What I imagine, is for each ship there could be templates or preferably something more detailed and intuitive like actively selecting which module/space you want to enlarge or shrink at the expense of other module sizes. This would effectively make it a new ship, I.E. a Modified Eagle instead of just an Eagle as a ship type. If true open optionality for these things would be too involved to code, then I suggest templates. AN FSD Bulkhead mod, to enlarge the FSD at the expense of other things as a standard modification, or multiple templates for the same mod type to give greater range of options.
This is difficult to articulate without making a wall of text but I will make a serious effort to keep it concise.
Some typical mods could include:
FSD Mod, this could potentially turn any ship a player wants into a long jumper. You like your Courier? Imagine jumping 65 with it at the expense of internal, weapons or whatever else. Giving up internal options, other sized modules for a larger range doesn't necessarily and shouldn't necessarily mean it would automatically make it an inferior fighter. It would merely be different, exchanging one benefit for another, but this mod would likely be used to further specialize.
Spinal Mount mod. Like the A-10 Jet, this mod would provide the player a 'size up' weapon that the ship would be built around. For a larger ship, like a cutter, it could possibly mean giving up it's size 4 weapon and maybe some internal space to place a size 5 weapon within it. For something like a Vulture? Maybe it means giving up two Size 3's for a size 2 and for a spinal Size 4.
Gunship Mod. This would be about giving up larger weapon types for a higher quantity of smaller weapons. Like on the anaconda, choosing to give up the Size 4 for two Size 2's, the two Size 3's for three Size 2's or something like it. More gun positions, making it more useful against smaller ships and giving it a more specialized roll as a support/escort for the larger ships with bigger guns.
Thrusters Mod. Same idea here, giving up one thing to fit larger thrusters. Imagine an Anaconda going 500? At the expense of sensors maybe, or FSD - this is why I'm hopeful for real options here instead of fixed templates because you would immediately have the ability to make these ships unique! But even with a variety of templates within each mod type would certainly provide this as well even if on a more standardized way.
CV Mod/Crew mod. Same idea, make your ship into an escort carrier, being able to launch more small fighters at the expense of other things. Or maybe even being able to house something like a Courier fighter instead of one of the smaller ones?
Thanks for reading.
This is difficult to articulate without making a wall of text but I will make a serious effort to keep it concise.
Some typical mods could include:
FSD Mod, this could potentially turn any ship a player wants into a long jumper. You like your Courier? Imagine jumping 65 with it at the expense of internal, weapons or whatever else. Giving up internal options, other sized modules for a larger range doesn't necessarily and shouldn't necessarily mean it would automatically make it an inferior fighter. It would merely be different, exchanging one benefit for another, but this mod would likely be used to further specialize.
Spinal Mount mod. Like the A-10 Jet, this mod would provide the player a 'size up' weapon that the ship would be built around. For a larger ship, like a cutter, it could possibly mean giving up it's size 4 weapon and maybe some internal space to place a size 5 weapon within it. For something like a Vulture? Maybe it means giving up two Size 3's for a size 2 and for a spinal Size 4.
Gunship Mod. This would be about giving up larger weapon types for a higher quantity of smaller weapons. Like on the anaconda, choosing to give up the Size 4 for two Size 2's, the two Size 3's for three Size 2's or something like it. More gun positions, making it more useful against smaller ships and giving it a more specialized roll as a support/escort for the larger ships with bigger guns.
Thrusters Mod. Same idea here, giving up one thing to fit larger thrusters. Imagine an Anaconda going 500? At the expense of sensors maybe, or FSD - this is why I'm hopeful for real options here instead of fixed templates because you would immediately have the ability to make these ships unique! But even with a variety of templates within each mod type would certainly provide this as well even if on a more standardized way.
CV Mod/Crew mod. Same idea, make your ship into an escort carrier, being able to launch more small fighters at the expense of other things. Or maybe even being able to house something like a Courier fighter instead of one of the smaller ones?
Thanks for reading.