View Full Version : Buff Lists
We all know that buffing your own buildings can take ages and that buffing a friend's buildings can take even longer.
After every buff the request is sent to the server, confirmed and then returned before the building shows any effects.
To speed this up, perhaps consideration could be given to making 'buff lists':
Allow each player to define one or more sets of up to 25 buildings.
Allow those sets to be editable by the player.
Allow the player (or any visiting friend) to buff an entire set with as many buffs as they choose.
http://s12.postimg.org/5si26vf7x/buffs.jpg (http://s12.postimg.org/5si26vf7x/buffs.jpg)
Clicking the [Add / Remove Buildings] button would then return to island map, flag current buildings on the list and allow the player to remove a flag (with a click) or add a new building/flag by clicking any un-flagged building. Like buffing there would be a standard cancel button to exit the list management phase.
Adding a set of buffs to the desired list would be done by dropping a stack (or as many as you had) on the Mayor's House and then selecting which list to apply it to.
http://s16.postimg.org/oq2i7ar0j/image.png (http://s16.postimg.org/oq2i7ar0j/image.png)
Shows 18/23 as 5 buildings are already buffed - the 2 zZz asleep buildings would still be counted though. Presumably small buff stacks (e.g. 6 irmas) would just target the first N buildings in the list.
Visiting friends would do exactly the same.
One click, one call to the server, job done.
Obviously thought would need to be given to the implementation, whether to incorporate it into the Economy Overview as conceptualized in the image or somewhere else, whether to charge gems for more than one set, whether to allow specialist buffs to be used etc etc
Nikiphorus
16.03.13, 17:31
An excellent idea - proposal Tripi, I think it will be very helpful !!!!
FatBoyFonz
19.03.13, 06:25
I hate having to go through listing what buildings I'd liked buffed by friends and was thinking of a possible solution, mine wasn't this efficient though. So yeah could the lively BB developers start working on this implementation or something similar please.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I think it has many benefits:
Reduce lag (and therefore stress), due to not contacting the server for every single buff.
Allow easy specification of buildings to buff for friends... 'pls buff list 1 with baskets' rather than '2 bs in z1, 3 baker in z2...'
Reduce bad buff (mis-clicks) when dragging the map (or from friends doing the wrong buildings)
Gives BB something else to charge gems for :)
I really, really like this idea. +1 for you.
I agree, excellent idea :)
+1. It's too much effort to get other people buffing 50 buildings. If it was 1 click it would be much easier
+1 good idea
picture looks good also :)
BIG +1 from me, best idea i have seen in ages
FireKnight
15.05.13, 11:12
That would be nice (and urgent:D) huge +1
Thanks guys.
Still needs a lot more +1's before the friendly BB staff consider submitting it to the development team though :)
+1 here, and ill throw it in the guild for some more +++
Great idea! Would be awesome even if it were something that you could specify/upload via Excel, or txt file as well.
A big +1 from me as well! Looks like you've put a lot of effort in the interface as well. Really cool!
Great idea! Would be awesome even if it were something that you could specify/upload via Excel, or txt file as well.
I think that's a nice to have (if something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing?!)
Piglet1995
30.05.13, 13:13
Great Idea would really help to speed things up :)
+1 ... Well done Tripi. Great idea.
Allow the player (or any visiting friend) to buff an entire set with an equal number of a selected type of buffs.
That is the most important part imho.
Also, big time is consumed into "checking" friends' list or even typing it down for him.
So in addition to your idea, I wouldn't mind an extra option for a star looking / flag looking icon over the building that we want buffed, so our friend knows automatically what to buff, because sometimes we don't want an entire building group but just the lvl 5 ones.
+1 though
oxbowbutterfly
30.05.13, 16:44
Nice idea so when can we play??
Great idea and well thought through. +1 From me. Would also help to pick up the pace of the game which at times can be painfully slow.
Henry-Hill
30.05.13, 18:16
+1
+1 I would start to do buffs again this way!
