Serious discussion about Proper Fleet/Squadron Mechanics

[Older Gamer]

Whatever the details, when Squadran Mechanics appear to allow me to join a Guild type organization in Elite I will probably get more out of it than I do now. That's just me though, I can imagine that solo players will not want this type of thing for fear that without belonging to a 'gang' they could be ganked left right and centre. Of course there is the thought that affiliation with a gang could in fact alleviate ganking through NAPacts.

There are swings and roundabouts to this. For me Personally, I would like ED to be more open to organised online play than it is at the moment.

 

[Vorxian]

And how does this carrier manage to move 2000lys?

By jumping in similar fashion as a Faragut.. refuelling and maintaining it would be a game in itself, but yeah... quantum slipstream drive like the big boys is feasible. Unless for gamey reasons they're only allowing a class 1 FSD

[video=youtube_share;BvEB9UMGekU]https://youtu.be/BvEB9UMGekU?t=16[/video]

 

[Cosmo]

Wish List...
1. Squadron mail
2. Squadron communication
3. Squadron HQ
4. Squadron Ranks
5. Squadron Storage
6. Squadron Bank

I have more on my wish list but i feel i want to start simple and work my way up.

Yes we need this:

1. Squadron mail = in-game message system to notify all squadron members about important events.
2. Squadron communication = at least 1 seperate chat-room for all squadron members to chat together.
3. Squadron HQ = that will be the Fleet Carrier which is a mobile base.
4. Squadron Ranks = important to set permissions and hierarchy
5. Squadron Storage = important to store items that all squadron members can use. The current rank requirements for ships can apply on those.
6. Squadron Bank = an option to Pool Resources of all the Squadron members to pay for upkeep, repair and upgrade bills of the Fleet Carrier. So all squadron members can contribute to that. An automatic Squadron tax could be set by the Squadron Leader.

Question List...

1. How will the (PSM) tie into or support our (PMF) Player Minor Faction
2. How many commanders can the Squadron have in it
3. How many fleet Carriers can the Squadron own
4. can a Squadron pledge to a super power

1. Based on the live stream Sandro said a Squadron is part of a Power.

2. Unknown at this point, but I hope up to a 100 at least. Because many will be inactive or stop by once a week or month so we need a lot of members to fill in.

3. It appears that it's 1 carrier per squadron. I hope it can be multiple carriers though. A Squadron VS Squadron battle would be 1 carrier per side.

4. Well the Squadron is part of a Power. It would be great if we can make a player-managed faction that belongs to a Power.

 

[Banana's_Are_Good_For_You]

By jumping in similar fashion as a Faragut.. refuelling and maintaining it would be a game in itself, but yeah... quantum slipstream drive like the big boys is feasible. Unless for gamey reasons they're only allowing a class 1 FSD

https://youtu.be/BvEB9UMGekU?t=16

I would think 2,000Lys might be a bit much. I like the idea that they should maintained, stocked up essentially, before they can jump, same with being able to restock, refuel and repair but these things should take time. Groups using it as an exploration role would need to supply it with mining goods and materials found on planets. While doing this they can also have their explorers checking out things related to the new codex thingy as they move along.
It could actually be a really cool thing to do.

 

[Lobey]

And how does this carrier manage to move 2000lys?

Neutron jumps ? - heh, that's be a hoot - ok everyone dock on the carrier while our leader takes us all on a multi neutron jum.... boom ..... ooops

Oh and paint jobs.... how can we have carriers if we can't buy new paint jobs and ship kits for them - space money hats for FDev

 

[Vorxian]

teehee, i didn't mean it can jump 2k LY in one hop... I'd love the carrier to have a nice drive to it.. I wouldn't even hazard what a faragut could do, but whatever convention is behind its jump drive to be intelligently translated to operational use on the carrier.. you'd expect something like that to make a significant leap, but, perhaps the same overall distance as an ASP, but without the jumponium.. aka fuel tank distance rather than FSD distance...?

