Powerplay Powerplay is probably going open only - finally an amazing change

[Gedd]

With luck, open only. Period. Solo mode maybe for those phobic of social interaction, but the very mistake of allowing the game to be built with multiple modes has created an enourmous divide that needs closing.

The best thing they could do is have one persistent universe with one login gateway, no mode selection. Make the MMO an MMO.

Open only will not improve PP in any way
those phobic of social interaction are of course those players who have no interest in pvp or cant be bothered to deal with griefers
Elite Dangerous was not marketed or sold as an MMO only that it has modes for player interaction be it co-op or combat

 

[jasonbirder]

the very mistake of allowing the game to be built with multiple modes
Make the MMO an MMO.

I'm pretty sure that Mode agnosticism and all features being influenced by all players was an absolute key pillar of the game design from the very earliest days of kickstarter...Far from a Mistake its explicitly how the game was intended to be...

Surely the designers would be VERy hesitant pushing the "MMO" aspects of the game...all the demographics/statistics show the games playerbase has a reasonably high average age...surely Frontier wouldn't want to make it "overtly" an MMO and thereby risk losing all its players over the age of about 16 ?

 

[bigity]

I'm pretty sure that Mode agnosticism and all features being influenced by all players was an absolute key pillar of the game design from the very earliest days of kickstarter...Far from a Mistake its explicitly how the game was intended to be...

Surely the designers would be VERy hesitant pushing the "MMO" aspects of the game...all the demographics/statistics show the games playerbase has a reasonably high average age...surely Frontier wouldn't want to make it "overtly" an MMO and thereby risk losing all its players over the age of about 16 ?

Based on what would it being more 'MMO' lose players over 16?

Open only would greatly improve PP (even the non-combat parts of it)- except you have people scared of gweefas publishing how to add everyone and their mothers to block lists, which defeats the purpose and breaks instances for eveyone else around. FDev has said PP is the consensual pvp system of Elite - open only is the only thing that makes sense.

 

[Rubbernuke]

What people don't get:

FD have little time and budget to spend on Powerplay- these changes are an extra. Reworking is not on the cards, these changes are formula and rule based changes only (i.e. no new assets etc). So chat about going back to the drawing / adding multi mode content board is pointless because its not going to happen.

Nearly all of these changes are to try and break 5C within Powerplay. Open Powerplay is one part of that, but has added side benefits. Open will be working with voting (which I'm dubious about).

Open also works hand in hand with the '100% over wins' UM rule, and is a stab at trying to break the deadlock in the feature that has been going on for about 30 cycles.

Without heavy weighting (like 100% Open / 0% PG 0% Solo) or Open, the anti 5C changes and 100%+ UM will be ineffective in the changes, hence one or the other has to be included.

All these changes are Q4 at the earliest. If FD have time they *might* get into the big Q4 update.

 

[Sunleader]

The Bigger Problems are still that this will effectively Kill Powerplay and shove it into the same hole as CQC...

1.
Open Only will Result in PP being an PvP Player Exclusive. Because PvP will be unavoidable.
Which means that a giant part of the current PP Players is out.
2.
Open Only will make PP a pure Endgame thing. Because anyone without an Fully Equipped and Engineered Endgame Ship is effectively Food.
Which means another large loss of Players.
3.
Open Only will result in PP being only available for Seasonpass Owners. Because otherwise your just not going to Compete or even Escape.
Another big Chunk gone.
4.
Open Only will Kill the Balance of Factions because the Factions relying on PvE Transports and Actions will be Disadvantaged to a Ridiculous degree.
5.
Open Only will be abused like Crazy by Gankers and Sealclubbers which dont give a Crab about PP and wont help their Faction at all as they only want to Massacre other Players without repercussions.


In the End PP will be losing tons of Players and will likely grind to a halt due to lack of Support actions.
Within 6 Months PP will be the same as CQC.


And not just PP itself will be damaged.
Some People will be pretty ****** that they no longer can play PP and might lose Fun in the Game or leave out of Protest.
I just hope we dont lose too many Players from this.

 

[Misaniovent]

What people don't get:

FD have little time and budget to spend on Powerplay- these changes are an extra. Reworking is not on the cards, these changes are formula and rule based changes only (i.e. no new assets etc). So chat about going back to the drawing / adding multi mode content board is pointless because its not going to happen.

