rather than leaving.