Add 'Protect' command to NPCs

If you can command a guard NPC, I think that you should be able to order them to 'Protect' in addition to the usual 'Follow' and 'Attack' stuff they tend to have. Not sure if Protect was a recent command in comparison to the others, but maybe it should be added. Thoughts?

By robotdogfighter at Sep 24, 2023 9:56 PM

NPCs are pretty powerful as it stands if you have the reputation to garner their automatic protection. I think protection should be the purview of player on player interaction.

By ReeferMadness at Sep 24, 2023 9:57 PM

I'd be concerned this would possibly cancel out low-to-midbie bodyguard work, which I think is already lacking from my perspective.

By crashdown at Sep 24, 2023 9:59 PM

If you are able to command a NPC to do anything, it's likely that it's situational enough and that you've earned it. It's not canceling out bodyguard work, because if you can do this command, you likely have a bunch of willing bodyguards simply by being the rank you are in a faction -- or, those guards are guarding you because that is in their job description.

This doesn't subtract from bodyguard work, because it's very likely bodyguards would not be able to operate in the capacity that these NPCs would be operating. I.E. on corpo sov territory or in the capacity of gangers or in work related roles. In many gangs it would be discouraged to hire a bodyguard to deal with gang biz.

By Leech at Sep 24, 2023 10:04 PM

In short, this seems like a very natural extension of the 'Guard Exit' command and I give it a +1

By Leech at Sep 24, 2023 10:05 PM

The problem is it isn't situational. A fixer with high-rep could hypothetically ask a Gang King to protect some nobody they don't care about.

By ReeferMadness at Sep 24, 2023 10:05 PM

My issue is that in a place where you can't hire out a bodyguard to follow you around, or guard PCs are not present, it leaves little that a noncombat char can do.

By robotdogfighter at Sep 24, 2023 10:07 PM

Just to hit the thread with some nerd glasses and 'ackchually', gang kings and lieutenants have been exempt from the player order systems for a while now.

As for how I feel about this topic, not sure! I think for the factions that you actually use these NPCs for protection for, it would be cool, but maybe gangers would be more focused on just following a leader to go raid some enemy turf.

By batko at Sep 24, 2023 10:09 PM

For all intents and purposes, if I can bend their ear to attack somebody, follow me, and otherwise? Why shouldn't they want to guard my PC if that's the strategy?

By Leech at Sep 24, 2023 10:12 PM

I think it's easy enough to accomplish by simply having NPC follow PCs who they will side with based on prior rep, however, I really just don't enjoy the prospect of this particularly on the other shoe.

If you had Judges and Corpsec throwing around the protect verb with NPCs, I think any potential aggression would feel even more difficult.

By ReeferMadness at Sep 24, 2023 10:13 PM

I suspect if protect had existed when NPC orders were implemented it would have been included by default as a natural progression of follow, attack, et cetera.

By 0x1mm at Sep 25, 2023 9:31 AM

Yes, the command system predates the protect system.

This is still a big no from me. It's one thing for NPCs that like you to follow your orders, and jump in on a fight. It's another thing for them to willingly sacrifice their life to protect you.

This changes the meta too much and encourages players to walk around with lots of NPCs as meat shields.

By Slither at Oct 2, 2023 5:51 PM

-	zxq	11m
-	SmokePotion	1m
-	BitLittle	4m
-	AdamBlue9000	0s	Rolling 526d6 damage against both of us.
-	Ameliorative	23m
-	BigLammo	20m	youtu.be/NZR4EeTkRqk
-	Bruhlicious	22s	Deine Mutter stinkt nach Erbrochenem und Bier.
a	Mench	12h	Doing a bit of everything.
And 12 more hiding and/or disguised

Add 'Protect' command to NPCs It's what they're there for, right?

Add 'Protect' command to NPCs
It's what they're there for, right?