In the spirit of KISS -
We know that the game has descriptors for population; very small, very large etc. The simplest explanation is that these are the various levels that help determine bucket size.
Add to that, we know from the stream, that some things are hidden and remain hidden -- wealth, standard of living etc. We could perhaps make some guess-timates about these, based on economy types, and what we see in the outfitting/shipyard?
Question of the day: When it comes to smuggling, is it profit or tonnage that most effects the BGS?
Unless Faction B or C are in other systems, there's no good way for Faction C to skip over Faction B and start a conflict with Faction A. You'll have to equalize influence with Faction B and Faction C, then push Faction C once the conflict is pending. Win the conflict in minimum duration by opening up a large gap, then equalize with Faction A to initiate conflict with them.
If Faction B or C is in other systems, you can get them into conflict in the other system and move Faction C up while the conflict is going on.
Unless Faction B or C are in other systems, there's no good way for Faction C to skip over Faction B and start a conflict with Faction A. You'll have to equalize influence with Faction B and Faction C, then push Faction C once the conflict is pending. Win the conflict in minimum duration by opening up a large gap, then equalize with Faction A to initiate conflict with them.
If Faction B or C is in other systems, you can get them into conflict in the other system and move Faction C up while the conflict is going on.
...but I think the rule is that nothing during lockdown has an affect on influence.
What Endincite said, plus lockdown won't prevent conflict, so you can't use it to jump over. It might have once worked that way, but the current mechanics treat lockdown the same as other economic states. Conflict has higher priority.I was thinking maybe putting B into lockdown and pushing C...but I think the rule is that nothing during lockdown has an affect on influence.
If Faction B or C is in other systems, you can get them into conflict in the other system and move Faction C up while the conflict is going on.
I have run a brief test on the influence of illegal trade.
Set-Up:
System:
Population 1375
1 Outpost
>300 k ls from entry-point
with Black Market
Selling 50T of Narcotics each day
Testing:
- Selling in different Batches (1*50, 2*25, 5*10) (Go to Blackmarket, sell batch, go back to "home", go back to Blackmarket...)
- Selling with different profit (361/T vs. 795/T)
I got the same Influence-Delta for the controlling faction each tick. Influence goes constantly down. Neither profit or selling smaller batches had any different effect.
Now going on testing with stolen + illegal narcotics.
Nice!I have run a brief test on the influence of illegal trade.
Set-Up:
System:
Population 1375
1 Outpost
>300 k ls from entry-point
with Black Market
Selling 50T of Narcotics each day
Testing:
- Selling in different Batches (1*50, 2*25, 5*10) (Go to Blackmarket, sell batch, go back to "home", go back to Blackmarket...)
- Selling with different profit (361/T vs. 795/T)
I got the same Influence-Delta for the controlling faction each tick. Influence goes constantly down. Neither profit or selling smaller batches had any different effect.
Now going on testing with stolen + illegal narcotics.
I'm pleased to announce that MoM has made it into the top five groups competing for power status! Considering that was determined by BGS ability... go figure!
Congrats to
Communist Interstellar
Interstellar Communist Union
AEDC
SEPP
as well!
That's really interesting. And by interesting I mean frustratingI have run a brief test on the influence of illegal trade.
...
I got the same Influence-Delta for the controlling faction each tick. Influence goes constantly down. Neither profit or selling smaller batches had any different effect.
Now going on testing with stolen + illegal narcotics.
That's really interesting. And by interesting I mean frustrating
http://i.imgur.com/Ivuum68.jpg
Michael's chart indicates that illegal trade should be a positive effect on influence. The table shown by the devs in the stream shows all smuggling having a negative effect on influence. Nothing in the dev's table to distinguish between illegal goods and stolen goods like there is in Michael's.
I've observed the positive influence movement from selling illegal goods on the black market, and I've observed the negative influence movement from selling stolen goods on the black market. Now you're showing negative influence movement from selling illegal goods. This would agree with the dev's table, but not Michael's.
I trust your testing goemon, which just makes me frustrated not knowing if something has changed or if there are more factors involved. Factors such as commodity type and government type.
Michael's chart indicates that illegal trade should be a positive effect on influence. The table shown by the devs in the stream shows all smuggling having a negative effect on influence. Nothing in the dev's table to distinguish between illegal goods and stolen goods like there is in Michael's.
I've observed the positive influence movement from selling illegal goods on the black market, and I've observed the negative influence movement from selling stolen goods on the black market....
I trust your testing goemon, which just makes me frustrated not knowing if something has changed or if there are more factors involved. Factors such as commodity type and government type.
So, positive results from smuggling, but negative from pirating. Does that sum it up?
For instance, does the faction type make a difference? (independent/corporate/whatever). Does the smuggling/piracy affect just the station owner, or does it have some effect on the system controller as well? That sort of thing.
I thought it did, until reading the results of goemon's testSo, positive results from smuggling, but negative from pirating. Does that sum it up?