Introduction

"The hunter stopped off at the local town for supplies. His weapon had needed repairs, and he needed to stock up on some steel for his traps. While checking the bazaar, he eavedropped on a couple of locals talking nearby about a reward. As thoughts of grand quests and riches had always piqued his interest as a child, the story the locals told engulfed him. Apparently a dangerous beast had been rampaging through the woods north of town for the last couple days, and the local authority had posted a reward for its destruction. Picking up his goods from the terminal he checked in at the city hall and registered his name in the hunt. The quest had begun."

The Ranger profession has had a turbulent life. Mostly incomplete for most of its existence, it has been the refuge for a hardy band of loyal players bound bent to produce a profession worthy of the name Ranger.

To that end, the concept of Outdoorsman has been put forth to solidify the direction that future implementations can follow. This design includes the creature-centric view that the developers envision, and expands upon the idea to include concepts that the community expect in a fully fleshed out profession, such as usefulness within the Galactic Civil War, and in the group atmosphere prevalent in a Multiplayer game.

The Outdoorsman is a wilderness-centric design, a survivalist able to live off the environment with ease and provide for himself and his colleagues using what he can harvest from the natural world around him. He is a keen observer of creature behavior and mannerisms, and during trials of mortal combat, he can use that knowledge to attack and evade creatures of all sizes and shapes. He is a ghost, a shadow that eludes the sight of all those that may wish him harm, but his skill does not extend into civilization, ending at the boundary of the wilds. He is a master of all manner of traps and gadgets that aid him during his journeys and tribulations. A master of his personal space, able to craft camps that grant himself and his friends a safe and uneventful slumber.

Conceal

"The hunter stopped... A fleeting shadow within the trees across the clearing had grabbed his attention. He drifted back into the bush, his presense masked from whatever lurked in the darkness. Was it his prey, or another ambitious hunter attempting to claim the prize for himself? A quick glimpse down reassured him that he was wearing his trusty ghillie suit. It was old and in constant need of repair, but it had proved its worth in those crucial first seconds of many a past conflict. If any other hunter was interested in making trouble for this ranger, he would be prepared for them."

In the vein of the wilderness-centric focus of the Outdoorsman, concealment should work on all forms of opponents while in a wilderness environment: creatures, humanoids, pets, and players.

(It is very important to the community that some measure of direct usefulness in the Galactic Civil War and Player versus Player conflict be granted to the profession.)

The outdoorsman has mastered the ability of concealment, using the native fauna to mask his presence from his enemies. The effect is far more powerful than the most skilled scent masking, and increases with experience. Against less intelligent humanoids, this ability masks his presence completely from sight, just as masking his scent does against the simpler creatures. With some skill, an outdoorsman is able to apply this effect to fellow travellers, so they too can reap the benefits.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Against creature and humanoid NPCs, /conceal would work like /maskscent does against creatures, completely hiding the player from sight
  • The command would use a camo kit specific to the current planet
  • The effect can be applied on another player with the use of a camo kit
  • Each creature or humanoid NPC that would normally attack the player would check against the concealment
    • The camoflauge skill modifier should dictate the chance of successfully concealing against an opponent
    • An increased skill should allow the Ranger to successfully conceal against a higher level of opponent
    • The success rate should be 99% at the Master against a CL25 opponent while laying prone and not moving
  • It can enabled at the same time as /combatConceal, but not at the same time as /maskscent
  • The skill would only have an effect while outside of a city region, allowing another civilization-centric profession (such as Smuggler, Commando, BH) to one day have a more high-tech approach to concealment for use in the city.
  • The skill at Wayfaring I would have a greater success rate than using /maskscent at Master Scout

During combat however, a concealed outdoorsman is often forced to give his position away while returning fire. A skilled outdoorsman is able to put his concealment to work in this situation as well, making himself a harder to see target, and thereby reducing his opponent's accuracy. Because of the additional skill and knowledge required to evade an opponent's sight during combat, this effect can not be applied to colleagues.

• Possible Implementation:
  • A command called /combatConceal available at Wayfaring II would work as a buff, decreasing an opponent's chance-to-hit the concealed player.
  • This command would work on all forms of opponents: Creatures, Humanoids NPCs, CH Pets, Faction Pets, and Players.
  • The command would use a camo kit specific to the current planet
  • This command is not usable on other players
  • There is no check per opponent as there is with /conceal, rather a command named /reveal allows opponents to remove the effect
  • There would be a duration for the effect, similiar in length to /conceal
  • The to-hit modifier would have to be significant enough to ensure that being combat concealed would be an worthwhile advantage during combat situations.
  • It can enabled at the same time as /conceal or /maskscent, just in case the concealment fails and combat ensues
  • Opponent pets (Creatures, Faction troopers, etc.) would also have the "to-hit" modifier applied to their attacks
  • The skill would only have an effect while outside of a city region, allowing another civilization-centric profession (such as Smuggler, Commando, BH) to one day have a more high-tech approach to concealment for use in the city.
  • The command /reveal available at Wayfaring I can be used to reveal a specified target.
    • When used against an opponent with /combatConceal, the chance of success should be based on a comparison of the two opponent's camoflauge skill.
    • As /combatConceal does not have a check like /conceal, this skill would be used as the counter-command.