Great idea. Too bad that most llikely this will not see the light of day...
+1
Pure genius. The best thought-out solution to mass buffing I have come across. The customizable list fits every buffing scenario I can quickly think of facing in the live game. Max size of list to equal max size of buff stack, and if the list is shorter the remainder is left in the Star menu. You should be able to chain them though, in the picture that illustrates the functionality it shows greyed out stacks if they are smaller than the list. If I have stacks of 10, 10 and 8, I should be able to drop all 3 into a friend's 25 list. Then the remaining 3 will once again be left in my star menu.
I also like that the benefits were considered from BB's aspect as well. Less server stress and a well-desired function for available for gems (=income). BB will be a bunch of fools to ignore this.
Did I say +1 already? :D
If they do then I hope it's not compulsory. I prefer to just tell my buffing partner what I need rather than have to worry about whether Iv'e updated a list in game.
You should be able to chain them though, in the picture that illustrates the functionality it shows greyed out stacks if they are smaller than the list. If I have stacks of 10, 10 and 8, I should be able to drop all 3 into a friend's 25 list. Then the remaining 3 will once again be left in my star menu.
I'm hoping that if BB take this concept on board, they will also consider things like that and tweak the idea into a fully usable feature.
I also like that the benefits were considered from BB's aspect as well. Less server stress and a well-desired function for available for gems (=income). BB will be a bunch of fools to ignore this.
It sure would have helped with that crisis quest, cut down on the lag from many players doing hundreds of friend buffs and might have even helped the quests count every buff rather than lag out and miss some.
If they do then I hope it's not compulsory.
I did not propose this interface to fully replace current buffing protocols, just to add an effective grouping and management facility. It would still be possible to buff buildings individually and even to buff one of the buildings in a defined set (hence the toolmaker in the image shows a current *2 buff and the required buffs total 22 when there are 23 buildings selected).
It should also 'maybe' be possible to click through the selected buildings individually from a list, so you could say 'can you just buff all the fishermen from buff list 1 pls' and a friend could then use the interface to find them.
Yperellanios
02.06.13, 11:01
+1 excellent idea
I can add this to your idea, mainly the marks on the map:
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm295/czaki222/SuggestionWindowFinal2-1.jpg
http://forum.thesettlersonline.com/threads/20911-Basket-swapping-improvement.-New-features.?p=201963#post201963
Eeek, thread-jacking O-o
Actually, highlighting the buildings in a set is a useful addition, both for management of the set and for visiting buffers. Just having the buildings lit and the others dark would likely be the easiest approach and would fit with the way current "buff-able" buildings are displayed.
First have to persuade BB that buff lists are a good idea though.
Thanks everyone for the +1's :)
I would like to add something else to this idea as well. When you make a list you should be able to assign baskets/sandwiches/platters/etc to it.
I could make a list of 40 buildings, then add 200 baskets to it (friends could also use their baskets to be flexible but if only 1 way, I'd prefer to just add my baskets to a list). This way we could have a guild list of member buff lists.
I'd click on the guild list and see
Tripi: Gold mines (7/7) [buff]
Tripi: Iron mines (10/16) [add baskets]
Snader: All the farms (50/50) [buff]
I could add baskets for Tripi's iron list because there are only 10 of the 16 required, or I could buff the gold mines of Tripi or farms of Snader with 1 click. Anyone in the guild could then hit several other member's with buffs very quickly which will save on the huge amount of time it can take.
When you create a list you assign the buildings you want and also assign the buffs you want. For example I could create a list the I call "gold mines", pick my gold mines and say only the "gold fever" buff can be added to this list. I could then edit it later and add more mines or change "gold fever" to the baskets.
