Elite Dangerous: Military

[Goose4291]

Last night I was musing on a concept to try to bring some semblance of uniqueness to the Military 'career' path in ED.

Premise
In your own ship, you fly to one of the new Drydock assets, where upon docking, the new Military GUI flashes up
On your initial loading in, it asks you to select your military (i.e. Imperial/Fed/Alliance (hah)) at which point you are locked to that superpower.
At this point the GUI changes to highlight all the systems where a conflict for a faction supporting that superpower is taking place, and has a capital ship in an instance. It also highlights if any have current 'military' players in them, as well as a lobby function to support winging up.
Once there, you select your ship load-out (more on that later) and are launched from that capital ship in that superpowers fighter and take part in that CZ (locked into open, as firstly in my mind BGS manipulation is an indirect form of PvP, and secondly to try to encourage large numbers of players to take part in throwaway PvP with meaning, which CQC lacks).
When you kill an enemy ship the credits are automatically transferred to your account, and its relevant impact on the BGS also transferred (as you will be helluva squishy and will probably die a lot).
If you lose your ship, no cr loss impact on yourself (as it's a military vessel anyway). Additionally you can 'dock' with the capital ship to get repairs IF you somehow manage not to scatter at the first volley, or to change your fighter (see below)
You earn Military rank this way henceforth, no longer done through the old system (with the rank advancement missions still requiring you to use your main account to get the mission done).

Ranking Up
Ranking up not only unlocks the permits/ships in-game as now, but also adds additional variations on loadouts to you 'military' account (so for example, AWACS, EW, Interceptor or heavy bomber variants of the fighters, unique weapons/equipment (so for example, a Imperial pledged pilot might get a Prismatic Shield fighter available at a certain level, or a Fed might get a Pacifier cannon variant fighter). These variants and roles will lead to wings tailoring themselves to meet a threat, so for example if the atypical tankaconda player comes into the instance, two of them might dock and come back out as heavy bombers.
The final endgame of this might be that players can, for a limited period using multi-crew, control one of the capital ships and it's turrets in the instance.

Advantages
Meaningful PvP (as this not only relates to your rank, it means your influencing the BGS for the glory of your superpower)
Choice and consequence (As you have to chose a relevant superpower, and this impacts on your gamestyle)
Throwaway PewPew (so those who can't handle losing a pretend spaceship can still get their hands dirty).
Potential variety in CZ's again (so no more cuttie-cutter build of the day, as the fighter variants mean people will be switching in and out).

Cons
Reliance on open

Additional Lore tidying
Currently, the Fed's and Imps seem to use all the other craft in their CZ's. To try to give it that tidier 'immersive' feel, I'd suggest as well that the following ships spawn per faction in a CZ

Federal
Federal Corvette.
Federal Gunship.
Federal Dropship.
Federal Assault Ship.
F63 Condor.

Imperial
Imperial Eagle
Imperial Courier
Imperial Cutter
Imperial Clipper
Imperial Fighter

Independent/Alliance (As a placeholder)
Anaconda
Asp Explorer
Asp Scout
Cobra MkIII
Cobra MkIV
Diamondback Explorer
Diamondback Scout
Eagle
Python
Taipan Fighter
Viper MkIII
Viper MkIV
Vulture

*Poll added, because this isn't an open letter and I need to adhere to forum protocols.

 

[vrseven]

If I can have two active SLFs while flying my Fed Corvette, Im game..

 

[Goose4291]

If I can have two active SLFs while flying my Fed Corvette, Im game..

I was surprised with multicrew on the horizon, it wasn't set to three SLFs

 

[Weps]

I'd like it, but I would like for the mechanic to be more integrated with the open world aspect of the game: for example having to fly to a capital ship through the universe, in your own ship, rather than selecting it from a menu, being able to fly your own ship if you so desire etc.

 

[Cosmo]

This would improve Powerplay if it works with factions.

This should work via the in-game station menu, otherwise it's another external semi-separate game which isn't immersive.

 

[Khazid]

Without putting any real thought on the idea.. Initially I like it but it should somehow be integrated to open like earlier mentioned. Maybe if tou have no military tag on you, meaning you did something like landing on a capital ship to ensign, you are attacked on site on military zones or even systems.

 

[Gimi]

Interesting idea.
Docking with Capital Ships and interacting with the military was discussed during the Kickstarter and in the DDF.