Nearly all of these changes are to try and break 5C within Powerplay. Open Powerplay is one part of that, but has added side benefits. Open will be working with voting (which I'm dubious about).

Open also works hand in hand with the '100% over wins' UM rule, and is a stab at trying to break the deadlock in the feature that has been going on for about 30 cycles.

Without heavy weighting (like 100% Open / 0% PG 0% Solo) or Open, the anti 5C changes and 100%+ UM will be ineffective in the changes, hence one or the other has to be included.

All these changes are Q4 at the earliest. If FD have time they *might* get into the big Q4 update.

I agree with this, and I'll add that many of these changes — the UM and ethos changes especially — are intended to pull CMDRs into fewer systems to create more meaningful interactions. I don't love these changes, but to achieve that goal I am in favor of them. If Frontier backs out of open-only, it all falls apart and this proposal goes from promising to bad.

 

[Jaylem]

Already got all the modules I want from powerplay, could care less if it is in open or solo. no other use for it.... and the new C&P system just made it even worse.

Unless they add more incentive I cannot see even the point of powerplay, pay is rubbish, undermining will get you a hot ship, no ship scaling in Resistance pockets...list goes on.

In short powerplay is a mess, and it is very easy just to forget about as it is more like a poorly added DLC than an actual feature of Elite...

 

[Sunleader]

I agree with this, and I'll add that many of these changes — the UM and ethos changes especially — are intended to pull CMDRs into fewer systems to create more meaningful interactions. I don't love these changes, but to achieve that goal I am in favor of them. If Frontier backs out of open-only, it all falls apart and this proposal goes from promising to bad.

I dont.
The Problem is and Remains that Elite Dangerous is not a PvP Game.
They dont have the Systems required for PvP Oriented Gameplay to work. And they dont have a large PvP Community either.

Thanks to that the only "meaningful interaction" that will happen in the few Systems here is Ganking and Sealclubbing.



Summing it up you just need to know 2 things.

1.
The Hardcore PvP Community in this Game is likely not even 1% of the Playerbase.
2.
Any non Hardcore PvP Player is NOT INTERESTED in being Forces into a few Systems with PvP Players


You could pretty much assume it like a Lake with 3-5 sorts of Fish.
A Larger Predator
A Smaller Predator
A Opportunistic Fish that will eat whatever
A Large but Peaceful Fish
A Small but Peaceful Fish

And so far it works for all of them. Because they have the Space to avoid each other.
Thing is. Your Trying to put this 3x3 Miles Large Lake into a 100x100 Meter Swimming Pool.

And well take a guess what will happen.
Within a Month the only thing alive in that Swimmingpool will be the Large Predator because everyone else got killed or escaped.

 

[Morbad]

Surely the designers would be VERy hesitant pushing the "MMO" aspects of the game...all the demographics/statistics show the games playerbase has a reasonably high average age...surely Frontier wouldn't want to make it "overtly" an MMO and thereby risk losing all its players over the age of about 16 ?

Game has been overtly an MMO since they announced there would be no offline mode. Also, MMO demographics also aren't remotely what you think they are.

The Problem is and Remains that Elite Dangerous is not a PvP Game.

Sure it is.

Thanks to that the only "meaningful interaction" that will happen in the few Systems here is Ganking and Sealclubbing.

I have no intention of ever having my CMDR pledge to any power, but he will absolutely provide support for those aiding powers I find useful to have in certain areas and will drive off or destroy vessels I suspect of threatening the benefits he relies on.

As he's such a cheapskate, it's very much in my CMDR's best interest to keep LYR in power in his home area, Hudson in power where he buys his guns, and Mahon in power where he buys cargo racks and HRPs.

The Hardcore PvP Community in this Game is likely not even 1% of the Playerbase.

Any non Hardcore PvP Player is NOT INTERESTED in being Forces into a few Systems with PvP Players

There is a pretty sizable portion of players that are between those two extremes. I don't consider myself a hardcore PvP player, but I generally only play in Open and am not at all adverse to hostile interactions with other CMDRs in the pursuit of my CMDR's goals.

 

[Rubbernuke]

I don't like powerplay

Causing any aspect of the game to be 'Open Play only'

If you don't even partake why the crazy, forum spanning outrage? Its like me asking for a refund for a restaurant meal because it came with a salad.