The art of camoflauge requires the knowledge of indigenous flora and fauna. An outdoorsman is able to produce camoflauge for an particular environment using gathered, native resources, with more difficult environments requiring more skill to master. A proficient outdoorsman should also be able to stretch the resources to produce more uses, or use that skill to produce a more efficient concealment.

• Possible Implementation
  • Camo kits should have two experimentation lines:
  • Quantity: Increases the number of uses available per unit
  • Quality: Increases the "to-hit" bonus produced by the concealment

The outdoorsman has access to knowledge in the art of ghillie suit creation, the quality of which can improve the effect of regular camoflauge. With this suit, an outdoorsman is able to elude the gaze of opponents with greater effectiveness. The suit also provides a unique visual key for the profession.

• Possible Implementation:
  • The suit would be Tailor made but only wearable by those players with the Wayfaring II skill
  • Suggestion that it resemble a overcoat or cloak with an army camoflauge pattern
    • Wookiees should either be able to wear the same suit, or a special version made specifically for their species
  • The quality of the suit would dictate:
    • how much of a bonus to the "to-hit" modifier the suit would provide while using /combatConceal
    • the chance of success while using /hide
  • The outfit would need to be equiped to have activate the effect
  • A camoflauge kit would still be required to initiate the camoflauge effect itself, the suit would only enhance the bonus

Should he so choose, an exceptionally skilled, concealed outdoorsman is able to incur a devastating first strike, damaging an opponent with a massively destructive attack, but in the process revealing himself completely. This would provide a strategic decision for the player: keep the benefits of concealment for the duration of combat, or go for a more powerful first strike in hopes of ending the battle sooner.

• Possible Implementation:
  • The command can not be used in combat mode, and only while /combatConceal is in effect
  • The command would initiate a 15 second timer, the first attack performed within that time would have the bonus applied
  • If an attack is not performed within the timer, a conceal check is performed with the possibility of losing the concealment
  • Whether the attack landed or not, the player would be lose the conceal effect and its associated bonus
  • /ambush1:
    • Available at Wayfaring II
    • Would provide a 1.5x damage increase
  • /ambush2:
    • Available at Master Ranger
    • Would provide a 3x damage increase

Finally, an outdoorsman with exceptional experience in art of concealment can hide from his opponent's view completely. Only while prone and without movement can such an amazing feat be accomplished. As all his concentration is engaged in silence and reducing movement, an outdoorsman in this situation would need time to regain his senses upon being revealed, and would not be able to attack on opponent until some time had passed.

• Possible Implementation:
  • A command called /hide available at Master Ranger
  • The Player must be wearing a ghillie suit to enact the skill, restricting the commands use to Rangers.
    • The quality of the ghillie suit dictates the chance of being revealed during the duration of the command.
  • The command would immediately place the player into a prone position
  • A 15 second wait timer would be initiated
    • The timer would stop players from vanishing without giving opponents a chance to attack
    • (Added on Jan 22, 2004)
  • The character would vanish completely off radar and from the main window
    • If the player performs any action, movements or otherwise, the player will be instantly revealed
  • Upon being revealed a 10 second timer is initiated where the player is unable to initiate combat
    • If the player is attacked by someone else however, the timer ends and the player can retaliate immediately
      • A player can not use /duel while hidden or during the revealed timer. This way they can not bypass the timer by having a friend duel them.
    • A player can not use /hide again until this timer runs out
  • The command can not be performed while in combat

Tracking

"Continuing through the dense underbrush, he stopped and sniffed the air. The tantalizing aroma of his prey was wafting in from the south, his experience gauged the distance and determined the source was down within the dale beneath him. Glimpsing what had once been well used path at his feet, he proceeded down the slope and into the valley."

Locating the creature is the first step in hunting them. This can elevate the outdoorsman over all others in terms of hunting prowess. Since both creatures and humanoids leave tracks within the wilderness, it is perfectly feasible to track all forms of life. Since an Outdoorsman is just that, outdoors-centric, the skill should not work within the realm of civilization, namely towns. But within the natural world, a proficient tracker should be able to follow any form of being.

(Most of the community do not consider themselves the ultimate hunters, as other professions can deal more damage, and locating creatures is trivial within the dynamic spawn system)

A skilled outdoorsman should be able to track everything within the region. A tracker can pick up on the minutest detail, a broken twig, a stray print in the mud, and with increased skill is able to locate progressively more difficult quarry. With the absence of tracks to follow, the skill would be ineffective within town and simply not register beings within towns.

