Is Power Play a Flagging System?

[Rakk Jackham]

I was about to suggest that FDev implement a flagging system like contemporary naval vessels then remembered that when you start power play you do so by pledging yourself to this that or the other colonial master (?) idk what they’re supposed to be, I found it unappetizing.

Anyway is that what it is?

 

[husky of snow]

Its not so much a pledging to a master. Its more of like becoming a citizen of a nation or army. You suport that government and help them with day to day affairs, and as a reward for your loyalty you get modules.

Thats my take on it. I dont get into bgs, i just want the modules

 

[Felix DiCestria]

I was about to suggest that FDev implement a flagging system like contemporary naval vessels then remembered that when you start power play you do so by pledging yourself to this that or the other colonial master (?) idk what they’re supposed to be, I found it unappetizing.

Anyway is that what it is?

By pledging to a power you're indicating that you're up for PvP and rival pledges are authorised to attack you. So yes it is a flagging system.

 

[Rubbernuke]

You are pledging to support a leader who appeals to you and spreading that power.

By pledging you tag yourself as being of that power but also (and more so in the coming V2) also marks you as an enemy in rival territory with its ups and downs.

 

[Darrack]

By pledging to a power you're indicating that you're up for PvP and rival pledges are authorised to attack you. So yes it is a flagging system.

If you play Solo or in a PVE PG you wont have to deal with the PvP though, just other factions NPCs.

O7

 

[Felix DiCestria]

If you play Solo or in a PVE PG you wont have to deal with the PvP though, just other factions NPCs.

O7

True though PP was originally conceived as a PvP feature. I'm sure RN has the relevant videos saved somewhere.

 

[Darrack]

True though PP was originally conceived as a PvP feature. I'm sure RN has the relevant videos saved somewhere.

Appreciated but i just don't want folks put off PP if they think they have to do PvP, we need as many in PP as possible
When I'm in the bubble i happily enjoy PP without having to get involved in that pew pew rubbish.
Of course that may change in PP2.

O7

 

[Dillon Fallon]

...with its ups and downs

Yes, I'm really hopeful we get to see some of those in a significant way in the new version.

 

[Rubbernuke]

True though PP was originally conceived as a PvP feature. I'm sure RN has the relevant videos saved somewhere.

The designers have always seen Powerplay as having a strong PvP focus.

In the murky beginnings Powerplay had PvP in the form of piracy, but was taken out due to collusion piracy being too easy. When Sandro suggested his changes all those years ago he also stated FD saw Powerplay as the home of consensual PvP and his second proposal that was never shared outside of the Powerplay discord group was PvP also.

The FU videos of V2 also have the designers talk about PvP. The devs are aware of the failings of V1 so it will be intersting to see how they evaluate Open or weighting post release of 19 as they suggested.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Appreciated but i just don't want folks put off PP if they think they have to do PvP, we need as many in PP as possible
When I'm in the bubble i happily enjoy PP without having to get involved in that pew pew rubbish.
Of course that may change in PP2.

O7

The goal is to prevent modes overlapping or provide consistent danger. That 'pew pew rubbish' is what moderates a Powers expansion and without it makes defence far too easy.

 

[Darrack]

The goal is to prevent modes overlapping or provide consistent danger. That 'pew pew rubbish' is what moderates a Powers expansion and without it makes defence far too easy.

Well many of us just do PVE, its fine as is

O7

 

[Rubbernuke]

Well many of us just do PVE, its fine as is

O7

Thats what I mean by 'or provide consistent danger'- its either players that provide it or its NPCs. V1 fails because neither are applied in a consistent way, and v2 will fail again if power activity is not tempered by ever present danger from rival powers- otherwise, whats the point having eleven explicit rivals?

 

[Jack Winter]

I've been module shopping, pledging and switching alliances. I've traveled all through the bubble with no regards to what power I've pledged to, and I've hardly seen an NPC from a hostile power trying to attack me.. This facet seems more or less completely missing.

 

[angusmadmac1]

I have to agree with @Jack Winter when I first startedy shopping list of modules I thought I couldn't even go into the enemies systems . Imagine my surprise where I went in landed and went about my normal business and in all my hours in open I never been attacked the enemy PVE or PvP I just do my thing with no real consequences. So those who suggest PP is PvP oh and that's when in open I was still in Mobius so I should have had 2 targets on my ship ?

