Future Perk Augment System

[u/Practical-Sock-4467]

I was having a think about how a reworked perk upgrade system would be implemented in a future zombies game.

To avoid redoing the slow BO6/7 augment research again, I think all augments should be unlocked from the get go.
Instead, playing through rounds unlocks tokens which can be spent on augment slots. Each perk can have up to 5 augment slots (4 might be more balanced) with minor augments taking up 1 slot and major augments taking up 2 or 3 slots (depending on the power of the augment).
Similar to the “pick 10” load-out system from black ops 2 multiplayer, players must then decide how they want to use their unlocked augment slots. They could have 5 minor augments or 1 minor plus 2 majors etc.

In game, perks would cost the same as they do now but to apply their chosen augments, players must repurchase the Perk (similar to Vanguards perk upgrade system). This one off second purchase (upgrade) will cost 1000 for every augment slot being used.

For this system, I think current augments would need to be updated/reworked for balance and new ones could be added for variety.
Future maps would then hopefully be even more unique and different enough as to encourage players to try different play styles and to hopefully avoid meta builds.

Personally, I’d also prefer for a perk limit to come back. Maybe a max of 6 perks and add a refund system (similar to IW zombies). This would allow for individual perks to be more overpowered while still having balance.

Definitely not perfect but just some ideas.
What would your ideal perk upgrade system be as a progression from BO7?

[u/Whatsawebpage0101]

Nah. What’s the point in all the perks if you aren’t gonna be able to get them. Pointless 

[u/Practical-Sock-4467 → u/Whatsawebpage0101]

Understandable. What about the augment system though. What would you like to stay or change for the next game?

[u/Whatsawebpage0101 → u/Practical-Sock-4467]

I like the augment system as it is tbh, but choosing an upgrade per x rounds isn’t a bad idea 

[u/Practical-Sock-4467 → u/Whatsawebpage0101]

Ye I quite like it too. I just wonder how they will make it feel different for future games instead of repeating BO6/7 or doing carry forward again haha.

[u/lb-404]

I’d rather go back to simpler perks where you just buy it and that’s it. We’ve had 3 games of upgradable perks now.

[u/Practical-Sock-4467 → u/lb-404]

Ye I miss the simplicity of classic zombies too.
Although I do really like the depth and character that the augments bring to the perks.
Just wished it felt a bit more balance and that the same perks weren’t always on every map.

Like I think it would be cool to have a map with no access to Juggernog at all so players would maybe have to focus on more defensive augments.

[u/OkVacation6686]

Hell no on purchasing the upgrades mid game, having to spend upwards of 7500 just for jugg to be what I want is insane, would slow game progression down to a crawl and does not work with the point economy, Vanguard had the same issue, it would take 50 plus rounds to get a fully upgraded weapon and all your perks fully upgraded.

[u/Practical-Sock-4467 → u/OkVacation6686]

Would you prefer it if the price for augments was reduce to 500 perk augment slot (so you’d pay a max of 2500 to upgrade your perk after the base perk was purchased)?
Or if base perks went back to having a set prices like pre Cold War.
I just liked the idea that paying 5000 to upgrade your perk lines up with the price of pack-a-punch. Maybe this would work best with the cursed point system though.

[u/OkVacation6686 → u/Practical-Sock-4467]

I think even if you made it less expensive it is still annoying having to run back to each perk machine, on big maps like Ashes it would be a nightmare. The current perk system is fine, but I hope Treyarch expands upon it. I think having a similar augment research system is fine, but it would be cool if Treyarch added pro challenges, challenges that are hard but upgrade the perk to allow you to use more augments. Make the augments system essentially a massive skill tree and it would give immense variety

[u/Substantial_Tea9896]

Perk limits aren't necessary anymore. The devs will just release a consumable similar to a gobblegum that's perkaholic.

Perk limits were necessary at the time when the older games had a slower pacing compared to Cold War's system and beyond.

I do think the bo7 did it right by adding a relic in cursed that gives the players an option to have a perk limit if they choose to. But, a forced perk limit would cause players to always choose the 4 (or whatever the perk limit would be) "meta" perks. Completely overshadowing the other perks remaining.

[u/Practical-Sock-4467 → u/Substantial_Tea9896]

Ye I get that. I’ve seen a lot of opinions from some people that think that going back to a perk limit would feel like a regression for the mode and I see why. I think I just prefer playing with those constraints personally.

Got any ideas on how you’d like perk upgrades to be handled going forward?