Let players enlist into Navies

[SavannahServal]

Let players enlist, rise in ranks and engage in naval activities in Elite Dangerous, or if they have odyssey, even join faction armies. I know this could be a difficult thing to implement, but it would pay off with amazing game experience. It could work like this: A player would have to go to a system with a new structure, militry headquarters, of a faction whose navy he would want to join. Something like an enlistment office on a station might work as well. After enlistment, the player would get his first rank, and along with this a permit to go into military systems and structures. The player could rise through ranks by doing missions assigned in military headquarters or any fmilitary field office. After doing enough missions, the player could have a special task to do in order to get promoted, for example destroying some skilled training ship, performing a special mission, etc, up to the devs. Eventually, after reaching like fourth rank, the player would get his first true faction ship, outiftted with naval colors and equipment. At fifth rank, the player could have an ability to take up to two NPC starships with him, either to support faction expansion or to do a mission. The number and tier of the NPC ships would rise, along with the rank. So eventually at the highest rank the player could take a Battlecruiser with him to support him in the fight. Of course, the ranks wouldn't come easy, the player would need to work hard for them, but it shouldn't take days of grinding, unless on the higher ranks. At rank three, the player would unlock the possibility to join division, like covert ops, reconnisance, fighting, etc, also up to the devs, and his missions and equipment would change along with his division. It would also be good to have some kind of database showing every other player in the navy, his rank, etc. For advancing in ranks and doing succesful missions you could also get things like faction weapons or livery for ships. Such system would really make the game more interesting, and not only let players be associated with navies but also join and grow with them. If you want to know more details, contact me on Discord MarceloYT#7761 or here, because I didn't say all my ideas for this in this post.

 

[Lugh]

So... faction rank with extra steps players are forced to grind to get npc wingmen....

 

[SavannahServal]

So... faction rank with extra steps players are forced to grind to get npc wingmen....

Dont think so? It could be much more, like rank rewards. For example faction ships, equipment, faction livery for vechicles, armor for Odyssey players. Like you know, Star Citizen has the ability to join Navies from the top of my head, so why couldn't Elite Dangerous? I think that ED is better.

 

[Chrystoph]

Edited for readability, no content changes made.

Let players enlist, rise in ranks and engage in naval activities in Elite Dangerous, or if they have odyssey, even join faction armies.

I know this could be a difficult thing to implement, but it would pay off with amazing game experience. It could work like this: A player would have to go to a system with a new structure, militry headquarters, of a faction whose navy he would want to join. Something like an enlistment office on a station might work as well.

After enlistment, the player would get his first rank, and along with this a permit to go into military systems and structures. The player could rise through ranks by doing missions assigned in military headquarters or any fmilitary field office. After doing enough missions, the player could have a special task to do in order to get promoted, for example destroying some skilled training ship, performing a special mission, etc, up to the devs.

Eventually, after reaching like fourth rank, the player would get his first true faction ship, outiftted with naval colors and equipment. At fifth rank, the player could have an ability to take up to two NPC starships with him, either to support faction expansion or to do a mission. The number and tier of the NPC ships would rise, along with the rank. So eventually at the highest rank the player could take a Battlecruiser with him to support him in the fight.

Of course, the ranks wouldn't come easy, the player would need to work hard for them, but it shouldn't take days of grinding, unless on the higher ranks. At rank three, the player would unlock the possibility to join division, like covert ops, reconnisance, fighting, etc, also up to the devs, and his missions and equipment would change along with his division.

It would also be good to have some kind of database showing every other player in the navy, his rank, etc. For advancing in ranks and doing succesful missions you could also get things like faction weapons or livery for ships. Such system would really make the game more interesting, and not only let players be associated with navies but also join and grow with them.

If you want to know more details, contact me on Discord MarceloYT#7761 or here, because I didn't say all my ideas for this in this post.

 

[varonica]

The Pilots Federation is a secretive organization that oversees and represents the galaxy's independent pilots, almost all of whom are licensed members and granted the title "commander". Since its founding in 2805, the Pilots Federation has amassed enormous wealth and influence, but always maintained political neutrality, dedicating itself to supporting pilots rather than nations or political factions.[1][2]

So no chance of that, our current ranks are Honorary only, hence we can hold multiple ranks in multiple navies. Actually join a navy and you are no longer an independent pilot, allowing pilots to enlist in the Navy of any power would break the fundamental basis of the Pilots Federation, our ranks in the Pilots Federation are the only official ranks we can hold!