• Possible Implementation:
  • The game's dynamic spawn system has a tendency to cause havoc with the command.
  • To improve this situation, allow for /areatrack to track lairs, so we can find locations that have not yet spawned any creatures.
  • Vehicles and Mounts move so fast, that the paltry distance initially provided for the skill is no longer sufficient when tracking players.
  • Increase the maximum range received at Master to 1000m in a progressively increasing system: Novice: 250m, Tracking I: 400m, Tracking II: 550m, Tracking III: 700m, Tracking IV: 850m, Master: 1000m
  • A new tracking window should also be implemented to manage all this data.
  • A List window with sortable columns for each of the items of data (Name, Range, Direction)
  • To follow the vision, /areatrack needs to be disabled while within a town region.
  • Players with /conceal enabled would not appear in /areatrack results

A sufficiently skilled ourdoosman should have the ability to follow the traces of a specific quarry. An ambitious tracker could even call it a mission of sorts. This skill would also flow into the realm of humanoids, and the ability to track a specific player through a wilderness environment. With the absence of tracks to follow, the skill would be ineffective within town. However against a sufficiently skilled concealed adversary, tracking would be far less effective.

• Possible Implementation:
  • /track could work similiar to the destroy mission terminal system but without the cash payout
  • Such a command would prompt the player to select a creature native to the region and then produce a lair or herd (a spawn with no lair) for that creature type in the vicinity.
  • For players, the tracking ability would end at the boundary of civilization, displaying a waypoint only to the city itself, rather than a specific location of the target.
  • If the target player is concealed, tracking would be based on a comparison of the target's camoflauge skill versus the tracker's tracking skill

Camps

"The night was fast approaching and weary from the travel the hunter decided to make camp for the night. The hunter fiddled around in his pack and pulled out the makings of a camp. With precision he erected a comfortable camp that fit his needs. A small defensive fence would keep the local animals at bay, and as he was in short supply of traps, a crafting station would aid him that regards. After a couple hours of toil, the hunter laid down on his cot and to get some much needed sleep. For tomorrow he would engage the beast."

What follows is a complete re-envisioning of the camping system, with an emphasis on flexibility and profession interdependence. The system allows for the flexibility to produce any focus of camp required by each profession involved, and pulls more professions into the mix to produce the more powerful versions.

(Even if the modular approach is not chosen, if should be understood that there is interest in having the functionality provided by the modules selected, and that should be considered in whatever system is chosen.)

The Proposal follows:

To ensure that the system still falls within the vision of the Outdoorsman as wilderness-centric, elements of camps that don't fall into the Outdoorsman perview have been allocated to other professions.

Camps have following inherent functionality:

• The ability to logout safely
• A default healing modifier of 0.5

A time delay would be added to the process of deploying a camp

• Such a delay is necessary to stop players from popping up fortifications as the enemy is rushing their location
• The deployment would fail if the player entered combat during this timer
• The bigger the camp, the longer it would take to deploy it

Experimentation lines on a camp schematic:

• Quantity: The number of times a camp can be reployed before it is used up
• Duration: The length of time a camp will remain deployed while still tended without automatically disbanding. At maximum experimentation around 2.5 hours

• As well it should be possible to select a color during crafting for the tents to add a feeling of flair and uniqueness

To provide the camp tender a degree of freedom for the camp owner

• The range from the camp a player can go before a disband occurs should be extended to 500m, or whatever range is technically possible in the game system
  • A message should be displayed if the player goes beyond that range
  • A time limit of 10 seconds can be used to allow the player to move within range of the camp before it disbands
• A command called /changeTender can be used to assign someone else to be the tender of the camp. From then on, it is that individual that must remain within 500m of the camp to ensure that it remains active.
  • The new tender must be of the same faction alignment as the camp owner
  • The new tender is able to disband the camp
  • If a gun or mine field is activated, the tender will receive a TEF and be attackable
  • If the tender dies, the camp disbands
    • However if the tender is revived within a certain time limit (say 30 seconds), the camp will remain deployed
  • The original deployer of the camp:
    • is still the owner and receives the experience when the camp disbands (as long as he is in range of the camp when the disband occurs)
    • is not able to create another camp until the current camp is disbanded
    • is still able to disband the camp himself if he so chooses

The camping system would be broken out into a series of modules that could be used within a camp crafting schematic to produce whatever type of camp is required by the player

• Each module/slot would have a Level associated with it and can only be used within a schematic slot that has a Level greater or equal to that of the module.
• Each module/slot is also assigned a Type of Generic, Creature, or Humanoid.
  • Generic slots allow for all types of modules.
  • Generic modules fit in any type of slot.
  • Humanoid and Creature modules must be assigned to a slot of their respective type.

The camp schematics

• For simplicity, the schematics will retain the same floorplan as currently defined, minus the crafting stations in the field bases. Visible modules would appear at whatever location within the camp the developers deem appropiate.

