Optional slot splitter

[lemny]

What if we could put in a slot splitting Module or simply fill the underfitted slots with additional modules.

My first thought was to make a splitter module, that always results in 2 classes lower slots. Class 7 -> 2x Class 5. Would be half the volume of the Class 7 as a penalty.
But maybe that would be overpowered.

How about splitting in the form of Class 7 -> Class 2 & 5 / 3 & 4 / ...
That would simply mean, we could fill the unused spaces with smaller modules.

I know that will have a huge impact on balance, but since we have tons of limpet controllers and scanners wich uses optional slots, that could counter that.
And we have to check the armor modules and others. 2 Class 2 hull reinforcement should not have more armor than a Class 4 hull reinforcement, but that's the case now and should be adjusted.

Only a thought... don't fetch the pitch forks and torches.

 

[Dagwit]

What may give ideas like this more traction than they might previously have had is that FDev must be looking for things to put in the Tech Broker that aren't another gun.

 

[Cmdr Ultra]

It will happen at some point.

 

[Delilah]

Interesting idea. Especially as it would allow efficient use of low tonnage slots for avionics packages -- computers, scanners, etc. Thanks!

 

[IndigoWyrd]

Pitched this idea 2 years ago, last year, and again a few weeks ago.
There is, however, a plan in the works to do something akin to this for Limpet Controllers, as they have begun to realize they've buried us in so many kinds of limpet controllers now that you either build a Limpet Controller ship that does nothing well, or you severely limit what your ship's capabilities are - or you're stuck using an Imperial Cutter to interact with Megaships and take advantage of all the neat new ways to rob them.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

What if we could put in a slot splitting Module or simply fill the underfitted slots with additional modules.

My first thought was to make a splitter module, that always results in 2 classes lower slots. Class 7 -> 2x Class 5. Would be half the volume of the Class 7 as a penalty.
But maybe that would be overpowered.

How about splitting in the form of Class 7 -> Class 2 & 5 / 3 & 4 / ...
That would simply mean, we could fill the unused spaces with smaller modules.

I know that will have a huge impact on balance, but since we have tons of limpet controllers and scanners wich uses optional slots, that could counter that.
And we have to check the armor modules and others. 2 Class 2 hull reinforcement should not have more armor than a Class 4 hull reinforcement, but that's the case now and should be adjusted.

Only a thought... don't fetch the pitch forks and torches.

This has been proposed many times. We have been waiting over three years for something like this.

 

[[Diplomacy] Carnegie]

This has been proposed many times. We have been waiting over three years for something like this.

To me, that suggests that it isn't going to happen.

 

[MadDogMurdock]

The issue is that different modules scale in completely different ways.
e.g. The way that HRPs and MRPs scale is entirely different to Limpet Controllers, which is different again from Cargo Holds.

Just bringing in a slot splitter would open up even more ways to break ship balance, regardless of how you do it.

At this point, it's the entire ship layout system and module types that needs an overhaul.

 

[trollson]

There was a time when this was being suggested at least once per week, and has been subject to quite detailed analyses in these forums.

It ain't going to happen. Its basically asking to throw out the current slot-based model of ships in Elite, which is something for a different game.

 

[Lestat]

The issue is that different modules scale in completely different ways.
e.g. The way that HRPs and MRPs scale is entirely different to Limpet Controllers, which is different again from Cargo Holds.

Just bringing in a slot splitter would open up even more ways to break ship balance, regardless of how you do it.

At this point, it's the entire ship layout system and module types that needs an overhaul.

Very good point.

 

[lemny]

The issue is that different modules scale in completely different ways.
e.g. The way that HRPs and MRPs scale is entirely different to Limpet Controllers, which is different again from Cargo Holds.
Just bringing in a slot splitter would open up even more ways to break ship balance, regardless of how you do it.
At this point, it's the entire ship layout system and module types that needs an overhaul.

As I wrote... some Modules have to be rebalanced, but not many. Cargo for example is no problem. It would never make sense to use 2 instead of 1 larger module.
This would mostly result in a QOL way instead of overpowered ships.