 

[SavannahServal]

So no chance of that, our current ranks are Honorary only, hence we can hold multiple ranks in multiple navies. Actually join a navy and you are no longer an independent pilot, allowing pilots to enlist in the Navy of any power would break the fundamental basis of the Pilots Federation, our ranks in the Pilots Federation are the only official ranks we can hold!

Then who are npc faction naval pilots taking part in faction battles? They are also pilot federation? Then how are they in a navy? You said all pilots are licensed members of the pilots federation, and that means they can't join a military.

 

[Ettanin]

Only we players are Pilot's Federation members. We carry the title CMDR.
NPCs are backed by their related minor faction.

 

[GroG79]

Plz do not introduce Military ranks into the game. This is not a war game.

 

[varonica]

Then who are npc faction naval pilots taking part in faction battles? They are also pilot federation? Then how are they in a navy? You said all pilots are licensed members of the pilots federation, and that means they can't join a military.

I didn't say all pilots are members of the Pilots Federation, I said all of us players are members of the pilots federation, that's part of the game, that's who gives you your licence to fly a ship. I am sure the Empire, Alliance and Federation have thier own pilot training programs.

 

[CMDR Rabbit]

So no chance of that, our current ranks are Honorary only, hence we can hold multiple ranks in multiple navies. Actually join a navy and you are no longer an independent pilot, allowing pilots to enlist in the Navy of any power would break the fundamental basis of the Pilots Federation, our ranks in the Pilots Federation are the only official ranks we can hold!

But then isn't that narrative inconsistent with power alignment in Powerplay?

Is it thematically different to be aligned with a power vs a super power (i'd add faction but there's no mechanic outside of basic reputation there) ?

Should (not "is there", "can there be", i'm not asking about the feasability of a change to the game, just looking from a internal consistency POV) there be a way for a CMDR to 'resign' from the IPF in favor of a different faction/power/super power?

 

[varonica]

But then isn't that narrative inconsistent with power alignment in Powerplay?

Is it thematically different to be aligned with a power vs a super power (i'd add faction but there's no mechanic outside of basic reputation there) ?

Should (not "is there", "can there be", i'm not asking about the feasability of a change to the game, just looking from a internal consistency POV) there be a way for a CMDR to 'resign' from the IPF in favor of a different faction/power/super power?

No I would say not. The Pilots Federation helps with all sorts of missions for all the different factions and powers, but there's a major difference between working to assist a power and becoming a member of the navy of a power. Being a member of the Navy requires that you go where and do what the navy directs you to do, even if that is acting against the interests of the Pilot's Federation. If a power acts against the interests of the Pilots Federation then they can just pull all support from that power, but that doesn't work if you are a member of the navy does it.

 

[Lugh]

Dont think so? It could be much more, like rank rewards. For example faction ships, equipment, faction livery for vechicles, armor for Odyssey players. Like you know, Star Citizen has the ability to join Navies from the top of my head, so why couldn't Elite Dangerous? I think that ED is better.

Oh so... faction rank with extra steps you are required to grind to get access to npc wingmen as well as a bunch of other goodies.

 

[varonica]

Like you know, Star Citizen has the ability to join Navies from the top of my head, so why couldn't Elite Dangerous? I think that ED is better.

Let me address this, Star Citizen is Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous is Elite Dangerous, does it occur to you that Elite Dangerous is better because it doesn't do everything like X other space game does? One of the things Elite Dangerous gets right is consistency in setting, maybe not breaking that consistency is a good thing not a bad thing.

 

[SavannahServal]

Let me address this, Star Citizen is Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous is Elite Dangerous, does it occur to you that Elite Dangerous is better because it doesn't do everything like X other space game does? One of the things Elite Dangerous gets right is consistency in setting, maybe not breaking that consistency is a good thing not a bad thing.

