Fleet Battle Wreckage

from StarControl Forums

So we've been talking on the Discord about Fleet Battles, and an idea arose there (that's arisen before, but hasn't gotten much response), that a few of us were expanding upon, and I wanted to post it here, so it doesn't get lost in endless Discord chatter. 

Persistent Fleet Battle Wreckage

Pyro started the concept back up, with a random comment:

"However I'm the crazy one who would love to see the remnants of ships left behind in fleet battles to alter how the battle plays out, both by being a hinderance [sic] to flying but also a potential explosion waiting to happen if the fuel from the ship(s) get lit by weapons fire."

Then a cavalcade of suggestions followed, regarding the wreckage of previously fallen ships. Some wreckage could just be inert, there to block fire or the flight of ships... but more interestingly:

  • The wreckage of the human cruiser, if fired upon or nudged, would sometimes cause a leftover missile to fire off and be ballistic-locking onto the first thing it can find
  • A Mowling ship wreckage could send off a final automated distress call for Jeff, who would arrive and just go aggro on everyone because a Mowling is dead
  • The Pinthi carcass, if hit, could squeeze out one last burp of contagion on anyone nearby
  • A destroyed Trickster could have the gravity pulse drive ruptured, but still functional, constantly going off like an anti-planet (gravity bumping everyone away)
  • The Tywom debris could have a still semi-active turret firing on ships that come within range

This would really add a layer of fun and strategy, but also not contradict the arcade feel of the combat, and spice up the fleet battles in a real way.

What do other people think? Some more suggestions on what the wreckage of the other ships could do? Refinement of these? Could be a really fun addition, beyond wormholes and asteroids!! 

22,499 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from StarControl Forums Top

Agreed, this could be really fun. Similar to the other obstacles in the arena it could be a setting that can be changed. Could adjust:

  • Time period or number of battles the wreckage lingers
  • Percentage chance for effects

This could be really interesting in Adventure Mode as well. Could use wreckages in the heist arena against the defenders, or the whole arena gets clogged with hundreds of ships when you try to lay waste to a home planet.

Here's some more ideas:

  • Ships get entangle within the Mu'Kay wreckage, slowed down for a period.
  • Scryve scout wreckage (not self destructed) could still blow (very low chance) if bumped.
  • Bump a Trandal wreckage and your ship gets a short speed boost, or it has a small AoE around it for boosting anyone.
  • Measured just lets paperwork go everywhere.
  • Scryve flak cannon random shot if bumped. I think the main laser would be OP.
  • Menkmack has a chance of blowing up if hit by weapon (left over cannister).
  • Chance of Drenkend ion reactor blowing when shot, fires several stun bolts in random directions.
  • 'Just Desserts' - Phamysht final dinner bell call if bumped, effects all ships in range.
Reply #2 from StarControl Forums Top

Inferno - every single one of those ideas is pretty damn incredible. OMG, I want this so bad now. 

The final dinner bell calls crew to a roast death!

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from StarControl Forums Top

Loving the concept of this.  Hope to see it added (along with a toggle).  Encourages even strategic defeats in battle.

Reply #4 from StarControl Forums Top

Compared to an FPS game, for example, it is very difficult to find ways of making space not be just an empty place where all you can ever to is fight in "clear" map games.  An FPS has walls, buildings you can go into, tunnels, things to hide behind, etc.  It is easy to make something interesting out of it by comparison.  So anything like this that is a type of "terrain" that can be used to make space more interesting is potentially a good idea.

I use the term "terrain" very broadly, as meaning "anything that addresses this issue".  So I also think of thinks like walls, turrets, and pinball machine bumpers as "terrain".  If you are going to limit yourself to "realistic space", that is going to be a pretty boring place.

 

Reply #5 from StarControl Forums Top

I just had a thought that could expand upon Fleet Battles...

 

In Adventure mode, if you attack an enemy ship in orbit around their planet, it would be amazing to see some form of automated defenses in orbit at various strengths.

For example, an attack on Earth there would be one space station with Point Defenses and able to launch missiles at the enemy ship when it's in range, as well as various other smaller weaker point defense laser stations around Earth in the same orbit as the space station.

 

In Fleet Battles, it would be far more random, the space station would have the loadout of any one of the in game ships that's playable or not, however the friend or foe recognition would be damaged and it would attack anyone/anything within range making the planets even more dangerous to get near, or a potential strategy by forcing the enemy into firing range of said space station / satellites.

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Reply #6 from StarControl Forums Top

I like the idea. To add variety, and keep rendering costs down as the battle progresses, you could have the wreckage degrade over successive matchups. Perhaps the first round after destruction would still have a chance of leftover effects, as described, two rounds later no effects (other than physical obstacle) and some model degradation, three rounds later only a small debris field, and gone after four. During this time, of course, new and varied wreckage from other rounds would be piling up (and degrading).

Reply #7 from StarControl Forums Top

I like it.  I wouldnt mind 'rescuing' errant crew and pressing them into service either.  Not slavery exactly, just a mutually beneficial survival arrangement.  Or stuff them in an airlock.  Both are good.

Reply #8 from StarControl Forums Top

I've been outta the loop for a few months (new job) so I may be off base, but wouldn't wreckage be useful for Scavenger Class ships, or is that no longer a thing?

Reply #9 from StarControl Forums Top

I'd suggest that you can get some survivors from same-ship debris.