 

[Zynniah]

I can't support the OPs proposal. Each class is double the capacity of the previous class (i.e. a class 2 takes up to 4T while a class 1 takes up to 2T, just look at the cargo racks). It might make sense for a splitter to turn an optional module bay into 2 of one class lower (as in a class 7 becomes two class 6).

However, the fact that the limpet controllers take any optional module slots is silly all on it's own. Limpets are generic short range unmanned semi-autonomous tools that can be programmed for different tasks. They should all be configured by your ship's computer. The "limpet controllers" should be software that you purchase. The more limpets that the software controls at the same time, the more expensive the software. There may also be limits on a maximum number that a given ship size can actually control if we assume that the smaller ships use less powerful computers.

The auto-landing computer should also be just software that you have to buy and add to your ship's computer.

If they want to have some optional module related to limpets, it should be a limpet bay that stores limpets. The logic here being that the limpets need to be loaded/moved for launching. This is pretty weak since limpets live in the cargo hold today and are launched just fine without any special launching gear (unlike SRVs and SLFs, which need their own special bays for some reason).

 

[MadDogMurdock]

As I wrote... some Modules have to be rebalanced, but not many. Cargo for example is no problem. It would never make sense to use 2 instead of 1 larger module.
This would mostly result in a QOL way instead of overpowered ships.

I agree we have a problem, but a module overview and internal rethink is what's needed.

 

[CMDR Corlas]

I like the goal, but I think we've evolved beyond slot-splitting. I think the direction limpets are taking in the future - subslots, like we have for our hangar bays - is a better solution and easier to balance.

• Scanner subslots based on the grade of your main scanner array, for ADS, DSS, an SRV-like material wave-scanner, and whatever else comes in the mining and exploration revamps.
• Armor / shield cell subslots based not only on your ship, but on the hull you have on it - for example military grade composites give everyone one or more extra military slots, that kind of thing (would require a re-balance of the existing military slots).

I think the one kind of splitter I could really get behind is something that allowed us to mount two or three small weapons in a single large slot.

 

[Lestat]

Right now the setup is fine.

I would rather have that empty space. Be used when we have space legs. Like, add a living quarter in unused space. Something that not combat related and does not add weight.

Instead of asking fit modules in smaller ship idea.

 

[varonica]

Pitched this idea 2 years ago, last year, and again a few weeks ago.
There is, however, a plan in the works to do something akin to this for Limpet Controllers, as they have begun to realize they've buried us in so many kinds of limpet controllers now that you either build a Limpet Controller ship that does nothing well, or you severely limit what your ship's capabilities are - or you're stuck using an Imperial Cutter to interact with Megaships and take advantage of all the neat new ways to rob them.

Limpet controllers are getting a limpet controller rack that will take a number of different limpet controllers. I can't see this working for other stuff really, put a shield booster rack and fill it with shield boosters? Yeah right. That's always where the problem comes from, there are things that you can group that make sense, and things that you can group that throw balance out the window. Just being able to split slots gives people the opportunity fill that space with stuff that creates even more overpowered ships. A limpet controller rack, yeah because having three different kinds of limpet controllers doesn't overpower anything, they may even make it so you can only use one type at a time. Once we get more types of sensors we may get a sensor rack to slot different sensors in. Some things work but others don't.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

I agree we have a problem, but a module overview and internal rethink is what's needed.

High Guard, after Book 2.

 

[Bernaue]

First off, this is really required because it even damages the performance of some of the smaller/medium cargo transporting ships, e.g. my new Type-7 Transporter.

I think the best way to handle this is to have it so you buy a "Internal Rack Splitter", these will only take passenger cabins, hangers, cargo racks, fuel tanks, docking computer and scanners and would split as follows:

7 > 2x 3 / 3x 2 / 4 + 2
5 > 2x 2 / 3 + 1
3 > 3x 1
2 > 2x 1

The size 7 and 5 versions would add a small amount of structural integrity (e.g. 50) but a fair amount of extra mass (e.g. 25t) due to the dividing walls/partitions.
Whereas the smaller size 3 and 2 version will add no structural integrity and a small amount of extra mass (2.5-5t).