Exploit or Intended? Token Mount Stealth Attacks in the Wildlands are Breaking PvP Balance

[Vuulfjiir]

I've recently noticed that a PKer in the wild can stealth approach on foot, and before attacking with a hally, use a token mount for an unfair advantage.

Obviously, without a token mount, this isn't possible. The only other plays would be having a mount visibly following the PKer while stealthing around.

It's not allowed in dungeons, obviously because there are no mounts. So why is this allowed in the wildlands where gatherers are already at a disadvantage in PvP engagements?

I was told by staff that: “You can mount while hidden; you just can’t stealth move while mounted.”

Technically true. But it creates a loophole that functions like an exploit:

1. Hidden approach
2. Magical mount
3. Halberd opener
4. Immediate mounted pursuit

I've seen, and have personally been, nearly insta-killed just 1 screen outside of town as a result of this. I died almost immediately after being engaged. Hardly a fair chance, especially when one is deep in the wilds.

This gives a massive advantage to anyone who can afford a token mount, and it disproportionately punishes harvesters who already take the biggest risks in the wilds...
Or is this just considered the perk for having a token mount??

Recommendations:

• If a hidden player initiates PvP while on a token mount, they should be auto‑dismounted on attack with a cooldown.
• Or: disallow PvP attacks while hidden & mounted.

Forum, what are your thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Plebeian]

An obvious game changer for thieves too or even in pve, i suggested a quick animation with a *mounting...* message revealing your character before any action can be done quite a while ago but in the end it seems to be an untold acceptance that this mount token purpose is to unlock open world stealthers full gameplay.

 

[AreYouKidden]

It has been this way since server launch - and mount tokens are a reward item for many systems in the game, after 4-5 weeks you can easily get your own - just stear clear of the wilds, or use a template with tracking on it - so you can see them stealthing up to you.

Always carry potions, strength, cures, heals - because no one should be able to kill you immediately, especially not a template that's down 200 skill points to stealthing which gives no advantages to damage.

You can make changes to the mechanics from hidden - but they'll just find other ways to kill you if you are dying that fast. Like using a hotkey to talk to break stealth, before attacking, to avoid those mechanics - it'll all happen same millisecond - and wont' be any different.

 

[yipes!]

Yeah any time you get PKed it sucks, but you already have a ton of things stacked against you in any PK ambush situation and I'm not sure token mounts push it over the top? A newer or non-pvp experienced player with PVM skills and PVM gear, maybe unmounted, cooldowns rolling, maybe health or mana low... loot in pockets, preoccupied with fighting mobs... is gonna have a rough time when surprise attacked by a PVP skilled player with a PVP burst-damage build and generally hella cheap loadout/equipment. It's super imbalanced and the risk/reward is obscene but the token mount isn't the worst part of it.

Backstab means they got close yes, but backstabs don't do any extra damage in PVP... So that person has 200 skill points spent in sneaking around and not straight fighting, hopefuly that impacts their abillity to PK. Either way if they land a hally hit it's gonna hurt, and that WHAM sound can startle the crap out of you. But there are lots of ways to surprise, or close distance fast. They could hide or invis and wait for you to get close enough to pounce, or rope-teleport to jump a screen's width fast.

Anyways I your pain 100%, I hate PKs and for the most part I just cant be bothered to solo.