Rule Updates - Drusella Sathir Camp & Swarm Kiting in Dungeons

[Medris]

Greetings, Fellow Norrathians!

Wanted to share a couple rule updates we'll be making. As I shared in my intro post, one of my beliefs is that we need to simplify and clarify the ruleset on P99. You shouldn't need an elf-law degree to be able to play here. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

While I was referencing raiding in that post, there are a couple of rules updates I wanted to share regarding group content.

Drusella Sathir Camp
In alignment with our ongoing goal to create a simpler and more consistent ruleset for players, we are making an update to Drusella's classification. Drusella Sathir is being removed from the list of raid mobs/camps with unique rules.

Standard PNP (Play Nice Policy) rules will now apply. As Drusella does not have a placeholder, if you want to hold the camp, you must keep the room cleared and remain within the same zone, do not die, or log off. If contested, you must keep a presence at or very near the spawn point (within Line of Sight) in order to hold it.

FAQ's:
What happens during quakes/server reboots?
The PNP does not specify what order mobs in a camp must be killed. As such, if she is up and the room is uncamped, players may engage DS prior to other mobs in the camp. They then have the choice to continue clearing the camp to hold it further or not. (So, essentially, if her room is uncamped during a quake, she is FTE. If her room is actively camped, she is still considered a part of the camp).

What does Line of Sight mean for this camp?
Line of Sight means you must camp the room from a spot in which you would see Drusella Sathir when she spawns, and could theoretically hit her with a spell which requires Line of Sight.

Swarm Kiting in Dungeons
I do not like limiting how someone plays the game (unless it's exploitive in nature, of course). However, based on a high volume of situations, there is a need to revise how we classify swarm kiting in dungeon-type zones.

Historically, we have only responded to reports of zone disruptions as a result of swarm kiting reactively - if the player has already monopolized all of the mobs in a zone or if they have already trained other players. However, due to the high-risk play style, this has not been effective at stopping players from repeatedly causing major zone disruptions.

We will begin to proactively consider swarm kiting in dungeon-type zones a form of zone disruption, regardless of other players being present in the zone or not. In addition to monopolizing mobs and creating very high-risk situations for other players in the zone, it is also creating situations where players are passing on hunting in desired zones simple because they see a single player using this tactic, and recognize that the high-risk playstyle for one individual may very well get them and their groupmates killed.

FAQ's:
How do you define dungeon type zones?
Dungeon type zones are based on the overall geometry and play style of the zone. They are clarified in this post.

Can I still swarm kite in zones categorized as Open-World?
Yes, this change is specific to dungeon-type zones. However, please note that zone disruption is still a punishable offense, as per the Play Nice Policy. If you are monopolizing kills, training others, etc, you can still be held accountable for it.

What is swarm kiting?
Swarm kiting (also known as AE kiting, historically) is the act of pulling a large quantity of mobs, kiting them, and utilizing point-blank AoE spells/songs to kill them. Most typically this leveling tactic is used by bards, but could theoretically be completed by other classes, as well.

What do I do if I see a player swarm kiting in a dungeon?
The staff cannot possibly be in every zone at all times (or even online at all times). If you see someone involved in this behavior, please submit a /petition. Additionally, if nobody responds within a few minutes, go ahead and capture some video of what's happening and submit a petition under the Petitions/Exploits Sub-Forum here on the P99 forums.

What will happen to me if I'm caught swarm kiting in a dungeon?
Swarm kiting in dungeons will be considered zone disruption, which is a violation of our Play Nice Policy. As such, it will result in escalating discipline, including warnings and account suspensions.

What about other types of mass-kill groups? (e.g., AoE groups?)
Zone disruption (including monopolizing all the mobs in a zone or training others) is never ok. However, this change to proactively limit this type of play is specific to swarm kiting scenarios, given the high volume of issues they have caused recently. If another play style is disrupting a zone, please continue to /petition and submit video via the forums, as usual. In the event we see a large uptick in these types of zone disruptions, we can of course come back and revisit this.

Will the Play Nice Policy be updated to reflect this change?
Yes. Just before the new update goes into effect, I will be making a small tweak to rule 10 in the PNP to clarify this positioning.

Both of these updates will go into effect on Wednesday morning, 12/18/24, at 12:01AM Eastern, to give you time to adjust and plan for them.

GM Medris