 

[Rubbernuke]

I've been module shopping, pledging and switching alliances. I've traveled all through the bubble with no regards to what power I've pledged to, and I've hardly seen an NPC from a hostile power trying to attack me.. This facet seems more or less completely missing.

In one regard V2 is better in that stronghold FCs are very much binary- if you are pledged its tea and biscuits on arrival, or a lead sandwich for rivals served up fist class.

 

[Rebel Yell]

When you pledge to the King of Pirates you're flagged as a Kumo Burger lover!

 

[[VR] Bulbulunufus]

The designers have always seen Powerplay as having a strong PvP focus.

In the murky beginnings Powerplay had PvP in the form of piracy, but was taken out due to collusion piracy being too easy. When Sandro suggested his changes all those years ago he also stated FD saw Powerplay as the home of consensual PvP and his second proposal that was never shared outside of the Powerplay discord group was PvP also.

The FU videos of V2 also have the designers talk about PvP. The devs are aware of the failings of V1 so it will be intersting to see how they evaluate Open or weighting post release of 19 as they suggested.

I think in general the "home of consensual PvP" is about right even now. Perhaps more than ever. Partly perhaps because the PvE element of PP1.0 has broadly failed, rewarding exploits as much as intended gameplay, so we're all just forced to kind of try and have fun and pretend it matters. And at the same time the sides are clear so no-one can argue they were attacked for no reason, or that a fight was unfair.

 

[professor hex]

If you want to be attacked by powerplay NPCs then try carrying powerplay cargo into a hostile system, or fly into a hostile system carrying merits gained by combat that you have not yet redeemed. There's a chance (not a guarantee) that fairly weak NPCs may interdict you. If you are engineered and/or competent they are not hard to kill.

Another way is to break your pledge to a power by pledging to another power without a cooldown period. This will certainly lead to your being pursued by an angry and slightly stronger clean NPC.

It is easy enough to find Powerplay PVP in any HQ or expansion system that is being pushed or contested. You can find these in the Galactic Powers UI or by reading the recaps posted here and on Reddit.

There's a lot more to Powerplay as it is than PVP though. You don't win merits doing Powerplay PVP (you might get 1 if the pilot you destroy is holding merits). So PVP is more a spoiling/opposition activity than a way of actually advancing the interests of a power. You win merits by PVE. The game as it is, rightly or wrongly, gives players the option of exposing themselves to the risk of PVP or not. PVP builds tend not be optimal for PVE and vice-versa.

 

[[VR] Bulbulunufus]

If you want to be attacked by powerplay NPCs then try carrying powerplay cargo into a hostile system, or fly into a hostile system carrying merits gained by combat that you have not yet redeemed. There's a chance (not a guarantee) that fairly weak NPCs may interdict you. If you are engineered and/or competent they are not hard to kill.

Another way is to break your pledge to a power by pledging to another power without a cooldown period. This will certainly lead to your being pursued by an angry and slightly stronger clean NPC.

It is easy enough to find Powerplay PVP in any HQ or expansion system that is being pushed or contested. You can find these in the Galactic Powers UI or by reading the recaps posted here and on Reddit.

There's a lot more to Powerplay as it is than PVP though. You don't win merits doing Powerplay PVP (you might get 1 if the pilot you destroy is holding merits). So PVP is more a spoiling/opposition activity than a way of actually advancing the interests of a power. You win merits by PVE. The game as it is, rightly or wrongly, gives players the option of exposing themselves to the risk of PVP or not. PVP builds tend not be optimal for PVE and vice-versa.

One point to make there is that the role of PvP is a function of the ease of avoiding instancing by out-of-context means (blocking, closed modes).

 

[Jockey79]

True though PP was originally conceived as a PvP feature. I'm sure RN has the relevant videos saved somewhere.

Well, that's a lie.

According to some members of the community, Solo players should have a limited or no effect on Powerplay - or, alternatively, playing in Open should offer Powerplay bonuses. Is this something you are considering?

No. For us Solo, Groups and Open are all valid and equal ways to play the game.

As you can see, it was always intended to be available in Solo - where there is no PvP and in PG's where people are not forced to do PvP.

Giving a reason for consensual PvP, doesn't make it a "PvP feature".