How do you feel about the idea of replacing M+ leavers with npcs?

So there has been some controversy around the upcoming mythic+ deserter system. I have an idea that came to mind as an alternative solution to Mythic+ leavers. What if leavers are simply replaced by a follower npc. Here is my proposed details for how it might work best if attempted:

  • Players who leave are replaced with a follower npc that is a replica of the player at 75% of their original stats using basic AI like we see in follower dungeons.
  • Only works if just one player has left. If any more leave then no additional npc replacements are allowed. To prevent people from trying to solo it.
  • If a player is kicked it won’t replace them with an npc. This is to prevent groups from replacing players with npcs so they can get more loot or if they think they have better chances then with the player they remove.
  • The group can vote on if they want the follower npc or not and it can be kicked it with a group vote.

To me this seems like it could work better then the current proposed system. But share your thoughts on if you think this idea is a good solution or not.

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You’d have better luck completing with an empty slot.

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Sounds good to me. Timed Keys with 4 man after one left so having an AI along would be a nice bonus.

3 Likes

I just updated the thread. Added something that allows people to vote on if they want the follower npc to take the place of the person left and it can be vote removed. Though that could also be left to the keyholder discretion.

Yeah but like…have you grouped with the dungeon followers before?

That hunter…

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He only pulls slightly more extra mobs than most hunters.

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The npcs should never be as good as skilled players. However they shouldn’t so bad either that they actively make the chances of getting through even worse than not having the npc.

NPCs are not capable of doing any mechanics. They will not handle the end of Rookery at all.

We do have follower npcs that can tank and heal. Its just a matter of making them good enough, but not too good either.

Their numbers can be buffed, I’m pretty sure the Duos tank already cheats and increases damage reduction along with heal reduction. The dps and healer NPCs can gain the same +% buffs as the key level, sure.

Their brains are pudding. That cannot (/will not) be fixed.

Just play better and people won’t leave your keys

And if the NPC works like Brann does in Delves, or Mages/Hunters do in follower dungeons, the outcry would be tremendous. They are better of running with 4 people.

I was thinking just a replica of the player that left at 75% of their original stats. Good enough to have a chance at finishing the key, but not better then good player and also not so bad that it actively makes doing the key harder then not having it. So not really how Brann works no.

This would definitely be abused, and people would be soloing keys.

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I suggested two ways of stopping that in the thread description:

  1. Only works if just one player has left. If any more leave then no additional npc replacements are allowed. To prevent people from trying to solo it.
  2. If a player is kicked it won’t replace them with an npc. This is to prevent groups from replacing players with npcs so they can get more loot or if they think they have better chances then with the player they remove.
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What if they just made it so keys don’t go down if someone leaves with time left on the clock BUT if that player does leave then the penalty kicks in, so you don’t have people leaving to save the key. If someone leaves after the timer hits 0 then the NPC can come in and no leave penalty.

If you could replace players with AI that were capable of completing a key then Blizzard would be stupid not to just let players run solo m+

To pugs everybody else is just an NPC anyways.

Blizzard doesn’t have bots capable of completing a key at the competency of acceptability for key runners.

the penalty wouldnt make someone not leave to save the key

yeah, but they’d be stupid to have solo m+ with followers anyways

New Mythic+ Affix: Raisin Brann

  • Whenever a party member leaves a Mythic+ group prior to completion, Brann or one of his family members is risen from the dead and aids the group for the remainder of the run, using Delve AI.

… Because?

You didn’t complete your thought, why would it be stupid?