I just noticed the 'add building' in Tripi's original picture. If I may suggest, once a player goes to the menu and chooses 'create list', they could then roam their map and pick buildings to the list by clicking on them. I'm supposing the server doesn't need to validate every click (at least clicking a building opens the details instantly, whereas buffs apply with a lag), so the benefit of decreased server stress still remains. I believe it would be more intuitive than scrolling through a menu listing of your buildings, especially for masons where you may choose to not buff them if the deposit they work on will deplete soon after you log off. Of course both methods of listing can be included, and everyone can choose the method that suits them best.
Free cake to everyone if this thread ever gets a smurf reply 'this suggestion has been forwarded to the development team'.
+1 excellent idea , should make things a bit easier, i would like to be able to choose the specific mines to be buffed though like merxe has suggested with his addition, at least that way i don'y have to worry about wasting a buff on a mine with only 2 gold or iron left.
MizMoneyPenny
05.06.13, 23:42
+1
Great idea Tripi!
Perhaps even better if the one to whom the buffs are going, could edit his/her list. This would make chance implementations a lot faster (the one sending the buffs doesn't need to worry about the changes at all).
Perhaps it would also be nice to have a timer associated with this - so that we know when the buffs are required to be applied?
well spotted buddy!
Thanks!
nim.
Perhaps even better if the one to whom the buffs are going, could edit his/her list.
I believe this was the idea all along. Either way it would be an excellent improvement to the current buff swap hassle, let's hope Tripi's idea gets forwarded to development!
stefanceltare
09.06.13, 16:27
Oh my... this would save some of my hassle with buffing guild mates and others buffing me 150 times...
Am all for this to be included... Is BB listening?
I believe this was the idea all along. Either way it would be an excellent improvement to the current buff swap hassle, let's hope Tripi's idea gets forwarded to development!
Yes.
Basically each person could manage his own buff list(s), adding or removing buildings from it whenever he/she wants. If they wanted, they could tweak the listed buildings just prior to inviting a friend over to buff (so the friend buffed only the buildings they wanted). The visitor would not be able to change the listed buildings, only the owner would.
A visitor would just visit, open the buff lists for that island, select the one they were asked to do and then one-click buff the lot.
Once again everyone, thanks for the +1's and other comments :)
I've read this thread a couple of times now, never taken the time to reply. Its an ace idea, Lets hope BB come out and say something regarding it, then act upon it :) Kudos to you Tripi +1
jamieoliver1976
10.06.13, 14:12
brilliant idea Tripi
+1
looks great too
stefanceltare
10.06.13, 15:41
Some BB staff should read this thread please... any feedback from them would be nice. Is it feasible, doable?
+1 very nice idea, i was about to suggest marking your buildings for easier buff swapping communication, but this is much better :)
i was about to suggest marking your buildings for easier buff swapping communication, but this is much better :)
I agree. Marking your buildings or picking them to a list would basically take the same amount of effort. However, from the buffer's perspective a list removes the need to look for the buildings (even with marks on them it still requires roaming over the island) and avoids any chance of a misclick. I'm not a technical person myself but the OP has also stated that applying lists would diminish server load, which would be a very positive 'side effect'. I don't do blocks in the mornings and evenings during the high peaks of buff swaps anymore because of the overwhelming increase of lag during that time. For many casual players, games are an evening pastime so their gaming experience is consistently crippled by lag from buffs.
excellent idea well done Tripi
noxidjkram
12.06.13, 18:21
+1
id'l like a 24h buff - make baskets last 24h and sandwitch last 12h... so we don't buff 2-3 times a day
ty hope you doit
id'l like a 24h buff - make baskets last 24h and sandwitch last 12h... so we don't buff 2-3 times a day
ty hope you doit
Although BB works in mysterious ways, I gather the logic of buffs generating seemingly extra resources (double output with no increase in input resources) is to keep players active in the game. So I doubt BB will ever make available an affordable 24h buff as this would make it possible to just login on the morning of day1 and return to full stocks of stuff on the evening of day2 (36h duration when applied by a friend). It's a waiting game so having the player hang around the screen in anguish of the slow advancement of the game is more likely to result in gem sales.
