General Utility SLF

[Iron Golem]

I think it would be nice if we could have an utility focused slf, specifically I was thinking it would be nice if instead of limpet controllers and cargo if instead we sacrificed a combat slf for a utility slf that would passively gather engineering materials.

It would give us some agency and more outfitting options and considerations. This could be the chance for allowing two simultaneous npc slf at once if maybe one was utility?

For other utility ideas just off the cuff maybe a repair or refuel variant. Ones that could collect normal cargo for miners or salvagers.

I would really just like a variant for gathering materials on specialized combat ships that arnt stuffed with cargo and limpet controllers.

I feel its not over powered if we have to sacrifice a hanger module spot, a npc pilot and a combat slf for utility. Feels balanced.

I realize if its an utility it would no longer be a fighter. Ship Launched Craft?

 

[zikolach]

What if SLF could land on the outposts while main ship having larger requirement to landing pad would stay outside?
This way having hangar module would allow to pick up certain missions, redeem bounty vouchers etc. Same way as you can land outside settlement and drive in using SLV.
It would be great to have wider range of missions in space which don't require fighting and/or hauling.

 

[Timjfjdd]

What if SLF could land on the outposts while main ship having larger requirement to landing pad would stay outside?
This way having hangar module would allow to pick up certain missions, redeem bounty vouchers etc. Same way as you can land outside settlement and drive in using SLV.
It would be great to have wider range of missions in space which don't require fighting and/or hauling.

this honestly sounds really awesome

 

[Iron Golem]

What if SLF could land on the outposts while main ship having larger requirement to landing pad would stay outside?
This way having hangar module would allow to pick up certain missions, redeem bounty vouchers etc. Same way as you can land outside settlement and drive in using SLV.
It would be great to have wider range of missions in space which don't require fighting and/or hauling.

This is good also you should post this separately so it gets more attention.

 

[Tividar]

Two variant Mining-focused fighters: each packs an Abrasion Blaster as the Primary weapon. For the utility slot, one carries a Sub-Surface Displacement Missile while the other carries a Seismic Charge Launcher. No special AI. Either you fly it yourself or you multi-crew.

Park your ship far enough from the 'roid to avoid collision and cut power to the thrusters if you're worried about drifting.
Launch Limpets and open the Cargo Hatch.
Launch the Fighter and get to work with SSDs and SCLs.
Once all the SCs are placed, revert back to the Carrier and recall the fighter.

Bonus points if the Autopilot could Mining Lance the asteroid while you're in the SLF[M]. The lower fragmentation rate on the Mining Lance wouldn't matter as much given the bottleneck will be the limpet gathering rate, and the extra range would be useful in staying far enough away from the core detonation.

Near as I can tell, this would require little or no additional special programming, just two new fighter models with some existing weapons.

I'd happily crowd fund this.

This idea has been suggested multiple times in the past, but since we are getting space feet soon, and mining has been reworked not too long ago, I supposed now would be good time to push that idea again. My friend has always found elite very immersive, but has never been into it as mush as I have, especialy because multicrew and other multiplayer elements are so hard to get into. With the release of space feet, I really hope we can see the implementation of a mining SLF soon, with an embarked pulse wave analyzer, abrasive blaster, prospector limpets and other, small duty equipment. That would make multicrew mining so so much more interesting than what we have right now.

The implementation of space feet, and with it the concept of not having a ship at all, means starting players who got into elite because of some veteran friends, which I believe is a lot of people, would truly be able to enjoy both space feet and ship gameplay at a new level, without having to grind all their way to the ships they want / need, which is also often a barrier to starting players / people thinking about buying the game. Up to now, multicrew has been a poor way to do so, but space feet, and the implementation of a new sphere of combat, as well as, hopefuly, more multicrew elements should clear all of those problems. I can even imagine a forum designed to let starting players and veteran players meet, to allow starting players to get a mentor, and a cool ship to learn the ropes in.

And please, don't answer wtih "SLFs are fighters, the name doesn't make sense."