New bonus objectives = relatively easy co-op content

Co-op Missions Discussion
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This came to mind while reading comments on the co-op update, and how Amons’ units will be getting upgrades over time. Someone in the thread asked for more exp for bonus objectives, and that got me thinking: why not give randomized bonus objectives? If they’re always the same, it’s less of a bonus and more of a static mission, no?

Naturally, they would vary in difficulty, and wouldn’t need to be super complicated. You could mix-and-match, or simply send a wave of air or stealth enemies to attack random friendly NPCs on the map.

Not only would this add some difficulty to the missions, but it would also have that feeling of anticipation Blizzard loves to put into their games; wondering which bonus you’ll get has far more upsides than downsides, at least to me.

All that said, here’s some more groundwork:

  1. Bonus objectives would have 3 difficulty levels. Level 1 bonuses appear on all 4 difficulties, level 2 bonuses appear on all difficulties except casual, level 3 bonuses appear on hard and brutal.
  2. Ideas for re-hashed bonus objectives (all bonuses would be re-skinned for their map; each map would have 3 different bonuses only):
  • Downloading Protoss personalities (from Malwarfare.)
  • Killing a giant construct (from Lock n’ Load.)
  • Protecting research vessel (from Void Launch.)

You know what? Most bonuses would work, so I’m going to move onto

  1. New bonus objectives:
  • Blood Hunter Assassination. A group of Blood hunters (Tal’darim Dark Templars) is heading towards X to kill Y. You have 2 minutes to intercept them. Bring stealth detection. (Miner Evacuation, Mist Opportunities.)
  • Cancelling the Experiments. A group of Terran scientists have captured several Protoss and performing cruel experiments on them. Destroy their camp and free all (5) Protoss before their lives end. (3 minutes. Oblivion Express in one of the side bases; Part and Parcel.)
  • A Swarm of Hosts. There are several massive gatherings of Zerg nearby. Seek them out and destroy them before they grow further. (You have full mission duration to kill 3 gatherings of Swarm Hosts with anti-air and ground attacks. Miner evacuation, Dead of Night, maybe Cradle of Death.)

Ok, well I lost my desire to continue this thread out of the blue, so that’s all you get I guess. Throw out my random ideas if you want, my main point remains:

TL;DR: Giving us random bonus objectives with varying difficulties and EXP gains would increase replayability AND be relatively easy to implement…probably.

Bye now.

5 Likes
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These are great ideas to improve bonus missions.

I would say implementation of these is secondary to reorganizing exp system.

Previously, many have suggested (in old forum) for additional exp gain with added mutators from custom mutation. Without proper incentive, an added bonus mission isn’t worth doing.

As it stands, I personally only finish them if it doesn’t interfere with objective completion. This is partially due to the fact that bonus, at best, is worth 5k exp and often less. My speed running isn’t an exclusive style of course. However, one has to consider that if we were to add these (which is a great thing), what would be the actual playable value.

2 Likes
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I have wrote about randomized bonus objectives before.

While it likely won’t happen in current Co-op; it’s something that could, as OP described, increase replayability and add the feeling of anticipation. It’s also neatly tucked on the side and doesn’t hinder new players in learning missions.

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the timers is usually around 7 minutes, lets leave it at that.

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It depends on the mission. Lower timers would be the ‘level 3’ missions, so clearly they’d be harder and grant more experience.

I’ve suggested things on Blizzard forums for 15~ years, so my expectations for this actually being implemented are already ‘severely realistic.’ :stuck_out_tongue:

Hope is there, even at 0.01% chance.

Glad you agree with the premise.

I haven’t discussed any exp system issues, so I’m likely out of the loop there.

Regarding custom mutators and exp, I’d love to see player-made challenges/mutators similar to how the Arcade works. You’d get a list of mutators with the following:
Mutation name - Mutator names (# of mutations) - Map - Made by NAME - Rating (1/5 stars)

Seems a bit convoluted, but is ultimately just a way to let people make mutations for eachother with more exp as a reward. Won’t say how much since exp is an odd subject.

That said, additional exp for harder bonus missions would always be nice. I say this as someone who isn’t capped for effective levels.

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That sounds like a great idea.

Why not let players do their x2-3 mutator as a standard, then submit it under their map of choice.

  • There’ll be lots submissions every week.
  • Simply implement an interface, allow the voting system.
  • Add the weekly mutations based on the rating, they can even separate it into Blizz or player.

This way we still have their weekly mutation, regardless of how good it is. And we have lots of player based ones (maybe limit to 2-3 per week, extra can be stored for future use). Award exp as they fit but it’s a start on an incentive system to promote this sub-mode.

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I’d really like that. Also, players would need to beat their mutation for it to be featured…so there’s no impossible ones. :stuck_out_tongue:

Similar to Super Mario Maker (or whatever it’s called.)