• Basic Camp Kit
  • Available at Novice Scout
  • No optional slots

• Multiperson Camp Kit
  • Available at Survival II
  • One optional Level 1 Generic slot

• Improved Camp Kit
  • Available at Survival IV
  • One optional Level 1 Generic slot, and One optional Level 2 Generic slot

• Advanced Camp Kit
  • Available at Novice Ranger
  • One optional Level 1 Generic slot, and One optional Level 3 Creature slot

• High Quality Camp Kit
  • Available at Frontiering II
  • One optional Level 2 Generic slot, and One optional Level 3 Creature slot

• Field Base Camp Kit
  • Available at Frontiering IV
  • One optional Level 2 Generic slot, one optional Level 2 Creature slot, and one optional Level 3 Creature slot

• High Tech Field Base Camp Kit
  • Available at Master Ranger
  • Two optional Level 2 Creature slots, and one optional Level 3 Creature slot, and One optional Level 4 Generic slot

• Standard Fortification Kit
  • Available at Novice Squad Leader
  • One optional Level 1 Generic slot, and One optional Level 3 Humanoid slot

• Rear Guard Fortification Kit
  • Available at Tactics II
  • One optional Level 2 Generic slots, one optional Level 2 Humanoid slot, and One optional Level 3 Humanoid slot

• Front line Fortification Kit
  • Available at Tactics IV
  • One optional Level 2 Generic slots, one optional Level 2 Humanoid slot, and One optional Level 3 Humanoid slot

• Command Fortification Kit
  • Available at Master Squad Leader
  • Two optional Level 2 Humanoid slots, One optional Level 3 Humanoid slot, and One optional Level 4 Generic slot

The camp modules

• As not all modules are created by the Ranger profession, the profession is listed under each module as to where the schematic would be located.
• A qualitive cost is assigned to each module to allow reader to gauge how expensive creating a certain module would be compared to the others.

• Entertainment Stage
  • Module Level: 4
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Musician / Dancer
  • Cost: Expensive (12)
  • Description: A camp with this module is able to heal Battle Fatique with the aid of a performing Dancer or Musician

• Crafting Station
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Generic
  • Profession: Artisan
  • Cost: Cheap (2)
  • Description: Adds a crafting station of a specific type to the camp

• Faction Network
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Squad Leader
  • Cost: Cheap (3)
  • Description:
    • Adds a terminal for faction purchases to the camp, and registers the camp on the Planetary map. The faction that is contacted depends on the camp deployer's faction standing.
    • A camp with this module would only be deployable by a Faction member

• Medical Bay
  • Module Level: 1
  • Module Type: Generic
  • Profession: Scout / Medic
  • Cost: Cheap (1)
  • Description:
    • Increases auto wound healing in a camp, augmenting the default healing modifier
    • Increases the HAM healing rate for creatures
    • The module would increase the default healing modifier in an experimentable range of .05 to .25 (added to the default that would be 0.70 to 0.90)

• Veterinary Bay
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Creature
  • Profession: Bio Engineer
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
    • Enhanced version of the Medical bay that provides an increased HAM healing rate for creatures
    • Adds a bonus to pet stims using in camps

• Hospital Bay
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Doctor
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
    • Enhanced version of the Medical bay that provides an increased wound healing rate for humanoids (Players and troop pets)
    • Adds a bonus to doctor enhancements used in camps
    • The module would increase the default healing modifier in an experimentable range of .25 to .45 (added to the default that would be 0.90 to 1.10)

• Small Creature Defensive Field
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Creature
  • Profession: Ranger
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
    • Suppresses aggressive spawns in the vicinity, and repels existing aggressive creatures.
    • It adds a defensive bonus against creature attacks, if a creature does decide to cross the barrier.

• Large Creature Defensive Field
  • Module Level: 3
  • Module Type: Creature
  • Profession: Ranger
  • Cost: Moderate (8)
  • Description:
    • More powerful version of the Small Creature Defensive Field.
    • Creatures crossing the field will have an Adhesive Mesh effect applied to them

• Small Humanoid Defensive Barrier
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Squad Leader
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
    • Suppresses aggressive humanoid spawns in the vicinity, and repels existing aggressive humanoids.
    • It also adds a defensive bonus against humanoid attacks on group members, when a humanoid does decide to cross the barrier.
    • In PvP, the bonus is applied to those players who are in the group of the camp tender

• Large Humanoid Defensive Barrier
  • Module Level: 3
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Squad Leader
  • Cost: Moderate (8)
  • Description: More powerful version of the Small Humanoid Defensive Field

• Small Creature Pheromone Emitter
  • Module Level: 3
  • Module Type: Creature
  • Profession: Ranger
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
  • Increases the creature spawn rate within the vicinity of the camp
  • Enables the camp to remain up during combat situation

