In a sense you're right of course - but I'm investing these now in order to achieve the needed LevelUp. Which I don't need to do now.
So while they're not wasted and perform a function, I don't need their individual results. I have no use for a 60% complete solid G2 roll when seeking a 90%+ G5 roll.
In effect, all those Mats are now required to permit a single G5 roll, they've become a prerequisite. Like having to "Unlock the Engineer" all over again, but this time for every single mod. Again and again.
And when I compare 12 x Engineer Mods (G1 to G4) needed to permit a G5 Mod vs. "no prerequisites after unlocking the Engineer", I'm seeing a massive additional requirement.
Additionally, the Materials Traders might help that - BUT...
1 ? Trader for Elements
1 ? Trader for Materials
1 ? Trader for Data
All in different locations, spread all over the bubble? 6:1 initial Trade ratio?
That means the jump-a-thon for the Engineers will get the jump-a-thon for these Traders ending up on top. Further additional travel needed, similar to having to visit the old Engineer Cargo sellers.
Seriously, this isn't easier. It's far more work-intensive.
Add to that the unchanged methods of acquisition of all these things, the potential for becoming an insane grindfest is huge. That's all I'm saying.
But at least you get something... changed goalposts, allowing (from the sound of it) 10-15% better Stats at the end of the Grindfest compared to existing G5 mods.
PS.
I do hope there's plenty of Material Traders all over the place. And that maybe the 6:1 ratio can be adjusted in order to balance the whole thing. Then, it can indeed work just fine. Time will tell.
You are thinking about trading the materials up. Don't, trade them down instead and you will need to get far fewer materials. I have no issues flying to material brokers, I think there will be many scatter around the bubble. Flying my ships is the main part of the game, so it doesn't bother me if I have other reasons to fly them to places.
The Grindfest should be no different to what we already do. I don't grind for stuff, so it will be no different for me except I will be getting a guaranteed update when I do spend my materials instead of the potential of wasting them on something that was worse then what I had. To the people that want to grind, grind for G5 materials only and trade them down for the required mats, plus you will pick lower grade materials up as you grind for your grade 5 mats. I really can't see where the extra grind is apart from potentially having to press a button a few more times to get good G5. It could actually be less presses of a button.
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