How to balance Bandits.

[sgt_hawkins 1]

When your Humanity gets too low. You go insane and Your character randomly laughs like a maniac. This way survivors have a chance to hear one nearby. Also laughter attracts zombies....Bandits are kinda killing this mod...most would agree unless ur a bandit....bandits need to be balanced.

[imagelesskjc 35]

Oh look here, another one of these threads...

Bandits aren't killing this mod. Its a completely viable way to gain an advantage over other players. Its not "unbalanced" if every player can partake in the same advantage.

Just remember, the righteous path is always the hardest... This is magnified because of an apocalyptic event, and represented well within this mod.

[acebane 268]

Just remember' date=' the righteous path is always the hardest... This is magnified because of an apocalyptic event, and represented well within this mod.

[/quote']

Couldn't agree more. Good reply.

[Mutonizer 78]

Just remember, the righteous path is always the hardest... This is magnified because of an apocalyptic event, and represented well within this mod.

Heh, true.

However, since this is a survival sim, we need more incentive to work together I think, something that rewards not killing other people and instead group up toward a common goal.

Stuff like fixing cars and choppers for example is good, because it's quite hard to get the parts as a lone individual, and then you can't do anything AND guard the car/chopper.

For now we just survive as individuals mostly, but hopefully in the future there will be something to simulate the fact that sometimes, to do a bit more than just basic survival, you need other people, even some you don't really like, but you won't kill because you would also lose something by doing so.

Once there is the basis for a mutual agreement and compromise when two people meet, once there is some kind of "possible future" that requires others, then both bandits and non bandits can team up and work toward that goal and not just think about the next drink/food or the next kill.

[Shimmler 4]

Just scrap the bandit system and everything will be bloody awesome. The point why we have police is becuse bandits don't go around in clothes stating "i killed smbd".

[nevillebartos 12]

Wouldn't be too hard to make "bandit safe zones" with AI controlled CDF patrols hostile to bandits, problem is they would also be an easy source of loot, unless of course they patrol in armoured vehicles/choppers or something, making them virtually unkillable.

[raptorak 2]

Please don't "balance" this game, carebears please d/l LFD2.

[OmarFW 0]

Punishing someone for playing as a bandit would be a bad idea.

However, I think it would be viable to have something you lose as a bandit while you gain something else that caters to that role more.

On the flip side, if you choose to play as a friendly, you gain something in return but lack what the bandit has.

I don't know what those things would be, but that's the general concept.

There needs to be incentive to play a certain way and continue playing that way. Currently it doesn't make much since to NOT play as a bandit unless you have a giant group of teammates.

[raptorak 2]

I think bandits should be able to be known, for example, "raptorak is a bandit, watch out". Perhaps we shouldn't be able to change our names, and we should have an ingame messageboard system in major towns where you can write down the names of major player killers. Basically, you should be able to know the reputation of a player through word of mouth, not necessarily from what he looks like, but also it would be nice if we could customize our skins a bit, no matter whether a survivor or a bandit.

[Nekosan 20]

Stop telling me how to behave post-apocalypse...

[SEM (DayZ) 5]

i'm not a bandit. Leave bandits alone! T_T

[gatman (DayZ) 0]

The solutions for balance aren't convincing. They sound like they'd break it more. Agreed bandits are a nuisance more so when a players intention is to aggravate other players but I think more damage will be done trying to balance it for now. Frankly there's thousands of other things that could use tweaking before this - like hit registers and server stability.

[ComLindh 0]

I think bandits are good for this mod, but it is to easy to be a bandit. There should be a way to "get even" if a bandit kills you.

Don't know if its possible, or if its a good idea but what if there was a way to rig your backpack.

If you find a handgranade, you could put it in your backpack, so when the bandit kills you and tries to open your backpack it explodes and kills him/her.

This way being a bandit brings some sort of uncertainty and will probably lower the mindless killing of survivors that just want to have a good time.

[fapoo 2]

I think at this point it's unbalanced and that's because alot of people play it knowing it's a game.

But playing this game as it were a real life scenario is what makes it so engrossing. I'm sure many of us have had conversations or just thought "What would I do in a Z apocalypse?"

I know there would be bandits IRL but not that many. People would band together more than anything.

I think a skill system could make people think about co-operating more.

[Rinner23 5]

I think bandits should be able to be known' date=' for example, "raptorak is a bandit, watch out". Perhaps we shouldn't be able to change our names, and we should have an ingame messageboard system in major towns where you can write down the names of major player killers. Basically, you should be able to know the reputation of a player through word of mouth, not necessarily from what he looks like, but also it would be nice if we could customize our skins a bit, no matter whether a survivor or a bandit.

[/quote']

This.

Some way to identify rogue players that is more 'realistic' and doesn't rely on player rendering changes. I still think it's more trouble than it's worth but it would be the ideal solution IMHO.

[imagelesskjc 35]

I would like to add a few more points, if I may.

I think bandits are good for this mod' date=' but it is too easy to be a bandit. There should be a way to "get even" if a bandit kills you....

[/quote']

I'm sure you've heard this before and it may sound harsh, but life isn't fair. Why should the lawless apocalypse be any better? You want law? Protection? You're the one with the gun, go protect yourself and play smart. Adding an unrealistic game mechanic isn't going to improve the gameplay; it will hinder it.

I think bandits should be able to be known' date=' for example, "raptorak is a bandit, watch out". Perhaps we shouldn't be able to change our names, and we should have an ingame messageboard system in major towns where you can write down the names of major player killers. Basically, you should be able to know the reputation of a player through word of mouth, not necessarily from what he looks like, but also it would be nice if we could customize our skins a bit, no matter whether a survivor or a bandit.