• Large Creature Pheromone Emitter
  • Module Level: 4
  • Module Type: Creature
  • Profession: Bio-Engineer
  • Cost: Expensive (10)
  • Description:
    • Bigger version of the Small Creature Pheromone Emitter
    • Used to attract larger game creatures

• Small Creature Offensive Hide
  • Module Level: 1
  • Module Type: Creature
  • Profession: Ranger
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
    • Provides an offensive bonus against creatures while the player is in the camp
    • Enables the camp to remain up during combat situation

• Small Humanoid Offensive Parapet
  • Module Level: 1
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Squad Leader
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
    • Provides an offensive bonus against humanoids while the player is in the camp.
    • In PvP, the bonus is applied to those players who are in the group of the camp tender
    • Enables the camp to remain up during combat situation

• Garage
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Artisan
  • Cost: Expensive (16)
  • Description: A facility available to repair vehicles in the field. The repair would cost cash just as in town, and that money would go to the government.

• Evacuation Shuttle Beacon
  • Module Level: 4
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Artisan
  • Cost: Expensive (24)
  • Description:
    • A shuttle port that allows players to transport back to town.
    • It would not allow players to travel to the camp however.
    • A camp with this module would only be deployable by a Faction member, and usable only by members of that faction.
    • The cost of this module should be sufficiently high that deploying such a camp would only be used in the most dire of circumstances.
    • As this is an evacuation system, the patrons should not be too picky as to where they go. The shuttle should simply go to the nearest available town.

• Covert Detector
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Squad Leader
  • Cost: Cheap (2)
  • Description:
    • Works like a regular covert detector
    • A camp with this module would only be deployable by a Faction member

• Rallying Point
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Squad Leader
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
  • Produces an increase in morale among the members of the tenders group who are in the camp
  • Increases the maximum value of all nine attributes by a certain amount

• Biogenic Amplifier
  • Module Level: 3
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Bio Engineer
  • Cost: Moderate (8)
  • Description:
    • The tender can add chef and smuggler goods into the device to produce a enhancing effect on every member of the group within the camp.
    • The buff would not be as powerful as ingesting the item directly.

• Camoflauge Netting
  • Module Level: 4
  • Module Type: Generic
  • Profession: Ranger
  • Cost: Moderate (8)
  • Description: Applies concealment to a members of the tenders group while in the camp

• The following are offensive weapons available to faction members for use in encampments. Such weapons would work in the same manner as the AT-ST, working only in faction warfare.
• The turrets and mines would only engage opponents able to attack the camp tender, and would produce a combat TEF on the tender when engaged

• Small Arms Emplacement
  • Module Level: 2
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Squad Leader
  • Cost: Moderate (4)
  • Description:
    • Provides an active defense system for Aggressives to the camp tender
    • Enables the camp to remain up during combat situation

• Machine Gun Nest
  • Module Level: 3
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Weaponsmith
  • Cost: Moderate (8)
  • Description: More destructive than the Small Arms Emplacement

• Rocket Launcher Nest
  • Module Level: 4
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Weaponsmith
  • Cost: Expensive (16)
  • Description: More destructive than the Machine Gun Nest

• Poison / Disease Aerosal System
  • Module Level: 3
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Combat Medic
  • Cost: Expensive (12)
  • Description:
    • The device renders poisons or diseases aerosol
    • The tender can add poison or disease packs into the device and affect all agressives to the tender in the region of the camp.
    • The effect would not be as powerful as having a Combat Medic perform the action himself.

• Mine Field
  • Module Level: 3
  • Module Type: Humanoid
  • Profession: Weaponsmith
  • Cost: Moderate (8)
  • Description:
    • An active defensive barrier with a set number of mines available working like a normal minefield
    • Aggressives to the camp tender will be for a surprise if they stray into the camp.
    • Enables the camp to remain up during combat situation

An outdoorsman is at home in the wilds. Able to make his home where ever he so chooses. But as with all mortal beings, his back is only so strong, and can carry only so much stuff. With that, an outdoorsman can seek to set up a central repository for his goods while in a foriegn environment, within which he can store goods that may come in handy during his expeditions in the vicinity.

• Possible Implementation:
  • The concept of the stash is a buried container that can be used to store items while away from your bank
  • The structure would require a use of a lot, as it would be permanent and follow the restrictions of other housing
  • The storage limit would be minimal, perhaps 25 items
  • The visual graphic in the game space could be a dirt mound with a flag to mark the location
  • The stash must be deployable on all available planets

Traps

"The hunter sat down to consider his choice. Pulling a leathery leaf off a nearby sapling, he proceeded to chew at the bitter tasting vegetation, knowing it would provide him strength in the battle ahead. Opening up his pack, he rustled around and pulled out a couple of handy little gadgets that had worked on this type of beast in the past. He attached them to his belt and readied himself for combat. The beast was fast, and its pattern was erratic. It would not fall for a ground trap as other, dumber prey had done in the past. The hunter decided he would need to engage it the old fashioned way."

