This is a hypothetical please bear that in mind guys! (I don't want to get torn apart for this)

Hypothetically if Lunar decided to do real HCF they would need to make the server appealing, re-playable and competitive while also keeping it fun and sticking to the Hardcore roots.

Here are a few ways that a server could innovate and make a long lasting, entertaining HCF experience.

[1]
A server would need to have specific events for different faction sizes during the week and at weekends, Koths would be the most common and factions of all sizes will be able to attend.

If you allocate specific events to the following faction sizes (just an example) [1-9] [10-19 [20-25/30] you can provide a more wide variety of faction sizes with fun events to keep them busy and grinding.

HERE ARE A LIST OF EXISTING EVENTS THAT COULD BE USED
> KoTH
> Conquest
> Palace/Citadel
> DTC
> HQ
> Invasion
> Bosses
> Weekend Nightmare event
> Outposts
> Thimble
> End Dragon

[2]
By introducing F top rankings for your different faction size brackets it will encourage more players of different faction sizes to compete in the rankings for rewards and prizes.

[3]
A proper schedule for your events that players can view easily (in game or on the site) will help players keep track of ongoing and future events, helping them feel more connected to the community.

[4]
Having a wide range of things to vote on each map to change how the map plays also helps players feel more valued and connected.
Using kitmap is also a good way to help players get used to new features or metas before a proper map is released so that players do not feel left behind.

[5]
Having HCF leader boards for kills, deaths, and faction points for each faction bracket also helps to keep players interested as they are able to see shifts in rankings regularly and support factions if they want to.

[6]
Creating a Community Council to help with directing and channelling community feedback and chatter into positive updates and changes would give players, content creators and power faction leaders a greater sense of connection to those who make the decisions and would make for a more community driven HCF experience.

[7]
Having another server for people to play in the downtime between HCF maps can be a good idea if done right, such as allowing some crates with a few items in them to help with the short map time but it must not become the main focus of the server or be too easy as this would detriment the popularity of the official server.

[8]
Encourage the building of more complex, well designed bases by introducing a Base building competition each map for the different faction Brackets where factions have the chance to win prizes for their bases. This would make the maps feel more alive and more memorable.

[9] (This is just an idea I've had for like 6 years XD pls don't hate me)
Introduce a fun Sunday event for power factions after End Conquest where DTR loss in the end would effectively be 0 and all power factions can either organise fights with each other or have an all out war with each other with no consequence.

[10] (Votable)
Allow raidable bases to regenerate once DTR has regened as this will keep players playing longer and will keep power factions from quitting due to their bases being greifed, This would also help greatly with the base building competition as players who wish to partake in the event will still be able to submit their bases should they go raidable.

These are just 10 suggestions of many that I have which could make a more fun, enjoyable and competitive HCF experience that can retain its appeal through community involvement without needing to rely on short maps with pay to win aspects.

I hope you guys do not hate me for this post and are able to discuss this post civilly in the comments should you want to.

Again, this is only hypothetical but we would all be so so grateful should Lunar decide to give our community and HCF another chance!

THANK YOUUUU