Sightseeing/Explorer mode

[johnnyputrid]

I'm not sure if this is feasible, or even a good idea to be honest, but I thought it might be interesting to have a selectable 'mode' available once a player has found each explorer point in a wilderness area. This 'mode' would allow a player (or group of players that have discovered each explorer point) to freely wander in a wilderness area and just look around, practice spells or simply beat on non-responsive mobs to test their DPS. Any quests in the area would be locked out in 'explorer mode', and no XP or chests would be rewarded for defeating any monsters and rare encounters.

Now why would I suggest such a weird idea? Dunno, I was just thinking about it. There are several areas in the game that I really like to just wander around in and explore all of the different paths to take. The Subterrane, for example, is a really creepy and spooky place I would love to just drop down into and hang out for a bit when nothing is happening. Of course, simply heading into the Sub as it is now and just wandering around is a surefire way to get yourself waxed. Most of my Sub experience has consisted of the occasional Planar Shard collecting and hauling butt to Garamol's lair, all the while dodging living spells, nasty bearded devils, beholders and giant skellies - not exactly prime situations to look around and check out the architecture. DDO has some beautiful looking areas to check out, but oftentimes survival concerns prevent players from fully appreciating the efforts of the game's designers.

Maybe I'm just that curious weirdo who goes "oooo, wonder where this leads?", but I'm sure there are a few others out there who wouldn't mind heading into a zone to take screenshots, test out spells, mess around with the guildies or just wail on certain mobs for revenge purposes. Who hasn't wanted to go whallop some living meteor swarms or try out your new weapon against something and see what kind of damage you can do with it?

If it is a dumb idea, its a dumb idea, no big deal. Just throwing it out there.

[flynnjsw]

In all honesty, I would actually not mind this as long as you can't do it in a party.

[AMDarkwolf]

consider this:

Exploring sub, with no mobs, freely and with no danger, lets you know exactly where each 'landmark' is. Then later, when you need to get there under fire, you know the way.

Leave it as it is. Its a dangerous place, and that's how it should be. The 'risk' involves you surviving and STILL knowing where your going, learning what risks lie ahead, and adapting to face each new threat. Its also an area you should not be 'exploring' alone.(yes some of us CAN solo down there, that's not the point)

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I already have this feature on most of my chars: it's called stealth.

[helicalius]

yeha what darkwolf said

[johnnyputrid]

consider this:

Exploring sub, with no mobs, freely and with no danger, lets you know exactly where each 'landmark' is. Then later, when you need to get there under fire, you know the way.

Leave it as it is. Its a dangerous place, and that's how it should be. The 'risk' involves you surviving and STILL knowing where your going, learning what risks lie ahead, and adapting to face each new threat. Its also an area you should not be 'exploring' alone.(yes some of us CAN solo down there, that's not the point)

to have a selectable 'mode' available once a player has found each explorer point in a wilderness area.

I was by no means suggesting this should be implemented right off the bat. You would still have to work for it. Perhaps you could add in more criteria, such as having completed all quests/raids in the zone, capped your slayers or defeated all rare encounters. I can't think of any reason why someone who is already familiar with the zone shouldn't have the opportunity to just go sightseeing if he so chooses.