Introduction
Warbands are already an established concept in World of Warcraft, with the camp feature on the character select screen showcasing your main character alongside three chosen alts. Warbands already share storage, reputation, and other account-bound benefits, creating a sense of unity among your favorite toons. This system can be expanded upon to include solo content like high-level delves and dungeons. The Warband Delve System would allow players to take their chosen camp of characters along as AI-controlled allies, making soloing dungeons more dynamic and rewarding.
Core Concept
The Warband Delve System leverages the existing mechanics of warbands by allowing players to assemble a group of up to four characters from their camp (one main and three alts), along with an iconic NPC like Brann Bronzebeard, to complete a five-man team. The goal is to make challenging content accessible to solo players while promoting alt progression and rewarding teamwork within your own roster of characters.
Key Features
Warband Selection: Players choose their main and three alts from their camp to form the warband, utilizing existing mechanics like shared storage and reputation.
Dynamic Role Assignment: The system auto-assigns roles (Tank, Healer, DPS) based on each character’s specialization and setup.
AI Control: Alts are controlled by AI, using straightforward but effective combat rotations tailored to their roles.
Brann Bronzebeard as DPS: An iconic NPC joins to complete the group, adding lore flavor and reliable damage.
Gameplay Mechanics
Reduced Alt Experience: Alts gain experience at a lower rate compared to normal, but still enough to progress over time.
Relevant Gear Drops: Loot distribution is class- and role-specific, making it efficient to gear up your warband while primarily focusing on your main.
Difficulty Scaling: Balance AI strength and challenges to maintain engaging and achievable content.
Versatile Content: This system could be applied to various types of solo content, including Timewalking dungeons and low-level instances.
Customizable AI Behavior: Allow players to tweak their warband’s combat priorities, such as focusing on survival or maximizing DPS.
Benefits
Solo-Friendly Endgame: Players who prefer solo content can experience dungeons and delves without needing a group.
Alt Integration: Makes leveling and gearing alts more integrated into regular play.
Lore and Immersion: Gives more purpose to warbands and makes them feel like an actual squad rather than just a collection of alts.
Versatile Application: Works for solo content like Timewalking and low-level dungeons, not just high-end challenges.
Conclusion
Expanding the Warband concept into delves and dungeons would enrich the solo gameplay experience in World of Warcraft. By allowing players to leverage their established warband camps for group content, Blizzard can enhance the feeling of character progression and create a meaningful way to engage with alts outside of traditional leveling or raiding environments. This system would make solo play more dynamic, strategic, and rewarding.