Updated: Added another design from other Users, add more links, and discuss about trade-offs/impacts of what a new Relic system would introduce.
Hello,
Anyone else think Relics are too much of a hassle to collect, disperse between heroes, pick up, or manually stack? Currently I have all the types of Relics in my character's inventory to stack and this isn't a solution but a workaround for Relics not able to stack/unstack.
I'm not understanding the point of spreading out a specific Relic to Heroes A, B, C, and etc... if we have the option to unbind Relics (The cost is basically 1000 credits, Matrix of Unbinding [25 Eternity Splinters], and 3 pure elements). Just move all of Relic A from Hero X to Hero Y by unbinding. Was the original intention of Relics to be stored in the inventory? I'll trade the 13 inventory space in my Character's inventory that it takes up to have a redesign of Relics for auto-stack and allow Heroes to switch between different relics on the go.
My proposal for Relic Changes, two routes of collections can be made, either auto pick-up or manual pick-up, but both would auto stack:
A: Relic Slot Expansion (Drop-down like Right/Left mouse skill)
This option, will still allow Users to pick up the relics from the ground to have that "Oh! a relic drop!" effect but would need it's own designated inventory space. The new inventory space would probably be best within the Relic slot, so if you want to see and access the Relics then you need to click on the Relic slot to generate a drop-down/pop-up like how Users select a skill from the Left and Right Mouse skill. Going this route would be the cleanest and keeping the look of UI the same.
Did a mock up:
Links:
@taiternuts: http://forums.marvelheroes.com/discussion/57439/suggestion-unofficial-ui-and-relic-improvements-w-images
B: Add within Synergy Page
With this option, You'll have to change how Relics are picked up and be more like Odin Marks to have it stored behind the scene. With this new page, it'll allow users to change their synergy and the corresponding Relic to complement each other. Of course "Synergy" would be removed and just be named "Hero System" to encompass the new Relic.
Did a mock up:
C: New Relic Page
Probably not the best implementation but this will require something like the first option, Auto-pick up and hidden behind the scene like Odin Marks. The User would open another window and select which Relic to activate of the 13 different relics that is currently in the game. But with this approach the User/Gameplay feel would be too clunky as it's another UI you have to open and deal with.
Thanks for the image, provided by InfernoFlameZERO but made by @Amthua:
Links:
@Amthua: https://forums.marvelheroes.com/discussion/63579/amthua-s-this-is-how-relics-should-be-done-thread
@Elgand: https://forums.marvelheroes.com/discussion/57922/relic-ui-suggestion-pic-included
D: One Relic to rule them all
As posted by many users, the change would be to convert all future drops to be some type of currency. This new currency is would be used at a Relic Vendor to buy specific Relics of the User's choice. As how Credits, Cube Shards, Eternity Splinters, etc... are used as currency to buy items. This would also be similar to Siege Case Vendor in Asgard (trading in Spirit of Ymir and Ivaldi)
Links:
@Rhodair: https://forums.marvelheroes.com/discussion/54118/relic-improvement
@Lace: https://forums.marvelheroes.com/discussion/60985/what-about-1-single-token-for-all-relic-types
@Blueonblue: http://forums.marvelheroes.com/discussion/49139/a-good-relic-change-that-will-benefit-all
Cost, Consequences, and Negative Impacts
When new systems are introduce, there needs to a balance or a trade-off for the Users and Company. Since this game is free2play, the company (Gazillion) will also need to make some kind of profit or return from implementing this new system. As of now, Gazillion is profiting by having Relics taking up space in the inventory/stash, which makes Users need to buy Stash Tabs or drive users mad until they run out of space (Sooner or later you'll cave in, the more you play than the more ES and Heroes you'll obtain). Also if you notice, more items are introduce. We got Uru forge items already in, cosmic Rings, and soon will be Runewords. If you play a lot, good luck on the temptation to buy more Tabs.
As many has pointed out, there needs to be a cost/consequence to reroll a different Relic. I know most would rather like it free but it won't have meaning to it. Take for example, respecing a Hero's skill tree. The cost is a Retcon (or wait for a skill tree rework ;p ), this gives meaning to having you put your points in the right places. Now if you look at the cost of Retcon, there are several ways to obtain it but it'll cost you time or money.
So in this regards, any of the new system suggested above will need a trade-off to have Gazillion get some type of return/profit. With the above suggestions this will ultimately free up inventory slots which is probably Gazillion's bread and butter of making money from new users.
Right now I'm sure what would be the best approach to have user pay Gs or Eternity Splinters for this feature for the "free" inventory space, but do know Gazillion can make some type of return by charging Users when they decide to change Relics. Just like changing your Hero's skill tree, Gazillion can charge per change of Relics.
Looking at the cost of unbinding a stack of Relics is 1000 credits, Matrix of Unbinding or 25 Eternity Splinters, and 3 pure elements. If you brake this down, the main cost is the Matrix of Unbinding. The worst case is spending 25 Eternity Splinters to at least unbind an Relic, which is basically about 3.5 hours of gameplay worth of a User's time. This would probably need to be implemented at least to require the user to "respec" a Relic. Introduce an item called "Relic of Unbinding" that can be bought from the Eternity Splinter for 25 splinters to allow users to respec Relics if they choose to. Adding this feature will allow users to feel a sense of value in their Hero's build and also help Gazillion by having User's spend Eternity Splinters instead of stock piling to buy new Heroes.
But in the end, Gazillion should ask themselves, is 13 slots taking up by Relics really worth to keep around to add frustration to the Users when more more items are being release to clutter our inventory? Also forgot, "Red items" are now on the Test Centers, add that to your list of collection haha.
As a reminder, this post isn't a debate about inventory space but to provide User friendly systems and help improve quality of life within the Game. I've talked about these points but because of how Free2Play games needs to generate revenue we should be mindful of why certain systems were introduce
Please bump this post if you'd like to see some change to Relics or add suggestions, Here are few others that User's have suggested: (Did a quick search)
Thanks for viewing!
