I know the ongoing discussion about the role of NPCs, and currently, most NPC interactions are cosmetic. For example, ships land on your fleet carrier without offering value unless you like watching them dock and depart.
Here is what I would appreciate specifically for colonization:
The ability to assign the NPC crew member you can hire for combat to one of the vessels from your fleet carrier and assist with transporting materials. It could cost the same percentage the NPC earns for combat but on the cargo value or much more.
You should be able to assign credits, the material you want, and the amount. I know you can accomplish something similar by using the market on your fleet carrier and having other commanders interact. With your NPC crew member, it is a guaranteed approach, and it allows you to use your NPC crew member for more than combat, and colonization makes perfect sense.
While I am at it, allow all three NPC slots for your crew to function like this. Earning credits is beyond simple, and if we could use those credits to assist in our colonization efforts (yes, it would help general trading and earning money), it would add value to the gameplay hours we love to plunge into ED.
Don't get me wrong, I am building my system with the current mechanics just fine, but there is always room for improvement.
I have read other ideas I support, especially hiring APEX to haul materials at a high cost with only one active shuttle per player. I would create a dedicated logistics company under Brewer and leave APEX to shuttle us around.
It would also make sense that the faction you bring to your system would assist in further colonization efforts, which could start after you build the first station. They have a vested interest, and it makes no sense for the faction to remain idle.
PS: This is my first post after 1,500+ hours of ED, as I thought the Trailblazer update was a good reason to join the forums. o7
Here is what I would appreciate specifically for colonization:
The ability to assign the NPC crew member you can hire for combat to one of the vessels from your fleet carrier and assist with transporting materials. It could cost the same percentage the NPC earns for combat but on the cargo value or much more.
You should be able to assign credits, the material you want, and the amount. I know you can accomplish something similar by using the market on your fleet carrier and having other commanders interact. With your NPC crew member, it is a guaranteed approach, and it allows you to use your NPC crew member for more than combat, and colonization makes perfect sense.
While I am at it, allow all three NPC slots for your crew to function like this. Earning credits is beyond simple, and if we could use those credits to assist in our colonization efforts (yes, it would help general trading and earning money), it would add value to the gameplay hours we love to plunge into ED.
Don't get me wrong, I am building my system with the current mechanics just fine, but there is always room for improvement.
I have read other ideas I support, especially hiring APEX to haul materials at a high cost with only one active shuttle per player. I would create a dedicated logistics company under Brewer and leave APEX to shuttle us around.
It would also make sense that the faction you bring to your system would assist in further colonization efforts, which could start after you build the first station. They have a vested interest, and it makes no sense for the faction to remain idle.
PS: This is my first post after 1,500+ hours of ED, as I thought the Trailblazer update was a good reason to join the forums. o7