New Gate/Key System

[DarkConvict]

I was going to post this on another gate topic but i've furthered it more so placed in a new topic.
Instead of metal, can we not use bones instead to craft keys, if you can make a curved hook and sure a simple key would work, right?

My idea would be to change the key system all together.

Keys and Gates are passwords, when a gate is created you give the gate a password, you get a pre-made key with the password on it. Key password must match gate password to open.
The password on the key is set and unchangeable, the password on the gate can be changed (wood/bone resource) + use of the current correct key will change the gate lock (password) and issue a new key. Now you have a current key and old key (mostly useless).

Furthering the idea, have bone keys and metal keys. (Metal for metal locks too)

Passwords on bone keys and locks are limited to 4 characters, passwords on metal keys limited to 8 characters.
You can guess where this is heading.

Allow it possible to craft keys to a password, so you can make duplicate, or if you know a friends password craft your own key!
Opens the possibility of key cracking skill/picklocking, where if a key fails to open it says which letters are in the right place, and which letters are right but in wrong place, a classic mini puzzle game.
Obviously using just letters, a 4 letter password (all lower case) is 456,976 combinations.

Abuse is possible, if someone cracks your gate password they could fit a new lock

But on the plus side if you loose your key and you still know the password, grab a few bones and remake it. Obviously if someone fines the lost key maybe they could find your gate!.

[sabinati]

i'd rather see keys done away with altogether and replaced by some kind of meta-key like hearth secrets

there would still be the opportunity for a lockpicking system at some point, but right now someone can just bash the wall so why bother trying to pick a lock

[Jackard]

Keys and Gates are passwords, when a gate is created you give the gate a password, you get a pre-made key with the password on it. Key password must match gate password to open.
The password on the key is set and unchangeable, the password on the gate can be changed (wood/bone resource) + use of the current correct key will change the gate lock (password) and issue a new key. Now you have a current key and old key (mostly useless).

that really sounds sort of redundant and convoluted, when you consider that devs could simply improve the system of claim permissions that we already have by adding more options

[theTrav]

What happened to the suggestion of levers?

[DarkConvict]

I like your idea Jackard over kinning villages, but what about gates outside of village influence or personal claims?

I just reckon keys are the way forward, keeping in line with other aspects of the game where you need to have items on you to do certain actions (axe -> chop, butcher) (saw -> boards) (fishing rod -> fish) etc.

Although i would prefer the key kept on the character equipment screen instead of where it is now for the simple reason that you can accidently drop a key easier from inventory.

[Jackard]

Levers

I like your idea Jackard over kinning villages, but what about gates outside of village influence or personal claims?

what about them. why build unclaimed walls in the first place? should it even be allowed to build defenses on territory not under your control? (especially if they are made stronger!)

in any case see above

[DarkConvict]

Sure, It would fix it as the claims would have to be at least 5 tiles away so no chance to build gate blockers, its just i like the idea of building walls on unclaimed areas, i have to say i've never done it, but building big areas around farms is useful when you dont have the LP to expand the claim that far, say a small 60x60 farm, thats 20lp per block 60x60*20 = 72,000 lp, alot for a farmer.

[Potjeh]

60x60 is small? I've kept 6 full coops, 4 cows, a bull, 4-6 calves, a ram, 2 sheep and 6 lambs, plus I made about a cupboard of pastry, 10 linen and 1 silk cloth a day, and I did it all in my 20x40 palisade. The only thing I couldn't fit inside was my tree farm, which just took 20x20 outside my palisade.

[DarkConvict]

Ok, maybe 60x60 was an exaggeration i've never done much other than a vegetable garden as a farm.

Ok, ill rephase the problem, you can only afford a 20x20 claim, once you build your wall, due to the high str requires to knock down palisades you can't knock it down to expand it.
So the answer could be palisades on your land are easier to destroy, but unless palisades are build on claims only, someone could make a claim just ouside your on the palisade section for easy removal of the wall. There is alot to consider, but it was just putting forward a gate/key idea.

[Jackard]

i have to say i've never done it

i have, its not fun or even very useful, it should be limited to roundpole fences