The buff list suggestion that is the topic of this thread is not a way to work around being active. It merely strives to make buffing less of a chore. Since there is no gem equivalent for avoiding this chore like there are for e.g. field rebuilding or meat deposit production, it would not have a negative impact on BB's income. Quite the contrary, making buffing fast, smooth and effortless will encourage players to keep their islands buffed all the time. Personally I do basket swaps once in the morning and once in the evening. With this list system I would gladly add a round of sandwiches as the only thing to do would be to drop a stack of them on a buff list - with placing them individually, I don't want to bother my fellow players with such a chore for just 3h of buffed production. BB would both gain more active players and could also derive some income from the system itself - I would invest gems for Permanent buff list slots like I do for Permanent building queue slots.
Just wondering about the law of unforeseen consequences with a buff list. It sounds a good idea in theory, but what are the downsides. Say that you have a list with 25 buildings to be buffed:
1. What happens if the storage is full for some of the resource buildings? - Should those buffs be refunded as they will be wasted?
2. What happens if the materials needed to create other resources are missing? - Should those buffs be refunded as they will be wasted?
3. What happens if no one has 25 buffs to put on your buildings - only 22 for example?
4. Although requests to the server are decreased, will it take a long time to apply 25 buffs and update all of the buildings?
5. Will you actually pay the gems for this benefit?
6. Will players end up spending more time managing buff lists?
7. Will it put off lower level players if the requirement is baskets the whole time?
8. Why should I have to make 25 baskets for you unless there is an equal trade of 25 baskets for me? Would it have to be a buff list swap via trade?
9. Will it mess up some of the quests that ask for buffs to be applied, but all your buildings are tied up with buffs from a buff list?
10. Will it just add another bit of complexity to the interface?
Just some thoughts.
stefanceltare
15.06.13, 14:46
Just wondering about the law of unforeseen consequences with a buff list. It sounds a good idea in theory, but what are the downsides. Say that you have a list with 25 buildings to be buffed:
1. What happens if the storage is full for some of the resource buildings? - Should those buffs be refunded as they will be wasted?
2. What happens if the materials needed to create other resources are missing? - Should those buffs be refunded as they will be wasted?
3. What happens if no one has 25 buffs to put on your buildings - only 22 for example?
4. Although requests to the server are decreased, will it take a long time to apply 25 buffs and update all of the buildings?
5. Will you actually pay the gems for this benefit?
6. Will players end up spending more time managing buff lists?
7. Will it put off lower level players if the requirement is baskets the whole time?
8. Why should I have to make 25 baskets for you unless there is an equal trade of 25 baskets for me? Would it have to be a buff list swap via trade?
9. Will it mess up some of the quests that ask for buffs to be applied, but all your buildings are tied up with buffs from a buff list?
10. Will it just add another bit of complexity to the interface?
Just some thoughts.
Hello Sto_Helit,
You should read better this thread before posting those thoughts... research is good too.
1. People check their storage, right? otherwise its their problem
2. same as 1
3. You give 25, you get 25. Don't have them then doit the old way by hand placing 22 or whatever number
4. Unknown
5. Some will do, especially if they do 150 buffs like i do...
6. You just need lists for what you buff daily. You can still do hand placed buffs
7. Did you even look at the first post? Whoever wants to use fish or sandwich is free to do so...
8. Do you check the trade channel? Loads and loads of people are swapping baskets. You place 25 for me, I place 25 for you. there is no rule as it is now either
9. You can still buff by hand one by one
10. Don't like it, dont use it and buff the old way.
You're welcome
Hello Sto_Helit,
You should read better this thread before posting those thoughts... research is good too.
How about all the people that just said 'great idea'? At least I posed some questions. I think there will be unintended consequences of creating buff lists and I just posed a few questions that occurred to me; if you have answers for all of them, then great.
1. and 2. It will be their problem, but they will whinge at BB for refunds.
3. If no one has 25 buffs, then your list might remain unbuffed instead of someone placing 22 buffs. That is the risk with the buff list.
