Map Changes in 2.0.4

Map Levels and Variety
Previously, our end-game map system was based on a pyramidal structure, where players had a larger number of map options at lower levels and were forced into a smaller selection of more challenging maps if they wanted increased experience gain and potentially better drops. While this system was intended to provide an opportunity to weigh the risk/reward of doing a high level map versus one of the many easier ones, in practice it ultimately made mapping feel too repetitive for a large number of players. For those wishing to grind for experience as they climbed toward level 100, the number of map tile sets that were viable for sufficiently rewarding and efficient leveling was severely limited, and even in lower maps, players often wished to only run a small subset of their favorite maps while avoiding the "bad" ones, effectively limiting the variety they saw as well.

In order to remedy the monotony players sometimes felt due to the aforementioned issues, we have decided to make specific map types not limited to a single map level, meaning players will see a greater variety of content and tile sets at all map levels, but especially at higher ones. This is akin to how Zana missions would often provide a map at a different level than was "standard" for that specific map. The content in some maps is intentionally designed to be more challenging, so individual maps will have a set range of map levels they can roll when dropped. We also wanted the content of the three original level 82 maps to be some of the most challenging in the game, so these specific maps will not be able to roll a level below 82. This means that while you won't be doing a level 70 Core Map, you might enjoy fighting the Flame of Truth in a level 78 Pier Map.

It is still possible that some players will try to mostly run a few specific map types, but we expect the vast majority of players will take this change as an opportunity to do a larger variety of maps and ultimately have a more diverse and exciting mapping experience. Maps will now drop with random levels within their individual ranges, and a trio of maps of the same type and same level can still be traded at vendors for a map one level higher, with the map type being based on the old progression.

Maps with Zana
We have received a fair amount of player feedback suggesting that Zana's missions, particularly her daily missions, often do not feel rewarding for high level characters since the map levels of the areas she provides are often lower than those of content these players would typically run. Based on the available data we've examined, we see where these players are coming from, as many of her missions provide a monster level lower than the other masters' dailies provide once they reach level 8. Since Zana's content focuses on the end-game map system, we feel that her missions should be geared more toward characters whose builds are completed to a greater extent, so the minimum,maximum, and average levels for Zana missions have all been increased slightly. For example, a level 8 Zana will tend to offer level 77 maps in her daily missions and never provide one below level 76, and can even provide a level 79 map for a daily mission, though this will be an uncommon occurrence. After this change is implemented on live servers, we will continue to examine player-generated data to determine if these values need to be tweaked.

While we are not quite yet ready to reveal our plans for future changes to Zana's signature mod, as well as the extent to which certain Zana mods can feel "mandatory" for high level maps, we would like to acknowledge that we have taken community feedback on these issues into consideration and are actively working on these issues. We hope we will be able to update the community on our progress soon.

The Sarn Arena
When we designed the Sarn Arena, we were hoping that it would provide another way for players to enjoy PvP content. However, rather than being a place for excitingly chaotic battles as a large number of players all tried to emerge as the mightiest in an epic bloodbath, our data suggest that it is actually empty most of the time. In fact, even when Leo missions involve the Sarn Arena and lead to peak occupancy of the Sarn Arena, not only is it often still relatively devoid of occupants, but players tend to cooperate to complete these missions as quickly as possible rather than engaging in actual PvP.

The Sarn Arena will therefore be re-purposed, at least for now, for an entirely new end-game activity. The new Arena mode will allow players to challenge themselves with increasingly difficult waves of monsters, providing a refreshingly different experience when a player wished to take a break from end-game maps. Players will be able to select a variety of mods at a central console in their instance of the Sarn Arena (where a shrine used to placed), with these mods affecting anything from monster type and number per wave to active effects in the Arena, such as causing specific Tempests to be active each wave. Many of these mods will also come with an additional implicit reward, such as increased item quantity or rarity, and mods may be stacked for many exciting opportunities for greater challenge and risk/reward evaluation.

While we want the Sarn Arena to feel rewarding to players, it is still our intention that end-game maps be the most viable option for experience gain and item farming. The costs of different mods will therefore be chosen so as not to be outrageous, yet still discourage players from only playing in the Arena and ignoring end-game maps altogether. Initially, the highest monster level that players will be able to face in Arena mode will be capped at 75 so as not to draw top players with endless currency away from maps when trying to achieve high character levels. We will evaluate data concerning player use of the Sarn Arena to determine which mod costs should be tweaked so that the Arena does not become problematic when we increase the experience gain it can provide in the future. We want to make sure the content we add is actually good, as players tend to view removal of even broken content as negative nerfs and are happier when it is instead improved over time in a responsible manner.

Leo dailies will, for now, only focus on different 1v1 matches. For players concerned about a reduction in PvP opportunities, we are working on a free-for-all replacement to the old Sarn Arena and will provide an update when we are further along in developing a new and improved venue.

... Because it's working ;)