Ship modification without ship modification

from StarControl Forums

I'd just like to pass around a thought I had that could be an interesting tactical element for the game:

Let us assume the ships are implemented with whatever model Stardock choses (perhaps static 2-ability, perhaps extensible, or something else entirely). What about the possibility of changing the ships without actually changing the ship? What I'm leading toward is the possibility of legendary pilots and ship captains. These could be similar to rare trophies/prisoners that are at the end of deep exploration or side quests. A pilot could be assigned to a ship, and although a pilot doesn't change the (active) abilities of a ship, they grant a significant passive bonus to the ship that they pilot.

Some sample ideas:

  • Captain Vexpas III, "Dynamic Shield Flux", reduces damage from energy based weapons by 50%

  • Commodore Srrt'zlz, "Offensive Inertial Dampening", any damage done by ship additionally reduces victim's speed by 50% for 3 seconds

  • Prisoner X177b, "Graviton Signatures", enemy ships have a small localized gravity field that can pull nearby friendly projectiles toward them

  • Marvin the Hero of NewEarth, "Combat Hacker", enemy ships damaged by Marvin's ship cannot activate abilities for 2 seconds

  • Forgemaster Rishlu, "Optimized Energy Trafficking" , all friendly ships in combat gain a 50% increase in energy generation (assumes multi-ship combat)

  • Ribbscondelev, "Alpha Round", ship abilities activated when energy is at max deal 100% extra damage

  • Lulu Leafblade, "Vital Strike", damage dealt to back of enemy ship is increased by 50%

 

10,475 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from StarControl Forums Top

I wouldn't like to see this kind of ship mod. At this point, it's just playing Munchkin with ships, whatever veneer you put on it.

 

<sarcasm>

You know, at some point, if we're going to implement this kind of "upgrades" to ship, why not give levels to the captain, give it a class and have the captain's abilities improve over time?  An Arilou (never mind that they're not going to be in the reboot) would be worth 5 XP, while an (whatever fictitious alien we come up with) will be worth 30. How do we balance the XP progression?

I'm sure Stardock could look at Warlords Battlecry and get a few ideas, no?

</sarcasm>

 

Seriously, at this point, we're doing conjectures on conjectures of conjectures.  So we're typing away on... the dream of an illusion of a dream.  Why not start a thread with "What if Germany hadn't invaded USSR in 1941?" while we're at it?

Reply #2 from StarControl Forums Top

<oblivious-to-sarcasm>

Because levels on captains would be too much. There is a sweet spot. You may remember that StarControl 1 had ship upgrades.

</oblivious-to-sarcasm>

We're not doing conjectures here (and in most threads); we're making suggestions and giving input (i.e. doing our job as Founders).

A conjecture is an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from StarControl Forums Top

Quoting HenriHakl, reply 2

We're not doing conjectures here (and in most threads); we're making suggestions and giving input (i.e. doing our job as Founders).

Agreed.  Stardock setup the Founders program and this forum for us to talk about SC and share ideas, regardless if they make it to the game or not. 

While only a few of the ideas we mention will likely make it to the game, all of the ideas we don't talk about will never be included.

Reply #4 from StarControl Forums Top

I'm gonna revive this, 'cause nothing else is happening here.

 

I love this idea! Especially if "getting" the captains is organically tied in the story (not entirely necessary though).

What if some captains are restricted to certain types of ships?

What if some captains add a "special ability" to their ship that otherwise doesn't exist in any form or shape? Like down the scope sniping?... :P

Sounds good to me!

+1 Loading…
Reply #5 from StarControl Forums Top

Quoting Hunam_, reply 4

I'm gonna revive this, 'cause nothing else is happening here.

 

I love this idea! Especially if "getting" the captains is organically tied in the story (not entirely necessary though).

What if some captains are restricted to certain types of ships?

What if some captains add a "special ability" to their ship that otherwise doesn't exist in any form or shape? Like down the scope sniping?... :P

Sounds good to me!

 

Totally. Like, I feel that Fwiffo was almost a precursor (huehuehue) to this prospective system. Fwiffo's special ability, of course, was that the player was compelled to keep him alive. Also he was innately good at killing probes ;P