4. Maybe there is a reason why it's not been implemented.
7. Yes I did look at the first post. I'm assuming that people can choose which buffs they want to be used, and therefore they might just pick baskets the whole time so that they don't risk being buffed by fish platters and have to be buffed by lots of people all day long.
8. Yes I know that people swap buffs on the trade channel.
9. So if people have buffed some of the buildings on the list individually, what happens to the list then? Is it all paused until the buffs on those buildings have run out, does the player need to edit the list so the other buildings can be buffed, or does the list automatically update?
10. That's not so much a question as to whether I like it or not, as to whether it should be added into a complex interface.
Thanks for the comments. :D
stefanceltare
15.06.13, 15:19
I think you got this a bit wrong tbh. A buff list would not be for random people... It is for friends you swap buffs on a daily/timeline basis thus there are no understandings of what if he doesnt have that or buffs that...
The fact that someone random comes and buffs a random building exists as well now so i don't see the issue really... then again i don't keep random people on my list.
Firstly: The suggestion was just an idea, something I felt would improve the game and be of benefit to both the players and BB themselves.
If (hopefully When) BB take the idea on board, they would undoubtedly think through all the pitfalls themselves...
Secondly: I think
If I have stacks of 10, 10 and 8, I should be able to drop all 3 into a friend's 25 list. Then the remaining 3 will once again be left in my star menu.
is a better way of approaching the buffing of a list, whereby smaller quantities of buffs would just affect the first N un-buffed buildings in the set. Buildings with an active buff would be skipped and each subsequent buff just applied to the next available building in the list.
Thirdly: I surmised that players would principally use this to handle groups of buildings that they rarely change. I, certainly, have one group of 25 buildings that I buff a few times a day. Always the same buildings, three stacks of buffs a day. I also sometimes buff a few other buildings individually on an as-needed basis.
Finally: The principle problem, as far as I can see, is mines and wells as these can deplete and therefore disappear. Presumably, once a building depletes, it would disappear from the buff-list (as would user demolished buildings). Resolution of this (for mines anyway) would depend on how BB store the building information in the database.
In answer to #4: (Although requests to the server are decreased, will it take a long time to apply 25 buffs and update all of the buildings?) It should only take a few microseconds longer than applying 1 buff using the old method.
A single call would be sent to the server with technical datastring saying, for example "12 baskets for Fred's buff list 1".
The server would check the database to find what buildings that affected, update the database for all those buildings at once and then reply with a datastring indicating which buildings had buffed (started glowing) and how many buffs were used. The player would then see the buff-list update to show the new data and the buildings start glowing
LadySixtus
27.06.13, 11:46
+ 1
we will all find it in very good use.
Thanks all for the +1's and supportive comments. :)
+1 from me too. Great idea!
It would be great to see this, at least on the test server to see how it goes.
I'd be concerned about glitches that may come up with mass applying buffs (even though it kind of sounds like less server effort). But that's what Test is for.
Whack it on there, give everyone a few stacks of buffs in the mail, and have a stress test.
SuzanneBradley
03.09.13, 11:23
Great idea, glad someone else is fed up of individually buffing building as much as I am. Would love to see something similar to this implemented.
BAAAHHHHHJJJAAA
04.09.13, 23:38
But where is the fun in aimlessly wandering around a randoms island after they haven't stated what sectors things are in or how many of each building they have ?
That was a joke.
This is a great idea
So in addition to your idea, I wouldn't mind an extra option for a star looking / flag looking icon over the building that we want buffed, so our friend knows automatically what to buff, because sometimes we don't want an entire building group but just the lvl 5 ones.
+1 though
In regards to Tripi's idea and Makedon above which Merxe so kindly illustrated for us. A big +1 from me. I do a lot of buffing for guildies and a system like this would make it a lot less painless. The lag is the worst part of the process. A list system like this would negate that. The other tiresome part is having trouble finding certain building, a flag system would simplify this process.