You get that sucker stranded at an unscoopable... and you're going to have a hilarous time refuelling with limpets

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

I would like to see the fleet carrier to be distractible and need to be defend it plus with the ability to drop into a CZ. That way Squadrons can stay longer in a CZ. Or even in a REZ site.
And I feel that Squadron should be able to rank up in the super powers and those ranks govern how many members the Squadrons can have. That gives the Squadrons goals to reach.
And as far as refueling and maintenance of the fleet carriers I would like it to be a CG for the Squadrons. And that should govern how far the fleet carries can jump.
I look at it this way proper squadron mechanics (PSM) should be based around working together.

 

[Calebe]

Why should a squadron be the only ones to get a carrier? I own 5 ships and will own a more soon (some own all the ships in the game already). So as I play in PvE solo, I want a carrier to take all my ships with me so I won't have to pay a transfer fee or wait. I would like to use my carrier in PvE and if any commander in the area wants to rearm and refuel on it, by all means I will permit them landing there. In other words, nothing special for Squadrons others who play without one can own.
.
I see it starting, we are a Squadron (guild) we are special, we want this that and the other thing, and oh be sure unless your in a Squadron you lock all others out, don't let them have our toys, we are special.
.
Please lets not see that happen. No Squadron only ships, weapons, gear, ok they can have a special decal they can buy if they want one, decoration only nothing game enhancing.
.
Calebe

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

Why should a squadron be the only ones to get a carrier? I own 5 ships and will own a more soon (some own all the ships in the game already). So as I play in PvE solo, I want a carrier to take all my ships with me so I won't have to pay a transfer fee or wait. I would like to use my carrier in PvE and if any commander in the area wants to rearm and refuel on it, by all means I will permit them landing there. In other words, nothing special for Squadrons others who play without one can own.
.
I see it starting, we are a Squadron (guild) we are special, we want this that and the other thing, and oh be sure unless your in a Squadron you lock all others out, don't let them have our toys, we are special.
.
Please lets not see that happen. No Squadron only ships, weapons, gear, ok they can have a special decal they can buy if they want one, decoration only nothing game enhancing.
.
Calebe

I say if a soloist can pay for a carrier by all means let them have them. But they should need refueling and maintenance and a soloist have go by the same rules as squadrons

 

[IamNickMan]

Honestly? Using a clan ship for BGS purposes is too much for any one group to have. It opens the door for the kind of malicious and cyclical fighting that games like Eve have. What I really hope for is a ship that squadrons can move to say, where we're supporting a faction. Or to the paladies to visit the aliens for a week. Or to visit so nebulas close to the bubble as a squad. Or to get together with other squads and meet in the same systems for a "fleet week" of events and celebrations. I DO NOT want it to effect the BGS. I really hope FDev puts some input on this.

 

[Titler]

FDev: We Need A Way To Allow Player Guilds To Match Their In Game NPC Factions.

Many of us submitted factions because there wasn't Player Guilds. Now I'd like to see us actually take over these factions if we're to have Guilds. However the first thing that needs to be secured is that only the person who originally submitted the Faction gets to take control of it initially; don't allow the NPC factions names to be used as a Guild name, unless it's from the email address or forum account that submitted the original faction.

Of course, this means that those who already got a faction in game have an advantage, so add NPC factions for any other Guild created after launch.

With regards to the moveable carriers that were mentioned, make it so that you can attempt to gain influence where ever it's currently parked...? This would ensure you never entirely lose your systems, and gives more control over expansion. This may however be imbalanced, so it would need testing... Start with zero, and have to break your way into replacing one of the NPC factions at first?

Implement a simple Decal creator for Guilds, something like Battlefield has maybe; anyone recruited can, as long as they remain in the guild, display it along with the name of the Guild as their Faction status as the NPCs show.

Edit to add: Also, we should be able to hire an NPC fighter crew which has our Guild details in some form in their Biography... right now I keep checking the stations but I've yet to see any with United Imperial Dairies or the Cowini system mentioned, boo.