[/quote']

Now this is an interesting idea. Any mechanic that involves player-player interaction is a plus in my book, just as long as it doesn't hinder different playing styles. Maybe there could be a "newspaper" item that can be found that lists each player's kills and where the murder took place, whether it be bandits or survivors. Survivors could use it to track down the mean ole' scary bandits, and the bandits know who to be cautious around.

[mooncabbage 2]

More to the point, what's this Bandit vs Survivor nonsense. It's Survivor vs Survivor. If me and my mates shoot other people, but not each other, how does that work. Just because I shoot Frank doesn't mean I'm going to shoot Henry. The problem is more to do with difficulty identifying other players, not so much identifying who is trustworthy and who is not. I'll make friends, and I'll trust them. So will other people.

And there are plenty of reasons to cooperate. Groups are more zombie resistant, more bandit resistant, and more capable of distributing tasks. Soloing, grouping, banditry, and any combination thereof are perfectly valid ways to play.

[oktyabr 53]

(Today 03:26 AM)raptorak Wrote: I think bandits should be able to be known, for example, "raptorak is a bandit, watch out". Perhaps we shouldn't be able to change our names, and we should have an ingame messageboard system in major towns where you can write down the names of major player killers. Basically, you should be able to know the reputation of a player through word of mouth, not necessarily from what he looks like, but also it would be nice if we could customize our skins a bit, no matter whether a survivor or a bandit.

And how exactly do you think that would be an improvement over the current skin/humanity system? I think off the top of my head at least a dozen reasons why it wouldn't work the way you envision... here are just a few:

1) How do you know a player's name? Not every server uses those *unrealistic* name tags that float over another player (even when they are in some bushes 100m away). How do you know a player is a player-killer? Because you added their name to a list *after* he killed you? How realistic is that?

2) Who decides who is a "major player killer" and who just got their FIRST player kill so he could have your beans or whatever? Literally half the players on any server would belong on that list and that doesn't even consider "bandits" that just joined from another server or those that just left. It would be a mess.

3) What about someone who routinely kills a dozen or more players each time he plays... He joins a server with this "list". Either is automatically on it, which makes the system no better than skin (and more difficult to use), or he isn't in which case the list is populated by the fairly common "self defense" killers or that first timer that needed your meds and meanwhile the serial killer wanders around like a man eating tiger that just hasn't decided who to eat yet.

As for removing the bandit skins there are a literally hundreds of posts on this topic already. I don't know why people think bringing it up again, and again, and again... is going to change anything that much quicker.

The bandits and bandit skins exist in this mod for a reason. Removing them, especially now after they have become such a well embedded part of this mod, will do nothing to improve the game play... or they never would have been implemented in the first place.

In a perfect (game) world each character would be recognizably unique, even at a distance. That just isn't in place in this game... yet.

[jaynic 15]

I think the bandit system is fine - but like someone stated: it's the suvivors that need a benefit to NOT going bandit.

I'm a bandit by necessity - someone shoots at me, I shoot them back. Some noob wants my beans, I don't wanna give'em. He end up dead - now I have -15000 H!

I feel bad about it too... I don't wanna be a bandit

[gatman (DayZ) 0]

fapoo said it.

If we're going for realism, Bandits would exist in much smaller numbers in Real life, this should be addressed (After Zombie bugs/movement etc). Either everyone that plays this game is a dickhead or the game needs adjusting to allow for "my life was in danger" haha in the last few days it's turned into an every-man-for-themselves scenario - My mate included

[harryzhe 28]

wait, why the fuck are we balancing anything?

[osme_oxys 9]

How many threads like this will be made?

Bandits are balanced. If you run at speed in the middle of a field without being on the lookout, its your fault for dying, not the bandits. In terms the OP would more likely understand, its CoD or battlefield without any opposition. Ever play a multiplayer game in which 2 teams compete against each other, but only 1 team is allowed to play? If anything bandits are underpowered because they glow in the dark at night.

I hear the same whining about snipers. If you stand still in a clearing throwing flares...

The whining tires me.

Edit: Though I should mention this.

Bandits are KoS to ALL, including other bandits

Survivors on the underhand, arnt even KoS to bandits, let alone other survivors

Solutions: Replace all survivors visions with a black screen to make it more fair for the bandits

[harryzhe 28]

yeah, this place needs some serious moderation.

It seems the more idiotic suggestions are in huger numbers because the idiotic people making them are too lazy to search for existing thread. It makes their voice disproportionately loud and drives real considered suggestions down.

[dystopeon 46]

When your Humanity gets too low. You go insane and Your character randomly laughs like a maniac. This way survivors have a chance to hear one nearby. Also laughter attracts zombies....Bandits are kinda killing this mod...most would agree unless ur a bandit....bandits need to be balanced.

no seriously its pretty good as is. I see a bandit I kill it, I roll. I decide to be a retard, I become a bandit. *sings while holding rabbit above head* " It's teh circle if liiiffeee!"

[bondono 1]

Bandits are what make this mod great.

Unfortunately, there will ALWAYS be players who just aren't very good and who just don't have a mind for combat. There are dozens and dozens of games for you. CoD, Battlefield, etc. You can run around like a chicken with its head cut off, and so long as you are super twitchy, you'll rack up kills.

This isn't a game about running around in circles and bunny hopping. To play DayZ correctly you must always move under the assumption that you are being watched, and that someone's crosshairs are on your back. ALWAYS.

I've played as a bandit and I've played as a survivor. I've sat on rooftops and sniped one survivor after the next because they walk up to a body and bend down to loot. Even when there are half a dozen bodies littering the streets, there are those survivors who'll just march out into the open with no regard for their own safety just to grab can of beans and a clip for their Makarov.

Those are the players who gripe about bandits.

This is a game about survival. You survive by adapting, not by dumbing down the game to the point that it can be played on autopilot with zero thought on your part.