Well I am an Xbox CMDR and I’m getting a little sick of reading about Beta woes and Engineer saltiness and general whinging so I figured I’d come offer up some alternative discussion. Here are two new ideas for mission types that would require very little effort to implement but, in my opinion, would add a lot of depth to their respective metas.
Both of these would fit best in systems that are in states of turmoil such as War and Civil War. What bugs me about the BGS is that it only captures warfare from the perspective of space dogfights (for obvious reasons). Most conflicts even in the 34th century will inevitably entail ground combat. With Horizons we saw planetary landings and I think it’s time we saw combat trickle in to this area beyond “Skimmer Missions”.
1. Planetary Conflict Zones: should be very straightforward from the title. Just like legacy CZs except to enter them you must glide in via planetary entry.
These CZs should occur relativey close to the planet surface and come with the added hazard of losing control during maneuvering and crashing into the ground! The most unique part would be the shift in dominance in terms of ship types. Vessels with large tonnage and low agility like Cutters and Anacondas, which usually reign supreme in CZs, would be at a distinct disadvantage.
High-G worlds could offer higher rewards for combat bonds due to the added risk. They could be easily deferentiated by name: Conflict Zone: High-G, Conflict Zone: Low-G.
Finally, as a means to support the new Wing Mission mechanics, and for more daring and proficient pilots, an accompanying mission can be taken from the attacking factions: Planetary Conflict Zone Scan. Take out enough enemy ships to land safely or get air support from fellow wing members, deploy SRV, and scan the data points at a military settlement admidst the chaos for big payouts.
2. Military Troop Transport: a type of passenger mission that can potentially use assets from the above Planetary Conflict Zones. Pick up troops at starports and stations and take them to the fight. These missions would entail the added risk of flying in under fire from hostile ships, and again could shift the meta of your typical transport ship loadout to one of a moderately armed combat transport.
The separating item here would be the modules. They could add a new Troop Transport Cabin to the outfitting section, where each cabin held twice the number of occupants as a same-class Economy Cabin. Troops are used to getting packed like sardines after all. Whether or not these would be required or simply encouraged due to added capacity, I’m unsure, but that could be worked out.
Wings would also benefit here. You could have one super heavy transport being escorted by players in nimble fighter craft. Combine with Multi-Crew for added turret defense capabilities.
For bonus points, the devs could spend the time and resources at constructing some art assets to really set the stage. Forward operating bases complete with military vehicles and troops moving around, even engaging the enemy. But it seems like we are a long way off from things like that and the devs are short staffed as it is, so i could see new art assets taking a back seat, as long as the overall mission structure is believable.
3. Yeah I know I said two ideas but this is really similar to number 2, just Cargo instead of passengers. Otherwise, not much difference, these delivery missions would still benefit from more combat-oriented loadouts and wings in the same way.
I think these 2(3) new mission types could be very beneficial to the new Beyond update that improves planet surfaces by showing them off and providing more fun things to do there. How awesome would it be to use a graphically improved mountain range as cover during combat? And second, maybe act as another subtle means at funneling players that haven’t upgraded from Core yet to buy Horizons *wink wink*
So that does it, sorry for the huge post. I hope some of you enjoyed reading these ideas and have some interesting things to add. To everyone else, I’m prepared for flames.
Both of these would fit best in systems that are in states of turmoil such as War and Civil War. What bugs me about the BGS is that it only captures warfare from the perspective of space dogfights (for obvious reasons). Most conflicts even in the 34th century will inevitably entail ground combat. With Horizons we saw planetary landings and I think it’s time we saw combat trickle in to this area beyond “Skimmer Missions”.
1. Planetary Conflict Zones: should be very straightforward from the title. Just like legacy CZs except to enter them you must glide in via planetary entry.
These CZs should occur relativey close to the planet surface and come with the added hazard of losing control during maneuvering and crashing into the ground! The most unique part would be the shift in dominance in terms of ship types. Vessels with large tonnage and low agility like Cutters and Anacondas, which usually reign supreme in CZs, would be at a distinct disadvantage.
High-G worlds could offer higher rewards for combat bonds due to the added risk. They could be easily deferentiated by name: Conflict Zone: High-G, Conflict Zone: Low-G.
Finally, as a means to support the new Wing Mission mechanics, and for more daring and proficient pilots, an accompanying mission can be taken from the attacking factions: Planetary Conflict Zone Scan. Take out enough enemy ships to land safely or get air support from fellow wing members, deploy SRV, and scan the data points at a military settlement admidst the chaos for big payouts.
2. Military Troop Transport: a type of passenger mission that can potentially use assets from the above Planetary Conflict Zones. Pick up troops at starports and stations and take them to the fight. These missions would entail the added risk of flying in under fire from hostile ships, and again could shift the meta of your typical transport ship loadout to one of a moderately armed combat transport.
The separating item here would be the modules. They could add a new Troop Transport Cabin to the outfitting section, where each cabin held twice the number of occupants as a same-class Economy Cabin. Troops are used to getting packed like sardines after all. Whether or not these would be required or simply encouraged due to added capacity, I’m unsure, but that could be worked out.
Wings would also benefit here. You could have one super heavy transport being escorted by players in nimble fighter craft. Combine with Multi-Crew for added turret defense capabilities.
For bonus points, the devs could spend the time and resources at constructing some art assets to really set the stage. Forward operating bases complete with military vehicles and troops moving around, even engaging the enemy. But it seems like we are a long way off from things like that and the devs are short staffed as it is, so i could see new art assets taking a back seat, as long as the overall mission structure is believable.
3. Yeah I know I said two ideas but this is really similar to number 2, just Cargo instead of passengers. Otherwise, not much difference, these delivery missions would still benefit from more combat-oriented loadouts and wings in the same way.
I think these 2(3) new mission types could be very beneficial to the new Beyond update that improves planet surfaces by showing them off and providing more fun things to do there. How awesome would it be to use a graphically improved mountain range as cover during combat? And second, maybe act as another subtle means at funneling players that haven’t upgraded from Core yet to buy Horizons *wink wink*
So that does it, sorry for the huge post. I hope some of you enjoyed reading these ideas and have some interesting things to add. To everyone else, I’m prepared for flames.
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