I would like some Patrol missions to link together and tell a little story, if possible.

At that point, you are just doing an easy version of a story mission.

Patrol should go back to being called Explore, and there should actually be things to find!

I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, but as it stands right now Patrol mode is mostly "nothing" happening.

I would just like it to be known that I said this exact thing during the Alpha. :-p

[snip]

The moral of my little story: I think Patrol mode could be greatly improved even without adding anything to it. We just need MORE of what's already there. More public events, more patrol missions, more bounties that lend themselves to patrol mode.

I both agree and disagree. Part of the interest such combinations of events create is their relative rarity. If anything, Minions of Crota happens too often and too regularly. Rare occurrences like this are supposed to be rare-- that is what makes them interesting. It is, I think, a bit foolish to fall into the idea that just "more" of that would be better. The scenario you described was interesting because it doesn't happen all the time. If it started to happen more often it would become routine, commonplace, and uninteresting.

Patrols could use a refresh, or a bit more variety, but it's supposed to be the least dense activity-- it is that way on purpose.

I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, but as it stands right now Patrol mode is mostly "nothing" happening. After 565 hours, this situation has happened exactly 1 time. Yes, some things should remain rare in order to make them feel special, but most of what happens is too simple/uneventful to justify its rarity. I think we are so far to one side of the spectrum that simply adding "more" of everything actually would be an improvement.

I agree here. But I think a better solution might be to structure patrol missions so that they can branch and "link" to differing objectives. It would be nice if some of these, when chained long enough (either randomly or according to a specific recipe) one would receive a rarer objective/public event/award. Even something as simple as triggering a megabattle.

It would add a bit of focus to Patrol, with a growing level of investment over time, and a proportionate payout.

~m

He just walks in the room trying to get to Mothyards and is annihilated. You'd need to separate the instance. Darkness zone or whatever.

This.

Already in patrol areas at or near spawn on Earth, where you've got the lowest level new players, there's:

Minions of Crota
Eye/Hand/Heart of Crota
Megabattles (the enemy is moving against each other)
Urzok
Kill the Target
Defend the Warsat

The route from Steppes through Mothyard to Skywatch is one of the first a new Guardian learns, but repeating it in patrol mode can run you into any or even all of the above. Minions happens several times an hour, other public events usually once or twice in an hour, and the X of Crota "events" are available all the time if you disturb the target enemy. Think about it, as low level guardian on a patrol that guy in lunar complex just looks like a thrall cowering in a corner.

None of this is a problem, IMO. First of all, it can all be avoided. 2nd, you're a level 4 for like an hour, compared to the weeks or months that you're stuck replaying the same content at or near max level.

He just walks in the room trying to get to Mothyards and is annihilated. You'd need to separate the instance. Darkness zone or whatever.

This.

Already in patrol areas at or near spawn on Earth, where you've got the lowest level new players, there's:

Minions of Crota
Eye/Hand/Heart of Crota
Megabattles (the enemy is moving against each other)
Urzok
Kill the Target
Defend the Warsat

The route from Steppes through Mothyard to Skywatch is one of the first a new Guardian learns, but repeating it in patrol mode can run you into any or even all of the above. Minions happens several times an hour, other public events usually once or twice in an hour, and the X of Crota "events" are available all the time if you disturb the target enemy. Think about it, as low level guardian on a patrol that guy in lunar complex just looks like a thrall cowering in a corner.

I don't see this as much of a problem. They'll learn the first time not to take on what they can't beat... and soon enough they will be in a position to beat that which they previously could not take on. Maybe I'd agree with you more if there were actual consequences to dying, but triggering or wandering into an event just shows you not to do that and places you a few hundred meters away. Personally, I think it's a great trade to introduce new players to a temporality dangerous world that they can over come in exchange for a world that continues to challenge everyone over the long term.

Just have a selectable difficulty level for all activities: including patrol.

He just walks in the room trying to get to Mothyards and is annihilated. You'd need to separate the instance. Darkness zone or whatever.

This.

Already in patrol areas at or near spawn on Earth, where you've got the lowest level new players, there's:

Minions of Crota
Eye/Hand/Heart of Crota
Megabattles (the enemy is moving against each other)
Urzok
Kill the Target
Defend the Warsat

The route from Steppes through Mothyard to Skywatch is one of the first a new Guardian learns, but repeating it in patrol mode can run you into any or even all of the above. Minions happens several times an hour, other public events usually once or twice in an hour, and the X of Crota "events" are available all the time if you disturb the target enemy. Think about it, as low level guardian on a patrol that guy in lunar complex just looks like a thrall cowering in a corner.

It is still lots of fun to take down the walker in the Cosmodrome with a sword.

It just triggers once you DO reach gold-tier on an event. It doesn't matter if that happens on the fifth one you attempt.

That's already how I think of Defend the Warsat.

Yeah, this is true, but it's still essentially a timed event.

He just walks in the room trying to get to Mothyards and is annihilated. You'd need to separate the instance. Darkness zone or whatever.

I actually like the idea of having the occasional situation that makes lower level guardians run for the hills. Not too frequently of course, but every now and then it would be cool to have a situation come up that makes players stop and think "can I really handle this?"

Back when I first started leveling up my Titan, I stumbled across a "Defend the WarSat" public event in the mothyards. I was the only guardian nearby, but I joined it anyway. No big deal, right?

Just as the event started, the Blades of Crota invaded the world and ran straight into the zone where the WarSat had crashed. It was right about now that I remembered I was only a level 5. All of a sudden I was in a frantic fight for my life as I danced around the wreckage. I was totally outmatched. I was about to bail, when a level 17 and a level 20 swooped in on their sparrows and saved my ass. It was awesome, and another example of something exciting happening in patrol mode for a change.

What you just described is one of the coolest experiences in this version of Destiny. It's why I often go for Kill the Target public events even when I'm the only guy around and can't really do it by myself. The excitement of other players joining in is worth risking my gold tier.

He just walks in the room trying to get to Mothyards and is annihilated. You'd need to separate the instance. Darkness zone or whatever.

I actually like the idea of having the occasional situation that makes lower level guardians run for the hills. Not too frequently of course, but every now and then it would be cool to have a situation come up that makes players stop and think "can I really handle this?"

Back when I first started leveling up my Titan, I stumbled across a "Defend the WarSat" public event in the mothyards. I was the only guardian nearby, but I joined it anyway. No big deal, right?

Just as the event started, the Blades of Crota invaded the world and ran straight into the zone where the WarSat had crashed. It was right about now that I remembered I was only a level 5. All of a sudden I was in a frantic fight for my life as I danced around the wreckage. I was totally outmatched. I was about to bail, when a level 17 and a level 20 swooped in on their sparrows and saved my ass. It was awesome, and another example of something exciting happening in patrol mode for a change.