Not sure if this idea would help anyone other than self entertainment. For challenge try different fits. Instead of hiding at range try brawling. Try a fleet of frigate size ships. You got 5 people and still in high sec missions? Go do a level 5 already. It is like saying having 10 people to do level 1 security missions is too easy please change the game... You might be confusing missions as instances in other MMOs

But of course Sir, anything that isn't to you liking, or isn't risky enough for you must be shot down. Please take the elitist attitude elsewhere, not everyone has access to L5's.

Thanks everyone else for the comment so far, it just an idea aimed at making L4's variable. This is by no means a definitive idea or structure, hence the asking for comments.

Missions are solo PVE, Incursions and upper class WH sites are group PVE. The escalation mechanism already exists in C5 and C6 sites, why not try them for teamwork experience?

Again, as much as I appreciate the point you are making, not everyone has access to WH's or Incursions, of even the time to be part of them. Changing L4's isn't going to change the shape of the empire, just give casual players a chance to test their skills.

What do you mean by "no access"? There's tons of wh corps recruiting all the time (ours included), and you don't even need to be in a player corp to participate in Incursions.

Test skills? Surely PVE isn't the mechanism for that.

I'm not being negative, just wondering what you see as obstacles for trying out the already existing and challenging team-based PVE.

Your suggestion would indeed affect everyone in the game in the form of increased missioning rewards, which already are too high for hisec- a lucrative area for botters, multiboxers and others exploiting the low-risk, high-reward AFK revenue streams.

Due to it's scripted nature and dumb AI, PVE doesn't put skills to test in the same fashion as PVP does. PVP is more unpredictable, forcing a higher level of player involvement instead of following walk-through guides.

Missions are a very complicated thing in a sand-box game, essentially forming a closed system inside EVE. I'm afraid the changes required to make it fit better into this game aren't the ones you might be looking for.

You'll also find that a considerable portion of mission-runners prefer solo "content" to co-operation, as it may involve a degree of social interaction.

Think of the bigger picture, please.

This is a PvP centric game.

if u want big rewards and high end PvE, get out there and take the risk. u dont have to live in a WH to run WH sites. U dont have to live in low sec to do low sec combat anoms.

if what ur asking is high end PvE with big rewards but in safety and complete isolation from hostile players, ur simply playing the wrong game.

THAT's the bigger picture

Big rewards? Are you aware of how 'big' L4 bounties are?

With a 100% bonus the biggest bounty you are going to be looking at is ~2.2mil ISK. This isn't about making them as lucrative as incursions, just a small incentive to promote teamwork.

Hauling and mining carry more risk and less rewards than missions already. There doesnt need to be extra rewards from level 4's.

This is a PvP centric game.

if u want big rewards and high end PvE, get out there and take the risk. u dont have to live in a WH to run WH sites. U dont have to live in low sec to do low sec combat anoms.

if what ur asking is high end PvE with big rewards but in safety and complete isolation from hostile players, ur simply playing the wrong game.

THAT's the bigger picture

Exploits:
a shield tanked kronos can tank level 4's let alone an armour tanked one. the way i'd exploit this is put a marauder into the mission along side 3-4 cloaked/inty alts. the 40% dps is nothing to my marauder, and these rats are just as easy to kill. so i get 80% more bounties for no extra work. \o/

I'd probably just scan for wrecks, warp to your mission with 12 of my buddies (possibly cloked) and see what happens next. :P

misunderstanding what PvP is

I'd probably just scan for wrecks, warp to your mission with 12 of my buddies (possibly cloked) and see what happens next. :P