I would much prefer that it was done in this way, as a more integrated part of the existing game.
So rather than a separate mode, I would prefer to dock with a military station or ship and accept missions in a combat zone. Then launch from a capital ship to take part in that combat zone. There needs to be some risk/reward balance though. Not sure what if there is no rebuy though.

Edit: Ninjaed by Khazid more or less.

 

[[VR] Deggial]

Why as another seperate start menue option?
Didn't CQC create enough disconnect between the main game and the "tagged on" content already? (Don't get me wrong, I actually like CQC. But this issue can not be denied.)

- Just subscribe to a military in game (only one subscription allowed)
- New map filters might be available only for players in the military, showing current conflicts and other players in the same military.
- Fly to a military outpost of your alliance and get transported to another of those - using military transporters outfitted with the new Sirius Corp jump-drive, which will only be available for official organizations. (Non-menue, not-instant but fast in-game traveling that doesn't break the lore.)
- rank up in the military to get access to better ships, as proposed.
- Military ships will be free as proposed (risk-free fun) ...
- ... but limited in variations. After all, military uses standardized equipment. Benefit: leveled play-field; skill trumps equipment.
- getting blown up (too often) will eventually result in a degradation and reduce your ship choice. Losing "high rank ships" will obviously be worse than being blown up in a military Eagle. Effect: sort of a ladder system with consequences for the player (not financially, though) for a higher incentive to survive and "git gud".
- military only missions issued to members; can be solved within the (optimized) player ship, if whished, but then with all usual consequences.

If you really pretend in the "open only" idea, access to military ships could be limited to this game mode. But I don't find this necessary (or even desirable). For those who enjoy playing with others, a military career might add nice opportunities to do so. ED still wants to cater all types of players and military gameplay must not be held back from dedicated single players, in my opinion.

 

[Max Stingray]

Interesting idea: I will dare to elaborate further, just for fun. (some things have been said before as we were probably typing simultaneously)

It does not need a separate game mode. Just make the proper military mission in CZ available only if in Open from specific military only stations (closed off to civilians, unless one has a supply delivery mission)

In all other modes there could be some military mission like intelligence gathering (scanning targets), data deliveries, or escort mission, or even passenger missions (for high ranking officers) , but not the main military missions, available only to players with a the proper military rank, and active status. They would be available from the military attaché contact at most civilian stations.

Military mission in CZ should be the only way to get to the highest ranks, and military ranks could be raked up only through military missions. To sign up one has to be friendly with a superpower and use the military attaché contact to do so.

Private Citizens could take part to CZ combat as now as mercenaries using their civilian hardware, but if they do so in open it would be their own risk. Some recognition is given if they decide to sign up at a later date.

Most military mission are flown with proper military hardware, which is more powerful than the civilian hardware (like the original military ASP), there is no rebuy cost but the pay is lame unless one is good and can complete the missions without losing the ship. Losing the ship has a penalty as only the basic pay is received. Outfitting privileges come with rank, not money as well as engineering privileges and “own” modules.

Once one is signed up with the military, one has to stay signed up for a period of time (tour of duty), if one really wants to leave than either rank or some pay is lost and becomes a deserter hence wanted by the military and unable to sign up again for a period of time (after which all is forgotten .. for gameplay reasons).
One cannot hold rank with more than one power simultaneously (this really bugs me in the current game) and if one has military status with one power is not generally welcome in the systems controlled by the others to various degrees depending on rank and security level.

Members of the military can use military insignia decals on their civilian ships, and high ranking officers can get access some limited military hardware (and military engineering resources ..) which they can keep if the leave the military with honour (i.e. complete a tour of duty) otherwise once they are lost the insurance won’t rebuy them.

Active members of the military are subject to military laws (within their territory), so all fines are doubled, assassination missions are not allowed (if you get busted, i.e. scanned), nor trading between stations of the opposing superpowers.

Members of the military on active duty are not called CMDR .. but Lt, Col etc ..

This a all bit like power play, but the military “Elite” status can only be achieved with PvP.

 

[Goose4291]

I'd like it, but I would like for the mechanic to be more integrated with the open world aspect of the game: for example having to fly to a capital ship through the universe, in your own ship, rather than selecting it from a menu, being able to fly your own ship if you so desire etc.