I'm sure there's a tonne more it could be, but those are just my beginning thoughts

 

[sorcer3r]

I just hope there will be also smaller and cheaper carriers available for smaller squadrons with players which don't have so much time for credit grind etc.
(or bring massacre stacking back please )

 

[Dommarraa]

I have no idea whatsoever as to what these squadrons might be, but unless they are tied into the bgs/c&p mechanic I see no point. I already have discord

 

[[VR] Enexemander]

Honestly? Using a clan ship for BGS purposes is too much for any one group to have. It opens the door for the kind of malicious and cyclical fighting that games like Eve have. What I really hope for is a ship that squadrons can move to say, where we're supporting a faction. Or to the paladies to visit the aliens for a week. Or to visit so nebulas close to the bubble as a squad. Or to get together with other squads and meet in the same systems for a "fleet week" of events and celebrations. I DO NOT want it to effect the BGS. I really hope FDev puts some input on this.

We already have cyclical fighting. That's the entire point of Power Play, and also supporting minor factions (including player factions) via the Background Simulation. What you're afraid of is already here. It just doesn't affect you unless you want to get involved. Squadron conflicts will be the same. I expect they will just be another facet of the existing conflicts that already are happening *all the time.*

 

[racer1]

Should players be allowed to be in multiple squadrons?

Would squadron membership be visible to other players?

 

[Vicktore Beskor]

Should players be allowed to be in multiple squadrons?

Would squadron membership be visible to other players?

I feel you should only be allowed in one squadron at a time.
And I don’t see Squadrons being content gates. We have to be honest and admit that fleets can do more and move the BGS more efficiently.
What I think would be great is if the developers would talk to some of the more active community leaders and leadership and ask them what they need and how best to make it fit into Elite Dangerous.

 

[Jaiotu]

I feel you should only be allowed in one squadron at a time.
And I don’t see Squadrons being content gates. We have to be honest and admit that fleets can do more and move the BGS more efficiently.

It's not just about the BGS and combat either. Imagine a group of explorers joining a "Distant Worlds Squadron" and then deploying their Fleet Carrier to Beagle Point? There are so many ways that this could be useful for the entire community. Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't Squadron membership and the ability to use the Fleet Carrier carry over into Private and Solo play?

Another big potential that I'd love to see: Fleet Storage. This could really make life so much easier. Imagine a CG to deliver food supplies to the Colonia region to fight a region-wide famine. A group of players, some in Colonia and some in the Bubble, could form a Squadron. The group in the Bubble loads up the Fleet Carrier which then deploys to Colonia where their compatriots are waiting to unload the ship and complete the delivery. Finding some way to compensate both ends of the transaction may be tricky ...

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Hello Commanders

I would like to take this time to start the discussion about (PSM) Proper Fleet/Squadron Mechanics. Now i am not going to create a wall of text about " I TOLD YOU SO". What i want to do is to Thank Frontier Development for acknowledging those in the community who have been in favor of this type of gameplay.
Now down to business. What i hope to achieve with this thread is an open and honest conversation that will help the developers understand what the player base would like to see in the (PSM). So to start it off simply i am going to list a few things i would like to and a few questions i have.

Wish List...
1. Squadron mail
2. Squadron communication
3. Squadron HQ
4. Squadron Ranks
5. Squadron Storage
6. Squadron Bank

1&2, seems to me to be essential. "Guys, party at 23:00 GMT"

3&4 will be very enjoyable to me. There's nothing more comical than people assigning each other the rank off: head officer first class of gamey stuff, and being serious about it. Future leaders of Squadrons, I salute you!

5&6 shared assets. Again, this will be a source of much entertainment. I'm all for it.

 

[Goose4291]

3&4 will be very enjoyable to me. There's nothing more comical than people assigning each other the rank off: head officer first class of gamey stuff, and being serious about it. Future leaders of Squadrons, I salute you!

I think its all relative. 'Ranks' allow group powers to be assigned (to prevent someone coming in and removong everyone from the guild, for example) and we shouldnt just arbitarilly assume the worst of our playerbase. Ive played in several groups where ranks were there purely to provide structure (in milsim) as to whos in charge of a section (or wing in ED terms) for example, but as we were all ex or current mil types the e-sargent shouting and power trips werent there.

That said, having experienced 12yr old e-sgts and failed military types who do relish that, but in those circumstances just vote with your feet and leave. No ones forcing you to stay in a group with an imperial servitude contract

 

[Rob At Work]

I vote for Solo squadrons.

Any squadron consisting of more that one will lead to problems, I tell ya.