Teleport energy based on distance as well as total energy
Instead of a flat teleport energy cost, why max out the energy cost at 1/3 if the distance/segments of travel exceeds a certain number, and then use slightly less energy depending on how close the target location is to your current location?
Interesting idea. But since distance in teleportation is meaningless - it's essentially instantaneous no matter where on the URth you are or your target is located - the loss really seems to come about from generating the TP field, rather than being spent during the transport itself, so all teleportation cost comes down to the act of engaging the skill, moderated by the current T-skill level of the player who uses it.
Currently mine's 1/10th (2860 total, 286 to teleport with TP5), Id rather it wasn't tripled, if that's what you mean.
It's already limited to only 3 permanent slots and 3 map teleports (without parting with credits) daily even when maxed, so a nearby one is a waste, which seems the right way round. The game does need to keep people strolling around past each other a bit to work, maybe.
(even if I would like to be able to teleport from the animal pen to the roof garden when feeling lazy)
I will say I like the idea of cost based on distance.
I think the current rate is good so a change should balance to what it is now.
Perhaps any jumps within the current region would be (at TP5) 5% of max energy. One region removed, 7%. Two, 10%. Three, 15%. Anything beyond that, 20%.
Somethings would be hard to calculate with the current system. Many seam streets are not really considered part of any regions. And while you can't TP into them, you can TP out. So perhaps the act of getting to the "closest" region from a seam street would be considered jumping one region.
Of course the system I've described would mean it would be more costly to go from Meadow's Edge to Blue Mountain Bore than it would cost to go from Meadow's Edge to Welldale. But it is simpler that some sort of "per street" calculation (which players would obsess over and complain when the math didn't work the way they calculated.
I would also favor a HIGH cost to TP to any region you have not already visited. Maybe 25%, regardless of distance.