An outdoorsman has an arsenal of traps and gadgets at his disposal, to aid in bringing anything, from down the smallest mouse, to the largest game creatures.

(Ground based traps and different effects traps would help in differentiating the profession from its Scouting prerequisites)

Creature trapping extends to all forms of creature, whether they are wild or domesticated. To the outdoorsman, they are all the same. When an outdoorsman meets a creature under the control of an unruly humanoid, the effect is same as if the creature had been prowling the forest on its own.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Allow players to trap Creature Handler pets with the same effect as wild creatures
  • The Ranger however will not receive experience for doing so

That arsenal includes a variety of effects, from snares, to blinding flashes. The ability to produce effects on group of creatures at the same time is a chief advantage provided by the skilled outdoorsman. An outdoorsman understands what drives a creature, and with that knowledge, is able to lure individual creatures away from the herd using pheromonal scents and alluring sounds. His understanding of anatomy allows an outdoorsman to direct a disruptive attack against a creature's projectile control.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Lure trap
    • Available at Advanced Trapping I
    • Creature is targeted and trap is deployed
    • The targeted creature is drawn to the location where the trap was initiated
  • Ultrasonic trap
    • Available at Novice Ranger
    • Creature that is targeted is unable to use a Ranged attack for the duration of the effect, as its glands are being disrupted by the ultra-high frequency sound
  • Big Bang trap
    • Available at Advanced Trapping II
    • Creature is scared away like /WarningShot
  • There should be area effect traps of all the scouting traps, including:
    • Glow Net Trap:
      • Area effect Melee defense debuff
      • Available at Novice Ranger
      • A large net is launched into the crowd, rendering everyone more vunerable to close range assault
    • Radioactive Tracer Trap:
      • Area effect Range defense debuff
      • Available at Advanced Trapping I
      • The trap renders a glowing radioactive particle cloud aerosal making all that come in contact more visible from afar
    • Tracer Net Trap:
      • Area effect combination Melee and Ranged defense debuff
      • Available at Advanced Trapping III
      • Deploys a net dusted with radioactive particles, both disrupting melee defense and increasing visibility to ranged attack
    • Goop Trap:
      • Area effect Phecnacine
      • Available at Advanced Trapping IV
      • A sticky goop is spread around the ground impeding the opponent's movement but not stopping them completely
    • Festering Bile Trap:
      • Area effect Stink bomb
      • Available at Advanced Trapping III
      • An obnoxious stench exudes from the trap and wafts into the faces of everything nearby dropping their defenses to state effects

During the heat of battle, crowd control is a pinnacle ability. With his superior understanding of how to herd and neutralize wild creatures, an outdoorsman? An outdoorsman is able to render a creature unconscious for a certain amount of time. However, the sleep is only fleeting, and any disturbance would immediately arouses the creature from its slumber. He also understands a creature's equilibrium and how best to disrupt that balance. This gives him the ability to knock his opponents off their feet.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Bola trap
    • available at Advanced Trapping I
    • affects a single creature, performing a knockdown effect
  • Tranquilizer dart trap
    • available at Advanced Trapping II
    • affects a single creature, knocking the creature unconcious for a duration of time
    • any damage incurred on the creature will immediately awaken it, and it will be none too happy
      • This means to successfully use it in combat, combatants must peace out or risk an auto-attack immediately awakening the creature
    • If a nearby creature is attacked that the dozing creature would normally assist, the sleep would be broken
  • Shockwave trap
    • available at Advanced Trapping III
    • an area effect version of the Bola trap
  • Sleeping Gas trap
    • available at Advanced Trapping IV
    • an area effect version of the Tranquilizer
    • useful in unexpected situations where a spawn appears, catching a hunting party completely off guard

The skilled outdoorsman understands how best to utilize the materials available, and can produce larger numbers of traps, or even longer lasting traps with that experience.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Two experimentation lines
    • Quantity: Increases the number of uses available per unit
    • Duration: Increases the length of time the effect produced by the trap lasts

As the Outdoorsman extends his territory to larger and more difficult creatures, he must rely on more advanced technology to insure that his traps land successfully on target. With that idea, an outdoorsman's tool of choice is the Trap Launcher. Able to lob traps great distances and with greater accuracy than by hand, the launcher provides the ultimate tool for the aspiring hunter.

• Possible Implementation:
  • A device called a Trap Launcher, created by the Weaponsmith profession
  • Certification to use the device would be provided at Master Ranger
  • Primarily the item would be used to improve the success rate of traps against higher level creatures, which is a large issue once a player reaches Master
  • The quality of the device would affect the bonus to:
    • Distance: increasing the range of a trap up to the maximum 64m
    • Accuracy: increasing the chance of successfully landing a trap on a big game creature
  • The device would lob traps at a faster rate than by hand, and could be used while moving
  • The device would need to be loaded prior to operation with existing traps

An outdoorsman also understands how to set ground based traps which are far more effective than anything a normal hunter is able to muster. With this knowledge, an outdoorsman can create a variety of gadgets for whatever occasion may arise.