So, you said superpowers have their own pilot training programs. Why players can't have the choice when beginning the game, to choose their preferred training program? They could choose, whether to be independent, and not be a member of any organization, or choose some faction's training program and rank up as a naval or corporate pilot. Without any DLCs, without any unlocking. Just one choice before creating yout character. It wouldn't be mandatory, the player would choose everything himself. I don't see anything wrong with this.

 

[CMDR Rabbit]

So, you said superpowers have their own pilot training programs. Why players can't have the choice when beginning the game, to choose their preferred training program? They could choose, whether to be independent, and not be a member of any organization, or choose some faction's training program and rank up as a naval or corporate pilot. Without any DLCs, without any unlocking. Just one choice before creating yout character. It wouldn't be mandatory, the player would choose everything himself. I don't see anything wrong with this.

i'm all for player choice and agency. i wouldn't have a problem with it personally.

You'd need to be clear on the pros and cons of it though, like if you're playing as a member of the imperial navy the fed navy missions and ships would be locked out for you. The trade off being maybe more military themed missions from your chosen power and earlier access to that groups military ships?

 

[chesdj]

So say I enlisted in the imperial navy and had a Navy ship?
I would no longer be able to enter Federation space as it could be counted as a act of war.
As happens here on earth as soon as you jumped in a FED system you would be intercepted by an armed escort and politely asked to leave asap.

Plus you wouldn't be able to choose your missions or the times you play. If your commanding officer says you will go and fetch this memo from Hutton Orbital at 4am in the morning that is what you are doing.
You fail a mission, you don't just get a simple fine you get court martialled.

We already have the mercenary element where you can do jobs for the Navy, but the OP doesn't seem to realise what being enlisted actually means.

 

[CMDR Rabbit]

Plus you wouldn't be able to choose your missions or the times you play. If your commanding officer says you will go and fetch this memo from Hutton Orbital at 4am in the morning that is what you are doing.
You fail a mission, you don't just get a simple fine you get court martialled.

as far as actual "realism" goes sure. But i dont think it would need to go that far.

There's room for thematic or narrative consistency without it needing to be "boot camp simulator"

 

[chesdj]

as far as actual "realism" goes sure. But i dont think it would need to go that far.

There's room for thematic or narrative consistency without it needing to be "boot camp simulator"

How else could you play it?
If you ENLIST you don't get to pick and choose what to do and use Military resources as YOU wish? That is decided by the top brass and politics.
You are given a job and the required equipment provided for that task (To be returned.)
Which you must do for just a flat payment every month; whether it's killing pirates in anacondas or just spending 12 hours a day flying round a space station in circles as a guard.
You can't do any trading or missions on the side and certainly not using Military resources.
You don't own the ships you're using.


We already have the Mercenary role in game and stuff like 'wetwork' missions and CZ's.

 

[Chrystoph]

So, you said superpowers have their own pilot training programs. Why players can't have the choice when beginning the game, to choose their preferred training program? They could choose, whether to be independent, and not be a member of any organization, or choose some faction's training program and rank up as a naval or corporate pilot. Without any DLCs, without any unlocking. Just one choice before creating yout character. It wouldn't be mandatory, the player would choose everything himself. I don't see anything wrong with this.

You've oversimplified. What is the game play loop for someone that is not a Pilot's Federation pilot? Do you still get to wander around, doing your own thing?

As a Naval Shiphandler, are you obligated to patrol so many hours a week with X number of interdictions required?

You've expressed the benefits of your proposal, but there have to be limitations as well, or else all you have done is make a quest, not an alternative.

 

[SavannahServal]

You've oversimplified. What is the game play loop for someone that is not a Pilot's Federation pilot? Do you still get to wander around, doing your own thing?

As a Naval Shiphandler, are you obligated to patrol so many hours a week with X number of interdictions required?

You've expressed the benefits of your proposal, but there have to be limitations as well, or else all you have done is make a quest, not an alternative.

Sure I agree with you, the game shouldn't be about hours of patrolling, and enlisting into a Navy may require that. But I didn't meant system police forces, I meant superpower Navies. It could work something like this: if there is a battle in the system you would be assigned to, you have to warp there within some time and fight. If you don't get there on time, you get half you naval salary, and if you destroy much ships or do something important for the battle, you get higher payout and perhaps some rewards. Patrolling would be a thing only in case of system law enforcement, and there is no point in enlisting into such organizations for the player.