The issue at hand isn’t necessarily the varying gear quality, but rather the lack of awareness surrounding it. Amid discussions about gear gaps in regular lobbies, I’d like to contribute my perspective. While I may not be a seasoned Tarkov veteran, allow me to share my observations. In such games, there’s often an opportunity to gauge your opponent’s strength.
In Tarkov, for instance, encountering an individual sporting a tier three helmet or wielding a high-tech firearm immediately signals their formidable status – “Chad Thundercock” as some might jest. In Apex, the tier of a player’s shield becomes evident during combat, and since most weapons don’t offer one-shot eliminations, you can deduce their firepower – “alright, this person is packing blue-tier or higher weaponry.”
However, Dark and Darker currently lacks these indicators. A newbie Fighter entering their inaugural match and a seasoned veteran “Sweaty Mcsweaterson” traversing normal lobbies, both adorned in similar gear types, are virtually indistinguishable. My proposition is simple: introduce noticeable gear tiers. Picture this – grays represent worn, tattered attire and rusty weaponry, while purples exude pristine, freshly laundered garments and polished armor and weapons. This visual distinction would enable players to differentiate foes to engage with and adversaries to avoid.
To an extent, there is already some form of identification. Recognizable base kits serve as cues, and specific gear pieces inherently denote upgrades. For instance:
1, Equipping a helmet, gloves, and boots indicates a departure from the base kit.
2, Casters wielding spell books suggest a level of enhancement.
3, Plate helmets on Fighters or Clerics signal an upgrade.
4, Lower-quality weapons and shields exhibit visible rust and minor damage (albeit less noticeable).
5, A key identifier, akin to spotting a scoped gun or exfil helmet in Tarkov, would be a cloak in Dark and Darker. Encountering an individual or team donning cloaks should trigger a clear thought: “If I’m not adequately equipped, it’s time to flee.” If there are three cloaked figures, it’s reasonable to assume they’re kitted out in at least mostly blue-tier gear(At this point, I think I need a lot of Dark and Darker Gold and gear to arm myself with.).
While some of these elements are present, their visibility needs enhancement. Personally, I’ve started making a swift exit when the telltale sound of plate boots reaches my ears. Yet, occasionally, I’m compelled into combat and find myself emerging victorious.
The challenge lies in the current meta. With Fighters, if you can actually see them, it’s often too late. A plate-clad Fighter sprinting toward you with Bard buffs in tow, wielding a longsword and enjoying a 50-move speed advantage, is a formidable force. And the conundrum continues: want to close doors? Sorry, Fighters boast the second-highest resourcefulness of all classes. Hoping to outmaneuver them? Tough luck – they’re likely packing a purple longbow.
