Atlas tree and mapping improvement suggestion

Hi!

I’ve always disliked scarabs because they feel clunky and add a lot of extra cost to maps, but they also make a huge difference in how valuable mechanics feel... sadly.

The atlas tree node (20 passive points) helps with that to some extent, but in general you still end up running pretty mediocre mechanics and making less money than someone using even just decent scarabs.

Imagine:

Atlas tree masteries for the current 5 scarabs available for each mechanic. Since you already need to path to the specific mechanic wheels, adding a mastery point where you pick the scarab effects you want would solve a lot of the clunky feeling scarabs have. It would also make full wheels feel more worth taking and make mapping feel fairer for everyone.

This would also let you add a Divine Vessel nodes/wheel and remove all the sockets below the map selection.

If you want to make it even better from a user point of view, the map device could pull maps directly from the map stash. That would stop players from having to move maps back and forth between the stash and the map device.

The scarab stash can either be refunded or disabled for those who have already purchased it or maybe traded for a future stash?!

-1. Use scarabs.


Removing scarabs would create a huge gap in ground loot and the economy

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-1. Use scarabs.


Removing scarabs would create a huge gap in ground loot and the economy

Thanks for not reading my suggestion and just assuming they are gone...

As stated in my sugggestion, they are there as mastery points on the atlas tree, just no longer physical objects you need to grind out to get to the mechs you like and then add objects in slots below the map!

The mastery is not the point. You remove a profound part of the economy in the process and that was the reason to reject your idea.

Another reason to reject your proposal is that any non mechanic bound scarab would have no mastery in the first place. Some mechanics dont even have enough wheels for five scarabs. Some strategies dont use the scarabs of the underlying mechanic or only part of them. Some use multiple scarabs of the same type, which you have also not accounted for. You have not layed out how the increase in scarab slots with progression would translate into your system.

While the idea of Atlas Masteries in itself looks like a good way to further enable players to customize their experience, it is not fit to simply replace scarabs based on what you proposed. All in all it does not look like it is thought through at all.

-1. Use scarabs.

"

The mastery is not the point. You remove a profound part of the economy in the process and that was the reason to reject your idea.

Another reason to reject your proposal is that any non mechanic bound scarab would have no mastery in the first place. Some mechanics dont even have enough wheels for five scarabs. Some strategies dont use the scarabs of the underlying mechanic or only part of them. Some use multiple scarabs of the same type, which you have also not accounted for. You have not layed out how the increase in scarab slots with progression would translate into your system.

While the idea of Atlas Masteries in itself looks like a good way to further enable players to customize their experience, it is not fit to simply replace scarabs based on what you proposed. All in all it does not look like it is thought through at all.

-1. Use scarabs.

A suggestion doesn't need to be a fully fledged game design document. and while you have a point that you cant get double scarabs or even five at the same time, i think that scarabs are soo strong that a nerf in that sense wouldn't be bad for the game. I am not fully familiar with how many wheels would need to be added, but i still think my idea would make the game more enjoyable for casuals and more accessible for newer players. the economy will always survive the removal of 1 part as its a living thing and is constantly reiterated upon (even recently they removed orbs completely). But thank you for the actual reply and your opinion, appreciate that!