 

[Misaniovent]

I don't like powerplay, but I was sold the game with the understanding that Solo would be available and would be the COMPLETE game, not missing parts of it. Causing any aspect of the game to be 'Open Play only' will be a violation of this understanding and I will expect Frontier Developments to fully refund my purchase of the game. This will include my $150 Kickstarter contribution, as well as my $75 purchase of the Lifetime Expansion Pass, and the various other monies I have spent on in-game items.

If they refuse, I may seek satisfaction in court. This is completely unacceptable.

is this a copypasta

 

[Sunleader]

Game has been overtly an MMO since they announced there would be no offline mode. Also, MMO demographics also aren't remotely what you think they are.



Sure it is.



I have no intention of ever having my CMDR pledge to any power, but he will absolutely provide support for those aiding powers I find useful to have in certain areas and will drive off or destroy vessels I suspect of threatening the benefits he relies on.

As he's such a cheapskate, it's very much in my CMDR's best interest to keep LYR in power in his home area, Hudson in power where he buys his guns, and Mahon in power where he buys cargo racks and HRPs.



There is a pretty sizable portion of players that are between those two extremes. I don't consider myself a hardcore PvP player, but I generally only play in Open and am not at all adverse to hostile interactions with other CMDRs in the pursuit of my CMDR's goals.

1.
No.
Elite Dangerous has some Optional PvP. But the Mechanics pretty much Scream that the Game has never been a PvP Game.
Any Skill Based PvP Fighting is only Possible as long as the Difference between Ships is not too large.
And even then the Question of being Engineered etc etc etc affects the Battle Tremendously while Skill is pretty much only affecting the Battle when a Veteran Fights a Noob.
The Fighting itself is extremely Monotone as you only got Circling or Lancing as Viable Strategies.
Thanks to the Instancing and Randomness of meeting each other. As well as the Instanced Locations its also pretty clear that in General your not even Intended to Interact with other Players. The few improvised options to actually interact at all which FD only threw together due to massive Community demand. Are Screaming that so loud that even a Deaf Person would hear it.

Sorry. But its really extremely Obvious that PvP (And Multiplayer in General) in Elite Dangerous is at the very best an Optional Extra on the Side.
The General System and Mechanics of the Game just Scream that its meant to be Played in Solo Mode.

2.
In Short your going to be another Griefer who has absolutely no Interest in Powerplay and will only Gank, Grief and RPK People which mostly dont have the Skills or Equipment to actually Fight PvP.
I suggest you make as much of it while you can. Because exactly due to People like you. Powerplay will be Dead within 1 or 2 Months Tops and will go the same way as the CQC Arena.

3.
There sure is. But these wont be Playing doing PP. Because PP will be Pestered by this 1% of Hardcore PvPers which will Attack anyone and everyone all day long whenever they possibly can. Thus making any non PvP Playing Impossible.
In short. Any non Hardcore PvP Player which is not Interested in having PvP all day long and constantly being Attacked by Players. Will stay the Hell away from Powerplay.

Its always Fun how People Ignore the Past.
I still remember when they tried doing some Community Goals in Open only. The Result was pretty simply. The RPKs Ignored the CG entirely and just stalked the Systems Trying to Kill whoever and whatever they could.
Some People tried to Sabotage the CG itself and Succeeded.
And the vast Majority of Players either Ignored the CG and stayed the Hell away from the Start. Or made 1 or 2 attempts and then decided "Yeah not worth bothering with" after being Ganked or RPKed.

I dont know. Did they actually ever try again to make Open Only Community Goals after that ?



Sorry Mate.
But this is not a Random Guess. Its just plain Logic from the Facts we got.

Whats going to happen when PP ever becomes Open Only. Is simply that PP will go the same way as CQC Arena.
The small Portion of Hardcore PvPers will Attack whatever they can whenever they can. And at start there will be a bit of Effort to Fight back or Guard Areas.
But as the Non Hardcore PvP Players are not Interested in doing PvP all day every day. The Result is going to be that after a short time everyone but the Hardcore PvPers will Ignoring Powerplay entirely and abandon it.
The vast majority of players which is PvE Players will likely not even last a Week before they abandon PP if they ever give it a try at all that is. Because alot of People already made clear that they aint going to Play Open Period.








