Needed Tracking Window Improvements

[Talo]

<P><FONT size=2>Throughout my EverQuest days, I have been a ranger and one of those reasons was because I got the ability to track. When I started to use the tracking window in EQ2, I was disappointed in its regression from EQ1. What really annoys me is that the ability to sort and filter creatures is actually worse then it was in EQ1.</FONT></P> <P><STRONG><FONT size=2>Additions I would like to see:</FONT></STRONG></P> <OL> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Better sorting options – Allow for 6 different types of sorts: alphabetical (a to z), alphabetical (z to a), distance (nearest first), distance (farthest first), consideration (easiest first), and consideration (hardest first). It would be nice when sorting by consideration that within each color difficulty the creatures are sorted by level too.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Enable clicking on a creature in the tracking window automatically starts tracking that creature.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Enable double clicking on a creature in the tracking window to start tracking that creature and close the tracking window.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Print the name of the mob in the console that is being tracked.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Change the creature type filter from a list selection to toggles, like the consideration filters. Therefore allowing the ability to track all NPCs and Group members at the same time, while not tracking other PCs.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Add a creature type filter for miscellaneous tracking items like “a gnoll camp” or “a foci of decay”.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Add an option for text based tracking along with the way point wisp.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Update the tracking window if open with the new creatures when entering a new zone.</FONT></DIV></LI> <LI> <DIV><FONT size=2>Add a filter to track groups of linked creatures, individual creatures, or both.</FONT></DIV></LI></OL> <P><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>One other thing that I noticed is that when I start tracking a creature the way point wisp does not show up until I start moving, but I am not sure if this is the game or my system. Overall, while the tracking window works, it seems a bit archaic when compared to some of the other features in the game.</FONT></SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by Talone on <span class=date_text>03-06-2005</span> <span class=time_text>11:25 PM</span>

[Shadowdu]

<DIV>Nice ideas Talone.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The things that drives me nuts is that when you click on the mob you want to track and on the way down to click OK button a new mob comes up on track and it automatically selects this mob.  If you don't notice it you track to the wrong mob.  If you do notice it, you have to go back to the mob you want and click on it again.  This gets very irritating.  What you suggest will help the problem, but I think there needs to be a toggle button for the new mobs on track getting selected automatically or not.</DIV>

[Talo]

<DIV> <DIV> <DIV>I have not really noticed this problem with the auto update for the tracking window. I actually like this feature because then you do not need to open and close the tracking window while sreaching for a mob. I will test this out in game to see if I can duplicate what you are saying, and suggesting #4 would help because then at least you would know right away that you were tracking the wrong mob by using a simple message like "You begin tracking mob_name_001...".</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have also noticed another bug. When you zone with the tracking window open, it stays open and does not update for the new zone. Therefore you need to close and reopen the tracking window to get the mobs for the new zone. Thus when you zone the tracking window should either close automatically or be updated with the mobs for the new zone.</DIV></DIV></DIV>

[Calman]

<DIV>And how about the ability to tell if the mob is grouped or a solo mob. I mean this makes sence groups would have more footprints than solo.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Crono1321]

<blockquote><hr>Calman wrote:<DIV>And how about the ability to tell if the mob is grouped or a solo mob. I mean this makes sence groups would have more footprints than solo.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><hr></blockquote>There's a filter for that, I think it says "group" or something under the filter.Also can you make it so we can track reds? I still can't do this.

[Talo]

<DIV>Crono, the filter that says "Group" is for tracking players you are grouped with not for mobs that are in linked groups.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Calman, I do like the idea for having the ability to track specifically grouped or solo mobs. I will add that to the list, though I would think of this as nice bonus rather then a needed change.</DIV>

[Skurry]

I'd like to second the enabling of double clicking to start tracking and closing the window. I don't think it's that hard to do, as it works exactly that way in the zoning windows. <DIV>I've found myself running towards false mobs all the time because of the dreaded auto update (which by itself is nice, but the side effect of automatically selecting a different type of mob is bad).</DIV>

[Loltheb]

<P>How about an ability to track things beyond visual range?</P> <P>Most of my scout's early career was spent saying "Target on track" seconds after the goup had moved over to it because they could SEE it before it appeared on the track list!</P> <DIV>I'm not advocating a return to the EQLive style of rangers being able to track across a whole zone but maybe just a doubling of the existing range.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Seeing arrows in the track window is a superb idea and I'd like to second that!</DIV>