For me, it's not a question of "Do I like it or not". It's more in line with what is NS4 about.
Yes people take the PK express, they always have. The beauty of it is that you still need player interaction even if it's just for a PK from either your party you drop out from or by someone else you come across on your travels. The Death Express takes no effort, no interaction at all.
Pros (or exploits) of Death Express:
***Requires no player interaction on any level of game play and at no cost to get back home instantly.
***No more having to plan what areas your playing in because of distance traveled from supply sources.
***No more having to run back to get new gear on a Level-Up.
***No more worries about respawn times. Instead of working zones 1 - 2 and 3 then working them in reverse just DE and start back at the beginning. By then the first zone should be fully loaded.
***No more worries about getting lost while exploring the server. "Lost" don't shout and ask for directions involving player interaction. Take the DE and start over.
***No more worries about coming up against mobs that are too strong for you. Run like hell and zone then DE before anything can target you in the next zone.
***No need to watch your supplies (heal kits or pots). DE your way back to Elvin.
***No need to watch your pack load. Collect/get as heavy as you want and as much as you want then DE home.
***No need to worry about Level Drain or any other effect not cured by rest. No potions, no cleric, no PC around to PK you, no problem DE and your all fixed.
***No need for haste for getting around if it's not a PvP build. Bind where it's handy and DE your way around.
***No need to worry about "Server Resets" if your fighting a group of mobs. Break free zone DE your way to safety.
***No need to be bothered with being in a party for "player" support other than for XP or raiding reason.
***No need to worry how you or others act in a party. Want to get rid of them, DE your way out and go somewhere else leaving the "bad one" hanging until they use DE.
Like I said in my previous post, I use it, I use it lots and for all of the reasons above. It is super handy. Has cut down on a lot of "running around". It has definitely changed the play style of NS4.
Zing wrote:Why do they do it? Do we care? Is there a message in this? What should we do about it? Stop it, embrace it, ignore it?
The jury is still out on this one.
Why? ** For many reasons and transportation is just one. Testing builds, seeing damage done or taken, bragging rights within a guild or party, the one your partied with is getting to be a pain, one has an effect that can only be cured by death at the time.
Care? ** Why should it bother anyone on the Dev or DM team. It only effects the player who is traveling this way. It hurts no one. It gives only a temp, slight advantage as a exploit but still requires another player's interaction, which is not available all the time.
Message? ** I have yet to here of anyone "quitting" NS4 because they have to run around for "stuff'. Most who stay have just accepted it as a fact of NS4 life. If "they" wanted speedy travel, NS3 is the place for them. Where haste items are available. The ones who stay here are here because of the challenge of the server, raids and just common PvP. Cater to those who are of the "come and go" players, here for a few weeks and gone again, NS4 loses.
What should we do about it? ** Why do anything. PK as a travel means has been around since NS4 has been. Don't let your own personal feelings get the best of you. Recall stones, haste items have all been discussed before on past threads. The end result was that this is the way NS4 has been set up and that is the way things are. We've all made our minds up that this is what we wanted because we're still here.
The question your trying to answer is: Is PK for transportation or cure an exploit and can/should it be stopped. Your answer should be Yes it is an exploit, but is limited in that it requires another player to carry out the act. No other player, no act. Does it give any real continuous gaming advantage? NO. It's just a temparary thing. Again requiring another player to be there. Very specific conditions required for PK travel or cure.
DE on the other hand. Well look reasons why I use and will continue to use it for as long as it is on my book.