• Possible Implementation:
  • The ground based mechanism have no functionality themselves, instead they are used as containers that deploy the traps contained within them when a creature approaches
  • The slots available in the schematics are available to fill with existing traps to produce whatever effects the Ranger may desire within his concoction
   
  • Using a Lure within a ground based trap requires that the player target a creature before deploying the trap, and the creature will be drawn towards the combination trap
  • If no Lure is used, the ground trap remains until either detonated normally by a creature or until the player leaves the area
    • An unlured trap should provide a significant bonus to the success of the trap effects, to compensate for the effort involved in setting the trap itself and getting to detonate successfully
   
  • Ground based traps can not be dropped during combat
   
  • Basic Ground Trap
    • Available at Advanced Trapping II
    • Contains 1 available slot for a trap effect
  • Improved Ground Trap
    • Available at Advanced Trapping III
    • Contains 2 available slots for trap effects
  • High Quality Ground Trap
    • Available at Advanced Trapping IV
    • Contains 3 available slots for trap effects
  • Exemplary Ground Trap
    • Available at Master Ranger
    • Contains 4 available slots for trap effects

Live trapping is a skill available to the best of the outdoorsman. The ability to trap a baby creature and transport it unharmed to a prospective buyer makes the skill a profitable one. The outdoorsman does not have any knowledge in controlling the creature once it is released however, simply the ability to store and handle the creature while in stasis.

• Possible Implementation:
  • A creature container can be used with the /capture command available at Novice Ranger to capture a baby creature and store it within the player's datapad
  • A player's Trapping skill would determine the CL of baby creature that player could ever hope to trap
  • The only option available for the creature would be to release it, returning it to the game space so that a Creature Handler can attempt to tame it
  • Using the datapad would limit the number of creatures a Ranger could collect for transport
    • The limit would increase in skill: Starting with 5 at Novice and increasing 2 for each branch of Advanced Tracking and 3 more for Master

Combat Bonuses

"Raising his rifle to his shoulder and gauging the wind from the rustling of the leaves, he took aim at its neck to ensure a quick kill. The shot rang out and an eruption of birds filled the noon day sky. Time stood still, as the creature jerked at the sound and then slowly tumbled to the ground. The hunter pulled a goo trap from his belt and let it fly in the direction of the body. He knew all too well that some beasts were keen enough to play dead. The hunter pulled out his knife and rushed toward the body, ready to make the killing blow. But, as he had suspected, the beast was only nicked. The beast jumped to its feet as the hunter approached, but the goo on the ground slowed its retreat. Realizing flight was impossible, the beast turned to face the hunter, ready to makes its stand."

(This is in line with the ultimate hunter philosophy, with the idea that the profession should be able to hunt creatures better than other purely damaging dealing professions (such as Commando))

An outdoorsman has studied the behaviors and mannerisms of the creatures around him for a long time. With that knowledge, he is able to predict the actions of creatures as if he could read their minds, dodging or parrying away with ease.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Associate a Dodge bonus with the Creature knowledge skill that is only used while being attacked by a creature

As well, his experience with creature anatomy provides increased knowledge of vunerable spots within his opponents. Such vunerabilities can be exploited by a sufficiently skilled outdoorsman during the heat of battle to inflict increased damage.

• Possible Implementation:
  • The Creature-to-Hit bonus should work for all forms of weapons, not simply ranged weapons
  • The Creature Knowledge skill can be used to define a bonus to the damage incurred on creatures
    • An increasing bonus on attacks up to a maximum of 1.25 at Master
  • As well, on occassion a critical hit could be incurred, providing a 2x damage bonus to the creature
    • The percent chance of such a critical hit would increase as more Creature Knowledge is accumulated

Harvesting

"He "felt" its action before the creature pounced, and with a quick parry his knife found itself embedded within the soft palate of the creature's throat. The finalilty of the hunt filled the hunter with pride, the beasts head would make a grand trophy to trumpet his victory. Making sure to spare the head for later, the hunter worked the body, removing first the hide, then the meat, and finally the bone, knowing they all would provide a pretty penny at the town market. He then cleaned off his knife, stowed his prize, and sauntered back into the forest."

An Outdoorsman has an inate understanding of the natural world and the experience to utilize what the environment provides to its maximum potential. Being a creature-centric profession, the outdoorsman should be incredibly more proficient at harvesting over a Master Scout.

