Module/Weapon - Middle ground needed?

[MrScar]

This is something i thought about during a discussion in another thread. I think it was not posted yet, so I will give it a try.

It is just an idea, since I am not that much familiar with the present mechanics, however after doing a bit of research, and chatting with people I am under the impression that currently there are two categories of modules/weapons.

1. The so-so stock modules available basically everywhere, just to keep you going.
2. The Engineer modules/modifications, divided into sub categories in the form of grades, that become very powerful.

Now I was thinking if it would make sense to add something in between. Some kind of special edition modules/weapons available only on High Tech worlds/stations for example, that you can buy for in game money for a bigger price. Those modules would be available to those who can afford them, maybe even rank/rep locked (not sure about this one), however they would still be more powerful than the A grade ones, but less powerful than the engineered ones.

All in all, this way I think it would fix the following issues
1. It would fill the gap between having to fly a mediocre A grade ship, and the so called end-game engineered ones.
2. Middle ground modules would offer a steep advancment in the gameplay, meaning you do not have to drop everything and go in your AspX collecting materials for engineering.
3. For those who do not consider Engineering a priority, they would still blast things/mine/do cargo runs/explore in a reasonable fashion and not feel underpowered.
4. Expansion of the piloting skill treshold - Such modules might not be as powerful as the engineered ones, but in the hands of a skilled pilot, they would still prove to be competitve.

What do you think?

 

[Vetinari]

Tech Brokers may become your friend.

 

[Ethaidan]

Those middle-ground modules & weapons already exist in the form of guradian and tech broker modules. Additionally, unlocking engineering is dead easy, not really time consuming, and engineering anything to G3 is really quite fast and easy. There is very little reason to ever NEED to engineer a ship beyond G3 - Thargoid Combat, Elite Pirate Lord Assassinations, or PvP - that's it. So It's really just the last few completely irrelevant % points at G5 and a couple of modules that take any real effort to max out.

 

[MrScar]

Ok, i took a quick peek on the Tech Brokers. Had no idea those existed. I need to do more reading then.
My post seems invalid at this point it seems. Well, happens.
Thank you for the replies.

 

[Vetinari]

May also includes the possibility that some expected double Engineered weapons or modules may be bought at them in future...its a bit speculative atm.

OP not invalid, just highlights stuff that maybe should be a bit more signposted sometimes. Forum is always here to ask and get answers...or get sarcastic comments, depends on the day and who gets in first Its there for anybody else wondering the same anyway.

 

[lemon407]

The issue is, the tech broker weapons REALLY need to allow engineering.
Really cool weapons like, the shock cannon, are woefully underpowered compared to an engineered weapon, even like a G3 weapon out performs it.

 

[MrScar]

May also includes the possibility that some expected double Engineered weapons or modules may be bought at them in future...its a bit speculative atm.

OP not invalid, just highlights stuff that maybe should be a bit more signposted sometimes. Forum is always here to ask and get answers...or get sarcastic comments, depends on the day and who gets in first Its there for anybody else wondering the same anyway.

True, that is what forums have in common. Thanks

As for the weapons/module part, I dont know... As a player that is more combat oriented, I simply have a feeling that other activities are a bit forced onto me, to get a better ship, and get better stuff to be well... better at combat.

The issue is, the tech broker weapons REALLY need to allow engineering.
Really cool weapons like, the shock cannon, are woefully underpowered compared to an engineered weapon, even like a G3 weapon out performs it.

I checked out the Tech Brokers, the Shock cannon seems to be quite fun, however it still requires you to do a bit of material gathering activity. Same goes for engineeres and as you said, you have to collect those and engineer stuff is a much better trade for the materials collected.
However my point is that, It feels a little strange that in the times of space travel, wormholes, abundance of resources and trade, you are forced to get materials. I understand some modules/weapons are easier to get, because they do not require a big amount of materials, but point is, you still have to gather them by yourself.

Why not just buy the things you want for hard earned cash from the activity you prefer?

I dont want to sound, like I want easy mode or something. No no, definetly not. However I do not like things to be forced on me, and choose activities that I normally do not do, to achives things that are important in the activity I do.

All in all, i simply have a feeling that something is missing. Or maybe I need to do more research to gain more knowledge on understanding how things work. In the end it might be, that I am missing the point.