I am always Baffled by this.
For whatever reason. People ALWAYS think that they can Force Players to Play a Certain Gamemode or Feature which is not Fun for them and which thus they dont want to Play.
And it has never even once in History worked that way.
Players are Players. They aint Workers. If its not Fun to them they will simply not Play it.
As simple as that.

I mean Sorry but Seriously ????
Lets just try to put this into Perspective on a Real Life thing thats more easy to see for People.

Lets Say that a Supermarket Sells Coconuts. But barely anyone Buys em cause they are Shabby Quality.
They do have Decent Oranges tough which are Selling better.
Now the Supermarket Says. Ok. From now on. Oranges are only Sold to People which also Buy the same amount of Coconuts.

Now Simple Question.
Would you Buy 10 Coconuts just to Buy 10 Oranges in that Supermarket.
Or would you Simply Buy your Oranges somewhere else ?

Lets be Honest.
Just like me and everyone else. You would either just Stop Buying Oranges at this Supermarket. Or you would simply go to a Different Supermarket entirely.



I just dont get it into my Head how People always think that they might Possible manage to Force Players into Playing something that they dont have Fun with....

 

[Morbad]

In Short your going to be another Griefer who has absolutely no Interest in Powerplay and will only Gank, Grief and RPK People which mostly dont have the Skills or Equipment to actually Fight PvP.

You have ludicrous definitions of ganking, griefing, and random if you think a CMDR fighting to protect legitimate in-game interests qualifies.

My CMDR has no interest in politics aside from what personally benefits him. He benefits from discount equipment (a penny saved is a penny earned, and paying less means I need to waste less of my time worrying about credits), therefore he will act in a manner that preserves those discounts. Pretty simple really, with no ulterior motives or subtext involved.

If another CMDR lacks the skill or equipment to overcome or escape my CMDR while they are in the process of harming my CMDR's interests (which would make them an enemy of my CMDR), they should probably try to avoid my CMDR.

I still remember when they tried doing some Community Goals in Open only. The Result was pretty simply. The RPKs Ignored the CG entirely and just stalked the Systems Trying to Kill whoever and whatever they could.
Some People tried to Sabotage the CG itself and Succeeded.
And the vast Majority of Players either Ignored the CG and stayed the Hell away from the Start. Or made 1 or 2 attempts and then decided "Yeah not worth bothering with" after being Ganked or RPKed.

I dont know. Did they actually ever try again to make Open Only Community Goals after that ?

I've only ever done CGs in Open (I'm an Open-only player)...and I participate in CGs fairly regularly. An Open only CG would never have looked any different from my perspective.

I just dont get it into my Head how People always think that they might Possible manage to Force Players into Playing something that they dont have Fun with....

I feel the same way.

 

[Sunleader]

You have ludicrous definitions of ganking, griefing, and random if you think a CMDR fighting to protect legitimate in-game interests qualifies.

My CMDR has no interest in politics aside from what personally benefits him. He benefits from discount equipment (a penny saved is a penny earned, and paying less means I need to waste less of my time worrying about credits), therefore he will act in a manner that preserves those discounts. Pretty simple really, with no ulterior motives or subtext involved.

If another CMDR lacks the skill or equipment to overcome or escape my CMDR while they are in the process of harming my CMDR's interests (which would make them an enemy of my CMDR), they should probably try to avoid my CMDR.



I've only ever done CGs in Open (I'm an Open-only player)...and I participate in CGs fairly regularly. An Open only CG would never have looked any different from my perspective.



I feel the same way.

1.
They wont Try.
They WILL avoid your CMDR and the entire thing named Powerplay.
Thing is. This will hurt your CMDRs Interests much more. Because without the PvE Players delivering stuff around. The Powers will run out of Support Points and the Systems will be lost not due to Enemy Activity but due to being Deserted.

2.
Thats not entirely Correct. Because right now you can do it in Open as your one of very few People.
Simply put your not worth the effort right now. And only few if any RPKs show up.
But when stuff is Forced into Open. RPKs expect large numbers of Targets and thus there is also large Numbers of RPKs.

3.
Well. Open Only PP is exactly that tough.
Barely anyone plays Open. So they want to Force People into Open by moving other Features into Open Exclusive.

 

[Morbad]

1.
They wont Try.
They WILL avoid your CMDR and the entire thing named Powerplay.
Thing is. This will hurt your CMDRs Interests much more. Because without the PvE Players delivering stuff around. The Powers will run out of Support Points and the Systems will be lost not due to Enemy Activity but due to being Deserted.

