08-13-2014, 11:03 AM
(08-02-2014, 05:59 PM)Variable link Wrote: Personally, I prefer if the mission ends once the primary objective fails. It feels pointless returning to base if the mission had failed because we would like to play it again anyway and complete the objective.
That also leads to another gripe I have with some missions: Overly long travel times.
We tried one of those Wolfpack missions once and the insertion was about two kilometers away from the actual objectives. This isn't a problem per se, but if you spent half an hour traveling to the destination, then make sure that something is happening along the way.
This can be in the form of patrols (the easiest way, add some combat along the way), but might also be suspense alone.
One mission I made, Zargabad Dawn, was basically a mission where the only thing you did was travel. You started out in the bombed villa in Zargabad (the one on the hill) and basically had to walk through the town, pick up a suitcase, and get to the extraction chopper. I had comments on that mission from people that played it, claiming it was one of the best missions they every played, and some of them even did so without firing a single shot. Just because of the partols that were constantly searching for you, helicopters and other vehicles constantly flying overhead etc...
Another possibility to get around this problem is to give the players the optional objective to procure transport. Sneak into a nearby town, steal a truck, and drive to the objective. If you really need a large distance between insertion and primary objective, this is the easiest way to shorten the travel time.
If all else fails, give the players at least something to look at. Make sure the travel path leads along nice vistas or place ambiance along the travel path. This can be simple thinks like a guy changing the blown tire on his car, people passing you by and talking, or even two humping cows on a field.