Please add Steel Path Arbitrations to the game

[Jarriaga 6,604]

Hi DE.

Now that MR30 is here and many players are starting to peak with no goals available to them, I think the next logical step towards content aimed at those who want content that is more-appropriate for the tools they likely have at their disposal (3+ forma per item builds, 2x max level arcanes, Helminth, rolling guard, etc. all at once) would be Steel Path Arbitrations, unlocked after clearing the entire Steel Path star chart.

Steel Path Arbitrations would contain both sets of rules from Steel Path and Arbitrations, meaning:

- HP/Armor/Shield enemy modifiers of Steel Path.

- Enemies start a level 160-180 from the get-go (60-80 standard Arbitration level + 100 Steel Path modifier)

- Steel Path enemy spawn rate.

- Eximus units have a chance to drop a Riven Sliver, as in Steel Path. 

- An Acolyte spawns every 3-7 minutes as in Steel Path and drops Steel Essence as expected.

- Items have a cooldown, as in Steel Path.

- Arbitration mission objective and rotation length modifiers.

- Arbitration shield drones spawn and work as in standard Arbitration missions protecting other enemy units from abilities and damage. They drop Vitus Essence as in normal Arbitrations, but boosted by the Steel Path drop chance modifier.  

- As in Arbitrations, if you die, you can't respawn on your own. Can't be revived without the Resurgence Tokens, which still affect your teammates as expected.

- Altered Arbitration reward pool with radiant vaulted relics replacing the arcanes or some mods. If this is not financially feasible due to Prime Vault sales then standard/current radiant relics will do. No new rewards unless they are not "one and done" offerings. Throw in Kuva, 3x Steel Essence packs or Riven Slivers in there instead of Endo as well.

- Unique change: The WF and weapon bonus is given to 10 different items: 4 WF's, 2 Primaries, 2 Secondaries, and 2 Archguns in order to encourage experimentation.

- Unique change: While an Acolyte is alive, a damage type or damage resistance Sortie modifier is applied to other enemies, including Arbitration drones (If any). This gives Acolytes and Arbitration drones distinctive roles as enemy offence and enemy defense respectively.

- Unique change: 4 mission types active within the single hour rotation instead of just 1, each with their own frame/weapon bonusses. If you start one and have to leave early or fail, you can still choose the other 3 before the rotation ends.

The point of Steel Path Arbitrations would be to function as a stepping stone or test playground towards making content aimed at the power levels and playstyle of those who have completed TSP while throwing a curve ball in the form of Arbitration rules so you can't just Khora your way around with little to no opposition because Arbitration rules are a lot more challenging than TSP enemy levels. A mix of both reduces player complacency because cheese strategies are countered by the Acolytes, the Arbitration Drones, or both at once if players are not careful.

In addition, the revised reward pool offering Radiant Relics, Kuva, Riven Slivers, Vitus Essence and Steel Essence at once would make this an ideal place to incentivize late-game players to participate by virtue of being able to obtain several highly-valued consumables at once on top of being more appropriately-challenge for the level of their gear. This is a lot more sustainable than just a new mod that will lose value for yourself if you get a second copy you can't sell.

Plus, this would be pretty much recycled content, which would mean that it would not need too many development resources other than for the small unique changes.

Thanks.

Edited February 18 by Jarriaga

[Famecans 159]

I support, missions fissure/arbitrations/plains makes these maps popular

[Kaggelos 918]

#*!%. YES!

Where do I sign!?

[Xikto 215]

As you are on it, also add SP fissures, SP kuva siphons/floods, SP kuva lich missions and also make it so all Daily SP Incursions have guranteed accolyte spawn with increased difficulty.

also mix as many of the different variations of a mission together as possible. having Invasions/fissures/SP/lich missions and such all separated and on their own islands is heartbreaking.

[(NSW)Gamma83 193]

acolyte + permanent death (if solo) combo seems a bit harsh but hey why not , i mean it could make them an actual threat.

Because currently even if one's would die to them in regular SP, they would say "meh i can still revive 6 time".
Now players might actually try to fight them differently than simply face tank them as you have to avoid death at all cost in arbitration, especially solo.

[(XBOX)TyeGoo 9,668]

I'd appreciate a vitus essence rework and rebalance beforehand. Remove rng like with steel essence from drones. Rebalance shop items. Increase guaranteed amount for each successful rotation and create dailies with a fixed amount + an acolyte system with fixed amounts. (I think I suggested a guaranteed vor/grustrag/zanuka/Stalker system for arbies in the past, those could drop vitus essence) 

There's nothing worse than going for 30 mins to an hour or even higher with only 6 to 12 essence, not being able to get anything from the shop. (compared to steel path dailies where just doing the dailies a day nets you 20k Kuva per day with booster, and even more with luck and smeeta) 

I'm also still sad regarding one time rewards like the ephemera still bloating the drop tables.. I have 24 and I can't do anything with them. Same with aura Forma and the like, should be in the shop. I have more bps than I can build. 

Edited February 20 by (XBOX)TyeGoo

[(PSN)thegarada 891]

While would be nice, I do not think this is doable, specifically cuz of rewards. It needs good rewards, but that would not work for DE. Good rewards equal less grind.

[Devil_Stalker 388]

And review Steel Path's rewards. 
3 x Relics or 3 x Radiant Relics every 1 round on Disruption/Inteception/Defense/Survival
I think, need to increase drop by 3x 
Example: Tamu (Kuva Fortress): A rot = 300 kuva, B rot = 750 kuva, C rot = 1200 kuva or 3 x Universal Medallions. 
Or Excavation on Hieracon: 1200 Endo instead of 400 Endo with 25% chance

[fo3nixz 711]

ps: not meant as hijack but when steelpath fissures

[RenzorTheRed 96]

Steel Path Arbi would be neat.

 

Wouldn't Steel Path Relic missions be cool too? What if everyone going into a Steel Path Relic mission could choose two relics, so that there were double the choices when the mission turned over?

[CrimsonSpawn 105]

What if the drones gave you a buff, when you destroyed them, like increased reload speed, life steal, CC, affinity, etc.

Creds to @Wawus for giving the idea

[Wawus 340]

I like the idea, although I have my few "buts":

1. Arbitration limit to 1 per hour forces commitment to the mission and discourages people who would usually go for usual 5 waves per public matchmaking.

If we leave 3 options available it would be important to consider longer cooldowns for refreshing missions, between 2-4h Mark to keep consistency with player engagement and properly balance risk-reward ratio.

2. The random damage for weapon buff is standing directly against purpose of Steel Path. Instead of straight damage buff I would reconsider adding unusual buff system per weapon category (vide +multishot, +lifesteal etc) but to tie it directly with a gameplay it could be an unlockable bonus vide @CrimsonSpawnidea, where displayed bonuses would be unlocked and refreshed upon destroying an arbitration drone. This accomplishes requirement of player engagement as well as encourages heavier involvement and promotes local, in-squad competition to unlock these bonuses.

3. Offering Radiant Relics, Kuva, Riven Slivers, Vitus Essence and Steel Essence would very likely need additional implementation of proper resource sinks for said resources. As of today, we still don't have reliable system to utilise large amounts of Riven Slivers and both SE and VE would need some sort of evergreen rewards that are beyond casual rotation available at vendors.

Other than that, I love the idea and that could be something that might revitalise late game gameplay.

Edited February 22 by Wawus

[p_silveira 215]

While we're at it, could as well add "Steel Path Sorties" with better rewards / drop rates.