I'm highly sceptical of this prediction.

While I'm no PP expert, it seems that PP, like the rest of the BGS can scale to accommodate very small or very large numbers of players.

2.
Thats not entirely Correct. Because right now you can do it in Open as your one of very few People.
Simply put your not worth the effort right now. And only few if any RPKs show up.
But when stuff is Forced into Open. RPKs expect large numbers of Targets and thus there is also large Numbers of RPKs.

3.
Well. Open Only PP is exactly that tough.
Barely anyone plays Open. So they want to Force People into Open by moving other Features into Open Exclusive.

When was the last time your went to a CG in Open? They are frequently crowded to the point that there are multiple fully populated SC and station instances.

I do often encounter hostile CMDRs, but they aren't a deterrent, they are content. Also, because I anticipate their existence and have prepared for them, I can usually meaningfully contribute to CGs despite their existence, even if it slows me down slightly.

There is nothing to support your assertion that barely anyone plays Open.

 

[Sunleader]

I'm highly sceptical of this prediction.

While I'm no PP expert, it seems that PP, like the rest of the BGS can scale to accommodate very small or very large numbers of players.



When was the last time your went to a CG in Open? They are frequently crowded to the point that there are multiple fully populated SC and station instances.

I do often encounter hostile CMDRs, but they aren't a deterrent, they are content. Also, because I anticipate their existence and have prepared for them, I can usually meaningfully contribute to CGs despite their existence, even if it slows me down slightly.

There is nothing to support your assertion that barely anyone plays Open.

1.
I hope we wont see the test of it as its a pretty accurate prediction.
Also PP does not adjust. The Adjustment is simply that Systems which the current Faction Players cant support are lost.
Now Cut 90% of that Playerbase and you can bet you will also lose alot of Systems.

2.
Mate no Offense but thats not really an Achievement.
Depending on your Ship you dont even need 10 Players to *Crowd the Pads*
Given how many Commanders Participate you can tell its likely not even 5% who go in Open.

As for being *Prepared* thats the thing.
You got the Experience and Money to Prepare. And RPKs are much less attracted because they know that Only *Prepared* People go Open.
Thing is. If things are Forced Open. There is tons of People who do not have the option or knowledge to prepare.
And many DO NOT HAVE FUN in thus kind of Activity and thus simply refuse to participate.



In the End its just boiling down to this.
Open Only PP is an attempt to force People into something they dont have Fun doing.
And the Result will be that People will simply refuse this and PP will Die.



You said before that there is alot of People in between the extremes which like the challenge.
But thing is. These already play Open anyways. And they are by Fact only a very small minority.
Belueving that those who refuse Open would go there for PP is Ridiculous.

 

[Boda Shandis]

First off, they already said aren't limiting it to open play so your arguing is pointless. Secondly where the hell did you hear 90% of the player base plays in solo lol?

 

[Morbad]

I hope we wont see the test of it as its a pretty accurate prediction.

A premature statement.

Belueving that those who refuse Open would go there for PP is Ridiculous.

No one believes that those who categorically refuse to play Open would go there for anything. However, people with such an aversion are a small minority.

The bulk of players probably switch between modes as whim suits them, and PP activities being worth more in Open may very well result in more of them choosing Open.

We'll see.

 

[Sunleader]

First off, they already said aren't limiting it to open play so your arguing is pointless. Secondly where the hell did you hear 90% of the player base plays in solo lol?

1.
I didnt know that.
Might I ask where they Stated this ?

2.
You just need to Check Online for that.
Fun Fact. I have been flying in a Larger PG as well as in Open. And in the PG its actually way more likely to find others than in Open.
Not Surprising because while some People indeed want Interaction. Barely anyone wants to constantly be annoyed by RPKs.

A premature statement.



No one believes that those who categorically refuse to play Open would go there for anything. However, people with such an aversion are a small minority.

The bulk of players probably switch between modes as whim suits them, and PP activities being worth more in Open may very well result in more of them choosing Open.

We'll see.

1.
You can dislike it as much as you want. Its a Simple Logical Deduction based on the Fact we got.
And given that other not only other Games but even Elite Dangerous has tried and Failed this in the past. Its not really hard to make that Deduction.
No amount of Wishful thinking changes this. Sorry.

