Hi all,
It occurred to me that perhaps limpet controllers ought to be utility slot modules, rather than ones that fit in an internal compartment.
On the lore side (though I think lore should always be led by gameplay, rather than the other way around, so take this with a grain of salt - the designers might well have a much better explanation), I imagine them as a small programming device, with a transmitter/receiver, so they can interface appropriately with the generic limpets. So it would make sense for them to have some external element (like a utility slot), as well as being something that doesn't require a huge amount of internal space.
But more importantly, utility slots are at a much lesser premium than internal compartments. So the effect on gameplay might be dramatic. Pilots would be more willing to carry a limpet controller as an extra add-on - it isn't taking up one of their precious internal compartments. This feels more like what a limpet controller ought to be. It's almost the definition of 'utility'.
1. A dedicated explorer really needs an advanced discovery scanner, a detailed surface scanner and a fuel scoop. Many wouldn't want to risk flying without a shield either. That's four internals taken up already. I've seen many people claim you ought to have an AFM if you're exploring too, in case of accidents. That's five. For many ships, there aren't a lot of internal compartments left, if any. If the limpet controllers were utility slot modules, then many explorers might be willing to take the tiny extra mass for a fuel transfer controller and a few limpets in a cargo bay. Then if they run into another explorer who has run out of fuel, they can help. At the moment, throwing away an internal on something that might never happen and is only for helping someone else is a pretty much impossibly unattractive option - no one wants to do it. Remember a cargo bay with limpets is another internal, which means someone who wants to do this needs to use 6 or 7 internal compartments. A utility slot, on the other hand, wouldn't compete with those other modules and we might see more explorers flying around with the capability to help others.
2. For a prospector/explorer, it's even worse - you need the advanced discovery scanner, detailed surface scanner, fuel scoop, shield, cargo bay (with limpets) and collector limpet controller, as a minimum. That's 6 internal compartments. If you also want an AFM and prospector limpet controller, that's a whopping 8. This leaves not much in the way of flexibility on what other things to fit out with (in the case of 8, no flexibility at all).
If the limpet controllers were utility slot modules, pilots might simply slot them in to provide a little extra ability to their ships for different situations - exactly what 'utility' means.
Or am I missing something? Is there a big impact on balance, etc, if they were utility slot modules? Is it exploitable? Would the effect of this change on ships with a low number of utility slots dramatic?
It occurred to me that perhaps limpet controllers ought to be utility slot modules, rather than ones that fit in an internal compartment.
On the lore side (though I think lore should always be led by gameplay, rather than the other way around, so take this with a grain of salt - the designers might well have a much better explanation), I imagine them as a small programming device, with a transmitter/receiver, so they can interface appropriately with the generic limpets. So it would make sense for them to have some external element (like a utility slot), as well as being something that doesn't require a huge amount of internal space.
But more importantly, utility slots are at a much lesser premium than internal compartments. So the effect on gameplay might be dramatic. Pilots would be more willing to carry a limpet controller as an extra add-on - it isn't taking up one of their precious internal compartments. This feels more like what a limpet controller ought to be. It's almost the definition of 'utility'.
1. A dedicated explorer really needs an advanced discovery scanner, a detailed surface scanner and a fuel scoop. Many wouldn't want to risk flying without a shield either. That's four internals taken up already. I've seen many people claim you ought to have an AFM if you're exploring too, in case of accidents. That's five. For many ships, there aren't a lot of internal compartments left, if any. If the limpet controllers were utility slot modules, then many explorers might be willing to take the tiny extra mass for a fuel transfer controller and a few limpets in a cargo bay. Then if they run into another explorer who has run out of fuel, they can help. At the moment, throwing away an internal on something that might never happen and is only for helping someone else is a pretty much impossibly unattractive option - no one wants to do it. Remember a cargo bay with limpets is another internal, which means someone who wants to do this needs to use 6 or 7 internal compartments. A utility slot, on the other hand, wouldn't compete with those other modules and we might see more explorers flying around with the capability to help others.
2. For a prospector/explorer, it's even worse - you need the advanced discovery scanner, detailed surface scanner, fuel scoop, shield, cargo bay (with limpets) and collector limpet controller, as a minimum. That's 6 internal compartments. If you also want an AFM and prospector limpet controller, that's a whopping 8. This leaves not much in the way of flexibility on what other things to fit out with (in the case of 8, no flexibility at all).
If the limpet controllers were utility slot modules, pilots might simply slot them in to provide a little extra ability to their ships for different situations - exactly what 'utility' means.
Or am I missing something? Is there a big impact on balance, etc, if they were utility slot modules? Is it exploitable? Would the effect of this change on ships with a low number of utility slots dramatic?