Actually thats an idea, a happy middle ground would be perhaps you fly to one of the new drydock assets and dock there, at which point the GUI loads up?

I'd like to fly and dock at the ship itself, but the problem is that the current flight of capital ships don't have adequate size to cater for docking anything above the size of an eagle (a friend of mine got stuck with his type 6 trying to fly into the majestics docking bay, and I've regularly scraped into the Fed ones launch bay using the Eagle).

This should work via the in-game station menu, otherwise it's another external semi-separate game which isn't immersive.

Why as another seperate start menu option?
Didn't CQC create enough disconnect between the main game and the "tagged on" content already? (Don't get me wrong, I actually like CQC. But this issue can not be denied.)

I agree, the problem is that it makes it a lot less easily accessible. Personally, I think the idea of flying to a dry dock like Weps suggested is more immersive, but I was thinking this would cater more to the 'get some pew pew quick' jollies idea. I've tweaked it accordingly .

 

[shadowwar]

Well I voted No, Just no! I am not convinced FD will pay attention to this initiative at this stage of game play. I mean I am top ranked in both Navies but prefer the Federation over the Imperialists. The Federation has some standards not like the Imperials. I mean the Imperials condone slavery! Something which in the 34th century should be banned. Yeah I have traded in Imperial Slaves in my past because I needed the profits trading in them made. But not for a long time have I done this.

Holding Federation rank of Admiral means absolutely nothing at all. Just as being King of the Imperial Fleet. Waste of an effort unless you count access to their rank locked ships. I see no purpose to having a Military career in ED. None whatsoever.

Good poll though!

 

[Vorxian]

I really like the idea, but as a co-operative PvE idea. I would love to be an imperial navy sign-up, and roll warzones with the empire.

I'm not interested in going against meta-optimized PvP, as I have not, and will not go on the engineer grindstone, thus I put myself at great disadvantages.

However, if it's possible to team up with fellow players against an opposing faction to help the BGS, and earn good compensation by allying with a faction (and earn faction reputation and cash), that would be immense.

Also FDEV should sort out the meaningful choice between factions. Someone King in Empire should not be revered in Federation! Choice should mean choosing ONE, to sacrifice the other. About time "Independent" made a shining come back as well with new ships etc.

 

[Robert Maynard]

I agree, the problem is that it makes it a lot less easily accessible.

.... as does making it reliant on Open. There's yet to be any permanent content locked to a single game mode for arbitrary reasons.

 

[Goose4291]

.... as does making it reliant on Open. There's yet to be any permanent content locked to a single game mode for arbitrary reasons.

Apart from the aforementioned CQC?

 

[Robert Maynard]

Apart from the aforementioned CQC?

CQC is not an in-game mode - it's separated from the single shared galaxy state has no NPCs and does not follow the rules of the game (i.e. no rebuy).

The only cross-over would seem to be credits, a rank display and a system permit - as an encouragement to play it in the first place.

 

[Starbreaker]

I would like to see military style content, but I would rather see it as a part of powerplay. Special missions flying under the banner of a PP faction, sabotage surface installations, drop troops into hostile territory, destroy enemy ships etc. Missions that are already in the game but supports your PP faction instead of minor factions.

 

[MarkAusten]

Tell me, would this be mandatory? I trade and I'll trade with anyone who pays. I do not wish to limit my options by locking myself to one super power or another. If you are not careful this will just become a "play my way or not at all" issue. It also forces Elite into a military game instead of the game it is now.

So, will there be a way to avoid this conscription?

Thanks.

 

[Connolly91]

All of the yep.

 

[-VR- Max Factor]

I voted I like it but not the open only part. After playing with the BGS for a long time, I have come to the realisation that it is meant to be experienced, not played (it is just a bit bland at the moment and could do with some serious expansion). So taking something away from solo play in my eyes is just wrong. All play options should be usable.

 

[edgar]

I do not wish to limit my options by locking myself to one super power or another.

It makes sense to me that Superpowers wouldn't want you working with the enemy, particularly working for a Superpower's rival military.

I really wish there were many more gameplay consequences to actions in the game.

I personally think that if a player wants to court both Superpower militaries that there should be a risk of getting found out by one side or the other involved. Something like that could open the way for more content centred around Superpower rivalry, for example acts of espionage against or sabotage, and for these to be supported by gameplay mechanics.