Mask Scent 1 (Source)

MASK SCENT

Despite near constant attention from the Devs, mask scent remains by far the most controversial skill provided to us. Across the board, Scouts all seem to have varying levels of success. Let me give you a little background on mask scent and how it works.

Maskscent is based on your Mask Scent modifier. It originally was based on your camouflage modifier, but this was changed as of the new addition of the Ranger skill /conceal (which now uses that modifier). The equation takes into account your MS modifier, your speed (whether walking, prone or running) and the relative creature level of the creature who is trying to detect you. So as your MS modifier increases (with each level of Exploration), your chances of successfully getting XP and staying safe with mask scent increase. But it is also important that you are around creatures of a similiar level to you. A novice scout running around on Dathomir is going to complain loud and long that his mask scent is useless and doesn't work, while an almost-Master Scout will be running around Lok doing the bunny dance because he's almost levelled and not had to do anything for it.

If you are having difficulty with mask scent, try two things - first, use it against creatures closer to you level, basically meaning ones that you would have odds on actually defeating if they attack you. Second, change your speed. Going prone and walking both modify your mask scent prospects by between 5%-35% over running. Slow down, creep slowly and you'll start seeing some XP spam on your window. Also keep in mind that the larger the group of reds, the more likely it will be (statistically speaking) that your mask scent gets broken. Each time you get within the striking range of a creature (based on their ferocity) you will be �checked� to see if the creature broke your mask scent. 10 creatures mean 10 checks, and with the bit of randomness that is added in to account for luck, you may just get sniffed out � even against low level creatures like Kreetles.

So what�s so controversial about the changes? Well, a number of things � depending on your point of view.

Mask scent was tweaked to make it less likely to be broken, with the offset of being decreased XP awards and the likelihood that a creature breaking your mask scent will attack you. This has met with mixed reviews from the community, especially as the �big update� from early in September left mask scent bugged � it was TOO useful, never breaking, but never providing XP. Now it is breaking again, and with the addition of the creatures attacking, it has come under continued complaint from many members of the community.

However, the changes weren�t all bad. Mask scent can only be broken by red (aggressive) creatures now � yellow (non-aggressive) creatures have no affect on it. Further, the timer that was implemented is now tiered, so that the higher you go up the exploration tree, the less time it takes to be able to remask your scent after it has been broken. Master Scouts only have to wait 15 seconds to use mask scent again