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(1/12) I've reflected more on #pulltheripcord following earlier tweets. For my own context, I am a curve raider with a very nice guild that does not emphasise min/maxing. If the system went live as it was, I probably wouldn't be penalised too much since I rarely pug. However,
(2) the anxiety and friction that is being caused by the seeming intent of @WarcraftDevs to proceed with the system as it is now will ensure that the expansion launches with unnecessary negativity.
(3) But equally, #pulltheripcord could derail the most exciting part of covenants: the identity and fantasy. Many people LIKE the idea of aligning themselves to one covenant because of philosophy, story, aesthetics, and do not want those boundaries diluted purely for gameplay.
(4) From this perspective, treating covenants as something we swap between whenever we feel like it, with no consequence, would really cheapen the whole idea and it would certainly kill my own excitement for the system. One idea I've seen touted is being able to
(5) independently gain renown with each covenant on one character. It would mean leveling them up separately, but at least allowing you access to all abilities. From a player-power perspective this makes sense, but I think it would be a bad solution that would inadvertently
(6) alienate parts of the playerbase who view covenants as more than just sources of power-maximisation. This is why #pulltheripcord irritated me at first, because it seemed like a slap in the face to people who are looking forward to that choice. HOWEVER...
(7) I have learned that the positions are not irreconcilable. We can pull (or at least heavily loosen) the ripcord by allowing us to serve one particular covenant, but also have the abilities of other covenants added as talents that we can swap between.
(8) Soulbinds from other covenants who would be willing to help you again (you did nice things for them before anyway) could be recruited through quest chains. Players like me would be stoked to learn more about these characters and watch their relationships develop.
(9) The crux of the problem is Blizzard is determined to tie character power to systems like this. This is often at the expense of 'horizontal progression' which is cherished by many players. I recommend that @WarcraftDevs do the following:
(10) Reward players who choose to serve a covenant with EXCLUSIVE Suramar-length storylines, titles, pets, mounts, toys, and transmogs. But also move covenant abilities into an extra talent row and allow the possibility to recruit extra soulbinds from other covenants. This way
(11) most concerns are resolved. I could identify as a 'Necrolord Warlock' while still being able to draw from some power of people I've helped. I'd be less likely to be penalised in PUGs or feel pressured to reverse a choice I wanted to make.
(12) I hope this has been helpful. I think healthy discussion about these things is important. This is especially true when we're talking about what #pulltheripcord would actually mean in practice.