Great thinking, and well done on both great ideas. I really hope BB look into this one. It looks like a massive bit of code work, but it would be awesome to have something like this!
eugenio-82
07.01.14, 10:44
Great idea!
Sharpielein
11.01.14, 14:04
+9001
Bluesavanah
11.01.14, 14:09
Excellent idea, the wife and I run a lot of buffs on each others Islands and I would love this.
+1 good idea - My tendinitis Thank!!!
+1 also because lags are getting worse and baskets are lost more and more :(
If not into the economy overview, it can be put in the place of the advent calendar. Or under the place where the star used to be. That way it would be accessible for visiting players.
Thanks yet again for the +1's everyone... keep them coming.
Perhaps if we get to 10 pages of replies, get to 100 +1's this thread might get an official response from a member of the BB team. :)
From this thread (http://forum.thesettlersonline.com/threads/27513-The-way-forward-for-TSO?p=252644&viewfull=1#post252644)
As a sidenote, the more support from the community a suggestion gets (the more it's discussed and the more approval it gets, even if it's just a +1), the higher the chances it will get implemented. That is why it's very important for you guys to post in the forums as gathering feedback from chat is nowhere near as efficient.
Maybe they should spend their time working on something actually useful that everyone can benefit from instead of ruining adventure landing zones messing up lootspots. YET ANOTHER +1 from me
+1 from me too fantastic idea :-)
Lille_Skutt
13.03.14, 18:53
+2 (my cat agrees too)
Wreckless-
13.03.14, 19:00
plus one too
Only suggested two and a half years ago... so worthy of a bump ;)
Finallly at last, your original suggestion meets my cryteria for such a buff list, though how I missed it originally is beyond me.
my +1 still counts :)
time BB does something with it like all the suport it gets from the community this shouldnt be missed
Finallly at last, your original suggestion meets my cryteria for such a buff list, though how I missed it originally is beyond me.
I would actually slightly change the way it operates and just manage the List(s) within Economy Overview.
To place buffs I would just use the Mayor's House (whether on home or friend Island)... drop 25 Feasts or whatever (except cheese/love etc of course) on MH opens a list of options [list 1][list 2][cancel] etc and clicking one of those does the lot.
Original idea had the player opening Economy Overview to place buffs which was flaky back then and now even more so with so many buffs in star menu.
I should go back and tweak the first post a bit ;)
Amended the First post now to better show the concept (with slight tweaks based on a year or so of additional suggestions)...
We all know that buffing your own buildings can take ages and that buffing a friend's buildings can take even longer.
After every buff the request is sent to the server, confirmed and then returned before the building shows any effects.
To speed this up, perhaps consideration could be given to making 'buff lists':
Allow each player to define one or more sets of up to 25 buildings.
Allow those sets to be editable by the player.
Allow the player (or any visiting friend) to buff an entire set with as many buffs as they choose.
http://s12.postimg.org/5si26vf7x/buffs.jpg (http://s12.postimg.org/5si26vf7x/buffs.jpg)
Clicking the [Add / Remove Buildings] button would then return to island map, flag current buildings on the list and allow the player to remove a flag (with a click) or add a new building/flag by clicking any un-flagged building. Like buffing there would be a standard cancel button to exit the list management phase.
Adding a set of buffs to the desired list would be done by dropping a stack (or as many as you had) on the Mayor's House and then selecting which list to apply it to.
http://s16.postimg.org/oq2i7ar0j/image.png (http://s16.postimg.org/oq2i7ar0j/image.png)
Shows 18/23 as 5 buildings are already buffed - the 2 zZz asleep buildings would still be counted though. Presumably small buff stacks (e.g. 6 irmas) would just target the first N buildings in the list.
Visiting friends would do exactly the same.
One click, one call to the server, job done.
Obviously thought would need to be given to the implementation, whether to incorporate it into the Economy Overview as conceptualized in the image or somewhere else, whether to charge gems for more than one set, whether to allow specialist buffs to be used etc etc
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