Just saying. But what do you think Engineers was at start ?
Why do you think that all of the Better Upgrades required Items from certain Gameplay Parts like the higher Firmware stuff being only available from Scanning Settlement with SRV while other stuff being only dropped by Military Ships in Combat Zones
FD wanted to Force Players into Playing these Parts of the Game by denying them Overpowered Equipment unless they do all the Gameplay Parts.
The Result was that the Community not only Rejected Engineers for most part but even throw a floralstorm about it until they Finally changed it and made sure that Parts and Upgrades can be Obtained by all Playstyles thus not forcing Players into Playing Content they dont Enjoy.


2.
What part of "Open is not Fun to PvE Players" do you not get ?
Why do PvP Players always think that if they Force PvE Players into PvP they would actually do PvP with them ?
Seriously. Game after Game the PvP Maniacs try to Force the PvE Community into PvP and every Single Time they Succeeded the Game Died because the PvE Players simply stopped Playing the Game entirely instead of Playing the PvP part
In this case Gladly it would just be a Single Feature/Mode that Dies and not the entire Game. But its still pretty strange to me why you guys always again and again believe that you could force Players into Playing something you like even if they dont like it

Sorry Mate. But there is a Simple Fact.
Any Player which currently refuses to Play Open will not Play Open.
And alot of them Play PP. Meaning that PP will lose all of them.
Anyone who already Plays Open anyways wont care either way. He wont go into Open more or less. Because well he is used to Play in Open anyways. He might be annoyed tough because now he has to do a certain Part in Open and has to change to Open for doing it. Which might actually cause him to not do PP anymore or not as much as he did before.

Open Only PP has only Negative Effects and no Positive Effects. Thats just how it is.

 

[Rubbernuke]

1.
I didnt know that.
Might I ask where they Stated this ?

2.
You just need to Check Online for that.
Fun Fact. I have been flying in a Larger PG as well as in Open. And in the PG its actually way more likely to find others than in Open.
Not Surprising because while some People indeed want Interaction. Barely anyone wants to constantly be annoyed by RPKs.



1.
You can dislike it as much as you want. Its a Simple Logical Deduction based on the Fact we got.
And given that other not only other Games but even Elite Dangerous has tried and Failed this in the past. Its not really hard to make that Deduction.
No amount of Wishful thinking changes this. Sorry.

Just saying. But what do you think Engineers was at start ?
Why do you think that all of the Better Upgrades required Items from certain Gameplay Parts like the higher Firmware stuff being only available from Scanning Settlement with SRV while other stuff being only dropped by Military Ships in Combat Zones
FD wanted to Force Players into Playing these Parts of the Game by denying them Overpowered Equipment unless they do all the Gameplay Parts.
The Result was that the Community not only Rejected Engineers for most part but even throw a floralstorm about it until they Finally changed it and made sure that Parts and Upgrades can be Obtained by all Playstyles thus not forcing Players into Playing Content they dont Enjoy.


2.
What part of "Open is not Fun to PvE Players" do you not get ?
Why do PvP Players always think that if they Force PvE Players into PvP they would actually do PvP with them ?
Seriously. Game after Game the PvP Maniacs try to Force the PvE Community into PvP and every Single Time they Succeeded the Game Died because the PvE Players simply stopped Playing the Game entirely instead of Playing the PvP part
In this case Gladly it would just be a Single Feature/Mode that Dies and not the entire Game. But its still pretty strange to me why you guys always again and again believe that you could force Players into Playing something you like even if they dont like it

Sorry Mate. But there is a Simple Fact.
Any Player which currently refuses to Play Open will not Play Open.
And alot of them Play PP. Meaning that PP will lose all of them.
Anyone who already Plays Open anyways wont care either way. He wont go into Open more or less. Because well he is used to Play in Open anyways. He might be annoyed tough because now he has to do a certain Part in Open and has to change to Open for doing it. Which might actually cause him to not do PP anymore or not as much as he did before.

Open Only PP has only Negative Effects and no Positive Effects. Thats just how it is.

Well then, you have a stark choice:

1: do nothing, and let 5C ruin Powerplay

2: open only, which will help bring everyone into the same level playing field

3: weighted merits- where to work the weighting would make solo and PG pointless because it would need to be close to 100% open.