(Considering that most outsiders consider this to be out primary forte, the profession should be significantly better at harvesting than the Scouting profession)

A sufficiently skilled outdoorsman should be able to harvest all the resources off a kill. We have significantly more skill and know how to avoid wasting the other types of resource. This would provide a unique avenue for increasing the harvest rate rather than a blunt increase in quantity per harvest.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Two harvests per corpse at Tracking II, and all three possible at Master

A outdoorsman should also be possible to impart his wisdom to fellow group members while harvesting. With a outdoorsman in the midst, everyone's harvest rate should be improved due his knowledge.

• Possible Implementation:
  • While in a group, a Ranger increases the Harvest quantity of each group member.
  • With multiple Rangers in the group, the more skilled Ranger provides the bonus to the group.

With increased skill in harvesting, a outdoorsman is be able to change a ugly corpse into a work of art. With a skillful cut, it is possible to produce a trophy from the greatest kills to display the hunter's prowess to the world.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Implement the ability to /harvest trophy on specific big game creatures for which trophy art is available, and increase the trophy selection as art becomes available

With regards to foraging flora products, we should have access to a more diverse selection of buffs items, having the experience to locate more advanced and more portent herbs.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Increase the number of locatable herbs and limit finding herbs to certain levels of the harvesting skill.

A highly experienced outdoorsman can also get more from less, so we should be to divvy up foraged herbs into more usable portions. Meaning we should be able to receive more than one use per herb. We do not feel this will impede on Chefs as they are able to experiment and provide specific foods, while foraged goods are completely random.

• Possible Implementation:
  • Allow foraged herbs to come in increasing stack sizes associated with our skill level.

The leisurely sport of fishing fits perfectly into an Outdoorsman forte. We have skill with the rod and reel, and are able to catch fish more often. And once caught our skill in harvesting should extract more usable meat off the catch.

• Possible Implementation:
  • The addition of a fishing net schematic at Tracking I that increases the catch rate over a regular fishing pole, but works in the same manner as a fishing pole, requiring user interaction
  • Increased harvesting skill should increase the meat produced from filleting a fish.

Creature Affinity / Terrain Negotiation

"More than ten days out from the town, but only a single days walk from his home in the hills, the hunter decided to check in at home before proceeding back to town to claim his reward. Upon arriving, he was greeted by his faithful steed, a long time companion during his travels. It nuzzled his arm and he scratched behind its ear, producing a gleeful barking that always made him feel welcome. Inside the home he slept soundly, surrounded by his most prized possessions and the triumphs of his journeys from all over the worlds. In the light of the morning sun, he saddled up his steed and expertly galloped off towards town."

An outdoorsman has an affinity with creatures, having a creature-centric role in the world. They are accomplished riders and have knowledge of creature behavior that can be used to improve upon handling ability.

(Many Rangers would prefer another use for Terrain Negotation over the crawling speed increase. And since we are a creature-centric profession, we should have advantages while using domesticated creatures as well)

An outdoorsman is an accomplished rider. Able to use skills while mounted, and control a mounted creature with great proficiency. An outdoorsman is be able to coax his mount to ride faster and for longer than other less skilled riders

• Possible Implementation:
  • Ranger should be able to use /areatrack while riding to search for quarry without dismounting.
  • /gallop should last for a longer period of time while a Ranger is on board and should travel at a faster speed
    • The increase would be based on the Terrain Negotiation skill

As an outdoorsman, a lifetime of study into animal behavior allows for a better understanding of creatures than city folk have. With that knowledge comes the ability to handle creatures better.

• Possible Implementation:
  • +1 CL level at Novice, +1 for each level of Tracking, +1 at Master, for a total of +5 CL over the regular level
    • (Changed on Jan 22, 2004)

Outdoorsmen live their lives in the out of doors, and have learned the fine arts of traversing the natural world. Climbing hills is a breeze for even a novice outdoorsman, but forging rivers requires the skill of a master. A sufficiently skilled outdoorsman is even able to swim at a frantic pace for a limited amount of time.

• Possible Implementation:
  • An increased swimming speed as the Terrain Negotiation skill increased
  • Burst Run should continue upon entering water, and should produce a faster swimming rate.

Summary

"The hunter tied his steed up at the front door, picked up his trophy, and meandered into the city hall. His face was full of cool exhilaration, as he stared into the local townpeople's faces. They were all staring at the gargantuan head stuffed under his arm. With admiration and relief, the mayor doled out the reward, hefting the trophy over his head for all the town to see. The mayor then turned to offer the hunter an invitation to a celebration in his honor, but as quickly as he had entered town, the outdoorsman had vanished back into the woods, back... home."

The Ranger community contains a special breed of player. A group of individuals willing to fight for a defining vision for their profession, against all obstacles that may face them. This preceding treatise is a compilation of ideas and concepts brought forth by dozens of members of the community, and endorsed by many more. It is hoped that the gravity of this situation is not lost on the reader, and that the designs within this document may one day form the solid backbone for the future of the Ranger profession.

Thank you for reading.

Good Hunting.

N'Raas

Former Correspondent for the Ranger Profession