Server Optimization: Ammo?

[Bjond]

Unsure what happens for an inventory update -- it could have been coded as a simple stack count decrement on up to a full DB push on each ranged shot. Consider that a ranged DPS character will typically fire 86/m at cap. That's a lot of essentially unnecessary inventory operations.

If inventory/ammo updates are more than a count decrement, perhaps consider making ALL ammo "returning". Then there's never any updating necessary for any ammunition. Could even rip out all ammo stack updates and assume it's returning (because it then would be). You'll likely want to do a little extra and make existing ammo non-stacking and update prices accordingly for vendor ammo, but that's about it -- a tiny change.

IMHO, this has the added benefit of also making quivers + RNG & CC ammo viable again. Swapping in ammo to break DR or apply the correct bane damage is rather pointless now due to stacking limitations and likely would be for most players even after the change. But, with all ammo "returning" at least the potential for using novel ammo exists.

 

[misterski]

That would obviate the conjure ammo spells, though. They'd have to come up with something to replace them.

 

[Bjond]

Just reduce them to summon 1 ammo item. There's really no point in having an "ammo" mechanic at all from a game-play standpoint these days. Everyone summons then ignores it until running out. CC, Drop/RNG, & Vendor ammo is pointless. If it was all returning, it would again have a point and whatever overhead there is for ammo in game would be gone.

 

[Pesh]

I'd just remove ammo completely, no need for an ammo slot anymore. Quivers can fill the role of additional effects anyway and without needing to open like a bag they could be swapped like a normal item using action bars. This might make the coding of them less problematic too.

 

[Ying]

That would obviate the conjure ammo spells, though. They'd have to come up with something to replace them.

Conjure spells and enhancements exist to solve an artificially created problem.

It's mindboggling to me that characters can run around fully outfitted in magic gear -- moreso than in any D&D tabletop game -- but asking for ammo to be returning by default somehow crosses the line. DDO is consistently inconsistent like that.

 

[rabidfox]

Remove ammo usage entirely and make the ammo slot just a modifier for damage type.

 

[Ying]

Remove ammo usage entirely and make the ammo slot just a modifier for damage type.

I think it was Lich who was pondering consolidation of ammo and quivers, in response to why there hasn't been a new quiver in 5 years. We're quickly approaching 9 years since a new raid quiver was introduced.